DATE: 1/20/2012 to 1/25/2012

VICTIM: Heather R. Johnson of Chestertown

ARREST: Joseph Thomas Johnson (43) of Queenstown

CHARGES: Violation of Protection Order (38 Counts), Electronic Mail Harassment, Telephone Misuse

NARRATIVE: After the court issued a Protection Order on January 20th preventing Mr. Johnson from contacting his spouse began to call and text her within an hour of being served. Additional attempts to make contact thru other persons , calls and texts occurred on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th. The victim also reported that the tags on her vehicle were taken while parked at Chesapeake College and that on the morning of the 21st she found a tire on her car was flattened during the night.

An Arrest Warrant was issued on the 25th and served on January 31st in Queenstown. Johnson was taken into custody and processed at Sheriff’s Headquarters. A District Court Commissioner set a $7500. Bail and held at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. On 2/1 he was released after securing a bail bondsman.

DEPUTY: A/Cpl. Larry Steenken

CASE: 12-02885

RELATED CASE

INCIDENT: Failure to Obey Court Order

DATE: 02/01/2012

ARREST: Joseph Thomas Johnson (43) of Queenstown

CHARGES: Failure to Obey a Court Order

NARRATIVE: District Court issued a Bench Warrant on 2/2/2012 for Joseph Johnson after he failed to appear in court as notified to do so. Johnson was taken into custody in Centreville on 2/2 at 1207 hours. At an initial Appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Johnson was held on a $250,000 Bond. Later in the day at a Bail Review it was changed to Held without Bail.

DEPUTY: Deputy Steve Matthews

CASE: 12-02885

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INCIDENT: Theft

DATE: 1/30/2012 @ 1711 Hours

VICTIM: Phyllis Johnson of Queenstown

NARRATIVE: Victim reported that she had been informed that an auger left on her property on Forest Road in Grasonville had been stolen by two men in a green pickup. The auger is valued at $4000. The theft remains under investigation.

DEPUTY: Deputy Whitney Elliott

CASE: 12-02782

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INCIDENT: Theft

DATE / TIME: (Reported) 01/31/2012 @ 1058 Hours

LOCATION: Queen Anne Marina, Congressional Drive, Stevensville

VICTIM: Nelson W. Lober Jr. of Queenstown

NARRATIVE: Victim reported that sometime between 12/1/11 and 1/31/12 someone had removed several items from his boat slip at the marina. Missing are several ball and tubular fenders, fender lines and dock lines with a total estimated value of $2691. Mr. Lober advised he moved his boat on 12/1 to another location and returned today to retrieve his items and found them missing. The Marina manager advised someone may have taken them from the empty slip thinking they were abandoned.

DEPUTY: Deputy Whitney Elliott

CASE: 12-02842

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INCIDENT: Reported as a Pedestrian struck by vehicle

DATE/TIME: 2/01/2012 @ 1947 Hours

LOCATION: 200 block of Warwick Road, Chestertown

VICTIM: Female (21) of Chestertown

NARRATIVE: Patrol Units were dispatched to location for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. On arrival, Deputy Sewell located a female laying at the edge of a driveway in a position that she appeared to be sleeping. Upon waking the female up, she had no idea what was going or how she got there. There was a strong odor of alcoholic beverage and other indicators that she was intoxicated. The female advised she recalled talking to a male friend and leaning on his car when he pulled away. EMS was contacted and she refused assistance and had no visible injuries. The female went into her house and all units cleared.

DEPUTY: Deputy George Sewell

CASE 12-03003

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INCIUDENT: Theft

DATE / TIME: 02/02/2012 @ 1039 Hours

LOCATION: 364 Thompson Creek Mall, Stevensville

VICTIM: Ace Hardware

NARRATIVE: Victim reported finding a plastic wrap from a 100 foot coil of wire in the store and reviewed security video. The video showed a white female in her 20’s and estimated at 200 pounds taking the wire, valued at $90. Additional information showed she was driving a Hyundai vehicle which was registered to a subject in Caroline County. Investigation continues.

DEPUTY: Deputy William Schepleng

CASE: 12-03055

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The Taylor’s have been farming the eastern shore for five generations. Bobby Taylor his wife Janna and their three young sons Austin, Gage, and Kane continue the tradition with Taylor’s Fresh Organics. Bobby saw first hand the harmful chemical pesticides sprayed on crops and he did not want that for his family or yours. Taylor’s Fresh Organics is a family farm located in Federalsburg, MD, close to the border with Delaware.

The Taylors share their produce through a community supported agriculture program or CSA. Community members are able to purchase shares of the 2012 growing season which runs for 20 weeks beginning in mid May. A full share includes all the healthy veggies a four person family needs each week based on 5 servings a day per each. A smaller half share choice is available as well. Shareholders can either pick up their produce at the farm or select a convenient pick up location near their home or workplace to get their weekly allotment. Members share recipes and in the farm’s success. When mother nature provides beautiful bountiful crops, members benefit with overflowing weekly portions. On the other hand, destructive bugs or poor weather could decrease the weeks take. Members are like family, so their share is always stocked first before any food goes to a restaurant or a market. In just a couple of weeks Bobby will be sowing seeds for beans, greens, squash, corn, melons and more. In order for Bobby to grow enough for your family register now.

Supporting Taylor’s Fresh Organics protects our fragile environment, supports sustainability, helps a local farmer, nourishes your family and feeds those in need. In 2011 TFO donated over 25% of it’s production or 50,000 pounds of produce to the Maryland Food Bank. Eliminating the middleman and buying directly from the farmer is cost saving as well. Full family shares cost only $25 a week. New member enrollment ends soon. More information is available at www.taylorsfreshorganics.com or from Madeline Berger, membership services 443-515-0323.

Hosted by Donna Danielle McCartney and The Nautical Mile Series, the contest invited schools from within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to participate. Students were encouraged to create an original piece of artwork capturing their own interpretation of the Chesapeake Bay and its issues, on a standard 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. The semi-finalists shown at CBMM represent 36 schools from throughout Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York.

Each participating school sent one submission package, with a maximum of 15 pictures. Each submission package included all pictures intended to represent the school for their 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes.

The winning poster will be selected in March 2012 with input from contest sponsors, including Donna Danielle McCartney (the author of the Nautical Mile Series), and members of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The winner and their school will win cash and prizes.

The exhibit is open to the public and is free with general admission or for museum members. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

In photo: Student artwork is now on display in the Van Lennep Auditorium at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. The show represents 50 young artists from across the Mid-Atlantic who have qualified as semi-finalists in a “Chesapeake Bay Revival Coloring Contest.” To enter the contest, students were encouraged to create an original piece of artwork capturing their own interpretation of the Chesapeake Bay. The winning poster will be selected in March 2012 with input from contest sponsors, including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Porcelain, clay, oils, watercolors, jewelry, textiles, sculpture, graphite, mixed media, and photography are represented at the Arts Council’s Centre for the Arts through February 18. Visitors to the exhibit will not only enjoy the show, but may also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite works of art. The winning tickets will be drawn during a gala reception with special guest artist Marcy Dunn Ramsey on Saturday, February 18. Ramsey began her career as a print maker but now works primarily in pastels, oils and watercolors. She has a studio at her home in Chestertown, Maryland where she is inspired by scenes along the Chester River. Her work is held in private and public collections nationally and internationally.

Gala tickets are on sale for $30 per person and include delicious food from the Palate Pleasers and an open bar. Ticket sales are limited and advance sales are required. Advance ticket sales will end on Friday, February 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Proceeds from all activities benefit the Arts Council and tickets may be purchased at the Centre, 206 S. Commerce St., Centreville, MD or by calling 410.758.2520. The Arts Council is a nonprofit organization funded in part through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. For details on events and classes call 410.758.2520 or visit the website www.arts4u.info

Sydney Gadd Doehler of Centreville was named president of the Arboretum Board of Trustees at its January meeting. Doehler boasts an extensive background in management and currently manages the Social Security Administration’s life-cycle AT&T program team. She is a member of Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, Chester River Association and Corsica River Foundation.

“We’re pleased to welcome Henry Brandt, a longtime resident of both Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties,” said Arboretum Executive Director Ellie Altman. “His experience serving on numerous local nonprofit boards, and his knowledge of business finance, will make him an invaluable member of the Board.”

Added Altman, “Sydney Doehler is passionate about the Arboretum’s mission, which makes her a tremendous ambassador for promoting the Arboretum’s program. Her way of tackling challenges is to engage others and never allow moss to grow beneath her feet.”

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new LEED-certified Arboretum Center and entranceway to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives promoting best practices in conservation and land stewardship. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

Where: White Marsh Park, Bloomfield Farm Lane, Centreville, MD

Details: We will be hosting a “Free” Club Wide Training Day for both our Members and Non-members on Sunday, February 12 from 1pm-3pm. Inclement weather make up day is February 19. All ages from U8-U17 are invited. This is a great way for teams not currently recruiting players to meet potential players, introduce them to the club and begin building new teams for the Fall 2012 season. Prospective and existing players will participate in a fun day of soccer training in their prospective age groups. We look forward to seeing you!

For more information please visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=uibyqifab&oeidk=a07e5is5it743bf2dc8&oseq=a015bgmqciun7

Caleb’s Story

“My whole world changed in a matter of minutes,” remembers Melanie Schneck, upon hearing
the news from the emergency room physician that her three and a half year old son, Caleb, had leukemia. In fact, his hemoglobin was so low and white blood cell count so high he was immediately transferred for an emergency blood transfusion.

Over the next few hours they were deluged with information. Literature, treatment plans, drug side effects and consent papers to sign. “There was no other option,” said Melanie. Caleb’s chemotherapy started right away and would continue for three and a half years.

As a mother of five children, then ages 11 months to 10 years, Melanie knew something wasn’t right. “I kept seeing bruises in weird places on Caleb that weren’t going away.” He was so pale and tired.” But the nurse practitioner at the doctor’s office assured her that he just had a virus. Unconvinced, and not willing to wait another week to see a physician, Melanie took Caleb to the emergency room. There, a battery of blood tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Now seven years old, Caleb completed his last chemo session on June 26th, 2011. He is considered cured, but will be need to be followed for several years. According to Melanie, after the first few weeks of chemo, which is called the induction phase, less than 5% of Caleb’s cells were leukemic. He was termed a rapid early responder.

Because leukemia cells can hide anywhere, treatment is still continued until the final phase, referred to as delayed intensification. This is administered even if cells are no longer detected,
to ensure they didn’t miss anything. Then follows a maintenance period of steroids and oral chemotherapy. “They use to stop treating at two and a half years,” said Melanie. “But they found that many boys would relapse. Now boys get an additional year of treatment that girls don’t usually require.”

Caleb’s regimen required having a port for in-home IV infusions in addition to massive amounts of oral medications. “I had to hide pills in food to get him to take them,” said Melanie. “You just do what you have to do.” In Melanie’s case, that included asking the nurse to draw blood from her arm to prove to her son it didn’t hurt. “He had a port so his blood draws weren’t done through needles,” Melanie explained. “The first time we went for the monthly blood draw after the port was removed, he was frightened. So I rolled up my sleeve and said watch.”

“There’s no time to dwell,” said Melanie. “Caleb doesn’t think it’s bad because that’s what he thinks it’s supposed to be like. One day he even asked if he could help when his friend got his port –he assumed everyone has to have one.”

Melanie emphasized the importance of intrusting others through the process. “It’s amazing how generous and thoughtful people have been. My kids have all learned a lot about compassion, not just by seeing Caleb, but other children in clinic as well. It has given them a whole different perspective.” Melanie shares information on the support website, Caring Bridge .org and made a New Year’s resolution to get on the bone marrow registry and donate blood as often as possible.

Looking back, Melanie feels that her medical background as a physical therapist often helped her to understand the language. “The biggest thing,” stressed Melanie, “is recognizing the value of medical studies. This type of leukemia has gone from a 50% cure rate ten years ago to 90% today. And to stay strong, be positive and keep faith.”

Reese’s Story

Reese Flaherty lay on her side before the Holidays, waiting to receive what would be the last
of several spinal taps. She was visibly trembling. When her mom, Nancy, ask if she was ok, she exclaimed, “I’m so excited to get to see Santa Claus!” Reese was referring to the Santa from the Macy’s Day Parade who was visiting the clinic. The taps, trips to clinic, and pills, had all become routine, but Santa’s presence was not. It was clear that after five months of cancer treatment, Reece’s spirit was still intact.

In fact, it’s that same spirit that Nancy Hoppa feels helped four-year-old Reese “fly” through five months of chemotherapy. “The day she had her Hickman catheter surgically removed, she was in a dance class by 4:00 pm,” said Nancy. Reese was diagnosed in late August with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and has endured five months of treatment and isolation. But according to Nancy, “she was bouncing the entire time.”

“The only initial symptom she had was swollen lymph glands in her neck,” said Nancy. “We
first noticed them in August when she was in the pool.” The lumps were dismissed as a virus
at a subsequent doctor’s visit. Then followed blood tests, chest x-rays and even a TB scan; all came up negative. Apparently with many types of cancer, such as leukemia, blood tests are diagnostic. This is not always the case with lymphoma.

Nancy felt the lumps were growing and that something just wasn’t right. So Reese was taken in for observation and a CT scan, which confirmed the diagnosis. Nancy, a middle school science teacher, would receive the devastating news that Reece had lymphoma on August 25th, 2011,
the date of back-to-school night.

There are many types of lymphomas with varying prognosis. According to Nancy, the type Reese had is easily curable if caught early, and is not known to reoccur. It most often strikes between the ages of 2 and 10, and the exact cause, as is the case with many cancers, is unknown. In some literature, radiation exposure, pesticides, and viruses- specifically Epstein Barr-are indicated risk factors.

One of the biggest concerns during chemotherapy is the risk of infection. This is amplified with the presence of a Hickman catheter which has to be surgically implanted to administer the treatment. Nancy made the decision to take a leave of absence from teaching to care for Reese. She moved her two school-aged daughters in with relatives, allowing them to continue a normal life, and further minimizing Reece’s potential exposure to infection. “We didn’t go to the mall or even the grocery store,” Nancy said. She also administered Reese’s infusions herself, eliminating visits from a home health nurse.

“I am the youngest of seven, so I had a tremendous amount of support from both family and
the school” said Nancy. “Food and gifts arrived every day until I finally had to stop them.” However, Nancy said that the gifts were a welcome diversion for Reese through the months
of treatment and isolation. The oral medications often made Reese throw up and Nancy had
to become creative to get her to take them.

“Had I not been a biologist, Reese would have had unnecessary treatment,” said Nancy. She
was able to decipher the blood test results and remained by Reese’s side the whole time she was in the hospital. “I try to encourage my students to equip themselves to learn to solve problems. The more knowledge you have, the better decisions you make.”

A CAT scan taken right before the Holidays indicated that there was still something showing that was perhaps viral. Nancy would have to wait three more weeks for the specialists to return from vacation to learn that the scan was indeed normal. Reese’s treatment had been successful and her cancer was considered cured.

Stevensville Middle School and The Lighthouse Christian Academy on Kent Island are both conducting “Pennies for the Cure” drives to benefit the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. The proceeds from our “Stop in the Name of Love Benefit” will go to support their efforts.

In the quest to find Queen Anne’s County’s most eligible single, several impressive applicants from the over-45-age group caught our attention. After all, with a national divorce rate that hovers around 50%, many mature people are finding themselves single again. New possibilities abound for finding love in the golden years….

Meet Tom Clamp:
“It’s amazing what negative mentality can do”, says Tom, a certified personal trainer at Island Athletic Club. “There’s too much stress and greed in the world”, he adds. Tom feels that taking care of your body is important, and that laughter is the best medicine. In considering a companion Tom says, “Maybe opposites attract but in the real world you need compatibility”. In addition to exercising, Tom enjoys bow hunting, crabbing, and his daughters.
Ideal date: somewhere you can relax and be yourself, somewhat casual and not too uptight or pretentious.

Describe yourself in three words: outgoing, energetic, happy
Name three traits you look for in a significant other: honesty, compatibility, intimacy

Meet Tracey Morris:
“I felt like I was really stepping way out of my box to participate”, said Tracy Morris, “but some friends encouraged me to go for it so I decided to take a chance”. Tracy is a coordinator for developmentally disabled adults and has lived on the shore all her life. She has a passion for music, loves to dance, and admits to having a sense of humor.
Ideal date: somewhere quiet away from crowds where you can talk and get to know one another

Describe yourself in three words: outgoing, loyal, funny
Name three traits you look for in a significant other: sense of humor, fun-loving, loyal
Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers and The Notebook

Meet Charly Neill-roe:
An avid sports competitor, Charly puts new meaning in the word “retired”. While she no longer works for the Federal Government – a job she held for over 30 years, she is a member of several sports teams from volleyball to downhill ski racing. In fact, Charly was recruited by a Virginia softball team as a pitcher and has competed in the Senior Olympics for several years. “I travel from spring to fall”, says an energetic Charly. She also cooks at the VFW every Tuesday night and once a month on Mondays.

Ideal Date: dinner; gives both parties a chance to know one another’s likes and dislikes
Describe yourself in three words: energetic, confident, thoughtful
Name traits you look for in a significant other: communication, sense of humor, supportive of one another’s activities, truthfulness