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
Darkness had already fallen Saturday evening as guests approached the steps at the entrance of beautiful Baldwin Hall at the crossroads of General’s Highway and Millersville Road. Candles glowed from each step and the dark green double doors were adorned with shamrocks setting a festive tone for what awaited them inside.
Entering the ballroom, Irish-themed decorations strung across the balcony and strategically placed elsewhere immediately caught the eye, confirming that the fundraiser was both a special social occasion and an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Looking down from the balcony, one could see that the St. Patrick’s Day themed decorations complemented the ballroom’s dark green velvet draperies perfectly…
…and there was no doubt that the Severn Cross Roads Foundation board members who maintain the hall and the volunteers helping run the event wholeheartedly embraced adding a touch of the Irish.
For the wearin’ o’ the green, Carol Ann Trembley Gass won hands down…. 
…and , from the elf on their registration table to their Irish headgear, Marge McGugan and Anne Agee ran a close second.
According to Janice Ann Crowe, who handled publicity, Saturday’s event was the first fundraiser held for Baldwin Hall since the COVID pandemic caused Severn Cross Roads Foundation to cancel virtually all community gatherings at the venue for two years.
“We’re all so happy to see each other,” she said.
Indeed, glasses of wine in hand, guests gravitated to conversational groups at the front and back of the hall during the early part of the evening. At the center of one such group, the event’s organizer Gail Campbel explained the purpose of the fundraiser.
“During the pandemic, Baldwin Hall had no income at all because most of our funds come from rentals for weddings and similar events. Since they all had to be cancelled, we haven’t had any money coming in since 2019,” said Campbell. “So, we’re starting with this event hoping ticket sales and proceeds from our silent auction will help.”
Campbell added that the hall, built in 1861, needs a quite a bit of work.
“We’ve been applying for grants but they are hard to come by,” she said.
Preserving the building was also the topic of discussion for another group nearby with Julie Reinhart, Rick Johnson and Michele Nisewaner particularly knowledgeable about its long and interesting history.
“The hall was constructed in 1861 as the Cross Roads Methodist Episcopal Church replacing an earlier church at the site that was built in 1817,” Reinhart said. “It was moved three times – once in 1896 from its original site across Indian Landing Road for the building of ‘The Stone Church’ known today as Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, then to a second spot on Indian Landing Road in 1970 when the Educational Building was constructed. The third and final move occurred on June 2, 1981 when Baldwin Hall was moved across General’s Highway to its present location.”
She added that the building changed a bit over time. The 1861 church version had a basement where cooking was done. An extension was made to the back end following the move to Indian Landing Road in about the 1930’s and the hall was modified to include a stage still in use. Theatricals were presented there by the South Shore Dramatic Club and, later, by the Pasadena Theatre Company. Today the hall serves as a rehearsal and performance venue for the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Nisewaner, who arranged for the evening’s entertainment, told her friends that guest artist Richard Walton would shortly be appearing on the stage.
Like similar events, the Cheese, Wine and Chocolates benefit had something to please everyone, from chocoholics and wine lovers to music fans.
Singer/songwriter, guitarist and band leader Richard Walton entertained the crowd with original vocals while playing acoustic guitar. In the music business for many years, The Richard Walton Group has a dozen award-winning CD’s to their credit. Their newest release is “5 By Seven” available from I-Tunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.
There was a fine selection of wines to enjoy, donated by General’s Wine & Spirits. There were nearly two dozen Silent Auction items from local donors to bid on. They ranged from original artwork to baskets of food and wines, luggage and other luxury items.
Then, of course, there was a lavish buffet catered by The Jive Chive with an array of fruits, vegetables and cheeses to tempt one’s tastebuds…
…and, to top it all off, there were tiered trays of gourmet chocolates and a decadent chocolate cake for good measure.
By the time Carol Ann Gass made her rounds to all the tables selling raffle tickets for a “Basket of Cheer” (literally an entire clothes basket full of wine), there was a comforting hum of conversation from attendees.
Guest Jeff Rogers, a local resident who came with family, complimented the buffet.
Jody Lohn, a neighbor close to the hall who writes the Severn Cross Roads Foundation newsletter, said she was pleased with the turnout. Lohn wholeheartedly supports Baldwin Hall and is among those concerned that the historic Cross Roads section along General’s Highway will fall victim to overdevelopment of the Crownsville area.
Organizers of the benefit for Baldwin Hall were pleased that proceeds from the event’s ticket sales, silent auction, and raffle will help defray the expenses for needed repairs and updates to the facility. They hope to bring in more revenue through grants, rentals, and upcoming events including their traditional Crab Feast and the Third Annual Craft Fair/Flea Market this autumn. To learn more about Baldwin Hall or its 1840’s School Room, make a donation, or follow upcoming events, visit Home | baldwinhall.
Severna Park Community Center launches Health & Wellness Lecture Series
Just in, we have news from executive director Sarah Elder that Severna Park Community Center will launch a new health & wellness lecture series next week. All lectures are FREE to attend, and will include a live demonstration, tasting, and free recipe cards for participants.
The interactive lecture series sponsored by realtor Jessica Verde with CENTURY 2l New Millenium will begin March 14 and go through May 25. The lectures will be held at Boone Station Hall with some scheduled for lunchtime and others for evening. They will feature a local expert speaker, a live demonstration (most often a cooking demonstration), a tasting, and a take-home recipe card.
The new series will also partner with Services from the Heart Backpack Buddies which operates a food distribution program for food insecure families out of the community center during the school year. The lectures will range from gardening at home to raise fresh vegetables to meal preparation to raising chickens and goats. Plenty of ways to stretch a penny.
For dates, times and more information about the lectures, visit Grow Your Health – THE 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.”
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.
