Outside my window Sunday morning, snow fell silently on rows of brave daffodils trying not to bend from the cold. Purple and yellow crocuses, their faces open, expecting the kiss of spring, felt only the sting of winter.
If nothing else, March is charming in its unpredictability.
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You have only until Saturday to purchase one of the new cookbooks at the Discovery Shop, a used-clothing and housewares outlet managed by the American Cancer Society in the DiDonato Shopping Center on Ritchie Highway.
The book, which sells for $4, is a collection of favorite, frequently requested recipes from society volunteers.
The shop, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, also has a selection of vintage cookbooks to entice the collector.
Whilethere, be sure to buy a bunch of ACS daffodils.
For more information, call 544-8568.
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Barbara Madary, coordinator of last fall's CROPWALK, has presented a check to the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) for more than $1,000.
Nearly 200 people participated inthe Oct. 6 event, and as in the past two years, 25 percent of the proceeds from the walk was donated to a local charity.
Sponsored by the National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A., CROPWALK events are held throughout the country, supported locally by theSeverna Park Ministerial Group.
In time for its second anniversary, SPAN expands its hours to include Tuesday. The new schedule is from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Mondays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdaysthrough Thursdays.
In February, SPAN distributed food to 67 families and disbursed $3,029.31 to 111 needy families.
SPAN hours are dependent upon volunteer workers. More are needed for Mondays and Tuesdays and for the substitute list. If you missed the recent training session, you can still receive personal, on-the-job training from Director Barbara Birkenheuer. For details, call 647-0889.
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A re-dedication will be celebrated from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., April 26, at St.John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Ritchie Highway. Volunteers will also be honored.
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Ever been to Garry's Grill in the Olde Severna Park Village? I had lunch there last week and the food is great.
Here's another reason to stop by the restaurant. At 7:30 a.m., March 24, the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce will sponsor abreakfast forum. Take this opportunity to meet chamber members and discuss topics of interest.
For more information, contact chamber Executive Director Linda Zahn at 987-6625.
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If you're new to Greater Severna Park, there is an organization you'll want to contact. The old-timers in Severna Park Newcomers Club offer friendship, activities, and sound advice concerning everything that's important: whereto find good child care, which grocery stores offer the best buys, and where to go to get your Maryland driver's license.
These ladieshave already done the groundwork.
Barbara Obenchain, at 647-9294,is waiting to hear from you.
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The Severna Park Jaycees came away from last month's Maryland Jaycees winter planning session with several awards.
Judi Wood earned first place in the Word-Up writingcompetition. Honored with Individual Officer Recognition (group division) awards were: State Director Ed Hawkins, first place; President Bill DeHoff, second place; Community Vice President Anne McGrath, second place; Membership Vice President Joel Garber, second place; and Management Vice President Joe Hanna, third place.
Outstanding President of the Month for December and January went to Severna Park's Bill DeHoff.
Next year's plan of action will reflect the results of the Jaycees Annual Community Survey to be distributed during April.
Keep an eye open for that. For more club information, call 787-0043 or 768-9148.
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If you're looking for that special learning environment for your teen-ager, consider a private school.
Barbara Schwitzer, principal at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn will be available at 7 p.m. on March 26 to meet with prospective students and their parents to answer questions.
Spalding welcomes applications from all students regardless of religion, race, national or ethnicorigin.
For further information, call the school at 969-9105.
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Continuing in the tradition of spring craft shows, Old Mill HighSchool Band Boosters will present a craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 28 at the school.
Crafters from across the state will offer items of wood and ceramic, jewelry, stained glass, porcelain dolls,hand smocking and baskets.
The boosters will prepare a luncheon throughout the day, and there will be a bake-sale table.
Proceeds will help finance the band's trip this spring to compete in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
For more information, call 987-1367.
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When the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra performs a benefit for itself and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in late May, one of the pieces played will be "Chesapeake Suite" by Thomas Benjamin.
This original work will incorporate musical compositions by students, two of whom are from Chesapeake Academy: fourth-grader Karen Radowich, daughter of Dr. andMrs. Mark Radowich and fifth-grader Ronnie Giddings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Giddings.
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Members of the Archbishop Spalding basketball team are getting together this summer to play ball with some old friends, but in order to play, they'll have to take a trip. A verylong trip.
The friends are players from teams in Moscow, and for 10 days this summer, the Spalding boys will be in Russia.
The athletes first met in 1991, when the Russian visited Maryland, stayed in local homes and played against local teams.
The Spalding students,accompanied by varsity coach Lee Dove and junior varsity coach Ed Bittner, will travel at their own expense -- between $1,200 and $1,500 per person.
Once there, they will be guests of the Russian Ministry of Education and stay in hostels or homes.
The trip will providethe Americans with firsthand knowledge of Russian culture, while acting as U.S. goodwill ambassadors.
During the coming months, there will be fund-raisers to help defray costs, but they can use all the assistance they can get. If you can help, contact Dove at 969-9105.
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On Dec. 7, 1941, Lt. Col. Randolph S.D. Lockwood -- SevernSchool Class of 1931 -- was executive officer of the marine barracks at the Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Naval Air Station.
He was invited to speak at an Austin, Texas symposium, titled "Dec. 7, 1941: The Gathering Storm," sponsored by the Admiral Nimitz Museum.
Lockwood has been interviewed by the Cable News Network.