Beginning and advanced strings students performed for fellow students and for friends and family earlier this week. The best part was the daytime concert because it coincided with pajama day for spirit week. To see the students running around in their PJs and slippers was an amusing sight.

Cannon fire and fire crackers would signal the coming of Christmas in Shady Side 100 years ago. Celebrations would start at about 4am and continue throughout the day. Life-long resident Flora Ethel Andrews (1888-1997) described the Christmas traditions of Shady Side circa 1900 in her autobiography "Miss Ethel Remembers...". Andrews described how a cannon was loaded with black powder and fired, signaling to everyone that Christmas Day had arrived. "Just as this reverberation passed through the village, sounds of firecrackers were heard coming from outside the homes, for firecrackers were fired…

A man reminisces about the final Christmas celebration with his terminally ill wife, while a mom recalls a family tradition that she will start anew with her children.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is charged with keeping the United States and Canada safe from dangers originating from the sky or space. Tonight, however, the Colorado-based government agency adds one more important task to its daily list of duties. The agency will again provide its Official Santa Tracker that marks The Big Man's every move as he makes his way throughout both hemispheres. Included on the site is a countdown and activity page and a flight tracking system. Kids and adults can enjoy this very entertaining site that will have sugar plums dancing through …

Add your own pictures. Share with the community just how adorable your pet is at the holidays.

You never expect it—a burned side dish, a failed dessert, a forgotten condiment, or heaven forbid, a turkey that was never thawed. Maybe you want to save yourself the hassle and pick up carryout. Or, perhaps you've decided to forgo the whole thing and leave the cooking and cleaning to your favorite restaurant. If your holiday dinner plans include (purposefully or accidentally) dining out or a last-minute run to the store this year, we've has found out which restaurants and grocers will be open to keep your Christmas merry. Options for Dining Out If you're looking to dine out on Christmas Day…

Imagine having to tell your child that cookies are off limits. No one wants to see disappointment on a young person's face, yet living with allergies means constantly being on guard and parents realize that means sacrifice. "During the holidays, it's a hard time," said Tammy Studebaker, a certified Protect Allergic Children (PAC) consultant and member of the board of directors of the ELL Foundation. "There are many misconceptions that you cannot eat and do fun things, even if you have food allergies." Studebaker travels to schools, hospitals and health stores running training sessions about…

Year after year, we receive a lot of wonderful greetings that we end up stuffing away in a drawer.  Here's an attractive and easy way to display all of your greetings, plus it doubles as a great gift. (Tip: If you save your cards from year to year this is also a great way to recycle them.) I picked up everything for this project at the Kmart in Edgewater. The supplies I used are a baker's cooling rack, clothespins, Christmas ribbon (Tip: I used wired because it holds it shape better), cardboard, scissors, glue, circle punches, acrylic paint and some decorative paper I have in my stash.  (Tip…

Don't be surprised if you see Santa forgoing his reindeer-operated sleigh in favor of a present-packed train engine this year – at least in Maryland. The Christmas tradition of model locomotives set in the quaint backdrop of snow-capped villages is one that has captivated train fans of all generations. Thanks to the efforts of Maryland fire departments and specialty museums, you too, can hop aboard the tradition this holiday season while appreciating the cultural heritage of the yuletide ride. Enthusiasts of miniature train gardens explain the custom comes to Maryland courtesy of its German …

We visited Homestead Gardens recently to see how the model train display looks this year. It still draws thousnds to the local garden center each year. Oh, and it looks great.

You've dug out grandma's best holiday recipes, decorated the house, and unpacked the holiday china. You're on your 12th viewing of A Christmas Story, and still smiling when Ralphie gets that Red Rider on Christmas morning (and proceeds to shoot his eye out). It must be time for Christmas dinner. Whether you've got goose, ham, turkey, beef or lamb on the menu, we found great local wine buys to pair up with your treasured family meal. At Edgewater Liquors next door to Edgewater Safeway, we talked with wine expert Russell "Rusty" Stone, who is their go-to guy for wine. He offered four great …

There's a week left before Christmas. If you've got your shopping done and want a fun local diversion, here's a quick list of 10 nearby events. The Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Bash, tonight at 9pm, Mike's Crabhouse, Riva. This is an adult holiday party that benefits Toys for Tots. Bring a new unwrapped gift, and participate in fun holiday-themed contests and activities. Christmas Caroling in Galesville, Saturday, 1:30pm.  Winter Solstice Hike at Jug Bay in Lothian, Saturday, 2-4:30pm.  An Evening of Dance at Southern High School, including excerpts from the Nutcracker, Saturday, 8pm.  Learn to …

The line at Edgewater Post Office seemed steady on Wednesday, with customers waiting patiently with their packages while the three postal workers busily processed shipping, churned out labels, sold holiday stamps and advised customers of the best way to get packages to the intended destinations by Dec. 25. Pam Kronquist at the UPS Store at South River Colony Main Street had the same situation at her store. Her three employees were assisting customers and setting out stacks of cardboard boxes in various sizes. Kronquist said that she's seen a steady stream of customers—an uptick in business …

The third-of-a-mile stretch of Central Avenue in Davidsonville that fronts Homestead Gardens is quite possibly one of the most extravagant displays of Christmas lights in the area. Patch recently sat down with Tim Hamilton, PR guru for the company, and he explained to us how the whole thing comes together. And, he gave us some tips as to how a homeowner might achieve a similar effect—on a smaller scale—in their own front yard. A little history Homestead Gardens has been a fixture at the crossroads in Davidsonville for 37 years. Their Christmas light display, however, has only been ongoing for…

Whether it's your dad, brother, husband, or son, shopping for the guy in your life can be tough. Edgewater Patch recently talked to local businesses in Edgewater and Davidsonville to sort out ideas for holiday giving. Whether he is into sports, music, tools, technology, or the finer things in life – we found something for every man on your list. If He's Active Edgewater-Davidsonville has two challenging 18-hole golf courses. The Golf Club at South River, designed by Brian Ault, is a par-71 course that offers gift certificates in any dollar amount for play, luncheons and cart use. Davidsonvile…

It's that time of year again – your wife is having visions of tiny velveteen boxes, your daughter is dreaming of big, brightly colored packages with lots of ribbons and bows, your sister has stars in her eyes and her mind on some cash, and your mom…well, you probably haven't even gotten that far. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. The holiday season is not without its stresses. But this year, what to get the lady in your life doesn't have to be one of them. Edgewater Patch canvassed local retailers and got the skinny on what to buy every woman on your list. Salon and Day Spas Just about any adult…

Shoppers looking for a real, fresh-cut Christmas tree have several tree lots to choose from in Edgewater, Davidsonville, Riva and Mayo. We visited every lot in town to get the lowdown on their merchandise, presented in the table below. In selecting a tree, the National Christmas Tree Association suggests that shoppers look for signs of dryness or deterioration, like excessive needle loss and discolored foliage. The NCTA also offers tips for keeping the tree fresh. First, have the vendor remove a half-inch disk from the base. Next, when you get the tree home, set it in a bucket of water …

Parishioners at Riva Trace Baptist Church in Davidsonville wanted to find a way at Christmastime to really reach into the community and help people who might be struggling this holiday season. In the past, worship pastor Bob Bloomquist said that they put on a dinner-theatre style Christmas performance that was popular. But although it was a good way to entertain people, it wasn't necessarily an opportunity to give back to the community, especially to those less fortunate.  Instead Bloomquist, Teri Jacobson and others from Riva Trace came up with the idea for "The Giving Place." The Giving …