Ashburton Area Association NEWSLETTER - VOL. 1 - JULY 2022

SUMMER

2022 - 101

2022

ASHBURTON NEWS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ASHBURTON COMMUNITY

INSIDE: Greetings

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Events

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Housing Guidelines

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Ashburton Tales

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GREETINGS

It brings me great joy to introduce myself to you as the newest president of the Ashburton Area Association.

I must start by acknowledging the life and legacy of our former president, the late John L. Crew, Jr. He was one of Ashburton's giants. Mr. Crew led us through unprecedented times as we began to navigate a pandemic that impacted our entire world, with courage and ingenuity. Surely, he will be missed by many.

I enjoy telling my story about moving to Ashburton. Growing up, I spent endless summers running through the alleys of our city. After returning home from Howard University to purchase my first home, Ashburton's suburban charm lured me to Sequoia Avenue. I left for a short while before returning to purchase my second home in Ashburton on Hilton Road. Purchasing two homes in Ashburton is a testament to how much I love our community!

As your new community leader, I look forward to advocating for us all, and working to improve the quality of life for every resident. We all know of Ashburton's rich legacy of excellence. I believe that together, we will make it even richer as we journey into the future.

One of my goals as president is to draw from our history as "a suburb in the city." My aim is to continue attracting those who enjoy the exciting energy of urban living, but have an appreciation for the solitude brought on by our mature landscaping, inviting neighbors, and large, stately homes. To succeed, I will need to hear all the wonderful stories there are about Ashburton, new and old. So, I invite you to tell your stories and allow us to share them through our newsletter, website, and social media.

Inside this edition, you'll read the interesting story of a more "seasoned" Ashburton resident, news from our historic committee, details of upcoming events, plus more. I urge you to get more involved in Ashburton and to continue contributing to the rich fabric of our diverse community. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed developing it.

Your Neighbor, A.J.

Arnold Foster, Jr. WEBSITE: ASHBURTON1920.ORG

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COMMITTEES

Beautification/Events kendra.abaidoo@verizon.net Safety Robin.Tignor@gmail.com Communications: tyravmitchell@gmail.com Community Development: Ddeleaver@gmail.com Architectural Review Committee CHAP: Dawn@otiswarren.com and Noell1229@gmail.com Public Relations: Phylliseva@msn.com

There is no better time to get involved.

Neighbors, we need your help!

Get involved by sending an email to the chair of the committee you would like to support.

Education: tonette.d.campbell@gmail.com Fundraising: torikay@verizon.net Housing: byron212@comcast.net Newsletter: veronica@monarchbutterfly.net

UPCOMING EVENTS Dumpster Day...............7.21.22 Block Party....................9.10.2022 Fall Harvest...................10.31.22 Holiday Spirit Award....12.24.22 Sign up to receive email notifications of upcoming events in Ashburton: Send an email to arnoldfoster@gmail.com

WE LOVE TO PARTY IN ASHBURTON!

PLANNING TO RENOVATE YOUR HOME? Ashburton was designated a Historic CHAP District in December 2011.

Ashburton CHAP Process The Ashburton CHAP Committee has What is CHAP? oversight of the process to assist with In 1964, the City of Baltimore established compliance to the rules and regulations the Commission for Historical and set forth within the Ashburton CHAP Architectural Preservation (CHAP). The district. You must receive approval from Commission was established to protect the Committee before starting any communities and historic structures exterior renovations on the following: within the City of Baltimore.

Roof, Deck, Patio, Porch, Railings/Trim, What are the benefits?

Paint, Windows, Doors, Siding, 1 - To protect the integrity and beauty of Driveway, Walkway, Garage, Fence, the homes in Ashburton.

Lighting, or Additions.

2 - Baltimore City Rehabilitation Tax Credits: Property owners can access city, Send an email to: ashburtonCHAPreview1920@gmail.com state, and Federal rehabilitation tax to request a hearing or submit an credits for home renovations. inquiry. Guidelines can be found on the 3 - It can prevent property taxes from website at ashburton1920.org under increasing if applied for prior to CHAP. completion of renovations.

4 - Homeowners are eligible for state tax Failure to comply, could result in fines incentives for home renovations and or a stop work order. Rules apply to reimbursement up to $50,000 if both homeowners and developers. approved before work begins.

WEBSITE:

WWW.ASHBURTON1920.ORG

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR ANNUAL DUES? $30 PER HOUSEHOLD WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECKS, CASHAPP & PAYPAL VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS: ASHBURTON1920.ORG

INSTAGRAM - @ASHBURTON_BALTIMORE

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ASHBURTON TALES

Meet Ms. Alice By: A.J. Foster

In the 1960s, life in Ashburton was first-class. Adjacent to Lake Ashburton, it was referred to as the "gold coast.” Ashburton was charming and home to an endless list of notable leaders. Mature tree canopies shaded young, Black children playing in front of stately homes, and debutantes and beaux were presented at the most exclusive balls.

To Baltimore’s Black elite, Ashburton was dreamy. Stories of Ashburton's affluence are often recited. Those told less, and of equal value, are the stories of people who simply moved here in search of peace, safety, and a community worth claiming.

Meet our neighbor Alice Smith, born to a painter and homemaker in Baltimore’s Druid Hill community, she has very vivid memories of life in Ashburton at 90 plus years of age.

Ms. Alice discovered our community in the 1950s when one of her brothers moved to Sequoia Avenue. She fell in love with Ashburton's plentiful trees and relocated here soon after. A second brother of hers moved to Lynchester Road and Ashburton quickly became a community of both family and friends for them.

She describes Ashburton as a wonderful place for families to thrive. One of her fondest memories dates back several decades to when she hosted a bridal shower on Hilton Road for one of our current neighbors. She remembered various social groups years ago in Ashburton but recalled the groups catering to certain circles--circles she didn't care to join.

What Ms. Alice did care for were Ashburton was its connection to nature, kind neighbors to whom she could smile and say hello, and cleanliness. Referring to her family, she said “We were not the elite people you might think because we lived in this area... But I never felt misplaced, and I never felt ignored.”

Ms. Alice remembered when she worked for the YMCA and led children on a trip. As the bus passed Ashburton, she pointed and said “I live up there.” She said a young girl replied with excitement, “You live up there!?” Ms. Alice said it was hard to gauge precisely what the girl was thinking, but she could tell the girl had just seen something special.

While Ashburton may be exceptional, Ms. Alice noted that it was never immune to the challenges of life in Baltimore as outsiders may imagine. “The problems here were always the same as everywhere else. You would think, ‘Not in Ashburton.

Not here!’” she said. “The difference here was how we handled it. But really, it’s no different, except the house here is larger.”

Sitting in her front room, she described her time raising children here in her quaint, tudor-style house. She pointed into her breakfast room and said, “Teenage boys would be lined all around that room, leaning on the walls and around the table. If they weren’t in there, they were down in the basement. This home was safe for them.”

When asked about the legacy of Ashburton, Ms. Alice said she hopes it will be remembered as “an area where people cared for their property and each other.”

She added, “I would invite anyone to live here. My only ask is that you just be a good neighbor.”

Ms. Alice WEBSITE:

WWW.ASHBURTON1920.ORG

INSTAGRAM - @ASHBURTON_BALTIMORE

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WHO WRITES THIS ANYWAY!?

Our newsletter is designed to keep Ashburton community members informed, connected, and entertained. The content in this edition was generated primarily by committee and board members. But there is a writer deep down inside each of us!

Interested in submitting content for inclusion in future editions of our newsletter? Email your draft, photo, or poem to be featured in the next edition to: veronica@monarchbutterfly.net

Upcoming Meetings Board Meeting.....................7.21.22 General Meeting..................10.18.2022 Board Meeting......................11.19.22 Sign up to receive email notifications of upcoming meeting details: Send an email to arnoldfoster@gmail.com

Hot Recent Home Sales

3501 Ellamont Rd.

$510k

3211 Dorchester Rd

$415k

3206 Dorchester Rd.

$381k

WEBSITE:

WWW.ASHBURTON1920.ORG

Be a Good Neighbor Maintain control of pets outdoors to help maintain a safe environment for all.

Clean-up pet waste.

Return trash/recycling cans to residence promptly.

Keep properties, including sidewalks, porches, and driveways, clear of trash and debris.

Ensure house address numbers are visible day & night in case of emergencies.

Leave outdoor lighting on at night to increase safety and visibility.

Maintain your lawn and landscaping to keep our community beautiful.

Do not store untagged or inoperable vehicles on private property, public roads, or alleys.