News - Rotary Club of Prince Frederick

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Stovy Brown is the first one of our club members to help clients of the food pantries in Calvert County to file income taxes. This program run by the Chesapeake Church is designed to help the clients in preparing the right forms to receive the maximum refunds or pay lower taxes.

Natalie Brown from the community relations function at SMECO briefed us on its "Members to Members" program to help those having trouble paying their rising utility bills.

Commissioner Nutter mentioned that balancing the next fiscal year budget will be difficult, but that maintaining proper funding of the school system is a top priority. He reported that the County will be accepting bids shortly to demolish the old Calvert Middle School building. Proposals on uses for that site will come after that. He answered questions on a range of topics, including the viability of the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course, Plan Maryland, and the proposed local redistricting for electing commissioners.

Club President, Martha Canfield, and party organizer, Carol Lehman, share a moment as the party begins.

Some special guests: Barbara Schwencer, Jean Allen, Marsh and Fran Damerell

The Patuxent Voices sang traditional carols with imaginative arrangements. They were terriific!

The following officers were elected for the 2012-13 Rotary year which begins in July 1, 2012:

President	Rich Fleming
President Elect	Justin Ruest
Secretary	Ed Burkhart
Treasurer	Mike Hammond
Sergeant-at-Arms	Al Schwencer
Directors:
Club Service	Jean Gelatka
Vocational Service	Gene Karol
Community Service	Philip Yeats
International Service	Paul Summers
Immediate Past President	Martha Canfield

Commissioner Clark gave us a rundown of the fiscal situation facing the county over the next several years. He is optimistic that the decrease in revenue from property taxes is over and anticipates modest rises after the current year. He emphasized his commitment to keeping the school system among the best in the state. He ansered questions about the county redistricting and transportation priorities.

Circle of Care is a private company designed to individuals who are faced with significant efforts to tend to chronically ill or failing family members. Lee Ann Stedman is oneof the founders who became aware of the need after attending her own mother during her final illness. Dawn DiGirolamo helps to oversee the professionals that Circle of Care hires to deliver services to clients. These professionals are not medically trained, but do provide many support services that supplement medical care from Hospice and others.

Chris Reynolds examines his Four Way Test Coffee mug after his talk to our club.

Chris Reynolds of Scientist Cliffs has served for about seven months on the State Parole Commission, a position appointed by the Governor. He gave us an account of how cases come before the Commission and how each one is decided.

Distirct Governor Morrisette gives certificates of appreciation to Robin Finnacom, President of the Rotary Club of Lexington Park, and our club president, Martha Canfield. Both clubs have particpated in major ways in helping The Rotary Foundation in raising $200 million in matching funds to enable a $355 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fund the work to help eradicate polio from the world.

Claude Morrisette, District Governor for Rotary's District 7620, spoke at a joint meeting of our club with that of Lexington Park. He encouraged oiur clubs to continue the great record of community service while finding new ways to make our clubs relevant to yoiunger potential members.

Commissioner Susan Shaw answered questions about the county's new director of Planning and Zoning and the effect of the current economic environment on the funding formula for the Board of Educatoin.

Our club's canteen trailer had an exceptionally busy day with the above menu serving a record crowd at this event at Annmarie Garden. By the end of the day, nearly every thing was sold out!

Dave Weigel became our newest member at September's Club Assembly. Dave has just completed clerking for Judge Claggett of Calvert County's Circuit Court and has just joined the Davis, Upton Palumbo law firm in Prince Frederick.

Gene Karol won the 1/3 1/3 1/3 jackpot, again! He generously donated his winnings to the club foundation's scholarship endowment fund.

For all five days of our Calvert Count Fair, members of our club manned our canteen trailer offering seafood specialties.

President Canfield presents Commissioner Slaughenhoupt with the Rotary Four Way Test coffee mug.

County Commissioner Evan Slaughenhoupt briefed us on how well he believes the current Board of County Commissioners is working together. One of his initiatives is to make the county easier for new businesses to form, particularly in the town centers. New proposals are being sought on the best uses for the old Calvert Middle School property.

Five teams sailed in the rescheduled (because of Hurricane Irene) team racing part of the Summer Challenge fund raiser. Calvert Hospice, Hospice of St. Mary's, the Southern Maryland Sailing Foundation, and our club's scholarship fund are beneficiaries of this unique sailing event. Club member Mike Hammond's firm, Communications Services, Inc., sponsored a team. Racing was delayed due to no wind conditions for a couple of hours, but the afternoon sailing was ideal. The event took place at the Tall Timbers Marina and was supported by the Sailing Center Chesapeake, a subsidiary of the sailing foundation. Our club sold hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks to the competitors as part of the fund raising.

Sheriff Evans receives the Rotary 4-Way Test Coffee Mug from club president, Martha Canfield.

County Sheriff Mike Evans presented his most recent annual report and gave us some feeling for the trends in crime. Drug-related robberies of all kinds are a big worry at present. The Sheriff's office is now using 12-hour shifrs to get more deputies available to handle a rising volume of situations.

Dr. Ervin of Salisbury University told us about the shortage of electrical power capacity in the state, especially on the Eastern Shore. The corridor from Washington to lower New York State is designated as one of two major power shortage centers in the country. More generation, improved transmission, and conservation are all needed to cope with this situation. Demand is expected to continue to rise in the forseeable future.

Dr. Fedorczyk, who has a chiropractic practice in Dunkirk, talked about the principles of the Foundation of Wellness Professionals. This group stresses all the things outside of the health care system that we do to be more well. Good diet, reducing stress, and exercise are at the top of the list.

Calvert County Commissioner Steve Weems gave us his impression of the new board of commissioners and some of the priorities that they face, particularly in balancing the budget with so many pressures brought on by the weak economy and requirements for funding the teachers' pension.

Justin Ruest helped to man our table at the Chamber of Commerce's annual event for small businesses. Jean Gelatka kindly donated our door prize of a lovely set of silver earrings. Lots of people stopped by to find out what Rotary is all about.

Philip Yeats, Gene Karol, Martha Canfield, Jean Gelatka, Ed Burkhart, Paul Summers, Mike Hammond, & Stovy Brown.
Missing are Rich Fleming and Al Schwencer.

Twenty-eight members and spouses gathered at the Perigeaux Vineyard & Winery in St. Leonard to install our club's officers for 2011-12. Stovy Brown reviewed the highlights of the past year and incoming president, Martha Canfield, outlined what lies ahead in the next few month.

President	Martha Canfield
President Elect	Rich Fleming
Secretary	Ed Burkhart
Treasurer	Mike Hammond
Sergeant-at-Arms	Al Schwencer
Director, Club Service	Jean Gelatka
Director, Vocational Service	Gene Karol
Director, Community Service	Philip Yeats
Director, Internatinal Service	Paul Summers
Immediate Past President	Stovy Brown