One result of Hurricane Irene was a large quantity of downed trees, leaves, branches and assorted debris. Cleanup often proved exhausting, even for individual property owners, but Katie Tich, a Marriotts Ridge High School freshman, took her efforts to the community level in pursuit of her Girl Scout Silver Award. This is Katie's final year as a Cadette (next year, she will be a Girl Scout Senior) and the Silver Award is the highest level of recognition Cadettes can earn for displaying leadership, organization, and community service.
After the hurricane, Katie recruited 11 other volunteers to clean up David W. Force Park, which lies adjacent to the Turf Valley Overlook neighborhood. The group assembled Sept. 4 to clear trails and pick up trash. In all, they removed 62 pounds of recycling and 180 pounds of trash! Some of the more incongruous items they found were chlorine tablet buckets, a tire and a magician's hat.
Thanks, Katie, for coordinating the cleanup effort, and keep us posted on your Silver Award!
Speaking about outdoors cleanup, raking season has nearly arrived. Perhaps you struggle every year, hauling leaves to the landfill, but would prefer an easier, greener method of disposal. The Howard County Master Gardeners have a solution: a new Rake and Take program. One man's trash is another man's treasure and the Master Gardeners would love to turn your unwanted leaves into compost – that wonderful, nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Program participation is simple: just email phooker9440@gmail.com stating your interest and make sure to include your name, address and phone number. Once the leaves begin to fall, a Master Gardener representative will call to arrange a pickup date and time.
If you would like to learn more about the Master Gardeners program, go to mastergardener.umd.edu.
The last week of the month looks like a busy one for our area, beginning Sunday, Sept. 25 with the Sykesville Apple Butter Market. This event, which will take place one more time in October before breaking for the colder months, runs from 11 am. To 3 p.m. at South Branch Park.
The Apple Butter Market features food, crafts, vendors, live music, and more. Go to http://www.sykesville.net for more details, or email Main Street Manager Ivy Wells at ivy@sykesville.net or call 410-795-8959.
To reach the park, drive northbound on Route 32 four miles past Interstate 70, then turn left on West Friendship Road. The park lies at the end of the road, about a half-mile from the intersection.
St. James United Methodist Church is looking for a few good veins! Its next Red Cross blood drive will take place Sept. 29 from 2 to 9 p.m. If you can help give the gift of life, call the office at 410-442-2020 to schedule an appointment or simply walk in. The address is 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Marriottsville.
Finally, the Howard County Conservancy will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event costs $10 per vehicle and offers fun for all ages — blacksmith demonstrations, tours of the old Mt. Pleasant farm buildings, hay rides, pony rides, farm animals, live music, crafts, and local artisans. Food and fresh farm produce will be available for purchase.
In case of rain, check http://www.hcconservancy.org for instructions. The Conservancy's address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock, and the phone number is 410-465-8877.