Harford County

This year marks the observance of landmark anniversaries of several military milestones in U.S. history. The 150th anniversary of the third year of the Civil War, among the bloodiest in American military history, is commemorated throughout 2013. This year also is the bicentennial of the second year of the War of 1812; it was a year notable for the British Navy's Chesapeake campaign which resulted in the sacking of Havre de Grace. Notably, a century ago this year was the last full year of what passed for peace in the complicated lead up to the start of World War I. The coming year marks the centennial of the start of what was initially referred to as the Great War, but would later be called the War to End All Wars and then when another great war erupted a generation later, World War I. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the end of a war that looms large in American policy even now, the Korean War. In an effort to ensure that the Korean War doesn't get lost in the mix, a group of veterans from Harford County who fought on the peninsula nation that borders China's northern Manchuria territories, but has been claimed at times by Japan, donated $1,000 to the county's public library system to support commemorations of the 60th anniversary.

Editor: I am writing in response to Randy McRoberts commentary concerning JV softball in Harford County. After reading the article multiple times I'm still not sure what point he is trying to make. Having a run rule in JV softball is normal. Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and a variety of other counties in our state have it. It is there for the same reasons that game shortening procedures are in place for football and basketball in our county: to prevent massive blow outs when the end result of the game is obvious.

A disabled vehicle closed a shoulder on the inner loop of I-695 at Wilkens Avenue at 9:04 a.m. Thursday, according to the state Department of Tranportation In Harford County, DOT reported a two-vehicle crash shut a shoulder around 7:39 a.m. on southbound I-95 past the exit for Route 152. Minor morning delays were reported on the subway during the rush hour and commuter buses were on time, according to the Maryland Transit Administration....

Editor: Thank you, Harford County, for joining Oak Grove Baptist Church in our third annual Women's Conference held on April 13. With nearly 150 in attendance, we enjoyed the lavish account by DeeDee Jonrowe of her life on the Iditarod Trail over the past 31 years as a musher in Alaska. DeeDee is the foremost female dog musher competing in the world today and a breast cancer survivor. Her accounts of the life lessons learned on the Iditarod Trail have bolstered her desire to honor God in her racing and daily life.

Two people were rescued from the Bush River in southern Harford County late Wednesday after their canoe capsized, the Harford Fire & EMS Association said. A call for a boat rescue was dispatched at 5 p.m. by Harford County emergency radio. According to the monitored broadcast, two people were in the water of the Bush River between Church Creek east of Aberdeen and the Amtrak Railroad bridge that crosses the river linking Perryman and Edgewood. The Fire and EMS Association reported on its media Facebook the incident occurred behind Water Park Drive, which runs along the river in the Waters Edge development in Belcamp.

On Sunday, April 14, the Business Among Moms group hosted a vendor fair and silent auction to benefit Harford Family House, a homeless shelter for families with children. The event was held at El Rodeo Restaurant, which donated the space for the vendors and will add to the proceeds 15 percent of the food sales for that day. The event was organized by Sherri Werther, a hairdresser at Split Endz Salon at the Festival in Bel Air. Through sponsorships, the group raised more than $600 which will house a homeless mother, father or child at Harford Family House for 24 days at just $25 per day. The event featured everything from Sentsy Candles to handmade soaps and jewelry, all products sold by the members of the group who are direct retailers and owners of their own businesses.

APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) celebrated a membership milestone on April 1, when Michael Willis joined the credit union. Willis is the 100,000th person to open an APGFCU account and he received a $100 Visa gift card as a congratulatory award. In 2012, APGFCU membership grew by 4.3 percent over 2011. The credit union is ranked number one in deposit market share among financial institutions in Harford County with deposits of $948 million, (as of Feb. 28, 2013). APGFCU attributes its success to its long-term, loyal members, talented employees and dedicated volunteers.

Whoever the wag was that said golf is “a good walk spoiled” no doubt had a 20-plus handicap. Yes, the idea of chasing a ball around a series of fields with a stick to knock it into a hole hundreds of yards away is preposterous. How can that possibly be easy, or fun? But that stick is a custom-fitted weapon of forged steel with tight grooves for scientifically-designed loft and lift; a rubber grip endorsed by the best golfers on the planet; and, sometimes, a very serious price tag. The ball in question is a dual-dimpled wad of high-tech material encased in a thin urethane cover and designed to scream off the tee with a satisfying snick, and continue its flight until it is out of sight.

The dogwood trees are beginning to bloom, the air is warm and free of humidity, and residents everywhere are breaking out their long-dormant shorts and sandals. It's spring and the start of picnic season. From state and county parks to amphitheaters and nature centers, the county is filled with scenic places to enjoy an open-air meal that combines food and friends with nature. To help narrow your search, we've listed nine of the county's best picnic areas. Some are well-known spots while others might surprise you. So what are you waiting for?

Harford County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police Reports: Aberdeen Ronald B. Comer, 26, of the first block of North Post Road, was charged Friday with second-degree escape. Prentis James Vinson III, 24, of the first block of North Post Road, was charged Saturday with violating probation in a case in which he was found guilty of theft below $100. Justin D. Baughman, 24, of the 800 block of Matthews Avenue, was charged Sunday with concealing a dangerous weapon and possessing drug paraphernalia.