20080426 The Sunday Carroll Eagle

Sunday Carroll Eagle on "Soundtrack"

Saturday, April 26

Westminster came of age by following railroad tracks

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=895826&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

04/21/08 EAGLE ARCHIVE by Kevin Dayhoff

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Westminster is the railroad. More than 50 years later I still live within easy earshot of the train whistle as the train chugs its way through town.

The railroad is interwoven throughout much of the fabric of Westminster history.

Joseph... [Read full story]

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Fire in Westminster and a hunk-a hunk-a burning love in Hampstead

04/13/2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

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King’s sad anniversary reminds us of Carroll’s own history

04/06/2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

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Parades, impact fees, mail service ... and Dwight Dingle in a bathtub?

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=890542&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

04/02/08 by Kevin Dayhoff

EAGLE ARCHIVE

Time for a little spring-cleaning, in which we'll catch up with answering some readers' questions.

Recently I was asked about Easter parades in Westminster. I have no recollection of any such parades, but local historian Joe Getty noted in an article he wrote a number of years ago for the Historical Society of Carroll County that, "Easter Monday parades were held in Westminster in 1884, 1885, and 1887. After a short lapse, a large parade was held in 1892"

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Rolling out a few good eggs, and our Easter Sunday best

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=888582&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

03/26/08 by Kevin Dayhoff

EAGLE ARCHIVE

Happy Easter. Yes it's not quite warm outside, although warmer weather should be around the corner. And yes, it seems like Christmas was just yesterday.

We all have favorite Easter memories. For those of us who grew up in a church, Easter marked the opportunity to wear our "Easter Sunday best," i.e. new clothes.

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Palm Sunday 1942 was a time of high snow and higher anxiety

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=885695&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

03/14/08 by Kevin Dayhoff

EAGLE ARCHIVE

Many people have been commenting about how early Easter is this year. In fact, the last time Easter was as early as March 23 was 1913.

But a later Easter doesn't ensure good weather for Holy Week. I wonder how many readers remember the Palm Sunday blizzard of 1942. It was the fifth worse snowstorm in Carroll County history, as folks were greeted by 22 inches of snow on March 29, 1942.

20080316 The Carroll Sunday Eagle: Palm Sunday 1942 was a time of high snow and higher anxiety by Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/03/20080316-carroll-sunday-eagle-palm.html

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20080309 The Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/03/20080309-sunday-carroll-eagle-history.html

Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

Sunday Carroll Eagle March 9, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

I cannot find my March 9^th, 2008 Sunday Carroll Eagle column on the Westminster Eagle web site.

Pasted below, please find the column as it was written. It is my understanding that the column was altered for publication…

Ever since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, many of us has felt that the best management approach to solid waste was source reduction and recycling. It would take 18 long years to get the Maryland Recycling Act passed in 1988. That legislation required a recycling rate of 20 percent.

Twenty years later, getting the recycling rate increased is still illusive. In 1998, on the 10-year anniversary of the law, the Baltimore Sun ran a lengthy analysis in which the Maryland General Assembly member who spearheaded the recycling initiative, Montgomery County Sen. Brian Frosh, admitted “that recycling has been costlier than expected. His 1988 bill predicted significant cost savings…”

Later in the article, the $250 million cost of recycling 2.5 million tons was compared to the $83 million it would’ve cost to landfill it instead. The rest of the article went downhill from there.

Those of us who are opposed to landfilling were less than pleased. Four decades after the first Earth Day, the recycling rate in Carroll County is only around 30 percent.

20080309 The Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/03/20080309-sunday-carroll-eagle-history.html

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Traffic always made us see red

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=881679&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

Traffic always made us see red

02/29/08 By Kevin Dayhoff

EAGLE ARCHIVE

The concern over traffic congestion, safety and speeding tend to surface with every discussion of growth and quality of life in Carroll County. I was recently approached by folks and asked how I felt about red light and speeding cameras, and it got me thinking about Carroll County's past attempts to marry growth and speed control.

Perhaps the first mention of an effort to address the problem of speeding in our county came on or about June 20, 1839. According to a history of the Westminster Police Department, it was then that a speeding ordinance was passed stating:

"No person shall run or drive through the town of Westminster at an improper gait except in case of necessity."

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The life, and the lasting local influence, of Robert Moton

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=873699&CategoryID=19662&show=localnews&om=1

02/01/08 EAGLE ARCHIVE by Kevin Dayhoff

Construction continues these days at the site of the 28,000-square-foot former Robert Moton School on S. Center Street in Westminster -- it's across from the Carroll County Health Department.

After approximately $2.3 million in renovations, the Carroll County Board of Elections, Carroll Department of Recreation and Parks and Change Inc., a nonprofit that works with the developmentally disabled, are slated to move their offices there.

Questions about the old school building are posed to me from time to time, but the question I'm asked most frequently, especially from younger folks who are new to Carroll County, is "Who was Robert Moton, anyway?"

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For 115 years, Westminster's band of brothers ... and sisters

January 13, 2008 EAGLE ARCHIVE by Kevin Dayhoff

20080113 Westminster Municipal Band: For 115 years, Westminster's band of brothers ... and sisters

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/01/20080113-westminster-municipal-band-for.html

For 115 years, Westminster's band of brothers ... and sisters

Sunday Carroll Eagle

01/11/08 by Kevin E. Dayhoff

EAGLE ARCHIVE

Below please find the long – unedited version of the column…

Just before the holidays got into full swing, I had the pleasure of attending the Westminster Municipal Band’s end of the year Christmas party and annual meeting.

It is certainly not a very well kept secret that this former Westminster Mayor and his family are madly in love with the Westminster Municipal Band. And it's not just because I'm a washed-up trumpet player.

Usually when one thinks of the Westminster Municipal Band, visions of “Mom, Country, and Apple Pie” come to mind.

The purpose of leadership today is to build community. Certainly one of the chief builders of our community has been the Westminster Municipal Band.

However, the rich history of the band includes being part of rapid deployment force to hotspots around the globe, a machine gun section, and a rumored reputation of being a heavy metal grudge-garage band. Who knew?

If a Greek mythologist were to write the history of the Westminster Municipal Band, they would write the Band's Mother is the history and tradition of the Westminster Community and the Father is the 29^th Division National Guard Regimental Band. That Greek mythologist would also want to write that the band's ancestral home is Belle Grove Square and that it's midwife was Mayor Joseph L. Mathias.

The roots of the present Westminster Municipal Band are found in 1920, but “there are records of a Westminster Band dating back as far as 1860,” according to the band’s director, Sandy Miller, in a July 2004 interview.

However, to the best of our knowledge, it was 1893 when it was first incorporated as the Westminster City Band of Carroll County.

It was around this time that Company H First Infantry Maryland National Guard was organized in Frizzleburg in 1898. This unit later evolved into the famous 29^th Division of the Maryland National Guard. Part of the Westminster Municipal Band's lineage can be traced back to the First Maryland Infantry Band consisting of the Westminster Units of the Maryland National Guard.

20080113 Westminster Municipal Band: For 115 years, Westminster's band of brothers ... and sisters

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/01/20080113-westminster-municipal-band-for.html

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Shedding a little light on early Christmas tree decorations

December 23, 2007 EAGLE ARCHIVE by Kevin Dayhoff

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Christmas reminds us of worry, and glory, of downtown business

December 16, 2007 EAGLE ARCHIVE by Kevin Dayhoff

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20071104 The Sunday Carroll Eagle column of October 28 2007

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2007/11/20071104-sunday-carroll-eagle-column-of.html

Gist worried about being forgotten but not quite gone

The Sunday Carroll Eagle column of October 28 2007

Below please find my October 28^th, 2007 column and it was submitted.

Sunday Eagle

Ghost Stories in Carroll County

October 28^th, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

Of the horror stories of Carroll’s yesteryear, none was greater than the very real fear of being buried alive. In today’s world, society’s collective faith in the modern advances of the medical arts has gone a long way in alleviating the fear of being buried alive; a fear which was rampant in the 1800s.

A few years ago, local historian Jay Graybeal retold an account by Ruth Gist Pickens about the fear of being buried alive held by one of Carroll County’s most prominent citizens in the 1700s, Colonel Joshua Gist.

It seems that Colonel Gist maintained a coffin in a portion of his bedroom for the last years of his life; “into which he would have his personal servant lay him out and then call the family to comment on his appearance. Each time he would ask them to promise not to bury him until the third day after his death.”

20071104 The Sunday Carroll Eagle column of October 28 2007

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2007/11/20071104-sunday-carroll-eagle-column-of.html

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When it comes to beets, timing is everything

IN THE GARDEN WITH MR. BEE

I haven't grown beets for a while. So when I mentioned to Judy, my wife, that I'd learned of a variety -- "Lutz Green Leaf" -- that remains tender as it grows larger, she suggested that I sow some seeds right away.

Timing is important, you see, especially when it comes... [Read full story]

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Two for the Show

They come from opposite ends of the county and their sports are as different as night and day, but Tyler Mullen of South Carroll High School and Cammeron Woodyard of Winters Mill have one thing in common -- they each ended their high school careers as state champs.

And without their leadership and... [Read full story]

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Stream is proving ground for healthy water

On a chilly late March morning, Ted Hogan, an environmental scientist with Hunt Valley-based URS Corp., threads his way through briar patches, bogs, locust groves and back yards as he follows a meandering stream that runs through several Eldersburg subdivisions.

Now and then, Hogan, a cont... [Read full story]

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Spring is a great time to get kids reacquainted with outdoor Carroll
MOM ON A MISSION

It's taken some time, but spring appears to finally be arriving. The days are getting warmer, my weeping cherry is turning into a beautiful fountain of pink and the birds are flocking to our feeders.

Hearing the kids' faint voices outside on the swing set while I'm making dinner...
[Read full story]

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Movies

Honorable Mentions

Greenmount Station on a fast track after expansion

Education Notes

Greenmount Station's Crab and Cheddar Quiche

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Parades, impact fees, mail service ... and Dwight Dingle in a bathtub?

New Windsor agency helps distribute life-saving device

News Briefs

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I wanted to teach about 911, but instead I dialed a wrong number

'Hotel' Reservations

For pages, Annapolis is an open book

Education Briefs

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Rolling out a few good eggs, and our Easter Sunday best

Rejoice, Christ is Risen

Oh deer, spring is here

News Briefs

Movies

Local acts soar to Top 10 in Carroll's 'Idol' competition

Fighting the urge for an Easter bonnet and all the thrills upon it

Education Briefs

Captain Dan rides on the seafood wave

'Sitting' pretty means having faith in who's watching the kids

Reaching Out

Palm Sunday 1942 was a time of high snow and higher anxiety

News Briefs

Movies

Helping people kick butts

Fighting the 'Fix'

Eye of the Beholder

Bevy of basket cases

Asking 'why' should come before offering 'what I think'

Traffic always made us see red

Toy show, auction connects with childhood memories

Our 'cherry-ice' trees offer a delicious winter scene

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Museum unveils Taylor's 'wild' vision

Movies

Display of Pride

Birthday gifts? Tread lightly ... in high heels and boxing gloves

A turtle's pace, but a day of reckoning for Solomon

Working on the Railroad

To raise healthier kids, should we get more physical in school?

Researching a few 'first class' experiences in Carroll County

News Briefs

Movies

Maggie's continues to grow on Westminster

Chicken Champagne

All Aboard!

What the wiki?!

Web series helps teens connect to the world

The life, and the lasting local influence, of Robert Moton

Sportsman's Hall ... and airplane hangar

Skating history, from party 'crashing' to fitness

Reaching Out

News Briefs

Movies

Mason bees buzz in as honeybees buzz out

Education Notes

Coming clean to ease pain of cancer

All Skate!

We can't understand the kids, but in this case it's a good thing

20080423 An apparition of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich

An apparition of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich

April 23, 2008

Yesterday, as I walked down Fourth Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; I happened to look up at the building at One West Fourth Street, where the offices of “Womble Carlyle” are located and there it was…

It was, well, it was, ah – Gov. Bob.

He’s everywhere… He’s everywhere - - but where we sorely need him these days – in the statehouse in Annapolis, Maryland.

Fortunately I had my camera readily available and snapped a photo. See for yourself.

####

See also:

My columns on The Tentacle…

Recently…

April 23, 2008

The Winds of Darkness

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On April 12, Gov. Martin O’Malley announced his administration’s opposition to the construction of wind power generators on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

April 9, 2008

Wendi Peters – Mount Airy’s Steel Magnolia

Kevin E. Dayhoff

People were delighted to see former Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., last Friday when he came to Frederick County in support of Mount Airy Councilwoman Wendi Wagner Peter’s re-election bid.

Laura Rhodes offers a helping hand to those in need

Rhodes offers a helping hand to those in need

04/23/08 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recently I had an opportunity to catch-up with one of Carroll County's true whirlwinds, Laura Rhodes.

We first compared notes on the Rock Ball, this week's fund-raiser for Granite House, one of the largest nonprofit mental health care organizations in Carroll County.

Rhodes is currently program development manager at Granite House.

However, for much of our visit we talked about a relatively new initiative, Respite Connection of Carroll County.

First, when I arrived at her closet-sized office, she was doing what she does best -- multi-tasking in a number of different directions, all at break-neck speed.

To make up for the lack of floor space, Ms. Rhodes uses the "stack-it-high" method of organization.

If you're not familiar with Granite House; it was established in 1979 as critical resource in Carroll County's social-welfare safety net to assist folks with mental illness.

Granite House's network of psychiatrists, clinical social workers, nurses and licensed counselors assist members of the community to receive the necessary guidance and support to make a fresh start.

Proceeds from the "Rock Ball" benefit Granite House's Charitable Fund, which was created to help subsidize the cost of mental health care for those who cannot afford it.

"We strongly believe that all people should be able to receive the metal health care they need," Laura said. "Simply put, É mentally healthy people are more productive community members."

Many folks know Rhodes from when she served on the Carroll County Board of Education (2002 to 2005).

Others remember when she was manager of an initiative to improve community health for the Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County.

A few years before she and her family moved to Carroll County from Florida in 1986, she earned her bachelor's degree in criminology and psychology from Florida State University and a master's in counseling psychology from the University of West Florida in 1984.

As soon as she made Mount Airy her home, she threw herself into working for children and our community.

"I always felt that you have no right to criticize unless you're willing to be part of the solution," said Laura. "I wanted to be part of the solution."

Speaking of doing her homework and identifying needs in the community, Rhodes was excited to tell me all about Respite Connection -- a new collaboration to help provide respite care for families with children with disabilities and mental health challenges.

In layperson's terms, this is about giving folks who have a family member who needs constant care a break by identifying a network of caregivers and providing them with appropriate training.

The idea is to team up with community leaders and advocacy organizations -- such as Eldersburg's Mona Freedman and her Caring Communities of Carroll County; Sharon Glass and Families of Children with Autism Support Group; Heather Powell of Change Inc.; Lynne Humphries-Russ of the Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health; and Karen Koenigsberg of Get Connected Family Resource Center.

Rhodes said the goal of Respite Connection is to increase the number of trained individuals to provide respite to families with children (birth-25) with mental health disabilities or developmental disabilities in Carroll, and to promote awareness of and access to the new centralized list/registry of respite providers.

This list is called the Caring Network Respite Care Registry offered by Caring Communities.

The measure of any community is how we take care of our friends and neighbors in times of need.

Most of us agree that the best social-welfare safety net is provided by nonprofits.

Hats off to Laura Rhodes and the many other folks who roll up their sleeves to make a difference and help sustain Carroll County as a wonderful place to raise a family.

If you'd like more information about contributing to Granite House's Charitable Fund or learning more about Respite Connection, or any of the services provided by Granite House, call 410-876-3007, Ext. 140, or visit http://www.granitehouse.org/.

By the way, Granite House's annual Rock Ball is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., at St. John's Portico in Westminster.

The event features dinner, music, a silent auction, art exhibit and more. Tickets are $100. Call Laura at the number above to see if any seats are still available.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kevindayhoff AT gmail.com.

Copyright 1998-2007 All rights reserved.

All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

20080423 WE Rhodes offers a helping hand to those in need weked

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20080423 Tofu Dusk at the Mellow Mushroom

Tofu Dusk at the Mellow Mushroom

The story of the tofu sandwich at the “Mellow Mushroom” in six parts.

April 23, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5058mbS9zdc

Winston-Salem, North Carolina - - This is the story of Mrs. Owl and I having hummus with pita bread, a tofu sandwich and a calzone; at the “Mellow Mushroom,” 4^th and Marshall St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The story is told in six – or so parts…

Storyboard

1. Winston-Salem, North Carolina 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

2. 4^th and Marshall St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

3. Mellow Mushroom, www.mellowmushroom.com Winston-Salem, North Carolina 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

4. Ms. Salem Editing, Mellow Mushroom, 314 West 4^th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

5. Ms. Salem Editing et les amis, Mellow Mushroom, 314 West 4^th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

6. Mrs. Owl, the newspaper reader, Mellow Mushroom, 314 West 4^th St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

7. And the band played on… Winston-Salem guitar player… Winston-Salem, North Carolina 04/23/2008 www.kevindayhoff.net

The end

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

http://www.livejournal.com/

http://gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Accept differences, Be kind, Count your blessings, Dream, Express thanks, Forgive, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Reciprocate, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth, Win graciously, Xeriscape, Yearn for peace, Zealously support a worthy cause. (Author; Renee Stewart)

20080414 A History and overview of The David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building project

Westminster Mayor and Common Council
P.O. Box 710, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane,
Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710
410-848-9000

Westminster Fallfest, Inc.,
P.O.B. 805, Westminster, Maryland, 21158 (410) 848-9000

“Paving the Road to a Better Community”

A History and overview of The David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building project: “Look what we started.”

If you’d like to contribute, checks can be made out to:

Westminster Fallfest “Paving the Road,”
Westminster Fallfest, Inc.,
P.O.B. 805, Westminster, Maryland, 21158
(410) 848-9000

Monday, April 14th, 2008

For more information please contact Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson at (410) 8488-2522 or Westminster Director of Parks Ron Schroers at (410) 848-9000 or e-mail him at rshroers@westminsterfallfest.com

*****

At the sixth annual Fallfest Gala, the Westminster mayor and Common Council, Westminster Fallfest, Inc., and the Westminster Recreation and Parks Advisory Board kicked off a capital campaign to replace the Westminster Municipal Playground concession stand with a new two-story multi-purpose community building.

At the event held last Saturday at Martin’s Westminster, Evelyn and Caroline Babylon represented the family of the late former Westminster Common Council president David S. Babylon, Jr., and presented the Fallfest Paving the Road to a Better Community Committee with a pledge of $50,000 in his memory, to get the capital campaign off to a good start.

The gift to the city of Westminster is in honor of Mr. Babylon who dedicated his life to public service for the community he loved.

Mr. Babylon’s daughter, Caroline announced the memorial gift on behalf of the family and turned the podium over to her Mom, Evelyn Babylon.

Mrs. Babylon, remarked: “The last night of the last family vacation in which David was able to participate, the whole family was sitting at the long dinner table – about 20 of us – and Dave nudged me with his elbow, and, gesturing with his other hand, said, ‘Look what we started!’ It was, indeed, a scene of joyful conviviality.

“The family joins me in believing that David would be proud to be here [he loved parties like this] and add his voice of approval to the kick-off of this campaign. We think he would nudge each of you to join in this endeavor so that we could soon all say, ‘Look what we started!’”

Mr. Babylon began a lifelong love affair of service to our community when he joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 on June 1st, 1949. Serving in the fire department was another of the passions in his life. He served for many years as secretary/treasurer. He had fond memories of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Company’s annual summer carnivals which were held at the playground.

Mr. Babylon was born on September 4, 1923 in Westminster, and when he was a child, the city did not have a playground. The Westminster Municipal Playground was not inaugurated until 1936 and dedicated by the Westminster Mayor George E. Matthews, Council President Joseph L. Mathias, councilmembers Walter H. Davis, Edwin S. Gehr, Jesse C. Royer, and City Attorney D. Eugene Walsh, in 1937.

By the time the playground was in use, Mr. Babylon was attending Valley Forge Military Academy. He graduated from Valley Forge in 1941 and was one of the youngest Captains commissioned in the U. S. Army during World War II.

When Mr. Babylon was young, providing recreational opportunities was a hot-button political topic as was exemplified by an editorial in the Democratic Advocate, on April 7, 1922, “Westminster, and the Recreation Problem.”

The lack of a municipal playground while growing up in Westminster only exacerbated his understanding later, during his public career, of providing community recreation opportunities.

After Mr. Babylon served in World War II, he graduated from Gettysburg College in January 1948 with a BA degree in Economics. He continued in a business, Cunocar Bookkeeping Service, which he had begun in his college years. Many in Westminster have fond memories of Mr. Babylon’s green “office-on-wheels,” in which he would travel from business to business. He sold his business and retired in 1986.

Mr. Babylon, who passed away at age 82 at his home on August 22, 2006, served on the Westminster Common Council for 25 years, from 1964 until he retired in 1989. For 16 of those years, he served as the Common Council President as did his grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, in 1898 and 1899.

In the mid to late 1970s, the Westminster mayor and Common Council worked hard in a major downtown revitalization effort of Westminster’s business district. To celebrate the successes of that effort, Fallfest was born in 1978.

Mr. Babylon was an enthusiastic supporter of Fallfest. In her remarks last Saturday night Mrs. Babylon noted “Dave was an enthusiastic member of the Common Council when the idea of Fallfest was introduced, and he wholeheartedly backed the idea. Indeed, even when he was not fully mobile, he acquiesced to going down to the celebration in a wheelchair – and fully enjoyed it, of course.”

Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson has fond memories of the Westminster Playground as a kid growing up in Westminster. He remembers that “my brother and I were among the first to play Little League Baseball (there when the baseball program started) in the 1950s… Along with folks such as Bob and Jim Reck, Art Caples, Pinky Bixler, and Butch Martin.”

“This is another classic example of a successful private –public partnership to what is already a gem in Westminster. If I may say so, I am very appreciative of this generous - magnificent gift from the Babylon family - especially in light of Mr. Babylon’s years of service to the community. He was always so much involved in civic projects and improvements. This will certainly attract other donors to step up to the plate to get it done.”

Doing it right has been an overriding theme of the City. Westminster director of recreation and parks, Ron Schroers, noted that the City has been on a continuous improvement program for the Westminster Playground for the past 15 years. “By using grants and private donations we’ve built pavilions, replaced playground equipment, re-done the basketball and tennis courts…”

“It’s really great to see the community to come together to make this city project happen. This is one of the most heavily used parks in Carroll County… (One of the reasons, besides the facilities is because) it is the best-shaded park…”

Carroll County owns 24 parks in the county and the City of Westminster has eight.

Mr. Schroers noted that in addition to the Babylon family gift, $66,000 has already been obtained for the building from a combination of Carroll County’s and Westminster’s “Program Open Space” state grant.

He hopes to begin construction of the new building after the 30th Fallfest takes place this September. Cost estimates are currently being developed, however preliminary indication is that more money is needed and the City and the Fallfest Committee are currently looking for additional donors of materials, money and in-kind work donations.

The project began in the summer of 2006 according to the Program Open Space grant proposal. At that time:

“The Westminster Mayor and Common Council determined that the existing concession stand needed to be replaced. The 1 story building has a leaky roof, rotten wood siding, no environmental controls, and is a general eyesore.”

“After studying the cost of repairing the existing building, it was determined to be more cost effective to raze the current building … and build a new structure.” (Before the building falls down.)

“The expanded facility will be available for many community groups for a variety of uses. What was formerly only a concession stand and sports equipment storage, will now also have available a multi-purpose meeting facility.

The second story will be made available as offices/workspace for Westminster Fallfest … which is partnering in the building … by securing additional funding, donations of money, materials, and volunteers. This project continues the City’s investment … to make it the best and most heavily used recreation facility in Westminster…”

Andy Biller is in his 18th year serving on the Westminster Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. He currently serves as the chair.

Mr. Biller said, “I grew up in Carroll County and as a youngster I spent a lot of time in town and learned to appreciate the Westminster Playground as one of Carroll County’s true community treasures. The park has always been the shining moment in the City. I’m proud to be a part of yet another historic improvement for our community.”

Mr. Biller has been “impressed with how hard Westminster Council President Roy Chiavacci has worked on constantly improving not only the playground but all of Westminster’s recreation opportunities.”

Mr. Biller was in a meeting recently with President Chiavacci to review the capital campaign and building plans. President Chiavacci is said to have exclaimed, this is “awesome.”

Once the building is constructed the Optimist Club “is going to have our meetings there and use it to support the clubs’ youth activities in the community,” said Darlene Dorsey, the president of Optimist Club of Westminster.

The Optimist Club has “been around for about 50 years. We took over the Little League program years ago from the Civitan Club. Boy, am I excited. I saw the plans the other day when I visited with Ron Schroers… We love the playground improvements. I remember the wooden bleachers and they have been replaced with nice new metal bleachers… (The building plans have) exceeded our expectations. We’re looking forward to it; the present building is an eyesore.”

The Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, is also looking forward to the project. After all, it is his responsibility to keep failing buildings such as this useful and safe.

When he heard about the new playground community building, he said that he “fully understands and values the need to expand” the city’s public works and recreation infrastructure.

Mr. Glass, who “began working for the City in 1982 and worked with Mr. Babylon for a number of years when he was the Council President and I was a student of his thinking process… This is exactly the way Mr. Babylon would have wanted it done. Don’t just replace it – prepare for the future.
Take the opportunity to stretch a dollar further and leverage the tax dollars to build what the community needs for the future while the building is being replaced…”

Mr. Glass went on to recall how “Mr. Babylon was known for being fiscally conservative when he was on the council,” and always encouraged the private sector to step up to the plate for needed infrastructure improvements before he turned to taxpayers...

Tom Beyard, the City’s director of planning agreed. He has also worked for the City long enough to have worked with Mr. Babylon. “It’s always a great idea when the public section and the philanthropists can get together for the community.”

Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich also knew Mr. Babylon well; they were in the Lions Club together. He recalled that in past years, “the roots of Carroll County recreation were the service clubs.”

He remembers that “it was the Civitan Club that started the Little League program at the playground back in the 1950s… Drs. Klinger Jr. and Senior… (And) the business community took care of the tasks long before government got involved… A bunch of young fathers got involved to make sure softball, soccer, and baseball (were available.) Those guys used to go out on their own time and rake, mow, lime the fields, pick up rocks…”

Westminster Councilwoman Suzanne Albert, (the granddaughter of Westminster Mayor David E. Walsh May 20, 1912 – May 15, 1916,) grew up at 134 East Main Street in Westminster.

She said that “growing up (the playground) was my backyard... Nothing like having your own playground practically in your backyard. I could walk to it. I guess I took it for granted. I just thought that every community had a playground like that. (Nevertheless) we can’t take it for granted and we need to take care of it for future generations. It’s important to sustain such an important community asset.”

Mrs. Evelyn Babylon reiterated, “It is important that we continue to build upon the work of those who went before us and maintain and improve the park for our children’s children. That’s the way Dave would have wanted it.”

Councilwoman Albert, who knew Mr. Babylon well, said the community is thankful for what Mr. and Mrs. Babylon have started – and not just the playground…

If you’d like to contribute, checks can be made out to:

Westminster Fallfest “Paving the Road,”
Westminster Fallfest, Inc.,
P.O.B. 805, Westminster, Maryland, 21158
(410) 848-9000

20080414 A History and overview of The David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building project

20080416 Today is Beatrice Dalle - French movie day

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

20080416 Today is Beatrice Dalle - French movie day

Today is Beatrice Dalle - French movie day

(17 fois Cécile Cassard) Pretty Killer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nTryJX7cn4

Scène de danse entre Beatrice Dalle et Romain Duris, tirée du film dix-sept fois Cecile Cassard (Christophe Honoré).

Now the party is over,

And I guess im over too,

The music is going slower,

I just cant take my eyes of you,

Pretty killer,

Little crime,

Dancing with another guy.

I have no chance to kiss you later,

I think I’ve lost too many times,

I am too drunk to be your lover,

You’re too sober to be mine.

Pretty killer...

There’s no more common eyedline,

no more djs to save my life,

what I could I do to froddon him,

I’ve forgot to take my knife...

Betty Blue - Last Scene

37°2 le matin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIaU1us81Ts

37,2 le matin – Rose

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1drrmSLOIdU

Scène du film de Jean-Jacques Beineix où Béatrice Dalle s'emballe et verse un pot de peinture sur la caisse du monstrueux proprio.

20080416 Today is Beatrice Dalle - French movie day

37°2 le matin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR0rp__rRAk

Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

20080416 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tomorrow the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate in open session and – hopefully – make a decision regarding the offer from Frederick County to join forces to make 1,100 tons of trash a day go away.

In recent separate interviews with Carroll County Public Works Director Mike Evans, and Carroll County Commissioners Mike Zimmer and Dean Minnich, the conversation quickly turned away from the actual choice to the intellectual, critical criteria necessary in order to make such a legacy decision.

Both commissioners bristled over the political threats and emotional advocacy and pleaded for more scientific information.

Commissioner Minnich immediately identified science and long-term safety as a decision driver. Commissioner Zimmer also identified science; and both commissioners agreed that a thorough public education and discussion process was critical.

And what an education process it has been so far. In a series of recent conversations with a few old-timers, all agreed that we have never witnessed such an exhaustive and open public discussion and education process on any public policy decision or environmental issue.

Bear in mind, a review of my files indicates that this is my fourth go-round regarding what to do with trash in Carroll County in 41 years – going back to 1967. It was a few short years after the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, that trash really hit the fan in Carroll County.

Read the entire column here: How to Make Trash Go Away

Las Vegas Bound

Tom McLaughlin

Viva Las Vegas! Viva Las Vegas! The Elvis Presley tune has not left my brain since I decided to visit that city in the desert.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Havemus Papam!

Roy Meachum

After the cardinals' votes are counted, a white plume from the Sistine Chapel tells St. Peter's Square and the world "We have a pope!" "Havemus Papam," in Latin, once the customary language within the Vatican's walls.

A Change in Direction Needed

Nick Diaz

As your son or daughter and their friends were moving from elementary school to middle school, you may have noticed that a number of them did not want to be identified as “smart kids” – even though they had always done rather well during their elementary years. Some of them were afraid that they would be picked on by other students if it were known that they were bright. Others just wanted to fit in.

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Monday, April 14, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 9

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

It never ceases to amaze. The Maryland General Assembly Session is 90 days long, as defined in the state constitution. Legislators are summoned to Annapolis on the second Wednesday of January every year. At that moment, the 90-day session seems almost eternal, the thought of time away from home and family adds burden to those long winter nights.

Charlton Heston: A Commentary

Steven R. Berryman

I would never pretend to write a biography or obituary for Charlton Heston, and certainly have nothing first hand to offer as does The Tentacle’s Roy Meachum, but I have been affected by his life and his death. And his work.

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Mother Egypt Cries – Again!

Roy Meachum

Lurking in newspapers' back pages, correspondents report there are riots along the Nile over the scarcity and cost of bread. For Egypt's millions of poor, it is not simply "the staff of life." Those flat loaves are life itself.

"Leatherheads" & "Smokey Joe"

Roy Meachum

Much to my surprise, "Smokey Joe's Cafe" enchanted and George Clooney's new flick did not.

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sine Die Came Too Late

Chris Cavey

This week the General Assembly was dismissed from Annapolis to return home to the real world. And not a moment too soon. The annual legislative session is like a visit to the dentist; you know it has to happen and you’re glad when you are finished – especially if you had a political root canal.

An Open Letter to the Commissioners

Joan McIntyre

I want to thank you in advance of the adoption of next year’s budget. I do this primarily because I know this may well be the most difficult budget year in many of your careers. There will be very little thanks in this particular portion of your job.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Wendi Peters – Mount Airy’s Steel Magnolia

Kevin E. Dayhoff

People were delighted to see former Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., last Friday when he came to Frederick County in support of Mount Airy Councilwoman Wendi Wagner Peter’s re-election bid.

Fallen from Grace

Tom McLaughlin

I have trouble equating human life with money. It’s like combining an apple and an orange to make a new fruit. Shakespeare and algebra simply will not go together in a publishable book.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Bemoaning Rick Weldon's Farewell

Roy Meachum

The legislative process, state or federal, frequently invokes the image of grass growing; it is generally long and tedious, unmemorable. The real trick for a journalist comes from watching out for "moles," the bills that work slightly undercover, like the fuzzy critters.

How to Avoid Getting Run Over…

Farrell Keough

Sometimes you are the bug and sometimes you are the windshield. It seems that recently we taxpaying residents of Maryland have been the bug. Of course, this covers a multitude of sins.

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Monday, April 7, 2008

“1984” Predicts 2008

Steven R. Berryman

Enabling legislation passed by our Maryland General Assembly will allow Frederick to use red light cameras for law enforcement. Frederick is now one small step closer to becoming Montgomery County. Your accuser may be “Big Brother” instead of a police officer. Beware the trend.

The Yin and the Yang of Annapolis

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

This place is really odd. There is just no more appropriate one-word definition. We begin our legislative session in middle of winter’s icy grip, and we end it in all of spring’s emerging glory.

Moses Without a Chariot

Roy Meachum

Charlton Heston and I met a couple of times in Washington. He went to testify before a congressional hearing, something about the American Film Institute.

20080416 Westminster Main Street Mile runs Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Westminster Main Street Mile runs Wednesday evening, April 16, 2008

April 15, 2008

Photo credit: April 19, 2006 Westminster Main Street Mile at the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department on John Street in Westminster. /Kevin Dayhoff

For additional information the Westminster Road Runners web site can be found at: http://www.carr.org/~wrrc/.

The annual Westminster Road Runners Club “Main Street Mile, a Carroll County rite of spring, will be held Wednesday evening, April 16, 2008 in Westminster.

The annual event dates back to 1981 and is known as “one of the fastest one-mile courses in the world” because it begins at the top of East Main Street at Fair Avenue and follows Main Street west to the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library - all downhill, with a total vertical drop of 144 feet.

Main Street will be closed to traffic for the event which attracts 700 runners and hundreds of cheering spectators and family members who come out in support.

The event always begins at 7 PM sharp, rain or shine and the race is run in two “heats.” Heat #1 is officially timed and scored with prizes awarded. To qualify for Heat #1, you must be age 11 or older and be capable of running a mile in less than 10 minutes.

Heat #2 is the “Connor Smith Memorial Fun Run.” It will neither be officially timed nor scored. A clock showing an unofficial race time, however, will be at the finish line.

Because so many young people participate, the Main Street Mile is known as a fun family event. Even the “race numbers” are fun, since everyone under the age of 10 wears a race identification badge, which bears the number “1.”

The cheers for the “number 1’s” always seem the heartiest, since finishing is quite an accomplishment for the little runners. Every “number 1” is awarded a medal at the finish line.

Every year over fifty volunteers, in addition to the Westminster Police Department and the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department and the Fire Police come together with members of the Westminster Road Runners Club and the Main Street Mile race director, to make sure it is a success.

Race directors in the past have included Liuda Galinaitis and one of the founders of the event, the late Dave Herlocker.

According to this year’s race director, Beth Weisenborn, registration for the 2008 Main Street Mile is now closed. The 700-runner limit has been met.

####

My upcoming column in the Westminster Eagle will be on Dr. Herlocker. I'll also be doing another YouTube on Dr. Herlocker in addition to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16U48TUjSB8

My columns in the Westminster Eagle can be found here: http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?NPV2Datasource=mywebpal&pnpid=978&show=newscast&CategoryID=18317

Other posts which mention Dr. David Herlocker may be found here: Sports Running or Westminster Road Runners Club or Westminster Sidewalks and Trails on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack.” www.kevindayhoff.net.

Or dave herlocker: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/tag/dave+herlocker (– or - westminster road runners club or westminster sidewalks and trails. or westminster annual main street mile or sports running) on “Kevin Dayhoff - New Bedford Herald.” http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

In addition to a video on my YouTube account http://youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16U48TUjSB8

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

P. O. Box 1245

Westminster, MD 21158

(410) 259-6403

www.kevindayhoff.net

http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

http://www.livejournal.com/

http://gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Timeline to date on the Carroll County Maryland Integrated Waste Management Decision

Timeline to date on the Carroll County Maryland Integrated Waste Management Decision

April 15, 2008

March 2005 - Carroll County secured the services of R.W. Beck to complete a comprehensive study on the County’s waste management options.

October 2005 - R.W. Beck presented their report on long term waste disposal options indicating that WTE may be the lowest cost waste disposal option.

January 19, 2006 – Carroll County Commissioners adopted resolution 658-06, which among other things directed the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (NMWDA) to conduct a procurement for waste-to-energy facilities, as detailed in the R.W. Beck Report.

May 3, 2006 - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in Waste News (the most widely read solid waste weekly periodical with a circulation of over 50,000. The RFQ was posted on the NMWDA’s website along with all addenda.

August 1, 2006 - The NMWDA received 12 responses from the RFQ (9) technologies/vendors were deemed qualified to submit.

October 6, 2006 – Request for Proposals (RFP) were released to prequalified vendors.

December 2006 - Frederick County secured the services of RTI International to model Frederick County’s solid waste disposal system/alternatives, using EPA’s Municipal Solid Waste-Decisions Support Tool.

March 26, through April 1, 2007 - Staff from Frederick and Carroll Counties, NMWDA and HDR Engineers visited several European waste management facilities and met with European waste management agencies.

April 20, 2007 - NMWDA receives three WTE proposals from pre-qualified vendors.

July 14, 2007 - Frederick and Carroll Counties hosted a solid waste forum, at Frederick Community College with speakers from the Environmental Protection Agency, neighboring jurisdictions and SWANA.

September 29, 2007 – DPW staff and Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) held a workshop on solid waste disposal.

October 9, 2007 - Carroll County staff attended the presentation of RTI internationals model of Frederick County’s waste disposal system/alternatives. The report showed the net total “Criteria Pollutant Emissions” for WTE to be the lowest of all options modeled (local landfill, and out of state landfill).

October, 2007- Based on a recommendation of the EAC, Carroll County secured the services of Richard Anthony to perform a resource assessment study of Carroll County’s waste.

November 15, 2007 - The EAC presented their recommendation on solid waste option to the Carroll County Commissioners.

November 19, 2007 - DPW Staff with the assistance of the NMWDA presented their recommendation to the Carroll County Commissioners

December 13, 2007 - DPW Staff, NMWDA, EAC and the Carroll County Commissioners had a panel discussion on solid waste disposal.

February 14, 2008 – Carroll County Commissioners adopted a County Government recycling policy

February 21, 2008 - DPW staff presented information on the economics of a WTE facility to the Carroll County Commissioners

February 26, 2008 - The Carroll County and Frederick County Commissioners had a joint meeting on solid waste management strategies. The Frederick County Commissioners invited the Carroll County Commissioners to join them in building a 1,600 ton per day WTE facility in Frederick County.

March 5 and 10, 2008 – DPW hosts public information meetings to explain the integrated materials management strategy for handling all of Carroll County’s waste.

Tuesday, April 8^th, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 003 of the County Office Building - Carroll County residents are encouraged to attend a public workshop. This meeting will allow residents the opportunity to ask questions regarding solid waste options for Carroll County. The Board of County Commissioners, Public Works Staff, and members of the Environmental Advisory Council as well as other industry professionals will be in attendance.

Thursday, April 10^th, 2008 - Public Hearing: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 003 of the County Office Building. Carroll County residents are invited to attend and offer their views as they relate to Frederick County’s invitation for Carroll to become a partner in a waste to energy facility.

Thursday, April 17^th, 2008 - The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate and make a decision regarding the Frederick County offer at 11:30 a.m., in Room 311 of the County Office Building.