When I first came to Columbia in 1969, a hall of fame was something rare. Now I know of two or three dozen organizations that have annual hall of fame inductions. In fact, some of the people being inducted now are multi-hall of famers, and all deserve their recognition.

However, the announcement that I received this week that Ed Hamel is being inducted into a hall of fame really brought a smile to my face.

Ed is going into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame as a player and a sponsor. And frankly, I can't think of too many other people who deserve it more than this 74-year-old.

Ed continues to sponsor several teams, including a traveling senior softball team. He is still playing softball as far as I can tell.

An original Longellow resident, Ed has been involved in sponsoring so many youth sports teams that I can't even begin to count them all. He has never said "No" to anyone who came to him for advice or help of any kind.

For 30 years, he has been the voice of the Wilde Lake High School football team. Along with Doug Duvall, his close friend and Wilde Lake head football coach, Ed built the original Wilde Lake concession stand.

Ed has done so much for so many people for years and is truly considered by many to be the original good guy in our community. The time has finally come for him to receive the accolades that he so richly deserves.

Longtime Rec and Parks commissioner retires

The Howard County Recreation and Parks department will not be the same now that Monica Mintz has decided to retire after 26 years. She started at Recreation and Parks in 1981 as a sports assistant assigned to a number of adult sports programs. Monica held that role with various position changes through the 1990s when she became the adult sports supervisor. She has been the commissioner of many adult sports programs, establishing an excellent relationship with players, team captains and game officials. Through the 1980s and 1990s, she also officiated at numerous softball tournaments.

Since 2002, Monica has supervised the rec department's nature and outdoor recreation programs.

I knew Monica for the better part of her years here. She was extremely competent and easy to work with. She made life easier for me because she always told things the way they were.

Monica cared deeply for the programs she ran and the people who played and officiated in those programs, and that showed.

I wish her well in retirement.

Freestate Phoenix fare well in regional tournament

The U-16 Freestate Phoenix, which includes Howard Countians Nicole Clark, Alyssa Kozlowski, Rachel McKee and Shelby Schoen, represented Maryland well at the USYSA Region 1 Soccer tournament in Brunswick, Maine last weekend. The Phoenix had 2-0-1 record in round robin play.

In the semifinals, the Phoenix lost a 1-0 heartbreaker in double overtime to the Seacoast United from New Hampshire.

For the U-17 season, Freestate has been accepted into the Red Bull National League, which includes the top 32 teams from around the country.

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