Jim Piersall is the captain of the Howard County Angels For A Cure — a church based team for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life fundraiser. It is an annual event where participants camp out overnight at local parks or high schools and take turns walking or running around a track or path. The Relay symbolizes that cancer never sleeps.
While Piersall was happy with the fundraising efforts of his team, he wondered what else he could do to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
"I thought about the usual fundraisers like a bake sale but it seemed too dry," Piersall said. "But since we're a church-based group, I thought why not get the church choirs together for a benefit concert."
After contacting nine Howard County church choirs, Piersall was able to get commitments from three Ellicott City churches — Bethany, Glen Mar and Mt. Zion United Methodist — as well as Glenelg and Linden-Linthicum United Methodist churches.
On Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m. at Glenelg United Methodist Church, the first Relay For Life benefit concert will be held. Each church choir will perform individual pieces in addition to a mass choir finale.
Although the concert is free and open to the public, they will gladly accept donations to the American Cancer Society through a free will offering. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the concert. For more information, call Jim at 410-531-2324.
Congratulations to James Madison University freshman Meghan McNeil, who was recently awarded the Gold Award — the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — and one realized by only 5 percent of eligible Girl Scouts each year. The former Ellicott City Girl Scout Troop 1716 member has been actively involved in Girl Scouts since she was 7 years old.
Meghan spent more than 100 hours working on her Gold Award project, which was inspired by a tragic event.
"I chose to do my Gold Award project on IPV (intimate partner violence) with a concentration on teens, because a family friend of one of my cousins was tragically killed by her boyfriend last summer. The devastating effects that impacted the families, friends and the community involved was something I believe no one should ever have to experience," the 2011 Centennial High school graduate said.
In partnership with Howard County Police Department, Domestic Violence division and the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, Meghan designed and implemented Project ALERT (Awareness Lets Everyone Realize Trouble) — a teen seminar on the dangers and resources to help those in a relationship involving IPV. To compliment the seminar and broaden IPV community awareness, Megan developed informational pamphlets that were distributed to every Howard County high school student services department.
In April 2012, McNeil will attend a special banquet hosted by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland where she will be formally recognized as a Gold Award recipient.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, Centennial High School will celebrate homecoming weekend with its annual community parade, football game and student dance.
As part of the Centennial's homecoming tradition, the school's Parent Teacher Student Association will host the annual "All-You-Can-Eat" Homecoming Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m, to noon in the school cafeteria. The community is invited to this family friendly event. All proceeds from the breakfast fundraiser will benefit the Centennial High's Spring After-Prom Party, a safe, substance-free event for students and their guests.
The Howard County Farmers Market at St. John's Episcopal Church will soon be closing for the season. Stop by the market Oct. 19 and 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. for your last chances to get local, fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, pork and beef. Vendors include Howard County's own Bowling Green Farm cheese. For more information, find the Howard County Farmers Markets page on Facebook.
Historic Ellicott City, Inc, is hosting its 27th annual Decorator Show House at Holly Manor, a 18th century colonial revival estate on several acres in the Maple Lawn area of Fulton. Designers from the Baltimore and Washington areas have creatively decorated 25 rooms in the manor reflecting both colonial and contemporary designs.
The Showhouse is open through Oct. 23. House tours take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. Advanced tickets are $15 and can be purchased at local Ellicott City businesses including Clark's ACE Hardware, Ellicott's Country Store, Gallery 44, Shoemaker Country, The Pink Cabbage and Westwood Unique Furnishings and Antiques.
To compliment your house tour, there is a on site cafe provided by Absolutely Perfect and a boutique filled with furnishings for purchase from Ellicott City retail and antiques stores.
In addition, every Thursday evening the community is invited to the Manor grounds for an "Event in The Tent" — free design and decorating advice from local professionals.
Ellicott City's very own Marian Berman of Gallery 44 presents "What Do You Say To A Naked Wall?" a seminar designed to transform your home with art Thursday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. On Oct. 20, Dominion Electric will give a talk on "Is ThereLight After Incandescents?," a discussion about the future of energy-saving lighting with LED technology.
For more information about the Decorator Show House or events call the Historic Ellicott City Inc at (410) 461-6908 or go to its website at http://www.historicec.com.