Similar Name Different Paths

by Board Member Anthony Bynum

At some point in history, mothers and fathers started to give their children names and it has been on ever since. So many names sound alike. I thought it was a good idea to look at similar names, but the different paths of the names that holders took.

Let’s start here in Linthicum.  Abner Linthicum's greatest contribution to history is his purchase of land in 1801 in this area. The Linthicums were large land owners; this purchase eventually became the town of Linthicum. He had many kin. The most famous was John Charles Linthicum who served in the US House of Representatives from 1911 until his death in 1932. He sponsored the legislation that made the “Star Bangled Banner” the official U.S. National Anthem.

Albert Einstein was a German born theoretical physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity. I just found out recently that he was a passionate civil rights advocate. He used his fame to support Black leaders like W.E.B Dubois, Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson.

There are other notable Alberts. Albert King comes to mind, the very famous and legendary Blues man.  His staple was the Flying V Guitar

I guess you can’t finish a conversation about Alberts without talking of the biggest Albert ever, yes “Fat Albert”.  Yes, Fat Albert was real, I saw the guy every Saturday morning from 1972 till 

 I started watching wrestling with Vince McMahon.

Yes, this could go on forever. I knew Albert Danquah during my career at the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, he was a good guy. From the moment you are born, chances are you will get a name. You could be born into a well-off family like the Crawleys of Downton Abbey fame or, perhaps the Kennedys of Hyannis Port. If you are not lucky you may have to change your name, perhaps for the sins of a father or mother.

For most of us, whatever mom and dad decide, you are stuck with it. Johnny Cash wrote and sang a great song called “The boy named Sue.” Dad got his in the end.

 Well, it is all in fun, no need to tease or start a fight.

You can learn and watch more about Anne Arundel County by tuning into the Glen Burnie Players at the following:theglenburnieplayers.com @the glenburnieplayers8542 and now watch animated shows on: AnneArundelAnimation.Reach Anthony at aabynum@yahoo.com

Auerbach and Soupman Discuss Anne Arundel County Institutions

By Anthony Bynum

The following is a link to “The Adventures of Auerbach”, we think you will enjoy this

traditional cartoon with many segments of life in North County Anne Arundel addressed.

https://youtu.be/DVJBZ6zEAME You can see and learn more about the Glen Burnie Players on the following: theglenburnieplayers.com @theglenburnieplayers8542 @AnneArundelAnimation

Check viewing times for “Community, Conversation and Discover” on our Cable Access Station AACTV of Glen Burnie or “The Birth of Weedo” also showing on AACTV.

November 2025 - Fabric

By Anthony Bynum

Fabric, What Holds a Community Together

 

Each day, America continues to exist and clocks turn. America is even coming up on 250 years. You can look at Washington State, Nebraska, Iowa, or Maine and the turning – or churning –  continues. Butter is churned, dogs are walked and babies are burped as Sonny and Cher said, “the beat goes on.” 


So why? Well, it’s bigger than you, bigger than me. Some call it glue, some call it principles. I like the term “fabric". Something ties this experiment and this machine together. I want to take a look at three different institutions that play a role. Their roles are important as we get older. These organizations can sometimes define who we are..


The other day I attended a business trade show in Severna Park at Elks Lodge 2482. The Elks are considered a fraternal organization which focuses on community service, patriotism and charity.  The official designation is Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  This particular Lodge has been around for over 50 years.  They offer: scholarships, youth basketball, veteran services, and college financial aid. Of course, camaraderie is very important- that sense of having something to do and someone to do it with.


The VFW is another institution with a larger than life role in our different communities. The VFW stands for Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Its mission is to foster camaraderie among veterans of overseas conflicts. They offer some of the following: family financial assistance, education programs and scholarships, legislative advocacy, honor guards for veteran funerals, just to name a few. The VFW was founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936.


The last piece of fabric is the Parent Teacher Association.  This group was founded in 1897 by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst. Its mission is to empower families and communities to advocate for all children. It is about 4 million strong.


These are just some of the different types of groups that make us who we are. No one from the government forces folks to sign up, but, if people employed in government do sign up, their role changes. They are now citizen Joe’s.  Each is free to love America in his or her own way. The fabric just makes that a little easier.