Congratulations to Peter Charles Morrison, of West Friendship, who graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., May 9. Morrison received his Bachelor of Arts during the 98th Commencement of the university, which was founded in 1908. Peter's proud parents, Haydee and Brian Morrison, were in attendance, along with his brothers and his grandmothers.

In what could only be described as a picture-postcard-perfect setting, Peter, along with more than 800 graduates, receiving bachelor's degrees, processed to the stirring sounds of Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" on the historic campus, heavy with handsome brick and ivy laden buildings

My family was in attendance to honor our niece, Daphne Patsalosavvis, who was among the graduating class. Other western Howard County graduates included Katherine Davis, of Dayton; Brian Mull, of Marriottsville; and Anne Macheel, William Wolven and John McNeill, all of Ellicott City.

An unexpected surprise and a delightful one at that, was running into former West Friendship Elementary assistant principal Steve Meconi, who was a guest of his goddaughter, also a member of UMW's Class of 2009.

Meconi, a longtime educator in the Howard County public school system, will be retiring this year, but intends to keep on teaching, this time at the college level, specifically Towson University.

It's not easy being green. Unless you happen to be Glenelg Country School which was recently certified as a Maryland Green School.

"Glenelg Country School is indeed proud to be designated as a Maryland Green School," Head of School Greg Ventre said. "Not only does it underscore our long tradition of being stewards of our school's beautiful environment but it recognizes the amazing work our faculty and students have done to bring awareness and activism to this important effort."

The Maryland Green Schools Award Program, developed and administered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, challenges schools to integrate the environment into all aspects of the school culture including professional development for teachers, curricular integration, modeling of best management practices inside and outside the school, community involvement and of course celebration.

Glenelg Country School will be officially recognized as a Certified Green School during a ceremony May 29 at the Baltimore Community College--Catonsville. At that time, the school will receive the official Maryland Green School flag which will later be proudly hoisted at the Folly Quarter Road campus.

One of West Friendship's signature events is set to take place Monday, May 25, 10 a.m. at the Howard County fairgrounds. Allen T. Hill and Associates annual Memorial Day Auction is a late May happening which finds fans coming from as far away as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

For more than three decades, this "top drawer" antique and collectibles auction has become a classic destination for bargain hunters, antique dealers, and collectors. Ellen Hill Kilby and her crew always make this auction worth the trip. The gavel comes down at 10 a.m. sharp. Don't miss it.

Another local "don't miss it" comes in the form of West Friendship writer Al McKegg's recent paean to Smith Island in the May 7 edition of BayWeekly.com. McKegg writes in a lyrical way and his tribute to the natural surroundings of Smith Island is worth the read.

The folks at PNC bank in the Ten Oaks Shopping Center know how to make mom's feel special. In honor of Mother's Day, bank manager Theresa Leopold, with able assistance from Aslam Khan, doled out beautiful pink, yellow and red carnations to all the banking mom's during Mother's Day weekend.

More than a few West Friendship gardeners were heartened to see the "Open Weekends" sign at Dennis Whittaker's on Route 144. Our most beloved West Friendship nurseryman has opened Whittakers on weekends through May. As can be expected, the bedding plants and perennials are of the highest quality.

What a glorious preview to the Memorial Day weekend in West Friendship. Breezy air filled with the scent of just spent lilacs, newly blossoming iris and lawns and fields covered in the greenest grasses our region will see all year. The air was crisp and the community was busy with area folks readying for high school and college graduations as well as weekend getaway plans for the first official holiday of the summer season.

Tom Fenlon, our local dentist, is involved in a wonderful dental promotion which runs through the end of June.

Community service is at the core of the promotion in which Dr. Fenlon will donate all proceeds from any whitening service to the "Smiles for Life" organization. This win-win program is meant to brighten the smile of the participant while in turn brighten the life of a child through Fenlon's donation to "Smiles for Life."

Dr. Fenlon is participating in the program as a member of the Crown Council, an alliance of leading edge dental teams throughout the United States and Canada.

If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Fenlon's whitening offer, drop by the office in the West Friendship Neighborhood Center or give a call to the office at 410-442-2800 to schedule your appointment. Don't wait too long, as the promotion only runs until the end of June

Just a reminder. The Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club will participate in the sixth annual Historic National Road Yard Sale May 30. This sale purports to be the longest continuous yard sale in the country, with vendors tables stretching more than 800 miles, from Maryland to Missouri.

The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Living Heritage Farm Museum, on Route 144, just across the road from the Howard County fairgrounds in West Friendship. If you'd like to sign up for a sale table at a fee of only $10, e-mail Virginia Frank at jsrStar@comcast.net. or call 410-531-2569.

A reminder from Rick Grimes who is one of the organizers of the St. James United Methodist Church Red Cross sponsored blood drive. Appointments are currently being taken for those in the community who would like to donate blood May 28 from 2 to 8 p.m.

If you would like to participate, call Wayne Smith at 410-489-5486 to set up an appointment. St. James United Methodist Church is on Route 99, just off of Route 32.

Mark your calendar for May 23 when local guitar player Dave Kroop and his band, The Retro Rockets, are set to perform during a sock hop at Bethany United Methodist Church.

Dave lives in West Friendship and loves to regale a listener with good old days stories about the beginnings of his career as a "rocker." Still strumming after all these years, Kroop and his fellow band members always offer the liveliest of shows.

The sock hop is from 7:30 to 10 p.m. with an admission price of $7 per person or $10 per couple. Snacks, great music of the 1950s and more than a few poodle skirts and saddle shoes are promised. Dave also says there will be trivia contests and door prizes, along with dance lessons for those who've forgotten how to rock and roll.

Bethany United Methodist is at 2875 Bethany Lane, in Ellicott City. To make a reservation, call 301-596-2017 or e-mail iriscat@comcast.net.

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