Dear Friends and Community of Overlea,

We have made it halfway through winter, and dare I say sunnier days are ahead. While this pre-spring funk can get the best of us, I hope you are finding joy to keep you warm. I first want to extend a heartfelt ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ to all of our new residents. We have seen a tremendous number of home sales this last year! We are excited to connect with all of you and look forward to seeing you at one of our many community events. Be sure to check out our website (www.overleaonline.org), our Facebook page (Overlea Community Association), and stop by any of our events (our community potluck is April 27th!) Our board has been hard at work continuing to advocate for sustainable growth of our neighborhood. Thank you to Martin Nibali for attending the District 6 budget town hall on behalf of the community association to support an additional playground, electric chargers, and greater use of the Fullerton Rec Center. We have also had conversations with Councilman Mike Ertel regarding the quality of our roads, code enforcement issues, and zoning changes that affect our neighborhood. The OCA will stand against any development of additional gas stations in our district. We want growth along the Belair Road corridor that is safe and in the best interest of the community. This includes changes make it safer to use, more business friendly and walkable.

We have so many fun activities planned this year, and cannot wait to get started. Our Farmer’s Market is in its 9th year! Starting June 8th and running every other weekend through October., we will celebrate seasonal produce with local food vendors and so much more. Join us in the parking lot of the Natural History Society of Maryland on Belair Road. Speaking of the NHS, have you seen the Mammoth yet?! The NHS has a woolly mammoth skeleton on public display for the first time in the state of Maryland! So cool that this gem is right in our very own neighborhood. Be sure to check their Facebook page for their event dates, including nature hikes, paint nights, bird watching and more!

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has paid their dues for the 23-24 fiscal year. Because of your support, we are able to continue to hold these great events, work hard to beautify Belair Rd., and keep our neighbors informed on local changes that impact all of us. We could not do this without your support. If you have ever considered getting involved in your community, now is the time! We have many opportunities available, big and small. Please reach out!

Graciously,

Melissa Davis, OCA president

Overlea’s popular family arts festival will return to Holt Park on Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th. Enjoy two days of art, music, food, workshops and fun! The theme is “Kaleidoscope,” so come in your most colorful outfits! The event opens on Friday evening at 6 pm with an art show preview party, wine tasting and live jazz music til 9 pm. Saturday activities run from 11 am til 5 pm, featuring the art show, live music, food, a wine & beer tent, silent art auction, Peoples’ Choice voting, family art & nature activities and free art workshops. Short Films will be available to view on our website. We will hold a Youth Art Show and the Juried Art Show on that same weekend. Artists of all ages can sign up to participate at https://overleaartsfest.org/submission-forms/ Submission deadline for art shows is in early June.

ArtsFest is FREE to attend and has activities for the whole family. Holt Park & Center for the Arts is at 34 Elmont Avenue, Baltimore, 21206. Watch our website https://overleaartsfest.org/ for regular event updates. See you at the ArtsFest!

Nominations are being accepted for leadership positions in the Overlea Community Association. OCA members in good standing can submit their name for consideration and a vote will be held in-person by secret ballot at our General Meeting in May. We are always looking for new board members, but have a direct need for leadership roles. Elected positions include President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Contact current president Melissa Davis Mspicknall1@gmail.com.

My father George B. Franz, a long time Overlea resident was an obsessed and crazed photographer. If you heard stories of him hanging out of trees, climbing high rocks, perched on precarious spots, close calls and injuries sustained, you would understand. He would go to no ends to capture the perfect image.

He considered himself a documentarist. He knew the landscapes he captured- urban and rural- were temporary. They would be gone eventually and he wanted to capture them before that happened. George took very few photos of daily life in Overlea. But the few he did take are enjoyed now and then on the Overlea Community Facebook page. He left behind thousands of photographs from all over Baltimore, the state, county and the world. Most of his photographs were never printed because they were not perfect to him.

He would develop every roll into negatives. Then every negative would be examined on a light board. I remember him sitting at the dining room table looking at each illuminated negative with a magnifying glass. The ones he thought were possibly acceptable, he would print in his basement dark room onto small photo paper 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Then they would be examined again. That’s when another cut happened.

Many years ago he gave me a shoe box full of these tiny castoffs. He told me to take what I wanted and return the rest. Each one had the negative taped on the back. I cherish these photos. What he thought of as imperfect, are more than perfect to me.

George and Helen Franz lived in Overlea on Manor Avenue from 1955 until 1996 when they moved to Oak Crest Village where they lived out their lives. My dad took over 20,000 photos in his life-time.

One of his castoffs from 1960 shown here, captures the kids on Manor Ave sleigh riding and having a terrific time!

Hey Overlea residents-it’s time to shine with what’s cooking in your kitchen! Enjoy food and fellowship with your neighbors at the Overlea Pot Luck Dinner! Bring your family and a dish of your favorite food creation. For planning purposes, respond with how many are in your group and what you’ll be bringing to the buffet.

In February, OCA board members met with 6th District County Councilman Mike Ertel to discuss neighborhood priorities. Every four years our representatives can recommend zoning changes through a process referred to as CZMP. (To learn more about CZMP, go to the Baltimore County Website at www.baltimorecountymd gov and enter CZMP 2024 in the search bar.)

The OCA recommended the submission of these changes:

• The expedited demolition of the burned property at the corner of Elm Ave. and Belair Rd.
• The OCA has successfully fought to keep a large gas station from occupying the corner of Fullerton Ave. and pushed for the AS designation be removed from several properties to prevent future gas pump construction in our neighborhood.
• We requested the installation of curb cuts, gutters, and handicap ramps throughout the neighborhood, as well as road repaving. After water, utilities, and BGE gas line work, many streets in our area are torn up and half-patched. We shared photographs with Mr. Ertel, and he agreed to push the issue with the County Executive. Maintaining our roads is vital for our residents and businesses. Home ownership in Overlea is on the rise with new families accounting for the majority of recent home purchases.
• The OCA requested legislation to limit live music in Commercial Revitalization Districts (CRD) to end at 9pm. Additionally, we requested that any venue offering live music provide off street parking and 30 days advance written notice to local community associations.
• Baltimore County and the State of Maryland are also considering requests for a playground at the Fullerton Community Center and public electric vehicle charging stations at Willow Ave. and Belair Rd. OCA members will receive updates on these issues in our emailed Community Bulletin updates. Join today.

Have you found Overlea’s hidden gem? Cherry Heights Woodland Garden is a “pocket park” created by NeighborSpace Baltimore County in collaboration with the Overlea community. The space is a wooded clearing with native plants and mature trees–a charming spot tucked among homes on Beech Avenue at the end of East Elm.

A team of Towson University students recently completed a deep-pe study into the area’s history, focusing on the Cherry Heights neighborhood of Overlea that the park is named for, created in 1910 and one of the first anywhere to be marketed specifically to African Americans. The report details the long history of segregation and systemic discrimination and highlights how Black residents of Overlea created a flourishing community despite the obstacles they faced.

Many thanks to NeighborSpace for commissioning this study and to the TU team for their careful research and presentation to the community. Find the fascinating full report on the Overlea community website. It’s worth a read!

Holt Park Happenings 2024!

34 Elmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206

Holt Park & Center for the Arts is ready for spring, with evening arts programs such as Creative Clay, The Natural World of Art, and Paint Nights. On the weekends, nature programming continues and the “Nature Cabin” at 108 McCormick will be open for visitors to view its exhibits and create crafts. Don’t miss the fun and games at the annual Egg-Stravaganza on March 24th, during which kids can try their luck at the Egg Roll and other fun activities! Check our calendar here: https://overleafrc.stonealley.com/files/OverleaRec/HoltPark/2024_winter_spring.pdf And our program registrations are on CivicRec: https://recandparks.baltimorecountymd.gov/MD/baltimore-co-md

Please visit www.overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark to find out more about our programs and volunteer opportunities!

As you may be aware, NeighborSpace Baltimore has developed a pocket park on Beech Avenue called Cherry Heights Woodland Garden Park. This park is named after the Cherry Heights Neighborhood of Overlea, which was the first neighborhood in Baltimore marketed to the African American community.

In conjunction with NeighborSpace, students at Towson University have developed an analysis and cultural History of the neighborhood that they will be presenting in virtual format to Overlea Residents in January. The presentation is attached here (PDF, 19MB) for your review. Please join us for the discussion on January 11th at 7pm at the following link: https://meet.google.com/wqa-stdg-qgz

Read the full final draft (PDF, 19MB)

Dear Overlea Residents,

Greetings to all the vibrant members of our wonderful community! As the President of the Overlea Community Association, I am delighted to share with you exciting updates and cool events happening in our beloved neighborhood.

Community Garden Blooms: Our community has many amazing gardens in full swing, and it’s a sight to behold! Residents have been cultivating beautiful flowers, nutritious vegetables, and aromatic herbs. It’s not just about the green thumbs; it’s about fostering a sense of togetherness and creating a sustainable environment for everyone to enjoy. Our local Overlea Farmers Market continues to showcase the best summertime produce from our hyper local vendors, including Grateful Gardens located on East Elm Ave! Be sure to stop by! Our market runs until the end of October.

Overlea Artsfest: Congratulations to the ArtsFest board for another successful year! What an incredible experience this three-day event has become, and we are so lucky to have it in our neighborhood. If you missed out on ArtsFest, have no fear. The ArtsFest committee will continue the fun all year- round with a whole host of activities. Be sure to follow them on Facebook! Volunteer

Clean-up Events: We take immense pride in the cleanliness of our streets and parks. Join us for regular volunteer clean-up events, where we come together as a community to keep Overlea litter-free and pristine. It’s an excellent opportunity to bond with neighbors while making a positive impact on our environment. Watch for a cleanup event in September and follow our Facebook page.

Back to School: School starts August 28th for Baltimore City and Baltimore County public schools. Please join me in wishing all students a positive and productive school year! Many of our local schools, including Fullerton Elementary, Elmwood Elementary, Parkville Middle, and Glenmount Elementary-Middle are in need of supplies. I encourage you to reach out to your local PTA and help our students start off the year stocked-up and ready to learn.

Local Business: We have a thriving business community in Overlea, and we want to celebrate it! Frank’s Pizza and Pasta won Best in Baltimore! Congrats!!! New additions include a restaurant at 7400 Belair Rd. and Diablo Donuts in the Beltway Shopping Plaza. Be sure to support local entrepreneurs and strengthen our local economy.

Community NNO Picnic: Our third annual NNO on August 1st was a smashing success! Over 50 neighbors joined in on the beautiful weather and fantastic food. Many thanks to the committee chair, Doris Poling, for making it happen! And thank you to the Natural History Society of Maryland for hosting. What a terrific community partner. Remember, these are just a few of the exciting things happening in Overlea, and there’s so much more to explore and enjoy. I encourage each and every one of you to actively participate in these events and initiatives, as it is your involvement that truly makes Overlea a remarkable community. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or want to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we will continue to make Overlea a place we are all proud to call home. With warm regards, Melissa Davis, OCA president