Is your flag flying on this memorable date to let the world know we're still standing? Perhaps the mark of surviving and overcoming a tragic assault is found in picking up the pieces and moving forward to serve faithfully in fulfilling duty and rising to greater achievement. For nations and individuals, this becomes an oft-repeated cycle.

The Dorsey/Ridgely/Welling families have been rising to local challenges since before we were a nation beginning with the 1702 Land Grant to the Honorable John Dorsey which became known as White Wine and Claret (reflected in River Hill's Claret Hall). This was a huge tract of land running from near present-day Linden-Linthicum Church, along Trotter Road and Hall Shop Road, crossing Route 32 and ending with the Swann property on Route 108, near Highland.

Some time later it came into the possession of Charles Ridgely who lived on the east half of White Wine and Claret while his tenants William and Elizabeth Welling lived in a log cabin on the west half of the property.

The cabin's old stone chimney can still be found in the woods down by the Middle Patuxent River. William Welling purchased an estimated 918 acres from Charles Ridgely in 1800 for $10 per acre and named his portion Clifton.

Clarksville seems to have been high priced real estate even then. The stone house, still standing, was built for the eldest son, William Welling and wife Catherine Winchester, in 1835. Additional family names associated with the Wellings include Warfield, Nichols, Iglehart, Linn, Watkins, Young, Gaither, Smallwood, Parlette, Campbell, Morris, Crawford, Pindell, Forsythe and others. Many progeny of William and Elizabeth have left their mark or are still active residents of this area. Clifton passed out of the hands of the Welling family with the death of Truman C. Welling in 1921.

Henry, a popular given name in the family, comes from Maj. Henry Welling. He had no children, but seems to have been highly regarded in the family. Most named a son for him. Henry and wife, Sarah Ridgely Welling, are buried at Clifton in the family plot known to have been used from 1806 to 1896. In more recent years, Bill Welling worked to have the burial site re-dedicated and initiated annual memorial gatherings in 1981.

The cemetery is located off Trotter Road on the grounds of Pointers Run Elementary School. All Welling family members and others interested in local history are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 13 beginning at 2:30 p.m.

A memorial marker for William (Bill) Welling will be dedicated. Following the service, there will be a covered dish meal at the home of Jim Welling. If you plan to come for the meal, call Ann Parlette at 410-531-2317 today.

The Rev. Arek Ochalek spent his first three years in the United States serving as an associate pastor in St. Louis Parish.

"Jesus loves you. He's crazy about you," are words many heard for the first time from Rev. Arek. Now he's about to take the next step in his journey with Jesus as 1st Lt. Ochalek on active duty with the U.S. Army.

If you appreciated hearing about Jesus, you'll will want to send a letter or note of encouragement as he ships out to Chaplain Boot Camp. Many will be praying and wishing him Godspeed. For more details, call Marianne Faulstich at 301-854-3088.

Congratulations are the order of the day. Emmanuel Methodist Preschool is standing by duty and achievement. They are proud to be ahead of the curve in early childhood education with all 11 staff credentialed by the Maryland Department of Education.

The school is at 10755 Scaggsville Road, in Laurel.

Clarksville Lions are continuing their long-standing service to our community. The staff at Emmanuel Methodist Preschool want to thank Bill Dupree and the Clarksville Lions for screening all their children last year. Early detection of vision problems can be the key to success in school.

The Lions have been a blessing to many in this area. If you're looking for a place to serve, it's a group worth investigating.

As we remember Sept. 11, look within and look around to see where your service can make a stronger community, state and nation. It's all the little acts of caring and sharing that make for a better world.

This is an edited version of a previously published story.

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