The wonderful Tonge Row farmers market is gearing up to start March 11. Organizer Kimberly Kepnes tells me that there are a few slots available for new participants. They are hoping to add some organic farmers and a local cheese group. This is one of my favorite historic district events. So, I'm hoping that local growers will sign up to sell free range chickens, specialty sausage, organic eggs, local honey, and lots and lots of vegetables. If you are interested in setting up a spot at the market, call Kimberly at 410-461-7600.
Ready to Run?
The third annual Hills of Milltown 5K Challenge is scheduled for April 21. Runners can sign up now on http://www.active.com. Runners gather at the Railroad Station Museum area and run up College Avenue — quite literally up the hills of our town. It's a lovely run. Thanks to local sponsors, who have included Dave Munson, of State Farm on Main Street; Jay Miller, at CentreTek; the ladies who run Obladi (the historic district's only bed and breakfast), Castlebridge Energy Group, the Little French Market Café, and Wilkins-Rogers.
Happy 70th, Fernand!
Best wishes to Fernand Tersiguel, who turns 70 on March 7. Fernand was born on a farm just outside Quimper, in Brittany, on the western coast of France. When he grew up and married Odette, they raised the money for their passage to America by growing and harvesting string beans one summer. They landed in New York, where they worked until they moved to Maryland in 1975.
After working at the Cross Keys Inn in Columbia and Papillion Restaurant in Ellicott City, Fernand opened his first historic district restaurant, Chez Fernand, on Main Street in 1975. A devastating fire in November 1984 destroyed this restaurant, along with several other businesses. This caused Fernand to relocate his restaurant to Baltimore, near the Shot Tower. After five years in Baltimore, he returned to Ellicott City, opening Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant at its current location on Main Street.
Fernand has always been an avid supporter of the historic district, donating his time and services to many worthy causes. It's a pleasure to recognize his contributions, and to wish him a happy 70th birthday — and many more!
Congratulations in order
At a recent board meeting, the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation named Enalee Bounds Ellicott City's Person of the Year. She will be honored at a reception in June. Enalee is the proprietor of Ellicott's Country Store, the second oldest business in the historic district, after Yates Market. Enalee opened the shop with her mother Mildred Werner and her sister Barbara Baim in 1962. She is the Cal Ripken of Main Street. For fifty years she has been selling her special mix of antiques and accessories in the Walker-Chandler House, the first duplex built in Howard County in 1790.
Enalee was personally responsible for the change in name of the Ellicott City BusinessMAN's association to the Ellicott City Business Association. When she first attended a meeting she was the only woman there. She was part of the small group of people who early on recognized the future of the historic district.
Other businesses relocated to the Route 40 corridor and other commercial areas, but she resisted invitations to move her business to Columbia Mall or to the Inner Harbor area in Baltimore. Her business thrived as those around her transitioned from utilitarian grocery stores and diners to antique shops, boutiques and fine restaurants.
Enalee and her husband, Roland, have been leaders in the movement to preserve and enhance the historic district for half a century. Stop in the shop and thank them soon.