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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

August 19th was an exciting day for Severn River Association Program Officer Tom Guay and other members of the staff assembled to watch as the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) craft Papa Francis headed up the Severn toward a section of restored reef at Trace’s Hollow near the Severn River Bridge laden with 12.5 million oysters to be planted.

It was the second time oysters would be planted there and the observers couldn’t wait for the healthy flow of crustaceans from the side of the boat onto the reef to begin. SRA Operations and Communications Manager Sarah Winchester captured digital images of the entire operation including the actual planting as seen in the opening photograph.

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To acquaint us with the exact locations of the ten oyster reefs the Severn River Association has been restoring, Guay stood on a bank overlooking the Severn at Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park and pointed to each. He started with those nearest him on the north side of the river.

“There is the reef just off the historic property Manresa on the hill in the distance and a second reef near the boat in the foreground referred to as Peach Orchard,” Guay said.

Pointing to the Severn River Bridge over Route 50, Guay identified a reef in front and toward the far side of it as the MGO reef. Then, he pointed toward the southern shore slightly below the MGO reef to the Trace’s Hollow reefs 1 and 2.

Shifting his stance, he pointed southward to the Severn River’s biggest reef off the community of Wardour at Weems Creek known as Weems Upper. It has been planted heavily over the years and is the river’s most populous reef. Just north of Weems Upper off Priest Point is another reef referred to as Wade. An additional reef nearby is a “hot spot” for oysters known as Wade 2.

Finally, turning around to face the Naval Academy Bridge, he pointed to the mouth of the Severn River beyond The Naval Academy where two additional reefs are located at Tolley Point near Bay Ridge and Chinks Point near Back Creek.

The Severn River Association’s impressive oyster reef restoration projects began back in 2009 during the administration of Governor Martin O’Malley according to Guay.

“O’Malley asked the State legislature to make some financial commitments to bring oysters back to Maryland waters,” he recalled. “Fortunately, the Severn River was included in the plan.”

The first project launched – an educational outreach program to residents who owned piers all along the river – was called Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO). The SRA jumped on the program under the leadership of Bob Whitcomb who was president at the time and it was very successful.

The Severn River Association is now the biggest and most effective organization in the State involved with the MGO project. SRA has more than 300 oyster growers who receive free oyster larvae growing on oyster shells – a combination known as spat on shell – in September. They grow them in cages off their piers over the winter. When ready in June, the spat on shell are collected and planted on the MGO reef by the Severn River Bridge.

In 2018, the SRA members realized that, at the pace they were going, it was going to take a very long time to restore the reefs. They’d been planting approximately half a million oysters a year with the MGO program. However, they had a goal of one or two billion mature oysters in order to filter and refresh the water in the Severn River each week

Led by Bob Whitcomb and Ted Delaplaine, the SRA board decided to do something more aggressive and partnered with the Oyster Recovery Project and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to create a project called Operation Build A Reef as an experiment.

Working with ORP and DNR, SRA members raised private money to do their first major planting of 40 million oyster spat on shell with hopes of restoring two traditional Severn River reefs.

“We went to the hatchery at Horn Point and bought 40 million spat on shell, put them on one of Horn Point’s oyster boats, the Robert Lee, and planted them on the Manresa and Peach Orchard reefs,” Guay reported. “We next planted 15 million spat on shell on the reef we refer to as Trace’s Hollow A2. That is the same area we reseeded on August 19 by planting 12.5 million new oysters right over those previously planted there. All-told, we’ve planted over 200 million spat on shell.”

“We think all those oysters are doing really well and we can back that up. SRA has a water quality monitoring program, and we monitor the entire river including the oyster reefs which we visit every week. We monitor the water at each, measuring the levels of oxygen and salinity, particularly at the bottom where the oysters live. Over time, since 2018, we can show that the salinity and oxygen levels are of good enough quality for our oysters to be thriving.”

Guay added that the monitoring is followed up with an annual dive conducted on reefs planted with hatchery oysters the year before by volunteers who are experienced scuba divers. The divers take samples and are able to count, within a square meter, how many of the oysters are alive.

Thus far, the dives reveal that year-old oysters are thriving on the reefs. The minimum requirement to say a reef has been restored is 50 live oysters per square meter. SRA is getting 86 live oysters. In one spot, there were 150.

Guay revealed what a clump of healthy one-year old oysters looked like with a photo he took. He noted that, by the time the oysters are three years old, they have reached their full potential to filter up to 50 gallons of water each day.

The dives and underwater drones sent down to photograph the Weems Upper reef showed that from the surface to 12 and 14 ft. down the water is murky. “However, down right on top of the oysters, suddenly, the waters clear and you’re able to see the oysters,” Guay said. “You can actually view the oysters in the photographs. They do seem to be helping with the clarity.”

It’s fortunate that the Severn River has brackish water with salinity levels in drier years that are high enough for oysters and crabs to reproduce. When those conditions occur, there are enormous spawns allowing the oysters to reproduce themselves. If that happens often enough, the reefs can become self-sustaining.

Though the Severn River Association has many excellent programs, from floating classrooms for students to creating living shorelines, the organization is justly proud of its efforts to bring back the estuary’s historic reefs. SRA’s ultimate goal is to create favorable enough conditions in the Severn that there are enough fish, oysters and crabs for the local populations to share.

To learn more about the Severn River Association and explore opportunities to volunteer, visit Home – Connect Restore Protect | Severn River Association

Walk the Walk Foundation continues to grow by leaps and bounds

Thanks to help from generous donors and volunteers from Thrive Gym Annapolis and The Rotary Club of Parole (Annapolis), Walk the Walk Foundation completed the collection and distribution of more than 500 school backpacks to students at Mills Parole Elementary School on August 22.

WTWF director Nicole Dolan said she was incredibly pleased with the success of the organization’s 2024 school backpack drive.

“Since Walk the Walk Foundation can purchase school supplies for a much lower cost in bulk, we purchase the supplies up front and invite volunteers to join in filling backpacks,” Dolan said.

The busy director and her volunteers travel to communities, churches, offices, or schools where generous donors can fill a backpack for a $30 donation. The $30 covers the cost of one backpack along with all the necessary school supplies.

From the time Dolan and her husband Jeff took over the leadership of Walk The Walk Foundation from founders Dave and Kim Mitchell in 2022, the organization has grown by leaps and bounds and there has been lots of good news to share.

By far, the best news of all concerns one of WTWF’s most important initiatives – its Diapers for Babies program. At the end of July, the organization received a remarkable donation of 213,000 diapers from Huggies and The National Diaper Bank Network. The diapers were delivered in a 53 ft. trailer. Thankfully, a crew of volunteers helped the Dolans unload boxes and boxes of them.

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Walk the Walk Foundation’s Diapers for Babies program now supports 16 pantries across Anne Arundel County.

Aside from ongoing efforts to package diapers for distribution to those who need them, the foundation will be participating in their 3rd annual Bay Bridge Run/Walk Fundraiser on November 10th. Through WTWF’s Christmas for Children program, they’ll also be asking the local community to sponsor children for the holiday by purchasing Christmas gifts for families who otherwise would not be able to afford them

Since started by Dave and Kim Mitchell in 2005, over 10,000 children have been sponsored for Christmas by caring donors over the past 18 years. For more information about Walk the Walk Foundation or to volunteer for one of its programs, visit Walk the Walk Foundation | Annapolis MD (wtwf.org).

Homeschool businesses and organizations gather at Jing Ying Institute this Friday

Tomorrow, September 6, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi is hosting a Homeschool event. The event will provide Anne Arundel County homeschool families an opportunity to meet local businesses and organizations that have homeschool programs and/or extracurricular activities appealing to students of all ages from elementary school through high school.

From 11 am till 2:30 pm, parents and students will be free to meet with vendors. From 12:30 to 1:30 pm, there will be a free Kung Fu class for kids. There will be free school supplies for students and other giveaways. There will also be a raffle. You may register your student or students for the kids’ kung fu class in advance at https://bit.ly/HSKungFu.

Langton Green Community Farm to celebrate 10th Anniversary on September 28

President John Iaquinta and the staff at Langton Green Community Farm invites local residents to join in as they celebrate the farm’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, September 28th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. There will be live music provided by Pretty Big Deal Trio, food, and family fun. The farm is located at 844 General’s Highway in Millersville. For more information, visit Home – Langton Green.

Hatton Regester Green Fall Concert Series resumes

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails‘ Concert Series at Hatton Regester Green got underway on September 1 with a concert by the duo Two Stories. The next concert will be held Sunday, September 8, from 4 to 6 pm and will star Sparks & McCoy playing classic acoustic rock.

Sunday, September 15 will see Ginger and the other Dave singing and harmonizing. Both play guitar with Ginger also play fiddle on pop, rock, country and folk music. Sunday, September 22 will feature Caribbean influenced trio Guava Jelly – a Hatton Regester favorite. September 29 will feature the Old Mill High School Steel Band.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

As members of Orphan Grain Train-Maryland Branch’s fundraising committee, volunteers Linda and Steve Zahn have been busy helping to organize and publicize the organization’s “SPARE No One – Helping the Needy” Bowling Fundraiser being held September 14 at Severna Park Lanes. Last Thursday, they were at the bowling alley spreading the word about the upcoming event.

According to the Zahns, the committee settled on a bowling event as a fun way for the 501(c)(3) organization to raise money for operating expenses.

“Orphan Grain Train- Maryland Branch is an all-volunteer ministry to the needy located on East-West Boulevard in Millersville,” Linda said. “As a 501(c)(3) organization, it has a Charity Navigator rating of 4, the highest. It is one of 28 Orphan Grain Train branches nationwide. That means, basically, that 98 cents out of every dollar goes to help the needy.”

Steve added that the branch’s 6,300 square foot warehouse allows collection and distribution of goods to those in need locally, throughout the country and throughout the world. However, the branch must find a way to pay for everything it does.

The Zahns noted that costs for shipping humanitarian aid to war-torn countries in Africa and Europe, including Ukraine, have soared as have costs for sending natural disaster relief. Most recently, they’ve given aid to residents effected by Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse and have transported food, clothing, educational supplies, medical supplies and equipment, and even a donated church organ to towns in Appalachia. Of late, there has been a significant increase in requests to send food.

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As the pressing need for money to cover costs once more gained the attention of OGT’s fundraising committee, the members looked for a new kind of event that would attract attention. The Zahns had a suggestion. Since retiring as the former CEO of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber, Linda and husband Steve have volunteered with the Glen Burnie-based charity, Hope For All. They attended, observed and admired how successful Hope For All’s bowling fundraiser was and felt it could work for OGT.

The committee favored the idea because, unlike with a golf tournament they’d tried before, people of all ages and skill levels would be able to participate fairly economically. The committee members agreed and picked the location of Severna Park Lanes and the date of Saturday, September 14 from 5 to 7 pm for the bowling fundraiser.

As Steve and Linda continued spelling out the details, Severna Park Lanes’ owner Mike Hall stopped to say hello and ask how things were going and express interest in becoming a sponsor of the fundraiser. Hall, who also owns Greenway Bowl and Annapolis Bowl, supports numerous charities and is currently a vice-president of Katherine’s Light Foundation and a member of the Baltimore Washington Medical Center board.

“Our bowling centers have been community event locations for many years so we’re always sponsoring or hosting different events,” Hall said. “Orphan Grain Train is another great organization to be involved with so we’re looking forward to having them here.”

Back to the details, Steve revealed that the Presenting Sponsor for Orphan Grain Train’s Bowling Fundraiser is Marriottsville-based Thrivent Liberty Team Financial Advisors. Tickets for the “SPARE No One – Helping the Needy” Bowling Fundraiser are $45 per person (max. 5 per lane). Your registration includes two games and shoe rental for Ten Pin or Duck Pin Lanes plus pizza, soda and dessert. ($30 for non-bowlers including a pizza and soda ticket). There will also be a Silent Auction. To register, visit http://www.ogt.org/md, For questions, contact Linda Zahn at 443-517-9557 or at znam23@verizon.net.

Grand Opening of Sugar Shoppe a Sweet Success

Ever-so-adorable door decorations hinted that the Grand Opening of The Sugar Shoppe at 4 Riggs Avenue was bound to be something special.

Sure enough, inside the shop, there was a blur of activity as friends of owners Jamie Denton and Eloise Patton, families with kids, trendy teens and members of the business community came together to celebrate Sugar Shoppe’s grand opening and to admire the completed renovation of one of Olde Severna Park’s most historic buildings.

Even before admiring the shop’s beautifully renovated interior, many guests headed directly to the middle of the room where the “candy table” beckoned invitingly. Told by Denton and Patton to help themselves, they sampled seven kinds of candy ranging from all-time-favorite M&M’s to chocolate covered pretzels and homemade marshmallows on a stick.

We discovered Penelope Mann, who actually works at the Sugar Shoppe, and her friend Chase happily enjoying the marshmallows on a stick and were tempted by them to try one. They were, in fact, delicious.

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Among several entrepreneurs at the opening, we spotted House of Design & Co. and Bohemian Black fashions’ owner Rose Walker at the counter while contractor Bruce Wills made a purchase. A moment later, she introduced us to Wills, the contractor who did the renovations to the Sugar Shoppe.

Walker has been putting her plans on hold for more than a year to move her company into a permanent location at the historic 1928 Listman General Store property opposite the B&A Trail Ranger Station off Earleigh Heights Road. Unfortunately, the owners of the property have been held up with renovations to the building due to county permitting issues and ongoing plumbing and sewer line work. Meantime, Walker learned that the property owners are transforming a garage on the property into two units and can make one of them available to Walker to host pop-up shops featuring her fashions.

We ran into local businesspeople galore including Larry Sells from Larry Sells Consulting, Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation business development director Anita Dewling, and Jill Weissenbach from Higgins & Friends Pet Sitting. We later ran into Danielle Bowen from Blended Essentials, Tommy Sommers from Logo Zone Promotions and Debra Saltz from BD Provisions who are seen in the photo to the right.

To cap the Grand Opening off in fine fashion, a Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was planned. The organization’s CEO Liz League made what must have been her shortest trip ever from the Chamber offices directly across Riggs Avenue to the Sugar Shoppe. As always, League conducted a warm and interesting interview with owners Eloise Patton and Jamie Denton.

Asked how they came to open a candy shop, Patton said she and Denton were at the beach one day reminiscing about how they each had candy stores that they loved during their childhoods. They realized that there wasn’t a candy shop in Severna Park and decided that they would like to open one – one that was “super cute” and a place where parents and grandparents came to make memories for their kids or families. They’d also include gift shop items.

Patton had worked in the clothing business while Denton had worked in retail but neither woman had any experience running a retail business. Regardless, they’d long wanted to have some sort of business together and moved ahead with full support from their husbands and families.

Both owners thanked the friends and business associates who had helped and supported them including Wills and his team who carried out their every dream and specification to create the fun interior with its imaginative themes and pastel colors.

A brief series of presentations of congratulatory citations followed with one from Maryland State Senator Dawn Gile, a Severna Park resident “who just happened to live right down the street”.

The Grand Opening celebration ended with a ribbon cutting held in front of the Sugar Shoppe.

BD Provisions Roast & Toast Parent’s Morning Out

BD Provisions Severna Park co-owner Debra Saltz clued us in to the fact that the store is partnering with Macaroni Kid Pasadena MD for a fun celebration on Tuesday, September 3 at 8:30 am. Now that the kids are back in school, their parents are invited to take a well-deserved break at BD Provisions at 844 Ritchie Highway. The Roast & Toast includes:

A Complimentary cup of coffee
Mocktails
Shopping specials at BD Provisions
Tai Chi lessons by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
A Make and Take Decorated Oyster Shell with The Half Shell MD
Chair Massages from Stretch Life Wellness Company
…and Door Prizes and Giveaways from Macaroni KID Pasadena-Severna Park-Glen Burnie.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

After weeks of record-breaking high temperatures, it was wonderful to enjoy a cup of coffee on my back deck on this 75-degree afternoon surrounded by pots of oregano, garlic chives, basil and cherry tomatoes that I’ve proudly grown from seed.

As usual, the aromas of basil, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme got me thinking of recipes I can make using my own herbs and veggies along with those from my favorite farmstands, produce stands and farmer’s markets.

Before bringing the Around The Park Again column onto my already existing Sharon Lee’s Table website in 2020, I’d used the platform to highlight traditional and family recipes. To gather seasonal produce and ingredients for those recipes, I began visiting farmer’s markets, farmstands and produce stands throughout Anne Arundel County. They included, among others, Diehl’s Produce of Severna Park and Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis, Chase’s Produce and Marco Ridge Farm in Davidsonville, Peninsula Farms at Turkey Point in Mayo, Pumphrey’s Farm in Millersville, Langton Green Community Farm also in Millersville and the Severna Park Farmer’s Market.

However, my journey of discovery for recipes and ingredients had begun much earlier.

Reasoning that Diehl’s Produce of Severna Park was the ideal candidate for a Local Food Picks column I was writing for Annapolis-based Capital Newspaper in July of 2011, I headed for the open-air market.

From plums, peaches and melons to Eastern Shore corn on the cob, the produce beneath Diehl’s Produce’s red and white striped tents was picture perfect…great for the column. But I needed a recipe or two to share with the readers, so I searched out manager Jennifer Diehl.  Pointing to several cardboard cartons of good-sized green tomatoes Jennifer said, “I have just the recipe for you.”

According to Jennifer, longtime customer Judy Ridgely shared her recipe for Curried Green Tomatoes with the Diehl family and they found it absolutely delicious.

It’s definitely one of the most delightful summer recipes I’ve ever tasted and very easy to make.  With Judy’s blessing, we shared it with Capital readers in 2011. I, personally, have made it every summer since and share it now with you.

Judy Ridgely’s Curried Green Tomatoes

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 onion chopped relatively fine

1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder

Pinch cayenne pepper

2 cups coarsely chopped green tomatoes

Salt to taste

Chop tomatoes and onions.

Melt butter in a skillet or non-stick pan.  Add the onion and cook slowly until translucent.

Add curry powder and blend well.  Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Add green tomatoes and cook, stirring for 3 to 4 minutes during which time they’ll turn from green to gold.

 I like them served warm with a range of meats or poultry.

Six years after doing that column, I repeated the recipe for Sharon Lee’s Table. The farmstands, produce stands and farmer’s markets I mentioned above have since provided a trove of tasty ingredients for subsequent recipes. Those recipes fit a variety of seasons, moods and occasions and I plan to revisit them occasionally here. They connect all of us via taste, family and our love of the area. Look for more in the future.

CHANGE OF DATE for Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s 1st Annual Gala, Silent Auction

A few days after our announcement in last Thursday’s column that the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s 1st Annual Silent Auction & Gala would take place September 14, we were contacted by Fire Chief Dave Crawford to ask that we amend that announcement.

“We have run into snags regarding our choice of the original date in September.” Crawford said. “Last week we had to make a difficult decision to move the gala to April 5, 2025.”

We’ll be keeping you posted as plans progress.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Lost, for the moment, in the magic of the story book being read to him by his grandfather Paul Serini, young Eamon McHue had been having a fun afternoon at the Severna Park Library. There were games and toys to check out in Children’s Discovery Dock and he’d already gathered a dozen books to check out.

From the moment the Severna Park Library opened in 1955 in the Severna Park Railroad Station building along Riggs Avenue, it was major attraction for children and adults.

We’d visited and written about the Severna Park branch of Anne Arundel County Public Library many times but only recently realized that it had its beginnings at the old train station. We decided to investigate.

Thus, we returned to Severna Park Library on Tuesday to meet with AACPL Media and Communications Specialist Stacey Coles. She’d located some great old photos (including the one above) as well as some and records and a timeline for us. Coles also had the latest information on the wide-ranging library services being offered in 2024.

In addition to Coles, we spoke by phone with local historian Scott Jay for some facts not included in the AACPL history. Because Anne Arundel County was unable to attain funding for creating new library branches beyond Annapolis proper until 1965, the founding of the Severna Park library a decade earlier seems to have been a community effort.

As longtime Severna Park residents may recall, the library moved to a second location in 1960 – a cozy blue house on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.

“When I was 17, a buddy and I helped move all the books out of the train station to the new library just beyond the parking lot of the Winkelmeyer Building,” Jay said.

Older adults and those who were children when they visited the library during the years from 1960 till 1972 remember the charming blue house with a special fondness. The children’s section was located on the first floor while fiction and non-fiction titles for adults stretched across the remainder of the space and up the stairway to the second floor.

One of the librarians, a lovely lady with an expressive voice, would sit in a rocking chair each afternoon and read a story or two to the children gathered round her. Needless to say, the little ones loved it.

We found what we believe to be the “charming little blue house turned library” still existing as private residence. It was all but hidden by recent development along the 500 block of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.

What Stacey Coles located for us next was a photograph taken at the Dedication of the Severna Park Library in 1972 at 45 West McKinsey Road. You’ll note that the building was so new that no landscaping had yet been done to the grounds.

For comparison, in this photo taken of the library earlier this week, you can see that the landscaping is complete with mature shrubbery, a selection of trees native to the region, a bicycle rack, handrails along the paths, and a garden of native plants and flowers lovingly tended for a number of years by the Hollyberry Garden Club.

Seen below in July of 2014 were Karen Strange, Nicole Ferris and Joyce Stefancik who had been hard at work. The three were part of the 35-member Hollyberry Garden Club that created the multiple-award winning garden at the Severna Park Library. Where weeds once dominated, Shasta Daisies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, Joe Pye weed and other native plants now thrive.

According to Strange, they were guided in their design by a book called “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping, Chesapeake Bay Watershed” from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Members of the garden club have been faithfully tending the flowers and plants since 2009.

Over the years, a variety of interior changes have been made to the library including changes to the layout, the installation of new shelving, display areas and equipment. There are 10 computers for public use at several workstations where students and researchers can access a variety of databases, printers and Fax capabilities as well.

A more recent remodeling opened up the space and included, among other innovations, a handy Wi-Fi Bar with free Wi-Fi and the ability to connect to it even in the parking lot.

Cole noted that, because of its technological resources, the Severna Park Library is one of the most used branches in the Anne Arundel County Library system.

Much like long ago, when the library was situated in the little blue house, there are still story times for young children plus lots of activities in the Discovery Dock Children’s Area. Resources that are found there include DVD’s and launch pads for children.

Recently, a Club 1117 Teen Area has been added where gatherings, entertainments and other activities take place.

The library is now blessed with expansive check-out and information desks where we found Lauren Peterson, the cheerful Miss Maze, and assistant branch manager Rachel Frisch who were ever so helpful to library patrons of every age.

The library has meeting rooms and offers many different programs for library users of all ages. There are also thousands of books from every category one can think of for those of us who seek information or simply love the fun and adventure of reading.

A completely surprising fact that Stacey Coles mentioned was that Severna Park Library is one of several AACPL branches offering fishing poles for loan in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

It was hard to believe until I saw a woman waiting in line at the desk to return a fishing pole her son had borrowed after which I noticed a rack full of them behind the checkout counter.

The fishing poles can be checked out for three weeks. Borrowers must have a library card with Anne Arundel County Public Library and assume all responsibility for the fishing pole and accessories.

For information on or directions to the Severna Park Library, visit Severna Park | Anne Arundel County Public Library (aacpl.net).

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s 1st Annual Silent Auction & Gala

Save the date of Saturday, September 14 at 5 pm for Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s 1st Annual Silent Auction & Gala. The fundraiser is being held at the EHVFC Firehouse at 161 Ritchie Highway to raise funds for operational expenses and toward costs for a new firehouse. Tickets for the semi-formal affair are $125 per person, $200 per couple or $800 for a table of eight and include a cocktail hour, dinner and drinks. Tickets are on sale now at Food Truck Tuesday or Wednesday Night Bingo.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Meeting with friend, fellow former Capital newspaper columnist, and new Reynolds Tavern owner Diane Rey over coffee and dessert in one of the first-floor tea rooms on Tuesday afternoon, we chatted about how she and husband Dave came to buy the colonial era building at the corner of Church Circle and Franklin Street. The couple had long admired the tavern but the decision to assume ownership required some serious thought.

Built in 1747 by William Reynolds as a family home, the handsome building stands as proudly as ever. Fulfilling many roles over its 277-year history – from tavern, public meeting place and city hall to town library, a bank and popular restaurant and inn, it remains a mainstay of the thriving Annapolis business community.

As any of her friends will tell you, Diane Rey has always had a passion for history – so much so that, since 2011, she has reenacted the role of Anne Catharine Green whom she describes as “the media mogul of colonial Annapolis”.

“On stepping into her husband Jonas Green’s shoes following the printer’s death in 1967, Anne Catharine was named ‘Printer to the Province of Maryland’ (printing the paper money) and became the publisher of The Maryland Gazette, the only newspaper in colonial Maryland,” Rey said. “She lived and worked near here on Charles Street off Duke of Gloucester and, since she was a very influential woman, she’d have attended many private and public meetings at The Reynolds Tavern.”

Rey recalled that her initial interest in the Tavern began much earlier than her stint as Mrs. Green.

“Reynolds Tavern has always been dear to me since I landed here in Annapolis right after college in the mid-1980’s,” she said. “I was working as a public relations specialist for the Anne Arundel County Libraries System when I learned from my colleagues that the building was once The Annapolis Public Library. My co-workers fondly remembered going there and loved the children’s sections which were in the basement where the 1747 Pub is now.”

Their memories spurred Rey’s desire to learn more about the building’s early and current history and, since buying the Tavern, she’s sifted through almost three centuries’ worth of records while also working twice a week in the Beer Garden serving customers to learn everything she can about the business.

Starting with the 18th century, she was fascinated to discover that William Reynolds, a hatter and dry goods salesman, designed and built the structure as a home but used the basement for his hat-making shop. Only later, in1755, did he lease part of the building to be run as a tavern by Mary Fonnerau. It was so successful that, when Mary gave it up, Reynolds ran it himself naming it The Beaver & Lac’d Hat in honor of his primary business.

The late 18th century and early 19th century saw the Tavern in the hands of prominent merchant and civic leader John Davidson.

In 1812, the Tavern and building next to it became the property of Farmers National Bank through 1936. In fact, the bank’s “cashier” or manager lived in the tavern as a home and you can still see where there was a doorway in the front parlor behind the corner cabinet (pictured on the right) that connected directly with the bank.

In 1936 The Reynolds Tavern came close to being sold to by Farmers National Bank to Standard Oil and torn down to build a filling station. It was saved by a group of preservation-minded Annapolitans who found money to purchase and convert it to The Annapolis Public Library. The structure continued as the library and, later, the library system’s headquarters till 1974 when its title was transferred to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which in turn leased it to the Historic Annapolis Foundation.

In 1984, the Tavern was leased to Historic Inns of Annapolis run by a local entrepreneur, the late Paul Pearson who owned and restored The Maryland Inn, the Governor Calvert House and Robert Johnson House. Pearson had the vision to painstakingly restore the tavern to much of its former use and glory in a modern way. It’s Rey’s belief that Pearson never got the credit he deserved for bringing the building back to life while preserving its structural integrity and authenticity.

For a brief period in the 1990’s Reynolds Tavern reverted to ownership by Farmers Bank of America, Historic Annapolis and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. However, in 2000, it was purchased by a British couple, Jill and Andrew Petit, who operated it again as a tavern with a wonderful menu and Bed & Breakfast accommodations for travelers on the second floor. The Petit’s also brought a bit of English charm to the establishment by instituting afternoon tea service daily. The Petit’s longtime Innkeepers Wes and Marilyn Burge continue the custom, holding formal teas in the south dining room with its original mantle and striking portrait of George Washington (as can be seen in the opening photo) and/or in the opposite dining room or “Rose Room” as it is now called.

The Tavern’s windows, like this one in the Rose Room, offer picturesque views of St. Anne’s Church on Church Circle or equally historic buildings on streets nearby. Dormer windows on the third floor offer a true bird’s eye view.

By the early 2000’s, Rey was writing the weekly Around Annapolis column for The Capital and had occasion to cover events at the Tavern. Like many locals, she’d also stop by with friends for afternoon tea or dine there with her husband. Thus, her love affair with the Tavern continued unabated. When she and Dave learned it was for sale on the open market in September of 2023, they were amazed… and interested.

Deciding whether to buy The Reynolds Tavern from the Petits when it came on the market was quite an odyssey according to Rey. It took time for she and her husband to wrap their arms around the concept. The idea of owning the esteemed building was very appealing and they have had previous experience with historic properties. (They own a 100-year-old house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware that they rent out each summer.)

Still, it was necessary to go through the process of checking the building out thoroughly to make sure it was sound structurally and examining what they’d be getting themselves into. They determined that it was solidly built to withstand the march of time. Most of the original flooring, stairwells, the fireplaces and mantles like the one by cabinetmaker John Shaw installed in 1812, and even hardware on the doors were still intact. They believe it’s the life moving in and out of the Tavern daily that has kept it in such good condition. Nevertheless, they realized that a 300-year-old building would require upkeep and would always need help. They’d, obviously, want to be good stewards.

Mulling everything over one cool evening while taking a walk around St. Anne’s Church, Dave and Diane glanced across Church Circle toward the building’s front porch just as a reenactor dressed in colonial era garb walked out the door.

“She just seemed so natural to us, part of the scene,” Diane said. “We kind of knew then, that we’d go ahead with the deal. And, I have to say it’s a privilege being in the position of stewarding this old building into the future though I’ll admit it is a bit daunting.”

Fortunately, the Reys were blessed that the Petit’s Innkeepers for 22 years, the Burges, agreed to stay on. Rey explained that they know every nut and bolt of the Tavern building and are expert at overseeing every part of its operation, from dining to entertainment to dealing with bed & breakfast guests.

Glancing across the dining room at that moment, Rey was delighted when she spotted two little girls sitting at a table in the corner opposite their mother and grandmother. She loved seeing three generations of a family seated together at the white linen-draped table with the girls being treated to a special meal on China plates and minding their manners while wearing their fancy dresses. It’s the sort of custom she sees repeated often at The Reynolds Tavern.

We later walked over and spoke with the Severna Park family. The girl’s grandmother Anna Wilsman said they were there to celebrate her birthday with her youngest daughter Rebecca Chisholm and granddaughters Anna and Gracie.

From her observations, from notes in the mail, and from comments on social media, Rey has come to realize just how much The Reynolds Tavern means to people in the community and travelers coming through town. They comment that they love the very look of the building – especially when Darim Traore is there with his flower stand adding a bit of European flower market flair to the scene.

In addition to working two nights a week in the Beer Garden to learn the rhythms of the Tavern and support its partnership with the Classic Theater of Maryland. Diane Rey is working hard to absorb information from the historic records. She’s helping spread the word about The Reynolds Tavern and meeting with Annapolis’ business, hospitality and tourism, government and community leaders to establish a rapport.

She’s been careful not to neglect her duties as Anne Catherine Green, however, still appearing as the latter-day media mogul at various functions in Annapolis and elsewhere. Having obtained her replica gown, Rey started portraying Mrs. Green in the fall of 2011 as the printer when she was 49.

“But we’re coming up on the reenacting date of 1774 when Mrs. Green is gearing up to call out the news that ‘the Peggy Stuart is burning’ (Annapolis’ own “Tea Party”), and there will be a big re-enactment commemorating the event in town this October 19th.”

Having given Mrs. Green her best for more than a dozen years, Rey has now reached an age where she can no longer portray a younger version of the famed printer. Green passed away in March of 1775.

“So, I’ll be vectoring out of the role this coming March and am looking for a new, younger person to recreate the role of the young Anne Catherine Green,” Rey said.

At that point, we interrupted our conversation as Rey was scheduled to meet her contractor in the Beer Garden. So we made our way past the glass cooler for champagnes, wines and beverages and scrumptious desserts.

We exited through the back door into the garden. In spite of it being one of the hottest days this summer, it was shady, breezy and oh so cool and comfortable. As we were approaching 5 pm, there were few people in the garden but later, at 7:30 pm, it would come to life with the weekly Tuesday evening historic reenactment by Sally Boyett and her Classic Theater of Maryland troop. This year’s presentation is Moliere’s “The Miser” performed to the accompaniment of a harpsichord playing in the background and with appropriate sound effects. The Beer Garden hosts some form of entertainment every evening.

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I had just a moment before leaving to meet the Reys’ contractor, Mark Hall with Realistic Builders. Hall specializes in doing historic restorations and will be working on a handful of issues regarding easements and permitting.

I dashed back inside to thank our waitress Stephanie Lauck and learned that, for more information on the history of the Tavern and details regarding food, lodging and entertainment you can visit Home | Reynolds Tavern – Historic Landmark & Venue in Annapolis, MD .

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

A sudden breeze from across a farm field provides momentary relief from Monday’s heat and humidity as student employees Miranda Whetzell and Ashlynn Zimmerman hustle to help customers with their purchases of sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, peaches, berries or melons at Chase’s Produce off Route 424 in Davidsonville.

As Miranda helped a local woman select a basket of peaches, shopper Tommy from Harford County had been waited on by Ashlynn and was heading to his SUV with a perfectly ripened cantaloupe in one arm and a melon in the other.

He noted that he’s been working on a custom build nearby and drives by the stand every day on his way home.

“I stop here because fresh produce is important to me and everything is really good,” Tommy said.

In the years Miranda and Ashlynn have worked for farm owners Marge and Bob Chase, they have waited on customers from across Anne Arundel County and as far away as Baltimore County and Washington, D.C. – especially during strawberry season. The farmstand’s location off Route 50 attracts attention so they are often quite busy.

The girls are among several students the Chase’s hire each year to serve customers, help replenish fruits or veggies that run out, or store what remains at the end of the day in coolers if still fresh. These days, Marge and Bob do most of the veggie picking themselves each morning, but they’ll ask the girls for help if in a crunch. The also pitch in planting strawberries or working the stand during strawberry season.

College student Miranda will be going into her senior year at the University of Maryland in College Park this fall majoring in psychology. This is the eighth summer the Davidsonville teen has worked at the farmstand (starting at the age of 14). She noted that the money she’s made this year will see her through the fall semester. She also works at a local podiatrist’s office part time.

“Between the two jobs, I haven’t needed to take out any loans. I’ve been able to get myself through college without any debt,” Miranda said.

She added that she likes working at the produce stand because it gets her outside and is good experience. Plus, she loves talking with the customers.

According to Bob Chase, his youngest student, Ashlynn, is a good worker and a great help.

“She’s already bought herself a jeep with her earnings and (like Miranda) she’s determined to pay for her education. She saves everything she earns since she can’t depend on scholarships and college is expensive,” he said.

He added that she’s invaluable when strawberry season rolls around and it’s necessary to remove the 3,500 sandbags used to hold the row covers down over the plants during cold weather.

“It’s usually just me and Ashlynn picking up those 25 to 30 lb. sandbags. She’s as good as any boy and will work in that strawberry field as long as I let her,” said Chase.

Also from Davidsonville, multi-year farmstand employee Ashlynn says she is going to be a junior at Southern High School this fall but is already thinking of the future.

“I’ve taken a break this summer to focus on working the produce stand, but this autumn I’ll go back to working at a local restaurant to save more money for college,”

Like all of Bob and Marge Chase’s student workers, both girls go out of their way to help the shoppers, even carrying their packages to their cars for them. Both are grateful for the summer work. They’ve learned a lot and have even become expert at picking out the ripest cantaloupes and melons. They also like the perk of having their own Chase’s Produce brand shirts featuring the smiling ear of corn (sold at the stand).

Most days, Chase’s Produce is open from 2 pm to 7 pm but you can find driving directions and the farmstand schedule from now through September by visiting Chase’s Produce – Fruits and Vegetables, Fresh Produce (chasesproduce.com).

The first produce stand we ever visited, even before collecting and creating recipes for www.sharonleestable.com back in 2017, was Diehl’s Produce in Olde Severna Park when owner Doug Diehl was still on hand most days. Founded by Doug 52 years ago, the stand is ably managed today by his daughter Jennifer Diehl. Then as now, the stand was well-known for hiring students to help run the operation throughout the summer.

We encountered one of those students, Maggie Mullerby, checking out customers beneath Diehl’s shady red and white striped tents. She was quick and efficient as she weighed quantities of Adams County, Pa. peaches and fat, juicy tomatoes placed on the counter by shopper Bob Hendrix and his wife.

During a break, we learned that Maggie will shortly be headed back to the University of Rhode Island for her sophomore year majoring in Civil Engineering. She has worked for Diehl’s Produce in Severna Park for about four or five years, from the time she was in high school, earning money toward her education.

“We have students of various ages this year, a mix of high school students and a few college students like me,” she said. “It’s a great job and we often stay on for a while.”

The tent was suddenly very busy but before Maggie went back to the register, she observed that there are not many of the more traditional summer jobs available these days. A few of her friends work at summer camps but the rest mostly work for restaurants.

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Hoping to speak to Jennifer Diehl about the students she employs, we realized she’d been supervising the unloading of Eastern Shore vegetables from the Diehl’s Produce truck.

Employing students is one of the things we’re all about,” Diehl said. “It’s funny because we still see people who live in the area that are now doctors or lawyers or professionals who all worked here as students when I was younger…some as far back as 50 years ago. It’s incredible when they come back and say hi

Of course, both Jennifer and her sister Abby worked at the stand when they were students. Both of Jennifer’s daughters, Ella and Madeline (Maddy), worked the stand from the time they were about 10. Like their mother, they have chosen to remain in the family business.

Abby wanted own independent business but, wanting to carry on the family brand, created Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis at 921 Chesapeake Avenue in Eastport. She’s always quick to point out that she owes much of her success to her father Doug who taught her everything she knows. She even copied his four-tent design for her own stand.

Remembeing that working the counter at an ice cream shop was once a popular summer job, we crossed B&A Boulevard to The FroYo House Frozen Yogurt where manager Beth VanMeter assured me that, sure enough, several students are part of the staff currently. However, none were working late afternoon on Tuesday to chat with.

A few doors away from FroYo on B&A Boulevard we came to The Big Bean which sells plenty of frosty drinks and is kind of like a traditional soda fountain. From the moment the coffee shop was opened by founder/owner Deb Hoffman in —— until today when owned by Christie and Greg Coster, students have been among its employees. Walking in, we found about-to-be college student Zowie Talley working the counter and creating those icy drinks.

“I actually started working here before summer but I’ve been saving money for college,” Zowie said. “I’ll be entering the Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville in August to study mortuary science with plans to become a mortician.”

We have to say that we admired the ambition and willingness to work of all of these students. Given the scarcity of traditional summer jobs the pluck of these young women is admirable.

AAUW Book Collections about to begin

We’ve had news from Catherine Crowley that The American Association of University Women (AAUW AA Co) is once again collecting used books to benefit scholarships for Anne Arundel County women.

Collections dates and times are: 9:00 am to 12 noon on August 10 and 24, September 7 and 21 and October 5.

Collection sites will be in the parking lots of St Martin’s in the Field Episcopal Church, 375 Benfield Rd, Severna Park; Anne Arundel Community College, W. Campus Drive (off Rt 2), Arnold; and St Phillip’s Episcopal Church, 730 Bestgate Rd, Annapolis.

For further information, visitAAUW Anne Arundel County (MD) Branch.  For large book donations call 410-647-7041.

The eagerly anticipated AAUW book sale will be held in early November.

National Night Out at Kinder Farm Park

A reminder that Anne Arundel Eastern District Police’s National Night Out will be held at Kinder Farm Park on Tuesday, August 6th from 6 till 8 pm.

Jing Ying Institute Camp for Kids

Another reminder that Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi has announced its August 2024 Camp for Kids taking place from August 12 through 16 from 9 am till 4pm. The camp will include intensive practice in kung fu as well as a chance to try crafts, Chinese Lion Dance, music, tumbling, tai chi and group games such as tag, dodge ball and more. 

For registration, visit https://cp.mystudio.io/e/?=JingYing/3031/540928//1705632459 .

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Fresh from a summer afternoon swim, teens Abby Roberts and Ava Burleson were in need of a pick-me-up. So they crossed Riggs Avenue, strolled down the sidewalk past Severna Park Elementary School and entered Olde Severna Park’s newest business, The Sugar Shoppe, for a taste of something sweet.

Once inside, the Severna Park teens found two entire walls of something sweet. They started at one end of the shop, near the back where the chocolates were located. Forgoing chocolate covered peanuts and malted milk balls. they worked their way forward to where the M&M’s, gummy bears and other colorful treats shone out from their bins. By the time they approached Georgia Denton, who was minding the checkout counter, each had a see-through bag containing a mix of candies.

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Denton, the daughter of owner Jamie Denton and business partner Eloise Patton (who were away at a meeting) filled us in on the origins and opening of the business.

“As long-time friends, my mother and Eloise had always wanted to open a store together – a clothing store or a gift shop or something similar.” she said. “They had some free time and, talking about Severna Park one day, they spontaneously had the idea that what the town needed was a little neighborhood candy store. So, they came up with a plan, started working on it in September and got the lease for their historic location at 4 Riggs Avenue in February. Ever since then, we’ve all been busy right here.”

There was a lot of work to do. Built in the 1920’s opposite the Severna Park Train Station, the building was briefly a grocery store but was known, for more than a decade, as Doc Codd’s pharmacy. In 1944, following the death of Dr. Francis Codd, it became Cliff Dawson’s variety store featuring liquor sales, a soda fountain and a slot machine. In 1952, Dawson’s relocated, and its former location became home to the Antique Marketplace. In the spring of 2021, MaryAnn and Cam Neal took over the retail space and opened The Red Apron Shoppe (Red Apron Shoppe a welcome addition to Riggs Avenue – sharonleestable.com) which was an offshoot of their primary company Red Apron Estate Sales. The establishment closed its doors in June of 2023.

Transforming the century-old building was not an easy task.

“We basically changed the whole place,” Denton said. “We took down a column in here, added counterspace and storage units, painted the ceilings and all the walls, added a bathroom and pretty much redid everything. The exterior has been refreshed as well – quite an investment,”

The partners opened their new establishment about a month ago and the Sugar Shoppe will be having its Grand Opening with a Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on August 22 at 5 pm.

Denton took us on a mini-tour, starting with the same wall of candy her earlier customers checked out. While noting that chocolates and caramels were, by far, the most popular sweets, she pointed to empty spaces along the shelves where bins of chocolate-covered mints and chocolate-covered Oreos had stood but sold out and were subsequently removed. Among customers’ favorites were chocolate covered peanuts and nut clusters, malted milk balls, Nonpareils and caramel creams.

Pointing to displays of beach bags and games a bit further on, Denton said the owners decided on decor and merchandise with a coastal vibe on the interior of the store echoing the fact that the Sugar Shoppe is a mere block or two from the Severn River.

Roomy but stylish beach bags, shelves filled with dinosaur-themed l paper plates and napkins, and fanciful picnic items contributed greatly to the coastal feel of the retail space.

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A second entire wall was filled with candy especially appealing to kids including a bin of dark green “military gummy guys” and brightly colored superhero or action-figure candies.

For information on hours and other details, visit THE SUGAR SHOPPE (sugar-shoppe.com) or check them out on Instagram at The Sugar Shoppe (@the_sugar_shoppe) • Instagram photos and videos.

TAI CHI BUBBLE TEA a popular destination on a sweltering July day

From time to time, we’d received tips from several Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League members that we should pay a visit to Tai Chi Bubble Tea at 572 Ritchie Highway in Park Plaza which they found fun. However, one commitment or another managed to sidetrack us.

We finally found the time to stop by early this week. Due to the soaring temperatures, high humidity and strong mid-afternoon sun, entering the cool confines of the spacious restaurant was a pleasure. We saw other shoppers with the same idea cooling off with icy smoothies, fruit bubble teas or milk teas with great names like Tai Chi Panda or flavors like Pudding, Vinilla or Watermelon and/or one of the restaurant’s healthy Ramen or Sushi menu items.

Unlike The Sugar Shoppe, Tai Chi Bubble Tea is not a new business, but it has been a successful one.

Owner Amy Chen tells us that when she opened the restaurant on Father’s Day in 2021, she was building on the success of her first Tai Chi Bubble Tea location in Annapolis. She has found Park Plaza, with its ample parking, to be a great location and the restaurant has steadily grown a loyal customer base. The eatery occasionally hosts events and celebrations like the Chinese New Year and has become a popular place for organizations like the chamber’s Successful Women In Business Group to hold meetings.

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A Self-Defense Workshop for College Students at Jing Ying Institute this Sunday

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi is holding another of its Self-Defense Workshops for College Students this Sunday, July 28 from 2 to 4 pm at the school at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Arnold. Conducted by Billy Greer, the classes are filled with useful information and are geared to raise students’ awareness of possible danger, give them the tools to avoid it and provide them means of escape if they are attacked. As you can see from the photo below, the students pair up to practice every technique demonstrated by Greer.

For information or to register, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org) .

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.) They are also doing a summer camp.

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Dark clouds threatened rain but, in the end, there were only sprinkles as the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s annual carnival got underway at 6 pm Monday evening. There was no lightning or thunder, so the carnival rides were already in motion.

People were already lining up at the coupon booths to purchase tickets for an amazing array of rides geared to appeal to attendees from all age groups.

The lighthearted atmosphere was everything you’d expect from a carnival on a hot summer night. Aromas of popcorn, cotton candy and grilling meats permeated the air and music from the merry-go-round could be heard as ever-growing crowds streamed onto the midway to play games ranging from The Duck Pond to Mini-Hoops, Water Gun Fun, or others.

Older children and teens immediately headed for some of the scarier rides like the Avalanche seen in the opening photo where kids with their legs dangling in the air were captured mid-plunge before reaching bottom and reaccelerating to the top to do it all again. They were equally drawn to the Hip Hop ride seen here and other “thriller” rides more heart-stopping than the tried-and-true Tilt-A-Whirl.

Not surprisingly, we saw lots of parents with kids of different ages waiting their chance to get onto the Ferris wheel.

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Younger children held the record, of course, for riding the merry-go-round. We watched how delighted young Charlotte Byrne’s mother Jenna was to see her daughter come round that first time.

We later had a chance to talk to the whole family. Jenna, an Annapolis resident, and sister Lydia Penoyar, from Severna Park, who said they’d been coming to the carnival every year.

While meandering the carnival grounds, we couldn’t help being drawn to a red and white striped food tent that boasted lots of tempting choices. Well-known for their grilling expertise, EHVFC volunteers had their barbecue pits fired up and the kitchen going full tilt. Along with support from the Auxiliary, they conjured up a mighty fine menu featuring sixteen food items plus beverages. In addition to traditional carnival burgers, dogs and fries there were pit beef and turkey sandwiches, pizzas, nachos with cheese, soft pretzels, chicken tenders, crab cakes and sausages with peppers and onions.

A second striped tent filled with tables on which to enjoy those taste tempters also provided views of spinning teacup rides and flying dragons.

Nearby, we found EHVFC Fire Chief Dave Crawford. As usual, Crawford was back and forth supervising every aspect of the carnival and meeting, greeting and chatting with friends and attendees.

Always happy to update us on the latest news from the Earleigh Heights Firehouse and the volunteers, he was pleased to report that the 2024 Carnival, the organization’s biggest fundraiser, was going well.

“This past Saturday night was the best night we’ve ever had crowd-wise,” said Crawford. “We may have been helped by the fact that Glen Burnie had to cancel their carnival this year due to the fact that the person who spearheaded the event passed away.

He also filled us in on the status of plans for the badly needed new firehouse.

“We’ve pretty much gotten through all the zoning, and we’ve completed the planning. Now we need to go through the permitting process and are moving forward,” the Chief said. “Hopefully, by March or April of next year, we’ll be breaking ground.”

He met with the engineers last week who reported that the fire company should be in the new station within five years. The reason for the lengthy build is that the permitting phase can take up to two-and-a-half years. (If the county could help with the permitting, it could be sped up by about a year.)

Meanwhile, the focus has to be on raising money to cover current operating expenses and for construction costs. Crawford notes that the carnival is an enormous undertaking that makes a good profit and EHFVC is lucky to able to do it.

“Board member Andrew Price works on the event all year,” he added. “The volunteers and auxiliary members that run it have done so for years and are outstanding.”

With fundraising in mind, EHVFC is holding a Gala and Silent Auction at the firehouse on September 14. Tickets will be $225 for cocktails and dinner, with a table costing $800. The company is hoping to raise $200,000. A year ago, they had to spend $735,000 for the purchase of a new firetruck that was essential for the squad. Today, that same firetruck is going for a million dollars.

The Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company has been keeping the Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena areas safe and sound since 1918 when a group of Truckhouse Road neighbors with no protection against fire established the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company with just 14 members, so equipment, no station and a balance in the treasury of $2.50. The purchased the first firetruck in 1919 for $75 – basically a cart to haul equipment fitted with ladders, ropes, axes, buckets and lanterns that could be pulled by hand or by horse.

The same year, they constructed the first fire station – a wooden structure on skids that could be moved from one family’s property to another – and in the 1920’s purchased the first fire engine which was a Holloway Chemical Wagon on a Model T Ford chassis for $498. A more permanent station was completed in 1930 after which equipment continued to be purchased and updated through the 30’s and 40’s until 1958 when the present firehouse was completed at 161 Ritchie Highway.

HAPPENING TONIGHT – Ladies Night at Park Hardware

A tip from media representative Christine Hickey that Park Hardware is holding a Ladies Night this evening (July 18) from 6 to 8 pm. Guests can learn home DIY tips, interior design ideas, basic home repairs and more.  There will be giveaways, a wine tasting, and more. So, stop by if you have a moment. It’s bound to be fun.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.) They are also doing a summer camp.

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

The summer of 2024 is proving quite an exciting time for the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trail’s new president Darilyn Marinelli. Having succeeded immediate past president Diane Evans, she’s now involved in plans and preparations for the organization’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, September 29th from 4 to 6 pm at Hatton-Regester Green along the B&A Trail.

We caught up with Marinelli at The Big Bean in Severna Park where she was meeting with another past president, Jack Keene, in hopes of learning more about the history of the organization and about the network of trails owned and maintained by the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks. As can be seen in the opening photo, the two were looking over the grounds in back of a line of B&A Boulevard shops including Pedal Pushers, FroYo House Frozen Yogurt, The Big Bean, Sophie’s Crepes and others.

Next week, work will begin on an ambitious trail project to turn the strip of land into “Caraker Plaza” being named in honor of the late Thomas Caraker, III. For years, Caraker rode the B&A Trail every day and became a dedicated member of a group known as the Trailblazers who acted as “goodwill ambassadors” and served as “eyes and ears” for the rangers. Known, unofficially, as the Mayor of the B&A Trail, Tom Caraker was beloved by those who met him along the trail or in The Big Bean which he frequented daily.

Heading back into the cool comfort of the coffee shop, Marinelli explained that the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization of volunteers whose goal is to protect, preserve and enhance the county’s multi-use trails by supporting the work of the Anne Arundel Department of Recreation and Parks in creating and maintaining them.

Keene, who worked for Recreation and Parks and served as the Friends group’s president for a number of years, is a fount of information about the county trail system which began with the creation of the B&A Trail along the bed of the old Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and expanded to include five trails.

The right of way to the B&A Railroad was sold to Anne Arundel County on June 8, 1981. After the last freight train ran across the tracks in 1990, it occurred to several people that the route could be used for another purpose. A movement began to recycle the right of way by turning it into a hiking and biking park running from north of Annapolis to Glen Burnie – a 13-mile stretch.

According to Keene, the beginnings of the B&A Trail occurred with the first section laid in Glen Burnie. “It wasn’t actually a Recreation and Parks project but a rehabilitation project for downtown Glen Burnie that was federally funded and carried out by the county,” he said.

The B&A Trail was completed in 1990 and runs from Boulters Way in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie.  The “rails to trails” trail park is one of the most successful in the United States. It has been duplicated many times throughout the country.

Land adjacent to the trail in Severna Park was purchased in 1995 for the first “pocket park”, Hatton Regester Green, but not completed until 1999. The Green was designed and planted by the Friends and is supported by local garden clubs and individuals. May and September concerts are held at the Gazebo on the Green and that is where the 30th Anniversary Celebration will take place.

In November of 1994, a group of ten community-minded citizens led by Stan LeBar and David Dionne established the Friends of the B&A Trail to assist the park rangers as they patrolled the newly created B&A Trail. LeBar became its first president. In 2001, the organization’s articles of incorporation were amended to become the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails.

According to Keene, the second trail to be completed was the BWI Trail – a loop trail that circles Baltimore Washington International Airport for 12 miles. In agreement with the Department of Recreation and Parks, that one was partially paid for by the Maryland Aviation Administration which helps maintain it. Like the other trails, it is patrolled by the department’s rangers.

The third trail under construction was the WB&A Trail with which Marinelli is closely associated. The WB&A Trail is a paved recreational trail from Odenton to the Patuxent River on the abandoned Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad right of way. Phase 3 of the WB&A trail is almost complete with the creation of the Patuxent River Bridge connecting the trail to the Prince George’s County Trail.

The fourth trail currently under construction is the Broadneck Peninsula Trail – a paved trail  located within the right of way of College Parkway in Arnold, Maryland. Phases 1B and Phase 5 are still to be finished.

“Technically, the Broadneck Peninsula Trail connects with the B&A Trail at Jones Station Road,” Keene said. “From the Anne Arundel Community College section onward, it will eventually go all the way to Sandy Point State Park.”

The newest trail is the 11-mile South Shore Trail. The South Shore Trail mainly uses the abandoned roadbed of the WB&A Railroad between Annapolis and Odenton. It will connect with the Colonial Annapolis Maritime Route on the east end and the WB&A Trail on the west and be a component of the East Coast Greenway and the American Discovery Trail.  

“It will more or less run parallel to General’s Highway. The first section in Millersville is complete and the second section will stretch from Millersville to the traffic circle in Odenton,” said Keene. “A small section will pass by the Annapolis Mall ending at Medical Parkway.”

All of the trails will eventually connect according to Marinelli. There are three national trails with which one or more of them connect. A signpost erected on the B&A Trail at Jones Station Road points the way to all of them. They include The East Coast Greenway going North to South from Maine to Florida, the American Discovery Trail which goes East to West from Delaware to San Francisco, California and the September 11th National Memorial Trail which runs from the World Trade Center in New York to the Pentagon in Washington to the third crash site in Western Pennsylvania and back.

The headquarters for all of the national trails is Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park at the base of the United States Naval Academy Bridge in Annapolis.

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More immediately, plans for the 30th Anniversary year include Marinelli’s personal goal of attracting 30 new members for 30 years. She’s over halfway there, having signed up 18 new members with 12 to go before the big celebration at Hatton-Regester Green in September. The Friends are also promoting a Lasting Gift program to provide the opportunity to purchase a brick, bench, or water fountain to honor or remember a special person, pet or organization.

“Lasting Gift donations for the bulletin boards, in particular, would be appreciated as they are all showing signs of wear,” she says.

The Friends will be continuing as hosts of concert series at Hatton-Regester Green in September and continue as co-host the Planet Walk on the B&A Trail with Anne Arundel Community College.

Through spring, summer and fall, they also maintain the Flowerbeds planted and tended by volunteers all along the county trails. At Christmas the Friends assist Santa on the trail, providing beverages and snacks in collaboration with the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Not to be forgotten, a small group of Trailblazers still exists to help the park rangers.

Darilyn Marinelli is delighted remind everyone to Save The Date of Sunday, September 29th when the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trail invites you to join them for the 30th Anniversary Celebration from 4 to 6 pm at Hatton-Regester Green along the B&A Trail. There will be live music from the Steel Drum Band, door prizes, drawings for a 50/50 raffle, and an outreach table from the Friends with information and items of interest. For information about the group, visit Anne Arundel County Trails | The Friends of AACo Trails (friendsofaatrails.org).

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival opens tonight, July 11

A reminder that the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival at 161 Ritchie Highway opens this evening. The Carnival runs from July 11 through July 20 (with the exception of Sunday, July 14) from 6 pm till 11 pm. This year, there are 40 attractions including rides, games and food. For more information, visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.) They are also doing a summer camp.

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Those of us familiar with April’s Table Catering & Events were not at all surprised that the company’s 10th Anniversary Celebration was such a well-attended, joyous occasion. Countless local residents have tasted owner/chef April Cunningham’s delightful fare at a birthday, anniversary party or community event over the past decade.

The ceremony ended with a mad scramble outdoors for an official Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber Ribbon cutting. The sidewalk was narrow, so League motioned for the ribbon to be brought forward into the parking lot. Luckily, passing cars were careful.

For information on April’s Table’s catering and events, dinner club and pop-up meals, visit April’s Table Custom Catering & Events | Severna Park (aprilstable.com).

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival opens July 11

One of summer’s most anticipated adventures for kids is a visit to the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Carnival at 161 Ritchie Highway. The Carnival runs from July 11 through July 20 (with the exception of Sunday, July 14) from 6 pm till 11 pm. This year, there are 40 attractions including rides, games and food. For more information, visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.