March 28, 2009
I was wondering when this question would start appearing on forms. I came across it today for the first time on a website for MSWord users.
http://word.tips.net/questions.html
What is your gender?
Male
Female
Unsure
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Pathfinder of the Seas, Father of Modern Oceanography (1806 - 1873)
Have you ever wondered how a novice from the Canary Islands could set sail for the Americas and make landfall? Have you ever wondered how Pacific Islanders could navigate long distances between islands? Have you ever wondered how Capt Bligh's skiff made its way from Tahiti to the Dutch East Indies?
Guided by Psalm 8 and blessed with a career-threatening leg injury, Lt. Matthew Maury, the first superintendent of the US Naval Observatory, mapped the Earth's ocean currents and wind patterns. Sailors used his research findings to shorten the length of their voyages and explorers discovered the Northwest Passage.
Matthew Maury was instrumental in founding the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Maury Hall, which houses the department of Engineering, is named for him.
Read more about Matthew Maury at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_F._Maury
Have you ever wondered how a novice from the Canary Islands could set sail for the Americas and make landfall? Have you ever wondered how Pacific Islanders could navigate long distances between islands? Have you ever wondered how Capt Bligh's skiff made its way from Tahiti to the Dutch East Indies?
Guided by Psalm 8 and blessed with a career-threatening leg injury, Lt. Matthew Maury, the first superintendent of the US Naval Observatory, mapped the Earth's ocean currents and wind patterns. Sailors used his research findings to shorten the length of their voyages and explorers discovered the Northwest Passage.
Matthew Maury was instrumental in founding the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Maury Hall, which houses the department of Engineering, is named for him.
Read more about Matthew Maury at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_F._Maury
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I loved Helen - her graciousness, her smile. I called her "frenchie" because she always wore a French beret and a sparkle.
I had a collection myself and she dared me to wear one on Sundays.
I teased her often about sitting on the bench outside the sanctuary waiting for a cup of coffee from her "boyfriend" - Charlie.
I would meet Charlie in the Fellowship Room and remind him of our collective mission and see who got back to the bench first. She touched a lot of our lives - as a Christian.
Carol De Rosa
I had a collection myself and she dared me to wear one on Sundays.
I teased her often about sitting on the bench outside the sanctuary waiting for a cup of coffee from her "boyfriend" - Charlie.
I would meet Charlie in the Fellowship Room and remind him of our collective mission and see who got back to the bench first. She touched a lot of our lives - as a Christian.
Carol De Rosa
I recall in 1968 when I returned with my children from some time spent in the U.K. - and without my wife Sheila - that Helen was the first and only person to call and ask if she could help in any way. As it happened this was not really possible, but I very much valued her kindness. This remains a strong memory with me to this day, and I remain very thankful to her.
Michael Cross
Michael Cross
When we moved to Severna Park, Helen was beginning her stint as Church Secretary. However, she was first and foremost a Christian Educator. She enjoyed sharing remembrances with me of prominant Christian Educators from her work with the former Presbyterian Church (PCUS) in the South.
She carried her interest in Christian Education when no longer employed as such, to her volunteer work on the Adult Education Committee at Woods which is how I came to her best. She was never without opinions and fresh ideas for that program. Of course, she served Woods in many other ways and will be sorely missed by all of us.
Nancy Searles
She carried her interest in Christian Education when no longer employed as such, to her volunteer work on the Adult Education Committee at Woods which is how I came to her best. She was never without opinions and fresh ideas for that program. Of course, she served Woods in many other ways and will be sorely missed by all of us.
Nancy Searles
I always looked for Helen sitting on the bench on the narthex of the sanctuary. And if she sat in the sanctuary it was always to the left as you entered.
She was always easy to spot - with her little "cap-on-head" - it really didn't matter where she sat! There was always a smile on her face - a bit wrinkled but always there.
She was a "benchmark" for all - cheerful to speak to. She was a mile-marker! She has finished her work and gone home to rest! Thanks be to God for her life with us and for us.
Maynard Huddleston
She was always easy to spot - with her little "cap-on-head" - it really didn't matter where she sat! There was always a smile on her face - a bit wrinkled but always there.
She was a "benchmark" for all - cheerful to speak to. She was a mile-marker! She has finished her work and gone home to rest! Thanks be to God for her life with us and for us.
Maynard Huddleston
I always knew Helen Phelps as Zara's grandmother and my grandmother's dear friend. I was Zara's college roommate and teammate and got to know Mrs. Phelps when she would come to visit Richmond and support Zara when she would come to our games. She always had a smile on her face and was so happy to be with her family. It was really neat for me to hear all these stories about Mrs. Phelps from her friends and family because I have realized how many of her traits she passed on to my best friend Zara - her passion to learn, the importance of education, her faith and goal to spread God's Word. And even as one member stated her mischeviousness, she will always be remembered.
Erin Kennedy
Erin Kennedy
Several years ago Helen and I decided to go to a nursing home north of Baltimore somewhere to take Tish Jackens out for lunch. The staff didn't seem to happy with what we were doing but did go along. With me pushing the wheel chair and Helen pulling the large oxygen tank–this was before the small ones existed I guess–the staff helped us get Tish in the car. When we got to the restaurant we were on our home but we did manage to get her into the restaurant and back to the home safety On the way home we decided that we wouldn't do anything like that again and realized why the staff was so discomforted by 2 old ladies taking another old lady out for lunch
I could always call on Helen when ever I needed help ie Choir School, Circle leader, substitute for bridge etc. I will really miss her. When ever I went over to visit she was always interested in what every one else was doing and was so stoic about her deteriorating condition. She will be sorely missed especially by me.
Jean Parker
I could always call on Helen when ever I needed help ie Choir School, Circle leader, substitute for bridge etc. I will really miss her. When ever I went over to visit she was always interested in what every one else was doing and was so stoic about her deteriorating condition. She will be sorely missed especially by me.
Jean Parker
Helen was always supportive wherever there was a need - I remember her helping phone for a new church Ash Dove and teaching there when she knew there was need of support even though there was no tie.
She always had a nice smile and welcomed discourse and had a sympathetic ear. A more loving and giving Christian would be hard to find. I particularly appreciated her support during a stressful time in my life. I enjoyed her points of view in the book club. She kept everyone grounded. Wonderful blessing!
She should have been cloned! I feel privileged to have traveled with her!
Polly Wilson
She always had a nice smile and welcomed discourse and had a sympathetic ear. A more loving and giving Christian would be hard to find. I particularly appreciated her support during a stressful time in my life. I enjoyed her points of view in the book club. She kept everyone grounded. Wonderful blessing!
She should have been cloned! I feel privileged to have traveled with her!
Polly Wilson
Helen and I became Elders back in the early days when women weren't usually asked to serve.
We also served in many efforts together - Bazaar, Women's Guild. We played bridge together and she said "It is obvious that Marjorie plays by her own rules" but we loved each other very much.
Our last effort together was to share the Monday morning telephone duty in the church office.
She was a saint.
Marjorie Holt
We also served in many efforts together - Bazaar, Women's Guild. We played bridge together and she said "It is obvious that Marjorie plays by her own rules" but we loved each other very much.
Our last effort together was to share the Monday morning telephone duty in the church office.
She was a saint.
Marjorie Holt
My first acquaintance with Helen began, naturally, in a Peace and Justice ministry at Woods Presbyterian Church. She then became my informal teacher of Presbyterian beliefs and creeds. We were often in adult Bible study classes together, roommates at Session and Women's retreats, and belonged to Esther Circle. She had a talent too for getting women and men involved particularly with church activities. One morning I arrived at church to see Helen with one of those big mops cleaning up a spill. She couldn't find a custodian and did it herself.
We became closer friends on that memorable trip in 1985 when Terry Schoener took Woods members to Greece and Turkey following in travels of St. Paul.
Helen was ever alert to the needs of others and often volunteered husband Charlie's help too. In 1990 Helen and I joined the College on its trip to Russia. When we got to National Airport in D. C. we were asked for our passports. To my embarrassment, mine was at home in Arnold and we had less than 2 hours before our plane departed for Newark. What to do? Helen said, "Don't worry, Charlie would be glad to bring it to me!" I knew my neighbors were too frightened to drive the Belyway and I couldn't reach my husband. And, Charlie, I truly didn't want to ask such a big favor of you. But I did want to take that trip. We reached Charlie by phone just after he had taken Carole to the BWI airport. And that blessed man found his way into my house and the location of the passport and rushed it to me. I caught a later plane and met our group in Newark. May God forever smile on you, Charlie. We were in Russia while Communists still ruled and it was a most interesting travel. Chandeliers in the subway system, very little to buy - Katrina dolls! And always a Russian trying to exchange something for American dollars. We went to the circus, attended an opera, rode the train between Moscow and St. Petersburg and played bridge late into the night with Professor Tengwall and his wife.
We rode an early bus to D. C. on a cold January day in 1992 to see the inauguration of Bill Clinton as President. We arrived so early we saw some of the floats still being assembled. We had no tickets for reserved areas or viewing stands so we just kept walking from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue seeing the crowds assemble sidewalk deep in that brilliant sunshine. We waved to Dan Quayle and stretched to see Bush and Clinton in their limousine. As it got colder we sought warmth, food, and a restroom. The Willard was perfect and it was in its nice warm bar that we saw the inauguration and heard Maya Angelou read her poem. Thoughtful gentlemen offered us their bar stools and we were most content, and warm. We did see Hillary and Bill as they walked up 15th Street to the White House (she has heavy legs!) and the crowds were unimaginable. We have our presidential inauguration jerseys to supplement our memories.
We did get to Israel in 1992 on a walking trip. Our tour agent was Esther, a lovely Jewish woman who had relatives in Israel with whom we dined. Our Israeli tour guide and bus driver were Jewish and scared to death to be in the Palestine controlled areas, such as Bethlehem. We had a total of 6 travelers, plus our guides, Harriet, Helen and I and 3 from the D. C. area. We stayed at kibbutz's, walked and picnic'd in Galilee, went to Capernaum where it is reputed that Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, rode local buses, walked throughout Old Jerusalem, and Harriet and Helen "swam" in the Dead Sea.
My remembrances of Helen are long and dear. Her faith and love of God, her intelligence, theological knowledge, love of humanity and particularly teaching children and youth the good news of the Bible are long endearing. She is one of God's special people and I love her.
Jean Lafferty
We became closer friends on that memorable trip in 1985 when Terry Schoener took Woods members to Greece and Turkey following in travels of St. Paul.
Helen was ever alert to the needs of others and often volunteered husband Charlie's help too. In 1990 Helen and I joined the College on its trip to Russia. When we got to National Airport in D. C. we were asked for our passports. To my embarrassment, mine was at home in Arnold and we had less than 2 hours before our plane departed for Newark. What to do? Helen said, "Don't worry, Charlie would be glad to bring it to me!" I knew my neighbors were too frightened to drive the Belyway and I couldn't reach my husband. And, Charlie, I truly didn't want to ask such a big favor of you. But I did want to take that trip. We reached Charlie by phone just after he had taken Carole to the BWI airport. And that blessed man found his way into my house and the location of the passport and rushed it to me. I caught a later plane and met our group in Newark. May God forever smile on you, Charlie. We were in Russia while Communists still ruled and it was a most interesting travel. Chandeliers in the subway system, very little to buy - Katrina dolls! And always a Russian trying to exchange something for American dollars. We went to the circus, attended an opera, rode the train between Moscow and St. Petersburg and played bridge late into the night with Professor Tengwall and his wife.
We rode an early bus to D. C. on a cold January day in 1992 to see the inauguration of Bill Clinton as President. We arrived so early we saw some of the floats still being assembled. We had no tickets for reserved areas or viewing stands so we just kept walking from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue seeing the crowds assemble sidewalk deep in that brilliant sunshine. We waved to Dan Quayle and stretched to see Bush and Clinton in their limousine. As it got colder we sought warmth, food, and a restroom. The Willard was perfect and it was in its nice warm bar that we saw the inauguration and heard Maya Angelou read her poem. Thoughtful gentlemen offered us their bar stools and we were most content, and warm. We did see Hillary and Bill as they walked up 15th Street to the White House (she has heavy legs!) and the crowds were unimaginable. We have our presidential inauguration jerseys to supplement our memories.
We did get to Israel in 1992 on a walking trip. Our tour agent was Esther, a lovely Jewish woman who had relatives in Israel with whom we dined. Our Israeli tour guide and bus driver were Jewish and scared to death to be in the Palestine controlled areas, such as Bethlehem. We had a total of 6 travelers, plus our guides, Harriet, Helen and I and 3 from the D. C. area. We stayed at kibbutz's, walked and picnic'd in Galilee, went to Capernaum where it is reputed that Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, rode local buses, walked throughout Old Jerusalem, and Harriet and Helen "swam" in the Dead Sea.
My remembrances of Helen are long and dear. Her faith and love of God, her intelligence, theological knowledge, love of humanity and particularly teaching children and youth the good news of the Bible are long endearing. She is one of God's special people and I love her.
Jean Lafferty
From Tee's letter: Helen and Tee first met when their daughters Gale and Carol transferred from elementary school into high school. They worked with the Anne Arundel Concert Association. And Tee saw Helen at Anne Arundel Community College when Tee was a student in 1978.
In 1978, they toured the Banff, Lake Louise, and other areas of the Canadian Rockies where they went "Heli-hiking" (he helicopter took them to glaciers). Gesturing with thumb and forefinger about 3 inches apart, Helen liked to tell the story of walking over a very narrow bridge above a deep canyon. She slipped but the guide steadied her. I imagine that Tee helped Helen set aside her terrible acrophobia.
In 1980, Tee and Helen joined a tour led by Reverend Elwood Reitz, Helen's dear friends, following the life of Martin Luther all over Germany. They saw the Oberammergau Passion Play.
In 1982, they toured the British Isles.
Tee writes, "There were other trips in the states, and traveling together was always wonderful and memorable. She was a dear friend."
In 1978, they toured the Banff, Lake Louise, and other areas of the Canadian Rockies where they went "Heli-hiking" (he helicopter took them to glaciers). Gesturing with thumb and forefinger about 3 inches apart, Helen liked to tell the story of walking over a very narrow bridge above a deep canyon. She slipped but the guide steadied her. I imagine that Tee helped Helen set aside her terrible acrophobia.
In 1980, Tee and Helen joined a tour led by Reverend Elwood Reitz, Helen's dear friends, following the life of Martin Luther all over Germany. They saw the Oberammergau Passion Play.
In 1982, they toured the British Isles.
Tee writes, "There were other trips in the states, and traveling together was always wonderful and memorable. She was a dear friend."
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