CLINTON COLUMN FOR AUGUST 26, 2004

            Many times, when I attend a funeral for a senior citizen, I am disappointed to see the low amount of people who are there, but most of us excuse this as the fact that most of this person’s friends have gone on before.  However, when I went to the funeral for Annabelle Biggs on Friday, it was obvious this is not necessarily so.  The place was packed.  Annabelle was extremely well liked, and also, someone who touched a lot of people.  I knew her for years.  She and her husband, George, used to come to Joe’s El Rancho when I worked there many years ago.  She attended Faith United Methodist Church up until just a few weeks ago.  Her funeral was definitely a celebration of her life, and since she was only a few days away from her 99^th birthday, we were all happy to see and hear the good things about Annabelle.  Much sympathy is extended to her family, but we all agree that they were lucky to have her for so many years.  She was a wonderful lady.

            August 20 was a fun night.  I went to a Praise service at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Waldorf.  The Friday night before, Faith United Methodist had a Praise service, also.  I hope this means this type of thing will be continuing as both of them were great.  Anyone who likes to sing would enjoy this type of service.

            Sunday, August 22,I went with a group to see “The Producers” at the Kennedy Center.  This is a wonderful play.  The idea of the play is to produce a play that won’t be any good, so they decide on a story that is called “Springtime for Hitler.”  Of course, everyone would expect this story to be something no one would want to see, but it turns out to be a hit, instead, and since he was cooking the books, he is arrested.  The music is wonderful, and the dancing was spectacular.  It was a nice way to spend a Sunday.

            The Southern Maryland Childcare Resource Center is a program partially funded from a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Southern Maryland Early Literature Project.  If you provide any type of child care, you can get free ideas and materials for art, language, math, science, and music for infants, toddlers, and preschool and school age children.  Contact Latica or Cheryl at 301-290-0040 or call 1-866-290-0040 for more information.

            If you are a caregiver of any kind, there are resources and referrals where you can get help, such as AARP, 1-800-424-3410, Alzheimer’s Association,1-800-272-3900, Elder Care Locator,1-800-677-1116, Family Caregiver Alliance, 415-434-3388, National Alliance for Care Giving,301-718-8444, National Family Caregivers Association, 800-896-3650, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, 520-881-8088, Visiting Nurses Association, 888-866-8773, Home Instead Senior Care, 888-484-5769,Comfort Keepers, 937-264-1933, Association of Jewish Family and Children, 800-634-7346, Catholic Charities, 703-549-1390, Faith in Action, 877-324-8411, Meals on Wheels, 703-548-5558, Shepherd Centers of America, 800-547-7073, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 520-881-4005, and Elder Issues, 561-265-0016.  Or you can go to the web and type in www.National Council on Aging, where you will get a lot of other addresses

            The Mount Airy Mansion will host its first golf tournament, sponsored by the Rosaryville Conservancy and Upper Marlboro Rotary Club, on September 17,at the Upper Marlboro Golf Club at 9413 Midland Turn.  Registration begins at 9 am, followed by a shotgun start at 10 am.  Sponsorships are now available.  Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Tobacco Barn in Rosaryville State Park.  For information and to register, call 301-952-2300 or 301-868-1326.

            The Town of Indian Head is again holding flea markets on Saturdays on the Village Green from 7 am to 1 pm to October 30.  Spaces are available.  Vendors should bring tables and chairs.  For information, call 301-743-5574 or 301-753-6633.

            President Bush said “It’s no exaggeration to say that the undecided could go one way or another.”

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