If you don't go anywhere, just step outside of your home and have your significant other come back in the door first. Or call a male friend and have him come over and do this for you.
He might think you are a bit strange, but tell him that you are starting a tradition and this will bring luck all year. Happy New Year to everyone.
New fitness center holding food drive
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Shape Up Shop, a fitness center for women, will hold its grand opening Saturday from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Take in canned food items and receive $5 off your first month's fee.
Donations will be given to Grace United Methodist Church in Hagerstown.
A drawing for one free month, demonstrations and punch will be available.Â
The fitness center is at 583 Northern Ave. For more information, call 240-420-1886
TOPS 77
On Dec. 22, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 77 held a short meeting.Â
The group played a quiz game from "The Choice Is Mine" workbook. The members did well on the "Helpful Food Information" part of the quiz. Several members then discussed how they celebrate Christmas.Â
Patsy Martin won the "Get-R-Done" contest with a 4 1/4-pound loss.
Mary Reid and Eileene Mason will lead today's program. The members will discuss their goals for 2009.
The chapter meets Mondays at First Christian Church, 1345 Potomac Ave. Weigh-in is from 7:15 to 9:20 a.m. and the meeting is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
For more information, call Donna at 301-223-8143 or Patsy at 301-582-2292.Â
YMCA Gala
The Hagerstown YMCA Gala will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Fountain Head Country Club. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., followed by dinner and the feature grand prize drawing, your choice of one of three 2009 automobiles or a Mediterranean cruise.
Tickets cost $325 per couple, available now and can be purchased from any member of the YMCA board of directors, or at the front desk of the YMCA on Eastern Boulevard in Hagerstown.
Ticket entitles holder to a gourmet dinner for two and one of 150 chances for the grand prize drawing. The theme of the gala is "Beneath the Tuscan Moon" and local radio and TV personality Lou Scally will be master of ceremonies.
The fundraiser helps to support the YMCA's youth sponsorship programs as well as those individuals and families unable to afford membership. More than $500,000 has been raised in the past 22 years for this program.
Cooking demonstration
The Women's Club invites all members and the public to a cooking demonstration by Chef John Walla of Black Eyed Susan Restaurant on Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the club at 31 S. Prospect St.
Admission is $12 and payment will be accepted at the door. Reservations can be made by calling the Women's Club at 301-739-0870. Treats will be available to sample.
The next cooking demonstration on Feb. 1 will feature Shellie Ralston of The Rhubarb House
Pageants seeking contestants
The Board of Directors of the Miss Washington County/Miss Western Maryland Scholarship Foundation is extending an invitation to area young women between the ages of 13 and 24 to compete in the annual production and competition. Many scholarships and gifts will be awarded. Last year, more than $7,000 in scholarships were awarded with every Miss contestant receiving a scholarship.
The event will be Saturday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at Kepler Theater on the campus of Hagerstown Community College. Four winners will be selected, Miss Washington County 2009 and Miss Western Maryland 2009 and their teen counterparts, Miss Washington County Outstanding Teen 2009 and Miss Western Maryland Outstanding Teen 2009. The winners will represent the four-county area in the annual Miss Maryland Scholarship competition and the Miss Maryland Outstanding Teen competition at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown in June.
In order to compete for the Western Maryland titles, a contestant must live, work, or attend school in Garrett, Allegany, Washington or Frederick counties.
