Oak

Cumberland--We've done this before. But the scenic train excursion from Cumberland to Frostburg offers such spectacular fall foliage (not to mention occasional breath- taking mountain vistas) that we decided we just had to do it again.Riding the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad has become an autumn ritual with my family -- just like picking up homemade apple cider and pumpkins at roadside stands, visiting small-town fall festivals and hiking in the Western Maryland woods.Come to think of it, this three-hour excursion through the Allegheny Mountains is kind of like taking a hike -- only a 1916 Baldwin steam engine known as Mountain Thunder does all the work.

PHILADELPHIA - In the 1950s, when the bells of the historic First African Baptist Church rang 96 feet above this corner in South Philadelphia, the neighborhood was filled with prosperous African-Americans, and the church itself, 2,000 members strong, would crowd to overflowing on Sundays. Mabel R. Taylor, 96, is the oldest of the 100 or so faithful who remain. She remembers well the joy of watching the sun glint through the many stained-glass windows, and she recalls the glory of the chimes.

For a quarter-century, Doug Diehl's produce stand in Park Plaza has withstood the test of time and competition.But two freak accidents -- one last year -- nearly prevented the 48-year-old Severna Park resident from celebrating his 25th anniversary this month."

Aberdeen Aberdeen police report: People were being disorderly and arguing Tuesday in the 100 block of Hamilton Place. A customer ran a curb and struck the Golden Corral restaurant, in the 700 block of South Philadelphia Boulevard, on Tuesday. A customer reported minor cuts to the wrist. Someone pulled a woman's hair, broke her phone and banged her head on the ground at Economy Inn, in the 600 block of South Philadelphia Boulevard, on Tuesday. Three men were harassing customers about buying perfume Tuesday at Panera Bread, in the 1000 block of Beards Hill Road.

WORDS CAN hardly convey the awe inspired by a big, old tree, let alone a 460-year-old white oak about 100 feet tall and 32 feet around. It seems almost inconceivable that something so temporal as a thunderstorm -- however violent -- could topple the Wye Oak, the largest of its species in the nation and one of the country's best-known trees. This massive being, its base buttressed by concrete, its limbs laced by cables, had survived it all, the forces of nature and history, for almost five centuries.

WHEN HIGH winds this month felled the massive, 460-year-old Wye Oak, the nation's champion white oak, state foresters quickly trucked its trunk and limbs to a secure site -- to prevent looting of its valued remains. Now comes the question of the most appropriate uses for this vivid symbol of Maryland's rich and long history. State government is taking that question seriously. Last week, the state formed an interagency committee to devise plans by August for using the fallen giant's wood in a permanent memorial, in a statewide educational effort and possibly for various symbols or souvenirs.

Ryland Homes has opened the final section of 29 homes at Vineyard Oak in Bel Air, where it is building 109 traditional homes on one-third to one-half acre lots that back onto woods or natural resource areas.Nine-foot first-floor ceilings, brick fronts, lampposts, vinyl windows, six-panel interior doors and gas heat and hot water are some of the standard features in the Harford County community.One of Ryland's models at Vineyard Oak is the South Hill, which has 3,035 square feet and a beginning price of $291,990.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police report: Aberdeen Javier Vazquez Nieves, 35, of the 2900 block of Beach Court, was charged Thursday with theft less than $100. Charles N. Mauck, 25, of the 100 block of Poplar Hill Road, was charged Saturday with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol per se, driving while impaired by alcohol, speeding, driving while his license was suspended and revoked and eluding police by fleeing on foot.

On May 12, 2003, KENNETH LAMONT OAKSOn Sunday friends may call at the Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Service, 4101 Edmondson Ave., from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. On Monday Mr. Oaks will lie in state at St. Bernadine's Catholic Church, 3812 Edmondson Ave., where the family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. with Services to follow. Inquiries to (410)233-2400

Apple Tree Homes has opened three new models at Willow Oaks, a senior rancher home development in Laurel. Public water and sewer, gas heat and hot water and electric cooking are standard features in this Prince George's County community.The Charleston starts at $144,900 for 1,600 square feet of finished space.Two full baths, a foyer, garage, 13-by-11-foot kitchen, 20-by-21-foot great room, 16-by-12-foot master bedroom and 11-by-11-foot bedroom complete the model.The Boca Raton starts at $137,900 for 1,400 square feet of finished space.