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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR JULY 10, 2003

This past week, I spent some time in Baltimore with my friend, Rose Hoffman, attending some of the Star Spangled Rails convention. The train rides were fun, and I really enjoyed the museum at Muddy Creek in Pennsylvania. It reminded me of the Rural Life Tool Museum at Patuxent River Park where I work. They had a real player piano, and any of you who remember those will know how much fun that was.

At the Charles County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in La Plata, a big 100th birthday party was held on June 29 for Peter Paul Weiland. Paul was born in Berlin, Germany in 1903. In 1920, he came to America and worked on a farm in Pennsylvania for his uncle to pay back his passage. When he moved to New York City a few years later, he met Antowine Presby who was from Poland and they were soon married. In 1960, the Weilands moved to Binghamton, New York, and opened two coffee shops. Paul ran one and Antowine the other. They retired in 1966 and moved to Florida. They attended church faithfully until Antowine had several strokes and became bedridden. In January 2000 they were moved to La Plata and Antowine was placed in the Nursing Home. During a visit to the nursing home, Paul fell and broke a hip. He soon moved in with her and never left her side until she passed away in 2001. He still says she was the most beautiful woman God ever made. When asked what he would like for his birthday, he said he wanted Patrick Tweed to play his favorite song, Lieberstraum by Franz Liszt on the piano. Patrick is a senior at Gwynn Park High School (and my neighbor), who plays the piano and trumpet. Patrick brought the words to the song in German and English so that anyone who wanted could join in the singing. Patrick and his friend, Josh from Las Vegas, played a jazz duet on the piano after that and then he played the trumpet for Paul to sing the Star Spangled Banner and American the Beautiful. As a wonderful ending to the program, Patrick played two trumpets at the same time. Paul said if he was asked how to live 100 years, it would be to find a good mate.

Recently, I received an email telling about a new worry about breast cancer. It seems that if you get a rash on the top of your breast, it can be this new type of cancer. Sometimes a mammogram will be clear and not show anything, which will make the doctors think it is just an infection of some type. The name of it is Paget's Disease, and it appears on the nipple and aureola. It can become a lesion with a crusty outer edge. It may itch or become sore. If you have anything like this, or know someone who does, be sure they let their doctor know to check for cancer.

The American Cancer Society is urging women to be informed anout the importance of breast health and is recommending monthly self-examinations, doctor examinations every year over age 40, and regular mammograms, starting with a screening mammogram by age 40. Call 410-721-4304 or 410-793-3989.

A Flea Market and Bazaar is being held this Saturday, July 12 at the Lake Arbor Foundation Center in Mitchellville from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Call 301-499-4650 for more information.

Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse is holding a Basket Bingo as a fundraiser for project Graduation, an alcohol- and drug-free celebration for Calvert County high school graduates on August 3 at noon at the Fairgrounds on Route 231. Call 410-535-3733 for more information.

Boys and girls age 8 to 18 who are interested in learning about rabbits can join the Charles County 4H Rabbit Club. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Call 301-753-9720.

McDonough High School is looking for girls who want to play soccer. They need players of all skill levels for the fall JV and Varsity teams. Call 301-705-8881.

Foreclosure Assistance and Referral Network has counselors available to answer questions for those facing foreclosure or who want to be informed of their rights. This is a free program. Call 800-918-6628.

The Charles County Chapter of the American Red Cross is having a fundraiser golf classic on August 29 in Swan Point. There will be lunch, an awards dinner, auctions and entertainment. There is a fee for this event. Call 301-934-2066 for information.

Camp TSAR in Alexandria is holding a track and field summer camp for ages 8 to grade 12 from July 28 to August 1. Call 703-961-8555 for more information.

The Kettering Civic Federation is looking for crafters and food vendors for the Community Pride Day at Old Mill Park in Kettering on September 13 from 11:30 am to 5 pm. Call 301-218-0258.

If any of you out there are wondering what might be going on with Socks, President Clinton's cat, he is alive and well, and living still with Betty Currie, President Clinton's former secretary. At our United Democratic Women's Club meeting this month, we were honored by a visit from the two of them. Socks still looks good, but he is getting old so he just sat around a lot.

Encouragement is the greatest shot in the arm.

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

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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