June 20, 2012 Page 12Shore Update, Your Free Local Newspaper Since 1987

People, Places And Faces Of Our CommunitySubmissions for Bits & Briefs should be emailed to theupdate@verizon.net

BITS AND BRIEFS

Queen Anne’s County Free Library Launches Summer Reading Program

Readers of all ages will explore the night this summer as the Queen Anne’s County Free Library presents “Dream Big—READ!” during its annual summer reading program. The 2012 summer reading program is open to young people, from babies through teens, with programs, story hours, a reading club, and more. Beginning on June 11 and continuing through July 28, readers can pick up their independent summer reading club materials. Families with children from birth through age 5 are invited to join the Read-To-Me club. They will receive a game board with literacy activities for child and caregiver to complete together, along with a suggested reading list of bedtime stories, nursery rhymes, and concept books. Children entering kindergarten through grade 5 will receive a sum-mer reading bag that includes a reading log, game board, sticker, and bookmark. Teens are invited to participate in “Own the Night,” a summer read-ing program for rising 6th-12th graders, which pairs a game board with peer book reviews. Special teen events include book discussions, a teen writers group, creation of a LEGO® skyline, and an opportunity to

A complete calendar of events will be included in each summer reading bag. Events calendars can also be found online at www.quan.lib.md.us/storytime.php for children and at www.quan.lib.md.us/teen-sandadults.php for teens.

WRUS student sculptures emerge from the wall and pose on the steps at CBEC

WRUS students cover Queen hit “Don’t Stop Me Now”. Left to right: Dan Peterson of Severna Park, teacher Kimberleigh Nichols of Grason-ville, Kelvin Thompson of Churchton, Nate Mouzon of Glen Burnie, and Jesse Kirchnere of Queenstown.

Wye River Upper School Celebrates the Arts

Faculty, staff, families and friends of Wye River Upper School were treated to an eve-ning of the arts at the annual WRUS Art and Music Expo on Thursday, May 10th at CBEC (Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center). Against the backdrop of the Bay, stu-

found emerging from the side of the building while another was paddling a kayak and reaching over to pull his friend out of the water. Other works included watercolor land-scapes, charcoal sketches, perspective drawings, digital photography and some original

WRUS music teachers, Ms. Kara Klucarits and Ms. Kimberleigh Nichols enjoyed watching their students in this culminating annual event and even performed with stu-dents in several pieces. The music for the evening had been chosen by the students and several seventies rock selections delighted the guests. Janice Joplin, Jonny Cash, Led Zeppelin, and Queen hits were covered by several passionate performers. Another favor-ite act came by way of student dancers who choreographed a group number to the Latin American sounds of Juan Luis Guerra. The piece was particularly meaningful since many of the students had just visited the Dominican Republic a few weeks prior. At intermission Director of Art and Technology, Mr. James Martinez, made a few thoughtful remarks that captured the essence of the evening. “These students work hard all year.” Martinez states, “They take risks and pour their heart into their work. The result is what you see here and we are very proud of them.” Wye River Upper School is a college preparatory high school for grades 9-12 offering a supportive, yet challenging curriculum for students with a wide range of learning styles and needs such as ADHD, ADD and dyslexia. WRUS is centrally located on the campus of Chesapeake College in Wye Mills Maryland and currently serves students from 7 counties in the Eastern and Central Maryland regions. For more information, please contact Katie Theeke, Director of Admissions and Communications, 410-384-4588, www.wyeriverupperschool.org.

Caregiver’s Support Group to Take a BreakThe Family Caregiver’s Support Group that has been meeting at the Kramer Center in Centreville on the third Wednesday of each month will be taking a break for the summer months. Meetings will resume in September with some format changes. Watch for upcoming press

releases for locations and times of meetings and future agenda topics. Please call 410-758-0848 for additional information.

Cancer Center Volunteer Recognized for ServiceEarlier this year, the Upper Eastern Shore Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society (UE-SONS) presented its Commitment to Caring Award to Elmer Parkerson, volunteer for the Requard Radiation Oncology Center at Shore Regional Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society. This award was created by UESONS to recognize an individual who is not necessarily a nurse or a member of the chapter but who demonstrates an exemplary commit-ment to caring for patients with cancer.

Recipients of the Commitment to Caring Award have demonstrated exemplary care for cancer patients, recognize the impact of cancer across the community, and advocate for individuals, groups and community residents. The candidate must balance advocacy and support with self growth while fostering independence for patients and their families. Parkerson was nominated by a member of UESONS, who acknowledged his “dedication to providing service above and beyond for the oncology patients in the Mid-Shore area. Elmer provides a compassionate approach in assisting patients at Shore Regional Cancer Center. He makes each patient feel welcomed and does his best to see to their comfort while awaiting their treatment. He goes above and beyond in assisting the staff in providing a friendly and calm environment.” Parkerson volunteers weekly at the Requard Radiation Oncology Center in Easton and

American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program for Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s and Kent counties. The UESONS member who nominated him added, “Elmer spends countless hours coordinating volunteer drivers for patients who may not otherwise have access to treatment. He is very dedicated to this job and makes every effort to get patients to and from treatment and always gives recognition to those volunteers who drive, acknowl-edging that they are the ones who give of their time and resources.” As a retired state policeman, Parkerson is familiar with the concept of serving the com-munity. The patients and staff of the Requard Radiation Oncology Center and the patients and families of the Mid-Shore area are fortunate that he continues this commitment to service. Speaking on behalf of UESONS, past president Robin Ford, RN, said, “Elmer embodies the concept of our Commitment to Caring Award and we are delighted to recognize him for his outstanding service, generosity of time and compassionate care of people undergoing cancer treatment. We are blessed to have Elmer as part of our team.”