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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

The most exciting time of the year arrived for SPAN, Inc. on December 11th as donors walked through the doors of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church to drop off donations of foods and gifts for 208 families through the organization’s Holiday Caring Program. (The church donates the space to store them.)

According to SPAN’s Director of Operations Maia Grabau, the program matches donors with families needing help during the Christmas season. The donors receive the name of a family to buy gifts for from one of the schools or from social services. They are then given the names, ages and sizes of each child and they are also asked to provide non-perishable foods for a Christmas dinner along with a gift card for a turkey or ham.

Early arrivals at the desk manned by Grabau and daughter Elizabeth were Evonne Briese and sons Nick and Oliver Marquinez who were donating packages of food and gifts and a pink and white girl’s bicycle. Volunteers Sharon Fenton and Elizabeth Grabau helped them drop off their donations in the church’s multi-purpose room where a taped-off square was numbered to match the number of the family they bought gifts for.

Meanwhile, volunteers Karen Fox and son Brady and brothers Luke and Henry Comer offered to shuttle donations dropped off earlier at SPAN’s headquarters across from the church. They’d check the gifts in, hand the gift cards to Grabau and drop them off down the hall. Then they’d head back for another armful or wagonload.

Keri DeLuca and son Christian brought gifts that were gathered from all their neighbors in Shipley’s choice. They carried their donations back to the multi-purpose room with volunteer Alice Kerwin and were amazed by the well-thought-out system of numbered squares matching numbers assigned the families receiving the gifts.

When not supervising the transfer of donations from the SPAN building, Director of Development Michele Sabean was busy keeping track of which donations were going where. She first checked out donations stored in the Sunday School room used as an annex to the multi-purpose room.

“The front of this room is dedicated to gift donations. In the back of the room, we have donations of food going to families that don’t have children, some of whom are our regular clients. Most food donations have come from the churches,” she said.

“With budgets tight, the churches suggested their congregation members make a small donation of food or a gift. When combined, they make quite a large contribution.”

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Michele Comer’s twin sons Henry and Luke finished the wagon runs and joined her in sorting food donations. The brothers are members of Boy ScoutsTroop 855 based at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church and were volunteering to accumulate service hours toward merit badges.

SPAN’s directors and volunteers are always amazed at the generosity of donors. Natalie Etters and her daughter Abigail had their arms full as they delivered bags full of nicely wrapped packages for Family #1010. After checking in with Grabau, they were shown to the multi-purpose room by Kirwan.

Many neighborhood donations were received including a sizeable contribution brought in by Liz Lax, her son Hudson and neighbor C.J. Whlig. In addition to three enormous blue zippered bags, they had two paper shopping bags filled with even more food and gifts.

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“These gifts are from several families in Fair Oaks on the Magothy,” Lax told Grabau as she unzipped the bags and handed her some gift cards.

This year, individual families, neighborhoods, churches and businesses were as generous as before in spite of inflationary pressures according to Grabau.

“One household gifted 10 families which really helped us a lot,” she said. “More families registered for the Holiday Caring program this year. We even added additional families at the last minute including one mother who was just home from the hospital after having brain surgery and asked for some gifts for her son.”

She added that SPAN has had a significant increase in clients served, with more people asking for financial assistance than for food. Energy bills are hitting people hardest.

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In addition to the Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church donations, contributions were expected the following day from Severna Park United Methodist Church, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church and, of course, Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Businesses involved in donating to the holiday caring program included Howard Energy with multiple packages from Bill and Patti Howard. They were followed through the door by Sally McGuire who made multiple trips bringing in donations from The Matt Wyble Team.

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Donors continued arriving until 4 pm with more the following day. By far, the most meaningful day of all for SPAN, Inc. would be Tuesday, December 13 when recipients arrived at the church to collect the food and gifts that will make their Christmas celebrations brighter than they might have hoped.

SPAN will soon be approaching the time of year when the need is greatest, but donations dwindle. For more information or to make a donation, visit SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org)

Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll patrons brave chilly pre-Christmas weather

Darkness was an hour away when Olde Severna Park’s first-ever Holiday Shop & Stroll began. The wind was blowing and temperatures dropping but shoppers were already forming a crowd in the historic heart of the town.

Theater In The Park musical director Kylie Sjolie commandeered a place on the pavement to gather singers from her Pitch Perfect and Musical Theater Workshops for a quick briefing about the songs they’d perform at 5 pm.

Shoppers were not only welcomed by the storefront businesses on both sides of Benfield Boulevard but by a number of retailers from further afield who’d set up tables.

Hoping to capture the spirit of Christmas, author Marissa D’Angelo sported reindeer antlers trimmed while selling and signing books at her Tales of Charles Island table – books she felt would make great holiday gifts.

D’Angelo’s Charles Island series, based on the island of the same name off the coast of Connecticut, consists of three titles. Each is set in a different era. The earliest, “Cursed Spirit”, focuses on a Native American Indian tribe – the Paugusetts, “Cursed Vessel” is modeled on the pirate Captain Kidd. The third, “Presence”, is set in modern times and concerns a photographer who finds paranormal images in his photos of the island. D’Angelo donates 10% of her profits to the Paugusett tribe and reforestation efforts. Her books may be ordered at Books | Mysty Writes.

Katie Richardson’s Santa hat was warm and was the perfect advertisement for her Year Cheer holiday boxes for kids. The boxes did, in fact, draw many curious kids. Just to Richardson’s left was Meredith Baker from Skin Logic who was selling an array of high-quality and medical grade cosmetics.

Friends Kathy Kline and Tammi Molavi were having a ball and had already visited several shops. Having stopped by The Big Bean , they were carrying cups of coffee and were about to cross Benfield Boulevard to visit Dawson’s Liquors where they hoped to sample a tasty beverage, then onward to Savvy Consignment and Park Books.

Dawson’s Liquors, along with Peaceful Petals and The Blended Essentials, sponsored the Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop and Stroll. We caught up with Blended Essentials’ owner Danielle Bowen who told us retailers along the boulevard – especially Big Bean owner Christie Coster – had talked about doing such an event for a while. They were pleased that 16 businesses agreed to participate.

The tables in front of the shops provided independent or online retailers a chance to bring their products more exposure. At the ColorSTREET table, for example, stylist Chrisie Varner designed glittery little bags to hand out with samples of adhesive nail polish strips and other products that female shoppers really liked.

Just around the corner at 4 Riggs Avenue was the The Red Apron Shoppe where Kate DoCouto was minding the family business. The shop was founded by her mother MaryAnn Neal who was away visiting Denver, Colorado. Interestingly, Neal is one of the merchants who most wanted a holiday event that would draw people to Olde Severna Park.

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As promised, there was music to enjoy. Vocalist/guitarist Daphne Eckman was perched on a stool outside the entrance to The Big Bean providing a touch of jazz as she sang such standards as “I’ll Be Seeing You”.

Just as the sun was going down and Christmas lights were coming on in storefront windows, the Theater In The Park music students assembled next to the Refill Goodness tables to perform a program of holiday songs with both Skoljie and Kraus directing. The singers, ages 4 to 18, loved appearing for a new and different audience. They planned to cross Benfield Boulevard and perform in front of Dawson’s, Savvy and Park Books as well.

An update on Orphan Grain Train’s “Light Up Ukraine” project

Following their Light Up Ukraine Drive, Millersville-based Orphan Grain Train has received $58,000 in donations for Luci Lights – solar-powered lights that are being shipped to Kiev. Project chairman Elfie Eberle said the organization was very thankful for the amazing response.

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods. Holiday gift sets are now on the shelves and, on December 17th, an artist will be on hand to engrave customers’ bottles with personalized holiday greetings.

and 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 classes would make a great holiday gift.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai chi

For friends Jen Lee, Kim Marin, Christy Chisholm and Theresa Bloom (seen above), attending Girl’s Night Out in the lovely holiday setting of Homestead Gardens Severna Park is, by now, a tradition. The one held on December 8th was as festive as ever.

“We’ve come to Girl’s Night Out for many years,” Bloom said. “We look forward to it and we always have a great time.”

Lee, with a shopping basket over one arm, added that all four of them like to socialize – to come and meet their friends.

Pals Laurie Beatty and Amy Orzechowski enjoy the annual occasion just as much. They love soaking in the glamorous atmosphere with Christmas lights twinkling on elegantly trimmed trees and carols playing in the background. High on the list of why they’re drawn to the event is the 25% Girl’s Night Out discount on all merchandise. Sampling foods and beverages from local businesses is an added perk.

“The eggnog at the Brian Boru tables is spectacular,” Orzechowski said.

All four of the food and beverage stations scattered about were popular with the shoppers. At the Brian Boru station set up in front of Homestead’s “gingerbread house”, Patrick Reilly and Hugh Patrick served Shepherd’s Pie and their signature eggnog, which is made at Galway Bay, one of four Irish Restaurant Company restaurants that include Killarney House and Pirates Cove. Manager Kendall Yingling and Berkleigh Howser were also on hand to pitch in when the lines grew long.

Employee Lisa Lawrence said Homestead Gardens Severna Park has been holding Girl’s Night Out for more than five years.

Community and events liaison Jen Sartain agreed and explained that the tradition has been celebrated in all three of the Homestead Garden locations including the original store in Davidsonville and the one in Smyrna, Delaware.

“We do “Girl’s Night Out” only for the holidays,” Sartain said. “We hold the event later in the evening so the women can already have fed their families and have free time. We always bring in local charities and local vendors for food and drink. Our staff starts planning for this event early in the year and works hard setting it up.”

The charity Homestead Gardens Severna Park chose for this year’s event was the Edgewater-based non-profit Blue Ribbon Project that supports victims of child abuse and youth in foster care. Volunteer Linda Rohrbaugh handed out mini cupcakes for the charity.

Stepping around a corner just past Rohrbaugh, Girl’s Night Out shoppers discovered jazz pianist Gary Harmon who added a nice touch to the occasion with carols and vocals on standards like “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm”. Harmon will be playing at Homestead Gardens Severna Park every Saturday during the holiday shopping season.

It’s true that not every shopper came specifically for Girl’s Night Out but everyone who did really enjoyed it. Darby Davis said this was her first time at the event. She’d simply stopped by to look for a holiday bouquet for her home.

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“I sort of followed the crowd, found this convivial setting and learned there was a discount offered for Girl’s Night Out shoppers,” said Davis. “It was great timing for me.”

Kelly Clark, likewise, was unaware a special event was going on. She’d stopped by to select a game for a child’s present. She liked what she saw and was really pleased to hear she’d get a discount.

“Millersville-based Be My Guest Catering office manager Malinda Coppola stepped in for owner Sandra Demilio to serve the Girl’s Night Out crowd. Shoppers Suzie Schuyler and Patti Filshea declared the canapes she handed them delicious. They immediately tried to guess the ingredients in the luscious spread. Turns out goat cheese and figs featured prominently among the ingredients.

“We come to this event every year for our holiday girl’s trip, Schuyler said.

An hour into the event, shopping picked up and the crowd began migrating toward the far side of the main showroom where dried berry arrangements and outdoor decorations took center stage. Some shoppers pushed carts, others carried baskets, quite a few had a glass of eggnog or wine in one hand.

Located against a backdrop of colorful birdhouses, the Fishpaws Marketplace station seemed to be a natural gathering place where shoppers took a break and chatted with one another while sampling one or more wines. Ally Edwards offered Campo Viejo Cava on ice while Teri Schroter ladled out cups of warm Spiced Wassail from Sweetland Cellars. She also served first-of-the-harvest Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau for 2022 – a wine their customers ask for every year. Fishpaw’s cheese manager Teri Pheobus was spotted a short distance away bringing a cooler containing more of the gouda she was serving and additional wines.

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The widely predicted long lines at the checkout counter were starting to form but Girl’s Night Out was far from over. Women continued to stream through the entrance in pairs or groups of three or four. Most started the evening with a sip or a nibble before checking out the latest in holiday decorations or gift items.

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It seemed as if everyone attending Girl’s Night Out really did want their Christmases to be Merry and Bright.

Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll on December 18th

On Sunday, December 18th, from 4 pm to 7 pm visitors will be welcomed to Olde Severna Park’s Shop & Stroll. Sponsored by Peaceful Petals, The Blended Essentials, and Dawson’s Liquors, the event will feature live music, shopping, extra vendors, food and drinks.

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According to Blended Essentials co-owner Ella Bowen, participating businesses will include, in addition to hers, Peaceful Petals, The Big Bean, Savvy, Jenos Steaks, Dawsons Liquors, Sophies Crepes, Chris & Becks, Park Books, Gallery 564, Refill Goodness, Bohemian Black, Red Apron Shoppe, Skin Logic, Color Street Nails, Christalene Visionary and many more. For more details, visit Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll | Facebook.

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods with which to grace your holiday tables. Tastings for wines, liqueurs and beer this Friday, December 16.

and 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 classes would make a great holiday gift.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League mentioned weeks ahead that there would be a surprise at this year’s Community Tree Lighting in front of the organization’s headquarters at 1 Holly Avenue on December 2nd.

Indeed, there was a surprise! Glittering white lights on a historic and enormous tree loomed high above the Chamber building. Decorated by Pasadena-based Maryland Lighting & Sprinklers, the evergreen could be seen from most of Olde Severna Park and caused a collective gasp from all who saw it.

At one time or another, much of the assembled crowd walked beneath its branches while gazing up into the lights.

The “big tree” was first lit by former chamber CEO Linda Zahn shortly after the organization acquired and moved into the former Regester home at 1 Holly Avenue in 1995.

“In a few years I set my sights on a community tree. I’d wanted to light a big evergreen tree but was told it was too close to the power lines,” Zahn said. “So I lit the big holly tree right beside our building. We beefed up the power with outlets outside on the side porch and I had colorful lights custom made based on the design of the Naval Academy Alumni House tree.”

” I think the name of the guy who volunteered to climb the tree – yep, he climbed it! – was Steve Darley and we ran the lights vertically because of the shape of the holly.  There was a problem with the tree being so prickly, and also the light sockets that faced up caught rainwater and shorted out.  There were other issues.  Eventually I retired the project and moved to the smaller holly in front of the Chamber building because it was manageable.  I think it’s fantastic that folks have come up with a plan to light the big tree. So now there is a tree in front of the Chamber and also the tree at the train station.”

In keeping with tradition, the smaller holly fronting the Chamber building was lit to the singing of “Oh Christmas Tree” by the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus.

A larger than normal crowd attended the tree lighting this year to celebrate just being with each other, to take in the atmosphere, to sing along with the carols and view performances by the Dance Center of Severna Park’s Star Elite Dancers, and the Creative Force Dance Center Dancers. Some families admitted they were drawn to the event by the sight of the big tree.

Families with children made a beeline for Santa Claus or The Grinch, both of whom took time to lend an ear and endlessly posed for photos.

Instead of an open house with homemade cookies inside the chamber building as in past years, treats were served on the lawn. The Sweet Satisfaction Ice Cream Truck was there and long lines formed. Their menu board listed warm desserts including Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies, Warm Pineapple Upside-down Cake, Warm Berry Blossom, Warm Sticky Toffee Cake, and Warm Salted Caramel Fudge – all served with a complement of ice cream.

Among others, Advance Auto Parts handed out candy at one tent while, beneath The Matt Wyble Team tent, The Big Bean’s owners, Christie and Greg Coster, handed out cup after cup of hot chocolate.

The Costers had long wanted to light the big tree and found out that Matt Wyble had the same thing in mind. However, the cost was prohibitive. The three fortunately found Matt Smith from Maryland Lighting & Sprinklers who generously offered to do the lighting for half the cost as a donation if the Costers and Wyble raised the remaining half. They obviously did.

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s holiday happenings didn’t end with the tree lighting. A mere four days later on Tuesday evening, December 6 at 5:30 pm, League opened the doors of the ballroom at Chartwell Golf and Country Club for the 12th Anniversary Holiday Taste & Sip event with 20 local restauranteurs and merchants providing some outstanding food and drink.

For the 12th year, The Matt Wyble Team from Century, New Millenium was the presenting sponsor for the event but there were a total of 17 sponsors from the local business community.

Rain fell intermittently as the evening began and guests arrived in groups of two or three. In no time at all, the crowd swelled to 300 attendees. Once past the ballroom’s entrance, they were treated to a repertoire of familiar Christmas carols by the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.

Between friends, neighbors and business associates to meet and greet, beautifully prepared food and drinks to taste, and a host of Silent Auction and raffle items to check out, there was a lot to take in.

A mix of restaurants and businesses participated (from Taste & Sip veterans like Lisa’s Cakepops, Mi Pueblo, Firehouse Subs and Cafe Mezzanotte to new ones like Green Valley Marketplace) with their wares tastefully displayed throughout the ballroom and beyond. Some were a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds like the extravagantly laid out table from Titan Catering. Culinary Director Daniel Hlusak’s “tastes” included sumptuous hors d’oeuvres of bourbon-glazed steak.

Still bathing in the glow of their successful appearance at the Chamber’s tree lighting, Sweet Satisfaction Ice Cream Truck’s Cindy and David Geipe added a touch of Christmas with a jolly Santa and a touch of class with delicate little ice cream cones.

Also making spirits bright, literally, were Teri Pheobus, Ally Edwards and Teri Schroeter from Fishpaws Marketplace. The trio had bottles of Campo Viejo Cava chilling on ice, an aged Gouda to complement the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, and Sweetland Cellars Spiced Wassail from Boordy Vineyards warming and ready to ladle into cups.

Nick Jacob from Adam’s Taphouse Grille was serving barbequed pork sandwiches and barbequed ribs, both of which are favorites of Karen Osborne. It was great to see Osborne, owner of Karen Renee Designs, back in town from Florida. She was attending the event with her mother-in-law Betty Winkelmeyer Wells who has attended every one of the chamber’s 12 previous Taste & Sips.

Looking glamorous for the occasion, Donut Shack’s Robin Bardinali and Ally Matthews served the shop’s newly created Bread Pudding from a silver chafing dish along with cups of Donut Holes. The pair had fun greeting old friends and making new ones.

Among the many folks they knew from the business community were Anita Dewling from the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and Larry Sells of Larry Sells Consulting, LLC and Jessica Morgan Wilson and mother, Dawn Wilson, from Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery.

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What Taste & Sip Holiday event would be complete without some excellent offerings from veteran participant Cafe Mezzanotte? Owner Tommie Koukoulis and Michael Reigioa offered an assortment of tastebud teasers including duckfat-braised guinea hen – a rare treat.

A Silent Auction table wound its way across the entire room with donations from businesses throughout the greater Severna Park area. Donations ranged from baskets filled with fruit or wines – or, in the case of Jing Ying Institute’s Nancy Greer, a plush panda – to gift certificates for veterinary services or children’s exercise at Rolly Pollies.

For this year’s Holiday Taste & Sip, the 206 Restaurant Group’s Park Tavern and JB’s joined forces with two offerings from each restaurant. Park Tavern’s Braised Bacon Bites and Bloody Mary Shrimp Ceviche and JB’s Garlic Knots and Boneless Wings were quite a hit. Veteran Taste & Sip participants Greg and Christie Coster from The Big Bean provided after dinner coffees and sweets while chatting about their success in lighting the big tree.

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According to Liz League, the 12th Anniversary Holiday Taste & Sip event, the organization’s biggest fundraiser, was wildly successful financially bringing in enough funds to permit a donation of $1,000 to the Anne Arundel County Foodbank and donations to a number of other charities. She noted that the number of attendees exceeded expectations and, while lots of chamber members were in the crowd there were many new faces.

“Everyone was so pleased to be out seeing everyone,” she said.

Santa on the B&A Trail on December 10th

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails organization has announced that between 10 am and 3 pm on Saturday, December 10th, Santa will be traveling along the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail in his sleigh. He’ll make a total of nine stops. Families may visit with Santa (Mark Garrity, Superintendent of Anne Arundel Co. Recreation & Parks) and his elves (Park Rangers) at each of those stops where they will be handing out candy canes and collecting non-perishable food items for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

The scheduled stops will begin at Arnold Station at 10:00 am, Jones Station at 10:45 am, Hatton Regester Green at 11:15 am, Robinson Road at 11:45 am, Whites Road at 12:15 pm, Earleigh Heights Ranger Station at 12:45 pm, Jumpers Hole Shopping Center at 1:45 pm, Harundale Shopping Center at 2:15 pm and Sawmill Creek Park at 3:00 pm. (In case of rain, the park rangers will still be at the various stops collecting non-perishable food donations.) For information, call 410-222-6141.

19th Annual Holiday Party and Silent Auction for Charity for Jing Ying Institute

A Silent Auction benefitting the non-profit Good Neighbors Group will be part of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi’s 19th Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 17 from 3 to 4:30 pm.

Good Neighbors Group was chosen for the holiday silent auction because the organization strengthens communities by engaging people to help one another in and around Anne Arundel County. Some of their projects are ongoing like their regularly scheduled blood drives for Anne Arundel Medical Center. Among their best-known projects is their S(o)uper Bowl Food Drive uniting 44 neighborhoods from Severna Park and across the Broadneck Peninsula in collecting non-perishable foods for area food pantries.

Jing Ying Institute has raised over $125,000 for a variety of charities that help others.

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods. Holiday gift sets are now on the shelves and, on December 17th, an artist will be on hand to engrave customers’ bottles with personalized holiday greetings.

and 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 classes would make a great holiday gift.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi

Taking a break from holiday shopping in the cozy surroundings of Donut Shack, with its original mid-Twentieth Century counter and homey Christmas decorations, is somehow reassuring. Customers’ stress simply melts away as they enjoy a cup of coffee and a delectable cream-filled donut.

If they’ve arrived mid-morning or early afternoon, owner/manager Ali Matthews may still be there to greet them or share the latest local news. For the fourth Christmas since she and partner Ben Hilliard took over the shop in 2019, the Donut Shack tree is decorated and nestled in its corner near the window so as not to block the iconic image of downtown Severna Park as it appeared in the late 1950’s.

As a special touch this year, Matthews proudly strung 15 initialed Christmas stockings along one wall for each of Donut Shack’s 15 employees.

“I’m grateful for every one of those 15 employees,” she said. “I’ll admit that doing the decorating, as we come to the end of our third year of operation, has put me in a reflective mood.”

She’s been remembering the challenges she and Hilliard faced when they partnered with other small business owners to purchase, revitalize and restore the neighborhood business that had been run for 34 years by former owners Bill and Stacey Prevezanos.

The Grand Re-Opening of Donut Shack was held on February 29, 2019 – just thirteen days before COVID pandemic restrictions mandated the closure of their counter and table areas.

“We had a lot to overcome,” Matthews recalled. ” Prior to our purchase, the business was under different ownership briefly (less than a year) and so badly operated that they ruined the shop’s reputation. The fact that the community at large was willing to welcome us back and give us a chance was a win from the get-go.”

“Our biggest challenge was learning to make the donuts from Prevezanos – a master-donut maker. It took Bill almost fifty years to perfect his recipes, but we had to learn the donut-making process really quickly. It was hard and was further complicated by the fact that we had COVID on our hands.”

Several local businesses did not survive the pandemic, so Matthews and Hilliard consider the fact that Donut Shack is still here after three years a real success. The business is hardly a “donut dynasty” but the feel of the place is what the partners wanted.

“We’re bringing a good product to our customers and giving them a place to come that really isn’t like other places,” Matthews said. “The business is good for me personally because I’ve been able to bring my family into it as well. My brother-in-law runs my kitchen and my son, a high school student, works at the shop on the weekends.”

Having COVID restrictions forced the Donut Shack staff to make changes immediately. Things they’d thought of eventually adopting – like going on-line and making deliveries – had to be implemented in less than a month for their very survival.

Matthews and Hilliard are very grateful that the community was supportive enough to enable them to find a way to stay afloat. In the early days of the pandemic, selling donuts from tables outdoors in front of the shop when it was cold was daunting, but people continued dropping by for them. The finishing racks of donuts were moved to the far side of the shop for easy access but, with the doors opening and closing, the donuts got cold.

“People would say, ‘We think the donuts may be stale’, and we’d assure them that they were freshly made but just cold and would be fine once they warmed up,” Matthews said.

Thanks to Hilliard’s technical and organizational expertise, the business was able to start the local deliveries within a month, quickly expand them, and continue to expand them even now. The shop currently rotates the schedule to include a different delivery area each weekend. They do the local Severna Park corridor as far as Cape St. Claire and now go as far as Centreville on the Eastern Shore and to South County as far as Shadyside. The rotation takes five weeks to complete before starting all over again. They also do special occasion deliveries for weddings, graduations or other events

Matthews notes that donuts are an indulgence, though an affordable one, that people don’t have to buy.

“We really appreciate that the community has kept alive the tradition started by Bill and Stacey and have continued buying our products through these tough times,” she said.

Now that she and the staff have learned most of the variables and “gotten the donuts down”, they are looking to try out new ideas. Efforts are being made to interest local businesses in having donuts delivered for coffee breaks or meetings on a specific schedule. As soon as they get the proper clearance from the health department, they’ll be bringing back the warm soups in the afternoon that were popular when Prevezanos ran the shop. They’ve even created a recipe for a tasty “Donut Bread Pudding” they introduced at Thanksgiving.

Donut Shack employs three excellent bakers to do what Bill Prevezanos once did by himself but their workload is steadily growing. Matthews is pleased to see the shop fully staffed at a time when other establishments are having trouble finding help. Some employees have been with them from the very beginning.

As with most local businesses, the owners acknowledge that the recession is hitting Donut Shack hard.

“The cost of goods is extremely high,” Matthews said. “We’re keeping our costs at $1.50 per donut. With price points being what they are though and considering that everything here is made by hand and labor intensive, it’s hard to make a profit.”

“The aggressive cost increases are why, instead of saying ‘I think we’ve made it’, I’m saying ‘I think we’re still treading water,’ she added. “I’m happy we’re still able to tread water. It’s frustrating to realize we’ve got the product down and business is good with lots of customers but we’re barely able to make our bottom line. We’re trying to think of everything we can to attract more sales like the bread pudding.”

Matthews has spent time recently bringing Donut Shack products to farmers markets and community events like the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST and the Severna Park Community Center’s Halloween Spooktacular in order to expose them to the public. On December 4th, she’ll be at the Heroes Christmas Market in West Annapolis from 8 to 11 am. On the evening of December 6th, she’ll be featuring the shop’s new Donut Bread Pudding along with Donut Holes as one of many food and beverage purveyors at the Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip event.

She’s by far, happiest when working in the shop and loves seeing parents who came to Donut Shack as kids coming back with their own children or, in some cases, grandchildren.

“The kids get so excited and they sometimes make us pictures that we hang up. It’s a tradition we’re trying to instill in new generations,” she said.

For a tasty treat, stop by Donut Shack at 497 Ritchie Highway or order online for pick-up at the shop or delivery by visiting Hand Cut Donut Shop With Ceremony Coffee – Donut Shack (theshackisback.com).

Orphan Grain Train strives to “Light Up Ukraine”

Tuesday morning found Elfie Eberle, who is heading up Orphan Grain Train’s “Light Up Ukraine” effort, putting stickers on boxes of Luci Lights with volunteer Linda Zahn to get them ready for shipping to Kiev, Ukraine.

Eberle, the founder and former director of Orphan Grain Train’s Maryland chapter and currently its Solicitation Director, explained the project.

“OGT has sent thousands of solar-powered lights to African countries with no electric grid. They’ve had a major impact on the lives of many,” she explained. “Our organization is now collecting funds to purchase these lights for the people of Ukraine who are living without electricity.”

“MpowerD, the company that manufactures Luci Lights, has offered them to OGT for Ukraine at a cost of $7.50 each – a tremendous saving since they sell on Amazon for $24.99.”

Luci Lights are clear, inflatable, solar-powered lights that never need batteries. They contain 10 LED bulbs emitting 75 lumens and can shine for up to 24 hours on a single seven-hour charge.

Orphan Grain Train is asking for people to support its mission to “Light Up Ukraine” by donating to the cause. Any amount will be appreciated. By acting now, two lights will be sent to Ukrained for every light you purchase. To make a donation, visit Maryland | Orphan Grain Train | Sharing resources and bringing Christ’s name and character to needy people both far and near. (ogt.org) and click the Donate to Maryland button or mail a check to Orphan Grain Train – Maryland Branch, P.O. Box 1741, Millersville, Md. 21108.

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods. Holiday gift sets are now on the shelves and, on December 17th, an artist will be on hand to engrave customers’ bottles with personalized holiday greetings.

and 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 classes would make a great holiday gift.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

For the staff at Homestead Gardens in Severna Park, having the animated elves blow a fuse while decorating for the holidays was a temporary inconvenience. The overall effect of the completed display was stunning, however. Finished just in time for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, hundreds of dazzling decorations can be seen throughout the store.

Children find those animated elves fascinating, but they like watching the model train travel through the tunnel and round the tracks even better.

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Mom and dad, on the other hand, can wander through forests of decorated trees and shelves of decorative or gift items.

Partners In Care’s gathering of Elves for Elders December 3

Saturday, December 3rd, is kick-off celebration day for Partners In Care’s “Elves for Elders” program at the organization’s Upscale Resale Boutique at 8151 Ritchie Highway, Festival at Pasadena.

In an effort to spread Holiday cheer, PIC’s Elves for Elders volunteers will be collecting and delivering Christmas stockings/gift bags to seniors in need. 

The Elves for Elders program was born out of the realization that there’s a loneliness epidemic among the elderly. Aging brings wisdom but seniors face inevitable losses as neighborhoods change over time and loved ones and friends are gone. Decreased energy and mobility contribute to a loss of independence meaning the holidays are particularly challenging – especially for those who live far from family and don’t have anyone to share them with.

Therefore, PIC’s Elves for Elders program asks for donations of Christmas stockings filled with useful items like shaving cream, shampoo or soap, warm socks, gloves or scarves, useful household items like flashlights or kitchen towels, puzzles, games or magazines, and non-perishable foods and/or gift cards…or people may prefer to donate money.

PIC volunteer Sue Origilio who heads the Elves for Elders program, said the all-day celebration scheduled for December 3rd came about several years ago as the perfect time to deliver those Christmas stockings, get together with each other, and recognize those who make the program possible.

(Having made arrangements for transportation, Origilio needs to have the stockings or donations by December 3 at the latest.)

“The Elves for Elders celebration will take place all day December 3rd,” she said. “Santa and Mrs. Santa will be on hand so bring your children or grandchildren. There will be a 50/50 raffle and there will also be a gift table with a free gift for everyone.”

For more information, see Partners In Care, Maryland | Pasadena MD | Facebook.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber holiday events

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced the Community Tree Lighting and Open House will take place at 1 Holly Avenue in Olde Severna Park on December 2nd from 5 to 6:30 pm. Entertainment will include dancers, music, cookies, the Big Bean’s Hot Chocolate, Sweet Satisfaction’s ice-cream, and more. The event is free and both Santa and the Grinch will be there.

The chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip event will take place December 6 at Chartwell Golf & Country Club from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. An evening of food, drink and music is planned where attendees can sample offerings from our local restaurants, bakeries and liquor stores in a wonderfully festive atmosphere. According to chamber CEO Liz League, tickets are still available. For tickets, email info@gspacc.com or call 410-647-3900.

Girls’ Night Out at Homestead Gardens Severna Park

Grab your gal pals and head to Homestead Gardens in Severna Park on December 7th for Girls’ Night Out from 6 to 9 pm to sample, shop, sip & stroll thru the showroom, greenhouse and nursery. Enjoy libations as you wander through thirty themed Christmas trees, finding inspiration for home decor, gifting and holiday traditions. Garden Rewards members can enjoy $10 off the purchase of items priced at $50 or more. For information, visit Girls Night Out 2022 – Homestead Gardens, Inc.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Center

According to Severna Park Community Center marketing director Amy Holbrook, Cookies & Cocoa with Santa is right around the corner. The free family-friendly event will be held December 9 from 5 to 8 pm with a Candy Cane Lane of holiday decorated automobile trunks, games, crafts, a movie and treats in Boone Station Hall as well as a dance performance by the Dance Center of Severna Park’s Star Elite Dancers. There will also be vendors and a photo booth.
The community center is inviting local residents to be a part of Candy Cane Lane by helping fill the parking lot with decorated holiday themed trunks. Local businesses are encouraged to participate too as a way to market their businesses. 

Those wanting to decorate their trunks for Cookies & Cookies with Santa can click the link below and submit their registration at https://form.jotform.com/223186349074157.

A Celtic Christmas Celebration followed by Messiah Sing-Along at Woods Church

On December 9th and 10th at 7 pm, the Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church choirs will join the Teelin Irish Dance Company and the Elysian Dance Theater Company in a program called Light Has Come – A Celtic Christmas Celebration. The concert will include a full orchestra with traditional Irish instruments, guest soloists, and beautiful lighting. The concert is free, but a ticket is required at www.woodstix.org.

On the afternoon of December 17th at 3 pm a Messiah Sing-Along is being held. The singing will be led by a string quartet, Woods organist Ted Markle and soloists from the Baltimore/Washington Area. This is a free event. For more informatin on either of these events, visit Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org).

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for holiday gift-giving or for your table.

and 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.   

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and by Fishpaws Marketplace

Rarely have two long-awaited events occurred at the historic intersection of Old General’s Highway, Indian Landing Road and Millersville Road known as the Severn Crossroads been held in the same timeframe. However, the month of November saw two wonderful events happen back-to-back.

The first, the Baldwin Memorial United Women in Faith Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar, happened on Saturday, November 5th after a two-year COVID-related pause. The annual event has long been a major fundraiser for the missions of Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church. The historic Stone Chapel built in 1944? is home to Baldwin Memorial UMC, the women chose to hold the bazaar in the church’s Education Building next door.

One of the earliest holiday events of the year, the bazaar was quite festive with all the traditional elements that have made it a favorite Christmas shopping destination. It was definitely one of the busiest…and no wonder. Tables laden with Christmas decorations and multitudinous gift ideas stretched from one end of the main hall to the other. We visited a number of them.

Ready-to-display holiday decorations like those made by John and Peggy Murphy were selling so well, their table would soon be empty.

Two tables down from them, vendor Laura Zlatos from Intrinsic Images was definitely into the holiday spirit sporting reindeer antlers as she sold her stained glass and fused glass jewelry and ornaments.

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At one of Baldwin UMC Women’s tables that was filled with numerous handmade treasures, Susan Wittek and Debbie Snowberger showed off crocheted items, knitwear, quilts, linens and Christmas decorations as well as hand painted cribs ideal for a nursery and similarly painted highchairs

Behind them, accordionist Gene Barbato added to the merry atmosphere with a continuous flow of carols.

The holiday bazaar, a major fundraiser that provides financial support for the church’s missions, was even busier than expected – so busy that UWF’s “fabulous” bake table was in danger of selling out with an hour still to go.

Surprised by the big turnout, bake table minders Janice Ann Crowe and Margaret Sommerman were down to their last few baked goods including brownies, cookies, a sheet cake an apple cake and a trayful of Cathedral Windows (fudge with multicolored marshmallows that we can confirm was delicious). There was still an hour to go.

The handcrafted Christmas trees, stockings and hand painted China from Barbara Gill of EarthSense Solutions took up most of one wall. Gill is dedicated to saving the planet one family at a time.

There were wonderful products as far as the eye can see. Quilts, Etc. by Anne had

And who could forget the youngest entrepreneur at the holiday bazaar. Emma Clapper not only helped sell her mother Becky’s Clapper Creations but also sold the scrunchies she created.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presents “It’s The Music” at historic Baldwin Hall

Just across Old Generals Highway from Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ “It’s The Music” concert got underway on Sunday, November 13th at Historic Baldwin Hall at the intersection of Old General’s Highway, Indian Landing Road and Millersville Road known as the Severn Crossroads.

(Built in 1861 as Old Crossroads Church, the building served as a house of worship until replaced fifty years later by the newer Stone Chapel. It was eventually moved across Old General’s Highway to its present location and renamed Charles W. Baldwin Hall.)

From the moment 2nd Star Quartet members Patti Platt, Mary Beth Whisman, Lynda Walsh and Sally Burton kicked off their red high heels midway through the chorus of the tune “Brand New Shoes”, the crowd was with them.

The quartet’s appearance in Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ show “It’s The Music” Sunday at historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville was a thrill for them and for every member of the chorus. Burton, the chorus’ director reflected that they’d all come a long way.

During the scariest part of the COVID pandemic when choruses and choirs all but shut down, Cheseapeake Harmony Chorus members wanted to stay together and do the thing they love best – singing. Their director was determined to find a way to do it.

Now, performing before an audience for the first time post-pandemic, the chorus delivered a program with the perfect blend of songs in four-part harmony and some impressive stagecraft describing how they’d stayed afloat for the past two years. They’d decided the name for the show would be “It’s The Music” because “the music” is what kept them together.

The chorus opened the show with the curtains parting on the Baldwin Hall stage to reveal them arranged as usual but with narrator Laura Schwartz at the podium and director Sally Burton out front. By way of reacquainting themselves with their audience, they began with the song “Getting To Know You”.

What followed was a musical journey through the past two years as the group did everything possible to continue making music together. After meeting for a while on Zoom, they realized the technology didn’t work well for rehearsing their songs and looked for an alternative.

Burton came up with a great way to sing together while remaining far apart – a parking garage. She found a sound system that enabled every singer to have a microphone and a headphone with a radio receiver in it, allowing their voices to be transmitted over a special frequency so they could sing together from their cars.

Using artwork illustrating the feat, the chorus and their director, who’d donned knit cap, woolen scarf and mittens, recreated one of the rehearsals while learning the songs “How Far I’ll Go” and “Go the Distance”.

Because it was cold rehearsing in the winter in the parking garage, Burton decided it was time to move back to their regular rehearsal space at Baldwin Hall

The building’s spacious interior allowed room for the singers to rehearse safely if spaced apart, wearing masks and vaccinated for extra measure. Eileen Robinson, a nurse who’d treated COVID patients, directed them in a number representative of what that experience was like – “A Whole New World”. Two special appearances followed.

As noted before, the first special appearance featured Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ Sweet Adelines Region Nineteen award-winning 2nd Star Quartet performing “What’ll I Do” and “Brand New Shoes” in perfect barbershop harmony.

Next, guest soloist Sarah Burton Fremuth, (Sally’s daughter), took on the role of a lonely young newcomer singing in her backyard and wishing for a place to share her talents. Leaning on a garden fence singing a song called “Corner of the Sky”, she was noticed by a neighbor.

The neighbor, a Chesapeake Harmony Chorus member, invited Sarah to a rehearsal. She was warmly welcomed by the group and was delighted with their harmonic renditions of “Hallelujah” and “Consider Yourself”.

A short intermission gave audience members a chance to mingle, buy raffle tickets, or grab a snack.

Act Two began with the crowd absolutely charmed by the appearance of the Bearfoot Quartet, Chesapeake Harmony Chorus’ second award-winning chorus. Formed in 2013, the group consists of lead singer Peggy Coulter, baritone Patti Platt, tenor Eileen Robinson, and bass Mindy Cassel who injected a touch of humor by showing up in a kilt. Cassel thought she’d wear the garment in —- with the fact that the quartet’s first number was the lilting Scottish “Skye Boat Song” which is often accompanied by bagpipes.

Resplendent in shimmering purple, the chorus returned for four songs reflecting how much being able to stay together doing something they love meant to them. The songs were “If You Love Me”, “When I Just Wear My Smile”, “Never Gonna Let You Down” and “For Good”.

Afterward, appearing onstage surrounded by the chorus, Burton thanked everyone for coming and for their support. She also noted that on December 6, the chorus will be performing carols at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Taste & Sip event at Chartwell Country Club.

Burton ended by announcing that, for the finale, they were going to sing “a song familiar to all Sweet Adelines” and invited all those in the audience who knew “It’s The Music” to come forward and join them in singing it. Quite a few did.

Friends and family thronged the singers after the concert. Reggie Cox, who sings lead was warmly greeted by her son Trey who noted that she sings around the house all the time. Carol Gass was surrounded by husband Bob and family members Stephen and Claire and presented with a bouquet.

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Burton received a bouquet of cream-colored roses as well from Dr. HyeSung Hwang and Jory Bender representing members of St. Martin-in-the-Field Episcopal Church Choir with which she sings soprano.

Those interested in learning more about Chesapeake Harmony Chorus can visit Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.

Holiday Taste & Sip

A quick reminder that the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip event is happening December 6th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. When we last checked there were still tickets available at Holiday Taste and Sip 12th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com).

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items for your table.

and 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.”  

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi

Judging from the smiles on their faces, Temple University student Abby Johnson and her mother Jennifer were having a great time shopping for books at the American Association of University Women of Maryland’s Book Sale at Park Plaza last Thursday. The college freshman was home for a long weekend and was delighted to make the opening day of AAUW’s annual used book sale their first stop.

According to AAUW volunteers, opening day was tremendously busy during the pre-sale period set aside in the morning for book dealers and remained busy throughout the day. For the first time in several years, the four-day sale was back in Severna Park after having been held at locations off Ritchie Highway in Pasadena.

The book sale is the major fundraiser for the American Association of University Women’s scholarship program. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for girls and women who are Anne Arundel Community College grads transferring to a university and for the Women to Women program for individuals returning to the workplace or opening businesses and needing further education.

By mid-afternoon, AAUW member Linda King was seen restocking the education and foreign language book sections which had, earlier in the day, been a major focus for dealers and teachers.

“It was incredibly busy this morning and still is. Being allowed to have our AAUW Book Sale signs up ahead of time has really helped us this year, King said. “Park Plaza is turning out to be such a good location for us.”

Likewise, avid reader and veteran book sale volunteer Amber Kaltz was rearranging one of several Mystery/Thriller sections. Kaltz acknowledged that mysteries are definitely one of the most popular categories of books and shoppers flock to them.

Customers combed through the section looking for titles by their favorite authors ranging from early 20th century mystery writers like Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to current day best-sellers like Michael Connelly, John Sanford, and David Balducci. Then, it was up to Kaltz to replenish empty spots on the tables and shelves from boxes of books at her feet.

The AAUW Used Book sale was a huge success this year according to AAUW Used Book Sale Co-Chair Stacey Hilder. 

“The Severna Park community rallied round and kept the storefront full of shoppers and buyers every day with books flying out the door as fast as we could load them onto the tables,” Hilder said. “We brought in 150% of the amount we brought in during each of the sales of the last 5 years. It was great to be back in Severna Park and to experience such an overwhelming response from the community.”

For more information about AAUW’s book collections and annual book sale or other activities visit AAUW of Maryland.

Holiday Festival at Woods (formerly the annual holiday bazaar) is coming back

The Holiday Festival at Woods (formerly known as Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Holiday Bazaar) is coming back on Saturday, November 19th from 9 am to 1 pm after a two-year absence due to the pandemic. Most of the sights, sounds, and sale items familiar from 80 years of staging the annual Christmas bazaar will be recaptured thanks to the efforts of festival committee co-chairs Mary Moran and Susan Bohlman and an enthusiastic group of volunteers and generous donations from church members.

The Founder’s Room at Woods (the beautifully preserved chapel within the larger church that was constructed in 1913 as the original place of worship) was set aside to store some of the items already donated for the sale.

Liz Pringle and Lorry Danko met there with Holiday Festival co-chair Susan Bohlman to review what’s come in so far. Liz and Lorry are members of the Woods Quilters Group which will have a table in the Fellowship Hall with 50 or more quilted items for sale. They laid out a few of them along with examples of other donations.

“We began with the idea of scaling back the annual holiday sale thinking it might not be as well-attended since we had to skip two years, said Bohlman. “However, the idea has been greeted with such enthusiasm and the event has mushroomed so much, that it’s back to being pretty much a full-scale holiday bazaar.

Danko, who created the lovely Advent Calendar on the end of the table, spoke about some of the other items shown. The books and games shown are but a small example of those that will be displayed in the White Elephant Room. Among the many quilted items for sale will be four wooden doll beds created by member Andy Borland’s Monday Morning Woodworkers Group and decked out with baby dolls, mattresses, pillows and quilts made by the Woods Quilters. The quilts for each doll bed are different in color and design.

“It was so kind of Andy to give us four of these,” Pringle said. “The Holiday Festival is one of our biggest fundraisers and people love the doll beds. They are bound to sell well.”

Bohlman noted that the Holiday Festival will have many traditional elements.

“We’re bringing back the much-celebrated homemade candy table as well as the bake table. We’ll also be selling the nuts that are so popular with Woods’ congregation members.

Bohlman noted that the Founders Room will be magically transformed into a Christmas Shop during the Holiday Festival with evergreens, wreaths and table decorations. In addition to the Quilters Table, there will be a table featuring knitted items from a church member’s knitting group.

The traditional White Elephant Room will include jewelry this year as well as decorative objects and children’s items, games and books. There will also be a Children’s Secrets Room where kids can shop for inexpensively priced gifts for their parents.

There will be food – a traditional holiday event hot dog and soup menu – and Santa will be on hand.

For updates on the Holiday Festival at Woods or other events, visit Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org).

The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items for your table.

and 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.”  

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

The witching hour had apparently arrived as goblins and ghosts, fairies and princesses, bunny rabbits and superheroes descended on Severna Park Community Center’s spectacular Halloween Spooktacular. Looking down on the center’s transformed parking lot from above while listening to the buzz, it was clear that a wonderful event was in the making.

Even as the crowds swelled around the community center courtyard and Boone Station Hall, attendees continued flowing down the steps from parking areas above. They just kept coming.

The community center staff had pulled out all the stops creating the most festive Halloween scene imaginable. Decorations were everywhere – from the center’s doorways off the courtyard to Boone Station Hall and beyond.

Really getting into the spirit of the Spooktacular, SPCC executive director Sarah Elder and her staff dressed in costume – mostly as witches. Stationed by the make-believe Salem Broom Company, staffers Amy Holbrook and Sandy Ginns were bewitching indeed as they explained the inspiration behind the magical evening.

“The Halloween Spooktacular is Severna Park Community Center’s gift to the community,” Holbrook said. “It’s the first time we’ve done a Halloween event to this scale and is our thank you to area residents for supporting us and making us an integral part of the community. We like being here to help and support them in turn.”

She added that SPCC’s Board of Directors and staff decided to “go big this year” with help from the event’s primary sponsor KMA Law Office and other community businesses and organizations.

The atmosphere was animated along a midway of imaginatively decorated automobile trunks where Mutt & Joe and The Big Bean Coffee Shop served hot beverages while Donut Shack served 15 dozen donuts plus lots of candy.

Behind Holbrook and Ginns, strains of the perennial favorite “Flying Purple People Eater” rang out as five of the Dance Center of Severna Park’s Star Elite Dancers twirled into the center of the courtyard wearing bright purple tutus and performed a lively routine.

Star Elite director Barbara Wayson, who choreographed the cute number, said the dancers were already preparing routines for upcoming performances at the Severna Park Christmas Tree lighting, Midnight Madness in Annapolis, and SPCC’s Cookies & Cocoa holiday event on December 9th.

Nearby, Dance Center of Severna Park director Kellie Greer and her staff handed out treats from their tricked-out Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory trunk. Greer’s green hair and Oompa Loompa costume were sure-fire attention getters.

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The next few trunks were similar in theme. Maryland House of Delegates candidate Kerry Gillespie and daughter Kaitlin’s trunk full of skeletal pirates was scary.

So was Kennard Chiropractic & Physical Therapy’s trunk where “live” skeleton Therese High chatted amiably about her work as a chiropractic assistant while handing out candy.

As if those trunks weren’t bone-chilling enough, alarms went off big time as firefighters Corey and Morgan Stevens approached the spider web covered trunk designed by Blended Essentials owner Danielle Bowen and staff while pulling their firetruck/carriage with one daughter aboard. However, her baby sister preferred her dad’s version of the tried-and-true fireman’s carry.

Across the way, Theater In The Park founder/director Jennifer Lee Kraus and daughter/co-director Kylie Sjoie teamed up for double impact while highlighting the theme of their next show, “The Wizard of Oz”, with side-by-side trunks. According to Kraus, the show is already in rehearsal on Saturday mornings from 9 am till noon and will debut in January on the stage at Anne Arundel Community College.

Who knew that, by sheer coincidence Dorothy (Kelly Bocskor) would show up with Toto (her daughter Lucy) accompanied by Brian Bocskor. Even more amazing was the fact that an unidentified Wicked Witch of the West turned up behind them.

There was so much more to see outside and a solid trick or treat line formed from the Escape Time Escape Rooms’ haunted house past Jessee Hall’s lovely Once Upon a Time trunk, Ali Matthew’s Donut Shack display, and Dave Born’s Ferrari themed racetrack trunk to Mutt & Joe’s trunk full of coffee.

After a peek at the film Hocus Pocus inside Boone Station Hall, we crossed the courtyard to explore the activities inside the community center.

There, we found arts and crafts, lots of local vendors, representatives from the Severna Park Branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, Park Books, Celebree School of Severna Park and MacaroniKID Pasadena plus a Halloween photo booth and some additional treats.

The interior vendors were too numerous to mention but a few added sparkle like Deb Vincent’s Opulenza Designs gems. Others attracted attention through costuming like Disability Case Management experts Angela and Danny Jacob.

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It was impossible to resist visiting the Eco Adventures booth where Emma Brison cradled Onyx, a Bearded Dragon in her arms while Amber Powell held a baby American Alligator named JoJo. Critters belonging to the Millersville-based conservation education organization are always popular with kids but, in this case, the treats won high marks too.

One final exploration led to the photo booth run by Payton Huber who sported a superhero costume. She helpfully held packages of swag collected by bunny Alyssa, witch Saniah, and Lady in Waiting Leah while their mother shot a few photos – the perfect way to end a perfect day.

On exiting the Halloween Spooktacular, we had a chance to speak with Sarah Elder who was very pleased with the evening. She reported that Mutt & Joe’s, The Big Bean, Donut Shack and all the trunk or treat participants had been told to prepare for 250 attendees. However, to everyone’s surprise and pleasure the crowd swelled to 500.

Holbrook added that SPCC had to send someone out to buy tons more candy to give to the trunk or treat folks because they were running out.

“We were so delighted,” she said. “Now we’ll be concentrating on getting ready for our holiday Cookies and Cocoa event.”

For information on upcoming programs and events, visit THE SEVERNA PARK COMMUNITY CENTER – SPCC Home (spcommunitycenter.org).

Falcon Drama to debut the musical Footloose this Friday evening

We received last-minute news from Angela Germanos that Falcon Drama and the SP Stage Company are presenting the musical “Footloose” at Severna Park High School beginning tomorrow, Friday, November 4th at 7 pm. Additional performances are scheduled for Saturday, November 5th at 7 pm as well as Friday, November 11th at 7 pm and Saturday, November 12th at 2 pm and 7 pm. For more information and tickets, visit www.sphsdrama.com.

Around The Park Again would like to welcome our new sponsor Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

Thus, the column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carry fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items for your table.

and 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.”  

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace

Exhibitors and attendees alike took SHOPTOBERFEST’s Trick or Treat theme to heart. Park Plaza’s main parking lot was filled to the brim with colorful autumn-themed tents beneath which costumed vendors offered myriad treats. “Spooky” was the byword at the SERVPRO tent where pirate wench Allison Taylor and witch Lindsay Straiton oversaw a table featuring a gilded pumpkin, a copper-colored cat, and buckets filled with toy footballs and candy. They were aided by Straiton’s daughters, “swamp creature” Harper who won the costume contest prize for scariest, and black and white spotted “moo cow” Micah.

Organized by The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce, SHOPTOBERFEST featured entertainment, a costume contest for kids and a costume contest for dogs and drew a total of 51 exhibitors making for a festive event.

Macaroni KID had quite a presence at SHOPTOBERFEST with a tent that matched the blue of Saturday’s skies.

Macaroni KID Annapolis publisher Darla Winstead and daughter Kat, who masqueraded as Minnie Mouse, manned the tent. Meanwhile, Macaroni KID Pasadena publisher Laura McElwain Colquhoun was helping with the costume contest.

It seemed only fitting that there were rows and rows of spooky skeletons decorating the DeMaio Family Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Tent. Needless to say, the skeletons didn’t keep little ones away from the candy-filled pumpkin and skeleton’s head.

Even more kids were drawn to the Kwon’s Taekwondo tent where owner Young Kwon was making balloon animals for everyone.

Familiar faces from other SHOP LOCAL events included Winsome Brown and her well-known Lean on Dee team of professionals for in-home care for seniors. Headmaster Tony Shaffer and Kira Dickson were also on hand from St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School. Another SHOP LOCAL favorite was Kelli Dilman’s Fieldstone Animal Inn tent. As usual, Kelli brought along an abundant supply of dog biscuits for SHOPTOBERFEST’s canine attendees.

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Every now and then, SHOPTBERFEST visitors stopped circulating through the tents to take in the entertainment including a much- requested Lion Dance from students of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi and a dramatic lightsaber exhibition by the school’s Shifu (leader/teacher) Billy Greer.

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Later, Greer strolled about with a Lion Dance lion marionette delighting everyone – especially Cub Scouts Vincent Niemeyer and Robert Buck, Jr. and Robert, Sr. who was helping them. Based at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Troop 450 members are participating in the Wreaths Across America effort through the holidays.

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Excitement grew among the youngest SHOPTOBERFEST attendees as the costume contest drew near. Miniature Minnie Mouse Avery Fleck and her tree-frog brother Camden waited anxiously with their mother Allison and grandmother Cindy Hudoniot who made their costumes.

Soon SHOPTOBERFEST emcee Jeff Hughes called for costume contest competitors to come forward and Avery and Camden joined a long line of participants. From Pokemon to Wonder Woman, a slew of princesses and a Royal Guard, the competition was fierce.

Judges eventually awarded the Most Original costume prize to a pint-sized competitor known simply as Taco Bell who was wearing a perfectly painted model of the well-known eatery. A colorful goodie bag prize was awarded to her and the other winners.

The second prize was won by a contestant we’d seen before at the SERVPRO tent – none other than Harper Straiton as a Swamp Creature.

The final choice for Best Overall was a dual costume effort requiring an unusual amount of imagination and skill to pull off. Dubbed “Alien Abduction with Alien Mom”, it wowed spectators and judges alike.

We somehow missed the Dog Costume Contest but discovered the Most Original Prize winner – angel dog Luna with mistress Everly Hendricks – making their way back through the crowd.

The pair wound through a gaggle of political candidate’s tents on the extremely busy midway. In the midst of it all, the 206 Restaurant Group was handing out highly popular samples of foods from JB’s and Park Tavern.

Anne Arundel Community College Open House was an adventure

“Choose your own adventure was the theme for Anne Arundel Community College’s Open House on October 20th and there was plenty to explore around the now sizeable campus. A handy Open House brochure contained a campus map of buildings housing educational facilities ranging from the School of Liberal Arts to the School of Business and Law. A majority of them were open for prospective students to tour.

We had received a tip beforehand to visit the School of Health and Life Sciences building which had some remarkable technologies to reveal and did not disappoint.

We followed several Open House visitors into the lobby of the building where they were directed forward.

All were welcomed by Assistant Dean David Thomas along with more than a dozen AACC representatives who were stationed at various tables.

“This building is phenomenal. It’s almost like a mini-hospital,” Thomas said. “We’re showcasing some of the programs we have at our Health and Life Sciences building this evening including the largest which is nursing. Our nursing program occupies most of the second floor while the third floor has facilities for medical assistant and physical therapy assistant trainees, massage therapy, and medical lab sciences.

He emphasized that the first floor is the location for Emergency Medical Services training with a state-of-the-art lab, a radiological technology lab and, right behind those, a brand-new dental clinic.

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There is already a dental assistant program and the school hopes to launch a dental hygiene program in the fall of 2023.

Also situated on the first floor was the state-of-the-art Simulation Center which Thomas said was a “must see”.

Mock or simulation patient care provider experiences are used for all EMS, nursing and other training situations according to Thomas. However, EMS students go out with trained EMS professionals in the county on occasion.

The Simulation Center more than lived up to expectations. We met AACC Director of Simulation Education Justin Gyurik behind the center’s nurses station desk, then followed him as he led middle school students on a tour of four realistic looking hospital rooms. The rooms all featured pre-programmed mannequins as patients.

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He began by showing the students an expansive area set up as a maternity ward where a “pregnant” mannequin was about to give birth. Opposite her, a recently delivered infant was being cared for.

He demonstrated that, at a signal from his smart phone, the mannequin could open her eyes, move her head and perform as if giving birth like an actual human being. Gyurik definitely captured the students’ attention when he mentioned that all the mannequins could bleed like real patients. A few seemed squeamish, but others loved it.

The simulation director led on to the next hospital room where a mock seriously ill female patient was being treated.

One curious middle-schooler asked of the pretend patient “Does she ever scream or moan?”

Another asked if she vomited.

Gyurik said all the mannequins do both and demonstrated that, with the touch of his finger, she could indeed scream and did. In another room, he allowed students to shine a light from their smart phones in a male patient’s eyes to see how his pupils dilated.

In private conversation following the tour he noted that there is a lot of simulated screaming during classes in the Simulation Center as that is what actually happens in a hospital.

“We get students used to screams as well as many of the other stresses,” he said. “We have everything set up in the rooms exactly as it would be including drips and monitors.”

The realistic atmosphere of the Health and Life Sciences programs was amazing. For more information about them or the other schools at Anne Arundel Community College, visit Home – Anne Arundel Community College (aacc.edu).

Woods Music Benefit Concert set for November 14

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church invites the community to join them for an exciting evening of music on November 12 at 7 pm.

The evening will feature piano and organ solos/duets from Pastor Randy Bush and Ted Markle in addition to new works by local artists.  Composers include Andy Rollins, David and Elysia Merrill, Alan Becknell, Sarah Kent, Josh Huff, and Drew Sharpe.  This is a FREE concert with all donations going to support the Woods Church music department.

For more info email David Merrill – dmerrill@woodschurch.org. The event will also be livestreamed.  

Around The Park Again is brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries a great selection of fine wines, spirits and beers, gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for fall entertaining. It’s not too early to start thinking about those holiday dinners.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace

Take a look around the Severna Park business community and you’ll see it’s choc-a-bloc with eateries. Pulling into the parking lot at 366 Ritchie Highway on the way to Cakes & Confections, we discovered yet another. A sign in front of the former Howard Bank announces the opening of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

We found the franchise for the new cafe is held by Sandip Patel who currently operates the Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 8000 Jumper’s Hole Road in Pasadena. Work has already begun to transform the former bank into a similar facility; however, the renovation will not be finished for a couple months. (Anne Arundel County requires anyone serving or preparing food on premise to have a 1,000-gallon grease interceptor, three-compartment sinks, and mechanical and HVAC capacity.)

The Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu will feature flavorful smoothies made with real fruits and vegetables and an array of healthy foods including flatbreads, wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas and bowls.

According to Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League, there are several new businesses being launched in the area, a few of which will be on hand for SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist being held this Saturday, October 22 from 11 am to 3 pm.

SRA again hosts in-person events with John Wright Speaker Series

Happy to be holding in-person events following two years of virtual interaction, the Severn River Association held October’s John Wright Speaker Series talk at Forward Brewing on Fourth Street in Eastport. The guest speaker was Patuxent River naturalist Greg Kearns who gave a presentation about Ospreys – fascinating birds sometimes referred to as “fish hawks” or “seahawks”.

Ospreys are an incredibly familiar sight to those who live along the Severn or other Anne Arundel County Rivers.

“Ospreys are a single subspecies found throughout the world (though there are four subspecies). Nowhere are they more numerous than the Chesapeake Bay region where there are between 8,000 and 10,000 pairs,” Kearns said.

He added that the North American species found in the United States and Canada generally migrate to South America for the winter but return here in the spring to breed and raise their young. Some Ospreys overwinter in Florida and, curiously, some have wintered off Virginia Beach in recent years.

As Ospreys have come to prefer manmade structures for their nests, their populations have increased along local waterways thanks to nest boxes built by locals and a proliferation of cell phone towers.

Kearns appearance was the second of SRA’s in-person events, the first being the organization’s annual membership meeting which was held on September 30 at Cafe Mezzanotte in Severna Park. According to SRA Executive Director, Jesse Iliff, the next of the John Wright Speaker Series events will again be held at Forward Brewing in November, will pause during December and will return to Cafe Mezzanotte for the January event.

Iliff also announced some good news for SRA. The organization has received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to design and build types of stormwater management projects that will slow down, spread out, and soak up the stormwater from two communities in the City of Annapolis – the Nautilus Point community in Eastport and the Wardour community in West Annapolis. Both projects will reduce pollution flowing into the river.

SRA also won a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to make a thorough study of the Severn River watershed and identify areas where future restoration efforts can make the biggest impacts.  For more information on the Severn River Association, visit Severn River Association.

American Association of University Women’s Booksale begins November 3rd

The American Association of University Women’s Fall Used Book Sale has moved to a new location according to book sale co-chair Stacey Hilder.

“Instead of Pasadena, AAUW’s used book sale will this year be held in a storefront at 560F Ritchie Hiway in Severna Park’s Park Plaza to the right of Joanne’s Fabrics from Thursday, November 3 through Sunday, November 6, ” Hilder explained.

AAUW members look forward to the complicated process of setting up the sale from boxes and boxes of books they’ve collected during the summer and early fall. They’ll work wonders separating them by category.

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As is customary, a Public Presale will be held from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Thursday, November 3 with a $25.00 entrance fee.  The sale will then open to the public at 10:00 am with no entrance fee thereafter. 

The hours of the sale are Thursday, Nov 3 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday, Nov 4 from   9:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, Nov 6 from    9:00 am to 3:00 pm.   (Sunday is Bag Day when a bag of books is offered at a reduced price.) For more information see AAUW Anne Arundel County | Facebook.

Baldwin Memorial United Women in Faith Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar Nov. 5th

The Baldwin Memorial Church’s Fellowship Hall in the Education Building at 911 General’s Highway in Millersville is the site for the annual Holiday Craft Show & Bazaar to be held on November 5 from 10 am till 3 pm. The festive bazaar will feature holiday decorations, craft tables, UWF’s “fabulous” bake table, books and jewelry. There will also be a special visitor from the North Pole.

Proceeds from the rental of craft space and from the sale of baked goods, holiday decorations, and other items will support United Women of Faith Mission Projects.

For additional information, call the church office on (410)923-1166.

SPAN Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk at Kinder Farm Park Nov. 5

SPAN, Inc’s largest fundraiser is back for the first time since 2019 according to the organization’s Director of Development Michele Sabean. SPAN is inviting everyone to Stride for SPAN on Saturday, November 5 at Kinder Farm Park. Sabean knows from experience that the Turkey Trot event is really fun whether you are a runner or a walker. The funds raised go to help area families in need.

Registration is still open for the event with a few spots left. Registration fees are modest. You can register at 2022 Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot – Millersville, MD 2022 | ACTIVE or you can make a donation.

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presents “It’s The Music” at Historic Baldwin Hall

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus returns to Historic Baldwin Hall Sunday, November 13 at 2 pm for a fun afternoon of music, light refreshments, door prizes and a raffle. The 20-member chorus will entertain the audience with a concert themed “It’s The Music”.

Executive director Sally Burton noted that the group will be performing the barbershop harmonies they’ve perfected as Sweet Adelines International chapter members and competitors. CHC’s Second Star Quartet and Bearfoot Quartet will also be featured.

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Ticketing is online only for this concert by visiting Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets are $20.00 per person, $15.00 for students (6-25) and under 6 free. For questions, please call (410)315-8198.

Around The Park Again is brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries a great selection of fine wines, spirits and beers, gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for fall entertaining. It’s not too early to start thinking about those holiday dinners.