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
Though the organizers had publicized the new location of Kinder Farm Park for Anne Arundel County Police Eastern District’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, they wondered if the event would draw its usual crowd. Held for the past seven years at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company, it had broken attendance records for several years. In 2019, on the National Night Out event’s fifth anniversary, more than 2,000 people turned out to honor the police officers and firefighters that serve residents across the county.
Luckily, many families from the area are familiar with the park and the athletic field on which it was being held. By opening time, a crowd had begun to form, many of them drawn toward the showpiece of the event and a first for Eastern District National Night Outs – the Anne Arundel County Police helicopter seen in the opening photograph. The pilot and crew of the helicopter were offering attendees the opportunity to climb aboard. As a result, there was a never-ending line of folks eager to accept the offer – especially children.
The setting of Kinder Farm Park for this eighth year of the event was pretty – more like a sprawling village than the orderly rows of booths and display areas at the previous firehouse location. A double row of approximately 50 colorful tents that wound across the field in a semi-circle with a paved path between them and were manned by county police, emergency management and crisis response agencies and community organizations.
In addition to the helicopter, the Anne Arundel County Police were well represented as were the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Department and K-9 units.
The Anne Arundel County Police helicopter was quite a draw…. 
… the numerous police vehicles impressed as well.
Among the booths, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police shared some excellent information and some really great giveaways.
Two other must-see booths were those of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management and the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Crisis Response System.
Ashley Abati and Joe Seborowski handed out guides to emergency preparedness, flyers and giveaways. 
At the Crisis Response System tent, Melissa spread the word about her team’s valuable mental health and crisis intervention skills.
At the Emergency Management tent, Ashley Abati and Joe Seborowski were handing out Guides to Emergency Preparedness in three different languages plus flyers for the 2023 Emergency Preparedness Expo being held September 16 from 10 am till 2 pm at the Arundel Mills Campus of Anne Arundel County Community College.
Nearby, Crisis Response System team member Melissa was spreading the word about the services CRS provides including crisis interventions, assessments and referrals and crisis intervention teams.
There didn’t seem to be a stage or a paved performance area. Nevertheless, the opening ceremonies got underway near the announcer’s stand. A martial arts demonstration by students of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi and a K-9 demonstration took place on the grass a bit later. Every now and again, the narrow, paved pathway between the tents got a bit crowded but the flow was steady as visitors wound their way from one end to the other.
There were many games for children to play. An array of games at the Jing Ying Institute tent drew a never-ending flow of kids and kept student volunteer Melinda busy handing out prizes and candy.
Several Boy Scout of America troops offered games. The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Liz League and husband Jim ran a fishing game and SPAN, Inc. development director Michelle Sabean and her volunteers had a beanbag tossing game.
National Night Out events were created throughout the country to give community residents and the police and firefighters who serve them a chance to get to know each other.
There was noticeably less fire and emergency equipment on display than in other years. We saw just three examples sharing space at one end of the field. Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company brought its newest piece of equipment, a Special Response Unit that specializes in water and offroad emergencies – especially in inclement weather.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department also had two pieces of emergency equipment on display – an Emergency Medical Services truck and an Emergency Command/Communications vehicle that attendees could walk through.
As has been the case in the past, a number of community, environmental and church organizations and small businesses were represented. We came across April Stup and Emalee Crawford from Partners In Care, Laura McElwain Colquhoun who is publisher for Macaroni Kids serving Pasadena, Severna Park and Glen Burnie, Maureen Carr York from the Greater Severna Park Council and several others. We were also pleased to see the Severn River Lions out and a group from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Lest we forget the small businesses, we came across youngsters Preston and Greyson Hardgrave who were representing a new school about to open in Arnold called Acton Academy. The boys’ father Roman Hardgrave is the school’s headmaster.
Last, but not least, was Kinder Farm Park’s contribution to National Night Out and a popular one at that. Lamb “Rain” and his handler had come down from the farm’s barns above the field for a lengthy visit and lots of pets.
Supporting our Local Farmers
In an effort to support our local farmers and growers, we visit quite a few.
Last weekend, we were on our way to a new restaurant recommended to us by a Severna Park friend called Harper’s Waterfront at Turkey Point. On the way, we came across an adorable wagon from Starflower Farm situated next to the Marco Ridge Farm produce stand on Route 424.
Owner Angela Burdeaux, who was cutting sunflowers for a bouquet when we approached the stand told us that Starflower Farm is actually located in Bowie just across the Anne Arundel County line. The fact that Marco Ridge Farm generously allowed her to set up on their property was a welcome surprise as there is a considerable flow of traffic onto Route 424 from Route 50.
We traveled on making a left onto Central Avenue and headed toward the community of Mayo, picking up Mayo Road, bound for our restaurant destination off Turkey Point Road on Turkey Point Island. On the way, we discovered another gem, the Peninsula Farms stand where sweetcorn was selling for 50 cents an ear.
Considering that the stand is located a stone’s throw from the waters of the South River, we were not surprised to see signs for bloodworms and crab cages for sale out front.
According to Carol, who runs the business along with owner Chris, the Peninsula Farms stand has been open for 30 plus years.
“We’re Chris and Carol and everyone knows us,” she said. “The stand has always been just what you see though we’ve expanded a little over the years. The produce we sell comes from local farms.”
The interior of the stand is quaint and filled with abundant amounts of vine ripened tomatoes, ears of sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, string beans, onions, peppers, melons, peaches, plums and many other items.
You can follow Peninsula Farms (at 826 Mayo Road) at Peninsula Farms | Edgewater MD | Facebook.
Quick reminder for College Students
A quick word to let parents and students know about a workshop called Self Defense for College Students being held at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi this Sunday, August 6 from 2 to 4 pm.
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.
