IF YOU'RE looking for fun, you don't want to miss this Saturday.
The 25th annual Lake Elkhorn Festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m.
Food, arts, crafts, live entertainment, pony rides, pet show, fishing contest, auction, games and moon bounce will be available.
Bring your appetite and buy hot dogs and drinks at the booth of Boy Scout Troop 613.
The food is satisfying, and so is the knowledge that your money will be helping children with cancer.
Boy Scout troop mother Tracie Clark reports that the boys are donating their profits toward the purchase of Spinoza Buddy Bears.
Each toy bear is equipped with a cassette tape. Parents, family and friends may record a message or favorite story on the tape.
The child then has the bear to hug and hear a familiar voice for company while in the hospital. The bear can even be taken into the operating room. Each bear costs $135.
Your support will be appreciated and will make a child's difficult time a bit easier.
Roy Walls is scoutmaster of the troop, which is sponsored by the village of Owen Brown.
Jack Cathcart has coordinated the festival booth.
Senior Patrol Leader Philip Hall and his assistant, Nick LoPresti, will supervise the troop members.
Barb Cathcart is the troop's committee chairwoman.
For information about the bear project, call 410-505-0855.
The festival is an opportunity to meet representatives from local businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations.
You may even discover the perfect place to spend your volunteer time.
For information, call 410-381-0202.
Children's clothes
Before you go to the Lake Elkhorn Festival, you might want to stop at the Long Reach village shopping center.
Stonehouse, the Long Reach community center, is holding its Kids Clothes Swap in the village center courtyard.
Manager Sarah Uphouse reports that swap items usually go beyond clothes. In past years there have been gently used baby and small children's equipment, and toys of all kinds.
The rain date is Sept. 26.
Information: 410-730-8113 or 301-596-3265.
Village representative
Long Reach village board Chairman Henry Dagenais has announced the board's appointment of Rudolph Baker as the village representative to the Columbia Association's Senior Advisory Committee.
The board also approved a $100 donation to Triad, the senior citizens safety fund.
Long Reach residents with suggestions, comments or questions may also contact the Long Reach board via fax at 410-730-5882 or e-mail: infongreach.org.
Memorial trees
On Saturday afternoon, two maple trees were planted on the front lawn of Oakland Mills High School.
They are memorial trees donated by members of the youth group of St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
The Rev. John Liebler accompanied the group for the dedication.
Oakland Mills High School graduates Matt Wichita and Kevans Hall II were killed in the spring while on vacation in the Florida community.
They had attempted to protect a young woman during an altercation with a group of local men. The men returned that evening, and Matt and Kevans were killed. Their friend, Seth Quebeck, was seriously injured.
Immediately, the young men and women of St. Peter's sent a letter of apology on behalf of their community to Matt's and Kevans' families and to Deacon George Martin of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic parish in Columbia.
The Florida youth group collected donations from community and church members to create a memorial honoring the slain young men.
Oakland Mills High School Principal Marshall Peterson said it was the first time that a graduate's memory had been honored in this manner.
Liebler said the trees convey a healing message for both communities.
Imagining romance
Maryland authors Ruth Glick and Robyn Amos will discuss developing a story and give writing tips during their visit at the East Columbia library at 7 p.m. Sept. 24.
Librarian Pat Bates has called the evening "Imagining Romance" because both authors specialize in the topic.
Columbian Glick (who writes with a partner under the pseudonym Rebecca York) has written more than 70 books. Her latest, "Nowhere Man," is set in Western Maryland and is part of her "43 Light Street" suspense and romance series.
Amos has written six novels.
"Into The Night," her most recent, includes, as usual, characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Both authors' books will be available for sale and signing.
Registration is continuing. Call 410-313-7700.
Join the Scouts
At 8 p.m. Thursday, St. John the Evangelist Church is the site for Boy Scout Information Night.
Boys and their parents are invited to meet Scout representatives to discuss forming a troop.
Although sponsored by St. John's, the troop is open to boys of all religions who are residents of Columbia, Clarksville or Ellicott City.
Information: 410-740-8994.
Singers, bake sale
St. John the Evangelist choirs -- adult and children -- are resuming rehearsals at 7: 30 p.m. Monday after a summer break of singing at summer services.
Singers of all ages are invited to join the group under the direction of Chris Youstra, who is returning from a summer in Europe.
Information: 410-964-1436.
A bake sale will be held after Saturday and Sunday services at Oakland Mills and Wilde Lake Interfaith Centers for the benefit of the St. John the Evangelist Youth Group.
Tony Tamberino, Youth and Young Adult Ministry associate, needs bakers and buyers.
Call 410-964-1440 to list your baked item and the Mass you will be attending.
Back to school
Guilford Elementary School is holding two back-to-school PTA meetings this week.
Tomorrow at 7 p.m., parents of children in kindergarten to second grade will meet.
Parents will meet teachers at 7: 30 p.m.
Thursday evening's meeting, for parents of students in grades three through five, begins at 7 p.m.
Information: 410-880-5930.
Oakland Mills High School's back-to-school night for students and their parents was held last night.
If you missed the opportunity to meet teachers and staff and become informed about the school's "Tele-Messages Board" -- sponsored by the Parent Teacher Student Association -- here's the scoop: School Tele-Message request broadcast forms are available in the mailroom at the front office.
Messages are updated each week by parent volunteers. Dates to remember: Homecoming is Sept. 26.
Scorpions Booster Club President Wayne Frizzelle announced the date of the club's spaghetti dinner -- Sept. 23 -- and Annual Tailgate Party -- Sept. 26.
School is closed Monday for Rosh Hashana and Sept. 30 for Yom Kippur.
The PTSA will meet at 7: 30 p.m. Oct. 1.
If your student missed today's registration for the SAT on Oct. 10, there is a "late" deadline Saturday.
The regular deadline for the Nov. 7 SAT is Oct. 2.
Deadline for Nov. 11 SAT is Oct. 30.
Visitors to the school during school hours are reminded that visitors passes are mandatory.
Sign in with the school secretary at the front office to obtain a pass, and return the pass when leaving the building.
New officers of the Oakland Mills PTSA are Suzanne Whitmore, president; Ann Combs, first vice president; Diane Warner, second vice president; Betty Shepherd, treasurer; Claire Alpert, recording secretary; Eileen Logan, corresponding secretary; and Barbara Schmeckpeper, a council delegate.
Volunteers are needed to fill committee chairs and to be representatives for PTA council and the Board of Education Citizens Advisory Council.
Planting in the fall
Kings Contrivance Community Association has limited funds remaining from the spring cul-de-sac planting.
Residents can still submit a plan to the association, complete with an "as is" photo and a petition signed by 80 percent of the cul-de-sac residents.
Once it is approved, its authors can receive a 20 percent discount from Metzler's Nursery and be reimbursed for expenses up to $200 by the association when the work is completed.
Information: 410-381-9600.
Pub Date: 9/15/98