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The Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation released its fall catalog of courses, trips and activities this week. About a dozen new offerings will be available, including sports such as flag football and hockey.

In addition, the brand-new Catoctin Creek Nature Center is set to open this fall and will offer classes and activities for residents and schoolchildren.

The 139-acre facility is scheduled to open this fall at 2929 Sumantown Road, just outside of Jefferson. Along with the nature center, two picnic pavilions and a fossil discovery playground will be located at the site.

The nature center will include live animal exhibits, and classrooms where staff can teach lessons, as well as host school field trips, birthday parties and badge-specific programs for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. For more information about the center's construction, go online to www.catoctincreek.blogspot.com.

At the Middletown Park Cooking Studio, a variety of new classes will be offered this fall. Cooking and baking classes for kids and adults are on the schedule. One new class will teach participants about appetizers to entertain with during the holiday season. Another new class offers to teach participants how to create environmentally friendly cleansers for the home. The studio is located at 7628 Coblentz Road, Middletown.

For further information on all Frederick County Parks and Recreation Department programs, call 301-600-1646 or to see the catalog of courses and events, visit www.recreater.com.

Cunningham Falls children's program becomes permanent

A series that was originally planned to run through October at Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont has been made a permanent fixture due to its popularity, according to Ranger Jen Miller.

Between 12 and 15 children and their parents have attended each Mommy and Me and Owl Makes Three program, which has been held at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month since March.

Miller, who calls the series her "pet project," chose the activities that fill the 45-minute program with her own 2 ½-year-old son in mind. He can often be calmed down or pulled out of a bad mood by going outside or having a story read to him, she said.

Nature-themed stories, sing-alongs, puppets, crafts and even a visit from a live animal are featured. Exposing kids to reading and nature at a young age are both important elements to the series, Miller said. The program is open to newborns through five-year-olds.

"Getting children back into nature ... that's just kind of what I was thinking about" when creating the program, she said.

She found inspiration in a 2005 book titled "Last Child in the Woods," written by Richard Louv, that claims a decrease in time spent outside by children can lead to behavioral issues.

Plus, "it's always kind of hard to find things to do" with young children, she added. "Especially if you're a stay-at-home parent." That's one reason she thinks the program "has been a big hit."

According to Miller, the program is in the process of partnering with the Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program.

"They will be sending families our way, providing support and supplies," she said.

Park staff still asks that each family bring $1 to contribute to the purchase of supplies. Further donations are also accepted.

The Mommy and Me and Owl Makes Three program takes places at the Cunningham Falls State Park Manor Area Visitors Center, located at 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road in Thurmont. Call 301-271-7574 for more information.

Frederick volunteer earns $10,000 grant for Advocates for Homeless Families

Dan Schiffman of Frederick was named an outstanding volunteer by his employer, Northwestern Mutual, and as a result, a $10,000 grant will be given to Advocates for Homeless Families in Frederick on his behalf.

A Frederick resident, Schiffman is a representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network - Maryland in Frederick. He was one of 25 financial representatives recognized as top volunteers during a July meeting in Wisconsin.

"Advocates for Homeless Families have helped more than 800 families break the cycle of poverty, and this has been incredibly rewarding for me," Schiffman said in a press release from Northwestern Mutual. "Northwestern Mutual's grant will help the organization continue to make an enduring impact in my community. I'm incredibly grateful that Northwestern Mutual has helped us continue the homegrown legacy of Advocates for Homeless Families."

Area residents graduate

from college

- Rachael Marie Moser of Middletown graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio during the university's May commencement, with a bachelor of arts degree in religion.

- Sarah Bitely of Middletown graduated from Ithaca College in New York with a bachelor of science degree in communications.

Area students receive scholarship from Frostburg State University

Matthew Bergstrom of Middletown received the Academic Excellence Scholarship from Frostburg State University. The award is given to entering freshmen with a minimum high school grade point average of 3.2 and minimum combined SAT score of 1600. The award varies from $1,500 to $5,000 per academic year, and is applied for up to eight semesters if a student maintains a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and completes 24 credits per year.

Voter registration

deadline nears

The deadline for Frederick County residents wishing to register to vote in the Sept. 14, primary election is 9 p.m., Aug. 24.

The same deadline applies to voters who are already registered and wish to make changes to their name, address or party affiliation before the primary.

In order to become a registered voter and vote in this year's election, individuals must be a U.S. citizen, live in Frederick County and be at least 18 years of age on or before Nov. 2. Voter registration applications may be obtained by calling the Board of Elections until Wednesday.

Applications are also available in all Frederick County Public Libraries branches, the Motor Vehicle Administration, Frederick Community College, the Frederick County courthouse, and all U.S. post offices.

Individuals may also register at the Board of Elections, Winchester Hall, 12 E. Church St., Frederick, on the following days: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 24.

For more information on voter registration, call the Board of Elections at 301-600-VOTE (8683), or visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/elections and click on "Registering to Vote/Who Can Vote?"

Send news for City Beat to mspence@gazette.net or call 301-846-2126 for more information.