Published on: Wednesday, November 03, 2010

By Peggy Dee

Hyattsville VFD 5 Mile Run

Our Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department sponsored its first annual 5 Mile Run on Saturday, Oct. 23. The loop course started at the fire station and ran through all 5 wards of the city.  I enjoyed watching the run when it came through my area, Ward 3. A very interesting award ceremony took place after the run. All proceeds from the race will go to the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department.  Immediately after the award ceremony, our fire department hosted its annual open house. It was an exciting day and a grand time was had by kids of all ages.

Improvement project nearing completion

The Maryland National Park and Planning Commission is nearing completion on their field improvement project behind the Home Depot on East West Highway. The project should be completed in November.

Leaf collection

Remember, our leaf collection resumed Nov. 1 and should last through Dec. 17. The routes are unchanged from last year.

Seniors events

I want to remind all seniors there is a weekly bingo each Wednesday morning inside the building at Magruder Park.  The games start at 10 a.m. and end at noon.

New members are always welcome to the monthly meetings and events of the St. Mark’s Seniors which are held in the activities room next to St. Mark’s Church on Adelphi Road. If you would like more information on St.Mark’s, kindly give me a call. At this time, we are planning our annual holiday party on Dec. 8.

Prince Georges’ Travelers

I just want to remind everyone of a holiday trip on Sunday, Dec.5, sponsored by Margritt Vausse and her Prince Georges’ Travelers. They plan to go up to the Old Opera House Theater in Charles Town, W.Va. to see “White Christmas.” After the show, they will proceed to The Bavarian Inn at Shepardstown, W.Va. for dinner. This should be a wonderful trip.  If you are interested, please call Margritt at 301-356-5566.

Halloween memories

I enjoyed talking to so many of you who called me concerning Halloween memories of the past. A few of the callers went back 20 to 25 years and stressed that the kids, in those days, knew all of their neighbors. The children attended the Hobo Dinner at Magruder Park and went trick or treating after the dinner. At the Hobo Dinner, costumes were judged and prizes awarded. Many of you remember the carved out pumpkins with lit candles that were put out on the porches. Some of the children had grown and moved away but brought their children back to Hyattsville and the old neighborhood, because it just seemed more like Halloween.

Hyattsville history: 1942 

The first item rationed was rubber, in January. During the first month, only 65 tires and 54 tubes were available countywide for passenger cars and just 107 tires and 89 tubes for trucks and buses. Sugar was next. In late April, all retailers, wholesalers, industrial and institutional users were required to register for allotments of sugar; consumers registered in early May and were issued ration cards. The amount one could purchase depended on the availability of sugar at the time.