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
By 5 pm on Monday, rain was falling at Historic Baldwin Hall as a much looked forward to Community Resource Fair was getting underway. One could see from cars in the parking lots that attendees had already arrived.
Representatives from a dozen county agencies and non-profits were set up inside to provide information about services and resources for local families.
Indoors, we found several familiar faces as one entire side of the building was set aside for organizations and churches closely related to the Crownsville and Millersville neighborhoods surrounding Baldwin Hall. Foremost among these was Severn Crossroads Foundation trustee Carolyn Woody. The foundation is the non-profit organization responsible for restoring and maintaining Baldwin Hall. Woody was surrounded by an impressive display of photographs and documents detailing the hall’s rich history.
“We start with information on the construction of Baldwin Hall as the Old Cross Roads Church by the Methodist Society in 1861. We next make note that in 1896 the “crossroads church” was moved across Indian Landing Road to make way for the building of the current Baldwin Memorial Church. The original church was then used as the church school and parish hall until about 1970,” Woody said.
“There was much debate whether to destroy the old church hall in favor of a larger facilty. However, members tirelessly worked to raise funds for the hall, with its lovely Carpenter’s Gothic architecture, to be saved and moved once more. Some of the pictures we have here are from when the building was moved across Generals Highway to its current location and renamed Baldwin Hall.”
The history theme prevailed as representatives from nearby John Wesley Waterbury United Methodist Church were at the next table. The church, which is located at 962 Generals Highway in the Waterbury community of Crownsville, was founded in 1845. The original church was a log building that was later destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in 1863. The third church was built in 1901 and given the name John Wesley Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church and is today known as John Wesley United Methodist Church. Sunday worship services conducted by the church pastor, Rev. Frederick Price, Jr., and a wide range of activities keep the church as vibrant as ever.
Not to be outdone, there was also representation from Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church directly across General’s Highway from Historic Baldwin Hall at 921 General’s Highway. The lovely granite church resembling an English country chapel was constructed and completed in 1896 as the Cross Roads Church. It replaced the Old Cross Roads Church (now Historic Baldwin Hall). Soon thereafter, the name of the church was changed from Cross Roads Church to Baldwin Memorial Church in recognition of the tireless support to the congregation by Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Baldwin. Even today, some locals refer to Baldwin Memorial UMC as “the stone chapel”.
Moving on, we met Scoutmaster Carl Aten and Charter Organization Representative Annie Medford from Boy Scouts of America Troop 804. We’d last encountered the troop, along with members of Girl Scout Troop 192, as they presented the colors during Baldwin Hall’s Re-Birthday Celebration in June. Troop 804 is sponsored by the Severn Crossroads Foundation and meets at the hall.
Moving toward the back of the Community Resource Fair, we discovered a clever “Community Sing” booth from Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Manned by chorus director Sally Burton and member Marge McGugan, the booth was designed to inform attendees about the chorus and quartets, its many fun appearances and activities, and perhaps inspire a few of them to join. (Both Burton and McGugan are also Severn Crossroads Foundation trustees.)
Crossing over to the agency side, we discovered Patrick Hughes and Maddie Lane from the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning & Zoning. To residents from the history rich crossroads area (located along General’s Highway, the famed Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route), zoning is important. People fear the encroachment of development. So there were many questions for Hughes and Lane.
Nearby, Bonnie Paucar, an information specialist from the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities brought plenty of giveaways to attract attention but also had some great information to share. She handed out directories listing a variety of services for senior citizens as well.
Located parallel to one another we found Alison Flores and Alejandra MeInyk from the Office of Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Resources at one table and Andrea from Anne Arundel County Public Schools at the other. Flores and Melnyk were providing lots of useful information but were also inviting attendees to attend the Anne Arundel County Hispanic Heritage Awards at Liv2! Casino & Hotel on October 10th.
Alejandra Melnyk and Alison Flores from the Office of Hispanic/Latino & Multicultural Resources. 
Andrea from Anne Arundel County Public Schools was doing a bit of recruiting.
Andrea, on the other hand was hoping to attract workers to fill openings with the public school system’s Food & Nutrition Services. She was also giving out packets of Smarty Plants seeds with adorable Cheer Pins attached.
We next happened upon some old friends we’ve encountered before. Lisa Dannielle and Cindy Manos from the non-profit Senior Dog Sanctuary said they are currently focused on matching senior dogs with seniors.
“We’re always looking for people to volunteer, adopt or foster our older dogs. Senior citizens often love dogs but can’t afford to have them,” Dannielle said. “Our organization is making it affordable by arranging to supply free dog food, health care and other services for the senior dogs so they can have a home and companionship with a loving senior.”
Lastly, we encountered two agencies we consider very important. Jorge Paucar from the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management was providing Guides to Emergency Preparedness along with little emergency medical kits with Band-Aids, sterile alcohol pads, etc. as well as sunglasses and other items. Next to him an Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System member was handing out equally important information along with tote bags, self-contained notebooks with items helpful in emergency situations like writing paper, post-it notes and stick-on labels and other supplies.
Jorge Pucar from the A.A. County Office of Emergency Management. 
A Crisis Response System team member describing what a Crisis Intervention for a mental health issue is like.
Altogether a good representation of community services for a rainy September evening at Historic Baldwin Hall.
Speaking of rain, we have five great events scheduled for this weekend some of which may be affected by the weather while others might not. We’ll start with those being held on Saturday.
Trinity Bible Church’s Fall Festival on Saturday, September 28
As mentioned last week, a fun-filled Fall Festival is being held at Trinity Bible Church at 99 Truckhouse Road this Saturday, September 28 from 11 am till 2 pm. The FREE community event for people of all ages, will offer food and entertainment for the whole family. The celebration should go off rain or shine as it could easily be moved from outdoors to indoors.
Langton Green’s 10th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, September 28
The public is invited to join the celebration of Langton Green Community Farm’s 10th Anniversary this Saturday, September 28 from 1 pm till 4:30 pm. There will be food, concessions and family fun. Thanks to a sponsorship by Bay Ridge Lawn & Landscape, there will be live music by the Pretty Big Deal Trio. There will also be a few poetry readings and people are invited to enjoy a walk about the farm.
Should the weather surprise us and be sunny, attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair. If there is rain, we are assured by Langton Green Community Farm communications director Patricia Dempsey that the event can and will be held inside. The farm is located at 844-846 Generals Highway in Millersville.
Moving on to Sunday, we have three more events.
Art In The Park at Cafe Mezzanotte this Sunday, September 29
The 3rd Annual edition of Art In The Park held at Cafe Mezzanotte in partnership with the Severna Park Voice is scheduled for this Sunday from 1 till 5 pm. The live Music & Arts Festival is being sponsored by KMA Law with proceeds to benefit Partners In Care.
There will be live music by The Grilled Lincolns featuring Andy Hall with The Betas. In addition to a Beer & Wine Garden Picnic Pavillion, there will be local ice cream, gifts, artists and art galleries. Tickets for the rain or shine event are $58 per person In Advance, $68 at the Door. You can call Cafe Mezzanotte at 410-647-1100 for any other questions.
Rain is not a problem as there are tents and part of the event could be moved inside if necessary.
Severna Park Community Center Fall Festival this Sunday, September 29
Severna Park Community Center’s annual Fall Festival is scheduled for this Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 4 pm. This free community event is also sponsored by KMA Law. In addition to live music, food trucks, artisan vendors and family activities like pumpkin decorating, there will be children’s activities ranging from face painting, games, music and art, Dodge Arrows and critters from Eco Adventures.
We’re told this event is weather-sensitive. Due to the fact that most activities are centered on being outdoors, it could be postponed (probably to October) if there is heavy rain. Stay tuned. We’ll try to keep you updated.
Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails 30th Anniversary at Hatton-Regester Green
The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails‘ 30th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled to be held from 4 to 6 pm this Sunday, September 29 at Hatton-Regester Green. The Old Mill High School Steel Drum Band will be performing beginning at 4:00 P.M. Ken’s Hot Dogs will be on hand. There will be door prizes, a raffle, and lot of great music.
This event is weather-sensitive. The Friends are hoping the rains will be over by 4 pm. If not, the celebration will have to be cancelled.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
