Jeannie Kenney, one of the physical education teachers at Mt. View Middle School, would like to congratulate the winners of the school's Nov. 23 Turkey Trot.

In eighth grade, Clay Cochran, Chris Tippett, and Khalil Anderson ran fastest among the boys, while Taylor Hensh, Caroline Corbliss, and Jasmine Williams earned top honors for the girls.

In seventh grade, Nick Oates, Jon Hoskins and Sam McCoy took the top three spots for the boys, and Casey Summerson, Adrianna Mannarelli and Julia Plano were the fastest among the girls.

Finally, Nick Santangelo, Noah Wartzack, and Jonathan Giannino topped the leader board for sixth-grade boys, while Leah Zadjura, Annalise Lower and Victoria LaVeck did so for the girls.

Congratulations to these students on their high-speed performances!

Last year at this time, I wrote that Starcom Design Build, a Columbia-based remodeling company, won several awards in the annual Maryland Remodelers competition, sponsored by the Home Builders Association.

The Maryland HBA Remodelers group, which is the third largest in the nation, judges remodeling projects across the state for their quality of design, craftsmanship, value and utility.

On Nov. 19, Starcom won two additional awards, bringing their total to 17 over the past 20 years. In fact, they are the only Howard County remodeler to win this year!

Marriottsville resident Bob Weickgenannt, the president of Starcom, credits his team of project managers, designers, and craftsmen, as well as "the many wonderful homeowners we work with every year."

Congratulations to the staff of Starcom on this terrific honor!

Bon Secours Spiritual Center announces a recently-added event Dec. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Fran McKinney, author of "Been Through... Going Through... The Journey," presents "You Are Deserving," an interactive exploration of how attendees value themselves. McKinney will also sign copies of her book, which is available online at www.selfdevelopmentsuccess.net. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BSSC.

This event is free, but Bon Secours welcomes donations. To learn more, call 410-442-1320, or go to www.BonSecoursSpiritualCenter.org. The address is 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.

Our community churches welcome all to attend a Christmas Eve service this season. Friendship Baptist, at 1391 Sykesville Road, in Sykesville, holds its services at 5 and 7 p.m., and West Liberty United Methodist, at 2000 Sand Hill Road, in Marriottsville, offers a candlelight service at 6 p.m. St. James United Methodist, at 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Marriottsville, offers a family service at 6 p.m. and a candlelight service at 9:30 p.m., and Chapelgate Presbyterian, at 2600 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville, holds two candlelight services: at 6 and 8 p.m.

Are you in the mood for some light-hearted Christmas fun? Chapelgate Presbyterian presents "Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical" Dec. 18-19 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Join the five madcap nuns, Father Virgil, and the students of Mount St. Helen's School as they tape a holiday TV special featuring Sister Mary Leo in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. This take on Tchaikovsky's classic Nutcracker ballet results in the usual Nunsense high jinks.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Call 410-442-5800, Ext. 325, to check on availability, or go to www.chapelgate.org and select "Holiday Events/Calendar."

If you have heard a lot of sirens the past few nights, it may be because the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department is once again helping Santa Claus visit area children.

Barring inclement weather or emergency calls, Santa is scheduled to visit the Glenwood area (Sharp Road, Danmark Road, Tall Ships, Roscommon Drive, and Appleby Court) Thursday, Dec. 17 and the West Friendship area (Old Rover Road, Jasmin Court, Fox Stream Way) on Friday, Dec. 18. On the 19th, he will be in Sykesville (River Road, Howard Lodge Road, Indian Hill Drive), with a final visit to the Ellicott City area (Triadelphia Road, Emerald Valley Road, Evergreen Way, Benson Estates, Burgess Estates) on the 20th.

If you hear the sirens in your neighborhood, make sure to wave to Santa as he passes by on a WFVFD fire engine!

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