On Register's Double Pension, Commissioners Are Suddenly Silent

The newsletter includes information on many activities to preserve and promote Maryland agriculture.

For more information, visit http://www.mda.state.md.us/publications/mdanews_march08.htm.

Heroes' Breakfast

The St. Mary's County Human Relations Commission is honoring four citizens at its 22nd annual breakfast Saturday. A limited number of tickets remain for this event, themed "Everyday Heroes."

Honorees are Christina Dawson, Stevie-Mari Hawkins, Steve Hawkins and Glynnis Schmidt.

· Christina Dawson is a graduating senior at Chopticon High School who is being honored for her contributions to numerous volunteer organizations, including the Youth Leadership Development Program and the St. Mary's Teen Court.

· Stevie-Mari Hawkins is a junior at Great Mills High School and an honor roll student. She participates in various extracurricular activities such as Future Business Leaders of America and manages the basketball and track teams.

· Stevie-Mari's father, Steve Hawkins, is being recognized for his volunteer contributions to the Global Village Community Learning Center, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and local schools.

· Glynnis Schmidt is being recognized for years of dedication to the Kiwanis Club, particularly the youth clubs. She has also made significant contributions to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland and is involved in fundraising for leukemia research.

The event, at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, begins at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $12.

Call the County's Division of Community Services at 301-475-4200, Ext. 1849 for a reservation.

Park Volunteering Is Up

Records for 2007 indicate that volunteerism is on the rise in Maryland's state parks, with a statewide total of 8,956 volunteers performing a total of 176,588 hours of service.

The time volunteered represents a value of more than $3.3 million to the Maryland Park Service and Maryland's citizens, the Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.

"We are so proud of the dedicated efforts of our parks volunteers and greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and energy they offer in educating visitors as well as maintaining and restoring state parks across Maryland," DNR Secretary John Griffin said in the statement.

The 2007 total reflects an increase of more than 21,000 volunteer hours from 2006. Also on the rise are the numbers of student volunteers and volunteer rangers.