Kauffman

The routine isn't rehearsed, but after hundreds of appearances on the QVC shopping channel over the past decade, Ron and Margie Kauffman know what they'll say when it comes to the millions of Maryland-style crab cakes they sell under the brand Chesapeake Bay Gourmet. There is plenty of talk about the large lumps of crabmeat, about the company's ties to Maryland and the Chesapeake. On QVC's Web site, the products are labeled "Made in USA." What the carefully worded language omits is one critical fact.

With one semester of college under her belt, Amy Rogalski knows just what to tell Northeast High underclassmen: It'll be better and worse than you think.A year ago, the freshman at St. Mary's College was sitting just where her listeners will sit Jan. 9, hearing recent graduates return to the high school to talk about their experiences in a long-term program the school dubs the "Return of the Natives."Next week, the young woman from Pasadena will be the one passing on bits of painfully acquired wisdom.

Have baby hook, will travel -- and score points in bunches. That is Monica Johnson's motto at Lebanon Valley College this season as the former Randallstown standout attempts to speed up the team's rebuilding process. "My favorite shot is a left-handed baby hook," said Johnson, who can score with either hand. "I like power. Just take the ball in for a powerful layup. I like to show my presence from the beginning of the game." The 5-foot-10 junior power forward is 10th in the nation in Division III women's basketball scoring with a 21.5 average as well as ranking 38th in rebounding at 10.7.

Construction workers were putting the finishing touches on school buildings around the district until late Sunday afternoon, but the last-minute painting and tightening apparently paid off. Nearly 47,000 students started classes in Howard County yesterday with few, if any, problems reported. All additions and renovations were completed on time and on budget, said school spokeswoman Patti Caplan, and only three of 147 vacant teaching positions were left to be filled. "I don't think we've ever been this close before," Caplan said.

Anne Arundel Community College's Moonlight Troupers have embarked on their final week of rehearsal in preparation for next weekend's opening of Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts. Ludwig's farce, filled with mistaken identities and assorted tenor groupies, opened on Broadway in March 1989. It ran there for more than a year, winning many awards including two Tonys, then ran in London, where it was nominated for the Olivier Award as comedy of the year. The show has been seen in 200-plus productions in more than 25 countries.

Not since her children were toddlers has Sandy Kauffman of Philadelphia had such a direct means of keeping tabs on their whereabouts. When her 16-year-old son drove to an Eagles game for the first time, she knew exactly what time to expect him home. And when her 20-year-old son went to a forbidden concert in Washington, she knew about that, too. She simply dialed his cell phone. "They always carry them with them. We called, and he answered. He was busted," said Kauffman. It's no secret that parents love cell phones and are willing to shell out an average of $120 per phone and $56 in monthly fees to help keep track of their increasingly mobile offspring.

Gene Budig often tells the story of how when he was a kid, he longed to be the second baseman for the New York Yankees."My mother wanted me to be a priest, and we both were disappointed," Budig said.Perhaps not. In his new role as American League president, Budig (pronounced BEW-dig) will get to be around Yankees and other teams -- without any risk of injury.And given the seeming multitudes of problems confronting the lords of baseball, Budig, who was named last week, might be wise to consult heaven as early and as often as possible.

For Kyle Kauffman, cerebral palsy is a hurdle, not a wall. He has a high school diploma, a Facebook account and a dorm room at Stevenson, where he majors in public history and manages the men's soccer team. "Soccer is probably the most beautiful sport there is," said Kauffman, of Lancaster, Pa. But for his physical disability, he would have played the game. Tuesday night, when Stevenson hosts Hood at 7 p.m., Kauffman will get that chance. To honor their manager, the Mustangs will suit him up, introduce him with the starters and play the 21-year-old senior at forward for the first few minutes of the game.

Robert E. Kauffman, who led Anne Arundel Community College's theater and performing arts department for 30 years, died of cancer Thursday at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He was 73 and lived in Arnold. "We called him 'chief,'" said Peter Kaiser, the school's events manager, a former student and a friend. "You looked to him as a leader. He was articulate and held the bar high. You rose to meet it. " Mr. Kauffman was associated with about 65 productions of the school's Moonlight Troupers Drama Club.