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
Some of us have been ready for Christmas since Thanksgiving. Others, especially those who like to use evergreen Christmas trees or wreaths, ropes and swags, tend to decorate a little later.
That would be me… which is precisely why I was inspired by a Facebook photo of Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis’ owner Abby Diehl and her pup posing in the stand’s Photo Booth to stop by the stand the stand at 921 Chesapeake Avenue in Eastport for a look at the fresh-cut trees and greenery she is selling.
(The wreath behind Diehl was almost exactly like the ones I hang on each side of my front porch door each year.)
Approaching the familiar red and white striped tents of the produce stand from the parking lot of the shopping center, I sensed that I was about to enter a winter wonderland.
Entering, I found that Abby was away on a trip. However, I soon discovered Diehl’s of Annapolis employee Ron Snyder hard at work. He was selecting a metal hanger for a pre-made wreath he was creating along with a wine-colored velvet bow, some pinecones and other ornaments. He welcomed me and noted that shoppers can buy one of the already assembled wreaths or are welcome to select a wreath form from one of the tables and decorate it themselves.
Evergreen wreath forms of different kinds, ropes of pine and stems of holly and magnolia were spread across a number of tables.
There were crates of bows in various shades of red and maroon, pinecones and other accessories for customers to choose from.
To one side of the tent, past a stand of jams sauces perfect for casual gift giving, was an arrow – an arrow pointing the way to a Photo Booth designed and built by Diehl as an extra bit of fun for shoppers.
I followed the strawbale-lined path in a circle, ending up at the Photo Booth where I found employee Taylor Gates who was eager to show it off. She also was delighted to talk about what’s it’s been like selling Christmas trees.
“Christmas tree sales have been really brisk. It’s only December 3rd and we’ve already sold half of our inventory,” Gates said.
That wasn’t entirely surprising to hear. Abby Diehl has been selling Christmas trees from her Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis stands for more than a decade. It’s, by now, a tradition in Eastport. Her long experience harks back to the days when she and sister Jennifer Diehl were kids helping their father Doug Diehl sell trees from his Diehl’s Produce stand in Olde Severna Park. Today, Jennifer manages that business and carries on her father’s five-decade practice of selling Christmas trees.
Gates noted that the stand is open from 9 am until 9 pm every day till Christmas or until the trees sell out. For information or directions visit Home | Diehl’s Produce Annapolis (square.site).
Now determined to complete my own outdoor decorating before the weather got any colder, I contemplated what else I needed to do before Christmas. I must buy, address and mail my 2024 holiday cards, finish the Christmas shopping I always manage to start a tad late, wrap gifts, bake lots of Christmas cookies, finish the indoor decorating, and plan a couple of special dinners. But then, there are all those holiday events I want to attend where I’m bound to run into friends. They all sound like fun and seem to be taking place over the next two weeks. I’ll list some of them below
Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber this Friday at 5 pm
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has announced that Severna Park’s annual Community Tree Lighting will take place this Friday, December 6th, from 5 to 6:30 pm in front of the Chamber offices at 1 Holly Avenue. See performances by the Creative Force Dance Center dancers, the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, the Edge Dance Complex dancers, the Severna Park High School Jazz Band and the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and ice cream to enjoy and Santa and the Grinch will be on hand too. The Severna Park Model Train Club will be open next door and, not only will the Chamber tree be lit but the historic towering tree nearby will be lit as well, courtesy of Maryland Lighting and Sprinklers. For information, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus presentation’ “Candy Cane Lane” this Sunday
Chesapeake Harmony Chorus will perform its annual Holiday Show at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville this Sunday, December 8th beginning at 2 pm. (The doors will open at 1:30.) Themed “Candy Cane Lane”, the program will feature live performances by the Chorus as well as by the Bearfoot, 2nd Star and Moscato Quartets. There will be festive treats available and a special guest appearance by Santa. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and free for children under five. For information or to purchase tickets, visit Holiday Show 2024 — Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Also on Sunday, Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll
Olde Severna Park’s Holiday Shop & Stroll event will also be held Sunday, December 8th from 4 to 7 pm in the center of town. There will be shopping, live music, vendors, holiday specials, food and drink. Participating will be The Big Bean, The Blended Essentials, Crepes in the Park, Gallery 564, Nature Junction, Wish List Boutique, Local Coast and others. For information visit Facebook.
Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Holiday Taste & Sip on December 10th
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Taste & Sip Holiday Event will be held on December 10th from 5:00 till 8:00pm. The event will once again be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club. According to Chamber CEO Liz League, this festive occasion is the most well-attended and anticipated event of the year. Attendees can enjoy an evening of food, drink and live music and sample offerings from area restaurants, bakeries, cafes and liquor stores in a wonderfully seasonal atmosphere. Great entertainment including two choruses – The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus. You won’t want to miss the silent auction. To learn more, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).
Severna Park Community Center “Cookies & Cocoa” with Santa Friday, December 13th
The Severna Park Community Center’s Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Holiday Marketplace will take place Friday, December 13 from 5 to 8 pm. Lots of free, festive fun for people of all ages. Pose for Pictures with Santa and meet Special surprise guests. There will be children’s holiday crafts to participate in, holiday vendors for their parents to enjoy, a Moveable Mixtures truck and The Pancake Peeps.
The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center “Nutcracker” at SPHS Dec. 13th
The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center will be presenting “The Nutcracker” at Severna Park High School with a debut performance on Friday, December 13th at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6 pm) and a second matinee performance on Sunday, December 15th at 1 pm (doors open at 12:30 pm). A timeless classic, the enchanting ballet with sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers is the perfect holiday tradition to celebrate with your family. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults with seniors and members of the military free. They may be purchased online by visiting The Nutcracker 2024 – Campaign (spcommunitycenter.org).
Close of Jing Ying Institute’s Silent Auction benefitting Rollin’ Grizlies and Holiday Party on Saturday, December 14th
The official close of Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s 31st Silent Auction benefitting a charity, in this case the Rollin’ Grizzlies, takes place at 4 pm on Saturday, December 14th and will be followed by a Holiday Party. The event is free and open to the public. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin’ Grizzlies. The organization helps those with spinal cord and lower limb disabilities by giving them the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball. The basketball team provides peer mentorship and support to help individuals adjust to new injuries, develops relationships, helps fund wheelchairs, and more. For additional information visit Jing Ying’s 21st Annual Silent Auction for Charity | Facebook.
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.
