Villager Editors Celebrate 5 Years at the Helm

In March 2003, we grabbed hold of the reigns and continued a journey that had began 24 years ago with the printing of the first Woodlawn Villager. It’s funny how our involvement stemmed from a desire to help our community. Many of our readers and contributors today share that same desire.  In celebration of our leadership with the Woodlawn Villager Community Newspaper, we’ve given you a look at Woodlawn in 2003.

In 2003, the Woodlawn Health Fair made the cover of the February/March Issue. Participants included Northwest Hospital, The Woodlawn Pharmacy, County Department of Aging, Silver Chiropractic Center, and several other health organizations throughout the State.  Also on the cover, James W. Artis was elected captain of the Woodlawn Fire Company (He is now Lieutenant!). Louise’s Bakery opened a new location in Belvedere Square. The Woodlawn Track Pack (Woodlawn’s Track and Field Team) had just completed its first year with participation in the Junior Olympics in Knoxville, Tennessee (Now they are Regional and National medal holders). Channel 2 had just interviewed the late Doris Allen on the success of the Woodlawn Toy Drive. Featherbed Lane Elementary school had just installed a new student government. Kernan Physical Therapy began offering the services of a certified masssage therapist. New York Chicken arrived in Woodlawn Village. Woodlawn Village shops included long-time businesses such as Woodlawn Hardware, Calico Cat, Woodlawn Pharmacy, Monaghan’s Pub, Muggett Attorney, Mason’s Barbershop, Woodlawn Barber, Louise’s Bakery, Baltimore County Savings Bank, Arundel Cleaners, China Wok, Carson and Son’s, and Billy and Jeff’s Auto.  A few newer shops were also part of Woodlawn Village including: Picture Perfect Windows, Finelines Sign Company, Things from the Past Antique Shop, the shops at the Avalon Building on the corner, Clayton’s Barbershop, Waddy’s Tax Service, the Nail Box, and Tanya’s Sub Shop.  In spite of the rising cost of production, the Woodlawn Villager remains a free publi-cation, fully supported by  advertising revenue.   Our focus has been on keeping expenses as low as possible so that oura dvertising prices can remain affordable to even small businesses.  From our advertisers, our readers become aware of the services available in our area.  At the same time, it allows us to go into the community to find non-business related “wonders” to spotlight. Some of our advertisers are primarily responsible for the continuation of the Woodlawn Villager and our special mission.  These businesses and organizations have supported us with donations and advertising over the past five years and have provided constant, faithful advice and encouragement.  They are: Long and Foster Security, The Corinthian Lounge and Restaurant, The Woodlawn Pharmacy, The Calico Cat, Albert KimAccountants, Picture Perfect Windows, Harrison Memorial Accessories, Dr. Shastine Abate, Moore’s Income Tax Service, The Woodlawn Dental Concern, ReMax HomeCenter (Johnnycake Road), Lorraine’s Place of Hair, J&B Pro Shop, SecurityPlus Credit Union, Darlean Williams (Realtor), DTS Midway Vacations Travel Agency, Goods Towing, LC Insurance Group, LLC, Susquehanna Bank, Louise’s Bakery, John’s Hopkins ProHealth, and Garland’s. We could not have made it without your financial support. Thank you!   Because the Woodlawn Villager started as a community project, many of the monthly contributors included community members.  Their dependable submissions and volunteer articles have help propel the Woodlawn Villager to be the most popular community newspaper in the area.  Long-time contributors include, Pastor Chuck Brooks and his BiblePoints; Sue Jackson-Stein, who moved from the area and still faithfully submits recipes and articles; the staff at the Woodlawn Library; Larry Katz and his movie and restaurant reviews; gone but not forgotten, Carolyn Tyson with her gardening articles, Phyllis Weaverling and the Village Hodgepodge, the late Joe Rosenberg and his awesome book reviews, and the late Doris Allen with whatever she deemed necessary to include.  More recent regular contributors have included Ravens Roost #79, the Social Security Administration; Ashaki Innis and the Woodlawn Senior Center, Doris Hill and her gardening tips, Joyce Almond with the Around the Town, the Police Precinct 2Angel Crier, area schools and churches.  We wish to thank every single person who has ever contributed to our stories and announcements, who rec-ommended us to an advertiser, who shared a newspaper, or who offered to help behind the scenes.  Special thanks to our angel, Sharon Winchester! We appreciate you!  Together, wec an make the Woodlawn Villager Community Newspaper better and better.  Be patient with us. It really does take a village!  Happy 5th Anniver-sary!