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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR AUGUST 8, 2002

Congratulations to Betty and Austin Patheo of Clinton, who are celebrating 59 years together on August 27. The Patheos have resided in Clinton for 55 years, in the same house. Let's all hope they have many more years to celebrate.

If you are a Democratic voter in Prince George's County, I hope you were one of the 60 people who came to the Candidates' Forum at the Brandywine Fire House on August 1. There were 31 candidates who spoke, and it was obvious that most of them knew that education is uppermost int he minds of most of the residents of this county. As usual, a lot of them made many promises, some they obviously would not be able to keep, but they want us to know they will try. I especially feel for those who are running for a seat they are never going to win, but I guess it depends on what you want to spend your money on.

From the Annapolis Report, I read that based on a framework formulated over a three-year period by the Thornton Commission, the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act will restructure Maryland's public elementary and secondary education financing system and phase in greatly enhanced State aid for education over a six-year period. Funding formulas link State student performance standards to adequate State school funding. Each school system will be required to develop a comprehensive master plan to improve performance in every segment of the student population. State funding may be withheld if a system does not progress or fails to develop an adequate plan.. By the 2007-2008 school year, every jurisdiction must provide full-day kindergarten for all students and make pre-kindergarten programs available to economically disadvantaged four-year-olds.

September 7 is the date for the next yard sale at Clinton Presbyterian Church, from 9 am to 2 pm, with a donation of $10 for a table or $8 for a space. There will be hot dogs and drinks for sale,and a rain date of September 14. Call 301-868-5585 or 301-868-0724.

Get revved up for the annual craft fair coming November 16 to St. John's Church Hall, sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. There will be a bake sale and lunch will also be available. For reservations, call Linda Heffron at 301-638-3333 or May Whittington at 301-868-1686.

Sometimes, I get carried away when I am telling you something I read in a particular newsletter, and apparently, that is what I did with the Surratt Society newsletter, when I implied that the Society was supporting a marker at the grave of John Wilkes Booth. I am told that is definitely not so, but they tell me that if you are interested in thesubject, they welcome your thoughts. Many of the articles in their newsletters are written by different people, and so the article would express the viewpoint of whoever is the author. Also, if you attend the banquet on September 27, you will hear a talk about the history of our Uncle Sam symbol by the person who plays Santa Claus during the Christmas season. Well, I hope I got it right!

If you are looking for a church family, and you are not too far from Faith United Methodist Church in Accokeek, I hope you will think of joining us some Sunday morning at 10:30 am for worship service. It looks like we may finally get to begin our services in the renovated Sanctuary some time this fall. We are a busy church, feeding about 100 homeless every Sunday, and taking care of 50 or so families in the area each week with a Food Pantry. There are Bible Studies during the week, two Sunday School classes for young people, and an adult Sunday School class at 9:15 am on Sunday, as well. At this time, we are looking for a piano/organ player, also. For any other information, you can call the church at 301-292-9104.

In case you would like to put your computer skills to work, Prince George's Community College is looking for volunteers who are familiar with word processing procedures to assist with the clean up of its donor database for a 1-to 3-hour period per week. Call 301-341-3088, if you are willing and have the time.

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself!

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.

2002 Archives: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1

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