Sign Language

Exercise, sports science major available at Wilson CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Wilson College will offer a major in exercise and sports science this fall. Students in the major will be able to implement preventive health programs in private, corporate, commercial and community settings. The major also prepares students for graduate work in exercise physiology or exercise and sports medicine. The curriculum requires courses in biology, chemistry and physical education. Students also may complete optional tracks that address the knowledge, skills and abilities recommended by American College of Sports Medicine for certification as exercise leader/fitness instructor or health/fitness director.

Deafnet Association Inc. will hold the following sign language classes: · Evening American Sign Language Basic I, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14. The 12-week class is open to ages 12 and older and will continue until Nov. 30. Registration costs $75. No prerequisite required. Registration required by Tuesday, Sept. 7. · Evening ASL Basic II, 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13. The 12-week class is open to ages 12 and older and will continue until Monday, Nov. 29. Registration costs $60. Prerequisite is Basic I or equivalent.

Sign language classes offered Deafnet Association Inc. will offer the following sign language classes Basic I Sign Language classes for beginners are set for Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m., Sept. 9 through Nov. 25. The classes run for 12 weeks and introduce students to basic communication with the deaf. The class is $90 which includes the text book. Basic II Sign Language classes are set for Tuesdays, Sept. 10 through Nov. 26., from 7 to 9 p.m. and continue for 12 weeks.

MONT ALTO, Pa. - G. Warren Elliott, Franklin County commissioner and Penn State Mont Alto alumnus, will serve as the commencement speaker during the May 19 ceremony at Penn State Mont Alto. The commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Activities Center. Tickets are required for guest admission to the ceremony, and seating is first come, first served. The gymnasium doors will open at 9 a.m. Guests are asked to be seated by 9:45 a.m. The first row of seats will be reserved for those who are unable to climb, and there will be wheelchair-accessible seats on the floor.

Tuesday, Sept. 2 Line dance lessons HALFWAY - Hagerstown Country Western Dance Association offers line dance lessons with Linda Henry. 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 14. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, corner of Halfway Boulevard and Virginia Avenue. $4 per dancer. Call Linda at 301-797-6786 or Carol at 717-263-0141. Spanish classes SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Practical approaches to learning the Spanish language, focusing on the fundamentals of conversation.

Today Performance titling for dogs Peaceable Paws Dog and Puppy Training offers performance titling for family dogs in eight different events. 7 to 9 p.m., today and the first Friday of the month; and from 2 to 4 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. Peaceable Paws, 17816 Spielman Road, Fairplay. $5 per dog per event. Call 301-582-9420 or go to www.peaceablepaws.com . Basic II, American Sign Language Deafnet’s American Sign Language class.

andrews@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - For Grant Whitaker, Hagerstown has one big advantage over St. Louis: hockey. Grant, 10, is in his second year in the Hagerstown Youth Hockey Association. He's still learning the game's finer points. Grant's grandparents, Richard and Pam Thierry, who are raising him, said the move has done Grant a lot of good athletically, socially and academically. They moved from St. Louis to a house north of Hagerstown in July 2003 so Grant, who is deaf, could attend the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, Md. Pam Thierry said she likes the fact that the school has a challenging curriculum, which isn't true of some schools for the deaf.

o Read more Kristy Smith columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Greetings, neighbors While it is still too warm for sweaters and pumpkins, it isn't too soon to "Autumn Up" with some colorful mums and some other neat things from the vendors at Boonesborough Days on Saturday and Sunday. Library events Boonsboro Library programs for this month include "An Introduction to American Sign Language" presented by Mary Jo Palmer, American sign language tutor, Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. The program is an introduction to sign language, which will include the alphabet, numbers and everyday signs.