Blue Crabs kick off 10th season Thursday night

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will begin its 10th anniversary opening night festivities with a game against the Long Island Ducks at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The team will host a night themed after the popular movie “Field of Dreams,” which was the showcase of one of the most popular theme night’s in the teams history on Sept. 23, 2012. The stadium will feature cornstalks throughout the concourse, reminiscent of the corn fields in the popular 1989 film. With the help of Port Tobacco Players, fans will be greeted by old-time baseball players to enjoy and interact with before and during the game.

The team will be hosting the “Shoeless Joe Jackson” Shoe Drive benefiting the Charles County Children’s Aid Society. The shoe drive, named after the popular character in “Field of Dreams,” will support local children in an effort to help those in need. Fans can drop off new or lightly used shoes at the front gates as they enter on April 20.

The night kicks off the teams 2017 season as fans can expect appearances from players of Blue Crabs past and the unveiling of the Ten Year Team as voted on by the fans.

Community Bank of the Chesapeake has teamed up with the Blue Crabs to provide fans a free magnet schedule, which can be picked up at the front gates. The kids park will be dressed for success as Elite Beatz will have inflatables set up during the game.

As the season starts, the 2017 team will take the field under leadership of first year manager John Harris. The team boasts a strong line up of pitching with the likes of Justin De Fratus and Pat Misch joining familiar franchise faces such as Daryl Thompson, Brian Grening and Cody Eppley. The offense and defense features the return of Michael Snyder, Zach Wilson and Gary Brown with newcomers Zach Cone, Edwin Garcia, Cory Vaughn and Patrick Palmeiro.

The opening night festivities leads off Opening Weekend, as the series continues against Long Island on April 21 as the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and Blue Crabs partner to present “Work Zone Safety Awareness Night.” Students who have diligently read books as part of the “Pinch onto Books” Reading Program presented by Educational Systems Federal Credit Union can trade in their bookmarks for a ticket and participate in a pregame parade on the field.

Fans can purchase tickets anytime by visiting the eTrepid Box Office any weekday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., calling the stadium at 301-638-9788 during regular business hours, or by going to somdbluecrabs.com.

Pay It Forward Week scheduled April 22-28

Charles County Pay It Forward Week will be next week, April 22-28. The Charles County Commissioners would like to encourage all citizens to show random acts of kindness and inspire others through their actions. The receiver of the kind deed is encouraged to “pay it forward,” creating a ripple effect that is visible, motivating and energizing.

During Pay It Forward Week, citizens are invited to report random acts of kindness. The commissioners will highlight some of these actions during their meeting on Tuesday, May 2. Send random acts of kindness reports via email to SpeakOut@CharlesCountyMD.gov, send a message on Twitter @ CharlesCoMD or Facebook at www.facebook. com/CharlesCounty. Use the hashtag #SpeakOutCharles.

Check county social media throughout the week to see what positive things are taking place in Charles County. Pay It Forward Week demonstrates the power of a single kind act. Help turn April 24-28 into a kindness movement in Charles County, culminating in national Pay It Forward Day on Friday, April 28. Learn more at www. pay it forward day. com.

Everyone can make a difference regardless of age, ethnicity, economic or social status, or background. There is always a way to help others. You can pay for someone’s cup of coffee, mow a neighbor’s lawn, give up your seat on the bus, donate to a local food pantry, or return someone’s shopping cart. Teachers can help their classes participate by illustrating a picture book for hospitalized children, or doing a community cleanup project. Even businesses can get involved by encouraging staff members to participate or donating to a charity.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-8852779.

Sagepoint to offer Student Caregiver Scholarship

The Sagepoint Scholar Award, a $1,500 scholarship, will be awarded to a selected college student (or incoming freshman) that is currently caring for, or has recently cared for in the past year, an aging loved one. Any existing student (or incoming freshman) that is in good academic standing at a 2- or 4-year accredited college can apply for this scholarship.

The deadline to apply is June 15, and a winner will be selected June 30.

Each applicant must provide a 1,500-word essay or two-minute video describing his or her journey as a caregiver. Judging will be based on the submission quality (inspiring, extraordinary, or otherwise compelling) of the application and the Sagepoint Scholar will be chosen via a vote by members of Sagepoint Senior Living Services’ leadership team.

For more information and to apply, go to www. sagepointcare.org/scholarship.

Golfers needed for annual tournament

The Forrest Career & Technology Center is seeking golfers to participate in its annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 6, at the Wicomico Shores Golf Course in Mechanicsville. The goal of the golf tournament is to help defray costs of student participation in SkillsUSA regional, state and national competitions.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in the nation. Contributions to the Forrest Center’s Golf Tournament will help ensure deserving St. Mary’s County High School students are eligible to compete.

The Forrest Center’s SkillsUSA chapter is among the most successful in the state and