Melvin Long and Andy Densmore, two June graduates of Chesapeake High School, faced a difficult decision after being selected to the Maryland State Gymnastics Team recently. Do they attend the high school nationals in Colorado Springs, Colo., or graduate with their class here at home?
The nationals are scheduled June 6-9, and the graduation is June 8. The guys and their parents had to make a choice.
Colorado Springs won out.
"We checked every airline around to see if we could work out something so that they would not have to miss their graduation, but it just didn't work out," gymnastics coach Kerry Bruce said.
The meet will take place at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Bruce will be joining the two boys, since he has been selected to coach the state team.
Only one obstacle stands between the team and Colorado: money.
"We are looking for support from the community to help all of the athletes compete," Bruce said. Donations forthe team may be sent to Chesapeake High School, 4798 Mountain Road, Pasadena 21122, Attention: Pat Frye.
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The Lake Shore Parent-Teacher Organization is gearing up for its annual May Day event, set for 3 to 5 p.m. May 16 on the school grounds, 4531 Mountain Road. The rain date is May 23.
The afternoon will be loaded with fun, food and entertainment. Games to challenge and delight youngsters of all ages will be featured, along with face painting, balloons, button makingand a plant table.
Munch and crunch on pizza, hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn and soda. DJ Ed Cashen will be providing music, and Shoepy the Clown will perform.
Students can purchase game tickets, at a discount of 5 for $1, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. today, Mondayand Tuesday.
On May Day, game tickets will cost 25 cents each, food tickets 50 cents.
More parent volunteers are needed. If you can help, call Vickie Pettie at 360-8475.
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The dedication of a new pier at Gibson Island Country School will culminate a day of activities at the school, located at the end of Mountain Road.
The day will begin with students boarding the M. V.Mildred Belle, a 56-foot buy boat now used as an educational vessel from The Lady Maryland Foundation. Buy boats were used to purchase oysters directly from sailing workboats and carry the oysters to marketfor sale. The ship, built in 1948, carried freight and people on thebay, dredged for crabs and was used for trawl- and sports-fishing during its long career.
The four-hour trip will take students and parents to the north branch of the Magothy River and the Chesapeake Bay. Groups will rotate through different stations around the ship, learning about its operation and more about the history, economics and ecology of the Chesapeake.
At 1:30 p.m., the GICS Board of Trustees,parents and friends of the school will gather to dedicate the new pier and floating platform. A reception will follow.
"The pier will add to our strong science program," said headmaster John Hewitt. "We have a unique setting, and our students will be able to fully use thewaterfront resource thanks to the floating platform donated by the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron."
As a special treat, the squadron will be participating in the Commodore's Review tomorrow that will pass the school campus at approximately 3 p.m.
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The Ladies Guild ofMagothy-Chelsea Community Lutheran Church will sponsor its first Strawberry Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at the church, located at Third and Beach streets.
Guild spokesman Grace Sutherland reports that fresh strawberries and desserts featuring strawberries will be sold. A cake table, crafts, freshly made strawberry preserves, chocolate-covered berries and strawberry topping at the make-your-own-sundaebar will be featured.
The Ladies Guild will also be serving barbecued chicken with cole slaw and rolls. The cost is $3.75 for adults and $2.50 for children, ages 5 to 12.
Proceeds will benefit the church's refurbishing efforts.
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The first sign-up for the Mountain Road Optimists' Youth Soccer Program will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at Lake Shore School, 4531 Mountain Road.
Other MRO registration dates at Lake Shore are Wednesdays, May 15 and 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Teams will be organized for boys and girls born in the years 1976 through 1986. Older players, born from 1976 to 1982, will compete in countywide play; younger players will participate in MRO's intramural program. Registration fee is $30 per person.
Tryouts for the MRO Division I select team are set for June 1-2. Placement selection for Division II and III will take place June 8. Only players wishing to play on a select team should attend these sessions.
For more details, call Greg Mucci at 544-2271 or Jerry McBee at 437-5244.
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Flea-market shoppers take note. Two notable Pasadena markets are set for tomorrow.
The Stoney Creek Democratic Club will sponsor an indoor andoutdoor Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the clubhouse on Ft. Smallwood Road. Sellers can rent tables for $8 each; call 437-9388.
And the Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 2462 and the East Anne Arundel Lioness Club are co-sponsoring a Flea Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. atthe post home, 1720 Bayside Beach Road.
Treasures, bake sale and food will be featured.
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Downs Park will play host to a 5K Rotary Fun Run and 1-Mile Walk at 8 a.m. tomorrow. The annual event is sponsored by Lake Shore Rotary and the county Commission on Physical Fitness.
The gates will open at 7 a.m. for registration.
The entry fee is $7, and the park's parking fee will be waived for registrants.
Need more information? Call John Creamer at 255-4552.
* An introductory 3.6-mile walk along the Downs Park perimeter trail is planned for 10 a.m. tomorrow for anyone interested in joining the Walking Club.
Application forms for the club are available at the information center. There is a $2 fee to join. After the initial walk, participants can walk at their leisure and keep track of the mileage on the form provided. When you have walked the length of the Chesapeake Bay, 180 miles, you can turn in your form and be awarded a T-shirt applique to show off your achievement.
The orientation slide programis set for 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. A ranger will be on hand to answer questions about the park and explain what Downs has to offer. Preregistration is required.
* Shutterbugs take note: Only a few weeksto go before the Spring Photography Contest sponsored by Downs Park ends. Ranger Dave Devault is patiently waiting for your award-winningphoto. Entry forms and rules can be obtained at the park. For more details, call 222-6230.
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A brief apology to Lake Shore Democratic Club. Through human error (mine), their $6 Sunday Parties were listed for May 12 and 19. Well, the 19th was correct, but not the 12th. Their parties are the first and third Sundays. Sorry, guys.
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Icouldn't let this column slip by without wishing all of you moms a happy Mother's Day. You may not be showered with gifts. Sometimes you are lucky if they remember who you are, except when cash is needed. But sometimes we do stop and think of who was there for the highs and lows, through the good and the bad.
Thank you, mom.
Phone: 437-6343