CLINTON COLUMN FOR JULY 22, 2004

It is possible that my neighbors all think I am an alcoholic since I do so much

swaying and bumping into things these days, but it is really some kind of Vertigo.  At this

point, no one really knows what it is, but I think it comes from getting older.  I know a lot

of my friends who have the same thing.  This week, I will go in for a Sonogram of my

stomach, and an Echocardiagram.  Let’s hope that they will find something that can be

taken care of and I can get back to feeling like my old self again.

            Gateway Lions Club is collecting used printer ink cartridges for recycle.  Call

Barbara McMillion at 301-396-4617 for more information.

            Happy Birthday in July to Margaret Talemeco, July 2, Wilda Johnson, July 3,

Dora Defibaugh, July 5, Blanche Smith, July 6, Gilbert Moore and Berry Moore, July 7,

Roland Moore, your columnist and Judy McCord, July 9, Gladys Darney, July 10, Emily

Eckert, July 11, Cal McMillion and Shirley Voigt, July 12, Joan Richardson, July 13,

Ellie Thomas and Keets Ogden, July 14, Peggy Moore and Sarah Crawford, July 15,

Pauline Frederick, Becky Flowers, Viola Shives and Orrell J. Blakeman, July 18, Lillian

Brooks, July 21, my son-in-law, George Lucas, July 22, Clara Houghton, July 23, Alan

Congdon, July 25, Deedie Peaper, July 26, Marjanette Feagan and William Hite, July 27,

Kurtis Wilkins, July 28, Clarence Duty and Ethel Secrist, July 29, and Ernest Moore, July

31.

            Suitland High School Class of 1954, is having a reunion in Bowie at the Comfort

Inn on September 25.  It will be a dinner dance and the cost is $66.  Someone called me

to give me this information, and I hope this person reads this and calls me again, because

I cannot remember who it was.

            An organization called Helping Our Elderly Live Better in Washington, DC, is

 looking for seniors age 55 and older to join.  Call 202-575-3611 for information.

            Mayor Martin O’Malley of Baltimore, will be one of the featured speakers at the

Democratic Convention this month.  The theme of the convention is to be “A Stronger

America.”  The four days of the convention will focus on the Kerry-Edwards Vision for a

nation “Stronger at Home, Respected in the World.”  If you want to choose the night you

watch the convention, the first night featured speakers will be Representative Stephanie

Tubbs-Jones of Ohio, Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Representative

Bob Menendez of New Jersey.  On Tuesday, the speakers will include Senator Ted

Kennedy, Christie Vilsack of Iowa and Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona, who will

talk about Kerry’s and Edwards’ service to the nation.  Wednesday, the speakers will be

Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Mayor O’Malley, and Retired Marine Lt. Col.

Steve Brozak of New Jersey.  Wednesday is the night when Elizabeth will be introducing

her husband, John Edwards, for his speech.  On Thursday, John Kerry will be addressing

the nation.  His daughters, Alex and Vanessa Kerry and two stepsons, Chris and Andre

Heinz, will also play a role in Thursday’s program.  The Honorable Max Cleland will

introduce Mr. Kerry .  The convention takes place at the Fleet Center in Boston.

            There is a virus that lives in dried rat and mouse droppings.  Once dried, these

droppings are like dust and can easily be breathed in or ingested.  It is extremely

important to always carefully rinse off the tops of canned sodas or foods, and to wipe off

pasta packaging, cereal boxes, and so on.  Almost everything you buy in a supermarket

was stored in a warehouse at one time or another, and stores themselves often have

rodents.  Most of us remember to wash vegetables and fruits but never think of boxes and

cans.  When you buy a canned soft drink, wash the top with soap and water, or drink

through a straw. 

            The U.S. National Arboretus is having a Bonsai Demonstration this Saturday and

Sunday at 1 pm.  This is a free event.  For information, call 202-245-5898, or go to

www.usna.usda.gov.

            On July 28, the Bladensburg Waterfront Park is offering a canoe tour with a park

naturalist to look for wildlife, for all ages (age 15 and younger must have an adult with

them) at 6:30 pm.  Canoes, paddles, and life jackets will be provided.  There is a fee and

reservations are required.  Call 301-779-0371 (TTY) 301-699-2544.

            Charles County Department of Community Services is offering the Henson

Community Center’s Golf Camp for ages 11 to 17, from August 17 to 19 at 9:45 am at

the country club in Upper Marlboro.  There is a fee and registration is required by July

30.  Call 301-934-9305, 301-870-3388, or 800-735-2238 (TDD).

            Shiloh UMC in Bryans Road is holding Vacation Bible School from July 26 to 30

at 5:45 pm.  Call 301-375-8816 for more information.

            A good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another up.