More News

St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick has installed a new WeatherBug Tracking Station and will be able to provide weather data for the weather team at WJLA-TV to broadcast online and on-air, according to a press release from the school.

The WeatherBug is linked from the St. John website (www.sjrcs.org) and will provide weather conditions and live pictures from the school.

"The original Weather Bug equipment was brought to our school from our previous Second Street location in downtown Frederick. Now that it's been re-installed and enhanced with a high-definition camera, we have more capabilities for its use," Principal Karen Smith said in a press release. "... Now science teachers are excited about using the data from WeatherBug for their classrooms."

The tracking station and accompanying WeatherBug Achieve software suite were funded by contributions from parents and the community.

St. John Regional joins 10 other schools in Frederick County with WeatherBug reporting capability and is the only non-public school in the region to offer it.

WeatherBug's interactive software program, WeatherBug Achieve, enables teachers to apply real-world conditions in math, science and geography lessons. Using WeatherBug Achieve, teachers can create customized learning activities based on current and historical weather conditions, such as wind speed or humidity. In addition, students can compare local weather conditions to data from more than 8,000 other tracking stations nationwide.

Hood College professor awarded for poetry

An English professor at Hood College in Frederick was recently named winner of a national poetry contest.

Elizabeth Knapp, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, was chosen from among 30 semi-finalists as the 2010 winner of the De Novo Award for her collection of poems, "The Spite House," which will be published by C&R Press next year.

The award is given annually to a previously unpublished American poet whose work exhibits striking language, memorable imagery, intellectual depth and a respect for diversity, according to a press release from Hood College.

Knapp teaches American literature, poetry and creative writing courses at Hood. She earned a bachelor's degree at Amherst College, a master of fine arts degree at the Bennington Writing Seminars and a doctoral degree at Western Michigan University.

Discounted tickets for fundraising bingo available now

Teach Autistic Children Today (TACT), a Frederick County, nonprofit group that helps local children with autism get treatment services they need, is planning a fundraising bingo event later this month.

Patrons who purchase tickets by Sunday get a $2 discount.

The event is set for Nov. 14 at the Jefferson Ruritan Club, Lander Road at U.S. Route 340, in Jefferson. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and games begin at 2 p.m. Winners will receive $100 for each of 20 regular games, and one $1,000 jackpot game is scheduled. Regular-priced tickets are $20 per person. Punch cards, King Tuts, food and drinks will also be available for purchase at the event.

Purchase admission tickets online at www.tactmd.org. Call 240-405-9161 or e-mail tactevents@yahoo.com for more information.

Frederick resident joins American Angus Association

Christopher James Shelton of Frederick is a new junior member of the American Angus Association, according to a press release from Bryce Schumann, CEO of the national organization with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo.

Junior members of the Association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in Association-sponsored shows and other national and regional events.

The American Angus Association is the largest beef breed association in the world, with nearly 30,000 active adult and junior members.

Rose Hill Manor Park

seeks help from visitors

Staff at Rose Hill Manor Park in Frederick are working on an April 2011 exhibit called "Visitor Voices" and need the community's help.

The exhibit will highlight the experiences of visitors to Rose Hill Manor Park, which was the retirement home of Thomas Johnson, Maryland's first elected governor. It now serves as a hands-on history museum for children, and features a manor house, icehouse, log cabin, blacksmith shop, carriage collection and two barns.

Lend your voice to the "Visitor Voices" project by submitting photos, memories or memorabilia of your favorite visits, moments and experiences at Rose Hill Manor. You can submit via mail to "Visitors Voices," Rose Hill Manor Park, 1611 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701, or drop off items at the Frederick County Parks & Recreation office, 118 N. Market St., Frederick. Send e-mail to ksaavedra@frederickcountymd.gov.

Be sure that all submissions include your name and phone number as well as your city and state of residence. All submissions must be received by March 12.

For more information on Rose Hill Manor Park, visit www.rosehillmuseum.com.

Send information to be published in City Beat to mspence@gazette.net or call 301-846-2126.