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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,

Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, and

Midas of Annapolis & Pasadena

A recent segment of the “Today Show” noted that soaring prices have renewed the public’s interest in secondhand shopping. The segment’s host cited a Capital One Research report stating that 93% of Americans bargain shop online while one-third of all clothes and apparel purchased were secondhand.

You could say Anne Arundel County’s resale/consignment craze blossomed for the first time between 2007 and 2010 during the recession with four such businesses operating in Severna Park alone. The establishment of the original Partners In Care Upscale Retail Boutique came first in 2007.

In August of 2009, Stacey Cassidy learned resale shops were the recession’s fastest growing businesses and opened Savvy Consignment in Olde Severna Park. Just five months later Betsy Hein opened Twice Around The Park off Ritchie Highway. In February of 2010 Chris Trivane opened Serendipity (later Replay Sports Consignments) and Cassidy opened Savvy Home in March of 2010. In spite of the recession, all four business owners benefitted from the area’s relative affluence.

Today, two of the four businesses survive – Savvy Consignment, still in its original location at 553 B&A Boulevard in Olde Severna Park and Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique (now relocated to Festival at Pasadena off Ritchie Highway). To get a feel for how they are doing in today’s superheated resale market, we visited both. We stopped off first at the Partners In Care Boutique and found it quite busy. Myriad shoppers of all ages were browsing racks of clothing and shelves of merchandise and lines of shoppers formed regularly at the checkout counter.

The boutique sells limited amounts of furniture and accessories but is primarily known for its quality clothing, jewelry, fine China and housewares. A group of volunteers referred to these days as “The Stagers” arrive every Monday morning to create beautiful displays combining clothing, China, glassware and art.

Some of the shoppers we observed seemed to zone in on just what it was they wanted or needed…and often it was clothes.

Others liked being inspired, especially by the display of hats and the teal blue summer dress with its complementary pair of shoes.

According to Partners in Care volunteers who man the checkout counter and work behind the scenes, the boutique has been quite busy with men’s, women’s and children’s clothes – particularly those with high-end labels – selling well. Brand-name housewares are also flying off the shelves.

PIC’s extensive collections of China have considerable appeal for collectors. In fact, just last week a customer who has a tearoom bought a number of China cups and saucers.

Items with tags for 25%, 50% or 75 % discounts are seen throughout the store. (Items bearing green tags sell for $2 apiece.)

The boutique, a source of funding for Partners In Care, is but a part of the programs and services that support the independence of older adults through the organization’s unique “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Service Exchange/Time Banking program.

With the recent retirement of CEO Mandy Arnold, there may be a few changes according to Board member Kevin Ford. However, the Ride Share, Member Care, Handyman and Veterans Programs continue as before at the Pasadena offices and boutique and at additional PIC branches throughout the state.

You can follow the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique’s latest sales at Facebook.

Moving on to Savvy Consignment, we expected the store to be busy on a Tuesday afternoon and indeed learned from the women behind the checkout counter that Savvy’s sales are booming and being busy is a constant state of affairs.

Entering the store, we were reminded that the consignment store’s owner Stacey Cassidy focuses on selling furniture and home accessories as well as clothing. The front part of the floor is dedicated exclusively to stylish vignettes of furnishings like those in the opening photo and those seen below.

Puzzled by the fact that we saw many tables and a number of super comfy armchairs, but that we didn’t see a single sofa as we normally would have, we inquired about them at the checkout counter. We learned that there were several sofas on the floor last week. However, so intense was the competition for resale couches, that they sold immediately.

We peered past the furnishings toward Savvy’s extensive collections of curated consignment fashions and weren’t surprised to see shoppers down every aisle. And no wonder, Savvy carries a number of high-end labels like Free People, Anthropologie, Lululemon, Lilly Pulitzer, and Athleta.

Cassidy has high standards and is very careful about the consignments she accepts, choosing only the best according to staffer Melissa Hahn.

Hahn went on to note that the store is a lot busier these days.

“People used to call to see which days we’d be busiest, and we’d tell usually tell them Tuesdays or which ever. Now we’re busy every day, all day,” she said. “We have almost 30,000 consigners now who bring us great furniture, clothing and accessories. So everything is selling really well.”

To become a consigner, one must pay a one-time fee of $10. Good quality men’s, women’s and children’s clothing is accepted.

While there, we observed customers of all ages, but many teens and young adults were in the mix. We ran into one young woman named Maggie Rodgers wearing a Sunset Beach North Carolina T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. She was looking at tops, holding up the cutest ones for further examination.

“A lot of my friends shop at thrift stores these days. It’s just a better way to get things,” Rodgers said.

Customers who favor high-end handbags will find many to choose from while those who like to dazzle, will want to check out glitzy summer dresses like the one seen below.

But, for specially selected high-end jewelry, handbags and other items savvy shoppers will want to investigate Savvy’s prized glass case.

Hahn and other staffers noted that some of the younger shoppers who come in mention that they like the idea of resale stores and boutiques because they feel reusing and repurposing and upcycling items that might otherwise be discarded is another way to preserve the planet.

To follow Savvy Consignment’s sales, activities, helpful hints, and comments, visit Facebook or Instagram.

Chris Gives Foundation Music Festival at Severna Park Taphouse on June 21st

The Chris Gives Foundation announced that its 2nd annual Music Festival, featuring bands Genghis Kahn and 8-Ball Deluxe, will be held on June 21 from noon to 10 pm at the Severna Park Taphouse at 58 W. Earleigh Heights Road.

There will be a silent auction, raffle baskets, door prizes, and a 50/50. Proceeds raised for the Chris Gives Foundation will fund critical auto repairs for needy families and scholarships or tools for students studying to become auto repair technicians.

The foundation’s president Robin Mohns noted that the music festival will be emceed by Larry Sells (while she and other Chris Gives Foundation board members will be volunteering at the Sells’ Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Fest at the same venue June 14th.)

For tickets visit Chris Gives Music Event | Facebook.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

His successful business decimated by the COVID 19 pandemic, Schmidty’s Kettle Corn owner Daniel Schmidt found himself broke, homeless and in the throes of a mental breakdown during the darkest period of his life.

To Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest shoppers on May 3rd, however, Schmidt was a new vendor popping and selling kettle corn of varied flavors along with pork rinds and cotton candy.

We learned about Schmidt’s unlikely journey from success as a disabled business owner to near failure and back again to success from Chamber CEO Liz League. She’d met the young man during a multi-chamber event, found his story fascinating, and invited him to be a vendor at the Spring SHOP LOCAL event.

We briefly met Schmidt at his stand and our curiosity was peaked when he drew our attention to the fact that he was a disabled business owner. He agreed to meet us for an interview at JB’s at Park Plaza to learn more about Schmidty’s Kettle Corn. (He’d enjoyed being next to the JB’s/Park Tavern staffers, who’d been helpful, during the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival. He wanted to give back by giving them some business.)

Schmidt, known to his friends as Danny, developed a learning disability after suffering bacterial Meningitis as a six-month-old. However, his IQ tests normal, so he never really considered himself disabled. A native Californian, he’d successfully held various sales jobs as a young man. Later, he held high-paying positions working in the health care field for a company and later for himself. He was good at it and things were going well.

It wasn’t until 2015 that he developed a serious anxiety disorder when he moved to Maryland after his wife Tracy obtained a scholarship to American University. As before, he was employed as a caregiver. But, given the stressful nature of the work, he began having panic attacks and simultaneously experienced depression. By the time he understood what was happening to him, Schmidt had lost a number of healthcare jobs along with the income they provided.

Unable to support himself, he reluctantly accepted his wife’s advice to apply for disability. While going through the disability application process, he accepted a position as a caregiver for a 66-year-old gentleman with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, the patient’s declining mental state led him to enter an assisted living facility meaning Schmidt would be losing the $25 an hour job he depended on.

“I realized at that point that, if I was going to survive, I needed to start a business of my own. (I’d worked for a kettle corn company back in California and felt that a good possibility.) I asked my client’s wife if she’d be interested in making an investment to help me get started,” he said.

She replied that, since Danny was her husband’s best caregiver, she would help him and asked how much money he needed. He answered that $5,000 would cover his costs so she wrote him a check for $5,000 with the understanding that it was a gift, not a loan, and he wouldn’t need to pay her back.

Thanks to her generous gift, Schmidt was able to open the first Schmidty’s Kettle Corn booth in July of 2018 at the Takoma Park Farmer’s Market. Sales were great throughout 2018 and 2019 for the entrepreneur and the business expanded to a number of other markets.

Unfortunately, in 2020, disaster hit in the form of the issuance of COVID 19 social distancing guidelines, curbing or closing many businesses.

“I lost seven markets and had only one left,” Schmidt said. “At that point, I had a full mental breakdown that was so bad, I didn’t want to get out of bed.”

The increasingly bleak situation took a toll on the Schmidt’s seven-year marriage, and they separated.

“I had to move out and eventually became homeless. Finally realizing that I, ultimately, had to help myself, I first lived in a motel room, then a less expensive room and even in my van but I still managed to do my kettle corn business when I could.

In a year or so, with COVID 19 ending, the business came back and Schmidt was able to sell Schmidty’s Kettle Corn at five markets. Building on that success, he expanded the company’s product line to include regular, white cheddar and caramel kettle corn, pork rinds and cotton candy. He’s now able to hire helpers.

These days, Schmidty’s Kettle Corn is available for fundraisers, events and parties. The business does lots of school fundraisers giving 20% of its profits back to the schools.

“One of my current goals is to get into retail markets,” Schmidt said. “Another is to have a storefront. Because of Maryland’s Cottage Food laws, I must operate as a homebased business and limit the scope of products I make and sell. I’m unable to sell a few products I’d like to market like caramel apples because I don’t have a commercial kitchen. It’s too costly to rent one just now but I’m thinking about doing that in the future.”

The most exciting development for the “Popcorn Man”, as he’s known to kids, is that he now has his own “Schmidty’s Kettle Corn Live” You Tube channel which has steadily grown in popularity, attracting more than 2,300 subscribers meaning it is now monetized. People seem to enjoy watching videos of him making kettle corn step-by-step. He’s achieved number 5 on top plays and is now earning consulting fees from You Tube viewers who wish to start their own kettle corn businesses.

Schmidt has always loved making and selling kettle corn dating back to the days when he learned the craft while working for a company in California. Though he’s something of a people person who enjoys interacting with customers, he’s perfected every part of the process, from kettle to sifter.

Speaking as an expert, he says to make quality kettle corn, you must use mushroom popcorn because sugar coats better on its round shape. It’s also lighter and fluffier than the butterfly shaped popcorn sold in supermarkets and has less shell.

“When popping the corn in its kettle, I’m careful to add the sugar and salt at precisely the right moment so it doesn’t burn” he noted. “I always use a wooden paddle to better distribute the sugar and salt.”

In addition to rebuilding his business, Schmidt has rebuilt and added balance to his life. He’s developed several interests and now has a number of friends. He also likes to encourage and help other disabled individuals who wish to start their own businesses. In fact, he’d like to start a non-profit to help them do so.

Daniel Schmidt has, admittedly, had more than his share of trials and tribulations. Yet, through it all, he has always had support in one form or another.

“I’d like to thank my Mom and Ed, my aunts and uncles, and grandparents and my ex-wife Tracy for helping me get my business started and being there for me for my ups and downs,” he said.

Tracy, in particular, did everything in her power to help him get his business started, financially and with her time. Though divorced, they remain friends.

Schmidt still suffers occasional anxiety attacks, but he’s learned to control them, and usually manages to ward off depression by talking himself out of it. Meantime, he loves having a successful business and is moving full steam ahead.

As a vendor, he enjoyed and was very much impressed by his first experience at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL event. So much so that he plans to come back to Park Plaza as a vendor for the Chamber’s October event referred to as SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist.

Free youth event, “Balancing Life at Severna Park High and Beyond on May 27th

The Parenting for a Different World organization is holding a free talk with current and past Severna Park High School students for the benefit of younger kids and their families.  The younger students will be able to see what life can be like for kids in high school and after.

The event is being held Tuesday, May 27th from 7 to 8 pm at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School.

 Parenting for a Different World has been hosting these talks for six years.  It’s a great way for kids to get first-hand perspective.  For more information, visit PDWorld or Facebook.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Having risen from the Park Plaza parking lot early Saturday morning, a miniature oasis of 70 colorful vendor tents looked picture perfect by the time the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival got underway at 11 am.

A SHOP LOCAL marketplace that was bigger, busier and better than ever stretched out before the crowds. Shoppers moved busily up and down the aisles lingering from time to time to shop, collect information or giveaways, or sample various foods.

You could immediately tell from the names emblazoned on the signs or tents of businesses, that there was a nice balance of longtime SHOP LOCAL supporters like Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery, SERVPRO, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, Franklin’s Toys, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and Ledo Pizza, more recent participants like Park Hardware, Bohemian Black, Blended Essentials, and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, and businesses new to the event like Schmidty’s Kettle Corn, Harbor City Music Company, GYMGUYZ Personal Training, and Baking on the Magothy.

The “longtime supporters” mentioned above have actually participated in the Chamber sponsored SHOP LOCAL events from the very first one. Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery owner Dawn Wilson was instrumental in starting Severna Park’s SHOP LOCAL movement and Jing Ying Institute owner Nancy Greer was one of the initiative’s earliest and most ardent supporters. Both women have been helpful in attracting new businesses to the chamber and its SHOP LOCAL activities.

In fact, Greer introduced us to Robin Mohns, franchise owner of Midas Auto Service Shops in Annapolis, Laurel, Pasadena and Wheaton, who started the Chris Gives Foundation in memory of her late husband Chris Mohns. The foundation provides help to individuals struggling to pay for auto repairs and provides scholarships for high school students in the auto repair curriculum.

Not to be overlooked was the fact that the Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival had a full day of entertainment starting off with a performance by a Priddy Music Academy Music group and a K-9 Demo from the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s office.

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi came next in the program, opting to use their demonstration to provide an insider’s look at what is involved in one of their well-celebrated Lion Dance performances. To begin, Nancy Greer explained that the “lion” is frequently mistaken for a dragon and how to tell the difference. Then, Jing Ying Institute Shifu Billy Greer and Lane Robinson demonstrated how to don the suit and perform the choreographed rhythmic movements that are part of the dance.

Finally, the lion is seen dancing away into the crowd.

Though the order of the performances changed a bit, there were still two more groups scheduled to entertain.

For the first time at the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival, there was to be a Preview Performance by Children’s Theatre of Annapolis cast members from the May 10th show “Feeling All The Feelings”. The theatre was also promoting a trio of Summer Camps for kids and teens.

There would also be a demo by another of our favorite martial arts groups, Kwon’s Taekwondo, with the entire gang of expert practitioners on hand.

Back to strolling about, we stopped by the Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services tent and discovered that there was a new addition to the usual crew. In addition to owners Winsome Brown and Danielle (Dee) Morgan Brown, Dee’s baby daughter Callie joined the staff wearing a charming matching outfit complete with ruffles.

As usual, the Lean On Dee group was busy all day handing out Caregivers Support Kits and informational brochures about their services as well as some great giveaways.

For picking up the latest news, you can’t beat spring’s large-scale community events, and the SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest was no exception. We had a great time talking with Park Hardware/Zeskind’s owner Rick Miller and his father Rick Miller, Sr., better known as the “face of Zeskind’s” since the late 1960’s.

The pair couldn’t help bragging just a bit. Park Hardware’s 2nd annual Spring Native Plant Sale held April 26th opened at 8 am and they were completely sold out by 9 am.

“We’d tripled the amount we ordered from Providence of Maryland to 1,500 plants but were sold out within one hour,” Miller said. “I’m going to have to increase the number of plants even more for the next one.”

Both Millers were pleased to share the news that the fourth-generation hardware business will be holding its Centennial Celebration in the fall. (The business has its origins in the establishment of Zeskind’s in 1925.) It will be held in the Park Hardware parking lot and will be open to the community.

We picked up more news when we visited the Bohemian Black by Walking Roses tent and found owner Rose Walker welcoming shoppers and introducing them to her favorite spring and summer fashions. In addition to Walker’s Severna Park boutique at 45 W. Earleigh Heights Road, she has opened a second location at Annapolis Town Center.

In addition, Walker has a Let’s Be Friends Brunch & Fashion Show coming up on May 25. She’s also introduced something new dubbed SECOND HAND by Bohemian Black, A Curated Pop-Up of Pre-Loved Style.

With 70 vendors, it wasn’t possible to visit every booth, but there were many familiar faces – business owners who take part in every SHOP LOCAL event. They included Dwayne Bowie and Donnie Dove from Kogen Dojo and Dave Noce from SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park.

But there were also first-timers. We ran into Jody Buck whom we’d met last year when she opened her new KeyGroup Realty office in Millersville. Then, we discovered an interesting young man named Danny Schmidt whose company Schmidty’s Kettle Corn was doing quite a business. Schmidt is proud of the fact that he is a successful disabled businessman with his own company.

Chamber member Pam Booth introduced us to Matthew Ryan, owner of the new company Baking on the Magothy. We were surprised to run into some other “first-timer’s” to the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival – members of the nationally known, award-winning Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus.

We’d have been remiss if we didn’t seek out Ledo Pizza owner Martin Gorman. He is another of those businessmen who strongly supported Severna Park’s SHOP LOCAL movement from the moment of its inception. Amazingly, the Ledo Pizza booth was located in front of Gorman’s original Ledo’s Pizza & Pasta. Last March 25th, Ledo Pizza & Pasta closed its doors after 32 years as one of Park Plaza’s anchor businesses. Unable to come to terms on a new lease, the owner relocated the restaurant to 342 Ritchie Highway. The former location continues to sit empty.

There was plenty more to see. Suffice it to say that the Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival was a hit with those who attended. Chamber CEO Liz League said she was thrilled to have such wonderful weather which definitely contributed to the festival’s success. She added that, from what she could observe, the vendors were busy throughout the event.

To follow chamber activities and events, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Had it not been for high winds, Sunday’s weather would have been perfect for Good Neighbors Group’s 23rd Annual Earth Day Festival. Held for the third year at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company, the event drew well in spite of 30-mile-per-hour gusts thanks to the promise of live music, fine food from Pitaya Mexican Restaurant, Baltimore Waffle Company, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, and 60 vendors.

According to Good Neighbors Group founder and executive director Julie Shay, this year’s festival was supposed to be strictly an outdoor event with a detailed plan for where everything was meant to be set up. But the weather necessitated a change in plans.

“When our vendors arrived to set up, the winds were so heavy that the tables were literally blowing over and it was impossible to assemble many of the displays. We made an instant decision to move most of the festival indoors with the blessing of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company,” said Shay. “Fortunately, we’d formed a committee of experienced volunteers to help with the festival a few years ago so we were able to turn things around on a dime. Our entertainers, food vendors and several other organizations opted to remain outdoors, but a majority set up inside the firehall.”

Initially, some attendees were confused to see so few vendors outside including me. However, I quickly figured out what happened and decided to visit the outdoor displays first.

Immediately, I spotted Stacey Boone, volunteer coordinator for The Blue Ribbon Project. Fresh from the organization’s successful fundraising gala held the evening before, Boone nevertheless chatted with festivalgoers about the 501(c)3 non-profit organization’s mission.

“We’re dedicated to preventing all forms of child abuse and we are run primarily by volunteers,” she said.

The group provides critical support to victims of abuse and neglect throughout Maryland. Blue Ribbon Project programs include Backpacks of Love and Mirah’s Closet. (Children entering into care due to emergency situations are unable to take any personal items from home.) Each child receives a Backpack of Love containing essentials like a toothbrush/toothpaste, book, toy, clothes and a blanket. Mirah’s Closet provides ‘new’ clothing, toiletries, and other items.

I next visited Fieldstone Animal Inn‘s assistant manager Kelli who noted that she had to take down her tent as it kept blowing over. Since we’d last visited the Millersville-based Inn, it had been remodeled and held a Grand Reopening celebration.

“We now have a huge parking lot and we offer luxury suites and junior suites for pets complete with TV’s and webcams,” Kelli said.

A familiar face at Good Neighbors Group’s annual Earth Day Festivals, Glen Burnie-based Hope For All founder Leo Zerhusen was once again on hand collecting donations and spreading the word about his organization which serves those in need in Anne Arundel County with furniture, housewares and clothing.

“Demand for our services is higher than ever – so much so that we are expanding to a second building,” Zerhusen said.

Before exploring further, we took note of two local bands that entertained the Earth Day Festival crowds. The first was a group called Wishbone. The second, pictured below, is known as Jelly and is, naturally, a favorite of Julie Shay as her son happens to be the drummer.

The band was conveniently located near the food vendors. To the band’s right, we spied Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League visiting the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Truck. To the left, we noted that Pitaya Mexican Restaurant had set up a dining area with tables and was serving tacos, enchiladas and other favorites from south of the border.

Then, for the second week in a row we spotted the gents from Baltimore Waffle Company making Liege-style Belgian waffles (we’d seen them at The Severna Park Farmer’s Market the week before).

Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) president John Korin was delighted to be outdoors soaking up the sun as was Sandy Bishop, the founder of Cycling Without Age Anne Arundel. Bike AAA is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary as an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit focused on creating a healthier, more livable Annapolis and Anne Arundel County by promoting bicycling for transportation, recreation and fitness for people of all ages and abilities.  Now affiliated with Bike AAA, Cycling Without Age gives rides on the Severna Park section of the scenic B&A Trail to older adults or people with limited mobility in the organization’s trishaws, two of which are seen in the photo below.

Naturally, the Good Neighbors Group Earth Day Festival was bound to feature plants like those seen here from GreenLift which also had an information table inside the firehouse where we were about to head.

Glancing to our right as we entered the building, we were please to see Good Neighbors Group volunteer Jacquei Shade and several young fellows, including her son Thomas Shade, manning the Silent Auction table. There were donations of plants, gift baskets, books and other items from area businesses ranging from Homestead Gardens, BD Provisions, and Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi to Stiches of Kindness, Oxblood, Cafe Mezzanotte and Park Books.

Severna Park Elementary School children had an assist from their teachers as they completed setting up their exhibits. They were one of a number of schools taking part in the festival with ecological experiments and exhibits.

Rachel Sayed, Recycling Program Specialist for Anne Arundel County Waste Management Services had many excellent tips on how to deal with household recycling. She mentioned quite a few things my family wasn’t aware of. For instance, families can put up to three large items like a chair, a small sofa or a box spring curbside for pickup. Just place them next to your trash container on collection day. Metal items & appliances like swing sets, refrigerators or lawn mowers can even be schedule for pick-up if you submit an online request.

Sayed even handed out a great pamphlet from the county’s Department of Public Works called “Household Recycling and Trash MADE SIMPLE”.

The next table down was Peyton’s Promise (shown in the opening photo), a grassroots, non profit providing food, pet care supplies and emergency financial assistance to dog owners in Maryland. The first-time GNG Earth Day Festival vendor was selling lots of fun gifts for pets and their owners.

We next visited Wendy Preslan’s Stitches of Kindness, one of our favorite organizations that is now also a Good Neighbors Group partner. Stitches of Kindness conducts workshops to teach children how to sew various items which are then donated to charities. For Earth Day, Preslan was selling handsewn products including handbags, rag rugs, place mats and fabric bags of various sizes.

“For the Festival, I upcycled items from donated fabric scraps or denim jeans,” she said.

With 60 vendors to visit, there was no way I was going to get to everyone before moving on to my next commitment, but as I worked my way down the aisle, I spotted the familiar face of American Association of University Women president Joyce Moyeer who was collecting books for the much-looked-forward-to AAUW Booksale which takes place every November.

Moving on, we spotted two more familiar faces – CottonWood in the Park owners Julie and D.J. Antinucci. They were selling some of their fabrics, art supplies, vintage jewelry and, of course, some of the antique quilts they are known for.

Since our first interview with the couple in their Benfield Road shop shortly after they opened, the business has thrived.

“We’ve done very well, especially since the JoAnn’s Fabric stores closed,” Julie said. “We’re selling more product, and we’ve expanded to a building next door in order to have a dedicated sewing classroom.”

We had to forego visiting the Severn River Association and Magothy River Association tables and the exhibits of some additional schools. But before leaving, we just had to take a peek at one of Eco Adventures animal ambassadors – a rather small American Alligator. Attendees, especially kids, loved seeing Eco Adventures other critters.

To follow the many activities of Good Neighbors Group, visit Home – Good Neighbors Group.

Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival this Saturday, May 3rd

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce is holding its Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest at Park Plaza this coming Saturday, May 3 from 11 am to 3 pm. In case of rain, the event will be postponed till the following Saturday, May 10th.

We understand from Chamber CEO Liz League that there will be 70 vendors this year. There will be food, entertainment, music and more.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Easter weekend proved a marvelous time to open the Severna Park Farmer’s Market for the season. Skies were clear with the occasional cloud and the temperatures were just right for customers to stroll about in shirtsleeves. Entering the north end of the market at 11 am, we found a busy scene indeed. In addition to shoppers who’d come on their own looking for farm fresh products for Easter dinner, there were lots of families with children and pets soaking in the relaxed atmosphere.

Pups of all sizes and breeds love coming to the farmer’s market. A favorite stop for many is The Spoiled Dog Bakery where their owners might treat them to one of owner Dianell Ashe’s gourmet dog biscuits.

Canines and their masters were also drawn to the Morris Hill Farm tent where the smell of grilling bacon, sausages and pasture-raised eggs for the breakfast sandwiches they were selling was irresistible.

“This is the first time we’ve tried offering breakfast sandwiches. We’ve been so successful that we’ve completely run out,” Haberkorn said.

Breakfast was available at the Baltimore Waffle Company tent too. Greg Grabowski, who was making the Liege Style Belgian Sugar Waffles, noted that the company was back at the market for its third year and business was good.

The Severna Park Farmers Market is a place where you’re apt to bump into people you know. Saturday’s market was no exception. We first bumped into Elizabeth Melvin who leads the well-known Freedom Choir. She was excited to let us know that the choir is about to perform its Fifteenth Anniversary Spring Concert on Sunday, April 27 at 4 pm at Eastport United Methodist Church.

We next ran into Nancy Rando, who regularly shops at the farmers’ market. Rando also had lots of news to share. Among other things, she’ll be volunteering for the 23rd year at the Good Neighbors Group’s Earth Day Festival at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday, April 27th from 11 am till 3 pm.

Longtime vendors like The Ville’s Dills and Pat’s Produce & Gourds have a feel for the seasonal flow of the market and generally bring less product to the early markets. Thus, they take up less space than usual. Pat Hochmuth, owner of Pat’s Produce, brought about half the number of tables he uses during peak growing season and gauged things about right. Three hours into the market, he’d sold out of most of the vegetable transplants and early-season greens that lined his tables earlier.

Zahradka Family Farm had its usual complement of tables but some empty spaces by 11 am. However, they did have some very healthy-looking lettuces, collards and kale left as well as a few remaining Easter flowers.

The Severna Park Farmer’s Market has long been a place where patrons can find useful information and tips from groups like the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners and fun from homegrown bands like The Overtones who appear there frequently. Made up of musicians from around the greater Severna Park and Arnold area, The Overtones play a range of acoustic instruments including violins, guitars, mandolins and banjos along with saxophone and accordion. They perform old-fashioned folk music that is wonderful to hear. Listening to them kind of takes one back to a simpler time.

The run on products at both The Breadery and My Nana’s Kitchen on opening day bodes well for the market vendors throughout this season. My Nana’s Kitchen owner Anita Robertson also manages the market and had a friend helping her mind the counter while she saw to the needs of the vendors.

“The market was busy this morning,” Robertson said. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather. We were missing a few vendors who couldn’t make it for Easter weekend, but they’ll be here next week and we’ll have a full house.”

We did realize that a few regular vendors were missing. Nevertheless, there were so many vendors that we ran out of time before we could get to them all. We did manage to meet newbies Damian and Genine Ferragamo from Rosy Side Farm on the Eastern Shore who had tomato and pepper plants and herbs and will later carry summer flowers and vegetables.

We barely had time for a quick hello and goodbye for vendors Evie & Park and Astral Sugar. However, we took a few moments on our way out of the market to visit longtime Hip Mod Vintage vendor Amy Heath. And, wouldn’t you know it? In keeping with the Easter Weekend opening, she included a bejeweled bunny and a pair of silver bunnies in her product display. In addition to Heath’s own recycled rings, necklaces and bracelets, Amy was carrying some of her designer daughter Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies handsewn items including floral patterned carryalls and denim potholders and mug mats. (Denim fabric is increasingly hard to come by these days.)

Located on the southbound side of Ritchie Highway at Jones Station Road, the Severna Park Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 am till noon through October.

Quick Reminders for Saturday’s events

At least half a dozen events are taking place this Saturday in the Greater Severna Park and Arnold area, some of which we’ve announced in previous columns. Two daytime events open to the public are:

Park Hardware‘s second annual Spring Native Plant Sale this Saturday, April 26th, starting at 8 am.

Jing Ying Institute‘s “World Tai Chi Day Celebration” at the Severna Park Community Center this Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 11:30am. 

Good Neighbors Group’s 23rd annual Earth Day Festival this Sunday

The 23rd annual Good Neighbors Group Earth Day Festival is being held this Sunday, April 27 from 11 am to 3 pm at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company. This event is always interesting, informative and fun. Exhibitors include environmental organizations, animal welfare organizations, recycling and composting exhibitors, alternative energy specialists, and physical and mental wellness providers. GNG’s eco-marketplace will have lots of plants as well as handmade and up-cycled offerings. 

A ‘Good Neighbors Depot’ will be available to unload unwanted items with a mind toward sustainability – the perfect opportunity to recycle, upcycle and donate what you no longer need while helping others and the planet.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Drivers passing by on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard on Easter morning of 2014 must have been astonished to see masses of children gathered around a flower-covered cross on the lawn of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Eleven years have gone by but, hopefully, drivers passing by this Easter Sunday of 2025 will see a similar scene. The children who appear in the photos below are now in their teens or early twenties, but a younger generation will have an opportunity to place flowers on the very same Flower Cross and attend a Family Easter Service.

Woods’ Associate Pastor, the Rev. Nancy Lincoln-Reynolds, brought the reappearance of the Flower Cross to our attention. We met with her for details in the Terry Schoener Prayer Chapel where an alcove contains a cross of a different kind. (The room was created to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Terry Schoener who served as pastor of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church for 27 years before retiring in 2006.)

“We’re inviting the community to come to our Family Easter Service and bring flowers to place on the cross which will be prepared as before and placed in a similar location on Woods’ front lawn,” she said.

According to Rev. Lincoln-Reynolds, this year’s Easter worship service for families is being organized by Director of Children’s Ministry Kat Green. Her inspiration to resurrect the Flower Cross on Easter, the Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, is somehow very fitting at this particular moment in history.

“The Family Worship Service taking place this Easter Sunday, April 20th, will be a bit different from the one held in 2014 as it will be held in the church’s Fellowship Hall but will also be filled with the traditional elements of prayer, scripture, movement and music,” Lincoln-Reynolds added. “It will begin at 9:30 am and the procession to the Flower Cross on the lawn will occur following the service.”

The Flower Cross made its first appearance on the Woods Church lawn a little over a decade ago. Children who participated in that original event placed blossoms on the cross following a special Easter worship service for families at Holy Grounds Youth Center (now Boone Station Hall) next door. For the first time in decades, the former church was used for a religious serviced led by Woods’ youth pastor, the Rev. Nicholas Cheek.

Light streaming through the stained-glass windows of the 1920’s era chapel lent a warmth and intimacy to the space befitting a service planned with children in mind. The Easter observance featured traditional elements of prayer, scripture readings and meditations but was also lively with music and movement. Even the youngest children participated by singing and dancing to joyful hymns.

A lovely ballet was performed by Katie Lohff as Sarah Kent sang the hymn “Glorious Day”.

Poetry followed as well as a performance of “Jesus Messiah” by teens Megan Killpatrick, McKenna Lee, Rebecca Hyde and Lauren Loff.

“This is very reminiscent of what church would have been like back in the early days…home churches with entire families worshipping together,” said Rev. Cheek who was clearly pleased with the well-attended event.

Following the Easter celebration, the children selected blooms from buckets of carnations, tulips, daisies and lilies and began a procession toward the living flower cross. Looking ever so sweet in their Easter dresses, young Emma Wilson and sisters Ashley and Abigail Mears were the first children to arrive on the lawn in front of Woods Church and add Gerbera daisies to blooms placed by adults at an earlier service.

The cross was the idea of the late Elizabeth Wyble, a longtime congregation member, designer and garden expert. She’d wanted to create a living cross with fresh flowers that would remain in place through Easter season through Pentecost.

Wyble designed the 7-foot cross to be visible from Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. On the Thursday before Easter, congregation volunteers installed the frame, covered it with floral foam wrapped with chicken wire and black plastic, added greenery and watered it.

Though the first flowers were placed by adults, it needed the youngster’s contributions to fully bloom.

Wyble’s lovely and meaningful creation was a great success. Families flocked to the Flower Cross.

In a matter of moments, the cross was filled with blooms and families began posing in front of the unique symbol of Easter as can be seen in the opening photo.

Lincoln-Reynolds noted that a listing of all this week’s Easter Services at Woods Church can be seen by visiting Facebook.

Back to the present moment, the Associate Pastor bubbled over with enthusiasm about the latest happenings at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. She was especially excited about having held the first of many Community Conversations conducted by Senior Pastor, the Rev. J.C. Austin. The objective of the event was to gather community residents, regardless of differences of opinion, political allegiance or religious affiliation to talk about some of the chaos being experienced in our changing world and how to create something good from it.

She was also pleased about the growth of the Woods Counseling & Care Center which she established in a building that formerly housed the YWCA. Jerry and Elizabeth Wyble undertook the renovation, interior decoration and landscaping of the building and were also the benefactors of a labyrinth on the grounds. Lincoln-Reynolds proudly noted that the Center now has six therapists on staff and is about to add a rabbi.

Severna Park Farmer’s Market opens this Saturday

The Severna Park Farmer’s Market returns to the Park and Ride on the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road this Saturday, April 19th from 8 am till noon. The Easter weekend market will see the return of Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies for the 7th year and 19 additional vendors. Among them are longtime favorites Joyce’s Flowers & Herbs, Pat’s Produce and Gourds, Morris Hill Farm, The Ville’s Dills, and The Zahradka Family Farm.

World Tai Chi Day to be celebrated at Severna Park Community Center, April 26th

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi will once again be celebrating the annual “World Tai Chi Day” at the Severna Park Community Center on Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 11:30am. There will be demos of Tai Chi & Qigong and mini workshops. Learn more about better balance, reduced stress, improved joint health, & other benefits.

The World Tai Chi celebration will be held beneath the trees on the lawn between the Severna Park Community Center and Boone Station Hall or, if it rains, in the community center’s Andy Borland Gymnasium.

Park Hardware Native Plant Sale also happens on Saturday, April 26th

 Park Hardware is holding is second annual Spring Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26th, starting at 8 am. The sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on beautiful native perennial plants from Providence of Maryland, a leading nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Experts from the Anne Arundel County Bay-Wise Program will be on hand to share tips on creating a thriving, eco-friendly garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, they’ll help you become a better steward of nature in your own backyard.

Spring Girl’s Night Out at Homestead Gardens Severna Park on May 1st

Homestead Gardens Severna Park is holding its annual Spring Girl’s Night Out party on Thursday, May 1st from 5 to 8 pm. Bring your favorite gal pals for an evening of sipping, shopping, and sampling courtesy of the finest food and beverage purveyors in the community. Experience a delightful night of food, shopping, and fun…and, as a bonus, get 25% off your purchase.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

SPAN, Inc.’s Board members and directors’ original intention was to celebrate the organization’s 30th Anniversary in 2020. However, the COVID pandemic put their plans on hold for much longer than expected – five years to be exact.

Thus, it was with great joy that current directors Maia Grabau and Michele Sabean announced that SPAN’s 35th Anniversary would be celebrated, with not one, but with two events during the first week of April.

The anniversary celebrations began at 4 pm on Tuesday, April 1 with a Milestone Recognition Service in the sanctuary at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church followed by a reception on the lawn of the SPAN headquarters building behind it. The service started with opening remarks by SPAN, Inc. president Mike Monahan.

He welcomed everyone, especially the many longtime supporters in the audience including SPAN volunteers, donors, and board members.

Monahan was followed by keynote speaker Michele Sabean, SPAN’s Director of Development. Along with her written words in the event’s program, Sabean’s remarks traced SPAN’s beginnings and acknowledged all those whose contributions have made the organization such an enduring force for good.

She noted that the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) was founded in 1990 by six local churches and opened its doors in April of that year with a mission to provide emergency assistance to families in crisis with dignity and compassion. She then sited just a few of many reasons area residents come to SPAN seeking assistance.

“People are struggling with devastating situations like job loss, an illness or the death of a partner,” the director said.

She added that, over 35 years, the organization has grown well beyond Severna Park and truly lived up to its name – Serving People Across Neighborhoods (SPAN). During that time, SPAN has assisted an estimated 100,000 individuals, offering critical support for food, utility bills, eviction prevention and medical needs. In 2024 alone, they provided aid to 4,097 people including 1,470 families, 58 percent of whom have children. The demand for services continues to grow, with financial aid distributed last year reaching 2.5 times higher than previous years.

Sabean said none of this would be possible without the dedication of SPAN volunteers and their families, donors, and community businesses along with former recipients of aid who come back to the organization to volunteer or make a donation.

Sabean’s remarks were followed by those of Maia Grabau, SPAN’s Director of Operations. Grabau cited specific cases where she’d taken calls or received visits from clients who were in severe financial and emotional distress. Her words took on added significance when she introduced two recent clients who were courageous enough to reveal the traumatic events that brought them to SPAN asking for help.

Neither woman was identified by name, but both emphasized that they’d found themselves in truly dire circumstances when they contacted SPAN. They thanked the organization for literally offering them a lifeline.

The woman in orange, in particular, experienced continuous setbacks over the past ten years.  She lost a son, and a couple years later, her teenage daughter was murdered.  She suffers with PTSD as a result and was unable to work for several years.  Later, she and her husband divorced, and he completely avoided paying child support for her children leaving her to bear the financial burden.

In December, her car broke down, and she needed over $2,000to fix it.  She had no money to do the repair, so she had to take Uber to her job 30 min away.  This expense put her further behind financially.  She then fell behind on her phone service payments, and her service was cut off.  As a result, she couldn’t call Uber for a ride or contact her workplace to let them know why she could not come in.  It was a downward spiral, and she was released from her job last week.  

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League spoke next and also officiated over the presentation of citations and awards to SPAN. In addition to the aforementioned citation presented by chamber member Tommy Sommers on behalf of Governor Moore’s office, there were several others including one from League on behalf of the chamber and one presented by Aysia Rodriguez from Maryland State Delegate Brian Chisholm’s office.

Following closing remarks by Monahan, attendees were invited to cross the lawn from the church to the porch of SPAN headquarters for an official chamber ribbon-cutting presided over by League and a reception.

Meanwhile, last minute touches were being added to the refreshment tables by 35th Anniversary Committee Co-Chairs Nanci Hulting and Lesley Wallace.

A beautifully decorated cake highlighting SPAN’s 35th Anniversary took center stage on one table in the nick of time as attendees flooded the lawn.

An invitation was extended to one and all to join supporters at the SPAN’s 35th Birthday Fest held Saturday, April 5th at Severna Park United Methodist Church on Benfield Road. As can be seen from the opening photo featuring SPAN volunteer Joanne Petrik and directors Maia Grabau and Michele Sabean, it was a colorful, well-attended and fun event with member churches providing and presiding over carnival games, live music and interesting displays.

The number of SPAN’s member churches has grown from the original six to 13. The originals were Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, St. Martins in-the-Field Episcopal Church, Severna Park United Methodist Church and Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. They were joined by Asbury United Methodist Church, Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, Bay Area Community Church, Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church, Our Lady of the Fields Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrew by the Bay Roman Catholic Church, Severna Park Baptist Church and Trinity Bible Church. Quite a few were on hand.

Forever popular, ice cream in a multitude of flavors was available from Asbury United Methodist Church. Sabean couldn’t resist temptation and thoroughly enjoyed her cup of blueberry ice cream.

Greek Street and Sol Dog food trucks and an improvised food court provided sustenance for the crowd and a chance to socialize.

We saw several members of Cub Scout Pack 918 roaming the event. The pack is based at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and had a booth and a Raingutter Regata game that involved sailing little boats down the gutters.

SPAN booths and volunteers were everywhere. At one booth, a flag waved in the breeze with photographs of people taken at SPAN, Inc. events down through the years. If you looked closely, you could see the photos.

Two local bands entertained the crowd. The first was Blame It On Lee and the second, seen below, was Controlled Chaos performing their repertoire of Classic Rock tunes.

As one of the original member churches, Severna Park United Methodist Church not only hosted the Birthday Fest but also had an Easter oriented booth complete with bubble machine. The booth was manned by church members Stephanie Lohss, Celine Wachter and Blaine Claar.

There was so much more to see, from St. Martin’s in-the-Field Church’s Face Painter to Our Lady of the Fields Coloring Station which, surprisingly drew adults as well as children.

One game that drew especially well was the Trinity Bible Church Youth Group Prize Wheel with two long tables of prizes behind it for players to select from. Everyone loved Trinity Music Director Zach Joines’ Mad Hatter attire complete with bunny ears.

The Birthday Fest offered much more to see and do. However, we wanted to offer some our own photographs of past directors from day we happened upon the SPAN scene in 2014 to the present.

Maria DeNardo was the organization’s Executive Director in 2013 and Jennifer Pumphrey the Associate Director. DeNardo is seen below welcoming guests to SPAN’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Firemark Building in Millersville. The pumpkin centerpieces were gorgeous.

The event was particularly fun since SPAN volunteers were gifted Volunteer T-Shirts like those seen in the photo below.

By 2017, Jennifer Pumphrey had been named SPAN’s Director of Operations and, with DeNardo retired, was teamed with Ellen Kinsella as Director of Development. (Kinsella was in the audience during the 35th Anniversary Milestone Recognition Service.)

By early to mid-2021, Pumphrey was planning to move away from Maryland and Kinsella had decided to retire. In mid-May, Maia Grabau was installed as the new Director of Operations and Michele Sabean became Director of Development. Though Kinsella stayed behind for a week to acquaint them with operations, the pair had to hit the ground running.

With demand for services continuing to rise, Sabean and Grabau remain extremely busy yet managed, with help from the 35th Anniversary Committee, to pull off two very fine Anniversary events. For information about how to make a donation, ask for assistance, or follow upcoming events, visit SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org).

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

The 2025 Green Expo at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville kicked off at 10:30 am with a Piper leading a presentation of the colors by Scout Troop 454. A welcome from Davidsonville Area Civic Association (DACA) president Bruce Stein followed along with remarks from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and other political leaders.

Long afterward, attendees continued to stream up the sidewalks and into the garden center on their way to the Expo at the back of the property. Passing through the garden center’s interior and greenhouses full of gorgeous plants and flowers was a treat in itself.

The opportunity to check out offerings from two dozen exhibitors ranging from local businesses to agricultural, watershed and environmental organizations was a significant draw.

Families with children, however, were immediately drawn to the animals brought to the Expo by exhibitor Nanikala Carr’s Calvert County-based Not Your Farmer’s Daughter. A trio of fluffy Silkies, otherwise known as Chinese Silk chickens, drew many curious onlookers as they batted around a transparent balloon. However, it was gigantic bunnies Hoss and Mishka that were a particular hit with kids.

According to Carr, Hoss is a Continental Giant bunny. He is only 16 weeks old but already weighs 14 lbs. She said he should top out at 20 lbs. Darker hued Mishka is a Flemish Giant who, at a year-and-a-half old is full grown and quite friendly. In fact, children who wish to pet the bunnies are invited into their cages and Mishka really loves that.

Carr, best known as Nani, grew up in Alaska fishing and hunting. After moving to Maryland, she decided to do the next best thing and took to farming in a sustainable way. Having grown chickens for 15 years and now the mother of young kids, she established Not Your Farmers Daughter two years ago as a Petting Farm that offers its services for picture parties, special events, and educational visits to schools.

Starting the venture seemed a natural outgrowth of farming for Carr and was an easy transition. Adding horses and ponies, like those seen in the opening photo, was a natural. She quickly concluded that the business should offer riding lessons.

“What we have is more like a Pony Club for younger kids who are one to five or seven years old,” she said. “I’d been feeling that there is nothing much for children that age to do. So, offering this is a fun alternative. And, who knows? Our students might be future farmers or raise tiny horses.”

Carr next introduced us to goats Maribel and Ice who were decked out as a butterfly and a rustic farm goat complete with kerchief. Ice is the baby of Maribel. The pair is occasionally used for “goatscaping”. They are totally at ease wearing costumes – especially at Halloween – and both are fine with kids.

While the youngest attendees liked the animals, their parents were more interested in what the Green Expo tent, only half of which can be seen in the photo below, held. There were displays from two dozen exhibitors ranging from historic sites to local businesses and county government departments and agricultural agencies.

We’d encountered some exhibitors before like Homestead Gardens Landscaping, the Arundel Rivers Federation and the AA Watershed Stewards Academy, but were unfamiliar with others.

Melaleuca/EarthSense Solutions’ Barbara Gill was, of course well-known to many attendees as she has participated in the Green Expo multiple years. Gill is also an important voice in the Anne Arundel County’s business community as she is the founder of the Chesapeake Coffee Connections networking group.

New to us, and of particular interest, was an exhibit for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center which Jim Oland and Nora Terres informed us is located on two adjoining campuses in Edgewater at 647 Contees Wharf Road.

The Woodlawn Campus includes the Woodlawn History Center exhibits in Woodlawn House, the oldest building in the Smithsonian’s collection that is still in its original location. Also located on the campus, along the Woodlawn History Trail, are Asher Cottage, the Sellman Tenant House, the Java Mansion Ruins, and a historic cemetery.

The adjoining Waterfront Campus is surrounded by the waters of Muddy Creek, Fox Creek and the Rhode River. It is home to the Reed Educaton Center and the Wet Laboratory, the Tobacco Barn and Experimental Gardens. There are several scenic trails, the Marsh Boardwalk and a Public Canoe/Kayak launch.

Equally interesting was the Historic London Town & Gardens exhibit manned by Director of Development Melanie Kincaid. She was handing out a schedule of upcoming events that includes a Garden Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday, April 5 and the London Town In Bloom Gala which takes place on Friday, May 9.

Two organizations we’ve seen before as exhibitors were the Arundel Rivers Federation, with a spinning wheel game to attract attention to their projects throughout the South, Rhode and West River watersheds, and the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary which attracted attention with their collection of skins, antlers, turtle shells and other objects found within the sanctuary.

We discovered, for the first time, a fine exhibit from the Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau whose representatives explained their many programs aimed at helping farmers and saving our farms. Hoping to attract new members, they handed out copies of The Old Line Farmer magazine (which were very interesting) along with an informative pamphlet.

There was so much more to see, from author Cindy Freland and her multitude of children’s books to area businesses like Red Carpet Remodeling with Maria Fairchild and Sherri Grove.

And we couldn’t possibly say goodbye without visiting Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman and Bartlet Tree Experts’ Arborist Riley Smith.

For information on upcoming spring events at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville or Severna Park, visit Homestead Gardens – Garden Supplies, Nursery, and Landscaping.

SPAN’s 35th Anniversary Celebration continues this Saturday at Severna Park United Methodist Church

This Saturday, April 5 from 12 noon to 4 pm, SPAN’s 35th Birthday Fest will be held at Severna Park United Methodist Church on Benfield Road in the parking lot. The public is invited to enjoy a free community celebration with live music, carnival games hosted by SPAN’s member churches and community groups, and food trucks with food available for purchase. (In case of rain, the celebration will move indoors to the Fellowship Hall.)

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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