Published on: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

By Mary McHale

Suitland High seeking alumni for 50th reunion

Suitland High School’s Class of 1961 has started planning a celebration for its golden anniversary. The date and place for the bash is yet to be decided. 

The anniversary committee is trying to get in touch with former classmates to get their names and addresses. If you or someone you know is from the historic Class of ’61, contact Carolyn Greenwood at carolyn.greenwood@volvo.com or Anne Waple at cookieannie@msn.com.

Morningside and Skyline High School students attended Suitland High School back in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Mel Franklin invites you

County Councilmember Mel Franklin invites us all to his next District 9 Community Advisory Meeting at 7 p.m. March 24 at Accokeek Academy, in the Eugene Burroughs Building, 14400 Berry Road.

He and his staff welcome the opportunity to talk about the county’s agenda and to hear from you about such issues as smarter development in South County and better access to recreation. Representatives from Park and Planning will be present. 

Neighbors

County Executive Rushern Baker visited Crossland High School in Temple Hills on March 10.           

Anthony DeGennaro, who graduated from St. Philip’s School in 2003, has been awarded the Wu Fellowship for his doctorate studies at Princeton University, with a major in aerospace engineering and a second major dealing with military drones in the air and ocean. He is the son of Luigi and Valerie DeGennaro of Lake Ridge, Va.             

Lynda Bohannon, of Upper Marlboro, received the Manifesting the Kingdom award from Cardinal Donald Wuerl in January. The award is given to men and women who “demonstrate the presence of Jesus in their lives and have participated in exceptional service to the Church.” She has been a tireless worker at St. Philip’s Church for years.

Stan Holmes, president of the Skyline Citizens Association, recently flew home from Colorado, with only his “two princesses,” granddaughters ages six months and five years of age. Pretty brave, I think!

Sister Zion, of Pine Lane in Skyline, has returned from a three-month visit to her native country, Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa.

I’m enjoying a visit from my son Mike and his wife Sandy who flew in from El Paso, Texas. 

Tavern dinner at Darnall’s Chance

You are invited to a Colonial Tavern Dinner at Darnall’s Chance House Museum  from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday for the atmosphere and flavor of a mid-18th century tavern dinner in Upper Marlboro. 

Enjoy cider and ale. Following dinner, listen to Ship’s Company sing sea shanties and tavern songs of the period. Capacity is limited; reservations and payment are required in advance. Fees are $35 for residents and $42 for non-residents. Call 301-952-8010 for information and reservations.

Hat & Tea Social

Seniors, 60 and better, are invited to the 2011 Hat and Tea Social at the elegant Prince George’s Ballroom from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. Wear your favorite beanie, beret, top-hat, cap or bonnet, and enjoy a tasty assortment of teas, pastries and tea sandwiches, as well as live entertainment. Participate in the parade of hats and you may win a prize. Admission is $15 for residents and $18 for non-residents. Registration is required. Call 301-446-3420 or go to SMARTlink program #546064. 

At the Show Place Arena

Beginning the end of March, the Arena will feature five days of equestrian events, all held outdoors and free to spectators. March 19 to March 20 features the Southern Maryland Horse Association Show. March 26 to March 27 is the Best Horse Show. March 31 through April 3 is the Maryland National Horse Show. All begin at 8 a.m. The Show Place Arena is located at 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro. The Events Hotline is 301-952-7999.

Changing landscape

Fresh World, an “American & International Supermarket,” has opened at the former Giant in the Great Eastern Plaza in District Heights.    

Chevys Fresh Mex opened last week in the Brandywine Crossing shopping center, at 15914 Crain Highway. We lunched there on its second day in business, and appreciated the good food and the great service.           

Borders Group has filed for bankruptcy, and is closing 200 of its stores nationwide, including both Borders Book Stores in Prince George’s County located in Bowie and Largo. A tremendous disappointment! Fortunately, however, the Borders in Charles County has been spared.           

A stadium, featuring the Washington Kastles tennis team, will be built on the site of the former Hogates restaurant on the southwest waterfront. When we moved here in 1958, the old Hogates was our favorite eatery.

May they rest in peace

Beatrice Cecilia Parker Hall, 93, who retired from the federal government in 1975 after working at St. Elizabeths, the Veterans Administration and other federal agencies, died Feb. 3. She graduated with honors from Dunbar High School, and married Earl Joseph Hall in 1937. Her husband predeceased her. She was the mother of Barbara Henderson, Jacqueline Bell, Cynthia Stancil, and the late Reginald and Gerald Hall. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Bernardine’s in Suitland.

Marion Lackey Camp, 91, longtime resident of Camp Springs, died Feb. 18 in Mitchellville. She was born in Atlanta. Her husband, Army Lt. Col. John H. Camp, predeceased her. She was the mother of Marion C. Bagaglio, Charles Camp and the late Capt. John H. Camp Jr.; sister of Barbara Ginn and Donald Lackey; grandmother of four, great-grandmother of six. Memorial Mass was offered at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Temple Hills, with burial in the church cemetery.   

Milestones

Happy birthday to Sharon Ryan, Helene Williams, Judy Bornman and Alysha Perez, March 18; Kristopher Calhoun and Audrey Pridgen, March 19; Arnie Calhoun, March 20; Wes Kyser, Russ Kyser, Matthew CurcioBobbitt and Dejuh Bedewi, March 21; Ruth Anthony, my great-grandson Jack McHale and Hudson Murphy Glaubitz, March 23; and Lewis Woods, March 24.

Happy anniversary to Morrine and Harold Wilson on March 22, and to my daughter Kathleen and Jim Shearer, their silver anniversary on March 22.