Mary Minderlein

The Fall will be a busy time in Manchester. The first event will be a block party for all town citizens held on Saturday, August 24 from 12 noon - 4PM in Long Lane behind the Town Hall. This is jointly sponsored by the Police Department, MAMA, Neighborhood Watch and Community Projects and will include free games for children under age 15, prizes, food, and music.

Watch the Manchester channel on cable TV for details about the upcoming Clean-up Manchester campaign. Anyone who would like to help plan this ongoing campaign should attend the Community Projects Committee meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM in the town hall. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for August 14, September 12, October 9, November 13 and December 11.

Town Concerts continue through October on Sunday evenings at 6PM at the carnival grounds bandshell. Concerts are scheduled as follows: August 18, Country Edition; September 15, Free Wheeling and October 6, Donkey Show. These concerts are free; however, canned goods are being collected for Jamie Ridgely's Helpful Hands Thanksgiving food drive.

Mark your calendars for the Annual Christmas Open House, sponsored by MAMA, which will be held on Friday, November 29 (the day after Thanksgiving). Visit the town businesses from 6-9PM and attend the Christmas Tree lighting at the Town Hall at 6PM. Manchester Area Merchants Association meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7PM at various MAMA businesses. Watch the town TV channel for details.

Our second annual Holiday Decorating Contest will be held in December. Entries in both the business and residential categories will be accepted at the Town Office from November 11 through December 3. Judging will occur on December 4 and 5 and prizes will be awarded at the December 10 Town Council meeting. See the advertisement in this edition of Oaknotes for further details.

The Manchester self-guided walking tour is now available at the Town Office and local businesses. Follow this tour and learn more about the history of your town. Thanks to the Community Projects committee for a great job in putting together this tour.

Neighborhood Watch meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM at the Town Hall. Upcoming meeting dates are August 14, September 12, October 9 and December 13. Neighborhood Watch is concerned with crime prevention and community involvement.

If you have any questions or concerns about the above topics or any other issues, please contact me by phone at the Town Office at (410) 239-3200 or at home (410) 239-7502.

Daniel Riley

The final Review Meeting for Main Street Revitalization project was held February 19, 2002 at the State Highway District #7 office in Frederick.

Schedule for the project is as follows:

1. Advertisement for Bids - July 30, 2002
2. Bid Opening Date - September 5, 2002
3. Notice to Proceed Date November 11, 2002.

The first phase of construction will be the replacement of the town water main from Walnut Street to York Street.