People and Places | Melissa A. Chadwick
Employees at the Humane Society of the United States in Gaithersburg can take their pooches to work every day. But on Friday, the nonprofit participated in the 10th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day, sponsored by Pet Sitters International.
Laurie Maxwell, who works on the campaign against dog fighting at HSUS, brings her dog, Winston, a 4-year-old pit bull, to work every day.
‘‘Having him at work improves both of our lives immensely,” Maxwell wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette. ‘‘Not only do we get to be together all day - which decreases both our stress levels - but he is an ambassador to his breed and he shows people that pit bulls can be loving and gentle.”
The HSUS dogs at work program started last year. About 35 employees, like Maxwell, of Washington, D.C., bring their dogs to work on a daily basis.
According Newsweek, about 17 percent of employers allow employees to bring their companions to work. Major employers around the country that allow dogs at work include Google, Amazon.com and the Nature Conservancy.
Spark an interest in camp
Girl Scout Camp Lightning Bug is returning to Germantown for its third year.
The ‘‘twilight” camp is for girls entering grades 1-6 who are interested in becoming Girl Scouts. Activities include Girl Scout favorites such as music, games and crafts.
Camp will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 7-11 at Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road. Cost is $10 and financial aid is available. For more information call Kelly Dyott at 202-237-1670, ext. 223.
Campus Congratulations
*Holly L. Simmons of Poolesville graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in May. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in sociology. She is employed by Interfaith Works as a case manager.
*Upcounty students also graduated from U.S. Service Academies. They are: Lars-Kristian Hinrichsen of Gaithersburg, a graduate of U.S. Air Force Academy; Raffi Mnatzakanian, of North Potomac, Lauryn Riley of Gaithersburg and Simon Youngblut of Darnestown, all graduates of the U.S. Military Academy; Lance Carino of Gaithersburg and Christopher O’Brien and Christopher Renninger, both of Germantown, all graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy.
And Charles Wolz of Poolesville accepted his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy class of 2012.
The application process for high school students seeking nominations for the entering class of 2009 has begun. Students wishing to attend one of the Uniformed Service Academy in the 2009-10 school year can obtain an application at www.vanhollen.house.gov.
Horsin’ around
Moonshine, a nine-month old colt at Days End Farm Horse Rescue, is eagerly awaiting visitors at the farm’s Spring Carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is rain or shine.
There are 66 horses on the farm. Many, like Moonshine, will be available for viewing on the event’s ‘‘Adoption Alley.”
Visitors will be able to enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, games, door prizes, a raffle, food and music.
All proceeds support Days End’s mission, which is fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education and outreach.
The farm is at 1372 Woodbine Road in Lisbon. Admission is $5 for families, $2 for adults, $1 for children younger than 12. Free admission for children younger than 6. For more information, visit www.defhr.org, e-mail defhr@erols.com or call 301-854-5037 or 410-442-1564.
Smarty camps
Montgomery College still has some openings in their summer youth biotechnology program for high school students.
Learn about how to protect the environment and be more eco-friendly during the week-long Environmental Express camp, July 7-11. Or have some Adventures in Biotechnology July 14-18 and learn about genetic engineering in the lab. Find out what it’s like to be a crime scene investigator July 21-25 at Crime Solvers camp.
Each camp costs $125. To register, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu⁄youth and click on Summer Youth Programs. For more information, contact Denise Booth at 240-567-7810 or denise.booth@montgomerycollege.edu.
Celebrate history
The Pleasant View Historic Site’s annual Juneteenth festival is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the historic African-American Pleasant View Methodist Episcopal Church, 11810 Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg.
The historic church, purchased with $54 three years after the Civil War, was a home away from home for many African-Americans until 1968, when members of the church migrated to Fairhaven United Methodist Church.
On hand to celebrate will be musical performers the Chosen Vessels, the Lyles Singers and Steppers for the Kingdom. Vernon Ricks, parliamentarian of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Montgomery Chapter will give a keynote address. The event is sponsored by the Pleasant View Historical Association.
Submissions for People and Places must be received by 10 a.m. Thursday. Send submissions to Melissa A. Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Photos will also be considered.
