Category: AROUND THE PARK AGAIN

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Who better to lead a tour of the newly renovated Boone Station Hall than Bob and Karen Royer? Bob was project manager for the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church REHAB group’s renovation of both the window replacement and the interior of the former church. Karen headed the Woods Gardener’s Group that handled the refurbishment of the gardens surrounding the building, replanting the beds with native plants.

The obvious place to start was at the formal front entrance to the church.

“The window and door replacements made possible by an anonymous benefactor in April of 202l changed the whole character of the building,” said Karen.

Built in 1927 by the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the building was purchased by the YMCA after the church relocated to 689 Ritchie Highway in 1964. But, shortly thereafter, it was acquired by Woods Church and renamed Holy Grounds Youth Center. The property then, as now, was managed by the Severna Park Community Center.

Bob Royer’s research prior to the window replacement showed that the church was built from a Sears kit by a congregation born when Severna Park was still called Boone. The building materials would have come via railroad car and delivered to the Boone Railroad Station across the road.

“Based on what we learned, it was decided to rename the facility Boone Station Hall,” Karen continued as she pointed to one of the new signs.

“Over the years, parts of the building became worn and were repaired or replaced in a less than ideal way. Luckily, the gift from our anonymous donor made it possible to do badly needed upgrades in the best possible way. We’ll start with the front door which was a solid door before and not very attractive. The glass panes in the new door look wonderful and bring additional light into the interior.”

Moving on, we passed by garden beds that were recently redone by Karen and the Woods Garden Group. The gardeners tore out a number of ornamental plants that are, today, considered toxic to birds replacing them with plant species native to Maryland.

“Our goal is to have the gardens be 70% natives and pollinator species that attract bees, butterflies, beneficials insects, birds and wildlife,” Karen said.

Heading back inside Boone Station Hall, Bob noted how pleased everyone was with the way the new windows look. (Original windows replaced at Historic Holy Grounds with help from anonymous donor – sharonleestable.com)

“They let in so much light,” he said. “The effect is further enhanced by the fact that we repainted the walls a slightly lighter shade of gray and also painted the paneling and trim.

The REHABBERS made three major improvements. They first constructed a spacious closet at the back of the hall with doors and hardware similar to those of the period and then replicated the wainscoting on each side to match the room’s original walls. The closet now provides storage space for the stacks of chairs and other materials that once cluttered the back of the room.

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A second major improvement involved removing the old unattractive panels across the balcony that are shown in the photo below and replacing them with wainscoting matching that in the rest of the building. Balconies were an architectural feature of many churches built from the 1800’s through the 1920’s and 30’s.

The renovation definitely shows off the balcony to good advantage. As can be seen below, the REHABBERS installation of wainscoting across the balcony integrates it with the rest of the hall. They added a wall clock with a classic design to draw attention to the feature. Should there be an overflow crowd, the balcony now provides an attractive option for additional seating.

You’ll also notice that the REHAB carpenters added an extra wall to close off the kitchen and installed more wainscoting and a new serving counter.

The Royers next led us to Boone Station Hall’s all-important kitchen that was totally rehabbed. Though a serving kitchen rather than a cooking kitchen that is used for celebrations and events that are catered, the kitchen was outfitted with brand new cabinetry and quartz counters as well as a large new microwave and refrigerator.

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According to Bob, the REHAB group’s carpenters are proudest of the subway tiles they installed. They are the same sort of tiles that were in vogue during the period when the building was constructed.

“We originally wanted to install a tile backsplash, but it looked so great that we extended it to the ceiling, Royer said. “Then, Severna Park Community Center executive director Sarah Elder and marketing director Amy Holbrook saw it and said it looked so good we should continue it through the rest of the kitchen. Obviously, we did just that and we have to agree that it looks great.”

Repainting the entire facility was the final touch for the renovation. The combination of diffused light from the windows, soft gray walls and white trim not only call attention to the simple, graceful lines of the architecture but create a bright, uplifting atmosphere for events ranging from weddings and family celebrations to community fundraisers, shows and concerts or even memorial or religious services.

Strictly by coincidence for us, but not for the board of trustees or staff, it was recently announced that Bob and Karen Royer are to be the honored guests for the Severna Park Community Center’s Boots & Black Tie Gala being held on April 29th.

Considering the many volunteer efforts they participate in together or separately, everyone considers the couple a wonderful choice. Karen has been a member of the community center’s gala committee for many years doing everything from making arrangements to stuffing envelopes or taking tickets. At Woods Church, she is, along with Bob, a “Congregational Watershed Steward”. She’s a longtime active member of the Woods Gardening Team helping create the church’s well-known Parking Lot Gardens and Hillside Gardens that have seen the Woods Church campus designated part of the Maryland Pollinator Pathway and heading the Boone Station Hall garden beds replanting project. She’s also a member of Good Neighbors Group’s Rogue Gardeners, cleaning up and removing vines from recreational areas and establishing new gardens throughout the community.

Both Karen and Bob are very active members of the Magothy River Association and Karen is currently the secretary. Both helped out with the Berrywood neighborhood’s Cattail Creek Restoration Project, have pitched in to restore the Magothy’s Yellow Perch population and reestablish oyster reefs, and have supported MRA president Paul Spadaro’s efforts to defeat real estate development projects that would harm the river.

As congregation members, they helped with Watershed Steward Frank Goetschius’ capstone project to reforest the area between Woods Church and Sunrise of Severna Park Senior Living. Bob has also headed Woods Church’s award-winning energy saving and sustainability initiatives and, of course, he was project manager for the window replacement project and renovation project at Boone Station Hall.

Both Bob and Karen are proud to be named honorees for the community center gala. However, they wish to highlight the Woods REHAB group for the many rebuilding and maintenance projects they tackled on the church campus and, especially, in the years since taking responsibility for community center and Boone Station Hall properties. To that end, they have invited all the REHAB group members to the gala as their guests.

“It will be the first time we’ve all gotten together socially to celebrate because, when we’re together, we’re always working,” Karen said.

For information on the upcoming community center gala or Boone Station Hall, visit THE SEVERNA PARK COMMUNITY CENTER – SPCC Home (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 currently offers a Homeschool Kung Fu Class and again brings 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

Andy Wolverton’s journey from librarian to author began about a dozen years ago when the former teacher joined the staff of the Severna Park branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library. He truly enjoyed the work.

Over the course of his career, Wolverton moved from Library Associate to a more managerial position as a Library 1 while simultaneously developing two of the library’s most popular programs – a Great Movies film series and The Guys Book Club in 2011. The latter inspired him to write the book “Men Don’t Read, The Unlikely Story Of The Guys Book Club” published in 2022.

The book follows Wolverton’s experiences getting the club started, attracting members and growing the membership as the club evolved. It’s obvious when speaking with him that his even temperament and sense of humor played a role keeping the club running smoothly for over a decade.

The impetus to form a guy’s book club stemmed from Wolverton’s experience as a librarian wherein he repeatedly heard the phrase “Men don’t read”. He believed that men certainly do read.

One day, while chatting with a woman about her favorite books, he asked her “What books does your husband like to read?” Predictably, she answered “Oh, men don’t read.” That was a tipping point for him.

“I didn’t want to hear the phrase ‘men don’t read’ ever again and determined to do something about it,” he said. “For years I’d observed countless men coming into the library and checking out books. But I wanted to encourage more men and boys to read.”

At about this time, he noticed that guy’s book clubs were being formed. When he told his supervisor Heather Leonard that he was thinking of starting a men’s book club for Severna Park Library, she told him the Miller branch of the Howard County Library had a book club for men called Dudes on Books. Wolverton arranged to attend one of their meetings which impressed him and solidified his determination to form one.

Proceeding cautiously, he chose the name Guys Book Club for the group and picked a date in October of 2011 for the crucial first meeting. He next tackled the arduous task of picking the first book – one likely to draw the most attention – and settled on the popular non-fiction book “Unbroken”, a biography of World War II veteran Louis Zamperini by Laura Hildebrand. He publicized the first meeting and the book selection in “Happenings”, the library’s newsletter. Then he talked to every guy who came into the library about the club and invited them to come.

“Every. Single. Guy,” Wolverton said.

Finally, with much trepidation, he prepared for the first meeting, setting up a meeting room with table and chairs. Not actually surprised, but somewhat disappointed, he drew just three gentlemen to the meeting. Nevertheless, each contributed to the thoughtful discussion playing off one another’s other’s comments.

Hoping for the best, Wolverton planned the club’s second meeting for the following month choosing a sports title, “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Ever Seen” by Christopher McDougall. In spite of talking the meeting up and inviting every guy who entered the library to attend, the second meeting drew an even more disappointing two guys, a man and his teenaged son who was a runner.

A bit discouraged and aware of library policy that, if a program didn’t draw enough people to be worthwhile after three meetings, it would be dropped, he agonized over selecting a book for the third meeting. He chose “The Maltese Falcon” written by Dasheill Hammett in 1930. The title was well known thanks to the movie by the same name starring Humphrey Bogart that premiered in 1941.

Wolverton stepped up publicity for the meeting, tacking up copies of a visually exciting poster he designed and continuing his word-of-mouth campaign. Miraculously, the meeting drew 12 guys, and its founder drew a sigh of relief. He’d finally hit a home run.

From then on, the club ran fairly smoothly, meeting every other month with Wolverton acting as facilitator. Many of the same fellows attended on a regular basis with new members joining from time to time. Their tastes soon became evident with a preference for non-fiction books, but fiction was interwoven for a change of pace. Considering the number of military retirees in our area, it was not surprising that the membership greatly enjoyed books based on military history.

By 2014, when I was invited to “sit in” on a third anniversary session, the club was drawing a dozen or more members per meeting. The gents were various ages but there was a predominance of grey hair. The book they were discussing was “The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today” by Thomas A. Ricks.

One member described the book as “pretty bleak overall” while another said it revealed how badly wars were fought after World War II. A third thought the book a good follow-on to July’s book selection “The Guns of August.”

During the early years, the club’s founder/facilitator chose all the titles for discussion himself but, by late 2015, members were allowed to nominate books for every other meeting and vote on the title to be selected.

Wolverton grew busier as the club evolved – first studying for his Master of Library and Information Science degree and then taking on additional work when promoted to a Library 1 position in charge of programming. The burden was somewhat lightened when it was decided that members who nominated a book chosen for discussion could lead the meeting if they so desired. Several proved superb discussion leaders including Paul Stillwell, a writer and military historian in his own right. Interestingly, Stillwell was one of the three men who attended the club’s very first meeting in 2011.

While not all the book selections were universally liked, the discussions were always interesting, and meetings were well attended. At this point, people thinking of forming their own book clubs began to approach Wolverton wanting to know how to do it. He gave them good advice and was, in part, motivated to write “Men Don’t Read” to guide those wishing to start a club and underscore the challenges.

Speaking of challenges, there were quite a few for The Guys Book Club including a need to meet virtually during the pandemic.

“Since we couldn’t use the library, we decided to choose classics that were available in the public domain – a nice change because we hadn’t done a lot of that,” Wolverton said. “After the library reopened, we went back to trading book selections, with me picking one and the members picking the next.”

Once, asked what their all-time favorite book was, the members astounded Wolverton by answering that it was Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” – one of their own picks. Other favorites include Candace Millard’s “The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey”, covering the president’s scientific expedition down Brazil’s River of Doubt (later named the Roosevelt River) and Millard’s “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President” about the assassination of President James Garfield.

When it was Wolverton’s turn to pick a book, he’d generally pick something to challenge them like African American science fiction writer Octavia Butler’s “Kindred”, a book taking the reader back in time to experience what it was like being a black woman in Maryland in 1848.”

Today the number of people attending book club meetings has risen from 12 or 15 to between 23 and 25. Because some members moved to other states but want to keep up with what the club is doing and participate, the club uses a hybrid system that allows them to simultaneously meet in person and virtually.

For locals, Andy Wolverton’s face is one of the most familiar and friendly in Severna Park. You not only see him amongst the stacks or at the checkout or information desks at the library, but you are as likely to see him at the counter of The Big Bean ordering take-out coffees.

Wolverton remains dedicated to encouraging more men, boys, and people in general to read – a pleasure not to be denied anyone within reach of Severna Park Library. Whether looking for a guide to establishing a book club or interested in how, by example, such clubs encourage young readers, you’ll enjoy “Men Don’t Read: The Unlikely Story Of The Guys Book Club”. You’ll find copies on Anne Arundel County Public Library’s shelves or can order your own copy of the book at http://www.amazon.com, Find Barnes & Noble Stores Near You | B&N Store Locator (barnesandnoble.com), or https://www.bookbaby.com/.

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.”  

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.

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

Darkness had already fallen Saturday evening as guests approached the steps at the entrance of beautiful Baldwin Hall at the crossroads of General’s Highway and Millersville Road. Candles glowed from each step and the dark green double doors were adorned with shamrocks setting a festive tone for what awaited them inside.

Entering the ballroom, Irish-themed decorations strung across the balcony and strategically placed elsewhere immediately caught the eye, confirming that the fundraiser was both a special social occasion and an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Looking down from the balcony, one could see that the St. Patrick’s Day themed decorations complemented the ballroom’s dark green velvet draperies perfectly…

…and there was no doubt that the Severn Cross Roads Foundation board members who maintain the hall and the volunteers helping run the event wholeheartedly embraced adding a touch of the Irish.

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According to Janice Ann Crowe, who handled publicity, Saturday’s event was the first fundraiser held for Baldwin Hall since the COVID pandemic caused Severn Cross Roads Foundation to cancel virtually all community gatherings at the venue for two years.

“We’re all so happy to see each other,” she said.

Indeed, glasses of wine in hand, guests gravitated to conversational groups at the front and back of the hall during the early part of the evening. At the center of one such group, the event’s organizer Gail Campbel explained the purpose of the fundraiser.

“During the pandemic, Baldwin Hall had no income at all because most of our funds come from rentals for weddings and similar events. Since they all had to be cancelled, we haven’t had any money coming in since 2019,” said Campbell. “So, we’re starting with this event hoping ticket sales and proceeds from our silent auction will help.”

Campbell added that the hall, built in 1861, needs a quite a bit of work.

“We’ve been applying for grants but they are hard to come by,” she said.

Preserving the building was also the topic of discussion for another group nearby with Julie Reinhart, Rick Johnson and Michele Nisewaner particularly knowledgeable about its long and interesting history.

“The hall was constructed in 1861 as the Cross Roads Methodist Episcopal Church replacing an earlier church at the site that was built in 1817,” Reinhart said. “It was moved three times – once in 1896 from its original site across Indian Landing Road for the building of ‘The Stone Church’ known today as Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, then to a second spot on Indian Landing Road in 1970 when the Educational Building was constructed. The third and final move occurred on June 2, 1981 when Baldwin Hall was moved across General’s Highway to its present location.”

She added that the building changed a bit over time. The 1861 church version had a basement where cooking was done. An extension was made to the back end following the move to Indian Landing Road in about the 1930’s and the hall was modified to include a stage still in use. Theatricals were presented there by the South Shore Dramatic Club and, later, by the Pasadena Theatre Company. Today the hall serves as a rehearsal and performance venue for the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Nisewaner, who arranged for the evening’s entertainment, told her friends that guest artist Richard Walton would shortly be appearing on the stage.

Like similar events, the Cheese, Wine and Chocolates benefit had something to please everyone, from chocoholics and wine lovers to music fans.

Singer/songwriter, guitarist and band leader Richard Walton entertained the crowd with original vocals while playing acoustic guitar. In the music business for many years, The Richard Walton Group has a dozen award-winning CD’s to their credit. Their newest release is “5 By Seven” available from I-Tunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

There was a fine selection of wines to enjoy, donated by General’s Wine & Spirits. There were nearly two dozen Silent Auction items from local donors to bid on. They ranged from original artwork to baskets of food and wines, luggage and other luxury items.

Then, of course, there was a lavish buffet catered by The Jive Chive with an array of fruits, vegetables and cheeses to tempt one’s tastebuds…

…and, to top it all off, there were tiered trays of gourmet chocolates and a decadent chocolate cake for good measure.

By the time Carol Ann Gass made her rounds to all the tables selling raffle tickets for a “Basket of Cheer” (literally an entire clothes basket full of wine), there was a comforting hum of conversation from attendees.

Guest Jeff Rogers, a local resident who came with family, complimented the buffet.

Jody Lohn, a neighbor close to the hall who writes the Severn Cross Roads Foundation newsletter, said she was pleased with the turnout. Lohn wholeheartedly supports Baldwin Hall and is among those concerned that the historic Cross Roads section along General’s Highway will fall victim to overdevelopment of the Crownsville area.

Organizers of the benefit for Baldwin Hall were pleased that proceeds from the event’s ticket sales, silent auction, and raffle will help defray the expenses for needed repairs and updates to the facility. They hope to bring in more revenue through grants, rentals, and upcoming events including their traditional Crab Feast and the Third Annual Craft Fair/Flea Market this autumn. To learn more about Baldwin Hall or its 1840’s School Room, make a donation, or follow upcoming events, visit Home | baldwinhall.

Severna Park Community Center launches Health & Wellness Lecture Series

Just in, we have news from executive director Sarah Elder that Severna Park Community Center will launch a new health & wellness lecture series next week. All lectures are FREE to attend, and will include a live demonstration, tasting, and free recipe cards for participants.

The interactive lecture series sponsored by realtor Jessica Verde with CENTURY 2l New Millenium will begin March 14 and go through May 25. The lectures will be held at Boone Station Hall with some scheduled for lunchtime and others for evening. They will feature a local expert speaker, a live demonstration (most often a cooking demonstration), a tasting, and a take-home recipe card.

The new series will also partner with Services from the Heart Backpack Buddies which operates a food distribution program for food insecure families out of the community center during the school year. The lectures will range from gardening at home to raise fresh vegetables to meal preparation to raising chickens and goats. Plenty of ways to stretch a penny.

For dates, times and more information about the lectures, visit Grow Your Health – THE 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.”  

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

As executive director of the Good Neighbors Group, Julie Shay is always on the move. Stopping to chat with a friend recently, she bubbled over with the latest news from the neighborhoods in and around Severna Park where one or another GNG program or project is underway.

Excited about the project she recently took part with GNG’s newest spin-off, the Rogue Gardeners, Shay mentioned how the eight-member group worked together to remove invasive vines from the banks of the Upper Magothy River. (Five of the eight appear in the opening photo including Woods Church Gardners Group member Karen Royer, Lise and Jim Crafton, Lynda Wilkinson and Magothy River Association president Paul Spadaro.

She was even more enthused about the phenomenal success of Good Neighbors Group’s Sixth Annual S(o)uper Bowl Food Drive that was held February 9 through 12.

“We had 56 neighborhoods participate this year with 11 new ones. That definitely rivals our best year since starting the food drive in 2018,” Shay said. “The amount of food collected was enormous and exceeded previous totals. We helped fill the food pantry shelves of five recipient charities including the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, SPAN, ACAN, Celestial Manna at Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church and My Brother’s Pantry.

Donations were collected at neighborhood captains designated drop-off locations and most often stored in their homes.

Once collected, donations were transported to the food drive’s designated charities and came rolling in on drop-off day every way possible, from minivans to red wagons.

The volunteers at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, SPAN, ACAN, Celestial Manner, and My Brothers Pantry were delighted to receive them and expressed their gratitude. As SPAN directors Maia Grabau and Michele Sabean reminded us at the end of the holiday season, donations slack off during the mid-winter months so donations like these are really appreciated.

On February 22nd, the Good Neighbors Group gathered in the lounge at Cafe Mezzanotte to announce the neighborhood winners for the 2023 S(o)uper Bowl Food Drive.

A total of 18,961 food items were donated all-told. The winning neighborhood by volume was Shipley’s Choice with 1,516 items collected. The per house winner was the Winchester On Severn neighborhood with 10.10 items per house. The two neighborhoods most improved were Severna Park’s Oakleigh Forest (collecting 434 more items than in 2022 and Broadneck’s Schoolers Pond (collecting 133 items more than 2022.)

Shay and the Good Neighbors Group first came to the attention of area residents through their Earth Day Celebrations which have been held in Severna Park for almost two decades, most recently at Severna Park High School. This year, however, the group was not granted permission to hold the event at the high school and had to seek another location.

“Briefly, we wondered if we should discontinue the Earth Day Celebrations since we’d been doing them for almost 20 years.,” Shay said.

“Luckily, we’ll be able hold it this year on the grounds of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company and we are thrilled. We’d like to send some money their way to help with their efforts to build a new fire station.”

She added that Chris Myers worked with her on the organizational side in past years, with the pair running the event on their own. Fortunately, this year several people have volunteered to work with her on different aspects of the celebration. Severn River Association executive director Jesse Iliff will organize all the environmental groups, Cafe Mezzanotte owner Tommie Koukoulis will organize the food vendors, Kate Langston from SassWell will handle the wellness groups and Refill Goodness co-owner Jenny Vedroni will organize the marketplace. Students from the Leadership Institute at Severna Park High will be volunteering during the actual event. The Earth Day Celebration will be held at Earleigh Heights Fire Station at 161 Ritchie Highway on April 29th from nine to noon.

Another of Good Neighbors Group’s longest-running efforts is the Severna Park Blood Drives that are held every eight weeks in conjunction with Anne Arundel Medical Center. The blood drives are co-sponsored by Park Books, Garry’s Grill and The Big Bean with volunteers Deb Hoffman and Lynda Wilkinson handling the scheduling.

The Anne Arundel Medical Center bus is next scheduled to arrive in front of GNG headquarters at 553 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Severna Park Village is March 3 from 8 am to 2 pm.

Back in 2006, when Julie Shay founded the Good Neighbors Group, she’d sensed that Severna Park was growing at such a rapid pace that residents were losing their sense of neighborhood, their sense of community. She wanted to find a way to bring people back together by tackling projects that could help the community. Seventeen years later, the town and surrounding areas are more crowded than ever.

“The neighborhoods are so sprawling that, if you don’t have a reason to communicate with someone, you may not. However, people are extremely good-hearted if they only know how to help so I try to break things down into finite steps that we can all relate to and inspire people to say, ‘Oh, I can do that,'” said Shay.

GNG’s ever-evolving projects fulfill people’s need to be in touch and involved, especially the S(o)uper Bowl Food Drive where neighbors are communicating with each other and having a lot of fun.

When asked if there are any new projects in the organization’s immediate future, Shay named three that involve the Rogue Gardeners.

Work already began and is ongoing on the first project which involves adding aquatic grasses and native plants to land surrounding the small pond in front of Cafe Mezzanotte which can be seen from Ritchie Highway.

The second project is more of a collaboration between the Rogue Gardeners and a new group they want to support.

Shay learned from Berrywood resident Helen Chapman that she’d become fed up with people discarding trash along her community’s sidewalks and roads so she started a neighborhood Litter Brigade. The Rogue Gardeners so loved the idea that they’ve invited the Litter Brigade to join them for one of their random projects where help is needed. The group plans to gather at Lake Waterford shortly to clear the land around it of litter and invasive vines and add some native plants.

“Lake Waterford has some of the cleanest water in Anne Arundel County and is also a major spawning spot for yellow perch and we’re dedicated to preserving the pristine environment around it,” Shay said.

The Rogue Gardeners’ most exciting project – to revamp the planting beds surrounding the old Severna Park Train Station – is being undertaken in conjunction with Watershed Steward D. J. Giles and the Severna Park Improvement Association which owns the land. A Rogue Gardeners’ committee, headed by Karen Royer, Master Gardener Alison Milligan, Lynda Wilkerson and the late Ann Jackson, had already removed some invasive vines smothering the existing plantings in the left-hand portion of the garden that’s to the left of the Severna Park & Arnold Chamber building.

Shortly after the work was completed, Ann Jackson sadly passed away. The gardeners wanted to do something to honor Jackson – a Watershed Steward and accomplished gardener who’d trained many others and launched a number of community gardens and rain gardens. They group met with Jackson’s husband and Giles and proposed making that small corner of the railroad station property into an educational garden in honor of Anne. Alison Milligan will design the garden using native plants that attract bees and butterflies – a space that would draw people to the Riggs Avenue part of the small downtown that is Olde Severna Park.

Those projects are just some of the Good Neighbors Group’s activities that allow members of the community to be involved with others in something meaningful. For information on Good Neighbors Group, visit Home – Good Neighbors Group.

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.”  

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

The strains of music from the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” echoed from the sanctuary of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church as a rehearsal for the show got underway last Saturday afternoon. The award-winning Broadway production, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, debuted in 1971 and remains popular 52 years later.

About half of the 40-member cast – a mix of principals, understudies and ensemble members – was on hand to rehearse specific numbers. The show has no spoken dialogue and everything is sung. With only a handful of rehearsals left before the musical’s March 24th debut, a lot of time was spent on Saturday working on the choreography of the dance sequences and general movement by the actors.

The show’s director, David Merrill, met with the cast onstage to give them a rundown of the scene they were about to rehearse. He next watched actress Emily Sergo, who plays Judas Iscariot, perform the show’s first number “Heaven On Their Minds” while assistant director Elysia Merrill (David’s wife) photographed her from different angles. The couple’s beloved Boxer dog Gisla, who attends every rehearsal, watched attentively from a comfy spot on the center aisle.

At the back of the room, Woods Church volunteer Jacquei Shade, whose son Thomas is in the production, was lending a helping hand where needed.

Sergo’s performance was enthusiastically received by her fellow actors waiting offstage.

As the rehearsal progressed, various parts of the production demanded on-the-spot instruction from choreographer Elysia Merrill who carefully coordinated the movement and placement of each actor from one scene to the next.

The cast’s entrance for the number “What’s the Buzz”, pictured above, was rehearsed several times before they segued into a segment highlighting the dancers. As the beat picked up and the actors receded toward the wings, the dancers moved front and center.

Behind them, Sarah Kent, who plays Mary, and cast member Dillon McCarrick, the understudy for the role of Jesus, sat on a platform while discussing the script.

The creative and innovative productions staged by Merrill, Woods’ Director of Music and the Arts, generally attract sizeable audiences. To accommodate them, the church uses its spacious sanctuary as a theater with the aisles on either side standing in for wings. The stepped altar area doubles as a stage and there is ample floor space.

When dance became the focus of the “What’s the Buzz” number, choreographer Elysia watched with intense concentration and occasionally interrupted the routine to offer a suggestion.

The dancers act as a bridge between scenes and play a pivotal role in moving the plot forward. However, three pieces of music, “Simon Zealottes”, “The Temple” and “Superstar” are exclusively dance numbers.

Loosely based on the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, “Jesus Christ Superstar” was controversial when it debuted on Broadway because of its unconventional portrayal of Jesus, its sympathetic treatment of Judas, its skipping of the resurrection and, among other things, its rock-based score.

As the rehearsal evolved into another scene, an impromptu script conference was needed between Elysia and actors Erica Snipes, Dillon McCarrick and Sarah Kent before they moved into place.

The actors worked on scenes featuring Jesus, using two platforms that will be disguised as scenery during the actual shows. According to the Merrills, Woods Church has a wonderful prop and set builder team.

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“Our prop master is Nancy Bishop and our set builders are Pete Bishop and John Dawson,” said David.  “We do not cover or mask the set so we must move it completely out of the sanctuary for church services or special events. John McLaughlin, our properties director, (a guard in the show) is good at setting up and tearing down the set with help from the cast.”

Elysia added that Susan Bohlman is the show’s head costumer and has two other volunteers working with her on outfitting 40 actors – all of whom can’t wait to see what they’ll be wearing.

When rehearsal drew to a close we caught up with one of the youngest actors, Violet Thompson, who is part of the ensemble and also plays a leper. The 15-year-old is a skilled, enthusiastic and expressive dancer. We inquired if she’d had other acting experience.

“Yes, I’ve done theater my whole life,” Violet said. “In addition to appearing in some of the Woods’ productions, I’ve been in a number of Jennifer Lee Kraus’s Theater In The Park shows.”

We caught up with actors Sarah Kent and David Thompson, who is playing Peter, while they were helping Merrill fold platforms prior to stowing them away.

Sarah, who is Woods’ Director of Contemporary Music, said she felt that the rehearsal went well in spite of having just half the cast to work with. She was pleased that the “What’s the Buzz” sequences were coming along nicely.

“I’ve really learned to trust David and Elysia,” Kent said. “It seems like I’m always wondering ‘how are we ever going to pull this off?’ The costuming, for example, hasn’t come together yet and I have no idea what I’m going to wear. But then… we always do pull it off.”

Kent reminded us that there will be six performances of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on two consecutive weekends on March 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 pm and, again, on March 31, April 1 and April 2 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and may be ordered by visiting http://www.woodstix.org.

Woods Church brings back its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 17

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church volunteer Karen Lerario dropped by the “Jesus Christ Superstar” rehearsal to share some special news.

“For the first time since the COVID pandemic, Woods Church is bringing back its popular St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 17th at the Severna Park Community Center from 5:30 to7:30 pm,” Lerario said.

“The dinner will be catered by Park Deli instead of prepared by the Woods Church kitchen coordinator and volunteers who prepared St. Patrick’s Day fare in previous years. Park Deli has been generous to us in setting the price for adult dinners at $20, with children 12 and under $10 and a maximum price for a family dinner $60.”

The dinner will be held in the community center’s Andy Borland Gymnasium which will be decorated in St. Patrick’s Day greenery. The Woods Church Childrens Ministry is making decorative screens, one of which features a rainbow with a pot of gold.

Lerario says the menu will feature traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods including Bangers and Mash and Corned Beef and Cabbage.

There will be Irish music, a performance by the Crawford Family Celtic Dancers and leprechauns to entertain the diners. The community is welcome. Tickets may be purchased online at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org). For information, call 410-647-2550.

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.”  

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

“Since Toys R Us went out of business, there are very few places where you can buy toys,” said Jack Cook the owner of 2ND CHANCE TOYZ at 6 South Ritchie Highway in Pasadena.

Over the past couple of years Around The Park Again has observed that affordable toys are harder to find, so it was a pleasant surprise to spot the 2ND CHANCE TOYZ shop from the stop light at the corner of Ritchie Highway and East West Boulevard.

Curious, we stopped to check it out and found it stocked with thousands of toys. The exact same thing happened to customer John Pylypec from Odenton who we found browsing the shelves of Matchbox cars.

“I was cruising down the highway and stopped at the light and there it was, 2ND CHANCE TOYZ,” Pylypec said. “I’d discovered the shop on Google maps when it was in Glen Burnie about a year-and-a-half ago and had always meant to stop by. However, I didn’t and thought I’d missed the opportunity. I’m really excited to discover it here and finally have a chance to come in and look around. They have a lot of things I like.”

Pylypec said he’s something of a collector of vintage toys. It was clear from the length of time he took examining every shelf and the full shopping bag he left with that he’d done well adding to his collection.

Pylypec was one of many collectors and hobbyists who frequent 2ND CHANCE TOYZ but customers of all ages and interests visit the shop and keep the staff of six employees hopping.

An interview and tour of the shop with owner John Cook was revealing, in part because of its interesting history, and also because of the extensive selection and price range of toys the business buys, sells or trades. The idea behind the toy business arose from owner’s desire to fulfill a childhood yearning.

“When I was a kid, we were poor, we didn’t have a lot of stuff,” Cook said. “My friends had it though. So, I always wanted the things they had. As I got older, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ve got some money so I’m gonna start getting a few things here and there,’ and, before I knew it, I had a mound of toys, games and action figures.”

By that time, he’d started meeting other people who collected similar items and enjoyed helping each other out with tips or trades. Soon, what began as a hobby turned into more of an obsession.

In 2011, as his interest reached an all-time high, Cook sold the landscaping company he’d owned for more than a decade and used the profits to start his toy business with wife Margaret. The couple chose the name “2ND CHANCE TOYZ” to represent John’s second chance to give toys a new life with someone who’ll appreciate them as much as he does.

“We started up at North Point Flea Market where we kept a booth from which we sold toys weekly,” said Cook. “It was a bit expensive keeping the booth, but we started making good money – good enough that we decided to keep rolling with it and move up to brick and mortar.

“I’m the tortoise in business, not the hare, so we began with a three-year contract on a storefront in Linthicum. Sales-wise, we were really moving. We next relocated 2ND CHANCE TOYZ to Glen Burnie and you’d have thought I turned a light switch on. Customers were coming from everywhere.”

Business was good but, still, Cook found the shop’s location a drawback. Situated all the way at the end of a shopping center, the store couldn’t be seen from the road. In spite of having an online presence, people were finding 2ND CHANCE TOYZ primarily through word of mouth. Thus, when the contract was up, the Cooks looked for a new retail space – one where they could be seen – on Ritchie Highway.

“I think I found a good spot here because it’s very visible, the traffic light’s in front of us, there are good neighborhoods around us, and we’re seeing a lot of new faces,” he said.

The location is also spacious enough to hold a voluminous inventory of recent and vintage toys and other items. They range in price from 50 cents for children or those who don’t have much money to spend to a few thousand dollars for high-end collectors. There are shelves and shelves and bins and glass front cases full of toy cars including the vintage metal cars shown in the opening photo.

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There are hundreds of vintage and modern action figures including Star Wars characters, X-Men, and other superheroes.

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According to Cook, GI Joes are “the hottest thing going now”, particularly the new 6-inch models which he says are midway between the little 3-3/4-inch ones he had as a child and the 12-inch ones owned by his father. GI Joes were always one of the shop owner’s favorite things so he took a calculated risk and placed an order with the distributor the moment they came out.

There is a vast collection of comics which take up most of a back wall, part of a wall on the left side of the shop and appear in a special glass case. To keep them in good condition and preserve their value, the comics are encased in see-through plastic sleeves and/or kept in cardboard bins according to series. Cook took pride in pointing out the glass showcase where valuable vintage or special edition comics are kept. He called our attention to a first edition of “The Crow” which is priced at $1,800 and an “Ultimate Fallout” edition selling for $1,000.

Another collection Cook is particularly proud of is strictly vintage. He finds he’s touched every time he turns on the Mickey Mouse lamp seen below because of what it represented to generations of kids.

A bust of Batman, an early 20th century merry-go-round, a metal barn circa 1950’s and a statuette of Donald Duck grace the top shelf of another section of older toys.

“I never thought 12 years ago when I started this that it would ever blossom to what it is,” said Cook. “But a lot of things have happened. Toys R Us going out of business makes it harder for people to buy toys. The Targets and Walmarts put out what’s easily available. But, if you’re looking for something from a toy series five years ago, your only option is to look for it on the internet, in which case you never really know what you’re getting. With us, you get to see it in person, see the value. You can see it, touch it and smell it.”

One of the most enthusiastic store owners we’ve met, Cook finds great satisfaction in carrying such a vast array of products that there is something for everyone. You might see a father and his son come in. The father might be a collector looking for something special that costs a lot. Meanwhile, the son may be looking to spend his allowance and can shop by himself for something fun but inexpensive – something with which to start a collection of his own.

Though the shop also carries merchandise for girls and women, that is not what Lane Heline was looking for.

“I’m here buying some wrestling figures for my son. He and my husband come here to 2ND CHANCE TOYZ on Saturdays to see wrestlers in person as do some other family members who are wrestlers. This is a great place and we come here for many occasions.

The shop often hosts in-person appearances by wrestlers who sit for autographs or pose for photos and also hosts live auctions viewed on Whatnot.com every Tuesday night and Friday night.

“One night we’ll do GI Joe and one night we’ll do wrestling, another night we’ll do Pokemon and people tune in,” Cook said. “The auctions have been one of several benefits we’ve enjoyed thanks to the internet. But actually being here at the shop in person is the real deal.”

A particular joy for Cook and his staff is helping kids like Lincoln Gaither find what they are looking for. Lincoln was all smiles as he was able to locate several boxes of his favorite Marvel Funko Pops heroes.

Lincoln’s younger brother Alex came to look for a video game but his imagination was temporarily captured by a bright green motorcycle nestled among the cars.

If there’s still a measure of the toy-loving child in you, or if you merely channel your inner sense of play through getting hard-to-find toys for your own little ones, we recommend checking out 2ND CHANCE TOYZ at 6 South Ritchie Highway in Pasadena or visiting them online at 2ND CHANCE TOYZ – HOME PAGE or on Facebook or Instagram.

An old-fashioned Pancake Supper at Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church

Save your appetite for an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Supper at Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, 911 Generals Highway, Millersville on Tuesday, February 21 from 4:30 to 7 pm. Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea, orange juice and lemonade are on the menu.

The price for adults is $6.00, for students 13 and up $5.00, for children 6 to 12 $3.00 and for children 5 and under free. For information, visit Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church – At the Crossroads of past and future in witness for Christ.

Anne Arundel Branch of American Association of University Women hosts ERA exhibit

The Anne Arundel Branch of the American Association of University Women, Maryland will be one of six hosts for “Artists4ERA, an art exhibit to bring renewed awareness to the Equal Rights Amendment, on March 3rd at the Baltimore County Arts Guild at the Catonsville Clubhouse from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. The clubhouse is located at 10 St. Timothy’s Lane in Catonsville. The work of iconic artist Shepard Fairey, Chuck Sperry and Tracie Ching is being presented along with that of 27 other artists.

Around The Park Again would like to welcome aboard Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services which joins Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi as a sponsor.

Thus, the 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.”  

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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

It was while doing research on replacing the windows in the former Catholic church that’s known today as Boone Station Hall that project manager Bob Royer visited the chapel at Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville.

Years earlier, Bob and his wife Karen had driven by the pretty chapel on their way to Homestead Gardens on Central Avenue in Davidsonville and did a double take. Though smaller, the chapel bore a striking resemblance to Boone Station Hall.

Somewhat later, Bob and Karen bumped into Holy Family Catholic Church member Chis Gordon at a Watershed Stewards Academy event. Gordon, a Master Watershed Steward, is involved in maintaining and preserving the chapel and church grounds. The Royers mentioned having seen the chapel and the conversation evolved to chatting about its similar style of architecture with Boone Station Hall. The similarities didn’t end there.

Both edifices were built as Catholic churches in the late 1920’s and, even today, they bear a noticeable resemblance to each other. Both have a bell tower and both have similarly positioned entrances. Both have windows with identical panes in the same patterns and color. However, all of the chapel’s windows are square while Boone Station Hall has a combination of square and arched windows.

Built in 1929 as Holy Family Catholic Church, the graceful edifice seen above (and in the opening photo) served the Davidsonville community well until 1982 when a larger church was built to accommodate the burgeoning congregation. The building was restored to its original state in 1991 and preserved as a church but serves as a chapel. It is one of three churches located within the Davidsonville Historic District.

Built by parishioners in 1927, the modest structure that is now Boone Station Hall was home to St. John the Evangelist Church until 1964, when construction was completed on a new church at 689 Ritchie Highway. The YMCA subsequently purchased the facility and land surrounding it adding a small building and a pool. Following bankruptcy proceedings, the property was acquired by Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1965. The newly formed Severna Park Community Center next door leased the facility from Woods and eventually renamed it Holy Grounds Youth Center. Thereafter it served as a coffee house for teens but was soon used extensively for meetings and events.

While the Woods REHAB Group was in the planning stages for their window replacement project in 2020, Royer arranged to visit the Holy Family Catholic Church chapel and was amazed by what he saw. A conversation with Chris Gordon afterward astonished Royer and led the REHAB Group to alter their perspective on their own building’s history.

“From what I’d learned, I told Bob Royer that our church was built in about 1929 from a Sears Catalog church kit,” Gordon said. “It was originally shingled but was white.”

Gordon’s comment was confirmed in an article by Angela Gambill in the Baltimore Sun in 1991 that detailed the restoration of the chapel to its original state earlier that year.

“When the fledgling congregation at Holy Family in Davidsonville needed a church building, late in the ’20s, they started flipping through the pages of the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog,” Gambill wrote. “Oral history from church members at the time recounts how the church arrived by rail at Hall Station off Route 214 and was brought by horse and buggy to its present location, where it was assembled. Older church members recalled seeing boxes with the Sears name on them.”

She added that Catalogs such as Sears offered several sizes and varieties of churches, which were shipped in large sections for assembly.

Royer, in turn, shared what he knew about the original church structure with Gordon. A history of Severna Park called “Reflections” (still available from Bay Media, Inc.) notes that a site along Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard was selected for St. John the Evangelist Church in January of 1927. Construction was soon completed, and a dedication and mass were held on September 14, 1927. As can be seen, the original church had dark brown shingles.

Having taken a close look at the Holy Family Chapel windows during his visit, Royer has no doubt they are the same as those at Boone Station Hall and now believes the St. John the Evangelist parishioners built their church from a Sears kit too. It likely came by rail to the railroad station directly across Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard from the building.

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The upper panes of the original windows in Boone Station Hall were arched but, otherwise, similar as can be seen in the photo below on the right that was taken during a building renovation in 2013. From the outside, square windows exactly like those in the Holy Family chapel are visible along the back of the building and in the anteroom on the side that was converted into a bathroom.

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The roomier balcony at Boone Station Hall overlooks the audience and stage. Observers and photographers lined the rail for a performance by the Freedom Choir in May of 2019 dedicated to the late Capital newspaper reporter Wendi Winters. With the pews long since removed, the former church can accommodate a sizeable audience.

Another similarity between Boone Station Hall and the Holy Family Catholic Church Chapel is that they both have bell towers. Sadly, the Boone Station Hall bell no longer exists. (It was likely removed when St. John the Evangelist’s new church was completed.)

However, the bell in the tower at the chapel peals strongly thanks, in part, to Chris Gordon who was kind enough to ring the bell during a visit by the writer. (He even invited her to ring it which was quite a thrill.)

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Gordon explained that the bell was silenced following the earthquake that took place across Anne Arundel County about a decade ago.

“We had painters out about three years ago to redo the chapel’s trim and they had a lift to get them up to do the work,” Gordon said. “The bell was not working so I gave them $50 and said ‘Take me up to that belfry.’ So I went up on the lift with them and opened the little door there and found that the bell was off its rocker. I quickly went back home, built a frame, got some 2×4’s for leverage and hoisted the bell back up onto the rocker and secured it with the frame.”

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Both properties have lovely campuses with handicap accessible walkways and ecologically sustainable landscaping. Boone Station Hall is renowned for its beautiful pollinator gardens full of native plants. Thanks to Watershed Steward Gordon, Holy Family Chapel has pretty grounds too with lots of rain barrels.

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Though the two buildings’ origins mirror each other, they are no longer two sides of the same coin.

Their uses differ in many ways. According to Gordon, the Holy Family chapel has deliberately been kept as a church. Small and intimate, it is used primarily for weddings, baptisms and funerals. Until recently, it was also used for mass but the COVID pandemic meant all masses were conducted in the roomier new church behind the chapel where parishioners could spread out.

In the half century since the Woods congregation acquired the former church in 1965, the facility has been used for many things. While Holy Grounds Youth Center, it was managed by Severna Park Community Center and used first as a coffee house. Later it was used as a venue for meetings, bazaars and expos, concerts and theatrical performances, and dance and exercise classes like the Kendo martial arts class demonstration (below) during a Fitness Expo in 2010.

With the area where the altar used to be converted to a stage, Boone Station Hall, which is still managed by the Community Center, is a popular venue for concerts. But now and then it’s used for religious occasions as was the case with Woods Church’s Children’s Easter Service and Living Flower Cross procession on April 20th in 2014.

Severna Park’s Boone Station Hall and Davidsonville’s Holy Family Catholic Church Chapel continue to serve each community in meaningful ways. Born from a similar design, both represent charming sides of the same coin.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you 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 cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress.  January 28 marked the start of Jing Ying Institute’s month-long silent auction fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

What could be more uplifting on a rainy Sunday afternoon in January than to attend a Tea Tasting by well-known tea expert Lynayn Mielke hosted by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi.

Mielke, owner of The Well Infused Life at 915 Bayridge Avenue in Annapolis, has literally traveled the world in her quest for knowledge about different teas and their effects on the human body and spirit. Introduced to the audience by Jing Ying Institute owner Nancy Greer, Mielke’s expressive presentation about the art of tea tasting immediately captured the audience’s attention and imagination.

Unlike “going to tea” at a hotel or fancy restaurant where scones, clotted cream and finger sandwiches are on the agenda, a “tea tasting” is just that – a tasting and comparison of various teas. Mielke’s guests would be tasting and comparing three different Chinese black teas during the afternoon and discovering the subtleties of each.

It’s well documented that drinking tea with friends encourages everyone “be present” in the moment – a practice that is greatly beneficial to one’s health. Bearing that in mind, Mielke encouraged attendees to introduce themselves to everyone else at their table.

Her own passion for tea began early.

“I’ve loved drinking tea since I was five years old and having tea with my grandparents,” she said.

It wasn’t until she was an adult acupuncturist, however, that she rediscovered and refined her connection with the beverage. While studying with Professor J. R. Worsley, the father of Five Element Acupuncture, she learned of the connections between acupuncture and herbs. Though intrigued, she chose not include herbal therapy in her own practice. Instead, she delved further into the medicinal, meditative, and spiritual benefits of tea and began recommending it to her patients.

Prior to the actual tasting, Mielke noted that there were two cups at each place at the table. The white cups, she explained, were for drinking the tea and observing the different aromas, colors and flavors of the three varieties. The tiny clay cups at each place were gifts from her to her guests to take home with them. No longer made, the little cups were 20 years old and made from Yixing Clay found only in the Yixing region of Central China. They were originally used in the brewing or tasting process. One of many anecdotes the world traveler shared involved watching those clay cups being made by artisans who were women during one of her visits to China.

Soon, she pointed to the three teas being tasted which were neatly arranged on a table at the front of the room. There were examples of the dry tea leaves of each as well as the wet, or infused, versions of each.

Mielke explained that there are two main varieties of tea plants. Camelia sinensis is grown only in China and is the source for black teas, green teas, white teas, pu-ehr (also spelled puehr) teas, oolong teas, and yellow teas. Of those varieties, only black teas and pu-ehr teas are fermented. Pu-ehr teas can be loose leaf varieties or, more often, you’ll find them with the leaves compressed into small shapes.

Camelia sinensis assamica tea plants are grown in India with two main varieties of strong, large leaved black teas, Assam and Darjeeling.

Examining the examples of dry and wet leaves of each tea being passed around, the guests observed how the tea leaves swelled in size once infused.

Mielke had earlier brewed plentiful amounts of all three of the featured teas and stored them at the proper temperature in stainless steel air pots for everyone to taste. She invited one or two guests from each table to form a line at the air pot furthest left and sample the first tea – a Gong Fu Cha. To honor the tradition of serving others as part of the tasting ritual, each person carried two cups to fill.

Headed by James Kluh, a line of eight people formed. A little bit later, black Labrador guide dog Parker was only too happy to accompany his mistress Wendi Ng to the air pots once the line dwindled.

Ng, whose popular calligraphy classes are hosted by Jing Ying Institute, said she is raising Parker while he’s training to become a Guiding Eyes For The Blind guide dog. He’ll be going back to Guiding Eyes in mid-April for testing to assure he’d make a good guide dog. If all’s well, he’ll receive a good deal of further training before being matched with someone with vision loss.

Mielke, meanwhile, asked attendees to cradle their cups of tea and breathe in the aroma. Surprisingly, she emphasized that it was a perfectly acceptable practice to slurp one’s tea in order to aerate the beverage over the tongue thereby enhancing its taste.

After savoring the Gong Fu Cha, the second tasting of Black Gunpowder Tea from Fujian was introduced. Attendees once more filled multiple cups of tea from the air pots. Among other attributes, the leaves of Black Gunpowder Tea are broad and strong and capable of being reinfused a second time. Those tasting the beverage described it as having a smoky taste.

Having acquainted her audience with two of the three types of tea, Mielke introduced them to a range of tea accessories called Gai wans which are basically small pots that brew a single serving of tea. She also displayed a magnetic tea infuser that she later used to show the audience what a brewing of the final tea, a pu-erh, looks like.

Pu-erhs are aged black teas that are fermented allowing microbials to develop that are beneficial to wellness and longevity. The one she chose to feature for the final tasting was a Mandarin Orange Pu-erh with strong hints of roses and chocolate.

Many attendees said they liked this tea best as the aromas and flavors of rose and chocolate really came through. Though the tasting ended with final cups of tea, the event was not yet over.

Questions were taken and answered by Mielke and helpful tea tips were given. Among them we learned that teas can be kept for two years. However, one should not refrigerate tea leaves. (You can brew the tea leaves and allow the tea to sit out overnight for use in the morning.) Above all, don’t ever microwave tea which destroys the microbials as well as the structure of the tea.

Just as the event was winding down, Lynayn Mielke took a moment to pose for photos with her helpful companion Rodell Middleton and hosts Nancy and Billy Greer.

Afterward, people browsed the Silent Auction table set up by Jing Ying Institute to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association which provides Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Others flocked to a table of teas and tea accessories available for purchase from Mielke’s business, The Well-Infused Life. (Years ago, she recommended teas to her acupuncture clients and soon began selling them. The sign on the table for the East West Tea Emporium is a reminder of the original tea business she launched years ago with her mother.)

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As one might imagine, there was a long line of willing customers for a variety of Well-Infused Life products for sale. To learn more about Lynayn Mielke and The Well-Infused Life, visit Lynayn Mielke | Facebook.

Orphan Grain Train’s “Light Up Ukraine” Drive still going strong

We have a follow-up to our earlier news about Orphan Grain Train’s “Light Up Ukraine” campaign. The effort has been a huge success! To date the organization has collected over $85,000 and money is still coming in. A total of 3,500 lights have been sent to Ukraine so far, with many more on order. OGT has collected enough money to purchase over 11,000 lights. Light Up Ukraine committee chair Elfe Eberle would like to pass on her thanks to everyone who helped OGT in giving LIGHT and HOPE to the people of Ukraine.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you 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 cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress.  January 28 marked the start of Jing Ying Institute’s month-long silent auction fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

There was a stir of excitement the moment attendees stepped through the door at The Rising Sun Inn. Even while taking their seats, guests spied fashion historian and collector Heather Hook assembling her display of women’s clothing from pre- and post-Revolutionary America and were thrilled by the sight.

Susan Giddings, volunteer docent and Grant Management Chairperson for Rising Sun Inn, welcomed everyone while outlining the history of the farmhouse built in 1753 by Edward Baldwin. Located on the road used by General George Washington and the French Major General Comte Jean de Rochambeau during the Revolutionary War, the farmhouse saw much history over the next 100 years as a residence and an inn which also served as a post office, stagecoach stop, public meeting place, and tax collector’s stop.

In 1916 the Ann Arundel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution were able to acquire the much-degraded property from owner Bo Williams with a promise to restore and preserve the farmhouse and make it a center for community history and projects. The building became the DAR Chapter House as well as a historic house museum. It served as a Red Cross Work Center and a Recreation Center for Ft. Meade soldiers during World Wars I and II and, later, as a Tea House, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Giddings next had the honor of introducing Heather Hook as guest speaker for the latest installment of the Inn’s Tavern Talk and Tour Series. She’d first appeared at Rising Sun Inn for a similar event 20 years earlier.

A historic reenactor and collector of original women’s clothing dating from the 1700’s, Hook maintains a collection numbering some 5,000 pieces with most from the Civil War era. She opened her presentation by explaining how she got started.

“I’ve been collecting since my first year of college,” she said. “I had a boyfriend who was into Civil War reenacting, and he asked me to join in. Figuring anything worth doing was worth doing well, I began researching books on ladies’ clothing from the 1860’s and visiting museums. When I went to an antiques shop and found my first dress, I was just in awe that anything that old still existed. I’d simultaneously been gifted a garment from the 1890’s that had belonged to my great aunt that made me feel a direct link with her and increased my interest in clothing from the past.”

After many hours of research Hook realized how fashions change over time. Her lecture covering clothing from the 1750’s through the 1850’s, by the decade, was meant to show how fashion evolved.

She began by showing dresses from the 1750’s and 1760’s prior to the Declaration of Independence. The first was a wonderful example of the standard gown worn by fashionable women from the 1730’s to 1770’s that was known as a Robe a la francaise.

“This one is made out of silk and is trimmed with its own fabric,” she said. “It has a matching bodice called a stomacher, which is a piece that can be changed out to change the look of the dress. You can see from the back that it has fabulous Watteau pleats that fall to the ground.”

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Another fashion trend in the 1760’s was the use of quilted petticoats, an example of which could be seen in the second dress from Hook’s collection. The quilted petticoat (meant to be seen) is made from silk/satin and has extremely tiny stiches. As with stomachers, petticoats could be changed out to change the look of the dress. These dresses were worn by women from the higher classes.

Though “drawers” had not yet been invented (so women wore none), underclothes and accessories were important to “the look”. Cotton shifts were worn under the extravagant garments as were corsets that were intended to mold your body into a desirable shape. You would also wear a pair of pocket hoops (paniers) on either side of the hips. All of the dresses had open slits so you could put your hands through to the hoops where you would keep your incidentals.

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Shoes were a very important accessory and were made of satin. Some came with a wooden platform that the shoe rested in to keep it above the dirt and/or dry during periods of rain.

Hats, known as calash bonnets, were equally important for the well-dressed woman. Voluminous in size to accommodate elaborate hairdos piled high on the head, calashes had cane or whalebone inserts that expanded as the hair expanded.

Calash fabrics were predominantly silk or satin.

Other accessories included purses which tended to be small and delicate with intricate embroidery sometimes created using metal threads.

It was in this era that fans achieved prominence as a fashion statement. The artwork on hand painted fans from the mid-1700’s tended to be beautiful with decorative elements that could include ivory. The fans were large but in later decades, they would become smaller.

By the 1770’s things were changing as the public was less influenced by England and America was becoming more its own country. The next dress shown by Hook was worn in 1778 as the wedding dress of Mayflower family descendant Sarah Bass who married Dr. Ebenezer Alden, also descended from a Mayflower family. It is an English-style robe done in a brocade fabric with trims created from the same material. Simpler Watteau pleats flow down the back. The fabric was probably imported from England or France. At the time, silks and satins were less expensive than cotton which was the highest priced fabric because it wasn’t made here and had to be imported.

Accessories worn with all these dresses included beautifully embroidered aprons and mitts (both short and long).

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By the 1780’s clothing had become less restrictive though dresses still had a train that could be adjusted by a drawstring. Shoes from this time period had smaller heels. As before, and for a long time afterward, there was no right or left shoe. Both were the same. There were supposedly stockings during this period but Hook was not able to find any examples for her collection. As before, no underwear was worn other than a shift.

Moving into the 1790’s, one-piece dresses known as round gowns were fashionable. There was an emphasis on the back of the dress with a slight bump at the back descending into a train. The one shown was worn by Sarah Pennock from Pennsylvania.

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The 1800’s ushered in a risqué era of fashion known for it’s “barely there” gowns that featured empire waists and short bodices that barely covered the breasts. The dress from Hook’s collection was made from lightweight silk for evening wear. She believes the sleeves may have been added later.

The 1800’s also saw the introduction of underwear. Corsets became more structured with wooden pieces called busks running down the center to separate the breasts. Gloves, often made from Kidd, replaced mitts and bonnets became smaller.

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Moving into the Victorian era of the 1840’s, dresses became softer and more rounded with very full sleeves and bonnets became smaller and more casual. Toward the 1850’s there were more conservative American-made dresses created from wool/silk blends in varied and attractive prints.

Last but not least, Hook shared a splendid mid-19th century dress of eirjohn silk taffeta with a matching cape. A number of petticoats would have been worn beneath the dress.

Following much applause and appreciation for Hook’s presentation from the audience, Susan Giddings concluded the Rise and Fall of Fashion event by showing off three fans from Rising Sun Inn’s own collection that have not been on display for many years. The Inn recently received a grant from Americana Corner to conserve the fans and were able to complete the preservation of one fan. Donations from individuals are still being accepted to advance conservation of the remaining two fans. Two of the three fans are shown below.

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Noting that the Rise and Fall of Fashion event sold out and even more people viewed it online, Giddings thanked the audience and explained that Rising Sun Inn is a self-sustaining volunteer organization so funds raised from ticket sales are greatly appreciated. She then invited attendees to the Inn’s historic Tap Room for hot cider and sweets.

Upcoming events at the Inn include “Hopped Up!” on February 18 when guests will learn about the history of brewing in Colonial America presented by Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery. They’ll also enjoy a brew tasting and some lite bites. There are three sessions at 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm. For prices and tickets, visit The Rising Sun Inn Crownsville, Maryland – Home .

Future events will include a Maryland Day tour with costumed guides on April 1, a Tea and Tour event on April 22 and a Make-Your-Own Mother’s Day Tea Cup Floral Arrangement on May 5.

Jing Ying Institute celebrates the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit beginning January 22

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi will celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit with local performances including one for Anne Arundel County SPCA’s Paws at the Mall at 2 pm on January 22.

Jing Ying will continue celebrating with a series of free and low-cost classes and workshops.

Jing Ying will also host an open house on Saturday January 28 that includes a Chinese Lion Dance, demos of kung fu & tai chi, traditional treats, crafts for children, giveaways, and door prizes. January 28 marks the start of a Jing Ying Institute’s month-long silent auction fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org)

The column is brought to you this month 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 cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress.  Celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit with Jing Ying Institute beginning January 22.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Trai Chi

We first met Winsome Brown of Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services in October of 2020 not long after she and sister Dee (Danielle) Morgan Brown opened the business. As part of a virtual event focusing on Alzheimers patient care that she’d organized for the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce called “The Long Walk”, Winsome revealed how the Brown sisters started their company.

After working in New York’s financial sector for over twenty years, Winsome was unexpectedly thrust into the role of a caregiver for her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010.

The sudden pressure to make life-altering choices on her mother’s behalf, without being prepared to do so, forever shaped her views about our health system and what was needed for seniors and caregivers.

Soon, Brown and her sister Dee, a registered nurse, formed Lean On Dee Senior Care Advocates, serving as Certified Senior Advisors and Certified Dementia Live Coaches and Caregivers. Working together, the two basically managed dementia care for Alzheimer’s patients on their own. But, as demand for Lean on Dee’s services grew, they moved quickly from being a “no-touch” service doing home visits and assessments, and referring clients to other agencies, to a full care agency.

“We were doing all the marketing and management of patient care and sometimes even managing the staff of the other agencies we’d referred families to,” Winsome said. “We soon decided we could do it much better than those agencies.”

Working together, with Winsome taking care of business and Dee using her skills as a former Hospice and Palliative Care nurse to oversee patient care, the two developed a bottoms-up approach centered solely on the Alzheimer’s patient and family rather than a revenue-based model.

In the short time since getting their state license last June, Dee and Winsome have added 30 well-trained caregivers to their staff, becoming a level 3 agency, and they’ve instituted an approach to care that considers “the patient first”.

Seated next to each other in their conference room after meeting with one of those caregivers, the sisters noted that they are meeting with so many people on a daily basis that their modest suite of offices at 815 Ritchie Highway suddenly seems crowded and an expansion may become necessary.

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For now, though, they like that the words Compassion, Respect, Quality and Dedication are emblazoned on the wall of the conference room as a reminder to caregivers and clients alike that Lean on Dee is about more than simply showing up and doing the job.

“As far as we’re concerned, our caregivers have to be happy, so we hire skilled people including med techs and pay them at a higher rate than other agencies because we want to have reliable people. As we’re a level 3 agency, we can dispense medications (unlike level 1 or 2 agencies) and we do everything from personal care and companion care to skilled nursing care, ” Winsome said.

With cognitively impaired patients, medication management is vitally important.

These days, a lot of patient care provided by Lean on Dee takes place in assisted living facilities. Most of those facilities care for patients at a ratio of 15 patients to one caregiver and simply aren’t equipped to handle more seriously impaired patients.

Dee emphasizes that keeping the patients engaged is one of the most important aspects of the care she believes every client deserves.

“Many of these people are lonely, so we try to find out from their families what their occupations or interests have been in the past,” she said. “Then we send each caretaker out with a book bag of activities based on those interests so there is something to do after the patient’s physical needs are met beyond just sitting around. One patient, for example, likes to paint bird houses that are built by a different patient. We find something for everyone.”

Dee and Winsome Brown have an ideal balance of skill sets though both are capable of covering all bases if need be. Dee, for example, was the guiding force in developing a template for keeping track of how a patient is doing on a daily basis – a template that has proven invaluable for keeping families informed about their loved-one’s condition and welfare.

Winsome handles the marketing and financial aspects of the business. To that end, she’s sometimes out and about spreading the word about Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services. She, Dee and team were seen at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s “Shoptoberfest” in October.

One or both sisters will be making an appearance this Saturday at the Severna Park Community Center’s Health & Wellness Expo. (See below for details.)

Both Dee and Winsome are very optimistic individuals and feel that they are truly doing “God’s work”. But they do find a few things frustrating. Because they monitor what is going on in their patient’s lives daily, they have been upset and angered by the amount of fraud directed at seniors – especially those who are ill or cognitively impaired.

They note that these vulnerable individuals are constantly bombarded with mailings, phone calls from call centers, and even television commercials with fraudulent offerings. There is tremendous Social Security and Medicare fraud, for example, including ads that urge patients to call a number to see if they are entitled to more benefits.

“They are not going to get ‘more’. It’s simply a grift to get people to buy insurance,” Winsome said. “Families need to keep an eye out for this as we’ve seen people’s savings wiped out by these schemes.”

Beyond that, these are exciting times for Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services.

“We have the best caregivers on the planet and we feel rewarded every single day,” Dee said.

For information on Lean On Dee call 410-449-4538 or visit Senior Care Advocates | Millersville, MD | Lean on Dee Senior Care Advocates.

Health & Wellness Expo at Severna Park Community Center Saturday

A Health & Wellness Expo is being held at Severna Park Community Center this Saturday, January 14 from 10 am till 2 pm. In addition to University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 25 health related businesses/practices will be represented. They range from physical therapy and chiropractic services to fitness training and senior home care. There will also be 13 presenters and demonstrations running the gamut from Anne Marie Flodd from Play & Thrive Speech Therapy and Justin Livezey from Severna Park Strength Performance to Billy and Nancy Greer from Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi.

For information, visit THE SEVERNA PARK COMMUNITY CENTER – SPCC Home (spcommunitycenter.org).

The Rise and Fall of Fashion, 1750-1850 at Rising Sun Inn this Sunday at 1 pm

Rising Sun Inn, in Crownsville, will host a presentation called “The Rise and Fall of Fashion, 1750-1850 this Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., for their Tavern Talk and Tour Series. This installment will feature Heather Hook. Heather started historic reenacting in 1990. Wanting to be as authentic as possible, she ran across her first original ladies Civil War dress in an antique shop and purchased it to study. She was immediately drawn into the world of collecting originals. The Heather Hook originals collection consists of men, women and children’s clothing and accessories from the years 1750-1980.

Heather will share original women’s clothing and accessories from the decades between 1750 and 1850, showing changing styles of ladies fashions. They include decadent fashions from the 1770s with their beautiful silks, those from the risqué 1800s with the Jane Austen Grecian style “barely there” dresses, as well as staunch Victorian gowns meant to show modesty. What women wore under those gowns will be revealed as well.

For information, visit Public Events – The Rising Sun Inn Crownsville, Maryland.

The column is brought to you 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 cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress.  Jing Ying’s Kung Fu and Tai Chi training is an ideal way to start 2023 off on the right foot.