Catonsville community hosts annual neighborhood celebration Saturday

Having withstood a postponement of its first block party due to pouring rain, members of the Academy Heights Civic Association were not deterred by Saturday's threatening skies from hosting their third annual event.

Association president John McSweeney proudly noted more than 250 people from the 487 total households in the community attended the Sept. 17 party at Northdale and Greenlow roads in Academy Heights, a neighborhood tucked in between Old Frederick Road and Edmondson Avenue.

Councilman Tom Quirk, who represents the 1st District that includes the area, Capt. John Spiroff, head of the Wilkens Police Station, and several nuns from nearby Mount de Sales Academy, led by Sister Anne Catherine, the school's principal, were among the special guests who stopped by Saturday.

A fire engine from the Catonsville Fire Department and face painter Reagan Williams were among the attractions for the younger guests in attendance.

Kids, and the young at heart, could also enjoy popcorn from the Catonsville Y and cotton candy courtesy of McSweeney and his wife, Beth.

Residents brought side dishes and desserts to go with the hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausages cooked by Tony Mazucca of Stella Notte restaurant.

The restaurant, at the intersection of Route 29 and Route 40 in Howard County, provided the party's cook at the behest of Academy Heights resident George Brookhart, who led the effort for the annual September event.

"It was fabulous," said Brookhart, chairman of the block party committee. "It was a great event. A lot of people chipped in to make this happen."

Brookhart's Maryland Residential Realty company was among several local businesses that chipped in.

Academy Heights resident Stan Burdette coordinated the door prizes and raffle that featured gift certificates from Atwater's bakery, Duesenberg's American Café and Grill and Stella Notte.

The Christian Temple provided more than 200 chairs and more than 20 tables for the event, according to McSweeney, a 24-year resident of the community.

Several residents volunteered canopies to protect against inclement weather.

"Many Academy Heights residents pitched in to make our annual block party a huge success," said association vice-president Joe Cleaver, in an email. "Events like this create neighborhood unity and are part of why Academy Heights is such a desirable place to live."