Linthicum: Weather has posed challenges for '08 park concerts | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

It will be the final show of the 28th season for the annual music series sponsored by the Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights.

Jericho Bridge is a bluegrass band from the Baltimore area that plays traditional and contemporary songs. The group consists of John Alexander, Tom Beers, Tom Lather and Brian Pelisek.

Although the skies were clear by showtime that day, stormy weather on the afternoon of July 27 prompted organizers to put the performance on hold.

"The Concerts in the Park are a real joy, except for the weatherman," joked Jo Barker, the performing arts chairman for the Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights. She and a committee are responsible for planning and organizing the popular series that has become a summer institution at Linthicum Park.

The weather turned out to be perfect for the first concert this season. The next two shows, however, were cut short after about half an hour when the rain sent the bands scrambling to protect their equipment and the spectators dashing for their cars.

"This has not been the best year for Concerts in the Parks," Mrs. Barker said. "Last year we had a drought and got every concert in."

She noted, however, that the rain is necessary; it's just not always convenient.

Nevertheless, approaching their third decade the concerts remain well attended. It took five years from the beginning in 1981 before there was a bandstand in place for the concerts. Today with the cooperation of state and county officials and other local clubs and associations, the shows continue to go on.

This week's performance will showcase Crabtowne Big Band, a perennial favorite that has been in almost every series since the start. The only ones the band missed were the dates they were rained out, Mrs. Barker said.

Crabtowne Big Band will go on stage at 6 p.m. Sunday. Spectators are welcome to take their own chairs, coolers and picnic items to the park off Benton Avenue, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed at the shows.

Winning gardens

The Orchards of Linthicum neighborhood recently held its annual contest for the best summer gardens.

Mary Youngblood, who is in charge of the social committee for the neighborhood, announced the winners in an e-mail:

The most colorful summer garden honor went to the Ebersole family.

The home with the best use of a containers belongs to the Lombardi family.

The best overall summer garden was awarded to the Shepherd family

The Orchards consist of about 60 homes along Chestnut Oak Lane, Old English Oak Court, Blue Oak Court, Emory Oak Court and Medora and Twin Oaks roads.

Library meetings

The Linthicum library, 400 Shipley Road, has a busy meeting and activity schedule for August, including the annual chalk artwork event outside the library.

Babies in Bloom - 10 a.m. today, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.

Friendship Quilters Guild - 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday

East Coast Majestic Cheerleading Association - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 14.

Friendship Quilters of Linthicum - 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 16.

Close Knit Group - 7 to 8:45 p.m. Aug. 19

Sidewalk chalk drawing - 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 21.

North Linthicum Recreation Association - 7 to 8:45 p.m. Aug. 21.

P.C. Quilters - 9 to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 23.

Performing Arts Association of Linthicum - 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26.

North County Republican Women - 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

The library's parking lot will be closed tomorrow and Friday for repaving and line painting. Patrons are asked to park on the streets near the library on those two days.

For more details, call 410-222-6265.

Church yard sale

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 116 Marydell Road, will hold a yard sale on Aug. 23 to raise money for the church and its ministries.

Anyone interested in supporting the sale can donate items, except clothing, in the church basement from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday in the church basement.

Books, small appliances and other items will be on sale. A lunch will be available also, Sue Wenzlick, the church's administrator and secretary, wrote in an e-mail announcing the event.

For more information, call the church office at 410-859-5633.

St. Philip's news

The St. Philip Neri Seniors will take a bus trip to Atlantic City on Sept. 8.

The bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The cost is $35.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Mary Scott at 410-760-6414.

The church's youth group will sponsor a basket and bag bingo on Sept. 13 in the parish hall, 6405 S. Orchard Road.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the bingo will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 in advance, or $18 at the door. There will be 20 games, three specials and two raffles, as well as door prizes.

Prizes will include Longaberger Baskets and Vera Bradley Bags.

For tickets or more information, call Margaret Elliott at 410-859-4950 or Sue Wenzlick at 410-850-5680.

Clubs and organizations in the Linthicum area can call Maryland Gazette correspondent David Craig at 410-766-3700, Ext. 2402, or send e-mail to dcraig.gazette@yahoo.com for publication of their news.