What's it like to be a world-class competitor at the tender age of 10 or 12? Is it fun? Is it work? Clarksville's bicycle motocross rider extrordinaire, Luke Roarty, says simply, "I love it!" Luke, almost 12, is in sixth grade at Lime Kiln Middle School.

Our story began with dad Dave Roarty who enjoyed BMX riding as a child and took his very young son to see a competition in Delaware. That's all it took. Luke wanted to ride and began competing at age 5.

The entire Roarty family is quite active. Luke's sister, Danielle, plays soccer at River Hill High School and mom, Katrina, plays on an adult soccer team.

Since there are no longer BMX tracks in Howard County, Dave spent nearly three years constructing Luke's private training track. It's as large as an indoor competition track, though slightly smaller than the usual outdoor track and required around 800 tons of dirt.

It is and always will be a work-in-progress. The jumps are kept under tarp to keep the surface smooth. If Luke has a problem with one of the jumps in competition, his practice track can be re-contoured to reflect that precise jump or turn.

Luke usually practices on the track two days a week and trains in a gym three days a week. Things are slow in the BMX world from September to March when Luke switches over to ice hockey. He's on the Tri-City Eagles hockey team.

The family is rarely home for a holiday. There are races at Thanksgiving, Easter and a big Christmas Classic. They've traveled all over the country to compete. The bike can be taken apart and packed very carefully when they fly.

Is this a dangerous sport for a kid? That's a matter of opinion. Luke had a serious accident nearly two years ago when his foot slipped off the pedal. He was traveling at a rapid speed while his other foot stayed connected to the opposite pedal. BMX riders wear special shoes that lock into the pedal, that way you can pull up on one pedal while pressing down on the opposite to increase speed.

Swiftly the free pedal spun around breaking Luke's leg in four places. It didn't slow him down long and certainly has not dampened his competitive spirit.

Last year, Luke reached the semifinals in the 2007 World BMX Championships in Victoria, British Columbia. Only the top eight racers from each country are invited to race.

Right now, Luke and Dave Roarty are in China for 12 days for the 2008 World BMX Championships and they're already looking forward to next year when the BMX Championships, will be held in Australia. Maybe the whole family will make that trip.

Good luck, Luke. We'll be eager to hear about the China adventure when you return.

Looking for local music? The Clarksville Middle School Band Concert is Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. at River Hill High School. The CMS Orchestra Concert will be Wednesday, June 4 -- same time and place. All are welcome.

From time to time readers contact me with concerns about Cricket Creek and other local waterways. The Howard County Department of Public Works will hold a meeting to discuss the current conditions and future of the Upper Little Patuxent River Watershed Tuesday, June 3, 7-9 p.m. at the Ellicott City Senior Center. Register to attend by calling Mark Richmond, Bureau of Environmental Services, Storm Water Management Division at 410-313-6413 or e-mail msrichmond@howardcountymd.com.

When Mary Agnes Lewis began coordinating a monthly dinner for guests of Our Daily Bread in Baltimore she never imagined it to be a task she would still enjoy after nearly a quarter of a century.

St. Louis Church parishioners and others in the area bring baked chicken to the Lewis home once each month -- enough to feed 700 people.

Early in the morning, Fred and Mary Agnes transport the chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes to Baltimore. People need to eat 365 days a year. Our Daily Bread opened 27 years ago and expanded last year to include a comprehensive employment center.

This is the largest soup kitchen in Maryland and serves on average 240,000 meals a year. The increased services require increased funding. Charity work has become a Lewis family passion and they cooperatively came up with a plan to raise funds.

The Lewis family will present the third annual Ten Oaks Cup polo match to benefit Catholic Charities' Our Daily Bread Employment Center June 7, 2-6 p.m.

Gates open at noon. The match is held on the Lewis farm at 6005 Ten Oaks Road. It's just past the new Brighton Dam/Ten Oaks round-about. All 10 Lewis children will be there to help out. Jim Lewis (Maryland resident) and Ted Lewis (Arizona) will be playing.

Mary Agnes is quick to credit others for the success of the Match. There are so many we can't name them all and would surely miss some. Several Committee Members are from the Howard County "horse world." Bill Kidwell and Alan Whitworth come quickly to mind. Field preparation is essential. So many of us have been blessed by Whitworth's excavating skills.

After the field is prepared, Gregg Wilson does the turf work. The grass must be cut at least three times during the final countdown. We mustn't forget Rehm's Caterers. When the big day arrives, Rehm's will be there with delectable food.

The family has greatly appreciated Charlie Muldoon and Mara Hagan for sharing their expertise in the world of polo. Muldoon learned the game from his father, "Big Joe" Muldoon who lost his battle with cancer this spring. "Big Joe" will be missed, but his influence will linger.

Players, officials, volunteers and representatives from Catholic Charities have all played a part. Now it's time for your part. Come see skilled players on equally skilled gorgeous big horses.

Tickets at the gate start at $50 per car for general admission. It's $150 per person viewing from the main tent or $150 per car for tailgate parking in a premier location to view the match.

The goal is to raise $100,000 to help Our Daily Bread feed the hungry and help them find employment. Your support will be appreciated.

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