Happy Spring and welcome to the Churchton Community Newsletter.
I’m Elizabeth Gould, local mom, business woman, and community member.
I’ve started this newsletter to provide information about our local real estate market, events and happenings in SoCo, and to encourage community support and involvement.
Enjoy and cheers to Spring!
Churchton Real Estate Review: January - March
13 homes sold in January, February, and March
Average list price: $325, 221
Average sold price: $301,900
Average days on market: 53
Average price per square foot: $214.84
Highest Priced Homes Sold in Churchton: January - March
Seasonal Tips
A few weeks ago I asked my neighbors in Franklin Manor what tips and tricks they recommended for Spring plantings. Here's a summary of what everyone had to say:
- Hosta love our area and can be dividend and replanted
-Shasta Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, and many types of decorative grass (Pampas, Vinca, Yucca, Beardtongue) thrive
-In your vegetable garden: multiple varieties of tomatoes
-Neighbors haven't had great luck with canna, zucchini, peppers, or carrots
-Utilize raised beds because our water table is so high. The plants can suffer from moisture related issues like fungus and pH imbalances. Fruit trees struggle for this reason.
-I also found some handy tips for attracting butterflies, birds, and other pollinators.
Highest Priced Home Sold in Anne Arundel County from January - March
In my opinion, some of our unsung heroes are those that are providing us relief from going grocery shopping with our face masks and making our dinner safely for us. Many restaurants are even providing special deals, family dining options, and perhaps a special cocktail to go with it...wink, wink! I personally was delighted to take advantage of the stupendous Easter feast offered by Skipper's Pier. The list below is certainly not exhaustive, but are local options I'm aware of that are all still serving! If I've missed any of your favorites, please let me know!
Amidst these uncertain times, I wanted to take the opportunity to honor all of our first responders, caregivers, and medical professionals. They are doing everything they can and risking their own health to keep the community safe. In times of crisis, heroes also emerge in unexpected places. Neighbors who spontaneously decide to use their skills or time to help one another. I thank you all, mentioned and unmentioned, who have decided to lend a helping hand to someone in need. I've listed below a few special examples that I've come across on social media.
SoCo Sews
I came across this amazing group on Facebook. They are one of many sewing groups that have been supplying the community and especially healthcare workers with masks, ear protectors, and other critical supplies.
Lillian Smith LeCroy
Her and her children went around the neighborhood at the very beginning of the pandemic to pick up food items for the local food bank because her kids were sent home from college/high school.
Weaver Boat Works
This company gave away 7,000 masks and 100,000 pairs of gloves to Anne Arundel County!
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Please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to honor or recognize additional hometown heroes in the next newsletter.
Coronavirus Survival Guide
1. Use the tips above to spruce up your yard and boost curb appeal
2. Paint/stain your deck and fencing
3. Support local businesses and the economy by engaging workers to: mow your law, clean/replace gutters, get a quote on a new roof, repair or build a deck/porch, inspect your crawlspace for moisture/mold, power wash your house...send me a note if you need recommendations!
4. Create a kids' space in the backyard
5. Remember hardware stores are open, take the time to address all the items on your honey-do list
Maryland Department of Health and Human Services
Anne Arundel County Health Department
-Set an agenda! Create a family plan and the let the kiddos contribute.
-Create separate spaces for work and play, do your best to give everyone their own place to work.
-Go outside! Giving everyone a break to bike, hike, run, or enjoy the majesty of blowing bubbles will pay off later in the day.
-Use your resources wisely! I needed a solid hour to write a contract on a home for a client. I enlisted my mother via FaceTime (she lives in Missouri). She was able to supervise and entertain all three girls while I got the quiet time I needed!
-Be flexible! We no longer live in a 9-5 world. Do what work you can before kids wake up, during nap/quiet time, and after they go to bed.
-Communicate. Let your supervisor and partner know what you need and come to an agreement on reasonable work hours. See "Be Flexible" recommendation.
- Ask for help and accept help when you need it.
-Finally, BE KIND. This moment is scary, historic, uncertain, and new. Don't sweat the small stuff, take a walk when you need a walk, and breathe deeply and often.
1. Easy, 10-Minute Crafts for Kids
2. 50 Fun Activities for Quarantine
3. 13 Crafts for Kids with 3 Supplies or Less
4. Teen Crafts and DIYs with Household Items
5. Sensory Recipes for the Little Ones
Happy Mother's Day to all my fellow mammas! These days being a mother is more rewarding and challenging than ever. I wanted to create a little gift giving inspiration list for all of our loved ones so that we can still have a wonderful and socially distant Mother's Day.
Have flowers delivered
Weed her garden and mow her lawn
Order and deliver take-out from her favorite restaurant
Have the kids make her a craft
Breakfast in bed
Do all the laundry
Write her a letter
Create a coupon book for activities after the quarantine
I bet you didn't know... 
Everyone that I know in South County has a small obsession with our little fairy friend, the hummingbird. Hummingbirds migrate North early every Spring and the best time to attract them is in March. I looked this little factoid up after someone asked on one of our social media sites for the community. Turns out, that we all need to put our feeders out in March because the males come up early to scout out the area for food. To make the nectar boil 1 part sugar and 3 parts water and let cool. No need for the food coloring!
Poll
What have you been doing to stay sane during the lockdown? What do you miss the most? Click here to respond. Results will be shared in the next quarterly newsletter.
Result: Last quarter's poll was about New Year's Resolutions. The most popular responses had to do with losing weight or getting in shape...good luck to everyone!
Want to contribute?
Do you have a real estate or community question? Do you have a recipe, event, or tip that you’d like to share? If so, please email me at [email protected].
