Southern Maryland briefs

Murphy wins conservation award

Del. Peter F. Murphy (D-Charles) was recently awarded the Conservancy for Charles County's Heritage Award for his efforts to preserve and protect the environment.

Murphy lives in a Bryans Road house called Greenweigh in Marshall Hall with a view of the Potomac River. Greenweigh was built in 1919, and Murphy said his grandfather, John Orem, purchased the house as a weekend place many years ago.

The house and land are surrounded by trees and water, and it didn't take a lot of thought to decide to place the 60-acre property in a perpetual conservation easement with the conservancy, Murphy said. He moved to the property in 1976, and it was placed in the program in 2001.

Murphy was one of the founders of the nonprofit conservancy in 1996 and served on the group's first board of directors. The organization is a nonprofit land trust that works to save open space, farmland, forests, wetlands, natural habitats and historic assets, said its president, Vivian Mills.

"Peter has contributed so much to the community," she said. "He has demonstrated a real dedication to the conservation of land through his personal actions by donating a perpetual conservation easement of his land. He also speaks publicly about the importance of land conservation at workshops and conferences."

Murphy said of his home, "I really wanted to preserve this place. It's a beautiful spot. With the tremendous development pressure in the county, I thought this would be the best way to preserve this land."

Pet bedding, shelters sought

The St. Mary's Animal Welfare League and St. Mary's Department of Public Safety's Animal Control Division are seeking donations of shelters and bedding that residents can use for their pets.

Welfare League volunteers and the county's Animal Control officers will be at the Petco in California from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 to receive the donations.

St. Mary's County requires outdoor pet houses to be weatherproofed to afford protection from rain, wind and snow; covered from direct sunlight; fitted with a covered entrance, such as a flap or swinging door; be structurally sound; be at least two inches off of the ground; and include dry bedding.

Tony Malaspina, St. Mary's animal control supervisor, encourages donors to try to ensure that the structures they bring to the pet shop are in compliance with the regulations. "We'll check the houses," he said.

Anyone in need of bedding or a house for a pet this winter can contact Animal Control office at 301-475-8018. Donors who can't bring their items to the event can call to arrange for pickup.

St. Mary's Hospital gala

The St. Mary's Hospital Foundation will host its 22nd annual gala Nov. 20, with a 1920s theme, "Ain't Misbehavin'. " The black-tie event will be held at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department social hall.

Proceeds will go to the hospital's scholarship program, which provides funding to help train students for health-care careers, and toward capital projects for the hospital. The program has funded more than 90 scholarships.

Tickets are $200 per person, and sponsorships start at $750. For information, call 301-475-6455.