Come to the Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department in Clarksville, at routes 108 and 32, for the annual Pizza With Santa Dec. 15 from noon until 2 p.m. There will be lots of treats for the children (Santa will be the special treat) along with all the pizza you care to eat from Pizza Hut. The cost is $3 for children and $5 for adults. You can call 410-313-7215 for more information.

Did you get your annual appeal letter from the fire department? Your donation will be appreciated. Remember, the Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department does not solicit by phone.

The fire department collected more than $12,600 in the Fill the Boot campaign for victims of Sept. 11.

Pointers Run Elementary collected nearly $4,000. Good job!

Blood supplies are usually low during the holiday season. You can help by donating blood during the Clarksville Lions drive at the Clarksville fire station Dec. 17 from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 410-871-9277 or 410-489-0033.

The River Hill High School Dance Ensemble will present its annual Winter Dance in Concert performance Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Under the direction of Jill Blizzard, the Dance Company, Junior Dance Company, intermediate and introductory classes will perform numerous ballet, tap, modern, and jazz dances to a variety of musical selections.

Featured dancers include Marissa Montanez, Danielle Flyzik and Lauren Sambataro, who recently played Louise in "Carousel" at Toby's Dinner Theater. Dance Company member Ryan Krasney will also showcase her vocal expertise in a dance titled "Memories Frozen in Time: September 11, 2001."

Tickets are $7 and will be sold at the box office. For additional information, please call 410-313-7120.

Through December the River Hill Music Boosters are raising funds through the sale of Tupperware and Pampered Chef items. The entire line of both companies is available as well as special fund-raiser items. To place an order, contact a music student or Sue Zimmerman at 301-854-0050.

The River Hill High School PTSA sends a big thank-you to Larriland Farms and the Columbia Gym for donating an enormous pumpkin and a massage at the Day Spa.

The PTSA, along with these wonderful sponsors, held a guess-the-weight-of-the-pumpkin contest for the staff.

Nancy Duffy won first prize, and was awarded the massage, with a guess only 8 ounces away from the correct weight of 72 pounds, 3 ounces. Dave Brown was awarded the pumpkin for second place. He was just 10 ounces off.

Guesses ranged from as little at 32 pounds up to 1,100 pounds.

Many thanks go to all those who helped keep Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School beautiful and pesticide free. One result has been national recognition. Students were invited to the Senate to encourage lawmakers to vote for the School Environmental Protection Act (Parent's Right to Know Bill).

Community efforts can make a difference.

The Silent Auction Committee at Triadelphia is organizing for a Mardi Gras Celebration Feb. 23 at Cattail Creek Country Club. Donations and ads would be welcomed. For information, call 410-531-3463 or 410-988-9196.

Happy birthday to Amy Higgs whose special day is Dec. 18. Have a great day, Amy.