Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Monday, May 21, 2007

20070520 Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates College of William and Mary Graduation Exercises Remarks

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates College of William and Mary Graduation Exercises Remarks

College of William and Mary May 20, 2007

Courtesy of Joseph McClain, Director of Research Communications, The College of William & Mary and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Duty Officer

For more information go to: “Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates transcribed commencement remarks;” or - http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=7791

and -Video of Gates' remarks and -Commencement 2007 coverage

_____

Thank you, President Nichol. Members of the faculty, parents, distinguished guests. Justice O’Connor—Chancellor—a pleasure to see you. Justice O’Connor administered my oath of office as Director of Central Intelligence in 1991 and, more recently, as President Nichol has mentioned, we served on the Baker-Hamilton Commission last year—although my tenure on the group was rather abruptly interrupted.

Speaking of which, in terms of my timing in taking on the responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, it reminds me of a story told long ago by Senator Richard Russell of Georgia, who spoke of having seen a bull that charged a locomotive. He said, “You know that was the bravest bull I ever saw, but I can’t say much for his judgment.”

Dr. Kelso and Secretary Coleman, your recognition here today is well-deserved.

To the members of the Class of 2007: Congratulations. I am truly honored—and flattered—to be your graduation speaker.

I presided over 39 commencement ceremonies as president of Texas A&M, yet, today is the first commencement speech I have ever given. I thank all of you for the extraordinary privilege of letting it be at my alma mater.

To the parents: you must be welling up with pride at the achievements of your children. Having put two children through college, I know there are many sighs of relief as well, and you are probably already planning how to spend your newly re-acquired disposable income. Forget it. Trust me on this. If you think you’ve written your last check to your son or daughter, dream on. The National Bank of Mom and Dad is still open for business.

I guess I am supposed to give you some advice on how to succeed. I could quote the billionaire J. Paul Getty, who offered advice on how to get rich. He said, “Rise early, work late, strike oil.” Or, Alfred Hitchcock, who said, “There’s nothing to winning really. That is if you happen to be blessed with a keen eye, an agile mind, and no scruples whatsoever.

Well, instead of those messages, my only words of advice for success today comes from two great women. First, opera star Beverly Sills, who said, “There are no short cuts to anyplace worth going.” And second, from Katharine Hepburn, who wrote: “Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around wondering about yourself.”

In all those 39 commencements at Texas A&M, I learned the importance of brevity for a speaker. George Bernard Shaw once told a speaker he had 15 minutes. The speaker asked, “How can I possibly tell them all I know in 15 minutes? Shaw replied, “I advise you to speak very slowly.” I will speak quickly, because, to paraphrase President Lincoln, I have no doubt you will little note nor long remember what is said here.

I arrived at William & Mary in 1961 at age 17, intending to become a medical doctor. My first year was pure pre-med: biology, chemistry, calculus and so on. I soon switched from pre-med to history. I used to say “God only knows how many lives have been saved by my becoming Director of CIA instead of a doctor.”

When reflecting on my experience here I feel gratitude for many things:

To William & Mary for being a top-tier school that someone like me could actually afford to attend—even as an out-of-state student. By the way, hold on to your hats, parents: Out of state tuition then was $361 a semester.

Gratitude for the personal care and attention from a superb faculty and staff—a manifestation of this university’s commitment to undergraduate education that continues to this day;

Gratitude to those in the greater Williamsburg community, who opened their hearts and their homes to a 17-year-old far from his own home; and

Gratitude for one more thing. During my Freshman year I got a ‘D’ in calculus. When my father called from Kansas to ask how such a thing was possible, I had to admit, “Dad, the ‘D’ was a gift.” So, I’m grateful to that math professor too.

What William & Mary gave me, above all else, was a calling to serve—a sense of duty to community and country that this college has sought to instill in each generation of students for more than 300 years. It is a calling rooted in the history and traditions of this institution.

Many a night, late, I’d walk down Duke of Gloucester Street from the Wren Building to the Capitol. On those walks, in the dark, I felt the spirit of the patriots who created a free and independent country, who helped birth it right here in Williamsburg. It was on those walks that I made my commitment to public service.

I also was encouraged to make that commitment by the then-president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, who said to we young Americans in the early 1960s, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”

We are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine this country could have gotten off to a more challenging start. It began as a business venture of a group of London merchants with a royal patent. The journalist Richard Brookhiser recently compared it to Congress today granting Wal-Mart and GE a charter to colonize Mars.

Brookhiser wrote, “Its leaders were always fighting. Leaders who were incompetent or unpopularsometimes the most competent were the least popularwere deposed on the spot,” He continues, “The typical 17th Century account of Jamestown argues that everything would have gone well if everyone besides the author had not done wrong.” Sounds like today’s memoirs by former government officials.

Jamestown saw the New World’s first representative assembly—the institutional expression of the concept that people should have a say in how they were governed, and having that say brought with it certain obligations: a duty to participate, a duty to contribute, a duty to serve the greater good.

It is these four-hundred-year-old obligations that I want to address for the next few minutes. When talking about American democracy, we hear a great deal about freedoms, and rights, and, more recently, about the entitlements of citizenship. We hear a good deal less about the duties and responsibilities of being an American.

Young Americans are as decent, generous, and compassionate as we’ve ever seen in this country—an impression reinforced by my four and a half years of experience as President of Texas A&M, by the response of college students across America—and especially here at William & Mary—to the tragedy at Virginia Tech, and even more powerfully reinforced by almost six months as Secretary of Defense.

That is what makes it puzzling that so many young people who are public-minded when it comes to their campus and community tend to be uninterested in— if not distrustful of—our political processes. Nor is there much enthusiasm for participating in government, either as a candidate or for a career.

While volunteering for a good cause is important, it is not enough. This country will only survive and progress as a democracy if its citizens—young and old alike—take an active role in its political life as well.

Seventy percent of eligible voters in this country cast a ballot in the election of 1964. The voting age was then 21. During the year I graduated, 1965, the first major American combat units arrived in Vietnam, and with them, many 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. In recognition of that disparity, years later the voting age would be lowered to 18 by constitutional amendment.

Sad to say, that precious franchise, purchased and preserved by the blood of hundreds of thousands of Americans your age and younger from 1776 to today, has not been adequately appreciated or exercised by your generation.

In 2004, with our nation embroiled in two difficult and controversial wars, the voting percentage was only 42 percent for those aged 18 to 24.

Ed Muskie, former senator and Secretary of State, once said that “you have the God given right to kick the government around.” And it starts with voting, and becoming involved in campaigns. If you think that too many politicians are feckless and corrupt, then go out and help elect different ones. Or go out and run yourself. But you must participate, or else the decisions that affect your life and the future of our country will be made for you—and without you.

So vote. And volunteer. But also consider doing something else: dedicating at least part of your life in service to our country.

I entered public life more than 40 years ago, and no one is more familiar with the hassles, frustrations and sacrifices of public service than I am. Government is, by design of the Founding Fathers, slow, unwieldy and almost comically inefficient. Will Rogers used to say: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

These frustrations are inherent in a system of checks and balances, of divisions and limitations of power. Our Founding Fathers did not have efficiency as their primary goal. They designed a system intended to sustain and protect liberty for the ages. Getting things done in government is not easy, but it’s not supposed to be.

I last spoke at William & Mary on Charter Day in 1998. Since then our country has gone through September 11 with subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We learned once again that the fundamental nature of man has not changed, that evil people and forces will always be with us, and must be dealt with through courage and strength.

Serving the nation has taken on a whole new meaning and required a whole new level of risk and sacrifice—with hundreds of thousands of young Americans in uniform who have stepped forward to put their lives on the line for their country. These past few months I’ve met many of those men and women—in places like Fallujah and Tallil in Iraq and Bagram and Forward Operating Base Tillman in Afghanistan—and at Walter Reed as well. Seeing what they do every day, and the spirit and good humor with which they do it, is an inspiration. The dangers they face, and the dangers our country faces, make it all the more important that this kind of service be honored, supported, and encouraged.

The ranks of these patriots include the graduates of William & Mary’s ROTC program, and the cadets in this Class of 2007, who I’d like to address directly. You could have chosen a different path—something easier, or safer, or better compensated—but you chose to serve. You have my deepest admiration and respect—as Secretary of Defense, but mostly as a fellow American.

You are part of a tradition of voluntary military service dating back to George Washington’s Continental Army. That tradition today includes General David McKiernan, William & Mary Class of 1972, who led the initial ground force in Iraq and now commands all Army troops in Europe. It also is a tradition not without profound loss and heartache.

Some of you may know the story of Ryan McGlothlin, William & Mary Class of 2001: a high school valedictorian, Phi Beta Kappa here, and Ph.D. candidate at Stanford. After being turned down by the Army for medical reasons, he persisted and joined the Marines and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. He was killed leading a platoon of riflemen near the Syrian border.

Ryan’s story attracted media attention because of his academic credentials and family connections. That someone like him would consider the military surprised some people. When Ryan first told his parents about joining the Marines, they asked if there was some other way to contribute. He replied that the privileged of this country bore an equal responsibility to rise to its defense.

It is precisely during these trying times that America needs its best and brightest young people, from all walks of life, to step forward and commit to public service. Because while the obligations of citizenship in any democracy are considerable, they are even more profound, and more demanding, as citizens of a nation with America’s global challenges and responsibilities—and America’s values and aspirations.

During the war of the American Revolution, Abigail Adams wrote the following to her son, John Quincy Adams: “These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station that great characters are formed. . . . Great necessities call out great virtues.”

You graduate in a time of “great necessities.” Therein lies your challenge and your opportunity.

A final thought. As a nation, we have, over more than two centuries, made our share of mistakes. From time to time, we have strayed from our values; and, on occasion, we have become arrogant in our dealings with others. But we have always corrected our course. And that is why today, as throughout our history, this country remains the world’s most powerful force for good—the ultimate protector of what Vaclav Havel once called “civilization’s thin veneer.” A nation Abraham Lincoln described as mankind’s last, best hope.”

If, in the 21st century, America is to be a force for good in the world—for freedom, the rule of law, and the inherent value of each and every person; if America is to continue to be a beacon for all who are oppressed; if America is to exercise global leadership consistent with our better angels, then the most able and idealistic of your generation must step forward and accept the burden and the duty of public service. I promise you that you will also find joy and satisfaction and fulfillment.

I earlier quoted a letter from Abigail Adams to her son, John Quincy. I will close with a quote from a letter John Adams sent to one of their other sons, Thomas Boylston Adams. And he wrote: “Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or another. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.”

Will the wise and the honest among you come help us serve the American people?

Congratulations and Godspeed.

###

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

20070515 Westminster Eagle Week in review


Westminster Eagle Week in review

Posted May 16th, 2007

http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=978

Local News


Hearing on city budget is shifted

Call it a dress rehearsal -- Monday's public hearing regarding the City of Westminster's proposed 2008 budget was rescheduled to May 21 after state officials ruled that the hearing was not advertised properly.

About a dozen residents showed up at City Hall on Monday for the budget session, ... [Read full story]


Westminster Elections: Six vie for three seats

Elections for three seats on the Westminster Common Council will be held next Monday, May 14.

Three incumbents — Suzanne Albert, Dr. Robert Wack and Gregory Pecoraro — are squaring off against a trio of challengers — residents Charles Cull, William Gill and Kenneth Warren.

The non-partisan position is for a four-year term.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on voting, call Laurell Taylor at city hall, 410-848-9000.

Suzanne Albert (I)

Albert was first elected to the council in 1995,... [Read full story]


'Little Mermaid' swims onto stage at Carroll Arts Center

The role of a sailor in "The Little Mermaid" calls for jumping off the ship to the seas below.

While Dan Cormany of Eldersburg knew there wouldn't be a real ocean involved in the Carroll County Arts Center's production of the children's play, he was still dreaming big.

"I like the part where you jump off the ship," Cormany, 9, said. "I was hoping we would have to jump off the stage. We jump off over a cutout of the ship waist-high."

Cormany is one of a cast of about 30 children ranging in age from 7 to 10 who have been rehearsing since auditions in February for this weekend... [Read full story]


Family is reconnected with memories of World War II
More than 30 years after his death, the ancestors of Samuel Alasha gathered recently to recall a time of war, a time of sacrifice and a time of service.

"It was really the last war that touched everybody," said U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, recalling the days of Victory Gardens, "Rosie the Riveter" a... [Read full story]


'Looking up' to appreciate local history Members of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission believe preservation efforts in the city are "looking up," and they hope local residents will also look up -- literally -- to participate in a contest designed to promote the community's historic architecture.

This month the c... [Read full story]

Recreation


Westminster falters, then ties for title

Girls' Lacrosse

The Century Knights have faced greater challenges this year than in their brief but highly successful past, which includes two state championships in the first five years of the program.

An early-season overtime loss to Liberty, the Knights' first defeat ever against county competition, put Century's four-season streak of Carroll titles in jeopardy.

In Tuesday's critical matchup against a Westminster team that entered with an undefeated county record, Century looked to its two brightest stars to keep the goal of a fifth straight Carroll title alive.

Sophom... [Read full story]

Opinion


Carving the crust from budget pie Editorial

The Board of County Commissioners is coming down to the wire in the deliberations on this year's budget package.

After work sessions scheduled for May 10 and May 15, the commissioners are expected to vote on a final plan May 22.

Judging by those who attended last week's public hearin... [Read full story]

The Passing Parade


Presidential race as wide open as Kentucky Derby Trying to pick a winner in either event based on their past performance and preparation for the race is potluck.

And there's nearly as many wannabe presidents as those that were in the "run for the roses," just two shy at this point in time of matching the number that were in the starting gate las... [Read full story]

Wolf at the Door


Passing on the good word is simply a matter of experience Words fascinate me. I love dictionaries and can spend hours reading them.

If I travel, I always have one with me for any language I'll need.

Having an interest in words, and how we use them, can give me a real index on new people I meet.

Words you use can define your educational background, as... [Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff


The legacy of Westminster's 'Singing Barber' Tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of the "singing barber of Main Court Inn," James Hope, who passed away on May 10, 1900.

Mr. Hope opened his barbershop in Westminster around 1873. His obituary was published May 12, 1900 in the American Sentinel, which noted: "He leaves a widow, but no chil... [Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff Wednesday, May 16 Who was Kate Wagner, and why did she rule the road? How many folks pass by Kate Wagner Road in Westminster and wonder to themselves, “Just who was Kate Wagner?”

I did not know myself until recently, when I happened to have a conversation with one of my Westminster High School class of 1971 classmates, Steve Sinnott.

... [Read full story]


Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby
In the 1950s and '60s, Main Street in Westminster was the center of the entire known universe.

We could easily walk or ride our bicycles downtown and there we could safely visit Heagy's Sport Shop, G.C. Murphy's, Stu's Music Shop, Davis Library, Shaffer and Company Variety Store and Mather's -- to... [Read full story]


This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs Westminster East Middle School PTA president Candy Arnold is on a mission.

Ever since she took over the reins of the Parent Teacher Association, she has dreamed of having "an Art Deco-style marquee in front of our beautiful school."

East Middle School, which is located in the same building which... [Read full story]


In the storied history of Carroll Hospital Center, Steve Bohn poised to take a 'SPIRIT'-ed place As Carroll County grows and changes, folks too often take for granted past improvements in our community that have been the result of visionary leaders overcoming enormous obstacles.

Also too often in today's deliberations, it's the usual naysayers that get all the newspaper attention.

O... [Read full story]

[Local news archives]

Literacy council recruiting new tutors The Literacy Council of Carroll County, which offers free and confidential instruction in reading and math to adults and children, is in need of tutors to help the program.

A 14-hour series of tutor training workshops will be held beginning Thursday, May 17 and will include training in how to tuto... [Read full story]


More Headlines Flowers and jazz take over Main Street Family is reconnected with memories of World War II

Education Notes

Education Notes

05/09/07 By Heidi Schroeder Email this story to a friend

'Looking up' to appreciate local history

News Briefs Stone, Harrison and Morse sent to O'Malley

After interviewing 22 applicants on Monday to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education, the current school board members have recommended three candidates to Gov. Martin O'Malley.

Virginia Harrison of Sykesville, Jeffrey Morse of Taneytown and C. Scot... [Read full story]

Movie Capsule

Tuesday, May 15

Movie Capsules New Movies

"Delta Farce" (PG-13). Not reviewed. This comedy stars Larry the Cable Guy as a jobless man mistaken for an Army Reservist and shipped off to battle. Bill Engvall, D.J. Qualls and Keith David co-star; C. B. Harding directs. Opens Friday, May 11. "The Ex" (PG-13). Not reviewed. Zach Br... [Read full story]

####

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

20070502 Looking up to appreciate local Westminster history


'Looking up' to appreciate local history

May 8th, 2007

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1269983&om=1


Contest promotes city's historic architecture

05/02/07 By Jim Joyner

Members of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission believe preservation efforts in the city are "looking up," and they hope local residents will also look up -- literally -- to participate in a contest designed to promote the community's historic architecture.

This month the commission is conducting its historical scavenger hunt, dubbed "History is Looking Up in Westminster."

The contest challenges local residents -- or anyone -- to identify specific features on a dozen historic buildings in downtown Westminster, and send in an entry that lists the addresses.

"We wanted to figure out some way to spark interest in historical preservation, and at the same time help people appreciate the unique facets of Westminster architecture," said Greg Goodell, chairman of the contest for the commission.

The contest is being conducted in May as part of Historic Preservation Month, and has a deadline for entries of May 31.

Winners will be chosen at random from all those who identify the addresses correctly.

(Photos of all the historic features to be identified, and a list of "clues," appears on the link below.)

First prize is a framed limited edition print depicting 27 historic buildings in Westminster, created last year by artist Connie Ward Woolard.

Other prizes will include gift certificates from area merchants. And beginning May 14, participants who bring their entries to city hall during business hours will receive a commemorative poster.

Goodell has been a member of the Westminster Historic District Commission since 2004, and works in the history business -- he is employed by the National Park Service as superintendent of Museum Services at Gettysburg National Battlefield.

He said the commission thought of the contest as a fun way to pique the curiosity of local residents, and also to get people to walk around Main Street and "rediscover" the downtown area.

"That's certainly the other part of it," he said. "We hope people will go out, look for these buildings and also explore Main Street."

The commission led by example -- Goodell said members toured downtown to look at, and discuss, possible sites to be part of the contest.

"We went out as a group, walked around downtown and took some pictures, then we sat down as a commission and tried to pick the 12 most compelling," he said.

The result is a mix of eras and styles, from ornate iron detailing to chimney pots, and styles that reflect Gothic, Greek Revival and French influences. And here's a clue: All of the sites chosen are along Main Street and its immediate side streets, Goodell said.

"We hope people have fun, and learn a little bit more about their community," he said.

"I think people appreciate history in Westminster -- we know people come out in large numbers to the Memorial Day Parade and for other events," Goodell said.

"We hope that seeing some of the city's historic architecture will help people have a deeper appreciation of it, and feel strongly about wanting to preserve it, and asking, 'How can I help?' "

Mission of preservation

The history contest is part of the current Historic District Commission's goal to raise awareness about the city's rich history -- and its preservation efforts.

The commission is composed of five residents who work with city staff on issues relating to preservation. Some of the members, like Goodell, make history their living; others simply have a keen interest in preservation.

Though it's not a requirement, all of the current members of the commission live within Westminster's Historic District.

It is a requirement that they be city residents.

The current members, in addition to Goodell, are Chairman Dean Camlin, Vice Chair Kristen Stevens, Laurie Walters and Susan Thomas.

Goodell said the commission can review applications for changes in historic properties -- but the city has no ordinance mandating that property owners must comply.

The panel's big focus, he said, is helping to make residents aware of tax credits and other programs that exist to help owners of historic properties improve their homes and businesses.

A recent workshop on the subject resulted in a few new applications for tax credits -- which makes Goodell happy.

"Maryland is really a good state in terms of preservation," he said. "We try to make people more aware of what's out there to help."

For more information on the work of the Historic District Commission, call Tim Rogers at City Hall, at 410-848-4628.

Ready, set, hunt ...

The Westminster Historic District Commission is promoting its "History is Looking Up in Westminster" contest. The contest appears on the link below, and the commission will also have copies of the entry "poster" available at its booth at the Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival on May 12 along Main Street.

In addition to being available below, additional copies of the form are available at the office of The Westminster Eagle, 121 E. Main St. So click away and start looking up -- entries are due at City Hall by May 31.

Friday, May 04, 2007

20070502 This week in the Westminster Eagle


This week in the Westminster Eagle

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 – Posted May 4th, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff


Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby

In the 1950s and '60s, Main Street in Westminster was the center of the entire known universe.

We could easily walk or ride our bicycles downtown and there we could safely visit Heagy's Sport Shop, G.C. Murphy's, Stu's Music Shop, Davis Library, Shaffer and Company Variety Store and Mather's -- to... [Read full story]

Local News


Granite House calls on rockin' fund-raiser


Since it opened its doors 27 years ago, Granite House in Westminster has offered help to those suffering with mental illness.

Usually, Granite's functions are covered by insurance, but state funding for mental illness has seen cuts in recent years, and officials at the center say they see more and...
[Read full story]


'Looking up' to appreciate local history

Members of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission believe preservation efforts in the city are "looking up," and they hope local residents will also look up -- literally -- to participate in a contest designed to promote the community's historic architecture.

This month the c...
[Read full story]

Recreation


Woods' pitching leads Panthers over Knights
North Carroll tied for first in county standings

Girls Softball

The modern athletic era often values power, speed, and statistics above all other factors.

In contrast, the North Carroll softball team offers proof that you can be successful simply by being resourceful and executing the fundamen...
[Read full story]

Opinion


Study of waste-to-energy sites is a signal of decisions to come
Editorial

It was just a little road trip, but Monday's journey by the Board of County Commissioners and staff to Lancaster County, Pa., was more than symbolic.

The commissioners toured a waste-to-energy facility -- i.e. incinerator -- to see first-hand the technology, the issues and the practica...
[Read full story]

Culleton on Carroll


Slogan sadly changing from 'Buy America' to 'Bye, America'
In 1813, after the battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Perry sent the triumphant message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

About one-and-a-half centuries later, cartoonist and satirist Walt Kelly parodied the boastful message with respect to the environment: "We have met the enemy and ...
[Read full story]

Community Calendar


Community Calendar
ARTS

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present the Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill 1928 musical, "The Three Penny Opera" at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, on Friday, May 4, 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 adults; $14 for arts council members, s...
[Read full story]

People Forms


Engagement Announcement

Share the big news! Engagement announcements run free of charge in The Westminster Eagle.

Just print out the following form, or cut and paste it into either a word document or an e-mail. Remember – you are NOT bound to follow this form, it is simply designed to give you an idea of the type of information that might be included. Feel free to include more, or less, information.

When you’re done, you can send this in the mail to The Westminster Eagle, 121 E. Main St., Westminster, MD 21157. Or, you may fax to 410-386-0340, or e-mail to thewestminstereagle@patuxent.com.


[Read full story]

[Local news archives]

Local News Friday, May 04 Wild Blue Yonder


It was a brilliant, clear day last October for the Carroll County Experimental Aircraft Association's Autumn Fly-In.

Unfortunately, not a single plane could fly, as 40 mph winds kept planes grounded and the event had to be canceled.

This Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the group will host a ...
[Read full story]


Partnership based on health, and choice
As far as Susan Rill is concerned, serving a menu with healthy choices wasn't a matter of trying to influence her clients at the Dutch Corner Restaurant in Manchester, it was an attempt to cater to them.

In her seven years running the home-style restaurant on Manchester's Main Street, Rill and her...
[Read full story]


News Briefs
Nearly two dozen apply for Board of Ed vacancy

The Board of Education of Carroll County has solicited applications from individuals interested in serving on the board, and that search netted 22 applicants from across the county.

Applicants from Eldersburg, Sykesville and Marriottsville include M...
[Read full story]

From soccer to artwork in Sandymount rec
Sandymount Recreation Council is hosting the following registrations for upcoming sports, fitness and health programs. For information, see the contact information listed.

* A summer co-ed beginner soccer clinic for youngsters in grades one through five (2006-07 school year) will be held June 17-2...
[Read full story]


More Headlines

Education Notes

Education Notes

05/02/07
By Heidi Schroeder

Business Briefs

'Looking up' to appreciate local history

Community Calendar Friday, May 04 Community Calendar
ARTS

> The Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present the Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill 1928 musical, "The Three Penny Opera" at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, on Friday, May 4, 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 adults; $14 for arts council members, s...
[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff Friday, May 04 Who was Kate Wagner, and why did she rule the road?
How many folks pass by Kate Wagner Road in Westminster and wonder to themselves, “Just who was Kate Wagner?”

I did not know myself until recently, when I happened to have a conversation with one of my Westminster High School class of 1971 classmates, Steve Sinnott.

...
[Read full story]


Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby
In the 1950s and '60s, Main Street in Westminster was the center of the entire known universe.

We could easily walk or ride our bicycles downtown and there we could safely visit Heagy's Sport Shop, G.C. Murphy's, Stu's Music Shop, Davis Library, Shaffer and Company Variety Store and Mather's -- to...
[Read full story]


This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs


Westminster East Middle School PTA president Candy Arnold is on a mission.

Ever since she took over the reins of the Parent Teacher Association, she has dreamed of having "an Art Deco-style marquee in front of our beautiful school."

East Middle School, which is located in the same building which...
[Read full story]


In the storied history of Carroll Hospital Center, Steve Bohn poised to take a 'SPIRIT'-ed place


As Carroll County grows and changes, folks too often take for granted past improvements in our community that have been the result of visionary leaders overcoming enormous obstacles.

Also too often in today's deliberations, it's the usual naysayers that get all the newspaper attention.

O... [Read full story]

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

20070430 Daily Photoblog "The Plumbers"


Daily Photoblog – “The Plumbers” © Kevin Dayhoff

April 30th, 2007

C. E. Abend and Sons, Westminster, Maryland (410) 848-0204

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

20070423 What’s going on?

What’s going on?

April 23, 2007

I was a big Marvin Gaye fan when I was young and I always liked this song.

Go over to The Tentacle and read Derek Shackleford’s column:

"What's Going On?" by Derek Shackelford writing in The Tentacle:

Yesterday I was having a flashback and popped in my Marvin Gaye CD. Why I had decided to listen to Marvin Gaye on this particular occasion I could not answer. I think I just wanted to hear something with a nice beat.

One particular song caught my attention. It was "What's Going On." For some reason on this particular day, I listened with a more reflective consciousness.

As I surveyed the current landscape of the world and in my conversations with others, the question that is before all of is "What's Going On?" We really want to know that because - to a large degree - it appears we cannot make sense out of anything.

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On

####

20070424 Ozzie and Harriet

















"Ozzie and Harriet"

Posted April 24, 2007

The adventures of America’s favorite family, Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky Nelson.

I don’t know when this episode aired. The show “Ozzie and Harriet” appeared on ABC from 1952 to 1966.

This episode features a commercial for the Kodak Brownie Starmatic camera.

In this episode Dave, Ricky and Wally go horseback riding at the Lazy K Stables…

Check out the car as they leave the house to travel to the stable.

Wally rides a horse named Bertha. His mounting technique is well, unique…

And check out the riding instructor.

It would be luck that I would end up taking lessons from “Hank,’ the other riding instructor.

They decide that perhaps they need some additional horseback riding instructions… But not from George or Bill or Bob…

Well, watch the clip and smile broadly at era long since gone by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MC8U_vlq-A

Yeah, for all my nieces and nephews who read the blog, this was TV when your uncle was growing up.

Of course, this is the other side of your uncle:

Ozzy Osbourne-Dreamer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJqswLi3uE

For the lyrics, it’s my favorite Ozzie song…

####

20070424 The Washington Post Sleuth

The Sleuth - Mary Ann Akers

Compilation as of Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

Posted at 2:15 PM ET, 04/24/2007

Kucinich Halts Impeachment Hunt Against Cheney

UPDATE, 3:45 p.m. ET: Kucinich now plans to hold his news conference announcing articles of impeachment against the vice president at 5 p.m. ET today. (Kucinich was in the Speaker's Lobby off the House chamber just moments ago personally handing out press releases announcing that the big event is back on.) Let's hope Cheney doesn't have a dental appointment or anything between now and then!...

Open Government, What Open Government?

UPDATE, 4:00 P.M. ET: After the letter circulated widely on the Internet, Rep. Obey changed his mind and will now allow cameras into the conference committee proceedings. Original Post: Radio and television reporters who cover the House aren't so pleased with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (Calif.) notion of transparency. After the Democrats won control of the House, Pelosi promised to make Congress "the most open...Congress in...

Rich Little Bravely Answers Washington's Call

Most people who endured Rich Little's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night had the same reaction ... bless his heart. Rich Little brought his presidential voices to Washington on Saturday night. (Getty Images) Bless his heart for getting trapped in a time warp that won't let him escape 1981. (The man is still hinging his act on Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon...

White House Dinner: Stomping Ground

Tomorrow's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is shaping up to be a Republican presidential primary cattle show. The most bizarre cattle show ever, considering the side attractions include the singing, faux-hawked pop culture icon Sanjaya and oh-so-last century icons Jane Fonda and Rich Little, who's emceeing the event. While none of the major Democratic presidential contenders are taking a break from campaigning to attend the...

Congressman Hits on Actress Kerry Washington

Who knew that a Congressman's funding request for sewer projects in his district could be so... so sexy? When Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) went before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Thursday, he found himself appealing instead for the affection of famed silver screen beauty Kerry Washington. Washington, who starred in "Ray" and "The Last King of Scotland" among other films,...

Rummy and Newt, War and (In)Fidelity

Donald Rumsfeld and Newt Gingrich have more in common than being out of power. They're both apparently fans of the legendary German composer Richard Wagner (that's pronounced VAHG-ner, while lifting your head and looking down your nose).

Rummy and Newt were spotted Tuesday night - separately - at the Kennedy Center enjoying Placido Domingo's stirring performance in Die Walkure, the second of four operas that make up Wagner's Ring cycle.

Brownback Wins This Week's Fundraising "Award"

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) has won this week's Most Outrageous Fundraising Solicitation award. In an email to potential supporters today, Brownback, who is running for president, prays for the families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy, then segues to Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling on partial birth abortion, and then - you guessed it - to...

Romney: In the Bunker on Shooting Incident

It seems Mitt Romney, who's been working hard of late to establish his pro-gun bona fides, is the only major presidential candidate whose campaign web site does not prominently feature the candidate's reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre. Others have made the incident front and center on their web sites. Take, for example, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The very first thing you see...

Articles of Impeachment To Be Filed On Cheney

Looks like he's reached his boiling point.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), the most liberal of the Democratic presidential candidates in the primary field, declared in a letter sent to his Democratic House colleagues this morning that he plans to file articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kucinich has made ending the war in Iraq the central theme of his campaign. He has even taken aim at the leading Democratic presidential candidates in the field for their votes on authorizing the war.


Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution
gives Congress the authority to impeach the president, vice president and "all civil Officers of the United States" for "treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Bush Administration: Breakdown

Is this is a metaphor for something? Congressional oversight committees and reporters covering the U.S. attorneys firing scandal waited with bated breath Thursday night for yet another huge document drop revealing more details in the Bush administration's plan to fire eight U.S. attorneys. They waited, and waited. But the documents weren't delivered to the House and Senate Judiciary committees until this morning because -- no...

Flacking the Good Flack

Here's a good one: Guess who's giving crisis communications advice on how Don Imus should have spun his way out of the derogatory slur he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team? Answer: the former spokesman for ex-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), whose racist and sexist gaffes contributed to his downfall in the 2006 mid-term elections. That's right, Burns' former press secretary, Matt Mackowiak, is dispensing...

The Imus Factor

Finally, a meaty issue that divides Democratic presidential candidates -- Don Imus. To shun or not to shun the embattled radio show host for uttering some demeaning remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team, that is the question. Sen. Chris Dodd(D-Conn.), who announced his presidential candidacy on "Imus in the Morning" instead of some place in his home state, won't rule out going on Imus's...

Race for the Golden Gavel

Two freshman senators are locked in a tight race over who will be class geek. Both Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) want to be the very first among their class of nine senators to win the Golden Gavel Award, which was created in the 1960s as an incentive to get wide-eyed new senators to learn the rules and procedures of the snootier...

Edwards Campaign Modifies Online Fundraising Practice

John Edwards's presidential campaign has modified its online fundraising approach to give visitors an "opt-out" option if they are just trying to send a sympathy note to Elizabeth Edwards about her cancer recurrence. The change reflects an apparent attempt to separate the handling of Mrs. Edwards's illness from the incessant need for money to fund her husband's campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. The...

Biden Slams Sam Fox Recess Appointment

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.) finally weighed in today on the Bush administration's surprise recess appointment of Sam Fox to be ambassador to Belgium. Democrats are outraged, arguing it is illegal for President Bush to use a recess appointment to install someone whose nomination was no longer even pending before Congress. Biden, who is running for president and was stumping in Iowa...

April 22, 2007 - April 28, 2007
April 15, 2007 - April 21, 2007
April 08, 2007 - April 14, 2007
April 01, 2007 - April 07, 2007
March 25, 2007 - March 31, 2007
March 18, 2007 - March 24, 2007
March 11, 2007 - March 17, 2007
March 04, 2007 - March 10, 2007
February 25, 2007 - March 03, 2007
February 18, 2007 - February 24, 2007
February 11, 2007 - February 17, 2007
February 04, 2007 - February 10, 2007
January 28, 2007 - February 03, 2007
January 21, 2007 - January 27, 2007