Perry Hall news briefs
Tree lighting and Santa sighting
The Perry Hall Improvement Association (PHIA) and the Perry Hall Elementary School (PHES) announce that the annual community Christmas Tree ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 pm. As in years past, residents of the community and children and families associated with the school are encouraged to visit PHES for this special evening event.
Highlights will include traditional wintertime songs performed by the PHES 2nd Grade Vocal Music Group, and a special appearance by a true friend to young and old alike: Santa Claus. Additionally this year, the ceremony will pay special tribute to all the individuals from our community who are currently serving overseas in the armed forces. Specifically, the PHIA will be organizing an initiative to create unique ornaments to be displayed on the Perry Hall Community Christmas Tree.
Each ornament will denote the name of a community member who is serving our nation abroad. Members of the community are encouraged to share the names of family, friends, or other loved ones who are eligible for one of these ornaments, so that these special items can be prepared in advance. Please provide these names via e-mail to either Jeffrey Smith at jeffwsmith@verizon.net or Debbie Thomas at b2cdthomas@comcast.net.
Mansion reception, Dec. 11
The Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion announce that its first annual Holiday General Membership Reception will be held Dec. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. The purpose of this event is to allow the over 150 individual and family members of the organization to get together in a spirit of fun and fellowship, while also learning about the plans being finalized for the first full year of operations of the group, which will begin next year. Also, the final 2008 Action Plan for the organization will be unveiled.
Current members of the Friends of Perry Hall Mansion, as well as prospective members, are encouraged to attend this event. A range of refreshments will be available. In addition, a special charity raffle for the benefit of the Mansion will be held. To RSVP for this event and request all the information you will need in order to attend, please contact either Jeffrey Smith via e-mail at jeffwsmith@verizon.net or Ann Palrang via e-mail at annpalrang@msn.com.
PHIA against area slots
The Perry Hall Improvement Association’s Board of Directors has come out against any plans in the 2007 special session of the Maryland General Assembly to introduce a slots venue in northeastern Baltimore County.
“We are primarily concerned by the lack of public input,” wrote PHIA President David Marks in a press release. “Over the past four years, northeastern Baltimore County has never been seriously mentioned as an option for slots – until the past week.
“A slots venue would greatly impact the infrastructure and the character of our neighborhoods. This type of decision deserves open input from the community,” he wrote.
On an unrelated topic, PHIA has written to the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks in support of a new three-mile hiker/biker path that will connect Perry Hall, Linover, and Rossville. The Perry Hall Trail is the first segment in a regional trail network envisioned as part of the Eastern Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Plan.
Biz Association opts out of concert series
The Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association has withdrawn as members of the Greater Perry Hall Community Alliance, a partnership between the Perry Hall Improvement Association, the Woman’s Club of Perry Hall and the Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association created to organize the yearly concert series offered here.
In a letter to Alliance leaders, Business Association president Lynn Richardson wrote that “at this time, the activities of (the Alliance) do not fit into our goals.
“The Perry Hall/White Marsh Business Association wishes to focus on our primary mission of promoting business interests in the community of Perry Hall & White Marsh.”
The concerts won’t be affected, according to Alliance president Dennis Eckhard. The two remaining community organizations will each have two representatives on the Alliance board, as usual, and the rest of the board will be filled in with those interested in volunteering, he said.
Funding for the concerts comes from the participating organizations and from private donors, including area politicians and businesses.
– Cheryl Keffer