Sykesville

The Sugarplum Fairy remains the most challenging role in "The Nutcracker" ballet. A ballerina must be secure in her classical technique and mature in her dramatic skills to excel in this role. She also must be a smart leader on stage as she endeavors to keep all those tiny sugar plum darlings from tripping over one another in the Land of the Sweets. For dancers, being chosen for Clara also elicits "oohs" and "ahs" of envy, for it is she who gets the spotlight as she wins the heart of her Nutcracker Prince.

A private residence near Sykesville that predates the Revolutionary War is the latest structure in Howard County to be recommended for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Howard Lodge, a 21/2 -story brick house built about 1750, was recommended for inclusion on the prestigious roster earlier this year by a state preservation panel. If the recommendation is accepted by the National Park Service, Howard Lodge will join Doughoregan Manor near Ellicott City as one of the few 18th-century mansions in Howard County that are on the National Register.

Dr. Alva "Buzz" Baker , of Sykesville, received the alumni professional achievement award from McDaniel College. He is a 1966 alumnus of Western Maryland (now McDaniel) College. Presented annually during McDaniel's Homecoming, the alumni professional achievement award is presented to a graduate who has gained distinction in his/her chosen field or profession and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on McDaniel College. He is currently director of McDaniel's Center for the Study of Aging and continues to teach in the college's Gerontology programs.

Millard Franklin Kirk, a retired civil engineer and World War II veteran, died of respiratory failure Friday at the Fairhaven Continuing Care Retirement Community. The Sykesville resident was 91. A native of Philadelphia, he used his surname Kirk as a first name. He earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Beginning in 1943, he attended Midshipman's School at Notre Dame University and was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy's Civil Engineer's Corps, known as the Seabees.

SYKESVILLE — The Sykesville Police Department will host its first "Safe House" gun turn-in program in November, where residents can bring any unwanted firearms and ammunition to a drop-off point at the Sykesville Police Department, 7547 Main St., Sykesville. The "drop-off" site will be opened on Saturday, Nov. 19, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The site will be manned, but no questions will be asked of persons dropping items off. If requested it, a receipt can be provided. Police say residents should not bring loaded weapons to the station.

The town of Sykesville is hoping nature and its power will be the answer to some of its power problems. Whether it be geothermal, wind or solar power, town officials are collecting bid proposals to create a renewable energy source for the town's use at the Public Works Building, the Sykesville Police Station and the Sykesville Town House. Tapping a renewable energy source is an idea town officials have been talking about for the past six years, according to town manager Matt Candland.

Officials with the Sykesville Police Department hit the streets on two Segways at the town's annual fall festival early this month, and rolled them out again this past week at Century High School's homecoming parade. Donated to the station by the Montgomery County Police Department, the Segways have already proven an important tool in helping police patrol the town and stay connected to residents, according to Sykesville Police Chief John Williams Jr. "They come in quite handy," Williams said.

ELDERSBURG — "Rachel's Challenge," an anti-bullying assembly, will be presented at Oklahoma Road and Sykesville middle schools Wednesday, Oct 12, from 9 to 10 a.m. for students at Sykesville and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for students at Oklahoma Road. A community assembly for families will be held that evening at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma Road Middle School. The schools were awarded a grant from the Carroll County Public Schools Education Foundation to bring this program to their students and their community.

SYKESVILLE - Town of Sykesville officials, county elected officials and members of the Warfield Cultural and Commerce Center board cut the ribbon on Oct. 6 for new "gateway" signs along Route 32 at the Warfield complex. The masonry signs were created by Maryland Division of Correction low-security, pre-release inmates who learned masonry skills while incarcerated. Three of the inmate masons were on hand to see their project dedicated. "What we see here," said Gary Maynard, secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, "is a truly a meaningful inmate project.