Month: November 2021

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

Local residents have had a variety of Christmas events to choose from throughout the years. Most were cancelled last year due to the pandemic but are back for 2021 in all their glory. Among the most popular are the two primary celebrations in Severna Park – the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce Community Tree Lighting and the Park Plaza Christmas Celebration. Both have interesting histories.

The town’s much-celebrated Community Tree Lighting will take place this year in front of the Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue (after being temporarily replaced in 2020 by a COVID-guidelines compliant “Tick or Tree” event). The annual holiday event draws large crowds from Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Crofton and beyond.

The tree lighting tradition was started in the early 1990’s by Linda Zahn following her appointment as the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce’s first Chief Executive Officer. (She served as CEO for nearly three decades until succeeded by Liz League in 2018.)

Zahn doesn’t recall if there was a long-ago community tree in Severna Park but has heard that Santa flew into Severna Park Shopping Village on B&A Boulevard by helicopter in the 1950’s or 60’s. She started lighting the immensely tall, stately holly tree that still stands on the chamber property round 1994 or 1995.

 “I felt we needed a community tree and I got permission to light that one from the Department of Parks and Recreation which owns the land,” Zahn said. ” It’s huge!  I took a look at the lights that were on the tree at the Naval Academy alumni house.  I had an area electrician make similar lights for the Chamber to use on the huge holly so that the bulbs were of a decent size for a tree that big.   We took the lights from top to bottom in strings.  I believe (but am trusting my memory here), that Steve Darley climbed the tree that first year to put the lights up.  We used that tree for years.”

Locals loved seeing the tall holly lit up. It could be seen glowing in the distance as drivers approached Severna Park from Benfield Road and Riggs Avenue. Zahn recalled how she organized a celebration around that first lighting, setting a pattern for the program that is still used today.

“I closed the street from traffic and started the activities surrounding the chamber tree lighting,” she said.  “I used the railing at the Elmore Building to set up a stage so that people gathered on Holly Avenue could see the bag piper. Piper Michael Binnie opened every tree lighting while I was there and continues to do so.  I put up flood lights to show Michael, the singers, etc.  I brought in dancers too and they performed on Holly in the Elmore parking area.  We had refreshments in the chamber building and the Severna Park Model Railroad Club next door was opened for visitors. It was quite an evening.  

In the earlier years, the chamber’s CEO brought in regional dance troupes like the one in the opening photo who pranced delightfully as reindeers at during the 2012 tree lighting. Later, she began using dancers from the Dance Center of Severna Park and Creative Force Dance Center.

Eventually it became too much trouble to light the huge holly, even with a bucket truck.  It was a prickly tree and the lights were giving Zahn trouble because water would get in the sockets and some lines would short and go out.  Meanwhile a young holly planted directly in front of the chamber was getting big.  After consulting with expert Kevin Wengernuk about keeping it shaped so it could be easily decorated, she started trimming the new tree with help from her husband Steve. 

These days, planning for the chamber tree lighting and decoration of the Community Tree has fallen to current CEO Liz League and her husband Jim, who also assumes the role of The Grinch at holiday time.

Santa and The Grinch will both be on hand for the 2021 Chamber Tree Lighting and Open House being held on Friday, December 2nd at 5 pm in front of the Severna Park and Arnold Chamber building at One Holly Avenue.

Following tradition, the festivities will begin as darkness falls with featured performances by the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus and dancers from the Creative Force Dance Center and the Dance Center of Severna Park. Attendees will be invited to the Open House at the chamber building for cookies, hot chocolate, and cider and may also visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club train display.

Park Plaza Holiday Celebration to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus back December 10

Park Plaza will once again welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to its annual holiday celebration on December 10th with live music from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. It’s not known yet how the jolly old elf and his wife will arrive as they have appeared in different ways every year since the early 1990’s.

According to Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery co-owner Dawn Baumgartner Wilson, whose family helps organize the event, the first Santas to appear nearly 30 years ago were volunteers from the Greater Severna Park Chamber.

For several years, the jolly old elf and his wife appeared by horse-drawn carriage like the one below. Other years they came by firetruck.

Who knows? If we get snow, the couple may come by reindeer. But one thing’s for certain, the children will love sitting on Santa’s lap while parents snap away with their smartphones.

Park Plaza holiday celebrations always have music, most often supplied by school choruses or bands. The merchants offer treats and games for children. This year, characters are coming and there will be a balloon artist. Stores like The Cottage, Park Home, Franklin Toys and Side Street Framers will be decorated beautifully and some will have sales.

Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s 11th Anniversary Holiday Taste and Sip celebration will be held December 9th at Chartwell Golf and Country Club from 6 to 9 pm.

This event has a bit of a history too. Eleven-year sponsor Matt Wyble of The Matt Wyble Team helped former chamber CEO Linda Zahn launch the first Taste and Sip in 2009 against the glittering holiday backdrop of original hosts Homestead Gardens Severna Park and adjoining Zachary’s Jewelers. The event was held there for nine years. until the number of attendees exceeded the amount of space.

In 2019 Wyble helped the chamber’s current CEO Liz League bring the event to Chartwell Golf and Country Club for the first time drawing 300 guests. Both Wyble and League are excited to be back at Chartwell again this year after a year’s pause due to the pandemic.

“It’s very exciting,” League said. “We’re expecting 26 vendors – our area’s finest purveyors of food and drink – so the variety of wines, spirits and dishes to sample will be amazing.”

As always, there will be entertainment. Guests will be greeted at the entrance by carols from The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. The chorus has performed at the Taste and Sip event many times but has not done a public performance for over a year so they are really looking forward to the occasion. There will be a Silent Auction too. There is much more. Tickets are still available at Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com) but are going fast.

Severna Park Farmer’s Market “Christmas Market” Dec. 11

The Severna Park Farmer’s Market is excited to announce their Christmas Market will be held December 11 from 8 to 12 pm. They are full up with vendors so there will be meats, wines and spirits, seasonal fruits and veggies, breads and holiday items.

For information, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .

There are a few other holiday events but we hit the high points. Those of us who like to visit Annapolis during the holiday season, favor Midnight Madness Thursdays. This year, they’ll take place December 2nd and 9th, from 4 pm till Midnight and December 16th from 4 to 11 pm where select stores in downtown Annapolis will remain open until midnight.

We also return again and again for the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade which will take place along the Annapolis waterfront on Saturday, December 11th from 6 to 8 pm. It’s always great fun to cheer on the decorated boats and their crews as they circle the harbor. For more information, check out Visit Annapolis – Holiday Events .

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

By last weekend, local shoppers were noticing little hints of Christmas like the evergreen wreaths that appeared in front of Giant supermarket. However, in Olde Severna Park, most of the merchants are waiting to put up Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving has passed.

On November 17, a Happy Hour was hosted by Red Apron Shoppe owners MaryAnn and Cam Neal at their 4 Riggs Avenue storefront. Held outdoors around a firepit, the occasion provided a chance for Olde Severna Park shop owners to meet and discuss ways to raise the shopping district’s profile and cement a stronger community feel. Promoting the town center as a great place for shopping with retailers, restaurants, a baker, a bookstore and neighborhood business people to support it was at the heart of the discussion – and what better time than during the holidays.

Chatting with Nancy Luttrell and WRNR Sales Manager Rick Marsalek, the Neals mentioned their building was constructed in the 1920’s. Not long afterward, town historian Scott Jay arrived with an album of photos from the community’s earliest days. One was of the Red Apron Shoppe when it was Doc Codd’s Pharmacy.

Guests from today’s shops, like Danielle Bowen from Blended Essentials, enjoyed seeing photos of the long-ago businesses. However, most feel the current crop of retailers is ready to shine.

As the original town center and heart of the community, Olde Severna Park has much to offer and is conveniently compact, with shops along both sides of Baltimore and Annapolis Boulevard, wrapping around to both sides of Riggs Avenue and McKinley Road and extending almost to Ritchie Highway.

One topic of conversation at the happy hour gathering was the Neal’s belief in restoring the town’s long-held reputation as the heart of the community by emphasizing its history. The couple even installed a counter in their shop featuring jars of penny candy and fresh eggs to recreate Cam’s childhood memories of going to Dawson’s Country Store and selecting candy from jars offered by Cliff Dawson himself.

For many years, the spirit of Christmas has lived on in the town through the annual community tree lighting at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce offices at One Holly Avenue. This year, it will be held on December 3rd. By then the entire town will be decorated and the local businesses will delight in welcoming those who choose to Shop Local for food, beverages and gifts.

There are more than two dozen shops in Olde Severna Park that can fulfill most all your holiday needs. We checked out a few, starting at Severna Park Shopping Village. We parked in front of Park Books owned by Melody Wukitch. Inside, there were shelves full of books and gift items that would make wonderful holiday presents. The children’s section is particularly good.

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Next Door, at Savvy Consignment, there were already hints of Christmas nestled among various furniture vignettes.

A few stores away, at Kirsten’s Cakery, the bakers were busy creating sweet treats suitable for the Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Flavorful Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Spice cupcakes would be great alternatives for the classics they represent and perfect for a holiday buffet. Beautifully decorated Red Velvet Truffles, with red swirls over white chocolate, resembled miniature Christmas balls. They are so delicious only half a trayful was left.

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Owner Kirsten Klein – on the phone taking an order for a Thanksgiving cake – was having a very busy day.

“For the holiday season, we’re planning to have yule logs and many kinds of truffles.” Klein said. “As always, we’ll be filling many orders for custom-made cakes, pies and cupcakes for Hanukkah and Christmas.”.

Across the parking lot from Kirsten’s, at Dawson’s Liquor, holiday “spirits” abound. Behind Dawson’s, the tents of Diehl’s Produce are prepared to open for the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving with the arrival of evergreens. They’ll have cider and a few other products as well.

If shoppers get hungry, there are umpteen places to grab a bite within walking distance. To name just a few, there are Adam’s Taphouse and Grille, Garry’s Grill, and Vida Taco Bar in Severna Park Shopping Village and across the street are Squisito’s, Geno’s and Sophie’s Crepes.

Along the opposite side of B&A Boulevard is The Big Bean. which traditionally carries special coffee blends and Christmas items. We caught up with Assistant Manager Ali Sage who shared the good news that the shop has reinstalled its indoor tables.

“I know many people will be happy to hear that since it’s getting cold out,” Sage said.

It will indeed be nice for the long-time neighborhood hangout to return to pre-pandemic normalcy in time for the holidays.

“In addition to our seasonally popular coffee blends, we’ll assemble a little Christmas bar of holiday pops and melt-in-your mouth chocolates just right for stocking stuffing,” Sage added.

There are no worries about shipping hold-ups for products among any of Olde Severna Park’s merchants as many of the products they carry are handcrafted or recycled renewables.

Gallery 564 at 564 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard was, opened three years ago by art dealer Michael Brown and his photographer partner John Dildahl. Gallery 564 carries an amazing variety of artwork – much of it created by local artists or photographers. Brown handles the art. However, he and Dildahl partner in the photography end of the business offering portraiture and off-site photography for commercial businesses along with website design.

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“The art gallery represents the work of 20 or 30 local artists from Annapolis, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, and Severna Park including John’s wife Sandra Travis-Dildahl who is an incredible acrylic abstract artist,” Brown said. “Other Severna Park artists are Mary Ellen Geise, watercolorist Rinaldo Dorado and Richard Newirth who does automotive paintings that are very popular. Both John and I are photographers so, naturally, we show some of our work. We also show pieces by a metalworker, a glass-blower and other artisans.”

No sooner did Brown complete his though that a customer came in to pick up two of his bold, modernistic automobile paintings.

Next door, at Blended Essentials. a class would soon be underway. Co-owner Ella Bowen and her father Lance opened the shop in July of 2019 but began making the soaps they carry as Christmas presents for friends and family in 2017 and 2018. Lance Bowen is the Dean of Sciences and Technology at Anne Arundel Community College, however, it was Ella who created the recipe for BE’s cold-pressed soaps. The pair soon progressed to making candles and then began looking for a storefront. On establishing their shop, they changed the way they did everything so they could have customers come in and learn to make soaps or candles themselves. Their classes for children and adults have become very popular

“For Christmas, we have a lot of pre-made packages,” Ella said. “We have an advent calendar in conjunction with our neighboring shops and also an Eight Days of Hanukkah advent calendar. We carry gifts for everybody including soaps, bath bombs, candles, body butters, lotions and, of course, gift certificates for both products and classes.

Peaceful Petals proprietor Megan Taylor was busy arranging a bouquet but quickly switched gears to talk about the flowers and greenery most in demand during the holidays.

She noted that following Thanksgiving, Peaceful Petals will be carrying wreaths and garlands. We’ll have some poinsettias too.

“Whether picking out their own stems or ordering bouquets, however, people mostly want flowers for their dining tables during the holidays. They generally prefer flowers that are red, white or green.

Around the corner on Riggs Avenue at Red Apron Shoppe, where the merchant happy hour took place, numerous gift-ready products were already on display. Most of the items displayed were collected from various Red Apron Estate Sales and are quality items recycled or refinished by MaryAnn Neal or artisans who work for her. Prices are reasonable. Jewelry, for example would make a lovely gift.

Or spruce up you home for the holidays with a piece of recycled furniture newly refinished by Mary Ann Neal or one of the local crafters who do similar projects for her.

A 1950’s era red cellophane Christmas tree and other decorations are lurking just behind MaryAnn Neal’s office so holiday decorating can begin the day after Thanksgiving. That is also when the craft-savvy Neal family will start making Christmas wreaths and garlands to be sold in the shop.

Red Apron Estate Sales, of which Red Apron Shoppe is an offshoot, is busier than it’s ever been these days and MaryAnn is heavily involved. Fortunately, daughter Hannah Neal handles the shop so she’s free to work at estate sale locations while daughter Katelyn DoCouto handles the website and social media posts.

Severn River Lions Club fruit sale benefit set for December 11

Fresh Florida navel oranges, pink grapefruit, and Mandarin oranges are the available Saturday, December 11 for the Severn River Lions annual benefit fruit sale. Proceeds benefit community service projects and charitable works.

Orders must be placed by Friday, Dec.3 and picked up at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church at 375 Benfield Road on Saturday, December 11 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fruit remaining after 1 p.m. will be sold first-come, first-served. Order by e-mail at fruitorders@severnriverlions.org or order online at www.srlcfruit.com.

Prices:	1 Tray	2 Trays	3 Trays
Navel Oranges – 11, 22, 33 pieces	$21	$30	$40
Pink Grapefruit – 8, 15, 23 pieces	$21	$30	$40
Mixed – 12 Navels & 10 Grapefruit		$30
Mandarin Oranges (10 pounds)	$27

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

By midmorning of November 4th, opening day for the America Association of University Women’s Fall Book Sale at Festival at Pasadena, a section of history books on a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit against one wall was entirely sold out. But the expansive General Fiction Novels section appealed to customer Tunisha Drummond and she spent considerable time browsing there.

“I just found out about the AAUW sale and drove down here from work,” Drummond said. “I really enjoy reading thrillers and general fiction and I needed something new to read.”

She found plenty to interest her as the Mystery and Thriller sections were huge, starting in one aisle and extending all the way down the next.

Drummond wasn’t the only booklover happy to discover the return of the AAUW’s book sale after being cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic. An intensive effort to relaunch the annual event began in July with members of AAUW’s Anne Arundel branch participating in the Severna Park Independence Day Parade.

The women circulated among spectators to share dates and locations for their customary used book collections.  Book donations at sites including St Martins-in-the Field, the Anne Arundel Community College parking lot, and St Phillips Episcopal Church in August, September and October brought in enough volumes for a good-sized sale.

Once again donated a storefront for the sale at Festival at Pasadena, the members chose November 4 thru 7 for their free-to-the-public sale. As is customary, AAUW invited used book dealers from Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other states to a “pre-sale” from 8 to 10 am on November 4 for a $20 entrance fee. The dealers arrived on schedule, some wheeling wagons to hold their purchases.

At 10 am the sale was officially opened to the general public and sales were brisk, only tapering off toward closing time at 7 pm. Many shoppers that first day were AAUW Book Sale fans.

Enjoying a leisurely browse through the Children’s section were Sabrina and Nathaniel Gruzzinski and their daughter Adeline who will be three years old in January. Singing her own cheerful version of “The ABC Song”, Adeline slid gracefully to the floor before opening her new storybook.

“We love to read so we’ve started Adeline early,” Sabrina said.

The Gruzzinski’s aren’t new to the AAUW Fall Book Sales. They used to live near Festival at Pasadena and discovered the book sale one year. They’ve come back for every fall book sale since.

Prices are so reasonable that the book sale is particularly popular with pre-school and elementary school teachers looking for books to share with their students. They generally like to shop early – on opening day or Friday – before the weekend which is busier.

According to member Barbara Marder and Alice Harrison who is co-president of AAUW with Debbie Chessin, the prices are reasonable but bring in a good deal of money.

In fact, it’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale fund scholarships for girls and women who are Anne Arundel Community College grads transferring to a university and for the Women to Women program for individuals returning to the workplace or opening businesses and needing further education.

This year’s book donation days brought in an abundance of titles for every conceivable category which were stored in donated spaces until time for the sale. It took almost a week for member volunteers to transport the books from storage to the storefront and assemble the collection in pre-determined and properly marked sections.

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Harrison noted that they did really well with the opening morning’s pre-sale session attended primarily by dealers who paid the entrance fee.

“The dealers left with hundreds of volumes,” she added. “They were a pretty sophisticated bunch and most had those clickers with programs that give a ballpark estimate of what a book will sell for.”

Pointing to the empty shelves, Marder said the dealers almost decimated the history section. In addition to history books, biographies moved well.

Classics lovers Susan and Gail were seen combing through the volumes looking for “classic mysteries” by writers like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers or P.D. James. Susan, an out-of-town visitor, was really having fun exploring the titles.

“This is a great way to stock one’s library. Then again, that could be a problem if I buy too many,” she said.

Anne Arundel County residents can easily solve the problem of too many books or prune their collections when downsizing by donating them to AAUW on book collection days. It’s a great feeling to know they are being recycled for new readers.

While shoppers were happy to see the AAUW Fall Book Sale back at Festival at Pasadena, members were even happier.

On the business end of the operation, member volunteers Roxanne King, Joyce Moyer, and Mary McGrath were checking customers out.

All were thrilled to be back and hoping sales would equal or outpace those from previous years and fund several of those much-needed scholarships. For information on the Anne Arundel County Branch of the American Association of University Women’s scholarships and other activities, visit AAUW Anne Arundel County (MD) Branch .

Severna Park High’s Falcon Drama presents Disney’s “Freaky Friday”

Falcon Drama will be “back onstage” with their presentation of Disney’s “Freaky Friday” which debuts Friday, November 12 at 7 pm in the Severna Park High School auditorium. The 7pm performances will continue on November 13 and 14 and again on November 19 and 20. There will also be a 3 pm performance on November 14.

The madcap musical comedy explores what happens when a mother and her teenaged daughter magically switch bodies.

According to Falcon Drama Boosters’ Elaine Bachmann, the student actors are very excited to be back onstage.

“Like all students who have endured the restrictions and limitations of the past two years, theatre kids have tried to make the best of it with virtual shows, and staying connected through socially distant ‘performances’. But it has taken a toll,” she said. “Keeping students interested in theatre has been a challenge. We really hope this show will be a catalyst for returning the excitement and attracting kids back to the stage. It will be a prelude to what we HOPE will be a ‘normal’ Rock n Roll Revival in the Spring.”

Tickets are $15 and may be ordered online at FALL PRODUCTION | Falcon Drama (sphsdrama.com) .

Chamber’s Holiday Taste & Sip at Chartwell December 9th

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s glamorous Taste & Sip holiday event will be held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club on December 9 from 6 to 9 pm. There will be 26 vendors offering samples of their finest dishes. Delightful entertainment too. Tickets are going fast and may be obtained at Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com) .

Save the date for the Severna Park Farmer’s Market “Christmas Market”

We’ll have more later but here is a quick reminder to save the date of Saturday, December 11, for a visit to the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s annual “Christmas Market”. Always a festive occasion, the Christmas Market opens at 8 am with a full complement of vendors. There will be evergreens, seasonal foods, spirits and lots of gift items. Keep tabs on which vendors will be there by visiting Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler

November 15 and December 12 will be busy but fulfilling days for SPAN, Inc’s staff and volunteers as donations come rolling in by the baskets, boxes, shopping bags, and wagonloads for the organization’s Holiday Caring Programs. Drop-off day for Thanksgiving food basket donations is just one week away on November 15 to be followed a month later by drop-off day for Christmas Holiday Caring donations.

For SPAN’s new directors Maia Grabau and Michelle Sabean, the drop-off days signify the culmination of months of work recruiting donors and matching them with families in need. Less than a year into their jobs, neither woman knows exactly what to expect.

Sabean, as Director of Development, has been publicizing the need for donors for both programs through SPAN’s member churches and through the organization’s social media sites. With help from her son Scott and three Severna Park High School Thespian Society volunteers, she recruited new donors and raised $250 during the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s SHOPTOBERFEST event at Park Plaza on October 30.

Grabau, as Director of Operations, has kept careful track of the donors to each of the programs and the families that will receive the Thanksgiving food baskets or Christmas gifts. She noted that sponsors are still needed for the Thanksgiving food baskets.

“Sponsors can donate either a grocery gift card or put together a food basket based on SPAN’s guidelines,” Grabau said.  “A donor form and the guidelines are available on our website at Holidays are Coming! – SPAN’s Holiday Caring Program – SPAN, Inc (spanhelps.org).

She added that donors can bring their contributions to Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 400 Benfield Boulevard between 10 am and 2 pm on Monday, November 15. The church has once again generously donated space to SPAN to store both the Thanksgiving and Christmas drop-offs.

Once the donations are received, they are matched with the families for which they are intended and distributed to those families on November 17.

Judging from past years, the Christmas Holiday Program donations will be extensive and will take up every bit of the donated space at the church.

Christmas donation drop-off day will take place on December 12. As in previous years, volunteers will pitch in to help donors with wagonloads or armfuls of heavy packages through the church door.

After checking in, donors are led to one of two cavernous rooms within the church where squares are taped off and pre-marked for each family receiving the gifts. Volunteers help situate the donations.

The gifts will be distributed on December 14.

“The gifts are for families that have children under 18 years of age,” Sabean explained. “We get some names from school counselors but most are children of our client families. The families meet with us in October to preregister and go over a sheet listing ages, sizes and ideas about toys or clothing the children might wish for. The donors also agree to provide a basket of prepackaged foods for a holiday meal with a gift certificate for a turkey or ham.”

Recipient families can use the program one time – generally when experiencing a financial emergency due to a job loss or health issue – and are always very grateful. After getting back on their feet, some become donors themselves.

“Maia and I have heard that the donor families are incredibly generous and can’t wait to see for ourselves,” Sabean said.

She made a point of mentioning that, after the holidays, donations drop off so the winter months are challenging for SPAN’s assistance programs and food pantry and contributions are especially appreciated. In fact, SPAN volunteers will be present at the Park Plaza Christmas celebration collecting general donations of money or non-perishable canned or packaged foods.

“We are particularly in need of toiletries and cleaning supplies like laundry detergents,” Sabean said. “Tooth brushes. tooth paste, deodorants and similar items are much requested items.”

Every donation helps as SPAN has seen an increase in clients as the economy has worsened. Calls for assistance picked up in August when the moratorium on evictions and other COVID supports ended and the trend is continuing. SPAN’s operational budget, food pantry, and financial assistance services are sustained primarily through individual, small business and corporate contributions.

Grabau noted that SPAN’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Turkey Trot 5K Race, was cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic. She and Sabean are eager to relaunch it in 2022 but need to find some volunteers to help them.

“The women who organized the event for five years in a row had to step down so we are looking for a few new volunteers to help organize and run the race,” she said.

The family-friendly Turkey Trot 5K is held at Kinder Farm Park. Though the event takes place in early November, planning must begin in the spring so sponsors can be found and arrangements made for publicity, registration particulars, and items like Turkey Trot shirts for participants and prizes.

Those wishing to volunteer, make a donation or find out more about SPAN may do so by visiting SPAN Serving People Across Neighborhoods (spanhelps.org).

Special events for kids at Severna Park Library

Always on the lookout for book related activities, we’ve spotted two that will definitely appeal to young minds.

Meetings for Severna Park Library’s RAD Readers book club for kids in grades 3 to 5 will be held on Saturday November 13 at 10:30 am and, for homeschoolers, on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 pm. Prio to the meeting, kids will read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. The book club will discuss the book, play some games and do a fun activity.

To register a child, visit RAD Readers Book Club: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing | Anne Arundel County Public Library (librarycalendar.com) or call 410-647-6290.

Another fun activity at the library is the Early Readers Book Club which will meet on Wednesday, December 1 at 4 pm. Children in K-2 can practice their reading skills through group reading, activities and games based on popular beginner reader series. In December, the children will read selections from the “Biscuit” series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. For information, call 410-647-6290.