Pamela Jekel is how she's known in the the publishing world, but she's is our neighbor, Pam Koons, mother of Leah and wife of Bill. She has authored six books of historical fiction, three of which have reached national best-seller lists. Her latest work, "The Third Jungle Book," is for children and was released recently by Roberts Rinehart Press.
It's on the shelves in major bookstores. This book is a sequel to Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Books," and it continues Mowgli's story. The volume, which is illustrated by Nancy Malick, is praised for its authenticity. Critics say it recaptures the tone and rhythm of the original stories. It's a perfect holiday gift for the middle reader. Don't miss this one!
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Kids in our area are smart and capable. For example, three more Glenelg High School students won accolades lately for their academic merit and leadership characteristics.
David Buckholtz is the Glenelg High winner in the Century III Leaders Program. The senior from Sykesville, who is the son of Eileen and Howard Buckholtz, wrote a winning projection for innovative leadership paper for the program.
The paper was an outgrowth of his work as a peer mediator at the school. In his projection, David focused on new ways for communities to come together to eliminate racism of any kind. He was thinking of using interactive video to put one person in another's shoes to walk that proverbial mile.
He also suggested using new ideas in the school curriculum to allow more opportunities for students and teachers to discuss cultural diversity and to study history in contexts other than European-based history. David plays varsity baseball and basketball, is president of the National Honor Society at Glenelg and is involved in the Howard County Association of Student Councils. He carries a straight-A average. If he is selected as one of two state finalists, David will travel to Williamsburg, Va., to compete in the national finals.
Edward Hogan, another senior at Glenelg High, was nominated for the Jefferson Scholars Program at the University of Virginia, where he would like to study engineering. Edward is the son of Gerard and Eileen Hogan of Glenwood.
Each school nominates one student for the Jefferson Scholars program, and only 13 students outside Virginia will be selected to win four-year tuition to the university. Edward was nominated based on his 4.0 average and his outstanding SAT scores. He is a cross-country runner, and a member of the math team, the "It's Academic" team, the chess team, the French Club and the National Honor Society. He is also a student government representative.
Cynthia West is just a sophomore, but she's already demonstrated leadership in many ways. For her leadership she has been selected as Glenelg's participant in the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar, which will take place in the spring.
Among her activities is her long participation as a member and officer of the Glenelg 4-H club. She is secretary of the Class of 1995 at Glenelg High, she's taught Vacation Bible School at Glenelg United Methodist Church, and she is starting volunteer work as a candy striper at Howard General Hospital. Cynthia is the daughter of Janet and Doug West.
At St. Louis School, the student council is sponsoring a basketball team comprised of seventh- and eighth-grade boys in the Catholic War Veterans League at St. Mary's Govans. Coached by parent volunteers, the 11 members of the team will play their first game Dec. 5. Cheering them on will be the St. Louis School cheerleaders.
If you see a dark limousine slow down and pull into the St. Louis School parking lot tomorrow, don't be concerned. It's not a rock star lost in greater downtown Clarksville, but a reward for a job well done. Six lucky students at St. Louis School will be rewarded for their fund-raising efforts with a limo ride to a nearby McDonald's. A drawing was held for the lucky six names from a list of top sellers of Christmas kits.
Thanksgiving is a special American holiday, and many of our neighbors begin the holiday with a Thanksgiving worship celebration. At Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church, the traditional Thanksgiving Eve celebration is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and it will be followed by a pie and beverage fellowship. This is the day the congregation participates in collecting usable clothing and non-perishable foods to be contributed to the Howard County Christian Women's Thrift Shop. Call the church at (410) 442-1204. At Glenelg United Methodist Church, church members start celebrating Thanksgiving with a community turkey dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Please bring a covered dish to share.
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One of our neighbors who is battling cancer needs a little help. A few hours of your time could go a long way toward her recovery. She needs transportation to St. Agnes Hospital every morning for the next six weeks, so she can undergo radiation treatment. Pickup time is 9:30 a.m., and the patient has her treatment from 10 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
After you return the patient to her home in Glenwood, you'll be home by about 11:30 a.m. Libby Jackson, (410) 442-1050, is keeping the schedule of drivers. If you'd like to prepare and deliver a meal for this patient and her family, Libby will put your name on the meal calendar.