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 second annual Chris Gives Foundation Music Festival was in full swing as I walked through the patio area at the Severna Park Taphouse last Saturday. Dennis Marsh, vocalist with the classic rock band Genghis Kahn, was in the midst of a harmonica solo on Aerosmith’s “Same Old Song and Dance” to the delight of listeners.
Saturday’s weather absolutely sizzled but band members kept their cool. In addition to Marsh, on vocals and harmonica, lead guitarist Bill Manning, drummer Butch German, bassist Kevin Orsey and singer/guitarist/keyboardist Rob Yesker entertained the crowd with covers of a selection of familiar classics. As might be expected, attendees sought the shadiest spots possible from which to enjoy Genghis Kahn.
At one table, longtime friends and supporters of the late Chris Mohns, Carlos and Annette Aguilar, Jackie Ruckelhaus and son Benson were listening to the music while ordering food and tall, cold drinks.
Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
The Chris Gives Foundation was formed to carry on the legacy of Christopher Mohns, Sr., franchise owner of four Midas Auto Repair shops located in Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton who was known and admired for helping countless individuals and families going through rough times financially and in need of critical auto repairs. Mohns and his wife Robin had planned to expand his charitable efforts prior to his death in June of 2022. The foundation was formed later that year to carry on his work.
On the lawn, to one side of the performance venue, a life-sized representation of the late Chris Mohns appeared to watch over proceedings at the Midas 50/50 and Silent Auction tents.
Thanks to generous donations from individuals, local businesses and sponsors, the Silent Auction and 50/50 tents were filled with beautifully packaged gift baskets and prizes. Sponsors for the music fest were many and included Midas of Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel & Wheaton, MBS Mechanical HVAC, Blue Ridge Risk Partners Ins, JC Hot Rods & Restos, Napa Auto Parts and Moro & Associates CPA.
The Silent Auction tent was where we also caught up with Bladen Wheatley, a 17-year-old junior who is the Chris Gives Foundation recipient of a new program for students.
Starting this year, foundation president Robin Mohns made arrangements to offer scholarships to students at three high schools in the area that offer an auto repair curriculum – CAT-North (Center of Applied Technology-North) in Pasadena, CAT-South in Edgewater, and Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring. The organization was able to provide scholarships or $750 worth of Craftsman tools for five students. Wheatley was one of them.
“I actually completed the auto repair technician program at CAT-North and am already working at an automotive repair service in Glen Burnie,” Wheatley said. “It was definitely good to receive the Craftsman tools in lieu of a scholarship or money. It’s hard to know where to allocate money but tools are a necessity and are invaluable.”
Wheatley added that, in addition to basics like oil changes, much of what he learned at CAT-North involved electronics. He said a lot of auto repair has morphed into changing out things instead of repairing them.
We really weren’t surprised to find a couple of just-arrived Midas auto repair technicians cooling their heels at a table overlooking the band. Steve Rogers and Jessie Easton have some great advice for students hoping to enter the auto repair trade like Bladen Wheatley.
“Show up…and be on time,” cautions Rogers.
Easton revealed that the auto repair trade has become much more complicated over the past decade and most definitely requires a greater knowledge of electronics meaning some schooling is required.
“I grew up working on cars, went to Lincoln Tech and have worked for Midas ever since,” he said.
Roger’s experience was much the same. Both felt that the Chris Gives Foundation gifts of tools to several students were immensely helpful.
We noted quite a few volunteers working the music fest, some of whom were CGF board members. We found Dreama Stearn, Janet Smith and Cathryn Oliver at the Midas booth. Just inside the Taphouse entrance, we discovered Francesca Crocombe, Kristina Hemmings and Julie Hemmings minding the door prize and raffle ticket table in airconditioned comfort.
“We have the best seats in the house,” Julie said.
The event rolled along nicely and we met a table of devoted foundation supporters including Chris Weiss and wife Becky, Colleen & John Connor and Tyler Brisbane. Weiss is a six franchise Midas owner.
“We all knew Chris Moans well,” he said. “This is the second year we’ve attended the music festival.”
As Genghis Kahn ended their set and the sound crew appeared to set up for the next band, music festival emcee Larry Sells appeared onstage along with Midas franchise owner Robin Mohns for some special announcements.
Not only did Moans acknowledge Bladen Wheatley as the recipient of a set of Craftsman tools with which to begin his career but asked him to stand and take a bow. She also acknowledged the Turner and Waller families who the Chris Gives Foundation helped with critically needed auto repairs. Both families work hard and serve their communities but were recently faced with financial challenges.
“It was an honor to be able help you,” Robin said.
Sells, Mohns, and the excellent CGF volunteers next moved quickly through the announcement of Silent Auction, 50/50 and raffle winners.
…and then, the venue was once more alive with the sound of music as the band 8 Ball Deluxe took the stage, bringing their own brand of rock, Motown, soul and pop to the audience.
Mark Weaver on vocals, harmonica and keyboard, vocalist Angie Crowell, guitarist Sandy Cormack, bassist Paul Jones and Doug Workman on drums and vocals kept listeners rocking.
Severna Park’s 50th Anniversary Independence Day Parade to be quite an occasion
The Severna Park Independence Day parade had very humble beginnings. In 1974, the late Hammond S. “Skip” Carr and few others decided that the town ought to have a 4th of July Parade.
Lew Heck, who worked with Carr in real estate, remembered that, at the time, Skip’s stepson had an old truck which they decorated. Then they rounded up a bunch of kids and paraded up and down B&A Boulevard.
The first official Severna Park Independence Day Parade took place in 1975 and was organized and sponsored by the Severna Park Chamber of Commerce. It was fairly ambitious with mobile units, floats from local businesses and organizations including Hammond S. Carr, the Severna Park High School Marching Band and majorettes among other entries.
Carr, Heck and John and Lucia Robinson came up with the idea of putting Robinson’s band, The Severna Park Bums, on a decorated truck to entertain the crowd and they became a mainstay of the parade for many years. Heck also recalled that a Jaycees women’s group participated with a lawn chair drill team that featured choreographed maneuvers with folding chairs.
By 1978, Lou Heck and crew had improved their skills enough to build a log cabin to promote Carr’s real estate business “though it looked more like an outhouse than a cabin”. For quite a few years, Heck built most of the floats and, by the 1990’s, he’d become a self-proclaimed “chicken wire genius”.
His 1993 entry “All God’s Children Need Homes” was inspired by Old Mother Hubbard.
The Eagle, one of Lew Heck’s finest and most popular creations, starred his son Nelson as the Indian chief in the canoe.
The 4th of July Parade buzzed along nicely for many years, reaching a high point in 2009 with many unique entries. They included a stagecoach with a full team of horses.
Vintage tractors and wagons from Kinder Farm Park appeared with chickens and ducks as well as goats and lambs that trotted alongside their 4H handlers or hitched a ride.
Everyone loved the Lone Ranger and Silver and children were delighted by the appearance of the Jing Ying Institute lions bobbing in and out of the crowds while performing the Lion Dance.
Following the parade many spectators migrated to the annual Independence Day celebration at Cypress Creek Park where the Kinder Farm animals luxuriated in the shade of the tall oaks.
In later years, intense competition occurred between neighborhoods to see which could build the best floats. Since this year’s efforts honor the Severna Park 4th of July Parade’s 50th Anniversary, we’ll expect more of the same as the Linstead, Round Bay and Olde Severna Park neighborhoods vie with Shipley’s Choice and newer neighborhoods for first place. Competition is also keen among float builders from businesses like Homestead Gardens and organizations like the Lion’s Club and Republican Women’s Club.
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber announced that Severna Park historian Scott Jay has been chosen the Grand Marshall for this historic parade. Chamber CEO Liz League surprised us with the news that, after being absent for several years, Kinder Farm Park’s vintage tractors and wagons will once more be rolling down the parade route with the animals and their 4H handlers.
The parade participants will step off from their starting points at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and St. Martin’s in-the Field Church onto Benfield Road at 10 am, proceed down Benfield to Riggs Avenue passing the judges stand in the middle of Olde Severna Park. They’ll then turn right onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard before making a left onto Cypress Creek Road to parade’s end at Cypress Creek Park. The parade will be over at noon.
Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival & Charity Event raises over $74,000
We were informed by board member Larry Sells that the Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival and Charity Event held on June 14th raised $74,697.53.
“However, money is still coming in and it looks as if we’ll have closer to $77,000,” Sells said.
The money will be distributed to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, the Wellness House of Annapolis, Anne Arundel Community College where KLF funds a Katherine Mueller Nursing Scholarship and a Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation fund to help cancer patients who can’t afford transportation, food or medications to help with their treatment.
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 whilereducing 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.”
