It is hard to believe that summer vacation is half over, and with the turn of the calendar, it is already August! Where has the summer gone?

For many youth in our area, the weeks have flown by as they have been getting ready for the annual Howard County Fair. The fair runs Aug. 2-9.

My family always looks forward to this time. The kids get to show off the fruits of their labor, after working over the past year raising pigs and vegetables, as well as honing their baking, home arts and photography skills. It is now time to see what the judges will think.

We all look forward to visiting with friends we may see only a few times a year. It is also fun to walk through the buildings and look for entries by local neighbors.

On Sunday, Aug. 3 at 5 p.m., there is a 4-H bake sale. This is an opportunity to purchase champion and blue ribbon confections created by local youth, as they learn about working in the kitchen.

For a 4-Her, all of their work culminates with the livestock sale Aug. 8, at 6:15 p.m. The evening will begin with the sale of broilers, rabbits and capons, followed by market hogs, steers, meat goats and market lambs. Some have concerns about the economy this year, however, supporting the Howard County Fair Livestock Sale is a great way to spend your money, supporting local youth and receiving a quality product in return. The 4-H'ers who are selling their animals have worked hard to take good care of their animals before the fair, providing exercise, fresh water, and grain daily.

The meat you will purchase is locally grown and hormone free. 4-H is a positive youth program which teaches youth life skills, such as record keeping and money management, it also teaches them the responsibility of taking care of animals, and provides them with experiences they will never forget.

Purchases made at the livestock sale may be tax deductible. Your support will help to fund future 4-H projects, as well as first cars and college educations. If you would like more information about the Howard County Fair 4-H livestock sale, call livestock sale committee members Theresa Bly at 301-829-2498 or Larry Bresnock at 410-635-6929.

For more information about the fair or a schedule of events, go to the fair's Web site at www.howardcountyfair.org.

By the way, my son, Andy, celebrates his birthday during fair week. On Aug. 7, he will officially become a teenager, as he turns 13. Stop by the hog barn and wish him a happy day!

As the calendar turned to the month of July, parents at Glenwood and Folly Quarter middle schools were greeted with e-mails from the new principals at each of these schools, Dave Brown and Rick Wilson, respectively.

Each principal first thanked the former principals for their assistance in the transition to a new post, and wished the former principals well in their new positions. Each of the principals will be working with PTA members to help foster a strong parent-school connection.

To that end, each school has scheduled a meet-and-greet session -- an opportunity for the community to come and meet the new principals and get to know a bit about them. Glenwood Middle School will be conducting its session Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Folly Quarter Middle School will hold its session Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The Glenwood Middle School PTSA still needs to fill the following positions on their board: cultural arts, public relations, volunteer coordinator, hospitality and parent volunteer for the eighth grade. These are worthwhile programs. The positions can be shared as well. Please consider chairing one of these commitees. If you are interested our would like more information, e-mail Bose Abu at abumd@aol.com or call 301-854-4910.

Still looking for a good summer read for your daughter? Why not join in the reading and discussion presented monthly by the Glenwood Branch Library's Mother-Daughter Book Club?

On Aug. 13, the group will be meeting to discuss "Our Only May Amelia," by Jennifer Holm. The discussion is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and refreshments will be served. This is a great way to get involved in reading with your daughter.

Stop by the local library branch to check out this book. To register or for additional information, call the library at 410-313-5577.

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