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Trish Traylor and her family remain dedicated to raising awareness of suicide after the death of her son Jim Edmonds in 2006. He was 23.

Traylor of Germantown organized her first Out of the Darkness Walk to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2007. The Carderock events have raised more than $100,000 since 2007, raising $25,000 this year. The money is used for research, education, prevention programs and survivor initiatives, according to Traylor.

"We have met and have the support of many other families who are surviving the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide," Traylor wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette. "My family and other survivors are reaching out to our community to educate others about the impact of mental health disorders and suicide. By reaching out to other survivors, we have been able to help them at the same time that they are helping us."

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK.

80 years of turkey and ham

Hayrides, crafts and plenty of food will be on hand for the 80th annual Fall Dinner and Bazaar at St. Mary's Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Barnesville on Oct. 31.

Do some leaf peeping on the way and enjoy views of Sugarloaf Mountain! The event is rain or shine noon to 7 p.m.

Full course dinners are $12 for adults and children ages 12 and younger eat free, except for carry-out meals, which are all $12. Baked goods such as pies and cakes, fresh and canned produce and pumpkins and cider from nearby farms will be on sale.

There will be crafts and Christmas items on sale. Treats will be given to trick-or-treaters, too!

Parking is free and handicap access is available. The church is located at 18230 Barnesville Road, Barnesville. For more information, call Jack Drescher at 301-831-6391.

Campus Congratulations

Emily L. Hoover of Germantown was named to the spring dean's list at the University of Iowa.

Sami M.A. Rechache, son of Samia and Mus Rechache of Germantown, was appointed to Second Squadron First Sergeant with a rank of cadet master sergeant in Randolph-Macon Academy's Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Sami is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society and plays varsity soccer, basketball and tennis.

Critters help kick cancer

Critters for the Cure, a nonprofit working to raise awareness of breast cancer, held the organization's first Women's Round Robin Tennis Tournament earlier this month in the Kentlands.

The goal was to celebrate national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to help raise money for the organization's patient treatment fund for women battling cancer who are uninsured or underinsured, said Clancy Kress of Critters for the Cure. Proceeds help provide assistance such as wigs, prosthetics, medical bills, transportation, rent, veterinarian bills, even dog walkers.

CFTC raised more than $4,000 and 60 women registered to play. Sports Authority, Tennis Warehouse, Sam's Club, and Wilson Sporting Goods provided tennis racquets, jackets, tennis bags, H2O bottled water, Power Bars and tennis balls. The organization's 2010 "Until We Lick Breast Cancer" Calendar and Critters Speak Magazine was also unveiled. Calendars are available online at the organization's Web site.

To learn more about the organization, visit www.crittersforthecure.org.

Learn more about club

The Upper Montgomery Republican Women's Club is hosting its annual membership brunch 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Germantown Community Center, 18905 Kingsview Road.

The guest speaker is Ruth Umbel, the slated President of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women for the 2010-2011term. For details, call 301-948-1741.

Reading volunteers needed

Help second-graders at Cedar Grove, Germantown, Dr. Sally K. Ride, Stedwick, Summit Hall and Watkins Mill elementary schools improve their reading.

Three Montgomery County nonprofits, the George B. Thomas Learning Academy, Interages, and Passion for Learning, are seeking volunteer tutors for the "Ruth Rales-Comcast Kids Reading Network Program."

The weekly tutoring session may take place before, during or after school. Training and support, and tutoring materials and books will be provided. For details, call 301-279-3890 or www.montgomery

schoolsmd.org/readingnetwork.

A garden grows

The Montgomery County Historical Society hosts its latest exhibit "From Spring to Snow: 19th Century Heirloom Garden" through Nov. 1 at the Beall-Dawson House, 103 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville. Admission is $3 or $2 for seniors and students.

For more information, call the historical society at 301-762-1492 or visit www.montgomeryhistory.org.

Plant sales

The Horticulture Club of Montgomery College is sponsoring plant sales from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through the end of October at the greenhouse of Montgomery College, Germantown Campus. Ferns, ornamental grasses, including ponytail grass, heuchera citronella and more are for sale.

For more information, contact Steve Dubik at 240-567-7803 or steve.dubik@montgomerycollege.edu.

Republican club luncheon

The Montgomery County Federation of Republican Women's annual luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at Lakewood Country Club, 13901 Glen Mill Road, Rockville.

The guest speaker is R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr., founder and editor-in-chief of The American Spectator and a columnist for The Washington Times. Friends and husbands are invited. Tickets are $40.

For reservations by Monday call Nancy Mattson at 301 279-0927; for more information call Rosanne Szabados at 301-881-7377.

Community Service Day

Montgomery County residents are invited to volunteer in communities and their neighbors by working on any one of a variety of projects throughout the county for the 23rd annual Community Service Day Saturday and Sunday.

Groups can develop projects or join one offered by nonprofits through the Volunteer Center's Web site at www.montgomerycounty

md.gov/volunteer.

Some upcounty volunteer opportunities include:

Help out around the farm with the Star Gazing Farm or Great and Small in Boyds on Oct.24; collect food with Women Who Care Ministries of Montgomery Village on Oct.24; organize a Clothing Drive for Interfaith Clothing Center in Gaithersburg or Rockville on Oct.24 or 25; be part of "The World's Largest Indoor Picnic" with A Wider Circle in Potomac on Oct. 25; and be part of "The Great CSS Cook-Off" with Community Supportive Services in Gaithersburg on Oct. 25.

For details about CSD, contact the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at volunteer@montgomery

countymd.gov or call 240-777-2600.

Share your good news! Send submissions to Melissa A. Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Germantown-Boyds-Poolesville Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Photos will be considered.