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Alexander R. "Ruffie" Holmes, a certified public accountant who later became the treasurer of the old Church Home and Hospital in East Baltimore, died Sunday of complications of dementia at Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville. He was 90.

Giovanni's restaurant of Edgewood seems likely to stay put for a while, after the Harford County Council upheld a zoning decision denying a setback variance for a church that wants to buy out the restaurant.

Alcuin H. "Al" Krebs, a retired city public schools reading resource teacher and World War II combat Marine, died Monday of Alzheimer's disease at Brightwood assisted living in Catonsville. He was 86.

Harrison Morson, the membership chairman of the Glenwood Lion's Club, is proud of the Glenwood Middle School Leo Club, which collected 103 bikes in its bike drive last May.

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree." Well, it is that time again folks. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in the lot adjacent to Rodgers Tavern will be Dec. 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. There will be caroling, Santa Claus, crafts for sale and light refreshments

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Turkey Day, too, Thursday, Nov. 28. I pray that your Thanksgiving celebration is a delightful affair and one for which you have much to be thankful. To all you travelers or folks who have family and friends who will be traveling, safe trips to all!

Loch Raven Village Book Club meets monthly Panera Bread, Loch Raven United Methodist church will once again host its annual Festival of the Arts, Santa has breakfast with community children at Arnolia United Methodist Church, Baltimore Philharmonic Orchestra performs concert at Loch Raven High School, Chorus of the Chesapeake (Dundalk Chapter) and The Upper Chesapeake Chorus - Sweet Adelines perform at Parkville High School,

West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Miller went to aid the fire-stricken residents of Idaho last summer.

A recap of the Nov. 17 episode of 'Homeland,' in which Carrie takes one from the team -- again

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963 brings back memories of a younger self and a different time from those who were in Baltimore that day.

William B. Martin Sr., a retired coffee roaster and World War II veteran, died Monday of renal failure at Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown. He was 87.

he Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House will conduct a historic, nature walk on the North Park Trail, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. Meet at the Lockhouse for this free, one hour, informative tour. Phone 410-939-5780, email lockhouse@gmail.com or visit http://www.thelockhousemuseum.org.

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the Perryville lot adjacent to Rodgers Tavern

Anne Arundel County datebook

In its 33rd year, the prominent Edgewood restaurant Giovanni's might be moving elsewhere in Harford County, if its owners can sell their property to an adjacent church.

Groups meeting regularly in Howard County

The fun loving "cabbagers" of the Pink Cabbage shop kick off the holiday season on Nov. 16 and 17 when the shopkeepers hope to fill a Thanksgiving basket for a Howard County family in need. Turkey, all the fixin's, pies and more.

The relationship between Maryland coach Mark Turgeon and Dez Wells has always been a little different from most the Maryland coach has with his players.

Catholic's Ellie Gonzalez has gotten used to winning, building an impressive running resume that grew last month when she won the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland cross country championship by one minute and 12 seconds over runner-up Kristen Kohles of John Carroll.

Del. Heather R. Mizeur said Wednesday that she has chosen the Rev. Delman Coates — the pastor of a large church in Prince George's County — as her running mate in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Eleanor E. O'Donnell, a retired civil engineer who tutored Hispanic immigrants, died Nov. 7 of heart failure at her Tuscany-Canterbury home. She was 96.

Calvary Lutheran Church will hold its Christmas Mart on Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Marriotts Ridge High School Theatre Department will present its rendition of "Arsenic and Old Lace" Thursday, Nov. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m.

The stained glass windows at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Emmorton, believed to be the only complete set of windows in the United States designed by British architect William Butterfield, are being restored.

The nation's Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday took a step toward aligning themselves with Pope Francis, selecting as their next president Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky — a man who built a career on a foundation of personal faith and service to the poor.

Brian Cali, a 2001 graduate of St. Vincent Pallotti High School, is currently a cast member of the Broadway traveling production of the musical "Sister Act," which was on stage Oct. 29 to Nov. 10 at the Kennedy Center. He is the son of Denise and Al Gallo, who live in Laurel.

The non-profit will open Eastern Shore distribution center

At a time when the nation's top Roman Catholic leaders have been making headlines with their stands on religious liberty and immigration reform, Cardinal Timothy Dolan opened this year's convention of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by focusing his attention beyond American borders.

Edward P. Bugnaski, a retired tool and die maker who was also a World War II veteran, died Oct. 28 of pneumonia at Menno Village, a Chambersburg, Pa., retirement community. He was 96.

On closer inspection, First Amendment offers no legitimate reason to restrict prayer

Two years after being on the bubble as the Catholic Archdiocese closed schools, the dust has settled at St. Thomas Aquinas School, which met its annual enrollment goal for the first time in years. As the school gets ready to celebrate its 140th year this week, it is marketing itself more aggressively with events like a well-attended open house for prospective parents Nov. 6.

The nation's top Catholic bishops will convene this week in Baltimore to choose a new leader, a decision that will help set the course for an American church striving to build its appeal while grappling with stances on immigration and contraception coverage.

Delphine S. Kelly, a music teacher and former Eastern Shore social worker, died Oct. 27 of a stroke at the Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown. She was 90.

Erika Brannock, a Towson preschool teacher, has 'dark days,' but focused on gratitude

Robert R. Bowie, a lawyer who established what is now the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, died Nov. 2 of respiratory failure at the Blakehurst Retirement Community in Towson. He was 104.

Brannock Brannock, a Boston Marathon bombing victim, slides to the edge of her wheelchair. She looks down at a pair of carefully selected gray New Balance sneakers. And stands. Her thigh slides deeper into a soft plastic socket as she shifts her weight from her right leg to her new prosthetic leg. The bone where her left leg was amputated sends a sharp, shooting pain, and she starts to cry. Not because it hurts. Because she is about to walk again, her first steps in 173 days.

Betsey R. Spragins, who was a member of the original Women's Hospital Foundation board at Greater Baltimore Medical Center where she volunteered for 40 years, died Monday of heart failure at the Broadmead retirement community in Hunt Valley. She was 91.

Meet home business entrepreneurs and enjoy a day of shopping at a home business showcase, Saturday, Nov. 9, noon to 4 p.m. at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 522 Main St.

This is the time of year when classical music organizations launch into their new seasons, but the Howard County Concert Orchestra is launching into a new existence with its concert on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City

Anne Arundel religion briefs

Howard County datebook

Retired Carroll County Circuit Court Judge Luke K. Burns Jr., who during his years on the bench developed a reputation for being even-keeled and fair-minded and had a special affection for adoption cases, died Sunday of renal failure at Carroll Hospital Center. He was 79.

John Wendell Compton Sr., a retired disc jockey known as Sir Johnny O, died of heart failure Oct. 29 at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Randallstown resident was 75.

Sister Mary Joannes Clifford, a mathematics teacher who spent 53 years at Mercy High School and founded a ministry to the widowed, separated and divorced, died of cardiovascular disease Oct. 30 at her order's retirement home in the Woodbrook. She was 87.

Catonsville teen builds six crates for moving and storing donations

Although the weather forecast sounded a little iffy at first, the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 23, dawned crisp and clear for West Friendship Elementary School's fourth annual Tiger Trot.