In and Around Morningside-Skyline
by Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Suitland getting a long-overdue, wider, and safer Swann Road
Swann Road, in Suitland, has major changes coming up. It will be modified for safety and to accommodate all kinds of transportation—cars and pedestrians and bike lanes for bikers. There’ll be sidewalks all along both sides of the road and along Dianna Drive. Lanes will be widened. And, where speed bumps are now, there’ll be raised crosswalks.
Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation and County Council Member Karen R. Toles (District 7) held the Groundbreaking Ceremony on June 16 at William Beanes Elementary.
“I am overjoyed that the long-overdue Swann Road Green/Complete Street Project is finally underway,” Council Member Toles announced, “and that community residents will get much-deserved paved roads and safe streets.”
The project is due for completion by the summer of 2018.
Another Suitland Parkway accident
Briaunna A. Smith, 23, of the District, died in a collision on Suitland Parkway at Branch Avenue on June 5. The driver of the car, in which she was the passenger, was in critical condition. The driver of the other car suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
This is the third fatal accident on Suitland Parkway that I’ve written about in recent weeks.
People
A special Happy Birthday to Rose Hoffman, longtime Morningsider, who turns 92 on June 27. She currently lives in Lothian and regrets she can’t drive any more.
I had an email from Roslyn Guyer Winfield, daughter of Irvin N. Guyer who perished, along with his two nieces, when a plane from Andrews crashed in Morningside back in 1951. Roslyn found one of my columns online and reconnected with me. She wrote about last Christmas when she visited in Eldersburg, MD after many years, to celebrate the holiday with her brother Fred and sister Elaine, and their families.
Turning Pointe Dance Academy, in Hanover, MD, held its Annual Spring Performance and a special presentation of Cinderella, on June 11 at Laurel High School. My daughter Elaine Seidman is Artistic Director of the studio and got her start in District Heights at Helen Moore’s studio. One of her first jobs was as dance teacher with M-NCPPC classes at Morningside Elementary.
My granddaughter, Sarah McHale, and great-grandchildren, Mary and Wesley McHale, were among the dancers. Granddaughter Rose Seidman choreographed several of the dances.
Applause
Janice Conlon Cuellar, formerly of Morningside, has received the 2017 Caritas Distinguished Staff Award this year for her work at Bishop McNamara High School where she is Director of Web Services and Student Information Systems. Janice is the daughter of John and Leona Conlon who lived on Boxwood Drive. Janice graduated from La Reine High School, class of 1969.
Academia
Emily Burke and Annabella “Bella” Nicole Ferrante are granddaughters of Jean Ferrante who grew up in Morningside, daughter of John and Leona Conlon. Jean emailed this good news about her granddaughters:
Emily has graduated from Loyola University of Maryland. She made the Dean’s List and plans to take her LSAT exam this summer and to continue on to Law School.
Bella graduated from Huntingtown High School with a Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award. She plans to attend the University of South Carolina in the fall.
Changing landscape
Last week I wrote about development at the site of the Cadillac Motel in Brandywine. The German grocery Lidl is expected to be one of the retailers. Since then I’ve learned that Lidl has 10,000 stores in 27 countries. The modern, efficient stores have just six aisles and 90% of the shelves are filled with their own brands. And they have cheap, award-winning wines.
AutoZone is going in next to Family Dollar in Andrews Manor. And Family Dollar has redesigned its store.
Sears has suffered years of plunging sales and announced it will cut about 400 full-time jobs. Makes me a sad to think what Sears meant to me in the days when I shopped the Sears catalog. Among other things, I bought bunk beds and a kitchen stove through The Big Book.
May they rest in peace
Mary Stark Edwards, 88, an active member of Unity (formerly, Camp Springs) Presbyterian Church from which she was buried, died May 27 in Evesham Township, NJ. A native of North Dakota, she met her future husband Larry at the University of North Dakota. They traveled extensively before settling in Camp Springs. Mary was a member of the Surratt Society, the Eastern Star, Harmony Hallers Seniors, and the Officer’s Wives Club at Andrews. Her husband of 40 years, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, died in 1990. Survivors include her children, Sandra Jost and James Edwards, five grandchildren and two great-grands.
Adrienne Christel McBurrows Alexander, one of the few African American female pilots in Corporate America Air Industry, died June 2. She is the mother of Craig B. Alexander and the daughter of Madeleine and Richard McBurrows. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. John’s Church in Clinton with burial at Resurrection Cemetery.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Edson Cook, June 23; Gloria R. Johnson, June 24; Michael Taylor, Larry Frostbutter, June 25; Angela Booth and Mable Hemmes, June 26; Charles “Chuckie” Henry, Rose Hoffman, Veda Curcio, Shawn Kumra and Cathryn Cordero Pracht, June 27; Mike Dudding, Juanita Eppard, Erica R. Webb, EvaMarie Anthony and my granddaughter Leah Katherine Mudd, June 28.
Happy anniversary to Tim and Becki Cordero, their 16th on June 23; Mary and Mike Dawes, their 34th on June 23; and Jack and Kimberly Hay, their 31st on June 28.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
by Audrey Johnson 301 888 2153
CLINTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Financial Peace University (FPU) is returning to Clinton United Methodist Church. The classes will start Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 1:00 PM. We will host the FPU Classes to help us learn to manage money God’s way. Emphasis will be on getting out of debt, saving money, investing for the future, and outrageous generosity in a way that is scripturally-based, practical, and proven. The classes are held once a week for 9 consecutive weeks (must attend at least 8 of the classes to graduate). Register online at http://pu.com/1030910. There will be a preview on September 3, 2017 after the 10:30 AM service (at approximately 12:00 noon).
2ND ANNUAL D.C. METRO ECSU GOLF TOURNAMENT
Swing with the Vikings and help students 2nd Annual D.C. Metro ECSU Golf Tournament sponsored by D.C. Metro Chapter, Elizabeth City State University Alumni at Andrews AFB Golf Courses—4442 West Perimeter Road, Andrews AFB, MD 20762.
The date is Friday, August 18, 2017. Registration starts at 7:30 AM. Shotgun start is 9:30 AM. Format: 4-person Scramble. Cost is $125.00 which includes green fee, cart, beverages on the course, buffet awards luncheon, prizes, and driving range. Many prizes—1st and 2nd Place Team, door prizes, and gift Men/ Women Longest Drive and Closest to Pin.
For information please contact Donald Herring, Sr. (301) 980-0240 (herringdon@verizon.net) or Leroy Williams (301) 535-4858 (lflemingw@verizon.net). Note: Andrews AFB Security requires that all civilian tournament golfers provide government-issued identification as a condition of entry.
FLASHBACK THROUGH THE DECADES
Nottingham Myers UMC of the New Hope Fellowship Cooperative Parrish invite you to join us for an evening of dancing, food, fun, and fellowship on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM. There will be a dance contest, soul train line and best-dressed contest (wear your favorite outfit from back in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s.) Donation is $25.00. Event supports the Family Life Center, 15601 Brooks Church Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Rev. Constance C. Smith is the Senior Pastor. Telephone number 301-888-2171.
SENIOR PROGRAMS
Some of the recreation services in the county for seniors 60 and better are free. These include fitness and health programs, nutrition programs, senior clubs, cultural activities, tours and trips, free community center ID card for county residents, information and referrals, and many more. For more information, visit pgparks.com or call 301-699-2255, TTY 301-699-2544.
SHOW PLACE ARENA
The 2017 Suntan Circuit Show, sponsored by the Southern Maryland Quarter Horse Association, will be held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center on Wednesday, July 19–Sunday, July 23, 2017, 8:00 AM. The show is free for spectators. The address is 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Contact number is 301-952-7900; TTY 301-699-2544.
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