Have you noticed the scaffolding and workmen on the roof of Salem Lutheran Church at 905 Frederick Road? The 106-year-old church is going through a major renovation.

"We are replacing all our roofs," said the Rev. Ed Whetstone on the enhancements to the exterior of the building. "Most are 30 years old. "The coverings protecting our stained glass windows, also nearly 30 years old, are being replaced.

"Most notably, we are repairing, re-pointing and cleaning our bell tower and stonework," he said. "The masonry of the church building is over 100 years old, and the education addition is over 50 years old.

"This is the first substantial restoration of our stonework since its dedication over a century ago in 1903," he said.

He said the cost is just over $350,000 and the work is expected to be finished in early fall.

Jim McClarren, who will be 91 next month, Bernie Herr, 92, Charles (Chuck) Sipes, 93, Emil "Dutch" Hahn, 85, and Karl Vogt, 78, have met to "discuss the important issues of the day" every Tuesday at Matthews 1600 for the past three to four years.

But their traditional weekly get-togethers go back much further.

In fact, they said they have seen many of their favorite conversation spots close over the years. The group previously met at the Patapsco Inn, the Westview Lounge and Pebbles, for example, all of which are no longer in operation.

"A lot of these owners, they don't like to see us coming," Vogt said.

In talking to this group, you sense they truly enjoy each other's company.

When I asked what Chuck likes to do in his spare time, Bernie interjected, "Oh, he's the best piano tuner around. Mind you, he can't hear very well and can't see very well, but he still can tune a piano."

Turning to Bernie, I asked about his hobbies and accomplishments, and he replied, "I used to sing with the Baltimore Opera Company."

Then Karl added, "he could really belt out a song at weddings, too!"

Jim won't be at next Tuesday's gathering as he is scheduled to have back surgery.

Here's hoping he recovers quickly and returns to the group.

Meaggan Aiosa of Oakdale Avenue and her sister, Colleen Pollitt, are hosting a 21228 Pub Crawl to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Saturday, August 29.

The fun begins at GL Shacks, 583 Frederick Road, at 8 p.m.

"Check in will end at 9 p.m. and we'll head down Frederick Road to Jennings, then on to Ships Cafe, and we will end the night at Matthews," Aiosa said.

The event will give Aiosa, a Howard County teacher, a break from her training for the Baltimore half marathon in October.

Tickets are $20 and include a T-shirt, happy hour prices and half-price appetizers at all four bars.

E-mail 21228barcrawl@gmail.com and include your shirt size.

Several Catonsville Middle School friends spent one of their final summer vacation days picking corn, lots of corn, to help feed the hungry in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.

Seventh-graders Brian Holmes, Nick Eff, Brian Risch, Colin Barnes and Brock Barnes offered to help when they heard that First Fruits Farm had sent out an urgent request for volunteers to help pick several large fields of corn.

The organization dedicates all the fruits and vegetables grown on its 40-acre farm to agencies that provide meals to those in need, including some in our community.

"We filled 30 big bags with corn in three hours," Brian Holmes said. "It made me respect the hard work of farmers."

The boys said they are looking forward to returning to the farm in the fall to help pick apples and pumpkins and hope to bring more of their friends.

For information about First Fruits Farm, go to http://firstfruitsfarm.org.

The American Legion Jackson & Johnson Memorial Post 263 at 151 Winters Lane sponsored a "Back to School" Parade on Aug. 22 that included a performance by the Eastside Step Troupe for the crowd that lined both sides of Winters Lane.

The road was closed temporarily and the sounds of the marching band drums could be heard around town.

"We donated school supplies to almost 200 kids from the neighborhood as part of our community outreach program," said Commander Ron Alston, a Vietnam War vet and post commander since 2005.

First Vice Commander Al Jenkins, who served in the Korean War, said the parade will be an annual event and the post looks forward to involving the community.

"We also provided lunch and sodas to students and their families," said Judge Advocate William Tate.

Connie Rheubottom, past auxiliary president, helped organize the event.

The public is invited to meet with Wilkens Outreach Police Officer Bill Ruby Thursday, August 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Catonsville Library, 1100 Frederick Road.

The veteran office will talk about how to form Citizens on Patrol group.

Anyone interested in learning how to be a watchful neighbor is welcome.

For information, contact Joan at jplisko@hotmail.com.

The Catonsville Children's Theatre invites everyone to see "Godspell" at Christian Temple, 5820 Edmondson Ave., Aug. 28 and 29 at 7 p.m.

Joanna Chilcoat, a 2007 graduate of University of Maryland, is the director and choreographer.

Catonsville resident Chelsea Paradiso, 16, a student at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, leads the cast of local kids in the production.

Executive Director Nick Gough said the effort is part of his dream to help kids have fun performing.

"It's great watching kids having the time of their lives up on stage," he said.

Gough said he started the group seven years ago and is excited to be working on the Christian Temple site.

"We hope to raise funds for stage curtains," said Gough, whose wife, Barb, works as the theater manager and children, Evan, 12 and Molly, 11, act in the show.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for ages 12 and under. Call 410-744-4365.

A few spots still remain for vendors at the 36th Annual Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival Sept. 13.

Cost is $130 and a certificate of insurance is required.

This year's event will include a wine tasting sponsored by the Wine Bin in Ellicott City and food from local restaurants.

The Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce's committee expects 240 vendors at next month's event, quite an increase from the first festival in 1973 when 52 artists, weavers, ceramists and wood carvers set up stands along the sidewalks of the 700 block of Frederick Road.

For information, go to www.Catonsville.org.

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