Sales Academy

For decades, residents of the neighborhoods around Mount de Sales Academy have flocked to the school's historic high ground to enjoy a view of the Catonsville fireworks show and catch a glimpse of the Inner Harbor's celebration in a low-key atmosphere that allowed people to catch up with friends and neighbors. This year, however, the school decided to put an abrupt end to that neighborhood tradition. In recent months, residents have seen new black security fencing and gates erected between the school and the community.

Moving into the Baltimore County neighborhood of Academy Heights carries a responsibility.Residents adhere to a strict covenant and strive to keep the community uniform and looking its best. But they also have a strong sense of camaraderie, evident in the way the community takes care of its own.Homeowners must follow restrictions that mandate slate roofs, black or brass front porch lights, green awnings. Mailboxes must be green, black or brass and masonry foundations must be painted white, gray or sandstone.

The Baltimore area's first new convent in decades for a growing religious order opened its doors Sunday afternoon to give visitors a peek inside. Mount de Sales Academy, a Catonsville landmark and high school, welcomed more than 1,000 people to view the newly built convent, giving them what may be the only opportunity to see the entire structure, as everything but a few designated areas will be cloistered. "This is a real blessed moment," said Mother Ann Marie, the mother general of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation of Nashville, Tenn., who came for the dedication of the convent chapel and open house.

A former employee of a Catholic girls school in Catonsville, who says she was fired after an affair with the school's former chaplain, is suing him, the school and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, alleging defamation and other transgressions, according to court documents. In the suit, filed last week in Baltimore City Circuit Court, Ellicott City resident Charyl Breidenstein alleges that the Rev. Timothy Fell, her former parish priest, had sexual contact with her over an approximately 18-month period, ending about June 2005.

An investment group says it is close to making final a deal to buy the financially troubled Columbia Academy Elementary School and its sister operation, the Columbia Academy Pre-School, both of which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week.Members of the group, headed by a Woodbridge, Va., businessman who operates 25 private elementary schools and day-care centers in Virginia, vow to repay a $130,000 loan made to the private elementary school by a parents' group last summer."We have every intention of paying back the parents' loans," said Charles Leopold, founder and operator of Minnieland Private Day School Inc. in Woodbridge.

Westminster girl earns scholarshipChristine Cinquino of Westminster has receivced a $500 Rev. Robert W. Duerr Scholarship to Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville for next fall.She is in the eighth grade at Mothere Seton School in Emmitsburg.FIRE* Finksburg: Reese, Gamber and Reisterstown of Baltimore County responded to a chimney fire on Old Gamber Road at 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Units were out for 45 minutes.

Emily Targonski , of Ellicott City, received a leadership scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year from the Trustees of the Former Agents of the FBI Foundation. She is a graduate of Mount de Sales Academy. Frank Ugboh , of Laurel, received a $2,500 Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans scholarship in June for his perseverence in overcoming adversity while succeeding academically, contributing to the community and exhibiting exemplary character.

Megan Elizabeth Wisby of Eldersburg won the Miss Maryland Teen Pageant held May 1 at Anne Arundel Community College.Forty contestants competed in swimsuit, evening gown and interview.She will go to the national pageant, America's Perfect Teen, in July in Orlando, Fla.Megan, 17, is the daughter of Christine Wisby of Eldersburg and granddaughter of Robert and Mildred Herbert of Eldersburg. She is an honor student at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville.

With storms bearing down Monday evening, F. Patrick Marlatt hustled his daughters out the doors at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute on the University of Maryland, College Park campus, urging them to leave before the torrential rains and ferocious winds hit. Within minutes, Marlatt would be buried under the rubble of the trailers that housed the institute, and his daughters, both students at College Park, would be dead, victims of a swirling wind...

On November 16, 2003 MARY ELIZABETH KNIGHT O'MARA; beloved wife of the late John C. O'Mara; devoted mother of John Paul O'Mara, Gerald K. O'Mara, C. Joseph O'Mara, James P. O'Mara, Mary E. Seal and the late Mary J. Burke; loving grandmother of 15 and great grandmother of 10. Friends may gather at the Charlestown Chapel of the Angels on Wednesday 9:30 to 10 A.M. for visitation. Mass of Celebration will begin 10 A.M. Interment Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu if flowers memorials may be made in her memory to Mt. DeSales Academy Capital Campaign, 700 Academy Rd., Baltimore, MD 21228.