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HoCo Goes Hallmark



There’s been some seasonal joking about those holiday movies for which Hallmark is famous. Their formula has been solidifying over the years to the point where it has become a meme.


I thought it might be fun to give this a local twist. Let’s replace the Green section with “returns to Columbia/HoCo”. 

New let’s add some new choices:

  • To save the family farm 
  •  To sell off the family’s original Columbia home 
  •  To liquidate a struggling Village Center 
  •  To get the family business in Old Ellicott City back on its feet 
  • To challenge a decision by the planning board

Now let’s work some romantic magic as our protagonist “magically falls in love” with:


  • An embattled member of the school board
  • A member of the Howard Hughes Merriweather District team 
  • A beloved pastor of an interfaith center congregation 
  • A visionary food entrepreneur at the Common Kitchen
  • An environmental activist 

Let’s add a category - - local settings:
  • Howard County fairgrounds 
  • Main Street EC
  • The Chrysalis 
  • People Tree
  • Enchanted Forest at Clarks Elioak Farm
Ok, folks! Get to work. Mix and match and tell me what you’ve got. 

What else would you add? Did you end up with a movie you would watch? Who would you cast?

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