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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 Health Care Services

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church chair of Service and Outreach Alex McKeague and his friend Tom Patterson were on a mission in Olde Severna Park Tuesday afternoon spreading the word about a benefit concert for SPAN. The concert, being held at the church on July 27th stars Peter Mayer, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for over three decades.

In addition to working with Buffett, Nashville-based Mayer is a well-known touring musician with a tremendous following. He’ll be appearing in the concert with son Brendan Mayer and 20% of the event’s proceeds will be donated to SPAN.

The father/son duo tours together often. Brendan, a musician and songwriter with a following of his own, is delighted to appear with his dad for such a worthy cause.

For both men, combating hunger and food insecurity are important causes. That’s why they were impressed with SPAN’s decades-long dedication to assisting neighbors in need with food or financial assistance.

According to Alex McKeague, the idea for the concert was born during a meeting of Our Shepherd’s unique bible study group that meets weekly for “Tavern Talks: Bibles, Beverages and Bourbon”.

“A buddy of mine and I came up with the idea for the talks while our pastor was on sabbatical a few years ago,” McKeague said. “We decided to get together monthly for bible readings at each other’s homes which we’d then discuss. In doing this, we both liked bourbon so we’d try different bourbons at each meeting and critique them prior to the readings. We called our discussions Bibles and Bourbons. We soon invited other guys to join. Since a few of them didn’t share our love of bourbon, we expanded the choices and called the discussions Bibles, Bourbons & Beverages.”

He added that, as the membership grew, the meetings were referred to as Tavern Talks, a throwback to Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, who was known for having table talks in taverns.

The bourbons and beverages were, indeed, fine. But the readings were the primary focus of the meetings. Discussions about them were lively with plenty of opportunity to comment, question or even offer an alternative viewpoint.

“After each reading, we ask ourselves ‘What is God calling us to do to help others?” McKeague said. “As a result, we’ve come up with some great initiatives. We’ve done Habitat for Humanity Chesapeake builds, Habitat for Humanity for the Eastern Shore of Virginia builds, a home expansion for a church member needing a room for her father and we built a sidewalk for an elderly gentleman in Pittsburgh. Doing something to help SPAN through this concert is an extension of that.”

With the beginning of the COVID pandemic in March of 2020, the group transitioned to holding their Tavern Talks via ZOOM. The upside was that it was easy and made it possible to hold the meetings weekly. Nowadays, the fellows are back to getting together in-person. Nevertheless, they continue to ZOOM the meetings too since some members live too far away to regularly attend.

It was through Tom Patterson’s involvement with Tavern Talks, that the members were able to engage Peter and Brendan Mayer for their concert. One of the members who has attended the Tavern Talk meetings for years invited his pal Tom to participate in one.

Patterson is not an Our Shepherd Lutheran Church member, he’s a Roman Catholic, but he truly enjoyed the bible study talk and has attended them regularly ever since.

Patterson is a longtime friend of Peter Mayer who is, interestingly, the son of a Lutheran missionary. Aware that, in addition to continuing to play with Buffet, Mayer has a group of his own that appears in the Annapolis area regularly at venues like Rams Head Onstage, he thought the duo of Peter and Brendan would be a great draw for a concert benefitting SPAN.

According to SPAN, Inc.’s director of development Michelle Sabean, the summer months are typically times of low donations, so the organization needs help to replenish the pantry and coffers. Cash donations are used to aid families with utility turn-offs, court ordered evictions, and prescription or medical needs during times of emergency.

“I’m pleased the Tavern Talk members from Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, on whose property we are located thought of holding their concert starring Peter and Brendan Mayer as a fundraiser for SPAN,” Sabean said. “I love how their group asks ‘What is God saying to us? What are we doing about it?’ They believe – love each other and love our neighbors and find many ways to help them such as this concert for us.”

Sabean and co-director Maia Grabau are particularly thrilled that the Mayers offered to donate 20% of their ticket sales to SPAN at such a critical time.

The concert will begin at 7 pm on July 27 in the church sanctuary. Tickets are $25 each and may be obtained at Peter Mayer (Severna Park concert).

Sad news from St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School

Head of School Tony Shaffer of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School shared news on Tuesday of the passing of beloved teacher Ellen Stanton on June 17th after a long illness.

He said Mrs. Stanton is fondly remembered as a life-long educator who spent the majority of her career at St. Martins in the Field Day School.

The Stanton family has established the Ellen Stanton Memorial Fund at St. Martin’s Episcopal School to support Lower School enrichment field trips, which were prominent in Mrs. Stanton’s teaching philosophy. Those wishing to support this fund in honor of Mrs. Stanton, can visit the school’s Giving Page.

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

Over the past couple months, a couple of new businesses have opened in Severna Park. The newest is the Tropical Smoothie Cafe which opened at 366 Ritchie Highway in the former Mariner Bank building.

Reimagined, the building is home to the area’s second Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise following an extensive renovation. The franchise for the new cafe is held by Sandip Patel who currently operates the other Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 8000 Jumper’s Hole Road in Pasadena. It now features a bright, modernistic interior with a tropical vibe.

The idea behind Tropical Smoothie Cafes is to make eating better easy with fresh, made-to-order smoothies, wraps, flatbreads and quesadillas that instantly boost your mood. 

Severna Park recently bid a fond farewell to Clement Hardware after five decades as a family business while, at the same time, welcoming its successor. In March, owner Gordon Clement sold the business to friend, former customer and family business owner Rick Miller in one of the most seamless and amicable business transactions we’ve ever seen.

By the beginning of April, Miller had taken over the business. We met with both of them and learned that Clement will stay involved in his already existing real estate business.

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Miller, who has renamed the store Park Hardware, maintained the staff and services of Clement Hardware but is updating and transforming the interior. For the first time, he entered the Park Hardware truck in the Severna Park Independence Day parade along with one from the fourth-generation family business Zeskind’s of which he is also a part.

Sadly, we’ve had to say goodbye to some of our favorite shopkeepers this year. We’ll miss their friendly faces.

April 1 was the final day of operation for Cakes and Confections Bakery Cafe. It was always such fun to chat with amiable owner and chef Michael Brown while trying to decide which yummy sweets to buy. We also had a great time meeting friends for lunch in the cafe where the quiches were superb. For 12 years Michael and Julienne Brown operated Cakes and Confections from their original location in Annapolis before moving to Severna Park in 2014. The family bakery had a wonderful customer base but, after 22 years the Browns decided it was time to retire. We wish them well.

More recently, Lisa Edelman Schneiderman and husband Glen announced that they were retiring from creating and marketing their custom pops and closing the Lisa’s Cakepops storefront off Ritchie Highway to move to Florida where most of their family lives.

Having started making cakepops in her California kitchen, sharing them with friends and then marketing them, Lisa saw her business take off after moving to Severna Park. We’d see her displaying her fabulous pops at almost every community event. After adding an e-commerce element, Lisa’s Cakepops expanded dramatically. Lisa and Glen finally fulfilled a dream of hers by opening their storefront with its commercial kitchen. By the beginning of 2023, they were producing thousands of cakepops for catalog companies along with their regular business.

An official goodbye party was held for the couple at the storefront by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber on June 29th.

A well-known local business has plans to take over the storefront/commercial kitchen’s lease and sublease it to different bakers. We’ll have more on this in an upcoming column.

Area shoppers, DIY types and antiques collectors definitely miss stopping by the Red Apron Shoppe where owners Mary Ann and Cam Neal could often be found. While not entirely gone from the scene thanks to their primary business Red Apron Estate Sales, the pair was sorry to leave the shop behind. However, a substantial increase in rent for the property made the cost of doing business there unsustainable.

In addition to filling the Red Apron Shoppe with a mix of contemporary pieces, vintage finds, and collections of China, glassware and furnishings gleaned from the estate sales they handle, the Neal’s also tried to bring back the neighborhood feel Severna Park was known for by selling penny candy for kids, homemade breads from local bakers, eggs from local farms, and crafts from local crafters. We understand that the Neals are looking for a new location for the shop though it may not be in Severna Park. Meantime, they’re offering shop items through their website.

Another long-time Severna Park business, Kirsten’s Cakery, also closed its doors in May. Owner Kirsten Klein opened her original shop at Park Plaza in 2011 but reopened Kirsten’s Cakery at its new location at 541 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Olde Severna Park in March of 2016. For over a decade, locals would meet Klein at the numerous community events she’d participate in where the Cakery’s truffles were always a hit.

We’ve been unable to reach Kline to determine if she’ll be retiring for a while to spend time with her family or moving on.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League noted that there are few new businesses opening due to the high costs associated with launching a new enterprise. However, a number of businesses are celebrating anniversaries.

“The chamber will be doing a ribbon cutting for the grand openings of the new businesses Atlantic Blue Water Service and The Sheridan in Severna Park assisted living community. Those celebrating anniversaries include Healing Paws Veterinary Wellness Center and Delmarva Financial Group,” League said.

She added that a new indoor pickle ball facility will open this fall. Though called The PutAway of Severna Park, it will actually be located on Nogales Road in Millersville.

According to business publication WIX.com, there was an 11.2% increase in producer prices from a year ago meaning businesses and consumers face a similar problem. Who will absorb the rising costs of supplies?

Amid inflation, small businesses hesitating to raise their prices must pay that difference themselves or be forced to transfer some of those costs over to customers, potentially losing loyal clients in the process.

A 2022 Goldman Sachs survey found that 91% of small business owners already struggled with the current economy’s impact on their industries, and 56% said the situation worsened since the beginning of 2023, painting a bleaker picture for the coming months.

Hopefully, area residents’ efforts to SHOP LOCAL will insulate our small independent merchants from the high costs of doing business.

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church receives environmental award

We just received word from Karen Royer that Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church has been awarded one of the five Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Sustainability Leadership Awards for 2023.

Woods Church’s environmental achievements include reducing energy usage by more than 50%, capturing storm water runoff from rooftops and paved surfaces in rain gardens and wooded areas, planting over 1000 native trees, shrubs and perennials, restoring the habitat for a variety of birds, wildlife and pollinators and refurbishing 500 sanctuary chairs for donation to other congregations in Baltimore, Delaware and North Carolina.

We were unable to report the float contest winners last week as they’d yet to be released. Luckily, we have a few of them down

Severna Park Independence Day Parade float winners

There were many wonderful parade entries and floats including the most patriotic entry – the massive Nathan McDavitt Memorial Flag. However, we’ve chosen to feature the four “Bests”.

Voted the Best Overall Float was the Linstead on the Severn community float with its well-crafted Blue Heron

The Best Overall Theme award went to Orphan Grain Train which perfectly conveyed the parade’s theme, “Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts.

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The Best Commercial Float winner was Homestead Gardens 50th Anniversary Float while the Olde Severna Park community took Best Community Float prize.

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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

There is nothing like a long holiday weekend to explore and appreciate the many joys of summer whether headed for the beaches or hitting the local byways. We found plenty to do, see and taste close to home.

We started with a visit to Langton Green Community Farm where we’d learned produce was on sale to the public every Saturday from 10 am till 2 pm and prices were very reasonable.

Though running late and not arriving till 1:10 pm, we found there were plenty of vegetables still to buy. Farm manager Elizabeth Snyder pointed us to items on sale outside the Langton Green headquarters building that included huge heirloom tomatoes, the remaining jalapeno peppers and some charming bouquets. However, the day’s most popular items, boxes of blueberries, sold out early.

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Snyder then led us indoors where the farm maintains an excellent cold storage area to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. She explained that produce is harvested twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays.

“Most of what we harvest on Tuesdays is offered free to Langton Green’s residential community consumers while excess fruits and vegetables are donated to community food pantries serving low-income Maryland residents,” she said.

(The non-profit residential and farm programs support adults with intellectual disabilities while serving the community around them.)

“What we harvest on Fridays is primarily held for sale to the public,” Snyder said. “Our strawberry season from mid-May to mid- June was great this year. The plants were prolific and we sold a lot of berries. Our blueberries were in demand too – so much so that we hope to plant additional blueberry bushes. We still have some early season greens like lettuces and kale, carrots and radishes but the season for those is coming to an end.”

According to the Langton Green Newsletter, prices for veggies are reasonable. Still, we were surprised and delighted to find cucumbers, yellow summer squash and zucchini priced at 50 cents apiece.

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In order to offer tomatoes, cucumbers and summer squash early, Snyder raised transplants under lights and planted them in greenhouses like the one seen in the opening photo and the one opposite assuring an abundant supply.

She noted that the farm is currently transitioning from spring to summer fruit and vegetable crops. Soon, multiple varieties of herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes and leeks will be available.

Particularly exciting is the fact that blackberries are beginning to ripen and, by late July, Pick-Your-Own-Blackberries will be ready.

Wherever you look on the farm, there are flowers planted that are not only effective at drawing crucial pollinators like bees, moths, butterflies and insects but are beautiful. An entire field planted with a cover crop of buckwheat is abloom with white flowers – purely to draw pollinators to the tomato hoop house and fields beyond.

Watching bumblebees alight on a patch of zinnias near the Curcurbit Greenhouse was fascinating as they dashed from one flower to the next. They seemed to fly in the opposite direction of a bed of leeks next to them opting instead to enter the greenhouse.

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Beds of Anne Arundel musk melons (an heirloom variety of cantaloupe) intrigued us as did beds of heirloom corn suitable for grinding. Both are experimental but, if a success, they may end up on the sale table.

Spotting an amazing harvest of garlic curing in the sun, we determined to visit Langston Green Community Farm again. For information on the farm and to view the newsletter, visit Home – Langton Green.

July 4th at town center in Olde Severna Park

Located at the corner of Riggs Avenue and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Olde Severna Park, the judge’s stand for the 2023 Independence Day Parade was ideally situated to view the Nathan McDavitt American flag as it rounded the corner and assess the finer points of a multitude of entries.

Organized, as always, by the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce, the event sponsors were Chick-fil-A, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi, Johnson Lumber and ServePro of Annapolis and Severna Park.

Familiar sights and sounds included patriotic color guards, fire engines, motorcycles, antique cars and Grand Marshall Wayne Gerst riding in a vintage Oldsmobile.

This year sponsored by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, the Decorated Bike Contest riders pedaled into town followed by the Lean On Dee gang.

The Decorated Bike Contest, which dates back almost to the beginning of the event, was judged prior to the start of the parade at 9 am at the Chamber so the winners were already known. However, winners from all the contests, including the floats competition have not been officially announced. Hopefully, we’ll have them by next column.

The crowds at town center seemed to be a bit lighter for this year’s parade though just as enthusiastic. The Miller sisters Morgan, Paige and Kaitlyn, from Linstead, found a comfortable spot on the steps overlooking the intersection of Riggs and B&A Boulevard from which to watch the parade. Paige wore red, Morgan blue and Kaitlyn white.

Red, white and blue were seen everywhere one looked. Seated on a shady hill overlooking the parade, young Robbie Wilson was all about stars while his friend Mila sported stars on her clothing as well as stripes on her red, white and blue hat.

Many parade veterans were spotted in the line-up. Everyone was pleased to see that SPAN, Inc. at last obtained a truck so the macaroni and cheese, Cheerios, Giant Reduced Fat Milk and Food Pantry Cabinet wouldn’t have to hoof it. Even so, SPAN development director Michelle Sabean and several volunteers took turns pulling wagons in which to collect donations for the organization’s food pantry.

Music reappeared in the parade courtesy of the Woods Praise Band, a duo called Ivy League, some members of the Severna Park High School Band and singers from the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.

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Parade spectators generally agree that their favorite thing about the Severna Park Independence Day Parade is the community-built floats though the floats representing businesses and organizations are great too. We’ll show you just a few.

The crowds cheered loudly when Old Severna Park’s float came into view recalling the Apollo program space flights and moon landings. Olde Severna Park is always competitive in vying for the Best Community Float prize.

Linstead on the Severn created an amazing Blue Heron for its parade entry in an obvious attempt to capture the Best Community Float prize.

One more among the many was the Chartwell Young Leaders entry which went all out depicting the parade theme “Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, Big Hearts”.

We ended the holiday weekend with a stop by Diehl’s Produce followed by a fireworks display in the evening that we could view from our front porch.

We hope everyone had a fun 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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index, wholesale prices have gone down considerably over the past year. The Producer Price Index for final demand rose only 1.1 percent from May 2022 to May 2023. This is down from the increase of 11.1 percent for the 12 months ended in May 2022. Yet prices for food, household goods, clothing, fuel and other necessities remain at an all-time high.

Many individuals and families are finding it hard to cope and exploring ways to save money that they haven’t tried before. Their strategies include checking supermarket circulars for sale prices and shopping more than one store to save even a few cents. We spent Tuesday following a couple of tips from friends.

Our first stop was at Partners In Care Upscale Retail Boutique at 8151-C Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. According to PIC communications specialist Derek Milley “every day is a day to save money at the boutique thanks to our schedule of yellow, green and purple ‘tag’ sales”.

He explained that each month a calendar is posted near the counter showing green, yellow or purple tags for each week with a percentage of price discounts printed on them. (The calendars can also be seen on the PIC website.) Tuesday, we saw a predominance of green and yellow tags with a few purple ones. Green tags promised 25% off with yellow tag items 50% off. “On Tuesdays, there’s an additional 10% off every purchase for senior citizens and a daily 10% discount for veterans,” Milley said. “There are also regular Wacky Wednesday specials and, on Fridays, customers get $5 off with a $20 purchase.

Yellow tag sales (as illustrated in the opening photo) represent the biggest savings by far. With the 75% yellow tag discount, the complete set of China shown sold for $40 as opposed to price tags in the several hundred-dollar price range for sets of high-end dishes in other parts of the store.

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Were I looking for a “wear-it-one-time” to a formal wedding, anniversary celebration or gala dress, I’d have had a hard time passing up several evening wear selections bearing yellow tags.

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Switching to more practical matters, whether passionate about cooking or baking or simply looking to outfit a kitchen, customers appreciate that the boutique has an extensive amount of kitchen appliances and cookware on display. On Tuesday, quite a few items wore green, yellow or purple tags.

There were lots of practical things – from now rare but much appreciated incandescent lightbulbs to drills, gutter guards and a bird feeder. There were tablecloths, table runners and brand-new pillowcases.

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There was lots more to see and more savings to be accrued – even a sidewalk sale of $5 items put together by Chief Operations Officer Dawn Eberhardt. Before leaving, we touched base with Member Care Director Sharon Zentgraf who mentioned that Partners In Care would be hosting a Veterans Day event this autumn and also celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a Bull & Oyster Roast on November 3rd from 6 to 10 pm at La Fontaine Bleue. For more information on Partners In Care, visit Home – Partners In Care Maryland.

Our second stop on Tuesday was at Anne Arundel County Farm, Lawn & Garden on Jumpers Hole Road where we spoke with longtime owner Corey Stephens. Having always grown our own herbs, greens and tomatoes, we grew many more this year and were eager to have Stephens’ opinion about whether other families were doing the same thing.

Stephens purchased the popular farm cooperative 23 years ago when it was still in Glen Burnie before relocating it to Severna Park in 2017. Thus, he’s seen the ins and outs and ups and downs of the garden business but said he’s never seen anything like this season.

“We’ve been quite busy. People are definitely interested in saving money by growing their own vegetables,” Stephens said. “They’re also interested in eating fresh, nutritious, quality foods from their own gardens and having their children involved in growing them.”

He added that a lot more people have purchased packets of garden seeds this year which is the most inexpensive way to grow crops and flowers but takes the most time. Considering the price of lettuces and other salad greens at the supermarket, those seeds were especially popular.

“I’m sure you noticed the empty racks in our seed displays,” said Stephens. “We sold so many seeds that we had to remove 12 ft. of empty shelving and rearrange the seeds that were left.”

Garden vegetable transplants were reasonably priced and went fast this season too. As with the seed racks, there were a lot of empty spaces among the tomato seedlings well before the end of the planting season.

Pepper plants were completely sold out but some summer squash and cucumber transplants remained along with a limited number of herbs.

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The A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden staff came up with a budget-friendly option for customers who do container gardening. They are offering used pots that are perfectly good but might otherwise be discarded. The smaller pots are 10 cents apiece while the larger ones are $1 apiece.

For news, product information or for delivery, visit AA Co. Farm Lawn & Garden (aalawnandgarden.com).

Independence Day Parade fast approaches and we have late-breaking news

The Severna Park Independence Day Parade will be held Tuesday, July 4th from 10 am till 12 pm. Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League reports that the parade is sponsored this year by Chick-fil-A, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi, AE2 Creative, and Maryland State Delegate &Heather Bagnall. The theme for this year is “Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, Big Hearts”. As before, the parade will travel down Benfield Road, head left onto Riggs Avenue past the judges’ stand, make a right onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard past the Severna Park Community Center and turn left on Cypress Creek Road and ending opposite Cypress Creek Park.

Severna Park Community Center Executive Director Sarah Elder tells us that the Severna Park Community Center will open the doors of Boone Station Hall to the public during the parade as a kind of comfort station where people may cool off or use the restrooms.

We’ve heard from SPAN’s Director of Development Michelle Sabean that the organization will have a float in the parade this year. (They’ll also accept donations as they do each year.

“In the past, we’ve often partnered with Chartwell Young Leaders and will do so again,” Sabean said. “But this time look for our truck decorated just for SPAN! We’re very excited to be using the large food items we began constructing last year and now we have a flatbed truck to display them on! Look for our Cheerios, Mac and Cheese and other items!”

We’ve heard that volunteers will be meeting on July 3 to decorate the Orphan Grain Train float. We’ve also heard that several neighborhood floats are expected to be in the parade. It’s always fun to see what the competitive neighborhoods of Olde Severna Park and Round Bay come up with.

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

Cool breezes wafted through the gardens, greenhouse and showroom at Homestead Gardens Severna Park as representatives from 15 wineries and 18 restaurants set up for the 4th annual “Corks for a Cause” benefit for the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation on June 14th.

Completing preparations at the registration table prior to the opening of the event, BWMC Foundation volunteers Iskra Jones, Susan Iaquinta, Jamie Van Allen, and Rebecca Karner were ready to welcome guests the moment the doors opened at 6 pm.

The weather gods smiled, and the evening couldn’t have been more beautiful as distributors set up their displays along Winery Row. Among them were representatives from the Duckhorn Portfolio, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Treasury Wine Estates and McPrice Myers among others. We checked out a few.

Lisa Kurtz from Treasury Wine Estates was tipping her hat to wines from Australia and New Zealand. (Treasury Wine Estates has offices in California.)

Almost a dozen other wineries were dotted throughout Homestead’s gardens. Seen from a distance, wine consultant Ginny Murphy from Monsieur Touton Selection, Ltd. was opening bottles at Table 10 with just minutes to spare. She still had table decorations to complete. Luckily, by 6 pm, a floral tablecloth and clusters of grapes made a fitting backdrop for her well-chilled bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, and a trio of reds.

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Behind Murphy, Connie Shillman and Jackie Polis had set up their display of 91 and 92 tasting point reds and whites and were listening to the tropical sounds and rhythms of steel drums nearby.

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In the greenhouse, Baltimore Washington Medical Center volunteers at two tables were arranging the foods they were about to serve.

At the first table, Jen Bonk was taste testing the Vegetable Tiki’s with dill dipping sauce donated by caterer Be My Guest and being offered by volunteers Samantha Parlaman and Syeza Aziz. Bonk is chair of New Generation Group, an organization of BWMC professionals that was a Corks for a Cause sponsor.

“One hundred percent of ticket sales go to New Generation and will be dedicated to cleaning up and upgrading the BWMC Healing Garden located behind the Tate Cancer Center,” Bonk said. “The already existing garden needs a facelift. We feel it’s an important feature for the well-being of patients and their families.”

At BWMC’s second table, Nurse Manager Kim Warner and Respiratory Therapist Michelle Mullen (seen in the opening photo) were getting ready to serve Shepherd’s Pie donated by Brian Boru.

So many restaurants participated in Corks for a Cause this year that it’s impossible to highlight them all, but we touched many bases.

In the store proper, the doors opened at 6 pm and guests surged forward. At a three-station table on the far right, Leonard Stepheon from Chapel’s Country Creamery in Easton began serving samples of handcrafted artisan cheeses. Next to him, attendees found ultra-premium charcuterie and salamis from Mitchell Berliner’s Hyattsville-based Meat Crafters impossible to resist. The crowd had yet to reach table’s end where Pam Meador from Fishpaws Marketplace stood ready with samplings of an aged Gouda called Kanal from Holland and crostini with a Provolone and Chianti spread.

In addition to being a sponsor of the event, Fishpaws was involved in organizing the wineries and owner Kim Lawson and general manager Terri Schroeter were seen zipping from table to table to make sure things were going well.

Fishpaws Marketplace would also serve as the official pickup point for any wines ordered.

“We have 15 tables selling five wines each and attendees can purchase wines by the half case or case,” Schroeter explained. “The cases will then be shipped to us by the distributors for pickup by the purchasers.”

Within moments of opening, Winery Row was overwhelmed by patrons bearing gift bags and tasting glasses.

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Carrol’s Creek Cafe got an A+ for the beautiful presentation of its tasty Rock Shrimp Gazpacho – just the thing for a summer evening.

Multi-year participant, Cafe Mezzanotte owner Tommie Koukoulis and catering director Vikki Green had several dishes simmering including hot Italian sausage and fennel meatballs.

This year’s Corks for a Cause event drew restaurants from near and far. The nearest and newest was Garten in Severna Park with a spinach and sauerkraut dip. Further afield, Hella’s in Millersville served miniature crabcakes while The Hideaway from Odenton had sliders. Columbia, Maryland-based Madrid Spanish Taverna’s Julio Koh served Paella and Squire’s Italian Restaurant from Dundalk did an amazing job preparing pizzas amidst succulents in a corner of the greenhouse.

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Corks for a Cause is such a convivial event that even vendors manning the tables have a great time. Warren Brock, who’s on the Next Generation board, was chatting with guests while minding the Nothing Bundt Cakes table where cupcakes were king. However, he’d been eyeing the Goat Cheese Stuffed Grape Tomatoes served by event coordinator Megann Cross at the Smashing Grapes’ table while she’d developed a hankering for his cupcakes. It seemed only natural for them to make a swap.

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Just about every vendor who’d attended the BWMC Foundation benefit previously commented on how much the event had grown. The total amount of money raised through ticket sales, a percentage of wine sales and silent auction sales were not yet available, but it is generally agreed that the fourth annual Corks for a Cause benefitting the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Healing Garden was quite a success. The funds will allow the Next Generation Group to replace the ground lighting with LED lights, replace aging wooden benches, install new plantings, apply paint where needed and expand programs for patients and visitors.

Woods Church congregation to celebrate member Charlie Phelps’s 105th birthday

We recently learned from Woods Counselling & Care Center coordinator Nancy Sullivan that Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will honor member Charlie Phelps’ 105th birthday this Sunday, June 25th during worship and at a reception that follows.

A longtime friend of Phelps, Nancy Sullivan was kind enough to share some of her memories of him with us. We also spoke with his daughter Susan.

Charlie Phelps was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on June 27, 1918.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and met his wife Helen while stationed at an air base in Georgia.  The couple had four children, Charlotte, Susan, Charles and Carol.

After the war, Charlie and his brother Alvin established The Phelps Brothers tree removal and clearing company.  They received a contract to help clear the area for construction of the Baltimore Beltway. 

Daughter Susan recalls that the brothers also cleared the land for the Capital Beltway and for I-70.

While involved with the Baltimore Beltway project, Charlie and Helen bought a home in the newly-built West Severna Park. He Still lives there with daughter Susan who moved in with him 10 years ago.  (Helen died in 2008).

After his retirement in 1963, Charlie and two friends formed the Retired Handmen’s Breakfast Society (REHABS) at Woods Church, a talented group of volunteer carpenters, electricians, plumbers and painters who for 20 years have given thousands of hours of invaluable labor to keep Woods Church in fine repair.

REHABS meet on Thursday mornings, cook breakfast in the church kitchen and work until afternoon when Kitchen Coordinator, Carolyn Watkins, serves lunch. 

According to Sullivan, Phelps didn’t miss a Sunday of worship until he stopped driving at 103.  In honor of his 104th birthday, Woods named the large maintenance building on the campus “The Phelps Workshop.”

According to his daughter, Charlie attributes his longevity to work, staying active, and healthy food with little sugar and few carbs.

His advice to all is “Be as good as you can.”  Among his favorite things to do is to sit by the water at the West Severna Park Beach (where a sign hangs in his honor for his many years of maintenance of the beach property) and play with his great grandchildren.

Langton Green produce now available

A quick reminder that Langton Green is having sales of freshly picked produce grown in its fields every Saturday this summer from 10 am till 2 pm. We’ll have more details soon.

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

The third of four performances of The Dance Center of Severna Park’s 2023 Recital at the Annapolis High School auditorium held Sunday afternoon was as lovely as it was entertaining.

Arriving at Annapolis High with time to spare and arms full of bouquets, hundreds of proud parents created a buzz of excitement as they swept into the auditorium. Backstage, the excitement level was higher as teachers and studio assistants helped with students’ costumes, and dancers scheduled for the first number warmed up.

While students’ parents, grandparents, siblings and friends filled the seats, some of the littlest attendees scooted away and merrily twirled about.

In keeping with the recital’s theme, Around Town, the program began with the opening notes of the song ” “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” by Fred Rogers followed by a welcome from the dance center’s director Kellie Greer.

From the youngest dancers to the oldest, the performers carried the theme through every number. An opening routine meant to represent The Dance Center of Severna Park began with a sea of pink exploding onto the stage. The innovative choreography allowed dancers from varied age groups and classes to flow with the tones and tempos of a medley of songs. (They were a small sampling of the more than 200 students enrolled in regular classes.)

Minutes later, a class of 3-year-olds amazed the audience as they danced the recital’s second number to composer Ede Poldini’s “Poupee Valsante” in honor of the notional Town Garden Store. Seated in a circle, the tiny dancers had stretched forward till the flower petals on their heads touched the floor. Then, as if awakening blossoms, they sat up, stretched, rose to their feet and moved in graceful circles, reaching toward the sun on their toes. As they ended the dance, they went down on one knee as if flowers closing their petals at day’s end.

As it did between each number, the stage went dark. Then, the beat picked up as piano accompanist Susan Wincek began the tune “Crocodile Rock” and the spotlights fell on a bevy of 4 and 5-year-olds who’d donned tap shoes for the dance sequence titled The Zoo.

Appearing onstage one at a time till there were seven, Viera Galliford, Julia Jones, Isabelle Maki, Mamie O’Malley, Sophia Parfitt, Miriam Warzoha and Fiona Frederick tapped their way merrily through the tune while keeping an eye on their teacher who directed them from below with hand signals.

The stage again darkened and music from the ballet “Swan Lake” began as the dance sequence titled Butterfly Garden at Quiet Waters began with one tiny dancer floating out of the darkness with butterfly wings shimmering. Dancers appeared one by one until there were a dozen.

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According to director Kellie Greer, all the dance numbers were selected ahead of time and then sponsors (in keeping with the Around Town theme) were sought for some of the segments. The fifth dance sequence was sponsored by Fox First Construction, echoing Geppetto’s trade as a carpenter, and was performed to the music of “Got No Strings” from the movie “Pinocchio”. Taps resounded through the Annapolis High auditorium as a dozen lively second year students portrayed marionettes freed from their strings.

The mood shifted as ethereal notes from a soundtrack of music from the three-act ballet “Jewels” created by George Balanchine were heard and the older Star Elite Dancers took the stage. Sponsored by local small business Red Apron Estate Sales & Shoppe, the ballet was beautiful to see performed.

“We always have a high school class at the junior recital so parents and kids can see the possibility of what their child could work toward,” Greer explained. “Our Star Elite group performs the opening number in all recitals and makes special appearances throughout our area.”

It was perhaps fitting that Chris May Realty, which handles properties all over the county, sponsored third-year Introduction to Jazz students as they set their toes a-tapping to “Hit the Road Jack” by Percy Mayfield. A similarly aged group of students sponsored by the Dance Center’s STEAM Adventures Summer Camp 2023 danced a clever piece of choreography to “I Don’t Want to Live on The Moon” – a Jeff Moss original associated with Sesame Street.

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There was admittedly a slight pause before the next number representing one of the Town’s favorite recreational areas, Kinder Farm Park. The wait was well worth it as eight 3-year-olds, clad in denim and buttons ‘n bows, galloped their hobbyhorses onto the stage to the rollicking rhythms of “Western Scene” by Irenee Berge.

Astonished that such young dancers could keep their concentration through the long dance number, sing a song midway through and then gallop offstage, the audience responded with thunderous applause, catcalls and whistles.

The lyrical melodies of “Ballet Dancer” by Irene Harrington Young and “Ballroom Whispers” by Louis Gregh combined for a graceful dance sequence featuring seven blossoming ballerinas sponsored by Severna Park retailer Dance Supplies, Etc.

Arranged in groups of three or four, the dancers virtually sparkled in the footlights.

What could have been more perfect than to have Severna Park’s Big Bean coffee shop sponsor the Star Elite Dancer’s tap routine to the recorded soundtrack of “Coffee in a Cardboard Cup” from the Kander and Ebb musical “70, Girls, 70”. They even ended the dance carrying their sponsor’s coffee cups.

An Ice Cream Shop routine featured second year students costumed as sundaes with a cherry on top who danced to the music “How Sweet it Is” from the 1968 film of the same name.

Next came one of the most charming sequences in the recital – the Kavanagh Porter Irish Dance shown in the opening photo. The spirited sequence was performed to Leroy Anderson’s “The Irish Washerwoman” and sponsored by the Kavanagh Porter Academy.

Rounding out the recital were a routine titled Flower Shop and performed to the Ellenberg tune “Fair Flatterer” and the next to last dance sequence that received a rousing round of applause. It was the highly entertaining Franklin Toys sponsored tap number to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the movie “Toy Story”.

The Star Elite dancers ended the presentation with a stylish tribute to the Town’s Police Station, then escorted each of the groups that performed onstage for the finale. A very nice tribute was paid to the Dance Center teachers by having them cross the stage to be acknowledged by the audience.

In her closing remarks, Greer thanked all The Dance Center of Severna Park teachers and introduced them from the stage. She also thanked the studio assistants and volunteers who helped make the recital such a success. She especially wanted to extend her gratitude to accompanist Susan Wincek who played for almost every number for multiple dress rehearsals and performances. Lastly, she thanked Annapolis High School for the use of their beautiful theater and for being wonderful to work with.

The recital ended with all of the students singing the song “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.

St. Martin’s Cardboard Boat Race as competitive as ever

Though not able to attend this fun event ourselves, we received news on the outcome of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School’s 2023 Cardboard Boat Race from Director of Development Christine Hickey.

“Our 7th-grade St. Martin’s Mustangs had great weather on Monday, May 22 for our annual Cardboard Boat Race on the Severn River,” Hickey said. “Students worked in teams for several months learning to calculate buoyancy and proper vessel design and using only cardboard and duct tape. “

Hickey added that, while the 7th-graders competed in the timed races, middle school students and staff cheered them on from the shore.

Three 7th grade teams completed the course without sinking. Winners were ranked by fastest time to complete the race afloat. The first-place winners were two intrepid young ladies, Chole and Klara, who did some mighty fine duct-taping.

Myles and Roman crossed the finish line a mere 34 seconds later.

Racing all out in almost a Dead Heat, Dominic and Matthew finished third four seconds later at 2 minutes and 59 seconds.

Eighth-graders participated by constructing observation boats used to watch the race from the water. For more information on St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School, visit St. Martins Episcopal Preschool, Elementary, Middle School in Maryland (stmartinsmd.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 & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Busier than ever since founded in 1973 by the late Don Riddle, Jr., Homestead Gardens at 743 W. Central Avenue in Davidsonville is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

It’s the anchor location for the popular Homestead Gardens Severna Park at 522 Ritchie Highway and a draw for many Severna Park residents over the years. The Davidsonville store boasts an impressive 174,000 square feet of retail space with another 35,000 square feet in the Severna Park branch.

Signs posted by every entrance along the Davidsonville garden center’s vast property proclaim its owners’ thanks for customers’ support over the past five decades.

A powerhouse in the greenhouse and gardening industry today with several divisions and three retail stores, (the third is in Smyrna, Delaware) the business had surprisingly humble beginnings.

Riddle, a native of Hyattsville, enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school in 1966. Returning home after his stint in the service, he attended the University of Maryland majoring in horticulture.

His passion for plants, in combination with his family’s longtime success in truck farming – a practice common in Severna Park in the early 20th Century – was the inspiration for starting Homestead Gardens. With support from his parents Don E. Riddle, Sr. and Evelyn Riddle, he started his business in the back yard of the family home in Hyattsville.

The business grew rapidly, and in 1973, Riddle incorporated Homestead Gardens, moving to its present location in Davidsonville. In the late 1970’s, he built the greenhouses and pavilions that are the signature draw for the Davidsonville outlet.

During the same period, Riddle created the company’s Greenhouse Production Division to supply the retail store as well as to sell wholesale plants to businesses, organizations and churches throughout the Metro D.C. area.

In 1980, the Homestead Gardens Landscape Services Division was established. It’s headquartered in one of two beautifully restored homes on the property. (The other is used for the accounting and administrative staff.) Additional structures acquired by the company include an attractive but spacious barn that is currently used for storage.

In 1985, the company purchased additional land on Governor Bridge Road in Davidsonville to introduce a Wholesale Production Division for selling supplies to independent landscape contractors and to supply Homestead Gardens’ retail store with the bulk of its annuals, perennials, and nursery stock.

The greenhouses are filled to the brim with those annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs and walking through one is a feast for all the senses.

Trellised gardens in the open spaces out back hold myriad tropical and shade loving plants. Just beyond them are white tents set up for outdoor entertaining. Homestead Gardens works with 500 non-profits on various drives and events ranging from a huge fundraiser for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank to a Future Farmers of America barbeque.

Everywhere one looks, there is something beautiful to see. Even areas featuring garden plants and herbs are overhung with baskets of flowers in every color of the rainbow.

A lot of work is required to keep all those plants thriving and the interior and exterior of the greenhouse/pavilion complex in tip-top shape. There are 120 year-round employees plus 150 seasonal employees. Work is going on continually throughout the complex.

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Indoors, the pavilions carry everything from garden seeds, fertilizers and gardening equipment to pet foods and supplies, and even baby chicks in April. There are also high-end barbeque grills and outdoor furniture for lounging or dining.

One of the most special spaces in the pavilions is Evelyn’s Boutique named in honor of Don Riddle’s mother with an extensive collection of casual clothes, handbags, hats and other accessories plus decorative items for the home.

In 2010, Riddle and company further expanded Homestead’s footprint by opening the Severna Park branch at 522 Ritchie Highway, adopting many of the design elements and retail practices of the original store. The building in which the Severna Park outlet is located, along with Zachary’s Jewelers, has a history of its own. After beginning its life as a supermarket, the edifice became home to Frank’s Garden Center for a number of years. For a brief period, it was occupied by West Marine Boating Supplies before being taken over by Homestead Gardens. It was a perfect size for creating a smaller but amazing version of the original location.

In 2021, the company completed its expansion by purchasing Ronny’s Garden World in Smyrna, Delaware to become the third retail branch of Homestead Gardens.

From the moment he opened the Davidsonville location in the 1970’s till his death in 2011, Don Riddle implemented his ideas for transforming Homestead into a destination Garden Center offering a series of events and festivals throughout the year to coax customers into taking a drive into the country. Succeeded by his son Brian Riddle, the company has retained those innovations and created new ones for all three branches.

Each and every December, grandparents, parents and children flock to the Davidsonville store to view unique displays of Christmas lights, holiday season tableaus and, of course, the store’s famed multi-track train display. They come from nearby neighborhoods and from the Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville and Crofton communities and as far afield as Washington, D.C.

Almost as popular in Davidsonville is the annual Crepe Myrtle Festival (to be held this year from June 13 through 17). The festival does so well that it is carried on to a lesser extent at the other branches.

Over the years, Riddle sought opportunities to give back to the community that supported him. He kept Homestead Gardens at the forefront of philanthropic activities within the community. It’s a tradition very much alive in each of the retail outlets.

Beautiful, flower-covered floats from Homestead Gardens consistently appear in the Independence Day Parades of Severna Park, Annapolis and, occasionally, other communities to the delight of spectators.

The Severna Park store has been at the very center of community activities since opened 13 years ago. It’s been a glamorous backdrop for a number of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Taste & Sip events.

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Generously discounted holiday items on Black Friday make the Severna Park store a very popular destination for shoppers every December.

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The 2022 holiday season not only saw a busy Black Friday but also included Homestead Gardens Severna Park’s fun-filled Girls Night Out with food, wines, and discounts to boot. Part of the proceeds were donated to the Blue Ribbon Project.

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Corks for a Cause, a fundraiser held at the Severna Park store for the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation has quickly become one of the community’s hottest summer social events. For the third year, BWMC Foundation and Homestead Gardens partnered with NextGen and Fishpaws Marketplace to host the 2022 event on June 15. Tucked in amongst the flowers and plants throughout Homestead’s greenhouse and gardens were tables for 15 wineries or distributors with 90+ point wines to sample from around the world. 

The fourth annual Corks for a Cause fundraiser for BWMC Foundation will be held at Homestead Gardens Severna Park next Wednesday, June 14 from 6 to 8 pm. Contact www.fishpawsmarket.com for ticket information.

Homestead Gardens’ Davidsonville location is celebrating Pollinator Month through June with lots of native plants to choose from and the Crepe Myrtle Festival kicks off Tuesday, June 13. As can be seen from a sign off one of the parking areas, the new Open Air Space for Events will soon be a reality. Stay tuned for more upcoming events and special sales by visiting Homestead Gardens – Garden Supplies, Nursery, and Landscaping.

Lisa’s Cakepops is saying goodbye to Severna Park

Lisa Edelman Schneiderman and husband Glen are retiring from Lisa’s Cakepops on June 15 and moving to Florida to be with family. We’ll all be sad to see them go. However, after 10 years of creating custom cakepops, successfully marketing them and achieving her dream of opening a storefront, Lisa is moving on.

She started the business out of her home kitchen in 2013 in Danville, California. After relocating to Severna Park in 2015, Lisa’s Cakepops was officially born. Finding space in a commercial kitchen, Lisa marketed her pops at local events, developed a lively ecommerce and achieved success after success. Having developing a lively ecommerce market for her custom pops, she opened the storefront at 836 Ritchie Highway with Glen in March of 2020 which did well. After obtaining orders from two Maryland catalog companies with national distribution, Lisa, Glen and their staff were making and shipping thousands of cakepops at a time.

Asked why they were closing the shop and moving to Florida, Lisa explained that most of their family lived in South Florida – including Glen’s father who is 90 and his mother who is 85.

“Both are doing well and we wanted to be able to enjoy spending time with them and the rest of the family. We visit Florida twice a year anyway and we figured it was time,” Lisa said.

Cakepop decorating kits Lisa designed that are especially fun for children have been a very popular item and the couple have decided they’ll probably continue to market them after they are settled.

A going away party is being held by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber at Lisa’s Cakepops storefront on Wednesday, June 28th from 10 am till noon.

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

The end of May saw a flurry of activity at The Red Apron Shoppe at 4A Riggs Avenue as the establishment held a closeout sale with prices slashed as much at 75%. Though merchandise was moving fast, the shop still held onto the homey, neighborly feeling it was known for.

Owner MaryAnn Neal, who opened the Red Apron Shoppe with husband Cam in May of 2021, was busily overseeing sales inside the shop while simultaneously greeting friends and customers.

An attractive hearth painted white nestled between some high-end purses, an easy chair and matching footstool and a rack of clothing that included some vintage pieces.

Outside, behind the shop, lawn and garden items were for sale. A sign saying “Estate Sale Today” surprised no one familiar with the Neal’s primary business, Red Apron Estate Sales.

MaryAnn initially created her Red Apron brand in 2012 in order to sell pieces of furniture she’d been collecting and refinishing from estate sales. She sold them at a series of Second Sunday Markets she organized at what is now Boone Station Hall. That same year, she ran her first estate sale as a favor for a bereaved neighbor and found she had a knack for the complicated process of organizing one. Soon thereafter, she and Cam opened Red Apron Estate Sales.

MaryAnn always hated the idea of “one more thing going into a landfill that didn’t need to when it still had a great life left”. Consequently, she continued collecting good quality pieces that didn’t sell – pieces that became the inventory when she and Cam opened The Red Apron Shoppe nine years later in the historic Riggs Avenue building that was built in the 1920’s. (It was home to Dr. Francis Codd’s pharmacy for over a decade before becoming Cliff Dawson’s variety store featuring liquor sales, a soda fountain and a slot machine. It next was home to the Antique Marketplace until the owner decided to retire and the Neals opened The Red Apron Shoppe.)

The couple’s vision for shop was to feature items that would bring back that neighborhood feeling that Olde Severna Park had for many years, including while Cam was growing up there. They largely accomplished that goal.

The store featured old, new and local treasures and was notable for its history and because it carried items well-loved in the past that we can love once more. Every item – from penny candy and vinyl records to fine China and wooden furniture – stirred memories and kindled our imagination to envision what it might become. The Red Apron Shoppe sold homemade breads from local bakers, fresh eggs from a local farm and items from local craftspeople.

It was a place where you could find drawers of vintage hardware and glassware or beautifully refinished and repurposed pieces of furniture by local crafters.

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The shop also served as a hub for family and friends to gather for special occasions like watching the Severna Park Independence Day Parade together or watching the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Community Tree Lighting celebration in December.

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Sadly, The Red Apron Shoppe’s days at 4 Riggs Avenue are over. The Neals noted that there may be some renovations to the building, but the rents were doubling which made staying there untenable. For the time being, they’ll continue to sell their inventory online while keeping their eyes open for another location…but probably not in Severna Park. As The Red Apron Team said in an Instagram message, “This isn’t goodbye, just cya later”.

Meantime, the Red Apron Estate Sales part of the business is booming. According to MaryAnn, estate sales no longer take place only when people pass away. They’re most often held because folks are downsizing to a smaller house or condo. They have too much stuff and no idea how to dispose of what they don’t need. That’s where Red Apron Estate Sales comes in to help them liquidate those no-longer-needed belongings.

Curious to see what a Red Apron Estate Sale was like, we ventured to one two weekends ago. Arriving at the estate sale property, we saw cars lining both sides of the street and people coming and going – some carrying packages or pieces of furniture.

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Entering the garage, we spotted MaryAnn checking to be sure everything was shipshape. Early in the day, things were pretty much intact but later the garage swarmed with prospective buyers.

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A collection of tractor models apparently impressed some shoppers as much as it impressed us. When we later visited the garage as it grew busier, we noticed that the tractor models had been sold.

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A separate machine shop located down the hill from the back yard held woodworking, gardening and mechanical tooling items that were going like hotcakes.

There were many attractive baskets, lots of dishes and, luckily for me, there was an extensive collection of well-priced glassware. I ended up buying some blue glasses to complete a set I already own

There was jewelry to browse through but little was left in the way of clothing save a single pair of cowboy boots.

Among the shoppers preceding me to the Red Apron check-out table was a gentleman buying a dozen faux poinsettia plants that would make perfect Christmas decorations, a woman buying and ornamental grate, and another woman with a wooden box full of CD’s and other items.

You can follow Red Apron Estate Sales & Shoppe online at Estate Liquidator | Red Apron Estate Sales & Shoppe | Severna Park, on Facebook at Red Apron Estate Sales | Severna Park MD | Facebook, and on Twitter at Red Apron (@redapronprod) / Twitter and on Instagram at Red Apron Shoppe (@redapronshoppe) | Instagram.

A new crop of entrepreneurs honored at Chamber’s Small Business Awards

The patio at Garten on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard was the setting for the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Small Business Awards presentation last Thursday. The evening was beautiful and the garden at Garten welcoming, so the event was something of a social occasion for the chamber members gathered to honor the award nominees and winners.

Sidestreet Framers and Gift Gallery owner Dawn Wilson (who was a Small Business Award nominee) arrived with Stephanie Lavis, the shop’s well-known framer for 31 years. After being greeted by Chamber CEO Liz League, the two split up to circulate.

League was soon seen chatting with Heather Barnstead from Severna Park High School and Christine Joyce from Long & Foster. Joyce serves as “kind of an ambassador for the chamber” at various functions. Barnstead, who’d come to support Small Business Award winner, Zachary Yeatman, was also spotted chatting with Zachary’s parents, Dr. Holly Yeatman and husband Jeffrey.

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Meantime, it was thumbs up from Mad Soaps’ Christian Buchleitner, an award nominee who, along with business partner Travis Wray, fell into conversation with longtime chamber member Betty Winkelmeyer Wells, Voice Media, Inc. publisher Dianna Lancione and Voice Media’s VP of Business Development Jonathan Katz. Buchleitner said Mad Soaps does auto and boat detailing and ceramic coating and just built a shop in Edgewater at Gingerville Marina.

We spotted other winners in the crowd as well as a lot of long-time members of the chamber. Members Jennifer Miller and Theresa Connelly from Chesapeake Think Tank even drove up from the company’s Stevensville office on the Eastern Shore.

Nancy Greer, owner of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, and Amy Clark from M & T Bank traded the latest news from the business community while Nkongolo, League and Lancione chatted with Logozone Promotions’ Tommy Sommers about the recent SHOP LOCAL event at Park Plaza.

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Once all of the winners arrived, Liz League announced the nominees for each category and the winner. We list them here:

Rising Star Student of the Year, Zachary Yeatman, JZ Power Washing, LLC – WINNER!
Accounting Advocate – Christy Bennet, Emerald Financial Partners
Financial Services Champion – Jason LaBarge, LaBarge Financial
Minority Owned Small Business – LaToya Nkongolo, Work Life Behavior Health
Woman Owned Small Business – Diane Whittles, SERVPRO
Home Based Business – Karima Davis, Tutor Partners
Young Entrepreneur – Christian Buchleitiner, Mad Soaps, Inc.
Veteran Owned Small Business – Angela Meggs, Angie D Entertainment
Family-Owned Small Business – Dawn Wilson, Side Street Framers

Winner, Zachary Yeatman is a student at Severna Park High School who recently started his own power washing business. He notes that he was trained by someone who has been professionally power washing for 10 years and offer very good prices and premium quality work.

For information about the chamber’s other activities including their next big occasion, the annual Severna Park Independence Day Parade, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

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

We traveled the byways last Thursday to Edgewater, Maryland where we stopped at CHAD’S Bar-B-Cue off Route 214. Owned by Chad Sargent, who grew up in Severna Park, the quirky eatery dates back to 1948. Like other motorists, we were initially attracted to the restaurant by the supersized metal chicken out front and by the sign beneath the name “CHAD’S” that was blinking “Dogs Welcome to the Patio”. While common in Europe, few American restaurant’s welcome dogs. We later found out the chicken has a name. He is Marco Pollo.

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Entering the restaurant mid-afternoon, we observed several folks having a late lunch while others had arrived just ahead of happy hour. We found owner and executive chef, Chad Sargent, on the patio with his Mastiff Luka, the eatery’s official mascot.

After a final doggie kiss and several licks, Sargent took Luka to his second-floor hangout (where patrons can observe him onscreen through the miracle of security cameras) before chatting with us about CHAD’s long history.

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“Construction on the building we’re in was started in 1947 and completed in 1948 and it has been some type of restaurant ever since,” Sargent said. “It’s had a series of owners and I don’t know all of them but can go back through four or five. Before I took over, it was owned for five and a half years by my father and stepmother Rick and Sandra Sargent and was called Wharfside Bar & Grill.”

According to her stepson, Sandy grew up in Edgewater on Rolling Road. She used to walk to work at a fruit stand nearby when she was a kid. At the time, the area was sparsely populated so there wasn’t much traffic on Route 214.

“She’d walk by the restaurant each day on her way to work and say to herself, ‘One day I want to own that place,'” Chad Sargent said. “Sure enough, she willed it and it happened.”

He added that, before the Sargents owned it, there was an original but short-lived Wharfside Bar & Grill. Prior to that, it was called Peewee’s and owned by a gentleman who went only by the name Peewee through most of the 1990’s.

“In 2017, Peewee actually came in for a visit and I was able to get a photo with him at the bar,” Sargent said.

Before Peewee’s, Sargent was told, the restaurant was called Cookie’s and owned by a gentleman named Cookie and his wife, Miss Lilian. The couple lived in a house on the Sargents’ property that is now home to The Painted Cottage clothing and gift shop – a building with a history of its own that the family leases to the business owner.

For as long as he can remember, Chad Sargent’s passion has been food. He grew up in Arnold and Severna Park and attended Jones Elementary School in Round Bay and Severna Park Middle School and then spent a year at Severna Park High School before transferring to Boy’s Latin in Baltimore.

Moving to Annapolis in the late 1990’s, he bought a home there in 2001 while honing his culinary and managerial talents in the hospitality industry in Baltimore and Annapolis. He was a chef during the ’90’s and early 2000s and eventually was Executive Chef at Harry Browne’s in Annapolis. Being an executive-level chef tends to be a fast-paced 24/7 job. Like others before him, he became burned out and took a break from the hospitality industry for a while.

Eventually, Sargent discovered he missed the creativity and chaos of the restaurant business – a business for which he’s well-suited. Like others who have attention deficit disorder, Chad enjoys being pulled in different directions so running a restaurant enables him to thrive. He made up his mind that, if the opportunity should arrive to have a place of his own that would make the long hours one must put in worth it, he’d jump at it.

That opportunity arrived in 2013, when he took over the operation of the eatery and renamed it CHAD’S Bar-B-Cue. Long before that, his wife Kristi gifted him a smoker for using at home. Sargent began to experiment with smoking meats Southern style (which was different from what he’d been trained to do as a chef). He’d come up with other dishes that were complementary so, by the time he started CHAD’S, he already had the basic recipes for a menu of casual comfort foods that patrons really liked.

Patrons particularly like that the restaurant has a lot of character thanks to a number of unique touches. Both Chad and Kristi are music lovers, and, at her suggestion, they mounted album covers on an interior wall.

On other walls there are menu boards, newspaper clippings about the restaurant from the past and quirky little signs.

Though the casually decorated, dog-friendly outdoor patio already existed, Sargent decided to cover it in October of 2019 six months before the COVID pandemic… which proved a huge blessing.

To everyone’s surprise, the pandemic was an absolute boon for CHAD’S. Because the restaurant already had a thriving counter takeout business, Sargent was able to easily shift to a drive-thru operation for 14 months by retooling the patio.

“We took out one of the long tables on the end, took out the bannister and installed a ramp from the back door to a takeout window we had specially built,” he said.

“We were so successful and busy with the drive-thru that we were running out of food and had to close on Tuesdays in order to dedicate that day to being a delivery prep day so we would have food when we reopened on Wednesdays, said Sargent. “The kitchen and waitstaff were having a hard time keeping up as it was. So, it was good having those two days to catch up.”

(CHAD’S continues the practice of remaining closed for dining on Tuesdays, with a lot of paperwork plus delivery and prep work taking place behind closed doors. They are open Wednesdays through Sundays.)

The dine-in business rebounded after COVID restrictions ended but the takeout business remains stronger than it was before the pandemic.

According to its owner, CHAD’S clientele is quite mixed “which is wonderful”. Many are regular customers who are locals but people from Severna Park, Arnold, Annapolis or Crofton drop by from time to time as well… sometimes with their canine companions. They are surprisingly diverse vocationally.

“We’ll have guys come in and sit at the bar covered in grease because they’re mechanics on their lunch break and they’ll be sitting next to a doctor or attorney wearing a suit and a bright white shirt. They’ll all be sitting there chatting and maybe drinking a beer and getting along, Sargent said.

“This is a place where we treat people, when they walk in the door, like family. I always tell my staff to say ‘hello’ as customers walk in and ‘goodbye’ when they leave…and do it sincerely like they mean it. This building has a lot of charm. I think of it as our house – a place for our patrons to feel comfortable.”

Sargent noted that he’s been asked numerous times if he’ll expand the business. His answer is always no because he and his staff like the charm of the building the way it is.

Customers love to sit around the bar which is relatively small and cozy. High-top tables in proximity provide extra seating and extend the feeling of camaraderie.

Happily seated at the bar while we were there were Lori Cebulski and her husband Art, Jaimie Navarro, Bea Veall and Kim Magnussen. While the Cebulskis 8and Navarro had come in for happy hour, Veall and Magnussen were lunchtime regulars who raved about the Nashville Chicken Caesar salad which they order often.

Should you be driving the byways and have a yen for some ribs or Carolina Pulled Pork or simply have an interest in South County history, you’ll be welcome at CHAD’S at 156 West Central Avenue in Edgewater. You can check them out by visiting Chad’s BBQ – Edgewater, Maryland (chadsbbq.com).

Life of Joy Day on Saturday, June 10 at The Church at Severn Run

The third annual Life of Joy Day will be held Saturday, June 10 from 11 am till 3 pm at The Church at Severn Run, 8187 Telegraph Road in Severn. There will be music, vendors, a scavenger hunt, kickball and other fun activities for the whole family. All proceeds will support the Life of Joy Foundation which helps spread awareness for holistic mental health and suicide prevention. For more information, visit Life of Joy Foundation, Inc..

Cabaret Performance & Silent Auction to Benefit SPAN at Boone Station Hall

Once again actress/singer Laurette Hankins-O’Connell is donating her time and talents to create a cabaret performance to benefit SPAN, Inc. Called ” Musicals, Movies and Moxie—Oh My!”, the performance will take place at Boone Station Hall at 623 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard on Saturday, June 17 at 7 pm. Pianist Anita O’Connor will accompany Hankins-O’Connell and sing several duets with her. The show is an “exuberant and sometimes irreverent” salute to a wide array of Broadway and movie musicals from six decades.

Tickets are $25 with 100 percent of the net proceeds going to support SPAN. Tickets must be purchased in advance via credit card, PayPal or a check sent to SPAN at 400 Benfield Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146. For additional information, visit SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.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 & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

By all accounts, last Thursday was a quiet day at HOPE For All’s headquarters at 122 Roesler Road in Glen Burnie. Regardless, we found quite a bit of activity ongoing throughout the charity’s extensive warehouse and office spaces.

Executive Director Connie Cooper met us at her desk to fill us in on what HOPE For All does before giving us a tour of the facility. We’d originally learned about the charity’s good works from founder Leo Zerhusen after bumping into him at various community events. However, we had no idea of the enormity of HOPE For All’s mission and the contributions and support the organization supplies to needy families throughout Anne Arundel County.

Cooper describes HOPE For All as a Christian ministry whose mission is to provide furniture, household items, and clothing to people in our communities who are without the financial means to meet their basic needs.

“We’re a unique resource in Anne Arundel County for those transitioning from homelessness, or just in need of a helping hand,” she explained. “We offer clients the essentials necessary to create a home. We strive to bring some stability to their lives and hope for their future.”

Cooper added that they are able to do this primarily through donations from generous individuals and with help from numerous volunteers. HOPE For All partners with 30 agencies and non-profits in the county that refer families to them like Social Services, the Department of Aging, and the Department of Mental Health and the Housing Authorities of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County along with places like Sarah’s House and The Lighthouse Shelter. In addition, 30 churches refer families and help our organization in other ways.

“We try to provide services to everyone who needs them. We frequently serve those who are moving out of homelessness or transitional shelter and getting their first house – folks who don’t have much of anything,” Cooper said. “We are unique. There is no one else in the county that does what we do.”

She filled us in more fully as we moved from place to place on our tour, starting with the offices.

We began in a conference/multi-purpose room where personal shopper and Baskets Of Hope coordinator Barbara Bryl was putting together baskets including health and personal hygiene items to be given to clients on moving day.

Immediately down the hall we arrived at the office of bookkeeping and scheduling assistant Barbara Willoughby who was on the phone arranging for one of several deliveries of furniture for the day. We learned that she spends much of her time speaking to clients and coordinating with logistics assistants Miguel Rodriguez, Jake Davis and Moses Ballard to work out times for the drivers to drop off furnishings, household goods and other items.

As we passed by other offices and entered the warehouse area, Cooper explained that, since the pandemic, rents have risen so dramatically in the county that families can’t find housing they can afford or, if able to find something are so cash-strapped they are unable to afford the basic necessities.

Needless to say, entering the warehouse was eye-opening. The first section of the clothing department had rows and rows of shelving containing already-sorted donated clothing with many more bags and boxes of garments waiting to be unpacked. As we walked on to the next section, we found operations assistant Diane Neighoff and one of her volunteers (as seen in the opening photo) sorting clothing by category, age, gender, size, season, etc. and placing it in appropriate bins. There are 650 separate categories of clothing. In addition, new socks and underwear are always provided.

Beyond the clothing was the linen department with rows of pillows, pillowcases and sheets and two separate rows that were filled with comforters in a range of colors and patterns.

Aside from furnishings, just about every item needed to set up housekeeping could be found within the first few sections of the houseware department.

Kitchen items ranging from utensils, mixing bowls and storage containers to plates, cups, glassware, pots and pans, and electrical appliances were arranged in bins or on shelves.

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The more serious elements like a bed to sleep in or a table to eat a meal on could be found in the furniture storage area. There were dining tables and chairs, sofas and ottomans, coffee tables, headboards for beds and chests of drawers.

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According to Cooper, giving clients brand new beds (and new pillows) is made financially possible by several grants and an arrangement with a company in Pennsylvania to purchase a large quantity of them.

At the far end of the warehouse, the logistics team of Davis, Rodriguez and Ballard worked to pull the furniture and pre-assembled bins of clothing and housewares for each family getting a deliver. They do their best to fulfill the wish lists clients fill out.

Just past the team was a stairway leading to a loft where a baby department was located with bassinets and cribs, baby blankets, baby clothes and an abundant supply of diapers. The loft also provided storage space for one of the biggest collections of winter coats we’ve ever seen.

We were in for a big surprise as our tour came to an end. Connie Cooper announced that the staff and volunteers were getting ready for one of HOPE For All’s popular indoor “Yard Sales” this Saturday, May 20 by checking over, arranging and pricing hundreds of items. Then, she showed us to a part of the warehouse that opens to the outside so customers can easily enter or exit. The scene that unfolded before us was a feast for the eyes.

The shelves and floors of the yard sale area was filled with all kinds of once-loved treasures that can become much-loved treasures for someone new.

“We receive many donations from downsizers, or as a result of estate settlements. Therefore, we receive many ornamental objects like fine China and glassware or jewelry – things that are not part of what a family needs to set up housekeeping but are very appealing,” Cooper said.

“As you can see, we have many things at reasonable prices that attract shoppers from across the county. We’re particularly popular with decorators, collectors, recyclers, and DIYers. Thus, we hold our yard sales on twice-monthly Thursdays or Saturdays as a way of raising money to cover our operational costs.”

We noticed a display of blue-patterned China which is still popular but has become harder to find so it was interesting to see it as part of the HOPE For All Yard Sale.

We ran into warehouse coordinator Kevin Morgan who was devoting most of his time to completing the yard sale layout. Morgan’s work for HOPE For All has covered just about every aspect of the operation. When asked what client’s reaction is when they receive their delivery, he said most people are overwhelmed by the “amount of stuff we give them” and all are very grateful.

Cooper agreed. She also just happened to have a schedule of the 2023 Indoor Yard Sales to hand out. We’ve reproduced it below.

For more information, visit HOPE For All.

Kick Off Celebration at Severna Park Sunrise for “Cycling Without Age”

Severna Park resident Sandy Bishop recently started a “Cycling Without Age” (CWA) chapter in Anne Arundel County. The chapter is sponsored by Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) and it provides rides on a disability-friendly electric-assist trishaw to senior citizens in the community.

 In April, Cycling Without Age began offering rides to residents of Severna Park Sunrise using the B&A Trail. They are having a kickoff celebration at Sunrise this Saturday, May 20 at 10:30am that the community is invited to attend. For more information about the program, visit Cycling Without Age – Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis And Anne Arundel County (bikeaaa.org).

MACARONI KID SPRING FAMILY FUN FEST THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21

Macaroni KID-Pasadena will be holding its Spring Family Fun Fest this Sunday, May 21 at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. from 1 to 4 pm.

Enjoy a day of games and family fun activities for all ages. The FREE event will also highlight local kid-oriented businesses. For more information, visit 🎈 Macaroni KID Spring Family Fun Fest | Macaroni KID Pasadena-Severna Park-Glen Burnie.

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

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