Nancy Smith

SURE, IT WOULD be nice to preserve Elizabeth C. Smith's "jewel in the middle of Columbia" as a park or farmland. A rural oasis in the core of a semi-urban community appeals to the heart.But saving every acre is not necessarily the smartest option.It may be smarter to develop part of the 300 acres. At the very least, it would be "smart growth."The late "Nancy" Smith's beloved farm is part of Howard County's water and sewer district and is served by other infrastructure, including Route 175, which bisects the property.

On April 17, 2009, HERMAN ARTHUR "Art" SMITH, JR.; of Fallston, United States Navy Veteran; beloved husband of June Smith (nee Cusimano); and preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel Bachmann; devoted father of Janice Proctor, Craig and Nancy Smith, Jim and Myong Suk Struder, Bruce and Wendy Smith, David and Rachele Smith, Paul and Katrina Smith; loving grandfather of 15 grandchildren; dear brother of Joan Russell. Family and friends will honor Art's life at the family-owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services-Parkville, 8800 Harford Road on Sunday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M and Monday 10 to 11 A.M at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2625 E. Northern Parkway, funeral service to follow.

SOMETHING IS hauntingly romantic -- as well as quixotic -- about Byron C. Hall's effort to preserve what he says were the dying wishes of his friend, Elizabeth C. "Nancy" Smith. A confidante and soul mate of Ms. Smith, he may have known precisely what she wanted for the place she called "Blandair."Ms. Smith wanted community gardening, a horse-retirement facility, walking and riding trails, a wildlife refuge and the like on her Columbia farm, Mr. Hall says. But her will was never signed, and Ms. Smith's heirs sold the 300 acres to Howard County for about $11 million in state funds.

Dismaying news on Rouse Parkway I can understand how some would like to honor the memory of James W. Rouse, the founder of Columbia, but I am dismayed by the news that the section of Route 175 between U.S. 29 and Interstate 95 is to be renamed as the Jim and Patty Rouse Parkway. The inclusion of the section of Route 175 between Thunder Hill Road and Tamar Drive in the renaming ignores a dark chapter in the history of Columbia: the realignment of the highway to cut through Blandair (the Smith farm)

Inaction, not fate, led to Blandair situation A brief response to Byron C. Hall, Jr.'s letter ("Coming to the defense of Nancy Smith, Blandair," Dec. 16). The bottom line is that Nancy Smith had a minimum of 18 years to execute a will and, had she done so, this would be a non-issue. But despite numerous attorneys, plus advice from friends, she died without a will. The rock bottom reason for Blandair Farm not being "protected" is Nancy Smith's failure to take legally binding action to ensure her views were enforceable after her death.

If Elizabeth C. "Nancy" Smith -- longtime owner of the 300-acre Smith farm, the "crown jewel" of Columbia -- had lived to see the intruders filing yesterday past the orange "KEEP OUT" signs posted prominently around her Howard County property, she would have had strict orders for her caretaker."

On Wednesday, June 25, 2003, CECIL I. SMITH, 85. Beloved husband of Irene (Kurt) Smith; devoted father of Nancy Smith, Columbia, MD and Gerald Smith, Toronto, Canada and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045 on Friday, June 27, 2003 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M., where services will be held at 10 A.M., Saturday. Burial will be in the Moreland Memorial Park. Arrangements by Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., Columbia, MD 410-992-9090.

On Friday June 27, 2003 DOUGLAS A. SMITH beloved husband of Nancy Smith, brother of Lyndia Owens. Friends may call on Monday and Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the Stallings Funeral Home P.A., 3111 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, where funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 8 P.M. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of AA County, 1815 Bay Ridge Ave., Ann., MD 21403 or Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Ann., MD 21403.

Ryland's third quarter was buoyed by the growing strength of its mortgage business, said Nancy Smith, a company spokeswoman."Growth of the mortgage company was stimulated by a higher level of refinancing," Ms. Smith said. Refinancing activity has been strong throughout the first three quarters.In terms of its homebuilding business, the core of the company, Ryland continues to face problems, Ms. Smith said, especially in California.Three months ended 9/30/92.. ..........Revenue. ......... Net..

On April 17, 2009, HERMAN ARTHUR "Art" SMITH, JR.; of Fallston, United States Navy Veteran; beloved husband of June Smith (nee Cusimano); and preceded in death by his first wife, Ethel Bachmann; devoted father of Janice Proctor, Craig and Nancy Smith, Jim and Myong Suk Struder, Bruce and Wendy Smith, David and Rachele Smith, Paul and Katrina Smith; loving grandfather of 15 grandchildren; dear brother of Joan Russell. Family and friends will honor Art's life at the family-owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services-Parkville, 8800 Harford Road on Sunday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M and Monday 10 to 11 A.M at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2625 E. Northern Parkway, funeral service to follow.

A committee helping to plan a park out of 300 acres of forests and meadows in the most populated part of Howard County is taking its newly crafted proposal into the community for a reality check. The 23-member group wants to see what people have to say - the many neighbors surrounding the Blandair property in Columbia, the sports players eager for more fields, the hikers searching for green vistas and anyone else with an opinion about a park being added after the fact to one of the most intricately planned communities in the nation.

On Friday June 27, 2003 DOUGLAS A. SMITH beloved husband of Nancy Smith, brother of Lyndia Owens. Friends may call on Monday and Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the Stallings Funeral Home P.A., 3111 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, where funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 8 P.M. Interment private. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of AA County, 1815 Bay Ridge Ave., Ann., MD 21403 or Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Ann., MD 21403.

On Wednesday, June 25, 2003, CECIL I. SMITH, 85. Beloved husband of Irene (Kurt) Smith; devoted father of Nancy Smith, Columbia, MD and Gerald Smith, Toronto, Canada and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045 on Friday, June 27, 2003 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M., where services will be held at 10 A.M., Saturday. Burial will be in the Moreland Memorial Park. Arrangements by Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc., Columbia, MD 410-992-9090.

Inaction, not fate, led to Blandair situation A brief response to Byron C. Hall, Jr.'s letter ("Coming to the defense of Nancy Smith, Blandair," Dec. 16). The bottom line is that Nancy Smith had a minimum of 18 years to execute a will and, had she done so, this would be a non-issue. But despite numerous attorneys, plus advice from friends, she died without a will. The rock bottom reason for Blandair Farm not being "protected" is Nancy Smith's failure to take legally binding action to ensure her views were enforceable after her death.

Coming to the defense of Nancy Smith, Blandair As one who knew Nancy Smith for 28 years and who worked with her on plans to preserve Blandair Farm for 14 of those years, I would like to set the record straight by answering the letter from John McGing ("Nancy Smith to blame for Blandair's problems," Dec. 9). Until her mother's death in 1979, Miss Smith thought the farm would be preserved by being tied up in her father's life estate. When she realized the life estate would not provide the protection she required, she began looking for other means.

Nancy Smith to blame for Blandair's problems As has been told to supporters of Al Gore, I'd like to say to the people so upset that Nancy Smith's vision for Blandair Farm won't be realized, "You lost, get over it." It's not pleasant to speak ill of the dead, but Nancy Smith was not some youngster cut down before she could take the necessary legal steps to ensure her vision for her property became a reality. She had decades to do the legal paperwork that would have ensured that what she wanted is what would have happened.

A civil trial that could determine the future of 300 undeveloped acres in the heart of Columbia has been postponed until December.The trial was scheduled for July 27, but a Howard County Circuit Court judge recused himself last month. Another judge took over the case and rescheduled it.A foundation created by a friend of Elizabeth C. "Nancy" Smith, who owned Blandair farm, is suing to prevent the county from building a park on the site. The chairman of that foundation says that Smith promised to give her farm to the foundation, which would preserve the land.

A Sykesville family whose home was destroyed in a fire last Sunday may receive help from their neighbors, friends and the Town Council."I would surely want to know someone would help my family in a situation like this," said Councilman Eugene Johnson.Sykesville officials voted last week to open an account at Union National Bank in the name of Nancy Smith and her son, Michael Smith. Although the council declined to contribute town money to the fund, several council members said they planned to make personal contributions.

Ohio developers alarm residents of Oella The proposed plan to turn the historic and already vital Oella Mill in the quaint village of Oella across the river from old-town Ellicott City into 177 "luxury apartments" has engendered alarm and outrage among residents, rather than the mild "concerns" mentioned in your article ("Plan for Oella Mill raises concerns," Nov. 19). Your article also failed to mention a standing-room-only crowd at a special meeting of the Greater Oella Community Association on Nov. 14, where the developers presented their rose-colored calculations that 177 apartments renting for $1,400 to $3,000 would generate a maximum of 240 cars.

SOMETHING IS hauntingly romantic -- as well as quixotic -- about Byron C. Hall's effort to preserve what he says were the dying wishes of his friend, Elizabeth C. "Nancy" Smith. A confidante and soul mate of Ms. Smith, he may have known precisely what she wanted for the place she called "Blandair."Ms. Smith wanted community gardening, a horse-retirement facility, walking and riding trails, a wildlife refuge and the like on her Columbia farm, Mr. Hall says. But her will was never signed, and Ms. Smith's heirs sold the 300 acres to Howard County for about $11 million in state funds.