Members past and present of the Rollingwood Pool will celebrate its major role in the lives of Catonsville families for 50 years with a special gala Sept. 5 at the privately owned, nonprofit community pool, nestled in the hills of Catonsville, just west of the Candle Light Inn.

The pool, which opened July 15, 1959, boasts more than 1,200 members, with close to 100 families on the waiting list.

A couple who were among the first to join, Wendy and Seymour Linder, still live on Tadcaster Road, just up the street from the pool on Balford Road.

Word has it that the Linders helped keep the pool on solid financial footing in the early years.

Wendy still uses the pool and attends functions.

One of the pool's early managers was Charlie DeManns, a coach and athletic director at Catonsville High School who died in 2000.

Fellow educators Bill Ormiston and Hal Sparks followed him in that role, with Coach Sparks serving the pool for 19 years, according to the pool history.

Charles Bowman was the pool's first president when the pool was constructed for more than $80,000 on a 4-acre site 50 years ago.

Dr. William Cook served as pool manager in the 1980s.

His son, Joe, now serves as a lifeguard at the facility.

The current manager, Deon Winfield, took over last year.

Catonsville residents Carolyn and Steve Ruppel, who said they fell in love at Rollingwood while in grade school, now bring their three kids to the pool.

In 2004, pool board president Joe Herrick formed a Capital Improvement Committee to renovate the pool.

The pool's executive members, including Chris Hellman, vice president of pools and grounds; Ginger Nalley, vice president of personnel; Kathy Boettinger, secretary; Kate Masters, treasurer; Cathy Regner, assistant to the vice president of personnel; Kathy Stover, membership; Bob Krabbe, pool and grounds; Howard Saks, pool and grounds; Judy Evans, activities; Jennifer Wilhelm, activities; Bill Protzman, swim team; and Herrick deserve a ton of credit for extensively upgrading the facilities and keeping the members happy.

They have one of the best swim teams around, competing in Division One of the Central Maryland Swim League after earning league championships in Division Two and Division Three.

The team has grown to more than 200 young competitors.

The pride of the pool shines through its members and they look forward to maintaining its charm for the next 50 years.

For more information, go to www.rollingwoodpool.org.

Start a healthy habit this fall. Get up and moving and join a fun workout Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings beginning Sept. 14 at 6 a.m.

The Bloomsbury Boot Camp welcomes all fitness levels to an exercise program that builds muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular strength, flexibility and core control.

The cost for the 50-minute workout at the field behind the community center at 106 Bloomsbury Ave. is $5.

Bring a mat and a pair of hand weights.

E-mail kristin_mctague@hotmail.com for info.

Speaking of healthy, congratulations to Colonial Gardens resident Kristen Stephen for completing the Iron Girl Triathlon in Columbia Aug. 23.

Stephen, 39, a mother of three, completed the .62-mile swim, 17.5-mile bike and 3.4-mile run in 2 hours and 53 seconds.

She finished 157th among 1,671 competitors, thanks to some special encouragement from the sidelines.

Her mom, Kay Smith, from Paradise, had the kids wear T-shirts with "Go Mommy" on the front.

The group, which also included her husband, Mark, rang cow bells and cheered throughout the race.

She raced with a cousin from Johnson City, Tenn., and a few friends from Howard County.

Among the nearly 20 competitors from Catonsville were Terri Grace and Janet Coleman.

For info, go to http://www.tricolumbia.org/IronGirl.

The Trinity United Methodist Church Thrift Shop at 2100 Westchester Ave. has proved a good deal for buyers and sellers since its opening on July 18.

Lots of folks have dropped off household items and shopped for bargains.

Check out the great deals as new items arrive weekly.

The shop is open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Donations of clean and gently used items are always welcome.

Call Michelle Elder at the church office, 8 a.m. to noon at 410-747-5841 or go to www.trinitycatonsville.com.

Parents of high school kids preparing for college will learn how to choose the right school, go through admissions and receive financial aid at a presentation by independent college consultant Pamela Preston at the Catonsville Library on 1100 Frederick Road on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

The program features a general overview of the college admissions process, including how to pick a school, the importance of college visits and the importance of an entrance essay.

"We will cover financial aid in general, scholarships" and the federal student aid form, said Preston, a Summit Park resident with the Keeping It Smart college consulting service.

"Rising seniors and their parents will benefit the most, but we encourage juniors and their families to attend."

For a free newsletter, go to www.keepingitsmart.com or call 443-304-2778.

The Shed Guys are selling raffle tickets for an exciting trip for two to Las Vegas Feb. 17-21.

Tickets are $20.

The drawing will be Dec. 26.

Winners join the Shed Guys' posse for five days of fun at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Proceeds benefit Comet Park Stadium at Catonsville High School.

Call Bob at 443-690-1647 for info or tickets.

The Hillcrest Green Garden Club was working hard over the weekend on a butterfly garden and a herb and vegetable garden on the east side of the school near the cafeteria.

Club leaders Clare Walker and Joan Plisko had help from Ellie Queeny, 7, Ellie Plisko, 7, and Lily Queeny, 5.

Saturday, they planted lettuce, broccoli and spinach so it will be ready when the school's Green Club starts meeting again in a few weeks.

"We planted herbs and vegetables with the kids back in spring and harvested radishes, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and broccoli for our end of year party," said Walker, a certified National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward.

The 10-foot high sunflowers came from Emma Weiss' science fair project on germinating seeds.

"The Green Club kids really enjoy getting their hands in the dirt and getting things to grow, and all the other kids in the school get to see the connection between growing and the food you eat (hopefully)," she said.

They planted some native grasses hoping to encourage others to plant more natives in their own gardens.

"I am keen to spread the message of planting natives to help wildlife," Walker said.

The butterfly garden hosts plants such as milkweed, which has some Monarch butterfly caterpillars, and nectar plants. The garden provides a place for teachers to release the butterflies and ladybugs that they raise every year in the school as a project of the PTA Environmental Committee.

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