In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
McNamara High School welcomes Dian Carter as new Principal
Dr. Marco J. Clark, President/CEO of Bishop McNamara High School, has announced that Mrs. Dian Carter as the Interim Principal at McNamara. She is the first woman to serve as principal in the school’s 56 years.
She comes as a veteran educator, having spent 15 years as an English teacher, human resource specialist, curriculum development specialist, and assistant principal in Prince George’s and Montgomery County public schools.
She came to McNamara in 2016 as Assistant Principal.
She has been an active parent volunteer and President of the Home & School Assn., Archdiocese of Washington Board of Education, High School Admissions & Advisory Committee, a leader with the Elementary Schools Principals’ Association and the National Catholic Educational Association.
She has a bachelor’s from the University of Maryland and a master’s in education, supervision and curriculum from Bowie State University. She is a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Largo, and St. Ambrose in Cheverly where she served nine years as principal in the parish school. She is married to Kevin Carter and they have two children, Brenna who graduated from McNamara in 2016 and Caleb who’ll graduate from there in 2020.
Neighbors & other good people
Morningside VFD was honored for its 5,321 training hours by the Prince George’s County Volunteer & Rescue Association at the annual awards ceremony on Sept. 27. That’s the most training hours of any single volunteer company in Prince George’s County.
Louise Oertly was reelected president of the Surratt Society’s executive board at the Sept. 8 general meeting. Other officers are Bill Binzel, vice president; Marietta Arenberg, secretary; and Tom Buckingham, treasurer.
Dr. Jon Willen, Surratt Society member, has been elected president of the Civil War Round Table (CWRT) of the District of Columbia, Bill Binzel, Surratt Society office, was elected to the CWRT board of directors.
I wished Frank McCrone a Happy Birthday on October 17—but, sadly, he had died Feb. 10. However, his daughter Karen Rooker said the greeting made her smile. I know Frank celebrated in Heaven.
Changing landscape
• The County Police Department has opened a new district station in Upper Marlboro. District VIII represents the busiest sector in the county, covering 18 square miles and serving the neighborhoods of Suitland, Forestville, Westphalia, Coral Hills, and areas surrounding Capitol Heights and District Heights.
• There’s a site plan proposal afoot for building six houses in the woods next to VFW Post 9619, in Morningside. The address listed is 6507 Suitland Road. Several in the community are planning to become persons of record so they can testify.
• A new Lidl grocery at 7200 Marlboro Pike Forestville/District Heights opened Oct. 9.
• A new Target is opening this month at 6183 Oxon Hill Road, at the site where once was Kmart.
• A Residence Inn Marriott at 1700 Ritchie Station Court, has opened in Capital Heights, behind Buffalo Wild Wings.
• Most of the Capitol Center Boulevard shopping center has been razed to make room for University of Maryland’s Capital Region Medical Center. Surviving businesses are Carolina Kitchen, Magic Johnson Theater, Chick-Fil-A, Longhorn Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, Golden Corral Buffet and Chuck E. Cheese.
• Nautilus Solar and Neighborhood Sun held a ribbon-cutting on Oct. 7 for their new solar project in Fort Washington. It will be the largest community solar project in the United States.
October is Adopt-A-Dog Month
Throughout the month of October, fees are reduced for dogs adopted from our local shelter! Normally $225, fees are just $125, which covers the cost of spay/neuter procedure—unless they are already altered, and if so, your new dog is free! Call the Animal Services Facility, 301-780-7200. You can view available pets at
www.princegeorgespets4us.com.
By the way, an amendment to repeal the County’s 22-year-old ban on pit bulls is advancing and may be repealed. However, a majority of the 11-member Council still seems to support the ban, or is undecided.
Washington Post carriers needed
One day last week my Post arrived in a plastic bag advertising, “Carrier wanted! Routes available now! Apply today at deliverthepost.com.” Need a job? Check it out.
Morningside Memories: 1959
Sixty years ago this month, the Morningside Camp Fire girls entertained their families and their sponsor, Mrs. James Broderick, with a party at the Town Hall. The guest list included Karen and Alma Broderick, Polly Allen, Charlotte Edwards and son Johnny, Audrey Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Logan Koch and son Bobby, Mr. & Mrs. Charles McKeon and sons Donald and Wayne, T/Sgt. Frank Miller, Theresa Miller, Rory Miller, Frank Miller Jr. and Thelma Rogers.
Skyline’s 50th: 1982 (continuing)
Oct. 6: The Ridgecrest home of Peter and Judy Wilson won 1st place in the "Private Homes—Andrews AFB Area" category at the 1982 Beautification Awards Program. They received a plaque and a bluebird house.
Nov. 16: Robert W. Thomas, of the County Cable Commission, spoke at a Skyline meeting on what cable TV is and when will we get it? What will it cost? What will it offer us? What choices do we have?
Dec. 8: Capt. Beavers of the County Police, held a meeting at the Firehouse to address a rash of break-ins in Skyline, on Elmendorf, Skyline Terrace, John, Frank, Goodfellow and Suitland Road.
Dec. 18: The Morningside Sportsmen, with their elves and the Morningside Kedettes cruised through Skyline collecting canned goods for the needy. Bob Walker was chairman that year, 1982.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Jody Nyers, Catherine Alvis, Christina Ramsey Eckloff and Clyde Miller, Oct. 22; Mary Flood Dawes, Oct. 23; Daniel John Fitzgerald and Anna Norris, Oct. 24; and Donna Anderson, Oct. 25.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
SAFARI HUT PLAYGROUND
Up for a safari experience? Visit the colorful Safari Hut Playground, where your children will have plenty opportunities to slide. This playground was designed with three large safari hut decks that can be accessed from rock-like climbers and ropes. Once a child reaches the top of the hut deck, there are nine opportunities to slide down an escape route to the ground.
Suggested visit time is 1–2 hours. The play area includes a paved path to equipment and engineered wood fiber under equipment. The playground is nestled within a neighborhood with park benches. There’s street parking only. No restrooms on site. The playground is in Windsor Park, 6100 Welshire Court, Upper Marlboro Maryland 20772.
FARMFEST
Farm Fest runs annually and benefits local organizations that are involved in helping the community. This family-oriented, charitable Western event involves cowboys, cowgirls, and their horses coming together and performing routines and stunts to show support for worthy causes. There will be local performers, vendors, pony rides, and lots of fun for the entire family.
Farm Fest will be held Saturday October 26, 2019 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. at the Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Cost is free for spectators.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 227
Join us for a grilled to perfection premium steak dinner with baked potato, salad and roll. Dine in or carry out. Donation of just $15 for this great meal. Steak Dinner November 1, 2019. Public: Hosted by American Legion Post 227 at 13505 Cherry Tree Crossing Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613.
FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE
Please join Mel Franklin and your community at the first quarterly community partners meeting for the next phase of the #Fathers Stand Up Initiative and the #Fathers Stand Up Pledge. From working with the Community Schools Initiative to improve achievement, partnering with the Dept. of Family and Social Services to strengthen fatherhood and reduce domestic violence, to supporting Employ Prince George’s workforce development initiatives for returning citizens and the unemployed. We will focus on the multiple ways we can work together to strengthen fatherhood and families in our County.
The meeting will be held Monday, October 21, 2019 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at South Bowie Public Library, 5301 Hall Road, Bowie, Maryland 20721. Free and open to the public. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/fathers-stand-up-fall-mtg. What: #Fathers Stand Up Initiative Fall Community Partners Meeting.
MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK
Mental Illness Awareness Week was established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress in recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate and increase awareness about Mental Illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October. During this week, mental health advocates and organizations across the U.S. join to sponsor events to promote community outreach and public education, concerning mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Examples of activities held during the week include art/music events, educational sessions provided by healthcare professionals and individual with lived experience and/or familial lived experience, advertising campaigns, health fairs, prayer services, movie nights candlelight vigils, and benefit runs.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Happy Birthday to John Tyree, Camden Knight, Shellie Sims, Kaylee Davis, Madison Stroman, Dwayne Wood, Khia Knight, William Stammer, David Samuel, Ulric Thomas, Erica Barron, Barbara Washington, Jr. Mbakwe and George Taylor who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating birthdays in October.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Wedding Anniversary to Lawrence and Roseline Omoregbe, Clarkie and Georgia Kinard who are Clinton United Church members celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in October.
CLYDE WATSON BOATING AREA
Clyde Watson Boating Area provides boating access to the Patuxent River. Standard boat ramp with pier and fishing area. Permit required. The address is 17901 Magruder’s Ferry Road, Baden, Maryland 20613. For general information about local parks log on to pgparks.com and click on the “Parks & Facilities” tab.
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