Community
Clean-Up DaySeptember/October 2003
President's Message | Annoucements | Days Cove Reclamation | BHS Committees | Community Clean Up Day | Logo Contest | New Residents New Babies | Babysitter List | Halloween Celebration | Holiday Events | For Sale | Board Members
A Message From the President
Well, the children have finally returned to school and the holiday season is fast approaching. Over the summer, I've had time to reflect and observe the goings on of the neighborhood. Our neighborhood looks green and lush. Home prices have skyrocketed making very happy homeowners. Children frolicking the neighborhood create a very dangerous situation in the making. Why? Many young children are playing outdoors without adult supervision. This is happening more and more in our neighborhood.
Recently a 4-year-old child was abducted from his neighborhood in Belcamp, molested then returned home to his neighborhood. TV news reports state the parents were not sure how long their child was missing. This was not a case of child neglect but a parent believing it was ok for his child to walk around the corner to a neighbor's home unsupervised. Harford County Sheriff's Office arrested the alleged sex offender on September 10th after he allegedly exposed himself to children at William S. James Elementary School right here in Box Hill!
According to Deputy Oaks from the Harford County Sheriff's Office, children are rarely abducted and sexually molested by strangers in Harford County. Unfortunately most times, family, friends and neighbors abuse our children, BUT please do not believe this could not happen.
At this time, there are currently fifty-eight registered sexual offenders on the Harford County Sexual Offender web page. You can reach this link at www.harfordsheriff.org. You will be required to list your name and why you are requesting information. The Harford County Sheriff's Office will be working with the local schools and implementing the Stranger Danger in Schools program. This program is offered to all children up to third grade and will help them understand how to protect themselves from strangers. But this is not enough; parents need to understand what CAN happen in their own neighborhood.
This leads me to my plea to community members. Please supervise your children at all times. While it may appear safe, your child may or may not have the understanding of who could be a bad person. At any time, a child predator could be driving through the neighborhood. Also, please become aware of your surroundings. If you notice a car driving through the neighborhood or someone hanging out at the tot-lots please contact the Harford County Sheriff's office immediately. Please provide a description of the person or the vehicle they are driving. Children are our most precious commodities and we must protect them at all costs.
Spencer's Rubble Landfill is located on Abingdon Road near the Abingdon Fire House. This property was used for dumping rubble from demolition of buildings and has never been used to dump refuse. Spencer's Sand & Gravel, Inc has contracted with Days Cove Reclamation Company to secure and enable future beneficial use of the property. This work will be done is phases. Phase I & II on the east and west sides of Abingdon road will take approximately 10 years to complete. At this time they will be working to make the property a viable part of the community and want to include the community in their plans. We have invited Days Cove Reclamation Company to our annual meeting on November 5, 2003 and they will give us a more in depth presentation and their plans for the community. We hope you will attend!
A new newsletter for Box Hill South residents will be distributed on a quarterly basis. President's message, announcements and articles will be included to keep all residents up to date with our local happenings. Committees are being formed and volunteers are needed. If you have any ideas or are interested in being a part of your community, please contact Jennifer at (410) 569-1999. The following is a list of committees that you can join.
Beautification - Have any "beautiful" ideas or just want to help keep your community looking great. A clean looking neighborhood not only gives everyone great curb appeal, but it can help to increase the value of all our homes. You don't need a green thumb, just the desire for an inviting community.
Hospitality - Are you friendly and outgoing? Welcome new residents and new babies to our to our BHS Family. Organize meal preparations for new mothers or help out with chores and driving assistance for a neighbor who is ill or has been in an accident. It is wonderful when we can pull together and help each other as more than just a community but as a family.
Events - Want to get to know the people who live in your community? Got any great ideas on how to do just that? Right now we have a Halloween get together and a Winter House Decorating contest planned. Don't be shy, come out and have some fun with your neighbors.
"For Sale" Ads - Receive, organize and submit all ads for the newsletter
If you have any great ideas, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Community
Clean-Up DayDuring the weekend of October 11th & 12th, we will be having a volunteer community clean up. We can make our community a beautiful, clean and proud neighborhood if we all take part in such simple tasks.
1) Clean the street in front of your house
2) Pick up any trash in your area
3) Remove weeds from sidewalk and driveway cracks
Here are a few tips on getting those nasty weeds out of those cracks. Instead of using harsh chemicals to rid your weeds, try:
1) Use boiling hot water - just pour it over the weeds
2) You can use plain table salt - just sprinkle it on the weeds
3) Vinegar! Fill a spray bottle with full strength vinegar and give those nasty weeds a spritz.
Let's make our neighborhood a beautiful, clean
"Home Sweet Home" place to be.
-The Beautification Committee
With a new newsletter coming out every quarter, and special holiday events to boot, we're looking for a new logo. All Box Hill South residents, young and old, are invited to enter your creative image to represent your community. Bring all entries to the annual open board meeting on November 5th at the Abingdon Fire Hall. The winner will be announced in the Dec/Jan newsletter.
Welcome to all new BHS residents who have recently joined our community. We look forward to meeting you at all future events and hope to see you at the annual meeting in November.
If you would like to announce the birth of your newest addition, please contact Jennifer at (410) 569-1999.
If you would like to offer your babysitter services to your BHS community, please submit your name, age, phone number and any earned child care certifications to the Board of Directors via Jennifer at (410) 569-1999. Only your name and phone number will appear in the newsletter.
If you have something you would like to sell, and would like to give your neighbors first dibs, then call Jennifer at (410) 569-1999. All ads will automatically be run in the next upcoming newsletter.
It's sad that summer is over, but we have a lot of fun to look forward to. Before you know it, we'll be ringing in a new year. So to get things running, we're starting with a BHS Halloween celebration. It will be held on Sunday, October 26th from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm by the Tot Lot Area on Windy Laurel Road. (If construction keeps us from getting there, we will convene in a nearby area. Kids will get to show off their Halloween creations and just have a little fun!
Please contact Jennifer at (410) 569-1999 or e-mail me on our website (www.bhshoa.com) by October 20th with your child's name and age. You must call so we can plan for the amount of children attending the event and enter your child in a special drawing. Feel free to leave a message.
Volunteers and contributions are needed to help this event. Please specify if you can donate (1) bag of candy or help to assemble goodie bags.
Start putting together your best costume. This Halloween is sure to be a FRIGHT !!!
For the Winters Holidays, everyone is invited to decorate their home. Did you ever notice how nice the streets look with all the lights and decorations. This year the Beautification and Events committees will be judging the best decorated homes. One from the Townhomes, and one from the Single Family Homes. Each will win a special prize. If your house is decorated, it will be judged. No entry request required. So start thinking how you will be lighting up the holidays this year!!
Sue Perouty President Rob Furlong Vice President Tom Pearson Treasurer Sally Raphel Member Jennifer Bergquist Member Sallie Foster Property Manager
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