Behind the Counter: Terrapin Adventures

The fast-paced adventure company brings families and business groups to Savage Mill.

Terrapin Adventures is a unique, educational and exhausting thrill of zip-lining and climbing–all on the property of Historic Savage Mill. The owner of Terrapin Adventures took time to answer a few questions for Patch: Your name: Matt Baker Your title at Terrapin Adventures: Chief Adventure Officer Age: 55 Address and hours of Terrapin Adventures: 8600 Foundry St., Savage, MD 20763, Open 10-6 seasonally adjusted How did you get into climbing and zip-lining business? I took a trip to Costa Rica. What makes Terrapin Adventures unique? Our great creative, high-energy, entertaining guides. What's the best story you can recall of someone really having a great time at Terrapin Adventures? I really enjoy working with people to conquer their fears…

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Savage Mill Spotlights

Check out the latest happenings in Historic Savage Mill.

Behind the Counter: The Travel Boutique

These ladies are professionals of leisure.

The Travel Boutique, a uniquely personal travel agency, is one of the newer additions to the Savage Mill family of businesses, but owners Bonnie Wecker and Yvette Shaqir are far from rookies in the travel industry. Wecker recently spoke to Patch about the business of relaxation. How long have you been in the travel sales business? BW: Yvette and I each had our own travel companies–she was Europe and the Middle East, I was concentrated on the Caribbean. We had known each other for years, and bounced questions off of each other. And then, a couple of years ago we just said, "Why don't we just put this together?" We created our agency together, so now we have someone with experience with the Middle East and Europe, and I know the Caribbean. …

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Behind the Counter: Sylvia James George Art Studio

Sylvia James George has made art and restored art for decades out of Savage Mill.

Sylvia James George is a master artist who specializes in profile painting and art restoration. George calls Historic Savage Mill home to her studio, and she recently sat down with Patch to talk about the business she loves. How long have you been in Savage Mill? Since 1986, so 26 years. How long have you painted professionally? That's a hard question–I'd say all my life. My first studio was here in the Mill, but I had my home studio for years and years before that, and I did a lot of notecards for Ellicott City way back in the seventies and sixties. Did you go to art school? I went to Pratt Institute in New York City. What is the best part of your job? I just love painting people if they sit for me. I'll set up a mirror and they can watch…

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Behind the Counter: Rams Head Tavern

Brent "Turbo" Shellem runs the kitchen for Rams Head Tavern in Savage Mill.

Rams Head Tavern is a local hotspot for fresh food and microbrew beers in the middle of Historic Savage Mill. Head chef Brent "Turbo" Shellem recently sat down with Patch to talk about the craft of managing a high quality kitchen. Name: Brent "Turbo" Shellem, Head Chef Rams Head Tavern in Savage How do you get a nickname like "Turbo"? From shucking oysters, back in the nineties, at a restaurant called Middleton Tavern. I was a bar back and bartender at the raw bar. How long have you been with Rams Head? I started in 1996, then I left in 2000 for about three years and moved to Texas. I came back around 2004. How long have you worked in the restaurant business? At least 20 years. Did you go to culinary school? Nope, just trial and error. …

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Behind The Counter: Bonaparte Breads

Nancy Garcia serves up coffee and pastries with a smile.

Bonaparte Breads has served some of the best local baguettes and pastries in Savage Mill for the past 15 years. Patch recently sat down with the waitress patrons can see serving tarts, salads and sandwiches with a smile. Nancy Garcia Age: 20 How lang have you worked at Bonaparte Breads? Almost three years. What is the best part of your job? I would say, helping the customers. What's the worst part? Dishes probably, but it's not a lot. It's pretty quiet. What makes Bonaparte Breads unique? The pastries, the coffee and the bread, which is pretty famous. Is it tempting being around so many sweets all of the time? Definitely, yeah. What's your favorite thing on the menu? Of the lunch menu, I would go with the chicken salad. On the dessert menu…

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Howard County News Roundup: School Board Decisions, 'Zaching' Takes Off

Patch covered controversy in Howard County this week, from schools to CSX.

Howard County Schools made headlines this week, from warning parents of recent "stranger danger" reports to eliminating reading programs for middle schools. But CSX controversy and a locally-born web phenomenon made waves as well: Behind the Counter at Charity's Closet A new shop in Savage Mill seeks to raise money for local charity and get low-income residents employed. Board of Appeals Hearing Comes to a Halt An Elkridge auto repair shop was not the only agency under scrutiny at a hearing on Feb. 6. The county came under fire as well. Howard Lawmakers Say CSX Is Witholding Information Three months after CSX presented cost projections about a freight project it is considering putting in Howard County, it has refused to provide information…

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How Will You Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday?

Tell us how you'll watch the game, who you're rooting for, and upload pictures from your Super Bowl party!

Super Bowl Sunday, America's biggest sports holiday, is just about here and Patch wants to know who you're rooting for, how you're celebrating, and what your parties look like! Are you rooting for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots or Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants? Maybe you've got no rooting interest at all but love the commercials and halftime show or maybe you don't plan to watch at all. Tell us in our poll at the bottom! We want to know where you're watching the game and how you're celebrating. Tell us in the comments if you're hosting a party, going to a friends home, or heading out to a bar. If you're cooking something, let us know. Maybe even share the recipe. Or maybe you're heading to Savage…

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Vote For Your Favorite Hair Salon in Howard County

Howard County readers help determine which area salons can turn you from frumpy to fabulous.

Sometimes, looking good comes down to who has the best information. It's easy for even the most dedicated of the beautiful people to get caught in a style rut. That’s where we come in. This week, we want you to help Patch determine the best hair salons in Howard County.  Here is how it works. Peruse our site, and rate or comment on your personal favorite hair salon. Do you love Bombshell Salon in Ellicott City? Do the stylists at Naima’s Hair Design in Elkridge do the best job with curly hair? Do the colorists at Art of Hair in Savage get your hair color picture perfect? Or is it Kristie’s Hair Design in Columbia that gets your recommendation? Then we will list your top choices in a follow-up story next week based on who gets the best …

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Where in Savage Is This?

Can you spot the location of this photo?

The Maryland Historical Society has, among its thousands of photographs and writings, a couple of photos from what they say is Savage Mill. The date is approximated to be between 1918 and 1919 and features several men digging away at "sewer work."

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