Happy New Year! My wish is that everyone a very happy and healthy 2010. I love making New Year's resolutions and I would love to hear what resolutions you have made. I hope everyone has made a resolution to send me more information this year. I love to brag about the great things happening in North Laurel.

Here's a Girl Scout troop that is easy to brag about. Troop 1208 leader Emma Travis-Howard announced that eight girls have earned their Silver Award. This is one of the top awards in Girl Scouting and is a very big honor.

Alexis Gallagher, Yasmin Harold, Hannah Howard, Rosemary Rekus, Sydney Pavelik and Kayla Gill earned their Silver Award by hosting a workshop for Brownie Girl Scouts to earn an art wear try it badge.

Tina Howard and Katie Walker earned their Silver Award by running a Catholic Girl Scout religious emblem "Family of God" for Brownie Girl Scouts. Both of the workshops were held at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church.

Yasmin, Hannah, Rosemary, Sydney, Katie and Tina have decided to go for the highest award in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award. Way to go, girls.

North Laurel resident Linda Holt sent a note about the Relay for Life of Laurel. Relay for Life raises money to help support the American Cancer Society. They will be having their 2010 kick off and registration party Jan. 19, 5-8 p.m., at the Laurel Lakes Greene Turtle restaurant. Anyone interested can attend. Also that day, Greene Turtle is hosting Relay's Funds for Friends fundraiser at the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call Linda for more information at 301-317-1220, or go to www.relayforlifelaurel.org.

I am very excited to brag about another North Laurel resident. Ellen Flynn Giles was elected Dec. 10 to be chairwoman of the Howard County Board of Education. Ellen's term as chairman will be for one year and she has been a member of the board since 2006.

Ellen, her husband, Ron, and their four children have been North Laurel residents for more than 25 years. Ellen has dedicated her life to the education system in this county. She has served on more than 200 committees and volunteered for more than 25 years in the school system.

Most likely if you have been active in a local school, you have met Ellen. She attends as many functions in the county schools as she can.

This is not her only job, though. Ellen is an editor with McGraw-Hill in its energy division and yet she has always found time to be involved in our schools. Two of Ellen's children have dedicated themselves to education, like Mom, and have become teachers. Ellen will make an excellent chairwoman and we should all be proud to have Ellen as a neighbor.

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