In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Water main break leaves Skyline water-less
I woke one morning last week to no water!
I wondered if it was just my house, or just our block. I soon learned it was area-wide and that there was a major water main break.
WSSC Water set up water-distribution stations at Cosca Park in Clinton, Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, and Marlo Furniture in Forestville on Tues., Feb. 11, and Wed., Feb. 12. They gave out 3 gallons of clean water per vehicle.
WSSC Water General Manager/CEO Kishia Powell spent part of Wednesday out in the rain, helping hand out water.
Crews worked through the night at the site of a 54-inch diameter water main break in a wooded area off I-495 near MD 214 (Central Avenue). An access road and bridge were put into place to reach the location of the broken pipe. Next, excavation occurred. Crews assessed the damage to the pipe and determined how many pipe segments needed to be replaced.
As the water returned, a Boil Water Advisory went into effect.
WSSC Water worked with the Maryland Department of the Environment to sample and test water from multiple locations in Southern Prince George’s County. Finally, at 4:25 Wednesday afternoon, Feb 12, WSSC Water lifted the Boil Water Advisory. Full water pressure had returned, and tests showed the water was safe to drink. So, now I have water. And don’t have to boil it.
But, repair work on the broken main continues.
Blood Drive at the VFW
VFW Auxiliary and the Red Cross are hosting a blood drive and invite you to participate. It will be at the VFW, 6527 Suitland Rd., on Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m.
For more information, call 301-736-2301.
Wanted: Prince George’s Centenarians
Do you know any Prince George’s County resident born in 1925 or earlier? M-NCPPC (Department of Parks and Recreation) is hosting a luncheon for County residents born in 1925 or earlier (January 1, 1925, to December 31, 1925) as a way to celebrate our centenarians.
Luncheon will be held Friday, May 9, at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Road in Laurel.
If you know someone born in 1925 or earlier, and resides in Prince George’s County, please share this information or complete the online registration form at pgparks.com/centenarian no later than March 14.
For centenarian registration assistance, contact the staff at Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 301-206-3351/3350, or send an email to Seniors@pgparks.com.
Corben Thompson, AF vet, dies at 95
Corben M. Thompson, longtime resident of Skyline before moving to Huntingtown, died at home January 13, 2025. He was 95.
He was born August 8, 1929, in Piney Grove, Md., to Elwood Leroy and Mildred Genivive (Unsworth) Thompson. He grew up in Capitol Heights, one of eight boys.
He served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954, some of the time in the Korean War.
In 1955, he married Barbara McPherson. They settled in Skyline, a block down Skyline Drive from the McHales. Several of their children were good friends of my kids.
Corben continued his love of aircraft and machinery and went on to work as a machinist for United Airlines, the Federal Government, Naval Research Lab, and the Department of Commerce.
He was a member of Huntingtown United Methodist Church.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren. And enjoyed tinkering and repairing things. He loved birds, animals, his dogs, listening to music, fishing, and hunting. He was a great fan of the Redskins and Nationals.
He’s survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Barbara; children, Karlyn Davis and husband Jerry, Roy Thompson and wife Patricia, Laura Hoffman, Jennifer Parker and husband Clayton, and Kristi Thrailkill and husband Dan; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Amanda Davis.
All services were private. Donations in Corben’s name may be made to the Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry.
Changing landscape
The U.S. may stop making pennies. Do you think we should? From years ago—along with my kids and those blue albums where we used to post the pennies—I have a fondness for pennies. I vote to keep them.
The fabric retail chain Joann, once a leading destination for do-it-yourself and craft enthusiasts, is closing more than 500 stores. I notice that our closest Joann is in Brandywine. Is that one among the closings?
A home at 4907 Procopio Drive, in Camp Springs, has just sold for $480,000.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Larry Miller, Feb. 24; Kevin Gray, Feb. 25; Angela Hutchinson and Thomas “TJ” Flaherty, Feb. 27; Terrence Flaherty, Feb. 28; and Gerry Joliffe, Feb. 29, who’ll have to wait three years—’til 2028—to celebrate his leap-year birthday.
Happy anniversary to Clifford and Nancy Lantz, on Feb. 26, and to Freda and Michael McDonald, their 45th on Feb. 28.
Email me (muddmm@gmail.com) with birthdays and anniversaries.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
DC BOAT SHOW AT NATIONAL HARBOR
DC Boat Shows are excited to welcome boating enthusiasts to the 3rd Annual DC Boat Show May 2, 2025, to May 4, 2025, at National Harbor. The address is 168 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. Join us for a week-end getaway on the Potomac River and kick off the boating season. There will be a wide variety of vessels from Sail to Power, and new to Quality Pre-owned for immediate sale and to order. Tour the boats, grab food and drinks, listen to live music throughout the show, peruse the vendor tents for the latest in boating gear, meet the experts, and commute with boaters from local and far away harbors! National Harbor is one of the many destinations on the Potomac River, stay for the weekend and take the water taxi to Old Time Alexandria, The Wharf, Georgetown. Visit website, https://dcboatshows.com/, and purchase your tickets.
FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
Prince George’s County Family Justice Center (An initiative of the Circuit Court) Changing Lives, Restoring hope. Hours of operation: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Telephone 301-780-8008, princegeorgescourts.org/358. Established as an initiative of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, the Family Justice Center is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary organization created to enhance the provision of services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse in the aftermath of trauma and victimization.
Recognized as a best practice for victim services and support, the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center provides an array of co-located services from 23 private nonprofit and government agencies. This “one-stop shop” process eliminates barriers to service, enhances victims’ access to essential resources, and provides services in a more efficient, effective, and client-centered manner. Their mission is to serve the needs of people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse through a sustained continuum of services, delivering integrated, comprehensive, and client-driven options that will empower survivors to find hope and restoration in their lives.
Services are provided in a welcoming, secure, and confidential state-of-the art professional environment. All clients are treated with dignity and respect by a team of dedicated professionals that have an immediate sense and understanding of where you are and what you may have experienced.
FOOD PANTRIES IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND
Food pantries and distribution centers in Prince George’s County, Maryland administer several assistance programs. The locations may have meals, free food, gift baskets and items such as clothing available to the low-income seniors and disabled in the community. Resources offered by these centers can range from groceries and boxes of food up through limited amounts of financial help for bills, housing, or basic needs such as diapers or baby formula.
Some of the Prince George’s food banks partner with national non-profits, government agencies, or local charities. For example, many sites can help people apply for resources such as food stamps, LIHEAP, or low-income housing. Other services will also be arranged as needed.
Anything noted above would of course be in addition to helping needy families by providing free or low-cost food, meals, and perishable items. The goal is to prevent hunger in the region.
Greater Refuge Ministries Food Pantry address 9512 Piscataway Road, Clinton, Maryland, 20735. Phone: 866-515-1317. The First New Horizon Baptist Church located at 9511 Piscataway Road, Clinton, Maryland, 20735. Telephone: 301-856-9177. Free meals, including delivery to the homebound, can be arranged. Other support may help pay bills, offer grocery and prescription vouchers, shelter, and other services for the low income and people facing a hardship. Bethel House located at 6810 Floral Park Road, Brandywine, Maryland, 20613. Telephone: 301-372-1700. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be provided along with snacks for students in Prince George’s County. Many other pantries operate in the region. For more details, call 410-737-8282. Callers can learn about Meals on Wheels for senior citizens on Christmas and Thanksgiving programs.
PHYSICIAN-SCIENTIST-PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR
David Satcher was born in Anniston, Alabama in 1941. He matriculated at Morehouse College earning a bachelor’s degree, and then at Case Western Reserve University, earning his master’s degree and doctorate. In 1993, Dr. Satcher became the first African American Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A physician-scientist and public health administrator, Dr. Satcher was a four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. As the 16th Surgeon General of the United States, from 1998–2002, he was the first African American to hold the position. Additionally, he was the 10th Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services from 1998–2001, the first African American man serving in this role. He was only the second person in history to serve in these two positions concurrently. During his career as a physician and professor, Dr. Satcher held leadership positions at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Meharry Medical College. In 2006, Dr. David Satcher founded the Satcher Health Leadership Institute. Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Year 1993 School Timeline Historical Context.
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