Church collects school supplies

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

In addition, the church is assisting HOPE in collecting grocery bags and gallon-sized storage bags for the food pantry. The pantry has been very busy this summer, and supplies are running out. You may drop off any donations at the church.

For more information, e-mail ascension.church@erols.com.

Don’t miss the Light Opera Company of Southern Maryland’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘‘The Mikado” this weekend.Ê Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m. at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick.ÊArtistic director is Sandra Jarrett. Tickets are $25 general admission;Ê$20 for senior citizens, students and military.Ê

For reservations call 410-586-2802 or e-mail sandrajarrett@comcast.net.

St. Mary’s County singers appearing in this comic opera include Jack Williamson, Robert Boyd, John Withers and Mike Judd. All are former and⁄or current members of St. Maries Musica.

Williamson is singing the title role of the Mikado, and now claims credit for fourscore years in the performing arts. His singing career spans roles as an urchin in ‘‘Showboat” to Zarastro in Mozart’s ‘‘The Magic Flute.”ÊHis studies at the Peabody Conservatory and at Towson State were interrupted by World War II, during which he served in an infantry division in Europe.ÊStudies were again delayed by the Korean War. He continued academic studies at the University of Maryland and pursued vocal instruction with Beverly Peck Johnson and Robert Weede. He will sing ‘‘at the drop of a note” and has performed at area churches, with The Newtowne Players and with the Port Tobacco Players.

He dedicates this performance to the memory of his mother and father who appeared together in ‘‘The Mikado” many, many years ago.

The St. Mary’s County Garden Club’s annual scholarship fund event was held June 8 at Woodlawn Farm, an estate and winery in Ridge. In 1634, Lord Baltimore granted Trinity Manor to his brother, Leonard Calvert, the first governor of the Maryland colony. Originally comprised of 600 acres, Woodlawn now rests on 180 acres of waterfront farmland. Today, Woodlawn thrives under the care of Jim Grube and family as a bed-and-breakfast.

This year, the St. Mary’s County Garden Club celebrates its 70th anniversary. As a member of the National Garden Clubs Inc., this club is active in historic preservation, garden therapy, flower shows, environmental concerns and horticultural studies. Current projects include therapy at Greenview Knolls Elementary School, the herb garden at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage, St. Mary’s pocket gardens, the Young Gardener program, a holiday greens workshop and the environmental scholarships.

The St. Mary’s County Garden Club funds two $1,000 scholarships annually to college students studying environmental science. One is presented to a local student at St. Mary’s College of Maryland who is enrolled in the environmental studies program. This year’s recipient is Kali N. Gates from Great Mills. The second scholarship is given to a graduate of a St. Mary’s high school who is enrolled in an environmental studies program at a college of their choice. This year’s recipient is Taylor A. Shick, who will be a senior at Coastal Carolina University. (P2P thanks Lisette Day, Edith Rogers and Ann Waring for their contributions to this news item.)