Mother Nature reminds me more and more of myself -- she's so easily confused. Yellow forsythia blossoms dot the bare branches, and fuzzy white Dusty Miller almost looks snow-covered.
But evergreen wreaths and golden bows announce that it's not spring, not even summer.
Pay attention, Ms. Nature.
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Jack Keene of the county Department of Recreation outlined the master plan for development in Kinder Park last month during a speech he gave before the Greater Severna Park Council.
Engineering is expected to begin in 1996, with heavy construction starting by 1997. The first phase, scheduled to cost $2.4 million, includes an entrance road, garden plot, a maintenance and storage building, and a lot for hikers and bikers.
The second phase will include a restored farm complex, and a combination visitor center and museum.
The total cost is expected to be $2.8 million.
Once the project is completed, a $4 fee will be charged to enter that part of the park.
Athletic use will continue to be the park's main function. Two multipurpose fields -- football, soccer, baseball -- additional lighting and two basketball courts will be added at a targeted cost of $2.3 million.
These improvements are third on the county's list.
Several acres will be preserved as natural areas.
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Greater Severna Park merchants and the Chamber of Commerce are teaming up tonight to give us a taste of holiday Midnight Madness. To find out which stores will be participating, call Linda Zahn at 987-6625.
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The American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop on Ritchie Highway extends its hours tonight from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a holiday open house.
Information: 544-0568.
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Don't have time for holiday baking? The Severna Park High School Band Boosters and musicians have been baking cookies all week.
Packaged as gifts, the cookies will be on sale tomorrow at the Benfield Safeway, Severna Park Mall Giant and the Metro Food Mart at Jumpers Hole Road and Ritchie Highway.
The sale begins at 9 a.m. and continues until all the cookies are gone. Each box of 2 1/4 dozen cookies will sell for $4.
The band will play a free holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The chorus, string orchestra and symphonic band will be featured.
Information: 544-0900.
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The junior and youth choirs at Our Shepherd Episcopal Church on Benfield Road will present a children's musical, "Inside the Outside Inn," Sunday at 10 a.m. The performers are in grades two through 12.
Mary Jo Bedsworth will direct. The leads will be sung by Dana Rigot and Becky Truver. Information: 647-1658.
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Take the kids to see Santa in Park Plaza.
There's no waiting, and photos cost just $5.
Santa greets the children next door to the Cosmetic Center.
His visit is sponsored by the Severna Park Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce and Park Plaza.
Santa adds to his list tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.; and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Information: 987-6625.
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This week, Anne Arundel Community College inducted three members into the Pioneer Sports Hall of Fame:
* Mike Ballas, AACC associate professor of physical education, came to the college in 1967, coaching wrestling, football and lacrosse. More than 100 of his players were named to All Conference and All Tournament teams. Mr. Ballas coached more than 40 lacrosse All Americans.
He was named Region XX Coach of the Year in 1984 and NJCAA Coach of the Year in 1985.
* Chuck Markiewicz, a football and lacrosse player, received all-conference lacrosse honors in 1975 and starred in lacrosse and football at Salisbury State College. He is now an Anne Arundel County school teacher and coaches football at North County High School.
* Amy Williams, an elementary physical education teacher and North County High volleyball coach, led the AACC softball team to the national tourney in 1982 and was named outstanding female athlete in her graduating class that year. She also played basketball and volleyball.
If you would like to have news of your group or activity published in the Neighbors column, call Joni Guhne, 647-1413.