Calling recent Virginia Tech graduate Chris Wachtman a man on the move is an understatement considering he uses a bicycle as his primary form of transportation.
"Movement has always been important to me. I have been riding bikes for as long as I can remember," the Centennial High School alumni said.
Shortly after college graduation, Wachtman parlayed his love of bicycling into a road trip to benefit people who have multiple sclerosis — a central nervous system disease that robs people of their mobility through numbness in their limbs and paralysis, in some cases.
As a TransAmerica Cyclist for the Bike The US for MS organization, Wachtman raised $3,865 by cycling from Baltimore to San Francisco.
"For years I have imagined I could ride my bike across the country and I'm so excited to get the chance to do it while fighting for this cause," Wachtman wrote on his Bike the US for MS cyclist page.
Congratulations to Wachtman and his family and friends who supported his valiant effort to help find a cure for this dreaded disease.
For more information about Bike The US for MS organization, go to the group's website at http://www.biketheusforms.org. To learn more about Watchman's epic journey, go to the organization's website and click on "alumni", "2011" and "TransAm" where you'll find Watchman's listed among the 2011 cyclists.
Shhhh, don't tell the kids but the start of school is just around the corner. For parents, that means their scheduling duties are about to begin. Here are some important school dates to add to your calendar:
Hollifield Station Elementary will host its annual open house Aug. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. Parents are invited to the kindergarten open house Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. followed by orientation for kindergarten students Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.
Triadelphia Ridge Elementary has a new principal in Peggy Dumler, who comes from Laurel Woods Elementary, in North Laurel. She is looking forward to greeting parents and students at the school's annual open house Aug. 26. The event starts with a 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. kindergarten orientation followed by new student orientation at 1 p.m. and returning students from 2 to 2:45 p.m. A separate back-to-school night for kindergarten only will be held Aug. 25.
St. John's Lane Elementary will host an open house Aug. 26 starting with kindergarten orientation and new student orientation at 1:30 p.m. followed by an all-grade open house from 2 to 3 p.m. Back-to-school nights are scheduled for kindergarten, first and second grades Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. and for third, fourth and fifth grades Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network will host a Walk for Food Allergies Saturday, Aug. 27 at Meadowbrook Park, in Ellicott City. Michael Merkey, a former Veteran's Elementary student, will serve as the honorary youth chairman. The family friendly walk is only 2.3 miles. For more information about participating in the Walk, go to FAAN's website at http://www.foodallergywalk.org/baltimore_MD11.
I learned from Colleen Dumais Konstanzer, the community outreach coordinator for Neighbor Ride, that the demand for its volunteer senior transportation service has risen dramatically.
"In (Fiscal Year 2011) alone 11,402 trips were provided — a 44-percent increase over the prior year," Konstanzer said.
If you have the time to help support this valuable community resource, call Konstanzer at 410-884-3616 or via email at volunteer@neighborride.org.
Volunteer opportunities are available during daytime, evening and weekend hours. Drivers can choose routes that are convenient to their homes, offices and daily routines.
Parents with young children are encouraged to bring their children with them when volunteering since there is a high demand for drivers between the hours of bus pick-up and drop-off times and it provides a wonderful intergenerational experience for the seniors.
Neighbor Ride is a volunteer–based nonprofit that supports Howard County's senior population maintain their independence by offering transportation services for health care appointments and other personal needs. For more information about Neighbor Ride, go to its website at http://www.neighborride.org.