Hi! The nice weather seems to be lasting longer than was expected; even the bit of rain was gentle, settling into the grounds easier, until the next day or so with tornado warnings.

But my daughter's flowers are something, the rhododendrons, purple and lavender, are really big and gorgeous; now the peonies are coming out. Potential buyers have missed these gorgeous flowers, but there are the beautiful red and pink roses out front.

Of course, I'm about nuts what with the clearing out decision making. No matter, I could not resist buying four tomato plants -- after all, I'm thinking of the red ripe juicy fruit.

I am elated to have gotten registered with the Ataxia Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. To you former Howard County Ataxia Support Group members: Have you registered? The telephone number is 410-955-4894 and the fax number is 410-614-1569, send faxes to the attention of Katie McGuire. I have been in touch with Tim Daly, the former support group co-chair, and Kathy van Hoff, whose late husband Rudy was the other co-chair and co-founder of the support group.

The new Ataxia Center is being established, thanks to the Macklin family's endowment. Perhaps the resultant research available from the center will allow a new program or medication to be discovered which will help those afflicted with the genetic/inherited Cerebellar Ataxia. My first appointment is July 30, let's hope there has been a bid on the house, and we can be involved in happier jobs than cleaning out and throwing away.

Having just read through the Howard County Special Olympics June newsletter, it is really impressive how the organization has successfully grown, since 1994 and 1995 when my daughter and I were deeply involved. The numbers of not only athletes -- now at 543 -- but sports, volunteers and the management personnel have all grown, and outstandingly so. Thanks go to parents and athletes, and especially volunteers. Congratulations to you all!

Congratulations are also in order to the newly elected Ellicott City Senior Center Council officers! The results of the election are: Velva Howard -- president, Marian O'Byrne -- vice president, Sylvia Barron -- treasurer, and Dorothy Biller -- secretary. The top five vote recipients for the Member-at-Large position and thereby named to the Senior Council are Marilyn Gettman, Leo Greco, Jeanne Shiptisky, Isobel Schum and Gloria Toye. The next Council meeting is Monday, June 16 at 1 p.m. in the classroom. Meetings are held the third Monday each month.

Ellicott City Senior Center June activities: Al Callahan, the Maryland Swinging Senior Idol, will perform the Golden Oldies of the 1950's, 60's, and 70's Thursday, June 12, 12:30 pm in the Great Room. The activity is free, register at the front desk or call 410-313-1400.

The Ellicott City Senior Center Senior Council's Friday Night Fundraiser and entertainment, featuring a crab cake dinner, will be June 20 at 5 p.m. This event is by ticket only, cost is $18. Help the senior council, which provided $700 to the anniversary celebration, continues to provide coffee and tea -- 2,000 cups a month -- and those sweets and goodies and other specials they provide. Tickets are on sale now. Bingo and Birthdays party will be held June 24, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Great Room. Cost is $2 to play bingo, plus the usual lunch donation. Tickets are available now.

The 10th annual Howard County Office On Aging "50 Plus EXPO" will be Oct. 17 at Wilde Lake High School, in Columbia.

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