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Greg Hudnet, "The Ravens Man," at Pikesville's Dancing in the Streets
The Baltimore Ravens not only know about Greg Hudnet's steel and rubber love sonnet to the team, they officially featured it in one of their game programs. Hudnet also has an enviable collection of autographed cheerleader pictures thanks to his love of antique cars, specifically, one spruced up '52 Buick.
The unusual antique attracted plenty of attention at Pikesville's Third Annual Dancing in the Streets festival. Hudnet and friends coated the exterior of the car purple, decked out the interior with Ravens memorabilia, and crushed Steelers mats under the front wheels for good measure. His labor of love was an instant crowd pleaser.
So was Javin Scher's 1967 wooden-frame Morgan, one of only a handful of '67 models still in existence. I asked Scher to tell me a crazy story involving the car, but it got no crazier than some guy making an offer off the cuff and telling Scher to forget about his wife. Of course, his wife absolutely loves the car, but then who couldn't fall in love with such a playful looking dashboard and cozy interior?
It's all part of rock 'til you drop Dancing in the Streets, Pikesville's answer to August malaise. For the past two years, Pikesville merchants hosted the outdoor block party, forcing closure of a small section of Reisterstown Road.
This year, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company - a dedicated group of approximately 100 volunteers - graciously agreed to assume the mantle. The change switched the road closure to a portion of Sudbrook Lane. Many volunteer firefighters worked untold hours setting up sound equipment and a performance stage, ice cream and snowball stands, fast food kiosks, wheels of fortune, face painting and hair tattoo tables, public information booths, and an impressive display of antique cars.All proceeds will benefit the fire company.
View Dancing in the Streets pictures here
Third EMS Lt. Andrea Lavine, who helps run Pikesville’s Emergency Medical Systems, hopes to raise enough money to help purchase a new heavy rescue unit and replace the company’s six-year old ambulance. But she is just as satisfied watching volunteers with full-time jobs pull off an event of this magnitude.
“I think that the effort alone and the ability to pull it together already make it a huge success,” she said with more than a hint of pride.
According to Lavine, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company is known for its training and high level of expertise. It is one of only a few volunteer fire companies who can lay claim to two Presidents of the Maryland State Volunteer Firemen’s Association. One of its members is the current President.
When asked whether the event has found a permanent home with the fire company, Lavine replied, “I think that the hope is this is the first of many years, but we live in uncertain times as far as some of these entertainment things go, so I’m not in a position to say for sure.”
Already at 2 p.m., judging from the number of people shaking their bits to J.D. and The Blades, an oldies but goodies band, I’d say chances of turning a profit were pretty good. Something about the unexpected appearance of Baltimore County Councilman Kevin Kamenetz said this was a happening event. Between all the handshaking and constituent catch up, I managed to corner him in a quiet room. I wasn’t buying any of the political posturing about a listening tour and asked point blank whether he'd decided to run for County Executive.
Ever the thoughtful statesman, Kamenetz admitted with a twinkle in his eye, “It’s favorable. I’ve done four terms on the County Council. It’s probably a good opportunity for me to keep working county wide.”
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