Youth day aims to bring Catholic community together

THIS ‘N' THAT

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Last year, 300 teens attended the event. And Luke Young, youth ministry program coordinator at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, is hoping to at least match that number as his church hosts the event this year on March 21. "It grows each year," he said last week.

The SOMD Youth Day, which is designed for those in eighth through 12th grade, is titled "Rockin' the Faith" this year and will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. One of the event's speakers, Todd Lemeiux, spoke at a Catholic event last year at St. Mary's College of Maryland and particularly appealed to the group of teenagers helping to organize this year's event, Young said. Mass will be celebrated during the day as well as other liturgical services that involve and affect young people. "But, I think what they really enjoy the most is being with so many other teenagers and sharing their faith and having fun together," Young wrote in an e-mail.

Those who wish to register for the SOMD Youth Day at the Web site (www.stmaryscatholicyouth.com) must do so before March 21. Online registration ends on Friday, March 20, although event organizers will still accept walk-ins the day of the event. Teenagers do not have to be Catholic to participate.

Young is encouraging area youth to consider participating. "It brings together a wonderful community … like a big family," he said.

Essay contest winners announced

The American Legion Auxiliary, Ridge Unit 255, has announced that the first-place winners of the Americanism Essay Contest titled: "Soldiers Past and Present … America Honor Your Veterans" have been forwarded to the Southern Maryland District American Legion Auxiliary for further competition.

First place in grades 3 and 4 went to Jullian Carty at Greenview Knolls Elementary; in grades 5 and 6, first place went to Emily Lavender at Town Creek Elementary; and in grades 7 and 8, first place went to Bradley Tremel at St Michael's School. Of the 15 schools contacted by the Ridge auxiliary, six chose to participate, submitting 306 essays.

Needlework, fiber arts conference set

A needlework and fiber arts conference, sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab will be held April 3 and 4 at the Paul Hall Center Hotel in Piney Point.

The overnight conference will include classes, demonstrations, speakers and an opportunity to complete charitable projects. Fees include registration, meals and overnight accommodations based upon two persons per room.

The Chesapeake Bay Field Lab is a nonprofit outdoor educational facility. See "calendar" on www.thebaylab.org for registration and more about CBFL's mission.

Registration open for NAMI class

The regional affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is taking registrations for its spring 2009 Family to Family class. The class starts March 25 and will meet on Wednesday evening for 12 consecutive weeks from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with graduation on June 10. The class will be held in the conference room for NAMI Southern Maryland's office in Lexington Park, at 46940 S. Shangri-La Drive, Suite 101.

For more information or to register, call Amy at 301-904-9926 or Joe at 301-481-5733.

The Family to Family education program is a 12-week course of instruction delivered by NAMI-trained and certified family member instructors. The program is free to participants and offers information and course materials on the range of serious mental illnesses and current treatment, strategies for emotional and practical support, tools for effective advocacy with mental health care and rehabilitative service providers and workshops on problem solving and communications skills for those working to assist a loved one.

NAMI Southern Maryland has graduated five classes throughout the region since the affiliate began offering the course in late 2006.

"Serious mental illnesses are brain disorders," said Connie Walker, president of NAMI's regional affiliate in

Southern Maryland, in a statement. "They are far more common than the general public realizes. Too often, the unwarranted stigma associated with having a mental illness keeps people from talking about the problem or seeking help. With advances in psychopharmacology, the introduction and growth of mental health evidence-based treatments and the support of educated and informed communities – brain disorders are highly treatable. In this day and age, there should be no more stigma associated with seeking treatment for a mental illness than there is for seeking treatment for heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

"The family's role in supporting a loved one who has diabetes or cancer is critically important, and those families often experience high levels of stress," Walker said. "Families who have a loved one with a mental illness are no different. They need facts, skills, and support to effectively assist an ill relative, and to help them recover and maintain a sense of balance in their own lives … This is where the Family to Family education program comes in."

Family members and others who have a loved one who is experiencing a mental illness are encouraged to call now to register for the spring 2009 session of the Family to Family education program. The class is free but seating is limited. For more information or to register, call Amy at 301-904-9926 or Joe at 301-481-5733. To contact NAMI SoMD, call 301-737-1988.

Basket bingo to help fire dept. auxiliary

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will hold a basket bingo on March 21 at the fire department social hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo starts at 6 p.m. Cost is $20, with additional packets costing $5 and specials are $1 each. Prizes are authentic Longaberger baskets and products. There will be food, door prizes and raffles available. To reserve a table for six or more, call Elaine at 301-769-2840. Children are welcome with admission ticket and accompanied by a paying adult.

Volunteers needed for Park Day

The Friends of Point Lookout State Park, Company C, will host Park Day on Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Civil War Preservation Trust and is an opportunity for Civil War enthusiasts to volunteer to do some preservation projects at Historic Fort Lincoln. Fort Lincoln is the park's last remaining historic fort of three Civil War earthen wall forts constructed at Point Lookout State Park. Volunteers must preregister with the park before March 31. Volunteers should bring gloves; wear appropriate clothing and footwear for getting dirty and possibly wet. Lunch and a living history fort and prison pen tour will also be provided for the volunteers.

Evening for Greenwell scheduled

Area residents are invited to be a part of the "Park of Possibilities" at the fifth annual Evening for Greenwell. There will be live music, dancing, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Lenny's banquet room in California.

Participants will be helping support the Greenwell Foundation's inclusive and accessible horseback riding, summer camp, kayaking, and outdoor nature programs held at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood.

Proceeds also support Vacations for Vets, a respite program for wounded servicemen and women.

The benefit will be held April 18 from 7 to 11 p.m. Dress is business casual. There will be a cash bar. Tickets purchased before the event are $50 per person or $90 per couple. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $55 per person. Tickets are available online at www.greenwellfoundation.org. Sponsorships are also available. Visit www.greenwellfoundation.org.

scraton@somdnews.com