Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Hyattsville Middle School staff and administration decided to let students, rather than teachers, pick which of their peers exhibited the September character trait of the month: respect.
One student from each homeroom was selected. In seventh grade, students who exhibited respect were: Leen Almanee, Ariel Hernandez, Michael Holden, Kimberly Lemus, Mary Like-Matthews, Dorian Lopez, Isabel Medina, Sifredy Mejia , Raymond McCrory , Erick Osorio, Danielle Pickens, Yasmin Qudah, Lilibeth Ramirez, Esther Risinger, Justin Salvador , Kimberly Saucedo-Broach, Joyce Yang and Meybin Zelda.
In eighth grade, students who exhibited respect were: Tia Carter, Lorene Childs, Brenely Hernandez, Melanie Hernandez, Jordan Jackson, Celilia Lapp Stoltzfus, Megan Lewis, Vanessa Morris, Tashi Oglesby, Aprina Parks, Luz Paz-Chavez, Perla Pena, Drokil Taylor, Edgar Torres, Rachel West and Latori Williams.
Edmonston officers honored by highway administration
Two members of Edmonston's police force were honored by the State Highway Administration on Oct. 5 for their commitment to fighting drunk driving.
SHA gave 146 Maryland police officers citations during the state's seventh-annual Impaired Driving Coalition DUI Law Enforcement Awards. They were given to officers with the highest number of DUI arrests for the calendar year.
Cpl. Richard Sease and Officer Kyle Minnick were both given citations.
Bike tour begins
in Bladensburg
The Anacostia Trails Heritage Area nonprofit is hosting its annual Anacostia Trails Fall Foliage Bike Ride and Tour to promote heritage tourism.
The community bike ride will give residents a chance to see the changing leaves of autumn and learn about local history. The tour will stop at Riverdale Mansion, Lake Artemisia, College Park Aviation Museum, Greenbelt Historic District, Beltsville Agricultural Center and Montpelier Mansion.
After the ride, there will be a picnic, pontoon rides on the Anacostia River, food and entertainment. There are three different courses designed for various skill levels: a 10, 14 and 32-mile courses.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, starting at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Road.
Parkdale grad completes basic training
Air Force Airman Thaddeus J. Kearse graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
During six weeks of training, Kearse studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.
Kearse also earned credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force by completing the training.
Kearse is a 2005 graduate of Parkdale High School in Riverdale and the son of Laurel resident Renee Kearse.
Pottery sale planned
for Langley Park
Langley Park is hosting its 24th annual pottery sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 22.
The event will be held at the Langley Park Community Center, located at 1500 Merrimac Drive.
The sale will feature works by Donna Anderson, Bevolin Ashley, Mary Giammatteo, Emily Gustafson, Alice Hui, Ana Karim, Echo Lipten, Lorraine Rao, Olivia Ridgeway, Berta Romero, Pam Silverwood, Laura Taylor Kathryn von Rautenfeld, Anne Williams and Patty Yu.
Call 301-445-4508.
Parent support group to hold health symposium
The Mocha Moms Inc. Mid-Atlantic Region will hold "The Healthy Moms Symposium" at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Greenbelt's Hilton Garden Inn, 7810 Walker Drive. Mocha Moms is a support group for at-home mothers. Lynn Johnson, a motivational speaker, will address the crowd. Demonstrations and door prizes will be given. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Call 240-638-9716.
Health- and wellness-related business owners who want to put a $10 notice in the Mocha Moms health directory may send information to lovemy24ever@yahoo.com or send a PayPal payment to midatlanticmocha@aol.com or mail it to P.O. Box 1655, Bowie, MD 20717.
University Park hosts annual Chili Cook Off
University Park held its annual Chili Cook Off on Oct. 11. The event was held at University Park Elementary School. There were a total of 28 contestants entered into the contest.
The town had four different competitive categories – Under 18, 3-alarm, vegetarian and mild.
The winners in the under 18 category were Chloe Widman for her "Chloe's Chocolate Chili Vegetarian," Shawn Turonis for "Shawn's Chili" and Drew and Sean Limon for "Rock the Vote Chili."
In the 3 alarm category, the first place winner was Jack Leonardi, Joe Leonardi and Clay Briggs for "The JJ and Clay Cincinnati Cookin," the second place winner was Tom Mooney and the third place winner was Noah Hess for "Noah's Best Time Chili."
In the vegetarian category, Ann Wagner took home first place for her "Veggie Fiesta," Tom Williams won second place for "T. Willie's #3" and Dawn Nichols finished in third with her chili, "5 am this Morning."
In the mild competition, first place went to Greg Ewing for his "Maryland Backwood Venison Chili," Lily DeSantis earned second place for "Chili Lily" and University Park resident Chad Schmick's guest cook – his sister Gretchen, who was in town from Texas – earned third place with her "Outback Michigan Chili."
All winners received a ribbon-magnet. First place winners also received a commemorative barbecue apron that says "2008 Chili Cook Off Champion."