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More than a dozen area schools received a portion of the ticket proceeds from the Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association's Family Night at Field of Screams earlier this month.

During its month-long celebration of Halloween, OBGC opened its Field of Screams — "haunted" houses, mazes and other attractions — to the community for the seventh year.

Because most of the attractions were probably too frightening for younger children, OBGC offered a Family Night on Oct. 11 when the scares were toned down so youngsters could enjoy them.

The event also doubled as a fundraiser for area schools, raising nearly $2,200, OBGC officials reported. The fundraiser was open to all schools.

"OBGC was happy to help develop this program for schools and give back to the community that supports us in the many ways it does," Dan Dionisio, OBGC chairman, said in a prepared statement.

The largest donation will go to St. John's in Olney.

"Thanks to OBGC for allowing the St. John's Episcopal School community the opportunity to have lots of fun and raise money at the same time," Headmaster Len Armstrong said in a press release. "Our students have always had a blast at the Field of Screams, and knowing their enjoyment will now directly benefit our Model United Nations experience in New York City is doubly rewarding."

More than 1,100 people attended Family Night, Belmont Elementary, Brooke Grove Elementary, Cashell Elementary, Farquhar Middle, Greenwood Elementary, Laytonsville Elementary, Olney Elementary, Rosa Parks Middle, Sequoia Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Olney Adventist Preparatory School, Sandy Spring Friends School, St. Mary's School, St. Patrick's Catholic School and St. Peter's Catholic School also participated in the Field of Screams fundraising program.

Field of Screams continues Thursday through Saturday. For more details, visit www.screams.org.

Holocaust survivor

to discuss memoir

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. 

Aging parents to be topic

of forum at St. Bartholomew

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Laytonsville invites the community to attend a free forum titled, "Caring for our Aging Parents: What are our Issues and Options?" on Tuesday.

Kensington author Howard Gleckman will present personal stories and helpful ways to create and strengthen the safety nets that families need during the difficult-to-manage times.   

The program will begin at 7 p.m. St. Bartholomew's is located at 21611 Laytonsville Road.

For more information, contact the office by e-mail at stbartschurch2@verizon.net or call 301-355-7189.

Celebrating African Palms

at St. John's Church

A celebration of African Palms USA will be held 8:45 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at St. John's Church in Olney.

The event will feature a presentation of African Palms' recent trip to Tanzania, Africa, at 9 o'clock, and guest speakers will be featured at both the 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock services.

African Palms USA was founded in 1965 by an Anglican missionary in Masasi, in southeastern Tanzania, with the purpose of "using the cross of Christ to help people help themselves," according to the organization.

The goal is accomplished by turning an African product — a palm cross — into a source of income and humanitarian aid for Africa.  The net proceeds from the sale of the crosses, and all donations received, are returned to Africa in the form of non-denominational self-help grants to meet basic human needs.

Over $1.8 million has been awarded in grants since 1976, when St. John's Church became the primary distributor of the crosses.

St. John's Church is located at 3427 Olney-Laytonsville Road. For more information, visit

www.africanpalmsusa.org or call 301-774-2832.

JCA offers computer, exercise classes at B'nai Shalom

The Jewish Council for the Aging has opened a new SeniorTech Computer Training Center and exercise classes at B'nai Shalom of Olney.

Volunteers teach men and women age 50 and older how to use computers to keep financial records in order, create a family history, communicate via the Internet, enjoy digital photography and more.

Classes are offered at a low cost.

The new Olney center joins other JCA SeniorTech Centers in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, and Alexandria and Falls Church, Va. 

In addition, JCA is collaborating with Montgomery General Hospital to offer exercise classes on site.

For further information, brochures or to be placed on a mailing list, contact Dana Hirsch at dhirsch@AccessJCA.org or 240-395-0916.

Helping the area's needy

Olney Chiropractic Center will hold its annual Food for the Needy Week on Nov. 2-6.

Chiropractic services will be given in exchange for $20 donations of food or cash. All of the proceeds will be donated to Olney Help as they have been for the past 21 years. Olney Help is a nonprofit that assists area residents who need food, prescriptions and other services.

For more information, call 301-774-0081.

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.

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

If you have an interesting note about the people and the events of our community, send it to Judith Hruz, Editor, The Olney Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, or e-mail it to jhruz@gazette.net. Our fax numbers are 301-670-7182 or 301-670-7183. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday for consideration for the following week. All items are subject to space availability.