In and Around Morningside-Skyline
By Mary McHale 301-735-3451
John Whipple, remarkable guitarist
John Robert Whipple, of Camp Springs, longtime musician for St. Philip’s Parish and other venues, died June 17.
He was born in Washington, son of Gertrude (McCabe) and Irving Whipple. He was a student and altar server at St. Francis Xavier School, in Southeast D.C., graduated from St. John’s College High, attended Maryland U., and worked as a surveyor at PEPCO.
In the summer of 1970, he met Dineen Franclemont while both were working at the Sears on Alabama Ave. They married in 1975.
From a young age, John was interested in music. He trained as a classical guitarist, took up drums in the high school marching band, and in the 1960s, performed professionally in a succession of bands in the DC area, including Truck, HapyJack, Medulla, Swamp Rats, Four of a Kind, and others.
Although his main instruments were his voice, acoustic guitar, and electric bass, his talent for music was such that he could get a decent sound out of any instrument— or piece of silverware—he touched.
In the mid-1980s, he joined the folk group at St. Philip the Apostle, eventually rising to become its director, a position he held until his death. He was much in demand as a liturgical musician, regularly playing for services at St. Joseph’s in Pomfret and St. Joseph’s in Beltsville, as well as providing music at church events throughout the DC area, often accompanied by one or more of his children.
Throughout his life, John was involved with the Boy Scouts, first as a youth when he achieved the rank of Life, then as Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 253 where his son Joseph earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
He loved history, especially the American Civil War and World War II eras, and would spend hours watching documentaries and then passing on interesting tidbits to anyone who would listen. He was the master of the “Dad Joke,” and he never met a pun that he didn’t like.
John was predeceased by his brother Lewis. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Dineen; sisters Alicia Downs and Catherine Dodds; 6 children, Jennifer Marciano, John, Juliette, James, Jacqueline Beverstock and Joseph; and four grandchildren.
Services were June 25 at St. Philip’s with interment at Washington National Cemetery.
Neighbors & other good people
Dolores Steinhilber, who held many positions at St. Philip’s Church and was my dear friend, has died. I’ll pay tribute to her next week.
Prince George’s County Schools Superintendent Millard House has stepped down; the county has begun a search for his replacement.
Michael G. Sullivan, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, was sworn in June 30 as the first chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, in decades from outside the Washington area.
7-Eleven changes hands
The 7-Eleven, across from the Morningside Fire Department, changed hands last month. It closed briefly, then reopened as QuickSave Mart. The 7-Eleven-brand signage was gone, along with their 7-Eleven branded products.
Big orange Stop Work stickers on the door declare that Morningside has closed the store as of June 10. It has been shut down due to code violation: “no business license.”
Handwritten sign on the window: “Temporarily closed. Thanks!”
Applause
Congratulations to the Bishop McNamara Lady Mustangs on winning the WCAC Girls Basketball Championship.
At the beach
Ocean City may soon be banning tents and limiting canopies. Mayor Richard W. Chan and the city council will be voting on this issue.
Hot Lips
I still watch M.A.S.H. when I can and enjoy it as much as I did back in its heyday—certainly the best-written show of its time. So, I am sad to read the obit for Loretta Swit—Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan—who died May 30 at her home in Manhattan. She was 87.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Kenard Simms, July 13; Laverne Peggy Simms, Krista Lanehart and Laura Thompson Hoffmann, July 14; Helen Jurney, July 15; Norma Wright and
Gary Lewis, Jr., July 16; my granddaughter Claire Mudd, Michael Busky, Mike Fowler Jr. and former Morningside Chief of Police Stephen Armhold, July 17; Allyssa Frederick and Russell Butler, July 18; Mike Fowler Sr. and Eddie Hall, July 19; Donna Buchin, Dorothy Gessner and Tina Nichols, July 20.
Happy 35th anniversary to my daughter Sheila and her husband John Mudd, on July 20.
Top of Page
Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384
FITNESS CLASSES
Get ready to break a sweat with our free summer fitness series presented by Adventist. Join us for a season of fitness, fun, and community—right by the water’s edge. Whether you are a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting your wellness journey, our classes cater to all levels and interests.
Weekly classes run until September 30 and include Monday Butts & Guts at 7 p.m. Tuesday Just Dance Classes at 7 p.m. are a fun, energetic cardio dance class for all fitness levels that combines different styles of movement to sounds from across the world. Groove is in the heart and good vibes are in. Saturday Yoga at 10 a.m. Exercise for your mind, body, and soul. Experience a flowing style linking flowing movement with breath in the class. Special attention is paid to easing into postures, finding proper alignment with instructors from Onelife Fitness. Lace up your shoes and get moving. Tone and tighten your core, glutes, legs and thighs in this intense, targeted workout. Leave accomplished. All fitness levels are welcome. On the Plaza at National Harbor. Please bring a mat. https://www.nationalharbor.com.
FEDERAL WORKERS: EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Federal Workers: Effective Job Search Strategies organized by Lewis Williams. Learn how to efficiently search for jobs in the private sector, using a variety of resources, including LinkedIn. Presenter: Ms. Rosetta Price, Acting Director of Career Development Center, Bowie State University. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 2:30–4:30 p.m. The event will be at Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715-9465 in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center 1340. Lewis Williams 301-860-0601 Register today.
CLINTON UMC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Join Clinton United Methodist Church’s Vacation Bible School. Our theme this year is Road Trip: On the Road with God July 14–July 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to Noon.
Each day our K–5th graders will discover God is with us everywhere we go. Join us for church service on Sunday July 20, 2025, for the Children’s Church VBS summary presentation. Please register your child for VBS on our website: http://cumcmd.org. If you need a printed registration form, please contact our office at 301-868-1281. Interested in volunteering time contact Audrey Johnson 301-922-5384 or ajohnson12906@yahoo.com. Church address is 10700 Brandywine Road, Clinton, Maryland, 20735.
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Morgan State University Southern Maryland Alumni Chapter come back, give back celebrating 20 years Saturday, September 13, 2025. Their Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Dinner Dance will be Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 7–11 p.m. at Waldorf Jaycees Community Center, 3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf, Maryland 20601. Tickets are on sale. Message Center: 720-716-6117 EMAIL: msusmac@gmail.com.
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education.
U.S. News & World Report released its 2025 Best Colleges ranking today with Bowie State University ranked #11 among all Historically Black Colleges and Universities, up five positions from last year and solidifying BSU as one of the Top 10 public HBCUs.
“The increase in Bowie State’s ranking from 16 to 11 among HBCUs is due to hard work, dedication and commitment of faculty, staff and the entire campus community,” said President Aminta Breaux. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu. MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311.
BSU 2025 HOMECOMING
SAVE THE DATE. Get ready for Bowie State University Homecoming 2025! October 27–November 2, 2025. We are excited about this year’s Homecoming Week Celebration. More information to follow at a later date.
JULY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday to Timothy Edwards, Rober Miley, Emiryss Hughes, Ezra Prah, Barbara Burdette, Elizabeth King, Deserae Hughes, Alma Pinkney, Trevor Bourne, Franklyn Issac, Khari Dee, Princess Mitchell, Ayden Anthony Jones, Osama Omoregbe, Wayne Baker, Mamou Mbakwe, Shirley Young, Sally Davies, Amina
Hughes, Israel Trice, Etinosa Omoregbe who are Clinton United Methodist Church members celebrating birthdays in July.
SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars for Homecoming 2025, October 10–12, when UMBC Retrievers, family, friends, and community members are invited to celebrate all things black and gold. UMBC Homecoming is a time to reconnect and celebrate your Retriever pride. Enjoy the carnival, puppy parade, pumpkin painting, men’s and women’s soccer games, 5k and family fun run, GRIT-X, and so much more. Check homecoming.umbc.edu for updates.
Top of Page
