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Calvert girls take top spots at state jousting tourney
Writer'S NOTEBOOK
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photos
Lily Fisher-Flaherty, 12, of Lusby was named the State Novice Champion at the Maryland State Jousting Championship in Brunswick after winning a run against her best friend.
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When 12-year-old Lily Fisher-Flaherty of Lusby and 10-year-old Mikayla Miller of St. Leonard entered the Maryland State Ring Jousting Championship in Brunswick, they had one expectation — to have fun. When Lily took the state novice championship and Mikayla placed second, it was only a bonus.
"We like doing it for fun, not for competition," Mikayla said.
Both girls competed in the novice class against 20 or so competitors of all ages, said Viviane Fisher-Flaherty, Lily's mom and both girls' horseback riding instructor.
Lily and Mikayla initially tied for first place by collecting eight out of a possible nine 1-3/4 inch-diameter rings. Two run-offs were held using 1-1/4 inch and then 1 inch rings before Lily was eventually named the winner.
"It's competitive, but it's a friendly atmosphere," Fisher-Flaherty said. "It's not terribly cutthroat."
While Fisher-Flaherty says the two girls have a friendly rivalry going, both girls downplayed the importance of winning. But with success comes expectations.
"I expect to place high, but not exactly win every time," Lily admitted. "Mikayla's my best friend, and to us it's no big deal."
Mikayla said her favorite thing about jousting isn't the competitions, but the entire experience.
"Just going to new places and getting the horses out," she said. "Getting them used to different things."
Fisher-Flaherty has operated the Tynewydd Riding Club on the property of David and Betsy Lewis in St. Leonard for 12 years. Fisher-Flaherty, whose father worked for the U.S. State Department, first learned to ride horses in England when she was 4 years old. Her children — Lily and 6-year-old Ian — have been on horses in some fashion since infancy. Lily has been jousting for four years, Mikayla for two.
"I'm not usually anywhere else except the barn," Lily said.
Fisher-Flaherty said she usually has anywhere from seven to 15 students at a time, and typically gives private one-hour lessons, as many as four in one day. She teaches riding year round and jousting during each annual season, from May through October. Eleven of her students competed at the Calvert County Jousting Tournament in August, including Lily and Mikayla.
"The nice thing about jousting, it's not about how expensive your horse is, how pretty your clothes are. You either get the rings or you don't get the rings. It's about performance," Fisher-Flaherty said. "There's a lot of camaraderie, and just a very nice, family atmosphere."
With her jousters using lances made with a knitting needle and dowel, Viviane held her last jousting session of the year on Monday. Soon her students will begin preparing for non-competitive indoor shows.
"I think it's good to be competitive, but not to be so serious that you aren't having fun.
"The main focus is on making the horse happy, because if your horse is happy, you'll be happy. He'll give you a good ride," she said. "I'm very fortunate to work with animals and children and to see personalities change because of the horses."
Hospice House grand opening
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the Burnett-Calvert Hospice House on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. The house is located at 4559 Sixes Road in Prince Frederick.
Light refreshments and tours of the house will follow the ribbon cutting. Shuttle bus service from the College of Southern Maryland parking lot will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Boyle publishes memoir
Brian Boyle, a 2004 McDonough High School graduate who lost 60 percent of his blood and nearly his life in a 2004 car crash, has published a memoir, "Iron Heart," detailing his recovery and eventual completion of the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.
Boyle started writing the memoir as another form of therapy in 2004, according to a press release. After being placed in a medically-induced coma, Boyle recovered to walk, run and eventually swim again. Three-and-a-half years after the accident, which left Boyle's heart on the right side of his chest, he finished the triathlon and, much like cyclist Lance Armstrong, has become a global inspiration to people suffering through similar ordeals.
"Iron Heart" is available online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. For more information on "Iron Heart" and Boyle, go to www.iron-heart.org and http://brianboyle.wordpress.com.
Healthcare career expo
The Calvert Healthcare Career Partnership is hosting a free expo on Oct. 22 at the Calvert Library Prince Frederick from 4 to 8 p.m.
Health care professionals and educators from the College of Southern Maryland will be available to discuss health care careers, including jobs in great demand, average pay scales and educational requirements.
Local healthcare organizations including Calvert Memorial Hospital, Calvert Hospice and Calvert County fire and rescue will also have representatives at the expo, according to a press release.
Bid for bling
The League of Women Voters of Calvert County will be holding its "Jewelry Jubilee" on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Carma Latvala, 3930 Chaneyville Road in Owings. All are welcome.
An entrance fee of one piece of jewelry or a $10 donation is required, but more is encouraged, according to a press release.
During the event, donated items will either be sold or entered into a silent auction with starting prices. All proceeds will benefit League programs.
Food, wine and cider will be provided, and there will also be a jewelry expert on site, according to the release.
To RSVP, call Roberta Safer at 410-586-2364 by Nov. 3.
Ray Owen coming to marine museum
Grammy nominated performer Ray Owen will bring The Song Buccaneer, "a musical adventure filled with pirates, islands, sea life, beached ships, sailors and mythical creatures" to the Calvert Marine Museum auditorium in Solomons on Friday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. The show is free.
During his career, Owen has performed with Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Arlo Guthrie and Bob Hope, according to a press release.
For more information, call 410-326-2042 or go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
