The North County planning meeting, originally scheduled to take place on October 5 at the Northern Senior Activity Center, has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
A new date will be announced soon (likely first or second week in November). The rescheduled meeting will be held at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall.
Cedar Lane - Blacksmith Shop Road Intersection Project Set to Begin
The St. Mary's County Department of Public Works and Transportation will construct new alignment improvements at the intersection at Cedar Lane and Blacksmith Shop Road. Construction is estimated to begin October 3.
While there will be no road closures anticipated during construction, drivers will experience new traffic patterns. Please follow all signs and message boards in the area. Nearby residents may also experience some construction noise in the area during daylight hours. Work is expected to last two days depending on weather conditions.
For additional information, please contact the St. Mary's County Department of Public Works & Transportation at 301-863-8400 or the St. Mary's County Public Information Office at 301-475-4200, Ext. *1340.
Consider A Themed Birthday Party Package for Your Child's Next Celebration
Citizens seeking a unique way to celebrate a child's birthday should consider themed birthday party packages offered by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
The themed parties are held at the Hollywood Recreation Center. Department staff will decorate the room with general decorations, gear arts and crafts and a group game based on the theme of the party. Pizza, juice, and goodie bags are also provided.
There are a number of different themes to choose from including Pokémon: Gotta Catch 'Em All, Frozen: Let it Go, Pirate Adventure, Dr. Seuss is Loose, Super Heroes vs. Super Villains. If there's a special theme you're looking for, department staff will do their best to accommodate you.
A two hour rental for 12 children costs just $140. Each additional child is $8.00. A Recreation and Parks staff member will lead your group of kids in a themed group game and arts and craft activity during the first hour of your rental. In hour two guests will eat pizza, open presents, eat cake, and enjoy the company of your guests.
Interested in a themed birthday party package? Contact the birthday party coordinator at 301-373-5712 to book your package or for more information. Please allow a minimum of one week prior to booking your package to ensure space.
3rd Annual Gateway-to-Gold and Disabled Veteran Honor Day and Paralympic Sports Marksmanship Event
St. Mary's County Recreation & Park's, along with US Paralympics and Sanner's Lake Sportsmen's Club, will once again present the 3rd Annual Gateway-to-Gold and Wounded-Warrior Honor Day and Paralympic Sports Marksmanship Event on Saturday, October 1, from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
This Gateway-to-Gold event is designed to identify athletes who show promise in participating in the Paralympics Shooting Sports and honor wounded-veterans who've made sacrifices while in service of our nation.
All persons with disabilities, whether they resulted from military service or not, are welcome to attend. Each disabled participant may be accompanied by three family members. One-on-one direct assistance and oversight will be provided. Staff members formally trained in firearms instruction, archery instruction, and in range operations will be on hand. This event offers participants an opportunity to take part in archery, air rifle, fishing, shotgun shooting, rifle shooting, and pistol shooting. Snacks, beverages, and lunch will all be provided. Local bands will provide live music.
All equipment, ammunition, and materials will be provided free of charge however, participants must pre-register for the event with the county.
This event will take place at Sanner's Lake Sportsmen's Club, 21375 Sanner Lane, Lexington Park, Md (just off of Great Mills Road, behind the golf driving range). Signs will be posted.
To register for this event contact Christina Bishop at 301-475-4200, ext. *1802 or christina.bishop@stmarysmd.com. For additional information, contact Delegate Deb Rey at 301-997-4183 or via email at deborah.rey@house.state.md.us.
County Welcome Signs to Have a Pink Glow for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Beginning this Saturday evening and continuing each evening throughout the month of October, St. Mary's County's three welcome signs will be bathed in pink light in a symbolic fight against breast cancer.
The welcome signs are located along MD 234 (Budds Creek Road) and MD 5 in Charlotte Hall (along the Charles County line) as well as on MD 4 just south of the Thomas Johnson Bridge in California.
Commissioners Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15–October 15 is recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. It's an opportunity to share both past and present cultural contributions of Hispanic Americans. The 2016 theme celebrates "Embracing, Enriching and Enabling America: Creating Culturally Blended Communities. The Commissioners of St. Mary's County took part in this celebration during a proclamation ceremony.
The first observance of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States took place in 1968 as "Hispanic Heritage Week" under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, beginning September 15 and ending on October 15.
"The United States of America was built by and thrives on the ingenuity, integrity and diverse contributions of its people," said Commissioner President Randy Guy. "The Hispanic-American community continues to positively influence our country by integrating the foundational qualities of faith, hard work, service, patriotism, and a strong commitment to family."
The proclamation also points out how Hispanics have helped shape our communities and enhanced the quality of life in the community. Increasingly, Hispanics hold a variety of key roles in the community as business owners, engineers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, teachers, public servants, and brave service members who help defend our country and way of life with integrity, pride and honor.
In proclaiming Hispanic Heritage Month the commissioners urged all citizens to recognize the contributions Hispanics have made and continue to make in American history and every aspect of American life.
Test of Emergency Sirens to be Conducted Monday, October 3 at noon
A full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout St. Mary's, Calvert and Dorchester counties will take place on Monday, October 3 at noon.
The test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. All citizens are asked to remember the scheduled testing and relay the information to friends, family and neighbors.
The test is being conducted to check siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time, residents should tune to one of the local radio stations listed below for information and instructions.
Emergency Alert System stations include:
• WPTX 1690 AM Lexington Park
• WYRX 97.7 FM Lexington Park
• WTOP 103.5 FM Frederick, D.C.
• WKIK 1560 AM La Plata
• WKIK 102.9 FM California
• WPRS 104.1 FM La Plata
• WSMD 98.3 FM Mechanicsville
• WNNT 100.9 FM Warsaw
• WGOP 540 AM Pocomoke
• WCEM 1240 AM Cambridge
• WCEM 106.3 FM Cambridge
• WCEI 96.7 FM Easton
• WRAR 105.5 FM Tappahannock
• WKHZ 1460 AM Easton
Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count. To learn about Disasters & Hazards, Being Prepared and Being Informed visit: www.co.cal.md.us/emergencymanagement.com; www.dorchestercntymd-ema.com or prepare.stmarysmd.com
St. Mary's County Board of Elections to Conduct Public Logic and Accuracy Demonstration
The St. Mary's County Board of Elections will conduct a Public Logic and Accuracy Demonstration on the DS200 Ballot Scanner and the Express Vote voting units on Friday October 7 at 10 a.m.
The Testing will take place at the Election Warehouse at 47382 Lincoln Avenue, Lexington Park, MD 20653 (Old Carver Elementary School).
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Adkins at 301-475-7844 ext. 1613.