Prince Frederick, MD – A retired teacher who now volunteers her time with local women’s shelters and senior centers was selected for special recognition, along with 12 other nominees. Betty Jane Reynolds was described by her sister Brenda Wallace as having “a quiet demeanor and unselfish heart.”

Reynolds was selected as the winner of the 2014 Calvert You Are Beautiful Award. She received her honor Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 16 at a well-attended ceremony at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick campus.

A panel of judges, which included a member of The Bay Net staff and last year’s recipient, Dave “Spiggy” Spigler chose Reynolds for the top award. Reynolds, who attended the ceremony with her two sisters and 92-year-old mother, was clearly surprised when Commissioner Susan Shaw announced her name.

“God has truly blessed me,” Reynolds declared after the ceremony.

Each of the 13 candidates was nominated by friends, family and/or colleagues. In her nomination essay for Reynolds, Wallace noted her sister had taught the handicapped and children with disabilities. One of the places where Reynolds frequently volunteers is Calvert Pines Senior Center, “where she gives her time to the residents, helping with their exercise programs and playing bingo.”

Additionally, Reynolds “visits nursing homes and hospitals, caring and taking meals to the elderly,” Wallace stated. “She volunteers housekeeping for seniors and visits shut-in seniors, taking groceries, playing games with them, reading and sometimes just being there as a companion. She enjoys making and helping seniors with arts and crafts.”

Wallace also noted her sister is a 15-year breast cancer survivor and participates in the annual Relay for Life event.

In addition to a plaque, Wallace received a large basket filled with “Calvert County goodies.”

“These are just amazing people,” said Shaw. “We celebrate those who freely give of their time—volunteers who work in a wide variety of ways. Just to be nominated means you stand out.”

The Calvert You Are Beautiful event has its origins from a similar state program that was started in the 1980s during the administration of Governor William Donald Schaefer. A statewide recognition was subsequently discontinued last decade but Calvert County opted to keep its recognition alive. The annual event is under the auspices of the Calvert County Department of Economic Development.

The other 2014 Calvert You Are Beautiful nominees are:
Janet Addiss, a 23-year volunteer with SMILE Ecumenical Ministries Inc. Addiss was identified by colleague Susan C. Mattingly as “a driving force” at SMILE’s food pantry. Additionally, Addiss serves on the Southern Maryland Food Bank Board of Directors.

Grace Mary Brady is the creator of the Bayside History Museum and several local history exhibits, which have been displayed in such venues as the Calvert County Fair and local library branches. Brady was nominated by State Senator Roy Dyson.

Jeannie Cousineaux-Stone has hosted a fundraising luau for Calvert County Hospice two years in a row. She was nominated by Linda Gottfried.
Rhonda Crawley volunteers as the fund development officer for Ruth’s Miracle Group Home. She has taken the group home’s residents on cultural outings and helps organize the facility’s annual fundraiser. Crawley was nominated by the women of Ruth’s Miracle Group Home.

Laurence “Larry” Donnelly started the food pantry program at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick. The pantry has distributed over 200,000 pounds of food since its inception. Donnelly also volunteers with Project ECHO and is active in the Knights of Columbus. He was nominated by Lynda Bowman and Father Peter J. Daly.

Mary B. Hollinger is a volunteer for the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, which involves the documentation of the local population of frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, lizards and snakes. Hollinger has logged close to 500 hours on the important nature conservation project, which ends this year. She was nominated by Anne Sundermann.

Marian Johnson served for many years as Brooks United Methodist Church’s superintendent of Sunday school and currently volunteers at Brooks’ food pantry. Johnson also volunteers at the Crisis Intervention Center at the Calvert County Health Department. She was nominated by Corrita Myers.

MaSara Myers recently graduated from Salisbury University and has volunteered with the Crisis Intervention Center. Myers earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic arts and design and applied her talents by designing fliers for events bringing awareness about domestic violence during her internship at the center. She was nominated by Corrita Myers.

Patricia A. “Mitzi” Poole was recognized for her work at Jefferson Patterson Park and other historic venues. Poole was described in her nomination letter as someone who shares “knowledge and skills.” She was nominated by Van Ireland, Catherine Jolie and Tim Thoman.

Barbara Scanlan volunteers with Calvert Animal Welfare League (CAWL). Scanlan was lauded for her 40-hour weeks as a CAWL volunteer specializing in the rescue of dogs. She was nominated by Lois Flesner of CAWL.

Teena M. Umphries volunteers over 20 hours a week for the Crisis Intervention Center as an advocate. Umphries are frequently on call to serve domestic violence victims as an advocate at court. She was nominated by Corrita Myers.

James Wilson is a 15-year volunteer at Calvert Marine Museum (CMM). Wilson is part of the Patuxent Small Craft Guild maintenance team for the skipjack Dee of St. Mary’s. He was nominated by CMM’s Sherry Reid.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com