In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Remembering Dolores Pitts and the plane crash of 1951
I first met Dolores when she worked at Parr’s Variety Store in the Skyline shopping strip on Suitland Road. It was a convenient little store where you could pick up a spool of thread or a greeting card. Dolores was a friendly clerk, who bragged about her young grandchildren and showed their photos to the customers.
Dolores and Claude Pitts had moved from Kansas City when Claude took a job in Washington back in the early ’40s. In 1942 they bought a home at 417 Allies Road in Morningside, most of which back then was just fields and trees.
They were among Morningside’s founding residents when the town incorporated on March 11, 1949.
They were only a block away when, on April 8, 1951, a B-25 bomber flying out of Andrews crashed into a house at the corner of Allies Road and Poplar Road, killing two little girls and their visiting uncle.
Dolores was busy raising her four children, but she worked at Parr’s Variety Store until it closed. When St. Philip’s Parish in Camp Springs was founded in 1957, Dolores helped organize the Sodality, worked with the Teen Club and ran fashion shows for the benefit of parish organizations.
She died of cancer 40 years ago this month, on March 9, 1983, at her home on Allies Road. She was survived by Claude, her husband of 48 years, her children and their spouses, Bob and Jan Pitts, Patricia Pitts, Cindy and Robert Harnsberger. Another son, Ed, was killed in an auto accident. She also left behind five grandchildren.
Dolores’ Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Philip’s. She is buried at Resurrection Cemetery.
Town of Morningside
Morningside’s Yard Sale is coming up Saturday, April 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department. Space is limited. To register, call 301-736-2301.
Election Day 2023 will be Monday, May 1, at the Morningside Municipal Center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Two Council Members are on the slate. Candidates will be profiled as they come forth. To vote, you must live within the municipal Town limits and be registered at your current address. If you are not registered with the County Board of Elections, you can still register in the Town by April 3.
There may still be need for one more Election Judge. Call 301-736-2300.
The Easter Bunny is coming to Morningside for Bingo Bunny Breakfast & Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. to noon at the Morningside Municipal Center. Breakfast will include pancakes, fruit, water and juice. And there’ll be 5 fun games of Bingo and door prizes. For the Egg Hunt, bring a basket to collect your eggs. The Egg Hunt is for walkers through age 12. Admission, $5 per person.
Tickets can be purchased Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 6901 Ames St. (Town Hall). They must be pre-purchased. Seating is limited. For information, call 301-736-2301.
The Regular Town Hall Meeting is coming up Tuesday, March 21, 7 p.m.
Neighbors & other good people
Morningside Mayor Bennard Cann has been named an Honorary Commander of Joint Base Andrews! The full story next week.
Thurgood Marshall, civil rights lawyer and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice, will be honored by the University of Maryland when their newly opened School of Public Policy is named for him.
Mary Elizabeth Hartigan Mudd, my grandmother, was Irish. The youngest in her family, she was born in Brooklyn after her family left Ireland to settle in the U.S. I figure that means I can celebrate on March 17. How about you?
Changing landscape
Gov. Wes Moore has joined U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer and other political heavy-hitters in lobbying for a new FBI headquarters in Prince George’s County. The Washington Post says, “This move isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also the responsible thing to do. The two Maryland sites are build-ready now; the Virginia site isn’t.” Stay tuned.
Sardi’s has acquired 8900 Woodyard Road in Clinton for $1.6 million and a new Sardi’s may soon be opening there, at the busy intersection of Woodyard Road and Branch Avenue. This location is the former Young Chow Bar & Grill (a favorite of mine, now gone forever).
The Smithsonian’s renovated bird house at the National Zoo reopened Monday, March 13. As zoo visitors “migrate” through the shores of the Delaware Bay, a lush prairie pothole and a tropical Bird Friendly coffee farm, free-flight birds stride, paddle, tweet and fly all around them in this multi-sensory, immersive aviary. The zoo is free, but parking isn’t, and entry passes are required. Summer hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., begin March 15.
A home at 4746 Towne Park Road in Suitland, has sold for $470,000. Town Park Road is a new street near Suitland Elementary School.
May they rest In Peace
•Motoko Howard, longtime organist at St. Philip’s Church, died March 9. She was an amazing musician and a beautiful person. More about her later.
•Sister Constance Ward, mainstay in the Washington Archdiocese’s Office of Worship, died in October. In recent years she lived at Holy Family Convent in Hillcrest Heights. She was 97.
• Dr. Louis V. Kaufman, of Ft. Washington and La Plata, an internist and pulmonologist for 40 years in Prince George’s County, died Feb. 20. At the time of his death, he was Medical director of Sagepoint Senior Living in La Plata. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Pat, two daughters and grandchildren.
•Courtney Clow Dempsey, 74, died at Asbury Care facility in Solomons on Feb. 25. She was a 1966 graduate of Crossland High School. Her full obit can be found at www.rauschfuneralhomes.com.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Sharon Ryan, Helene Williams, Judy Bornman and Alysha Perez, March 18; Kristopher Calhoun and Audrey Pridgen, March 19; Gladys Davidson, March 20,
Russ Kyser, Matthew Curcio-Bobbitt and Dejuh Bedewi, March 21; Ruth Anthony, my great-grandson Jack McHale and Hudson Murphy Glaubitz, great-grandson of Morningside Mayor Jerry and Jean Glaubitz, March 23; Lewis Woods, March 24; Ken Kyser and Jay Rollins, March 25.
Happy anniversary to Morrine and Harold Wilson on March 22.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all you Irish!
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
LENTEN SERVICES
March 22, 2023 Lenten Service will be at Christ United Methodist Church 7 p.m. “For I was naked” (donate clothing to Shepherd’s Closet). Christ Church address is 22919 Christ Church Road, Aquasco, Maryland. Rev. Shemaiah Strickland, Pastor. March 29 “For I was sick” (Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church (Caregiver Support Group Meeting) at 7 p.m. 15601 Brooks Church Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Rev. Shemaiah Strickland, Pastor. Brookfield United Methodist Church April 5 “For I was in prison” (Prison Service Project) at 7 p.m. 12806 Croom Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Rev. Samuel R. Tryon, Pastor.
FRIED CHICKEN BOX SUNDAY
It is our Fried Chicken Box Sunday. Come and get your chicken box and enjoy some social time with our family, members and friends Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. Chicken Box cost $7.00. Cash App- $stphilipsbaden. Preorders and payments appreciated. Chicken Boxes includes 2 pieces of Chicken (Drum & Thigh) potato salad and roll.
Benefit: St. Philip’s Church Feed My Sheep Program. Point of contacts Shirley A. Cleaves (302) 690-4260, Vivian Rich (804) 301-9530, Jackie Harper (301)-385-2620, St. Philip’s Church (301)-888-1536.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MEMORIAL LIBRARY SYSTEM
Family Library Mini-Golf 18 holes of mini-golf fun with treats, March 18, 2023, from 10 a.m–3 p.m. Bring the kids and putt-putt your way through eighteen holes of Mini-Golf. Tickets cost $5.00–$10.00. Go online ( www.pgcmls.info/event/7806767) and get tickets via eventbrite. All proceeds benefit Books from Birth. By: Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Foundation. Location: South Bowie Branch Library (PGCMLS) 15301 Hall Road Bowie, Maryland.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY SUMMER JOBS
The Prince George’s County Summer Employment Program is now accepting applications for young people ages 14–22. Application dates are March 1–March 31, 2023. Program dates are July 5–August 11, 2023. Earn money, learn new skills, explore a Career Field and meet new people. For more information about the program and to apply visit the Youth@Work/SYEPwebsite. https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/4218/SummerYouth-Enrichment-Program
Source: County Executive Angela A. Alsobrooks Community Connections Newsletter.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Theme for 2023 Women’s History Month is celebrating women who tell our stories from Wednesday, March 1, 2023–Friday March 31, 2023. The month will be commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Visit online at https://womenshistorymonth.gov
JORDAN PEER RECOVERY CAP CONFERENCE
Join our 5th Annual Culturally Aligned Peer Recovery Conference Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. to June 9, 2023, 5 p.m. at Bowie State University for the advancement for culturally responsive peer services. Address is 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland.
This conference is designed to support the advancement of culturally aligned recovery. This includes a variety of culturally aligned methods, practices, rituals, programs, and belief systems that promote a recovery to discovery process. We expect our attendees to come away with a broader knowledge of culturally aligned peer recovery services while being refreshed in their journey of recovery. Unfortunately, due to funds being allocated to support the planning of the conference, we do not offer refunds on ticket sales. We may be inclined to deduct your ticket cost from future course purchases, events, webinars, etc. Thank you. Planning Team!
Ticket Information. Student Registration cost $35, Early Bird Registration cost $35, General Admission Registration cost $70. Hosted by Jordan Peer Recovery. ( https://allevents.in/bowie/jordan-peer-recovery-cap-conference-2023/10000473516008127)
SUMMER CAR SHOW
Join us Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Summer Car Show, 15501 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland hosted by Crescent Wine & Spirits. It is that time of year. Come join us for our annual car show and wine/beer/spirits festival. There will be fun for all ages, so bring your family and friends. We will have raffles, face painting, free tastings, food and more.
MARCH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Davis, Redland Robert V. Kelley, Marquis Wallace, Shirley Brown, Dezmond Wood, Anthony Oghogho, Elena Gatling, Safiya Terry-Joseph, Brittany Baker, Denise Reid Bourne, Mildred Edwards, Vedall Grant, Lloyd Brown, Patricia Stephens, Tina Fields, Niecia Tay, Aja Laylonie Bell, and Henry Thomas who Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating birthdays in March.
MARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Marian and Dr. Anthony Thomas, Emmanuel and Claudette Oghogho, Chris and Jasmine Taylor Marshall who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in March.
HBCU CON 2023
Join us for #BlackGeekHomecoming as HBCU Con brings a Different World to the campus of Bowie State University Friday, April 28, 2023, 4 p.m.–Sunday, April 30, 5 p.m. Address: 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland. Information and Tickets: www.Eventbrite.com , Allevents.
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