Call it tradition, myth, culture or heritage. We all observe holidays like New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with a style that mixes our own ways with the customs we have inherited. Whether you must have black-eyed peas and hush puppies, watch college bowl games all day, feast on a pork roast dinner or simply gather with family and friends to celebrate, I hope 1995 brings you good health and great joy.
There will be much to do in western Howard County in 1995. If you enjoy the arts, sports, school events, local issues and politics, farm news or church-related activities, you'll find something to keep you involved and of good disposition right here at home.
Jazz fans, it's time to order your tickets to hear the Count Basie Orchestra live in concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Glenelg High School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 in advance. Tickets at the door, if available, will cost $18 each.
To order tickets, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a check made out to Glenelg High School to Barry P. Enzman, Glenelg High School, 14025 Burnt Woods Road, Glenelg, 21737. Phone 313-5533 to reach the music office at Glenelg.
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St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fulton invites you and your family to join the congregation in their New Year services. They will have a New Year's Day Eucharist service at 11 a.m. St. Paul's is about a mile west of U.S. 29 on Route 216 in Fulton. Call the church office at (301) 725-0241 for more information.
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The Carrs Mill Landfill Newsletter has the latest information on the cleanup for the Carrs Mill landfill. This county government publication, which had its inaugural edition this month, gives updates on the status of efforts to locate and remove drums; water, soil and air sampling results around the site; charts on well monitoring and stream sampling; and a community bulletin board about the Carrs Mill site and related environmental issues.
As a former chemistry teacher, I found the charts and data poorly presented, but generally, the newsletter is informative. Tom Bianco, Susan Miller, Jane Conlon and Elaine Priest are members of the Landfill Advisory Committee. If you are interested in serving on the committee, call Gail Bates, assistant to the county executive, at 313-2013.
If you have questions about the site or wish to request a newsletter, call Ms. Bates or Director of Public Works Jim Irvin at 313-4401.
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Congratulations to Brian Rice, an eighth-grade student at Glenwood Middle School. Brian was among 1,100 students in the state in grades seven, eight and nine who auditioned for 130 places in the 1995 Maryland Junior All-State Chorus. Brian is among the elite who will participate in All-State Chorus in March in Ocean City. This is the second year Brian has been selected to sing in the All-State Chorus.
General music teacher and chorus director Margo Higdon of Glenwood Middle School has been nominated for the Howard County Arts Council Howie Award for outstanding arts educator.
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Samantha Johnston, who plays string bass in the Glenwood Middle School wind ensemble, will be a member of the 1995 Maryland All-State Orchestra. Laura Henry and Laura Kuttler of Mount View Middle School will perform in March in the Maryland Junior All-State Band.
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It's time to order citrus fruit from the Glenelg High School marching unit. In January, the unit offers navel oranges, pink grapefruit and tangelos. Navel oranges are $16.50 for four-fifths bushel or $10.25 for two-fifths bushel. Grapefruit are $15 for four-fifths bushel or $9.50 for two-fifths bushel. Tangelos are $22 for four-fifths bushel or $13 for two-fifths bushel.
Order by 3 p.m. Jan. 12 for delivery Jan. 21. There are order forms in the school office, or you may call Sharon Pirrone at 531-5149.
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Danny Hanson and Joe Hill, students at Mount View Middle School, passed the HAM radio test.
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When school begins again next week, many Bushy Park Elementary School students will be busy preparing for their Student Government Association talent show. About 89 students have registered to be in the show this year. It's at 7 p.m. Jan. 19.
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As 1994 winds down, 4-H members around the county are completing record books and project reports for this year and planning programs for 1995. Though 4-H programs are most conspicuous in August at the Howard County Fair, clubs and individual 4-Hers participate in projects all year. Here are a few examples: Jan. 28, 4-H Youth will clean their adopted section of road on Route 144 in West Friendship. Feb. 1 and 4, interested students will take a basic hunter safety course at the Howard County Fairgrounds.
In March, members from Howard and Montgomery counties will participate in a visual presentation contest at Glenwood Middle School. They will prove their ability to express ideas in different categories by demonstrating or giving an illustrated talk about food, home economics, a hobby, horticulture or animals.
If you would like to get started in 4-H, call the Cooperative Extension Service at 313-2707 and ask for Hope Jackson.