ash wednesday

A recap of the Sept. 14 episode of "Real Housewives of New Jersey," as Amber gets tested to see if her cancer is in remission

No need for prayers, just do your job

The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, 27, will be celebrating her first Easter next month as pastor of Good Shepherd, a United Methodist congregation of 60 members. While it's the biggest UMC in Hampden, that's not saying much, as mergers in recent years have left only two UMC churches in Hampden. She is one of only three full-time pastors in the area of any denomination. We profile her.

After yet another snowstorm this week, spring seems a long way off, but theologically speaking, it could be just around the corner.

Rev. Kristofer Lindh-Payne of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium aims to connect with people beyond church walls with programs like Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday.

Many people who seldom go to church make a concerted effort to attend to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. It is an annual ritual. As a boy, I recall churches opening at 6 a.m., so people could get their ashes before work. It seemed a curious thing to do, accepting a cross of ash on one's forehead -- a symbol of our mortality and repentance. The ashes are a visible reminder that we are always searching for our souls, seeking the meaning of life.

Start of Lent also a time for fundraisers

Brigitte Peters, at the Office of Tourism, and I are making the parade list for the March 4 Mardi Gras parade at 6:30 p.m. down Bourbon Street from the high school, to Washington Street into downtown, ending on St. John Street at Legion Square and David Craig Park at Lafayette's Statue

All in all, it's a busy holiday season unto itself. Still, the winter holiday season just doesn't seem to have the cache of the one that spans Thanksgiving to the turn of the new year. Maybe we're too partied out to really put that much into it.

Hopefully, the snowfall this week was this winter's last gasp. We always seem so surprised when it snows in March, but throughout Carroll County history some of our most significant winter storms have occurred during this month.

Rodgers Forge columnist Sheila Peter writes about Ravens Super Bowl parties, Patriot and Defender Program at elementary school and drills at Dumbarton Middle.

Leta Dunham got a breakfast order to go on Roland Avenue Wednesday morning: a grande triple skim latte in her cup, and on her forehead, an ashen reminder that we are all destined to dust.

In a new twist on a centuries-old tradition, the Rev. Sheila McJilton of St. Philip¿s Episcopal Church offered Ashes to Go at the Laurel MARC station during the morning commute on Ash Wednesday.

For Harford County's Catholic residents, the annual Lent season is a time to reflect on how they can improve as people.

The Realtor that was the agent for the seller of the land that was sold to the Chin Baptist Church writes he was approached by a neighbor who told him this had to be stopped because if you let one Korean into the neighborhood than other Koreans will want to move into the neighborhood (they are not Koreans).

Join me Tuesday, Feb. 12 for the Havre de Grace Mardi Gras Parade at 6:30 p.m. down Bourbon Street from the high school, to Washington Street into downtown, ending on St. John and Warren streets at Legion Square and the American Legion Post 47 parking lot. Grab some beads! The party continues at downtown restaurants and taverns. For details, phone the Office of Tourism, 410-939-2100 or me at the phone number printed here.

Shrove Tuesday feasts precede Lenten season

The Super Bowl has created a veritable cottage industry of parties surrounding it, and nowhere is this more evident than in the XLVII game in New Orleans, a city that knows how to have fun. Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49er fans join athletes and celebrities enjoying the city's food, drinks and hospitality.

First District Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk appeared before the group and talked about construction projects slated to begin in our neighborhood this year. He expressed pride in recently having been elected chairman of the council.

Arnolia United Methodist Church holds annual pancake toss on Feb. 12 as part of Shrove Tuesday pancake supper., Community Chorus of Perry Hall and Overlea seeks singers

Safe Routes to School program begin on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Rodgers Forge Elementary School Library; two new members named to Rodgers Forge Community Association Board of Governors

2012 will rank among the top five warmest years on record in Baltimore, and it was memorable for many other weather events -- from a mild winter to tornadoes to a "derecho" to Superstorm Sandy.

Two students at the Naval Academy and one person from Howard County are among the 2013 Rhodes Scholars.

Ash Wednesday storm photo remembered

The Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 devastated Ocean City but helped shape future development there and conservation on Assateague Island.

Day trips for mid-Atlantic

Thank you very much for the excellent article, "A renewal of faith marked by ashes" that was published in the February 22, 2012 issue of The Aegis.

The annual promotion gave away four million free pancakes in 2011

Christians throughout Harford observe start of Lent

Ash distribution and Communion offered for those of Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist faith.

Now that Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow and we've all declared our love for family, friends and others at Valentine's Day, it won't be long before local Christians begin the six week observance of Lent.

Elkridge: Saturday, Feb. 18 is the date for the seventh annual bull and oyster roast of the St. Augustine Church Knights of Columbus, Council #11618. The Knights always does a great job with this event.

Girl Scouting will celebrate its 100th anniversary on March 12, celebrating how Juliette Lowe brought scouting to Savannah, Ga., to start this wonderful program for girls in the United States.

Now that Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow and we've all declared our love for family, friends and others at Valentine's Day, it won't be long before local Christians begin the six week observance of Lent.

Marriottsville/Sykesville/Woodstock: St. James United Methodist Church would like to welcome the community to its annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, Feb. 321 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Highland/Fulton: Reservoir High School indoor track team fares well at recent county indoor championship meet.

Twelve students from Cockeysville Middle School are having their artwork displayed at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Clarence B. "Curly" Garrett, a retired Baltimore Sun photographer whose career spanned four decades, died Saturday of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Homewood at Plum Creek, a Hanover, Pa., retirement community. He was 88.