Published on: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

By Mary McHale

50th reunion coming up for Suitland’s Class of ’63

Suitland High’s Class of 1963 is celebrating its 50th reunion on July 13 at the Sheraton in Calverton. Forty-six alumni have already signed up. Now, Carolyn Hartsock Fonner is looking for another 150 to send in their registration forms.

The Class of ’63 also invites friends from the classes of 1961, ’62, ‘64 and ‘65. As for faculty, Mr. Gough and his wife are planning to attend.

For information or to sign up, email Carolyn Fonner or call her cell at 843-855-2768.

The reunion will be at the Sheraton Hotel, 4095 Powder Mill Road in Calverton (Exit 29B off 95), beginning with a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:45, and a DJ and dancing until 10. The night before, there will be a Casual Friday Drop-in (cost not included) with live music from 6 to 10 p.m. Group rate for guest rooms is $89 for a double or queen, if reservations are made by June 1. Call the hotel at 301-937-4422.

Neighbors

I looked over the reunion list and see two Morningside names, Jimmy Rainwater and Mary Lou Geist. Are there more?

Morningside holds its monthly Town Hall meeting at 8 p.m. March 19. Morningsiders should be there for the latest news on the town’s election coming up in May.

I have enjoyed having my daughter Kathleen Shearer visiting me from West Chester, Ohio. We had a family reunion to celebrate my son-in-law John Mudd’s 50th birthday and my birthday (no age given). We’ve also been doing jigsaw puzzles and following the Conclave news from Rome.     

La Reine graduate honored

Author A. J. Verdelle, who was known as Angela Jones when she attended La Reine High School, has been chosen as a judge for this year’s PEN/Faulkner Award. She graduated in 1978 from La Reine, in Suitland, and received degrees from the University of Chicago and Bard College. Her first novel, “The Good Negress,” was published to considerable acclaim in 1995 and was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award that year. She has taught at Princeton University, Vermont College, and currently in the MFA program at Lesley University.

Coming up

Spring Shred Day at Andrews Federal Credit Union is set for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 20. The address is 5711 Allentown Road in Camp Springs.

May they rest in peace

Edwin C. Eads, 85, former president of the Oxon Hill Lions Club, died Feb. 23. He was a resident of Wake Forest, N.C., and formerly of Fort Washington. He was an avid golfer and member of the Heritage Golf Club and Legends. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Shirley Thorne Eads; daughters Deborah Reischman and Susan Carskadon; son Christopher Eads; a brother; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Donald Lee “Donnie” Powell, 77, owner of Powell’s Automotive in Oxon Hill for more than 30 years, died Feb. 26. He was the husband of the late Joan R. Powell; father of Wendy Merry, Robert Powell and Jody Pyburn; grandfather of two; brother of George Powell, Mary Knight, Nancy Smith and the late Kenneth and Edward Powell.

Marion Louise Asare, of Skyline, who knew several U. S. Presidents, died Jan. 17. She grew up in Washington, graduated from Cardoza and got a job at the Washington Nursing Home where she met her husband. They married in 1975. She went to work for the Postal Service and was assigned to the White House mailroom. While attending White House Christmas parties, she met Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton, and their wives. She joined the National Church of God and worked with the Children’s Ministry. Survivors include her husband Edward Asare; sons Gregory, Reginald and Ellex; three brothers and two sisters.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Jacob Thompson, Jose Gryskewicz and Jonathan Capps, March 15; Constance Bennett and my great-grandson Riley McHale, March 16; Dottie Carroll, March 17; Sharon Ryan, Helene Williams, Judy Bornman and Alysha Perez, March 18; Kristopher Calhoun and Audrey Pridgen, March 19; Russ Kyser, March 21; Matthew Curcio-Bobbitt and Dejuh Bedewi, March 21.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my Irish readers!