AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
Festive celebrations are nothing new at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi. The November 15th celebration marking the martial arts school’s 25th Anniversary was truly special, however, as Shifu Billy Greer and three students were honored for saving the life of heart attack victim Scott Stangle (second from left in the opening photo) when his heart stopped beating.
For Billy and Nancy Greer, the anniversary celebration brought home the fact that 25 years had passed since opening their school in the year 2000. Years during which Jing Ying’s commitment to community service resulted in the organizing of numerous fundraisers supporting local charities, schools, and businesses, ultimately raising over $170,000 through efforts like their annual silent auction and in-kind donations.
Their day-long Open House began at 10 am with two Kung Fu mini classes and two Tai Chi mini classes. Though the classes ended by noon, the energy level was high among some of the younger students who participated in them. Several were still practicing their forms in front of a mirrored wall even as the majority of attendees were socializing and enjoying the buffet with its wide variety of foods from Asian inspired dishes to pizza. Many of the dishes were prepared and donated by Jing Ying families.
At one point, we bumped into Melissa Whittke, a welcoming presence at every Jing Ying celebration. A longtime student, Whittke has become expert at Tai Chi and Kung Fu and is a fitness expert in her own right. Asked what her part in the celebration would be, she humorously replied that she’d be appearing as the rear end of the Lion in the Lion Dance and could be recognized by her feet.
Nancy Greer, meanwhile, circulated through the crowd handing out anniversary gift bags containing sweets, auction tickets, coupons for free classes and packets of Jing Ying Institute’s anniversary tea blend of Chinese and Indian black teas with warming spices to support wellness.
At 1 pm, the youngest Jing Ying students became very excited indeed as the sounding of drums signaled that the traditional Chinese Lion Dance was about to start. Having speculated that the Lion looked more like a dragon, the youngsters had been told that was because the ancient Chinese who created the scary creature had never seen a lion and had no idea what one looked like. So, they modeled it after a dragon.
Demonstrations by Jing Ying students eager to show off their skills came next. Attendees were first able to observe an amazing mirror image Tai Chi demonstration performed by Jing Ying instructor Chris Lee and practitioner Dorothy Lee. (Their last name is the same though they are not related.)
With all the students coming forward behind Greer to be acknowledged, the demonstrations continued with the younger students as well as some adult students performing a Beginners Form known as Primary Fist. A second grouping of more experienced students next executed a Tai Chi 18 Form.
Student Chris Selley performed a Broad Sword demo followed by Billy Greer’s Tai Chi Straight Sword demonstration. Lastly, groups of highly skilled students came together to show off an advanced Tai Chi form followed by a dance form known as Twelve Kicks.
An official ribbon cutting was scheduled for 1 pm with Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League and Pasadena Business Association Interim Director Heather Frees officiating. League, in her usual gregarious manner, cited the Greers’ obvious devotion to each other and enquired how the couple met.
In the anniversary celebration’s most charming interlude, Nancy explained that she and Billy attended colleges in Virginia that were just six miles apart. He was a pre-med biology major at the time.
“When we met, I’d been dating another guy, but we’d broken up. Unfortunately, the other guy lied to Billy that we were going steady,” Nancy said.
“I’d entered a dance contest with the guy in another town and determined that I should see it through. We took my car and the evening turned out to be one of the world’s worst experiences in every way. We ended up going back to Billy’s place.”
The rest is history and the two got together. When Billy proposed to Nancy, he told her she was the first person he’d ever met that he couldn’t spend the rest of his life without.
While still at school, Greer was working at a laboratory and proved so good at the job he was offered his own laboratory in Maryland. He and Nancy married and moved here in 1982. Life was great. Billy happened to mention his fascination with martial arts to his new wife, however.
As teenagers, he and his brothers loved to watch all the Bruce Lee films and other martial arts programs on TV. He couldn’t stop talking about it. So, one year, as an anniversary gift, she signed him up for karate classes at a local martial arts school.
He enjoyed the training but the school didn’t feel quite right. After the trial was over, he tried another school which taught Kung Fu. Right away, the second school clicked so he and Nancy both signed up for lessons in the same form of Kung Fu they teach today.
Sadly, the school closed. But fate moves in mysterious ways. There were no similar facilities in the area. So, wanting to keep the training going, Billy formed a club for students of the former school. Able to use facilities at a local high school, they held lessons once a week and had guest teachers. When new schools opened in the area, the club dissolved.
Greer continued training with good teachers. In 2000, following the closing of another school in Annapolis, the Jing Ying Institute opened at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Arnold, teaching Kung Fu and Tai Chi to students from ages four to 94. The school was a parttime endeavor at first, but they soon made it their full-time business and it has steadily grown in the years since.
Following comments on how the field of martial arts has changed in the years since they opened Jing Ying Institute, Greer sprang a surprise by recognizing Alexander Wolf, one of two original students who have trained with Jing Ying for the entire 25 years.
Looking across the audience, we could see that there were several officials waiting to present citations to the Greers and Jing Ying Institute.
Moments later, Maryland State Delegate Heather Bagnall presented the first citation citing the Greers’ love for the community and expressing gratitude for the amount of Jing Ying Institute’s philanthropy to local charities, schools and businesses. Citations from, among others, County Council representative Amanda Fiedler, Jill Porter from the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, Liz League from the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber and Heather Frees, the Interim Director of the Pasadena Business Association.
As can be seen from the opening photo, Amanda Fiedler came back to provide special citations from the County Council to Chris Selley, Alex Selley, and Billy Greer for saving the life of heart attack victim Scott Stengle who is seen second from left. (Arden Wyrick who also helped but could not be present was also recognized.) When Scott collapsed, Greer led the team that quickly began administering CPR. In less than 30 seconds they had an AED hooked up to Scott and restarted his stopped heart. EMT’s on site credited this fast action and use of the AED with saving Scott’s life.
Greer notes that it is lucky they had the AED as the CPR and rescue breathing they administered would likely not have saved him.
Scott Stengle was in good spirits as he spoke to the audience. He’s been cleared as in very good health, but as a precaution will receive an implantable defibrillator.
Nancy Greer informed us that, in the aftermath of Stengle’s dramatic rescue, one of the Jing Ying students fashioned a “patient” on which CPR can be practiced and will be offering students instruction in the administering of CPR.
In addition to raising over $170,000 for local charities, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi has done many good things for their students and for the community over the past 25 years. The 25th Anniversary celebration was a momentous occasion. All good things must come to an end, however, but not before having a piece of 25th Birthday cake.
Here’s wishing Jing Ying Institute many more wonderful years.
Mark your calendars for upcoming holiday events
The dizzying whirl of holiday events has already begun. There are plenty more to come though. We list a few of them here.
Severna Park Elks Small Business Saturday, takes place November 29 from 9 am to 3 pm at 160 Truckhouse Road.
Park Books Holiday Vendor Fair happens Sunday, November 30 from 10 am to 1 pm.
Community Tree Lighting in front of The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber at 1 Holly Avenue on Friday, December 5 from 5 to 6:30 with lots of entertainment
Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber Taste & Sip Extravaganza happens on Tuesday evening December 9th at 5 pm at Chartwell Golf & Country Club.
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Center happens Friday, December 12 at 8:30 pm
The 8th Annual Christmas Market at Severna Park Farmers Market from 11 am to 3 pm
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.
