Local Skateboard Enthusiast Jumps for Joy

By Lisa Peklo
Posted: July 30, 2008

“Skateboarding is my passion,” shouts rising River Hill junior Jesse Mesa. The local skateboarder is so enthusiastic about his love of the sometimes extreme sport, that he is heading up to Pennsylvania next week for a skateboard camp.

Jesse, who lives in West Friendship with his parents, Kristin and David Mesa, also teaches gymnastics at the Pomeroy Gym, in Glenelg. “I’ve worked there to earn my tuition to the skateboard camp,” Jesse said.

Jesse also plays percussion for the River Hill High music department and is joyful when discussing the accomplishments of his sisters, Sarah and Rebecca. The active teen is thrilled to be headed to Amish country where his skateboard camp is located. “I love it,” he said.

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Meet Me At The Fair This Weekend

By Lisa Peklo
Posted: July 29, 2008

Don’t miss the Howard County Fair, in West Friendship, which begins this Saturday and continues all week with agricultural judging, local 4-H projects, amusement rides, horse ring events, parades, contests, square dancing, music and every home arts entry imaginable.

My best bet is on the baked goods judging during the morning of Saturday, Aug. 2. Valerie Narron is entering her apple crumb pie and it’s a former blue-ribbon winner. The parade of confections will enter the Home Arts building beginning at 8 a.m. We wish all those yummy treats well in the competition.

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More Bargains Over the Bridge

By Lisa Peklo
Posted: July 25, 2008

This weekend’s best bets include a trip just over the Patapsco Bridge, in Sykesville, to the Apple Butter Market Flea Market.

The flea market will be held on the last Sunday of each month and this month it is set for July 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The grounds of the old Apple Butter Warehouse in Sykesville is the backdrop for dozens of vendors selling produce, flea market finds, vintage books and jewelry, crafted items and all sorts of collectibles.

Generally there is some sort of fun entertainment, like roving actors or clowns handing out balloons. It’s a terrific Sunday morning after church stop and families roam the stalls with ease.

The Apple Butter factory grounds are located just off of Route 32 as one meanders down into Sykesville. Don’t miss this innovative event.

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A Starry Night at Alpha Ridge this Saturday

By Lisa Peklo
Posted: July 23, 2008

The Celestial Searcher Astronomers Club will enjoy its eighth annual Star-B-Q party Saturday, July 26, 7 p.m. at the Alpha Ridge Park. Joel Goodman, also known affectionately as “Stardoc,” founder of the Celestial Searchers Young Astronomers Club says, “Bring your friends and family. It would be great to see some former Celestial Searchers.”

Telescopes, good picnic fare, community fun and star gazing galore are on the menu. For this year’s party, participants will enjoy the benefit of close to 30 avid amateur astronomers who will share the view through their top rate telescopes. Goodman admits that feeding the astronomers home-baked brownies is enough to get them in the telescope sharing mood. If you would like to learn more about the Celestial Searchers, e-mail Goodman at StardocJG@aol.com.

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Trio bikes from Boston with stops in West Friendship

By Lisa Peklo
Posted: July 21, 2008

Narek Kirakossian, right, and his wife, Keresy, stop for a bit in West Friendship as they trek across the country on a three-week bicycle journey with their dog, Ashurah.

For the incredibly fit young couple resting under a shade tree on Ten Oaks Road, the day could not have been more glorious. This young married couple with their 75 pound dog, Ashurah, took a mid-morning stop to enjoy West Friendship and Glenelg.

Narek and Keresy Kirakossian began a bike trek from Boston nearly three weeks before the mid July day that found them taking a break on a back road in western Howard County.

“We learned about this road from the Adventure Cycling Association,” Narek said

Narek’s wife, Keresey, was enjoying the breeze and a refreshing cold water before the couple and their dog would continue a journey which will end on the coast of North Carolina. Non plussed and amused by a visitor’s amazement at such a trek, the couple simply said they have the opportunity and they are seizing it.

According to Narek, the people in Maryland have been wonderful to the traveling trio, one family even offering a swim in their pool and a backyard to camp in if it was the couple’s choice. Narek and Keresey took the folks up on it and enjoyed a lovely stay as they pedaled through western Howard County.

They admit they’ve received quite a few stares as they “pull” the 75 pound dog who is enjoying the comfort of his own little cart along this amazing journey. We wish the trio well as they head to North Carolina.

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