Formstone would be banned on new buildings under proposal

Posted on December 1, 2012 by atomictv

The hand-crafted home siding, started in Baltimore, is prohibited eight times in proposed code

By Steve Kilar and Jean Marbella (The Baltimore Sun, 12/1/2012)

Frankly fake but authentically Baltimore, the Formstone that swaths many a rowhouse may seem low-brow or even tacky to some.

But should it be illegal?

A proposed overhaul of the Baltimore’s zoning code would do just that, banning the faux stone facades on any newly constructed rowhouses. While the city says this would upgrade neighborhoods, some see it as a slap at an endearing if downscale bit of Baltimoreana — akin to prohibiting Natty Boh at the corner bar or beehive hairdos at the beauty parlor.


Formstone plaque photo from Upper Fell’s Point Improvement Association

“Formstone is really part of the legacy of Baltimore City, along with marble steps and painted screens,” said Robert “Bob” Ibex, one of the last of the city’s original Formstone masons. “I don’t know why they would want to outlaw that.”

Called “the polyester of brick” by filmmaker John Waters, the artificial stone swept through many working-class Baltimore neighborhoods in the post-World War II years. The brand FormStone was patented by Baltimorean L. Albert Knight in 1937 and eventually became so popular that all hand-sculpted siding in town came to be called generically by its name.

Continue reading at “Formstone would be banned on new buildings under proposal” at The Baltimore Sun.

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Frosty the Snowman Arrested Again

Posted on December 1, 2012 by atomictv

An oldie but goodie from the Baltimore Or Less Christmas archives. Happy Holidays!

(The Associated Press, 5/1/2012)

Kevin Michael Walsh, aka “Frosty the Snowman,” in his booking photo after being arrested at the Chestertown Christmas Parade.

A man who was arrested while dressed as Frosty the Snowman during a holiday parade has been charged again.

Chestertown police say 53-year-old Kevin Walsh of Chestertown, was arrested Sunday and charged with disorderly conduct and other offenses. He was released on his own recognizance.

Police say Walsh yelled profanities on the sidewalk and cursed at an officer who told him to quiet down.

On Nov. 26, Walsh, dressed as Frosty at Chestertown’s holiday parade, allegedly scuffled with police and kicked a police dog. Those charges with place on the inactive docket.

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Batter’s up in Pete’s Grille pancake-eating contest

Posted on November 30, 2012 by atomictv

Gluttons for punishment win $1,000 in prize money

By Larry Perl (The Baltimore Sun, 11/16/2012)


The long, narrow eatery, a fixture in the 3100 block of Greenmount Avenue in Abell since it was Hooper’s in the 1950s, has 26 counter seats. All but one were filled by 7 a.m., as 25 contestants each paid a $20 registration fee for the chance to win $500 in prize money in separate contests for men and women — and free food for life if they broke the records of 18 pancakes for men and 12 for women.

Pete’s Grille in the Abell neighborhood of northern Baltimore held its pancake eating contest Friday morning, where contestants could stuff their faces with as many fluffy flapjacks as possible. (Sarah Pastrana/BSMG)

“Feel like a champ?” Katharine Moog asked her best friend, Melissa Askew, as they waited for a pancake-eating contest to begin at Pete’s Grille early Friday morning.

Askew, 26, of Hampden, and Moog’s brother, Patch Ronald, 22, of Jacksonville, in Baltimore County, were contestants at the annual contest. It was either the 20th or the 21st year, according to co-owner Darlene Castle, who said a previous owner started the competition.

“I’m not eating,” said Moog, of Charles Village, said she snapped photos of Ronald and Askew. “I’m encouraging them.”

( Photo by Jon Sham / November 16, 2012 )
Carolyn Bozman, right, repeat winner of Pete’s Grill’s pancake-eating contest, dips a piece of pancake in water. Next to her is contestant Kristi Allen.

Waving a fan of $1,000 in $100 bills, Castle quickly explained the rules: one hour to eat as many hot cakes as you could, three per plate, not counting partially eaten cakes.

And you couldn’t throw up — at least until you got your cash and posed for pictures, said Castle, who noted that at least one contestant whoopses every year.

Continue reading “Batter’s up in Pete’s Grille pancake-eating contest” at The Baltimore Sun.

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Lone Ranger soldiers on in Hampden parade, but without longtime horse

Posted on November 30, 2012 by atomictv

New steed replaces Silver I who died this year

By Larry Perl (The Baltimore Messenger, 11/30/2012)

When The Lone Ranger returns to the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Hampden Sunday for his fourth year, Silver, his original, white horse, “best friend and partner,” won’t be with him.

The Lone Ranger, aka Garry Cherricks, of Salisbury, Md., said he is mourning the death of Silver, 23, who was grazing in a neighbor’s yard on the evening of May 19 when he took 10 sudden steps to a stretch of blacktop for no apparent reason, slipped and fell.

“He tried to get up and he tried to get up,” said Cherricks, who sat with Silver until 5:30 a.m., when a veterinarian put the horse down.

Silver died with his head on Cherricks’ lap. He was a ripe old age for a horse, and had arthritis in his knees, Cherricks said.

“It was awful,” said Cherricks, a retired insurance broker and an impersonator of the Lone Ranger at parades and shows around the country since 2005.

But life must go on, and so must the show, which is why he plans to ride in the Hampden parade Sunday, Dec. 2, with a new horse, Silver II, an 11-year-old gelding that Cherricks found near Nashville, Tenn., in August.

Continue reading “Lone Ranger soldiers on in Hampden parade, but without longtime horse” at The Baltimore Messenger.

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