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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

Part garden party with a tropical vibe, part wine-tasting with 75 vintages to sample with foods to complement them, and part fundraiser for the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation, there is no event quite like Corks for a Cause. Sponsored and hosted by Homestead Gardens Severna Park and Fishpaws Marketplace with additional support from the philanthropic organization Next Gen, the event brings together products from some of the world’s finest vintners and foods from some of the area’s finest retailers and restaurants.

Now in its fifth year, we found the fundraiser off to a fine start with the parking lot filled to the brim and every space taken. Locating a space in a nearby lot, we entered the store and found Fishpaws’ owner Kim Lawson making sure things were running smoothly at the check-in area.

Once checked in, guests were given gift bags containing tasting glasses and other gift items put together by Next Generation. Obviously, a majority of the guests headed straight for the gardens to taste the wines and mingle with friends.

Down every long corridor of plants and flowers we’d find one or more of the wineries beneath a bright umbrella surrounded by “tasters” eager to sample a vintage or two.

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As always, Corks for a Cause was a fashionable affair with summery frocks, picture hats and colorful casualwear in evidence. Friends Christine Bennett, Brian and Meghan Wexler and Chirag Chaudhari were having “a great time” together.

Throughout Corks for a Cause, vocalist and steel drummer Orlando Phillips “musically brought the Carribean to the party” thanks to a generous entertainment sponsorship from Brad Kappel of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Annapolitan Brad and wife Barbara were delighted to be on hand for the fundraiser…especially since it was held in such a beautiful setting.

“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Barbara said as cameras clicked around them to record the occasion.

The couple stayed on, listening to some of Phillips’ tunes before moving on to explore other areas of the event.

Fresh from his own successful fundraiser at Severna Park Taphouse on June 15, Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival & Charity Event organizer Larry Sells fairly bubbled as he shared some good news with Severna Park Voice publisher Dianna Lancione.

“The music festival netted $50,000 and we are giving away every cent of it to The Katherine Mueller Fund for NET (Neuroendocrine Tumor) Research and three other charities including The Wellness House of Annapolis , a Katherine Mueller Nursing Scholarship at Anne Arundel Community College and a Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation fund to help cancer patients who can’t afford transportation, food or medications.

Sells added that further money will be raised on August 3 when Nashville recording artist Chad Bearden & Band will be appearing at the Severna Park Taphouse and will donate $5 from every ticket sold to the Katherine’s Light Foundation NET Research Fund.

Having explored vintages from about a dozen wineries ranging from J. Lohr Vineyards in Paso Robles, California to Treasury Wine Estates with vineyards in Australia and New Zealand, we headed back indoors to have our tastebuds tempted by chefs from some of the area’s finest restaurants and retailers.

Starting near the entrance, we found the staff from the Green Turtle Sports Bar in Gambrills readying servings of chips with Crab Dip.

Opposite them was a table from Severna Park’s Garten where owner Jeremy Hoffman and Chef De Cuisine Greg Anderson were serving Falafel with Hummus & Leoneh with pickled cucumber.

Nearby, The Hideaway’s clever and charming sign caught our eye. We, naturally, were curious to see what was being served by the Odenton eatery. Turns out they were offering the restaurant’s award-winning Naked Wings, Pork Sliders and coleslaw.

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Heading right, we happened upon Executive Chef Frank Copeland and John Braden Jacobs manning the Carrol’s Creek Cafe table. Always popular with the Corks for a Cause crowd, Carrol’s Creek may just have topped last year’s selection by serving Crab Salad Tarts with Aioli as well as Goat Cheese Tarts.

Shared tables can be fun and that was the case with Pretzel Chef Marcus Moore and Bake Believe Bakery’s Sarah Neiburg. Moore offered samples of Moore Crunch pretzels which one might have expected. However, we were surprised to see Neiburg’s adorably packaged hand-crafted artisan marshmallows, s’mores and mallow treats!

Obviously, there were too many purveyors of food and fine wines to keep track of, but we moved on to a few others, stopping briefly at the tables of Glen Burnie-based Arturo’s Trattoria and The Lodge from Annapolis.

At the Two Rivers Steak & Fish House table, Kasey Schaffner was doling out servings of Italian meatballs. According to Schaffner, the Pasadena restaurant is also known for its catering services and the tasty meatballs are one of the most requested items for events.

As a sponsor of Corks for a Cause, Fishpaws Marketplace’s Kim Lawson wore many hats. She was involved in organizing the wineries and distributors and acted as the point of sale for each. Fishpaws Marketplace would also serve as the official pickup point for any wines ordered.

Thus, she left the Marketplace’s official table in the capable hands of Pamela Meador and several staff members.

They chose to serve olive tapenade with special crackers along with fruit and Dutch Kanaal Cheese which is carried exclusively at Fishpaws. They also had local Poplar Hill Honey from a farm located off Route 2 in Annapolis.

Wandering back out into the gardens, we arrived just in time for remarks from Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation’s Susan Iaquinta and Next Generation Group’s new chairman Kimberly Hilliard.

Iaquinta thanked Homestead Gardens and Fishpaws Marketplace for again hosting the fundraiser and explained that the funds raised were being used to renovate BWMC’s Healing Garden which was created 20 years ago and is used for some of the hospital’s Wellness Programs including yoga sessions.

Before introducing Hilliard, she explained that the New Generation Group is made up of volunteers who raise funds for the Foundation. Hilliard also thanked Homestead, Fishpaws and all of the food and wine purveyors who helped make Corks for a Cause a success. With remarks at an end, the entire group of BWMC volunteers came together for a group photo.

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For more information about the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation or to make a donation visit BWMC Foundation | UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center (umms.org).

Independence Day is fast approaching, and hints are everywhere

Folks walking, running or cycling the Severna Park section of the B&A Trail have likely noticed the patriotically decorated Gold Star Family Memorial or, on closer inspection, have noticed the small statue erected in memory of one of those lost, Eric Matthew Kavanagh, United States Army/Private First Class.

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Or, if traveling further past the Arnold Station section of the trail, they may have seen the beautiful patriotic display created by Rick and Elizabeth Rosborg and family along their front gate.

We’ve also spotted Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League out and about making arrangements for this year’s Severna Park 4th of July Parade. From what League tells us, the parade’s theme, “Stars & Stripes Forever” is bound to inspire some very patriotic entries.

League will be overseeing colorful tents being set up on the Chamber lawn for Parade sponsors, of which there are many this year.

“As before, the Parade will step off from staging areas at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Church and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 10 am along a route down Benfield Road onto Evergreen Road, turning left onto Riggs Avenue into the center of Olde Severna Park,” she said. “At the end of Riggs Avenue, the Parade will turn right onto B&A Boulevard, proceed past Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church and turn left onto Cypress Creek Road where it will end opposite Cypress Creek Park. Spectators can watch from anywhere along the route. There will be 20 Anne Arundel County police officers on hand to manage traffic and ensure spectators safety at major crossing points.”

She added that the Chamber is grateful that many of the Parade’s sponsors and entries have participated for many years. Among other traditions, Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services will again be sponsoring The Decorated Bike Contest and marching in the parade. The enormous Nathan McDavitt American Flag will once more be carried by a veritable army of Scouts and volunteers in memory of McDavitt and other military service members who have lost their lives serving our country. Vintage car collector Wayne Gerst will be returning to the parade with five priceless antique automobiles on rollbacks. And, of course, kids’ favorite Lion will be Lion Dancing for the crowds along the parade route with Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi martial arts students.

We understand that there will not be a high school band this year but there will be music from several groups. Notably, the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will be returning to the Parade with a selection of patriotic tunes.

There will be new sponsors and entries… including from one business we’re curious about called Sweet Bamboo Boba which we hear is a self-serve tea shop.

Regardless of how you are spending the day, we wish everyone a happy 4th of July.

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

Anticipation always runs high as dance recital weekend approaches but this year there was reason for “celebration” as 2024 marked the beginning of the Dance Center at the Severna Park Community Center’s second decade.

Themed “Celebration”, this year’s recital contained music from some of the organization’s favorite pieces from its first 10 years according to Dance Center director Kellie Greer.

“With ten years behind us, my favorite thing has been to see the children of our former dancers join us in the studio now,” Greer said.

Held once more in the theater at Annapolis High School, there were several recital performances scheduled from June 7 through 10. We chose to attend the June 8th Senior 2 Recital at 6 pm along with a good-sized audience of enthusiastic parents and grandparents…many carrying bouquets.

In keeping with its theme, the recital’s opening number fairly glittered in the lights while performed by DCSP’s Start Elite Dancers to the music “Celebration” by DJ Bobo (aka Peter Renee Baumann) – an exhilarating start to a program featuring 22 separate dance sequences with choreography by some of DCSP’s talented staff of teachers.

According to Greer, the students performing in the recital ranged in age from 8 years old to seniors in high school. The choreography they performed reflected their training in the Cecchetti classical ballet technique and Broadway-style classic tap and jazz. 

The most senior of the dancers, from the Advanced Combo 4 Class, appeared several times throughout the recital demonstrating their amazing range of skills. In their most beautiful example, they appeared on-pointe in the ballet “Raymonda” to the music of Alexander Glazunov’s “Opus 57”.

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Their expertise was displayed in a range of other numbers including some jazzy choreography to Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” and bluesy “Still Going”, and some fancy footwork in “Room Where It Happened” from the Broadway musical “Hamilton”. There was even a routine based on Hip Hop Favorites that began with the dancers seated on chairs but quickly transformed to a rhythmic romp with a dramatic ending.

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The younger students, including those from a newly created Experienced Combo 3 class of six and seven-year-olds, offered proof that they were mastering the art of the dance through a number of well-performed routines.

Luke Capitan (one of four DCSP male students) and sister Rose lent their newly acquired skills to a “Once Upon A December” routine from the movie “Anastasia” and later lent their taps to the “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” number from the movie “Toy Story”.

A glimpse of the Roaring Twenties most popular dance was offered through the dancer’s version of “Charleston” by James P. Johnson while the adorable piece of choreography based on the 1952 movie “Singin’ in the Rain” is the one seen in the opening photograph.

There were too many excellent routines to mention, but Kitri Act 3 from the ballet “Don Quixote” was another piece of choreography that captured the audience’s attention.

We mustn’t forget to mention a special solo performance by Brooke Bowerman, dancing to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”. Brooke, a Severna Park High School graduate, a DCSP dancer for 10 years, and a studio assistant for the past few years, is leaving the community to attend Coastal Carolina University this fall majoring in business.

The show’s finale brought together the entire cast of dancers and was followed by remarks from director Kellie Greer recognizing her staff of a dozen talented teachers and choreographers, six studio assistants and studio accompanist Susam Wincek and thanking the DCSP students for their hard work and commitment.

“I know the next ten years will be even more fabulous than the first ten,” was Greer’s final sentiment.

For information about The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center, visit Dance – Severna Park Community Center (spcommunitycenter.org).

Community rallies for Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival & Charity Event at Severna Park Taphouse

While courageously battling rare Neuroendocrine Cancer over a period of three years, Katherine Mueller nevertheless encouraged her friends and family to help her raise money for Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) research. Though passing away in 2021 at the age of 31, she and her group of supporters raised $128,000 through The Katherine Mueller Fund for NET Research and awarded a grant to Dr. Peter Clark at UCLA to study the disease.

Eager to carry on Katherine’s legacy by shining a light on her positive spirit, generous nature and determination, her parents Larry and Robin Sells and family started the Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival & Charity Event to raise funds not only for the NET Research Fund but for three other closely related organizations.

More about all four organizations after a look at the music festival – an all-day affair held Saturday at the Severna Park Taphouse that featured a dozen well-known bands. The event was attended by music lovers and Katherine’s Light Foundation supporters from throughout the greater Severna Park area.

Entering the festival past a line of attendees buying raffle tickets for a Big Green Egg barbecue grill donated by Park Hardware, we veered right toward the outdoor performance area when we spotted Ellen Kleinknecht waving to us. Ellen, outgoing Severna Park Community Center board chairman, and husband Scott support many local charities and organizations.

“I’ve known Larry Sells for a long time since both of us have been associated with the community center,” she said. “Larry does such a great job and he can fundraise like nobody’s business. This is such a worthy event. It’s very sad to lose a child but Robin and Larry found a way to continue and expand the wonderful things their daughter Katherine was doing and are making such a difference.”

Having been involved with SPCC for eight years, Ellen is stepping down as board chair this week. However, she’s already searching for new avenues to serve the community and is considering participating in a YWCA initiative to help victims of human trafficking.

Moving on, we observed that there was a sizeable and ever-growing audience spread throughout the shady Severna Park Taphouse gardens. Naturally, we turned our attention to the stage where guitarist Lee Priddy’s popular Honey Sol Band was performing. Truly a family affair, with son Andrew Priddy on drums and daughter Mackenzie Priddy on bass, Honey Sol is a local and regional favorite throughout the Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C. area.  

The bands, ranging from Jay Spiegel, TMI and Sarah, Dave & The Dukes to Red Betty & The Ruckus, were well-staged in approximately 45-minute sets throughout the day leading toward evening when festival headliners, The Crayfish, would appear. From the outdoor bar to the porches and shady nooks surrounding the stage, fans could be seen enjoying the rock and blues-based sounds of Honey Sol and the groups that followed them.

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Eager to find out more about the four organizations that would benefit from The Katherine’s Light Foundation fundraiser, we spoke with Robin Sells and Mary Jermann, the executive director of one of those beneficiaries, the Wellness House of Annapolis.

Jermann actually knew Katherine Mueller through the Wellness House as a beautiful, sweet and kind young woman. She admired Katherine’s dedication to raising funds for NET cancer research while increasing awareness of the often-misdiagnosed disease.

She said the Wellness House of Annapolis – which provides a comforting place outside of the medical community where cancer patients and their families can go to relax, talk, and find comfort and has 35 helpful programs – was honored to be chosen by the board of KLF as one of the fundraiser’s recipients.

Robin, Katherine’s mother and co-founder of the Katherine’s Light Foundation, noted that her daughter’s fundraising work through The Katherine Mueller Fund for NET Research was the inspiration to carry on her mission and share her light. She went on to describe the organizations that will benefit from the fundraiser.

In addition to The Wellness House, they include Anne Arundel Community College where KLF will fund a Katherine Mueller Nursing Scholarship, the aforementioned Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation through the Katherine Mueller Research Fund, and a Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation fund to help cancer patients who can’t afford transportation, food or medications to help with their treatment.

We soon walked about, speaking with festival attendees at their tables. Some of the many event sponsors had entire tables full of guests. Having an absolutely wonderful time were, left to right, Eric Stverotd, Holly and Frank Mollick and their daughter Abby, sponsor Alan Gable who is owner of A.M. Gable Heating & Cooling, Michael Harris and Rich and Joy Patel.

Walking on, we ran into Savvy Consignment owner Stacey Cassidy and husband Mike who were sharing a table with Dawn and David Orso of David Orso Realty.

They seemed to know many of the other people attending the event and were clearly enjoying themselves. Both couples have sponsored and supported many charitable causes and considered the music festival fundraiser one of the best.

We finally ran into Katherine’s Light Foundation co-founder and festival producer Larry Sells talking with his pal, guitarist George Evans, who would shortly be performing. One couldn’t fail to admire Evans’ pink and blue hat.

Sells was pleased that Saturday was such a beautiful day for the music festival and absolutely thrilled that the event attracted 60 sponsors – all of whom were listed on a pink sign that was more or less the color of Evans’ hat.

He reiterated some of the information Robin provided about the organizations that would benefit from the fundraiser.

“We raise the money and give it all away,” Sells said.

To learn more about the foundation or make a donation, visit Katherine’s Light Foundation (katherineslight.org).

TGIF Cookout at the Chamber, June 28th at Noon

A reminder from Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League that the organization’s TGIF summer cookout at the Chamber is being held Friday, June 28 at noon. This month’s sponsor is SCORE.

She noted that, since 1964, SCORE has provided business resources and mentorship to more than 17 million entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners nationwide. 

“We’ll also take a moment to remember Dave Butner, long-time SCORE volunteer and friend of the Chamber who helped many people start their businesses over the years,” League said.

The cookout features burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian options, sides, fresh popcorn and more and is free to Chamber Members and first-time guests.

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

Born as a house of worship in 1861 when constructed at the intersection known as Severn Crossroads in Crownsville – a hotbed of Revolutionary and Civil War history – Baldwin Hall has had three different locations.

William Henry and Jane Maria Baldwin and their family donated money to build the Georgian Colonial-style structure that replaced a building that housed the Cross Roads Methodist Episcopal Church on the corner of Generals Highway and Indian Landing Road.

In 1896, Baldwin Hall was moved from its corner spot to the opposite side of Indian Landing Road to make way for a new church known as The Stone Chapel that was financed by the nine Baldwin children in memory of their parents. The granite church, styled after an English country chapel is known as Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church.

Lovely Baldwin Hall subsequently became the church’s Sunday school and was renamed the Charles W. Baldwin Hall and Church School for a Baldwin son who was a long-serving minister. Having fallen into disrepair during the 1960’s and ’70’s, it was scheduled for demolition to make room for the Baldwin Memorial Education Building. However, the Hall was saved by a group of area residents who raised money to have it moved across Generals Highway in 1981 to its third and present location. The group of residents later formed the non-profit Severn Cross Roads Foundation, Inc. which manages and maintains the building.

With each move, Baldwin Hall was reborn with a new purpose. After its final move on June 2, 1981, the building was renamed Historic Baldwin Hall and became the center of many community happenings. It continues to be a focus of community life and Sunday’s Re-Birthday Celebration marked another step in Severn Cross Roads Foundation’s dedication to preserving and linking the hall’s historic past with its present.

Baldwin Hall looked inviting as close-knit community members arrived in the shady glen where the official Re-Birthday ceremony and unveiling of new signage would take place. Many of the people who came were long-time supporters of the hall and some had even been part of the crowd gathered in 1981 when the building was jacked up on flatbed trailers and moved across General’s Highway.

A few turned to watch as members of the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, who’d be participating in the program, moved into place along the porch rail. (The Sweet Adeline’s affiliated chorus is based at Baldwin Hall and holds its weekly rehearsals there along with occasional concerts.)

Across the lawn, Severn Cross Roads Trustee Pamela Aulton, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, moved to the podium as members of Boy Scout Troop 804 and Girl Scout Troop 192 came together in the background to form a Color Guard.

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Aulton began the program with a greeting.

“Happy Re-Birthday Historic Baldwin Hall,” she shouted as the crowd applauded. “Thank you all for coming and joining us for the 43rd anniversary of the hall’s move to its current location and for the unveiling of brand-new signage highlighting the history of the Severn Cross Roads community.”

Aulton next paid tribute to Boy Scout Troop 804 which was celebrating its 20th year at Baldwin Hall and Girl Scout Troop 192 which began there five years ago. At her command, the Scouts marched forward at a good cadence and came to a stop before the crowd.

Proudly presenting the Colors, they stood at attention as the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus sang their moving rendition of Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner”and.

An especially meaningful moment occurred afterward when the Scouts led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before posting the Colors and retiring.

Following a brief encapsulation of Baldwin Hall’s history by the Mistress of Ceremonies, it was time for the highlight of the program – the unveiling of The Severn Cross Roads Foundation’s new sign. Thanks were extended to the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area and Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for their assistance and help with funding. Then, with an assist from the organization’s president Dr. Anne Agee (as seen in the opening photograph), the covering was lifted and there were oohs and aahs and applause as the sign was revealed.

A moment later, guest Carol Benson, executive director of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, stepped forward to make remarks and give a special citation to Dr. Agee for her leadership in historic preservation and her vision in creating the sign.

Anne Arundel County Council member for District 6, Lisa Rodvien, spoke next. She recalled that when she first ran for office District 6 did not include Baldwin Hall. But, after redistricting in 2021, she found the “special gem of Country Gothic architecture” was in her district.

“Since that time, I’ve attended wonderful events at the hall, met many community members there, and I’ve gotten to hang out here with both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. It’s great to be here to celebrate with you today,” Rodvien said.

The ceremony came to a close with the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus singing “God Bless America” followed by an invitation to attendees to join Severn Cross Roads Foundation member inside the hall for refreshments and to enjoy exhibits its history. Among other things, there were photographs of the day Baldwin Hall was moved across General’s Highway on flatbeds, coverage of the hall in The Capital’s Crownsville section from the late 1990’s as well as coverage by yours truly of Baldwin Hall’s 150th Anniversary in 2011. Lastly, there were photographs from an actual religious service held in the hall as part of that anniversary celebration.

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Visitors were invited to tour the reconstructed 1840’s Cross Roads School House behind the hall as well. If you’d like to learn more about Historic Baldwin Hall or the school house, visit Home | baldwinhall.

Self Defense Workshop for College Students scheduled at Jing Ying Institute on July 28

In response to the popularity of their self-defense training, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi is scheduling a Self-Defense Workshop for College Students for Sunday, July 28 from 2 pm-4pm. While this particular workshop is geared towards students currently in college or headed to college, it is open to other teens and adults. According to Jing Ying owner Nancy Greer, if that date doesn’t work, the school is happy to put together a workshop on another date for your group.

You may pay by 6/15 and save $20 (use code EB), Pay by 7/1, and save $10 (use code Jul1). Register at: https://www.jingying.org/…/personal_protection_college.htm .

Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival at Severna Park Taphouse this Saturday

The Katherine’s Light Foundation, LLC Music Festival & Charity Event is being held this Saturday, June 15, at the Severna Park Taphouse from 12 pm till 8 pm. The band headlining this year’s event, The Crayfish, will be joined by 11 additional local bands. The Katherine’s Light Foundation was started by Larry and Robin Sells to honor the memory and carry on the legacy of their daughter Katherine Mueller who fought neuroendocrine cancer for three years until passing away at the age of 31. The foundation is raising money through the music festival for, not one, but four charities. They include s Katherine Mueller Nursing Scholarship at Anne Arundel Community College, the Wellness House of Annapolis, the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, and the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation. Tickets may be purchased by visiting Katherine’s Light Foundation (katherineslight.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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

A small, independent family business that got its start in Brooklyn Park in 1927, AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden continues to draw customers from near and far to its newest location at 224 Mountain Road in Pasadena. For 97 years, the store has attracted farmers, growers and homeowners with its friendly, knowledgeable staff and complete and unique line of agricultural products. Visiting the garden center is the ultimate SHOP LOCAL experience.

Since opening last December, the center has come a long way and, in the process, has transformed into a garden center you’re not likely to see elsewhere. The parking lot was fairly full as we pulled in from Mountain Road and we observed customers zipping in and out of the gardens.

A gentle breeze was blowing, setting up a pretty melody from windchimes by the entrance to the store. Inside, we found owner Cory Stephens who indicated how pleased he was with the way the garden center’s move from Severna Park has worked out.

“This has turned out to be an incredible location for us and I couldn’t be happier. I kept our crew intact and we’re off to a great start,” Stephens said. “During our six years in Severna Park, we had a lot of customers coming across from Pasadena. We’re now seeing the opposite effect as many of our Severna Park customers have followed us here. Best of all, some of our original Glen Burnie customers (who found driving to Severna Park a little too far) have come back to us.”

Pointing across the parking lot to a man getting into his car, he said the gentleman was a resident of Severna Park and a faithful customer who hadn’t realized AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden had moved. So earlier, he’d driven to the old location on Jumper’s Hole Road. Finding it empty, he’d seen the sign posted there listing the store’s new location and driven over to have a look. He was delighted to be personally welcomed back by Stephens.

As before, the fellow found in the interior of the store and its warehouse everything a farmer, gardener, pet owner or pet could wish for. From straw… to straw hats, from Cow’s Ears… to Knee Bones for canine customers, and, from animal feed… to grass seed in barrels from the 1900’s, there were products to meet every need.

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Stephens said he’s pleased that there is convenient parking and customers can pull up right to the door instead of walking up a hill as before. He noted that the store’s layout allows the staff to process customer purchases much faster. it’s also helpful that more space is available to display all the products out in the open. (At the old location, some merchandise had to be stored in the back meaning employees made many trips back and forth.)

It’s been interesting for Stephens to observe the effects of inflation on what people are doing this year. He’s observed that more families are trying to raise some of their own food to offset grocery store prices.

“We figured there’d be an impact,” he said. “But nursery sales have been incredible. We’ve outsold five different growers this year and plants and herbs are moving fast. You can see that people are concerned with the economy being like it is and they’re tightening their belts. We try to work with customers to get the biggest bang for their buck and get them in and out as economically as possible. We can actually see people standing their calculating how much money they’re spending in their heads and that is certainly new for us.”

Particularly noteworthy, is the amount of available wall space that has been devoted to celebrating the history of Anne Arundel County farms through Stephens ‘collection of historic farm implements. In addition to burden baskets, dried tobacco and farm implements in homage to his heritage growing up on a tobacco farm in Millersville, there are items gathered from other local farmers as well as old photographs. On one wall, there are now pictures of each of AA County Lawn, Farm and Garden’s locations over the span of 97 years (with the exception of an empty frame at the top awaiting its photo for the present Pasadena center).

Interestingly, when people started noticing all the artifacts on the walls, they began bringing in artifacts of their own to be added. Thus, thanks to the generosity of the store’s patrons, the collection is growing all the time. The most recent addition appears on a corner ledge near the ceiling.

“A donor came in with a grinding wheel that belonged to his grandfather that he wanted me to take a look at,” Stephens said. “I asked what he wanted for it. He said he wanted me to have it, so I placed it next to a very rare old sled with wooden runners that another gentleman gave me.”

He slyly mentioned that another gift from a donor would be evident as we strolled through the plant nursery. We headed there, first stopping at the outdoor sales office where clerk Lydia Murray was helping customers. We inquired about the gift – a statue for the gardens – and were directed the end of a corridor of plants by the greenhouse. Lydia said it was rumored that the statue was temporarily being referred to as “Claude”.

We followed her directions to the greenhouse where we immediately spied the newly donated piece of garden statuary.

Elsewhere in the gardens, customers were making a beeline for a just-arrived shipment of herbs and native pollinator plants.

In addition to the wide variety of flower and vegetable transplants in the nursery, there were roses, shrubs, blueberry bushes and young trees plus charming groupings of flowers and innovative little gardens planted in stock watering tanks.

On learning last June that his lease for the Severna Park location would end in November and he’d need to move, Stephens initially wondered whether he should continue with the business.

“At age 65, I had to do some soul searching. My wife remained supportive for whatever I decided while my daughter wondered if I hadn’t had enough. But I’m not emotionally or financially ready to quit. Luckily, everything worked out for the best. Our landlord, next door to us, is wonderful. We call ourselves ‘the corner of Anne Arundel and Anne Arundel’ because he is Anne Arundel Seafood and we are Anne Arundel County Farm, Lawn & Garden. People who stop by here often end up going to the restaurant and people having a meal or getting carry-out there often drift over here.”

“It sounds kind of corny, but I literally spend about 30% of my day getting well wishes and hugs and kisses and people telling me ‘thanks for continuing on and not quitting’. It means so much.”

At the checkout counter, employees Abby Fontz and Kelly Neet said that they’ve enjoyed meeting customers, old and new, and have received many appreciative comments.

To follow what’s happening and AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden visit AA Co. Farm Lawn & Garden | Pasadena, Maryland (aalawnandgarden.com) or follow them on Facebook.

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

It was wonderful to see chocolatier Jessica Zaleskiwicz behind the candy counter at her new shop Hon Style Sweets during its Grand Opening on May 24th. True to expectations, she and her business partner Shannon Speakman were wearing hon style fashions and hairdos complete with cute aprons.

From July of 2015 through December of 2019 Zaleskiwicz’ flair for retro decor and fashion was on display at Coco Couture in Severna Park, the independent family business for which she created unique and delicious chocolates while her mother Laura Zeitz handled the books.

From first glance when approaching the shop at 2608 Mountain Road in Pasadena, one can see that Hon Style Sweets has taken the chocolatier’s retro sensibility a step further. As per the sign on the door, the owners are also emphasizing products with a Maryland connection like Zaleskiwicz’ signature creation – her chocolate Old Bay crabs”.

Reflecting on the fact that a “chocolate shop” is kind of a retro idea in the first place, we asked what prompted Jessica and Shannon, along with partner Diane Speakman, to open Hon Style Sweets. Their reasons were similar.

When Zaleskiwicz bid goodbye to Coco Couture at the end of 2019 prior to its closing due to partnership concerns, she revealed that she still made chocolate occasionally but was working fulltime while completing her bachelor’s degree in business management. Her degree a fait accompli by 2021, she continued working.

Both partners affirmed that their main reason for wanting to open Hon Style Sweets was work related. Speakman said she’d tired of office work after 20 odd years. She loved the idea of interacting with customers as a retailer with a wonderful product to sell.

Zaleskiwicz said she hoped to get back to doing the thing she’s most passionate about. She elaborated further.

“Shannon and I are both into retro style. I grew up in Baltimore and we wanted something to be really Maryland. Shannon came up with Hon Style Sweets which captures both ideas,” she said.

“For now, I’m keeping my job but dedicating my weekends to Hon Style Sweets while Shannon runs the store during the week,” she added. “We’re both spending our extra time selling our products at community events,” she said.

We inquired of the partners why they chose to locate the shop in Pasadena and wondered whether it had anything to do with the rapidly rising cost of leasing commercial properties in Severna Park. Both indicated that the higher rents for those locations were definitely a factor as they have a budget… and they’d observed that the Pasadena community is really good about supporting small businesses. Interestingly, the new chocolate shop seems to be attracting some of the same customers that shopped at the former Severna Park location.

As for Hon Style Sweets’ line of chocolates and fudge, samples set out along the counter for Grand Opening attendees went ever so fast.

On shelves below the counter, were containers of fudge in most of the flavors appearing on the product list to the left. Behind the counter, in the kitchen area, boxes of fudge were already prepared and stacked high in preparation for selling at community events including this weekend’s Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival (see below) and the upcoming Downs Park Family Day.

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We found the Crabby Caramel with Old Bay delectable and enjoyed the Strawberry Cheesecake fudge too. There was also Milk or Dark Chocolate Bark with Old Bay as well as dark or white chocolate covered Oreos topped with molded roses (or diplomas for graduation gifts).

Of course, we can’t forget Jessica’s signature creation, the one for which she is well-known – “chocolate Old Bay crabs” sold individually or by the count.

Opening Hon Style Sweets has been a many months long journey for Shannon, Diane, and Jessica. They’ve had their space on Mountain Road next to Lisa’s Deli for a year and did all the work renovating the building, bringing it up to code and decorating it themselves. They’re so happy to finally have people see it, especially the many people that helped and supported them.

Once settled in, they’ll be adding new chocolate, fudge and Maryland-related products to their line and will add to the already busy schedule of community events they attend throughout Anne Arundel and neighboring counties.

Hon Style Sweets is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 am – 5 pm and Thursday and Friday from 11 am – 7 pm. Weekend hours are based on event participation and holidays so follow the shop’s schedule at Hon Style Sweets or on Facebook.

Is Strawberry Season Over?

We were sad when viewing a note from Marge and Bob Chase on the Chase’s Produce Facebook page that “Pick Your Own Strawberries” month had come to an end early on May 21. Every May, people come from all over Anne Arundel County and beyond to pick strawberries from patches on a Chase Farm hillside. This year’s crop was great but spoiled by off and on rains. In fact, pickers were advised to wear boots.

“We want to thank everyone who came out. But the rainy conditions have taken a toll on the berries,” Marge wrote. “Please come see us at the end of June when we open up for the summer produce season.

For farm fresh produce fresh from the field daily, check for the opening date at Facebook.

But the strawberries aren’t all gone. The biggest June event is the Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival taking place this Saturday, June 1 from 10 am to 6 pm. The annual event is free to the public though a few activities require the purchase of tickets for $1 apiece. (All proceeds benefit local charities and community groups.) Held on the beach, the festival has so many things to do. Visitors will find all sorts of crafters and vendors. They’ll be able to listen to great music from local bands and enjoy great food from local charities and vendors. At the clubhouse, they’ll be able to “dine on all things strawberries”. Activities for kids include Moon Bounces, an Obstacle Course, Pony Rides, Dunk Booths, and Sand Art. There will be Bike Demos to view, a K-9 Demo, a Martial Arts demo, and much more. In order to facilitate parking, there will even be a Berry Bus to take you where you want to go and back again. For more information, visit Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival – Cape St. Claire Strawberry Festival (cscstrawberryfestival.com) or follow the festival at Facebook.

Strawberries are also still available at Langton Green Community Farm at 844 Generals Highway in Millersville with blackberries soon to follow. They are also harvesting Bok Choi, squash, garlic scapes, and lettuce. For information on which produce is available for sale visit Langton Green Community Farm | (langtongreenfarm.com) and click Subscribe for a Farm Fresh Newsletter or visit them at Facebook.

Baldwin Hall Re-Birthday Celebration on Sunday, June 9th

Chesapeake Harmony Chorus director Sally Burton, who is also a Trustee on the Severn Cross Roads Foundation which manages Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville, informed us about a Re-Birthday Celebration being held at the hall on Sunday, June 9th at 2 pm. The public is invited to a celebration of the 43rd anniversary of Baldwin Hall’s move to its current location and the unveiling a new sign that describes the wonderful history of the 1861 building.  Several local dignitaries are expected to attend. There will be a flag-raising by Scout Troops 804 and 192, music by the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, exhibits of the history of Charles W. Baldwin Hall, tours of the 1840’s Cross Roads Schoolhouse and cupcakes for all.  

For more information, visit Home | baldwinhall.

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

Living between the Severn and Magothy Rivers, Severna Park residents enjoy both and know a great deal about them from a geographic, historical and environmental point of view. However, they’re not as familiar with Anne Arundel County’s southernmost waterways – the South River, West River and the Rhodes River.

Like the Severn and Magothy, the South, West and Rhodes rivers are tidal estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Our own interest in the trio of South County rivers was piqued in March when we visited the Arundel Rivers Federation booth at Annapolis Green’s “Green Drinks” event at Homestead Gardens.

ARF Communications Director Charlotte Graves and Community Outreach Assistant Lily Hariton had eye-catching displays and information at their table and did a good job explaining Arundel Rivers Federation’s mission.

Wanting to know more, we met Arundel Rivers Federation’s executive director Matthew Johnston for an interview at Pier 7 along the South River below Coconut Joe’s restaurant.

The scene was lively with small craft coming and going and the busy South River Bridge in the background. But, according to Johnston the waterway was likely much busier in the distant past. From the mid 1600’s, when settlers arrived in Anne Arundel County from the Virginia colony, through the 1700’s and into the 1800’s, traversing the rivers by boat served as the population’s main form of transportation and commerce.

“London Town, off the South River in Edgewater, Maryland, was an extremely busy port for about a century,” Johnston said. “Founded in 1683, it was also Anne Arundel County’s seat until 1694 when Annapolis became the county seat as well as Maryland’s capital. Annapolis won that privilege because it was a deep-water port while London Town’s relatively shallow waters couldn’t handle heavier craft.”

He added that London Town was a central transportation hub for the Chesapeake region. The sale of tobacco from the South County 100’s (land grants) was the primary source of trade. (Information on Historic London Town‘s website notes that trans-Atlantic tobacco ships would gather tobacco at London Town before sailing to England and Europe where the tobacco was traded for manufactured items, spices, and other goods.)

The smaller West and Rhode Rivers saw trade from tobacco and other crops but not on the same scale as London Town.

Shifting his attention to today, Johnston noted that the Arundel Rivers Federation was created on January 2, 2019, the result of consolidating the South River Federation and West Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc.

Previously, there was a South River and a West and Rhode Rivers riverkeeper. Today, Anne Arundel County native Elle Bassett is the Arundel Rivers Foundation Riverkeeper for all three rivers.

Johnston describes ARF’s mission as the protection, preservation, and restoration of the South, West, and Rhode Rivers by working with local communities to achieve clean, fishable, and swimmable waterways for present and future generations

He added that commercial and residential development of the watersheds around each of Anne Arundel County’s rivers is a real concern for the Arundel Rivers Federation. With a full-time professional staff of restoration, outreach, and grant experts, Arundel Rivers Federation often partners closely with professionals and volunteers of other local organizations including the Severn River Association, the Magothy River Association, and the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy to help deliver environmental restoration projects across Anne Arundel County.”

Johnston’s favorite ARF initiative at the moment is the Broad Creek Stream Restoration Project. Kevin Bacon and his foundation, SixDegrees.org, joined scouts to plant hundreds of native plants for the project where 3,700 feet of degraded stream is now reconnected to its historic floodplain.

The majority of efforts ARF is involved with revolve around Streams and Wetlands Restoration, Living Shorelines Restoration, Rain Gardens, Reforestation and Oyster Restoration.

With regard to oysters, Johnston reports that they exist and are healthy near the mouth of the South River where the water is deeper and cleaner. Elsewhere, in shallower waters in inlets and creeks that do not regularly flush out excess nutrients, it’s difficult for populations of oysters to survive. The Federation has created a reef of its own. In addition, nearly 60 families will grow oysters this season through ARF’s partnership with Marylanders Grow Oysters.

Having previously served as Anne Arundel County’s first Environmental Policy Director, Johnston led county and statewide efforts to pass new forest conservation and stormwater management laws to preserve our rivers. Thus, saving forested acreage and reforestation efforts are especially important goals for him. The topographical features of each of the rivers influence its health and challenges.

From its headwaters in Crofton, the South River enters the Chesapeake Bay south of the City of Annapolis. The drainage area of the South River watershed is 36,433 acres and supports approximately 66,000 residents. Roof tops and roads and other impervious surfaces comprise approximately 4,432 acres or 12%.  At present, 16,669 acres of forest, or 46% of the watershed remain.

In contrast, the drainage area of the West River watershed, located in the southeastern part of the county, is approximately 7,809 acres. It includes the communities of Galesville, Chalk Point, Cedarlea, Avalon Shores, and Shady Side with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on its northeast border. Land covered with woods makes up the greatest portion of the West River watershed, approximately 44%. Other significant land use/land cover categories are row crop and residential.

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The even smaller Rhode River empties into the West River, which drains directly into the Chesapeake Bay. Forests comprise 54% of the watershed. Other significant land use/land cover categories are row crop and 2-acre residential.

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For Riverkeeper Bassett and Watershed Analyst Mallory Box, monitoring the health of 34 tidal sights twice a month for dissolved oxygen and clarity, PH, temperature and salinity is all important. Box spearheads water quality data management and analysis. Her data collection will expand this year to include nitrogen, phosphorus and algae.

Bassett patrols the local waterways, tracks down sources of pollution, responds to citizen complaints, attempts to identify problems that impact water quality, and advocates for new policies that protect the waterways.

Johnston and the Arundel Rivers Federation believe two primary problems need to be dealt with by the public. The first is excessive nitrogen pollution in stormwater runoff from fertilized turf plantings (lawns) and the second is runoff from septic systems.

To inform and educate South County citizens about measures they can take to limit pollution of our waterways, Outreach Coordinator Mairin Corasaniti and Community Outreach Assistant Lily Hariton are spreading the word. Both are participating in Arundel Rivers and YMCA Camp Letts’ partnership to provide children hands-on environmental science sessions as part of the camp’s day program during its 10-week summer season. The program is made possible by a generous donation from The Brick Companies and a grant from The Chesapeake Bay Trust.

For more information about the work being done by the Arundel Rivers Federation, visit Homepage – Arundel Rivers Federation.

Chamber’s TGIF Cookout being hosted by Kinder Farms Park on May 31st

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce announced that its TGIF Cookout will be hosted by Kinder Farm Park on Friday, May 31 from noon till 2 pm. There will be fun for all with tours, hayrides, animals and more. Register at https://www.gspacc.com/.

Orphan Grain Train completes shipment to Appalachia

Millersville-based Orphan Grain Train had lots of good news to report this Spring. On April 18th, the volunteer organization loaded a 53- foot container headed for the Christian Appalachian Project in Paintsville, Kentucky. The shipment contained 22,600 lbs. of clothing, blankets, shoes, coats, hygiene items, medical bed frames and mattresses, medical mobility equipment, and three hospital infant warmers. Included in the load were 17 beautiful hand-crafted quilts from Ladies Ministries at Heritage Community Church in Severn, Maryland.

Closer to home, in early May Orphan Grain Train delivered eleven 7 ft. slate-topped science tables to Annapolis Area Christian School (AACS), K-12.  AACS plans to incorporate these specialized tables into their STEM program and renovation over the summer. The science tables were acquired from a High School in Indianapolis through IRN – The Reuse Network.

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

Following the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s blustery, less than optimal, SHOPTOBERFEST last October, the organization decided to move their Spring Shop Local Fun Festival back to the more conveniently located Park Plaza.

We’d heard that some local businesses were feeling the effects of inflation, so it was reassuring to see several dozen vendor tents as we drove into Park Plaza.

Entering the event, we found Chamber CEO Liz League telling Higgins & Friends Pet Sitting owner Jill Weissenbach that she breathed a sigh of relief when she woke up to find the previous evening’s heavy rains had stopped and the skies were clear.

“My prayers were answered. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day,” she told Weissenbach. “The temperatures are great and there’s even a nice breeze.”

As planned, the 2024 Spring Shop Local Festival had something to please everyone. There was plenty of fun for kids with games offered by SPAN, Inc.’s Michelle Sabean (as seen in the opening photo) and Mardy Williams and Peggy Wolfe from Trinity Bible Church. There were additional games and toys at the side-by-side tents of the Play Street Museum and Franklin’s Toys.

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As always, pets were welcome visitors at the Shop Local Fun Festival. While not exactly delighted with the current state of affairs this pup was only too happy to wander among the dog friendly booths.

Luckily, the Pup Camp booth had a slew of Puppylicious Gourmet Treats that were yummy.

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Then there were dog biscuits at Higgins & Friends and Pupsicles at Fieldstone Animal Inn and more dog biscuits at Ally 4 Pets.

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Festivalgoers could also shop till they dropped. In addition to stopping at Kathy Walker’s Swarowski Touchstone Crystal jewelry table, shoppers flocked to the booth shared by Naturally In Knots and 120 Wellness which featured colorful clothing, candles, gifts, and herbs as well as homeopathic remedies.

They also beat a path to Danielle Bowen’s Blended Essentials booth where there was a rush on jewelry, candles, soaps and delightfully fragrant bath products.

“It’s been so busy here with people looking for gifts for Mother’s Day that there’s so little left,” Bowen said. “We sold out of all of our bath bombs.”

Gifts for Mother’s Day, upcoming graduations and weddings and every other occasion were the stars of Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery that spread the length of several tables. Artwork by local artists, jewelry and crafts by local artisans, and charming floral arrangements of lavender and herbs graced the tables.

We found Side Street’s owner Dawn Wilson deep in conversation with Larry Sells of Larry Sells Consulting. The two were lamenting the recent departure from Park Plaza of 32-year anchor business Ledo Pizza which was unable to negotiate a new lease and relocated to 342 Ritchie Highway.

“It’s so sad to see the former Ledo’s empty,” Sells said. “We held a lot of events there and it was a great family place too. Sullivan’s Cove, the next storefront over, is gone too.”

Such is the high cost of doing business in the heart of Severna Park these days. Figuring that no one has his finger on the pulse of the business community better than Park Hardware owner Rick Miller, we stopped by his tent for a chat. We found him behind the Park Hardware car for the occasion, a 2024Tesla Cybertruck that was drawing a lot of attention.

Miller was enjoying a dose of satisfaction because Park Hardware’s first Native Plant Sale the previous day was a tremendous success and brought a number of new customers into the store. Having taken over ownership of the former Clement Hardware a little over a year ago, he notes that people are still getting acquainted with Park Hardware. The sight of a tent full of reasonably priced native plants on the parking lot definitely created interest.

“We didn’t have as great a winter as we’d have liked. The fact that folks are really watching their budgets has probably been a factor,” Miller said. “But business is really starting to pick up again with more and more customers coming in.”

Brand new to the Shop Local events, the All the Buzz Native & Pollinator Gardens tent was quite a hit with the crowd. Owner Erin was “giving away” Blue Eyed Grass pollinator plants that produce lovely blue flowers when in bloom and draw bees. She was also selling transplants of more specialized native and pollinator species like Mountain Mint and Coneflowers.

With the Primary Elections just three days away on May 14th, several political organizations and candidates had booths.

Clad in red and blue to match the patriotically decorated Severna Park Republican Womens Club tent, Amy Leahy greeted many festivalgoers throughout the day and urged them to come out and vote in the primary.

We also happened along just as LaToya Nkongolo, who was running in the Republican Primary for the Board of Education – District 5, took a break from her tent to visit the neighboring tent of Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services’ owners Winsome Brown and Danielle Morgan Brown. (We extend our congratulations to Nkongolo who won her primary.)

Sisters Winsome and Dee were spreading the word about the Caregiver Retreat their business is holding for caregivers or care partners this Saturday, May 18 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm at Harundale Presbyterian Church. (See announcement below for details.)

One of the Spring Shop Local Fun Festival sponsors, Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall spent a few moments talking with her friend Mary Ann Jung who is well-known as historic reenactor whose most famous roles are those of Queen Elizabeth l and Queen Anne Boleyn and, more recently, —– and Julia Child.

This year’s Shop Local Fun Festival featured music and entertainment including a demonstration from Kwon’s Tae Kwon Do students. As with other festival sponsors, Kwon’s logo flashed from the mobile advertising screen just as the student’s performance began.

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A sponsor as well, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi had an elaborate booth but chose not to do a demonstration this year. That meant owners Nancy and Billy Greer had time to spend greeting people at the booth and hanging out with friends.

Two businesses associated with self-defense took part in this year’s Shop Local event. The first, In My Defense, was new. The second, Kogen DoJo Self Defense Academy, with locations in Severna Park and Annapolis, has been a Shop Local event participant for some time.

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We give a nod to one more organization that is looking for a home in Severna Park. According to Severna Park Museum volunteers Mary Vogelsang and Sharon Wood, the organization has been looking for a place in which to highlight the town’s history through their collections but building rents are quite high making their quest a difficult one.

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s next event is a cocktail reception being held at Garten on May 23rd recognizing the community’s Small Business Awards winners and nominees. For updates, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

Filling The Caregiver’s Cup with a Caregivers Retreat

Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services is hosting a Caregivers Retreat this Saturday, May 18th at Harundale Presbyterian Church, 1020 East Way in Glen Burnie from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Retreat is supported by sponsors Chessie Senior Movers, Inspirations, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Spring Arbor Senior Living and OutLook byThe Bay. It is designed to provide information and activities for Caregivers or Care Partners that restore and replenish the mind body and spirit of those caring for a loved one, spouse, sibling or parent. The cost is $10 per person. For information, call 410-541-6246.

Hon Style Sweets is bringing Jessica Zaleskiwicz’s fudge and chocolate back

Those who remember Coco Couture will be delighted to hear that chocolatier Jessica Zaleskiwicz will be opening a new shop she is calling Hon Style Sweets in Pasadena with a grand reopening scheduled for May 24 and May 25. Located at 2608 Mountain Road, Suite 1 by Lisa’s Deli, the shop will be carrying Zaleskiwicz’s fudge and chocolate. No doubt Hon Style Sweets will have a touch of her own unique style.

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

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner Katherine Grote is “mobile” and frequently on the move between her Annapolis-based medical practice Integrative Family NP, LLC and patients in their homes. We caught up with her on Annapolis Street at the Bean Rush Cafe where she was checking for emails from her patients.

We’d met Grote before at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s Women In Business Winetasting at Cheers & Spirits last December. From the moment she was introduced and described the medical practice she owns as “one that makes house calls”, we were all overwhelmed with curiosity.

She’d briefly explained then that she is a Registered Nurse Practitioner who treats patients virtually online, in her office at Wellsview Cottage, or in their homes.

During a recent chat with Grote at Bean Rush Cafe, we had time to delve more deeply into what a Nurse Practitioner is and does. She began by explaining the many steps she had to complete to become an NP.

“To be a Nurse Practitioner, you first need to be a Registered Nurse. That requires that you have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing which takes four years of education,” Grote said. “The next step is getting your Master of Science Degree in Nursing. Most schools for getting your MSN require that you have at least 1,000 hours of clinical time or work experience before you’re eligible to apply.”

She said there are degrees for many kinds of nurse practitioner specialties ranging from Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, and Acute Care Nurse to Integrative Family Nurse Practitioner which is what she is.

After getting her Master of Science in Nursing degree in Family Practice, Grote went on to additional training to acquire her Holistic Integrative Specialist certification so she could marry traditional Western medicine with alternative medicine.

Thus, like most Nurse Practitioners, she has had 11 years of schooling with a heavy emphasis on clinical experience. (In contrast, family practice doctors generally spend four years working for their Bachelor’s degree and four years of medical school, plus a residency or fellowship for a similar total of about 11 years of schooling.)

Once finished with schooling, Nurse Practitioners must sit for one of two boards. Grote sat for and passed the American Association of Nurse Practitioners board becoming nationally certified. She next applied to be licensed by the State of Maryland. Lastly, she applied to the state’s Board of Nursing for CBF and DEA Prescribing licenses (the latter for controlled substances) and a National Provider Identifying number.

Like doctors, who are similarly licensed, Nurse Practitioners are fully qualified to issue prescriptions. Their lengthy, high level of training and experience compare favorably with or occasionally surpass that of doctors. Thus, Nurse Practitioners have become an extremely important part of the medical profession across the nation – especially in rural areas.

With a family practice like the one Grote established, Nurse Practitioners treat patients from all age groups – from pediatrics to geriatrics. They treat patients for a range of health problems and generally offer more affordable health care.

“Surprisingly, when I ask my patients why they prefer being seen by an NP, they frequently answer “because nurses listen to them while doctors are inclined not to”.

Far from being a “pill pusher”, Grote is holistic in her approach preferring to combine Eastern and Western medicine and to treat the whole patient instead of treating a single symptom. She loves having her own integrative family practice that is designed to treat children and adults with flexible visit options and reasonable costs.

Patients can arrange to be seen by her through telemedicine virtual appointments, in her office at Wellsview Cottage in Annapolis or through home visits. Costs are straightforward with telemedicine and/or office visits $30 for a visit under 15 minutes, $50 for a 15-29 minute visit and graduated fees for longer visits. Home visits cost an additional $100 due to travel time and expenses. Her practice does not accept health insurance but does provide a detailed billing so patients may submit it for possible reimbursement.

Grote schedules office visits on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Wellsview Cottage which she chose because of its friendly, homey atmosphere and the fact that the facility is host to several complimentary practices ranging from Foods and Nutritional Therapy and Herbal Medicine to Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Yoga. As the name Integrative Family NP, LLC implies, her practice considers the overall health of her patients in providing well thought out treatment plans.

Integrative Family NP, LLC is part of a growing trend. According to a study in Nurse Journal, the fastest- growing career in the U.S. is that of Nurse Practitioner.  NP jobs are projected to grow 45% over the next decade. Considering the state of the U.S. economy and soaring medical costs, it’s good that Nurse Practitioners are helping lower healthcare costs by filling the primary care physician shortage gap and improving healthcare accessibility.

Independent family practices like Grote’s are an increasingly popular alternative for cost-conscious and low-income patients. Furthermore, the mere mention, during speaking engagements, that she makes house calls brings smiles to the faces of those listening to her. People old enough to remember when medical care was affordable and doctors made house calls are nostalgic about those days and wish they’d make a comeback. Younger folks say they find the idea of a Nurse Practitioner who makes house calls appealing since sitting in a doctor’s office is the last thing they want to do if they are sick.

People interested in making an appointment with Grote can reach her by email at Katherine.groteCRNP@outlook.com or by calling or texting 443-534-4793. She’s happy to set up a brief “Meet and Greet” by phone or in person at no cost.

Chamber’s Spring Shop Local Fun Festival rescheduled for this Saturday, May 11

Last week’s heavy rains forced the postponement of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s “Spring Shop Local Fun Festival” at Park Plaza to this Saturday, May 11 from 11 am to 3 pm. Chamber CEO Liz League and a host of local business owners are crossing their fingers while chanting “rain, rain stay away” till late in the day.

When we last checked, over 60 local businesses are expected to participate with exhibits. As always at the Shop Local Fun Festivals, there will be food, music and lots of fun for kids.

For updates, visit Facebook.

Hatton-Regester Green concert schedule announced

The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails kicked off their season of free concerts in the gazebo at Hatton-Regester Green with the return of the popular Carribbean-influenced trio Guava Jelly on May 5.

There are three more concerts in the series beginning this Sunday, May 12 with a Mother’s Day concert featuring acoustic duo Josette & Bill. They’ll be performing popular tunes from across the decades.

On Sunday, May 19 Incidental Brass – a classical brass group will be playing a mix of show tunes and jazz with a patriotic number or two for good measure.

Lastly, on Sunday, May 26, Sparks and McCoy, a classic rock duo will appear to round out the spring series of concerts.

The concerts are brought to us through a grant from the Performing Arts through Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks. All concerts held on Sundays between 4 pm and 6 pm and are weather dependent. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or chair. For information, call Dave Greene at 443-994-8074.

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

Located on the Broadneck Peninsula between the Severn and Magothy Rivers, the once rural community of Arnold, Maryland was, and is, a major hub of Anne Arundel County commerce. As is the case with most of the peninsula, few traces of Arnold’s rich history remain due to unchecked residential and commercial development.

Once a thriving cattle farm situated on a rolling acreage owned by the Mueller family, the barn seen below still exists and as seen in the opening photograph, has been restored as part of the Anne Arundel Community College campus on College Parkway.

In an effort to preserve a portion of the diminishing amount of acreage in and around their community, a group of 100 concerned citizens formed the Arnold Preservation Council. We met with past president and current board member Elizabeth Rosborg to learn what we could about the organization’s efforts to preserve Arnold’s open lands and the culture, traditions and flavor derived from them.

When asked to describe her community, Elizabeth Rosborg is fond of quoting the words of the late Alberta Stonetta, author of the book “Arnold Maryland and Neighbors on the Broadneck.” 

In the preface of her fascinating history, Ms. Stornetta noted:

Arnold is not a town, but it has a post office. Arnold has no city hall or mayor, but it has a fire house. Arnold has no town center, but there is a pharmacy, restaurant, liquor store, doctors’ offices and a MacDonald’s.

A lifelong Arnold resident, Rosborg continues to be astonished that thousands of people pass through the community on Ritchie Highway every day and never even know they have been there. Aside from a shopping center on the site of what was once a B&A Railroad stop called Arnold Station, there is no distinguishing landmark. Because of that fact, Arnold has seen mostly residential, rather than commercial, development and managed to hold on to a bit of the rural feel it was known for.

We met Rosborg behind the shopping center on the B&A Trail covering railroad tracks at the spot originally known as Arnold Station. While seated trailside at a picnic table in front of the 75-acre property she grew up on, Rosborg filled us in on what the Arnold Preservation Council is trying to do.

“My grandparents bought the property behind us that I live on in 1954. When I was younger, we used to take the tractor up the long drive to the original post office located on this corner. That was great because the post office was also a candy store,” she said. “The office of the traveling doctor was located on the same corner.”

According to Rosborg, Arnold has never been incorporated as a town, complicating some of the efforts of the Arnold Preservation Council. It does have its own zip code, 21012. Within the last few years, the community has become part of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce giving it some recognition.

The boundaries of Arnold within the zip code 21012 and are far ranging. The community is bordered by Severna Park to the northwest, Cape Saint Claire to the southeast, Annapolis to the southwest, and Lake Shore (in Pasadena) to the northeast. Arnold’s neighborhoods straddle Maryland Route 2 (Ritchie Highway) and College Parkway all the way to Bay Dale Drive.

Historically, there is evidence (at the community of Ulmsted and elsewhere) that the part of the Broadneck Peninsula that is now Arnold was hunting grounds for Susequenook and Algonquin Indians who found shelter along the rivers. The first area settlers were Puritans fleeing from religious persecution in Virginia who arrived in 1649 to establish a settlement they called Providence on land in or near Greenbury Point.

The earliest settlements that later comprised Arnold were located along the rivers and based on land grants. They included communities along the Severn River like Rugby Hall, Joyce, Winchester On The Severn and, along the Magothy, Shore Acres, Cape St. Claire and Podickory Point.

As is the case with neighboring Severna Park, few traces of Arnold’s interesting history remain but there are a handful to marvel over and, hopefully preserve. The home of John Arnold, the first Arnold to settle in the community in the early 1800’s still exists on Freshfields Lane off of Shore Acres Road.

John’s second son Thomas Hamilton Arnold, for whom Arnold is named, established a store on land inherited from his father he called The Depot. It no longer exists but was located approximately where Cheers & Spirits sits today in the shopping center. When the Baltimore & Annapolis Short Line Railroad came through his property in 1887, Thomas became station master at Arnold Station and the U.S. Post Office was operated from his store. According to Rosborg, though a development is planned near Thomas’ gravesite, it is one of the historic sites being preserved with access off the Broadneck Trail.

John Arnold’s eldest son, Elijah Redmond Arnold built a home at the intersection of Old County Road and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard with an attached smaller building he operated as Arnold’s Store. Records from the U.S. Postal Service indicate that a post office was established at the store in 1852. Renovated and modernized several times as a private home, the building still stands proud.

The 108-year-old Baltimore Annapolis Railroad Powerhouse building near the northern boundary of Arnold is now home to Ann Arundell Historical Society’s Shop at Jones Station.

Erected in 1907 as a midpoint electrical substation between Baltimore and Annapolis, it channeled 22,000 volts of current through three 300-kilowatt transformers to lower it to 6,600 volts and feed it directly to overhead lines. In 1933, the former powerhouse became an ice house for Miss Etta’s Store & Rustic Inn and later for the Wagon Wheels restaurant. Briefly the building housed the historic society’s headquarters before moving to the Benson Hammond House.

Nearby, the community of Rugby Hall still stands on its basic footprint. Within it is the beautiful property known as Wroxeter On Severn. The mansion was built in the early 1900’s by a gentleman named Edwin Pugh Baugh and named Uchllyn-on-Severn. A little over a decade after Baugh’s death, the mansion was operated as a prestigious restaurant named Rugby Hall from 1935 to 1941. During World War II, the home was used as a USO hall. Six years later, it became Wroxeter School, a private co-ed prep school. The date 1947, when it became a school, can still be seen on the gates to the estate.

Today a private residence, the estate is still quite beautiful though not as isolated as it once was.

According to Rosborg, land in Rugby Hall has been purchased a forthcoming development called Wroxeter Estates. However, there is a memorandum of agreement between the developer and the Rugby Hall Homeowner’s Association to limit the development and preserve what is known as “the farm”. The agreement is legal, binding and has been filed with the State of Maryland.

We couldn’t neglect to mention what many people consider an Arnold treasure. Fishpaws MarketPlace has been a traditional stopping point for locals and travelers. A tavern and gas station in the 1930’s, the store was owned by the Fishpaw family from the late ’40’s through the 60’s. It changed hands a couple times before being purchased by Kim Lawson and her parents, Brad and Chris, in 1982. In 2004, the Lawsons tackled a major reconstruction becoming a marketplace that features deli and gourmet foods, and a selection of beer, wines and spirits. 

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There is quite a bit of history associated with Arnold. But it seems the speed with which change has occurred since Elizabeth Rosborg’s childhood – when there were plenty of wide-open spaces to roam – has accelerated. Each step forward – from the coming of the railroads and building of the major highways to the completion of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans – drew more people to the Broadneck Peninsula.

The Arnold Preservation Council is doing its best to slow or moderate changes related to overdevelopment and population density. At present, they are fighting a proposed Chic fil A to be built in an area along Ritchie Highway that already sees very heavy traffic flow. Having observed “traffic stacking” at the Chic-fil-A in Severna Park, the community is very concerned.

In addition to being a board member of the council, Rosborg is part of the Anne Arundel County Citizens Advisory Committee planning for what the county will look like in 2040. She notes that residential development continues to be intense and is a difficult challenge. The committee strives to update the antiquated county code meant to control development and save 30,000 acres by 2030.

The members further plan to target future development to areas that have sufficient infrastructure to support it. Roads and transportation are an exceptionally difficult problem across the Broadneck Peninsula.

“Route I-97 was built to relieve Route 2 but it hasn’t,” Rosborg says. “Now, they are planning to expand Route 2 Northbound and Route 50 to Route 10.”

Unfortunately, new roadways seem to be a magnet for new development which is why the Arnold Preservation Council is doing as much as it can to preserve undeveloped properties. The members work in conjunction with organizations like the Greater Severna Park Council, the Broadneck Council of Communities and Growth Action Network.

“We keep the information flowing between us, share tools and help each other out,” Rosborg said. “However, preserving land is an endeavor that takes a lot of time and money which is currently in short supply in both the State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County.

Rosborg and her brothers are doing what they can to help. They are going to preserve the family’s 75-acre waterfront parcel of land through a conservancy.

For information on the activities of the Arnold Preservation Council, visit Arnold Preservation Council | Home.

Raindrops held off for most of Good Neighbors Group Earth Day Festival

Coming from another event beneath overcast skies on Saturday, I crossed my fingers and kept driving hoping it wouldn’t rain before I arrived at the Good Neighbors Group Earth Day event. I pulled into the parking lot at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company just as a few rain drops began to fall. At first, the rain was light and attendees were still visiting the vendors’ booths.

GNG’s 2024 Earth Day Festival featured a plant sale for the first time. Providence Center Nurseries had a wonderful display of edible and ornamental plants and customers were still buying them in spite of the rain.

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Severna Park wedding and event florist Alex Waldorf from Romenta Plants was selling pretty and very popular bouquets of flowers. Once a TV producer who traveled the world for shows, Alex has a passion for flowers and gardening that was impossible to ignore. It’s clear that she loves what she’s doing.

Rain didn’t seem to be bothering Emily Brown’s bees at the Save The Bees display. The Save The Bees’ beehive never fails to draw the curious and Brown is good at informing the public about benefits of bees as pollinators and all about the process of extracting honey from the hive. Save The Bees’ honey, beeswax candles and other products sell well.

The critters at Millersville-based Echoes of Nature didn’t mind the rain either, in fact, the turtle rather liked it to say nothing of the snakes.

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As the rain grew a bit heavier, we noticed owner Nancy Greer and the team from Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi packing up and taking down their tent. (Actually, they were off to their third event of the day.)

Naturally, we stopped by the Good Neighbors Group tent where we found executive director Julie Shay talking with Wendy Pressian from Stiches Of Kindness. Both were smiling broadly, pleased that the Earth Day Festival was rain-free for most of the day and drew a nice crowd.

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 LeeTegler

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

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

With our country’s aging population, it seems the number of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia has increased significantly. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with dementia. Without changes in prevention, this number could reach 14 million by 2050.

It was astonishing to learn that more than 80% of care for dementia patients is provided at home by family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers. The challenges involved in doing so are monumental.

For perspective on what it’s like to provide the level of care needed for a dementia patient to continue living at home, we spoke with two women who have experienced it firsthand.

Business owner Nancy Greer and her husband Billy were deeply involved in caring for her mother Cora Willard, an Alzheimer’s patient.

“My father Glenn Willard was deeply devoted to my mom and determined to care for her at home along with my sister Gail and Billy and me. “Since my parents lived in Virginia and my sister did too, Billy and I would drive down and spend every weekend helping care for my mom at what we came to refer to as “the cozy house”.

While still living in New York, Winsome Brown cared for her mother Elaine Clarke, also an Alzheimer’s patient, in her home while supported by her sister, a registered nurse, and other family members.

The experience – and lessons learned from it, inspired Brown to start her Severna Park business Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services with sister Danielle Morgan Brown (Dee). They were soon joined by sister Ingrid McDonald and brother Tony Clarke. (Today Winsome is caring for her mother-in-law at home.)

A Community Educator for the Greater Maryland Alzhemier’s Association, Brown also participates in community activities where she shares the latest information about the disease.

While Nancy Greer had never seen one of the transparent backpacks on the table that Brown designed for her caregivers to use with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, she smiled knowingly. Some of the items Brown pulled from the backpack were similar to things she’d used caring for her own mother.

“The whole point of what I wanted to do is to hold on to these people’s souls even if they can’t recall everything you do with them,” she said. “They can’t remember that we played a game or did an activity ten times in a row but they are excited each time and it makes them happy.”

Serious for a moment in her role as an Alzheimer’s Association educator, Brown explained the differences between the disease and other forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, making up 60% to 80% of all cases. The main features of the progressive brain disorder are abnormal brain structures called plaques and tangles.

There are three other forms of dementia. They include vascular dementia resulting from a reduction in blood flow to the brain that is sometimes associated with a stroke. A second form, dementia with Lewy bodies is a type of progressive dementia cause by build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein that damages brain cells. A third is frontotemporal dementia, a group of disorders related to progressive cell degeneration.

Greer pointed out that, like her mother, most Alzheimer’s patients are in denial when symptoms first appear and try to cover it up. It’s difficult to persuade them to seek a diagnosis. Making plans thereafter and finding help is extraordinarily challenging.

“If you wish to care for a patient at home, it’s hard to find good services to help,” she noted. “In the later stages of my mom’s illness, we were part of an innovative program associated with the hospital that sounded good on paper but the reality was different. Caregivers came to the house for one hour to fix breakfast and dress mom. Then a van would come get her and take her to a day program, then bring her home when a caregiver would come back for a second hour to help out. The problem was that there weren’t enough caregivers and some lacked experience.”

Brown explained why that program just doesn’t work.

“It’s hard to find someone who will come and work for an hour,” she said. “A normal paycheck is for forty hours a week. But you’re asking this person to come for an hour in the morning, care for someone, then leave and come back at night for an hour. That’s only two hours a day and doesn’t provide a livable wage.

Brown’s own agency keeps its profit margins slim in order to pay good quality caregivers (CNA MEDtech’s) at higher-than-average rates of $20 per hour. The company can’t afford to provide caregivers for just two hours. Instead, using four-hour shifts provides enough monetary compensation to make working as a caregiver worthwhile and ensures a higher level of care for the patient.

Brown and Greer outlined some of the experiences typical of patients and those who care for them.

“Caring for my mom was a bittersweet experience in some ways because, while Billy and I were going down to the house every weekend, we actually grew closer to my parents.”

The family found that routine was really good for Cora. She loved flowers so they always kept fresh flowers in the house or provides lovely bouquets. She loved music so Nancy made a tape for her of 200 familiar songs.

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Gradually, she and Billy recognized that routine was actually good for both her parents and would regularly take them to Ledo Pizza and Trader Joe’s. At Ledo’s, the workers got to know us and would look out for mom and dad when they were out on their own. At Trader Joe’s, a young man from Africa and another from Pakistan admired that the couple took such good care of their parents which is more common in their countries of origin. Like the Ledo’s staff, they’d always look out for them.

But things didn’t always run smoothly.

“We could deal with Mom not knowing who we were. We just wanted her to feel loved and safe.” Greer said. “The hardest time was when she was scared. I’d sometimes be on the phone with her and she’d be saying ‘There’s a man in the house’. It was dad but she’d be terrified.”

Brown observed that there is so much more to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease than memory loss – especially the “fear factor” that her family is living with now. By now, her mother-in-law is afraid to be left alone in the house so someone must always remain behind. Simple things like eating, that everyone takes for granted, are a concern for the family because dementia patients don’t remember to eat. They forget how to cook or, sometimes, even use a fork. Not eating results in weight loss.

Eventually, dementia patients can no longer make decisions for themselves so their families must make hard-to-face decisions for them and the need for caregivers increases by the day. Barely a year after opening, Brown’s business has served more than 150 clients in their homes or for supplemental care at assisted living facilities. She notes that assisted living costs can run between $4,500 and $10,000 per month with private duty aides, if needed, an extra $30 per hour.

Both Brown and Greer are deeply worried that the country’s aging population, weakening economic situation and soaring healthcare costs are already a crisis. Basic medical care is beyond some individuals’ ability to afford, and long-term health insurance is also beyond their means. The women wonder aloud if any of the safety nets that currently exist will be available for them.

According to Brown, in spite of years spent searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, none has been found. However, three types of drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat cognitive symptoms. To raise funds for continued research, Brown and her team have participated in the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walks several times raising modest amounts of money.

Nancy and Billy Greer and a team of their students from Jing Ying Institute have participated in Alzheimer’s Walks in Annapolis and at Sandy Point multiple years beginning in 2017. Having dedicated the first walk to the memory of Nancy’s mother Cora and last year’s walk to the memory of her father Glen, they have raised over $53,000.

Nancy Greer and Winsome Brown gave us just a brief look at what it is like to care for a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease at home. They urge those looking for information, seeking help, or wishing to make a donation to visit Alzheimer’s Association | Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Help.

Ledo Pizza’s opening celebration of new location followed by a ribbon cutting

It was great seeing the familiar faces of Ledo Pizza owner Martin Gorman, his staff and numerous friends from Severna Park’s business community during the restaurant’s official reopening celebration following their move to 342 Ritchie Highway.

The renovations and remodeling of the former site known as Cakes & Confections complete, the sleek exterior gave way to an equally sleek and colorful interior.

Just inside the entrance we ran into Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall talking with Larry Sells of Larry Sells Consulting and Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League who introduced us to Louben Repke, the owner of Dodge Arrows in Millersville. Shortly thereafter, we encountered Repke showing one of his soft-tipped arrows to Macaroni Kid Pasadena editor Laura McElwain Colquhoun and her son Quinten.

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The atmosphere was lighthearted and quite noisy. We didn’t know everyone, but we spotted BD Provisions owner Debra Saltz and, later, bumped into Severna Park Voice editor Dianna Lancione and Severna Park Automotive owner Mike McNealey. It was great to see familiar Ledo staff members like waitress Katherine Ramiras as well. Ramiras said she is enjoying seeing the customers she served at the former Park Plaza location coming in.

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As guests nibbled pizza and other treats from a sumptuous spread behind them, League conducted what she referred to as a “fireside chat” with Gorman in front of a colorful wall patterned after the Maryland State Flag. She began by thanking him for opening the restaurant that was a staple at Park Plaza since 1998 and congratulated him on opening the “bright and beautiful” Ledo Pizza. League noted how many social media posts she’d seen when the move to the new location was announced from people who’d had their first job a Ledo’s or their first date there. She then asked him to talk about the history of the establishment.

“Years ago I’d been in the information technology business but wanted to start a business of my own and looked into everything from car washes to hardware,” Gorman said. “I’d grown up with the Bells whose grandfather started the first Ledo’s pizza parlor in College Park in 1965. They’d heard I was interested in establishing a business and contacted me because they’d been opening more franchises including one in Severna Park. So, we opened at Park Plaza in 1998 and later expanded the restaurant to the building next to us adding 60 seats. I’ve been building on that original success ever since. We now have Ledo Pizza locations in Millersville and on Kent Island and we’re partners in the one at BWI.”

Among other things, Gorman noted that he had kept his entire staff from the Park Plaza location and paid their salaries for the three weeks they closed down to remodel and make the move.

League highlighted the fact that Ledo Pizza has been incredibly active in the community supporting numerous charities and events, a practice the owner plans to continue.

Following the fireside chat, a number of awards were presented to Gorman. Afterward, guests were invited outside by League for an official ribbon cutting. We wish Ledo Pizza Severna Park another 26 years of success.

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.