FAVORITE RESTAURANT TO TAKE VISITORS
Oregon Grille
“It’s right where I grew up. I rode my bike around that area for so many years.”
Where: 1201 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley
More: Creative classic American fare in a renovated 19th-century stone farmhouse and patio. The Oregon Grille serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
Info: 410-771-0505
FAVORITE NONPROFIT
Habitat for Humanity
“It gives people who otherwise couldn’t afford it an opportunity to own, earn sweat equity and learn skills like how to keep a house up. Once they have that pride of home ownership they can instill it in others. It builds a stronger community.”
More: Builds simple, affordable homes for needy families, who buy them through no-interest mortgage loans.
Where: 3326 Keswick Road, Baltimore
Info: 410-366-1250
FAVORITE LOCAL ATHLETE
Michael Phelps
“He’s got feet like flippers!”
More: 23-year-old swimmer and Towson native Michael Phelps is in Beijing on a quest for eight Olympic gold medals.
FAVORITE ROAD TO DRIVE
Shawan Road across Tufton Avenue through Tufton Valley
“It’s a pretty drive with the expanses of open space and horse farms. It’s really familiar to me and it’s been preserved so nicely.”
MARYLAND’S UNSUNG HERO
William Donald Schaefer
“I think he had a career in trying to preserve Baltimore and make it a city people wanted to go to. He had a personality — and he still has one — that just won’t quit. He just loves this city.”
More: A Democrat like Aumann, Schaefer served as mayor of Baltimore from 1971 to 1987, the 58th Governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995, and the Comptroller of Maryland from 1999 to 2007.
MY SPLURGE
Home Depot
“I know it sounds funny. I love to look at different things for possibilities for building and improvements. It’s like a candy store for me. I love the smell of lumber.”
FAVORITE SUNDAY MORNING ACTIVITY
Hanging out at home
“I love just hanging around the house with the kids and doing yardwork and working on the house and being together. We have something to eat and we usually go to church in the afternoon. It’s a family day.”
BEST ICE CREAM
Baskin-Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip
“I love Baskin-Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip. The chips are really thin and you don’t have to crunch through it. For Italian Ice, I love Rita’s black cherry.”
Where: Baskin-Robbins, 2310 East Joppa Road, Lutherville
Info: 410-668-0142
TIMONIUM’S HIDDEN GEM
Loch Raven Reservoir
“We hike and find bones and footprints. To be able to walk around and see the waterfowl, deer, beavers, fox, squirrels right in your backyard.”
Where: 12101 Dulaney Valley Road, Timonium
More: Man-made reservoir that provides drinking water for most of Baltimore County. Home to a shooting range, many hiking trails, fishing spots and picnic areas.
