Former Morningsider, Keenus Clark, dies at 90

Marion Keenus Clark, Sr., 90, formerly of Morningside, died February 23 in Waldorf.

He was born in Louellen, Ky., to Arvel and E. Beatrice Clark, and spent his early years in Washington. He graduated from Chamberlain High School.

In the 60’s and 70’s, the Clark family lived on Woodland Road in Morningside.

In his early life, Keenus (as he was often called) was an excellent artist and enjoyed sketching and painting. He also enjoyed breeding and raising Arabian horses.

He served in the Army’s 8th Infantry Division in the 1950’s. Later, he managed shoe stores in Prince George’s County. In retirement he was a bus driver for Charles County Schools.

Keenus was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, parents and brother Arvel Clark Jr. Survivors include his sister, Shirley Anastasi; his children, Juanita Hood, Sharon Wright, “Kenny” Clark and Keith Clark; nine grandchildren and five great-grands.

A private memorial service will be held later.

Town of Morningside: Election 2024, Election 1984Upcoming Town events: Senior Event on April 13; Skate Van & Ice-Cream Social, June 22; and on the Fourth of July, the Parade down Suitland road, followed by Family Fun Day and ending the day with great fireworks.

April Town Meetings: Work Session, April 9; Regular Town Meeting, April 16. Both beginning at 7 p.m. Rec Council meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. For information: 301-736-2300.

On May 6, the annual Town Election will be held.

Just for kicks, I looked up the Council election of May 7, 1984, 40 years ago. The candidates were Jane L. Cowan, Everett M. Gatta, Charles J. Kiker and Walter J. Sienkiewich. Kiker was re-elected with 93 votes; Sienkiewich won with 93 votes.

Neighbors & other important peopleCongratulations to Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller who was inducted into Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame March 21. She is the second woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor and the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in Maryland. Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, she immigrated with her family when she was 7 years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Monsignor Andrew James Cassin, founding Pastor of St. Bernardine Parish in Suitland, died Feb. 23 at Blue Ridge Christian Homes in Rapine, Va. In addition to St. Bernardine’s, he helped complete an addition to the school of St. Peter’s in Waldorf. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. John the Evangelist in Waynesboro.

Important County meeting coming upKenia Spivey, President of the Skyline Citizens Association, has been busy attending meetings hosted by Prince George’s Delegates. She pronounces them “very productive and informative.”

She reports that there’s a very important meeting coming up, with Prince George’s County representatives, on Wed., April 3, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the Suitland Community Center, 4600 Regency Lane. County officers will be on hand to talk about what’s going on in the County, specifically with their Departments.

Kenia hopes you’ll put it on your schedule.

Free PGCC tuition for District 8 residents: Spread the word!To date, $2 million dollars has been allocated to the Local Impact Grant/Scholarship Funding at Prince George’s Community College just for District 8 residents, and help is needed to spread the word to District 8 neighbors! (Skyline is in District 8.) When MGM Casino was built, a portion of the gaming and tax revenue was dedicated to the surrounding community through the MGM Local Impact Grant Fund.

District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs III has announced a new program that uses MGM Casino revenue to provide free tuition at Prince George’s County Community College.

The program is available to those living in the six-mile radius surrounding the casino in District 8 and some border areas of District 7 (Skyline). While the program was initially funded at $1 million, the Prince George’s County Council allocated another $1 million to serve more residents and keep the program going beyond the upcoming semester.

For information, go online to the Free PGCC announcement.

95 Years Ago, Back in 1929Stan Holmes, former President of the Skyline Citizens, dropped by to wish me a happy 95th birthday, and he presented me a birthday card listing significant things that were happening in my birth year, 1929:

Most popular names: Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Helen, Robert, James, John, William.New house cost $7,246; dozen eggs, 48 cents; loaf of bread 6 cents; postage stamp, 2 cents, movie ticket, 15 cents. Average annual income, $1,528.00.Academy Awards began: Best film, Wings; best actor, Emil Jennings; best actress, Janet Gaynor.Born in 1929: Martin Luther King, Jr., Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart, Dick Clark, Anne Frank, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.Sports winners: Philadelphia Athletics (AL); Green Bay Packers; Stanley Cup Winner, Boston Bruins.In the news: Herbert Hoover inaugurated 31st President; Wall Street Crash; Great Depression begins.First appearance: foam rubber, Bingo, frozen foods, car radio, 7-up drink).1929 — Year of the Snake. A Year to Remember.

MilestonesHappy Birthday to Jonathan Charters, April 6; Amber Lee (Cook) Rye, April 7; Debbie Callison, April 8; Donna Wood, April 11; (Darlie) Fay Norton and Donald Brown Jr., April 13.

Happy Anniversary to Chuck and Laura Smith Jenkins, April 10, and Tex and Rickie Beardmore, their 60th on April 11.

Email me (muddmm@gmail.com) with birthdays and anniversaries.