Art association launches contest for youngest artists

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

The St. Mary’s County Art Association at Cecil’s Old Mill is sponsoring for the first time this year a coloring contest. Participants ages 3 to 10 are invited to stop by Cecil’s Old Mill and pick up a free pre-stamped flat wooden ornament. They can then take the ornaments home and, using crayons, colored pencils, magic makers glue and glitter, turn the ornament into a Christmas decoration.

‘‘We want to see what they can really do as art,” said Monie Harper, head manager of Cecil’s Old Mill, on Monday morning.

The association is sponsoring the contest to provide a creative outlet for the area’s younger children, particularly since art instruction has been scaled back over the years at the elementary level, Harper said. ‘‘There are so few organizations that offer activities for small children ... and the children don’t get enough art, music and physical education at schools anymore.”

A free Kids Fall Craft Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cecil’s Old Mill. Children who would like to participate in the coloring contest can pick up their ornament at that event or at the mill during regular hours until Sunday, Oct. 11. Completed ornaments should be turned back in for judging by managers and members of the art association by Saturday, Oct. 25.

‘‘Prizes will be awarded Nov. 1,” Harper said.

Art kits of different sizes will be awarded to first, second and third-place winners and ‘‘all participants will receive something, whether it’s a ribbon or a certificate ... something,” Harper said.

For more information on the coloring contest or Saturday’s Kids Fall Craft Day, call 301-994-1510.

Auction items needed

Quality auction items are needed for Coucher de Soleil Wine and Cheese Auction, Long and Foster Real Estate’s second hospice event. Proceeds will benefit St. Mary’s Hospice House. Items will be received through Oct. 15. For more information call Alexia Hernandez at 301-862-3000.

Spalding selectedfor ABT scholarship

Kendra Spalding, an eighth-grader at Esperanza Middle School, was recently chosen to participate in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Program for the 2008-2009 school year.

As a part of the program, she will receive a full-tuition scholarship to the 2009 ABT Summer Intensive in New York City and will receive a training stipend to help cover training expenses during this school year.Ê

This past summer, Spalding attended ABT’s summer intensive in Detroit. She is one of about 30 students chosen from ABT’s five summer programs across the country to be in the national training program.Ê

Information neededfor destination guide

The St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism is seeking information on new hospitality and tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants and specialty shops for inclusion in the St. Mary’s County Destination Guide and on the St. Mary’s County tourism Web site.

New businesses are encouraged to provide a business name, street and mailing address, phone and fax number, e-mail address and Web site information, plus a 35-word maximum description of the business. Listings are free. S and sample listings can be viewed at www.stmarysmd.com⁄tourism. Listings can be mailed to St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650; e-mail to visitus@stmarysmd.com;or fax to 301-475-4414. For more information call 301-475-4200, ext.1404.

Wood to speakat auction event

The St. Mary’s County Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Board invites the public to a silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 at the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point. Del. John F. Wood Jr. (D-St. Mary’s, Charles) will be the guest speaker. Cost is $35 per person. Social hour will begin at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., silent auction at 8 p.m. and dancing will start at 9 p.m.

The juvenile drug court offers substance abuse treatment, family counseling, support and educational assistance for the youth to be accountable with the hopes of making changes in the at-risk behaviors. Area residents and businesses are asked to consider donating an item for the silent auction. Contact Kathy Steel at 301-373-2287 or Kathy.steele@navy.mil. For tickets contact Pete Cucinotta at 301-475-7844, ext. 4162, or call Howard Thompson at 301-994-0010.

Yard sale to benefit senior center

The Northern Senior Activity Center Council will hold a yard sale Oct. 18, rain or shine, beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. There will also be some crafters and vendors. Proceeds will benefit the Northern Senior Activity Center. Those with donations (no clothes, please) can drop them off Friday, Oct. 17, at the center.

For further information call Pat Myers 301-884-8714.

Organizers prepare for 11th farm life festival

The 11th Annual Southern Maryland Farm-Life Festival, sponsored by the John K. Parlett Farm Life Museum on New Market-Turner Road in Charlotte Hall, will be held Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This family event features more than 60,000 square feet of indoor historical exhibits and demonstrations. There will be a power tractor parade, children’s events, petting zoo and mini tractor pull. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for students and free for children 5 and younger.

Antique and crafters spaces are available for $25 one day and $40 for both days. For information on a space, contact Julia Bohle at 301-884-5678 or e-mail jbohle@md.metrocast.net. Southern Maryland food will be available at extra cost. Proceeds will benefit Christmas in April-St. Mary’s County. For more information contact Darene Kleinsorgen at 301-290-1621.

MIR to host Oct. 12March for Babies

In Southern Maryland, March for Babies, a benefit for March of Dimes, will take place at Maryland International Raceway on Oct. 12, with registration starting at 9 a.m. and the ride starting at 2 p.m.

Individual riders as well as members of clubs can join. Participants will ride the open road, covering 45 miles starting at Maryland International Raceway and ending at Apehangers Bar and Grill for an after-ride party. The party will include a free bull roast and music by 4Cire and The Craze.

Those interested in participating who can’t ride may meet the riders at Apehangers to attend the party (a $20 donation to the March of Dimes will be taken at the door) or contact the local March of Dimes about volunteer opportunities.

To register, visit www.bikersforbabies.org, stop by Apehangers for a sponsor envelope or contact Jennifer Abell at the local March of Dimes office at 301-934-2235.

Lions yard sale to aidscholarship program

The Lexington Park Lions Club will hold its annual yard sale for the group’s scholarship program on Oct. 11 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of McKay’s Food and Drug on Great Mills Road. All proceeds will go to the scholarship and community activities. Cash donations can also be made at the yard sale.

Hospital introduces new medication form

St. Mary’s Hospital has announced an initiative for patients to use one form for medications. This free universal medication form can be folded and stored in a wallet for easy access. Patients can fill out their immunization records and list all medications, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbals.

The form is designed to help in time of emergencies and for any time patients need to quickly recall immunizations and prescriptions.

The form is available through Health Connections and for download online on the hospital’s Web site. Visit www.smhwecare.com, click on the ‘‘Patients” tab at the top of the screen, then click on the ‘‘Universal Medication Form” on the left-hand side. Or, download the form directly at www.smhwecare.com⁄Documents⁄universalMedicationForm.pdf.

Organizers seek help with Day of Caring

Representatives from the United Way of asking leaders in the community and area residents to take part in the United Way of St. Mary’s County’s 11th Annual Day of Caring on Oct. 10.

There are several ways to support this annual event. Businesses can allow some employees to leave the work site on Oct. 10 and be a volunteer working for a local United Way agency for the day. This year there are more than 30 projects from which to select. The agencies will provide lunch for the volunteers. More than 200 volunteers are needed. Individuals can also call and volunteer on their own.

There are two projects supporting United Way agencies on the weekend — the Farm-Life Festival on behalf of Christmas in April-St. Mary’s during the weekend of Oct. 11 and 12 and Special Olympics soccer tournament on Oct. 19.

Another way to assist is through financial sponsorship. Project materials are purchased with the money donated by sponsors.

For more information about Day of Caring and how to get involved, call the United Way office at 301-862-5577 or e-mail uwsmc.admin@gmail.com.