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Twenty-two communities from one end of St. Mary’s County to the other participated in the 29th Annual National Night Out. The events varied from community to community with small gatherings of neighbors for food and conversation to larger events with games, music and visits from fire departments and rescue squads. At each event a deputy was on hand to interact with the community and answer questions.

The Bay Net this year visited three communities in the far flung Mechanicsville postal area: Country Lakes, Persimmon Hills and St. Joseph’s Community Center. Pictures from those NNO events are included in the attached slide show.

At sprawling Country Lakes, members of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad joined residents at the community pavilion. Their apparatus were available for viewing along with a Maryland State Police cruiser. The county’s volunteer recruitment coordinator Bill Smith was available to answer question from young prospective volunteer recruits.

Games such as musical chairs and sack races were held and several vendors were on hand, including SMECO and St. Mary’s Crime Solvers. Officers of the Country Lakes Citizens Association were introduced and door prizes handed out. And of course there were plenty of hot dogs, cakes and cookies, and soda and water for everyone. National Night Out Coordinator Corporal Angela Delozier was on hand for this event and participated in several of the games.

At Persimmon Hills families gathered around on lawn chairs or sat on the ground to eat barbeque sandwiches, shrimp pasta and ice cream. It was a chance for everyone in the large-lot subdivision to get to know each other. An appearance from the Mechanicsville VFD was expected later in the evening.

 In contrast to the outside events, community members gathered inside the air-conditioned St. Joseph Community Center for food, games and giveaways.

Sheriff Timothy Cameron, Corporal Delozier, and the California Target are proud to announce the winners of this year’s National Night Out “Community Challenges.”

As announced live and drawn by T-Bone and Heather on 98.3 Star FM at 7:10 a.m., August 8, 2012; Community Challenge winners are:

Target gift card winning numbers are as follows: 040658, 040669 and 040644

The winners of the Nook from Barnes & Noble are: Josiah Tritt from the South Hampton community and Dale from Golden Beach community

Winners should contact Cpl. Delozier at the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office via 301-475-4200 ext. 9094. 

 The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office issued the following press release after the National Night Out events:

 “Sheriff Timothy Cameron and Corporal Angela Delozier would like to send out a generous thank you' to all those that made the 29th Annual National Night Out a spectacular event.

“Individual residents and agencies play a huge role in National Night Out.  Just as important are the community members who come out and support those efforts, Thank you.  Knowledge is important not only to the success of a neighborhood but also to its residents. National Night Out is about just that. Get to know your neighbors, neighborhood concerns, Law Enforcement in your area, and exchange information.  A United, Informed, and Empowered community is the ultimate goal. 

“Thank you, Kathleen Reif, director of St. Mary’s County Public Library, for your support in National Night Out.  Community Challenge reading material was made available at all locations and flyers with library card applications were distributed to each NNO community. Each library card issued as the result of NNO, the card holder will receive a free book.  We would like to thank Target, the official sponsor of National Night Out and Targets National Night Out liaison, Dawn Clark and staff.  Clark and two additional staff members came out for the event with additional give a-ways and visited several communities for a more personal involvement.  Clark also played a pivotal role in supporting the Pre-National Night Out Kick-off event held on August 4th at the California Target store and the “Community Challenges” for participating communities.  Clark provided three Target gift cards and two Nooks by Barnes & Noble for the community challenges. 

“In addition, Sheriff Cameron and Corporal Delozier would like to thank each Fire Department and Rescue Squad, who each year visit numerous NNO communities, providing handouts, wash downs, and tours of their equipment.  Last, but not least we are thankful for those St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division personnel, Road Patrol Deputies,  Commanders, and Maryland State Police Troopers who came out and participated in assigned communities for National Night Out. 

“Your dedication and assistance in making the 2012 National Night Out a huge success is greatly appreciated by all. We look forward to next year’s big “30”; mark your calendars for the 30th National Night Out to be held on August 6, 2013.”