Mark your calendar for the 19th annual Consignment Sale and Auction, which benefits the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club in West Friendship.
The big auction is set for April 26, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Farm equipment, building supplies, vehicles, boats, golf carts, antiques, trees, flowers, shrubs, lawn mowers, power tools and lots more. Questions? Call Virginia or John Frank at 410-531-2569 or 410-988-8165.
The Maryland Western Horse Association invites the community to come see the best in equestrian activity with an 8:30 a.m. horse show on April 27 at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship. Judge Beth Gouthro oversees this show which is a demonstration of the good sportsmanship and horsemanship of owners and exhibitors. Family participation is the hallmark of the Maryland Western Horse Association.
Long time Clarksville Elementary teacher Diane Miller had me at "Throat of Fire Volcano." Miller, along with Board of Education member and chairwoman Sandie French, are looking for adventuresome middle and high school students who would enjoy participating as People-to-People student ambassadors during a scientific exploration of the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador in the summer of 2015.
Dozens of activities are planned, including a visit to the Giant Tortoise Reserve, the aforementioned volcano, the Charles Darwin Reserve, the island beaches and more.
A recruiting session for the journey is set for April 28, 7 p.m., in the Avalon Room at the Miller Library on Frederick Road in Ellicott City. Interested students and their parents are encouraged to join the meeting where all the "frequently asked questions" will be answered.
Miller reports that this trip, unlike many of the European adventures which have been more history centered, will be more of a scientific and ecological trip. Can't make it to the informational kick off meeting? Call Diane at 410-531-5546 or Sandie at 410-531-2394. Both Miller and French are happy to share any information.
Don't miss the uplifting Lenten Window display at St. James United Methodist Church, 12470 Old Frederick Road in Marriottsville. These elaborate and highly decorative "stained glass" windows were first created during the Lenten Season of 2013. Seven adults and close to 20 youth members from the church sketched basic designs on large brown paper. From there the project turned to large wooden frames, hours of precision paper cutting, tissue paper, glue, cardboard, tedious measuring and hours of labor.
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Church member Nancy Janson reports that the project was inspired by the Nativity Windows, which were created 30 years ago by the youth group of St. James. The display will be in place through early May.
The Hare Raisers 4-H Club provided the bunnies during the annual Bethany United Methodist Church Easter Egg Hunt on April 19. Adult leader Wendy Feaga admits that the bunnies have always been a huge hit at this event. The 4-H club has provided this seasonal service for over five years. After the egg hunt, the 4-H members loaded up the rabbits and headed to Encore nursing home, where residents were able to see the sweet little bunnies. In addition, the 4-H members made crafts with the residents though the big hit was the senior citizens taking turns petting the bunnies.
Berni Giroux, chairman for Howard County Parents for School Music, is so enthusiastic about music in the schools that he hopes his fervor is contagious. To that end, Giroux arranged for a meeting at the Glenwood Library on April 22, where the guest speaker was Paul Milton, assistant managing editor at the Baltimore Sun Media Group. Giroux has high hopes of getting the word out about the high standards of music education and the talented student musicians of Howard County.
"Oh I'll still keep my hands in the dirt," says Dennis Whittaker Although Whittaker's Flowers is closing after 50 years in West Friendship, Dennis has no plan to stay out of the garden. Both Dennis and Sylvia Whittaker look forward to fond farewells and many thank you's to all the folks in the area who have called Whittaker's their home garden center for the last five decades. The Whittaker's are holding a final sale on April 26 and 27 at the Route 144 location.
Lots going on at West Friendship Elementary. Plans are in the works for the annual Spring Festival and field trip season has commenced. Students and families are enjoying activities like Jump Rope for Heart, family game night and "poem in my pocket" days at school.
No cooking tonight. The monthly St. Andrew's dinner of cheesy macaroni and beef casserole is set for April 24, 6-8 p.m. Dine in or carry out. Cost is $9 per person or $30 per family, no matter how many folks make up the family unit. Proceeds from the April dinner benefit the St. Andrew's Vacation Bible School. St. Andrew's is at 2892 Route 97 in Glenwood. Questions? Call Lynne Hall Quinn at 410-292-8202.
The annual St. James United Methodist Church Spring Fling is set for May 10, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers are taking reservations for those who would like to participate as a vendor. Outdoor yard sale table spaces are available. Interested? Call 410-442-2020 for information.