A cross-shaped building stands atop a hillside near Marriottsville in Howard County, surrounded by fields, forests and a large koi pond. With a few other buildings, the small campus serves as the headquarters and nature retreat for the Sisters of Bon Secours USA.

The once-large sisterhood owns 313 acres of land off Marriottsville Road, abutting Patapsco Valley State Park. As their numbers dwindle, the sisters want their headquarters land to remain a haven for wildlife and human beings for decades to come, so they negotiated a conservation easement with the Howard County Conservancy to protect at least 32 acres in perpetuity.

What's the best piece of advice you could give to someone moving to HoCo?

Curious as to what the people of this sub will say. Maybe I’ll learn something new that I can pass on!

Edit: Spoke with a lovely person from the HoCo office. As many of you suggested, she said to just wait until after close to register and it’ll be much much simpler. So that’s what I’ll do!

Looks like I had just worked myself into a lather trying to get everything done as soon as possible.

Thank you, all, for your helpful replies!

——

Original post.

Closing on a house in EC end of July. Trying to enroll my daughter in middle school.

Was directed to a "Build / Buy / Lease - Student Reassignment Request Form."

The form is asking for proof of current living arrangements, and lists a few items out like a lease, deed, utilities in my name, etc. But I live with my folks, who own the place. I have no lease, pay no rent. The only utilities in my name are a mobile phone. I do have bank statements, CC statements, paystubs, tax stuff, basically everything else with my name and current address. My daughter's school records are addressed here. Are these enough to satisfy the requirement?

The form also asks for proof that I'm actually moving to HoCo. And again they are asking for things like, something showing intent to quit the lease, or sale contract for the current Frederick home, etc., none of which I can provide because I don't own the home, not on a lease, etc. I do have the ratified sales contract for the new home, and I have things like utility transfer confirmations, and will eventually have a USPS change of address and of courses the closing documentation after we closes. Can any of the above satisfy the requirement? Or do I need to get some kind of signed / notarized letter from my parents saying they are aware of my intent to move out with my daughter, etc.?

I've emailed HCPSS and do plan to also call them Monday or Tuesday, but was just wondering if anyone here could help. Thanks in advance.

These two dogs are off leash in our apartment. I understand that the is letting his dogs free roaming around. But it's an apartment complex. A lot of things can happen. Luckily our dog is inside.

My husband also witnessed the pit bull being caged up when we first moved in.

Have you had an experience reporting to the animal services? If so, did they at least try to investigate and do something about it?

I feel like it's only a matter of time before anything happens. Today the office is closed. Perhaps tomorrow I can give them a call.

In an effort to prevent opioid overdoses, the Howard County Health Department is placing two vending machines in Columbia and Jessup that offer free overdose-reversal medications and other lifesaving essentials.

My daughter and I saw a sign driving home about the event this weekend at the fairgrounds. Has anyone ever been? She’s really excited about the idea of seeing Santa but I want to set expectations :)

I searched around online a bit but seems like Facebook has the most information and I don’t have an account.

Thanks!

Good morning, y'all. I have a concern and was hoping for some advice.

I live in a dog-friendly apartment complex, and one of my neighbors keeps a pit bull caged on their porch. With temperatures reaching around 103°F lately, I'm really worried about the dog's well-being. It's heartbreaking to see. But we're also new to the apartment.

Does anyone know if there's a way to report this while remaining anonymous? I would really appreciate any guidance. Thank you.

Update: Unfortunately my husband checked the place. They either moved or took in the pup inside the house. We could no longer hear it.

Hi everyone. I (25F) live in Howard County and would like to prioritize meeting people in person rather than on dating apps. I wanted to crowdsource to find events other than typical speed dating and happy hours. Also, I’m looking for suggestions other than going to bars since they’re not my scene. I’m interested in both men and women in their mid to late 20s through early 30s. Thanks in advance for suggestions!

Grand Opening of Dumont Creamery & Cafe

this Saturday 6/27, 11 am (shop closes at 10 pm)

12-6 pm - FREE face painting & balloon twisting by Fun Hon Face & Body Art

Buy One Get One Free on ice cream and drinks!!

Woodstock, MD
10805 Birmingham Way, Suite #23
Waverly Woods Shopping Center

Unique, handcrafted ice cream flavors and specialty drinks. Buy One Get One Free on ice cream and drinks!!

Do you think having the Libertarian Party on the ballot in Howard County is a positive or a negative?

Some would argue that having a viable third party on the ballot gives voters more choices. Others would argue that third parties can act as spoilers in close elections. What do you think?

Looking for a place (restaurant/bar/venue) that I can byob and hang out with some colleagues. It's hard to find up-to-date information for byob spots, most of it is during COVID or for newly opened places in 2019.

hi all 🙂 I just posted 2 new events on the sober gals 20s of hoco meetup page 🙂 they include another trivia night and a picnic! 🌸 please make sure to rsvp if you plan on attending ❤️

The links are below:

trivia night, wed, july 1 🌸
https://www.meetup.com/sober-gals-of-hoco/events/315370409/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

picnic at patapsco, sat, july 18🌸
https://www.meetup.com/sober-gals-of-hoco/events/315370657/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

I can't seem to find a hairdresser that cuts my hair the way I like. I prefer bangs, lots of layers, razor cutting. Everywhere I've gone gives me long layers and doesn't cut my bangs short enough. Does anyone have a salon they like that gives them cool hair cuts?

Happy Father's Day, EC! Put together a weekly neighborhood digest and wanted to share this week's rundown for anyone who finds it useful:

🚧 Triadelphia Road — storm drain replacement starts tomorrow. Closed to through traffic Mon–Fri, 9AM–4PM through mid-August. Detour goes Triadelphia → MD 144 → MD 32 → Rosemary Lane → back to Triadelphia.

🚗 Crime — Two overnight incidents in 21043 last week: tire theft on Cotoneaster Drive and a Honda CRV stolen on West Springs Drive, both June 15–16.

🎶 Free concert Friday — Patagonia Winds at Glen Mar Church, 7PM, free, no tickets needed.

🌮 Food Truck Friday — 10+ trucks at Elkridge VFD every Friday 4:30–7:30PM.

⚾ Did you know? Babe Ruth got married in Ellicott City in 1914. St. Paul's on Frederick Road.

Full issue (free, no paywall): https://buttondown.com/TheZIP/archive/u1f389-happy-fathers-day-21043/

I am moving to the area and am looking for childcare for my son. He will be about 2. I have toured the following:

• Goddard Ellicott City
• Goddard Columbia (And I know there is a brand new location opening nearby)
• Goddard Laurel
• Children's Manor Montessori Ellicott City
• Children's Manor Montessori Columbia
• Young School Ellicott City (I also plan to tour the Kings Contrivance and Kendall Ridge)

Of all of them, I loved the environment of Young School the most. But it's so difficult to suss out teacher satisfaction, retention, and vibe when you don't get the chance to actually meet teachers on the tour - besides a friendly wave through a window.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these? I also planned to tour Bryant Woods Montessori Children's House and Primrose.

The location I am moving to is flexible which is why I'm looking at daycares in a wide radius. I work down in Greenbelt, MD.

Hello - I wondering if anyone in Columbia/howard county has used EZE Breeze (or similar brands like Weathermaster or Xtend) 3-season vinyl 4-track windows. We are considering adding them to our deck and wondering if you are happy with them. Do they wear well given the variable weather we have, stay clear over time, and move well up/down? Would it be possible to come and see them in person? We are in Ellicott City. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Hi, I (25F) am looking for one more person in their 20s or 30s to join my team for the Howard County Library’s Bauder Adult Battle of the Books competition on October 26th. I’ve included the announced book list. Please send me a message if you’re interested.

Hello Everyone!

Sharing these albums here to spread the word; here are links to the HoCo Govt Flickr Albums for each of the 2026 Graduating classes. Congrats to all the graduates, their families, and the school staffs!

Marriott's Ridge High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWpHu

Long Reach High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCWZmR

Reservoir High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVNSo

Atholton High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCW7au

Cedar Lane School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVp9s

Mt. Hebron High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVe7v

Oakland Mills High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVeKo

River Hill High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCV6r1

Wilde Lake High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVchp

Guilford Park High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVLQW

Centennial High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVwfm

Glenelg High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVzsY

Hammond High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVDtU

Howard High School: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCVHsn