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”