Back In Baltimore

The past is back at WITH-AM (1230). And we're not just talking about the music, either.Buddy Deane and Jack Gale, two prominent names from Baltimore's radio past, are back on the airwaves, thanks to the wonders of satellite technology and WITH's desire to tap into the memories of local baby boomers yearning to return to those rock and roll days of yesteryear.Few names stand out from Baltimore radio like Buddy Deane's. In 1951-'57 and again in 1963-'64, he was host of WITH's morning show. Between those stints, he was ringleader of the mythical (at least locally)

DENVER -- Some would call him undisciplined, others merely undaunted. Some college coaches backed away from Kevin Norris during his senior year at Lake Clifton High School, or merely forgot about him during his one season at Maine Central Institute.But Miami's Leonard Hamilton knew that Norris -- "Stink" to all his friends and relatives back in Baltimore -- could be just what the Hurricanes needed to help a team badly in need of a jump-start. All it would take was a little bit of adjustment.

One veteran who is especially glad to be back in the Baltimore Football Club camp is wide receiver Robert Clark.After starting nine games and catching 16 passes for 294 yards last year, Clark's off-season got off to a disastrous start. About two weeks after Baltimore's Grey Cup loss, Clark drove home to Pittsboro, N.C. A few minutes from home, he swerved to avoid hitting a car that had suddenly stopped in front of him, lost control of his truck, rolled it and woke up in the hospital with a dislocated hip."

The NBC drama series "Homicide" is coming back to ` Baltimore to film at least 13 new episodes, which will mean about an $8 million boost to the local economy."

First Union Corp., which came to Baltimore in small numbers last year but vowed to become a force in the market someday, this month decided to pare back both its personnel and physical presence in the area.The Charlotte, N.C.-based banking company said yesterday that Ronald C. Fowler, president of the nine-branch Baltimore division, has been named to head a 22-branch operation for First Union in Bristol, Va., the company's new southwestern Virginia "hub," according to Hugh Long, president of First Union's Capital Area operations.

Never has a city been wounded so deeply. A keepsake was stolen under the cover of darkness as a thief came during the night and took the Baltimore Colts away. The pain of emptiness continues unabated.It was 10 years ago, March 28, 1984, an infamous date, when Baltimore suffered the loss of what could be considered a natural resource or historical landmark. Comparable, perhaps, to Chesapeake Bay and Fort McHenry. The Colts were kidnapped the same as a bandit in the night would make off with diamonds, pearls or a rare work of art.In this case, it was a birthright.

Susan Fragola Shelby, 32, of Ellicott City is a computer scientist with the Department of Defense. In her entry, she updated Poe's classic poem:Once upon a midnight dreary, while I slumbered, so securely,Oh, the sorrow thrust upon me, in forgotten Baltimore.While they nestled, nicely napping, suddenly there came a tapping,As of someone slyly stealing, stealing them from Baltimore." 'Tis the thiefman," they all muttered, "Come to make us play no more --& In beloved Baltimore."Ah, distinctly I remember 'twas in March but seemed December,As each separate saddened member of the team walked out the door.

BOSTON -- It figures that this city, which takes sports so seriously, would take the death of Reggie Lewis so hard.Not that the pain is felt exclusively here, where he played college and professional basketball and captained the sacred Celtics. I haven't been in Baltimore for 10 days now, but I'm sure Lewis' hometown must be grieving, too.There's something about his life and death that transcends every barrier, even the racial one, and it's this: We like our heroes as big as we can get them, and we need their journeys to be complete.

This was a homecoming for Raymond Berry, who was such a remarkable young man that some teammates, given to a torrent of profanity, would clean up their language when he approached. That was the ultimate sign of respect.Berry didn't "wear religion on his sleeve" and wasn't about to force personal beliefs on others. He was, though, an extraordinary man and football player, graduating from SMU before a 13-year career as a pass receiver with the Baltimore Colts earned him enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

David Blumberg of Baltimore is the head of the city's Republican party and a delegate to the Republican National Convention. A librarian at the Baltimore City Detention Center, he is writing each day about his thoughts and experiences.Both of our congresswomen are with us this morning. Connie Morella is one of the most hospitable people I've ever met in political or private life. Her ever-present smile and pleasant demeanor make her a delight.Helen Bentley, however, is the better dresser.