Founding of Maryland to be Commemorated
The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners, along with Recreation and Parks' Museum Division, will host its annual Maryland Day program at the St. Clement's Island Museum on Tuesday, March 25, at 2 p.m. This one-hour commemorative program is offered in honor of the first brave Marylanders who founded the Maryland colony at St. Clement's Island on March 25, 1634. The event is free and open to the public.
This year's keynote speaker is Captain Benjamin Shevchuk, commanding officer at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Captain Shevchuk will share and connect his family's emigration from the Soviet Union to the United States, with the emigration of the first colonists from England to the New World, specifically to St. Clement's Island. St. Mary's County Commissioners will also make remarks during the program.
A wreath-laying ceremony follows the commemorative program at the St. Clement's Island historical marker. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor program will be held inside the museum; space will be limited.
Visitors attending this day are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum, orientation film, and the renovated museum store. The site also offers a 19th century one-room schoolhouse and exterior dory boat exhibit.
Maryland Day also marks the beginning of the summer season for the St. Clement's Island Museum and the Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park in Piney Point. Both museums will be open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The St. Clement's Island Museum is managed by the Museum Division of St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks. It is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton's Point (at the end of route 242 south). The museum and grounds are handicap accessible. For more information call the museum at 301-769-2222 or log on to http://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.
Individuals Selected to Newly Formed Economic Development Commission
The Board of Commissioners for St. Mary's County have nominated 12 individuals to serve on the newly formed St. Mary's County Economic Development Commission (SMCEDC).
The nominees include: Richard Braam, Carlos Bravo, Daniel Carney, Laura Clarke, Phil Dorsey, Dr. Tracy Harris, Phil Langley, Dr. Garner Morgan, James Raley, Tom Sanders, Tom Watts, and Bill Scarafia. Eleven individuals will serve in voting positions while two will serve in non-voting, Ex Officio positions on the Commission. An opening for one of the Ex Officio positions still remains to be filled.
The SMCEDC was created to oversee the development and implementation of an economic development strategy designed to lessen the County's dependency on defense spending. St. Mary's County has one of the few 'stand-alone' economies in the State of Maryland. Over 80% of the local economy is tied to the fortunes of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
"Diversifying the economy has been one of the County's long-term goals," stated Commissioner President Jack Russell. "But the rapid growth of the Navy during the BRAC consolidations diverted any meaningful attention away from this task," he explained.
The economic development strategy will build upon the community's existing strengths while creating new markets for business growth. The growing emphasis on unmanned and autonomous systems is an example of technology that can be used for purposes other than defense. Transportation and agriculture are two of the industries which benefit from the use of unmanned systems.
SMCEDC will be staffed by the Department of Economic and Community Development. "The nominees represent a good cross-section of our local economy. Agriculture, tourism, defense, education, construction, health care, locally-owned small businesses, and workforce development, along with the U. S. Navy and the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce are reflected in the experience of the individuals chosen to serve," explained Robin Finnacom, Acting Director,
St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development. "We look forward to getting the work of the Commission underway," she said.
Each nominee was among 57 individuals who submitted applications to be considered for membership on the Economic Development Commission (EDC). Those nominated must confirm their acceptance of the post. EDC meetings will be advertised in advance and open to the general public.
For more information about the EDC and the strategic planning effort, contact Robin Finnacom at 301-475-4200, ext. 1407.
Commission for Women to Honor Ann Loretta Langley Dove
A lifetime of public service to be acknowledged
As part of its Women's History Month banquet celebration on March 20, the St. Mary's County Commission for Women (CFW) will honor Ann Loretta Dove for her commitment to making a positive impact through public service. She will be recognized for her accomplishments with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms. Dove is a dedicated volunteer at St. Mary's Women's Center, Institute's Parent, Supporter, Advocate and Advisory Group (IPSAG) and the Pregnancy Center. Her efforts have not only impacted the local community but have been recognized nationally. She has received numerous awards for her volunteer work, including the President's Volunteer Service Award from the President's Council at the White House for Service and Civic Participation. She has also received Certificates of Appreciation for her support of Project Warm, Feed the Children, Vacation Bible School, St. Joseph's Indian School, Institute for Human Growth & Development, Inc. and Great Mills High School's Future Business Leaders of America. Ms. Dove has also coordinated Blood Pressure Screenings and Stroke Prevention Programs and volunteered extensively for the Cancer Society and St. Mary's County Schools.
Ms. Dove attributes her accomplishments and success to her strong Christian faith. She continues to be an active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, where she is a charter member of the Women of the Word Ministry, chairman of the Mother Mary Lange Guild, St. Peter Claver (SPC) Chapter, serves on the Labor Day Committee, supports the Senior Citizen's Ministry, participates with the Bereavement Committee and serves as a member of the Cardinal Gibbons Memorial Scholarship Committee.
After spending 34 years in service to the United States Government, where she was promoted from GS-2 to GS-13, she recently retired and now devotes her time, talents, and energy to her family, friends, church, and community.
Tickets for the Women's History Month banquet are $20 each and are sold in advance only. Proceeds from the banquet go to the Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship at the College of Southern Maryland in Leonardtown, Maryland. The scholarship provides financial assistance to returning students with a preference to displaced homemakers, single parents, and women.