With Halloween just around the corner, it has been my experience that our kids get way too much candy on this night. But, what does one do with the excess? Local dentist Dr. Rashmi Parmar has an absolutely fantastic idea. He is hosting a "Candy Buy-back," a way for the kids of the community to do something special for our troops who are in harm's way and, at the same time, promote good dental hygiene.

Parmar will pay 50 cents per pound for the candy. Besides the money, the kids will get a toothbrush. The good doctor will then have the treats shipped to our troops in time for the holidays. Loose, unwrapped candy probably shouldn't be included in your stash.

The office is located at 12620 Clarksville Pike, just south of St. Louis Church, going toward Highland. For more information, call his office at 410-531-5639.

Last year I wrote a column about Bonnie Luepkes, a 1969 graduate of Atholton High School, when she retired from her 34-year career as a school teacher. When I spoke with her on the phone, I asked her what her plans for retirement were. She said that she "plans to enjoy the things that I hadn't had much time for during my career, things like my golden Retriever, gardening and cross stitch.

But now, she thinks she's found her niche where she can further serve the community. Bonnie volunteers at Fidos for Freedom in Laurel, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that raises and trains service-dogs for the physically disabled and hearing impaired. You can go to their Web site, www.fidosforfreedom.org for more information.

Bonnie sent me an e-mail about their upcoming fundraiser called the "Fall Stroll and Roll." It's going to take place at Centennial Park in Ellicott City Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Raising and training service-dogs is expensive and this is one way that you can help.

If you register by Oct. 22, you will receive a 10th anniversary commemorative bandanna for your dog. The first 250 people to sign up Nov. 8 will receive a Stroll 'n Roll T-shirt.

Last year's event was a rousing success with the volunteers and the community raising more than $15,000. More than 93 cents of every dollar goes to the Fidos programs, some of which include the Junior Volunteer Program, Dogs Educating and Assisting Readers (DEAR), Assistance Dog Program, Therapy Dog Program, Prison Puppy Program, and Fidos Community Education Program. For more information, you can call Joe Swetnam at 410-880-4178.

Happy Columbus Day. Well, that's all for this week. Look after your neighbors. Remember our troops who are serving in harm's way. And don't forget their families. Commit a random act of kindness.

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