With Thanksgiving over, it is natural for all to begin Christmas preparations or the respective religious activities.

The Ellicott City Senior Center already has a most beautiful Christmas tree up in the Great Room, decorated by volunteers from the Split Rail Garden Club.

At our house, my daughter has decorated our front window with two small lighted Christmas trees and a lighted wreath, instead of the usual large bauble and lights-covered tree down on the floor, in front of the window.

This variation is thanks to the two newly acquired kittens. They would be at the top of the tree and have all of the decorations scattered and probably broken, if we dared to keep to tradition. But they do entertain.

At the December monthly membership meeting at Harmony Hall, the Coalition of Geriatric Services presented its fundraising proceeds from its annual gala/casino night fundraiser to Neighbor Ride and to the Vivian Reid Fund/Office On Aging.

In addition, for the Howard County Office on Aging Christmas Project, attendees were asked to bring an unwrapped gift for a senior to go to those who may have little or no family.

Ellicott City Senior Center December Activities: Project White Socks is off to a great start, with the tree already loaded with white socks for the VA Hospital patients.

A good crowd attended the free program "Diabetes: Cutting Through the Confusion," by Mike Taylor, a registered nurse and program manager for diabetes at the Howard County General Hospital, Dec. 2.

The monthly Bingo & Birthdays Celebration will be held Dec. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The "Sounds of the Season," with vocalist Anthony Brown on Monday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m., is intriguing; and the "Hanukkah Celebration" is Dec. 22, 11 a.m. to noon, free. It will be a beautiful ceremony that helps educate one and all about this traditional Jewish holiday. Movies: "The Santa Clause," Friday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. and "It's a Wonderful Life," Dec. 19, 1 p.m., reserve space at the front desk (410-313-1400), suggested donation $1.

Interested in computer training/courses of all levels? Call 410-336-5878. To register, call Ellicott City Senior Center 410-313-1400.

An additional day has been set up for those who still have questions about Medicare Part D. On Dec. 19, representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program will again be at Ellicott City Senior Center (410-313-1400) to respond to questions about the Medicare Part D changes.

Did you notice the advertised "Caregivers and the Holidays" at the Ellicott City Senior Center? It was presented Dec. 3 to allow caregivers more opportunities to attend: even respite care was provided. The speakers included Alzheimer's Association Ambassador Peggy Burrows; Office On Aging Caregiver Educator, Valerie Liss, and Maryland Access Point Specialist Emily Leciercq.

Additional Happy Hour programs at the Ellicott City Senior Center include: Cardio Groove class, Mondays and Wednesdays, at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 5-Feb. 25 (14 classes), cost-$69; Gentle Beginning Yoga, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 5-Feb. 25 (14 classes), cost-$69; and Tai Chi class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m., Jan. 13-Feb. 26 (14 classes), cost-$69.

Third Annual Maryland Senior Idol Contest, Jan. 23, 2009, 1 p.m., Howard County Community College's Smith Theater. Tickets ($5) will be available as of Dec. 15, at the senior centers. Eight counties and Baltimore City will each be sending its top two contestants.

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