Congratulations to Colleen Simmerley, of North Laurel, who was the third-place winner in the Kindergarten division of the "Try Prayer! It Works" contest, a national competition by Family Rosary of Holy Cross Family Ministries. Colleen was selected from more than 3,000 entries and more than 50,000 participants in the 13th annual contest. For her award-winning entry, Colleen submitted artwork depicting St. Francis of Assisi, who loves animals.

Colleen, the daughter of Robert and Denise Simmerley, is a student at Hammond Elementary. She is active in soccer and karate. Her ambition is to combine her talents as an artist with her love of baking to become an outstanding chef.

A blood drive at Lime Kiln Middle School April 12 reflected the fighting spirit of 13-year-old Anna Tomalis and her desire to help others. Anna is on chemotherapy and the recipient of many blood transfusions. During a recent two-week hospitalization, Anna and her parents, Ron and Liz Tomalis, were discussing how Anna had benefitted from the generosity of relatives, friends and strangers in her battle against cancer.

Anna wanted a way to help out "other kids that were in the same boat" as her. With the help of the Red Cross and the Lime Kiln Middle School, Anna and her parents put the blood drive together. There were 59 donors at Lime Kiln, 23 of whom were first-time donors. Anna is proud that about 180 people will benefit from her drive.

Thanks, Anna, for helping others. Keep fighting.

The Reservoir High School Touchdown Club is sponsoring a yard sale at Reservoir High School, 1550 Scaggsville Road, in Fulton, June 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Three school parking lots will be filled with yard sale bargains. One space can be reserved for $15. Each additional space is $5. Reserve your space by e-mailing RHSyardsale@comcast.net.

Blood pressure screening is available at the Savage Senior Center, 9525 Durness Lane, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. Nutritional counseling with Rona Martiyan, a registered dietician, is available May 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. A reservation is required. Call 410-880-5915.

On May 13 from 9-10 a.m. at the Savage Branch Library, 9525 Durness Lane, Howard County Library Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Valerie Gross wants to hear your ideas for the Library. Meet Sneaks the Cat and have your picture taken with the library reading mascot. Ages 2-6.

A children's program with stories and songs will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on May 13 at the Savage Branch Library.

A writer's critique group led by North Laurel resident Claire Ferguson will meet May 12 at the Savage Branch Library at 7 p.m. Bring six copies of your work and have your writing critiqued.

The department of computer science at the University of Maryland is offering a program for North Laurel and other middle and high school students interested in computer science this summer. The program is offered at no cost to the student. Application deadline is May 30.

Information about the program can be found at the program's Web site at www.cs.umd.edu/Passport.

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