Tonight, the Howard County Council of Garden Clubs invites you to join the annual Candlelight Tour of Waverly Mansion. The garden clubs have dolled up the mansion in its holiday best for visitors to tour from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Die Liedersanger Madrigal Singers will carol while visitors enjoy evergreens, antiques, mulled cider and fudge.
Waverly Mansion's history is peppered with Howard County's favorite family names.
John Dorsey bought the land from Daniel Carroll in 1750 as a wedding gift for his son Nathan.
The main section of the house was built by 1764. John Eager Howard, later governor of Maryland, purchased Waverly in 1786 and eventually presented it as a wedding gift to his son George Howard, who also served as governor of Maryland.
The mansion passed through the Judick and Brosene family, and then to Larry Realty Co., when a group of concerned Howard County residents worked to preserve the mansion.
Waverly was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and its place as a county landmark was ensured by the care of county residents and a two-year restoration.
Howard County government owns and maintains Waverly for use as a meeting place and rental for social functions. Ginny Leache is the property's manager.
Seniors have the option of attending a preview today from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Candlelight Tour Committee, headed by Lin Willett, requests a donation of $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for children to help defray costs.
L Waverly is on Marriottsville Road, immediately off Route 70.
Call Ginny Leache until noon at 313-5400 for directions.
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Gary Memorial United Methodist Church in Daniels will celebrate the season's music with a "Sing-along in the House of the Lord."
The church invites children and adults of all ages to attend their worship service at 11 a.m., eat lunch at 11:45 a.m. and sing Christmas songs at 12:30 p.m.
Daniels is off Old Frederick Road in Ellicott City.
For directions, call the church at 465-7345.
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The Senior Class of Centennial High School will add a charitable twist to its annual senior lock-in Friday.
Participants will pay a $3 entry fee and a donation for the "Head to Toe" clothing drive: a new pair of mittens, socks or a knit cap.
All entry fees and knits will be given to charity. "The kids will get a chance to think of someone else," says adviser Nancy Jones, a teacher at the school.
All Centennial seniors are welcome, but about 125 students are expected. The event will run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., as planned by the Lock-in Committee of Stephanie Knouse, Lindsay Taylor and Andrea Allocco.
Senior Class Band "Peddler's Hall" and class disc jockeys Mike Ficca, Sean Greenman and Clark Gordon will provide entertainment. Ellicott City's Olive Branch Restaurant will provide the food at a discount.
Who are the brave adults who will stay awake all night to chaperon? Nancy Jones and cheerleading adviser Michelle Swanson will be there all night, assisted by six parents who will take shifts to maintain the student-adult ratio at 25-to-1.
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Girl Scouts in Junior Troop 1057 spent last week thinking of other children who are not as fortunate as they are. As a community service project, the girls selected some of their outgrown toys, then got together Tuesday night to pretty up the dolls and separate the toys according to age and sex. Saturday, the girls gave the toys away to shoppers at the Christian Women's Thrift Shop.
Jane Bers leads the troop. Other mothers helping at last week's meeting were Debbie White and Barbara Langridge. Troop members are Jackie Loys, Laura White, Jackie Sauter, Abby Langridge, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Shannon Ladsko and Rebecca Bers.
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It's not too soon to begin thinking about 1995. Centennial High School Boosters are holding their annual Bull and Oyster Roast on Feb. 25 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Turf Valley Country Club. Participants will dance to the music of disc jockey Alan Wysong. Until Dec. 31, tickets will be discounted $5, to $30 per person.
The boosters suggest that tickets would make wonderful holiday gifts, and the roast would be a great way for parents to meet other families and parents of their children's friends. You can reserve a table for 10 or request to be seated at Booster Guest Tables.
Call Maureen Wienecke at 465-7838 or Barbara Brunstetter at 461-2571 for more information about purchasing tickets.
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Hooray for the music departments in our schools that are doing their part to promote the holiday spirit. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Howard High and Centennial High schools will hold their Winter Concerts in their respective auditoriums. Thursday, Mount Hebron High School's vocal music department will hold its concert, and Dec. 20, the instrumental department will hold an orchestra concert.
Dunloggin Middle School's Winter Concert will be Dec. 19.
Mayfield Woods Middle will hold two Winter Concerts. The Orchestra and Sixth-Grade Chorus will perform tomorrow at Mayfield Woods, and the Concert Band will hold its concert Dec. 20 at Howard High School.
Burleigh Manor Middle School will hold a Strings, Wind Ensemble and Sixth-Grade Chorus Concert on Friday and a Concert Band, Chamber and Jazz Ensemble performance Jan. 12. Both concerts will be held at Centennial High School Auditorium.
Patapsco Middle School will hold a Choral and Jazz Ensemble Concert Dec. 19 and a Concert Band and Wind Ensemble performance Jan. 6.
Ellicott Mills Middle School will hold its Band and Handbell Choir Concert tonight. The Jazz Band and Concert Choir will also perform Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elkridge McDonald's restaurant. The school's Drama Club will present "A Night of Theatrical Wonder" at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Schools may charge a nominal admission fee.
Call the school for details and snow dates.
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Howard County's Domestic Violence Center will train volunteers for its 24-hour crisis intervention hot line Jan. 21, 22, 28 and 29. Interested volunteers must attend all four days.
The center works to prevent violence in the home. In Howard County, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness.
If you are over age 21 with four hours a week to share, call Diane Craig at 997-0304, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Gallery 44 announces an exhibit and sale of Edie Pyle Hopkins' most recent watercolor paintings, through Dec. 31.
The gallery is at 10194 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City.