Author to offer financial tips at Lexington Park church

THIS ‘N' THAT

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

"We thought this would be a great thing to offer to the community for people feeling really hopeless about money," said Laurie Stepp, leader of Good Samaritan's financial ministry. "Everyone is concerned about money in the current economy. [Bell] is saying there is hope."

Bell is the author of two books, "Money, Purpose, Joy" and "Money Strategies for Tough Times," both published by NavPress. "We are a small church in a small community, and normally we would not be able to afford a best-selling speaker like him," Stepp said. "We found out he was doing a much larger conference up in [Washington,] D.C., and he agreed to do this workshop at practically no expense to us."

Stepp has read Bell's "Money, Purpose, Joy," a book she recommends.

"He's funny and engaging. He takes the subject … and makes it hopeful," she said.

Cost for the workshop is $10 per person, which includes refreshments. Bell will provide all supplies and handouts. Participants are asked to preregister by calling 301-863-4740. For more about Bell's work, visit www.moneypurposejoy.com.

Dinner raffle to help Feral Cat Rescue

Oct. 16 is National Feral Cat Day. Feral Cat Rescue, the local group dedicated to rescuing and controlling the area's feral cat population, is hoping that area residents will celebrate the day by participating in an ongoing fundraising raffle organized by the group.

Feral Cat Rescue is selling raffle tickets worth $200 from five local restaurants — $25 for Asahi Japanese Steak and Seafood, $50 for Café des Artistes, $50 for Cheeseburger in Paradise, $25 for Outback Steakhouse and $50 for Thai Inter Restaurant. Cost is $1 per ticket or $5 for six. The drawing will take place Dec. 13.

Dinner raffle tickets can be purchased at Fenwick's Used Book Store in Leonardtown. In addition, they are also available every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Petco in California at the FCR Adoptable Cats and Kittens display. Call 301-475-5059.

Basket bingo to aid fire department ladies auxiliary

A super basket bingo will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, sponsored by the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; early bird starts at 5:30 p.m. Regular bingo starts at 6 p.m. Admission is $20, with additional packets available for $5 each; six special games for $1 each. Prizes are authentic Longaberger baskets and products. There will be food, door prizes and raffles available. There will also be a basket raffle for advance ticket reservations.

To make reservations or for more information, call Judy at 301-884-5680. Children are welcome when buying an admission ticket and accompanied by a paying adult.

Fellowship announces new minister

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland has welcomed a new minister, the Rev. Michael Relland.

Relland has served a community ministry in Washington, D.C. He works with young adults at the historic Universalist National Memorial Church and mentors children through the Unitarian Universalist ministry of Beacon House Learning Center. He graduated in May 2009 with his master of divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.

UUFSM worship services are held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at Chancellor's Run Activity Center at 21905 Chancellor's Run Road in Great Mills. Sunday school and child care are provided. For more information or directions, visit www.uufsm.org, e-mail mail@uufsm.org or call 240-256-5530.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland is committed to freedom of belief, and everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. The fellowship is also committed to social justice, and it donates 10 percent of its income to charity.

Farm bureau announces meeting

St. Mary's County Farm Bureau will hold its annual membership meeting for all voting and associate members on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at the St. Mary's County fairground's new banquet facility building.

The meeting agenda will include election of officers and the appointment of area directors.

Christine Bergmark of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and Ben Beale of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service will be guest speakers. Refreshments will be served. Preregistration is not necessary. Call 301-884-3086.

Crafters and vendors needed for bazaar

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will hold its annual holiday bazaar on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department social hall. Tables are still available for crafters and vendors. Cost is $25 per table/space, and location is assigned in the order that a registration form is received. Call Peggy at 301-884-4519.

Hospice announces holiday ornament

It is a local holiday tradition. Hospice of St. Mary's has been selling holiday ornaments for more than 11 years as a fundraiser in St. Mary's County, with much of the credit going to Betty and Bob Purple, stained glass artists of Hollywood, who made the stained glass creations in previous years. Each year they made 500 of that year's ornament design — angel, heart, starfish, dove, star, bell, snowflake, ribbon, sea shell and, last year, a hospice house. Many residents keep a collection of these ornaments in memory of loved ones who have died.

The Purples have now passed their torch on to another local artist (although they will continue to make special orders for those with collections). Nancy Wathen of California, an artist and an operating room nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, has just completed 500 of this year's hospice ornament — a fused glass starfish, which is the hospice insignia. Wathen said she hopes to continue the tradition of creating the hospice ornaments each year. The hospice ornaments are beautifully boxed with a message for $25. Contact hospice at 301-475-2023 or at www.smhwecare.com.

Chopticon to present ‘Twelve Angry Jurors'

Chopticon High School's Bravehouse Productions will present Reginald Rose's classic drama "Twelve Angry Jurors" on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.

"Twelve Angry Jurors" examines what happens when 12 diverse people are faced with deciding the fate of a young man on trial for murder. The play reveals the jurors' differing personalities, cultural differences, ignorance and fears and how these differences threaten to taint their decision-making abilities.

Theater Director Tracie A. Pisarcik and Assistant Theater Director Sarah Vence are leading students in a variety of theatrical performances and activities. In addition to a fall play and spring musical in March students will be participating in the Maryland Thespian Festival and hosting the Third Annual St. Mary's County Theatre Festival.

Tickets are $4 for students and $6 for adults. All performances will be held in the Chopticon auditorium.

For ticket information or more details about Bravehouse Productions, call Pisarcik at 301-475-0215.

scraton@somdnews.com