Published on: Thursday, September 20, 2012

By Mary McHale

First Suitland High grads remember the good times

Former Morningsider Janet Booth Kaye attended the reunion for Suitland High School classes 1952 and 1953 — the first graduating classes — on Sept. 5 at the Rod ‘N’ Reel in Chesapeake Beach. About 40 turned out for the occasion.

“I enjoyed seeing a few people I knew from Morningside, Bill Schaub and Charlie Phillips,“ she wrote. “I may have missed others, but with it being 60 years ago that we graduated, it was amazing to laugh and talk with these childhood friends. What a great childhood I remember from that little town.

“During our meal together, we noted that the Chesapeake Bay seemed to have disappeared before our eyes. At one moment, the clouds surrounded the area and the rain poured. But we were all snug and happy inside and the party went on. It was a memorable event.”

Skyline flea market

The Skyline Citizens Association is hosting a flea market at the Morningside Fire Department from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Tables are $13. There will also be a fish and chips combo for $4, hotdogs, chips, brownies and beverages. To reserve a table or for other information, call Suzanne or Spivey at 240-838-6412.

Suitland festival

The Suitland Recreation Council, in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, invites you to the 14th Annual Suitland Festival and Community Social Reform Breakfast at the Suitland Community Center, located at 5600 Regency Lane in Forestville, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6.

Among the special features are a car show, live entertainment, great food, vendors, youth artistic showcasing, health care resources and screenings, employment resources, sporting tournaments and competitions and award ceremonies. For information, go to www.suitlandfestcdc.org.

Immigrants “Lost in Detention”

You are invited to a free viewing and discussion of “Lost in Detention.” The film exposes the imprisonment, isolation, confusion and harm experienced by immigrants in the long and painful deportation process. This will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 7400 Temple Hill Road in Camp Springs. Refreshments will be available. For information, email adultre@dmuuc.org or call 301-449-4308.

Women’s Conference

Carolyn Pruitt, of Suitland Road Baptist Church, says, “Ladies, let us worship together” at the 14th Annual Women’s Conference from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the church, located at 6412 Suitland Road. The theme of the conference is “A Hope Grounded in Christ.” Sister Sheila Hayes and Minister Beatrice Smith will conduct the conference.

There is a $25 fee for luncheon and materials. The deadline for payment is Sept. 30. For information, contact Carolyn at 301-735-4075.

Neighbors

Dwight and Ruby Holloway, of Skyline, enjoyed a recent visit from their son Dwight “Chipper” Holloway, who flew home from London to take his parents to Victoria, Va., for the picnic and homecoming of Calvary Baptist Church.

James Palmer is the new director of Loyola Retreat House in Charles County. He had been director of Development and Alumni Relations at Bishop McNamara High School, served as president of the Catholic Business Network, worked with SOME (So Others May Eat), and is a member of Mount Calvary Church. I made a wonderful retreat at the Loyola Retreat House last weekend.

Changing landscape

J’s Barber Shop 2 has opened at 6425 Suitland Road #103. Drop by and meet Jermaine, the owner and barber. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 301-278-5729.

“Market Trends,” in the Washington Post  on Sept. 15, reports that house sales in my zip code, 20746, are up 12 percent. The only areas higher are 20903, at 19 percent, and 20912, at 15 percent, in the College Park area. Yes!

May they rest in peace

Raymond H. Twine, freelance photographer and a resident of Suitland Road for nine years, died May 25. He was born in Washington, had a bachelor’s degree from University of the District of Columbia and a master’s in library media service from the University of Maryland. He had been retail manager for George’s Big & Tall. Survivors include his wife Gloria, daughters Gina, Starla and Raymonda, and stepsons Gregory and Anthony.

Bill Keck, a friend and longtime Skyline resident, died last week. I’ll pay tribute to him in next week’s column.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Betty Nagro, Sept. 21; Morningside Mayor Karen Rooker and Teresa Kessler, Sept. 22; Elizabeth Long, Mary Kilbride, Jean Davis and Raymond Short Sr., Sept. 23; Dottie Arehringer, Amy Schlor and Peg Richardson, Sept. 24; Alice Lucke and Judy Hansel Waby, Sept. 27.

Happy anniversary to Florence and Robert Cray, their 69th on Sept. 21; my son Brian and Carol McHale, their 22nd on Sept. 22; and Ken and Janet Kaye, their 58th on Sept. 25.

Janet writes that she and Ken were married at East Washington Heights Baptist Church and had a reception at Taylor Farms in Suitland.