Amy Syversen, the band director from Dayton Oaks Elementary School, is proud to announce the Band Musicians of the Month for January.
Congratulations to Alexander Thompson, alto sax; Katie Coleman, flute; TJ Gribble, trombone; Christian Cho, trumpet; Jack Millstein, trumpet; Aaron Meng, trumpet; Bakhari Nokuri, percussion; Whitney Ye, percussion; Demetre Koutras, percussion; Alejandro Estrada, trombone; Anthony Meoni, trombone; Russell Minni, trumpet and Carter Stark, trumpet.
These students impress Syversen every day with their hard work and awesome attitudes. Many studies have shown the benefits that come from an education that includes music, and we have great music programs available to students in our county. It can be hard work getting young people to practice music, but the rewards are well worth while.
If one of your goals for the New Year is to spend more time outside exploring nature, the Howard County Bird Club, a chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, has some ideas for you. On the website http://www.howardbirds.org are lists of birds and other animals which you are likely to spot at various places throughout the county. There are directions to each site, as well as information about hours, accessibility and amenities. You can even print a field checklist of the birds of Howard County, and get started on your bird life list.
Bird-watching is a social activity as well as a wonderful excuse to walk around outside. While working on your list you can meet with other people who like birds. The Howard County Bird Club meets on the second Thursday of each month between September and May at 8 p.m. at the Robinson Nature Center on Cedar Lane.
The next meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 8, and will feature a talk about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the fates of marine birds by Chris Haney, chief scientist at Defenders of Wildlife. The Nature Center doors will be unlocked at 7:15 p.m., and admission is free for the meeting. For more information you can call President Robin Todd at 410-491-5333. Todd and the members are always happy to welcome new birders to their meetings.
Calvary Lutheran Church is planning to kick off its 125th anniversary year with a combined worship service and luncheon on Sunday, Jan. 18. The guest minister will be the bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane. Calvary is at 16151 Old Frederick Road at the Woodbine exit off I-70.
For additional information, call the church at 410-489-5280 or go to http://www.calvarylutheranmd.net.