A6 APG News January 14, 2021

Marking ’s Birthday

By RACHEL PONDER, APG News During the first month of the year, the community commemorates the birthday of Edgar Allan Poe, considered one of the most important and influential Ameri- can writers of the 19th century. Although Poe was born in Boston on Jan. 19, 1809, Baltimore was where he met his wife and started his literary career after win- ning a short story contest sponsored by the Baltimore Saturday Visiter. The macabre author of “” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” lived in several other East Coast cities, but Baltimore is significant because this is where he spent his last days and where he is laid to rest. Poe Toaster From around 1949 to 2009 a mysterious masked “Poe Toaster” dressed in an all-black Pixabay illustration outfit with a white scarf and big hat would Illustration of Edgar Allan Poe, a visit the grave of Poe on his birthday, usu- legendary author who had ties to ally between midnight and 6 a.m. In 2015, Baltimore. the Maryland Historical Society revived the tradition by selecting a new Poe Toaster and museum dedicated to “preserving Poe’s legacy hosting a public celebration near the date of in Baltimore and beyond” is open for private his birthday in 2016. tours on a limited basis. The museum also This year, the Facebook group “Edgar offers virtual tours led by a museum docent. Allan Poe: Evermore” will be hosting a live “Each virtual session is led by a live Courtesy photo virtual party on Saturday, Jan. 23, starting at guide who will share the history of Edgar The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, in Baltimore, is listed in the U.S. noon. The creator of the group, Jeff Jerome, Allan Poe’s life in Baltimore, explore the National Register of Historic Places and as a U.S. National Historic Landmark used to wait every year in a small crowd to poet’s mysterious death in the city in 1849, in 1972. spot the Poe Toaster. and learn about the poems and short stories Poe wrote while residing at Poe House,” the and Awards to commemorate the author’s tion, visit https://www.poeinbaltimore.org/ Edgar Allan Poe House and website states. “Each live session has limited death. poe-house/. This website includes an inter- Museum seats to encourage interactive discussion and active map with information about Poe in Baltimore is also the home of the Edgar personalize the session for the group.” For More Information Baltimore. Allan Poe House and Museum, listed in the The tour is offered on a pay-what-you-can Poe’s grave is located in the Westmin- Sources: https://baltimore.org; https:// U.S. National Register of Historic Places and basis, and proceeds benefit the museum. ster cemetery at 515 West Fayette Street. en.wikipedia.org; https://www.smithsonian- as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1972. In October, the museum also hosts an The Edgar Allan Poe house is located at mag.com; https://www.poeinbaltimore.org/ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual International Edgar Allan Poe Festival 203 North Amity Street. For more informa- poe-house/ VACCINE

Continued from Page A1 protection. “The first shot of the vaccine provides adequate protection to more than 80% of the people who get it, and that lasts for many months,” he said. “How long exactly we do not know. We know when we give the sec- ond shot, a booster, that [number] goes up to 96%, which is why we give two shots.” Frank said side effects could include pain or swelling around the injection site or con- stitutional symptoms like fever or muscle fatigue. “Usually those symptoms, if they occur, will go away within 24 hours,” he said. “And they do not occur in many people, more com- monly after the second shot than the first shot.” Frank said in very rare cases, people have reported a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. “The actual risk is probably about 11 in a million of developing a severe anaphylactic reaction, that is pretty small,” he said. “And in most cases where we have seen a severe allergic reaction, it’s been in people who have had allergic reactions to vaccines and other medications before. Not just a simple hay fever or allergy puts you at risk, but sig- nificant reactions to other medications and vaccines.” Photo by Rachel Ponder, APG News First Vaccine Recipients From left, Chief of Preventative Medicine and Public Health Emergency Officer Dr. W. Thomas Frank, from Kirk U.S. Army Security guard Joseph Butler III was Health Clinic, answers a question about the COVID-19 vaccine raised by Capt. Dawn Fischer during a vaccination clinic selected to be the first person to receive held in the APG North (Aberdeen) recreation center Jan. 7. the vaccine. He is known in the commu- nity for his cheerful personality and warm COVID-19], they would love to have this “I am relieved that they have a vaccine “We have fought a devastating enemy greetings at the installation security gate. opportunity,” he said. for this, I figured the pros outweigh the and we are going to get through this,” he Throughout the Facebook broadcast, many He said he appreciates the APG com- cons,” she said. “I hesitated to come get it, said. people left comments, thanking him for munity and remarked that his co-workers but I figured I had too much to lose.” “Perseverance is going to be key mov- setting the example. served as his support system when his wife Paramedic supervisor Mike Slayman, ing into 2021, as we continue this fight. “Officer Butler is one of the many passed away from cancer in 2019. who was third to receive the vaccine, said Receiving the vaccine will not only pro- heroes that you see that help start our day “This is my family here,” he said. the Fire and Emergency Services section tect yourself, but this community and our off with a smile as you enter our installa- “After my wife died everybody gave me has implemented several safety measures nation.” Bibles, cards and stuff like that, without during the COVID-19 pandemic, includ- tion gates,” Druell said. On Dec. 18, 2020, the U.S. Food and that support system I probably wouldn’t ing screening employees for symptoms of Before receiving the vaccine, Butler Drug Administration issued an emergency have made it. So I understand, when some- COVID-19 and taking their temperatures use authorization for the Moderna said he “trusts science” and “everyone one loses a loved one, it is serious.” every 12 hours during a 48-hour shift. COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the needs to step up and get vaccinated to stop Paraphrasing President John F. Kenne- “I feel fantastic, I am glad we finally U.S. for use in individuals 18 and older. At the pandemic.” dy, Butler said, “it’s not what the coun- get the chance to get these shots out,” he this time, taking the vaccine is voluntary “I am excited and I am thinking of the try can do for you, it’s what you can do for said. “The systems that we have in place for military personnel. 350,000 people who passed away [from your country.” have really protected our workforce. This DOD employees who received the vac- “Our country is depending on us to step is just another tool we have to try to keep cination during the clinic will receive the More Photos on Flickr up to the plate and get vaccinated,” he said. our people safe.” booster shot on Feb. 4. For more infor- For more photos of the “We have to step up to the plate and make Druell closed the broadcast by asking mation about the COVID-19 vaccinations, vaccine distribution, visit a difference.” Team APG to remain vigilant in the fight visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/cov- flickr.com/photos/usagapg/ Police officer Cpl. Latrina Brown, who against COVID-19, by wearing masks, id-19/index.html. albums/72157717839090036 was second to receive the vaccine, admit- maintaining physical distancing and To watch the Facebook broadcast, visit ted she felt some apprehension. increasing sanitization. https://m.facebook.com/APGMd/. Tell them you saw it in APG News