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The Women's Giving Circle of Frederick presented two women full scholarships to The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School, to help get them back on their feet.

The scholarships were presented during a Nov. 12 luncheon held by the school at Dutch's Daughter, in Frederick.

Sharon Riser, director of The Temple, a cosmetology career school located in downtown Frederick, presented scholarships to Heather Wilson and Africa Addison. Wilson was chosen through her connection with Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley in Frederick, and Addison was chosen through her connection with Heartly House, a haven for battered women in Frederick County.

The Women's Giving Circle's mission is to provide opportunities for donors to promote and support programs that enable and empower women in challenging situations to improve the quality of their lives. The circle has 160 women who pledge to give $1,000 or more per year toward its mission.

Program and executive directors of the two organizations nominated the two women, said Karlys Kline, founder of the Women's Giving Circle.

"It was a really wonderful thing," Kline said of the luncheon and scholarship presentation. "It was very emotional. You could really tell that it was going to make their lives great."

The scholarships were for $18,500 each, and 1,500 worth of training that will ultimately lead to a degree in cosmetology. Addison began her courses at The Temple on Tuesday.

The Women's Giving Circle also welcomed the following new members at the luncheon: Sandy Dalton, Helen Esworthy, Susan Harding, Georgeanne Jackson, Kirsten P. Johansen, Sharon Kuebbing, Diane Poole Laughlin, Virginia McLaughlin, Nikki Moberly, Sue Stanczyk and Barbara Windsor.

Next weekend, Kris Kringle

is coming to town

On Dec. 4, Kris Kringle will lead his procession through the streets of downtown Frederick, as he does every holiday season.

Celebrate Frederick, the city's cultural nonprofit arm, will kick off holiday celebrations with the traditional parade, which starts on East Street and ends at Baker Park with the lighting of the City of Frederick tree.

At 6:30 p.m., the parade begins at East Street, turning onto East Patrick Street, then onto North Market Street, and onto West Second Street, ending at Baker Park.

Children from local schools, dance troupes, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will dress as reindeer, snowflakes, angels, elves, gifts and characters from "The Nutcracker," and will accompany characters representing Frederick's German/English heritage, as well as classic favorites including Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The procession concludes in Baker Park with carol singing and holiday greetings from Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger, the Snow Queen and Kris Kringle. The official Frederick city tree is then lit after a countdown by the crowd.

For more information on upcoming Celebrate Frederick holiday events, call the city's Office of Special Events at 301-600-2841 or visit www.CelebrateFrederick.com.

Visitation Academy plans Christmas boutique,

art auction

The Visitation Academy of Frederick will host a Christmas boutique on Dec. 5, where in addition to a grand display of gifts, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready to pose for a special holiday photo.

The boutique will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and is free and open to the public. The academy is located at 200 E. 2nd St.

Complimentary gift-wrapping of purchased gifts is available. And food from Chick-Fil-A as well as homemade holiday cupcakes, cookies and treats may be purchased.

Visitation Academy students will treat boutique visitors to Christmas carols. Later that night, the academy will hold an art auction from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring the works of regional artists, including well-known Frederick artisans.

Admission is free, but limited to those 21 and older. Light refreshments along with wine and cheese will be served.

For more information, go to www.thevisitationacademy.org.

Frederick man completes

basic training

David E. Ferguson of Frederick has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 32 days of training provides professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.

Ferguson is the son of John T. Ferguson Jr., of Walkersville and Eva A. Sewell of Frederick. He is a 2006 graduate of Tuscarora High School.

Frederick's Festival of Greens under way

Through Sunday, residents may peruse more than 100 decorated and themed wreaths and trees, made locally, at the Cultural Arts Center during its second annual Frederick Festival of Greens.

Local artists, businesses, school groups, community organizations and other residents decorated the wreaths and trees. Individuals can bid on the decorated pieces throughout the festival during a silent auction.

The Cultural Arts Center is located at 15 W. Patrick St. For more information, call 301-662-4190 or e-mail info@FrederickArtsCouncil.org.

Red Cross needs community help to provide holiday cheer to military

The Frederick County chapter of the American Red Cross is participating in a national effort to provide current and former members of the U.S. military with holiday cheer.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is in its third year of sending holiday cards provided by volunteers to military bases, military hospitals and veterans hospitals across the globe.

"It's something that people want to do to show support to our troops," said Judy Peterson, supervisor of chapter operations, in a press release. "The response has been overwhelming in past years."

This year, at least 2,000 cards from all over the country will be sent back to the Frederick County chapter and distributed to veterans, service personnel and their families in area communities, Peterson said.

Anyone who wants to participate should send cards before Dec. 7 to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791.

Cards received after Dec. 7 will be returned to the sender. It is asked for security reasons that only cards without monetary or decorative inserts are sent; no care packages. Senders are encouraged, however, to include messages of "cheer and appreciation" in the cards, a press release for the program said.

For questions or to give suggestions of where to distribute cards locally, e-mail Judy Peterson at info@frederickredcross.org.

Send City Beat items to Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net or call 301-846-2134 for more information.