THE ABERDEEN ADVOCATE
City of Aberdeen
60 N. Parke Street Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 272-1600
December 17, 2018
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 A Special Holiday Message: Major General Randy Taylor, APG Senior Commander
Does the Star Spangled Banner Still Fly?
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
We’re all familiar with this line from our national anthem, but you might not know the question mark at the end is not a typo. As Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, he was unsure whether the United States would prevail as a nation. So the question mark represents a sense of fear and uncertainty. The flag does still fly, and today we can interpret the question mark more broadly to reflect on whether America is upholding the ideals on which we were founded. Unfortunately, our laws and institutions have not always reflected the self-evident truth that all people are created equal. But together, we are making progress. This holiday season, please consider what you can do to uphold the American values of liberty and equality that the defenders of Fort McHenry safeguarded. Because the responsibility to keep our Star Spangled Banner flying and to live the revolutionary ideas it represents rests with all of us. Happy holidays!
Major General Randy Taylor
Senior Commander, Aberdeen Proving Ground
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 Employment Opportunities Available
Are you looking for either a full or part time position with a local organization? Interested in becoming a key player in your community? Than look no further! The City of Aberdeen is hiring for several positions including Maintenance Trainee/Worker, Environmental Worker; Plant Operator Trainee; Police Officer – Lateral; Code Enforcement Officer; Crossing Guard (Part-Time). If you are interested in one of these exciting careers, please visit us online by clicking here.
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 You Know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen….
If you're up early on Saturday, December 22nd, we encourage you to bundle up and cheer on the participants of the Reindeer Run 5k, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The race is the 3rd in Blue Cheetah’s annual holiday running series.
Interested in participating? There's still time to sign up. Visit www.Reindeer5k.com for more details. As with every race in the series, the Reindeer Run 5k features a custom finisher’s medal for all participants, as well as a custom 50/50 cotton and poly tech-blend short sleeve t-shirt, plus other great swag. The race will be professionally chip timed using the RaceResult Chip system by Blue Cheetah Sports Timing and Event Management, LLC. A portion of the proceeds of this race will go to benefit the National PTSD Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to helping first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Please register early, this race sold out three weeks in advance in 2017!
Please Register Early to Ensure Your Spot. The Cost is $25 Per Person if you Register in Advance, $30 Per Person During Packet Pickup or Race Day.
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 Get Out and Play!
So you and your furry four legged friend (K9’s) are developing a little cabin fever, and Winter has just arrived! Maybe the kids are cooped up in the house on Christmas break and you (. . . and them) need to get outside asap! Or maybe you’re prepping for that New Year’s resolution to exercise more and take some off the Thanksgiving pounds? Whatever the reason, your Aberdeen Victory Street Park is just the prescription for what you need. Victory is Aberdeen’s largest park where you can play a round of Frisbee Golf or if you’re more ambitious shoot some hoops on the basketball court. At Victory there’s a shelter, grills, a even a first class tot park with the latest in children’s playground activities. Victory also has the only dog park in town; one of the biggest, best equipped dog parks in north eastern Maryland. It’s a great place to get Fido out of the house so she can romp and socialize with others of her own kind. If you haven’t been to the Aberdeen Dog Park, there’s a large and small dog sized area with ramps, tunnels and toys all just waiting for you. Need directions? Just follow the signs to behind the Aberdeen Amtrak Station or head towards the City water tower right in front of Aberdeen Proving Ground’s old middle gate. You can park alongside the road. It a great way to spend a Winter day. Best of all, everything is free! See you there.
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 Holiday Advisory
City Hall will be closed on December 24th and 25th for Christmas. If you need to pay your water and sewer bill please do it by Friday, 21 December or sign up for our online services! Not only can you make a payment, but you can also view previous bills, sign up for e-bills and more. Visit us online at www.aberdeenmd.gov and click on "Online Payments".
There will be no trash collection on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25th. If your items are normally collected on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, your route will be on a one day delay (Tuesday will be picked up Wednesday, etc.). There will be no bulk or yard waste pickup.
This holiday season, we remind residents to recycle. Wrapping paper, paper boxes and greeting card envelopes can all be recycled. You'll be amazed at how much room you can save if you recycle these items instead of stuffing them in a trash bag.
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 Key Point Volunteer Work
Last week, volunteers from Key Point Health visited City Hall for a uniquely special luncheon. The folks seen in the picture with Mayor McGrady worked over the past few months to create a beautiful mural on the side of the Aberdeen Museum, located at 18 Howard Street. Unique scenes from the Old Line State show a MD crab, local lighthouse, an eagle, camo reflecting APG’s presence, and more. Aberdeen’s new art feature is truly a sight to see! Thanks to Dr. Karl Weber and his team from Key Point for their time, energy and passion they put into creating this showpiece in our downtown district.
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 Wreaths Across America
The Wreaths Across America program, started at Arlington National Cemetery in 1992; placing commemorative live evergreen wreaths at the headstone of veterans. In the 25+ years since its inception, the program has grown exponentially. Today it is one of the best loved veteran’s recognition programs in the country. Last Saturday, despite the rain and cool temperature, nearly 100 individuals gathered to honor and thank those who have served by placing wreaths on the headstones at the Aberdeen Proving Ground and Edgewood Arsenal Cemetery’s. Nearly 400 fresh, Maine-grown Fir boughs were ceremoniously placed honoring veterans and their families, with a verbal “thank you” offered to each one. Your team from Aberdeen City Hall was there, along with scouts, church groups, Gold Star families, soldiers and civilians from APG and Edgewood, and representatives from the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, who helped sponsor the event. A special shout out to CECOM’s Deputy Commander, Mr. Larry Muzzelo, for his impactful words, and to Mrs. Josie Montanez, who organized the wreath ceremony for the APG Spouses Club. For more information about the program or the APG Spouses Club, which is open to military, civilian and contract employees, email Mrs. Montanez at jiij4@aol.com.
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 Harford County Wants To Hear From You!
Harford County is interested in your feedback on a proposal to expand recreational programming at the Aberdeen Senior Center building located at 7 Franklin Street.
On March 2, 2018, Winter Storm Riley caused significant damage to the Aberdeen Senior Center building at 7 Franklin Street. Senior programs and bus service were diverted to the Havre de Grace Activity Center and have continued there since that time. Unlike the smaller Aberdeen Senior Center, the Havre de Grace Activity Center is a full-service building that includes a gymnasium, fitness room, daily lunch service and activities, and a full range of classes for seniors.
With the building repairs nearly completed at the Aberdeen site, this is a good opportunity to re-evaluate the best use of the building. The leaders of the Harford Senior’s Activity Centers are proposing to offer recreational programming for all ages under Harford County Parks & Recreation at the Aberdeen Senior Center this spring. This will allow some senior programming to continue at that location, along with some additional recreational programming for Aberdeen citizens of all ages. As always, seniors can use any of Harford County’s Senior Centers that they desire. We are also seeking input on which recreational programs are of interest to the community for the future Aberdeen Activity Center. This will be a full-service building, similar to the current facilities in Havre de Grace, Bel Air and Fallston.
The survey deadline is January 10, 2019. To participate, please click here.
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 Stream Live Council Meetings
Can't make it to a Council Meeting but want to stay informed? Just visit the City's webpage (www.AberdeenMD.gov) and click on "Legislative Sessions". Here, you can watch Council Meetings in real time! Interested in the new Upper Chesapeake freestanding medical treatment plan in Aberdeen? Again, your City's webpage has all the information being presented to the Council.
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 Holiday Themed Events
Cookie Decorating With A Cop: Parents bring your students to the Chick-fil-A Aberdeen, 1001 Beards Hill Road, for Cookie Decorating With A Cop! The event will be held on December 18th from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Students can enjoy a FREE cookie courtesy of Chick-fil-A, color, issue tickets to police officers, have conversations and ask questions of police officers.
Christmas On Patrol: Listen on Saturday, December 22nd for Santa's sleigh! Escorted by the Aberdeen Police Department, Santa and his elves will make their way around Aberdeen. The sleigh will follow our Chief of Police who will have his sirens on (so you can hear them coming). If you have Facebook, follow the Aberdeen Police Department page for constant updates on their location.
Toy Drive & Open Mic Night: Join Protégé Enterprise on December 22nd for their Toy Drive & Open Mic Night at Loafers! Stop by from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and bring an unwrapped toy or monetary donation. All donations will be for a local family. For more information, call Protégé Nutrition at (443) 327-7621.
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If there’s something you would like to see in an upcoming Advocate, email us at fbanuelos@aberdeenmd.com. Also, please invite your family and friends to keep up with news from around the city by signing up for the Advocate. Just go to the City’s homepage (www.aberdeenmd.gov) and click on the “City Newsletter” button at the top left of the page.
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While your family is driving around looking at Christmas lights, be sure to stop by Festival Park and observe the beautiful holiday tree with all of it's mesmerizing lights, and the decorated pavilion with reindeer. |
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 Free Movie Night
Visit Grove Presbyterian Church on December 14th for a free family movie night! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free drinks and snacks will be provided, to enjoy during the movie. For more information, click here.
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 B-I-N-G-O
Come one, come all! Bingo is held at the American Legion every Thursday and 2nd Sunday of the month. This event is open to the public, so be sure to grab your friends and head on over. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday Bingo starts at 6:15 p.m. and Sunday Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
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