Get to know Calvert County’s rural community by spending the day on three working farms during the 17th annual Calvert County Farm Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event, held rain or shine, promises to be a great family outing with special activities and educational opportunities at three local farms:
Horsmon Farm
1865 Horsmon Farm Lane, St. Leonard
443-532-5761 www.horsmonfarm.com
This successfully diversified tobacco farm raises mums, pumpkins and other fall products. Featured are farm beef and pork, sorghum mazes, a corn kernel sand box, pony rides, a petting farm, hay rides, kids’ activities, food vendors and even a mini-pumpkin sling shot.
Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery
8650 Mackall Road, St. Leonard
410-586-2710 or www.perigeaux.com
Perigeaux has four vineyards of eight acres on a former tobacco farm. Farm Festival activities include wine tastings/food pairings, live music, pentanque (lawn bowling) tournaments, arts and crafts, vineyard and winery tours and food vendors.
Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick
410-610-0094 or www.spiderhallfarm.com
This 362-acre farm produces tobacco, corn and grain and focuses on agricultural education. Come enjoy a corn maze, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, local food, vendors and crafters, kids’ activities, a petting farm and more. A canned food drive will benefit End Hunger in Calvert County.
The annual Calvert County Farm Festival is coordinated by the Calvert County Department of Economic Development and the Calvert County Agriculture Commission. The Agriculture Commission conducts the Farm Festival to educate residents about farming and to provide the public with an opportunity to interact with the farming community.
For more information on the Calvert County Agriculture Commission, visit www.calvertag.com. For more on the 2014 Calvert County Farm Festival, contact the Calvert County, Md., Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880; or via email at info [at] ecalvert.com.
Calvert County Health Department Unveils New Logo
The Calvert County Health Department has announced a new logo. The department, which did not previously have its own logo, is excited to share this symbol of the diverse range of services it provides to promote and protect the health of all county residents.
"The new Calvert County Health Department logo will serve as an easily recognizable symbol of accurate health information and safe environments for members of our community. Whether you see the logo on an advisory about an infectious disease, a notice for a stop smoking program, or an inspection certificate, you can be assured that a well-trained health professional has placed her or his seal of approval," said Health Officer Dr. Laurence Polsky.
The logo will serve to unify the work of the department, from cancer screening and flu clinics to mental health services, under one familiar symbol. The design itself is colorful and vibrant, comprised of overlapping shapes that resemble the medical cross. The health department worked with local freelance designer and Calvert High School graduate, Ashley vonClausburg, to develop the design.
The logo will be displayed on promotional materials, the health department website, and at community events.
For more information, call the Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400 or 410-535-3922. Visit online at www.calverthealth.org.
State Approves Recreational Project in Calvert
Calvert County will receive $92,060 in Program Open Space funding to acquire 0.23 acres, adjacent to the county-owned Dowell Community Center in St. Leonard, to further expand the center and increase parking opportunities.
Governor Martin O’Malley and the Board of Public Works approved the projects at their Oct. 1 meeting in Annapolis.
The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised of Governor O’Malley (chair), Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.
Calvert County Public Schools Implements Electronic Access System in School Buildings
Calvert County Public Schools regularly upgrades school buildings to protect the safety of students and will continue to do so during the 2014-2015 school year. According to Director of Student Services Kim Roof, some of the changes are more noticeable than others. "Because of the nature of school security, we can't make all of our improvements public, but we want to assure the community that all of our schools have increased security measures." In addition to making changes to the exterior of buildings, Ms. Roof and her department work with schools to increase safety measures in classrooms.
Most notably, the school system is in the first phase of installing an electronic access system in school buildings. Exterior doors will remain locked during the school day to enhance the safety of students and staff. Visitors will access the building by ringing an intercom at the front door, and a member of the office staff will admit them to the building, thereby allowing school staff to monitor access. Visitors will continue to sign into buildings using the computer program Keep 'n Track. More information about the procedure for entering schools will be sent to families as the access system is installed in each building. School Safety Specialist Larry Titus recognizes that the implementation of the electronic access system will change the way Calvert County Public Schools has traditionally operated, yet he believes that the priority of keeping students and staff safe merits the shift. The installation of the electronic access system is not in response to a threat but rather is another step to make sure schools are safe places.
In addition to the electronic access program, other noticeable initiatives to enhance school safety are in place, as well. Every school has an emergency management plan that is updated and reviewed annually in accordance with state and federal guidelines. During the year, students will complete six emergency drills-evacuation; shelter in place; reverse evacuation; lock down; drop, cover and hold; and severe weather-plus the traditional ten fire drills required annually. Each school also has an interdisciplinary threat assessment team to address concerns that are brought to an administrator regarding student behaviors that could be a threat to the individual, building or community. The team determines interventions to support the well-being of the student and protect the safety of the community.