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Relay Improvement Association Newsletter Volume:12-Issue:04

Relay Improvement Association Board of Directors 2011-2013 President- Theda Mayer, theda_mayer@hcpss.org, 410-737-9319

Vice-President- Barbara Reeves, breeves@comcast@net, 410-247-1947 Secretary- Rob Mintz, robandbeth@raincity.com, 443-304-2459

Treasurer- Ed Hardester, edward.hardester@ngc.com, 410-242-9042

A Letter from the President What has housed fire engines, books and clubs and has been revived more times than Resusci Anne? If you said the Town Hall, you must have Relay in your blood. Built in 1910 to house the Relay Volunteer Fire Department, it came under the care of the Woman’s Club in 1928 when Baltimore County built a new firehouse on Washington Boulevard. The women of Relay maintained the building with money raised through bake sales. That must have been a lot of cakes! In addition to baking, the woman started the second public library in Baltimore County in that same building in 1929! The hall was deeded to the Relay Improvement Association in 1948.

Town Hall on Relay Day And why does the hall look so great at the age of 102? True, membership dues and hall rentals pay the bills for the most part, but three men are largely responsible for its upkeep. They could be playing another day of golf, building model train gardens or designing websites. Instead they are tinkering, mopping and painting in order to preserve a piece of our past for the future. Richard Gloth, Ray Chism and Bill Hermann dedicate an inordinate amount of time so that the rest of us can enjoy a gathering place for our community. Many times they are

assisted by Greg Senkus. By the time you read this newsletter, the Town Hall will be sporting a new wood laminate floor due in large part to their efforts. Our Town Hall is a symbol of our coming together as a community. As you peruse this newsletter, please be mindful of the many good things we do for each other. “Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” Albert Einstein One small example: who was that cutting my grass after the senior luncheon? The lawnmower was in the front yard and I was too exhausted to finish. Thanks, Dylan, for coming to the rescue. That New Wood Floor for the Town Hall Many thanks to Craig Goodman for treating our Town Hall floor as a labor of love for the community.

Craig Goodman Hard at Work He was in there working all night before Relay Day so that we would be able to hold our community festival on an overcast day. His expertise and skill amazed everyone who watched him lay the floor. As much as one inch deep dips were fixed before the wood floor could even be put down. Words cannot describe how beautiful his work is. Visit the hall to see it for yourself. We are all grateful for the incredible number of hours he gave to this project.

November, 2012

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Crime Watch Alert There have been out of state and unfamiliar cars parked on Viaduct Avenue. If you notice anything suspicious, please call 911. You do not need to be in imminent danger to make this phone call. The police use your calls to 911 to keep a log of activity in a particular area. Also, now that Vehicles for Change has moved and the lot on the corner of Route 1 and South Street is empty, you might keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary in that location. This is our neighborhood and we can keep it safe. Upcoming Events in Relay November 5 - RIA Meeting Agenda Review November 10 – Jazz and Blues Concert at Relay Town Hall November 12 - RIA General Meeting – Town Hall November 15 – Men’s Club November 17 – Relay Neighborhood Clean-up Day November 18 - Covered Dish Dinner (Potter) November 21 - Bookies Meeting December 19 - Bookies Meeting December 20 – Men’s Club December 21 – Cookie Exchange December 31 - New Year’s Eve Party January 20 – Covered Dish Dinner (Plitt) RIA Meeting Agenda Review Monday, November 5 – (note this is one week delayed) If you have a topic you would like to add to the November 12 General Meeting Agenda please come to the Town Hall at 7:30 PM. Any member is welcome. Jazz and Blues Concert at Relay Town Hall – Saturday, November 10 – Relay native Dave Ricketts and Gaucho The Dave Ricketts Band will play in the Town Hall. Doors open at 7:30 Music starts at 8. Donations welcome. Gaucho's web site is www.gauchojazz.com.

RIA General Meeting Guest Speakers Kris and Bill Jackson Monday, November 12 – Here’s a preview: Kris and Bill Jackson of 800 Francis Avenue are the first in Relay to install solar panels on their roof. It's so nicely installed that you may not even have noticed anything out of the ordinary. When asked why they installed solar, they say that they’d been talking about the idea for many years. They wanted to be energy self-sufficient and take positive steps toward a greener, cleaner future. And what’s marvelous is that they did something about it.

Solar Powered Bill and Kris Jackson After much research, they leased the solar panels for 20 years from Astrum Solar http://www.astrumsolar.com/. The panels are attached on top of the roof and all maintenance can be done externally, without going inside the house. The power goes straight to the grid and the couple is given credit. With the leasing arrangement, they were eligible for both State and Federal energy tax credits. Astrum Solar said that the couple would recoup their investment after 5 years and are guaranteed 86% of their energy bill would be covered. The panels were turned on in mid July and as of the middle of September, the Jacksons had produced enough energy to power 70 houses for one day. Come hear their story and ask your questions. Also at the RIA meeting, non-perishable foods will be collected for charity. We filled one box last time. Let’s try for two this time. It will be our last meeting before Thanksgiving and the food will go to help those in our nearby communities.

! ! ! Gaucho The Dave Ricketts Band! ! ! ! ! Voted Best Jazz and Blues Band by San Francisco Weekly

! ! ! !Date: November 10, 2012 @ 8:00, Doors open at 7:30 PMRelay Town Hall 1710 Arlington Avenue, Relay Maryland 21227! ! For more information call 410-242-1944

Relay Town Hall 1710 Arlington Avenue Relay, Maryland 21227 - November 10, 2012 8:00 PM

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Relay Neighborhood Clean-up Day Saturday, November 17 - 7:30 AM - Noon If you love throwing stuff away and helping others to unload their unwanted things, come and join the fun. We have arranged to have two large roll-off containers delivered to the grassy area below the Town Hall. Please feel free to bring any household garbage that has been collecting around your place over the last year. Things like carpet scraps, plastic cartons, packing materials and other household debris are welcome as are those pesky piles of yard waste. The county sponsors these containers and waives the dumping fees, but there are some restrictions on what we can discard. NO household hazardous wastes like cleaners, paints, thinners and oils NO electronics such as computers, telephones, televisions, fax machines and video equipment NO car or marine batteries NO asbestos containing materials NO liquid waste or animal carcasses NO tanks or drums NO medical, radioactive, acid, or explosive waste NO large stumps or logs over 8 inches in diameter or 6 feet long NO refrigerators or air conditioners Also, we will not have a dedicated container for metal, so if you have significant amounts of metal waste, you will have to wait for another day. For more information or to ask about specific items that you wish to discard, please call Rob Mintz or Beth Arman at 410-382-6586. The containers do tend to fill up pretty quickly, so by noon they will be headed out. Covered Dish Dinner Sunday, November 18 – We look forward to the covered dish dinner hosted by Steve and Sarah Potter, 1704 Forsythia Lane. And then we are grateful to be together on January 20 at Herb and Dolores Plitt’s at 1605 South Rolling Road. Relay Bookies Wednesday, November 21 – Our next meetings will be held on November 21 and December 19 at the town hall at 7:30 PM. We are currently reading Rules of Civility: A Novel by Amor Towles. November’s book is Cutting for Stone by Abraham

Verghese. You are invited to join us for food, drink and a lively discussion. Please bring your contributions of canned goods or cash for the Maryland Food Bank in memory of Mary-Marguerite Kohn. Cookie Exchange Friday, December 21 - Our cookie exchange will start at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall. If you are interested in participating, please email Faith at fchermann@comcast.net with your name and your cookie recipe by December 13. Once we know the total number of participants, we will let you know how many cookies to bake and how to package them. New Year’s Party Monday, December 31 – Looking for a great time close to home on New Year’s Eve? Join us at the Town Hall again this year. Richard Gloth will be selling tickets at the covered dish dinners and the RIA meeting in November. Volunteers are needed to serve on the planning committee. If you have ideas for food, decorations, games, or music, please join us in planning this festive event. Contact Richard at 410-242-4627. Tickets are $35 before December 1st and $40 thereafter. Space is limited so don’t delay. The cost includes a DJ, food, alcoholic beverages, party favors and games. The festivities begin at 9PM and end at 1 AM. RELAY NEWS “Red Hat Affair” Senior Luncheon Relay seniors - those who currently live in Relay and those who called Relay ‘home’ in the past – had a wonderful day visiting with old friends and making new ones over lunch.

Seniors enjoying the tasty fare

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Congratulations to Etta Riley and Jackie Hedeman who won prizes. Special thanks go to those who donated food; Karen Shannon, Gloria Huff, Kim Box, Faith Hermann, Caroline Wellman, Lucy McKean, Cassie Megarity, Barbara Reeves and Laura Vetock. Thank you also to helpers Greg Senkus, Art Reeves, Bill Hermann, Zach Shaw, Tess and Cole Sheets and Raleigh and Blythe Megarity. We also appreciate Karen who took pictures and a special shout out to Richard Breeden. This event raised over $400 for the Town Hall. See you next year for the 10th anniversary of the Senior Luncheon. Community Yard Sale Thanks to all residents who participated in the September 15 Community Yard Sale.

Meredith Pyle sets up in a key location Whether you sold or bought items, you helped make the event a success. Special appreciation to the Catholic Community at Relay for participating this year.

Dallas and Abbey Sullivan help Boxers Thanks also to those who donated leftover items to Goodwill, Purple Heart or Southwest Emergency Services at Arbutus United Methodist.

Yard Sale Enthusiasts on Tulip Avenue Wine and Cheese Many thanks to Linda and John Kacur for once again hosting a fabulous wine and cheese party in late September at the Town Hall. This is always a popular event and this year was no exception.

Wine and Cheese organizer Linda Kacur with family (minus John) Town Hall Clean Up Successful We thank all of the volunteers who showed up on Saturday, September 29 to help clean up the Town Hall and grounds.

Town Hall Cleaner Uppers They were Charlie Beusch and Edie, Ray Chism, Richard Gloth, Al Hergenhan, Bill Hermann, Jake

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and Martha Jacoby, Dylan Megarity, Dick Mencken, Gene Pometto, Rob Ring, Jon Sheets, Cole Sheets, Caroline and Howard Wellman and Bob Young. Special thanks also to our neighbors from the In-Amen Presbyterian Church who joined in cleaning up the lot. We thank Pastor Ahn, Kelly Kim, Samantha Kim, Brandon Kim, David An, Sook Ahn, Jaehi Yun and Change Eun On. Lots of yard trash, shrubbery, tree limbs and falling trees were removed. There were at least 5 trips to the county dump. That’s a good cleaning day! Thanks to all who were willing to give a day to our community. Relay Day A Resounding Success The rainy weather couldn’t keep the Relay Spirit down on Sunday, October 7 at the Town Hall. This

year’s celebration brought residents and enthusiastic supporters from as far away as Germany to take part in a Walking History Tour given by our own Ray Chism; enjoy the musical talent of the Al Hergenhan Band; laugh along with their kids as The Amazing Stanley amazed; cheer our loved ones on as they belted their hearts out at karaoke hosted by Bruce Packal and rocked out with local band Schroeder and the Brillo Pad. The spin art stand was busy all day long and the bake sale and food tent kept the crowd well fed. Perennial favorites like the dog costume, face painting (see Sheila, above) kids games

Sack Races and pie eating contest never fail to keep us laughing. All of this activity was to the benefit of the Town Hall; Relay Day proceeds help pay to keep our community gathering place in good shape.

Our community spirit is best evidenced by all of you who came out to make our special day happen. Thank you to all of the volunteers who shared their spirit: Rose Gloth, Charlie Busch, Kathy Sweet, Gloria Huff, Lucy McKean, Harry Frank, Maureen

Potter, Penny, Ben and Wyatt Hemmerman, Ed Hardester, Lloyd and Janice Smith, Barbara Reeves, Cole and Tess Sheets, Marjean Irwin, Jennifer Stearns and David Gleason, Stephanie Heinrichs, Howard and Caroline Wellman, Susie Quinn, the Men’s Club, aka Fabulous Foodies led by Richard Gloth (see photo); Gene Palmetto, Jon Sheets, Frank Meek, Dick, Bruce Packal and Rob Ring.

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Pie Eating Contest

Our Champion Pie Eaters were: 1st Place - Jacob Thomas 2nd Place- Blythe Megarity 3rd Place - Cole Sheets Dog Costume Contest

Our Dog Costume winners were: Winner – Bella dressed as the devil led by Linda Most Unusual - Tokie led by Jillian Prize - Roxie the Spider led by Angela Our Raffle Items winners were: Rose Gloth - Theda Mayer's "Autumn Glory" quilt (in photo) David Gleason - Daniel's Restaurant gift basket Barbara Reeves - Cindy's Liquors wine basket Derek Blottenberger - Halloween Basket Maureen Potter - Free Town Hall Rental And Cole Sheets - Candy Jar - Again!

Please support our local businesses that made donations for Relay Day prizes or raffle baskets! Cindy’s Skylight Liquors, Daniel's Restaurant, Gianni’s Italian Bistro, Hollywood Theater, Mumbles and Squeaks and Ice Cream Cottage

Thanks to the 2012 Relay Day Committee - Kim Box, Ray and Diana Chism, Richard Gloth, Theda Mayer, Mary Beth Meek, Sheila Muccio, Greg Senkus, Jeremy Vetock and Bob Young.

County Landmarks Preservation Commission Retreat Relay will be hosting the fall retreat for the County Landmarks Preservation Commission of Baltimore County on October 23. Thank you to Lucy McKean for donating her time and treats and Kathy and Steve Sweet, Gerry and Donna Talbert and Brandon Branham for allowing our guests to tour their homes. RELAY IMPORTANT INFORMATION Bringing a little Sunshine Thanks to Diana Chism, Faith Hermann, Theda Mayer, Greg Senkus, Karen Shannon and Jennifer Stearns-Gleeson for supporting a neighbor in need by preparing dinners. If you know of a neighbor that needs a hand, please contact Kim Box at 410-737-0230. Organic Options Offered for Optimal anti-Oxidants Breezy Willow Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) offers ‘Early Bird Rates’ for 12 weeks next March – May 2013. Breezy Willows offers healthy, organic, natural foods. For the early spring they offer cold storage potatoes, onions, beets, turnips, apple and pears, etc. Breads come from Great Harvest Bakery in Columbia. For more information go to www.breezywillowfarm.com. The Children's Center in Relay The Children's Center currently has openings in their Four Year Old and Aftercare programs. For more information, please call 410-247-2811.

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Six Very Cool things about Gun Road and Avalon Lucy McKean gave a wonderful talk on September 10 at the RIA meeting on the history of Gun Road. Following are highlights:

1) It is said that General George Washington surveyed the road and that it was his route when he and the Continental Army retreated from Philadelphia going from Avalon to Elk Ridge landing, where he took boats for Virginia. This has been highly disputed by John McGrain, retired Baltimore County historian.

2) Before we knew tobacco was bad for you, Elkridge was a thriving port for tobacco being shipped overseas. The Patapsco River was navigable nearly to Avalon throughout the 18th century.

3) Dorsey’s Forge in Avalon was famous for making crowbars and then later nails. Careful where you step!

4) Avalon was a small village including a Catholic church. The railroad provided passenger service to this area until 1949. Before the opening of Druid Hill Park and other recreational spots in Baltimore, Relay provided a place for city people to enjoy open grounds and fresh air. Most came to visit and some built summer homes.

5) The train fare from Avalon to Baltimore was 15 cents for 12 and under.

6) Avalon was popular. From the 1891 Maryland Journal: “Standing on the many hills that surround Avalon…. you can see…mist rising from streams…. rainbows…. You know that you are in God’s own country and that Rome…was not more beautiful or majestic than the seven hills that surround this lovely spot….more beautiful than either Philadelphia or Washington.”

Avalon Photo 1850s photo of a painting of the Sachse lithograph. Barbara Bruns, whose sister Janet still lives at 301 Gun Road, painted the oil scene.

Libraries are FREE and make you SMARTER!!! Arbutus Library Upcoming Event Highlights – • Baby Story time – Birth to 23 months with adult

–Tuesdays 9:30 AM weekly • Preschool Story Time – 2 to 5 years old with

adult – Tuesdays 11AM weekly • Preschool Dinosaur Castle Day - November 6 at

10:30 AM • 2 to 5 years old with adult – Fairy Godmother

brings elaborate costumes for audience dress-up, small-scale scenery and unusual props to provide an interactive children’s theater program.

• Adults – Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks November 7 at 7 PM. Discussion about the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This fascinating and moving story of family, medicine and bioethics is steeped in Baltimore history.

• PAWS to Read - Saturday, January 26 2 – 3:30 – Register your shy or reluctant reader to read with Holly the dog or Butterball the cat. These pets are friendly, non-judgmental and good listeners.

For a complete list of library programs, visit www.bcpl.info or call 410-887-1451 Calling all Tree Huggers!! Patapsco State Park Trailwork Day is on November 10th from 9am-1pm. Interested volunteers should register with the park and make sure that “trailwork” is checked in their profile. https://ec.volunteernow.com/custom/1289/ They also are looking for volunteers to help collect day use fees in the ranger stations at various park entrances. Interested volunteers should also register at the website under the opportunity “Ranger Stations.” If you have questions, contact Maegan Cooper- macooper@dnr.state.md.us

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Newsletter contributors appreciation!! Many thanks to those who contributed to this newsletter: Bill and Faith Hermann, Theda Mayer, Sheila Muccio, Rob Mintz, Howard Wellman, Kim Box and Lucy McKean. I welcome all contributions. Please email to caroline.wellman12@gmail.com. Get Well Soon Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Doris Jacober of Clark Boulevard. Looking for New RIA Members!! We are always happy to have more members. Please encourage your neighbors to come to meetings and enjoy the benefits of belonging for a mere $15 per year...which include information about upcoming events, the latest community news and this newsletter emailed or mailed every quarter. Non-members only receive one newsletter a year. But, of course the information is always available on the Relay website. www.relaymaryland.com.

Hearty thanks to the following Vendors for contributing to Relay Day:

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