Navy Midshipman Jordan W. Kelmar, son of retired Navy Cmdr. Brian A. and Daphne A. Kelmar, of Glen Allen, recently was commissioned as an ensign after receiving a bachelor of arts degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Kelmar was selected to attend naval aviator training in Pensacola, Fla. where he will receive extensive instruction on the functions, capabilities and operations of all systems aboard an aircraft. Kelmar is a 2008 graduate of Deep Run High School.

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The Richmond chapter of Ducks Unlimited recently earned a place in the President’s Elite, out of more than 2,700 DU chapters nationwide. The list is reserved for the most prestigious chapters that raise $100,000 or more for DU’s habitat conservation work. DU’s event fundraising system has long been a model for other conservation organizations around the world and has funded a significant portion of the more than 12 million acres of wetlands and associated habitat DU has conserved since 1937. This year’s President’s Elite chapters also have the distinction of being honored during DU’s 75th anniversary year and will be recognized during DU’s national convention in Nashville at the end of May, with many chapter representatives in attendance.

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The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls recently held its first volunteer recognition ceremony and among the honorees were Frank Hudak, advocate of the year; St. Michael's Church, volunteer of the year; and Morton Consulting, partner of the year. For the past 35 years, Frank Hudak has decorated his home for tacky lights tours and used the popular attraction to share the VHBG mission with visitors. Visitors to “The Christmas House” have donated more than $78,000. St. Michael’s Church conducts an annual undergarment drive at Christmas, provides small birthday gifts throughout the year and provides items for VHBG's John G. Wood School Store. VHBG has several dedicated volunteers and supporters from St. Michael’s Church as well, including Girl Scouts completing their gold and silver awards. Morton Consulting, which has had a long-standing commitment to VHBG, expanded this year by starting an end-of-school-year picnic tradition, in addition to purchasing holiday presents for each child in VHBG foster care and participating in all VHBG fundraising events.

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Dr. Ken Macurik, senior director of St. Joseph’s Villa's Developmental Disabilities Services, recently published a booklet for parents and professionals and can be downloaded for free. "Creating Positive Behavioral Change" is a short, 24-page booklet that helps people understand and better manage behaviors. Originally written for professionals working with children with special needs, the booklet also offers many great tips for parents dealing with "typical" children and even adults dealing with others. The booklet offers many explanations for why people behave badly and suggests methods to break negative behavior patterns and to establish positive patterns. The booklet is available at http://www.sarahdooleycenter.org the w,ebsite for the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism, one of the programs Macurik supervises.

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Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recently appointed the following local residents to state boards and commissions: Commonwealth secretariat – Emily Barrett of Richmond, director of appointments; Courtney Groves of Richmond, director of appointments; and Stacey Whitehouse of Richmond, executive assistant; Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control – Bryan Rhode of Richmond, commissioner of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; and Board of Game and Inland Fisheries – Hugh C. Palmer of Highland Springs, retired from Henrico County Schools.

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Zoe Johannas and Callaghan Guy, of Richmond, recently were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2011 semester at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

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Carolyn Virginia Stenzel, Ashlee Chantel Irby and James McKim Davis, of Richmond, recently graduated from Longwood University in Farmville, Va.

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Barbara Irene Tait, Samuel Titus Silva and Shannon Nicole Tinsley recently were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2011 semester at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.