AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Tai Chi and Kung Fu
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
The spinning wheels were spinning neath a shady tent at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market Saturday morning as the Chesapeake Fiber Crafters worked their magic turning wool into yarn.
Relaxed, casual, and happy to chat with farmer’s market patrons, the crafters reminded shoppers of folks from a bygone era – a time when neighbors gathered in sewing circles, quilting bees or other shared endeavors that were mutually beneficial and social in nature.
For Chesapeake Fiber Crafters, the modern equivalent is a spinner/knitter collaboration that’s both fun and profitable. Everything the group creates, from hand-dyed yarns to hand-woven garments, is made to be sold at their booth. Lisa, for example, was knitting headbands, Laurie was sewing handbags, Laurie’s mother was producing yarn for shawls and Frank was spinning wool for socks.
As with similar open-air operations, the Severna Park Farmer’s Market takes place early in the day – from 8 am till noon – when produce is at its freshest. Located at the intersection of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, the market’s colorful tents overflowing with fruits and vegetables and other products are an enticing sight. In addition to passing motorists, hundreds of regular customers are drawn to the market every Saturday.
The mix of vendors includes regulars who are there each and every Saturday, semi-regulars who appear every other weekend, and a few participants that appear for a limited period of time.
Entering the north end of the farmer’s market, we found Floridian Jack Price and his family comfortably seated on some great looking Adirondack chairs made by Custom Cypress Outdoor Furniture. We were surprised to learn from Price that he’ll only be at the market three more Saturdays.
“We now live in Florida which we love but we’re originally from Severna Park and come back for a month to visit our family and friends,” Price said. “Participating in the farmers market that we’re so familiar with is a wonderful way to reconnect with people we know while exposing our products.”
One tent over, Melody and Bob’s Herbs & Medicinals tent attracted the attention of many curious shoppers wanting to learn what “medicinals” were.
Though Arnold residents, the couple has an herb farm in Pasadena. Their farm has never seen chemicals since the 1990’s when they purchased the land and the soil is very pure. Herbs are grown there naturally, “fertilizing only with worms”. According to Melody, they grow dozens of culinary herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano and basil and a lesser number of medicinally beneficial herbs like elderberry, plantain, tansy, aloe vera and Achillea.
“Plantain, for example, is a wonderful plant grown all over the world.” Melody said. “The leaves are good for removing splinters or healing wounds and the seeds, known as psyllium, are good for digestion.”
Located next to the herbalists was regular vendor David Haberkorn’s popular Morris Hill Farm tent. Haberkorn’s pasture raised meats, poultry and eggs are so much in demand there is almost always a line of customers waiting to be served.
Parallel to the Morris Hill Farm tent, regular vendor Pat Hochmuth of Pat’s Produce and Gourds brought an abundance of produce from his farm in Delmar, Maryland on the Eastern Shore and was doing his usual blockbuster business.
Hochsmuth has been a fixture at the market from its beginnings. Though sold out of several vegetables by 11 am and down to his last eggplant, the enterprising farmer still had plenty of tomatoes, potatoes and squash to sell along with sweet-as-honey pears, cantaloupes and melons.
New to the Severna Park Farmer’s Market this year (but not to markets in Waverly and Catonsville) the Baltimore Waffle Company’s Craig Grabowski was serving some of the delicious Belgian Liege waffles the 11-year-old business is known for.
“We’re glad to be here,” Grabowski said.
Another newbie, The Spoiled Dog Bakery carried all manner of Dog Treats bound to be a hit with shoppers’ canine companions. The array of gourmet treats for pups created by owner Dianell Ashe looked good enough for humans to eat. They included such goodies as Blueberry Bacon or Peanut Butter dog biscuits and Turkey Pumpkin Jerky.
A chalkboard sign pointed the way to The Spoiled Dog Bakery . 
Owner Dianell Ashe’s display of gourmet treats for pups enticed many dog owners to buy one for their own spoiled pet.
Moving on, Green View Hydroponics was new this year as well and selling hydroponically-raised greens like lettuces, kale, and even strawberry plants.
Business is always brisk at the farmer’s market and time seems to rush by for regular vendors like St. Margarets-based Windon Distillery’s Lyon Rum.
Distillery representative Willoughby Buxton chatted with customers about a variety of Lyon rums as well as some drink recipes that are perfect for late summer or early fall entertaining.
Veteran vendor The Breadery, which is based in Catonsville, moved numerous loaves of their old-fashioned whole grain and artisan breads leaving open spaces on the tables.
Nearby, with at least an hour to go, another veteran vendor Vera’s Original Bakery was down to its last few pastries while Severna Park Farmer’s Market veteran Joyce Martinek of Joyce’s Flowers and Herbs had just a single flower left to sell.
Vera’s Original Bakery was down to its last pastries….. 
…and Joye’s Flowers & Herbs had a single crimson bloom left to sell.
A longtime favorite vendor at the market, The Zahradka Farm does an amazing trade every single Saturday during the spring, summer and autumn seasons and also at the annual Christmas market. The Essex, Maryland based family farm brings a bounty of fruits, vegetables, fresh eggs, and meats ranging from ground beef, and sausages to steaks and roasts. Their produce is so popular, they sometimes sell out of some veggies leaving gaps along the tables.
Saturday’s market had so many regular and occasional vendors represented that we couldn’t get to them all and missed checking out candles from Evie & Park and all those homemade jams and jellies from Nana’s Kitchen. Obviously, we’ll be coming back to explore the others. To check out which vendors will be turning out any given weekend, visit Facebook.
Farmstand hours change following Labor Day
Normally, the last day of the season for Marco Ridge Farm’s farmstand, at 3208 Davidsonville Road, is Labor Day. However, this year they have extended being open a bit longer.
Now in their final week of the 2023 season, the farmstand will be open from 10 am to 5 pm through Sunday, September 10th – their final day. We’re told that the Marco Ridge Farm’s late produce cart will be available through most of the fall on a pay-in-cash honor system.
We learned that there also are new hours for Chase’s Produce farmstand which is also located on Davidsonville Road. They’ll be open Fridays 12-7, and Saturdays and Sundays 10-5. Owners Bob and Marge Chase said they’re hoping to remain open on weekends through mid to late September. To see their schedule, visit Facebook.
Good Neighborhood Pop-Up Market at BD Provisions
This Friday, September 8th, from 3 to 6 pm, the Good Neighbors Group is hosting a (Good) Neighborhood Pop-Up Market at BD Provisions at 844 Ritchie Highway. The event provides a great opportunity to SHOP LOCAL and SHOP SUSTAINABLY for food, locally made items, clothing, home decor and other products from eight local businesses. They include Noonday Collection, Park Home, Neighborhood Sun – Community Solar, Stitches of Kindness, Bohemian Black, Senior Dog Sanctuary, AARF Animal Rescue and Sanctuary and Globie’s Goodies. For more information, visit Home – Good Neighbors Group.
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.
