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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

Recent snows and freezing temperatures have had many of us making soup. I made several – first vegetable soup, then lentil soup, and then I used that ham hock in the freezer to make split pea soup (pictured above).

While using my immersion blender to turn the soup into a smooth and savory wonder, I recalled that I’d just seen an announcement from Good Neighbors Group that 28 communities have already signed up for the 8th Annual S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE. The event officially takes place from Thursday, February 6 through Sunday, February 9 (Super Bowl Day).

According to SPAN, Inc. directors Maia Grabau and Michelle Sabean in a recent interview, GNG’s S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE is quite a blessing that keeps the food pantry’s shelves full well into the spring.

The Souper Bowl of Caring food drives began in 1990 with a simple prayer by seminary intern Brad Smith while watching a televised game with friends.

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat,” he prayed.

Inspired by his words, the first drives were launched by 22 South Carolina churches. The concept behind them was that individuals and groups could collect dollars in soup pots and canned food for those in need and send every dollar and food donation directly to a local charity of their choice.

Good Neighbors Group executive director Julie Shay loved that idea and launched Good Neighbors Group’s first S(o)uper Bowl food drive in 2018. Though small in number of neighborhoods involved, the first drive was quite successful.

Shay’s idea to collect enough food to fill local food pantries grew by leaps and bounds and, by 2023, GNG had 56 neighborhoods participating with 18,000 items collected.

By 2024, six food pantries were the recipients of the collected foods and supplies. They included SPAN, ACAN, Celestial Manna, My Brother’s Pantry, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church food pantry.

Good Neighbors Group’s 2025 S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE will work the same way it has in the past. Each neighborhood has a captain who is responsible for collecting all the donated items at their home or other designated drop off place. They keep a tally of items donated and award points for each item. Once collected, the captains and/or helpers must transport the donations to one of the designated charities depending on which one their neighborhood is assigned. The drop-offs will happen over 4-day period from Thursday, February 6th thru Sunday, February 9th.

Shay noted how pleased she’s been that the food drive brings neighbors and their neighborhoods closer together in friendly competition to see which can earn the most points. She loves that so many children are involved.

“The kids get so much enjoyment from helping,” she says.

If you’d like to sign up for the S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE 2025, you can reach out by emailing: souperbowl@goodneighborsgroup.org.

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop at Jing Ying institute January 26

A Chinese Calligraphy Workshop is being held at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, January 26th as one of a series of workshops celebrating the Lunar New Year and the school’s 24th anniversary. Participants will learn basic brushstrokes and create Chinese characters to hang in your house. The cost is $8 per person to cover cost of supplies. The institute supplies paper, ink and brushes for use during class. Register at https://cp.mystudio.io/e/?=JingYing/3031/663753//1736814880

Two days later, on Tuesday, January 28th, another of Jing Ying Institute’s family-friendly activities, a Lunar New Year Cleaning Celebration – will take place from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. According to the institute’s owners, Nancy and Billy Greer, it’s traditional to clean before the New Year starts to make room for incoming good luck. It’s also a last chance to clean because during the two weeks of the Lunar New Year Celebration, brooms and dust pans are stashed away so that the newly arrived good luck isn’t accidentally swept away. So participants are invited to bring their brooms. Follow Jing Ying’s workshops celebrating the Lunar New Year at http://www.jingying.org/Chinese_New_Year.htm.

5th Annual Bernie House Mardi Gras Benefit Gala on February 8th

This year’s Mardi Gras Ball will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at The Graduate by Hilton Annapolis Hotel. There will be a full open bar, Cajun style food, face painting, tarot card readings and music for dancing. The Bernie House provides safe shelter and support to families who become homeless due to domestic violence. For information, visit www.theberniehouse.org.

Opportunity Builders, Inc. Mardi Gras 2025 on February 8th

The 26th annual Opportunity Builders, Inc. Mardi Gras Gala is also being held on Saturday, February 8th from 6:30 to 11:00 pm at the organization’s headquarters at 8855 on Veterans Highway in Millersville. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Opportunity Builders’ mission is to support youth and adults with disabilities to experience full inclusion in their communities as they learn, work, and pursue their paths to personal success.

Tickets are $150/each and reserved tables are available in an exclusive VIP area, with wine & appetizers, for $1,500. For details and to purchase tickets, visit https://obiworks.networkforgood.com/…/74404-2025-obi…

A new editor for Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails “Trail Talk”

January of 2025 saw the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails bidding a fond farewell to Diane Evans as editor of Trail Talk. Last spring, Evans resigned as President of the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails which manages the 3-1/2 acre Jonas and Anne Catharine Green property for Anne Arundel County to move to North Carolina. However, she maintained close ties to her Severna Park friends and associates and continued as editor of Trail Talk through 2024.

Evans joined the Friends in welcoming new editor Miranda Yourick who is helping implement a new format for Trail Talk that will make it much easier to share information about all of the Anne Arundel County trails.

Yourick will be sharing the latest news and will also share her insight about gardening and native plants. You can keep up with the latest activities of the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails and see Trail Talk on 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.)

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.

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

We were saddened to hear that yet another of Park Plaza’s well- established businesses would be closing its doors for good. Owners Brittany and Ted Meade announced just after Christmas that, as their lease comes to an end in a couple of months, they made the difficult decision to permanently close Park Home.

“Our lives changed significantly since we took over the store three years ago; we now have a six-month-old baby and other job commitments that require our attention,” said Brittany (who is pictured above).

Ted added that the couple is incredibly grateful for the support from their loyal customers who welcomed them into the Severna Park community after taking over the reins of Park Home from its previous owners Heather and Scott Summers in April of 2022.

Park Home’s official last-day open will be in February 2025. For further details see Facebook. Meantime, a storewide clearance has already begun with 30% off everything in the store. The store will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Brittany and Ted are eager to let Park Home supporters know that they have something new in the works that they’ll be sharing soon.

Park Home is, by no means, the first well-known retail business to leave Severna Park within the past few years. In fact, several have reestablished their stores elsewhere.

From July of 2015 through December of 2019 Jessica Zaleskiwicz’ flair for retro decor and fashion was on display at Coco Couture in Severna Park, the independent family business for which she created unique and delicious chocolates.

Following a few years’ pause to work fulltime while completing her bachelor’s degree in business management, it was wonderful to see the chocolatier behind the candy counter at her new shop Hon Style Sweets in Pasadena during its Grand Opening last May 24th. True to expectations, she and her business partner Shannon Speakman were wearing hon style fashions and hairdos complete with cute aprons.

We inquired of Jessica and Shannon why they chose to locate the shop in Pasadena and wondered whether it had anything to do with the rapidly rising cost of leasing commercial properties in Severna Park. Both indicated that the higher rents for those locations were definitely a factor as they have a budget… and they’d observed that the Pasadena community is really good about supporting small businesses.

One of Severna Park’s most long-lived and popular retailers, JOANN Fabrics and Crafts, also in Park Plaza, closed on January 1st,2024. It had been located at Park Plaza for 30 or more years and may have been an anchor store.

There were suggestions that the rent had been raised and the store was willing to pay but Park Plaza wouldn’t renew the lease. However, we were unable to confirm these. Shortly thereafter, we learned that Mom’s Organic Market had signed a lease for 11,893 square feet at Park Plaza with plans to move into the space late in 2024 or early in 2025. Thus far that has not taken place.

The JOANN Fabric and Crafts Annapolis at 150 Jennifer Road remains open. Though less convenient, it carries the same fabrics and crafts supplies JOANN Fabrics is known for.

At roughly the same time JOANN’s closed, we were surprised to learn that, after six years on Jumper’s Hole Road in Severna Park, AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden Center, LLC. would be closing when its lease ended as the property owner wished to develop the acreage.

Corey Stephens, owner of the 97-year-old farm and garden business that began in Brooklyn Park, contacted a realtor and soon realized that rents for similar properties in Severna Park were prohibitive. At age 65, Stephens initially wondered whether he should continue with the business.

He was relieved to find a new location in Pasadena which actually came to him through a longtime customer related to the property’s owner. She was upset to learn that the garden center was closing in Severna Park and in need of a new location. She urged her husband, Bud, the owner of Arundel Seafood and landlord of the then unoccupied adjoining unit, to reach out and offer it to Stephens. He did. The new location, at 224 Mountain Road, is ideal. The two businesses help each other and, fortunately, the garden center still draws many of its Severna Park customers.

Last March 25th, Ledo Pizza & Pasta closed its doors after 32 years as one of Park Plaza’s anchor businesses and began work on the transformation of its new location at 342 Ritchie Highway. According to Ledo Pizza’s owner Martin Gorman, he bought the already existing restaurant from previous owners in 1998 and believes it was originally opened in 1992. In the 26 years he’s operated the popular eatery, his customer base has grown by leaps and bounds. 

“Unfortunately, we lost our lease and couldn’t come to successful negotiations on a new deal. Basically, the rents were raised and we couldn’t remain profitable at those rates,” Gorman explained.

He took over the restaurant in 1998 and later expanded it to the building next door adding 60 seats. Capitalizing on that original success, Gorman now has Ledo Pizza locations in Millersville and on Kent Island and is a partner in the one at BWI.

On April 23rd, we joined Gorman, his staff and numerous friends from Severna Park’s business community during the restaurant’s official reopening celebration. During the ceremony and ribbon cutting conducted by Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League, Gorman mentioned that he had kept his entire staff from the Park Plaza location and paid their salaries for the three weeks they closed down to remodel the building (previously home to Cakes & Confections) and make the move.

We noted that the former Ledo Pizza location at Park Plaza remains empty. A neighboring business, Sullivan’s Cove, closed last spring for good. However, the new Cypress Restaurant opened in the space in late November in time for the holidays.

Severn Crossroads Foundation announces the passing of longtime president Anne Agee

We received word from the Trustees of Historic Baldwin Hall that Anne Scrivener Agee passed away this week. Agee served as a Trustee of Historic Baldwin Hall and as President of Severn Cross Roads Foundation for many years. Her friendship, leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.

Having graduated from The School Sisters of Notre Dame Aspiranture for girls aspiring to be nuns, she ultimately changed her life’s path, earning her associate degree from Anne Arundel Community College and English degrees from Duquesne University (BA) and Ohio University (MA) and a PhD in rhetoric from Catholic University.

Dr. Agee taught creative writing at Anne Arundel Community College for many years, followed by a decades-long second career in information technology at George Mason University, the Connecticut State University System, and finally retiring from UMass Boston as Vice Provost and CIO.

Her interest in genealogy and history led her to become a founding member of the Anne Arundel County Historic Trust, a trustee of Historic Baldwin Hall and the president of the Severn Crossroads Foundation.

We were on hand in June for a “Re-Birthday Party during which Agee helped with the unveiling of a sign outlining the history of beautiful Baldwin Hall which was constructed as a church at the intersection known as Severn Crossroads in Crownsville in 1861. A moment later, guest Carol Benson, executive director of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, stepped forward to make remarks and give a special citation to Dr. Agee for her leadership in historic preservation and her vision in creating the sign.

Anne Agee’s love of music inspired her to become a member of the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, which bases its activities at Baldwin Hall. Sally Burton, the director of the chorus is also a trustee and treasurer of the Severn Cross Roads Foundation.

“Anne was our wonderful President,” Burton said.   “We will miss her terribly.  She was a visionary leader and brilliant writer, and she enabled us to secure needed grant funds to help maintain our historical building.”

Sally Burton also had fond memories of Anne as a member of the chorus for several years.

“Anne was with us on the chorus’ memorable trip to Ireland,” she said.

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.)

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.

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

Wrapping up their Holiday Caring Program only days before Christmas, SPAN, Inc. directors Maia Grabau and Michelle Sabean were rushing to gather some food, a gift item and a few gift certificates for a holiday dinner for a last-minute call from family in need.

“Our official donor gift drop off day at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church took place almost two weeks ago and the Christmas gifts/Christmas dinner items were already distributed,” said Grabau.

“But every year, we get calls asking for gifts up to the day we close. We just had calls from two different moms with five children each who hadn’t signed up for the Holiday Caring Program but could afford no presents for their families and hoped we could help.”

Grabau had fortunately held back some grocery and Walmart gift certificates donated by member churches and she and Sabean were putting them together with a few items from the pantry.

December 23rd would see the end of a very successful year for SPAN and the beginning of a promising 2025.

As Director of Development Sabean, had spearheaded the organization’s second biggest fundraiser, the Twelfth Annual Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot 5K or One Mile Fun Walk at Kinder Farm Park on November 2nd which was a wonderful success.

“We’d taken a pause due to the pandemic but had built the program back up over the last three years, raising more money and attracting more participants,” she said. “We raised close to $20,000 this year thanks to our sponsors including major supporter Severna Park Automotive and more than two dozen other community businesses and organizations.”

As Director of Operations, Grabau organizes SPAN’s Holiday Caring Programs for Thanksgiving and Christmas matching donors with families needing help. Normally, between 150 and 200 families learn about the program through schools or Social Services and sign up for the program. This year, several of the organization’s member churches, including Severna Park United Methodist Church, Baldwin United Methodist Church, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Trinity Bible Church, Asbury United Methodist Church and some individual donors took on extra families. (In addition, Baldwin United Methodist Church donated $2,600 worth of grocery and Walmart gift certificates and Severna Park United Methodist Church provided a large number of Target gift certificates to supplement donations.)

“Those churches’ generosity enabled us to provide a Christmas meal and gifts for 500 children belonging to 200 families,” Grabau said.

Both women said they and SPAN’s volunteers have been very, very busy recently considering that the economy is in such sad shape.

According to Sabean, the organization is totally self-sustaining and reliant on financial donations from individuals, local businesses and churches willing to help.

“For the past two years, donations made it possible for us to provide more than 2.5 times the amount of emergency financial assistance we do in a typical year,” Sabean said. “On average SPAN gives about $100,000 in financial assistance a year. In 2023, SPAN provided over $287,600 in financial disbursements. The need for emergency financial assistance increased dramatically recently and we’ve had to lower the maximum amount we can distribute to clients needing financial assistance.”

“Many more people are asking for help with utility turnoffs. Unfortunately, they owe much more money than in past years – up to $1,000 per family. We are unable to provide that large a disbursement. Therefore, these families (already stressed by job layoffs, illness or other problems) must go to more than one social services agency to raise the full amount.”

Sabean added that SPAN’s directors and Board are working hard to raise more money from fundraisers and donations but it’s hard to keep up. (Six percent of Anne Arundel County residents are below the poverty line and many others are in a category with the acronym ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constraint Employed), so those folks are basically living from paycheck to paycheck.)

Moving ahead though, the New Year looks promising. At the moment the SPAN food pantry is well-stocked. The busiest time for receiving pantry donations is between autumn and March thanks to large donations from various organizations’ food drives like Good Neighbors Group’s S(O)UPER BOWL of CARING initiative.

A “Sing In The New Year” benefit concert starring Kate Caldwell and Max Ochs is being held, Sunday, January 12th at 4 pm at Boone Station Hall and should be a lot of fun. As it happened, guitarist, singer and songwriter Caldwell was visiting SPAN at the time of our visit and shared some details about the concert.

A Severna Park resident since 1979, as is Ochs, Caldwell was well acquainted with SPAN, Inc. having known the organization’s founders. She met Max Ochs for the first time last spring when he attended a concert she performed at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church. The two got on famously and decided it would be nice to do something together – perhaps a benefit concert to would help others.

“We decided on SPAN, Inc. as the benefactor of our concert and Boone Station Hall as the performance venue. (We both admire the hall’s amazing acoustics.) Since Max and I love to do music that involves a lot of people singing, we’d invite the audience to sing in the New Year with us on some numbers,” Caldwell said. “We’ll perform a variety of folk favorites that people enjoy singing along with as well as originals and blues. We’ll have a reception afterwards.”

Caldwell had Ochs on speed dial and called him for his input. A finger-style guitarist and song writer, the long-time Severna Park resident is well-known for being associated with the Anne Arundel County Conflict Resolution Center and several anti-poverty programs. Thus, he’s had an opportunity to interact with many charitable organizations, including SPAN which he’s long admired. Both singers enjoy helping others through the music and other activities.

“I’m delighted to be able to do the benefit concert with Kate, especially since we’ll be donating every cent to SPAN,” he said.

According to Kate, there is no official ticket price but a suggested donation of $20 would be appreciated.

The most exciting thing about what’s ahead for Sabean and Grabau is that SPAN, Inc. will celebrate its 35th Anniversary throughout 2025.

“We put off celebrating our 30th Anniversary which occurred in 2020 during the pandemic so we’ll be having two wonderful events to celebrate our 35th,” Sabean said. “We’ll be holding an official Anniversary Ceremony in the sanctuary at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on April 1st. Then, on Saturday, April 5th, we’re holding a huge birthday party on the parking lot of Severna Park United Methodist Church.”

She added that she and Grabau are looking for photos and memories of SPAN from all those who’ve come in contact with SPAN over the years. People are invited to send their photos and memories through Facebook , Instagram or email at spanhelps@yahoo.com.

We look forward to joining the 35th Anniversary celebrations and to contributing some memories and photographs of our own.

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.)

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

As always, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s owners Nancy and Billy Greer ended their annual three-month Silent Auction with a Holiday Party. This year’s auction benefitting wheelchair basketball team, the Memphis Rollin’ Grizzlies, took place from October through the second week of December and officially ended during the party at 4 pm on December 14th. According to tradition, the moment was celebrated with a group photo.

Jing Ying Institute has held the Silent Auction for more than 15 years contributing the money raised to 10 organizations. They’ve made significant contributions via sponsorships to other groups as well.  The Institute’s monetary contributions have amounted to almost $162,000 over time, and their in-kind donations (baskets & gift certificates to other silent auctions/fundraisers) add up, conservatively, to around $75,000 Nancy Greer noted.

“We began by hosting the yearly Silent Auctions as a benefit for SPAN, Inc. and raised $50,000 for that organization alone,” Greer said. “However, we eventually realized that other local organizations needed our help and we’ve subsequently done them for Partners In Care, Good Neighbors Group, the YWCA camps and the Burnie House among others. This year, for the first time, we’ve chosen to benefit the Memphis Rollin’s Grizzlies’ Youth Basketball Team, an organization that is not local but one that is very important and dear to our hearts.”

When Billy Greer’s youngest brother, Al, was nine years old, he and his mother Aura were in a car that was hit by a drunk driver. Al was paralyzed from the waist down. As one can imagine, his life was dramatically changed. In 1982, he started playing wheelchair basketball and it made a huge difference in his life. He moved to Memphis in 1998 and started playing with the Memphis Grizzlies Wheelchair Basketball Team in 2010, becoming head coach in 2016. Now in his mid-fifties, Al coaches both adults and youth, ages 6 to 18.

The Greer’s were inspired to support the team through the Silent Auction after attending the Rollin’ Grizzlies’ playoffs in Memphis earlier this year. They found the players’ level of skill amazing and the games very competitive and exciting.

The team’s youth program started two years ago, and that’s where Jing Ying Institute’s focus is. The program’s mission is to improve the quality of life for adults and youth with spinal cord and lower extremity disabilities and to advocate for disability inclusion in all aspects of society.

As is true of every Silent Auction for charity, the response to this one from individuals, organizations and community businesses has been amazing. There were tables of auction items set up on the main floor opposite the areas reserved for the party.

Auction items also occupied the second-floor area where workshops are usually held. We saw lots of great donations there from local businesses like Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery, Whimsicality, Savvy, and Fieldstone Animal Inn.

We ran into Alex Galamore and son Oak there. Oak had earlier completed and won his first sash. The youngster was somewhat intrigued by a 1929 Travel Air Mystery Ship Model B Airplane Bank.

Having gotten underway at 2 pm, the holiday party was in full swing with Christmas carols playing in the background. Jing Ying students are a fairly tight-knit group, so the party felt somewhat like a family gathering. Though people continued checking out the Silent Auction tables, most were helping themselves to a tasty buffet of homemade food, much of which was contributed by the students.

Tables were set up here, there and everywhere and people migrated to them forming casual conversation groups.

New students Holly Gue and daughter Gabby were delighted when joined by longtime Kung Fu students Christy Karnes and son Aidan who had seen them in class and come over to ask how they felt they are doing.

Holly, who’d contributed some awesome turkey meatballs to the buffet, said she and Gabby had joined the family Kung Fu class just a month ago, but they’d already seen some beneficial changes. Though the class is an hour long, a large portion is devoted to stretching, both feel they are more flexible because of that. Gabby, in eighth grade at Rockbridge Academy, pointed out that Kung Fu is very rigorous.

“Sometimes it’s hard keeping up with the rest of the class,” Holly admitted.

Christy Karnes noted that she started Kung Fu when she was 48 and did well, earning four sashes before injuring her ACL and easing up a bit. Aidan, a junior at Archbishop Spalding High School, has made excellent progress earning multiple sashes.

The fun continued to build as Melissa Wittke’s casual shoulder massage turned into a group endeavor that was a lot of laughs for the participants and those who watched.

Just as the microphones went live and Nancy Greer announced that there were only three minutes left for bids to come in, we met longtime student Wendy Ng & her husband Bruce Norris. Between them, the couple placed quite a few Silent Auction bids. Both are in their seventies and come to class regularly from their home in Elkridge.

“We enjoy class and many of Jing Ying Institute’s activities,” Ng said. “But we also believe Kung Fu is important to keep our joints moving and retain our muscle memory. I think of it as toning if you want to learn how to use your body well.”

At the stroke of 4 pm, the Silent Auction ended and bid winners were being announced. We were unable to stay for much longer but, by the time we left, Wendy Ng had already won two bids.

One of the last of an absolute flurry of annual holiday festivities in the Severna Park and Arnold areas, Jing Ying Institute’s silent auction will have a long-lasting effect in sustaining the efforts of Al Greer and the Memphis Rollin’s Grizzlies youth programs. Not only do those programs offer a physical outlet for youngsters with disabilities. They also push each other to take on new challenges, try new things and offer support through the ups and downs of life.

Around The Park Again looks forward to the New Year and keeping our readers abreast of local news.

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.)

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.

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 weather alternated between drizzle and fog Tuesday evening December 10th. But inside Chartwell Golf & Country Club, the scene was bright and cheery as the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce Holiday Taste & Sip event got underway in the ballroom.

Just inside the entrance, Crepes in the Park owner Abby Larkin and her mother Leslie had already served their first crepes to, among others a gentleman in a Santa hat. The aromas of cinnamon and lemon could be detected as they ladled more batter onto their crepe makers. Beyond them, the gentleman wearing the Santa hat helped himself to Ashlyn White’s tasty selection of donuts, donut holes and other sweets from Donut Shack.

At the next table along the row, Tast & Sip guests found elegant and exceptionally tasty offerings from Debra Garrow of Millersville-based Be My Guest Catering. Garrow’s canapes included scrumptious beet rounds with cream cheese that were topped with salmon and cucumber ribbons.

Every bit as popular as the food throughout the evening were the Silent Auction tables which, as can be seen in the opening photo, held one of the most extensive collections of impressive items to bid on that we’ve seen. We noted that Nancy Greer and her mother-in-law Aura spent considerable time at the tables and placed a number of bids. We also ran into Barbara Gill who first admired a handsome set of holiday story books she felt would make a perfect gift for her grandchildren. She filled out a bid, then moved on to the next table where she loved several of the seasonal floral centerpieces and filled out bids accordingly.

Moving back to the vendor tables, we discovered Sheila Schreiner serving coffee to guests while promoting the new Magothy Roasting Company and coffee bar she and husband Mark will be launching shortly on Mountain Road. She said they can’t wait to become the Magothy area’s newest coffee roaster.

It wasn’t long before we ran into Holiday Taste & Sip event sponsor Matt Wyble with Next Step Realty.

“It’s hard to believe this is our 14th holiday event. One year was skipped due to the COVID pandemic. Our number of sponsors and vendors has grown every year and continues to grow,” the fourth-generation realtor said.

Wyble started the annual holiday extravaganza along with former Chamber CEO Linda Zahn 15 years ago. Held for the first eight or nine years at Homestead Gardens in Severna Park, the event eventually moved to Chartwell which has accommodated the vendors and crowds quite well.

From its beginnings, entertainment has been a hallmark of the Holiday Taste & Sip events. The 2024 edition did not disappoint as it included not one, but two choruses. First up was the longtime crowd favorite Chesapeake Harmony Chorus which has appeared at almost every holiday event going back to the beginning years at Homestead Gardens. Fresh from appearing at their own Candy Cane Lane program at Historic Baldwin Hall two days earlier, the chorus reprised the spirited title tune from the show, “Candy Cane Lane”, and sang a finely tuned medley of much-loved songs of the season.

A glimpse back to an earlier Holiday Taste & Sip event shows Chesapeake Harmony Chorus performing at Homestead Gardens with Santa in 2018.

The performance by the chorus was followed by dynamic young family band JAGMAC featuring six siblings performing festive holiday tunes that captivated the crowd. A second chorus would be coming along later.

With a combined total of more than two dozen repeat and new vendors at the event, it’s impossible to name them all but we saw a lot of people stopping by Linda Thebaud’s display of VanEllin Candy Shop Cookies. The company is a wholesaler that sells its products at all the Graul’s markets in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County, Eddie’s markets in Baltimore, and Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold as well as The Sweet Shop in Severna Park. Just beyond Thebaud were Carlye Cab and Sandra Paroti from Facebar Aesthetic Medicine, a spa that offers age-reversing treatments.

Friends were everywhere. We came across Betty Winkelmeyer Wells at a table with her daughter-in-law Karen Osborne, the owner of Karen Renee Interiors. It was fun seeing Karen who now splits her time between her main office in Severna Park, Maryland and Florida where she lives part of the year while conducting interior decorating projects in five different states.

It was also great seeing Ron Pivarnik with his great selection of Firehouse Subs. We first met Pivarnik when he was a vendor at the annual holiday event 8 years ago, the year he opened his sub shop at Park Plaza. It was good to see Matt Geise as well from Adam’s Taphouse Grille in Olde Severna Park. Geise was serving crowd-pleasing ribs and pulled pork.

We continued bumping into friends including Greater Chamber of Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s current president Tammy Neal with Stephen Varani at the Oliver Brewing Company table.

The Oliver Brewing Company table (the brewery will move to Millersville in May) was part of the 206 Restaurant Group’s multi-table lineup of offerings from Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside, Western Ale House and JB’s.

So many more vendors to check out. As Fishpaws Marketplace has participated as a vendor since the annual event’s first year, we just had to stop by their table where we found Terri Phoebus and Philip Alther pouring a selection of wines that included spiced Bluwein which was gently warming over a flame. They were also serving the Olive Tapenade for which the shop is noted along with freshly made Rosemary Focaccia.

Also, a vendor since the first Holiday Taste & Sips, we couldn’t possibly overlook owner Tommie Koukoulis from Cafe Mezzanotte and his general manager Paul Zonn who appeared to be growing their own sprouts while “celebratin the humble carrot” with carrot pasta with beef short ribs and horseradish and carrot risotto with Brussels sprouts and apple balsamic.  

We discovered even more vendors off the main ballroom and stopped to chat with Debra Saltz, co-owner of BD Provisions. Saltz was serving coffee roasted earlier that day by her co-owner and master roaster Phil Peters. Beyond Saltz were Cheers & Spirits’ Debra Reitz and Matthew Haggerty serving wine and spirits. They were flanked by a charcuterie board from April’s Table, and lastly Cindy and David Geipe from Sweet Satisfaction with ice cream.

An added piece de resistance, entertainment-wise, came fairly late with the appearance of the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus, the award-winning group that sings a cappella, four-part harmony music in the barbershop style. Chosen 3rd in the world by Sweet Adelines International, they are directed by Michael Gellert, a Master 700 Director and prolific arranger. Many people don’t realize that the show chorus currently rehearses locally on Wednesday evenings at the Severna Park Elks Lodge.

The end of the evening was reserved for the close of the Silent Auction and the business that resulted therefrom. All in all, a very entertaining evening.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Cente

Friday evening, December 13th, was quite chilly. Nevertheless, the Severna Park Community Center’s Cookies & Coffee with Santa holiday event went off without much of a hitch. However, according to the center’s director Sarah Elder, the cold temperatures prompted the staff to move the location for Santa from outdoors, as originally planned, to a warmer indoor setting in Boone Station Hall.

With the addition of Christmas trees, a faux fireplace and a cozy armchair atmosphere there the setting was picture perfect. There was a long line of families with young children waiting to visit with the jolly old elf and tell him their Christmas wish lists while having their photos taken.

Cozy Boone Station Hall was also headquarters for families with youngsters to gather for cocoa, cookies and the opportunity to create a snowman using marshmallows.

Of course, what parent or child could resist cups of warming cocoa and cookies.

There were things taking place outdoors too including some dance performances in the courtyard between Boone Station Hall and the Chamber building. Students from The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center performed as holiday candles glowing in the darkness.

Among those who braved the cold night air to enjoy the outdoor events and possibly snag a warming beverage from the Moveable Mixtures Beverage Truck were Kati Elliott, Lauren Garber and Jessica Axt. The threesome made a point of visiting as many holiday events as possible.

There was still more fun to be had in the Community Center’s Holiday Marketplace where crowds of happy shoppers enjoyed checking out the merchandise of a dozen or more vendors. Many emerged with packages.

Rounding out the activities in the Community Center Building were a tableau from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church celebrating the birth of Christ to remind folks what Christmas is really about. There was also a lot of activity around The Grinch who was posing for photos with children of various ages. Cocoa & Cookies with Santa was yet another occasion that spread some holiday joy and brought the community together in a lovely way.

Sing in the New Year with a Benefit Concert for SPAN on January 12th

Save The Date of Sunday, January 12 for a Benefit Concert for SPAN, Inc. featuring musicians and vocalists Kate Caldwell and Max Ochs. The program will include folk favorites, originals and blues and a reception will follow. In lieu of a ticket price, financial donations to help SPAN will be accepted and much appreciated.

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.)

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.

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

Such a fun weekend that began Friday, December 3rd with the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s Community Tree Lighting at 1 Holly Avenue.

By the official opening of the celebration at 5 pm, a crowd had already formed on the parking lot opposite the Chamber offices, but families continued to converge on the event from every direction.

Chamber CEO Liz League soon appeared to welcome the crowd and introduce the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders gathered below who would cheer the celebration open and handle the countdown for the switch to be thrown for the lights to be lit.

Then, as they performed some of their phenomenal lifts, the cheerleaders began a countdown to the magical moment of “switch-on”.

The crowd joined in as the girls chanted 10, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1…when the switch was thrown for the illumination of the smaller tree in front of the Chamber, and then for the immense tree gracing the lawn between Chamber and the old Severna Park Railroad building. The complicated task of stringing lights on the towering tree that overlooks Olde Severna Park was again ably accomplished by event sponsor Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers.

Lots of entertainment was to follow opposite the Chamber building. First up were dancers from The Edge Dance Complex performing a charming reindeer dance routine choreographed by owner Kelsey King. We managed to catch a couple of the dancers close up as they were leaving stage center.

Long a favorite at the Community Tree Lightings, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus appeared next performing a medley of Christmas carols.

Meantime, quite a few of the youngest attendees enjoyed a visit with Santa. Others chased after The Grinch.

Many attendees stayed in place for performances by the Creative Force Dance Center dancers and some excellent carols and jazz standards by the Severna Park High School Jazz Ensemble.

Other attendees took time to roam and, thanks to event sponsors Chick-fil-A, The Big Bean, Next Step Realty, Lean On Dee, Severna Park Automotive, Nothing Bundt Cakes and the Synder/Bradshaw Group, there were plenty of complimentary cookies, cupcakes, cocoa and ice cream.

The Chamber’s 2024 Tree Lighting was likely the largest gathering we’ve seen for the occasion and brought back that close community feeling that has been missing for the past few years. Bathed in the glow of hundreds of Christmas lights, they lingered until the last notes from the Severna Park High School Jazz Ensemble.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ holiday show Candy Cane Lane at Baldwin Hall a hit

Everything about the setting for Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ holiday show at Historic Baldwin Hall was perfect for a stroll down Candy Cane Lane. There were adorable candy cane decorations everywhere, an elf at the check-in table selling raffle tickets, and a refreshment table laden with peppermint sticks, holiday themed truffles and other goodies.

And, of course, a red-carpeted Candy Cane Lane adorned with peppermint sticks and ribbons ran up one side of the hall toward the stage.

One of the most sizeable audiences we’ve seen at Baldwin Hall filled every seat and overflowed into the overhead balcony. Once they were seated at 5:30 pm, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus Director Sally Burton and a seven members appeared onstage to welcome the crowd and invite them to travel with them on a magical trip down Candy Cane Lane where the spirit of the holidays comes to life. The octet began singing while the other Chorus members strode down Candy Cane Lane and onto the stage to the whimsical song of the same name.

“Take a trip down to Candy Cane Lane with me….” the septet sang as, in groups of two, three or five, the singers made their way up the lane and onto the stage where they joined in the rousing song.

The chorus fully assembled, members Bethany Owen and Carol Ann Gass moved to the front and far right of the stage. Clad in flowing white capes with poinsettias in their hair, the pair kept up a snappy patter throughout the program, reminiscing and setting the stage for each of seven songs.

“Candy Cane Lane” was followed by the bouncy “You Make Me Feel So Young” and the seasonally apt “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”. Then, inspired by a toy store passed on Candy Cane Lane, they sang “Toyland”. Their next selection, “The Man With a Bag” conjured up images of Santa. “Christmas Chopsticks”, the Chorus’ version of the “Night Before Christmas” story came next. The singers ended Act 1 with a rhythmic, harmonic treatment of “Jingle Bell Rock”.

Intermission saw the aforementioned refreshment table incredibly popular – especially with the children as the sweets were complimentary. A few came back for seconds. Thanks to very generous donations by individuals and local businesses, the Silent Auction table overflowed with great items and intermission was used to announce the winning bids and distribute the items.

Act 2 was dedicated primarily to the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus Quartets of which there are three. The first to appear was the newest formed in 2023, the Moscato Quartet featuring tenor Sue Berger, lead Lisa Freeman, baritone Fran Horner and bass Marjorie Rawhouser. They performed “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride”.

Next up was the award-winning 2nd Star Quartet formed in 2015 with chorus director Sally Burton singing tenor, Lynda Walsh singing lead, Mary Beth Whisman singing bass, and Cathy White singing baritone. The quartet performed a full-bodied, wonderfully harmonic treatment of “Carol of the Bells” and finished with “Silver Bells”.

Triple award winners within Sweet Adelines International Region 19, The Bearfoot Quartet brought magic, music and merriment to Candy Cane Lane with their unique style of harmony. Peggy Coulter sang lead, Mindy Cassel sang bass, Patti Platt sang baritone, and Eileen Robinson sang tenor – first on the song “Believe”. Then, donning wizard’s capes and grabbing black wands, props and glowing orbs, the quartet performed magic tricks while singing their version of “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”.

A short break was used to announce raffle winners and distribute the prizes and then the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus filed back onstage to perform holiday favorites “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Happy Holidays”. The chorus invited the audience to sing along to “Jingle Bells”, then performed their own “Take a Chance on Me”, and added another audience sing along to “Let There Be Peace”. They ended their holiday show with a “Candy Cane Lane” Reprise and a very special guest appearance by none other than The Man With a Bag himself, Santa Claus.

Speaking with Burton after the show, she said the Chorus had been involved with planning and working on the songs they picked for Candy Cane Lane since June. She added that the members loved performing the show and they were all surprised and pleased with the sizeable turnout. She further noted that the group would be performing songs from the program for other holiday events including the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip event on December 10.

For information or to follow Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ events and activities, visit Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.

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.)

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.

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

Some of us have been ready for Christmas since Thanksgiving. Others, especially those who like to use evergreen Christmas trees or wreaths, ropes and swags, tend to decorate a little later.

That would be me… which is precisely why I was inspired by a Facebook photo of Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis’ owner Abby Diehl and her pup posing in the stand’s Photo Booth to stop by the stand the stand at 921 Chesapeake Avenue in Eastport for a look at the fresh-cut trees and greenery she is selling.

(The wreath behind Diehl was almost exactly like the ones I hang on each side of my front porch door each year.)

Approaching the familiar red and white striped tents of the produce stand from the parking lot of the shopping center, I sensed that I was about to enter a winter wonderland.

Entering, I found that Abby was away on a trip. However, I soon discovered Diehl’s of Annapolis employee Ron Snyder hard at work. He was selecting a metal hanger for a pre-made wreath he was creating along with a wine-colored velvet bow, some pinecones and other ornaments. He welcomed me and noted that shoppers can buy one of the already assembled wreaths or are welcome to select a wreath form from one of the tables and decorate it themselves.

Evergreen wreath forms of different kinds, ropes of pine and stems of holly and magnolia were spread across a number of tables.

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There were crates of bows in various shades of red and maroon, pinecones and other accessories for customers to choose from.

To one side of the tent, past a stand of jams sauces perfect for casual gift giving, was an arrow – an arrow pointing the way to a Photo Booth designed and built by Diehl as an extra bit of fun for shoppers.

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I followed the strawbale-lined path in a circle, ending up at the Photo Booth where I found employee Taylor Gates who was eager to show it off. She also was delighted to talk about what’s it’s been like selling Christmas trees.

“Christmas tree sales have been really brisk. It’s only December 3rd and we’ve already sold half of our inventory,” Gates said.

That wasn’t entirely surprising to hear. Abby Diehl has been selling Christmas trees from her Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis stands for more than a decade. It’s, by now, a tradition in Eastport. Her long experience harks back to the days when she and sister Jennifer Diehl were kids helping their father Doug Diehl sell trees from his Diehl’s Produce stand in Olde Severna Park. Today, Jennifer manages that business and carries on her father’s five-decade practice of selling Christmas trees.

Gates noted that the stand is open from 9 am until 9 pm every day till Christmas or until the trees sell out. For information or directions visit Home | Diehl’s Produce Annapolis (square.site).

Now determined to complete my own outdoor decorating before the weather got any colder, I contemplated what else I needed to do before Christmas. I must buy, address and mail my 2024 holiday cards, finish the Christmas shopping I always manage to start a tad late, wrap gifts, bake lots of Christmas cookies, finish the indoor decorating, and plan a couple of special dinners. But then, there are all those holiday events I want to attend where I’m bound to run into friends. They all sound like fun and seem to be taking place over the next two weeks. I’ll list some of them below

Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber this Friday at 5 pm

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that Severna Park’s annual Community Tree Lighting will take place this Friday, December 6th, from 5 to 6:30 pm in front of the Chamber offices at 1 Holly Avenue. See performances by the Creative Force Dance Center dancers, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, the Edge Dance Complex dancers, the Severna Park High School Jazz Band and the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and ice cream to enjoy and Santa and the Grinch will be on hand too. The Severna Park Model Train Club will be open next door and, not only will the Chamber tree be lit but the historic towering tree nearby will be lit as well, courtesy of Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers. For information, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presentation’ “Candy Cane Lane” this Sunday

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville this Sunday, December 8th beginning at 2 pm. (The doors will open at 1:30.) Themed “Candy Cane Lane”, the program will feature live performances by the Chorus as well as by the Bearfoot, 2nd Star and Moscato Quartets. There will be festive treats available and a special guest appearance by Santa. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for children under five. For information or to purchase tickets, visit Holiday Show 2024 — Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Also on Sunday, Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll

Olde Severna Park’s Holiday Shop & Stroll event will also be held Sunday, December 8th from 4 to 7 pm in the center of town. There will be shopping, live music, vendors, holiday specials, food and drink. Participating will be The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Crepes in the Park, Gallery 564, Nature Junction, Wish List Boutique, Local Coast and others. For information visit Facebook.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Taste & Sip Holiday Event will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music and sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. Great entertainment including two choruses – The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

Severna Park Community Center “Cookies & Cocoa” with Santa Friday, December 13th

The Severna Park Community Center’s Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Holiday Marketplace will take place Friday, December 13 from 5 to 8 pm. Lots of free, festive fun for people of all ages. Pose for Pictures with Santa and meet Special surprise guests. There will be children’s holiday crafts to participate in, holiday vendors for their parents to enjoy, a Moveable Mixtures truck and The Pancake Peeps.

The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center “Nutcracker” at SPHS Dec. 13th

The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center will be presenting “The Nutcracker” at Severna Park High School with a debut performance on Friday, December 13th at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm) and a second matinee performance on Sunday, December 15th at 1 pm (doors open at 12:30 pm). A timeless classic, the enchanting ballet with sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers is the perfect holiday tradition to celebrate with your family. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults with seniors and members of the military free. They may be purchased online by visiting The Nutcracker 2024 – Campaign (spcommunitycenter.org).

Close of Jing Ying Institute’s Silent Auction benefitting Rollin’ Grizlies and Holiday Party on Saturday, December 14th

The official close of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s 31st Silent Auction benefitting a charity, in this case the Rollin’ Grizzlies, takes place at 4 pm on Saturday, December 14th and will be followed by a Holiday Party. The event is free and open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin’ Grizzlies. The organization helps those with spinal cord and lower limb disabilities by giving them the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball. The basketball team provides peer mentorship and support to help individuals adjust to new injuries, develops relationships, helps fund wheelchairs, and more. For additional information visit Jing Ying’s 21st Annual Silent Auction for Charity | 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.)

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.

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

When Dr. Robert Graw, Jr. moved to Davidsonville to start a pediatric practice five decades ago, he had no idea he’d become well-known in agricultural and culinary circles as the founder and owner of three-generation family business Bow Tie Bison Farm.

“When I came out here in 1972 after working at the NIH in Washington, D.C., the Davidsonville area was entirely rural with nothing but farms,” said Graw. “Not only were there no pediatricians, but no doctors with the exception of a family practice or two. One woman who had a practice in Harwood became famous for treating everyone for miles and miles around.”

Upon relocating to Davidsonville, the doctor initially didn’t see any children who could be patients. In fact, the Graws would ride on horseback from Davidsonville to the country store on Route 214 and rarely see anybody.

Fortunately, Graw went to a farm show at the home of Dr. Ben Watkins (the honorary mayor of Davidsonville) and was surprised to see many children there. He asked where the kids normally congregated and was told they were busy working on their family’s farms or were in school.”

About that time, people began telling Graw, “We need a doctor.”

He badly wanted to start his pediatric practice but needed to attract a clientele. While in medical school, he’d heard that, if you wanted to start a practice, you should put a sign in front of your house and people would drive up your driveway to find you. So, with approval from the Medical Surgical Society, he had a sign made up for the end of his farm’s driveway at 2427 Rutland Road off Route 224. It’s still there.

Sure enough, people started driving up the driveway. Dr. Graw and his wife used their living room as a waiting room and a bedroom upstairs as an exam room. Initially, patients were from the local farms. But, as the practice grew, people came from Annapolis, Washington and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Graws had always been interested in animals so they bought a couple of Black Angus cows, Billie and Molly and put them out front. The kids were crazy about them. Subsequently, they bought some different breeds of cows as well as goats and sheep and all kinds of other animals including peacocks and guinea hens. Then, as now, they had lots of litters of pigs.

“We added a wing to the house for the practice and found that, in the exam rooms, the parents had the kids standing on the windowsills looking at the animals,” the doctor said. “We continued the tradition and, about 15 years ago, a fellow who transported our animals when we bought or sent them to market asked if we’d like to own a bison. I said I’d love to.”

After reading all about bison, Graw figured out that they could be raised on his farm. A family on the Eastern Shore who’d had their own bison farm had access to the animals. So, he arranged through them to buy three bison – two females and a male.

“When our bison arrived at the farm, they were wild, truly primitive animals,” he said. “My farm hand Alberto Quintanilla and I had put up special fencing. Our normal fences were 45 inches tall and we’d added another 12 inches of electrified fencing. When the bison were delivered, they literally ran around the farm enclosure for an hour as fast as you can imagine. Alberto and I were bragging about the fences and the man who delivered the bison said, ‘Oh, that fence is not tall enough. They’ll jump a nine-foot fence.'”

The Graw farm started with those three bison and let them breed. Soon, they learned you’re not supposed to crossbreed them with cattle. But they’d already interbred and the Graws ended up with the breed referred to as Beefalo. With a higher fat content than purebred bison, Beefalo meat is reportedly better tasting. Nevertheless, the crossbreds were gradually weeded out.

In time, the farm had more and more bison and fewer cattle. It currently boasts a herd of 100 bison. Quintanilla and Graw have learned how to control the animals very well. There are strong metal fences and the herd is divided among different pens – babies in one, mothers in another, the big bulls in another….

…and mothers and babies that are weaned are allowed to roam the grass pastures.

Currently, Bow Tie Bison Farm manager, Quintanilla feeds the bison beer grain. It’s grain left over from the brewing process and acquired from local breweries that is a valuable source of protein. The herd is also fed high protein mix along with cracked corn and silage from Davidsonville farmer Bob Chase who owns Chase’s Produce…and, of course, they get lots of hay and grass.

In 1989, Dr. Graul’s life took a bit of a turn when he started Nightime Pediatrics which progressed to become Right Time Medical Care with 20 locations. He still maintained the pediatric practice with five offices spread around Anne Arundel County. But the bison and other animals remained a high priority.

“About that time, people would come to us to ask if we’d ever sell a bison or sell the meat. So, Bow Tie Bison Farm was formed and began offering bison meat primarily to local restaurants. Today, there is a long list of restaurants the market regularly supplies.

The name Bow Tie Bison Farm comes from the fact that, as a pediatrician, Graw wore a bow tie so the name was suggested by his granddaughter Maddie during dinner one evening.

Bow Tie Bison sells the bison meat, pork, beef and fresh eggs from animals raised on the farm in a general store they call Boomer’s Market (named after the Graws’ first donkey). The range of prepackaged meats sold there is amazing. A selection of more than 30 cuts of bison ranging from stew meat, ground meat and sausages to steaks and brisket can be viewed and ordered online at bowtie-bison-farm-ranch (bowtiebison.com).

The market is open to the general public on Saturday mornings from 8 am till 12 noon. For most of the year, Boomer’s Market is open on Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm with hayrides and other activities taking place at the same time. However, it’s closed from November through March.

“Everybody loves the concept of having a high protein diet with less fat,” Graw enthuses. “We have young high school and college athletes that come to get the bison meat and, of course, many restaurants buy it and use it in all sorts of imaginative ways from bison stew and bison steaks and burgers to bison chili.”

Getting the bison meat butchered is a complicated, highly regulated process according to Graw. Producers are required to use a USDA butcher shop. Bow Tie Bison uses a couple – one in Pennsylvania and, more recently Haass Family ButcherShop in Delaware.

“They’ll do the butchering for us and then package it the way we want it and also supply bison quarters or halves for those who want them,” he said.

“I’ve loved being a pediatrician,” Graw says, “but raising bison is fun. It’s been wonderful seeing parents and children and grandchildren enjoying all the animals and touring the farm and going for our regular hayrides. There are even school groups.”

Graw’s second oldest son Bill, with 25 years in the restaurant business in California, played a big role in getting the farm and market operations started and running from day to day. His main focus currently is to breed and raise the bison on an all-natural diet. Graw’s granddaughter Mary and husband Chris Chase are responsible for Business Development working with restaurants and breweries throughout Maryland.

They are ably assisted by Delia Phibbons in Administration and, of course, Alberto Quintanilla, “the animal whisperer” as Farm Manager.

Graw tells us that the bison absolutely love the winter. They’re outdoor animals who have shelters but they don’t often go inside. On the plains, when it snows they’ll stand facing a snowstorm. In the summer, they like to roll around in the dirt to remove insects and then lie in the cooling mud.

After Graw sold his medical business (Right Time) he had time on his hands. His wife asked him what he’d like to do. He immediately answered “Bison”. However, he wanted to have a ranch. So, the Graws moved to a ranch in Colorado that he loves. They are raising Red Angus Cattle there with the help of five cowboys while maintaining the bison farm in Maryland. They’ll be heading back to the farm in December to stay for a bit and enjoy the family, the land, the bison and the other animals. Then they’ll return to the ranch in Colorado.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presents “Candy Cane Lane” on Sunday, December 8th

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville on Sunday, December 8th beginning at 2 pm. (The doors will open at 1:30.) Themed “Candy Cane Lane”, the program will feature live performances by the Chorus as well as by the Bearfoot, 2nd Star and Moscato Quartets. There will be festive treats available and a special guest appearance by Santa. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for children under five. For information or to purchase tickets, visit Holiday Show 2024 — Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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.)

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.

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

It was December 2, 2016 and the Community Tree Lighting and Open House was in full swing at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce. At the town’s historic railroad station next door families were already lining up to visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s train display.

Bagpiper Michael Binney, who’d entertained the crowd earlier, was still wearing his Scottish kilt as he viewed the club’s impressive train layout with wife Julie and children Peter, Andrew, Emily and Aiden.

Katie Kanas ducked beneath the “Baltimore Truss Bridge” with daughters Maisie and Josie to enter the layout. The girls were fascinated as they followed speeding locomotives down the tracks of the mythical Chesapeake and Allegheny Railroad over mountains, through tunnels and past farms, steelworks and cityscapes. Exiting beneath the same bridge as trains raced overhead, Katie asked railroad club members Sam Shepherd and Hal Holton about the group’s history.

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The model railroad club was founded in 1964 at Severna Park’s Depot Hobby Shop where it immediately constructed a layout. But the club rapidly outgrew the space. Fortunately, the Severna Park Railroad Station, built in 1929, became available following a stint as the town library. The club moved into the building late in 1964 and have occupied it ever since. They’ve constantly upgraded the display which they share with the public during their open houses. At first, the open houses were held in the spring and at Christmas but have since been held more frequently.

Severna Park homeowner Lindy Lammens-Anderkin, who attended one of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s regular Thursday night meetings recently, contacted us to say that this year the model railroad club will be holding open houses on weekends throughout December. She also alerted us to the fact that the club may no longer be able to stay in the building they have occupied for 60 years.

By now, after six decades of continuous operation, the model railroad club is a community tradition. Generations of local children, including my own, have visited the train layout and some nowadays bring their children or even their grandchildren. The idea that it could close was a subject I felt worth exploring. Thus, I spoke at length with club member Tyler Noland.

Noland first noted that the train layout has basically remained the same as when it was created in 1964. However, there have been considerable changes to the electrical controls.

“Those have been completely redone – a major overhaul from the old analog controls to a modern digital system. In fact, the conversion is still ongoing,” he said.

When asked if Lammens-Anderkin’s comment that the club might not be able to stay in the building for much longer was accurate, Noland answered that her statement was true.

“Our future is very uncertain,” he said. “Owners of the building are the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association – a community association. The president and some board members said they wanted to do something different with the building. They put out a survey to their members asking what they’d like to do with the club. Apparently, 50% said to leave it alone and 50% would like to see it used for something else. But, when asked for suggestions about what that might be, no one had a single suggestion.”

According to Noland, the Improvement Association bylaws say the building cannot be rented or sold for profit…but bylaws could possibly be changed.

“If we get kicked out, we’d have to take saws to the layout, and it would never go back together again which would be sad,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in that layout which is original to the club’s beginning but has been modified over the years.”

Noland and the other members believe that the Improvement Association members think the Severna Park Model Train Club only benefits one community – Severna Park. But he emphasized that’s not the case. The club attracts members from Baltimore, Southern Maryland, and Western Maryland and visitors and train aficionados from as far away as Germany. The holiday open houses alone attract visitors from Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Crownsville, Pasadena, Baltimore and farther afield. Being located along the B&A Trail is a tremendous blessing as club members frequently keep the doors open in mild weather so folks can wander in. Unfortunately. the building is poorly insulated so it’s too cold to keep the doors open in the winter.

Much like the gentleman wearing the Quebec hat and his daughter in the photograph below that I took during an open house 2011, people very much appreciate the opportunity to see the trains. (It’s similar to the pilgrimage made by many to see the Homestead Davidsonville train layout at Christmas.) For some, it’s a reminiscent of their childhoods when they may have had trains of their own. For others, it’s simply a wonderful novelty.

At present the club has about 25 members who meet once a week and keep the layout and equipment in tip top condition. Each time the trains are operated, at a meeting or open house, the members supply locomotives from their own collections, so the rolling stock is different from one time to the next. Up to five trains may be run at once- three on the lengthy main line and another two on smaller branch lines.

Members originally held their open houses twice a year in the spring and during the holidays but have since expanded them. The club is now open more frequently – especially during mild weather as mentioned before. The heaviest attendance is usually on holidays like Independence Day or during the Christmas season.

As noted, the club will be hosting Holiday Open Houses each weekend through December and, of course, will be open during the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Community Tree Lighting on December 6. From the moment the chamber moved into their headquarters at 1 Holly Avenue and former Chamber CEO Linda Zahn started the community tree lightings, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club has been open and an amazing draw. Last year when the photo below was taken, the club was highlighted by the chamber’s “big tree”. (The illumination was provided by Pasadena-based Maryland Lighting & Sprinklers.)

The holiday weekend open houses generally go from 1 to 3 pm but there may be changes. To keep abreast of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s Open House Schedule, you can follow them on their Facebook page.

Local Merchants’ Black Friday and Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” on November 29 plus Small Business Saturday on November 30.

Just a reminder that next week’s Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when stores along Ritchie Highway in Arnold and Severna Park and at Park Plaza are busy and bound to offer some deals. The day after Thanksgiving is also Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” with The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Dawson’s Liquors and other shops along B&A Boulevard starting the holiday shopping season with a bang. And don’t forget Small Business Saturday when Severna Park’s small independent businesses offer special discounts. Be sure to #SHOPLOCAL for the holidays.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced that its annual Holiday Taste & Sip will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music where you can sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

The Talent Machine Company Holiday Show kicks off on December 13th

The 2024 Talent Machine Company Holiday Show, “A Jolly Holiday” will open on December 13th and run through December 23rd at Indian Creek School at 1130 Anne Chambers Way in Crownsville. Talent Machine Company holiday shows are a perennial favorite.

Media representative Kim O’Brien said this year’s show promises an array of colorful costumes and spectacular performances, featuring traditional holiday favorites and contemporary pieces. The show includes a talented cast of performers ages 7 to 18 from Anne Arundel County and the surrounding region.

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Attending a performance of “A Jolly Holiday” is a perfect way for the entire family to celebrate the season together. To learn more visit Talent Machine. Tickets are available at www.talentmachine.com or https://tinyurl.com/aha3dxrj.

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.)

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.

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

As the holiday season moves into full swing, budget concerns are an issue for most families. In a national survey conducted by Ziff Davis Shopping, 50% of respondents indicated they are still concerned about rising prices, while 39% said budget constraints will likely add to their holiday stress.

Fortunately, the greater Severna Park area offers many opportunities to find affordable gifts – from local retailers’ Black Friday sales to a slew of church holiday bazaars about to begin. Probably the best known of the latter is the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Holiday Bazaar that has been held for nearly eight decades and is something of a neighborhood tradition. This year’s Bazaar is being held next Saturday, November 23rd, from 9 am till 1 pm. As always, the community is invited.

Hosted by the church’s Mission Ministry, the bazaar will delight holiday shoppers with a wide range of handmade knitted items, quilts from the renowned Woods Quilters, homemade baked goods, sweets and candy and, of course, a White Elephant Sale. There will be jewelry, books and children’s books, walnuts and pecans and an abundance holiday greens and arrangements.

When we arrived at the church library last Thursday to meet with bazaar committee co-chairs Beth Hadley and Pam Blumenthal, donations for the event were already coming in. Several items representative of the Woods Quilters donations were displayed on a table in the church library (as seen in the photo above).

Collectibles donated for the bazaar included several vintage lamps like the one on the table and several paintings by the late Nancy Lou Saarlas, a church member and well-known artist who led the creation of the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Art Gallery.

“One of the things we want to emphasize this year is that we are turning the entire main hallway into an area that is fun for young families with children,” Hadley said. “We’ve always held our Secret Santa Shop in the library where kids can economically shop for gifts for their parents on their own. This time we’re expanding holiday activities beyond it with a storyteller midway down the hall and Santa waiting at the end.”

Blumenthal added that there will be a big jar full of candy there that is the focus of a contest. The kids must guess how many pieces of candy the jar contains with a first, second and third place prize awarded to the children closest to the mark. The hallway will also be the location for a stand selling lemon-peppermint sticks.

Other popular traditions include the Woods Knitters table with their much sought after knit hats and the bazaar’s famous candy table. In fact, according to Hadley and Blumenthal, candy making was already underway with church member Karen Royer heading the volunteers who were preparing batches and batches of fudge and Buckeyes.

Equally beloved is Woods’ tradition of serving lunch which will begin this year at 10:30 am. They’ll be serving homemade chicken noodle soup, hot dogs, vegetarian Chili and church members’ all-time favorite chicken salad made by “renowned chicken salad chef” Carolyn.

For the first time, homemade jams will be for sale. They were donated by a church member who made 61 jars of jam in a variety of flavors. There is much more, including a Silent Auction for which there has been a donation of a Lionel Train Set. Blumenthal notes that this year, in addition to regular items, the Silent Auction will have gift cards to bid on.

For more information about the 2024 Holiday Bazaar, visit Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org).

CottonWood in the Park debuts in time for the holidays

It’s likely that no one is happier about the opening of Julie and D.J. Antinucci’s CottonWood in the Park than members of the Woods Quilters group mentioned above…but we love it too.

We’d first discovered Julie, D.J. and CottonWood in the Park when we came across their table at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce SHOPTOBERFEST at Park Plaza. The lettering on the van noted that CottonWood was a Quilting, Arts and Antique shop.

That brief encounter whetted our appetite to visit the store which we discovered was located off Benfield Road next to the Szechuan Inn. Imagine our surprise when we walked up to the shop, walked through the door to meet Julie and discovered an absolute treasure trove of colorful fabrics, antique quilts and vintage and antique furnishings.

Before having Antinucci show us around the shop, we sat down with her for a chat. We asked her if CottonWood in the Park was the outgrowth of a previous business or a brand new idea.

“It’s something brand new that my husband D.J. and I had been thinking about for a long time,” she said. “We met at Severna Park High School and started dating when I was fourteen years old. His parents were antiquers. We were very close to his parents from the moment we started dating so we went antiquing with them every weekend as we were, literally, growing up. That’s how the antiquing aspect of what we’re doing came about.”

She added that later, when she had her first child, her best friend’s mother Nancy Wiswall taught her how to quilt. Quilting quickly became a passion for her.

“Through the 25 years since we were married, we’d often thought about the concept of an antique/quilt shop…. and then JoAnn’s at Park Plaza closed,” Antinucci said. “We thought, ‘What else will the community need? Craft and art supplies?’ We paused for a few moments to think about it, then said, ‘Let’s do it!’ and put things into high gear.”

The couple and been collecting antiques and quilts over all those years but when they decided to open the store, they started to “really collect”. They began with one storage unit, quickly filled a second and then another until they had their space at 548 Benfield Road. They now have over 300 antique quilts and great Early American and mid-century modern antique furniture.

Asked if it was easy to acquire those quilts, Antinucci said when they are looking for antiques, they are also looking for antique quilts.

“We find them at auctions, we find them at stores, and we also bought the collections of two Maryland quilters,” she said. “Some of those in the collections are vintage and some are antiques. Vintage quilts are 50 to 100 years old while antique quilts are over 100 years old.”

As we walked through the store, she pointed out different sections and items she really loves starting with a children’s area featuring antique toys and a newly arrived handmade doll house by a local craftsperson.

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One part of CottonWood in the Park is dedicated to mid-century modern items including a lot of vintage Pyrex dishes and an aqua blue chair perched on a table and surrounded by artwork and quilts.

In the same area of the store, Antinucci pointed to some cool vintage jewelry and several collections of pins. One of the collections featured pins from Elvis and Beetles concerts. Others were from the concerts of other popular musical groups from the same era.

A favorite antique, a Danish chest built in 1816, is the oldest piece the Antinucci’s currently have in the store. There were also a couple of handsome China cabinets which are back in vogue now and other fine pieces. However, CottonWood in the Park has a decidedly practical side too.

Though located off the beaten track, the couple is certain that Severna Park residents who quilt or sew or craft will find CottonWood since they carry every item one might need. From fabrics to arts and craft supplies to embroidery threads and knitting yarn, they have everything.

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Walls of fabrics plus fabric and quilt batting are available and employees like Kelsea Schwemer are happy to help customers. There is also a Makers Table where Jennifer and Megan McCaskey were busy with craft projects. The table is available for others who want to work on a craft, sewing or quilting project.

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There is so much more to see, but the last thing we saw that impressed us is the classroom at Cottonwood in the Park with tables and chairs and sewing machines where quilting classes will be held.

Whether you are looking for a unique holiday gift, or like Wood Quilter Liz Pringle, miss running to JoAnn’s at Park Plaza nearly every day for an item you need, check out CottonWood in the Park. You can follow them on their Facebook page at Facebook.

Annual Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber happening December 6

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that Severna Park’s annual Community Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, December 6, from 5 to 6:30 pm. See performances by Creative Force Dance Center dancers, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, the Edge Dance Complex dancers and the Severna Park High School Jazz Band. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and ice cream to enjoy and Santa and the Grinch will be on hand too. The Severna Park Model Train Club will be open next door and, not only will the Chamber tree be lit but the historic towering tree nearby will be lit as well, courtesy of Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers.

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.)

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.