Winter 09 Masthead
Week of January 25, 2009
Fun in Your Community This Week!
IN THIS ISSUE
Music at Montpelier Mansion
The Traveling Naturalist can bring the world to you
Prince George's County has great historic sites
Register for Kindermusik classes
Children's birthday parties at pools
Seeking nonagenarians and centenarians
A preview of Black History Month programs
QUICK LINKS
Parks and Recreation logo Greetings!

Greetings!

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has lots to enjoy here in Prince George's County this week. See an amazing concert at Montpelier Mansion. Schedule the Traveling Naturalist for your ecology/photography/travel club meeting. Tour an historic site, sign your children up for Kindermusik, and read all about M-NCPPC's upcoming Black History Month programs. Explore the park system and enjoy the social, healthy, fun recreation programs and activities.


The Department of Parks and Recreation Marketing Team
 Purchased your concert tickets yet?
Montpelier Mansion Enjoy an extraordinary Black History Month concert at Montpelier Mansion featuring members of the Society for the Preservation of African American Arts. Singing slave songs and spirituals, and reenacting slaves living on a plantation in the 1800s, the singers will captivate the audience during this program scheduled for Saturday, January 30 at 2 pm (snow date/time Sunday, February 6, 2 pm). The concert is recommended for those ages 10 & up. Ticket prices are $10/Friends of Montpelier members and $15/all others. Advance payment and reservations are required, so please call 301-446-3302 for reservations today.

Calling all ecologists and nature lovers
flowersWant to "visit" exotic, far away places, see interesting wildlife, and enjoy spectacular scenery from the comfort of your chair? The Traveling Naturalist program can take you on a virtual tour of some of earth's most beautiful places. See the beauty of Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Florida parks and Wildlife, Brazil, the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador rainforest, Australia, Iceland, or South Africa. Serious nature lovers, travelers and photographers will enjoy the FREE, 90-minute presentations by a professional naturalist. The presentations can be shown at your facility or group meeting. To schedule a presentation call staff at 301-627-6074.
Experience history throughout the county 
Surratt House facadePrince George's County has some amazing historic sites that residents and visitors can tour. Built in 1852, the Surratt House Museum gained significance when the Surratt family became involved in events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Montpelier Mansion, built in the 1700's, was once a thriving plantation. The mansion hosted famous individuals including George and Martha Washington, and Abigail Adams. Abraham Hall has served as a meeting place, landmark and touchstone of the African American community of Rossville. Darnall's Chance House Museum was built in 1742 and its grounds include an underground brick burial vault. Riversdale House Museum is a National Historic Landmark and was home to Rosalie Stier and George Calvert. Read more about these and other M-NCPPC historic sites on our web site so that you can plan your tours! For more information call 301-627-2270.

Kindermusik for little ones
flea market Register your children (ages 42 months-5 years) for Kindermusik: Imagine That, a 13-session class at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Children will use instrumental play, singing and creative movement, and learn musical concepts including rhythm, pitch, timbre and ensemble play. Course #150616 will be held on Tuesdays, beginning January 26, from 5:30-6:15. Course #150617 will meet on Thursdays, beginning January 28 from 6:10-6:55 pm. Fees are $180/residents and $216 for non-residents. Call 301-446-3232 for more information, or register for the class of choice through SMARTlink.

Have a splashing, smashing party
indoor swimmingAll children have birthdays, so how about hosting a party for yours at an indoor swimming pool? Allentown Fitness & Splash Park in Fort Washington, Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex in Laurel, the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, and Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool in Chillum all offer birthday party packages by reservation. Call staff at the facility of interest so that your son or daughter's birthday party will make a splash! 

One last call for super special seniors
seniors on a swingThere's never been a better time to be a senior in Prince George's County. Check out the terrific programs offered for those ages 60 & better at M-NCPPC senior centers and community centers throughout the county. In conjunction with a special program honoring centenarians this spring, the Department of Parks and Recreation is currently looking for contact information about county residents born on or before December 31, 1920. If you know a Prince George's County resident who will be age 90 or older by the end of 2010, please click here to share the information with us. Your help is greatly appreciated!

February is Black History Month!
kente cloth There are so many extraordinary Black History Month programs coming up, you'll need to start planning now. Enjoy concerts, performances, tours, movies, lectures, plays, and even a traveling memorabilia museum. Black history will be celebrated through the arts, trips, music and more. Click here to learn more about the cultural arts programs and community
events scheduled for Black History Month 2010!

There's always something good going on in Prince George's County. Browse www.pgparks.com to find out what's happening and where. Sign up for classes and activities using the SMARTlink system. Or check out information on parks and trails, community centers, nature centers, sports and arts facilities, and more.
 
Questions?  Contact our Customer Service Help Desk at 301-699-CALL(2255) or e-mail [email protected].
 
Have a great week!
The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation