Published on: Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Primary election

I have never been certain which school board district I’m in. How about you? I finally checked my Voter Notification Card and learned it is District 7 and I see, from the sample ballet I received in the mail, that there are four District 7 candidates for one seat on the Board of Education.

On Sept. 14, Prince George’s people will be heading to the polls to vote for their Board of Education candidate.

They will also be voting for governor and lt. governor, comptroller, attorney general, U.S. senator, U.S. representatives, state senators, state delegates, county executive, county council, state’s attorney, sheriff, judges of the circuit court, judge of the orphans’ court, clerk of the circuit court, register of wills, and the Democratic and Republican Central Committees.

The winning candidates will make a real impact on our lives here in Prince George’s County. So, I hope for a really good turnout.

For the first time, Maryland residents could vote early, Sept. 3 through Sept. 9. For the details go to MDEarlyVote.com or call 301-430-8020.

As for me, on Sept. 14, I will be at Skyline School, casting my votes.

Morningside reunion

There was a big Morningside reunion Aug. 21 at Douglas Patterson Park in Morningside. Willie Foreman was one of the planners and Mike Watson set up the food. I would like to hear from someone who was there. Call me or email muddmm@aol.com.

Coming up

Skyline Citizens will hold their general meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 in the Morningside Fire House.

The Morningside town meeting will be at the town hall at 8 p.m. Sept. 21.

A rummage sale will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 10 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 in the basement of St. John’s Church in Clinton. Proceeds benefit the Knights of Columbus charities. Call Donnie Miller, 301-297-9295, for more information.

St. Columba’s Legion of Mary Praesidium celebrates its ninth annual celebration of the Nativity of Our Lady on Sept. 11, beginning with the recitation of the Rosary at 8:30 a.m. and Mass at 9 a.m. A potluck reception will follow in Fr. Dewar Hall. St. Columba Church is at 7801 Livingston Road. All are invited. For information, call 301-630-0317.

Changing landscape

From the Heart Church Ministries, which sustained major water and other damage during recent storms, has set up a huge white tent on the parking lot in front of the church.  Services and Bible study are being held there while restoration continues in the church.

Motown Fashion is holding its Grand Opening in Andrews Manor Shopping Center.

A year ago, the Maryland State Police barrack in Forestville was slated to close and transfer policing to the College Park barrack. Well, it will close—but only temporarily, for renovations. It will reopen in a few months.

Remembering Mary

Mary McGrath was an amazing woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 30s but continued to live life to the fullest. Even in a wheelchair, she took up painting and babysat her grandchildren. Though she lost both legs to her disease, she volunteered at St. Francis Hospital’s rehab floor. And above all, she was the full-time matriarch of a loving family.

Mary Linda Mathieson was born in Washington, D.C. to Elwood and Bertha French Mathieson. In 1961, she graduated from Anacostia High School and married James R. McGrath. In the 1960s, the couple moved to Skyline, where she became involved in the community and was the first editor of The Skyline Newsletter. I spent many hours having coffee at her kitchen table and laughing. No one could cheer me up like Mary McGrath.

She died April 14 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka at the age of 67. Survivors include four daughters, Peggy, Judy, Patty and Evelyn; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Dr. Robert D. Mathieson and James D. Mathieson. She was predeceased by two siblings, Catherine and Elwood Mathieson, and a great-granddaughter.

In her last years, her family was able to buy and outfit a conversion van for her, and it literally changed her world.

Upon her passing, they donated all of their mom’s equipment to the organization that helped her make the most of those last years. Mary would have liked that.

May they rest in peace

Patricia Weir “Patsy” Loverin, longtime member of the Auxiliary of VFW Post 9619, Morningside, died Aug. 22 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center. She was the wife of Roy B. Loverin III; mother of Paul Bruce and Terri Bruce; stepmother of Michael R. Loverin and Roy Brown Loverin IV; grandmother of four. Burial was at Cheltenham.

Nora Rita Harvey, 91, of North Beach and formerly of Larkspur Road, died April 1. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., she married Stephen J. Harvey and they moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked at the Navy Yard. After moving to Morningside, she became a member of the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She loved her vegetable garden and grape vines and took pleasure in canning and making jelly. Her husband predeceased her. Survivors include son Richard N. Harvey, daughters Mary Ann Penn and Rita M. Pinedo, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Andrelic Howard, Fr. Arnold DePorter and Selaine Ealey, Sept. 3; Mary Mitchell and Loretta Carter, Sept. 4; Frank Howard, Justine Poe, Paul M. Locke, Irene Shanholtz and my granddaughter-in-law Nina McHale, Sept. 6; and Mike Dawes, Sept. 9.