Providence Center

The Providence Center Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers services to disabled adults, has named Martha L. Hardesty as director of development and community relations.Ms. Hardesty will be responsible for the development and implementation of fund-raising campaigns and special events for the center.A lifelong Annapolis resident, Ms. Hardesty is a former owner of Middleton Tavern and has been a part-time instructor at Anne Arundel Community College since 1991.

When the Providence coaching staff decided last spring that Bilal Dixon didn't fit into its plans for the 2012-13 season, the 6-foot-9, 245-pound center quickly thought of one guy he'd like to play for in his last year of eligibility. "[Pat] Skerry was my man," Dixon said of Towson's second-year coach, a former Friars assistant. "My freshman year I redshirted [at Providence], and Skerry was the head coach of the redshirting squad. He let me play my game. We used to go at it. " Never mind that Dixon fielded inquiries from several high-major schools interested in adding a battle-tested Big East veteran at the 5. Never mind that Dixon had never heard of Towson before Skerry got the coaching job there one year before.

THE DEATH seven years ago of Jackie Schmitt's husband left a huge void in her life. So the Suburbia resident walked across the street to Providence Activity Center North and volunteered her time. Schmitt's commitment has continued. She spends two days a week at Providence, a medical day care center for adults with developmental disabilities. The longtime volunteer helps clients during lunchtime and activity sessions, and accompanies them on local trips. The center says it could use more volunteers like Schmitt.

Anne Arundel County school officials last week were searching for clues to the disappearance of the entrance sign at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center. The sign, crafted 30 years ago from fallen red oak trees on the property, was stolen between 5:30 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Wednesday. The Millersville school was closed during that period for Election Day. "The sign has great value to the staff and has been widely recognized over the years," said schools spokesman Bob Mosier, who added the staff at the center has been shocked because Arlington Echo has experienced only one act of vandalism in its 38 years.

A group of former and current employees has charged a prestigious Anne Arundel County organization that provides work and job training for disabled adults with discriminating against its black workers.Helped by the Anne Arundel chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, seven blacks filed suit against the Providence Center in U.S. District Court in Baltimore yesterday, with hopes of turning it into a class-action suit that could affect more than 100 employees of the Arnold-based agency.

Surrounded by lush plants, Leah Boston picks up a green snip of Swedish ivy. Slowly and carefully, she presses its end into a plastic cell of potting mix. "I'm on my fourth tray," the 49-year-old Glen Burnie woman says. Boston is among about two dozen people propagating and nurturing plants in the greenhouses of the nonprofit Providence Center. The Millersville-based center operates programs for developmentally disabled adults in Anne Arundel County. Tucked down a slope in Arnold, the horticulture workshop is not widely known, though it is one of the 43-year-old Providence Center's oldest and sells plants to the public, said Leslie B. Mathieson, horticulture production manager.

At the Captain's Corner gift shop in Loews Annapolis Hotel, it's the Providence Center label that counts.It's not that the pottery, woodwork, paintings and crafts aren't alluring enough. It's just that spending money for a work of art and helping a good cause at the same time is more appealing.All crafts sold by the shop benefit Providence Center Inc., a private, nonprofit organization based in Severna Park that has placed adults with developmental disabilities in jobs for 35 years."My feeling is that it's all very good work," said Sharon Block of Annapolis, who was admiring the crafts and searching for large pottery pieces as Christmas presents for family members.

Chamber honors Providence Center for programs, efforts Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce has named Providence Center Inc. its Non-Profit of the Year. Providence Center was selected for the diversity of its efforts to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel. The center offers employment programs, including a greenhouse program that features the propagation of native plant species for the restoration of wetlands and coastal areas.

Name: Brad Evans of PasadenaVolunteer work: Whoever designated April 20 as Youth Volunteer Day had people such as Brad Evans, a 14 year-old student at Severn River Junior High School, in mind.As part of confirmation class requirements for St. John's Church in Severna Park, during his summer vacation Brad began volunteering at the Providence Center in Arnold two years ago.He enjoyed the work so much he has continued to return to the facility during summers off from school and during Christmas holidays.

Names: Severn Middle School pupils: eighth-graders Dale Shields, E. J. Crawford, Brandt Fifer, Steven Jones, Andy Holl way, Keith Pettus, Raph Sassi, Ian Burman; seventh-graders Ryan Humphrey, John Prickett, Justin Thomas, Arnold Nasyrov and Karl SchneiderAges: 12-14Activities/hobbies: The pupils participate in the Middle School Community Services program, a requirement at Severn School. One Fridaya month they are bused to the greenhouse at Providence Center in Arnold or to Baldwin Industries in Severna Park to help developmentally disabled people.

Seminar to focus on `biz tools' The Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce will hold a "biz tools" group seminar from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the BWCC office, 312 Marshall Ave., Suite 104, Laurel. The cost is $10 in advance for members and $20 for nonmembers and at the door. Information: 410-792-9714 or 301-725-4000, Ext. 102. Sessions slated on real estate Long & Foster Realtors will hold the following seminars on a career in real estate: 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Deale office, 5544 Muddy Creek Road, West River, 410-867-1000.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2005, ELMER E. SR., beloved husband of Margaret L. Dunn; devoted father of Elmer E. Dunn, Jr., Margie L. Williams and V. Marie Higgins; brother of Edward and William T. Dunn and Doris V. Ridgeway. Also survived by nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Friends may call on Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at Stalling Funeral Home, P.A., 3111 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD, where funeral services will be held on Monday 11 A.M. Interment Glen Haven Cemetery.

Surrounded by lush plants, Leah Boston picks up a green snip of Swedish ivy. Slowly and carefully, she presses its end into a plastic cell of potting mix. "I'm on my fourth tray," the 49-year-old Glen Burnie woman says. Boston is among about two dozen people propagating and nurturing plants in the greenhouses of the nonprofit Providence Center. The Millersville-based center operates programs for developmentally disabled adults in Anne Arundel County. Tucked down a slope in Arnold, the horticulture workshop is not widely known, though it is one of the 43-year-old Providence Center's oldest and sells plants to the public, said Leslie B. Mathieson, horticulture production manager.

Surrounded by lush plants, Leah Boston picks up a green snip of Swedish ivy. Slowly and carefully, she presses its end into a plastic cell of potting mix. Boston is among about two dozen people propagating and nurturing plants in the greenhouses of the nonprofit Providence Center. The Millersville-based center operates programs for developmentally disabled adults in Anne Arundel County. Tucked down a slope in Arnold, the horticulture workshop is not widely known, though it is one of the 43-year-old Providence Center's oldest and sells plants to the public, said Leslie B. Mathieson, horticulture production manager.

Dance fitness classes to be held for teens, adults Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Department and Bio Aerobics Inc. are co-sponsoring dance fitness classes for adults and teenagers. The session runs eight weeks and the cost is $56. Registration has begun. Classes will be held at Northeast High School, Lake Shore Elementary School, Linthicum Elementary School, North County High School, Belle Grove Elementary School, Southgate Elementary School, and Oakwood Elementary School. Information: 410-956-1084.

Chamber honors Providence Center for programs, efforts Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce has named Providence Center Inc. its Non-Profit of the Year. Providence Center was selected for the diversity of its efforts to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities in Anne Arundel. The center offers employment programs, including a greenhouse program that features the propagation of native plant species for the restoration of wetlands and coastal areas.

On Wednesday, September 7, 2005, ELMER E. SR., beloved husband of Margaret L. Dunn; devoted father of Elmer E. Dunn, Jr., Margie L. Williams and V. Marie Higgins; brother of Edward and William T. Dunn and Doris V. Ridgeway. Also survived by nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Friends may call on Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at Stalling Funeral Home, P.A., 3111 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD, where funeral services will be held on Monday 11 A.M. Interment Glen Haven Cemetery.

The Anne Arundel County school board is back in the name game.Last spring, after weeks of angst and debate, the board voted to name its new alternative school in Crownsville Providence Academy. During its meeting Wednesday night, the members voted unanimously to change it because officials of the Providence Center in Severna Park had complained to the state school board that the name was too similar to that of their program that helps the disabled find jobs."Well, I think we will be open again to suggestions," said Paul Rudolph, school board vice president.

Providence Center invites public to tour facility, meet staff Providence Center Inc., a center for people older than age 50 who have developmental disabilities, will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the center, 8149-A Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the staff and tour the facility. No reservations are required. Information: 410-315-8303. South County center offers free jewelry classes South County Senior Center has scheduled a free jewelry class from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for six consecutive Fridays beginning Oct. 19 at the center, 27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater.