Outstanding kudos go out to Jeff Sweren who completed his first marathon in 5 hours, 52 minutes last week. The outstanding part comes from the fact that in the past 21 months, Sweren has lost more than 180 pounds.

In an effort to take control of his health with good nutrition and a dedicated regime of running Sweren has reduced his cholesterol, blood pressure, clothing size and is no longer considered morbidly obese.

His story is inspirational and you can read it by going to www.formerlyfatrunningguy.blogspot.com .

To make running a marathon and his training even more meaningful, he signed up to train with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program.

Sweren was recognized for being the top fundraiser at the pre-event dinner, raising more than $5,200 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Special recognition goes to Sweren's Howard County Team in Training coach, Mohan Ray, who ran with him from the hilly 16th mile to the finish.

"The amazing support he has received from so many of our friends and neighbors in our Ellicott City and Howard County community have contributed greatly to his continued success in health, wellness and weight loss," said Deby Sweren, Jeff's wife.

Deby and their sons, Zach and Matty, were on the sidelines cheering him on with "GO Jeff/Daddy! We'll meet you at the finish line." Jeff felt so good the day after this race that he signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

Volunteers from First Lutheran Church traveled to Biloxi, Miss., to help rebuild homes in East Biloxi with Habitat for Humanity. They were housed at Biloxi's Bethel Lutheran Church and inspired by the sign hanging in the narthex that reads "Katrina was an act of nature. What is happening here is an act of God."

The First Lutheran members who volunteered for the hard work and long days included Steve DeWitt, mission trip organizer, along with Alison Fiasconaro, Bryan Coster, Charlie Wehr, Greg Seen, Hank Thielemann, Lisa Gresham, John Prange, Joyce Prange and Bill Haire.

Congratulations to the Mt. Hebron High School Marching Unit who competed in the All American Music Festival at Disney World, in Orlando, Fla., and won first place with superior rating in nine categories.

Congratulations also go to the symphonic band, which won first place with excellent rating in their category. The unit was also chosen to perform in the Disney World Magic Music Day Festival and march down Main Street in the parade.

School principal David Brown and assistant superintendent Linda Wise were secretly flown down to participate in the festivities. Band director Robert Johnston had no idea of the surprise Disney officials had planned until the night before the parade.

They were waiting in the wings as it was announced that senior Tracie Ervin, French horn/mellophone player, was the two millionth performer in the Magic Music Festival.

She won a night at Cinderella's castle and VIP treatment for her and her family including sister, Julie, a freshman who is also a French horn/mellophone player and her parents, Peggy and Will who were there as trip chaperones.

Tracie also received another trip to Disney and a $500 gift certificate to Conn-Selmer, a musical instrument manufacturer, and an engraved Mickey Mouse trophy. Both Tracie and Julie are accomplished mus icians who have earned a chair in the All State Band.

The trip coordinator's youngest son, Cliff Ritch, was chosen to be the Grand Marshall in Disney's Family Fun Parade. His parents, Dave and Rhonda; sister, Becki, a senior percussionist; and grandmother Doris Godbey, also led the parade in a chauffeured car down Main Street while Cliff's brother, Jay, was marching in another parade at Disney.

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