Mount Washington Elementary School hosted the annual Swing Into Spring fundraiser/party/auction to raise money for the school PTO. A wonderful event, held at the Mount Washington Conference Center, this year boasted one of the highest attendance records ever.
I got to mingle and chat with tons of parents and friends of the school, including Felice Shore and Gregg Nass, Jason Loviglio and Anne Wolf, Marissa Feinsilver and Joe Urban, Madeleine Shea and Curt McKnight, Anath Ranon and Ellen Lichtman, Eddie Seidel and Shania Kroiz, Eric and Julie Salsbery, Joyce and Russell Holbrook, Cathy and Patrick McElroy, Nicole and Bill Selway, Jill Feinberg and David Fishkin, Phil Rhodes, Rebecca and Mike Bainum, Laura Laing and Gina Foringer, Cecilia Meisner, Terri Lough, Karen and Bob Brown, Kirsten and Larry Mackin, Lisa and Mark Kelemen, Charlie Nass and Jeannine August, Stuart Caplan and Rachael Levine.
More than $5,000 was raised for next year's PTO budget - money I'm sure will be sorely needed to help get the activities coordinated for the kids in both buildings at the new Mount Washington School.
I have written this column for the Messenger for the past five years. When I started, I had two children, but this past year, my husband and I welcomed a set of girl twins to our family. Needless to say, I'm finding life a bit more challenging these days, so I've decided to turn the column over to a new writer. During my tenure as columnist, I've tried to reflect the nature of our community — the Village, the school, churches, the listserv, parades, holidays, sports, graduations, bike trails, stream cleanups, design awards, traffic calming, the pool, the arboretum, parties and everything else that goes on in between.
If I have any observation about our community, I'd have to say it boasts quite an eclectic, talented, and motivated population. I have been most struck by the work being conducted by the parents at Mount Washington Elementary School. The expansion to the Mount Washington School which will include K-8, would simply not be happening in another community in Baltimore.
The work being done by Principal Sue Torr and the parent volunteers led by David Conn is astounding and a testament to the dedication and confidence the parents in this community have for their children. It has been truly inspirational to write about their efforts.
I look forward to watching my children grow up amid the amazing friends and neighbors who make Mount Washington so unique. It has been an honor representing our community in the Messenger and I look forward to reading the observations of the next columnist. See you around the 'hood!