The Town of Morningside turns 75 and they’re celebrating!

Morningside — the name — probably dates back to the late 1930s, but the Town was incorporated as Morningside in 1949, and the first election was held.

Morningside voters chose June Stocklinski to serve as their first Mayor and, for the Town Council, Duncan Fleming, Thomas S. Austin, Mr. C. W. Mueller, and R. C. Stevenson. They took office in June 1949 and immediately created a Volunteer Police Department of three Navy veterans: Charles J. Kiker, Gerald A. Glaubitz, and Donald R. Michelson.

On Saturday, April 27, Morningside celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The revelry begins at 6 p.m. and will continue until 9 at the Municipal Center (which I always like to call the Town Hall).

There will be something for everyone, including a Moon Bounce, games, food trucks, 360 photo booth, raffles, and a movie after dark. And there’ll be music!

The Town’s “Fabulous Morningside Seniors” had an Anniversary celebration of their own on Tuesday, April 23 — they were invited to Topolino Italian Cuisine for luncheon and to “enjoy friendly conversation.”

It’ll be a great celebration! And you can easily imagine what it’ll be like in 25 years when The Town of Morningside turns 100 in 2049.

More from Morningside: Election and Circuit RiderThe annual Town election will be Monday, May 6, when two current Council Members, John Anthony Sr. and Sharon Fowler, will be running to, hopefully, serve another term. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m..

The Town has a new officer, Clayton Anderson, a Circuit Rider whom they are sharing with Upper Marlboro and Eagle Harbor. Circuit Riders help assist small towns and city governments with building their administrative capacity.

The Town Hall meeting room is available for rent. It’s a very nice, large room with an attached kitchen. Great for receptions, birthday parties, and they’ve even had a wedding. Call 301-736-2300 to reserve, or for more information.

Neighbors & other good peopleElaine Chao, 4th-grader at Colin Powell Academy, Fort Washington, has won National 1st Place with her acrylic “Guardians of the Earth” in a NASA Langley Student Art Contest. You can see it for yourself in an exhibition of student art works at Oxon Hill Library.

Father Martino I. Choi has been transferred from St. John the Evangelist parish in Clinton to administrator of St. Michael Parish, Baden, and St. Dominic Mission, Aquasco.

Youth Open House, April 27District 8 youth are invited to an Open House Brunch event hosted by County Council Member Edward Burroughs and the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County.

During the event, they’ll have the chance to meet dedicated mentors, discover various programs and initiatives and explore how they can get involved. The event will be at LeDetroit Baptist Church, 5306 Indian Head Highway in Oxon Hill. The time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 301-952-3860.

Surratts-Clinton Library, open and busyThe new library held its Grand Opening on April 22, with Bibliobop for ages 0-5, Lighthouse Crafts for ages 5-12, and Maryland Trivia for all ages.

When I visited this week, I asked about meetings and activities. There are events for all ages so you should pick up a schedule. One popular event is Knitting and Crocheting for adults. I think it’s a regular for Tuesdays. You can check https://pgcmis.info/website/events .

My trips to the library these days are to check on Large Print books. Just recently I read “Prince Charles” and because I enjoyed it, I read “Spare,” about Prince Henry.

And speaking of libraries, Prince George’s plans to open new libraries in Langley Park, Glenn Dale and Brandywine. Plus, a larger replacement for Hillcrest Heights.

Changing landscapeThe Preakness is coming up May 17-18 at Pimlico in Baltimore. And then the racetrack will be rebuilt “to create a permanent home worthy of the Preakness.” I don’t know much about horse racing, but I watch the Preakness every year.

Dunkin Doughnuts is opening soon on Woodyard Road in Clinton.

The Nationals’ season is underway but there have been changes. You can still bring single-serving food items and a sealed water bottle into the ballpark, but if you’re willing to splurge, some of the concessions are worth a visit: Ssong’s Hotdog, Los Cinco Tacos, Eli’s Crepes, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Emerald Amor Café.

Can anyone tell me what’s being built at the corner of Allentown Road & Temple Hill Road?

A home at 6811 Pickett Drive, in Morningside, has just sold for $299,900.

Places to go & things to doMaryland Choral Society Concert is performing “In My End Is My Beginning” on April 28, 4 p.m. at Mount Calvary Catholic Church, 6700 Marlboro Pike in Forestville. Among the selections will be Haydn’s “The Creation.” There’ll also be a pre-concert talk by Dr. Douglas Buchanan, Artistic Director, who is retiring.

Ed’s Plant World, in Brandywine, has announced the imminent arrival of a vast selection of flora, ranging from vibrant annuals to enduring perennials, majestic trees to ornamental shrubs, and everything in between.

“Unapologetic” featuring the works of renowned African American artist Marcel Taylor, is running thru Saturday, June 8, at Harmony Hall Arts Center, in Fort Washington. The artist depicts liberated African Americans through diverse narratives. Harmony Hall is at 10701 Livingston Rd. For more information: (301) 203-6040.

MilestonesHappy Birthday to Cathy Miller and Hazel Ball, Beverly Gotshall Marquis, DJ Fowler and Jessica Phipps, April 28; Lael McCune and Todd Mullins, April 30; Kathryn Deaver, May 1; Ann Lacey, Ernestine Taylor Wood, Dante Ross Jr. and Janet Booth Kaye, May 2; my daughter Sheila (McHale) Mudd and Lori Williams, May 3; India Goodall and Ruby Haines, May 4.

Happy 52nd Anniversary to Jan and Cindy Smith who will celebrate that special day on April 28.