In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show coming up at Darnall’s Chance
If you place 1st, you’ll win $100! If your entry is selected the best in viewer voting, it’ll win you $275. Prizes are also presented for other winners in the adult, child and family categories.
For 20 years now, Darnall’s Chance House Museum in Upper Marlboro has been hosting this delightful Gingerbread House contest. Anyone can enter—you just have to register (and pay the $5 fee). The house doesn’t have to be a house—it could be a yacht or a barn or a jetliner or a teepee or a castle or a bakery. It just has to be original.
Participants must register for the competition by Friday, Nov. 8; fee is $5. Entry forms can be obtained by calling Darnall’s Chance, 301-952-8010, or visiting history.pgparks.com, clicking Darnall’s Chance House Museum and then clicking on Gingerbread House Contest & Show.
Any structure, real or imaginary, is eligible for entry. Entry must be original—no gingerbread kits allowed. And there are other rules—ask for a list. Completed entries must be delivered on Sunday, Nov. 24, between the hours of 12 noon and 3 p.m.
And there’s more
Even if you don’t participate, you’ll want to attend the show, which runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 15. I always go and I am fascinated by how clever some of the entries are. It feels like Christmas, just being there.
Darnall’s Chance is one of the oldest houses in Prince George’s County, built about 1742. It’s in Upper Marlboro on a hill overlooking Schoolhouse Pond.
New Promotions at MVFD—and a feathery visitor
The Morningside Volunteer Fire Department announces theses promotions: Andre Edwards, to Captain of the Engine Co.; Danny Rae, to Lieutenant, assigned to Station Command; Jucas Oblander, to Fire Sergeant, to Squad Command; Ram Braza, to EMS Sergeant, to EMS Command; Lauren Gray, to EMS Sergeant, to EMS Command; and Timothy Duffy, to Sergeant, assigned to Station Command.
Also, they had a surprise visitor the other day. Members found an injured bird (there’s a cute photo, looks like an owl) that had had an encounter with a cat. They scooped the bird up and alerted Animal Control, which took it to a wildlife center in DC where it will be able to heal and return to the wild!
Neighbors & other good people
Cpl. Katherine de Barros was sworn in as Upper Marlboro’s first female officer on Oct. 22. She comes with a record of 26 years in law enforcement, including service with the MPD and the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Darryl Kelley, a lawyer who is Deacon at St. Philip’s in Camp Springs, has been awarded the John Carroll Society’s 2019 Pro Bono Legal Service Award for volunteering with Catholic Charities’ legal network that serves low-income people in the Washington region.
Major Zachary O’Lare is the new Commander of Prince George’s Police District IV. Assistant Commander is Capt. Levi Carson.
Brewer Clark, of Clinton United Methodist Church, retired Aug. 26 after more than 30 years at the organ.
Pearl McNamara turned 75 on Nov. 2. Someone sent me this announcement, and I’d like to know more about Pearl. Email me.
Lawrence Charles “Larry” Schlueter, owner and manager of the Branchwood Liquor store in Clinton from 1966 to 1981, died Oct. 15. He was a resident at Lighthouse Senior Living in Ellicott City. His wife Nancy preceded him in death. Survivors include three sons and grandchildren.
My granddaughter, Claire Mudd, was delighted to meet Juan Soto after a Nats’ game, and got his picture. Claire lives in Laurel, is a senior at the U. of Md., and loves the Nats.
Changing Landscape and other things
Pit bulls are still banned in Prince George’s County. There was a proposal to lift the ban, but a vote Oct. 22 has left the ban in place.
Work continues (forever, it seems) on the Suitland Road underpass of the Beltway. Does anyone know what’s going on?
ICE! and the Grinch are back at the Gaylord
ICE! is back at National Harbor, featuring the 1957 Dr. Seuss classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Walk through the ice sculpture and four two-story ice slides that bring to life the classic Christmas tale. Everything is hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice!
Watch how the Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the Whos of Who-ville through interactive ice sculptures and displays. Experience favorite scenes, from the Christmas special, such as the Grinch lurking through the chimneys of the Who-ville homes, the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes after realizing Christmas means a little bit more and sitting down at the Whos’ feast where the Grinch carves the roast beast.
ICE! opens Nov. 15 and runs through Dec. 30. Prices are: $25/child and $33/adult. More information is available at www.ChristmasAtGaylordNational.com.
Morningside Memories: 1976
G.I. Market closed! It looked so sad, and we were all sad; so many of us shopped there. Chris D’Avanzo, owner of the market, opened a new store, the Hughesville I.G.A. on Route 5 in Hughesville. George Lantz, of the meat department, and “Ruby” Keeler, at the cash register, moved with Chris from G.I. to I.G.A. Aaron Lewis (“Lew” to us all), long-time butcher at G.I., moved to Nick’s in Clinton.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Davey Capps, Jr., Nov. 9: Linda Fortner Jumalon, Nov. 10; Cindy Lewis, Nov. 12; Robin Brown, Nov. 13; Tyrell Boxley, Nov. 14; Michael Spenard, Tyrell Poe, Bob Davis and Carolyn Holland Bennett, Nov. 15.
Happy anniversary to Becky and Dave Capps on their 56th anniversary, Nov. 9; and Roseann and Franny Rohan, their 56th on Nov. 9.
A special greeting to VFW Post 9619 Auxiliary which was chartered on Nov. 13, 1948.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
ALUMNI & FRIENDS #BSU4LIFE
Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog! We welcome you to the online community for Bowie State University alumni and friends. Your connection to BSU does not end once you leave campus. We encourage you to socialize, network, share news and get involved with your fellow alumni, current students, parents, friends, faculty and staff. You are part of the Bulldog Nation that represents more than 30,000 alumni with one thing in common—Bowie State University. So, stay engaged, get connected, give back and visit often.
HOUSE MUSEUM
Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the Lamp. Author Christine Trent portrays the Founder of Professional Nursing, a woman of many talents Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 4 p.m. at Surratt House Museum. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The event is free.
Address is 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735. Telephone number is 301-868-1121. For more information visit surrattmuseum.orghistory.pgparks.com.
CIAA TOURNAMENT
Save the Dates. The CIAA Tournament will be February 25–29, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bowie State University, the only CIAA institution from Maryland, competes against 12 other historically Black colleges and universities in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament. Each year, the tournament is a great opportunity for students, alumni and friends to come together and cheer on the Bulldogs.
WOMEN OF COLOR NETWORK CONFERENCE
The Maryland Women of Color Network (Maryland WOCN), with support from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is hosting its 14th Annual Conference November 8, 2019 at Bowie State University. This year’s theme is HOPE: Navigating the Future Without Violence.
“Maryland WOCN was founded on October 4, 2000, to advocate in communities of color for victims of sexual crimes, and to provide insight and guidance to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault on issues of sexual violence that impact women of color. Since its inception, Maryland WOCN has actively worked toward breaking down barriers to service delivery and influencing meaningful change at all levels of women of color.”
This conference is open to professionals and community leaders who are committed to ending sexual violence in Maryland. Attendees typically include advocates, educators, faith leaders, non-profit leadership, government workers, health care providers, attorneys, health professionals, and others. People of all backgrounds are welcome to attend.
Register on Bowie State University website. The cost is $50.00. Location is Bowie State University Student Center, Wiseman Ballroom, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland. Contact Isha Taylor-Kamara email: itaylorkamara@bowiestate.edu; Phone: 301-860-4173. Categories are health and wellness.
FRIED CHICKEN BOX SUNDAY
It’s our fried chicken box Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Come and get your chicken box and enjoy some social time with our Bishop Mariann Budde. Chicken box cost $6.00. Chicken boxes includes 2 pieces of chicken (1 Drum & 1 Thigh) potato salad, and roll. Please pre- orders required, and payments greatly appreciated.
Chicken boxes includes 2 pieces of chicken (1 Drum & 1 thigh) potato salad, and roll. Benefit: St. Philip’s Church Usher Board. St. Philip’s Church address is 13801 Baden Westwood Road Brandywine, Maryland 20613. Points of contacts are Shirley A. Cleaves (302) 690-4260, Vivian Rich (804) 301-9530, Doretha Savoy (301) 233-3136 and St. Philip’s Church (301) 888-1536.
2019/2020 INDOOR SOCCER ACADEMY
“Join one club, play soccer all year”. The OSC Indoor academy introduces FUTSAL rules; teaches soccer technical skills—dribbling, passing, shooting, and the goalie, offense and defense positions; sportsmanship and game play. Slots limited!!! No residency requirements, all kids accepted.
Location is Francis T. Evans Elementary School, 6720 Old Alexander Ferry Road, Clinton, Maryland. Time is 6–8 p.m. Wednesdays only. Ages 5–8, COED (boys and girls). Cost is $125 per player. Fee includes jersey, shorts, socks; snacks and awards, trainer and equipment.
Academy graduates recruited for OPDEA 2020 PG County Competitive Spring recreation soccer teams. Register at www.Opdealnc.org (payment plans available). Director is Coach Steven Perry. E-mail: OpdeaSoccerClub@gmail.com.
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