Congrats, Hilltop Child Care Center

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: September 15, 2008

All those associated with the Hilltop Child Care Center on the grounds of Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church are excited and happy to share the news. As of this summer, Hilltop Child Care became one of very few to receive the Maryland State Department of Education Certificate of Accreditation. It was an extensive two-year process, but they persevered to achieve the goal. Congratulations!

Hilltop Child Care offers programs for children ages three through pre-kindergarten. Director Gerry Feild says there are currently a few openings for the 3-year-old group and you can be placed on a wait list for ages 4 and 5. To learn more, call 443-535-8505.

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William Welling Memorial at Clifton this Saturday

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: September 12, 2008

River Hill’s Claret Hall does not take its name from great literature, but from local Clarksville history. The Dorsey/Ridgely/Welling family history begins with the 1702 Land Grant to the Honorable John Dorsey which became known as White Wine and Claret. The huge tract of land ran from near present day Linden-Linthicum Church along Trotter Road and Hall Shop Road, crossing Rt. 32 and ending with the Swann property on Rt. 108 near Highland.

Some time later it came into the possession of Charles Ridgely who lived on the east half of White Wine and Claret while his tenants William and Elizabeth Welling lived in a log cabin on the west half of the property. The cabin’s old stone chimney can still be found in the woods down by the Middle Patuxent River.

William Welling purchased an estimated 918 acres from Charles Ridgely in 1800 for $10 per acre and named his portion Clifton. Clarksville seems to have been high priced real estate even then. The stone house, still standing, was built for the eldest son, William Welling and wife Catherine Winchester in 1835.

Additional family names associated with the Wellings include Warfield, Nichols, Iglehart, Linn, Watkins, Young, Gaither, Smallwood, Parlette, Campbell, Morris, Crawford, Pindell, Forsythe and others. Many progeny of William and Elizabeth have left their mark or are still active residents of this area. Clifton passed out of the hands of the Welling family with the death of Truman. C. Welling in 1921.

Henry, a popular given name in the family, comes from Maj. Henry Welling. He had no children, but seems to have been highly regarded in the family. Most named a son for him. Henry and wife, Sarah Ridgely Welling, are buried at Clifton in the family plot known to have been used from 1806 to 1896. In more recent years, Bill Welling worked to have the burial site re-dedicated and initiated annual memorial gatherings in 1981.

The cemetery is located off Trotter Road on the grounds of Pointers Run Elementary School. All Welling family members and others interested in local history are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. A memorial marker for William (Bill) Welling will be dedicated. There will be also be a covered dish meal at the home of Jim Welling after the service. If you plan to come for the meal, call Ann Parlette at 410-531-2317 today.

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Support Local Schools

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: September 9, 2008

Area residents, grandparents and other responsible adults are welcome to volunteer to help out at a local school. Even if you cannot come to the school to perform a service, you may be able to work on a project at home and you can support financially without spending an extra penny. Just sign up with local merchants. Here are some options:

Giant— www.giantfood/aplus (RHHS ID is 03336)
Safeway— www.escrip.com (select the school of your choice)
Harris Teeter— www.harristeeter.com (RHHS Code is 7149)
Market Day— www.marketday.com (designate Clarksville Elem.)
Target— www.target.com (Take Charge of Education, designate your RedCard to School 112030 for RHHS)

Most of these codes support River Hill High, my source for the info, but you can contact your nearest or favorite school to get those codes.

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Free Car Wash this Saturday

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: September 9, 2008

O-o-h. Does that mud-spattered vehicle belong to you?

Come get your car washed. River Hill High Cheerleading is working to raise $5,000 for new tumbling safety mats. They’ll be holding a free car wash Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of the school. What are you waiting for? Mark your calendar now.
Your support and donations will be gratefully accepted.

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Godspeed, Father Ochalek

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: September 4, 2008

Father Arek Ochalek spent his first three years in the United States serving as an Associate Pastor in St. Louis Parish. “Jesus loves you. He’s crazy about you,” are words many heard for the first time from him. Now he’s about to take the next step in his journey with Jesus as 1st Lt. Ochalek on active duty with the U.S. Army.

If you have appreciated hearing about Jesus, our best friend: the Jewish carpenter who loves us to pieces, you will want to deliver a letter or note to the Parish Office before he ships out to Chaplain Boot Camp Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. Many will be praying and wishing him Godspeed. For more information, call Marianne Faulstich at 301-854-3088.

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