Bingo benefit covers cost for service dog

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005

With the generous support of the South Carroll community, Grant Fleming, 7, will receive a very special new friend from North Carolina in November. Tal, a black labrador retriever, will join the Fleming family as a service dog to assist Grant who is profoundly autistic.

While Grant’s parents, Kim and Bruce Fleming of Eldersburg, knew that the assistant dog would dramatically improve their son’s quality of life and keep him safe in his daily routine, they did not know how they were going to afford her. However, thanks to the success of a basket bingo held at the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Hall, enough money has been raised to pay for Tal, her training, the family of five’s one-week stay in North Carolina, and the trainer’s one-week stay near their home. Tal alone is estimated to cost around $10,000.

‘‘It was so fabulous, indescribable to see the amount of support and the people who came,” said Kim Fleming, adding that people were turned away after the hall reached its maximum capacity of 300 people. ‘‘I looked out that night and saw lots of strange faces and realized that they all came out for our son.”

Hydrant testing

The Carroll County Bureau of Utilities will test fire hydrants in the Sykesville-Freedom district, on Thursday, Sept. 8, and continue through Friday, Sept. 9, weather permitting.

Subdivisions and streets that will be affected by the testing include Benjamin’s Claim, Hunter’s Crossing, Bennett and Oklahoma Road, Oklahoma Road and Stillwater, Bennett Road and Pawtucket Road, Londontown Boulevard, Melville and Oakland Mills Road, and Springfield Hospital Center.

The testing will be done between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Residents in the Sykesville-Freedom area may experience a minimum loss of pressure and cloudy water lasting up to an hour immediately following testing. The Bureau of Utilities asks that residents refrain from using appliances that use a lot of water, such as washing machines and dishwashers, during the periods of low pressure and cloudy water.

Questions and concerns can be directed to the Bureau of Utilities at 410-386-2164 or 1-888-302-8978 ext. 2164.

FARC registrationthis weekend

Fall program registration for activities sponsored by the Freedom Area Recreation Council will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the South Carroll Senior Center. Register for Stepping Stars dance, The Drama Conservatory, Arnis Tae Kwon-Do, ArtFun, Freedom Fire Stars Baton, the Freedom Area Ringers English handbell choir, and various sports teams and fitness classes.

The South Carroll Senior Center is located at 5745 Bartholow Road in Eldersburg. For more information, visit www.FreedomAreaRec.com, send an e-mail to Coordinator@FreedomAreaRec.com, or call 410-549-6296.

Mothers and More

Mothers and More, a local chapter of a national organization for stay-at-home moms, will hold its open house Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Century High School. Join other local parents to share ideas and to learn about upcoming activities for children. The group holds organized children’s activities throughout the year, including a play date in Cooper Park last month. For more information, call Tara Bauer at 410-549-8019.

Mystery author to appearat library

Award-winning author Marcia Muller will speak at the Eldersburg Library about her books and life as a mystery writer Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.

Muller, a fiction writer since 1983, has published several books including ‘‘The Dangerous Hour,” ‘‘Point Deception,” ‘‘Cyanide Wells” and ‘‘Cape Perdido.”

No registration is required for the event. Books will be available for purchase and signing. The Eldersburg Library is located at 6400 Hemlock Dr. in Eldersburg across from Carrolltown Mall. For more information, call the library at 410-386-4488.

Seniors on the Go Expo today

All senior centers and the Carroll County Bureau of Aging will be closed today for the Seniors on the Go Expo. The event, sponsored by the bureau, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Carroll County Agricultural Center in Westminster.

The expo will focus on the needs and interests of older adults, their families, and caregivers through more than 80 exhibitors from across the area. A local pharmacist will be available to check medication lists for adverse drug reactions. Musical performances, speakers, dance and exercise demonstrations will take place throughout the day.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal is free for seniors 60-years and older and $3.50 for anyone under 60.

There is no charge to attend the Expo and parking is free.

Applications soughtfor humanitarian award

Nominations are being accepted for the 2005 Sylvia Canon Humanitarian Award. This local award, established in 2001, is given annually to recognize an individual initiating or sustaining outstanding human services in Carroll County. Nominees must be currently paid employees or retired from a human service organization providing services in Carroll County. They must demonstrate creativity, innovation and commitment that positively impact individuals or the larger Carroll County community.

The 2005 award will be presented on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the community service’s council meeting at 9 a.m.

Nominations may be made with an entry form available from the Community Service Council. All entries must be received in the office no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3. For more information, call Audrey Cimino at 410-876-5505.

Volunteers needed

The Carroll County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers. Free training is being offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning on Sept. 27 and ending Oct. 13 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the Westminster Senior Activity Center, 125 Stoner Avenue in Westminster.

Volunteers with the ombudsman program make weekly visits to nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. During visits, volunteers tell residents about their rights. They also receive and investigate complaints from residents.

Classes are open to anyone interested in learning about advocating for residents living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Anyone interested in becoming an ombudsman volunteer must attend all scheduled classes. Pre-registration is required.

For an information packet or to pre-register, contact the Carroll County Bureau of Aging at 410-848-4049, 410-876-3363, or 410-875-3342.

FARC fleamarket Saturday

Spaces are still available for the last fleamarket of the 2005 season to benefit the Freedom Area Recreation Council. The fleamarket is scheduled for Saturday and will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Carrolltown Center. For more information, call 410-795-9101 or send an e-mail to TLCabc123@aol.com.

If you have news for inclusion in Town Tidbits, please send the information to The Gazette, P.O. Box 1078, Sykesville, MD 21784, e-mail to kchampion@gazette.net or FAX it to 301-829-9101. Items must be received by noon on Mondays.