Convalescent Center

The Annapolis Convalescent Center is suing to stop a 133-bed nursing home proposed for land off Hilltop Lane.The Annapolis City Council approved Meridian Healthcare's plans for the nursing home last month, after three years of planning and several months of hearings on the project.But the 91-bed convalescent center, which is located on Van Buren Street, opposed Meridian's plans throughout the process, saying a second nursing home in the city wasn't needed and would hurt the center economically.

Maryland Manor Convalescent Center will welcome the community to its Third Annual Spring Fling, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.There will be classic cars, clowns, crafts and entertainment for all ages, including the Victory Gospel Band with the Rev. Jim Thomas and the gospel music of Terry Marsh.Dogs, cats and maybe even a pig will participate in the pet parade at 10 a.m. This activity, featuring animals from the county's Pets on Wheels program, is a favorite of young and old.Ten-by-15-foot spaces are still available for artisans to rent for $15. Crafters receive a free continental breakfast.

Crofton Convalescent Center staff and residents are hoisting the U.S., German and Italian flags this week to celebrate the opening of their Olympics.The flags represent the three teams that will compete in a series of events, including an egg toss, trivia contest, scavenger hunt, bowling and wheelchair races.A parade yesterday kicked off the activities. The athletes marched behind their respective flags, and a torchbearer carried the eternal flame. Medals will be awarded to winners during Friday's closing ceremonies.

Michael Paul Griffith, accused of suffocating a 94-year-old nursing home patient in 1993, is expected to enter a plea agreement today, according to courthouse sources.Details of the agreement -- reached last week during meetings with Carroll Circuit Judge Luke K. Burns Jr. -- were not available, but sources said that Mr. Griffith's jury trial on first-degree murder charges that was to have begun today has been canceled.Prosecutors charged Mr. Griffith, 32, of Westminster with first- and second-degree murder in June in the December 1993 death of Carrie Marie Ecker.

VOLUNTEER WORK: Mr. Jones has been a volunteer at the Crofton Convalescent Center, where he celebrated his 70th birthday Wednesday with the help of friends, patients and staff, for about eight years.ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER: A career soldier, Mr. Jones became familiar with Anne Arundel County after he was stationed at Fort Meade for several tours of duty. The native of Petersburg, Va., retired from the Army in 1969 after 30 years of service, during which he won a Bronze Star for bravery in Vietnam and the Army Commendation Medal.

State police criminal investigators, who ordered the body of a 94-year-old woman exhumed for an autopsy last week, would say nothing about the case yesterday.Detective Sgt. Donald Hoffman, chief of the criminal investigation section at the Westminster barracks, repeatedly replied, "I have no comment on this," to a reporter's questions.The body of Carrie Marie Ecker, who lived at the Westminster Nursing and Convalescent Center in the 1200 block of Washington Road and died Dec. 29, was buried in the cemetery of Sam's Creek Church of the Brethren in New Windsor.

A Glen Burnie nursing home that failed a routine state inspection for the second year in a row could become ineligible for Medicare and Medicaid support unless it receives a clean bill of health in the next few weeks.Pointing to a new nursing staff and improved record-keeping, the director of North Arundel Nursing and Convalescent Center said she expects the 121-bed facility to pass a follow-up inspection with flying colors.The private, 22-year-old nursing home on Hospital Drive has strengthened its reporting standards and replaced nurses contracted from outside agencies with its own staff, said administrator Shirley D. McKnight.

The state has banned the admission of new patients to a West Baltimore convalescent home after finding lapses in medical care, some of which were "potentially life-threatening," said Michael Golden, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.The state ordered the ban last Friday on the Lincoln Convalescent Center Inc., in the 1200 block of W. Fayette St., Golden said. If the home is unable to correct its problems within 90 days, he said, the state will move to decertify it from receiving Medicaid and Medicare funds.

Two Glen Burnie nursing homes have received a clean bill of health after being threatened with state sanctions for not providing proper patient care.North Arundel Nursing and Convalescent Center and Arundel Geriatric and Nursing Center, which were cited this fall for failing to meet state regulations, cleared follow-up inspections in lateDecember.Both nursing homes will continue to be monitored closely by the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. But the agency withdrewits recommendation to withhold Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements after the centers passed their follow-up exams.

As 30 third-graders belted out "Your Mama Wears Army Boots," Virginia Palmer poked her neighbor at the Fairfield Nursing Home."Your Mama wears Army boots! She put them on the floor; all the roaches moved next door!" repeated the 82-year-old, chuckling.When the children came to their last song, in honor of the Crownsville home's 20th anniversary, Palmer again nudged her neighbor. "That's this place! Our 20th anniversary," she said.The class from South Shore Elementary School in Anne Arundel County brought more than merry songs to the 142 residents of the Crownsville convalescent center.

Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals has given a karate academy, a day care center and hospital offices permission to open in a former clothing manufacturing building at 535 Old Westminster Pike.Westminster Karate Academy, owned by Carlos Bedoya, will conduct classes in the afternoon and evening.Herman and Frances Mitchell of Reisterstown, who own the day care center, will offer care for infants and preschoolers from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The state will determine the center's occupancy.Carroll County General Hospital will open an office for a maximum of 25 employees.

Hats off to our local Knights of Columbus organization for winning the Columbian and Father McGivney Awards for 1993-1994.Representatives of Archbishop Francis P. Keough Council, No. 5263 were presented the awards recently by District Deputy Rick Corriveau on behalf of Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant.These prestigious awards acknowledge local programs that serve families, church, youth and community, along with council members.Past Grand Knight Jack McLaughlin accepted the wooden plaque and thanked the Knights of Columbus members, whose volunteer efforts and membership drives were acknowledged by the national organization.

VOLUNTEER WORK: Mr. Jones has been a volunteer at the Crofton Convalescent Center, where he celebrated his 70th birthday Wednesday with the help of friends, patients and staff, for about eight years.ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER: A career soldier, Mr. Jones became familiar with Anne Arundel County after he was stationed at Fort Meade for several tours of duty. The native of Petersburg, Va., retired from the Army in 1969 after 30 years of service, during which he won a Bronze Star for bravery in Vietnam and the Army Commendation Medal.

What kind of weather did Crofton have last week?Since I spent the week as a beachcomber, I can only venture a guess based on the look of my front and back lawn.I'd say you must have had a lot of rain, as my lawn, which was was short and very brown when I left, is now green and too long.At least someone else (son Kevin) has to cut it.*Al-Anon, a fellowship of people who know the devastation of alcoholism, holds meetings at 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1370 Defense Highway, or at 8:30 p.m. Fridays at Prince of Peace Church on Crofton Parkway.

State police criminal investigators, who ordered the body of a 94-year-old woman exhumed for an autopsy last week, would say nothing about the case yesterday.Detective Sgt. Donald Hoffman, chief of the criminal investigation section at the Westminster barracks, repeatedly replied, "I have no comment on this," to a reporter's questions.The body of Carrie Marie Ecker, who lived at the Westminster Nursing and Convalescent Center in the 1200 block of Washington Road and died Dec. 29, was buried in the cemetery of Sam's Creek Church of the Brethren in New Windsor.

For a few fleeting moments yesterday, 75-year-old Louise Tomich again was a young woman singing in her church choir in Pittsburgh.The diminutive Mrs. Tomich, a resident of Knollwood Manor Convalescent Center in Millersville, couldn't contain her excitement as she sang along with about 90 students from Arundel High School.The students, members of Linda J. Green's three-dimensional design classes, jammed into the center's activities room to sing and distribute handmade ceramic Christmas ornaments.

Michael Paul Griffith, accused of suffocating a 94-year-old nursing home patient in 1993, is expected to enter a plea agreement today, according to courthouse sources.Details of the agreement -- reached last week during meetings with Carroll Circuit Judge Luke K. Burns Jr. -- were not available, but sources said that Mr. Griffith's jury trial on first-degree murder charges that was to have begun today has been canceled.Prosecutors charged Mr. Griffith, 32, of Westminster with first- and second-degree murder in June in the December 1993 death of Carrie Marie Ecker.

What kind of weather did Crofton have last week?Since I spent the week as a beachcomber, I can only venture a guess based on the look of my front and back lawn.I'd say you must have had a lot of rain, as my lawn, which was was short and very brown when I left, is now green and too long.At least someone else (son Kevin) has to cut it.*Al-Anon, a fellowship of people who know the devastation of alcoholism, holds meetings at 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1370 Defense Highway, or at 8:30 p.m. Fridays at Prince of Peace Church on Crofton Parkway.

Can you believe it, two weekends in a row and it rains cats and dogs? But even the rain and wind Sunday did not stop the lighting of the annual Crofton Christmas tree.To provide more space, this year's festivities were moved to the front of the Crofton County Club, thanks to club owner Bill Berkshire.The program opened with traditional Christmas and Hanukkah songs sung by the Crofton Community Singers, under the direction of Marilyn Miles.Santa made an appearance, arriving via transportation courtesy of the Anne Arundel Volunteer Fire Department.

The Crofton Athletic Council reached a milestone last week when Jennifer Diguiseppe signed up to play fall soccer and became the CAC's 2,000th member.Jennifer attends Crofton Woods Elementary and lives in Crofton with her parents, Francis and Janet, and her brother, Billy. The Diguiseppes became the 1,308th family in the program.The council will present Jennifer with a commemorative soccer ball at its next board meeting.*Start the day off right with food and shop talk at the Crofton Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Breakfast.