Imagine if you had been given the opportunity to look into your employment future when you were a child. Would you have chosen the the same career?
Fourth grades at Piney Ridge Elementary explored future careers during a recent visit to the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
This museum offers visitors a true "hands-on" experience. All types of machinery from America's industrial age is kept in working condition and ready for eager hands to set things in motion. The Piney Ridge students were delighted to have the chance to participate in a typical work-day experience.
Having assumed the names, ages and skill levels of workers at an oyster canning plant, the children began their workday as managers, skilled and unskilled workers.
Jobs included plant owner, foreman, oyster shuckers and oyster steamers. Opportunities for can makers, label makers, packers and apprentices gave each student a taste of working life. The students played their parts dressed in clothing typical of the period.
After completing their day at the factory, each worker was paid a salary and invited to shop in the museum's company store. There, they learned to budget and balance their choices based on the wages they had earned.
The Museum of Industry also gave the students the chance to look into future careers through a computer program. The computer created a profile of possible career choices based on questions the students had answered.
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Piano students from Gauthier Music Studio in Eldersburg recently entertained residents of Westminster Nursing Center with their annual Christmas recital.
Providing the music were Megan Bainbridge, Kevin Carter, Elinor Dale, Andrea and Leslie Dragan, Caitlin Eubank, Michael Ferguson, Chris Feroli, Bobby Fortenberry, Brian and Eric Graham, Kelly and Molly Hayeslip, Shannon Huber and Kimberly Justice.
Also participating were: Carolyn Kleppin, Diane Krainak, Elise Major, Amanda Martz, Michele Maxson, Katie Miller, Jennifer Morgeson, Alison and Katherine Penney, Alexandra Piotrowski, Christine Powers, Chris Racusen, Rachel Scarborough, Cassie and Stephanie Seale, Jennifer Stallings, and Colin and Shannon Wilson.
Carole Gauthier and her piano students have shared their music with the Westminster residents since 1990.
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The Piney Run Recreation Council recently announced its Volunteer of the Year. Tom Rowe is a dedicated volunteer for the rec council and is richly deserving of the award.
Mr. Rowe began his association with the Piney Run Recreation Council as a weekend volunteer in the park's Nature Center eight years ago.
He is serving his second year as president of the Piney Run
Council and was recently elected to a third term in 1995.
In addition to his dedication to such events as the Leisure Expo, Apple Festival, Piedmont Pacers Volksmarch and bird seed sales, Mr. Rowe is known for his dependability and his service with a smile.
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When Christmas is over and the tree comes down, don't put it in the garbage. Take it to Piney Run Park for recycling.
Piney Run Park will accept trees free of all ornaments, hooks, tinsel and garland. The trees will be chipped and used as mulch throughout the park.
Trees may be left in the grassy area outside park gates on weekends or may be taken to the park's maintenance building from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tree recyclers will be given a coupon (redeemable in the spring) for a free evergreen seedling. The coupons may be picked up at the maintenance building or at the Nature Center.
The tree recycling program runs through February. Information: 795-3274.
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American Legion Post 223 will hold a New Year's Eve dance at its facility on Slacks Road in Sykesville.
The event includes a hot buffet and open bar. Cocktails will be served from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; dinner will be served from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and dancing will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music will be provided by Brass Boots.
Tickets are $27 per person and may be purchased in the post's lounge or by calling 795-7242.