AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
The afternoon sun filtering through the trees on the grounds surrounding Historic Baldwin Hall provided a lovely setting for the Severn Cross Roads Foundation’s Craft Fair and Flea Market. Held between 11 and 4 pm on Sunday, October 3, the event was the foundation’s first fundraiser since the beginning of the COVID pandemic – a benefit for Baldwin Hall.
The combination of sunny skies, mild temperatures and the determination to get out and do something interesting drew people to the Millersville landmark from all over the county. Held both inside the historic hall and along a winding path circling the the building, the craft fair and flea market was a fun experience on many levels.
Groups of friends already familiar with Baldwin Hall like Nina Parks, her son Logan, Judy Dewese, and Diane Taylor loved coming together at one of their favorite places to browse indoor and outdoor tables and booths for colorful crafts or flea market finds .
“We all live near BWI but we’re longtime fans of Baldwin Hall. Its a beautiful day so we decided to drive down,” Nina Park said. “It’s definitely great attending a live event.”
The group looked to be heading toward the Greek on the Street food truck when they spied a customer coming down the steps of the hall carrying what might have been an antique clock and changed course.
Other shoppers began their explorations at the start point of a circular pathway where they found Crownsville crafter Coleen “Tateen” Kane’s table. Known as Tateen’s Trinkets and things, her business is noted for its handmade jewelry including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and bejeweled ornaments.
“I’ve been a local craftswoman making gifts and jewelry for over 10 years now,” Kane said.
Customer Martha Preston, who has served on the board of Baldwin Hall, stopped by her table. A longtime fan of Kane’s work, she was delighted to see her friend’s newest designs.
Moving on, one couldn’t possibly miss The Big Purple Barn booth since it was bright “purple”. For people who love horses and assorted farm critters, visiting the Big Purple Barn booth was a must.
The booth was manned by Amy Myer, Amber Austin and Austin’s daughter Amelia. Both Myer and Austin are volunteers for the Bowie-based non-profit farm. All of the handmade crafts being sold were created by Austin while nature inspired tumblers were by Myer. Profits from all sales were donated to the barn – a horse, pony and farm animal sanctuary that provides care to many special needs animals.
Myer handed out flyers about the organization.
“Like all non-profits, we were hard hit by the COVID pandemic so any sales or donations are appreciated,” she said. “Among other things, The Big Purple Barn uses its animals as outreach ambassadors to the community offering access to farm critters, an introduction to urban agriculture and environmental education. To further its access, The Big Purple Barn is hosting a Halloween Open House this Sunday, October 10th with trick or treating around the barnyard, a costume contest with prizes, arts and crafts for sale and a food truck. For information, directions and details, visit Home – The Big Purple Barn Horse Sanctuary Bowie, MD (thebigpurplebarnbowie.org) .
Exhibitors at the Fair were quite varied. One crafter, in particular, was making her debut. So new a business its owner didn’t yet have business cards or a website, it was Julie Golihew’s Cottage & Lace Crafts.
For a first-time effort, the Davidsonville resident’s autumn themed decorations and dried flower arrangements drew well.
In addition to being a great shopping opportunity for craft fair and flea market devotees, some attendees were visiting Historic Baldwin Hall for the first time and there was a lot to discover.
The Charles W. Baldwin Hall was built in 1861 as the Cross Roads Methodist Episcopal Church at the southwest corner of the Severn Cross Roads (where the Stone Church, or present Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, was erected in 1895-96). The builder of the 1861 church was William Jones, a member of the congregation.
The simple, elegant building was moved twice – first from its original site across Indian Landing Road in 1895 so the Stone Church could be built on property donated by the Morgan family and, again, on June 2, 1981, when trucked across Old General’s Highway to its present location.
It was not at all surprising to see visitors taking a leisurely stroll around the building to admire its charming architecture. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in March, 1983, Baldwin Hall was described as a significant example of 19th century country church architecture. The molded battens, tiny arches, louvered vent, shutters, and tall arched side windows with clear glass on a rectangular block were characterized as creative and well executed embellishments of an earlier form.
Walking a bit further, visitors were able to see the 1840s School House reconstructed by the Severn Crossroads Foundation near its original location. The schoolhouse later served, from 1936 to 1970, as the community library.
Needless to say, many children were at the craft fair. It was fun observing them try to decide what to spend their money on.
Friends and Baldwin Hall neighbors Ainsley Bachmann and Rachel Schwartz fancied some books and trinkets from the Baldwin UMC Parish Hall flea market tables manned by Laurie and Kim Parks. But, then again, the Greek on the Street Food Truck beckoned.
According to Greek on the Street’s Brian and Effie, who were taking a breather after a busy afternoon serving pita wraps and burrito bowls, they’d worked hard..
“We did really good today,” said Brian.
The Greek in the Street food truck was a popular addition to this year’s flea market and craft fair. 
Food truck operators Brian and Effie were busy all afternoon.
Late in the afternoon, Historic Baldwin Hall building manager Annie Medford commented that adding a food truck and an ice cream truck to the fundraiser was “such a good idea”. She further noted that the day was turning out to be a great success. All the vendors (of which there were 16 inside and 17 outside) were happy.
There was still more to see, however. Self-described as the “Crazy Face Mask Lady,” Amy Burford was set up beneath a shady tree. Burford’s business, Mama Amy’s Creations, was marketing face masks and T-Shirts, many of which had a fall theme.
Next to Amy Burford’s booth was the GIbson Woodworking booth manned by Sharon Burford and Matt Gibson – first-time exhibitors at a Baldwin Hall event. Gibson’s finely crafted hope chests, tool chests, treasure boxes and patriotic wooden flags created a lot of interest.
Spotted on the steps of Baldwin Hall toward the event’s 4 pm closing time, volunteers Carol Ann Trembley Gass, Patti Platt and Sally Burton said they were exhausted. According to Gass and Burton, who are Severn Cross Roads Foundation board members, if there is one thing they’d change in planning a similar event for next year, it would be to end at 3 pm instead of 4 pm.
“While people still arrived after 3:00, there weren’t enough to sustain and extra hour Gass said. “We’re exhausted. It’s taken us two hours to pack up inside, where many flea market tables were located, as well as outside.”
She was pleased, however, that sales were good through most of the day. All three women are involved with Baldwin Hall in multiple ways as they are also members of the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus which holds its weekly rehearsals and occasional performances there.
Platt is the team coordinator for Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and Burton is its musical director. Both were excited to announce that the chorus will be performing once again at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce Taste & Sip event at Chartwell Golf and Country Club in November.
“We’re really looking forward to it as all of our 2020 performances were cancelled due to the pandemic,” Burton said. “We’ll be singing by the entrance of the Chartwell ballroom as the guests arrive. It will be festively decorated so we will love doing it.”
Return of Hospice of the Chesapeake Golf Tournament raises $200K
After being postponed last year due to the COVID pandemic, the Hospice of the Chesapeake’s September 30th Golf Tournament at Queenstown Harbor Golf Course roared back with phenomenal success.
The team from Permits Plus, Inc., was ready to roll. Photo by Elyzabeth Marcussen
Though a challenge, the 2021 Golf Tournament was the Hospice’s most successful ever netting $35,000 over the amount raised in 2019 for a total of more that $200,000.
The annual golf tournament is a top fundraiser for the non-profit providing financial support across Anne Arundel, Charles and Prince George’s counties for the programs and services it provides for those living with advanced illness.
Seen here with Jerray Slocum of Severn Bank, Hospice of the Chesapeake President and CEO Mike Brady noted that the success of the tournament was made possible by the generous support of a dozen sponsors like Severn Bank and Permits Plus, Inc. For more details and information check out Hospice of the Chesapeake’s informative website at Homepage | Hospice of the Chesapeake (hospicechesapeake.org) .
