Calendar of events

A look at the week ahead

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

A gospel program will be held at Ebenezer AME Church in Mechanicsville on Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m., featuring the Sensational Nightingales of Durham, N.C., and the Ebenezer Church choir. Suggested donation is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. There will be food and drinks on sale. Call 301-884-8879 or Brother Gunn at 301-373-2751.

The Newtowne Players will present the longest-running, most-produced musical in the history of American theater, "The Fantasticks" by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, on Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 6 to 22 at Three Notch Theatre in Lexington Park. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/students/military and $13 for children younger than 12. All seats are $13 on Thursday nights, and group rates are also available. For reservations call 301-737-5447 or visit www.newtowneplayers.org.

The play "The Pink Panther Strikes Again" will be performed Nov. 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. by the Great Mills High School Hornet's Theater students at the Great Mills High School Auditorium. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for students and free for children 5 and younger.

"Twelve Angry Jurors," Reginald Rose's classic drama, will be performed by Chopticon High School's Bravehouse Productions on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the production are $4 for students and $6 for adults. All performances will be held in the Chopticon High School Auditorium. For ticket information or more about Bravehouse Productions, contact Ms. Pisarcik at 301-475-0215.

The comedy, "You Can't Take It With You," will be presented by The St. Mary's Ryken Fine Arts Department at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5; 6 and 7 and at 3 p.m. on Nov. 8. All performances will be held in the auditorium of Romuald Hall on the campus of St. Mary's Ryken. All seats are $8. No reserved seating. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain. Visit www.smrhs.org and click on "Arts" under the "Academics" tab.

Creek Side Gallery at the Maryland Antiques Center announces the opening of the third annual Historic Southern Maryland Art Show on Nov. 6 for First Friday. There will be light refreshments. The show will run through November. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to aid in the preservation of a local historic structure. For First Friday, the Maryland Antiques Center and the Vineyard Café and Tea Room will be open until 8 pm.

"The Case of the Mysterious Benefactor," a comedy mystery dinner theater at the Cafe Flambe, will be presented Nov. 6 and 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. at the family life center at Mt. Zion UMC in Laurel Grove. Menu will consist of appetizers, roast beef, roasted chicken breast, parsley potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, French bread, iced tea/coffee and dessert. Sodas will be available for sale. Tickets are $25 per person in advance only. Call Carlene at 301-655-0522. The Hungry Team Silent Auction will be held at the same time.

Bradley Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland will give a talk, "The Civil War Comes to St. Mary's County," as the last lecture in the 2009 Sotterley Plantation Speaker Series on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the barn at Sotterley in Hollywood. Free. For reservations call 301-373-2280.

The St. Mary's College of Maryland Choir and Chamber Singers and the St. Mary's College of Maryland Brass Ensemble will perform John Rutter's rendition of "Gloria" at a concert Nov. 6 at 4 and 8 p.m. at Montgomery Hall 25. They also will play the music of Josquin des Prez, Anton Bruckner and Morten Lauridzen. Call 240-895-4498.

Artists Bud Adams and M. Jane Rowe will exhibit their work at North End Gallery in Leonardtown from Nov. 3 to 22. An opening reception will be held Nov. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. For this exhibit only, North End Gallery will remain open on Saturday, Nov. 7, until 9 p.m. Call 301-475-3130.

A free Advanced Estate Planning Workshop will be hosted by The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission on Nov. 9. Advance registration is requested by Nov. 6. The workshop is the second in a series of four workshops designed to benefit the region's agricultural and farm business community. Attendance at the previous estate planning workshop is not a prerequisite. The workshop is free and will take place Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the SMECO Auditorium in Hughesville. Advance registration is requested by Nov. 6. RSVP to 301-274-1922. For more on related programs visit www.smadc.com.

"A Christmas Story" will be performed by The Patuxent Playhouse on Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. Tickets for all ages and all performances are $10 each. For more information visit www.paxplays.com or call 410-326-1401.

A pitch card party will be held Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Department building. Cost for admission is $5. For more information call 301-884-4108.

Blood pressure checks are offered from 9 a.m. to noon the first Friday of the month at St. Mary's Medical Center in Charlotte Hall.

Narcotics Anonymous meets Fridays at 7:07 p.m. at Three Oaks in Lexington Park.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7 p.m. Friday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown.

Saturday, Nov. 7

St. Mary's Hospital's Seventh Annual Diabetes Fair will be held Nov. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lexington Park library. Local physicians will speak on diabetes-related topics and there will be free health screenings and samples. Certified diabetes educators will answer questions. For more information call 301-475-6185.

Auditions for the one-act comedy "A History of St. Mary's County Maryland in 23 Minutes" will be held by The Newtowne Players at Three Notch Theatre on Nov. 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. An assistant director and a stage/props manager are also needed. Contact Kerry Robinson at 301-863-8577 or at kinkerry@verizon.net.

An annual Chinese auction will be held Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. George's Episcopal Church in Valley Lee. There will be like-new household items, collectables, books, memorabilia, gift certificates, Christmas items, toys, jewelry, gift baskets, special raffles plus some silent auction items and more. Tickets are 50 cents each. Each item has a bag attached; tickets can be put in one bag or many bags. Drawing is at noon. A bake sale, sandwiches and beverages will be available. Call 301-994-0585.

The annual fall dinner for All Faith Episcopal Church of Charlotte Hall will be held at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department social hall Nov. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. The meal includes fried oysters, Southern Maryland stuffed ham, fried chicken, side dishes and drinks. Cost is $18 for adults and carryouts; $8 for children 8 and younger. Proceeds are dedicated to the maintenance of the church, which is 242 years old. Call 301-884-3773, or visit www.allfaithchurch.com.

St. Andrew's Church Winter Bazaar will be held Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church in California. Featured items will include handcrafted wood decor for the home, specialty gift baskets, fine knitted accessories and more. Visit Ye Olde Bake Shoppe for homemade treats and Andy's Lunch Room for brats, hot dogs, chips and beverages. Call 301 862-2247 or see www.standrewssomd.org.

St. Michael's School paper bag auction will be held Nov. 7 at the school. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the drawing begins at 7 p.m. in the school gym. Tickets are $2 per envelope and each envelope includes 24 tickets. Food will also be sold. Call 301-872-5454.

A hoedown at the St. Mary's County fairgrounds inside the main hall will be held Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visitors can dance or just listen to the old time music of the Country Memories Band, vocals by Ray and Karen Windsor. Light fare will be served. Information and advance tickets for $7 are at www.HoedownAtFairgrounds.com or $10 at the door. Admission is free for children younger than 12. Proceeds benefit the Community Mediation Center of St. Mary's.

A benefit event will be held Nov. 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Fitzies Pub and Marina in Leonardtown. There will be a silent auction, live music, raffle, food and dancing. Proceeds will go to medical expenses for Steve Caldwell, as he battles nasal cancer. Call 301-672-9090. 

A St. Mary's County NAACP gospel program will be held Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. at St Mark AME Church in Valley Lee. The program will feature the Gospel Persuaders. Cost is $10 per person, with tickets being sold at the door.

The fifth annual open house will be held at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be tours of the facility. Call 301-884-8171.

Sharon P. Brown, author of "Tough Times, Tight Times," will be at Bay Books in the Wildewood shopping center on Nov. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. for a book signing.

Animal Adoption Days are held by the Animal Relief Fund from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Well Pet Clinic in Millison Plaza in Lexington Park. Call 301-866-0303.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Saturdays at St. Paul's United Methodist in Leonardtown.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. Saturdays at St. Paul's United Methodist in Leonardtown.

Sunday, Nov. 8

A service and reception marking the retirement of the Rev. Rona Harding will be held Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park. All are invited.

An annual fall dinner will be held by St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Morganza on Nov. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mother Catherine Spalding School in Helen. The menu includes country ham, fried oysters, roasted turkey with all the trimmings. Cost is $20 for adults; $8 for children 6 to 12 years old; and free for children younger than 6. Drive-through, carryout meals are available for $20. There will be a bake sale, country store, crafts and raffle.

An annual fall dinner will be held by Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lexington Park on Nov. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. The menu will consist of stuffed ham, fried oysters, fried chicken, Filipino lumpia and pansit, parsley potatoes, green beans, beets and more. There will be a craft room, plants and more.

A craft fair will be held by the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Seventh District firehouse on Route 242 in Colton's Point. Tables can be rented for $15. Refreshments will be on sale. Call Barbara Sue Nelson at 301-769-2654 or Melissa Lacey at 301-769-2614.

An annual oyster scald will be held by Our Lady's Catholic Church at Medley's Neck at the St. Mary's County fairgrounds on Nov. 8 from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to oysters, there will be oyster stew, fried oysters, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, beer and wine, as well as a dessert table. There will also be a brown bag auction ending at 2:30 p.m., silent auction ending at 3:30 p.m., a black jack table, music and children's games. Call 301-475-8403.

A basket bingo to benefit Second Hope Rescue will be held Nov. 8 at the Moose Lodge in Mechanicsville. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games begin at 2 p.m. There will be special games, pull tabs for baskets, raffles, food and more. Baskets will have liners and/or protectors and will come with a 2009 Longaberger holiday tote. Admission is $20 for 20 regular games; each special is $1. Call 240-925-0628 or e-mail mcbeuchert@hotmail.com.

The Sgt. James H. Harris Camp #38, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, will hold its second Veterans Day memorial ceremony Nov. 8 starting at 1 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lexington Park. The local camp of descendants of Union soldiers will honor five known members of the United States Colored Troops who served during the Civil War and are buried at the cemetery. Other veterans buried at the cemetery will also be remembered.

St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood hosts bingo on Sundays to benefit St. John's School in the Monsignor Harris Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 6. Dinner and other refreshments will be available. Call 301-373-2281.

Feral Cat Rescue is at Petco in California on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with adoptable cats and kittens. Visit www.feralcatrescue.com for pictures and bios. Gifts of cat food and litter will be gratefully accepted. Call 301-475-5059.

A bake sale will be held by the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary #305 in Bushwood on Nov. 8 after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses.

Monday, Nov. 9

M. Paz Galupo, professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Academic Diversity and Inclusion at Towson University, will discuss her research on bisexuality on Nov. 9 at 4:45 p.m. in Cole Cinema at the Campus Center at St. Mary's College of Maryland. The talk is free and open to the public. Call 240-895-4283.

A membership tea will be held by the GFWC Women's Club of St. Mary's County on Nov. 23 at noon at the Dr. James A. Forrest Technical Center in Leonardtown. The group is looking for dedicated, energetic and hard-working members to carry on the vision of the club, which supports many educational causes, art events and community service projects. There is no charge and everyone is welcome. However, reservations are required and must be made by Nov. 9. For reservations or information call Joan Springer at 301-994-1228 or Carole Romary at 301-863-6969.

The Southern Maryland Corvette Club meets the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the town commissioners' offices at 41660 Courthouse Drive in Leonardtown. One does not have to own a Corvette to become a member. Visit www.southernmarylandcorvetteclub.com.

The Pax River Quilt Guild meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Loffler Center. Visitors are welcome. For more information call Linda Harvan at 301-475-3814 or e-mail harvan2005@yahoo.com.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau invites young ladies age 12 to 18 to join Best Foot Forward, which meets Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Jarboe Family Education and Head Start Center in Lexington Park. There is no fee to participate. For more information call 301-863-2247.

The Southern Maryland Community Gospel Choir rehearses Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown. Call Pat McEntee at 301-994-1745.

A singles group has a casual informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. every Monday except holidays at the Garvey center in Leonardtown. Group activities include potluck dinners, picnics, cards, board games, movies, trips, walks and dancing. Most are in the 50-plus age group. Call 301-863-6308.

A Moms in Touch group meets Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at a private home. This is a group of mothers who meet for one hour each week to pray. For information, other group times and locations call 301-373-3814.

The Patuxent Pearls meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Church in Prince Frederick. The ladies four-part harmony group is a chapter of the Sweet Adelines. Call 301-373-3665.

The Southern Mix Chorus, a barbershop chorus, meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at the La Plata College of Southern Maryland campus in Room 143 of the fine arts building. For information call George Lancaster at 301-934-9145.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau invites adolescents to join Reconnecting Youth, a group that meets Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the J. Patrick Jarboe Family Education and Head Start Center in Lexington Park. There is a one-time fee of $25, which can be paid weekly or up front. Call 301-866-5332.

Double Trouble Recovery Support Group meets Mondays at 6 p.m. at On Our Own of St. Mary's Wellness and Recovery Center in Leonardtown. Call 301-997-1066. 

Al-anon meets at 11:30 a.m. Mondays at Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at St. Andrew's Church in California.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

Wayne Karlin, College of Southern Maryland professor and author, will speak about his most recent book "Wandering Souls: Journeys with the Dead and the Living in Viet Nam" on Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Daugherty-Palmer Commons at St. Mary's College of Maryland. There will be a book signing with the author following the lecture. This event is free and open to the public. Call 240-895-4215.

A regional education program for combat veterans, families and community stakeholders will be sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Maryland, St. Mary's Hospital and The Patuxent Partnership on Nov. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California to discuss combat veterans' community reintegration and behavioral health concerns. The program will feature presentations by Christian Davenport, Washington Post journalist and author of As You Were: To War and Back, and Dr. Joel Scholten, Associate Chief of Staff for Rehabilitative Services, Washington DC Veterans Administration Medical Center. While attendance is free, participants are asked to register to attend at the Patuxent Partnership's website at www.paxpartnership.org. The sponsors request advance registration to manage seating and refreshments. Davenport will sign copies of this book at the end of the program.

Mexico historian Mary Kay Vaughan, history professor at the University of Maryland, will address myths about Mexico at this year's Alice Fenwick Fleury Zamanakos Endowed Lectureship in History on Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. in the Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary's Hall at St. Mary's College of Maryland. The presentation will examine key moments in the history of U.S.-Mexican relations that help explain why the two countries have come to an impasse over the drug trade and immigration. There will be a book signing after the talk at the James P. Muldoon River Center. Call 240-895-4108.

Medical anthropologist Merrill Singer, an expert in the study of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, health inequality and inner city populations, will discuss "Illicit Drug Injection and Syringe Mediated Epidemics: Comparing the USA and China" on Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Cole Cinema in the Campus Center at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  Singer is this year's visiting ethnographer for SMCM's anthropology department. Call 240-895-4387.

The Southern Maryland Doll Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall library.

The Ridge Lions Club meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. Contact Addie McBride at 301-481-6767 for more information. The regular meeting place has changed.

The Fifth District Homemakers meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 10 a.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. Call Gloria Fusco at 301-472-4020.

Nature Time, Greenwell State Park's outdoor nature program for young children and their families/caregivers is offered on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 for adult and one child ($3 each additional child participating, not including babies). The program fee includes admission to the park on the day of participation. Pre-registration (no later than 24 hours in advance) is required via e-mail to lpranzo@greenwellfoundation.org or by calling 301-373-9775. The Nov. 10 theme will be "Until Next Time."

Volunteers with a sewing project meet Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to make baby quilts for several orphanages in Guatemala. Materials are provided. The group meets at the Patuxent River Assembly of God on Route 4 east of Route 235. Call Molly Frink at 301-373-2432 or e-mail molly.862@pragnet.

The COSMIC Flute Choir meets Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church on Town Creek Drive in California. Open to local residents, high school age and above. Some proficiency is recommended. For information or for a registration form, call Linda at 301-994-9688 or Lisa at 301-994-0736.

Bingo is held every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 255 in Ridge. Doors open at 6 p.m. The public is invited. For more information, call after 6 p.m. at 301-872-5349.

TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, #MD 184 meets every Tuesday at St. John's School in Hollywood. Weigh-in is held from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting and group therapy. Call Emma Bowles at 301-884-2952 or Linda Faulstich at 301-994-3142.

The Southern Maryland Concert Band rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the Thomas Stone High School band room. Call 301-884-5848.

Sea Scout Ship 548, for teen boys and girls in Calvert and St. Mary's counties, meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Avenue. Visit www.SeaScoutShip548.com or call Doug at 410-326-4291.

Girl Scout Mariners, for girls ages 11 to 17 in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties, meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Avenue. Visit www.marinerScoutShip1548.com or call Betsy at 443-624-2621.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown.

Al-anon meets at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Placid Harbor, the Winpisinger building, located on Clarke's Landing Road, off Route 235, in Hollywood, in the machinist's building.

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Ascension on Great Mills Road.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Author, artist and educator Mary Stewart will give an overview of her artwork at a public lecture Nov. 11 at 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary's College of Maryland's library, Room 321. On campus for two months as artist-in-residence at Artist House, Stewart also will give creativity workshops to students and work on a three-panel eight-foot-high triptych of multiple photographic fragments of a Costa Rican cloud forest. Call 240-895-4250.

People interested in hosting or becoming a foreign exchange student are invited to an AFS Intercultural Programs meeting to discuss the plan to create a new AFS-USA Chapter in the Southern Maryland area on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown. The speaker, a senior at Leonardtown High School, lived in Italy for a year. RSVP to nfrazier@afs.org.

A Veterans Day observance program will be held by the Veterans of Helen on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at the monument site in Helen at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 238. Open to all. This is a patriotic tribute to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Capt. Andrew Macyko, commanding officer NAS Patuxent River, will be the guest speaker. Veterans all are encouraged to attend.

The annual Veterans Day Parade in Leonardtown will be held Nov. 11 beginning at 10 a.m. on Washington Street and will feature veterans, dignitaries, elected officials, marching bands, military units, color guards, bagpipers, classic and antique cars, Boy and Girl Scout Troops, cheerleaders, horses, motorcycles, fire, police and emergency equipment and more. This is one of the largest Veterans Day parades in Maryland. Immediately following the parade, there will be a veterans memorial ceremony with guest speakers, including Sen. Benjamin Cardin and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md., 5th), patriotic music and laying of wreaths at the town square. Sponsored by the Commissioners of Leonardtown and the St. Mary's County Commissioners. For more information call 301-475-9791.

Look Good, Feel Better is offered the second Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at CSIC at St. Mary's Hospital. The hospital partners with the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society for this free program for cancer patients in any stage of diagnosis/treatment. The program is designed to help women cancer patients improve their appearance and self-image by learning beauty techniques to overcome side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Call 301-475-6070 to register.

The Cedar Lane Auxiliary meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Cedar Lane Apartments in the Burch Building. Call Christine Perkins at 301-475-2736.

The Mechanicsville Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Landing restaurant. Visit www.orgsites.com/md/mechanicsvillelionsclub.

The Chesapeake Toastmasters Club for public speaking training meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at Wildewood Retirement Center. See http://chesapeake.freetoasthost.us. Visitors welcome.

A postpartum depression support group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Park library. E-mail ppdsginstmarys@verizon.net.

The Lunch Bunch at Hollywood United Methodist Church meets Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the church hall on Mervell Dean Road. Call 301-373-2500.