Campers can start dreaming of summer plans

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010

It's not too soon to make plans for summer camp.

"We've got people calling in December," said Jolanda Campbell, executive director of Greenwell Foundation, of the rush to sign up for the state park's summer programs.

Camp Greenwell registration opened Monday for Greenwell Foundation members. Registration will open for the general public on March 1. Two sessions of spring break camp, A Taste of Greenwell, will be offered first — one on March 29 to April 1 and the other April 6 to 9. Each four-day session offers children a day of hiking, a day of fishing, a day of horseback riding and a day of history with a visit to one of the oldest barns in Maryland and to Rosedale Manor.

Greenwell is also offering several summer camp options. Camp Greenwell is the traditional outdoor recreation camp. Horse camp offers campers a week of riding and learning about horses. Kayak camp offers a week of skills and thrills on the river. And fishing camp, which was offered for the first time last year, will again be offered. Each of the skill camps also includes other camp activities, like hiking, archery, beach time and scavenger hunts.

And while it may seem early to be making summer plans, Campbell said those who wait may find themselves without a spot.

"Horse camp will be full mid-March," Campbell said.

Organizers have doubled the number of horse camps they had last year, and they will be more skill-based than in years past. "A little more serious," Campbell said. Campers will have the chance to be videotaped while they are riding and then have a critique session.

Additional fishing camps will also be offered this summer, Campbell said.

The weeklong camps begin June 21 and continue through Aug. 20. All camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood. Before- and after-care is available.

"We open our doors to all," Campbell said. "Everyone deserves to have a good time."

More camp information, membership information and registration is available at www.greenwellfoundation.org. Call 301-373-9775.

Farm bureau holding February food drive

The St. Mary's County Farm Bureau will join farm bureaus across the nation to celebrate annual food check-out day. This day marks the number of days in 2010 that the average worker will have to work to cover the cost of his food for the entire year.

While the nation's farmers still produce the cheapest, safest food supply in the world, we know there are some right here at home who struggle every day to have enough to eat. 

The SMC Farm Bureau will sponsor a food collection drive of nonperishable items through Feb. 15. Collection sites will include all McKay's grocery store locations and the Lexington Park, Leonardtown and Charlotte Hall library branches. For more information call 301-994-0350 or 301-475-9372.

Learning disabilities conference to be held

The Learning Disabilities Association of St. Mary's County has announced that the 47th LDA International Annual Conference will be held in Baltimore this year, from Feb. 17 to 20.

This conference includes workshops on medical, mental health, teacher preparation, public policy, adults with learning disabilities, assessment and advocacy.

More information about the conference can be found at www.ldanatl.org.

Outstanding CEOs sought for recognition

The College of Southern Maryland's Corporate Center is searching for the 2010 Chief Executive Officer of the Year to honor at the 10th annual Leading Edge Awards on June 23.

The center is seeking nominations by Feb. 15.

Christine Wray, president and CEO of St. Mary's Hospital since 1992, was recognized as the 2009 CEO. Previous honorees have included Kimberly Oliver, Gore Bolton, Wayne Swann, Luther Grainger, Christine Stefanides, Greg Billups, Joe Yearta and Lloyd Harrison III.

CEO nomination criteria and online nomination forms are available at www.corporatecenter.csmd.edu/LEA/2010.html. To qualify, nominees must be with a business located within Charles, Calvert or St. Mary's counties, be in a position of leadership in a Southern Maryland business (private sector) and be available to attend the ceremony on June 23 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center. For information call 240-725-5499, ext. 7585.

Musical Valentine greetings available

The Chesapeake Choral Arts Society will provide Valentine's Day singing phone-a-grams from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14.

Loved ones can be serenaded across the miles or across the room with a personalized phone call featuring a harmonized version of traditional love songs ("Let Me Call You Sweetheart," "To Know Him (Her) is to Love Him (Her)," "Love Me Tender" or "I Love You Truly."

Phone-a-grams are tax deductible and cost $7 for one, $10 for two, $12 for three and $3 each for more than three. For more information or to order a phone-a-gram Valentine call 301-642-0594 or 301-934-5447.

The Chesapeake Choral Arts Society is supported through donations, grants and concert admission fees.

For those looking for an in-person musical message, one or two romantic ballads by costumed quartets from the Tri-County Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society, can be delivered on Friday, Feb. 12, or Saturday, Feb. 13, as well as Sunday, Feb. 14.

The service includes two romantic ballads sung in four-part harmony for a fee of $40. Singing Valentines are also delivered by telephone anywhere outside of Southern Maryland for a $20 fee. Funds raised by the not-for-profit organization are used for administrative expenses and to purchase music and costumes. To order a visit by a quartet, call John Lachkovic at 301-862-1160.

Dare to Dream grants accepting applicants

The Patuxent River Branch of the American Association of University Women has announced its fourth annual Dare to Dream program. Dare to Dream grants are designed to enhance a woman's personal growth, artistic skills, educational enrichment or community service. The grants can be used for a large variety of creative ideas and projects.

Women living in Calvert, Charles or St. Mary's counties age 18 or older are eligible for this grant. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 1 to April 15. After applications are reviewed, the recipients will be announced by May 15. Winners will be honored at the annual Patuxent River Branch of AAUW's luncheon in May. Women may request up to $300 to help them reach their goal.

Applications may be accessed at www.aauw-paxriv.org; by contacting Anne Harrison at 410-394-3733 or msalh@comcast.net; or at a local library branch; or requesting via mail to Dare to Dream Selection Committee, AAUW Patuxent River Branch, P.O. Box 216, St. Leonard, MD 20685. Donations toward this effort are welcome and may be mailed to the above address.

Auction to benefit Little Flower School

Little Flower School will hold its annual benefit auction on Saturday, Feb. 27. Tickets are $30 per person or $45 per couple and include a fully catered dinner by Catering Plus and Chef Al Porter. Auction tickets only are available for $15 per person or $25 per couple. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner, followed by the 7 p.m. silent auction and the 8 p.m. live auction. Items up for bid can be viewed at www.lfsauction.webs.com. For more information about the event, contact Little Flower School at 301-994-0404.

Lions assist Haiti earthquake relief

The Leonardtown Lions Club has pledged $1,000 to help support the relief efforts of Lions Clubs International Foundation in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12.

Within 24 hours, Lions worldwide pledged nearly $250,000 to the foundation to help support relief efforts. Immediate relief efforts will center on providing water, food, medicine, tents and other essential needs.

Donors can assist Lions on the ground and Lions Clubs International Foundation in responding to this disaster with a designated donation to the "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" fund.

To donate online, visit www.lcif.org/donate and select "Disaster," including "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section. Checks payable to Lions Clubs International Foundation (noting "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the memo field) can be mailed to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, Attn.: Donor Services. Call Breck at 301-904-5975.

Nominees sought

The St. Mary's County Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for the Board of County Commissioners' Annual Historic Preservation Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in historic preservation in St. Mary's County.

Nomination forms are available on the Historic Preservation Commission Web page, at the St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management reception area, and at all three St. Mary's County Library branches. Completed nomination forms must be received by March 31. For more information, contact Grace Mary Brady at 301-475-4200, ext. 1549.

scraton@somdnews.com