AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
Severna Park experienced a series of milestones in 2025 including the 50th Anniversary of the Severna Park Independence Day Parade (pictured above). The year began, however, with something entirely new. The Grand Opening of nurse practitioner Katherine Grote’s first-of-its-kind medical practice in the community took place on January 17th.
For Grote, a Nurse Practitioner who worked hard to achieve success in her profession and establish a practice of her own, opening Integrative Family NP LLC was a dream come true. Her passion for taking care of people inspired her belief in treating patients on a well-rounded basis that is integrative and holistic.
In April of 2025, two separate celebrations marked the 35th Anniversary of the founding of SPAN, Inc. and honored the organization’s founders, volunteers and recipients. The first event, on April 1st, took place with an official ceremony at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church followed by a reception for attendees just across the lawn at the SPAN headquarters building.
As the reception ended, an invitation was extended to guests to join supporters at the second celebration – SPAN’s 35th Birthday Fest held Saturday, April 5th at Severna Park United Methodist Church on Benfield Road.
Founded in 1990 by six local churches, the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) opened its doors in April of that year with a mission to provide emergency assistance to families in crisis with dignity and compassion. The number of SPAN’s member churches has grown from the original six to 13 most of which were represented at the Birthday Fest.
The originals were Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, St. Martins in-the-Field Episcopal Church, Severna Park United Methodist Church and Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. They were joined by Asbury United Methodist Church, Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, Bay Area Community Church, Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church, Our Lady of the Fields Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrew by the Bay Roman Catholic Church, Severna Park Baptist Church and Trinity Bible Church.
July 4th of 2025 saw the community celebrate the 50th Year of the Severna Park Independence Day Parade. As Grand Marshall at the head of the 50th Anniversary Parade, Severna Park historian Scott Jay was warmly received by the crowd.
With 100 parade entries, there were many floats. The Olde Severna Park Improvement Association float managed to capture the early 70’s spirit of the year the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber launched its first parade five decades ago.
From the “Peace, Love, Groovy” sign on the front of the float to the kids on board wearing tie-dyed t-shirts, psychedelic sunglasses, and crowns of daisies in young girls’ hair, all hinted at the bygone era when float designer Lew Heck created his Peace Dove Float from chicken wire and Kleenex.
Time flew by and the culmination of the year-long Park Hardware/Zeskind’s 100th Anniversary celebration began early in the morning on September 20, 2025. A string of events throughout the day included a Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony with chamber CEO Liz League highlighting three generations of the family business beginning with third-generation owners Rick Miller, Sr. and wife Deborah. Next came fourth-generation owner Rick Miller, Jr., his wife Joannie, daughter Chloe and son Jax. Chloe officially became a fifth-generation member of the family business when she joined the Park Hardware/Zeskind’s staff early in 2025.
October 17, 2025 saw another important anniversary as the Severna Park Community Center opened its doors to the public for a 30th Anniversary Open House from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm that culminated in a Birthday Party with a fabulous cake and cupcakes.
With the sun setting in the courtyard where the party was held, Executive Director Sarah Elder acted as hostess greeting longtime and current community center members and other guests. Across the courtyard, guests gravitated toward the center’s entrance where they were invited to tour the facilities.
November 15th saw Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi celebrate its Quarter Century mark with a festive Open House hosted by owners Nancy and Billy Greer. A ceremony and ribbon cutting midway through the event was conducted by Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League and ended with special honors for a team of students led by Billy Greer. Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler presented citations to Greer and two of the three students who saved heart attack victim Scott Stengle’s life.
(Arden Wyrick who also helped but could not be present was recognized as well.)
Before we knew it, the Christmas season arrived with numerous events to attend including The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza on December 9th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. As can be seen from the photos below, the event was the year’s largest and most glamorous fundraiser featuring an enormous Silent Auction, some of the area’s finest food and wine purveyors and great entertainment.
Longtime participants in the holiday event included four of the 206 Restaurant Group restaurants seen above – JB’s Severna Park, Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside and Oliver Brewing Company as well as Adam’s Taphouse and Grille. Entertainment was provided, among others by the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus under the direction of Michael Gellert (seen above.)
I very much enjoyed covering local events and businesses for the Around The Park Again column over the past year while highlighting some of our area’s history. However, 2026 is lining up to be an interesting year and I look forward to sharing the latest news with you.
My best wishes to all of our readers for a very happy New Year.
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.
