Published on: Wednesday, September 01, 2010

By Mary McHale

“Morning-Side-Lines” September 1960

The Women’s Civic Group, of Morningside, was organized in September 1952 with 22 women present at the first meeting.   Their legacy includes five or six editions of the Directory of Morningside, Maryland, the first of which was issued in 1953.  It included not only names, addresses and phone numbers of virtually everyone in Morningside and near-by Skyline, but also a one-page history of the town, lists of officials and organizations, and local ads. 

The women organized the annual Mother’s March on Polio, spruced up the town hall, made cash donations to the Suitland Library and town organizations, sponsored an annual Meet-Your-Candidate Night and presented each new mayor a gavel inscribed with his name and date.

For about six years they issued Morning-Side-Lines, a monthly newsletter delivered free to all the residents.  I have copies of those newsletters.  Let's go back 50 years to the September 1960 issue and see what's going on in the Town:

The Women’s Civic Group just elected officers for the coming year, including Helen Hooper, president; Betty King, vice-president; and Blanche McCormick, secretary.  John McAllister is president of the Morningside School PTA and Jack Schoen is vice-president.  The Morningside Co-op Kindergarten, taught by Mrs. Irene Smith, has elected Doris Goode president and Doris Gardner vice-president.  I note that I'm treasurer.

Mayor Leonard Gardner and the Town Council just approved a lengthy dog ordinance.  The road maintenance contract was discussed, and complaints are being issued to WSSC regarding sanitary conditions around the construction of their trunk sewer line.  The Council has appointed Matthew Rosch to chief of police, Charles Kiker to assistant chief and L.M. “Dick” Wines to sergeant.

Jeanne West is reporter for the Ladies Auxiliary of the Morningside VFD and announces that they would be entering four teams in the County Auxiliary Bowling League.  R. West  reports on Cub Pack 282.  Teens are invited to come on out for the Teen Club dances at Morningside School.  Evelyn Poe’s Brownie Troop is holding its first meeting of the season and R. West gave a long report on the activities of the Morningside Recreation Council, of which Mr. Heflin is president.

Gertrude Langford, Arletta Jennings and Blanche McCormick edited Morning-Side-Lines.  They did a great job, back there 50 years ago.  By the way, I was given the scrapbook of the Women’s Civic Group by Thelma Schaub when she moved from Elgin Court about 20 years ago.  It is a great source of Morningside history.

Neighbors

Carolyn Stine Gotshall, formerly of Allies Road in Morningside, remains in the hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., going on three months now, due to complications following surgery.   It is hoped she can be transferred to a rehab facility if her condition improves.

On July 29, after 45 years of lost contact, another former Allies Road resident, Gilbert Zimmerman, was reunited with his daughter and grandson, Tish and PJ  Licciardone, of Florida.  Tish met her half-brother Gregory and his sons Gage and Gabriel for the first time, along with Gilbert’s wife Elizabeth. Another half-brother, Dustin, and his wife, were unable to attend but future get-togethers are planned.

Therese (McHale) Gallegos, formerly of Skyline, was presented her 20-year plaque in beginning-of-the-academic-year ceremonies last week at the University of Texas at Brownsville where she is an associate professor in the Department of English & Communication.  In addition to teaching at UTB, she says she has “three great kids, two irritating cats, a yard full of wary birds, and a rough draft of the next great science fiction trilogy.”

Get well wishes to Alan Pracht, Jr., who underwent extensive knee surgery this week.

Coming up

The Knights of Columbus, in Forestville, have their annual Crab Feast coming up Sunday, Sept. 5, 2 to 5 p.m.  Included are all-you-can-eat crabs, crab soup, fried fish, corn-on the-cob, hotdogs, hamburgers, watermelon, beer and soda.    Also: Big 6 Wheel, 50-50 and Pull-Tabs.  Tickets are $37 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under, when bought in advance; $40 for adults and $10 for children on the day of the event.

Clinton U. M. Church is holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Table rental, $10.  Refreshments available.  Call 301-868-1281.

There will be a retreat at the Loyola Retreat House, in Faulkner, Md., beginning Sept. 10, with registration 4 to7 p.m., and closing Sept. 12 after lunch.  Includes private room with half-bath, six buffet meals (crabcakes on Friday), freedom to attend the sessions of your choice, beautiful and restful overlook of the Potomac River.  This is an annual event for St. Philip’s Parish, but all are welcome.  For information about fees or directions, call Bill Malkowski, 301-423-0584.

Primary Elections, Tuesday, Sept. 11.  Do you know whom you're voting for?

Changing landscape

When we moved here in 1958, our two favorite restaurants were Hogate’s and Watergate Inn.  I know you old timers dined at those eateries. Watergate Inn is gone, making way for the Watergate complex and the Kennedy Center.  Hogate’s moved to 800 Water Street in1972 and closed a few years ago.   Last week, on Aug. 16, Hogate’s Seafood Restaurant finally met the wrecking ball.  “This is the beginning of the re-creation of the Southwest waterfront,” Mayor Fenty announced, referring to the 14 acres of parks, offices, cultural and retail space and 1,000 housing units being planned.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Shirley Holmes, Chris Busky, William Fowler and twins Anthony and Avery Simmons, Aug. 27; my daughter-in-law Michelle McHale, Aug. 29; Wanda Payne Simms, Bria Barbour-Ray, Denis Wood, Jai McCune and Caitlin Rose Woods, Aug. 30; Mary Berkley and Travis Mullins, Aug. 31; Judy Busky, Earl Simms, Rebecca Capps and my great-granddaughter Mary Adela McHale, Sept. 1; and Suzanne Kenney, Sept. 2. Happy 62nd anniversary to Aubrey and Annetta Pridgen on Aug. 27.