Maryland Community Newspapers Online
ÔLt. Paul Taylor is the Firefighter of the Year for the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department.
He was honored at the department's annual banquet Nov. 8 for his work with the community and his assistance with the department's training program.
ÔBarbara Waas was named Emergency Medical Services Member of the Year for frequently being available during the week to assist on the ambulance.
ÔDale Browning received the President's Award, which is given by the department president. He has been an active fundraiser and was in charge of the department's training program.
ÔDarron Long, who was elected to a 28th year as fire chief, was named Volunteer of the Year for his involvement with the community and for representing the department with other local organizations. This is the second time he has won the award.
ÔRoger Runkles was given the Chief's Award for his dedication to the activity building since the day it opened. Runkles has scheduled events and organized volunteers to serve meals for social functions and during serious snow storms when the department feeds road crews and police working in the area.
ÔRodney Duvall was given the Assistant Chief Larry Johnson Memorial Award for his 64 years of dedication to the department.
ÔGeorge Easterday, Leonard King and Leonard Moxley were recognized for 50 years of service to the department.
Officers include Tom Gartner Sr., president; Gary Hilton, vice president; Terri Gartner-Surette, recording secretary; Mick Burch, treasurer; Allan Rea, assistant treasurer; Paul Taylor, personal secretary; and the Rev. Bob Braden, chaplain.
New this year are historian Ronnie Watkins and sergeant-at-arms Paul Rea.
Auxiliary officers returning for another year are Barbara Hilton, president; Margaret Duvall, vice president; Sandy Intile, secretary; Franny Flook, treasurer; Rodney Duvall, assistant treasurer; Callie Lewis, historian; Gloria Warfield, sergeant-at-arms; Tina Burns, chaplain; and Amanda Beall, color bearer.
Special Olympics offering one-stop shopping
Many of the home party products sold at house parties will be on sale Nov. 30 at the Special Olympics One Stop Shop Event at Damascus American Legion Post 171.
Multiple home party vendors and crafters will be under one roof and all for a good cause. All proceeds of the event will go to Special Olympics Maryland and will be donated to the organization at the 13th annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge – the largest single-day fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland.
There will also be door prizes, raffles and refreshments.
The American Legion is located at 10201 Lewis Drive. Sale hours are 2-6 p.m.
For more information, call 301-528-5052 or send an e-mail to onestopshop4somd@msn.com.
Visit www.somd.org for more information about Special Olympics Maryland or www.plungemd.com.
Get stepping with the Upper County Steppers
Upper County Steppers Inc. is looking for experienced boy and girl steppers ages 10-18 to become members of a community step team.
Team members will participate in step shows and competitions and attend seminars and classes on the history of step. Awards and trophies will be given for team and individual recognition at the annual awards banquet. The group will perform charitable performances and community service throughout the metropolitan region.
For more information, send an e-mail to ucs20874@
yahoo.com or call 301-528-9697.
American Legion oratorical contest coming up
It's the time for local high school students to begin preparation for competing in the annual American Legion Oratorical Contest.
For students at Damascus, Clarksburg and Seneca Valley high schools, the contest will be held Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. at Damascus American Legion Post 171, 10201 on Lewis Drive. Students in state-accredited home-schooling programs are also eligible.
Contestants should prepare and present an 8- to 10- minute oration about any aspect of the United States Constitution and recite the 3- to 5- minute oration on one of four topics relevant to the Constitution assigned in advance.
The post winner will compete in the Montgomery County contest in early February. The county winner will compete at the district level in early March and the district winner will compete at state level later in March. The state winner will represents Maryland in the national contest in Indianapolis April 17-19. All expenses are paid for the state winner and an adult chaperone.
Winners compete for more prize money at each level. Cash prizes at Post 171 are $500 for the winner, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.
The national winner may receive as much as $23,000 in total scholarship money.
The 2008 national winner was Spencer Harjung from Maryland.
Registration for the Post 171 contest needs to be completed by Dec. 15.
Interested students need to contact one of the following: Cliff Elgin at Clarksburg High School, Ed Martin at the Damascus High School career center, Lt. Cmdr. Hernandez at Seneca Valley High School NJROTC at 301-353-8018, or George Bolling for home-schooled students 301-898-7119.
‘Heaven Calls' in Damascus
Damascus Theatre Company will present "Heaven Calls," a holiday musical comedy about the eternal problem of miscommunication, this weekend.
The show is about an ordinary family juggling Christmas preparations and responsibilities, completely unaware of the subtle and not-so-subtle messages they are about to receive. A glitch in the out-of-this-world communication system allows a whimsical glimpse into heaven, where angels work frantically to get their messages through to the family.
The multigenerational cast of 40 ranges in age from very young to mature and includes some well-known members of the community.
The Damascus Theatre Company will present "Heaven Calls" at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church St.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens at the door. Tickets are $2 less in advance and are available at the Music Café, 26528-B Ridge Road in Damascus, or online at www.damascustheatre.org.
Reach out to warm a heart
Hearts & Homes for Youth, a Silver Spring-based nonprofit that counsels and shelters troubled, homeless and abused children in the Washington/Baltimore area, is seeking donations to fulfill the wishes of 150 children who will be without their families this season.
The Wish Makers Holiday Gift Drive, which ends Dec. 15, is seeking toys, clothing, gift certificates or other donations from individuals and groups.
To help, call 301-589-8444, ext. 212, or visit www.heartsandhomes.org.
Items for People and Places must be received by 9 a.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. They can be mailed to The Damascus-Clarksburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; sent by fax to 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to ssingerbart@gazette.net.
