The Heart of Every Community Is Unity
L E T T E R
Northeast Baltimore/ 2nd District
Issue Number 231
September 2009 / CEDMONT Community Improvement Association
Since 1973
A Valued Member ofHARBELCedmont Begins 37th Year
September 2009 - 1 -CEDMONT Nor’Easter
Meetings:
Cedmont General Meetings are held at Hightman Hall, Epiphany Lutheran Church,
(“God Is Love”) 4301 Raspe Avenue.
Meeting Dates:
Sept. 10 / Feb. 11Oct. 8 / Mar. 11
Nov. 12 / Apr. 8
Dec. 10 / May 13
Jan. 14 / Jun 10
Contact Information:
Naomi Benyowitz (Harbel)
Mike Hilliard (Harbel)
(410) 444-2100
NECOP (Status Message Number)
(410) 444-1949
Sgt. Chris Tserkis (NE. District)
(410) 396-2444
September Meeting:
Our first meeting is Thursday, Sept. 10, held at Epiphany (God Is Love) Church, 4301 Raspe Ave., at 7:30 PM. This marks the beginning of the Cedmont Community Organization’s 37th year. Come meet with your fellow community members. Stephen Robinson from the Mayor’s office will talk about the new trash pickup schedules. Please note: Yearly Membership now needs renewal.
Thank You:
Cedmont Community Improvement Association
P.O. Box 11732
Baltimore, MD 21206
Writers:
Kent & Linda Gruzs, Carole Brown, Roland and Pat Huebner
Editor:
Kent D Gruzs
Email:
Linda Gruzs, President (410) 325-5216
Andrea Branam, Vice-President
Open,Secretary
Anya Rey, Treasurer
To all the dedicated NECOP participants who drive each month and help keep our neighborhood safer – Thank you! Even an hour every other month can make a big difference. This has been proven by the nearly 10 years that the program has been in existence. National Night Out, Aug. 02, was a great success; and we appreciate the enthusiastic participation from Cedmont. The message sent was that our community is united and strong. To learn more about this program, contact Pat Huebner (410) 488-8498. Help Keep Cedmont Safe!
Cedmont Website:
Please review our new website Andrea Buie () has put this together and is looking for ways you would like to see it improved. We plan to put past months’ newsletters on this site; and we look forward to getting your ideas.
It’s All Yours:
Have a small community business, or want to say something? Give your information to me; it will get printed. Feel Free (it is free, too). Place your info, article, or request. (410) 325-5216.
Upcoming Events:
Sun Oct 4, Basket Bingo Doors Openatnoon. Early Bird starts 1PM. Hightman Hall, 4301 Raspe Ave. Contact Linda (410) 325-5216.
Sat Oct 17, Dance 8PM-12. Epiphany Church Hightman Hall, 4301 Raspe Ave. featuring Gene Vincent and the Cadillac Cruisers. Beer, Soda, setups, door prizes, raffles. Cost $17 Contact Linda (410) 325-5216.
Basket Bingo:
On Sunday, Oct. 04, Epiphany Church will hold its 3rd annual basket bingo event. Every person who came last year remarked at how nice the baskets were and how they were filled with excellent prizes, as well. There is food (from crab cakes to veggie and cheese platters). There is the Early Bird starting at 1 PM. Doors will open at noon. There are prizes aplenty. Located at 4301 Raspe Ave, Epiphany Church Hightman Hall. Contact Linda for info and tickets (410) 325-5216.
Membership Dues:
Now is the time to renew your Cedmont membership. Each year, membership expires as of August. Remember, starting this year membership has been increased to $15. Please see the article inside.
For Your Info:
Need items hauled away, or your basement, attic, or yard cleaned? Need an ODD JOB done around the house? Contact: Dave Wagenfuehr (443) 854-1491
Two enterprising young boys in our community will cut your lawn. Contact brothers Alex and Will (410) 444-5660
Remembering 9/11:
By Roland Huebner
September is a special, historical month for Baltimore and the nation. But rarely is anything mentioned in the news or on talk shows.It is now rarely taught in our history classes. I'm speaking of the War of 1812, specifically of the attack on Baltimore. Washington had been attacked and burned. It is recorded that the flames were so intense and so high that they could be seen here in Baltimore, 34 miles away. British soldiers had converged on the Capitol, chopping up the interior. Gen Ross watched as flames consumed 740 books Jefferson had bought for the Congressional Library! British officers drank freely of Pres. Madison's wine, looting the White House. Only recently have divers recovered Dolly Madison's silverware from a sunken British vessel (currently contested in international courts as to who owns this.) Pres. Madison escaped into hiding in a town called Brookville. As the nation’s third-largest city, Baltimore would be next. All that stood in the way was small Fort McHenry. The British Navy took advantage of balmy weather in early September to set sail for the port. On Sunday evening, Sept. 11, General Ross landed at North Point for a 15 mile trek to Baltimore. The Battle of Baltimore, America's second war of independence, had begun. My great-great grandfather, Peter Sipes,and two uncles, Captain John Owings and Ephraim Owings, were called up as militiamen to stop the British at a hill called Hampstead (now known as Patterson Park). Each was to defend the city at all costs;each was to stay until the British were turned back;each was given just 26 bullets! (The Maryland Historical Society has a list of all who defended the city.) On Sept. 12, 1814,Capt. John Owings and his men stationed at Camp Hampstead could clearly see across the harbor as the British ships edged closer to Fort McHenry. The British, advancing north from North Point, reached Camp Hampstead and were faced with nearly 10,000 U.S. infantry. Their plan - wait for the bombardment of the fort, then subdue those rebels on the hill. At first light of the next day, Sept. 13, British ships of war began firing, rockets and cannon balls, at Fort McHenry.The now famous 15 star flag waved defiantly above the fort. The British were hoping the Americans would panic and surrender, that the fort would evacuate, that Baltimore and the nation would finally surrender. For 25 hours, as lightning flashed and rain fell, theattack on the fort continued. For 25 hours my ancestors and others watched from Camp Hampstead andheld the land forces at bay on this side of the river. Four died and 24 were wounded at the fort. Maj. George Armistead noted that patriot defenders fired back with their cannons as the British ships sailed within range. Realizing that the attack had failed, the British sailed down the river to North Point to retrieve their retreating land force, which had left Hampstead Hill. In this most dangerous period following the Revolutionary War, patriots faced and defeated a vengeful foreign power on our shores. We all should know the rest: Old Glory remained flying, and Francis Scott Key penned his famous poem which is now our National Anthem.
Recyclables:
Due to the new city schedule, Cedmont is split – Tuesday or Wednesday.
Bulk Trash Pickup – Wed Sept 16
Note: Call 311 by Thu. Sept 10th to schedule.
Dumpster: Kavon + Powell Ave
Nov 6, 7
Raising Dues:
Membership dues have stayed a constant $5.00 per family, per year, since Cedmont started in 1973. Now, faced with HARBEL needing to stay solvent (they are facing year-over-year deficits), our umbrella organization must look to all of its member communities in order to help solve its problem. We have fought to not raise dues at the expense of not being able to properly contribute to: the church for use of its facilities; to HARBEL for its ability to do many more tasks than we ourselves are able. HARBEL has been invaluable, organizing the NECOP, and obtaining the funding to keep it in existence. HARBEL interfaces with the city and its agencies, and operates 5 days a week, servicing many people. We have suggested, and it has been voted on and approved, that dues be increasedto $15 per year per family. This will pay for meeting the levy to be imposed by HARBEL, increased printing expenses for the newsletter, the ability to pay for COP expenses, postage, and will enable us to pay the church a little more for the use of the building, heat, electricity, etc. We all know that things are a bit more expensive than they were in 1973. This new rate will be effectiveas of now.
Election of Officers:
With a new year comes the expiration of all in office. Now is the time for a changing of the guard. Show up and nominate your favorite candidate. Nominations can be presented at the Sept. and Oct. meetings. Voting will be held at the October meeting.
Homeownership:
The Live Baltimore Home Center, the only nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the City of Baltimore’s neighborhoods and living opportunities, will host BUYING INTO BALTIMORE on Sat., Sept. 12, 2009, 9AM – 2PM at Baltimore City College High School, 3220 The Alameda. This Fair will feature information on every step of the homebuying process, from the basic homebuying steps to renovating a home in Baltimore City. Representatives from the banking, insurance and real estate industries will have information available on financing and homebuying options. FYI: First time homebuyers can get $3000 toward the purchase of your home in Baltimore City.
Plant Your Garden:
For the garden of your daily living, PLANT 3 rows of peas: peace of mind; peace of heart; peace of soul. Next, PLANT 4 rows of squash: squash gossip; squash indifference; squash grumbling; squash selfishness. Then, PLANT 4 rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful; lettuce be kind; lettuce be patient; lettuce really love one another. No Garden is complete without turnips: turnip for meetings; turnip for service; turnip to help one another. To conclude our garden, we must have thyme: thyme for each other; thyme for family; thyme for friends. Finally, Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
City Directory:
The city site showing crime stats: