Queen Contest

LOCAL ARTIST Charles Beck is featured in the August edition of Victorian Homes, available on newsstands. Beck, a Mount Airy resident who has been commissioned to paint home portraits locally and nationally, was asked by Victorian Homes to paint portraits of three contest-winning homes in the magazine's Victorian Colors Contest. The homes were selected for their use of color, historical accuracy and overall effect of the external paint scheme. The first-place winner received an 18-by- 24-inch watercolor home portrait by Beck, which is featured in the magazine.

SUMMER wouldn't be complete without a carnival. With rides, bingo, live music, and of course, sticky caramel apples and cotton candy, carnivals offer something for everyone, young and old.It seems as if the whole community turns out for at least one evening at the local carnival. It's kind of the thing to do during the dog days of summer, and a perfect chance to run into friends you haven't seen since hot weather set in.Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Firemen's Carnival Monday through July 27 at the Fire Company Carnival grounds, Route 27 and Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy.

LOCAL FAVORITE Lynn Ferris is displaying her lovely watercolors at Carroll County Arts Council in Westminster through Aug. 11.Ferris is a Woodbine resident and a signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and Potomac Valley Watercolorists.She has worked as a commercial and architectural illustrator and is also a watercolor instructor, teaching classes and workshops.Her limited-edition prints are featured nationally by French Creek Sheep and Wool Co., and her watercolor called "The Group" appeared as cover art on the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association.

His arms raised and his tongue stuck out, 12-year-old Mike Casey looked like a winner - albeit one with smudges of cherry pie all over his nose, lips and chin. Casey, from Laurel, used his well-honed skills to beat competitors in the Howard County Fair's pie-eating contest yesterday, earning him a silver trough as a trophy. It was his third consecutive win, and all the more impressive because he took on 13- to 17-year-olds this year. Earlier, his 7-year-old brother, Joey, ate his way to victory in the 5-to-8-years-old group.

Ensuring that children aren't the only ones to receive fire prevention education is Angela Bowen's goal for the next year.That's why the Hampstead resident -- who recently won the Carroll County Fire Prevention Queen contest -- is offering to plan fire drills for county churches."

The Educational Foundation for Foreign Study and its local exchange coordinator have honored Carsten Oehme of Germany, who attended Liberty High School this year.Carsten will be recognized at Liberty High's graduation Saturday. He arrived in August and has been living with the Varakin family in Eldersburg.At Liberty, he overcame cultural and language obstacles, joined the track team and performed community service. He will return home soon after graduation.Host families are needed for students arriving in August.

Poe at Hampton See how Edgar Allan Poe influenced the literary culture of 19th-century Baltimore from the poet himself. David Keltz will take on the personality of Poe during a one-hour program at the Hampton National Historic Site Sunday at 2 p.m. The event will also include readings from Poe's works. The Hampton National Historic Site is at 535 Hampton Lane in Towson. Admission is free. Call 410-823-1309 or visit www.nps.gov/hamp. Trinidad and Tobago Explore the culture, history, government and attractions of Trinidad and Tobago at the 19th annual Trinidad and Tobago Days festival this weekend at the Clifton Park Bandshell.

Carroll County's Farm Queen was named first runner-up Sunday in the Maryland Farm Queen contest at the Maryland State Fair.Laura M. Kaminski, 19, of Manchester, said she will represent the Maryland FarmBureau at events during the year that the queen cannot attend.She also will be at the fair, which runs through Labor Day, to help hand out awards.Kelly Holland of Pocomoke, Worcester County, won the title after a two-day competition. She was crowned by the outgoing queen, Jenell Rinehart, 18, of Taneytown.

Name: Michelle Meyd, 16, of GambrillsSchool: Archbishop Spalding High School, SevernAccomplishments: An A student, she ranks in the top 10 percent of the student body. She is a member of the National Honor Society and listed in the 1991-1992 "Who's Who Among High School Students." Although a junior, she serves as the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, a position previously held only by seniors. Michelle is the vice president of the Student Government Association and also represents the student body on the school's Academic Council.

The three contestants for Howard County farm queen, squirming in their scratchy new dresses, rocked on the balls of their feet, backward and forward, backward and forward.There was nothing to do now but wait.The judges huddled in an office at the quaint fairgrounds next to Interstate 70, deciding the winner.The contest was last Sunday in the same damp show ring where an hour earlier the milking contest was held and a couple of hours later sheep and pigs would be shown.As the judges considered the girls' backgrounds, one fact stood out: Of the three contestants for farm queen, only one lived on a farm.