Membership in the Mount Airy Clovers 4-H Club represents much more than an opportunity for fun and fellowship to 13-year-old Tracey McElroy.
pTC As the club's president, the Mount Airy Middle School eighth-grader is getting firsthand experience in leadership.
Tracey conducts the monthly meetings, plans events and keeps club members informed. She also deals with problems such as meetings canceled by inclement weather.
She has been a 4-H member for three years and is serving a second one-year term as president.
Bake sales, craft workshops and special fun events, such as the Carroll County 4-H Mid-Winter Blahs coming on Saturday in Westminster, are activities that keep Tracey interested in the club. She also likes the annual Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.
Last year, she took home five class champion ribbons from the 15 items she entered in the event.
"The new things I learn and the things I get to do," said Tracey, whose parents are Bonnie and Jay McElroy of Mount Airy.
Tracey recently issued a "state of the club" message to spread the good news about the Mount Airy Clovers' activities during the past year.
Members learned what to do in emergencies from a first aid safety class and how to show appreciation for having a meeting place by helping to clean nursery school classrooms at St. James Episcopal Church.
The 4-H club also helped to make a difference by holding two bake sales.
One in March raised money for the Mount Airy Fire Company's new ambulance fund.
Another in October raised money to sponsor a local family as part of the Neighbors In Need holiday program.
The group received ribbon or cash recognition for its "Score Your Goals With 4-H" float, which was entered in two parades -- the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company Parade in July and the Carroll County 4-H Fair Parade in August.
The club also received a Reserve Champion Award for its booth, "4-Her's Just Keep Growing and Growing and Growing," at the 1994 Fair.
Members also enjoyed a pool party, a Christmas gathering, demonstrations, exhibits and other 4-H events such as the countywide Fall Phenomenon.
From kindergarten to high school, children of all ages are welcome to join the group.
The next meeting will be Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Mount Airy.
For information, call (301) 829-2686.
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Last weekend's snow extended the registration for Mount Airy Recreation Council spring sports.
Saturday will be the final day to register for tee ball (kindergarten through third grade), girls' softball (grades four to eight), boys' softball (grades seven and eight), or soccer (grades one to eight) this spring.
Registration will be held in the lobby of Mount Airy Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon.
Fees, which range from $15 to $40, are due at the time of registration.
For more information, call: Denny Ahalt (girls' softball) at (301) 829-2406; Rick Harmer (tee ball or boys' softball) at (301) 829-2428; or Sam Beck (soccer) at (301) 829-1453.
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Mount Airy resident Mary Brown is known to many people in our area as "the blanket lady." The longtime chairwoman of Mount Airy's annual Blanket Drive knows the importance of blankets to disaster relief.
Church Women United sponsors the blanket drives in our community and many other areas to benefit the mission of Church World Service.
This New Windsor-based organization responds to natural and man-made disasters worldwide by sending blankets.
Mrs. Brown said Church World Service sent blankets to 53 places in 1994, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, Zaire, Uganda and Tanzania.
Local churches, civic associations and many individuals support Mount Airy's Blanket Drive.
Last year, Mrs. Brown collected more than $1,460 in donations and several blankets.
Sunday will be Blanket Sunday in several local churches, and Mrs. Brown will be accepting donations throughout February.
Checks should be made payable to Church World Service and mailed to Mrs. Mary Brown, P.O. Box 73, Mount Airy 21771.
For information, call (301) 829-1617.
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Surprise your bingo-loving valentine with an invitation to attend Bonanza Bingo at the Mount Airy American Legion Post on Feb. 19.
The fund-raiser is being billed as a "sweetheart of a deal," with advance tickets for the event selling for $25.
Admission will be $30 at the door.
Bonanza Bingo includes a Sunday roast beef dinner at 12:45 p.m., followed by an afternoon of 32 paper bingo games with cash prizes, beginning at 2 p.m.
Coffee and iced tea will be free all day, and a package of nine cards on 20 regular games, six cards on five special games, and three cards on the jackpot game is included in the admission.
Extra cards and snacks will be available to purchase.
No one under age 16 will be admitted.
For advance tickets or information, call Dick Baker at (410) 795-6444.
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Seniors at South Carroll and Linganore High Schools who plan to attend college in Maryland might want to include Unit 191 of the American Legion Auxiliary of Mount Airy in their scholarship search.
Applications are available in the guidance offices of both high schools.
Completed applications should be sent directly to Chairwoman Evaleen Leon before April 1.