Last Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the 10:30 in the morning service at Grace Lutheran Church

Last Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the 10:30 in the morning service at  Grace Lutheran Church. Pastor Martha spoke to us about Matthew 10: 40-42 "Whoever welcomes you welsomes me … and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one …"

She asked the question, "What does it mean in our world today to offer a cup of cold water? How do we provide a compassionate welcome to others?"

She finished her sermon by saying, "I leave you today with a challenge for this week: Look and listen for concrete examples of people offering hospitality and a cup of water to others.

"And I urge you to offer God's grace when you see your neighbor in need…"

This is why I go to church, to learn insights that I can use in the following week. Just saying.

Investigating the Wakefield Valley Trail “2-squares - #112” mystery

Investigating the Wakefield Valley Trail "2-squares - #112" mystery. I wonder, if I unravel the mystery, will I learn whether or not Rick Deckard is a replicant or a human. Sunday, July 2, 2017 

Terry Smack elected to the board of directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank

Terry Smack elected to the board of directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank

Huge congratulations to my friend Terry Smack for being elected to the board of directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank. She will do a great job. It is about time. This speaks well of Farmers and Merchants Bank as it is about time, that boards of directors start looking like the local community by adding women, and men and woman of color. Just saying.

If you are not aware of the epic accomplishments of Ms. Smack; she is the owner of Terry's Tag and Title Service, a tag and title agent for the State of Maryland. And she understands that as a responsible business owner, she has a social contract with the community. She gives back to the community and in spite of her phenomenal success, she is still fun, friendly, approachable, and has never forgotten her roots. And the greater community has recognized her efforts by naming her, and her business, in the business category, as one of the Community Foundation of Carroll County's 11th annual Philanthropists of the Year in October 2016.

Join me in recognizing and congratulating bank director Terry Smack. June 29, 2017

Read more here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/business_technology/farm-merch-employee-news-20170629-story.html and here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-philanthropist-terrys-tag-and-title-20161016-story.html

1931 Model A Ford

Caroline and I visited the vendor's booths at the #MSFA 2017 Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention, but after some thought and consideration we have decided that we want the Westminster Fire Dept. to buy the 1931 Model A Ford, for its next piece of equipment. Just saying. Monday, June 19, 2017.

For dinner on Wed., on our eating tour of Ocean City Md., we ate at Huggins

For dinner on Wed., on our eating tour of Ocean City Md., we ate at Huggins Crab House www.higginscrabhouse.com at 31st St. 410-289-2581

We choose to eat outside on the rooftop, which worked out well because it gave us a great view of the sunset.

I ordered the Seafood Pasta, which includes over ½ pound of shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels sauteed, and served with a choice of Alfredo or marinara sauce $25.99.

Caroline ordered Seafood Tacos, with Mahi Mahi. It included two tacos with a fresh vegetable blend that has been infused with a special Asian sauce. $15.49.

Our dinners were wonderful. The service was great. The restaurant was nicely appointed and decorated and quite appealing.

If you go, ask for our server, Sherwood, he was friendly and very good. We liked him.

Or ask for Emily Mitrovich. Emily is a Winter's Mill High School graduate from Westminster, who recently graduated from Salisbury University. She has a teacher's certificate in early childhood education and is currently looking for work in Carroll and Baltimore County public schools. Of course we encouraged her to to come back to Carroll County.

It is a small world, after talking with Emily, she was able to recall that she came to the Westminster mayor's office to interview me when she was in the third grade. I remember it well. What fun

The Westminster Municipal Band performs it's annual Ocean City Boardwalk concert in front of the Days Inn at 23rd St

The Westminster Municipal Band performs it's annual Ocean City Boardwalk concert in front of the Days Inn at 23rd St. 20Je2017 #MSFA2017

We finally found time to visit the vendor displays at the #MSFA2017 20Je2017

We finally found time to visit the vendor displays at the #MSFA2017 20Je2017 

Caroline and I went to dinner at Phillips Crab House

Caroline and I went to dinner at Phillips Crab House at 2004 Philadelphia Ave. C had decided that having soft shell crab for dinner was calling her. www.phillipsseafood.com Mon. June 19, 2017 #MSFA2017

We ate at The Dough Rollers at 41st Street and the Coastal Highway #MSFA2017

We ate at The Dough Rollers at 41st Street and the Coastal Highway - right next to the OC Convention Center,  after the memorial service. It was nice to sit down for a dinner and the place was very pleasant - almost like a country restaurant. Our servers were really nice, the food was not over-priced, and we both enjoyed our dinner. www.DoughRollerRestaurants.com Sunday, June 18, 2017. #MSFA2017

Md State Firemen’s Association Convention JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICE

Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention JOINT MEMORIAL SERVICE – Roland E. Powell Convention Center Bay Front Hall Room 1700 hours Sunday, June 18, 2017 #MSFA2017

Class at the Maryland State Firemen’s Association convention in Ocean City on “Social Media Best Practices and Tips”

Class at the Maryland State Firemen's Association convention in Ocean City on "Social Media Best Practices and Tips" presented by Jennifer Williams, the Public Relations Specialist with MFRI Sunday, 1445 hours June 18, 2017 #MSFA2017

Most fire and EMS departments have some type of social media profile, but do they know how to manage it properly? This workshop will provide best practices and tips from experienced Maryland PIOs and allow time for Q and A with some of the experts! 

Maryland State Firemen’s Assoc. Convention

Maryland State Firemen's Assoc. Convention at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City. SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

Chaplain Charlie Barnhart leads the Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. at the Maryland State Firemen’s Assoc. Convention

Carroll County Chaplain Charlie Barnhart leads the Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. at the Maryland State Firemen's Assoc. Convention at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City. This is the 10th annual worship service. It was initiated by Chaplain Charlie Barnhart 10 years ago. Music is provided by Westminster Municipal Band members David and Dandy Miller, Lisa Warner, and Ellen Nash-West. Sunday, June 18, 2017.

I’ll just set this this right here

I'll just set this this right here. Sat. 17Je2017

For lunch Sat, June 10, 2017, Grammy, Caroline and I ate at local Korean Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

For lunch Sat, June 10, 2017, Grammy, Caroline and I ate at local Korean Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich in Newport News, Virginia.

We got off 64 at Rte 17 north, exit 259a. At the intersection of Rte 17 and Old Oyster Point Road, we found "Straight Outta Philly," at 12:15. Lunch took an hour. We left at 1:15 and resumed driving up Rte 17.

I got a Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. I am not kidding. Grammy actually got a Philly Cheese Steak. Caroline got the Korean Beef Bolgogi, with three Mondoos and no Kimchi. All of our food was quite good.

The restaurant was clean, well-lit and nicely decorated in a vinyl record musical theme. I especially appreciated several home-made signs that the server explained, were made by a local regular customer.

One sign explained that 'Tipping' was not a faraway Chinese city… We sat under a very large neon sign with the restaurant's name.

We always take a great deal of pride in finding locally-owned restaurants for eating when we are on the road. We like supporting local small businesses. More often than not, they have a story to tell, the food is great and the restaurant employees and servers are fun.

Straight Outta Philly was great. Our server was a local girl, who wants to go to school to be an ultrasound technician. While we were there a number of local folks came to eat, including two post office employees.

Straight Outta Philly

809 Old Oyster Point Road

Newport News, Virginia 23602

757-595-7860

James and Uncle Kevin discuss...

James and Uncle Kevin discussed watermelon, Hegel's Dialectic Progression, and the meaning of life. Not necessarily in that order. Wednesday, June 7, 2017

When the going gets tough, the tough go for Blue Bunny

When the going gets tough, the tough go for Blue Bunny caramel mini swirls. Sunday, June 4, 2017