"In appreciation for their service to the United States of America during World War II, we honor our veterans from Elioak, Howard County, Maryland. They were our heroes, fathers, husbands, friends and neighbors. After the war they returned or settled in Elioak to continue their lives. They were part of the Great Generation."

Those stunningly simple, yet powerful words comprise the lines on a plaque which was dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Clark's Elioak Farm, in Ellicott City.

John Goodman, whose father James E. Goodman, was one of the six Elioak World War II veterans, masterminded the idea for a memorial plaque and garden. The concept was to honor six men who were neighbors here in Howard County and all of whom served overseas during WWII.

Goodman first came up with the notion of creating a memorial to the vets after talking at length to Bill Stevens who had served in the Army Air Corps.

Amazed by Stevens' stories and memories of the World War II era bolstered Goodman's resolve to honor these men who had experienced so much. He couldn't get over the idea that these six were all neighbors in the Manor Lane neighborhood and the then very rural Howard County.

As a matter of fact, Stanley D. Martin worked at the Elioak Post Office, which is now the site of the Iron Bridge Wine Bar, on Route 108. Goodman enjoyed the stories told by Stevens. Any one who had the pleasure of chatting with the late Stevens will appreciate that his stories were filled with spice, humor and sentiment.

John Goodman has had the plaque engraved with the name of each man, his rank and his occupation at the time of his service. James Clark, who is listed as a farmer, later went on to become Sen. Clark.

Clark's daughter, Martha Clark, now runs Clark's Elioak Farm which houses the old Enchanted Forest characters. Martha was more than pleased to offer a spot at Clark's Elioak Farm for the permanent memorial garden.

The plaque contains the names of Army Air Corps 1st Lt. James Clark, Farmer; Army P.F.C. Herman L. Gerwi, lneman; Army P.F.C. James E. Goodman, carpenter; Marine Corps Stanley D. Martin, Post Office;, Marine Corps Marlin G. Safley, sales; and Army Air Corps 1st Lt. William Stevens, livestock dealer.

"God bless them all and all their brothers." Those lines complete the plaque. A more fitting way to spend Veterans Day would be hard to find.

Think clear skies. That's the word from Dr. Joel Goodman, also known as StarDoc, and his merry band of Celestial Searchers who will head out to Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville on Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. for a Galilean Nights Celebration.

This is the International Year of Astronomy as people world wide are experiencing what Galileo did exactly 400 years ago. Plans are in the works for the possibility of a publicly accessible observatory at Alpha Ridge. This would be the first public observatory in Howard County.

Come out and observe the magnificent night skies, Jupiter, the moon and other celestial wonders that just might knock your socks off. Multiple telescopes will be set up. For more information call Goodman at 410-531-6600 or go to the Howard Astronomical League's Web site at www.howardastro.org.

For many years, I worked in a small shop on Main Street in historic Ellicott City. The highlight of the year for the merchants was the annual Candlelight Night. Reminiscent of a Williamsburg scene, the shops and businesses deck the windows with candlelight and the store entries with good cheer.

This year the evening, which includes extended hours of 7 to 10 p.m, is set for Friday, Nov. 20. Many of the historic sites will remain open on that evening as well.

A particular delightful highlight is the screening at 7:30 p.m. of the 1958 motion picture "The Goddess" portions of which were filmed in Ellicott City. This film, directed by Paddy Chayefsky and starring Kim Stanley, Lloyd Bridges and Patty Duke, is a story based loosely on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Many original Ellicott City Main Street "townies" will be the first to tell you that their uncle or aunt or grandfather played a bit part or an extra in the movie 51 years ago. It's a classic.

The movie will be shown at the Howard County Historical Society Museum. Ellicott City Restoration Foundation president Ed Lilley has done a wonderful job preparing for this lovely evening. If it's been a while since you've visited the historic district, this just might be the night to do so.

St. Nicholas is headed to Glenwood. Breakfast with St. Nicholas is set for Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Route 97. This holiday event also includes craft and gift sales vendors. Tables are still available for those who would like to participate as a vendor.

If you are interested, call Lynne Quinn at 410-442-5445.

Mark your calendar for Nov. 28 when the Sunshine 4-H and Clover Club will host a spaghetti dinner. Club organizational leader Heather Spahr told me the club is holding the dinner as a fund raiser to assist the family of one of the club's members who recently lost his father to cancer.

Heather admits that although the Sunshine 4-H and Clover Club is brand new and only began meeting in September, the membership is enthusiastic about this first major event.

The dinner is an all-you-can-eat-style spaghetti meal which will be held in the 4-H building at the Howard County fairgrounds from 3 to 8 p.m. The club has also organized a bake sale, and a 50/50 raffle for the evening. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children and little ones younger than 2 will eat for free. For anyone who will have had their fill of Thanksgiving leftovers this will be just the right place to be.

Head over to the Franciscan Friary on Folly Quarter Road this weekend where local West Friendship artist Shyami Codippily is enjoying a temporary gallery space for an exhibit of her oil paintings.

During November, Shyami's collection of oil paintings "Churches Never to be Forgotten" will be on exhibit, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. each Saturaday and Sunday. The 14 paintings are done in oil paint on cross shaped canvasses and depict fourteen churches located in Howard County.

One of the paintings depicts the Grotto at the Franciscan Friary. The community is encouraged to attend the exhibit and to enjoy the beauty of the Franciscan Friary as well. The address of the Manor House is 12280 Folly Quarter Road.

Marriotts Ridge High School invites the community to a performance of "Twelfth Night" Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. The drama students are presenting Shakespeare's romantic comedy as a modern day version set in Hollywood.

The Thanksgiving baskets are filling up fast over at The Pink Cabbage on Triadelphia Road. Marcie Barnard and the Cabbage Gals are planning a contribution to area needy of turkey, ham, holiday pies and loads of donated non-perishables which have been supplied by the Pink Cabbage customers.

If you would like to participate, bring a canned good by the Pink Cabbage before Nov. 22. For all those who contribute, the Pink Cabbage will offer a 15-percent discount on a regularly priced item.

The Pink Cabbage will now extend shopping hours until 7 p.m. each Friday through Dec. 18. Appetizers and beverages are on the house.

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