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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.

Annual pancake breakfast

this weekend

The Kiwanis Club of Mount Airy will host its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser 6 a.m.-noon on Saturday in the Good Shepherd Hall (top level) of Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 S. Main St., Mount Airy. 

The cost is $6 for adults, and $3 for children ages 6 to 12. Children ages 5 and under are free. 

This all-you-can-eat breakfast includes pancakes, eggs (cooked to order), Wagner's Meats sausage, and beverages. The proceeds will benefit local community projects. 

Please bring a canned or boxed food item to donate to the Mount Airy Net Food Pantry.

For more information, contact Angie Moore, breakfast chairperson for the club, at 301-829-9790 or angiebmoore@verizon.net.

Dance company raffles off TV

A local group is selling raffle tickets for a television — a Sony 46-inch Bravia High Definition screen to be exact.

The group, Chrysalis Dance Company, is a nonprofit company affiliated with the Mount Airy Performing Arts Studio. The dancers take classes through the studio, but compete through the team.

The group has an opportunity to go to finals in Ohio next year, and is fundraising. "It would be a great experience for them," said Heidi Schlosser, treasurer with the dance company.

They will be selling raffle tickets in front of Safeway, 337 E Ridgeville Blvd., on Sunday.

Tickets $5 each or five tickets for $20.

The winning ticket will be drawn on Jan. 11, 2010 at an event at the Mount Airy Tavern. "We want to make sure this person has their TV to watch the super bowl," Schlosser said.

The ticket holder need not be present to win.

Mount Airy Hall of Fame nominations accepted

The Historical Society of Mount Airy is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Hall of Fame. All local organizations and individuals are invited to nominate someone to be considered.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor deserving people — living or deceased — of Mount Airy and the immediate surrounding areas, who by work, service, volunteerism, word or deed, made the community a better place for everyone.

Also honored will be those who were born here and went on to bring honor to the community by their efforts, deeds or life's work outside of the area. By honoring these individuals, it is believed that their stories will inspire others to greater achievement and make everyone aware of the fabric that is woven into Mount Airy.

Nomination forms for the Hall of Fame may be found at Mount Airy Town Hall or at the Mount Airy Museum. Forms can also be obtained by e-mailing the Historical Society at mountairyhistoricalsociety@earthlink.net. Any person or group is eligible to submit nominations to the committee using the form. Candidates should be considered from the following fields: business, community-civic service, education, historical, humanitarian, political, religious, sports-recreational, or a general category. Please send all nomination forms to: Hall of Fame Committee, P.O. Box 244, Mount Airy, MD 21771. All nominations must be in the hands of the committee by Nov. 30.

After the close of nominations, a committee will review all nominations and select the people who will be inducted into the Mount Airy Hall of Fame. The induction will be held March 16, 2010 at the American Legion Home, on Prospect Road.

Local students to march in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Two Linganore High School students, and one Linganore alumna, have been chosen to participate in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

Dana Hauprich and Jeffrey Shiderly, two current members of Linganore High School's marching band, will be members of the Great American Marching Band — 200 students from across the nation assembled for the parade. They are two of only six students selected from the state of Maryland for the band.

"Oh, my gosh, it's really exciting," Dana, 17, and a senior, said. "I've been watching the Macy's Day Parade as long as I can remember."

Dana has been a member of the school's color guard for all four years she's attended.

She said her family will drop her off in New York City on Nov. 21, where she will attend workshops to prepare her for the parade on Nov. 26. Her family plans to watch the parade, and are very excited for her.

"It's basically the topic of conversation at the dinner table," she said.

Jeffrey has performed in the Linganore Marching Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band, playing mellophone with the marching group and bass clarinet with the concert groups, according to band director Kevin Lloyd, who nominated both students.

The Towson University Marching Band will also participate in the parade as the only university band selected this year.  

Jordan Beck, former Linganore High School student and color guard member of the Towson University Marching Band, is one of the 225 member band. More than 50 million television viewers across the country and 3.5 million spectators lining the 2.5 mile parade route in New York City will watch the parade.

Do you have an item for Mount Airy Moments? Contact reporter Angie Cochrun at 301-846-2117, e-mail acochrun@gazette.net or fax news to 301-829-9101.