The second annual Taste of Bowie promises to be just as delicious as last year, and the folks at Boswell Hall are happy to host the event once again.

"It's just one of many community events we enjoy doing," said Buck Garner, Boswell Hall facility manager.

The event is Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Boswell Hall, located at 6111 Columbian Way.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. and will feature the must-see "Fabulous Fall Fashion Show" (last year, Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson was a highlight modeling a sweater and slacks ensemble as he walked down the runway), live musical entertainment (see related column, Page A11) and a basket raffle. The baskets total more than $1,000 in value.

And the creme de la creme of the evening is of course the Taste of Bowie itself, featuring house specialties from 12 local restaurants, as well as an open beer and wine bar.

The featured restaurants are: Boswell Hall, Duclaw, Dunkin' Donuts, Edible Arrangements, Expressions Catering, Jasper's, Longhorn, Main Street Catering & Cafe, Texas Roadhouse, TJ Elliott's, Big Fish and The Cakery.

Other sponsors include Calamity Jane (jewelry), Delores' Hair Works, Dress Barn, Jos. A. Bank, Kohl's and The Children's Place.

Tickets are $50, and discounted tables of eight are available. Proceeds from the event benefit the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Committee and Soroptimists International of Bowie-Crofton scholarship funds.

"It is such a wonderful community event, and we hope to repeat and build on the success we had last year," said Laurie Dollard, one of the event coordinators and member of the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.

And Boswell Hall has definitely been a center of the community for nearly four decades.

Jim Gallagher, treasurer of the building association and secretary of Boswell Columbian Way Corp., has been one of the Knights of Columbus for 52 years, and has lived in Bowie since 1966.

"The Knights of Columbus were actually founded in Old Bowie back in 1925," he said. "As the city began to grow, membership started to grow, too, especially in 1961, when Levitt houses were sold."

At the time, Gallagher said the members felt it was time to buy some property, and on New Years Eve 1971, the Knights of Columbus Hall building officially opened its doors.

In 1974, part of the building was renamed Boswell Hall, in honor of one of the original members there, Charles C. Boswell.

"There was really nothing in town where you could host events, banquets or wedding receptions, and we wanted to provide that, as well as what is still one of the biggest dance floors around" said Gallagher. "The only other facility that was kind of like ours was a place called McNamara's Barn."

As Bowie continued to grow and prosper into the 1990s and 2000s, the opening of the Florian Hall and Comfort Inn facilities put Boswell Hall to the test somewhat, but Boswell Hall remained with competitive prices, and continues to hold its own in the community.

"We have hosted so many community and church events, and have helped with fund raisers, and really lowered the costs when it comes to struggling families," said Gallagher. "And, we just recently remodeled."

And that's exactly what you can look for at the Taste of Bowie this year again, too - some wonderful food, and some re-modeling from some local celebrities.