by Mary Clare Simon

Girl Scout Service Unit 87 held its awards and recognition ceremony on March 9 at St. Joseph Church, Fullerton. Reverend Kathryn Wajada, pastor of Epiphany Episcopal Church, gave the invocation. Rev. Wajada, who has been a priest for 22 years, spoke of her experience as a Senior Scout. A defining moment for her was attending an international scouting meeting at Lake Champlain. She remembers watching the sunset over Lake Champlain and realizing that

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

Women from Christus Victor Lutheran, Hiss United Methodist, St. John’s Lutheran and St. Ursula Catholic churches joined their prayers with women of many faith traditions in 179 countries around the world in the annual World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 7.
This year’s worship service on the theme “God’s Wisdom Provides New Understanding” was written by the women of Guyana. The Reverends Dan and Maria Hammons, pastors of St. John’s, hosted

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

The Bible story of Jacob’s son Joseph sold by his jealous brothers into slavery in Egypt comes vividly to life in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, playing through June 8 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia.
Set Designer Lynn Sharp Spears wonderfully recreates ancient Egypt for the tale told through country, calypso and ballad beats showcasing a high-energy talented cast honed to perfection by Directors Shawn

by Celeste H. Breitenbach
Congratulations: St. Ursula School student Elise Ebelein was a finalist in the Champions of Courage Black History Month essay competition which received 5,000 entries from 87 schools…Mrs. Carol Curry was named Teacher of the Year at St. Ursula School…Science Fair winners at St. Ursula School were 5th grade: 1st place - Robby Whalen, 2nd - Zack Fischer, 3rd -Hannah Brill; Honorable Mention - Ally Comegys, Mia Mangione, Carlee Moshang, Carly Troiani. 7th grade: 1st place

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

March, 1843 - The original stone chapel of Hiss Methodist Church was completed. It is believed that the Rev. David Steele, known as the weeping prophet, presided at the dedication. At this time, Hiss was one of 18 churches on the Great Falls Circuit extending from Baltimore City to the Pennsylvania Line.
Spring, 1932 - Parkville Homemakers Club was officially chartered with a goal to improve homemaking through good nutrition, home management,

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

Neighborhood zoning concerns were discussed at the Greater Parkville Community Council meeting on Thursday, March 13.
“Zoning is the most powerful tool in protecting property values and the quality of our community. The purpose of zoning is to separate incompatible land-uses and guide various types of new development to locations where it will not create a negative impact on existing neighborhoods,” stated GPCC President Ruth Baisden.
Handouts distributed at the meeting

by Celeste H. Breitenbach

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 5 by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien for Msgr. James J. Cronin (88) who died at Stella Maris, Timonium, on Feb. 29 from complications of a stroke suffered in 2006.
Known for his Irish wit, the beloved priest was ordained on St. Patrick’s Day in 1945 and assigned to St. Ursula Parish in Parkville where he served as associate pastor

Seven Oaks Senior Center
9210 Seven Courts Drive
410-887-5192
Tuesday, April 1,15 and 29, Seated Massage, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. — Reduce stress, relax muscles, increase circulation and decrease chronic pain with an eight minute massage. Cost $5, appointments available at the front desk.
Tuesday, April 1, 1 p.m., Bob Smith of Coldwell Banker discusses finance.
Wednesday, April 2, Blood Pressure Screening, 11:45 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. — Volunteer Jackie Lober provides free blood pressure screening.

Adopt-a-pet: The Baltimore County animal shelter has cats and dogs that need good homes. Visit the animal shelter at 13800 Manor Rd. in Baldwin Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The $60 adoption fee includes the pet, a vet exam, first vaccinations, rabies vaccination, microchip and lifetime registration and an annual cat license. Call 410-887-5961 for info. Visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD73.html to see adoptable pets.

Thank you very mulch: Boy Scout Troop 124 in Carney is taking orders for 3 cu. ft.

At the request of Senator Katherine Klausmeier and the 8th Legislative District House Delegation, Maryland Juvenile Services Secretary Donald DeVore will be appearing at a public forum Saturday, February 16 at 10 a.m. at the Cub Hill Bible Presbyterian Church located at 2927 Cub Hill Road.
The topic of this forum will be the State’s future plans for the Hickey School Facility located in the Cub Hill Section of Baltimore County.
For more information, contact Senator Klausmeier’s Annapolis office by phone at 410-841-3620 or e-mail katherine.klausmeier@senate.state.md.us

Turning copper into cash

by Cheryl Keffer
news@timesheraldnews.com

There are legitimate scrappers out there. Contractors who use part of a roll of copper tubing. Electricians rewiring an old house. Even the people who rummage in dumpsters looking for trash that can be recycled aren’t doing anything illegal – if the trash bins are on the street, anyway. Private property is another issue.

But in recent months the number of thefts of copper tubing and wiring – and even old

by Cheryl Keffer
news@timesheraldnews.com

It’s one thing to look at a map and draw a line around a site to determine where a school district boundary will lie. But it’s another thing altogether when such boundaries affect your children.

That is why the Perry Hall Improvement Association is staying out of the fray on the issue of redistricting to accommodate the new Vincent Farms Elementary School, according to PHIA President David Marks.

“It’s a divisive issue,” he said. “We’re

Photo courtesy Maryland Special Olympics

by Cheryl Keffer
news@timesheraldnews.com

What do Ravens fans do once the football season’s over? Some go galloping off into the sunset, so to speak, while others gallop off into the Chesapeake Bay.

But don’t worry – they come right back out again.

It’s an annual thing now for members of area Ravens Roosts to participate in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge that benefits Special Olympics.

The

Photo by Carol Rosegg

Cirque contest fulfilling fantasy
Your drawing could come to life on stage at the Hippodrome this month during “Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy,” a national touring production set in an enchanted forest.

The show is filled with international Olympians, aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, vine-swinging characters, dancers, musicians and more.

Artistic Director Neil Goldberg is calling on people of all ages to submit sketches by sending an e-mail to costumes@cirqueproductions.com or mailing it

Photo courtesy Toby’s - Columbia

By Celeste Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com

There’s still time to enjoy that long-time audience favorite, “The Sound of Music,” which plays at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia through Feb. 17.

In Toby’s version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit musical, Jessica Ball delights as Maria, the winsome “flibbetyjibbet” postulant sent from the Abbey to serve as governess to the seven von Trapp children whose mother has died. David Bosley-Reynolds is

by Lynn Williams
maindish@baltimoreguide.com

Zen West Roadside Cantina, The Texas ex-pat in me likes to imagine that Zen West gets its name from the fact that a perfectly-made tamale can send the Tex-Mex lover straight to Nirvana.

The reality is more prosaic: the restaurant shares ownership with Café Zen, an Asian restaurant on the same block near Belvedere Square. But who could blame us for seeking a little inner peace, especially if it comes with a side of guacamole?

Where was the fire?: Celebrate the 104th anniversary of the Great Baltimore Fire with a walking tour of the downtown “burnt district,” Saturday, February 9. Led by Baltimore historian and educator Wayne R. Schaumburg of Perry Hall, this 11-block walk will trace the path of the 1904 blaze from Hopkins Place to Market Place with stops at significant historic landmarks along the way such as: the John E. Hurst Company, O’Neill’s Department Store, Baltimore Herald Newspaper, Continental Trust Building, Alex Brown & Sons Building, Mercantile Bank, the Sun Iron Building, the Baltimore American Building and the old Fish Market.