Inside Standish

Patchell’s project a winner

Last week 10 students from Bonny Eagle Middle and High schools traveled to College Park, Md., to participate in National History Day.

National History Day is an annual event involving more than 500,000 students from across the country. Students choose historical topics related to a theme and conduct extensive research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites.

Students then present their work in original papers, exhibits, performances and documentaries first on the state level and then if chosen on the national level. This year’s theme was “Conflict and Compromise in History,” and the contest was held at the University of Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

Bonny Eagle sophomore Catherine Patchell’s project, “The Panama Canal: For the Benefit of the World” was recognized as an Outstanding State Entry in the senior individual exhibit.

This is the second year Patchell has received the honor. She was recognized in 2007 as part of her junior group exhibit “Triumph or Tragedy? The 1918 Spanish Flu: A Killer Worse than War.”

Patchell first learned about National History Day from her eighth-grade teacher.

“He told our class about the project, and I took an interest,” said Patchell. “It was something I could do aside from school and maybe stand out in.”

According to her mom, Kelly, Patchell spent hundreds of hours designing, researching and assembling her project. Her research included getting copies of original documents from the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta, and speaking with a former naval officer who was stationed in Panama and who came to see her project in Maryland.

“She was able to show him how his input influenced her project. It was a great experience, and it is just such a wonderful program,” said Kelly Patchell.

The younger Patchell agreed.

“It’s a great experience, to go down there and see what all the other kids can do,” said Patchell. “All of the projects were just amazing.”

So with two national awards under her belt will she compete again? Absolutely, she even has her subject for next year’s History Day picked out. What is it?

“I kind of want to keep that a secret for now,” said Patchell.

Fun days arrive

Standish will kick off its annual Family Festival Friday, June 27. Gates at Standish Memorial Park will open at 6 p.m. The Snack Shack will be open for business selling burgers, hot dogs and plenty of other summer goodies.

Cow Patty Bingo, sponsored by the Public Safety Committee, starts at 6:30 p.m. A concert by Chandler’s Band, the nation’s second oldest professional band in continuous service also begins then.

Following the concert, the Schoolhouse Arts Center will be performing three songs from “Into the Woods” as well as the “Three Aliens Radio Show.” The drive-in movie, “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” begins at 9 p.m. so don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the festival parade. The parade will start at Blake Road and travel west on Route 25 towards Standish Village. It will conclude in the vicinity of the Old Red Church on Oak Hill Road.

The church museum will be offering tours for 90 minutes following the parade for $1 per person. The Marrett House will also be open and giving free tours on the half hour starting at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. Standish Recreation is throwing a barbecue at Kiwanis Beach on Route 25, Admission is free after 3 p.m. and guests can participate in Beach Boogie, swim, play volleyball or just hang out.

The festivities end at sundown with a fireworks display. If the weather is questionable on either day, please call 642-2875 and there will be a message indicating new plans.

Kicks are coming

Registrations for the fall soccer program for children ages 4-12 will be available at Town Hall from Monday, July 7, through Thursday, Aug. 8. Age is determined by player’s age as of Oct. 15.

The program for focuses on instruction and recreational play, with an element of competition being introduced at the higher ages. The pre-season includes instructional clinics and team practice times, and a regular game schedule for all levels begins after Labor Day.

All levels play at 5:30 p.m. at either Standish Memorial Park or Johnson Field. The fees for ages 6-12 include a team T-shirt and a medal or trophy and are as follows: $30 for the first child, $25 for each additional child. Payment is required at the time of registration.

Friday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Strict9. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Saturday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes the band Echo. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Inside Standish