Year Award

E. Barry Rice, a professor of accounting at Loyola College since 1975, is the recipient of the 1991 Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, which he received during the college's Annual Maryland Day Convocation.*Aaron Wheeler, a graduate of Calvert Hall, was awarded the Lindsey Ostenasek Volunteer Scholarship for his involvement with the Special Friends Program. The scholarship was also awarded to Sheila Tyszko, a freshman at Villa Julie College, for her volunteer participation in the Spiritual Development Program Gallagher Center.

Jo McKee Travers, a 95-year-old resident of Roland Park Plac Health Care Center, was honored recently on a Clipper City cruise around the Inner Harbor. She is the author of patriotic songs about America, Maryland and Baltimore, including "One Nation Under God," "Black-Eyed Susan" and "Charm City."* Ken Weinberg has been chosen as a national trainer by "Just Say No" International in Walnut Creek, Calif.* * Two Western Maryland College alumni were honored at the school's annual homecoming celebration.

Boy Scout Troop 828 presented the William Bayne Scout of the Year Award for 2012 to James Heuser at its annual Court of Awards and Dinner on Feb. 14 at Havenwood Presbyterian Church, which sponsors the troop.  The award recognizes the Scout's achievements and contributions to the troop. James received his Eagle rank on Dec. 5, 2012, and has served the troop in many roles, including senior patrol leader, den chief, scribe, quartermaster and instructor, as well as serving as chaplain's aide for Philmont in 2011. Currently a junior at Loyola Blakefield High School, he initiated and is president of the Games Club, and has been a member of the chess, German and robotics Clubs. Proud parents are Leslie and Mark Heuser.  In addition to the Scout of the Year award, rank advancements were presented and new patrol leaders installed during the Court of Awards.

Two of the most anticipated prospects in the Orioles' system were at Camden Yards yesterday, wearing suits and ties and providing some hope for the club's future. In an on-field ceremony, top catching prospect Matt Wieters was presented with the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year Award and his batterymate, Brad Bergesen, received the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award. "It's a great year; it's a great award," said Wieters, who won it in his first pro season.

The Harford Bird Club announced its annual awards for 2011 at its recent March meeting. Awardees are, from left, Chris and Rebecca Kellar, Bird of the Year for hosting Harford's first Rufous hummingbird; Dennis Kirkwood, club president, holding the second Bird of the Year award for Swan Harbor Farm Park for hosting Harford's first LeConte's sparrow; Kerry MacLellan, special award from the Maryland Ornithological Society for her help with the youth...

The Home Builders Association of Maryland awarded its top three awards for 2004 during a ceremony this month. Ron Schaftel of Southern Land Co. was named Builder of the Year for his work in the organization. Schaftel became president of the builders' group last year and made lot inventory a central focus. He had been the group's chapter president in Baltimore County and has been a member of the organization for 14 years. Tim Nichols of Richland Homes received the Associate of the Year award, given to members of the group who are not builders.

Winters Mill senior Hannah Oneda has been named the Gatorade Maryland Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Also the All-Metro Runner of the Year, Oneda won every local race she ran this fall, including a record-setting performance (18:26.6) in the Class 2A state championship. She finished 33rd at the Foot Locker Nationals meet. Oneda is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also academic achievement.  Oneda has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, has volunteered as a peer tutor and was chosen to attend the HOBY Youth Leadership seminar in 2010.

If Ravens center Matt Birk has decided to retire, he hasn't announced it yet. Birk has, however, decided to go zip-lining with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Birk, a candidate for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, is in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and hanging out with The Commish. This photo is courtesy of the NFL. Birk, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Bears cornerback Charles Tillman are among the finalists for the award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

Santa's visit to open holiday season at Chatham Station Chatham Station Shopping Center in Ellicott City will hold a Holiday Kick-off Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Santa will arrive by horse-drawn sleigh at 11 a.m.; people can wait to welcome him on the sidewalk in front of Kmart. He will be available for visits and pictures. A brass ensemble will provide holiday music. Frosty the Snowman and a giant Gingerbread Man will be at the shopping center to greet customers and pose for pictures.

A state trooper assigned to a team that identifies potential terrorists and drug couriers, and a sergeant who issued more than 400 traffic citations last year received top honors at a Maryland State Police awards ceremony yesterday at the agency's headquarters in Pikesville. Tfc. Christopher M. Conner won the Trooper of the Year award, and Sgt. David Ruel won the Officer of the Year award for supervisors. Conner, 30, a member of the Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement Team, made 32 criminal arrests last year, mostly involving felony drug seizures.