LOOKING FOR OFFICE SPACE? WE HAVE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE!  Contact Michelle Reloba for more information: michelle.reloba@paxpartnership.org

St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) https://www.smcm.edu/ The National Public Honors College.

Jan. 19, 2026 8 a.m. - 10 a.m 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Celebration Lighting the Way: Faith, Hope & Action

NEWS: The Southern Maryland community stepped up in a major way to support the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Foundation, raising a college record of $321,400 for college programs and scholarships.

January 16, 2026 St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair (SMCSEF) will be at the USMSM SMART Building and is open to St. Mary’s County residents. It is the perfect venue for students to share their talents in experimental methodologies, engineering design and testing, and other scientific projects.

Please check the website for ways to partner with SMCSEF, including sponsoring awards and scholarships, advertising opportunities, and volunteering as board members, judges, and project mentors. Your support has an impact! Contact Mark Ragland, SMCSEF President, at smcsefpresident@protonmail.com for additional information. Please send advertisement artwork and sponsorship questions directly to Samantha Nelson at smnelson@smcps.org

NEWS: Congratulations to the Grand Award Winners of the 2025 St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair! Téa Combs, Thomas Fucito, Collin Haycraft, Rishi Sheth, and Stephen Krasznay

TPP Pathways Scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend CSM and major in engineering and will be eligible to receive a full scholarship covering tuition, fees, and books for up to two years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements and remain in good standing.

• Must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles or St. Mary's Counties)

• Possess and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, with no grade lower than a B in designated courses such as Calculus II and Physics, and no grade below a C in other courses

• Agree to apply to the Southern Maryland Pathways Program in Engineering, majoring in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, A. James Clark School, taught locally at the USMSM, and enroll upon acceptance.

This holiday season is a great time to submit an NDTA Foundation scholarship application for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications may be submitted now through April 15 via e-mail at ndtahq@ndtahq.com for our four academic scholarship programs for members and their children:

NDTA offers all scholarship winners a unique opportunity to join our Industry Connect Program (ICP). The ICP links interested students with an industry mentor to help them bridge to the future. More information can be found here.
NDTA is excited about the education and development of our Nation’s future logistics and transportation leaders! Providing scholarships and the ICP helps us promote learning and professional development. To learn about scholarship qualification details and how to apply, go to www.ndtahq.com/foundation/, call us at 703-751-5011 or send us an email at ndtahq@ndtahq.com. Read student testimonials from previous scholarship recipients to learn about the impact it has had on their studies and their career paths.

Jan. 13, 2026 3:00pm EST or 12:00pm PST Webinar: International Trade Administration Resources to Support Uncrewed Systems Exports

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has a powerful suite of resources which empower U.S. uncrewed systems companies to compete and thrive in today’s global markets. In this webinar, leaders from ITA’s Industry & Analysis, U.S. Commercial Service, and Advocacy Center will outline the policy landscape shaping UxS competitiveness and walk participants through the full lifecycle of export support- from identifying overseas partners to securing foreign government contracts. Attendees will gain actionable insight into navigating supply chain and manufacturing resiliency, leveraging U.S. Commercial Service field offices, and understanding the role of U.S. Government Advocacy in pursuing international opportunities. Join us to learn how your organization can tap into ITA’s extensive global network and elevate its international growth strategy.

Leap Forward is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves underrepresented youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds and other underrepresented communities through programs, personal mentoring, and enrichment activities. Leap Forward focuses on helping students complete college. The students have the opportunity to tackle STEM-related challenges and to hear from guest speakers. Leap Forward need a coach for one of their STEM competition teams. They are forming an after-school program at Patuxent High in Lusby, MD. Please contact Rhonda Thomas at leapforwardinc@yahoo.com for more information.

The museum seeks adults (18+) interested in supervising the simulators on weekends. Email dan.dickey@paxmuseum.org for more information!

January 15, 2026 -Break Free from Burnout: Reclaim Your Energy and Impact
The Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (HRASM) invites you to join leadership coach Stephanie Bidle for a 1‑hour virtual session to spot burnout early, protect your energy, and create habits that boost focus, fulfillment, and impact. Free for HRASM members and $10 for all others. 1 PDU for SHRM/HRCI certified professionals, and also be used for those requiring continuing education credits For more information and to register, please visit: Breaking Free from Burnout: Reclaim Your Energy and Impact | Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland.

Register for ‘Defend The Airport’ and advance Rail Cybersecurity Through Collaboration.’

February 10–11, 2026, at The Link in Columbia, Maryland, for a powerful two-day event focused on protecting one of our nation’s most critical transportation lifelines. Defend The Railroad 2026 is a mission-driven initiative led by TAC, uniting industry, government, and cybersecurity leaders to strengthen the security of our rail systems. This year, we’re proud to partner with Cylus, Amtrak, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) to build a collaborative defense against rising digital threats. Together, we’re shaping the future of transportation security.

February 4-5, 2026- University of Maryland Development, Test, Evaluation, Verification & Validation (DTEVV)workshop at the USMSM SMART Building.

Technology continues to evolve, including the prominent integration of intelligent/autonomous capabilities. Every emergent capability and system requires some form of assessment, but current test and evaluation practices are unable to keep pace with this evolution. The result is a slowdown in the adoption of these technologies.

Greenwell Foundation is seeking Nature Volunteers to provide support for PreK to 1st grade environmental education field trips, guided hikes and kayaking programs, tabling at outreach events, and more! Learn more and apply here.

March 24·10:00 am-1:00 pm- St. Mary's College of Maryland's Spring 2026 Career & Internship Fair - This event is a fantastic opportunity to hire interns, graduating seniors, and current students, as well as to inspire students exploring your industry by showcasing the incredible work you do. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: SMCM SPRING 2026 CAREER & INTERNSHIP FAIR

Historic Sotterley - Information & to register for events here:

https://www.sotterley.org/events/

Docents and Visitor Center Assistants Needed!

Volunteer form: https://sotterley.org/?ff_landing=6

Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) - Events here: https://www.hsmcdigshistory.org/events/.

Email: hsmcc.groups@maryland.gov; 301-994-4371 / 301-994-4372

Find Local Farmers Markets Near You! Southern Maryland Buy Local Guide Available Now- Your one-stop resource for local farmers and enjoy the best of SoMD. View the SoMD Farmers Market Guide HERE

St. Mary’s County Library Newsletter sign up: 

https://www.stmalib.org/newsletter-sign-up/

Please see their customer survey results here; https://paxpartnership.org/st-marys-county-library-customer-satisfaction-survey-results/

Planning a Conference or meeting? St Mary’s County is a prime location. Partner with organizations to highlight local lodging options and 'things to do' for conference attendees. Check out the St. Mary’s County website: Visit St. Mary's MD

St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks is launching a new online registration platform! CivicPlus provides improved access to activities, classes, leagues, memberships, and facility reservations with seamless online registration and secure payment processing. Create a household account here: https://secure.rec1.com/MD/st-marys-county-md/catalog

St. Mary’s County Museum Division - Please visit:

https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/recreate/Museums/

Free admission for the Military!

NOTE! Clement’s Island Museum is closed for reconstruction.

Announcing extended Fall Water Taxi Service to St. Clement’s Island & Winter Operations for All Locations.

Please consider dropping off much-needed food supplies to St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen, 20331 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Drop-off Monday-Saturday between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm Rear door call: 301-863-5700. Community needs are at an all-time high!

§ Chunky Soup §Hot Chocolate Packets § Ketchup Bottles § Olive Oil (large sizes preferred) § Vienna Sausages § Peanut Butter (creamy preferred] Instant Oatmeal Packets § Parmesan Cheese § Canned Tuna and chicken § Canola Oil (48 oz) § Chicken, Beef and Vegetable Broth § Chili seasoning packets § Canned soups § Crackers (Saltines, Ritz, etc...) § Graham Crackers § Juices - 64oz bottles or individual boxes § Mayonnaise (30oz) § Microwave Popcorn § Pepperoni § Shredded Cheddar/Mexican Cheese § String Cheese § Chili seasoning packets § Hamburger and tuna Helper § Cheese slices § Lunch meats.

Or send a check if it’s easier to P. O. Box 144, Lexington Park, MD 20653-0144 – Thank you for caring.