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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

The weather alternated between drizzle and fog Tuesday evening December 10th. But inside Chartwell Golf & Country Club, the scene was bright and cheery as the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce Holiday Taste & Sip event got underway in the ballroom.

Just inside the entrance, Crepes in the Park owner Abby Larkin and her mother Leslie had already served their first crepes to, among others a gentleman in a Santa hat. The aromas of cinnamon and lemon could be detected as they ladled more batter onto their crepe makers. Beyond them, the gentleman wearing the Santa hat helped himself to Ashlyn White’s tasty selection of donuts, donut holes and other sweets from Donut Shack.

At the next table along the row, Tast & Sip guests found elegant and exceptionally tasty offerings from Debra Garrow of Millersville-based Be My Guest Catering. Garrow’s canapes included scrumptious beet rounds with cream cheese that were topped with salmon and cucumber ribbons.

Every bit as popular as the food throughout the evening were the Silent Auction tables which, as can be seen in the opening photo, held one of the most extensive collections of impressive items to bid on that we’ve seen. We noted that Nancy Greer and her mother-in-law Aura spent considerable time at the tables and placed a number of bids. We also ran into Barbara Gill who first admired a handsome set of holiday story books she felt would make a perfect gift for her grandchildren. She filled out a bid, then moved on to the next table where she loved several of the seasonal floral centerpieces and filled out bids accordingly.

Moving back to the vendor tables, we discovered Sheila Schreiner serving coffee to guests while promoting the new Magothy Roasting Company and coffee bar she and husband Mark will be launching shortly on Mountain Road. She said they can’t wait to become the Magothy area’s newest coffee roaster.

It wasn’t long before we ran into Holiday Taste & Sip event sponsor Matt Wyble with Next Step Realty.

“It’s hard to believe this is our 14th holiday event. One year was skipped due to the COVID pandemic. Our number of sponsors and vendors has grown every year and continues to grow,” the fourth-generation realtor said.

Wyble started the annual holiday extravaganza along with former Chamber CEO Linda Zahn 15 years ago. Held for the first eight or nine years at Homestead Gardens in Severna Park, the event eventually moved to Chartwell which has accommodated the vendors and crowds quite well.

From its beginnings, entertainment has been a hallmark of the Holiday Taste & Sip events. The 2024 edition did not disappoint as it included not one, but two choruses. First up was the longtime crowd favorite Chesapeake Harmony Chorus which has appeared at almost every holiday event going back to the beginning years at Homestead Gardens. Fresh from appearing at their own Candy Cane Lane program at Historic Baldwin Hall two days earlier, the chorus reprised the spirited title tune from the show, “Candy Cane Lane”, and sang a finely tuned medley of much-loved songs of the season.

A glimpse back to an earlier Holiday Taste & Sip event shows Chesapeake Harmony Chorus performing at Homestead Gardens with Santa in 2018.

The performance by the chorus was followed by dynamic young family band JAGMAC featuring six siblings performing festive holiday tunes that captivated the crowd. A second chorus would be coming along later.

With a combined total of more than two dozen repeat and new vendors at the event, it’s impossible to name them all but we saw a lot of people stopping by Linda Thebaud’s display of VanEllin Candy Shop Cookies. The company is a wholesaler that sells its products at all the Graul’s markets in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County, Eddie’s markets in Baltimore, and Fishpaws Marketplace in Arnold as well as The Sweet Shop in Severna Park. Just beyond Thebaud were Carlye Cab and Sandra Paroti from Facebar Aesthetic Medicine, a spa that offers age-reversing treatments.

Friends were everywhere. We came across Betty Winkelmeyer Wells at a table with her daughter-in-law Karen Osborne, the owner of Karen Renee Interiors. It was fun seeing Karen who now splits her time between her main office in Severna Park, Maryland and Florida where she lives part of the year while conducting interior decorating projects in five different states.

It was also great seeing Ron Pivarnik with his great selection of Firehouse Subs. We first met Pivarnik when he was a vendor at the annual holiday event 8 years ago, the year he opened his sub shop at Park Plaza. It was good to see Matt Geise as well from Adam’s Taphouse Grille in Olde Severna Park. Geise was serving crowd-pleasing ribs and pulled pork.

We continued bumping into friends including Greater Chamber of Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s current president Tammy Neal with Stephen Varani at the Oliver Brewing Company table.

The Oliver Brewing Company table (the brewery will move to Millersville in May) was part of the 206 Restaurant Group’s multi-table lineup of offerings from Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside, Western Ale House and JB’s.

So many more vendors to check out. As Fishpaws Marketplace has participated as a vendor since the annual event’s first year, we just had to stop by their table where we found Terri Phoebus and Philip Alther pouring a selection of wines that included spiced Bluwein which was gently warming over a flame. They were also serving the Olive Tapenade for which the shop is noted along with freshly made Rosemary Focaccia.

Also, a vendor since the first Holiday Taste & Sips, we couldn’t possibly overlook owner Tommie Koukoulis from Cafe Mezzanotte and his general manager Paul Zonn who appeared to be growing their own sprouts while “celebratin the humble carrot” with carrot pasta with beef short ribs and horseradish and carrot risotto with Brussels sprouts and apple balsamic.  

We discovered even more vendors off the main ballroom and stopped to chat with Debra Saltz, co-owner of BD Provisions. Saltz was serving coffee roasted earlier that day by her co-owner and master roaster Phil Peters. Beyond Saltz were Cheers & Spirits’ Debra Reitz and Matthew Haggerty serving wine and spirits. They were flanked by a charcuterie board from April’s Table, and lastly Cindy and David Geipe from Sweet Satisfaction with ice cream.

An added piece de resistance, entertainment-wise, came fairly late with the appearance of the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus, the award-winning group that sings a cappella, four-part harmony music in the barbershop style. Chosen 3rd in the world by Sweet Adelines International, they are directed by Michael Gellert, a Master 700 Director and prolific arranger. Many people don’t realize that the show chorus currently rehearses locally on Wednesday evenings at the Severna Park Elks Lodge.

The end of the evening was reserved for the close of the Silent Auction and the business that resulted therefrom. All in all, a very entertaining evening.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Cente

Friday evening, December 13th, was quite chilly. Nevertheless, the Severna Park Community Center’s Cookies & Coffee with Santa holiday event went off without much of a hitch. However, according to the center’s director Sarah Elder, the cold temperatures prompted the staff to move the location for Santa from outdoors, as originally planned, to a warmer indoor setting in Boone Station Hall.

With the addition of Christmas trees, a faux fireplace and a cozy armchair atmosphere there the setting was picture perfect. There was a long line of families with young children waiting to visit with the jolly old elf and tell him their Christmas wish lists while having their photos taken.

Cozy Boone Station Hall was also headquarters for families with youngsters to gather for cocoa, cookies and the opportunity to create a snowman using marshmallows.

Of course, what parent or child could resist cups of warming cocoa and cookies.

There were things taking place outdoors too including some dance performances in the courtyard between Boone Station Hall and the Chamber building. Students from The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center performed as holiday candles glowing in the darkness.

Among those who braved the cold night air to enjoy the outdoor events and possibly snag a warming beverage from the Moveable Mixtures Beverage Truck were Kati Elliott, Lauren Garber and Jessica Axt. The threesome made a point of visiting as many holiday events as possible.

There was still more fun to be had in the Community Center’s Holiday Marketplace where crowds of happy shoppers enjoyed checking out the merchandise of a dozen or more vendors. Many emerged with packages.

Rounding out the activities in the Community Center Building were a tableau from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church celebrating the birth of Christ to remind folks what Christmas is really about. There was also a lot of activity around The Grinch who was posing for photos with children of various ages. Cocoa & Cookies with Santa was yet another occasion that spread some holiday joy and brought the community together in a lovely way.

Sing in the New Year with a Benefit Concert for SPAN on January 12th

Save The Date of Sunday, January 12 for a Benefit Concert for SPAN, Inc. featuring musicians and vocalists Kate Caldwell and Max Ochs. The program will include folk favorites, originals and blues and a reception will follow. In lieu of a ticket price, financial donations to help SPAN will be accepted and much appreciated.

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.

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.

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

Some of us have been ready for Christmas since Thanksgiving. Others, especially those who like to use evergreen Christmas trees or wreaths, ropes and swags, tend to decorate a little later.

That would be me… which is precisely why I was inspired by a Facebook photo of Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis’ owner Abby Diehl and her pup posing in the stand’s Photo Booth to stop by the stand the stand at 921 Chesapeake Avenue in Eastport for a look at the fresh-cut trees and greenery she is selling.

(The wreath behind Diehl was almost exactly like the ones I hang on each side of my front porch door each year.)

Approaching the familiar red and white striped tents of the produce stand from the parking lot of the shopping center, I sensed that I was about to enter a winter wonderland.

Entering, I found that Abby was away on a trip. However, I soon discovered Diehl’s of Annapolis employee Ron Snyder hard at work. He was selecting a metal hanger for a pre-made wreath he was creating along with a wine-colored velvet bow, some pinecones and other ornaments. He welcomed me and noted that shoppers can buy one of the already assembled wreaths or are welcome to select a wreath form from one of the tables and decorate it themselves.

Evergreen wreath forms of different kinds, ropes of pine and stems of holly and magnolia were spread across a number of tables.

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There were crates of bows in various shades of red and maroon, pinecones and other accessories for customers to choose from.

To one side of the tent, past a stand of jams sauces perfect for casual gift giving, was an arrow – an arrow pointing the way to a Photo Booth designed and built by Diehl as an extra bit of fun for shoppers.

• 

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I followed the strawbale-lined path in a circle, ending up at the Photo Booth where I found employee Taylor Gates who was eager to show it off. She also was delighted to talk about what’s it’s been like selling Christmas trees.

“Christmas tree sales have been really brisk. It’s only December 3rd and we’ve already sold half of our inventory,” Gates said.

That wasn’t entirely surprising to hear. Abby Diehl has been selling Christmas trees from her Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis stands for more than a decade. It’s, by now, a tradition in Eastport. Her long experience harks back to the days when she and sister Jennifer Diehl were kids helping their father Doug Diehl sell trees from his Diehl’s Produce stand in Olde Severna Park. Today, Jennifer manages that business and carries on her father’s five-decade practice of selling Christmas trees.

Gates noted that the stand is open from 9 am until 9 pm every day till Christmas or until the trees sell out. For information or directions visit Home | Diehl’s Produce Annapolis (square.site).

Now determined to complete my own outdoor decorating before the weather got any colder, I contemplated what else I needed to do before Christmas. I must buy, address and mail my 2024 holiday cards, finish the Christmas shopping I always manage to start a tad late, wrap gifts, bake lots of Christmas cookies, finish the indoor decorating, and plan a couple of special dinners. But then, there are all those holiday events I want to attend where I’m bound to run into friends. They all sound like fun and seem to be taking place over the next two weeks. I’ll list some of them below

Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber this Friday at 5 pm

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that Severna Park’s annual Community Tree Lighting will take place this Friday, December 6th, from 5 to 6:30 pm in front of the Chamber offices at 1 Holly Avenue. See performances by the Creative Force Dance Center dancers, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, the Edge Dance Complex dancers, the Severna Park High School Jazz Band and the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and ice cream to enjoy and Santa and the Grinch will be on hand too. The Severna Park Model Train Club will be open next door and, not only will the Chamber tree be lit but the historic towering tree nearby will be lit as well, courtesy of Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers. For information, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presentation’ “Candy Cane Lane” this Sunday

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville this Sunday, December 8th beginning at 2 pm. (The doors will open at 1:30.) Themed “Candy Cane Lane”, the program will feature live performances by the Chorus as well as by the Bearfoot, 2nd Star and Moscato Quartets. There will be festive treats available and a special guest appearance by Santa. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for children under five. For information or to purchase tickets, visit Holiday Show 2024 — Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Also on Sunday, Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll

Olde Severna Park’s Holiday Shop & Stroll event will also be held Sunday, December 8th from 4 to 7 pm in the center of town. There will be shopping, live music, vendors, holiday specials, food and drink. Participating will be The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Crepes in the Park, Gallery 564, Nature Junction, Wish List Boutique, Local Coast and others. For information visit Facebook.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Taste & Sip Holiday Event will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music and sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. Great entertainment including two choruses – The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

Severna Park Community Center “Cookies & Cocoa” with Santa Friday, December 13th

The Severna Park Community Center’s Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Holiday Marketplace will take place Friday, December 13 from 5 to 8 pm. Lots of free, festive fun for people of all ages. Pose for Pictures with Santa and meet Special surprise guests. There will be children’s holiday crafts to participate in, holiday vendors for their parents to enjoy, a Moveable Mixtures truck and The Pancake Peeps.

The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center “Nutcracker” at SPHS Dec. 13th

The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center will be presenting “The Nutcracker” at Severna Park High School with a debut performance on Friday, December 13th at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm) and a second matinee performance on Sunday, December 15th at 1 pm (doors open at 12:30 pm). A timeless classic, the enchanting ballet with sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers is the perfect holiday tradition to celebrate with your family. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults with seniors and members of the military free. They may be purchased online by visiting The Nutcracker 2024 – Campaign (spcommunitycenter.org).

Close of Jing Ying Institute’s Silent Auction benefitting Rollin’ Grizlies and Holiday Party on Saturday, December 14th

The official close of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s 31st Silent Auction benefitting a charity, in this case the Rollin’ Grizzlies, takes place at 4 pm on Saturday, December 14th and will be followed by a Holiday Party. The event is free and open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin’ Grizzlies. The organization helps those with spinal cord and lower limb disabilities by giving them the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball. The basketball team provides peer mentorship and support to help individuals adjust to new injuries, develops relationships, helps fund wheelchairs, and more. For additional information visit Jing Ying’s 21st Annual Silent Auction for Charity | Facebook.

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.

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

When Dr. Robert Graw, Jr. moved to Davidsonville to start a pediatric practice five decades ago, he had no idea he’d become well-known in agricultural and culinary circles as the founder and owner of three-generation family business Bow Tie Bison Farm.

“When I came out here in 1972 after working at the NIH in Washington, D.C., the Davidsonville area was entirely rural with nothing but farms,” said Graw. “Not only were there no pediatricians, but no doctors with the exception of a family practice or two. One woman who had a practice in Harwood became famous for treating everyone for miles and miles around.”

Upon relocating to Davidsonville, the doctor initially didn’t see any children who could be patients. In fact, the Graws would ride on horseback from Davidsonville to the country store on Route 214 and rarely see anybody.

Fortunately, Graw went to a farm show at the home of Dr. Ben Watkins (the honorary mayor of Davidsonville) and was surprised to see many children there. He asked where the kids normally congregated and was told they were busy working on their family’s farms or were in school.”

About that time, people began telling Graw, “We need a doctor.”

He badly wanted to start his pediatric practice but needed to attract a clientele. While in medical school, he’d heard that, if you wanted to start a practice, you should put a sign in front of your house and people would drive up your driveway to find you. So, with approval from the Medical Surgical Society, he had a sign made up for the end of his farm’s driveway at 2427 Rutland Road off Route 224. It’s still there.

Sure enough, people started driving up the driveway. Dr. Graw and his wife used their living room as a waiting room and a bedroom upstairs as an exam room. Initially, patients were from the local farms. But, as the practice grew, people came from Annapolis, Washington and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Graws had always been interested in animals so they bought a couple of Black Angus cows, Billie and Molly and put them out front. The kids were crazy about them. Subsequently, they bought some different breeds of cows as well as goats and sheep and all kinds of other animals including peacocks and guinea hens. Then, as now, they had lots of litters of pigs.

“We added a wing to the house for the practice and found that, in the exam rooms, the parents had the kids standing on the windowsills looking at the animals,” the doctor said. “We continued the tradition and, about 15 years ago, a fellow who transported our animals when we bought or sent them to market asked if we’d like to own a bison. I said I’d love to.”

After reading all about bison, Graw figured out that they could be raised on his farm. A family on the Eastern Shore who’d had their own bison farm had access to the animals. So, he arranged through them to buy three bison – two females and a male.

“When our bison arrived at the farm, they were wild, truly primitive animals,” he said. “My farm hand Alberto Quintanilla and I had put up special fencing. Our normal fences were 45 inches tall and we’d added another 12 inches of electrified fencing. When the bison were delivered, they literally ran around the farm enclosure for an hour as fast as you can imagine. Alberto and I were bragging about the fences and the man who delivered the bison said, ‘Oh, that fence is not tall enough. They’ll jump a nine-foot fence.'”

The Graw farm started with those three bison and let them breed. Soon, they learned you’re not supposed to crossbreed them with cattle. But they’d already interbred and the Graws ended up with the breed referred to as Beefalo. With a higher fat content than purebred bison, Beefalo meat is reportedly better tasting. Nevertheless, the crossbreds were gradually weeded out.

In time, the farm had more and more bison and fewer cattle. It currently boasts a herd of 100 bison. Quintanilla and Graw have learned how to control the animals very well. There are strong metal fences and the herd is divided among different pens – babies in one, mothers in another, the big bulls in another….

…and mothers and babies that are weaned are allowed to roam the grass pastures.

Currently, Bow Tie Bison Farm manager, Quintanilla feeds the bison beer grain. It’s grain left over from the brewing process and acquired from local breweries that is a valuable source of protein. The herd is also fed high protein mix along with cracked corn and silage from Davidsonville farmer Bob Chase who owns Chase’s Produce…and, of course, they get lots of hay and grass.

In 1989, Dr. Graul’s life took a bit of a turn when he started Nightime Pediatrics which progressed to become Right Time Medical Care with 20 locations. He still maintained the pediatric practice with five offices spread around Anne Arundel County. But the bison and other animals remained a high priority.

“About that time, people would come to us to ask if we’d ever sell a bison or sell the meat. So, Bow Tie Bison Farm was formed and began offering bison meat primarily to local restaurants. Today, there is a long list of restaurants the market regularly supplies.

The name Bow Tie Bison Farm comes from the fact that, as a pediatrician, Graw wore a bow tie so the name was suggested by his granddaughter Maddie during dinner one evening.

Bow Tie Bison sells the bison meat, pork, beef and fresh eggs from animals raised on the farm in a general store they call Boomer’s Market (named after the Graws’ first donkey). The range of prepackaged meats sold there is amazing. A selection of more than 30 cuts of bison ranging from stew meat, ground meat and sausages to steaks and brisket can be viewed and ordered online at bowtie-bison-farm-ranch (bowtiebison.com).

The market is open to the general public on Saturday mornings from 8 am till 12 noon. For most of the year, Boomer’s Market is open on Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm with hayrides and other activities taking place at the same time. However, it’s closed from November through March.

“Everybody loves the concept of having a high protein diet with less fat,” Graw enthuses. “We have young high school and college athletes that come to get the bison meat and, of course, many restaurants buy it and use it in all sorts of imaginative ways from bison stew and bison steaks and burgers to bison chili.”

Getting the bison meat butchered is a complicated, highly regulated process according to Graw. Producers are required to use a USDA butcher shop. Bow Tie Bison uses a couple – one in Pennsylvania and, more recently Haass Family ButcherShop in Delaware.

“They’ll do the butchering for us and then package it the way we want it and also supply bison quarters or halves for those who want them,” he said.

“I’ve loved being a pediatrician,” Graw says, “but raising bison is fun. It’s been wonderful seeing parents and children and grandchildren enjoying all the animals and touring the farm and going for our regular hayrides. There are even school groups.”

Graw’s second oldest son Bill, with 25 years in the restaurant business in California, played a big role in getting the farm and market operations started and running from day to day. His main focus currently is to breed and raise the bison on an all-natural diet. Graw’s granddaughter Mary and husband Chris Chase are responsible for Business Development working with restaurants and breweries throughout Maryland.

They are ably assisted by Delia Phibbons in Administration and, of course, Alberto Quintanilla, “the animal whisperer” as Farm Manager.

Graw tells us that the bison absolutely love the winter. They’re outdoor animals who have shelters but they don’t often go inside. On the plains, when it snows they’ll stand facing a snowstorm. In the summer, they like to roll around in the dirt to remove insects and then lie in the cooling mud.

After Graw sold his medical business (Right Time) he had time on his hands. His wife asked him what he’d like to do. He immediately answered “Bison”. However, he wanted to have a ranch. So, the Graws moved to a ranch in Colorado that he loves. They are raising Red Angus Cattle there with the help of five cowboys while maintaining the bison farm in Maryland. They’ll be heading back to the farm in December to stay for a bit and enjoy the family, the land, the bison and the other animals. Then they’ll return to the ranch in Colorado.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presents “Candy Cane Lane” on Sunday, December 8th

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville on Sunday, December 8th beginning at 2 pm. (The doors will open at 1:30.) Themed “Candy Cane Lane”, the program will feature live performances by the Chorus as well as by the Bearfoot, 2nd Star and Moscato Quartets. There will be festive treats available and a special guest appearance by Santa. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for children under five. For information or to purchase tickets, visit Holiday Show 2024 — Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

It was December 2, 2016 and the Community Tree Lighting and Open House was in full swing at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce. At the town’s historic railroad station next door families were already lining up to visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s train display.

Bagpiper Michael Binney, who’d entertained the crowd earlier, was still wearing his Scottish kilt as he viewed the club’s impressive train layout with wife Julie and children Peter, Andrew, Emily and Aiden.

Katie Kanas ducked beneath the “Baltimore Truss Bridge” with daughters Maisie and Josie to enter the layout. The girls were fascinated as they followed speeding locomotives down the tracks of the mythical Chesapeake and Allegheny Railroad over mountains, through tunnels and past farms, steelworks and cityscapes. Exiting beneath the same bridge as trains raced overhead, Katie asked railroad club members Sam Shepherd and Hal Holton about the group’s history.

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The model railroad club was founded in 1964 at Severna Park’s Depot Hobby Shop where it immediately constructed a layout. But the club rapidly outgrew the space. Fortunately, the Severna Park Railroad Station, built in 1929, became available following a stint as the town library. The club moved into the building late in 1964 and have occupied it ever since. They’ve constantly upgraded the display which they share with the public during their open houses. At first, the open houses were held in the spring and at Christmas but have since been held more frequently.

Severna Park homeowner Lindy Lammens-Anderkin, who attended one of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s regular Thursday night meetings recently, contacted us to say that this year the model railroad club will be holding open houses on weekends throughout December. She also alerted us to the fact that the club may no longer be able to stay in the building they have occupied for 60 years.

By now, after six decades of continuous operation, the model railroad club is a community tradition. Generations of local children, including my own, have visited the train layout and some nowadays bring their children or even their grandchildren. The idea that it could close was a subject I felt worth exploring. Thus, I spoke at length with club member Tyler Noland.

Noland first noted that the train layout has basically remained the same as when it was created in 1964. However, there have been considerable changes to the electrical controls.

“Those have been completely redone – a major overhaul from the old analog controls to a modern digital system. In fact, the conversion is still ongoing,” he said.

When asked if Lammens-Anderkin’s comment that the club might not be able to stay in the building for much longer was accurate, Noland answered that her statement was true.

“Our future is very uncertain,” he said. “Owners of the building are the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association – a community association. The president and some board members said they wanted to do something different with the building. They put out a survey to their members asking what they’d like to do with the club. Apparently, 50% said to leave it alone and 50% would like to see it used for something else. But, when asked for suggestions about what that might be, no one had a single suggestion.”

According to Noland, the Improvement Association bylaws say the building cannot be rented or sold for profit…but bylaws could possibly be changed.

“If we get kicked out, we’d have to take saws to the layout, and it would never go back together again which would be sad,” he said. “There’s a lot of history in that layout which is original to the club’s beginning but has been modified over the years.”

Noland and the other members believe that the Improvement Association members think the Severna Park Model Train Club only benefits one community – Severna Park. But he emphasized that’s not the case. The club attracts members from Baltimore, Southern Maryland, and Western Maryland and visitors and train aficionados from as far away as Germany. The holiday open houses alone attract visitors from Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Crownsville, Pasadena, Baltimore and farther afield. Being located along the B&A Trail is a tremendous blessing as club members frequently keep the doors open in mild weather so folks can wander in. Unfortunately. the building is poorly insulated so it’s too cold to keep the doors open in the winter.

Much like the gentleman wearing the Quebec hat and his daughter in the photograph below that I took during an open house 2011, people very much appreciate the opportunity to see the trains. (It’s similar to the pilgrimage made by many to see the Homestead Davidsonville train layout at Christmas.) For some, it’s a reminiscent of their childhoods when they may have had trains of their own. For others, it’s simply a wonderful novelty.

At present the club has about 25 members who meet once a week and keep the layout and equipment in tip top condition. Each time the trains are operated, at a meeting or open house, the members supply locomotives from their own collections, so the rolling stock is different from one time to the next. Up to five trains may be run at once- three on the lengthy main line and another two on smaller branch lines.

Members originally held their open houses twice a year in the spring and during the holidays but have since expanded them. The club is now open more frequently – especially during mild weather as mentioned before. The heaviest attendance is usually on holidays like Independence Day or during the Christmas season.

As noted, the club will be hosting Holiday Open Houses each weekend through December and, of course, will be open during the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Community Tree Lighting on December 6. From the moment the chamber moved into their headquarters at 1 Holly Avenue and former Chamber CEO Linda Zahn started the community tree lightings, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club has been open and an amazing draw. Last year when the photo below was taken, the club was highlighted by the chamber’s “big tree”. (The illumination was provided by Pasadena-based Maryland Lighting & Sprinklers.)

The holiday weekend open houses generally go from 1 to 3 pm but there may be changes. To keep abreast of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s Open House Schedule, you can follow them on their Facebook page.

Local Merchants’ Black Friday and Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” on November 29 plus Small Business Saturday on November 30.

Just a reminder that next week’s Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when stores along Ritchie Highway in Arnold and Severna Park and at Park Plaza are busy and bound to offer some deals. The day after Thanksgiving is also Olde Severna Park’s “Pink Friday” with The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Dawson’s Liquors and other shops along B&A Boulevard starting the holiday shopping season with a bang. And don’t forget Small Business Saturday when Severna Park’s small independent businesses offer special discounts. Be sure to #SHOPLOCAL for the holidays.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced that its annual Holiday Taste & Sip will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music where you can sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

The Talent Machine Company Holiday Show kicks off on December 13th

The 2024 Talent Machine Company Holiday Show, “A Jolly Holiday” will open on December 13th and run through December 23rd at Indian Creek School at 1130 Anne Chambers Way in Crownsville. Talent Machine Company holiday shows are a perennial favorite.

Media representative Kim O’Brien said this year’s show promises an array of colorful costumes and spectacular performances, featuring traditional holiday favorites and contemporary pieces. The show includes a talented cast of performers ages 7 to 18 from Anne Arundel County and the surrounding region.

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Attending a performance of “A Jolly Holiday” is a perfect way for the entire family to celebrate the season together. To learn more visit Talent Machine. Tickets are available at www.talentmachine.com or https://tinyurl.com/aha3dxrj.

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.

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

As the holiday season moves into full swing, budget concerns are an issue for most families. In a national survey conducted by Ziff Davis Shopping, 50% of respondents indicated they are still concerned about rising prices, while 39% said budget constraints will likely add to their holiday stress.

Fortunately, the greater Severna Park area offers many opportunities to find affordable gifts – from local retailers’ Black Friday sales to a slew of church holiday bazaars about to begin. Probably the best known of the latter is the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Holiday Bazaar that has been held for nearly eight decades and is something of a neighborhood tradition. This year’s Bazaar is being held next Saturday, November 23rd, from 9 am till 1 pm. As always, the community is invited.

Hosted by the church’s Mission Ministry, the bazaar will delight holiday shoppers with a wide range of handmade knitted items, quilts from the renowned Woods Quilters, homemade baked goods, sweets and candy and, of course, a White Elephant Sale. There will be jewelry, books and children’s books, walnuts and pecans and an abundance holiday greens and arrangements.

When we arrived at the church library last Thursday to meet with bazaar committee co-chairs Beth Hadley and Pam Blumenthal, donations for the event were already coming in. Several items representative of the Woods Quilters donations were displayed on a table in the church library (as seen in the photo above).

Collectibles donated for the bazaar included several vintage lamps like the one on the table and several paintings by the late Nancy Lou Saarlas, a church member and well-known artist who led the creation of the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Art Gallery.

“One of the things we want to emphasize this year is that we are turning the entire main hallway into an area that is fun for young families with children,” Hadley said. “We’ve always held our Secret Santa Shop in the library where kids can economically shop for gifts for their parents on their own. This time we’re expanding holiday activities beyond it with a storyteller midway down the hall and Santa waiting at the end.”

Blumenthal added that there will be a big jar full of candy there that is the focus of a contest. The kids must guess how many pieces of candy the jar contains with a first, second and third place prize awarded to the children closest to the mark. The hallway will also be the location for a stand selling lemon-peppermint sticks.

Other popular traditions include the Woods Knitters table with their much sought after knit hats and the bazaar’s famous candy table. In fact, according to Hadley and Blumenthal, candy making was already underway with church member Karen Royer heading the volunteers who were preparing batches and batches of fudge and Buckeyes.

Equally beloved is Woods’ tradition of serving lunch which will begin this year at 10:30 am. They’ll be serving homemade chicken noodle soup, hot dogs, vegetarian Chili and church members’ all-time favorite chicken salad made by “renowned chicken salad chef” Carolyn.

For the first time, homemade jams will be for sale. They were donated by a church member who made 61 jars of jam in a variety of flavors. There is much more, including a Silent Auction for which there has been a donation of a Lionel Train Set. Blumenthal notes that this year, in addition to regular items, the Silent Auction will have gift cards to bid on.

For more information about the 2024 Holiday Bazaar, visit Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org).

CottonWood in the Park debuts in time for the holidays

It’s likely that no one is happier about the opening of Julie and D.J. Antinucci’s CottonWood in the Park than members of the Woods Quilters group mentioned above…but we love it too.

We’d first discovered Julie, D.J. and CottonWood in the Park when we came across their table at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce SHOPTOBERFEST at Park Plaza. The lettering on the van noted that CottonWood was a Quilting, Arts and Antique shop.

That brief encounter whetted our appetite to visit the store which we discovered was located off Benfield Road next to the Szechuan Inn. Imagine our surprise when we walked up to the shop, walked through the door to meet Julie and discovered an absolute treasure trove of colorful fabrics, antique quilts and vintage and antique furnishings.

Before having Antinucci show us around the shop, we sat down with her for a chat. We asked her if CottonWood in the Park was the outgrowth of a previous business or a brand new idea.

“It’s something brand new that my husband D.J. and I had been thinking about for a long time,” she said. “We met at Severna Park High School and started dating when I was fourteen years old. His parents were antiquers. We were very close to his parents from the moment we started dating so we went antiquing with them every weekend as we were, literally, growing up. That’s how the antiquing aspect of what we’re doing came about.”

She added that later, when she had her first child, her best friend’s mother Nancy Wiswall taught her how to quilt. Quilting quickly became a passion for her.

“Through the 25 years since we were married, we’d often thought about the concept of an antique/quilt shop…. and then JoAnn’s at Park Plaza closed,” Antinucci said. “We thought, ‘What else will the community need? Craft and art supplies?’ We paused for a few moments to think about it, then said, ‘Let’s do it!’ and put things into high gear.”

The couple and been collecting antiques and quilts over all those years but when they decided to open the store, they started to “really collect”. They began with one storage unit, quickly filled a second and then another until they had their space at 548 Benfield Road. They now have over 300 antique quilts and great Early American and mid-century modern antique furniture.

Asked if it was easy to acquire those quilts, Antinucci said when they are looking for antiques, they are also looking for antique quilts.

“We find them at auctions, we find them at stores, and we also bought the collections of two Maryland quilters,” she said. “Some of those in the collections are vintage and some are antiques. Vintage quilts are 50 to 100 years old while antique quilts are over 100 years old.”

As we walked through the store, she pointed out different sections and items she really loves starting with a children’s area featuring antique toys and a newly arrived handmade doll house by a local craftsperson.

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One part of CottonWood in the Park is dedicated to mid-century modern items including a lot of vintage Pyrex dishes and an aqua blue chair perched on a table and surrounded by artwork and quilts.

In the same area of the store, Antinucci pointed to some cool vintage jewelry and several collections of pins. One of the collections featured pins from Elvis and Beetles concerts. Others were from the concerts of other popular musical groups from the same era.

A favorite antique, a Danish chest built in 1816, is the oldest piece the Antinucci’s currently have in the store. There were also a couple of handsome China cabinets which are back in vogue now and other fine pieces. However, CottonWood in the Park has a decidedly practical side too.

Though located off the beaten track, the couple is certain that Severna Park residents who quilt or sew or craft will find CottonWood since they carry every item one might need. From fabrics to arts and craft supplies to embroidery threads and knitting yarn, they have everything.

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Walls of fabrics plus fabric and quilt batting are available and employees like Kelsea Schwemer are happy to help customers. There is also a Makers Table where Jennifer and Megan McCaskey were busy with craft projects. The table is available for others who want to work on a craft, sewing or quilting project.

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There is so much more to see, but the last thing we saw that impressed us is the classroom at Cottonwood in the Park with tables and chairs and sewing machines where quilting classes will be held.

Whether you are looking for a unique holiday gift, or like Wood Quilter Liz Pringle, miss running to JoAnn’s at Park Plaza nearly every day for an item you need, check out CottonWood in the Park. You can follow them on their Facebook page at Facebook.

Annual Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber happening December 6

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that Severna Park’s annual Community Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, December 6, from 5 to 6:30 pm. See performances by Creative Force Dance Center dancers, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, the Edge Dance Complex dancers and the Severna Park High School Jazz Band. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and ice cream to enjoy and Santa and the Grinch will be on hand too. The Severna Park Model Train Club will be open next door and, not only will the Chamber tree be lit but the historic towering tree nearby will be lit as well, courtesy of Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers.

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.

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

Visiting the annual AAUW Anne Arundel County Booksale for the first time last Friday afternoon, Skylar and Mackenzie Mathias (pictured above) went off to visit the children’s section on their own. Their mother Megan Mathias, having noticed how reasonably books were priced, encouraged them to select several each. Thus, Skylar returned carrying a stack of books while Mackenzie had a rainbow-colored satchel full of them.

Megan Mathias had been chatting with fellow mystery aficionado Briana Coley while combing through an immense section of titles by her favorite authors.

Both women were new to the AAUW (American Association of University Women) Booksale. Coley had discovered it while grabbing a bite at a restaurant next door. Mathias discovered it because her mother had a flyer for the sale on her refrigerator door. The two were delighted with the wide selection of books they’d found.

It was mid-afternoon on November 1, the second day of the sale being held for the second year in a storefront at Chesterfield Square in Glen Burnie. The first day had been quite busy with an early morning presale for book dealers and heavy traffic throughout the day according to several AAUW volunteers. However, the second day had seen more of a steady flow.

As always, the books were arranged in sections that filled built in shelves and tables that stretched across the main room as well as the children’s section in a back room. Each section was clearly labeled for convenience. It seemed, there was no end to fascinating subjects and fascinating books. TheCrafts/How To section, for instance, instructed readers how to “Collect Teddy Bears and Dolls”, how to do “Home Repair & Improvement” or “Decorate Gift Baskets, Boxes and Bags”. There was even one large Reader’s Digest compilation called “How to do Just About Anything”.

We caught up with longtime AAUW member and volunteer Alice Harrison who told us that the organization has held at least 40 book sales. The annual events are held each November. Having begun in Severna Park, they have since been held in different locations including Festival at Pasadena and Chesterfield Square in Glen Burnie. They continue to draw booklovers from the greater Severna Park and Pasadena areas and have added more return customers since holding the sale in Glen Burnie.

“I’ve personally attended or volunteered at 30 of the sales. It amazes me that we are still doing them, but the book sale is a valuable resource for the community,” Harrison said.

She explained that AAUW schedules five book collections at various locations where area residents can donate books each summer. They receive about 30,000 books to sell. Proceeds from the sale go to scholarships for Anne Arundel County women.  (The sale only lasts four days, so there are always books left over which are sold to a company in Frederick called Wonder Books adding to the total amount of money raised.)

Harrison added that the AAUW Book Sale has some wonderful volunteers. We came across two – Bree Foreman and her grandmother Nancy Stow who were sorting and rearranging books in the Science section. This year was Bree’s third as a volunteer. It was obvious that the pair was having a ball working together.

It was especially interesting chatting with Stow, who joined AAUW six years ago. We wondered why the public libraries seem to have a more limited selection of books these days, making the Booksale all the more valuable as it enables readers to find titles by legendary authors that are no longer available through the library system.

“I can’t tell you when the last time was that I visited a library” she said. “I get a lot of books from this book sale and a few other sources.”

She speculated, however, that the fact that some people use electronic sources to read books may have something to do with fewer books being printed or stocked.

While continuing to shop for books, we noted a stack of them someone left on the checkout counter while going to get a bag to carry them in. The shopper was evidently a “who-done-it” fan and the collection of books was from a wide variety of the most esteemed mystery writers. There was a boxed set of four books from champion jockey and legendary author Dick Francis, there was a book by English crime writer P. D. James who created the character Adam Dalgleish, plus books by mystery writers John Sanford, Michael Connelly, David Baldacci and Robert B. Parker.

According the AAUW president Joyce Moyeer, who was sitting in at the checkout counter along with Alice Harrison, the total for the entire stack of books was a mere $11 plus tax.

As can be seen from the price list, $1 each for paperbacks and $2 for hardbacks is an amazing value.

As happens every year, area book lovers will treasure the paperbacks, hardbacks or books on tape they purchased this year and look for word of next year’s book collections and annual AAUW Booksale. Keep up to date by visiting AAUW Anne Arundel County at Facebook,

Craft Fair this Saturday at Pasadena United Methodist Church

A Craft Fair is being held this Saturday, November 9 at Pasadena United Methodist Church at 61 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. The Craft Fair is serving breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 am with the fair beginning at 9:30. Beautiful crafts, a bake table and homemade soup will be available. For information, visit Facebook.

BikeAAA presents Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails with check for $5,000

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails once again volunteered for the Lifeline 100 Century Ride on the occasion of the historic event’s 10th Anniversary. Funds raised from the event are distributed to Anne Arundel County non-profits. The Friends organization was grateful to be presented a check for $5,000 from BikeAAA president Jon Korin.

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.

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

Autumn of 2024 has been a joyous time for Rose Walker. Two years after agreeing to take a space in the historic Listman building at 45 W. Earleigh Heights Road, she finally opened the brick-and-mortar version of her fashion boutique Bohemian Black by Walking Roses.

Walker had been looking for a space to open her boutique two years ago when introduced to the Listman property by the owners of Weboshe who asked if she’d like to share a space on the building’s top floor with them. She immediately saw the potential of the property’s location at the corner of Earleigh Heights Road and the Baltimore Annapolis Trail opposite the Ranger Station. She accepted their offer.

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Unfortunately, the owners of the Listman property became tied up in the process of applying for permits and carrying out the extensive renovations required since buying the property in 2021. The length of time the upgrades have taken became a problem for Walker. She badly needed space to accommodate her growing inventory of clothing and couldn’t afford to wait much longer. So, the owners agreed to remodel and restore a former garage attached to the store’s first floor for her as a temporary space where she could display her wares in a Pop-Up Shop type setting.

The restoration/remodel took place fairly quickly and Walker opened Bohemian Black on September 22nd. As expected, the shop’s location proved a good one. Close to the Severna Park Taphouse and B&A Trail and opposite The Yoga Barn and The Coffee Trailer, it’s also on the way to Kinder Farm Park.

“The B&A Trail is huge,” Walker says. “I get a lot of customers and clients coming from off the Trail.”

The Bohemian Black brand was created by Walker in November of 2021 as an outgrowth of her styling company Walking Roses which does personal styling helping individuals select the right apparel for their body types while removing the stigma of sizing. The company actually originated in conjunction with Walker’s mother – a talented seamstress who created the apparel. Sadly, she passed away. Daughter Rose managed to revamp the concept of the business while keeping her mother’s legacy in mind.

Local residents first became aware of Bohemian Black at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST 2022 when Walker used an exotic tent to market fall fashions with a BoHo Chic vibe. Needless to say, shoppers were drawn to the display like bees to honey.

Walker displayed similar creativity while marketing her stylish clothing at various events throughout greater Severna Park and Arnold, and through the Bohemian Black Festivals and fashion shows she’s held in collaboration with other vendors at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company.

Now that she’s opened her storefront, Walker has the opportunity to expand her curated collection of women’s and children’s fashions to include men’s apparel and boho home decor. Soon, she’ll be able to expand the collection more. It seems the owners’ restoration of the Listman building has taken so much longer than intended that the owners of Weboshe were compelled to move on to a different location. Thus, Walker will have the entire top floor to herself.

She’s currently sourcing her lines of clothing, jewelry and home products from a variety of sources through apparel manufacturers and trade shows. But, more and more, she’s bringing in products and apparel from local designers and craftsmen.

Seen on the table next to Walker is chemist Tracey Kearse’s AcArre Bioactive Scalp & Skin Care. Next to it is a collection of Marie Halos fragrances by local resident Odessa and her husband who create both the jars and the scents. The hat she’s touching in the photo below is a Rees & Plums creation from Ginny who does custom burn designs on all the hats. (There are several scattered throughout the shop.)

Moving on to racks of clothing, she noted how much fun it is to help her customers select fashions that complement them. Rose Walker has a magical way of putting pieces together in the most stylish way possible. Noting that “denim is hot this fall,” she pointed to a denim vest and jeans covered by a stylish kimono-styled coat with a red scarf and gold cross the perfect accessories. Below the outfit is another of Ginny Rees’ burnished hats.

Walker pointed out that she also works with artists and designers local to Severna Park. She’s currently carrying two lines of jewelry. One is by the mother of Severna Park High School graduate Parijita Bastola who was a semi-finalist on NBC’s “The Voice”.

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As always, Bohemian Black carries one or more elegant versions of the basic black dress that can be kept simple or made far more glamorous with the right accessories.

Rose Walker can’t wait for the restoration of the Listman building to be compete so she can take over the top floor. Meantime, she’s preparing an event for the holidays that she’s calling Gilded Winter, a Bohemian Black Styling Affair – “an exclusive evening of holiday styling magic” that will take place at 6:30 pm on November 21st at the store. She’ll bring together hair, makeup, beauty and fashion experts to help attendees create their perfect holiday looks with Bohemian Black. To keep abreast of what’s happening, visit Facebook.

Severna Park Community Center “Halloween Spooktacular” spectacular!

Why did the chicken cross the road Friday evening, October 25th?

To get to the Severna Park Community Center’s “Halloween Spooktacular” of course. Having eyed the fun-filled spectacle from the parking lot above, the chicken determined it was an event that shouldn’t be missed.

Crossing the street as well, we entered the central avenue of the event which was crowded beyond expectations to the joy of the community center staff and board members. They’d found it necessary to postpone a Fall Festival they’d originally planned for September 28 because of questionable weather. Thereafter, they decided to combine the festival with the Halloween Spooktacular as one big event.

Believe it or not, we caught up with the chicken moving forward in line with others waiting for a complimentary cup of cider or cocoa courtesy of The Big Bean. Obscured by the crowd to their left Donut Shack was giving out free donuts. We believe the chicken waited in that line too.

Nearby, Dodge Arrows owner Louben Repke took a few minutes away from his popular archery game to visit with baby daughter Wren and wife Sara. Wren looked adorable while celebrating her first Halloween as, what else? A baby bird.

Dodge Arrows’ opportunity “to Shoot Arrows at Your Friends” drew a constant crowd as did the wide range of costumed Trunk or Treaters, each group with its own theme.

Approaching the community center building where there were 11 vendors set up inside, we caught up with SPCC Marketing Director Amy Holbrook who told us how pleased the organizers were that the Halloween Spooktacular has grown so much every year. The event had already drawn more than 600 people and the evening was still young.

We arrived in front of the building just in time for a “spirited” performance by young students from the Dance Center of the Severna Park.

By the time we left the Spooktacular, the lines for cider, cocoa and donuts as well as Dodge Arrows were snaking the entire length of the parking lot.

The next big event for the Severna Park Community Center will be Cookies and Cocoa with Santa on December 13. To follow all the center’s events and activities, visit Events from November 5 – December 13 – Severna Park Community Center (spcommunitycenter.org).

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.

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

From the moment it opened Saturday at 11 am, the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST 2024 fairly bustled with shoppers. Granted, the first hour drew more adults wanting to check out the vendors than children. Dozens of vendor tents stretched across the Park Plaza parking lots. The closest rows contained tents for M & T Bank, Sidestreet Framers & Gift Gallery, Play Street Museum, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School and Providence Pottery & Arts Studio among others.

By noon, however, the witching hour was upon the crowd and costumed youngsters began to appear at the Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services tent, their Trick or Treat Bags at the ready. “Good witches” Winsome Brown and sisters Mia and Micayla Alexander had expected to give out lots of candy to the kids. But they were amazed to see their folders and brochures picked up by adult shoppers as quickly as they could put them out.

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Trick or Treaters had also been stopping at the St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School tent, with and without their parents. Director of Admissions Kira Dickson filled her trusty basket with candy and, as can be seen in the photo below, it was going fast.

Dickson also had some exciting news to share with visitors to the St. Martin’s tent. The school was about to welcome its new Interim Head of School Kathleen Mahar who’d served most recently as President of Archbishop Spalding High School.

With an hour to go before the Children’s Costume Contest, there was lots to see with playful pirates, fanciful creatures and mystical apparitions everywhere. Wolf Zelda and chicken Daphne took it all in but steered clear of the scary mummy (Jacquei Shade) behind them with Mr. Toad (Thomas Shade) from the classic book “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad”. The mummy would crop up elsewhere from time to time.

Following Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s much anticipated Lion Dance, the Lion’s head became disconnected from its body enroute to the martial arts school’s tent. Moments later, event Gold Sponsor Jing Ying’s owners Nancy and Billy Greer brought out an example of the institute’s newest attraction, a Dragon Ribbon in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

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Dragon Ribbons are used with students of all ages during classes at the Arnold-based school. But, in China, their use is considered a popular form of exercise for “elderly” Tai Chi practitioners. Billy Greer provided a demonstration of how the ribbons work while Nancy commented that exercising with one requires getting into a steady rhythm.

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The day following SHOPTOBERFEST, the Jing Ying Institute Team rallied at Sandy State Park for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The Greers note that the Jing Ying Team is still collecting Alzheimer’s Walk donations through Thanksgiving. You can make a donation online through 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Annapolis, MD (Anne Arundel): Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi | Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Time passed ever so quickly. The Costume Contest was scheduled for 1 pm, but costumed kids began arriving ten minutes early from all points of the compass. Soon, Chamber CEO Liz League announced over the loudspeaker that the costume contest was about to begin. She asked that all competitors form a line before the judges. The line was colorful and very long stretching from one end of the parking lot to the other.

After announcing that prizes would be awarded for the most original, cutest and scariest costume, the event’s emcee proceeded to speak with each child and have them explain the character they were portraying. He had great fun speaking with Cinderella, a princess, a pirate (who’d win Cutest Costume), two Minions, a werewolf and Beetlejuice (who’d win a prize for Scariest) but was astonished when Abraham Lincoln recited the first lines of the Gettysburg Address.

Storybook characters included the monkey Curious George and companion in the yellow hat (who captured the prize for Most Original). The black hooded phantasm flitted here, there and everywhere.

The costume contest over, it was back to Trick or Treating for the children while their parents enjoyed more shopping. An oh-so-popular draw for everyone was the Eco Adventures tent where Dorito the Corn Snake and his handler Nathan greeted visitors.

Corn Snakes are native to Maryland. Dorito, an excellent specimen, is one of Eco Adventures animal ambassadors. There were other animal ambassadors behind Nathan.

After leaving Dorito, we once more came upon the mummy minding the Good Neighbors Group stand. The mummy, aka Jacquei Shade, was the epitome of GNG’s goal to “Recycle, Reduce, and Renew”.

“I made my mummy costume from one of my husband’s old dress shirts that was stained, a GNG donation of midshipman’s pants that were too stained to pass on, and an old white baseball cap topped by some sheer fabric gathered around an elastic band,” Shade said.

There were so many vendors at the event that we can mention just a few. Some, like SHOPTOBERFEST Gold Sponsor SERVPRO, Kwon’s Taekwondo, Sidestreet Framers & Gift Gallery and Ally 4 Pets have been at virtually every one of the spring and fall SHOP LOCAL events.

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Others were new this year. Brand new to Severna Park and quite colorful was the CottonWood quilting, arts and antique shop now located at 548 Benfield Road and owned by Julie and D.J. Antinucci. Another was Nothing Bundt Cakes.

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Nissa and Aiden, who were selling the bundt cakes nonstop, were with the Waugh Chapel branch. The original shop is located in Annapolis and there is about to be a Nothing Bundt Cakes shop opening in Park Plaza in two months.

Before leaving SHOPTOBERFEST, we couldn’t help but notice that the Singing Pirates seen spinning cotton candy in the opening photo were just as busy as they had been throughout the day with long lines of customers trailing across the parking lot. The cotton candy in flavors ranging from blue raspberry to cherry berry was free to everyone courtesy of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber.

The Chamber was delighted with SHOPTOBERFEST 2024. The day couldn’t have been more beautifulm the crowds good and steady sales for the vendors.

AAUW Book Sale to be held October 31 thru November 3

Another reminder that the annual AAUW Book Sale will be held from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday November 3 at Chesapeake Square, 6714 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD (south of Ordinance Road, west side of Ritchie Hwy, in shopping center with Chap’s Pit Beef).

Doors open for the presale from 8:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31 ($40 entry) then free to all from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM. The sale continues Friday, November 1 from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM. For more information, visit AAUW ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY USED BOOK SALE | Facebook.

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.

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

Pumpkins, chrysanthemums and straw bales provided a spectacular setting for celebrating Park Tavern’s 10th Anniversary on the golden afternoon of October 4th.

Though the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce would be conducting the official anniversary program along with a ribbon cutting in front of the restaurant, longtime patrons of Park Tavern were already celebrating inside.

As is usually the case, Chamber CEO Liz League showed up early to greet those attending the program and was soon trading the latest business news with Tommy Sommers, owner of LogoZone Promotions, and Phil Savard from Ace Hardware.

The group quickly grew as more people from the Severna Park business community arrived. Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall had invited her Chief of Staff Rory Nolan to accompany her as he had never visited Park Tavern before. He was eager to see what it was like.

Bagnall related a bit about the history of Park Tavern and other properties of the 206 Restaurant Group to her young chief of staff.

“I really like that the restaurant group partners buy long established properties that may have lost their sheen like the Deep Creek Restaurant in Arnold. The partners restored and transformed it into something really special,” Bagnall said. “When the restaurant group took over ownership of the former Woodfire Restaurant and Back Room and transformed it into Park Tavern, they created a truly wonderful dining exerience which has become a really important part of the Severna Park community. Each of the restaurants they’ve opened is different and distinct from the others.”

Folks attending the anniversary celebration continued to stream in and formed conversational groups along the restaurant sidewalk. Anne Arundel County Council member Amanda Fiedler, who would be presenting a citation to Park Tavern owner Don Kelly and his partners, caught up with fellow presenter Aysia Rodriguez representing Maryland State Delegate Brian Chisholm and Severna Park Voice publisher Dianna Lancione.

Moments later, 206 Restaurant Group partners Don Kelly, Justin Dvorkin and Greg Keating, their families and staff filed out onto the front steps of Park Tavern as League called everyone together for the official Anniversary Program.

The program got underway with League interviewing Don Kelly about his vision in opening Park Tavern and his take on what’s happened in the 10 years since.

“Ten years has flown by, with a little curve ball in the middle in 2020 with the COVID pandemic, which we’d never experienced before. But this tavern was the one establishment we never closed down. That was not what we had in any of our other locations. Severna Park really supported us, and we thank them to this day, ” Kelly said.

“Over that 10-year period, we opened Donnelly’s Dockside with our partner Dan Donnelly and our sports bar JB’s which sits directly opposite Park Tavern. We’ve been delighted how well JB’s and Park Tavern complement each other and continue to thrive. We hope we’ll be here with both for another 20 years.”

In response to League’s question about what sets Park Tavern apart from the 206 Restaurant Group’s other properties, Kelly responded he’d looked to provide something the community didn’t have – to fill a niche. He wanted to reinvent the neighborhood tavern, with good food, a menu that changed two or three times each year, and great service. He noted that, when customers come into the Tavern, they’ll see six or seven of the original staff members and others who know their clientele well.

Kelly and partners Dvorkin and Keating spent a few minutes speaking about their other properties – each with its own personality. In addition to Park Tavern and JB’s, they include their Baltimore landmark pub, the cozy Pratt Street Ale House and Donnelly’s Dockside with waterside dining the partners have taken to another level. The threesome also shared the exciting news that their well-known Oliver Brewing Company is moving from East Baltimore to a site on Jumper’s Hole Road in Millersville. The craft brewer of American ales and taproom will be a welcome addition to the Millersville community and will bring 20 to 30 fulltime jobs to the area.

League easily segued into the next part of the celebration introducing several state and local government officials with citations to present to Park Tavern.

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The official ceremony over, the partners, family members and staff came together across the tavern’s front entrance for photographs and a chamber ribbon cutting. A half dozen original staff members and several others who’ve worked at Park Tavern for a least six or seven years were praised by the partners.

Meantime, indoors, Park Tavern regulars were already celebrating.

The bar already fully occupied when the anniversary celebration got underway at 4 pm, longtime Park Tavern patrons Kati Elliott and friend Lauren Garber found a table with other longtime customers and enjoyed the celebration. They had a great time selecting goodies from the trays of complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and shooters the waiters were handing out.

The official anniversary festivities were over at 6 pm, but many of those attending stayed on.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere

Autumn is fleeting but, on these bright beautiful days who can resist visiting one of our local produce stands where pumpkins share star billing with chrysanthemums. Diehl’s Produce in Severna Park has a great variety of pumpkins in all sizes – from those suitable for making pies to those that are decorative – plus a wide variety of winter squash. A shock of fodder makes a great background for some of those vibrant hued chrysanthemums.

A limited amount of produce is still available including some crispy apples from Adam’s County, Pennsylvania. Diehl’s Produce will remain open through Halloween, then will observe a pause until reopening to sell Christmas trees.

Driving about, we found the proliferation of pumpkins positively picturesque at Pumphrey’s Farm on Veteran’s Highway in Millersville.

Pumphrey’s Farm still has plenty of vegetables and fruits available including several varieties of apples and pears from Carroll County. The stand will remain open till Thanksgiving.

SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist at Park Plaza this Saturday

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce reports that over 40 vendors will be appearing at the annual SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist at Park Plaza this Saturday from 10 am till 3 pm. There will be a Kids Costume Contest at 1 pm followed by a Costume Contest for Dogs. There will be food to sample, music and entertainment to enjoy, and the chance to SHOP LOCAL in support of our community businesses.

Cypress Restaurant & Bar to open at Park Plaza

We happened to notice while driving through Park Plaza that work is in progress on the new Cypress Restaurant & Bar being opened in the space that was once home to Sullivan’s Cove. Attractive signage was being installed but brown paper still covered most windows, so we were unable to peek inside.

A Facebook page states that the restaurant will serve fresh, local dishes but an opening date is not yet listed. You can check it out at Facebook.

AAUW Book Sale to be held October 31 thru November 3

We booklovers are delighted to hear that the annual AAUW Book Sale will be held from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday November 3 at Chesapeake Square, 6714 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD (south of Ordinance Road, west side of Ritchie Hwy, in shopping center with Chap’s Pit Beef).

Doors open for the presale from 8:00 to 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31 ($40 entry) then free to all from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM. The sale continues Friday, November 1 from 10:00 am to 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 am to 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 from 9:00 am to 3:00 PM.

As always, the sale offers a wide variety of books including fiction, biography, history, science, religion, arts and crafts, cookbooks, coffee table books, children’s books and more. Cash, check or credit card accepted.

Proceeds of the sale go to scholarships for Anne Arundel County women. For more information, visit AAUW ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY USED BOOK SALE | Facebook.

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.