Congratulations to young Sydni Rivero of West Friendship who was recently awarded second runner-up in the National American Miss Pageant. The 6-year-old was named Miss West Friendship in a competition that included more than 50 finalists. Sydni has earned an invitation to compete on a national level at the All American National Miss Pageant in California later this month.

The high winds on the evening of Oct. 28 left most of our community with blinking lights, flickering televisions, on-and-off computers and a resolve to just go to bed by 9 p.m.

With the consistency with which our collective electricity jolted in and out for the bulk of the night, many residents gave up waiting for their cable television and computers to re-boot. Papers went ungraded, movie mysteries remained unsolved, pot boiler novels had to be put down just prior to learning "whodunit," personal e-mails were halted mid-sentence and one local newspaper columnist was left with a grateful heart for saved neighborhood information.

"Cut and paste" never sounded so good as the evening of the fierce West Friendship winds. If I'm repeating myself, don't be peeved with me, lay it on Mother Nature.

The Glenelg United Methodist Church will host a special benefit concert Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. in support of the Mid Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund.

The free concert which will feature world renowned concert pianists Saar Ahuvia and Stephanie Kai-Win Ho, along with trumpeters Vince DiMartino and Doug Burian and organist Richard Cartwright, is being held to honor and raise funds for Nick Antlitz, a local youth and Glenelg United Methodist Church member, who was injured in an accident in July of 2008.

Glenelg United Methodist has a glorious music department and a history of music performance. Last summer the church welcomed members of the Chapel Hill choir for a performance of Godspell.

Few things were more uplifting than the sight of Jennifer Blizzard- Sisk and her troupe of dance students on a recent Saturday morning as they rehearsed at the Footprints Dance Studio on Ten Oaks Road. The group of less than 10 dancers were rehearsing a piece for their Ministry in Motion series. The dancers often perform for retreat or church groups. Uplifting in spirit, in movement and in purpose, Blizzard- Sisk continues to teach our youth in the best of ways.

Congratulations to the members of Glenelg High School's active DECA Club, an association of marketing students, who received a proclamation from County Executive Kenneth Ulman issuing DECA week from Oct. 19-25, 2008.

"It is fitting that the Howard County Government support an organization which strives to develop a greater appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship through character education and to recognize the five Howard County students who sit on DECA's state officer team," Ulman said.

Some of the activities the service group engaged in include volunteering in the school store, hosting a staff breakfast for faculty and support of the school's Key Club service activity which was a fundraiser for the Swazi Children Care Project. DECA members include Bradley Carpenter and Christina Lee who will be among the students traveling to Ocean City Nov. 5 and 6 for a fall leadership conference.

Mark your calendar for Nov. 13 if you are a fan of the Vera Bradley brand. The Glenelg High School PTSA is hosting a Vera Bradley Bingo with all profits going toward the after-prom fund.

The bingo extravaganza will take place Nov. 13, 7-10 p.m., at the Sykesville-Freedom Fire Hall, 6680 Sykesville Road (Route 32). Interested in tickets? Call Johnnie Nussbaum at 410-489-2548 or e-mail her at jnussb9427@aol.com.

A reminder from Eyre Tour and Travel chief executive Ron Eyre who is sending out a holiday offer that's too good to be true.

For those who have placed heading to New York City for the famed Rockettes Radio City Music Hall Holiday extravaganza on their wish list, but shelved the idea for more mundane weekend activities, here's a chance of a lifetime.

Eyre Tour and Travel is hosting round trip bus trips to New York with a ticket to the holiday show to end all holiday shows for a mere $100 per person. Scheduled dates for the excursions include Nov. 7, 11 and 14.

This is the perfect family getaway and one which Ron Eyre hopes the community will take advantage of. Eyre is offering the package at cost as a means of encouraging local families to enjoy this holiday spectacular. If you would like to join the group headed to the Big Apple, call Eyre at 410-442-1330 or 301-854-6600 and press 4 for the tour department.

Mark your calendar for the annual St. Paul's Episcopal Church Lasagna Supper which will be held Nov. 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The "free offering" dinner will include lasagna, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. St. Paul's is at 16457 Old Frederick Road in Mount Airy.

The Glenwood Community Center will host a book discussion of Penelope Lively's "Consequences" Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.

More than a few of you readers have called or e-mailed to inquire about the annual Christmas Wonderland show at the Howard County fairgrounds. For many years, that show was a staple of craft events at the fairgrounds in November.

This year, that show has been replaced by a new one known as the Howard County Crafts Spectacular. This is a first for our region so I have no recommendations just the information on what is happening.

The show is promoted by Beverly Zienda, a crafter with more than 30 years of experience, which includes heading up the well known Colorfest in Thurmont. The Howard County Crafts Spectacular boasts of more than 200 juried craft vendors and promises booths which will display and sell only hand- crafted items.

Holiday shoppers are encouraged. The craft fair will be held Friday-Sunday, Nov. 7-9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for adults daily or a three day pass for $6. There is no admission for children. Questions about this event? E-mail Beverly at info@atozcrafts.net. or call 301-271-4432.

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