Month: June 2021

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Saturday, June 19th was balmy with gentle breezes and the calypso music emanating from deejay Michael Kocher’s sound system was rhythmic and melodic. The long line of limbo dancing children and adults was a happy scene to behold – an especially colorful part of Severna Park Community Center’s “Dancing In The Streets” fundraiser with more daytime activities and the evening’s “Night In The Park” to follow.

Only the third live event held by the community center since it reopened following the pandemic lock down, the festive occasion exceeded its fundraising goals, garnering $70,000 from donations, raffles and ticket sales – enough to cover the cost of much-needed renovations to SPCC’s Dance Center of Severna Park studios.

Dance Center director Kellie Greer and her staff took the lead in staging the fundraiser. A full slate of activities was divided into daytime and evening events. The hours from 9 am to 3 pm were filled with dance, face painting, games and food – all of it free to the public, The event kicked off with Greer and dance teachers Jennie Young, Beth Fox, Kirsten Weichert, Bayley Taylor, Barbara Wayson, Sarah Keller, Amanda Breon, and Chloe Cocco taking center stage in the “big tent” .

Greer and team taught free mini dance classes for kids from ages three to 18, joined them in practicing the new moves, and danced on with whole families joining in as other activities went on around them.

Having volunteered to sell raffle tickets while showing off auction items like bikes and Adirondack chairs, board member Jean Andrews had a birds-eye view of the different events. She loved watching the children’s activities.

“The kids were just dancing and dancing to the non-stop music,” she said. “But the biggest draw for them was the dunking tank where all nine dance teachers volunteered to take a turn being dunked. For $10, the children got three balls but then could go to the back of the line and try again as many times as they wished.”

Quite a few dance students turned up with $10 bills and a wicked gleam in their eyes. They took full advantage of their unlimited turns and sent their teachers into the tank numerous times to cheers and applause. Dance teacher Kristen Weichert is seen here sitting pretty before the bullseye was hit and she went into the water.

Activities continued until 3 pm when it was time to close things down.

Worn out from dancing to Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade”, young Bennett Mayer retreated to mother Melanie’s arms as the afternoon’s music came to an end. The little boy had had a wonderful time having his face painted and even got to dance with a teacher. A balloon animal he scored earlier from Twinkle Toes rested on a table next to a tote of community center swag.

It would take the next two hours for staff and committee members to get set up for the second event, a “Night In The Park” featuring live music by The Shatners,

By the time the evening’s activities got underway at 5 pm, Severna Park Community Center Executive Director Sarah Elder and committee members Sandy Gins and Carol Snyder were installed beneath the Event Central tent to welcome guests. They all looked very pleased and with good reason.

“Thanks to our wonderful group of sponsors, in combination with ticket sales, we already knew we exceeded our original goal of $50,000 for renovations to the Dance Center studio,” Elder said. “We just learned that we’ve now surpassed $70,000 not counting additional money from raffle ticket sales and the auction. The increase in funds will permit us to complete new floors, lighting and additional work that’s needed.”

At long last, the Severna Park 4th of July Parade is back, albeit on Monday, July 5th. Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League announced that the parade will once again step off from the Benfield Road parking lots of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 10 am. Entrants will follow the usual parade route down Benfield, turning right onto Riggs Avenue and cresting the hill before reaching the judging stand at the intersection of Riggs Avenue and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. After pausing before the judges, they’ll veer right onto B&A and left onto Cypress Creek Road ending at Cypress Creek Park.

League said she’s very pleased that there are 54 sponsors for the parade this year. She also hinted at a few of the things spectators can look forward to including a “Charlotte’s Web” float from Park Books with a live pot-bellied pig playing the part of Wilbur. There will be floats, as usual, from Homestead Gardens, from Olde Severna Park and other neighborhoods, and from organizations like the Toastmasters. SPAN, Inc. volunteers will march pushing shopping carts to collect non-perishable food pantry items. It’s also rumored there’s to be a surprise from Eddie Conway who owns Garry’s Grill. Conway was chosen to be Grand Marshall for this year’s parade. Rounding out the entries will be decorated bikes, vintage automobiles and more. For more information, visit Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce | Facebook.

With the first day of summer only a week away, Severna Park Farmers Market was quite busy last Saturday. The parking lot, off Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, was nearly full and cars just kept pouring in. Shoppers hustled toward the market’s tents and stands but then slowed to a more leisurely pace to take in the amazing range of products offered. Vendors vary from season to season – or even from week to week. However, there is always an abundance of local products to choose from – especially this summer as we re-engage following the COVID pandemic.

At the first stand by the entrance, Ken Reeves of KR Laserworks was doing a brisk trade in laser engraved plaques and mugs honoring dads which would make great Father’s Day gifts. Though Reeves runs a custom online business, he really loves being at the farmers market and interacting with customers face to face.

Opposite Reeves’ stand, red and white checkered tablecloths lent a homespun air to handmade pottery from Carol and Robin Wolfgang of Flying Wolf Studio in Annapolis. The women’s earth-toned urns, vases, mixing bowls, crocks, cups, and plates were as pretty as they were practical…..and their dog bowls held special appeal for customers with four-legged companions.

All hands were on deck at the Baltimore County-based, family-owned Zahradka Farm stand where green and white checkered tablecloths made a fitting backdrop for an extensive selection of fresh greens and vegetables. The stand is always a favorite stop for farmer’s market regulars because the Zahradkas grow seasonal favorites like strawberries and asparagus each spring. The stand drew a constant stream of customers.

Equally popular with shoppers, the Pat Hochmuth Farm stand was stocked with fresh-from-the-Eastern Shore onions, radishes, green beans and potatoes. A two-decade veteran of the farmer’s market, Hochmuth grows the crops his customers like best. He’ll carry early season favorites like sweet peas when the market opens in April followed by a bounty of sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini through the summer. He’ll have late season produce, pumpkins, squash and gourds right up till the market closes in October,

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Shoppers hoping for a mid-morning snack from popular Vera’s Bakery were nearly out of luck. As can be seen from the photos below, the trays of scones, cinnamon swirls, apple turnovers, and empanadas were nearly empty. Originally named Grandma Vera’s, the Rockville business actually got its start in Severna Park as a restaurant in 1994 selling well-loved entrees, European breads and pastries. When Vera decided to retire, the Port family found a way to carry the business on through various farmers markets.

Fueled by a tasty pastry or a snack of Kettle Corn, shoppers moved on to check out each booth. It was impossible to miss – or to pass up – Joyce Martinek’s gorgeous Joyce’s Flowers booth. Whether looking for a lovely bouquet or incredibly healthy transplants of coleus, zinnias, portulaca or herbs, the talented grower had something to please. Martinek has been providing cut flowers, potted plants and herbs to the Severna Park Farmer’s Market since its beginnings 25 years ago. She also contributed several recipes to the market’s 20th Anniversary cookbook. She’s always generous with advice on how best to grow a plant or preserve a bouquet.

Martinek remarked that the 2021 growing season has been cool, slowing every kind of plant down.

“Luckily, we started all of these plants in the greenhouse so we have plenty to offer,” she said.

For customers who love old fashioned homemade jams, spreads, sauces and condiments, you can’t beat those made by Anita Robertson for My Nana’s Kitchen. Robertson, who also manages the farmers market, was sharing her booth with Jon Haas of Eve’s Cheeses. Come summer, Haas will also sell peaches with apples to follow in the fall.

Anita Robertson’s yummy looking Nana’s Kitchen creations conjured up childhood memories of recipes now faded into the past – Chow Chow [relish] for instance and Pickled Beets, or Rhubarb, Wild Blueberry or Whole Cherry Fruit Spreads.

“Creating this diversity of products from timeworn recipes does take a lot of hard work,” she said. “I don’t grow every fruit or vegetable myself but I partner with other farmers. For instance, my strawberries for Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Spread come from Pat Hochmuth while the rhubarb comes from Joyce Martinek.

The farmers market truly had something for everyone Saturday including clothing and jewelry. The booth shared by Three Blue Bunnies youthful designer and entrepreneur Ellie Heath and her mother Amy, whose Hip, Mod, Vintage jewelry is made from recycled materials, consistently drew customers.

Though a permanent fixture at the market throughout the spring, the pair will be taking a break over the next month or so for family vacation time on Cape Cod but return to the market in August. In the fall, Ellie will be heading off to college at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island where she’ll major in art.

“I’ll be taking my sewing machine along but I’m not sure how much time I’ll be able to devote to designing clothes,” she remarked.

Amy will continue selling her own recycled jewelry and artwork at the market along with Ellie’s trendy one-of-a-kind jeans jackets.

Nearby, Bee To Thee Apiary owner Ken Lehman not only brought his Black Locust honey to the market but brought his bees along in their glass enclosed frame – an irresistible sight for children.

The Ferndale beekeeper became a regular at the market in 2019 along with Morris Hill Farms owner David Haberkorn. The eggs and pasture-raised poultry, pork, lamb and other products from Haberkorn’s family farm in Tracy’s Landing have since become staples for farmers market regulars.

Other regulars like Mike Smith of Mike’s Knives have been coming to the market for years. Smith is always busy thanks, no doubt, to the fact that he will sharpen any blade or garden tool for $4. Customers will drop off their knives or tool and are then free to shop and come back to pick them up at a predetermined time.

Whistle Stop Winery was on hand again for a taste of the grape from Dunkirk, Maryland while Mardella Springs-based Patty’s Garden offered flowering plants.

The story of the Severna Park Farmers Market is ever-evolving as vendors shift and flow with the seasons. Newbies like Evie & Park Candles and Gifts or St. Michael’s based Lyon Rum may enjoy participating in the 2021 farmers market for a few weeks or the entire season….or may come back as regular vendors.

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For more information about Severna Park Farmers Market or weekly updates, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .

Walk the Walk Foundation aims to provide 1,000 backpacks for AACO students

Walk the Walk Foundation is excited to be working with Anne Arundel County’s Department of Human Resources & their Back to School program again this year. The program runs from now through August when all backpacks will be delivered to local Anne Arundel County elementary schools. 

Walk the Walk is looking for volunteers, sponsors and hosts to help them accomplish their goal to ensure every child has a backpack when they return to school in the fall

People may sponsor a backpack for $30, spread the word to friends or family, or consider hosting a backpack packing event in their community. To participate, visit www.wtwf.org or email walk@wtwf.org.

Nearly three decades since its opening, the chateau-like exterior of Cafe Bretton at 849 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard has become something of a Severna Park landmark. Its conical tower, hipped and gabled roofs, pediment topped windows, rustic touches and garden setting are reflective of the French countryside and of the fine French cuisine on the restaurant’s menu.

For multiple generations of local diners, stepping through the entrance to be greeted by Cafe Bretton’s welcoming general manager and head chef Victor Ledezma has been a lovely experience . The chef has been with Cafe Breton for more than 20 years. If the restaurant’s walls could talk, they’d have much to share. But so has Ledezma.

Cafe Bretton closed its doors for dining this Wednesday so renovations could begin. Its future is yet to be determined though the property may be sold. Regardless, Ledezma took the time to share much of its interesting history with us.

Though not in the U.S. during the 1970’s and early ’80’s, he learned that the building on the property at the time was called Brown’s Tavern, Talk of the Town.

Severna Park resident and well-known publisher Pat Troy recalls that the Talk of the Town had become quite run down by the late 1980’s when the tavern changed ownership. It was remodeled and transformed into a restaurant called Conrad’s which had a French chef. Troy remembered celebrating a birthday there in 1989. She said the exterior of building was painted blue at the time but retained its house-like characteristics.

According to Ledezma, when he arrived in the United States from Bolivia in 1984, he was sponsored by Severna Park resident Edward Dyas who owned and operated area restaurants including Bolongo Bay and Piccolo Roma. He worked for the Dyas family for six or seven years starting as a busboy and working his way up to waiting on tables.

“They were very good to me,” he said.

Ledezma subsequently moved to Baltimore and worked at a restaurant in Little Italy for six or seven years gaining valuable culinary experience.

After the death of Conrad’s owner in the early 1990’s, Dyas became the restaurant’s proprietor. In 1998 he invited Ledezma to come back to Severna Park to run it for him as Cafe Bretton – a fine dining establishment with a French menu, fine wines, white tablecloths, flowers and candles, art on the walls and a dedication to serving customers the best way possible. The young chef studied everything he could about French cuisine and he and Dyas picked out dishes for the menu together.

Meantime, Cafe Bretton’s new owner had been remodeling the restaurant, transforming its exterior to resemble a French chateau and creating a spacious indoor addition featuring beamed ceilings and an ornate fireplace. There were many unique touches inside and out.

At the same time, a courtyard dining area was added along with a terraced garden with additional tables above it – areas that served the establishment well on spring or autumn afternoons and came in handy when COVID protocols mandated outdoor dining only.

Typical of chateau-styled buildings, there are unique architectural elements along with fountains, statuary and a garden initially designed to provide the restaurant with fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Over the years Ledezma was assisted by a succession of other chefs. For their benefit and his own, Cafe Bretton hired a talented gardener named Bobby Riay to plant fruit trees and create a series of picturesque garden beds.

“Our gardener planted cherry trees, an apple tree, a pear tree, a peach tree, a fig tree and a persimmon tree which were wonderful. In the garden beds, he raised salad greens and green beans and squash and other vegetables and many herbs and flowers,” he reminisced. “It was great for us to have access to that fresh produce.

Sadly Riay passed away a few years ago. Without his supervision, the help hired wasn’t skillful and the garden deteriorated. Most of fruit trees, some of the flowers and a number of herbs are still productive but, of late, the restaurant sourced organic produce to guarantee the freshest possible ingredients.

Cafe Bretton has had a loyal following over the years. Pat Troy dined there many times and enjoyed taking visiting guests there. She fondly recalled one cozy evening there watching snow come down from their table by the window.

Severna Park native Lauren Garber remembers dining at the restaurant with her family from a young age.

“Cafe Bretton has long been our family restaurant. My grandmother Violet Weems and my uncle Stewart Weems discovered the place and fell in love with it. Before long, it became a frequent gathering place for my mother Valerie Garber’s side of the family,” she said.

Garber’s plain-spoken uncle liked fact that you could count on the food, wines and service to be first class every time you dined at Cafe Bretton. Dishes like Beef Bourguinonne and Duck Breast A La Bretton or desserts like Creme Brulee or Raspberry Crepes never failed to please.

In Garber’s grandmother’s case, Victor made all the difference.

“He always made her feel like a million bucks…especially as she grew older and had to use a wheelchair,” she said. “As soon as we’d come in through the little bar entrance, Victor would greet her warmly, grab her hand and give it a kiss and make her feel so special. Our whole family appreciated that.”

Garber likes that Cafe Bretton has been a place where you’ll see 20 and 30 somethings having a dressed-up date night along with generations of family having dinner together and enjoying each other’s company. She also liked that the restaurant exhibited art from local artists that you could buy and held special events like wine dinners.

Teresa Hales Tudor, who has been going to Cafe Bretton since 2000, has equally fond memories of the restaurant.

“Our family has celebrated many special occasions and birthdays at Cafe Bretton and we absolutely love it. Victor and his team make everyone feel like family. We’ve had baby showers and bridal showers there and its been phenomenal. We have many friends who’ve held their family events there as well,” she said.

She added that it’s a place you can take out-of-town guests to and know that the food and service will always be top notch.

“They’re so cordial and can’t do enough for you,” Tudor said. “The food is, I think, the best anywhere and certainly in Severna Park. We love everything they serve and would hate to see them go. ”

Indeed, many people, throughout the county, would hate to see Cafe Bretton go. As with other restaurants, COVID-19 took a financial toll. While it’s rumored the restaurant may change hands, we’ve had no confirmation it’s definitely for sale.

As for Victor Ledezma, he’s often thought of opening his own small restaurant with a formal yet intimate atmosphere and fine dining, Only time will tell what his future holds.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Just a few weeks on the job, SPAN, Inc.’s new staff members – Director of Development Michele Sabean and Director of Operations Maia Grabau – were delighted to conduct an eye-opening tour of the organization’s food pantries. At one point, they paused to show off a birthday box and some cards created, illustrated and donated by Arundel High School student Alisha Kim. Alisha’s wonderful gift was just one of the pleasant surprises awaiting the directors.

“On May 26, Alisha arrived unannounced at our outdoor pick-up/drop-off area with five beautifully wrapped boxes filled with items to celebrate a birthday,” Sabean said. “She also donated a dozen cards decorated with her wonderful artwork to be given to families receiving food donations. Each has a thoughtful note inside.

There seems to have been one surprise after another since mid-May when Grabau and Sabean took up their new positions. Once they were hired by SPAN’s board of directors, things moved quickly. Both women soon realized they have big shoes to fill.

According to Grabau, SPAN’s former operations director Jennifer Pumphrey left two weeks before she arrived. However, former development director Ellen Kinsella stayed behind for a week to give her some training.

“A few days later, Michele came in and Ellen’s focus switched to her for a day or two. So both of us are kind of learning as we go,” she said.

Pumphrey was with SPAN, Inc. for over a decade, first as associate director and then as operations director, and made significant contributions to its success. Her most important achievement was developing SPAN’s well-known Holiday Caring Programs for Thanksgiving and Christmas which match sponsors with deserving families for whom they purchase food and/or gifts. In 2012, along with then director Maria DeNardo, Pumphrey oversaw the expansion of the organization’s office and food storage spaces to keep pace with rapidly growing need. She resigned her position in early May for a long-awaited move to North Carolina with her husband.

Grabau now inherits her predecessor’s primary duties of overseeing day-to-day budgets and operations and working with the volunteers. With 20 years of experience as a pastor’s wife serving in church leadership in a variety of settings, she seems well suited to the job.

From the projects to the streets of Baltimore, Grabau has ministered to people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and has deep compassion for families in need. She also has been a content writer for N2 Publishing’s area magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from California State University and a master’s degree in public policy from Regent University.

Sabean enjoyed her few days with the former director of development who was very helpful. As the “face of SPAN” since June of 2017, Ellen Kinsella enjoyed interacting with the public and acquainting them with the organization’s mission. Amiable and outgoing, she excelled at raising donations. She resigned from SPAN for what she considers a “labor of love” – caring for her daughter’s newborn so the new mother can go back to work.

Like Kinsella, Sabean is outgoing. Her main focus will be continuing to get SPAN’s name out in the community and managing its social media traffic. With a bachelors degree in mathematics from Smith College and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, she served as director of operations for a Charter School Operator in Baltimore City and was a Program Manager developing math and reading tutoring programs. She has experience training and teaching in a variety of settings. She’s also a member of Our Lady of the Fields Church in Millersville (one of the coalition of 14 churches that founded SPAN in 1990) and has taught Faith Formation classes there.

Sabean said it’s been wonderful to see how well supported SPAN is with food drives by various schools, groups or organizations as well as generous individual donations.

Both women were impressed how innovative their predecessors were in providing financial and food assistance throughout the COVID pandemic. Along with the SPAN board of directors, Pumphrey and Kinsella and the volunteers re-engineered the back porch to be a drive-through pick-up station. Food pantry volunteers prepare dozens of food boxes each day and stack them against one wall.

“We’re then able to pass the food boxes through the openings for clients to pick up without any personal contact, “Sabean said. “The pass-through is also the place where people can drop off donations.”

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SPAN’s board decided simultaneously to erect a gazebo so volunteers who interview clients regarding financial aid could meet them in an outdoor setting.

Grabau pointed out that SPAN receives all its food and financial support through contributions. She’s been astonished by the amount of donations rolling in and impressed by the way pantry volunteers organize immense amounts of food stored on three levels of the building according to type….. with each item clearly marked with its expiration date so a proper rotation can be maintained. There ‘s incredible diversity in the food and household essentials contributed including a recently added section of gluten free foods.

Increased amounts of refrigeration that take up part of the main floor enable SPAN to include fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs and milk donated by area produce markets, shops, supermarkets and individuals.

Currently, there’s a shelf full of chicken tenders from Giant Supermarket and there are fresh vegetables through SPAN’s partnership with Diehl’s Produce. Last year, Diehl’s started a program to round off customers’ change and pool the resulting sums to supply gift certificates for SPAN clients to buy produce.

Social media has been helpful when there is a shortage of a certain food or item like laundry detergent. SPAN almost immediately gets a response and a donation of the item from individuals or groups like Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.

SPAN currently serves families from across 14 zip codes including Arnold, Broadneck, Annapolis, Millersville, Severna Park, Ft. Meade, Linthicum, Severn, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, Crownsville, Gambrills, Odenton and Crofton.

Informed that summer is a slower, less busy time, Grabau finds that people often stop by unexpectedly. For now, she’s using the time to make sure she knows what her responsibilities entail. Gauging from the amount of calls coming in, she’s sure the pace will soon be picking up.

“With moratoriums on utilities and housing about to end, we’re already fielding calls from people worried about evictions or utility turn-offs,” Grabau said. “We are legally able to supply a one-time assistance for an eviction notice but can’t do anything about an eviction until a court order has been posted. We’re expecting that, when that happens, people will owe significant amounts of money.”

Moving into late summer and fall, Grabau is eager to get the word out that she’s looking for people to volunteer as pantry workers or interviewers. SPAN has a dedicated core of volunteers who have worked for a decade or more but she’s hoping to attract some younger volunteers too so there’s a wider pool to pull from.

“I’m thinking of contacting some young moms’ groups,” she said. “It’s a three-hour-a- morning responsibility that people can do once a week or once a month, as frequently or as infrequently as they like. Volunteering would really help us fill some gaps.”

Both pantry volunteers and interviewer volunteers require a little training – especially interviewers who need to show confidence and compassion but sometimes need to turn someone away.

Both Grabau and Sabean look forward to events starting back up. This year’s Turkey Trot fundraiser had to be cancelled because there’s no definitive timetable for lifting COVID restrictions but they are hoping to hold some sort of event in its place.

In September and October, they’ll be recruiting sponsors for the Holiday Caring Programs for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year 250 families have been referred to SPAN by local schools for the Holiday Caring Programs. People in the community have always been very generous sponsors contributing food baskets and gifts and, hopefully, will continue to do so. Often families who were on the receiving end of holiday food baskets or gifts will become sponsors themselves as a way of paying back.

For information about SPAN’s activities or medical, financial or food assistance programs visit them on Facebook at SPAN, Inc. | Facebook or on their website at SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org).

DANCING IN THE STREETS at Severna Park Community Center June 19

On Saturday, June 19, bring your friends and family to Severna Park Community Center for a Dance-A-Thon from 9 am to 3 pm. The free outdoor/tented event will feature a DJ, dancing, dance lessons, raffles, food trucks and more. The Dance-A-Thon will be followed by a more glamorous Night In The Park from 5 pm to 9 pm. The ticketed outdoor/tented event will feature music from the Shatners, local food trucks, breweries, raffles, auctions, dancing and more. Tickets for a Night In The Park are limited and will be $20 per person. For information or tickets visit SPCC Home (spcommunitycenter.org)