Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Have a Ball This Holiday Season in Downtown Westminster Maryland!
Monday, November 01, 2010
November 29, 2008 Westminster Christmas Parade judging sheet results
Sunday, October 31, 2010
This years Westminster MD Christmas parade will be held November 27, 2010
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Shop with a Cop events planned for Dec 12
WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
36 LOCUST STREET
WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
410-848-4646
JEFFREY SPAULDING
CHIEF OF POLICE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2009
On December 12, 2009 at 7:30 a.m., the Westminster Police Department in conjunction with the Westminster Wal-Mart will be hosting our 6th Annual “Shop With A Cop” Program.
The “Shop With A Cop” program originated in 1978 as a way to give deserving children an opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for their family members.
The program also gives children the opportunity to meet and spend time with police officers in a positive and non-confrontational environment.
Our “Shop With A Cop” celebration will take place at the Westminster Wal-Mart which is located at 280 Woodward Road, Westminster, Maryland.
The children selected will be teamed with a Police Department employee to pick out gifts for the holiday season. Wal-Mart will be providing gift cards in order for the children to purchase their holiday gifts.
After our shopping is completed, everyone will return to the Westminster Senior Center where we will wrap those gifts that were purchased.
Following the gift-wrapping, the Police Department will be hosting a holiday party from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Westminster Senior Center for all participating families to attend.
Additionally, a visit from Santa will take place during the holiday party.
Over 90 local businesses have made a donation to support the “Shop With A Cop” program. Approximately 300 “Angels” were purchased by the citizens of Carroll County.
These gifts will be distributed to the children and their families
Please contact Sgt. Keith Benfer at (410) 857-9282 with any questions.
########################
MEDIA CONTACT
Sgt. Keith Benfer
Community Education Section
Westminster Police Department
36 Locust Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
(410) 857-9282
20091202 sdosm Shop with a Cop events planned for Dec 12
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A reprint of “Let’s bring back the Westminster Christmas Parade”
As I am certain you are aware, it is only 284 days until Christmas. But even more importantly, there are only 262 days until the Westminster Christmas Parade on December 3rd, 2005. Please mark this date on your calendar now, so you do not miss all the fun with your friends and neighbors.
In keeping with the theme; “Westminster An Excellent Experience”, The Greater Westminster Development Corporation (GWDC), along with the City of Westminster and the Main Street Program are reviving an old Westminster Christmas tradition; the Christmas Parade.
“In order for an individual or an organization to remain vibrant, relevant and meaningful, it must constantly reinvent itself.”
Community leaders such as former Councilmember Sam Greenholtz, now Chair of the GWDC Board of Directors; Kathy O’Dell, Chair of the GWDC Downtown Main Street Promotions Committee; Lori Graham, President of the GWDC; Missie Wilcox; Sandy Scott; Lynn Aaron and Ron Schroers have rolled up their sleeves to plan this excellent experience.
It is yet another reminder that Westminster’s greatest resource is our human resource. The creative dreamers and dream keepers who are constantly thinking out of the box, with one eye on our past successes and a focus on the future, providing our community with the leadership to maintain “Westminster As An Experience”.
There are many resources that has made Westminster successful for 240 years, including our beautiful historic downtown, family oriented businesses and friendly shopkeepers, our new parking garages, Carroll Arts Center, and the Westminster Family Center in the old Armory Building.
The glue that puts all this together for a quality of life much greater than the sum of its parts are the dream keepers who roll up their sleeves and say let’s get it done.
Last Christmas, we moved the Community Christmas Tree and Santa to Locust Lane in the heart of the downtown shopping district. This year, the GWDC, and downtown merchants, are planning events, starting with the Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26th and continuing throughout the week until the parade at 4:00 PM on Saturday the 3rd of December and Starlight Shopping when merchants and restaurants have specials and remain open late for shoppers.
Over fifty years ago, Christmas tradition in Westminster included a parade and shopping downtown with the family. In those days, the downtown-shopping district included East Green Street, West and East Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Some of the many shops and businesses on Pennsylvania Avenue included, Earhart Motors, O’Farrell Brothers Pontiac, The Avenue Barber Shop, Westminster TV and Radio Shop, Carroll Electric Service, Dutty’s Beauty Salon, Everhart’s Barber Shop, Wine’s Sports Shop, and Wilson’s Garage to name just a few.
Moreover, who can forget the huge toy department in Hollander’s Auto Store, Bobby’s Hobby Lobby, Rosenstock’s Ladies’ Shop, Gehr’s Hardware Store, The Treat Shop, and the Bixler and Guild Drug Store on Main Street.
The early parades marched west along Main Street to the “Forks” at Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue where Santa Claus had his “temporary residence”. The jolly old fellow recently moved to Locust Lane, along with the Westminster Community Christmas Tree.
Main Street was decorated with large colored light bulbs that were strung on both sides of the street as well as across the street at various points. These strands were covered with live holly that had been meticulously wrapped around the wiring.
The Democratic Advocate on December 26, 1947 describes the parade with the “city’s two bands”, the American Legion, and the 29th Division Association. Christmas carols, led by Kale Mathias, were sung by the community. Santa often rode on a float, but was also know to come to town on a fire truck.
This year’s parade will be reminiscent of those former parades. Participants will include bands, antique cars, fire trucks and floats.
Businesses are encouraged to provide a float depicting their business and the holiday spirit. The merchants from the TownMall, Westminster Crossing and other areas are invited to participate and call attention to the many fine products that they too offer.
Of course, Santa Claus will be the featured guest as he is welcomed to Westminster while riding in a horse drawn carriage. Store windows will be decorated and musical groups will be strolling the streets to entertain both young and old.
While much of the program revolves around the downtown merchants, you should know that the GWDC represents all of the greater Westminster environs and this event is one of many excellent experiences promoting shopping in all of the Westminster area.
The GWDC was created in 1994 as a private public partnership of business and city leaders to work together cooperatively to maintain and further a positive business environment in Westminster.
Planning for the parade has already begun in earnest and sponsors, at various levels are welcome to help finance the project. More information can be obtained from Sam Greenholtz or calling the Westminster Main Street Program Manger, Stan Ruchlewicz at (410) 848-5294. And keep your hot chocolate at the ready.
Note: This is an earlier longer version of a column originally published in the Westminster Advocate on March 16, 2005
Also a shorter version was published on “Soundtrack” here: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2005/03/20050316-bring-back-westminster.html
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/11/reprint-of-lets-bring-back-westminster.html http://tinyurl.com/yhysm8f
Santa Claus is greeted by Westminster mayor in undated old picture
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/rfk1m - click “View full size” http://twitpic.com/rfk1m/full or go here here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/261828133/santa-claus-is-greeted-by-westminster-mayor
This is an undated photograph from the very early 1960s or 1950s, from old family papers. The photographer is unknown.
The gentlemen in the picture have been identified as best as possible. If someone believes that anyone has been misidentified, please be in touch. And of course, if any one knows the names of any the folks who are unidentified, that would be great.
Left to right in the front: 1 unidentified child; 2 immediately to Santa’s right, our left, is Andy Dietrich, the manager of Coffman Fisher; 3 Santa Claus was probably Kale Mathias; 4 Mayor Joseph L. Mathias is shaking hands with Santa Claus; 5 behind the handshake is Paul Wimert, the husband of Gladys Wimert and the manager of Mather’s.
In the back is 6, Harry Starr, standing behind Andy Dietrich. He was the manager of Gorsuch and Little. 7 is the gentleman who is pictured with glasses, but without a hat and he is unidentified. 8 the gentleman who is almost obscured by Santa Claus is, unfortunately also unidentified; and 9 is Atlee Wampler, representing the Retail Merchants Association.
Up through at least 1947, the city’s Christmas festivities took place at the forks at West Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue; which at the time was considered to be the center of the downtown business district.
Mayor Mathias died in office on December 3, 1963 after serving in office continuously since May 18, 1942. Santa’s House in this picture is located on Main Street in what was then-Locust Lane, beside 41 East Main Street.
A portion of this information came from an interview of Mr. David Babylon, Jr., by Kevin Dayhoff on January 20, 2002. Mr. Babylon served on the Westminster Common Council from Westminster City Council May 11, 1964 to May 19, 1989.
[sdosm 20091128: 19600000s early xmas santa locust la old w names]
http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2009/11/santa-claus-is-greeted-by-westminster.html http://tinyurl.com/yb26gow
http://twitpic.com/rfk1m
http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/261828133/santa-claus-is-greeted-by-westminster-mayor
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
Westminster MD Main Street Christmas Parade today
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Main St-Westminster
Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Parade, Annual Christmas Westminster, Westminster File community events, Westminster File community news
The “Miracle on Main Street” Holiday Event is Saturday, November 28th
Festivities will abound in Downtown Westminster on Saturday, November 28th. Stroll downtown early and try to figure out which decorated storefront will win this year’s Mayor’s Cup while grabbing a bite to eat.
Root for your favorite runner, as the Wishbone Mile takes to the streets of downtown. Sponsored by The Women’s Initiative Supporting Health (WISH) at the Carroll Hospital Center, this one mile fundraiser will occur at 4:45 p.m., just prior to the holiday parade.
And, what a parade it will be! Catch Westminster’s first ever Holiday Electric Light Parade at 5:00 p.m.
More than 50 themed floats with at least 2,000 lights on each will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street to Longwell Avenue.
Immediately following the parade, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and awarding of The Mayor’s Cup will occur at the Locust Lane Stage.
Join Mayor Kevin Utz, Santa Claus and the Westminster Municipal Band, as they sing carols, award the Mayor’s Cup for the best decorated holiday storefront in Downtown Westminster and light the City Tree.
Santa’s Treat, a children’s event that includes children’s rides, games, prizes and, of course, Santa, will be held at the Westminster Family Fitness Center (Old Armory) following the Tree Lighting. Downtown shops will stay open until 10:00 p.m. that evening, as they hold their annual Starlight Shopping event.
Closing out the event will be the Grand Prize Drawings of the Holiday Giveaway at 9:00 p.m. More information on this great day will be forthcoming in the next issue of the Main Street News.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff#/event.php?eid=210839953763&ref=mf
20091128 Main Street News Miracle on Main Street
Miracle on Main Street in Westminster MD
Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3647/miracle-main-street/ 11/22/09 http://tinyurl.com/yz6gq3m
Related – Be sure to read: That Holiday Glow, by Katie V. JonesPosted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3643/glow/ 11/22/09 in Westminster Eagle - Westminster plugs into the season with first-ever Holiday Electric Parade
The Miracle on Main Street holiday event will be held throughout the day Saturday, Nov. 28, in Westminster.
Festivities begin with children carnival rides, 1-9 p.m. on the parking lot off Locust Street on the north side of Main Street.
At 2:30 p.m., the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., will host a free Laurel & Hardy Film Festival. The films will conclude before 4:45 p.m. for the start of the Wishbone Mile benefit run, which benefits the Women's Initiative Supporting Health program.
Then, Santa will arrive during the Holiday Electric Parade at 5 p.m. The parade, which will follow Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street to Longwell Avenue, includes 50 lighted floats, marching bands, horses, cars, marching units and Santa Claus.
Then, at Locust Lane Park after the parade, Mayor Kevin Utz, Santa and the crowd will light the city's Christmas tree while the Westminster Municipal Band will play holiday carols. Santa Claus will take up residence at his house on Distillery Drive after the tree-lighting ceremony.
Westminster's Recreation and Parks Department will host Santa's Treat in the gym at the Westminster Family Fitness Center (Old Armory), 11 Longwell Ave., at 6:30 p.m., with free games, crafts, activities and prizes.
And "Starlight Shopping" will be held 5-10 p.m. in many of downtown Westminster's shops and restaurants. At 9 p.m., a drawing for Holiday Shopping Spree winners will occur on the steps of the Family Fitness Center. People can register through Nov. 27 at participating stores.
The events are sponsored by the City of Westminster and the Greater Westminster Development Corporation's Main Street Committee.
20091122 sdosm Miracle on Main Street
@CarrollEagle Miracle on Main Street in Westminster MD http://tinyurl.com/yz6gq3m
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
That Holiday Glow by Katie Jones
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Shop With A Cop starts another season
36 LOCUST STREET
WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
410-848-4646
JEFFREY SPAULDING
CHIEF OF POLICE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://tinyurl.com/ylonx69 Also http://tinyurl.com/yzfyobe
November 3, 2009
Help others have a Brighter Holiday Season!
The Westminster Police Department, Westminster Wal-Mart and other sponsors will be seeking donations for the Shop With A Cop Angel Tree again this year.
The unveiling of the tree will be on November 5, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. at the Westminster Wal-Mart, located on Woodward Drive in Westminster, Maryland. The tree will be decorated with gift tags to help less fortunate local residents have a brighter holiday season.
The gift tags range in price from ten dollars on up and shoppers are asked to selected a tag from the Shop With A Cop Angel Tree as they enter the Westminster Wal-Mart.
Local families experiencing economic hardships can’t always provide their children with their own celebration of Christmas.
The Shop With a Cop program joins these underprivileged children with Westminster Police Officers, providing the children with money to shop for Christmas presents for their families.
The Westminster Police Department provides breakfast, shopping at Wal-Mart, and then the children go to the Westminster Senior Center to wrap their gifts and enjoy lunch with their family.
For more information please contact:
Sgt. Keith Benfer, Westminster Police Department 410-857-9282
Linda Knott, Westminster Police Department, 410-848-4646
Karen Bullock, Westminster Police Department, 410-857-9821
Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding joined Wal Mart store manager Harry Anuszewski and Wal Mart employee, Debbie Sabock on Friday, November 16, 2007 to kick off the 4th annual "Shop With A Cop" Christmas program. http://www.kevindayhoff.net/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h8-UCXul1I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h8-UCXul1I http://tinyurl.com/yzfyobe
Westminster MD Police Shop With A Cop Angel Tree to be unveiled Nov 5, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/ylonx69 Also http://tinyurl.com/yzfyobe
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
As Santa hits the road, fire department is a driving force
Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff AT carr.org Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 12/24/08
Tonight's the night when all good little boys and girls go to bed and lay awake listening for Santa Claus.
Last week I had the opportunity to witness Santa Claus making an exploratory visit to town, aboard on a Westminster Volunteer Fire Department fire engine.
Many volunteer fire departments have the tradition of traveling through Carroll County communities with Santa Claus freezing his buns off on top of a piece of fire fighting apparatus.
It is an event to behold.
I'm not sure which is the better Kodak moment: seeing little children throughout town totally transfixed on the apparition of Santa Claus coming down the street on a fire engine or watching big burly firefighters get all sappy, mushy and sentimental about making children smile for Christmas.
I believe in Santa Claus, especially having met him personally. But I've never been able to solve the mystery of why it is that when Santa is around, I can never find Tom Hyde, Scott Clendaniel, Chris Cull or Gil Roper. I suppose they must be his regular "drivers."
At any rate, traveling through town for several hours, Hyde was all smiles as Roper, Cull, and Clendaniel traded their favorite "Santa Claus detail" stories over hot soup prepared by Santa helpers Brenda Roper and Anita Kronk.
One of the tales included the time the fire engine happened upon a traffic accident and Santa Claus came running up to aid the driver of one of the cars involved in the mishap. Recalled Hyde:
"I thought the woman was going to faint as she looked up and there was Santa Claus to help her ... She said she knew she was shaken up (by the accident) but couldn't understand why Santa Claus was there. ..."
Santa said his favorite place in town to visit was up by McDaniel College when the co-eds are in town. I can only be sure it's because Santa really appreciates young folks engaged in scholarly endeavors.
The cold and occasional emergency response aren't the only challenges of riding around town shouting Merry Christmas. It seems that the job also involves getting to know where all the low wires and tree limbs are.
In any given year, the Westminster volunteers distribute around 2,000 candy canes, which presents the real Christmas mystery -- how moms and dads manage to get their children to bed after seeing Santa Claus and topping off the evening with a few candy canes.
Unfortunately, this year's bad weather kept the fire department from spreading holiday good cheer for as many evenings as they would have liked.
It seems reindeer can go anywhere in icy-rainy weather, but taking fire engines that cost several hundred thousand dollars out in bad weather for anything but an emergency response is bad form.
Moving on from one wonderful holiday tradition to another; Christmas Eve is when many families decorate their Christmas tree.
The other day I found an explanation as to why a Christmas tree is better than a man:
A Christmas tree requires very little maintenance, just a little water and they're happy.
A Christmas tree smells better and it takes up less room. It adds charm to a home and never whines.
And a Christmas tree doesn't get mad if you bust its ... (ahem) ornaments.
Merry Christmas from all of us at The Westminster Eagle.
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr.org.
http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/1904/santa-hits-road-fire-department-driving-force/
20081224 WE As Santa hits the road fire department is a driving force weked
Kevin Dayhoff E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org His columns appear in The Tentacle, http://www.thetentacle.com/; The Westminster Eagle /Eldersburg Eagle The Sunday Carroll Eagle - Opinion: http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 http://picasaweb.google.com/kevindayhoff
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff
December 14, 2008 – posted (finally) on December 18, 2008
This time of year, we can't get enough Christmas music, or eggnog
Published December 14, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
EAGLE ARCHIVE The Christmas season means different things to different folks. I have many great childhood Christmas memories of growing up in Westminster. I'm biased of...
Shop Carroll for that hippopotamus this Christmas
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster certainly loves to pull out all the stops for the holiday season. This year is certainly no exception. The weekend after Thanksgiving featured the...
Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade
Published December 10, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
... but here are entries the judges liked best Westminster's annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular "winners" in...
Everyone's a winner at the Westminster Holiday Parade ...
Published December 5, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Westminster’s annual Holiday Parade was a great time for all. Judges said determining particular “winners†in various parade categories was difficult because everyone — the...
In the end, Rutherford Hayes had the croquet balls to be president
Published December 4, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
For this Sunday's column, let's keep it light. May we discuss croquet? At my age, croquet is about as close to a contact sport as...
Luebberman marks 20 years with Westminster Fire Dept.
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Kevin Dayhoff kdayhoff@carr.org Cake and stories were served Nov. 22 as about 30 members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the John Street firehouse...
Letters
Published December 3, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
Dayhoff right to lament loss of Pour House on Main St. I just wanted to say "BRAVO" to Kevin Dayhoff regarding his recent column in...
One turkey leg, early Thanksgivings and a pair of President Harrisons
Published November 30, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
We certainly hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are now enthroned upon the couch, watching football and relaxing with a pair of birds: a...
Waist is a terrible thing to mind
Published November 24, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it because it will be the first holiday in which my extended family gets...
Turkey, stuffing, illegal radios and rowdy college kids
Published November 23, 2008 by Sunday Carroll Eagle
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and we at The Eagle hope you have a great turkey-day with lots of food, friends and family. Perhaps because of our...
http://explorecarroll.com/search/more.php?f=news&p=1&s=Dayhoff
20081214 Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff
Thursday, November 27, 2008
David Corbin’s Studio 270
November 27, 2008
I am familiar with the work of Mr. Corbin and Studio 270 and it is excellent.
This Christmas and Hanukkah, it is more important than ever that folks shop close to home in Carroll County.
Mr. Corbin writes:
Hello, Happy Holidays from STUDIO 270. Here's a fun ideal! While your family's home for the holidays. Bring them in for a unique family portrait. Imagine a beautiful beach portrait at sunset or with fall leaves. All in the comfort of my virtual background studio plus instant proofs.
Call now for a “creative” appointment that fits your schedule, and please tell a friend. 410-876-2703
Thank you, David Corbin portraitstudio270@verizon.net
20081126 David Corbin Studio 270
Friday, December 21, 2007
20071220 Westminster Eagle columns from Nov 28 through Dec 19
Kevin E. Dayhoff Thursday, December 20
Reaching out to the troops is a mission with 'evergreen' appeal
12/19/07 By Kevin E. Dayhoff
Early this month, on Dec. 1, more than 300 volunteers gathered at the Carroll County Ag Center for Operation Christmas Tree to pack 5,000 live decorated Christmas trees for the troops in
I had only been in the 40'-by-60' tent (supplied by Kay-Lyns Party Rental), for minutes when one voluntee...
[Read full story]
Greeting the Ghosts of Christmas TV past
12/12/07 by Kevin E. Dayhoff
Christmas, as much as any holiday, is a time for childhood memories.
For many baby-boomers, television has always served as an early warning system that the holiday is rapidly advancing. Whether it is the plethora of consumer-oriented commercials or Christmas holiday specials, most everyone's chil... [Read full story]
Singing with one voice for a worthy cause
11/28/07 by Kevin E. Dayhoff
On Nov. 17, members of our community packed St. John Catholic Church to hear the talented and beautiful voices of artists who came together and donated their time for our community -- and for a worthy cause.
Musical groups including the McDaniel College Madigal Singers, Old Line Statesmen Barber S... [Read full story]
Monday, December 10, 2007
30071210 Westminster Fire Department Santa Claus Detail
Westminster Fire Department Santa Claus Detail
December 10 thru December 13
18:30 til 20:30
During the week of December 10-13, Santa will be visiting the
Location Schedule
Monday, December 10, 2007
Greens of Westminster Westminster City (in town area)
Avondale Run Snowdens Manor
Furnace Hills
Stone Ridge Overlook Middlebrook
Whispering Farms
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Cliveden Reach Diamond Hills
Meadow Creek (across from Safeway)
Autumn Ridge
Brunetto Acres Friendship Overlook
Mary Dell
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Foxcroft
Kalten Acres Calvins
Windmere Acres