Summer vacation. 'Tis true it is over. Area folks enjoyed getaways as varied as local trips to Lake Anna in Virginia where young Olivia Haines couldn't get enough of the swimming to far flung exotic cruises in Alaska like Kathy Bradbury and her family enjoyed.

For Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School fourth-grader Kelsey Firman, the hit of her summer was enjoying the "It's A Small World" display at Disney World. I was personally thrilled to hear that the traditional, by now, almost historic "It's A Small World" was still in place.

West Friendship neighbors Ken and Ellen Nibali and Mary and Bob Marchegiano spent a lovely summer vacation touring Ireland. From Cork to Connemara, to Ballyvaughan and the Burren to the Dingle Peninsula and O'Connell Street in Dublin, the local foursome did it up right. Ancient dolmens on Dingle, horseback riding through the Gap of Dunloe, a tour of the Guinness Brewery, a visit to the Shrine at Knock, there was little history left unrevealed to the travelers.

Bob, Mary, Ken and Ellen enjoyed traditional music at the famed Gus O'Connor's Pub, in Doolin, as well as the majesty of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.

Ellen admits that high winds during their visit to the Cliffs only served to embellish the rugged atmosphere of the natural wonder.

The foursome visited the library at Trinity College, in Dublin, where they viewed the illuminated manuscripts of the 8th century Book of Kells. The gift of eloquence was theirs after a trip to the Blarney Stone in County Cork and the lush formal gardens at Powerscourt in County Wicklow were more than impressive even to a seasoned gardener such as Ellen.

The "terrible beauty" of the west coast of Ireland was a delight to the four as was the kudos Ken got after his feat of climbing Croagh Patrick, a mountain of moe than 2,500 feet in height, located in the west of Ireland near Westport in County Mayo.

Traditionally on the last Sunday of July more than 15,000 pilgrim climbers make the same trek. For Ken, timing was everything, for when he reached the summit in early summer, he was alone on the mountain top. This was an experience he will not forget.

The Marchegianos and Nibalis also enjoyed Kilkenny Castle, a 12th century beauty overlooking the River Nore.

Nobody does time travel like the late Jack Finney. For readers of high end science fiction, Finney's "Time and Again," "From Time to Time" and "The Third Level" are de rigueur.

Now comes local author Amy Deardon with a volume which is making its way into the popular genre of science fiction. An ambitious book with a dollop of time travel, espionage, mystery, intrigue and a spiritual uplift, Deardon's fiction "A Lever Long Enough" is a trip back in time. The premise of Deardon's debut novel is a modern day military team traveling back to 1st century Jerusalem to verify the authenticity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A suspenseful, action packed story, the technology of the 21st century is juxtaposed against the rituals of ancient times. Deardon, an energetic and self proclaimed skeptic, admits that she came to faith through the study of the historic circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus.

Amy loves to write and continues honing her craft with attendance and participation in local writers workshops.

In August, Deardon lectured at a Writers Conference in Philadelphia. After completion of "A Lever Long Enough," Amy began work on two more books, "Nest Among Stars" and "The Story Template."

If you would like to learn more about this up and coming local author or if you would like to chat with Amy about her ideas and her books, e-mail at amydeardon@yahoo.com or go to her Web site at www.amydeardon.com. Deardon's book is available through Amazon and also through her publisher at www.taegais.com.

Mark your calendar for an upcoming signature community event. The annual Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church Media Sale is scheduled for Sept. 11, 3-7 p.m. and Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. A $5 bag sale will be in place Sept. 12, from noon to 3 p.m. Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church is at 14551 Burntwoods Road, Glenwood.

Questions on the sale? Need directions? Call the church at 410-442-1204 or Carole Kramer at 410-442-2475.

Is it really time for Ellen Hill Kilby's annual Labor Day Auction at the Howard County fairgrounds? The summer flew by, but all the while Ellen and her partner, Scott, were getting things ready for the Allen T. Hill and Associates biggest sale of the year.

The annual Labor Day Auction is set for Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Howard County fairgrounds. This is an antiques and collectibles auction where nothing but the best is seen on the auction block.

"Come early and stay late" is the way Kilby likes to invite the community. China, silver, oak, mahogany, vintage jewelry and books, all of the finest quality. Come out and enjoy the view.

The Korean Society of Maryland will host a festival with traditional dances, performances, food and art Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Howard County fairgrounds in West Friendship. For information, call 410-625-2442.

Dove hunt scheduled Sept. 3 to help disabled veterans

Hot off the presses! This is last-minute, but I wanted to get the word out as soon as I heard. Outdoorsmen Cody Kittleman and Mark Hoke will be sponsoring the fourth annual dove hunt to help disabled veterans Thursday, Sept. 3 at noon on the Kittleman farm, 3106 Fox Valley Drive, in West Friendship.

Planned with the cooperation of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the event is part of an effort by Kittleman, a world class saltwater fly fisherman, and Hoke, a Laurel turkey and waterfowl hunter, to support efforts intended to help returning injured service personnel resume their lives once again, a press release stated.

"These young men and women are the true heroes of America," said Kittleman, who planted a special seven-acre field of sunflowers on his property in where the hunt will take place. "We need to embrace them and let them know how much they mean to all of us and help them get back into society."

Nine shooting stations, each sponsored by local businesses to help defray costs of the event, will be provided for the veterans within the field of sunflowers, which have been cut to attract the doves.

Prior to the hunt, participating veterans will have an opportunity to fish for large mouth bass in a stocked lake on the Kittleman property. A lunch of steamed crabs, roast beef, hamburgers and hot dogs will be served from noon to 1 p.m., the release said.

According to Kittleman, a number of local and state lawmakers are expected to attend the event, which also will involve representatives of the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Though it will be the fourth annual "handicapable" dove hunt sponsored by Kittleman and Hoke for returning injured service personnel, they have also sponsored four deer hunts and three goose hunts over the past few years. Last year's deer hunt on the farm included 37 volunteers and 13 disabled veterans.

Known as the "Slam Man," Kittleman is a world class saltwater fly fisherman, based at the Turniff Island Lodge, in Belize. He holds 18 "grand slams," the world record, for catching at least one tarpon, one permit and one bonefish in the same day.

Kittleman works with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc., a LaPlata-based group dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings, and teaches fly tying classes at Walter Reed Medical Center whenever he's home. He often helps to take veterans on fishing excursions to locations in the area.

You can read more about Kittleman at his Web site, www.theslamman.com.

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