Annual Spring Fishin’ Buddies Derby set for May 6
The Charles County De- partment of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism will sponsor the 2017 annual Spring Fishin’ Buddies Derby at Gilbert Run Park in Dentsville, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6.
Anglers will compete by teams, which must include one adult at least 21 years of age and one child between the ages of 6 and 15. Each team must supply their own rods and bait. Trophies will be awarded in the two age divisions. Bank anglers will compete separately from those who fish from a boat. Local businesses have donated numerous fishing-related door prizes. All teams are eligible for the door prize drawings. Lunch will be provided to all participants.
The entry fee is $7 per team. Preregistration is required since participation is limited.
Entry forms are available at Gilbert Run Park or the main office of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco.
Registration forms are due to the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism main office by noon Wednesday, May 3.
For more information or to receive an entry form, call the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, at 301-932-3470 or 301-870-3388 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Nominate a La Plata teacher as best in town
The floral department in Giant of La Plata will be honoring teachers for Teacher Appreciation Day by having students vote for their favorite teacher. Voting will begin on Wednesday, April 26 and end Thursday, May 4. Students may drop off the name of their favorite public or private school teacher in the appropriate box for their school at the Giant’s floral department. The winning teacher will be announced Friday, May 5. McGruff the Crime Dog from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office will be there to congratulate the winning teacher. For more information, contact Dawn Goodwin at 240-416-8324.
So. Md. Meats Jr. promotion deadline is approaching
The Steering Committee of the Southern Maryland Meats (SMM) marketing program launched a new Junior Membership Program for youth this past January. The SMM Junior Program was developed to engage young people in raising livestock for quality meat production and to raise awareness for the Southern Maryland Meats brand and SMM producer farms.
The SMM Junior Membership is open to any youth (age 8 to 21 years) resident in the five Southern Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s) who is raising animals for meat production. Eligible livestock include beef, sheep, hogs, goats, poultry and rabbits. All Southern Maryland youth including 4-H members and Future Farmers of America (FFA) livestock projects are encouraged to apply.
Youth participating in the program will be acknowledged and promoted for their efforts to produce high quality meat animals adhering to required SMM standards for feed, humane and responsible raising practices. Participants will receive free promotional materials (stall card, flyers, T-shirt) to help promote their animals during the county fair show season and livestock auctions. A completion award ($100 per participant as funding allows) will be presented to youth who successfully complete the SMM Junior Membership Program requirements.
Applications to participate in the Junior Membership Program must be received by May 1 for livestock that includes sheep, goats, hogs, poultry and rabbits. (Please note, the beef applications were due Feb. 1).
For questions about the SMM Junior Membership Program contact Rachel Manning, SMM marketing and livestock specialist 301-274-1922, ext. 1, or email rmanning@smadc. com.
Social Services announces new family program
The Charles County Department of Social Services is introducing its “Launching Families” program 6-8 p.m. May 15 at the College of Southern Maryland La Plata campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, in the Center for Business and Industry (BI) Room 113.
The agency is seeking committed adults and/ or families to become permanent support resources for older youth in foster care. Youth “age out” of foster when they turn 21 and within the first few years of leaving care, one in five youth become homeless. Charles County Department of Social Services is soliciting the community’s help to reverse this trend. The “Launching Families” event is an opportunity to obtain additional information about this program and learn how you can help.
The event is free and will be open to the public. Dinner will be served to all registrants. Registration via Eventbrite is required at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/launching-families-program-tickets-33500237111. For more information, contact Nikkia Jckson at nikkia. jackson@maryland.gov.