AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Tai Chi & Kung Fu
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
Networking events staged as special occasions are a trademark of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s “Successful Women in Business” group. Each networking event gives the business hosting it maximum exposure. However, the gatherings’ most important mission is giving attendees an opportunity to share information about the products or services of their specific company or organization.
The Successful Women in Business Wine Tasting we dropped in on last Thursday at Cheers & Spirits in Arnold Station at 1460 Ritchie Highway was fun, informative and definitely a treat for the tastebuds.
Arriving just as the wine tasting was about to begin, we observed SWIB committee chairs Nancy Greer, Danielle Ortiz and Jennifer McAndrews putting finishing touches on the Door Prize table. Cheers & Spirits was looking great with gracious displays of food and wine. We were greeted by the shop’s general manager Lacey Barry who acted as hostess for the affair.
According to Barry, Cheers & Spirits took over the business in May of 2022 and was already seeking to branch out and hold some events when approached by SWIB co-chair Nancy Greer.
“We were delighted and immediately reached out to DMV Distributing for a selection of five wines to pour and offer to SWIB members at a discounted price,” Barry said prior to introducing us to the company’s Regional Sales Manager Monica Conners. “Monica will be highlighting the finer points of each wine as the tasting proceeds.”
Conners noted that , as regional sales manager, she now oversees the reps to who usually do the tastings. However, she decided to personally handle the SWIB tasting for Barry.
Danielle Ortiz, distributor for Q Sciences and co-chair of the SWIB Committee really enjoys participating in the networking events for the wide range of sites they are held at and for the casual atmosphere and sociability of each. She popped up everywhere and is seen below chatting with Chamber CEO Liz League and, later, with Tammie Neall from Anne Arundel Community College’s School of Health Sciences.
SWIB committee co-chair Danielle Ortiz and Liz League. 
Tammie Neall, from Anne Arundel Community College with Ortiz.
Having checked out several Successful Women In Business events over the years, we agree with Ortiz that they are, indeed, diversified. One of SWIB’s First Cup Club events we attended was held early in the morning at the former Good Life Organic Market featuring a splendid breakfast created by the market’s on-site chef using fresh organic ingredients from the store. Another was a Kombucha making demonstration and tasting in Annapolis Home Brew’s tasting room. Another was a “Diamonds, Wine & Chocolates” event held at Zachary’s Jewelers with help from Fishpaw’s Marketplace.
Carrie Baquie, a well-being empowerment coach and True You life coach Debbie McTammany, who regularly attend SWIB events, had a great time catching up with each other and chatting about previous events. Meanwhile, McAndrews welcomed newcomer Katherine Grote to the group.
Greer, who’d suggested the wine tasting at Cheers & Spirits to co-chairs Ortiz and McAndrews, recalled how popular “tastings” have been with the networking group in the past.
“They’ve been among our most interesting events. We’ve also been wanting to bring more attention to businesses in Arnold and this wine tasting was a perfect opportunity,” Greer said. “Learning that Lacey Barry was raised in Arnold at Winchester on the Severn was a happy coincidence.”
We ran into longtime chamber member Barbara Gill, founder of Chesapeake Coffee Connections and McAndrews who were intrigued by Integrative Family Nurse Practioner Katherine Grote’s description of her medical practice which includes “house calls” for patients.
Gill mentioned to McAndrews and Grote that she was about to mark the 13th Anniversary of Chesapeake Coffee Connections with a celebration at SOMA in Annapolis Harbour Center on November 14.
Though not a member of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber, Monica Ingson, general manager for CertaPro Painters of Annapolis, learned about the SWIB wine tasting, decided to give it a try and was pleased that she did.
Throughout the event, the women couldn’t help noticing the only gentleman in the shop behind a counter on the far side of the store which they thought might be a “bar” area. It turns out the young man was the very knowledgeable Michael May who was standing behind a “counter” from which customers could purchase a wide variety of miniatures. Next to the miniatures, a high-end area contained the shop’s most expensive products like Dom Perignon vintage Champagne, a Clase Azul premium tequila, and a rare Utopia Sam Adams in an elaborately designed porcelain bottle.
Michael May presided over a counter behind which were miniatures…… 
…and high -end products like Dom Perignon vintage Champagne and Clase Azul premium tequila.
As is the tradition with Successful Women In Business events, attendees next formed a line (as shown in the opening photo) and, by turns, described their businesses, organizations or services. They began with their hostess Lacey Barry who described what Cheers & Spirits has created since taking over the business in 2022 and noted that all the wines were being offered to attendees for the evening at 25% off. They then moved on through League, Ingson, Neall, (who is about to be Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce president), and everyone else in turn.
In response to Greer’s invitation to share any upcoming events, Cheers & Spirits highlighted several including bringing back the popular Polar Express Lionell Train Display designed by her father last year – which will run from December 1 thru 31. League mentioned a dozen upcoming holiday events including the Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber on December 1.
Greer took the opportunity to report that the Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi Team completed the Alzheimer’s Walk raising $8,200. The team walked this year in honor of her father Glenn who passed away last February. Glenn was a loving and dedicated caregiver for Greer’s mother who’d suffered from the disease. Not yet finished raising money, Jing Ying Institute is holding a Silent Auction through December 16. (People may still donate for the cause by visiting Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org).
Door prizes were awarded and the floor was turned over to Monica Conners for the highlight of the evening – a wine tasting featuring five delightful vintages including Vinyes Ocults – a Malbec from Argentina, Sidney Back – a Chardonay from South Africa, Tussock Jumper – a Prosecco from Italy, a Finca Bacara – a Monstrell from Spain and a Vinha Da Coutada Velha Red Blend from Portugal.
Stay tuned for the next Successful Women In Business networking event which you’ll find mentioned on the chamber’s page at Facebook.
UPCOMING “SAVE THE DATE” OCCASIONS
Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber on December 1
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Community Tree Lighting will be held December 1 from 5 to 6:30 pm. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, ice cream and a few other treats. Santa and The Grinch will be there too.
Cellos by Candlelight Concert at Woods Church on December 2
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will celebrate the start of the Christmas season with a program called Gloria Deo! A Cello Christmas Concert. The concert will be held in the church sanctuary and will begin at 7 pm.
According to music director David Merrill, the program will feature a professional cello octet and small orchestra from the DC/Baltimore area. In addition, the church’s Adult Choir, Praise Team, Seek Singers, and Children’s Choir will appear along with dancers performing choreography by Elysia Merrill. The concert is Free but a ticket is required. Please visit woodstix.org.
Elves for Elders program in progress at Partners In Care
Aware that the holidays can be a difficult time for people, Partners In Care, Maryland has begun an “Elves for Elders Holiday Stocking Drive”. They are asking folks to spread holiday cheer by stuffing a stocking for an PIC member or make a donation. The stockings will be delivered by volunteers. Partners In Care needs the stockings or donations on or before Saturday, December 2. Donations can be made by visiting Donate – Partners In Care Maryland.
Chamber’s 13th Annual Holiday Taste & Sip to be held December 5
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s 13th Annual Taste & Sip will be held from 5 to 8 pm on December 5th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club with delicious food and drink from 21 of the area’s finest purveyors. We’ll have more details soon. Meantime, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com) for an update.
The Dance Center of Severna Park will perform “The Nutcracker” on December 16
The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center has announced its upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker”. The holiday classic will be presented on December 16th at Severna Park High School. The performance will begin at 5:30 pm, and tickets are
available for just $10 each.
Choreographed by dancers Jill Weeks and Kathryn Quigly, “The Nutcracker” will showcase a condensed but delightful rendition of the ballet with beloved favorites such as The Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Waltz of the Flowers.
Thirty-five students from the dance program at The Dance Center will participate, showcasing their hard work and dedication. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to the performance for general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at The Nutcracker Campaign (spcommunitycenter.org) or at the door.
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.
