Fairhaven

After three public hearings and hours of intense debate, the Sykesville Town Council voted 6-1 last night against a rezoning proposal that would bring a $3.5 million corporate headquarters into a neighborhood.The mayor's promise that a vote would take place drew a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 100.Nearly all those attending opposed rezoning residential land to business use and allowing Episcopal Ministries to the Aging to build its headquarters.The ministry -- the parent company of Fairhaven Retirement Community, South Carroll's largest employer -- planned a series of six cottage-like buildings on a 3-acre plot at the northern end of town.

Sixteen years ago, it was a kind gesture to a neighbor dying of cancer, but over the years it's become a symbol of the holidays for many in South Anne Arundel County.Standing 35 feet tall on a platform about 300 yards out on Herring Bay, the Fairhaven Christmas tree can be seen from as far as the southern tip of the county and sometimes from planes circling to land at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. From a few weeks before Christmas until a few weeks after New Year's, the tree shines bright ."

More than 80 years ago, as a little boy and his father walked among the towering trees of a California forest near their home, they met a forest ranger. He was friendly and enormously knowledgeable about the woods and its history.The father was so impressed with the ranger that he encouraged his son to study forestry.Roland H. Ferguson took his father's advice and made the nation's forests his life's work.At 86, Mr. Ferguson, who lives in the Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville, has long since retired from the U.S. Forest Service.

Episcopal Ministries to the Aging has chosen an alternative site for its $3.5 million corporate headquarters, one that is in Carroll County but outside Sykesville.The organization, the parent company of Fairhaven Retirement Community and Copper Ridge, has put a contract on 3.4 acres at the southwest corner of Route 32 and Johnsville Road. The seller is Aaron Co., a Finksburg developer. The land, zoned commercial, adjoins Fairhaven's 300-acre property.Fairhaven administrators would not discuss specifics of the contract, which allows 120 days to study the site and ensure that it is appropriate for the headquarters.

With the design for a new intersection along Route 32 and access roads nearly complete, the town of Sykesville has yet to find all the money it needs for the $8 million project. Officials, both in the town and the county, would like businesses that stand to benefit from the roadwork to contribute to it. "We are trying to do what is right and fair," said Mayor Jonathan S. Herman. "The state does not want to pay for other people's responsibilities. We are trying to come up with justifiable expenses for all the players.

It seems that everybody at Fairhaven knows Jane Weyrauch. As she passes a photo exhibit by Bruce Blum hanging on the art gallery walls, residents and staff greet her, some hugging her, others asking how she is doing or joking about her celebrity status. The photo display is Weyrauch's doing. As Fairhaven's director of art, the art studio and exhibits, Weyrauch has coordinated art shows -- one every six weeks for the past 11 years for the Sykesville retirement community. She has exhibits scheduled through March 2011.

Katherine N. Reno died at Fairhaven, on Monday, August, 4, 2003. Mrs. Reno donated her body to the MD Anatomy Board. A Memorial Service will be held at Fairhaven on Saturday, August 23, 2003, at 2:30 PM and on Saturday, November 29, 2003, Church of Redeemer. In lieu of flowers please send memorials, The Chimes, Inc., 4815 Seton Dr, Balto, MD 21215, or Fairhaven Resident Assistance Fund Co, Fairhaven, 7200 3rd Ave Sykesville, MD 21784.

POLICE LOG* Jessup: 8700 block of Fairhaven Place: Someone pried open a basement window and ransacked a home Friday, but police said nothing was taken.

On February 27, 2003; ELEONORE ROSINA BUEHL, a resident of Fairhaven, Sykesville, MD; beloved daughter of the late Rev. Louis Friedrich Christian Buehl and Caroline Louise Fierke Buehl; dear sister of the late Thelma Lydia Buehl, Wesley Andrew Buehl, Mary Buehl Adler and Clara Buehl Whittaker; dear aunt of Roberta Louise Barlow, Paul Whittaker and Carl Robert Whittaker. Also, survived by great nieces and great-nephews and dear and devoted friend for 35 years of Deborah B. Morrison; also of Fairhaven.