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.
Squash vines along a fence, lead to….. 
….one of the farm’s hoophouses.
Inside, tomatoes grow….. 
….with jalapeno & habanero peppers.
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.
On behalf of Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman’s office, Deanna Parker next presented a citation to farm director John Iaquinta commending Langton Green’s many contributions to the county and the Millersville community in particular.
Afterward, Iaquinta took the stage and noted that the 13-acre farm property was acquired by non-profit Langton Green, Inc. in July 2014 as an outgrowth of its residential services and programs for developmentally disabled individuals.
“Our intent was to provide work in an outdoor setting for some of these individuals,” he said. “We had help from government agencies along with school and church groups. Ten years later, it’s just amazing to look around.”
Iaquinta then offered thanks to individual donors, to companies like Kubota, Inc. (which awarded the farm a $100,000 grant for farm equipment) and Keller Williams Realty, organizations like Unity Gardens, the Annapolis Rotary Club which helped build the stage, numerous county agencies, local volunteers, the staff and farm crew, past farm managers and, most especially, current farm manager Elizabeth Synder who has brought the community farm to where it is today.
A round of applause greeted Iaquinta’s introduction of devoted farm volunteer and beloved poet Colette Pries. Acknowledging her warm welcome, Pries delivered her marvelously descriptive and touching poem recalling a typical day on the farm.
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.
