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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

First-timers at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s outdoor Christmas Market were impressed by the sheer volume of shoppers passing through on December 11. Even those who frequent the market during the summer months remarked that the crowds were the biggest they’d ever seen.

The weather was grey but mild after early morning rains and the atmosphere was lighthearted owing to a wonderful mix of Christmas wreaths and garlands, gift items and a wide range of foods and spirits perfect for holiday tables. Rounding a corner past several tents by the entrance, it was hard to miss regular vendor Zahradka Farm’s stand where the tables held wreaths handmade from evergreens grown on their acreage. One table was devoted to late season vegetables, eggs and jams.

Walking on further, there were products to investigate wherever one looked. Customers formed lines to check out fresh shrimp, scallops and fish from vendor OBX Shrimp. They positively thronged The Breadery‘s stand for loaves of fresh milled whole grain and artisan breads and rolls.

Most of the regular vendors were on hand plus several that came specifically for the Christmas Market. One of those was Samantha Miller of Grow With Samantha Macrame who came all the way from the Eastern Shore. Popping her head out from rows of handcrafted hanging shelves and planters to speak with shoppers looking for Christmas gifts, Samantha said she began making her line of macrame items to raise money for her two rescue horses.

Also from the Eastern Shore, Anita Robertson from My Nana’s Kitchen pulled out all the stops for the Christmas Market making jar upon jar of old-fashioned homemade jams, spreads, and condiments.

Christmas shoppers were most definitely drawn to the tent where Amy Heath of HipModVintage was selling her own seasonally decorated vintage sleighs, tennis rackets and jewelry along with daughter Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies jackets. Both women use recycled materials to craft their unique and stylish items.

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Holiday decorations were scattered elsewhere through the market. Fans of regular vendor Joyce Martinek of Joyce’s Flowers were happy to see she’d switched from flowers to wreaths, pinecones and other decorative items.

Pat Hochmuth expanded his Pat’s Produce and Gourds stand to include evergreens and wreaths.

The appearance of the “Charlie Brown Trees ” section was a heartwarming touch.

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Pasture-raised meats and eggs from Tracey’s Landing-based Morris Hill Farm near the exit of the market were far from overlooked. A regular Severna Park Farmer’s Market vendor, owner David Haberkorn’s products are much sought after. Special offerings for the Christmas Market included Smoked Ham Roasts and Babyback Ribs.

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With yet another successful Christmas Market to their credit, the vendors bid a fond farewell to the customers they’d served through the summer……. for now. They also extended heartfelt invitations to the shoppers to come back and see them in the spring. The Severna Park Farmers Market, at the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, runs from April through October. Visiting the market is a wonderful way to #shoplocal and #supportourfarmers. To follow the market on Facebook, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

The gratifyingly large crowd that turned out for the Community Tree Lighting at The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue last Friday was joyous as the evening’s program got underway. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman was on hand for the countdown for the lighting. A dance performance by the Dance Center of Seerna Park followed and was greeted by generous applause.

As the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus of 4th and 5th graders lined up facing the crowd to sing “Oh Christmas Tree” and other carols, there was enthusiastic cheering.

Facing the crowd and the beautiful tree beyond, the 40-member chorus moved on to a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells”. As always, the Chamber’s three-decade traditional holiday celebration attracted attendees from far and near and created an air of excitement throughout the town.

Parallel to the Chamber, in the historic train station, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club opened its doors to the public for a peek at its amazing multi-rail train display. Across Riggs Avenue, in front of the Red Apron Shoppe, the owners’ family and friends had gathered along the sidewalk to enjoy the festivities.

The younger children in the audience liked the performances. However, they couldn’t resist the inevitable draw of Santa, who sat ready to welcome them and listen to their Christmas wishes. Nearby, The Grinch was wandering about. Far from trying to steal Christmas, the Dr. Seuss character amiably shook hands and chatted with the kids.

Younger still, and oh so curious, two-year-old Brooks Miller nested in the arms of his uncle Robert Peroutka while viewing the spectacle through his new binoculars.

As the celebration progressed, Chamber CEO Liz League, who acted as emcee, grew more and more pleased. She hadn’t known what size crowd to expect and was thrilled. She was also grateful for support from a number of sponsor and helping hands.

“The Big Bean Coffee Shop owners Greg and Christie Coster called the week of the lighting and offered to serve hot chocolate and cider,” League said.  “The Costers planned for 75 but we had over 600 people and they served 17 containers of beverages.  They were wonderful to go back to the shop and get more supplies several times. But they loved the event and meeting community members.

As is their tradition, The Toast of Severna Park Toastmasters Club was on hand giving out butter cookies that were donated  by COSTCO.  The group went through hundreds of cookies.  All of our candy canes and candy were also given out.  It was a record-breaking crowd.”

The celebration ended with a series of cleverly choreographed routines by Creative Force Dance Center.

The Talent Machine Company’s “Holiday Magic” opens December 11th

With this year’s Talent Machine Company Christmas production, “Holiday Magic”, about to debut on Saturday, December 11th at Indian Creek Upper School, the excitement level was high among the 47 young actors participating in last week’s tech rehearsals. It was such a pleasure to be together rehearing for “live” performances of the show, that they didn’t mind the work involved in blocking and lighting scenes, refining the vocals or making adjustments to the dance routines.

Patience was required as director Lea Capps re-positioned them multiple times as they moved through each number.

TMC’s traditional holiday performance venue at St. John’s College was not available so the cast was just getting acquainted with the Indian Head Upper School theater.

Talent Machine company manager/production manager Judy Curbello explained that the theater at St. John’s, which has been a traditional home for TMC holiday productions, is undergoing renovations. Thus, a new performance venue had to be found.

“Thanks to the families of some of our students who attend Indian Creek, we were able to use this lovely theater,” she said. “However, we do our own sets, props and costumes created by parent volunteers. The set we’re using today is a partially decorated living room set for Act 2. The larger “downtown Annapolis” set we’ll use to open the show and throughout Act 1 is really beautiful.”

The lighting crew had to be on its toes as rehearsal continued and the actors performed part of a dance routine from Act 2 at Capps’ direction.

A few minutes later, the crew shifted into overdrive, lighting the entire stage, as the dancers segued into another part of the sequence.

Actors not in the number onstage or in a nearby vocal rehearsal, watched from their seats in the theater. Cast members range in age from 7 to 18 and come from Crofton, Millersville, Severna Park, Pasadena, Annapolis and, basically, all over Anne Arundel County.

Talking with several actors, it was apparent how much they were enjoying a return to the normalcy of TMC’s annual holiday show.

Ainslley Grow, Reilly Miller and Lily Abbott stood together near the back of the theater watching the action. All three are freshmen but attend different schools. Ainsley attends Severn School and Reilly attends Severna Park High while Lily goes to Monsignor Slade Catholic School. They’ve all appeared in Talent Machine shows previously.

The three love doing the “big production” holiday shows even though they require multiple costume changes. Ainsley will spend most of her time on stage fully costumed as a reindeer…complete with the head. Reilly will appear as a soldier, a freaky doll, an elf and a regular guy in a winter scene. Lily will also appear as an elf, will look hip as part of the Boogie Woogie Trio, and will wear a gingerbread costume for the number Reindeer Twist.

Lily, whose mother Karin Abott coordinates with Heather Carroll in creating the costumes, said she, Ainsley and the other female cast members will wear pretty winter dresses and the fellows will wear suits for the show’s finale.

Seniors this year and likely appearing in their last TMC holiday show as actors, dancers and vocalists, Kathryn Randall, Catherine Osikowicz and Ainsley Ellis are finding the experience bittersweet. They love the premise of the show, however. They explained that the production is centered around defeating Suzy Snowflake’s efforts to ruin Christmas.

The mysterious and devilish Suzy is played by Natalie Dixon who says assuming the role of a “demon” is a bit different for her.

“I’ve never been in people’s faces before as I am in the Suzy Snowflake number,” she says.

“Holiday Magic”, an originally staged production by TMC founder, the late Bobbi Smith, has been re staged by Lea Capps with new numbers added.

TMC Christmas show fans will be happy to know that “Holiday Magic” – a bound-to-be-fun spectacular – will have three performances on December 11 at 10 am, 2 pm and 7 pm and will have evening performances on December 21, 22 and 23 at 7 pm. For tickets and directions to Indian Creek Upper School, visit Holiday Magic 2021 – Talent Machine .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

All across the country, supply chain disruptions have been a big problem for toy stores and a cause of confusion for both shop owners and parents looking for Christmas presents..

Having suffered no major disruptions thanks to pre-planning on the part of the owners, the shelves are fully stocked at both branches of Franklin’s Toys. The ordering process has been “crazy” this year according to co-owner Stephen Kauffmann but Franklin’s Toys Severna Park at 558-A Ritchie Hightway in Park Plaza and Franklin’s Toys Annapolis at 2327C Forest Drive in Festival at Riva have great selections of toys.

Plush critters are abundant throughout both stores. Whether gigantic in proportion like the dragon in the opening photo or the elegant giraffe below….. or small and cuddly….. all would love to end up as some lucky child’s Christmas gift.

While the cuddly critters are very appealing, they are not this year’s “hot toy”. Surprisingly, the hot toy that is selling off the shelves is called Pop Fidgety. Neither extravagant or costly, Pop Fidgety toys are modeled after bubble wrap and come in a multitude of sizes .

After surviving a challenging 2020, traffic is up significantly at both Franklin’s Toys stores – a cause for celebration according to the owners. Like other merchants, they’re grateful that, this year, holiday shoppers are out and about supporting the small, independent businesses that are the soul of their communities.

Customers are telling them they appreciate the range of products the stores carry. They particularly like that both branches offer the same product lines so, when one store is out of a toy, the other can supply it.

As in past years, little kids can’t wait to get their hands on big yellow dump trucks by Bruder or Road Rockers tractor trailer race transports while their slightly older siblings are drawn to Matchbox-sized cars and absolutely love Legos.

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Legos are fun for kids of all ages. They are used as teaching toys in schools and there are Lego Clubs and competitions.

Today’s educational toys are not only instructional but entertaining. Those carried by Franklin’s Toys range from easy-to-play musical instruments to a nifty toy cash register with which your child can play store.

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There are even educational toys for adults. Franklin’s Toys Severna Park has an entire wall of jigsaw puzzles which rose in popularity during the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic and have retained their appeal.

Franklin’s Toys always carries a rack or two of filmy princess garments suitable for dress-ups. This year’s newest accessories for “make-believe princesses” are Great Pretenders bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and other adornments.

There are Christmas storybooks aplenty and for stocking stuffers, you can’t beat specially designed Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs.

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For information on hours or directions, visit Franklin’s Toys – Your Friendly Neighborhood Toy Store! – Franklin’s Toys (franklinstoystore.com)

PIC Upscale Resale Boutique open for holiday shopping

Not only gifting, but giving is on the upswing too. Last Christmas, the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique (at 8151 Ritchie Highway) gathered its Christmas collections while adapting to COVID-19 guldelines but succeeded in making holiday shopping a pleasure for its customers. This year, thanks to generous donations and the efforts of volunteers who are the backbone of the boutique, the shop is looking great for the holiday season.

In addition to tables and counters featuring holiday patterned china and glassware, they’re showing items that would make great gifts including designer label handbags and clothing. There is also a counter of the boutique’s well-known collection of upscale fine jewelry.

Partners In Care, – a private non-profit, 501(c) (3) offering programs and services that help older adults remain living in their homes independently – is largely a self-sustaining organization so fine jewelry and boutique sales provide most of its operating budget.

Holiday-themed decorative items are scattered throughout the shop.

PIC’s staff and the boutique volunteers are thrilled to be back to normal operations and welcoming holiday shoppers his year.

“If you’re looking for a Christmas gift, we have so many great things that are reasonably priced,” said boutique volunteer Marlene Zupkusky. “We have holiday mugs for $2 each, for instance.”

Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique’ s hours are Mondays from Noon till 6 pm and Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 10 am till 6 pm. The store is closed on Sundays.

Hours for people wishing to donate resale items are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am till noon. For information, visit Boutiques – Partners In Care Maryland or call 410-544-0568.

Diehl’s Produce has Chrismas trees aplenty

Another quick reminder that Diehl’s Produce, at the corner of Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and McKinsey Road has plenty of Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths as well.

For information visit Diehl’s on Facebook at Diehl’s Produce | Facebook.

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company also has trees for sale on the lot next to the firehouse. They’ll also be starting their annual Santa Runs on December 4. Lunch With Santa is planned for December 5. For information on the Santa Runs neighborhood schedule and details on Lunch With Santa visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

Local residents have had a variety of Christmas events to choose from throughout the years. Most were cancelled last year due to the pandemic but are back for 2021 in all their glory. Among the most popular are the two primary celebrations in Severna Park – the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce Community Tree Lighting and the Park Plaza Christmas Celebration. Both have interesting histories.

The town’s much-celebrated Community Tree Lighting will take place this year in front of the Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue (after being temporarily replaced in 2020 by a COVID-guidelines compliant “Tick or Tree” event). The annual holiday event draws large crowds from Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Crofton and beyond.

The tree lighting tradition was started in the early 1990’s by Linda Zahn following her appointment as the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce’s first Chief Executive Officer. (She served as CEO for nearly three decades until succeeded by Liz League in 2018.)

Zahn doesn’t recall if there was a long-ago community tree in Severna Park but has heard that Santa flew into Severna Park Shopping Village on B&A Boulevard by helicopter in the 1950’s or 60’s. She started lighting the immensely tall, stately holly tree that still stands on the chamber property round 1994 or 1995.

 “I felt we needed a community tree and I got permission to light that one from the Department of Parks and Recreation which owns the land,” Zahn said. ” It’s huge!  I took a look at the lights that were on the tree at the Naval Academy alumni house.  I had an area electrician make similar lights for the Chamber to use on the huge holly so that the bulbs were of a decent size for a tree that big.   We took the lights from top to bottom in strings.  I believe (but am trusting my memory here), that Steve Darley climbed the tree that first year to put the lights up.  We used that tree for years.”

Locals loved seeing the tall holly lit up. It could be seen glowing in the distance as drivers approached Severna Park from Benfield Road and Riggs Avenue. Zahn recalled how she organized a celebration around that first lighting, setting a pattern for the program that is still used today.

“I closed the street from traffic and started the activities surrounding the chamber tree lighting,” she said.  “I used the railing at the Elmore Building to set up a stage so that people gathered on Holly Avenue could see the bag piper. Piper Michael Binnie opened every tree lighting while I was there and continues to do so.  I put up flood lights to show Michael, the singers, etc.  I brought in dancers too and they performed on Holly in the Elmore parking area.  We had refreshments in the chamber building and the Severna Park Model Railroad Club next door was opened for visitors. It was quite an evening.  

In the earlier years, the chamber’s CEO brought in regional dance troupes like the one in the opening photo who pranced delightfully as reindeers at during the 2012 tree lighting. Later, she began using dancers from the Dance Center of Severna Park and Creative Force Dance Center.

Eventually it became too much trouble to light the huge holly, even with a bucket truck.  It was a prickly tree and the lights were giving Zahn trouble because water would get in the sockets and some lines would short and go out.  Meanwhile a young holly planted directly in front of the chamber was getting big.  After consulting with expert Kevin Wengernuk about keeping it shaped so it could be easily decorated, she started trimming the new tree with help from her husband Steve. 

These days, planning for the chamber tree lighting and decoration of the Community Tree has fallen to current CEO Liz League and her husband Jim, who also assumes the role of The Grinch at holiday time.

Santa and The Grinch will both be on hand for the 2021 Chamber Tree Lighting and Open House being held on Friday, December 2nd at 5 pm in front of the Severna Park and Arnold Chamber building at One Holly Avenue.

Following tradition, the festivities will begin as darkness falls with featured performances by the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus and dancers from the Creative Force Dance Center and the Dance Center of Severna Park. Attendees will be invited to the Open House at the chamber building for cookies, hot chocolate, and cider and may also visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club train display.

Park Plaza Holiday Celebration to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus back December 10

Park Plaza will once again welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to its annual holiday celebration on December 10th with live music from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. It’s not known yet how the jolly old elf and his wife will arrive as they have appeared in different ways every year since the early 1990’s.

According to Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery co-owner Dawn Baumgartner Wilson, whose family helps organize the event, the first Santas to appear nearly 30 years ago were volunteers from the Greater Severna Park Chamber.

For several years, the jolly old elf and his wife appeared by horse-drawn carriage like the one below. Other years they came by firetruck.

Who knows? If we get snow, the couple may come by reindeer. But one thing’s for certain, the children will love sitting on Santa’s lap while parents snap away with their smartphones.

Park Plaza holiday celebrations always have music, most often supplied by school choruses or bands. The merchants offer treats and games for children. This year, characters are coming and there will be a balloon artist. Stores like The Cottage, Park Home, Franklin Toys and Side Street Framers will be decorated beautifully and some will have sales.

Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s 11th Anniversary Holiday Taste and Sip celebration will be held December 9th at Chartwell Golf and Country Club from 6 to 9 pm.

This event has a bit of a history too. Eleven-year sponsor Matt Wyble of The Matt Wyble Team helped former chamber CEO Linda Zahn launch the first Taste and Sip in 2009 against the glittering holiday backdrop of original hosts Homestead Gardens Severna Park and adjoining Zachary’s Jewelers. The event was held there for nine years. until the number of attendees exceeded the amount of space.

In 2019 Wyble helped the chamber’s current CEO Liz League bring the event to Chartwell Golf and Country Club for the first time drawing 300 guests. Both Wyble and League are excited to be back at Chartwell again this year after a year’s pause due to the pandemic.

“It’s very exciting,” League said. “We’re expecting 26 vendors – our area’s finest purveyors of food and drink – so the variety of wines, spirits and dishes to sample will be amazing.”

As always, there will be entertainment. Guests will be greeted at the entrance by carols from The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. The chorus has performed at the Taste and Sip event many times but has not done a public performance for over a year so they are really looking forward to the occasion. There will be a Silent Auction too. There is much more. Tickets are still available at Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com) but are going fast.

Severna Park Farmer’s Market “Christmas Market” Dec. 11

The Severna Park Farmer’s Market is excited to announce their Christmas Market will be held December 11 from 8 to 12 pm. They are full up with vendors so there will be meats, wines and spirits, seasonal fruits and veggies, breads and holiday items.

For information, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .

There are a few other holiday events but we hit the high points. Those of us who like to visit Annapolis during the holiday season, favor Midnight Madness Thursdays. This year, they’ll take place December 2nd and 9th, from 4 pm till Midnight and December 16th from 4 to 11 pm where select stores in downtown Annapolis will remain open until midnight.

We also return again and again for the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade which will take place along the Annapolis waterfront on Saturday, December 11th from 6 to 8 pm. It’s always great fun to cheer on the decorated boats and their crews as they circle the harbor. For more information, check out Visit Annapolis – Holiday Events .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

By last weekend, local shoppers were noticing little hints of Christmas like the evergreen wreaths that appeared in front of Giant supermarket. However, in Olde Severna Park, most of the merchants are waiting to put up Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving has passed.

On November 17, a Happy Hour was hosted by Red Apron Shoppe owners MaryAnn and Cam Neal at their 4 Riggs Avenue storefront. Held outdoors around a firepit, the occasion provided a chance for Olde Severna Park shop owners to meet and discuss ways to raise the shopping district’s profile and cement a stronger community feel. Promoting the town center as a great place for shopping with retailers, restaurants, a baker, a bookstore and neighborhood business people to support it was at the heart of the discussion – and what better time than during the holidays.

Chatting with Nancy Luttrell and WRNR Sales Manager Rick Marsalek, the Neals mentioned their building was constructed in the 1920’s. Not long afterward, town historian Scott Jay arrived with an album of photos from the community’s earliest days. One was of the Red Apron Shoppe when it was Doc Codd’s Pharmacy.

Guests from today’s shops, like Danielle Bowen from Blended Essentials, enjoyed seeing photos of the long-ago businesses. However, most feel the current crop of retailers is ready to shine.

As the original town center and heart of the community, Olde Severna Park has much to offer and is conveniently compact, with shops along both sides of Baltimore and Annapolis Boulevard, wrapping around to both sides of Riggs Avenue and McKinley Road and extending almost to Ritchie Highway.

One topic of conversation at the happy hour gathering was the Neal’s belief in restoring the town’s long-held reputation as the heart of the community by emphasizing its history. The couple even installed a counter in their shop featuring jars of penny candy and fresh eggs to recreate Cam’s childhood memories of going to Dawson’s Country Store and selecting candy from jars offered by Cliff Dawson himself.

For many years, the spirit of Christmas has lived on in the town through the annual community tree lighting at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce offices at One Holly Avenue. This year, it will be held on December 3rd. By then the entire town will be decorated and the local businesses will delight in welcoming those who choose to Shop Local for food, beverages and gifts.

There are more than two dozen shops in Olde Severna Park that can fulfill most all your holiday needs. We checked out a few, starting at Severna Park Shopping Village. We parked in front of Park Books owned by Melody Wukitch. Inside, there were shelves full of books and gift items that would make wonderful holiday presents. The children’s section is particularly good.

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Next Door, at Savvy Consignment, there were already hints of Christmas nestled among various furniture vignettes.

A few stores away, at Kirsten’s Cakery, the bakers were busy creating sweet treats suitable for the Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Flavorful Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Spice cupcakes would be great alternatives for the classics they represent and perfect for a holiday buffet. Beautifully decorated Red Velvet Truffles, with red swirls over white chocolate, resembled miniature Christmas balls. They are so delicious only half a trayful was left.

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Owner Kirsten Klein – on the phone taking an order for a Thanksgiving cake – was having a very busy day.

“For the holiday season, we’re planning to have yule logs and many kinds of truffles.” Klein said. “As always, we’ll be filling many orders for custom-made cakes, pies and cupcakes for Hanukkah and Christmas.”.

Across the parking lot from Kirsten’s, at Dawson’s Liquor, holiday “spirits” abound. Behind Dawson’s, the tents of Diehl’s Produce are prepared to open for the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving with the arrival of evergreens. They’ll have cider and a few other products as well.

If shoppers get hungry, there are umpteen places to grab a bite within walking distance. To name just a few, there are Adam’s Taphouse and Grille, Garry’s Grill, and Vida Taco Bar in Severna Park Shopping Village and across the street are Squisito’s, Geno’s and Sophie’s Crepes.

Along the opposite side of B&A Boulevard is The Big Bean. which traditionally carries special coffee blends and Christmas items. We caught up with Assistant Manager Ali Sage who shared the good news that the shop has reinstalled its indoor tables.

“I know many people will be happy to hear that since it’s getting cold out,” Sage said.

It will indeed be nice for the long-time neighborhood hangout to return to pre-pandemic normalcy in time for the holidays.

“In addition to our seasonally popular coffee blends, we’ll assemble a little Christmas bar of holiday pops and melt-in-your mouth chocolates just right for stocking stuffing,” Sage added.

There are no worries about shipping hold-ups for products among any of Olde Severna Park’s merchants as many of the products they carry are handcrafted or recycled renewables.

Gallery 564 at 564 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard was, opened three years ago by art dealer Michael Brown and his photographer partner John Dildahl. Gallery 564 carries an amazing variety of artwork – much of it created by local artists or photographers. Brown handles the art. However, he and Dildahl partner in the photography end of the business offering portraiture and off-site photography for commercial businesses along with website design.

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“The art gallery represents the work of 20 or 30 local artists from Annapolis, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, and Severna Park including John’s wife Sandra Travis-Dildahl who is an incredible acrylic abstract artist,” Brown said. “Other Severna Park artists are Mary Ellen Geise, watercolorist Rinaldo Dorado and Richard Newirth who does automotive paintings that are very popular. Both John and I are photographers so, naturally, we show some of our work. We also show pieces by a metalworker, a glass-blower and other artisans.”

No sooner did Brown complete his though that a customer came in to pick up two of his bold, modernistic automobile paintings.

Next door, at Blended Essentials. a class would soon be underway. Co-owner Ella Bowen and her father Lance opened the shop in July of 2019 but began making the soaps they carry as Christmas presents for friends and family in 2017 and 2018. Lance Bowen is the Dean of Sciences and Technology at Anne Arundel Community College, however, it was Ella who created the recipe for BE’s cold-pressed soaps. The pair soon progressed to making candles and then began looking for a storefront. On establishing their shop, they changed the way they did everything so they could have customers come in and learn to make soaps or candles themselves. Their classes for children and adults have become very popular

“For Christmas, we have a lot of pre-made packages,” Ella said. “We have an advent calendar in conjunction with our neighboring shops and also an Eight Days of Hanukkah advent calendar. We carry gifts for everybody including soaps, bath bombs, candles, body butters, lotions and, of course, gift certificates for both products and classes.

Peaceful Petals proprietor Megan Taylor was busy arranging a bouquet but quickly switched gears to talk about the flowers and greenery most in demand during the holidays.

She noted that following Thanksgiving, Peaceful Petals will be carrying wreaths and garlands. We’ll have some poinsettias too.

“Whether picking out their own stems or ordering bouquets, however, people mostly want flowers for their dining tables during the holidays. They generally prefer flowers that are red, white or green.

Around the corner on Riggs Avenue at Red Apron Shoppe, where the merchant happy hour took place, numerous gift-ready products were already on display. Most of the items displayed were collected from various Red Apron Estate Sales and are quality items recycled or refinished by MaryAnn Neal or artisans who work for her. Prices are reasonable. Jewelry, for example would make a lovely gift.

Or spruce up you home for the holidays with a piece of recycled furniture newly refinished by Mary Ann Neal or one of the local crafters who do similar projects for her.

A 1950’s era red cellophane Christmas tree and other decorations are lurking just behind MaryAnn Neal’s office so holiday decorating can begin the day after Thanksgiving. That is also when the craft-savvy Neal family will start making Christmas wreaths and garlands to be sold in the shop.

Red Apron Estate Sales, of which Red Apron Shoppe is an offshoot, is busier than it’s ever been these days and MaryAnn is heavily involved. Fortunately, daughter Hannah Neal handles the shop so she’s free to work at estate sale locations while daughter Katelyn DoCouto handles the website and social media posts.

Severn River Lions Club fruit sale benefit set for December 11

Fresh Florida navel oranges, pink grapefruit, and Mandarin oranges are the available Saturday, December 11 for the Severn River Lions annual benefit fruit sale. Proceeds benefit community service projects and charitable works.

Orders must be placed by Friday, Dec.3 and picked up at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church at 375 Benfield Road on Saturday, December 11 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fruit remaining after 1 p.m. will be sold first-come, first-served. Order by e-mail at fruitorders@severnriverlions.org or order online at www.srlcfruit.com.

Prices:	1 Tray	2 Trays	3 Trays
Navel Oranges – 11, 22, 33 pieces	$21	$30	$40
Pink Grapefruit – 8, 15, 23 pieces	$21	$30	$40
Mixed – 12 Navels & 10 Grapefruit		$30
Mandarin Oranges (10 pounds)	$27

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

By midmorning of November 4th, opening day for the America Association of University Women’s Fall Book Sale at Festival at Pasadena, a section of history books on a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit against one wall was entirely sold out. But the expansive General Fiction Novels section appealed to customer Tunisha Drummond and she spent considerable time browsing there.

“I just found out about the AAUW sale and drove down here from work,” Drummond said. “I really enjoy reading thrillers and general fiction and I needed something new to read.”

She found plenty to interest her as the Mystery and Thriller sections were huge, starting in one aisle and extending all the way down the next.

Drummond wasn’t the only booklover happy to discover the return of the AAUW’s book sale after being cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic. An intensive effort to relaunch the annual event began in July with members of AAUW’s Anne Arundel branch participating in the Severna Park Independence Day Parade.

The women circulated among spectators to share dates and locations for their customary used book collections.  Book donations at sites including St Martins-in-the Field, the Anne Arundel Community College parking lot, and St Phillips Episcopal Church in August, September and October brought in enough volumes for a good-sized sale.

Once again donated a storefront for the sale at Festival at Pasadena, the members chose November 4 thru 7 for their free-to-the-public sale. As is customary, AAUW invited used book dealers from Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other states to a “pre-sale” from 8 to 10 am on November 4 for a $20 entrance fee. The dealers arrived on schedule, some wheeling wagons to hold their purchases.

At 10 am the sale was officially opened to the general public and sales were brisk, only tapering off toward closing time at 7 pm. Many shoppers that first day were AAUW Book Sale fans.

Enjoying a leisurely browse through the Children’s section were Sabrina and Nathaniel Gruzzinski and their daughter Adeline who will be three years old in January. Singing her own cheerful version of “The ABC Song”, Adeline slid gracefully to the floor before opening her new storybook.

“We love to read so we’ve started Adeline early,” Sabrina said.

The Gruzzinski’s aren’t new to the AAUW Fall Book Sales. They used to live near Festival at Pasadena and discovered the book sale one year. They’ve come back for every fall book sale since.

Prices are so reasonable that the book sale is particularly popular with pre-school and elementary school teachers looking for books to share with their students. They generally like to shop early – on opening day or Friday – before the weekend which is busier.

According to member Barbara Marder and Alice Harrison who is co-president of AAUW with Debbie Chessin, the prices are reasonable but bring in a good deal of money.

In fact, it’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale 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.

This year’s book donation days brought in an abundance of titles for every conceivable category which were stored in donated spaces until time for the sale. It took almost a week for member volunteers to transport the books from storage to the storefront and assemble the collection in pre-determined and properly marked sections.

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Harrison noted that they did really well with the opening morning’s pre-sale session attended primarily by dealers who paid the entrance fee.

“The dealers left with hundreds of volumes,” she added. “They were a pretty sophisticated bunch and most had those clickers with programs that give a ballpark estimate of what a book will sell for.”

Pointing to the empty shelves, Marder said the dealers almost decimated the history section. In addition to history books, biographies moved well.

Classics lovers Susan and Gail were seen combing through the volumes looking for “classic mysteries” by writers like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers or P.D. James. Susan, an out-of-town visitor, was really having fun exploring the titles.

“This is a great way to stock one’s library. Then again, that could be a problem if I buy too many,” she said.

Anne Arundel County residents can easily solve the problem of too many books or prune their collections when downsizing by donating them to AAUW on book collection days. It’s a great feeling to know they are being recycled for new readers.

While shoppers were happy to see the AAUW Fall Book Sale back at Festival at Pasadena, members were even happier.

On the business end of the operation, member volunteers Roxanne King, Joyce Moyer, and Mary McGrath were checking customers out.

All were thrilled to be back and hoping sales would equal or outpace those from previous years and fund several of those much-needed scholarships. For information on the Anne Arundel County Branch of the American Association of University Women’s scholarships and other activities, visit AAUW Anne Arundel County (MD) Branch .

Severna Park High’s Falcon Drama presents Disney’s “Freaky Friday”

Falcon Drama will be “back onstage” with their presentation of Disney’s “Freaky Friday” which debuts Friday, November 12 at 7 pm in the Severna Park High School auditorium. The 7pm performances will continue on November 13 and 14 and again on November 19 and 20. There will also be a 3 pm performance on November 14.

The madcap musical comedy explores what happens when a mother and her teenaged daughter magically switch bodies.

According to Falcon Drama Boosters’ Elaine Bachmann, the student actors are very excited to be back onstage.

“Like all students who have endured the restrictions and limitations of the past two years, theatre kids have tried to make the best of it with virtual shows, and staying connected through socially distant ‘performances’. But it has taken a toll,” she said. “Keeping students interested in theatre has been a challenge. We really hope this show will be a catalyst for returning the excitement and attracting kids back to the stage. It will be a prelude to what we HOPE will be a ‘normal’ Rock n Roll Revival in the Spring.”

Tickets are $15 and may be ordered online at FALL PRODUCTION | Falcon Drama (sphsdrama.com) .

Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip at Chartwell December 9th

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s glamorous Taste & Sip holiday event will be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club on December 9 from 6 to 9 pm. There will be 26 vendors offering samples of their finest dishes. Delightful entertainment too. Tickets are going fast and may be obtained at Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com) .

Save the date for the Severna Park Farmer’s Market “Christmas Market”

We’ll have more later but here is a quick reminder to save the date of Saturday, December 11, for a visit to the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s annual “Christmas Market”. Always a festive occasion, the Christmas Market opens at 8 am with a full complement of vendors. There will be evergreens, seasonal foods, spirits and lots of gift items. Keep tabs on which vendors will be there by visiting Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

November 15 and December 12 will be busy but fulfilling days for SPAN, Inc’s staff and volunteers as donations come rolling in by the baskets, boxes, shopping bags, and wagonloads for the organization’s Holiday Caring Programs. Drop-off day for Thanksgiving food basket donations is just one week away on November 15 to be followed a month later by drop-off day for Christmas Holiday Caring donations.

For SPAN’s new directors Maia Grabau and Michelle Sabean, the drop-off days signify the culmination of months of work recruiting donors and matching them with families in need. Less than a year into their jobs, neither woman knows exactly what to expect.

Sabean, as Director of Development, has been publicizing the need for donors for both programs through SPAN’s member churches and through the organization’s social media sites. With help from her son Scott and three Severna Park High School Thespian Society volunteers, she recruited new donors and raised $250 during the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST event at Park Plaza on October 30.

Grabau, as Director of Operations, has kept careful track of the donors to each of the programs and the families that will receive the Thanksgiving food baskets or Christmas gifts. She noted that sponsors are still needed for the Thanksgiving food baskets.

“Sponsors can donate either a grocery gift card or put together a food basket based on SPAN’s guidelines,” Grabau said.  “A donor form and the guidelines are available on our website at Holidays are Coming! – SPAN’s Holiday Caring Program – SPAN, Inc (spanhelps.org).

She added that donors can bring their contributions to Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 400 Benfield Boulevard between 10 am and 2 pm on Monday, November 15. The church has once again generously donated space to SPAN to store both the Thanksgiving and Christmas drop-offs.

Once the donations are received, they are matched with the families for which they are intended and distributed to those families on November 17.

Judging from past years, the Christmas Holiday Program donations will be extensive and will take up every bit of the donated space at the church.

Christmas donation drop-off day will take place on December 12. As in previous years, volunteers will pitch in to help donors with wagonloads or armfuls of heavy packages through the church door.

After checking in, donors are led to one of two cavernous rooms within the church where squares are taped off and pre-marked for each family receiving the gifts. Volunteers help situate the donations.

The gifts will be distributed on December 14.

“The gifts are for families that have children under 18 years of age,” Sabean explained. “We get some names from school counselors but most are children of our client families. The families meet with us in October to preregister and go over a sheet listing ages, sizes and ideas about toys or clothing the children might wish for. The donors also agree to provide a basket of prepackaged foods for a holiday meal with a gift certificate for a turkey or ham.”

Recipient families can use the program one time – generally when experiencing a financial emergency due to a job loss or health issue – and are always very grateful. After getting back on their feet, some become donors themselves.

“Maia and I have heard that the donor families are incredibly generous and can’t wait to see for ourselves,” Sabean said.

She made a point of mentioning that, after the holidays, donations drop off so the winter months are challenging for SPAN’s assistance programs and food pantry and contributions are especially appreciated. In fact, SPAN volunteers will be present at the Park Plaza Christmas celebration collecting general donations of money or non-perishable canned or packaged foods.

“We are particularly in need of toiletries and cleaning supplies like laundry detergents,” Sabean said. “Tooth brushes. tooth paste, deodorants and similar items are much requested items.”

Every donation helps as SPAN has seen an increase in clients as the economy has worsened. Calls for assistance picked up in August when the moratorium on evictions and other COVID supports ended and the trend is continuing. SPAN’s operational budget, food pantry, and financial assistance services are sustained primarily through individual, small business and corporate contributions.

Grabau noted that SPAN’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Turkey Trot 5K Race, was cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. She and Sabean are eager to relaunch it in 2022 but need to find some volunteers to help them.

“The women who organized the event for five years in a row had to step down so we are looking for a few new volunteers to help organize and run the race,” she said.

The family-friendly Turkey Trot 5K is held at Kinder Farm Park. Though the event takes place in early November, planning must begin in the spring so sponsors can be found and arrangements made for publicity, registration particulars, and items like Turkey Trot shirts for participants and prizes.

Those wishing to volunteer, make a donation or find out more about SPAN may do so by visiting SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org).

Special events for kids at Severna Park Library

Always on the lookout for book related activities, we’ve spotted two that will definitely appeal to young minds.

Meetings for Severna Park Library’s RAD Readers book club for kids in grades 3 to 5 will be held on Saturday November 13 at 10:30 am and, for homeschoolers, on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 pm. Prio to the meeting, kids will read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. The book club will discuss the book, play some games and do a fun activity.

To register a child, visit RAD Readers Book Club: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing | Anne Arundel County Public Library (librarycalendar.com) or call 410-647-6290.

Another fun activity at the library is the Early Readers Book Club which will meet on Wednesday, December 1 at 4 pm. Children in K-2 can practice their reading skills through group reading, activities and games based on popular beginner reader series. In December, the children will read selections from the “Biscuit” series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. For information, call 410-647-6290.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

Waiting for her turn at the microphone near the end of the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s SHOPTOBERFEST on Saturday, the organization’s CEO, Liz League, was astonished.

“Gosh, we’re running over, time-wise, and no one wants to leave,” she said.

Indeed, the crowds attending SHOPTOBERFEST, with its festive Trick or Treat theme, were having fun and lingering past the 3 pm closing time. The Park Plaza event drew crowds all day long and the merchants were delighted to see all the parking lots around the square of tents full to the brim.

The business community wholeheartedly supported SHOPTOBERFEST, the ultimate #SHOPLOCAL experience. A total of 47 local merchants, small business owners and organizations took part in the extravaganza., all of whom got into the Halloween spirit of the event. Some business owners wore costumes and all were well-stocked with Halloween treats like miniature candy bars. HoneyBaked Ham’s treats were quite extravagant and included well-wrapped muffins, chocolate pastries and popcorn.

Fully into the spirit of Halloween, Park Tavern and JB’s servers Kylie Whittington and Malia Phipps served finger foods from both restaurants and were particularly popular with attendees.

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For children, SHOPTOBERFEST was really fun. There was lots of entertainment including event mascots Unicorn and Peter Pumpkin who interacted with kids of all ages and were prone to break into dance at any moment – especially when SHOPTOBERFEST emcee Larry Sells announced it was time for the “kids’ dance party.

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There were puzzles, games and toys for infants to teens to check out at Franklin’s Toys – everything from child-sized coffee and tea sets to “jousting” sets. There were hands-on educational exhibits like the one at the Echoes of Nature tent where kids could touch the non-poisonous snake handled by Lakiya Oyles and admire a ferret, creepy crawlies like tarantulas and praying mantis, and an adorable Eastern Screech Owl.

Bowie-based Echoes of Nature has many exciting Outreach and Enrichment programs perfect for elementary or middle school classes. For information, visit Home | Echoes of Nature .

For adults interested in shopping local, there was plenty to see including the latest line of fall fashions from The Cottage. In addition to fashionable clothing, owner Susan Gauthier and staff brought a selection of china, cloth napkins and tableware suitable for entertaining as well as lotions, potions and accessories that would make great gifts.

Side Street Framers and Gift Gallery brought three tables of artwork and handcrafted jewelry and holiday items. Owner Dawn Wilson commented that Christmas shoppers are already coming into her Park Plaza shop where she has plenty to show them.

“Since most of what we sell is created by local artists and craftsmen, we’re not experiencing any supply chain shortages. The creators of our jewelry, paintings, drawings and holiday items like our Lifetime Candles are just a stone’s throw away,” she said.

More community businesses were represented than we have room to mention. But among them were Ledo Pizza, Griswold Home Care, CertaPro Painters, School of Rock, Keller Williams and M&T Bank. There were representatives from a proposed Severna Park Museum and community organizations ranging from Good Neighbors Group to Span, Inc., and the Severna Park Community Center.

Emcee Larry Sells emphasized over the public address system several times how pleased the chamber was to see such a healthy combination of independent businesses and the charitable organizations they support.

“The non-profits you see here do great work and all these small business owners reciprocate many times over,” he said. “Without the support of the companies that are the underpinning of the community, the non-profit organizations couldn’t exist. We need them all for a vibrant community.”

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SPAN, Inc.’s Director of Development Michele Sabean was joined by Severna Park High School Thespian Society volunteers Henry Wright, Gianna Dicks and Cooper Powell, who have been collecting donations for the organization’s food pantry since school reopened. All three are in the cast of the SPHS Drama’s upcoming show “Freaky Friday”. They were helping Sabean and her son Scott collect non-perishable food pantry items and monetary contributions, promoting SPAN’s Holiday Caring program and also running a Go Fishing game.

Good Neighbors founder and president Julie Shay and board members Susan Gumula and Joann Price were spreading the word about their group’s charitable activities throughout the greater Severna Park area and hoping to attract new members.

Severna Park Community Center members were promoting their Halloween Hootenanny at Boone Station Hall this Friday, October 29. The FREE community event combines trick-or-treating, arts and crafts and games and prizes with a Halloween story time with Melody from Park Books. For information, visit Park Books – Park Books & LitCoLab (parkbooksmd.com)

There was fun to be had wherever you looked. There were books to be browsed at Park Books and Mariah Johnston and Chloe Neff’s dalmatians – Corvus and Lyra -to be admired by dog lovers.

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The children’s costume contest was marvelous. Comely witch Maria Zeruto was one of approximately 20 contestants. She’s seen here with her mother Anne Marie, who recorded the event with her camera, and father Ed.

The dog costume contest drew even more contestants who were decked out as everything from honeybees and ladybugs to angels and hot dogs. Strolling back from the judge’s circle, Lydia Rolfe’s dog Major, costumed as a “hot dog”, took second place in the original category.

Entertainment was scheduled throughout the day with martial arts students from Kwon’s Taekwondo among the last to perform. Their complicated movements looked deceptively easy but must have required considerable skill and strength.

…..and recently returned from a Star Wars inspired light saber battle with a few of his students Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu And Tai Chi shifu (teacher) Billy Greer was still in costume. Seen with him by the Jing Ying tent is his wife and partner Nancy who was a judge for the costume contests.

Near closing time, League said the Chamber’s board of directors had been worried about SHOPTOBERFEST’s return after being postponed for a year due to COVID. They needn’t have been concerned.

“I’m on Cloud Nine,” League said. The event was so well attended. Every table was busy all day. The Octoberfest Gods were smiling on us and we made a very good impression.”

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Oriental in design, the entrance to the Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, with its scrolled portico, mossy garden and tinkling blue bells, hints at what lies within.

Inside, the Arnold-based school’s owners and teachers, Nancy and Billy Greer, flow from one graceful movement to the next as they demonstrate the martial arts of Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

Having recently celebrated the school’s 20th Anniversary, the couple reflected on how they have sustained a small business focused on teaching martial arts while, at the same time, taking an active role in the greater Severna Park and Arnold communities and helping local charities.

Nancy was quick to mention that in the decades since opening their school there has been steady growth in the disciplines of Kung Fu and Tai Chi. Having originated within families in China as a self-defense mechanism, the complimentary arts are, at once, active, cerebral, communal and meditative.

“It’s amazing that the martial arts forms we were drawn to as a young couple became a major part of our lives,” she said.

Billy Greer picked up their story, going back to the very beginning.

“Growing up in the 1970’s, Bruce Lee movies from Hong Kong were very popular.,” he said. “On Saturday mornings, my brothers and I loved watching “Kung Fu Theater” which presented two or three of Lee’s badly-dubbed films at a time. However, becoming an actual participant in martial arts I owe to Nancy. ”

Dating while attending colleges near each other, Nancy became aware of Billy’s interest in Kung Fu. She bought him a pair of nunchucks – a weapon popularized by Bruce Lee consisting of two pieces of wood connected by a short piece of rope. His appetite for martial arts whetted by her gift, Billy’s interest turned serious.

During the early years of the Greers’ marriage, he was reading about and studying the subject. Figuring it was time for him to stop talking about martial arts and get involved, Nancy gave him an anniversary present of lessons at a local martial arts school.

Billy says he enjoyed the training but the school was more focused on karate which didn’t feel quite right. After the trial was over, he tried another school and then another which taught Kung Fu. Right away, the second school clicked so he and Nancy both signed up for lessons in the same form of Kung Fu they teach today.

“Like in the movies, the school was right above a laundromat,” Nancy remembered.

The pair learned the differences between karate, which can be compared to a stick used intuitively and forcefully, and Kung Fu which is like a properly used whip which is more circular and soft. It’s the softness that paradoxically develops the hardness and power.

Kung Fu is taught dynamically to develop speed and power while Tai Chi , a form of Kung Fu, slows everything down. The purpose of slowing down is to make everything faster. By training and relaxing the muscles and eliminating wasted motion, practitioners enhance their coordination. Then, when they speed up the motion, they’re moving very precisely.

Sadly, the school closed. But fate moves in mysterious ways. There were no similar facilities in the area. So, wanting to keep the training going, Billy formed a club for students of the former school. Able to use facilities at a local high school, they held lessons once a week and sometimes had guest teachers. When new schools opened in the area, the club dissolved.

Fortunately, Greer continued his training with good teachers. He explains that, instead of a system of rankings, Kung Fu has more of a “family” structure of students and teachers. He’s has mastered the training to the point where he has become a teacher and Shifu or a “father”. He is also a “disciple” of Kung Fu Master Willy Lin who brought the art to the United States 40 years ago and Tai Chi Master Chen ZhengLei – rarely bestowed honors.

In 2000, following the closing of another school in Annapolis, the Jing Ying Institute opened at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Arnold, teaching Kung Fu and Tai Chi to students from ages four to 94. The Greers took over the school and after making it their full-time business, it has steadily grown in the years since.

Easygoing and generous by nature, the Greers easily adapted to the tenets of Kung Fu, creating a welcoming, family and community oriented exercise environment that also extends to the Wednesday morning classes they hold weekly at the Severna Park Community Center.

Students are drawn to Jing Ying Institute classes for many reasons, not the least of which is the health benefits derived from Kung Fu and Tai Chi. Modern scientific studies, including a Harvard medical study conclude that Tai Chi, specifically, improves bone density, blood pressure, reduces stress, and improves strength, flexibility and balance. It encourages healthy socialization and also is meditative in that your thoughts are totally focused on the movement you are performing screening out random thoughts and calming your mind.

“We like to say Jing Ying emphasizes Self Defense and Health Defense,” Nancy said.

From the beginning, Jing Ying Institute honored the Kung Fu objective of “becoming good persons” by becoming involved with the community. They encouraged students to participate with them in causes ranging from raising funds for huge disasters like the Southeast Asian Tsunami of 2004 to raising funds for local institutions like SPAN.

In addition to learning how much their students wanted and appreciated opportunities to help their community, the Greers made a very important discovery.

“We realized we were of too modest means to be philanthropists ourselves but we have a space in which to bring the community together to make individual contributions and our students, in particular, welcomed the opportunity to do so.,” Billy said. “Altogether, we raised $115,000 for charities ranging from SPAN, Inc., Bello Machre and the Bernie House to Ark of the Chesapeake among others.”

For the fifth year, the Greers and students will participate in the “Kick Alzheimer’s to the Curb!” Walk to End Alzheimers at Sandy Point State Park on Sunday, October 17.

Jing Ying Institute and the Greers, personally, have contributed much by helping to organize and participating in community events. Nancy is a past president and board member of The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce and still chairs various committees. Among other events, she has helped organize the Anne Arundel County Police Eastern District’s National Night Out at Earleigh Heights Firehouse. She’s also an ASPIRE award winner and a Maryland Small Business Association Women In Business Champion.

Jing Ying students are champions too. Though tournaments are not really a feature of the school and not a focus of the training, students do participate in an occasional competition as a way of sharpening their skills. Thus, they have collected an impressive array of trophies over the years that the school displays above one wall.

In addition, the Greers and their students take part in many local events including the Severna Park Independence Day Parade and National Night Out performing martial arts demonstrations and their famous Lion Dance. The Jing Ying Lion (which some people mistake for a dragon), a product of an artist’s imagination, originated because there were no lions in China.

Nancy and Billy Greer and the Lion tend to pop up at many different events and will be doing so again as Gold Level sponsors and participants at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold’s Shoptoberfest next Saturday, October 23 from 11 am to 3 pm. They’ll also be hosting Jing Ying’s Halloween Drive-Thru at the school on Saturday, October 30 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Decorate your car and/or wear a costume and grab a Grab-and-Go Treat Bag. The Drive-Thru is a “free” community event open to the public but you must pre-register at JingYing.org. You can also check out Jing Ying Institute’s schedule of children’s and adults classes at Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org)

SHOPTOBERFEST, the ultimate #SHOP LOCAL event

Looking for the ultimate #SHOPLOCAL opportunity? You’re in luck. The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERBEST is being held at Park Plaza on Saturday, October 23 from 11 am to 3 pm.

Chamber CEO Liz League tells us that 45 local businesses will be participating. For just a sampling, they range from The Cottage, Lisa’s Cakepops, and Bulldog Schwinn and Sports, to Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery, Park Books, Blended Essentials, JB’s, Park Tavern and so many others. Sponsors include Landmark Roofing, Kogen Do Jo and Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi.

SHOPTOBERFEST, with its Trick or Treat Twist, will provide the perfect opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted with our local businesses. – a chance to shop till you drop. And it will be fun!

The FREE event will include trick or treating and a costume contest for kids as well as a costume contest for dogs. Can’t wait to see Rover or Fido decked out in the latest Halloween fashions. There will be music and entertainment and a photo booth. Best of all, you’ll be supporting community businesses. As Liz League likes to say, “Withoug community businesses, you don’t have a community.”

For information, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com) .