Glenwood/Glenelg: Glenwood Middle School students ready for fourth annual Literature Lock-In

Students at Glenwood Middle School will be spending this evening reading. Students are planning an evening in the media center, with pillows, blankets, and a few of their favorite books, magazines, or graphic novels, as part of their fourth annual Literature Lock-In. The Literature Lock-In is a read-a-thon to raise funds for an upcoming visit by author Dori Butler. Throughout the Literature Lock-In, students will read in one-hour shifts with snacks offered during breaks. Happy reading to all students, sounds like a fun-filled evening.

The Dayton Oaks Elementary School PTA is participating in the PTA Council of Howard County's annual coat drive to support the Howard County Public School System Pupil Personnel Workers efforts to meet the needs of some county children and their families.

New or gently used (cleaned, all zippers and buttons work, ready to wear) boys and girls coats, hats, gloves of all sizes as well as teen and adult sizes are needed. Collection bins are located in the front entrance at Dayton Oaks. Please bring your coats to school between now and Oct. 28.

Looking for a fun pre-Halloween activity for your middle school student? The Columbia Association Middle School Advisory Committee is offering a free ice skating session at the Columbia Ice Rink (5876 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia 21045) Oct. 30 from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. Call to register by Oct. 26 at 410-715-5523.

The Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum is pleased to offer its third annual Three-Mile Haunted Hay Ride. While many local farmers are busy harvesting their fall crops by the light of day, the Haunted Hay Ride's website offers, "When night falls on an old farm in central Maryland, it's time to harvest another crop of souls…"

This year's ride features plenty of new scenes to give your heart a thrill. This annual fundraiser for the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum is not for the faint-hearted. Dress for chilly fall weather when attending the ride, which lasts approximately 40 minutes and covers three miles through woods and fields past ruins of old farm buildings and equipment with actors in scary costumes doing their very best to make you scream (actors will never touch the people on the hay rides).

An overcast or foggy evening helps to enhance the mood for this event, but call ahead if it looks like rain, as rides may be canceled. The Haunted Hay ride is an inclusive family friendly event (no alcohol or smoking are permitted on the premises).

The Haunted Hay Ride is open Friday and Saturday evenings, 7-10 p.m., through Oct. 29 (last ride departs at 10 p.m.). The cost is $15 per person. For additional information call 410-489-2345 or go to its website, http://www.3milehauntedhayride.com.

National Choose Civility Week took place Oct. 3-7. During the week, the Howard County Library hosted a Choose Civility Symposium themed, "Building a Responsible, Bully Free Community."

National Public Radio's Korva Coleman led a panel discussion on how civil understanding, positive attitudes and mutual respect are directly correlated to reducing the prevalence of bullying. Howard County Council Chairman Calvin Ball also attended the symposium, showing his support for the Choose Civility Campaign.

"Now is the time to take a firm stance against bullying. A time where we need to focus on educating our youth on the importance of engaging in positive activities and maintaining a positive frame of mind. The negative effects of bullying can have such a lasting and devastating impact and have been felt across the nation. We must work together, show compassion and respect to others and lead by example if we are to be successful in eradicating bullying in our society," Ball said.

To help promote the theme of Choose Civility, the Howard County Public School System Office of Student Services has announced a poster challenge. Students will be challenged to design and create artwork to promote the theme "Choose Civility: The Power of Words."

Poster entries must be 8 ½-by-11 inches and can be created in marker, colored pencil or paint. Images should be hand drawn original student ideas and artwork (no computer generated pictures or photos) and should convey the "Choose Civility: The Power of Words" theme.

Two winners will be selected from each area school for countywide consideration. Countywide prizes will be to one winner in several grade categories, with a grand prize winner having their poster reproduced for countywide distribution. For additional information regarding the contest, check with your school's counselor.