10th Annual Motorcycle Ride for COPS Takes Place June 14

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 12, 2009

On Sunday, June 14 (or in case of rain, June 28), the Howard County Fairgrounds will reverberate not with bleats, grunts, and moos, but with the clamor of thousands of motorcycles. This date marks the 10th Annual Motorcycle Ride to benefit the Maryland Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), an organization dedicated to supporting the families of law enforcement officials killed in the line of duty.

(Several months ago, I wrote about the Geislers, a Marriottsville family that suffered a law enforcement death and feels grateful for the assistance COPS gave them.)

Registration for the motorcycle ride takes place at different times that morning at a dozen staging locations across the state. The riders receive an escort from their staging location to the Howard County Fairgrounds, where they will enjoy a catered lunch. To view registration information or print out a registration form, go to www.mdcops.org/docs/copsride2009.pdf.

COPS welcomes all motorcycles and riders and requests a minimum donation of $25 per person. Each entrant receives a T-shirt and becomes eligible to win one of three prizes for collecting the most donations. The event also features raffles, door prizes, vendors, and other activities. For more information, call Donnie Bell at 240-508-0497.

Expect local traffic delays during the event.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Sykesville Strawberry Festival Takes Place June 13

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 12, 2009

Looking for some delicious cultural entertainment this weekend? The Town of Sykesville presents its Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 13, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Millard Cooper Park. In addition to fresh strawberries, the event features “Art in the Park,” sponsored by the South Carroll Fine Arts League, and live music by Sloe Jim.

Millard Cooper Park lies on Springfield Avenue near Sykesville Middle School. For more information, call 410-795-8959, or go to www.sykesville.net/main.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Bon Secours Announces June Events

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 12, 2009

During the week of June 14, Bon Secours Spiritual Center offers an in-depth study of “The Spirituality of St. Paul’s Gospel,” at a cost of $575 with a $150 deposit. Guests may check-in on the 14th at 5 p.m. and then dine at 6, and they depart on the 20th at 11 a.m. Michael Fonseca, director of Spiritual Formation for the diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, facilitates the retreat.

On June 25, Sharon L. Scibek, SPHR, addresses issues such as work/life balance, an increasing workload, and recession-related fears and challenges as part of “Being the ‘Human’ in Human Resources,” a retreat day designed for Human Resource professionals.

The day runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and costs $99, including breakfast hospitality, lunch, and retreat materials.

Also beginning June 25, social psychologist Diarmuid O’Murchu leads a four-day exploration of creationism juxtaposed with modern science and cosmology in “Finding God in Creation’s Story.”

Check-in begins at 5 p.m. on June 25, with dinner at 6, and check-out takes place at 4 p.m. on June 28. The retreat costs $275, with a $50 deposit.

To register for any of these events, call 410-442-1320 or go to www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org.

Lastly, BSSC invites you to attend its monthly “Music at Marriottsville” event in the chapel June 28 at 3 p.m. Bring the family to hear intuitive pianist and composer Robert Hitz perform a fusion of classical, romantic, Latin, jazz and Middle Eastern music. Hitz improvises much of his concert for a fun and interactive experience. To learn more, go to www.roberthitz.com.

Bon Secours does not charge for “Music at Marriottsville” events but does collect a free-will offering. The address is 1525 Marriottsville Road.

Comment on this entry • No responses

Conservancy Teaches about Invasive Plants and Pests This Month

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 4, 2009

This month the Howard County Conservancy presents two special activities. On June 13, take a Wonder Walk with Christa Partain, Senior Horticulturist with the National Aquarium, as she teaches about Invasive Plants: What to Watch out for in Your Yard. The walk, which is free, begins at 10 a.m.

On June 20, the Conservancy offers a Master Gardener presentation on Integrated Pest Management. The talk begins at 10 a.m. and costs $2 at the door.

The Conservancy address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Woodstock. Call 410-465-8877 for more information, or go to www.hcconservancy.org.

Comment on this entry • No responses

WFES Simulated Congressional Hearings a Rousing Success

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 4, 2009

Every year, fifth-grade students around the county study the American constitutional government as part of their curriculum. This unit typically culminates in the Simulated Congressional Hearings, in which the students demonstrate their new-found knowledge by “testifying” before a panel of supportive “judges.” The judges are community leaders who may have experience at some level of government, and they provide valuable feedback to the students.

At West Friendship Elementary School, fifth-graders began preparing for the May 21 SCH in mid-April. Their teachers – Beth Cayer, Nathan Haskins, and Libby Swords – assigned the students to teams and coached those teams as they researched five different facets of the Constitution. Fifth-grade paraeducator and SCH Coordinator Avery Stanert, special education teacher Patricia Mack-Preston, media specialist Kathy Showman and several parent volunteers also guided the students.

For an hour each day in school, the teams researched specific questions about their topics and pinpointed relevant current events. This year, the WFES students used Wikispaces to record their work. This technology allowed them to keep in contact with their teammates outside of school, and they wholeheartedly embraced the new aid.

After weeks of research, the teams of “constitutional experts” began preparing their four-minute opening statements, which they divided into parts so that all students had an opportunity to speak. Additionally, they practiced answering a set of prepared questions with their adult facilitators so that they could respond appropriately to the judges during the six-minute question and answer period following their opening statements.

As the big day grew closer, the entire school prepared patriotic art projects to decorate the building. Kindergarteners colored American flags to line the sidewalk, 1st Graders traced their bodies to create Shadow Citizens for the cafeteria walls, and second-graders made tin tiles to adorn the judges’ luncheon tables. The Academic Life Skills class also assisted with the luncheon decorations by making placemats.

Meanwhile, third-graders developed digital drawings of U.S. Symbols and fourth-graders created abstract flags to hang in the Media Center. Finally, to decorate the hallways, the busy fifth-graders designed frakturs (Pennsylvania Dutch forms of artwork), large red and blue banners quoting famous Americans, and a patchwork Preamble to the Constitution.

Behind the scenes, Band Teacher Amy Bejm taught her students to play the “Star Spangled Banner” and music teacher Rich Umla guided the second- and  fourth-grade choruses in learning new patriotic songs. Gifted and Talented teacher Elsa Fawcett also helped a group of students choreograph a dramatic dance set to the 4th Graders’ choral selection. Dozens of other staff and parent volunteers assisted with everything from setting up tables and chairs, preparing food for the judges, and greeting the distinguished guests.

This year’s guest judges included state Del. Gail Bates, District 9A; Dario J. Broccolino, Howard County State’s Attorney; Honorable Jay Fred Cohen, Judge, Orphan’s Court for Howard County; Donna Culan, Facilitator, Professional Development Schools Program; Ann DeLacy, President, Howard County Education Association; Gina Ellrich, Ellrich Communications; Sandra H. French, Howard County Board of Education member; state Sen. Allan Kittleman, District 9; Angie Mattero, legislative aide to state Del. Warren E. Miller, District 9A; Kwame Rich, 2008 presidential delegate; Dr. Janet Siddiqui, Howard County Board of Education member; and John Sokich, Director of congressional affairs for the National Weather Service. Additionally, Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman spoke during the opening ceremony, as did social studies office liaison John Krownapple.

As a parent visitor to the SCH, I was struck by the students’ thorough preparation and poise in front of the judges. Other parents called the day “amazing” and “impressive.” Tracy Buch believes that her fifth-grade sons, Bennet and Cade, and their classmates “will want to vote when they are of age because they understand the impact it will make.” Jackie Tuma relates that because of the SCH, her son, Ryan, was able to provide her with information about the recent Supreme Court appointment. As a form of hands-on learning, the SCH certainly made a memorable impact on these students.

Congratulations to the WFES community on a successful educational event!

Comment on this entry • No responses