"Incredible," was the word North Laurel resident DeAnna Parnell used to describe her four day-three night experience. Parnell was chosen at random from 17,000 entrants of the AFLAC Racing "Be an All-Star with Carl Edwards" promotion. She and her husband, Phillip, received VIP treatment at the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge in Charlotte, N.C. on May 15-18. The prize included round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, a meet-and-greet with Carl Edwards, $500 spending cash and a VIP tour of the NASCAR Research and Development Center.

She described Edward's days as hectic. On the day she met him, Edwards greeted other persons presented by his many sponsors, broadcast a race and drove in another race. The Parnells had previously met Edwards three years ago at Daytona.

They also visited the garage area, watched tryouts and saw trucks practice. They watched the all-star race from the VIP suite where "they were waited on hand and foot."

"I may be spoiled for watching from the stands again," said DeAnna, who said she received many "wife points" for her contest win. Her active interest in NASCAR began five years ago when she married Philip.

"Philip's interest began when he was a boy," she added.

A free, walk-in blood pressure screening and monitoring will be offered by Howard County General Hospital staff at the Savage Branch Library, 9525 Durness Lane, Monday, June 9, noon-3 p.m.

Catch the Reading Bug at the Savage Branch Library. Volunteers, ages 13 and older, are needed to help library staff with a summer reading program. Student volunteers will earn service credits for graduation and help kids have reading fun.

Interested students must attend a training session Thursday, June 5, 4-5 p.m., at the Savage Branch Library, 9525 Durness Lane. Complete a volunteer application before the session available online at www.hclibrary.org

If you have an interest in writing fiction or poetry and want your work critiqued bring five copies to the writing workshop at Savage Branch Library, led by North Laurel writer Claire Ferguson, June 12 at 7 p.m.

A big thanks goes to Amanda Petersen, Robyn Pidliskey, Carlene Breck, Monica Lamm, Teresa DePinto, Emma Heaps and Lisa Rittenhouse of Junior Girl Scout Troop 4508 of Laurel.

The Hammond Elementary School students removed grass, dug holes, planted trees, mulched and watered seven new holly bushes at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, in Fulton.

For their environmentally friendly efforts the scouts earned the Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scott can earn. Brian Fehr, of Fehr's Nursery, in Burtonsville, donated the holly bushes and provided guidance to the scout's work. Go to www.clscweb.org/.

STARTALK Summer Language Program Camp, a program to jump-start Chinese language skills for non-Chinese speaking students entering grades 6-9, will take place June 30-July 25, 8:15-11:45 a.m. The campsite will be at Burleigh Manor Middle School, 4200 Centennial Lane, in Ellicott City. Program cost is $200 per student. For more information, go to www.clscweb.org

Kathy Garnes, who shares a birthday with her sister, Karen Smith, wishes her a happy birthday.

Sunday as I drove to a Grandmother's For Peace event, a visual obstruction at the intersection of Leishear and Gorman roads hampered my view of Gorman road traffic. I hope the county fixes the problem soon.

user comments (0)