More News

Michael D'Ovido of New Market recently announced the launch of a faith-based nonprofit intended to teach young adults the importance of a life of service.

Carry Your Cross "is dedicated to delivering the Gospel of Jesus and life of service posture to young adults," D'Ovido said in a recent press release.

D'Ovidio said that as of Tuesday, 11 young people were in various stages of applying to become members of the nonprofit. He said that the directors of the nonprofit were all his family members, and it was still in the early stages of organizing.

"It's a very new venture, but we're excited," he said.

Carry Your Cross will offer young adults the chance to identify a need in their community, and then design a service project to meet it, D'Ovidio said. He said he did not want these projects to be "boilerplate, go serve food at a mission [projects] ... but we want to see projects with some kind of longevity." D'Ovidio said students would be required to interact over a long period with the people they choose to serve.

He said that for now the organization is taking "baby steps," and planned to reach out to young people in the Frederick County area.

Students who complete projects through the nonprofit are eligible for college scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, depending upon the impact of the project, D'Ovidio said.

D'Ovidio is a consultant with 25 years of experience in public and human service, according to the press release. D'Ovidio said that the group has reached out to local churches, but is not affiliated with a particular denomination.

"This concept has been on my heart and mind for several years and I'm grateful and blessed to have the time and support to finally start this project," D'Ovidio said.

For more information, to join or make a donation, visit www.cycinc.org

Urbana High School says

‘Bye Bye Birdie'

Urbana High School is presenting a production of the Broadway musical "Bye Bye Birdie" today through Sunday.

The musical, about a 1960s rocker named Conrad Birdie who is very much inspired by Elvis Presley, will be shown at 7 p.m. each day, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The play details Birdie's enlistment in the U.S. Army, and his publicist's contrived contest for an "all-American girl to give Birdie one last kiss before heading off to war," according to Mary Lennon, Urbana High's theater teacher who is directing the play.

The musical features the songs "One Last Kiss," "Spanish Rose," and "Put on a Happy Face."

For information or to buy tickets, contact Lennon at 240-236-7712.

New Market teen earns

Eagle Scout rank

Andrew Catlin, 16, of New Market, and a member of Moose Troop 371, was recently promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout.

According to his mother, Theresa Catlin, Andrew is the first member of Oakdale Elementary School Cub Scout Pack 371 to make it all the way to Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in Boy Scouting.

His project, constructing a playground at the Homewood at Crumland Farms retirement center in Frederick, took him 175 hours last summer and fall, not counting planning time, his mother said.

Andrew is currently a junior at Linganore High School.

Local franchise hopes

to make prom special

The local franchise of ZIPS Dry Cleaning will participate in the "Operation Pretty and Polished" clothing drive to help the class of 2010 go to prom in style this spring.

Through April 10, anyone can drop off gowns, tuxedos, suits and other prom attire at the Frederick State Farm Office in Frederick, at One State Farm Drive.

ZIPS has partnered with State Farm and area radio stations to put on the benefit for at least five years. ZIPS will dry clean the clothing for free and the donated attire will be given to young people throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. who call into WPGC 95.5 radio station for a chance to win free clothing.

For more information, contact Terry Gales 301-620-5161.

Do you have an item for News & Notes? Contact reporter Christian Brown at 301-846-2132, e-mail chbrown@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.