In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Bishop saves boy from fiery crash
There was a dangerous scene on the Beltway near Maryland Route 4 the morning of April 8. Just before 11 a.m., a dump truck had a flat tire, overturned and caught fire. An SUV trying to avoid the dump truck also overturned.
Bishop John Adonteng Boateng, of Divine Word International Ministries in Woodbridge, and his wife were driving to a meeting when they came on the crash scene, pulled over and seconds later there was a huge explosion. The Bishop saw a child in the wreckage and braved the fire to pull the boy to safety.
The Bishop is being heralded as a hero, and indeed he is.
Those of us in the neighborhood only knew that traffic was at a standstill. It took hours to get back to normal.
Old-time Skyline residents take a walk down memory lane
Kevin McMonigle, who lived on Goodfellow Drive, in Skyline, from 1963–1976, and attended Skyline School once it opened, was back in the neighborhood on Sunday, April 7, to take a nostalgic walk with former neighbors Kevin and Jim Reilly.
They walked Elmendorf Drive, Goodfellow Drive, Offutt Drive and Ladd Road.
There were lots of memories of delivering The Washington Post and The Evening Star. They all delivered one of the papers at some point. Jim Reilly says, “When you deliver the paper, you know the names of all your neighbors.”
How many of these old Skyline names do you recognize: Capt. Perkins, Stitzer, Oxman, Pennfield, Gurtowski, Fisher, Webb, H.E. Reed (the plumber), Waby, Duffy, Minigoe, Gatz, Ostrander, Flarhety, Jurnigan, Farrar, Cray, Oppido, Mulraney, Perriera, Law, Lambert, Neri, Busky, Homan, McGhee, Major Lewis, Owens, Ansell, McGrath, Krausman, Cazellet, Goldsmith, Vance, Thorpe, Crumm, Lutman, Slavin, and Weiss, just to name a few.
Kevin is currently living in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be near his mother, Mary Jo McMonigle.
Town of Morningside: 75th anniversary!
The Town well celebrate its 75th Anniversary on Saturday, April 27, 6–9 p.m. Featured will be a Moon Bounce, games, food trucks, 360-photo booth, music, and raffles. And there’ll be a movie after dark. I’ll have more details in next week’s column.
The annual Town election will be held Monday, May 6.
The Town Hall meeting room is available for rent. It’s a very nice, large room with an attached kitchen. Call 301-736-2300 to reserve, or for more information.
Slow down! New speed cameras are headed to Suitland Road.
Morningside grew 30 years ago
In the spring of 1994, the Town of Morningside annexed the site occupied by two establishments, Silver Hill Florist and Suitland Beer and Wine, both right across from the Morningside Fire Department. The stores were owned by Alice Sussan.
This annexation was the second across Suitland Road. The first annexation involved VFW Post 9619 and the now-gone Village Barn. That was in about 1970.
Neighbors & other good people
The Knights of Columbus in Forestville honors Knights of the Month and Families of the Month which are always mentioned in their newsletter. Richard Peluzzo was Knight of the Month in November; Jonathan Hunter was Knight in December. Recent Families of the Month were The Weiler Family in November and The Richardson Family in December.
By the way, for information about K of C Bingo Night, call the chairman, George Hoehl, 301-599-0307.
Places to go and things to do
Are you interested in volunteering? Do you love history? The Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Society, in Waldorf, is seeking docents, Gift Shop salespeople and admission staff. A love of history and a willing heart is all you need. The Dr. Mudd House staff will welcome you and provide training. For information, call 301-645-6870.
The Fairytale Museum is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 2935 Festival Way, in Waldorf. The museum offers interactive exhibits, birthday celebrations, literacy programs and etiquette activities. Admission is $12, free for adults with paid child. Call 844-722-4642.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Jill (Gilmartin) Booth and Tiffany Jackson, April 21; Taylor Foster, April 22; Cindy Pitts, Jim Reilly, David Titus. Barbara Sparks and Margaret White, April 23;
Edna Lucas, April 24; Janet and Brian Spivey, Sue Stine McConkey-Mason, Daisy Young, Kenia Spivey and my grandson David McHale, April 25; Christy Miller (Cooper) and G.A. DeFelice, April 26; and Michael Call, April 27.
Happy Anniversary to John and Ruth Anthony, Jr., their 46th on April 22; and to Lewis and Trisha (Pitts) Woods, their 35th on April 22.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
MOTHER’S DAY SPRING FLING
Join us for an evening of Hand Dancing, Line Dancing, and Bop Friday, May 10, 2024, from 7–11 p.m. at Show Place Arena. Featuring: DJ Lady D. Tickets include a light fare buffet. Please dress to impress. Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door. This is a 21 and over show. Tickets can be purchased online at Universe.com or at The Show Place Arena box office. For information on reserving a table of six, email us at showplacearena@pgparks.com, or call us at 301-952-7900. The Show Place Arena: 14900 Pennsylvania Ave, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772.
This program is brought to you by Parks & Recreation
M-NCPPC, live more, play more ppparks.com. Connect with us, facebook@artspgparks.com. Arts programs of the M-NCPPC are supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org). The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register a minimum of two weeks prior to the program start date to request and receive disability modification. Customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please call Maryland Relay 7-1-1. Language interpretation is available at all facility front desks. Please ask for assistance.
STEP IT UP
Step It Up II is more than just a walk. It is a Movement toward a healthier and happier community. Coordinated by the Prince George’s County Health Department, in collaboration with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Department of Parks and Recreation. This program brings together individuals, families, schools, sports teams, and community organizations to prioritize health and well-being. Join us for Step It Up II: Family Fitness Walk May 4, 2024, from 10 a.m–12 p.m. at Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774.
PGCPS-SEAS
Prince George’s County Public School Student Environment Alliance Summit will be held on April 29, 2024, from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Bowie State University is proud to host the second part of the summit which exposes PGCPS high schools to career options, leadership and advocacy activities and contemporary environmental research. The event will be a full day of presentations, interactive rotations around the campus, dynamic speakers and fun, enriching experiences. Cost is free.
The Summit will be in the Student Center Ballrooms, Multi-room event, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland. Contact Jabari Walker, Email: jswalker@bowiestate.edu, Telephone number is 301-832-4590. Categories: Earth Week, Sustainability.
BULLDOG GOLF CLASSIC
Save the date 13th Annual Bulldog Golf Classic October 8, 2024. Proceeds from the Bulldog Golf Classic provide scholarship funding for student-athletes and help to meet the growing needs of
the Bowie State University Department of Athletics.
We look forward to seeing you at the 13th Annual Bulldog Golf Classic. More details will be coming soon. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Jennifer Coke, Executive Director of Philanthropy, 301-860-4778, jcoke@bowiestate.edu.
LOVE CONQUERS ALL THE STAGE PLAY
Love Conquers All the Stage Play is a heartwarming stage play about love overcoming all obstacles and triumphing in the end. Saturday, May 18 from 3–5 p.m. Eventbrite.com/ttd/
md-fort-Washington/ Tickets cost $35–$45. Location: Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744. Refund policy: no refunds.
Come join us for a night of romance, drama, and laughter at Harmony Hall Regional Center. Witness the powerful story of love overcoming all obstacles in this captivating stage play. Get ready to be moved by the talented actors and actresses as they bring this heartwarming tale to life on stage. Do not miss this unforgettable evening filled with love and inspiration.
LAKE ARBOR JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Lake Arbor Jazz Festival returns to the beautiful Lake Arbor community in Central Prince George’s County. Come out for a day of Jam packed with dynamic jazz talent in a carefree setting Saturday, July 20, 2024. Gates open at 12 Noon. Performances start at 1 p.m. at the Lake Arbor Community Center, 10100 Lake Arbor Way, Mitchellville, Maryland 20721.
The festival features top-flight contemporary and traditional jazz and R&B artists from across the nation and the Washington D.C. area. Richard Elliott, Rick Braun, Jazz Funk Soul Paul Jackson, Jr., Jeff Lorber, and Everette Harp. Queen of Soul Jazz Althea Rene, Jeanette Harris, Brass Attack Willie Bradley, Rob Zinn and Johnny Britt. Let it flow Band. Host Tony Richards.
Free parking, over 40 food and merchandise vendors, on site beer and wine lounge, two covered VIP tents, two covered VIP tents, and live music all day. $175.00-VIP Reserved Seating, covered tent, food and refreshments, private cash bar. $150.00 Private Tent for 8. Sold by the tent (10X10 Private Tent) includes a cooler of ice and water). $95.00 General Admission lawn seating. $75.00 Group sales (minimum group of 20). $110.00 General admission same day Advance ticket sale end Friday, July 19, 2024. Get your ticket on Eventbrite!
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Prince George’s Cultural Arts Foundation Scholarship Fund. The Prince George’s Cultural Arts Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
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