In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Leukemia Fundraiser coming up January 24 for Morningsider Billy Fowler
This past October, Morningside native Billy Fowler was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. The treatments are intensive and prevent him from being able to work. Billy, 38, lives with his wife and daughter in Milford, Mich., and his Morningside family and friends are hoping to send them as much support as possible.
Mark your calendars for the Battle for Billy, a fundraiser that will be held Saturday, January 24, from noon to 5. The day will include a spaghetti dinner with salad and roll for $10, a raffle for a 55'' high-definition smart TV ($10 per ticket or 3 for $25), a cake raffle, a chance auction with a variety of items (6 tickets for $5; each ticket you put for an item increases your odds of winning it), a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale, whack-a-wreck, t-shirts, and bracelets.
It’ll be a good time, and it’s for an excellent cause. Anything you can contribute will be appreciated.
The fundraiser will be held at 6901 Ames St. For more information, or if you want to make a donation, call Karen Rooker at 301-335-3365; Billy’s mother, Sharon Fowler 240-579-6761; or Amy Foster 301-996-7396.
Hernandez Family Welcomes Twin Boys
When daughter Kathleen Shearer and I attended the Morningside Thanksgiving November 20, one of those I had the opportunity to meet was Ilka Hernandez of Larches Ct, who was pregnant. But not for long.
She gave birth to twin boys the following Tuesday, November 25. They are home and getting to know their older sister and two brothers. Congratulations!
More Thanksgiving
Kathleen has returned home to Cincinnati after three enjoyable weeks wildly spent visiting me. In addition to the Morningside Thanksgiving, we celebrated Thanksgiving at home with 16 of my kids, grandkids, various spouses, a couple of dogs, plus a visit from Jim Reilly, who is an honorary McHale whether or not he wants the distinction.
Kathleen and I also had the pleasure of visiting my husband’s second cousin Patty Bass in Washington, and my cousin, Mary Robey, in Centreville, Va. Mary, a kid of only 90, is one of my last remaining first cousins.
When we weren’t socializing, Kathleen and I assembled numerous jigsaw puzzles. It’s always fun to have visitors help us.
Frankenstein at the Synetic
My grandson Conor joined us for a trip to Arlington to see Synetic Theater’s production of Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. My hearing is so bad now that theater is a real challenge, but Synetic specializes in wordless, movement-based plays.
This is the second performance of theirs that I have seen, and both were excellent. Next month, I will see them perform Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, also wordless, in Washington.
Donald Isenberg, longtime Morningsider dies
Donald Isenberg died last month at his home on Morgan Rd. He will be remembered for his generosity, whether it was showing up to Morningside clean-up days with donuts or Subway sandwiches, or distributing huge bags of potatoes among his neighbors, or even slipping someone a little money to take their parent out for a nice dinner. And he will be missed. According to his wishes, he was cremated with no ceremony.
I’ll tell you more about Donald in next week’s column.
Morningside spot-repairing around town
The retaining-wall project on Woodland Rd is nearly complete, with only about 1–2 more days of work left. After that, Morningside will focus on spot-repairing particularly bad portions of curbs and sidewalks around town, though they’ll save bigger repair and emplacement jobs for spring.
Rec Committee celebrates Thanksgiving by helping
The Morningside Recreation Committee took a donation of food, water, and clothing to the Prince George’s House Men’s Shelter in Capitol Heights. They also assembled Blessing Bags with towels, soap, razors, and other personal items that were delivered to another shelter.
Changing landscape
The City of District Heights has installed at least four speed cameras and 6 to 8 stop-sign cameras. Slow down!!
Elmendorf Drive, 6013, recently sold for $303,000.
Pine Grove Drive, 6708, $390,000.
Skyline Terrace, 6300 $400,000.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Charlene Baker, and Paul Ratliff, Dec. 18; my grandson Michael Gallegos, Dec. 19; Ricky Nichols, Dec. 20; Evelyn McKeown, Dec. 21; Timothy Flaherty, and Morningside Mayor Irving Robinson, Dec. 22; Paul Ford, and Russ Kyser, Dec. 23; Kendall Lanehart, and Ken Miller, Dec. 24; Jean Nichols, Jason Tomlinson, Samantha Bowie, and Christine Mucker, Dec. 25; Jeffrey Norton, and Michael Nichols, Dec. 26; Virginia Simms, Carolyn Jeffcoat, and Kirra Starr Mears, Dec. 27.
Happy Anniversary to Ray and Betty Call, Dec. 20; Nola and Bruce Thomas, Dec. 27.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday to Taylar Terry, Shawnee Hendricks, Nurbert Hughes, Nadia Prah, Anthony Bell, Elvi Falby, Valentine II Grant, Somto Mbakwe, Doris Mackall, Lily Jalloh, John Stahl, Alaya Bell, Jahmaiyah Dorsett, Elijah Kerrick, Carolyn Woodard, Donald Hill, B. Kent Maudlin, Theodore (Ted) Mosley, Carol Hughes, Juliett Adaku Mbakwe, Iyana Rojas, Keinel Peralta, Ikechi (Ike) Mbakwe, Latsha Bell, Carolyn Beads, Betty Rivers, Joelle Robinson-Oghogho, Shelton Trice, Wendell Wallace, Luz Knight, Joanne Quarm who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating birthdays in December. May you have many more birthdays to celebrate.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Ronald and Sandra Jones, Dr. Francis and Agatha Nicol, Ikechi (Ike) and Chidinma (Chidi) Mbakwe who are celebrating Wedding Anniversaries in December who are Clinton United Methodist Church members.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Jason Beckwith: from Bowie State University to the Big Leagues. When Jason Beckwith steps into his role as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the Washington Nationals, he does so with quiet strength, focused intention, and a life shaped by conviction and character. His story is one of transformation, not just professionally but personally. At the heart of that journey is his experience at Bowie State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Beckwith’s path was not linear. Born in Washington, D.C., and adopted at a young age, he was raised in Germantown, Maryland, where his family was deeply connected to the church. Education was not a debate; it was given. Inspired by older mentors in his community, many of whom attended Bowie State University. Beckwith initially enrolled elsewhere but quickly realized something was missing. Transferring to Bowie State University in his sophomore year, he found not only a campus but a community that felt instantly like home.
CIAA
Get ready to head to Baltimore for the CIAA 2026 February 24–28, 2026. Bowie State University continues to be the university host for this exciting basketball tournament! We are calling all Bowie State University alumni, family, and friends to join faculty, staff, and students as we support and cheer on our men and women athletes. Beyond the games at the arena, there is something for everyone. Receptions, mixers, panel discussions, restaurant tours, career fairs and more. The Baltimore Hilton Inner Harbor is the host hotel for Bowie State University, and we are ready to make it our home for the week.
BSU WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2025
Bowie State University is proud to announce Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, nationally renowned pastor and champion for its Winter 2025 Commencement. The ceremony will be held on December 19, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex. Dr. Wesley is the senior pastor of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, where he serves as only the eight pastors in the church’s more than 200-year history. Under his visionary leadership, the church has grown to more than 12,000 members with a weekly online presence exceeding 25,000, expanding its reach and ministries while steadfastly upholding its call to spiritual formation, social justice and community engagement.
FOOTBALL SUNDAY
Piano Keys in Brandywine, Maryland showing Football games each and every Sunday. FREE ADMISSION. The door opens 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Brunch 11 a.m–5 p.m. A La Carte menu showing the games with audio. DJ OZS. LIVE BAND 7 p.m–1 a.m. 1st & 3rd Changing Phaces, 2nd & 4th WHAT BAND DJ BIG JOHN. Catch every tackle, touchdown, and triumph on 9 screens. Game day specials, and an atmosphere that rivals the stadium. For more information or to make a reservation WWW.PIANOKEYSLOUNGE.COM. Piano Keys and Lounge is located at 7651 Matapeake Business Drive Brandywine, Maryland.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Christmas Eve Service will be held at Clinton United Methodist Church December 24, 2025, at 7 p.m. Melaina Trice, Pastor. Church address is 10700 Brandywine Road, Clinton, Maryland 20735.
DIABETES AND FITNESS
“Each day is an opportunity to make great choices when it comes to your diet and exercise. They both have a direct impact in keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Exercise aids diabetes management by improving the sugar levels in your blood. It also increases insulin sensitivity and directly enhances overall cardiac health. It can also be effective for weight management.”
“Walking, biking, weight/resistance training and swimming/water exercise are a few things you can do right away. 150 minutes of modern intensity aerobic exercise along with strength training two times a week is recommended. It does not have to be all at one time.
You can do 10–15 min a few times a day if needed. The point is to be consistent.” Information from the SCOOP (Charles County Senior Center News.
MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
The meaning of Christmas is primarily the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, marking God becoming human, bringing messages of hope, love and salvation, but it is also a global cultural event filled with secular traditions like gift-giving, family gatherings, festive decorations, and Santa Claus, embodying themes of generosity, compassion, and unity for people of all backgrounds. The word itself means Christ’s Mass” (Cristes Maesse) and is observed by Christians on December 25 with Eastern Orthodox churches often following the Julian calendar (January 7). Source: Britannica.
“Merry Christmas to everyone”
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