The Howard County Conservancy, in Woodstock, is hosting a special Wine in the Garden event Thursday, May 29.

Wine in the Garden takes place from 5-8 p.m. is an opportunity to sample fine wine and food on the beautiful grounds of the Conservancy which in turn helps to support the Conservancy's environment education and preservation programs.

As you are strolling through the garden enjoying the sounds of bluegrass music, tantalize your taste buds with wines generously provided by i.m. wines. Dine on delectable food which will include selections from Alexandra's Turf Valley, Dionysus' Kitchen, Great Sage, LaPrima Catering, My Thyme Caterers, Sweet, a Bakery and Cafe, Trapeze and Rehm's Caterers.

County Executive Kenneth Ulman will make a special announcement at 5:45 p.m. and a silent auction will be held. Items for the auction include a new bicycle, a weekend package in Shepherdstown, a signed photograph by National Geographic photographer George Grall, a painting by Alice Webb, planters designed by Howard County Master Gardeners, jewelry, gift certificates from area merchants and more.

Ticket prices are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Call the Conservancy at 410-465-8877 to purchase tickets or for more information.

The Rev. Joe Lacey, of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, in Woodstock, recently led a five-member delegation to Chaibasa, India. The St. Alphonsus Rodriguez delegation of the Jesuit International Pastoral Exchange Commission of the Maryland and Jamspedpur Provinces will share their experiences of their journey among the Ho Tribe of India June 10.

This first-ever international exchange will include lay people in pastoral ministry from the Maryland Province. Lacey will be the featured speaker at the gathering along with the lay members of the team: Dee Papania, Mary Jo Mathena, Jo Aker and Sister Mary Suzanne Baumgarter.

They will discuss Father Hilarious Kongari's evangelization successes among the Ho Tribe and their recent efforts at Rerua Mission and the Rev. John Deeney will share his ground-breaking work on Ho language publications and his compelling conversion stories.

This revered 86-year-old priest was one of the original Maryland Province Jesuits in India and continues to serve there today. The stories of Alois Barla, a 90-year-old catechist and catalyst for spreading God's word, will also be shared.

Guests of this event will be introduced to the work of Sister Sudha who is a social justice champion having staged sit-ins and organizing other activist programs to empower the women of India and alleviate the oppression and abuse of the Dalit women.

The sharing starts at 7 p.m. in the St. Alphonsus Church Hall, 10800 Old Court Road, Woodstock. Everyone is welcome to attend and light refreshments will be available by the Knights of Columbus.

For more information, call St. Alphonsus Church at 410-461-5267.

I have now been writing this column for the past six years and I think it is time to pass the baton to someone else as this is my last column. I have enjoyed meeting many of you in the community and have truly been inspired by many of the stories I have heard. Thank you for our time together. It has been a pleasure.

If you have an interest in writing and are curious about meeting new people and really digging up the news in our part of the county, e-mail my editor, Sean Wallace, at swallace@patuxent.com.

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