Neighborhood News Winter 2012-13 Winter
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Neighborhood News Winter 2012-13 Winter Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area Improvement Association The History of L’Hirondelle INSIDE From Boat Paddles to Paddle Tennis Ho-Ho-Holiday by Bliss McCord Bellona Avenue hill (Lake Station) and a little Party in the farther north near the intersection of Bellona and For over 100 years, L’Hirondelle Club has been a Woods Ruxton Roads (Ruxton Station), introducing the area fixture in the Ruxton community. Tucked away to commuters. Page 3 on L’Hirondelle Club Road, it is primarily known today as The new L’Hirondelle h a family social club centered Boat Club built a Towson on popular activities – tennis, clumsy-looking structure WinterFest paddle tennis and swimming. near the site of today’s Activities Page 3 But L’Hirondelle actually tennis house to store started in the late 1800s as the team boats. Two h the L’Hirondelle Boat Club. wings jutted from the Have Yourself Back then groups of men, on sides of the building a Merry Little teams with romantic names like that was crowned with Christmas Undine and Ariel, would row an observation deck for Page 4 competitively six- or eight-oared viewing races on the shells on the Lower Branch of lake. A runway led from Andh He-e-e-e-re’s the Patapsco River. the boathouse down to Barbara a dock at the mouth of The first official notice of Page 6 Roland Run. In early L’Hirondelle’s existence was an Before the days of rowing machines… summer, young rowers h 1872 regatta invitation that Photo courtesy L’Hirondelle Club who rode the train Sleigh Bells Ring, listed the boat club as one from the City to get in Can You Hear of the competitors. Although no one knows for workouts on the lake would often remain overnight Them? sure how L’Hirondelle (French for the bird species at the private homes of friends. Page 8 ‘swallow’) got its name, it seems reasonable to compare that darting bird with the quick boats By 1911, Club members, who by now wanted a base h that zipped across the water like so many water for social purposes as well as rowing, were able to Home Sales bugs. Competition between clubs was stiff and the build a true clubhouse. The original structure was Page 9 weekend regattas drew excited spectators. Boats small, with a main lounge, office, tiny kitchen and, were stored in boathouses at Winans Shipyard near interestingly, duckpin bowling lanes below. (This h the Patapsco peninsula known as Ferry Bar, where variation of standard bowling, very popular at the County Schools Dance to a New young oarsmen would take the streetcar to get to time, was said to have originated around 1900 Tune early morning practice in the hours before work. in Baltimore at a bowling, billiards and pool hall Page 14 owned by Orioles players John McGraw and Wilbert John Redwood, the coach of the L’Hirondelle team, Robinson. This claim, however, has since been eventually oversaw the transition of the boat club h disproved; there are records of duckpin bowling as to a country club. Redwood became the Club’s first It’s That Time of early as 1894 in Lowell, Massachusetts.) The lounge, president, a position he held for 47 years. In 1890 Year Again with a stage at one end and a facing fireplace, was Page 20 L’Hirondelle Boat Club moved to the banks of Lake large enough for performances by amateur acting Roland, which had been created in 1861 to provide groups and was often used by the Church of the h the City with water. In the latter part of the 19th RRLRAIA Good Shepherd for gatherings and benefits. French century Ruxton was still a sleepy hamlet. All of that Annual Meeting doors opened onto a tiled porch, allowing for an airy began to change in 1885 when the North Central Report interior that could serve many purposes. That little Railroad opened stations near the bottom of the Page 22 Continued on page 16 h Ruxton-Riderwood- Lake Roland President’s Letter Neighborhood NeWS Dear Neighbors, Board member and/or our Executive Director attends most zoning hearings. Following one Winter 2012-13 As Kathy Mountcastle steps down as such hearing, Administrative Law Judge John President and I assume her mantle, I want Beverungen noted in his ruling, “Though Table of Contents to thank her on behalf of the entire RRLRAIA I regret that I am unable to grant the community for her steady and calm guidance 1 The History of L’Hirondelle Petitioners’ petition, I would at the same over the last two years. I hope that I will be 2 President’s Letter time note that the Ruxton neighborhood is 3 Ho-Ho-Holiday Party able to follow her example. in the Woods so attractive and desirable because (in part 3 Towson WinterFest Activities In the five years that I have been on the at least) the community is so diligent in 4 Have Yourself a Merry Board, I have been amazed at how much this ensuring the zoning laws are enforced.” Little Christmas organization can accomplish. Thanks to many As you will see from our Annual 6 And He-e-e-e-re’s…….Barbara! dedicated Board members and Meeting report on page 22, 8 Sleigh Bells Ring, neighbors, we witnessed the Can You Hear Them? we have been very busy this historic transfer of Robert E. 9 Home Sales year with many other projects, Lee Park to Baltimore County 10 Winter Birds both minor and major. As we management and continue 11 Robert E. Lee Park implement our Community Needs YOU to marvel at the commitment 11 Thank You, Patrons! of the County and the Robert Plan 2010 we are committed 12 See What You May E Lee Park Nature Council, a to improving the quality of life Have Missed private Park advisory group, to in all of our communities. In 14 County Schools upgrading the Park’s amenities that regard, I hope you will Dance to a New Tune join us for my own pet project, 18 Celery Root and (see page 12). I particularly Potato Gratin wish to thank Senator Bobby the spring neighborhood SWAT 19 Thank You to Our Wonderful Zirkin and his District 11 clean-up on Sunday, March 3, Clean-up Volunteers colleague, Delegate Dana Stein, for their when we will be cleaning trash 20 It’s That Time of Year Again legislative leadership. As a result of their from Falls and Old Court Roads again (visit 22 RRLRAIA Annual rrlraia.org for further information). I move Meeting Report successful introduction and shepherding of a bond bill, we hope to see groundbreaking on from chairing the Newsletter Committee on a children’s playground, Acorn Hill, and leave it in the very capable hands of Board of Governors this coming year. I also want to thank the Editor Jessica Paffenbarger. I hope you will President – Barbara Guarnieri agree that our permanent and contributing 1st Vice President – Peggy Webster Park rangers who have become our new 2nd Vice President – Patrick Jarosinski best friends. You can see photos of their writers continue to outdo themselves in Treasurer – Keith Murray wonderful programs on pages 12 and 13. providing both informative and interesting Secretary – Bliss McCord Additionally, their sponsorship of volunteer articles and this issue is no exception. Please John Baer continue to send us your ideas or your own Jeffrey Budnitz efforts to remediate, upgrade and mark all of Deborah Burker the lovely walking trails is inspiring. articles; we always welcome new authors. Elise Butler Meanwhile, I hope you will be inspired Kelly Chew I am also very impressed by the caliber of Greg Glessner my fellow Board members and want to thank to celebrate a new winter tradition using Frederick Hudson them for the work they do, often behind the suggestions you will find on page 4. I also Kelley Keener hope you will join us at our own classic Peter Maloney scenes. For example, before a new house or Jake Martin a significant addition can be built within our Yuletide festivity Holiday Party in the Woods Tracy Miller boundaries, approval must first be obtained on Saturday December 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. Kathy Mountcastle from the Baltimore County Design Review at the Robert E. Lee Park rugby field (see Linda Murphy page 3 for details). All are welcome − see you Jessica Paffenbarger Panel. In the early stages of this process, a Kathy Palencar Board member usually convenes a meeting there! Carlton Sexton with the applicant and affected neighbors Laura Shmerler Happy holidays and may your New Year be Justin Wiggs to identify issues and resolutions. Similarly, blessed! Ande Williams we usually notify neighbors when there is Sky Woodward a zoning issue in their neighborhood. Even Barbara Guarnieri Executive Director, though the Association often does not take Peggy Squitieri an official position on zoning issues, a Newsletter Committee: Neighborhood NEWS is published three times a year by The Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area Improvement Association, Inc., P.O. Box 204, Riderwood, MD 21139, Tel: 410-494-7757. Jessica Paffenbarger, Editor Bliss McCord Graphic Production: Kathy Mountcastle DesignConcept.com Deadlines for copy, including announcements and calendar items, are February 1st for Spring issue, Kelly Chew, Advertising July 1st for Fall issue and October 1st for Winter issue. Advertisers contact: [email protected]. Barbara Guarnieri Nettie Washburn Printing: mtroyalptg.com 2 Ho-Ho-Holiday Party in the woods This is one holiday event you won’t want to miss! So don your mittens and warm coats and join us to meet Santa and friends at the Robert E.