"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
We all remember those wonderful words of wisdom passed onto us by our mothers during those memorable, formative years.
Well, my childhood days are long gone, but the memories and the teachings are still very much a part of me.
I am thankful for those, and the fact that I have this opportunity to report the good news about the good people of Central Carroll County.
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Imagine trying to manipulate an 18-wheeler around a set of orange cones only 30 feet apart.
I'm sorry, but I have a hard time with this one, especially because I encountered difficulty doing the figure eight in driver's education with a Volkswagen Beetle.
But if you're Skip Kreiner of Sandymount, then whipping a tractor-trailer up one side of the road and down the other is not a problem.
Mr. Kreiner, who works for Custom Carriers Limited in Baltimore, recently participated in the American Trucking Association's National Truck Driving Championships.
The competition, which took place in September, brought together 343 drivers from all over the United States to compete. It proved Mr. Kreiner's ability to handle a rig.
"There were 48 people in my class and I came in 22nd," said the 41-year-old trucker. "We had to show that we knew safety procedures both on and off the road and how to keep the tractor-trailer operational. This was in addition to a number of driving procedures we had to perform."
He was invited to participate in the national competition after placing first in a state contest at the Timonium Fairgrounds in June.
"I went to the Maryland Motor Truck Association Safe Truck Driving Contest and won first place, and was named Rookie of the Year," Mr. Kreiner said. "It was awesome."
Roll on, big 18-wheeler!
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Congratulations to Ed Shauck of Westminster for winning the Wampler Cup in the second annual Carroll County General Hospital Foundation golf tournament.
The tournament, which honors Atlee Wampler Jr., one of the original founders of CCGH, was held at Wakefield Valley Golf Course last month.
Mr. Shauck and his partner, Ron Mays of New Jersey, won the tournament with a net handicap score of 59. The two men topped a field of 136 golfers.
"I was surprised because I didn't know we were playing that well," recalled the 66-year-old Mr. Shauck. "I found out that night when we went back for the dinner that we won. We got the trophy that night, and we each received a Taylor Made driver," said the retired executive vice president of Carroll County Bank and Trust Co.
The hospital foundation began the tournament last year to help with fund-raising efforts that are used for facility improvements and new services. Suzanne Lee, the foundation's director, said the event has proven successful both years. "This is only our second year and we almost doubled what we raised last year," Ms. Lee said. "We netted $16,000 in 1991 and this year we made $35,000."
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ATTENTION ALL PUMPKIN GROWERS: The Carroll County Farm Museum wants you.
This Saturday and Sunday, the Farm Museum will sponsor its 27th annual Fall Harvest Days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Heaviest Pumpkin Contest, always a popular festival event, will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
To enter, bring your pumpkin to the administrative office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday or Friday.
Each pumpkin grower who participates will receive a free pass to the museum Saturday so they can watch their entry being weighed.
Live musical entertainment, crafts, food and other activities will be available throughout each day.
Information: 876-2667.