2017 Community Christmas Bulletins

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
MSP / Kinder Time Toy Drive

The Maryland State Police will be participating in the Kinder Time Toy Drive at every barrack across the State. Members of the community that wish to provide toy donations may bring new, unwrapped toys to their local Maryland State Police facility from now until December 20th. Cash donations will not be accepted. Toys donated will be delivered to children in need at the Kennedy Kreiger Institute, Ronald McDonald House, Bea Gaddy Family Center and the Agape Christian Center.
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
"Farms for the Holidays" Guide Available Now

A seasonal guide to farm food, gifts and farm-hosted fun!

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission's (SMADC) annual "Farms for the Holidays", a seasonal guide to farm foods, gifts and farm-hosted fun is available now to view on the SMADC website at www.smadc.com.

The full color mini brochure showcases over 70 Southern Maryland farms, wineries and other agriculture-related businesses that offer a wide variety of locally raised products during the holiday season and the winter months, as well as regional stores and restaurants that source from local farms and watermen.

The holiday guide lists farms by categories to help consumers find everything they need to celebrate the holidays including Southern Maryland grown Christmas trees and trimmings, winter produce, turkeys and farm-raised meats, locally produced wines, beer and whiskeys, seafood and dairy products, plus unique farm-made gifts and firewood. A special section features farm-hosted events for the whole family to enjoy, as well as farm tours and tastings offered during the holiday season and throughout the year.

The "Farms for the Holidays" holiday farm guide can be viewed or downloaded on the SMADC website on the "Get the Guides" page at www.smadc.com. Look for the free printed guides coming soon to Southern Maryland regional public libraries, welcome centers and participating farms. For more information and to find a full list of pick-up sites visit What's New/News and Announcements page at www.smadc.com.
 

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David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Calvert Hospice Announces Holiday Party for Grieving Children and Families

Calvert Hospice is pleased to announce "Someday Soon We Will All Be Together," a Holiday Party for children and families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The holidays can be a difficult time for children and family members who are grieving. Someday Soon We Will All Be Together will combine fun, holiday oriented activities, refreshments, and crafts with opportunities for children to share about their loved ones and gain some helpful skills for coping with grief during this challenging time. The party will be held on Saturday, December 16 from 12 - 2 pm at "The Space," located at 96 Central Square Drive in Prince Frederick. The cost is $15 (scholarships are available). Pre-registration is required. The deadline to RSVP is December 8, 2017.

For questions, or to register, contact Brittanny Petrzala, Child & Teen Bereavement Coordinator, at bpetrzala@calverthospice.org or (410) 535-0892, ext. 2206. For more information on Calvert Hospice Bereavement programs for children, visit our website at: www.calverthospice.org/childrens-programs
 

David

Opinions are my own...
PREMO Member
Buy Fresh, Locally-Grown Christmas Trees

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging residents to support Maryland farmers and buy real, fresh cut, locally-grown Christmas trees, rather than artificial trees or those grown out of state. To showcase its support, the department is displaying a 27- foot Maryland-grown Norway Spruce Christmas tree at its headquarters in Annapolis.

Not only do real trees look and smell beautiful, they are also a renewable, recyclable resource that keep unwanted waste out of our landfills and are good for the environment. Artificial trees are often petroleum based, imported from overseas and do not biodegrade so they eventually end up in landfills forever. Buying locally grown trees, including choose-and-cut trees, supports family owned farms and businesses, preserves farmland, and protects the environment. At the end of the season, trees are recycled a number of ways, such as being chipped into mulch, that return important nutrients to the earth. While growing, Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen, unlike artificial trees which are petroleum-based. When growing in open space, a 3-inch diameter Douglas-fir tree can reduce atmospheric carbon by 23 pounds and intercept 102 gallons of storm water runoff per year.

Maryland farmers offer some of the freshest Christmas trees available. While the Fraser Fir is a popular choice, the Canaan fir is similarly beautiful and grown more easily and in more locations throughout the state. Additional varieties grown in Maryland include: Douglas fir, Concolor fir, Scotch pine, White pine, and Blue spruce.

"Maryland farmers work year-round to provide customers with high-quality, fresh, fragrant Christmas trees for the holiday season," said Secretary Bartenfelder. "Visiting a local farm to find the perfect Christmas tree is a great family activity and a fun way to spend an afternoon. Many Maryland farms have additional activities as well, such as sleigh rides and visits with Santa."

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture for Maryland, there are more than 170 Christmas tree growers in the state with nearly 2,200 acres in production. In Maryland, Carroll County has the greatest number of cut Christmas tree farms with 20. Anne Arundel, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, and Montgomery round out the top six counties for Christmas tree production. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and more than 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry. Tree planting, shearing and mowing can take up to 65 hours a week, 52 weeks a year.

To find a Christmas tree farm near you, visit www.marylandsbest.net. For environmental benefits, myths versus facts about Christmas trees, how to care for your farm-grown fresh Christmas tree, or about Christmas tree varieties grown in Maryland, and the MCTA's Choose and Cut Farm Directory, visit: www.marylandchristmastrees.org.

After Christmas, check with your county about its tree recycling programs. For other recycling tips, see http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/AllAboutTrees/HowtoRecycle.aspx
 
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