(Enlarge) Danielle Bauer, a rising senior at Glenelg High School, was named the 2009 Miss Howard County Farm Bureau. (Staff photo by Drew Anthony Smith)

For many, the 2009 Howard County Fair is but a memory, but for some, they will savor their success for months to come.

For my daughter, Danielle Bauer, the fair was the start of a year full of memory building. Danielle was named the 2009 Miss Howard County Farm Bureau on the opening day of the fair. Danielle, 17, will be a senior at Glenelg High School this fall.

At Glenelg, she is an assistant editor of the yearbook and a member of the varsity cheerleading squad. At home, Danielle helps out on our 120-acre farm, whether it is helping her father, Ricky, move farm equipment, or helping her younger brother and sister take care of the animals. If an animal needs medical attention, Danielle can be counted on to be Mom or Dad's right hand, and sometimes even takes the lead in providing care to a sick or injured animal.

Danielle has a been a member of the Dayton 4-H Club for the past six years, where she participates in projects such as market swine and market lambs, photography, food and nutrition and home environment.

She has also represented Howard County at the state level in competitions for both livestock skillathon and livestock judging. As if school, 4-H and helping out at home aren't enough, Danielle also works two part-time jobs -- as a farm hand at Merry Acres Farm and as a hostess at the CoHo Grill.

As Miss Howard County Farm Bureau, Danielle spent the week presiding over the fair, handing out ribbons at a variety of livestock shows, giving a tour of the fairgrounds to a group of visitors and making appearances at fair special events.

Other contestants for Miss Howard County Farm Bureau included Joleen Putman and Shannen Sullivan. Joleen and Shannen are both graduates of Glenelg High School and each will be attending Howard Community College this fall.

As you read this, Danielle is in Timonium, competing against 22 other girls -- one representative from each county -- for the title of Miss Maryland Agriculture.

As part of the state competition, the girls have three days of planned activities. Some fun is sprinkled in, as well -- an etiquette dinner, a visit to the Ronald McDonald House and an Orioles game, but there is also plenty of work, too -- formal and informal interviews with the judges, as well as educational workshops about agriculture.

One of the primary roles for all of these girls is to represent Farm Bureau and promote agriculture, both in their home county and throughout the state for the next year. The county contest, as well as the state contest, evaluates the girl's knowledge both about agriculture and Farm Bureau, who sponsors both events.

As part of her speech in the county competition, Danielle shared a quote from Tennesse Rep. Zack Wamp: "Agriculture was the first manufacturing industry in America and represents the best in all of us."

She could easily identify with this quote, because Danielle feels that agriculture brings out the best in her. Danielle is looking forward to a fun year as Miss Howard County Farm Bureau, doing what she does best -- meeting people, promoting agriculture and making new friends.

Ed Lilley, president of the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, recently shared news with me regarding Mike Wellen, a West Friendship resident, who recently earned his Eagle Scout rank for work he did in Oella.

ECRF has been working to improve the historic Oella Cemetery, on Rest Avenue. As part of his Eagle project, Mike sought sponsorship from ECRF and worked to design a sign identifying the Oella Cemetery.

Mike also created a plan for plantings of native shrubs at the base of the sign. Costs for the project were privately funded, and some items were donated. He completed this project in time for the celebration of the Oella bicentennial.

Mike was awarded his Eagle Scout badge for his work during an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony July 25. Also helping to participate and support Mike's project were members of Scout Troop 555, Duff Signs, Kendall Hardware, Sun Nurseries and Charles Wagandt. Mike's proud parents are Jeff and Lynda Wellen. ECRF is very proud of and grateful to Mike for the work that he did in Oella as his Eagle project.

The ECRF is interested in performing annual clean-ups at the cemetery. If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail ECRF at ecrfpres@aol.com or call 410-247-9252.

We seemed to start off the summer with unseasonably mild temperatures, and the hot, hazy days of summer seem to have finally hit (right around the time of the county fair), but with the blink of an eye, we will be looking at the cooler days of fall.

It's that time of year to begin thinking about getting flower beds and gardens ready for fall and winter. If you have questions about preparing your fall or winter garden, or about other garden questions, Master Gardeners are on hand to help.

On Monday, Aug. 31, a Master Gardener will be at the Glenwood Branch library from 7-8:30 p.m. to answer your gardening questions. Stop by and take some time to talk to these volunteer gardeners, you just might be surprised at what you learn.

A quick reminder that back to school night comes early this year at Glenelg High School. They will be holding their Back to School Night Sept. 3 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Parents are asked to bring a copy of their student's schedule and report to their child's first period class.

Howie Feaga, owner of Merry Acres Farm, asks "Are you tough enough to wear pink?" The farm will be holding their Fun Horse Show Sept. 12 to benefit Marathon of Miracles, a 501C3 organization that helps breast cancer survivors.

Several years ago, one of the horse boarders at Merry Acres Farm was diagnosed with breast cancer. Howie, Chris and the rest of the Merry Acres gang was there to offer support throughout the cancer treatments. Now, Merry Acres wants to do their part to continue to support cancer survivors and their quality of life. To learn more about the Marathon of Miracles organization, go to survivorcelebration.com.

The horse show will have different classes including dressage, show jumping, and cross country. The show starts at 9 a.m., and will also feature food and raffles, as well as plenty of fun. Come out and show your support. Merry Acres Farm is at 3807 Walt Ann Drive, in Ellicott City. For more information, go to MerryAcresFarm.com, e-mail Howie@merryacresfarm.com or call 410-531-2360.

The first day of school is right around the corner -- Monday, Aug. 31. Enjoy one last quiet weekend at home with the kids before they get back in gear for a busy school year!

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