🍦Custard’s last stand

Good morning, Columbia. Who already has pumpkins on their porch? It’s far too early for that. Not because we’re judging you! But because it’s still too hot and they won’t look good by October. Unless your pumpkins are fake. In which case, we definitely are judging you. Kidding. . .

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Two weeks ago, Meadows Frozen Custard was packing up its freezers. Now it might be unpacking.

The shop’s been scooping at Hickory Ridge Village Center since 2010, but landlord Kimco Realty declined to renew its lease this summer. Allegedly after the parties had agreed in principle to a three-year extension at higher rent with year-round hours.

Then y’all got loud. The Merriweather Post broke the news on Facebook, the post racked up around 100,000 views, and customers and local news outlets flooded Kimco with calls and emails. Eventually, Kimco reached back out to talk renewals and, in the shop's words, "promised to make things right this time."

Nothing is signed yet, so keep the keyboards and phones handy and the spoons handier. Meadows says a community appreciation party is coming, details to follow.

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The Stanley Cup weighs 34.5 pounds. The Old Ellicott Cup weighs considerably less. But then again, you’ll probably never get the chance to win Lord Stanley’s Cup. Not so for the Old Ellicott Cup.

After a year off, the Old Ellicott Cup returns Saturday, September 26 to Cushwa & Rad Pies Taproom (6695 Dobbin Rd). It's a bubble hockey tournament – the dome-covered Super Chexx tables from your childhood – and it bills itself as the sport's premier event. The pitch is simple: anyone can enter. Ranked league veterans and first-timers play the same bracket, and organizers insist everyone has a real shot at the trophy.

The history says they're serious. Year one, at the B&O Railroad Museum in Old Ellicott City, drew 2,500+ livestream viewers. In 2023 at Oversea Distillery, Vince Mallett needed double overtime in a decisive third game to beat Greg Ginion and repeat as champ. Joe Lewis won at Cushwa in 2024 to complete bubble hockey's "Grand Slam." Then 2025 was a gap year to "refocus and re-evaluate," which is also what I say about my knees.

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🌱 Climate-Resilient Gardening – A University of Maryland specialist shares sustainable landscaping practices that work with Maryland's climate – and how to get started in your own yard.

🍺 Screw Cancer Brew Hope – An afternoon at Manor Hill Brewing with craft beer, live music, games, and raffles, all supporting young adults affected by cancer.

🎶 Friday Music: 49-cent Dress Band – Rock and pop band known for getting people dancing wraps up Clarksville Commons' summer concert season at 6 PM.

🎬 Movie Night – Marvel's Shang-Chi & The Legend of The 10 Rings – Outdoor screening of the martial arts Marvel film at the Columbia Lakefront at dusk.

⛳ Midnight Mini-Golf – Unlimited mini-golf, lawn games, and adult beverages under the stars at Columbia SportsPark. This month's theme: Sports Night – wear your jerseys and hats.

🪦 September 11th Remembrance Ceremony – A brief morning ceremony honoring the lives lost on September 11th.

🎈📚 Books & Beers in the Barn – Backwater Books sets up shop inside Manor Hill Brewing's barn – browse new titles for adults and kids while farm-brewed beers and brick-oven pizza are steps away.

🎶 Making Movies – Latin Grammy-nominated band delivers cumbia, blues, salsa, soul, and rock'n'roll in one psychedelic musical journey at the Columbia Lakefront.

🎈🦋 Butterfly Walk – Experts from the Howard County Bird Club lead a guided walk through Mt. Pleasant's trails and pollinator gardens to help you learn butterfly identification.

🎈👴 Grandparents' Day Celebration – A community gathering honoring grandparents with activities for all ages.

💃 Stock the Shelves Line Dance Fundraiser – All-level line dancing with DJ Ruth Rarick to benefit local food pantries – bring non-perishable food items to share.

🎷 Jazz in the Mills 20th Anniversary Celebration – A milestone concert celebrating 20 years of the local series, featuring Oakland Mills' own Lavenia Nesmith.

🎬 Columbia Maryland Film Festival Closing Night – The 8th season of the festival closes with a reception celebrating Maryland filmmakers, curated shorts, and audience Q&A.

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🥩 Deli Counter Offer – Saval Foods broke ground on a 230,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution center in Columbia Gateway, built with Howard Hughes Communities. The family-owned distributor, now in its 95th year, will bring its Elkridge operations under one roof, keep 391 full-time jobs, and add 107 more over four years. The state is putting up a $1.75 million conditional loan and the county's Catalyst Fund adds $800,000. Details

🍛 Naan Stop – Indian Bistro is open at 8765 Centre Park Dr, the old Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins spot at Route 108 in Columbia Palace Plaza. It's halal, open 11 AM–10 PM daily, and the main draw is an $18.95 buffet that runs 11 AM–3 PM seven days a week. Owner Mohammed Bhuiyan runs several America's Best Wings and Subway locations, but this is the first restaurant he built from scratch.

🍎 Top of the Class – Kacy Valentine, a seventh-grade English teacher who has spent 22 years at Lake Elkhorn Middle School, is one of seven finalists for 2027 Maryland Teacher of the Year. She's an HCPSS lifer (Atholton, Clarksville, Hammond) who started the school's after-school basketball program. The winner is announced October 9 and moves on to the national competition. Details

🚜 Mower Overboard – Chompers, one of Columbia Association's four aqua mowers, capsized in Lake Kittamaqundi last week during routine weed cutting. One worker went in the water and managed to climb onto another boat. Nobody was hurt, and CA says no fuel or oil leaked. ($)

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87 🌡️ 66 | ⛅ | 33% ☔ | 💨 W 9 mph

82 🌡️ 64 | ⛅ | 3% ☔ | 💨 N 6 mph

81 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ | 58% ☔ | 💨 SE 8 mph

83 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ | 35% ☔ | 💨 SW 5 mph

85 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 6% ☔ | 💨 NW 6 mph

🌳🎵= Outdoor concert

Bare Bones | Moonstone | 7–10:30 PM
Cured 1821 | Joe DeCara | 6–10 PM
The Morgan Inn | Downtime Duo | 6–9 PM

Barn & Lodge | Mike Sharp | 8–11 PM
Bare Bones | Soulstice | 8 PM–12 AM
Collective Encore | Grateful Allman Band Experience | 8 PM | Tickets
Cured 1821 | Darius Scott | 6–11 PM
Looney's Maple Lawn | Emotional Support | TBA
The Morgan Inn | NightOWLs | 6–9 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Blues for the Brave feat. Kelly Bell Band, Sweet Leda & Lower Case Blues | 6–11 PM | Tickets
Smashing Grapes | Shelby Blondell | 8–11 PM
White Oak Tavern | Noah Pierre | 8–10 PM

Barn & Lodge | Grayson Moon | 8–11 PM
Bare Bones | Code Red | 8 PM–12 AM
Collective Encore | The Bell Bottom Blues: Clapton Tribute Band | 8 PM | Tickets
Cured 1821 | Kevin Howard | 6–11 PM
Kelsey's Restaurant & Irish Pub | Richard Walton | 6–9:30 PM
Looney's Maple Lawn | The Biscotti Boys | 8:30 PM
The Morgan Inn | The Garrett Mabe Band | 8–11 PM
Reckless Shepherd | Radio Hero | 8:30 PM
Smashing Grapes | Bryan Mills | 8–11 PM
White Oak Tavern | Enslow | 8–10 PM

Barn & Lodge | Brett Buehler | 11 AM–2 PM
Cured 1821 | Bob & Aiden | 5–9 PM
🌳🎵 Manor Hill Brewing | DT Huber | 2–5 PM
The Morgan Inn | Sunday Funday Music Jam with the Soul Family Band | 2–5:30 PM
Smashing Grapes | Sara Jones | 11 AM–2 PM
White Oak Tavern | Jazzy Brunch | 11 AM–2 PM

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend who recently had to go dairy-free. Our sincerest condolences to them.