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Harford County Council
District A Happenings
June 1, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 9
Councilman Mike Perrone Jr. District A Office
Contact Information
=============================
Office Phone: 410-638-3521 Cell Phone: 443-752-2598
Email: [email protected]
Come talk to me the Second Sunday of each month (except July and
August) at the Joppatowne Flea
Market from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Legislative Aide: Donna Blasdell Office Phone: 410-638-4109
x1813
To our friends at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church: I apologize
for the misspelling of your name in our last newsletter.
Multi-tasking while reviewing budget amendments, answering
questions during a telephone call and trusting spell check while
trying to publish the news-letter to meet the deadline did not turn
out well.
Once again, please accept my apologies.
Donna
Mikes Musings The Class of 2015
I suppose it is a generational thing. I heard it when I was in
school, and over the
course of time, I have to admit that I've been guilty of
thinking it myself: the thought
that today's youth aren't going to be able to fill the shoes and
the institutions that
they will be inheriting from today's adults.
During the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to meet and
talk to many of the
graduating seniors from Edgewood High School's International
Baccalaureate and
Academy of Finance programs, and Joppatowne High School's
Homeland Security & Emergency
Preparedness program. The problems that these kids will face
when their time comes to pull the levers of
power in our society may well be more vexing than today's
problems, but I am much more confident now that
they will be up to the challenge.
To the members of all of the Classes of 2015, I wish you all the
very best of luck. Wherever you go and
whatever you do, always remain mindful of history, for you will
soon be the authors of it. I look forward to
reading what you write!
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Throwing a Snowball at Debt
Once you decide to pay off your credit cards and other debts,
the most important thing you need to figure out is how much you owe
and to whom you owe it. While this may be scary if you have not
faced the task before, it is necessary! So take a deep breath and
go through all those unopened piles of bills you have lying around.
As you open the envelopes set the bills into separate piles sorted
by creditor name and by creditor account number if you have more
than one bill with a creditor.
Once this task is done, go through each pile and put the bills
into date order with the most recent date on top. When you have the
bills in date order, label a folder with the name of the creditor
and account number. Place the most recent bill into the folder. If
you have any other important documents such as payment agreements,
keep these in the folder too. You want to keep all important
creditor information for each bill in one location.
Then shred or tear up the old correspondence and statements and
put them in the trash. You do not need to keep all those old pieces
of paper. Each month when a new statement comes in, remove the old
statement, shred it and trash it Only keep the mort recent
statement in the creditors folder. See getting out of debt helps to
clear out all types of clutter from your life!
Once you have all of the important papers and current
state-ments into files, it is time to determine your payoff
strategy.
There are two theories of thought in paying off debts. The first
is to order the bills based on interest rates, where you pay off
the debts with the highest interest rate first. The oth-er is to
order the bills based on the balance due and pay off the one with
the lowest balance first. There are benefits to either method. I
personally used the second method, paying off the balances from
smallest to largest.
I chose this method because I was able to see a quick result and
that helped keep the motivation going. I was able to pay off three
small medical bills the first month. Then I moved onto my smallest
credit card balance and had it paid off in three months. Then I
moved onto my final credit card bill, which had both the highest
balance and the highest interest rate. Using the snowball principle
I was able to pay it off in 10 months and was considered unsecured
debt free. Then I moved onto the car payment, which is a secured
debt, and had that paid off in another 12 months. In under two
years I was debt free, except for my mortgage.
Lets look at some examples of how using a debt snowball can
work. Here are the assumptions for them. You have used the
strategies from the previous newsletters such nego-
tiating minimum payments which allows you to make the payment
each month on the debt. Here is a list of the debts:
Using this basic example, you have a total of $225 a month to
pay towards your debt. As you can see it will take you 27 months to
pay off the final card assuming once you pay off a bill; the money
is used elsewhere in the budget and is not put toward debt
payoff.
If you want to pay off the debt faster, once you pay off a bill,
you roll that payment amount into the next bills payment. If the
debt snowball is used, just using the available monthly bill
payment money you will pay still pay off the debts much faster.
Here is an example, not taking interest calculations into
factor, but it will illustrate the point. If you click on the
examples below, they will open in Abode Acrobat.
(Continued on page 3)
Bill Balance Interest
Rate Payment
Months
to Payoff
Dr. Smith $50 18.5% $25 3
Dr. Drew $150 18.5% $25 7
Card 1 $300 24% $75 5
Card 2 $1,500 27% $100 27
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This example is just using the money you have already have
budgeted to pay the minimum payments and you can see the difference
in the pay off time. What if you are able to take a small part-time
job and put the money earned toward the bills? How much faster
could you be free from debt? Lets show another example. We will
assume you take a part time job de-livering pizzas just on Friday
nights. This adds an additional $100 a month to the snowball. Lets
see what happens now.
As you can see using the debt snowball technique can help you
get out of debt quicker and easier and will allow you to have
freedom to do the things you want to do.
There are many resources to help with your finances. Locally we
have the Harford Community Action Agency. HCAA will provide
financial workshops and one on one counseling to families to help
develop changes which will lead to long term self-sufficiency. Do
not hesitate to contact them to help get your finances on track to
get you and your family on the road to long term financial
freedom.
(Continued from page 2)
Throwing a Snowball at Debt Edgewood High School
Class of 2015 Graduation
June 3, 2015
6:00 PM
Edgewood High School 2415 Edgewood Road Edgewood, MD 21040
This is a ticket entry only event.
Have an event? Let everyone know!
Upcoming District A Happenings
Publication Dates
Publication Date Information Needed
June 15th June 8th
In keeping with the spirit of summer, District A Happenings will
be published once a month in July and August.
Summer Publication Dates
Publication Date Information Needed
July 15th July 8th August15th August 10th
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Do you want to be part of
making positive changes in
and for our community?
Keep an a eye out for exciting
information coming soon!
Congratulations
Graduates!
We wish each and every one of you continued success as you move
onto
the next chapter of your life.
Joppatowne High Schools Senior Award Ceremony was held on
Thursday, May 28th. Here are
some of the highlights:
Over 50 various awards and scholar-ships were awarded to our
senior
class.
Fifty percent (50%) of our seniors were recognized with these
awards
and scholarships.
Over seventy percent (70%) of JHSs Class of 2015 will be
attending college, attending technical schools in the fall or will
be joining the military. One of our graduates will be attending the
United States Naval Academy in
Annapolis.
Joppatowne High Schools Graduation
Harford Community College APGFCU Arena
June 2, 2015 1:30 p.m.
This is a ticket entry only event.
The Edge WoodStock planning committee has made the very
difficult
decision to not hold the event this year. Everyone involved
knows this
program is an extremely positive event which helps improve the
image of
our area; however with less than three months until the
scheduled date,
the committee felt there was not enough time put together the
quality
program Edgewood deserves.
Plans are being formed to have Edge Woodstock return in 2016
bigger
and better than in previous years. Stay tuned for further
information!
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In January 2015, Charles Johnson became the new varsity head
football coach at Joppatowne High School. Coach Johnson graduated
from JHS in 1983. He attended Harford Community College, where he
became a Junior College All-American and received a scholarship to
play football at the University of North Alabama. Coach Johnson has
been coaching youth rec football since 1991 and was the head JV
coach at Edgewood High School in 2014. Coach Johnson and his staff
are committed to teaching the game of football but also to
mentoring the youth of our community. "Our coaches can supply the
guidance and direction to our football players to make a difference
in their lives. We have a new coaching staff that believes in
building positive young men who will become productive in life by
showing them the benefit of education, discipline, hard work and
teamwork. Our staff will dedicate themselves to showing a belief in
the person first and then the football player."
As the new head coach of Joppa-towne High School Football, Coach
Johnson is trying to raise money for the program so it can purchase
new equipment for the field and weight room. Please grab some
friends and come out to Baldwin's in Joppatowne on Saturday June
13th from 8-11 pm for a "bull roast" style fundraiser. There are no
tickets to buy or sellJust show up! The program will ask for a $10
donation at the door. There will be some munchies, a DJ/ karaoke ,
a raffle, a silent auction and of course lots of fun! If you would
like to con-tribute to the silent auction or just make a donation
to the program, please contact Charles Johnson, by email at
[email protected] or by phone at 410-371-9537.
Please invite your friends...the more the merrier. Our children
deserve all we can do for them!
Joppatowne High School Football Fundraiser
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Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
18th Annual Wade-In 06/06/2015 1:00-4:00 pm
Bosley Trail Trek 06/06/2015 9:30-11:00 am
Meet a Critter 06/06/2015 2:00-3:00 pm
Sunset Paddle 06/12/2015 6:30-9:00 pm
Beat the Heat Kayak 06/13/2015 9:00-11:30 am
Phloating Photography 06/13/2015 9:30-11:00 am
Hurricane! 06/13/2015 10:00-11:00 am
Family Fish Fun 06/13//2015 1:30-3:30 pm
Fantastic Scales and Fins 06/14/2015 1:00-2:30 pm
Our Changing World: PhenoForays 06/14/2015 3:00-4:30 pm
Abingdon Library
Techtime: eServices by appointment 06/01/2015 through
06/30/2105
Abingdon Books at Night: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry: a Novel
06/08/2015 6:30-7:30 pm
TechTime: Green Screen Class 06/13/2015 10:00 am-12:00 pm
1:00-3:00 pm
Sensory Story Time 06/13/2015 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Saving Seeds with Master Gardeners 06/13/2015 1:00-3:00 pm
CruchaMuncha Story Time 06/15/2015 10:30-11:15 am
Innovate Connect 06/15/2015 6:30-7:45 pm
Edgewood Library
Booked for Lunch: Redeployment 06/03/2015 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Vietnam Mailbag 06/08/2015 6:30-8:00 pm
Yu-Gi-Oh & More: Gaming Club 06/13/2015 12:30-3:30 pm
Joppa Library
Joppa Friends of HCPL Book Sale
June 4th through June 8th
Joppa Friends of HCPL Meeting
06/01/2015 6:00-8:00 pm
Joppa Friends of HCPL Members Book Sale
Preview
06/03/2015 6:00-8:00 pm
Teen After Hours
06/05/2015 5:00-8:00 pm
Knitting for Beginners & Advanced Beg
06/11/2015 6:30-8:00 pm
World Wide Knit in Public Day! 06/13/2015 1:00-4:00 pm
Booked for Lunch: Cuckoos Calling 06/15/2015 12:00-1:00 pm
Around the District Happenings
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A Brief History of Flag Day
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated as America's
birthday, but the idea of an annual day celebrating
the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ
Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the
Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June
14 (the 108th anniversary of the
official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'.
In numerous magazines and newspaper articles
and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued
to enthusiastically advocate the observance
of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.
Following Cigrands lead, many local and state patriotic
celebrations centering around the adoption of the
American Flag occurred thought out the next 30 years. Inspired
by these three decades of state and
local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag
Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by
the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30,
1916.
While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years
after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until
August 3, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress
designating June 14th of each
year as National Flag Day.
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House of Worship Events
Copley Parish
Old Fashioned
Fish Fry
June 6, 2015
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: $10.00 per person
The Menu: Fried Whiting, Macaroni &
Cheese, Greens & Stewed Tomatoes
For more information contact the church office on Wednesdays or
Fridays between 9 am and noon. 410-679-8700
Pause for the Pledge on Flag Day 2015
June 14, 2015
After the 11:00 am Mass
The community is invited to our Annual Flag Day Celebration
Hot Dogs, Apple Pies and Beverages will be served
Sponsored by the Corpus Christi Council 6188, Knights of
Columbus
BYOLC: Bring Your Own Lawn Chair
Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church 2600 Willoughby Beach Road
Edgewood, MD 21040 For more information please send an email to
[email protected]
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June 10th
6:30 to 8:00 PM
Edgewood Library
Meeting Room
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Vacation Bible Schools & Summer Camps
Below is a listing of summer camps and vacation bible schools
being offered in our area. If your church or organization would
like to see yours listed here, please let us know by sending an
email to [email protected]
Saturday, June 20 12:00 pm to 4 pm Its A Family Affair 10th
Annual Sponsored by Growing in Life & In The Word and Village
at Lakeview Location - 833 Fishermans Lane, Edgewood Activities -
Moon Bounce, Face Painting, Petting Zoo, Crafts, Food Give-away,
Free Barbeque for everyone bring lawns chairs or blanket and spend
the afternoon
Cost - Free Contact Wanda Williams 443-310-0718 or
[email protected]
June 22-25 6:30 pm to 9 pm Edgewood Baptist Church Location 422
Edgewood Road, Edgewood Cost Free
Contact: [email protected]
June 29-Aug 7 Every weekday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Camp EPIC at
The EPICENTER Location: 1918 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood Activities:
6-week Summer Camp for ages 5-14; plus a Leader-in-Training program
for 14-16 year-old males and females. Cost: $500 per camper
Contact: Camp Director Allison Jefferson at 443-981-3742 or
[email protected]
August 3-7 9 am to 1 pm G-Force Vacation Bible School - Put Your
Faith in Action Sponsored by Lord of Life Church Location -
Willoughby Beach & Sequoia Dr. across from Edgewood High School
Activities - Music, Games, Bible Teaching, Science Cost - $10
(lunch included)
Contact: Pastor Christine Parker, 443-827-0124 or
[email protected]
August 10-14 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm SonSparks Labs: Discovering Gods
Plan 4U=Jesus (Grades 1 -5 ) Sponsored by Mountain Christian
Church, Edgewood Campus Location: The EPICENTER, 1918 Pulaski Hwy,
Edgewood Activities: Bible stories, Worship, Snacks, Crafts,
Experiments, Games and so much more. Its going to be a BLAST! Cost:
Free Contact: Katie Gerber at 410-877-1824 or
[email protected]
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Spotlights on:
The Anita C. Leight Estuary Center
The Anita C. Leight Estuary Center is the research and education
facility of the Otter Point Creek com-ponent of the Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland. The Chesapeake Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve - MD is part of a reserve
system established by Congress in 1972 to protect estuarine areas
as natural field laboratories for long-term research and
monitoring. There are three components in the Maryland Reserve:
Monie Bay, Jug Bay, and Otter Point Creek.
As one of the facilities of Harford County Department of Parks
and Recreation, The Leight Estuary Cen-ter is dedicated to
increasing appreciation and understanding of estuaries. Long-term
studies provide in-sights into bay ecology and management.
Education based on this research fosters public support of these
vital estuarine ecosystems. The Estuary Center and surrounding park
are open to the public and offer many opportunities to explore and
learn about the Chesapeake Bay. The Leight Estuary Center is one of
the few remaining large freshwater tidal marshes in the upper
Chesapeake Bay accessible to the public.
Otter Point Creek is a shallow tributary located at the
headwaters of the Bush River in southern Harford County, MD. The
Otter Point Creek Component consists of two land areas (Leight Park
and the Melvin G. Bosely Conservancy) connected by 261 acres of
shallow open water. Leight Park is 93 forested acres owned by
Harford County Parks and Recreation and is home to the Estuary
Center. The Bosely Conserv-ancy is 350 acres of tidal marsh and
wooded wetlands owned by the Harford County Chapter of the Izaak
Walton League of America.
The Otter Point Creek Alliance is the nonprofit organization
dedicated to the support of the research, ed-ucation and
conservation goals of the Otter Point Creek Component of the
Chesapeake Bay National Es-tuarine Research Reserve in Maryland.
Ways in which the Otter Point Creek Alliance supports the Re-serve
are by promoting environmental education of school children and the
general public, offering vol-unteer opportunities, supporting
research projects, sponsoring college internships, and promoting
stew-ardship and conservation in the Reserve and surrounding
area.
By becoming a member of the Otter Point Creek Alliance you
support the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center and the Otter Point
Creek Component. Through partnerships with Harford County and the
Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) public,
private/group, and school (including home school) programs are
offered. These program activities include things such as canoe-ing,
kayaking, pontoon boating, crafts, hiking, education, animal
encounters, and research.
To become a member or to renew your membership in the Otter
Point Creek Alliance online, click here. To see what wonderful
programs and educational opportunities are being offered at the
Leight Center visit the Calendar of Events page.
