Month: October 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

Autumn of 2024 has been a joyous time for Rose Walker. Two years after agreeing to take a space in the historic Listman building at 45 W. Earleigh Heights Road, she finally opened the brick-and-mortar version of her fashion boutique Bohemian Black by Walking Roses.

Walker had been looking for a space to open her boutique two years ago when introduced to the Listman property by the owners of Weboshe who asked if she’d like to share a space on the building’s top floor with them. She immediately saw the potential of the property’s location at the corner of Earleigh Heights Road and the Baltimore Annapolis Trail opposite the Ranger Station. She accepted their offer.

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Unfortunately, the owners of the Listman property became tied up in the process of applying for permits and carrying out the extensive renovations required since buying the property in 2021. The length of time the upgrades have taken became a problem for Walker. She badly needed space to accommodate her growing inventory of clothing and couldn’t afford to wait much longer. So, the owners agreed to remodel and restore a former garage attached to the store’s first floor for her as a temporary space where she could display her wares in a Pop-Up Shop type setting.

The restoration/remodel took place fairly quickly and Walker opened Bohemian Black on September 22nd. As expected, the shop’s location proved a good one. Close to the Severna Park Taphouse and B&A Trail and opposite The Yoga Barn and The Coffee Trailer, it’s also on the way to Kinder Farm Park.

“The B&A Trail is huge,” Walker says. “I get a lot of customers and clients coming from off the Trail.”

The Bohemian Black brand was created by Walker in November of 2021 as an outgrowth of her styling company Walking Roses which does personal styling helping individuals select the right apparel for their body types while removing the stigma of sizing. The company actually originated in conjunction with Walker’s mother – a talented seamstress who created the apparel. Sadly, she passed away. Daughter Rose managed to revamp the concept of the business while keeping her mother’s legacy in mind.

Local residents first became aware of Bohemian Black at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST 2022 when Walker used an exotic tent to market fall fashions with a BoHo Chic vibe. Needless to say, shoppers were drawn to the display like bees to honey.

Walker displayed similar creativity while marketing her stylish clothing at various events throughout greater Severna Park and Arnold, and through the Bohemian Black Festivals and fashion shows she’s held in collaboration with other vendors at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company.

Now that she’s opened her storefront, Walker has the opportunity to expand her curated collection of women’s and children’s fashions to include men’s apparel and boho home decor. Soon, she’ll be able to expand the collection more. It seems the owners’ restoration of the Listman building has taken so much longer than intended that the owners of Weboshe were compelled to move on to a different location. Thus, Walker will have the entire top floor to herself.

She’s currently sourcing her lines of clothing, jewelry and home products from a variety of sources through apparel manufacturers and trade shows. But, more and more, she’s bringing in products and apparel from local designers and craftsmen.

Seen on the table next to Walker is chemist Tracey Kearse’s AcArre Bioactive Scalp & Skin Care. Next to it is a collection of Marie Halos fragrances by local resident Odessa and her husband who create both the jars and the scents. The hat she’s touching in the photo below is a Rees & Plums creation from Ginny who does custom burn designs on all the hats. (There are several scattered throughout the shop.)

Moving on to racks of clothing, she noted how much fun it is to help her customers select fashions that complement them. Rose Walker has a magical way of putting pieces together in the most stylish way possible. Noting that “denim is hot this fall,” she pointed to a denim vest and jeans covered by a stylish kimono-styled coat with a red scarf and gold cross the perfect accessories. Below the outfit is another of Ginny Rees’ burnished hats.

Walker pointed out that she also works with artists and designers local to Severna Park. She’s currently carrying two lines of jewelry. One is by the mother of Severna Park High School graduate Parijita Bastola who was a semi-finalist on NBC’s “The Voice”.

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As always, Bohemian Black carries one or more elegant versions of the basic black dress that can be kept simple or made far more glamorous with the right accessories.

Rose Walker can’t wait for the restoration of the Listman building to be compete so she can take over the top floor. Meantime, she’s preparing an event for the holidays that she’s calling Gilded Winter, a Bohemian Black Styling Affair – “an exclusive evening of holiday styling magic” that will take place at 6:30 pm on November 21st at the store. She’ll bring together hair, makeup, beauty and fashion experts to help attendees create their perfect holiday looks with Bohemian Black. To keep abreast of what’s happening, visit Facebook.

Severna Park Community Center “Halloween Spooktacular” spectacular!

Why did the chicken cross the road Friday evening, October 25th?

To get to the Severna Park Community Center’s “Halloween Spooktacular” of course. Having eyed the fun-filled spectacle from the parking lot above, the chicken determined it was an event that shouldn’t be missed.

Crossing the street as well, we entered the central avenue of the event which was crowded beyond expectations to the joy of the community center staff and board members. They’d found it necessary to postpone a Fall Festival they’d originally planned for September 28 because of questionable weather. Thereafter, they decided to combine the festival with the Halloween Spooktacular as one big event.

Believe it or not, we caught up with the chicken moving forward in line with others waiting for a complimentary cup of cider or cocoa courtesy of The Big Bean. Obscured by the crowd to their left Donut Shack was giving out free donuts. We believe the chicken waited in that line too.

Nearby, Dodge Arrows owner Louben Repke took a few minutes away from his popular archery game to visit with baby daughter Wren and wife Sara. Wren looked adorable while celebrating her first Halloween as, what else? A baby bird.

Dodge Arrows’ opportunity “to Shoot Arrows at Your Friends” drew a constant crowd as did the wide range of costumed Trunk or Treaters, each group with its own theme.

Approaching the community center building where there were 11 vendors set up inside, we caught up with SPCC Marketing Director Amy Holbrook who told us how pleased the organizers were that the Halloween Spooktacular has grown so much every year. The event had already drawn more than 600 people and the evening was still young.

We arrived in front of the building just in time for a “spirited” performance by young students from the Dance Center of the Severna Park.

By the time we left the Spooktacular, the lines for cider, cocoa and donuts as well as Dodge Arrows were snaking the entire length of the parking lot.

The next big event for the Severna Park Community Center will be Cookies and Cocoa with Santa on December 13. To follow all the center’s events and activities, visit Events from November 5 – December 13 – Severna Park Community Center (spcommunitycenter.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

From the moment it opened Saturday at 11 am, the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST 2024 fairly bustled with shoppers. Granted, the first hour drew more adults wanting to check out the vendors than children. Dozens of vendor tents stretched across the Park Plaza parking lots. The closest rows contained tents for M & T Bank, Sidestreet Framers & Gift Gallery, Play Street Museum, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School and Providence Pottery & Arts Studio among others.

By noon, however, the witching hour was upon the crowd and costumed youngsters began to appear at the Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services tent, their Trick or Treat Bags at the ready. “Good witches” Winsome Brown and sisters Mia and Micayla Alexander had expected to give out lots of candy to the kids. But they were amazed to see their folders and brochures picked up by adult shoppers as quickly as they could put them out.

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Trick or Treaters had also been stopping at the St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School tent, with and without their parents. Director of Admissions Kira Dickson filled her trusty basket with candy and, as can be seen in the photo below, it was going fast.

Dickson also had some exciting news to share with visitors to the St. Martin’s tent. The school was about to welcome its new Interim Head of School Kathleen Mahar who’d served most recently as President of Archbishop Spalding High School.

With an hour to go before the Children’s Costume Contest, there was lots to see with playful pirates, fanciful creatures and mystical apparitions everywhere. Wolf Zelda and chicken Daphne took it all in but steered clear of the scary mummy (Jacquei Shade) behind them with Mr. Toad (Thomas Shade) from the classic book “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad”. The mummy would crop up elsewhere from time to time.

Following Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s much anticipated Lion Dance, the Lion’s head became disconnected from its body enroute to the martial arts school’s tent. Moments later, event Gold Sponsor Jing Ying’s owners Nancy and Billy Greer brought out an example of the institute’s newest attraction, a Dragon Ribbon in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

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Dragon Ribbons are used with students of all ages during classes at the Arnold-based school. But, in China, their use is considered a popular form of exercise for “elderly” Tai Chi practitioners. Billy Greer provided a demonstration of how the ribbons work while Nancy commented that exercising with one requires getting into a steady rhythm.

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The day following SHOPTOBERFEST, the Jing Ying Institute Team rallied at Sandy State Park for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Greers note that the Jing Ying Team is still collecting Alzheimer’s Walk donations through Thanksgiving. You can make a donation online through 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel): Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi | Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Time passed ever so quickly. The Costume Contest was scheduled for 1 pm, but costumed kids began arriving ten minutes early from all points of the compass. Soon, Chamber CEO Liz League announced over the loudspeaker that the costume contest was about to begin. She asked that all competitors form a line before the judges. The line was colorful and very long stretching from one end of the parking lot to the other.

After announcing that prizes would be awarded for the most original, cutest and scariest costume, the event’s emcee proceeded to speak with each child and have them explain the character they were portraying. He had great fun speaking with Cinderella, a princess, a pirate (who’d win Cutest Costume), two Minions, a werewolf and Beetlejuice (who’d win a prize for Scariest) but was astonished when Abraham Lincoln recited the first lines of the Gettysburg Address.

Storybook characters included the monkey Curious George and companion in the yellow hat (who captured the prize for Most Original). The black hooded phantasm flitted here, there and everywhere.

The costume contest over, it was back to Trick or Treating for the children while their parents enjoyed more shopping. An oh-so-popular draw for everyone was the Eco Adventures tent where Dorito the Corn Snake and his handler Nathan greeted visitors.

Corn Snakes are native to Maryland. Dorito, an excellent specimen, is one of Eco Adventures animal ambassadors. There were other animal ambassadors behind Nathan.

After leaving Dorito, we once more came upon the mummy minding the Good Neighbors Group stand. The mummy, aka Jacquei Shade, was the epitome of GNG’s goal to “Recycle, Reduce, and Renew”.

“I made my mummy costume from one of my husband’s old dress shirts that was stained, a GNG donation of midshipman’s pants that were too stained to pass on, and an old white baseball cap topped by some sheer fabric gathered around an elastic band,” Shade said.

There were so many vendors at the event that we can mention just a few. Some, like SHOPTOBERFEST Gold Sponsor SERVPRO, Kwon’s Taekwondo, Sidestreet Framers & Gift Gallery and Ally 4 Pets have been at virtually every one of the spring and fall SHOP LOCAL events.

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Others were new this year. Brand new to Severna Park and quite colorful was the CottonWood quilting, arts and antique shop now located at 548 Benfield Road and owned by Julie and D.J. Antinucci. Another was Nothing Bundt Cakes.

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Nissa and Aiden, who were selling the bundt cakes nonstop, were with the Waugh Chapel branch. The original shop is located in Annapolis and there is about to be a Nothing Bundt Cakes shop opening in Park Plaza in two months.

Before leaving SHOPTOBERFEST, we couldn’t help but notice that the Singing Pirates seen spinning cotton candy in the opening photo were just as busy as they had been throughout the day with long lines of customers trailing across the parking lot. The cotton candy in flavors ranging from blue raspberry to cherry berry was free to everyone courtesy of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber.

The Chamber was delighted with SHOPTOBERFEST 2024. The day couldn’t have been more beautifulm the crowds good and steady sales for the vendors.

AAUW Book Sale to be held October 31 thru November 3

Another reminder that the annual AAUW Book Sale will be held from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday November 3 at Chesapeake Square, 6714 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD (south of Ordinance Road, west side of Ritchie Hwy, in shopping center with Chap’s Pit Beef).

Doors open for the presale from 8:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31 ($40 entry) then free to all from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM. The sale continues Friday, November 1 from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM. For more information, visit AAUW ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY USED BOOK SALE | Facebook.

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

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

Pumpkins, chrysanthemums and straw bales provided a spectacular setting for celebrating Park Tavern’s 10th Anniversary on the golden afternoon of October 4th.

Though the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce would be conducting the official anniversary program along with a ribbon cutting in front of the restaurant, longtime patrons of Park Tavern were already celebrating inside.

As is usually the case, Chamber CEO Liz League showed up early to greet those attending the program and was soon trading the latest business news with Tommy Sommers, owner of LogoZone Promotions, and Phil Savard from Ace Hardware.

The group quickly grew as more people from the Severna Park business community arrived. Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall had invited her Chief of Staff Rory Nolan to accompany her as he had never visited Park Tavern before. He was eager to see what it was like.

Bagnall related a bit about the history of Park Tavern and other properties of the 206 Restaurant Group to her young chief of staff.

“I really like that the restaurant group partners buy long established properties that may have lost their sheen like the Deep Creek Restaurant in Arnold. The partners restored and transformed it into something really special,” Bagnall said. “When the restaurant group took over ownership of the former Woodfire Restaurant and Back Room and transformed it into Park Tavern, they created a truly wonderful dining exerience which has become a really important part of the Severna Park community. Each of the restaurants they’ve opened is different and distinct from the others.”

Folks attending the anniversary celebration continued to stream in and formed conversational groups along the restaurant sidewalk. Anne Arundel County Council member Amanda Fiedler, who would be presenting a citation to Park Tavern owner Don Kelly and his partners, caught up with fellow presenter Aysia Rodriguez representing Maryland State Delegate Brian Chisholm and Severna Park Voice publisher Dianna Lancione.

Moments later, 206 Restaurant Group partners Don Kelly, Justin Dvorkin and Greg Keating, their families and staff filed out onto the front steps of Park Tavern as League called everyone together for the official Anniversary Program.

The program got underway with League interviewing Don Kelly about his vision in opening Park Tavern and his take on what’s happened in the 10 years since.

“Ten years has flown by, with a little curve ball in the middle in 2020 with the COVID pandemic, which we’d never experienced before. But this tavern was the one establishment we never closed down. That was not what we had in any of our other locations. Severna Park really supported us, and we thank them to this day, ” Kelly said.

“Over that 10-year period, we opened Donnelly’s Dockside with our partner Dan Donnelly and our sports bar JB’s which sits directly opposite Park Tavern. We’ve been delighted how well JB’s and Park Tavern complement each other and continue to thrive. We hope we’ll be here with both for another 20 years.”

In response to League’s question about what sets Park Tavern apart from the 206 Restaurant Group’s other properties, Kelly responded he’d looked to provide something the community didn’t have – to fill a niche. He wanted to reinvent the neighborhood tavern, with good food, a menu that changed two or three times each year, and great service. He noted that, when customers come into the Tavern, they’ll see six or seven of the original staff members and others who know their clientele well.

Kelly and partners Dvorkin and Keating spent a few minutes speaking about their other properties – each with its own personality. In addition to Park Tavern and JB’s, they include their Baltimore landmark pub, the cozy Pratt Street Ale House and Donnelly’s Dockside with waterside dining the partners have taken to another level. The threesome also shared the exciting news that their well-known Oliver Brewing Company is moving from East Baltimore to a site on Jumper’s Hole Road in Millersville. The craft brewer of American ales and taproom will be a welcome addition to the Millersville community and will bring 20 to 30 fulltime jobs to the area.

League easily segued into the next part of the celebration introducing several state and local government officials with citations to present to Park Tavern.

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The official ceremony over, the partners, family members and staff came together across the tavern’s front entrance for photographs and a chamber ribbon cutting. A half dozen original staff members and several others who’ve worked at Park Tavern for a least six or seven years were praised by the partners.

Meantime, indoors, Park Tavern regulars were already celebrating.

The bar already fully occupied when the anniversary celebration got underway at 4 pm, longtime Park Tavern patrons Kati Elliott and friend Lauren Garber found a table with other longtime customers and enjoyed the celebration. They had a great time selecting goodies from the trays of complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and shooters the waiters were handing out.

The official anniversary festivities were over at 6 pm, but many of those attending stayed on.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere

Autumn is fleeting but, on these bright beautiful days who can resist visiting one of our local produce stands where pumpkins share star billing with chrysanthemums. Diehl’s Produce in Severna Park has a great variety of pumpkins in all sizes – from those suitable for making pies to those that are decorative – plus a wide variety of winter squash. A shock of fodder makes a great background for some of those vibrant hued chrysanthemums.

A limited amount of produce is still available including some crispy apples from Adam’s County, Pennsylvania. Diehl’s Produce will remain open through Halloween, then will observe a pause until reopening to sell Christmas trees.

Driving about, we found the proliferation of pumpkins positively picturesque at Pumphrey’s Farm on Veteran’s Highway in Millersville.

Pumphrey’s Farm still has plenty of vegetables and fruits available including several varieties of apples and pears from Carroll County. The stand will remain open till Thanksgiving.

SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist at Park Plaza this Saturday

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce reports that over 40 vendors will be appearing at the annual SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist at Park Plaza this Saturday from 10 am till 3 pm. There will be a Kids Costume Contest at 1 pm followed by a Costume Contest for Dogs. There will be food to sample, music and entertainment to enjoy, and the chance to SHOP LOCAL in support of our community businesses.

Cypress Restaurant & Bar to open at Park Plaza

We happened to notice while driving through Park Plaza that work is in progress on the new Cypress Restaurant & Bar being opened in the space that was once home to Sullivan’s Cove. Attractive signage was being installed but brown paper still covered most windows, so we were unable to peek inside.

A Facebook page states that the restaurant will serve fresh, local dishes but an opening date is not yet listed. You can check it out at Facebook.

AAUW Book Sale to be held October 31 thru November 3

We booklovers are delighted to hear that the annual AAUW Book Sale will be held from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday November 3 at Chesapeake Square, 6714 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD (south of Ordinance Road, west side of Ritchie Hwy, in shopping center with Chap’s Pit Beef).

Doors open for the presale from 8:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31 ($40 entry) then free to all from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM. The sale continues Friday, November 1 from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM.

As always, the sale offers a wide variety of books including fiction, biography, history, science, religion, arts and crafts, cookbooks, coffee table books, children’s books and more. Cash, check or credit card accepted.

Proceeds of the sale go to scholarships for Anne Arundel County women. For more information, visit AAUW ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY USED BOOK SALE | Facebook.

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

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 elementary-school-aged youngsters seated behind the row of sewing machines in Wendy Preslan’s Stitches of Kindness workshop were completely absorbed in their work.

Having been taught all about the machines, their operation, and how to sew straight lines by Preslan, the students were now putting the skills they learned to use by creating simple projects meant to help organizations, individuals or patients that needed them.

The children found the Stitches of Kindness light-filled workshop and hum of the machines comforting as they stitched together pieces of fabric to complete the afternoon’s project – making syringe driver bags for hospital patients. They’d earlier stood at a large cutting board measuring and cutting out rectangles of fabric and straps for the colorful shoulder bags designed to hold devices that deliver medication to a patient.

The kids were clearly enjoying themselves while creating something worthwhile “one stitch at a time” observed Preslan.

Her wonderful Stitches of Kindness organization was born at the outset of, the COVID 19 pandemic. Like many people, Preslan found her career as a photographer at a standstill because of virus-related restrictions. Her business, Nana Sue Photography Healing Images, could no longer do the children’s workshops that were her passion.

“I was getting bored sitting at home with nothing to do, Preslan said. “My daughter, a nurse called me one day from the hospital. She said “Mom, the hospital is running out of masks and we’re having to double up. Could you sew a mask? It would be so appreciated’.”

“Well, I’d sewn all my life and had even sewn commercially at one time. But, as my children grew my interests shifted and I’d stopped altogether. Regardless, I pulled out my old commercial sewing machine, cleaned it up and oiled it and made one mask.”

She next photographed herself modeling the mask at posted the picture on Facebook to inspire others to do the same. Then she got busy, sewing and donating 6,000 masks. Most went to hospitals, especially to their shock trauma units. But others went to firefighters, other emergency responders and a few organizations.

Once finished making masks, she found she could sew other useful items for hospitals, organizations and individuals who needed them. From the outset of these endeavors, she realized how much she missed interacting with children in a workshop environment. She knew she could teach them valuable skills while giving them a sense of purpose. So she created the non-profit Stitches of Kindness and she and husband Mark set about converting the lower level of their home to a workshop.

It was at this point that we first met Wendy Preslan who was selling Stiches of Kindness items for $1 apiece at a Good Neighbors Group Pop Up Shop hosted by BD Provisions. She was donating the proceeds to various charitable organizations. (Stiches of Kindness currently contributes to nine such organizations.)

The Stiches of Kindness workshop quickly took shape. Located along the far wall is a built-in counter with six sewing machines with a work-station at the end featuring a cutting board.

On the opposite wall is a converted closet featuring a counter with two additional sewing machines and shelves above for storing fabric and supplies. Students are quite happy working in the space. There is also a second room with a couple more sewing machines that is used from time to time.

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The Stitches of Kindness Workshop is fortunate to receive many donations of partially used bolts of fabric, colorful threads, zippers and other supplies as well as items that can be upcycled like denim jeans. Being a “no-waste” workspace, nothing is ever wasted in the workshop, so storage space is an ongoing problem. Yarn for crocheting and scraps of cloth found a home on a standalone shelving unit. Shelves were added beneath the cutting board counter to hold extra bolts of cloth.

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An all-important ironing board set up at the end of the room for pressing seams is balanced on yet another small storage cabinet with baskets full of cloth scraps suitable for quilting squares next to it.

The day-to-day operation of the workshops is fairly simple. People find out about Stiches of Kindness through Facebook or word-of-mouth and get in touch to arrange one or more workshops for their child or group of kids. The age range of participants is from eight or nine years old through the teens.

“I like to start children young and eight or nine is a really good age because they are very receptive and eager to learn but I find that kids of all ages do well,” Preslan says.

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First things come first though. She teaches her workshop students the basics, acquainting them with the different parts of the sewing machines, showing them how to operate and care for the machines and how to thread a bobbin. Then she asks them to practice sewing straight lines, sometimes stitching on paper. At that point, they are ready to sew actual items. They learn that sewing is fairly easy but requires patience. There is no pressure. If a mistake is made sewing a seam, for example, they are encouraged to simply rip it out and resew it.

“It’s rewarding for me to give the kids skills, like how to sew a hem, that will come in handy throughout their lives while encouraging them to be creative in their choice of materials. Some may be inspired to seek more training or even make sewing a part of their careers,” Preslan said. “Mainly, I enjoy seeing their sense of accomplishment and how good it makes them feel to know the items they created, one stitch at a time, will be very much appreciated by those who receive them.”

Some of the things the children have made that are donated or sold to raise money for charitable organizations include healthcare items like the aforementioned syringe driver bags, mastectomy pillows or bands, crocheted chemo caps or colorful pillowcases for kids in the hospital. They sew bandannas for dogs to be sold or donated to shelters, cloth napkins in pretty prints, cloth bowl covers or sandwich bags and zipper pouches for any number of uses. Stiches of Kindness participants are also taught the art of crocheting and crochet hats for homeless populations.

As previously mentioned, the “no-waste” workshop recycles, upcycles or uses everything including the empty spools pictured below. At Good Neighbors Group executive director Julie Shay’s suggestion, the spools and donated thread are turned into sewing kits that are distributed to homeless individuals, alone or as part of zippered pouches of hygiene items.

It was recently announced that Stiches of Kindness has partnered with Good Neighbors Group – an initiative that allows people in the community who like to sew at home to donate items like those made by the workshops to individuals, hospitals, assisted living homes or organizations. They can drop off completed items to GNG partners Park Home, Long & Foster Real Estate, and All For The Pet in Severna Park and Dr. Mariaileen Sourwine’s office at 277 Peninsula Farm Road in Arnold. The items will then be distributed by Stitches of Kindness or GNG.

Always looking for new projects, the workshops are tackling a few upcycling projects using material from discarded jeans or trousers to make fashionable tote bags. On a more personal level, Preslan is also sharing some of Stitches of Kindness’ guiding principles and sewing techniques with classes she’s teaching at Anne Arundel Community College.

For more information about Stiches of Kindness, schedule a workshop or to make a donation, visit Facebook or call 410-507-9315.

Orphan Grain Train seeks help for its Hurricane Disaster Relief Efforts

Orphan Grain Train Maryland Branch representative Marie Fries reports that hurricane relief efforts are already underway. The national headquarters of Orphan Grain Train in Nebraska responded quickly to the disaster in North Carolina and sent a truck with 45,000 pounds of food that arrived on October 5th.  OGT also sent a water tanker and second truck with 125,000 mercy meals, personal hygiene and flood clean-up kits. They are working on sending a medical clinic with a doctor and nurse.

Fries notes that Orphan Grain Train’s Mayland Branch is collecting disaster relief buckets and hygiene kits. Directions for assembling these kits are below. OGT encourages you to invite friends, neighbors, church groups and/or co-workers to get together and assemble these kits.

Hygiene Kit should contain:

• One hand towel (15 x 25 –17 x 27 inches)
• One washcloth
• One sturdy comb
• One toenail or fingernail clipper
• Bath-size soap (3 oz. bar or larger) – In original packaging
• One adult toothbrush – In original packaging
• Unopened toothpaste
• Small hand sanitizer
• Small shampoo
• 10 adhesive band-aids (¾ by 3 inches)

Place all items in a one-gallon size resealable bag.

Disaster Cleaning Buckets should contain:

1. Scrub brush
2. Ajax scrub powder
3. Long cleaning gloves
4. Sponge
5. Cleaning solution concentrate (Mr. Clean or Pine-Sol)
6. One hand towel
7. Window cleaner spray
8. Chlorox bleach concentrate
9. Roll of paper towels
10. Hand Wipes

Place all items in a 5-gallon bucket with a lid.

If you have any questions, please contact Marie Fries at weezie68@verizon.net.

OGT is also collecting toilet paper, paper towels, large trash bags, tarps (all sizes), children’s diapers, and feminine hygiene products.

Completed kits, as well as the above-mentioned items, can be dropped off at the OGT warehouse at 621 East-West Boulevard, Millersville, MD. The warehouse will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:00 until noon, Tuesday evenings from 5:00 until 7:00 pm and Saturday, October 12th, from 9:00 until noon.

The deadline for dropping off kits is Monday, October 21st. For more information, visit Maryland | Orphan Grain Train | Sharing resources and bringing Christ’s name and character to needy people both far and near. (ogt.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 Homecare Services

After nearly a week of dreary weather and intermittent rain, sunshine, blue skies, and frothy white clouds returned just in time for Langton Green Community Farm’s 10th Anniversary celebration on Saturday afternoon, September 28th.

Walking in from the parking area toward the Millersville farm’s picturesque garden gate, I couldn’t help smiling as I spotted two of three of Langton Green’s pigs heading for the shade of their shed to escape the heat and humidity. A third pig was wallowing in the mud on the far side of the enclosure.

The farm looked bright and beautiful as I made my way to the gate and walked through into the garden. Beds overflowed with herbs and flowers stretching into the distance and there were decorative elements everywhere including colorful murals from artist Cindy Fletcher Holden.

Aside from the buzzing of bees drawn to the profusion of pollinator plants, all was quiet, and I seemed to be alone. Evidently, the anniversary celebration had already begun on a stage toward the back of the expansive property. That was fine with me because walking there would take me past some of my favorite things about Langton Green Community Farm.

A partially filled wheelbarrow by beds of oregano and thyme hinted at ongoing work by volunteers.

Since being founded in 1984, Langton Green, Inc. a non-profit Anne Arundel County-based residential community has supported adults with intellectual disabilities. Langton Green Community Farm was later established as a place where people with varying needs and abilities can work and make a positive impact on the surrounding community.  Produce goes for free to Langton Green’s residential community consumers. Excess produce is sold to CSA and other customers and donated to community food pantries serving low-income Maryland residents.

Ten years of hard work, especially by current farm manager Elizabeth Snyder, her farm crew and some dedicated volunteers, have made the farm very productive. Following a row of squash vines peppered with yellow blossoms along a fence led me to one of the farm’s hoop houses brimming with tomatoes and peppers that will continue to grow through the early frosts.

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Over time, the farm has also become a center of community life through various programs and events for the public, some of which are held in the Danny’s Day Memorial Pavilion (made possible by a generous donation from Pat and Neysa Ernst honoring the memory of their son). Food was already laid out there in chafing dishes ready for serving later.

Skirting past the pavilion and one of the chicken houses, I found myself on the somewhat muddy road past greenhouses and fields where spent summer crops had been plowed under and planted with cover crops to enrich the soil.

Walking on, I arrived at the back fields where blueberry bushes, paw paws and orchard trees are grown. The Anniversary Program was already underway at the outdoor stage. As I approached, I found a crowd stretched along the bank that was made up of local families, farm volunteers, staff members, and some of the individuals with developmental disabilities that work on the farm.

The featured musical group, The Pretty Big Deal Trio, had already completed their first set and the crowd was enjoying a reading by local poet Hiram Larew. Following the reading, Maryland State Senator Sarah Elfreth, who represents Annapolis and Southern Anne Arundel County, addressed the crowd. Noting that she was visiting Langton Green Community Farm for the first time, she said she was mightily impressed.

The official 10th Anniversary program ended as it began with a second set by Micheal Kocher’s popular Pretty Big Deal Trio with Kocher and Neal Bumgarner on guitar and P.J. Thomas on vocals.

More was in store for Anniversary celebration attendees, however. Back at the Danny’s Day Memorial Pavilion, steaming chafing dishes filled with foods prepared with vegetables and eggs from the farm looked amazing as did some of the farm produce being displayed.

Anniversary celebrants flowed in and out of the pavilion at leisure. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Even the chickens and goats seemed pleased. To follow the activities of Langton Green Community Farm on a daily basis, visit Facebook.

Trinity Bible Church had sunshine too

Happening at exactly the same time on Saturday as the Langton Green celebration, Trinity Bible Church’s Fall Festival was taking place in Severna Park and its organizers couldn’t have been more delighted to see the sun. Located at 99 Truckhouse Road, the church had plenty of space for games, pony rides, a Moon Bounce and cooking out.

The Fall Festival went off without a hitch and not only attracted families from the congregation but members of the public too. For more information, visit Facebook.

Though cloudy, Sunday’s events were a success too

There wasn’t a moment’s doubt that Art In The Park at Cafe Mezzanotte would be held on Sunday, rain or shine. Produced by the Severna Park Voice in cooperation with Cafe Mezzanotte, arrangements were made to hold the event partially beneath attractive tents. The participating artists and vendors were given indoor space to display their wares. The music and arts festival featuring The Grilled Lincolns, was a great success and benefitted Partners In Care Maryland .

To the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails, it was both a surprise and relief that they were able to move ahead with their 30th Anniversary Celebration at Hatton-Regester Green. Though cloudy, Severna Park residents turned out to celebrate and enjoy a performance by the very popular Old Mill High School Steel Drum Band.

Severna Park Community Center Fall Festival rescheduled

Originally scheduled to be held Sunday as well, rains the night before meant a number of vendors were hesitant about setting up outdoors. So, it was decided to cancel the event and reschedule it. The Fall Festival will be combined with the Halloween Spooktacular being held October 25 from 5 to 8 pm. More information will be forthcoming shortly.

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.