While returning to the present on a flight home last month from Chicago, one passenger couldn't keep his mind off the past.
For Dr. Warren Ebinger, pastor of Severna Park United Methodist Church, the trip had been an opportunity to honor a cherished ancestor and add another chapter to his family's long history.
The great-grandson of one of the founders of Edison Park United Methodist Church in Chicago, Ebinger had been invited to lead Sunday-morning services commemorating the church's 100th anniversary.
As he and his wife, Mary, studied old photographs, newspaper clippings and church histories from the Illinois community, they learned more about his ancestor, Christian Ebinger, and life in 1891. They discoveredthat services were held in the local train depot during construction, and the bill for the completed church was $2,700. Five years later,electricity was installed.
Remembered, too, was the first Rev. Ebinger, Christian Ebinger Sr. He was the first licensed preacher for the Evangelical Church in the state of Illinois. A true pioneer, he spent his days in what were considered normal 19th-century pursuits: building a log cabin, circuit-riding and smoking the peace pipe with Indian Chief Blackhawk.
* More news on the Ebinger front: The pastor's first grandchild, Elizabeth Anna, the daughter of Greg and Lori Lear, was born Nov. 12.
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Friday the 13th can be your lucky day, especially if you don't like standing in front of a hot oven baking cookies.
When you shop at the Severna Park Mall Giant or the Benfield Road Safeway tomorrow, buy those homemade Christmas cookies from members of the Severna Park High School Marching Band.
Beginning at9 a.m., you may select from a variety of specially packaged cookies made by band members and their families. Proceeds will be used for uniforms, to repair and replace instruments and for travel expenses.
For more cookie information, call 544-7255.
* Just to prove theseyoung people and their director, R. Thomas Powell, put their money to good use:
In Baltimore's "I Am An American Parade" Sept. 8, theyplaced first in the marching competition. On Oct. 19, they placed second among seven bands at the Maryland State Championships at Memorial Stadium.
Attending the Cavalier Tournament in Middletown, Del., on Oct. 26, the band received first place in Division 4, plus best overall. And Chris Sciortino won the trophy for best drum major.
Chalking up its highest achievement this season Nov. 2 at the Chapter 9 Divisional Championships in Elkton, Md., the SPHS band won first place, with a gold award for its music (based on the work of Andrew LloydWebber) and a gold award for Sciortino.
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The links of paper chain trimming Chesapeake Academy this holiday season are more than just pretty decorations.
During the school's Book-a-Thon, each link will represent a book read by a student to help raise money for needyfamilies.
Younger children will get credit for each book read to them.
The program is being done in cooperation with the county Department of Social Services' Holiday Sharing.
To sponsor a reader, call 647-9612.
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Bring your elementary school-age children to the Severna Park Library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday for holiday craft-making and a showing of the film, "The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy."
For more information, call 222-6290.
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An exhibit of the best work by students in more than 40 art classes at Anne Arundel Community College is on display in the school's Pascal Center for the Performing Arts gallery.
Selected by their instructors, the works include drawings, paintings, designs, intaglio prints, sculpture and ceramics.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 to8 p.m. Wednesday.
The gallery will be closed during the college'swinter break, from Dec. 22 to Jan. 12.
For more information, call541-2341.
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The Severna Park Jaycees are wrapping up their holiday projects for this year.
Through the Jaycees' Holiday Meals program, we can help feed families in need: $25 purchases a complete turkey dinner, $10 pays for the turkey alone and $15 covers all the trimmings. Contributions of any amount are appreciated.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec 21, the Jaycees will pack the meals and load them into vehicles for distribution. Your help is needed. Last year, at the JayceeCommunity Center off Kinder Road, volunteers formed a line from the front door to the back to get this job done.
For more information,call 647-2771.
* The pretty and collectible Jaycee Christmas treeornament, the fourth in a series, features a sketch of the B&A; TrailPark Ranger Station and is available for $6.50.
Find the ornamentin local shops or call 647-7020.
* Some groups are selling the Entertainment '92 savings books for $40, but the Jaycees sell them for only $35.
The books include coupons for dining, movies, theater, sports, travel and more.
To get yours, call 544-3944.
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In November, the Severna Park YMCA Swim Team (SPY) recorded its 107th and 108th consecutive wins by beating Northeast YMCA, 568-135, and TowsonYMCA, 529-184.
Qualifying for the spring's YMCA Nationals in Orlando, Fla., were 15-year-old Nora Grannell (back, butterfly and freestyle) and Christie Jones (freestyle).
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Officers for the Parent Teacher Student Organization at Severna Park High School are: president, Estelle Turney; vice president, Dick Morgan; secretary, Claudetteand Mort Cozad; treasurer, Sheila O'Neal; membership chairman, FrankMorgan; faculty representative, Barbara Nizon; and administration representative, Frank Drazan. The hospitality committee is made up of Susan Lenfest, Kathy Briggs and Pat Cain.
The PTSO meets at 7:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of each month.
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Benfield Gallery on Jumpers Hole Road is featuring the work of watercolor artist Ardythe B. Jolliff.
Specializing in nature subjects, Jolliff's paintings have been featured at the World Trade Center in Baltimore and the National Arboretum in Washington.
For more information, call 544-2299.