When our worst nightmares become reality -- our life is in danger, we are robbed, fire threatens to destroy our possessions -- we know that help is on the way.
The Severna Park Elks annually honors one man or woman each from the police and fire departments for his or her dedication. In so doing, the Elks honors all the rescuers.
At the group's recent installation dinner-dance, police Officer William George was praised by the Elks, his fellow officers and the community.
A nine-year veteran with the Eastern District, George wasselected by his supervisors because of his professionalism, his military appearance and bearing, and his attention to details.
Among the 25 arrests he has made in less than a year, George pursued a dangerous and elusive felon until subduing him after a violent confrontation. This one arrest had a domino effect, police say, bringing to a close many other cases.
Lt. Richard Roth, Platoon No. 1 supervisor, said that George handles every incident as if it were of utmost importance and worthy of his best effort.
Capt. Thomas Shanahan, Eastern District commander, said, "Bill is dedicated to the law-enforcementprofession and is a credit to the Anne Arundel County Police Department."
The Elks' Firefighter of the Year was selected for his valorwhile saving the life of someone attempting suicide last year.
OnSept. 4, firefighter William Mark Wilhelm, assigned to Paramedic 17 (Arnold), responded to a call at the Severn River Bridge.
Capt. J.Gary Sheckells, adjutant to the county fire administrator, describedthe situation: A witness on the bridge called for help after he saw a man park his car and jump into the water. First on the scene, Wilhelm spotted the victim and, realizing something had to be done immediately, volunteered to be lowered more than 65 feet from the bridge into the river.
The man fought two attempts to place a life jacket onhim, but Wilhelm remained patient and was finally able to talk the man into donning a flotation device.
Shortly after, a rescue boat arrived and carried both men to safety.
In his letter of recommendation to the Commendation Review Board, Lt. Michael H. Sims said that were it not for Wilhelm's bravery, quick actions and capacity to think and react under pressure, the man would have drowned.
Also honored at the Elks' dinner were two members who performed exemplary work for the club during the past year.
For his work as chairman of theHouse Committee, George Manning was named Elk of the Year.
Manning's supervised all aspects of arranging club space: rental, cooking, serving, etc. During his year at the helm, the group received nothingbut praise.
Richard Vaden, chairman of the Elks' Social Welfare Committee, accepted the title of Charity of the Year for his group's efforts for the needy.
During Vaden's tenure, the club donated nearly 150 baskets of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas. He led monthly trips to Crownsville State Hospital for bingo, parties and picnics. And he saw to it that families in distress received quick assistance from the club.
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On Monday at 7:30 p.m., the Women's Organization of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church invites the community to meet a husband and wife who have spent most of their adult lives as missionaries in Madagascar.
For 34 years, the Rev. Leonard and Evelyn Jacobsen served as Evangelical Lutheran Church of America missionaries to the island nation, located off the southeast coast of Africa. Jacobsen was a parish pastor, and both he and his wife taught at the seminary there, she in the English department.
Since 1989, the couple has been part of the church's Missionaries-in-Residence program, a cross-country speaking program that gives Lutherans a clearer picture of howmissionaries perform the work of the church.
For more information, call 987-0943.
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If, when you hear Jiminey Cricket warble "When You Wish Upon a Star," you still believe that dreams come true, you'll certainly want to be in the audience for the latest version of Carlo Collodi's "Pinocchio."
The Anne Arundel Community College Moonlight Troopers will present the production in the Pascal Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. April 19, 20, 26 and 27 and at 2:30 p.m. April 21 and 28.
Tickets may be purchased at the box office from9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 6 to 8 p.m. Mondaythrough Thursday.
For phone reservations, call 541-2457.
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Prospective students in ninth through 12th grades are invited to visit Archbishop Spalding High School on April 24.
Visitors may visit classes in session, tour the facility and learn about the school's curriculum.
To arrange a visit, call the school at 969-9105.
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Our scholarship news continues.
The Alumni and Friends Association of Anne Arundel Community College has a scholarship for a recent AACC graduate who would like to attend the University of Baltimore.
Candidates for the Wilson Scholarship, worth an estimated $3,200, must have earned an associate in arts degree between December 1985 and May 1990.
Other requirements include a 3.25 grade point average; ability to enroll for the fall 1991 semester; no degree beyond associate of arts; and submission of a 250-word essay on "What Will the Wilson Scholarship Mean to Me."
The scholarship honors Theodore HalbertWilson, president of the University of Baltimore from 1940 to 1960.
Applications and essays must be received no later than May 3.
For details, call the association at 541-2515.
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Traditionally, on Easter Sunday, churches make a "joyful noise unto the Lord," both in words and in music.
At Severna Park United Methodist Church, the joy and the music were even more manifest. As the congregation sang, the accompaniment flowed from the newly expanded pipe organ.
Theorgan was a gift to the church in 1969 from the first minister and his wife, the Rev. Edgar and Muriel Beckett. Its keyboard and pipes have been augmented and improved to the tune of $152,000.
To help underwrite this project and give the public the opportunity to hear theorgan, the church has planned a series of special concerts:
* Thefirst will be at 7 p.m. April 14, when the Sanctuary Choir presents "Requiem" by Faure.
* At 8:15 p.m. April 20, the Arundel Vocal Arts Society, under the direction of Marge Ingalls, will present a spring concert. There will be a small admission fee.
* At 7 p.m. April 21, the American Guild of Organists, Annapolis Chapter, will present several members in concert.
* And at 4 p.m. May 5, the organ will be dedicated during a concert by Robert Leyman, assistant organist atthe Washington National Cathedral. During the afternoon, Leyman willdemonstrate many of the different kinds of organ sounds and sound combinations.
For further information, call the church at 987-4700.
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Are you a fan of Katherine Anne Porter, author of the best-selling novel "Ship of Fools"? If so, you'll want to drop by the Severna Park branch library by April 20.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of her birth, materials and memorabilia of the author, one of the most significant American authors of the 20th century, will be on display.
A resident of College Park from 1969 until she died in 1980,she left a collection of books and manuscripts to the University of Maryland libraries.