In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Needed: Parade marchers!
Hey, 4th of July (Friday, this year) is coming! And we need parade participants! Participants such as vintage cars, trucks, bikes, school bands, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, clowns, flag-carriers, musicians, politicians and candidates running for office and more. For information, call 301-736-2301.
Consider organizing a parade of lawn-mower pushers—I saw this in a parade in Georgetown years ago. It was clever and fun to watch. Consider a group from your church. Or from your school.
Everyone running for office should be there—either just riding or running alongside and shaking hands.
I love the Morningside Parade, every year, and hope to feel well enough to make it up to the Baptist tree to watch. If I do make it (after all, I’m 96), I hope you’ll be there to keep me company. And throw candy for the marchers.
Who can tell me how old the Morningside Parade is? I feel as though it’s been maybe 50 years.
James Ealey, of Morningside, dies
James Orken “Orben” Ealey of Clinton and formerly of Morningside, died April 23. Survivors include his wife Yvonne Ealey; children, Lydia Ealey, James Ealey II (Maxine) and Deidre Lawson; stepchildren Robert Humphrey III (Wendy) and Yasmine Toye (Richard); sister, Claudia Lewis; four grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and a host of others.
I’ll tell you more about Mr. Ealey in my next column. And if you have stories about his life, email me at muddmm@gmail.com.
New development
I’ve been reminded that the big empty lot, at the corner of Suitland and Allies roads, is in the Town of Morningside (not Skyline, as I may have said). Here’s the ad: The sign, at the corner of Suitland and Randolph Road, announces: “FOR SALE, Single Family Homes! 301-326-9658. From $599. 4 bedrooms, 2-½ baths, on .41 acres, 2,204 sq. ft., 3-car garage, air conditioning, full basement.”
Conclave
I spent hours watching TV for the latest word on the Conclave.
I read “Conclave,” the book, and saw “Conclave,” the movie. So, I was primed for whatever happened.
But I never expected an American Archbishop to be named Pope! And, from Chicago!
I called my college roommate, Marge Quinn, who has lived her whole life in Chicago. But her phone is gone. And maybe Marge is, too.
Anyway, God bless Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, our new Pope, now known as Leo XIV. He is 69 and is the 267th occupant of the throne of St. Peter. Viva il Papa (Long live the Pope)!
Remembering…
Back in the early 1960s, preteens in the Morningside area met regularly for dancing, eating and hanging-out. They gathered in the multi-purpose room at Morningside School.
There was a movement, 30 years ago, to gather again. Were you among those teens back then?
The “Sub”-Teen Club years were 1959 to 1967. If you were one of those sub-teens, you might have helped organize that memory trip 30 years ago, back in 1995. Reunion committee chairmen were Janice Seaman Graves, Wayne Neale and Donna Bookhultz Bivens.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Kara Dameron, Dot Pfeil and June Zaccagnino, June 15; Helen Padgett and Lucia Scott, June 16; Bill Kimbles, June 18; Stephanie Phipps, June 19; Christian Nichols, June 20; my grandson Conor McHale, Aletheia Fadness, Mark Witherow Sr., and Antonio Jackson, June 21.
Happy Anniversary to Jill and Ken Kimmel, their 27th on June 15; Calvin and Debbie Brown, June 20, 1993.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Congratulations to all the Graduates who received degrees at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 138th Spring Commencement on Friday, May 16, 2025. There were 292 Graduates. The Honorable Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland, was the Guest Speaker. Graduates from our area were School of Graduate Studies Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership, Jamelle Erica Banks, Gaithersburg, MD. Doctor of Education in Education Leadership, Atoya Mesha Coker, Suitland, MD, Erin Rutledge Council, Laurel, MD, Tamara Joyner Roberts, Laurel, MD. Master of Education in Career and Technology Education, Won Song, Montgomery Village, MD. Master of Arts in Teaching, Kelli Nicole Green, Temple Hills, MD. Master of Science in Chemistry, Richard M. Cordor, Gaithersburg, MD. Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering Technology, India M. Jameson, Fort Washington, MD. Master of Science in Marine Estuarine Environmental Science, Genesis Iman Levy, Bowie, MD.
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduates Queeniva Angum Acha, New Carrollton, MD, Oluwatoniloba Esther Alabi, Hyattsville, MD, Justin Taylor Anbiah, Hyattsville, MD, Bria Janee’ Patrice Bagley, Bowie, MD, Torell Grant, District Heights, MD, Juliet Imoit, Silver Spring, MD, Kenneh Sese Koker, Mitchellville, MD, Clodial Mbounguen Nanda, Silver Spring, MD, Grace Marie Penzenstadler, La Plata, MD, Maeva Stephanie Singuep Wandji, Lanham, MD.
School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. Bachelor of Science in Biology is Aryonna Braxton, Waldorf, MD, Samara D. Kellam, Accokeek, MD, Kalin Toogood, District Heights, MD, Audrey Angoran Yapi, Laurel, MD. Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture, Aja’ Tanika Ashton, Clinton, MD, Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Jayla Beidleman, Upper Marlboro, MD, Howdeja Treshaunda Dickenson, Bowie, MD, Tracy Esinam Essi Ewil Kwakutse, Gaithersburg, MD, Oluwanifemi Mercy Faniyi, Bowie, MD, Khamara Annette Logan, Upper Marlboro, MD, Jaidyn S. McCullough, Bowie, MD, Denesha Palmer, Lanham, MD, Jada Sinclair, Cheltenham, MD.
School of Business and Technology. Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Joseph Oluwaseyitan Eludoyin, Columbia, MD, Kristian D. Francis, Frederick, MD, Anfernee J. Layne, Greenbelt, MD, Charity Eniola Olabanji, Riverdale, MD, Steve
M. Somian, District Heights, MD, Jacob C, Fogan, Columbia, MD. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Rachel A. Yeboah-Afihene, Bowie, MD, Amya Braxton, White Plains, MD, Sergio Chofong, Upper Marlboro, MD, Kevin Eudell, Glen Burnie, MD, Ryan Xavier Somerville, Glen Burnie, MD, Rachel A. Yeboah-Afihene, Bowie, MD. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, William Dimgba, Bowie, MD, Kaleigha Jacole Hayes, Chesapeake Beach, MD, Bede I. Nnebedum, Upper Marlboro, MD, Micheal Olushola Olubode, Landover, MD, Isabelle N. Puwo, Silver Spring, MD, Ramon Wright, Fort Washington, MD.
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Technology, David Wayne Bridegum, Beltsville, MD, Siddhant Chakravarthi, Gaithersburg, MD, Oscar Allende Farfan, Bowie, MD, Isaiah K. Martin, Columbia, MD. Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Temitayo Adeniyi Adekoya, Bowie, MD, Clerkson Ngolle, Hagerstown, MD, Bachelor of Science in Finance, Elijah Terrell Ross, Upper Marlboro, MD. Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Troy Michael Bolling, Upper Marlboro, MD, Syniah Rebecca Fitch, Brandywine, MD, Stephanie Beatriz Hernandez, Silver Spring MD, Ly Bao Tran Phan, Laurel, MD, Derrick Ukhuegbe, Bowie, MD, Darian Brown, Bowie, MD. Bachelor of Arts in Applied Design, Mekhi R. Armstrong, Fort Washington, MD, Jordan Nicole Garey-Brown, Suitland, MD, Kenyon I. Owens, Clinton, MD. Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Ryan Alexander Davis, Bryans Road, MD, Steven Matthews, Jr., Upper Marlboro, MD, Lydia Teclar, Silver Spring, MD. Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Studies, Aajaylah D. Lemons, Fort Washington, MD. Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Work, Alima Hazel Johnson, Bowie, MD, Rokiah Elizabeth Sutton, Clinton, MD, Destiny A. Whitt, Nottingham, MD.
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Ryon Austin Banks, Bowie, MD, Alexa Danielle Barnett, Hyattsville, MD, Raynard Isaiah Flowers, Waldorf, MD, Ethan L. Hall, Waldorf, MD, Taylor Honesty, Indian Head, MD, Jordan Valentine, Greenbelt, MD. Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology, Kayla J. Brown, Waldorf, MD, Josefina Susana Maqueda-Crosby, Montgomery Village, MD, Amanda Michelle Exantus, Columbia, MD. Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services, Donabed Cyprien, Silver Spring, MD.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS INC.
Community Support Systems, Inc. News and updates. Good News: New Food Pantry Distribution starting Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Where: Baden Food Pantry St. Paul’s Parish Hall, 13500 Baden Westwood Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. Time: 11 a.m. to 12 Noon.
“CSS works diligently to improve the quality of life of our neighbors. We appreciate any contributions you are able to make to help us fulfill our Mission. Our HEART is in our work. Won’t you help us to help others. Donate now. Peace”. Ethel Shepard-Powell, Executive Director. Website: CommunitySupportSystems.org. Telephone: 301-372-1491
A CELEBRATION
Celebration of Walter Leonard Pinkney, Jr. 75th Birthday and 50 Year Retirement was held May 24, 2025, with family, friends and co-workers at VFW Post 259, Clinton, Maryland. We thank everyone for celebrating with us.
FIDOS FOR FREEDOM CHARITY CLASSIC
The Fidos for Freedom Charity Classic will be held August 8, 2025, at Renditions Golf Course 1380 Central Avenue, Davidsonville, Maryland. Tee off time is 9 a.m. Single golfer package includes green fees, cart, free range balls, welcome package including 2025 Charity Event golf shirt, breakfast, beer and soft drinks throughout play. Post Round Buffet (vegetarian option available), contests/door prizes. Event Contact: Diane Bernier diane.bernier@FidosForFreedom.org.
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