Month: July 2024

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

Fresh from a summer afternoon swim, teens Abby Roberts and Ava Burleson were in need of a pick-me-up. So they crossed Riggs Avenue, strolled down the sidewalk past Severna Park Elementary School and entered Olde Severna Park’s newest business, The Sugar Shoppe, for a taste of something sweet.

Once inside, the Severna Park teens found two entire walls of something sweet. They started at one end of the shop, near the back where the chocolates were located. Forgoing chocolate covered peanuts and malted milk balls. they worked their way forward to where the M&M’s, gummy bears and other colorful treats shone out from their bins. By the time they approached Georgia Denton, who was minding the checkout counter, each had a see-through bag containing a mix of candies.

• 

• 

Denton, the daughter of owner Jamie Denton and business partner Eloise Patton (who were away at a meeting) filled us in on the origins and opening of the business.

“As long-time friends, my mother and Eloise had always wanted to open a store together – a clothing store or a gift shop or something similar.” she said. “They had some free time and, talking about Severna Park one day, they spontaneously had the idea that what the town needed was a little neighborhood candy store. So, they came up with a plan, started working on it in September and got the lease for their historic location at 4 Riggs Avenue in February. Ever since then, we’ve all been busy right here.”

There was a lot of work to do. Built in the 1920’s opposite the Severna Park Train Station, the building was briefly a grocery store but was known, for more than a decade, as Doc Codd’s pharmacy. In 1944, following the death of Dr. Francis Codd, it became Cliff Dawson’s variety store featuring liquor sales, a soda fountain and a slot machine. In 1952, Dawson’s relocated, and its former location became home to the Antique Marketplace. In the spring of 2021, MaryAnn and Cam Neal took over the retail space and opened The Red Apron Shoppe (Red Apron Shoppe a welcome addition to Riggs Avenue – sharonleestable.com) which was an offshoot of their primary company Red Apron Estate Sales. The establishment closed its doors in June of 2023.

Transforming the century-old building was not an easy task.

“We basically changed the whole place,” Denton said. “We took down a column in here, added counterspace and storage units, painted the ceilings and all the walls, added a bathroom and pretty much redid everything. The exterior has been refreshed as well – quite an investment,”

The partners opened their new establishment about a month ago and the Sugar Shoppe will be having its Grand Opening with a Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on August 22 at 5 pm.

Denton took us on a mini-tour, starting with the same wall of candy her earlier customers checked out. While noting that chocolates and caramels were, by far, the most popular sweets, she pointed to empty spaces along the shelves where bins of chocolate-covered mints and chocolate-covered Oreos had stood but sold out and were subsequently removed. Among customers’ favorites were chocolate covered peanuts and nut clusters, malted milk balls, Nonpareils and caramel creams.

Pointing to displays of beach bags and games a bit further on, Denton said the owners decided on decor and merchandise with a coastal vibe on the interior of the store echoing the fact that the Sugar Shoppe is a mere block or two from the Severn River.

Roomy but stylish beach bags, shelves filled with dinosaur-themed l paper plates and napkins, and fanciful picnic items contributed greatly to the coastal feel of the retail space.

• 

• 

A second entire wall was filled with candy especially appealing to kids including a bin of dark green “military gummy guys” and brightly colored superhero or action-figure candies.

For information on hours and other details, visit THE SUGAR SHOPPE (sugar-shoppe.com) or check them out on Instagram at The Sugar Shoppe (@the_sugar_shoppe) • Instagram photos and videos.

TAI CHI BUBBLE TEA a popular destination on a sweltering July day

From time to time, we’d received tips from several Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League members that we should pay a visit to Tai Chi Bubble Tea at 572 Ritchie Highway in Park Plaza which they found fun. However, one commitment or another managed to sidetrack us.

We finally found the time to stop by early this week. Due to the soaring temperatures, high humidity and strong mid-afternoon sun, entering the cool confines of the spacious restaurant was a pleasure. We saw other shoppers with the same idea cooling off with icy smoothies, fruit bubble teas or milk teas with great names like Tai Chi Panda or flavors like Pudding, Vinilla or Watermelon and/or one of the restaurant’s healthy Ramen or Sushi menu items.

Unlike The Sugar Shoppe, Tai Chi Bubble Tea is not a new business, but it has been a successful one.

Owner Amy Chen tells us that when she opened the restaurant on Father’s Day in 2021, she was building on the success of her first Tai Chi Bubble Tea location in Annapolis. She has found Park Plaza, with its ample parking, to be a great location and the restaurant has steadily grown a loyal customer base. The eatery occasionally hosts events and celebrations like the Chinese New Year and has become a popular place for organizations like the chamber’s Successful Women In Business Group to hold meetings.

• 

• 

A Self-Defense Workshop for College Students at Jing Ying Institute this Sunday

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi is holding another of its Self-Defense Workshops for College Students this Sunday, July 28 from 2 to 4 pm at the school at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Arnold. Conducted by Billy Greer, the classes are filled with useful information and are geared to raise students’ awareness of possible danger, give them the tools to avoid it and provide them means of escape if they are attacked. As you can see from the photo below, the students pair up to practice every technique demonstrated by Greer.

For information or to register, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org) .

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.) They are also doing a summer camp.

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

Dark clouds threatened rain but, in the end, there were only sprinkles as the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s annual carnival got underway at 6 pm Monday evening. There was no lightning or thunder, so the carnival rides were already in motion.

People were already lining up at the coupon booths to purchase tickets for an amazing array of rides geared to appeal to attendees from all age groups.

The lighthearted atmosphere was everything you’d expect from a carnival on a hot summer night. Aromas of popcorn, cotton candy and grilling meats permeated the air and music from the merry-go-round could be heard as ever-growing crowds streamed onto the midway to play games ranging from The Duck Pond to Mini-Hoops, Water Gun Fun, or others.

Older children and teens immediately headed for some of the scarier rides like the Avalanche seen in the opening photo where kids with their legs dangling in the air were captured mid-plunge before reaching bottom and reaccelerating to the top to do it all again. They were equally drawn to the Hip Hop ride seen here and other “thriller” rides more heart-stopping than the tried-and-true Tilt-A-Whirl.

Not surprisingly, we saw lots of parents with kids of different ages waiting their chance to get onto the Ferris wheel.

• 

• 

Younger children held the record, of course, for riding the merry-go-round. We watched how delighted young Charlotte Byrne’s mother Jenna was to see her daughter come round that first time.

We later had a chance to talk to the whole family. Jenna, an Annapolis resident, and sister Lydia Penoyar, from Severna Park, who said they’d been coming to the carnival every year.

While meandering the carnival grounds, we couldn’t help being drawn to a red and white striped food tent that boasted lots of tempting choices. Well-known for their grilling expertise, EHVFC volunteers had their barbecue pits fired up and the kitchen going full tilt. Along with support from the Auxiliary, they conjured up a mighty fine menu featuring sixteen food items plus beverages. In addition to traditional carnival burgers, dogs and fries there were pit beef and turkey sandwiches, pizzas, nachos with cheese, soft pretzels, chicken tenders, crab cakes and sausages with peppers and onions.

A second striped tent filled with tables on which to enjoy those taste tempters also provided views of spinning teacup rides and flying dragons.

Nearby, we found EHVFC Fire Chief Dave Crawford. As usual, Crawford was back and forth supervising every aspect of the carnival and meeting, greeting and chatting with friends and attendees.

Always happy to update us on the latest news from the Earleigh Heights Firehouse and the volunteers, he was pleased to report that the 2024 Carnival, the organization’s biggest fundraiser, was going well.

“This past Saturday night was the best night we’ve ever had crowd-wise,” said Crawford. “We may have been helped by the fact that Glen Burnie had to cancel their carnival this year due to the fact that the person who spearheaded the event passed away.

He also filled us in on the status of plans for the badly needed new firehouse.

“We’ve pretty much gotten through all the zoning, and we’ve completed the planning. Now we need to go through the permitting process and are moving forward,” the Chief said. “Hopefully, by March or April of next year, we’ll be breaking ground.”

He met with the engineers last week who reported that the fire company should be in the new station within five years. The reason for the lengthy build is that the permitting phase can take up to two-and-a-half years. (If the county could help with the permitting, it could be sped up by about a year.)

Meanwhile, the focus has to be on raising money to cover current operating expenses and for construction costs. Crawford notes that the carnival is an enormous undertaking that makes a good profit and EHFVC is lucky to able to do it.

“Board member Andrew Price works on the event all year,” he added. “The volunteers and auxiliary members that run it have done so for years and are outstanding.”

With fundraising in mind, EHVFC is holding a Gala and Silent Auction at the firehouse on September 14. Tickets will be $225 for cocktails and dinner, with a table costing $800. The company is hoping to raise $200,000. A year ago, they had to spend $735,000 for the purchase of a new firetruck that was essential for the squad. Today, that same firetruck is going for a million dollars.

The Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company has been keeping the Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena areas safe and sound since 1918 when a group of Truckhouse Road neighbors with no protection against fire established the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company with just 14 members, so equipment, no station and a balance in the treasury of $2.50. The purchased the first firetruck in 1919 for $75 – basically a cart to haul equipment fitted with ladders, ropes, axes, buckets and lanterns that could be pulled by hand or by horse.

The same year, they constructed the first fire station – a wooden structure on skids that could be moved from one family’s property to another – and in the 1920’s purchased the first fire engine which was a Holloway Chemical Wagon on a Model T Ford chassis for $498. A more permanent station was completed in 1930 after which equipment continued to be purchased and updated through the 30’s and 40’s until 1958 when the present firehouse was completed at 161 Ritchie Highway.

HAPPENING TONIGHT – Ladies Night at Park Hardware

A tip from media representative Christine Hickey that Park Hardware is holding a Ladies Night this evening (July 18) from 6 to 8 pm. Guests can learn home DIY tips, interior design ideas, basic home repairs and more.  There will be giveaways, a wine tasting, and more. So, stop by if you have a moment. It’s bound to be fun.

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.) They are also doing a summer camp.

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 summer of 2024 is proving quite an exciting time for the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trail’s new president Darilyn Marinelli. Having succeeded immediate past president Diane Evans, she’s now involved in plans and preparations for the organization’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, September 29th from 4 to 6 pm at Hatton-Regester Green along the B&A Trail.

We caught up with Marinelli at The Big Bean in Severna Park where she was meeting with another past president, Jack Keene, in hopes of learning more about the history of the organization and about the network of trails owned and maintained by the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks. As can be seen in the opening photo, the two were looking over the grounds in back of a line of B&A Boulevard shops including Pedal Pushers, FroYo House Frozen Yogurt, The Big Bean, Sophie’s Crepes and others.

Next week, work will begin on an ambitious trail project to turn the strip of land into “Caraker Plaza” being named in honor of the late Thomas Caraker, III. For years, Caraker rode the B&A Trail every day and became a dedicated member of a group known as the Trailblazers who acted as “goodwill ambassadors” and served as “eyes and ears” for the rangers. Known, unofficially, as the Mayor of the B&A Trail, Tom Caraker was beloved by those who met him along the trail or in The Big Bean which he frequented daily.

Heading back into the cool comfort of the coffee shop, Marinelli explained that the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization of volunteers whose goal is to protect, preserve and enhance the county’s multi-use trails by supporting the work of the Anne Arundel Department of Recreation and Parks in creating and maintaining them.

Keene, who worked for Recreation and Parks and served as the Friends group’s president for a number of years, is a fount of information about the county trail system which began with the creation of the B&A Trail along the bed of the old Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and expanded to include five trails.

The right of way to the B&A Railroad was sold to Anne Arundel County on June 8, 1981. After the last freight train ran across the tracks in 1990, it occurred to several people that the route could be used for another purpose. A movement began to recycle the right of way by turning it into a hiking and biking park running from north of Annapolis to Glen Burnie – a 13-mile stretch.

According to Keene, the beginnings of the B&A Trail occurred with the first section laid in Glen Burnie. “It wasn’t actually a Recreation and Parks project but a rehabilitation project for downtown Glen Burnie that was federally funded and carried out by the county,” he said.

The B&A Trail was completed in 1990 and runs from Boulters Way in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie.  The “rails to trails” trail park is one of the most successful in the United States. It has been duplicated many times throughout the country.

Land adjacent to the trail in Severna Park was purchased in 1995 for the first “pocket park”, Hatton Regester Green, but not completed until 1999. The Green was designed and planted by the Friends and is supported by local garden clubs and individuals. May and September concerts are held at the Gazebo on the Green and that is where the 30th Anniversary Celebration will take place.

In November of 1994, a group of ten community-minded citizens led by Stan LeBar and David Dionne established the Friends of the B&A Trail to assist the park rangers as they patrolled the newly created B&A Trail. LeBar became its first president. In 2001, the organization’s articles of incorporation were amended to become the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails.

According to Keene, the second trail to be completed was the BWI Trail – a loop trail that circles Baltimore Washington International Airport for 12 miles. In agreement with the Department of Recreation and Parks, that one was partially paid for by the Maryland Aviation Administration which helps maintain it. Like the other trails, it is patrolled by the department’s rangers.

The third trail under construction was the WB&A Trail with which Marinelli is closely associated. The WB&A Trail is a paved recreational trail from Odenton to the Patuxent River on the abandoned Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad right of way. Phase 3 of the WB&A trail is almost complete with the creation of the Patuxent River Bridge connecting the trail to the Prince George’s County Trail.

The fourth trail currently under construction is the Broadneck Peninsula Trail – a paved trail  located within the right of way of College Parkway in Arnold, Maryland. Phases 1B and Phase 5 are still to be finished.

“Technically, the Broadneck Peninsula Trail connects with the B&A Trail at Jones Station Road,” Keene said. “From the Anne Arundel Community College section onward, it will eventually go all the way to Sandy Point State Park.”

The newest trail is the 11-mile South Shore Trail. The South Shore Trail mainly uses the abandoned roadbed of the WB&A Railroad between Annapolis and Odenton. It will connect with the Colonial Annapolis Maritime Route on the east end and the WB&A Trail on the west and be a component of the East Coast Greenway and the American Discovery Trail.  

“It will more or less run parallel to General’s Highway. The first section in Millersville is complete and the second section will stretch from Millersville to the traffic circle in Odenton,” said Keene. “A small section will pass by the Annapolis Mall ending at Medical Parkway.”

All of the trails will eventually connect according to Marinelli. There are three national trails with which one or more of them connect. A signpost erected on the B&A Trail at Jones Station Road points the way to all of them. They include The East Coast Greenway going North to South from Maine to Florida, the American Discovery Trail which goes East to West from Delaware to San Francisco, California and the September 11th National Memorial Trail which runs from the World Trade Center in New York to the Pentagon in Washington to the third crash site in Western Pennsylvania and back.

The headquarters for all of the national trails is Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park at the base of the United States Naval Academy Bridge in Annapolis.

• 

• 

More immediately, plans for the 30th Anniversary year include Marinelli’s personal goal of attracting 30 new members for 30 years. She’s over halfway there, having signed up 18 new members with 12 to go before the big celebration at Hatton-Regester Green in September. The Friends are also promoting a Lasting Gift program to provide the opportunity to purchase a brick, bench, or water fountain to honor or remember a special person, pet or organization.

“Lasting Gift donations for the bulletin boards, in particular, would be appreciated as they are all showing signs of wear,” she says.

The Friends will be continuing as hosts of concert series at Hatton-Regester Green in September and continue as co-host the Planet Walk on the B&A Trail with Anne Arundel Community College.

Through spring, summer and fall, they also maintain the Flowerbeds planted and tended by volunteers all along the county trails. At Christmas the Friends assist Santa on the trail, providing beverages and snacks in collaboration with the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Not to be forgotten, a small group of Trailblazers still exists to help the park rangers.

Darilyn Marinelli is delighted remind everyone to Save The Date of Sunday, September 29th when the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trail invites you to join them for the 30th Anniversary Celebration from 4 to 6 pm at Hatton-Regester Green along the B&A Trail. There will be live music from the Steel Drum Band, door prizes, drawings for a 50/50 raffle, and an outreach table from the Friends with information and items of interest. For information about the group, visit Anne Arundel County Trails | The Friends of AACo Trails (friendsofaatrails.org).

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival opens tonight, July 11

A reminder that the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival at 161 Ritchie Highway opens this evening. The Carnival runs from July 11 through July 20 (with the exception of Sunday, July 14) from 6 pm till 11 pm. This year, there are 40 attractions including rides, games and food. For more information, visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.) They are also doing a summer camp.

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

Those of us familiar with April’s Table Catering & Events were not at all surprised that the company’s 10th Anniversary Celebration was such a well-attended, joyous occasion. Countless local residents have tasted owner/chef April Cunningham’s delightful fare at a birthday, anniversary party or community event over the past decade.

The ceremony ended with a mad scramble outdoors for an official Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber Ribbon cutting. The sidewalk was narrow, so League motioned for the ribbon to be brought forward into the parking lot. Luckily, passing cars were careful.

For information on April’s Table’s catering and events, dinner club and pop-up meals, visit April’s Table Custom Catering & Events | Severna Park (aprilstable.com).

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival opens July 11

One of summer’s most anticipated adventures for kids is a visit to the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival at 161 Ritchie Highway. The Carnival runs from July 11 through July 20 (with the exception of Sunday, July 14) from 6 pm till 11 pm. This year, there are 40 attractions including rides, games and food. For more information, visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).

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

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.