Bond Mill ranked No. 1 in Maryland in the First in Math Online Program. This program employs a learning technique known as Deep Practice. Students in grades two through five have completed more than 1,400,000 math problems so far. Nine young scholars have already reached the pinnacle of success at the Grand Champion level earning 10,000 stickers or higher. In first place is Sabrina Pillai, followed by Joshua Smith, Zechariah Chin, Luis Bonilla, Ethan Bunkley, Bethel Olashege, Justin Mensah, Angel Norman-Williams and Evan Lofton. They are the Bond Mill math wizards!
The Woman's Club of Laurel will host its annual Breakfast with Santa this Saturday, Dec. 6. There are four seating sessions beginning at 8 a.m. This is Laurel's "original" Breakfast with Santa, which is held at 384 Main St., in the quaint clubhouse. This is a great photo op for Santa pictures. The ladies cook the breakfast of sausage, pancakes, coffee, orange juice, etc. Adults are $6 and children are only $3. There is a raffle at every seating and the prizes are great. Call Rosemary at 301-490-8053 to reserve seats. Reservations are required.
Apparently, Santa doesn't just come to visit the kiddies but the kitties as well. Lenora Dernoga invites the community to Pet Photos with Santa, which is sponsored by the Laurel Cats and Outlaw Kitties nonprofit groups. Santa will be arriving Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the lower back entrance to the Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital on Brooklyn Bridge Road. Pets of all sorts are welcome. The cost is only $10 for three photos with Santa. Pet treats and stocking stuffers will be available for sale and complimentary refreshments will be available for the accompanying people. This will be a fun event for the community. You can also get a photo of your children posing with their beloved pets with Santa. All proceeds go toward the spay and neuter of cats in Laurel. Laurel Cats is a community-based group with the goal to implement humane trap, neuter and return methods as an effective way to manage and reduce the feral cat population. For more information about the group or to volunteer, contact Laurel Cats at info@cats.org or go to laurel cats.org.
With the holidays upon us, please email to let me know where the most spectacular West Laurel light displays are. I will share locations so others might also marvel at the holiday decorations.
Forest Mill Lane's annual Holiday Boutique is this Saturday. At an Open House, our neighbors Yvonne Breedlove, Christina Knisely and friends will offer Frilly Scarves by Linda, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef and Longaberger. Stop by 6209 Forest Mill Lane from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to do some holiday shopping. There will be scrumptious treats and drinks and hourly raffles.
Justin Fayte Barcheski died on Nov. 16, 2014. Justin just celebrated his 40th birthday in September on the Chesapeake Bay with blue crabs and a smorgasbord of fish, which he caught and grilled himself. He grew up in West Laurel, where he attended Laurel High School and made lifelong friendships. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland. He was passionate about his family and cooking as well as fishing and boating. He was a full-speed-ahead kind of guy who lived life to the fullest with extra joy and fulfillment with his children, Amanda and Anthony, and wife, Michi. He cooked elaborate meals and shared them with his mom and dad, Linda and Jack Barcheski, sister Brooke and brother Brett. Justin had a reputation as the cute lifeguard at the West Laurel Swim Club and was a sports enthusiast with a special love for the Redskins and the Orioles.