Category: AROUND THE PARK AGAIN

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

According to an article in USA Today, the Justice Department will commit extra resources to assist law enforcement in Washington after the district saw a 40% increase in violent crime and a 35% increase in homicides in 2023. The DOJ said the new resources will also target carjacking, which increased 82% in Washington in 2023.

Baltimore City’s homicide numbers are down compared to 2023 according to Fox 45 News, however, there’s been an alarming rise in car thefts and carjackings. A total of 10,600 cars were stolen or carjacked in Baltimore during 2023 and, many times, a weapon was involved. In both instances, crime has spread to the suburbs.

Is it any wonder that Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi’s Self-Defense Workshop for Women and Teens on Sunday was a popular place to be? Taught by recognized martial arts expert Billy Greer, the workshop was designed to raise women’s awareness of possible danger, give them the tools to avoid it and provide them means of escape if they are attacked.

Arriving at the workshop at 2 pm, attendees checked in with Jing Ying Institute owner Nancy Greer at a Welcome Table laden with symbols of the Chinese Lunar New Year and treats for them to sample.

Greer explained to them that the Welcome Table has been present at each of Jing Ying’s Chinese Lunar New Year events and special classes over a two-week period beginning February 8th.

“Our welcome table features traditional items like tangerines and chrysanthemums, coins, and various treats that change from day to day,” she said. “This afternoon, we have individually wrapped candies, flavored pumpkin seeds and other snacks.”

Within a few moments, the attendees were seated as Billy Greer addressed them during the first part of the Self-Defense Workshop.

Greer began by stressing the importance of maintaining awareness of what is going on around one at all times.

“We’re actually here today to talk about what we refer to as the principles of self-protection rather than self-defense,” Greer said. “The first part of that is ‘avoidance’. Avoidance of danger should be your first priority.”

Women should avoid venturing out alone to places that are poorly lit or isolated, Greer said. That might include parking lots near one’s place of employment. It’s best to be escorted or accompanied by friends or co-workers but that’s not always possible.

“If you’re alone, you first need to be on the lookout for predators,” he warned. “A predator is looking for prey – especially near workplaces on payday. Criminals don’t target confident looking individuals but, instead, watch for a person who is distracted, looking down at a phone or wearing earphones while listening to music. He might check for signs they are carrying a weapon. If they’re not, that person could be the perfect prey. So, your attitude is all important. You need to look up and around at your surroundings and project an air of self-confidence.”

Among other helpful strategies, Greer advises to check out your surroundings ahead of time through maps or GPS. If you sense one or more people following you, pay attention to your instincts. Turn around and walk in the opposite direction, crossing the street or ducking into the safety of a business or store if possible. Be warned that a predator may try to get near you by appearing to ask for the time or ask for help. Don’t be afraid to be rude and tell them to back off before they can get close enough for an attack. (Criminals don’t like to make a spectacle of themselves.)

He suggests leaving your large, attention-attracting handbag behind and carrying a small discreet purse with a strap worn across your chest that can be worn under a jacket. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash.

“In the event a criminal is able to confront you and asks for money, a watch, jewelry or other valuables, give it to them because that is what they want,” Greer said. “It’s better to lose your belongings than your life. In giving cash or valuables to an attacker, throw it behind them so they must look around or pick it up, giving you time to escape.”

Another strategy, among many good ones, was to never yell “Help!” if attacked. That will confuse people around you. Instead, yell “Call 911, call the police. I’m being robbed.”

The workshop next switched to self-defense strategies focusing on skills designed to get a woman away if a perpetrator grabs her. Greer asked attendees chose a partner and form two lines with the partners facing each other.

He next had them to turn to face the mirror before them and watch as he demonstrated the first technique designed for a quick escape from a predator that lays his hands on the victim.

The partners would take turns playing attacker and victim. The victim would counter the attacker’s wrist grab by pulling in her own thumb, then pushing the attacker’s hand as she quickly turns breaking her predator’s grasp while spinning away.

Putting pressure on the attacker’s wrist while spinning takes some effort on the part of the victim but will allow her to break the hold, ending up back-to-back with the attacker and able to run away.

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Another technique, seen in the opening photo, requires that the victim use her body strength to pull her elbow in close to her body and pull up her arm sharply, then spin away as in the previous move. A slightly more complicated move, as demonstrated below by Greer and “victim” Liz Scherzinger is meant to break an attacker’s attempt to choke a victim and involves raising an arm toward one’s ear and bringing it down across both of the attacker’s arms turning while doing so. There were several other tactics that, with a little practice, all the attendees were able to execute.

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However, if unable to get away, the another option available to the victim is to “fight dirty”. For two particular fighting dirty strategies, dummies Big Bob and Little Bob were recruited. Moved into place by Melissa Wittke and Chris Leigh, they prepared for a pummeling. Greer first demonstrated the cup-your-hand and hit the attacker’s ear with all your might strategy which he believes will stop a perpetrator in their tracks. The second move he demonstrated was bringing the heel of your hand up into the attacker’s nose which stuns, smarts and generally involves watery eyes and a bloody nose.

The workshop participants formed two lines and took turns slapping the two Bobs’ ears and driving the heels of their hands into their noses. They all found that. while the Bobs were immune to their beatings, both techniques hurt their own hands.

The final “fighting dirty” move involved sticking one’s fingers in a perpetrator’s eyes but this strategy was not tested.

Greer ended the workshop by emphasizing that the techniques demonstrated and subsequently copied by the participants were meant as a means of escape only – not as techniques for fighting. He also stressed the need to practice the techniques until they become second nature. It is not unusual for someone who’s taken the class to come back for a refresher.

Afterward, we had a chance to speak with a few participants.

Grace Finnegan and Liz Scherzinger, who were having so much fun practicing the moves, are neighbors and wine buddies who learned about the Self-Defense Workshop from a friend.

“Grace’s employee and my hairdresser Brooke attends Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi and she told us about the workshop and we thought we’d check it out, “Scherzinger said.

Finnegan decided they both be practicing the techniques on their pal Brooke or possibly on Scherzinger’s boyfriend.

Emma Alli, who came by herself but found a great partner in Lane Robinson, said her fiancée studies martial arts at Jing Ying Institute and recommended that she take the class. She would likely be practicing with him.

Like all of the attendees, Alli was pleased that the Self-Defense Workshop was benefitting The Bernie House, an organization that provides long-term transitional housing to a family made homeless by domestic violence.

Before leaving, we were reminded by Nancy Greer that the culmination of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration will take place from 2:30 to 4 pm this Saturday, February 24th with a free Open House at Jing Ying Institute complete with a performance of the Chinese Lion Dance at 3:30 and Kung Fu and tai chi demonstrations. There will be “Year of the Dragon” crafts, foods and traditions of the Chinese New Year, giveaways and prizes and more.  For information, see Chinese New Year (jingying.org)

The 4th Annual Bernie House Mardi Gras Ball takes place this Saturday

This year’s Bernie House Mardi Gras Ball fundraiser is being held this Saturday, February 24th at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel. There will be a full open bar, Cajun style food, face painting, tarot card readings and music that will get you on the dance floor.

The Bernie House provides safe shelter and support to families who become homeless due to domestic violence.

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

With rehearsal for Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church’s upcoming musical “The Secret Garden” underway Sunday afternoon, there was continual motion in the sanctuary. Directed by David Merrill, the singers, dancers and actors transitioned from scene to scene fairly smoothly. However, scenes involving choreography generally required additional run-throughs.

Merrill, who is Woods Church’s Music and Art Director, chose “The Secret Garden” as this year’s musical production. His wife Elysia, the show’s choreographer and assistant director, filled us in on why the show was chosen and spoke about the complicated business of producing the musical in the open setting of the sanctuary. There is no “backstage” to speak of. Just a narrow vestry with stairs leading up to a small balcony.

“Having staged ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ last year, we were trying to think of what show would be appropriate for this space,” Elysia said. “We’d basically come to the end of our biblically-based productions and were out of ideas when David remembered “The Secret Garden”, a favorite musical of his family. We listened to the score and realized the show was perfect for this space. The music is classic in nature and the themes are very familial – about togetherness and longing and finding your place in the world after tragedy.”

“The Secret Garden” musical is based on a 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It premiered on Broadway in 1991 with script and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon.

Woods Church’s production of the beloved show will be presented over two weekends – from March 8-10 and March 15-17 – and has a cast of 55 with an additional 23 people working behind the scenes.

The main character, Mary Lennox, an orphan whose parents died while the family lived in India, will be played by 11-year-old Grace Gavin. David Merrill is making a rare appearance as an actor in the role of Mary’s reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven. Mary’s friend Dickon will be played by Mathew Walter. Scenes between Mary and the mystical Dickon, who has a healing nature and a green thumb, recur throughout the musical.

Archibald’s son Colin, believed to be crippled, is being played by a young girl, Tabitha Popernak. Woods Church was able to borrow the vintage wheelchair used in the production from The Children’s Theater of Annapolis.

There is more choreography in this production than one might normally see. Musical interludes and dances have been designed to create the illusion of “spirits” and to keep the show moving along since there are no blackouts.

Restless, the spirits appear as a storm begins causing the characters to abandon the garden and seek shelter.

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Casting for “The Secret Garden” was not limited to congregation members but open to actors from the across the community. Because of the vast amount of talent the production attracted; the number of cast members was expanded.

In order to represent animals in the show (as in the original novel) puppetry was added to the dance segments. Puppet-master Trishelle Weed came to Woods Church and hand-built puppets representing a crow, a fox, a butterfly, a robin and others used during the musical sequences to keep up the fantasy. Further magic is created through innovative lighting.

Fortunately, the dance and storm sequences and Secret Garden scenes chosen for Sunday’s rehearsal ran smoothly and were completed in timely fashion. But then the focus shifted to the necessity of changing the set between scenes.

The group of actors-turned-stagehands assigned to this task had no backstage in which to store their props. Thus arose the need for them to appear in costume in the role of house attendants including maids, butlers or the healthcare team while manhandling props from the back of the sanctuary and up the aisles to the altar area.

At the first trill of the lively soundtrack, seven members of the team began shifting the scene away from the secret garden by emptying the stage and bringing panels and props forward to represent a bedroom.

A small audience of parents and helpers watching the rehearsal were surprised and delighted to spot retired Severna Park High School Drama Department head/Rock ‘N Roll Revival director Angela Germanos among the actors staying in character as healthcare workers while making Colin’s bed. It’s great to find Germanos still involved in local theatrical productions.

At long last, the lights dimmed and young Colin, (i.e. Tabitha Popernack) arrived on the scene in his wheelchair with an attendant played by Tabitha’s mother Angela. (Tabitha and Angela have been practicing at home every night the realistic transfer of the ailing Colin from wheelchair to bed.)

The set changeovers were rehearsed again in their entirety to the same music and were achieved more confidently.

While set change practice continued, impromptu costume fittings were going on at the back of the sanctuary. With 55 cast members to dress, fittings have been taking place whenever the cast members get together.

The set change completed, David Merrill appeared at Colin’s bedside and performed a moving solo as his son slept, bidding him an emotional goodbye before leaving for Paris. His performance drew tremendous applause from those watching.

Filled with song and dance, “The Secret Garden” will be performed from 7:30 to 9:30 pm on March 8, 9 and 10 and again on March 15, 16, and 17. Tickets are $15 and may be ordered online at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org). Just scroll down to The Secret Garden.

Jing Ying Institute’s Self-Defense Workshop for Teen Girls & women this Sunday

A reminder that Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi is offering an excellent Self-Defense Workshop for Women and Teen Girls this Sunday, February 18 from 2 to 4 pm.

During the Chinese Lunar New Year, the institute is offering the self-defense workshop at a reduced price as a service to the local community. Owner Nancy Greer tells us 100% of the proceeds will go to The Bernie House, an organization that provides long-term transitional housing to a family made homeless by domestic violence.

The cost is $25 and you may register for the workshop by visiting Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org).

Applications for AAUW Scholarships now available

We just received news from Catherine Crowley of the American Association of University Women of Anne Arundel County that applications for the organization’s Women to Women scholarships are now available.  The AAUW is always trying to find ways to reach women in the county who might not be currently in school but are ready to go back to improve their skills and education.  These awards are not just for young women just out of high school but also for older women who had to put their education on hold.   The scholarships are funded by proceeds from AAUW’s annual book sale.

The American Association of University Women gives out $10,000 or more each year in scholarship awards to Anne Arundel County women who are pursuing higher education at 2yr/4yr colleges or trade schools.  The purpose of the Women to Women awards is to improve the access for county women to careers through education and training.   Applications are due by March 22nd and interviews will take place in April.  The application can be downloaded at http://annearundelacounty-md.aauw.net/scholarships .

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

For decades, the all-volunteer Magothy River Association has been battling the environmentally harmful effects of development at locations critical to the health of the river. Since 2019, MRA has focused its efforts on two locations – Mt. Misery and Cattail Creek. These ongoing battles are by no means MRA’s first. In fact, according to president Paul Spadaro, they are the very reason for the organization’s existence.

We’d bumped into Spadaro and MRA volunteer Lise Crafton, who’d come from a meeting, at The Big Bean and he revealed how the association was born.

“Right after the Second World War in 1946, the Navy got the idea that they wanted to build a naval air station on Cape St. Claire. For a seaplane base, it seemed like an ideal spot with the Naval Academy nearby…but the residents didn’t want to hear that,” said Spadaro. “So, the residents organized, took on the government and prevailed. That organization became the Magothy River Association.”

He added that, from the outset, MRA has been a traditional all-volunteer organization. During the 30 years he’s been involved, he’s made it a priority to seek out volunteers who are professionals.

“We usually follow the directions in which our volunteers lead us,” he said. “For a while, we had a very strong diving program. It was so impressive that we partnered with and received funding from the World Bank for a joint diving project in Africa. Our initiatives are primarily science-based, requiring a lot of effort on our volunteers’ part. It’s not just fun.”

The Magothy River Association has a long history of opposing and preventing commercial interests that threatened the watershed. The volunteers managed to defeat plans for several major marinas to be constructed along the river – among them, a 200-slip marina that was planned off Dobbins Island and a 300-slip marina off Mago Vista.

MRA also banded together with the Berrywood community, the Anne Arundel County County Watershed Stewards, the Bay Wise Master Gardeners and others to complete the Cattail Creek Stream Restoration & Living Shoreline Project.

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Master Watershed Steward and Berrywood Restoration Project Leader Molly LaChapelle’s dream of restoring Cattail Creek was realized on Earth Day, April 22, 2019, after six years of hard work and persistence. Spread out along the banks of the creek, over 130 volunteers worked side by side to plant 1,000 trees, shrubs and plants – the last step in a three-stage construction effort by Annapolis-based Underwood & Associates beginning with the creation of a regenerative stream channel that required raising the stream bed to increase flood plain connectivity and creating multiple weirs to slow down stream flow and reduce erosion.

Since the restoration’s completion, MRA has taken action to prevent encroachment from developers. They were able to persuade one developer to abandon the Marsh Landing project but now they are fighting a large enclave subdivision that stretches from behind the Brian Boru restaurant to behind Joe’s Seafood. It has been a struggle because political pressure and big money are involved, and the association will likely be going to court.

As for Mt. Misery, a peak which overlooks Round Bay and is designated a Critical Area, they are still fighting a developer, along with others, but currently losing the battle as the developer is suing Anne Arundel County and has begun building on the property. (With dirt and trees being removed for a driveway, MRA is concerned the hill will be destabilized causing mudslides and other environmental damage.)

Mt. Misery is historically significant in that it was the sight of a Union fortification during the Civil War. The fort was later used as a camp for local Boy Scout Troops. In fact, the Magothy River Association has made an excellent Youtube video (one of several award-winning MRA videos) about the history of the Union encampment spearheaded by volunteer Charles Germain.

For the last ten years, Spadaro has made it his personal goal to circumnavigate the Magothy from end to end. The annual sojourn provides him a good barometer, from year to year, of what is changing in the river.

He now knows every inch of it. He checks on the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) growth so important to the health of the river and monitors the water quality. He also looks for places where erosion is occurring or places that have been hardened with rock (known as rip rap) in bulkheads along the shoreline. Meant to replace wooden bulkheads, the rock bulkheads create thermal pollution by absorbing and holding heat. The heat thus created cooks the algae that washes in, causing the river to become murky.

MRA volunteer Lise Crafton, who works with MRA’s SAV and water monitoring programs, explained that some of the aquatic grasses that would normally germinate in areas filled with rock are no longer able to do so because the waters are too hot.

The MRA is part of the MD DNR’s Chesapeake Bay SAV Workgroup. Every summer, MRA volunteers kayak to different parts of the Magothy looking for SAV’s and use a laminated guide to underwater grasses found in Chesapeake Bay tributaries to identify what they’ve found. The DNR provides training for this effort, but the differences in the plants are sometimes subtle, hence the “cheat sheet”.

The Magothy River Association was one of the first watershed organizations to create a water monitoring program and to compile the results for an annual State of the Magothy Report. Crafton’s husband Jim is a member of one of MRA’s water quality monitoring teams. The team measures critical attributes at 9 points on the north shore every 2 weeks from April through October. Additional teams cover other north shore, south shore and mainstem sites. 

The Craftons became MRA members 15 years ago after moving to a Severna Park property that had been in Jim’s family since the 1920’s. Jim recalls skeining soft crabs off the clear waters of the Magothy as a kid and getting a boat propeller stuck in the underwater grasses.

One of the most exciting times of the year for the association’s members is about to happen. Every year MRA monitors the yellow perch spawn which takes place when the water temperature reaches 50 degrees.

In the 1970’s MRA observed that the yellow perch population had decreased. The association was able to use its history of monitoring and its longstanding partnership with Anne Arundel Community College as leverage to begin stocking some yellow perch.

“In the 80’s, we collaborated with AACC on a yellow perch project where we were taking water from the Magothy over to the Eastern Shore where we collected their egg sacks. We then spawned the eggs we collected in that Magothy water in the Magothy River because the yellow perch is one of those salmon type fish that go back to the waters in which they were born. We did this for a number of years and many of the perch you see in the river today are direct descendants of that project.

We’ve been very fortunate that we have on the Western Shore a “yellow perch corridor” now between Catherine Avenue and Lake Waterford. Every year Lise and I are busy documenting the spawn and counting the egg sacks and seeing the thousands that swim up in the stream no wider than the front window of The Big Bean. It’s very exciting.

Lise agreed that the spawn is amazing to witness.

We barely have space to scratch the surface of all that the Magothy River Association is doing. However, they have been building a relatively large oyster reef off Dobbins Island and have started a program, in partnership with McGuire Marine and students from Broadneck High School, to make concrete reef balls for it.

Crafton likes to emphasize MRA’s efforts to attract, educate and engage youth to become involved with the river and the Magothy watershed in general. Each year the MRA provides two scholarships to Environmental Studies students attending Anne Arundel Community College.

She also supplied the link below for information on AACC’s Youth Summit coming up this Saturday, February 10, at the college.

https://www.aayeas.org/

“Since we ‘mature’ environmentally engaged folks won’t be around forever, events like this will help engage and excite the next generation, which is absolutely essential if we are to save the Magothy for future generations,” said Crafton.

You can follow the activities of the Magothy River Association by visiting Home – Magothy River Association or at Facebook.

Jing Ying Institute students celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year

The Chinese New Year of the Dragon begins Saturday, February 10 and, for Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, that day marks the beginning of two weeks’ worth of celebrations ranging from performances of the Chinese Lion Dance to Chinese calligraphy classes, a Self-Defense Workshop, Valentine’s Day Partners Tai Chi classes and a special Tea Tasting. The culmination of the celebration will take place from 2:30 to 4 pm on February 24th with a free Lunar New Year Open House at Jing Ying Institute at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.

If you haven’t attended one of Jing Ying’s Lunar New Year celebrations before, they are very colorful and fun. This particular open house will feature traditional treats as well as the Chinese Lion Dance and Kung Fu and tai chi demonstrations. There will be “Year of the Dragon” crafts, traditions of the Chinese New Year, giveaways and prizes and more. You are welcome to bring friends & family of all ages to enjoy the fun. Registration is not required; but if you register, you will be entered into a contest. To see a full schedule of all the Lunar New Year events, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org).

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Since the pandemic, possibilities for Valentine’s Day have been more limited than usual. But this year, a wider array of gifts and activities to make the heart grow fonder is available.

And it’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Valentine’s Day in Olde Severna Park. From the sign on the sidewalk in front to the pillows on the love seat at Peaceful Petals flower shop, the traditional hearts associated with the holiday can be seen.

Bedecked with red ribbons, a gift basket on the counter contained packages of red and white Valentine Dark Chocolate Nonpareils, Red Striped Yogurt Sandwich Cookies, Red Australian Licorice, Oatmeal and Dark Chocolate Raisin Cookie Mix and Spicy Hot Chocolate Mix.

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BD Provisions’ manager Cornelia Wikar, said the store is selling customers a lot of the Valentine “Conversation Hearts” kids are so fond of followed closely by sales of the red, white and pink Valentine M&M’s. She also noted that there is a whole shelf of gift baskets featuring items chosen to complement teas, wines, cocktails, and pastas along with heart stamped gift bags and Valentine cards from Cute Roots made from paper that contains flower seeds.

“You can plant the card in a flowerpot or your garden and flowers will grow from it,” Wikar said.

At the same time we heard about BD Provisions’ gift baskets, we learned that Park Tavern in Park Plaza was honoring its years-long tradition of creating Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails.

This year, there are five creatively named cocktails including Rose’-based “A Dozen Roses” (shown here), Margarita-based “Dove Love Paloma”, raspberry/rum-based “Swipe Right”, Espresso-based “My Love” and Strawberry Margarita-based “Cupid’s Mule”.

206 Restaurant Group managing partner, Greg Keating said Park Tavern will be having a Valentine’s Day menu starting on February 9th, the Friday prior to Valentine’s Day. The menu is yet to be announced.

An invitation from realtor Theresa Kurtz to a Pajama Party benefit for Chrysalis House held at a la mode intimates on Solomons Island Road in Annapolis inspired us to think of the boutique in connection with Valentine’s Day. Conceived by Kurtz, the 2nd Annual Pajama Party took place in late January and was a great success. The price of admission to the event was a gift of pajamas, socks, camis or other night apparel for women struggling with substance abuse and living at Chrysalis House. A poignant line from the invitation read “These ladies are often overlooked on Valentine’s Day and your gift will brighten someone’s day.”

With complimentary bra fittings by a la mode intimates, refreshments from Kurtz, a Wine Tasting from The Wine Concierge, and a chance to browse through the shop’s beautiful lingerie, the party was a hit.

After the party, realtor Kerry Foley , Kurtz , a la mode staff members, and Leslie Frelow, owner of The Wine Concierge posed for a photo together.

A little bird told us that a la mode intimates had assembled a glorious selection of lingerie perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts.

We stopped by the shop, which is celebrating its 20th year in business, to see for ourselves. Sure enough, the store window was beautifully decorated with strings of hearts and there were chemises, slips, baby dolls, camisoles and more in Valentine’s Day red and sultry black.

We spoke with Rebecca Ulrich-Dodson, one of a la mode intimates’ co-owners along with founder Patti Platt. Dodson clued us in to the fact that it’s not just young gentlemen but gentlemen of all ages who come in to shop for Valentine’s Day gifts.

“What we find is, because we specialize in bras and bra fittings, our clients know what they like and they know what fits and we keep track of it. If they happen to have someone special in their lives, they recommend our shop to that person,” she said. “We can make personalized suggestions for gifts for a client based on what we know – what her sizes are and what her preferences are so we can make sure she gets exactly what she likes and will enjoy wearing.”

Valentine’s Day events are finally happening too. In late January, the City of Annapolis Recreation & Parks Department announced that tickets were available for a Sweetheart Dance in honor of Valentine’s Day for families that will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane in Annapolis. There will be dancing and Valentine treats. Each family will receive a special keepsake photograph. Tickets are $20 per person and attire is semi-formal. Reservations are required. For information visit Annapolis, MD | Official Website or call (410) 263-7958.

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi is hosting two free events. The first, being held at the Institute at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard on February 13th from 7:15 to 8 pm, is a free Valentine’s Day Pushing With Partners “push hands” tai chi class taught by master teacher Billy Greer. Participants will also be treated to some special chocolates.

The second is a free Valentine’s Day Tai Chi Class being held at the Severna Park Community Center on February 14th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The class will also be conducted by instructor Billy Greer and will also feature a gift of delicious chocolates. For more information visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org).

If you have a friend or significant other who is a plant lover, you’ll want to head to the Valentine’s Day Pottery & Plant Sale on Saturday, February 10 from 10 am till 2 pm at Providence Pottery & Arts Studio, 40 Church Road in Arnold. The studio will have a variety of Valentines Gifts, Handmade Pottery and Planters, Houseplants, Succulents, Herbs, Cut Flowers, Hanging Baskets and more. For information, visit Valentines Day Plant & Pottery Sale | Providence of Maryland.

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Whether preferring to use them or not, most folks hadn’t given too much thought to self-service checkout kiosks recently…until the Severna Park branch of Kohl’s closed and removed their spacious checkout counters and replaced them with a sizeable number of self-checkout stations like the one above and a small row of employee-manned checkout counters against one wall off the menswear department. The evening we shopped at Kohl’s, the self-service area was totally empty but there were long lines moving through the employee-manned counters.

A few weeks later, while browsing the Internet, we spotted an article on the design, technology and science website Gizmodo titled “The Self-Checkout Nightmare May Finally Be Ending” by Thomas Germain. It was the first of several articles on the same subject.

The gist of the article was that consensus is growing among analysts and insiders that self-checkout has been a negative for consumers and retailers alike.

“In 2023, Target restricted self-checkout kiosks in some stores to ten items or less. Walmart pulled the machines out of a number of locations altogether,” said Germain.

He added that Dollar General adopted self-checkout tech in 2022 but the project was not successful and CEO Todd Vasos said the retailer plans to increase the number of employees in stores – especially in the checkout area.

Similar items in publications including The Atlantic, The Guardian, Scripps News, cnn.com, yahoo.com, msn.com and tastingtable.com, point to theft as the biggest problem.

According to Germain, shoppers are reportedly 21 times more likely to sneak items past machines than human cashiers but consumers also steal unintentionally because the self-checkout process is so cumbersome.

A Scripps News headline says Walmart, ShopRite, Wegmans, Costco and Five Below are among the retailers that have announced self-checkout policy changes. A January 24th post by Scripps reporter Justin Boggs cites a study published in the Journal of Business Research by researchers from Drexel University and the University of San Diego which indicates that self-checkouts also can damage customer loyalty.

The study concluded that customers needing to scan more items found the checkout experience less rewarding. They experienced negative consequences with larger orders, such as the extra effort to bag purchases.

While admitting there are positives for retailers, TastingTable.com reporter Dave McQuilling believes self-checkouts place an unnecessary burden on shoppers. He described them as “a dystopian innovation that costs jobs, shifts responsibility onto the consumer, and serves as a startling example of how companies are happy to inconvenience people if it serves their bottom line.”

Severna Park resident Lauren Garber sometimes uses self-checkouts but has noted the rise in crime associated with them.

“The costs of these thefts go back to the consumer at the end of the day. The insurance agencies can’t keep up with the theft taking place because nothing is being done to prosecute these people,” Garber said.

Garber is not the only shopper paying attention. We spoke with two other Severna Park residents who are out and about in the community.

Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League keeps a sharp eye on what is happening with area retailers. She has personally experienced the extra work and technical problems endured by shoppers with a large number of items.

“When my husband Jim and I have gone shopping for items for the Chamber’s Friday picnics, we’ve had baskets and baskets of food and found it difficult to put those through self-checkout,” League said.

“You may have to wait in line, but when you check out at the counter with an actual cashier, you don’t have to weigh it yourself, worry about entering the right price or bag it and you are able to pay with cash or a check.

She added that she wonders how the stores are even able to track theft. Aware that some stores invest heavily in self-checkout systems in hopes of saving money by eliminating jobs, she feels that the investment is counterproductive and not good for the economy.

“The health of our communities depends on ample employment opportunities,” she said.

Linda Zahn, who was League’s predecessor as CEO of the Chamber, is now retired but is quite active as a volunteer. She still has many friends and contacts within the Severna Park business community and sees them often.

“There are people who like self-checkout and people who really miss the customer service,” she said. “I feel bad for retailers today who have to compete with online sellers while dealing with all the issues that brick and mortar stores must contend with. Self-checkout is an option for local business owners that works well for some. However, I can sure appreciate the stores’ perspectives as far as theft is concerned.”

Zahn thinks, overall, the only edge brick and mortar retailers have over online sellers is customer service.  So, they have to make the shopping experience a good one. 

“If people want their groceries checked out for them, do it,” she says.

Anne Arundel County plastic bag ban here to stay ?

Most local residents hadn’t really noticed when the Anne Arundel County Council joined Baltimore and Prince George’s County by enacting their Bring Your Own Bag Plastic Reduction Act (Bill 19-23) in 2023. Thus, when the bill prohibiting the retail distribution of plastic bags in the county took effect at area grocery stores on January 1, 2024, many shoppers found themselves confused and perplexed.

Understandably, ecologically concerned citizens were pleased. Though plastic bags can be recycled and remade into a variety of useful products, they do constitute a threat to marine life in our streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

They are exceptionally practical, however, and people are already saving the bags they currently have.

A recent Forbes article titled “New Jersey Bag Ban Followed By Increased Use Of Plastic” by Patrick Gleason caught our attention, however. Gleason highlighted a law banning plastic and paper shopping bags at stores enacted by Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey state legislators in 2020. According to a new study, passage of New Jersey’s anti-plastics law has been followed by a near tripling of plastic consumption at Garden State checkouts.

“Four years on, there is evidence that New Jersey’s bag prohibition not only failed to curb plastic usage, it backfired,” he wrote. “According to a new study released on January 9 by the Freedonia Group, 53 million pounds worth of plastic shopping bags were used in New Jersey prior to implementation of the state’s bag ban, a figure that has risen to 151 million pounds since the prohibition was instituted.”

Gleason added that the study found that the reusable bags New Jersey shoppers have been forced to use since the bag ban took effect (some are made from plastic) are rarely reused, only two to three times on average. With many people using reusable bags as single use bags, the state’s plastic and paper bag prohibition may be doing more harm than good in practice.

We asked for some perspective on the plastic bag ban from Garber, League, and Zahn.

“Most people hate it and don’t care to be told by county government what we can use or not use,” Garber said. “I consider it another form of a tax since you must buy paper bags to carry your groceries. They cost 10 cents per bag at Safeway or 20 cents at Giant and the Severna Park Giant actually ran out of them. Of course, you are also urged to bring your own reusable bags, many of which are made of plastic anyway and tend to get dirty.”

She pointed out that the main problem with plastic bags (which can be recycled) is that people litter. A lack of individual responsibility and moral character are responsible for the situation she opines.

League considers plastic bags very practical for many uses – especially if you are a person without means. She has always recycled them.

“Not a single plastic bag goes to waste at my house. Like many people, I use them to line my garbage can.”

League can understand why people dislike paying for paper bags since food costs are so high that customers don’t want to spend a single penny more.

Zahn reflected that she has heard people complain about the inconvenience of using one’s own bags to shop.  Of course, there are still paper bag options, but most people wish they were free.

“As for the bags, it used to be a choice of paper or plastic.  Why take away plastic but charge for paper?” Zahn asks.  “They should give them to customers when they are requested as in the past.”

As of late December, it was reported that the City of Annapolis is exempt from this countywide initiative though they are considering independent legislation.

Jing Ying Institute’s Self-Defense Workshop for Women and Teen Girls on February 18

The world seems a more dangerous place these days. However, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi is offering an excellent Self-Defense Workshop for Women and Teen Girls on Sunday, February 18 from 2 to 4 pm.

The workshop will start with a discussion on safety to help you avoid trouble. That will be followed with a lesson on escape techniques for situations you may not be able to avoid. Finally, self-defense techniques will be covered for fighting back when you aren’t able to escape easily.

During the Chinese Lunar New Year, Jing Ying Institute is offering the self-defense workshop at a reduced price as a service to the local community. Owner Nancy Greer tells us 100% of the proceeds will go to The Bernie House, an organization that provides long-term transitional housing to a family made homeless by domestic violence.

The cost is $25 and you may register for the workshop by visiting Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park (jingying.org).

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Few obvious traces of Severna Park’s beginnings remain. Successive waves of residential and commercial construction have obscured or overtaken landmarks that were once beacons of our 118-year-old hometown. But there are still traces of Severna Park’s origins. Driving through the community of Linstead, for example, you can still see the farmhouse pictured here (courtesy of historian F. Scott Jay) that was built in 1758. The photograph shows the house as it appeared in 1906.

In addition to Jay, sources for information gleaned over time include the late Nelson Molter, the book “Severna Park Reflections” published by Bay Media, Inc., and the Severna Park Old Timers, Erman O. “Lanny” Dill, the late Kathleen Giddings Hankins and the book “Linstead on the Severn, A History” by the Residents and Friends of Linstead.

A look back before Severna Park was formed

It’s important to remember that Severna Park was but one part of the larger community of “Boone” when formed in 1906. The rustic town, born in the late 1800’s, endured until June 16, 1925 when its address officially became Severna Park.

Boone’s origins date to the 1600’s with a 26,000-acre land grant from King Charles I to George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore. By the 1700’s, the Lords Baltimore had conveyed the acreage in the form of three grants. Norman’s Fancy, Randall’s Purchase and Hopkins’ Addition would form the nucleus of Boone.

The Randall’s Purchase parcel would provide the core. Sold in 1721, it was owned briefly by John Earnshaw and then John Worthington.

In 1725, according to a yellowed account in historian F. Scott Jay’s collection, the parcel was sold to Richard and Hester Linstid (Linstead) and called “Randall’s Range”. The couple had a notorious reputation and perished in 1750, leaving their 10-year-old son, John, and 13-year-old daughter Elizabeth destitute.

John Linstid Sr. served in bondage to a weaver until he was 21, but owned Randall’s Range and paid taxes on it from 1759 to 1771 and again in 1774 before disappearing temporarily from the records. It is theorized he was a Loyalist who fled to England during the Revolution. He is buried in the Boone-Linstead graveyard. This account is substantiated by George Acre, associate editor of the book “Linstead on the Severn, A History”.

Joseph McCubbin purchased the land in 1774, transferring it to a daughter, Dorcas, and her husband, William Hammond, in 1806. It was renamed Cedar Neck. The Hammonds apparently acquired the adjoining grants, but in doing so overextended themselves. In 1817, the 227-acre property was put up for auction and purchased by the John Linstid, Jr., Linstid Sr.’s son, returning the property to the family.

Two years later, Linstid Jr.’s son George inherited it. At his death, in 1856, the working farm was divided into three 91.5 acre lots for his three children, one of which went to Elizabeth Linstid Boone, wife of Thomas Boone.

In Boone farm’s early years, a modest farmhouse served the family. In 1852, School No. 14 (Boone School) opened at the present site of Severna Park Elementary School. Around 1853, the Boone homestead was constructed. The lovely antebellum house serves today as Severn School’s Alumni House.

The homestead overlooked fields of fruits, vegetables and grain. The family is known to have maintained slaves. Neighbors were distant and amenities few. To obtain supplies, attend church, or mediate legal problems, they had to travel to Annapolis via horse-drawn vehicles.

Growth came slowly. An 1860’s map of the county’s Third District shows farmsteads bearing names prominent today – Linstid, Robinson, Tydings, Gray, Stallings, Pumphrey, Stinchcomb, Giddings and Hopkins.

Century’s end brought the area’s first church, Piney Grove Methodist, and the nearby Earleigh Heights Post Office. Necessities could be bought at Boone’s Store built and operated by Tom Boone.

Significant change occurred in 1896, when the Boones sold a strip of land to the Annapolis & Baltimore’s Short Line Railroad. Trains soon brought passengers and goods from Camden Station in Baltimore to Bladen Street in Annapolis. By 1906, Boone Railroad Station had opened and the community’s name was official.

Commerce boomed. Julius Grotsky completed a four-story building that sold groceries, feed and fuel and became Boone’s first post office.

Summer vacationers followed, flooding the trains enroute to holiday destinations on the Severn and Magothy. A hotel resort at Round Bay created a sensation.

Far-sighted developers capitalized on the trend. In June and July of 1906, The Severn Realty Company of Baltimore acquired portions of the former Boone and Linstid properties, subdivided them, and sold the lots for vacation homes. The company’s young lawyer, Oscar Hatton, moved to Boone and founded a “park” at the beach, constructed water and electric facilities, and served as judge and justice of the peace.

Still, there were only about a dozen houses when Roland M. Teel opened Severn School in a rented house on Springdale Avenue in 1914. At age 80, Teel reminisced and noting that the community was then referred to as Boone or The Park and that Benfield Road was just a dirt road.

Though small, Boone was not isolated from world events as demonstrated by a letter to Severn School from concerned father H. G. Peddle, President of J. Frank Shull Company in Philadelphia.

“In anticipation of the new draft law, I suppose Frank could register in Boone just as well as New Jersey”. The letter went on to inquire if tuition would be refunded if Frank was called for duty in World War I.

In the 1920’s, summer cottage residents fished, gorged themselves on local produce and partied hard spreading their cash among Boone’s farms and merchants. Forerunners of the county’s renowned “truck farms” shipped fresh meats, fruits and vegetables to Baltimore and business opportunities abounded.

Erman O. “Lanny” Dill’s grandfather, Edward O. Dill, cruised to Cypress Creek from Baltimore on his boat in 1915 and discovered a 100-year-old farmhouse on 16 acres which he purchased from Thomas A. Brown.

Edward started the family’s plumbing business in 1925.

“Upon hearing where Dill Plumbing began, people assumed Boone was somewhere in the sticks in Western Maryland,” Lanny Dill noted. “It was in the sticks alright, but it was right here in Severna Park”.

Boone never did shed its image as a rustic backwater. Despite new stores, churches and a new rail station, its rural origins remained. A new chapter with a refined name, “Severna Park”, began on June 16, 1925.

We’ll have that chapter for you in an upcoming column, outlining the progress and changes that took Severna Park from small town to established suburb by the year 2000.

Parenting for a Different World to host “Happiness Hour” Friday

Parenting for a Different World is hosting a free event this Friday, January 19th, to encourage teens and adults to practice healthy relaxation and coping skills.  It’s the organization’s alternative to a happy hour. Called “Happiness Hour”, the event will be held at the Yoga Barn from 5:00 – 6:00 PM.  

Valerie Smith, who shared this news with us, describes Parenting for a Different World as a local, grassroots non-profit organization offering free programming and resources for families to help youth thrive.

“We’ll devote one short hour to starting your weekend with blissful stretches, meditative breathing and healthy lifestyle tips,” Smith said. “We’ll have the fun of building vision boards and talk about setting goals and finding ways to achieve those goals while maintaining balance.”

The free “Happiness Hour” event is open to middle-schoolers through adults. The Yoga Barn is located at 44 Earleigh Heights Road. Attendees are invited to bring their mat if they have one and to bring magazine clippings of interest for the vision boards. For information or to register, visit PDWorld.

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

When it’s raining, snowing or just plain cold, there is nothing like a bowl of soup to warm one up. Thanks to Good Neighbors Group’s seventh annual S(o)uper Bowl of Caring food drive, many families in need will be able to put soup – and much more – on their tables.

According to Good Neighbors Group founder and executive director Julie Shay, the 2024 S(o)uper Bowl food drive is well underway with 42 neighborhoods across Anne Arundel County participating and possibly more.

“We’re also adding an additional food pantry this year – bringing the total to six recipients of the foods donated,” Shay said. “The one we’re adding is St. Luke’s Episcopal Church food pantry in Eastport.”

Equally pleased to add a new food pantry, S(o)uper Bowl 24 Coordinator, Kathie Hamlett, reeled off the names of the other five pantries which include SPAN, ACAN, Celestial Manna, My Brother’s Pantry, and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

Well before Shay started GNG’s S(o)uper Bowl food drives, we’d attended one smaller SOUPER BOWL drive by a youth group at a local church and we’d heard of others. So we were curious where the idea for a winter food drive originated.

Research reveals that the Souper Bowl of Caring phenomenon began in 1990 with a simple prayer by seminary intern Brad Smith while leading a small youth group at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC.

“Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat,” Smith prayed.

His prayer inspired the desire to channel the energy and enthusiasm of Super Bowl weekend – a time when people come together for football, food and fun – to raise money for those not so fortunate. Thus, was born the national Souper Bowl of Caring movement.

The concept behind the earliest drive, launched by 22 South Carolina churches, was that individuals and groups could collect dollars in soup pots and canned food for those in need and send every dollar and food donation directly to a local charity of their choice.

Shay loved that idea and launched Good Neighbors Group’s first S(o)uper Bowl food drive in 2018. Though smaller in number of neighborhoods involved, the first drive was quite successful. The annual initiative grew by leaps and bounds. By 2023, GNG had 56 neighborhoods participating with 11 new ones rivaling their best year since starting the drive.

“The amount of food collected was enormous and exceeded previous totals. We collected 18,000 items and helped fill the food pantry shelves of all our recipient charities,” said Shay.

Both Shay and Hamlett are pleased that the food drive seems to bring neighbors and their neighborhoods closer together as the years have gone by. They love that so many children are involved because the kids get so much enjoyment from helping.

According to Hamlett, each neighborhood has a captain who is responsible for collecting all the donated items at their home or, if the neighborhood is a larger one, at other designated drop off places. They also keep a tally of items donated and award points for each item. Once collected, the captains and/or helpers must transport the donations to one of the six charities depending on which one their neighborhood is assigned. The drop-offs happen over a three-day period from February 8th thru 11th, Super Bowl Sunday.

To make the food drive more fun, there is a casual competition among the neighborhoods with prizes awarded for three categories. One prize is awarded for the neighborhood with the largest volume of items donated, another is for the highest percentage of homes donating in a neighborhood, and a third is for the neighborhood for the biggest increase in donations from the previous year.

“We have neighborhoods signing up all the time and we have room for more. So I’d just like to remind everyone that, if they know of any community that would like to join our effort, they can sign up through our website Home – Good Neighbors Group,” said Hamlett.

Good Neighbors Group’s immediate focus for the New Year is threefold. In addition to the all-important S(o)uper Bowl 2024, GNG will hold blood drives every other month with times and dates noted on the website. Thirdly, the organization’s 22nd Annual Earth Day Festival will be held April 27 from 10 am till 2 pm at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company at the corner of Ritchie Highway and Magothy Bridge Road.

 Meantime, keep your eye peeled for ever-on-the-go Julie Shay whether at a GNG Pop-Up Shop at Park Home or BD Provisions, working on one of GNG’s Rogue Gardeners’ projects, or at the Earth Day Celebration. You’ll find whatever she’s doing to be fun and fulfilling.

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Theater In The Park musical “Newsies” onstage at AACC’s Kauffman Theater

We hear from Theater In The Park founder Jennifer Lee Kraus that teen, junior and mixteen productions of the musical “Newsies, Jr.” continue this evening through January 14. For tickets, visit Theater in the Park – Home (onthestage.tickets).

Kraus also described a Musical Theater Dance Class that promises lots of mid-winter fun for kids 9 through 16. The classes will be held each Thursday through March 14th from 6:30 to 8 pm at Boone Station Hall at the Severna Park Community Center.

Students will be familiarized with the structure/routine of a dance class and learn tools that help them become stronger dancers. They’ll dance to songs of different genres from some of their favorite movie musicals like Teen Beach Movie, Newsies, and Mean Girls as well as numbers from Disney movies. For information visit Musical Theater DANCE Workshop – Musical Theater Workshop for Kids (theaterinthepark.net).

A Pajama Party benefitting Chrysalis House….. Talk about midwinter fun!

Ladies, this one’s for you. On Wednesday, January 24th you are invited to join a la mode intimates at 2444 Solomons Island Road to a Pajama Party from 2 to 7 pm. The unique women’s boutique hopes you will join them for an evening of laughter, connection and the joy of giving back. Your presence and contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of women living at Chrysalis House, a safe place for women struggling with substance abuse to get the support needed to recover.

Well known for their fashionable lingerie, a la mode intimates will be offering complimentary bra fittings throughout the event. There will be refreshments by Theresa Kurtz, Realtor, wine tasting by The Wine Concierge. Best of all, the only cost for attending the benefit is your gift of pajamas, socks, camis, or other night apparel. You may RSVP by text to Theresa at 443-254-1042 by January 22.

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Chatting with Walk The Walk Foundation’s director Nicole Dolan on January 2, one could clearly see how delighted she was to show off a handwritten thank you note from a family who’d received a delivery of Christmas presents from the organization.

From Walk The Walk Foundation’s beginnings almost two decades ago, its Gifts for Children initiative at Christmas has been its most important program. In fact, the organization was founded in 2005 by Severna Park residents Dave and Kim Mitchell to honor the memory of a child they lost during the holidays.

It began with Kim wanting to buy a Christmas gift for a child the same age the son they lost would have been. She reached out to an aunt who was a school principal in a small, impoverished West Virginia town. Along with friends eager to help them, the Mitchell’s were able to buy gifts for 60 children. The couple continued helping kids in West Virginia but realized there were needy children in their own backyard and people willing to help. So they expanded their efforts to cover Anne Arundel County and established their non-profit.

By the time Dolan and her husband Jeff took over the leadership of Walk The Walk Foundation in 2022, the Gifts for Children program was able to provide Christmas gifts for the families of 300 children.

Hoping to expand the program, the Dolans set their sights higher for Christmas 2023. Even so, donations for the Gifts for Children program exceeded their wildest expectations.

WTWF donors provided gifts for over 600 Anne Arundel County children.

“We’ve been doing this for many, many years now,” Dolan said. “We partner primarily with the county’s Department of Social Services‘ holiday program which identifies the families in need for us. We then request names, sizes and other information for each child in each of the families and pass that information on to people who volunteer to be donors. The donors buy gifts for the kids and deliver them to us for distribution.”

Dolan further explained that Walk The Walk Foundation partners with non-profit Opportunity Builders, Inc. in Millersville to lease a large warehouse space where donors bring their gifts.

Delivery day for 2023 was December 11th – a very busy day for WTWF volunteers as they accepted the giftsand arranged them in pre-numbered spaces to be picked up for delivery.

The volunteers were very careful in keeping track of the gifts. Depending on how many children were in a family there might be one, two, three or four boxes so they had their work cut out for them. Aided by College Hunks Hauling Junk (Annapolis), many of the gifts were delivered to other organizations (including Annapolis Area Christian School and Bell Grove Elementary School in North County) for families from those areas to pick up.

Getting feedback from the families and children who received the gifts was exceptionally rewarding for Nicole and Jeff Dolan, all the volunteers and the donors.

“One of the things I love about our program is that we incorporate a couple of special things,” Nicole said. “First, we invite the families who come to pick up their gifts to bring a small donation of their own…like a package of baby wipes or baby lotion, for example, so they can feel like they are helping in their own way. In addition, every family receives a Christmas card and an ornament from Walk The Walk Foundation. In the card they’ll find a smaller thank-you card and self-addressed envelope back to us. Families are also provided a number where they can text us a thank-you or a photo that we can share with those who donated their gifts. It’s wonderful to hear back from them.”

The need at Christmas time has always been great across Anne Arundel County but, because the foundation has perfected what they do, they’ve increased their capacity to serve more children. They tend to focus on kids in areas where they can have distribution through partners like Annapolis Area Christian School because they know that needy families struggle with transportation.

It seems that 2023 was a success for Walk The Walk Foundation in every way. While a banner year for its signature Gifts for Children program, its other ongoing programs did well too. Not to be overlooked, a WTWF team participated in last year’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run to raise funds. They also began the holiday season by capturing third place competing against other local non-profits decorating Christmas trees at South Anne Arundel County Rotary Club’s 10th Annual Lights of Kindness celebration at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville.

As 2024 begins, there is good news for the Dolans and the Walk The Walk Foundation supporters. They have been so successful that they’ve outgrown the temporary warehouse space they have been using and are preparing to move into a bigger space.

Otherwise, it’s business as usual. The organization continues to serve as a Diaper Bank year-round supplying 15 organizations with an exact number of diapers to distribute every month. Volunteers come in on a regular schedule to repackage the diapers into packs of 25.

As we head toward warm weather, Nicole and husband Jeff, as the numbers and logistics guy, will be working on plans for WTWF’s annual School Backpack Drive and Backpack Packing events. Last year they raised donations for and filled 1,500 backpacks that were distributed to 30 different schools. They hope to better that number in 2024. As you might guess, volunteers are always welcome. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, you can visit Nonprofit Organization | Walk the Walk Foundation | Annapolis MD (wtwf.org).

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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

After three and a half decades as one of Park Plaza’s most popular and enduring family-owned businesses, Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery has expanded to a second location at 8220 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena. (Formerly, the King James Gallery.) A flag announcing the shop’s Grand Opening was still fluttering in the breeze as we stopped by for a looksee and a chat with Dawn Baumgartner Wilson.

The original shop at Park Plaza is well known for carrying the work of local artists and craftspeople and has long been a major draw for art lovers throughout the area. We admitted to Wilson that we were wondering why the family wanted to open a second location.

On April 4th, Side Street Framers will have been at Park Plaza for 35 years (the shopping center opened 37 years ago). The business was started by Wilson, her mother Barbara Daniels, her twin sister Donna Phillips and her other sister Sandra Monck.

“My sisters and I were just getting out of college when our mother, who’d been in the carpet business, was contacted by a neighbor who was selling a Fastlane franchise. She wondered if we’d like to go into business with her,” Wilson said. “I had a Fine Arts degree and all three of us were involved with arts and crafts so we agreed. The four of us got everything going and were pleased to see both our shop and framing services thrive.”

The business not only thrived but grew year after year which is what eventually prompted the family to consider the acquisition of a second location.

“We were running completely out of space at our Park Plaza store,” said Wilson. “The front end was filled and busy and the back end was filled and busy. We were so limited on space, that we only had room in back for two framers. But we didn’t really want to move.”

Interestingly, the sisters were acquainted with framer Joe Hynson, owner of the King James Gallery, who’d told them for some time that he might want to step back from running the gallery fulltime.

In business, as in life, timing is everything. Just as Hynson was deciding to sell his shop, Side Street Framer’s dry mount press unexpectedly caught on fire. Wilson, who was waiting on a customer when flames shot out from the knobs, turned the machine off and realized it could no longer be used.

Joe Hyson was kind enough to do Side Street Framers’ dry mounts for them so Wilson was running back and forth to the gallery frequently. When she’d stop by, they’d talk and he expressed his desire to slow down, give up the responsibility of running the gallery and just concentrate on framing.

“Since Joe was determined to close King James Gallery, we decided to take over his space which would give us more framing capacity and more room for our gift items. That way, we wouldn’t have to move out of Severna Park but could service the Pasadena, Millersville and Glen Burnie areas easier. Best of all, Joe agreed to stay on with us as a framer two days a week and arranged for one of his staff to take over for an additional two days a week.”

Though small by comparison to the Park Plaza Store, the gift gallery at the new establishment is quite impressive. The work of virtually all of the local and regional artists and crafters shown at the larger original gallery is carried in the new space as well. There is quite a bit of jewelry, decorative glass pieces, oil paintings, watercolors, and locally made soaps and lotions. There are also beautiful hand painted gift cards made locally.

The shop also carries pottery, as well, including some beautiful pieces from the Providence Center…. and there are some remarkable stylized caricatures and teapots with faces and other art from Frederick, Maryland artist Carrie Euler.

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Like the Park Plaza store where well-known framer Stephanie Lavis has been working her magic for many years, framing is also a mainstay of the new location.

Moving into the New Year, both shops have plenty of business to handle. Long involved in the community’s SHOP LOCAL initiatives, Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery looks forward to exposing the products of their artists and craftsmen to new customers by participating in community events. Be sure to look for them at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest in the spring and SHOPTOBERFEST in the autumn as well as the Severna Park Voice sponsored Art In The Park event at Cafe Mezzanotte in October.

New Year’s Eve events few and far between?

To quote the popular song written by Frank Loesser in 1947, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”? Possibilities run the gamut from enjoying a fine dining experience at an area restaurant to counting down to the New Year with fireworks as the clock strikes 12.

Many people we’ve spoken to, however, are opting to spend a cozy evening at home. For those looking for something exciting to do, here are a few suggestions.

Ring in the New Year with the City of Annapolis where there will be two fireworks displays December 31 at Susan Campbell Park – a Family Fireworks display at 7 pm and a Final Fireworks display at midnight.

A New Year’s Eve Annapolis Yacht Party with Watermark Cruises – Ring in the New Year on the water in Annapolis aboard a luxury yacht with a DJ, dinner, dancing, desserts and fireworks. To inquire, visit New Year’s Eve Annapolis Yacht Party – Watermark (watermarkjourney.com) .

The Ultimate 80’s Prom with the New Romance Tribute Band at Rams Head On Stage – Light up the night on the dance floor at Ram’s Head On Stage at 25 West Street in Annapolis. The event begins at 9 pm and tickets may be ordered at AXS. For information, call (410) 268-4545.

Those are just a few local happenings. We’re opting for a cozy evening at home while getting ready for a family dinner New Year’s Day. Meantime, our best wishes for a 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.)

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

Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

We were surprised to learn that, after six years on Jumper’s Hole Road in Severna Park, AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden Center, LLC. would be closing on December 4th. We were even more surprised to learn, a few days later, that one of Severna Park’s most well-established and popular retailers, JOANN Fabrics and Crafts, would be closed as of January 1st.

Thanks to the efforts of owner Corey Stephens and his experienced staff, AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden has already relocated to a similarly sized property in nearby Pasadena and opened for business on December 8. We had an opportunity to tour the new garden center with Stephens last weekend.

Situated 4-1/2 miles from its former location in Severna Park, the business is now situated near the corner of Solley Road and Rt. 177/100 in Pasadena. The barnlike structure, warehouse and surrounding field will suit the garden center well. But there is much to be accomplished before the transition from abandoned building/lot to thriving garden center is complete.

“Our move six years ago from Glen Burnie to Severna Park was quite a challenge because we’d been in Glen Burnie for 90 years,” Stephens said. “We’d accumulated a lot of material over all those years. We’d purposely kept things at Severna Park leaner and cleaner by storing a lot of historical stuff. So, the move to Pasadena was tough but not as tough as the previous one.”

He added that, even though the business was well established, there was quite a delay working everything out with Anne Arundel County. Nevertheless, they were able to hold their Grand Opening on December 11th.

“The reception to our opening here has been incredible. It really exceeded my expectations,” said Stephens. “Our Severna Park location always drew a substantial number of customers from Pasadena and we’re seeing the same folks here. We’ve also seen a lot of our Severna Park clientele come in and walk around as well as some of our former Glen Burnie customers to say nothing of newcomers.”

We started our tour of the interior with the enthusiastic owner amidst some of the merchandise customers seek out – merchandise that ranges from the organic soils and fertilizers on one side of him to Chew-Hooves, Lambs Ear, Pig Ears, Sow Ears, Knuckle Bones and Dog Treats on the other.

After noting the Welcome sign at the back of the family-owned business, we were pleased to spot the familiar brands of plant foods, grass seeds, and poultry, animal, and pet food staples we were used to seeing at the garden center’s previous locations.

We also couldn’t help but notice the old fashioned “General Store” feel of the place.

According to Stephens, there is more room, with the higher ceilings, for his staff to be creative and show off items from AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden’s collection of historic farm tools – implements that made it possible for Anne Arundel County to grow. A collection of photographs from the county’s farms is currently being readied to hang on the walls.

Elsewhere, bundles of dried tobacco leaves and a pair of “tobacco burden baskets” are displayed.

Stephens, who was proud to say he grew up on a tobacco farm, explained their purpose.

“The burden baskets go under the tobacco that is tied into bundles to be stored,” he said. “The burden baskets are what they ship them in. The hook to the right of them is what farmers pulled the baskets with. They’d hook into them and drag them wherever they needed to go. It was very, very tough work.”

Pointing out some other artifacts including an amazing looking toboggan, several plows. wooden barrels, washboards and even a potbellied stove on a ledge above the checkout counter, Stephens noted the reason for showing them off.

“We’re trying to pay homage to my family’s farming history – over 125 years on both sides of the family including my mother’s parents, my father and my brothers and the Pumphries and their heritage as well, He said.

“We have some photos coming for the walls with farm scenes that document some of that history. We also have a collection of photos from all five locations we’ve been in over our 90 plus years in business – from Brooklyn in 1927 to Glen Burnie on Georgia Avenue in 1952 and 8th Avenue in 1977 and Severna Park in 2017 and we’re waiting for Spring to get a good shot of this location.”

Pausing by a mural of mid-20th century farm workers, we learned it was painted by Elsie Cummings. the garden center’s nursery manager at the 8th Avenue property and recently restored. The mural was used as a backdrop when AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden Center participated in the County Fair and Kinder Farm Park Fall Festival.

As always, products carried by AA County Farm, Lawn and Garden Center that you can’t always find everywhere include the aforementioned grass seeds formulated specifically for Anne Arundel County soils, products and equipment for raising farm animals, and birdseed for a wide range of our feathered friends.

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Though Christmas items were featured inside, we journeyed outdoors where the most obvious sign of the holidays could be found behind the privacy fencing.

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Walking a bit further to what will be the plant nursery, we discovered row upon row of flats containing seedlings as well as the bare bones of a grow house and shade house.

According to Stephens, his crew transported some flats from the Jumper’s Hole Road property. Other flats are from shipments of transplants that just arrived. He explained that it’s imperative to get your stock in early. Transplants of leafy greens, onions and other hardy vegetables will grow in place while the weather is cool and be perfectly sized for selling to farmers, growers and gardeners in the spring. He also pointed out that the crew hasn’t finished unpacking from the move yet so there is still a lot of merchandise stacked behind the fencing or in the warehouse.

Stephens said he and his crew can’t wait to see the property come alive with bloom in the spring when the privacy fences are taken down.

He expressed relief and satisfaction at finding the new location which actually came to him through a longtime customer related to the property owner. She was upset to learn that the garden center was closing in Severna Park and in need of a new location. She urged her husband, Bud, the owner of Arundel Seafood and landlord of the then unoccupied adjoining unit, to reach out and offer it to Stephens. He did and “the rest is history”. The new property is ideal and the two businesses should help each other.

Customers will find ample parking at the garden center and a speedier checkout experience. If you haven’t visited the new location yet, you will want to consult a map online to see its exact location. The new store is located at 224 B&C Mountain Road behind Arundel Seafood. It can be a bit tricky to find as the entrance is on Solley Road.

JOANN Fabrics and Crafts about to close

Area residents and businesses were shocked to learn that JOANN Fabrics and Crafts at Park Plaza would be closing for good in January. At the end of November, just in time for Black Friday, signs appeared in the windows offering 30% to 60% discounts off all merchandise.

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It is believed by several longtime tenants that the store has been located at Park Plaza for 30 or more years and may have been one of the anchor stores. It has been a popular destination and major resource for shoppers from Severna Park and the neighboring communities of Pasadena, Millersville, and Arnold and will be sorely missed.

Though we’ve attempted to get in touch with both Park Plaza and JOANN Fabrics and Crafts management, we were not able to reach them by the time we went to press. However, rumors about reasons for the closing abound.

We’d heard that the rent for the property was doubled, then heard that, though doubled, JOANN’s offered to pay it but Park Plaza wouldn’t renew the lease regardless. We’d even heard a rumor that another business wanted to acquire the unit and it was going to be remodeled to accommodate them.

In the end, a series of articles we found online that was written in January of 2023 makes more sense. The articles stated that JOANN’s planned to close eight stores across the United States. Other retailers like Big Lots, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Kohls announced plans to make similar cuts early this year.

According to employees of the Severna Park store, the JOANN Fabric and Crafts Annapolis at 150 Jennifer Road will remain open. Though less convenient, it will carry the same fabrics and crafts supplies JOANN Fabrics is known for.

LATE BREAKING NEWS JUST IN – Baltimore Business Journal reports that Mom’s Organic Market signed a lease for 11,893 square feet at Park Plaza in Severna Park.

The grocery chain expects to open the location in late 2024 or early 2025, according to a release from Baltimore-based Continental Realty Corp., which owns Park Plaza. Mom’s Organic Market has other stores are located in Hampden, White Marsh, Jessup and Timonium.

The space they’ll be taking over is likely the space JOANN Fabrics and Crafts is leaving.

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company Santa Runs end but Santa’s still appearing

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s eagerly anticipated Santa Runs began on December 9th and visited neighborhoods throughout Severna Park for three days. Caught up in the holiday rush, we found that the Santa Runs had ended before we’d had a chance to observe the annual tradition. Thus, we were delighted to see Engine 12 with lights flashing followed by the Earleigh Heights rescue vehicle with Santa Claus aboard last weekend. They found a handy place from which to greet children in front of the Walmart store in Pasadena.

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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.)

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.