The Fall/Winter Season

The fall/winter season is here and with it, lots of fun family friendly events. This is our ninth year of the Overlea Tree Lighting and we are excited to continue this awesome tradition. Anthony Medina has done a fantastic job this year organizing this event, and I for one am excited to attend. Save the date for Saturday, December 14th at 7 pm. Holiday songs, tasty treats, and most importantly SANTA will all be in attendance.

The end of October marked the end of the season for our Overlea Farmers Market. What an amazingly successful year! I’d like to thank all of the volunteers, vendors and customers who have supported us. We truly could not do this without the hard working group of volunteers who show up two Saturdays a month and make this event run. If you are interested in becoming a vendor next season (or volunteer), please reach out to overleafarmersmarket@gmail.com. Your community association is always looking for new ways to bring makers and food vendors into our community. Next year The Natural History Society will begin exterior renovations to their building in Spring 2025. Stay tuned for information about the location of our tenth year of Overlea Farmer’s Market. There has been talk of a party to celebrate this milestone with our volunteers and vendors. Look for details in our upcoming newsletters.

One Final Appeal

One final appeal. The Overlea Community Association is always looking for volunteers. When I mention to people that I am the president of my community association, they say, “Oh, boy. Nobody likes the HOA.” But that’s not a very accurate analogy. The Overlea Community Association is a group of neighborhood boosters, people who love their neighborhood and want it to be cleaner, safer, better. There are many opportunities to participate. If you are passionate about gardening, cleanups, neighborhood events, or contributing to a potluck, the OCA has a place to put your talents to work. The Overlea Community Association aspires to be an inclusive and representative association for all of you. Your voice and talents are important.

Martin Nibali
president@overleaonline.org

At the corner of Fullerton Avenue and Belair Road, the restaurant Bangin’ Fish and Chicken has opened, bringing Baltimore classic Chicken Box and Lake Trout to Overlea for reasonable prices. All reports indicate that the food is delicious. The previous occupant, Hajji Suya, is planning to reopen soon at 6900 Belair Road (formerly occupied by Club 10). The OCA attended the liquor board hearing requesting a transfer of the previous tavern license at this location. We expressed concerns about late-night parties, loud noise, and issues we had with Club 10. Mr. Adams of Hajji Suya assured us that his wish is to be a good neighbor, a member of the community, and to serve good food. We are optimistic.

Construction continues at 6809 Belair Road for Haven CoWorking Space, expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. The inclusion of event spaces, artist lofts, and office leasing for entrepreneurs and small businesses should be a catalyst for more business development and community engagement in the future.

This incredible life-size mammoth exhibit will be at the Natural History Society of Maryland (6908 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21206) until March 2025. The public exhibit hours are Wednesdays 2-6pm, Thursdays 10am-2pm, and the first Sunday of each month 10am-2pm. Building renovations are scheduled to begin in Spring 2025, so now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity to see what is really a rare exhibit in the heart of Overlea! For more exploration, visit Marylandnature.org.

Greetings,

This is my first message to the community as president of the OCA, so I should probably introduce myself. You may have seen me (a man with a long ponytail) loitering around the Natural History Society lot on farmer’s market days bouncing from vendor to vendor. I am a longtime (22 years) Overlea resident with a love for volunteering. I have worked for many years as a Scout leader, have served on the board of a few arts organizations, love a good stream cleanup, and was an early champion of Cherry Heights Woodland Garden. My day job is working for an electrical contractor based in Timonium.

It’s an exciting time. Your community association is funding a new sign at Northern Pkwy. and Walther Ave., keeping the bus turnaround cleaned up, planting and maintaining flower pots along Belair Rd., and working with our representatives to clean up and repair our neighborhood streets. Stay tuned for information about grant funding that may be available for local businesses, and updates about MDOTs projected changes and improvements along Belair Rd.

If you see something that you think needs to be addressed, or would like to lend a hand to help, we have a committed group of volunteers actively working on your behalf and are always happy to meet more like-minded people who want the best for our neighborhood.

Martin Nibali (president@overleaonline.org)

The Overlea Waiting Station was built in 1917 at the turnaround of the Number 15 Belair Road streetcar line. The Station served passengers and crews through the end of the streetcar era, and continued on as a bus turnaround after the streetcars were eliminated from Baltimore life. Waiting Stations were found on nearly all suburban streetcar lines but most are gone.

Because of its poor condition, the Overlea Waiting Station was demolished in 1998. The design of the present-day building is based on the original station.

Listening to the concerns of Overlea residents, Senator Katherine Klausmiere spearheaded the multi-million dollar project. She worked very hard to have the station rebuilt to fit with the history and charm of the Overlea community.

The Overlea Community Association monitors and reports issues at the Turnaround, and has for years. The Association rents the small room there from MDOT for event storage. MDOT has a contract with BARC that provides trash pick up on a regular basis. But it is never enough. Graffiti reports, damage and trash concerns are taking longer to be addressed. The lighting does not work and the sidewalks and area under cover are disgusting. MDOT has been asked to address both concerns. Recently the OCA was able to get the burned bench replaced and damaged areas repainted.

The time has come for the formation of a committee to advocate to our elected officials and to MDOT for the improvements and monitoring needed. Residents are needed to take a more active and direct hands-on role. The newly formed Friends of the Overlea Turnaround will be meeting the first week in September. If you want to be a part of ensuring this neighborhood icon is taken care of, email Doris Poling at dfpoling18@yahoo.com