The earthquake was an amazing experience, wasn't it? I was in my home office gathering material for my column when the banker's lamp on my desk started to shake. I blamed it on the nearby printer, which has a mind of its own and spontaneously jerks into action, but no, this was different. Since damage was minimal and no one was hurt we can all check that one off our bucket list and remember where we were when…
First Friday
Tomorrow, Sept. 2, is the Ellicott City Business Association's First Friday in the historic district. Shops and restaurants are open into the evening, and many offer sales and specials. One special event that evening is the "Past and Pastry" program offered at Tea on the Tiber at 7 p.m. For $25 you get a pastry, scoop of ice cream, beverage and a tour of the town without leaving your seat. If you prefer to walk around, there is a Literary Pub Crawl tonight, September 1. The tour stops at several local pubs, so participants must be 21 or older. For reservations for either of these events, call 410-303-2959.
Farmers market
The next farmers market in the historic district is Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind Tonge Row. In August my husband, Tom, and I went to the market during a downpour — we didn't have to wash our veggies when we got home. In between markets, I usually visit Harbin's farm stand on Route 99 and Bethany Lane. What a treat it was to see the first fresh figs of the season the other day. Tomatoes, peaches and plums all seem to be particularly good this year, don't they?
Planning Meeting
On Aug. 15, I attended a town planning meeting at Dohony Hall at St. Paul's. This meeting was attended by a fine representation of residents, shop owners, county government and community activists. It was nice to see some new faces, and to listen to some new ideas from energized and caring individuals. What you can do to help is support the historic district shops and restaurants—most are individually owned and operated by the people you see behind the counter. You should know how hard they are working to create a good experience for you when you visit and thank them with your patronage.
Frances Mason
The town lost one of its guiding lights when Frances Mason died Aug. 16. Mason was a member of the Howard County Garden club in the early 1960s, when that club was actively changing the course of historic district history (before it was a historic district) — remaking a street losing its grocery and hardware stores to the strip malls of Route 40 into a tourist destination with antique shops and restaurants.
With her friends she started the Bell and Quill, a lunch room at the Historical Society, and the Old Line Shop, the first antique shop on Main Street. In 1954, she and her husband were part of a group that founded the Glenelg Country School. She lived on a farm called Squirrel Hill, in Ellicott City, where she raised sheep and in recent years took in retired Arabber horses from Baltimore.
When I was working in the old Post Office building, I would often see her when she came to town to do her grocery shopping at Yates Market. I really wanted to record an oral history with her, but she wasn't up to it by then. She was an extraordinary person who contributed greatly to our community. She was 91.
Decorator Show House
The kids are back in school so it's time for the next true sign of fall in Howard County — the Historic Ellicott City, Inc. Decorator Show House. This year's house is called Holly Farm, in Fulton. The event will be held Sept. 24 to Oct. 23. Planners tell me that they are looking for docents to welcome guests. To volunteer, call 410-461-6908. For more information about the event, go to http://www.historicec.com.