AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Saturday, June 19th was balmy with gentle breezes and the calypso music emanating from deejay Michael Kocher’s sound system was rhythmic and melodic. The long line of limbo dancing children and adults was a happy scene to behold – an especially colorful part of Severna Park Community Center’s “Dancing In The Streets” fundraiser with more daytime activities and the evening’s “Night In The Park” to follow.
Only the third live event held by the community center since it reopened following the pandemic lock down, the festive occasion exceeded its fundraising goals, garnering $70,000 from donations, raffles and ticket sales – enough to cover the cost of much-needed renovations to SPCC’s Dance Center of Severna Park studios.
Dance Center director Kellie Greer and her staff took the lead in staging the fundraiser. A full slate of activities was divided into daytime and evening events. The hours from 9 am to 3 pm were filled with dance, face painting, games and food – all of it free to the public, The event kicked off with Greer and dance teachers Jennie Young, Beth Fox, Kirsten Weichert, Bayley Taylor, Barbara Wayson, Sarah Keller, Amanda Breon, and Chloe Cocco taking center stage in the “big tent” .
Greer and team taught free mini dance classes for kids from ages three to 18, joined them in practicing the new moves, and danced on with whole families joining in as other activities went on around them.
Throughout the day attendees checked out the fare at food trucks like The Hot Dog Hideout or Truck of Deliciousness and/or sampled cool beverages from the Movable Mixtures Tiki Bar.
……..or they migrated toward the tent where face painter Rachel Bohny worked her magic and Twinkle Toes the clown was making balloon animals for the children.
Having volunteered to sell raffle tickets while showing off auction items like bikes and Adirondack chairs, board member Jean Andrews had a birds-eye view of the different events. She loved watching the children’s activities.
“The kids were just dancing and dancing to the non-stop music,” she said. “But the biggest draw for them was the dunking tank where all nine dance teachers volunteered to take a turn being dunked. For $10, the children got three balls but then could go to the back of the line and try again as many times as they wished.”
Quite a few dance students turned up with $10 bills and a wicked gleam in their eyes. They took full advantage of their unlimited turns and sent their teachers into the tank numerous times to cheers and applause. Dance teacher Kristen Weichert is seen here sitting pretty before the bullseye was hit and she went into the water.
Activities continued until 3 pm when it was time to close things down.
Worn out from dancing to Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade”, young Bennett Mayer retreated to mother Melanie’s arms as the afternoon’s music came to an end. The little boy had had a wonderful time having his face painted and even got to dance with a teacher. A balloon animal he scored earlier from Twinkle Toes rested on a table next to a tote of community center swag.
It would take the next two hours for staff and committee members to get set up for the second event, a “Night In The Park” featuring live music by The Shatners,
By the time the evening’s activities got underway at 5 pm, Severna Park Community Center Executive Director Sarah Elder and committee members Sandy Gins and Carol Snyder were installed beneath the Event Central tent to welcome guests. They all looked very pleased and with good reason.
“Thanks to our wonderful group of sponsors, in combination with ticket sales, we already knew we exceeded our original goal of $50,000 for renovations to the Dance Center studio,” Elder said. “We just learned that we’ve now surpassed $70,000 not counting additional money from raffle ticket sales and the auction. The increase in funds will permit us to complete new floors, lighting and additional work that’s needed.”
The evening’s festivities began to take shape with the arrival of the first ticket holders who had a wonderful time greeting each other at what, for some, was their first in-person event in nearly a year.
Most stopped off at one of the food trucks on their way to the main tent…….
…..greeted each other once past the entrance…….
…or lined up at the Movable Mixtures Tiki Bar for a cool drink before moving into the tent.
Movable Mixtures did a brisk trade with owner Phil Jones serving customers at one window while Katy Fiffrock kept busy at the other. Jones noted that the Tiki Bar recently celebrated its 21st birthday in operation. It’s actually a trailer he’s nicknamed “Have Party Will Travel”.
“We bring the island feel everywhere,” Jones said. “We’ve done every kind of event from weddings and parties to corporate meetings, providing full service to our clients including music.”
Outdoor tables were conveniently placed nearby for those wishing to grab a bite. That’s where “Night In The Park” emcee Larry Sells of Larry Sells Consulting found his friend Petra Ligmond Roche who had just returned to Severna Park from her home in Florida. Roche, who is in advertising sales for The Severna Park Voice splits her time between homes in both states.
The moment music could be heard, the main event began. The Shatners, a popular local band, played a mix of instrumentals and vocals that were crowd favorites appealing to toe tappers and dancers alike.
Even families with children joined in. Former SPCC executive director and current board member Pat Haun, her daughter Allison Brewer and grandson Thomas danced together while son-in-law Tim lifted daughter Evans high into the air.
SPCC board member Pat Haun applauds as daughter Allison dances with grandson Thomas…… 
…….and son-in-law Tim lifts daughter Evans high in the air.
All-in-all, “Dancing In The Streets” was a very successful fundraiser – one that Elder believes will be adapted to become an annual event.
As for Dance Studio of Severna Park director Kellie Greer, she couldn’t be more delihghted.
“I am so excited to be updating our spaces to provide the appropriate tools for our dancers and teachers,” Greer said. “While musicians need the correct instruments to create music, we need the correct floors, barres, and stereo systems to create choreography. We want to create a space that the community will enjoy while giving our dancers and teachers a space that will inspire creativity and hard work.”
To follow the progress of the dance studio’s renovations and learn more about the community center’s other programs and facilities visit SPCC Home (spcommunitycenter.org)
Severna Park 4th of July Parade to be held July 5th
At long last, the Severna Park 4th of July Parade is back, albeit on Monday, July 5th. Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League announced that the parade will once again step off from the Benfield Road parking lots of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 10 am. Entrants will follow the usual parade route down Benfield, turning right onto Riggs Avenue and cresting the hill before reaching the judging stand at the intersection of Riggs Avenue and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. After pausing before the judges, they’ll veer right onto B&A and left onto Cypress Creek Road ending at Cypress Creek Park.
League said she’s very pleased that there are 54 sponsors for the parade this year. She also hinted at a few of the things spectators can look forward to including a “Charlotte’s Web” float from Park Books with a live pot-bellied pig playing the part of Wilbur. There will be floats, as usual, from Homestead Gardens, from Olde Severna Park and other neighborhoods, and from organizations like the Toastmasters. SPAN, Inc. volunteers will march pushing shopping carts to collect non-perishable food pantry items. It’s also rumored there’s to be a surprise from Eddie Conway who owns Garry’s Grill. Conway was chosen to be Grand Marshall for this year’s parade. Rounding out the entries will be decorated bikes, vintage automobiles and more. For more information, visit Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce | Facebook.
You’re welcome. I loved doing it.