sharonleestable.com

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 days are getting shorter and the weather is cooler, but our gardens are still producing cool weather crops. Dahlias, chrysanthemums and other late season flowers brighten our yards along with orange pumpkins and swags of ornamental corn.

But there is lots of beauty still to be had as Anne Arundel County Farm, Lawn and Garden Center holds its annual Fall Finale this Saturday, October 24th from 8 am to 6 pm. The garden center is looking gorgeous for the occasion with hundreds of pumpkins, squash and gourds to browse and row upon row of mums in a rainbow of colors. All garden center plants, flowers and products will be on sale and there will be free hot dogs and soda, free raffles, face painting and gifts for kids.

The decorative photo booth seen in the opening photo was created by Anne Arundel Farm, Lawn and Garden employees as a perfect backdrop for selfies.

Daisies and chrysanthemums in shades ranging from bright yellow, rust and wine to cream, salmon and pink stretch the length of the nursery area. Most are just-in-bloom or about-to- bloom so they will last for weeks.

Venturing inside the store, we learned from clerks at the checkout counter that, for the Fall Finale, sale prices will prevail for all merchandise. Early Bird Specials, from 8 am to 9 am, will see 15% off all items. From 9 am to 6 pm prices will be 10% off all items.

We noticed that indoor merchandise is tilted toward cooler temperatures with items like straw for protecting outdoor plants and bushes. There is kindling and firewood, and items like suet for birds. For gardeners wishing to enrich their soil there is seed for sewing cover crops. There are also bales of straw for protecting plants.

We were surprised to see by the store’s entrance crates of apples from Baugher’s Orchards in Westminster on sale for $1.00 per pound.

In a bow to Halloween, there’s a creepy panhandler by the entrance beneath the BEWARE sign. Lots of fun for everyone.

For more information on the Fall Finale, visit Facebook.

Oliver Brewing Company to open next month in Millersville

Spotting the sign in front of the partially completed complex on Jumper’s Hole Road in Millersville, touting the future home of Oliver Brewing Company, local residents have been burning with curiosity about when the much-awaited company would be opening.

We reached out to 206 Restaurant Group partner Justin Dvorkin for an update.

“We are shooting for mid-late November for our opening at Oliver Brewing Company,” Dvorkin said. “We plan to start hiring in the upcoming weeks and that will help us determine a more exact date. We are so excited to be a part of this community and finally get our doors open.”

Dvorkin said construction is already completed on the building on the end painted charcoal grey that houses the brewery’s corporate offices.

“Since the Center Lane Swim School bowed out of the project, the Oliver Brewing Company’s brewery and restaurant will occupy three fourths of the remaining portion of the building painted white,” Dvorkin added. “Construction is progressing apace.”

We look forward to opening day.

Hatton-Regester Green water feature is getting a facelift

A recent visit to Hatton-Regester Green began as a pleasant walk through the lovely park following the winding path as usual. In the distance, we noticed something orange. Since we hadn’t stopped by the green in quite a while, we were curious as we approached the area.

Imagine our shock as we realized what we were seeing was the goldfish pond cared for years by the Moonflower Garden Club. The sight and the sign explaining what happened to the pond astonished us.

On closer examination, the sign posted on the fencing spelled out exactly what happened.

Unfortunately, the vandalism of the pond was so severe it cannot be repaired. We learned from the most recent newsletter from the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails that the group is working with Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks to upgrade and redesign the water feature.

The Friends’ newsletter further noted that the pond at Hatton-Regester Green has been maintained through the dedicated labor of many volunteers over the years. Regular pond maintenance takes a lot of work and pumps, liners, and structures need to be updated.

We appreciated that the newsletter included a brief history of the Hatton-Regester Green and those who made it possible.

“In the mid 1990’s Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails Board members, Richard McIntyre and Elizabeth Wyble, put their heads together to change the overgrown area adjacent to the B & A trail in central Severna Park to the beautiful garden area now known as Hatton-Regester Green.

McIntyre worked on the design of 4 designated areas and Wyble approached the Hollyberry, Moonflower and Severn River Garden Clubs as well as Severna Flowers to help plant and maintain these areas. Plans, permits, grading, and digging finally culminated in planting in late 1998 with manpower also provided by the Severn River Rugby Club.

Hatton-Regester Green was dedicated in May of 1999 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Over 25 years later this area continues to be an area of respite and beauty. A new path, Vietnam memorial, and stage area have been updated and the water feature will be restored in the near future.”

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 holds 3 morning tai chi classes at the Severna Park Community Center, as well as a mid-day homeschool kung fu class. Evening & Saturday morning tai chi & kung fu classes are located at the Magnolia Collective, behind the Donut Shack. Go to www.JingYing.org for a list of their classes and locations. 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.

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

Seated at a table at Tom Caraker Plaza, Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (Bike AAA) president Jon Korin was enthusiastic as he noted the progress the organization has made promoting safe cycling for transportation, recreation and fitness since being launched as a Leadership Anne Arundel project in 2013.

With cyclists’ safety an overarching goal, Bike AAA has created many beneficial programs and initiatives or partnered with other organizations and agencies to make them happen. A simple but especially effective initiative was the creation of three Children’s Bike Safety Parks at Lindale Middle School in Linthicum Heights, Seven Oaks Community Bike Park in Odenton, and Bacontown Park in Laurel.

In fact, following our meeting, Korin would be heading to Lindale Middle School to officiate at a “bike rodeo”.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of riders of every age is important though. At the urging of Bike AAA and the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails, Bicycle Repair Stations and pumps have been installed on the B&A Trail at the Ranger Station and at Jones Station Road. In fact, there is now at least one repair station on every major Anne Arundel County trail.

One of Jon Korin’s favorite projects is Bike AAA’s long-standing Wheels of Hope Bike Refurbishment Program based at Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park.

“Our volunteers collect donated bikes and service them after which they are given to children or adults who need them along with a helmet, bike lock and light,” he said. “Many of our adult bikes are given to people in substance recovery programs because transportation is a huge problem for them since they can’t drive to get to a job interview or to work or a meeting. They rely on bikes.”

A much newer but very popular program, according to Korin, is Cycling Without Age founded by Sandy Bishop. Now in its fourth year of operation, Cycling Without Age provides rides for seniors with mobility limitations or dementia patients and generally uses the B &A Trail. (From pick-up to drop off the rides last an hour and the passengers love it.)

The program uses three adaptive trishaw bikes that have seats in front with good visibility for passengers while a pilot operates the bike from the back. All the pilots are Bike AAA volunteers.

As president of Bike AAA and chair of the Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission, Korin says the most important goal by far has been the creation and expansion of the Anne Arundel Trail Network.

With the completion in 1990 of the county’s first rail-to-trail project, the 13.3 mile B&A Trail following the route of the former Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad from Glen Burnie to Annapolis, the desire for a system of connected trails was born.

Recognized as a “destination trail”, the B&A Trail was immensely popular from the outset.

“Before moving to Severna Park, the B&A Trail was definitely a destination for my wife and I. We’d drive over here, park and ride our bikes to Annapolis for a crab cake lunch and ride back,” Korin said.

“The B&A Trail remains incredibly popular and is now part of the East Coast Greenway and American Discovery Trail. It has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.”

The Bike AAA president added that he believed its popularity was based, in part, on being next to Tom Caraker Plaza where we were sitting that backs on shops like Crepe’s in the Park, The Big Bean, Jenos Steaks, and The Froyo House frozen yogurt. It’s the only county trail that has anything like it.”

The major trails that followed beginning in 1992 included the WB&A Trail built over the old Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and the BWI Trail encircling BWI Marshall Airport. The recently completed Broadneck Peninsula Trail along with the partially completed South Shore Trail in Odenton add to the trail network. As can be seen from the Anne Arundel Trail Network map below, the major trails almost connect with each other but there are gaps.

Korin would ideally like to see the Broadneck Trail extended all the way into Sandy Point State Park ending on the beach and providing cyclists the opportunity to see the Chesapeake Bay.

The just completed South Shore Trail Phase 2 connects with the WB&A Trail at Odenton.
The 13-mile WB&A Trail extends from Odenton to and across the Patuxent River and ultimately to Lanham in Prince George’s County.

Working in conjunction with Recreation and Parks | Anne Arundel County Government and the Maryland State Highway Administration, Bike AAA looks to fill the remaining gaps including extending the South Shore Trail to Annapolis.

Bike AAA is also strongly advocating for a separated bicycling and walking path across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Replacement.

With bike safety a pressing issue on not only the roadways but on the county trails, Bike AAA, the Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission and Recreation and Parks are confronting new challenge – what to do about E-Bikes.

As you can see from the opening photo, when I arrived to meet Jon Korin, he’d been pouring over a hot-off-the-presses brochure from Anne Arundel County Police explaining the differences between E-Bikes, E-Scooters and E-Motos and the legality of each. Handing one across the table to me, he explained that E-Bikes and E-Motos are the biggest challenges faced by the network of Anne Arundel County trails at present.

Korin explained that E-Bikes are bicycles equipped with operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. There are three classes and all are “pedal assist only” except for Class 2 which allow throttle speed up to 20mph. They are legal on the trails. E-Scooters are two-wheeled devices with handlebars, a floorboard for standing and an electric motor.

As we spoke, we saw rider on a road bike followed by a rider on what was likely a Class 3 E-Bike.

E-Scooters are 20 mph maximum on level ground and, though a helmet is required for riders under 16, they are allowed on Anne Arundel County trails. There are dangers involved if two people are riding them or if they are engaged in reckless behavior.

E-Motos are electric motorcycles or mopeds which exceed the power and
20 mph throttle speed limits of E-Bikes. A valid license, registration and insurance are required to ride them. They are not permitted on the trails. But there’s a big problem. They are often marketed deceptively as electric bikes. Nevertheless, they are often seen on the trails.

We spotted an Ouxi V8 parked at the end of Tom Caraker Plaza. It’s hard to tell, but we believed it to be an E-Bike.

According to Korin, enforcing the laws for E-Moto use on the trails is an important but very difficult issue. Users can enter or depart the trails at any given point, and the police are limited in what they can do. However, the problem is being worked on now.

Meantime, Bike AAA continues to encourage county residents of all ages to cycle the Anne Arundel County trails for transportation, recreation and fitness.

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. Jing Ying also offers a homeschool Kung Fu program this fall. 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.

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

St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School began its 70th year as students arrived back on campus on September 2nd. With classes in session, all was quiet as we arrived on September 11th for a conversation with new Head of School, Dr. Tracy Bonday.

Arriving a bit early, we were met by the school’s Development Director Christina Hanson and given a tour of the classrooms starting in the Pre-K and Kindergarten areas and the elementary school. We paused for a bit to watch second-grade teacher Julie Bacot lead her class through a discussion about how the earth’s continents were formed millions of years ago.

Directing the children’s attention to a map on the wall, she named the present-day continents including North America.

“We’ll also learn about what it was like millions of years ago when all seven continents were connected,” Bacot told them. “

What was the connected body of land called?” she asked. “It was Pangea,” she said as she held up a map picturing the supercontinent.

As we took our leave, the teacher was explaining how the continents broke apart and became separated by the oceans.

Back at the administrative offices, we met Dr. Bonday who told us she was learning about the history of the school in honor of its 70th Anniversary using a book written by Donna Weingarten 10 years ago. She said she particularly enjoyed reading about the directors who came before her, several of whom we’d met.

Before there was a school, St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Parish was created in 1954 with church services held at Severn School by founding rector the Rev. Lewis Owens Heck. By November of that year, construction was started on the original St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church. The lovely brick structure was completed in June of 1955. (It still exists and was renamed Heck Hall after a new church building was completed in 1989.)

St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School began in 1957 as a nursery and kindergarten in the church’s newly completed rectory with Betty McNulty as its director and 31 children. In 1961 Elizabeth Windsor, who’d been one of the kindergarten teachers, became principal and remained in the role until 1977. Carol Hjortsberg succeeded Windsor and served as the school’s director through 1986. As enrollments grew, Hjortsberg increased the staff. During her last year, she hired Sharon Holsclaw who began a 25-year career at St. Martin’s as a kindergarten teacher.

Miriam Nocar served next as director followed by Jane Spohn. In 1995, Sharon Holsclaw was elevated from teaching kindergarten to serving as Head of School – a position she held for the next 16 years.

Holsclaw was the first Head of School we knew. Under her leadership, the elementary school was established in 1999, transforming the institution from a nursery and kindergarten-only program to a full-fledged Episcopalian day school for children in first through sixth grade. In 2001, in response to parents’ desire to add an eighth and ninth grade, Holsclaw oversaw the establishment of a middle school in 2004. Without actual space for a middle school, she utilized a modular system for classrooms that remained in use until the construction of the new Learning Center in 2019.

We had the honor of interviewing Holsclaw for a Capital Gazette newspaper article on the occasion of her retirement in June of 2011. The recipient of many honors, she received a standing ovation as she made her way down the center aisle of the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church sanctuary following her retirement ceremony.

At a reception afterward, memories flooded back. Then Board of Trustees president Frank Hilton recalled the first day he “laid eyes on Sharon”.

“I’d driven my grandson to preschool for the first time and there Sharon was, greeting him with a welcoming smile and a big hug as she did for every child,” he said.

Holsclaw was a hard act to follow, but Margaret Moore stepped in as Interim Head until the surprisingly young Canadian native, the Rev. Dr. Frank Sawyer was appointed Head of School in 2012. Rev. Sawyer completed the final stage of a multi-year process leading to St. Martin’s in-the-Field’s accreditation in 2013, the same year Sawyer became a United States citizen.

On September 22, 2014, “Java with Jamey”, an early morning coffee at St. Martin’s provided parents the perfect opportunity to meet Jamey Hein, the amiable new Head of School. It was the first of a series of informal coffees the talented young headmaster would hold in order to become better acquainted with parents.

Hein would remain Head of School for the next seven years bringing to fruition the school’s dream of building a middle school joined to the existing classrooms in St. Martin’s Parish Hall. He oversaw the planning, financing and permitting related to the construction of the building that would be known as the Learning Center and started a capital campaign to raise the necessary funds. With construction of the Learning Center complete near the end of 2019, middle school students were able to move from the modules into their new classrooms on December 2nd. The building’s dedication followed on December 5th.

Following the end of Hein’s tenure in 2020, interim Heads of School including Charlie Sachs, Tony Shaffer and Kathleen Mahar would lead the student body until the arrival of new Head of School, Dr. Tracy Bonday in August.

Dr. Bonday clearly enjoys being at St. Martin’s in-the-Field. We asked her about the pathway that led her here.

“This is my 28th year in education. I’ve worked all over the country,” she said.

Bonday had 15 years working in Catholic education that included being Superintendent for the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa overseeing 17 schools with a student population of 6,500. She moved on to an independent school called Ursuline Academy in New Orleans – the first all-girls Catholic school started in the United States in 1727 – serving there for two years through the COVID lockdowns.

Dr. Bonday moved on to become Head of the Upper School at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida – her first Episcopalian school.

“While there, I fell in love with the mission of Episcopal schools which is involved with making sure there is inclusivity in the environment and recognizing the value of every individual,” Bonday said. “Those core values radiated for me and, therefore, it became important for me to find another opportunity in an Episcopalian school.”

“St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School held those same values and seemed a perfect fit for me,” she added. “It was especially attractive since my daughter, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who, after serving in the Navy, came back to work at the Academy, is here. And my older daughter, a UVA grad, teaches high school math in Richmond, Va. and is the mother of my 2-year-old granddaughter.”

Asked what she likes best about St. Martin’s so far, she cites the fact that, though evolving over time, she can see that some of the school’s earliest traditions are still important. She’s already seeing the kids taking active leadership roles in various activities from church sanctuary services to the school’s traditional Mustang Rally assemblies. And, of course, she’s enjoying being involved with the ongoing planning for the 70th Anniversary Gala which will take place at Navy Marine Corps Stadium.

Around the Park Again looks forward to following Dr. Bonday’s tenure at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School.

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. Jing Ying also offers a homeschool Kung Fu program this fall. 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.

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

Chatting with Magothy River Association president Paul Spadaro about the organization’s upcoming 80th Anniversary Celebration on September 20th, we asked him about its beginnings.

“Right after the Second World War in 1946, the Navy got the idea that they wanted to build a naval air station on Cape St. Claire. For a seaplane base, it seemed like an ideal spot with the Naval Academy nearby…but the residents didn’t want to hear that,” said Spadaro. “So, the residents organized, took on the government and prevailed. That organization became the Magothy River Association (MRA).”

The Association has continued its long history of opposing and preventing commercial interests that threatened the watershed.

From the outset, MRA has been a traditional all-volunteer organization which Spadaro feels has contributed to its success. During the 30 years he’s been president, he’s made it a priority to seek out volunteers who are professionals and follow the directions in which those volunteers lead him.”

Recently, he read MRA’s letters of incorporation and discovered that members’ number one issue at the time was fishing.

“Looking back, I’ve observed that many of MRA’s environmental efforts have, indeed, been centered on fishing – from our multi-year Yellow Perch Project to our current Seining Project using large nets to determine the various species of fish in the river.”

We first learned about MRA’s Yellow Perch Project while talking with Spadaro and MRA volunteer Lise Crafton who’d been attending a meeting at The Big Bean in February of 2024. Crafton normally works with MRA’s SAV and water monitoring programs but was then working with Spadaro to monitor the yellow perch spawn.

“The Yellow Perch Project, one of our most important initiatives, came about through our partnership with Anne Arundel Community College. Having seen the Magothy’s yellow perch population decrease during the 1970’s, we were originally going to collaborate with AACC to restock the fish,” Spadaro said. “But the college students came up with an interesting concept. Instead of buying fish to stock the river, they took yellow perch from the Sassafras River, spawned them in Magothy River water, and then transported them to Lake Waterford where they were set free. ”

Because the yellow perch is one of those salmon type fish that go back to the waters in which they were born, the project succeeded and perch you see in the river today are direct descendants of them.”

Between their more notable initiatives, MRA’s president and volunteers came up with a multitude of successful projects including inventing new games based on the Magothy and launching the Magothy River Water Trail.

MRA has also made several award-winning films about local history, sharing them with the public through YouTube. One of them is about Mt. Misery, a peak that overlooks Round Bay and is designated a Critical Area. Mt. Misery is historically significant as it was the sight of a Union fortification during the Civil War. The fort was later used as a camp for local Boy Scout Troops. (The MRA was unsuccessful in its battle to prevent the building of a private residence on the site.)

An especially important project the Magothy River Association participated in was Master Watershed Steward and Berrywood Restoration Project Leader Molly LaChapelle’s massive effort to restore Cattail Creek to its original state after six years of hard work and persistence on Earth Day 2019.

Spread out along the banks of the creek, over 130 volunteers worked side by side that day to plant 1,000 trees, shrubs and plants. It was the last step in a three-stage construction effort by Annapolis-based Underwood & Associates that began with the creation of a regenerative stream channel that required raising the stream bed to increase flood plain connectivity and creating multiple weirs to slow down stream flow and reduce erosion.

The volunteers included 88 adults and children from Berrywood, the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards, Magothy River Association members, Bay Wise Master Gardeners, members of Girl Scout Troop 10294 and Boy Scout Troop 99, DNR representatives, and county and state government officials.

An ongoing MRA project partnering with the PEARL Foundation and Morgan State University began as a study on fish but shifted to raising oysters on a reef off Dobbins Island. The university students are currently working on developing a low salinity reproducing oyster which is something needed for sustaining a population in the Magothy.

“Our river’s salinity is not ideal for the Virginia type of oyster currently grown here,” Spadaro said. “Our divers have documented that our oysters survive for several years filtering water, but their lifespan is relatively short. They need to reproduce in numbers that are self-sustaining but, at present, we have to fundraise to buy oysters to replace the population.”

We’ve mentioned just a few of the MRA’s many efforts focused on preserving the Magothy River and its watershed. As the organization celebrates its 80th birthday and moves forward, its president points out that the Magothy River Association is one of the last organizations made up entirely of volunteers.

“I hope we’ll continue to be an all-volunteer organization for the next 80 years as it brings a different perspective to what we do,” said Spadaro. “People are more dedicated. For instance, we’ve always had a very robust dive program over the years which appeals to a lot of the membership. At present, they’re involved in a project called Shipwrecks of the Magothy. The diversity of our projects continues to attract youth to become involved with the river, the Magothy watershed and the MRA.”

The organization’s participation in community events is well-known and widespread. The latest example was the appearance of the “Magothy Queen” float in Severna Park’s Independence Day Parade celebrating America’s 250th birthday with Paul Spadaro at the helm.

Lastly, as the Magothy River Association celebrates its volunteers’ long history of opposing and preventing commercial interests that threaten the watershed, Spadaro feels certain they will continue just as forcefully into the future. Observing that MRA volunteers have managed to defeat plans for several major marinas to be constructed along the river, he cited an important win from the past.

“For many years, there was an amusement park called Mago Vista in Arnold,” he said. “In the 1980’s, there was a plan to tear it all down and build a 1,000-slip marina. The MRA said no and fought it. They won. If it had gone through, the area would be entirely different.” 

“Communities that push back win back. Every inch of county code has been compromised by development. Sadly, we haven’t fought back as much as we should have but, hopefully, we’ll continue. It’s never one and done.”

The Magothy River Association is holding a Happy 80th Birthday Party to which the public is invited on Sunday, September 20th from 3 to 6 pm. Tickets are still available. To order them, visit 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. Jing Ying also offers a homeschool Kung Fu program this fall. 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.

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

Late summer days are worrisome times for SPAN, Inc.’s Operations Director Maia Grabau and Development Director Michelle Sabean.

“Summers are the lowest times for donations to our food pantry but hunger does not take a vacation”, said Sabean. “Last summer was the worst but this year’s supply of non-perishable pantry items is nearly depleted as well. But people come here constantly throughout the year to ask for help.”

Facing nearly empty shelves by the end of August, she put out Facebook and Instagram posts with images of those shelves and asking followers for donations of canned vegetables, canned meat, rice, potatoes, Hamburger and Tuna Helper, oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup as well as basic toiletries, laundry detergent and dish soap.

Even as the posts were going out, Sabean and Grabau were grateful when a generous donation of boxes and bags filled with canned meats and beans and dry goods collected by Severna Park Cub Scout Pack 858 was dropped off.

Both women observed that, when autumn arrives, the flow of donations increases. Once schools are back in session and organizations back to their regular schedules, food drives pick up. So, by the end of September or early October, donations are arriving daily and continue to do so through March.

Sabean, who keeps the records, observed that, for the year that ended June 30th, SPAN helped 700 families with food.

“We averaged helping 60 families a month whereas the year before, we’d averaged more like 50 families a month,” she said.

Financial assistance requests from clients for the year ending June 30th remained at a substantial level. However, SPAN’s finances were much improved by the success of the 6th annual concert produced by actress and singer Hankins-O’Connell. Conceived as a way to give back to the community she grew up in, this year’s Broadway Songfest and Silent Auction created and performed by Hankins-O’Connell along with pianist and singer Anita O’Connor was held on June 7th at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Parish Hall.

The event drew well and, as always, 100% of the net proceeds from the concert and silent auction were donated to SPAN.

Sabean and Grabau are already gearing up for their organization’s 14th Annual Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run which will take place Saturday, November 7th at Kinder Farm Park.

“This is our biggest event,” said Sabean. “This is our 14th year and we feel fortunate to have diverse and generous sponsors from the community. They include Edward Jones, Severna Park Automotive, the Severna Park Elks, St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School, Broadneck Pharmacy, Chesapeake Hearing Center, Creative Force Dance Center, Haas & Sons Electric, Shore United Bank, Severna Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Fence & Deck Connection, Cassilly & Appel, Barranco Severna Park, and MacDonalds.”

She added that the fact that participants can choose between the 1-mile or 5K option adding to the popularity of the event. She also noted that, instead of medals, the prizes for the different age groups participating in the 5K will be gift cards donated by local businesses.

For more information about the Turkey Trot 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run or other activities, visit SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods.

Trinity Bible Church 4th Annual Fall Festival happening Saturday, September 26th

Trinity Bible Church invites the public to join them for a free community event – a Fall Festival taking place Saturday, September 26th from 11 am till 2 pm. The event, taking place across church grounds at 99 Truck House Road, includes lunch (burger/hotdog, drink, chips) and an assortment of fun activities: horseback riding, moonbounce, photo booth, games and crafts, snow cones, bingo, and more. For more information, visit Trinity Bible Church 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. Jing Ying also offers a homeschool Kung Fu program this fall. 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.

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 sweet corn is the best we’ve had for years and the tomatoes are wonderful,” said Jennifer Diehl, manager of Diehl’s Produce in Severna Park. Her remark was typical of those heard at other farm and produce stands as we made our way about Anne Arundel County this week.

Protective curtains were drawn against the late-August sun at four o’clock Tuesday afternoon but the intensity of the beams shining through the canvas of Diehl’s colorful tents produced a rosy glow highlighting well-arranged rows of fruits and vegetables at their peak.

Spring onions, mushrooms, okra, radishes, cucumbers, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash occupied the central spaces with full-sized tomatoes, cantaloupes and watermelons along the back and sides of the tent and, lo and behold, there were peaches. Customers flowed in and out the entire time we were there with check-out counters so busy Diehl pitched in to help.

We decided we’d wait to speak with her until the crowd lightened.

The scene at Chase’s Produce on Route 424 in Davidsonville was busy as well – so busy that, by late afternoon, the stand had run out of several kinds of vegetables farmer Bob Chase hand-picked from the fields that morning. Thankfully, there was still plenty of their extraordinarily good sweet corn to buy.

After commenting that summer was going by in a flash, I asked Chase’s wife Margie if she knew when the farmstand would be closing for the year.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” she said. “We’re already closing on Wednesdays because, historically, Wednesdays are slow in August. However, we’re hopeful a long growing season will allow us to maintain normal operation through Labor Day. Typically, after that, the stand pulls back from full-time operation seven days a week to being open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

“As it is now, we’re beginning to run out of things,” she added. “Today, I was out of green beans, yellow squash and cucumbers. I have more coming of all three but they’re not ripening fast enough.”

Both Chases noted that the weather was so odd this year that it affected the business adversely. The unexpected freeze on April 20th not only killed the blossoms on the farm’s own U-Pick strawberry crop but also impeded their ability to obtain the tree fruits they normally carry from orchards they work with.

“We had very limited peaches this year, and no cherries or blackberries because the orchards were affected by the same freeze we had,” Margie said. “We got a small number of early peaches but then the orchards had to cut us off in order to have enough for their own customers.”

The Chase’s Produce schedule is posted daily at Chase’s Produce – Fruits and Vegetables, Fresh Produce or at Facebook.

Also on Route 424, Marco Ridge Farm Produce has had a busy summer this year. Arriving there late in the afternoon, we found that Marco Ridge had sold quite a bit of produce over the course of the day, but still had plenty of bell peppers, a variety of hot peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplants, onions, and tomatoes though most of the sweet corn was gone from the stand.

“All our crops have done very well this year,” said Diane Klinken who manages the produce stand for farmer Alan Covington with her husband Fred.

We noted that there was a sufficient supply of cantaloupes and watermelons left in front of the stand but no shortage of good-sized red and green tomatoes.

There was still quite an impressive grouping of Marco Ridge dressings, pickles, salsas, dips, pepper jams and barbecue sauces. However, customers are warned to buy them before the season closes as, once they’re gone, they’re gone. We also discovered that a few of Fred Klinken’s charming birdhouses remain to be sold.

“As you’ve probably heard, our peaches from local orchards were in shorter supply due to the cold snap experienced in April,” Diane noted.

If things go as planned, Marco Ridge Farm will be closing on Labor Day but will continue to have serve yourself pay-as-you go vegetables for sale on their produce wagon well into fall. Follow their schedule at Facebook.

Getting back to Diehl’s Produce in Severna Park for a moment, it was interesting to see that the stand did have Adam’s County Pennsylvania peaches. Jennifer Diehl explained that they’ve been lucky in that the orchard they’ve dealt with for decades is large enough to be less affected by the April freeze. The orchard eliminated some of their other wholesale customers, but Diehl’s was able to get as many peaches as they needed.

“Peaches will actually be ending this week,” Diehl said. “But our Adam’s County apples will be coming in. We’re debating now whether to wait for Labor Day to bring in our autumn chrysanthemums or sooner. The mums will shortly be followed by our pumpkins, gourds, winter squash and cider.”

Diehl emphasized that the stand won’t be closing until October 31st.

We were unable to get to Jen’s sister, Abby’s Diehl’s Produce Annapolis locations in Eastport at 921 Chesapeake Avenue or at Clocktower Place Shopping Center at 1410 Forest Drive. They too, have an abundance of fresh produce from the Eastern Shore as well as Adam’s County peaches and apples. Both stands will continue to be open through October 31.

The Peninsula Farms produce stand at 826 Mayo Road in Edgewater is another wonderful source for summer produce that we discovered while sourcing ingredients for a sharonleestable.com recipe. We’ve been back many times as their sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans a melons never fail to please. We understand that the stand will be open this year until the middle of October.

We already focused on Pumphrey’s Farm stand in Millersville in last week’s column, but we’ll remind you that they are among the latest to close – generally mid-November.

We couldn’t end this column without mentioning lovely Zang’s Farm Stand which we discovered at 4475 Muddy Creek Road on the way to historic Galesville. Zang’s is a family owned and operated farm that grows seasonal fruits, vegetables and cut flowers.

Zang’s is blessed with plenty of peaches to sell as the farm has its own orchard with over 200 peach trees. There are apples, pears and melons too with pumpkins coming in the fall. Zang’s is very well known for its field-grown and high tunnel cut flowers from March until October with dried flower centerpieces and holiday wreaths.

The farm stand will remain open through October.

We haven’t forgotten the Anne Arundel County farmer’s markets but are saving those for autumn.

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. Jing Ying also offers a homeschool Kung Fu program this fall. 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.