In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Remembering the Challenger
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart shortly after it lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, killing all aboard.
Among the seven crew members was Christa McAuliffe, a schoolteacher chosen by NASA as the agency’s first citizen astronaut. The resulting public fascination with her made sure the launch was witnessed by millions, including schoolchildren in their classrooms who tuned in to watch it live on TV.
I watched the lift-off. I saw it break apart and crash.
There’s no way I can describe the horror across the U.S. But here in Morningside it was personal—Christa McAuliffe had been a teacher at Benjamin D. Foulois Middle School.
Christa
Christa had completed her MA at Bowie State College and taught English and social studies for seven years in Prince George’s, three years at Foulois Middle School, 1971 to 1973. Meanwhile, her husband Steve was a law clerk for then-State Senator Steny Hoyer.
Christa’s mission continues now at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium which was erected in her memory. In April 1988, the New Hampshire Legislature appropriated funds to build the Planetarium. Groundbreaking took place October 26, 1988.
Let me know (muddmm@gmail.com) if you were one of Christa’s students.
Read about her
Several books have been written about her. I’m sure they’re available in the County Library:
“Christa McAuliffe: Teacher In Space”, by Corinne J. Naden and Rose Blue.
“Christa McAuliffe: Reaching for the Stars”, by Patricia Stone Martin.
“A Journal for Christa: Christa McAuliffe, Teacher in Space”, by Grace George Corrigan.
“I Touch the Future: The Story of Christa McAuliffe”, Robert T. Hohler.
We remembered Kenny
In a recent column detailing the tragic death of Kenny Hedrick, I suggested you drive by Kenny’s memorial at the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department.
My daughter Sheila and I did so. We found that someone had, indeed, done that and left a bottle of Dr. Pepper and a bag of Haribo gummy bears.
I’m sure, up in Heaven, Kenny appreciated that.
Changing landscape
I wrote recently about the County’s new street-sweeping program.
I notice—from a sign at the end of Skyline Drive—that we’re #9 due for sweeping. (I think it has to quit snowing first.)
The new D.C. hospital, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health, in Southeast, is hiring directors, nurses and staff members, and will open next year. Or maybe sooner. It’s located on 10 acres at the St. Elizabeth campus in Ward 8.
A home at 6528 Suitland Road, in Morningside, has sold for $375,000.
Zoo News
Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, native to rivers and swamps in West Africa. The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia has one. And, after a contest, she has been named. She is now Poppy and is very popular. She even became material for a skit on Saturday Night Live.
Annie May Bates dies at 102
Annie May Bates was born October 13, 1922, to Deacon Johnnie and Bessie Pugh in Boykins, Va. She attended Rising Star School in Branchville, Va.
Annie’s first husband was Henry Clayton Kee of Southampton County, Virginia; they made their home in Washington. Henry Kee preceded Annie in death.
In 1980, she married Arthur F. Bates.
She enjoyed playing soft ball with her family and friends. She had a great love of houseplants and a flair for fashion. Her career was almost exclusively in sales, which suited her well.
She became a member of the Queens organization of the Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council, Forestville, and served as their historian in 1993.
She was predeceased by her husband Arthur in 2011 and step-daughter Lorraine Bates Akins in 2024. Survivors include daughter Mary Elizabeth Kee, step-son Arthur Anthony (Tony) Bates, step-daughter Carol Bates-Morris, sisters Ruth Claud-Thomas and Doris Mildred Marshall, niece Earnell Patricia Keels, step-grandchildren Joy Akins and Arthur Anthony Bates, Jr., and a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Her funeral was at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to John R. Stevenson, Jan. 20; Father Thomas LaHood and Yvonne Garvin, Jan. 27; San’ Tori Dixon, Jan. 28; Sister Zion and Lisa Call, Jan. 29; David Call, Joanne (Clark) Bunch and my brother Lt. Col. Joseph Frances Mudd, Jan. 30.
Email your birthday to muddmm@aol.com
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Kick off Black History Month with Howard University’s premiere jazz ensemble, Afro Blue. Voted “Best A Capella Group” five years in a row by the Washington Area Music Association. The ensemble has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Tiny Desk Concert, and has shared the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Pops and reached the top four on The Sing-Off on NBC. Join us for a special celebration for Black History Month as this virtuosic ensemble showcases black excellence in a one of kind, intimate concert experience at SAARC. Afro Blue: A Black History Month celebration Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 2–4 p.m. at Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex (SAARC) Telephone: 301-782-1442. Ticket Price: $20 Age: All. Telephone: 301-782-1442 saarc@pgparks.com. Address is SAARC 13601 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, Maryland.
ANNUAL PRE-BIG FOOTBALL DAY SPAGHETTI DINNER
St. Philip’s Church Baden Parish will have their Annual Pre-Big Football Day Spaghetti Dinner Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. Donation $8.00, children 10 and under $4.00. Pre-orders and pre-paid only. Dinners include Homemade spaghetti (Beef or Turkey), salad, garlic bread, homemade desert. Pre-orders accepted until January 26, 2025. Cash App available $stphilipschurchbaden. Address: 13801 Baden Westwood Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. Telephone is 301-888-1536. Contacts are Michele Chase 240-882-3369. Doretha Savoy 301-233-3136. Vivian Rich 804-301-9530.
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Join us for Lunar New Year Celebration at Tanger National Harbor, 6800 Oxon Hill Road, National Harbor, Maryland February 7, 2025, from 5–7 p.m. in the fireplace courtyard by Nike. The Wong People Association will bring the tradition to life with an exciting lion dance performance throughout the center. In addition to the lion dance, the event will feature educational elements to honor and celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the New Year. All Tanger Club Gold & Platinum members will receive Tanger/store swag.
VALENTINE’S DAY BRUNCH
Brunch is in the air at (SAARC) Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex, 13601 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. Telephone 301-782-1442/TTY: 301-699-2544. Join us for a morning of food and fun at our Valentine’s Day Brunch Friday, February 14 from 9:30–11 a.m. FEE: $12 PARKSDIRECT: SPPD-SPEC-GA-20250214.
SPRING 2025 CONVOCATION
Spring Convocation which officially kicks off the spring semester and the campus-wide celebration of the Black History Month is February 12, 2025, 10 a.m. at Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715 in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Room 224.
CELEBRATING US FASHION SHOW
Just us for a family fun event while we showcase various styles, African Attire, Urban Style, Smart Casual, semi formal Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 2–4 p.m. Admission: Adults $15, children 5–17: $5 (Under 5 Free). Address is St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 13801 Baden Westwood Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. Proceeds: Benefit St. Philip’s. Ticket Contacts: Mrs. Butler 301-520-3145, Mrs. Hall 703-201-3863, Mrs. Somerviille 240-682-3657.
BLACK FOUNDERS IN I-CORPS
Join us for an inspiring celebration of Black excellence in innovation of Black excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEM February 20, 2025, from 4:30–7 p.m. in the Beacon Room, Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Nursing! Hosted by Bowie State University’s Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC) in collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park. This event honors the remarkable achievements of Black entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and staff in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps program.
Event Highlights: Panel Discussion: Hear from experts and innovators who will share insights into how I-Corps supports business idea validation, resource access, and navigating the innovation ecosystem. Guest Speaker: Be inspired by a special guest who will highlight the power of I-Corps in shaping successful STEM-based ventures. Celebrating Black Founders: Learn about the journeys of Black entrepreneurs who have used I-Corps to build impactful businesses. This event is a collaborative effort between Bowie State University and the University of Maryland, focusing on the importance of diversity in driving success within the STEM and entrepreneurial spaces. We invite you to join us and be part of this exciting celebration of Black excellence and innovation. Cost: $0. Bowie State University address is 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland, 20715. Contact: Lonell Johnson Email: ljohnsonl@bowiestate.edu Phone: 301-860-4753.
DIFFERENT SISTERS
Different Sisters at American Legion Post 60 Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Always a great time with some great folks. Love to see you there and open to the public. The Different Sisters Band www.differentsisters.rocks/. Style: Cover, Rock, Classic Rock, Country, R&B, Blues & Funk. Members: Bill Whitelock- Drums Mike Foreman-Keyboards & Vocals Paul Mckeown-Guitar. Lauren Satterfield-Lead Vocal & Bass, Lindsay Satterfield-Lead Vocal. How to Book: E-mail Mike Foreman at micfor@msn.com or call 443-686-2646 also call Bill Whitelock at 410-299-6033. Address American Legion Post 60 at 2 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707, telephone 301-725-2302 MDparty Home.
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