Quite the View: Collecting and "Ownership" on the Bay
It's a special sight to behold along Chesapeake Walk. The first is that of the Bay Bridge. And the second? That would be David Delia getting a haircut from his wife on their second story balcony. While Margaret trims, Dave is gazing out at the various waterfowl feeding near their pier. It's a day when there's a slight breeze. There's no need for Margaret to sweep up Dave's white hair. (He jokes that the birds use it as nesting material.) And there's no need to do anything at all, but relax and get a haircut...at home.
Story highlights:
This scene is one of many delights dog walkers can view while turning the corner from Walnut onto Chesapeake Walk. Dave and Margaret's house is the start of a wonderful little stroll along the shoreline. And, you can also be greeted by Dave as he keeps his thumb green in their garden outside. He'll chat you up, give you the low down on the latest community fundraiser for Arundel on the Bay, and talk about why the tundra swans are so attracted to the Delias' pier more than the others'. (And his secret is very corny!!!)
Dave and Margaret have s a history of giving back to their community. This is both fact, and part of their nature. Dave is a retired civil servant and Margaret is a retired school teacher. They are also collectors of not only things, but more importantly - memories. While Dave is an avid follower and reader of everything and anything nautical, Margaret is a collector of puffin paraphernalia. The couple has also seen the birds in numerous countries, and has photographs of the encounters.
One very special and unique thing about the couple's collections, is how they have acquired them. (Most things just fall into their laps by happenstance!) Dave has a collection of marker buoys on a tree in the yard. The couple also display a variety of colorful flags on their pier and property. This is also the site where - with blue and gold "GO NAVY!" signs on display - Margaret "coaxes" the Blue Angels close to their pier during practice runs before the May Naval Academy graduation. Dave says, "You can see the pilot's head turn around and make out their oxygen mask..."
This event is just one day of many that the Delia family celebrates. They have many friends in the neighborhood, and also are good at networking for local improvements for the benefit of Arundel on the Bay. Whether it be better street lighting, proper water drainage, water intake locations for fire trucks, or erosion protection, the team works not only to keep their community beautiful, but also to maintain it. It's something they both enjoy and feel obligated to do.
When asked why he volunteered to serve on the Arundel on the Bay Community association, Dave explains that initially it was really a matter of self-protection. He recommends, "If you see things that aren't quite right such as drainage, shore erosion, or questionable land usage that affects everyone, then you need to get involved for your own benefit and for the good of everyone else." It is because of things like this, that Dave really got involved. That, and he likes seeing the positive impact on the community the Delias' work has had over the years.
For being the collectors that Dave and Margaret are, they also know how to share. The greatest example is the view from their house out onto the Bay. He notes that even on a "busy" day, only about six people walk by the bay side of their house - (mostly dog walkers). But he acknowledges the fact that this is a view that he and Margaret get to appreciate all the time, and for others, it's just seconds out of their day. The couple really do understand the sense of community, and urge others to experience and share in it, too.
For more information on the Arundel-on-the-Bay Community, click here.
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| Dave Delia's collection of marker buoys from crab pots |
Story highlights:
- Chesapeake Walk is a place for both home owners and dog walkers to enjoy
- How to get the Blue Angels to come a little closer and not be shy
- Volunteerism in your community helps both you and your neighbors
- The view of the Bay isn't owned by anyone, but enjoyed by all
This scene is one of many delights dog walkers can view while turning the corner from Walnut onto Chesapeake Walk. Dave and Margaret's house is the start of a wonderful little stroll along the shoreline. And, you can also be greeted by Dave as he keeps his thumb green in their garden outside. He'll chat you up, give you the low down on the latest community fundraiser for Arundel on the Bay, and talk about why the tundra swans are so attracted to the Delias' pier more than the others'. (And his secret is very corny!!!)
Dave and Margaret have s a history of giving back to their community. This is both fact, and part of their nature. Dave is a retired civil servant and Margaret is a retired school teacher. They are also collectors of not only things, but more importantly - memories. While Dave is an avid follower and reader of everything and anything nautical, Margaret is a collector of puffin paraphernalia. The couple has also seen the birds in numerous countries, and has photographs of the encounters.
One very special and unique thing about the couple's collections, is how they have acquired them. (Most things just fall into their laps by happenstance!) Dave has a collection of marker buoys on a tree in the yard. The couple also display a variety of colorful flags on their pier and property. This is also the site where - with blue and gold "GO NAVY!" signs on display - Margaret "coaxes" the Blue Angels close to their pier during practice runs before the May Naval Academy graduation. Dave says, "You can see the pilot's head turn around and make out their oxygen mask..."
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| Tundra swans and other waterfowl surround the Delia's pier, which hosts a plethora of colorful flags |
This event is just one day of many that the Delia family celebrates. They have many friends in the neighborhood, and also are good at networking for local improvements for the benefit of Arundel on the Bay. Whether it be better street lighting, proper water drainage, water intake locations for fire trucks, or erosion protection, the team works not only to keep their community beautiful, but also to maintain it. It's something they both enjoy and feel obligated to do.
When asked why he volunteered to serve on the Arundel on the Bay Community association, Dave explains that initially it was really a matter of self-protection. He recommends, "If you see things that aren't quite right such as drainage, shore erosion, or questionable land usage that affects everyone, then you need to get involved for your own benefit and for the good of everyone else." It is because of things like this, that Dave really got involved. That, and he likes seeing the positive impact on the community the Delias' work has had over the years.
 |
| The Delias' garden at their house in Annapolis, Maryland |
For being the collectors that Dave and Margaret are, they also know how to share. The greatest example is the view from their house out onto the Bay. He notes that even on a "busy" day, only about six people walk by the bay side of their house - (mostly dog walkers). But he acknowledges the fact that this is a view that he and Margaret get to appreciate all the time, and for others, it's just seconds out of their day. The couple really do understand the sense of community, and urge others to experience and share in it, too.
For more information on the Arundel-on-the-Bay Community, click here.
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