Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, Inc.

The Holidays in the Historic District

Ellicott City Historic District Holiday Window Decorating Contest

Beginning in 2005, the Foundation has sponsored an annual window decorating contest for the Ellicott City Historic District. The goal of this contest is to encourage businesses to create attractive holiday displays that will bring visitors to town to view the windows and vote for their favorite one. There are two categories in which winners can place; The Judges Choice Award is presented by an independent panel of judges and the People’s Choice Award is determined by popular vote of visitors to the district during the holiday season. Winners in the Judges Choice are awarded free ad space in Maryland Life Magazine. This prize is the generous donation of the Howard County Tourism and Promotion Office. The Peoples Choice Award winners are given free ad space in a local visitors guide. This guide is published by and the space is donated by Patuxent Publishing. The contest begins with the annual Midnight Madness event (the first Friday in December) and continues to New Years Day.

The Foundation is extremely grateful to these sponsors.

Town Decorations

The Foundation works with the Ellicott City Business Association, Howard County Government and independent business and property owners to foster and create a festive atmosphere in the historic district during the holiday season. Live greens and trees as well as special lighting are installed at various locations throughout town. Each year the look is improved as more and more businesses and property owners take part.

Special thanks is expressed to Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Howard County Recreation & Parks, The Ellicott City Business Association, The Good Life Market, Yates’ Market, Howard County Tourism & Promotion

Person of the Year

In 2007 the Foundation began awarding its Person of the Year certificate. Our first recipient and the reason this award was instituted was Doris Stromberg Thompson. Sadly, this award was presented posthumously. The passing of Doris in September of 2006 made us realize that we had never thanked her enough for all she had done for the historic district and the county while she was alive. The Foundation purchased a Blossoms of Hope Cherry Tree and had it planted in the historic district near the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin. A bronze plaque honoring Doris was affixed to a native granite stone and placed at the base of the tree. The Foundation resolved that each year we would select a person who has shown dedicated care and concern for the Ellicott City Historic District.

2008 – Wayne Pfau

Wayne has been devoted to the historic district for over 30 years. He serves as the postman for Main Street and surrounding areas. He always has a smile and is always ready to assist whether simply giving directions to a motorist or helping a business clean up after a fire or flood. The restoration of the 1929 caboose at the B & O Museum was a pet project of Wayne’s. The dog of one of Wayne’s route customers was struck and killed by a vehicle and Wayne went home after his shift, got a shovel, returned and buried the dog so that their children would not see it when they returned home from school. Wayne has always been willing to go above and beyond for the people and places of the Ellicott City Historic District.

2009 – Mike Logan

Mike worked with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks for over 30 years. His name was placed in nomination and he was chosen to receive the award just prior to the announcement that he would be retiring from Recreation and Parks. Mike’s job with Recreation and Parks evolved into his stewardship over the 18 historic properties owned by Howard County. Six of these sites are in or immediately adjacent to the historic district. Mike worked not only his regular paid hours at these sites but many additional ones as well. He has served on boards and commissions in the district, volunteered with numerous projects to beautify and maintain the district and its buildings and was always there to lend a hand.

If you know of someone whom you feel is a good candidate for this award, please contact our office at ecrfpres@aol.com or 410-303-2959.