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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR JUNE 6, 2002

     Highland Park High School was built in 1928 as the second high school in the county for African Americans. It was built with financial assistance from the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which contributed to the building of nearly 5000 public schools from 1917 to 1932. All of these schools were built in what was considered the south. Highland Park was one of seven such schools in Prince George's County, and is the only one still being used as a school. On May 28, Rose and I went to the dedication of a marker to remind us of the school's beginning. Our Clinton American Legionwas originally built as one of those schools.

      The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) still celebrates Memorial Day on May 30, and I was privileged to be an attendee at Post 9619's remembrance of those who have died in all of the wars our country has been involved in. It is always amazing to hear the number of our armed forces who have been lost in these altercations.

     Brandywine Lions Club put on a great Bluegrass Festival and antique car show on May 25 at their new place on Cross Roads Trail. They plan to have another one as a fundraiser for the folks involved in 9/11 on June 26. Plan to attend if you like Bluegrass.

     Every Saturday in July, the Chesapeake By Foundation will be having workshops to teach volunteers how to identify underwater grasses as part of an annual survey of the Bay's grasses. If you would like to be a part of this effort, give me a call, or send me an email by email - click this link.

     Port Tobacco Players will be performing ‚ ;"You Can't Take it With You", a really fun play, July 5 to 21. These plays are performed on the weekends only. If you are interested in attending, call 301-932-6819.

     The next tea at Billingsley House in Upper Marlboro will be a Summer Tea on July 21. If you would like to attend, call301-627-0730.

     Happy Birthday in June to Roy Bankert, June 1, Joe Devine, Sara Hutchison, and Fred Cross, June 2, June Carver, June 3, Estelle Congdon, June 10, Jan Lundstrom, and my great granddaughter Lacey Allison Barkhurst, June 13, Bob Medlen, June 14, Thelma McCauley, June 15, Corky Gryszkiewicz, June 16, Margaret Brown, June 17, Mickey Griggs, June 18, Margie Earnest, June 20, Steve Lundstrom, June 21, my twins, Dottie Ferrell, and Danny Fazenbaker, June 22, Angie Sepe, June 24, Maurice Monroe, Bryan Rupt and Eric Tinkham, June 25, my daughter, Janice Toepper, and Alice Simmons, June 26, Rose Hoffman, June 27, Mike Ben, June 29, Margaret Sheehan, Marlene Pace and Donald Moore, June 30.

     Sunday, June 9, will be the last Sunday for the libraries to be open until Fall 2002. If you need to find out what is happening at your local library, call 301-699-3500.

     If you like to garden, think about volunteering at Darnall's Chance in Upper Marlboro, the greenhouses at Randall and Old Maryland farms, Patuxent River Park, and Clearwater Nature Center. Call 301-249-7208 (TTY) 301-799-2544.

     An aquatics expert at the U.S. National Arboretum will present a program on creating container water gardens with a tour of the aquatic plant collection on June 8 at 9am. There is a fee and registration is required. Call 202-245-5898.

     A free outside game day for the kids will be held on June 8 from 2 to 4 pm at the Oxon Hill Methodist Church for age 6 to grade 6. Call 301-839-4748 for more information.

     The Lady Hawks Motorcycle Club is looking for items for its yard sale, with the proceeds to be used to purchase school supplies for a homeless shelter for children. Call 301-283-6266.

     To order a brochure giving housing facilities for the elderly and information on choosing the right option, finances and more, call 410-381-1176.

     Davidson Dance Club holds ballroom dances at Ford Hall, Queen Ann Bridge and Wayson Roads in Davidsonville on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, 8 to 11 pm,with a free dance lesson at 7 pm. There is a fee and for information, you should call 301-369-0013.

     The Washington, DC fire department was formed in the 1870s to replace all-volunteer units who often feuded with each other. (Has anything changed?)

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.

Archives: May 30, 2002

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