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Respect, family and caring, responsibility, fairness, trustworthiness, and citizenship were all demonstrated at Freedom Elementary School on November 22 when actors from the Children’s Theater Association presented six of Aesop’s Fables to kindergartners, first and second graders.

After each fable was presented, the Baltimore based actors would go over the attributes of the character trait which was highlighted by the story. In the “Milkmaid and her Pail” students were taught to respect both themselves and others. The “Bee’s Tale” demonstrated how to pull together as a family to solve tough problems. “The Shepherd Boy’s Tale”, or the story about the boy who cried wolf too often, stressed responsibility. In this fable, the audience got to play the sheep, baa-ing loudly whenever a sign indicated to do so. The young students heartily played their role, frustrating the shepherd boy who wished to communicate with someone besides sheep.

The fourth fable was “The Fox’s Tale” about a sly fox who pretends to be friends with a dog while unfairly setting him up to be eaten by a lion. “The Woodcutter’s Tale” taught the rewards of honesty and trustworthiness, and the final story, “The Farmer’s Tale” highlighted good citizenship and helping others.

“It was educational and fun at the same time” said Trish Kolar, co-chairwoman of the PTA Cultural Committee which sponsored the program. “I really enjoyed it, and I think the children got a lot out of it....I thought it matched what we’re trying to do here at Freedom Elementary.”

Piney Run Park Nature Center still has spaces on the December 20 trip to the Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens. Participants will travel by van to Wheaton Maryland to see the spectacular half-mile walk-through display through gardens of original twinkling flower-lights. The fee is $12 for nonmembers with a discount for members and includes the Garden of Lights Tour and transportation. There will also be a stop at the Olney Ale-House for a quick dinner.

The trip will leave from the Piney Run Park boat trailer lot at 4:30 p.m. and return by 9 p.m. All ages are welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult.

The nature center is also offering a session to create ornaments out of natural materials such as pine cones, seed pods, seeds, and husks. The December 5 class runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is open to those 10 and older. Younger children can come if accompanied by an adult. The fee is $7 for nonmembers with a discount for members.

Pre-registration is required for all the above events. Call 410-795-6043 for more information or to pre-register. Piney Run Park is located at 30 Martz Road, just west of Eldersburg.

Each year, when the holidays roll around, the Boy Scouts of Trop 883 do a community service project. In order to earn service hours towards rank advancement, members of the troop write up the announcements to publicize the project. This year Eagle Scout, Aaron Taylor was responsible for the South Neighborhoods notice, and he did a fine job writing it. His article is included below in its entirety.

“This year Boy Scout Troop 883 of Eldersburg, MD is holding a holiday gift drive. These gifts will go to the Carroll County Neighbors In Need Holiday Shop. Donations will be accepted from Friday Nov. 24 through Mon. Dec. 11. Donations should be new unwrapped clothing, toys, sporting goods, school supplies, outer wear, etc. You can drop these items off at Center Court in Carrolltowne Mall on Rte. 26 in Eldersburg, Safeway on Rte. 32 in Eldersburg, and the Fellowship Center at St. Joseph Catholic Community Church in Eldersburg off of Rte. 26. These donations will help stock the Carroll Neighbors In Need Holiday Shop for the families who did not get adopted for the holidays, which would allow them to get new items for Christmas. Thank you and have a great holiday season!”

Boy Scout Troop 719, which has been faithfully selling Christmas trees since 1978, is back again this year. The trees are located outside Carrolltown Center in the 1700 block of Liberty Road. Included in the sale are Scotch pines ($15 to $30), Douglas fir ($30 to $45), and Fraser fir ($40 to $50). There are also be a few extra large trees for $50 to $60, and after December 9, blue and green spruce will be available at a yet undetermined price. Trees will be on sale through the week before Christmas or as long as supplies last.

The hours to buy your tree are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 410-795-8207.

Proceeds of the sale support scouting programs and subsidize the cost of summer camp. Troop 719 meets at Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church.

Cub Scout Pack 417, sponsored by the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department, held its monthly pack meeting on November 20, 2000. The following patches were awarded for participation in scouting activities. Piney Run Scout Day patches were given to Jacob Brintzenhofe, R. J. Harris, Jacob Lorenston, Brady Myers, Tyler Vinje, Joshua Wells, Tyler Bohn, Scott Deisher, Andrew Glaser, Jared Johnson, Dan Kelsh, Sean Reynolds, Eric Skelly, and Cody Spiva. Patches for participation at Webelos Woods were given to Joshua Cook, Kevin Gallagher, Andrew Tompkins, and Jodi Cook. Sean Reynolds received a Recruiter Strip for assisting in Recruitment Night activities.

Tiger Cub John Gallagher was presented with a Tiger Paw for learning the Tiger Motto. Tiger Cubs Luke Cook, Adam Ellerbrock, John Gallagher, James LaDow, and Noah Springer received beads for participating in family and den activities.

Three members of Wolf Den 2, Brady Myers, Robby Pickett, and Tyler Vinje, advanced to the Bobcat rank. In addition, Joey Eckert, Brady Myers, Robby Pickett, and Tyler Vinje all received a physical fitness beltloop.

Bear Cub Cody Spiva advanced to the Bear Rank. Also in Bear Den 3, the following beltloops were awarded: Scott Deisher and Andrew Glaser, science beltloop; Jared Johnson, bicycling beltloop; Dan Kelsh, Sean Reynolds, and Cody Spiva, computer beltloop.

In Webelos Den 5, Billy Eckert, Jacob Halverson, Derek Jackson, Ted Jacobs, Steven McCauley and Nick Murosko all earned geologist and readyman badges. Jacob Halverson also received a communicating beltloop, and Derek Jackson was awarded a music beltloop.

Members of the Dragon Patrol were awarded the following: Joshua Cook, forester badge and heritages pin; Kevin Gallagher, forester, naturalist, family member, traveler, artist and athlete badges and two compass points;

Christopher Rodgers, forester badge and geography pin; Andrew Tompkins, forester badge, art beltloop, and music pin.

At the close of the meeting, there was a uniform inspection for all scouts.

This information was forwarded by troop historian, Jodi Cook. If anyone is interested in joining Pack 417, please call Dave Reynolds at (410)-552-0414.

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