Jaycees

THE LURE OF the hunt will draw thousands of treasure seekers to Mount Airy this weekend to Maryland's Largest Yard Sale. Up to 10,000 people are expected to jam roads leading to the firemen's carnival grounds on Route 27 in search of antiques, furniture, clothing - even appliances and farm equipment. "I've seen everything sold here," said Sonny Hager, management vice president of Mount Airy Jaycees, event organizers. "We have vendors selling collectibles and people just selling some of the stuff from their houses.

A DINING extravaganza -- "Gala 2002, A Star Spangled Evening" -- will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight April 12 at the Earleigh Heights fire hall. And, by the time diners have finished their meals, served by well-known area restaurateurs and beverage sellers, they may feel downright patriotic about the quality of dining in Central County. Preparing food will be Cafe Boulevard, Cafe Mezzanotte, Garry's Grill, Wood Fire, Bill Bateman's Bistro, Romilo's and Gourmet Connection. The list also includes Heavenly Ham, Mische's Deli, Ledo Pizza, Severna Park Pizza & Subs, Texas Steaks, Sam's Club, Atlanta Bread Company and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery.

THE EASTER BUNNY and his helpers plan to hide thousands of eggs at Mount Airy's Watkins Park this weekend. The annual rite of spring is sponsored by Mount Airy Jaycees. Children from toddlers to age 12 are invited to hunt for the colorful eggs beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow. "Just watching the kids race across the park hunting for the eggs is worth all the work," said event coordinator Mike Quinn. "It's literally like a wave of kids, and the hunt itself takes less than five minutes." This year, 2,500 eggs filled with candy will be hidden.

SOME AREA HIGH school students got into the spirit of giving this holiday season, when they directed their efforts toward local charities. The wrestling team from Broadneck High School in Annapolis helped assemble holiday food baskets with the Annapolis Jaycees. And a crafts class at Southern High School in Harwood spent this month sewing quilts for children in need. The Annapolis Jaycees recruited the high school wrestling team last year to help assemble the baskets of donated food and toys.

MOUNT AIRY artist Dayle Duffy's latest work, The Promise, is her interpretation of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. She said she felt compelled to offer the work to the town to benefit the families of two residents killed in the attack at the Pentagon. "As a town resident, I felt very touched by the loss of the two men from Mount Airy, and by donating my work, I know that the money raised will get to the people affected right here in my hometown," she said. Mount Airy has set up a scholarship fund named for William Ruth and Ronald Vauk, who were killed Sept.

Imagine the world without cancer. That's what Lt. Col. George E. Peoples of Fulton is trying to accomplish with his cancer vaccines. Peoples, 38, a surgical oncologist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, will be recognized as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans for 2001 by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 27. The award is presented annually to outstanding Americans with exceptional achievements who have demonstrated service...

FOR THE PAST few months, volunteers have been working long hours to make the Taneytown Jaycees' 24th annual Haunted Barn one of the community group's best. But some "weird" things that have occurred over the years have left one volunteer wary of solitude in the barn. "I simply will not be in that barn alone," said Vickie Hunter, the Taneytown Jaycees community development vice president. Hunter said one year the volunteers were having a meeting on the first floor of the barn when they heard footsteps upstairs.

RATTLEWOOD GOLF Course will be the gathering place for 40 Special Olympics golfers at 3 p.m. Sunday. The athletes will play the first tournament in a series of nine that will conclude in a championship round at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 28. The event is sponsored by Professional Golfers Association of America, Nissan Motor Manufacturing and NFL Charities, and draws many Special Olympics participants from Howard, Carroll, Frederick...

25 Years ago: JC's To Operate Recycling Center Here Tomorrow -- The Mt. Airy Jaycees will operating a recycling center for the collection of newspapers, glass and cans Saturday, April 12th at the Mt. Airy Shopping Center. Jaycees from the local Chapter will be at the Center from 9 to 11 a.m. to collect material. Glass and metal containers should be clean and have the labels removed. Papers may either bundled or loose. If anyone has a quantity of material in this area and needs assistance, they may arrange for a pick-up.

MOUNT AIRY Elementary School held its annual talent show on April 13. Songs, dances, skits and poetry and several comedy acts performed by school staff members were featured. Dance performances were given by Brittany Bullock, Stephanie Hettchen, Becky Abel, Christine Shumar, Katie VanSant, Jennifer Fogle, Sarah Culler, Jennifer Skroupa, Brittany Burdette, Michelle Parks, Katia Racine, Jamey Nyberg, Erin Popa, Arianna Franca, Jackie Hood, Melissa Neagle, Damian Bosiacki, Shane Connors, Adam Culler, Kyle Purkey, Danielle Clark, Elisabeth Salmon, Paige Guay, Stepanie Clark, Jessica Sowder, Vassiliki Ellwood, Katerina Chaconas and Maria Chaconas.