Norma Jean's Column for Southern Prince George's County

CLINTON COLUMN FOR DECEMBER 18, 2003

The Christmas season is certainly a time for eating, and I can prove it, since I have attended six parties so far, with three more to go. Of course, if I could stay away from the new Ice Cream Factory in Brandywine, it would be better. So far, it has caused me to gain two pounds back from what I had lost, so I know I am going to have to cool it.

For the first time in my life, I was part of a living Nativity scene at the Calvary Methodist Church in Waldorf. Joyful Noise is the gospel group that I am singing with now, and we helped to make the evening very joyful. 

Brandywine Lions Club is sponsoring a "Recognition-Appreciation" Day in honor of Dr. Richard H. Dobson on December 28 at the Baden Volunteer Fire Department from 1 to 5 pm. Everyone is invited to participate in this occasion. Dr. Dobson started his medical practice in 1953 in Brandywine, and opened the Brandywine-Waldorf Clinic in 1959. This clinic was a major and innovative treatment facility serving most of Southern Maryland, with unusual service and availability. When I moved to the Brandywine area as a single mother, with four children, the Brandywine-Waldorf clinic became one of my most visited places. Dr. Dobson was always trying to make the children laugh, but as you can imagine, most of the time, it didn't work, especially if they were really sick. He was also the one who saved my life, when I woke up one morning spaced out and wondering what was wrong with me. My daughter took me to the clinic, and he knew right away it was my gall bladder. After emergency surgery, when my gall bladder was found gangrenous, and a five-day stay in the hospital, I had to thank God that Dr. Dobson had known what to do. It was a sad day when he decided to retire, and I know there are many others in the area who feel the same way. Join the Lions Club on December 28 to honor Dr. Dobson.

Happy Birthday in December to Josie Tweed and Betty Moore, December 2, Jan Kosak, Reba Plotts, and Denise Dinnis, December 5, Doris Moore, December 7, Jessie Clark and K Hunter, December 8, Eloise McMillion and Dot Moore, December 9, Dewie Williams, December 10, Sophie Hamel and Matt Zingraff, December 11, James Cleaveland, June Donley and Jean Oliver, December 12, Ottilie Jackson, Elaine Pullen and Mary Baucom, December 13, Dannie Lee, December14, Carolyn McKinney, December 15, Justin Thomas, my daughter, Joyce Donaldson, and Carlin Brown, December 16, Blanche Adams, December 17, Edna Stout, December 18, Jeffrey Guzman, December 19, Dolores Welch, December 20, Ann Chab and Beverly Carroll, December21, Rita Donovan, December, 22, Josephine Terri, December 24, Betty-Jo Bowden, December 25, my granddaughter, Christina Ratcliffe, December 26, Hilda Alcalde, December 29, and Chris Telemeco and Dorothy Donley, December 30

If you have not gotten your Christmas tree yet, check out Tanners Enchanted Forest on Baden Westwood Road. They are open only on weekends, but they have White and Scotch pine, Douglas and Fraser fir, Colorado and Norway spruce, wreaths, garlands, stands, and small potted trees. Take route 5 south, and then turn left on Brandywine Road. It will be eight miles to Baden Westwood Road.

As happens every year, Ford's Theatre is presenting "A Christmas Carol." The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future come to life as they warm the heart of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, in this timeless classic of redemption and charity. Be sure to partake of this play somewhere. Ford's theatre does it best.

Although I have had this information in the column before, perhaps some of you are new readers, so I will tell you again that if you have a United States flag that is tattered or torn, you can turn it in to any American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars. They will dispose of it correctly.

Adult Day Care of Calvert County is looking for donations of a scale, steam cleaner, cleaning supplies, dishcloths/towels, a dish drain, motor oil, antifreeze, a file cabinet, lounge chairs/sofas, shelves, exhibit booth, manila folders, pens, tape, board games, musical instrument, nail polish, crafts, fabric, picture frames, and much more. Call 410-535-0133 if you can help.

Longwood Community Center is looking for crafters for its Show and Tell Craft Show on March 24. Call 301-570-1200 if you can help.

Conception occurs more often in December than any other month.

Norma Jean Fazenbaker's column can be found in the Clinton Gazette, Prince George's Post, Prince George's Sentinel, and the Enquirer Gazette. You can contact Norma Jean by email - click this link.

2003 Archives: Jan. 2, Jan. 9, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 16, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 4, Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11

2002 Archives: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 18, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 26

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