Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label History Westminster Recreation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History Westminster Recreation. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Recreation in Westminster always a hot topic during summer [Column]

Recreation in Westminster always a hot topic during summer [Column]

By Kevin E. Dayhoff, 6:00 a.m. EDT, July 18, 2014 Read more:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-0720-20140718,0,5480470.story

The City of Westminster and Carroll County's Department of Recreation and Parks have joined the National Recreation and Parks Association in celebrating National Recreation and Parks Month.

According to NRPA.org, the theme for this year's month-long celebration is "OUT is IN."

On April 7, 1922, the Democratic Advocate published an editorial about "Westminster and the recreation problem."

"Our fathers did not have recreational centers. Why should we have them now? Our fathers did not have telephones, automobiles, electric lights, rural free delivery of mails, and many other conveniences which we now enjoy. Shall we dispense with them because they were unknown to the previous generation?

"We cannot do business as our fathers did. Can we take our recreation as they did? In the early days work and play were combined. The men of a community would gather for 'clearing the new ground,' 'log rollings,' 'barn raisings.' 'harvesting parties' 'husking bees,' and the like.

"At the same time the women had their 'quilting parties' and did the cooking for the community feast. In the evening there were the community plays. Those days are gone never to return." ....

Read more:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archives-0720-20140718,0,5480470.story

Saturday, July 05, 2014

Westminster celebrates National Recreation and Parks Month

Westminster celebrates National Recreation and Parks Month

By Ericka Dixon Times Correspondent July 1, 2014 http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/cct-westminster-celebrates-national-recreation-and-parks-month-20140701,0,3158641.story

Come join the City of Westminster for a month outside during
July to celebrate National Recreation and Parks Month.

[…]

Planning months in advance, the committee that organizes the
event looks at current trends and considers community feedback to organize the
month-long event’s activities, according to Kristie Turgeon, administrative
coordinator for the City of Westminster Recreation and Parks.

“We want people to use our parks and experience the programs
we have to see what we bring to the community,” said Turgeon.

Events held throughout July… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/cct-westminster-celebrates-national-recreation-and-parks-month-20140701,0,3158641.story

History Westminster Recreation, Westminster Rec Parks,
*****

Saturday, April 30, 2011

May and June 2011 Westminster Maryland Recreation and Parks events

May and June 2011 Westminster Maryland Recreation and Parks events

MAY                                                                                                                                                               

Child Car Seat Safety Check
The Carroll County Health Department holds a FREE child car seat check from 2-4p.m. on May 3 at the Westminster Family Fitness Center (11 Longwell Ave). Other seat check dates are 7/6, 8/4, 9/1 & 10/5 (10am-noon).  For an appointment, call Maggie at 410-876-4448.

Flower and Jazz Festival
Event takes place in Historic Downtown Westminster on May 7th, 10am-4pm and is designed for a leisurely day of fun and jazz. Delicious food and great entertainment will be offered. Local nurseries set up beautiful displays of unusual plants and shrubs. There are also over 100 craft vendors displaying a wide variety of unique items. This event is open to the public. Moms...don't forget to visit the information table for your free gift. Admission and parking are FREE! NO PETS PLEASE. A vendor form is required. Call 410-848-4883 for more information or click link below for vendor form.
                                                                                               
Flower and Jazz Fun Run
The fun run is held at the Wakefield Valley Community Trail (Tahoma Farm Rd) on May 7th. There will be a 200 yard dash for children ages 6 and under starting at 9am. The one mile fun run starts 9:15am for ages 7 and up. The timed 5K will begin at 9:30am. A $20 donation is requested ($5 discount when registering 2 or more participants)
Proceeds Benefit the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau and the Westminster Family Fitness Center Group Fitness Program.  Call 410-751-5501
                                                                                                                             
Tumblekicks "Just Me" and
"Caretaker and Me"
Just Me is designed for children ages 2-5 years-old. This blended class has been very successful. Each child has the opportunity to socialize and exercise without a caretaker. During class a variety of props (i.e. parachute, hula hoops, bean bags, etc.) and music will be used to explore movement. In addition, children will be introduced to basic tumbling and pre-sports skills.

Caretaker and Me is designed for children ages 15 months-2 1/2 years-old. This class is with a caretaker. All children must be walking. Props are also included (i.e. parachute, hula hoops, bean bags, etc.) and music will be used to work on all areas of development. There will be free play and structured activities. Contact Shareen Scibek for more information, 410-374-0180.

Mother/Son Date            
The Mother/Son Dates will be held on May 11th and October 5th and are hosted at Martin's Westminster from 6:30 to 9pm. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE) Tickets are $60 per couple. Boys must be in Kindergarten through Eighth grades. The evening includes dinner, dancing, games, door prizes and a 5X7 photo of the couple, parting gifts, and much more! TICKETS MUST BE PREPAID. A COUPLE IS CONSIDERED ONE ADULT AND ONE CHILD. NO EXCEPTIONS! This is to ensure accurate head counts of adults and children meals and parting gifts. Tickets are limited. Call 410-848-9161 or 410-857-9072 for more information.

Daddy/Daughter Date    
The Daddy/Daughter Dates will be held on May 18th and October 12th.  This event includes dinner, dancing, games, door prizes, and a photo of the couple as well as parting gifts. It is hosted at Martin's from 6:30-9pm. (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE) Tickets are $60 per couple. Girls must be in Kindergarten through Eighth grades. TICKETS MUST BE PREPAID. A COUPLE IS CONSIDERED ONE ADULT AND ONE CHILD. NO EXCEPTIONS! This is to ensure accurate head counts of adults' and childrens' meals and parting gifts. Tickets are limited. Call 410-857-9072 or 410-848-9161 for more information.
More photos here! (Updated 6/8/10)

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
The Parade is held on May 30th and starts at 10am on Pennsylvania Avenue and ends on Church Street at the Westminster Cemetery. A memorial service will begin at 11am in the cemetery. For more information contact Daniel Bohn at 410-259-8285.
JUNE                                                                                                                                                              

Art in the Park
Held on June 4th from 10am to 4pm on the City Hall Grounds (1838 Emerald Hill Lane) rain or shine. This is a festival of visual and performing arts featuring dozens of the region's most talented painters, photographers, and fine craft artists. Continuous live music and free kids crafts. FREE admission and parking. NO PETS! For more information call 410-848-7272.
       
Summer Day Camp
Westminster City Recreation's Summer Day camp takes place for 10 consecutive weeks. It is designed for children to participate in a full day program interacting with one another. Campers participate in games, sports, crafts, field trips, swimming, and a variety of other activities. This is a great way for your children to spend the summer enjoying structured, safe, and fun activities. See our complete listing here.

Tot Camp - Now Offering 8 Weeks! 
Tot Camp is held in the Community Building located at the Westminster Municipal Pool (325 Royer Rd.) and is designed for children ages 3-5 years, who must be potty trained. Group settings like crafts, circle games and socializing with other children are key elements. Mini field trips and swimming will also be scheduled throughout the summer. Call 410-848-9161 for more information.

3 on 3 Basketball 
Starts June 20th with five weeks of fundamentals and drills and five weeks of games. The league is for boys and girls ages 5-9 and 10-13. Fundamentals and games will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8pm at Jaycee Park

Corbit's Charge Civil War Event - Anniversary Commemoration
Saturday June 25th and Sunday June 26th - FREE Admission
Activities include: Tour Civil War Living History Encampment, Ceremony at Corbit’s Charge Monument, Guided Tours of Battle Site, Several Civil War Era Musical Concerts, Period Artisans Performing Their Craft, Visit with Abraham Lincoln, Period Children Events & Games and View the Daily lives of Soldiers and Civilians of 1863. For more information www.pccwrt.org.

*****

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Grand opening of the David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building at Westminster City Park on May 20th at 10 am

Grand opening of the David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building at Westminster City Park on May 20th at 10 am http://tinyurl.com/2evr2vt

Please Join Us for the Opening of the David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building
Date: 5/20/10
Time: 10:00 am
Where: Westminster City Park
Please call 410-848-6962 for more information or to RSVP

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/grand-opening-of-david-s-babylon-jr.html

Labels: Babylon Bldg at Wster Playground, Babylon Family, Dayhoff writing essays, History Westminster Recreation, Westminster Playground Babylon Bldg, Westminster Rec Parks City Playground 0 comments Links to this post






Please Join Us for the Opening of the David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building
Date: 5/20/10
Time: 10:00 am
Where: Westminster City Park
Please call 410-848-6962 for more information or to RSVP

Please join us for the grand opening of the David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building at Westminster City Park on May 20th at 10 am. Join Mayor Utz, Westminster Fallfest Inc. President Marshall Green, Westminster Optimist President John Paris, Director of Recreation and Parks Ron Schroers and Mrs. Evelyn Babylon in this dedication and ribbon cutting event.

The new community building will serve Westminster Optimist, Westminster Fallfest Inc., and many other non-profit organizations throughout the year.

The building is being named in honor of David S. Babylon, Jr., who served the citizens of Westminster for twenty-five years as a distinguished member and President of the Westminster Common Council, was a life member of the Westminster Fire Department, and was a well-respected and successful Westminster businessman.

This new two-story building will replace the current outdated structure and is designed to continue to function as a snack shack and storage facility, but will also include a community meeting room and office facilities for Westminster Fallfest Inc.

The building will be owned by The City of Westminster and will be operated and maintained through a partnership with The City of Westminster, Westminster Fallfest, Inc., and The Westminster Optimist Club.

Funding for this exciting project was made possible by a lead private sector gift of $50,000.00 from the family of David Babylon.

Councilwoman Suzanne Albert and the Westminster based architectural firm of Dean Camlin & Associates, the Westminster based engineering firm of CLSI, and the Board of Directors of Westminster Fallfest, Inc. each have made important contributions to this endeavor.

~~~~~~
Monday, April 14th, 2008

“Paving the Road to a Better Community”

A History and overview of The David S. Babylon Jr. Community Building project: “Look what we started.”

Westminster Mayor and Common Council
P.O. Box 710, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane,
Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710
410-848-9000

Westminster Fallfest, Inc.,
P.O.B. 805, Westminster, Maryland, 21158 (410) 848-9000

At the sixth annual Fallfest Gala, the Westminster mayor and Common Council, Westminster Fallfest, Inc., and the Westminster Recreation and Parks Advisory Board kicked off a capital campaign to replace the Westminster Municipal Playground concession stand with a new two-story multi-purpose community building.

At the event held last Saturday at Martin’s Westminster, Evelyn and Caroline Babylon represented the family of the late former Westminster Common Council president David S. Babylon, Jr., and presented the Fallfest Paving the Road to a Better Community Committee with a pledge of $50,000 in his memory, to get the capital campaign off to a good start.

The gift to the city of Westminster is in honor of Mr. Babylon who dedicated his life to public service for the community he loved.

Mr. Babylon’s daughter, Caroline announced the memorial gift on behalf of the family and turned the podium over to her Mom, Evelyn Babylon.

Mrs. Babylon, remarked: “The last night of the last family vacation in which David was able to participate, the whole family was sitting at the long dinner table – about 20 of us – and Dave nudged me with his elbow, and, gesturing with his other hand, said, ‘Look what we started!’ It was, indeed, a scene of joyful conviviality.

“The family joins me in believing that David would be proud to be here [he loved parties like this] and add his voice of approval to the kick-off of this campaign. We think he would nudge each of you to join in this endeavor so that we could soon all say, ‘Look what we started!’”

Mr. Babylon began a lifelong love affair of service to our community when he joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 on June 1st, 1949. Serving in the fire department was another of the passions in his life. He served for many years as secretary/treasurer. He had fond memories of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Company’s annual summer carnivals which were held at the playground.

Mr. Babylon was born on September 4, 1923 in Westminster, and when he was a child, the city did not have a playground. The Westminster Municipal Playground was not inaugurated until 1936 and dedicated by the Westminster Mayor George E. Matthews, Council President Joseph L. Mathias, councilmembers Walter H. Davis, Edwin S. Gehr, Jesse C. Royer, and City Attorney D. Eugene Walsh, in 1937.

By the time the playground was in use, Mr. Babylon was attending Valley Forge Military Academy. He graduated from Valley Forge in 1941 and was one of the youngest Captains commissioned in the U. S. Army during World War II.

When Mr. Babylon was young, providing recreational opportunities was a hot-button political topic as was exemplified by an editorial in the Democratic Advocate, on April 7, 1922, “Westminster, and the Recreation Problem.”

The lack of a municipal playground while growing up in Westminster only exacerbated his understanding later, during his public career, of providing community recreation opportunities.

After Mr. Babylon served in World War II, he graduated from Gettysburg College in January 1948 with a BA degree in Economics. He continued in a business, Cunocar Bookkeeping Service, which he had begun in his college years. Many in Westminster have fond memories of Mr. Babylon’s green “office-on-wheels,” in which he would travel from business to business. He sold his business and retired in 1986.

Mr. Babylon, who passed away at age 82 at his home on August 22, 2006, served on the Westminster Common Council for 25 years, from 1964 until he retired in 1989. For 16 of those years, he served as the Common Council President as did his grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, in 1898 and 1899.

In the mid to late 1970s, the Westminster mayor and Common Council worked hard in a major downtown revitalization effort of Westminster’s business district. To celebrate the successes of that effort, Fallfest was born in 1978.

Mr. Babylon was an enthusiastic supporter of Fallfest. In her remarks last Saturday night Mrs. Babylon noted “Dave was an enthusiastic member of the Common Council when the idea of Fallfest was introduced, and he wholeheartedly backed the idea. Indeed, even when he was not fully mobile, he acquiesced to going down to the celebration in a wheelchair – and fully enjoyed it, of course.”

Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson has fond memories of the Westminster Playground as a kid growing up in Westminster. He remembers that “my brother and I were among the first to play Little League Baseball (there when the baseball program started) in the 1950s… Along with folks such as Bob and Jim Reck, Art Caples, Pinky Bixler, and Butch Martin.”

“This is another classic example of a successful private –public partnership to what is already a gem in Westminster. If I may say so, I am very appreciative of this generous - magnificent gift from the Babylon family - especially in light of Mr. Babylon’s years of service to the community. He was always so much involved in civic projects and improvements. This will certainly attract other donors to step up to the plate to get it done.”

Doing it right has been an overriding theme of the City. Westminster director of recreation and parks, Ron Schroers, noted that the City has been on a continuous improvement program for the Westminster Playground for the past 15 years. “By using grants and private donations we’ve built pavilions, replaced playground equipment, re-done the basketball and tennis courts…”

“It’s really great to see the community to come together to make this city project happen. This is one of the most heavily used parks in Carroll County… (One of the reasons, besides the facilities is because) it is the best-shaded park…”

Carroll County owns 24 parks in the county and the City of Westminster has eight.

Mr. Schroers noted that in addition to the Babylon family gift, $66,000 has already been obtained for the building from a combination of Carroll County’s and Westminster’s “Program Open Space” state grant.

He hopes to begin construction of the new building after the 30th Fallfest takes place this September. Cost estimates are currently being developed, however preliminary indication is that more money is needed and the City and the Fallfest Committee are currently looking for additional donors of materials, money and in-kind work donations.

The project began in the summer of 2006 according to the Program Open Space grant proposal. At that time:

“The Westminster Mayor and Common Council determined that the existing concession stand needed to be replaced. The 1 story building has a leaky roof, rotten wood siding, no environmental controls, and is a general eyesore.”

“After studying the cost of repairing the existing building, it was determined to be more cost effective to raze the current building … and build a new structure.” (Before the building falls down.)

“The expanded facility will be available for many community groups for a variety of uses. What was formerly only a concession stand and sports equipment storage, will now also have available a multi-purpose meeting facility. The second story will be made available as offices/workspace for Westminster Fallfest … which is partnering in the building … by securing additional funding, donations of money, materials, and volunteers. This project continues the City’s investment … to make it the best and most heavily used recreation facility in Westminster…”

Andy Biller is in his 18th year serving on the Westminster Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. He currently serves as the chair.

Mr. Biller said, “I grew up in Carroll County and as a youngster I spent a lot of time in town and learned to appreciate the Westminster Playground as one of Carroll County’s true community treasures. The park has always been the shining moment in the City. I’m proud to be a part of yet another historic improvement for our community.”

Mr. Biller has been “impressed with how hard Westminster Council President Roy Chiavacci has worked on constantly improving not only the playground but all of Westminster’s recreation opportunities.”

Mr. Biller was in a meeting recently with President Chiavacci to review the capital campaign and building plans. President Chiavacci is said to have exclaimed, this is “awesome.”

Once the building is constructed the Optimist Club “is going to have our meetings there and use it to support the clubs’ youth activities in the community,” said Darlene Dorsey, the president of Optimist Club of Westminster.

The Optimist Club has “been around for about 50 years. We took over the Little League program years ago from the Civitan Club. Boy, am I excited. I saw the plans the other day when I visited with Ron Schroers… We love the playground improvements. I remember the wooden bleachers and they have been replaced with nice new metal bleachers… (The building plans have) exceeded our expectations. We’re looking forward to it; the present building is an eyesore.”

The Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, is also looking forward to the project. After all, it is his responsibility to keep failing buildings such as this useful and safe.

When he heard about the new playground community building, he said that he “fully understands and values the need to expand” the city’s public works and recreation infrastructure.

Mr. Glass, who “began working for the City in 1982 and worked with Mr. Babylon for a number of years when he was the Council President and I was a student of his thinking process… This is exactly the way Mr. Babylon would have wanted it done. Don’t just replace it – prepare for the future.
Take the opportunity to stretch a dollar further and leverage the tax dollars to build what the community needs for the future while the building is being replaced…”

Mr. Glass went on to recall how “Mr. Babylon was known for being fiscally conservative when he was on the council,” and always encouraged the private sector to step up to the plate for needed infrastructure improvements before he turned to taxpayers...

Tom Beyard, the City’s director of planning agreed. He has also worked for the City long enough to have worked with Mr. Babylon. “It’s always a great idea when the public section and the philanthropists can get together for the community.”

Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich also knew Mr. Babylon well; they were in the Lions Club together. He recalled that in past years, “the roots of Carroll County recreation were the service clubs.”

He remembers that “it was the Civitan Club that started the Little League program at the playground back in the 1950s… Drs. Klinger Jr. and Senior… (And) the business community took care of the tasks long before government got involved… A bunch of young fathers got involved to make sure softball, soccer, and baseball (were available.) Those guys used to go out on their own time and rake, mow, lime the fields, pick up rocks…”

Westminster Councilwoman Suzanne Albert, (the granddaughter of Westminster Mayor David E. Walsh May 20, 1912 – May 15, 1916,) grew up at 134 East Main Street in Westminster.

She said that “growing up (the playground) was my backyard... Nothing like having your own playground practically in your backyard. I could walk to it. I guess I took it for granted. I just thought that every community had a playground like that. (Nevertheless) we can’t take it for granted and we need to take care of it for future generations. It’s important to sustain such an important community asset.”

Mrs. Evelyn Babylon reiterated, “It is important that we continue to build upon the work of those who went before us and maintain and improve the park for our children’s children. That’s the way Dave would have wanted it.”

Councilwoman Albert, who knew Mr. Babylon well, said the community is thankful for what Mr. and Mrs. Babylon have started – and not just the playground…

Monday, April 14th, 2008/Kevin Dayhoff
~~~~~~~~~
For more information, contact Ron Schroers 410-848-6962.

20100520 KED DavidsbabyonInvitation

*****

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


Friday, July 11, 2008

Democratic Advocate: July 11, 1947 - FLOOD LIGHTS FOR PLAY GROUND

Democratic Advocate: July 11, 1947 - FLOOD LIGHTS FOR PLAY GROUND

FLOOD LIGHTS FOR PLAY GROUND

Democratic Advocate, July 11, 1947.

Lions Club To Present Latest Improvement To Mayor And Council Tonight - The Westminster Lions Club announced plans for the formal presentation of the play ground night lighting system for this evening.

The club members sponsored the recent carnival for the purpose of devoting the proceeds towards a lighting system on the Municipal Playground.

The club will formally present the system, which has been completed and will illuminate the entire playground.

It will be presented to the mayor and common council.

The electricity light will be furnished by the City and not by the Lions Club as was mentioned last week. The presentation ceremony will take place on the playgrounds at 9 p.m., just prior to the commencement of the first night game to be played under them.

From 8:30 to 9 p.m., there will be a short band concert. The music will be furnished by William F. Myers Son's band.

Democratic Advocate, July 11, 1947.


Labels: Westminster Dept Recreation and Parks Westminster Playground, History Westminster 1940s, History This Day in History Westminster Dept Recreation and Parks, History Westminster,

19470711 Flood Lights For Westminster Play Ground