CLINTON COLUMN FOR JUNE 10, 2004

            Another Memorial Day is over and gone.  I was privileged to attend the commemoration at American Legion Post 259 in Clinton with a speech by Judge Vincent Femia, who reminded everyone that this day had started out as a Decoration Day for the graves of those who had died to be decorated with flowers after the Civil War.  However, I think it is great that the day has continued to be a day in which to remember those who have died to keep our country free. 

Our Reunion Committee was meeting on Friday, so I had to drive to PA, and while there, I went to the cemetery where my older sister is buried.  It was interesting to see all the flags that had been put on the graves of veterans.  Apparently, my hometown area sent a lot of folks to die in the wars that have been fought by our country.  I did not check their ages, but since the cemetery has been there for along time, I imagine that some of them are even from World War I, as well as all of the wars since. 

Happy Birthday in June to Douglas Roy Bankert , Fred Cross, and Joe Devine, June 2, June Carver, June 3, Carole Haymans, June 6, Joe Jordan and Joan Crump, June 7, Estelle Congdon and Carol Kee, June 10, Alda Polling, June 11, my great granddaughter, Lacey Allison Barkhurst and Jan Lundstrom, June 13, Bob Medlen, June 14, Thelma McCauley and Bessie Stine, June 15, Corky Gryszkiewicz, June 16, Margaret L. Brown, June 17, Mickey Griggs, June 18, Margie Earnest, June 20, Steve Lundstrom and Margaret Landis, June 21, my twins, Danny Fazenbaker and Dottie Ferrell, Angie Sepe, June 24, Bryan Rupt and Eric Tinkham, June 25, my daughter, Janice Toepper, and Alice Simmons, June 26, Rose Hoffman, June 27, Mike Bean and Joyce Lothian, June 29, Donald Moore and Marlene Pace, June 30.

The 7^th annual Queen Anne Day Festival will be held on October 16 from 11 am to 5 pm at the Patuxent River 4-H Center in Upper Marlboro.  The Patuxent River Civic Association is looking for crafters and artists.  For applications, call 301-249-9761.

The Art Committee of the Friends of Quiet Water Park in Annapolis, is accepting artist applications for its 14^th annual Arts Festival, a juried exhibition and sale, to be held on November 13 and 14.  Artists working in ceramics, graphic and fine arts, textiles, photography, jewelry, sculpture, glass, wood, leather and more are encouraged to apply.  Deadline for applications is July 5.  Call 410-222-1777.

The Greater Lighthouse Church Bargain Room in Lanham offers used clothing, shoes, household items, furniture and more from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.  Item donations are tax-deductible.  Call 301-731-5229 for information.

Clinton United Methodist Church on Brandywine Road will be holding their yard sale this Saturday, June 12, from 8 am to 2 pm.  Tables and spaces are available.  Call 301-868-1281 for information.

The Girls and Boys Town of Washington, DC, is looking for donations of t-shirts, paper products, plastic ware, food and gift certificates for its Friends and Family Day to be held on July 17 at 4801 Sargent Rd., NE.  Call 202-832-7343 for information.

The Maryland External High School Diploma Program offers an alternative to the GED exam, with one-on-one appointments and free tutoring, for test-anxious adults, age 18 and older.  For more information, call 301-645-8765 or 301-870-7310.

The Vietnam Veterans of American, Baltimore Chapter 451, is looking for photographs and biographical information of Maryland men and women who lost their lives in Vietnam, for its Operation Remember display.  Call 410-633-0857 or log on to www.vva451.org.

Change of Heart Ministries will hold the conference Real Wives, for wives tackling marital issues, on June 12 at 8 am at the hotel conference center on Surratts Road in Clinton.  “Who Knew” will be the theme.  All are welcome.  Call 240-472-2864 for more information.

The Young Adult Ministry of Christ Temple Church on Woodyard Road, is sponsoring a shopping trip fundraiser to outlets in New York on July 24.  There is a fee.  For information, call 301-868-3567 or 240-461-1197

United Cerebral Palsy of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties are inviting businesses and agencies to participate in its annual Casual Day on June 18.  In exchange for donations to UCP, employees of registered companies can come to work in casual clothes on that day.  Human resource managers must register their companies.  Call 301-459-0566 or log on to netathon.org for information.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.