Are you looking for a fun vacation idea? This summer, the Sisney family journeyed to one of their favorite locales: exotic Anthony's Key Resort in Roatán, Honduras. They returned home with some great stories and some even better photos.

As certified divers, parents Steve and Tricia Sisney spent all but one day of their weeklong vacation participating in organized dives. For those unfamiliar with this pursuit, Tricia said each dive is unique and beautiful, providing close-up views of coral, tropical fish, and her favorite, sea turtles. Steve and Tricia chose to go deep-sea fishing on their day off from diving. Although the fish remained relatively scarce, the pair did manage to catch a few tuna and a barracuda. And no, it didn't know Sarah Palin!

Meanwhile, their children, Sam, 10, and Sarah Beth, 8, attended Dolphin Scuba Camp. Sam opted to take the junior scuba diver certification class and successfully completed all of the course requirements. He received his junior certification and may now dive to a depth of 40 feet with a dive master. For Steve and Tricia, the highlight of their trip was joining Sam during his final dive at the camp.

Although Sarah Beth was not old enough to participate in the junior class, she, too, used scuba equipment and dove to a depth of 8 feet and she also indulged in some horseback riding. Both children took part in guided dolphin encounters during their camp and visited Gumbalimba National Park, where they learned about the island's history and interacted with monkeys and macaws.

Interestingly, the Sisneys met another Maryland family on the trip: a granddad from Severna Park, his pediatrician daughter and her two children from Phoenix, and another daughter who is a commander in the Navy and resides in Laurel. Imagine traveling 1,700 miles and meeting people who live 20 to 30 miles from your home! The Sisney family so thoroughly relished their adventure that they already plan to make another trip.

This week, I have another update from our ever-changing Waverly Woods Village Center. Nika Edwards, who has owned Nika's Hair Studio on St. John's Lane since 1994, launched a second salon in the Waverly Woods Village Center this year, called Nika & Co. Hair Studio.

Nika grew up in Catonsville and opened her first salon in her hometown. However, after falling victim to an armed robbery, she chose to change locations. Another stylist told her about the Ellicott City shop, which she loved at first glance. In fact, she has now made Ellicott City her own home, too.

When the Waverly Woods location became available, a friend notified Nika and asked whether she would be interested in opening a second business. After making the decision to proceed, she needed look no further than her own clientele for a manager. Vicki Tymann, also an Ellicott City resident, has frequented Nika's for 10 years. Because all of her children had entered school full-time -- Dean is now a senior at Mt. Hebron, and Drew, 10, and Jennifer, 7, both attend Worthington Elementary -- Vicki felt a little lost and mentioned to Nika that she might begin looking for a job. Nika offered her one on the spot.

For more information, call 410-480-7030 or go to www.nikaandcompany.com.

LaVerne Miers-Bond, an art teacher at Marriotts Ridge, asks you to remember the high school while cleaning out your house this fall. The art department needs crock pots, blenders, hair dryers, hand tools, power tools, and knitting supplies.

Marriotts Ridge provides many opportunities for students to channel their creativity, including free drawing sessions on Tuesdays, a knitting club on Wednesdays, and National Art Honor Society and Art Club, which meet on Thursdays.

E-mail Laverne_Miers-Bond@hcpss.org if you can donate any of the requested items.

user comments (0)