Renaissance Milestone Awards
Purpose Top
The DRC was formed to help move the community forward. On any journey, milestones help us keep track of how far we’ve traveled. With the Renaissance Milestone Awards, we celebrate our continuing progress as a community in achieving revitalization, and we recognize just a few of the many individuals, organizations, and businesses who have helped us get this far.
2011 Awards + 10th Anniversary | 2010 Awards | 2009 | 2008
Announcing the
2012 Dundalk Renaissance Milestone Awards
Saturday, March 31st - 6-10pm
Sparrows Point Country Club
honoring:
The Port of Baltimore
represented by The Maryland Port Administration and The Baltimore Port Alliance
Renaissance Anchor of the Year Award
for being an economic engine that supports the present and future growth of our community while working closely with the community to seek input, create partnerships, and ensure environmental sustainability.
and
Renaissance Milestone Awardees
Gloria Nelson
whose leadership has strengthened Turner Station,
CCBC, the Port, and Greater Dundalk
John Long
founder and leader of Clean Bread and Cheese Creek,
helping to clean up our watershed and raise our consciousness
Joe Falbo and the Heritage Association of Dundalk
providing leadership and heavy lifting to ensure that
Dundalk's signature event - the Dundalk Heritage Fair -
continues to grow and evolve with our community
Contribute Online to become a sponsor or to reserve seats at the event!
Contact us at 410 282-0261 or jacki@dundalkusa.org for details.
Download the 2012 Reservation/Sponsorship Form (pdf).
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2011 Milestone Awards and 10th Anniversary Celebration:
Renaissance Organization of the Year
The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Bayview plays a pivotal role as an anchor institution in the greater Dundalk area, and has long supported efforts to revitalize the community. The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center understands the connection between quality of life and the health of a community's residents.
The DRC greatly appreciates Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for:
1) Investing in Dundalk's Future - by supporting the launche of a revitalization process for Dundalk in 2001, the Urban Design Assistance Team, which lead to the formation of the DRC; continuing to support the DRC and its work creating new, fully-renovated homeownership opportunities in the Dundalk National Register Historic District and its Main Street and Marketing activities; Creating jobs in the ever-expanding fields of health care and medical research, offering a present and future economic base for our community to build upon.
2) Caring About Dundalk's People - providing comprehensive and compassionate health care to the Dundalk community for more than a century (the hospital was founded in 1773, but didn't move to its current location on Eastern Ave. until 1866); and providing core support to many Dundalk community organizations and initiatives for several decades - Medical Center staff are active participants in the Greater Dundalk Community Council, the Greater Dundalk Alliance, the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, and in the St. Helena, Turner Station, Berkshire, and other neighborhoods. As part of their community commitment, they participate in local fairs, wellness events, business activities, blood pressure screenings, the Heritage Parade and sponsorship of the Little Loop softball team. Bayview also sponsors Dundalk's 5k race on the 4th of July. Top
Renaissance Milestone Awardees
Dr. J. Crossan O'Donovan
Dr. J. Crossan O'Donovan is the well-respected, well-liked, friendly neighborhood doctor that everyone in America wishes they had, and who many saw throughout his continuing years as a practicing physician in Dundalk. Growing up in Baltimore, Dr. O'Donovan graduated from Yale, followed by johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1965, and received pediatric training at Duke and Montreal Children's Hospital. He is Past President of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and founded what is now Dundalk Pediatrics in 1971. Throughout his years in Dundalk, Dr. O'Donovan could be found volunteering at Battle Grove Elementary School, speaking to students on career day at local high schools, providing free physical examinations for young athletes who could not otherwise afford it, singing with the Chorus of the Chesapeake, lending a helping hand to St. Rita's Church, and even making the occasional house call to help an ailing neighbor or sick child. He is a friend to all and a brilliant doctor to many. Doctor O'Donovan is a household name that is common in thousands of homes across our community. He lives in Dundalk with his wife, Brenda, who is a nurse. He has three children and six grandchildren. Top
Shirley Gregory
As President of the St. Helena Community Association (city side of the neighborhood) for the past 3 years, Shirley Gregory has sponsored numerous clean-ups and tree plantings, coordinated neighborhood flea markets and sponsored Christmas parties for the neighborhood. Shirley has participated in National Night Out, which included over 200 visitors this past year, and has been recognized by then-City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for her work. She edits the Red Rocket review, a 32-page neighborhood newsletterand played an important role in the community being awarded grant approvals from Rebuilding Together Baltimore to help low-income homeowners with renovations and repairs. As a member of the St. Helena Citizens on Patrol, Team Dundalk, St. Helena Neighborhood Association, Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society, and the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, Shirley has been an advocate for cleaning up and protecting members of the community. She worked tirelessly to rid an area of Ralls Avenue of "unwanted" activity that was bringing the neighborhood down. She also coordinated painting of the community hall exterior, including a mural on the front of the building. Coordinating with residents in the St. Helena Neighborhood Association (County side of the neighborhood) and dealing with how the City-County line divides the neighborhood and requires coordination with two police departments, two school systems, and other agencies is not always easy, but Shirley helps bridge these boundaries with cheer to ensure the community as a whole is stronger. She works hard to be the positive face of St. Helena and do everything in her power to make her neighborhood a great place to live. Top
Karen Fisher Cruz
Karen Fisher Cruz has been with the Eastfield Stanbrook Civic Association (ESCA) for more than 13 years and has served as President of the ESCA for more than 11 years. Since Karen has been President, she developed a rapport with County agencies which has given the association more of a voice within the Southeast area. Karen is focused on accomplishing the mission statement of the ESCA: "As an association we promote community pride and awareness. Organize and provide community activities to keep the neighborhood safe, clean, and a pleasant place to live." During her tenure, the neighborhood has thrived and become one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in in Dundalk. Karen is committed to bringing the community together. She has future plans for a committee for Stansbury Park and a beautification committee. Karen is a past member of the Eastern Baltimore Area Chamber of Commerce, and a current member of GDA, GDCC, and the Greater Dundalk/North Point Bicentennial Advisory Committee. Top
2010 Dundalk Renaissance Milestone Awards:
The Community College of Baltimore County
Renaissance Organization of the Year
CCBC creates new opportunities for our sons, daughters, and spouses to be leaders in the workforce of tomorrow
And
Renaissance Milestone Award Recipients
Mary Harvey
Mary heads the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, investing in Dundalk's housing and neighborhoods
Anchor Bay Marina East, LLC
A green business that highlights the beauty of our waterfront and provides a gathering spot for longtime residents and newcomers alike
Todd Smith
Todd has provided the grassroots leadership and elbow grease needed to improve his Watersedge neighborhood
Thank you to all those who joined us for a very special evening in recognition of their contributions to the revitalization of our community!
2010 Event Photos
2009 Renaissance Milestone Awards
Presented March 7th at Sparrows Point Country Club
View the Complete Event Program (PDF) | View Event Photos
Renaissance Man of the Year
Councilman John Olszewski, Sr.
Renaissance Milestone Award Recipients
Dennis McCartney
Joseph Stadler
Heritage Parade Committee
John Olszewski, Sr.
Baltimore County Council, 7th District
Dundalk Renaissance Man of the Year
Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski, Sr., has been a reliable partner, supporter, and champion of revitalization efforts in Dundalk and throughout southeastern Baltimore County.
From the initial meetings with the Urban Design Assistance Team in 2001, to today’s efforts to build a new community along Yorkway, Councilman Olszewski has worked with the DRC on projects designed to improve and enhance our community. He has been a strong supporter of both the DRC’s housing renovation and main street activities, helping to obtain county and state support for these efforts.
He has been an advocate and supporter of many large-scale public projects identified as priorities by this community, such as the Dundalk Avenue Streetscape, renovating the old Dundalk YMCA, redevelopment of the Dundalk Village Shopping Center, and the demolition and redevelopment of the apartments along Yorkway.
Numerous improvements to the community’s parks and recreational facilities, as well as improvements and renovations to the community’s schools, are due to the councilman’s efforts. The possible construction of two new high schools in Dundalk can be traced directly to John’s efforts to highlight conditions at Dundalk High School, showing that substantial improvements need to be made.
John’s commitment to revitalization extends beyond his work with the DRC. He has been active in the Essex UDAT, working on similar community improvements and enhancements. He has supported the development of new, more upscale homes in Edgemere and along Back River, while also working with area businesses and unions to maintain the community’s employment base. And he has worked to implement a rental registration program to assist communities throughout the county. Top
Dennis McCartney
Renaissance Milestone Award
If something needs to be built or done in Dundalk, there is no better person to call upon than the community’s own action figure, Dennis McCartney.
To complete an entrance sculpture for Dundalk Avenue, as proposed in the UDAT report, Dennis not only provided space at his business to store the piece, he also worked with the Baltimore Arts and Music Project to complete it, and worked with Baltimore County and CSX to install it on the train trestle crossing Dundalk Avenue. Dennis also used his talents and connections to re-install the American flag over the old police/fire station in the Dundalk Village Shopping Center, and last winter, he designed, built and installed metallic Christmas trees for the front of the Dundalk Post Office and Historical Society as part of the DRC’s effort to reinstall holiday lights in the shopping center.
Like a true action figure, however, it is not just his more visible projects that need to be recognized, but also the smaller things Dennis does for people in the community; from helping someone put up a new clothesline to providing assistance to someone in need. Dennis does not want to talk about a problem, he wants to fix it. Now.
Dennis is an active member of the Dundalk High School Alumni Association, and a board member of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation. He also marches in Dundalk’s St. Patrick’s Day and July 4th parades, proudly wearing his kilt. Top
Joseph Anthony Stadler
Renaissance Milestone Award
Perhaps the best way to describe Joe Stadler and what he means to our community is to call him the ideal neighbor, involved in numerous neighborhood and community efforts. For the past three years, for instance, he has earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award at Bank of America for providing over 200 hours of volunteer service annually.
Active in the St. Helena neighborhood where he has lived for over thirty years, he has been involved in the St. Helena Neighborhood Association, Citizens on Patrol, and in writing and distributing the community newsletter, the Red Rocket Review.
But people in St. Helena may know him better for the neighborhood Christmas caroling he has organized for the last ten years, getting anywhere from thirty to eighty people to march and sing through the neighborhood, or for the neighborhood spring cleaning – Detroit Avenue Day – he has been organizing for the last two years.
Joe is also active beyond St. Helena. He is a member and board member of the Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society, where he established and still manages the Society Gift Shop. He is also active in the numerous events sponsored by the Historical Society, including the Flea Market, Art Show and Defenders Day, and helps to represent the Historical Society at the Heritage Fair and summer Concerts in the Park. Joe is also an active member of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, volunteering in Team Dundalk events, and is a board member of the Greater Dundalk Alliance.
Through all of these efforts, Joe works as a promoter, a mediator and a connector, building up people and organizations, helping to keep group projects running smoothly, and building bridges between people and organizations at every turn for the betterment of Dundalk. Top
Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee
Renaissance Milestone Award
For seventy-five years Dundalkians have celebrated the nation’s birthday with a parade. The longest running July 4th parade in the state, possibly the nation, its traditions include the line of fire trucks leading the parade, using their horns and sirens to let people know the parade is beginning, to the blankets and chairs put out a day or two before the parade to claim prime viewing locations.
From the beginning, the parade has been a tribute to the community made possible by the hard work and efforts of people in the community. The first 4th of July parades had been held in Sparrows Point, starting in 1902, but these efforts stopped in 1929, with the Great Depression. In 1934 a group of citizens organized the Heritage Parade, to be held through the streets of Dundalk. That parade has continued ever since, following the same route since the 1940’s.
In 1981, management of the parade was taken over by the Optimist Club of Dundalk, Inc., with Charlie Panuska organizing the event for over twenty years. Still hosted by the Optimist Club, in 2001 the Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee was formed to oversee parade activities. Patricia Herman, a member of the Optimist Club of Dundalk, currently chairs the Heritage Parade Committee.
The parade has never been a one person accomplishment, or a short-term project, however. Funds for the parade have always come from the community, including donations, proceeds from the Heritage Fair, and money collected by the Bucket Brigade during the parade. Work to organize and produce the next parade starts almost as soon as the last parade has finished. Over the years countless volunteers have put in thousands of hours of work to make the parade a reality, building countless memories, and Dundalk’s sense of community, with it. Top
Renaissance Milestone Awards - 2008
Renaissance Man of the Year
Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith
Renaissance Milestone Award Recipients
Harry Wujek
Lil Tirschman
The Dundalk Eagle
View Event Photos
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