August 13 Is International Left Hand Day

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 13, 2008

Did you know that today, Aug. 13, is International Left Handed Day? I found this in Wikipedia:

August 13 is designated International Lefthanders Day by Lefthanders International. It was first observed Aug. 13, 1976. As its name suggests, it is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences facing left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. It celebrates their uniqueness and difference, who are from 7 to 10 percent of the world’s population.

So, if you, or a neighbor or friend join these Elkridge area left-handed neighbors: Amanda Lavin, and Casey Sapp, please post a blog just for fun and add your name to the list!

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Summer School Students Enjoy a Ride Out in Style

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 8, 2008

Ayesha Summons, Kayla Sow, Kaila Laster, Alyssa Smith and Kaylie Critchow, from left, get ready to take a “Ride Out In Style” in a limousine as a reward for good attendance in summer school. (Photo by Angel Lloyd).

The summer school session held at Elkridge Landing Middle School, which was directed by Angel Lloyd, was a huge success. Jody Herman, Sandy Byerly and I saw a limo pull up in front of the school one day last week, and of course we were curious. We discovered the limo was provided free of charge, compliments of Platinum Plus Limousines, owned by Elkridge Elementary School parent, Michael Greene. It gave students Ayesha Summons, Kayla Sow, Kaila Laster, Alyssa Smith and Kaylie Critchow a luxurious ride home.

“This ‘Ride Out in Style’ was a summer school reward for good attendance,” Lloyd said.

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Seniors Entertained with Pinochle Game

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 8, 2008

Dorothy Pruitt and Jake Miller play Pinochle at the Elkridge Senior Center. (Photo by Susan Lavin).

I stopped by the Elkridge Senior Center, located in the Elkridge Branch Library the other day, just to see if anything was going on. A small group of seniors were just finishing up a rousing game of Pinochle.

I know in some areas of the United States, such as Texas and Oklahoma, thumb wrestling is often referred to as “pinochle”. However, these seniors: Theresa Stokes, Irene Roberts, Dorothy Pruitt and Jake Miller were playing a card game, requiring skill and concentration.

For a list of senior activities, call Director Jeanne Slater at 310-313-5192 or e-mail jslater@howardcountymd.gov.

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Jeannine Reardon’s Book Signing at Borders

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 7, 2008

Elkridge resident Jeannine Reardon will have a book signing for her novel, “Confidential Communications,” Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m., at Borders bookstore, in Columbia mall. (Photo by David Reardon).

Move over, John Grisham, here comes Jeannine Reardon!

Reardon, a lawyer who lives in Elkridge, recently published her first novel, “Confidential Communications.”

This exciting, legal thriller is about a young lawyer with a plot filled with conspiracy and deceit. The book jacket states, “Attorney Rebecca Lawson must find the mastermind and expose the truth before innocent people lose their money, or worse … their lives.”

Reardon started writing the book more than a decade ago after graduating from law school, in Massachusetts. Friends and family members read what was then a short story and encouraged her to have it published. Life went on and the manuscript ended up sitting in a file drawer on a very old computer disc for a many years, until recently.

“Publishing a book was always on my ‘to do list,’ although it still seems surreal to be able to actually hold it now and see people buying it,” Reardon said. “… Here’s my philosophy in life: I don’t want to turn around at age 80 and say I wish I had done that.”

The characters and story in “Confidential Communications” are all fictional. Although Reardon added, “The character Justice McNaught is based in part on my late grandfather who sat on the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. He was the person who originally inspired me as a child to pursue a degree in law and he really was an inspiration to many to live a good life as a good person.
“I figured, heck, why not ‘tip my hat’ as a little thank you to him and make him a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.”

Reardon has a book signing scheduled for “Confidential Communications” at the Borders bookstore in Columbia mall, Aug. 30, 2-4 p.m. Her book can also be purchased online at the Xlibris, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target Web sites.

Additional information about the book can be found on Reardon’s Web site, jrreardonconfidentialcommunications.com.

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Watermont Swim Team’s Impressive Donation

By Susan Lavin
Posted: August 4, 2008

The Watermont Swim Team, in Elkridge, raised more than $5,000 for the American Cancer Society through a recent Swim-A-Thon.

Eileen Bednar and Donna Smith organized this successful event as 79 swimmers participated. The members of the team that earned the most for the society were Molly Cronin, who raised $329; Giff Polinsky, who raised $320; and Alex Polinsky, who raised $242. The swimmers who completed the most laps include Andrew McKissick, who swam 175 laps, and Alisa Caulfield, who swam 122 laps!

“What makes these results particularly impressive and amazing this year is that the team choose to participate in outreach for the community even though they are still recovering from a substantial loss,” said Smith, referring to a fire which caused significant damage to the team’s clubhouse, shed and all of its contents. “Sadly, the insurance coverage was not adequate for the contents and the team was hit hard ,having to replace things like lane lines and reel, starting blocks, time clocks and other items essential for the meets. But that did not stop them from reaching out to help raise money to help fight cancer. What an inspirational group of athletes!”

Congratulations to these amazing swimmers and to everyone who participated.

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