Cub Scout receives National Medal of Merit
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Becky Robinette Wright/Chesterfield Observer Spring Arbor Assisted Living recently donated more than $7,300 to the Midlothian Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new equipment. Front row from left: Battalion Chief Steve Parrott, Capt. Bryan Swanson, Sen. John Watkins, Sally Sperberg, executive director of Spring Arbor Assisted Living Facility, and Midlothian Volunteer District Chief Wayne Canada attended the check presentation.

Michael Klotz, a 9-year-old Cub Scout from Pack 893 chartered by St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Midlothian, recently received the Boy Scouts of America National Medal of Merit, which is given to members of the Boy Scouts on recommendation of the organization's National Court of Honor. It is given to scouts who "perform an act of service of a rare or exceptional character in saving or attempting to save a life."

In April 2007, Michael, then an 8-year-old Bear Cub Scout, heard his mother call for help as he was playing in his home with two friends. The three children found Diane Klotz unconscious. Michael knew his mom had diabetes and thought she may be in insulin shock. He directed his two friends as to how they could help him gather the items he needed to help her - a glucose testing kit; glucose tablets; cool, damp cloths; a sweet drink; and a telephone.

Photo courtesy of Kerry Baker Cub Scout Michael Klotz with his mother, Diane Klotz. Michael probably saved his mother's life after she lapsed into a diabetic coma.

Michael tested his mom's blood to confirm that she was indeed in diabetic shock with a glucose level of 23. He knew it should be between 60 and 100. He placed a glucose tablet in her mouth and, once she regained consciousness, helped her sip the sweet drink. Michael's father, Fred, came home at that point to relieve Michael. Diane reported to Fred that the shock came on so quickly that all she remembered was calling out for help. She is certain that her son and his friends saved her life. Business

dressbarn, located at 4841 Commonwealth Centre Parkway, will host a "Teacher V.I.P. (Very Indulgent Party)" for Midlothian-area teachers on Friday, Oct. 17, from 4-9 p.m. During that time, each guest will receive 15 percent off their entire purchases.

Krantz

Silly Bus, an educational media company established to help children feel confident, successful and happy while learning, was recently inducted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, a group comprised of world class musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers. Silly Bus members Justin M. Laughter and Sam Bennett, a resident of Chesterfield, graduated from Thomas Dale High School in the late 1990s.

Kahnee's Korner Consignment & Thrift Store, located at 9625 Jefferson Davis Highway, recently celebrated its first year in business. The store specializes in items for the home, collectibles and vintage and seasonal items. It does not carry clothing or mattresses, but will accept anything. The owners will donate items they don't use to other small businesses, the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations. Store hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m-6 p.m., and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 743-1272.

Gibbs

Elizabeth Hart Jones, a sales consultant with Prudential Slater James River Realtors, will donate a portion of each sales commission she receives to the Families of the Wounded Fund, an organization that helps military families from around the country who come to visit relatives being treated at McGuire Veterans Hospital.

SIGNARAMA, located at 11844 Hull Street Road, is now owned by Carl W. Moyar. The company offers sign and graphic services. For more information, call Moyar at 744-3888 or visit www.richmondsignarama.com.

The Philip Morris Employee Community Fund (PMECF) recently awarded the Miracle League of Richmond a $50,000 grant, which will be used to build a playground for children with disabilities. The "Boundless Playground," which will be located at the Bird Sports Complex, will include specially adapted equipment. The PMECF was established in 2000 to provide employees with an opportunity to be more actively involved in helping those in need. One hundred percent of every dollar contributed to the fund goes to support local nonprofit organizations.

Shamin Hotels, headquartered in Chester, recently opened a Holiday Inn and a Hampton Inn in the Colonial Heights/Southpark area. The company also recently opened its first Courtyard by Marriott at Virginia Center Commons. The company operates more than 24 hotel properties in the commonwealth and has 14 more in development.

Bon Secours Richmond Health System, which includes St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, has been ranked in the top 10 of the 2008 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50. AARP's magazine recognized Bon Secours specifically for recruiting, workplace culture/continued opportunities and health and financial benefits. Thirty percent of the company's work force is over the age of 50.

Having sold her custom jewelry, gift and home-decorating items at home and craft shows for many years, Heather Hughes has opened Tickle Your Fancy at 12000 Southshore Pointe Drive. Store hours will be 10 a.m-7 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays. For more information, call 855-9533.

Diane McClure has been named executive director at SupportOne, formerly Community Based Services, which is located at 8012 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 200. The company provides residential support to adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information, call 342-7366 or visit www.supportone.org.

Ukrop's is again offering flu shots at scheduled clinics and on a walk-in basis at some stores. Shots will cost $25 with a Valued Customer Card, some or all of which may be paid by individual health insurance plans. Shots are free for customers with Medicare Part B. FluMist nasal vaccine is available for those who qualify to use it. Pneumonia vaccines are also available for $54 per shot.

Gregg & Bailey, an accounting and financial services firm, is one of the first businesses to occupy space at the county's new Watkins Centre complex at routes 288 and 60. Their office is located in the Shoppes at Westchester, across Route 60 from the Village Bank headquarters.

Invincia Insurance Solutions, a multi-line insurance agency located in Chesterfield, recently sponsored the Invincia Cup Golf Tournament, which raised $20,000 for the Virginia Special Olympics. More than 100 golfers formed 26 teams that raised $5,000 more than the organization expected. The extra money will be used to send a local Special Olympic athlete and family to Walt Disney World on an all-expenses-paid four-day, three-night trip.

Comcast has added three new high-definition networks - Fox News Channel, FX and Speed - to its programming. For more information, call (800) COMCAST (266-2278).

FranNet is a Midlothian consulting firm to help people who own or are interested in owning franchises. For information about the firm, call Tom Lawrence at 514-8409, e-mail tlawrence@frannet.com or visit www.frannet. com.

Individual Achievements

William Tyler Kranz, a graduate of James River High School and Virginia Commonwealth University, has been commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He will be stationed aboard the guided missile destroyer, U.S.S. Curtis Wilbur, in Yokosuka, Japan. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kranz of Midlothian.

Organizations

Midlothian-based Boy Scout Troop 800, along with the Huguenot Trail District of the Heart of Virginia Council, will hold its annual

Webelos to Scout Transition Day on Nov. 15, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Camp Justis in Powhatan County. Events will include climbing and repelling, archery, tomahawk throwing, rifle and shotgun shooting and more. For more information, call Rodney Parsons at 794-9075 or 514-8880.

The Michael Pascucci Lung Cancer Association will host ScucciFest 2008 on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1-8 p.m. at the American Legion Post 354 in Midlothian. The cost of the event, held in honor of Mike Pascucci, who succumbed to non-smoking, non-small cell lung cancer in 2007 at the age of 40, will include live local musical talent, a barbecue dinner, games for both kids and adults and non-alcoholic beverages. Wine and beer will be sold separately. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children 6-14 years old. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance by visiting www. largerthanlifeformike.org. All proceeds will go to support lung cancer research through Joan's Legacy: Uniting Against Lung Cancer Foundation grant programs.

Education

Millwood School, located at 15100 Millwood School Lane, will host an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m., for parents interested in learning more about the school. Millwood currently offers classes from junior kindergarten through eighth grade, and is planning to offer ninth grade classes beginning fall 2009. For more information, call 639-3200 or visit www.millwoodschool.org.

Students from Chesterfield Community High School (CCHS) recently visited L.C. Bird High where poet, author and professor Nikki Giovanni spoke to students from both schools. CCHS students will visit C.C. Wells Elementary School on Oct. 22 to read aloud to kindergarten-third grades in celebration of Read Aloud Virginia.

Robious, Watkins and Bettie Weaver elementary schools recently began a recycling project in which classrooms weigh their school's recycling bin each week during October, January and May to track the amount of paper, boxes and other recyclables diverted from the landfill. Each school's PTA purchased recycling bins and scales and are paying TFC Recycling to pick up the recyclables every week. The schools are seeking partners to support their projects. The project goals are to reduce the amount of waste leaving each school, recycle as much as possible, engage students by incorporating recycling into the curriculum and serve as a pilot project that might grow into a countywide program.

Clover Hill High School Math and Science Center graduate Kate Gibbs was recently awarded a $5,000 Dominion Resources Matthew Gwaltney Memorial Scholarship, renewable for three years; a $5,000 Pearl S. Buck Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to a student adopted through that agency; and a $1,000 Dominion Credit Union Scholarship. She will use the funds to pursue her education at Washington & Lee University.

A representative from the Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology will visit all county middle schools during October to provide information to rising freshmen for the 2009-10 school year. Each middle school guidance counselor will have more information about dates and times. For more information, visit www.args. k12.va.us or e-mail jstoneking@args.k12. va.us.

Beulah Elementary School art teacher Ann Schumm has been recognized by Artsonia, an online kids' art museum, for outstanding leadership in the area of arts education. The school's online art gallery at www.artsonia. com/schools/beulah1 was ranked No. 8 in the state by the organization. The leadership award honors teachers who go beyond classroom walls to encourage family and community involvement in arts education.

Chesterfield resident Meagan Jenigen, a visual arts major at Appomattox Regional Governor's School, recently won first place in the 3D Fine Arts Scholarship Competition hosted by the Virginia State Fair. She received her $1,200 scholarship at the recent Annual Black Tie and Boots Gala.

Teachers at Curtis Elementary School recently camped out under the stars to celebrate the school's newly completed playground.

Chesterfield Community High School's (CCHS) catering II students recently visited Penzys Spices and Can Can Brasserie in Carytown, so students could be exposed to a variety of spices and seasonings, tour Can Can's kitchen, meet its master baker and enjoy lunch.

Compiled by Gwen Sadler

Announcements can be e-mailed to news@ chesterfieldobserver.com, faxed to 744-3269 or mailed to Chesterfield Observer, Attn: Announcements, P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113.