Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014 The Newsletter of the Ridgeleigh Community Association P.O. Box 9851 | Towson, MD 21284 | www.ridgeleigh.net | [email protected]

Message from the President: The Ridgeleigh Community Association has had a busy summer and fall with several activities and events. In August, we had a sidewalk chalk art contest and in September, we had our annual dumpster day followed by the fall cleanup of the children’s garden in the park. In early October, we held our very first Zombie Prom fundraiser and our 2nd annual Halloween scavenger hunt. It was great to see so many of our neighbors come out and enjoy the activities and help out with projects that make our community such a wonderful place to live! We still have a couple more fun activities that will close out the year including caroling and a neighborhood contest for the best holiday light display. I would like to thank our board, committee chairs, and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this such a great community. I look forward to the new year and the new endeavours that will bring the RCA and neighbors together. We are always looking for people to join the RCA in all capacities. There are many ways you can help our community through volunteering, assisting with committees, or simply by becoming a member. I look forward to a productive 2015 and hope to see you at our next community event! Mike Kaspar President, Ridgeleigh Community Association Ridgeleigh Community Street Tree Program Continues Many thanks to the volunteers and staff from Blue Water Baltimore for helping us plant 19 more street trees in Ridgeleigh on November 15. So far, the Ridgeleigh Community Association has planted over 75 new trees in our effort to increase our neighborhood’s tree canopy. Trees clean the air and water, provide food and shelter for wildlife, beautify our streets, and increase property values. Blue Water Baltimore provides the trees free through a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Let us know if you would like a street tree planted at your home. We could also use volunteers to assist with upcoming plantings. Contact Bill Deysher at 410-350-5283 or email [email protected] for more information or to sign up for a street tree. www.ridgeleigh.net

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Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014

Happy Holidays !!! from the Ridgeleigh Community Association Join us on December 19 for Christmas caroling in Ridgeleigh. We’ll meet at 7:00 pm at 8630 Rock Oak Road for hot chocolate, cookies, and refreshments. We’ll then set out into the neighborhood to sing and spread the holiday spirit. We’ll provide the songbooks. Just bring the family, a flashlight, and your best singing voice. Feel free to bring more cookies or refreshments. There’s no set end time. We’ll just go on until the group decides it’s time to pack it in. We’ll also have our annual Christmas decoration contest again this year. Winners will be announced on Caroling Night, December 19. First, second, and third prize winners will receive gift certificates for dinner at Johnny Dee’s Lounge.

Important Phone Numbers Ridgeleigh Community Association 410.870.9598 Emergency 911 Police Non-emergency 410.887.2222 County Ride 410.887.2080 MTA Mobility 410.764.8181 Code Enfocement 410.887.3351 Abandoned Vehicles 410.887.2209 Rat Complaints 410.887.RATS Drug Enforcement Hotline 410.887.1870 Baltimore County Bureau of Highways 410.887.3560 Baltimore County Animal Control 410.887.5961 MVA 410.768.7000

www.ridgeleigh.net

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Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014

Crime Tips and Volunteer Information from Ridgeleigh Citizens on Patrol Ridgeleigh’s neighborhood watch program (C.O.P.) is an extension of the Towson Area Citizens on Patrol. The Citizens on Patrol is a partnership between the Baltimore County Police Department and concerned citizens who patrol and report suspicious activity. Ridgeleigh C.O.P. is currently in need of volunteers to patrol our community. A 20 minute training class at the Baltimore County Police Department is required. The Ridgeleigh C.O.P. website ridgeleighcop.wordpress.com page is up and running for communication among its residents and other C.O.P. Communities. Please remember to be proactive in ensuring the safety of yourself and your property. Please try not to leave valuables in your car and to make sure your car is locked. Robbers do take the time to check for unlocked doors. Please keep your front and back lights on. Robbers don’t like the light. Secure your basement windows and doors. This is a favorite entrance for robbers. Before you enter and exit Ridgeleigh, take a few minutes to drive around our community. And remember if you see something, say something. Ridgeleigh Citizens on Patrol Contacts: Barbara Lewis | t: 410-663-4266 | email: [email protected] Cynthia Eisenrauch | t: 410-790-4661 | email: [email protected]

How Well Do You Know Ridgeleigh? Many of you may remember the articles that were published in the Ridgeleigh Review that told of our area back in the day. These articles included information on Indian trails and tribes that lived in the area, the one-room school house that formerly sat on Joppa Road, the Ma & Pa Railroad that ran across Joppa Road via a tressle, and other topics of interest. We even published photographs of the creation of Ridgeleigh and its surrounding neighborhoods during the early years of construction. Now we are asking for your assistance. If you, or a relative, have any stories to share with us, please submit them to [email protected]. Photos? Send them along as well. You can send digital versions to the same email address. How about a nostalgic trip down memory lane regarding the stores that existed on Joppa Road? EJ Korvettes…. Anyone remember that one? Depending on what we receive, we will publish the articles and photos and who knows? Maybe we will give a topic in the newsletter and ask for your memories. This is something totally new and we hope that everyone who reads the “Ridgeleigh Review” enjoys it. Karen Fitze RCA, Public Relations Committee Chairperson

www.ridgeleigh.net

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Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014

Oakleigh Pet Cemetery Progress For several years the condition of the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery has been a concern for many local residents. The cemetery is located on a 1.5 acre parcel of land in the Southeast corner of Ridgeleigh. The cemetery is currently filled to capacity with the graves of pets, some dating back the 1920’s. In more recent years the cemetery had been neglected as weeds and brush encroached on the adjacent alley of Weston Avenue, the grounds became a common site for illegal dumping, and numerous code enforcement violations began to accrue related the caretaker’s residence and garage. However, thanks to the hard work of a few volunteers, the cemetery is now looking much better. More recently, it seems that the owner of the pet cemetery has finally listened to residents’ concerns and has now allowed a volunteer effort to proceed with cleaning it up. These efforts have been entirely organized and led by a Ridgeleigh resident and former RCA board member, Cyndy Eisenrauch. Much of the brush and weeds that had been encroaching on the adjacent alleys have been trimmed, trash has been hauled away, and many of the overgrown boxwoods have been removed revealing tombstones beneath. The Ridgeleigh Community Association greatly appreciates the efforts of Ms. Eisenrauch to restore the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery and we hope to see this progress continue. Please join us in giving special thanks to Cyndy for her work on the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery. Although these efforts are in no way organized or led by the Ridgeleigh Community Association, we would like to support them in any way we can in order to improve our community. For more information or to volunteer, contact Cyndy by calling 410-790-4661.

www.ridgeleigh.net

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Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014

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Membership Registration Form Membership in the Ridgeleigh Community Association is the easiest way for you to support the community. Membership is open to all residents of the Ridgeleigh Community. Memberships can also be renewed online at www.ridgeleigh.net. Please complete this form and mail it along with dues to:

Ridgeleigh Community Association, P.O. Box 9851, Towson, 21284

Name_______________________________ Address_____________________________ Phone______________________________ Email_______________________________ Membership Dues: $15 per household/ year ($7 Seniors - over 60 years old) Checks payable to: The Ridgeleigh Community Association

www.ridgeleigh.net

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Ridgeleigh Review Winter 2014

Upcoming Community Events Caroling in Ridgeleigh 7:00 pm, Friday, December 19, 2014 Meet at 8630 Rock Oak Road

Ridgeleigh Community Assocation General Membership Meeting 7:00pm, Thursday, February 26, 2015 Johnny Dee’s Lounge, 1706 Joan Avenue Visit us online for more information, or email [email protected], or call 410.870.9598.

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