As I headed out to market a couple of weeks ago, birdseed was on my list, and as I walked out the door the serious man on television was saying, "To attract the widest variety of birds, use sunflower seed."
So I bought a few pounds of sunflower seeds from the bulk bin and filled the bird feeder. I then sat back and watched what turned out to be a wonderful squirrel circus.
I thought perhaps I had misunderstood the man on TV until I received a mailing from the Friends of Quiet Waters Park promoting the group's birdseed sale. Right there in black and mauve it said, "Sunflower seeds -- the best all-around seed for attracting the greatest number of birds, including cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, finches, grosbeaks, titmice and nuthatches."
But the Friends and the Anne Arundel Bird Club know that some people would rather not do anything extra to attract blue jays and that some crave the sight and sound of pine siskins. Being sold are two different kinds of sunflower seeds, Niger thistle, white proso millet, cracked corn and suet cakes and a premium mix that includes black oil sunflower, millet, wheat, milo and peanut hearts.
Bags of the seed are generally 10, 20 or 45 pounds; prices are very reasonable. A 10 percent discount is offered for members of the two sponsoring groups, and the ordering deadline for pickup at the end of January is Jan. 15.
You might be better off doing it now, before you spend all your money on last-minute Christmas presents. Call Quiet Waters Park at 222-1777 for more information.
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An exciting nonprofit endeavor is Elderhostel, the international organization for older adults looking for something different to do. Its focus is travel, adventure and exploration from a different point of view. It emphasizes economy and congeniality.
The South County Senior Center, 27 Stepney's Lane in Edgewater, is having an Elderhostel meeting at 1 p.m. today. A video outlining the Elderhostel organization will be shown, and past trips will be discussed.
All interested seniors are invited; anyone 60 or older is eligible, along with a spouse of any age.
For information, call 222-1927 . . . or just show up.
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And as a final suggestion on how to enjoy the richness of tradition in Annapolis during the holidays, check out the Christmas exhibit at the William Paca House, 186 Prince George St.
In the display, a shipment of purchases has arrived from England and China and is being unpacked in preparation for the holidays.
The exhibit provides insight into late 18th-century decorations, household furnishings and the "science" of packing valuables before bubble wrap. It is part of Annapolis' celebration of its 300th anniversary as the state capital.
The Paca House is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The exhibit will remain through New Year's Day.
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There will come a time, in the not-distant future, when our lives will return to what passes for normal, and we will have time to give to ourselves and our growth.
St. John's College Continuing Education/Fine Arts Spring Program offers a stellar opportunity with its on-campus preceptorials and workshops, from Jan, 24 to May 6. All sessions are open to the public.
I have space only for an overview, but it's a rich and challenging program.
Included are a community seminar exploring the writings of 20th-century philosophers; a voice workshop and an opera workshop; two creative writing workshops, one advanced; applied art workshops that concentrate on life drawing and classical figurative sculpture in clay; fundamentals of painting; Pottery I, II, and III; and an introduction to design and drawing.
Tuition for all programs is $120, plus materials and models fees when applicable. Classes meet once a week, in the evening or on Saturday, generally for two hours.
Registration is accepted by mail at the Continuing Eduction/Fine
Arts Program Office, St. John's College, Box 2800, Annapolis 21404-2800.
For more detail, call 626-2541.
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As I have been writing this, I've had in my other ear the voice of my husband calling a woman who used to work for him to tell her how much he had learned from her about dealing with conflict and fury, and how fondly he remembered their association.
His call was triggered by another call a few days ago, from someone whose life he'd touched long ago. He's glowing from both.
I wish you a joyous holiday, and invite you to consider calling someone who has added to your life and saying hello and thank-you.
It's a special feeling.
If you would like to have news about your group or event published in Neighbors, call Lyn Backe, 626-0273.