Members of Timonium United Methodist Church recently welcomed John Ewell as their new youth minister.
He will be working with the youth on a regular basis coordinating service projects, youth in worship and advocating for the students as he incorporates fun and fellowship.
John came to TUMC with myriad experiences — teaching Sunday School, organizing church events and coordinating youth camps.
One of his passions is music and drama, which will certainly benefits many of the programs at TUMC.
John is the grandson of Shirley Richardson, TUMC member who resides at Mercy Ridge. He is a recent graduate of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla.
The Baltimore American Indian Center will celebrate its Native American Festival and Traditional Pow Wow July 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
The festival will include Native American tribal dances in full regalia from across the country — including Maryland — along with entertainment, vendors, cultural demonstrations, crafts and samples of traditional Native American foods.
Grand entry times are Saturday at noon and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. The grand entries are the most colorful and visual activities of the festival when the dancers gather to enter the arena. Call the Baltimore Indian Center at 410-675-3535 for more details.
Boy Scout Troop 328 maintained its momentum right to the end of the school year. The troop went camping inPennsylvania's Codorus State Park May 20-22.
The trip included a backpacking hike around Codorus Lake and an afternoon of canoeing.
Scouts who participated included Carl Bauer, Michael Donaldson, David Harper, George Logan, Mark Moody, Ben Paulis, Scott Paulis, Matt Seidenman, Ryan Seidenman and Jesse Siegel.
Adult leaders included Jim Rafferty, Carl Bauer, Robert Logan and Ernie Moody.
Also in May, Scouts sold hot dogs and soda at the Bi Rite on Belair Road to help defray the costs of their Yellowstone High Adventure trip in August. They made $255 and thanked store manager, Chrissie Bird, who made this fundraising opportunity available.
Early in June, the troop did a one-day backpacking hike to the Gunpowder Dam and back.
Older Scouts hiked with fully loaded backpacks to prepare them for backpacking in Yellowstone, but younger Scouts were encouraged to join them with a day pack.
Participating were Dimitri Plaginakos, Nick Bond, Jake Calder, Matt Nanasi, JP Schmelz, Matt Seidenman, Jesse Siegel and Drew Turner.
Parents included Jo Moriconi, Leroy Schmelz, Jim Rafferty, Tom Calder and Geoff Bond.
An early morning thunderstorm delayed the start of the hike, but the Scouts hiked approximately 7.5 miles.
The troop celebrated its end-of-year Court of Honor with a potluck supper and an Eagle ceremony for David Song. David's parents provided special Korean foods for the dinner.
Nine Scouts earned 14 badges and there were 10 rank advancements. Six new scouts — Carl Bauer, Jon Morthole, Dimitri Plaginakos, Ryan Seidenman, Robbie Wheeler and Sebastian Zea — completed their joining requirements.
Daniel Morthole advanced to Tenderfoot rank, and advancing to the rank of Scout Second Class were Mike Donaldson, Ryan Hurley, George Logan and Matt Seidenman.
Patrick Becker and Ben Paulis advanced to the rank of Star Scout.
Achieving the rank of Life Scout were Matt Eibl, David Harper and Matt Nanasi.
Scoutmaster Jim Rafferty was awarded the Unit Scouter Award by the Dulaney District for outstanding service to youth and received a standing ovation from the Scouts and their families.
Following the Court of Honor there was an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for David Song. David's Eagle project, completed last fall, was to landscape the entrance to Villa Maria at St. Vincent's School in Timonium.
More than 25 people helped plant bushes, trees and decorative grasses to give the entrance an attractive new look.
David, in his speech, talked about the many friends he has made through scouting and how his scouting experiences repeatedly pushed him out of his comfort zone, leading him to develop new talents and skills.
The troop is proud of David and his accomplishments!
Troop members are now looking ahead to a week at Camp Tuckahoe in July and a week of High Adventure backpacking in Yellowstone National Park for the Troop's older scouts in August. Regular meetings will resume in September.
Many area students celebrated graduations in May and June. We'd love to hear about them. Send your news about your favorite graduate to me at janetnickel@hotmail.com, or call 410-252-8126.