AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Severna Park Community Center gala committee members Amy Holbrook and Collette Campbell are excited to be planning the organization’s first “live” gala since COVID reared its ugly head. The annual gala is the organization’s biggest fundraiser.
Holbrook, as SPCC’s director of community outreach and marketing and Campbell, as assistant director of communications and development, are delighted by the eleven-member committee’s selection of a Boots & Black Tie theme for the 2022 gala which will be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club on April 23rd. Apparently, so is the Severna Park business community. Offers of sponsorship and auction items are already flooding in.
Imagine Holbrook’s and Campbell’s delight on opening one of the earliest silent auction items to arrive – a boxed replica of “Toy Story” hero Sheriff Woody. The pair couldn’t resist taking the diminutive sheriff out of the box and placing him on their worktable for inspiration.
Thing is, Woody wouldn’t stay put. Like the toys in the Pixar computer-animated film, the little sheriff took on a life of his own, disappearing only to pop up at the community center’s pool grabbing a nap on the diving board.
They next found him in the Edward St. John Weight/Cardio Gym wishing his legs were long enough to reach the pedals.
Regardless, there was work to be done. Community center members were tremendously supportive of last year’s abbreviated drive-by gala which raised significant funds, but they all feel it’s past time to come back together again to have fun and celebration.
“We definitely wanted to bring our most popular annual fundraiser back…but to be sure that, when the time came, we’d have something the community would really enjoy,” Holbrook said.
Campbell added that the committee realized early in the planning that SPCC’s volunteers and board members were anxious to get out again and start living.
“Their overwhelmingly positive outlook gave us a spark to want to make this super fun,” she said.
The idea for the Boots & Black Tie theme grew out of the gala committee’s desire to do something different from anything they’d done before. They considered several different concepts. However, following the SPCC board’s announcement that they’d chosen former board chairman and real estate company owner David Orso as the 2022 gala honoree, they delved more deeply.
“We wondered what sort of event would match David’s personality,” Holbrook said. “We know he and his wife Dawn as a lively and outgoing couple who enjoy a casual lifestyle but, like some of the older community center members, appreciate an opportunity to get dressed up. We decided to marry the two elements and came up with the Black Tie & Boots scheme that is formal with a nod to western. The Orso’s say they love it.”
Judging by the photo below, Sheriff Woody approves of the idea too. He thinks mixing formal wear with classic western cowboy hats and boots is a great idea.
The gala committee has focused on planning an event that is multi-generational in its appeal – one that blends black-tie chic with upscale country/casual indoor and outdoor settings, a western-influenced menu including a signature Jalapeno Lemonade cocktail, and music that will vary from fox-trots to “boot scootin’ boogie”.
Campbell and Holbrook are spearheading the decorating. In trying for authenticity, they are grateful that Maryland Therapeutic Riding is generously donating the use of saddles, bridles, blankets and spurs for the occasion along with a typical western arch. Weather permitting, there will be lighted outdoor tents for various activities. Indoors, there will be a bourbon bar, casino tables and saloon games like Roulette, Craps and Texas Hold-Em (playing for prizes) plus several tables of items donated by businesses for both silent and live auctions.
“One auction item is the donation of an all-expenses paid week at the White Stallion Dude Ranch in Tucson, Arizona including meals and horseback and ATV riding,” Campbell said. “We also have donations of Kenny Chesney concert tickets, trips to the beach and a trip to Charleston, South Carolina.”
A variety of music played by local band, The Shatners, will have everyone out on the dance floor at some point. SPCC Dance Center teachers including director Kellie Greer will be on hand to organize line-dancing and teach the easy-to-learn skills.
“We can assure you that the menu will be great,” Holbrook said. Our entire committee went for a tasting at Chartwell
Funds raised from ticket sales and the auctions will go toward community center operating costs and toward implementing the organization’s newly conceived Strategic Plan. The plan’s goal, over the next two years, is focused on health and wellness initiatives. There were already health and exercise-based programs ranging from SPCC Dance Center programs to fitness programs in partnership with local companies like Bay Area Volleyball, Tai Chi/Qi Gong for Health & Wellness from Jing Ying Institute, i9 Sports, and Chesapeake Bay Aquatic and Physical Therapy.
Having realized during the COVID pandemic how important the body/mind connection and human interaction is to well-being and how much members missed using the center during the period they were closed, SPCC wants to extend its programs and even hold health and wellness lectures.
Though back inside his box, Sheriff Woody will be occupying a prominent place on the silent auction tables. He’s hoping the family that claims him will have a nice picket fence, the perfect place for him to hang out.
For information or tickets to the community center’s Boots & Black Tie Dinner at Chartwell Golf and Country Club on April 23 at 6:30, visit Black Tie & Boots Gala 2022 (spcommunitycenter.org)
Liquor store license hearing to extended to April 26th
Fishpaws MarketPlace owner Kim Lawson reports that the Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners hearing on March 8th took place as planned with the license application for Robinson Liquors the last item on the agenda. Robinson Liquors, LLC owner Andrey Nikolaev outlined the store’s logic for seeking a license while representatives for the owners of 24 already existing liquor stores and a member of the Greater Severna Park Council presented their opposition to the license. The hour grew late before they were finished so the hearing was extended to April 26th.
Petitions for both sides of the argument were submitted. According to Lawson, petitions will still be available at all the community liquor stores for customers to sign through April 25.
Parade Grand Marshall announced by Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce‘s board of directors has announced that the Grand Marshall for the community’s 4th of July Parade will be Kevin Sosnoski, owner/operator of Goska’s Liquors which is celebrating its 92nd anniversary as a family business. Sosnoski is a familiar face around Severna Park having participated in numerous community events including many of the Chamber’s popular Taste & Sip celebrations.
Chamber CEO Liz League notes that plans are already underway for this year’s parade for which the theme is “Celebrating Our Rich History”. She pointed out that there are many historic sites throughout the community that connect current-day residents to those of the past. She feels there are ample examples for neighborhood float-builders to choose from.
For information on current and upcoming events, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).
American Association of University Women adds two new scholarships
President Catherine Crowley reports that The Anne Arundel County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will offer two scholarships to women transferring from Anne Arundel Community College to four-year colleges, universities, or professional schools to complete a bachelor’s or professional degree.
Women qualifying for the scholarships must be Anne Arundel County residents who have attended AACC, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and be eligible for junior or higher standing in the Fall 2022. The criteria for selection will include active participation as a citizen of the college or community, leadership potential, academic excellence, and financial need.
The scholarship application form is available at http://annearundelcounty-md.aauw.net/, in the AACC Financial Aid office or by contacting the AAUW Transfer Scholarship Chairperson: bhmarder@aacc.edu. Completed applications are due by April 4, 2022. All necessary instructions and mailing information are contained on the application.
