Brick buyers own a piece of Ellicott City history, while supporting charity | MOSTLY MAIN STREET

Jul. 10—I just acquired a little piece of Ellicott City history.

Mark Hemmis, owner of Phoenix Upper Main, managed to save some bricks from the former Phoenix Emporium building on lower Main Street. He is selling them for $40, with all proceeds going to local charities. Mark rescued 300 bricks from a dining room wall that collapsed during the flood of 2018. He stored them in a friend's yard for four years then set about power washing them and adding commemorative plaques to each. Even without the brick I will never forget the way things were on Main Street, and it is nice to have this remembrance. If you would like a brick of your own, visit https://phoenix-upper-main.square.site/.

I was intrigued to learn about an interesting activity at Centennial Park, sponsored by the Howard County Recreation & Parks Department. On July 12 and 26, from 6 p.m. until midnight, there will be "Night Bite" fishing in Centennial Lake. Anglers meet at the Centennial Park South Boat Launch. The cost is $5 per person. To sign up visit www.tinyurl.com/hcrpnitebitefishing.

The next Lunch Date with History event will take place July 12 at the Museum of Howard County History, 8328 Court Ave. The featured speaker will be Tiffany Fisk, manager of historic and cultural resources for the county's parks & rec department. She will talk, beginning at noon, about the county's efforts to preserve our its history. The event is free, but registration is required. Call 410-480-3250.

We are getting into glorious tomato season, so my husband, Tom, recently made a trip to Breezy Willow Farm Country Market on the corner of Frederick Road and St. John's Lane, to acquire a couple of tomatoes, some corn and zucchini. On his way out the door he spied a carton of tomato "seconds," which we try to snag every summer. He lugged the giant box of joy into the house and suddenly my plans for the rest of the day were put on hold. It took me three days to process all of the tomato sauce that box yielded. So while I might be dreaming of fresh tomatoes in the winter, I will actually be able to enjoy the incomparable taste of local farm-grown tomato sauce all year long. I highly recommend it!

Here is one more reason to visit the historic district of Ellicott City this summer — the OEC Summer Bucks program is back! Pick up a voucher at the county Welcome Center, 8267 Main St., and spend them at any participating Main Street business this summer. County Executive Calvin Ball and the Ellicott City Partnership are sponsoring the effort. Only 2,000 of the $10 vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Send information about Ellicott City people and events at least two weeks in advance to [email protected].