Normandy

Andrew L. "Shad" Crockett, a retired postmaster and a highly decorated World War II infantryman who landed at Normandy on D-Day with the 29th Division, died Wednesday of heart failure at the Edward W. McGready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield. He was 85. Mr. Crockett was born on Tangier Island, the son of a waterman and a homemaker. After graduating from Crisfield High School, he moved to Baltimore and went to work in the Bethlehem Steel Corp.'s Fairfield yard building Liberty ships. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to England aboard the RMS Queen Mary, where he joined the 115th Regiment of the Army's 29th Division.

Why was D-Day important? Why is it remembered today? Why will it be recognized for a thousand years? Put these questions to Joe Balkoski, and he will understand immediately that these are not idle or obvious questions. These are questions that consume his days. Ultimately, he expects that June 6, 1944, the day Allied troops landed in Normandy and turned the tide in World War II, will live in perpetuity. IIt has taken 60 years for the story of D-Day to seem as emblematic to Americans as Abraham Lincoln's appearance at Gettysburg.

Carol Malinowski's ascent to the title of general manager at the Brunswick Zone Normandy Lanes -- a landmark on Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City -- started quietly enough a little more than 30 years ago. Then, Malinowski often went to the relatively new facility to watch or bowl with her husband, Tony. Malinowski also loved to watch her two children bowl, and slowly, she recalled, she began helping with the kids' programs as a volunteer. But Malinowski quickly was offered the post of program director, a part-time job. That turned into full-time work, and, after about nine years, she found herself becoming general manager in the early 1980s.

POLICE LOG* Jessup: 8800 block of Route 1: A blue 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass with Maryland tags ZLC684 was stolen from outside Normandy Bowling Lanes Thursday, police said.

POLICE LOG* Ellicott City: 8500 block U.S. 40: A black 1995 Ford Probe was stolen from the lot at Normandy Ford on Monday, police said.

A Virginia man has filed a $10 million lawsuit against an Ellicott City car dealership, alleging that the owner misled him into believing that he could buy the business.Alan Szymkowiak of Fairfax Station is seeking the damages in a civil suit filed in Howard Circuit Court against Normandy Ford Inc. and its owner, Charles Grim of Ellicott City.Mr. Szymkowiak charges Mr. Grim and his dealership on U.S. 40 with breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation in the suit, which was filed Jan. 21.Mr.

Some bowlers remember the time when the only tenpin ball you could purchase was rubber. Some remember when only polyurethane was available. Some of the younger bowlers think that reactive resin balls always have been around."

Normandy Invasion veterans wantedIf you took part in the invasion of Normandy, the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center in Laurel is looking for you and any old photos you may possess.The center is planning a photo exhibit in June to salute the 50th anniversary of the Normandy landing and the events that followed. The display will include old photographs, recent snapshots and short biographies of military and civilian participants in the historic event.Biographies should contain rank, primary duties, time of service, unit, date and place of Normandy landing, war record before and after the invasion, and three closest friends who shared this experience with you. Information on postwar work and immediate family should also be included.

POLICE LOG* Ellicott City: 3100 block of Normandy Woods Drive: A 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo stolen Tuesday was recovered in Woodlawn in Baltimore County the same night.8500 block of Route 40: A maroon 1989 Ford conversion van with Maryland tags ABD58F was stolen from the lot at Normandy Ford between Saturday and Monday. The vehicle had been left there for service.8300 block of Main St.: A window at the office of the Howard County Tourism Council was broken Monday, police said.* Elkridge: 6000 block of Old Lawyers Hill Road: A padlock was pried off a home's basement doors Saturday, but residents are unsure if anything was taken.