Month: June 2026

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

From noon till 8 pm on June 13th, the 3rd annual Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival fundraiser unfolded on the open-air stage at the Severna Park Taphouse, highlighting the talents of the best local bands as well as Nashville recording artist MIGGS who headlined the event. The annual festival honoring the memory of Robin Sells’ daughter Katherine Mueller is a fundraiser for the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NET cancer took Katherine’s life) and other cancer-related charities. 

Throughout the day, Katherine’s Light Foundation co-founders Larry and Robin Sells could be spotted at the back of the tent grooving to the music along with Robin’s sister Heather Fern. Among the performers featured at the 2026 KLF Music Festival were the Lost and Found Trio Band, George Evans, Honey Sol, TMI, Ray Paice, and Billy. Headlining the event, Nashville recording artist MIGGS and his band were back by popular demand.

The Sells said they were hopeful their organization would exceed last year’s fundraising total. They were well on the way thanks to a number of sponsorships from local businesses. A sizeable banner acknowledging and thanking the sponsors could be seen on the way into the event.

The weather couldn’t have been better on June 13th with comfortable temperatures and a nice breeze. Thus, many music fans watched and listened to the entertainers from the Taphouse’s outdoor bar and eating areas.

Because the music festival is an all-day affair, attendees come and go throughout the entire afternoon, so you never know who you’ll run into. It was fun connecting with Amber Kaltz and her husband Justin whom we hadn’t seen for a while. Amber is Communications Coordinator for St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church. She has also worked as a volunteer for the annual AAUW Anne Arundel County Fall Book Sale.

Music festivals are always colorful, and this one was no exception. Spotted among festivalgoers with his handsome Beauceron (a sheepdog breed originating in France) was Zach Kiehne and friend Cynthia Price.

Outdoor sponsor pavilions were full throughout the day as well – the one seen below headquarters for Event Sponsor Landmark Roofing‘s employees, family, and friends. We’d see more of them later.

As music festival headliner Miggs Rangel originally hails from Texas, it wasn’t surprising to see a fan wearing cowboy boots. Katrina Aaron’s boots were, indeed, striking. We spotted her from a distance then caught up with her and met the rest of her party including Haley Crause, Nicole and Reg Anderson, and Cashout Nizk.

Midway through the music festival Larry Sells took the stage to make an exciting announcement.

“We’re very pleased to tell you that we’ve had a breakthrough in research by scientists and UCLA. We funded two studies there for $100,000 each. We’d asked that they specifically study Katherine’s Neuroendocrine tumor cancer,” Sells said. “One of the studies centered on P-Net tumors – the Neuroendocrine tumor that throws cancer cells into the liver. They found a protein in P-Net tumors that can lead to early detection of the cancer. At the present time, most Neuroendocrine cancer patients, like Katherine, cannot be diagnosed with the disease until stage four. The discovery of the protein allows for diagnosis at earlier stages and the development of new drugs and treatments.”

The news was greeted with considerable applause. Many festival attendees knew Katherine Mueller and realized how pleased she would be that the fledgling fundraising efforts she started were continued and expanded by the foundation and produced such a stunning result.

The music went on, of course, and the day spun by faster than imagined. Soon we noticed people grabbing snacks and beverages and finding seats beneath the tent as the stage was being set up for country music star Miggs Rangel’s first set.

A U.S. Air Force veteran turned Nashville recording artist, MIGGS is one of country music’s rising performers. He’s made a place in the music industry, landing on some of the hottest country playlists and racking up thousands of streams. He’s built quite a fan base with his high-energy shows and hits like “PARTY RIDE,” “Promised You Forever,” and radio hits like “One Sip Away.”

People were still streaming into the performance area as MIGGS and his band took the stage. The music was joyful and infectious prompting impromptu dancing by Stacey Rinker, Courtney Caughy and Sue Gauthier who owns The Cottage, one of the music fest’s Platinum sponsors.

Afterward Sue and Courtney retreated to the Landmark Roofing pavilion to be congratulated by the company’s owner Artie Hendrickson and wife Missy while Sue detoured to join friends in the crowd.

Miggs Rangel and band ended their second set in fine form and the Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival ended on a positive note with the Sells and foundation board members fairly certain the event had been a financial success.

We caught up with Larry Sells a day later and learned that the music festival raised $84,000 besting last year’s total. According to Sells, the money will be distributed in its entirety to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, the Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore for the care of Neuroendocrine cancer patients, the Wellness House of Annapolis,  Anne Arundel Community College for the Katherine Mueller Nursing Scholarship, Luminis Health DeCesaris Cancer Institute, SPAN, Inc. and a Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation fund to help cancer patients who can’t afford transportation, food or medications.

Severna Park’s 250th Birthday Independence Day Parade to be spectacular

Next Saturday, July 4th, the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with its 2026 Independence Day Parade. The parade will assemble and step off from the parking lots of St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church and Our Shepherd’s Lutheran Church and proceed down Benfield Road to the Judges’ Stand on Riggs Avenue at the center of Olde Severna Park arriving at 10 am. The parade will last until noon.

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. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. 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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Successful Women In Business co-chairs Nancy Greer, Jennifer McAndrews and Carol Heckman were delighted when Maher’s Florist owner Kim Maher Wharton volunteered to host the June 9th networking event the trio was planning. The Pasadena flower shop had undergone an expansion and remodeling and they knew it would provide a beautiful setting for their late-spring get-together.

According to committee co-chair Greer, the Successful Women In Business (SWIB) group was created by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce more than a dozen years ago to offer professional women opportunities for networking and development. Not only has SWIB been GSPACC’s most enduring standing committee but has also been its most popular. The group holds ten meetings each year with that most often highlight a member’s business. However, they’ll also host breakfasts, lunches or evening events to which speakers are invited and frequently coordinate with other chamber committees on more ambitious undertakings.

From the moment the networking event attendees spied the flower shop from the parking lot Tuesday evening, they were charmed. They loved the clever message spelled out on the chalkboard.

Once inside, they couldn’t help but admire the shop’s expansive new product line. Debbie McTammany, owner of True You, Navigating Through Change and Jessica Terenyi, who owns JK Organizing, LLC, chatted about their businesses while admiring the gift items, jewelry and potted flowers and plants around them.

Other attendees were drawn to sections featuring clothing, insulated travel cups and mugs and toys including adorable teddy bears. There was also a “Bloom Bar” where florist shop customers can pick out their own stems for purchase.

Having found a nice place to hang out in front of refrigerated cabinets filled with pre-designed bouquets, SWIB members Jen Bonk, Robin Torres and Whitney Kerridge traded conversation between sips of wine. (To one side of a long counter, the Maher’s Florist staff laid out a tasty buffet of small sandwiches and finger foods with wine and other beverages.)

Conversation groups formed everywhere. Longtime SWIB members Donna Butman, owner of Assisted Living Locators of Annapolis and Chamber CEO Liz League, welcomed Laura Cooper who has recently started Ciao and Cheers, LLC Tour Guides.

Stepping behind the counter into the heart of the business, we were wowed by three tubs of casual bouquets comprised of sunflowers and other summer blooms waiting to be given to each SWIB member as she left.

Moving on, we came upon staff member Linda Bookhammer and floral designer Cindy Dolly who was still wearing her apron and ready for action. Fun to talk to, the pair noted that the shop had been busy handling orders for graduations, weddings and other spring celebrations.

Time flew by and, eventually, the co-chairs gathered everyone in a large circle. Nancy Greer stepped forward to make introductions beginning with Maher’s Florist’s owner.

“I’d like to introduce Kim Maher Wharton and thank her for hosting our event,” Greer said. “Kim’s mother Winnie started Maher’s Florist in 1977 right here in Pasadena nearly five decades ago. Winnie was one of the first people to join the Pasadena Business Association. Kim will tell us more later. But, first, we’ll do introductions of everyone else.”

“Moving around the circle, we’ll give each an opportunity to introduce herself and mention her business. I’ll start. I’m Nancy Greer from Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi.”

Cochair Jennifer McAndrews was next from Assisted Living Locators of Annapolis followed, in turn by Stephanie Fountain from Arundel Federal Bank, cochair Carol Heckman from Trillium Wellness, Liz League from the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber, Lauren Brewington from GYMGUYZ, Jen Bonk from Cummings & Co. Realtors and several more.

Kim Maher Wharton and staff were also given the floor.

“I can’t say enough about my staff who’ve been a blessing since we started in 1977. The staff is my heart and soul. They ‘bring it’ every day. We do everything from weddings to funerals and everything in between. I’d say our business is filled with emotion because you’re really happy or you’re really mad and the staff is great at accommodating any request.

“I have a couple of designers who have been with us for over 30 years. We’re like a family here. We all pitch in and everybody does everything together.”

In answer to a question, Wharton added that the shop is unique in that they have a liquor license and can provide wine or champagne along with flowers. They use a lot of flowers from local farms that are fresh cut daily for bouquets and for the Bloom Bar they have for customers.

As is always the case, SWIB attendees then had an opportunity to make announcements if they wished. While Greer mentioned Jing Ying Institute’s upcoming Self Defense Workshop, League used the opportunity to talk about chamber events, the most important of which is the upcoming Severna Park Independence Day Parade which has our country’s 250th Anniversary as its theme.

The event concluded with the awarding of some fantastic door prizes donated by SWIB members. Winners were selected from a basket of business cards collected earlier by cochair McAndrews.

Most attendees lingered to shop and, of course, everyone loved receiving a bouquet of spring blooms and sunflowers from the staff as they left. The Successful Women In Business group will take a summer break but meet again in August. To follow their activities and upcoming chamber events, visit Home – Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce or Facebook.

Street Survivors Cruise Night to benefit Orphan Grain Train on June 26th

Street Survivors of Maryland will host a Cruise Night benefitting Orphan Grain Train on Friday, June 26th from 5 to 9 pm at East Park Shopping Center, 7900 Crain Highway in Glen Burnie. There will be a bake sale, a raffle and other a Chinese auction.

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. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. 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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Anne Arundel County is rich with historical sites, many dating to our country’s earliest years. The National Register of Historic Places lists 109 properties and districts within the county, the largest proportion of them located in Annapolis or the South County communities of Edgewater, Davidsonville, Gambrills, Harwood and Shady Side. Residents of those communities have grown used to living with history dating as far back as the 17th century – none more so than members of All Hallows Episcopal Church, South River more commonly known as The Brick Church.

All Hallows Parish records date back to 1682 meaning that it existed prior to the General Assembly of Maryland’s Act of Establishment creating 30 Anglican parishes in 1692.

Constructed in 1710 as the parish church building, the modest rectangular structure seen in the opening photograph featured Flemish bond brickwork and a hip roof. In 1727, the interior was restored after being gutted by fire and the building was modernized in 1825 and again in 1885. When fire struck once more in 1940, a reconstruction restored the building to its 1710 appearance.

Standing next to The Brick Church is its bell tower with a bell dated 1727. The bell tower was donated in more recent years by Virginia “Billie” Owens in memory of Arthur Ronnie Owens, Jr. and his father Arthur R. Owens, Sr. who perished on the same day in 1976.

Now, as in the past, the church and grounds are very well cared for by the All Hallows Parish. Clustered closely around the church are some of the earliest graves dating back to Colonial times. Centuries of weathering have left many of them difficult to decipher.

There are also a number of ledger stones marking other graves even closer to the church. Several prominent London Town merchants are among those buried there. Though we didn’t spot it, Provincial Justice, Deputy-Governor and Lord High Sheriff of Anne Arundel Colonel William Burgess who donated 100 acres of his lands for the establishment of London Town is said to have been buried in the cemetery in 1686.

One cluster of stones seems to be dedicated to members of the Gassaway family. The ledger stone pictured immediately below is broken into four parts. Aided by the Genealogy Trails website, we were able to make out the first section which reads “In Memory of Capt. Thomas Gassaway Son of Colin Nicholas Gassaway who Departed this Life the 12th Day of September Anno Domini 1739. Aged 55 years 6 months & 22 days. Born ye 20th Day of February 1683.” The second section reads “Also in Memory of His wife Mrs. Susanna Gassaway Daughter of Captain Henry Hauslap who departed this Life the 24th Day of February Anno Domini 1740 Aged 58 years and 16 Days. She was born the 8th Day of February 1682.”

Captain Thomas Gassaway was Lord High Sheriff for the county and provided the land on which the church was built.

Lying nearby, in front of a church school building, is another cluster of graves including two more of those associated with the Gassaway family.

An ancient but better-preserved stone lying near the bell tower is dedicated to the memory of Samuel Peel of London Town, who died in 1733. On the same stone is also inscribed the name of Robert Peel, 1773, and above the names is a coat of arms.

All Hallows Church parishioners have experienced tumultuous times, depending on their faith to see them through many crises – most significantly the Revolutionary War which directly affected them. A Revolutionary War soldier, General Jonathan Sellman, lies in the All Hallows Parish cemetery beneath a ledger stone with a marker in his honor placed by the Washington Custis Chapter DAR and dressed by a simple bouquet of flowers and an American flag.

There are a number of other ledger stones. But there are also acres of upright headstones beneath ancient oak trees. Many are older but there are also more recent gravestones marked by flowers.

There are also many historical markers and signs on the property including a significant memorial plaque honoring slaves who labored in the construction and maintenance of the church.

All Hallows Episcopal Church is presently open for services only on Sundays at 11:00 am though you can take a self-guided tour anytime. But, here’s a lovely surprise. In addition to the Brick Church, All Hallows Parish maintains a chapel-of-ease at 864 West Central Avenue, in the historic district of Davidsonville. The Chapel was constructed from 1860 to 1865 and also has an amazing history that we’ll delve into at another time.

As our country is celebrating its 250th Anniversary, we’ll be bringing our readers more local history. For more information on All Hallows Episcopal Church and Chapel, visit Home | All Hallows Parish.

Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival this Saturday, June 13th

The Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival takes place this Saturday, June 13th at the Severna Park Taphouse from noon to 8 pm. The annual festival honoring the memory of Katherine Mueller is a fundraiser for the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NET cancer took Katherine’s life) and three other cancer-related charities. Entertainers appearing on the outdoor stage include the Lost and Found Trio Band, George Evans, Honey Sol, TMI, Ray Paice, Billy Z and more. There will also be a succession of acoustic musicians entertaining indoors at the Taphouse. This year’s festival headliner is popular Nashville recording artist MIGGS. For information visit Katherine’s Light Foundation.

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. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. 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.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

It was stirring to observe audience members standing, hands over hearts, and singing the “Star Spangled Banner” led by Jan Holland as she stood in front of a color guard before The Rising Sun Inn in Crownsville yesterday afternoon.

The occasion was the Liberty Tree Dedication by the Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution on the lawn of the historic site and house built by Edward Baldwin in 1753. The shovel was still in place beside the tree as guests from the Ann Arundel, Fort Severn, Mary Diggs Lee and Peggy Stewart Tea Party chapters of MSSDAR arrived along with guests from the Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution.

About sixty guests were expected – so many guests that limited parking space meant many of them arrived by shuttles from a nearby church. They drifted in singly or in pairs to congregate beneath the shade of an enormous tree. The combination of beautiful weather and DAR members and regents’ sense of style meant the occasion was perfect for wearing fancy hats and flowing summer dresses.

In front of The Rising Sun Inn, musicians from the Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps not only provided an appropriate instrumental background while waiting for the event to begin but would later provide the event’s ceremonial music.

Inside the Inn, things moved apace as Ann Arundel Chapter members set up tables in the Tea Room draped with blue and white tablecloths accented by red flowers.

The women also set up a station for lemonade and iced tea in the reception area and laid out a buffet of fruit, cheeses and desserts in a corner of the original Tavern Room.

Time was fast approaching for the ceremony to begin at 2 pm. Meanwhile, it was fun chatting with guests. We met Christine West, a DAR member from the Peggy Stewart Tea Party Chapter in Eastport and an author who is writing a book on the 1649 Puritan settlement of Providence that eventually became Annapolis.

“The settlement actually started on Greenbury Point and expanded into the Whitehall and Chesapeake Bay areas and went as far north as Gibson Island and as far south as the West River,” West said. “The name ‘Providence’ given it by the Puritan settlers only lasted for a year as Lord Baltimore, who granted them the land, lost his wife Ann Arundel (pronounced Air-un-dale) that year and renamed the settlement after her. Obviously, her name lived on through the name of the city of Annapolis and the name Anne Arundel County.”

We later met Ann Arundel DAR Chapter members Cheryl Boyer and daughter Rebecca along with their guest Shirley Andrzyewski. The Boyers were very excited that their chapter was hosting such an important event and receiving a Liberty Tree.

We spoke with several other guests but, after a slight delay, the Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps gents began the welcome music signaling the beginning of The Liberty Tree Dedication program. Ann Arundel Chapter Regent Kris Jenkins started things off with Opening Remarks that were welcoming, informative and, at times, touching. She cited MSSDAR’s Tree of Life Project’s planting of Liberty Trees as a living symbol in the future of our hard-won freedoms by the men and women of our nation. Jenkins ended by observing that it is important while celebrating 250 years of America’s history, to reflecting on the efforts it has taken to maintain our liberty.

She next called forward Felicia Farr, Chaplain of the Fort Severn DAR Chapter for the Invocation followed by the Presentation of Colors from the John Paul Jones Chapter of the MDSSAR Color Guard. They stood behind Shannon Gerling-Patch, the Regent of the Fort Severn Chapter as she led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, The America’s Creed and The Preamble of the Constitution.

The Color Guard maintained their post until, as mentioned previously, Jan Holland, First Regent of the Ann Arundel Chapter, led the audience in singing the “Star Spangled Banner”.

Heather Barham, Regent of the Mary Diggs Lee Chapter introduced the many special guests in the audience and also introduced Maryland State Society Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Liz Deering.

During Deering’s remarks, she observed, that The Rising Sun Inn was a most appropriate historic site to be gifted a Liberty Tree. Henry Baldwin, who inherited the property from his father Edward, served in the American Revolution and also supplied troops. She spoke about Liberty Trees as a beacon of resistance and unity in the years leading up to the Revolution and alluded to the revered Liberty Tree on the lawn of St. John’s College that was estimated to be more than 400 years old before being lost to a lightning strike during a storm.

“A scion was taken from that Annapolis Liberty Tree and grown into a seedling beside the original site,” Deering said. “It’s important to note that the seedling here was cultivated from that line sharing the same genetic heritage as that original Liberty Tree. In late 2024, MSSDAR acquired 13 seedlings – one for each of the 13 original colonies in preparation for our Legacy of Liberty Project. To mark the 250th Anniversary of our nation, we are planting them at historic and significant locations across Maryland. Only 20 to 30 seedlings are grown each year from 2000 seeds. We are especially grateful to be planting one here at The Rising Sun Inn. We hope it, too, will survive for 400 years.”

The tree dedication followed with the State and Chapter Regents participating. A letter from Maryland Governor Wes Moore was read by Peggy Stewart Tea Party Chapter Librarian Anna Boehk and a plaque unveiled marking the historic occasion.

The dedication of the Liberty Tree followed with DAR Regents Kris Jenkins, Shannon Gerling-Patch and Heather Barham scattering soil from all of the State’s DAR Chapters around the newly planted Liberty Tree.

A benediction by NSDAR Chaplain General Mernie Crane and the singing of “America The Beautiful” by the audience followed and the Liberty Tree Dedication ended with a three-volley salute by the MDSSAR Color Guard.

Guests were then invited into The Rising Sun Inn for refreshments and also invited to visit the Inn’s converted Carriage House to view The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit which will be on display through June 13th. The exhibit was created by the American Battlefield Trust.

For information on the Traveling Exhibit and additional companion events through June and July, visit The Rising Sun Inn Crownsville, Maryland – Home.

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. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. 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.