Clubs and organizations

Whatever the interest, St. Mary's has a group

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN Members of the Thompson family, in back, look on as Wayne Scriber, front left, president of the St. Mary's County NAACP, and Nathaniel Lawrence Sr. establish the Claudia Pickeral Scholarship Fund in honor of the family's late daughter. The county's branch of the NAACP meets the last Wednesday of every month at the SMECO Building in Hollywood. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by JESSE YEATMAN Rex was rescued from a puppy mill in Virginia and put up for adoption by Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland.

For those who would like to get involved in activities in St. Mary's County, below is a partial list of the community groups and clubs available in the area. Those groups who would like to be included in next year's edition are invited to contact The Enterprise at 301-862-2111 or e-mail information to scraton@somdnews.com.

St. Mary's County Chapter of ABATE (A Brotherhood against Totalitarian Enactments) meets on the second Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at VFW Post 2632 in California. Motorcyclists and other interested parties are invited to attend. Contact Sandy Yost, St. Mary's county chapter director, at 301-737-1287 or e-mail ABATE_SOMD@yahoo.com.

A Community That Shares, ACTS, is a nonprofit organization providing St. Mary's County residents with the temporary use of convalescent equipment at no charge. The convalescent equipment is distributed on an "as required" basis. Equipment is normally loaned to individuals for a 90-day period. If the need persists, this time may be extended. Call 301-769-4199 and leave a message. To make a donation, call 800-HELPNOW.

An Alzheimer's support group for family members and caregivers of those who have Alzheimer's disease is sponsored by the department of aging. The group meets on the first and third Monday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Garvey Senior Activity Center in Leonardtown. Call Dr. Ted Grant, consultant on aging, at 301-475-4200, ext. 1050, and leave a message.

Animal Relief Fund, ARF, is a nonprofit organization that provides rescue and adoption for dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and occasionally other small animals. The group also provides information to the community on low-cost spay/neuter programs and veterinary care, pet care, house/crate training and animal/behavior training. ARF holds pet adoption days Saturdays at the Well Pet Clinic in Lexington Park. Call 301-866-0305. For ARF information, e-mail wellpetclinic@aol.com, or for adoption information e-mail sighthounds@olg.-com.

American Association of University Women, Patuxent River Branch, meets monthly from September through June, usually the third Thursday of the month. College and university graduates are welcome, including those with an associate's degree. For meeting times and location, call Paula Willoughby at 301-862-9631.

The American Heart Association funds cardiovascular research, creates new programs to teach heart-healthy lifestyles and develops publications with updated information about heart disease and stroke. Local heart association volunteers help raise funds and take programs into schools. For information call 800-242-8721 or write to American Heart Association, 415 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

American Legion Post 255 and Auxiliary in Ridge meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at 13390 Point Lookout Road. Post 221 in Avenue meets on the first Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at 21690 Colton Point Road. Call 301-884-4071. Post 162 in Lexington Park meets the second Thursday of the month at Lenny's restaurant in California at 7:30 p.m. Call David Major at 301-737-0085. Post 298 in Charlotte Hall meets the third Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Call 301-884-8171, ext. 483.

The American Red Cross performs many tasks in Southern Maryland, only one of which is accepting blood donations through local donation sights. It provides health and safety information and courses in CPR, first aid, AED operation and baby-sitting, including pet first aid to assist pet owners in an emergency, and a wide range of other courses. The Red Cross provides emergency assistance, including shelter, first aid, food, clothing and essential household needs. For military personnel and their families, Red Cross service includes assisting individuals with personal and family problems and helping to maintain family communications during emergencies such as a birth or a death in the family. Call the Southern Maryland Chapter at 301-934-2066. Visit http://southernmary-land.redcross.org.

The Arc of Southern Maryland in St. Mary's promotes community involvement, independence and personal success for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For children, the group offers family support, advocacy services, educational assistance and respite care. For adults, the group provides supported living services, behavioral support services, residential services, employment support and self-advocacy. The organization has an office in Breton Marketplace in Leonardtown, Unit H. Call 301-475-5652 or visit www.arcsomd.org.

The Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers meets every other month. Meeting locations rotate between the Charlotte Hall library, and Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center in Prince Frederick. Call Tom Williams at 301-884-5230.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, located off Chancellor's Run Road in California, meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Elks is a national fraternal organization that supports veterans and a variety of charities, including many youth activities such as Special Olympics, scholarships and drug awareness. The Elks mission is to recognize a belief in God, to quicken the spirit of patriotism and to serve the community through benevolent programs. To join, a current Elk must sponsor an application for membership. Call 301-863-7800 or visit www.elks.org.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Maryland Inc. matches children, ages 7 to 14, with a trusted adult friend with the goal of impacting youth development. Call 301-290-0501.

A free cancer support group is offered by the American Cancer Society and St. Mary's Hospital for cancer patients and their families on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Meetings are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital multipurpose room. Call 301-475-6070 to register.

The Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland, COSMIC, rehearses Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California. The orchestra is a community group open to accomplished professional, semi-professional and student musicians. For more information call Laura Theofilis at 301-994-0221 or Lynn Keates at 301-373-5277.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas is the largest organization of Catholic women in the world. Members devote time to various types of charity work. Court St. Mary's 1547 meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lexington Park. Call Carol Ann Coombs at 301-862-1339.

The Cedar Lane Auxiliary meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Cedar Lane Apartments in the Burch building. Call Nancy Duryea at 301-994-2061.

The Chesapeake Spinners and Weavers, a group of fiber craft enthusiasts with members from the tri-county area, meets at 1 p.m. the third Sunday of each month at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Laurel Grove. Persons interested in spinning, weaving, knitting, sheep raising and related crafts are invited. Call Sara Lasher at 301-475-3248.

Children of the American Revolution, the Mistress Margaret Brent Society, meets periodically. The CAR is a national organization of young people who are especially proud of their heritage. To join, a person must be younger than 21 and able to trace their ancestry to a man or woman who rendered aid to the cause of American independence. For more information call Mrs. Vernon F. Panei at 301-373-3470.

Christmas in April-St. Mary's County is a local chapter of Rebuilding Together, a national volunteer organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled. The group also provides help through work on community projects. Monthly meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at the Burch Oil Co. meeting room in Hollywood. The group is always looking for volunteers, especially for the year-round planning of the one-day national rebuilding day on the last Saturday in April. Those skilled in carpentry, roofing, plumbing, electrical, plastering and painting are particularly needed. Participation is open to the public. To donate money or volunteer time, call Mary Ann Chasen at 301-863-2905. Visit www.christmasinapril.org.

The local chapters of the Coast Guard Auxiliary educate the public through safe boating classes. Flotilla 23-02 meets at the FOP in Great Mills on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Call Douglas Yeckley at 410-326-4291. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 23-06 meets on the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Lusby office suite 2, Prince Frederick. All boaters are invited. Call Don Haskins at 301-373-3030.

The Community Preservation Coalition serves as a citizen advisory group concerned with guiding growth and development of St. Mary's County. The group was founded in the northern end of the county through neighborhood concerns with a proposed dumping site. Meetings are being held on an as-needed basis. Call Daphne McGuire at 301-997-0331.

Daughters of the American Revolution, Major William Thomas Chapter, meet the third Saturday of each month, September through May, excluding December and January. Women eligible for membership must be 18 or older and descended from someone who served during the Revolutionary War. For additional information call Carolyn Billups at 301-472-1863.

The Democratic Club of St. Mary's County meets the third Monday of each month. For more information call Cindy at 301-737-7978, or visit www.democratsofstmarys.org/club.htm.

The Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 478, meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the air terminal building at the St. Mary's County Regional Airport. The chapter's mission is to provide educational programs on sport aviation and promote flying activities. For more information visit www.eaachapter478.org.

Federally Employed Women, Patuxent River Chapter, is a national nonprofit professional organization comprised of federal civilian and military personnel, both men and women, concerned with the quality of life in federal service. Monthly chapter meetings are held at Patuxent River Naval Air Station on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in Building 2272, Room 457. The chapter is also involved in community projects. For additional information call Margelyn Massey at 301-757-6457.

Feral Cat Rescue is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that works to humanely reduce the feral and stray cat population in our county. Volunteers staff a public adoption event to place domesticated, fully-vetted cats and kittens at the Petco in California every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The FRC also assists the public with trapping feral and stray cats. For more information call 301-475-5059.

The Fifth District Homemakers meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. The group hosts special speakers and holds discussions on issues. Members also work on projects to benefit the community. Call 301-472-4020.

The Fleet and Family Support Center is a multi-service organization that meets the challenges and improves the quality of military life. It is located at 21993 Bundy Road at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Information and referral, relocation assistance, life skill workshops and employment assistance services are available to all active duty, retirees and their families. The Family Advocacy Program assists in promoting prevention programs and also provides counseling and treatment for spouse and child abuse victims and offenders. Call 301-342-4911.

Fleet Reserve-Unit 93, Ladies' Auxiliary meet the first Monday of every month. Board of directors' meeting is at 5:30 p.m. and the general meetings are at 6 p.m. at the Fleet Reserve building, located on Route 235 south of Gate 2 to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. All Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel, retirees and their dependents are eligible to become members of the Fleet Reserve or the ladies auxiliary. Call Karen at 301-863-6117.

4-H Clubs are organized by the Maryland Cooperative Extension. Numerous 4-H Clubs meet in St. Mary's County. E-mail Stephanie Guy at stguy@umd.edu or visit http://saintmarys.umd.edu for a list of local clubs. For information call 301-475-4478.

The Friends of the St. Mary's County Library hold fall and spring events featuring an author or someone involved in publishing and sponsor an annual book sale to benefit library programs. Call Marilyn Lash 301-475-2846, ext. 1007, or visit www.stmalib.org (see link to "Friends of the Library") for meeting times and locations.

Friends of Myrtle Point Park meet every other month. Contact Bob Boxwell at 410-394-1300 or by e-mail at bobboxwell@hotmail.com. Visit www.myrtlepoint.org.

The GFWC Woman's Club of St. Mary's County is part of an international organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. The group meets monthly from September to May, normally on the fourth Monday of each month. Call Nan Cattell at 301-475-3996 or Nancy Harwood at 301-373-6442.

Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital can refer St. Mary's County residents to local troops. Call 800-834-1702.

Girl Scout Mariners for ages 11 through 17 meet every first Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m. at Calvert Marine Museum. Youth and adults interested in sailing and waters activities are invited. Call Betsey at 443-624-2621 or visit www.MarinerScoutShip1548.com.

Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland is a nonprofit organization created as a resource to help re-home golden retrievers in need. Call Pat or Joe Johnson at 301-994-0132 or e-mail contact@goldenretrieverrescueofsouthernmaryland.org.

Greyt Expectations Greyhound Rescue assists greyhounds, putting about 100 of these retired racers in good homes each year. The base adoption fee is $250, which covers spaying and neutering. See www.greytexpectations.org or contact Joan and George Nussberger of Mechanicsville at 301-373-4820 or Cindy and Ted Skierkiewicz of Callaway at 240-538-2932.

Health Share of St. Mary's is a nonprofit program that provides access to health care for adults who are "too rich for welfare, too poor for health care." Health Share provides access to a primary care physician, co-pay on generic drugs and outpatient services at St. Mary's Hospital. Health Share is a joint effort of local physicians, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Mary's County Health Department and the St. Mary's County Department of Social Services. Health Share is a member of the United Way of St. Mary's County. Call 240-895-7000.

Helpers Overcoming Problems Effectively, HOPE, gives food and other help all year round to those needing emergency assistance. If interested in receiving assistance or becoming a volunteer, call 301-737-2870 Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Hospice of St. Mary's helps terminally ill people live more comfortably during their final phases of life. The organization provides a wide variety of services to the terminally ill and their families. For more information call 301-475-2023 or visit www.hospiceofstmarys.org. The local hospice office also offers a monthly adult grief support group that meets the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the hospice office at 22699 Washington St. in Leonardtown. An infant/child loss group meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. For information on this or other grief support groups call Tessa Lowe at 301-475-6423.

Job's Daughters, Bethel 42, meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Thomas J. Shryock Masonic Lodge on Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood at 7:30 p.m. Call Joann Craft at 240-271-3180.

Julia Halla Chapter No. 107, Order of the Eastern Star, meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month in the Masonic Temple on Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood. Call Barbara Miller at 301-862-3683.

Kiwanis International is a service organization dedicated to serving the children of the world. The Kiwanis Club of St. Mary's County meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at Ausley Associates, located at 46611 Corporate Drive in Lexington Park. The organization sponsors youth organizations in local schools as well as the Spirits of Point Lookout. Call 888-316-5679 or visit www.stmaryskiwanis.org.

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of Catholic men dedicated to the church. Knights work to make a difference in the community via service and charity. Knights of Columbus St. Mary's Council #1470, established in 1910, meets on the second Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at its council home on Fenwick Street in Leonardtown. Call Robert Mattedi at 301862-1599. The other Knights of Columbus councils in St. Mary's County include St. Michael's Council #2065 in Ridge, which meets at its council home on the third Monday at 7:30 p.m. Call James Biscoe at 301-872-5140. The St. John Francis Regis Council #7914 in Hollywood meets at St. John's in the basement of the rectory on the first and third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The first Wednesday meeting is for members. The third Wednesday meeting is for officers. The Immaculate Conception Council #8159 in Mechanicsville meets on the second and fourth Monday at 8 p.m. Call Michael Shlegle at 301-884-2459. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Council #9968 in Lexington Park meets at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church hall on the second Monday at 7 p.m. and hosts a social meeting the fourth Thursday at 7 p.m. Call 301-863-8144. St. Francis Xavier, Missionary Council #10957 in Newtowne/Compton, meets at the St. Francis Xavier parish hall on the second and fourth Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Holy Face Council #3849 meets in the Holy Face Church parish hall in Great Mills the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. call Father Sileo at 301-994-0525.The Father Sebastian DeRose Council #13091 at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, meets at the Religious Program Center, Bldg. 401, on the first and fourth Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Call 301-342-3811.

The Knights of St. John International Commandery 386 is affiliated with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mechanicsville. They meet the first Sunday of each month at noon. This is a fraternal organization of Catholic men who must be recommended by their pastor. Knights of Columbus are also welcome to join. Call Richard Adams 301-884-4095.

The Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary is affiliated with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mechanicsville. The groups raise money for charitable causes such as Angels Watch shelter in Hughesville. For information call Catherine Holton at 301-884-4059.

The Knights of St. Jerome is the oldest Catholic fraternal organization in the Archdiocese of Washington. Membership is open to Catholics, 16 or older. The Knights of St. Jerome contributes to charitable causes and works for the church, the community and other members. The Knights of St. Jerome in Dameron can be reached at 301-872-4566.

The Lower Potomac Tributary Team meets the fourth Monday of the month at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home at 5:30 p.m. E-mail Mike Bilek at mbilek@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8988.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Southern Maryland, serves St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert counties. NAMI SoMD assists individuals living with mental illness, their families and loved ones through consumer and family recovery education and support programs such as a 12-week Family to Family Education Program, the Connection Recovery Support Group, In Our Own Voice recovery presentations and the nine-week Peer to Peer Recovery Education Program. Call 301-904-9926 or see www.namisomd.org.

The Newcomers and Neighbors Club of Southern Maryland meets the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. for a program followed by lunch. Non-members are welcome. Call Marcia Seifert at 410-326-2221 or e-mail smdnewcomers@comcast.net.

The League of Women Voters of St. Mary's County normally meets monthly at various locations. Formed in 1977, the non-partisan group works to educate the community on local, state and national issues. Visit www.smc.lwvmd.org or e-mail press@sc.lwvmd.org.

Leah's House is a shelter for women and children. Write to P.O. Box 203 Callaway, MD 20620; call 301-994-9580 or 301-994-9581 or visit www.leahshousemd.org.

Look Good, Feel Better is offered the second Wednesday of every month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at CCIS located at St. Mary's Hospital. The hospital partners with the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society to offer this free program for cancer patients that is designed to help female patients improve their appearance and self-image by learning beauty techniques to overcome side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Interested individuals must call Cathy Fenwick at 240-434-7241 to register.

The Lucky Ones SPCA tries to reduce the number of unwanted animals being born by low-cost spaying and neutering services the group makes available to all pet owners. The Lucky Ones operates a spay/neuter clinic at 30450 Potomac Way in Charlotte Hall. Call 301-884-2850 for an appointment.

The Margaret Brent Business and Professional Women's Club promotes equity for women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month. For information write to P.O. Box 383, Lexington Park, MD 20653; or e-mail info@bpwmb.org.

The Maryland Nurses Association, Southern Maryland chapter, meets quarterly. All nurses are welcome. Call Paula at 301-884-5095.

The Maryland Saltwater Sport Fisherman's Association meets once a month at Solomon's fire hall every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Guest speakers discuss boating, fishing and conservation issues. Call Tom Kemp at 301-373-3071.

The Minority Business Alliance of St. Mary's County meets on the third Thursday of each month at 26603 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park at 7 p.m. A nonprofit organization, the alliance is a network of business owners and other professionals. The group's goal is to exchange information and develop economically, and to encourage and inspire youth toward entrepreneurship. Call 301-863-0552 or e-mail mba@aimg1.com.

The MOMS Club is a nonprofit support group for stay-at-home mothers. There are three St. Mary's County chapters. For information on the California chapter call Dawn Ellis at 301-884-4497. For the Mechanicsville chapter, call Dawn at 301-884-4497. First the St. Mary's City/Callaway chapter call Sandi Hauenstein the St. Mary's County-South chapter, call Kim Havenstrite 240-577-2102.

Moms in Touch are mothers who meet for one hour each week to pray for their children. The group meets at a private home. Call Lori Bell at 301-373-3814.

The NAACP, St. Mary's County chapter, meets at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month at the SMECO building in Leonardtown. Call 301-863-3011 or visit stmarysnaacp.org.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, NARFE, Chapter 969, is the only association dedicated to protecting the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their spouses. The group meets the third Friday of each month, except July and August, at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown. A luncheon starts at noon. Meeting starts at 1 p.m. Call Judith Loflin at 301-872-0064.

On Our Own of St. Mary's, a wellness and recovery center, is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 41660 Park Ave. in Leonardtown.

On Our Own offers advocacy, education, social and peer support and works to fight stigma for people with a mental illness. Call the center at 301-997-1066.

The Optimist Clubs, nonprofit community service organizations, sponsor various youth programs within the county. Chaptico/4th District Optimists meet every second and fourth Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Chaptico. Call 301-884-8527. The 3rd District Optimist Club of Compton meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Fitzies in Compton. Call 301-475-5177 or 301-475-2426. The Hollywood Optimist Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Hollywood firehouse. Call Russell Miller 301-373-5468. Mechanicsville Optimists meet the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Crabby Rick's in Mechanicsville. Call Terrie Palmer at 301-884-8082. The Seventh District Optimist Club meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 221 in Avenue on the second Wednesday and at the Seventh District Optimist ball park on the fourth Wednesday. Call 301-475-3188. The St. Maries Optimist Club meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Neptune's Bar and Grill in California. Call Patrick Dale at 301-737-0707.

The Patuxent Pearls, a chapter of Sweet Adelines, is open to all women who like singing four-part harmony barbershop-style. The group meets Mondays (except holidays) at Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The group is open to all women in the tri-county area. Call Pat at 410-535-9139.

The Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron, a Southern Maryland boating club, is a nonprofit organization for boaters of sailboats and powerboats. To become a member, boaters must complete a boating safety course. Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron meet the second Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. for dinner. A program begins at 7 p.m. The goal of the organization is to promote safe boating through public education. Call 301-475-3883.

The Pax River Quilters Guild is a group of people interested in quilting. The guild meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.at the Loffler Community Center on Chancellor's Run Road. The group has speakers, training sessions, show-and-tell and conversations on quilting. Anyone interested in quilting is invited. Call Cathy Robinson 301-862-7925.

The Patuxent Writers Group meets the third Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. to share writing, study elements of writing and the publishing process and participate in a critiquing process. Call Paige Faust at 301-997-1015.

A postpartum depression support group meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park library. For more information e-mail ppdsginstmarys@verizon.net.

The Potomac River Association meets on the third Tuesday of every month at noon. Call 301-373-2551 or e-mail dlindsley@verizon.net.

PRISM (Public Relations Individuals in Southern Maryland) is an organization of public relations and marketing professionals in Southern Maryland. PRISM holds bi-monthly luncheon meetings that rotate among venues in the tri-county area. Lunch speakers and annual workshops foster professional development and networking opportunities for members. Membership is $20 per year. To join, download an application from the PRISM Web site at www.prismonline.info; or contact Marc Apter, membership chair, at mlapter@smcm.edu or 240-895-4381.

The Republican Club of St. Mary's County meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Republican headquarters in the McKay's Building in Leonardtown. Call Lou Sierra, president, at 301-475-6969.

The Republican Central Committee holds an open meeting the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the FOP Lodge in the general meeting room on Chancellor's Run Road in Lexington Park. Call Tom Haynie, president, at 301-863-0513 or David Boles 301-3736788 or 301-904-5651.

Republican Women of St. Mary's meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at 11 a.m. for lunch. The group does not meet in July and August. Call Cynthia Jones at 301-994-0074 or Jane Bush at 301-737-6040 or write to P.O. Box 406, Hollywood, MD 20636.

The Rotary Club of Leonardtown meets each Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Cedar Lane Apartments in Leonardtown. For information on the Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall, call Dudley Aist at 301-843-5210. The Rotary Club of Lexington Park meets at the J.T. Daugherty Conference Center. Call Kirk MacKinnon at 301-863-9345, ext. 103.

The St. Mary's River Watershed Association works to protect, improve, and promote the well-being of the St. Mary's River Watershed through the collaborative efforts of economic, agricultural, environmental, social, cultural, and political stakeholders in the community. Visit www.smrwa.org.

A senior adult study group that explores and studies aging issues meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Garvey Senior Activity Center in Leonardtown, and also meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. Prior to attending for the first time, potential group members are asked to call Dr. Ted Grant, consultant on aging, at 301-475-4200, ext. 1050, and leave a message.

The Salt and Pepper Group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 8 a.m. at Cedar Lane apartments. Breakfast is available. Call 301-994-0423.

The Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Maryland meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Masonic lodge on Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood at 7 p.m. There are no meetings during the summer months. Call 301-373-4765.

Sea Scout Ship 548 (a division of Boy Scouts of America) meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church hall in Avenue. This is a coed group of young adults ages 14 to 21 with interests in advancing their boating skills, seamanship and leadership abilities. Call 410-326-4291.

Second Hope Rescue Inc. is a regional animal rescue group that seeks to give "second hope" to hard-to-place animals. The group has animals available for adoption that can be viewed at www.secondhoperescue.org. Foster homes are needed. Call 240-925-0628.

The Shawl Ministry of St. Mary's creates handmade shawls and lap blankets for hospice patients and those undergoing treatment at the St. Mary's Hospital CCIS. The group meets the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the hospice office in Leonardtown. Call Marianna Nystrom at 301-863-7484.

The Sierra Club of Southern Maryland maintains an executive committee. For the time and location and other general information on the committee's meetings, call Frank Fox at 301-884-8027or visit http://maryland.sierraclub.org/southern%2dmd/.

The Sotterley Garden Guild maintains the gardens of Sotterley Plantation. The group meets each Wednesday and Saturday starting at 9 a.m. to noon. Call Sonia Franklin at 301-475-3596.

The Southern Maryland Audubon Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Call Ernest Willoughby at 301-862-9631 or e-mail at ejwilloughby@aol.com.

The Southern Maryland Community Gospel Choir rehearses Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park. This ministry group is open to the public. For more information call Pat McEntee at 301-994-1745.

Southern Maryland Decorative Painters, the local chapter of the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, meets on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Charlotte Hall Library. Previous painting experience is necessary at some meetings. Call 301-884-2835.

The Southern Maryland Mac Users Group meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the SMARTCO warehouse in Lexington Park. The group hopes to help Mac owners or those thinking about buying a Mac understand the Mac operating system. Call 301-737-0394 or visit www.smartco.org.

The Southern Maryland Racing Pigeon Club meets every Saturday during racing season at its clubhouse in Clements. Spring races start in April and continue through June and the fall races are September through November. Call 301-769-4286.

The Southern Maryland Sailing Association is a Solomons-based sailing organization dedicated to the promotion of sailing in Southern Maryland. SMSA has organized sailboat racing and cruising, as well as an active junior program. Visit www.smsa.com.

The Southern Maryland Sound Barbershop Chorus rehearses each Thursday at 7 p.m. at College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown campus, Bldg. C, Room 306. Men who enjoy singing in close harmony are invited to participate. For more information call Matthew Menard at 301-373-5241.

The St. George Island Improvement Association meets the first Friday of every other month at 7:30 p.m. at the association building on Thomas Road. Call Judy Jarboe at 301-994-0412.

St. Mary's Animal Welfare League, SMAWL, is a nonprofit organization that works to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. Goals include the building of a no-kill shelter for cats and dogs in St. Mary's County and to continue an aggressive spay/neuter program. Services provided include pet adoptions, discount spay or neuter vouchers, senior citizen and low-income family assistance for pet food, shots and sterilization, cruelty and abuse investigation, humane education and monthly low-cost rabies clinics throughout the county. The all-volunteer organization is always looking for pet foster homes and other volunteer help. The group's general membership meetings are on the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Visit www.smawl.org or call 301-373-5659.

St. Mary's Bosom Pals, a breast cancer support group, holds educational meetings at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at various restaurants. Call Marcia Shapiro at 301-475-6760.

St. Mary's Caring serves breakfast and lunch to those in need Monday to Saturday from its facility next to Good Samaritan Lutheran Church on Langley Road, just off Great Mills Road near the Route 5 intersection. The St. Mary's Caring soup kitchen is open Mondays through Saturdays. Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. To volunteer or donate, call 301-863-5700.

The St. Mary's County Camera Club meets monthly from September through June on the first Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Museum in Lexington Park. Visit www.smccc.org.

The St. Mary's Day Care Association meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Leonardtown library at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call Linda Heffron at 301-290-1575.

The St. Mary's County Genealogical Society, now in its 32nd year, normally meets on the fourth Monday of each month, September through June, at 7 p.m. at the Garvey Senior Activity Center. Those interested in tracing their family's roots and learning more about the society and its yearly activities are encouraged to call Sarah Fitzgerald at 301-994-1036 or Linda Vert at 301-872-4373. Activities include workshops, classes and monthly bus trip to research centers in Washington, D.C. Membership is not limited to St. Mary's County. For more about bus trips, call Loranna Gray at 301-373-8458. The society maintains a genealogy collection at the Leonardtown library. Visit www.smcgsi.org.

The St. Mary's County Lions Clubs are known for sight-related charities, collecting used eyeglasses and providing new glasses for low-income residents. They also help people in the community by assisting with medical bills, offering scholarships and support, supporting local charities and youth sports leagues. The Mechanicsville chapter meets at St. Mary's Landing on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Call Clarence Bowles at 301-769-2630. The Leonardtown Lions meet at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Old Breton Inn in Leonardtown. Call 301-475-6649. The Ridge Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of St. Jerome's. Call 301-872-5924. The Hollywood Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Petruzzi's Italian Bistro in California. Call James Hodges at 301-373-2540. The Lexington Park Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the dining hall of the Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park.

St. Mary's County Right to Life meets monthly. Those interested in the pro-life movement can call the Right to Life office at 301-475-5433 or 301-475-LIFE.

The St. Mary's Ski Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Nicoletti's in California from September through April.

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church provides emergency assistance, personal attention and help to all in need. Call 301-863-8193 Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Special Olympics St. Mary's County offers comprehensive year-round sports training and competition to Special Olympics athletes. Training programs and competitive events are open to all with intellectual disabilities who are at least 8 years old, regardless of the degree of their disability. Call Mary Lu Bucci at 301-373-3469.

The St. Mary's County Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth educational organization. The Young Marines program offers a variety of activities to develop self-esteem, self-confidence and improve leadership skills to build stronger character in boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18. Call Gwen at 240-895-7082.

The Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy provides a variety of services for area residents. The center's primary focus is on legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and to low-income individuals in the area of family law. Other services include advocacy for domestic violence victims, seminars, outreach and education, community referrals, and training for domestic violence awareness. Call 301-373-4141 or visit www.smcfa.net.

The Southern Maryland Kennel Club Inc. holds training classes at the Charles County fairgrounds throughout the year. There are two AKC all-breed and obedience dog shows put on by the club each year and one match show. The club holds general membership meetings on the second Tuesday of March, June, September and November at 8 p.m. at the Charles County fairgrounds in La Plata. Visit www.southernmarylandkc.org.

Summerseat Sanctuary meets at 7:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at the group's headquarters on Route 235 near Loveville Road.

Several TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, groups meet in the county. Members discuss sensible eating habits, exercise and other aids to weight loss and maintenance at the meetings. The Wildewood chapter meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Wildewood Community Center No. 1. Call Mary Clark at 301-373-5832. The MD #184 group meets every Tuesday at St. John's School in Hollywood. Weigh-in is held from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting and group therapy. Call 301-884-2952. The Great Mills Chapter meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Hickory Hills Community Center in Great Mills. Call Carol Coombs at 301-862-1339. The Ridge Chapter meets Wednesdays at First Friendship United Methodist Church in Ridge. Weigh-in time is from 6 to 6:15 p.m. The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. Call Jacqie Cooper at 301-872-5047. TOPS, MD #327 Leonardtown, meets Wednesdays in the Garvey Senior Activity Center in Leonardtown. Weigh-in starts at 6:15 p.m., followed by a meeting and group therapy. Call Fran at 301-994-0529.

Thomas J. Shryock Masonic Lodge 223 meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Masonic lodge on Old Three Notch Road in Hollywood at 7:30 p.m. There will be no meetings in July and August. Call 301-373-2925.

The Three Oaks Center offers transitional services of shelter, stabilization, assessment and referral to individuals and families in St. Mary's County. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and also available for on-call, 24-hour emergency assistance. Call 301-863-9535.

Toastmasters is an international organization that teaches members speaking, listening and thinking skills in a mutually supportive, positive environment. Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Lexington Park library. Call Bob Zwissler at 301-342-2367 The Patuxent River Toastmasters Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 11:40 a.m. at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, South Engineering Building 2187. Call Eugene Gonzalez at 301-342-6089 or eugenegonzalez@navy.mil. The Interesting People Talking Toastmasters Club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the IPT Building at 11:30 a.m. E-mail morrisde2@navair.navy.mil.

The Tri-County Animal Shelter, located on Route 231 in Hughesville, supports and houses domestic stray animals for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. The shelter takes domestic animals when their owners can no longer provide care for them and offers assistance and guidance to owners of pets with behavioral problems. The animal shelter is the first place to look when a pet is missing, as all domestic animals that are collected by animal control are taken to the shelter. The shelter offers pet adoptions. For more information call 800-903-1992 or 301-932-1713 or visit www.charlescounty.org/es/animalcontrol.

The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland is the regional cooperative planning and economic development agency of the Southern Maryland region. It serves as a forum for the resolution of region wide issues and the attainment of regional goals. Members of the council are the county commissioners, nine state delegates, three state senators and three at-large members. The council serves as an advocate for the region's interests and priorities at the federal and state level. Visit www.tccsmd.org.

The council also hosts a number of transportation programs, including the council's Commuter Assistance Program, which gives information on drive-alone alternatives, such as carpools, vanpools, commuter bus services, telework options, public transit and the Guaranteed Ride Home Program. Call 301-870-2777.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau provides a variety of services for area youth. They sponsor a free weekly group for youth ages 15 to 19 that focuses on addressing, identifying and managing emotions by developing healthy ways to express feeling. The group meets every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jarboe Center in Lexington Park. Call 301-866-5332.

The United Way of St. Mary's County is an independent and locally controlled fund-raising organization with members of the community serving as the all-volunteer board of directors. Through many donors and corporate assistance, the group supports more than 39 local agencies. All funds raised remain in St. Mary's County unless specifically directed elsewhere by the donor. To make a donation of money or time call 301-862-5577 or e-mail unitewaysmc@issi-md.com.

Vintage Values is a thrift shop operating as a training center by the Center for Life Enrichment Inc., a nonprofit organization, for developmentally disabled adults. Donations of clothing, household items and toys can be brought in during store hours. Vintage Value I is located at 22715 Washington St. in Leonardtown. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 301-475-8545.

Vintage Value II is located at 21779 Tulagi Place in Lexington Park. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 301-737-4884.

The Willing Workers/Homemakers meet on the second Friday of every month at 1 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church hall on Route 470 in Oakley.