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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR MAY 8, 2003

On May 15, I will have the honor of being accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution. I have no idea if any of you understand this since I hardly understand it myself, but it has taken the better part of two years to get all of the information together. When my mother gave me a little book that explained her ancestry, I had no idea that it would come to this day. It seems that I have an ancestor who is considered a "Patriot" which gives me the ability to call myself a "Daughter of the American Revolution." He did not actually fight in the war, but he helped George Washington's troops with the leather that they needed to fight the war as this was his occupation. Apparently, my mother was a member, but I never knew, and after all the work we did trying to find the information, it turned out that was all we needed to know. Anyway, I was not too excited when it all began, but I feel really great about it now.

The National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial is celebrating National Police Week May 11 through 17 with an Annual Blue Mass, the Law Ride Charity Poker Run, the 8th Annual Law Ride, Police Unity Tour Arrival Ceremony, the 15th Annual Candlelight Vigil, the eighth annual emerald Society and pipeband March, a wreathlaying ceremony, and the 4th annual National Police Challenge 50 kilometer relay race. They are asking that we fly our American flag during that week to honor our law-enforcement officers and at half-staff on May 15 to honor those who have fallen.

On May 13, from 7 am to 7 pm, the Corcoran Art Gallery is sponsoring a bus tour to visit elegant plantations on the James River in Charles City County. The first visit will be to Shirley Plantation, the oldest one in Virginia, then the Berkeley Plantation which is the site of the first official Thanksgiving in 1619, and then the Westover which was built in 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. The day will conclude with a tour and wine tasting at Williamsburg Winery. On May 19, the Gallery will have a program called Talking Movies with the Movie Guys. If you are interested in either of these events, or visiting the gallery, call them at 202-639-1770.

Happy Birthday in May to Alvera Walthen May 1, Eda Brawner and Thomas Smith, May 2, Willie Lee Bowden, May 3, Billy Lederer and Alice Smolinski, May 4, Fay Smith and Mabel Vaughn May 5, Mary Mynor and Jean T.Beall, May 6, Bessie May Zingraff, May 8, Dick Statler, May 10, Patsy Moreland, Celeste Felious, Helen Janowiak and Mary Ritchey, May 12, Joyce Peay, May 13, Mildred Fowler, May 17, Rowena Glass, May 19, Janet Duty, May 20, Ruth Webb, May 21, Mary Stoutmyer, May 24, Betty Crompton, Norma Edwards and Agnes Spicer, May 25, Judy Beach, Laila M. Lyle, and my grandson, Trevor Donaldson, May 26, Robin Collins, May 27, Alice Weaver, May 28, Thomas Skinner, May 29, Faye Rogers, Delia Chatman and Lucie Webner, May 30.

Some of the interesting information that the U.S. Census has come up with is U.S. consumption of red meat and poultry rose from 63 billion pounds in 1990 to 76 billion pounds in 2000, a 21%increase; in 1999, police stopped over 19 million drivers at least once; as of February 2000, the average American had worked for their current employer a median of 3.5 years, fewer than 1 in 10 workers were with the same employer for 20 years or more; the number of women operating farms rose from 145,000 in 1992 to 165,000 in 1997. During the same time period the number of black farm operators fell from 19,000 to 18,000 and the number of Hispanic farmers increased from 21,000 to 28,000; about 1 million people were involved in violent acts with intimate partners, which is down from 1.2 million five years ago. The amount of ice cream eaten annually by one person has risen from 15.8 pounds in 1990 to 16.8 pounds in 1999.

Andrews Air Force Base 89th Comm. Squad. Airmen's Attic is looking for donations of furniture, including microwaves, washers and dryers, to benefit airmen and their families. Pickup is available. Call 301-873-8716 or 301-981-5178.

If you are in need of a hall for an event, the Boulevard Heights Fire Department is offering their place. Call 240-398-6111 or 202-321-2950.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is offering the brochure, Cash for College, to help high school juniors prepare for college. Call 410-260-4565 or 800-974-1024.

Habitat for Humanity of Prince George's County is offering kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, carpet, appliances and more at its Thrift/Resale Shop in Brentwood. Call 301-779-1912.

Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract, is offering a guided walk for all ages to search for birds on May 10 at 8 am. Field guides and binoculars are recommended. This is a free event, but reservations are required. Call 301-497-5887.

Fortune cookies were actually invented in American by a man named Charles Jung. There is not much point in waiting for one when you are at a restaurant in China, because you won't get one.

The Shadyside Rural Heritage Society is offering a bus trip to Stratford Hall and George Washington's birthplace on May 23.There is a fee and reservations are required. Call 410-867-2866 (by May 2).

Knights of Columbus St. Columcille Council #5317 is looking for vendors and crafters for its flea market on May 3 from 8 am to 2 pm at 1637 Tucker Road in Ft.Washington. Call 301-839-1347.

His Lordships' Kindness on Woodyard Road is offering a talk on the history of jazz and blues in Prince George's County with freshly brewed coffee, light refreshments and jazz recordings on May 3 from 2 to 6 pm.Proceeds will benefit a homecoming event honoring the legacy of the African American presence at Poplar Hill, to be held in June. For reservations, call 301-856-0358.

ToastmastersInternational helps individuals learn the art of speaking, listening and thinking, vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster understanding and contribute to the betterment of mankind. Call 301-932-9907.

Use empty toiletpaper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

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

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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