If you happen to see three men bearing gifts and camping out in the front yards of neighbors' houses this week, fear not. They're on a mission.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1609 Kurtz Ave., Lutherville, has a trio of traveling wise men move around the Lutherville community telling the story of the church's three services that will be held on Christmas Eve.
The three life-size wooden wise men are moving from lawn to lawn of members of the church. They usually stay for two to three days before "moving on" to another member's house.
Members signed up to "host" the Magi as they travel through out the community. The trio will eventually make the journey to the church on Christmas to join the manger scene that is set up on the Kurtz Avenue side of the church. They began their journey on the first Sunday of Advent.
A 30-year friendship, a political relationship, a summertime swim and a fishing trip combined to bring $10,000 of luck to one of our neighbors.
Bill Franswick, 81, of Lutherville, was the $10,000 winner of the Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs raffle. The Legacy Chase was held Sept. 24.
Bill, a retired executive vice president from KCI Technologies in Sparks, purchased his ticket from Greater Baltimore Medical Center volunteer Martha Klima, who is president of the GBMC Volunteer Auxiliary. Bill was Martha's longtime campaign manager when she served as a state delegate in Annapolis, and they have known each other for more than two decades.
While at a local gym, Martha and Bill ran into each other when she was selling tickets for the Legacy Chase event, the proceeds of which benefit GBMC HealthCare. Three weeks later, Bill and Martha's husband were sitting in her kitchen after a fishing outing, and Bill bought two raffle tickets. His winning ticket was pulled following the Shawan Downs event.
Entertain the family this holiday week by visiting the newly-updated Holiday Train Garden at the Fire Museum of Maryland, 1301 York Road. The museum is open Dec. 27-31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the train garden, visitors can see more than 40 antique fire engines, dating back to 1806. Also, walk through the new reconstructed 1871 fire house, depicting life in post-Civil War Baltimore.
Children can dress up in fire gear and climb on a 1938 Mack pumper in the Discovery Room. For additional information call the museum at 410-321-7500 or check the website at http://www.firemuseummd.org.
We've got some great decorated houses throughout Lutherville. Be sure to share the winners of your community's house decorating contest with your neighbors by letting me know.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year.