With the first day of summer only a week away, Severna Park Farmers Market was quite busy last Saturday. The parking lot, off Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, was nearly full and cars just kept pouring in. Shoppers hustled toward the market’s tents and stands but then slowed to a more leisurely pace to take in the amazing range of products offered. Vendors vary from season to season – or even from week to week. However, there is always an abundance of local products to choose from – especially this summer as we re-engage following the COVID pandemic.
At the first stand by the entrance, Ken Reeves of KR Laserworks was doing a brisk trade in laser engraved plaques and mugs honoring dads which would make great Father’s Day gifts. Though Reeves runs a custom online business, he really loves being at the farmers market and interacting with customers face to face.
Opposite Reeves’ stand, red and white checkered tablecloths lent a homespun air to handmade pottery from Carol and Robin Wolfgang of Flying Wolf Studio in Annapolis. The women’s earth-toned urns, vases, mixing bowls, crocks, cups, and plates were as pretty as they were practical…..and their dog bowls held special appeal for customers with four-legged companions.
All hands were on deck at the Baltimore County-based, family-owned Zahradka Farm stand where green and white checkered tablecloths made a fitting backdrop for an extensive selection of fresh greens and vegetables. The stand is always a favorite stop for farmer’s market regulars because the Zahradkas grow seasonal favorites like strawberries and asparagus each spring. The stand drew a constant stream of customers.
Equally popular with shoppers, the Pat Hochmuth Farm stand was stocked with fresh-from-the-Eastern Shore onions, radishes, green beans and potatoes. A two-decade veteran of the farmer’s market, Hochmuth grows the crops his customers like best. He’ll carry early season favorites like sweet peas when the market opens in April followed by a bounty of sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini through the summer. He’ll have late season produce, pumpkins, squash and gourds right up till the market closes in October,
Pat Hochmuth brought his usual bounty of produce from the Eastern Shore. 
His vegetables went so fast, he consolidated from two tables to one.
Shoppers hoping for a mid-morning snack from popular Vera’s Bakery were nearly out of luck. As can be seen from the photos below, the trays of scones, cinnamon swirls, apple turnovers, and empanadas were nearly empty. Originally named Grandma Vera’s, the Rockville business actually got its start in Severna Park as a restaurant in 1994 selling well-loved entrees, European breads and pastries. When Vera decided to retire, the Port family found a way to carry the business on through various farmers markets.
Fueled by a tasty pastry or a snack of Kettle Corn, shoppers moved on to check out each booth. It was impossible to miss – or to pass up – Joyce Martinek’s gorgeous Joyce’s Flowers booth. Whether looking for a lovely bouquet or incredibly healthy transplants of coleus, zinnias, portulaca or herbs, the talented grower had something to please. Martinek has been providing cut flowers, potted plants and herbs to the Severna Park Farmer’s Market since its beginnings 25 years ago. She also contributed several recipes to the market’s 20th Anniversary cookbook. She’s always generous with advice on how best to grow a plant or preserve a bouquet.
Martinek remarked that the 2021 growing season has been cool, slowing every kind of plant down.
“Luckily, we started all of these plants in the greenhouse so we have plenty to offer,” she said.
For customers who love old fashioned homemade jams, spreads, sauces and condiments, you can’t beat those made by Anita Robertson for My Nana’s Kitchen. Robertson, who also manages the farmers market, was sharing her booth with Jon Haas of Eve’s Cheeses. Come summer, Haas will also sell peaches with apples to follow in the fall.
Anita Robertson’s yummy looking Nana’s Kitchen creations conjured up childhood memories of recipes now faded into the past – Chow Chow [relish] for instance and Pickled Beets, or Rhubarb, Wild Blueberry or Whole Cherry Fruit Spreads.
“Creating this diversity of products from timeworn recipes does take a lot of hard work,” she said. “I don’t grow every fruit or vegetable myself but I partner with other farmers. For instance, my strawberries for Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Spread come from Pat Hochmuth while the rhubarb comes from Joyce Martinek.
The farmers market truly had something for everyone Saturday including clothing and jewelry. The booth shared by Three Blue Bunnies youthful designer and entrepreneur Ellie Heath and her mother Amy, whose Hip, Mod, Vintage jewelry is made from recycled materials, consistently drew customers.
Though a permanent fixture at the market throughout the spring, the pair will be taking a break over the next month or so for family vacation time on Cape Cod but return to the market in August. In the fall, Ellie will be heading off to college at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island where she’ll major in art.
“I’ll be taking my sewing machine along but I’m not sure how much time I’ll be able to devote to designing clothes,” she remarked.
Amy will continue selling her own recycled jewelry and artwork at the market along with Ellie’s trendy one-of-a-kind jeans jackets.
Nearby, Bee To Thee Apiary owner Ken Lehman not only brought his Black Locust honey to the market but brought his bees along in their glass enclosed frame – an irresistible sight for children.
The Ferndale beekeeper became a regular at the market in 2019 along with Morris Hill Farms owner David Haberkorn. The eggs and pasture-raised poultry, pork, lamb and other products from Haberkorn’s family farm in Tracy’s Landing have since become staples for farmers market regulars.
Other regulars like Mike Smith of Mike’s Knives have been coming to the market for years. Smith is always busy thanks, no doubt, to the fact that he will sharpen any blade or garden tool for $4. Customers will drop off their knives or tool and are then free to shop and come back to pick them up at a predetermined time.
Whistle Stop Winery was on hand again for a taste of the grape from Dunkirk, Maryland while Mardella Springs-based Patty’s Garden offered flowering plants.
The story of the Severna Park Farmers Market is ever-evolving as vendors shift and flow with the seasons. Newbies like Evie & Park Candles and Gifts or St. Michael’s based Lyon Rum may enjoy participating in the 2021 farmers market for a few weeks or the entire season….or may come back as regular vendors.
Evie & Park had gifts suitable for Father’s Day…… 
as did Lyon Rum.
For more information about Severna Park Farmers Market or weekly updates, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .
Walk the Walk Foundation aims to provide 1,000 backpacks for AACO students
Walk the Walk Foundation is excited to be working with Anne Arundel County’s Department of Human Resources & their Back to School program again this year. The program runs from now through August when all backpacks will be delivered to local Anne Arundel County elementary schools.
Walk the Walk is looking for volunteers, sponsors and hosts to help them accomplish their goal to ensure every child has a backpack when they return to school in the fall
People may sponsor a backpack for $30, spread the word to friends or family, or consider hosting a backpack packing event in their community. To participate, visit www.wtwf.org or email walk@wtwf.org.
