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
Signs of Spring are evident throughout the county as March draws to a close. From its picturesque wagon of tulips and daffodils and gardens filled with spring flowers and vegetables to the baby peeps inside, Anne Arundel Farm, Lawn & Garden has all the hallmarks of the season.
Pansies are in full bloom at the Pasadena-based center just in time to welcome shoppers to this Saturday’s Spring Kickoff from 7:30 am to 6 pm. Farm and garden products and plants will be on sale for 10% off all day (or 15% for early birds the first hour-and-a-half).
Venturing further into the garden area, there are shelves and shelves of transplants that allow enable cool weather gardeners to get a head start including multiple varieties of lettuces, kale, spinach and other greens.
For those who love tulips like me, but didn’t have time to plant bulbs in the fall, the garden center is selling large pots of ready-to-bloom tulips and daffodils.
In one part of the garden, we discovered a section whimsically labeled Strawberry fields forever! featuring a healthy collection of plants meant to go into the ground now to produce juicy red berries in May.
For homeowners or gardeners interested in growing their own peaches, nectarines or cherries, a miniature orchard of fruit trees occupies another part of the garden.
Next comes a trip indoors where more fun begins. Walking past the seed potatoes and onion sets (all of which I’ve grown) and rows of garden seed packets, I began to hear chirps.
Following the sounds, I happened upon the limited number of baby chicks that remain for sale. (AA Farm, Lawn & Garden sold out quickly this year.)
While admiring them, along with other shoppers, a clerk appeared to select five yellow peeps and three darker hued peeps for an excited pair of children who adored them. The kids (and their mother) also seemed to take the job of raising them seriously.
Before leaving, we made sure we knew all the details for the Saturday, March 29 Spring Kickoff Sale. In addition to $1,000 worth of raffles and giveaways, free hot dogs and soda will be served between 10 am and 3 pm. To find more information on Anne Arundel Farm, Lawn & Garden, visit them at Facebook or on their website at A.A. Co. Farm Lawn & Garden | Pasadena, Maryland (aalawnandgarden.com).
Shortly, thereafter, our spring adventure took us to the Bohemian Black boutique at 45 W. Earleigh Heights Road in Severna Park where we found that owner Rose Walker’s prêt-à-porter collection of Spring fashions was not the only thing new. An upper floor was recently added to the storefront.
Opened less than a year ago, the brick -and-mortar version of Walker’s Bohemian Black by Walking Roses began life in an unexpected way. It was formerly a garage attached to the first floor of the historic Listman Building opposite the Ranger Station on the B&A Trail that was restored and remodeled by the property’s owners. The addition of the upper floor completes its transformation providing additional display room, a pair of changing rooms, a children’s section and a small men’s section.
Rose Walker wasn’t on hand to show us around as she was in a meeting. However, employee Lena Slade was happy to lead us up the stairs to the new spaces which are light and bright with just enough space.
The addition of a waiting area and changing rooms has been a great help.
Back downstairs, which remains much the same, Lena showed us a few of her favorite spring fashions. She loves the short but surprisingly flattering purple dress she is holding.
“I’m not usually a fan of dresses with short skirts but this one is so flattering,” she said. “I love the shirred waist which is fitted and the dress is flowing and comfortable to wear.
The floor-length dress, which is one of Rose Walker’s favorites, is quite interesting and will be perfect to wear from spring through summer. According to Lena, the material is much like a silk scarf and the dress is open on the sides so you can simply slip your arms through.
Another fashion that caught my eye, as well as Lena’s, is a floor-length culotte or “romper” in summertime green. She noted that you can dress the garment up.
In fact, the dress was a hit with one woman who came in looking for a dress for a casual wedding she was planning to attend.
One reason we stopped by Bohemian Black is that we heard Rose Walker is planning an elegant “Let’s Be Friends” Brunch on Sunday, May 25th at 11:00 am. We’ll have more details later. Meantime, you can follow the activities of the boutique at Facebook or by visiting the website Bohemian Black by Walking Roses (bohemianblackbywr.com).
A new parking lot for Fishpaw’s Marketplace
Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal but the last thing we expected to see as we drove down B&A Boulevard is Fishpaw’s Marketplace owner Kim Lawson standing on a corner sidewalk directing traffic Thursday afternoon as her parking lot was being repaved. She did a marvelous job and told her customers their cars would be fine while they went inside.
I proceeded to do just that and went indoors to look for two of my favorite things – a bottle of wine and one of the fine cheeses for which Fishpaws Marketplace is noted. I found the same familiar faces behind the counters and the store is looking great.
You can check out Fishpaws Marketplace by visiting the website at Fishpaws Marketplace Severna Park MD, Severna Park, MD. at Instagram or at Facebook.
Green Expo at Homestead Gardens Davidsonville this Saturday
Homestead Gardens at Davidsonville is hosting the annual Green Expo this Saturday, March 29th, from 10:30 am till 2 pm. Area businesses and community and environmental organizations will be on hand to inform attendees about their services. And, of course, Homestead Gardens will be at its best with gorgeous spring plants.
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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
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.
