Community Support

On July 16, Lighthouse, a nonprofit counseling center for children and families, held its first Summer Stroll. Participants were treated to special deals from Catonsville businesses, raffles for gift certificates and the winner from the "Show Us Your Chair" contest. Our event exceeded all expectations. We had beautiful weather and were serenaded by live music. We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the following businesses and individuals for helping to make this event a tremendous success: Greg Bean, Bertamini's Hair Salon, BNet, Bronze Bombshells Mobile Spray Tanning, Caffe Di Roma, Candlelight Inn and Catonsville Gourmet.

We wholeheartedly agree with The Sun's recent editorial urging the Baltimore City school board to seek a superintendent whose strategy will take into account the "issues of poverty, violence and family instability" that affect student performance ("Whatever it takes," June 2). If children arrive at school hungry, needing eyeglasses, fearful of walking home or worried about family problems they cannot focus fully on learning. Indeed, if they miss school because of these or similar issues, their prospects of a bright future are dim. We know that these are the realities for far too many of Baltimore's students.

Editor: I am writing to thank everyone who came out to support my fundraiser held in the fellowship hall of Grace Reformed Episcopal Church in Havre de Grace. Mrs. Kimie Ranken made the event possible by reserving the hall as well as providing the many volunteers who prepared and served the delicious spaghetti. Special thanks to Jay and Barb Davis, Bill Ranken, Cape and Julie Ranken, Kate Sample, Bill Sedberry, Ann Stubbs, Dawn Specht and Pastor Mark Specht and his wife, Christine Specht, for working so diligently to make the evening a success.

Editor: The members of the Havre de Grace Independence Celebration Inc. Committee want to recognize and extend our sincere thank you to John and Susan Muldoon, of the Vandiver Inn, as well as their entire staff, for hosting the 4th annual fundraising event benefitting our July 4th festivities. The Muldoons and the Vandiver staff once again put on a fantastic event complete with exceptional food, great music, fun raffles and all done in the Vandiver classy atmosphere! We also want to thank all those who purchased tickets to the event as well as the companies who donated so many very nice door prizes and raffle items.

Editor: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Harford County would like to extend a tremendous thank you to all of the individuals and companies that helped to make our third annual bull and oyster roast on Feb. 23 such a huge success.  We would like to thank the business community here in Harford County for their generosity in choosing to sponsor our event. Thank you to our Guardian Angel Sponsor: Saxon's Diamond Centers; our Champion Sponsor: BB&T Bank; our Protector Sponsors: Bolton & Kearney, PA; Brinton Building Services, Harford Community College; Love, Fleming and Bearsh, LLC;  Rosedale Federal, and Wegmans and our Advocate Sponsors: Jeff and Mary Allan; Bel Air Orthodontics; Cohen & Forman, LLC; Mike and Mary Beth Denbow; Freedom Federal Credit Union; Harford Bank, Level Heating and Air Conditioning, Runey Construction and Walter G. Coale.

Editor: The members of the Havre de Grace Independence Celebration Inc. Committee want to recognize and extend our sincere thank you to John and Susan Muldoon, of the Vandiver Inn, as well as their entire staff, for hosting the 4th annual fundraising event benefitting our July 4th festivities. The Muldoons and the Vandiver staff once again put on a fantastic event complete with exceptional food, great music, fun raffles and all done in the Vandiver classy atmosphere! We also want to thank all those who purchased tickets to the event as well as the companies who donated so many very nice door prizes and raffle items.

We wholeheartedly agree with The Sun's recent editorial urging the Baltimore City school board to seek a superintendent whose strategy will take into account the "issues of poverty, violence and family instability" that affect student performance ("Whatever it takes," June 2). If children arrive at school hungry, needing eyeglasses, fearful of walking home or worried about family problems they cannot focus fully on learning. Indeed, if they miss school because of these or similar issues, their prospects of a bright future are dim. We know that these are the realities for far too many of Baltimore's students.

Rodgers Forge Elementary School Principal Missy Fanshaw has seen her fair share of triumph this summer. Her son, Patrick, is a junior attackman on Loyola University's national champion lacrosse team. Andrew, her middle son, helped Calvert Hall to an MIAA lacrosse championship this spring, and youngest son Michael won the MYLA championship with his Kelly Post youth lacrosse team. Now Fanshaw, who took over as principal at Rodgers Forge in January after Susan Deise retired late last year, can add a sterling achievement of her own to the mantel.

Editor: On behalf of the officers and members of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our fifth annual Toys for Tots campaign this season. Our goal this was to fill, from front to back, all three of our Medic Units with new, unwrapped toys. I am happy to say that we were able to fulfill that goal for the U.S. Marine Corps' Reserves Toys for Tots Foundation so that hundreds of boys and girls could wake up on Christmas morning and have a brand new toy under their Christmas tree.

Catonsville High School's faculty and staff thank the Catonsville students and community for their outpouring of support for our varsity football team during this season. We are very proud of these outstanding young men and their accomplishment of making it to the state semi-finals. Record crowds were in attendance for our home and away games. You also supported our Comet Booster Club by purchasing spirit wear, which was worn frequently by many of our students in recent weeks.

Where has honor gone? The Founding Fathers knew what it meant to serve the people first, and with honor, not in hopes of financial kickbacks or political favors. Yet in 2013 I am distraught by the lack of honor shown by our public servants. I think of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz yelling at senior citizens in front of small schoolchildren. What a disturbing display of childish behavior. Council members meeting last month stated they had to pass the storm water management fee or face budget cuts from the state.

On Feb. 10, the Patterson Mill High School Class of 2013 held its fourth annual Senior Fashion Show & Prom Expo, "Red Carpet Affair!"  With over 570 guests in attendance and 109 models participating, including seniors and faculty, the afternoon was a huge success. This event is sponsored by the PTSA Chemical-Free Senior Events Committee to help fund the chemical–free After Prom Party at the Bel Air Athletic Club and After Graduation Cruise on the Spirit Baltimore at the Inner Harbor.

Editor: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Harford County would like to extend a tremendous thank you to all of the individuals and companies that helped to make our third annual bull and oyster roast on Feb. 23 such a huge success.  We would like to thank the business community here in Harford County for their generosity in choosing to sponsor our event. Thank you to our Guardian Angel Sponsor: Saxon's Diamond Centers; our Champion Sponsor: BB&T Bank; our Protector Sponsors: Bolton & Kearney, PA; Brinton Building Services, Harford Community College; Love, Fleming and Bearsh, LLC;  Rosedale Federal, and Wegmans and our Advocate Sponsors: Jeff and Mary Allan; Bel Air Orthodontics; Cohen & Forman, LLC; Mike and Mary Beth Denbow; Freedom Federal Credit Union; Harford Bank, Level Heating and Air Conditioning, Runey Construction and Walter G. Coale.

You might not be thinking about farm-fresh produce in January, but the Maryland Department of Agriculture says now is the right time to check into joining a community-supported agriculture program. Members of a CSA pay an upfront subscription fee to farmers in return for a share of the season's harvest, which is usually provided weekly. Many CSAs deliver to central locations for pickup on a certain day of the week. Still others have special rates if the subscriber helps with the harvest on the farm.

Editor: On behalf of the officers and members of the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our fifth annual Toys for Tots campaign this season. Our goal this was to fill, from front to back, all three of our Medic Units with new, unwrapped toys. I am happy to say that we were able to fulfill that goal for the U.S. Marine Corps' Reserves Toys for Tots Foundation so that hundreds of boys and girls could wake up on Christmas morning and have a brand new toy under their Christmas tree.

This is simply a letter of thanks to the individuals in the Laurel community who are helping me grow the Mance Foundation. In particular, I am especially grateful to Chief McLaughlin and every person in the Laurel City Police Department for their valuable input and community engagement in helping the organization carry out its first Tour de Laurel bike ride and 5k walk fundraisers. I cannot say thank you enough to them for volunteering their time to help keep the participants safe during these fundraisers.