AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace
Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi’s long-postponed Anniversary Open House took place Saturday afternoon. Originally planned as a 20th anniversary celebration but postponed for two years due to COVID restrictions, the event finally took place on September 10th, Jing Ying’s 22nd anniversary.
A substantial crowd turned out for the festivities which included a dragon dance following the opening, a celebratory ribbon-cutting by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce, martial arts demonstrations by students, and a buffet featuring Asian-influenced dishes, fruits and sweets.
Jing Ying Institute’s always entertaining dragon dance did not disappoint. Then came the excitement of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting – one of the biggest we’ve ever seen conducted. Following the snip, several citations were presented to the school’s owners Nancy and Billy Greer for their many contributions to the community. Among the presenters was Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall who commended the Greer’s for not only contributing their time but for raising and donating more than $100,000 to local charities.
Next came some well-coordinated Kung Fu and Tai Chi demonstrations that were a delight to observe.
Watching son Jackson Parrish perform a series of Tai Chi movements at the front of large group of Jing Ying students was a proud moment for his mother Nicole Parrish and grandfather Joe DiMarino . Following the demonstration, Jackson rejoined his family to watch other demonstrations and enjoy the buffet.
Young Jackson Parrish, front and center during the marial arts demonstrations. 
He later enjoyed the rest of the celebration with his grandfather Joe DiMarino and mother Nicole.
According to students Debbie Zoerkler and Melissa Wittke, it was fun showing off their skills in the demonstrations. In fact, Wittke teamed with teacher Billy Greer for a self-defense demonstration, portraying both victim and attacker. They illustrated defensive moves like stepping backward so one is beyond an attacker’s reach or turning an attacker’s own energy against him or her.
Students Debbie Zoerkler and Melissa Wittke loved being part of the celebration. 
Wittke portrayed victim and attacker in a self-defense demonstration with Greer.
Jing Ying’s anniversary event was also a celebration of The Mid-Autumn Festival held throughout the Far East and also known as the Moon Festival. In accordance with tradition, the Greers featured Moon Cakes in their buffet along with other sweets, fruits from the autumn harvest, and dishes with an oriental flair like fried rice and eggrolls.
Cascades of Wellness owner Danielle Ortiz contributed to the menu, serving cups of healthy pink and green beverages referred to as bubble water.
It was surprising to see children like Avery and Elise Glendaniel suddenly turn up in the buffet line with bat, dragon or tiger designs painted on their faces. We’d discover how that happened later.
In addition to the familiar family feel Jing Ying students and their families are accustomed to, the anniversary celebration had a neighborhood feel. As part of a Charity Challenge launched by Nancy Greer, several community organizations were invited to participate. Nancy personally welcomed each starting with April Stup, the volunteer coordinator for Partners In Care Maryland .
Stup told attendees about PIC’s “neighbors helping neighbors” services and about the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique in Pasadena.
SPAN, Inc. development director Michelle Sabean described her organization’s food pantry, financial assistance and other services. Good Neighborhoods Group executive director Julie Shay explained her members’ environmental projects, food drives and other initiatives. During breaks, the two had a great time catching up with each other.
Paula Borinsky Hendry from the Annapolis Area Dolly Parton Imagination Library spoke about her organization’s dedication to promoting early literacy – getting kids to love books early so that, by the time they get to kindergarten, they’re ready to learn how to read. Imagination Library sends free, new, high-quality books to over 600 children in the Annapolis area each month.
Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy representative Lynn Rockenbauch not only touted the environmental projects undertaken by the organization’s well-trained stewards, but she is a Jing Ying Institute student as well and was happy to share her experiences.
Paula Borinski from Imagination Library. 
Lynn Rockenbauch from the Watershed Stewards Academy.
“I’ve been a Tai Chi student for five years and this is a fun group,” she said. “I’m not a self-motivated exerciser so having regularly scheduled classes is perfect for me.”
Rockenbauch added that it’s been interesting to see how practicing Tai Chi has positively affected her body and her health, changed her dimensions and improved her posture and balance.
Each organization had been invited to set up an exhibit or talk about their services during a recent Jing Ying class or event. Anniversary open house gift bags handed out included ballots so students and guests could vote for their favorite exhibit. The winning organization will receive a $500 donation to be awarded during the chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST in October.
For kids or adventurous adults, a final bit of fun awaited upstairs where Lucky Ducky Art face painter Lexi Cucina was working her magic on a couple Jing Ying students. Cucina was not only great at face painting but proved to be expert at creating temporary tattoos.
A BROADWAY BONANZA BENEFIT for SPAN, INC.
Back for a return engagement at Boone Station Hall following a two-year gap because of the pandemic, Laurette Hankins-O’Connell waited backstage with her accompanist Anita O’Connor. The stage at the Hall last came alive with the sound of music on June 6 of 2019 when Hankins-O’Connell performed her one-woman show “Broadway Goes to the Movies” and donated the proceeds to SPAN, Inc.
Once again, the Severna Park resident performed a cabaret-style concert as a benefit for SPAN on September 10 at 7 pm – her way of giving back to the community where she grew up. After graduating from Severna Park High School she attended Duke University where she performed in musicals prior to starting her “first career” in the professional theater as an actress and singer.
Her new show, “Broadway Bonanza”, was designed to include songs from three shows currently doing revivals on Broadway: “Funny Girl”, “Music Man” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”.
As showtime approached, the scene at Boone Station Hall was lively as concert attendees Silent Auction items or stopped by the concessions counter.
Gradually, the lights dimmed the audience took their seats, waiting expectantly for the show to begin. SPAN’s Director of Development Michele Sabean, who we’d seen earlier at Jing Ying’s open house, stepped into the lights for opening remarks.
Greeting the audience, she revealed that shortly after she started working at SPAN a year-and-a-half ago, Hankins-O’Connell contacted her and offered to do another benefit concert. She would again donate all the proceeds to SPAN. Since more donations were needed as the economy weakened and more families sought help, Sabean gratefully accepted.
Hankins-O’Connell opened with a spirited rendering of “A Comedy Tonight” from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, followed by “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun” from “Annie Get Your Gun” – numbers that showed off her fine voice, expressive delivery and sense of humor.
O’Connor, an accomplished pianist and vocalist, not only provided accompaniment but sang harmony on a few numbers.
The show was peppered with interesting, amusing anecdotes and, occasionally, Hankins-O’Connell adopted other personas like that of a child. There were also romantic songs like “Till There Was You”.
The show’s finale – a special version of “OKLAHOMA”, with Hankins-O’Connell’s own lyrics about the State of Maryland was a huge hit with the audience.
For both performers, the best thing about Broadway Bonanza was that it raised more than $3,500.00…all of which was donated to SPAN.
Having recently retired after 14 years as Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations for the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Laurette Hankins-O’Connell will be performing much more often. As for Anita O’Connor, she’s happy being a music teacher at Indian Creek School where she also teaches drama.
Around The Park Again is brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for entertaining.
