by Tom Weadock

At its June 13 meeting, the Greater Ruxton Area Foundation Board of Trustees elected a new president and added five new Board members. After two years as President, I have stepped down to spend more time at my Florida residence. I will serve as Vice President through the end of 2016. The new President, lifetime Ruxton resident John Lalley, is well-known in our community. He is noted for his past community service activities and for his dedication to gardening and landscaping. John is a Master Gardener and has extensive vegetable and flower gardens at his Ruxton home. In fact, his gardens were the highlight of a Baltimore Sun article about noteworthy area gardens. While serving on the GRAF board over the last few years, John has used his vast gardening knowledge and experience to help improve our many community landscaping projects. The Executive Committee is rounded out by Sibley Classen as Treasurer, Kathy Mountcastle as Secretary and Joseph M. Coale as President Emeritus.

Also at the June meeting, the Board elected new members Bob Aumiller, Kevin Flynn, Bliss McCord, Sam Santarelli and Sky Woodward. These residents join our existing board of George Grose, Graham Boyce, David Whitman, Dan Middelton, Christopher West, Edward Taylor, Kimberly Warren and Bo Lewis. Fred Eisenbrandt moved out of the Ruxton area and, therefore, has resigned after many years of dedicated service. With the active support of an increasing number of residents, the Board will continue to aggressively pursue its mission of area preservation and beautification with special focus on the Bellona corridor, community gardens, the restoration of vacant land and the maintenance of historic sites.

Treasurer Sibley Classen reported that the Foundation, which derives all of its funding from charitable donations and grants, received over $50,000 in contributions from 247 residents in 2015. In reporting these results, she said, “The fall campaign, by any measure, was successful and showed increasing community support for the beautification and preservation mission. With broad community support, we are making a difference.” We encourage everyone to visit www.ruxtonfoundation.org to see interesting historic photographs, before and after pictures of our projects and the latest news about Foundation projects and future plans.

Originally published in Ruxton-Riderwood-Lake Roland Area Improvement Association’s Fall 2016 Neighborhood News.