Flower arranging classes offered through local recreation council programs allow Mount Airy resident Anne Gallagher to combine the two careers she loves most -- teaching and floral design.
"My major in college was elementary education, but when I was in high school, I worked at a florist's," Mrs. Gallagher said. "I've always worked as a florist."
The hours suited her needs as a mother of two. When she started thinking of floral design as a career, Mrs. Gallagher said she took every course available to sharpen her skills.
Participation in professional floral design competitions helped her polish her craft. She has earned several prestigious awards, including the 1992 Mid-Atlantic Designer of the Year and the 1993 Lilliam Invitational Award.
In 1990, Mrs. Gallagher decided to open a florist shop, "Flowers by Anne," in Mount Airy at the Twin Arch Shopping Center. She describes the shop as "full-service with exquisite design" that specializes in custom designs and in-home consultations.
"A lot of our sales are accessorizing," she said.
Mrs. Gallagher's husband, Mark, works at Hughes Network and is a silent partner in the business. She said his help with deliveries is of critical importance during the busy holidays. Their children, Kelly, 14, and Matthew, 16, attend South Carroll High School.
As an entrepreneur, Mrs. Gallagher has experienced the joys of nurturing a successful business and working with others who share her love of floristry. She credits this success to her staff, which includes award-winning floral designers Joyce Waters and Jennie Wantz.
"Your employees are your business," she added.
Mrs. Gallagher said her favorite medium is fresh flowers, but stressed that sharing her knowledge of floral artistry with others remains her favorite activity. She taught flower arranging for the Mount Airy Recreation Council seven years ago and has been teaching for Howard County at Lisbon Elementary for the past three years.
"If I had my dream, I'd have a school of floral design," she said.
During the Mount Airy Recreation Council's 1995 Winter session of classes, Mrs. Gallagher will teach three floral design classes. Each class will have limited enrollment and will feature a different project -- a dried swag on Feb. 23; a dried wreath on Mar. 2; and "something for spring" on Mar. 9.
The fee for each class is $15 plus $25 for supplies. Registration is separate for each class. Interested persons may sign up at the Mount Airy Recreation Council Winter Session Registration Night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Mount Airy Elementary School, 405 North Main Street, Mount Airy.
Mrs. Gallagher said each class will feature a basic building block of floral design that will allow students to use their new knowledge to do other things.
"Everyone will have what they need, and everyone takes home a finished professional project," she added.
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Area residents may register for a variety of winter session classes, from a one-night Valentine candy-making course to a series of Saturday drama lessons, at the Mount Airy Recreation Council's Registration Night on Tuesday.
Confectioner extraordinaire Robbie Raynes will teach area residents how to create a bouquet of sweet Valentine treats on Jan. 23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mount Airy Senior Center. The $20 per person fee includes all supplies. Information: (301) 607-8296.
Drama enthusiast Walt Horning will lead a series of introduction-to-acting classes for persons 10 years and older on Saturdays, Jan. 28 to Mar. 18, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The classes will focus on characterization. The the fee is $30 per student. Information: (301) 846-0098.
Country dance instructors Sherman and Tammy Hill of Keymar will share their expertise in Mount Airy on Wednesday evenings, Jan. 25 through Mar. 15, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost of an eight-week session is $80 per couple. Information: Linda Schnell, (301) 829-2824.
Weekly ballet and tap lessons for children ages four through 15 nTC will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays at various locations from Jan. 23 to Mar. 30. Sessions are $35 per child for 45-minute classes and $45 for 60-minute classes. Students planning to participate in the June recital are requested to make a $20 costume deposit at the time of registration. Information: Janine Smarrelli, (301) 607-6229.
Carole Asbury and Virginia Parrish will once again offer their popular pair of exercise classes from Jan. 19 through Mar. 30 at Mount Airy Elementary School. "Shape Up Now" will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the cost of $70 for a 10-week session. "Step Up Now" will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the cost of $70 per 10-week session. Information for both classes: (410) 489-7277 or (410) 489-3610.
Karate instructor Carl Minkel will impart his knowledge of martial arts and self-defense to students age 7 and older on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 24. Beginners to "blue belts" will meet from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the cost of $50 per 10-week session. Persons with skill levels at red stripe or above and well as teens and adults will be instructed from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the cost of $63 per 10-week session. Information: (301) 829-2348.
From tots to teens, master teacher Dean Sheridan will teach gymnastics classes on Saturday mornings from Jan. 28 through April 1. Fees range from $23 for 3- and 4-year-olds to $45 for 9- to 14-year-olds. An insurance fee of $9 per child will be collected at registration. Information: (301) 829-0683.
Registration on Jan. 17 will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Mount Airy Elementary School's cafetorium at 405 North Main St. Participants should note that Mount Airy's recreation council classes will be canceled when Carroll County Public Schools are closed or dismissed early because of inclement weather.
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Mount Airy residents Mari (pronounced Mary) Uzzo and Lucinda Nelson invite area women to lose holiday pounds while nurturing their spiritual well-being.
The duo resumed teaching Body and Spirit Aerobics this week at Calvary United Methodist Church in Mount Airy on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Mrs. Uzzo said the 1995 classes feature new routines, which are performed to contemporary Christian music. Each class features 30 minutes of aerobics and 30 minutes of toning. Tennis shoes are required and mats are suggested for the floor work.
Classes are $1 each, and there is no charge for missed classes. Participants are not required to preregister and may join the group at any time.
Baby sitting is available for 75 cents per child per hour. Information: Mrs. Uzzo at (301) 831-5785 or Mrs. Nelson at (410) 829-1394.