In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
70 years a Morningsider, Ruth Sanford celebrates 95th birthday
Ruth Sanford is turning 95! And she has lived most of her life in the same house in Morningside.
I checked Morningside Directories: “Ruth Ferguson” was at 503 Allies Road in 1952. “Ruth Sanford” was at that address in 1955. “RM Sanford” was at 4503 Allies in 1993. “Ruth Sanford” was at 4503 Allies in 2011.
Ruth was born in Burke’s Garden, Va., daughter of Oscar and Beulah Lambert. When she was four, the family moved to Loudon County where she graduated from Herndon High School.
In 1944 she married James Ferguson; three years later they moved to Allies Road in Morningside. They became parents of four, Richard (decd.), Linda, Margie and Janet. In 1951, James died in a fiery car crash. The tragic accident made page 1 of The Enquirer-Gazette.
Ruth later married Arthur Sanford who brought two children to the marriage, Ray and Judy. Later they had son David (decd.). Arthur died in 1964.
Ruth was a housewife and babysitter for her neighbors until she went to work for Amtrak. She retired in the early ’90s. She was an excellent seamstress, enjoyed writing poetry and attending Morningside Senior events. She frequently called me with family news.
She was a loyal member of Morningside Baptist Church (now, Suitland Road Baptist) where she sang in the choir.
Every year, come Morningside elections, she was an Election Judge. They’ll miss her service this year.
In May 2017 she moved to an assisted-living home in Boonsboro, Md., in Washington County, at the foot of South Mountain, near Frederick County and Antietam National Battlefield. Population, 3,336.
According to her daughter Linda Sandoval (who provided her mom’s story), Ruth is doing remarkably well for 95. And, she still enjoys reading and crocheting.
Happy birthday, Ruth! I miss your phone calls.
Coronavirus update
The Prince George’s County Board of Elections encourages everyone to vote by mail in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I’m still mostly homebound. However, grandson Conor picks me up for Sunday Mass at St. Philip’s. And I did actually eat inside a restaurant with daughter Elaine and grandson Zak. The eatery was Texas Ribs and, most of the time, we were the only diners.
In Maryland, there have now been 79,545 reported cases, 860 of which are new. Maryland deaths are 3,402, and 20 are new.
Neighbors & other good people
I’m sad to announce that longtime resident Virginia Rosch has died. I hope to have her obit in next week’s column.
Archbishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam has been waiting for weeks to return to Eritrea, in eastern Africa, where he is Head of the Eritrean Catholic Church. Flights in or out of Eritrea are currently not allowed. In the meantime, he is staying at the guesthouse of the convent of the Daughters of St. Anne in Skyline.
Jimmie Dean Salvatore, long standing faithful member and handy man at Bells U.M. Church, died July 1 in College Park. He was 66.
Azanaa Hutchison of Camp Springs and Yolande Thompson of District Heights have been named to the Dean’s List at Hood College, in Frederick, Md., for the spring 2020 semester.
Email me (muddmm@aol.com) with news about your graduates.
Missing pet ads on
“Nextdoor Town of Morningside”
Paula Anderson, of Hillcrest Heights, wrote “My dog Mars has been missing now for 3 months. … I will always hope that he comes back home where he is really loved.” The item includes a photo of Mars.
Paula Anderson, of Silver Hill, responded, “I completely understand. I pray he is returned to you. I too am missing my orange Tabby cat for well over a month. A pet is a part of your family and it hurts when they come up missing.”
Changing landscape
Hovermale’s, in Fort Washington since 1954, is now open Tuesday through Sunday. Get your soft vanilla-and-chocolate swirl cone now!
The National Zoo is now open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Panda House is closed, although Tian Tian and Mei Xiang might be visible in their yards. Visitors 6 & up must wear masks. Admission is free. Timed-entry passes required but can be reserved through the Smithsonian’s website (si.edu/tickets) up to 30 days in advance. A limited number of walk-up passes may be available after 1 p.m.
Bengies Drive-In Theater is open for business and they show triple features. They are located in Middle River, Md. Go online for COVID-19 rules, movies, and phone number.
Thefts from vehicles, County’s #1 preventable crime
Thieves are stealing phones, purses, gym bags, sunglasses, tools and more from your car while you gas up. Prevent theft by locking your car. Take with or hide your stuff. And call 911 if you see something.
Margaret Harden, worked for Census
Margaret Ann Harden, 68, who had a career at the Census Bureau, died June 12. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Academy in Washington and worked at the Navy Yard before Census.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph W. and Kathleen M. Harden, formerly of Hillcrest Heights. Survivors include siblings Joseph, Patrick, James, and Kathleen Harden and Mary Foster, niece and nephews, aunts Mary Margaret McMahon and Sister Rose Marie Canty, CSC. Services were at Kalas in Oxon Hill.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Carolyn Dade, Aug. 1; Chris Webb, Cornel Gotshall, Samantha Wade, Aug. 3; Victoria Levanduski, Laura Cook and Sallee Bixler, Aug. 4; Miss Bailey Sparks, GeGe Feeney, and my granddaughter Rose Seidman, Aug. 5; Markeyce Herring and Connie Kimbles, Aug. 6; and Mary Dean, Aug. 7.
Happy anniversary to Denis and Donna Wood on Aug. 7.
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Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
PGCPS Express: A Newsletter for PGCPS Employees, July 10, 2020 PGCPS Pride: Farewell, Friends: New PGCPS retirees! After long and productive careers, more than 300 employees are leaving behind the daily 9 to 5 grind to start a new journey in retirement. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the students and families of PGCPS! Here are some retirees you may know:
Earl Hawkins, Coordinating Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics, has thrown in the towel after a 46-year career in education with 39 years in PGCPS, a Gwynn Park High School graduate. Hawkins has coached volleyball, basketball and taught health and physical education at many schools. He also served as Assistant Principal at Frederick Douglass High School prior to overseeing the athletic program for 16 years.
Bus Driver Anne Cuddy has driven generations of students over her 49-year career. The longest serving driver in PGCPS, Cuddy was based at the Goddard Bus Lot in Greenbelt. She was featured in WUSA9 profile last September.
Glenarden Woods Principal Cecelia Jones Bowlding is retiring after 35 years in PGCPS. This Past year, Glenarden Woods was honored with its second National Blue-Ribbon School award. Under the leadership, the school also achieved the highest rating in the state’s accountability system.
Dr. Gwendolyn Mason, Chief of Special Education and Student Services, has served students for 40 years, spending more than half of her career in PGCPS. She has taken on a variety of roles, including teacher, instructional specialist, compliance officer and assistance supervisor for special education.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ultraviolet rays from the sun can harm your skin in just 15 minutes. Foodborne illness increases during summer because bacteria multiply faster when it is warm out. Signs of dehydration in adults include extreme thirst, fatigue, confusion, and dizziness, in infants and children, look for dry or cracked lips, fewer wet diapers and low energy levels. umcharlesregional.org. Summer 2020
CHURCH HISTORY
St. Thomas Church is one of the earliest Episcopal churches in rural Southeastern Maryland. With the adjacent cemetery, St. Simon’s Mission, and St. Simon’s Cemetery, the church is the center point of the St. Thomas Episcopal Historic District. The church was completed on December 25, 1745 and was unofficially known as “Page’s Chapel.” In 1888, the frontal bell tower was erected in memory of Bishop Thomas John Claggett, first Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church consecrated in the United States.
When your special day calls for rustic surroundings drenched in history, let your thoughts linger at St. Thomas where boxwoods perfume the air, ancient trees bend ever so slightly in their testament to longevity, and wood thrushes warble songs of love on a gentle breeze. Nestled on a picturesque campus, this historic venue is also a perfect setting for fellowship, retreats, outreach, and more. The church offers a pipe organ, piano, and visible on every side are beautiful handcrafted antique stained-glass windows. The campus provides a beautiful natural backdrop for weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Directly across from the Church sits Showell Hall, a gathering place featuring a light-filled space with hardwood floors on the first floor and a kitchen and additional meeting room in the basement. Together these facilities offer the opportunity to host simple or elegant events. St. Thomas church is located at 14300 St. Thomas Church Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Telephone number is 301-627-8469. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
LIVE VIRTUAL WORSHIP SERVICE
Are you Internet Accessible? Join us every Sunday-Secure your Spiritual Space and watch with your Electronic Device (computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone). Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/westphaliaum Live: 8:00 a.m./Watch Party: 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Live: 8:00 a.m. Livestream on Demand https://westphalia.thechurchonline.com. Westphalia United Methodist Church. Rev. Timothy West, Senior Pastor. Email: Info@westphaliaum.org/ phone 301-735-9373.
YOU CAN STOP THE VIRUS
When you see MD COVID: 1. Pick up the phone. 2. Follow the instructions. 3. Spread the word. CovidLink. Mel Franklin posted in Advisory Neighborhood Community Initiative By Council Member Mel Franklin.
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