At the Holiday Party last month, I was reminded that my term as President is now half over. Several of my predecessors told me that the time would pass quickly; they were right. Before we know it, June will be here. In my mind, much still needs to be done.

The Association has sponsored several events in the past months, all of which showed a different facet of our Association. On November 16, 2000, the Memorial Committee, hosted a ceremony honoring three of our members who died in the last year - H. Anthony Mueller, Maurice W. Baldwin, Sr. and Carl A. Durkee. The ceremony was presided over by both our Circuit and District Court benches and was well attended by family, friends and members of the Bar. In my opinion, this event is one of the most important of the Baltimore County Bar Association. It is a time for us to momentarily pause in our busy lives, to acknowledge and remember the lives of others who contributed their time and talents to our Association. I’m always left with an appreciation of the uniqueness of each of our departed colleagues and how they touched and affected the lives of so many. As lawyers, we count on the continuity of our profession, our courts, and our Association. They will continue from generation to generation of lawyers and judges. It is entirely fitting that such individuals, and others who have gone before, and yet others who will follow, will be memorialized in such a ceremony. Thanks to Jennifer Aist and her committee for their fine efforts.

The holiday season also brings out the festive and charitable side of all of us. On December 4, the annual Holiday Party was held, again at That’s Amore. Three hundred people wined and dined thanks to the hospitality of the staff of That’s Amore. Many thanks to John Nowicki for making the arrangements for us and helping ensure that everyone had a great time.

In the same week as the Holiday Party, the Young Lawyers Committee, under the leadership of Mike Hamburg, in conjunction with the Circuit Court Law Library, hosted the Sixth Annual Holiday Open House to Benefit Literacy. As in the past, our membership came through and brought with them many children’s books and cash donations, all of which will go to the Baltimore County Department of Social Services which runs several Holiday Toy Stores in the County. The Toy Stores are gift repositories for parents receiving Aid to Families with Dependant Children, which enables them to select holiday gifts for their children. I thank Mike and his committee, as well as the staff of the Circuit Court Law Library, the local merchants who made contributions, Judge S. Claus (Larry Daniels) and everyone who participated in this worthy cause.

I’ve covered just a few of our activities of the past month. Let’s now go over what is coming up. The Annual Bar Banquet, of course, is the BCBA’s biggest event. Last year, more than 725 members and guests attended it. This year’s Banquet will be held on Monday, January 29, 2001, again at Martin’s West. Please get your tickets early because we again expect a large turnout. Remember, that this event is formal. Please inform your guests of this to avoid any embarrassment.

A committee has been formed and has met several times to plan a retirement dinner for Barbara Howe, who will on January 11, 2001. The dinner will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at the Holiday Inn Select in Timonium. Judge Howe has had a very distinguished career as a jurist, first on the District Court and then as the first woman appointed to the Circuit Court. As a lawyer and a judge, she has been very active on committees and supportive of the events of our Association. She is also a past president of the Maryland State Bar Association. Tickets are going to go on sale soon. We expect a sellout so keep an eye out for them and buy yours as soon as possible. We want to give Judge Howe a fitting tribute for her distinguished service as a judge on our District Court and Circuit Court.

Lastly, the Young Lawyers Committee is hosting its annual Bull and Oyster Roast on Sunday, March 4, 2001 at the Towson American Legion Hall. The charitable beneficiary will be the Del Rey School, a preschool for children with Cerebral Palsy. Any funds they receive will go directly toward the purchase of new computer and therapeutic equipment for the children. Delrey Development Center has been a recipient in the past and has consistently been a good partner with the Association by promoting and selling a large amount of tickets themselves. There will again be live music by yours truly’s own band, The Mighty, Mighty Barristers (watch out Mayor O’Malley!). Please plan to support this marquis event of the Young Lawyers Committee and plan to bring your entire family.

The BCBA enters its second century as 2001 marks the true start of the new millennium. I’m excited by the changes we are making in bringing new technology to the manner in which we conduct our business. With great enthusiasm, I look forward to the second half of my term as your President.