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This past January, my wife Noreen and I took a trip to Norway to spend time with our nephew. Many people responded the same way when I told them where we were going. “January!?!” It was cold. But we were prepared. We sorted through our Merino wool clothing. I bought new hiking boots. We dressed in layers that we could stack or peel off as frigid outdoor temperatures met toasty inside spaces. We had a great time. It was below freezing almost the entire trip. Covered in snow. The sun went down at 3:00 pm. How could we imagine that upon our return Overlea would be gripped by an extended cold snap that even rivaled Oslo. It is often said that the Nordic countries are the happiest. Maybe not the most extroverted. But there seems to be something about dealing with the adversity of cold weather and narrow sidewalks and shuffling winter boots that brings us to a place of common humanity. For every story about fights over parking spots, I heard and saw just as many instances of neighbors helping each other out in our neighborhood.
There is a lot on the horizon, even as that stubborn groundhog taunts us with a delayed start to warmer Spring weather. The Hillendale-Overlea-Parkville task force has approved State and County grant funding to give many businesses along Belair and Harford roads a facelift. That work should begin soon. We expect an invigoration of entrepreneurial activity based in Haven’s coworking space. And one of our favorite neighbors, the Natural History Society of Maryland should be unveiling their architectural updates this spring. There is also an effort on the part of communities on both sides of the City-County line to smooth out the barriers that separate us as neighbors along Route 1.
I am looking forward to the times when we can get outside together again. The Farmers Market, Overlea Artsfest, park cleanups, outdoor movies. I really love our community and am eager to see what we can all do together this year.
With gratitude,
Martin Nibali, President, Overlea Community Association