Instead of exchanging holiday gifts this season, the employees of Sandra Lofgren-Sargent and Associates, an Edgewater-based real estate agency, gathered in the quaint house behind Wharfside Bar & Grill to put together hundreds of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. A project of Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child asks participants to fill shoe boxes with small gifts including toys, hard candy, soap and school supplies. The packages are wrapped and sent to less fortunate children all over the world. According to Sargent, this tradition of giving rather than receiving is not new …

Last week, some 500 parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville came together to shelter 36 homeless men and women who are part of the Arundel House of Hope’s Winter Relief program. Braving torrential downpours and wind, the volunteers worked around the clock to coordinate and cook breakfast, lunch and dinner; provide transportation to laundry and shower facilities; and entertain the men and women who would otherwise be out on the streets. The Rev. Andy Aaron said Holy Family first sponsored the homeless through the Arundel House of Hope in December 2010. At the time, church …

A year ago, Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch published the first ‘Direct from Davidsonville’ story. Since then, local artists, teachers, students, business owners, animal lovers and churches—among others—have shared their stories. To mark the milestone, let's look back at the inaugural Direct from Davidsonville column, “Thanks for the Merge Lane, But…" The story examined the safety of three Davidsonville intersections and the need for alternative solutions. The intersections are: Birdsville Road at Route 2; Riva Road at Central Avenue (MD 214) and Governor’s Bridge Road at Davidsonville Road (MD…

Bob and Kathy Rude may own the beautiful colonial home located in the quiet neighborhood located off Harwood Road; however it’s the 102 rescued cats and two dogs that clearly run the place. A no-kill shelter dedicated to the rescue, care and adoption of homeless animals, the Rude Ranch Animal Rescue was founded by Kathy and Bob Rude in 1999.  Located in a traditional-style home, the shelter serves primarily as a retreat for abandoned and rescued cats with each room in the three-story residence featuring ramps, cozy hideouts and toys for the animals. This past week, the crew of “Must Love Cats…

This month, the Davidsonville Athletic Association’s South River Gators recognized eight individual football players with the Pillars of Leadership Award.  A first-of-its-kind commendation for the South River Gators and DAA itself, the award honors individual football players that exemplify and align themselves with a dozen traits of leadershipm including character, commitment, competence, courage, determination, honesty, humility, integrity, role model, service, service, vision and wisdom.   The winners included Logan Swarthout, Mac Budowski, Brandon Turner, Shawn Taylor, Brian Kinsey, …

For the third year in a row, Heidi’s Haunted Hills is offering thrill seekers a trail of horror. The frightening fun happens right off Route 2 on Jessie Road in Harwood. Heidi’s Haunted Hills is the “creepy” creation of Todd and Holly Plummer. For years, the Plummer family traveled all over, trekking through hosts of haunted trails and houses. One day, at the suggestion of Holly’s daughter Heidi, the Plummers decided to take a stab at making their own haunted path. The result is an amazingly creative adventure that leaves you screaming, laughing and, for some, running for the nearest exit. …

At Michael Cecil’s last confession, Father Andy Aaron, the priest at Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville, presented Cecil with quite a peculiar type of penance. Simply stated, Cecil was informed that part of his penance was to attend the church’s annual parish picnic. As any good Catholic would, Cecil faithfully fulfilled his requirement by showing up this past Sunday to partake in the church’s festivities. Under cloudy skies, Cecil along with hundreds of church members enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship and fun while feasting on hotdogs, hamburgers and delicious sides and deserts …

An earthquake, hurricane and torrential downpour did not stop the Davidsonville Athletic Association (DAA) from kicking off its 2011-2012 fall sports program. Defying the elements, hundreds of girls and boys of all ages sprinted onto the fields at Davidsonville and Riverwood Parks and Davidsonville Elementary where they quickly went to work honing their field hockey, soccer and football skills. Jay Foran, a long-time Davidsonville resident and DAA member, takes the helm as president of the athletic association this year. Growing up and playing for DAA, he is an avid fan of the organization …

Stressed? Why would anyone be stressed? In the last week alone, Davidsonville residents have experienced an earthquake, the wrath of Hurricane Irene, kids going back-to-school, sports schedules and the normal everyday grind. If these situations leave you looking for a way to alleviate some anxiety, then try yoga. Good for the mind, body and spirit, yoga is a great stress reliever.  Luckily, Davidsonville residents need not worry about where to find a great yoga experience. This October, Lynn Matthews, founder of Yoga 4 Life and former owner of Golden Heart Yoga in Annapolis, is taking her …

Upon meeting Glenda Felmey, one is immediately aware that she is a true animal lover. A fan of all creatures, Felmey is constantly tending to her flock of horses, goats, chickens and just recently, rescued donkeys that peacefully reside on her parents' farm in Harwood.  For Felmey, the idea of caring for abandoned and neglected donkeys came about this spring when she was looking for alternative ways to keep her pastures under control. According to Felmey, the family farm is broken into numerous fields that constantly need mowing.   While contemplating how to keep the fields in check, Felmey …

With about a week left of summer vacation, the teachers at Davidsonville Elementary are back at school organizing their rooms, preparing curriculum and dotting their I’s and crossing their T’s in anticipation of the new school year. When the doors open, some 600 students will be treated to a multitude of exciting changes including a host of new teachers, new countywide instructional initiatives and a new kindergarten wing which is currently under construction. Meet the Teachers Davidsonville Elementary will host its “meet the teacher” event from 2-3 p.m., Aug. 18. Students in grades first …

If your weedeater isn’t cutting it and you don’t want to use herbicides to rid overgrown areas covered in pesky vines, brush and invasive plants then perhaps it’s time to turn to goats for help. Yes, goats. Goats are experts when it comes to clearing overgrown, hard-to-reach areas. Let a herd loose, and they immediately go to work munching on unwanted vegetation.  Eco-Goats, is a Davidsonville-based company that uses goats as an environmentally-friendly way of clearing overgrown areas. It is one of a few businesses located on the east coast that offers this green alternative for vegetation …

For Jennifer Keefer, a first-time swim team mom, it was a difficult decision to commit to a grueling summer swim team practice and meet schedule—but in the end she is delighted with her choice. Hoping for her son Cole, 6, to become a more confident swimmer, Jennifer signed him up for the Davidsonville Gators Swim Team.  After months of intense practices and early-morning meets, Jennifer has seen Cole progress into a more proficient swimmer while having lots of fun. Cole is just one of about 140 members of the Davidsonville Swim Team who through hard work and determination, kicked, pulled and …

It would not be summer in Davidsonville without Homestead Garden’s annual Crapemyrtle Festival.  Held each July, this extravaganza is  attended by crapemyrtle enthusiasts from near and far who are treated to a weekend of workshops, talks and entertainment. Known for its vibrant blooms, striking fall leaf color and unusual bark texture and color, the crapemyrtle is a hearty shrub or tree that comes in all shapes and sizes. Drought tolerant and a heat seeker, the crapemyrtle is an ideal addition to sunny yards and flower beds. This year’s crapemyrtle festival kicks-off on Friday, July 15 with a…

On a recent hot summer morning after a rigorous swim practice, sisters Darby and Riley Reinhart took a trip to the Davidsonville Nursery to cool off with refreshing sno cone. With more than 40 flavors to choose from, the girls went back and forth trying to decide which kind to have. Finally, they decided on a sensational Fourth of July concoction which includes a mixture of cherry, ice cream and skylyte syrups. Located off Central Avenue on Riva Road, the Davidsonville Nursery proudly serves its delicious snow balls to kids and adults alike.  According to Karen Schroen, an employee at the …

For children in Davidsonville, summer signifies bike rides with friends, trips to the park, swimming at the pool, roadside lemonade stands and endless rounds of flashlight tag. Yes, summer is a time when children let loose. No more homework, sports practices or bedtime curfews.   Yet, summer can also present occasions for children to stumble upon dangerous situations. Parks, wooded areas and neighborhood streets are prime examples of locations where stranger danger can lurk. Earlier this month, students at Davidsonville Elementary were given lessons in staying safe with a Stranger Danger …

During the last few days of the 2010-2011 school year, Dr. Kevin Maxwell along with Anne Arundel County Board of Education members Patricia Nalley, Solon Webb and Katharine Scruggs, joined Davidsonville Elementary Principal Jean Marie Hofstetter at a surprise ceremony in honor of fourth grade teacher Susan Madden.  Madden, as reported by Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch.com, was recently selected as the state of Maryland’s recipient for the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. This prestigious award is presented annually to one science teacher and one mathematics teacher …

When it snows, children from all over the area travel to the Aisquith Farms neighborhood off Riva Road in Davidsonville to sled down the enormous hill located on Lester Aisquith’s property.  It's a tremendous hill, and children delight in racing down it over and over, never tiring of running back up to make the ride again. A few months ago, Lester Aisquith passed away. Now his extraordinary house is on the market and neighbors are wondering who will buy the "house with the awesome sledding hill." The listing price is $2 million. The History of Aisquith Farms The story of property dates to the…

Susan Madden, a fourth grade teacher at Davidsonville Elementary School, was recently honored with the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. Presented annually, the award is bestowed upon one science teacher and one mathematics teacher from each of the 50 states and four U.S. jurisdictions.    Winners are selected by a panel of illustrious scientists, mathematicians, and educators.  An initial selection process is conducted at the state level for nominees that exhibit outstanding math and science teaching and exemplary contributions to the education process.   The …

Hundreds of strawberry lovers gathered at the Davidsonville United Methodist Church this past Saturday to partake in the church’s annual strawberry festival.   It was a sweet day as folks feasted on refreshing strawberry smoothies, sensational strawberry shortcake, decadent chocolate-covered strawberries and  freshly-picked strawberries over vanilla ice cream. The lucky few walked away with a homemade strawberry pie or cheesecake. The festival was started about 30 years ago as a fundraiser for the church’s youth group. Today the proceeds benefit the church’s mission ministries including the …