Lippy

The county's planning board yesterday approved asking the state to make three farms -- a total of more than 433 acres -- eligible for Maryland's agricultural preservation program.If their request is approved by the state in July, owners of the land would have to refrain from development for five years for their land to be considered an "agricultural preservation district." It is a first step in preserving the land by selling the state development rights.The parcels are:86.57 acres owned by Dorothy F. Munshaur and her brother, Russell L. Fogelsong, at 3005 Mayberry Road in Westminster.

David L. Greene, the man relied on by most of the county's 1,041 farms as a reliable source of information and advice, will retire June 30 as director of the Carroll County office of Maryland Cooperative Extension."

One of the hottest bands in country music opens the Carroll County 4-H Fair tonight: Lonestar rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart this week with the song "Amazed," and no one is more amazed than the fair organizers who had barely heard of the band when they originally booked it."It's sheer luck," said Andy Cashman, a fair volunteer who helped organize the concert, which begins at 8 p.m. at the show ring that otherwise is home to tractor pulls, horse jumping and other "country" activities.

To any Marylanders whining about water restrictions, the little town of Manchester has this to say: Cry me a river, and recycle the tears.Manchester has lived under strict water use rules for five years -- including a permanent ban on watering lawns and filling or topping off swimming pools -- because of its chronic water shortage.The experience has hardened the Carroll County town's 3,100 residents, making them as stingy with a gallon of HO as Scrooge with a shilling.Vigilant homeowners capture rainwater in 55-gallon drums, recycle laundry water or collect water from their morning showers in buckets.

Manchester Mayor Elmer C. Lippy Jr., a former Carroll County commissioner and a fixture in local politics for 15 years, said yesterday that he will not seek a third term as mayor, noting health concerns."

Manchester's water use has suddenly increased at an alarming rate -- more than 2 million gallons a month -- and concerned town officials suspect an underground leak.Several months ago, Manchester lifted a ban on outdoor water use that was initiated during last summer's drought. Current restrictions, however, require town residents to refrain from filling swimming pools or watering lawns, Mayor Elmer C. Lippy said yesterday."We haven't been able to find the leak yet, and may have to bring in outside help with more sophisticated equipment if we don't soon find it," Lippy said.

Manchester's water use has suddenly increased at an alarming rate -- more than 2 million gallons a month -- and concerned town officials suspect an underground leak.Several months ago, Manchester lifted a ban on outdoor water use that was initiated during last summer's drought. Current restrictions, however, require town residents to refrain from filling swimming pools or watering lawns, Mayor Elmer C. Lippy said yesterday."We haven't been able to find the leak yet, and may have to bring in outside help with more sophisticated equipment if we don't soon find it," Lippy said.

Manchester Town Manager David M. Warner said he'll leave his post in July to give retirement another try.Warner retired once -- more than 10 years ago, as director of pupil transportation for the Carroll County public school system -- but he has served the town as a councilman or an employee since 1987.Warner was elected to the council in May 1987 and served in several capacities, including acting town manager, before being named town manager in 1995."They asked me to help out for six to eight weeks -- but that was 3 1/2 years ago," he said.

If you buy more than 9 million pounds of green beans from a farmer, you get more than just green beans.You get exactly the kind of green beans you want, on exactly the day you want them.In exchange for a guaranteed price, canning plants tell farmers such as the Lippy brothers of Carroll County what variety to plant, what day to sow the seeds, what day to harvest and even what time to deliver. In most cases, the company even provides the seed.Vegetable farmers have contracted with canning and freezing plants for decades, but now chicken and hog farmers also do it, as well as those raising specialty crops such as for gourmet or organic foods.

A hundred years ago, Carroll County farmers would have concluded the harvest season with a combination corn-husking marathon and barn dance -- all under one roof that sheltered the farm animals and a banquet table full of homemade fare.Modernization and suburbia have rendered those old-fashioned dances obsolete, but the Historical Society of Carroll County re-created the festivity Saturday. The society replaced its black-tie ball with a red-bandanna barn dance to honor the county's agricultural history.

As the years had passed, they had all scattered to some degree. They owned restaurants, they ran companies and small businesses, they sold products, marketed products, produced products, and one in particular - whom Calvert Hall's class of 1992 will never forget - served as a paramedic for the state police. But there they were, drawn together by unexpected phone calls, jarring e-mails and news reports that just didn't make sense. Did you hear? They were coming home from vacations. Enjoying the weekend.

As a child, Mickey Lippy dreamed of becoming a rescuer and pretended to fight fires with a vacuum cleaner hose and transport victims on an old TV stand that doubled as a makeshift gurney. The Carroll County resident, who realized that aspiration by growing up to become a state police flight paramedic, lost his life in a medevac helicopter crash last weekend in Prince George's County. The 34-year-old trooper's lifelong desire to help others was remembered yesterday during a funeral service in Gamber attended by family and friends, and hundreds of fire, police and emergency rescue personnel.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Gamber and Community Fire Co., Route 32 and Niner Road, Finksburg, for Tfc. Mickey Charles Lippy, a Maryland State Police flight paramedic who was killed in the weekend crash of a Medevac helicopter in Prince George's County. Trooper Lippy, who was 34, lived in Westminster. Surviving are his wife of eight years, the former Christina Elaine "Chrissy" Patchett; a daughter, Madison Jade Lippy, 4 months old; his parents, Bruce and Wilma Newberry Lippy of Parkville; two sisters, Diana Martin of Parkville and Dawn Childs of White Hall; and paternal grandmother Bessie Lippy of Chestnut Ridge.

On Saturday, August 9, 2008 MARY RUTH (nee Garrett), 72 of Hampstead. Beloved wife of Richard D. Lippy; loving mother of Keith R. Lippy and his wife Diane of Westminster; devoted grandmother of Kelly, Michael and Matthew Lippy; devoted sister of Violet M. Davidson and Treva A. Rimbey. Funeral Services will be held 11 A.M. Wednesday, August 13 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester. Interment in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, August 12 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at Eline Funeral Home, 934 S. Main St., Hampstead.

USDA program deadline is June1 Susan Hardinger, acting executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Carroll County, reminds agricultural producers that they have until June 1 to sign up for the 2006 crop direct and counter-cyclical payment program. The USDA will accept late-filed program applications through Sept. 30 if accompanied by a $100 late fee. Producers will be unable to apply for 2006 program payments after Sept. 30. The 2002 Farm Bill requires that producers sign annual contracts through next year to participate in the program.

Educator candidates to present ideas The Carroll County Extension Office will hold presentations by candidates for the open 4-H educator position at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 700 Agriculture Center, Westminster. Time will be given for questions from the audience. This part of the overall interview process is open to the public and anyone with an interest in Carroll County 4-H. Anyone planning to attend should contact the Extension Office by tomorrow at 410-386-2760.

On February 15, 2006 MARY "Betsy" ELIZABETH (nee Brown) LIPPY; loving wife of William Guy Lippy; devoted daughter of William "Harry" H. Brown and the late Joan L. (nee Reid) Brown; cherished sister of William H. Brown III, Barbra A. Carter and Brian A. Brown. Also survived by two nieces and four nephews. She was a graduate of Woodlawn High School, Long Wood College and held a Masters Degree From Notre Dam of Maryland. She recently retired from Southland Corp. (7-11) after many years in marketing.

On March 17, 2005, CALVIN LEROY SHAY, beloved husband of Edith Marion Shay "Mickey" (nee Mathias); devoted father of Marion Lippy and her husband the late Charles D. Lippy, and Carolyn Scott and her husband Wallace Scott; loving grandfather of Jenifer Goldman and Karen Maimone; great-grandfather of Paul Jonathan Goldman Jr., Alexander Calvin Goldman, Connor Ryan Maimone, and Kayleigh Louise Maimone; brother of the late Elsworth "Bud" Shay, the late Catherine...

On March 14, 2005 MARTHA WISNER HOWARD, beloved wife of the late Robert Gill Howard; devoted mother of Virginia Wright, Charles Robert Howard, Rosemary Lippy, James Howard, Joyce Howard Price and Jayne Feldman; mother-in-law of Frank Wright, Wilson Lippy, Bonnie Bossom Howard and Charles Feldman. Also survived by six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Services at ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL P.A., Rte. 30 & Charmil Dr., Manchester, Thursday 11 A.M. Interment in St. Paul's Cemetery.

Private pesticide training is available this month Maryland Nutrient Management Regulations require that all people who own or operate agricultural land and apply any nutrient to more than 10 acres must hold an applicator voucher issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The Carroll County Extension Office will hold private pesticide training from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and March 16 at 700 Agriculture Center, Westminster. Applicators are required to attend one two-hour training session every three years.