In the Oella event section of the Ellicott City Times, there was this notice about a recent speaker:

"The church had a guest of honor Sunday night. Rev. Herrman president of West Balto. District Epworth League. Mr. Herrman is known here and every time he comes here the church is filled. He is not much of an orator but he is so full of gestures he has his audience in good humor from start to finish."

The article never actually states the name of the church which hosted this giant of gestures, so it was obviously the only church attended by locals in Oella, or the only one that mattered to the writer. In any event, here's the moral for anyone afraid to speak in public: A lousy speech can be overlooked if you've got the right moves. Your lackluster presentation could well be a winner if accompanied by a well performed moon walk. (FYI: The Epworth League was a Methodist church youth organization formed at the end of the 19th century.)

Burbs Begin

In that same paper, lots for sale are being listed with a focus not on agriculture, but on commuter convenience.

"Linwood, the Merrick Farm, adjoining Ellicott City has been recently divided into desirable lots of above five acres each, and we now place same upon the market. Beautiful building sites for sale with extensive views, within ten minutes walk of steam and electric cars. J. W. Harvey & Son, Real Estate Agents. 1004 Union Trust Bldg. Baltimore, Md." Of course, the lot size is a bit different than today's: 5 acres not 50 feet!

75 Years Ago - Abe on George

In honor of our first president's birthday, an Abe Lincoln tribute to Washington was featured in the Times.

"Washington is the mightiest name on earth, long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be.

"To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of George Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe we pronounce the name and in its naked, deathless splendor leave it shining on through the ages and unto eternity."

The Mt. Vernon's Ladies Association thought George was pretty cool too. Even before Abe's tribute. They started their organization in 1853 to preserve his Mt. Vernon home. It's a great day-trip destination, open 365 days a year and if you haven't been there for a while, they have a relatively new educational center in addition to their offerings of home, farm and spectacular views.

Horse sense

For many Howard County farmers, it was time to saddle up ol' Nellie as the paper in February 1935 noted that some major county roads were too clogged from snow for vehicle use.

"Many county roads, some of them quite important, still remain blocked with drifts of snow which fell on January 23 -- three weeks ago -- according to reports from nearly every section of Howard county. Farmers are detouring through the fields and some have put horsedrawn vehicles into use again." Roads like Lark Brown, Guilford and Waterloo were impassable.

Of course, this would have been the time for the horses to make hay. Over the past years they had been gradually put out to pasture, their careers usurped by combustion engine. I think they missed their big chance. This snow storm could have given them the leverage for perks; oats, carrots and heated stalls. But neigh.

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