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Hyattstown Christian Church hosted its sixth Annual Camp Starfish this summer for children who have one or both parents in jail.

Children of incarcerated parents are a high-risk youth group, said Pierrette McIntire, director of Camp Starfish in an e-mail. Statistics indicate that about 70 percent of them will end up in jail themselves at some point. They can be an invisible population when it comes to support, she said.

Children spent four days at the free camp, which provided them with wholesome activities and good fellowship in a safe setting. Held Aug. 8-11 at the Christian Church Capital Area's Camp Mary-Mac in Sharpsburg, the camp was sponsored by the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, Montgomery County Safe and Drug Free Schools, local business and charities and regional churches.

Camp Starfish is the first camping experience for many of these children, McIntyre wrote. "Their smiles and laughter when they ride a horse, swim in a lake with fish, steer a paddle boat, create beautiful crafts, enjoy team-building games, learn about nature, and sing and eat s'mores around a campfire, let us know how important and meaningful this experience is for them. Our goal is to take them away from their external worries and fears and let them be kids, if only for a few days, knowing the memories and insight stay with them a long time."

Friends organize

golfing fundraiser

Friends, family and co-workers are organizing a golf tournament to help with the expenses of a Clarksburg man who has been ill since February.

Chip Barclay, 47, was taken to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore suffering from Group A streptococcus toxic shock syndrome.

"The hospital told us most adults die from this," said Enid Nimetz, his mother-in-law.

But Barclay is a fighter. On June 25 he returned home to his wife, Marla, and children Shayna, 12, Gabrielle, 9, and Ryan, 6.

"He's determined, he's very, very determined to get back to a normal life," Nimetz said.

The disease destroyed all Barclay's fingers and toes and the tissue on the bottom of his feet. He had seven surgeries. His hands are being reconstructed, his left leg was amputated below the knee and his right foot is being reconstructed without toes.

"It is a long road for us. There is still infection that looms close," Marla Barclay said in a written statement. "But, I know Chip will do it because he is strong and because he has the will to make it through this."

The golf tournament Sept. 20 at Crofton Country Club, 1691 Crofton Parkway, will help the family with expenses not covered by medical insurance.

Neighbors have been wonderful, repairing the house, mowing the lawn and widening doorways, Nimetz said. Greenridge Baptist Church in Clarksburg built a ramp to the house and paid for half the materials, she.

The $125 per golfer tournament fee will include coffee and donuts, lunch and golf. A $50 contribution per golfer will be given to the family. Additional fundraisers will include the sale of mulligans, a silent auction items and other contests.

Golfers should make checks payable to "Chip Benefit Tournament" and send to the attention of Sue Waterworth at 5818 Dillon John Court, White Marsh, MD 21162.

Non-golfers can contribute in a variety of ways. Volunteers are needed the day of the event. Call Maureen Neunan at 410-461-8241 to volunteer. A $30 contribution will cover breakfast and lunch and a small donation. To contribute an item to the silent auction, call Diana Preis at 717-428-1570. To be a sponsor, call DeSales Lacy at 410-465-4728. People who cannot attend may send donations to Waterworth. All checks should be made payable to "Chip Benefit Tournament."

A separate bank account has been created in the name of "Chip Benefit Tournament," but donations are not tax deductible. 

Heritage Days needs vendors

The Damascus Heritage Society and the Izaak Walton League Wildlife Achievement Chapter will hold the third annual Damascus Heritage Festival on Sept. 19 on the league's grounds.

The event will include a turkey shoot, historical speakers, cowboys, blacksmiths, arts and crafts vendors and food for sale. It will be held outdoors, rain or shine, from noon to 5 p.m.

Vendors may rent space for a nonrefundable $15 deposit. There is no fee for nonprofit organizations to participate.

To rent a space call Linda Olsen at 301-253-1811.

Vote early in Germantown

Five early voting centers will be open throughout the county for the primary election.

Upcounty residents can vote early at the Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road.

All five centers will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Sept. 9 (closed Sunday). The primary election is Sept. 14.

For more information, visit www.777vote.org or call 240-777-VOTE. A scroll bar with wait times at each center will be displayed on the website during early voting hours and updated hourly. A sample ballot for the primaries is also online.

The deadline to submitting an application for an absentee ballot for the primaries is Sept. 7 at 4:30 p.m. by mail or 11:59 p.m. by fax, 240-777-8560, or e-mail, absentee@montgomerycountymd.gov.

To request an absentee ballot after Sept. 7, visit 18753 N. Frederick Ave., Suite 210, Gaithersburg, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 11.

To obtain an application for another person, call 240-777-VOTE.

Volunteers needed

to lead classes

The county is looking for volunteers to teach free Bone Builders classes in Germantown, Silver Spring and Wheaton.

The twice a week daytime classes help prevent and slow the development of osteoporosis and help regular participants increase bone density naturally. Osteoporosis causes bones to become thin and easily broken.

Ideal candidates will want to improve their own bone density and help others do the same. Each one-hour session includes balance and weight training.

Bone Builders is sponsored by Montgomery County's Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Department of Health and Human Services' Aging and Disability Services and is based on research conducted at Tufts University. Because volunteers staff the program, there is no charge for instruction or equipment.

Leaders will receive a full day of free training and ongoing supervision by a master trainer. Training is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive in Wheaton.

For information or to register for the training, call Shawn Brennan at 240-777-1350 or send an e-mail to shawn.brennan@montgomerycountymd.gov.

County police target

aggressive drivers

The Montgomery County Police Department joins its counterparts throughout Maryland and in Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. for the 2010 "Smooth Operator" Aggressive Driving Prevention Campaign, Sept. 5-18.

Officers will be looking to get motorists off the road if they are speeding, tailgating, making unsafe lane changes or running traffic lights and signs.

Officers suggest motorists leave earlier to get to their destinations, try not to get upset with other motorists, stop at traffic lights and signs, and use turn signals to avoid aggressive driving.

Election judges needed

Bilingual, Republican and unaffiliated election judges are needed to assist at county polling locations during the primary elections Sept. 14 and the general election Nov. 2.

Judges must be registered to vote in Maryland and be able to speak, read and write in English. Judges cannot hold or be a candidate for a party or public office or serve as a campaign manager for a candidate or as treasurer for any campaign financial entity at the time of the elections. All Democratic judge positions are currently filled.

For more information, visit www.777vote.org.

Give blood, see the Skins

The American Red Cross and the Damascus Lions Club will hold a blood drive, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the Damascus Activity Building.

Each person who donates blood during the drive will receive one free ticket to the Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboys game on Sept. 12. A veteran player and several Redskin cheerleaders are expected to make an appearance.

Appointments are required. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to https://www.membersforlife.org/rccm/mobilesch/login.php?sponsorcode=3524 to schedule.

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.