Pat Farmer

Throughout Laurel and the surrounding areas, there are dozens of local nonprofit groups that are committed to serving those in need. These groups can always use our help with donations of money and/or items.

This is my last Senior Circles column. I have decided to retire again. It has been over 10 years since I started working at my "second career" as editorial assistant for the Laurel Leader, and over five of those years as the Senior Circles columnist for the Howard County Times.

At our Dunbarton College 50th Reunion Saturday evening dinner, classmate Rosemary O'Neill remarked, "Reunions such as this allow us to renew our friendships, like continuing a conversation that was interrupted five years earlier."

A list of Laurel events that celebrate Halloween and trick-or-treating.

The number of older adults not getting the shots they need to keep them healthy is significant, so I want to encourage our Howard County seniors to seriously consider talking to their doctor about getting shots, which are important to their future health.

Among the celebrations this month are National Senior Center Month; National Day of Service and Remembrance on 9/11; Fall Prevention Day and Week; Active Aging Week; and Emergency Preparedness Month.

The Howard County Fair's Senior Day Aug. 11 was a great way to gain information and to meet people. The room was ringed with tables with all types of information from the Department on Aging, bottles of water provided by Brightview Senior Living of Catonsville, two full tables of bingo prizes and a Howard County Police Department table with two officers ready to talk about your safety concerns, scams and fraud

As a follow up to Senior Circles, July 9, "Policy decisions on aging issues are coming up," I attended the live streaming of the White House Conference on Aging at a Watch Party July 13 at the North Laurel 50+ Center.

Senior centers in Laurel offer shopping outings, trips to cultural events, restaurants and historical sites, and opportunities to socialize during the month of July.

After reading the book, "The Last Trolley Stop — Memories of Poverty, Bigotry, and Religiosity in Washington, D.C., and Rural Kentucky during the Great Depression," I had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Heber Bouland, 87, a Columbia resident who is a retired agricultural and civil engineer.

Sydney Painter, of Laurel, a student at International Connections Academy Elementary School, an online private elementary school, was recognized as one of the brightest young students in the world by the Center for Talented Youth, a nonprofit at Johns Hopkins University.

Neighbor Ride, a volunteer-driven nonprofit, launched in 2004, which provides transportation services to Howard County seniors, reached its 100,000th trip May 14.

College students from Laurel were named to dean's list, received degrees and special awards

My classmate and her husband live in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and have joined a group that is forming a Senior Cohousing Community there. The group is now searching for an architect and partner-developer. They hope to start building next year and move in the following year.

Laurel residents Daisy Mae Miller and Christianne Dumorne, each 100 years old, were honored at Prince George's County's Centenarian Celebration May 8

College students from Laurel received numerous awards and graduated from college

Parade winners were announced in nine categories for the Laurel Main Street Festival.

Trips and other events planned for seniors in Laurel [Senior Scene]

College students from Laurel receive degrees; awards, induction in honor societies, and advance career goal

Road Scholar, an American organization, provides "educational adventures created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975."

Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber holds its 68th annual meeting with R. Michael Gill, Secretary, Department of Business and Economic Development for the state of Maryland as the keynote speaker.

Patricia "Pat" Muth, is a "seasoned" citizen, skater, instructor and artistic director for ice shows.

City of Laurel Division of Senior Services, Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center and Laurel Senior Travel offer variety of trips

Have you seen Christiane Northrop, M.D., presenting her "Glorious Women Never Age!" on Public Television? This is a good topic for Women's History Month.

Laurel senior centers are offering events in March.

As a tribute to Wilma Foster on her 90th birthday, this is her Rosie the Riveter story

Wilma Frances Ferrebee Foster, is a living part of our history, a "Rosie the Riveter," one of many women who served our country on the home front during World War II.

Thinking spring, I attended a Master Gardener talk on shade gardening at Savage Branch of the Howard County Library System. Pat Greenwald, a Howard County Master Gardener, presented the topic "Color in the Shade."

College students from Laurel achieve in academics and sports

Previous Senior Circles columns about volunteering have been from the standpoint of nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers. This time, the column is primarily from the vantage point of the volunteer.

Laurel's senior centers are offering variety of events in February.

Previous Senior Circles columns about volunteering have been from the standpoint of nonprofit organizations looking for volunteers. This time, the column is primarily from the vantage point of the volunteer.

"The Art of Aging: Three Secrets to Making Today the Best Day of Your Life,."

It's winter, and weather is so unpredictable that we have to be prepared for the worst possible winter weather yet to come.

Laurel church communities are planning special services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.

In November, Stephen Schimpff, M.D., of Columbia, retired chief executive officer of the University of Maryland Medical Center, and one of the world's foremost experts on health care, presented a talk on "How to Be Your Own Health Advocate," including tips on combatting chronic illnesses and getting the best health care possible.

Thanksgiving is a day to count our blessings and to remember those less fortunate. The holidays are a time to give back to others, and the Share Your Blessings featured in this issue of the Howard County Times provides a roadmap for us to follow during the holidays.

Oaklands Presbyterian Church, 14301 Laurel Bowie Road, is hosting a craft fair and bake sale on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop handmade jewelry and knitted, needlepoint and crocheted items. Wreaths and Christmas ornaments will also be featured.

Author Faye Green, a Laurel native, has written a new book, "Gertie," which is set in Laurel in the early 1900s. The release of her new book reminds me of an interview I did with Green after the release of her previous book, "Dicey."

Author Faye Green, a Laurel native, has written a new book, "Gertie," set in Laurel from 1909 to 1946.

Synergy HomeCare opened its first location in Howard County, at 8950 Old Annapolis Road, Suite 112, in Columbia. I attended the ribbon cutting and open house.

Team Walk This Way will host a yard sale for Walk4Hearing Saturday, Oct. 18 in West Laurel.

The Howard County Office on Aging's 50-Plus Expo takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilde Lake High School, at 5460 Trumpeter Road, in Columbia.

Laurel's senior centers are offering events during October.

"Let the adventure begin" is the 2014 theme for Active Aging Week, set by the International Council on Active Aging for Sept. 21 through 27.