Winnie The Pooh

LOS ANGELES -- ABC heads the list of finalists for the Humanitas Prize with six nominations, followed by NBC with five and CBS with four. The awards, presented by the Human Family Educational and Cultural Institute to honor "humanizing achievement in television writing," will be handed out July 8 at the Century Plaza Tower.In the 30-minute category, which carries a $10,000 prize, finalists are Craig Hoffman ("Hardware Store" episode of ABC's "The Wonder Years"); John Masius ("Boys of Summer," CBS's "Brooklyn Bridge")

John Fiedler, 89, a stage and screen actor who won fame as the voice of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh films, died Saturday, The New York Times reported yesterday. Mr. Fiedler's stage credits included the part of Medvedenko in The Sea Gull, starring Montgomery Clift, and the Broadway productions of A Raisin in the Sun, with Sidney Poitier, and The Odd Couple, starring Walter Matthau and Art Carney. Mr. Fiedler had character parts in movies, including True Grit, with John Wayne, and A Touch of Mink, with Cary Grant.

``The book 'Sleepy Dog' by Harriet Ziefert is a funny one about a dog named Sleepy Dog. While asleep Sleepy Dog has many interesting, exciting and scary dreams. Read this book amd learn about Sleepy Dog's dreams.''- Shakia DawkinsLeith Walk Elementary`` 'The Very Best Easter Bunny' by Ann Braybooks is a very good book because Winnie the Pooh has to dress up as a bunny and his costume is floppy and loose, and droopy. But it's cool too, when Tigger jumps and falls on the table.''- Juliana OldewurtelSeneca Elementary``My favorite book is 'Outrageous 3-D Reptiles' by Ian Boyd.

Edsger Wybe Dijkstra, 72, a University of Texas professor who was considered a pioneer of computer science, died of cancer Wednesday in Austin. He was renowned for his work in software development and computers, including his early insight that mathematical logic is the basis for programming. He was also well known for his work regarding the building of computer operating systems and other areas in the field, including his shortest path algorithm. Ronald McCroby, 68, a master whistler who performed with orchestras and jazz groups, died in Aurora, Ohio, on Monday of a heart attack.

Reading Family Fair at Carroll Library The Carroll County Public Library's second annual Summer Reading Family Fair runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the TownMall of Westminster (400 N. Center St.; 410-857-0300) near Sears in the Center Court. All ages invited. 11 a.m. - Fictional character Fuzzball performs a "Choose to Read" program, highlighting the benefits of reading. 11:30 a.m.--12:30 p.m. - Baltimore Blast soccer player J. J. Kremer will sign autographs. 12:30 p.m. - Val and Pam, KinderSingers of the WMAR-TV program "It's Kindertime," sing songs and tell stories.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Clutching a baby doll named Brie and a new suitcase containing her favorite "Winnie the Pooh" tape, 2-year-old Jessica DeBoer was scheduled to say goodbye today to the little house in Ann Arbor and leave behind Jan and Roberta DeBoer, who have raised her since she was days old.Today, a court-appointed intermediary was to surrender Jessica to her biological parents, Dan and Cara Schmidt of Blairstown, Iowa. The Schmidts have battled to get her back since she was weeks old.Jessica had been told she is going to Iowa, but she didn't learn until yesterday that she would leave today, said Suellyn Scarnecchia, the DeBoers' attorney.

Century High School will present its first fall production, Winnie the Pooh, at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday in the school auditorium. Tickets are $5; free for ages 3 and younger with a paying adult. The school is at 355 Ronsdale Road near Winfield. Information: 410-386-4400. Moms on the Move sets schedule of activities Moms on the Move, a Sykesville-Eldersburg area community group, has announced coming activities. Members will hold a Halloween party at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at Wesley-Freedom United Methodist Church in Eldersburg.

New Windsor Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church will present a luncheon and program at noon Wednesday in the church. Church Elder Dan Holler, a trauma and phobia specialist at Liberty Christian Counseling Service in Sykesville, will discuss fears and phobias. Subjects will include the fear of heights, spiders, bridges, elevators, the dark and needles. A lunch of soup and bread will be served after the program. The public is welcome. Programs will be held monthly and include guest speakers and different topics.

BALTIMORE -- More than 5,000 books collected by employees of the state's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services were donated to Johnston Square Elementary School last week.The staff donations were made after the department learned of a severe shortage of books in the school's library.Stuart O. Simms, secretary of the department, said he believes helping children learn to read can help prevent crime. About 75 percent of the inmates in Maryland prisons are high school dropouts and read at a sixth-grade level, he said.