Mike Selmer, an electrician by trade, always wanted to be a writer.

Even during his 10 years as the girls track coach at Glenelg High School, he had writing in the back of his mind.

But he had two jobs, a family to support and a mortgage to pay.

Mike says that it was a teacher at Northwestern High School in Prince George's County who first got him interested in reading and then writing. He even took some writing classes at Prince George's Community College.

When his daughter, Carrie, left for Wyoming a couple of years ago, Mike and his wife, Kathleen, went with her. That's when things changed.

"I knew that if I wanted to be a master electrician in Laramie, Wyoming, it would take at least a year," the 55-year-old said. "So I was unemployed and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to start my writing career."

And he did.

Mike's first book, "Harvest of the Heart" was released in December with an "official" book launch in Laramie Jan. 12. The Likely Story book store in Sykesville will hold a book signing event Jan. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Mike said he wrote "Harvest of the Heart" in just seven weeks. And no, the book is not about running or track even though there is a thread of running in the book. It is about a strong and determined woman named Elsa whose character actually developed during Mike's period as track coach.

Mike hopes to have some short stories in publication in March.

Few people have the opportunity to change careers at a late age and be successful. Mike has done it and we wish him well in his "second" career.

Home, $weet home

Here's a head scratcher if there ever was one.

The University of Maryland is in the process of cutting eight varsity sports reportedly to save money and then it turns around and prepares to build a $7.2 million house for the university's president.

Two things immediately come to mind. First, the cutting of those sports directly affects a number of Howard County athletes and secondly, the president doesn't need a $7.2 million house.

Nationally, this frivolity makes headlines and makes the school look ridiculous. This new facility is supposed to attract major donations? Nonsense.

Philie has a strong finish

Former Glenelg golfer Matt Philie, a junior at the United States Military Academy, lowered his score each round and had a tremendous experience at the inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational held Dec. 28-30 in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

The Glenelg graduate was one of 84 golfers selected to play in the tournament. Players earning PING All-America honors from the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III plus the NAIA and NJCAA were eligible to be invited. In addition, a player from West Point, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy was also invited.

Matt's score the first day was 82, but he followed that with a 75 and a 73 to finish 19-over (232) for the 54-hole tournament.

Reynold takes over

Atholton girls basketball team began the new year with a new coach. Julia Reynold, who had been the Raiders' junior varsity coach, has been elevated to the varsity position. She replaces Maureen Shacreaw, who was relieved of her position prior to the holiday break. Reynold is one of Shacreaw's former players. Because of the switch, the Raiders did not participate in the Pine Grove Cardinal Classic Holiday Tournament in Pennsylvania as they usually do.

In Julia's first week as coach, the Raiders narrowly lost to Mt. Hebron and then soundly defeated Wilde Lake.