Month: September 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

By 5 pm on Monday, rain was falling at Historic Baldwin Hall as a much looked forward to Community Resource Fair was getting underway. One could see from cars in the parking lots that attendees had already arrived.

Representatives from a dozen county agencies and non-profits were set up inside to provide information about services and resources for local families.

Indoors, we found several familiar faces as one entire side of the building was set aside for organizations and churches closely related to the Crownsville and Millersville neighborhoods surrounding Baldwin Hall. Foremost among these was Severn Crossroads Foundation trustee Carolyn Woody. The foundation is the non-profit organization responsible for restoring and maintaining Baldwin Hall. Woody was surrounded by an impressive display of photographs and documents detailing the hall’s rich history.

“We start with information on the construction of Baldwin Hall as the Old Cross Roads Church by the Methodist Society in 1861. We next make note that in 1896 the “crossroads church” was moved across Indian Landing Road to make way for the building of the current Baldwin Memorial Church. The original church was then used as the church school and parish hall until about 1970,” Woody said.

“There was much debate whether to destroy the old church hall in favor of a larger facilty. However, members tirelessly worked to raise funds for the hall, with its lovely Carpenter’s Gothic architecture, to be saved and moved once more. Some of the pictures we have here are from when the building was moved across Generals Highway to its current location and renamed Baldwin Hall.”  

The history theme prevailed as representatives from nearby John Wesley Waterbury United Methodist Church were at the next table. The church, which is located at 962 Generals Highway in the Waterbury community of Crownsville, was founded in 1845. The original church was a log building that was later destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1863. The third church was built in 1901 and given the name John Wesley Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church and is today known as John Wesley United Methodist Church.  Sunday worship services conducted by the church pastor, Rev. Frederick Price, Jr., and a wide range of activities keep the church as vibrant as ever.

Not to be outdone, there was also representation from Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church directly across General’s Highway from Historic Baldwin Hall at 921 General’s Highway. The lovely granite church resembling an English country chapel was constructed and completed in 1896 as the Cross Roads Church. It replaced the Old Cross Roads Church (now Historic Baldwin Hall). Soon thereafter, the name of the church was changed from Cross Roads Church to Baldwin Memorial Church in recognition of the tireless support to the congregation by Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Baldwin. Even today, some locals refer to Baldwin Memorial UMC as “the stone chapel”.

Moving on, we met Scoutmaster Carl Aten and Charter Organization Representative Annie Medford from Boy Scouts of America Troop 804. We’d last encountered the troop, along with members of Girl Scout Troop 192, as they presented the colors during Baldwin Hall’s Re-Birthday Celebration in June. Troop 804 is sponsored by the Severn Crossroads Foundation and meets at the hall.

Moving toward the back of the Community Resource Fair, we discovered a clever “Community Sing” booth from Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Manned by chorus director Sally Burton and member Marge McGugan, the booth was designed to inform attendees about the chorus and quartets, its many fun appearances and activities, and perhaps inspire a few of them to join. (Both Burton and McGugan are also Severn Crossroads Foundation trustees.)

Crossing over to the agency side, we discovered Patrick Hughes and Maddie Lane from the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning & Zoning. To residents from the history rich crossroads area (located along General’s Highway, the famed Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route), zoning is important. People fear the encroachment of development. So there were many questions for Hughes and Lane.

Nearby, Bonnie Paucar, an information specialist from the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities brought plenty of giveaways to attract attention but also had some great information to share. She handed out directories listing a variety of services for senior citizens as well.

Located parallel to one another we found Alison Flores and Alejandra MeInyk from the Office of Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Resources at one table and Andrea from Anne Arundel County Public Schools at the other. Flores and Melnyk were providing lots of useful information but were also inviting attendees to attend the Anne Arundel County Hispanic Heritage Awards at Liv2! Casino & Hotel on October 10th.

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Andrea, on the other hand was hoping to attract workers to fill openings with the public school system’s Food & Nutrition Services. She was also giving out packets of Smarty Plants seeds with adorable Cheer Pins attached.

We next happened upon some old friends we’ve encountered before. Lisa Dannielle and Cindy Manos from the non-profit Senior Dog Sanctuary said they are currently focused on matching senior dogs with seniors.

“We’re always looking for people to volunteer, adopt or foster our older dogs. Senior citizens often love dogs but can’t afford to have them,” Dannielle said. “Our organization is making it affordable by arranging to supply free dog food, health care and other services for the senior dogs so they can have a home and companionship with a loving senior.”

Lastly, we encountered two agencies we consider very important. Jorge Paucar from the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management was providing Guides to Emergency Preparedness along with little emergency medical kits with Band-Aids, sterile alcohol pads, etc. as well as sunglasses and other items. Next to him an Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System member was handing out equally important information along with tote bags, self-contained notebooks with items helpful in emergency situations like writing paper, post-it notes and stick-on labels and other supplies.

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Altogether a good representation of community services for a rainy September evening at Historic Baldwin Hall.

Speaking of rain, we have five great events scheduled for this weekend some of which may be affected by the weather while others might not. We’ll start with those being held on Saturday.

Trinity Bible Church’s Fall Festival on Saturday, September 28

As mentioned last week, a fun-filled Fall Festival is being held at Trinity Bible Church at 99 Truckhouse Road this Saturday, September 28 from 11 am till 2 pm. The FREE community event for people of all ages, will offer food and entertainment for the whole family.  The celebration should go off rain or shine as it could easily be moved from outdoors to indoors.

Langton Green’s 10th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, September 28

The public is invited to join the celebration of Langton Green Community Farm’s 10th Anniversary this Saturday, September 28 from 1 pm till 4:30 pm. There will be food, concessions and family fun. Thanks to a sponsorship by Bay Ridge Lawn & Landscape, there will be live music by the Pretty Big Deal Trio. There will also be a few poetry readings and people are invited to enjoy a walk about the farm.

Should the weather surprise us and be sunny, attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair. If there is rain, we are assured by Langton Green Community Farm communications director Patricia Dempsey that the event can and will be held inside. The farm is located at 844-846 Generals Highway in Millersville.

Moving on to Sunday, we have three more events.

Art In The Park at Cafe Mezzanotte this Sunday, September 29

The 3rd Annual edition of Art In The Park held at Cafe Mezzanotte in partnership with the Severna Park Voice is scheduled for this Sunday from 1 till 5 pm. The live Music & Arts Festival is being sponsored by KMA Law with proceeds to benefit Partners In Care.

There will be live music by The Grilled Lincolns featuring Andy Hall with The Betas. In addition to a Beer & Wine Garden Picnic Pavillion, there will be local ice cream, gifts, artists and art galleries. Tickets for the rain or shine event are $58 per person In Advance, $68 at the Door. You can call Cafe Mezzanotte at 410-647-1100 for any other questions.

Rain is not a problem as there are tents and part of the event could be moved inside if necessary.

Severna Park Community Center Fall Festival this Sunday, September 29

Severna Park Community Center’s annual Fall Festival is scheduled for this Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 4 pm. This free community event is also sponsored by KMA Law. In addition to live music, food trucks, artisan vendors and family activities like pumpkin decorating, there will be children’s activities ranging from face painting, games, music and art, Dodge Arrows and critters from Eco Adventures.

We’re told this event is weather-sensitive. Due to the fact that most activities are centered on being outdoors, it could be postponed (probably to October) if there is heavy rain. Stay tuned. We’ll try to keep you updated.

Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails 30th Anniversary at Hatton-Regester Green

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails‘ 30th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 pm this Sunday, September 29 at Hatton-Regester Green. The Old Mill High School Steel Drum Band will be performing beginning at 4:00 P.M. Ken’s Hot Dogs will be on hand. There will be door prizes, a raffle, and lot of great music.

This event is weather-sensitive. The Friends are hoping the rains will be over by 4 pm. If not, the celebration will have to be cancelled.

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Following on the success of its inaugural Spring Native Plant Sale on May 4, Park Hardware again teamed with Providence of Maryland to hold its first Fall Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 14.

The weather was beautiful, the plants looked great, and foot traffic was heavy all day (as seen in the photo above). The event was a resounding success according to media representative Christine Hickey.

Park Hardware owner Rick Miller asked Providence greenhouse manager Rachel Carey and her group of vocational trainees to bring a wide selection of native plants over and arrange them for sale at the far end of the Park Hardware property beyond the parking lot. They did an amazing job.

The plants were healthy, hardy, beautiful and very interesting. We’d gotten an advance peek at them Friday evening and were fascinated with the way they were presented.

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There were quite a few plants I was unfamiliar with such as Woodland Stonecrop and Foamflower which make good groundcovers. There were signs with each section of plants describing them in detail. There was also an entire row of plants that are longtime favorites like Purple Coneflowers, Goldenrod and Garden Phlox.

For casual gardeners or those new to the hobby, the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners staffed a booth and answered questions for shoppers. In addition, they signed some folks up for free Bay-Wise yard visits to help homeowners assess their yard’s potential to reduce stormwater runoff and create backyard habitat using native trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses.

Plant sale shoppers were asked to pay for their purchases inside the store. Park Hardware owner Rick Miller and manager Mike Clarke posted themselves by the entrance to greet them and direct them to a counter to pay for their purchases.

Both men were very pleased that the Fall Native Plant Sale brought new customers to Park Hardware.

According to Hickey, the fall plant sale was successful beyond their expectations.

“Over the weekend, Park Hardware saw well over 100 customers perusing the plant sale and sold over 700 pots of 40 species of native perennials like milkweed, bee balm, phlox, and Black-eyed Susan’s,” she said. “Native plants can be hard to find, so Severna Park residents were out in droves, as well as visitors from around Anne Arundel County and from as far away as Pikesville, Maryland.”

“All the native plants were grown by Providence of Maryland, whose Arnold greenhouse complex employs adults with developmental disabilities,” added Hickey. “Customers repeatedly commented on how healthy and robust the plants looked, as well as the astounding variety of species. Park Hardware looks forward to continuing to partner with Providence to bring more native plants to Severna Park.”

Plans are already in the works to make the Spring and Fall Native Plant Sales annual events. 

Trinity Bible Church’s Fall Festival scheduled for September 28

A fun-filled Fall Festival is being held at Trinity Bible Church at 99 Truckhouse Road on Saturday, September 28 from 11 am till 2 pm. The FREE community event for people of all ages, will offer food and entertainment for the whole family. There will be burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks plus a moonbounce, photo booth, games and crafts, snow cones, bingo, and more! For more information, visit Trinity Bible Church | Severna Park, Maryland | (trinitysevernapark.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.

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

For those who enjoy the Saturday morning ritual of shopping for farm grown meat and produce and locally made baked goods and crafts, the Severna Park Farmer’s Market never disappoints. While some vendors come and go over the course of a summer, most are regulars. Eastern Shore farmer Pat Hochsmuth of Pat’s Produce and Gourds (pictured above) is a farmer’s market veteran of more than two decades.

Likewise, the beautiful bouquets and plants Joyce Martinek sells at her Joyce’s Flowers & Herbs stand have been one of the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s biggest attractions since it opened in 1996. Martinek has raised flowers and herbs on her acreage in Elmhurst off Quarterfield Road for decades and has sold them at the market every summer for 28 years. Her bouquets are so popular with shoppers that her operation has grown over the years from one table to three tables of them. These days, she’s so busy greeting and chatting with longtime or new customers that she usually brings along a helper – most often her son Danny Martinek.

As mentioned before, Pat Hochsmuth has been participating in the Severna Park Farmer’s Market almost as long as Martinek, bringing an excellent selection of vegetables and melons up from his farm in Delmar, Maryland every Saturday. Like Martinek’s business, Pat’s Produce has done well and grown so much over the years that he, too, needs help running the stand.

Nearby, farmer’s market regular David Haberkorn of Morris Hill Farm was selling fresh eggs and chicken, duck, turkey, beef, pork and lamb from pasture-raised animals. Haberkorn’s first season at the market was 2019 after moving to his Tracy’s Landing farm with wife Vicki from Florida where they had a similar farm and learned to use regenerative farming practices that avoid harmful pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.

To Haberkorn’s left was the colorful stand of another market regular, Lyon Rum, from St. Michaels, Maryland. Lyon Rum is the flagship spirit of Windon Distillery founded in 2012 by Jamie Windon. It’s made from Louisiana sugar cane in small pot stills with no additives or preservatives.

Considering the rather large number of canine companions seen with their owners at the farmer’s market each Saturday, it’s not really surprising that The Spoiled Dog Bakery has become such a hit. Owner Dianell Ashe created all manner of gourmet treats for dogs that, frankly, look good enough for humans to eat. They include Blueberry Bacon or Peanut Butter dog biscuits, Turkey Pumpkin Jerky, Cinnabons and Cinnamon Pumpkin biscuits in the shape of pumpkins.

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Keeping to the same side of the market, we came upon one of the most interesting vendors. My Nana’s Kitchen owner Anita Robertson, who also manages the farmer’s market, creates old fashioned homemade jams, spreads, sauces and condiments. She even has a sour dough starter. Robertson’s Chow Chow relish, Pickled Beetsand Rhubarb or Strawberry, Wild Blueberry or Whole Cherry Fruit Spreads bring to mind recipes made by her customers’ own grandmothers.

Crisscrossing the market, we came to the stand where veteran vendor Tyra Mack sells her Mack’s Mixes products. Considering the fact that that the mosquito and tick populations are at an all-time high this summer, the sign advertising Mack’s all-natural insect repellant certainly attracted my attention. Tyra’s nourishing soaps, shampoos and other products are also made with all-natural herbs, spices, butters and oils.

A stand or two further down and easily identifiable by its trademark green and white checked tablecloths, another farmer’s market favorite, the Zahradka Family Farm Stand, was doing brisk business as usual. The Essex, Maryland-based farm brought a vast range of vegetables and fruits. Starting at one end, there were enormous heads of cabbage and bunches of radishes, peppers, eggplants, lettuces, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn and fruits including apples, pears, cantaloupes and melons. There are farm-grown meats as well.

We noted loaves of fresh-baked bread at The Breadery, luscious looking butterhead lettuce and watercress at the booth of Green View Hydroponics from Suddlersville on the Eastern Shore, soy candles at Evie & Park, lemonade from Astral Sugars, and blade sharpening at Sharp Hamptons. Lest we forget, there was also a group of Master Gardeners from the University of Maryland Extension Service offering advice to gardeners and touting their Plant Clinics.

The Severna Park Farmer’s Market will be open through October and, if all goes as planned, will be back in early December with its annual Christmas Market. To follow the weekly schedule and activities of the farmer’s market visit Facebook.

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department lands $454,000 grant for Air/Light Unit

We just received word from Fire Chief Dave Crawford that Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company has received a Federal Grant for $454,000 to buy an Air/Light Unit to support fire ground operations. The unit will take about 3 years to build.

When you need to supply the scene with additional breathing air and scene lighting, Air/ Light Fire Trucks are the ultimate support vehicles according to Crawford. The truck EHVFC has ordered from Colorado-based SVI is similar to the one shown on the right. Such trucks can be customized for salvage and overhaul operations, or equipped for medical, rehabilitation and all-hazards response.

Crawford already has received drawings from SVI depicting the Air/Light Unit being built and customized for EHVFC in detail.

“It will be a very valuable asset for us for fighting fires or other emergency situations,” the fire chief said. “We’ll be able to generate light and fill our SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) bottles. We’ll also be able to make our Air/Light Truck available for all of the emergency responders in the area.”

Fall Native Plant Sale this Saturday at Park Hardware

Park Hardware, at 500 Ritchie Highway, is holding a Fall Native Plant Sale this Saturday (September 14) featuring a fine selection of autumn perennials. The sale will begin at 8 am and will last until the plants run out. Experts from the Anne Arundel County Bay-wise Program will be on site to offer advice.

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu &Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

August 19th was an exciting day for Severn River Association Program Officer Tom Guay and other members of the staff assembled to watch as the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) craft Papa Francis headed up the Severn toward a section of restored reef at Trace’s Hollow near the Severn River Bridge laden with 12.5 million oysters to be planted.

It was the second time oysters would be planted there and the observers couldn’t wait for the healthy flow of crustaceans from the side of the boat onto the reef to begin. SRA Operations and Communications Manager Sarah Winchester captured digital images of the entire operation including the actual planting as seen in the opening photograph.

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To acquaint us with the exact locations of the ten oyster reefs the Severn River Association has been restoring, Guay stood on a bank overlooking the Severn at Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park and pointed to each. He started with those nearest him on the north side of the river.

“There is the reef just off the historic property Manresa on the hill in the distance and a second reef near the boat in the foreground referred to as Peach Orchard,” Guay said.

Pointing to the Severn River Bridge over Route 50, Guay identified a reef in front and toward the far side of it as the MGO reef. Then, he pointed toward the southern shore slightly below the MGO reef to the Trace’s Hollow reefs 1 and 2.

Shifting his stance, he pointed southward to the Severn River’s biggest reef off the community of Wardour at Weems Creek known as Weems Upper. It has been planted heavily over the years and is the river’s most populous reef. Just north of Weems Upper off Priest Point is another reef referred to as Wade. An additional reef nearby is a “hot spot” for oysters known as Wade 2.

Finally, turning around to face the Naval Academy Bridge, he pointed to the mouth of the Severn River beyond The Naval Academy where two additional reefs are located at Tolley Point near Bay Ridge and Chinks Point near Back Creek.

The Severn River Association’s impressive oyster reef restoration projects began back in 2009 during the administration of Governor Martin O’Malley according to Guay.

“O’Malley asked the State legislature to make some financial commitments to bring oysters back to Maryland waters,” he recalled. “Fortunately, the Severn River was included in the plan.”

The first project launched – an educational outreach program to residents who owned piers all along the river – was called Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO). The SRA jumped on the program under the leadership of Bob Whitcomb who was president at the time and it was very successful.

The Severn River Association is now the biggest and most effective organization in the State involved with the MGO project. SRA has more than 300 oyster growers who receive free oyster larvae growing on oyster shells – a combination known as spat on shell – in September. They grow them in cages off their piers over the winter. When ready in June, the spat on shell are collected and planted on the MGO reef by the Severn River Bridge.

In 2018, the SRA members realized that, at the pace they were going, it was going to take a very long time to restore the reefs. They’d been planting approximately half a million oysters a year with the MGO program. However, they had a goal of one or two billion mature oysters in order to filter and refresh the water in the Severn River each week

Led by Bob Whitcomb and Ted Delaplaine, the SRA board decided to do something more aggressive and partnered with the Oyster Recovery Project and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to create a project called Operation Build A Reef as an experiment.

Working with ORP and DNR, SRA members raised private money to do their first major planting of 40 million oyster spat on shell with hopes of restoring two traditional Severn River reefs.

“We went to the hatchery at Horn Point and bought 40 million spat on shell, put them on one of Horn Point’s oyster boats, the Robert Lee, and planted them on the Manresa and Peach Orchard reefs,” Guay reported. “We next planted 15 million spat on shell on the reef we refer to as Trace’s Hollow A2. That is the same area we reseeded on August 19 by planting 12.5 million new oysters right over those previously planted there. All-told, we’ve planted over 200 million spat on shell.”

“We think all those oysters are doing really well and we can back that up. SRA has a water quality monitoring program, and we monitor the entire river including the oyster reefs which we visit every week. We monitor the water at each, measuring the levels of oxygen and salinity, particularly at the bottom where the oysters live. Over time, since 2018, we can show that the salinity and oxygen levels are of good enough quality for our oysters to be thriving.”

Guay added that the monitoring is followed up with an annual dive conducted on reefs planted with hatchery oysters the year before by volunteers who are experienced scuba divers. The divers take samples and are able to count, within a square meter, how many of the oysters are alive.

Thus far, the dives reveal that year-old oysters are thriving on the reefs. The minimum requirement to say a reef has been restored is 50 live oysters per square meter. SRA is getting 86 live oysters. In one spot, there were 150.

Guay revealed what a clump of healthy one-year old oysters looked like with a photo he took. He noted that, by the time the oysters are three years old, they have reached their full potential to filter up to 50 gallons of water each day.

The dives and underwater drones sent down to photograph the Weems Upper reef showed that from the surface to 12 and 14 ft. down the water is murky. “However, down right on top of the oysters, suddenly, the waters clear and you’re able to see the oysters,” Guay said. “You can actually view the oysters in the photographs. They do seem to be helping with the clarity.”

It’s fortunate that the Severn River has brackish water with salinity levels in drier years that are high enough for oysters and crabs to reproduce. When those conditions occur, there are enormous spawns allowing the oysters to reproduce themselves. If that happens often enough, the reefs can become self-sustaining.

Though the Severn River Association has many excellent programs, from floating classrooms for students to creating living shorelines, the organization is justly proud of its efforts to bring back the estuary’s historic reefs. SRA’s ultimate goal is to create favorable enough conditions in the Severn that there are enough fish, oysters and crabs for the local populations to share.

To learn more about the Severn River Association and explore opportunities to volunteer, visit Home – Connect Restore Protect | Severn River Association

Walk the Walk Foundation continues to grow by leaps and bounds

Thanks to help from generous donors and volunteers from Thrive Gym Annapolis and The Rotary Club of Parole (Annapolis), Walk the Walk Foundation completed the collection and distribution of more than 500 school backpacks to students at Mills Parole Elementary School on August 22.

WTWF director Nicole Dolan said she was incredibly pleased with the success of the organization’s 2024 school backpack drive.

“Since Walk the Walk Foundation can purchase school supplies for a much lower cost in bulk, we purchase the supplies up front and invite volunteers to join in filling backpacks,” Dolan said.

The busy director and her volunteers travel to communities, churches, offices, or schools where generous donors can fill a backpack for a $30 donation. The $30 covers the cost of one backpack along with all the necessary school supplies.

From the time Dolan and her husband Jeff took over the leadership of Walk The Walk Foundation from founders Dave and Kim Mitchell in 2022, the organization has grown by leaps and bounds and there has been lots of good news to share.

By far, the best news of all concerns one of WTWF’s most important initiatives – its Diapers for Babies program. At the end of July, the organization received a remarkable donation of 213,000 diapers from Huggies and The National Diaper Bank Network. The diapers were delivered in a 53 ft. trailer. Thankfully, a crew of volunteers helped the Dolans unload boxes and boxes of them.

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Walk the Walk Foundation’s Diapers for Babies program now supports 16 pantries across Anne Arundel County.

Aside from ongoing efforts to package diapers for distribution to those who need them, the foundation will be participating in their 3rd annual Bay Bridge Run/Walk Fundraiser on November 10th. Through WTWF’s Christmas for Children program, they’ll also be asking the local community to sponsor children for the holiday by purchasing Christmas gifts for families who otherwise would not be able to afford them

Since started by Dave and Kim Mitchell in 2005, over 10,000 children have been sponsored for Christmas by caring donors over the past 18 years. For more information about Walk the Walk Foundation or to volunteer for one of its programs, visit Walk the Walk Foundation | Annapolis MD (wtwf.org).

Homeschool businesses and organizations gather at Jing Ying Institute this Friday

Tomorrow, September 6, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi is hosting a Homeschool event. The event will provide Anne Arundel County homeschool families an opportunity to meet local businesses and organizations that have homeschool programs and/or extracurricular activities appealing to students of all ages from elementary school through high school.

From 11 am till 2:30 pm, parents and students will be free to meet with vendors. From 12:30 to 1:30 pm, there will be a free Kung Fu class for kids. There will be free school supplies for students and other giveaways. There will also be a raffle. You may register your student or students for the kids’ kung fu class in advance at https://bit.ly/HSKungFu.

Langton Green Community Farm to celebrate 10th Anniversary on September 28

President John Iaquinta and the staff at Langton Green Community Farm invites local residents to join in as they celebrate the farm’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, September 28th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. There will be live music provided by Pretty Big Deal Trio, food, and family fun. The farm is located at 844 General’s Highway in Millersville. For more information, visit Home – Langton Green.

Hatton Regester Green Fall Concert Series resumes

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails‘ Concert Series at Hatton Regester Green got underway on September 1 with a concert by the duo Two Stories. The next concert will be held Sunday, September 8, from 4 to 6 pm and will star Sparks & McCoy playing classic acoustic rock.

Sunday, September 15 will see Ginger and the other Dave singing and harmonizing. Both play guitar with Ginger also play fiddle on pop, rock, country and folk music. Sunday, September 22 will feature Caribbean influenced trio Guava Jelly – a Hatton Regester favorite. September 29 will feature the Old Mill High School Steel Band.

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.