Vicki

On their annual kayak trips, Tim and Vicki Johnson have been charged by grizzlies, tossed by rough seas and terrorized by sea lions. Tim once almost ran out of drinking water and another time sank in quicksand up to his thigh. Despite - or maybe because of - these brushes with danger, the couple from Elkton both say they feel most alive when they're on the water in their kayaks, paddling around such remote areas as Alaska's Inner Passage. "We've paddled with orcas," Vicki said. They've also traveled alongside hundreds of thousands of salmon.

On February 10, 2005 JOHN HOWARD BITTNER devoted husband of Vicki Bittner; beloved son of Vicky Aires and the late John Howard Bittner, Jr.; loving brother of Vicki Irwin, Gabe Bittner and Jimmy Aires; blessed with three nieces and one nephew. Also survived by many loving family members. Relatives and friends may call at Charles S. Zieler & Son, Inc., 6224 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224 on Saturday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 where funeral services will be held Saturday 8:30 p.m.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Vicki Gordy, a young grandmother and self-described "rascal" who wears purple eye shadow, a gold ankle bracelet and a necklace spelling out her name in diamonds, sat in front of her computer last spring and started crafting a letter to her local newspaper. It was the first letter to the editor the 54-year-old had ever written - for one thing, she doesn't subscribe to the paper. But, looking out the window at the children circling her court on bikes and then over to her bookshelves, home to nearly two dozen Bibles, she felt God was imploring her to write.

On July 1, 2004, VICKI LEE LINDAMOOD; devoted daughter of William and Miriam Herrell; beloved wife of the late Larry Lindamood; loving sister of Allison Catucci and her husband Tony and Kenny Herrell and his wife Pam; special friend of Melvin Stanton and also survived by many loving family members, friends and the community at Aquahart Manor. Relatives and friends may call at the family owned and operated Ambrose Funeral Home of Lansdowne, 2719 Hammonds Ferry Road, on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M., where funeral services will be held Wednesday 11 A.M. Interment to immediately follow services in the Meadowridge Memorial Park in Elkridge.

At Howard Community College, a troupe of actors is performing a farce called Noises Off about a troupe of actors performing a farce called Nothing On. Confusing? Maybe, but it's also hilarious. In Michael Frayn's comedy set in England, Dottie Otley has organized a touring production to make money for her retirement. She will be playing Mrs. Clackett, a comic housekeeper. The curtain opens on an eight-door, two-level set. We're watching a rehearsal of the first act. It's going badly. The production has had only two weeks of rehearsal and is due to open the next night.

Vickie Winans answers her cell phone in the same powerful, melodic voice that has stirred the spirits of gospel music fans for decades. In Birmingham, Ala., having spent the previous day performing, Winans sounds familiar and folksy, like an old friend. "Honey, let me tell you about this amazing show," says the singer, referring to her new musical stage play, Torn Between Two Loves, which opens at Lyric Opera House on Tuesday. Torn charts one woman's inner struggle with the vow she has made as a nun and the pastor with whom she has suddenly fallen in love.

On November 29, 2003, VICKI JOHNSON OBERLEITNER; beloved wife of Michael S. Oberleitner; devoted daughter of Betty and John Meier; adored mother of Ava; loving sister of John, Scott and Chris. Also survived by countless extended family and friends. Friends may call at the Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc., 1630 Edmondson Ave. (1 mile west of beltway exit 14) on Friday from 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at Catonsville Presbyterian Church, 1400 Frederick Road at 10:30 AM. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Vicki's name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 43025, Baltimore, MD 21236-0025.

On November 26, 2003, WILLIAMGIANNUZZI; beloved father of Gina Thompson and her companion Robert Rickelmann and William A. Giannuzzi and his wife Vicki; loving grandfather of Patrick Neyer, Eric Erdman, Alexandria Thompson and Nicholas Giannuzzi. Also survived by his good friend Shirley Simon and former wife Vicki Neyer. Friends may call at the HUBBARD FUNERAL HOME INC., 4107 Wilkens Ave., on Saturday 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will begin at 8 PM at the funeral home. Interment private.

On September 17, 2003, VICKI LYNN MOUNT CARDARELLI; devoted daughter of Billy and Ginny Mount; beloved mother of Crystal DeSmith; dear granddaughter of Neal McCullough; loving sister of Jeffrey, Thomas and David Mount; loving niece of Dan and Janet Fangmeyer, Shirley and Frank Cantalupo and Mike McCullough. Friends may call at the CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME, 1211 Chesaco Avenue, on Monday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 8:30 P.M. Funeral service 8:30 P.M., Monday. Interment private.

READING, Pa. - In the back of the Maple Grove Raceway parking lot, behind rows of campers and trailers, beyond thoroughfares bustling with motorcycles, 4-by-4s and golf carts, the Jr. Dragster racing team of Cory and Vicky Baldwin is on a cellular telephone talking to their mom. It is mid-afternoon on an overcast day in late June, and Vicky, who is 14, is about to face her first round of elimination races. Cory will race after his sister when the organizers finally work down through the eight age groups to the 11-year-olds.