"Our Town" in the Ruins

Thorton Wilder's "Our Town" is a play familiar to many. Hardly anyone completes high school without reading, performing, or watching this play. I have read this play, watched my peers perform this play, watched my oldest son and his theater class perform this play, and next month with watch my youngest 2 thespians execute it once again. I must say, I am slightly "Our Town" weary. I should say, I was "Our Town" weary, until last night!

I had the opportunity to attend the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's production of Wilder's "Our Town" in the restored ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute in Historic Ellicott City. The unique concept that the audience moves along with the actors walking from scene to scene is what brought me to the venue. I highly recommend this theater experience to all.

The play is narrated by the Stage Manager portrayed by Dave Gamble who begins the play by walking up the gravel lane dressed in his brown blazer, vest and hat. He hasa folksy speach, a New England accent and a storyteller's description, as he lays out the "scenery" of the town around the landscape. Perhaps it is also that this is the first time I have seen this play with age appropriate actors, but I know I was immediately transported to Grover's Corners.

This is a perfect marriage of the play and the ruins where this performance takes place. The haunting sound of the actual train was almost timed perfectly with the train sound effects of the show. As the sun began to set to twilight, the Stage Manager was describing dawn, and the effects matched perfectly. Later in the, as the wind began to russle the leaves in the trees we were approaching the town cemetary. Both sent a chill through me.

For those unfamiliar with the play, the story is rich in the sweetness of small town life, family homes and young love. It's end is striking, abroupt and thought provoking. After witnessing this performance, I do not know that I will ever enjoy seeing this in a theater again.

There is only one more weekend to see the Chesapeak Shakespeare Company performance in the ruins.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chesapeake-Shakespeare-Company/111038168915338#!/chesapeake.shakespeare

Have you Been to the Wine Bin?

How can a business become a community tradition and destination? Just ask The Wine Bin in historic Ellicott City. The Wine Bin has invested a great deal of time, talent and energy into not only selling wine, but to also becoming a welcoming center for fun community events. There is always something going on, from the obvious wine and chocolate tastings to their less traditional wine shop events.

My personal favorites are the classic films they show under the stars in their parking lot each Saturday evening throughout the summer. It is reminiscent of the Drive-In movies I remember from childhood. There is something special about watching a movie like Superman, Pirates of the Caribean, Indiana Jones or a Hitchcock thriller on a big screen, with a crowd, on a warm summer night. Seeing the first row of people diving and screaming when the Jaws shark jumps towards the boat, was bonus entertainment. Each evening has a wine pairing selected especially for the film. I am only required to bring my chair. The Wine Bin I can purchase my wine and they loan me their lovely wine glasses (yes real glasses). It's free, it's entertaining, children and dogs are welcome, and the popcorn proceeds benefit charity. The showing of Hitchock's classic "Rear Window" was a "sell out" with the crowd overflowing into the neighboring lawn. The collective gasp when Jimmy Stewart is pushed out the window, is why this is my favorite event!

My dog enjoys the "Yappy Hours." On the 1st Friday of the month, well behaved dogs and their wine loving owners are invited to the Wine Bin. The Wine Bin's mascot Cloe, a muscular brown and white bull dog, acts as hostess for this event benefiting BARCS of Baltimore. The tourists in town always stop to ask, "Whats going on?" and are excited to hear about this unique happy hour. FYI, you do not need a dog to attend.

I especially enjoyed their float in the Catonsville 4th of July Parade as much as I enjoyed Dave's weekly posted videos of their float building and wine drinking with carpenter Matt. The owners invite wine makers, chefs and ghost tour guides into their shop, weaving their enthusiasm and lovely wine into each activity. Dave and Giuli, their staff and Cloe the dog, have the doors to the store propped open on most days, which I see as a symbol of the welcoming spirit of their shop.


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Things to do this week, in and around Catonsville.

Here are some things to do this week!

Thurs. 4/7
Historic Ellicott City Literary Tour. A history of the town as told by the authors who visited and wrote about Ellicott City, from Capt. John Smith to H.L. Menkin. 410-313-1900 Ellicott City Restoration Foundation. $10

Fri.4/8
Catonsville High School Steel Drum Band Concert. 7:30opm. Tickets $5 at the door. Kids under 12 free. The sounds of the steel drums will put you in a summer mood for Saturday's Beach Bash. Hope they play their signature Motown Finale.

Mt De Sales "Ping Pong for Peace" fundraiser to "Invisible Children" peace in Uganda. $5 admission allows the public to watch or play! Fun, food, competition & contests.

Sat.4/9
Catonsville Comets Booster Club BEACH BASH at The Lodge. 8pm-midnight. Food, fun, music, raffles, ... $35 Always fun!

Catonsville's Adrian Cox and his band Soul Gravity bring their rockin groove to The Waterfront Hotel in Fells Point. 10pm. It is a treat to have the Soul so close to home!

Sun. 4/10
Watershed Stream Cleanup, Friends of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway, 12-3pm. at the end of Hollins Ferry Rd.

Chef Matt will be cooking up grilled cheese (with a Rumor Mill twist) at the competition to benefit Movable Feast. $10 per person, kids under 10 free.Tickets @ The Mt Washington Tavern.

Mon. 4/11
Open Mic Night for Teens 11-17 , 7pm. Catonsville Library, registration 6:30pm

Weds. 4/13
Harritt Tubman Trails Bus Tour. Follow the trails of the Underground Railroad. $35

SAVE THE DATE / Future EVENTSl:

4/23 Catonsville High Alumni Lacrosse Game
4/30 Hills of Mill town 5K Challenge

Homecoming Turns Kids into Classman.

We have survived another successful Homecoming Week at Catonsville High. From the outside it may seem a trivial event, but this is the ritual that transforms 8th graders into freshman, and freshman into upper classman. It begins the year long Farewell to the seniors.

Class color day unites kids from a variety of schools into one unit. The "2014" label finally makes sense. The pep rally rituals are a safe hazing of the under classman and a rite of passage for the upper classman as they progress from the grassy hillside seats to the grand bleachers looking down on the minions. The freshman are either very good sports or clueless, as the relay game rules are stacked against them, yet they are so happy to be at the party, they don't seem to mind. Even the taunts and shouts of the seniors, can't dampen their spirits for they remember just a few months ago in middle school none of this kayos would be possible.

School Color Day/Blue and Gold Day, emphasises the unity of one school. "No matter what we are one." When they arrive at the Homecoming Game, the red, green, and purple face paint has been washed away, replaced by a sea of Catonsville blue. The Catonsville blue also unites our community. We can all wear a C-ville T, to show our Catonsville pride.

Homecoming is a week long distraction, which may disrupt the daily routine of school lessons. There is drama over outfits, and hallways, and time lost to the pep rally. But Homecoming is truly about school spirit as it forms a bond to class and school and community that connects the generations of Catonsville graduates to this community.

It's Fall in Catonsville

It's Fall in Catonsville. The fields are in full use from the "Turf" at the high school to the grassy fields of Westown to the well worn grass of CMS', there are games all weekend long. The Trolly Trail is starting to cover with colorful leaves, and Opies and the Tasty Zone are reducing supplies in preparation for their "long winter's nap." The elementary school kids are breaking out their coats on chilly mornings. The middle schoolers are still wearing hoodies and shorts.

The best place to be on a Friday night is a CHS football game. This weekend is Homeoming Night which looks like any other Friday night, as most of the parents in the stands are alumni. Win or lose, it's an entertaining evening spent with friends from the community. This is definately the place to be if you are a teen. Loud and happy kids having a great time in a safe environment, makes any parent smile.

As you race around town, dropping of and picking up kids, take a look at all the colorful trees which line our roads. It will pass quickly into winter. Reflect on the poor fellows who live in other parts of the county, who never see the changing colors of leaves. How fortunate we are.

Get a Warm Feeling Donating Winter Coats

23 Years of Coats for Kids- It's a Good Warm Feeling for Everyone

Cold weather is on the way. As you break out the winter gear, chances are there will be one or two usable coats that no longer fit your family. Make this a Win-Win by donating them to "Coats for Kids." "Coats for Kids," sponsored by WBAL radio, has been collecting and donating coats to needy children for 23 years. Coats are be dropped off at specified cleaners or Hamilton Federal Bank locations around the area. The cleaners will clean the coats and then they are distributed to children in need.

I drop our coats off at Regency Dry Cleaner 8901 Baltimore National Pike Ellicott City 21043, in the "Golden Triangle." It is on the way to my real estate office, so it is an easy stop. There are 40 locations, chances are one is near where you travel.

Kids come in all sizes, (think of some of the teenagers you know) so adult size coats are also welcome.

Think about donating, "it's a good warm feeling for everyone."

Here is the link to all of the locations.

The Wine Bin Makes Wining Community Fun.

How quickly can a business become a community tradition? Just ask The Wine Bin in historic Ellicott City. The Wine Bin has invested a great deal of time, talent and energy into not only selling wine, but to also becoming a welcoming center for fun community events. There is always something going on. from the obvious wine and chocolate tastings to the less traditional wine shop events.

My personal favorites are the classic films they show under the stars in their parking lot each Saturday evening throughout the summer. It is reminiscent of the Drive-In movies I remember from childhood. There is something special about watching a movie like Monty Python, Indiana Jones or Hitchcock's North By Northwest on a big screen, with a crowd, on a warm summer night. Seeing the first row of people diving and screaming when the Jaws shark jumps towards the boat, was bonus entertainment. Each evening has a wine pairing selected especially for the film. I am only required to bring my chair. The Wine Bin loans me their lovely wine glasses (yes real glasses). It's free, it's entertaining, children and dogs are welcome, and the popcorn proceeds benefit charity. Of course this is my favorite event!

My dog Bindi enjoys the "Yappy Hours." On the 3rd Friday of the month, well behaved dogs and their wine loving owners are invited to the Wine Bin. The Wine Bin's mascot Cloe, a muscular brown and white bull dog, acts as hostess for this event benefiting BARCS of Baltimore. The tourists in town always stop to ask, "Whats going on?" and are fascinated to hear about this unique happy hour. FYI, you do not need a dog to attend.

I enjoyed their "I Love Lucy" float in the Catonsville 4th of July Parade as much as I enjoyed the weekly videos of their float build, wine drinking carpenter Matt. The owners invite wine makers, chefs and ghost tour guides into their shop, weaving their enthusiasm and lovely wine into each activity. Dave and Giuli, the proprietors, their staff and Cloe the dog, have the doors to the shop propped open on most days, which I see as a symbol of the welcoming spirit of their shop.

It's not too late to catch the last movie of the season on September 25, Princess Bride 8pm. There are more events, tons of wine and so many charities. You will need to stop by the shop and check out the website to learn more. I suddenly have a craving for a white Bordeaux.
http://winebinec.com/

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Opie's or Tastee Zone?

While the country debates Health Care Reform, in the August heat, in Catonsville, residents will choose sides on more immediate concerns. Do you like Opie's or Tastee Zone?

Just as passionate as the allegiance to Coke or Pepsi, the patrons of ice cream and snowballs have a definate divide. The crushed ice of Opie's vs. the shaved ice of Tastee Zone. The crowds on the picnic tables of Opie's vs. the curbside seating of Tastee Zone. Ask any resident of Catonsville over the age of 5 and they will have a definite preference for one or the other. Occasionally, the ice cream snowballs of the Candy Box, which are easy to grab on a trip down Frederick Rd, but it is a dash and go experience rather than a hang around to chat with anyone who shows up, kind of place. We also have the gelato of Cafe di Roma which offers a more mature, relaxing, international feel but without the tradition and history of the Junction.

We can also debate 5 Oaks vs. Rollingwood. Families naturally gravitate to one pool or the other. Both can boast about their pool, their grounds and their recreation, but they will never convince the other to concede. There are a few who choose membership to Hunting Hills, another lovely pool, but their members are mostly at the far end of town, so the splashing of swimmers at the other two pools drown out their voices.

Do you enjoy the concerts at Lurman Woodland Theatre tucked nicely into the knoll just a few steps from Bloomsbury Avenue? The smell of grilled food, the nice facilities and the kids playing nearby, make this a great retreat right here in "Music City." Or, do you enjoy the Frederick Road Fridays, a concert/block party in the parking lot next to the Santa House? It features classics like Appoloosa, Bill's Music House and Jenning's beer garden. Just like its location, this is the "heart" of Catonsville.

This raises more questions. Where is the best coffee? The best pizza? The best bakery? The best roadside stand?

So take a summer break from the debate of politics and talk of the weather, to consider which side you will take in this Catonsville discussion. As you are filled with the passion to express your opinion, feel free to post it here.

Going Round About Traffic Circle

The corner of Edmondson Avenue and Old Frederick Rd has been a topic of conversation at cookouts, and the pool most of this summer. The decision to remove the traffic lights and install a round-about brings mixed reviews from those of us who travel this route 4 or more times per day.

While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.

My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.

Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”

Dear Sam, It's time to go.

Dear Sam

It's time to go. (Read in a soothing, motherly voice) In light of your second DUI this week, it is time to resign from the Baltimore County Council. Perhaps these incidents are symptoms of a deeper personal issue which requires your time and attention to resolve. Or perhaps it shows a total disregard for your personal safety and the safety of other drivers and passengers on our roads.

Our public officials should be role models for the citizens of our community and the community's children. In 2005, your loyal supporters asked for understanding from your constituents because public officials are human and entitled to a mistake. A mistake. One mistake.

This second incident, again involving an accident, and causing injury to another person, can no longer be brushed aside as "a mistake." This time the behavior can only be described as reckless.

Each year the PTAs and PTSAs sponsor events in our schools explaining to students the dangers of drinking and driving. These organizations can no longer have our councilman at student events representing local government. This topic was discussed at PTA meetings in 2005 and it will take up valuable meeting time again, if you continue as our County Councilman.

A quiet resignation will show the citizens and children of Catonsville that there are consequences for bad actions. No public explanation is necessary. Resign. get the help you need. Stop drinking and driving, not just for a few years, but forever. My children, my friends and my neighbors deserve to be safe on Catonsville's streets.

The Catonsville Men's Civic Association- A Catonsville Treasure

The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association.

They are the unsung heroes who help make the Catonsville traditions special for our children. These men have brought many years of fun times and memories to our family and surely many others.

These are the men who arrive at the high school early 4th of July morning to set up the games. Piles of hay for the lollipop hunt. Ropes outlining the race courses. The tent to distribute the price ribbons. These are all completed prior to the arrival of excited children and parents dressed in red, white and blue.

The games go on despite extreme heat and sprinkling rain. Most years there is a huge crowd, including locals, returning Catonsvillians and visitors. Generations of families have grown up attending this event. The old fashion games like sack races and wheel barrow races are exciting for the kids and nostalgic for the adults. Our family favorite is the final game, the balloon toss.

Just lining up for the gum ball race is entertaining enough. The men walk along the row of kids placing gum balls onto the small plastic spoons held by little hands. The instructions include, “Place the gum ball on the spoon and run to the end of the line, without dropping the gum ball. If you drop the gum ball onto the ground, do not eat it.” Some kids look forward towards the end of the line, anticipating their winning finish. Others are eyeing the gum ball, licking their lips, thinking of a way to sneak the gum into their mouth. Others have already dropped the gum, picked it up, and popped it into their mouth, chewing away!

My kids have participated for years, even winning a blue ribbon one year. Nick’s goal was to compete and win the "big" event. Reserved for teens and adults, each player removes their shoes and surrenders them to the members of the Men's Civic Association. They are mixed and tossed and shuffled at the other end of the field. The goal is to run down the field, find your shoes, put them on and return to the starting line FIRST. After years of observing this ritual, my then middle school son entered the competition, finishing in the top 10, along side grown men, twenty somethings and teens. He voweled to return the next year and win. He remarked about his goal a few times during that year, when we reviewed the photos from that day. The morning of the 4th, one year later, he returned to claim his victory!

The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association also sponsors the Egg Hunt in the spring, the 4th of July fireworks, the CHS After Prom Party, and 2 CHS scholarships, fundraising passing a bucket and selling glow necklaces at the fireworks show. While I do not know any of them personally, I recognize them each year. They are as much a part of our Catonsville 4th of July tradition as hot dogs and potato salad.

The Catonsville Men’s Civic Association is a Catonsville Treasure.

The Chairs of Catonsville

The Chairs of Catonsville

The 4th of July Chairs on Frederick Rd appeared, to my observation, the Saturday before July 4th. One week seems a reasonable amount of time since in previous years I can recall their arrival 10 days prior, and once, 2 full weeks in advance of the 4th. After a brief exchange of letters in the Catonsville Times, debating the appropriate amount of time for the chairs to sit on Frederick Rd, a sort of self policing took effect and reasonable minds returned to 1 week to 10 days.

This phenomenon is common place to Catonsvillians, but lost on outsiders. This week I was greeted at my office in Ellicott City by irritated comments like “What’s with the chairs on the side of the road?’ and “Those people should get a life.” Why does this harmless event bother people so?

I myself find it charming. Since I generally arrive at the parade about 2:30pm and perch my family comfortably on the curb, the “reservists” don’t bother me. When I see the chairs, I am reminded it is time to break out my red, white and blue decorations. The fact that the chairs can sit on Frederick Rd for at least a week, remaining for the most part unharmed or stolen, renews my faith in human nature. The fact that others have confidence leaving their chairs, reminds me that others have that faith too. I watch the people who wait at the bus stops, “living large” for a week, relaxing in nice lawn chairs. These thought make me smile as I drive down Frederick Rd. It is part of the seasons of Catonsville.

I was in Arbutus on Monday. There were no chairs along the parade route, building the excitement and expectation, like stockings hung by the fireplace awaiting Santa. It is part of the anticipation that makes the 4th of July in Catonsville special.

Catonsville's Santa House 2011!

The Catonsville Santa House, located in the heart of Catonsville, next to the firehouse, is a heart warming sight. Santa arrives each year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving and this has become an annual family event for my family and judging by the crowd, many others. This tradition was started by Greg Morgan, a Catonsville native, 16 years ago when his youngest son, who now as tall as Dad, was just months old. It has grown to include caroling, refreshments and fireworks. So many volunteers have worked over the years to build, maintain and decorate the House, we will never know their names.  But their efforts are appreciate by so many.  We have attended in bitter cold years, and unseasonable warm nights, just to watch for Santa's arrive in Catonsville atop the firetruck.

It is a remarkable event, in that there are small children, shaking with excitement, middle school kids giggling and gossiping, high school teens mingling and planning the weekend. There are parents and grandparents. It just seems this is the place to be the 3rd Saturday in November. The line at Santa's door forms early. I have stood in that line with my kids to be one of the first to say, "Hi." and welcome Santa back to Catonsville. I have also stood outside when my children were "old enough to go by myself." to receive their welcoming candy cane. Each year, I enjoy watching the passengers on the detoured MTA buses, pressed against the window to see what is going on, then they smile when they realize it is a Christmas street party.   One year, my family had the privilege, to spend a Sunday afternoon in October painting the Santa House, our way of saying, "Thank you." for all the years of joy.

One year I stood with a fellow mom whose youngest are in middle school, as Santa's arrival was announced. The smallest children were all lifted atop Dad's shoulders in an effort to catch the first glimpse. My mom-friend remarked how she missed those years of exited children. And then I looked at our middle schoolers, too big and too cool to get on Dad's shoulders, instead they stretched on tippy toes to get a glimpse of the "Jolly Old Elf."

This year the Catonsville High School football team who went to the semi-state finals game on Friday night with a 12-0 season, stood on the stage to be saluted by a loving community.  When the sea of supporters cheered as each team member walked on the stage, I hope the memory of Friday night's loss melted from their minds.  The rugged football squad counted down the arrival of St. Nick, the tree lighting and the fireworks. Then they stood on tippy toes, stretching to catch the first glimps of St. Nick as he rode down the street, proving we are all kids inside. It is the magic of the Catonsville Santa House that makes everyone excited to see Santa.

I often think of our Catonsville children, as they get older and move away. Do they realize this is a unique community? When they arrive at their new town, they will ask, "Where is the Santa House?" And when they find they do not have one, will they return home to Catonsville to raise their kids? This is the real magic of the Santa House, and our community.

Merry Christmas.

Theater in Catonsville- ALIVE AND WELL!

Theater is alive and well among the young people of Catonsville.

In November, Catonsville High School will pesent Arther Milller's "The Crucible." This play is based on the actual events in 1692, that led to the Salem Witch Trials, a series of hearings before local magistrates to prosecute over 150 people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Students who attend CHS, especially Mr. McDaniel's English class, will study this play. John Proctor will be played by Nick Huber

In December, Catonsville Middle School will present "Willie Wonka" . This childhood favorite will be another fine musical production, complete with superb special effects. You will be amazed and dazzled bu this group of middle school students who sing, dance prepare sets, arrange props and operate the stage and sound crews.

Also in December, Relays STAR Community Theater presents "Scrooge and Marley" This lighter version of the Traditional Dickens story is appropriate for the entire family. The audience will be invited to sing carols between scenes and all of the profit will be donated to a local charity selected by the children in the cast. STAR is masterful with sets and staging. The theater seats only 125 people, so advanced tickets are a must. Scrooge is played by Nick Huber.

If you truly want to enter the Christmas season with a song in your heart, I recommend Tuba Christmas, directed by Catonsville High Schools Jim Wharten. Held outside at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, over 200 base brass players assemble the first Saturday in December at 3pm to play Christmas Carols. From musicians from all over the state, between 12 and 82, some from the high schools, Raven's marching band and Maryland colleges, come together once a year to bring joy to so many. If you love base brass, or if you have never experienced base brass (tubas, euphoniums,) this is your chance to learn to love these instruments.

If you would like more information about any of these events, please let me know. I hope to see you there!

Fall in Catonsville

It's Fall in Catonsville. The fields are in full use from the "Turf" at the high school to the new improved field at Bloomsbury to CMS' well worn grass, there are games all weekend long. The Trolly Trail is covered with colorful leaves, and Opies and the Tasty Zone prepare for a "long winter's nap." The elementary school kids are breaking out their coats on chilly mornings. The middle schoolers are still wearing hoodies and shorts.

The best place to be on a Friday night is a CHS football game. Win or lose, it's an entertaining evening spent with friends from the community. Homecoming Night, looks like any other weekend, as the parents in the stands are also the alumni! This is definately the place to be if you are a teen. Loud and happy kids having a great time in a safe environment, makes any parent smile.

Keep an eye on the Santa House, as it will begin to show signs of life. It is just weeks until it opens. As you race around town, dropping of and picking up kids, take a look at all the colorful trees which line our roads. It will pass quickly into winter. Reflect on the poor fellows who live in other parts of the county, who never see the changing colors of leaves. How fortunate we are.

POOL FRIENDS, A GIFT OF SUMMER.

Pool friends. A unique relationship of summer. The bonds are made by warm weather, the smells of chlorine and sunscreen, and unspoken promises not to laugh at you in a swim suit. These friends share the best of times. Lazy days relaxing in a beach chair, good foods and junk foods, and stories of vacations both simple and exotic. Sure there is the occasional complaint about the weather and how fast the summer is going by, but generally these friendships are positive and intimate. What else could they be, they were formed while sitting in a bathing suit.

These are the people that accept you whether you sit baking in the sun or following the illusive shade. They understand if you sit by yourself after greeting them because they know the pleasure of the rare quite moment to read a book. They will also welcome your company when you finish. They will stop in mid sentence while you chase small child heading too close to deep water, and pick up again once you resume a comfortable pose. They don't care if you do not get wet all summer.

When our children were young we had daily meetings at the pool. Like punching a clock, we arrived with regular, predictable schedules and sat in our usual seats. As our children grew, we found new freedom, allowing them to attend the pool unchaperoned while we catch up on long overdue chores. Now, we make a special effort to see our pool friend, scheduling appointments and pot lucks. Never the less, these dates are just as relaxing and fun.

We spend the winter counting how many days until the pool opens and our summers counting how many days we have left. While sitting with our pool friends, we can enjoy the day or evening with out worrying about tomorrow. Farewell until next season.

Art in the Patapsco.

A most interesting phenomenon in the Patapsco River as you cross over the bridge into Ellicott City. Rocks and sticks transformed into sculpture. About a month ago, a creative member of the Friends of the Patapsco Valley spent a Saturday, stacking rocks and sticks into towers, statues, some resembling people. His feats did not go unnoticed. People were stopping on the bridge to take a look. Some of the local kids joined in and the "sculpture garden" began to expand even further up the stream. These talented kids made even more challenging designs, using sticks to create balances with various size rocks across the level. The onlookers increased, with tourists and photographers standing on the bridge almost everyday. I have even seen some people wade into the river to be photographed among the statues.

On my daily trips by the scene, I watch and keep tabs on their progress. I even stopped to take pictures. On a couple of occasions, rain, high waters or vandals, knocked down every one of the creations. I am happy to report, on each one of the occasions, the artists returned to create another series.

The local press has taken note, photographing and interviewing this creative bunch. Keep an eye out in the View or Howard Live Magazine.

Thank you to this un-named group of artist who have brought wonder, joy and anticipation to so may strangers.

More Articles on this topic. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.river18jul18,0,6114487.story

Another Fabulous 4th of July in Catonsville!

I always tell people I meet "Catonsville owns 4th of July. The rest of the country just doesn't know it!" Every year this thought is renewed. From the games at the high school, to the concerts, parade and fireworks, I challenge, who does this holiday better than Catonsville?

When you are sitting on the curb for the parade (because you didn't have a chance to put out you chair last week), the crowd is shouting to all of their friends and neighbors participating in the one mile walk down Frederick Rd. The predicatability of the participants is also something, my kids look forward to seeing. They know they will see our neighbor in his historic car, the CHS steel drum Band and the Bumii Temple riders on the vehicles. Not to mention all the firetrucks! I am sure anticipating this one day a year is the reason people live on a busy street like Frederick Rd the other 364.

Not even the threat of showers could keep Catonsville from the fireworks. We don't know how spoiled we are to witness a fabulous 45 minute show. Last year, we went "down-ey Ocean hun" on July 5 (my kids refused to leave town for the 4th) and witnessed the rain date for Ocean City fireworks on the boardwalk. After the 15 minutes of display, the show was over and my family remarked "Was that it?" Few towns or cities can boast a fireworks event like ours which is funded and staged completely by volunteers. We should even marvel at the cooperation of the police to direct the same traffic patterns every year so you know exactly which route to use and how long it will take to get home .

The flags on every street, the snowball stop at the Candy Box, even the rain shower at 5pm each year as the end of the parade passes by, these are the tradition of Catonsville 4th of July that make this town special.

To Salute Our Scouts: Take a Seat or Take a Hike!

Only 2% of all Boy Scouts ever complete the rigorous process to become an Eagle Scout, yet West Catonsville is fortunate this season to have two in our midst’s. Danny Neighoff, a Catonsville High School Junior and Brian Sommer, a Catonsville High School Senior, have just completed this process and left their mark on our community.

Danny contributed the 3 new benches, 2 planters and trash receptacle which enhance the front porch of the Catonsville Public Library. He raised the $3500 to fund the project and installed the fixtures to make the entrance more welcoming. Danny began scouting in May 2002. He holds his troop’s record for number of nights camping out, with a lifetime total of 195 and counting. (The previous record set in the 1970’s was 141 nights.) No doubt this number will increase as he spends his 3rd summer living in a tent, working as a camp counselor. Danny was also elected to the Order of the Arrow by fellow troop members and has served as the Order’s Chief, Vice Chief and Web Master. Danny’s advice for young scouts, “You can not give up on your dream. Just keep working on it and it will happen.”

Brian set his sights on becoming an Eagle Scout early in his scouting career after attending the ceremony of a friend years ago. In turn, Brian set a strong example to potential future Eagles when he enlisted the help of some younger scouts on his Eagle Project, the clean up a portion of the Trolly Line #8 Trail in Paradise. Over grown by weeds, trees and stumps, the gravel trail was in need of some TLC. Scouting has offered many opportunities for example the chance to travel and camp in the southwestern United States. Most recently he was awarded a scholarship from his first choice college in recognition of obtaining the honor of Eagle Scout. Scouting has also offered opportunities to spend time with his dad, Jerry, an active scouting volunteer.

It is wonderful to know the 98 year tradition of Boy Scouts is alive and well in Catonsville as these two young men are awarded their Eagle Scout Honor this month. They have exemplified the Boy Scouting mission of strong character, personal fitness and good citizenship to the benefit all of us. Please remember Danny and Brian next time you take a seat or take a hike!

Happy 200th Birthday Oella!

Just around the corner, on the side of the Patapsco River, tiny Oella is celebrating a big birthday. This year, Oella celebrates her bi-centennial. Here is a brief history of the little town.

The water power of the Patapsco River brought the Union Manufacturing Company to the area in 1808. This was the first textile company chartered by the State of Maryland. They quickly, however brief, become the largest cotton mill in America. In 1887, William J. Dickey bought the mill and town, where he begin the production of woolens. Fire burned the mill in 1918. Once rebuilt, it became America’s foremost producer of fancy menswear woolens. Hundreds of workers poured in and out of the mill during this time. The smell of dyes, chemicals and wools filled the air. The sound of looms echoed off the granite hills. The 1 3/4 mile mill race was the largest in America to power just one mill.

As you drive along Oella Ave, imagine the generations of families that lived in the mill homes lining the road side. They were the people who turned out millions of yards of cotton, tweed, saxonies and shetlands. These homes are as varied as the people. Just before the War of 1812, the first homes here were constructed of local stone mixed with log cabins. Just before the Civil War brick homes were added. At the turn of the century, Victorian homes arrived and around World War I, a few cottage style kit-homes were delivered to the hills.

In 1972 the mill closed. The popularity of synthetic and double knits (remember leisure suits?) devastated many in the community where generations of families had worked in the mill. In June of the same year, the floods of Hurricane Agnes filled the low lying areas of the Valley destroying the mill, the mill race and homes along the river. At the time, many of the homes in the community still used outhouses, and the few homes with indoor plumbing, poured sewage into the old mill race and Patapsco River. The flooding only added to the local sewage problems.

Soon after, Charles Wagandt, a great grandson of William J. Dickey, bought Oella, excluding the mill, and began work with Baltimore County and the newly formed Oella Community Association, to restore the area homes. In 1984, public water and sewer arrived in Oella.

The current residents of Oella are a mix of people who have lived here their entire lives and new folks who appreciate the rock, hills and history. The unofficial mayor, Jay Patel, proprietor of the Country Store, himself an immigrant to America, is the care taker of much of the history of Oella. Stop into the Country Store to see Jay or purchase the 200th anniversary commemorative book. Jay has an ice cream freezer (yes an actual ice cream freezer) full of photos and first hand accounts of life in the area. Included in these artifacts are the photos of classes at the Westchester Annex (including my sister), now the Westchester Community Center. Late in the afternoon, some of the old timers gather in the store and are quick to tell tales of life near the mill.

Two hundred years of history and pride are just around the corner!

You can visit some of the homes and gardens on May 18, as Oella represents Baltimore County in the 2008 Maryland Home & Garden Tour. Tickets are on sale now.