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Books and Blue Sky in Baltimore, MD

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

I watched the hourly weather the night before, and the forecast was rain all the way through 1:00 p.m., then sunshine and only a 10% chance of precipitation. Would the book signing, we had scheduled from 2:00 to 3:00 last Friday, be soggy or bright?

The day turned out to be one of those absolutely glorious gems, cool but sunny, no longer summer, but not quite fall either. A perfect day, and well deserved after last year's "Liquid Sunshine."  The planned book signing of  Real Estate the Rome Way  was scheduled for an hour at 2:00.  That hour turned into four, did not leave until after 6:00PM.. just too much going on.

Baltiimore Book Festival 2009Mt Vernon Place Church


The MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association booth was at the hub of the festival, near the Washington Monument, right in front of the Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church with its gingerbread spires. We heard the sounds of  bands from the nearby stage, saw colorful people, pets, neighbors and friends.

Students from the Institute of Notre Dame strolled the festival escorting characters from children's books like the hippos George and Martha, and Frogger.

 Right across the way was the LiveBaltimore booth (last year they were easy to find with their bright yellow umbrellas.) The people-watching was excellent!

George and Martha George and Martha and children

Frogger Margaret's Neighbors

My publisher and friend, Peg Silloway,was there to volunteer with me, and we had a great time talking with the MBPA President, Sheila Ruth. Last year, Sheila's husband Nick – author of The Remin Chronicles series – and her son, David, where with us, and we missed seeing them this time.

 But we met and enjoyed talking with Lucinda Clark of P.R.A. Publishing who came from Georgia to help at the booth and attend the National Book Festival in Washington the next day. Bill McAllen came by with his book, Spirit of Place: Baltimore's Favorite Spaces, a wonderful collection of essays and photographs (Bill is the photographer, Sarah Achenbach is the writer.)

Lucinda Clark Bill McAllen

There was so much to see, but I was not able to take my eyes off the church that stood behind our booth.The plaque commemorates the Charles Howard mansion that stood here before the church; it was in that home that Frances Scott Key died.

A news helicopter kept circling overhead and I tried so hard to get a shot of the helicopter over the church and in between  the Washington Monument column. It was tough holding the camera in the moving crowd -so eventually gave in and just took the chopper!  

Church and Washington Monument Helicopter

 

Camaraderie, new friends, great weather, book characters, and magnificent architecture all around. A perfect day of books and blue sky in Baltimore.

signature

 

 

www.HomeRome.com

410-530-2400

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/RealtorĀ®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Author: Real Estate The Rome Way

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Comments(16)

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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Margaret - it sounds like it was an all-around fun and successful event. Congratulations. How nice to commemorate the occasion with such photos.

Jeff

 

Sep 28, 2009 03:45 PM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Boy the weather sure smiled on you for the day huh Margaret !!!

What a fun event and great photos - luv the hippos !!

Cheers !

Sheldon

Sep 28, 2009 03:56 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Margaret,   I love the photos, I would agree, it looks like a great people watching, sun shiny day!

I'm glad the sun shined on your special day!

Sep 28, 2009 04:02 PM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Margaret- What a beautiful day to be at such a special place and this time with your own book in hand!! How grand. Camraderie, new friends, great weather, book characters and magnificent architecture, Truly a perfect day of books and blue skys in Baltimore!

Sep 28, 2009 05:20 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Just add Mother Nature's paint brush to the fall colors soon to come your way as they are ours...and it just couldn't get any better !

Sep 28, 2009 11:36 PM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Looks like quite a fun day Margaret and the waether could not have been better! Congrats!!

Sep 29, 2009 12:28 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hey Margaret..I have signed copy , did you sell lots of of your books..I bet you did.

Cheers, thanks for sharing your day with us:O)

Sep 29, 2009 03:48 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I am happy to hear that the day turned out to be beautiful for the event!  I enjoyed looking at all your pictures too.......looks like a fun time.

Sep 29, 2009 04:02 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Jeff, One of the things that we have learned from AR is never be without a camera..the fun part is taking a bit of time to use it.

Sheldon, The weather "catered" to me. The morning was raining, 1-6 while at the festival..just perfection. And then it rained Saturday night and Sunday. Just lucked out.

Martha, Was a wonderful day. Maybe next year we will have AR members at the festival. There are lots who have written a book..

Sally, That 'natural' paint brush is doing some beautiful work. Starting to see some changes with the leaves.

Bill, Always good to see you.

Fred, Just selling to special people like you!

Ann, The photos really help us all make the memories.

Oct 01, 2009 02:56 PM
Gail C. Harris
Resource Network, LLC SFR, AHWD, ACRE, SMAR Board Director - Chesapeake Beach, MD
Reach the BEACH with Gail C. Harris (cell: 703.868

Glad it turned out to be a great day.  Again, congrats.  :) Love, Gail

Oct 02, 2009 01:58 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks for taking time to send such a thoughtful and special (like you) card! Love it!

Oct 03, 2009 11:58 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Russel, Knowing how busy you are, your comments are always appreciated. You did an outstanding job with the nature and marketing contest!

Oct 06, 2009 05:10 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Margaret,

That steeple / sky shot at the top is fantastic.  You should make it into a greeting card!

Mike in Tucson

Oct 08, 2009 03:39 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Mike, You are right! I was trying so hard to get the helicopter in that photo.  You are welcome to use it for a greeting card..I would be honored.

Oct 13, 2009 09:49 AM
Joeann Fossland
Advantage Solutions Group - Tucson, AZ
Master Certified Coach to Motivated Agents

looks like a fun day. I am so glad you are getting your books into more people's hands! It is so wonderful.

And this made me miss Baltimore!
Hope your fall is turning into a wonderful one!
Hugs,

 

Oct 14, 2009 03:32 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Joeann,

So wonderful "seeing" you! Love your photo! Really think it time for you to enhance Baltimore with a return visit. Any future plans, any classes, any reason..would love to see you. Let me know if you need any help setting up a class. It would be my pleasure.

Wonderful things happening!

Oct 14, 2009 03:55 PM