Frosty's Surgery

After Christmas the winds blew hard almost every day. Frosty the Snowman tried hard to battle the winds outside. He wanted to continue to point to the location of the train garden but mother nature won. As a result Frosty the Snowman was injured. Bernie Deasel and Frank Bratkowski decided to operate on him. He may need a few more minor surgeries but all looks good for a complete recovery.

Students Visit the Train Garden

  

796 students from seven area schools visited the Train Garden from Monday, December 17 to Friday, December 21. The students and their teachers and any accompanied adults thoroughly enjoyed the garden. The students had fun doing the scavenger hunt.

The Highlandtown Train Garden - A True Family Event



The Obara Family

 All members of the Morningstar and Obara Families greatly enjoyed their visit to the Train Garden.

The Morningstar Family



 

Girl Scouts Visit the Train Garden

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Girl Scout Troop # 5347 from Patterson Park Public Charter School under the leadership of Ms. Allison Fomich visited Fire House # 41. There they heard a presentation about fire safety and the duties and the responsibilities of firefighters. After the presentation 22 girl scouts with their 6 chaperones toured the train garden. They so much enjoyed it that many did not want to leave.

Jacques Kelly's Article Brings Hundreds to the Train Garden

As a result of Jacques Kelly's article hundreds of visitors flocked to the Train Garden. All were impressed by the variety of displays that make the garden a community train garden. Many visitors wanted to thank all the volunteers that worked on the garden and said they enjoyed themselves greatly. Thanks Jacques!

The Sun Writer Jacques Kelly Visits the Train Garden

On Friday, December 7, 2012 the Sun newspaper writer Jacques Kelly, a train garden enthusiast himself, visited the Highlandtown Train Garden. He liked how this garden is a community event. For example, those businesses or associations who donate money or make in kind donations have their names and logos placed on buidlings and billboards inside the garden. Mr. Kelly especially liked the near miss figure eight. Bernie Deasel, one of the train garden's engineers, reminisced with Jacques about how they became involved in train gardens. Also, in the picture below, is Chris Ryer, executive director of the Southeast Community Development Corporation, who greatly supports the train garden in a variety of ways.

Opening Night Success

On Friday evening November 30 after lighting the Christmas tree at Conkling St. and Eastern Ave. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and a large group of people walked over to the train garden. After a few speeches and acknowledgements the mayor pushed down on the start button on the remote and the train garden was lit and the trains were on the move. An exciting time was had by all!

Also pictured on the right is a replica of the new Southeast Community Development Corporation building now being built at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Highland Avenue.

Sponsor Night

On Thursday, November 29, 2012 the Highlandtown Train Garden held Sponsor Night. Many sponsors and their families came to be the first persons to see the train garden. It officially opens on Friday, November 30 at about 6:30 pm. The sponsors brought with them materials that were related to their businesses or associations. Cookies made by Carol Hartke and several kinds of cider were offered.

We Have Moved!

 On November 18, 2012 the Highlandtown Train Garden was moved from its storage area to Fire House # 41 at 520 S. Conkling St. Here the "engineers" are putting the final touches on the train garden so it will be ready for visitors beginning on Friday, November 30, 2012 from about 6:30 pm to 8 pm. For the hours of operation of the train garden for 2012 refer to those that are posted on this blog.



It's Almost Done

The "engineers" have been working feverishly to finish the train garden. They are almost done and will be ready to move the train garden to the Fire House next month.

Coolest Concept Art Cart Winner

Jean Pula and Dennis Moore worked for many months building an art cart for the Highlandtown Train Garden. On Octber 6, 2012 at the Art Cart Derby at Conkling Street and Gough Street this art cart won a trophy for the Coolest Concept. The trophy was presented to Jean and Dennis later in the day. Congratulations!

Work on the Train Garden is Progressing with New Ideas

The engineers are making some changes in the Train Garden. It will be more exciting watching the trains this year with trestles in the garden. And there will be a figure eight on the trestles with the trains crossing at a near miss, and a miniature train ride around the amusement park.

September 8, 2012 - The Thinking Has Begun

 The “engineers” – Bernie Deasel, Terry Maillar, Ted Baccala, David Eaton and Rafi Guroian – have begun planning the 2012 Highlandtown Train Garden. One of the most discussed change is to lower the entire Train Garden a few inches so that more children will be able to view it without difficulty. 

Raffle Winners!

Congratulations to the 2011 Highlandtown Train Garden Raffle Winners.  The Panera Bread Gift Certificate was awarded to Mark Morreson  of Baltimore.  Mark will be enjoying a free loaf of bread at Panera every month for the next year.  The Lionel Polar Express Train Set will be running around the Christmas tree at the home of Scott Kelly.  Scott picked up his prize at the fire house where he had his photo taken by Jackie Watts, editor of the Baltimore Guide.  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of you who purchased tickets.  We raised $1,203 in this year's raffle and those donations will go towards making next year's garden even more spectacular.  Our thanks also to Panera Bread and MB Kleins in Cockeysville.