In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Pennies are going away!
The U.S. Mint made the last penny on Wednesday, Nov. 12. “The penny, officially known as the cent, is a coin in the United States representing one-hundredth of a dollar. It has been the lowest face-value physical unit of U.S. currency since the abolition of the half-cent in 1857.” (Wikipedia)
I asked my visiting daughter Kathleen Shearer to search Bartlett’s Quotations for penny quotes. Here are a few:
“One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns…”
“Penny wise, pound foolish…”
“…in for a penny, in for a pound.”
“…put a penny in the old man’s hat; If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do.”
I also searched my available coins and found two rolls of pennies. Will hang onto them. In 10 years or so—they might be valuable antiques.
One question: Will nickels be next?
Wait! I have another closing: The Farmer’s Almanac—after more than 200 years. The editor, Peter Geiger, has announced that the 2026 edition will be the last.
Second Baptist Church turns 100
Second Baptist Church of District Heights is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In May 1925 charter members organized as a mission congregation to form the Friendly Baptist Church. The church was located at First and H Streets Southwest. Its first permanent location was at Second and N Streets in Southwest. They became known as the Second Baptist Church.
In 2011, the church purchased its current home at 5501 Silver Hill Road, in District Heights. The property added more capacity for mass, administrative offices, ministry space and a food pantry.
Changing landscape
Here are some fairly new eateries in the Forestville Mall parking lot: Wing Stop, Chipotle, Quick Way, and Japanese Hibachi. They are located where the old Country Buffet was.
New in the Penn Mar parking lot: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
New in Penn Mar: Urban Crab Boil and BioLife Plasma Service.
A home at 5009 Suitland Road has just sold for $340,000.
Annie Bates dies at 102
Annie May Pugh was born October 13, 1922, to the late Deacon Johnnie and Mrs. Bessie Pugh, in Boykins, Virginia. She attended Rising Star School in Branchville, Va. With her first husband, Henry Clayton Kee, she relocated to Washington.
Henry preceded her in death. She married Arthur F. Bates in 1980.
Annie’s career was almost exclusively in sales, which fitted well with her personality. She became a member of the Queens organization of the Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council and served as their Historian in 1993.
She was predeceased by Arthur and step-daughter Lorraine Bates Akins, brothers Robert, Linwood and George; sisters, Rosa May Everett, Fannie Lee Thomas, and Frances Barnes. 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 Aikins and Arthur Anthony Bates, Jr., nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church with interment at Resurrection Cemetery. By the way, she was two years older than the church from which she was buried, St. Francis Xavier.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Stephanie White, Sharon McKlveen, and Jill Flaherty Kimmel, Nov. 22; Leslie Greene, Nov. 23; Ben Gryskewicz and Mike Waby, Nov. 24; Ray Call, Avanna Williams and Andrew Gryskewicz, Nov. 25; Julie Koch-Michael and Darryl Moss, Nov. 26; Arthur Rose, Nov. 27; Thomas Shipman, Sr., Nov. 28; Devin Kane Blade, Nov. 29.
Happy Anniversary to Paul and Sharon Locke, on Nov. 22.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
UMES SOUTHERN MARYLAND ALUMNI CHAPTER
“To UMES, Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. Family. We recognize that many in our community are being directly impacted by the ongoing government shutdown and resulting furloughs. During this difficult time, please know that your UMES Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. stands with you.”
“We have complied a list of resources and assistance programs that may help you or someone you know navigate this challenging period. These include information on emergency financial assistance, food distribution sites, mental health resources, and community support services.”
“We encourage you to take a moment to review and share these resources with your fellow alumni, family, and neighbors. No one should have to face this season alone, and our Hawk family is stronger together.”
“We are praying for everyone affected and remain hopeful that this shutdown will come to a swift and peaceful end. Until then, please lean on one another, stay informed, and do not hesitate to reach out if we can be of service. In Hawk Pride and Community. University of Maryland Eastern Shore Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter, Inc. “Lifting Each Other as We Rise.”
“Some of the resources listed are: Bank of America: announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844-219-0690. Chase Bank: Chase announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here is the special line they set up 1-888-356-0023. Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on our Relief Line of Credit or any of our assistance programs, contact our Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of our branch locations. Interior Federal Credit Union: They are offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619”. From the desk of the President Lisa Jackson.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday to Sonia Douwana, Markell S. Dabney, Dieon Jalloh, Owen Johnson, Jr., Ugo Mbakwe, Shurrell Bell, Ronald Crawford, Jr., Tiffany Knight, Daphne Rojas, Evangeline Crawford, Sheila Holmes, Grace Omoregbe, Pauline Clark, Dorothy Glasgow-Reid and Sinaya Cromartie who are Clinton United Methodist Church Members celebrating birthdays in November.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday to Jonnetta Dent, Gloria Dotson, George Saunders, Mark Taylor, William Taylor, Jr., Lakeisha Thomas, Mary Contee, Gwendolyn Deville, Stephanie Eugene, Herbert Wilkerson who are members of New Hope Fellowship Parish (Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church and Christ United Methodist Church celebrating birthdays in November.)
ALL SAINTS DAY
Sunday November 2, 2025, was ALL SAINTS DAY: A SERVICE OF LEGACY AND REMEMBRANCE. Pastor Trice Sermon “A EULOGY FOR THE CHURCH” Pianist Avis Balkcom-Williams, Worship Leader June Fauber, CLM, Praise Music Chancel Choir.
Remembering of Saints/Time of Remembrance Prayer of Remembrance. We bless you for the life and love of these saints and rejoice for them that they have entered into the fullness of life in your presence. We also remember those saints who we hold in our hearts who have not been with us for some time, yet whose life and witness continue to form and shape us as your disciples. We honor them now by lifting their names aloud or in our hearts. On the All-Saints Sunday, we also remember that we are living saints, members of the family of GOD with all the saints of the past, present, and the future. And so, we remember.
Clinton United Methodist Church Saints, William “Buddy” King, Georgia Kinard, Family & Friends of Clinton UMC, Daniel (Danny) Chumley, Frances Briggs Kelley, Patsy Sweatmon, Gloria Ama Dziedzorm Tay, William Harris, Barbara Viola, Nick Johnson, Patricia M. Smith, Edith Marie Carter, Benjamin Adulphus Tay, Georgina Allen, Conrad Standclif, Barbara Richards, Vincent Jordan, Victoria Fleet, Emory Pinkney, Virginia Tisdale, Alfreda Pushia, Burma Shipman, Maggaline Phames, Diong Phames, Joseph Bryant, Dallas Peterson, Rosslyn Travers, Marie Greer, AD Bradford.
RECOGNIZING THE PARISH MEN OF THE YEAR
The Parish Men of the Year celebrated Men’s Day on October 26, 2025. Matthew Montgomery, Man of the Year, who is a member of Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church and Ricky Hawkins, Man of the Year, who is a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Congratulations on your dedication and hard work.
VETERANS DAY
“Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces”. Wikipedia
“Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th to honor the end of World War I. The date commemorates the armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, which went into effect at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor American veterans of all wars after World War II and the Korean war”. Wikipedia
Remembering my uncles who served in the Military: Bernard Turner, Roland Turner, Roy Turner, Ernest Brooks, Brother-in-Law Ernest Johnson, Jr., Father James Garnell Turner.
“THANKS TO ALL THE VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY”
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