You can catch the Baltimore Orioles in Massachusetts — and not at Fenway

I traveled to Cape Cod recently to visit family and enjoyed connecting with my relatives through a shared love of wildlife and gardening. My uncle, in particular, takes great pleasure in attracting birds to his feeders, so we frequently sat on his deck and watched a colorful display of hummingbirds, finches, and orioles. That's right – Baltimore Orioles!

Although I am a lifelong Maryland resident, I had previously seen only one oriole outside of a baseball stadium, yet the species seems quite prevalent on the Cape. I am glad to have finally observed our state bird in abundance, even if it was in Massachusetts!

If you, too, are a nature buff, you may enjoy some of this month's opportunities at the Howard County Conservancy. The Conservancy presents its final Wonder Walk of the year – "Beautiful Bugs of the Meadows, Forests and Streams" – Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. (Next month's free program will be an indoor Wonder Talk.)

Dr. Michael Raupp, an entomologist with the University of Maryland Extension, will help participants explore the Conservancy grounds for everything from toxic monarch butterflies to parasitic paper wasps, cryptic ambush bugs, and showy milkweed bugs. In case of rain, the program will move indoors.

The Conservancy also needs volunteer naturalists to lead hikes on its 232-acre historic farm property during the fall field trip season. Training takes place in Tuesdays in September from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for the elementary school program and on Thursdays for the secondary school program.

Naturalists are asked to conduct a minimum of three hikes during the months of October and November. Call 410-465-8877 if you would like to register or obtain more information.

The Conservancy also continues to seek Wednesday morning drop-in volunteers to help maintain the property's gardens. All skill levels are welcome. If you can help, call Chris Garbart at the above phone number, or email chris.garbart@hcconservancy.org. The Conservancy address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock.

One upcoming event that may appeal to gardeners and conservationists alike is the annual Bay-Wise Garden Tour, sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners. This year's free tour will take place Sept. 10, 1-4 p.m., at 10130 Maxine St., in Ellicott City (adjacent to Centennial Park). The garden demonstrates storm water management practices, such as collecting rainfall, preventing erosion, and keeping pollutants out of theChesapeake Bay.

To read more about this year's site, go to mastergardener.umd.edu/local/Howard/2011%20LL%20Archive/August%20x2011.pdf and scroll down to page 5. Contact Beverly DeVuono at bev.devuono@gmail.com or 301-741-7183 with any questions.

Wellness and aging have become hot topics as the baby boomer generation pushes past mid-life, and our local news reflects that trend. In the past two weeks, I have mentioned Neighbor Ride's need for more volunteer drivers and also noted that the Howard County Office on Aging, Department of Citizen Services will host its third annual WomenFest at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, in Glenwood, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This month, Bon Secours Spiritual Center offers two related events with a more spiritual focus. On Sept. 28, Father Joseph Breighner will discuss "Aging Gracefully," with emphasis on how to make choices that build a better, richer life. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $55.

BSSC will also host a Women's Wellness Retreat Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at a cost of $225. Keynote speaker Andrea Springer will talk about finding balance by using God as the lens through which one views life.

Additional BSSC events this month include the following:

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, Father Paschal Morlino will guide a "Friend's Day of Prayer" centered around the theme "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else will be given unto you." The day runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $30.

"Keep the Spirit Up - A Day for Job Seekers and Career Changers" returns Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Grace Garrett, of Appreciative Cafe Coaching and Consulting, will conduct a morning session of prayer and relaxation, followed by lunch and an afternoon of workshops on personal and job management skills. A freewill offering will be invited.

Patricia Clarke and Linda Roebuck will lead a five-element theory retreat Sept. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $55. Titled "Celebrating Abundance," the retreat will use the bounty of late summer to focus on acknowledging and appreciating the simple gifts in life. Participants may want to bring a journal.

The monthly Music at Marriottsville concert Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. will feature pianists Peggy Brengle and Don Horneff, from the Music Ministry team at Westminster United Methodist Church. A freewill offering will be invited.

"Cultivating Kindness: Growing In Compassion" will take place Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Sister Joyce Rupp will focus on what unites rather than divides as she explores the many facets of kindness in our busy lives. This retreat costs $65.

Sister Joyce will also lead an intensive study of compassion, called the "Institute of Compassionate Presence," Sept. 25-29. All persons of any religious affiliation or belief system are welcome to attend. The Institute costs $800 ($680 for commuters) with a $150 deposit.

To register for any of the programs at Bon Secours, call 410-442-1320 or go to http://www.BonSecoursSpiritualCenter.org. The address is 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.