Section: CSC

Around South County: Kids learn about the War of 1812

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00

During the War of 1812, there was a famous battle in Baltimore, the 1814 "Battle of Fort McHenry." It wasn't really a battle at all - the fort didn't have cannons powerful enough to reach the British warships, so the fire was only incoming.

During the 25-hour bombardment, all the lights in the city were darkened - the only illumination throughout the night came from exploding shells over the star-shaped fort. For citiz...

Dog park opens in Lothian

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00

A swimming pool, a vending machine with treats, fire hydrants and a see-saw make Duncan's Family Campgrounds' dog park a doggie heaven.

Owned by sister-brother duo Laurie and Mark Duncan, they've been told by "word of camper" that their 4,500-square- foot campground dog park located at 5381 Sands Road in Lothian, is the largest visiting campers have seen during their travels across the country.

Mark Duncan sa...

Deale student wins outstanding safety patroller of the year for county schools

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00

Alissa Ferranti let out a "shriek of emotion" upon learning that she was named Anne Arundel County Public Schools' Outstanding School Safety Patroller of the Year.

The news was delivered to the Deale Elementary School fifth-grader earlier this month by her gym teacher, Vern Brumfield.

Brumfield, also the schools' safety patrol coordinator, said that when he called Alissa: "She let out a shriek of emotion like she m...

Around South County: South county resident explores the many branches of her family tree

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00

Elinor Thompson decided about 10 years ago to begin researching her family history. That isn't uncommon. By some accounts, genealogy is the fastest growing hobby, surpassing stamp collecting, quilting and even gardening.

But for Elinor Thompson, who is African American, researching her family's history posed some difficult challenges.

Going back a few generations isn't very hard, recent records are well kept, and oral histori...

Dolphins spotted in West River

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00

It was quite a sight to see, something more fit for Ocean City than the little south county town of Galesville: Dolphins cavorting in the water.

Several people reported seeing dolphins in the West River over the weekend. While it was surprising to many, it's not all that unusual, said Tammy O'Connell, a biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.

"It's very common," she said. "They're in the b...

Around South County: A super successful school year ends in south county

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00

South county public schools wrapped up a very productive year on June 9.

At Central Elementary School, Principal Jan Haberlein said that highlights of the school year included the passage of Rosa's Law, named for first-grader Rosa Marcellino. The law changes the designation from "mentally retarded" to "intellectually disabled." Another highlight was U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski's visit in April for a roundtable discus...

Edgewater's A.J. Beal sees future in gymnastics

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00

At age 13, A.J. Beal already has enough confidence in his gymnastic abilities to set his sights on Olympic-level competition.

The Edgewater seventh-grader has been involved heavily involved the past three years with competitive gymnastics - a sport that takes up four hours of his day, four days a week year-round.

Some of his goals include competing in the 2010 Junior Olympic Nationals and even - with a lot of hard work - the 2012 Olympic...