WFES Students Experience Life in Colonial America

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 30, 2008

Will Barker, left, and Kyle Ogden, both fifth-graders at West Friendship Elementary School, are dressed up in period costumes as the school’s recent Colonial Day celebration.

People of all ages typically find interactive learning more enjoyable and effective than a lecture. During the recent Colonial Day celebration at West Friendship Elementary School, teachers Nathan Haskins, Beth Cayer, Libby Swords, Patricia Mack-Preston and Kathy Showman put this theory into action by guiding the fifth-grade class through a routine day in Colonial Williamsburg.

The students – many of whom dressed in period clothing – experienced life from the perspective of the governor, a church parishioner, and a slave. They also participated in colonial activities like sewing and shoemaking. Although the children really enjoyed the experience (especially the cider and gingerbread at the town tavern), they ultimately decided that life has improved greatly over the past 300 years. The children look forward to continuing their study of American history, which will culminate in the simulated Congressional hearings in the spring.

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Senior Volunteer Fund Helps Mobilize Untapped Resources

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 29, 2008

Colleen Konstanzer, Community Outreach Coordinator for Neighbor Ride, Inc., would like to announce a new Howard County initiative called the Senior Volunteer Fund. In partnership with the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County and as a result of a contribution from the Ascend One EDGE Fund, Neighbor Ride now offers half-price trips to adults 60 and older who require transportation for volunteer activities.

Often seniors provide the perfect blend of talent, experience and availability required to fill the ever-growing volunteer needs of our area, yet they lack transportation. The Senior Volunteer Fund aims to eliminate this hurdle. The program will extend through the end of the year, with hopes of attaining enough community support to continue indefinitely.

For the last four years, Neighbor Ride has provided low-cost transportation to seniors by using dedicated volunteers who drive their personal vehicles. The program needs drivers, especially in western Howard County.

If you can help, call volunteer coordinator Rosemary Noble at volunteer@neighborride.org or 410-884-3616. To register as a passenger, call 410-884-RIDE (7433). For more information on the Senior Volunteer Fund, e-mail Konstanzer at community@neighborride.org or call 410-884-3616 or Mickey Gomez, executive director of the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, at info@volunteerhoward.org or call 410-715-3172.

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Free Training For Farmers From Co-op Extension

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 25, 2008

Have you ever dreamed of establishing a small farm? The Maryland Cooperative Extension can help you realize your goal through its two-part short course series,
“Beginning a Successful Small Farm Operation. ” The program has earned national recognition for its innovation and effectiveness and now appears for the first time in Howard County.

Part I of the series, a six-week, 12-hour course, begins this fall. (Part II takes place in the spring.) Topics include Finding the Perfect Farm Enterprise/Marketing What You Produce, Basics of Soil and Plant Fertility, Review of Pasture Weeds, Cover Crops/Field and Forage Crops on Small Farms, Developing a Pasture System, and Pasture System Management/Hay Evaluation. The program not only teaches the basics of farming, it also provides a means of networking with others who share similar interests.

Instructor Terry Poole will teach the course from Nov. 6, 19 and 25 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. All sessions will take place at the Howard County Extension Office, located at 3525-L Ellicott Mills Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Registration is free, and space is limited. For more information, call either the Howard County Extension Office at 410-313-2707 or Poole at 301-600-3577.

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Charity Golf Tournament for Infant And Child Loss Oct. 6

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 25, 2008

University of Maryland women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese is the honorary chairwoman of the 18th annual Verizon Wireless SIDS Golf Invitational Oct. 6 at Turf Valley Country Club, in Ellicott City.

On Monday, Oct. 6, you can enjoy a day of golf while supporting a terrific cause at the 18th annual Verizon Wireless SIDS Golf Invitational. This year’s event begins with an 11 a.m. shotgun start at Turf Valley Country Club and concludes with a 4:30 p.m. reception and program presented by emcee Alex Cortright of WRNR-FM 103.1, in Annapolis. The evening includes live and silent auctions, music and golfing awards. All proceeds help fund the Center for Infant & Child Loss in Baltimore.

Honorary tournament chairwoman, Brenda Frese, the head coach of the University of Maryland women’s basketball team, hopes to raise awareness of and support for the Center for Infant & Child Loss.

As a new mother herself, Brenda understands the anxiety parents feel about the health and safety of their children. Every year, hundreds of Maryland families experience the abrupt, tragic loss of a child through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or an accident. The Center for Infant & Child Loss provides these bereaved families with counseling and support, facilitates research into SIDS, offers risk reduction training, and educates the community about infant and child loss.

To register for the golf tournament or donate money to this worthy cause, call the Center at 410-706-3091 or 800-808-7437, or go to www.infantandchildloss.org.

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WFES Students Recognized as Musicians of the Month

By Cassie Felch
Posted: September 22, 2008

Amy Bejm, band director of West Friendship Elementary School, would like to congratulate her WFES Band Musicians of the Month. Students earn recognition by demonstrating superior musicianship and outstanding attitudes.

Bejm’s October Musicians of the Month include Hunter Cestone, Megan Plummer, Brent Wade, Alexandra Pickett, Jake Polinsky, Cade Buch, Niklas Schnake and Samie Costa.

Kudos to these kids for setting a great example!

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