AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace
Take a look around the Severna Park business community and you’ll see it’s choc-a-bloc with eateries. Pulling into the parking lot at 366 Ritchie Highway on the way to Cakes & Confections, we discovered yet another. A sign in front of the former Howard Bank announces the opening of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
We found the franchise for the new cafe is held by Sandip Patel who currently operates the Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 8000 Jumper’s Hole Road in Pasadena. Work has already begun to transform the former bank into a similar facility; however, the renovation will not be finished for a couple months. (Anne Arundel County requires anyone serving or preparing food on premise to have a 1,000-gallon grease interceptor, three-compartment sinks, and mechanical and HVAC capacity.)
The Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu will feature flavorful smoothies made with real fruits and vegetables and an array of healthy foods including flatbreads, wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas and bowls.
According to Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League, there are several new businesses being launched in the area, a few of which will be on hand for SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist being held this Saturday, October 22 from 11 am to 3 pm.
SRA again hosts in-person events with John Wright Speaker Series
Happy to be holding in-person events following two years of virtual interaction, the Severn River Association held October’s John Wright Speaker Series talk at Forward Brewing on Fourth Street in Eastport. The guest speaker was Patuxent River naturalist Greg Kearns who gave a presentation about Ospreys – fascinating birds sometimes referred to as “fish hawks” or “seahawks”.
Ospreys are an incredibly familiar sight to those who live along the Severn or other Anne Arundel County Rivers.
“Ospreys are a single subspecies found throughout the world (though there are four subspecies). Nowhere are they more numerous than the Chesapeake Bay region where there are between 8,000 and 10,000 pairs,” Kearns said.
He added that the North American species found in the United States and Canada generally migrate to South America for the winter but return here in the spring to breed and raise their young. Some Ospreys overwinter in Florida and, curiously, some have wintered off Virginia Beach in recent years.
As Ospreys have come to prefer manmade structures for their nests, their populations have increased along local waterways thanks to nest boxes built by locals and a proliferation of cell phone towers.
Kearns appearance was the second of SRA’s in-person events, the first being the organization’s annual membership meeting which was held on September 30 at Cafe Mezzanotte in Severna Park. According to SRA Executive Director, Jesse Iliff, the next of the John Wright Speaker Series events will again be held at Forward Brewing in November, will pause during December and will return to Cafe Mezzanotte for the January event.
Iliff also announced some good news for SRA. The organization has received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to design and build types of stormwater management projects that will slow down, spread out, and soak up the stormwater from two communities in the City of Annapolis – the Nautilus Point community in Eastport and the Wardour community in West Annapolis. Both projects will reduce pollution flowing into the river.
SRA also won a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to make a thorough study of the Severn River watershed and identify areas where future restoration efforts can make the biggest impacts. For more information on the Severn River Association, visit Severn River Association.
American Association of University Women’s Booksale begins November 3rd
The American Association of University Women’s Fall Used Book Sale has moved to a new location according to book sale co-chair Stacey Hilder.
“Instead of Pasadena, AAUW’s used book sale will this year be held in a storefront at 560F Ritchie Hiway in Severna Park’s Park Plaza to the right of Joanne’s Fabrics from Thursday, November 3 through Sunday, November 6, ” Hilder explained.
AAUW members look forward to the complicated process of setting up the sale from boxes and boxes of books they’ve collected during the summer and early fall. They’ll work wonders separating them by category.
Setting up the book sale requires unpacking collected books. Photo by Cindy Neseth. 
They are set up by category in easy to find sections. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler
As is customary, a Public Presale will be held from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Thursday, November 3 with a $25.00 entrance fee. The sale will then open to the public at 10:00 am with no entrance fee thereafter.
The hours of the sale are Thursday, Nov 3 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday, Nov 4 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, Nov 6 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. (Sunday is Bag Day when a bag of books is offered at a reduced price.) For more information see AAUW Anne Arundel County | Facebook.
Baldwin Memorial United Women in Faith Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar Nov. 5th
The Baldwin Memorial Church’s Fellowship Hall in the Education Building at 911 General’s Highway in Millersville is the site for the annual Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar to be held on November 5 from 10 am till 3 pm. The festive bazaar will feature holiday decorations, craft tables, UWF’s “fabulous” bake table, books and jewelry. There will also be a special visitor from the North Pole.
Proceeds from the rental of craft space and from the sale of baked goods, holiday decorations, and other items will support United Women of Faith Mission Projects.
For additional information, call the church office on (410)923-1166.
SPAN Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk at Kinder Farm Park Nov. 5
SPAN, Inc’s largest fundraiser is back for the first time since 2019 according to the organization’s Director of Development Michele Sabean. SPAN is inviting everyone to Stride for SPAN on Saturday, November 5 at Kinder Farm Park. Sabean knows from experience that the Turkey Trot event is really fun whether you are a runner or a walker. The funds raised go to help area families in need.
Registration is still open for the event with a few spots left. Registration fees are modest. You can register at 2022 Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot – Millersville, MD 2022 | ACTIVE or you can make a donation.
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presents “It’s The Music” at Historic Baldwin Hall
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus returns to Historic Baldwin Hall Sunday, November 13 at 2 pm for a fun afternoon of music, light refreshments, door prizes and a raffle. The 20-member chorus will entertain the audience with a concert themed “It’s The Music”.
Executive director Sally Burton noted that the group will be performing the barbershop harmonies they’ve perfected as Sweet Adelines International chapter members and competitors. CHC’s Second Star Quartet and Bearfoot Quartet will also be featured.
Ticketing is online only for this concert by visiting Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets are $20.00 per person, $15.00 for students (6-25) and under 6 free. For questions, please call (410)315-8198.
Around The Park Again is brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries a great selection of fine wines, spirits and beers, gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for fall entertaining. It’s not too early to start thinking about those holiday dinners.
