images charles county, md: 2010
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A pleasant visit to Charles County can interest any history buff, since the community was established way back in 1658. It is home to landmarks such as St. Ignatius Church, which was founded in 1641 and is the nation’s oldest active Catholic parish; and Christ Episcopal Church, which has been in existence since 1683. Meanwhile, the county is modern in business, with a strong technology sector, international companies, advanced agriculture and tourism. Charles County is also situated along the Chesapeake Bay and its abundant catches of blue crabs.TRANSCRIPT
It’s In Our NatureResidents go wild over outdoor opportunities
SUBURB NO MOREBusiness, retail growth shed county’s commuter image
TUNED IN TO TECHNOLOGY
A soothing video tour of the Blackwater National Wildlife
Refuge
What’s Online
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SPONSORED BY THE CHARLES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND
2010 | IMAGESCHARLESCOUNTY.COM
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ABOUT THIS MAGAZINEImages gives readers a taste of what makes Charles County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.
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CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND
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SENIOR EDITOR KIM NEWSOM
COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS
ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY
STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANNY BONVISSUTO,
SHARON H. FITZGERALD, ANNE GILLEM,
KATHRYN ROYSTER, RYAN VADEN
DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW
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SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD
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TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, J. KYLE KEENER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS
ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN
PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS
KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER,
KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS
LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA MANNER
GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES,
JANINE MARYLAND, MARCUS SNYDER
WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY
WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA
WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD
WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ
WEB DESIGN LEAD LEIGH GUARIM
WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES
COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN ALISON HUNTER
AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR,
PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY
CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN
SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER
SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN
SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER
V.P./SALES HERB HARPER
V.P./SALES TODD POTTER
V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER
V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS
MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN
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IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY
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RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP
C U S TO M M A G A Z I N E M E D I A
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Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080or by e-mail at [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:Charles County Chamber of Commerce
101 Centennial St. Ste. A • LaPlata, MD 20646Phone: (301) 932-6500 • Fax: (301) 932-3945
www.charlescountychamber.org
VISIT IMAGES CHARLES COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESCHARLESCOUNTY.COM
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ON THE COVER Mattawoman Creek Photo by Todd Bennett
DEPARTMENTS
4 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Charles County’s culture
25 Local Flavor
26 Portfolio: people, places and events that defi ne Charles County
41 Education
45 Arts & Culture
47 Sports & Recreation
48 Community Profi le: facts, stats and important numbers to know
CHARLES COUNTY BUSINESS30 Energy and Synergy
New technology and business park will support Navy base and create jobs.
34 Biz Briefs
37 Chamber Report
39 Economic Profi le
2010 EDITION | VOLUME 9
CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND
®
CONTENTS
FEATURES
8 IT’S IN OUR NATUREResidents go wild over Charles County’s outdoor opportunities.
12 A FAMILY AFFAIRGet the whole brood out and about at one of many local recreational programs.
16 SUBURB NO MOREBusiness, retail growth shed county’s commuter image.
18 SEEING GREENWide-ranging initiatives give everyone in Charles County the chance to support the environment.
43 TUNED IN TO TECHNOLOGYCivista Medical Center recognized for use of electronic records.
All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE
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Cache-ing InGrab your passport for a trip through
Maryland’s cities and towns. No, not the
U.S. government-issued one, but rather a
geocaching passport, available at the La Plata
Town Hall. The Maryland Municipal League has
created a statewide geocache trail, which
provides a fun and innovative way to explore
the state. Geocachers use hand-held global
positioning systems (GPS units) to plot map
coordinates to locate the treasure, or cache,
then record it on the passport.
Heaven for Horse LoversWith horse farms found throughout the region, Charles
County caters to its equestrian-minded residents quite
well. Numerous horse trails are found throughout the
county, including Oak Ridge Park and Maxwell Hall Park,
both in Hughesville. Between the two, riders can enjoy
more than 20 miles of trails, beautiful scenery, creek
crossings and obstacles for those more experienced.
Pure BlissYou won’t find any bustling shopping malls
or crowded interstates on Cobb Island. Instead,
this 290-acre triangle located 22 miles south
of La Plata offers gorgeous sunsets, freshly
caught seafood and the chance to dangle
your feet over a pier.
Surrounded by the Wicomico and Potomac
rivers and the Neale Sound, Cobb Island used
to be primarily a weekend and summer retreat.
Today, it’s home to 400 families who live there
year-round and enjoy its scenic, unspoiled
environment. For visitors, it’s a day trip and an
escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Almanac
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Fast Facts Charles County
is made up of 10 communities – Benedict, Bryantown, Cobb Island, Indian Head, La Plata, Marshall Hall, Nanjemoy, Popes Creek, Port Tobacco and Waldorf.
Charles County has 150 miles of shoreline, with the Potomac River on the west and the Patuxent River on its eastern edge.
Port Tobacco first existed as the Native American settlement of Potopaco. It was colonized by the English in 1634 and was once the state’s second-largest town.
In 1776, Charles County resident Thomas Stone signed the Declaration of Independence. Other prominent Revolutionary War statesmen John Hanson and Gen. William Smallwood were also residents of the county.
Charles County is home to a blue heron rookery and eagle-nesting region, near the Potomac River.
Tee TimeExperience two types of birdies at the Swan
Point Yacht & Country Club golf course. Besides
the traditional type found in the golfing game,
players may also catch glimpses of the avian kind.
Designed by award-winning golf course architect
Bob Cupp, the par-72 course lies along the banks
of the Potomac River and Cuckold Creek and offers
plenty of water, wetlands and trees, which add to
the course’s difficulty.
Whiz KidsCharles County students are engineering their futures. Literally. Students from local
elementary, middle and high schools participate in the Southern Maryland Robotics
Competition to learn more about robotics and even build their own. Created and
hosted by the College of Southern Maryland, the event has grown to become the
premier robotics competition event in the region with more than 60 teams from 40
schools in 2009. Once the yearly challenge is announced, teams begin building their
robots and completing a research project related to it, then compete in the regional
event. The senior division winners represent Southern Maryland at the VRC World
Championship each April.
Numerous Charles County business and organization leaders also get involved,
serving as coaches, supporters and judges.
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POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE)Charles County: 140,764
LOCATIONCharles County is in Southern Maryland, 23 miles
south of Washington, D.C., 54 miles south of
Baltimore and 89 miles north of Richmond, Va.
BEGINNINGSCharles County was formed in 1658 by an Order
in Council in England and named for Charles
Calvert, the third Baron of Baltimore.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONCharles County Chamber of Commerce
101 Centennial Street, Suite A
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 932-6500, Fax: (301) 932-3945 www.charlescountychamber.org
Charles County At A Glance
What’s Online ee Take a virtual tour of Charles County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagescharlescounty.com.
A Spiritual PassageVisit some of Charles County’s most historic – and religious –
sites. The nationally designated, 139-mile Religious Freedom Byway commemorates Maryland’s place in religious history and includes three well-known Charles County sites, St. Ignatius Church, Port Tobacco and the Thomas Stone House. St. Ignatius, founded in 1641 by Jesuits, is the oldest continually operating Catholic Church in Maryland. Religious Freedom Byway travelers will also tour the Thomas Stone House and learn about this Charles County resident’s role in signing the Declaration of Independence by touring his home.
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CHARLESLa Plata
Waldorf
St. Charles
Washington, D.C.ingtoingtoon529529
Hughesville
Indian Head
Port TobaccoVillage
Bryantown
Cobb Island
Charles County
Almanac
NatureIt’s In Our
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ABOUNDS IN BEAUTIFUL CHARLES COUNTY
Residents can hike or ride bicycles down the picturesque Indian Head Rail Trail.
PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT
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W hether you prefer to pedal, paddle or simply perambulate, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to
do it all in Charles County. A land of forests and waters, the county and its pristine natural landscape is a mecca for local and visiting recreation enthusiasts with diverse interests and a range of fitness levels – from families to retirees and casual tourists to extreme adventurers.
“People can find a lot of things to do outside,” says Donna Dudley, the county’s chief
of tourism. “We have hiking trails, water trails, fishing, birding – among other attractions. Our state and local parks are very nice.”
The recent opening of the $3 million, 13.4-mile Indian Head Rail Trail puts this area on track with a national trend that is giving abandoned railroad corridors new life as trails for bicyclists, hikers and residents who want to get out and enjoy nature.
The 10-foot wide, handicap-accessible asphalt trail extends from White Plains to Indian Head and is perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading
STORY BY CAROL COWAN
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and skateboarding. It offers scenic variety that includes farm fields and historic barns, wooded areas and beautiful views of Mattawoman Creek. Potential wildlife sightings include bald eagles, blue herons, wild turkeys, deer and beavers.
“I think the rail trail will prove to be a great regional amenity,” Dudley says. “It has a nice variety of terrain that is appealing to bicyclists, and it will be an ideal venue for bike events. It’s also very family friendly.”
In addition to upping livability for residents, county leaders hope the trail will draw new businesses – such as outfitters, bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants and shops – as well as tourists.
The Potomac, Patuxent and Wicomico rivers also carve trails through the county and offer paddlers everything from
flatwater excursions to guided tours along intricate waterways.By spring 2010, road access and interpretive signs will
complement one attraction that was once only accessible by kayak or canoe, Dudley says. Mallows Bay, located on the Potomac River, is the largest graveyard for sunken ships in the Western Hemisphere.
“Mallows Bay is the final resting place for a fleet of wooden ships built during World War I,” Dudley explains. “It is a fasci-nating place to visit. The wrecks have become mini-ecosystems.”
Charles County’s waters also abound with fish.“The Potomac River is recognized as a world-class large-
mouth bass fishery,” says Tom Roland, chief of the Parks & Grounds Division of Charles County Public Facilities. “Our waters also offer exceptional blue catfish and striper fishing.”
STA
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Day-TrippingCOOL DESTINATIONS CONVENIENT TO CHARLES COUNTY
While tourists look to Charles County for its
significant recreational attractions, residents
enjoy the perks of a rural lifestyle in close proximity
to outdoor destinations, maritime and colonial
historic sites, and urban cultural amenities.
Here’s a list of possibilities perfect for a
convenient day trip from Charles County.
In Calvert County, check out the Battle Creek
Cypress Swamp Sanctuary in Prince Frederick,
home to the northernmost stand of bald cypress
trees in America.
Go to Solomon’s Island and visit the Calvert
Marine Museum; the Cove Point Lighthouse; the
30-acre Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park & Arts
Center; the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
Visitors Center; Calvert Cliffs State Park; and
Flag Pond Nature Park.
In St. Mary’s County, costumed interpreters
provide a glimpse of colonial life at historic St.
Mary’s City, first settled in 1634.
Take a boat ride to St. Clement’s Island State
Park, the site where British colonists first landed
in Maryland.
St. Mary’s County is also home to the Sotterly
Plantation, where you can climb to the top of
Piney Point Lighthouse and shop for antiques
in Leonardtown.
Also watch out for horse-drawn buggies when
you go to buy fresh produce and handcrafted
goods at markets in the region’s Amish and
Mennonite communities.
Meanwhile, motor sports fans can head off
to the races at Budds Creek Motocross and
Speedway, Maryland International Raceway
and Potomac Speedway – all in Budds Creek.
– Carol Cowan
Gilbert Run Park, Friendship Farm Park, Smallwood State Park and Purse State Park are popular destinations among fishermen. Purse State Park also is known as a great place to find fossils and watch birds.
In fact, avid birders can perch at any number of Charles County sites, including the Chicamuxen Wildlife Management Area, Cobb Island, Friendship Landing, Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area, Popes Creek and at select times, the Nanjemoy Creek Great Blue Heron Sanctuary, where nearly 2,500 great blue herons return to their traditional nesting site every year during the week of Valentine’s Day.
Other area parks feature athletic fields and playgrounds, such as Laurel Springs Regional Park in La Plata and Pisgah Park in the western portion of the county. Amish community near Charles County
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FamilyA
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W ant to get out without going too far? Need to wear out the wee ones without putting
too much wear and tear on your wallet? From summertime swimming to ice
hockey, Charles County offers family-friendly activities for every families of every size and situation.
“It’s our goal to keep all our programs as affordable as possible so everyone can participate,” says Tom Roland, chief of the Charles County Parks & and Recreation Division. “We’re seeing more people opting to stay in the area and take advantage of the local facilities and resources.”
Charles County has 26 parks with more than over 3,400 acres of park land, including Gilbert Run Park, which has 189 acres, a 69-acre freshwater lake,
STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO
AffairGET THE WHOLE BROOD OUT AND ABOUT FOR ONE OF MANY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Skaters try out new tricks at the White Plains Skate Park. T
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nature trail, boat rentals, freshwater fishing, a beaver colony observation deck and popular picnic pavilion rentals.
“It’s one of our premier parks,” Roland says.
Grab a swimsuit and check out Charles County’s diverse aquatics program,
which consists of two indoor pools with year-round availability and three seasonal outdoor venues. The area also boasts nine recreation centers, the majority of which operate in school buildings.
“Once the school day is over, the county operates classes, workshops,
sport leagues and drop-ins where kids can come in after school or in the evenings and participate in activities with kids their own age,” Roland says.
And there’s more, including a gymnastic center with programs from recreational to competitive level; tennis courts at White Plains Park and Southern Park; a concrete-based 15,000-square-foot skate park open to skateboarders and inline skaters; a regionally acclaimed municipal 18-hole golf course; two dog parks; 12 playgrounds; and 20 miles of equestrian trails in Maxwell Hall Park and Oak Ridge Park.
“These are designed for the equestrian community, but are open for hiking as
“We’re seeing more people opting
to stay in the area and take advantage
of the local facilities and resources.”
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 15
well as bird watching and other passive activities,” Roland says.
At the end of 2009, construction was due to be completed on the Indian Head Rail Trail, a 13-mile bike trail connecting the towns of Indian Head and White Plains in what was once an abandoned railroad corridor.
“This is one of our most undeveloped areas of the county and one of the most popular places for hikers, bikers and nature enthusiasts,” Roland says.
A large portion of the 1 million visitors per year to the county’s parks and recreation programs includes the sporting leagues, which encompasses basketball, soccer, tackle football,
softball and baseball for tots through adults. Lacrosse is also becoming popular in the area, and lacrosse facilities are being planned for future parks.
Another great venue for expending energy is the Capital Clubhouse, an indoor recreational facility in the Waldorf area since 2005.
“We have an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall and sports court for volleyball, basketball, soccer, dodgeball and inline hockey leagues of all ages,” says manager Amanda Michael.
Can’t skate? Don’t worry. The Totsicles program invites kids ages 4 to 8 out on the ice in their tennis shoes for ice bowling and sledding, and learn-to-skate
programs run from ages 4 four to adult. “We also have a new activity called
Broom Ball we just started for families that’s played on the ice in your tennis shoes,” Michael says. “Instead of using a stick, like in hockey, it’s a broom and a rubber ball instead of a puck. Families love it.”
The county’s family-focused activities range from organized sports leagues to dog-friendly parks to even indoor rock climbing.
TODD BENNETT
TODD BENNETT
STAFF PHOTO
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T hough Charles County’s proximity to Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Va., makes it an ideal location for commuters, local retail and economic growth is giving residents and relocating
companies many reasons to stay close to home. “For years, Charles County defined itself as part of the
Washington Metro area, but we’re really right in the center of the Baltimore, Washington and Richmond areas,” says George Robertson, director of economic development for Charles County. “Combined, that’s about 10 million people in the fourth largest area in the United States. Companies that need to serve those three markets look to us for a smart location to do that.”
Attractive opportunities include a 227-acre technology park currently under construction in Indian Head.
“The county has a number of business parks as part of our planned growth and the technology park is great for defense manufacturers,” Robertson says. “We’re looking for ways to get corporate operations and government agencies to relocate here so that fewer of our residents have to commute every day.”
And the benefits employers pass on to employees go far beyond location.
“Charles County offers an easier lifestyle than the metro areas, without the congestion and hassle,” Robertson explains. “Our costs are lower. We have low crime rates. Our schools are exceptional. We have a varied housing market where you can live in an upscale townhouse next to retail or a five-acre home in the country – all within 10 minutes of each other. We have the highest number of state and county parks of any place in Maryland. We have a new minor league baseball stadium. We have all of these things, and if you want to be at
the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., you’re only 30 minutes away.”
Attracting bigger companies would also benefit some of Charles County’s current business owners, like Wayne Magoon, owner of Beacon Printing in Waldorf.
“Beacon would love to see more economic development in terms of being able to print for larger companies,” Magoon says. “We don’t just do business cards, letterhead and envelopes. We’re the guys in the middle. I like to say we’re small enough to know you and large enough to serve you. We’re a mid-size printer for 10,000 to 100,000 runs. Right now, we have to travel a bit to find the larger companies, but to get more business in the area would be a wonderful thing.”
In addition to career and business opportunities, there are also a variety of retail options so residents don’t have to venture far for shopping.
“Charles County is a particularly strong trade area,” says Howard Biel, senior managing director at Faison, a privately held commercial real estate developer. “Our offices are based in North Carolina – with branches in Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington – and we are the most active because our relationships in the Washington market have been the most robust in the country, even in troubled times.”
Faison opened Waldorf Marketplace in 2004, then built Rosewick Crossing in La Plata and La Plata Crossing right across the street. Their fourth development is an industrial park on Acton Lane, east of Washington Avenue.
“Unlike a traditional bedroom community, Charles County is blessed with terrific highway connectivity, great employment bases and significant retail trade popping out over all parts of the community,” Biel says.
LOCAL BUSINESS, RETAIL GROWTH SHED COUNTY’S COMMUTER IMAGE
STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO
SuburbNo More
Clockwise from top: Local shoppers can find what they need at the Waldorf Marketplace or Rosewick Crossing. Wayne Magoon, owner of Beacon Printing, is eager to see Charles County bring in more large businesses.
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STAFF PHOTOTODD BENNETT
STAFF PHOTO
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I n Charles County, living the good life means doing what’s good for the environment.
And no one is too young to participate, as evidenced by the Maryland Green Schools certifications recently
earned by Arthur Middleton Elementary School in Waldorf and Milton M. Somers Middle School in La Plata.
To earn certification, students at Middleton Elementary created a wetland behind their building and constructed an accompanying outdoor classroom. Somers Middle students planted a garden populated by native species and fed by a new rainwater irrigation system.
“Students and teachers from throughout the system rolled up their sleeves to help with these projects, not just to earn the green certification, but because the kids love doing it,” says Glenn Belmore, the school system’s special assistant for environment, safety and risk management.
The entire process took two years and required the schools to document green classroom activities, school-wide conservation practices and the existence of community partnerships geared toward environmental education.
That same emphasis on education and partnership drives green initiatives at Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), Charles County’s electric utility.
“We stand with our customers in helping them save money on their electric bills and go green,” says SMECO spokesman Tom Dennison.
In fact, the not-for-profit utility has set up an entire department to do just that. Led by Environment and Energy Conservation Manager Jeff Shaw, the team staffs an energy-conservation hotline and installs free programmable thermostats in customers’ homes.
“Jeff and his team will even do an on-site cost-benefit analysis for solar power, wind power, changing out windows, whatever the customer needs,” Dennison says.
SMECO also blends renewable energy credits, biomass
and hydropower into its fuel mix and has a comprehensive in-house environmental program.
But SMECO isn’t the only public entity leading by example. In 2007, the town of La Plata earned LEED certification for its town hall, in part by installing a rainwater irrigation system for the property’s landscaping.
“In Southern Maryland, there is concern about the availability of potable water,” says La Plata Town Manager Daniel Mears. “We wanted to show something that can be done to conserve that resource.”
The town has also formed a Green Building Committee tasked with reducing the environmental impact of the area’s rapid growth. One of the committee’s first assignments is to evaluate applications for $500 mini-grants to fund community-driven environmental projects.
Charles County government is also working to improve the area’s environment. The county provides bimonthly curbside recycling, plus transfer and drop-off stations where residents can take recyclable items.
“For businesses interested in recycling, we do an on-site visit to identify the items in their waste stream that can be recycled and at what cost, then we help them design a customized recycling program that can be implemented through a third party,” says Dennis Fleming, the county’s chief of environmental resources.
The county also offers free tours of its Waldorf facility, which contains a landfill and composting and recycling facilities. Like SMECO, the county rounds out its green initiatives with a comprehensive in-house program. Elements include recycling county waste, installing programmable thermostats in county buildings and adding hybrid and biodiesel-fueled vehicles to the county fleet.
“It boils down to responsible government,” Fleming says. “With all the growth we’re experiencing, we’re trying to ensure that we’re sensitive to the environment.”
WIDE-RANGING INITIATIVES ALLOW RESIDENTS TO LIVE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Seeing GreenSTORY BY KATHRYN ROYSTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT
One of the county’s green initiatives is creating compost for use in landscaping government buildings.
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Scorecard
32,000Charles County homes participate in the curbside recycling program.
Image Gallery
Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge STAFF PHOTO
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Serenity Farms STAFF PHOTO
Image Gallery
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Smallwood Retreat House STAFF PHOTO
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Crabby, in a Good WayFIND THE FRESHEST MARYLAND BLUE CRABS IN LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Charles County is one of the few places where diners can find blue crabs on the menu at numerous restaurants.
The reason? The waters around Charles County are full of blue crabs, which are known for their sweet, succulent meat. Crabs are a delicacy, and a Maryland tradition, and are known for their high quality and good taste.
Blue crabs are typically served steamed, although some restaurants also offer a soft-shell version that is fried. Many customers who order steamed crabs like to dip them in vinegar and Old Bay seasoning, or melted butter. Diners enjoy blue crabs because they are somewhat sweet and have more flavor than Alaskan snow crab legs.
The crab season in Charles County and Southern Maryland runs from April through October, with the prime months being August, September and October. Crabbers catch the crustaceans using a square wire device called a crab pot, which they bait and drop down into the water. Crab is always served
fresh in restaurants because it is delivered as a live product.A key dining spot in Charles County for blue crab, Alaskan
snow crab and steamed shrimp entrees is along Popes Creek Road in Newburg, which is home to several crab houses. Those restaurants include Robertson’s Crab House, Gilligan’s Pier Seafood & Steakhouse and Captain Billy’s Seafood Restaurant.
Captain Billy’s is located in a 60-year-old building and offers outdoor dining on its waterfront deck. Its seafood platter dinner combination consists of a crab cake, f lounder, oysters, scallops and shrimp – all fried. The same platter can be served broiled, without the oysters.
And finally – a quick science lesson. Blue crabs are blue because their shell contain two pigments that interact to form a greenish-blue color. When the crab is cooked, one of the pigments breaks down, which turns the crab to a red-orange color that diners are accustomed to seeing.
– Kevin Litwin
Local Flavor
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A New Place To Call HomeDEVELOPMENT IS ALMOST LIKE A CITY WITHIN A CITY
Westchester at the Pavilions will be a mixed-use community
development that offers new apartment housing, restaurants and retail near O’Donnell Lake in Waldorf. The development is being marketed as having all the benefits of single-family living, including designer finishes and large floor plans.
Meanwhile, the Pavilions will also boast many of the perks of high-end apartment living, with common rooms and sports fields as well as a resort-style swimming pool with 75-meter lap lanes, water jets and an adjacent children's pool. Construction of the multimillion-dollar Pavilions development began in September 2009.
A total of 491 apartment units will ultimately be constructed within the community, and the highly regarded Archstone group is in charge of the project. Archstone owns or operates more than 92,000 apartment units that are situated in desirable markets such as the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Los Angeles area, San Diego, San Francisco Bay area, New York metropolitan area, Seattle and Boston.
As for the Waldorf project, apartment amenities include one-, two- and three-bedroom units, plus lofts as well as carriage homes. The units have 9-foot ceilings, large walk-in closets, private balconies and patios, and custom Italian cherry cabinetry.
The community will also have a pool house with full kitchen, foosball, chess tables and ping pong, and a Caliber Sports Club equipped with two 24-hour fitness centers. There will also be a jogging trail and bike path as well as shops, restaurants and grocery stores. Yoga and boxing studios will also be part of the several conveniences that are within walking distance of all the apartments.
Westchester at the Pavilions will be situated just off Route 301 and only a short drive to Interstate 95 and I-495, and within close proximity of BWI and Reagan National airports, along with St. Charles Towne Center Mall. It is also near the College of Southern Maryland and the University of Maryland-College Park.
Portfolio
A bedroom in the Westchester at the Pavilions apartment complex
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Yes, Until You DropCharles County is a shopping
mecca, with something for everyone’s tastes. In fact, it is ideal for residents who have some of the best shopping conveniences – all within a 10- or 15-minute drive.
The shopping options include Waldorf Marketplace, which features tenants such as DSW Shoes, Famous Footwear, HomeGoods, Kinkaid Furniture, Mimi’s Café, Office Depot, TGI Fridays, TJ Maxx and Walgreens. The spacious 60-acre complex has already won some awards for its attractiveness, with one of the latest being a landscaping beautification award from the Charles County Garden Club.
One of the most popular shopping hotspots in the county is the St. Charles Towne Center Mall, which has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation in recent years. As a result, the mall has become more family friendly with brand new color schemes, redesigned corridors, seating areas, food court and restrooms, and there is also a children’s play area.
Another shopping destination in the county is Shops at Waldorf Center, which was formerly known as the Festival at Waldorf. Shops at Waldorf Center is conveniently located at the intersection of Route 5/301 and Route 228 (Berry Road), and its stores include Babies R Us, Dress for Less, Marshall’s, Michael’s Arts & Crafts, PetSmart and The Room Store. Meanwhile, The Shoppes at Berry Road on Route 228 next to Wawa feature a mixture of office space and retail shops.
And in La Plata, Rosewick Crossing is anchored by a Giant Food store and gas station and a Lowe's Home Center, and the shopping complex is enjoying a strong occupancy rate. Other shops that have opened in Rosewick Crossing include Quiznos, The Lemon Drop What-Not-Shop, Hair Cuttery, Five Guys Burgers, The Ultimate Flooring Center, Rosewick Wine & Spirits and Venetian Nails Spa.
St. Charles Towne Center
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Tobacco was once the top crop in Charles County, but those days are
gone. However, the county is maintaining its heritage by renovating old tobacco facilities for new uses.
For example, Hughesville Bargain Barns is now an antique district that is housed in old tobacco warehouses. Meanwhile, several old tobacco barns still dot the Charles County landscape, with many of them having been renovated over the past few years.
“Not long ago, the group Preservation Maryland received $200,000 from Save America’s Treasures to spearhead a restoration effort of several tobacco barns throughout Southern Maryland,” says Roz Racanello, executive director of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium. “There are about 4,000 tobacco barns in Southern Maryland, and 50 of the barns were repaired – including several in Charles County.”
Racanello says barn owners
submitted applications for restoration money, and barns were chosen from a variety of criteria.
“For example, if a barn had, say, a chain link fence around it and was surrounded by a housing development, it wouldn’t be chosen to receive any of the grant money,” she says. “However, if it was in the middle of a pretty field and could easily be seen by motorists passing by, then we provided the money to refurbish the barn.”
Racanello says grants of up to $10,000 were issued to go towards the repair of existing, standing tobacco barns.
“Repairs to tobacco barns aren’t too expensive – maybe a new roof, a new door, some fresh paint or whatever,” she says. “That enabled us to stretch the $200,000 over a few years, but that money has now all been spent.”
The next barn-related project for Preservation Maryland will be securing a grant to produce a photo coffee-table book about the tobacco barns in Charles County and surrounding areas.
“Tobacco production is indeed mostly gone from this region, but parts of its history still remain today,” Racanello says. “The old tobacco barns are still a pleasant sight whenever a motorist passes by and takes a look.”
Barn in the USA
Portfolio
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Life After TobaccoIt was back in 2001 when tobacco
farmers in this state began getting buyout checks as part of the Maryland Tobacco Buyout.
The buyout was aimed at farmers who committed to stop growing tobacco, yet wanted to remain in agriculture. The program offered financial and other support to farmers as they transitioned to alternative farming models.
An estimated 86 percent of Maryland’s tobacco farmers agreed to receive payments over a 10-year period, with the state paying out $77 million by the time the buyout ends. Meanwhile, the other 14 percent of Maryland’s remaining tobacco growers did not participate and continue to grow tobacco today.
For the 86 percent that took the buyout money, they have gone on to do other things with their land. One organization that helps farmers in this transition is the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, whose primary goal is simple: To sustain the agricultural industry in Southern Maryland.
For example, the SMADC assists farmers by devising marketing plans to brand Southern Maryland farm produce, and it also supports a grants program for the 16 local farmers’ markets throughout the region. In addition, the commission can suggest to farmers what commodities would grow best on their land, whether it might be horticultural products, corn, soybeans, apple orchards or even wine grapes.
The SMADC is also involved with devising individual business plans, accessing farm grants, and providing education and consultation to help farmers branch out into new and lucrative directions.
The commission produces a number of farming information guides, including a So. Maryland, So Good Farm Guide, a So. Maryland, So Good Equine Guide, a So. Maryland, So Good Agritourism Guide, and a Southern Maryland Trails guide.
– Stories by Kevin Litwin
Southern Maryland Hospitality at Its Best
Award-winning propertyComplimentary hot breakfast
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Business
I n a broad sense, energetics is defined as the branch of physics that studies energy, but George Robertson has a more colorful
description: “It’s about things that go whish and boom, in other words, propellants and things that explode.”
As Charles County director of economic development, Robertson says the area is branding itself as the Energetics Corridor, thanks to the presence of the U.S. Naval Support Facility in Indian Head and the 277-acre Indian Head Science and Technology Park under development nearby. The military base’s specialties include energetics research, weapons development and detonation science.
“The Indian Head Science and Technology Park certainly has the potential to serve as a major catalyst for job growth in Charles County,” says
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PARK WILL SUPPORT NAVY BASE AND CREATE JOBS
STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD
Carlos Montague, president of Port Tobacco Consulting, works to recruit businesses to Indian Head. STAFF PHOTO
&SynergyEnergy
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OUR MISSION To acquire and make available information, books and other library materials that most closely match the needs of our service community, the residents of Charles County.
LA PLATA BRANCH/OUTREACH SERVICES 2 Garrett Ave. | La Plata | 301-934-9001 Citizen's Bookstore open on Saturdays
P.D. BROWN MEMORIAL 50 Village St. | Waldorf | 301-645-2864
POTOMAC BRANCH 3225 Ruth B. Swann Dr. | Indiana Head | 301-375-7375
HOURS Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sundays
w w w.ccplonline.org
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 33
Capt. Catie Hanft, commanding officer for Naval Support Activity South Potomac and commander of the Indian Head base. She calls the new park “a linchpin” in the Energetics Corridor strategy and predicts that the park’s proximity to the base “will be a natural draw to high-tech companies, in particular, that support Navy and other Department of Defense missions on the base.”
That, in fact, is already happening. In October 2008, British manufacturer Martin-Baker announced its intention to be the park’s first tenant. One of the world’s leading manufacturers of ejector seats, the company will manufacture at its new plant the devices used to propel the seat from the plane “in the blink of an eye,” explains Carlos Montague, president and CEO of Port Tobacco Consulting in La Plata. Montague’s company, a government contractor for the U.S. Navy handling information technology, weapons systems engineering and facilities engineering, has been instrumental in
luring Martin-Baker, which is expected to initially employ 60 workers and eventually double that workforce. The company aims to have the plant operational by the end of 2010.
Montague says that aerospace and defense company ATK is also considering the park as the location for a new facility, and that several other defense-related contractors have expressed interest, though not yet publicly.
The park is a joint venture of La Plata-based developer Facchina and Corporate Office Properties Trust, which specializes in buying, developing, managing and leasing properties near government installations, particularly defense and data operations.
Fifty acres of the new park is owned by the county, which is providing water and sewer services to the site. Located on Maryland Route 210 and adjacent to Maryland Airport, the park is just 30 miles from Washington, D.C. and within 125 miles of nearly 30 federal
defense, aviation and space operations. “We like to say we’re 30 minutes
outside of all the money in the world,” Montague quips.
The park eventually will feature up to 1.3 million square feet of office, research and manufacturing space. When complete within 15 years, the park is expected to create 1,500 jobs. The workforce will be ready, Robertson says. The University of Maryland already offers one of the nation’s few energetics engineering degrees, and the College of Southern Maryland is working with the Indian Head base to develop a two-year energetics technician program.
“I greatly appreciate the forethought of Charles County’s economic development team that has been behind this project,” Hanft says. “The goal of developing a state-of-the-art business and technology complex supports a cooperative synergy with the military community at Indian Head that will ensure both the community and the base will thrive in the years to come.”
Scientists at the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head specialize in weapons development.
Business
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Biz BriefsBUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE
CHARLES COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE
CROSSING AT CASEY JONES Biz: restaurantBuzz: Self-described as a neighborhood meeting place, the Crossing at Casey Jones exudes a warm atmosphere, due in large part to the handcrafted wood, stone and pottery found throughout the dining room. This La Plata restaurant has received rave reviews as far away as London for its creative gourmet cuisine, featuring fresh and unusual ingredients.www.thecrossingatcaseyjones.com
ScorecardBUSINESS AT
A GLANCE
$1,939,847Retail sales ($1,000)
$15,130Retail sales
per capita
$172,707Accommodations
and food service
sales ($1,000)
9,619Total number
of firms
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
Business
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 35
BEACON PRINTINGBiz: printing servicesBuzz: Locally owned and operated, Beacon Printing prides itself on providing services for small- and large-scale jobs. Owner Wayne Magoon utilizes the latest printing technology to print digital copies, duplications, commercial printing, newsletters, catalogs, magazines, annual reports, envelopes, posters, business cards, letterhead and more. Beacon also provides graphic design typesetting and mailing services.www.beaconprintinginc.com
COUNTRY FLORISTBiz: f loral arrangement and giftsBuzz: Working with flowers is a lifelong passion for Lorrie Anderson, who owns Country Florist with her husband John. The couple has owned and operated the flower shop since the mid-1980s, and their expertise – and capabilities – have grown since then. Today, their products include fresh and silk f lowers, green and blooming plants, fruit and gourmet baskets, giftware and more. www.countryflorist.com
SHADY OAKS OF SERENITYBiz: bed-and-breakfastBuzz: This bed-and-breakfast is as pleasant as its name. Located on 3 acres and surrounded by trees, the Georgia Victorian home in Hughesville features fully furnished rooms, outdoor dining, relaxing porches and delicious treats. Owners Kathy and Gene Kazimer have added a few humorous and unique details as well, including a six-foot lighthouse, the only one in Charles County. www.shadyoaksofserenity.com
MORRIS & RITCHIE ASSOCIATES/GEO-TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATESBiz: architectural, engineering and planning firmBuzz: These affiliated firms, located in Waldorf, boast full-service capabilities for a wide range of projects, ranging from office buildings to golf-course design and construction services. Geo-Technology Associates has been intricately involved with numerous Charles County building projects. www.mragta.com
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Steve Lowe AREA MANAGER
Cell: (301) 643-9981 E-mail:
Liz O’Malley SENIOR LOAN OFFICER
Cell: (240) 538-1890 E-mail:
Phil Parr SENIOR LOAN OFFICER
Cell: (240) 274-7028 E-mail:
Toll-free: (866) 949-3356
Your Way Home
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 37
Idea FactoryVARIED CHAMBER PROGRAMS MEET DEMANDS OF DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and even Craigslist are all social-
networking platforms used to enhance communication and build business. Now the Charles County Chamber of Commerce uses them, too, to spread the word about its member services and reach out to a new generation of business professionals.
“We want to bring in young people, whether they’re young people who own their business or young people who are running somebody else’s business for them,” says Ken Gould, chamber executive director. “Bringing in new ideas and new energy is important.”
To help the chamber walk these new communication avenues, the organization hired a college student as a summer intern during 2009 and plans to retain another college student part time to ensure the chamber’s message is fresh and up-to-date on these ever-changing, dynamic sites.
The social-networking initiative is just one example of the chamber’s out-of-the-box efforts to remain relevant and vital to its members.
“What I love about the chamber, especially compared to other networking groups, is that we’re all-inclusive,” Gould says. “We have one-person, home-based businesses all the way up to the largest corporations within the county. It makes our job as a staff more challenging, but it’s also exciting.”
In addition to its popular monthly evening mixers, the chamber has added morning and midday opportunities.
The chamber also sponsors two councils, one targeting hospitality businesses and the other targeting business decision makers. Both meet monthly, giving participants an opportunity to share ideas and best practices. Occasional Small Business Showcases and bimonthly New Member Orientations are growing in popularity.
“We want nonmembers to show up at all of our events and meetings,” Gould says, “so we can show them why they need to become members.”
– Sharon H. Fitzgerald
Making Loans – It’s our Business.
www.mdbank.com
11 Branch Offices Serving Southern Maryland:
(800) 617-7511
Business | Chamber Report
Monthly mixers help chamber members learn from each other. PHOTO BY TODD BENNETT
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CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 39
BUSINESS CLIMATEAlthough agriculture remains an important part of the local
economy, Charles County has a diverse private sector, with strong
technology, international business and tourism sectors.
CHARLES COUNTY
Real Estate, Sales, Leasing & Property Management
www.brandywinerealestate.com
Business | Economic Profile
MORE ONLINE
imagescharlescounty.com
More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.
m
E OOOOOOOOOO
TAX STRUCTURE
6%State Sales Tax
6%Total Sales Tax
TRANSPORTATION
Amtrak Stations
www.amtrak.com
Amtrak locations nearest to
La Plata include the Alexandria
station at 110 Callahan Drive,
Alexandria, Va., (within 20
miles), and Union Station
at 50 Massachusetts Ave.,
Washington, D.C. (within
40 miles).
Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority
1 Aviation Circle
Washington, DC 20001-6000
(703) 417-8600
www.metwashairports.com
Nearest airports from La Plata
include Ronald Reagan
Washington National Airport
(DCA, about 23 miles) and
Washington Dulles
International Airport
(IAD, about 43 miles).
VanGO
8190 Port Tobacco Road
Port Tobacco, MD 20677
(301) 934-9305
www.charlescounty.org/
cs/vango/
VanGO is a countywide
transportation system that
offers public transportation
routes that operate on fixed
schedules and more
specialized transportation
services for people unable
to utilize the public
transportation system.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
Charles County Economic
Development/Tourism
103 Centennial St., Suite C
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 885-1340
www.ccbiz.org
Charles County
Chamber of Commerce
101 Centennial St., Suite A
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 932-6500
charlescountychamber.org
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United Way of Charles County
Reaching out a hand to one
and influencing the condition of all.
(301) 609-4844www.unitedwaycharles.org
Accokeek FoundationAlice Ferguson Foundation/
Hard Bargain FarmAlternatives for Youth and Families
Arc of Southern MarylandBig Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland
Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council
Catherine Foundation Pregnancy Care Center
Catholic CharitiesCenter for Abused Persons
Center for ChildrenCharles County Association for
Handicapped & Retarded CitizensCharles County
Children’s Aid SocietyCharles County
Cooperative Ministry on AgingCharles County Freedom LandingCharles County Literacy Council
Christmas in April, Charles CountyCompassionate Friends
Southern Maryland ChapterGirl Scout Council
of the Nation’s CapitalGreater Baden Medical Services
Habitat for Humanity in Charles County
Health PartnersHospice of Charles County
Humane Society of Charles CountyThe Jude House
Legal Aid BureauLions Camp Merrick
Maryland Foundation for Quality Healthcare
Senior Services of Charles CountyShare Food Network
Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living
Southern Maryland Child Care Resource Center
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action CommitteeSpecial Olympics Maryland,
Charles CountySpring Dell Center
Tri-County Youth Services Bureau
Kelley Rollins RE/MAX 100
10665 Stanhaven Pl. White Plains, MD 20695
(301) 399-0938 (301) 843-5100
www.kelleyrollins.com
Karen Pfeil C&F Mortgage Corp. 3720 Leonardtown Rd. Ste. 201 Waldorf, MD 20601 (301) 885-2830 (240) 447-3180
9295 Crain Hwy. (Route 301) Bel Alton, Maryland (301) 934-9505 (301) 932-1774 (301) 934-8331
Five Miles South of La Plata Eight Miles North of Bridge
25 Miles South of D.C. Beltway Near Maryland International Raceway
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CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 41
At North Point High School, technology is king. Its students
are learning cutting-edge technology, as it applies to their everyday lives and future careers. Oh, and they also study English, history and mathematics.
Sound daunting? According to Jim Richmond, Charles County superintendent of schools, it’s just a day in the life of a Charles County high school student.
Richmond describes North Point as a “combination” school. He says half of its enrollment consists of students who are zoned to attend there, and they study a traditional high school curriculum. The other 1,100 students are enrolled in one of its science, technology and industry (STI) programs.
These science-focused programs are divided among four “schools” at North Point, and each school has its own concentration, such as construction development or computer repair.
“Within all four schools is the latest and greatest in technology for every occupation,” Richmond says, recalling
the planning stages for the school, which opened in 2005. “I brought in the teachers in each of those areas, and I said, ‘If you could build a school for the future for your kids, what would it be?’ And they came back with the design we currently have.”
Providing education for both traditional and STI students in the same school is important, says Principal Kim Hill.
“We wanted to make sure that no student felt different than any other student,” she explains.
To that end, North Point provides the same extracurricular activities as other schools.
“The science and tech programs don’t interfere with [extracurricular activities] at all,” she says, adding that since North Point opened in 2005, Eagle athletics have claimed three state championships.
North Point also hosts a Cisco Networking Academy, and it’s the only high school in the country to offer Cisco’s second level of certification
to its students, Hill says.The key to maintaining the school’s
high level of achievement and education is to remain relevant, current and even local, Richmond says.
He explains that the STI programs partner with local businesses and organizations to ensure North Point’s education remains innovative and unique to Charles County.
In addition, every program has an advisory council that visits the school at least once a year to review curriculum and equipment and suggest improvements.
North Point has been commended by Maryland’s governor, visited by the first lady of West Virginia and noticed inter-nationally, too, according to Richmond.
“Several Latin American countries want us to work with them on establishing the same kind of programs in their countries. The Chinese have visited as a delegation,” he says. “We have a waiting list on the programs now, whereas before we couldn’t get kids in the programs.”
– Ryan Vaden
Welcome to the Future NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STUDY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Education
North Point High School for Science and Technology in Waldorf
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“We Care”
Accepting most insurance plans
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Public Health Services for the Community
Child & Adolescent Services Adult Services
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 43
A strong commitment to technology and the personnel to put it to the best use have equipped Civista Medical
Center to serve its patients well. Civista Health System, which includes the medical center
in La Plata, Civista Women’s Health Center, Civista Surgery Center and Civista OB/GYN Associates, provides health care for Charles County and the surrounding area.
Civista Medical Center, a 120-bed hospital, underwent a major expansion in 2008, doubling its size and increasing services. Also that year, Hospitals and Health Networks magazine, a journal of the American Hospital Association, named the facility one of 25 nationwide that were Most Improved in the use of information technology to enhance the quality of health care. In recent years, Civista has implemented PACS, a picture archiving communications system giving medical personnel immediate access to images that were formerly stored on film.
In fall 2009, Civista went live with its electronic medication administration records, followed by plans to go live with computerized physician order entry in spring 2010.
But it’s Civista’s day-to-day efforts to make the most of the IT tools it has which set it apart.
“Mostly what we’re doing is attempting to leverage the investments that we’ve already made in technology to give us information that we need to operate the hospital better,” says Kevin Burbules, chief information officer for Civista. “So we’re not at this time spending scads of money on new technology. But what we are doing is looking at the data that we have – we do have a data repository.”
He adds that the hospital has also hired a database administrator who can manage the data in the repository.
“A lot of hospitals may be limited by the reporting capability of the system that they have,” Burbules says. “We don’t have that limitation per se because we’ve made this investment in both the technology and the people to extract and present the data in useful forms.
“From a technological standpoint,” Burbules explains, “I don’t know that we’re breaking a lot of new ground. Where we are breaking ground, relative to hospitals like us, is in our efforts to really make better use of information with tools that are relatively ‘off the shelf.’”
Burbules says since he came on board in 2008, he has built a team of 15 staffers.
“Over the last 18 months, I’ve hired some very outstanding people,” Burbules says. “We feel really good about that. I’ve been managing IT for 29 years, and this is by far the best staff I’ve ever had in terms of the people, their abilities and the chemistry that we have.”
– Anne Gillem
Tuned in to TechnologyCIVISTA MEDICAL CENTER RECOGNIZED FOR USE OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS
Health & Wellness
Civista Medical Center in La Plata
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A quaint, rural community on a peninsula formed by the Potomac River and the Mattawoman CreekA small-town atmosphere – 20 minutes from the Capital BeltwayIndian Head – Washington DC – So near – So differentAdjacent to the Naval Surfaces Warfare CenterA variety of recreational and water amenitiesNew quality water access housingGrowing community – “Watch our progress”Great business opportunities
For more information, contact
the Town Hall at:
(301) 743-5511
www.townofindianhead.org
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 45
Arts & Culture
Need a little more drama in your life? Community theater thrives in Charles County, thanks to supportive
audiences and a group of local residents. “We have the Port Tobacco Players, the Hard Bargain
Players and the Black Box Theatre in Indian Head,” says Lynn Thorne, an author, actress and owner of Lollipop Copy, a boutique copywriting firm. “All three are largely dependent on the community because if we don’t have people in the seats, we don’t have a reason to perform.”
Thorne grew up acting in northern Virginia and Charles County, then worked with the Washington Post reviewing community theater. But she soon realized she found performing more rewarding than writing about it and is back on stage.
“Having grown up in a theater family, it’s amazing to me how supportive this community is of local theater,” she says. “Black Box sells out shows on a regular basis, which is almost unheard of in community theater.”
The Black Box Theatre at The Indian Head Center for the Arts is “an incubator for artists in the Charles County area,” says executive director Season Price. “We do music, theater, open mic – overall we help artists put their work on stage. We have playwrights, directors, producers and artists come to us and rent our space. The artists set up everything and we facilitate with the space, giving them a venue to perform.”
With no set calendar or in-house theater company, the Black
Box is a blank slate for artists looking to do their own thing. “We’re very artist-friendly,” Price says. “There’s not one
area of art we won’t entertain. We really believe in helping the artist out because we know how hard it can be to find a space to perform. We make it work.”
The Port Tobacco Players, a more traditional theater company with a seasonal schedule in La Plata, and the Hard Bargain Players, who perform their shows rain or shine at an outdoor amphitheater in Accokeek, add to the mix.
In addition to audiences, another strong form of support for local artists is the Charles County Arts Alliance.
“It’s an umbrella for all the non-profit arts agencies in the area,” says past president and founding father Robert Rausch. “We strengthen the arts and help promote them through our weekly newsletter and weekly news flash that gives out venues and times for various arts activities in the area. We also give grant funding to those entities and other arts groups.”
From music and visual arts to dance and literary arts, the Arts Alliance not only promotes entities individually, but encourages working together.
“One of the gratifying things for me over the years has been to watch the different areas of art working together and supporting each other,” Rausch says. “We encourage the overlap of the arts. And, it’s working.”
– Danny Bonvissuto
Acting UpCHARLES COUNTY SETS THE STAGE FOR A WEALTH OF THEATER AND ARTS EXPERIENCES
Port Tobacco Playhouse in La Plata
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Best Western LaPlata Inn www.bestwestern.com/laplatainn
Brandywine Investment Properties www.brandywinerealestate.com
Charles County Department of Health www.charlescountyhealth.org
Charles County Nursing Rehabilitation Center www.ccnrc.com
Charles County Public Library www.ccplonline.org
Chick-Fil-A www.mdcfa.com
Civista Health www.civista.org
Facchina Construction www.facchina.com
GP Homes www.gphomesusa.com
Indian Head Division NSWC www.ih.navy.mil
Karl A. Smith DDS LLC www.drkarlsmith.com
Kool Productions www.koolproductionsllc.com
Maryland Bank & Trust Company www.mdbank.com
Mirant Mid-Atlantic LLC www.mirant.com
Post Office Lake Dental Associates
Potter Heating & Electric Inc. www.potterheatingandelectricinc.com
Re/Max 100 Kelley Rollins www.kelleyrollins.com
Residence Inn Marriott www.marriott.com/waswr
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative www.smeco.coop
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center www.smhec.org
Southern Trust Mortgage Company www.lowe-rate.com
Spirit of America Car Wash & Oil Change www.spiritofamericacarwash.com
Suburban Propane www.suburbanpropane.com
Town of Indian Head www.townofindianheadmd.org
United Way of Charles County www.unitedwaycharles.org
W.M. Davis Inc. www.wmdavis.com
Washington Savings Bank www.twsb.com
AUTHORIZED FACTORY SALES & SERVICE
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
(301) 645-7071 or (301) 843-0300
6 Irongate Dr. • Waldorf
OTTER HEATING & ELECTRIC, INC.
Air Conditioning SpecialistsPHEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
HEAT PUMPS
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
Celebrating Our 53rd Anniversary
CHARLES COUNT Y IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM 47
Sports & Recreation
When Baltimore’s WJZ interviewed Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson
in 2007, the former Oriole said he had no desire to own a team after retiring from Major League Baseball.
But Robinson apparently saw something he liked in Opening Day Partners, a minor league baseball organization that owns franchises like the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. As co-owner of the team in Charles County, Robinson’s knack for success is rubbing off on the Blue Crabs. 2010 marks their third season as part of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
“This independent league focuses on signing veterans who have played professionally six or more years,” says Paul Braverman, the Blue Crabs’ director of media relations and broadcasting. “The Atlantic League is the most advanced of the independent leagues.”
The team’s quality and the ballpark’s draw has even created a fan club. According to Braverman, Blue Crabs fans have been dubbed Crustacean Nation, and “once you enter the gates, you’re a member.”
And the Crustacean Nation members show up. Game attendance averages between 3,500 and 4,000, but more than 7,200 fans showed for opening day in 2009 – the largest crowd ever.
But at Regency Furniture Stadium, where the Blue Crabs play, the entertainment goes beyond baseball. While the home team is away, the stadium hosts attractions like concerts and professional soccer matches.
In summer 2009, 3 Doors Down and Trace Adkins performed there, thanks to the organization’s partnership with Kool Productions, a local concert company.
Braverman says the organization strives to make the stadium available to Charles County all year.
“Cold weather limits what we can do on the field in the offseason,” he says, “but our indoor facilities here make it a versatile place.” – Ryan Vaden
A Home Run in Charles CountySOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS TEAM ENTERS THIRD SEASON
Regency Furniture Stadium STAFF PHOTO
48 IMAGESCHARLESCOUNT Y.COM CHARLES COUNT Y
CHARLES COUNTY
HOUSING
$392,115Average Home Price
MORE ONLINE
imagescharlescounty.com
More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.
SNAPSHOTCharles County, the hidden gem of Southern Maryland for 350
years, has a rich abundance of history, culture and outdoor
activities. It offers easy access to Washington, D.C., and quality
education and health care.
THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY
CLIMATE
Summers in Charles County
are generally hot and humid
with occasional thunderstorms.
Winters are generally mild
with variable precipitation.
26 FJanuary Low Temperature
44 FJanuary High Temperature
67 FJuly Low Temperature
85 FJuly High Temperature
EDUCATION
Educational opportunities
abound in Charles County, with
public, private and magnet
school educational programs
available. There are more than
200 educational partnerships
between the schools,
businesses, individuals and
groups. Several major
universities are within an easy
commute, and satellite courses
are offered at many locations
throughout Southern Maryland.
For a list of schools and
other information, visit
imagescharlescounty.com.
HEALTH CARE
Charles County offers state-of-
the-art health care, and an
extensive selection of
physicians, specialists, and
medical facilities serves its
residents. Civista Health is a
system of health care services
throughout Charles County,
including Civista Medical Center,
a 120-bed facility featuring a
cutting-edge cardiac-care wing
and a modern birthing center.
For a breakdown of
medical services, visit
imagescharlescounty.com.
Community Profile
E OOOOOO
Ad Index 39 ARROW AMERICAN PEST CONTROL LLC
44 ASKEY ASKEY & ASSOCIATES CPA
40 BEL ALTON MOTEL
29 BEST WESTERN LAPLATA INN
39 BRANDYWINE INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
42 CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
42 CHARLES COUNTY NURSING REHABILITATION CENTER
32 CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
38 CHICK-FIL-A
C4 CIVISTA HEALTH
35 FACCHINA CONSTRUCTION
6 GP HOMES
32 INDIAN HEAD DIVISION NSWC
28 KARL A . SMITH DDS LLC
C3 KOOL PRODUCTIONS
36 MARYLAND BANK
& TRUST COMPANY
C2 MIRANT MID-ATLANTIC LLC
42 POST OFFICE LAKE
DENTAL ASSOCIATES
46 POTTER HEATING
& ELECTRIC INC .
40 RE/MAX 100 KELLEY ROLLINS
Ad Index (cont.) 24 RESIDENCE INN MARRIOTT
1 SOUTHERN MARYLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
48 SOUTHERN MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER
36 SOUTHERN TRUST MORTGAGE COMPANY
37 SPIRIT OF AMERICA CAR WASH & OIL CHANGE
44 SUBURBAN PROPANE
44 TOWN OF INDIAN HEAD
40 UNITED WAY OF CHARLES COUNTY
46 W.M. DAVIS INC .
27 WASHINGTON SAVINGS BANK