The Best of Both Worlds Living options combine rural ambience and urban access SHOP AROUND Explore a retail mix of local treasures and national brands TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE Charles County is big for small businesses SPONSORED BY THE CHARLES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2012 | LIVABILITY.COM/CHARLES-COUNTY/MD/ ® CHARLES COUNTY, MARYLAND
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.
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The Best of Both WorldsLiving options combine rural ambience and urban access
Shop AroundExplore a retail mix of local treasures and national brands
Try ThiS on For SizeCharles County is big for small businesses
SponSored By The ChArleS CounTy ChAmBer oF CommerCe
all or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
Please recycle this magazine
on The Cover the fountain at centennial Plaza in La Plata Photo by todd bennett
dePartments
6 Almanac
22 Biz Briefs
25 economic profile
26 See the County
28 local Flavor
30 health & Wellness
32 Arts & Culture
34 Sports & recreation
37 education
39 Community profile
40 Through the lens
2012 ediTion | volume 11
ChArleS CounTy, mArylAnd
®
contents
Features
10 The BeST oF BoTh WorldSLiving options combine rural ambience with easy urban access
14 Shop Aroundfind a great mix of local treasures and national brands
18 Try ThiS on For Sizecharles county is big for small businesses
10
28
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Digital magazine
The Best of Both WorldsLiving options combine rural ambience and urban access
Shop AroundExplore a retail mix of local treasures and national brands
Try ThiS on For SizeCharles County is big for small businesses
SponSored By The ChArleS CounTy ChAmBer oF CommerCe
2012 | livABiliTy.Com/ChArleS-CounTy/md/
®
ChArleS CounTy, mArylAnd
Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more
living hereLearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers
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What’s online livability.com/charles-county/md
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There’s a reason shopping aficionados tend to put down roots in Charles County. Actually, there are a few hundred reasons. Charles County is considered the shopping hub
for Southern Maryland and is packed with venues including everything from national chain stores to independently owned specialty shops.
Charles County Specialty ShopsNearly three decades ago, Lorrie Anderson traded
her job as a horticulture teacher for a job at Country Florist, a quaint flower shop on Old Washington Road in Waldorf. Today, she owns the shop and spends her days surrounded by sweet-smelling blooms.
“Our customers come to us because they care about the people they’re ordering flowers for, and they are fun to work with,” Anderson says. “I very much like and respect the business community in Charles County. We help and support each other. Charles County is a great community of wonderful businesses, large and small. I quickly learned they care about the community and are proactively involved.”
Don’t let the Country part of her shop’s name fool you – this business is on the cusp of technology, always mindful of the latest designs, trends and new ways of doing things.
“We are working on being more proactive in social media, and we now provide a floral app, which makes
BIG RETAIL MIX INCLUDES LOCAL TREASURES AND NATIONAL BRANDS
STORY BY JESSICA MOZOPHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT
AroundShop
A designer builds a floral arrangement at Country Florist in Waldorf
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Shop
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Welcome to Charles Countyan introduCtion to thE arEa’s pEopLE, pLaCEs and EvEnts
Giving herons a safety nestthe great blue heron is a wading bird with an overall length of
three feet to 4.5 feet and a wingspan of 5.5 feet to 6.5 feet, making it the largest north american heron. Charles County has nearly 2,500 of these birds, thanks to the nanjemoy Creek Great blue heron sanctuary. this sanctuary is operated by the nature Conservancy, an organization devoted to ecological preservation efforts. the goal of this preserve is to protect the more than 1,100 breeding pairs of great blue herons in Charles County. the preserve is also home to 48 tree species, 86 varieties of wildflowers and numerous animals.
fun in a Roundabout Waybefore high-speed roller coasters, people derived their
carnival entertainment from ornate carousels with colorful
decorations and lively music. With the rise in high-octane
amusement parks, the number of antique wooden-horse
carousels has dwindled to fewer than 170 in the united
states and canada. the southern maryland carousel Group
inc. is working to revive the lost art of woodcarving that these
carousels represent. the group is a 501(c)(3) organization
founded in 2004 with the goal of constructing a full-scale
working carousel in southern maryland. the group’s facility
in La Plata will house a grand wooden carousel, a woodcarving
museum and a woodcarving learning center. once completed,
the facility of up to 12,000 square feet will feature 48 animals,
two chariots and 18 rounding boards, as well as a band organ
and art from area artists.
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Fast Factsn Charles County is the 15th wealthiest county in the u.s., according to the website main street, which used 2010 u.s. Census data to compile its list.
n 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.
n 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.
n Charles County has 150 miles of shoreline, with the potomac river on the west and the patuxent river on its eastern edge.
serving others With scarecrows
each october, the festival of scarecrows
brings the charles county community
together to enjoy halloween-themed
festivities. in 2011, charles county held
its 6th annual festival. for this fundraiser,
participants design and build creative,
themed scarecrows. once complete, the
scarecrows are judged and the winners
announced. While the scarecrows are
the focal point of the event, the community
enjoys other crafts activities including
weaving, painting, bead making and
more. a portion of all
proceeds benefit
a nonprofit
group, which
is selected
each year
by the
charles
county
chamber
of commerce.
Where Ghost ships Live
visitors to mallows bay
can see the site of the largest
shipwreck fleet in the Western
hemisphere. the fleet
includes ships from World
War i, 19th-century canoes
and schooners, a north
carolina menhaden boat,
a possible Revolutionary
War longboat and more.
these vessels have developed
ecosystems in their remnants,
creating a biodiversity that
has offset any pollution the
ships might have introduced.
almanac
Rooting for the home team
the southern maryland blue crabs is charles county’s home
team, which competes in the atlantic League of Professional
baseball, an eight-team league formed in 1998. the team’s
stadium features approximately 4,200 reserved seats, as well
as skybox seats. When hunger strikes, concession stands serve
light snacks. there are also numerous fine-dining establishments
including mvP Grill, hall of fame seafood and hot corner
carvery. to keep fans cool, crabby cove, a pool behind
left center field, has bumper boats and a waterfall.
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Charles County is a study in contrasts. Dotted with farms and state parks, this section of
Southern Maryland also offers all the amenities of a bustling metro area. In other words, it’s ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy the ambience of rural life without sacrificing urban conveniences and opportunities. Town by town, here are some of the standout features and benefits of living in Charles County.
la plataLa Plata, located in central Charles
County, is the county seat and home to about 9,000 residents. Commerce and new-home construction are growing steadily, but family-oriented events and a walkable layout keep the community tight.
“It’s like a quaint small town, but with all your conveniences right here,” says Michael Mazzeo, a lifelong Charles County resident
who has lived in La Plata since 1988.Affordable housing, good schools
and a low crime rate make this community a favorite for young professionals and families with children. Nature-lovers can enjoy Clark Run Nature Area and Laurel Springs Regional Park, a LEED-certified town hall, and green-building grants attract the environmentally conscious. The College of Southern Maryland and the community-oriented CIVISTA Medical Center round out La Plata’s amenities.
“And if you want to get out on a Saturday, we’re within 45 miles of the entire D.C. area,” Mazzeo says. “There are so many places you can visit.”
WaldorfThough unincorporated, Waldorf
is home to about 68,000 people, roughly half the county’s population. Located in north Charles County, just 11 miles from the Beltway, this
community is ideal for Capital commutes. Waldorf is oriented around the St. Charles planned community, which offers a range of housing types and a full complement of amenities including neighborhood schools, recreation centers and even a weekly farmers market.
“Waldorf has the hustle and bustle and the great public transit that people want in an urban area,” says Mary Pat Berry, a lifelong Charles County resident who lived in Waldorf for more than 20 years. “But it also has a real sense of family and community.”
indian headIndian Head, located on the
great Potomac River in northeast Charles County, is perhaps best known as the home of the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Near the base, Indian Head Science and Technology Park offers an in-county location for defense and other federal contractors
ChArleS CounTy CoupleS rurAl AmBienCe WiTh urBAn AmeniTieS
WorldsstoRy by KAThryn roySTerPhotoGRaPhy by Todd BenneTT
The Best of Both
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and vendors. But Indian Head isn’t just about the Navy.
Assets like the Indian Head Rail Trail encourage the town’s 3,500 residents to enjoy abundant natural scenery and wildlife. Meanwhile, Indian Head Center for the Arts offers a black-box theater and arts education. Indian Head is just 20 minutes from the Beltway and 30 minutes from D.C.
port Tobacco villagePort Tobacco Village, located
in central Charles County, is the smallest incorporated town in Maryland. Originally the county seat, Port Tobacco is steeped in history.
“I love that, when I walk around town, I’m walking in the footsteps of people from the Revolutionary War,” says Mary Pat Berry, who now lives in Port Tobacco.
The village’s many attractions include the 322-acre Thomas Stone National Historic Site, once owned by a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the Port Tobacco Archeology Project.
“Aside from the history, Port Tobacco is the place for people who want the rural life,” Berry says. “It’s quiet, almost no traffic. I can sit on my back deck and watch the eagles fly over the river.”
While these four towns offer a cross-section of Charles County life, there’s certainly more to be found in this slice of Southern Maryland. Charles County is also home to Bennsville, Bryans Road, Hughesville, Potomac Heights and 25 other distinct locales. So, wherever you choose to settle, Charles County has plenty of places you can call home.
Clockwise from left: College of southern maryland men’s basketball; the thomas stone national historic site in port tobacco village; st. Charles towne Center in Waldorf; indian head rail trail in indian head b
Ria
n m
cc
oR
d
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Shop
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There’s a reason shopping aficionados tend to put down roots in Charles County. Actually, there are a few hundred reasons. Charles County is considered the shopping hub
for Southern Maryland and is packed with venues including everything from national chain stores to independently owned specialty shops.
Charles County Specialty ShopsNearly three decades ago, Lorrie Anderson traded
her job as a horticulture teacher for a job at Country Florist, a quaint flower shop on Old Washington Road in Waldorf. Today, she owns the shop and spends her days surrounded by sweet-smelling blooms.
“Our customers come to us because they care about the people they’re ordering flowers for, and they are fun to work with,” Anderson says. “I very much like and respect the business community in Charles County. We help and support each other. Charles County is a great community of wonderful businesses, large and small. I quickly learned they care about the community and are proactively involved.”
Don’t let the Country part of her shop’s name fool you – this business is on the cusp of technology, always mindful of the latest designs, trends and new ways of doing things.
“We are working on being more proactive in social media, and we now provide a floral app, which makes
Big reTAil mix inCludeS loCAl TreASureS And nATionAl BrAndS
stoRy by jeSSiCA mozoPhotoGRaPhy by Todd BenneTT
AroundShop
a designer builds a floral arrangement at Country Florist in Waldorf
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Above: st. Charles towne Center in Waldorf right: Candy Clark boutique in La plata carries formal wear, casual wear, knit dresses, suits, purses, shoes, gift items and more
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it easy to order flowers on the go if you have a smartphone,” Anderson says. “We are able to send customers reminders for anniversaries and birthdays, and if a customer asks what was sent years earlier, we can pull up that information.”
If you’re looking for the latest fashions for women, you’ll find them at Candy Clark Boutique in La Plata. The boutique carries formal wear, casual wear, knit dresses, suits, purses, shoes and gift items in a shop designed to resemble a Parisian salon with a Baltimore twist. Joson Fine Jewelry is Charles County’s one-stop shop for jewelry services and offers custom jewelry design, gemstone polishing, jewelry and watch repair.
Charles County mallsIf mall shopping is more your cup of tea, Charles
County delivers in that arena, too. St. Charles Towne Center features more than 130 stores and is anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Sears.
“St. Charles Towne Center promises a delightful, convenient and stress-free shopping experience,” says Lindsay Pitts, area director of marketing and business development at St. Charles Towne Center. “St. Charles Towne Center is more than just a shopping center. It is a community venue. We feature annual events like Mom’s Nite Out, Reaching Out Now’s Community Food Drive and Fun Fest, and Movies Under the Stars. We also offer monthly Kidgits events and breakfasts with Santa and the Easter Bunny for our little shoppers.”
In summer 2012, St. Charles Towne Center’s AMC Loews movie theater will unveil its new $4.5 million renovation including enhanced presentation quality and sound, power leather recliners for movie-goers, and upgrades to the concession area and restrooms.
The Shops at Waldorf Center is another major retail destination anchored by hhgregg, Christmas Tree Shops, Babies “R” Us, Ross Dress for Less, Marshall’s, The Room Store, PetSmart and Modell’s Sporting Goods.
Where to shop?Country Florist 3040 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601 24hr: 301-843-6676 www.countryflorist.com
Candy Clark Boutique 305 Centennial St # A La Plata, MD 20646 (240) 776-4479 www.candyclark boutique.com
St. Charles Towne Center 11110 Mall Cir.St. Charles, MD 20603(301) 870-6996 www.stcharles townecenter.com
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Craig Guice and Mark Vliet met in sixth grade as students at Milton Somers Middle School in La Plata, and today
the childhood friends co-own OutsourceIT, one of the fastest growing small businesses in Maryland.
“We started the company in 2004, with Mark managing day-to-day operations for our clients, while I manage the growth of the business,” Guice says. “The company’s mission is to provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to deliver IT support to the small business community. It’s almost like selling an HMO health plan
to small companies, but we sell information technology.”
Support for ComputersGuice says his company’s client list
has grown in recent years to include a wide range of commercial, government and nonprofit organizations throughout the D.C./Baltimore area and the Triad region of North Carolina.
“Small businesses contract with us by the month, and we provide all the IT benefits that large corporations receive but on an affordable basis for them,” he says. “Whether a company has one computer, five computers
stoRy by Kevin liTWinPhotoGRaPhy by Todd BenneTT
What’s online Visit livability.com/charles-county/md to read more articles about Charles County’s thriving business climate.
an employee takes a call from a client at outsourceit, one of the state’s fastest growing small businesses.
ChArleS CounTy iS Big For SmAll BuSineSSeS
on foR sizetry this
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La Platamade the list.Minor League Baseball Stadiums Worth VisitingSee more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.
WHATABURGER FIELDCorpus Christi, TX
LAWRENCE-DUMONT STADIUMWichita, KS
FIELDCREST CANNON STADIUMKannapolis, NC
SAN JOSE’S MUNICIPAL STADIUM
San Jose, CA
REGENCY FURNITURE STADIUM La Plata, MD
APPLEBEE’S PARK STADIUMLexington, KY
CANAL PARK STADIUMAkron, OH
MONTGOMERY RIVERWALK STADIUM
Montgomery, AL
MCCORMICK FIELDAsheville, NC
HERSCHEL GREER STADIUMNashville, TN
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or 100 computers, at some point they will need a network security expert, or an email expert, or a data expert – someone to fix a computer so they can continue working. That is what OutsourceIT is all about.”
He adds that Charles County is not only a nice place to live, but he is seeing Charles County becoming less of a bedroom community and more of a business park area.
“That’s why we have established our headquarters in La Plata with 70 employees,” Guice says. “OutsourceIT has more than 250 clients, and we manage all of their 10,000 total computers from our La Plata office.”
Fit to printAnother small business doing well in Charles County
is Quality Printers LLC in White Plains, owned by Joe Namyst Sr. and Joe Namyst Jr., who are both natives of Charles County.
“I’ve been involved in this community for many years with civic organizations, church, sponsoring teams, and I’ve coached more than 20 years,” Namyst Sr. says. “I’ve always had a philosophy of community, supporting your
business neighbors and keeping local jobs. Being a small printing company, we have always been big about supporting small businesses in Charles County.”
Check out the FrontBesides all the services that a top printing
shop can offer, the front entrance space at Quality Printers has been transformed into a community center.
“It’s a place where small businesses can meet and market themselves, complete with eye-pleasing artwork on the walls and a modern décor,” Namyst Jr. says. “By the way, besides the Quality Printers portion of our business, we have also established a QP2 Creative division for people who want a website created or any other design and technology-related upgrades to their business.”
Namyst Jr. says no matter how successful Quality Printers continues to become, its first priority will always be to serve the Charles County community.
“More and more small businesses are choosing Charles County, which is great to see,” he says. “It has always been a beautiful place to live and is equally an excellent place to work.”
Craig Guice, pictured above, co-owns outsourceit in La plata with his friend since childhood, mark vliet.
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scorecardBuSineSS AT
A glAnCe
$2 billionAnnual retail Sales
$16,846retail Sales
per Capita
$232 million
Annual hotel and
Food Sales
11,011Total number
of Firms
source: u.s. Census QuickFacts
business
Biz BriefsbusinEssEs – both LarGE and smaLL – that hELp dEFinE CharLEs
County’s EConomiC CLimatE
SmeCoBiz: Customer-owned electric cooperativeBuzz: Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, or SMECO, provides electricity to more than 152,000 services in southern Prince George’s County, throughout Charles County and St. Mary’s County, and most of Calvert County. As one of the 10 most expansive electric co-ops in the U.S., SMECO offers programs to help customers save energy and reduce electric bills.www.smeco.coop
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inFoTeK inTernATionAl inCBiz: Information technology companyBuzz: Founded in 1991, Infotek International Inc. assists clients with software development, website design, enterprise architecture projects and more. The company also rents out computers, laptops, LCD projectors, plasma displays and other items, offering free maintenance and shipping to any location in the United States within 24 hours.www.infotek-intl.com
ClASSiC ArT phoTogrAphyBiz: Professional photographyBuzz: Ronald J. Warren, owner of Classic Art Photography, has been capturing special events since 1993. Serving Maryland, Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area, Warren photographs weddings, families, individual portraits, sporting events and more. Classic Art Photography clients can expect creative, budget-friendly services and experiences customized to meet their preferences.www.classic-art-photography.com
Big B liquorSBiz: Spirit shop and barBuzz: Big B Liquors offers a selection of more than 3,000 spirited beverages including domestic and imported beer, liquor, wine, champagne, sake and more. Customers can also enjoy the Big B Liquors Tavern, with a full-service bar, food and games. Bar catering and bartending services are available for special events, as well as custom and premade gift baskets.www.bigbliquors.com
STATe FArmBiz: Insurance agencyBuzz: State Farm Agent Fontella Moody, LTCP established her agency in the Bryans Road area in 2006. Moody helps all clients select insurance and financial service products and specializes in assisting women with their insurance, banking and investment decisions including asset protection, retirement planning and long-term health care. Policies are reviewed annually to ensure each client’s needs continue to be met.www.fontellamoodyinsurance.com
1200 Charles St. • La Plata, MD (301) 932-0963 (301) 934-3806
Every step you take in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® helps raise vital funds for the fight against breast cancer. But don’t let your journey stop there. Take a step toward improving your own health by educating yourself about the disease and getting regular screenings. Step by step, this Race will be won.
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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.
eConomiC proFile
TAx STruCTure
2-6.25%income tax range
6%total sales tax
expendiTure
$71,567average annual household Expenditure
TrAnSporTATion
amtrakwww.amtrak.com
amtrak locations nearest to La Plata include the alexandria station within 20 miles at 110 callahan dr., alexandria, va., and union station within 40 miles at 50 massachusetts ave., Washington, d.c.
metropolitan Washington airports authority1 aviation cir. Washington, dc 20001-6000 (703) 417-8600 www.metwashairports.com
nearest airports from La Plata include baltimore/Washington international thurgood marshall airport (bWi, about 46 miles), Ronald Reagan Washington national airport (dca, about 23 miles) and Washington dulles international airport (iad, about 43 miles).
vanGo8190 Port tobacco Rd. 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.
mAjor employerS
naval support Facility (nsF) 3,472 employees
College of southern maryland 1,090 employees
Civista medical Center 805 employees
Wal-mart/sam’s Club 674 employees
Facchina Construction 480 employees
target 467 employees
reliable Contracting 420 employees
southern maryland Electric Coop. (smECo) 379 employees
southern maryland oil/ Wills Group 377 employees
Genesis healthCare 320 employees
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White Plains Skate Park in White Plains
Photo by Todd Bennett
What’s online Visit livability.com/charles-county/md to see more award-winning photography of places and people in Charles County.
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Local flavor
Serving up a varied selection of fantastic fare, charles
county’s restaurants keep residents and visitors well-fed. barbecue, burgers, seafood and ethnic dishes make up the area’s food scene, and farmers markets in La Plata and Waldorf round out the region’s offerings.
seaFood – a maryland tradition
family-owned captain John’s
crab house & marina on cobb
island is a local institution that
has been serving fresh-caught
seafood since 1963. captain
John’s menu includes shrimp,
crab legs and rockfish, among
other dishes. captain billy’s
crab house in newburg is
another tasty destination, with
outdoor dining on a waterfront
deck. Local favorites include
classic crab cakes and cream
of crab soup. also located in
newburg, Gilligan’s Pier seafood
& steakhouse is popular for its
fresh food and sizable portions,
as well as for its water-taxi
service for those coming to
the restaurant by boat.
international delights
savory chinese cuisine is on the menu at benny’s chinese Restaurant in White Plains and hunan star chinese Restaurant in La Plata. hunan star is a longstanding favorite with ethnic food lovers and features a buffet with traditional chinese favorites such as General tso’s chicken, fried rice, and hunan shrimp and chicken. at Loredo’s steakhouse and Grill in White Plains, customers return time and again for handmade burritos,
Palate-Pleasing optionsvariEty kEEps CharLEs County dinErs satisFiEd
Clockwise from left: apple spice Junction in La plata; Gilligan’s pier in newburg; sandwich at apple spice Junction
Ph
ot
os
by
to
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Town of Indian Head“On the Move”
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
Other Information: Vital Records • Employment • Environmental Health Services Core Service Agency • Public Health Preparedness & Response Services
civista health systemin 1939, Physician’s memorial hospital opened in
charles county, and decades later, it became part of
a regional health system. in 1998, its name was changed
to civista. today, civista health system continues
to be anchored by the not-for-profit civista medical
center, a 121-bed facility in La Plata.
in 2011, civista health signed an agreement
to affiliate with the university of maryland medical
system. among the many advantages is the
recruitment of their physicians to the area. meanwhile,
civista medical center has increased the size of its
campus through several land and building acquisitions,
growing by 40 percent over the past two years.
it has also achieved national recognition for its
clinical quality, as the medical center’s emergency
department, inpatient and surgical service
volumes continue to grow.
civista medical center also offers classes, programs
and events to inform the public about important health
issues and topics. civista has a website and social
media presence, and strives to improve the health
of charles county through education, resources
and quality health care.
charles county hosPice housea 22,000-square-foot hospice house opened
in april 2012 on davis Road in Waldorf, across the
street from north Point high school. the facility
is run by hospice of charles county and combines
the comforts of home with 24/7 medical, spiritual
and psychological care. its mission is to support
patients facing the realities of terminal illness.
time for a checkupmEdiCaL FaCiLitiEs oFFEr array oF sErviCEs
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several nonProFit organizationsthe center for children in La Plata provides
mental health services to children and their families. it is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, and the promotion of positive mental health through crisis intervention, therapy, education and advocacy.
the charles county nursing and Rehabilitation center focuses on recovery and independence, offering services including alzheimer’s and dementia care, short- and long-term care, and day services for adults in need of supervised treatment.
melwood and spring dell center both serve disabled
individuals, while the charles county chapter of the
Red cross and united Way of charles county work
to improve the community’s health and wellness
in various ways.
– Anne Gillem and Joe Morris
What’s online For more insight on Charles County’s health and wellness offerings, head to livability.com/charles-county/md.
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Charles county shows its love for art and history in the area’s cultural
opportunities. museums, theaters, historic sites and art programs help showcase the county’s rich heritage, which dates from 1658.
in La Plata, the african-american heritage society museum houses 17th-century artifacts and documents from the slavery era. nearby Port tobacco is the original home of the indian village of Potopaco, and it offers tours of a one-room schoolhouse and reconstructed courthouse saluting its 1600s heyday. Port tobacco was also the home of thomas stone, a lawyer and politician who signed the declaration of independence. tourists can explore the thomas stone national historic site, stone’s sprawling estate that includes a tobacco plantation, colonial mansion and 19th-century farm buildings.
dive into the artscommunity theater thrives in charles
county, with groups such as the Port
tobacco Players and the hard bargain
Players entertaining audiences in La Plata
and accokeek. the black box theatre
at the indian head center for the arts
gives residents another venue in which
to perform, with regularly sold-out
events featuring music, theater and
open mic performances.
meanwhile, the charles county arts
alliance helps strengthen the area’s arts
community by promoting nonprofit arts
agencies through its weekly newsletter
that provides information about upcoming
arts activities. formed in 1987, the charles
county arts alliance also sponsors River
artsfest, a popular annual festival held
on the village Green in indian head. the
inspiration & educationhistoriC sitEs, Community thEatEr and arts EvEnts dEFinE CharLEs County’s CuLturaL sCEnE
arts & culture
Above: thomas stone national historic site right: dr. samuel a. mudd house museum
bRian mccoRd
What’s online
Go to livability.com/charles-county/md
to discover more about Charles County’s
artsy activities and cultural offerings.
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Play it againGEt outdoors For GrEat GoLF, parks and Fun on thE WatEr
aerobics and lifeguard training.
as for sports, the division
coordinates outdoor leagues for
men’s softball, coed softball, men’s
soccer, women’s soccer, youth
soccer, and youth tackle football
and cheerleading. the county
also offers hiking and biking
options including the indian
head Rail trail that features an
old railway renovated into a paved
walkway. maxwell hall Park also
has a 14-mile trail open to hikers
along with horseback riders.
in addition, outdoor adventurers
can visit charles county’s Purse
state Park, which offers hunting,
fishing, birding and fossil hunting.
golFcharles county provides three
opportunities to grip it and rip it. the premier area course is White Plains Golf course at White Plains Regional Park, which stays true to its claim of being a public course with the playing conditions of a private course.
other venues are atlantic Golf at Potomac Ridge in Waldorf and hawthorne country club in La Plata. two more destinations in neighboring areas are Wicomico shores Golf course in mechanicsville and national Golf club at tantalion in fort Washington. – Kevin Litwin
White plains Golf Course at White plains regional park
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technically sPeakingthe school system is also using
technology to enhance instruction.
schools offer wireless internet
access, while the advancement of
a science, technology, engineering
and mathematics program keeps
the school system moving forward.
for example, north Point high
school for science, technology
and industry provides state-of-
the-art equipment, classrooms,
training and instruction to equip
students for several in-demand
career fields. the school system
plans to infuse the same technology
into its older schools and improve
offerings at all high schools
including a new facility – st. charles
high school (scheduled to open
in august 2013) – that will contain
a digital classroom and focus on
natural resources management
and environmental technology.
Private schoolsin bryantown, st. mary’s
school has an enrollment of 225
and accommodates students in
prekindergarten through eighth
grade. Waldorf is home to Grace
christian academy of maryland
that features prekindergarten
through grade 12. White Plains
has southern maryland christian
academy, with classrooms from
prekindergarten through grade
12. in La Plata, a special education
facility called high Road school
of southern maryland is for
students in grades 4-12.
college oF southern maryland
those seeking higher education
can find classes at the college of
southern maryland, which has four
campuses in charles, calvert and
st. mary’s counties and a total
enrollment of more than 22,000
students. csm offers more than
130 programs of study including
associate degrees, certificates,
online programs and continuing
education programs. students can
earn a four-year degree through
csm partnerships with other
colleges and universities.
one of the crown jewels on
the csm campus is a new center
for trades and energy training,
which puts students onto a job
training fast track for high-paying
careers. the center also provides
ongoing employee training and
development for existing local
companies. – Kevin Litwin
meeting the testCommunity proud oF stronG EduCation systEm
education
the Fine arts Center on the campus of the College of southern maryland in La plata
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At Swan Point, our goal is to ensure that your experience is more than you expected. Whether you are enjoying 18 holes of golf or celebrating your wedding, you deserve the finest. We specialize in corporate and charity golf
outings from four to 144. Our beautiful banquet facilities, meeting rooms and on-site catering are unmatched. Come see for yourself Charles County’s best-kept secret. Call (301) 259-0047 ext.12 for more information. Schedule your own Swan Point experience.
www.SwanPointGolf.com
There are places that simply must be experienced …
more online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at photoblog.jnlcom.com.
now that you’ve experienced charles county through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. visit photoblog.jnlcom.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.