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The Community Foundation of Frederick County honored three area residents for their "selfless contributions of time, energy and talents to the Frederick County community" this week.

On Monday, Miriam Lane of Union Bridge, Eugene Long of Thurmont and Frank Parsons of Frederick were recognized as the foundation's 2009 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism. Each received $10,000 to establish a new fund at the foundation or add to an existing fund there.

The awards are made possible by a bequest from the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a Frederick businesswoman and volunteer.

A press release from the foundation gave the following accounts of each Wertheimer Fellow:

- Lane was chosen because she "has inspired many with her tireless service to others, despite her own ongoing battle against cancer." A retired physical therapist, Lane now volunteers with Mission of Mercy, traveling through Frederick County to serve patients four days each month at the mobile healthcare clinic's sites in Frederick, Mount Airy and Brunswick. She is Mission of Mercy's only physical therapist, enabling the nonprofit to help many patients who could otherwise not afford therapeutic treatments.

Lane plans to use her award to create The Jane White Fund for Mission of Mercy. Jane White was the director of the Korean orphanage where the Lanes adopted their daughter in 1986.

- Long, a retiree in his 80s, "refuses to take it easy" and is always on the lookout for people in need or situations that he could improve, according to the foundation. He is a longtime member of the Thurmont Lions Club. In 2004, Long spearheaded a project to revitalize a walking trail along the old trolley route through Thurmont and worked through 18 months of permitting and design. He secured many significant donations of equipment, labor and money so that the trail could be dedicated in September 2007.

Late last year, Long spearheaded a fund drive dubbed "Callie Needs a Van" for an 8-year-old girl and her family. He helped raise more than $38,000 to provide a new van and home improvements for the girl, who is wheelchair-bound because of spinal muscular atrophy.

With his award, Long has established The Davey Long and Mike Compton Memorial Fund in memory of his son, Davey, and his wife Shirley's son, Mike, both of whom took their own lives at a young age. The fund will award grants at the recommendation of the Longs and with the approval of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

- Parsons first sought out volunteer opportunities at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick after his retirement in the mid-1990s. It was a natural fit, given his career in the U.S. Air Force in the Medical Service Corps and his years as administrator in military and civilian hospitals. Parsons has served as a docent with the museum, has volunteered thousands of hours and traveled thousands of miles to and from the museum and other outreach sites. At the museum, he gives guided tours and inspires diverse groups of visitors with his passion for the Civil War and for medicine. He conducts educational presentations for school groups, authentically dressed as an 1860s civilian physician — a role he extensively researched to ensure the accuracy of every detail. He has achieved master docent status and been recognized by the Tourism Council of Frederick County for his interpretive skills.

With his award, Parsons has established The Frank R. Parsons Fund for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. The fund will support community education so that the story of medical care during the Civil War continues to be told to the general public.

Community can help to provide holiday cheer to military

The Frederick County chapter of the American Red Cross is participating in a national effort to provide current and former members of the U.S. military with holiday cheer.

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is in its third year of sending holiday cards provided by volunteers to military bases, military hospitals and veterans hospitals across the globe.

"It's something that people want to do to show support to our troops," said Judy Peterson, supervisor of chapter operations. "The response has been overwhelming in past years."

This year, at least 2,000 cards from all over the country will be sent back to the Frederick County chapter and distributed to veterans, service personnel and their families in area communities, Peterson said.

Anyone who wants to participate should send cards to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791.

Cards received after Dec. 7 will be returned to the sender. It is asked for security reasons that only cards without monetary or decorative inserts are sent; no care packages. Senders are encouraged, however, to include messages of "cheer and appreciation" in the cards, a press release for the program said.

For questions or to give suggestions of where to distribute cards locally, e-mail Peterson at info@frederickredcross.org.

Six students selected as General Assembly pages

Catherine Stitely of Brunswick High School is one of six Frederick County high school seniors who were selected to serve as pages for the Maryland General Assembly 2010 legislative session.

Catherine is a Distinguished Maryland Scholar and AP Scholar with Honors. She is the executive officer of the senior class for student government. She is also a member of the lacrosse and indoor track teams and the National Honor Society.

Other students selected include Kathleen Crockett of Walkersville High, Sean Havern of Tuscarora High, Jescinta Izevbigie of St. John's Catholic Prep and Caitlyn Leiter-Mason of Gov. Thomas Johnson High. Alex Eckard of Linganore High will serve as an alternate.

Downtown Frederick Partnership celebrates 20th

The Downtown Frederick Partnership announced last week its plans for a yearlong celebration of its 20-year history.

The group, devoted to the promotion of downtown Frederick businesses. It began in 1990, as a result of efforts by city residents and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

To celebrate the partnership's anniversary, throughout 2010 downtown merchants plan to create customized products and give a portion of proceeds to the partnership.

To kick things off, inkthis!, a stationery and gift store at 14 S. Market St., will offer a "Spires Snow Globe" in November and December. Other participating businesses include Zoe's Chocolate Company (Downtown Warm Up Hot Chocolate, January), Frederick Cellars (Partnership Heritage Wine, February; East Street White Wine, July), The Perfect Truffle (Taste of Frederick Truffle, March), Ben & Jerry's (Spires Sundae, April), Market Bagel & Deli (Downtowner Sandwich, May), Brewer's Alley (Opera House IPA Brew, June), Black Hog BBQ & Bar (Special Edition BBQ Sauce, August), McCutcheon's (Orchard Harvest Spread, September), Candy Kitchen (Market Street Treat, October), The Frederick Basket Company (Wrap It All Up Gift Basket, November/December 2010).

Send items for Valley Voice to mspence@gazette.net or call 301-846-2126 for more information.