AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
An unexpectedly fine fall day, a miniature city of colorful tents on the Park Plaza parking lot, and a host of costumed children carrying bags of candy could mean only one thing. SHOPTBERFEST with a Trick or Treat Twist was happening. The annual event hosted by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce has become one of Anne Arundel County’s largest Shop Local events.
According to Chamber CEO Liz League, the number of SHOPTOBERFEST vendors grew substantially from past years. (We counted more than forty before losing track.) Not only had the number of families attending the event increased but the number of dedicated shoppers had also increased. League, in fact, deemed the turnout “terrific”.
Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services owners Winsome Brown and Danielle Morgan Brown observed that their booth had been busy. They and staff members Mia and Mikayla Alexander spent the day talking with visitors. Having already given out all but one of the attractive bags embellished with their company’s logo, they began to worry if the candy supply would hold out.
Since Lean On Dee was once again a SHOPTOBERFEST Gold Sponsor, Danielle stepped up to be a first-time judge for the Kids’ Costume Contest. She later mentioned to County Council member Amanda Fiedler that she found the experience fun.
Music is always a wonderful part of all of the Chamber’s Shop Local events. For SHOPTOBERFEST, attendees were treated to recorded music from DJ Michael K as well as live music from several groups. We very much enjoyed listening to a tuneful trio from the cast of The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis production of “West Side Story” singing a lovely rendition of “I Feel Pretty”.
CottonWood in the Park owner Julie Antinucci used her “witching ways” to conjure up a display reminding us that the textile arts are alive and well in Severna Park. The store has done so well during its first year of operation that Julie and husband D.J. expanded their space at 548 Benfield Road to include a separate classroom for their popular adult and children’s sewing classes. The couple would be celebrating CottonWood’s one-year anniversary the following day, October 12th.
Meanwhile, drumbeats echoing from the SHOPTOBERFEST performance space alerted us to the fact that it was time for a demonstration by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi. In addition to the ever-popular Lion Dance and martial arts and self-defense demonstrations, the crowd was treated to a masterful Tai Chi sword demonstration by “shifu” Billy Greer. Greer was wearing a Chinese Ming Dynasty HanFu uniform he was given while serving as an official for the US Challenge Tournament.
Once again Gold Sponsors for SHOPTOBERFEST, Billy and Nancy Greer announced that Jing Ying Institute will be hosting an Open House in celebration of the Arnold-based school’s 25th Anniversary on November 15.
Quentin Oliver was a busy greeting SHOPTOBERFEST attendees at the Atlantic Blue Water Service’s tent. Not only was Oliver handing out candy for the children, but he was also offering free water testing to those signing up for it. He was also raffling off an under-kitchen-sink water filtering system.
Mathnasium, located in Park Plaza, always takes part in SHOPTOBERFEST and other Shop Local events so we’ve seen them many times. But this year, we made time to chat with lead instructor Rachel Graves and learned that the tutoring center helps students K-12 make sense of math and make it interesting for them.
“We believe we can change lives through math,” Graves said. “We generally teach 150 to 200 kids a week.
We had great fun visiting the Thrifter Chicks tent where “good witch” Heather McPhee and her sister Maria Carlton were showcasing some of their smart sustainable style clothing and pieces of China including a wonderful vintage turkey platter. We chatted with McPhee while Carlton was picking out a vintage dress for a customer. We discovered they are located with Local By Design at The Gallery at 1818 Margaret Drive in Annapolis.
“We love being part of the Design District off Chinquapin & West Street where the warehouses are for working artists and designers,” McPhee said.
She also introduced us to her daughter Vivian who was just back from winning the children’s costume contest. She then pointed out a whole rack of Halloween costumes in one corner – just a few of those that the Thrifter Chicks had been giving to children for free.
Gotta Have HeART Art Studio owners Christine Martel and Jennifer MacRobbie (seen below) invited SHOPTOBERFEST attendees to come to their Paint a Pumpkin Party.
There were two tables and a wheelbarrow of pumpkins for pumpkin painters to use. We learned from Jennifer MacRobie that the studio, which is located at Park Plaza, offers inspiring art classes and creative programs for all ages.
Lastly, with such an elegant and classy image of Fred Astaire to draw the eye, how could we resist visiting the Fred Astaire Dance Studio tent where instructors Alex and Ashley greeted us. Visitors to the tent were encouraged to sign up for a chance to win a free dance lesson.
With four dozen vendors to check out, we weren’t even able to get to the booths of some of our favorite businesses like Kwon’s Tae Kwando, Fieldstone Animal Inn and Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery. We noted, however, that the flow of shoppers from booth to booth was excellent.
Liz League felt that this year’s event was a huge success and reminded us that the Chamber still has lots of community activities to enjoy – especially as the holidays approach. It’s easiest to follow them at Facebook.
Severna Park Community Center kicks off 30th Anniversary Celebration
Severna Park Community Center invites the public to join them this Friday (October 17) in celebrating 30 years with an Open House from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. There will be giveaways, free activities throughout the day and a Birthday Party on the Patio from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Admiral Cleaners’ Call for Coats
Admiral Cleaners is organizing a coat drive to collect, clean and distribute thousands of coats to those in need throughout October and November with the support of local charities.
Families can donate their seldom used or outgrown coats by dropping them off at any of four Admirals Cleaners locations. For the location nearest you, visit Admiral Cleaners: Professional Dry Cleaning & Laundry or call 410-267-8381.
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.
