Published on: Wednesday, August 25, 2010

By Mary McHale

Camp Springs church suffers extensive storm damage

Violent thunderstorms tore through our area last week, bringing down trees, flooding streets and basements, and leaving thousands of us without power and traffic lights. As it raged on, the storms tore a 50-foot hole in the roof of the From the Heart Ministry Church in Andrews Manor, flooding the building. A dozen children and four adults had to be removed from the building, and gas and electricity were turned off. I talked to an official of the church who said the damage is extensive and that it will be some time before they can reopen for services. Water-removal trucks have been at the church, vacuuming out the sanctuary, and a dumpster is parked outside for ruined things.

Pastor John A. Cherry II heads the congregation of more than 23,000. From the Heart Ministries moved from Temple Hills to 4809 Allentown Road in April 2009 after extensive remodeling and furnishing (the building had opened in the 1960s as Levitz Furniture Company).

Due to the damage, services and Bible Study are being held at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

Baby Ma’Leyah

Stanley Holmes, of Skyline, flew to Colorado to welcome his newest granddaughter, Ma’Leyah Monique Holmes-Cooper, daughter of Monique and Dwight, Aug. 16, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. She is the great-granddaughter of Shirley Holmes and the little sister of 4-year-old MaKyla.

Neighbors

Marie “Dolly” Williams, of Auth Village, was honoree at an 80th birthday party Aug. 14 in St. Philip’s Social Hall. About a hundred family and friends turned out for the occasion.

Agnes Koch, formerly of Morningside and Suitland, usually comes to town in autumn from Washington State to meet with friends at the Old County Buffet in District Heights. This year, however, she does not feel up to the trip and we will truly miss her visit. She turned 97 on July 26.

Tony Conto, Director of Fine Arts at Bishop McNamara High School, has been named president-elect of the Maryland Band Directors Association.

Janet Booth Kaye read my article last week, with the news that Morningside VFD’s Heavy Rescue Squad is the busiest in Maryland. “I well remember,” she wrote, “when there was no fire department for miles around. After the Hanie fire in Morningside, the people got together and decided to do something about taking care of that issue. My parents, Howard and Mary Booth, were among those who helped in the beginning.  They would be so pleased to hear of how successful the MVFD has been over all these years. I send them my congratulations on continuing their good work.” As for the Hanie fire, which she mentions, two died in a housefire on Pine Grove Drive in the early 1940s. In response, the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1944.

K of C officials installed

Grand Knight Robert White and council officers of St. Pius X, #4076, Knights of Columbus, were installed for the year 2010-11 beginning Aug. 5. The installation followed a Celebratory Mass concelebrated by Msgr. Richard Hughes, Fr. Jaime Hernandez and Fr. Peter Ajibola.

St. Bernardine’s Choir provided the music, accompanied on the piano by Tyler Joyner, the council’s Catholic High School Scholarship recipient two years ago.

A reception followed at the Council home, in Forestville, where Past Grand Knight Nolton Davis was presented his official “Who” membership and District Deputy Frank Italiano presented Grand Knight Robert White with a custom-designed photo album documenting events by year.

Approximately 75 friends and guests attended despite the severe storm.

Coming up

The Progressive Equestrian Therapy Horse Show (PETS) will be at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, Aug. 28, beginning at 9 a.m. Even if you do not know someone participating in PETS (a program to instruct riders with disabilities), you will find it inspirational to witness the skills of these individuals and the confidence that the riding experience produces. Free to spectators.

The Prince George’s County Fair will be held in Upper Marlboro Sept. 9 through 12. For information, go to www.countyfair.org.

A yard sale will be held on the grounds of the historic Dr. Samuel A Mudd Home in Charles County on Sept. 25, 7 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in selling items may contact Georgina Brinkman, 301-638-1146.

May they rest in peace

Virginia Louise (Twardowski) Moniz, 76, a member of the North Clinton Citizens Association and who helped organize their annual 4th of July parade, died Aug. 1. She lived in Clinton, and later Fort Washington. She was born in New Bedford, Mass., graduated from Boston University and had been a physical therapist at Pennsylvania State University. She cared for a disabled child and worked with the SPRED (special religious education) Program at St. Philip’s. Her husband William B. Moniz Jr. died in 1993. Survivors include six children, John, David, Paul, William, Linda Moniz and Stephanie Oetjen, and 14 grandchildren.

Virginia Irene Lloyd, member of the District Heights Homemakers, founding member of the Women’s Alliance at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, and pianist at Davies and Bradburn Memorial churches, died in her sleep at her home in Columbia on Aug. 9. She was born on Christmas Day 1925, grew up in Old Greenwich, Conn., trained as laboratory assistant, and worked at labs in New York City. She met Archie E. Lloyd while he was attending Merchant Marine Academy. They married in 1953 and moved to District Heights. Archie made his career with the U.S. Navy Hydrographic (later, Oceanographic) Office. Archie died in 1983. Survivors include sons William and Steven, three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Burial was at Cedar Hill. A celebration of her life will be held at Davies Memorial, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Melody Barnes, Aug. 20; Austin Michael Fowler, Aug. 21; Wayne Anderson, Barbara Phipps and Gavin Michael Glaubitz, Aug. 22; Joseph R. Maiden, Jr., Aug. 23; and my son Brian McHale, Aug. 25.