We wish a happy 2012 to all of our wonderful friends.
As we know, there has been a great desire for and much discussion about a dog park in Rodgers Forge. Well, on Dec. 5, Forge residents Rob Williams, Kathie Katish and board member Ruth Roberts attended a meeting convened by Councilman David Marks regarding the dog park. They were joined by representatives from various dog parks, as well as dog trainers and members of Dogs on Wheels.
Discussion meeting raised two main hurdles:
• Finding enough open space for a park; and
• Liability issues associated with the park.
Attendees from the Forge also realized that volunteers would be important as association membership dues wouldn't begin to cover the expenses.
They felt that further study is necessary, and welcome other interested Forgers' suggestions and help. Those interested people would be welcome to attend the January board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The year is certainly off to a prosperous start in Rodgers Forge, as our Safe Routes to School program has been awarded a $1,000 national grant.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School announced that 26 schools, municipalities and organizations from across the country will receive grant money to support projects designed to encourage students and their families to walk and bicycle to school safely. These grants will occur during the spring semester of the 2011-12 school year. This mini-grant was made possible through the federal Safe Routes to School program.
The Rodgers Forge Community Inc. was the only recipient in Maryland to receive this grant. It will enable the association to work with Rodgers Forge Elementary to produce and distribute educational materials that encourage parents to allow children to participate in "walking school buses," and to organize "bike trains" for parents and children in the spring.
Stu Sirota and his committee have worked long and hard on this project, and they're thrilled with this result.
Rodgers Forge Elementary is also making news as one of the five schools in Baltimore County participating in a pilot program, Kid's College, an online math effort.
If BCPS is pleased with the program, it will incorporate it into all the county schools. At a recent meeting, Rodgers Forge parents were given a synopsis of the program.
We wish to again send our best to Susan Deise, Rodgers Forge Elementary's retiring Principal. Deise was honored at a party on Dec. 19 attended by students, parents and faculty.
The following day, she sent a letter home to all parents announcing her successor. Melissa Fenshaw, assistant principal at Sparks Elementary School, will arrive here in summer 2012.
Deise praised Fenshaw, saying she is a 21-year veteran of the school system and is "enthusiastic, energetic, passionate about education, experienced and intelligent."
We look forward to meeting Fenshaw!
The Rodgers Forge community has had a full agenda, but it also found time to enjoy a happy and spirited Christmas.
The season began with the traditional Santa visits. Travel coordinator Lawrence Swoboda arranged for Santa to touch down in the Forge on the evenings of Dec. 15 and 18. Because there were more than 40 homes and more than 100 children to visit, Santa enlisted the help of assistant Joe Segreti.
Santa buzzed from house to house in modern motorized sleds and was grateful to Jill Fisher and Lawrence Swoboda for their safe maneuvering.
Lawrence, who has arranged these visits for many years, told us that this year Santa visited a four-day old baby.
"We are so glad to know that these visits are appreciated as they mean so much to us" he said.
On Jan. 16, we will remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s immortal words and his unwavering courage as we celebrate his birthday.
Till we meet again ...