TPP invites our members to join us in celebrating the holiday season and enjoying light fare and good cheer at the TPP Office.

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.

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.

Note! CSM Entertainment program is in the Community News and Events Section

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.

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

· Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 11 am to 3 pm Holidays in the Hangar- A day filled with fun activities and festive treats!

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. This event is free for HRASM members and $10 for all others. This session offers 1 PDU for SHRM/HRCI certified professionals, and can also be used for those requiring continuing education credits for other certifications. 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.

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.

Sat Dec 13^th 11:00 – 1:00 Santa will be touching down at St Mary’s Regional Airport! Bring the family and friends to track Santa’s arrival @ 11:30

Plenty of fun with ornament making, face painting, stockings for the kids and photos with Santa!
Bird Dog Bistro will be serving their full menu along with a few kid-friendly lunch options and hot chocolate

Collecting donations for Charlotte Hall Veterans, St Mary’s Nursing and Chesapeake Shores Nursing Centers residents

Monday, December 15, 2025 |11:00 am -St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Newly Renovated Andre Rice Emergency Men’s Shelter in Lexington Park Venue: Andre Rice Emergency Men’s Shelter, Lexington Park, MD, Hosted by: Three Oaks Center

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Information, news, and events:

Saturday, December 13th |7:30 pm Southern Maryland Concert Band: 'Something Different' Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater

Tickets here: https://www.csmd.edu/student-services/arts/tickets/index.html

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

To Dec 12, 2025 | Tuesday to Friday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Historic Sotterley is partnering with the Boyden Gallery at SMCM to bring the public a new art exhibit titled “Sharing our Common Humanity from Common Ground”. The exhibit features the first 38 portraits of Historic Sotterley Descendants by artist Nicole Stewart with additional work by photographer Ken Barlow and quilter Dr. Joan M. E. Gaither.

COSMIC Symphony will be joined by St. Maries Choral Arts this holiday season to bring you “Gloria.” Highlights include “Greensleeves,” “O Holy Night,” and of course, “Gloria.” Concerts are presented free of charge with no tickets required, and donations are greatly appreciated.

Dec 13, 2025 | 3:00 pm at Huntingtown High School, 4125 Solomon’s Island Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639 NOTE: Time change from previous

Dec 14, 2025 | 3:00 pm at Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

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/

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.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for a joyful holiday Open House and head to the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) Interpretive Center for a Storytime and Festive fun!

Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Market Money Offering Enhanced Benefits for Families and Farmers During Federal Shutdown

Through this temporary measure, SNAP customers who experience declined or unavailable transactions at participating markets will receive $20 in Maryland Market Money tokens per household per market day to purchase SNAP eligible food directly from local farmers and producers.

Link: https://news.maryland.gov/mda/press-release/2025/10/30/maryland-department-of-agriculture-and-maryland-market-money-offering-enhanced-benefits-for-families-and-farmers-during-federal-shutdown/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN17NFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABic

Please consider dropping off much-needed 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.

Can you imagine not having Christmas Dinner this year?

For over 1,500 families in St. Mary’s County this is a reality.

For a donation of only $40.00 the Zion United Methodist Church Lexington Park will supply a 10 pound turkey, 10 pounds of potatoes and canned goods for a Christmas dinner. Volunteers contact Shell Jackson on 240-281-5626 or email shell.jackson1962@gmaul.com

Donate check to ZUMC (write ‘Food Fund”) to PO Box Lexington Park MD 20653 or https://zionumclexpk.org/giving

Note: Formerly sponsored by Mike's Bikes