Talent Show

The first day of Maryland School Assessment testing might have fallen on April Fools' Day, but there was no fooling around for students at E. Russell Hicks Middle School. Every student and staff member had signed a card - students promising to do their best on testing and staff pledging to encourage student success on the MSAs. The testing on April 1 and 2 was math testing, with English Language Arts and reading testing to come this week. According to the Maryland State Department of Education Web site, the MSA is a test of reading and math achievement that meets the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The reading and math tests are administered annually to students in grades three through eight.

Odds and ends from a columnist's notebook: The TV show "American Idol" draws millions of viewers of TV, so why can't the Hagerstown version of the show get 600 paying customers into The Maryland Theatre? No reason at all, said Lisa Key, the circulation manager and teen activities coordinator for the Washington County Free Library. The library is once again partnering with The Maryland Theatre to put on a talent show at the theater on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m. While helping to put on a talent show might seem odd for a library, Key told me that the idea is "to change their (teens')

During Catholic Schools Week, St. Mary Student Council sponsored a talent show on Student Appreciation Day. A few of the acts included Emily Ward playing "Angel Eyes" on the piano; Evan Gray sang "Get Rhythm;" Elizabeth Balog and Morgan Ferguson danced to a medley of songs; Alexis Brown sang "Maggie's Song;" and Sooji Seo played "Humoresque" on the flute.

WILLIAMSON, Pa. - Contestants vied for their chance at $50 through singing, dancing and comedy at the Franklin County Fair Talent Show on Wednesday, Eleven-year-old Claire Martin was the first to hit the stage in the musical category for youths, ages 13 and under. "It was pretty scary, but when I'm up there I just smile and think about the right things," said Martin, who sang "My Life Is In Your Hands. " Martin is no stranger to competing in singing contests. She has sung in karaoke contests in Mercersburg, Pa., and at Rouzerfest in Rouzerville, Pa. She also performs in Waynesboro's Children's Theater.

The following events are happening this week in Washington County Public Schools: Friday, March 2 2 1/2-hour early dismissal; end of fourth marking period. Cascade Elementary n Bookmobile visit from 9 a.m. to noon. E. Russell Hicks Middle n Positive Behavior Interventions & Support (PBIS) nacho cheese party; spaghetti dinner at 7 p.m.; talent show at 7:30 p.m. Cost for both dinner and show is $7; cost for show only is $3. Lincolnshire Elementary n No prekindergarten.

"To the caller who was saying we should talk to the terrorists and turn the other cheek like Jesus did: Should we put you down to be the first sacrificial lamb when they attack us again after cutting and running? Also, for the record, you say we should be in Afghanistan looking for bin Laden. We are. " "Another historical figure observed that a country will be destroyed by politicians who cater to the money-changers and merchants - meaning banks and big business. Welcome to 21st-century America.

"To the caller who was saying we should talk to the terrorists and turn the other cheek like Jesus did, should we put you down to be the first sacrificial lamb when they attack us again after cutting and running? Also, for the record, you say we should be in Afghanistan looking for bin Laden. We are. " "Another historical figure observed that a country will be destroyed by politicians who cater to the moneychangers and merchants - meaning banks and big business. Welcome to 21st century America.

Trains of Christmas The visions, sounds and snows of Christmas and winter on an O-gauge railroad featuring the trains of Lionel, MTH and others. Today, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.; winter layout on display through Sunday, Feb. 25. Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 300 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. $4; 50 cents for ages 4 to 12; free for ages 3 and younger. Call 301-739-4665. George Carlin Comedian George Carlin will perform his comedy routine. Today, 7 and 9:30 p.m. The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown.

Talent will range from a 10-year-old songstress to an 80-something stand-up comedienne complaining about the dating scene, said organizers of The Apollo Civic Theatre's third annual talent show. Scheduled for Saturday, the show will feature 22 acts, with a grand prize of $200 and other prizes, said Dorothy Keyes, a producer for the show. Keyes said there also will be prizes given out to best male and female vocalist, best dance performance and best band or musical act. "This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the theater," Keyes said.

KEEDYSVILLE - More than 30 years after serving in Nigeria, one former missionary still tears up when he talks about the people he met. For retired pastor Roger Burtner of Keedysville, who took part Sunday in a benefit to ease world hunger, poverty is personal. At a talent show to raise money for CROP Walk, Burtner struggled to speak without choking up as he read poems. Afterward, he spoke of the disparity he had seen as a missionary. "And, I had seen so many, many people walk for food, for water, to escape the enemy.