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
Such a fun weekend that began Friday, December 3rd with the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s Community Tree Lighting at 1 Holly Avenue.
By the official opening of the celebration at 5 pm, a crowd had already formed on the parking lot opposite the Chamber offices, but families continued to converge on the event from every direction.
Chamber CEO Liz League soon appeared to welcome the crowd and introduce the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders gathered below who would cheer the celebration open and handle the countdown for the switch to be thrown for the lights to be lit.
Then, as they performed some of their phenomenal lifts, the cheerleaders began a countdown to the magical moment of “switch-on”.
The crowd joined in as the girls chanted 10, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1…when the switch was thrown for the illumination of the smaller tree in front of the Chamber, and then for the immense tree gracing the lawn between Chamber and the old Severna Park Railroad building. The complicated task of stringing lights on the towering tree that overlooks Olde Severna Park was again ably accomplished by event sponsor Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers.
Lots of entertainment was to follow opposite the Chamber building. First up were dancers from The Edge Dance Complex performing a charming reindeer dance routine choreographed by owner Kelsey King. We managed to catch a couple of the dancers close up as they were leaving stage center.
Long a favorite at the Community Tree Lightings, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus appeared next performing a medley of Christmas carols.
Meantime, quite a few of the youngest attendees enjoyed a visit with Santa. Others chased after The Grinch.
Many attendees stayed in place for performances by the Creative Force Dance Center dancers and some excellent carols and jazz standards by the Severna Park High School Jazz Ensemble.
Other attendees took time to roam and, thanks to event sponsors Chick-fil-A, The Big Bean, Next Step Realty, Lean On Dee, Severna Park Automotive, Nothing Bundt Cakes and the Synder/Bradshaw Group, there were plenty of complimentary cookies, cupcakes, cocoa and ice cream.
The Chamber’s 2024 Tree Lighting was likely the largest gathering we’ve seen for the occasion and brought back that close community feeling that has been missing for the past few years. Bathed in the glow of hundreds of Christmas lights, they lingered until the last notes from the Severna Park High School Jazz Ensemble.
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ holiday show Candy Cane Lane at Baldwin Hall a hit
Everything about the setting for Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ holiday show at Historic Baldwin Hall was perfect for a stroll down Candy Cane Lane. There were adorable candy cane decorations everywhere, an elf at the check-in table selling raffle tickets, and a refreshment table laden with peppermint sticks, holiday themed truffles and other goodies.
And, of course, a red-carpeted Candy Cane Lane adorned with peppermint sticks and ribbons ran up one side of the hall toward the stage.
One of the most sizeable audiences we’ve seen at Baldwin Hall filled every seat and overflowed into the overhead balcony. Once they were seated at 5:30 pm, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus Director Sally Burton and a seven members appeared onstage to welcome the crowd and invite them to travel with them on a magical trip down Candy Cane Lane where the spirit of the holidays comes to life. The octet began singing while the other Chorus members strode down Candy Cane Lane and onto the stage to the whimsical song of the same name.
“Take a trip down to Candy Cane Lane with me….” the septet sang as, in groups of two, three or five, the singers made their way up the lane and onto the stage where they joined in the rousing song.
The chorus fully assembled, members Bethany Owen and Carol Ann Gass moved to the front and far right of the stage. Clad in flowing white capes with poinsettias in their hair, the pair kept up a snappy patter throughout the program, reminiscing and setting the stage for each of seven songs.
“Candy Cane Lane” was followed by the bouncy “You Make Me Feel So Young” and the seasonally apt “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”. Then, inspired by a toy store passed on Candy Cane Lane, they sang “Toyland”. Their next selection, “The Man With a Bag” conjured up images of Santa. “Christmas Chopsticks”, the Chorus’ version of the “Night Before Christmas” story came next. The singers ended Act 1 with a rhythmic, harmonic treatment of “Jingle Bell Rock”.
Intermission saw the aforementioned refreshment table incredibly popular – especially with the children as the sweets were complimentary. A few came back for seconds. Thanks to very generous donations by individuals and local businesses, the Silent Auction table overflowed with great items and intermission was used to announce the winning bids and distribute the items.
Act 2 was dedicated primarily to the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus Quartets of which there are three. The first to appear was the newest formed in 2023, the Moscato Quartet featuring tenor Sue Berger, lead Lisa Freeman, baritone Fran Horner and bass Marjorie Rawhouser. They performed “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride”.
Next up was the award-winning 2nd Star Quartet formed in 2015 with chorus director Sally Burton singing tenor, Lynda Walsh singing lead, Mary Beth Whisman singing bass, and Cathy White singing baritone. The quartet performed a full-bodied, wonderfully harmonic treatment of “Carol of the Bells” and finished with “Silver Bells”.
Triple award winners within Sweet Adelines International Region 19, The Bearfoot Quartet brought magic, music and merriment to Candy Cane Lane with their unique style of harmony. Peggy Coulter sang lead, Mindy Cassel sang bass, Patti Platt sang baritone, and Eileen Robinson sang tenor – first on the song “Believe”. Then, donning wizard’s capes and grabbing black wands, props and glowing orbs, the quartet performed magic tricks while singing their version of “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”.
A short break was used to announce raffle winners and distribute the prizes and then the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus filed back onstage to perform holiday favorites “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Happy Holidays”. The chorus invited the audience to sing along to “Jingle Bells”, then performed their own “Take a Chance on Me”, and added another audience sing along to “Let There Be Peace”. They ended their holiday show with a “Candy Cane Lane” Reprise and a very special guest appearance by none other than The Man With a Bag himself, Santa Claus.
Speaking with Burton after the show, she said the Chorus had been involved with planning and working on the songs they picked for Candy Cane Lane since June. She added that the members loved performing the show and they were all surprised and pleased with the sizeable turnout. She further noted that the group would be performing songs from the program for other holiday events including the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip event on December 10.
For information or to follow Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ events and activities, visit Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.
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.
