Pesticide Container Collection and Recycling Program Coming this Summer
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is sponsoring its summer collection program for empty plastic pesticide containers according to specific guidelines. MDA will provide collection sites throughout the State.
The nearest location to St. Mary's County which will accept out-of-county pesticide containers will be at the Frederick County Landfill, 9031 Reich's Ford Road, Frederick, Maryland. Container collection days will occur on June 24, July 22, August 26 and September 23, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Collected containers will be chipped and transported to an approved recycling facility for processing. MDA inspectors will supervise the collection to ensure only triple rinsed, clean, plastic pesticide containers are collected. Information on the inspection checklist for empty pesticide containers and the recycling program can be found at http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/documents/recycling.pdf or by calling 410-841-5710.
For information about recycling in St. Mary's County, please contact the Department of Public Works and Transportation, Recycling Program at 301-863-8400, or go to www.stmarysmd.com.
Public Invited to Celebrate Flag Day on June 14
Chesapeake Orchestra's Brass Quintet to be featured
The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners and the Leonardtown Commissioners will co-sponsor Flag Day 2014 festivities on Saturday, June 14, on the Governmental Center Lawn in Leonardtown. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Leonard Hall Recreation Center, adjacent to the Governmental Center lawn.
The event begins at 6:00 p.m. with musical entertainment followed by a procession by various color guards and veterans groups from across the County. A formal ceremony and Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance will follow the procession.
New this year will be a special patriotic performance by the Chesapeake Orchestra's Brass Quintet. Founded in 1994 by Jeffrey Silberschlag, the orchestra is comprised of distinguished professional musicians from the Washington, Baltimore and Southern Maryland region. It also includes a cohort of talented student apprentices, performing side by side with the professionals, many of who are their teachers. The Chesapeake Orchestra performs each summer at the River Concert Series, where it has done so since the series' inception in 1999. The Orchestra also performs regularly at the National Harbor, Leonardtown Square, Sotterley Plantation and its newest historic location, Jefferson's Monticello. The orchestra will perform at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The Seventh District Optimist Club will provide refreshments and free hand-held American Flags will be distributed to everyone in attendance.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-475-4200 x1340.
Anti-Stigma Workshop Registration Deadline Extended
Registration for the On Our Own of Maryland, Inc.'s Anti-Stigma Project: in Our Work, in Our Lives workshop, presented by the Department of Aging and Human Services, has been extended to May 20.
The workshop will explore attitudes and perceptions about people in our community living with mental illness and reduce the negative connotations associated with seeking professional treatment. The Anti-Stigma Project's interactive workshop will take place in the morning and a presentation of In Our Own Voice by St. Mary's NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) in the afternoon. In Our Own Voice features individuals sharing their personal experiences with mental illness.
The event is a free service to the community. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. This workshop will be held at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center on May 22nd from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Seating is limited and Continuing Education units (C.E.U.s) are available.
For more information call 301-475-4200, ext. 1680.
Heritage Day Coming to St. Clement's Island State Park
The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks' Museum Division will present St. Clement's Island Heritage Day on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event is meant to encourage everyone to visit the St. Clement's Island Museum for free museum and enjoy free boat rides to St. Clement's Island State Park for a day of history, fun activities, interesting exhibitors, and scenic waterside vistas. The last boat to the Island departs from the museum pier at 2 p.m. and the last boat returns to the mainland at 3 p.m.
Discover St. Clement's Island State Park and its history as the site of Maryland's first colonial landing in 1634. Kids will enjoy free watermelon and play heritage games. Throughout the event local carver Tommy Deagle will hold a duck carving demonstration, Historic St. Mary's City will hold a Native American Woodland Indians exhibit, and historic re-enactors Mike and Virginia Barbour will portray colonial land owner Dr. Thomas Gerard and his little daughter Elizabeth.
Enjoy the scenic and natural beauty of the island, Potomac River, and waterfowl with a walk along the beach. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the pavilion or any of the tables dotting the island shore. The reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse will be open and available for tours. Local musician Joe Norris will sing folk tunes from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on the lighthouse porch. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sun screen, and bring a camera, binoculars and plenty of water (available for sale on the island and in the museum store). Children will enjoy making sandcastles on the beach area however, no swimming is allowed.
Additionally, the St. Clement's Island Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission will be free for everyone. A 13-minute orientation film will give visitors a comprehensive history of the island and the initiative to reconstruct the Blackistone Lighthouse. The Crab Claw Museum Store will be open with an array of unique gifts, souvenirs, home decor, clothing, jewelry, books, and so much more.
Located on the museum grounds will be the St. Mary's County Master Gardeners with abundant information about your gardens and how to raise and maintain Maryland's official state flower, the Black-eyed Susan.
The St. Clement's Island Museum is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton's Point. The museum and grounds are handicap accessible but the water taxi and the island are not. For more information please call the St. Mary's County Museum Division at 301-769-2222 or visit http://www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums. In the event of rain or high winds, boat service will not be available and exhibitors and elements of the program will be moved inside the museum.