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Germantown girl makes trip to Los Angeles for costume

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005

Click here to enlarge this photo Photo submitted by Angie Kistler Members of Brownie Troop 3193 prepare the soil in the traffic circle at Germantown Community Center for new plants.

‘‘We saw this costume a while ago in a magazine,” Samantha Gibson said. ‘‘She was all over the place. One moment she wanted to be a plate of spaghetti.”

Her imaginative daughter eventually decided on the washing machine. Samantha Gibson received a telephone call that they were one of 20 finalists. Then, on Oct. 25 they were told to pack a bag because they were leaving for Los Angeles the next morning, she said. The show was taped Oct. 27 and aired Oct. 31.

Unfortunately, Emily’s costume –– made of foam board and complete with water and bubbles –– turned out to be too heavy for the petite girl to wear trick-or-treating around her Germantown neighborhood. She went as a lion instead.

‘‘The first time they put it on me, I couldn’t walk,” Emily said.

DeGeneres interviewed Emily and Samantha before the young celebrity went backstage to be outfitted. They were excited to meet the day’s other guests — Jane Kaczmarek of Fox’s ‘‘Malcom and the Middle” and Emily Procter of CBS’ ‘‘CSI: Miami.”

Brownie troop spruces upthe community center

Members of Brownie Scout Troop 3193 cleaned up the landscape at the parking circle at the Germantown Community Center Oct. 15. The girls planted bushes and tulip bulbs and laid down mulch. They also painted rocks to surround the planting beds.

Troop 3193 has been meeting at the recreation center for the past year and the project was done to offset the cost of the meeting room and to give back to the center for its support. The landscaping was also done in an effort to participate in the Girl Scout’s ‘‘Help Beautify Montgomery County” month.

The 15 girls, all second-graders at Spark M. Matsunaga, Ronald McNair and Mary of Nazareth elementary schools, were assisted by family members. Troop leaders Kristin Bolayir and Angie Kistler and Brownie mom Tracie Pratt organized the event. Before the project, the circle was overgrown with weeds and dead bushes. Lowe’s Home Improvement sold the troop bushes, mulch, soil and bulbs at a discounted price. The project was done with the cooperation of the Germantown Community Center.

Flu Vaccination Clinic

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will hold a flu vaccination clinic for county residents at the Germantown Health Center, Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, 1 to 3 p.m. Nov.16.

The flu shots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20. Individuals with Medicare should bring their Medicare card. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information, call the Immunization Information Line at 240-777-1050.

Knights of Columbusbasket bingo

The Father McKenna Council Knights of Columbus will have a Holiday Basket Bingo featuring more than $1,500 worth of Longaberger baskets and pottery prizes Nov. 18 at the Mother Seton Parish in the Monsignor Wells Parish Center, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and include a light dinner. This fun event is a great chance to win baskets and support the Knights of Columbus and its charitable works. For more information call Lewis Bean at 240-687-2949.

Fitness classesat community center

Registration is open for adult and teenage dance fitness classes sponsored by the Montgomery County Recreation Department and Bio Aerobics. Programs available include Cardio Fit, which is high and low impact, and Tone and Firm classes. Classes will be held at the Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road.

Winter session begins this week and runs for six weeks. The cost is $50 for the twice a week, 60 minute program, and $25 for the twice a week, 30 minute program. For more information call 410-519-4186 or 240-475-3595 or visit www.bioaerobics.com.

Reading volunteers needed

Three Montgomery County non-profits, the George B. Thomas Learning Academy, Interages and Passion for Learning, seek volunteer tutors for the ‘‘Ruth Rales-Comcast Kids Reading Network Program.” This one-on-one tutorial program, at 56 Montgomery County Public Schools, provides extra reading help to struggling second grade students.

The weekly tutoring session may take place before, during or after school. Volunteers can select their top choices of school locations. Training and ongoing support, plus tutoring materials and books are provided. Some of the area schools in need of tutors include Dr. Sally K. Ride, Fox Chapel and Germantown elementary schools.

To find out how to volunteer, contact MCPS at 301-279-3890 or www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄readingnetwork

Workforce and economicdevelopment winners

Joining political, business and community leaders from across the County, David Edgerley, director of the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, and Lester Coffey, chairman of the County’s Workforce Investment Board recently announced the winners of the 2005 Workforce and Economic Development Awards.

This year two honorees were from the upcounty — Butler’s Orchard, Germantown, Agricultural Award and KamTek Inc., Gaithersburg, Small Business Award.

The awards recognized innovation, achievement and leadership in workforce and economic development throughout Montgomery County. Both businesses and individuals were honored for their valuable contributions and successes in workforce training and advancement.

Have an announcement or an event you want to see in Town Crier? Call Melissa Chadwick at 301-670-2071 by 9 a.m. Friday. You also can fax information to 301-670-7183, or e-mail mchadwick@gazette.net.