"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Thanksgiving celebrations herald the beginning of Guilford's beautiful winter holidays. Wreaths, festive lights and greenery are appearing throughout the neighborhood, gala parties are being planned, and invitations are arriving. 'Tis time to celebrate the season!

Election Day dawned a bit cloudy and chilly, but, undeterred, Guilford's voters turned out en masse for the big day. Many of us were registered at Guilford Elementary/Middle School. As we headed over, we waved to Merry and John Highby, and coming round the bend in his car, Howard Friedel.

After voting in this epic election, Guilford homeowners were also requested to sign up to renew the Deed and Agreement, which governs the use of our properties through covenants. For convenience, volunteers Rebecca Krimski and Mark Chartrand were waiting in a white tent just outside the school building, ready to take our signatures.

Without the safeguards provided by the Deed and Agreement, our neighborhood's residences and public spaces would be in grave jeopardy of all kinds of dire consequences, among them undesirable zoning and architectural uses. Guilford's Board of Managers is unanimously in favor of renewing the Deed and Agreement -- which was written in 1913, and must be renewed every 20 years -- and the board members said in a joint statement thatthey "look forward to the support of all residents in this important task."

The Deed and Agreement must be renewed by January 2010. If you would like to help (or just sign up), e-mail Elke Franke at elke@guilfordnews.com.

And speaking of the election, without getting into politics in any way, may I say that as an outcome of the election, it will be very pleasant to have young children in the White House again, reminiscent of the John Kennedy "Camelot" years. Barack Obama's daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, adorable, lively and spirited youngsters, will be a big asset to the new administration.

According to The Washington Post, the Secret Service has given them the not-so-secret code names of "Radiance" to Malia, and "Rosebud" to Sasha -- lovely, descriptive names for the girls.

We farewell to neighbors Roberta and Reed DuPree, who, despite the economic downturn, sold their beautifully maintained home in just months and are moving to the Washington area. The young couple has lived on Northway for only a few years. We all had a special reason for joy when they welcomed their first child, Amelia, now 2.

Reed, who has been commuting for several months, says that he's "sorry he didn't get to play more golf" with my husband, Carlos, and that he and Roberta "hate to leave Northway, but I like seeing my family more in D.C." (Roberta said that after her husband/s long days, he was coming home "white-faced.")

They will be renting an apartment in Georgetown while in transition.

The other side of the coin is that now we extend a warm greeting to our charming new neighbor, Sasha Koo-Oshina, who works for the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, which deals with water and environmental issues related to Third World development in food and agriculture security -- and is the organization's U. S. representative in the United Nations.

By chance, we met Sasha, her parents and older sister (all Maryland residents) while they were in in the presettlement walkthrough of their house. Welcome to Guilford, Sasha!

Reservations are coming in at a fast clip for the Guilford Holiday Party on Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m., at the home of Lindsay and Bruce Fleming. This is one of Guilford's most warmly celebratory get-togethers. For a modest fee and a tray of hors d'oeuvres to share, guests will enjoy an open bar, live music and the congenial company of friends and neighbors.

Smiling partygoers arrive bearing trays of scrumptious delicacies to share and the genial "Men of Guilford" volunteer bartenders dispense ample potions to everyone's taste, along with a liberal sprinkling of bonhomie.

Enhancing the merry atmosphere, Herbert Merrick will once again entertain us with his musical stylings at the Flemings' grand piano, newly tuned for the occasion.

The Wine Basket Raffle at the party is always a big hit. Sharon Smith has once more agreed to assemble and decorate five beautiful baskets of elegant vintages generously donated by committee members.

Dress is holiday festive. And all of this is a fundraiser for Sherwood Gardens.

Some of the members of the party committee attended the Women's Civic League Fall Luncheon, held amid the brilliant fall foliage surrounding the Eagle's Nest in the Towson Golf & Country Club. The guest of honor and speaker was local media personality Alan Walden, of Cross Keys, who regaled the assembly with wit and good humor, while presenting an informative talk on Maryland history.

Enjoying a luncheon of soup, crab cakes, roast pork and chocolate sundaes were Ginny Allen, Eva Brill, Amy Fink, Lisa Garten, Sharon Smith, Maliene Wajer, Carver Green, Lynda Riley, Millicent Tyler, Lauren Madigan, and Carlos and yours truly.

Guilford's globetrotters really get around. Peggy Greenman is just back from a fabulous journey on Queen Elizabeth II. Actually, Peggy and husband Don, an attorney, took the antepenultimate cruise aboard the floating palace together. Don returned home, but Peggy stayed aboard for the next two cruises, including the historic final voyage from New York to Southampton.

The vessel, now retired from seafaring, will be located in Dubai, where it will become a five-star hotel.

World travelers Dr. Paul Fowler and Frank McNeil are planning a cruise through the Panama Canal. Joy Munster and her girlfriend have also booked for the same trip. Joy laughs, "They asked if I would like to go, so I thought 'why not'?"

Sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Joanne Finley, longtime Guilford resident, who passed away suddenly Oct. 15. Semi-retired in recent years following a long, distinguished career in public health, Joanne was active in the Guilford Supper Club and other community affairs. Joanne had a gracious, charming personality; she will be missed by her many friends and admirers.

Thanksgiving is the beginning of cherished times of the holiday season.

As we gather around the table for our annual feast with loved ones, let's remember our valiant, long-suffering troops, still so far from home and family in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let's hope that, somehow, they will soon be returned to their own home and hearth, and this seemingly unending war will finally be ended.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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