Abingdon Community Council eNews

Volume I Issue #23 August, 2013 C. David Copenhaver, Editor

Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of Abingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, August 26, 2013 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009? Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information, contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
(If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.)

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Abingdons Treasures: Abingdon Fire Company

(Located at 3306 Abingdon Road Abingdon, MD 21009)

At a meeting of the Abingdon Improvement Association held in late 1924 it was discussed by the members that the village needed quicker response to fires. Records indicate that the association concerned themselves with a wide range of problems they faced at that time. Some of their topics for discussion were of things that we take for granted today such as paved roads for safe travel, telephone service, and electricity. In fact, the town did not get electricity until 1927. Fire protection was on the list of great concern that night in late 1924 since the closest fire protection was Bel Air and Aberdeen. There werent many fires in those days, mostly field and woods fires, but when they had a dwelling or barn fire it was of great concern because of the delay in communications and the distance that had to be traveled over unimproved roadways to get there, particularly in the winter months when responding often meant traveling on un-cleared roadways. The original idea was to form a Fire Brigade, a first line of defense until the arrival of the closest fire company. This idea was short lived and a new suggestion was Lets get our own fire engine and become a fire company." The idea of starting a fire company occurred during a meeting in 1925 which was described by past chief Arnold Harwood who was a young lad at that time. The meeting took place in Lester Tuckers' Store across from the present McComas Funeral Home in Abingdon, as it was the only public place in town. Some of the people in attendance that night were Lester Tucker, Joe Babka, Eugene McComas, Kennard McComas, Norman Davis, Harry Moulsdale, Will Harwood, George Price, Roy Stifler, as well as other local citizens. It was described that as the discussion got somewhat heated, Will Harwood stood up and said Let's not carry buckets, let's get a real fire engine. That moment was credited as the birth of the Abingdon Fire Company. Wills enthusiasm continued to play out as he later served as Chief seven of the following ten years Please visit http://www.abingdonfc.com/content/history/ for the rest of the exciting history!
(Source: Abingdon Fire Company Web site.. Some changes were made.)

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Harford County Sheriffs Office Traffic Unit: Harford Has 2nd Lowest Crime Rate, But 5th Highest Rate for Crash Fatalities in Maryland
Dear Citizens: In Harford County, we are enjoying an all-time low in our Crime Rate. According to the Uniform Crime Report for Maryland, Harford County had the 2nd lowest crime rate in the state last year. But, during that same time, we had the fifth highest rate for crash fatalities. Harford County has grown tremendously the last few years, causing a significant increase in traffic on our roadways. With the addition of BRAC, we have both residents and commuters from other counties and states. Everyones hectic schedule coupled with the tremendous strain on our roadways has made a very hazardous situation for our county.

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The Harford County Sheriffs Office and law enforcement agencies within the county are committed to improving traffic safety on our roadways. The Harford County Traffic Task Force was formed approximately two years ago and is comprised of officers from each agency within the county- the Harford County Sheriffs Office, Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack, Maryland State Police JFK Barrack, Aberdeen PD, Bel Air PD, and Havre de Grace PD. The Traffic Task Force works one day a week in one jurisdiction, rotating weekly. Additionally, last year, the Harford County Council, by resolution, created the Harford County Traffic Safety Task Force. Representatives of each law enforcement agency (Harford County Sheriffs Office, Maryland State Police Bel Air and JFK Barracks, and the Police Departments of Aberdeen, Bel Air, and Havre de Grace), along with representatives from Harford County government, community organizations, and community members studied Harford Countys Traffic Safety Issues and recently released its final report to the Council. Speeding and distracted driving are expensive. Nationally, motor vehicle crashes cost taxpayers $250 billion annually. In 2012, there were 5,708 reported crashes on Harford County roadways. There were 22 fatalities on our roadways in 2012. This year, January 1-May 31, there have been 3,114 reported crashes and 10 fatalities on our roadways. In 2012, the Harford County Sheriffs Office issued 41,579 citations and warnings. We are out there every day enforcing the motor vehicle laws. Between January and June of this year, 85 community members asked us to set up RADAR. In fact, most of the time you see us; we are responding the request of a concerned citizen. As you can see, Harford County is being proactive in making our roadways safer. The goals of the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO), and Harford County Strategic Highway Safety Plans are all focusing on zero traffic deaths by 2030. Now, we need your support. That support comes in two forms paying attention to your driving habits and being a good role model. New drivers mimic the driving behaviors of their parents. Make speeding and distracted driving unacceptable. It is easy to forget that when you operate a motor vehicle, you are behind the wheel operating a potential 2-ton weapon. We can only do so much. It is time to change bad driving habits and encourage others to do the same. Leave a little earlier, ignore the cell phone, and focus on operating the vehicle safely. Make a commitment to yourself, your family, loved ones, or friends. The life you save may be yours or that of a loved one. Respectfully, Sheriff L. Jesse Bane and Sgt. R. Michael Lane, Harford County Sheriffs Office Traffic/K9 Teams
(Source: Reprinted with permission, The Dagger. Some changes were made.)

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GEEF Kicks Off Its Stuff The Bus Campaign For School Supplies
The Greater Excellence in Education Foundation will be holding its "Stuff the Bus" campaign through August 9, 2013. The campaign is to collect donated school supplies throughout the county for GEEF's Tools for Schools Resource Center, which is a school supply resource center where teachers can shop for free for the learning materials for students in need. With everyone contributing to a central resource center, we can ensure that every child in need is served. And teachers know best which students are without the schools supplies they need for educational success. Organizers have found that having schools identify the children in need is a better alternative than giving bags of school supplies during events in the community. Having a central resource center ensures that all vulnerable students have the tools they need to excel in school. Teachers get to "shop" at the resource center for free and get the exact school supplies students need for learning year-round. Last year, GEEF served more than 1,000 students in need. This year they want to double that number, if not more. Collection sites will be at Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union's 11 Harford locations.
Source: exploreharford.com. Some changes were made.

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News from the Boulevard at Box Hill:

New HOME Shops features new lines by designers and celebrities: Martha Stewart's home collection Design by Conran collection Jonathan Adler Fine Stationary Michael Graves Design

Saxons Diamond Center

(Source: Source: http://boulevardatboxhil.com/. Some changes were made.)

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Groundbreaking Scheduled for Sunday for Harford's New 911 Center

Harford County leaders will break ground on a long-desired new Emergency Operations Center building Sunday, the official kickoff for a nearly three-year, $49.1 million project. The new center will replace the county's existing facility off of Route 543 (Ady Road) in Forest Hill, which has been in use for more than 50 years, Robert Thomas, spokesman for the Department of Emergency Services, said Monday. It is home to Harford County's 911 Center, its Emergency Operations Center, which is activated during disasters, facilities for the county's Hazmat response team and a radio shop. "It served the taxpayers well, but its life span has now pretty well run its course," Thomas said. The 116,000-square-foot facility will be built in two phases; construction work for the first phase began in March after the county's Board of Estimates approved a $23.5 million "base contract." The board approved an updated $28.4 million spending package last Thursday with J. Vinton Schafer & Sons, of Abingdon, which would cover the previously-approved base construction contract, a $10,000 allowance for documentation of the construction process and $4.9 million for the purchase of items for the buildings, which the Schafer firm would oversee as the general contractor. The project will encompass two phases. The main building, which will be built during the first phase, will house the county's Emergency Operations Center, the 911 center and administrative offices for Emergency Services, Thomas explained. The first phase is expected to be complete by the early fall of 2014. Emergency Services leaders will seek approval from Harford County Executive David Craig and the members of the Harford County Council to place funds in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget to cover the second phase. The second phase involves building facilities for the radio shop and Hazmat team, in a wing built to the rear of the main building. Thomas said the new emergency center is being built "with an eye toward the future and the growth of Harford County, the growing number of calls for service, our relationship with law enforcement, the fire fighting community. He said the existing structure was renovated in 1982 and expanded in 1997. It has a number of issues, including a lack of office space, a leaky roof and problems with the air conditioning, electrical, heating and plumbing systems. Sunday's groundbreaking will be at 2 p.m. at the Ady Road site; Thomas said the county executive, members of the county council, state legislators, representatives of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, Exelon Energy, federal officials, Harford County fire and EMS personnel and state and local law enforcement officials are expected to participate in the ceremony.
Source: exploreharford.com. Some changes were made.

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Maryland's BIGGEST And BADDEST Barbecue Event: Downtown Bel Air, MD

Named as Harford Countys Best Event in 2012, the MD State BBQ Bash is a barbecue themed street festival featuring the Maryland State BBQ Championship, with more than 50 competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond will compete for $12,500 in cash prizes and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO. In addition, more than 30 amateur teams will compete in the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge to see who has the best ribs and will compete for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than ten years, the MD State BBQ Bash has grown to be one of the largest, most fun, and most anticipated events of the year in Downtown Bel Air. Great food, great music, great people, the Maryland State Barbecue Championship, and the MD State BBQ Bash Tailgate Challenge, have combined to create a tradition that we hope you will want to be a part of this year and in the years ahead. Join us August 9-10, 2013 FREE admission, Beer & Wine Garden, award winning Q, LIVE music, crafters, exhibitors, vendors, Little Piggies Fun Zone, and MORE! Website http://www.mdbbq.com
(Source: Harford County Love it! http://www.harfordmd.com/harford-county-maryland-events. Some changes were made.)

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Dates to Ponder
First Fridays, Bel Air
August 2, 2013 5:00pm 8:00pm Downtown Bel Air, Office Street, Bel Air, MD Free outdoor celebration of live music downtown; beer & wine garden; refreshments; merchants participating with Specials. See more at: http://www.harfordmd.com/event/First-Fridays-in-Bel-Air-2/2013-08-02#sthash.404Ls1Bo.dpuf

Outdoor Movies at Shamrock Park

August 2, 2013 6:00pm 10:00pm Shamrock Park, Hickory Avenue and Lee Way, Bel Air, MD Great family outing - bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Popcorn. Check Bel Air Downtown Alliance website http://www.downtownbelair.com or Facebook page for movie selection on scheduled date.

Saint Marys Episcopal 9th Annual Peach Festival

August 3, 2013 11:00am 2:00pm St. Marys Church, 1 St. Marys Church Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 A fun-filled day for the whole family. There will be Brooms Bloom ice cream, pit ham and pit beef, face painting, an awesome raffle, church tours, country fair games, vendors, Susquehanna Orchard Peaches, and fresh homemade baked goods. More info. at http://www.harfordmd.com/event/St.-Marys-Peach-Festival-2/2013-08-03#sthash.N0wCeukh.dpuf

Walk-In Computer Instruction at the Library

August 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2013 2:00pm 4:00pm Abingdon Public Library. Learn basic computer skills and web search techniques to boost your know-how. All ages.
More info at: http://www.harfordneighbors.net/index.php?section=6&id=4762&date=2013-08-07#sthash.RTBWbQvZ.dpuf

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Maryland State BBQ Bash

August 9 & 10, 2013 Free Admission 4:00pm 10:00pm Downtown Bel Air Live music, top quality BBQ, sponsor displays, crafters, merchant vendors, Farmers Market, and children's entertainment, not to mention the County's biggest beer and wine garden. More info at http://www.mdbbq.com

Live Concert Featuring the Oak Ridge Boys

August 9, 2013 6:30pm Tydings Park on the Water, 300 Commerce Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 The Oak Ridge Boys are making ready to mark 40 years of their phenomenal musical journey and international success.
More info at www.hdgseafoodfestival.org

Outdoor Movies: Escape from Planet Earth

August 16, 2013 6:30pm Free Admission and Free Popcorn Grab the kids and pack your blankets for great family friendly entertainment with movies under the stars at Shamrock Park, brought to you by Katzen Eye Group!

Abingdon Community Council Meeting

August 26, 2013 6:30pm 7:30pm Abingdon Community Council meets on the 4th Monday of each month at the Abingdon Public Library from 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. Public invited! abingdoncc@gmail.com

EdgeWoodstock
August 31, 2013 10:00am 6:00pm Free Admission Edgewood Recreation Park, 1702 Trimble Road, Edgewood. A variety of musical acts will perform, including rock, pop, jazz and Christian artists. There will also be assorted vendors of food, crafts, jewelry and other items. Activities for children will be available and area youths will be performing music and other talents. 410.679.0473
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August Meeting:
Abingdon Community Council
August 26, 2013 at the Abingdon Public Library 6:30pm 7:30pm 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD

Andrew Nau, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator with Abingdon Fire Company.

Special Guest: Topic:

Raising awareness about the Abingdon Fire Company

Members:
Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Carlin Cook Earl Grey Gregory A. Beaty Joan Hamilton Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver

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