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Towson SEPTEMBER 2017

TowsonLifestyle.com

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Lifestyle Letter

What's Your Style?

s September comes and the change of weather approaches, so comes one of the essential issues of the season: the fashion issue.

Fashion: a—a prevailing custom, usage or style; b (1)—the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time; (2)—a garment in such a style. Your style says a lot about you. It can signify where you came from, what you do and even bring to light some suppressed parts of your personality that come out only by the way you express yourself through your clothing. So how do you express yourself? No matter your style, this fall there is something for everyone. When you're feeling like the seasons and need a little change to your wardrobe, try some of these fall 2017 fashion trends—straight from the runways: • Mad for Plaid • Winter Florals • Dazzling Denim • Sparkling Silvers • Raging Red • Authentic Americana • Trench Time • Flocking Feathers

SEPTEMBER 2017 PUBLISHER

Glen Cox | Glen.Cox@LifestylePubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Victoria Perry | Tori.Perry@LifestylePubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alex Bird, Tim Bojanowski, Matt Hobson, Ashley Stimpson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Andersen

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Whatever it is you choose to flaunt this season, may the contents of these pages inspire you to stand tall, stay confident and try out some new trends. Stay stylish, Towson. Maybe we'll see you on the runway.

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September 2017

Departments

Good Times

Around Town

Locally Owned

Our Town

Realty Report

Giving Back

Lifestyle Calendar

Parting Thoughts

18 A Stylized Conversation

Local Couture Designer, Ella Pritsker, Reflects on Her Extraordinary Journey

22 Historic Hikes

Exploring the Great Outdoors in Baltimore County

26 Debbie Phelps

'America's Mom' is on a mission to make Baltimore County schools world class.

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Good Times

Second Annual Four on the Fourth

More than 400 runners of all ages raced down the streets of Towson and through the Towson University campus in the Second Annual Four on the FourthÂ race, which preceded this year's parade.

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

BECAUSE YOUR KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

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September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

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Good Times

Inaugural BritFest enjoys lovely weather and good times!

The inaugural BritFest was held Saturday, June 10, at the Maryland Polo Grounds. The event featured a polo match between the U.S. and the U.K., classic cars, croquet, English beer, Pimm's, gin and tonics, classic English rock with Beatlemania Again and vendors featuring U.K. products. Don’t miss next year’s BritFest 2018!

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Good Times

Towson Fourth of July Parade

Thousands of people from around the state lined the streets of downtown Towson to watch this year's Fourth of July parade.

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

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Around Town

AROUND TOWN

TOWSON’S UKAZOO BOOKS REOPENS ON JOPPA ROAD

Baltimore Soup Company, the opening signals a return to its roots, with its first location having opened on Joppa Road in Towson more than 20 years ago, before moving to the central business district of Baltimore City. According to their website, their focus on local, organic ingredients and specialty recipes are meant to cater to the tastes of “discriminating Baltimoreans.” The new Towson branch will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m on weekdays.

TOWSON UNIVERSITY LISTED BY FORBES AS A “BEST VALUE” COLLEGE In its 2017 rankings, Forbes Magazine listed Towson University as one of its “Best Value” Colleges. Towson earned the 181st spot

After closing its Dulaney Valley Road location last year, Ukazoo

in this year’s rankings and made the list with three other Maryland

Books has opened its doors once again on Loch Raven Boulevard,

Institutions: University of Maryland, Salisbury University and UMBC.

just south of the Joppa Road intersection. Ukazoo, which deals in

The ranking, based on the evaluation of 300 private and public insti-

new, used and rare books, was a staple of the Dulaney Valley shop-

tutions of higher education, assesses schools based on the cost of

ping center until December 2016 when the store lost its lease on a

tuition, the quality of education, post-graduate earnings, student debt

10,000-square-foot space to a new long-term tenant.

loads and general graduation rates. This is the second year Forbes has

Edward Whitfill, Ukazoo’s general manager, and co-owner says the new location is a better fit for the bookstore. “This gets us down to an affordable rent and gives us the road visibility, which is something we never had before,” he says. According to Whitfill, the community has provided the store with a warm reception. “It’s been a great neighborhood, people have been very nice about having us back,” he says.

released a “best value” list of colleges. According to Forbes, “Not only do these colleges have a good reputation, they’re also a great deal.”

GILMAN ALUM TO BECOME HEAD OF SCHOOL’S BOARD Over the summer, Mark Fetting, a graduate of the Gilman School’s Class of 1972, was named the head of the Gilman School’s board of trustees. A former chairman and CEO of Baltimore’s Legg Mason, Fetting

While there are no special sales commemorating the store’s return,

is rejoining the Gilman board as president after serving as a trustee

Ukazoo’s buy three used books, get the fourth book free promotion

from 1997 to 2009. Fetting’s connections to Gilman are well-rooted with

continues at the new Loch Raven store.

both of his sons graduating from Gilman—one in 2002 and the other in

LOCAL CONTRACTOR TAPPED TO BUILD NEW GUINNESS BREWERY IN BALTIMORE COUNTY Baltimore-based construction company Plano-Coudon has been selected by the Diageo Beer Company to head the construction of a $50 million Guinness brewery and taproom in southwest Baltimore

2005. Before accepting the role, Fetting was the CEO of Legg Mason from 2008 until 2012. In addition to his new role with the Gilman school, Fetting sits on the board of the Baltimore Community Foundation and runs an outdoor camp for inner-city youth with his wife.

STALLED TOWSON DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SCALED DOWN, MOVES FORWARD

County. The Brewery and Taproom, Guinness’ first new development

A stalled development at the corner of York Road and Towsontown

in the United States in more than 60 years, will renovate and occupy

Boulevard has once again begun to move forward after a review com-

the Calvert Distillery, a former property of Seagram. According to Ryan

mittee approved plans to scale down the initial size of the development.

Coudon, the co-founder of Plano-Coudon, the award of the contract

The development, which was originally slated to cover more than 1.2

solidifies a long-standing desire to lead the brewery’s construction.

million square feet of residential and office space, was brought to a halt

“Landing this contract is a culmination of several years of hard

after solid bedrock discovered at the building’s foundations prevented

work to establish Plano-Coudon as a best-in-class contractor in this

a large underground parking garage from being built. The new design

area," Coudon says. "It feels like a coming of age.”

limits the development to just residential units, moving the proposed

The brewery and taphouse will focus on the production of Guinness Blonde, a light pale ale inspired by American brewing traditions.

BALTIMORE SOUP COMPANY OPENS IN TOWSON

office space to the corner of Susquehanna and Washington Avenues. Eric Walter, the vice president of Greenberg Gibbons, one of the project’s developers, said the change makes the project more streamlined and manageable. “All the changes reflect economics that make the project more

Towson’s West Chesapeake Avenue is home to a new storefront.

economically feasible and marketable," Walter says. "Part of it has

The Baltimore Soup Company has opened a branch in Towson bring

to do with the underground parking garage, but it's also that any

their famous soups, sandwiches and salads to the county. For the

underground parking garage is very expensive."

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Locally Owned

Butterfly at Ladew Magic Gardens

THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE PROVIDES HANDS-ON EDUCATION EXPERIENCE TO VISITORS

he Butterfly House at Ladew Gardens in Monkton—the first of its kind in

the region—is celebrating its fourth year

DID YOU KNOW?

• Each butterfly lady can lay hundreds of eggs! Yet only

showcasing native plants and the various

1 percent of those tiny caterpillars in the eggs will grow up

butterflies that depend on them for food

to be adult butterflies. Out in the wild, there are all kinds of

and shelter. The Butterfly House provides

predators such as spiders, praying mantis, birds, chipmunks,

a hands-on educational experience on the

frogs and more that are looking for a nice caterpillar snack!

natural history and fascinating life cycle of

• Caterpillars are the primary food source for many bird

butterflies. Visitors can walk through and

species in the spring, summer and fall. A pair of songbirds

observe the plants, butterflies, caterpillars,

may feed their nestlings hundreds of caterpillars a day.

chrysalis and eggs up close, while learning

• While many people plant flowers to attract butterflies,

about the importance of native habitats,

the caterpillars–who grow up to be butterflies—are often

and plant and animal relations in nature,

overlooked! And, caterpillars can be very picky eaters. Some,

including that of butterflies as important

like the monarch, eat only one type of plant: the milkweed.

pollinators of plants.

So, without milkweed, we wouldn’t have monarchs.

With the rise of colony collapse disorder

• Caterpillars eat leaves. It is very natural, and necessary,

in the honeybee population and the decline

for there to be holes in your plant material from hungry cat-

of the monarch butterfly, the team at Ladew

erpillars. If you can appreciate this, you will learn to love that

believes it is incumbent upon environmental

there are a few holes in your leaves. The majority of caterpil-

educators to teach the next generation about

lars will do no harm to your plants.

the interaction between plants and insects.

• Many people plant butterfly bush to attract butter-

The Butterfly House provides the ideal oppor-

flies. While it certainly attracts butterflies, the nectar

tunity to expand the public’s understanding

is a less nutritious source of food for butterflies than

of the beneficial effects of pollinators and

other options. And, the nonnative butterfly bush can

the vital role they play in the life cycle of all

become invasive. If you want to attract butterflies to your

plants. Lace up your walking shoes, drive out

garden, try other options such as native perennials that

to Monkton and check it out!

will bloom from spring until fall.

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

Located 14 miles north of the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), the Butterfly House at Ladew is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., through October 9. Admission to Ladew Gardens includes the Butterfly House, the Nature Walk and the magnificent Topiary Gardens. Admission for Ladew members and children under 2 is free. • Adults: $13 • Seniors (62+) and students: $10 • Children (2-12): $4 Ladew Topiary Gardens has been named “the most outstanding topiary garden in America” by the Garden Club of America and featured as one of “10 incredible topiary gardens around the world” by Architectural Digest. For more information, call 410.557.9570 or visit LadewGardens.com

September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

A Stylized Conversation Local Couture Designer, Ella Pritsker, Reflects on Her Extraordinary Journey

lla Pritsker talks a lot about dreams, and that stands to reason. Nearly three decades ago she was a recent immigrant to the United States from

Soviet Russia, waitressing and babysitting to make ends meet. Today she is one of the region’s most notable couture designers, dressing powerful women like former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Maryland’s first lady. When describing the remarkable milestones along the way, she says things like: “And then I had to get a bigger dream, make new plans, new goals to stay active and productive.” Indeed, Ella is one of Baltimore’s most productive residents—and biggest fans. Not content with simply running her own clothing line, Ella Pritsker Couture, Ella has worked tirelessly to pass her good fortune on to others. In 2009, she established the Maryland Academy of Couture Arts (later named the Maryland Center of Fashion Design) to teach women how to create custom clothing and start small businesses. A year later, she co-founded the Baltimore Fashion Alliance (BFA), an organization that provides professionals in the local fashion industry access to superior education, networking, and resources within the Baltimore community. A cornerstone of the Alliance is giving back through charitable programs and contributions. The BFA and its members have helped dress thousands of homeless men and women for job interviews. It may all seem like a dream, but Ella's impact is very real. From those she dresses to the ones who work and learn alongside her in her studio, she has inspired legions of women to nurture themselves as well as their passion.

CONTINUED >

ARTICLE ASHLEY STIMPSON

September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

A STYLIZED CONVERSATION (CON TI N U ED) TOWSON LIFESTYLE (TL): HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? EP: I came here 27 years ago as a refugee from

Russia. The Baltimore Sun was writing an article about refugees immigrating to the United States, and for some reason they picked me. A reporter and a photographer followed me for an extended period of time. One of the questions that the reporter asked me was what did I miss the most about home? And I said that I really missed my sewing machine. The next morning [after the article was published], I had five sewing machines at my front door. And that’s how I got started. I charged 50 cents for my first job. It grew organically from there. I feel that throughout the last 27 years, most of the dreams that I’ve had have been realized. I’m very happy. TL: HOW DID YOU GO FROM HEMMING PANTS TO CREATING COUTURE? EP: It was all word of mouth. I made something

beautiful for a customer and it started from there. I never had to advertise. Happy customers referring other customers—best kind of marketing there is. TL: CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WORK ESTABLISHING THE MARYLAND CENTER OF FASHION DESIGN? EP: In the early 2000s, I took a break from business

so that I could raise my son. When he went to school, I thought it was time to go back to work. I was not interested in just making clothes; I wanted to pass on my skills, to teach women to start their own businesses or simply enjoy a new hobby. I wanted to start a school. Classes expanded organically, and we started offering different courses for different skill levels. Some of my students became assistants and teachers. My students who wanted to pursue [couture] as a career were wondering where they could go to work, and if I could help them find a job. So then I thought I’d better

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

start making clothes again so that I could offer opportunities for

TL: HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

meaningful employment in the industry. That’s when I got another

EP: It starts as a conversation. The best work that I do comes when

dream. I decided we really needed to get the garment industry back

I get to know a person, their habits and lifestyle. The more I know, the

to Baltimore so that we can have prosperity again. That’s where the

better I can design something special for them. Sometimes we pres-

Baltimore Fashion Alliance came from.

ent them with a choice of fabrics, sometimes I have a specific vision.

Nearly 10 years later, there is so much stuff happening. Small,

Everything we do is one of a kind.

pop-up shops are opening, manufacturers are opening, and the

TL: WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT?

city and state are encouraging industry again. It’s been rewarding

EP: The fact that I am so fulfilled. I could not be happier. (Ella begins

to see that dream coming to fruition.

to tear up.) That’s not something everyone can report. And I feel that

TL: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO WOMEN WHO THINK COUTURE IS

is success. When you go to bed every day knowing that you have

EXPENSIVE OR INACCESSIBLE?

helped somebody, that you’ve helped empower someone, helped

EP: Because my pieces are timeless and made to last for

them to be more confident, that you’ve given them something they

decades, couture is an investment. But beyond that—what I

wouldn’t otherwise have had. Not just women we dress, but women

have found over the last 25 years—women that I’ve dressed have

who work here. I couldn’t ask for more.

expressed a higher level of confidence and a better self-image,

TL: WHAT DOES THIS AREA MEAN TO YOU?

and that alone is a huge testimonial for what we do. We create

EP: I have traveled all over the world. But I love this area. It’s experi-

garments and wardrobes for women that empower them. And

enced an incredible growth since I came. It’s so beautiful. People are

when you feel confident, you are able to accomplish so much

friendly and there’s so much talent. So much creativity. So much oppor-

more, to take chances, to speak your mind, to live a better life.

tunity. I am so thrilled to have experienced that and to have had the

We dress women who have a high level of influence—in business,

opportunity that this country offered me. It’s been incredibly rewarding.

law, finance—and I can tell you, underneath all the titles, we’re all

TL: IT’S SATURDAY MORNING, YOU’RE MAKING BREAKFAST

the same. We’re all just girls trying to get dressed in the morning.

FOR THE FAMILY. WHAT ARE YOU LOUNGING IN? WOULD WE

It doesn’t matter if you’re the president of a large company or a

EVER FIND YOU IN SWEATPANTS?

clerk, we’re all the same. When you have a wardrobe that fits you beautifully, you can be all that you can be. It’s just that simple.

EP: I don’t even own a pair of sweatpants! I wear golf clothes

when I want to be casual. September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Our Town

Historic Hikes EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY ARTICLE ALEX BIRD

ith school back in session and the occasional yellow leaf now appearing on the sidewalk, it

looks like summer 2017 is slowly sliding into the seasonal history books. Luckily, there is still time to head out into the balmy county weather and go hunting for ghosts of summers long gone. Since its settlement in the mid-17th century, Baltimore County has woven a rich historical tapestry, much of which is preserved in the parks, trails and historical sites that dot much of Baltimore’s rolling countryside. Sliding into a good pair of hiking boots and hitting the open trail can not only take you through the picturesque reserves of the county but also through its lively, engaging past. One of the best ways to gather a cursory glance of the county’s history is the historical whistle stop tour that is the Torrey C. Brown Trail, a crushed stone pebble track that runs for about 20 miles from Cockeysville to New Freedom, Pennsylvania, just over the Mason-Dixon Line. Part of the larger NCR Trail, the Torrey C. Brown traces its preservational present to an industrial past when it was cleared for a railroad line by the Northern Central Railroad Company in 1832. While the line was used to haul freight and passengers between Baltimore and the towns of southern Pennsylvania, it lent a hand in more than one historical event, carrying President Abraham Lincoln on his way to give the Gettysburg Address and playing witness to Confederate cavalry raids during the Civil War.

The barn at Jerusalem Mill. Photography by Chris Bergman

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

Torrey C. Brown Trail

Cromwell Valley Park

The NCR line stayed in service for 140 years, only falling out of service following the devastation of Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Today, the tracks have made way for a smooth gravel path that plays host to an eclectic group of outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, runners, bikers and horseback riders. Trailgoers will inevitably stumble upon the old whistle posts and mileage markers that once guided engineers through the Baltimore countryside. And, if the ambitious hiker goes just far enough, they will find the beautifully restored 1898 Monkton Station which now serves as a Jerusalem Mill

museum, gift shop and ranger station. Of course, it’s just as easy to jump off the trail as it weaves through Gunpowder State Park to check out several remnants of the past that are tucked away in the park’s forests and riverbeds. Gunpowder Park is one of the state’s largest nature reserves and is home to several historical sites. One of the largest and most striking is the small village of Jerusalem Mill, a colonial mill town whose old stone buildings are now part of a living history museum that explores what life in northern Maryland was like during the first century and a half of the American Republic. On the weekends, Jerusalem Mill regularly features blacksmith demos and tours of the Miller’s House where firearms were manufactured. The village’s current incarnation as a living history museum can trace its roots to 1985 when concerned Baltimore and Harford County residents formed an association to save the endangered mill buildings from decay

Cromwell Valley Park

and destruction. The organization raised enough funds to launch significant preservation efforts that resulted in the creation of one of the oldest preserved mill sites in Maryland. Though it sits just across the county line in Harford County, it reflects a way of life that was once ubiquitous throughout the Baltimore countryside and continues to be celebrated today. If you don’t feel like jumping the county line, there are plenty of chances to engage with wildlife and traces of the past just outside the beltway. A five-minute drive from the Towson circle, the Cromwell Valley Park covers 460 acres of a stream valley reserve that plays host and home to a diverse range of indigenous Maryland wildlife. Originally known as “Lime Kiln Bottom,” the park is home to Minebank Run Stream which served as a freshwater source to indigenous Marylanders for thousands of years. CONTINUED >

Cromwell Valley Park September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Our Town

(CON TI N U ED)

In the 1700s, European colonists settled the area to take advantage of its fertile soil and build mines to extract iron ore. The largest of these mines were located at the starting point of the Minebank Run Stream, hence the stream’s current name. In the late 1700s, Cromwell Valley became a popular place for the production of agricultural lime, a soil additive made from marble which could be used to restore depleted nutrients to farming soil. Thanks to its proximity to the Cockyeville marble quarries, the valley was soon home to eight large stone lime kilns whose product was used to breathe life back into Baltimore’s soil. Today, the remnants of these massive 18th-century stone kilns can still be found embedded in the hillsides of the park, and are well worth the hike to see. The reserve also features four farms, two of which have historic farmhouses. Willow Grove Farm sits atop the park’s easternmost 220 acres and features a 19th-century farmhouse that is now the park’s nature education center. Sherwood Farm sits in the center of the park and has the beautiful Sherwood House as its centerpiece that dates from 1935. Both offer great respites

North Point State Park

on one’s journey through Cromwell Valley’s picturesque trails and a wide variety of flora and fauna. While these trails and sites tucked away in the fields and forests of Baltimore County provide a vivid picture of the county’s pastoral origins, traveling downstream to the Chesapeake Bay and North Point State Park shines a light on the county and city’s close relationship with the world’s largest estuary. Just east of Dundalk and Canton, North Point State Park spans nearly 6 miles along the Chesapeake Bay, Back River and Shallow Creek, and features several wetland marshes. While the land buffeting the shore has been continuously farmed for nearly 350 years, the park’s greatest claim to significance comes from the War of 1812. To aid the naval assault of Fort McHenry, the British Army landed 3,700 troops and 1,000 marines on North Point and began to march on Baltimore. This army soon engaged the Maryland militia in what became known as the Battle of North Point and was soundly defeated, saving the city from destruction and British occupation. Since then, the park has been home to various restaurants and amusement parks and was under the ownership of Bethlehem Steel in the middle of the 20th century. Today, it offers the outdoor adventurer both running and biking trails as well as pristine water access to the Chesapeake Bay. So, whether you dust off your old six-gear mountain bike and follow President Lincoln down the NCR or throw on a bathing suit to fend off the next British invasion, there is a rich, colorful history to engage in these last few weeks of the warm season. Hitting the open trail and making it a part of this summer’s story will not only keep you fit well into the winter months but give you an immersive understanding of Baltimore’s diverse and engaging heritage. 24

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

North Point Sate Park. Photography by Sylvia Bolls. North Point State Park

Realty Report

Towson Area Realty Report

NEIGHBORHOOD

LIST PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/LIST

*DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

1210 Scotts Knoll Ct, WESTWICKE

$2,315,000

$2,200,000

95%

1003 Wind Ct, FOUR WINDS

$1,974,839

100%

1866 Circle Rd, RUXTON

$1,950,000

100%

912 Dunlavin Ct, WATERFORD PRESERVE

$1,650,000

100%

151

4 Blythewood Rd, ROLAND PARK

$1,535,000

$1,375,000

90%

908 Crosshaven Rd, WATERFORD

$1,399,000

100%

1200 Carrollton Ave, RUXTON

$1,325,000

100%

303 Goodwood Gdns, ROLAND PARK

$1,275,000

$1,195,000

94%

6503 Abby View Way #12, CLOISTERS AT CHARLES III

$995,000

$900,000

90%

267

1401 La Belle Ave, RUXTON HEIGHTS

$949,500

$955,000

101%

9 Laurel Cir, SEMINARY OVERLOOK

$945,000

$918,000

97%

11201 Five Springs Rd, FIVE SPRINGS

$939,000

100%

203 Upnor Rd, HOMELAND

$899,990

$850,000

94%

1401 Malvern Ave, RUXTON

$875,000

$800,000

91%

105 Tunbridge Rd, HOMELAND

$869,000

$849,500

98%

3 Lochview Ct, POT SPRING

$835,000

100%

5 Selsed Garth, SEMINARY OVERLOOK

$835,000

100%

4904 Roland Ave, ROLAND PARK

$825,000

$800,000

97%

608 Oak Farm Ct, THE OAKS AT FIVE FARMS

$819,900

$819,000

99%

5402 Purlington Way, HOMELAND

$799,900

100%

Sampling of sold properties from Bright MLS, Inc. for June 2017 Properties may have been listed & sold by other companies *DOM=Days on Market

September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Giving Back

ARTICLE TIM BOJANOWSKI

Debbie Phelps With her kids out of the house (and out of the pool), 'America's Mom' is on a mission to help make Baltimore County's public schools World Class. 26

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

fter waiting a moment to interject into the conversation, an onlooker begins to ask the all-too-familiar question. But, Debbie

Phelps graciously lends a handshake and the proper answer prior to the question being fully formed. “Yes,” she says, enthusiastically and excitedly. “I am Debbie Phelps, executive director of the Education Foundation for Baltimore County Public Schools. Mother to Hilary, Whitney and Michael. Grandmother to Taylor, Connor, Boomer and Alexander.” The question would have focused on the latter part of the answer had it been completed, but the conversation always becomes even more meaningful with Debbie’s generous willingness to share the whole story. That story is always carefully balanced for each of the characters, introduced chronologically from her oldest daughter to her newest grandson. Somewhere in the middle, she’ll proudly mention her son in a way that almost inconspicuously references that the rest of the world knows him as the greatest Olympian to ever live. Without hesitation, she politely and confidently shifts the conversation to the newest part of the story. To her, it’s perhaps the most surprising chapter. She’s been one of the country’s most beloved mothers for more than a decade since becoming a staple of NBC’s Olympics coverage

“If you would have told me five years ago that not only would I

in Athens in 2004. She’s been a grandmother for almost as long. She’s

not be retired from the school system, but also that I’d be out of the

also a successful author and professional speaker. But, she was two

schoolhouse running a charity, I would have said you were crazy,”

years away from retirement as a middle school principal when an

Debbie says. “But, Dr. S. Dallas Dance had a vision for what I could

upstart 30-year-old new superintendent for Baltimore County Public

bring to the school system through the foundation, and I couldn’t tell

Schools called her into his office just a few weeks on the job.

my boss ‘No, I can’t.’”

CONTINUED >

September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Giving Back

(CON TI N U ED)

Dr. Dance jokes he had no idea whether or not Debbie was going to take the job, and that she could have easily turned him down. Those who know Debbie laugh at the part about her potentially saying “no.” Debbie Phelps doesn’t do “no.” She finds a way. That way was briefly unclear for her in accepting the role as the executive director of the Education Foundation for Baltimore County Public Schools. The 501(c)(3) had existed for the previous 20 years primarily to serve as a bank account for the occasional school donation. She literally went overnight from having relative autonomy as the principal of a school, able to act swiftly and decisively, to answering to a board of directors comprised entirely of volunteers who had grown accustomed to moving slowly. The Phelps family only knows one speed, and it is fast. Despite spending the entirety of her career in a schoolhouse and having little formal experience in the business world, Debbie caught on quickly. She worked tirelessly learning the ins and outs of the local business community and recruiting dozens of talented professionals to assume thankless positions on boards and committees. In route to becoming perhaps the most influential cheerleader and spokesperson for local education, she formed a remarkable family of local business leaders who worked as a team with her as their leader. Just five short years later, the organization is now a model for success for school system based charities across the country. Today, the Education Foundation raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support local education through an assortment of events, partnerships and giving programs. The money is distributed back to students, teachers and families through scholarships and grants that advance 21st century-themed learning and enrichment. It has served as a leader in promoting improved opportunities and innovative solutions to challenges facing public education. This includes supporting the creation of makerspaces in schools that encourage skill-based learning, apprenticeships and career- and technology-based education programs, and many other ideas born from teachers and students with visions in the schoolhouse that are brought to life through the financial support of the Education Foundation that otherwise would not be possible. Her work has earned her a few more recent medals of her own, as she was recognized for her work with the charity through the Top 100 Women awards by the Maryland Daily Record and is the recipient the Smart CEO BRAVA Award. She has a tendency to get choked up when thanking those who helped, all of whom are quick to point out that they are just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of her story in building her vision for the future of Baltimore County Public Schools.

To learn more about Debbie Phelps and how you can support the Education Foundation, visit EducationFoundationBCPS.org

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

Come Play with Us! Improv & On-Camera Workshops If you are a kid or just a kid at heart, this is for you! Students will use improv to become comfortable being â€œrealâ€? and see how they really come across while learning to embrace spontaneity!

Improv & OC Teachers: Michael Harris (B.I.G.), Scott Goodhue and Betsy Royall, C.S.A. www.taylorroyall.com for details Taylor Royall 6247 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

Lifestyle Calendar

September SEPTEMBER 1

around West 36th Street. HampdenFest features three stages of

SHAKESPEARE ON THE PATIO: LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST

music and art performances, an activity area for kids, four blocks

BOORDY’S VINEYARD

of arts and crafts vendors, and other wares from a wide range of

The Baltimore Shakespeare Company performs this classic on

merchants and artists. HampdenFest.Blogspot.com

Boordy’s scenic front patio. Adult tickets include a glass of the vineyard's finest. This event begins at 7 p.m. Boordy.com

SEPTEMBER 11 SHARK! BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

SEPTEMBER 2

NATIONAL AQUARIUM

UNDER ARMOUR CHARLES STREET 12

Don’t miss your chance to get up close to the aquarium’s sharks! Go

THE SHOPS AT KENILWORTH

behind the scenes with an expert guide to discover the truth about

The race starts at The Shops at Kenilworth and continues for 12 miles

these incredible ocean creatures. This event begins at 1:30 p.m.

down Baltimore’s historic Charles Street, finishing at the Under Armour World Headquarters in Locust Point. Train on your own or with

SEPTEMBER 15

a group through Charm City Run. CharlesSt12.com

NKF KONICA MINOLTA GOLF CLASSIC

SEPTEMBER 8-OCTOBER 7

GREYSTONE GOLF COURSE This signature fundraiser is touted as The Premier Amateur Golf Event

MASTERS OF THE CONTEMPORARY PRINT

for Charity™ with winners from 30 events throughout the country qual-

TOWSON UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

ifying for the National Finals at Pebble Beach. Practice and registration

This exhibition showcases the work of contemporary masters and the

begin at noon, followed by a shotgun start at 2 p.m. KidneyMD.org

prints of large and small print shops.

SEPTEMBER 16

SEPTEMBER 9

AUTUMN NATIVE PLANT SALE 2017

2017 HAMPDENFEST

LAKE ROLAND PARK

THE BLOCK IN HAMPDEN (36TH STREET)

Lake Roland will host its autumn plant sale. Professional gardeners

Hampdenfest is a neighborhood arts festival that draws visitors,

will be on hand to help participants learn about the importance of

as well as residents, to enjoy the community of merchants on and

landscaping with plants native to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. CONTINUED >

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410.321.5004 7801 York Rd. Suite 315 September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Lifestyle Calendar

Welcome Spring with aDriveway! Beautiful New

(CON TI N UED)

SEPTEMBER 15 FALL FETE AT THE STATION GREEN SPRING STATION, LUTHERVILLE The Courtyard at Green Spring Station will transform into a fashion

• Driveways • Parking Lots • Roto Milling • Repairs • Seal Coating

extravaganza with a runway show featuring on-trend fashion highlights from Green Spring Station retailers and local celebrity models. Event includes delectable food and beverage stations. Benefits the Kennedy Krieger Institute. 7-10 p.m. GreenSpringStation.com.

SEPTEMBER 21 TODD ESTES CONSTITUTION DAY LECTURE GOUCHER COLLEGE Goucher College will present a public lecture for Constitution Day: "James Madison, John Jay and the Art of Political Moderation in the Debate over the Constitution." This event begins at 4:30 p.m.

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SEPTEMBER 23 LEGACY CHASE SHAWAN DOWNS, COCKEYSVILLE Fill up your car with family and friends, pack a picnic, and spend a day in the warm September sun, watching this annual steeplechase. Proceeds benefit GBMC Oncology. Gates open at 10 a.m.

SEPTEMBER 23 AND 24 MARYLAND OKTOBERFEST MARYLAND STATE FAIRGROUNDS The German beer, bratwursts and music attract thousands of Mary-

online!

VI SIT US

landers to this annual event, which celebrates the fall harvest and the marriage of Germany’s “mad” King Ludwig. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. September 23 and 24

SEPTEMBER 24 BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON, UK If you can’t make the trip across the pond to see the Ravens’ first appearance on foreign soil, don your purple jersey, pour yourself a pint and catch the game at home live on the tube! The game starts at 9:30 a.m. local time.

SEPTEMBER 24 RUN WILD FOR AUTISM THE MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE A 5K race and 1-mile fun run and walk through the zoo will benefit autism programs. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the race will start at 8:30 a.m.

WHAT ’S ON OUR WEBSITE? Past Issues • Current Articles Business Directory • Contest Registration

Towson

SEPTEMBER 30 A NIGHT WITH DEREK WATERS AND DRUNK HISTORY KRAUSHAAR AUDITORIUM AT GOUCHER COLLEGE Join Towson native and noted television writer and actor Derek Wa-

VISIT US AT E

™

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

TowsonLifestyle.com

ters for an evening of side-splitting comedy to benefit the Baltimore County Arts Guild. BCArtsGuild.org. This event begins at 7 p.m.

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September 2017 | Towson Lifestyle

Fabulous Fashion

Parting Thoughts

and a Bus Named Elsa

ARTICLE MATT HOBSON

GO-GO'S: A MOBILE VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOP

f you’ve ever visited the Towson Farmers Market, you may have seen Elsa—an old school bus painted bright, swirling colors that has

been reincarnated as a mobile vintage clothing shop called Go-Go’s. “I named her after Elsa Lanchester,” says Go-Go’s owner/operator,

“The key to putting together a successful outfit is to not worry

Stacey Chambers, a 38-year-old Reno native who’s called Baltimore home

about trends," Stacey says. "Dress to make yourself happy—you

for 14 years. “She was the actress who played in 'Bride of Frankenstein.'”

can’t go wrong.”

Stacey also has a forearm tattoo of the actress in full monster bride hair and makeup. “My grandmother and I watched that movie all the time,” she remembers, fondly. In 2010, Stacey started Go-Go’s after leaving an unfulfilling job as a property manager. “I’ll never make enough to retire to the Bahamas,” she says, laughing. "But there’s more to life than making lots of money.” Stacey loves the freedom of a business on wheels. “I’ve had some extraordinary conversations with amazing people," she says. "I’ve gained insights that have made me a better person.” Ever since she was a kid, Stacey has loved vintage clothing. “It’s in my blood,” she says, explaining that her mother operated a used clothing store in Reno when Stacey was growing up. Style runs in Stacey’s family. She recalls her grandmother, her “style icon,” wearing bell-bottoms with buttons up the sides and a turban. Somehow, the outfit worked. 34

Towson Lifestyle | September 2017

Walking up to Elsa, you’ll see hats, sunglasses and cool jewelry items: necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets ranging in price from $5 to $40 for sterling silver and stones. Inside, running from front to back, hang hundreds of vintage clothing pieces: quirky T-shirts, unique dresses and skirts from every era, and other more exotic items that Stacey’s found during her travels abroad. Every item was handpicked, and Stacey has a great eye for fashion. “I can glance at a rack of clothing and instantly identify the best piece amongst the crap,” she says. The inventory at Go-Go’s changes daily. If you see something you like, grab it before someone else does. In addition to her regular gig at the Towson Farmers Market—the second, fourth and fifth Thursdays of the month—Stacey and Elsa also frequent the JFX Farmer’s Market every Sunday, along with less-regular pop-ups in Hampden and at myriad music festivals around Maryland, all weather permitting. For more information, visit ShopGoGos.com.

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