Among its attractions and quirks, Bolton Hill has become an epicenter for Halloween celebrations, luring child (and adult) trick-or-treaters from much of central Baltimore. Residents, often costumed, decorate and sit on their stoops (frequently with a cocktail), ready to dole out candy. John Street neighbors host pumpkin-carving. And this year’s celebration on Mason Street between Lanvale and Lafayette streets was simply spectacular.
“I’ve lived here since I was six, and we used to go trick-or-treating in Roland Park, because there wasn’t much going on near where I live, on Lion Park,” recalls Olivia Steinrock, now in her early 30s and for five years an impresario of what has become a premier ghosts-and-witches neighborhood outdoor event.
With a large supporting cast of folks from Lion Park and Linden Green, the gated rowhouse communities paralleling Lafayette Avenue, Olivia’s “Wizard of Oz-themed celebration drew hundreds to the shared spot where residents lined up to hand out treats to hordes of neighborhood and other children and parents. “We ran out of candy by 7:30,” and we had lots and lots of it. I had 10 pounds, alone,” she said.
Earlier in her childhood, she recalls Lion Park neighbors sitting on their individual front steps that face the park, waiting in vain for trick-or-treaters to show up. “Hardly anyone came, and eventually we decided to bring everybody together in one central place, where Mason bumps into the park. The first year it poured rain and we got soaked, but it was still fun. There were maybe 15 of us. It’s been great fun to watch it grow since then.” This year’s event had a wide staging area, lots of decorations and a sound system for spooky music.
“It was a really big deal,” said Lee Tawney, BHCA’s president, who happened by. Olivia credits those who have been involved since Year 1 (2022): Wendy Noyes, Marilyn Kocsis, Pat and Bob Metz, B. Young, Camille Mihalic, and others. “Camille always has toys for kids who have food allergies. She’s wonderful,” said Olivia.
Growing up in Bolton Hill, Olivia attended Catholic schools, Midtown Academy, and City College before studying and becoming certified as a dog trainer specializing in service dogs for people with disabilities or specific needs. She works with dog breeders in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia “and as far away as Illinois,” training them to support people with autism, seizures, mobility needs and PTSD or psychiatric symptoms.
“Sometimes the puppies come to live with me,” she says. Now she lives with her parents but in a few weeks is moving to York, PA, where she will have enough room to raise, train and eventually breed standard poodles, a preferred service dog choice because they’re hypoallergenic. You might see her walking or moving puppies in a wagon on Bolton Hill sidewalks, acclimating them to traffic and street noise. She has three adult dogs of her own.
Lost to Pennsylvania for good? “Oh, no. I’ll be back to see my parents and friends. And for Halloween, for certain. That
