Teddy bears get repairs at EMS event in Leonardtown

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, May 29, 2009

"We had a couple of hundred kids," Elizabeth Campbell of the St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support Unit said this week. "We had [a supply of] donated stuffed animals and we gave them some, and they participated in the Teddy Bear Clinic that way. They really enjoyed bandaging the animals."

The ALS unit partnered with local volunteer fire and rescue companies, St. Mary's Hospital, the Boy Scouts and law enforcement officers to provide information about safety and the 911 system, distribute stickers, coloring pages, fire hats and pencils, and answer questions focusing on injury prevention during the summer season.

Sheriff's deputies also provided safety tips and brought along a police dog to meet the children. Maryland State Police were there to check child safety seats, and a flight paramedic from Trooper 7 talked to children and brought his flight gear.

Campbell said the Teddy Bear Clinic was a centerpiece, where children moved on to check out the ambulances and firefighting vehicles. "We put the teddy bears in the center under a tent," she said, "and all the apparatus around it."

Church group plans Ridge bake sale

The Ridge United Methodist Women's spring bake, crafts and rummage sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow, Saturday, in the First Friendship Church Fellowship Hall on Route 5 across from the Ridge firehouse, near the intersection with Wynne Road. Proceeds from the event will to be used for local charities and church preservation. Call 301-872-0285.

Community info to be offered Saturday

A volunteer tent event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, in the Century 21 New Millennium's parking lot in California, designed to increase awareness of services in the community as well as alert area residents to volunteering opportunities. There will also be a distribution of free prescription medicine discount cards through the United Way's partnership with the Family Wize Community Services. Call 301-862-2169 or send e-mail to conor.loughran@c21nm.com.

Science Extravaganza set for June 3 at Greenwell State Park

A Science Extravaganza and Health Day event will be held at 9 a.m. next Wednesday, June 3, for Head Start program participants at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood, a culmination of the past year's Learning Through Science and Model Health instruction.

The event will be held in collaboration with the Southern Maryland Childcare Resource Center. Head Start centers will have "host & boast" tables with students displaying the scientific knowledge and skills they've acquired. There also will be hands-on activities.

The Learning Through Science program was implemented this school year to strengthen children's aptitude in science, with a goal to stimulate their natural curiosity and develop scientific thinking abilities in preparation for their transition to kindergarten. Throughout the program year, Head Start children at every center, their families and teaching teams have been engaged in the program. Students become familiar with the steps of the scientific method by observing, gathering information and conducting simple experiments to learn that science is all around every day.

The Model Health program introduced a variety of healthier foods from multi-cultural backgrounds to help avoid obesity. The program also used role modeling for Head Start children and families to incorporate physical activities into their daily lives for life long benefits.

Teaching teams received hands-on quarterly trainings to empower them to provide quality lessons at the pre-school level. Parents received training through parent meetings and newsletters. Science and health activities were provided by the Learning Through Science Homework Helper, which was designed to encourage parent-child interaction at home and to reinforce what the children experienced in the classroom.

For more information on next week's event, call 301-475-5574, ext. 219.

School plans farewell concert, cookout

Holy Angels-Sacred Heart School in Avenue will close its doors next month after 83 years, and the school's alumni, families, friends and general public are invited to attend upcoming special events including a concert, cookout and closing Mass and awards day program.

A musical performance next Thursday, June 4, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Holy Angels Church Hall, where classes will sing special songs and students will read excerpts from oral history interviews they conducted with alumni of the school on topics including the Sisters of Charity and lay teachers who taught there.

The cookout on June 5 will be held at 10 a.m. at the 7th District Park.

The school's last day for students will be on June 10, with a closing Mass and awards program beginning at 9 a.m. at the church.

Restaurant to host Greenwell benefit

A Fais Do Do event to benefit the Greenwell Foundation will be held from 8 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at the Do Dah Deli restaurant in Leonardtown.

The Piney Point Playboys will provide the music, while Donna Jordan of the Hollywood House of Dance offers participants a chance to learn the Cajun two-step and waltz. Tickets costing $35 are available at the restaurant.

The proceeds will benefit inclusive and accessible horseback riding, summer camp, kayaking and outdoor nature programs held at Greenwell State Park. Proceeds will also support "Vacations for Vets," a respite program for wounded servicemen and women. Call 301-373-9775.

Legion auxiliary to hold June 6 yard sale

The American Legion Auxiliary in Ridge is having its annual yard-and-bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 6. Items to choose from will include furniture, household items, yard equipment and books. The event will be held rain or shine. To rent tables for $10, call 301-862-1272.

Walk/run on HSMC trails set for June 6

Members of the Chesapeake Bay Running Club are hosting a 5K Fun Run and Walk at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Historic St. Mary's City.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the visitor center off Rosecroft Road. The course is a wooded trail that meanders through woods, along fields, and by the St. Mary's River and St. Andrew's Creek.

The registration fee is $12, and the first 30 registrants will receive a National Trails Day T-shirt. Post-run snacks and drinks will be served.

After the race, HSMC is offering an opportunity for visitors to participate in geocaching, which combines hiking with using GPS to find a hidden cache. In celebration of the 375th anniversary of Maryland's founding, the cache will contain some special souvenirs. Stop in at the visitor center between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to pick up the cache coordinates.

For more, go online to www.stamaryscity.org or call 240-895-4990.

Hospital plans cancer survivors' picnic

St. Mary's Hospital is hosting a National Cancer Survivors Day picnic from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, in the hospital's parking lot.

The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation defines a "survivor" as anyone living with a history of cancer — from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

St. Mary's Hospital offers several programs for cancer patients, their family members and friends. The Cancer Support Group is a free group facilitated by employees from the hospital's cancer care and infusion services and case management departments. The class runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on June 3 and 17; July 1 and 15; and Aug. 5 and 19 in the hospital's classroom.

The hospital also partners with the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society for a free Look Good, Feel Better program from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on June 10, July 8 and Aug. 12. Call 301-475-6070.

jwharton@somdnews.com