Recently in the Cockeysville area, a young, very talented pianist graced the Senior Center at Warren Place with a summer concert. Our 8-year-old -- yes, we did say 8-year-old -- virtuoso is Alex Stocksdale, who has been playing the piano for more than two years, studying under the guidance of Cecelia Prinkey, of the Cockeysville Piano Learning Center Studio.

Alex performed such classics as the love theme from the movie "Titanic," "My Heart Will Go On" and "Oh! Susanna." The guests joined in for a sing-along and were enthusiastic participants. Alex is the son of Ann and Dean Stocksdale, of Hunt Valley, and the grandson of Carole and Bryan Haddaway, of Lutherville, and Ruth and Alan Stocksdale, of Towson. Alex's younger brother, Will, is a student at Ashland Preschool.

Alex is a student at Jacksonville Elementary School and enjoys playing the piano both for his family and friends, and it was evident the day of his summer piano concert dedicated to his grandparents.

> Margaret "Peg" Kiel, of Cockeysville, recently completed her Master of Arts at the College of Notre Dame. Peg and I met at the college and many times fought the snow and ice on Charles Street to attend classes, which were held in spite of the elements.

> Two special check presentations were made last month. The Alzheimer's Association for the Memory Walk was the recipient of more than $2,800 raised by the Mays Chapel Ridge's Bull Roast.

The presentation was made at the Community Center in Mays Chapel and was attended by many residents and their families.

Also, the teachers and children of the third-grade class at Timonium Elementary School collected more than $1,400 for the children at Villa Maria. This donation was part of the money raised by the annual economics project the third grade participates in every year. The donation was made in honor of Marguerite Forte-Hondroulis, who retired from teaching at the end of the school year.

> The Cockeysville Library is hosting Preschool Story Time for children aged 2 to 5 on Tuesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free.