Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la… Okay, Thanksgiving may still be a week away, but perhaps you have already begun thinking about winter holiday decorations. Our forebears knew how to celebrate in a frugal, eco-friendly way — think Williamsburg at Christmastime — and our culture has slowly been circling back to a simpler, greener way of life. Why not use nature's bounty to bring some holiday warmth into your home this year?
Do-it-yourselfers can learn some tips for decking the halls with natural materials Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Savage Branch Library (9525 Durness Lane, in Laurel). Master Gardener Pat Greenwald will present this free class, which offers a variety of holiday decorating ideas using materials found in the supermarket, in winter gardens, and on the forest floors.
To learn more, call the Howard County Office of the University of Maryland Extension at 410-313-2707.
If you feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of making your own holiday decorations, perhaps you would prefer to shop at the Howard County Conservancy's annual Natural Holiday Gift Sale, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Listen to music while enjoying a cup of tea or other refreshments and browse vendor tables filled with crafts and natural gifts. Bring the kiddos, too — they may enjoy making free critter crafts out of seedpods and other natural materials. Admission is free.
The Conservancy's address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock. For more information, call 410-465-8877, or go to http://www.hcconservancy.org.
Mmmmmm. It's citrus fruit season! The Marriotts Ridge High School Music Foundation is in the middle of its second fruit order, which means that you can enjoy some juicy Florida goodness while helping send the music students to their annual spring competition. This school year, the group will travel to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Go to http://www.mrhsmusic.net to print an order form, and make sure to turn it in by Tuesday, Nov. 29. Fruit pickup will take place at the school, 12100 Woodford Drive, in Marriottsville, Dec. 17. Email mrhsfruit@yahoo.com with any questions.
Tonight, Thursday, Nov. 17, marks the debut of "Charley's Aunt" on the Marriotts Ridge High School stage. Could you use a little laughter? This farce has delighted audiences since 1832 and remains relevant even today, with humorous twists on thwarted love, financial woes and false identities. Throw in a cross-dressing student pretending to be Charley's aunt and you have all the makings for some outrageously fun entertainment.
Performances ae Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m. and a matinee performance Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Email Caren Fitzpatrick at caren.fitzpatrick@comcast.net for advance reservations or purchase your tickets at the door.
For an additional $10 guests may attend a British tea at 1:30 p.m. prior to the Nov. 20 matinee and will receive a beautifully handcrafted teacup to take home. Contact laVerne_miers-bond@hcpss.org for tea tickets.
To learn more about "Charley's Aunt," go to http://www.mrhstheatre.org.
Tonight also marks the date for the community feast at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. This monthly event always proves a winner because you do not have to cook or clean up, you get to eat delicious food prepared by Smokin' Hot Catering, and the proceeds from your reasonably-priced meal benefit a charitable effort. Don't have time to sit down? No problem — St. Andrew's provides carry-out boxes upon request.
As always, the meal costs $9 per person, or $30 maximum per family. St. Andrew's is between Union Chapel Road and the Glenwood Post Office, at 2892 Route 97, in Glenwood.
Call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445 if you need further information.
Don't forget that the St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Bull & Oyster Roast will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 from 7 p.m. to midnight at 10800 Old Court Road, in Woodstock. The meal will include freshly-carved meats from the pit, a raw bar, a full buffet, beverages, and dessert.
Tickets are still available for $45 and proceeds will support a variety of charities. For more information, call Ed Pelsinsky at 410-313-8808.