Sykesville Apple Butter Market Begins June 7

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 1, 2009

Beginning June 7 and extending through October 4, the Historic Town of Sykesville again hosts its Apple Butter Market from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. the first Sunday of every month. This event features vendors selling produce, plants, arts and crafts, antiques, and food – including, of course, apple butter.

Additionally, visitors can listen to live music at 1 p.m. or take a stroll down quaint Main Street to do a little shopping. Train aficionados may enjoy viewing the Sykesville & Patapsco Model Railway Train displays from 1-5 p.m., free of charge (donations accepted).

The Apple Butter Market takes place at South Branch Park, located at the end of Main Street. Proceeds help restore the Historic Apple Butter Warehouse. For more information, e-mail ivy@sykesville.net, call 410-795-8959, or go to www.sykesville.net/main.html.

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Howard County Conservancy Announces New Green Schools

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 1, 2009

The Howard County Conservancy, the first Maryland Green Center in the county, proudly announces the addition of nine new Green Schools in Howard County: Atholton Elementary, Centennial Lane Elementary, Dayton Oaks Elementary, Deep Run Elementary, Forest Ridge Elementary, Glenelg Country School, Glenwood Middle, Hollifield Station Elementary, and Longfellow Elementary. Additionally, Hammond Elementary has received its first recertification.

Existing Howard County Green Schools include Dunloggin Middle, Hammond Middle, Lime Kiln Middle, Reservoir High, River Hill High, St. John’s Parish Day School, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, and West Friendship Elementary.

Since 1999, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education has awarded Green School status to public and private schools, pre-K through grade 12, that pass a rigorous application process demonstrating their commitment to environmental curriculum and sustainability. Schools must apply for recertification every three years.

MAEOE recognizes as Green Centers those organizations that support community environmental learning, demonstrate environmental ‘best management practices,’ and help local schools achieve Green School status. The Howard County Conservancy, in conjunction with the Howard County Public School System, Howard County Recreation and Parks, and Howard County Master Gardeners, has guided the newly designated Green Schools in their certification efforts.

Congratulations to the new Green Schools on their hard-earned achievement!

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St. James Hosts “Stimulus Package” Yard Sale June 6

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 1, 2009

St. James United Methodist Church offers its very own stimulus package in the form of a yard sale Saturday, June 6, with free spaces for those selling yard sale items or crafts. Food will be available for purchase.

The event takes place, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Marriottsville. Call the church office at 410-442-2020 to reserve a space.

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MRHS Offers Master Hip Hop Workshops June 5

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 1, 2009

On June 5, the Marriotts Ridge High School Dance Program proudly sponsors two Master Hip-Hop workshops featuring Honey Rockwell, renowned choreographer and pioneer in the B-Girling style of street dance.

The middle school session (beginner to intermediate hip hop) runs from 4:30-6 p.m., while the high school session (hip-hop with breakdancing) runs from 7-8:30 p.m.

Registration costs $25; e-mail mrhsdance@yahoo.com to reserve a space.

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Friendship Baptist Celebrates 25th Anniversary June 5

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 1, 2009

Twenty-five years ago, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, located in Ft. Worth, Texas, recruited seminarians to visit the state of Maryland in hopes of establishing new churches. Mark Massey, now a senior pastor, answered the call and soon founded Sykesville Baptist Church, which met at locations as varied as local schools, the Sykesville Hardware Store, and even Springfield Hospital Center.

In 1990, the church settled into its current location at 1391 Sykesville Road (Route 32) and changed its name to Friendship Baptist Church. The congregation has grown from 25 members to over 550 and has become a fixture in the community. In addition to Massey, Associate Pastor John Hevey, Discipleship Pastor David Miller, Worship Pastor Phil Respass, and Youth Pastor T. J. Johnson now serve the ever-growing flock.

Although perhaps most widely recognized greeting visitors to the Howard County Fair, FBC also coordinates a community yard sale each May and supports county organizations such as God’s Trucking Ministry in Jessup, Young Life of Patapsco Valley, the Christian Jail Ministry, and the new Crosslife Community Church in Elkridge.

The church also aids those in need statewide through a Food Pantry Mission, Lunch for the Hungry, and the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore City. At the nationwide level, FBC has performed disaster relief after Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, and internationally, it partners twice annually with Hananeel Baptist Church in Puebla, Mexico, to assist with construction, medical clinics, and Vacation Bible School. The church has also sent members to Rwanda, Viet Nam, China, Scotland, the Philippines, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Burundi, Nicaragua, and Moldova.

The congregation of Friendship Baptist plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary Friday, June 5 with a banquet and special program.

For more information about the church, call 410-442-5506 or go to www.fbcmd.org.

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