The Christmas rush is over. Santa has brought smiles to young faces and credit card bills for the parents.
Now as the year draws to a close and 1995 is about to begin, a new attitude takes shape. Traditionally, the year's end is the time for reflecting on the past and planning for the future.
With an eye on the future, Piney Ridge Elementary Principal Gloria Horneff is busy making plans for her school's children. Mrs. Horneff spent time last summer thinking of ways to address some of the problems facing families today.
The result is a new program called S.C.O.P.E., an acronym for Sykesville Community Outreach Programs and Events.
S.C.O.P.E.'s main goal is to bring families together to reinforce traditional family values that seem to be eroding.
Mrs. Horneff has assembled a well-rounded group that includes school, business and community leaders to help her. A representative from the public library is helping to develop a family literacy program. The county's Department of Recreation and Parks is involved with planning S.C.O.P.E. events.
S.C.O.P.E. has planned three family-oriented events for the 1994-1995 school year. The events are planned to provide an environment for interaction among family members. The events also encourage families to have fun and enjoy each other.
S.C.O.P.E. recently sponsored a presentation by "Apple John," a humorist and motivational speaker. Apple John led the families in an evening of apple-related activities.
More than 100 people attended the event and spent the evening bobbing for apples, making apple sauce, eating candied apples and experimenting with Apple computers.
Through his humor, Apple John spoke to the audience about making responsible choices and using good problem-solving techniques.
Several local businesses provided supplies and door prizes for the event, including Baughers, Super Fresh, Martins, Taco Bell and McDonald's, along with the Freedom Area Rec Council.
Mrs. Horneff and other S.C.O.P.E. members have contacted the Sykesville Police Department and Town Council for their input in creating programs and events to discourage vandalism, delinquency and juvenile crime in the downtown Sykesville area.
S.C.O.P.E. will sponsor a family hoedown in February and is planning a picnic for spring.
Monthly meetings will keep S.C.O.P.E. on track. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 5 in the media center at Piney Ridge.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about S.C.O.P.E. may call the school at 795-8876.
*
The Carroll County Family YMCA is offering several ways to get in shape and keep those New Year's resolutions.
AeroDance, a fun, safe, easy-to-learn total body workout, meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Eldersburg.
This professionally choreographed program includes cardiovascular dance routines, body toning and relaxation.
A program called Totally Fit includes an aerobic workout and concentrates on muscle toning and strengthening. The program is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at St. Joseph's and Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Freedom Elementary School.
Body Toning is a challenging co-ed class that emphasizes overall intensive muscle toning, strength and flexibility using Dyna-bands and weights for the upper body workout. The class is scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church and Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Freedom Elementary.
The cost for each class is $60 for twice a week or $75 for three times a week. Classes are free for YMCA members.
Classes begin the first week in January. All morning classes have free baby-sitting.
Information: 876-1194.