If we were to take an informal poll among Elkridge neighbors about the comfort of their beds, we would get a variety of answers. Some would be thrilled about pillow-top mattresses or new fangled sleep number beds. On the other hand, we may get a few complaints about older, lumpy mattresses that tend to sag in the middle. However, in most cases, we all have beds to call our own.

In Pimentel, Dominian Republic, there are many families sleeping on makeshift hammocks or on the hard floor, due to devastating losses during floods.

You may remember the generosity of Dave Maier, when he organized donations a few months ago that were sent to the Dominic Republic. Well, because of Hurricane Noel, which caused the severe flooding, the people in Pimentel are in need of further contributions. They especially require bedding, and mattresses, of any size, either new or gently used.

A big hooray goes out to Elkridge Baptist Church for a donation of $600 toward another trailer headed for the Dominican Republic.

The trailer is scheduled for May 3 at the Maier home, 5809 Timberview Lane, in Elkridge. To make a contribution of time, money or items, call Maier at 443-695-0605. Let's fill up that trailer!

Kaeleigh Green was selected to be the ball girl for the first two rounds of the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, which was held at Comcast Center over Easter weekend.

The first game of the day was Nebraska against Xavier. The second game was Maryland and Coppin State. Maryland was expected to win, which they did. In fact, Maryland went on to the next round, but was ousted from the tournament in the Elite Eight by a very aggressive Stanford team.

"I'm not quite sure why they call the position 'ball girl', as she never even touched a basketball. However, she was given a very nice NCAA tournament polo shirt (standard uniform for every ball kid during both the men's and women's tournaments) and had the "pleasure" of mopping up sweat during timeouts." said her mom, Charlene Daniel-Green.

"Kaeleigh had the best seats in the house ... right on the floor of the Comcast Center, behind the basket," Daniel-Green said.

This isn't her first experience as a ball girls. Kaeleigh was chosen to be ball girl for last year's Maryland men's game against Duke, in which the Terps won in overtime.

This year, she was the ball girl for a Maryland regular season women's game, too. She particularly enjoyed that game, as she got to hear some of the Maryland team talking to each other and to the referees during the game. It was a great experience for Kaeleigh to get close to the players during the game.

"I don't know how or why she has been selected to be the ball girl for a Maryland team so many times. ... I guess having the luck of the Irish, as her birthday is March 17, has been a real blessing!," Daniel-Green said.

The Vane family would like to nomination their Harwood Park neighbor, Dottie Basham, for the position of "friendliest neighbor."

"She is always taking care of someone, whether it be her husband, Mr. Ed, Gerry Cameron, another neighbor, or my mom, who just had hip replacement surgery," Marie Vane said.

Both daughter, Marie, and mom, Marie Vane, were surprised to find Basham at their door with a complete meal lovingly prepared, not just the day after the hospital homecoming, but for two days!

"She probably would have kept cooking, if we hadn't insisted that we had plenty of leftovers,"daughter Marie said.

I'm pleased to report that Marie's hip surgery was a success, and she is resting comfortably during her recuperation.

Marie's children, Ronnie Vane, Beth Englehart and Marie Vane, all appreciate the attention and support Basham continuously gives their parents. They have been neighbors since the 1960s and value the friendship.

Thanks, Dottie, for being so thoughtful, and congratulations for being this week's friendliest neighbor of Elkridge.

Congratulations on the celebration of your 50th anniversary Polly and Joe Thornton. We hope your day is special, as you spend time with family.

Happy birthday to Jody Herman and Adrienne Grein!

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