Judge Charles Harrison

It was great to catch up with my good friend Judge Charles Harrison at the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event. 29Sep2019

Westminster Fire Dept. has on display it’s new Engine 32

Today at the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event, the Westminster Fire Dept. has on display it's new Engine 32. It is a custom built 2018 Rosenbauer pumper with a 1,000 gallon water tank, and a 450 Cummins motor. Engine 32 is an efficient and user friendly piece of fire suppression equipment for our firefighters. It keeps us moving quickly and safely to serve our city. 29Sep2019.

I had a chance to catch-up some with the awesome Sgt. Rachel Krumheuer Walter

At the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event, I had a chance to catch-up some with the awesome Sgt. Rachel Krumheuer Walter with the Maryland National Guard. 29Sep2019 The Maryland National Guard has in the past, always stood ready to help emergency responders in Carroll County – at the drop of a hat. RESPECT. Thank you.

Md. Dept. of Transportation - State Highway Administration at the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event

It was good to see the Md. Dept. of Transportation - State Highway Administration at the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event. The State Highway Administration has in the past, always helped emergency responders in Carroll County, night and day – in all kinds of weather. Thank you. 29Sep2019

Westminster Mayor Joe Dominick and First Lady Andi Dominick,

Westminster Mayor Joe Dominick, First Lady Andi Dominick, and Max Dominick all stopped by to visit the new Westminster Fire Department Engine 32 at the annual Westminster Fallfest Touch a Truck event. It is a custom built 2018 Rosenbauer pumper with a 1,000 gallon water tank, and a 450 Cummins motor. Mayor Dominick has always been a strong supporter of public safety – and it was good to see the mayor and his family at Fallfest. 29Sep2019

Today I had a great grilled cheese sandwich for lunch at the VFW.

Today I had a great grilled cheese sandwich for lunch at the VFW. 26Sep2019

PFLAG in the annual Westminster Fallfest Parade. 26Sep2019

It was good to see my friends Bob Lord, Erin Snell, Joy Fisher, and the rest of the folks from PFLAG in the annual Westminster Fallfest Parade. 26Sep2019

Welcome to this year's Westminster Fallfest.

Welcome to this year's annual Westminster Fallfest. The opening parade was a lot of fun. 26Sep2019

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, are dressed appropriately

The stone bunnies, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, are dressed appropriately for the upcoming chilly fall nights, while they look over the progress of the Monarch caterpillars. 12Sep2019

Say no to winter

Leaves are already falling upon my back patio. This psychologically violent and wrong on so many levels. Say no to the coming winter. 15Sep2010

Cheez-It white cheddar crackers.

When the going gets tough, the tough reach for Cheez-It white cheddar crackers.

Ann Thomas Gilbert

The lay leader for the 9 a.m. Sunday church service at Grace Lutheran Church is Ann Thomas Gilbert. Ann rocks. Just putting out there. Grace Lutheran, http://gracelc.org/ 21 Carroll Street Westminster, MD 21157, Phone: 410.848.7020, Email: info@gracelc.org

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 news and information

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 news and information

There are events all throughout Carroll County…

According to a release from the Westminster Police Department:

WESTMINSTER COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN 2019 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, seven neighborhoods throughout the City of Westminster will join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 36th Annual National Night Out event. National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) sponsors NNO in partnership with law enforcement and community groups. Westminster neighborhoods will host a variety of special events, including block parties, cookouts, youth activities, and visits from police officers, fire/EMS and elected officials.

Chief Thomas Ledwell states, “National Night Out is a great opportunity for community members to get to know their local police officers and fellow neighbors during a fun event designed to promote crime prevention awareness. We encourage everyone who is able to participate to bring your families out and enjoy your local neighborhood event with us.” 

In a recent newsletter, Delegate Susan Krebs wrote:

Come out and join your neighbors for National Night Out. NNO is a FREE Family Event bringing neighbors together to promote a positive community-police relationship- making our communities safer. The fun- filled event hosts vendors, food, and interactive activities for kids, while learning about the services of the Police and Emergency Services.

Residents in Carroll County are invited to join our First Responders at one of the locations below. You are encouraged to lock your home, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening meeting and greeting neighbors and police.

LOCATIONS, ACTIVITIES & TIMES

Freedom- Sykesville Area at Sykesville Carnival Grounds, 6680 Sykesville Road - 6:00- 9:00 pm

Hosted by the Sykesville Police Department, Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department and the Freedom District Lions Club, neighbors can enjoy foods from Jimmy Johns and Oscar's, hot dogs and snow cones served by the volunteer fire department and the Lions Club's famous french fries.  Carroll County Sheriff's Office Mobile Command Center 1 will exhibit their K-9 team and drone. Participate in safety demonstrations, face painting, and giveaways from 20+ community businesses and organizations.     

Hampstead Fire Department 6:30-9:00 pm

The Hampstead Police will be hosting this special event, a "FREE Block Party", featuring face painting, entertainment of Daniel Israel, bounce obstacle course, FREE raffle with many prizes including new bicycles…  Carroll County Sheriff's Office K-9 Demonstration, FREE food donated by Outlaw BBQ Smokehouse, Dunkin', Beijing Palace Restaurant, Ricky's Bistro, Illiano's J&P Restaurant, JJ Hoffman's Creamery, Daughter's Café, Jiffy Mart, Snickerdoodles, Luna Zul, and more.

Manchester Carnival Ground 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Meet and Greet local police and fire personnel, enjoy area Boy Scout Troop kid activities, interactive demonstrations to include "Jaws of Life", fire hose and drunk driving simulation, Carroll County Sheriff K-9 Team and drone demonstrations, hot dogs, popcorn, snowballs and drinks.         

Mt. Airy Carnival Grounds 6:00 - 8:00 pm   
Enjoy food, entertainment, and demonstrations                         

Taneytown Carnival Grounds    49 Memorial Drive, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

An evening of pony rides, 40 foot obstacle course, information and demonstrations by Taneytown Volunteer Fire Department, US Army Reserves, Carroll County Animal Control, Maryland State Police Crime Laboratory, "Dunk-A-Cop" dunk tank, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, food and beverages.  FAMILY FUN and much more...... 

New Windsor Carnival Grounds 101 High Street 6:30-8:30 pm
Over 40 vendors, food by Uncle B's snow ball stand, hot dogs, chips, ice cream and drinks- Lions Club, moon bounce, bean bag toss, obstacle course, Stars and Strips Petting Corral, McGruff Suit by Carroll County Library,  photo booth and police tape maze. Carroll County Sheriff's Office's Mobile Command Center 1 will exhibit their K-9 team and drone.

Westminster Participating Neighborhoods:

Dutterer's Park & Pavilion Area 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Sponsored by the GFWC- JWC of Westminster, the event features pizza, cake, drinks, 15+ informational tables, kids' door prizes and more!

Belle Grove Square / Park Avenue side 7:00 to 8:30pm
11th Annual NNO with an ice cream social sponsored by Historic Belle Grove Square Neighborhood Association

The Green's of Westminster 7:00 to 9:00pm
City Pool parking lot and community room

Eagle View 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Firestone Road and Tahoma Farm Road
Meet our local Police and Fire Department

Furnace Hills 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Palmer Terrace Overflow Parking

Carroll Lutheran Village- Garden of Memories 7:00 to 8:00 pm

King Park 5:00 to 7:30 pm
Neighbors will be greeted by mascot "Armadillo" from Texas Roadhouse handing out coupons, "the Cow" from a local frozen custard restaurant offering frozen treats, pizza, Tristar Martial Arts demonstrations, Kelly's face painting, music and more...

Bring back the "True Sense of Community" by attending National Night Out

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/national-night-out-tuesday-august-6th-2019-news-information

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2019/08/06/national-night-out-tuesday-august-6th-2019-news-and-information/

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2019/08/national-night-out-tuesday-august-6th.html

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council

Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info

Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

October 5, 2014: Westminster Community Pond

Westminster Community Pond gets major plastic surgery at age 60

Eagle Archives

By Kevin E. Dayhoff, kevindayhoff@gmail.com

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sixty years ago on Sat., Sept. 18, 1954, the Route 140 “Roadside Picnic Area and Community Fish Pond” was dedicated with great fanfare by then-Md. Gov. Theodore R. McKeldin in a program that lasted all afternoon beginning at 2 p.m..

Today most folks know the ‘Community Fish Pond’ at the intersection of Routes 97-north and 140 as the ‘Westminster Community Pond’ but many know it as the ‘Westminster Duck Pond.’ In the late 1950s it simply known as Bloom Pond – named after the family, Russell and Mary Bloom that ‘sold’ the property for $10.00 to “the State of Maryland, to the use of the Department of Game and Inland Fish of Maryland” as described in a deed executed on June 10, 1954.

Recently the pond has been in the news. It is undergoing major reconstruction. Many folks have asked about the work being done on the pond – and curious about the history of the park.

A January 13, 2014 press release from Jeff R. Degitz, administer of Carroll County recreation and parks explained the “Pond will be closed for construction and major renovations beginning Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Planned renovations include the enlargement of the pond… and additional parking…”

On Feb. 27, 2011, writer Katie V. Jones reported in the Carroll Eagle that the “popular Westminster park could see its pond triple in size with the addition of walking trails and a fishing pier…”

It just so happens that I was getting a haircut at Cal Bloom’s Barber Shoppe, just after 2 in the afternoon a couple of weeks ago on Sept. 18. The barber, Cal Bloom, is the son of Russell and Mary Bloom.

And of course, our conversation drifted to the history of the pond and the barber shop that he opened on May 1, 1985. Bloom explained that his father started the pond in the middle of what was then, a large swamp; in part, in an attempt to drain the area to help protect the family farm’s livestock that were getting stuck in the wetlands.

The pond was dedicated just a few short months after Route 140 opened in July 1954. In his remarks McKeldin noted, “The increase in travel, the expansion of tourist business which we are encouraging, and the rapid growth of our highway system under our 12-year road construction program creates some problems…The Kiwanis Club of Westminster is due high praise for sponsoring this Community fish pond and roadside picnic area.”

After the pond and park area was turned-over to the state, the picnic area and other improvements to the pond were undertaken by the Kiwanis Club of Westminster and the Carroll County Chapter of the Isaac Walton League.

Although the practice of taking bread to the pond to feed the ducks has been discredited for many years; some of my fondest childhood memories are of feeding the ducks on a Saturday afternoon or after church on Sunday after having lunch at Baugher’s restaurant or the nearby “Snaks By Twin Kiss Drive-In.” 

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council

Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info

Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

Municipal Program Open Space Projects Approved

Municipal Program Open Space Projects Approved

Westminster, MD, According to a Carroll County press release on Thursday, August 1, 2019:

Today, during Open Session, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the recommendations of the local chapter of the Maryland Municipal League (MML) to provide funding for four (4) FY2020 municipal Program Open Space (POS) projects.

Each year, the county allocates 25% of Program Open Space funds to municipalities, four of the eight municipalities each year, rotating yearly. The local chapter of the MML recommends spending for projects, the Department of Recreation and Parks reviews the projects and determines its support before presenting the projects to the BOC for approval.

This year, the four projects approved are: a new park in New Windsor; playground improvements at Taneytown High School Park; parking lot enhancements at the Union Bridge Community Center; and phase I construction of Wakefield Valley Park in Westminster. Each project will receive $81,128 in POS funds.

Commissioner Ed Rothstein, District 5, noted, “This highlights another great partnership between the county and its municipalities.”

Now approved, these municipal projects will be included in Carroll County’s FY2020 Project Open Space Annual Program with other county POS park projects.

Open session is available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council

Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info

Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

This is the day I graduated from the Detroit police academy

Inside The Fire: A Page for First Responders: This is the day I graduated from the Detroit police academy. July 14, 2017

"This is me at 21 years old. This is the day I graduated from the Detroit police academy at 4:00 pm, went home and took a couple hour nap, woke up at 9:30 that night and reported to my first tour of duty at the 12th Precinct for midnight shift. Look at that smile on my face. I couldn't have been more excited, more proud.

Armed with my dad's badge that he wore for 25 years on my chest, one of my mom's sergeant stripe patches in my pocket, my lucky $2.00 bill tucked into my bulletproof vest, a gun I was barely old enough to purchase bullets for on my hip and enough naive courage for a small army… I headed out the door...my mom snapped this photo on my way.

The next 17 years would bring plenty of shed blood, black eyes, torn ligaments, stab wounds, stitches, funerals, a head injury, permanent and irreparable nerve damage, 5 ruptured discs, some charming PTSD and depression issues and a whole lot of heartache. They brought missed Christmases with my family, my absence from friends' birthday get-togethers, pricey concert tickets that were forfeited at the last minute because of a late call and many sleepless nights.

I've laid in wet grass on the freeway for three hours watching a team of burglars and orchestrating their apprehension. I've dodged gunfire while running down a dark alley in the middle of the night chasing a shooting suspect, I've argued with women who were too scared to leave their abusive husbands until they realized they had to or they would end up dead.

I've peeled a dead, burned baby from the front of my uniform shirt. I've felt the pride of putting handcuffs on a serial rapist and I've cried on the chest of and kissed the cheek of my dead friend, coworker and academy classmate even though it was covered in his own dried blood and didn't even look like him from all the bullet holes. I know what a bullet sounds like when it's whizzing past your ear, a few inches away.

I know what the sound of a Mother's shrilling scream is like when she finds out her son has been killed in the middle of the street and I know what it's like to have to tell a wife and mother of 3 that her husband was killed in a car accident while on his way home from work.

Smells, pictures, sounds, and sights are burned and engrained into our minds...things we can never forget, no matter how hard we try; things that haunt our sleep at night and our thoughts during the day; things that we volunteered to deal with so that you don't have to. Things I don't want my sister, little cousins, or YOU to even have to KNOW about.

I never once went to work thinking, "I'm gonna beat someone tonight."; "Hmmm...I think I'm gonna kill someone tonight." I DID, however, go to work every night, knowing that I was going to do the best I could to keep good people safe, even if that meant that I died doing so.

We ALL need to start being more understanding and compassionate toward one another. Violence doesn't cure violence and hate doesn't cure hate. I've seen and experienced both sides of the spectrum since I left the PD and I get it. I truly do. But this all has to stop.

Are cops perfect? No. Are there bad cops? Yes. But please...understand that the vast majority of police are good, loving, well intentioned family people. They have husbands and wives and children and parents and pets and cousins and mortgages and electric bills and lawns that need cutting, just like you. They have hearts and consciences. They aren't robots, they're not machines, and they just want to help keep the wolves away from the sheep. I KNOW there's people who don't deserve to wear the badge but they're SO VERY few and far between. It breaks my heart to see all this hatred and anger flying around. All it's doing is encouraging more of the same.

If you've read this far, thank you for listening. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that if you hate or don't support one side or the other, to unfriend me and never speak to me again...I hope those are the people who come straight TO me. Because I'll be more than happy to hug you and pray or meditate with you. I'll be more than happy to listen to your concerns and let you vent and empathize with your feelings. But then I'll encourage you to help me find a solution to end all this nonsense because if we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem. Love to all of you. ALL OF YOU. We're all SO much better than this."

Credit: Merri McGregor

https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheFirePoliceFireEMS/photos/a.958713634152599/1558757364148220/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/posts/10156663951392058?__xts__[0]=68.ARBqiSLun_ala32t0TQviyBnKAeeOup_Hj7plNxx0XC6kGXRZOPECup28ehgQElan92YiO7428aFYQH4008PeC4OvEIlgsjLlQgyuJLj-EFmQKineY5Lx34Dc5TaPyx4Mcj_4fvIwDnB7-iMi6fmw6pOvMJLd8d_qgEgm0l_oXEXEuWFxdhY6pIsl1ZjdRXInsPXoDKSrUTNc8I4ArehDnxIXvB77AH9mhASTN-L4W9oPKwBI8Rmt_ISbwkeKRIIVM96GP34Re1FCQsPMLOTUWn4u8_mIT7S1jnZnLspNVutXBySWi1MsSVkrGaYakRDhhvdmzBoWs120-8TRMSKgnyRsaCF8vfapgY5YgF7NEXuojYcyVoyO8QDctwOCnqHMLAoGVTNpUWxvzxms5S4Yb5wgKNkZMdozSBPjoJZRKzV37c_eB1T_1WLOmMJI3dXks_7cm-V8oluef_DIjMzUVpyZCTBdGPcUTeGPErl5h0&__tn__=-R
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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council

Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info

Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

It is a felony to assault a first responder

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council

Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info

Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net

Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/