Julia Andrews knows geography -- her medal proves it [West Friendship]

The Chesapeake Bay. That was the winning answer for Mount View Middle School sixth grader Julia Andrews, who took first place during a Geography Bee on Dec. 4.

Julia's winning response included specifics about the Chesapeake Bay. Julia now qualifies to compete for inclusion in the state competition, which will be held in 2014.

Second runner up during the Geography Bee, which was sponsored by the National Geographic and Google, was fellow sixth grade student Evan Cone.

Julia, a sharp minded middle school student, lists the Canyons of Utah as some of the most exotic places she has visited. Her geographic wish list includes Australia, the Amazon region and Japan. Mount View Middle School teacher Eric Grabau is proud of the good showing of students Julia and Evan.

Heading up Julia's cheering squad are brothers Iain, a fourth grade student at Manor Woods Elementary, and Eric, a kindergarten student at Manor Woods. Julia's parents Elke and Bruce Andrews are delighted with Julia's award.

St. James United Methodist Church in West Friendship invites the community to join in the annual Christmas Eve service. The service begins at 9 p.m. on Dec. 24 with a culminating candle light display and rendering of Silent Night.

Just a reminder — over at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Brother Gerry Seipp is welcoming the public to enjoy his outstanding and huge holiday train garden. The train garden will be open for viewing from 3 to 5 p.m. each Sunday in December and January. Next up is Dec. 22. The Shrine of St. Anthony is at 12290 Folly Quarter Road.

If you hear the sound of sirens this week, it is probably Santa and his helpers from West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 making the final rounds through the neighborhoods. This week stops include River Road, Howard Lodge Road, Indian Hill Drive, Windriver Drive, Coventry Court and Amberwoods Way on Dec. 19, with a finale on Dec. 20 along Sharp Road, Old Rover Road, Danmark Drive ,Tall Ships Drive, Roscommon Drive and Appleby Court.

Station 3 is also the spot to go for a Holiday Train Show that runs until Jan. 5 at the corner of Route 32 and Route 99 and is open Monday through Friday, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Christmas spirit shines with vocalist Rebecca Gold performing traditional carols and holiday harmonies from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Greenbridge Pottery in Dayton. Kelly and Annie Maloney perform acoustic harmonies on Dec. 22, 2-3 p.m. The store will be open during the season Wednesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Greenbridge Pottery is at 5159 Greenbridge Road in Dayton.

West Friendship's Dave Kroop and fellow members of the Retro Rockets band will perform during the Glenwood Senior Center Holiday Party on Dec. 20. Dave is the keyboard player for the oldies band. .