Published on: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

By Mary McHale

Glaubitz Circle flag destroyed by Hurricane Sandy

The flag at Glaubitz Circle was left in tatters when Hurricane Sandy struck here in late October. Morningside Mayor Karen Rooker reports that the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW 9619 is helping to replace the flag.

The mayor said that flagpole has been there as long as she can remember. Years ago they used to hang a “Christmas tree” made of chain, lights and garland on the pole. The Holland family, who lived nearby on Randolph Road, graciously let them plug it in at their house.

The circle was named for and dedicated to Mayor Gerald A. “Jerry” Glaubitz, in ceremonies on Sept. 12, 2004. Former Gov. William Donald Schaefer was a delightful speaker for his “old friend Jerry,” Mayor Rooker emceed and Morningside Councilman Jim Ealey — who spearheaded the event — played “The Star Spangled Banner” on his harmonica. He also built the handsome pedestal for the plaque and, along with his wife Selaine Ealey, unveiled the plaque.

Jerry and Jean Glaubitz moved to Morningside in 1947. He was elected mayor in 1961, a job he held for 43 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in Maryland. He was a founder of the Morningside Fire Department, an officer in VFW 9619, president of the Maryland Municipal League, president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors, holder of hundreds of awards, and a really great guy. Jerry died April 26, 2005. I think he’ll appreciate a new flag.

Changing landscape

The Morningside Town Council has voted to add sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Lou Lane and Pickett Drive. Work should start this spring.

There is a new stop sign at the corner of Ames Street and Morgan Road, installed at the request of residents who had trouble getting out of their driveways before and after school at Imagine Morningside Elementary.

Happy birthday to Giant, which celebrated its 77th anniversary on Feb. 6 with a slice of birthday cake for shoppers between 3 and 8 p.m. on that date.  The first Giant opened at Georgia Avenue and Park Road in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 1936. Meanwhile, I’m still missing the Giant in Clinton. It is now a G Mart, which may not have opened yet.

Now that postage has crept up again, it looks like the U.S. Postal Service will discontinue Saturday delivery as of Aug. 5. I remember back in the 1940s when mail was delivered twice a day, six days a week.

And for a real big change: Monopoly let the public vote their least favorite piece — and the iron “won.” It makes sense. I don’t know anyone who irons anymore. And what is replacing the iron? A cat. It joins the racecar, thimble, boot, Scottie dog, battleship, top hat and wheelbarrow. How many Monopoly game pieces could you have named?

Neighbors

St. Philip’s Church housed 40 teens from Maine in town for the March for Life on Jan. 25. Emily Rose, Debbie Rose, Suzanne Hay and their volunteers fed them chili for dinner on Jan. 24, and fed and got them off the next morning for the rally and the march.    

May they rest in peace

Christina Miller Jones, 83, the first African-American woman from Prince George’s County elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, died Jan. 26, two days after being rescued from her burning home on Everest Drive in Temple Hills. Morningside’s Rescue Engine 27 was the first to arrive at the scene. A native of Texas and longtime resident of Temple Hills, Jones represented the 26th Legislative District in the House of Delegates from 1982 to 1994. She was also the first woman to serve as chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. She was a passionate advocate for education and a teacher in the Prince George’s Schools for 30 years.

Condolences to Dorothy Daniels, of Skyline, on the death of her mother, Mary Elizabeth Daniels, of Waldorf, who died Feb. 3 at the age of 91. Mary was born in Boulevard Heights, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Shipley. She was an executive secretary for the federal government in Washington, D.C., for 35 years and a member of Calvary U.M. Church in Waldorf from which she was buried. Her husband Richard Allen Daniels preceded her in death.  Survivors include her children, Richard A. (Karen) Daniels, Jr., Walter L. (Cheryl) Daniels, J. David Daniels and Dorothy Daniels, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Clifford Lantz, Feb. 19; Melissa Harnes and Paul Bornman, Feb. 20; Ray Short, Feb. 21; Father Bernard Ihrie, Feb. 23; and Larry Miller, Feb. 24. And a very special greeting to Eleanor Mote, of Camp Springs, who turns 90 on Feb. 18.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my readers!