Tree LIghting Yesterday

So what's a little sleet, a little snow, a plug that does not work and a delayed Santa got to do with it? The Holiday Tree Lighting was a fabulous event. Begining in the middle of yesterday's light snow, children congregated around the tree, adding decorations and bows to the pre wired tree until it was too dark to see. Thank you Dennis Thornton for organizing the putting up the lights. .
While Travis Clever and Gina Guzman set up hot drinks under the over hanging door of their vans, Lisa Macdonald and her two great helpers set put donuts( thanks you Dunkin' Donuts) and the home baked treats others had brought.
It snowed. It looked magical. More folks came. The EMT's came in a with that aura of competence they sport, but only for the cookies- no need of their professional services tonight!
We got snowed on. Myra Phelps led us all in carolling. The snow turned to rain. We sang. It got dark. We sang. We got wet. And the cider would not heat up.
Finally, common sense won out over Curier and Ives engravings and after an announcement from Travis, everyone trooped into the Carroll Baldwin Hall. Much milling, greeting old friends and drinking of apple juice.
Janis Markopoulos kept calling on her phone frantically- she had arranged for her company, Kitts Music, to deliver a "pre-owned" and blessedly in tune, piano to the hall, but the delivery guys were late. No matter.
Members of the Saint Mary's Orthodox choir came and sang carols on stage a cappella. There was even one in Arabic! Their bright faces and sweet voices shone to advantage.
Finally, the tree lit up! In bright colors and filled with ribbons and carefully placed decorations( older brothers had hoisted younger sisters to get the decorations on the higer branches)
So naturally, at this time of year, wherever there is good fellowship, kind hearts, sweet melodies and grace, Santa appears. Escorted by his other co-hort of elves( who among us does not think fire fighters and EMT's magical) our favorite jolly old elf came to say hi, and to take pictures with the kids. One child dashed back into the hall for cookies and presented them with much freathless fanfare- we know who's getting a little extra in his stocking this month!
In so many ways this is what is most endearing, what is best about Savage: we help each other out; we extend a hand in friendship to share our best; when things go a bit kablooie, we deal with it and move on, and at the end- everyone has a great time.
Special thaks and good wishes to all who came, to all who sang, to all who worked behind the scenes, to all who worked on-stage, to those who , hauling their tired, wet and wonderful children home, wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Nominations Part 2

We're off and running! Nominations for SCA board and for officers heats up this month . The election has been postponed until the February 2nd 2009* meeting to give us all time to nominate our friends and neighbors and to get a new board set up. Good luck and thank you to all who are running!

Nominations for SCA Board Members

Request for Nominations for Savage Community Association Board.

The Howard County Council unanimously approved a new measure that requires Savage residents to re paint front doors in seasonal colors. Introduced at the request of the Savage Community Association, the county council approved the measure as a response to community wishes. As there appeared to be no community opposition, the measure was approved. In addition, the measure requires that drive ways be color coordinated with resident vehicles. Color wheels and charts are available at all county offices during business hours.

It’s a joke, folks. Really. Don’t call me at home. Please!

But seriously, the SCA is made of wonderful, dedicated volunteers who are doing our best to keep Savage the wonderful town it is. The county council and the Howard county government listen to the SCA’s concerns. But we need input to do this right. With the best intentions in the world, we’ll get this wrong if we don’t get your opinions and your help..
We are voting for a new board this January. We need 5 officers and 15 board members. Nominations are scheduled for the December 6th meeting. All Savage residents over 16 years of age are eligible to serve. .

So what does a board member do? Listen to neighbors. Meet once a month for an hour at Carroll Baldwin Hall where we have cookies and tea. Discuss community issues. Vote on what we do about issues. Serve on a committee if you feel like it. That’s pretty much it. It takes about 1 to 2 hours a month to help make and keep Savage as quirky, as safe, and as charming as it is today. And without color co-ordinated driveways.
Nominations can be sent to Savagecommunityassociation@blogspot.com, added to the comments here, emailed to sca20763@hotmail.com or can be issued at the meeting on Monday December 6 at Carroll Baldwin Hall .

Uncle Phil's Diner at SUMC

Just got back from t he performance/dinner theater/ concert called Uncle Phil's Diner at Savage United Methodist Church. What a great time I had!. It's not a play exactly; it's more an audience participation event.
The premise is that it is 1957; the local high school is unusable for the Homecoming dance since the boy's toilets were cherry bombed, and so the event is being held at Uncle Phil's Diner, " Where the Food Is Fresh And the Staff is Too!"
Actors playing the part of the football hero, mathletes, other students, teachers, the principal and Phil's Diner staff interact with each other and with the audience.
The "waitresses" served us a nice turkey dinner and dessert; the principal tried to find out who the potty culprits were while the Homecoming activities proceeded apace.
The live band, the Dishwops, (Casimir Funk) hail from Hammond high and are absolutely terrific. Their renditions of Johnny B Good, and Jailhouse Rock had the crowd on it's feet and dancing up a storm in the Fellowship Hall.
Mayhem aplenty, a wonderful dessert, revelations about the Diner and the potty culprits, as well as the coronation of Homecoming royalty filled the rest of the evening. A great time had by all.

Savage Community Meeting Last Night

The first major Savage Community Meeting was held last night. About 70 people showed up to support the efforts of this revitalized group in making our community a better, safer and more fun place to live. To join the SCA , to volunteer for an activity or to suggest one reply to this site or to SavageMaryland@aol.com
Among the highlights of the meeting:

1. A quick overview of recent history of the SCA;
2. Announcement that nominating committees are being formed for the 15 board members, president , vice president, treasurer, recording and corresponding secretary . SCA hopes to hold elections in January for all these posts.
3. Kudos for the following events: Ice Cream Social and National Night Out; Community Clean Up; Yard Sale; Neighborhood Watch and Publicity( who made the terrific newsletter)
   
4. Formation of new committees: Hospitality and Newcomers; Savage Fest Committee to organize the yearly event; Mention made of community caroling in December, maybe a tree lighting ceremony
   
5. Special thanks to volunteers and to the Savage Volunteer Fire Department.
6. Guest Speakers from the League of Women Voters( last day to register to vote is
7. Quick presentation by Vidia Dhanraj about the new Howard County community help center in Whiskey Bottom. The center offers help for immigrants, counseling, job assistance, and other services. See side bar for the link.
   I'll be posting more as time permits. Next community meeting is on Monday November 3 at 7 at Carroll Baldwin Hall.
   

Busy Weekend

Oh my Stars and Garters!
We had the busiest weekend in Savage since... well, I suppose forever. This weekend, there were 3 major yard sales: at the Carroll Baldwin Hall, at Bethel church and at the Savage United Methodist Church. And the Fire Station kindly offered to host the community clean up dumpsters from the county , and there was a Christian festival on the grounds of Baldwin Commons . Oh, and a health fair at Murray Hill Middle School. It's a wonder anyone got up on Sunday in time for church!

We had terrific weather. The yard sales were great. The dumpsters were filled by 10 a.m. on Saturday . The free barbeques at Bethel and on Baldwin Commons were very popular and a great time had by all.
As usual, scads of volunteers made this possible. Too many to mention, without having this post read like the phone book. Suffice to say, you are all appreciated!

Love Story to The Savage Branch Library

Hey , anyone get to read this wonderful piece in the Baltimore Sun about the Savage Branch Library and Angie Engels especially? Click here for the story.

It absolutely captures the wonderful quirkiness that is the Savage Branch. Why , only last week, the children's librarian's invited a Hen to join the festivities for Farm week.