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Piscataway Hills News Oktoberfest:

Newsletter the Piscataway Revelersofenjoy Hills Citizens Association Fall 2011 German food on a perfect afternoon
Lot 39 Waterfront Park was transformed into a little bit of Germany on October 15 as Piscataway Hills residents celebrated Oktoberfest with bratwurst, potato pancakes, German beer, and lots and lots of desserts. Newly inaugurated Piscataway Hills President Gwynn Roberson continued her previous role as head chef of the annual event, for which the dozens of attendees throughout the afternoon were extremely grateful. In addition to the traditional bratwursts from Baltimore, this years fare included homemade red applesauce, soft pretzels, German potato salad, pulled pork and red cabbage, and chicken and sauerkraut. Bierocks made with ground turkey were served for the non-pork and healthier eaters. Although the weather was warm and sunny, any chill would have been warded off by a blazing bonfire

PHCA President Gwynn Roberson serves the Oktoberfest feast while Scott Wilmoth fills his plate. kindled by PHCA Board Member Neil Ayers. Piscataway Creek also sparkled in the bright fall sunlight, inviting picnickers to stroll along the water and enjoy the views and the abundant wildlife.

Fall 2011

Piscataway Hills News Redskins lose on Sunday in the comfort of their own homes.

Other activities included volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, tetherball, and all the other games and balls from Treasurer Don Benedicts garage. One activity from previous years that fell victim to technology was the Redskins game on TV, as it was considered doubtful that a digital broadcast could be picked up reliably. So the PHCA Board voted to celebrate Oktoberfest on a Saturday and allow people to watch the

As always, the success of this event was due to the many neighborhood volunteers who helped set up, serve the food, clean up, and purchase supplies. And, of course, to everyone who brought desserts and other food to share. To which everyone can say, Eins, zwei, gesoffen! (One, two, drink!)

County plans improvements in call system


In response to concerns that nonemergency police calls were not being answered , a top county official told PHCA members that improvements were in the works. Charlynn Flaherty, Associate Director for Public Safety Communications, the featured

speaker at the PHCA fall quarterly meeting on Sept. 20, explained that the county emergency call center handles all 911 calls, including police, medical, and fire emergencies. The office also handles burglar alarm calls. An average of 13 people on duty at all times handle a total of 1.6 million calls per year, she said. Non-emergency callers should use 301-352-1200 or call Police District IV directly at 301-749-4901, Flaherty said. Outgoing PHCA President John Schnizlein said he had called the police non-emergency number to report an illegal trash dumper on Piscataway Drive but got no response. Flaherty replied that the average wait for a non-emergency call is 7-10 minutes, but that improvements were being planned by a new Public Safety Technology Working Group. Ideas under discussion include the use of social media, public safety databases, and a 311 public service line.

Fall 2011

Piscataway Hills News

PHCA elects new president

New secretary, board member also elected


Longtime PHCA Secretary and social event coordinator Gwynn Roberson was elected PHCA President at the fall membership meeting Sept. 20. She succeeds John Schnizlein, who stepped down after two years of service. Elected to succeed Roberson as Secretary was Board Member Debbie Kutzleb, and elected to take Kutzlebs spot on the board was Troy Lee. All other officers and board members whose terms were expiring were reelected without opposition.

PHCA board members, from left to right: Vice President Dave Lishin, Secretary Debbie Kutzleb, Past President John Schnizlein, Treasurer Don Benedict, Board Member Robert Reilly, Board Member Neil Ayers, President Gwynn Roberson, former President Mark Holt, Board Member George Satterthwaite, and Board Member Troy Lee. Not pictured is Board Member Calvin ONeil. PHCA members at the meeting also approved the budget for fiscal year 2012, which began Sept. 1. Total spending under the budget is $2,802, which includes $600 for the lawn tractor for mowing Lot 39 Waterfront Park, $600 for Oktoberfest and the summer picnic, $500 for community landscaping improvements, and $500 for welcome baskets for new neighbors.

Fall 2011

Piscataway Hills News

Facebook page created for Piscataway Hills


Piscataway Hills residents have a new way to stay connected and share information: a special Piscataway Hills page on Facebook. Created and administered by PHCA Board Member Neil Ayers, the new page (officially a group) is easily searchable on Facebook under Piscataway Hills Citizens Association or at the URL http://on.fb.me/piscathills. Anyone can see the page and be notified of new postings by opening a free Facebook account. Currently posted on the PHCA page is a slide show of Oktoberfest pictures taken by Board Member George Satterthwaite. Piscataway Hills residents are being encouraged by the PHCA Board to post news, information, and commentary about our community on the new site.

A boardwalk is planned to cross this wetland on the trail to Fort Washington Marina.

Progress on shoreline trail


The long-planned shoreline trail from the end of Piscataway Drive to the Fort Washington Marina may finally be moving toward completion. Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission trail planners Don Herring and Eileen Nivera walked the trail route on October 19 with National Park Service officials. Herring said in an e-mail afterward, NPS plans to meet in house to discuss

Fall 2011

Piscataway Hills News

the project further, and will schedule a follow-up meeting with M-NCPPC shortly after. He added that park officials appreciate the efforts of you and your neighbors in clearing the trees and branches. Much of the mile-long natural surface trail has been in place for several years, but it is divided in the middle by a creek and wetland. Some hikers cross the area by walking on a 300foot section of above-ground sewer line. The National Park Service installed benches and signs along the trail about five years ago, but construction of a permanent boardwalk and bridge over the creek and wetland to connect the two halves of the trail has been stalled.

A major breakthrough for the trail took place earlier this year with the signing of an agreement by M-NCPPC to pay for the bridge and boardwalk in return for a pledge by NPS to allow perpetual public access to the new trail, which is on NPS property. The next step will be an environmental study, after which a specific design and location for the walkway will be selected so that construction can begin. When it is completed, the trail to the Marina is expected to be designated as a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which is planned to continue to the Chesapeake Bay.

Joining Together: Community Groups That Include Your Neighbors


Looking to get involved? This new feature of Piscataway Hills News is all about nonprofit groups in our community in which Piscataway Hills residents are active participants. Your neighbors who are already involved in these groups will be glad to tell you more about them and help you join if youre interested. Our first featured organization is the Maryland Choral Society.

Maryland Choral Society, marylandchoralsociety.org


Founded in 1971, the Maryland Choral Society is a community chorus that performs a variety of choral works in 3-4 concerts per year. The groups musical director is Dr. Richard Giarusso, a professor at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. The Maryland Choral Society rehearses each Monday at Bethany Christian Church on Allentown Road. Its next concert will be December 12, featuring works of Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel. The group is looking for new singers, as well as concertgoers. If you would like to get involved, contact Piscataway Hills resident Pat Myers at 301-292-0852, or myerspat@gmail.com.
If you are a member of a community group that you would like to have featured in the Piscataway Hills News, contact editor Mark Holt at 301-292-0852,mark.edward.holt@gmail.com.

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Piscataway Hills News

Welcome baskets for new neighbors


The newly revived Piscataway Hills Welcome Committee, headed by Board Member Debbie Kutzleb, has created a beautiful welcome basket to make new neighbors feel at home. Through careful shopping, the Committee was able to include a wide variety of thoughtful items for a very reasonable cost. Included in the basket are a candle, hand soap, a micro fiber towel, a barbeque grill brush, and potpourri. Valuable coupons for local businesses are also included. So far, about a dozen of the baskets have been given out, getting a great response from the recipients. Not only are the baskets appreciated by new residents, but giving them out helps create a sense of community, which is one of the main purposes of PHCA. If you know of new neighbors

who should be visited by the Welcome Committee, contact Debbie Kutzleb at 301-292-2668, or dkutzleb@phnxinternational.com.

Editors Note
Piscataway Hills News has long played an important role in informing our
community, so I am well aware of the responsibility I am taking on as its new editor. I first want to thank Kathy Meman for her dedicated years of service. The colorful designs and scope of news coverage that she initiated as editor are certainly elements that I plan to continue. And I also hope this newsletter can be a living memorial to John Miller, whose passing earlier this year was mourned by all. Nobody can replicate his amusing commentaries on life in Piscataway Hills during his decades as editor, but I will do my best to provide lively and interesting stories in every issue. So contact me with any news tips, or articles you would like to publish, at mark.edward.holt@gmail.com, 301-292-0852.

Mark Holt, editor

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Piscataway Hills News

From the President

PHCA agenda includes reviving leave collection


As I embark on my new role as the Board President, I cant help but to reflect back over the last two years and pay homage to John Schnizlein for the tremendous contributions he made as our president, and what big shoes he has left me to fill literally! We should all be thankful to John for attending numerous county meetings, upgrading the name to PHCA Waterfront Park from just being called Lot 39, and providing us with many educational and informative speakers at every quarterly meeting. Going forward as the new president, I would like to continue and expand on Johns improvements to our community. My vision and focus during my term would include getting more input from the community of what issues are important and of interest to you, not just the members of the board; distribution of an updated community directory in early 2012; working with our county officials to reinstate the Leaf Vacuum Program within Prince Georges County; continuing the maintenance and beautification of the entrance area and

sign, and our waterfront park area; and increasing communication within the community via emails and our new Facebook page. As nice as the foliage is this time of year, most of us are more preoccupied with blowing, raking, and bagging the foliage as it lands in our yards. Have you ever wondered when youre out there spending numerous backbreaking hours why we no longer have a leaf vacuum program in the county, but other counties in Maryland continue to ensure their residents have this much-needed resource? Is this something we as a community want to pursue again with a new [non-corrupt] county administration in office? These are all things I need the communitys input on, and I will be reaching out to everyone in the coming months to get a consensus on what issues we would like to pursue and address in 2012. If I dont see many of you between now and the end of the year, heres wishing each of you and your families a happy and safe holiday season and New Year. Peace & Blessings, Gwynn Roberson PHCA President

Join PHCA
Help make Piscataway Hills a stronger community by joining PHCA. Dues are $40 a year, or $30 for residents over age 65. Send dues to Piscataway Hills Citizens Association, P.O. Box 441581, Fort Washington, MD 20744.

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Piscataway Hills News

Oktoberfest:
eating, relaxing, socializing
Photos by George Satterthwaite

Above: Neil Ayers, Robert Reilly and John Schnizlein unload wood for the fire, which was enjoyed by all (below). Gwynn Robersons German-style food was a huge success (right), but this hot dog was not on the menu (below right).

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