AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
The Anne Arundel County Eastern District Police, Earleigh Heghts Volunteer Fire Company and community group organizers of the 2021 National Night Out breathed a sigh of relief as cars flowed into the fire station parking lot ahead of the event’s 6 pm opening. A year had gone by since the cancellation of last year’s National Night Out due to the COVID pandemic and there was doubt about whether the event would draw a crowd.
The organizers needn’t have worried. Families came out in droves to demonstrate their appreciation and support for our area’s first-response teams while enjoying a diverse array of educational and recreational activities.
Multiple Anne Arundel County Police tents could be seen. Numerous Eastern District police men and women, firefighters and emergency management personnel were participating in the event which was aimed at familiarizing the community with the services they provide.
The very first tent encountered on entering the event from the main parking lot was that of the Anne Arundel County Police – Eastern Disctrict tent that was manned by Corporal Scott McAdoo. In addition to community related informational materials, McAdoo had plenty of “swag” to hand out like coloring books for kids and magnetized clips for adults.
One tent over, at the Anne Arundel County Police Human Relations Department tent, Corporals Simmons and Ziebell were being besieged by families with young children. The kids had spotted bright blue pairs of child-sized sunglasses, coloring books and games on the officers’ table and were drawn to them like bees to honey (as can be seen in the opening photo). For adults there were bag clips, brochures with safety tips and the opportunity to ask Simmons and Ziebell questions.
Barks were heard occasionally from the K-9 Unit trucks parked behind the tents. The dogs and their handlers would later be doing demonstrations. There was even a bark or two from puppy Ace who stood patiently with volunteers Jennifer and Joshua Stibers from Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control. Easily recognizable by their bright purple shirts emblazoned with paw prints, the Stibers were at National Night Out to spread the word about the important work of the organization.
“As volunteers, Joshua and I sometimes transport animals in the animal care and control van or otherwise help with them,” Jessica said. “We also help to socialize animals like Ace who is so young he’s still learning.”
Momentarily on the lam from her own tent, Nancy Greer, co-owner with husband Billy of the Jing Ying Institute of Tai Chi and Kung Fu, visited with friends at other tents – in this case with Kerry Topovski and Tristin Ziegenheim of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. In addition to a spinning wheel game featuring suggestions like “Make A Plan”, the pair offered typical emergency supplies as giveaways including glow sticks to light the way and dog dishes designed as scoops for emergency pet foods,
There were “Prepare With Pedro” activity books for children. Both women enjoyed answering attendees’ questions.
After noting that Arnold-based Jing Ying Institute will be holding its 20th Anniversary celebration in September, Greer headed back to her own tent which was manned by several of the school’s students who’d later perform a Tai Chi demonstration. Hiding in one corner of the tent, behind games and giveaways, was a beautifully carved dragon’s head attached to a costume for Jing Ying’s much anticipated Dragon Dance.
Scouts of all types could be spotted everywhere including three young ladies who operated their own Wheel of Fortune game for kids and adults. Perseus Smith and Amy Elder of Boy Scouts of America Troop 346 were joined by Girl Scouts USA Central Maryland Troop 2289 member Karleigh English in operating the game which offered different prizes for different spaces on the wheel.
Scouts were everywhere, having a grand time. 
Amy Elder and patrol leader Perseus Smith from BSA Troop 346 flank Karleigh English from Girl Scouts of America Central Maryland.
Community organizations of many kinds were participants with several involved in planning the event. Many National Night Out attendees stopped by the Pasadena Business Association booth where President Sandi Parrish and board member Melissa Gurney Hosse were touting the organization’s many activities and events.
The two were also doing some advance recruiting for Dragon Boat team competitors in the “Dragons In The Dena Fesitval” being planned for May 21, 2022. The exciting event will be a fundraiser to raise money for a new flagpole at the Route 100 Veteran’s Memorial. Admission will not be charged but the PBA will ask for $5 donation toward the flagpole. There will be a cash bar, food available for sale and a vendor village. Those interested in being on a team or being a sponsor can call Lisa at 443-928-7195.
Fishing Challenges were taking place at two separate locations. At The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce booth, CEO Liz League hosted children of all sizes as they fished for a prize. She simultaneously urged their parents to “Shop Local” this summer and to come out to Park Plaza in October for “Shoptoberfest” featuring products from Severna Park area retailers.
Fishing was equally popular with the tot-to-teen set at the SPAN, Inc. (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) booth overseen by Director of Development Michele Sabean with an assist from Elizabeth Grabau who spent the evening in a bathtub with a rubber duck.
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Even from her make-believe bathtub, Elizabeth was effective in telling people about SPAN’s food pantry and financial assistance services for families in need. She also advised them they can find information about making donations or applyimg for assistance by visiting SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org) .
As was the case with previous National Nights Out, attendees gravitated to the variety of fire and emergency equipment spread out across the grounds. From mobile command and communications units to community medical services equipment or motorcycle units, people were curious and enjoyed getting up close and personnel.
The Anne Arundel County Police Mobile Command Center seen below was a crowd favorite since visitors were invited inside where Officer Erica Magnuson explained how the surveillance and communications equipment worked.
The Anne Arundel Co. Police Mobile Command Center was open for the public to visit. 
Officer Erica Magnuson explained the surveilance and communications equipment.
For children M.J. and Liam Slack, a highlight of summer vacation was having an opportunity to climb aboard and be photographed on Cpl. Robert Rosso’s police escort motorcycle. Rosso is with the county’s police traffic and safety section.
There was entertainment to be enjoyed from musical group More Cowbell, the first to perform. Ellie Hermann, the 74th Queen of the Chesapeake, came out to help Maryland Yacht Club’s First Lady Tobbi Justice and Fleet Surgeon Tania Marcic draw attention to the club and to our area’s importance as a recreational boating center.
Set up in a spot near the firehouse, longtime Severna Park businesswoman Betty Winkelmeyer Wells handed out flyers and informed people about the proposed Severna Park Museum being established as a 501 C non-profit. She’s looking for volunteers and funding. Those interested can contact Wells at 443-416-5865.
Keeping a careful eye on things, Earleigh Heights VFC Fire Chief Dave Crawford chatted with fire and police personnel and folks in the crowd. Crawford had good news to share about the fire company’s plans for construction of a new firehouse..
“We finally got the zoning approved by the county council but still need to get our designation,” Crawford said. “A hearing for the property designation will be held September 21. After that we can, hopefully, move forward.”
Crawford also commented on Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s recent carnival. The firefighters had hoped for a good turnout because the event is the company’s biggest fundraiser. (The event’s cancellation last July due to COVID was a blow financially.) Fortunately, the carnival was a huge success with great crowds every night.
He added that EHVFC has a number of events coming up including an Open House in October and the annual Bull Roast in November. Of course, Bingo is held every Wednesday night at 7 pm. For information on any and all events, visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).
Who could possibly forget meeting the “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Saving Grace Animal Rescue of Maryland’s mascot. The foster pet accompanied Diane Casanova to National Night Out. The pair’s goal was to spread the word about rescued animals’ need for foster or adoptive homes.
“We are a foster-based organization without an actual location,” Casanova said. “However, we operate throughout the southern states, rescuing animals, getting them healthy and then placing them with foster families. For information on the program, visit www.SavingGraceAnimalRescueMD.com .
Like Mrs. Maisel, the gathering at Earleigh Heights VFC was delighted to take it all in again on another National Night Out.
