As May, Older Americans Month, draws to a close, we acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of older Americans

The 2025 theme, "Flip the Script on Aging", focuses on transforming how society perceives, discusses, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. 

Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House

Follow the Bernice Kish Gallery on Instagram @BerniceKishGallery!

Save the Date!

You are cordially invited to the artist reception for Reflections, a solo exhibition by mixed media artist Steffi Chupein. It will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 3-5 PM at the Bernice Kish Gallery, Slayton House. The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is requested.

Steffi’s layered paintings are deeply introspective, inspired by nature and transformation. The show dates are July 1- Aug 8, 2025. To register for the reception, click the button below.

Shades of Black and White III is the current show at the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane). The gallery is open 9 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday. We strongly recommend calling ahead to make sure all gallery areas are open.

Club Wilde Lake

Donations are being accepted by the Community Foundation on behalf of Club Wilde Lake click here or QR code for information.

Covenant Corner

Next Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) Meeting: June 10, 2025



Applications [fillable PDF] for the RAC meeting on Tuesday, June 10 are due by 4:30 PM on Tuesday, June 3.

Applications may be submitted electronically to the covenant advisor at covenants@wildelake.org or hand-delivered or mailed to Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane). Please consult the Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards prior to submitting your application to ensure it is complete.

Agendas, minutes from recent meetings, and more are always available at https://wildelake.org/covenants. Thank you! 

Happenings at Slayton House

WLCA is pleased to host two of Howard County’s premier arts organizations for children — Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts and Drama Learning Center — as they present theatrical experiences for kids at Slayton House this summer! More details and registration are available on WLCA's website or by clicking the image above.

Wilde Lake CARES

News from Hillside by Bill Santos

Columbia Association News

From CA's website:

Kick off the summer Lakefront Live season in the best way possible!

Head down to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront on Saturday, May 31 for free kids' activities, food trucks, a community beer garden for those 21+, free ice cream (while supplies last) and a spectacular performance by Shamarr Allen, produced by Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC).

• 4-7pm – Kids' activities (click here to register on Eventbrite), including CA’s very own TRIBE Kids team
• 4-7:30pm – Food trucks and CA's first-ever community beer garden open for neighbors 21+ (Register for the community beer garden on Eventbrite)
• 7pm – Performance by Shamarr Allen, produced by MACC 

Click here to view a map of the event!

For the full Lakefront Live schedule, visit lakefrontlive.org.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 14

Location: Downtown Columbia Lakefront

Calling all teens!

Head down to the Lakefront for an evening filled with music, food and fun photo opportunities. CA's Teen Summer Kickback is the perfect chance to hang out with friends, dance to a live DJ and enjoy creative stations!

What to expect:

•  Food trucks – Delicious eats from local vendors
•  DIY phone charm station – Get crafty and personalize your phone
•  Fairy hair station – Add a touch of sparkle to your look
•  Instagram-ready photo spots – Capture the moment with friends

RSVP FOR TEEN NIGHT: Register here! (preferred but not required)

The Columbia Association will solicit a consultant to draft a Natural Resource Management Plan in FY26. The plan will cover native and invasive plant management, reforestation, wildlife management, stormwater management, and other sustainability topics.

The community is invited to provide feedback and input that will be used when drafting a scope of work for the consultant. Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/eebJ3qLNy3 

The Replacement of the WL-03 Running Brook Neighborhood Center play area is scheduled to start the week of May 5th. This Project is expected to take four weeks, weather permitting. The play area will be closed to the public during construction. This Project is part of the Wilde Lake Play Area cluster program presented to the Wilde Lake Village Board on January 6, 2025.

The map shows the location of the current play area marked with a red dot. The new play area will be moved right below the parking lot. The final rendering is also attached, showing what will be included in the play area. Signs will be posted on-site to notify the public of the project. Please feel free to contact David Bollinger with any questions or concerns at david.bollinger@columbiaassociation.org

Wilde Lake Schools

Support the Running Brook Elementary School Readathon!

The Readathon is our biggest PTA fundraiser of the year and is an opportunity to encourage every RBES student to read outside of school. While the funds we raise are important, our goal is to create better reading habits for our students. The funds raised will support purchasing new books for our classrooms and other PTA activities! 

If you would like to support the Readathon, follow the link to donate here!

WLHS Boosters - Brick Sale

Hello Wildecat fans! As our Spring sports season comes to a close and graduation approaches, why not create a lasting connection to the Lake? Honor your favorite Wildecat athlete, alumni, fan, team, or staff member with a custom-engraved brick on the WLHS Alumni Patio. Don't miss out—brick orders close on June 1, 2025. Place your order now at the WLHS Boosters website – https://www.wlhsboosters.org/buy-a-brick.

Go Cats!

Upcoming Meetings

The Real Senior Prom: Why Should Kids Have All The Fun?

The Village in Howard is hosting a Prom for Seniors. 

We are featuring MUSIC by the Chalice Messengers with Tom Benjamin, FOOD catered by a 5-star chef, DRINKS at a cash bar, PHOTOS for souvenirs, and a Casual Dress Code from blue jeans to ball gowns.

Don’t worry about transportation at night, we can arrange it for you. 

Date: Wednesday, June 4th from 7 PM to 10 PM

Location:  The Meeting House, Oakland Mills, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD.

For info: www.thevillageinhoward.org

Purchase Tickets Here

The Power of Connection

Join The Village in Howard for The Power of Connection to discover how education, social interaction, and volunteering can contribute to a sense of purpose in later life. This FREE session will address the challenges of loneliness and social isolation among seniors and explore how finding connection and purpose can help overcome these issues. Whether through offering leadership, technical skills, or simply being a friendly face, you’ll learn how interacting and volunteering can lead to a more active and fulfilling life. This is a great opportunity to discover a welcoming organization and find out how YOU can make a meaningful impact in your community.

Date and Time: Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD

For more info: www.thevillageinhoward.org

Register HERE 

Pollinator Fest June 7, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. FREE

At the Howard County Conservancy’s annual Pollinator Fest, visitors can learn about bees, butterflies, birds, moths, bats. All are welcome to encounter live insects and meet members of local environmental groups. Enjoy hands-on, pollinator-themed crafts and games, seed giveaways, live music, food and more.

Registration requested: https://howardnature.org/event/pollinator-fest-2/

Gather to watch the skies over the Howard County Conservancy with members of the Howard Astronomical League. With their telescopes and practiced eyes, experts will point out features of the summer night sky, including galaxies, double stars, planets, and nebulae.

June 14, 8 p.m./ $5 per car

Registration required: https://howardnature.org/event/sky-watching-with-the-howard-astronomical-league/

Photo by David Hobby

The Jogo Project Opens the Summer Series at Merriweather District’s Color Burst Park on 6-12-25

The Jogo Project, a WAMMIE Award-winning Jazz and Go-Go fusion band from Washington, D.C., opens the Merriweather District’s AMPED in the Park concert series on June 12, in Color Burst Park. The Jogo Project was founded by D.C. native Elijah Jamal Balbed, who performed with the “Godfather of Go-Go,” Chuck Brown.

The AMPED in the Park sessions include live music, food, drinks, and giveaways. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by live music at 7 p.m.

Other AMPED in the Park entertainment scheduled this summer includes:

·        June 26: Sons of Mystro Brothers Malcolm, 29, and Umoja, 26, use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs, and their creations, accompanied by a DJ and a drummer.

·        July 24: Las Karamba. Amid the bustling streets of Barcelona in 2018, six women founded Las Karamba to draw strength, overcome fears, and pursue their dreams of expressing dedication to music and emphasizing the role of women.

·        Aug. 7: New Jazz Underground. An American trio, New Jazz Underground has been described as “an innovative and ultra-creative collective striving to establish themselves as a defining voice for the genre of Jazz and beyond.” 

·        Aug. 21: Zar Eletrik pays homage to tribal cultures, particularly through the incorporation of the ancient Zar ritual originating from Ethiopia and Egypt.

·        Sept. 4: Butte & Friends is a revolving lineup of Mid-Atlantic musicians led by band leader John Butte, best known for his work as bassist and vocalist for DelMarva's renowned Grateful Dead Tribute - Better Off Dead.

All Summer Series events are free and open to the public. Color Burst Park is located at 6000 Merriweather Drive in Columbia. On-site parking is ample and free in the Symphony Woods Garage. You must be present to receive giveaways. For information visit https://merriweatherdistrict.com/events-calendar/.

RSVP and for more information at https://www.eventeny.com/events/amped-in-the-park-2025-18084/?series=6856&series=6856.

The Columbia Festival of the Arts (CFA) is inviting middle and high school students to support the artists and the festivalgoers at LakeFest 2025 this June 20-22, at Lake Kittamaqundi in Downtown Columbia. 150+ volunteers are needed!

Middle school students must be at least 13 years old and if under 16, they must be accompanied by a parent.

Volunteers may: help visual artists load and unload their art and supplies and set up their booths; or provide relief to artists who need to leave to get lunch or take a quick break.

They will have the opportunity to network with artists and hear first-hand accounts of their journeys to becoming an artist and perfecting their craft.

Additional info and registration are on our website. To Volunteer Click here.

To see the schedule of food trucks visit this link:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/merriweatherdistrictfoodtruckprogram-20276/

Are you planning any major projects around the house? Do you know how to plan and execute that project safely? Check out @HoCoConsumer’s tips before you sign on the dotted line. 

View the HoCo Consumer Tips HERE.

Wilde Lake Staff is Here to Help!

Wilde Lake Community Association staff is available to assist residents Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via email, phone, or in person by appointment.

Executive Director/Village Manager: Sharon Cooper-Kerr, scooperkerr@wildelake.org

Facility Rentals: Kate Kolarik, rentals@wildelake.org

Covenant Advisor: Lexi Milani, covenants@wildelake.org (exterior alterations, compliance letters & property maintenance issues)

Program Administrative Assistant: LaJoy Mosby, admin@wildelake.org

Front Desk and Facility Assistant: Lisa Yerrid, reception@wildelake.org

Technical Director: Luke Greffen, audiovisualtech@wildelake.org

Wilde Lake Welcome Bags!

Are you a new Wilde Lake resident? Wilde Lake Community Association would like to welcome you to the community with a special new resident welcome bag. It includes helpful information from Howard County and Columbia Association plus a few WLCA goodies. Do you have a new neighbor? This is a wonderful way for you to welcome them to the neighborhood. Please contact reception@wildelake.org or call 410-730-3987 to make arrangements to pick up a welcome bag between 1:30 - 4:30 pm. 

Notary services are now available at the Wilde Lake Community Association at Slayton House weekdays 1:30 - 4:30 pm. Please contact Lisa Yerrid at reception@wildelake.org or (410) 730-3987 to arrange an appointment.

Wilde Lake Village Board 2025-2026

*The meeting of the 2025-2026 Wilde Lake Village Board will be held on

Monday, June 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted as a hybrid meeting (Zoom Link). Agendas are found on our website.

2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For more information on rental space, visit our website at https://www.wildelake.org/rentals or contact Kate Kolarik at rentals@wildelake.org

Follow Wilde Lake Community Association on social media for

the latest news and events!