Cooksville

THE REV. ROLAND L. Howard grew up in Elkridge in a four-room log cabin overlooking Deep Run. His family told him that Harriet Tubman had stopped at their home as she traveled along the Underground Railroad and drank water from a spring located under a huge old poplar tree.His great-grandfather, William Henry Howard, lived in that cabin after he was freed in 1856 by George Howard, son of John Edgar Howard, for whom Howard County is named.The 72-year-old minister's experiences illustrate the rich texture of a community in which institutional racism existed side-by-side with personal decency and abiding friendship.

Cooksville, at the corner of Routes 144 and 97 in western Howard County, was once a stopover for pioneers heading west. Now it is the frontier -- for developers and builders.With a community of mostly lifelong residents, these folks soon will have to deal with subdivisions as developers push westward looking for land to build upon."Cooksville is the next place to move," said Diane Kenworthy, a Realtor with O'Conor, Piper and Flynn in Ellicott City."Its location is so good. In the next 10 years it's going be different.

June 13 was an unlucky day for Howard County's liquor stores: In the span of three hours, a 20-year-old police cadet -- the first woman used on a liquor "sting" in recent memory -- bought alcohol at five stores without one clerk checking her identification."

Police logGlenelg: 13600 block of Triadelphia Road: Someone tried to break into a High's store by breaking the glass on the door. Nothing was taken.Mount Airy: 800 block of Bennett Road: Someone kicked in the basement door of a house Saturday evening. No entry was made.West Friendship: 12700 block of Buttercup Court: Someone entered a house through a garage door Saturday night or Sunday morning after breaking into a car to steal the garage door opener. Tools were taken.Cooksville: 14900 block of Frederick Road: Someone stole a 1992 Bobcat loader Friday or Saturday.

Howard County police have identified the body of a man found Dec. 16 in the burned ruins of an abandoned Cooksville barn, but investigators are still unsure of his cause of death or what he was doing there.Glenn Arne Mitchell, 40, of an unknown address, was identified by dental records Friday.However, police waited until yesterday to release the information.There is no sign of foul play in Mr. Mitchell's death, said Sgt. Steven Keller, a Howard police spokesman.The state fire marshal's office is still investigating the fire in the 14600 block of Frederick Road, and officials don't know if Mr. Mitchell played a role in the blaze, Sergeant Keller said.

Howard County police are investigating three burglaries in rural Cooksville in which a man driving a luxury car is suspected of stealing weapons, jewelry and other items. Police said the crimes likely are related because they all took place on Hoods Mill Road Tuesday morning or afternoon.In at least one of the cases, a neighbor saw a suspect, a white man in his 40s, who stood about 5 feet, 10 inches tall. He had graying hair, wore a green shirt with "Greenscape" on it and drove a white, four-door BMW, police said.

A 56-year-old Cooksville man swerved off the road after he suffered a heart attack while driving in Jessup yesterday morning, Howard County rescue officials said.Woodrow Snealson was in the intensive care unit at Laurel Regional Hospital in Prince George's County yesterday, said a hospital information assistant.Mr. Snealson's car careened to the road's edge and onto a patch of grass at U.S. 1 and Route 32 about 11:55 a.m. yesterday, said Lt. Sean Kelly, a spokesman for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Howard County police charged a Cooksville clerk with selling alcohol to a 19-year-old cadet in one of four liquor inspections Friday in the county, police said.Vanee Ritthaworn, a clerk at Cooksville Carry-Out in the 14600 block of Frederick Road in Cooksville, was charged with selling alcohol to a person under 21.In the four inspections, police used a 19-year-old cadet wearing plainclothes to attempt to buy liquor.Ms. Ritthaworn could be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to two years in jail if found guilty.

POLICE LOG* West Friendship: 1300 block of Oster Farm Road: Someone kicked open a home's side door Thursday, but nothing was taken, police said.* Cooksville: 13800 block of Forsythe Road: A bathtub was stolen from a house under construction Wednesday or Thursday, police said.

The Western Howard County Senior Center and the Glenwood Community Center will hold an opening celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at 2398 Route 97 in Cooksville.For luncheon reservations, call 313-5440 by Monday.Police logClarksville: 12300 block of Carol Drive: Burglars kicked open the rear door of a house under construction and stole kitchen appliances between Saturday and Monday, police said.

The Glenwood library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville, will offer plant clinics at the library from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m Monday and May 26. Information: 410-313-5577. hclibrary.org. around town Sports camps : The River Hill Boosters will sponsor summer sports camps at River Hill High School in Clarksville. The camps are designed to help young athletes improve basic skills. Weekly camps begin June 15 and run 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. More than 20 camps will be offered this summer, including football, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, cross county, track and field, cheerleading, weight training, wrestling and dance.

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting registration for the Western Howard County Spring Youth Baseball/Softball League for children and youth ages 5 to 18. Games are played at various locations in the county. Opening day is April 18. The cost is $110 to $160 a child, depending on age. There is a $10 discount for siblings. Columbia and Clarksville area residents ages 7 to 8 and 9 to 10 can register in in the area where they live. The age determination date is April 30, 2009.

Play group: Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, is offering a new Kiddie Korner Play Group for children ages 5 and younger accompanied by an adult from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The group will meet to play games and make friends. Identification is required for adults. Information: 410-313-4840. Paint, draw: Glenwood Senior Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, is offering a painting and drawing open studio, 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. Take your own supplies and paint.

The Glenwood library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville, will sponsor a talk by Fred Glueckstein, author of The '27 Yankees and Mickey Mantle: Rookie in Pinstripes, on the history of the World Series. The talk, which includes a display of photographs of the series' greatest players, will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 13. Information: 410-313-5577. A Web master needed A volunteer Web master is needed to update the Western Howard County Relay for Life Web site. The site uses a user-friendly template, and little experience is necessary.

The Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville, will sponsor a Back to School Ice Cream Social at 6 p.m. Sept. 6. Children will be invited to choose from a variety of crafts to make and take home while enjoying a bowl of ice cream. The cost is $3. The center is offering a "Back to School" fitness promotion that allows participants to purchase a 25-, 50- or 100-visit pass with no expiration date and no additional monthly fees. The promotion runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 21. A medical clearance form and orientation is required before exercising.

CSX Railroad will begin maintenance of the railroad crossing at Woodstock and Old Court roads in Woodstock. The project, which starts this week, is expected to be completed by Friday, weather permitting. While the road crossing is closed, traffic will be detoured along Old Frederick Road, Marriottsville Road, Granite Road and Old Court Road. Message boards and signs will be posted to alert motorists. Signs will also be posted if the project is delayed. A recorded message at 410-313-4604 has details and updates.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman invites residents to join him for an open public forum, to be held at 7 p.m. June 26 at the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. County department heads will be on hand to engage in dialogue. Residents are invited to ask questions, make comments or offer suggestions on any topic. Those who want to speak should sign up before the event and limit their comments to two minutes. Everyone is welcome. Information: 410-313-2022. Conservancy hosts nature walks The Howard County conservancy at Mount Pleasant Farm offers guided hikes on the second Saturday of each month from May through October.

On May 12, 2008, LARRY C. PINNICK. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 1:30 P.M. at Full Gospel Baptist Church, 14350 Frederick Road, Cooksville, MD 21723.

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will sponsor a Lunar New Year celebration from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. The event, designed for families with children ages 5 and older, will offer a chance to learn about and experience Asian culture, enjoy arts and crafts, cultural displays and performances. Storyteller Linda Fang will be on hand. Children in eighth grade or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A master gardener will be at the Glenwood library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville, to answer questions from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Those who attend are invited to take plant samples. Registration is not necessary. The library will sponsor a Writers' Circle, for aspiring authors in search of feedback and support, at 7 p.m. Thursday. The library will celebrate its fifth year of service with an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to share experiences of a favorite storytime program, book or staff member.