Growing up, my older brother was a member of the Boy Scouts. The opportunity provided my brother with friendships -- some of which he still maintains to this day (almost 30 years later), as well as opportunities to provide community service, acquire skills and go on some adventures he may never have experienced otherwise.

In short, scouting provided my brother with some memories that will last a lifetime. He has also passed his love of scouting on to his children, as both of his sons are involved in scouting.

If you were a member of the Boy Scouts growing up, specifically Troop 882 in Poplar Springs, you may be interested to know that it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in October.

Troop leader John Komsa would like to invite former scouts, families and friends to share in the celebration of 50 years of scouting for Troop 882 Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. The celebration will take place at the Boy Scout Hall, 16718 Frederick Road, in Poplar Springs.

The event will feature a short award program as well as a display of past years. If you know the whereabouts of any present or former scouts from this troop, please pass the message along. If you plan to attend, R.S.V.P. by Oct. 10 by e-mail at ramjr1@msn.com or call 410-489-7179.

In preparation for the 50th anniversary, Troop 882 has embarked on a mission to raise funds to repair the two buildings that are home for this troop. Renovations to Scout Hall should be completed for the celebration, however funds are still needed to complete renovations to Cub Hall.

If you are interested in making a donation for these efforts, send donations to Poplar Springs Community Hall Association, c/o Jane Stull, 16944 Frederick Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771.

The kids have just about completed their second week of school. I still am hearing the grumbling at getting used to the early mornings and of course there is the disdain about homework, but all in all, everyone seems happy to be back in the old routine again.

Many of the parents I talk to are still trying to figure out where the summer went. Some are happy that the kids are back in school, while others dread the homework and wish they could have spent more family time with the kids this summer.

Wonder what your child will be learning in school this year or want the opportunity to meet their teachers? Back to School Night is a perfect time to check in with your child's school and see how the first few weeks of school are going, as well as what is planned for the rest of the year.

Schools throughout the area have announced plans for their Back to School Nights. Glenelg High School's night will take place Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.. Both of our local middle schools have new principals and Back to School Night is the perfect time to meet him, if you have not done so already.

Rick Wilson, Folly Quarter Middle School principal, invites parents to Back to School Night Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. and Dave Brown, principal at Glenwood Middle School, shares that their Back to School Night will be Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Local elementary schools have several back to school nights, to accommodate parents with children in different grades.

Bushy Park Elementary School will hold its Back to School Nights Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. for pre-K through second grade and Sept. 17 for grades 3 to 5.

Dayton Oaks Elementary School Back to School Nights will take place Sept. 15 with RECC and Kindergarten beginning at 6 p.m. and first and second grade at 7 p.m. Back to School Night for fourth and fifth grades is Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.

Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School will hold Back to School Nights Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. for grades PreK through second grade and Sept. 16 for grades 3 to 5.

Back to school time is also a great time to check out some of the programs offered at the local library. Why not get involved in a book club?

There are plenty to choose from. The contemporary fiction group will be meeting Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss "The Double Bind," by Chris Bohjalian.

A book club also meets at the Glenwood Community Center the second Wednesday of each month. On Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m., the group will be meeting to discuss "Snow Flower and Secret Fan," by Lisa See.

FootPrints/Blizzard Dance Studio, in the Ten Oaks Plaza in Glenelg, will be holding an open house and fall registration Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classes will begin on Monday, Sept. 8.

Studio founder and director Jennifer Blizzard Sisk has local roots. A Glenelg High School graduate, Jennifer began studying dance at an early age and has quite a resume of performances, including representing the United States in the Children's Banner of Peace Assembly, in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1985.

Now in it's 15th year, FootPrints/Blizzard Dance Studio will offer classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz and tap for preschoolers through adults. The studio also offers yoga/pilates classes.

For additional information on the fall class lineup call the Footprints/Blizzard Dance Studio at 410-992-8105.

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