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Author Eugene Bergman, retired professor of Gallaudet University and a Bethesda resident, will discuss his recently published memoir of the Holocaust titled "Survival Artist" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Rockville Library.

The library is located at 21 Maryland Ave. in Town Square.

Bergman will present his talk in sign language and a voice interpreter will be available for those who do not know sign language.

"Survival Artist" details how he narrowly escaped death by living a childhood of constant vigil. While playing in the street with other children, the author was struck deaf by the butt of a German officer's rifle. The attack would ultimately save his life several times.

Bergman also co-authored two previous books, "Tales from a Clubroom" and "Lessons in a Laughter: The autobiography of a deaf actor." He conceived and co-authored "The Deaf Experience: An Anthology of Literature" by and about the deaf.

The program is funded by the Rockville Friends of the Library and co-sponsored by the Washington Society of the Jewish Deaf. Books will be available for sale through the WSJD and the author will sign copies.

To request ADA program accommodations or to receive more information about the program, contact Susan F. Cohen by e-mail at drcinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-0140 or TTY 240-777-0902. 

A visit with

the Rockville Lions Club

Few will argue that Rockville is a special place to live and work.

And on the checklist of things that enrich the community are its service organizations.

One of them, the Rockville Lions Club, invited me to a dinner meeting last week. No strings attached. Not even as a guest speaker (Attorney Gen. Douglas Gansler took care of those duties). I was just a visitor.

Lion Bud Leonard extended the original invitation "just because we would like you to visit us," he had said.

King Lion Debra Brown-Delone and Lion Melba McGlamary, my table mates, were exceedingly gracious and made me feel like one of the family.

Catching up with former City Council member Bob Dorsey as we walked in together was an unexpected treat.

And the meal, prepared by the ladies of Rockville United Methodist Church, where the club meets, was worth the trip alone.

Approximately 35 members and guests attended the meeting, which was full of plans to help the community. From the 19th annual Train Show coming Nov. 7 and 8 at the Rockville Senior Center to other projects that shed light on the need to take care of your sight, the group is busy.

Not having family in this area makes these types of visits all the lovelier.

Grants recognize

historic preservation

The nonprofit Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County, created to bring the county's history to the attention of its residents and visitors, recently handed out seven grants totaling $12,740 to area organizations.

The Mini-Grant Program recognizes groups that contribute to interpreting, promoting, preserving, researching and/or supporting Montgomery's historical legacy.

Recipients include:

-Montgomery Preservation Inc., Rockville, $2,500 for a publication on Silver Spring railroad history.

-Washington Revels Inc., Silver Spring, $2,500 to develop interactive Civil War musical programs.

-King Barn Dairy MOOseum, Boyds, $1,270 to revise and reprint its Introductory Brochure on the history of dairy farming.

-Montgomery County Historical Society, Rockville, $2,500 to publish a book on Dr. Edward Stonestreet.

-Sugarloaf Regional Trails, Barnesville, $2,500 to research, design and produce a new Farm Trail guide for the Sugarloaf Regional Trails Web site.

-Peerless Rockville, Rockville, $970 to develop and produce a walking tour highlighting women important in shaping Rockville's heritage.

-Sugarland Ethno-History Project, Poolesville, $500 for a bronze plaque marking the earliest known grave in the original Historic St. Paul Community Church cemetery.

Heritage Montgomery, one of the 11 designated heritage areas, is a partnership between the state and Montgomery County government. The goal of Heritage Montgomery is to encourage economic development through resources, preservation and heritage tourism.

Six county educators join international society

The Seven Chapter Coordinating Council of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization for key women educators, initiated 12 women — six of whom are Montgomery County Public Schools educators — on Oct. 10.

They include Amy Alonso, assistant principal at Glen Haven Elementary School, initiated into Sigma Chapter; Lauri Friedman, computer teacher at Seneca Valley High School, initiated into Alpha Iota Chapter; Liz Chapoy, Infants and Toddlers program at Rosa Parks Middle School, initiated into Upsilon Chapter; Kulsum Malik, English teacher at Newport Mill Middle School, initiated into Upsilon Chapter; Jill Latchana, science and English curriculum and instruction, initiated into Upsilon Chapter; and Allison O'Connor, special education at Rocky Hill Middle School, initiated into Upsilon Chapter.

Kensington man

named director of MCT

Merlyn Reineke, an Emmy Award-winning executive with 20 years of experience in television, radio, cable and satellite services, is the new executive director of Montgomery Community Television Inc. 

He has held senior level positions with PBS, Wingspan: The Air & Space Channel, National Empowerment Television (NET), and KCAL-TV (Disney). 

"I am thrilled to be a part of the MCT team," Reineke said in a prepared statement. "This organization is filled with staff and volunteers committed to serving all ages and interests here in Montgomery County."

Reineke resides in Kensington with his wife Natalie, who teaches ESOL for Montgomery County Public Schools, and his three children.

Montgomery Community Television Inc. operates Access Montgomery Television (AMTV), Montgomery County's only non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and sponsoring television programming and broadband media that meets community needs and offers forums for free expression.   

Halloween activities continue this week in Rockville

Teens in middle school can attend a Halloween dance and costume contest 6-10 p.m. Friday at the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.

The event will feature the 95.5 WPGC Radio Community Street Team.

Cost is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents. Student ID will be needed for entry. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recreation/teens/index.html for information.

Items appropriate for this column should be sent to Judith Hruz, Editor, The Rockville/Aspen Hill Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877; faxed to 301-670-7182 or 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to jhruz@gazette.net. Deadline is Thursday at 5 p.m. for consideration for the following week. Items are subject to editing and used on a space-available basis.