Rita

RECENTLY I FOUND myself straining to hear what Rita Gilligan had to say about her career as a waitress in a rock and roll cafe. We were sitting in Baltimore's new Hard Rock Cafe, the latest addition to the string of 78 such cafes operating in various cities around the world.The music was loud. It was in the foreground, not the background. But Rita, as she is soon called by all who meet her, said she didn't notice. She has been working with the volume turned up since 1971, when she was one of the first waitresses hired in London by the then-fledgling Hard Rock Cafe.

Don't be fooled by forecasts of scattered snow showers; it really is spring and therefore the true start of Italian ice season. To mark the occasion, Rita's is giving a free Italian ice to each customer today. It's an annual tradition going back two decades for the ice and custard stand, now at more than 600 locations in 20 states. Last year, Rita's customers consumed more than 1.2 million cups of Italian ice in ten hours. This year, Rita's is promoting its new loyalty club, Rita's Rewards, by offering free ice in a limited-edition cup. The giveaway runs today through 9 p.m. at all open Rita's.

Don't forget to stop by Rita's on Sunday for a free regular size Italian Ice. Sunday is the official first day of Spring and Rita's always celebrates by generously giving away delicious treats. Find a Rita's near you at www.ritasice.com .  

Royals! Redskins! And a really really bad breakup! Today's online trends have it all. First up, royal wife Kate Middleton is again under the media microscope -- fortunately for her she has all her clothes on this time. The royal baby (or babies!) received loads of attention yesterday and now the online discussion is moving toward what we should name the baby (or babies!). I'm sure the Duke and Duchess will consult Reddit before the momentous decision. Meanwhile, Redskins rookie sensation  Robert Griffin (a.k.a.

On May 23, 2008, RITA ESTELLE HEPBURN. On Thursday, friends may call Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services (East), 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 3-8 P.M. On Friday, services will be held at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Chapel, 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends 11-11:30 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 433-7500.

On Friday, June 11, 2004, RITA GABRISZESKI BEYER (nee Zalenski); beloved wife of the late Charles Gabriszeski and Lawrence Beyer; devoted mother of Charles, Robert, Ronald, Joseph and Paul Gabriszeski, Rita Marie Ebbert and David Gabriszeski; loving grandmother of Lisa, Laura, Shane, Jesse, Lauren, Vincent, Hallie and Meghan; dear sister of Buddy Zalenski, Helen Roby and Robert Zalenski. A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Charles S. Zeiler & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 6224 Eastern Avenue, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 P.M., where a memorial service will be held 7 P.M. Interment private.

RITA AGNES (nee Watson) passed this life February 6, 2003. Beloved wife of Carroll A. Burkhardt, Sr. Dearest mother of Mary Carole, Barbara, Elizabeth, Claudia, Carroll, Thomas, Gerard, David, Stephen, Mark and Gabrielle; also many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her long life of devotion to her Lord and her family assures her the vision of the face of God and a long and happy memory on earth. Memorial to be held Sunday, February 9, 2003, 2 PM at St. Elizabeth Chapel, 3320 Benson Ave., Balto.

On November 29, 2007, Rita Mandilaras A Trisaghion Service will be held at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Rd. (beltway exit 26) on Sunday at 7:30 pm. Mrs. Mandilaras will lie in state at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation on Monday from 10:30 to 11 am the funeral hour. Interment at the St. Demetrios Greek Cemetery, Cub Hill. Friends may call on Sunday from 7-9 pm. In Lieu of Flowers contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Inc., 1107 Kenilworth Drive Suite 202, Baltimore, MD 21204-2136.

On December 25, 2006, RITA ROOP (nee Lynch); beloved wife of the late Samuel I. Roop; devoted mother of David E. Roop and his wife Marie; loving grandmother of Susan Moyer and her husband Don, David Roop, Jr. and his wife Anna-Marie, Paul Roop and his wife Lisa, Stephen Roop and his wife Jennifer and Christopher Roop and his wife Tammy; also survived by 15 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home Inc., 1050 York Road (Beltway exit 26)

On September 22, 2003, RITA C., beloved daughter of the late Nicholas and Rosaria Magliano and loving sister of Maggie Browning, and the late Benny "Trotta" Magliano, Antoinette Simmons, August Magliano, Anna Johns, Josephine Smith, Vincent Magliano, and Anthony "Nick" Magliano. Also survived by host of loving nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the family owned JOSEPH N. ZANNINO JR., FUNERAL HOME, 263 S. Conkling Street (at Gough) on Friday at 9 A.M. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Pompei Church at 10 A.M. Interment Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Rita Frances Le Gette, a former teacher and homemaker, died Thursday of liver cancer at her Severna Park home, surrounded by her family. She was 74. Friends described a woman always willing to put others before herself and lend a helping hand. "When anybody would move into the neighborhood, she would try to get everybody together to greet the new family," said Rochelle Slutskin, who lived across the street from Mrs. Le Gette. "She was the first one on the porch with a casserole or a pie, or anything she could do to make somebody feel good.

Rita's Italian Ice is debuting its newest flavor, Red Velvet Cake Cream Ice, on Friday. The new "rich and creams" flavor is a limited time offering. That's not the only news out of Trevose, Pa. Beginning next Wednesday, Rita's is offering 50 percent off Blendinis from 5 to 7 p.m. The Red Velvet Cake Cream Ice offer and the “Great Blendini” event will both continue through April 29.        

Everybody loves free stuff. I don't. I hate waiting in lines. I'd rather pay. But if you don't mind waiting in lines, you should know that Rita's Italian Ice is celebrating the first day of spring by scooping free ice all day. All guests who visit their local Rita's Italian Ice will receive a free Regular Ice of their choice. This is the 20th year that Rita's has celebrated the first day of spring with the free ice promotion. Here are Rita's Italian Ice stores near you.

Rita M. Rutley, a former college bookstore manager and homemaker, died June 24 of heart failure at the Edenwald retirement community in Towson. She was 91. Born Rita M. Shea in Baltimore, she was a 1938 graduate of Seton High School. She worked for the Federal Resave Bank in Baltimore and as a department store model before her 1941 marriage to Thomas E. Rutley. When her children were small, she worked part time in the pre-kindergarten program at Epsom Chapel Nursery School.

Don't forget to stop by Rita's on Sunday for a free regular size Italian Ice. Sunday is the official first day of Spring and Rita's always celebrates by generously giving away delicious treats. Find a Rita's near you at www.ritasice.com .  

On October 24, 2009, ANNA RITA "Ritty" HOMBERG (nee Hauf); beloved wife of Henry Stanley Homberg and the late Robert S. Dean; devoted mother of Robert W. Dean, David S., Karl L., Richard A., and Sister Karl Ann Homberg and Susan Boblitz; loving daughter of Anna and William E. Hauf; dear sister of Rosemary Wilkinson, A. Bernardine McDougall, William E., Martin, John, George and Jerome Hauf and the late Dorothy and Regina Mardaga and Joseph Hauf. Also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

On July 18, 2009, RITA L. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME EAST, 1101 E. North Avenue, on Friday after 8:30 AM where the family will receive friends on Saturday at 11:30 AM. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon.