Operation Christmas Child to collect shoeboxes
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, will deliver shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and toys to children overseas living in extreme poverty or affected by war, disease and natural disaster. Residents may fill shoeboxes and drop them off at any one of the following locations during the week of Nov. 14-21: Hughesville Baptist Church, 8505 Old Leonardtown Road, Hughesville MD 20637, 301-274-3672; La Plata First Baptist Church, 9070 Hawthorne Road, La Plata MD 20646, 301-934-9040; Waldorf First Baptist Church, 10045 Bunker Hill Road, Waldorf MD 20603, 301-645-6966; Indian Head Baptist Church, 27 Raymond Ave., Indian Head MD 20640, 301-743-3707. Call the churches for specific hours of operation.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child or to find drop-off locations in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Prince George’s Counties, go to samaritanspurse.org/occ. By going online to give the suggested donation of $7 per shoebox gift, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world it will be delivered.
Government announces Nov. 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 are 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 NorthPoint).
Charles County Health Department is closed.
Charles County Public Library (All branches) is closed. Friday, Nov. 11 (Veterans’ Day):
All Charles County Govern-
NEWS OF NOTE
ment offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville are 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 Brandywine 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) is closed. Thursday, Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day: All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville are 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 are 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 is closed.
Charles County Skate Park is closed.
Charles County Health Department is closed.
Charles County Public Library (all branches) is closed. Friday, Nov. 25 (Day after Thanksgiving): All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville are 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 1-8 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) is closed.
For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or Press- Room@CharlesCountyMD. gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Mar yland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
CSM begins nationwide search for fifth president
The College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees has launched a national search for the institution’s fifth President due to the pending retirement of President Bradley M. Gottfried. The board is seeking an experienced educational leader and administrator with a track record of being visionary, innovative, collaborative and inspirational.
CSM’s Board of Trustees has appointed a search committee, chaired by trustee Michael L. Middleton and comprised of representatives from the board, the CSM Foundation, faculty, alumni and the La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick campuses. Additionally, focus groups with each of the college’s County Advisory Councils in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties and information sessions with college employees have been held to prepare the presidential profile and preferred qualifications.
This information is available at the college’s presidential search web site, www.csmd. edu/presidentialsearch and applications will be accepted for the position until Dec. 15.
Reporting directly to a nine-member board of trustees who are appointed by the Governor to four-year terms, the president is the college’s chief executive officer and serves as the secretary-treasurer for the college’s active foundation.
The board seeks a person who will continue to energetically pursue alignment with its mission, vision and values to foster fiscal responsibility, encourage diversity and inspire student success and completion. The successful candidate will possess outstanding communication skills necessary to preserve and enhance partnerships with industry, community and other educational institutions while overseeing and inspiring the college’s employees.
For the presidential profile, qualifications requested and details on the search process, visit www.csmd.edu/presidentialsearch.
Tri-County Animal Shelter announces November promotions
The Tri-County Animal Shelter announces the following November monthly promotions and reminders:
Adopt a Senior Animal Month (Tuesday, Nov. 1- Wednesday, Nov.
30) — Any animal 6 years old or older will be available for adoption at a reduced fee. Senior dogs are reduced to $85 and senior cats to $5. Senior animals are often the most difficult group of homeless pets to place, but they make great pets and there are many benefits to adopting one. Senior pet’s personalities are developed so you can tell if they are a good fit and they tend to be already housebroken. Come adopt an older, gentler soul today.
Pet Holiday Safety — Thanksgiving is a season for friends, family, and holiday feasts, but also a time for possible distress for your pets. Keep your animal safe and make sure they do not consume an uncooked turkey, poisonous floral arrangement, or unattended alcoholic beverage. For more pet safety tips, go to www.Ready.gov.
Giving Pets as Gifts — Giving an animal as a gift may seem like a good idea, but pets are a huge responsibility and long-term commitment. A successful adoption requires time and thought. Instead of giving a loved one a pet, consider giving a gift certificate to use at the shelter. The Tri-County Animal Shelter has gift certificates available throughout the year. Pair the gift certificate with a gift basket of pet-related items. Giving a certificate gives the adopter the opportunity to meet a few animals before making the right match for their family.
The Tri-County Animal Shelter is located at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville. Shelter staff can be reached at 301-932-1713 or 800-903-1992. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To view animals available for adoption, go to www. CharlesCountyMD.gov/es/ animal shelter/ tri- county-animal-shelter orwww.petfinder. com/shelters/MD112.html.
Benedict Bridge to be closed for 30-minute periods until Thursday night
Overnights this week, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close the Route 231 (Prince Frederick Road/Hallowing Point Road) “Benedict Bridge” over the Patuxent River for construction work. Crews will intermittently close the bridge to vehicles, stopping traffic on both the Calvert and Charles County sides for 30-minute periods between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Nov. 2 and 3.
The closures are necessary for SHA’s contractor to drive piles under the swing span, which requires the structure to be in the open position. All work is weather permitting. SHA advises travelers to plan ahead to avoid crossing overnight or to allow extra time for the intermittent closures.
The piles are part of the new fender system that will protect the bridge supports from marine traffic collisions. Construction of the new steel and timber fender system began late April. The new system, which includes heavy wooden timbers, is prepared off-site and installed from barges.
SHA is adding navigational lights under the bridge to enhance visibility for marine traffic’s safe passage. SHA awarded the $3.5 million project to Corman Marine Construction, Inc. of Annapolis Junction.