Autumn has arrived on our calendars, signaling the fast approach of brightly-colored leaves and bustling wildlife.

In celebration of this delightful season, the Howard County Conservancy hosts a Fall Festival Oct. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy historic tours, blacksmith demonstrations, a native plant sale, and local crafts, as well as farm animals, pony rides, and other children's activities. Food vendors and music complete this fun family day.

Entry to the festival costs $10 per car. For more details, go to www.hcconservancy.org/, or call 410-465-8877. The Conservancy address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Woodstock.

Janet Sowers has written to share that St. James United Methodist Church offers two upcoming community events. The first, a coffeehouse, takes place Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. and includes free entertainment, coffee, tea and snacks.

The church also hosts a yard sale the next day, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spaces are free for crafters and those wishing to sell yard sale items. To learn more, call the church office at 410-442-2020. St. James is at 12470 Old Frederick Road (Route 99), in Marriottsville.

If you have not visited a Sykesville Apple Butter Market this year, you still have one more opportunity! The final event takes place at South Branch Park Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to a farmers' market, antiques, plants, arts and crafts and lots of delicious food, the day also includes live music by Spiral. For directions or more information, go to www.sykesville.net.

Bon Secours Spiritual Center continues to offer several free or low-cost programs to benefit the community. First, caregivers have an opportunity to receive the comfort they so freely give during "Care for the Caregiver," scheduled for Oct. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The suggested donation for this program is $15; registration is required.

Second, on Oct. 9, the center presents "Keep the Spirits Up: A Day for Job Seekers and Career Changers." BSSC Executive Director Thomas Little teams with Sharon Scibek, of Swan Learning Services, to provide skills workshops and spiritual guidance to those in the midst of a job transition.

The Center does not charge for this day, which runs from 9 a.m. - 3:15, but it does appreciate donations and requires advance registration.

Finally, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m., Bon Secours hosts its free "Music at Marriottsville" concert in the chapel. This month's performance features piano duets by Peggy Brengle and Don Horneff. The center welcomes donations.

Joanne Abalos, information and guest services coordinator at Bon Secours, also announces several upcoming workshops.

On Oct. 3, Kathleen Brown and David Orr present "Playing and Praying with Poetry," a fun program that uses poetry as a tool for opening new spiritual avenues. The day, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., costs $50 and includes lunch.

Oct. 7 marks the date of Bon Secours monthly "Friends' Day of Prayer," scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. James J. DeBoy guides this workshop, which centers on Bible verse Psalm 46:10. Registration costs $30 and includes lunch.

Jim Forest then leads an exploration of the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, during "Walking the Road to Emmaus -- Thomas Merton's Pilgrimage & Prayer with Icons," which takes place Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The workshop costs $45, including lunch, and Forest will hold a book signing at day's end.

Lastly, Joseph Breighner discusses "Living Our Best Life" Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop costs $50 and includes lunch.

To register for any of the programs at Bon Secours, call 410-442-1320, or go to www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org. The center is at 1525 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsville.

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