Woodstock resident Nancy Gaither, the enthusiastic president of the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus, recently wrote to share some exciting news. On Oct. 22, the a cappella group captured the Harmony Achievement Award at the Sweet Adelines International Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Competing groups needed to have fewer than 66 singing members on stage and score more than 960 points in four categories: music, sound, expression, and performance. HCMC scored a total of 1,222 points.

The HCMC chorus consisted of 57 Maryland residents and one choreographer from Colorado. In addition to Gaither, five other members hailed from Howard County: Jenny Harris, of Elkridge; Sally Kelly, of Laurel; Amy Rule, of Columbia; Jane Thompson, of Jessup; and Bonnie Whaley, of Clarksville.

On Oct. 24, HCMC garnered yet another fun accolade: it helped set the Guinness World Record for the largest singing lesson.

Under the direction of SAI Quartet Champion Peggy Gram, 6,651 singers gathered at Sommet Center, in Nashville, to practice new techniques and harmonize simultaneously during 10 minutes of instruction.

After Gram accepted the award on behalf of SAI, she explained that "while obtaining the world record is terrific, what's even more important is that it allowed us the opportunity to show how rewarding it is to sing barbershop harmony."

SAI, which is nearly 25,000 members strong, represents one of the largest singing organizations for women and strives to promote barbershop harmony through education and performance.

The HCMC chapter of SAI bills itself as "an award-winning, entertaining ensemble of energized women ready to share with you 'barbershop music' like you've never experienced it before!"

It includes members from 11 Maryland counties, plus Baltimore city, and currently seeks new singers for its six-week Harmony for the Holidays chorus.

The group also plans to appear at the Maryland State House Dec. 4 and at the annual Festival of Lights at the Washington Mormon Temple Dec. 30.

In January, the group begins preparing for the Harmony Classic Chorus Competition, which takes place in Seattle Oct. 19, 2010.

To learn more, go to www.harborcitymusiccompany.org, or call 800-856-9868.

Congratulations to the wonderfully talented women of the Harbor City Music Company!

The Marriotts Ridge High School Music Foundation has begun the second of four citrus fruit sales this winter. If you would like to order some juicy, Florida-grown ruby grapefruit, navel oranges, tangerines, or a variety pack, go to www.mrhsmusic.net to print the online order form.

Direct any questions to mrhsfruit@yahoo.com.

Orders are due by Dec. 4 for a Dec. 19 pickup at MRHS, and the school address is 12100 Woodford Drive, in Marriottsville.

The Howard County Office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension recently announced that registration has begun for two upcoming opportunities: Master Gardener Training and Annie's Project.

The Maryland Master Gardener program began in 1978 as a grassroots way to educate the general public about safe and sustainable gardening practices. To fulfill this mission, Master Gardeners voluntarily participate in community outreach efforts.

The MCE encourages anyone with a strong interest in gardening to apply, even if they have no previous hands-on experience, and especially if they have other skills or interests, such as writing, graphics, or computer knowledge.

Training covers plant, insect and disease issues, as well as sustainable gardening practices.

Classes, which run Jan. 27-March 31, meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Howard County Extension Office, located at 3300 N Ridge Road, Suite 240, in Ellicott City. The course costs $195.

To request a registration packet, call the Howard County Extension Office at 410-313-2707. Registration ends Dec. 18.

Annie's Project, which represents a joint effort between the University of Maryland Extension and the University of Delaware Extension, targets farmwomen with a passion for business and agriculture.

Annie was a woman from northern Illinois who married a farmer and worked to become increasingly more knowledgeable and active in the business.

Her experiences live on through Annie's Project, which centers around five areas of risk reduction -- production, marketing, financial, legal risk, and human resources.

The eight-class session begins Jan. 27 at nine sites across Maryland and Delaware and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. (except in Washington County). The entire course costs $50 per person, including dinners and all materials. Registration ends Jan. 8.

For course locations or other information, go to www.anniesproject.umd.edu, or call 410-758-0166.

Local dentist Joel "Stardoc" Goodman invites the community to attend the Howard Astronomical League's Galilean Nights celebration of 2009 -- International Year of Astronomy (www.astronomy2009.org), scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. at Alpha Ridge Park, in Marriottsville.

Enjoy viewing Jupiter, the moon, and other celestial wonders that amazed Galileo 400 years ago when he first created the telescope. To learn more or get driving directions, go to www.howardastro.org.

StretchAlicious, a socially conscious fitness wear boutique which recently opened in Ellicott City, celebrated its grand opening with a party and silent auction to benefit People Who Need People, a charity organization serving the needs of at-risk women and children.

The store is owned by Celia Dahan, a Glenwood resident, and is located in the Enchanted Forest shopping center.

"There is nothing like this store in Ellicott City or in the surrounding markets," Dahan said. "Women here will love the look, feel and fit."

Throughout the year, it sponsors special events in support of its five national causes: autism, Alzheimer's, breast cancer research, domestic violence and the environment.

Five of the petals on the company's half-daisy logo represent each of these causes, plus a sixth petal represents local causes.

In January, StretchAlicious plans to add a fitness studio to its boutique. For more information, call 410-750-1500 or e-mail stretchaliciousec@yahoo.com.

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