Bon Secours Announces July Events

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 30, 2009

Joanne Abalos, Information and Guest Services Coordinator for Bon Secours Spiritual Center, announces three upcoming events.

On July 10, join fellow job seekers and career changers from 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. in the first “Keep the Spirit Up” workshop. Dr. Thomas E. Little, the Center’s Executive Director, and Sharon Scibek, of Swan Learning Services, facilitate a morning session of reflection and relaxation. Guests may also use the outdoor pool, weather permitting. After a noon lunch, Carol Rogers, head of Transition Services for Right Management, Inc., discusses “Making Successful Career Transitions.”

Although free of charge, this program requires a reservation; space is limited. The Center will collect a free-will offering.

Beginning July 12, Retreat Director, educator and international songwriter Jan Novatka leads “All Is Holy, All Is One,” a study inspired by the Baltimore Catechism’s question and response, “Where is God? God is Everywhere.” Guests may check in at 5 p.m. on July 12 and dine at 6, and they check out at 11 a.m. on July 17. The retreat costs $475, with a $150 deposit.

Spiritual Directors Justine Cyr, Muriel Curren, Don Evason, and Phil Cover lead a 20-person silent, Directed Retreat beginning July 18. Guests may check in at 5 p.m. and dine at 6, and they depart at 11 a.m. on July 24. The retreat costs $535, with a $150 deposit.

To register for any of these programs, visit www.BonSecoursSpiritualCenter.org or call 410-442-1320.

Additionally, folk musicians Susan and Philip Esserwein appear in the Bon Secours Chapel at 3 p.m. on July 19 for the monthly Music at Marriottsville event. The concerts are free of charge, but the center welcomes free-will offerings. Bon Secours’ address is 1525 Marriottsville Road.

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Drude Family Shares Good News

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 27, 2009

Ellicott City resident Beth Drude reports much to celebrate in her household. Not only has oldest child, Danny, returned from college to resume his role as Head Dive Coach at Forest Hill Swim & Tennis Club, but daughter Laura has graduated from Marriotts Ridge High School and now joins her brother as an assistant swim coach. Both kids will attend James Madison University in the fall, Danny as a senior and Laura as a freshman.

Not to be outdone by her older siblings, daughter Courtney, a rising 8th grader at Mt. View Middle School, recently received recognition in the 2009 Fair Housing Calendar Poster Contest, sponsored by the Howard County Human Rights Commission. Her entry won second place at the middle school level.

Since Courtney swims and dives, she has the unusual distinction of calling both siblings “Coach.” In fact, diving is a true family affair since dad, Jeff, judges dive meets, and Beth acts as a team representative. Beth describes diving as “one of the few self-initiated sports kids can participate in – golf being another. The kids are not reacting to a ball; they are mentally going through their dive, executing their dive, and then putting themselves out there to be judged in front of total strangers.” Beth explains that this sport also requires courage from parents, who watch their children execute sometimes nail-biting dives.

Way to go, Drude family! Thanks for sharing your good news.

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Howard County Conservancy Announces July Events

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 25, 2009

The Howard County Conservancy offers several fun events this month. On July 11 at 10 a.m., join Kathy Grall for a free Wonder Walk as she talks about “What’s the Buzz? Blooms, Bees, and Bug Pollinators.” Observe different pollinators at work on wild milkweed flowers and learn why some perform better than others, but all remain vital.

On July 16, pack a picnic dinner, load the family into the car with a blanket or chairs, and come on out to the popular “Fiddlers & Fireflies” program, from 6-9 p.m. The string section of St. John’s Parish Day School will begin the outdoor performance, and then musician Steve Hickman will entertain as he fiddles and dances with the fireflies. Children may also construct a firefly craft while learning interesting facts about fireflies.

The Conservancy next hosts a Master Gardener presentation about heirloom vegetables at 10 a.m. on July 18. This event costs $2 at the door.

To register for any Conservancy event, e-mail hcconservancy@hcconservancy.org or call 410-465-8877. Go to  www.hcconservancy.org to learn more.

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Local Churches Invite Community to Participate in VBS

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 22, 2009

Once the first thrill of summer vacation dissipates, parents often hear the dreaded whine, “There’s nothing to do!” Our local churches offer a sure-fire boredom-buster in the form of Vacation Bible School.

Friendship Baptist invites children and teens to participate in Truth Trek, an archaeological expedition to discover God. Adults, meanwhile, can participate in a video-led Bible study that is archaeologically based. Both programs are free.

The week begins with a kickoff barbecue July 12 from 5:30-6:45 p.m. and then the activities run from 7-9 p.m. every evening through July 16. To register, go to www.fbcmd.org, or call the church office at 410-442-5506. Friendship Baptist is located at 1391 Sykesville Road (Route 32) in Sykesville.

Chapelgate Presbyterian, at 2600 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville, offers Upward Bound Summer Camp July 13-17 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This program serves elementary school children who have completed kindergarten through Grade 5 as of June 2009.

The church considers the camp a gift to the community and thus does not charge a registration fee. Participants must bring a lunch. To register, go to chapelgate.org/camp-registration and click on the images to view the printable PDF forms. The updated registration deadline is July 1.

St. James United Methodist invites children to attend Camp E.D.G.E. (Experience + Discover God Everywhere) July 20-24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The program costs $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional sibling. Call the church office at 410-442-2020 by July 1 to register; space is limited. The church address is 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Marriottsville.

West Liberty United Methodist, at 2000 Sand Hill Road in Marriottsville, also offers Camp E.D.G.E. July 27-Aug. 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register for this free VBS, call the church at 410-442-2969 or e-mail generalmail@west-liberty.com.

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St. James Hosts Community Coffee House June 26

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 19, 2009

St. James United Methodist Church, at 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Marriottsville, invites the community to attend a coffee house Friday, June 26 from 7-9 p.m. The evening is free of charge and includes coffee, tea and live music. Call the church at 410-442-2020 for more information.

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