Almost every grandparent believes, "My grandchild is adorable." Margaret and Randy Walton have some hard evidence to support such thinking. A photo of their grandson, Randy Williams, was selected and is featured on the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, Fla.'s Web site.

Wanna see a cute baby? Check out the Web site www.dsaj.org. Randy is definitely a cutie. He's the poster boy for the sixth annual Buddy Walk scheduled for Oct. 18. Margaret will begin collecting cell phones and donations in the fall in support of the big event.

The Taters will wrap up this year's summer Courtyard Concert series at River Hill shopping center Friday, Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m. It's your last chance to come out for free entertainment, relax, socialize with your neighbors, compare back-to-school notes, etc. You can bring something to eat for a family picnic or buy food at the center. It's a nice family-fun evening activity.

Do you have a student planning to drive to and park at River Hill High School? There's a mandatory driver/parking seminar at the school Tuesday, Aug. 26, 4:30-8 p.m. Be there or be disappointed.

Last-minute shopping, vacations and staycations are filling our days as families enter the final back-to-school countdown.

Once upon a time, Mary Ellen Ludy Ernst seemed to appear in Maryland only once in a blue moon. This year, Ernst has been making frequent commutes from her home in Naples, Fla., to (among other things) visit family and friends in Dayton and the surrounding area.

Her recent visit was a combination of business and pleasure. She and eldest daughter Ashley Ernst attended a medical oriented convention/training seminar in Baltimore, then lingered a few days at the family homestead in Dayton where they could fill their tummies with luscious fresh veggies from dad's garden.

It's hard to believe how quickly Ashley has grown up. Having realized that her pre-med major would mean spending years and years in training, she is looking forward to graduating as a physician's assistant next year. She is eager to get to work at a real job. We wish her all the best in her future career.

Russell, Melissa, Hailey and Joel Sanford have been spending almost as much summer playtime with Grandma since moving to Georgia as when living in Clarksville. It helps Grandma not miss them so much.

Recently, they flew in for a two-day boating/skiing/water play vacation at Lake Caroline in Virginia. The weather was perfect. The water was smooth as glass and just the right temperature.

Grandma was thrilled to discover that she can still get up on a kneeboard and everyone had a wonderful adventure. It was the first time either of the children, ages 7 and 3, had been towed behind the boat. They can't wait to go again.

Hailey suffered the only disappointment. She had hoped to see some old friends while here. You guessed it. The friends were also on vacation or at least not home. Maybe next time. In the meantime, they can e-mail or practice penmanship by writing real old-fashioned letters.

Be sure to call or e-mail to share news of your summer fun visits or visitors.

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