Bethany Lane Baptist Church Presents “90 Miles”

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 3, 2008

Bethany Lane Baptist Church has been preparing for their fifteenth annual Christmas production and invites everyone to attend. Written and directed by their Minister of Music, Sherrie McKay, “90 Miles” portrays the Biblical account of Christ’s birth and Mary and Joseph’s 90-mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. “90 Miles” includes a full orchestra, adult choir, children’s choir, dance and drama troupe as well as stunning visual and special effects.

Due to popular demand a fourth performance has been added to this year’s production. Performance dates and times are as follows - Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., Dec. 13 at 4 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. “90 Miles” is open to the public, but since seating is limited the church suggests you secure your free tickets as soon as possible either at www.bethanylanebaptist.org or by calling 410-465-0150.

The production includes original musical selections written by McKay and arranged by Jason Brown, Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro.

“We have always presented a concert at Christmas and a musical drama at Easter, but I started writing my own productions in 2004,” McKay said.

The program that chronicles the struggle Mary and Joseph endured that first Christmas is free. When asked why she works so hard and for so long each year Sherrie said “People come through the doors with real life struggles. They don’t need a bunch of fluff. I love being creative and using the arts to bring this message of hope.”

The huge Christmas program takes half a year to plan. Sherrie begins preparations in the summer, listening to Christmas music, creating a story board and selecting or composing music before sharing her ideas with the production team. The choir begins rehearsing in September, the orchestra, drama and dance teams start their rehearsals in October when they all begin to meet weekly.

There are almost 100 volunteers involved in the project. Special thanks go to all with kudos to volunteer leaders Dick and Sherry Popham (Set Design and Construction), Tecla Walton and Paul Rau (Orchestra), Dennis Kleppin (Drama), Jill Kitzman (Theatrical Make Up) and Janis Solomon (Costumes). Church staff also participate including Kip Smith (Pastor), Rachel Williams (Children’s Minister), Dennis Allen (Youth Pastor), Drew Hinkle (Facilities Manager), Martha Johnson (Music Ministry Assistant) and Kate Crummitt (Administrative Assistant).

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Midnight Madness Kicks Off Friday With Tree Lighting

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: December 3, 2008

Howard County Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson along with Gov. Martin O’Malley and County Executive Kenneth Ulman  will kick off Midnight Madness in historic Ellicott City with a tree lighting Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the plaza in front of the Ellicott City B&O Railroad Station.

“I invite you, and your friends and family to join me to make it a fun filled evening of dining out, shopping and musical entertainment. Shops and restaurants will remain open until midnight,” Watson said.

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2008 Holiday Festival of Trains at the B&O Railroad Museum in Historic Ellicott City

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: November 26, 2008

Another must visit this holiday season is to the 2008 Holiday Festival of Trains at the B&O Railroad Museum in Historic Ellicott City. On display until Jan. 25, you’ll see a miniature Thomas the Tank Engine G-scale model train layout along with a brand new custom-built, multi-level O-scale model train layout.

On Dec. 13 and 20, Santa Claus will greet visitors in the station’s red caboose and children can bring in a letter to Santa and mail it from the Ellicott City Station’s telegraph office. Sponsored by Constellation Energy, CSX Corporation, Homestead Gardens and Bachmann Industries, the all new 2008 Holiday Festival of Trains is open on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Holiday Shopping Event for Ellicott City Neighbors

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: November 26, 2008

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St. John’s Lane Elementary School does the Turkey Trot

By Cathi Higgins
Posted: November 26, 2008

Christina Bodziak, Maddie Hammond and Danielle Bodziak, from left, enjoy the second annual St. John’s Lane Elementary Turkey Trot Nov. 9, which also helped collect canned food for the Maryland Food Bank.

St. John’s Lane Elementary School’s second annual Turkey Trot was a huge success with over five hundred family members participating Nov. 9 to walk, run, and waddle around the track to promote healthy living within our community.

The event, sponsored by the school’s PTA, was organized by Caroline Bodziak, Health and Wellness Committee chairwoman, and committee members Chris Campbell, Laurie and Matt Zuiderhof, Stella Hoffman, Amy Cargiulo, Patti LeConte, Terry Purnell, Bob Betlejewski, Amy Holland, Amy Hammond, Sonya Vasilios, Beth Snyder, Jill Hodge and Christa Kampert; with help from school Principal Deborah Jagoda, Assistant Principal Vicky Sarro and staff members Carl Frantz, Tina Harkness and Keri Esposito. Special thanks also go out to Cub Scout Pack 944 and the school’s fifth-grade choir.

The Turkey Trot included a half-hour fun run/walk, dancing, raffle prizes and announcement of the Golden Turkey Award Winners for each grade that collected the most canned food for the Maryland Food Bank. This year’s canned food drive doubled the school’s efforts from last year with 2,121 food items collected.

Golden Turkey Award winners were Penny Wright’s kindergarten class, Suzy Pino’s first-grade class, Valerie DeVincent’s second-grade class, Aimee Kirby’s third-grade class, Kelly Rippeon’s fourth-grade and Lauren Beaman’s fifth-grade class.

The students trained for the event during their Walking Wednesday program, a year-long activity where students can run or walk during recess and challenge themselves to “Race Across the States.” The runners and walkers are working toward completing their own personal 26.2-mile marathons. Incentives, in the form of plastic charms, are given at mileage markers that represent typical race lengths 1 mile, 5k, 10k, etc. with the goal to reach a full marathon of 26.2 miles.

“The students love to rack up the Walking Wednesday charms and wear them proudly to school and throughout the community,” committee member Laurie Zuiderhof said.

Each student who participated in the Turkey Trot received a turkey charm to add to their Walking Wednesday chain. The student body’s cumulative miles will take them around U.S. cities that play host to fun, famous or unusual marathons. The kids started their journey in Baltimore, highlighting the Baltimore Marathon that took place in October.

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