In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Morningside celebrates 4th with Parade, Fun Day and Fireworks!
Morningside’s Independence Day Parade shoves off at 11:30 from the Morningside Firehouse on Suitland Road. The Parade marches up the hill, passes by the Suitland Road Baptist Church, and ends at the VFW. I expect to be under the Baptist tree, waving my flag. Join me.
Family Fun Day activities begin at 1 p.m. at Patterson Park in Morningside and continue until 5. There’ll be loads of free food and games.
Come dusk, there’ll be great Fireworks!
I was a member of the Morningside Recreation Council back in the ’70s or ’80s when we started discussing July 4. I think there was already a Parade, but Fireworks was a new idea. The Council suggested it and the Town found the money to do it.
Now, it’s great to see how Morningside celebrates America’s Independence Day.
Volunteers are still needed to help with the Parade and Family Fun Day. Call 301-736-2301 to volunteer.
Neighbors & other good people
Congressman Steny Hoyer announced the students who’ve been appointed to
U. S. Service Academies. The Prince George’s County, 5th District, appointees are: To West Point, Karl Kraske and Andrew Righi. To the Naval Academy, Andrew Lambert and Julienne Wakefield.
M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s has confirmed Germaine Haywood as its new Chief of Park Police. “With an illustrious career spanning 19 years with the Department and a proven track record of leadership, Chief Haywood brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this vital role.”
David Lawrence Shreve died May 25 after battling Parkinson’s disease. He was the husband of Johanna Elizabeth (Saunders) Shreve; father of Brittany; grandfather of Brandon Monger, Antonio, Antwan, Adam and Timothy Hill, Teeka Duplessis, Jy’Zayahm, Malia, Nya, and Davina. Memorial Service was at Wiseman Funeral Home, Camp Springs. Ashes will be scattered at a later date.
Changing Landscape
Ruth Mexican Food Truck is now parked at one of our local gas stations. I love enchiladas—are they likely to be on the menu? Guess I’ll give Ruth a try.
I don’t know if this is County-Wide, but I’ve gotten a postcard announcing, “You have a NEW Trash and Recycling Collection Day!” Starting July 1, our day will be Tuesday (replacing Thursday). Which is fine with me. It also announces their new service increases the number of acceptable curbside bulky trash items from two to four. It also includes a monthly curbside scrap metal and electronics recycling pickup, scheduled by appointment only.
A home at 6509 Randolph Road, in Morningside, recently sold for $285,000.
Places to go & things to do
Claggett Farm (11904 Old Marlboro Pike) has organic, nutrient-dense vegetables every week from mid-May to mid-November. They donate half of their produce to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. They have grass-fed beef and lamb, Christmas trees and wreaths and more. Check it out.
Shakespeare in the Parks, sponsored by the Folger, begins its annual tour through Prince George’s County. Admission free. Go to pgparks.com.
Alexandria is marking its 275th anniversary. Lots going on, like ALX Jazz Fest @ Portside. visitalexandria.com.
Now Hiring
Prince George’s County Public Schools is hiring School Bus Drivers. Among the amenities: paid CDL (Commercial Driver’s License Program) training, health insurance, retirement benefits, personal and sick leave, summer opportunities. Info: pgcps.org/drivewithus.
Remembering when we came
Back in mid-June 1958, the McHales moved from Mill Valley, Calif., to 5904 (now 4304) Skyline Drive. Attorney John McAllister, of Pine Lane Drive, had listed the house for sale. An essential for Jack’s work at the FBI, the house was only half-a-block from the bus-stop.
Since he rode the bus, I had the Chevy stationwagon to haul the kids.
We arrived with five, Kathleen, Michael, Therese, John and Brian (two more, Elaine and Sheila, born later). I loved the roomy brick house. I loved the trees—in California we had none. We bought the house for just under $21,000.
Our next-door neighbors were Cora Lee & Ted Burke on the one side, Gladys & Tom Cave on the other side, and two houses over, Paul & Virginia Stine. Across the street, lush woods (now four houses).
We registered kids for school: Kathleen at Morningside Elementary, Mike at Mrs. Smith’s Morningside Co-op Kindergarten. We found a Catholic Church (St. Philip the Apostle)—but there was no church building yet. So, parish men built an altar, and Sundays for a year or two we attended Mass in the multi-purpose room of Morningside School.
We bought our groceries at G I Market and at Safeway in Suitland. We made multiple trips to Ernest Hardware, People’s Drugs, and a delightful children’s clothing store (Bo Peep?), all in Suitland. For entertainment, we frequented the Coral Hills Drive-in. And we were thrilled to be able to drive 15 miles into Washington for the free museums. We did them all.
When winter came, we searched for a frozen ice-skating pond. Our favorite was School House Pond in Upper Marlboro. I loved skating and watching the fish swimming in the pond below the ice. I loved the bonfire at dusk.
Jack coached softball for local kids at Morningside School, and later, at Patterson Park (named for our neighbor Doug Patterson). One of Jack’s teams was McHale’s Navy, the name borrowed from TV. I loved that the local schools had summer classes of all sorts, thanks to the Rec Council. My sons were all Cub Scouts and, later, Boy Scouts with Troop 282, Irene & Roscoe Smith, at Bells U.M. Church.
I loved standing along Suitland Road, watching dignitaries—or sometimes hearses, coming down (or up) Suitland Road.
For 66 years, I have loved my home at 4304 Skyline Drive. I’ve enjoyed being involved in Morningside and Skyline activities. Thank you to all, past and present, who’ve made it possible.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Ruth LaBelle and Jordan Foster, July 1; Sharon Simms, Matthew Clark and Megan Frostbutter, July 2; Gloria Grapevine (her 99th), Pat Richardson Conlon, Sarah Booth and Jack Hay II, July 3; Grace Carruth, Matthew Ryan White and Nya Nichols, July 4; Jean Ihrig and Timothy Hollowsky, July 5.
Have a Star-Spangled 4th of July!
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
REV. ANTOINE LOVE
Within the Baltimore-Washington Conference, the Rev. Antoine Love is frequently called upon to pray when leaders feel the need to turn to God for comfort, assurance, or vision. As assistant to Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, Rev. Love is known for his deep abiding faith that connects people with God and one another.
Entering ordained ministry in 1994, Rev. Love pastored several Maryland churches, including Corkran UMC in Temple Hills; Zion in Lexington Park; Covenant Point-Lakeside Cooperative Parish in Waldorf; the Journey of Faith Church, a new cross-racial United Methodist congregation in Southern Maryland; Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg; and currently, St. Paul in Oxon Hill, Maryland. His innovative spirit of renewal and revival also led him to serve as the Baltimore-Washington Conference Director of Vibrant Communities for several years, before being appointed as the Assistant to the Bishop.
He has also served on several committees throughout the denomination, including chairing the Baltimore-Washington Conference Board of Trustees and as executive director of the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s Multi-Ethnic Center for Ministry. He now chairs Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
A noted preacher and teacher, Rev. Love’s ministry centers around transcending the differences that separate people and creating Beloved Community. He holds dear to his heart the words from Lamentations 3:22–23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord unto me.”
Thanks to Rev. Antoine Love who was our guest speaker at Clinton United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 9, 2024 for our morning worship service.
TRIBUTE TO PASTOR DOROTHEA BELT STROMAN
“Pastor Stroman as we celebrate your retirement, we want you to know you are an amazing woman who is special in so many ways. Your sermons were always thought-provoking, powerful, amazing and consistently told a story that related to the Bible and our daily living.”
“Without fail, during your tenure here at Clinton, the congregation and community have always profited from your spiritual leadership, pastoral care and actions that demonstrated you were called to service by our almighty God. Let it be known, you are a faithful woman who loves God. To know you is to know someone who is kind, loving, considerate, thoughtful and a giving person and pastor.”
“Thank you for everything you have personally done for us and for being the special pastor you are. May God continue to bless you and your family as you transition to the next phase of service. Peace and Blessings. Clinton United Methodist Church members Owen & Audrey Johnson.”
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University, together with the University of Maryland School of Public health, and in honor of Lt. Richard Collins III, is expanding its study abroad options for marginalized faculty and students, in part, due to a grant announced June 13 from the US State Department. The schools were among a select 37 institutions nationwide to receive this 2024 grant. #BowieBOLD.
Shout out to rising senior, Skylar Murphy, who is interning with Disney this summer. As a business management major, she is gaining invaluable experience at one of the world’s most iconic companies. #BowieBOLD.
Shout out to Langston Ross who is interning this summer at Keamex & Company, a premier CPA firm focused on the government. #BowieBOLD.
JUST DANCE
Just Dance on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. brought to you by One Life Fitness. A fun energetic cardio dance class for all fitness levels that combines different styles of movement to sounds from across the world. Grove is in the heart and good vibes are in. The address is 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Maryland, 20745. Telephone: 877-628-5427.
BACK TO SCHOOL WELLNESS EVENT
Back to School Wellness Event Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Get ready to kick off the school year with our Back-to-School Wellness Event, where you can learn tips and tricks for staying healthy.
Join us at the Bowie Community Center for a day of fun and learning as we gear up for the new school year. This in-person event will feature interactive workshops, fitness activities, and health screenings to help you start the year off right. Come meet local vendors offering healthy snacks and school supplies to get you ready for the school year ahead. Whether you are a student, parent, or educator, this event is perfect for anyone looking to prioritize their well-being. Do not miss out on this opportunity to kick off the school year with a focus on wellness.
The event is two hours and thirty minutes. General admission is free. Bowie Community Center is located at 3209 Stonybrook Drive, Bowie, Maryland 20715. Back to School Wellness Event Tickets, Saturday August 3, 2024, at 11 a.m. I Eventbrite for tickets.
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