As a cherished landmark for relaxation, art classes, and nature studies, Holt Park is looking forward to several big renovations. Proposed improvements include repairs to the cabins, accessibility features, and a trail extension to the Northeast Regional Trail and nearby recreation sites.

Here’s how you can help Holt Park and Center for the Arts:

• Attend one of our regularly scheduled programs
• Donate items such as furniture, games, and children’s books
• Join the Garden Club
• Become a volunteer and help with an art or nature program
• Become a Summer Camp Counselor-InTraining (ages 14–18)
• Organize a new project!

Visit overleafrc.com/programs/holtpark for more info

In September 2022, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop the lots at 6635 and 6643 Walter Avenue as a site for urban agriculture. Proposals were submitted and in April community members heard from these three candidates that met the DHCD’s requirements:

1. Piper Phillips Caswell, SpringForward Farms: This nonprofit proposed 4 permanent hydroponic greenhouses. The 8-14 jobs created by this proposal are intended for those with mental health/behavior barriers.
2. Versammy Family, NV Organics: As farmers from Guiana now residing in Baltimore, they have maxed out their current crop capacity and would like to buy the property to expand their endeavors, donating their surpluses to churches/food pantries and their neighbors.
3. Baltimore Compost Collective: Currently operational in Curtis Bay, they want a second location. They collect food scraps for composting at the Filbert Street Community Garden. It is used to grow fresh produce, build urban food security and develop a youth workforce training program. This proposal should be decided upon in May and the OCA will let the community know the outcome.

Considering New Plants?

Think about adding plants native to Maryland to give yourself the best chance of success. They thrive in our soil, reduce erosion, and provide the best food for our pollinator friends. Below is a list of plants commonly planted this time of year, and a native plant option for you to consider:

Instead of these:

• Day Lillies
• Irises
• Azalea Bushes
• Forsythia
• Japanese Honeysuckle
• Butterfly Bush
• Burning Bush

Plant these!

• Trout Lily
• Dwarf Iris/Blue Flag Iris
• Button Bush or Pixar Azalea
• Spice Bush
• Trumpet Vine Honeysuckle
• Milkweed
• Virginia Sweet Spire

Our closest Native Nursery is Herring Run Nursery at 6131 Hillen Rd, Baltimore, MD 21239. The knowledgeable folks there will help you turn your yard into a pollinator paradise!

Join us at this year’s Fullerton Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, July 1 with food vendors and live music starting at 2 p.m. Come out for a day of fun, great food, entertainment and the largest fireworks display in the state. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, July 2. Volunteers are needed to help out that day. Please contact us at FullertonFireworksFoundation@gmail.

As we enter our 10th year keeping our 14 Belair Road flower pots planted, we want to thank Linover resident Dan Trupia, owner of Advantage Lawn and Landscaping. He receives part of his payment as the business ad he places in the OCA Newsletter. This lowers the cost for the OCA to use his services. The flower pots are lovely and Dan’s company does a terrific job. Thanks Dan!

The Overlea Community Association has received a $3,000 grant from Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan for planting and maintaining 14 flower pots along Belair Road. This is the 10th year for this generous grant. Thank you, Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan- we could not do this beautification project without your help. Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan is a great friend to the Overlea community.

Save the dates for our eighth season of this community treasure! The Overlea Farmer’s Market, organized by your Overlea Community Association, begins on Saturday, June 10 and continues every other Saturday, including June 24, July 8, July 22, August 5, August 19; Sept. 2, Sept. 16, Sept. 30; Oct. 14 and Oct. 28.

We’ll be located in the parking lot of the Natural History Society of MD (6908 Belair Rd), from 8:30am to 12:30pm. So plan to come out and support local farmers, bakers, and craft makers this season. Also be sure to bring your food scraps for composting! We accept all fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells, nut shells, teabags and coffee grinds and filters (no bones, yard waste, dairy, or meat). Volunteers (at least 16 years old) are needed to help with opening and closing the Farmers Market. This includes setting up/breaking down canopies, moving, lifting tables and boxes and vendor assistance. Community service hours are available. Please email Doris (dfpoling18@yahoo.com), Brent (ceryesb@gmail.com) or Liz (e.mullan14@gmail.com) if you can help. See you at the market!

Image: Cannery-Davis-California ©Inhabitat

Renewing Overlea

Sustainable Community Designation

The Baltimore County Department of Planning is working with the Overlea community to renew the Hillendale/Parkville/Overlea Sustainable Community Designation. The Sustainable Communities Program is a place-based designation awarded to local government by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

The program offers a comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. Obtaining the designation opens eligibility for state programs and resources, such as Community Legacy and the Strategic Demolition Fund.

Community members can learn more about opportunities to participate and find updates on the renewal process’ progress at https://sustainablecommunityrenewals-bc-gis.hub.arcgis.com/. The Dundalk and Reisterstown communities are also working with the Department of Planning to renew their designations this summer. Department of Planning staff members are encouraging our community members to send question and/or comments to suscommhillendalepv@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Happy New Year to everyone in Overlea! I hope that folks in our community had a joyous and festive holiday season. The OCA has been moving and shaking, gearing up for our many events in 2023. We also celebrated an amazing Holiday Tree Lighting in December, thanks to volunteers Joe Allen and Brent Ceryes who pulled the occasion together. A HUGE thank you to our sponsors, Mary and Will Geddes, Sippel Electric, Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company, Baltimore County Police, and Baltimore County Parks and Recreation.

Our next community meeting, with both in-person and online options, will be on March 14th at 7 p.m. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for links and updates.

A mighty congratulations to Doris Franz-Poling, OCA board member. Anyone who has ever met Doris, knows that she works INCREDIBLY hard for our community, mostly behind the scenes. She loves Overla and tirelessly advocates on our behalf. Doris’ most recent position was as the Legislative Aide for our outgoing County Councilwoman, Cathy Bevins. When Cathy retired in December, Doris took a new position with the County as the Essex Initiative Community Liaison. We are positive Doris will continue to make great contributions to our neighborhood and surrounding area, for years to come. Thanks Doris!

Our newsletter this quarter focuses on all the cool events we have planned for this year in Overlea. A new three- day Youth Art Show will premier in March, allowing kids ages 6-15 to enter their artwork in a true art show. We’ll also celebrate the Overlea Farmers Market’s 8th year, which kicks off on June 10th; the Fullerton Fireworks on Saturday, July 1st; ArtsFest on August 11th-13th at Holt Park, and so much more!

Melissa Davis, President, Overlea Community Association president@overleaonline.org

The popular Overlea ArtsFest 3-day festival is back, and submissions are open for all types of visual art and short films for our juried show. If you’re at least 16 years old, and you’re an artist or filmmaker living, working or going to school in Maryland, we’d love to see what you’ve been working on!

This year’s festival is on August 11th, 12th and 13th, 2023 at Holt Park & Center for the Arts, and will feature the juried art show, family art & nature activities, entertainment, art vendors and food. Cash prizes and certificates will be given to the winners.

For more information go to Overlea ArtsFest website between now and Monday June 12th to submit your work. There is NO FEE to submit.

The feral cat population in Baltimore has been an ongoing issue for many years. Feral cats are a direct outcome of owners who have deliberately abandoned their unwanted animals. Every spring, the feral mama cat that lives under a neighbor’s shed has multiple litters of kittens (did you know a female cat can get pregnant up to five times a year?!) These cats tend to lead a difficult, short life. They continue to reproduce and in a few short years, create an entire community of feral cats if interventions are not put in place. In addition to the stressful life these cats live, their existence creates an ecological issues. They kill birds and their feces pollutes our waterways, posing issues to our public health systems.

While there is no easy solution, it is imperative that we band together as a community to make sure these cats are vetted and spayed/neutered. The benefits include: healthier outdoor cats, prevention of unwanted litters; saving taxpayer dollars by keeping cats out of municipal shelters; and decreasing the number of cats needlessly dying in shelters. If you are feeding a stray cat, there are many resources to assist you to receive discounted or free treatment for thems.

In Baltimore City, you may borrow a trap to catch the cats from BARCS (410.396.4695). They will spay/neuter, vaccinate, and ear tip community cats for free. The SPCA on Falls Rd (410.235.8826) offers similar discounted services to city residents. Baltimore County Animal Shelter (in Baldwin) also offers TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) services to County Residents (410.887.7297). If you feed community cats, it is imperative to the health of the colony and our community, that they are taken care of. If you need direct assistance for community cats on your property, please reach out to Melissa Davis, Overlea’s resident crazy cat lady, at mspicknall1@gmail.com

Historic Overlea gem, Buck Fowlers Tavern is one of Baltimore Magazine’s Best Dive Bars!

By Lydia Woolever, reprinted from Dec. 2022

Past northeast Baltimore’s autobody shops and car dealerships, on the literal city-county line, you’ll find this circa-1950 tavern is still kicking, though just barely. Into the ’90s, the family-run, former “stag bar” (aka men only) was a popular hangout for Colts players like Art Donovan and Bruce Laird, but many of its biggest fans have kicked the bucket in recent years. Even so, the Coors Light sign turns on daily at 11 a.m., with WBAL on the TV, a Sun on the oak bartop, and perhaps the city’s best dartboard in the back room. During a recent lunch beer, one local, whom the tenured bartender referred to as “the mayor,” topped off his own tequila and talked about how bustling the place used to be. Take his advice: “If you’re not looking for a lot of wild and crazy excitement, come on down, sit with the old farts, and have a beverage.”

Visit Buck’s Facebook page.