The Germantown Historical Society will celebrates the 125th anniversary of the B&O Railroad 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Germantown train station on Route 118.

The Art League of Germantown will have work on display that depicts railroad scenes. There will also be displays showing Germantown's history and information about Germantown Historical Society with many items related to the railroad.

In Boyds, the celebration will be held 2:15 p.m. Monday. The station platform is located off White Ground Road.

James Alexander Boyd was chief engineer for the railroad and is the man for whom the town is named.

The train will not stop in Boyds as it makes its way south, but once it has pulled through the station, there will be cake and punch to enjoy. Call Peg Coleman at 301-972-3452.

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Learn about plants from the master gardeners of Montgomery County at the Cooperative Extension Service 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday through September at the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown. Bring samples of problem plants.

Allison Tyndall, a Seneca Valley High School junior, has been selected for the International Friendship Program as a high school diplomat.

Tyndall will enjoy a 10-day cultural exchange at Princeton University where she will study Japanese language and culture.

Applicants must obtain teacher recommendations, write an essay about community and school service, as well as interview with two Princeton program directors. Tyndall is one of 42 young women chosen.

Tyndall became interested in the Japanese culture when a foreign exchange student from Japan stayed with her family. She has also visited Japan.

Germantown Stage will present "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue at 8 p.m. May 24, 28, 29 and 31 at Quince Orchard Plaza, Quince Orchard Road and Clopper Road, Gaithersburg.

The play is a comedy about what happens when a foreigner comes to Tilghman, Ga. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $7 for others. Call 301-515-4494 for more information or to reserve a seat.

The Great Basset Ramble of 1998 will take place 9:30 a.m. May 30 at the C&O Canal in Williamsport. The Basset Hound Rescue of Old Dominion, a charitable organization dedicated to the rescue of homeless basset hounds, wants all owners and their basset hounds to come out for a scenic walk along the canal.

Pre-registration is $8 for the first dog and $4 for others. Registration at the site is $2 more. Basset hounds are not needed to participate. Donations are accepted and you can participate in the "Rent a Basset" program.

There will be swimming and a picnic after the ramble, as well as other activities and goodies at the event. Call Rodica Stoicoiu at 301-916-6165 or Diane Morgan at 301-582-3462.

Morning storytime for preschoolers and their families will be held 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Germantown Community Library. The library is located in the Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road. Call 301-217-3320.

BMI Karate of Germantown and the Germantown Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a martial arts Break-A-Thon May 30 at 12627-A Wisteria Drive. Proceeds will go to Project Action Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives scholarships in dance, gymnastics and martial arts to "at risk" children between age 5 and 18.

Students collect donations based on breaking five boards. Call Diana Ribecca at 301-972-0200 for more information.

Keep up with local, national and world events during Hot Topics at 11 a.m. Thursday when the Germantown Community Center hosts a seniors discussion where everyone's opinion counts.

Seniors can try their luck at Book Bingo at 1 p.m. Thursday at the center. Winners can receive a book of their choice. An activity card is required.

Beginner ballroom dancing lessons are held 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning June 4. Register for classes by May 28. You'll learn all the standard ballroom favorites. The cost is $24 with an activity card and $29 without.

The Germantown Community Center is located at 18905 Kingsview Road.

The Germantown Oktoberfest Committee will meet at 5 tonight in the employee lounge of the Upcounty Regional Services Center. Come out to help make the event a success with your ideas.

The Northern Area Recreation Advisory Board meets at 7 tonight in meeting room B of the Upcounty Regional Services Center.

The Germantown Glory Parade Committee The parade committee for the annual Germantown Glory festivities will meet 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Upcounty Regional Services Center.

The Upcounty Regional Services Center is located at 12900 Middlebrook Road.

A video about the benefits of moving special needs students into a regular class setting will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Waters Landing Elementary School, 13100 Waters Landing Drive. Call 301-540-7475 for more information.

The Germantown Outdoor Pool will open for its first season noon Saturday. The pool is located at 18905 Kingsview Road.

There is a main pool, a leisure pool, grass areas with shade shelters, a tot lot and a sand volleyball court at the facility. Residents can visit the pool by obtaining a pass card for the summer or by paying an admission. Call 301-217-6840.

The Lake Recreation Club will host an open house at its pool 6-8 p.m. Friday at the pool, 19000 Partridge Wood Drive. Call Richard Russell at 301-258-7711.

The Program of Academic Exchange, a nonprofit educational foundation, needs families in the upper county to host foreign exchange students for the 1998 to 1999 school year or for one semester of the school year. Students come from more than 20 countries and speak English. Call Allison Medrano at 301-916-3785.