Rising number of Latinos spurs English language debate in Carroll County By Julie Scharper, The Baltimore Sun

Rising number of Latinos spurs English language debate in Carroll County -

Hispanic population, though still relatively small, has more than tripled since 2000 By Julie Scharper, The Baltimore Sun October 6, 2012

Adrian Barrera leads a crew of migrant farm workers from Mexico who pick apples at Baugher Farms. The migrants work on the farm for 8 months out of the year, then move on to work somewhere else or return to their native country until the next growing season. (Barbara Haddock Taylor, The Baltimore Sun / October 6, 2012)

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/bs-md-ca-latinos-in-carroll-20121006,0,4715149,full.story

Amid the quaint brick storefronts of Westminster's Main Street, Lily's Mexican Market sells Virgin of Guadalupe statues, sacks of dried beans and paddle-shaped cactus leaves. A mile away, the aisles of Las Palmeras grocery store are stocked with Salvadoran cheeses and pastries. A nearby Catholic church draws more than 200 people to a Spanish Mass each Sunday.

Mexican and Central American immigrants have flocked to Carroll County over the past decade, drawn by pastures and orchards that remind them of the rural villages in which they were raised. Some followed family members here; others sought to live among those who share their traditional values. Many say they felt welcome here, at least until a commissioner began a push to make English the county's official language… http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/bs-md-ca-latinos-in-carroll-20121006,0,4715149,full.story

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Also see related:

Hearing on county's English language bill set for Oct. 30

October 20, 2012 http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-newsbriefs-1021-20121020,0,1472763.story

The Board of County Commissioners will hold its public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 30, regarding the proposal to designate English as the official language of Carroll County.

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the New Windsor Community Building, Community Meeting Room, 1100 Green Valley Road, New Windsor.

This ordinance, if passed, would recognize English as the language in which all official county business will be conducted.

The ordinance, as proposed, can be read HERE

For commentary on the proposed ordinance, from an historic point of view, by Kevin Dayhoff, go to: Eagle Archive: Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/8hvbfy2

Press 1 for German http://tinyurl.com/8hvbfy2 http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2012/10/eagle-archive-strictly-speaking.html

By Kevin Dayhoff October 20, 2012 http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1021-20121020,0,7714126.story

Labels: Carroll Co Commissioners, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Diversity, Diversity Hispanic, English only

In October 1833, in the area we now know as Carroll County, a vote was taken as to whether or not we should form a new county in Maryland from portions of Baltimore and Frederick counties.

A bill authorizing the vote passed the General Assembly on March 2, 1833, according to "Carroll County Maryland, A History 1837-1976," by Nancy Warner, and "Advocates of the new county sprang into action" to help promote the vote.

They formed committees to write pamphlets containing arguments advocating a vote in favor of a new county. Several of my ancestors, the Warfields were members of this committee.

Some of the pamphlets were even printed in English — a special consideration, since the predominant language in Carroll County at the time was German.

Anecdotal accounts indicate that German was the predominant language in Carroll up to around the time of the Civil War, especially in the northern and western portions of the county… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1021-20121020,0,7714126.story

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

20080709 Excavation for historic Hoff Memorial Log Barn will begin next week

Excavation for the relocated historic Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn will begin next week

Related: Agriculture History Hoff Memorial Log Barn Carroll Co. MD

Below is a press release on behalf of the Hoff Memorial Barn Steering Committee:

News Release
For Immediate Release

July 9, 2008 – Excavation for the relocated historic Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn will begin next week, weather permitting, at the Carroll County Farm Museum.

Excavation and site preparation by C. J. Miller will be followed by construction of the stone foundation approximately a week later.

An observation area has been set up for interested people who want to view the work between the hours of 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. daily, weather permitted. Observers are asked to stay in the designated area, which is posted with signs. Parking will be in the regular museum parking lot.

There may be a delay between the completion of the site preparation and the beginning of the stone foundation, due to contractor schedules.

The circa 1794 barn is made of hand-hewn log beams joined without nails or attachments. It is being dismantled at its original location outside of New Windsor, Maryland, and rebuilt as part of a permanent historic exhibit at the Carroll County Farm Museum. The Farm Museum is located at 500 South Center Street in Westminster, Maryland.

For more information, contact Bob Jones at 410-848-7687.
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20080709 Excavation for historic Hoff Memorial Log Barn will begin next week

20071213 Hoff Barn press conference

Hoff Barn press conference

December 10, 2007 Media Advisory

For more information on the Hoff Barn: Hoff Barn - Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn in Carroll Co. MD

For a YouTube video of the barn in its current location…

20070608 Hoff Barn 1

What: Press conference to announce a major step in the historic Hoff Log Barn relocation project

Where: Carroll County Farm Museum

When: 9 a.m. Thursday, December 13

Details: The Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn stood for more than two centuries on a farm outside of New Windsor, Maryland. It is a rare example of 18th century craftsmanship, constructed of hand-hewn log beams that are joined without nails or other attachment. The Maryland Historical Trust calls the barn “one of the most significant farm buildings in Carroll County.”

The circa 1794 barn will be dismantled and rebuilt as part of the permanent historical exhibits at the Carroll County Farm Museum. The $400,000 cost to move the barn is being raised through private donations.

Directions: From Baltimore, take Interstate 695 (Beltway) to Exit 19 (Interstate 795). Follow I-795 north to Maryland Route 140 west. At Center Street, turn left and go one mile. The Farm Museum is at 500 South Center Street.

From Westminster, from Route 140, turn onto Center Street. Follow the road for one mile. The Farm Museum is at 500 South Center Street.

For more information, contact: Bob Jones, Chairman

Hoff Memorial Barn Steering Committee

410-848-7687

20071213 Hoff Barn press conference

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20070621 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 21^st, 2007

Local News

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News Briefs

By Kevin Dayhoff

City takes delivery of new diesel dump truck

Last Friday, instead of getting an early start on the weekend, many employees of the Westminster Street Department hung around the shop a few minutes after work.

They were waiting with anticipation for the expected delivery of a new, 2007 10-ton Inter...

[…]

The $125,400 truck replaces a vehicle that was 13 or 14 years old. The new truck was included in the fiscal year budget that will end June 30 and came-in $10,000 under budget, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We worked carefully with Bare Truck Center, used the state bidding contract, ordered it early, and saved the city money," said Bloom.

[…]

[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

I recently had the opportunity to visit Carroll County's historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn, which was built between 1785 and 1795.

Those accompanying me included Community Media Center videographers Joe Cimino and Rod Boudreaux, who are planning an educational video of the barn and its relocation t...

[…]

These two talented artists have completed a number of great documentaries, including recent videos on the work of the Westminster Municipal Band and the Carroll County Children's Chorus.

[…]

Who could deny the appeal of a dancing chorus line including Dave Roush, County Chief of Staff Steve Powell and Commissioner Dean Minnich singing "Our Barn" to the tune of Petula Clark's hit, "Downtown?"

[…]

[Read full story]

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Mom is the law

Prior to six months ago, Elizabeth Duvall of Westminster could be found driving her two sons around in her minivan.

While she still drives her family around in a minivan, Duvall's driving techniques have been "tweaked" a bit after attending the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission Academy in Sykesville.

Last Friday, Duvall graduated with the academy's latest class, and was recognized as the top driver of emergency vehicles.

"They would tease me that I probably don't drive my minivan the same way," Duvall laughed of her classmates' comments.

But she added ...
[Read full story]

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Airport groups vow to continue opposition
Despite last week's approval by the Carroll's Board of County Commissioners to expand the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport, citizen groups say they will continue to oppose the issue as it enters its next phase -- a two-year environmental study.

The results of the study could still halt th...
[Read full story]

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Family that plays, stays together

Ken, Stephanie and Ryan Koons have turned their love for music into a family affair.

The husband, wife and son trio, known as Wherligig, will perform traditional Celtic and Nordic music in celebration of the Summer Solstice this Thursday, June 21, at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.

Initially formed in 1985, Wherligig has evolved over the years in the type of music the group plays, the instruments they use and the members who play in the band.

Ken and Stephanie have been the core of the band since its inception, and several years ago son Ryan joined them to make it a...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs

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Main Street Minute
Turn up the heat for a new summer look

It's the first week of summer vacation and the transition from spring fashions to summer flip flops has begun.

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your summer look without venturing too far from home, just take a walking, shopping tour of Downtown West...
[Read full story]

Recreation

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Sideline View

Athletes offered a banner year in Carroll County

It wasn't long ago that Carroll County was barely a factor when it came to state high school championships.

With the significant population boom of the past 15 years and the accompanying growth of youth feeder programs throughout the county, Carroll's high school teams started to become more competitive.

County programs took another huge step during the 2006 -07 school year, as five of seven Carroll high schools won state titles.

The run began in the fall, when the Francis Scott Key boys cross country team won the Class 2A...
[Read full story]

Opinion

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Familiar face at police barrack is benefit for Carroll County
Editorial

One of the first moves for the new Maryland State Police Superintendent Terrance Sheridan was a welcome one for Carroll County.

Last week Sheridan announced that he was reinstating longtime Westminster Barrack commander Lt. Dean Richardson to that post.

Richardson has been the comman...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

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It's all over but the shouting, unless there's a legal battle
When Commissioner Michael Zimmer voted against the expansion of the Carroll County airport last week, my faith in human nature was renewed. I remember clearly who was holding up his signs on election day.

Now that the expansion has been included in the airport's master plan, there's still much to ...
[Read full story]

The Passing Parade

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There's a full house in the theater of the absurd ...
And it's little wonder, what with the series of absurdities that have dominated the media lately.

On center stage -- where I fear she'll remain until she's either carried off in a straight jacket or loses her girlish figure -- is that living Barbie doll, Paris Hilton, who was born into a fortune a...
[Read full story]

Healthy Recipe
Appealing taste comes from fresh bananas

This week's recipe focuses on the good health and taste of bananas, and is provided by JaDenna Jones, Health Educator and Cessation Coordinator for the Carroll County Health Department.

Discovered by Alexander the Great on his conquest of India in 327 B.C...
[Read full story]

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20070616 Petula Clark, Commissioner Minnich, Steve Powell, and Dave Roush sing “Our Barn.”

Petula Clark, Commissioner Minnich, Steve Powell, and Dave Roush sing “Our Barn.”

Saturday evening, June 16^th, 2007

I just filed my next Westminster Eagle column and in it Commissioner Dean Minnich, commissioners’ chief of staff Steve Powell, and Dave Roush are speculated as dancing in a chorus line singing “Our Barn” to the tune of Petula Clark’s November 1964 hit, “Downtown”

Hmmm.

Well, you should have read the first draft… Enough said.

This week’s column will be on the continuing efforts to relocate the historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn to the Carroll County Farm Museum.

Meanwhile, for the younger folks reading the blog, this is Petula Clark singing her November 1964 hit, “Downtown:”

Here – you can sing along with the lyrics:

DOWNTOWN lyrics

And for a bonus, here’s “Petula Clark - This Is My Song”

I had wanted to post “Don’t Sleep in the Subway Darling,” but came across this and liked the video better...

An intelligent comment noted, “this song was originally written for the feature film "A Countess From Hong Kong" (starring Sophia Loren & Marlon Brando), with music and lyrics by Charlie Chaplin, who produced and directed the movie as well [his final film]. This performance came from "THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE" around the time the film was first released, in January 1967.”

Oh what the heck… here’s Don’t Sleep in the Subway Darling

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Ag History Carroll Co, Ag History Hoff Log Barn, Art Music qv Music, Carroll Co Commissioners, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, History Ag Carroll Co, Newspapers Westminster Eagle, People Roush David

20060926 Kelsey Volkmann on the Hoff Barn

Kelsey Volkmann on the Hoff Barn

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff September 26th, 2006

Last Friday I missed a nice piece by Kelsey Volkmann in the Baltimore Examiner on the Hoff Barn.

If you missed it: “Historic barn to be rebuilt at museum,” is yet another in a series community newspaper work by Kelsey Volkmann that is worth going out of your way to check out. I periodically do a search on “Volkmann” in the Examiner web site to be sure that I have not missed any of her work.

She begins her article: “Westminster - For more than two centuries, the Hoff barn withstood thunderstorms, blizzards and even a fad in the late 1800s to demolish structures like it because they were considered old-fashioned.

Now, the barn on a New Windsor dairy farm has survived long enough to become one of the oldest log barns in Maryland and earn a spot at the Carroll County Farm Museum, an architectural historian said.

“It’s a large part of what the county was and who the people were who came here. It’s like looking back in time,” said Ken Short, a former historian with the county who is writing a report for the museum on the barn.”

Be sure to read the rest of her piece here.

For past posts by me on the Hoff Barn go:

20060913 KDDC Hoff Memorial Barn ceremonial groundbreaking on ...

13 Sep 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

In the earlier KDDC piece on May 6th, 2006, titled “Historic Hoff Barn Relocation and ... Contributions can be mailed to “The Hoff Barn Project,” PO Box 124 ... Put the words, “The Hoff Barn Project” in the subject line. ...

20060506 Historic Hoff Barn Relocation and Restoration Solicitors ...

7 May 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Contributions can be mailed to “The Hoff Barn Project,” PO Box 124, Westminster, MD 21158. ... Put the words, “The Hoff Barn Project” in the subject line. ... Marlin K. Hoff ran Coldsprings Farms, the largest dairy operation in the ...

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20060913 Hoff Memorial Barn ceremonial groundbreaking on October 8, 2006

"The Hoff Barn"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff May 6, 2006

Hoff Memorial Barn ceremonial groundbreaking on October 8, 2006

Posted September 13^th, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Invitations have recently been mailed for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the “Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn.”

On Sunday, October 8 at 2 p.m., during the annual “Fall Harvest Days” at the Carroll County Farm Museum, our agricultural history and our modern-day celebration of that history will come together for a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for an important addition to the museum, the “Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn.”

According to the Carroll County Farm Museum web site: “Fall Harvest Days, the Farm Museum's oldest and second largest event, is held each October to celebrate the arrival of autumn. A fun day for the whole family, the two-day event features traditional autumn happenings which include apple butter making, scarecrow making workshops, threshing and shelling demonstrations, tractor and mule-pulled wagon rides, and much more.”

For more information on Fall Harvest Days, click here.

I have two pieces on the importance of this exciting project. One on KDDC and one in my regular column with the Westminster Eagle: “Hoff Log Barn is on the move to a future role recalling Carroll County's history.”

In the earlier KDDC piece on May 6^th, 2006, titled “Historic Hoff Barn Relocation and Restoration Solicitors Breakfast,” I tried to make as many folks as possible aware of this significant addition to the Carroll County Farm Museum.

“Bright and early Saturday morning, Caroline and I attended a fund raising “Solicitor’s Breakfast” for an important project to relocate and restore an historic circa 1795 old German log bank barn. Perhaps one of only two or three left in the country, the barn is to be relocated to the Carroll County Farm Museum, in Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland and restored.

“The Hoff Barn Project” is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all contributions are tax deductible. Contributions can be mailed to “The Hoff Barn Project,” P. O. Box 124, Westminster, MD 21158. For more information, e-mail me. Put the words, “The Hoff Barn Project” in the subject line.

One of the better articles about the project was written by Mary Gail Hare, a staff writer for the Baltimore Sun, on March 27, 2005.”

You can see Ms. Hare’s article in my May 6^th, 2006 KDDC post here.

In my regular column with the Westminster Eagle: “Hoff Log Barn is on the move to a future role recalling Carroll County's history,” I introduced the August 30^th, 2006 story of the Hoff Barn:

By 1798, the area of western Carroll County - between Big Pipe Creek and Westminster, had 10 brick, 13 stone and 248 log homes, according to Carol Lee's 1982 "Legacy of the Land."

It also had 218 log barns.

One of those log barns was probably what we now know as the "Hoff Log Barn," built between 1785 and 1795 in nearby New Windsor.

The Maryland Historical Trust boasts that Hoff Barn is "One of the most significant farm buildings in Carroll County."

Fast forward more than 200 years, and there are very few log barns left in Carroll County - or the nation, for that matter. Some published accounts report that there are, maybe, three log barns left in Carroll County today.

The present location of the Hoff barn is a farm that has been owned by the Hoff family since 1869.

For the past 40 years, Kathy and the late Marlin K. Hoff have operated one of the largest and most prestigious dairy operations in Maryland on this property.

Before Mr. Hoff passed away Nov. 28, 2004, he had gotten the idea from talking with fellow farmer and community leader, Melvin Baile Sr., that the barn needed to be donated and saved for future generations to appreciate.

What better place to showcase the barn, than re-locating the log structure to the Carroll County Farm Museum?”

Read the rest of my column here.

Even if you have never set foot on a farm in your life, the enjoyment of our Carroll County way of life has it roots in the Hoff Log Barn and this effort is important to you. Please make a financial contribution to help pay for this significant historical investment in our community.

For more information, contact Bob Jones at 410-848-7687 or Melvin Baile Sr. at 410-848-9589. Checks can mailed to: “Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn,” PO Box 124, Westminster, MD 21158.

Meanwhile, I’ll look forward to seeing you at the Farm Museum on October 8.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com

Agriculture

Volkmann watch

Hoff Barn - Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn in Carroll Co. MD,

20060830 Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn

Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn

By Kevin Dayhoff

August 23, 2006 – August 30, 2006

(Author’s note: This is an extended version of the column – “Hoff Log Barn is on the move to a future role recalling Carroll County's history,” which appeared in the Westminster Eagle on August 30^th, 2006 - -

< http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1210554&om=1> Kevin Dayhoff)

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If there were to be one word designated that could be used to describe why we have the quality of life and prosperity we enjoy in Carroll County, that word would be agriculture.

In my view, agriculture, the number one business in Carroll County is all too often taken for granted. Everyone wants to talk about the beautiful views and open spaces, but all too often it is treated like a red-haired step-child that is trotted out to be admired when convenient, but otherwise neglected.

Not only do most folks not understand the contemporary challenges of farming, but many folks are unaware of the history and tradition of agriculture in Carroll County.

By 1798, the area of western Carroll County, between Big Pipe Creek and Westminster, had ten brick, thirteen stone and 248 log homes, according to Carol Lee’s 1982 “Legacy of the Land.” It also had 218 log barns.

One of those log barns was probably what we now know as the “Hoff Log Barn,” which was built between 1785 and 1795 in nearby New Windsor.

Fast forward over 200 years later, there are very few log barns left in Carroll County – or the nation, for that matter. Some published accounts report that there are maybe three log barns left in Carroll County. The Maryland Historical Trust called the Hoff Barn “One of the most significant farm buildings in Carroll County.

The present location of the barn is a farm that has been owned by the Hoff family since 1869. For the last 40 years, Kathy and the late Marlin K. Hoff operated one of the largest and most prestigious dairy operations in Maryland on this property.

Before Mr. Hoff passed away November 28, 2004, he had gotten the idea from talking with fellow farmer and community leader, Melvin Baile Sr., that the barn needs to be donated and saved for many future generations to appreciate.

What better place to showcase the barn, than re-locating the log structure to our own Farm Museum?

The whole purpose of moving the Hoff Barn to the Farm Museum is not to go back in time, but to bring history to the present. In the present, the Farm Museum brings in much appreciated tourist dollars and an almost one-of-kind, resource to study the historic and economic foundation on which we have based our current quality of life.

While preserving agricultural land is an important task for Carroll County, what may be even more important is facilitating the vitality of the business of agriculture.

A key ingredient to educating the non-farming public on the complexity of the business of agriculture is the Carroll County Farm Museum.

One of the mid-Atlantic region’s greatest celebrations of this economic phenomena we call agriculture, is the Carroll County Farm Museum. The Farm Museum is a nationally recognized agricultural educational museum and tourist attraction. Additionally, the museum, along with its next door neighbors, the Agriculture Center and the Gesell property provide valuable open space surrounded by residential development in the greater Westminster area.

To this end, a committee has been formed, made up of a who’s–who list of future oriented community leaders, to raise the estimated $400,000 needed to relocate the barn to the Farm Museum.

Appropriately, no Carroll County taxpayer dollars are planned to be spent on re-locating the barn. It is up to us to fund the preservation of this incredible asset for many future generations to appreciate and study.

So after 200 years of contributing to the economic well-being of farming, the Hoff Log Barn is about play a new role in helping educate the public on the history and the complexities of the business of agriculture. A greater understanding of agriculture plants the proper seeds for future generations to continue to support the business of our front line of defending our quality of life in Carroll County.

On Sunday, October 8 at 2 p.m., during the annual “Fall Harvest Days,” at the Farm Museum, our agricultural history and our modern-day celebration of the history of farming will come together for a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for an important addition to the museum, the “Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn.”

Even if you have never set foot on a farm in your life, the enjoyment of our Carroll County way of life has it roots in the Hoff Log Barn.

As is also our history and tradition in Carroll County, the private sector is stepping up to provide an invaluable resource to our community.

The fundraising is off to a good start but more support is needed. For more information or to and arrange to make a financial contribution to help pay for this significant historical investment in our community, please contact Bob Jones at 410-848-7687 or Melvin Baile Sr. at 410-848-9589.

Checks can mailed to: Marlin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn, P. O. Box 124, Westminster, MD 21158.

Meanwhile, I’ll look forward to seeing you at the Farm Museum on October 8, 2006

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