Post on 08-Feb-2019
Volume 15, Issue 1 January 2017
RIVER VIEWS ASBURY SOLOMONS
John W. Williams, Jr.
Our Friend “Jack” By Margaret Hayes
Jack Williams may have been a SMECO Director and Treasurer for many
years, but to his longtime friends and neighbors in our community, he was truly
an Asbury Solomons TREASURE. The experience Jack gained in his career
served him well through his years as captain of the Thursday night Men’s Poker
group at Asbury and enabled him to become President of the Asbury Solomons
Investment Club, a most successful venture under his leadership.
It was in the early 1990’s that Jack began his involvement with Asbury
Solomons. In 1994 he and his wife Marjorie signed up to move into Asbury
Solomons when it opened as Asbury Solomons Island. He served on the first
Asbury Solomons Island Board of Directors. He was chairman of the Asbury
Foundation Board for a number of years and, along with the late Betty Peterkin,
co-chaired the financial campaign to raise money for Asbury Solomons. Also, he
chaired the first “Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament, an Asbury fund raising
event, and was heavily involved in subsequent tournaments. Jack not only liked
to play golf, but enjoyed other sports as well. He was a fan of Maryland
basketball. If the team had a Thursday night game he’d call me on a break from
poker with that familiar “Margaret. Jack” and ask what the score was.
Jack and his wife moved into a cottage here by the Patuxent River in September 1996. As a resident
Jack continued to do a lot for his new community. He sang in the Vesper Choir and served on the History/
Archives Task Force, and let the Resident Council know whenever it strayed from the written rules.
Jack, a native of Calvert County, graduated from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, with
majors in government and economics. He then fulfilled a Navy commitment and was commissioned in August
1943. He was assigned to LST 497 in the amphibious corps. Jack served in Europe and took part in the D-
Day invasion, landing on Omaha Beach. After the war he returned to the farm for a few years.
From that point on Jack’s life took a different track though he, Marjorie and their three children
continued to live in Calvert County. He first took a position with the Southern Maryland Production Credit
Association, also affiliated with the Southern Maryland Federal Land Bank Association. In 1960, Jack became
a field agent for Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore and traveled all across Maryland and in parts of Delaware. In
1962, he became the secretary/treasurer of Mutual Fire Association Co. in Calvert County and retired as
President in 1988.
“Retirement” was not a word that existed in Jack’s vocabulary before or after 1988. He served on a
number of boards and traveled to many board meetings. Jack continued his service on the SMECO Board
(Continued on page 3)
2
Activities, Clubs, and Committees
Alzheimer's Group-Dennis Poremski 3043
Asbury Sails-Martha Canfield 3100
Art-Frank Brooks 3298
Betty’s Closet-Ruth Maxey 3466,
Arlene Benson 3366
Bridge (Duplicate)-Jerre Musser 2676
Flora Russell 2639
Caregivers-Linda Wooge 3556
Channel 970-Gunter Arndt 3478 or 3012
Choir-Betsey Dewland 3330
Computer Club-Bud Edwards 2616
Entertainment and Travel-Dick Staley 3174
Games-Cheryl Ware 2660
Garden-Jeannette Findley 2647
Gentlemen Bridge-John Gillham 3386
GO Green-Sue Hu 3541
Golf-Charlie Wilson 3416
Granny’s Treasures-Ann Delamarter 3388
Great Decisions-Dick and Sue Hu 3541
History/Archives-Margaret Hayes 3178
Investment Club-To Be Determined
Keep in Touch-Vivian Aldridge 3199
Library-Dorothy Szymanski 3143
Mah Jong-Janie Knox 3539
Mah Jongg-Mary Charlotte Irvin 3131
Medical Transportation-Charlie Wilson 3416
Movie Night-Whitey Thayer 3580
Party People-Pat O’Neal 3582
Patuxent Republican Club-
Harry Feigleson 3489
Pet Group-Curtis Moore 2601
Piecemakers-Fern Sikkema 3404
Pool-Earl Lindsey 3431
Religious Life-Pastor Charles Harrell 3024
Riverside Democratic Club-Sue Hu 3541
Safety-Bob Delamarter 3388
Showcase-Tahleen Nabors 3414
Slide Presentation-Dick Staley 3174
Stitchers-Anna Roy 3380
Stamps-Anna Roy 3380
Volunteers-Tahleen Nabors 3414
Wellness-Dennis Poremski 3043
Wood Shop-John Gillham 3386
River Views
http://www.asburysolomons.org/ https://www.facebook.com/asburysolomons
Managing Editor Vivian Aldridge 3199
Assistant Tahleen Nabors 3414
Resident Writers
Margaret Hayes 3178 (Around and About
Asbury)
Shirley Coops 3525 ( Meet an Associate)
Suzanne Edwards 2616 (Were You There?)
Jane Knox 3539 (Poetry)
Terry Morr 3198 (Contributing Writer)
Maryellen Elwell 3201 (Contributing Writer)
Ellis Knox 3539 (Contributing Writer)
Dick Wilson 3253 (Meet Your Neighbor)
Associate Writers
Sarah Gross 3033 (Human Resources Generalist)
Dennis Poremski 3043 (Wellness Director)
Proofreaders
C. Weddle 3242, D. Gillham 3386,
R. Wilson 3253
Technical Consultant D. Findley 2647
Graphics H. Szymanski 3143
Layout F. Brooks 3298, C. Wilson 3416
Photographers H. Szymanski 3143, B. Walter 3232
IN MEMORIAM
Elsie Sparks
November 29, 2016
Jack Williams
December 19, 2016
3
CELEBRATE ART WITH JIM REYNOLDS By Shirley Coops
From a young age Jim has had a keen interest in the value
of exercise, and keeping fit has been an important part of his
life. On many a morning you may have noticed a yellow jacket-
clad figure rounding the Asbury campus. It’s three miles of
walking and jogging to go twice around, and Jim racks up 35-40
miles a month. Inclement weather sometimes brings him inside
to the Asbury gym.
He and his wife of 60 years, Ruth, shopped around at five
or six different retirement communities before deciding a couple
of years ago that Asbury Solomons was the place for them, and
have been pleased with their choice. Is there another community
that has embarked on a mural project that will eventually cover
54’ of wall space? Jim is adding his meticulous work to this
endeavor.
He says his participation in the art world has been sporadic,
but satisfying. His efforts stretch from elementary school, when
his teacher asked him to do Christmas drawings on doors and windows, to his present work at Asbury. Jim has
worked in a variety of media such as charcoal and colored pencils.
Jim carried his interest in art past high school in Roanoke, to four years’ service in the Navy where he
worked in electronics at Naval Air Bases in Key West, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas. This experience
served him well with getting a job with IBM where he was in computer maintenance and instructor training
from 1960-1983. Duties included being in North Dakota in Air Defense. He then embarked on an academic
career at the Northern Virginia Community College, a large complex of five campuses. He earned a degree,
and enjoyed his work as a counselor in academic and career choices, a career that lasted 20 years until
retirement in 2004.
Retirement allowed time to continue his interest in education by writing a book, Learning-Centered
Learning, “a philosophy for lifelong learning.” It’s 100 pages and 11 chapters on exploring various learning
styles. Not everybody learns in the same way. Educational philosophy, learning resources, and the learner’s
responsibility are among the subjects discussed. (The book is available on Amazon.)
Jim and Ruth met in high school, although not the same school. The two schools were competitors, but
they overcame any animosity, married, and raised two sons. Since retirement, Jim and Ruth have continued
their tours of the United States, and have visited all 50. Retirement has also allowed time for Jim to continue to
find pleasure in his art projects, and help with “Frank’s Mural.”
(1958-2005) and was involved with several affiliated groups. He was president of the Maryland/Delaware
Association, and in 1989 became president of the National Utilities Cooperative Association. He was a
member of the Rural Consumer Finance Corporation for two years and served for nine years as a member of
the Board of the Federated Rural Electrical Insurance Exchange.
Jack was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick for sixty years. Locally he
is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Calvert Marine Museum Board, and a
lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8133. On November 11, 2016 he served as honorary
Chair of Asbury’s annual Veterans Day Memorial program.
Our friend Jack will be missed here at Asbury Solomons. But not forgotten. From delivering mail to
residents in Healthcare, to assisting at Tuesday afternoon Vespers, to Wednesday night duplicate bridge and
Thursday night poker games, to dinners in the Riverview Dining Room, and to writing those monthly articles
in River Views about his life in Calvert County, Jack Williams will never be forgotten.
(Continued from page 1)
4
GO GREEN HONORS THE OYSTER SCRUBBERS By Sue Hu
The year 2016 marks the sixth year that the Asbury Oyster Garden Project has been in operation. During
that time we planted an estimated 1,360,000 oysters on our four breakwaters. Our unsung heroes are the oyster
scrubbers, those residents who volunteer from April to September to assist in biweekly cleaning of the oyster
cages suspended from our pier. The work is dirty and early (7:30 a.m. on cleaning day) but 23 residents
assisted this year.
These residents were honored at the Residents’ Meeting on December 6. Our honorees for 2016 include:
Carol Bergensen-Willis, Carolyn Chuatiuco, George and Nell Cogswell, Dick and Jeannette Findley, Susan
Graham, Ron Gruver, Ann Houpt, Dick and Sue Hu, Charlene Massing, Mike and Lee McCullough, Tahleen
Nabors, Dave Newton, Pat O'Neal, Herb Ries, Fred Ruark, Alan and Nan Suydam, Dick Wilson and Ernie and
Paula Willoughby. Each honoree received a special thank you card designed for this event by Lee
McCullough. Thanks were expressed to Lee McCullough, Carolyn Chuatiuco and Susan Graham for
coordinating the schedule, and to George Beyer from Maintenance who supplied us with someone to lift the
cages to the pier on each cleaning day. The Go Green Committee appreciates the efforts of all who have
contributed to the success of the Oyster Garden Project.
6TH SEASON OF ENCORE CHORALE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND Winter/Spring 2017
By Dick Staley
The 6th season of Encore begins at 1 - 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 11th in the Auditorium. New
singers WELCOME! The fee is $175 per term of 15 rehearsals and can be paid with a credit card. Call Dick
at x3174 and leave message with your cubby box # and your name. He will place an announcement sheet in
your box.
At the end of each 15-session season we always do a concert for the public at a nearby location, one for
A S residents and friends in our Auditorium and a joint concert with three other groups near Annapolis.
This spring marks the end of the 10th year of the 15 ENCORE chorales and a special concert will be
done by all 1,000 singers at DAR Constitution Hall in DC on Saturday, May 13th at 8 p.m.
5
AUTHORS WORD SEARCH By Terry Morr
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
Marcus Cicero (106-43 BC) – Writer, politician, and Roman orator
S R O B E R T S P A R K S N Y
D T N T H E C L A N C Y R I E
O E E A C G R I S H A M G A L
O I S E M R S C N W F M R W L
W S N I L L O C G O O O I T E
R O I B E O I N U A R B F R K
B W G E K L I G K R S L F U W
O O G R C M L C E I Y A I M H
R R I C E C R I C H T O N A R
C O H H B E T S V A H E Y N E
O T O T N S N H A L D N E W N
O C G N I K A S B T E L L O F
N O S R E T T A P S A M A R P
T D H D T Y B E K A R D O B O
S C K H S U B C O R N W E L L
Perhaps one or more of your favorite authors is in the list below. The names of 39 authors, past and
present, are scattered about the grid: up, down, across, backward, and diagonally. Letters overlap. The
32 leftover letters reveal a thought-provoking Italian proverb about books. For questions or comments,
call Terry Morr, x3198. Solution will be posted later in the Cubby Room.
ALBOM COLLINS FOLLET HIGGINS ROONEY
BALDACCI COOK FORSYTH KELLEY SPARKS
BECK COONTS GILMAN KING STEEL
BRAUN CORNWELL GREENSPAN MELVILLE STEINBECK
BROWN CRICHTON GRIFFIN PATTERSON TRUMAN
BUSH CRONKITE GRISHAM POE TWAIN
CHRISTIE DOCTOROW HAYNES RICE WOODS
CLANCY DRAKE HEMINGWAY ROBERTS
2017 CALVERT COUNTY SCIENCE FAIR By Dick Staley
Calvert High School
Judging: Thursday, February 23, 5:45 - 8:30 p.m. Reception & Awards, Saturday, February 25, 8:30 a.m.
Looking for Judges If you have a science background, please e-mail
Erin Hitchman HitchmanE@calvertnet.k12.md.us
6
PRINCE FREDERICK AND CALVERT COUNTY The Early Days
By Jack Williams
I want to talk with you about the first hospital in Calvert County. Some of the information in this article
is from my sister, Ailene Hutchins and Annette Wilfong, a resident at Asbury. Annette’s father was a doctor
and his two brothers were doctors. Dr. King was their brother- in-law. This group was responsible for the
Calvert County Hospital getting started.
In 1892 a Marine Hospital was established at
Solomon’s by the U.S. Health Service with the help of Dr.
William Marsh. It was located near his home at the
present Biological Laboratory. The Solomon’s Hospital
resulted from requests from ship owners entering the
harbor with crewmembers who needed medical attention.
Early 1916 the three brothers Clarence, Elliott, and Amos and Dr. Isaac King were all in the medical
profession and discussed the idea of building a hospital in Calvert County. In February 1916 a Corporation to
be known as Barstow General Hospital was formed with offices to be established in Barstow, Maryland.
However, after some deliberation, the decision was made that the location in Prince Frederick would be more
desirable. In September, 1918 John Gray, whose home is now the office of the Calvert County Historical
Society, conveyed land in Prince Frederick to the Calvert County Hospital.
Construction began shortly thereafter under the supervision of Huntingtown builders Lyons and Gibson.
On May 30, 1919 the Hospital was dedicated. On that same day during the opening ceremonies, McClellan
Johnson required surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. Elliott Hutchins. Johnson remained in the
Hospital for the next month. His total bill was $61, including five dollars for the use of the operating room.
The first charge nurse at the new Hospital was Ms. Catherine Keller and the superintendent was Dr. King.
Dr. Elliott Hutchins, on the day of the dedication, brought another nurse with him who was a classmate of Ms.
Keller. She said Dr. Hutchins tore down the highway from Baltimore and it turned out to be a three-hour drive.
Miss Tillie Dare, a practical nurse, came on the staff and she was really a sweet lady. She had an enduring
sense of humor and could always make you laugh. Another staff helper was Hattie Chew, the cook.
More about the Hospital next month. Enjoy. [Editor’s note: With Jack’s death, this is the last article.]
ASBURY SOLOMONS PASTORAL CARE AND OPERA CLUB Present the opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
By Russ Horton
On Epiphany Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Asbury Club House Lounge at 7:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
7
ASSOCIATE GRACE URICCHIO
By Shirley Coops
As a young person, Grace helped care for her
grandparents. She didn’t know then that she was
gaining experience for a future job at Asbury. It was a
long time between her growing up in Panama City,
Florida, and her residence in southern Maryland. She
married a Navy man in Florida, and they moved to
Virginia Beach. She gave birth to a daughter in 1990,
who now has produced two adorable granddaughters.
Grace was a single mom for 14 years, and had total
responsibility for raising her daughter. Grace has had
a variety of jobs; the longest time at one was at
Walmart for 15 years. It was the Walmart job that
brought her to Calvert County, but she decided to
look for another job.
One of Grace’s jobs was across the street at the
pet store. She became acquainted with many Asbury
pets and their owners, and thought, “What nice
folks!” So when she saw a want ad for a housekeeper
at Asbury Solomons, she applied and was hired. For
nearly two years she was the Asbury laundress.
Thousands of pounds of laundry have gone through
her capable hands. She became acquainted with
Asbury residents in Health Care and Assisted Living
because she did their personal laundry and delivered
it to them.
Grace recently moved to the Wellness
Department of Health Care and Assisted Living, and
finds that she loves it! Brightening the residents’ days
NEED URGENT CARE? MedExpress
By Dick Staley
A new company offering urgent care has opened
just across the Johnson Bridge on MD 235 south
next to Cracker Barrel. I had a seven-stitch cut on
my pinky finger and needed it repaired. Our EMT
team suggested MedExpress. It is much closer
than either hospital. I thought you should know.
brings satisfaction, and she says she learns
something new every day. Residents have had wide
experience, and she’s pleased to hear of their
accomplishments in their earlier years. Grace’s
work is very rewarding, because she’s able to help
fill residents’ days with a variety of activities that
are geared to their interests and abilities. There are
parties and social times, Bingo, flower arranging,
cards, brain games, cooking, movies, Wii bowling,
and even a Happy Hour in the pub. Grace works
with Anna Kortie and Liz Wallish in carrying out
these important duties.
Grace met her husband, David (Rooster), eight
years ago, and is happily married and living in
Chesapeake Ranch Estates. David was in the Air
Force for two years, and then 20 years in the Navy
where he was a canine military officer before
resuming civilian life as a logistics analyst at the
Navy base. On their time off, they enjoy home
improvement projects, riding their Harley, and also
often take their three German Shepherds for a romp
in the park or at the beach. Life is a satisfying
combination of service and fun.
8
JANUARY HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS By Terry Morr
January gets its name from the Roman god Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and entrances—a
fitting deity to preside over the start of a new year. It’s time to toss out last year’s resolutions as they are “so
yesterday.” Turn your face to the future.
Jan 02, 1941 The Andrews Sisters recorded “Boogie, Woogie Bugle Boy.”
Jan 08, 1935 Birthday of singer Elvis Presley
Jan 10, 1946 The first United Nations General Assembly opened in London.
Jan 11, 1918 A blizzard struck the Midwest, halting mail service for 2 weeks.
Jan 13, 1559 Elizabeth I was crowned queen of England.
Jan 18, 1778 Capt. James Cook discovered the Sandwich Islands, which we now know as Hawaii.
Jan 23, 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to earn a medical degree
in the United States.
Jan 27, 1973 The Paris Peace Accords were signed, ending the Vietnam War.
Jan 28, 1915 Congress established the U. S. Coast Guard.
Jan 31, 1949 NBC aired America’s first TV daytime soap, These Are My
Children.
E & T TRIP OPPORTUNITIES
1ST AND 3RD THURSDAYS
By Pat and Barbara O'Neal, Ruth Maxey, Judith Randall, Henry and Dorothy Szymanski,
Barbara Walter, and Larry Gruver
MARYLAND STATE HOUSE & GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Annapolis, MD
Thursday, January 19, 2017, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tour the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative
use. Meet your legislators. See the legislative body in
action. Tour the Governor's Home. See committees at
work.
Lunch will be pizza which you will pay for at the time of
the trip.
ID required for security checks.
There will be much walking and many stairs.
Note the early start time.
Bus $ 8.00
Sign up at the front desk.
9
BIRDS OF ASBURY-SOLOMONS
THE BLUE JAY By Ernest Willoughby
The Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata (meaning “crested blue jay”) is a year-round resident on campus.
With its bold demeanor, large size (a bit
bigger than the American Robin), bright blue
back, wings, tail, and crest, it is one of our
most familiar and easily identified songbirds.
As a member of the crow family, it is
technically a song bird, but like other crows
and jays, it does not sing. Rather, they have a
great variety of calls that signal their
perceptions and feelings to their associates. In
captivity it, like many of the crow family, is
something of a mimic, even picking up some
human words. They are expert mimics of the
Red-shouldered Hawk. The Steller’s Jay
(Cyanocitta stelleri), a close relative in the
mountains of the far west, does a great rendition of the Red-tailed Hawk. No one knows for sure why they
do this.
Like other jays and crows it is counted among the most intelligent and adaptable of birds, and has
adjusted well to human-altered environments. As a result, it ranges from all the southern Canadian provinces
and Newfoundland south throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States to the Florida Keys and Gulf
Coast. In Maryland as in other parts of its range, some of them stay with us permanently, while others
migrate south for the winter season. Birds from north of us move here for the winter, so we always have a
mix of permanent residents and migrants. We do not know what proportions and age classes of birds make
up residents versus migrants. We just know that some do and some do not migrate.
Blue jays are omnivorous, eating insects, various small animals, eggs and nestlings of other birds, fruits,
nuts, seeds, and food scraps of all kinds left by people. They visit our backyard feeders, where they
dominate smaller birds, who must wait their turn when the local jays arrive. In September and October we
see groups of four or five blue jays gathering acorns from our campus oaks, which they take away one by one
to bury in secret caches that they keep for eating later during hard times. By burying acorns, beech nuts, and
hickory nuts, they help trees to disperse to new places.
Breeding blue jays live year-round in monogamous pairs and nest in our shade trees from March to
August. They appear to associate with a gang of several close neighbors. A pair only defends the immediate
vicinity of the nest against intrusion by the others, and otherwise seem to live in friendly associations.
Whether these gangs are made up of close relatives we do not know, but some other North American jay
species are known to live in extended family groups, where older offspring help their parents to raise
younger siblings. As bold and boisterous as they are at other times, nesting blue jays are quiet and secretive
about the location of the nest, so you need to observe carefully to find out where your local pair may be
nesting in your yard.
There is yet much to learn about the lives of such a conspicuous and wide-ranging species.
A Blue Jay in typical pose. Sexes are alike in color and size.
10
SALT AND PEPPER
By Ellis Knox
They stand together three meals a day on most tables where people eat; at kitchen and dining room tables,
banquet hall tables, and tables and booths in diners and restaurants. Salt and pepper are the most widely
distributed condiments freely available to satisfy the preferences of the individual diner.
Salt is essential for life. There is plenty of salt in sea water. In warm dry settings, a shallow pool of sea
water, isolated from the ocean, will dry up. The water will evaporate, leaving the salt behind. Substantial
amounts of salt can be produced with repeated cycles. Many countries have salt evaporation ponds, even damp
and rainy Ireland. Algae of various kinds give vivid colors to some
ponds.
There are also terrestrial sources of salt. The inactive salt mine
north of Bogota, Colombia, is one example. It is close enough to Bogota
that people go there on day trip excursions. We walked in, hoping that
the overlying rock and the big supporting pillar of undisturbed salt were
stable. We ate potatoes coated with salt. Somehow, we missed the Salt
Cathedral in the same general area.
My wife taught music, kindergarten through high school, 1951-52,
at the Lansing (New York) Central School, north of Ithaca. She was told that the salt “mine” was not an
underground operation; that water was pumped in a bore hole and that brine was pumped out of another one. I
planned to write about this novel approach to getting salt out of the ground. It turns out that the brine
extraction story is just not true. The Cayuga Rock Salt Company was founded in 1921. Operations began at
1,400 feet but were soon sunk to 2,000 feet. The Cargill company bought the mine in 1970. In January 2016,
17 miners were trapped underground because of an elevator malfunction. All were rescued. But all salt
miners are at risk of excessive dehydration because of the salt.
My brother took salt pills. I thought he was mistaken about loss of salt in perspiration. He didn’t do
heavy, outside work. He may have been one of the few people with a
medical condition that leads to a high salt (sodium) requirement.
Black pepper is one of the oldest spice crops. It is the fruit of a tropical
vine, Piper nigrum from the Malabar region of India. It is a drupe, like a
cherry or peach, with a single pit.
The Romans made expeditions down the Red Sea and across the Indian
Ocean to India to get pepper. But later, in the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries, access to pepper motivated European voyages to Southeast Asia.
Vasco da Gama of Portugal established a route to India. This made Lisbon
the center for black pepper and other spices for all of Europe. In those days,
only the rich could afford pepper. Pepper is much less expensive now that
production has extended into other parts of the world. Viet Nam produces
roughly 30% of the world’s supply. Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri
Lanka, China and other countries contribute to the total.
Other Piper species are the sources of cubeb, kava, and betel leaf. The betel nut comes from a palm.
Apparently chewing betel leaf with the nut enhances the experience.
White pepper is made from black pepper by removing the outer layer. This reduces the peppery taste but
it allows the spice to blend in visually with a white food product (like mashed potatoes).
The crushed pepper corn loses some of its taste with time. Pepper mills or pepper grinders provide
absolutely fresh crushed or cracked pepper. Restaurant workers can offer an elegant flourish to their service.
11
A VISIT TO THE CALVERT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY By Bobbie Patterson
Because I’m interested in the history of our area, I recently visited the Calvert County Historical Society housed in the Linden−a historic house built about 1868, at 70 Church Street (next to Trinity United Methodist Church) in Prince Frederick. I was curious about the society and what it has in its archives and gift shop. I was not disappointed! Leila Boyer, the Director/Research Historian, was most helpful and I met a volunteer who attended the same junior high and high school as I did (Kramer and Anacostia in Washington, D.C.). More than 60 years old, the Society was founded by interested citizens in 1953, to share historical information dealing with the county and its resi-dents. The archives or research library contains published histories, original manuscripts, wills, family Bibles, photographs, maps, historic structure files, nearly 750 family files and videos. The research facilities are open to the public. The Society also offers periodic workshops and educational pro-grams on historically-focused subjects, also open to the public. The Gift Shop has for sale numerous books on a variety of topics and objects (notecards, mugs, candles, ornaments, etc.) depicting local sites. I added several books to my library, sent the society a copy of the Asbury Solomons 10th anniversary history and joined for the minimal annual fee of $40.00. I urge you to take the time to either visit the Society personally or the website at www.calverthistory.org. The Society is open Tuesday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
A NOTE FROM JANIE KNOX
THE BALLAD OF BEFANA -- AN EPIPHANY LEGEND
Befana the Housewife, scrubbing her pane, saw three old sages ride down the lane,
Saw three gray travelers pass her door -- Gaspar, Balthazar, Melchior.
"Where journey you, sirs?" she asked of them. Balthazar answered, "To Bethlehem.
For we have news of a marvelous thing. Born in a stable is Christ the King."
"Give Him my welcome!" Then Gaspar smiled. "Come with us, mistress, to greet the child."
"Oh, happily, happily would I fare, were my dusting through and I'd polished the stair."
Old Melchior leaned on his saddle horn. "Then send but a gift to the small Newborn."
"Oh gladly, gladly I'd send Him one, were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done.
As soon as ever I've baked my bread, I'll fetch him a pillow for his head,
And a coverlet, too," Befana said.
"When the rooms are aired and the linen dry, I'll look at the babe." But the three rode by.
She worked for a day and a night and a day, then, gifts in her hands, took up her way.
But she never could find where the Christ Child lay.
And still she wanders at Christmastide, houseless, whose house was all her pride.
Whose heart was tardy, whose gifts were late, wanders, and knocks at every gate,
Crying, "Good people, the bells begin! Put off your toiling and let love in!"
Phyllis McGinley
12
A S GEOHISTORICAL TOURS CLUB
Announces a slide show
By Dick Staley
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF IRELAND presented by Fred and Marilyn Ruark
A S Auditorium, Wednesday, January 4, 7:30 p.m.
This program tracks the trip that the Ruarks took in May 2016. The first leg of the journey was on a
small tour bus visiting historic and natural beauty sites during the day and doing the pub scene in the
evenings. The second leg was driving in search of family roots, researching Fred's book and relaxing in
some great B & B inns. Photos, music and stories of their trip will be shared in the one-hour presentation.
LIBRARY NOTES By Dorothy Szymanski
Golf, Anyone?
New among the Asbury authored books is another by Jim Hardin. This
one is "The Retired Person's Book of Golf".
The book is what it says, a guide for golfers, young or old. It is however,
as the author says, set in 14-point Times New Roman "for old eyes". Photos
illustrate some of the information.
After retirement from government service, the Hardins moved to St.
Mary's County. There Jim taught fencing and golf at St. Mary’s College of
Maryland. The Hardins are now cottage residents here.
The book can be found between the bookends on the desk in our Asbury
Solomons Library.
13
JANUARY EMPLOYMENT ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS By Sarah Gross, Human Resources Generalist
January Anniversaries
Shileta Weems (Receptionist) 16 Years
Sumiyo McShea (GNA) 8 Years
Bernard Zimmerman
(Maintenance Tech 2) 7 Years
Patricia Gross (Companion) 5 Years
Heather Mattingly (Services Liaison) 4 Years
Kelvin Monterroza
(Health Services Admin Assistant) 3 Years
Beverly Ballard (Receptionist) 2 Years
Lindly Reloj (Kitchen Utility Worker) 2 Years
Charles Welch (Security Officer) 1 Year
Charles Reading
(Dining Room Attendant) 1 Year
Jazmen Adams (PCA) 1 Year
Ayana Hewitt (Dining Room Attendant) 1 Year
ASBURY SAILS GIFT SHOP By Martha Canfield
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!! Thank you for making our Christmas season
so successful. A big “Thanks” goes to our dedicated volunteers, all of our
shoppers and to the many residents who donated items to sell in our shop.
The Benevolent Care Fund also thanks you!
Have a great 2017!
Shop hours:
Monday ~ Saturday: 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
January Birthdays
Tianna Robinson
(Dining Room Attendant) 1/04
Cora Johnson (GNA) 1/05
Maranda Henning (Companion) 1/09
Debra Barton (Charge Nurse/RN) 1/10
Samantha Miller
(Dining Room Attendant) 1/10
Bob Webb (Director Dining Services) 1/11
Chantay Griffin (PCA) 1/13
Joe Contee (Housekeeper) 1/13
Amy Thayer (Medicine Aide) 1/14
Theophia Kentish (PCA) 1/15
Mary Kane (GNA) 1/16
Thomas Sariego (Executive Chef) 1/17
Dlorah Higgs (Security Officer) 1/17
Charles Welch (Security Officer) 1/20
Marsha Hardesty (Charge Nurse/LPN) 1/21
Frank Spiegel (Security Supervisor) 1/27
Renee Stewart (Cook) 1/28
Kelly Johnson (Receptionist) 1/31
14
AND YOU THOUGHT JANUARY WAS DULL By Terry Morr
(with a little help from the Internet)
Wondering what to do on these short days? Want to liven up things a bit? Well, January has lots of days dedicated to special events, at least in the eyes of their originators. Here are just a few to brighten your day: January 3– Fruitcake Toss Day. What a great opportunity to throw away that fruitcake some well-meaning soul sent you. There is no special way to do this. Just get a few friends together (who also received fruitcakes) and go out to a field for a fruitcake toss and see who can toss it the farthest. Just be careful you do not injure anyone in your enthusiasm. The first fruitcake toss harkens back to 1995, in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The originator, no doubt, wanted to keep his/her name a secret.
January 6 – Bean Day. Bean Day is of unknown origin and you celebrate by eating beans, of course. After all, as the jingle goes, “…Beans, beans, they’re good for the heart… the more you eat them, the more …” Well, you know the rest. There are several ways to celebrate: gardeners can surf seed catalogs to select beans to grow in the spring; read the story “Jack and the Beanstalk” to your great grandkids; or bone up on the history of beans. Doesn’t that sound like fun? January 21 – National Hugging Day. What a great day to give and receive hugs.
Hugs make us feel good inside. Give a hug and you get one back. Hugs are loving. Hugs are therapeutic. It’s proof that you’re loved and cared about. So celebrate this special day by giving lots of hugs to your spouse, your next door neighbor, really anyone you meet. National Hugging Day was created in 1986 by Rev. Kevin Zaborney of Caro, Michigan. Even though it’s called “National,” no reference was found that made it so by an act of Congress. But who cares? Hug away.
BETTY’S CLOSET RAISES MORE THAN $100,000 FOR BENEVOLENT CARE By: Sarah Holzman
On November 5, 2016, Betty’s Closet celebrated its 51st sale, and
joyously hit the $100,000+ mark for donations to Benevolent Care!
Betty’s Closet was the creation of former Asbury Solomons
resident, Betty King. Having an interest in supporting the Asbury
Solomons Benevolent Care Fund and using her creativity in business, she
developed the idea of a clothing thrift shop on campus, which would
allow people to donate their no longer needed clothing for resale. Some
were skeptical at first about whether this new venture would take off, but
ever since the first sale on September 21, 2010, there was no looking
back! By advertising in the local papers, sending out an “eBlast” to an
ever-growing email list, the Shoppes at Asbury sign’s prime real estate on
Rt. 2/4, and word of mouth, Betty’s Closet has become a hot spot for
Southern Maryland deal-seekers.
The success of Betty’s Closet is a result of all of its dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Thank you all
for your efforts, which have led to donations totaling $100,479.55 for the Benevolent Care Fund! Throughout the
year, volunteers pick up donated items and organize them. They are in the Auditorium the day before the sale
setting everything up – sometimes late into the evening – and they are up early the next day as all of the shoppers
arrive. Following the sale, they put everything back meticulously, in preparation for the next event.
Also, I cannot fail to thank all of you who participate as a shopper or as a donor of used clothing. I know
many of us have that one favorite sweater or blouse that we got at Betty’s “for a steal!” In 2017, there will be six
sales, with the first beginning on January 14, 2017. If you have used, clean items that you wish to donate, please
call Ruth Maxey at x3466. See you then!
15
WERE YOU THERE?
By Suzanne Edwards
Dec. 1 Were you one of the fortunate ones who got
a seat on the bus for the trip to the Botanical
Gardens and the Union Station?
Dec. 1 Did you attend the Blue Christmas Service? We heard it was lovely and very meaningful.
Dec. 1 Did you attend the fun Blue Grass concert?
Dec. 4 Did you sing along with Rie Moore’s music students?
Dec. 5 How many times have you seen the classic “White Christmas”? Did
you see it again and enjoy it just as much as ever?
Dec. 6 What important information did you learn at the monthly Resident
Meeting? Did you get your December calendar all filled in?
Dec. 6 Did you remember to bring your unused or out dated prescriptions
and give them to Margaret Hayes or place them in the bin?
Dec. 7 Did you attend the Community Christmas
Celebration and say “Thank you” to our
associates? What a fun event.
Dec. 7 Did you listen to the music of GrooveSpan? Did
you enjoy it?
Dec. 8 Did you hear the magical presentation of the
Christmas Bells performed by the students of St.
Mary’s Bryantown School?
Dec. 9 Did you learn about the services that Calvert
Hospice provides?
Dec. 10 Did you see the Christmas comedy “Elf”?
Dec. 11 Did you enjoy hearing the students of Key Alley
perform in their Holiday Piano Recital? Aren’t we lucky to hear so much good Christmas music right
here at Asbury?
Dec. 14 What did you learn about Cyber Security at the computer club meeting? Does it scare you?
Dec. 14 How about that Encore concert? What a nice way to celebrate Christmas.
Dec. 15 The Southern Maryland Brass ensemble was good. Did you hear it? Did you enjoy it?
Dec. 17 Did you see the 1984 movie “A Christmas Carol”? What a classic.
Dec. 19 Did you enjoy the Asbury Christmas Cantata and hear our choir sing songs about the birth of Jesus?
Dec. 20 How many times have you seen “Miracle on 34th Street”? I can always see it again. The triumph of
the true spirit of Christmas is always uplifting.
Dec. 24 Did you observe Christmas Eve by attending the Asbury Christmas Eve Service?
Dec. 25 Did you eat the tasty Christmas dinner here at Asbury prepared by Tommy and his great team?
Thank you for working on Christmas Day for us.
Dec. 31 How did you ring in the new year? Did you eat, drink, party and toast your friends and neighbors at
our New Year’s Eve party?
16
ASBURY SOLOMONS JANUARY 2017
WELLNESS SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR
Jan. 2, Monday: Afternoon Movie Classics 1:45 p.m.
Auditorium “ET”
Jan. 3, Tuesday: Monthly Resident Meeting 10:00 a.m.
Auditorium
Jan. 4, Wednesday: Chewin’ the Fat 9:30 a.m.
Riverview Restaurant
Jan. 6, Friday: Amahl and the Night Visitors 7:30 p.m.
Clubhouse Lounge
Jan. 11, Wednesday: Coffee Klatch 2:00 p.m.
Piano Lounge
Jan. 17, Tuesday: Movie Night with Jim Bershon 7:15 p.m.
Auditorium “Florence Foster Jenkins”
Jan. 18, Wednesday: Mix and Mingle 4:00 p.m.
Auditorium
Jan. 20, Friday: Pool Party 2:30 p.m.
Pool
Jan. 21, Saturday: Movies with Spirit 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium “Life of Pi”
Jan. 25, Wednesday: New Beginnings 12:00 p.m.
Riverview Restaurant
Jan. 26, Thursday: Talk of the Town 2:00 p.m.
Riverview Restaurant
Jan. 28, Saturday: Saturday Night at the Movies 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium “The Legend of Bagger Vance”