What a day it was Aug. 12! My son wanted to go out for lunch for my birthday and we chose Friendly Farms, up near Hampstead. What a pleasure it was to drive through the countryside to get there. We extended the ride a bit because of seeking the new location of the Carlhaven Emu Farm, near Highland.

I needed some more of the Emu oil, which seems to help my aches and pains, and found it is one of the few things that has remained the same price! (For those interested, the phone number to reach them is 301-854-3915.)

I received a call from Jane Doyle, who heads the Tuesday Painting Class at the Ellicott City Senior Center, to offer information about the ribbons won at the Howard County Fair by the members of the group.

The artists included: Jane Doyle (second-place ribbon in the figures category, third-place ribbon in the nature category and a fourth-place ribbon in the miniatures category; Nancy Krug, who won six ribbons; Chuck McEwen (a third-place ribbon in the marine life category); Joe Waddell (a third-place ribbon in pen and ink drawings category and a third-place ribbon in the pencil drawings category; and Carole Zink (seven entries and seven ribbons in her first time to enter).

Several of the Ellicott City Senior Center artists plan to enter paintings at the Maryland State Fair, which runs Aug. 22-Sept. 1. Jane herself is taking six oils, one for each category -- portrait, still life, landscape, seascape, animal and figures. McEwen's entry is a landscape water color. Waddell will have two, one pen and ink drawing and one pencil drawing. Ted Toth's entry will be "The Butterfly", a water color, and Don Haddaway is taking his striking landscape, The Red Barn.

Joyce Thompson, leader of the Thursday Painting Together Group at the Ellicott City Senior Center, said the members of her group that had entries at the county fair included a mother and daughter, Catherine and Debi Cinqueegrana.

Catherine entered four paintings and won three ribbons, a first in figures, a third in a "Painting of a County Fair" and a fourth for one of flowers.

Debi had two entries and won a first for a still life and a third in the figures category (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers). A third artist of the group, Matt Plonski, entered six paintings, really unique ones, and came home with three fourth-place ribbons, one an "Abstract of a quilt", one a graphite portrait", and one a still life of a terra cotta "Potman on a Park Bench."

Enough about the county fair, but the kickoff of the Senior Idol Contest 2008 there, led to the Singing Auditions coming up. The first will be at the Ellicott City Senior Center Sept. 12, 12-2 p.m. and the second at the Bain Center, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-noon, with the Howard County Finals: "Singing Thanks" at the Office On Aging Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, Clarksville, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.

The contestants must be 60 years or older and a Howard County resident. For more information, call 410-313-1400.

Ellicott City Senior Center: Register at the front desk (410-313-1400) for: "Tappin' with Jackie", tap dance lessons, Tuesdays, 2-3:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 2 through Oct. 7, (beginners and experienced), cost - $30, closing recital (participation optional); "Drawing and Watercolor Class", Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 9 through Oct. 14, instructor - Carole Zink, cost - $35, for supply list, call Carole (443-546-3587); and "Dabble In Oils," instructor Shirley Treadwell, Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., beginning Sept. 18, through Oct. 23, cost - $35, for supply list call Shirley at 410-744-6661.

Bus Trips: Annual Crab Feast, Kentmoor Restaurant , Kent Island, Sept. 19, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. $49, Bingo & Birthdays, Aug. 26, 10:30 a.m. -2 p.m. , Social Security Administration Chorus, Thursday, Aug. 28, 12:30, Great Room.

Results of the Wii Bowling Tournament on Aug.13, first place Fran Byron; second place Anne Frances, and with a high score of 224, Lady Velva Howard.

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