Last week gave us all hope that spring might make an early return.
The weather was quite wonderful at the beginning of the week, making outside activities enjoyable.
Let us hope that we have similar weather toward the end of this week for the 10th annual Maple Sugarin' Festival at Hashawha Environmental Center in Westminster.
The festival, scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, will celebrate the tradition of collecting maple sap and boiling it into maple syrup.
Families are invited to attend and enjoy taste testing, programs and films on maple-syrup making.
Country crafts and food will be sold, and the Maryland Draft Horse and Mule Association will offer free hay rides.
Other activities will include a bluebird house sale, a silent auction and a bake sale at Bear Branch Nature Center at Hashawha.
Admission is free.
Information: 848-9040.
*
The Parent's Place of Western Maryland Inc. and CHANGE Inc. will present the seminar "Family Voices: Advocacy Techniques" at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Rose Ann Fischer of Parent's Place will lead the workshop, designed to help parents speak effectively to teachers and administrators.
The seminar will take place at CHANGE Inc. on Bishop Street in Westminster.
Free child care is offered for children with disabilities.
Siblings are welcome. The fee is $1 per sibling.
Parents are urged to call 876-2179 one day in advance if they are interested in child care.
Information: call 549-5824.
*
An international Family Night will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Carroll County Family YMCA.
All members of the YMCA are invited to attend the event, which will include pool activities for children, carnival games, craft making and a Hula-Hoop contest.
Families are asked to bring a traditional carnival snack, and the YMCA will provide drinks.
Information: 848-3660.
*
People with an artistic flair are invited to participate in the annual poster competition for the 1995 Maryland Wine Festival, scheduled Sept. 16 and 17 at Carroll County Farm Museum.
Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks is sponsoring the competition for the event.
Designs must be completed and delivered to Carroll County Arts Council by April 19.
One poster design will be selected by a panel of judges, and the winning artist will receive $1,000.
For requirements and application information, call Carroll County Farm Museum at 876-2667 or Carroll County Arts Council at 848-7272.
*
If you find a bag hanging on your front door, don't throw it away or ignore it.
Find canned goods or nonperishable items to drop in it. Leave the bag on your porch so Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts can pick it up and return it to Carroll County Food Sunday.
Most Scout troops will return by this Saturday for the filled bags.
This is one way to help those who are less fortunate, by giving a little from your cupboards to help fill the pantry at Carroll County Food Sunday.
*
Maryland's sixth annual "Largest Baby Shower in Carroll County" promises to be a well-attended event.
The shower will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11. If you're pregnant, you're invited.
Pregnant women must register and may bring one additional guest for $10. Wednesday is the deadline for registration.
The shower will feature exhibits concerning prenatal health and parent skills.
Speakers will include Tracey Myers-Preston, executive director of Our Children's Care; Karen Dewling, director of the Pediatric House Program for Carroll County General Hospital; and Dr. Janet Neslen, health officer with the Carroll County Health Department.
Exhibits will include items that may be purchased or ordered.
The baby shower is a joint effort of Carroll County General Hospital, Carroll County Health Department, Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Carroll County Public Library and Carroll County Family Support Center.
No walk-ins.
For information or to register, call 876-4441 or 876-4443.
"TC