Hard work by many made ‘ANS Dances With the Stars’ a success

Monday, May 12, 2008

On behalf of the ANS community, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those individuals who made this event a success. Through their combined efforts over 400 people attended the event and ANS raised over $45,000.

The Greater Waldorf Jaycees is a special friend, partner and member of the ANS family. The Maryland Independent, with their gracious coverage of ANS’ efforts to rebuild and flourish, also has a special place in the ANS family. Words cannot express the extent of the ANS family’s appreciation and gratitude for the Jaycees and the Maryland Independent’s ongoing support.

All of our sponsors and the businesses who supported us deserve recognition and gratitude, especially our Mainstage sponsor, Chaney Enterprises; our Fred and Ginger sponsors: Nasatka Barrier and the Law Offices of William R. Greer Jr.; our Dance Floor sponsors, American Community Properties Trust; Hugh C. Gardiner Inc.; Lorenzi, Dodds & Gunnill; Maryland Bank and Trust Co.; Sacred Heart Church; Southern Maryland Oil; our Silver Shoe sponsors, Above Par Cleaning Service; American Architectural Restoration; Branch Avenue Auto Service; By the Sea Travel; Chapman, Bowling & Scott P.A.; County First Bank; County First Bank school alumni; Edward L. Sanders Insurance Agency; Facchina Construction; James B. Hooper P.A; Judy’s Dance Studio; Red Wagon Catering; Smallwood & Sons; Southern Maryland Floor Co.; Speedy Clean Car Wash; and St. Joseph’s.

Special thanks also to Tom Gordan of Southern Blue Print & Copy, Greg Cusick of JDSA, Betsy Coleman, Dave Williams of Dave’s Videography Services, Dwight Miller, the Port Tobacco Players and Judy Boyden.

I would be remiss if I did not extend a special thanks to our performers and their choreographers who gave hours of their own time practicing and preparing for the evening. Their performances were spectacular.

Thank you, Charles County Commissioner Reuben Collins and Rebecca Bridgett, Sara Gray and Ryan O’Leary, Terri Jarboe-Farri and Russ Boyce, Catherine Holson and Scott Meredith, Danni Sieger and Tyler Holson, Adriana and Craig Hennessee, Marcia Gutrick, Amy Dimisa and Anissa Hollingsworth, our Ultimate ANS Stars Chirsty Firnberg and Carl Lockamy and the ‘‘New Village People” – Dr. Barry Aron, David Cushen, Josh Joson, Dave Dixon, Shaun Donnelly and Jeff Travers.

Thank you to our choreographers Terri Domenici Kathi Donnelly, Barbara Graves, Donna Jordon, GJ Dance Studio and Doshurs.

Thanks also to our judges, Sen. ‘‘Mac” Middleton, Del. Murray Levy and Commissioner Edith Patterson. A special thanks to our masters of ceremonies Kevin Wedding and Joe Romano. If you missed the event and would like to see it, thanks to the efforts of Dave’s Videography Services, DVDs of the event are available at the school for $25.

Finally, thanks to the committee whose hard work made the event possible and to all those who attended and supported the event. Archbishop Neale is blessed to be part of such a community.

Peggy Howard, La Plata

The writer is principal of Archbishop Neale School.