inbrief

Church of the Ascension pastor to retire

The Rev. Rona Harding has announced her retirement after 21 years at Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park. Her last service will be at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 8.

Harding said she will miss much about Southern Maryland; "the love of the people, the eagerness to address social issues and the cooperation between social service agencies, the private sector and the public sector," she said.

The Episcopal church is at 21641 Great Mills Rd.

College president offers Civil War lecture at Sotterley

Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood will feature Bradley M. Gottfried, president of the College of Southern Maryland, in its 2009 speaker series.

Gottfried will describe the events that occurred in St. Mary's County during the Civil War, from the landing of federal troops at Leonardtown in 1861 through the release of Confederate prisoners at the Point Lookout prisoner of war camp in 1865.

Gottfried will speak at 7 p.m. Nov. 6. The event is free. Reservations may be made at 301-373-2280. Sotterley is at 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood.

Swine flu vaccinations to be given at fairgrounds

The Calvert County Board of Education has announced a free H1N1 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Calvert County Fairgrounds. Students ages 2-18 are eligible for the vaccines, and only the nasal application will be given.

Children who receive the shots do not need to be students at Calvert public schools but must be residents of the county. For information, call the Board of Education at 410-535-1700.

Senior Housing Expo is scheduled

The St. Mary's County Department of Aging and the Southern Maryland Senior Housing and Service Provider Networking Group will host a Senior Housing Expo from 1 to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Northern Senior Center, at 29655 Charlotte Hall Rd., Charlotte Hall.

This inaugural event will include exhibitors from the networking group and representatives from the region's departments of aging and housing authorities who will provide information and answer questions.

Attendees can get information on housing options available for people 55 and older in the tri-county area.

The exhibitors will include Morningside House of St. Charles, Cedar Lane Apartments Senior Living Community, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Lexington Park Adult Community, the Hermitage at St. John's Creek, Fenwick Landing Senior Care Community, Southwinds Active Adult Community and CCNRC Family of Care.

For information, call Debbie Flynn of Morningside House of St. Charles at 301-645-2776, Ext. 108.