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There’s a branch of America’s attic not far away

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,

Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, and

Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena

The Smithsonian Institution has long been referred to as America’s attic because of the organization’s vast collections. But, little did I realize that we could visit a nearby extension of that attic until visiting Homestead Gardens recent Green Expo. There, we discovered an interesting exhibit from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center manned by volunteers Jim Oland and Nora Terres. The pair informed us that the center is located on two adjoining campuses in Edgewater at 647 Contees Wharf Road. What truly fascinated us, however, is that the complex is situated around a historic home built in 1735 by tobacco planter William Sellman.

Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) began as a surprise bequest. Entrepreneur Robert Lee Forrest willed his abandoned Java Dairy Farm (the ruins of which still exist) and other holdings on Maryland’s Rhode River to the Smithsonian Institution.  The research center was officially established in 1965 as the Chesapeake Bay Center for Field Biology.

On Tuesday, we met with Woodlawn History Center Program Manager Christine Dunham and Principal Archaeology Investigator Jim Gibb. We learned from Jim that an initial grant from the Ford Foundation and subsequent grants enabled the Smithsonian to purchase additional acreage over the years. Today SERC encompasses 2,650 contiguous acres of land.

Gibbs heads the Environmental Archaeology Lab, one of 24 SERC research labs that run the gamut from Animal- Plant Interaction and Fish and Invertebrate Ecology to Forest Ecology, Nutrient Cycles, and Photobiology and Solar Radiation. His team, made up of volunteer archaeologists, has dedicated considerable time and effort to sifting through the soils of the grounds surrounding the original Sellman House (now Woodlawn House). They have unearthed evidence tracing human occupation back 3,000 years to the Native Americans (possibly Nanticoke) who used the property as seasonal hunting and fishing grounds.

“Our work is primarily involved with land usage, so we haven’t delved that much into Native American habitation,” Gibbs said. “We’re more focused on European settlers’ arrival on the land in the 1660’s. The land here mainly consisted of two tobacco plantations.”

The team has conducted digs at several sites surrounding the Sellman house including one settled by English emigrants Thomas Sparrow and his family in 1649. They’ve also unearthed a nearby site settled by the Shaw family. They named the property Shaw’s Folly and resided there until the mid 1700’s when taken over by the Sellman family. Among other things, Gibbs and the team have collected animal bones, pottery shards and other items that show how the land was being used.

The Sellman/Woodlawn house is overseen Christine Dunham. She also created the Woodlawn History Trail which starts opposite the home and runs through a great deal of the property.

The beginnings of the Woodlawn History Trail skirt Woodlawn House….
…and wind through terraced gardens before skirting around cultivated farm fields to Java plantation ruins and a historic cemetary. Photos by E. J. Tegler

The History Trail is beautiful and takes visitors across a startling amount of spectacular land, and up hills past the Java mansion ruins that must have been breathtaking at one time. The ruins are the site of extensive work by Gibbs’ Archaeology Lab team.

Gibbs’ Archaeology Lab Team volunteers working at one end of the Java Mansion ruins. Photo courtesy of Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Dunham’s historical focus includes assembling and managing an impressive number of volunteers who serve as docents leading tours across both the Woodlawn and Waterfront portions of the SERC campus.

Dunham and Gibbs have worked well together assembling displays of the artifacts the archeology team has collected, providing ecological clues to how the Research Center’s lands were originally used and how they have changed through the centuries.

“The land here has always been under cultivation and continues to be. However, SERC currently leases the land to local farmers,” Gibbs said.

The plowed field located just off the Woodlawn History Trail is one of many cultivated parts of the acreage. Photo by E. J. Tegler

“The center hasn’t yet done any agricultural research but that’s a possibility for the future. Instead, my team has explored layer after layer of formerly farmed land and documented how there has been tremendous soil erosion and depletion of nutrients for centuries, almost from the very beginnings of cultivation here. We’ve proven that the majority of eroded soils have ended up in our tributaries, blocking their waters from flowing freely.”

The team has also been able to document what crops were raised where. For example, after switching from primarily growing tobacco, the Sellman farm preferred beef and raised cattle and the grain to feed them while the Java farm, originally owned by the Contee family, preferred pork and raised hogs.

A tour through Woodlawn House led by Dunham, would show just what the archaeology team’s knowledge was based on.

Dunham began the tour in the reception area. She first showed us a model of the Sellman/Woodlawn House. A chart above the model details changes to the home from the time it was constructed for planter William Sellman and family in 1735 and modified through two centuries of ownership by the Sellman family until the early 1900’s when a new family, the Kirkpatrick-Howats moved in. In the 1970’s, the Kirkpatrick-Howats demolished a previous wooden addition and added a passive solar wing to reduce energy costs.

in 2020, SERC rehabilitated the house, preserving the historic structure while modifying the interior to allow for public access and exhibits. Dunham next leads us through the actual entrance to Woodlawn House, entering a room that was part of the original two-room 1735 Sellman House. As can be seen below, the room still has its original fireplace that would have been used for cooking.

Entering a room that was part of the original 1735 Sellman House, we saw that the fireplace is still intact. It would have been used for cooking. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler

We moved on to an open exhibit space for items dating to the 1600’s and early 1700’s that were gathered from archaeological excavations at Sparrow’s Rest and Shaw’s Folly. The artifacts included metal and bone eating utensils, animal bones, hunting and fishing equipment, sewing tools, and keys among other items.

Christine Dunham shows off an exhibit of items gathered during archaeology digs from Sparrows Rest and Shaw’s Folly settled in the 1650’s. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler

Panels depicting the history of the lands, plantations, inhabitants and events are also seen in this display room.

Additions to the Sellman House over the centuries were well done with high ceilings, fine woodwork and rooms that flow nicely into one another. Entering what would have been the front parlor, we viewed a magnificent fireplace complete with two portraits of gracious ladies from the Sellman family.

The first of two fine fireplaces, this one complete with Spellman family portraits. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler

A second parlor lay just beyond and this room and represents the years the home was owned by the Kirkpatrick-Howat family. Family portraits of three of the Kirkpatrick-Howats are seen above the fireplace. Hidden on the wall to the left of the fireplace, a bell-pull still exists that was used to summon slaves or servants.

Principal Archaeology Investigator Jim Gibb listened carefully as Christine Dunham explained the photographs above the mantle and other items of interest in this second parlor. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler

Dunham pointed out two historic panels with explanations of exactly which families lived in the Sellman/Woodlawn House and when. The first is dedicated exclusively to the Sellmans.

The second panel covers all of those who lived in the Woodlawn House through just short of three centuries.

A third panel grabbed our interest because it details the Sellman’s rise from being indentured servants themselves to plantation owners and slaveholders.

One of the most fascinating things concerning the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center grounds, from Christine Dunham’s point of view, is the Java Mansion site which began its existence as Annapolis merchant Nicholas Maccubbin’s mansion Squirrel Neck in 1747. It was purchased in 1820 by Lieutenant John Contee who’d served aboard the USS Constitution which defeated the HMS Java off the coast of Brazil in December 1812. He renamed the mansion Java in honor of the victory. The mansion was struck by lightning and burned in 1890 but was rebuilt. It was owned briefly by Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Howat and her family before they purchased Woodlawn. In 1915, entrepreneur Robert Lee Forrest purchased and operated the property as the Java Dairy Farm through 1946. The farm was, for the time, a state-of-the-art operation promoting a clean sanitary environment and doing well.

In 1962 Robert Lee Forrest passed away and bequeathed his 368 acre farm and other holdings to the Smithsonian Institution. New Secretary, S. Dillon Ripley, persuaded the Institution to consider holding onto the property. Blessed with a wide range of habitats for terrestrial, wetland, and estuarine field biology and ecology, it became the Chesapeake Bay Center for Field Biology in 1965 and served as a field collecting site for Smithsonian scientists. A series of financial grants made it possible to purchase more acres of adjoining land and an old cow barn was converted to laboratory space and a dormitory. Changing its name in 1969 to the Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies, the facility was attracting lots of positive attention, drawing more and more scientists and acquiring more connecting land. In 1985, the facility was renamed the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. 

While Gibbs’ archaeology work takes place primarily at Woodlawn and nearby locations (also offsite including at a shell button making site on the Delmarva Peninsula and a copper mining site in Carroll County) the work of most of the other scientists takes place on the Waterfront Campus and the facilities there are amazing. There is the modernistic 92,000 square ft. LEED-Platinum Charles McC. Mathias building with 69,000 square ft. of office and laboratory space, on-site solar energy production and geothermal heating and cooling.

We were also able to drive by the Phillip D. Reed Education Center arranges class/ group field trips to the Rhode River site for about 5,000 school children annually and is a hub for 10,000 visitors to the Research Center’s 7 miles of hiking trails.

Not only school groups, but roughly 10,000 visitors flow through the Phillip D. Reed Education Center yearly. Photo by E. J. Tegler

Soon, thereafter, we came to the SERC dock located along the Rhode River with its wet lab which also serves as a canoe and kayak launching site.

The SERC dock from which visitors may launch a canoe or kayak. Photo by E.J. Tegler

Driving further around the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center before leaving, we noticed groups of walkers taking advantage of the Woodlawn History Trail and lots of bicyclists along the other scenic trails. There is so much to see and do.

Taking Christine Dunham’s reminder that the Woodlawn History Center has limited visiting hours on weekends seriously, we decided to check. We found that Woodlawn House is now open on the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 pm for “Summer Sundays”.

Woodlawn History Center is also open on select Saturdays with dates and times listed at Woodlawn History Center | Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (si.edu). You can contact Christine Dunham at dunhamc@si.edu or 443-482-2293 for private or group tours or to check Woodlawn History Center open days.

For information on the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and its many scientific research programs, visit Smithsonian Environmental Research Center | Understanding Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future (si.edu) .

Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival at Severna Park Taphouse on June 14th

We hear that this year’s Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival & Charity Event being held at the Severna Park Taphouse on Saturday, June 14 from noon to 8 pm will be sensational. Held annually to honor the memory of Katherine Mueller, the event offers a full day of music, raffles, silent and live auctions, and much more. Headliners, The Crayfish, will be joined by the Lost and Found Trio Band, Miggs Rangel, dj Brian Austin, George Evans, Honey Sol, TMI and others. Proceeds from the event support Neuroendocrine Tumor Research, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Katherine Light Foundation Nursing scholarships at Anne Arundel Community College, the Wellness House of Annapolis and more. Those interested in sponsoring the event may contact Larry Sells at 443-569-9598. For more information, visit 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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

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.

And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”

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Chris Gives Foundation keeps engines running through scholarships to auto repair technician students

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,

Lean on Dee Senior Home Care Services, and

Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena

Christopher Mohns, Sr., the franchise owner of four Midas Auto Repair shops located in Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton, was known and admired for his caring nature and generosity. He’d helped individuals and families going through rough times financially and in need of critical auto repairs countless times over the years.

Mohns’ good deeds were an inspiration to all of those who knew him including his wife Robin, who worked with him as a business partner. He’d talked with her in June of 2022 about expanding the number of people they could help. Sadly, two days after their conversation, he passed away at the age of 67.

Robin Mohns never, in her wildest dreams, imagined she’d be involved with a non-profit foundation. But she was determined to carry on her husband’s legacy and founded the Chris Gives Foundation shortly after his death. In addition to assisting families and individuals struggling to pay for auto repairs, the foundation funds scholarships for high school students pursuing an auto repair curriculum.

Robin Mohns is always eager to talk about the Chris Gives Foundation and was excited to tell us about the fundraiser being held for the organization in June at the Severna Park Taphouse. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler

We learned about the foundation when introduced to Robin by Nancy Greer during the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival. We’d also heard about the fundraiser being held for the Chris Gives Foundation on June 21 at the Severna Park Taphouse featuring two bands and emceed by Larry Sells and wanted to know more.

Robin met with us last week to provide more information about the foundation and the fundraiser. We also chatted about the curious path her life took from meeting Chris Mohns in 1984 to meeting him again in 2018 and marrying him a year later.

Living in Cumberland, Maryland in 1984, she’d attended a community college but decided to finish her degree at the University of Maryland in College Park. Her brother lived in Columbia at the time and she figured she’d spend the summer there and get a job to get acclimated to the area. She answered an ad for what was then the Midas Muffler franchise in Laurel, halfway between Columbia and College Park.

“When I walked in to apply for the job, I found the man who would be my future husband standing behind the counter,” Robin said. “His father owned 12 Midas Muffler shops at the time and Chris was running that one.”

After filling out an application and convincing him she was serious about the job, he interviewed and hired her. Though meant to be a summer job, Robin was good at it and worked for a total of six months. Mohns was older and she wasn’t really interested in him other than as her boss. But he did make quite an impact on her young life.

She was impressed by the way he dealt with customers, by his charitable nature, by his ability to spot people who were in distress and by his desire to help them.

“The things I learned from him like an emphasis on customer service stayed with me for many years and served me well in my career,” she said.

There was no Internet or cell phones during those years, and Robin lost touch with him. But Chris didn’t forget her. Five years later, he tried and succeeded in locating her back in Cumberland where she moved when her father became ill.

“He sent me an old-fashioned letter that I didn’t answer thinking that there was no point since we lived so far apart and I had a career. But flash forward 34 years to 2018 when we rediscovered each other on Facebook,” she said. “We reconnected and immediately knew we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives.” One year later, we married in August of 2019.”

Thirty-four years after last seeing each other Chris and Robin Mohns rediscovered each other on Facebook and married in August of 2019. Photo courtesy of Robin Mohns

Chris had two Midas shops at the time, but they became partners and ended up acquiring two more shops and making all business decisions for the four shops together.  

The couple continued Chris’ practice of gifting auto repairs including presenting one to Dennis McQuire on Valentine’s Day in 2020.

Robin and Chris Mohns on either side of Dennis McQuire who had just received an auto repair giveaway on Valentine’s Day, 2020. Photo courtesy of Robin Mohns.

“I thank God for that time with my husband because he passed away so unexpectedly,” Robin said. “Thinking back, I realize there may have been some signs that he wasn’t quite as well as he seemed.”

One morning, he asked her to come into his study and told her he felt they’d been blessed to spend money on things they wanted and enjoyed, and it was now time to focus on others. They made a pact to do more to help people. Two days later he passed away.

“We were thrilled because we’d just bought a Condo in Ocean City. We were about to take out a new boat we’d bought when he suffered heart failure and died instantly,” she said.

His words from two days before, seemed to have been a message to her and an inspiration to carry on with what he’d been planning. So, a short time later, she started the Chris Gives Foundation.

“It went a little slowly since I was grieving and suddenly had four Midas auto repair shops to run,” Robin noted. “I was going through a huge learning curve figuring out how to run the shops by myself. Nevertheless, I put together a board of directors – a great group of people who are all volunteers.”

“We began by hosting an annual fundraising event. The first one, held at Baldwin Hall in Millersville in 2023, was more of a memorial to Chris and kick-off for the charity. We then started doing what my husband used to do naturally, helping people who work and make a difference but are suffering financial setbacks and unable afford critically needed auto repairs. We received referrals from churches and other organizations about people who could use our assistance.”

One family the Chris Gives Foundation was particularly pleased to help was that of disabled veteran Patrick Turner who’d just moved from Florida to Maryland with his family including a disabled child. The Turner family was distressed to learn that, to pass a Maryland inspection, they needed auto repairs totaling $4,000. They had no idea how they were going to come up with that amount of money and were extremely grateful when the foundation offered to pay for the repairs.

After being informed by Midas Pasadena manager Tom Porter and Robin Mohns that the Chris Gives Foundation would pay for their extensive auto repairs the Turner family was relieved and very happy.

A second important element for the Chris Gives Foundation is something Robin strongly cares about.

“Running the four auto repair shops, I came to realize there are not a lot of eligible auto repair technicians out there. There is definitely a shortage of them,” she said. “I’m a big fan of trade schools having attended a Votech program when I was young. So, I started looking at high schools in the area that offer an auto repair curriculum and was pleasantly surprised to find three, CAT-North (Center of Applied Technology-North) in Pasadena, CAT-South in Edgewater, and Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring.”

She began talking to all three schools about offering scholarships. The Chris Gives Foundation board met to vote on Robin’s scholarship proposal and were excited to voice their approval. The scholarship program ties in nicely with the foundation’s mission to invest in the future, empowering individuals and families by enhancing opportunities for them and hopefully strengthening the workforce.

These days learning to be an auto repair technician is complicated. Students need to have their own tools which are incredibly expensive, and they also have to learn the computer technology installed in today’s automobiles.

The foundation held its first award ceremony at CAT-North in Pasadena last week and awarded two students $750 worth of tools each. This week they’re going to Thomas Edison to award $l,500 worth of tools for two additional students.

“We chose tools because they are so vital to a career as an auto repair technician and so costly,” Robin said before personally awarding $750 worth of tools to students Alejandro Hernandez and Bladen Taylor.

Student tool recipient Alejandro Hernandez and instructor Don Kerr with Robin Mohns.
Student Bladen Taylor receives $750 worth of tools from Chris Gives Foundation’s Robin Mohns.

She noted that both students will be introduced during the Chris Gives Foundation Fundraiser being held June 21 from noon to 10 pm at the Severna Park Taphouse.

The fundraising event features the bands Genghis Kahn and 8-Ball Deluxe and Robin’s friend and mentor Larry Sells will be the emcee.

To follow the activities of the Chris Gives Foundation visit Facebook.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber announces July 4th Parade Grand Marshall

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that this year’s Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal is the noted town historian Scott Jay.

“It is such a fitting selection for our 50th Anniversary as Scott was born and raised in Severna Park, has lived here all his life and is our town’s local historian,” commented Chamber CEO Liz League.

Parenting for a Different World Happiness Hour at the Yoga Barn on June 6th

On Friday June 6th, from 5 to 6 pm, area residents are invited to attend Parenting for a Different World “Happiness Hour” at the Yoga Barn at 44 West Earleigh Heights Road in Severna Park.  We will be practicing breathing exercises, stretching, and other relaxation techniques to encourage healthy coping skills and self-care. It’s a lot of fun, very peaceful and perfect for anyone age about 10 on up through adults.  For more information, visit 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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

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.

And, we welcome a new sponsor this week. Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton) and 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness they expect – “every time they visit us.”

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Success interrupted, perseverance rewarded for Schmidty’s Kettle Corn

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

His successful business decimated by the COVID 19 pandemic, Schmidty’s Kettle Corn owner Daniel Schmidt found himself broke, homeless and in the throes of a mental breakdown during the darkest period of his life.

To Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest shoppers on May 3rd, however, Schmidt was a new vendor popping and selling kettle corn of varied flavors along with pork rinds and cotton candy.

We learned about Schmidt’s unlikely journey from success as a disabled business owner to near failure and back again to success from Chamber CEO Liz League. She’d met the young man during a multi-chamber event, found his story fascinating, and invited him to be a vendor at the Spring SHOP LOCAL event.

Schmidt, enjoying a bite at JB’s. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler

We briefly met Schmidt at his stand and our curiosity was peaked when he drew our attention to the fact that he was a disabled business owner. He agreed to meet us for an interview at JB’s at Park Plaza to learn more about Schmidty’s Kettle Corn. (He’d enjoyed being next to the JB’s/Park Tavern staffers, who’d been helpful, during the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival. He wanted to give back by giving them some business.)

Schmidt, known to his friends as Danny, developed a learning disability after suffering bacterial Meningitis as a six-month-old. However, his IQ tests normal, so he never really considered himself disabled. A native Californian, he’d successfully held various sales jobs as a young man. Later, he held high-paying positions working in the health care field for a company and later for himself. He was good at it and things were going well.

It wasn’t until 2015 that he developed a serious anxiety disorder when he moved to Maryland after his wife Tracy obtained a scholarship to American University. As before, he was employed as a caregiver. But, given the stressful nature of the work, he began having panic attacks and simultaneously experienced depression. By the time he understood what was happening to him, Schmidt had lost a number of healthcare jobs along with the income they provided.

Unable to support himself, he reluctantly accepted his wife’s advice to apply for disability. While going through the disability application process, he accepted a position as a caregiver for a 66-year-old gentleman with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, the patient’s declining mental state led him to enter an assisted living facility meaning Schmidt would be losing the $25 an hour job he depended on.

“I realized at that point that, if I was going to survive, I needed to start a business of my own. (I’d worked for a kettle corn company back in California and felt that a good possibility.) I asked my client’s wife if she’d be interested in making an investment to help me get started,” he said.

She replied that, since Danny was her husband’s best caregiver, she would help him and asked how much money he needed. He answered that $5,000 would cover his costs so she wrote him a check for $5,000 with the understanding that it was a gift, not a loan, and he wouldn’t need to pay her back.

Thanks to her generous gift, Schmidt was able to open the first Schmidty’s Kettle Corn booth in July of 2018 at the Takoma Park Farmer’s Market. Sales were great throughout 2018 and 2019 for the entrepreneur and the business expanded to a number of other markets.

The very first Schmidty’s Kettle Corn booth at the Takoma Park Farmer’s Market in July of 2018. Photo courtesy of Daniel Schmidt.

Unfortunately, in 2020, disaster hit in the form of the issuance of COVID 19 social distancing guidelines, curbing or closing many businesses.

“I lost seven markets and had only one left,” Schmidt said. “At that point, I had a full mental breakdown that was so bad, I didn’t want to get out of bed.”

The increasingly bleak situation took a toll on the Schmidt’s seven-year marriage, and they separated.

“I had to move out and eventually became homeless. Finally realizing that I, ultimately, had to help myself, I first lived in a motel room, then a less expensive room and even in my van but I still managed to do my kettle corn business when I could.

In a year or so, with COVID 19 ending, the business came back and Schmidt was able to sell Schmidty’s Kettle Corn at five markets. Building on that success, he expanded the company’s product line to include regular, white cheddar and caramel kettle corn, pork rinds and cotton candy. He’s now able to hire helpers.

These days, Schmidty’s Kettle Corn is available for fundraisers, events and parties. The business does lots of school fundraisers giving 20% of its profits back to the schools.

“One of my current goals is to get into retail markets,” Schmidt said. “Another is to have a storefront. Because of Maryland’s Cottage Food laws, I must operate as a homebased business and limit the scope of products I make and sell. I’m unable to sell a few products I’d like to market like caramel apples because I don’t have a commercial kitchen. It’s too costly to rent one just now but I’m thinking about doing that in the future.”

The most exciting development for the “Popcorn Man”, as he’s known to kids, is that he now has his own “Schmidty’s Kettle Corn Live” You Tube channel which has steadily grown in popularity, attracting more than 2,300 subscribers meaning it is now monetized. People seem to enjoy watching videos of him making kettle corn step-by-step. He’s achieved number 5 on top plays and is now earning consulting fees from You Tube viewers who wish to start their own kettle corn businesses.

Schmidt using a wooden paddle to better distribute the sugar and salt. Photo courtesy of Daniel Schmidt.

Schmidt has always loved making and selling kettle corn dating back to the days when he learned the craft while working for a company in California. Though he’s something of a people person who enjoys interacting with customers, he’s perfected every part of the process, from kettle to sifter.

Speaking as an expert, he says to make quality kettle corn, you must use mushroom popcorn because sugar coats better on its round shape. It’s also lighter and fluffier than the butterfly shaped popcorn sold in supermarkets and has less shell.

“When popping the corn in its kettle, I’m careful to add the sugar and salt at precisely the right moment so it doesn’t burn” he noted. “I always use a wooden paddle to better distribute the sugar and salt.”

In addition to rebuilding his business, Schmidt has rebuilt and added balance to his life. He’s developed several interests and now has a number of friends. He also likes to encourage and help other disabled individuals who wish to start their own businesses. In fact, he’d like to start a non-profit to help them do so.

Daniel Schmidt has, admittedly, had more than his share of trials and tribulations. Yet, through it all, he has always had support in one form or another.

“I’d like to thank my Mom and Ed, my aunts and uncles, and grandparents and my ex-wife Tracy for helping me get my business started and being there for me for my ups and downs,” he said.

Tracy, in particular, did everything in her power to help him get his business started, financially and with her time. Though divorced, they remain friends.

Schmidt still suffers occasional anxiety attacks, but he’s learned to control them, and usually manages to ward off depression by talking himself out of it. Meantime, he loves having a successful business and is moving full steam ahead.

As a vendor, he enjoyed and was very much impressed by his first experience at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL event. So much so that he plans to come back to Park Plaza as a vendor for the Chamber’s October event referred to as SHOPTOBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist.

Free youth event, “Balancing Life at Severna Park High and Beyond on May 27th

The Parenting for a Different World organization is holding a free talk with current and past Severna Park High School students for the benefit of younger kids and their families.  The younger students will be able to see what life can be like for kids in high school and after.

The event is being held Tuesday, May 27th from 7 to 8 pm at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal School.

 Parenting for a Different World has been hosting these talks for six years.  It’s a great way for kids to get first-hand perspective.  For more information, visit PDWorld or 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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

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.

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Good weather, more vendors and big crowds spelled success for Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival

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

Having risen from the Park Plaza parking lot early Saturday morning, a miniature oasis of 70 colorful vendor tents looked picture perfect by the time the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival got underway at 11 am.

A SHOP LOCAL marketplace that was bigger, busier and better than ever stretched out before the crowds. Shoppers moved busily up and down the aisles lingering from time to time to shop, collect information or giveaways, or sample various foods.

From the moment the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival opened, shoppers moved busily up and down the aisles checking out all 70 of the vendors. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler

You could immediately tell from the names emblazoned on the signs or tents of businesses, that there was a nice balance of longtime SHOP LOCAL supporters like Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery, SERVPRO, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, Franklin’s Toys, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and Ledo Pizza, more recent participants like Park Hardware, Bohemian Black, Blended Essentials, and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services, and businesses new to the event like Schmidty’s Kettle Corn, Harbor City Music Company, GYMGUYZ Personal Training, and Baking on the Magothy.

The “longtime supporters” mentioned above have actually participated in the Chamber sponsored SHOP LOCAL events from the very first one. Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery owner Dawn Wilson was instrumental in starting Severna Park’s SHOP LOCAL movement and Jing Ying Institute owner Nancy Greer was one of the initiative’s earliest and most ardent supporters. Both women have been helpful in attracting new businesses to the chamber and its SHOP LOCAL activities.

Side Street Framers carries the work of local artists like Cathy Kelly ( left) who creates Seaglass jewelry.
Chris Gives Foundation president Robin Mohns came by Jing Ying’s tent to discuss her charity.

In fact, Greer introduced us to Robin Mohns, franchise owner of Midas Auto Service Shops in Annapolis, Laurel, Pasadena and Wheaton, who started the Chris Gives Foundation in memory of her late husband Chris Mohns. The foundation provides help to individuals struggling to pay for auto repairs and provides scholarships for high school students in the auto repair curriculum.

Not to be overlooked was the fact that the Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival had a full day of entertainment starting off with a performance by a Priddy Music Academy Music group and a K-9 Demo from the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s office.

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi came next in the program, opting to use their demonstration to provide an insider’s look at what is involved in one of their well-celebrated Lion Dance performances. To begin, Nancy Greer explained that the “lion” is frequently mistaken for a dragon and how to tell the difference. Then, Jing Ying Institute Shifu Billy Greer and Lane Robinson demonstrated how to don the suit and perform the choreographed rhythmic movements that are part of the dance.

Finally, the lion is seen dancing away into the crowd.

It’s always fun when the “lion” dances off into the crowd.

Though the order of the performances changed a bit, there were still two more groups scheduled to entertain.

Amy Schropp and Jennifer Politte were prmoting the Children’s Theater of Annapolis Summer Camps.

For the first time at the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival, there was to be a Preview Performance by Children’s Theatre of Annapolis cast members from the May 10th show “Feeling All The Feelings”. The theatre was also promoting a trio of Summer Camps for kids and teens.

There would also be a demo by another of our favorite martial arts groups, Kwon’s Taekwondo, with the entire gang of expert practitioners on hand.

From left to right were Taekwondo experts Isaac, Sena, Kyle, Master Kwon and Mrs. Kwon. All said they were looking forward to the school’s summer camps which begin June 16th.

Back to strolling about, we stopped by the Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services tent and discovered that there was a new addition to the usual crew. In addition to owners Winsome Brown and Danielle (Dee) Morgan Brown, Dee’s baby daughter Callie joined the staff wearing a charming matching outfit complete with ruffles.

Left to right were Winsome Brown, staff member Micayla, Dee Morgan Brown and baby Callie and staff member Mia. Behind them were Winsome’s son Noah and husband Brian.

As usual, the Lean On Dee group was busy all day handing out Caregivers Support Kits and informational brochures about their services as well as some great giveaways.

For picking up the latest news, you can’t beat spring’s large-scale community events, and the SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest was no exception. We had a great time talking with Park Hardware/Zeskind’s owner Rick Miller and his father Rick Miller, Sr., better known as the “face of Zeskind’s” since the late 1960’s.

Park Hardware/Zeskind’s owner and president Rick Miller on the left and, on the right, Rick Miller, Sr. who guided the original Baltimore location of Zeskind’s Hardware & Millwork beginning in the 1960’s.

The pair couldn’t help bragging just a bit. Park Hardware’s 2nd annual Spring Native Plant Sale held April 26th opened at 8 am and they were completely sold out by 9 am.

“We’d tripled the amount we ordered from Providence of Maryland to 1,500 plants but were sold out within one hour,” Miller said. “I’m going to have to increase the number of plants even more for the next one.”

Both Millers were pleased to share the news that the fourth-generation hardware business will be holding its Centennial Celebration in the fall. (The business has its origins in the establishment of Zeskind’s in 1925.) It will be held in the Park Hardware parking lot and will be open to the community.

We picked up more news when we visited the Bohemian Black by Walking Roses tent and found owner Rose Walker welcoming shoppers and introducing them to her favorite spring and summer fashions. In addition to Walker’s Severna Park boutique at 45 W. Earleigh Heights Road, she has opened a second location at Annapolis Town Center.

Always a popular draw at SHOP LOCAL events, Bohemian Black owner Rose Walker welcomed shoppers to her tent throughout the day. Though only a portion of her inventory, the fashions brought were lovely.

In addition, Walker has a Let’s Be Friends Brunch & Fashion Show coming up on May 25. She’s also introduced something new dubbed SECOND HAND by Bohemian Black, A Curated Pop-Up of Pre-Loved Style.

With 70 vendors, it wasn’t possible to visit every booth, but there were many familiar faces – business owners who take part in every SHOP LOCAL event. They included Dwayne Bowie and Donnie Dove from Kogen Dojo and Dave Noce from SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park.

Dwayne Bowie and Donnie Dove, Kojen Dojo.
Dave Noce from SERVPRO.

But there were also first-timers. We ran into Jody Buck whom we’d met last year when she opened her new KeyGroup Realty office in Millersville. Then, we discovered an interesting young man named Danny Schmidt whose company Schmidty’s Kettle Corn was doing quite a business. Schmidt is proud of the fact that he is a successful disabled businessman with his own company.

KeyGroup realtor Jody Buck participate in the festival for the first time….
….as did businessman Danny Schmidt with Schmidty’s Kettle Corn.

Chamber member Pam Booth introduced us to Matthew Ryan, owner of the new company Baking on the Magothy. We were surprised to run into some other “first-timer’s” to the SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival – members of the nationally known, award-winning Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus.

First-timers Matthew Ryan of new business Baking on the Magothy….
……and The Harbor City Music Company.

We’d have been remiss if we didn’t seek out Ledo Pizza owner Martin Gorman. He is another of those businessmen who strongly supported Severna Park’s SHOP LOCAL movement from the moment of its inception. Amazingly, the Ledo Pizza booth was located in front of Gorman’s original Ledo’s Pizza & Pasta. Last March 25th, Ledo Pizza & Pasta closed its doors after 32 years as one of Park Plaza’s anchor businesses. Unable to come to terms on a new lease, the owner relocated the restaurant to 342 Ritchie Highway. The former location continues to sit empty.

Ledo Pizza employees Luke and Chase handed out plates of pizza left and right while the restaurant’s owner Martin Gorman stayed partly hidden while eating a cone from the neighboring Bruster’s Real Ice Cream truck.

There was plenty more to see. Suffice it to say that the Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival was a hit with those who attended. Chamber CEO Liz League said she was thrilled to have such wonderful weather which definitely contributed to the festival’s success. She added that, from what she could observe, the vendors were busy throughout the event.

To follow chamber activities and events, visit Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (gspacc.com).

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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

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.

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Good Neighbors Group 23rd annual Earth Day Festival draws heavy crowds in spite of winds

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

Had it not been for high winds, Sunday’s weather would have been perfect for Good Neighbors Group’s 23rd Annual Earth Day Festival. Held for the third year at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company, the event drew well in spite of 30-mile-per-hour gusts thanks to the promise of live music, fine food from Pitaya Mexican Restaurant, Baltimore Waffle Company, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, and 60 vendors.

According to Good Neighbors Group founder and executive director Julie Shay, this year’s festival was supposed to be strictly an outdoor event with a detailed plan for where everything was meant to be set up. But the weather necessitated a change in plans.

“When our vendors arrived to set up, the winds were so heavy that the tables were literally blowing over and it was impossible to assemble many of the displays. We made an instant decision to move most of the festival indoors with the blessing of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company,” said Shay. “Fortunately, we’d formed a committee of experienced volunteers to help with the festival a few years ago so we were able to turn things around on a dime. Our entertainers, food vendors and several other organizations opted to remain outdoors, but a majority set up inside the firehall.”

Initially, some attendees were confused to see so few vendors outside including me. However, I quickly figured out what happened and decided to visit the outdoor displays first.

Immediately, I spotted Stacey Boone, volunteer coordinator for The Blue Ribbon Project. Fresh from the organization’s successful fundraising gala held the evening before, Boone nevertheless chatted with festivalgoers about the 501(c)3 non-profit organization’s mission.

“We’re dedicated to preventing all forms of child abuse and we are run primarily by volunteers,” she said.

Stacey Boone, volunteer coordinator for The Blue Ribbon Project, provided festival attendees with information about the organization’s programs supporting victims of child abuse and youth in foster care.
Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler

The group provides critical support to victims of abuse and neglect throughout Maryland. Blue Ribbon Project programs include Backpacks of Love and Mirah’s Closet. (Children entering into care due to emergency situations are unable to take any personal items from home.) Each child receives a Backpack of Love containing essentials like a toothbrush/toothpaste, book, toy, clothes and a blanket. Mirah’s Closet provides ‘new’ clothing, toiletries, and other items.

I next visited Fieldstone Animal Inn‘s assistant manager Kelli who noted that she had to take down her tent as it kept blowing over. Since we’d last visited the Millersville-based Inn, it had been remodeled and held a Grand Reopening celebration.

“We now have a huge parking lot and we offer luxury suites and junior suites for pets complete with TV’s and webcams,” Kelli said.

Fieldstone Animal Inn’s assistant manager Kelli had lots of news.
Hope For All founder Leo Zerhusen spoke about the organization’s expansion to a second building.

A familiar face at Good Neighbors Group’s annual Earth Day Festivals, Glen Burnie-based Hope For All founder Leo Zerhusen was once again on hand collecting donations and spreading the word about his organization which serves those in need in Anne Arundel County with furniture, housewares and clothing.

“Demand for our services is higher than ever – so much so that we are expanding to a second building,” Zerhusen said.

Before exploring further, we took note of two local bands that entertained the Earth Day Festival crowds. The first was a group called Wishbone. The second, pictured below, is known as Jelly and is, naturally, a favorite of Julie Shay as her son happens to be the drummer.

The local band Jelly entertained the Earth Day Festival crowd mid-afternoon.

The band was conveniently located near the food vendors. To the band’s right, we spied Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League visiting the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Truck. To the left, we noted that Pitaya Mexican Restaurant had set up a dining area with tables and was serving tacos, enchiladas and other favorites from south of the border.

Time for a treat? A Bruster’s Real Ice Cream cone was the perfect pick-me-up for Liz League.
Pitaya Mexican Restaurant kept provisions for their tacos and other items under cover out of the wind…but not their sombreros.l

Then, for the second week in a row we spotted the gents from Baltimore Waffle Company making Liege-style Belgian waffles (we’d seen them at The Severna Park Farmer’s Market the week before).

Baltimore Waffle Company kept the waffles coming.

Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) president John Korin was delighted to be outdoors soaking up the sun as was Sandy Bishop, the founder of Cycling Without Age Anne Arundel. Bike AAA is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary as an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit focused on creating a healthier, more livable Annapolis and Anne Arundel County by promoting bicycling for transportation, recreation and fitness for people of all ages and abilities.  Now affiliated with Bike AAA, Cycling Without Age gives rides on the Severna Park section of the scenic B&A Trail to older adults or people with limited mobility in the organization’s trishaws, two of which are seen in the photo below.

Bike AAA president Jon Korin, left) frequently bicycles to wherever he’s going while Cycling Without Age founder Sandy Bishop, next to him, generally travels with two trishaws like those here and an extra driver.

Naturally, the Good Neighbors Group Earth Day Festival was bound to feature plants like those seen here from GreenLift which also had an information table inside the firehouse where we were about to head.

An Earth Day Festival wouldn’t be complete without native plants like those from Greenlift.

Glancing to our right as we entered the building, we were please to see Good Neighbors Group volunteer Jacquei Shade and several young fellows, including her son Thomas Shade, manning the Silent Auction table. There were donations of plants, gift baskets, books and other items from area businesses ranging from Homestead Gardens, BD Provisions, and Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi to Stiches of Kindness, Oxblood, Cafe Mezzanotte and Park Books.

GNG member Jacquei Shade and her volunteers manned the organization’s Silent Auction table which had an impressive range of donations from area businesses to bid on.

Severna Park Elementary School children had an assist from their teachers as they completed setting up their exhibits. They were one of a number of schools taking part in the festival with ecological experiments and exhibits.

Severna Park Elementary School students’ experiments and documentation made their exhibit more meaningful. The youngsters peeking out from behind their teacher did a fine job explaining the exhibit to those who passed by.

Rachel Sayed, Recycling Program Specialist for Anne Arundel County Waste Management Services had many excellent tips on how to deal with household recycling. She mentioned quite a few things my family wasn’t aware of. For instance, families can put up to three large items like a chair, a small sofa or a box spring curbside for pickup. Just place them next to your trash container on collection day. Metal items & appliances like swing sets, refrigerators or lawn mowers can even be schedule for pick-up if you submit an online request.

Recycling Program Specialist Rachel Sayed had wonderful tips about how and what to recycle.

Sayed even handed out a great pamphlet from the county’s Department of Public Works called “Household Recycling and Trash MADE SIMPLE”.

The next table down was Peyton’s Promise (shown in the opening photo), a grassroots, non profit providing food, pet care supplies and emergency financial assistance to dog owners in Maryland. The first-time GNG Earth Day Festival vendor was selling lots of fun gifts for pets and their owners.

We next visited Wendy Preslan’s Stitches of Kindness, one of our favorite organizations that is now also a Good Neighbors Group partner. Stitches of Kindness conducts workshops to teach children how to sew various items which are then donated to charities. For Earth Day, Preslan was selling handsewn products including handbags, rag rugs, place mats and fabric bags of various sizes.

Stitiches In Kindness owner, Wendy Preslan, seated in the middle, upcycled all the items she brought to sell at the Earth Day Festival including handbags made from donated denim jeans and rag rugs, placemats, carryalls and other items made from donated fabric scraps.

“For the Festival, I upcycled items from donated fabric scraps or denim jeans,” she said.

With 60 vendors to visit, there was no way I was going to get to everyone before moving on to my next commitment, but as I worked my way down the aisle, I spotted the familiar face of American Association of University Women president Joyce Moyeer who was collecting books for the much-looked-forward-to AAUW Booksale which takes place every November.

The Earth Day Festival was a great place for AAUW president Joyce Moyeer to collect books for the organization’s annual book sale in November.

Moving on, we spotted two more familiar faces – CottonWood in the Park owners Julie and D.J. Antinucci. They were selling some of their fabrics, art supplies, vintage jewelry and, of course, some of the antique quilts they are known for.

Since our first interview with the couple in their Benfield Road shop shortly after they opened, the business has thrived.

“We’ve done very well, especially since the JoAnn’s Fabric stores closed,” Julie said. “We’re selling more product, and we’ve expanded to a building next door in order to have a dedicated sewing classroom.”

We had to forego visiting the Severn River Association and Magothy River Association tables and the exhibits of some additional schools. But before leaving, we just had to take a peek at one of Eco Adventures animal ambassadors – a rather small American Alligator. Attendees, especially kids, loved seeing Eco Adventures other critters.

To follow the many activities of Good Neighbors Group, visit Home – Good Neighbors Group.

Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival this Saturday, May 3rd

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce is holding its Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest at Park Plaza this coming Saturday, May 3 from 11 am to 3 pm. In case of rain, the event will be postponed till the following Saturday, May 10th.

We understand from Chamber CEO Liz League that there will be 70 vendors this year. There will be food, entertainment, music and more.

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. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

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.