The kids may be enjoying their first week of summer vacation, but the past school year will be a memory to be treasured by the Geist family of Dayton.

Many parents share tales of having their children spread between elementary, middle and high school or of having two in the same school, but few can boast to having kids in all three grades (sixth, seventh and eighth grades) at Folly Quarter Middle School.

Parents Russell and Marsha Geist have had a busy year. Their youngest child, Russell Jr., just completed kindergarten at Dayton Oaks Elementary School. Then there are the three Geist girls -- it is tough to keep up with the schedules of three busy middle school students.

Kelly, the oldest sister, just completed eighth grade. She is involved in her family's church, Grace Community Church, and enjoys playing soccer and ice skating. She is looking forward to starting high school this fall.

Leslie, the middle daughter, just completed seventh grade. She, too, is involved with church and also enjoys playing field hockey and lacrosse.

The youngest sister, Olivia, was happy to be in sixth grade this year, joining her older sisters in middle school. Along with church activities, Olivia plays field hockey and enjoys gymnastics.

The girls have enjoyed being together at the same school this year, and the Folly Quarter Middle School administration shares that the Geist family is the first to have siblings in each grade during the same school year. Kelly, Leslie and Olivia are all looking forward to the 2011-2012 school year, when they will again be attending school together at Glenelg High School.

On June 6, the Howard County 4-H Fashion Revue was held at the Glenwood Community Center. The theme for this year's show was "Fashions in Bloom."

Each year, 4-Hers who participate in the sewing project, prepare a garment to model, and are judged on their sewing projects. Many members of the Dayton 4-H Club participated in the event.

Senior Stephanie Clark won Best Sports Wear. Her sister, Megan Clark, won Best Formal Wear in the Senior Division. In the Intermediate Division, another Clark sister, Kristen, placed fifth. Kristen will be a guest at the State Fashion Revue.

Rebecca Herriotts won third place in the Junior Division. Rachel King won Best Accessorized Junior. Brianna Heidenreich, 8, a first-year member of the Dayton 4-H Club, did a great job reading the narrations while the 4-H'ers modeled their garments. Other Dayton 4-H members that participated in the Fashion Revue included Grace Meyer, Grace Perry and Nicole King.

Don't forget to stop by the Clarksville Picnic Saturday, June 27. The picnic will run from noon to 9 p.m. on the grounds of St. Louis Church. It will feature live music, crafts, a silent auction, bingo, a plant sale, a dunking booth, hay rides, a massive white elephant and used book sale, a bake sale, pony rides, face painting, kids games, plus the usual offerings of cotton candy, snow cones, ice cream, funnel cakes, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza.

Rides, games and refreshments can all be purchased with a specified number of tickets that sell for 50 cents each.

Make sure you pick up dinner while you are there, a family style chicken and ham dinner will be served from noon to 6:30 p.m. All-you-can-eat chicken and ham dinners are $12 for ages 11 and older and $6 for children 5 - 10. Children younger than 5 eat free.

As you drive around Howard County, I am sure you have seen the bumper stickers that say "Choose Civility," as well as heard or read about the campaign at local libraries. Maybe you weren't aware that there are even Choose Civility Awards.

The purpose of the Choose Civility Awards is to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals that model civility in their daily lives, and whose actions and behavior set an example, raise the standards of civility, and make a sustainable impact in the Howard County community.

Anyone in the community can nominate a business, organization or individual that they feel deserves special recognition for modeling the principles of civility.

If you know someone who deserves recognition, visit the Choose Civility website, www.ChooseCivility.org (click on What's New), to find the guidelines, criteria, and a nomination form.

Nominations will be accepted through July 15. The awards will be presented at the Choose Civility Symposium Oct. 8. The Symposium, held at the JHU APL Kossiakoff Center, in North Laurel, is the culminating event of the 2009 Choose Civility Week in Howard County and is open to the public. The Choose Civility Awards are sponsored by Ascend One.

user comments (0)