Turner defended nightclub from a host of challenges

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, Feb. 27, 2009

Rose's Place II died with her, her husband said. The county's last adult-entertainment bar survived until now only because her liquor license was grandfathered in, and not subject to laws banning such establishments.

The first Rose's Place on Great Mills Road opened in 1972 and burned down, but its successor debuting in 1975 withstood a host of challenges. Rose's Place II and its proprietor prevailed, and remained.

The club outlived a "female sitter's law," one that barred using employees to solicit customers to buy them drinks and earn a commission on the beverage purchases. Charges filed against some off the club's dancers were dismissed, and Rose Turner's conviction for the offense was overturned on appeal as the law was declared unconstitutional. The statute was ruled to be unfair to women, and violating their protection under the state's equal rights amendment.

"She was proud of that," John "Tex" Turner said this week. "She got the law changed in the state of Maryland."

The Turners' harassment suit against police, filed after a series of raids, went through five years of appeals and court hearings before a settlement required the state to pay the couple $110,000.

The mid-1980s brought worries for Rose Turner that there were plans to extend FDR Boulevard across Great Mills Road and right overtop her premises. The demolition appeared to be under way one winter night in 1986 when a pickup truck driven by a visiting Eastern Shore waterman crashed through a wall and crushed tables and chairs.

"Somebody paid them to do this. What haven't they done to me?" Turner cried out as she arrived at the scene and slumped to her knees. Quick repairs to the building included a wall with "FDR Blvd" spray-painted on it in jest, and the business withstood more transportation proposals and another wreck in the years that followed.

Legislation later to wipe out topless bars in Southern Maryland eventually became law, with a five-year exemption for existing businesses. When the time appeared to have run out by 1993, a county alcohol enforcement coordinator opined that Rose's Place II legally could remain in operation, provided that its dancers not sell drinks and stay up on a stage about a dozen feet away from the customers.

Rose Turner wasn't affected by whatever someone might have thought of her business, her husband said.

"It was her way of making a living, and it was all she knew, and she enjoyed it," he said. "They could talk about her all they wanted, but she never did anything wrong."

Rose Turner suffered a stroke in 1991 and was diagnosed with diabetes, which led to her running the business from home with a telephone and messages conveyed to the club by her husband. She learned two days before Christmas that she had pancreatic cancer, and she died Monday at her home.

"The bar is closed forever now, because the license is dead," her husband said this week outside the county courthouse in Leonardtown. "The liquor license dies with her."

He said the county still wants to purchase part of the land to extend FDR Boulevard.

Donations in Rose Turner's memory may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's and the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Church to celebrate anniversary Sunday

Gospel Light Baptist Church is celebrating its 20th anniversary this Sunday, March 1, at 39315 Romans Way, off Route 5 north of Helen.

The church held its first service on March 5, 1989, with 17 people attending, in the Swarey Building across from a convenience store Mechanicsville.

The church is celebrating with gifts, guest speaker Steven Blankenship and a free dinner immediately following the morning service. All are invited to attend.

Sunday school begins at 10 a.m., followed by a morning service at 11 a.m.

Sheriff plans Tuesday visit to Town Creek

St. Mary's Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron and the agency's Citizens Advisory Board will hold a Town Creek Community Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. next Tuesday, March 3, at Town Creek Elementary School to address crime concerns.

Cameron will give an overview of crime in the Town Creek area, and then host a question-and-answer session for anyone who would like to voice their concerns. Residents are encouraged to attend.

Sheriff's office plans spring academy class

The St. Mary's Sheriff's Office will begin a new Citizens Academy class on seven consecutive Thursday evenings beginning April 16 to give participants an inside look into the agency's day-to-day operations.

Applicants for the free program must be at least 18. To register for the class, contact Kelly Castle by calling 301-475-4200, ext. 1910, sending e-mail to her at Kelly.Castle@co.saint-marys.md.us, or by applying online at www.firstsheriff.com.

‘If I Were Mayor' essay contest returns

An essay contest for fourth-graders titled "If I Were Mayor, I Would …" is again being sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League's Communication Committee, and students in St. Mary's are invited to participate.

One winning essay will be selected from each of the municipal league's 11 regional districts throughout the state. Winners will receive a $250 savings bond and an award plaque and will be recognized in May, along with their parents and teachers, during a ceremony in Annapolis.

Essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 1 to Mayors' Contest, Maryland Municipal League, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Students can download an official entry form, complete contest rules, and a mayor's contest study guide by going online at www.mdmunicipal.org, or by calling 800-492-7121. To learn more or to submit an essay in person, call Town Hall in Leonardtown at 301-475-9791.

Sandy, Sochowski finish ranger school

The newest graduating class of the Maryland Park Service Ranger School includes Wanda Sandy of Scotland and Meghan Sochowski of Lexington Park.

The 16 participants received training to work as guardians of the state's parks, serving as mentors protecting their visitors and enriching their experience.

The four-week academy was held at Janes Island State Park in Crisfield, incorporating classroom instruction with practical park experience through the operation of a hypothetical state park. Park employees from across the state, both veteran and relatively new, completed training in various aspects of park operations to develop and enhance the skills needed to be responsive to the resources and visitors to the state's 65 parks. Students experienced real-life scenarios and instruction involving resource management, search and rescue, campground operations, park maintenance, resource interpretation and diversity in education.

Greenwell plans spring, summer camps

Greenwell Foundation in Hollywood begins its online spring and summer camp registration for 2009, at www.greenwellfoundation.org/index.cfm?Content=84 for the general public beginning this Sunday, March 1, offering several camp options.

This year's programs will include the Camp Greenwell traditional outdoor recreation camp, horse camp with riding and education, kayak camp combining skills and thrills on the Patuxent River, intermediate kayak camp for people with previous kayaking experience and a new fishing camp. See www.greenwellfoundation.org or call 301-373-9775.

jwharton@somdnews.com