Published on: Thursday, January 26, 2012

By Mary McHale

Andrews’ West Gate to reopen for pedestrians

The West Gate at Joint Base Andrews is due to open for pedestrian use this month. After Sept. 11, 2001, it was considered a security risk and was closed. Opening now, with more security in place, it will offer a safe drop-off location for personnel using Metro. It will provide easier access for some of the 3,000 or so who are relocating to Andrews through the Pentagon’s base realignment.

The West Gate, which is on Allentown Road across from the Andrews Manor Shopping Center, was built in the 1940s. It used to have heavy vehicle traffic. It is hoped that now, with more pedestrians around, the shopping center will see new commercial opportunities like restaurants, a bank, a drug store and a Woolworth’s.

Neighbors

Dwight “Chipper” Holloway flew in from London for a five-day Christmas holiday with his parents, Dwight and Ruby Holloway, of Skyline. 

Some of you may remember my neighbor Virginia Stine. She was a member of Bells Church and had a kindergarten there for a few years. Anyway, she writes that she turned 90 in May and had successful cataract surgery in November. She lives alone, except for her 24-pound cat Pierre and a new kitten someone left on her porch.

Condolences to Winnie Lanehart, of Skyline, on the death of her brother, Leroy Bowie, a retired Navy man who passed away Jan. 11 in Glen Burnie. 

Reminders

The price of a first-class stamp is now 45 cents, up one penny. However, from now on, all first-class stamps will be Forever stamps — good for first-class, forever. Each additional ounce is 20 cents; postcards, 32 cents; first class to Canada and Mexico, 85 cents; other international destinations, $1.05. How many of you remember when you could mail a letter for three cents and a postcard for a penny?    

Coming up

Mount Calvary Catholic School, located at 6704 Marlboro Pike in Forestville, is hosting a Valentine’s Cabaret from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 11. Sponsored by the Home and School Association to benefit the Technology Department. Music will be by The Amazing DJ 640. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Free set-ups. Call 301-735-5262 for information and tickets.

Celebrate Darnall’s Chance’s Scottish heritage and partake in a cozy winter afternoon tea at 2 p.m. Feb. 25. Come enjoy the tastes and sounds of Scotland. Capacity is limited. Reservations and payment ($20) are required in advance. Call 301-952-8010. Darnall’s Chance is at 12800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro.

Remembering Christa

Christa McAuliffe was an American teacher from Concord, N. H., and one of the seven crewmembers killed when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight on Jan. 28, 1986. 

She had been selected from more than 11,000 applicants to participate in the NASA Teacher in Space Project, was selected and became the first teacher in space. She was slated to conduct experiments and teach two lessons from space.

What’s relevant to us on the 26th anniversary of the tragedy? Her first teaching job was at Benjamin Foulois Middle School in Morningside. 

May they rest in peace

Jack W. Schoen, 82, formerly of Morningside and Suitland, died Jan. 13 at his home in Waldorf. He was born in Washington, D.C., to Thomas and Pearl Schoen. He was retired as manager for Columbia Auto Parts. His wife Catherine, sons Charles and Michael, daughters Donna Schoen and Eileen Culpepper preceded him in death. Survivors include son Timothy, 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), which took the lives of four of his children.

Ronald George Cunningham, 69, of La Plata, died Dec. 31 in Boston. He began his teaching career at Crossland High in 1964 as a social studies teacher. He later taught at Surrattsville and was principal of Bladensburg and High Point high schools. He served as Deputy Associate Superintendent of Schools in Charles County. He was a member of the Kiwanis, Elks, Rotary Club and United Way. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Mary Anne Cunningham and a son.

Milestones

Happy birthday to my great-grandson Jason Shearer, Jan. 22; Father Thomas LaHood and Yvonne Garvin, Jan. 27; Lisa Call, Jan. 29; David Call, Martha Kline and Joanne (Clark) Bunch, Jan. 30; Donna Young and Robin Sawyer, Feb. 1; Skyline Citizens President Stanley Holmes and Wilma Martin, Feb. 2.

Will the groundhog see its shadow?