AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
The first quarter of 2024 has seen change for several Severna Park businesses and organizations. The most significant transition has been the closing and relocation of yet another well-known community enterprise. On March 25th, Ledo Pizza & Pasta closed its doors after 32 years as one of Park Plaza’s anchor businesses and began work on the transformation of its new location at 342 Ritchie Highway.
According to Ledo Pizza’s owner Martin Gorman, he bought the restaurant from previous owners in 1998 and believes it was originally opened in 1992. In the 26 years he’s operated the popular eatery, his customer base has grown by leaps and bounds. Ledo Pizza is well-known for participating in and supporting numerous charitable causes and Severna Park events. Because Gorman and his staff have become friends with so many of their patrons, he hates to leave Park Plaza.
“Unfortunately, we lost our lease and couldn’t come to successful negotiations on a new deal. Basically, the rents were raised and we couldn’t remain profitable at those rates,” he explained.
It appears that Park Plaza may be attempting to achieve lease pricing parity with new commercial construction retail sites like Town Center in Parole. Ledo Pizza is the second long-term business to leave Park Plaza based on lease cost concerns. Joann’s Fabrics closed in January.
Ledo Pizza’s new Severna Park location will already be familiar to those who visited the site’s former occupant, Cakes & Confections, (whose owner Michael Brown decided it was time to hang up his chef’s hat, retired, and closed his popular bakery).
Pulling to the curb in front of the eatery last weekend, we could see that the windows were covered with brown paper. However, we opened a door at one end, entered, and were allowed to preview the partially finished space within.
At first glance, we saw that interior construction was in various stages of completion. The walls were freshly painted in shades of pale gray and black, however, the floors had not yet been laid.
To our immediate right, we found a yet-to-be finished front counter with the kitchen area concealed behind the back wall.
To our left, there seemed to be ample room for rows of tables and booths. As soon as the flooring is down, the furnishings will be installed and signage, artwork and decorative items added.
Screens on the walls will enable sports fans to follow televised sports.
Gorman noted that all of the restaurant’s inspections have been completed and he is shooting to open this Friday or Saturday barring any problems with final inspections. He’s looking forward to seeing his customers again and mentioned that a Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting is scheduled for April 11 at 4 pm which should draw a nice crowd. For a definitive opening date and time, follow the Ledo Pizza Severna Park Facebook page.
Renovations and rebranding of Severna Park Community Center unveiled
Equally newsworthy is the recent revelation of an ambitious refurbishment, updating and rebranding of the Severna Park Community Center. Maintenance has been an ongoing priority for the community center but, after 25 plus years of operation, the facility was due a rather extensive renovation. We were taken on a tour of the facility by SPCC executive director Sarah Elder to observe some of the changes.
We first took a peek at the well-outfitted Fitness Center with its welcome mat spelling out the organization’s purpose as a place for users to Gather, Play, Grow and Thrive.
Then, we headed downstairs where Elder was eager to show off The Dance Center where much of the renovation work took place. We were impressed by the innovative transformation of what used to be a storage area beneath the stairs into a cozy children’s play space – a place where young family members can settle while older siblings attend class in one of three dance studios.
“We love our new Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center logo that was designed by its director Kellie Greer,” Elder said. “You’ll see the logo repeated throughout the lower level.”
A lovely bistro with cafe tables lies just around the corner where older kids can have a snack or do their homework while waiting for their classes to begin.
All three of the center’s dance studios have been revamped. Along with the creation of the new logos, the studios were assigned appropriate names. Instead of being referred to as Studios A, B or C, they are now the Chesapeake, Cypress Creek and Bodkin Creek Studios in honor of local bodies of water.
Primarily used for Youth Classes for ballet, tap, jazz, pointe or Cecchett, for Adult Sessions or for Star Elite Dance Program classes or rehearsals, the studios are occasionally used for other purposes. While we were there, the Cypress Creek studio was being used for an arts and crafts class.
Coming back upstairs, Elder drew our attention to the Center’s community bulletin board which had been moved from a crowed wall inside to a better location in the entrance where it grabs visitors’ attention. Below the bulletin board are shelves of pamphlets describing SPCC programs and classes, and programs offered by community center partners like the Chesapeake Ballet Company, Theater in the Park and Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi.
Walking toward the community center pool, Elder veered off to the right as she wanted show off the extensive remodeling of the men’s and women’s locker room/shower areas. She admitted they were previously somewhat shabby and needed a lot of work. The women’s locker room is freshly repainted a pleasant shade of light gray. The Gather, Play, Grow, Thrive motto carries through the entrance and the mural extending down the hallway creates a spa-like atmosphere. There is new flooring that is much improved.
The Gather, Play, Grow, Thrive motto is repeated in the entrance to the locker room… 
…and a mural in the hallway creates a spa-like atmosphere.
The newly redone shower room is now tiled from floor to ceiling.
Similar updates were made to the Men’s locker room.
Renovations did not just occur in the community center building but also in the courtyard between it and Boone Station Hall (which SPCC operates for Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church). Wooden benches that had succumbed to weathering were replaced with weatherproof benches donated in memory of loved ones no longer with us.
Upgrades previously executed by the Woods Church REHAB group to the interior of Boone Station Hall included the building of storage cabinetry and a complete remodeling of the service kitchen. The REHABBERS built a wall to enclose the far side with a door but left the front counter facing the stage open. They also installed kitchen cabinets and equipment and added subway tile throughout.
As far as rebranding is concerned, the Severna Park Community Center website is being updated to be more user-friendly. It’s now easier to find the facilities, programs, classes or events you’re interested in.
As for events, SPCC will be host to a number of its traditional events this year. For now, however, Elder said she is very excited about the community center’s third Black Tie & Boots fundraising gala on Saturday, April 27th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. This year’s gala honors philanthropist Carl Gutschick who has been a supporter of the community center since 1998, serving on the Board of Directors and contributing his time and treasure to the center’s ongoing facility needs.
“This will be the last of our Black Tie and Boots events before switching to a new theme next year so we’ve planned a great evening with a farm to table dinner, live entertainment and many western-themed surprises,” Elder said.
She added that tickets can be purchased at the center’s front desk or online at Home – Severna Park Community Center (spcommunitycenter.org).
Park Hardware’s Native Plant Sale scheduled for May 4th
Park Hardware will be hosting a Native Plant Sale on the store parking lot on Saturday, May 4 from 9 am till 2 pm with complimentary burgers and hot dogs for shoppers. The Park Hardware sale is the place to buy your favorite perennial native plants while supporting Providence of Maryland. Choose from selection of five native perennials in 6 inch pots at $7 apiece.
Broadway Bonanza Cabaret Performance to benefit SPAN, Inc. on April 21st
For the fourth year, Severna Park native Laurette Hankins has created a wonderful Broadway musical-themed concert and silent auction benefitting SPAN, Inc. that will take place at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Parish Hall on Sunday, April 21 at 4pm.
Pianist Anita O’Connor will accompany Hankins as she performs a wide array of show tunes hand-picked from seven decades of Broadway’s best musicals. Tickets are $25 with 100% of net proceeds going to SPAN. They may be purchased by visiting Cabaret Concert & Silent Auction – SPAN, Inc (spanhelps.org).
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
