Prince Frederick residents to test their SPEED

Writer'S NOTEBOOK

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jeff Reinoehl, Edward Roberts and Timmy J. Watts were among the lucky 500 racers to get into the television shoot. Contestants had to be among the first 500 to submit their application forms online. All that was required to get in was a fast Internet connection and quick fingers.

For Reinoehl, a race car mechanic who will bring his 1969 Buick Skylark to the track, it will be his second time trying out for PINKS All Out. The first time, Reinoehl and a friend spent eight and a half months putting together a truck before racing it at Palm Beach International Raceway (formerly Moroso Motorsports Park) in Jupiter, Fla. Unfortunately for Reinoehl, his truck did not advance.

"They actually showed the truck blowing up on TV," Reinoehl said. "I didn't build the engine, so I didn't have a problem with that."

Rather than televise the fastest cars, producers use computers to select the best matchups and closest finishes, which make for more exciting television, according to David Harris, project manager of "PINKS All Out." Once a field of 32 or 16 cars is selected, the drivers compete in head-to-head in rounds until a champion is crowned.

"It's a single day reality show based around that competition and we try to capture their excitement and nervousness," Harris said. "It's an opportunity for them to run in front of a national television audience like their heroes would. Now, everyone's focused on them for a change and they get a race in front of their family, friends and a national television audience."

Saturday will not be Reinoehl's first time on a racetrack, or even close to it. A decade ago, Reinoehl used to "race religiously," competing in events across the country.

"I actually used to race Friday-Saturday-Sunday down at Budds Creek," Reinoehl said. "I used to be a pretty heavy-hitter back in the day."

Reinoehl has done less racing in recent years, but is excited to get back out on the track.

"I'm getting a little bit of butterflies, which you always do before a race, but I'm pretty stoked about it," Reinoehl said. "It's a once in a lifetime chance … you gotta go for blood."

Hospice holds youth bereavement camps

Calvert Hospice will hold its annual summer bereavement camp for children on July 8, 9 and 10 at Kings Landing Park in Huntingtown and again on Aug. 5, 6 and 7 at the East John Youth Center in Lusby. Each three-day camp is designed to give children ages 7 to 15 who have endured the death of a loved one a place to both have fun and grieve alongside peers who have also suffered a loss. Campers will be able to enjoy activities such as swimming and sports while receiving counseling via group discussions and creative activities led by professional staff and volunteers, according to a press release.

In addition, hospice will hold Teen Phoenix, a new two-day event for 14- to 18-year-olds at Kings Landing Park on June 26 and 27. The overnight "retreat" aims to provide teens support in an age-appropriate manner through peer groups, art therapy, memory projects and other activities, according to a press release.

For more information, contact Stacey Newman at 410-535-0892 or 301-855-1226.