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Melissa Yang, 16, of Clarksburg returned late last month from a 10-day — or 14,000-minute — all-expenses-paid educational trip to China as part of a global travel scholarship program.

"The 14,000 minutes changed me," Yang said. "It will take a few more months of reflection and only then can I truly say what has changed."

Yang, a rising senior at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, was selected as a 2010 Global Citizen Scholar by the International Baccalaureate and Education First Educational Tours, an international organization that allows high school students to learn by experiencing the world's historic, cultural and natural sites.

Yang had visited China before with family, but this trip was different, she said.

"I honestly think this is one of the best things that has happened to me."

A visit to a school for the children of migrant workers was especially memorable, she said. Other schools they visited were filled with computers. This one had a blackboard and chalk, Yang said. Asked to give a cultural presentation to the young students, the group decided to teach them the Hokey Pokey.

"As we left, I could see a few children dancing to themselves," she said.

Yang traveled to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing with 10 American and 10 Indian students.

"Educational standards in China and India are a lot harder," she said. "The purpose was to get an idea of the competition we're going to face later."

She was surprised by how much Americans and Indians have in common. Being with the Indian students broke down stereotypes of Indians as overly serious, spending many hours studying without time for extracurricular activities, Yang said.

"I don't think I would realize how similar if I hadn't met them in person," she said.

Yang talks to her new friends in India and across the United States every day, she said.

"We're going to have a big reunion one day — all 20 of us."

Farm tour

The county's annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale marks its 21st anniversary this weekend.

Fourteen farms will participate in at least one day of the self-guided tour.

Fresh produce, vegetables, flowers, plants and other local products will be available for purchase and some farms will offer activities such hayrides, pony rides and demonstrations.

About 7,000 people attended last year's event, according to a county statement.

Participating farms in the upcounty include Blue Ribbon Accoyo Alpacas in Gaithersburg, Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Button Farm Living History in Germantown, Fox Hollow Farm in Gaithersburg, Homestead Farm in Poolesville, King Barn Dairy MOOseum in Boyds, Lewis Orchards in Dickerson, Rock Hill Orchard in Mount Airy, Star Gazing Farm in Boyds, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Dickerson, Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville and Red Wiggler Community Farm in Clarksburg.

Event is rain or shine but participating farms may cancel or delay some activities.

For information, call 301-590-2823 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/farmtour.

Art show benefits animals

Fernwood Designs Studio in Boyds will host an art show and sale to benefit a local animal sanctuary as part of this month's Montgomery County Farm Tour.

The event includes a gallery-style show, farm animals, family activities and wool products for sale 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 24 and 25 at the studio, 16746 Whites Store Road. Profits from the art sale will go to Star Gazing Farm, a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Boyds.

For information, visit www.fernwooddesignsart.com or www.stargazingfarm.org. 

History talk series

to focus on upcounty

A series of three history talks on the historical significance of the upcounty begins today. The series is sponsored by the Seneca Creek State Park.

At 6:30 p.m. today, a talk on the Legacy of the American Civil War will be held at the park's visitor center at 11950 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg. The discussion will focus on the impact of the war on the area in and around the park. Civil War stories and events in the area will be discussed.

At noon Aug. 1, the park staff will offer a talk at the visitor's center focusing on the History of Seneca Creek State Park. The discussion will review both the history and geology of the park.

The final talk will be at the Black Rock Mill at 16500 Black Rock Road in Germantown. On Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m., the park staff will discuss the Historic Mills in the park and the surrounding area. Visitors will learn how a mill works, the history of the Black Rock Mill and other mills in the upcounty.

The series is free and all ages are invited to attend. For information, contact Julie Gilson at 301-924-2127 or at scspnaturalist@gmail.com.

On campus

Amanda Ervin, a rising senior at Georgia Southern University, was named to the President's List for having a 4.0 GPA in the spring semester. She is a nutrition major. Ervin, a 2008 graduate of Damascus High School, is the daughter of Robert and Karen Ervin of Damascus.

Cynthia Bleistein of Damascus earned a Master of Art degree in elementary teaching from Frostburg State University.

Amanda Demler of Damascus earned a Master of Art degree in secondary teaching from Frostburg State University.

School supplies needed

for students in need

Faith Connections and Damascus Help will once again this summer collect new back-to-school supplies for children in need.

"Last year we provided supplies for 230 children and we anticipate over 250 students needing supplies for the next school year," organizer Jennifer Settlemire wrote in an e-mail.

She asks that parents buy extra school supplies when shopping for their own children.

Organizers coordinate with school counselors, local churches and organizations to provide needed items to give children a positive start to the school year, she said.

Donations will be given to Damascus-Clarksburg school children and can be dropped off at businesses and churches throughout the Damascus and Clarksburg area. Look for the blue donation boxes. For a list of drop-off locations, visit www.Faith-Connections.org.

Donations will be accepted until Aug. 15.

Pack a picnic, enjoy the music

BlackRock Center for the Arts presents the following artists during its continuing 2010 Free Summer Concert Series.

The Saturday night concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are presented on the center's outdoor stage. BlackRock is at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.

Bring chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner. Alcohol is not permitted.

-Saturday — Country Current, the Navy's finest, playing country-bluegrass music.

-July 31 — Patty Reese, winner of six 2009 WAMMIES including Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Roots Rock, playing bluesy rock and soul.

-August 07 — Carl Filipiak, playing a cool jazz guitar with a rock roots edge.

For information about the concert series or inclement weather, call 301-528-2260 or visit www.blackrockcenter.org.

Items for People and Places must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. They can be mailed to The Damascus-Clarksburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; sent by fax to 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to ssingerbart@gazette.net.