Under the guidance of Manager Dennis Hill sand assistant coaches Steve Zumpano, Dale Quade, Tommy Clarke and Tim Cameron, the Southern Maryland Elite 12U Travel baseball team enjoyed a rather impressive season.
Referring to themselves as brothers in baseball, team members Aden Hill, Shawn Cameron, Derek Zumpano, Blake Pesante, Tyler Quade, Chet Bowling, Tyler Williamson, Nick Stearns, Alex Borges, Nathan Robey, Bryce Whitney and Ryan Clarke amassed an overall record of 48-7-1. The team was honored by the Commissioners of St. Mary's County for their outstanding accomplishments in 2016.
"During the Cooperstown All Star Village Tournament in Oneonta, New York, the Southern Maryland Elite 12U Travel Baseball Team was the only team representing the State of Maryland in a tournament with forty-eight teams from Canada and thirteen U.S. states," said Commissioner Mike Hewitt (2nd District) during a proclamation ceremony.
The team played eleven games, winning nine of the games. They defeated the sixth seed Red Devils from Georgia 11-8 to win the championship. The team went 10-1 in the tournament and smacked 43 home runs.
The commissioners commended and recognized the team for winning the Cooperstown All Star Village Tournament and for an outstanding baseball season. The commissioners also noted their dedication to the team and community.
Commission on Aging Meeting Location Change
The October 24 Commission on Aging meeting, originally scheduled to take place at the Garvey Senior Activity Center, will now be held in Room 14 inside the Potomac Building. The meeting time remains at 1 p.m.
For additional information, please call the Department of Aging & Human Services at 301-475-4200, ext. *1051.
Recreation and Parks Board Meeting Date Change
The Recreation and Parks Board meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday, November 3, has been changed to Wednesday, November 2. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., in the commissioners meeting room inside the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown.
Recreation and Parks Board meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of each month, at 5:30 p.m.. unless otherwise noted.
For more information, please contact the St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks at 301-475-4200, ext. *1811.
Museum Board of Trustees to Hold Special Meeting
The St. Mary's County Museum Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to hear a presentation of the draft St. Mary's County Tourism and Hospitality Master Plan on Friday, November 4 at 1 p.m. The meeting will take place in Room 14 inside the Potomac Building, 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, Maryland.
Museum Board of Trustees meetings are generally held every other month, on the second Monday of the month, beginning in January, in Room 14 of the Potomac Building.
For more information, please contact the St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks at 301-475-4200, ext. *1811.
Next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event is November 19
With the arrival of fall comes time to clean out barns, basements, sheds, garages and storage areas under kitchen sinks to properly discard of potentially toxic/dangerous materials.
The St. Andrew's Landfill will host a Hazardous Waste Collection day event on Saturday, November 19 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Hazardous waste items which will be accepted for collection include Acids, Ammonia, Bleach, Cleaners, Fuels, Gas/Oil Mixtures, Gasoline, Household and Lawn Pesticides, Mercury Thermometers, Photography Chemicals, Pool Chemicals, Solvents, Wood Preservatives, Paint Thinners, and Alkyd (oil-based) Paint. Since Latex Paint is not considered hazardous, it can be disposed with your regular trash collection as long as the mixture is harden by adding absorbents (cat litter, sand, sawdust, or paint drying crystals) prior to disposal. If, however you are unable to do so, Latex Paint will also be accepted.
Items which will not be accepted include Ammunition, Asbestos, Explosive Materials, Medical Waste, Pharmaceuticals, Radioactive Materials, and Picric Acid.
For more information please contact the St. Mary's Department of Public Works and Transportation at 301-863-8400. You can also log on to their website www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/Household.asp
Commissioners Mourn Loss of Former Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Bill Scarafia
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County are saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Scarafia. The former CEO and President of the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce passed away Monday in Washington DC. Mr. Scarafia retired from his post at the Chamber in June after leading that organization for 14 years. He was instrumental in assisting, supporting and promoting businesses in St. Mary's County through a broad range of economic development, education and legislative initiatives.
While with the Chamber, Mr. Scarafia served a diverse Board of Directors, representing retail and service businesses, defense contractors and institutional partners such as the Board of Education and county government.
"We are very grateful for his leadership with the Chamber and service to St. Mary's County in his continued efforts to diversify our economy," said Commissioner President Randy Guy. "His presence will be greatly missed."
Mr. Scarafia provided steadfast leadership, support and mentoring to countless volunteers who served on the organization's Board and numerous subcommittees. But he was best known for placing the business community's needs above personal considerations, working tirelessly to attract new business and enhancing business growth.
"I am deeply saddened by his death. He was an inspiration and leader guiding and reshaping the Chamber," said Commissioner Todd Morgan (4th District). "He constantly worked for the businesses and people of St. Mary's County and smiled at their successes. Most noticeably, he never took the limelight ... usually shunning it. Our condolences are extended to his family."
"As a former Chamber Chairman of the Board I can tell you Bill worked tirelessly for the betterment of our County businesses," said Commissioner Tom Jarboe (1st District). "He was highly respected by his peers around the State of Maryland and was constantly being recruited by the bigger counties. He was a pivotal plank owner in the process of economic diversity for our county. He was a truly wonderful person and I will miss him greatly."
Mr. Scarafia served on the St. Mary's County Economic Development Commission and played a pivotal role in organizing a trade mission in 2015 to Huntsville Alabama to learn how that city successfully diversified its economy.
"I'm very saddened to hear of Bill's passing," said Chris Kaselemis, St. Mary's County Economic Development director. "He was a tremendous help to our department, as he was to me personally. He worked hard to improve the economy of St. Mary's County."
Commissioners Take a Stand in War on Drugs
Like many communities across America, St. Mary's County has experienced numerous problems associated with illicit drug use and those who traffic in them. Governments and community leaders know citizen support is one of the most effective tools in the effort to reduce the use of illicit drugs. With that as a foundation the Commissioners of St. Mary's County recognized the Red Ribbon Campaign and the Southern Maryland Young Marines in their continuing efforts to curb illegal drug use in the county.
Congress established the Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988 to encourage a drug-free lifestyle and involvement in drug prevention and education efforts. This year the week of October 21 - 29 has been designated National Red Ribbon Week. Americans are encouraged to wear a red ribbon to show their support for a drug-free environment. The 2016 National Red Ribbon theme is "YOLO. Be Drug Free" (YOLO stands for You Only Live Once).
"There is hope in winning the war on drugs, and that hope lies in education and drug demand reduction, coupled with the hard work and determination of organizations, such as the Southern Maryland Young Marines, to foster a healthy, drug-free lifestyle," said Commissioner Todd Morgan (4th District).
In proclaiming National Red Ribbon Week, the commissioners urged citizens to join them in marking the observance now and throughout the year.