Agriculture Center

The county delegation is prepared to say yes when the Carroll County Agriculture Center Board hands it a request by Monday, expected to be for at least $300,000.The board will ask the delegation to resurrect a bill providing additional money toward building an indoor arena.State Sen. Larry E. Haines, a Republican who is leader of the delegation, said he is prepared to support more money if it makes the $2.235 million building more acceptable to neighbors worried about it breaking up the pastoral view.

The Carroll County Farmers Market in Westminster, mentioned in a story last Sunday about a new market proposed in Hampstead, is at the Agriculture Center.CORRECTION

Family Fun 4-H/FFA fair Go to the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at the Carroll County Agriculture Center, 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free for children younger than 5. Call 410-848-FAIR or go to carrollcountyfair.com. FYI Edward Gunts is on assignment. His column does not appear today.

The annual Carroll County Corn Maze at the county Agriculture Center, 706 Agriculture Center, Westminster, is being held over an extra weekend. Due to the good weather forecast for the weekend, organizers decided to open the maze Friday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 6. Hours are Friday 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 to 7 p.m. The theme of this year's maze is "Carroll County's Top 5 Agricultural Products: Can you name...

The Carroll County Agriculture Center's new arena will open late next month when it is host of the weeklong 4-H/FAA Fair, ending a $4.3 million construction project that was hampered by inclement weather and delayed by work order changes. A use-and-occupancy permit was issued in late April, but minor detail work, including spot painting and installing small parts, and cleanup of the 52,500- square-foot arena in Westminster need to be completed, said Lawrence E. Meeks, president of the center's board.

Holstein Association to hold convention in Carroll next month The 2002 Maryland Holstein Convention will be held March 8-9 at Wilhelm Ltd. Caterers and at the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster. The annual meeting, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 8 at Wilhelm, will include programs for dairy farmers, ladies and junior farmers. The keynote address will be delivered at 1:45 p.m. by John Meyer, chief executive officer for Holstein Association USA. Friday's events will include breed awards, exhibits, a business meeting, and visits to see sale cattle and area farms.

April April 1-30 Year-Round 10-kilometer Volksmarch: Westminster Inn, 5 S. Center St., Westminster. 7 a.m. to 3 hours before dusk. Walk through Westminster. John Baumgardner, 410-833- 8916. April 25 Carroll County Tractor and Truck Pull: Agriculture Center, 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rain date is May 2. Helen Erb-McKenzie, 410-848-9426. April 25 Earthworks Festival: Bear Branch Nature Center, 300 John Owings Road, Westminster. Noon to 5 p.m. Family fun and learning about the environment; children's activities; presentations; native gardening; entertainment and food.

Commissioners to discuss plan for agriculture buildingThe Carroll County Commissioners will hold a public information meeting on the proposed agriculture exhibition building at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Burns Hall at the Carroll County Agriculture Center.The Carroll County delegation and Agriculture Center Board will also attend the meeting.Information: 410-857-2973.Haines plans public hearing to look at legislationSen. Larry E. Haines, a 5th District Republican, will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed legislation in the General Assembly at 9 a.m. Saturday at Westminster Senior Center.

4-H and FFA Fair to hold Longaberger basket bingo night The Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair will hold a basket bingo featuring Longaberger baskets Friday at the Carroll County Agriculture Center on Smith Avenue in Westminster. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and games will begin at 7 p.m. with 22 games, door prizes, raffles, specials and concessions. All baskets will be filled with goodies donated by local businesses and sponsors. Tickets are $15. Proceeds will benefit the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.