North Suffolk essayists win big in contest

Three of Mrs. Klein’s seventh-grade civics students at John Yeates Middle School swept the awards for this year’s Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9382 on Pughsville Road. The topic was Are You Proud of Your Country? Winners received certificates and Visa gift cards in varying amounts. Congratulations to third-place winner Megan Grass, second-place winner Jared Mason, and first-place winner Mackenzie Roach who is now $150 richer thanks to her writing efforts and her patriotic beliefs.                                                     

It’s not often four-legged canine friends are so enthusiastically welcomed into public school buildings. Creekside Elementary media specialist Kim Richardson is actually hoping the Friday BARKS program with Suffolk Humane Society will grow. She has a waiting list of students who want to improve their skills by reading aloud to patient, nonjudgmental furry friends. When I stopped by to watch, Robin Smith with Mocha were lending ample ears to students Cornelius and Aliyah. Raymond Cross and Dallas were attentive to readers Angel, Andrew and Marquice. Janet Cornell, who has five certified therapy dogs, was observing the program, considering whether she could work Phoebe, Rafee, Ellie, Bodie and Scout into her schedule. Once dogs (and their owners/handlers) have gained their therapy certification, they are in high demand for hospitals, nursing homes and schools. These dogs have passed a battery of tests to ascertain they are polite, affable and adaptable. If you have time, a charming canine and an inclination to help, please tell the humane society folks: suffolkhumanesociety.com. Reach Heidi at 538-3030 or michelethames@suffolkhumanesociety.com. You and your fur therapy friend could be helping out a child.                                                       

If you enjoy quilting and fiber arts, you might want to call Debbie Hill at the Suffolk Art Gallery at 514-7284. Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up for an all-day trip to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival at the Hampton Roads Convention Center on Feb. 23. I went a couple of years ago and was enthralled with all the talent and creativity. It truly is inspiring! If you’d like to see for yourself, plan on getting a $6 check to the gallery made payable to Ronald Williams, treasurer. That covers the transportation from 8:30 to 5:30 p.m. You’ll need to have cash or credit card for the $14 entry fee, and lunch is on your own with the food booths inside the convention center. Call Debbie or visit www.quiltfest.com. There you can find classes and workshops and some special exhibition pieces, including the 236 quilts in the Alzheimer’s Name Quilts on a nationwide tour through 2015. The Name Quilts create a wall with more than 10,000 names, representing and honoring the 5.4 million people in the U.S. who have this horrid disease. Hanging among the Name Quilts are 54 small format art quilts that tell the story of Alzheimer’s from a variety of perspectives. Learn more at www.alzquilts.org.          

Do you have a story to share about yourself, a family member or neighbor? Please let me know at k.billue@charter.net so I can spread your news to Your Corner!

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