Local Dentist Hosts ‘Candy Buy-Back’ for U.S. Troops

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 15, 2008

By the beginning of fall, back-to-school supplies have gradually disappeared from store shelves, making way for an annual dental nightmare: Halloween candy. How do families limit the sweets their children crave while still allowing a little fun?

Clarksville dentist Dr. Rashmi Parmar has devised a creative solution. From 10 a.m . to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, Parmar will host a “Candy Buy-Back” at her office, 12620 Clarksville Pike (Route 108). The children will receive 50 cents per pound of candy theyt turn in, which Parmar will then ship to our troops overseas. The event will feature games, treats, and fun for the whole family. If you would like to volunteer or need more information, call 410- 531-5639.

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Fundraisers Planned for Paralyzed Teen Nov. 7 and 16

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 15, 2008

This summer, I wrote about Nick Antlitz, a Woodbine teenager who suffered spinal cord damage during an accident in Bethany Beach and remains paralyzed from the waist down. Nick has worked hard on his rehabilitation and inspires others with his positive outlook, yet he requires many more uninsured therapies and treatments in the future. Two upcoming fundraisers will help defray his injury-related expenses.

On Nov. 7, supporters age 18 and older can attend a Bull Roast and Dance in Nick’s honor from 6-11:30 p.m. at the Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department, 1320 West Old Liberty Road in Sykesville. Tickets cost $40. To purchase, mail payment to Winfield Liquors at 1707 West Liberty Road W, Westminster, MD 21157 by Oct. 30, or visit the store in person. Make checks payable to NTAF Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and write “In honor of Nick Antlitz” in the memo section. For more information, contact Bryan Higgs at higgs_b@verizon.net, or go to the Events tab at www.nickantlitz.com.

Next, on Nov. 16, Glenelg United Methodist Church is planning a benefit concert for Nick at 4 p.m. The concert will feature trumpeter and church Music Director Doug Burian, church organist Richard Cartwright, and a special appearance by renowned pianists Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Kai-Win Ho. Saar played the organ at GUMC during his tenure as a graduate student at Peabody Institute; he and Stephanie now reside in New York and collaborate as Stephanie and Saar DUO, performing both four-hand and two-piano repertoire. To read more about their accomplishments and view some of their impressive performances on You Tube, go to www.stephsaarduo.com.

The concert is free to the community, but the church will gratefully accept donations to benefit Nick through the NTAF Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund. GUMC is at 13900 Burntwoods Road in Glenelg. Call the church office at 410-489-7260 for more information.

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Fidos for Freedom Presents 10th Annual Stroll ‘n Roll

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 13, 2008

Dogs and their owners came out in and enjoy the nice weather at the 2006 Fidos for Freedom Fall Stroll ‘n Roll at Centennial Lake. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 8. (Photo by Bryan Sirotkin).

Recently, I was delighted to hear from Bonnie Luepkes, my former high school biology teacher. Luepkes retired from Atholton High School last summer after more than 30 years teaching and now spends a large portion of her time volunteering for Fidos for Freedom, a Laurel-based organization that raises and trains hearing dogs, service dogs and therapy dogs. Luepkes owns two therapy dogs, golden retrievers named Riley and Tucker. Together they visit hospitals and nursing homes and present disability Awareness programs (dAp) in elementary schools.

Fidos also trains assistance dogs. Luepkes says that she has seen these dogs perform amazing tasks for people, such as picking up a dropped credit card or removing an individual’s shoes and socks. Obviously, preparing a dog to perform such skills requires a large investment of time and money.

To help raise funds, Fidos is sponsoring its 10th Annual Fall Stroll ‘n Roll at Centennial Park Saturday, Nov. 8. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and costs $15 per participant. The events, which include face painting, vendors, games, prizes, a bake sale, demonstrations, and dog contests, run from 9 a.m. – noon, rain or shine. Bring the whole family (including dogs, of course!) and enjoy a leisurely stroll or roll around Centennial Lake!

For more information, call Joe Swetnam at 410-880-4178 or go to www.fidosforfreedom.org.

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MRHS Presents ‘Jukebox IV’ October 16-18

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 6, 2008

Marriotts Ridge High School students pose for a cast member photo for the musical “Jukebox IV,” which will be performed Oct. 16-18. Pictured in front row are: Thomas Conchie, Mel Silva, Leslie Decker, Christine Nelson, Maddie Whiting, Brianna Lawton, Joe Hsu and Alex Lee; Back row: Noah Farrell, Thiery Banks, Jon Ferrell, Emma Meade, Robert Zhang, Josh Morrison, Erica Fedor, Roger Lee, Kevin Eikenberg, Evan Chapman, Tim Shea and Alexa Kinigopolous. (Photo by Cindy Fedor).

Marriotts Ridge High School would like to invite the community to enjoy an evening of favorite tunes from the past and present during its staging of “Jukebox IV.”

This “rockin’ musical revue” features more than 100 MRHS students singing and dancing to 16 musical selections, accompanied by a live band. Shows take place Oct. 16-18 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. To order tickets, call MRHS theater department representative Jeanne Jurney at 301- 854-5628 or e-mail jcjurney@verizon.net.

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MRHS Spirit Week Begins Monday

By Cassie Felch
Posted: October 3, 2008

Marriotts Ridge High School invites the community to participate in several of its upcoming Spirit Week and Homecoming events, beginning with a Powder Puff (girls) football game Monday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5.

On Friday, Oct. 10, the AfterProm Committee presents its third annual Pasta Dinner from 5-9 p.m. in the MRHS Café. Tickets cost $10 for ages 13 and older and $5 for ages 2-12; children younger than 2 are free. The school will offer a limited number of tickets at the door and will accept cash or checks payable to Marriotts Ridge High School PTSA.

Homecoming gets underway with a fun-filled parade Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. The floats will travel from Waverly Elementary School to the Waverly Woods Village Center via Wetherburn Road, Petersboro Road, Dorchester Way, and Birmingham Way. The varsity football team then kicks off its homecoming game against Hammond High School at 1:30 p.m. Tickets cost $3 for students and $4 for adults.

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