Congregation Sha’are Shalom holding special service Nov. 2
Congregation Sha’are Shalom will hold a special service on Friday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m., in solemn commemoration both of the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht — the terrible “Night of Broken Glass” in which Hitler’s thugs terrorized German synagogues and Jewish stores and homes — and of this past weekend’s terrible massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The congregation invites community members of all faiths to this special service.
Scripture readings will be interspersed with accounts from both 1938 and this past weekend, and the Kaddish prayer will be spoken in memory of the victims, along with the singing of the hymn “Etz Chaim” (Tree of Life) in memory of the victims of Tree of Life Synagogue.
Congregation member Ellen Cohen witnessed Kristallnacht firsthand as a child in Germany and will recount those events of November 1938 from her memories.
Refreshments will be served after the service. To RSVP or for more information, contact Sha’are Shalom at shaareshalom@gmail.com.
Residents encouraged to participate in citizen survey
Charles County Government is partnering with National Research Center Inc. to conduct the National Citizen Survey (NCS). The survey centers on community livability and includes questions about the quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, rating of local government services and residents’ use of ser vices.
Earlier this month, a random and scientific sample of 1,600 households received invitations by mail. Residents who have not yet participated are invited to take the survey online at http:// bit.ly/charlescounty2018 from now to Friday, Nov. 9.
The NCS is designed to provide a baseline of how Charles County Government is serving residents, to better gauge perceptions of the county and to make comparisons with peer local government agencies.
DAR Port Tobacco Chapter’s contest open to students
The Port Tobacco Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is holding its annual contest season.
This year, the organization is hosting three separate contests for local students: the Junior American Citizens contest, the American History essay contest and the Christopher Columbus essay contest. The deadline for all contests is Nov. 30, and all students are strongly encouraged to enter.
The Junior American Citizens contest is open to all students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including those in public, private and parochial school, and home-schooled children. Each year, the contest is held to promote good citizenship and appreciation of American heritage and history among school-aged children. This year’s theme is “The 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing — America’s Great Move Forward in Exploration and Technology.” Entries may be in the form of a group banner, group community service project, poster, stamp design, photo essay, poem or short story.
The American History essay contest is open to students in grades five through eight in public, private and parochial school, and homeschooled children. This year’s topic is “The Women’s Suffrage Campaign.”
The Christopher Columbus essay contest is open to all students in grades nine through 12 in public, private or parochial schools, or those who are home schooled. This year’s topic is “Comparing Ship Technology: The Ships Columbus Used Versus Ships of Today.”
To request a contest entry information for any of the contests, email Vicki Talley Kelly at porttobaccodar@gmail.com.
Health department announces flu immunization clinics
The Charles County Department of Health has released its schedule for free flu immunization clinics. Flu Mist will be available, according to a news release.
Additional evening clinics in schools throughout the county have been scheduled in order to accommodate those parents that wish to have their children immunized.
There are many benefits of the flu vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention some of the reasons are:
• The vaccination can prevent you from getting sick with flu.
• Reduces the risk of flu-associated hospitalization in both children and older adults.
• It is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
• Helps to protect women during and after pregnancy. Getting vaccinated can also protect a baby after birth from flu.
• Getting vaccinated protects you and people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness — babies, young children, older people and people with certain chronic health conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible, according to the release.
The remaining clinics are as follows:
• Thursday, Nov. 1, 3 to 7 p.m., Piccowaxen Middle School, 12834 Rock Point Road, Newburg.
• Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Highway, White Plains.
• Thursday, Nov. 8, 4 to 7 p.m., Smallwood Middle School, 4990 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head.
• Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3 to 7 p.m., Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf.
• Thursday, Dec. 13, 3 to 7 p.m., Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Highway, White Plains.
For additional information about flu clinics, go to www.CharlesCountyHealth.org, or call the Charles County Department of Health at 301609-6900.