On the occasion of Father’s Day this Sunday, I offer these quotes for reflection:

Former New York governor Mario Cuomo was inspired by his immigrant father’s example: "I watched a small man with thick calluses on both hands work 15 and 16 hours a day. I saw him once literally bleed from the bottoms of his feet, a man who came here uneducated, alone, unable to speak the language, who taught me all I needed to know about faith and hard work by the simple eloquence of his example."

Or as more briefly stated by English poet and Anglican priest George Herbert: "One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."

Finally, comedian and actor Bill Cosby jokes, “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.”

In fact, any parent knows that the most precious items in the household are those little gifts offered by our children.

An organization that is dedicated to supporting fatherhood in American families is The National Fatherhood Initiative. One of their programs is called InsideOutDad, a re-entry program designed specifically for incarcerated fathers. It develops pro-fathering attitudes, knowledge and skills, and provides fathers with strategies to connect them with their families and prepare them for release. If you’d like to support this organization, visit their website at www.fatherhood.org.

Enjoy the great outdoors

This year, the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, a program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, has designated June 9 through June 23 as Great Outdoors Days in an effort to get children and families outside.

Too often today we find our children — perhaps even ourselves — trapped inside, glued to computer screens and other media. Every child should have the chance to discover what's beyond the Internet to camp, fish, play, explore and celebrate our natural world.

Environmental organizations, communities and groups from all over the state have contributed to a master list of events to provide everyone numerous opportunities to get out and enjoy our natural resources. From fishing derbies to wetland scavenger hunts to nature displays, there really is something for everyone. The list can be accessed at www.dnr.state.md.us/cin/GOM/index.asp.

A Father’s Day fishing event for ages 5 through adult happens this Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. at Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville. The cost is $3 for program supplies. Participants will fish the lake for bluegill and bass. For information, call 410-887-1815.

No meetingThe Savage Historical Society will not be holding a regular June meeting. Historical memorabilia, including calendars from 2003 to 2013, will be available by contacting Helen Rushing at 301-725-1241 or 301-466-0408.