Change your clocks, dear readers!
Sunday is daylight saving time – set your clocks forward one hour, or you will be like the white rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland" – you will be late for a very important date.
March is Read Across America Month. Check out a book from our local public library, 120 N. Union Ave., 410-939-6700.
March is Women's History Month.
March 10 (1913) is the death date of Harriet Tubman. Born into slavery in Dorchester County, Tubman freed herself and dedicated her life to assisting more than 300 bondsmen northward out of captivity along the Underground Railroad on at least 19 trips. Known as the "Moses of her People," Tubman may have used Havre de Grace with its access to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, main roads and the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal system as a principal connection point on the escape trails. Later in life, Tubman advanced the rights of blacks and women, joining the women's suffrage movement with her neighbor in Auburn, N.Y., Susan B. Anthony.
March 9 denotes a very important lady's birthdate in 1959, when Barbara Millicent Roberts was born. Thus, this marks the 54th anniversary of Mattel's Barbie doll debut.
Grace Place Servicing Center will serve a free, hot meal March 11 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 N. Union Ave. in Havre de Grace. Phone 410-939-2107 for details. Volunteers will provide the lunch to anyone in need who comes through their doors.
It's not too early to collect those items for the community-wide yard sale, April 26 (raindate April 27). Contact me for details, 410-939-6562. Note: businesses downtown, how about a sidewalk sale??
March is Irish-American Heritage Month. Erin go bragh! March is a time to remember the many ways that America is enriched and strengthened by contributions from people of Irish heritage. Cead mile failte! Let's celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Coakley's Irish Pub, 406 St. John St., 410-939-8888, http://www.coakleyspub.com.
March 14 or 3.14 is a sacrosanct date for all you mathematics geeks: celebrate PI Day. Congress passed PI Day in 2009 to acknowledge the importance of mathematics in our schools. Visit piday.org for fun facts and more.
Johnny Appleseed Day is March 11 about the eccentric American legend. Appleseed was an apple orchardist, nurseryman, early conservationist, animal rights activist and late-life vegetarian. Visit http://www.americanslibrary.gov to learn more about his industrious idealism and pioneering spirit. Or be your own Johnny Appleseed?
Carol Zimmerman phoned about the Havre de Grace Green Team Community Gardens. With the City of Havre de Grace support, four garden sites are located around our city. You may rent a 10-by-10-foot plot for a $35 fee including water and mulch. Apply for your plot online at hdggreenteam@gmail.com or pick up an application at City Hall, 711 Pennington Ave., 410-939-1800. Questions? Phone 410-939-2770.
Apple trees anyone? Or celebrate Plant a Flower Day on March 12.
International Women's Day, March 8, honors working women everywhere. This day is also the anniversary of the historic 1857 garment and textile worker's strike in New York, one of the first organized actions by women anywhere.
The Good Shepherd Catholic School will sponsor a Spring Gala at the Wellwood Restaurant in Charlestown Saturday, 6 to 11 p.m. "Join us for a night to remember" with dinner, open bar, music and dancing, live and silent auctions; with semi-formal attire. For tickets contact Jack Berkeridge, 410-979-6225 ($80 each). All proceeds benefit the school for pre-kindergarten to grade 8, 800 Aiken Ave., Perryville, 410-642-6265, http://www.goodshepherdschool.net.
Jim Dryden and Bethany Baker sold me the first ticket to the Concord Point Lighthouse second St. Patty's Day celebration and fundraiser, Thursday, March 13, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Vandiver Inn, Union Avenue, Havre de Grace. A cocktail party with small plates and one drink included in ticket price ($35) including raffles, music, food and door prizes; tickets are available at Concord Point Coffeehouse or 410-939-3213.
Marcy Boyle informed me about the Havre de Grace Lions Club bull, shrimp and oyster roast for Saturday, March 15, 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Havre de Grace Community Center, 100 Lagaret Lane. Tickets cost $45 at 443-417-4839. Fast Eddie's will cater the foods; with Bruster's providing free ice cream. Proceeds benefit the Lions charities.
A St. Patrick Irish Dinner is planned Sunday, March 16, 2 to 5 p.m., at St. Patrick Hall, Pennington Avenue, with Irish music, dancers and a traditional Irish meal. Beer, wine, Irish whiskey and raffles available. Tickets are $18, children 6 to 12 are $9. For tickets, contact Judy Plitt, 410-939-6318.
Belated birthday wishes to Liz Lawson, March 3; and Paula Casagrange, March 10.
The Shamrocks will sponsor movie night Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Hall. All middle and high school youth are welcome. Bring a friend for dinner and discussion of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." Please RSVP by March 7 at stpatricks.shamrocks@gmail.com.
That's it – contact me at 410-939-6562 or 226 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace. See ya!