September 24, 2001

Golfing for Elk Landing - Tournament to Benefit Historic Site
By Eric F. Mease

Patriot's Glen - September 24, 2001: The owners of the brand new Club at Patriot's Glen Golf Course in Elkton, Maryland has proposed a charitable golf tournament to benefit the Historic Elk Landing Foundation. Speaking at an open house for both the course and the
Patriot's Glen Ryland Homes housing development, Morris Wolf, the managing member of the PGGLC which owns the golf course, said the tournament could raise between 10 and 20 thousand dollars and would be held early in November.

Morris said Ryland and others would also back the tournament. "Ryland, who's the builder here, tells me that they have a lot of their suppliers and contractors who are interested in contributing substantially," Morris noted; "so we might be able to make a significant dent in your needs."

General Manager and Director of Golf at The Club, Trent Wright, says about 128 people could play the 18 hole, par 72 course during the tournament. "We're going to charge pretty good," Trent pointed out, "but then again we're going to have sponsors who would make up foursomes which would contribute a substantial amount too." "Substantial" is the key word, according to Trent. "I've been in charity tournaments that raise a half million dollars," Trent said, "but you're talking about movie stars being there and professional football players being there so to make five thousand dollars is considered a tremendous success for one day." 

Morris says this is just the beginning of what he sees as an ongoing relationship between Elk Landing and the Patriot's Glen course which will employ between 50 and 60 people. "We're going to be here for a long time and so are you," Morris explained. "and we're going to be very good neighbors."

Morris said construction on the 5 million dollar course began in March of 2000. He said the housing development, which will eventually contain 400 homes, is worth at least 5 million dollars, but the economy will determine when the development is completed. "We would have been finished this past summer," according to Morris, "but the wet weather last year slowed us down."

Historic Elk Landing foundation president, Mike Dixon, said the course's name, "Patriot's Glen" is appropriate. "We are standing in the same area where General George Washington and part of his Revolutionary War staff stood in 1777," Mike explained as he looked out over the gently rolling greens of the course. 

"He (Washington) was surveying the thousands of British troops that were encamped in Elkton. Eventually, they would move out of Elkton, on their way to the Battle of the Brandywine and the eventual capture of Philadelphia."

If you need further information about the proposed tournament to benefit Historic Elk Landing, please contact The Course at Patriot's Glen at 1-800-616-1776 or 410-392-9552. The Course also has a web site at http://www.patriotsglen.com

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July 9, 2001

Folksongs and Folktales coming to Elk Landing -- Sept 8.

A live program of "Folksongs and Folktales," featuring folk singer Jackie LaGuardia of Smyrna, Del., and storyteller Ed Okonowicz of Elkton, Md., will be presented at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, at Elk Landing outside Elkton. The 60-minute performance will include solo presentations by the two entertainers and they will work together to spin yarns, humorous stories and tall tales of the region in a relaxed style.

La Guardia has performed for a wide range of audiences in the Mid-Atlantic region and Okonowicz has been sharing stories and tales to a number of Delmarva audiences. The two began collaborating in 1997, and they have performed this program at the Higher Education Building in Georgetown, Bellevue State Park in Wilmington and the Milburn Stone Theater of Cecil County Community College in North East, Md., and at other sites in nearby Pennsylvania.

LaGuardia is an elementary school teacher and librarian and former Miss Delaware from Wyoming, Del. She will present a number of well-known folk songs and several popular music selections. Okonowicz, who lives in Cecil County and teaches storytelling and writing at the University of Delaware, will present humorous tales, ghost stories and historic legends of the region.

"When we first began performing together," Okonowicz said, "the mix of stories and songs worked very well. We are very pleased to be able to appear at Elk Landing. It's an absolutely wonderful site for this outdoor family event. The area along the creek is both historic and eerie. We should have a good time. Jackie's songs will add a new dimension that I'm sure the listeners will enjoy."

"The second half of the program is a real joy,' LaGuardia said. "The audience really gets into it when we start to share the tall tales, jokes and yarns. It's the kind of good, old-fashioned humor you don't hear that often any more. It's really a lot of fun."

Those who attend should plan to bring their own seating in the form of blankets or chairs. Cost for the event is $4 per person and $9 for a family of four. To reserve your space please call 410.620.6400 or e-mail us at info@elklanding.org

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July 09, 2001

Elk Landing Awarded $200,000 State Grant
By Eric F. Mease

Defender’s Day 2001 (April 28, 2001) at Historic Elk Landing was special for more than the large crowds in attendance, the picture perfect weather, and fascinating history learned. It was also noted for the announcement of a state grant to The Landing.

Like a proud father about to announce the awarding of a scholarship to his son or daughter, Elk Landing Foundation President Michael L. Dixon, stepped to the microphone. He shared news of the numerous first year successes, and
indicated a commitment to Elk Landing by the State of Maryland. He invited two of the people instrumental in this new partnership to speak to the crowd.

Delegate Ronald Guns announcement, about the State of Maryland investing $200,00.00 of bond grant funds in the continued renovation at Elk Landing, drew instant applause from the crowd. Both the House and Senate passed
this bill because they recognize the importance of preserving the Hollingsworth House and this special and significant historical property, Guns stated. And this wonderful project should go back again next year to ask for a continued commitment. He explained that the grant funds must be matched by funds from the Historic Elk Landing Foundation.