Say thanks to veterans through Hero to Hero Project
Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is seeking short 10- to 20-second videos from active duty service members, wishing a happy Veterans Day to the veterans who call the location their home.
The objective of the project, called the Hero to Hero Project, is to connect U.S. servicemen and women, past and present. Submissions will be compiled and shown at the home’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
Videos must include the participant’s name, branch of service, area they are serving (if able), and a personal message to the Charlotte Hall veterans. Group videos are welcome.
Videos may be submitted via email to Ashley Radano at aradano@hmrmd.com no later than Oct. 31. Please include your name and contact information in the body of the email.
County announces November holiday schedule
The Charles County Commissioners wish to remind residents of changes to normal operating schedules for the month of November. All offices, facilities, and services not listed will be operating their normal hours.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 (Election Day)
• All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed
• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, and all school based community centers are closed
• All indoor pools will be open 1 p.m. — 9 p.m. for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, and North Point).
• Charles County Public Library (All branches)
Friday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day)
• All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed
• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, Port Tobacco Recreation Center, and all school based community centers are closed
• All indoor pools will be open 1 p.m. — 9 p.m. for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, and North Point)
• VanGO Brandwine Connector will not operate.
• VanGO last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Business A, Business B, and Charlotte Hall routes. Last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 6 p.m. on the Berry Road, Indian Head, Pinefield, St. Charles A, St. Charles B, and St. Charles C routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Bryans Road, and Nanjemoy routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point for Newburg will be at 4:30 p.m., and for La Plata will be at 6 p.m.
• Charles County Health Department is closed.
• Charles County Public Library (All branches)
Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day)
• All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed
• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, Port Tobacco Recreation Center, Elite Gymnastics, indoor pools, and all school based community centers are closed
• VanGO services will not be operating
• The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center on Billingsley Road in Waldorf, and the Pisgah Recycling Center on Route 425 in Pisgah will be closed
• Curbside recycling will be delayed one day, Thursday pickups will take place on Friday and Friday pickups on Saturday
• The Crain Memorial Welcome Center will be closed
• Charles County Skate Park will be closed
• Charles County Health Department is closed
• Charles County Public Library (All branches)
Friday, Nov. 25 (Day after Thanksgiving)
• All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed
• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, Port Tobacco Recreation Center, and all school based community centers are closed
• All indoor pools will be open 1 p.m.-8 p.m. for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, and North Point)
• Curbside recycling will be delayed one day. Thursday pickups will take place on Friday and Friday pickups on Saturday
• Charles County Health Department is closed
• Charles County Public Library (All branches)
For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-8852779 or PressRoom@ CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
County employees develop cost savings incentive program
The Charles County Department of Human Resources is introducing a new Employee Cost Savings Incentive Program. The Human Resources Employee Committee, a group of employees representing all county departments, initiated the program. The program’s goal is to encourage employee involvement in improving service delivery to residents while identifying cost savings measures.
“The Cost Savings Incentive Program was developed with employees in mind,” said Billy Walker, a department of human resources employee committee member and department of public works employee. “I believe some of the greatest process improvements and cost-saving ideas come from employees that are performing the work every day.”
County Administrator Michael D. Mallinoff said, “This program is an example of county government employees thinking outside the box to provide services to county residents at a lower cost. I am excited to see what we come up with.”
Individuals or groups of employees may submit cost-saving suggestions and ideas to the Department of Human Resources Employee Committee. Each suggestion will be reviewed for feasibility and cost-saving analysis. If an employee’s cost-saving idea is approved for use, employee(s) will receive a monetary award of five percent of the projected cost savings, up to $5,000.
Preservation Matters Newsletter now available
The Department of Planning and Growth Management’s annual online publication, “Preservation Matters: Celebrating Charles County’s Historic Places,” is now available for viewing online. To view the newsletter, go to www.charlescountymd.gov/sites/default/files/ pgm/planning/PreservationMattersNewsletter_2016_web.pdf.
This edition features “Documenting a Community’s Recent Past.” Read about the tight knit community of Pomonkey and its coming together to highlight its significance to Charles County’s past and future. Learn about the stories, structures and people of this area, as well as the documentation efforts to help preserve the community’s heritage.
Also featured are articles on private cemeteries, recovered artifacts near Benedict, restoration of Rich Hill, 2016 preservation awards, and news from the county archaeologist Ester Doyle Read.
A limited number of printed copies of the newsletter are available upon request. To obtain a printed copy of the newsletter, or for more information about the “Preservation Matters” publication, contact Beth Groth at GrothB@CharlesCountyMD.gov or 301-645-0684.
So. Md. HR professionals to meet for sixth conference
The Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (HRASM) is presenting its sixth conference on 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 at CSM, Prince Frederick Campus, 115 J.W. Williams Road, Building B, Prince Frederick. Conference sessions will focus on workplace communication, the future of Human Resources, talent acquisition strategies, and leadership.
The cost is $100 for members and $125 for non-members, which includes both continental breakfast and lunch. To register, go to http://hrasmonline.shrm.org. Once registered, payment is required if a cancellation is made after the deadline date.
HRASM has over 190 members from the tri-county area who have a special interest in the human resources field. Its mission is to provide networking, educational, advisory and training opportunities to HR professionals in Southern Maryland. HRASM is an affiliated chapter of the national Society of Human Resources Professionals (SHRM).
La Plata library to close for parking lot repaving
Charles County Public Library announces that its La Plata Branch will be closed Oct. 26, 27 and 28 for parking lot repaving, weather permitting. Call 301-934-9001 or visit www.ccplonline.org for the most up to date status. The library will reopen 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
During this time period no items will be due and no fines accrued. The book drop of the La Plata branch will be locked and there will be no public access to the building.
While the branch is closed, visit or call other Charles County Public Library branches:
• P.D. Brown Memorial Branch, 301-645-2864
Potomac Branch, 301375-7375
• Waldorf West Branch, 301-645-1395
Shanks to participate in Family, Health and Home Expo on Oct. 29
Physical fitness coordinator Debi Shanks and various senior citizens around the county will be encouraging residents to stay fit at the Family, Health, and Home Expo. This expo will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata, beginning at 10 a.m. Shanks will lead the older adult fitness demo on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. on the Autumn stage and 1 p.m. on the Pink Experience stage with several local seniors supporting Shanks. Come
and support our local senior citizens as they demonstrate their fitness exercises.
The goal of this event is to encourage the families in our local communities to take control of their health and to learn the facts they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity. This is an opportunity to pick up healthy-living tips, and meet with healthcare professionals.
For more information on the Family, Health, and Home Expo, go to www.familyhealthandhomeexpo.com, or call Debi Shanks at 301-609-5711.