The score was 12-10 Tuesday afternoon when fifth-graders and faculty played baseball at Winfield Elementary School to launch a Grand Slam Reading incentive program.
Elrod Hendricks, the bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles, volunteered to coach the fifth-graders to victory. The game was preceded by opening day festivities on the school's ball fields, beginning with the National Anthem and ending with a lively rendition of "Take Me Out to the Bookstore."
Young cheerleaders who cheer for local rec teams helped the kindergarten through fourth-grade spectators voice their school spirit. Bryan McLean, from Prestige Cable's Channel 3, was the announcer for the two-inning game. Stu's Music Shop provided the sound equipment.
Students at Winfield Elementary will participate in Grand Slam Reading from this month to March, said Integrated Language Arts specialist Kathy Wallis.
"Kids keep track of their reading on baseball score cards," she explained.
Kindergarten to third-grade students are being urged to read at least 15 minutes each night to get a "base hit." They earn a home run and a single for five nights of reading.
When they meet their monthly goals, they get Pizza Hut Book-It coupons for free pizzas and small, baseball-oriented prizes, Mrs. Wallis said.
Fourth- and fifth-graders are being urged to read one book a month and to complete a follow-up activity to earn similar prizes, she added.
PEP -- Parent Education Partners -- Club Coaches are working with each classroom at Winfield to keep the scorecards and read to students who need help in reaching their reading goals. "We want each class to meet their 100 percent," Mrs. Wallis said.
The program is the brainchild of Mrs. Wallis and the school's Literacy Committee.
Its purpose is to get the idea across that reading is a recreational activity just like baseball, she said.
"We need to exercise our minds as well as our body," she said.
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Bicycles, not broncos, served as steeds to area Girl Scouts who gathered at Mount Airy Elementary School on Saturday morning for a spirited Bike Rodeo.
Five activities tested the skills of the rodeo riders, who wore bike helmets instead of Stetsons.
Participants earned points as they maneuvered through cones, did a one-hand toss, traveled slowly on a straight line and completed a 50-foot --. As part of the safety focus of the rodeo, event coordinator Judy McLellan reported the bikers were required to first check their "mounts" at bike inspection and safety stations.
Winners in the event were Krissy White in the second-grade division and Sammy Jo Osmond in the third-grade division. Both Scouts are members of Brownie Troop 617. Lauren Voigt, a member of Junior Scout Troop 1494, was tops in the fourth-grade division.
Sarah DiTizio, a member of Cadette Troop 468, took top honors in the seventh-grade division. All of the 20-plus girls who competed in the Community #64 event took home participation ribbons, Mrs. McLellan said.
Thanks also go to Shawn McLellan and Joe McGinley of Boy Scout Troop 460, who assisted in the rodeo with "civilian" Shawn Lyerly. All boys earned community service hours.
Plans call for the safety-oriented Bike Rodeo to be an annual event for Winfield and Mount Airy area Girl Scouts.
"We look forward to seeing the girls next year," Mrs. McLellan said.
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Mount Airy's Main Street will close briefly tomorrow morning to provide safe passage for a cavalcade of pint-sized characters during the annual Mount Airy Halloween Parade.
The Mount Airy Jaycees and Lions' Club are hosts for the free event that begins at 9 a.m. with registration at the Mount Airy Train Station, where North and South Main streets meet behind the Mount Airy Pharmacy.
Jaycee Ruth Muller said that if it rains tomorrow, the event will be held at the Mount Airy Senior Center at 703 Ridge Ave.
Creatures and their parents will line up at 10 a.m. for the procession that will begin at the train station and end at the Municipal Parking Lot off Park Avenue. Judging will follow the parade and will be done by age level in five groups -- up to 2 years old, 3 and 4 years, 5 and 6 years, 7 and 8 years and 9 through 12 years.
Five sets of judges -- Lions paired with Jaycees -- will pick the best costumes.
Parade participants will have many opportunities to take home a ribbon, with five categories of winners for each age group and first- through fourth-place winners in each category.
The categories are: Cutest/Funniest; Unusual/Unique; Mischievous; Most Halloween Spirit; and Judges' Choice.
One child will earn the "Mayor's Award" and will take home a trophy as the grand prize.
Mrs. Muller said all children will take home a certificate of participation and a bag of candy.
Information, call (410) 775-0004.
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Ghosts, goblins and ghouls are invited to congregate at Salt Box Park on Gillis Falls Road tomorrow for the annual Children's Halloween Party sponsored by the Woodbine Recreation Council.
The celebration will begin promptly at 1 p.m.
Characters -- silly or scary -- will enjoy showing off their Halloween finery during the traditional costume parade. Chills and thrills will be provided by Key Club members from South Carroll High School, who will have a just-for-kids Haunted House.
Goodies to tempt even a monster's sweet tooth will be provided for all.
Party guests are asked to contribute $1 each to help cover expenses. For information, call (410) 795-3332.
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Joyful Living Associates, dedicated to the instruction of transformational breathing, opened Saturday in the Winfield Medical Center at 1200 Old Liberty Road.
Charlotte Abell, a longtime Winfield resident, and Leveda Troy are partners in the business that promotes the "conscious directed use of the breath." Both Carroll County women were certified with Cosmic Breath International Institute of New Hampshire in 1993.
Mrs. Abell said they travel "all over the country" as trainers for this organization and are pleased to anchor their business in Winfield.
The technique, which she said originated from ancient Eastern philosophies, teaches one to direct breath from the lower abdomen, said Mrs. Abell. She said it helps to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as to encourage vitality and energy.
"It's a way of life," Mrs. Abell said. "It's a thing you have to experience to get a hold [on] it."
She described the technique as mouth-open inhaling and exhaling that is active and gentle. A private first session takes about two hours and costs $100. There are three or four follow-ups to the private session at $75 each.
Group workshops are also being offered at the cost of $30 to $50 per person.
A person may easily learn the technique and use it after two or three sessions, Mrs. Troy said. "It is something that they can master and use in their own life," she said. "It's a self-empowering process and not one that fosters dependence on us."
Information: Mrs. Abell, (410) 635-2262; Mrs. Troy, (410) 875-0545.