Jack Willets from Clarksville recently attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The weeklong-camp promoted science, technology, engineering and math with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and problem solving. Jack, who is very interested in space exploration, spent the week training with a team that simulated a space mission to Mars. The team participated in experiments and successfully completed a spacewalk before returning to Earth.
During the week, Jack slept in a habitat which resembled the International Space Station and trained in a NASA-inspired simulator. He also ate food which was grown in aeroponic gardens, just as NASA plans to grow food in space for long term missions.
Congratulations to Jack for graduating from Space Camp and becoming part of an exceptional group, which includes several current NASA and European Space Agency astronauts. It was an incredible experience for Jack.
Amy Bejm Syversen, the director of bands at Dayton Oaks Elementary and West Friendship Elementary schools, is looking for fourth and fifth graders to join the bands at both schools. Joining the band is as easy as filling out the online band form at www.amybejm.com before Sept. 15. Instruments available to play are flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion. Syversen tells her students, "I could not read music when I started playing the trumpet in sixth grade, and you do not need to know anything special about music to join our band. I will teach you everything, even how to open your case!" Learning to play an instrument can lead to wonderful times and lifelong friends through the local band programs.
Have you ever heard of pickle ball? It's a cross between badminton, tennis and ping pong and has become very popular in Howard County. There will be a Pickle Ball & Pilsner event at the Gary J. Arthur Glenwood Community Center on Friday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $20. Players of all levels and spectators must be at least 21 years old. The fee includes the chance to play pickle ball on six indoor courts, enjoy music, food, two drinks and lots of fun. Pre-registration is strongly suggested, but not required. This is a fundraiser for the Western Howard County Senior Council, a charitable organization that raises funds to help pay for speakers, trips and events at the Glenwood 50+ Center. If you need more information please call 410-313-5440.
Calvary Lutheran Church on Old Frederick Road will hold the annual Fall Fest and Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Homemade baked goods, jams, apple cider, flowers and fall decorations will be available, as well as treasures from the community-wide yard sale. For more information, or to reserve a yard sale space, contact the church at 410-489-5280 or www.calvarylutheranmd.net.
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 2 until 7:30 p.m., you can help save someone's life by donating blood to the American Red Cross at the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company community hall. This blood drive is jointly sponsored by Calvary Lutheran and the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company. If you need more information, contact the church.