Team Led by Cross Street Partners Formally Breaks Ground on Highly Anticipated East Baltimore Innovation Center

— April 25, 2018 — More than one hundred school children, community residents, and municipal leaders in attendance, Cross Street Partners, Strong City Baltimore, and City Life Historic Properties yesterday formally broke ground on the highly anticipated Center for Neighborhood Innovation (CNI) in East Baltimore.

When complete, the 85,000-square-foot facility will be home to social entrepreneurs and innovators committed to solving the various challenges facing Baltimore, with a special focus on the distressed neighborhoods surrounding the Center, just north of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Years in the making, the project is a true collaborative effort by the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as well as community members.

The Rev. Dr. H. Walden Wilson, pastor of Israel Baptist Church, kicked off today’s celebration by highlighting how powerful teamwork has proven to be in moving the Center for Neighborhood Innovation forward. “I have come to the conclusion, we can do more together than we can separately,” said Rev. Wilson, who has led the neighborhood church for some 40 years.

CNI will be housed in the historic but long-vacant A. Hoen & Co. Lithograph Buildings, where a once-thriving printer produced everything from baseball cards to National Geographic magazines.

The chief executive of Cross Street Partners, Bill Struever, said he expects his latest undertaking to prove every bit as successful as his previous initiatives to revitalize and repurpose significant old buildings that had fallen into disrepair and disuse, such as the former manufacturing plant that currently serves as headquarters to Under Armour. “All of these [projects] have more jobs today than they did in their heydays,” he said. At Hoen, he continued, “We expect likewise.”

The CNI initiative is somewhat unusual. Unlike traditional project-based initiatives that focus on a single issue, place-based efforts such as CNI address the multiple issues presented by a single geographic area.

“All neighborhoods have assets – it’s just a matter of recognizing and investing in them,” said Karen D. Stokes, CEO of Strong City Baltimore, a nonprofit that supports community-based initiatives and which will be spearheading the CNI as the Hoen’s lead tenant. “This area of East Baltimore has suffered from decades of disinvestment, but with this project we have a chance to help turn that around.”

The myriad challenges in the communities around CNI include high crime, low property values, high unemployment and low educational attainment. For example, more than 25 percent of Collington Square’s residents are without a job, and roughly a third lack a high school diploma or GED. CNI’s tenant partners will seek to address these and other issues through individual efforts and in collaboration. The interdisciplinary group will help students and residents move step-by-step along the continuum from schooling to job training to career building.

Citing his real estate development hero, James Rouse, whose accomplishments include the creation of Columbia, Md., Struever said it is essential that the project is sustainable for the long term and that it belongs to the neighborhood. CNI will deliver on both counts, he said, explaining that the effort represents the perfect alignment of the community and the marketplace.

State Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden said that kids used to peer through the windows of the Hoen decades ago to watch the activity inside. CNI, he said, represents another important step forward in his shared mission to put the neighborhood “back together like we found in in the 1940s and 1950s.”

“Transforming neighborhoods and communities, that’s what it’s about,” Sen. McFadden said. “Let’s get to work.”

Thanking all of the state, local, and community partners who have contributed to the project since it was first proposed in July 2014, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh said: “Let’s continue to move Baltimore forward.”

Ella Durant, who has lived in the Collington Square neighborhood for more than 60 years and has served as the community association’s president for roughly 20 years, recalled how she toured the Hoen buildings back when she was in elementary school, when it was bustling. “It’s coming alive again,” she enthused.

Also, during the groundbreaking ceremony, Hoen’s development partners presented a check for $75,000 to the Club at Collington Square, an after-school and summer program for young people in the neighborhood, operated by Strong City Baltimore.

Cocktails & Creatives: Sip, Shop and Enjoy Live Music at Impact Hub Baltimore.

Increasingly women are coming together in support of one another and various causes— from rallies on the streets to social media. Why should the creative community be any different?

Two Maryland-based organizations, Speakable Joi, which helps solopreneurs balance life and hustle through community and courses; and Women Creatives Chat, a community and resource for women of diverse artistic disciplines have partnered to present Cocktails & Creatives: A Sip & Shop Event at Impact Hub Baltimore located at 10 E. North Avenue in the Station North Arts District on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Mikey’s Miracle Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides support services to cancer patients and their families.

Event attendees can enjoy complementary cocktails, sponsored by Gifted by Grace Financial Service; and appetizers, all while shopping handcrafted jewelry; African-inspired apparel and accessories; products for the hair, skin and body; and visual artwork. There is also music from Queen of the Turntables, a performance by Baltimore-based hip-hop artist Nefertiitii, and an opportunity to win prizes from sponsors.

Book lovers may connect with writers at the Authors’ Corner featuring works ranging from fiction to self help, memoir and children’s literature; presenting writers include: Valerie Keys, D. Antoinette, Rochelle Soetan and Mia Loving. This diverse mix of women creatives runs the gamut in age, artistic discipline and experience.

Sillie Mugo, a young Kenyan artist, who is selling her colorful abstract art pieces said, “Growing up in Kenya allowed me endless color inspiration from the colorful tribal fabrics to the lush Botanical Gardens. My vibrant abstracts are my way of telling my stories on canvas. I hope that everyone who experiences my art is instantly uplifted.”

Mugo is new to Maryland and feels the opportunity to build relationships with other creative entrepreneurs and like-minded, women is exciting.

Ché Vaughn, another vendor who creates handcrafted bath and body products through her business, Ché Naturelles, echos Mugo’s feeling about the benefits of networking with creative entrepreneurs: “Being in community with other women strengthens my business by providing me with a positive network of mothers and entrepreneurs working hard to build their businesses and brands, just as I am. We truly respect and value each others creativity and successes, which ultimately inspires me to go harder in my own business pursuits.”

Nearly everything about the process of creating her products inspires Vaughn, including details such as “measuring, handling and mixing all natural butters, oils and aromatic essential oils… It just feels right, like I’m truly in my element doing what God intended me to do. It’s healing for my soul to make natural self care products. It feels good to do what I love [and] give someone else a piece of my creativity.”

Like Vaughn, Sam Smith, owner of New Vintage by Sam, who creates and sells handcrafted jewelry, is inspired by a wide array of elements and creates using various mediums including design, modeling, styling and directing. Smith says, “fashion and art have always been a means of expression so choosing one over the other is never an option.” And collaborating with other women is also a source of both strength and inspiration for Smith, who adds: “Surrounding myself with other females has propelled my creativity and business acumen. The way women work independently and together is phenomenal. I couldn’t imagine feeling nearly as inspired without a pack of courageous women leading the way, standing beside me, and holding me down.”

Perhaps this collective passion to create and cultivate community is partially behind the growing number of women entrepreneurs. Overall, the number of women-owned businesses grew by 74 percent between 1997 and 2015— a rate that’s 1.5 times then the national average, according to the recently published “2015 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report” commissioned by American Express and detailed in Fortune Magazine.

Event organizers want to foster community for creative women in business, as they feel this group, particularly women of color, are often overlooked in terms of resources and affirming spaces. “It only made sense to combine our [Women Creatives Chat and Speakable Joi] resources and passions to create this project. Together, I know we can foster an environment where creative women feel celebrated and supported by us and the community at large,” said Joi Turner, founder of Speakable Joi.

The event is free, but registration is required. You will find unique gifts for your Mom, too! To register, visit: http://bit.ly/cocktailsandcreatives.

Jewelry by New Vintage by Sam will also be available for sale. These are just two of many unique items that will be offered for sale at the event.

Jewelry by New Vintage by Sam will also be available for sale. These are just two of many unique items that will be offered for sale at the event.

Chè Vaughn, Owner of Chè Naturelles

Chè Vaughn, Owner of Chè Naturelles

“Bangin’ With The Boomers”

Everyone had a bangin’ good time on Thursday, April, 12, 2018 at the Bangin’ with the Boomers “party for the young at heart” hosted by Times Community Services, Inc., the non-profit arm of The Baltimore Times. The mid-day luncheon was held at Forum Caterers. The guests were treated to a delightful afternoon of food, dancing and oldies but goodies music spun by DJ Chris. Many of the guests took home door prizes and participated in a raffle hoping to win tickets to two great events. Gale Eldridge, however, won both sets of raffle tickets. She and her husband will attend a Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes event on the weekend of April 28th at the Forum and then join Times Community Services, Inc. on May 18, 2018 at their Off to the Races Pre-Preakness Party at the Horseshoe Casino. (Above standing): Phyllis Brooks; Beula Brown; Donna Holley; Betty Eggleston; Louise Cole; Karen Richburg; Aurelia Bell; (Seated): Loretta Sitzer, “Birthday Girl,” Carrie Stokes, celebrated her 92nd birthday and Sheila Sims.

Rosa Pryor-Trusty, William “Shorty” Pryor, and Cynthia B. Easley, Rambling Rose is one of the coordinators of Bangin’ with the Boomers

Rosa Pryor-Trusty, William “Shorty” Pryor, and Cynthia B. Easley, Rambling Rose is one of the coordinators of Bangin’ with the Boomers

Shirley Duncan, founder of Charm City Dancers (left) and Teresa Kearney, one of the Charm City dancers. Shirley is one of the event’s coordinators.

Shirley Duncan, founder of Charm City Dancers (left) and Teresa Kearney, one of the Charm City dancers. Shirley is one of the event’s coordinators.

Gale Eldridge was a super lucky winner,! She won both raffle prizes,—two tickets to CH Productions’ Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes event next weekend at the Forum and two tickets to the “Off to the Races” Pre-Preakness Party on May 18, at the Horseshoe Casino held by Times Community Services, Inc.

Gale Eldridge was a super lucky winner,! She won both raffle prizes,—two tickets to CH Productions’ Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes event next weekend at the Forum and two tickets to the “Off to the Races” Pre-Preakness Party on May 18, at the Horseshoe Casino held by Times Community Services, Inc.

Cheryl Williams with “Birthday Girl” Crystal Brown

Cheryl Williams with “Birthday Girl” Crystal Brown

Gloria Miller, Ditra Johnson, and “Birthday Girl” Joyce Mack

Gloria Miller, Ditra Johnson, and “Birthday Girl” Joyce Mack

Daisy Nanton, 96 and daughter Carol Nanton

Daisy Nanton, 96 and daughter Carol Nanton

Frances E. Jeffries and Everett Fullwood

Frances E. Jeffries and Everett Fullwood

Brenda Curry, Gale Eldridge, Phyllis B. Watkins, Beatrice W. Williams

Brenda Curry, Gale Eldridge, Phyllis B. Watkins, Beatrice W. Williams

Tracie Brooks Gray and Mary Randall

Tracie Brooks Gray and Mary Randall

Summer Camps For Grieving Children And Teens Return For 27th Year

— The Chesapeake Life Center, a program of Hospice of the Chesapeake, is now registering participants for Camp Nabi and Phoenix Rising to be held simultaneously over the weekend of August 10 to 12 at the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, Maryland.

•Camp Nabi, a weekend camp for grieving children ages 6 to 13, provides time for children to share their stories, play and work together while also enjoying camp activities. Now in its 27th year, Camp Nabi has served more than a thousand children. Children entering first and second grade will attend a day camp on Saturday, Aug. 11. Children entering third through eighth grade will stay the entire weekend.

•Phoenix Rising, a weekend retreat for teens, promotes resiliency and an exploration of coping strategies through team building activities.

Both camps provide an interactive program supported by a professional staff and team of trained volunteers to help participants’ process their grief in a safe, accepting environment.

All lodging, meals, snacks and activities are included in the one-time application fee. There are several small scholarships available for those in need. Space is limited.

To apply to atend one of the camps, visit: www.chesapeakelifecenter.org.

To have an application mailed to you, call 888-501-7077 or email campnabi@chesapeakelifecenter.org. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2018.

Top Five Reasons Reading Partners Volunteers Make Baltimore A Better Place

— For over four decades, National Volunteer Week has given nonprofits an opportunity to recognize the invaluable support of volunteers that help fuel their work.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week in 2018 (April 15-21), Reading Partners Baltimore created a list highlighting the top five ways its volunteers make the community stronger and better.

Here are the top five reasons:

  1. Volunteers drive student impact— Volunteers are working one-on-one with more than 750 students this year in Baltimore to help deliver meaningful results for kids (last year, 81 percent of Reading Partners’ Kindergarten through second-grade students in Baltimore mastered key foundational reading skills needed to read at grade level).

  2. By promoting educational equity, volunteers strengthen the broader community— Everyone benefits in the long run when student literacy achievement is bolstered. Students who don’t read proficiently by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. It’s estimated that every student who walks out of the classroom without a diploma costs our society $260,000 in lost earnings, taxes, and productivity.

  3. Volunteers serve as a resource multiplier— Because Reading Partners engages so many community volunteers in their work, the program is more affordable for schools to implement than other literacy interventions. For every dollar invested in reading partners, the program delivers more than $2 in resources to students.

  4. Volunteers support strong public schools— Thanks to the involvement of 1,100 community tutors in Baltimore, 97 percent of teachers report Reading Partners is valuable to their school and 100 percent of principals report improved school-wide reading progress.

  5. Volunteers help bring joy to learning— Students feed off of the energy and excitement of Reading Partners’ volunteer tutors. In Baltimore, 95 percent of volunteers are satisfied with their tutoring experience and that enthusiasm helps students develop a lifelong love of reading that is key to success in school and beyond.

“Our ability to serve hundreds of students across our city is made possible through our volunteers,” said Jeffrey Zwillenberg, executive director, Reading Partners Baltimore. “And beyond this reach, it is these same volunteer tutors who are creating life-changing opportunities by delivering the gift of reading to their students. We are more than just a one-on-one literacy tutoring program — we are a volunteer and community driven organization seeking to create educational equity for our entire city.”

Reading Partners is a national nonprofit that collaborates with community volunteers and local public schools in Baltimore and in 13 other regions across the country to equip students with the foundational skills they need to be able to read at grade level by fourth grade.

Reading Partners Baltimore is constantly looking for more local volunteers to commit just an hour a week to work individually with children who struggle with reading. To become a volunteer with Reading Partners,visit: readingpartners.org/volunteer today.

America’s VetDogs Hosts 8th Annual Annapolis & Kent Island Fundraising Run & Dog Walk

Meet Camden, WBAL-TV’s Puppy w ith a Purpose & Future Service Dog

America’s VetDogs®, is thrilled to host the family and canine friendly 8th Annual Annapolis/Kent Island Run & Dog Walk at Kent Island High School in Stevensville, Maryland, on Sunday, April 22, 2018 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Jason Newton, WBAL-TV news reporter, anchor and VetDogs’ fan will host the ceremonies.

The event guests of honor include VetDogs graduate Becca Ubert, U.S. Army combat medic and tactical medicine instructor, who will speak about the life-changing difference her service dog has made. Camden, WBAL-TV’s puppy with a purpose, will be available for photo opportunities and will demonstrate various puppy skills for those in attendance.

Ubert enlisted in the Army in 2002 as a combat medic and tactical medicine instructor and served until 2015, when she was medically retired. In 2016, she received her yellow Labrador Retriever service dog Tucker from America’s VetDogs. Tucker is specially trained to provide counter balance, retrieve dropped items, open doors and file cabinets as well as keep her active. “I firmly believe Tucker saved my life and healed my family,” Ubert declares.

The race will journey through the beautiful Cross Island Trail on Kent Island, Stevensville, Maryland. Participants can take part in a timed 10K or 5K race, and a leisurely two-mile family-friendly walk with or without a pup.

Virtual participation is available. Proceeds will benefit the VetDogs service dog programs.

To learn more, to register, or to donate online, visit: race4vets.VetDogs.org.

Since 2003, America’s VetDogs has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual.

BOOST Scholarship Program Accepting Applications for 2018-19 School Year

— The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has opened the application process for a scholarship program designed to help income eligible students attend nonpublic schools.

The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program, entering its third year, will provide more than $7 million in scholarships for students who are eligible for the free- or reduced-price lunch program. The BOOST program was the result of a bipartisan compromise during the 2016 session of the Maryland General Assembly, and received widespread support from legislators in both parties.

“Our administration is committed to ensuring that every single child in Maryland has the chance to get a world-class education, regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This innovative program, forged through bipartisan cooperation, offers expanded options and opportunities for Maryland families and students.”

More than 2,800 students were awarded BOOST Scholarships for the 2017-18 school year. Scholarships ranged from $1,400 to $4,400 each, with the highest award amount going to students who had qualified for the Free Meal Program and attended a public school the previous year.

The BOOST program is available for students either already attending or hoping to attend a nonpublic participating school. Students must be enrolled in— or have applied to— a potential participating school before completing the BOOST application.

All applications will be reviewed by MSDE to ensure completion and income eligibility. MSDE will compile a list of applicants that ranks eligible students by family income expressed as a percent of the most recent federal poverty levels. MSDE will then provide a count of eligible students by category to the BOOST Advisory Board. The categories reflect whether the student attended a public or private school the prior year and whether the student qualifies for Free Meals or Reduced Meals. lso, the BOOST law governing the 2018-19 awards specifies that some funds are reserved for students with disabilities. The BOOST Advisory Board will determine how the scholarship funds are allocated among the categories.

Students who received a BOOST Scholarship in the 2017-2018 school year and who still meet the eligibility criteria must complete an application to receive an award in 2018-2019.

The application deadline is Monday, May 21, 2018 at 5 p.m. for the 2018-19 school year. The application and a list of participating schools is available at http://marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/ boost/index.aspx.

Library And County Officials Break Ground on New Annapolis Library

In the shadow of the 52-year-old building, representatives from the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) along with County Executive Steve Schuh and other local officials broke ground on the new Annapolis Library.

The 32,500 square foot facility, the first new library in 14 years, is expected to reopen by late 2019 or early 2020.

“For the last 52 years, we have been proudly serving the residents of Anne Arundel County at the Annapolis Library,” AACPL CEO Hampton “Skip” Auld said. “Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new story of the library helping to strengthen our community with more resources and more space.”

The new library will feature a modern design, teen space, tech zone, tinker space, vending café, expanded children’s space, three meeting rooms and five collaboration spaces.

Local architects Wheeler, Goodman Masek & Associates with support from Margaret Sullivan Studios and Louis Cherry Architecture, are designing the building. The project is expected to cost $24 million.

“The new Annapolis Library will be the flagship in an already incredible library system,” said County Executive Schuh. “This will be a place where child and parent alike can fall in love with reading, and where communities come together to build stronger ties.”

“I’m thrilled that we are starting the next chapter in the story of the new Annapolis Library today,” said Councilmember Chris Trumbauer. “This facility will help us turn the page from a library of the past to a library of the future. With a beautiful design, larger meeting rooms and specialized spaces for different types of users, this will be a community resource everyone will want to checkout.”

Drawings of the new Annapolis Library can be found at www.aacpl.net/new-annapolis.

Rambling Rose

Hello everyone, how are you doing? I am doing much better thank you. I am not quite back in the saddle yet, but I am moving in that direction. I did my first outing at our Baltimore Times “Bangin’ with the Boomers” Luncheon, which was very nice. I want to thank all my fans, followers and friends of “Rambling Rose” column for being there. It truly was a great start to our monthly party for the “Young at Heart”. I hope you enjoyed yourselves, and next month it will be bigger and better. So keep reading my column and you will know know where the next luncheon will take place.

Now, I want to talk to you about a friend of mine, James Hamlin, who built, manages and is the owner of a bakery in the heart of Pennsylvania Avenue. He has incorporated the thoughts, history, pictures and murals into a company called “Royal Theater and Community Heritage Corporation that will preserve our legacy forever. Inside the bakery while smelling the fresh baked rolls and pastries pulled from the oven, you can enjoy the gallery through the bakery inside and out. Not so long ago, he attached a courtyard to the bakery with a built in band stand stage, covered tents and tables to feature live jazz every month free and open to the community. They serve food and cocktails while you listen to some dynamite live entertainment.

On Saturday, April 21st from 1-5 p.m., the Baltimore Jazz Alliance and the Royal Theater and Community Heritage Corporation celebrates “Jazz Appreciation Month, featuring Baltimore Jazz artists “Spice and the Andrey Haskins Quartet. This free concert will be held at the Avenue Bakery, 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. They will also have food and drinks, a raffle with great prizes including BJA’s own Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, a chance for young children to learn about and experience the instruments of jazz. Check it out, I promise you, you will enjoy.

FYI: Don’t forget “The Crew Friday Nite Oldies” at the Caton Castle every 3rd Friday from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. call 410-675-6379 for more information.

FYI: Winard Harper Sextet with Anthony Ware, Charlie Siglar, Vincent Dupont, Norman Simmons will perform at the Caton Castle 20 S. Caton Avenue on Saturday April 21 from 6-10 p.m. For information, call 410-566-7086.

FYI: “Jazz Concerts for Seniors” will feature John Lamkin II Ensemble at the Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Road, in Baltimore on Wednesday, April 25 at 12:45 p.m. For more information, call 410-887-0900.

FYI: For our jazz lovers; Michael Feinberg, bassist and bandleader will perform at “An Die Musik” in Baltimore on April 27. For more information, call 646-613-1101.

Well, my dear friends, I am out of space and time, I got to go, but remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Baltimore Jazz Alliance and the Royal Theater and Community Heritage Corporation will feature Andrey Haskins Quartet with Spice at the Avenue Bakery Court Yard, 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Baltimore Jazz Alliance and the Royal Theater and Community Heritage Corporation will feature Andrey Haskins Quartet with Spice at the Avenue Bakery Court Yard, 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue on Saturday, April 21, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

An Evening of Elegance hosted by Baltimore’s Promoter, Carlos Hutchins featuring Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes and Baltimore’s own The Spindles on Saturday, April 28 at the Forum Caterers starting at 7 p.m. For tickets and information, call 410-999-1750

An Evening of Elegance hosted by Baltimore’s Promoter, Carlos Hutchins featuring Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes and Baltimore’s own The Spindles on Saturday, April 28 at the Forum Caterers starting at 7 p.m. For tickets and information, call 410-999-1750

A fundraiser to benefit Alyscia Cunningham’s film “I Am More Than My Hair” with a “Bald, Beautiful & Bold Benefit Fashion Show” featuring bald models including Baltimore’s own renowned  jazz vocalist Brenda Alford and her sister, model from Travis Winkey’s Production, Sharon Alford on Saturday, April 21st, 3-7 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 929 Ingleside Avenue in Catonsville, Maryland, call 443-813-7943

A fundraiser to benefit Alyscia Cunningham’s film “I Am More Than My Hair” with a “Bald, Beautiful & Bold Benefit Fashion Show” featuring bald models including Baltimore’s own renowned jazz vocalist Brenda Alford and her sister, model from Travis Winkey’s Production, Sharon Alford on Saturday, April 21st, 3-7 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 929 Ingleside Avenue in Catonsville, Maryland, call 443-813-7943

Story Trail at Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum Debuts on April 21, 2018

— Baltimore County Public Library in partnership with Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum debuts a story trail in the park’s nature play area on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 11 a.m. The story trail, which is a series of picture book pages posted along a walking path, was developed to promote literacy, exercise and family fun for Baltimore County residents and visitors.

This is the library’s second story trail in Baltimore County— Oregon Ridge Nature Center debuted a story trail behind its outdoor children’s area in 2017. Baltimore County Public Library’s Catonsville Branch staff who initiated the collaboration, will maintain the posts and change the story seasonally to keep bringing families back.

The project was funded by Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library and Benjamin Banneker Foundation; the book stands were installed by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks.

“Our staff loves branching out from what people consider traditional library services,” said Melissa Gotsch, Catonsville Branch manager, “with efforts like our community garden and campfire stories at Patapsco State Park.”

The first book featured on the story trail will be Explorers of the Wild by author/illustrator Cale Atkinson. The brightly colored book describes Bear and Boy, two explorers who love to explore the outdoors. When they meet in the woods, they’re both scared, but “no mountain is too big to conquer if you have a friend to climb it by your side.”

“We chose books that highlight outdoor activities while instilling a love of reading among kids and caregivers,” Gotsch said.

“We have the space and it fits our mission, said Winny Tan, senior naturalist/director of Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. “Benjamin Banneker was an avid learner and voracious reader, so providing this recreational and learning opportunity for the community complements the visitor experience.”

“Reading is so important to a child’s success,” continued Tan, “and now we can incorporate it with fresh air, nature, exploration, exercise and good impacts on health.”