Archive / March, 2013

Dr. Ashbury’s Easter ‘Immortality”

“God is not the God of the dead, but of the living”

Covert Matters Digest

 The truth of life beyond

By Maurice Dunbar Ashbury

Matt. 22:32 “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

These are words of our Lord Jesus Christ. He used them in answer to a question concerning the resurrection. The question was raised by the Sadducees, who were the materialists of their day, and who said that there was no resurrection. To these first century skeptics who denied the life beyond the grave, he said: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.”

Today multitudes all over the world meet together to give thanks and praise God for the victory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over death through the Resurrection.… Read More

A Pastor Brings the Story of Easter

Covert Matters Digest

Greater Vision of an Exciting Life

By John I. Romaine

Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe if He was resurrected, then we can too.

It has always haunted the hearts of people what happens after we die. We know we are alive when we still breathe, walk, eat, sleep and

fulfill what we believe we should be doing with our lives. But we know that there will come a day when we will breathe our last breath, take our last step and go the way of all flesh that our physical body with die.… Read More

Grandma Ruth’s Easter Bread Pudding

Covert Matters Digest

Tasty Topping Off of High Holy Days

By Dimples Dinwiddie Prichard

Easter was special in my Virginia family because it was always at Grandma Ruth’s and Granddaddy’s house at Big Bethel, a government installation in Hampton that supplied all water going to all military installations on our Virginia Peninsula.

After church my family would get in the car, after packing play clothes for my sister and me.  We headed for the fresh air of the country atmosphere and the warmth and wonderfully delightful aromas of Grandma Ruth’s kitchen.

We always wore our Easter finery so we could bask in the nod and smile of approval from my grandfather and the dear hugs and genuine compliments of Grandma Ruth, working, of course in the kitchen to make a dinner worthy of praise that surpassed any that had come before this one.… Read More

The Happy Days of Easter Week

Covert Matters Digest

Bonnets, Church-going & Fashionable Dining

 

By Jim Lehman

Easter memories abound as I grew to an adult age. Surprisingly, tradition of the “Easter Bunny” continues into the last quarter of life’s game.

Child hood was a time for early impressions of Easter.  Mouthwatering dreams of munching into a leg or meaty part of Bunnies milk chocolate anatomy.

A nurturing of somewhat cannibalistic tendencies for chewy eggs too.

Dominant memory was that of fashion. Easter bonnet and all that placed a great emphasis upon Church-going and lunching at a fashionable dining site of the city

Mom and Dad of course always saw to it that at least new duds include knickers, a new shirt, or shoes in the austere days of World War II and after.… Read More

Crescent City Easter Season

             Covert Matters Digest

                  Childhood Memories and Holy Week

By Roy Meachum

The Easter season started ten days after Christmas in New Orleans. While the rest of the western Christian world celebrated the three Magi arrivals in Nazareth, south Louisiana cooks turned out King Cakes, with dolls and china, representing royalty.

At the depths of the Great Depression, when I first encountered Mardi Gras—Shrove or Pancake Tuesday in England—tourists arrived on trains. Airline schedules were primitive. Forced to spend days traveling, citizens from colder climes celebrated briefly in New Orleans. The Great Depression didn’t help!

The city accumulated the nickname “Big Easy” years later, but in the 30s it was known for its lazy attitude toward vices, particularly around Mardi Gras.… Read More

What’s Humane in Execution?

Covert Matters

The Bid for Justice or Mercy

By Harry M. Covert

Except in special cases seldom does the death penalty bring about much conversation pro and con on all sides of the political spectrum. It’s not a cut and dried matter and must not be taken lightly.

Sometimes invitations have been made available to view the “needle-in-the arm” practices. Most of the people I know who have the opportunity don’t accept and there are good reasons.

Virginia’s legislative agenda shows no sign of repealing the ultimate penalty.

Of late, Maryland’s legislators have voted to end the death penalty. The governor says he’ll sign the bill.… Read More

Miracles for Officer Peter Laboy

Covert Matters

Life-Saving Techniques of First Responders

 By Harry M. Covert

“Officer down. Officer Down.”

Those words shrieked a few weeks ago over police radio. Terror echoed in the hearts and minds of all law enforcement, especially those in Alexandria’s public safety agencies.

Moments following the chilling broadcast on Feb. 27, city police, sheriff’s deputies and fire department and emergency sprang into action.

These prompt reactions brought about the miraculous life-saving efforts for Officer Peter Labor. Further radio transmissions let to the rapid capture of the man charged with the nonsensical shooting on Washington Street, near Lyles-Crouch Traditional School.

Motorcycle Officer Laboy, a 17-year veteran, had reacted to a police call about a suspicious vehicle.… Read More

Covert Matters Digest

My Word

The Quality of America’s Cardinals

Stars of Bells, Balls & Books

By Harry M. Covert

In light of recent international events I confess here and now that my favorite Cardinals have always been Americans.  First is a favorite son of Donora, Pa., and the other from Boston, Mass.  There is a third American now on my list but more about that later.

Each of these Cardinals are examples of quality individuals who have made differences in the lives of all they touch. These talents have been easily forgotten in these times of alleged progressiveness. Social turmoil bubbles everywhere we turn in Maryland, Virginia and the Nation’s Capital.… Read More

Covert Matters Digest

                Washington Redskins’ Name

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                     Hanging on ‘Parsimoniously’ to a Brand

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                           George Preston Marshall and Shirley Povich

By Roy Meachum

Not for the first time, there’s a movement afoot to change the name of Washington’s staunch NFL subsidiary, to something else, less offensive to American Natives. Only real Indians didn’t start the movement.

My friend and erstwhile colleague, the late Washington Post sports columnist Shirley Povich, detested George Preston Marshall who started the team–and until his death was the only stockholder of importance. I never understood.  Above all else, the West Virginia native was a serious businessman. His father started Palace Laundries; by the time he died, the son inherited about 100 locations.… Read More

Covert Matters Digest

My Word

At Bat with the ‘Iron Man’

Real Virtues of a Real Hall of Famer

Baseball’s Black Eye is Fading

By Harry M. Covert

Frederick, Md.

After five standing ovations I stopped counting. The capacity crowd was a happy bunch. Applause from the seated patrons was loud and often including the balcony.

It was not an old-time fire and brimstone revival meeting, an over-zealous political rally of bushwa nor a championship celebration.

I’m writing of a recent St. Valentine’s Day love affair with Cal Ripken Jr. at Frederick’s downtown Weinberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Without question it was a night to remember for the 1,200-plus audience, many of whom came dressed in baseball caps, uniform shirts and a couple of bats and gloves, most all bearing the logos of the Baltimore Orioles, to meet and hear the Hall of Famer.… Read More

Mail Correspondance to: 627 Grant Place, Frederick, Maryland 21702-4143