FOR MO and Barbara Dutterer, line dancing is more than just a good time - it's a stress reliever, great exercise and romantic. And for those who think line dancing is only for country music fans, think again.

"It's really changed quite a bit from the country line dancing," Mo said. "There are literally thousands of line dances. We have dances that are super-duper simple and some that are unbelievably complicated."

On Friday, novice and experienced dancers are invited to join an evening of line dancing at Historic Oakland that he will lead. Barbara will sit this one out because she is scheduled to have foot surgery this week.

Mo, who is retired, taught theater at Centennial High School for 25 years. He is the founder of the Centennial Players, a theater group that includes community members and high school students in its productions.

Barbara is a guidance counselor who splits her time between Clemens Crossing and Gorman Crossing elementary schools.

The couple live in Longfellow and have two children, Lauren, 25, and Clark, 23.

Barbara introduced Mo to line dancing 15 years ago. She said that on a lark, she and a group of women she exercised with went to a line-dancing club. She had fun, and she persuaded Mo to try it. The couple started dancing twice a week and began teaching line-dancing classes 12 years ago for the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Barbara said a lot of women sign up for the classes because their husbands don't dance, and line dancing doesn't require a partner. But, Barbara said, couples who take the class often find the experience romantic.

"There's an expression that dance is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire," Barbara said.

The dance will be held in the ballroom at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets cost $6 a person and can be purchased by calling the Town Center Community Association at 410-730-4744.

Citizens on patrol

If you pass Beaverkill Road on mornings when school is in session, you've probably seen Juanita Robinson. As chairwoman of Citizens on Patrol, Robinson takes her post before and after school to ensure that children get to and from Harper's Choice Middle School safely.

Citizens on Patrol, an offshoot of Harper's Choice Community Partnership, has 10 volunteers who station themselves at the village center and on paths leading to the school.

"We do it to make sure that the kids get across the street safely and that nobody is standing around on the pathways messing with the kids," Robinson said.

She said her group's efforts help deter crime, reduce bullying and littering, and encourage children to get to school on time.

"We used to have kids who would beat up little kids, aggravate them and take away their money," she said. "This way, the kids know that we're there and they feel comfortable going to school because they see that we care."

Harper's Choice PTA President Dan Adams said Citizens on Patrol expanded its role during the sniper crisis. "We had extra volunteers in the parking lots and walking the borders of the school," he said.

Stephen Wallis, principal of the middle school, said Citizens on Patrol has had a great effect on pupils. He said reports of bullying and fighting around the school have decreased.

"The efforts of parents and those of Citizens on Patrol, particularly Juanita Robinson, have had a real positive turnaround on how the kids feel about walking on the paths. I see the group as indispensable," Wallis said.

Robinson said the group plans to expand its efforts to include Longfellow Elementary School. "It's been working, and I want people to get involved," she said.

Information or to volunteer for Citizens on Patrol: 410-730-2250.

Harvest ball

The Coalition of Geriatric Services (COGS), Harmony Hall and Lorien Columbia will sponsor a Harvest Ball from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Harmony Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association, the Vivian Reid Fund and COGS.

The ball will include a live and silent auction, light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Music will be provided by the Howard County Jazz Band.

Tickets cost $40 each, or $360 for a table of 10.

Information or to purchase tickets: Jeanette Lazarofsky, 410-997-0610.