Ellicott

'Gifts of Time' An exhibition of works by Susan Stockman, Leora Smith, Diana Marta and Robyn Hall is on view through Jan. 31, at Perspectives Gallery, 8191 Main St., Ellicott City. Hours and information: 410-461-7763. Around town English conversation The Miller branch of the Howard County Public Library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, offers "Let's Get Together: English Conversation Club," a chance for those for whom English is a second language to practice speaking and understanding English in a group setting.

Jenny stepped quickly off the trailer into her new home, striding over to Jack, who seemed interested in the fresh arrival. The two donkeys leaned their gray faces toward each other for an instant, then Jack followed her around a bit before Jenny trotted off, exploring the far ends of her fenced pasture. The gray-and-white Jerusalem donkey became the 18th livestock resident of the new Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary and Eco Retreat in Ellicott City, but that's if you don't count the tabby cat, Barnie.

The beige-plastic Wilkins-Rogers Mill is unmistakable, as are the red B&O Freight House and the purple Obladi hotel. Rendered in toy building blocks, the replicas of historic Ellicott City landmarks lend an air of authenticity to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum's newest train garden, a 360-degree, custom-built feature that is proving to be a major attraction on Main Street. "This is definitely something unique," Tom Hane, site manager at the Ellicott City Station, said of the display by the Washington Metropolitan Area Lego Train Club.

The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. on Mondays. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). We do not accept results by phone. When two Howard County teams play, players from both teams (first and last names) must be mentioned in the write-up. Questions? Call 410-332-6606. Football 11-13 Ellicott City Patriots Maryland State Champions The Ellicott City Patriots defeated the Loch Raven Ravens, 8-0, at the University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium on Dec. 9 to become the Gridiron 365 Division II Maryland state champions.

An Ellicott City firehouse will be home to a train garden geared toward providing holiday gifts for needy children now through Jan. 1. The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services is holding the free open house for the 15th year, fire officials said. Visitors may bring money and new, unwrapped toys that will go to needy children in the county. The train garden is at Ellicott City Fire Station No. 2, 4150 Montgomery Road. It is open from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Eve. The train garden is closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Christmas Day. Group tours can be arranged by calling 410-313-2036.

The Maryland Republican Party rejected a resolution Saturday calling on the newly elected Cecil County executive to step down after she changed her party affiliation from the GOP to independent. Meanwhile, a much-discussed move to call for state GOP Chairman Alex Mooney's resignation never materialized. Holding its first statewide convention since its dismal showing in the Nov. 6 election, the party also turned down a resolution urging its representatives to the national GOP to vote against a second term for Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus.