As the Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Center begins its ambitious building program in Glenwood, area residents are showing expanded interest in the center.
Besides using horses and horseback riding, called hippotherapy, treatment, the new $3.5 million center on Shady Lane will have facilities to offer water, speech, occupational and other types of therapy.
Building the complex will take about five years. The center will have a state-of-the-art indoor riding arena with a climate-controlled viewing area, an Olympic-size outdoor riding ring, a swimming and therapy pool, facilities for physical and occupational therapy, modern stables and conference space.
Volunteers are scheduled to begin erecting an outdoor arena Aug. 16, and the center will celebrate with a country western dinner, line dancing and a concert by Aspen Taylor in October.
The center is a nonprofit facility and needs many volunteers to continue its operations. If you would like to join the volunteers at TRRC, call 489-5100.
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Sarah Higgins of Woodbine is the winner in the Howard County Fair contest to create a fair logo. The Howard County Fair Board selected hers from the many creative entries it received in the spring.
Mrs. Higgins was reared on a farm in northern Maine and came to Howard County 20 years ago, partly because the agricultural flavor of the county reminded her of her home in Maine.
She and her family attend and appreciate the Howard County Fair each year. The fair's logo will be unveiled in October at the annual stockholders' dinner, which will kick off the 50th anniversary year of the Howard County Fair.
Meanwhile, our community is preparing for the 49th Howard County Fair, which runs from Aug. 13 to Aug. 20. For more information about the fair, call 442-2262.
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Members of 4-H clubs know they have just six more weeks to prepare for the fair. They are completing projects, pre-entering, and signing up to help at the fair. Many are attending workshops for showing animals, while others grow flowers, vegetables and fruits to exhibit.
Club members are busy youngsters, and their projects go beyond the county fair. Perhaps you've seen a sign on the east side of Route 97 on Route 144, where
the Howard County 4-H clubs have adopted a highway.
On the west side of Route 97 on Route 144, you'll soon see another sign for "Ten Boys and a Trashbag."
Ten seventh-grade students from Glenwood Middle School have adopted a mile of highway as a community-service project. They are Greg Allen, Tom Buckler, Mike Crosen, Mike DeIuliis, Danny Gilbert, Patrick Hubert, Jordan Hucht, Tom Schaberle, Todd Tedrow and Andrew Wendell.
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How talented was the class that just graduated from Glenelg High School?
The list of academic awards for students covers five pages. These students were in the top 10 percent of the graduating class: Alicia Adams, Dana Allinson, James Stuart Cauley, Linnet Cochrane, Jeffrey Cordisco, Christian Cordisco, Michele Farley, Matthew Gibson, Erin Hemler, Molly Hood,David Houston, Michael Johnson, Patricia Kilroy, Alison Mitchell, Brandon Mitchell, Mary Rose Rankin, Lynsey Ring, Diana Rolfs, Robin Ruppalt, Marguerite Rupsis, Kerina Rutter, Christopher Schaefer, Katherine Stephens, Tavis Tucker, Mark van den Berg, Matthew Walker, Raymond Walker and Christopher Winters.
Of these, Christian Cordisco, Jeffrey Cordisco, Michele Farley, Erin Hemler, Patricia Kilroy, Mary Rankin and Diana Rolfs all maintained perfect 4.0 averages.
Matthew Gibson, Bradley Jenkins, Patricia Kilroy, Matthew Walker and Christine Zimmeran were commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Marisa Davis was a semifinalist in the College Board National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program.
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An all-volunteer group, the Western Howard County Youth Baseball/Softball Association, working with the Department of Parks and Recreation, saw more than 1,200 youngsters play ball in the spring.
A year ago, the executive board of the association started a Boosters Club, unrelated to the Department of Parks and Recreation, to raise money for safety improvements to the fields and equipment.
Most of the fields belong to the Board of Education, and the Department of Parks and Recreation's job is to be sure the fields are in shape and are lined for the games.
Improvements to the fields -- beyond what the Board of Education or the parks department can afford -- are the goals of the Boosters' Club.
In the first phase of improvements from money raised in candy sales this year, fences and benches will be installed at field No. 5 at Glenwood Middle School.
That is the field that borders the parking lot at the school. The volunteer association hopes to improve fields at other schools as they raise more money.
Besides fund raising, the board prepares team rosters and schedules and maintains equipment for baseball, softball, and tee-ball.
They distribute uniforms and trophies and contribute their expertise and time to support the youth program.
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Poplar Springs and Jennings Chapel United Methodist Churches have full calendars for July.
Saturday is the annual picnic at Poplar Springs on East Watersville Road in Mount Airy.
Church members invite the community to join them for a family evening of relaxation and entertainment.
Starting at 6 p.m., you may purchase hot dogs and barbecue, play games, and listen to the Browningsville Band. This band, which plays every year at the Howard County Fair, is made up of enthusiastic musicians, ranging in age from teen-agers to senior citizens.
There's no admission charge to the picnic. The phone number for the office for the churches is 489-7185.
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Sunday, Leroy Stull and John Frank will take six youngsters to Camp Hope for the week. Erin Chaudry, Becky Frank, Sarah Frank, Sara Kwolek, John Shoffeitt and Michael Williams have volunteered to help a less fortunate family fix up their home for their week at Camp Hope.
The campers earned money to pay their way to Camp Hope, and they will stay at Frostburg State University after their work each day.
On July 10, Jennings Chapel and Poplar Springs churches will have a joint worship service to welcome the work team back from camp.
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Tennis clinics on the beautiful new courts at Glenelg Country School continue, and you don't have to be a member of the GCS Tennis Club to participate.
Tennis pro Jim Avore welcomes beginners and experts in his junior and senior clinics held Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Sign up for a four-week session for $45. Call Mr. Avore at 381-7249.
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Members and friends of Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church in Glenwood are planning an ice cream social for 6:30 p.m. July 10, and they invite you to join them.
Admission is a jar of topping per family and a free-will offering to cover the cost of ice cream and supplies.
After you enjoy make-your-own sundaes, complete with no-guilt calories, the volleyball games will begin.
Crafts people at the church work all year to make attractive handicrafts to sell at the church's fall fair, to be held this year Sept. 10.
tTC At the ice cream social, you can preview and purchase these crafts. For information about the ice cream social, volleyball and craft sale, phone 442-1204.
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You are out of school, and there is nothing to do. Here are a couple of solutions to your problem.
Students in the Catholic Youth Ministry at St. Louis Church in Clarksville have planned a middle-of-the-summer dance in the school gym, beginning at 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 15.
Tickets, which cover admission, music, food, and lots of fun, are just $5 at the door.
Hang Time is what the Catholic Youth Ministry is calling its gatherings on the last Thursday of the month.
From 7:30 until 9:30 p.m., high school students in the group meet in the youth room in the parish hall for pizza, chips, soft drinks, and a good time.
Call Youth Minister Maureen Hines at 531-6668 for more information about tonight's Hang Time, or just drop by.