Calling all train-loving kids! Meet Choo Choo Blue, the B&O Railroad's mascot when she makes her first appearance at the Ellicott City Station Monday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. Choo Choo Blue will be available for pictures in the plaza in front of the station where she'll be handing out special treats. Children are invited to come in Halloween costumes.
The streets are covered with vibrant orange, yellow and red sun kissed autumn leaves. With many trees unusually green for this time of year, you can bet there will be plenty more leaves coming down in the days ahead.
Soon the brigade of weekend yard warriors will line the landscape of our neighborhoods with the sights and sounds of bagging leaves — an annual chore that may not be favored by many except the kids who get to jump in the leaf piles.
If you are one of these warriors who bag your leaves and haul them to the landfill, you might want to consider saving yourself trip by using the Master Gardeners's Rake and Take program.
Sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners, the program coordinates leaf "rakers" with master garden "takers" who will pick up your bagged leaves. Why? The leaves are a critical element in the production of compost which is a gardener's most powerful tool for growing a bountiful garden. So important that compost is often called a gardener's "black gold".
It's easy to join the program. Simply let Master Gardener Pat Hooker know you would like to participate in the program via email at phooker9440@gmail.com and include your address and telephone number.
Another University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners program that may be of interest to new or experienced gardeners is the annual Master Gardener Training.
Registration is now open for highly acclaimed 2012 Master Gardener Training classes. The program will cover gardening topics such as sustainable and environmental effects of gardening practices and plant, insect and disease problems.
The first meeting is an orientation scheduled for Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Classes will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Extension Office in Ellicott City from Jan. 25 to March 28.
The registration deadline is Dec. 16. The cost of the training is $195 and class size is limited. Call the University of Maryland Extension - Howard County office at 410-313-2707 to request a Master Gardener registration packet.
"Peter Pan" is set to fly onto the Centennial High School stage Nov. 17-20 with six performances of the wonderful family friendly musical filled with sword fighting adventure, sweet mermaids, magical fairies and, of course, the Darling children set in the unforgettable Neverland.
Leading the cast is Gabe Lewman, as Peter Pan; Sarika Reddy, as Captain Hook; Mihir Majumdar as Smee; Camille Edme, as Tiger Lily; Rose Wallace, as Wendy; Nick Mercer, as John; and Jesse Kinstler, as Michael.
Show times are Nov. 17, 7 p.m.; Nov. 18, 7 p.m.; Nov. 19, 2 and 7 p.m.; and Nov. 20, 3 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased in advanced online for $8 at http://www.seatyourself.biz/chstheatre or at the door for $10. For more information, call Kathryn Carlsen at 410-313-2856 or email at kcarlsen@hcpss.org.
Another local live theater experience not to be missed is the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 4 and 5 at Slayton House, in Columbia, presented by Silhouette Stages. Show times are Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5, 8 p.m.; and Oct. 30, 3 p.m.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" explores the lives of young people in the throes of puberty who learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.
Tickets $18 general admission and $15 for students or seniors. For reservations call 410-637-5289 or go to http://www.seatyourself.biz/silhouettestages.