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In and Around Morningside-Skyline
by Mary McHale 301 735 3451

Remembering the Titanic, one hundred years later

Last Saturday, on the 100th anniversary of the day the Titanic struck the iceberg, I was dog-walking with a friend along the Washington Channel.   It was a beautiful day and many were out enjoying it.  As we neared the Titanic Memorial at Fort McNair and P Street SW, we came upon luminarias in white bags lining both sides of the walkway—1517 luminarias, each bearing the name of someone who went down with the Titanic.

At the Memorial we joined an Episcopal service in time to sing “Nearer My God To Thee,” the hymn played by the Titanic’s musicians as the ship sank.  Later that night the Men’s Titanic Society arrived, dressed in tuxes, to offer a toast to “those brave men.”

The memorial was designed by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, sculpted by John Horrigan, erected by the Women’s Titanic Memorial Association, and unveiled in 1931 by Helen Taft, widow of President Taft.  On the front of the Memorial, there’s an inscription: “To the brave men who perished in the wreck of the Titanic April 15, 1912.  They gave their lives that women and children might be saved… “

Baby Jacob

Bob and Kathy Elborne, of Morningside, are proud grandparents of Jacob Arthur Stern, born to Ari and Karen Stern on April 1 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces.  The Sterns live in Bowie and are teachers in the Prince George’s County Schools.  Ari, a member of the Choir of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, has selected classical music for Jacob to fall asleep to.  The other proud grandparents are Lya and Larry Stern of Bethesda.

Good time for a drill

The students at St. Philip’s School in Camp Springs evacuated the school for a fire drill on April 17, just in time to see the space shuttle passing overhead.  The children saw it piggybacking on a Boeing 747 en route from the Kennedy Space Center to Dulles Airport.

New fire-truck celebrated

Morningside Volunteer Fire Department is excited to announce that Rescue Engine 27, a 2012 Custom Fire Apparatus on a Spartan Gladiator chassis, has been delivered.  It was shown at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  Now, equipment is being installed and it’s undergoing required inspections by Prince Georges County.  Look for it to be running the streets in no time.

Spring Pet Fest

The Department of Environmental Resources’ Animal Management Division is hosting a free Spring Pet Fest on May 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Animal Services Facility at 3750 Brown Station Road in Upper Marlboro.  The event promotes the importance of animal adoption and features reduced adoption fees ($45 for cats and $100 for dogs), a pet fashion show and parade, local pet vendors, a bake, craft and yard sale, and other pet-inspired activities.  Proceeds benefit the Animal Services Facility.  For information, call 301-780-7200.

Dick West dies at 75

Richard Frazier “Dick” West, a graduate of Suitland High, died March 30.  As founder of West Property Management Corporation, he managed a family-owned shopping center in the 4700 block of Silver Hill Road.  When Jack and I moved here in 1958, our realtor was Dick’s father, Marion West, who had offices in that shopping center.

Dick West was born in Washington.  He met his future wife, Louise, at the University of Maryland and married her a week after college graduation in 1959.   He earned a B.S. in Sacred Theology from Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, Conn.  Then, deciding not to go into the ministry, he went to work for Suburban Trust Company, becoming assistant vice president and branch manager before forming West Property Management.  During those years he lived in Temple Hills.

In 1970 he joined the Oxon Hill Lions Club.  He held many Lions’ offices, including Governor of District 22-C, and received such awards as Lion of the Year, Key Member, and Bull Thrower.   In 2003 he transferred to the Calvert County Lions.  He was active in the Lutheran Church.  In recent years the Wests lived at Asbury in Solomons.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Louise; children, Laura Wise, David West and Donna Croll; six grandchildren, a great-granddaughter; brother Sherman West; and stepmother Myrtle West.  Services were at Trinity Methodist Church in Prince Frederick.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Michael Call, Apr. 27; Beverly Gotshall Marquis, DJ Fowler and Jessica Phipps, April 28; Lael McCune, Dorothy Lipka and Todd Mullins, April 30; May Whittington, May 1; Kathryn Deaver, Ann Lacey, Ernestine Taylor Wood,

Dante Ross Jr. and Janet Booth Kaye, May 2; my daughter Sheila Mudd and Lori Williams, May 3.

Happy anniversary to Emanuel and Juanita Chaplin, their 49th on April 26; and Jan and Cindy Smith, their 40th on April 28, 1972.

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Brandywine-Aquasco
by Ruth Turner 301 888 2153

BADEN COMMUNITY CENTER

The Center will be sponsoring an Adult Dance Social on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM.  The cost is $13 now and $18 at the door.  Enjoy a wonderful atmosphere with candlelit tables, friends, food and great music.  No partner required and all styles of dancing available.  Hurry and get your ticket early because this event sold out last year.  There is limited seating.       

Baden Community Center is located at 13601 Baden-Westwood Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613.  If you need additional information please call 301-888-1500 or TTY 301-203-6030.      

ORAL SPELLING BEE

Dr. Patricia Mitchell, daughter of Mrs. Ruth Turner, served as the Chief Judge at the Annual San Francisco Chronicle Oral Spelling Bee held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Pier 39.  The top 52 spellers from all over the Bay Area competed for a chance to represent the San Francisco Chronicle at the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. June, 2012.      

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Join us for the Prince George’s County Public Schools Education Foundation Second Annual Golf Tournament.  The Golf Tournament will be at the Country Club at Woodmore Golf course in Mitchellville, Maryland on Wednesday, June 27 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (register now).  The event will be a fun-filled day of golf and socializing.  The Club is located at 12320 Pleasant Prospect in Mitchellville, Maryland, just off the Capital Beltway at exit 17A.    

The proceeds from this event will support education related programs benefiting the Prince George’s County Public schools Excellence in Education Foundation.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.  Visit www1.pgcps.org/golfingforeducation.com for more information..    

HARLEM RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Come out and enjoy the 13th Annual Harlem Renaissance Festival of Prince George’s County on Saturday May 5, 2012 from 10:00 AM 7:00 PM.  The Festival will feature Celebrity Artists, Mother’s Finest, Dick Gregory and Chuck Brown.

Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a spectacular day.  There will be health screenings, music, dance discussions, school exhibits, teen activities, spoken word, displays, food, vendors, kid games and more.  Admission is free.  The Harlem Renaissance Festival is presented by Festival Chairwoman the Hon. Andrea C. Harrison County Councilwoman 5th District, the Harlem Remembrance Foundation of Prince George’s County. 

The location for the Festival is 2411 Pinebrook Avenue Landover, Maryland 20785.  Telephone number is 301-386-2278.  There is free parking off of Columbia Park Road.  Visit www.pghrf.org/festival.

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Clinton Conversations
By Norma Fazenbaker (301-579-6116)

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Suitland Beat 

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