Volunteer fair aims to show where help is needed

THIS ‘N' THAT

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

The St. Mary's County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program with the department of aging has organized an event designed to put those two groups together. RSVP staff has organized a volunteer recruitment fair for Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lexington Park library.

While RSVP normally concentrates on matching seniors with volunteer needs in the community, the fair is designed for potential volunteers of any age, according to Jane Hunsinger, RSVP project manager.

"Obviously, we're always looking for more senior volunteers," Hunsinger said Monday afternoon. But the fair is for "anybody with an interest in volunteering. Everyone is welcome."

As of Monday, 27 organizations are scheduled to participate in the fair to advertise their programs and their volunteer needs. "It's a mixed, diverse group," Hunsinger said, including groups like the adult day care program, Christmas in April, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity and many others.

The fair is also an opportunity for those 55 and older to learn more about RSVP. "In 2008, we had 220 volunteers do almost 48,000 hours of service just in St. Mary's," Hunsinger said. "I don't think people realize just what seniors do here."

The program currently has approximately 350 seniors participating.

For more information on the fair and RSVP, call the RSVP project office at 301-737-5670, ext. 1653.

NAMI program to start Sept. 9 in Lexington Park

NAMI Southern Maryland's 12-week Family-to-Family Education Program will begin in Lexington Park on Sept. 9. The course is free. Class will meet Wednesdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church at 46707 Shangri-La Drive. Seating is limited, so registration is required. For more information or to register, call Joe at 391-481-5733 or Connie at 301-475-3434.

The program is delivered by trained and certified teaching teams who share the experience of having a loved one diagnosed with a mental illness. NAMI Southern Maryland has conducted six courses in the region since the fall of 2006, with 100 graduates to date.

The program offers participants information and materials on the range of serious mental illnesses; current research, treatment, medications and side effects; strategies for emotional and practical support; tools for advocacy with mental health care and recovery support providers; and workshops on problem-solving and communications skills. For families under stress, the course provides a safe place to ask questions, discuss mutual issues of concern in a confidential and facilitated environment and meet other families with shared experiences.

Lighthouse Challenge to celebrate state's 375th birthday

On Sept. 19 and 20, the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and the Maryland Lighthouse Organizations will host the 2009 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge — "Celebrating Maryland's 375th Birthday."

Throughout the weekend, the public is invited to tour Chesapeake Lightship, Concord Point, Cove Point, Drum Point, Fort Washington, Hooper Strait, Piney Point, Point Lookout, Seven-Foot Knoll and Turkey Point.

The award-winning driving tour will take participants to some of the most picturesque spots in the state along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary, the Potomac. At the first lighthouse visited, participants will receive the event brochure, which includes driving instructions to all the lights. At each lighthouse stop along the route, they will receive a complimentary souvenir depicting that lighthouse. It is not necessary to visit all the lighthouses to participate and the lighthouses can be visited in any order. Those who visit all 10 lights within the allotted 20 hours will receive a commemorative souvenir to mark the accomplishment.

In celebration of Maryland's 375th birthday, organizers are also planning to promote the state and its iconic symbols along this year's challenge route — the blue crab, black-eyed Susan, Chesapeake Bay retriever and Maryland skipjack among them.

Organizers are again offering two bonus lights — offshore Sandy Point Shoal (to be viewed offshore from the coast in Annapolis and the recently constructed Blackistone Lighthouse replica on St. Clement's Island.

For more information visit www.cheslights.org.

Crafters wanted

Crafters are wanted for a craft show that will be held Oct. 3 at Lexington Park United Methodist Church on Great Mills Road. Cost is $20 per table space, with tables provided. For more information or to reserve a table, contact Carol Barton before Sept. 15 at 301-475-1655 or e-mail carol.barton1@verizon.net.

Registration open for Veterans Day parade

Registration is now open for marching units, individuals and organizations wishing to participate in the annual Veterans Day parade in Leonardtown.

Parade entries can include marching units, floats, bands, schools, scouts, clubs, cheerleaders, bikes, vintage cars, horses or other entries. 

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the area of Church Street and Washington Street, proceed on Washington Street through the town square, and disassemble on Courthouse Drive. For information and to request an entry form, e-mail the parade chairman, Tom Warren, at tom_warren55@hotmail.com or Julie Lemmon of the Commissioners of Leonardtown at julie.lemmon@verizon.net or by calling 301-475-9791.

Oyster Festival poster contest open

Artists are invited to submit an entry for the 2009 St. Mary's County Oyster Festival and U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship Poster Contest.

The winning designer will receive a $500 prize, free tickets to the Oyster Festival and recognition. Entries must be received by Sept. 15. They must include "Celebrating Maryland's 375th Birthday" logo and the Rotary club logo, and must be professional quality artwork on a CD.

Additional information and the downloadable logos can be found at www.Maryland375.com.

The annual festival, shucking championship and National Oyster Cook-Off will be Oct. 17 and 18 at the St. Mary's County fairgrounds.

For more information on the festival, visit www.usoysterfest.com. The festival is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lexington Park and all proceeds benefit the local community.

See photos in print

Area residents who want to share favorite photos from a recent sporting event or vacation photos or photos of their children or pets are invited to submit them online at spotted.somdnews.com, The Enterprise's Web site, for a chance to see the photos in print. Photos must be original work.

The most-viewed photograph will appear in print editions of Southern Maryland Newspapers each Wednesday.

For more information e-mail jrabe@somdnews.com.

Anthology tracks masculinity in Christianity, Judaism

Men have shaped thinking about various religions since time began, but the burgeoning academic field of gender studies now looks at how the actual gender of maleness both impacts religion and how religion in turn has influenced men and their own self perceptions.

Bjˆrn Krondorfer, professor of religious studies and chair of the philosophy and religious studies department at St. Mary's College of Maryland, has collected some of the best and most representative contemporary writings published in this field into an anthology, "Men and Masculinities in Christianity and Judaism, A Critical Reader."

"The book," said Krondorfer in a statement, "takes an empathetic and critical look at the role of men in Christianity and Judaism. It offers new ways of examining the issue of gender in two important religious traditions beyond patriarchal value systems." Chapters follow the struggles of men to find their place in religion and society. They also focus on modern Christian men's movements and map issues of gay spirituality and theology.

Walking tour of town now on podcast

Residents and visitors of Leonardtown can take a stroll through town with a College of Southern Maryland history professor — in their pocket.

Now on podcast, CSM professor of history Chretien Guidry's talk on the historical landmarks of downtown Leonardtown is available for download through CSM's Web site.

The podcast, created for Leonardtown's "Celebrate Family, Fun and Fitness Day" as part of Maryland's year-long 375th Anniversary Celebration, intertwines history and health tips for listeners as they walk between historical buildings.

Beginning at the Leonardtown campus, the podcast starts off with fitness tips provided by Judith Ferrara, CSM Leonardtown campus fitness coordinator, to get the walker warmed up. The self-guided tour then leads walkers on a loop through Leonardtown beginning with Tudor Hall, where relatives of Francis Scott Key once lived. Visitors will stroll past 20 additional sites of historical significance before arriving at St. Peter's Chapel, a Gothic-style church established in 1860 and the final site on the tour.

After learning about the Leonardtown's history which dates to 1654, residents and visitors are invited to stop by CSM's Leonardtown campus, where they can see the architectural plans for the 21st century Wellness and Aquatics Center currently under construction.

For information on the Wellness and Aquatics Center or to download the podcast, click on "Walking Tour Audio" under "Featured Links" at http://www.csmd.edu/About/campuses/leonardtown/building/WellnessCenter.html.

To obtain a map of the Leonardtown walking tour, visit Leonardtown Town Hall at 41660 Courthouse Drive or visit http://leonardtown.somd.com/history/index.html.

Online directory of community services for family announced

The Network of Care for Children and Families at www.stmarysnetworkofcare.org is an online information site that is designed to provide information, communication and advocacy tools with a single point of entry. The Web site is also linked to the county government's website. Click on "Network of Care" under the "Resources" box at www.stmarysmd.com. For more information on the network, call the St. Mary's County Department of Human Services at 301-475-4200, ext. 1681.

Applications accepted for energy assistance

Applications for the Maryland Energy Assistance and Electric Universal Service programs will be accepted at two outreach locations in St. Mary's County this month. Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee employees will receive completed applications from anyone who has received an application in the mail and take walk-in applications at the following locations and dates from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Department of Social Services at 21775 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park on Sept. 8 and 9 and at the Department of Social Services at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown on Sept. 10 and 11.

Applications will be accepted by appointment only in SMTCCAC's Hughesville office; however, completed applications will be accepted there between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

To make an appointment call 301-475-5574 or 301-884-6103, ext. 200.

Lincoln/Reagan dinner slated Sept. 12

The Republican Central Committee of St. Mary's County will hold the annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Crystal Room in Callaway. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7. Tickets are $50. Contact Mary Russell at 301-373-4334. Keynote speaker will be Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey. She will be joined by special guest speaker and a Republican candidate for Maryland's 5th Congressional District seat, Charles Lollar.

Power squadron to hold safe boating class Sept. 8

The Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron, Southern Maryland's Boating Club, has scheduled its last Safe Boating class of the season beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park. Call 301-475-3883 or visit www.usps.org/localusps/patuxent/.

America's Boating Course is available at www.americasboatingcourse.com. Unlike other electronic online courses, students taking the America's Boating Course are offered assistance during their course of study from members of Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron. For more information call Hal Willard at 301-475-3883.

scraton@somdnews.com