SMECO board candidates nominated

The 2017 Nominating Committee for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) met on Saturday, May 13, and chose candidates for the five seats up for election on SMECO’s Board of Directors.

The list of nominations follows: Calvert County (one candidate to be elected)

Nancy W. Zinn Charles County (one candidate to be elected)

Victor B. Allen Kenneth W. Cross William L. Purnell Craig Renner Prince George’s County (one candidate to be elected)

Daniel W. Dyer St. Mary’s County (two candidates to be elected)

J. Douglas Frederick Joseph V. Stone In addition to nominations made by the Nominating Committee, any 15 or more SMECO members acting together may make other nominations by petition. SMECO customer-members running by petition should also complete and submit a Board of Directors Candidate Application. To obtain a candidate application and petition, contact Terrie Barringer at 240-528-9747 or

NEWS OF NOTE

Terrie. Bar ringer@ sm eco. coop. SMECO must receive completed candidate applications and petitions by Friday, June 23. To be included in the Annual Meeting Notice, candidates must submit their biography and photo by June 12. Applications and petitions may be mailed to SMECO, Attn: Joseph Densford, Board Attorney, P.O. Box 1937, Hughesville, MD 20637, or delivered to Terrie Barringer at 15035 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville. Nominations will be posted in each SMECO office and available online.

SMECO customer-members will elect five directors to serve three-year terms by voting for one board seat in Calvert County, one seat in Charles County, one seat in Prince George’s County, and two seats in St. Mary’s County.

Ballots will be mailed to all customer-members on or around July 21. All voting will be conducted by mail. The results of the election will be announced at SMECO’s 2017 Annual Members’ Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Middleton Hall on Renner Road in Waldorf.

Buy Local Challenge to celebrate 10 years

In July 2007, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) launched the Buy Local Challenge (BLC), a promotion during the last full week of July that encourages consumers to buy Maryland farm foods. Each year, the BLC has grown in size and popularity engaging consumers around the state to “pledge to eat local” and support their local farms.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the BLC, SMADC will host a celebration event of farms, food and fun “Southern Maryland Style,” to showcase producers from the land and water that represent Maryland’s vibrant agriculture. Open to the public, the event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, at Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards in Brandywine.

The 10th Anniversary Celebration features tastings of local farm products from vendors of fruits, vegetables, meats, wine and other locally produced beverages, ice cream, baked goods, and more. Event highlights include, a locally-sourced Southern Maryland style buffet dinner, live music, the Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales, a raffle and lawn games, and the opportunity to purchase from Maryland farmers, producers, artisans, and crafters. Ticketed guests will also receive a ‘Buy Local’ insulated tote bag for their farm food purchases.

Event tickets must be purchased in advance and are available now on a first come first serve basis until sold out. To purchase a ticket and for full event details go to the ‘What’s New Page’ at SMADC.com.

The Buy Local Challenge 10th Anniversary Celebration event is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and in part by Grow & Fortify, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, MARBIDCO, Maryland’s Best, Maryland Farm Bureau, R&D Cross, Inc. and the Rural Maryland Council.

Leadership workshops deadline extended

Registration for Maryland’s premier leadership development program for middle and high school students now closes Monday, June 5

Maryland Leadership Workshops, a division of Leadership Maryland, is extending the deadline to register for its Summer 2017 programs. Registration for all programs is available online at www.MLW.org and will close Monday, June 5.

The Maryland Leadership Workshops summer curriculum offers five peer-led, weeklong residential programs that empower and inspire middle and high school students to succeed and be more engaged in their schools and communities. All programs are held on the campus of Washington College in Chestertown.

Each program offers a supportive and fun environment to foster increased independence, self-esteem and confidence for a diverse composition of students from around Maryland and the country. Program participants, known as delegates, develop concepts and skills during workshops, group projects, committee responsibilities and small group discussion sessions. Other activities include games, variety shows, dances, and opportunities for delegates to lead activities for their peers.

To register for a Maryland Leadership Workshops Summer 2017 program, go to www. mlw.org.

For more information, contact Anita Anderson at 301-4448623.