Suddenly Halloween is a distant memory, but many of us still have a few sad pumpkins languishing on our porches. Well, the Miller Library has a solution for that. They are hosting Pumpkin Palooza on Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attractions include games, crafts, food trucks and “ask a Master Gardener,” but more importantly, you can bring your pumpkins to be composted. The branch is located at 9421 Frederick Road.
Onward to turkeys and pilgrim hats, with candy canes and twinkling lights not far behind.
Are you ready for some fresh air and an easy walk to work off some of those Halloween candy calories, all while you are learning something? The Howard County Conservancy, at 10520 Old Frederick Road, is offering Beyond Field Guides—an introduction to birding using apps and websites, on Nov. 15 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. My husband, Tom, is an avid birder and he tells me that there are apps that can identify birds for you just by their song. Really cool! The event includes an outdoor bird walk and requires registration. Email tgberk@gmail.com to register.
For a long time the standalone clock on thepPlaza in front of the B&O Railroad Museum, Ellicott City Station, was a great landmark — you could tell your friends to meet you at the clock and everyone knew where you meant. Then along came the flood of 2016 and the clock was sadly swept away by the furious waters. Optimistically the clock was replaced, only to be lost again in the second flood in 2018, and there has been a bit of a hole in our landscape ever since. Well, Howard County government is now satisfied that significant progress has been made in the Ellicott City Safe and Sound program so has announced approval of returning the clock to its spot on the plaza. This symbol of renewal and resilience in the heart of Ellicott City is scheduled to return in the spring, following a community fundraising effort.
Backwater Books, at 8156 Main St., hosts an Unbook Club on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to bring whatever book you are reading and engage in some lively conversation with fellow bookworms. The next meeting of the club is on Nov. 12. Also, on the third Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m, Backwater hosts Backstories. Everyone has a story— come and share yours.
In 2014 Preservation Howard County named the old Willow Grove Jail on Emory Street in the historic district to its list of 10 most endangered historic buildings in Howard County. It has been abandoned and neglected — and rumor has it — haunted, ever since. Built in 1851 the building, with a complex history that includes lynchings and housing German prisoners of war during World War II, was in use until the 1980s and has been vacant since 2008. Now, Preservation Maryland, in partnership with the University of Maryland, is planning to restore the building and create a center for preservation, education and community engagement. They expect it to become a research hub. This welcome transformation will begin in the spring.
The Museum of Howard County History, at 8328 Court Ave., is offering a program called The History of Superstitions on Nov. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 and tickets can be purchased by visiting mdhistorytours.com. Also at the museum, on Nov. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. you can learn about another kind of history — Written in Stone and Soil— The History of Maryland Cemeteries. Tickets are available at hchsmd.org.
Send information about Ellicott City people and events at least two weeks in advance to janetusterer21042@gmail.com.
