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The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's return to the "Ruins" is a sure sign that summer is upon us. This popular troupe is presenting two productions this year, running back-to-back at the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park. From June 5 to June 27, they will be performing "Cyrano de Bergerac," billed as "a swashbuckling romance of unrequited love." Then, from June 26 to July 19 they offer "Twelfth Night." Both shows will be performed on Saturday, June 27. As always they are offering picnic facilities, informal skits leading up to the main performance and much more. Parking is plentiful at the foot of the site, and a shuttle is available, but it's an easy walk. Kids get in free with an adult on Fridays and Sundays and there will be special activities to engage them. All in all it sounds like a wonderful experience -- I've had a fine time there myself -- and I encourage you to attend. Ticket details are available at their Web site, www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

Photo Exhibit

A two-month exhibit of the entries and winners of this year's annual Ellicott City Restoration Foundation Photo Contest will open with a reception on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County Historical Society Museum. Entries in the contest had to depict Historic District scenes and were eligible in three categories -- special (this year this was doors, doorways, gates and entryways); adult (18 and older); and junior (17 and younger). The museum is located at 8328 Court Ave., next to the courthouse, and exhibit hours are on Tuesday and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call the society at 410-750-0370.

Flag Day

Speaking of the Historical Society, they are also having a Flag Day celebration with music and the flying of flags at the Museum on Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. The program will feature their A.B. Felgemaker pipe organ, Dean Jestes, organist and The Canterbury Ringers, a volunteer group founded to facilitate the promotion and education of English handbell ringing techniques with traditional music. Admission is free but offerings will be accepted. Call 410-750-0370 for information.

Walk of History

Howard County Tourism is offering a historic walking tour designed especially for families with kids on Saturday, June 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. This would be a great way to introduce your child to the fascinating history of our town. Registration is required. Tourism members are free, nonmembers cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Call 410-313-1905 for reservations.

Sing-along

The B&O Railroad Museum, Ellicott City Station, is sponsoring a free singalong in the Railroad Plaza on June 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Musician Bruce Hutton will perform some of America's favorite classic folk songs using banjo, harmonica, guitar and other musical instruments. Sounds like a lot of fun. Call 410-461-1945 for more information.

Decorator Show House

Historic Ellicott City Inc.'s 25th Annual Decorator Show House, Walnut Grove, is gathering steam. The designers have walked through the house and submitted their design proposals, the selection committee has met and matched the best proposals to each design space, and the committees have formed. This is where you come in. Of course, the planners want everyone to visit the house while it is open from Sept. 19 to Oct. 18, but before that there is much to do and much help is needed. If you would like to volunteer in any capacity, call the HEC Inc. office at 410-461-6908. It's a lot of fun, and the proceeds benefit preservation programs in the Historic District.

Another Main Street

Recently my husband Tom and I visited our son Dave, who lives in Brooklyn, New York. People think of New York as this big, impersonal place but that's not true of Dave's section of Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens. We walked down narrow, tree-lined streets not too different from those in Ellicott City. Dave works on Main Street just like I do, except his Main Street is shadowed by the imposing Brooklyn Bridge directly above. He has the East River, we have the Patapsco.

E-mail news and events taking place on Main Street to janetkusterer@juno.com.

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