In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
Frank McCrone, Past Commander of Morningside VFW, dies at 82
Francis David “Frank” McCrone, 82, of Morningside and Clinton, Past Commander of VFW Post 9619, died Feb. 10. He was born in Scranton, Pa., son of Thelma and Francis A. McCrone. After Francis’ too-early death, Thelma remarried, to Dewey Fitch.
In high school, Frank’s mother signed papers for him to join the Army Reserves and after graduation he joined the Air Force. During his 23 years in the service, he was with Night Watch, which they called the plane in front of the President’s plane.
Frank retired from the Air Force in 1976. In retirement he served with the Defense Intelligence Agency Complex at Bolling AFB, and played a lot of golf.
His brother Thomas McCrone predeceased him. Survivors include his children, Karen D. Rooker (former Morningside Mayor and current Clerk /Treasurer), Diane L. McCrone and Aneta D. Lamb; grandchildren, Ellen Ashby, Aimee Crawford, Patrick Hargis, America Jones, Leslee Bledsoe and Sarah Lamb; five great-grandchildren, and his brother James “Jim” McCrone. Services were at Lee Funeral Home with burial at Cheltenham.
Ronald Teufel remembers, “Frank was a great jet engine mechanic while I was an aircraft Crew Chief. We worked together, flew on many missions, pulled alert duty together. We were part of a big team assigned to the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron.”
Neighbors and other good people
Brandon Burke and Lynn Carpenter, both of Suitland, were recognized at a special reception for their outstanding fundraising efforts in 2018 for the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter.
Sister Theresa Frere IHM, of Newburg, is celebrating her golden jubilee of 50 years in religious life. She served as an English teacher for years in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and as a hospital chaplain. She’s currently a coordinator of ministry to the sick and homebound at St. Peter’s in Waldorf and St. Mary’s in Bryantown. (She is my 2nd cousin, once removed.)
Lenten devotions: the Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross are at 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent at St. Philip’s Church in Camp Springs. And on Good Friday, children will enact the Living Stations of the Cross. The Stations or The Way of the Cross—also called the Via Dolorosa—allows Christians to participate in Christ’s passion by prayerfully re-tracing Jesus’s steps to Calvary.
Liberty Girls Book Club is back
Darnall’s Chance is once again hosting the Liberty Girls Book Club and invites girls ages 7 to 13 to read about the exciting adventures of two 19th century girls from New Orleans, Marie-Grace and Cecile. At each meeting, members participate in a book discussion with a County librarian, do a period activity or craft, and enjoy light refreshments.
Meetings are Saturdays March 23 and 30, April 6 and 13, 10:30 a.m. to noon. The $30 membership fee covers the book discussion, activities, refreshments and a 2019 Liberty Girls t-shirt and bookbag. Call for information
at 301-952-8010. Darnall’s Chance House Museum is at 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro.
Changing landscape
The cherry blossoms at the Washington Tidal Basin are forecast to peak bloom about April 3.
Dollar Tree is closing 390 of its Family Dollar stores and renaming 200 others. I don’t know how our local stores will be affected, but they are currently in Andrews Manor, Penn Mar, Penn Station, and dozens of other locations in the area.
Two tragedies
Vernelle Robinson, of Upper Marlboro, has been convicted of criminally negligent vehicular manslaughter for taking the life of Isiah Pugh and injuring several others when she crashed her car into the Top of the Hill Restaurant in Upper Marlboro in October 2017. Sentencing will take place within 45 days.
Back in 1951, The Enquirer Gazette ran a headline story: “Driver Dies in Flaming Tanker Crash at Beltsville.” The driver was James William Ferguson, age 24, of 503 Allies Road in Morningside. He had parked his tractor-trailer off the highway to repair a faulty fuel pump. Another tractor-trailer crashed into his truck and they both burst into flames.
In the Morningside Directory, circa 1953, a Ruth Ferguson is listed at 503 Allies. She was probably James’ mother, sister or wife.
Sibyl Deily, Morningside founding member
Sibyl J. Deily, of Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Morningside, Forestville and Prince Frederick, died on her 96th birthday, Feb. 25. She was born in Saucier, Miss. to Grace and Floyd Johnson. She graduated with degrees in math and science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
The Deilys were founding members of the Town of Morningside in 1949 and Sibyl was the first Town Treasurer. They lived on Maple Road, across the street from Bonnie Kamenicky who called me with news of her death.
She was a substitute teacher, involved in Scouts and at Forestville Methodist Church. For years she drove for Meals on Wheels. She loved to garden and spend time at the beach cottage in Virginia.
She was predeceased by her husband Curtis. Survivors include their children, William and Charles Deily and Grace Hanners; six grandchildren and three great-grands. Services were at Lee’s in Owings with burial at Cedar Hill.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Jacob Thompson, Jose Gryskewicz and Jonathan Capps, March 15; Constance Bennett and my grandson Riley McHale, March 16; Sharon Ryan, Helene Williams, Judy Bornman and Alysha Perez, March 18; Kristopher Calhoun and Audrey Pridgen, March 19; Gladys Davidson, March 20; Russ Kyser, March 21; Matthew Curcio-Bobbitt and Dejuh Bedewi, March 21.
Happy anniversary to Morrine and Harold Wilson on March 22.
Top of Page
Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
THE FIRST MAN
A brief description on the Book, The First Man, which is a Christian fiction written by Pastor Rev. Dorothea Stroman.
Carrington Lamont Haywood, III knew that one day he would become a funeral director but becoming the First Man of a church was never in his wildest dreams. However, scripture says, “he who finds a wife finds a good thing”. After a rocky relationship with Dorinda, the Bride of Chucky and the death of his parents, Carrington immersed himself in his business as the CEO/Founder of House of Haywood. Thus, he wasn’t focusing on meeting his Princess Bride.
Carrington knows the ins and outs of being a funeral director but being the First Man of a church presents many challenges. How he responds to these challenges makes for some very good reading. Will the church members come to love him or dislike his demeanor as their First Man?
The book The First Man can be bought via Amazon.com, Cokesbury.com, KINDLE, anointedpresspublishers.com,
barnesandnobles.com, and my email address beltstroman@gmail.com. ISBN is 978-0-9962695-2-0.
My brief biography is Pastor of Clinton United Methodist Church, Clinton, Maryland. Graduate of Morgan State University and Howard University Divinity School, member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
CAMP SPRING FLING
Camp Spring Fling is an introductory program for girls who are not currently Girl Scouts. Activities include arts & crafts, STEM, games, songs and more. Dates are April 15–18, 2019 at Forestville High School for girls Grades K–5 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Free transportation provided. See registration link for bus stop locations.
Camp Fees: $45.00 (Financial Assistance available) Camp fees are non-refundable and include transportation and snacks. Started accepting registrations on line Monday, February 25, 2019 at https:/www.surveymonkey.com/r/
cb-camper. If you do not have internet access, please call 301-861-5862. For questions or more information, contact Jessica Hadsell at jhadsell@gscnc.org or call 301-861-5862.
TEACHER JOB FAIR
Prince George’s County Public School System will have a Teacher Job Fair, Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School, 12650 Brooke Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Candidates must apply online before coming to a job fair. To apply before coming to the job fair visit: hr.recruitment@pgcps.org.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The second annual PGCPS Student Choreography Showcase will be held Friday, April 5, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School, 12650 Brooke Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Contact person is Temisha Richardson 301-669-6011, 45258, temisha.richardson@pgcps.org. Tickets cost $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.
SKIP MAHONEY AND THE CASUALS
Join us for the Skip Mahoney and The Casuals Concert Saturday, April 6, 2019, 8:00 p.m. Skip Mahoney and The Casuals formed in 1965 in Washington, DC. “The original members were Skip Mahoney, George Norris, Roger Chapman, and Billy Jones. In 1973, the group experienced its first taste of recording success with the release of “Your Funny Moods” and “I Need Your Love.” The group’s dazzling vocals, highlighted by Mahoney’s impressive falsetto, propelled “Bless My Soul” into the R&B Top 40 for 15 weeks in 1976. With the release of their smash hit “Where You Go” in 1976. With the release of their smash hit “Wherever You Go”, in 1976, the group achieved international notoriety for the first time.”
In 2015, they released their long-awaited album “Good Old Days,” which included new music and some old, familiar classics. Skip Mahoney and The Casuals continues to perform nationally and internationally, leaving its audiences humming “Wherever You Go I Will Follow.”
The concert is for all ages. Tickets cost $40 per person (general admission) $35/seniors and students. The location is Harmony Hall Art Center at 10701 Livingston Road Fort Washington, Maryland, 20744. HarmonyHallArts@pgparks.comarts.pgparks.com. Telephone number is 301-203-6070; TTY 301-699-2544.
Top of Page
