Author: wingsorb@aol.com

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Familiar faces about town, Treebranch Group, LLC partners Jennifer Triplett and Denise Hightower can be spotted at many community events. Partner Nelsa Nichols completes the talented trio that transformed their IT, website and marketing business from a small operation to one serving 90 clients.

Treebranch Group provides independent businesses the creative marketing services they need to grow as well as web site hosting, development and design, eCommerce solutions and virtual event support.

The expanding company recently moved into new, larger offices at 8375 Jumper’s Hole Road in Millersville. Added studio space for photographic and video equipment and training is enabling them to work more efficiently. That wasn’t always the case.

Triplett, the founding partner, president and creative director, recalls running the firm from her basement in its earliest years.

“When my children were born, I left my corporate position of many years,” she said. “However, I’d enjoyed the work and using my creative skills so I didn’t want to leave it behind entirely. In 2011, I began working on something for St. Martin’s-in-the-Field School and started the company which I initially called TreebranchDesign.”

Triplett is ideally suited for the work. Her background includes degrees in commercial and advertising design as well as environmental science.

She soon began popping up at community events including a volunteer thank-you brunch hosted by SPAN, Inc., an early client. She simultaneously joined The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce, supported their many events, and became involved with various committees.

Over the next couple years, Triplett increased her client base and moved into actual offices. By 2014, Treebranch was further expanding its horizons through clients like the Annapolis Film Festival. .She served on the PR committee led by the late Carolyn Sullivan and the Social Media and Web teams. During the event, she provided professional photography and video for broadcasting. She continues to support the film festival.

By 2018, Triplett took on two partners – Hightower, who’d worked with her in the business almost from the beginning, and Nichols who happens to be her mother.

Hightower’s outgoing personality in combination with a Management Information Systems degree and 23 years in the IT world made her a perfect fit as Web services director.

Like Triplett, Hightower has been part of the Annapolis Film Festival PR and Social Media Teams and co-leader of the Website Team.

Nichols handles marketing communications coaching. She served as marketing director for Hiac Royco, a division of Pacific Scientific, for over 20 years. Her responsibilities there ranged from producing national magazine ads and international newsletters to trade show management, web site development and support and writing patent specifications. 

At the same time, she was a graduate advisor in the Computer Science Department of the University of Maryland where she participated in beta testing programs for the products that became the Mac and first IBM personal computers. 

The staff at Treebranch Group is rounded out by graphic designer Ali George and Spanish translation consultant Paulina Aguilar Snow.

Considering themselves equal parts techies/creatives, the partners work with or support community organizations and various local charities. They do platform design, video production, Spanish translation services and production support for the Maryland State Child Care Association’s Conference By the Sea 2020 for 800 attendees on September 24 – 27.

Triplett has recently devoted time to several chamber of commerce programs.

Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League said Triplett is currently co-chairing a committee for the organization’s online program “Learn and Lead”.

The next program, “Learn and Lead with Todd Popham -Getting Things Done and Becoming a Productive Leader”, is next Tuesday, September 15 at 7:45 am. You do not need to be a member of the Chamber to attend and it is through Zoom  https://web.gspacc.com/events/Learnand%20Lead%20%20Getting%20Things%20Done%20Becoming%20a%20Productive%20Leader-326/register .

“Jenn and her co-chairman Todd worked very hard to put the program together,” League said. “When COVID first started they were doing it weekly and did a great job helping people learn how to work in cyberspace and keep their businesses functioning.”

Triplett also volunteers for a new organization – the Life of Joy Foundation which is dedicated to promoting mental health and preventing adult suicides. She’s providing support with virtual event production for the organization’s upcoming livestream concert-fundraiser.

To learn more about Treebranch Group, visit https://treebranchgroup.com/.

Fall Learn to Ride Classes begin at Pedal Power Kids

Pedal Power Kids owner Rachel Varn said safe, socially-distanced small group Learn to Ride classes and Bike Clubs for the autumn season will start Monday, September 14 in Annapolis and Severna Park.

Varn noted that Pedal Power Kids kept lessons going throughout spring and summer as a safe activity. Classes are small and the children are out in the open air and distant from one another.

Bicycle riding is not only fun but is a very healthy form of exercise for children during a time when options for physical activity have been limited. For information or to register your child, visit https://pedalpowerkids.com/ .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

This year has been devastating for businesses nationally and locally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a multitude of restrictions stemming from it. But, as in any crisis where commerce suffers widely, there are some businesses that manage to be successful or even thrive.

With the local real estate market “red hot”, signs like realtor Deborah Laggini’s are popping up across the state. Laggini, an agent for Long & Foster Christie’s International Real Estate through Annapolis Fine Homes, focuses on a circle of properties ranging from Annapolis and Arnold to Severna Park, Millersville, Crownsville, Gambrills, Davidsonville, Edgewater and Riva.

“Housing sales picked up tremendously starting at the end of June and beginning of July,” Laggini said. “The first few months of COVID, we didn’t seem to know what to expect or how to move forward. Things were slow because sellers that didn’t have to sell were reluctant to show their properties for fear of exposure to the virus.”

She explained that local agents pulled together through multiple networking groups and Zoom meetings to come up with a COVID protocol that the governor would approve and would keep everyone safe.

“Once we figured that out buyers really came out of the woodwork,” the realtor said. “The combination of an already existing low inventory of homes that became even lower and low interest rates caused the demand for sale properties to explode in July. Buyers were literally waiting at the gate for anything nice that came on the market with multiple offers. Offers going above list price became the norm..”

Business continued to boom through July and August into September but Laggini isn’t certain whether it will last.

The Matt Wyble Team of Century 21 New Millennium based in Millersville is also experiencing explosive sales. The company serves Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Queen Anne’s, Prince George’s, Montgomery and Washington Counties.

President Matt Wyble said the combination of historically low interest rates, historically low inventory, and the fact that the Maryland market never closed (like other states) has fueled the residential real estate market to power through any negative effects of COVID-19.

“Many sellers who are priced correctly for their home’s condition are receiving multiple offers and using the proceeds to move-up or right-size. Even though the market is highly competitive for buyers, the good news is that their buying power is up roughly 12% from last year due to the low interest rates,” he said.

“We surpassed 2019 totals for sales and volume as of Sept 1. With no signs of the rates going up and inventory staying low, I see the hot market lasting well into the fall and possibly into an early spring market.”

Clement Hardware continued serving the public throughout the pandemic

From day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, Clement Hardware owner Gordon Clement was determined to keep his Severna Park store open as a place to buy household essentials and personal protective equipment.

Deeply involved with Severna Park customers through the family business opened by his father David in 1969, Clement felt he should keep the store open as a service to the public.

“I think staying open was good for our customers and good for us,” he said. “It kept our people working. At the beginning, given a choice, 45 percent said they didn’t want to work through the virus. But, after three weeks, they wanted to come back to work.”

According to Clement, the store remains extremely busy but not like in the earliest days of the pandemic when they were one of few retailers open.

“For the first three months, the store was so busy I don’t see how we could sustain it. I’ve never seen anything like it. We generally do well through hurricanes, snow storms, ice storms or wind storms but this seemed like a snow storm that never ended,” he said.

Essentials like toilet tissue, paper towels and masks and hand sanitizers flew off the shelves but people were also coming in for tools, paint and hardware for home improvement projects.

The pandemic nor only brought people back to the store, there were lots of new faces. Traffic counts were really good which is important since the last few years were challenging with Amazon and online sellers hurting retail.

“The three months of heavy sales not only sustained our business but provided a cushion for months when sales are slower,” Clement said.

Like other retailers, Clement Hardware sold completely out of many things and is having difficulty reordering and getting shipments due to supply chain problems. Otherwise, Clement and staff expect the usual seasonal slowdowns unless there are rain or snowstorms.

M&T Bank met challenges to thrive while helping others

Like all other M&T Bank branches in the Baltimore/Washington region, the drive-in window and ATM at the Severna Park branch remained open throughout the COVID-19 shutdown. Customers didn’t seem to mind waiting in line. They were able to make appointments to meet with a banker inside the branch if they needed to to discuss loans or other business.

According to M&T senior public relations manager, Scott Graham, the branches adapted well to handing a heightened load of customer transactions.

Graham added that, in the Baltimore-Washington region, M&T Bank approved 9,862 loans that provided nearly $1.75 billion in funds to help businesses cover payroll expenses for three months. … Those loans supported 191,006 jobs.

In addition, the bank approved more than 35,000 payroll protection program loans (more than any other bank Graham says) for upwards of $7 billion. Those loans supported about 756,500 jobs throughout the mid-Atlantic region. M&T also is the region’s leading SBA lender.

Obviously, foot traffic inside all the branches went down during the shutdown. But the corresponding move by customers was to do more of their banking with M&T online.

“While we anticipate branch traffic to rebound to pre-shutdown levels – and in some cases it already has – we also expect customers to continue to do more banking digitally,” said Graham.

He added that M&T is back to business as usual. An appointment is no longer necessary to visit one of the branches. But safety precautions like Plexiglas barriers between tellers and customers are still in place. Customers also are still required to wear a mask inside the branch.

M&T’s mortgage business was doing very well through the first half of the year, mainly because of refinancing. The booming real estate market can only bode well.

Severna Park Automotive increasingly busy

Severna Park Automotive, like Clement Hardware, is considered an essential business and was open and on-call from the moment the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“At first, things were very slow as everyone was home-bound and we were only doing emergency calls or essential repairs through April,” said owner Mike McNealey. “By adapting and offering free pick-up and delivery without the customer needing to leave the house and thorough sanitizing of the vehicle, we were able to maintain some sort of work flow. We reduced our employees’ hours but were able to keep them working.”

McNealey said, by mid-May and early June when things loosened up and people were going out, there was an absolute tsunami of car repairs. A lot of cars that had been sitting for a month wouldn’t start. Then there were folks that put off maintenance or repairs they’d have otherwise done.

“Everybody seemed to come in at the same time,” McNealey said. “We’re still very busy.”

Severna Park Automotive’s owner has a sense the people really want things to go back to normal so he doesn’t expect a downturn. However, business sometimes slows down as kids go back to school, Of course, going back to school has a different meaning this year so the staff doesn’t know what to expect.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

At 8:30 am Saturday, August 22, Hollyberry Garden Club member Peggy Turnblacer met Eagle Scout candidate Sammy Watson and members of Boy Scout Troop 975 on the sidewalk at the Severna Park Community Library. Dressed for work and wearing masks, the Scouts prepared to complete Sammy’s Eagle Scout project for the garden club – building and installing wooden planters for the library’s entrances.

Hollyberry Garden Club members created and maintain the gardens surrounding the library. But, in 2016, they’d collaborated with aspiring Eagle Scout Alek Frederiksson of Troop 993 who built a wheelchair accessible planter at Genesis Healthcare Severna Park. Naturally, when faced with old and rotting wooden planters at the library’s entrances, they thought to seek help from the Boy Scouts.

They reached out to Troop 975 Scoutmaster Ben Eloff and were put in touch with Sammy who was looking for a community-oriented Eagle Scout project.

A senior at Old Mill High School this year, Sammy served as junior assistant Scout Master and a Senior Patrol Leader of his troop. He accepted the garden club’s challenge and planned and implemented the building project from start to finish.

 Providing the library with detailed drawings and views of the planters he wanted to build along with lists of materials and costs, he raised the money for the project. Then members of Troop 975 built the planters under his supervision.

According to Sammy’s mom Sherri, he’s pleased with the project and happy to be able to get it finished. She said he began working on it in March but was held up by the COVID lock down.

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There were plenty willing hands to help the scouts install the planters Saturday morning including those of Eagle Scout coach Karen Scheel , a retired teacher and assistant principal , Sammy’s parents Sherri and Jeff Watson, garden club members and Sarah Reftovich from sister troop 1975.   ,

Eloff, District Membership chair for the Four Rivers District explained that Eagle Scout projects give candidates insight into qualities of leadership and management of interpersonal relationships. 

With his project complete, Sammy will formally deliver a report detailing its highlights and how he demonstrated leadership as he implemented it.  After final approval by the Council, he will be awarded his Eagle Scout badge.

Thanks to the Scouts, dirt, plant material and the dilapidated wooden barrels have been removed so the Hollyberry gardeners are looking forward to replacing the plants – perhaps adapting autumn themed flowers like asters and chrysanthemums.

Turnblacer said the garden club was very impressed with Sammy and Troop 975 while Severna Park Library was thrilled and grateful to have new planters.

The partnership between Hollyberry Garden Club and Severna Park Library is longstanding.  In addition to designing and maintaining the beautiful native gardens, the club holds its annual Christmas Greens Sale in the library’s lobby.  Each spring, Hollyberry members celebrate the season by hosting “Books in Bloom” highlighting literature-themed floral arrangements from members of several garden clubs.

Stage & Screen Studios prepares to film “You Can’t Take It With You”

The COVID-19 pandemic “directly impacted Stage & Screen Studios closing down productions” according to owner/director Pete Garvey. He said the company is slowly getting back to operating normally while adhering to COVID related guidelines and social distancing, Students are finally permitted in the studio for one-on-one instruction in acting, television and film techniques. However, the company’s on-site stage productions still aren’t allowed to have audiences.

Garvey said they’ve live-streamed individual actors’ work and recently filmed and streamed a recital by singer Hannah Hall that attracted was highly praised. However, the studios are having to get very innovative.

“We’re currently rehearsing a straight play that only requires a small cast,” the director said. “We’ll film our production of “You Can’t Take It With You” with a cast of 12 actors. Then, it will be shown during Stage and Screen Studios virtual ‘Film Festival’ the third weekend of September.”

For updates on Stage & Screen Studios, visit www.stagescreenstudios.com.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, Quartets at a standstill

Unable to do live performances because singing is considered a possible way to spread COVID 19, members of Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and its Quartets had to cancel all their practices and concerts.

Musical director Sally Burton, who is also a member of the quartets Carpe Diem and 2nd Star, said the singers felt terrible about cancelling their shows and sorry for the venues that depend on events like theirs for revenue.

Most of all, they miss.each other.

“Though not the same, chorus members have been singing together regularly over Zoom every Wednesday evening,” Burton said. “We may try to follow the example of some choruses and record a virtual performance.”

Plans for the chorus’ traditional holiday appearance at Baldwin Hall are up in the air. To stay updated, visit https://www.chesapeakeharmony.org/.

Theater In The Park opens classes

Following the success of its theater summer camps held at Severna Park Community Center, Theater In The Park will begin holding regular classes the week of September 21.

“Our summer camps were so great. They were very safe with social distancing and masks,” said Theater In The Park owner/director Jennifer Lee Kraus. “We held our musical theater workshops with small groups of eight kids and adopted the theme ‘Under The Big Top’. The campers loved it put on a very entertaining shows at the end. ”

Kraus noted that the upcoming workshops will be small, with 10 children to a group divided by age. They’ll be conducted in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines. A fun theme of “Once Upon a Time – a Fractured Fairy Tale” has been chosen.

Classes will meet for 50 minutes each Saturday for 10 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, class members will perform a show for their parents. For more information, visit https://www.theaterinthepark.net/.

Tonight’s “Virtual Variety Night” courtesy of Benevolent Baskets

Tonight at 7 pm, online viewers can attend Benevolent Baskets‘ “Virtual Variety Night Fundraiser and Online Auction”.

Benevolent Baskets, the non-profit organization that provides life skills and job training to formerly homeless women through its growing gift basket business is hosting this unique fundraiser. Both entertainment and demonstrations will be featured.

Viewers will see Baltimore singer Justin Trawick in concert plus demonstrations by Classic Catering, mixologist Liz Dabecco, and wrapping expert Gary Godbe. For $25 tickets or $100 VIP tickets, visit https://www.benevolentbaskets.org/2020-fundraiser-tickets .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

No matter what the season, pulling into a space on the parking lot at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church can be a surprising and delightful experience thanks to thoughtfully designed islands of plants and flowers between the rows.

In the spring, visitors approaching the entrance to Woods can’t help smiling as they walk past the lovely “Bell garden” with its profusion of Lynnhaven Carpet flowers that resemble daisies. An early blooming native, Lynnhaven Carpet is both an erosion control and a food source for early emerging bees.

Among other early bloomers in the parking lot gardens are Common Blue Violets, Golden Ragwort with its cheerful yellow petals, and the native flowering shrubs Black and Red Chokeberry, Spicebush, Fothergilla, and New Jersey Tea.

By summer, a total of eight parking lot islands are abloom with colorful native Coneflowers (Echinacea) and Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) augmented with multi-hued Zinnias.

All eight were specifically designed by the Woods Gardening Team as pollinator gardens and have been a tremendous success. Bees and butterflies constantly flit among the blooms and birds alight singly or in flocks to sample seed heads.

By autumn, Common Boneset and pale purple asters have added color to the gardens as some flowers begin to fade. Both attract even greater numbers of bees and butterflies.

According to Woods Garden Team co-leaders Peggy Newman and Karen Royer, the idea for the innovative parking lot gardens was born three years ago.

“Peggy, who really heads our group and was the organizing force, convened a group of us at her house,” Royer said. “She explained that horticulturists were alarmed that the bees and butterflies that pollinate crops were disappearing and urged all gardeners to include native plants that attract them in their landscapes. We all liked her idea and seconded her motion to plant some.”

For many years, gardener Jane Iglehart and her husband Charlie cared for the church’s plants and flowers but moved on and were succeeded by the late Elizabeth Wyble. Thereafter, professional landscapers maintained the grounds but kept the ornamental shrubs and flower beds just as they were.. There were no native plants in the gardens.

Eager to heed horticulturists’ and ornithologists’ warnings and halt the disappearance of birds, bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators by adding native plants, Peggy and the group set a goal of dedicating 70 percent of the Woods campus to them.

The planting project was a learning experience for all of them. Researching daylillies, hostas, iris and other plants already established on Woods grounds, they found out they were not native plants. They were wondering what to do when they received help from an unexpected source.

Round Bay resident Alison Milligan introduced herself to Royer during a Green Give environmental fundraising event. Retired from the military, the former engineer is a master gardener, a watershed steward and an expert on Maryland native plants. Though not a church member she volunteered to work with the group and her advice has been invaluable.

A central question for the group was “where do we plant the native species?” Looking for spaces that had full sun exposure, it occurred to the group that the islands between rows in the parking lot had full sun all day. But they worried that the soil would be too poor until Milligan assured them that Maryland’s native plants do well in poor soil, are drought resistant and absorb storm water preventing run-off and erosion.

Armed with a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guide obtained by Newman – called “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat & Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed” – the 22 member team began. Thanks to grants from Unity Gardens, they created a total of one large and 30 discreet gardens. Within a year, pollinators and wildlife were already visiting them.

In autumn, purple asters, Common Boneset and Viburnum attract butterflies by the hundreds.

In addition to Alison Milligan, the Woods Gardening Team is fortunate to have two other master gardeners – Karen Strange and Frank Goetschius – among its ranks. The group’s projects have expanded to include plantings that capture storm water runoff and control erosion.

” For erosion control, we planted Lynhaven Carpet and Asters along with 200 plugs of Coneflowers that the birds just love,” Newman reported. “As autumn approaches we leave the heads of both Coneflowers and Black Eyed Susans in place as they are an important winter food source for birds.”

In the spring, the team added new plants called Winecups for color and because they are good for stopping erosion. Note the sign identifying them. Signs identifying the plants in each of the gardens are greatly appreciated by those who stop to admire them.

This summer, a brand new erosion control project designed by Milligan was carried out following the long-awaited repaving of the road between Woods Church and office buildings fronting on B&A Boulevard. Being good stewards of the land surrounding the church, the group was well aware that the rainwater from the part of the property overlooking the road ran directly downhill, eventually draining into the Magothy River.

To counter that effect, they planted over 100 native shrubs and plants along the newly paved road including American beautyberry, inkberry, chokeberry, American spreader hollies, New Jersey tea, witch hazel, fothergilla, arrowwood viburnum, St John’s wort and amsonia.  The plants were chosen to secure the hillside from erosion and to provide flowers and food for birds and pollinators. 

For information about Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and its many groups, missons and ministries visit http://www.woodschurch.org/ .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Fires, accidents and health crises keep the first responders of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company busy and on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But those are relatively routine challenges. COVID-19 not only brought with it expected health risks but also unforeseen financial challenges.

By expanding existing safety precautions to include a strict following of CDC, state and health department guidelines and wearing personal protective equipment, the company has operated throughout the pandemic without a single firefighter contracting the virus.

“We weathered that part of the storm very well, though we’re down a few volunteers who are sitting it out because they or their family members are considered vulnerable,” said fire chief Dave Crawford.

Unfortunately, the economic fallout from virus-related cancellations has been devastating for the self-sustaining volunteer fire company.

The company serves all of greater Severna Park with a population of nearly 40,000 residents. Forty-two EHVFC male and female volunteer firefighters supplemented by 17 Anne Arundel County paid firefighters and paramedics make it possible. They are aided by a sizable number of member volunteers who handle administrative work.

“We originally just fought fires,” Crawford said. “But today all our members are required to have EMT training because we’re first responders for issues ranging from medical emergencies, traffic accidents and water rescues to dealing with hazardous materials. Our equipment’s had to evolve accordingly to include seven fire and rescue apparatus including Pierce Arrow XT, Pierce Arrow Dash, and Pierce Lance engines and an ambulance

Fire Chief Dave Crawford eyed one of the equipment panels on the Rescue Squad 12 truck. Panels on the auto extrication side held air bags, air chisels, the jaws of life, axes, hand tools and hazmat equipment. Panels on the fire side held everything from powerful lights and pumping apparatus to gauges, saws and other equipment.

In the years since the Earleigh Heights firehouse was built in 1957, the company’s personnel and equipment expanded considerably. With 93 tons of powerful fire and rescue equipment entering and exiting the building continuously, cracks and stress fractures can now be seen, A dilapidated second floor with an antiquated bunk room and without separate shower facilities for women and men is also problematic.

It’s obvious that a new firehouse is badly needed and architectural plans were drawn up for one. But the construction project is estimated to cost approximately $6 million – an amount impossible to come up with through fundraisers

Initially, EHVFC’s board looked for donors from the community but without success. So they developed a plan for obtaining an upfront construction loan, tearing down the existing firehouse and leasing the land facing Ritchie Highway to small businesses to finance repayment of the loan. The new firehouse would be located at the back of the 9.5 acre property with most of the land preserved as green space for carnivals and other community events.

To do that, the company applied to the county Planning and Zoning Commission for permission to have the land rezoned from residential to commercial. Their request was denied so they went before a hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission board to ask for a C-1 designation (meaning space for small businesses only). The board denied the request.

EHVFC initiated an appeal through the courts on July 6. However, the judge said the hearing board was wrong and dismissed the case. Now the fire department must appear at another hearing to request the zoning change before the same seven-person board. Crawford is hopeful.

Meanwhile, things slowly move ahead. The firemen and ladies auxiliary will play host to (10) “Tasty Night Food Trucks” on Tuesday, August 18, Tuesday, August 25, Tuesday, September 1 and Monday, Labor Day. For information visit http://ehvfc.org/.

Various community service organizations are also keeping Severna Park strong. We highlight a few.

Severna Park Elks press on with Friday Night Meals

Though hampered by the pandemic, members of Severna Park Elks Lodge #2482 on Truckhouse Road have soldered on. Since May 23rd, they’ve continuously offered “Friday Night Meals” – prepackaged foods that can be eaten in the lodge’s spacious outdoor pavilion, its indoor lounge or taken home.

Menus are great and prices excellent. Typical is the crab cake platter offered this Friday, August 14 that includes crab cakes, tartar/cocktail sauce, corn on the cob, tomato salad, fruit salad and dessert. A one crab cake platter costs $16 or a two crab cake platter is $22. Reservations are required by today at 5 pm. Email housecommittee2482@gmail.com or call 410-647-2482.

Elks member Skip Carroll said funds raised go toward lodge projects which are ongoing regardless of the pandemic. Members provided 50 each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter food baskets to SPAN, Inc. They also provided 40 handheld tablets for homeless veterans through MCVETS, the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc.

This year, instead of supplying backpacks of school supplies to Murray Elementary and two other schools, the Elks are donating supplies directly to the schools. They’re also conducting monthly blood drives at the lodge. Visit them on Facebook or at https://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodge=2482.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber cancels parade but opens office

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce executive director Liz League regretted announcing the bad news that the Severna Park Parade postponed to Labor Day has now been cancelled. But League had good news too.

The Chamber’s offices at 1 Holly Avenue are finally open. In accordance with Anne Arundel County Executive Stewart Pittman’s mandate, there are restrictions on the number of people allowed at one time.

Ribbon cuttings are back, the most recent being held to celebrate the reopening of the Severna Park Community Center’s newly renovated main pool.

Best of all, the 2020 Driving Force for Business Golf Tournament being held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club is sold out for the first time in years. There is also talk of holding Shoptoberfest at a new and different outdoor location in October.

Donations are rolling in for SPAN, INC.

From financial assistance to pantry items and baby items like the blanket executive board president Kathy Berge is holding up, SPAN, Inc. is helping local families survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Director of Development Ellen Kinsella noted that, unlike organizations experiencing virus related economic slowdowns, SPAN has had financial and food donations “rolling in” from local businesses, church youth groups and women’s groups. The latest was a donation from Diehl’s Produce Severna Park of $500 worth of gift cards for fresh produce to be distributed to SPAN clients.

Kinsella emphasized that, thanks to very generous financial donations, SPAN, Inc. has been able to increase financial aid for families who are facing evictions or utility cut-offs. She also noted that the organization now schedules “drive-by” appointments to apply for aid or to pick up items from the food pantry.

“It’s easy and folks don’t even have to get out of their cars.,” she said. For information, visit https://www.spanhelps.org/.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

Lots of news from Severna Park Community Center this week. Particularly exciting for regular lap swimmers was the long awaited reopening of the community center’s main pool. Though required by COVID guidelines to swim by appointment only, Ingrid Savicnac, Tegler brothers, Eric and Jan, and Heroes of Tomorrow fitness program trainee Connor McNulty, were happy to be back,

To comply with Governor Hogan’s Stay At Home Order of March 23, the entire center was forced to shut down…..which turned out to be fortuitous for the pool.

Instead of following SPCC’s normal practice of shutting down for a week in August to drain and clean the main pool, the staff chose to do it during the shutdown. Once drained , it was discovered that vital repairs were needed for a cracked expansion joint according to community center executive director Sarah Elder. After brief consideration, SPCC’s board decided to go ahead with a total renovation.

Shelley Beigel, director of programs, showed off the many renovations Tuesday afternoon. She also addressed the safety procedures instituted by SPCC’s aquatics program to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

“In addition to replacing the expansion joint, the entire pool was resurfaced with all new racing tiles,” Beigel said. “White coping stones were installed around the edge of the pool along with cobalt blue tiles. For the first time, we installed steps into the pool with a handrail and we repainted the walls.”

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She said social distancing has been implemented by limiting the number of swimmers and requiring them to schedule an appointment. With fewer people, the lanes can be appropriately spaced apart.

While completely renovated and refreshed, the locker rooms and showers may not currently be used by swimmers. They must arrive showered and dressed to swim and must place their belongings on a single assigned chair.

Signs are posted reminding everyone to stay in their swim lanes and bright blue cones at six foot intervals around the edge of the pool encourage proper distancing.

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Lifeguards are on duty throughout swim sessions and must wear masks except when required to enter the water for rescue or assistance.

Like all the lifeguards, Nathan Rosner feels it’s great to be back on duty. He actually returned as lifeguard for SPCC’s popular therapy pool prior to the main pool reopening. The therapy pool (a greatly needed community resource) didn’t require renovations so was able to open in late June.

Pointing out floats, kick boards and other flotation devices swimmers may avail themselves of, Rosner said the equipment is sanitized after each use. Handrails, chairs and other surfaces are wiped down after each session.

McNulty said he doesn’t mind observing the restrictions.

“I don’t mind needing to make and appointment. I’m just glad to be able to swim again.,” he said.

Swimming a steady breast stroke down the length of the far left lane, long-time pool user Ingrid Savicnac seemed in her element.

“I’m so happy. I really missed swimming,” she said.

Their first time back, the Tegler brothers, who are normally river swimmers in the summer and pool swimmers throughout the winter, were particularly pleased.

“The water quality in all the rivers has been very up and down this summer because of algae blooms and runoff from the storms so it’s good to have the pool back as an option,” Jan said.

Not surprisingly, as the 1:30 to 2:30 group of swimmers were preparing to leave, another group with reservations were spaced six feet apart at the desk in the lobby waiting to sign in.

There’s more news from the Severna Park Community Center. Elder reports that the 25th Anniversary Gala scheduled for October at the Hilton Hotel has been postponed till spring because of concern about the pandemic.

“Instead, it’s being replaced by a Drive-By-Gala with a twist,” she said. “The event will be held at the community center from 3 to 5 pm on October 24. A gala committee led by Ellen Kleinknecht, Patt Haun and Diane Lebbedeff developed the unique twist on a virtual event to raise operating funds.”

Guests to the event will stay in their cars while being treated to live music, guest presenters and a “gala in a box” to take home. Included will be a gift certificate for $50 to one of the area’s fine restaurants, a small bottle of champagne and flute plus a delectable dessert from a local bakery. For information, visit https://www.spcommunitycenter.org/.

Talent Machine Company successfully stages “Children of Eden” despite daunting obstacles

Staging a musical with a cast of 30 plus young actors is challenging under any circumstances according to Talent Machine Company producer Judy Curbelo. To stage two such musicals in “the age of Covid-19” demands innovation, fortitude and adherence to strict guidelines. The company rose to the challenge.

TMC’s summer youth production of “Willy Wonka” and teen production of “Chlidren of Eden” were in the works since early January. With the easing of Stay At Home Orders and the acquisition of an outdoor venue, the productions could move ahead….. providing COVID-19 guidelines were followed.

“We’d made arrangements with the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for their spacious outdoor pavilion for both shows and completely followed their COVID-19 guidelines allowing for 100 socially-distanced audience members ,” Curbelo said.

“Willy Wonka” debuted to an enthusiastic audience July 17th – only to be mistaken by the Anne Arundel County Health Department for another theater’s production. Restrictions were imposed regardless. Though allowed to perform the show that evening, no further tickets could be sold and only small audiences were permitted for subsequent performances.

Thereafter, TMC’s board and staff members debated whether to continue with the “Children of Eden”. Since rehearsals were already well underway, they moved ahead.

Both Curbelo and director Bobby Smith said the obstacles were daunting and the process arduous and complex. The health department permitted “Children of Eden” to be performed provided it were referred to as “a project allowing the actors to practice their craft”. Tickets couldn’t be sold and audiences were limited to one person per cast member.

Performed last weekend before small audiences, the performance was extremely well received. It was filmed for possible use as a fundraiser.

The 31-member cast loved rehearsing and performing the musical in spite of the fact they they wore masks and remained socially distanced throughout the process. The actors, including Braden Andrew who played Adam and Lucy O’Brien who played Eve, expressed their frustration when they observed that sports activities weren’t subject to the same requirements for masks for players or spectators and were permitted unlimited crowd sizes.

A fundraiser may be in the offing for the non-profit Talent Machine Company at a later date and a venue is being sought for a holiday show. For updated information, visit https://talentmachine.com/ .

Kinder Farm Park cancels Harvest Festival

Park visitation has seen a remarkable increase throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Friends of Kinder Farm Park made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Harvest Festival. (The annual October event is the park’s most popular drawing thousands of attendees,) Among other events, there’s a good possibility that the popular Jingle Bell Hayride will be held on December 5. For information on upcoming events visit https://kinderfarmpark.org/.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Tuesday afternoon was sultry to say the least. Yet most of the small retail shops that call Severna Park home were surprisingly busy considering they only recently reopened following the COVID-19 lock-down. Though not by design, a beach theme seemed to prevail in six of the businesses we visited.

At Park Plaza, shoppers strolled between shops ranging from The Wild Bird Center to Image Creators Spa, Salon and Boutique and JOANN Fabric and Craft Store.

A sign outside The Cottage stressed that only 10 people could be in the store at a time to comply with COVID-19 guidelines – a number that is about normal for the store.

Walking through the door, shoppers immediately spotted the shop’s clever “Beach House” display created by several young staffers.

Wearing designer masks made locally, staffers Morgan Hall and Emma Moore were excited to be back at work and doing a brisk business at the checkout counter.

Manager Courtney Coughy said The Cottage offered online shopping throughout the lock-down so transitioning back to being open was relatively easy but held some surprises.

“Who’d have thought face masks would be this year’s fashion statement,” Coughy said.

She added that customers seemed delighted to be visiting the store in spite of the requirement to wear masks.. They were very interested in the popular Vera Bradley handbags marked down 50% for an end of summer sale and loved the “Maryland Table” with its Eastern Shore motif and items ranging from china and pottery to Old Bay seasonings.

Further down the plaza, the beach theme was carried through at Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery with its “Sidewalk Sale” where artwork featured crabs.

Inside, were oyster shell prints by local artist Kim Hovell and beautiful displays of Sea Glass jewelry from Jessica Graves and Cathy Kelly

Co-owner Dawn Wilson noted that Side Street Framers made several changes to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. They’d offered online ordering with curbside pick-up for several weeks while working to rearrange the store for its opening on June 1.

“We moved our picture framing operation to the back of the store and protected that area with a Plexiglas screen between ourselves and the customer,” Wilson said. “That allowed us to create an open and airy space at the front of the store for artwork and objects for the home that we really like”

She noted that sales have been picking up fairly well – particularly the framing business for which there is always demand.

Across Park Plaza at Park Home, customers strolled leisurely past billowing pillows, racks of candles, trendy vinyl floor cloths and a handsome black antique chest restored and hand painted by co-owner Heather Summers.

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Husband and co-owner Scott pointed out that the chest had been sold. The Summers said they implemented proper state-mandated changes related to the pandemic before opening June 1st.

Customer Eliza Huebner had lots to choose from as she browsed the shelves with a shopping basket of toys on her arm.

“We’re going to the beach this weekend so I’m getting toys for our vacation,” she said. “I have a four-year-old girl and a little boy who is one-and-a-half. As you can see my basket’s getting full.”

According to Franklin’s Toys‘ owner Stephen Kaufmann, summer is usually a slow season and was a bit slower than usual when he reopened his Severna Park and Annapolis stores June 1. To comply with all Covid guidelines, he adjusted store hours which are Monday thru Thursday from 10 am till 6 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

“As people have become more comfortable shopping, sales are picking up – especially for hot selling items and anything outdoors,” Kaufmann said. “Since the pandemic, board games are more popular than ever but what’s really exploded are sales of jigsaw puzzles. Puzzle sales globally since COVID started are up 400 %.

The hottest trend at Franklin’s Toys is jigsaw puzzles. Since COVID=19, sales globally are up 400%

At Savvy Consignment at 545 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Olde Severna Park, outdoor and indoor furnishings include a shady wooden bench, an airy table set for six and racks and racks of summer clothing including beachwear.

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Savvy owner Stacey Cassidy said business has been good at the consignment store considering the oppresive weather. Social distancing is not a problem as there is plenty of room for customers . (In fact, half-capacity for the spacious store is 52 people.)

“We were a bit challenged because, when we closed in March for the lock-down, we had a store full of winter clothes. By the time we reopened, we’d missed our entire spring season,” Cassidy said. “However, two weeks before we were allowed to have customers in the store on June 1, we accepted curbside consignments of summer clothes. Consequently, we were well stocked when we opened our doors.”

Although wearing masks, Savvy Consignment’s customers seemed quite content while browsing for those special treasures. Many were “regulars” happy to be back.

Owners Danielle and Lance Bowen said The Blended Essentials, directly across Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard from Savvy, has implemented new sanitation practices within the shop in alignment with the CDC recommendations.  Known for carrying 150 scents and essential oils, the shop hosts candle and soap making classes, summer camps and house parties – many of which are pre-booked. As the shop returns to normal operations, they’ll limit the number of customers allowed in the shop. However, as employee Anna Vernacchio noted, The Blended Essentials backs onto the B&A Trail so there is plenty room outside for classes.

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Around The Park Again by Sharon Lee Tegler

Area bowlers were thrilled to learn, on June 19th, that Severna Park Lanes had reopened after being closed for three months. Immaculately clean, with a refreshingly updated decor, the popular 32 lane bowling alley at 840 Ritchie Highway is as welcoming as ever.

General Manager Curt Pezzano says it’s not only a pleasure to welcome back many regulars, but newcomers as well.

Patrick LaBelle and sons Wyatt and Vincent were having a ball visiting Severna Park Lanes for the first time. Wielding a bowling ball almost bigger than he was, Wyatt did his best to send it down the lane just like his dad.

“This is the first time we’ve been out together in a long time and its great, Patrick LaBelle said. “It’s very, very clean here and you can see that they’ve obviously taken every precaution. Everything’s been sanitized and we’re just very comfortable.”

Shuttering one of the area’s oldest and most popular businesses for more than three months was challenging according to Pezzano.

In uninterrupted operation since 1962, when opened by original owner Bill Davidson, Severna Park Lanes closed its doors mid-March in compliance with Governor Hogan’s COVID-19 orders. The bowling alley is host to 18 leagues that were midway through an active season.

“We’d never been through anything like this,” Pezzano said. “We weren’t able to reopen the lanes until June 19 at 5 pm. Like other businesses, the closure had quite an impact on us . However, we did use the months we were closed well.”

Not everyone was laid off, so the staff took the time to clean and sanitize, replace lighting and flooring and generally refresh the facility.

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The staff went through extensive training regarding COVID-19 sanitation procedures. From the moment a novice bowler walks in, he can see that all the balls are wrapped in plastic having been disinfected beforehand in a special sanitizing room.

On entering the center, bowlers are led to their own area and encouraged not to move around. Tables, balls and shoes will have been sanitized prior to their arrival and re-sanitized once they leave. Food and beverage manager Brittany Danner will now come down to each lane to see if bowlers would like something to eat or drink and personally deliver their orders.

Tables and chairs will be re-sanitized every time a party leaves.

……and bowlers will see social distancing reminders throughout the facility.

Sanitation information is displayed on each table.

And, of course, everyone is required to wear a mask.

The staff adapted to these procedures well – in part because they realize the importance of making everyone feel comfortable and safe. And the procedures are working well with bowlers reporting that they feel very protected.

“We expected business to be a little slow when we opened back up but we’re encouraged to see it picking up week after week,” Pezzano noted. “A big part of regaining our normal flow of business is letting people know that bowling centers are open. (Severna Park Lanes is one of three owned by Hall Investments Annapolis, Inc.)

Though summer is a time when the leagues are not active, some of the first customers back were league bowlers. They all reported that they missed the exercise, competition and socialization with other league members. A meeting of autumn league officers is scheduled shortly to discuss adjustments to guarantee they’ll operate safely. By late August, the members will be back piling up those strikes and spares.

Severna Park Lanes still offers birthday parties and outings for children and adults….. with proper precautions and a size limitation of no more than ten in a group. They’ll also be offering their Saturday youth league programs. The youth programs are comparatively affordable at $13 per week which includes three games of bowling, shoes and coaches that work with the kids.

Hospice of the Chesapeake hosts Camp Phoenix for teens

For years, Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Chesapeake Life Center has been hosting much appreciated camps for teens who are grieving the death of a loved one. Many were held at Arlington Echo.

This year Camp Phoenix will take place for teens 13 to 18 from 10 am to 8 pm Saturday, August 15 at Terrapin Adventures at Historic Savage Mill.

As before, professional counselors will use team building exercises and other activities to help the teens get to know each other and discover “they are not alone as they navigate the emotions of grief while also having some fun”.

The outdoor event has limited participation so the counselors feel confident they can offer a safe experience for the teens. All necessary precautions and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control will be observed. Registration is required by Aug. 3. The cost for the program is $40 and includes snacks, meals, activities and a T-Shirt. Scholarships are available. Inquire by calling 888-501-7077 or email griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.

Rotary Crabs to Go!

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rotary Club of Annapolis is unable to hold its traditional crab feast at Navy Marine Corps Stadium – an enormously popular event that draws 2,000 plus guests each year from Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena, Glen Burnie and as far away as Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Instead, the club is replacing it with Rotary Crabs to Go! .

According to media representative Anne Myers, the organization briefly considered canceling the event, However, they quickly realized that numerous community charities depend on donations from funds generated by it. The members came up with idea of Rotary Crabs to Go! to provide crabs and raise funds in the safest way possible.

Myers said the crabs may be ordered online at http://www.annapolisrotary.org/crabfeast They will be freshly steamed onsite at the stadium and packaged for travel.

Patrons can specify their pick-up windows in half hour increments from 4:30 pm until
7:00 pm. Rotarians (with PPE) will deliver your order as you drive to designated spots in the stadium lot. There’s no need to get out of your car.

(Best #1) crabs are priced competitively:

1 dozen crabs ($65)

2 dozen ($125),

half bushel ($150)

Bushel ($290) – to include corn on the cob

Schools slated to reopen this fall

Among private and church-affiliated schools planning to open this fall are Rockbridge Academy on Generals Highway in Crownsville, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School on Benfield Road in Severna Park, Messiah United Methodist Preschool on Furnace Branch Road in Glen Burnie, and St. John the Evangelist School at the corner of Ritchie Highway & Cypress Creek Road in Severna Park. (In fact, it’s reported by staff that all K-8 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be back to full operation.) All of the schools state they’ll be opening with required PPE and social distancing.

As more news comes in, we’ll keep you posted.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Saturday’s weather was steamy but the atmosphere in the large open-air pavilion at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds was exuberant. Rehearsal had just resumed for Talent Machine Company’s summer youth production of “Willy Wonka”.

Wearing masks with their costumes to meet COVID-19 guidelines and performing six feet apart, the 34-member cast of student actors aged 7 to 14 was clearly delighted to be back together singing, dancing and acting.

While immensely fun, rehearsing was serious business. “Willy Wonka” will debut at the fairgrounds this Friday, July 17 at 7:30 pm and will run Saturday, Sunday and Monday…..then resume performances on Thursday, July 23, followed by shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For the full schedule or to buy tickets, visit https://secure.ticketsage.net/websales.aspx?u=talentmachine. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

During the cast lunch break, director Katie Peacock said the ambitious production is among the most challenging in the Talent Machine Company’s 33 year history.

The young actors in TMC’s summer youth and summer teen produc-tions come from all over Anne Arundel County so rehearsals are normally held in the air-conditioned comfort of Stageworkz studios in Millersville. The shows are then performed at St. John’s College Key Auditorium. Considering this year’s challenging circumstances, staging “Willy Wonka” is a bold undertaking.

“We weren’t sure whether we’d be able to pull off either show because St. John’s Key Auditorium is closed for renovations and because of COVID-19 restrictions,” said Peacock. “Luckily, we were able to rehearse parts of the production virtually and then we found this wonderful open-air amphitheater.”

“In January, we’d picked the shows ‘Willy Wonka’ for this production and ‘Children of Eden’ for August’s teen production. Then, when COVID restrictions were implemented, we began working with Governor Hogan while searching for an outdoor venue,” the director said. “We explored many and found Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds to be very flexible and helpful. They’re awesome to work with.”

With no hugging or kissing scenes, “Willy Wonka” was the perfect show to adapt to meet the governor’s guidelines. It’s scripted so the actors are spaced reasonably far apart.

When it was determined “the show must go on”, the response from parents was positive and the youngsters who’d looked forward to appearing in the production for months were overjoyed.

TMC has strictly followed COVID guidelines including social distancing while performing and making masks mandatory for cast, staff, parent volunteers and audiences. Several staffers are tasked with taking temperatures.

After a quick run-through of one song, the kids headed to a nearby tent to change into their costumes. In the background, construction sounds were heard as parent volunteers busily built sets.

Student choreographers Whitney Green and Gabby Dean (both of whom have roles in TMC’s summer teen production “Children of Eden”) stood to one side of the amphitheater waiting for the actors to get dressed and discussing the placement of dancers for the next number.

“This is so fun for us,” said Whitney. “It’s such a magical show with so many elements and opportunities for creative choreography,”

Gabby appreciates working with director Katie Peacock and all the actors and dancers.

“It’s great coming out here everyday in the midst of these restrictions when we’re not able to get out often,” she said. “We’ve missed being together.”

Both choreographers said rehearsing for “Children of Eden” helped them understand how difficult it is for the kids to perform wearing masks which restrict their oxygen. So they give the cast frequent rest and water breaks

Costumed and masked, the actors slowly filed back into the tent led by Sydney Owens and Jackson Parlante.

About to be a freshman at Severna Park High School, Sydney is a seasoned TMC performer. Delighted to be appearing in the summer youth production, she plays the role of Mrs. Teavee whose son Mike is a “Golden Ticket” winner. Her favorite musical number is, not surprisingly, “I See It All on TV” which she performs with Finn Carroll who plays Mike.

“The show is wonderful for us. It’s been hard being cooped up so getting together with the other kids is great. This musical provides something for us to aim for and something to do,,” she said. “I’ll admit that wearing masks is challenging because they’re hot and you have to speak and sing more loudly to be understood.”

Matthew Earl, a rising ninth-grader at Archbishop Spalding High School who stars as Willy Wonka, agreed that wearing masks is complicated but well worth the effort. Possessed of a mellow tenor voice perfect for his role, Matthew really likes playing Willy.

“It’s very enjoyable. I love the singing, dancing and acting but I most love being able to create a character who is all over the place,” he said. “Masks were hard to cope with at first but became easier when the principal actors were issued clear ones that are more flexible.”

As the opening bars of “Pure Imagination” sounded, Matthew, in top hat and tails, wound his way through an audience of parents toward the stage delivering a fine rendition of the song.

Great musical numbers followed including “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, “Oompah Loompa” and the wonderful “Candy Man”.

Audience members of all ages will find “Willy Wonka” highly entertaining. Plenty of properly-spaced open-air seating is available. Tickets are just $15 and, as mentioned above, are available online or at the door. For further information, visit www.talentmachine.com.

GreaterSeverna Park & Arnold Chamber ribbon cutting celebrates opening of JPAR Maryland Living

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s well-known tradition of ribbon cuttings is finally back just in time for the Grand Opening celebration of JPAR Maryland Living on July 28. The chamber’s newest member, JPAR Maryland Living at 2460 Ritchie Highway in Arnold is a real estate service with listings throughout Anne Arundel County and Baltimore. The ribbon cutting will take place during JPAR’s Open House between 5 and 7 pm.

Severn River Association co-hosts GreenGive

The Severn River Association announced that it is co-hosting the GreenGive, an online fundraising and engagement-building initiative to expand participation in 10 Anne Arundel County waterway and environmental organizations. The GreenGive partner organizations are Unity Gardens, the Watershed Stewards Academy, Spa Creek Conservancy, St. Luke’s Restoration of Nature Project, the Severn River Association, the Severn Riverkeeper Program, ClearShark H2O, the Scenic Rivers Land Trust, Annapolis Green, and Arundel Rivers Federation.

GreenGive, starting on July 21 at 5 p.m. through July 22 at midnight, depends on the collective power of individuals giving online to provide the critical funds needed to protect our local waters and lands. To donate visit https://www.greengive.org/.