“I came into the world singing ripped from the safety of the womb into the cold, hard, world, that often feels so alone, I sing. My first breaths were a song. A song of resistance insisting on existence. To all the world it sounds like cries when in fact they were songs. I sang when I stumbled my first steps. I sang when that bully said I was not enough. I sang in the grays of my ‘hood. I sang with skinned knees and tear-stained cheeks. I sang through birthing pangs. I sang through rejection and love denied. I sang the song Jesus gave me to sing even when my breath grew faint. Because in singing, I proclaim faith. Proclaiming hope in the next breath. And the next. In the next fall to rising. Sweet, sweet, Spirit, who breathes hope and perfect love. Hope that I sing not alone but harmonize with a multitude. Those who sing from the field. Those who sing from a cell. Those who sing from barren places and empty wells. Those who sing wearily from sanctuaries. Singing from steel graves. We were born singing. Carrying a promise in our songs. We are not forgotten. We are not forsaken. We are not alone. We are not yet finished. For one day we will all be free. Our song is revelation, a vision of hope and love that refuses to be buried and insists on rising. Hagar sang it at the well. Prophets preached it to nations. Christ sang it on the cross. Paul sang it behind prison walls. John sang it from Patmos. Our ancestors hummed it while chained. Jarena Lee preached it along dusty roads. Martin sang from a Birmingham jail. Street prophets rapped it in cyphers. Now we carry on the song. Today, we sing Revelation. Today we sing Revolution. Today we sing Resistance. Today, we sing love.” Poem submitted by Rev. Melania Trice, Pastor at Clinton United Methodist Church in Clinton, Maryland.
Learn the story of Black Education and Community in Prince George’s County with a free visit to our historic school. Engage with local history. Learn the story of how the Ridgley family and community, along with the help of the Rosenwald rural school program, fought to stake their claim in Prince George’s County and establish a school that would last for generations. Free and interactive tours. Our skilled museum educators tailor the museum tour to the personal interests of visitors or the topics being covered in the classroom for school group visits. Our tours integrate multi-modal learning techniques and activities as requested throughout to ensure a dynamic experience. Small group and classroom-size visits
available upon request. If you plan to visit with a group of 6+ or outside of the normal operating hours, please contact us at least two weeks in advance at the email RidgeleyRosenwald@pgparks.com. Museum hours are Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 8507 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, Maryland 20743. This program is brought to you by Parks & Recreation M-NCPPC. Live more, play more pgparks.com. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register a minimum of two weeks prior to the program start date to request and receive a disability modification. Customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call Maryland Relay 7-1-1. Language interpretation is available at all facility front desks. Please ask for assistance. For more information, email us today at RidgeleyRosenwald@pgparks.com
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well. President Jimmy Carter’s message designating March 2–8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. Fifty-one famous women in history changed the world. Women’s History Month this year is celebrated Sunday March 1, 2026–Tuesday, March 31, 2026.” Wikipedia
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) made history as the first Jewish woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Her entire career was highlighted with pivotal moments in American history. Consistently standing up for gender equality and civil rights, she helped pass historic rulings on topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to the legalization of same-sex marriage before her death at age 87.” Wikipedia
“Maya Angelou (1928–2014), from her powerful poetry to her moving autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, Angelou forever changed the literary world and opened doors for Black authors everywhere. Her love of books started as a child, when she struggled with selective mutism for five years. Beyond writing, she was also an actor, singer, screenwriter, and civil rights activist.” Wikipedia.
In and Around Morningside-Skyline By Mary McHale 301-735-3451 Clinton Hardware for saleOn Saturday, February 28, Clinton Hardware on Woodyard Road posted a “for sale” sign.
Clinton Hardware, an area institution, was founded 80 years ago, and David Billman’s family bought it in 1963. David, the current owner, has worked at the store for forty-five years.
As he said in a video posted on Facebook, “I’ve known your grandparents, your parents, your kids.” Now, David has decided to retire.
The business is for sale, as is the property. They currently are in discussions with other hardware stores, hoping to find a way to keep a hardware store at that location.
I, too, hope they keep a hardware store there, but it won’t be the same. I have been going to Clinton Hardware for decades, and I will be sorry to lose them.
Their staff is always friendly and helpful, and even though the store doesn’t look very big, they somehow always have exactly the tool or part that I need.
As they say in the announcement, they’re planning to stay open as long as possible. “We’re still here. Still open. Still ready to help you till the next chapter starts.”
So now is your chance to stock up on bolts and duct tape, or get a set of screwdrivers, or figure out how to patch your window screen, or have a key cut, or get advice about your sump pump, or…
Morningside Seniors Celebrate St. Patrick The Seniors’ St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon is coming up March 16, 11:30 a.m. at the Morningside Town Hall. The meal will include ham, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, rolls, drinks, and cupcakes.
I also hear there’ll be bingo. I won a round at the Senior Thanksgiving luncheon. I’ll have to see if I can keep my lucky streak going.
Morningside seeking new officers Two Morningside Police officers recently moved on to jobs elsewhere, leaving the department with only eight officers.
They are actively seeking to fill the two positions, but it will require some schedule adjustments in the meantime.
Shooting incidentAt about 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 27, there was a shooting incident in the parking lot of the Morningside Municipal Center. Details are scant at this time, but it sounds like the shooter, and the victim, may have known each other.
When last reported, the victim was in the hospital in critical condition. The shooter remained at the scene after the incident, and police have him in custody.
4th of July comingMorningside is preparing for their annual Fourth of July Celebration. There’ll be the traditional parade, followed by a Family Fun Day with food, vendors, and a DJ. The evening, of course, will be capped by the always-spectacular fireworks display.
Any food trucks, vendors, or parade marchers interested in participating, please call 301-736-2300. Morningside would love to have you help make this semiquincentennial (that’s the technical term for 250 years) celebration extra special.
My grandson Michael Gallegos accompanied me to the Morningside fireworks last July 4th. We had a fantastic time. We found a good watching spot near the Town Hall. Michael lives in Fairfax, and he was impressed by both the friendly community and the fireworks, which he enjoyed photographing. I look forward to going again this year. Maybe Michael will be available to come again.
Therese here from TexasBy the way, I just had a nice a three-week-long visit from Michael’s mother, my daughter Therese Gallegos, who lives in Brownsville, Tex.
While she was in town, we didn’t do much because of the weather, but we did keep a jigsaw puzzle going at all times. And we also had a lot of visitors. Her daughter Naomi Gallegos (and her dog Kiedis) drove up for a long weekend visit. At the same time, another grandchild, David McHale, stayed with us. While they were in town, lots of local family came over to see them. It made for some very noisy days and nights at my house. Fortunately, my hearing isn’t as good as it used to be, so I was still able to nap whenever I wanted to.
I was particularly grateful to have Therese around when I received a notification
from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission about work scheduled for February 25. We had been noticing signs going up along Skyline Drive, but they weren’t in front of my house, so we hadn’t given it a lot of thought.
Evidently, this was part of the huge Morningside/Skyline sewer rehabilitation project WSSC Water had announced back in October. And my turn had come.
On the day of the work, we were told to avoid letting any water go down the drain between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. We couldn’t wash dishes, take a shower, do laundry, or (worst of all?) flush the toilet.
But Therese worked out a plan. Next to each sink, she put bottles of water and in each sink, she put a big bowl, which could be dumped outside. The toilet handles were taped to remind us not to flush. And we managed to get through the day.
I’m sure some of you have already had this experience. If not, your street might well be next. WSSC Water plans to cover most of the Morningside/Skyline area between now and spring of 2027. Whenever it is your turn, I hope you’re lucky enough to have your version of Therese on-hand.
97th BirthdayOn March 12, 1929, I was born at Henry Ford Hospital, in Detroit, Mich., where my father was an intern and my mom an RN. I’ll tell you more about my life in next week’s column.
MilestonesHappy Birthday to Harold Wilson, Rebecca Turner, Marcy Richardson, and Anita (Beall) Cook, Mar. 12; Pamela Woodall, Kathy Elborne, Cordelia Bland, Shirley Carruth, and Gregory Ritter, Mar. 13; my daughter Therese Gallegos and Belinda Benavidaz, Mar. 14; Jacob Thompson, Jose Gryskewicz, and Jonathan Capps, Mar. 15; Constance Bennett and my great-grandson Riley McHale, Mar. 16; and Sharon Ryan, Judy Bornman, and Alysha Perez, Mar. 18.
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