March 2009 Volume 10, Issue 1

The Winner HIGHLIGHTS  Winter Games is Cold Experience

Special Olympics , St. Mary’s County  Bowlers capture awards at State

State Bowling is AWESOME!  Spring Training is In St. Mary’s County, Spe- here. Look inside cial Olympics local bowling for registration program is held in the fall. In forms for Track, 2008, over 90 athletes par- Michael Bald won Bocce, Softball, ticipated in the fall bowling gold and bronze Sailing, Kayaking program. A small group is medals at the State then selected for additional Bowling competition. training in January and Feb- ruary to prepare for the state 10-pin bowling competition. This year, St. Mary’s County took 19 athletes to the state Athlete Singles Doubles competition. They competed Award Award against fellow athletes from Chong Han Fairclough 2nd 3rd across the state in singles, Hope Taylor 2nd 3rd doubles, teams, and Unified Angela Pitts 4th 2nd doubles. The event was held in Dundalk, near Baltimore, Kim Ballard 1st 2nd on February 7-8, 2009. Debbie Davis 2nd 2nd Our bowlers were divi- Linda Higgs 1st 2nd sioned with fellow athletes Joanie Himes 4th 1st with similar averages. They bowled two games each and Joe Quade 2nd 3rd scores were compiled for Ronnie Noordzy 4th 5th Inside this issue: awards. In the singles com- Tom Stewart 3rd 2nd petition, St. Mary’s athletes Basketball 3 brought home some impres- Keith Stamp 3rd 5th sive awards. Athletes also Bob Hislop 1st 2nd Bowling 1 competed in doubles. Seven Steve Gildersleeve 4th 5th athletes and partners com- Michael Bald 3rd 1st Calendar 9 peted in unified doubles. With the support of our part- Tim Higgs 3rd 3rd ners, our athletes achieved a Russell Bucci /Susan Beaudwin 1st 4th Knights 11 new milestone in their sports Austin Debeltz / Kathie Wright 4th 4th career. Spring Sports 2 Barry Burris / David Debeltz 3rd 3rd Our athletes practiced at Esperanza Bowling Lanes. A Kelly Guffey / Ray Guffey 3rd 2nd Unified Basketball 11 special thanks to Dave Long Shaun Ridley / Wil Ridley 2nd 2nd for his support during this Jason Wright / Rob Wright 4th 1st Winter Games and the previous season. 4, 5 Kegan Zimmerman / Jason Z. 1st 4th Page 2 Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County Spring Sports Training

TRACK and FIELD BOCCE Starts: Saturday, March 28 Starts: Thursday, April 2 9 to 10 am for track athletes * Held: 6:00 pm 10 to 11:30 am for Relay teams Where: Law Offices on St. Where: Andrews Church Road State Tournament: State Tournament: June 5, 6, 7 June 5, 6, 7 * Call for your time

SWIMMING Started: Sunday, March 8 Held: 6pm—Beginners; 7pm—Advanced Where: Great Mills Pool Local Tournament: May 3 for Beginners Swim Meet for State: May 17 at St. Mary’s College State Tournament: June 5, 6, 7

SOFTBALL TEAM KAYAKING Starts: Saturday, April 4 Held: 8 am Starts: Wednesday, May 13 Where: Chancellors Run Regional Park Held: 6 pm—7:30 pm District Meet in Howard County: May 17 Where: Greenwell State Park State Tournament: June 5, 6, 7 State Tournament: July 25, 26

EQUESTRIAN Starts: in April Where: Greenwell State Park State Tournament: June 13 Call Mary Lu Bucci if interested 301-373-3469 SAILING

Starts: Tuesday, June 9 CYCLING and GOLF Held: 5 pm—7 pm Starts: In July Where: St. Mary’s College More information to follow. State Tournament: July 25, 26 Registrations to be sent in June.

Registration forms are included in this Newsletter.

Spring Games—April 28; Set your calendars Page 3 Volume 10, Issue 1 Basketball Season is Bouncing Along Basketball season is in full swing in were intense; several games went St. Mary’s County. Our individual into overtime. skills, 3v3, 5v5, player development, and unified teams have been keep- Representatives from Special Olym- ing the courts jumping. pics Maryland were on-hand to as- sess teams in preparation for the On March 7, 30 athletes competed state tournament on March 21. in the local individual skills competi- tion. Everyone had a wonderful Our unified team has been playing in a league in Washington, D.C. To (above) Tiffaney Johnson guards a time and were pleased to be joined Prince George’s player during the by representatives from Prince date, they are undefeated. Con- gratulations! local competition. George’s County. (below) Dylan Latham aims for the On March 8, St. Mary’s County was A special thanks to all the coaches, basket during the 3v3 games. joined by teams from Calvert, partners, volunteers and family mem- Prince George’s, Howard, Baltimore bers who helped to make the local County, Carroll, and Anne Arundel tournament a success. Best of luck to keep the courts active at both to the teams who will be playing in Margaret Brent Middle School and the district and state tournaments. Chopticon High School. The games

St. Mary’s County 2009 Basketball Teams Unified 5v5 team Jim Patrey / Jim Bucci Traditional 3v3 teams: Team 2 John Gallagher Larry Mills Thomas Smith Team 1 Marcia Bald Betti Russell Stephen Maras Sam Huffman Shaun Ridley Debbie Davis Karla Kless Michael Wood Connie Thompson William Fenwick Wil Ridley Hope Taylor Amy Trowbridge Sid Ridley Charlie Jackson Michael Bald Michelle Haley Team 3 Tom Maras Kevin Bishop Tom Bayne Andy Thompson Team 2 Diane Huseman Michele Johnson Ryan Gerhold Traditional 5v5 teams: Russell Bucci Vicki Trossbach Darryl Whipple Team 1 Don Bewick / Lloyd Grayson Angela Buckler Chong Fairclough Tiffaney Johnson Robert King Melody Chase Keith Stamp Terrell Nowlin Joe Quade Dan Simpson Jayme Lorraine Team 3 Mark Fondren Brandon Thompson Justin Thompson Moses Weaver Joshua Fondren Patrick Boyle Team 2 Joe Owens / Rob Wright Rebecca Elwell Joey Owens Billy Groves Jason Wright Kegan Zimmerman Team 4 Lisa Owens/Chuck Latham Tanesha Davis Angelica Ringgold Daniel Clarke Michael Vannoordt Joseph Williams Joey Anderson Dylan Latham Jennifer Haley RJ Axtell Team 5 Jeff Hagen / Jack Green Team 3 Jim Russell/Hill/Menard Christy Brinkley Ronnie Noordzy Unified partner Kevin Andrea Brown Wayne Carter Jeffrey Hagen Casey Chappelear Bishop heads down Allen Hill Dillon Kelley Suzanne Green the court during the Tim Menard Kyle Russell local games. Marcus Windsor Emoni Butler Player Development 3v3 teams: Shelby Boyer James Woodland Team 1 Dan Shannon Tammy Wise dribbles Stephen Ennels Justin Fowler Team 4 Douglas Mason Melanie Shannon Jeremy Degler during the local skills Jim Downs James Sewell Brad Shannon competition for St. Samantha Oliver Annie Bassford Mary’s County. Avery Long Brandon Chan Jackie Morgan David Higgs Page 4 Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County Winter Games are Chillin’ Experience While St. Mary’s County events, as did veteran Fleury, Courtney Parkes, was getting blanketed in racer Samantha Oliver. and Marc Rinaldo. Brooke snow March 1st , 2nd and Joey Owens came home Bucci and Tom Emery each 3rd, over 80 athletes, with three Gold medals, helped their partner win a coaches, partners, and two individual and one for Silver medal and Courtney volunteers went looking his Unified Race with Part- Bucci earned 4th. Lucas for snow in the mountains ner Annah Rice. Other Garner also competed as a of western Maryland at Gold medal winners in- partner but his team was the 2009 Winter Games. clude athletes Wayne disqualified. Wayne Carter (top) shows The sub-zero wind chill Carter, Jimmy Hawkins, Thanks to our hard working great form coming down the shortened many of the Larry Mills, Thomas Smith, ski coaches Steve Rinaldo, slope, winning the Gold. Joey events from two runs to and Amy Trowbridge. Brett Bucci, Ray Bucci, Anderson (below) was in the one, but all events were Silver medalists include Brian Tierney, Alex Dyar, novice category this year. His held, with St. Mary’s Annie Bassford, Jayme Joanie Emberland, Randy coaches are looking forward to County athletes repre- Lorraine, Terrel Nowlin, Woolridge, and Jarret Wal- senting the largest dele- Justin Thompson, and ters. A special thanks goes his years to come. gation at Wisp Resort Kayla Woolridge. RJ Axtell to Coach Tom Emery and with 13 snowshoe and 15 received a participation Mary Lu Bucci who worked downhill athletes. ribbon for his time trial and with our athletes at the Our downhill ski racers JW St. Clair got in a day of weekly dry land training bundled up and gave it skiing before needing to sessions at the Drill Hall, their best despite blowing leave before the races be- and to TJ Parkes, the snow and frigid tempera- gan. Unified Partner Amy Owens family, and Hawkins tures. First time skier Brookbank, Bret Bucci, Jr., family for getting everything Joey Anderson showed and Lilly Emley each organized for our Winter everyone how it’s done helped their duo win a gold Games athletes. when he finished with medal. Partners earning Gold Medals in both his Silver included Holly

Through Volunteers and Financial Support, our Athletes Succeed!! Special Olympics St. Mary’s County relies on volunteers and donations to run the quality programs here in the county. The following individuals or organizations have donated their time or financial support to our local program. If you see one of these folks, say Thank You. Linda Clem Knights of Columbus #9968 Maryland Charity Campaign Knights of Columbus #2065 Kegan Zimmerman and his Northrop Grumman Darwin & Barbara Engle fellow snowshoers offer their Henry and Nancy Noordzy Penny Brueggemann thanks to the Bald Family for Velma Graves Marilyn and Ronald Wood hosting our local competition Lexis-Nexis Dorothy Williams on their beach. Brookbank Core Drilling & Sawing Co. Ralph Baken Degler Family Hollywood Lions Club Joseph and Ann Ogden Esperanza Lanes Knights of Columbus #8159 Nicks of Clinton Knights of Columbus #1470 United Way Page 5 Volume 10, Issue 1 Snowshoe Athletes Win Bling Snowshoeing events Stephen Maras, and the Gold. Despite less were also quite exciting. Angela Buckler each than ideal conditions, our New snowshoer Kegan earned Silver Medals in snowshoe athletes and Zimmerman showed his at least one of their their support team of athletic prowess with events. Unified Partners Kathy and Rob Wright, three Gold Medal fin- Louis “Porkchop” Por- Gene Thompson, and ishes. Several of our chazka and Paul Guy Jason Zimmerman kept snowshoe athletes, led ran in the 4x100 relay their focus on the races by coach Gwen Guy, with athletes Kegan Zim- at hand and their came home with two merman and Jason winning performances Gold Medals including Wright. They were really show that their hard Tom Bayne, Matt Dob- fast and won the Gold. work paid off. Special son, Michelle Johnson, Connie Thompson and thanks to Marcia and and Jason Wright. Rus- Jackie Fowler were part- Rey Bald for the use of sell Bucci, Melody ners with Andy Thomp- their beach for a local Chase, Austin Debeltz, son and Michelle John- snowshoe event. Justin Fowler, Laura son in the 4x100 meter Marini, Andy Thompson, relay. They also won

“Our snowshoe athletes braved winds and cold temperatures to win awards in Snowshoe relay athletes were Laura Marini, Austin Debeltz, 100, 200, and 400 Stephen Maras, Angela Buckler, Tom Bayne, Russell Bucci, meter courses.” Matt Dobson, and Justin Fowler. They won silver and gold medals in the traditional 4x100 meter relay. Prediction Race is Success

Each November, the Chesapeake Running Club sponsors the Prediction Race, also known as the Turkey Run, because frozen turkeys go to the winners. LOOKING FOR This year, about 100 participants braved brisk winds and cold temperatures to run or walk the 5K UNIFIED PLAYERS course at Historic St. Mary’s City. Several St. Mary’s Athletes, their families, and friends also attended the Do you know how to sail, play race and helped to make the event a success. Thanks to Suzanne Edgar softball, play golf, or play volley- and the Chesapeake Running Club for ball?? Your skills can be benefi- their ongoing support of Special cial to our teams. We are cur- Olympics. As we look forward to next year’s rently looking for players to join event, we encourage more athletes to teams, forming now, in these participate in a shorter race/walk. More details to follow. sports. Page 6 Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 TRACK and FIELD Name: Date of Birth:

Address: (Street) City: Zip: Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell) E-mail: School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

List any special needs: Shoe Size: Shirt Size: Pant/Short Size: Parent/Guardian Signature:

Athletes need to attend regular Saturday practices. Spring Games: April 28 District Tournament: to be announced State Summer Games: June 5, 6, 7 PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro Hollywood, MD 20636 Green Holly

REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 VOLUNTEER

Name: Date of Birth: Address: (Street) City: Zip:

Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell): E-mail:

School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

Circle the Sport or Event you wish to help with:

Basketball Skiing Snowshoeing Aquatics Bowling Sailing Kayaking Cycling Golf Softball Track and Field Bocce Equestrian Powerlifting Tennis Golf Tournament Local Tournaments Poker on Fridays Fundraising Food Committee Publicity Computer Skills PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro, Green Holly Hollywood, MD 20636 Volume 10, Issue 1 Page 7

REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 SOFTBALL When you join a team, it is for the full season of competitions

Name: Date of Birth:

Address: (Street) City: Zip: Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell) E-mail: School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

List any special needs: Shoe Size: Shirt Size: Pant/Short Size: Parent/Guardian Signature:

Athletes will practice on Saturday mornings I am interested in attending the (check appropriate tournament): DISTRICT— May 17 STATE – June 5, 6, 7 PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro Hollywood, MD 20636 Green Holly

REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 BOCCE

Name: Date of Birth:

Address: (Street) City: Zip:

Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell): E-mail:

School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

List any special needs: Shoe Size: Shirt Size: Pant/Short Size: Parent/Guardian Signature:

I am interested in attending the STATE TOURNAMENT, June 5, 6, 7 Local events are in May. PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro, Green Holly Hollywood, MD 20636 Page 8 Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 KAYAKING

Name: Date of Birth:

Address: (Street) City: Zip: Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell) E-mail: School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

List any special needs: Shoe Size: Shirt Size: Pant/Short Size: Parent/Guardian Signature:

Athlete will practice: At scheduled practices I am interested in attending the STATE competition at St. Mary’s College on July 25 and 26, 2009.

PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro Hollywood, MD 20636 Green Holly

REGISTRATION FORM Special Olympics St. Mary’s County 2009 SAILING

Name: Date of Birth:

Address: (Street) City: Zip:

Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell): E-mail:

School/Agency: Grade: Teacher:

List any special needs: Shoe Size: Shirt Size: Pant/Short Size: Parent/Guardian Signature:

I am interested in attending the STATE TOURNAMENT, July 25 and 26, 2009. PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY TO: Mary Lu Bucci Your Classroom Terrie Carter Mary Lu Bucci 25926 Whiskey Creek Rd. Teacher Center for Life Enrich. Metro, Green Holly Hollywood, MD 20636 Page 9 Volume 10, Issue 1

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

MARCH 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 STATE Swimming BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

22 Swimming 23 24 25 26 27 ESCAPE to 28 Track Practice Key West Gala begins Great Mills

29 Swimming 30 31 APRIL 1 Area 2 Bocce starts 3 4 Track Meeting Softball Practice Track Skills Day at Athlete Congress Leonardtown

5 Swimming 6 7 8 9 Bocce 10 11 Track Poker Night Softball Practice

12 EASTER 13 14 15 16 Bocce 17 18 Track Softball Practice

19 Swimming 20 21 22 23 Bocce 24 25 Track Softball Practice

26 Swimming 27 28 SPRING 29 Rain date for 30 Bocce MAY 1 2 Track GAMES Spring Games Softball Practice

3 Local Swim Meet 4 5 6 7 Bocce 8 Poker Night 9 Track Softball Practice

10 Mothers Day 11 12 13 Kayaking 14 Bocce 15 16 Track Softball Practice

17 District Swim 18 19 20 Kayaking 21 Bocce 22 23 Track Meet at St. Mary’s Softball Practice College District Softball

24 25 Memorial Day 26 27 Kayaking 28 Bocce 29 30 Track Softball Practice

31 JUNE 1 2 3 Kayaking 4 5 SUMMER 6 SUMMER GAMES GAMES

7 SUMMER 8 9 Sailing 10 Kayaking 11 12 Poker Night 13 State GAMES Equestrian Moose Picnic

14 15 16 Sailing 17 Kayaking 18 19 20

21 22 23 Sailing 24 Kayaking 25 26 27

28 29 30 Sailing JULY 1 Kayaking 2 3 4

5 6 7 Sailing 8 Kayaking 9 10 Poker Night 11

12 13 14 Sailing 15 Kayaking 16 17 18 Cycling Starts

19 LOCAL 20 21 Sailing 22 Kayaking 23 Golf Starts 24 25 AWARDS BANQUET Page 10 Special Olympics Maryland, St. Mary’s County Extra Attic Storage

Conveniently located in Leonardtown, MD, behind Leonardtown Center Partnerships with our community are critical to We welcome a new sponsor of our success. Special Olympics St. Mary’s County. They are helping us store some sports equipment and materials in a safe environment. THANK YOU.

McKAYS “GOLD SHARING REWARDS” PROGRAM Let your Once again McKays will be offering the “Gold Sharing Rewards” program to all non-profit organi- zations doing work in the community. Through this program, Special Olym- grocery pics St. Mary’s County can receive a percentage of $50,000 determined upon the total amount of purchases for all organizations. In addition, the top three organizations will receive a bonus of dollars $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 for the largest dollar amounts accumulated at the end of the program. work All supporters who are interested in designating to Special Olympics St. Mary’s County need to register on line at www.mycommunityrewards.com or at one of the McKAYS Stores customer service desk so that your purchases will be credited to Special Olympics. Only purchases made through the Gold Card will be credited. The program began on October 1, 2008 and will end on April 30, 2009. Present your Gold Card each time you shop. EVEN IF YOU REGISTERED LAST YEAR YOU WILL HAVE TO REGISTER AGAIN THIS YEAR AND INDICATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS St. Mary’s AS YOUR CHARITY.

Athlete Congress Trains Members

On Saturday, April 4, your local representa- Chris Huseman tives to Athlete Congress will attend a train- ing session to learn how to better serve the Jim Downs athletes of their county. The group will ex- amine the concerns of athletes from around Jerry Gatton the state and make preliminary recommen- Or Group Liaison, Connie Thompson. dations for the most critical items. Make your voice heard. If you have a concern about Special Olym- pics Maryland or your local program, please contact one of the following athletes at your next practice or competition: Page 11 Volume 10, Issue 1

Knights—our major sponsor

Other Councils who have supported us in Council 9968 of the Knights present a check the past 3 months are: Council 10957 of the Knights present a check to to management Board Member Diane Council #2065 management Board Member Connie Thompson. Huseman. The funds were raised during the Council #8159 The funds were raised during the Knights’ Knights’ Tootsie Roll Campaign to support Council #1470 Tootsie Roll Campaign. persons with disabilities.

FACTS About Our Unified Basketball Team  Team consists of 5 athletes and 4 partners  Played 7 league games throughout season. Games were held in Washington, D.C. Six teams were in the league.  Remained undefeated, including playoffs Thomas Smith enjoyed the chance  Sid and Kevin joined the team each to play in the league against worthy Larry Mills and Sid Ridley were named week from the University of most valuable players for the opponents. championship game. Maryland  Each player was critical to the team’s success

Team Roster (from left to right): Jim Bucci, Kevin Bishop, Thomas Smith, Shaun Ridley, Larry Mills, William Fenwick, Sam Huffman, Sid Ridley, Charlie Jackson, Wil Ridley, and Jim Patrey. Special Olympics St. Mary’s County Non-Profit 25926 Whiskey Creek Road Organization Hollywood, MD 20636 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Dowell, MD Permit No. 1

Newsletter Production is provided by The Printing Press, Leonardtown, MD; Mailing by Patuxent Moose Lodge

KEY WEST Fundraiser Live music by Key West Band

March 27, 2009 Tickets $35 Food for Sale Cash Bar Door Prizes For information and reservations, call 301-481-6993