You'll have to act fast, but there's still time to join the residents of Lawyers Hill for their fifth annual wine tasting, scheduled for Friday, Oct, 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Elkridge Assembly Rooms, 6090 Lawyers Hill Road.
The $25 ticket price includes wine and light hors d'oeuvres. Musical entertainment will be provided by Elkridge's own Slick Hampton, whose unique interpretation of music offers an eclectic collection of jazz, fusion, blues and rock.
Call Cindy Quick at 410-340-9015 or email cindyquick1@verizon.net for more information. All proceeds will go to pay for the ongoing restoration project at Elkridge Assembly Rooms.
Registration is now open for the 2012 Master Gardener training program offered by the University of Maryland Extension, Howard County Office. This program will cover plant, insect and disease problems, and a variety of other topics related to sustainable and environmental impacts of gardening practices.
Training will run Jan. 25-March 28. An orientation is scheduled for Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Extension Office, in Ellicott City. Cost of the training is $195.
The mission of the Master Gardeners is to provide education to consumers; therefore, a willingness to volunteer time is essential. Lack of hands-on gardening experience should not deter potential applicants.
Anyone with an interest in gardening, and/or have additional skills and interests, such as writing, graphics and computer knowledge, is encouraged to apply and become an active member of the UM Extension.
The registration deadline is Dec. 16 and class size is limited. To receive a Master Gardener registration packet, call the University of Maryland Extension - Howard County office at 410-313-2707.
With the holidays just around the corner, here's a perfect way to get ready for your festive baking, entertaining or gift-giving. Melville Chapel United Methodist Church will be hosting a Pampered Chef Party Nov. 6 from noon to 2 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall, 5660 Furnace Ave.
Proceeds will benefit Melville's outreach program. A light lunch will be served. For more information, call Sue Burke Harrison at 443-875-3516 or email suziebharrison@yahoo.com.
The Howard High School Lions' Pride Boosters Club would like to thank and welcome all new members for the 2011-2012 school year. Your membership and support allow the organization to supplement the athletic budget that Athletics and Activities Manager Michael Duffy receives from the County. Last year, the club provided $30,000 toward Howard's athletic budget for new equipment, uniforms, clinics, maintenance agreements, camps, etc.
Lion's Pride meetings are generally held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month from September through June in the school's guidance office. Email Tom Singleton at tom.singleton@dii-ins.com if you have any questions or would like to assist in helping Lions' Pride reach its 2011-2012 goals.
Singleton would like to send his personal gratitude to the 600-plus people who attended the Howard homecoming pancake breakfast Sept. 24. The fundraiser was a great success, and kicked off the homecoming parade. These festivities ultimately led to the highlight of the day when Howard beat cross-town rival Long Reach by a nail-biting score of 38-37. Go Lions!
In other Howard High School news, the PTSA Bags and Basket Bingo is right around the corner! This fun-raiser is scheduled for Nov. 5 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 4795 Ilchester Road, in Ellicott City. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance; $20 at the door (if available). Refreshments will be available for purchase. To sponsor a basket or bag, assist with the event or purchase advance tickets, email Ann Russo at macerusso@verizon.net or call 410-465-8841 or Ana Barnabe at barnabe1@verizon.net.
Take a Bite Out of the Cold on behalf of the homeless, On Saturday, Oct. 22, H.O.P.E. (for all) and Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce is collecting coats, jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Glen Burnie Town Center, rain or shine.
Help the growing number of homeless men, women and children (yes, whole families) stay warm by bringing gently used cold weather clothing and gear to this curbside pickup event right in the heart of Glen Burnie, on the corner of Crain Highway and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.
H.O.P.E. and NAACCC will also be collecting blankets and comforters. All items should be clean and in good, useable condition. Donors will receive 50 percent off coupons for the Glen Burnie Ice Skating Rink and a coupon from Rita's Italian Ice.
I encourage you to please check out H.O.P.E. (for all)'s web site at http://www.hopeforall.us or call them at 410-859-1297 to learn more about the amazing community outreach this organization does on behalf of the growing homeless population in our own backyards.
On Oct. 26, the Elkridge Seniors will head out for a scenic autumn drive for their "Trip to Cozy Inn" adventure. Hopefully, the leaves will still be beautiful in their fall foliage. The day will feature a delicious lunch at the famous Cozy Inn and shopping at the Gettysburg Outlets.
Then, on Oct. 31, "Spooky Bingo" at 11 a.m. kicks off the Halloween ghoulishness. Seniors can dress up for the occasion and enter the costume contest to win fun prizes. To add to the festivities, some neighborhood children will be coming through the center in costume for trick-or-treating and will receive goodie bags.
For more information on these or other center events, call Elkridge Senior Center Director Jeanne Slater at 410-313-5192.
With Halloween just around the corner, I'd like to share a note from Nance Mullinix about her corn maze, 3/4 of a mile west of Route 97 on Carrs Mill Road, across from Western Regional Park, in Glenwood. This is a 10-acre corn maze and has been created in the shape of a crab this year.
It is open until Oct. 30 on Fridays, 3-10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It also features a corn pit, hay rides, and a children's mini straw maze. You can shop a festive assortment of mums, pumpkins, apples, cider, food and drinks.
Call Nance at 410-245-6014 for more information. Take a crack at the crab and head out to Glenwood with family and friends for an enjoyable fall outing.
Life is short. Enjoy every moment possible, stay safe, practice random acts of kindness, and remember to reach out to those in need. Please keep in touch and let me know what you'd like to share in this space. I always look forward to hearing from the great friends and neighbors of Elkridge and Hanover. Thanks and have a stellar week!