Month: December 2021

Throughout the world, many people begin the New Year with a walk, preferably in a natural setting. A stepson living in Kyoto, Japan hikes up a nearby mountain at sunrise on the first day of the year – a tradition that’s considered a way to leave the old year behind and begin anew.

Closer to home, Anne Arundel County residents can start the New Year off on the right foot with a “First Day Hike” on January 1st at one of 47 parks located in Anne Arundel County. Among the best known are 236-acre Downs Park off the Chesapeake Bay in Pasadena, 90-acre Ft. Smallwood Park at the confluence of the Patapsco River and Rock Creek, 288-acre Kinder Farm Park in Millersville and 340-acre Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.

One of our favorite parks, from both a historic and natural resources conservation perspective, is Greenbury Point at the mouth of the Severn River in Annapolis which is managed by the U.S. Navy. Situated on a scenic 231-acre peninsula, the park has multiple points of interest with equal appeal for historians, hikers, nature lovers, birders, or dog walkers – so many things to see that a visitor hardly knows where to start.

Greenbury Point trails are currently open from 6 am to 6 pm but, if like me, New Year’s Day brunch precludes an early start, keep in mind that darkness falls early these days.

A fan of water views, I like to start off across a field opposite the Nature Center parking lot to Hooper’s High Road which leads to a marina that is closed to the public. However, an area of shoreline to the right of the marina provides an amazing view across the Upper Chesapeake Bay to the Bay Bridge.

Heading back up Hooper High Road, one comes to the building formerly known as Hooper High School. An outgrowth of the Naval Academy Primary School in the late 1940’s, Hooper High educated the teenaged children of Naval Academy faculty and staff. As Greenbury Point is an official training hub for the Naval Academy, older facilities no longer in operation, like Hooper High, were converted for use by military and DOD civilian personnel.

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If there’s time, visitors can explore Timberdoodle Trail to the right which meanders through wet woodlands or the equally woodsy Pipsissewa Trail to the left.

Back at the Nature Center (open only on Thursdays) there are other foot trails including the Poets Nature Trail and several picturesque birdhouses.

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For canines and their human companions, Greenbury Point is one immense dog park though dogs are required to be leashed as can be seen by the photo below.

For dog owners with limited time, there is also a fenced-in Dog Park by the Nature Center.

Visitors looking for a relaxing, refreshing, and inspiring New Year’s Day walk, however, will want to take in the Bobwhite Trail and adjoining Tower Access Roads where both parkland and water views are spectacular. Signs on the gate warn that, at various times, the land behind the gates is a Live Firing Range for Naval Academy Training Exercises.

The mix of scrub and swamp vegetation along the winding Bobwhite Trail is home to more than 165 species of birds with additional waterfowl along the shorelines. To name just a few, they include year-round species like the Canada Goose, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Black-backed Gull as well as the Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird and American Goldfinch.

Looming up in the distance are Greenbury Point’s iconic 800-foot-high radio towers. The first towers were erected during World War I but most thereafter. There were eventually nearly 40 towers, only three of which still exist. The rest, including one nearly a quarter mile high, were torn down in 1999. The huge antennas were used for radio transmissions to U.S. Navy ships and submarines world-wide with very low frequency transmissions for the nuclear submarine force as the primary mission for the antenna farm up to 1994.

Close to the towers looms the shoreline.

Continuing past the towers, as many as six or eight ships can often be seen in a long line on the Chesapeake Bay as they wait to move into the Baltimore harbor……….including this Grimaldi Lines freighter.

Walking on, one will soon be able to look across the water at the Annapolis skyline with its distinctive Capital dome.

Hikers can choose to continue following the Tower Access Road back to Bobwhite Trail or can shortcut across a connecting trail that’s sort of a switchback getting you more quickly to the gate from which you entered.

Along the way, there’s an opportunity to rest on a bench and contemplate what lies ahead for us in 2022. Let’s hope our First Day Hikes, wherever they take us, lead to better times in the New Year.

For information on the Greenbury Point Hiking Trail visit Greenbury Point Trail – Maryland | AllTrails. For birders, there is a great deal of information at Greenbury Point – Birders Guide to Maryland and DC (birdersguidemddc.org) .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

From snowflakes on the windows and gift-wrapped packages on the walls to the elf perched on the coffee maker, the allure of warm java and honey dipped donuts remains a strong draw for young and old at the fixture that is Severna Park’s Donut Shack.

All of it was a delight to two-year-old Ezra who was enjoying a donut with his grandfather Larry Altman last Saturday. The scene was reminiscent of one Larry has seen repeated often over the years. Having known Donut Shack founders Bill and Stacey Prevezanos during their three-decade operation of the shop, Altmann is pleased with today’s ownership group, headed by Ali Matthews and Ben Hilliard. He believes they’re every bit as dedicated as the Prevezanos to maintaining the shop as a neighborhood mainstay – a place for locals to gather with friends or family or buy a box of donuts to take home for Sunday morning brunch.

“I love that Donut Shack is still here,” Altmann said. “It’s a sign of continuity in an area that’s rapidly changing from its small-town environment to an urban one. Lately, I see parents who came here for donuts as kids coming back with their own children. I wanted my grandson to have the same experience.”

He added how happy he and his friends are that the new owners have not changed Donut Shack but have kept the original counter, booths and character of the place. They’ve also continued the Prevezanos’ tradition of providing job opportunities for teens like Owen Dinsmore and his sister Kim who were at the counter on Saturday.

According to Kim, Saturday was a very busy day.

Looking back to the shop’s Grand Re-Opening on February 29th of last year, Ali Matthews recalled that, as owner/operator, she had a lot to learn. Thirteen days later, the learning curve grew even steeper when it was announced that, because of COVID-19, social distancing was going to be the new norm.

Despite the pandemic mandated closure of their counter and table areas, the shop continued operations and remained busy. There was still quite a demand for Donut Shack’s beloved donuts so they began taking and filling orders for coffee and donuts at a table by the front door and initiated an online business that was steady.

According to manager Paul Schiro who oversees online deliveries, the shop has seen a tremendous expansion of those services in the months since.

“We do deliveries weekly through Severna Park and Arnold,” Schiro said. “In addition, every week we go to a different section of the county or to the Eastern Shore. We try to hit every destination every five weeks. One week we’ll do Glen Burnie, Pasadena and Millersville. The next week we’ll hit Linthicum, Odenton and Severn. The third week we’ll do Crownsville and Crofton. The fourth week we’ll do Edgewater and Annapolis. Then we’ve needed to split up the Eastern Shore, where’s there’s tremendous demand, so we head for Stevensville and Graysonville and Chester the fifth week ad Queenstown and Centerville the sixth week. We kind of work it counter -clockwise.”

He added that Donut Shack makes doorstep deliveries. Depending on the weekend, they may have four or five different deliveries using drivers who are locals. Schiro does all the mapping on the weekends at night.

He notes that the delivery business came about solely as a response of the pandemic but remains so popular it’s become a regular service.

“We began deliveries in Severna Park and Arnold with an incredible response and decided to just keep going and continued expanding and expanding,” said Schiro.

There is no doubt that the popularity of Donut Shack donuts has spread by word of mouth. But social media sites like Facebook and Instagram have helped too. The shop also maintains an email list.

It’s great fun to visit the shop which is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Its original decor seems almost retro by today’s standards. For little ones, it’s reassuring to know that Donut Shack believes in Santa.

Ali Matthews recalls that the staff learned to make donuts directly from master donut-maker Bill Prevezanos. It took a bit of time to perfect them and recapture the original Donut Shack donut taste. Customers like Larry Altmann can attest to the fact that they’ve accomplished that goal.

For pick-up at the shop or delivery, customers may visit Hand Cut Donut Shop With Ceremony Coffee – Donut Shack (theshackisback.com).

Christmas Eve Services in-person at some local churches

For those who are still thinking of attending an in-person Christmas Eve worship service, they are being offered by many, but not all, Severna Park churches. All are requesting that worshipers wear masks. We’ll list several here.

Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church – 6 pm service w/childcare for 4 yrs. and younger – 8 pm Candlelight Service

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church – 4 pm Childrens Pageant – 7 pm Contemporary Service – 8 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service with Choir and Orchestra – 10 pm Traditional Service with Communion

Severna Park United Methodist Church – 4 pm Family Service featuring Children’s Christmas Pageant – 9 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service with choir, bells and brass quintet – 11 pm Traditional Service with choir.

Trinity Bible Church – 7 pm Christmas Eve Service

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church – Christmas Eve Mass Schedule – 4 pm at church – 4::15 pm in auditorium – 6 pm at church – 8 pm at church – Midnight at church

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church – 3 pm- Traditional Christmas Eve Service with candlelight and communion – 4 pm Children’s Service with candlelight and communion – 5 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion – 6 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion – 7 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion

Severna Park Baptist Church – 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

St. Martin’s-in-the-Field – 4 pm Christmas Eve Family Service – 8 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II

NOTE: The churches listed will also have livestreaming.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

First-timers at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s outdoor Christmas Market were impressed by the sheer volume of shoppers passing through on December 11. Even those who frequent the market during the summer months remarked that the crowds were the biggest they’d ever seen.

The weather was grey but mild after early morning rains and the atmosphere was lighthearted owing to a wonderful mix of Christmas wreaths and garlands, gift items and a wide range of foods and spirits perfect for holiday tables. Rounding a corner past several tents by the entrance, it was hard to miss regular vendor Zahradka Farm’s stand where the tables held wreaths handmade from evergreens grown on their acreage. One table was devoted to late season vegetables, eggs and jams.

Walking on further, there were products to investigate wherever one looked. Customers formed lines to check out fresh shrimp, scallops and fish from vendor OBX Shrimp. They positively thronged The Breadery‘s stand for loaves of fresh milled whole grain and artisan breads and rolls.

Most of the regular vendors were on hand plus several that came specifically for the Christmas Market. One of those was Samantha Miller of Grow With Samantha Macrame who came all the way from the Eastern Shore. Popping her head out from rows of handcrafted hanging shelves and planters to speak with shoppers looking for Christmas gifts, Samantha said she began making her line of macrame items to raise money for her two rescue horses.

Also from the Eastern Shore, Anita Robertson from My Nana’s Kitchen pulled out all the stops for the Christmas Market making jar upon jar of old-fashioned homemade jams, spreads, and condiments.

Christmas shoppers were most definitely drawn to the tent where Amy Heath of HipModVintage was selling her own seasonally decorated vintage sleighs, tennis rackets and jewelry along with daughter Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies jackets. Both women use recycled materials to craft their unique and stylish items.

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Holiday decorations were scattered elsewhere through the market. Fans of regular vendor Joyce Martinek of Joyce’s Flowers were happy to see she’d switched from flowers to wreaths, pinecones and other decorative items.

Pat Hochmuth expanded his Pat’s Produce and Gourds stand to include evergreens and wreaths.

The appearance of the “Charlie Brown Trees ” section was a heartwarming touch.

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Pasture-raised meats and eggs from Tracey’s Landing-based Morris Hill Farm near the exit of the market were far from overlooked. A regular Severna Park Farmer’s Market vendor, owner David Haberkorn’s products are much sought after. Special offerings for the Christmas Market included Smoked Ham Roasts and Babyback Ribs.

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With yet another successful Christmas Market to their credit, the vendors bid a fond farewell to the customers they’d served through the summer……. for now. They also extended heartfelt invitations to the shoppers to come back and see them in the spring. The Severna Park Farmers Market, at the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, runs from April through October. Visiting the market is a wonderful way to #shoplocal and #supportourfarmers. To follow the market on Facebook, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

The gratifyingly large crowd that turned out for the Community Tree Lighting at The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue last Friday was joyous as the evening’s program got underway. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman was on hand for the countdown for the lighting. A dance performance by the Dance Center of Seerna Park followed and was greeted by generous applause.

As the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus of 4th and 5th graders lined up facing the crowd to sing “Oh Christmas Tree” and other carols, there was enthusiastic cheering.

Facing the crowd and the beautiful tree beyond, the 40-member chorus moved on to a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells”. As always, the Chamber’s three-decade traditional holiday celebration attracted attendees from far and near and created an air of excitement throughout the town.

Parallel to the Chamber, in the historic train station, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club opened its doors to the public for a peek at its amazing multi-rail train display. Across Riggs Avenue, in front of the Red Apron Shoppe, the owners’ family and friends had gathered along the sidewalk to enjoy the festivities.

The younger children in the audience liked the performances. However, they couldn’t resist the inevitable draw of Santa, who sat ready to welcome them and listen to their Christmas wishes. Nearby, The Grinch was wandering about. Far from trying to steal Christmas, the Dr. Seuss character amiably shook hands and chatted with the kids.

Younger still, and oh so curious, two-year-old Brooks Miller nested in the arms of his uncle Robert Peroutka while viewing the spectacle through his new binoculars.

As the celebration progressed, Chamber CEO Liz League, who acted as emcee, grew more and more pleased. She hadn’t known what size crowd to expect and was thrilled. She was also grateful for support from a number of sponsor and helping hands.

“The Big Bean Coffee Shop owners Greg and Christie Coster called the week of the lighting and offered to serve hot chocolate and cider,” League said.  “The Costers planned for 75 but we had over 600 people and they served 17 containers of beverages.  They were wonderful to go back to the shop and get more supplies several times. But they loved the event and meeting community members.

As is their tradition, The Toast of Severna Park Toastmasters Club was on hand giving out butter cookies that were donated  by COSTCO.  The group went through hundreds of cookies.  All of our candy canes and candy were also given out.  It was a record-breaking crowd.”

The celebration ended with a series of cleverly choreographed routines by Creative Force Dance Center.

The Talent Machine Company’s “Holiday Magic” opens December 11th

With this year’s Talent Machine Company Christmas production, “Holiday Magic”, about to debut on Saturday, December 11th at Indian Creek Upper School, the excitement level was high among the 47 young actors participating in last week’s tech rehearsals. It was such a pleasure to be together rehearing for “live” performances of the show, that they didn’t mind the work involved in blocking and lighting scenes, refining the vocals or making adjustments to the dance routines.

Patience was required as director Lea Capps re-positioned them multiple times as they moved through each number.

TMC’s traditional holiday performance venue at St. John’s College was not available so the cast was just getting acquainted with the Indian Head Upper School theater.

Talent Machine company manager/production manager Judy Curbello explained that the theater at St. John’s, which has been a traditional home for TMC holiday productions, is undergoing renovations. Thus, a new performance venue had to be found.

“Thanks to the families of some of our students who attend Indian Creek, we were able to use this lovely theater,” she said. “However, we do our own sets, props and costumes created by parent volunteers. The set we’re using today is a partially decorated living room set for Act 2. The larger “downtown Annapolis” set we’ll use to open the show and throughout Act 1 is really beautiful.”

The lighting crew had to be on its toes as rehearsal continued and the actors performed part of a dance routine from Act 2 at Capps’ direction.

A few minutes later, the crew shifted into overdrive, lighting the entire stage, as the dancers segued into another part of the sequence.

Actors not in the number onstage or in a nearby vocal rehearsal, watched from their seats in the theater. Cast members range in age from 7 to 18 and come from Crofton, Millersville, Severna Park, Pasadena, Annapolis and, basically, all over Anne Arundel County.

Talking with several actors, it was apparent how much they were enjoying a return to the normalcy of TMC’s annual holiday show.

Ainslley Grow, Reilly Miller and Lily Abbott stood together near the back of the theater watching the action. All three are freshmen but attend different schools. Ainsley attends Severn School and Reilly attends Severna Park High while Lily goes to Monsignor Slade Catholic School. They’ve all appeared in Talent Machine shows previously.

The three love doing the “big production” holiday shows even though they require multiple costume changes. Ainsley will spend most of her time on stage fully costumed as a reindeer…complete with the head. Reilly will appear as a soldier, a freaky doll, an elf and a regular guy in a winter scene. Lily will also appear as an elf, will look hip as part of the Boogie Woogie Trio, and will wear a gingerbread costume for the number Reindeer Twist.

Lily, whose mother Karin Abott coordinates with Heather Carroll in creating the costumes, said she, Ainsley and the other female cast members will wear pretty winter dresses and the fellows will wear suits for the show’s finale.

Seniors this year and likely appearing in their last TMC holiday show as actors, dancers and vocalists, Kathryn Randall, Catherine Osikowicz and Ainsley Ellis are finding the experience bittersweet. They love the premise of the show, however. They explained that the production is centered around defeating Suzy Snowflake’s efforts to ruin Christmas.

The mysterious and devilish Suzy is played by Natalie Dixon who says assuming the role of a “demon” is a bit different for her.

“I’ve never been in people’s faces before as I am in the Suzy Snowflake number,” she says.

“Holiday Magic”, an originally staged production by TMC founder, the late Bobbi Smith, has been re staged by Lea Capps with new numbers added.

TMC Christmas show fans will be happy to know that “Holiday Magic” – a bound-to-be-fun spectacular – will have three performances on December 11 at 10 am, 2 pm and 7 pm and will have evening performances on December 21, 22 and 23 at 7 pm. For tickets and directions to Indian Creek Upper School, visit Holiday Magic 2021 – Talent Machine .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

All across the country, supply chain disruptions have been a big problem for toy stores and a cause of confusion for both shop owners and parents looking for Christmas presents..

Having suffered no major disruptions thanks to pre-planning on the part of the owners, the shelves are fully stocked at both branches of Franklin’s Toys. The ordering process has been “crazy” this year according to co-owner Stephen Kauffmann but Franklin’s Toys Severna Park at 558-A Ritchie Hightway in Park Plaza and Franklin’s Toys Annapolis at 2327C Forest Drive in Festival at Riva have great selections of toys.

Plush critters are abundant throughout both stores. Whether gigantic in proportion like the dragon in the opening photo or the elegant giraffe below….. or small and cuddly….. all would love to end up as some lucky child’s Christmas gift.

While the cuddly critters are very appealing, they are not this year’s “hot toy”. Surprisingly, the hot toy that is selling off the shelves is called Pop Fidgety. Neither extravagant or costly, Pop Fidgety toys are modeled after bubble wrap and come in a multitude of sizes .

After surviving a challenging 2020, traffic is up significantly at both Franklin’s Toys stores – a cause for celebration according to the owners. Like other merchants, they’re grateful that, this year, holiday shoppers are out and about supporting the small, independent businesses that are the soul of their communities.

Customers are telling them they appreciate the range of products the stores carry. They particularly like that both branches offer the same product lines so, when one store is out of a toy, the other can supply it.

As in past years, little kids can’t wait to get their hands on big yellow dump trucks by Bruder or Road Rockers tractor trailer race transports while their slightly older siblings are drawn to Matchbox-sized cars and absolutely love Legos.

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Legos are fun for kids of all ages. They are used as teaching toys in schools and there are Lego Clubs and competitions.

Today’s educational toys are not only instructional but entertaining. Those carried by Franklin’s Toys range from easy-to-play musical instruments to a nifty toy cash register with which your child can play store.

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There are even educational toys for adults. Franklin’s Toys Severna Park has an entire wall of jigsaw puzzles which rose in popularity during the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic and have retained their appeal.

Franklin’s Toys always carries a rack or two of filmy princess garments suitable for dress-ups. This year’s newest accessories for “make-believe princesses” are Great Pretenders bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and other adornments.

There are Christmas storybooks aplenty and for stocking stuffers, you can’t beat specially designed Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs.

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For information on hours or directions, visit Franklin’s Toys – Your Friendly Neighborhood Toy Store! – Franklin’s Toys (franklinstoystore.com)

PIC Upscale Resale Boutique open for holiday shopping

Not only gifting, but giving is on the upswing too. Last Christmas, the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique (at 8151 Ritchie Highway) gathered its Christmas collections while adapting to COVID-19 guldelines but succeeded in making holiday shopping a pleasure for its customers. This year, thanks to generous donations and the efforts of volunteers who are the backbone of the boutique, the shop is looking great for the holiday season.

In addition to tables and counters featuring holiday patterned china and glassware, they’re showing items that would make great gifts including designer label handbags and clothing. There is also a counter of the boutique’s well-known collection of upscale fine jewelry.

Partners In Care, – a private non-profit, 501(c) (3) offering programs and services that help older adults remain living in their homes independently – is largely a self-sustaining organization so fine jewelry and boutique sales provide most of its operating budget.

Holiday-themed decorative items are scattered throughout the shop.

PIC’s staff and the boutique volunteers are thrilled to be back to normal operations and welcoming holiday shoppers his year.

“If you’re looking for a Christmas gift, we have so many great things that are reasonably priced,” said boutique volunteer Marlene Zupkusky. “We have holiday mugs for $2 each, for instance.”

Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique’ s hours are Mondays from Noon till 6 pm and Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 10 am till 6 pm. The store is closed on Sundays.

Hours for people wishing to donate resale items are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am till noon. For information, visit Boutiques – Partners In Care Maryland or call 410-544-0568.

Diehl’s Produce has Chrismas trees aplenty

Another quick reminder that Diehl’s Produce, at the corner of Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and McKinsey Road has plenty of Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths as well.

For information visit Diehl’s on Facebook at Diehl’s Produce | Facebook.

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company also has trees for sale on the lot next to the firehouse. They’ll also be starting their annual Santa Runs on December 4. Lunch With Santa is planned for December 5. For information on the Santa Runs neighborhood schedule and details on Lunch With Santa visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).