EDGEWOOD News
EDGEWOOD: Better with EVERYONE’S Help!
A Thriving, Diverse and Compassionate Community that Welcomes All Citizens!
November 2008 Edition
What’s Been Happening?
The 2nd annual Legislative Town Hall Meeting took place at the Edgewood Senior Center on Saturday, September 20, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. At the meeting, WE THE PEOPLE met our elected representatives and informed them that we would be judging their performance in meeting the expectations of our community. The first annual appraisals were completed on November 15th and included evaluation of our local, state and national representatives in categories of soliciting our community on issues, collaboration, visibility and attendance, proposing solutions to key issues and communication skills in keeping our community informed along with an overall rating. The Edgewood Community Council will tabulate results and share them with our community and our representatives.
Did you attend the “Community Healing Night” held at the Edgewood Boys and Girls Club on October 24th? Over 200 people did in remembrance of those who recently died in our community because of unfortunate circumstances.
Congratulations to Peg Taibi, (Edgewood Middle school counselor), the other organizers and many volunteers and sponsors who put together a well attended, highly successful and educational Community Health Fair held at the Edgewood Middle School on Saturday, November 15th. WELL DONE!
The various youth and adult programs offered thru the Edgewood Rec council have been well attended this fall. Youth Football and Cheerleading had over 600 boys and girls participating, the youth basketball program had 200+ boys & girls registered and the soccer program had 270 kids.
There are 11 youth and adult day time programs offered at the Edgewood Rec Center and 391 adults are registered to use the fitness room. There are 176 seniors from the Edgewood Senior Center making use of the fitness room. Have you taken advantage of our NEW multimillion dollar facilities? See what’s coming (below) for more opportunities.
Where’s the Action?
Your Edgewood Community Council (ECC) consists of volunteers who are working to make our community a better place to live. We need for you to become active in supporting the ECC and in making issues known so that action can be taken. Committees include Safety & Security; Historical & Cultural; Education; Business Development; Ministerial Alliance; Neighborhood Youth Panel; Special Events/Independence Day Celebration; Laws & Legislative Actions; and various subcommittees. Volunteering and service are key elements leading to a better quality of life and a more neighborly community. This is your chance to see what’s going on and to help improve our community.
Here’s More News!
KUDOS to Olivia Blondheim and Katherine Stuempfle, 7th graders at Edgewood Middle School, who received NATIONAL recognition and awards from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference held in San Diego, CA in August. The Institute recognizes the work of K-12 students, in addition to professionals and collegians in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in twelve different categories. More than 12,000 attendees from around the globe viewed the Map Gallery, where more than 850 map products, posters, and multimedia map projects were on display. Our students were awarded first place in the Best Student Presentation category for their PowerPoint presentation titled, “The Bird Population at Harford Glen Over the Past 26 Years.” Also, conference attendees recognized John Robinson, who graduated from Aberdeen High School, and Erik Debye, a sixth grader at North Harford Middle School for their presentations.
Did you know that Edgewood is part of the Route 40 corridor known as the “Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor”, so named by Base Realignment and Closure (B.R.A.C) documentation? Were you aware that Edgewood High School (EHS) is a magnet school for Harford County for the new Global Studies/International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and is the only school in the county to offer the rigorous Academy of Finance instructional program? Further, EHS offers a full range of Advanced Placement and Honors courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and English for our students. Check out the Harford County Public Schools website at “www.hcps.org” for information. It is time to BE PROUD of Edgewood, our schools and our status in this county.
Supposedly the Rt 755 roadway (Edgewood Road) at the Willoughby Beach culvert construction site will be completed by the end of November following the 9 week delay caused by our local “utility” companies. Folks along Rosewood, Hornbeam and Perry Avenues will be greatly relieved once the horrendous traffic flow has ceased.
What’s Up Next?
The Edgewood Boys and Girls Club, 2002 Cedar Drive, will host a Thanksgiving Dinner on Monday Nov 24, 2008 starting @ 5:00 p.m..
Official Edgewood Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration, Tuesday, December 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Edgewood Farmers Market Pole Barn, adjacent to the Edgewood MARC train station at 2127 Old Edgewood Road. Free entertainment, caroling, musical selections and a visit from SANTA!
FREE Comedy Show, Saturday, December 6th, 1:00p.m., presented by Thor Ramsey for the family at the Boys & Girls Club, 2002 Cedar Drive. Thor Ramsey is a standup comedian and first-time author. He is best known for “Thou Shalt Laugh” DVDs and the Sony-owned comedy series “Bananas,” which he hosts. His first book A Comedian’s Guide to Theology (Regal Books) is available in stores. Details at www.thorramsey.com.
ECC meeting, December 10th will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Edgewood Recreation and Community Center (ERC), 1980 Brookside Drive. Please plan to attend.
Parks and Recreation and the Edgewood Recreation Council offer many programs for our community. The next group of Preschool programs and classes will begin in January. Volleyball and Basketball for adults over 40 years old meets on Thursdays, October 30-December 4 at the ERC. Cost $2.00
Adult Scrapbooking meets on Thursdays from 12:30-3:00pm thru December 4 at the ERC. Cost $2.00
Karate for ages 5 and up meets on Wednesdays and Fridays at the ERC from 6-7:30pm. For more information call 443-504-4220.
Adult Volleyball at the ERC on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7-9:30pm. Cost is $5.00 for the year. For more information contact Phil at 410-676-2961.
If you are interested in learning French the Edgewood Recreation Council has a program for you. Dates and times determined based on interest. For more information email Jackie at EdgewoodFrenchClub@comcast.net or call 410-612-0143.
“Hollywood in Edgewood”, 1st New Year’s Eve Gala sponsored by the ECC Safe & Secure Neighborhood Committee will be held at the Richlin Ballroom, 1700 Van Bibber Road on December 31st from 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Tickets are $75.00 per person or $125 per couple. Contact Andre Alston, aalston187@yahoo.com or (443)-760-0911 or Jansen Robinson for RSPV.
Senior’s Corner
Edgewood Senior Center Winter Class sessions featuring arts and crafts, computers, exercise, discussion groups and games will begin on January 5th and run through March 13th. Registration is from November 17 through December 5th. More details and other activities take place at the Center located at 1000 Gateway Road.
What Else is New?
Check out www.crimereports.com for an up-to-date listing of crime in your neighborhood.
An appeal was made to the United States Postal Service (USPS) to enlarge the Edgewood Post Office Building or at least to expand the parking lot area. The USPS response states in part: “there are currently no plans to expand or replace the Edgewood Post Office.” We tried.
A decision regarding school uniforms will be made by the Board of Education in January 2009.
Dave Stansbury has developed an excellent website for our community that provides many links and interesting information. Please check out http://town.edgewood.md.us
The Greater Edgewood Education Foundation also has a website with information pertinent to our community. Check out http://www.myedgewoodmd.com
How can I Help?
Attend the next ECC meeting and learn status of ongoing projects and programs: volunteer to record the meeting minutes; Become a tutoring volunteer for students studying for their GED. Please call Mr. Lee, 410-322-1621 to learn how you can help; Support our Edgewood merchants and the Route 40 corridor Business Associates;
Take your family to a church of your choice and become more involved; Support our volunteer Fire Departments. Only 20% of our community households donate during their annual appeal for dollars to be used for equipment and training. Support those who protect us and respond if we have a fire and also become a volunteer fireman or woman if you are able to do so.
Important People to Contact.
Dion F. Guthrie: District A County Council Representative for Edgewood/Joppatowne. 410-638-4109 x1403 or via e-mail: dfguthrie@harfordcountymd.gov.
Jane Walker: Harford County Office of Government and Community Relations.
410-638-3355/410-838-4284(fax) or via email: jlwalker@harfordcountymd.com
Jansen Robinson: Chairman, Edgewood Community Council. 410-676-1589 (h),
410-258-4552 (cell) or via email: jmrobinson4@hotmail.com.
Art Stuempfle, Editor, Edgewood Newsletter stuempfle@aol.com
COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Dion Guthrie’s Report
The county treasurer has projected a serious shortfall in revenues for FY2008 and 2009. Across the board cuts are in store for each department. However, Edgewood High School and Deerfield Elementary School construction will continue on schedule. The next District A Advisory Board Meeting is scheduled for December 29th at the Edgewood Senior Center starting at 6:30 p.m.
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