Local news covering the Russett and Maryland City areas
Former Russett Resident Vies for Recording Contract on The Voice
Elyscia Jefferson, a former Russett resident and an Anne Arundel County School System graduate, debuted on NBC’s The Voice in March during the blind audition stage. Twenty-year-old Elyscia is the daughter of Elliot and Schnelle Jefferson and the niece of former North County High School principal Eric Jefferson. A listening party was held at Keystone Korner Jazz Club in Baltimore before her big day, where Elyscia debuted some original tunes and classics like “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
The Voice auditions take place over two weeks. According to Elyscia, “You have an opportunity to learn so much during that period. It’s an experience that I will always remember.” She says, “I’m just following my dreams and passion and hope I can lift people.” She cites her roots in the church as the most significant influence on her music, and says she is inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Brandy, and others.
At the auditions, Elyscia was one of hundreds of contestants vying for the $100,000 cash prize and an opportunity to land a recording contract with some of the country’s biggest music stars. Elyscia wooed the judges with her rendition of Michael Jackson’s “(PYT) Pretty Young Thing,” with multiple judges enthusiastic about working with her on their team, to prepare for the next round of the competition. Elyscia chose country artist Reba McEntire as her mentor. McEntire, the only female judge on the panel, commented that she was “thrilled to death to get Elyscia on my team...what a talent.”
Elyscia’s journey on The Voice ended on the March 26th episode, but this talented singer is poised for greater things to come.
Russett in the Running for New Aquatic Center
The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks has been surveying sites for a new indoor aquatics facility, and the Russett/Maryland City area is a contender. In 2017, The Department of Recreation and Parks determined that indoor swim facilities were deficient and identified a need to construct an aquatics/swim center facility located on the county’s western side; that project has since been labeled the “West County Swim Center,” or WCSC. The property under consideration for the facility in the 20724 area is the Bacontown Board of Education property at Woodland and Whiskey Bottom Roads. The proposed center will be the county’s third indoor aquatics facility, joining the Arundel Olympic Swim Center on Riva Road in Annapolis and the North Arundel Aquatic Center on Crain Highway in Glen Burnie.
The Land Preservation, Park, and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) set forth the project initiative and is currently conducting feasibility studies for four proposed sites. In addition to the Bacontown site, three locations near Meade High School are being considered: Provinces Park, Rockenbach Road, and 26th Street in Ft. Meade.
A weighted criterion is used to evaluate each site, taking into consideration factors such as location, traffic, site analysis, parking, utilities, relationship to existing amenities, expansion, building drainage, building redesign, time frame, and project cost. The Bacontown site’s overall score was the second highest, but it was also projected to be the most expensive location to develop.
Under the current plans, the WCSC facility will be approximately 60,000 square feet in area and include a 50-meter competition pool to support Anne Arundel High School swimming programs, regional competitions, and swim meets. Other amenities will include:
• 20 lane/50 meter course competition pool
• permanent spectator seating area
• 4-lane warm-up lap pool
• 2,450-square foot recreation pool with built-in play equipment
• water slides
• lazy river
• kiddie pool w/ “zero beach” entry
• 20-person indoor hot tub
• locker rooms
• party rooms
• CPR & lifeguard training classroom
• outdoor splash pad
The rec side of the center will be open for regular public use. The proposed cost is $5 for children and seniors, and $7 for adults.
A recent response to my query regarding an update is that “The West County Swim Center is still in the design phase, as the final location for the pool has yet to be selected. Civil site design will commence once a site is selected, incorporating a traffic study, environmental review, and integration planning for the chosen community. The Department of Recreation and Parks has recently resumed public engagement for the site selection phase and aims to provide a recommendation immediately. The Department of Recreation and Parks remains committed to continuing public involvement, including feedback, throughout the process.”
Upcoming Russett Library Events
Light and Shadows: Ages 6–10. Did the eclipse pique your curiosity? Explore activities about light and shadows. Dress appropriately for possible outdoor experiments. (April 13, 10:30–11:30 AM)
Bad Art Night at the Library: Ages 11 to Adult. Leave your talent at home and join us in creating utter “disaster pieces.” Participants will use recycled craft materials and their creativity (or lack thereof) to create the worst piece of art they can imagine. We’ll end with a bad art exhibition and voting, with prizes for the best of the worst! (April 25, 6:30 PM. Registration open beginning at 10 AM on April 11.)
Puzzle Party: Preschool ages 0–5. Join us as we listen to a story, create puzzle crafts, and solve fun puzzles. (May 7, 6:30 PM)
Fizz, Pop, Boom!: Ages 6–10. The Science Guys of Baltimore will spookily present exciting bubbling potions, chemical reactions, and explosions as we explore the states of matter! (May 11, 10:30 AM)
For more information on any of the above programs, or to learn about more of the library’s many services and offerings, go to their website: https://www.aacpl.net/services/maryland-city-at-russett.
Brenda Zeigler-Riley is a 15-year resident of Russett, a retired educator, and entrepreneur with a marketing, public relations, and fundraising background. Please send information on Russett/Maryland City (historical pieces, stories from first responders, hometown memories, resident profiles, etc.) to russett.mdcinfo@gmail.com.