Cody Kittleman shows his support with Disabled Veteran Dove Hunt

For the Kittleman family of West Friendship it's quite simply a family affair.

Cody Kittleman, known affectionately as "The Slam Man" in the world of fishing, owes his love of the sport to his father, the late, great state Sen. Robert Kittleman. Cody's second love is support of disabled veterans. With this in mind, the Kittleman family is hosting the sixth annual Disabled Veteran Dove Hunt Thursday, Sept. 1 on the family farm in West Friendship.

The event includes a crab feast, pond fishing, dove hunting and sport and game galore for disabled vets from Walter Reed Hospital. The date is also opening day for dove season and this shoot is particularly popular with wheelchair hunters who can stay in one spot while hunting.

The dove shoot will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kittleman Farm, in West Friendship. Cody's sister, Laura Kittleman, has said that her brother's support and enthusiasm for this event is amazing. Cody's brother, state Sen. Allan Kittleman, has also been a longtime supporter of veterans. We in West Friendship applaud Cody, a great sportsman who thrives in sharing his love of the great outdoors, particularly with these veterans who have given so much for our country.

It's hard to believe that just last month members of the Glenelg High School marching band were sizzling up fried dough during their annual fried dough booth fund raiser at the Howard County Fair. Just weeks later and already we note Glenelg's season-opening football game Friday,Sept. 2 against Atholton High School at 6 p.m. Let the school year begin.

For fans of Gregory and Associates Auctions, the long wait is over. Each summer during Howard County Fair weeks, Roy Gregory and his team must vacate the premises in order to make way for all the county fair festivities.

Regular auction attendees look forward to the weekly Tuesday night auctions and have to wait until September to get their bidding fever back in action. Sept. 6 marks the resumption of the regular weekly Tuesday sales. The barns are filled, the main buildings are loaded and the gavel goes down beginning at 3 p.m. for outside items and 6 p.m. for the "better stuff."

Mark your calendars for the 16th annual Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church mammoth book and media sale. The sale which has become a book finder's paradise, is set for Sept. 8 and 9, 3-7 p.m., and Sept 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Finds include fiction, nonfiction, DVDs, videos, records, cookbooks, juvenile selections, antiquarian volumes, puzzles, vintage magazines and more. Most items are priced from 50 cents to $1.

Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church is at 14551 Burntwoods Road, in Glenwood. Questions? Call Carole Kramer at 442-2475.

Auditions for the famed Columbia Pro Cantare Chorus are on. If you would like to join this stellar chorus, call 410-730-8549 or 410-799-9321 or go to http://www.procantare.org for information about the chorus and the audition procedure. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, Sept. 6 and are held every Tuesday evening, 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Hammond High School in Columbia.

The community welcomes agricultural student Fernando Kuninari a visitor from Brazil who is spending several months as a house guest and farm assistant at Sharp Farm. Fernando, who is an absolute delight, is polishing his English and loving his home away from home with Chuck and Denise Sharp. Besides learning all he can about farming in the United States, Fernando has a goal of perfecting his English. From where I stand, I'd say he is doing a great job thus far.

A reminder from Ed Lilley, president of the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, about the Tea on the Tiber Literary Tour of historic Ellicott City collaboration. The presentation begins Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at Tea on the Tiber on Main Street and includes scones, ice cream and a beverage. After the delicate snacks, a costumed guide will lead participants through a session on literary figures with a focus on historic characters in literature.

The cost of the 90-minute event is $25 per person. If you would enjoy this call 410-247-9252 or go to http://www.ecrestoration.org to register. During the "First Friday" events, most shops will remain open later than usual.

As summer fades and fall classes, meetings, events and community gatherings take shape, please e-mail me and let me know what your club is planning.