Congratulations to my favorite Ellicott City firefighter, Wendy McCord, and to Adam Pidel on their marriage on rainy May 21. I am sure the sun was shining in their hearts. Wendy is the force of nature that made the welcoming Ellicott City sign on the railroad overpass happen. At the time, she told me that she was living in Catonsville and driving to work at the fire house in Ellicott City every day, and every day she would look at the overpass and see possibility. She jumped through all of the hoops provided by county government and CSX and the next thing you know there were volunteer firefighters on their day off, up on a cherrypicker painting what is now an integral part of the historic district streetscape. Thanks again, Wendy, and we wish both of you much happiness.
June 3 is First Friday in the historic district. Starting at 5 p.m. there will be specials and sidewalk sales all along Main Street. Live music will be offered at the Railroad Plaza from 6 until 8 p.m. Bring a chair and make an evening of it. On Saturday the Old Town Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. behind Tonge Row and next to the Wine Bin. Also on Saturday, June 4, the Wine Bin is featuring "Grease" in its summer movie series, starting at 9 p.m. On Sunday, June 12, the Ellicott City Courtyard Yoga Summer Series will continue behind Tonge Row. It meets outdoors the second Sunday of the month in good weather. Held from 9 until 10:30 a.m. the class accommodates all levels. They offer one hour of yoga followed by a half hour of meditation and relaxation. Donations benefit the Holistic Life Foundation, bringing yoga to Baltimore schools. No RSVP is needed. Bring your own mat.
The HorseSpirit Arts Gallery at 8090 Main St., is featuring "Elegant Woodturnings" by a group of artists. The opening reception, with light refreshments, is on June 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit ends on June 23. The next Jazz Jam will be held at the Judge's Bench on June 7, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Stop by to play or just listen.
The Howard County Historical Society's next "Lunch Date With History" is on Friday, June 3, and features "Cool deliberate courage —John Eager Howard in the American Revolution," presented by John Beakes at the Society's Museum, 8328 Court Ave. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with the lecture from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets are free for Society members, $5 for non-members.
This year's big fundraiser for the Society, the Great Gatsby Summer Soiree, is scheduled for Saturday, June 4. It will be held at historic Oakdale in Woodbine, from 7 to 11 p.m. This Roaring 20s event features dance lessons, whiskey and cigar tastings, finger food, champagne and a best costume contest. Tickets are $100 each, $190 per couple. On June 11, the Bumperstickers will be performing at the Society's Museum. This group plays pop, rock, jazz, blues and country-rock for singing and dancing along. This event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12, free for Society members with a reservation. Pub fare and beer will be offered as well. For more information about any of these events, visit www.hchsmd.org or call 410-480-3250.
All aboard for the B&O summer reading program for children, "I've been reading on the railroad." Stop in at the B&O Railroad Museum, Ellicott City Station after June 16, and pick up a journal to record the railroad-related books you read. Read 10 books before Aug. 21, return your completed journal to the museum and earn a free book and a chance to win an engineer's outfit.