Ywca

Cornelia E. Harper, a homemaker and volunteer who played tennis until she was in her 80s, died Tuesday of coronary artery disease at Broadmead retirement community. She was 92. Born and raised in Bridgeport, Conn., Cornelia Esther Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wellesley College in 1933. Mrs. Harper, who was known as Esther, took up tennis as a child. She played on the New England amateur tennis circuit and later competed in four matches on the grass courts of the U.S. National, now the U.S. Open, at Forest Hills, N.Y. -- including one in 1935 that she lost to famed tennis star Helen Hull Jacobs.

WASHINGTON - The feminist leader Patricia Ireland has been dismissed as chief executive officer of the YWCA less than six months after she was hired. Ireland was notified of the board's decision on Thursday. She said in an interview yesterday that members of the YWCA's National Coordinating Board first asked her to resign, but she declined because she didn't want to give the impression that she had "jumped ship." "I was uncharacteristically speechless," Ireland said. "There had been no notice."

4 face drug charges after police search Marley apartment Four people are facing drug charges after Anne Arundel County police detectives, responding to a complaint about drug activity, found nearly $10,500 worth of suspected drugs in an apartment on Winborne Drive in Marley on Wednesday. The detectives reported smelling marijuana after someone opened the door of the apartment. They also reported seeing a small amount of suspected marijuana. After obtaining a search warrant, the detectives reported finding scales, drug paraphernalia, packaging material, a bulletproof vest, a loaded handgun and more than a pound and a half of suspected marijuana.

BROOKLYN PARK RESIDENTS now have easy access to counseling services offered by the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Funding through the state's quality-of-life initiatives means the YWCA has been able to open an office in the Community Service Center, at 5015 Ritchie Highway. Residents may schedule individual or group counseling or participate in a women's discussion group. A men's discussion group is also planned. Counseling sessions are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, and the women's discussion group meets that day from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. "We can arrange other hours if they are needed," said Nancy Axelsson, assistant to the program director at the YWCA's county offices in Arnold.

AFTER A TWO-WEEK vacation in the Tuscan countryside of Italy this summer, Christa McIninch knew what her theme would be the next time she was dinner host for the Linthicum Gourmet Group. Inspired by the delicious food and exciting wines of the region, McIninch, a retired CBS-TV customer service employee, wanted to share the appetizing flavors with her friends. Her turn came recently, and after much research and difficulty choosing from many delectable dishes, McIninch decided on her menu.

THE COUSCOUS WAS a disaster, the gravlax fair, the escarole soup delicious, and the Pavlova dessert impressive. The Gourmet Lunch Club has had its successes and failures with recipes, but its friendships and camaraderie have been enduring ingredients. For more than 25 years, each September through May, the club women have been meeting at each other's homes to share recipes and a planned menu. The hostess chooses the menu, and each member volunteers to make a dish. International, regional American and popular family dishes have been some of the choices.

Boy Scouts area council looking for past EaglesThe Baltimore area's Boy Scouts of America council is searching for quite a few good men -- those who attained the Boy Scouts' highest rank as Eagles, and are now older than 25 -- in connection with a celebration of Scouting's 90th anniversary and its theme emphasizing leadership in the 21st century.Adult Eagles not active in Scouting are asked to call 410-GO-SCOUT and leave their name, address, telephone number and year of Eagle award; or file electronically at the Web site www.geo cities.

The YWCA of Greater Baltimore offered yesterday to take over the Elan Vital Center, an Owings Mills job training program for homeless women that last week announced plans to close amid government reviews of its policies.The YWCA could assume operation of the 20-bed facility by the anticipated closing date of Oct. 29 "if the funding is in place," said Rosalyn Branson, the organization's chief executive officer."It's the kind of work we do," said Branson, whose organization runs a job training center in Glen Burnie and shelters in Baltimore and Baltimore County.

A GRANDPARENT who saw a need for a program to support grandparents and other caregivers of children other than their own is celebrating a landmark.The YWCA-sponsored summer Kindership Care program at Park Elementary School has developed into a full-scale, year-round program. The YWCA started the program a year ago in Annapolis and West County. A branch opened last April at the Harundale Presbyterian Church, and a new one is starting in Freetown.Frances Hullett, a former addiction counselor at North County Hospital, leads the program at Park.

The local YWCA -- traditionally run by women -- has turned over to 23 men the task of planning a party -- an October gala at the Crofton Country Club for the benefit of domestic violence programs and services. The unusual advisory committee -- Men Against Domestic Violence -- began meeting last month to plan the 1999 YWCA Week Without Violence campaign Oct. 17-23. The weeklong public awareness campaign will begin Oct. 15 with La Fiesta de la Familia, a Celebration of Family, at the country club.