AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
After a week marred by terrorism so brutal it caught everyone’s attention, it was heartening to find the community carrying on. A trio of weekend events provided a sense of normalcy as friends came together in different ways.
Historic Baldwin Hall came alive with melodic four-part barbershop harmonies on Sunday, October 15 as Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presented their program of popular songs called “Music through the Decades”.
For the first half of the concert representing the 20th Century, chorus members appeared onstage in costumes ranging from 1920’s flapper dresses to music director Sally Burton’s modest 1940’s dress and Mary Beth Whisman’s “Rosy The Riveter” getup, and from 1950’s poodle skirts to the 1960’s/70’s “psychedelic flower child” garb worn by members of The Bearfoot Quartet.
According to Burton, the program was put together just for the fun of performing the songs for the community but there was also a more serious purpose.
“Chesapeake Harmony Chorus is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the musical art form of a capella harmony in the barbershop style, through education, competition, performance and community outreach” she said. “The funds we raise from the show help offset our expenses for coaches, costumes, music, and fees associated with being a local chapter of Sweet Adelines International.”
CHC members love any opportunity to appear on the Historic Baldwin Hall stage. The hall has served as the base and rehearsal space for the singers who come from Edgewater, Annapolis, Crownsville, Severna Park and the surrounding area. So it was with pleasure that they began the concert with the number “Overture, Curtains, Lights – This Is IT!”
Then, wearing her Vietnam era nurse’s uniform, Marge McGugan, the first of five narrators, stepped forward to give a little background about the next song performed. Written in 1939 by English songwriters Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, the song “We’ll Meet Again” became one of the most famous from the Second World War era.
As the concert proceeded there would be four other narrators or emcees providing pertinent information about the song or songs being performed. They included Marjorie Rawhouser, Peggy Coulter, Carol Gass and Lisa Freeman.
CHC chose the tune “New Orleans” from the movie of the same name starring Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday to represent The Jazz Age.
The chorus next segued into a group of tunes from 1950’s-1960’s. The first, “Unchained Melody” was written for a prison film in 1955. The second, “Getting To Know You” was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1951 for the Broadway musical “The King and I”. The third, “Consider Yourself”, written for the West End and Broadway musical “Oliver” in 1960 is a particular favorite of CHC and is often sung to welcome new chorus members. In fact, there were three new members making their first appearance with the group.
A highlight of the program was the chorus’ splendid rendition of the Beatles’ 1964 hit “Eight Days a Week” which received a round of applause.
A second highlight of the concert was the appearance of CHC’s award winning Bearfoot Quartet doing a medley of mid-1960’s hits from the The Mamas and The Papas. Looking stunning in their psychedelic threads, singers Patti Platt, Eileen Robinson, Peggy Coulter, and Mindy Cassel sang the folk rock vocal group’s wildly popular “Monday Monday”, and “California Dreamin'” as well as Cass Elliott’s hit single “Dream a Little Dream of Me”.
During an intermission when Halloween-themed goodies were available and raffle tickets sold, the entire chorus retired to a backstage area for a costume change.
Narrator Carol Ann Trembley Gass then reappeared to introduce Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ second and newest quartet, 2nd Star with Cathy White singing baritone, Sally Burton singing tenor, Lynda Walsh the lead, and Mary Beth Whisman singing bass.
2nd Star performed the song “Cheer Up Charlie” from the 1971 movie musical “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the 1983 hit “And So It Goes” written and recorded by Billy Joel.
Wearing electric blue and black ensembles topped by their own version of the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the chorus returned to the stage for a rousing rendition of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen from 1985. Then, moving into the 21st century, they performed “How Far I’ll Go / Go The Distance” from Disney’s 2016 animated musical film “Moanna” and the pop song “Never Gonna Let You Down” by Colbie Caillat.
Ending as they began with a mid-20th century show tune, “So Long, Farewell, Goodbye” from “The Sound of Music”, the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Following the concert, chorus members mingled with friends and admirers. A chat with Sally Burton revealed that CHC has several performances coming up soon. They’ll be at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist being held this Saturday (Oct.21) in Millersville. They are also heavy into preparations for their Christmas concerts. Stay tuned by visiting https://www.chesapeakeharmony.org/.
Support for Israel rally on a Severna Park sidewalk
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and bombings in Israel, we received a tip that a rally in support of the country had been planned for last Friday, October 14th at 5 pm at Severna Park High School. We were curious, drove over, and spotted a small but serious gathering of neighbors being filmed by a crew from WMAR TV. We approached from further down the sidewalk.
We reached the group just as Cape Arthur neighbors Lauren Garber and Julie Jeffers were being interviewed by a WMAR reporter. Both women held signs showing support for Israel.
We learned that the rally had been organized very quickly by Lauren Garber.
“When I saw the absolutely horrible things that happened, I felt we should do something,” she said. “Thinking about it, I remembered that, after 911, the President called for a Moment of Silence on a Friday at 6 pm which most everyone observed. I was inspired to do something similar.”
Garber, who is not Jewish felt so terrible that she contacted to her neighbor Julie Jeffers who is Jewish and was eager to help. Both women reached out on Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram to publicize the rally and many people were supportive. However, they didn’t all come out.
“I believe that, like others, they were frightened to say what they think which is so sad,” said Garber.
Further down the sidewalk, we saw Lauren’s father Joel Garber holding an America Stands with Israel sign amidst several American flag waving friends. He credited his daughter for putting the rally together and getting WMAR interested.
Committed to being out for the evening, we missed seeing the broadcast but understand that it aired along with a piece filmed in Baltimore showing a protest rally from the Palestinian point of view.
Halloween movie magic in Park Plaza parking lot
Later, after making a right turn off B & A Boulevard into Park Plaza, we discovered a wonderful free Halloween movie event taking place in the parking lot courtesy of Jody Buck who is opening a Jody Buck Real Estate office in Millersville as a team leader for Key Group of America Realtors.
The bring-your-own lawn chair event drew a crowd of parents, grandparents and children spread in a kind of semicircle around the screen to view the movie “Hotel Transylvania”.
Some of the smaller kids, sitting on blankets with snacks spread out before them, were totally engrossed in the film. Though not a Halloween “thriller” but an animated film featuring Count Dracula, it appeared to be very entertaining.
On the far side of the parking lot we caught up with Jody Buck by the popcorn machine and Halloween candy bag table.
“I’m a lifelong Severna Park resident and I wanted to do something nice for my community while simultaneously celebrating the fact that I’m opening a real estate office in Millersville,” Buck said.
Judging by the turnout, quite a lot of people were wishing her well.
SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist this Saturday
A reminder that the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s SHOPTOBERFEST with a trick or treat twist will take place this Saturday, October 2l from 11 am to 3 pm in the parking lot of Severna Park Racquetball & Fitness Club at 8514 Veterans Highway in Millersville.
Approximately 46 vendors and organizations will be participating and there will be games, entertainment and a costume contest for kids.
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.
