200600603 KDDC Can you guess who this community leader is?

May 2006 (c) Kevin Dayhoff

Can you guess who this community leader is?

Captured here in a recent photograph at work in his laboratory - can you guess who this popular "mad" scientist is?

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20060603 KDDC Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics

Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics
June 3, 2006

Caroline and spent the day at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland volunteering with the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County at the Maryland Equestrian Special Olympics.

Unfortunately, I did not take my camera, so I drew a few pictures of the event. Please enjoy them above.

According to the Special Olympics Maryland Web-site:

"Equestrian sports events have been a part of Special Olympics since 1983, when the first competition was held in Louisiana, USA. At the 1987 World Games, 38 athletes competed in the equestrian competition, and one year later the sport was added to the official program of Special Olympics Sports . At the 1991 World Games, 140 athletes competed in this event, and in 1995 the number of athletes rose to over 200, representing 33 countries. Events Special Olympics athletes who compete in the equestrian events learn to ride, develop sports skills and gain the self confidence to direct and control a horse. Athletes are able to compete in a variety of English and Western style events, including relays, drill teams and prix caprilli (jumping events). "

If you are asking, "What is Special Olympics?"; according to the Special Olympics Web-site:

"Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 2.25 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics."

To make a donation to the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County, please contact:

Program Coordinator: Karen Scott: trp4h AT adelphia.net

Information/ Registration: Peggie Roland: peggier AT att.net

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20060602 KDDC Chip Boyles Status Report

Chip Boyles Status Report
June 2nd, 2006
Posted by Kevin Dayhoff

I just had the opportunity to check on the welfare of the City of Clemson Assistant City Administrator, Chip Boyles. Many of you remember Chip, he was the very well liked community leader, who served as the Taneytown City Manager for several years - a number of years ago.

Chip has been with Clemson City Government for six years. Wow, how time flies.

Chip and his children are doing well. In addition to the two darling children we got to know when he was with the City of Taneytown, he and his wife, a professor of architecture, have had two more children.

Chips sends his best to his old friends in Carroll County.

As many have heard in the media in the last several days, the Clemson area of South Carolina has received some unwanted national publicity recently as the normally quiet Clemson University area is where a 20-year-old college co-ed was murdered on May 26th, 2006. She was murdered in an apartment complex in the adjoining town to Clemson. The adjacent town is quite small and the Clemson Police Department is lending a helping hand.

Events this traumatic are very trying for a municipal leader as your heart goes out to the friends and family of the victim and one feels a need to pay extra attention to the safety and welfare of your citizens.

Although Chip, Caroline and I mostly talked about Chip's family and career; Chip seemed his cool, professional and confident self - the same personality that we grew to admire when he was in Carroll County. He did share that he was quite busy with having his community in the glare of a national spotlight.

Chip said that he and his family are looking forward to visiting Carroll County this summer.

Chip and I agreed to do a more comprehensive update on his work and his family in the near future - when things aren't quite as hectic.

Keep Chip, the City of Clemson and the friends and loved ones of this crime victim in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this trying period and lets hope that the police catch the perpetrator of this senseless crime as soon as possible.

And we all look forward to seeing Chip and his family soon.

Kevin

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