NEXT MEETING Tuesday, October 10, 7 PM

4920 Harford Rd - Harford Senior Ctr. * Guest Speaker *

Alexa Del Piano, Solving neighbor disputes

through community mediation

News

The

published by The Lauraville Improvement Association www.lauravillemd.com and Facebook.com/lauravillemd

September 2014 October 2017

Lauraville Remembered: Historic Obelisk’s Future in QuestionRecently at Heinz Park, where our Greater Lauraville Community Fair has been celebrated for the past three decades, the 225-year-old brick and stucco obelisk there was vandalized resulting in the historic plaque being destroyed. Those who did this recorded the act while wearing masks late at night, citing their motive as the monument’s inscription to Christopher Columbus.1 Our understanding of historic figures evolves over time as effects of their actions are analyzed in light of changing attitudes and sensitivity to various affected groups. We can learn as much from changing perspectives as from the passing facts as they unfold, and neither should be discounted. There is a community survey for input on updated and inclusive rededication of this landmark through civil discussion and engagement. Regardless of current attitudes about the individual, Christopher Columbus, and current controversy about his role in the European later treatment of Native Americans, the obelisk has a history in itself. In 1792, this area was a wooded wilderness on the outskirts of Baltimore City. At what is now North Avenue at Harford Road, there was an estate called Belmont, owned by the French Consul to Mid Atlantic States named Charles Francois Adrian De Paulmier, Chevalier d’Armour. D’Armour was a key figure in the American Revolution and at that time he served as a secret agent of

French government and helped secure French support for American victory in that war. In his time, those enthusiastic

about a new republic in a “new world” admired Christopher Columbus for his persistence and courage in exploration and navigation in the “discovery” of this continent. This was the first such monument dedicated to Columbus anywhere in the world (It was rumored d’Armour to have named his favorite racing horse after Columbus and that this obelisk was a monument to his horse). Later, as French refugees and Italian Immigrants came to Baltimore who suffered hardships and

discrimination, d’Armour’s monument became a source of ethnic pride. As Italian Americans began to move to Northeast Baltimore, this area was selected as a location to move the monument when development threatened it at North and Harford. It was placed here at Heinz Park 1964. Our sister community of Arcadia has since adopted this park with many years of volunteerism and stewardship rededicating the monument at the City’s Bicentennial in 1997. The keynote speaker then was prominent Italian Baltimorean, Judge Edward Angeletti, and civic engagement was the theme at his keynote speech. In researching for the next dedication, I found another little known bit of local history. The earliest recorded explorer to document seeing the Chesapeake Bay was an Italian, Giovanni da Verrazzano working for the French government before the visit of Englishman John Smith.2

Even if this monument is no longer to be associated with Christopher Columbus it is hoped that the fragility and value of a structure from the early days of our City will be respected and valued as we all live in peace and community together. References:

1. youtube.com/watch?v=iFSW0id36FA

2. biography.com/people/giovanni-da-verrazzano-9517737

Columbus monument relocated to current spot at Heinz Park. Baltimore Sun photo, 1964

by Christine Muldowney

Welcome new neighbors - We would like to welcome the following new members, who have joined the Lauraville Improvement Association in 2017.Nancy Broadfoot, Makeda Drake, Molly Gallant, Kendrick Smith, Crystal and Timothy George, Bobby and Elise Gillespie, Michael and Kirsty Knoll, Olympia and Charles Ross, Laura and Edmond Saunders, Mike and Erin Tomaszewski, Matthew and Mercedes Unfried, Pamala and Zane Watkins, Sheridan Webb, Will Brandenburg, Craig Fabian and Michele Kraft, Aisha and Dan Isackson, Beatrice and Damon Riley, and Christine and Earl Harris.Special thanks to the members who made a donation to the association over and above their annual dues. Thank you all for your generous support for the association.

About Our Guest Speaker - Alexa Del Piano With a degree in Fine Art and Peace and Conflict Studies from Goucher College, Alexa Del Piano has a background in alternative peace practices and community empowerment. She is dedicated to bringing peace to individuals and their communities through art based learning, mediation, and conflict resolution. Now serving as the Community Intake Coordinator for Baltimore City Community Mediation, she manages all referrals and mediation requests, which come from the Baltimore City community, whether it be from district court, community organizations, faith-based groups, circuit court, government agencies, or individual residents. She works to coordinate community mediations across Baltimore City and also ensures that citizens can access mediation at sites convenient to them. In addition to case managing, she maintains relationships with hundreds of BCMC's partner organizations.

Letter to the Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your [Mary Etta Mills] latest historical piece, Lauraville Remembered: Destination Lauraville, in the September newsletter. One of my aunts told me that my grandmother, who died in Hamilton in 1914 (born as one of the List family in Lauraville in 1865), had one of the first so-called streetcar funerals, where the deceased and the family and mourners traveled by streetcar from Grace Lutheran Church on Harford Road across town to Loudon Park Cemetery. We had a streetcar/bus stop right in front of our house at 5019 Harford Road. There were always traffic accidents of someone hitting the pylon at the streetcar stop. My brother and I slept in the front room of our house, so we grew up with lots of noise. The 19 line got us to and from the North Avenue transfer point on our way to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Thank you again for your role as Lauraville historian, and best wishes to your new president. Nils Rueckert

Mary Etta replies: Nils,  It's always good to hear from you and know that you're enjoying the newsletter.  I had not heard about streetcar funerals or I would have included that in the article.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Cecelia Landers

Hello Everyone! Our new board has been very eager to share some of the latest plans for the Lauraville Improvement Association at our September meeting. We started off with a surprise visit from Mayor Catherine Pugh. The mayor praised new City Solicitor, Andre Davis. She stated that many new police officers are being trained to serve Baltimore. Long awaited new schools are being built in Baltimore City. Speaking of schools, Jen Brock-Cancellieri and her daughter, Dylan, from Lauraville spoke enthusiastically about their experience at Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle and their hopes for the new Montessori program steered by new principal, Deborah Moffett. Major Milton Snead from the NE district addressed recent neighborhood concerns and shared some prevention tips. Board member, Bob Gillespie shared his progress in building a new website that is the "Launching of Lauraville!” He has been working diligently to have our new website up and running soon. Neighbors will be able to send photos, request e-newsletters, purchase Lauraville Tees and Totes and so much more. Can't wait! Board member, Jen Yukna discussed the benefits of becoming a Block Captain in your immediate neighborhood. Many other thoughts and ideas were discussed. We look forward to seeing you at our October meeting! Come on out and help us make Lauraville an even better place to live. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas! Make it a good day! Cecilia Landers

Lauraville Improvement Association

OFFICERS: • President: Cecilia Landers

410-254-7046 • Vice President: Erik Nichols

443-250-9852 • Treasurer: Jody Landers

410-254-7046 • Secretary: Jennifer Yukna

410-830-0119

COMMITTEE CHAIRS: • Newsletter Editor:

Michael Dannenberg 443-416-7719

• Housing & Zoning: Erik Nichols 443-250-9852

• Public Safety and Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.): Marla Arrington lauravillecop@gmail.com

• Lauraville Historian: Mary Etta Mills millsmarye@aol.com

• Membership: Bill Barry 410-426-3966

• Communications & Brand: Bob Gillespie

215-939-2155 • Hospitality: open • Nominating: Mary Etta Mills

Olga Birdickas with homegrown plants

Drew Ridgley with Warren Boes of Jade Farm

Kelsey and Len Louthan of Louthan Distillery

Kyle Long of Barefoot Farm

Marvin J. Perry and Ellis Brown with Morgan Community Mile

Catie and Ryan with Tuckey’s Fruits and Vegetables

Emma Moody of Infused Spreads

Left: Darin Crew, Zoë Gensheimer, Ella Gensheimer, and Myesha Jones of Baltimore Clean Water

Pottery by Vianney Paul

Lauraville Farmers Market

The Lauraville News P.O. Box 3563 Baltimore, MD 21214-0563 TIME DATED MATERIAL

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Membership in the Lauraville Improvement Association is $10 per calendar year (January - December). Membership in YOUR neighborhood organization is the best way to support what you love about living here! Payable in advance. Pay for several years at once! Use the form

provided on this page or pay at the next meeting.

TIME DATED MATERIAL

LAURAVILLE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM Dues are $10.00 per calendar year (Jan-Dec). Renewal due every January or save time and pay for several years at once.

Mail to: L.I.A. Treasurer, P.O. Box 3563, Baltimore, MD 21214 or bring to next L.I.A. Meeting! ____________________________________________________________________ _________________________________ Name(s) up to two members of the same household can join for one fee Telephone _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address

Email (please write clearly): _______________________________________________________________________________

I am interested in becoming involved with: ___ HOUSING ___ SAFETY ___ COMMUNICATIONS and EVENTS

Pay for multiple years at once! Please mail this form with check or money order to the address above. If you would like a membership card, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

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Meetings - Tuesdays September 12 October 10 November 14 March 13 April 10 May 8

Meeting and Newsletter Schedule 2017 / 2018

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7:00 PM Harford Senior Ctr

4920 HARFORD RD Parking in rear Use door next to

parking lot