The Olney Chamber of Commerce honored Elisabeth Deal, executive director of the Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association, as its Business Person of the Year.

Chamber Executive Director Virginia Mauk said Deal was selected for her innovative ideas that benefit local businesses, the Chamber and the Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association.

“I am honored to accept the award on behalf of the 800 volunteers and the local businesses that make OBGC such a success for the children in the community,” Deal said.

Deal recently completed a term as the chamber’s vice president, serving as membership director.

Deal met with many member and nonmember businesses and developed surveys that were used by the Chamber to better understand the needs of the local business community, Mauk said.

“She has just been very supportive and helped us to reach out to local businesses in different ways that we probably wouldn’t have otherwise done,” Mauk said.

Deal organizes OBGC fundraisers that often also benefit local businesses, Mauk said. She provides information on local restaurants and businesses to visiting teams and notifies business owners when OBGC is hosting a large event so they are prepared. She promotes the business sponsors by highlighting them in OBGC correspondence and on its website.

“Elisabeth has a lot of fresh ideas and has done a great job working with the Olney business community,” Mauk said.

Deal, a resident of Brookeville, has worked for OBGC for nearly 11 years. She began as the campaign director when the organization was building the OBGC Community Park and was then named executive director in 2004.

“The contributions Elisabeth has made to OBGC over the years have been both critical to our success and too numerous to mention,” OBGC Chairman Dan Dionisio said. “Her being recognized in this way is a testament to her commitment to children and her dedication to our community.”

Deal was honored at the Chamber’s Annual Awards and Installation dinner, held June 16 at the Inn at Brookeville Farms.

The chamber also recognized Longwood Recreation Center as its Partner in Business.

Longwood, managed by Sophie Randolph, supports two of the Chamber’s largest events, Olney Community Night and National Night Out.

“Longwood and Sophie have become a big part of our yearly programming,” Mauk said. “Sophie is an integral part of our planning, and the support of her and her staff is key to the success of our events. Without their support, we couldn’t have these events.”

The evening also included the installation of new officers: Pam Spears, individual member, president; Joe Buffington, Re/Max Realty, vice president; Shannon Gorman, Gorman Garments and Gear, secretary; and Delana Coyle, Sandy Spring Bank, treasurer.

At-large directors are Richard Bienvenue, Our House; Brenda Egeland, Red Letter Design; Ellen Coleman, RE/MAX Realty Centre; Paula Kahla, individual member; Suzanne Simpson, Simpson Law, PA; Emmyrich Vicente, PNC Bank; Trevor Waddington, St. John’s Episcopal School; and Sharon Holt, Sandy Spring Museum.

Changes in GOCA Leadership

Because of professional obligations, Ellen Bogage has resigned from her office as first vice president of the Greater Olney Civic Association.

“Ellen’s presence and contributions will be greatly missed,” said GOCA President Matt Zaborsky. “We appreciate all the hard work she did on behalf of GOCA.”

Based on the recommendation from GOCA’s nominating committee, Lori Goodwin of Hallowell has been appointed to the executive board and will serve as the recording secretary.

Theresa Robinson will serve as second vice president, and Lori Wilen will serve as first vice president.

Zaborsky will remain president. Also keeping their same roles are Jodi Finkelstein, executive vice president; Ruth Laughner, treasurer; and Kathy Curtis, corresponding secretary.

These officers will fulfill the remainder of their terms. The positions will be up for re-election in February.

Greenwood Goes Green

The Maryland Association has designated Greenwood Elementary School in Brookeville as a 2011 Maryland Green School for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

The Maryland Green School Awards Program challenges schools to integrate the environment into all aspects of the school culture, including professional development for teachers, curriculum integration, modeling of best management practices inside and outside the school, community involvement and celebration.

Greenwood Elementary School was officially recognized as a Certified Maryland Green School during the Maryland Green School Youth Summit June 3 at Sandy Point State Park, where the school was presented with a Maryland Green School flag.

The MAEOE certified 58 new schools as Maryland Green Schools this year, bringing the total number of certified schools to 398, or 18 percent of all public and private schools in the state. There are 42 Maryland Green Schools in Montgomery County. For the complete list, visit www.maeoe.org.

Eagle Scouts honored

Boy Scout Troop 264 recently inducted Christopher Ryker Chirigos and Gerad MacGregor Sherman to the rank of Eagle.

Both joined the troop after graduating from Cub Scouts at the age of 11. They are now 18 years old and residents of Silver Spring.

Sherman’s Eagle Service Leadership Project involved constructing an instructional and informational kiosk at the Lathrop E. Smith Center in Rockville.

Chirigos constructed of a path though a forested area for the Ashton United Methodist Church preschool for his project.

More than 100 friends, family and fellow scouts honored the pair May 15 at the Smith Center for the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony to recognize their achievement of the highest rank in Boy Scouting.

Over the past eight months, Troop 264 has celebrated attainment of the rank of Eagle by 10 of its Scouts. The Olney-based troop is made up of 60 scouts and more than 40 registered adults, led by Scoutmaster Dennis Bogan.

Last Call for Books

The Montgomery General Hospital Women’s Board is concluding its collection of books, videos, DVDs, CDs, cassettes and puzzles for its Annual Picnic and Bazaar, which will take place July 26.

Women’s Board Member Kathy Cadigan said book collections are down substantially this year, so she is hoping for a surge as the July 1 deadline approaches.

Items may be dropped off at the hospital lobby, the Thrift Shop, Fletcher’s Service Center, Olney and Ashton branches of Sandy Spring Bank and the Leisure World Administration Building.

No textbooks, encyclopedias, condensed books or magazines will be accepted. For information, contact Kathy Lieberman at 301-576-6167 or Kathy@KLieberman.com.

Free Food

Café Rio Mexican Grill will offer free meals at its Olney location today.

From 10:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., the restaurant will offer free burritos and salads to its customers, for dine in or carryout. Donations will be accepted for the Hope for the Warriors Foundation.

“This is our way of giving back to the community,” company spokeswoman Jennifer Burns said. “While the donation is completely optional, we’ve done this at many of our locations and have collected thousands of dollars.”

Café Rio is located at 3140 Olney Sandy Spring Road. The restaurant opened in April, marking the first east coast location for the Utah-based company.

“We have always had the most loyal fans and customers, and the Olney community is no different,” said Bob Baker, company president. “It is important to Cafe Rio and our team members to get involved in our local communities. By giving free meals and donating to great foundations such as Hope for the Warriors, it allows us to give back the same support we receive on a daily basis.”

Theatre Offers Community Event

The Olney Theatre Center announces its second annual Community Appreciation Day from noon to 5 p.m Saturday.

The event, held in conjunction with the Montgomery County Heritage Days celebration, will offer free performances and demonstrations, along with carnival games and food.

Performances include The Damascus Theatre Company, Kensington Arts Theatre Second Stage, Kang’s Black Belt Academy, The Drama Kids International and the Barrie School. The event concludes with a special performance by The Eric Byrd Trio at 4 p.m.

Located at 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. For information, visit www.olneytheatre.org

If you have an interesting note about the people and the events of our community, send it to Terri Hogan, Staff Writer, The Olney Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, or e-mail it to thogan@gazette.net. Our fax numbers are 301-670-7182 or 301-670-7183. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. All items are subject to space availability.