Category: AROUND THE PARK AGAIN

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

The blanket of snow and ice left behind by the January 25th storm that made our roads impassable for days and left creeks along the Magothy and Severn Rivers frozen over is still with us. Beautiful to behold, the wintry scene remained pristine throughout the week as frigid temperatures kept most people indoors. We were all grateful not to have lost power but snow removal for highways, roads and streets was a slow process and schools were closed for an entire week.

Those used to daily outdoor exercise, found the going rough on the B&A Trail as the surface was extremely slippery.

By week’s end, many of us were going stir-crazy. Neighborhood streets were somewhat clear but too icy for me to consider driving on. Luckily, family members rescued me from being a hot house flower. Taking to the highways, which were clear with the exception of an occasional ice patch, we ended up in Annapolis at The Bean Rush Cafe, a favorite gathering spot. Most of the tables were taken.

It was wonderful to sit with the sun at my back and a steaming cup of coffee to sip. Such a cozy spot from which to survey the passing scene.

I casually observed that, once New Years Day is over, not much happens during January so I had little local news to share. February looks more promising on the social front, however. My calendar is currently marked with several upcoming events that should be fun.

I also received an important update from Arnold Preservation Council director Elizabeth Rosborg regarding a possible Board of Appeals denial of approval for the plan to build a Chick-fil-A in Arnold. I share her comments with you now.

Update on plan to build a Chick-fil-A in Arnold

In her email dated January 29th, Rosborg shared the latest news about the status of the Arnold community’s appeal to the plan to build a Chick-fil-A off the southbound lanes of Ritchie Highway.

Here’s a link to our September 25th column on the appeal.

Safety the primary concern of Arnold residents’ effort to stop a Chick fil A from being built – sharonleestable.com.

“Tonight, the Board of Appeals deliberated on our case,” Rosborg wrote. “The motion was made to deny the approval of the preliminary plan. Of the 5 board members in attendance, 3 voted to deny the preliminary plan approval and 2 voted to approve. I was so excited, I thought we had it. However, the other two absent members are required to vote. So, we will not know the outcome until the ruling is published in 60 days.”

Either way, she wanted to thank Arnold residents for supporting the appeal whether by donating to the legal fund, testifying in person before the Board of Appeals, posting signs in their yards or talking to their neighbors about the project.

“I, for one, am glad to have appealed,” she said. “To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, I am glad to have been in the area and fought the good fight…to make Arnold the best place to call home.”

Galentine’s Day events will soon be underway

Another reminder that BD Provisions invites you to join them on February 12 from 6 to 8 pm for their Galentine’s Sip & Shop. They’re partnering with other local businesses for a really fun event.

The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Successful Women In Business Galentine’s Party happening on February 12 from 4 to 5:30 pm will be hosted by Dr. Judy Yu of Dental FX at 8667 Ft. Smallwood Road in Pasadena. Meet other dynamic women for networking, libations and snacks and great door prizes. As February is Heart Health Month, Dr. Yu will explain how dental health is good for your heart. Free to members and first-time guests or $15 at the door.

Bohemian Black at 1915 Towne Center in Annapolis will host a Galentine Experience on February 13 at 5:30 pm. Rose Walker fans know she’ll pull off the celebration with style. There will be mini styling sessions, a charm bar and beauty bar, fashions to shop and other fun things.

Severna Park Community Center Health & Wellness Expo this Sunday, February 8

Severna Park Community Center invites you to join them this Sunday, February 8th from 12 pm to 3 pm for a FREE Health & Wellness Expo in the Andy Borland Gymnasium. You’ll be able to check out 33 healthcare related vendors and take advantage of a variety of free screenings and tests as well as free mini chair massages. For more information, visit Health & Wellness Expo | Facebook.

Jing Ying Institute celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi begins its celebration of Lunar New Year 2026, The Year of the Horse, with its Annual Cleaning Celebration from 5:30 to 7 pm on Monday, February 16. The celebration is meant to symbolically clean away any bad luck left over from the previous year and make room for good luck coming in for the new year. 

Lunar New Year classes, activities and festivities will continue through the end of the month culminating on February 28 with a free Open House featuring a traditional Lion Dance performance at 3 pm followed by demonstrations of Tai Chi and Kung Fu forms as well as weapons. Entertainment, crafts, and treats are all free for families to enjoy. There will be several giveaways and contests to add to the fun. For more information or to register for the free Open House, visit Chinese New Year.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Though pretty while it fell, last weekend’s snow turned to sleet and icy rain as an Arctic cold front dropped temperatures close to zero. Even after the storm stopped, the heavy crust of ice atop the snow showed no sign of melting and made digging out and clearing roads an extremely difficult task.

Equally, or more problematic, were below-normal temperatures that meant that, even for those with their thermostats set lower, the heat ran continuously. For many people, the latest bills issued January 13th were double what they were for the same period of time in 2025. People are gritting their teeth when considering what their next bill will be.

Michele Sabean, Director of Development for SPAN, Inc. which provides financial assistance to people whose gas and electric bills are overdue, says people are talking about it.

“We’re not being approached for assistance yet because BGE has not been turning people off,” Sabean said. “The BGE website states that ‘in accordance with a recent order from the Public Service Commission, all residential turn-off notices have been canceled, and customers will not be disconnected for non-payment from December 30, 2025, through February 28, 2026’. This will be an issue for us because bills are still increasing during this time when they are not doing turn off notices and for many the amount owed is increasing during this time. We anticipate we’ll be feeling the effects in the near future.”

Why, we are all wondering, are our gas and electric bills so high? In view of the fact that the price of oil is going down, high home energy costs have even been an important topic of discussion during the current session of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Some important clues could be found in a Fox 45 news article written by Gary Collins on August 15, 2024 titled “Marylanders brace for skyrocketing energy costs in 2025 as fossil fuel power plants close”.

“The region’s power grid operator (PJM Interconnection LLC) and local utility companies informed FOX45 News that Maryland is facing a trifecta of escalating problems contributing to a mounting statewide energy crisis,” Collins noted.

“Energy conglomerates said that rapid power plant closures, increasing energy demands, green energy policy priorities and an outdated power grid are driving up the cost and complexity of keeping the lights on.”

The FOX 45 investigation found that price increases began with Maryland’s deregulation policy dating back to 1999.

Before deregulation, utility companies “obtained, produced and delivered electricity to their customers within their designated service areas” ensuring that customers paid the actual cost of energy production. However, with deregulation, utility companies were required to sell their power plants. Suppliers like Baltimore Gas and Electric Company had to collaborate with electric grid operator PJM and the new power plant owners to whom they sold their infrastructure to deliver power to the same customers. When many of the new owners subsequently shut down their power generation operations, BGE was forced to work with PJM to import energy from surrounding states.

Since 2018, the closure of power plants has led to a decrease of 6,000 megawatts (MW) of generated power in the state. It was expected that Maryland’s energy production would decline even further in June 2025 when the Herbert A. Wagner, Brandon Shores and Vienna power plants were set to close. 

Our own research determined that PJM and a broad coalition of the Maryland Public Service Commission, Maryland customers, and electric utilities, agreed on terms by which owner Talen Energy will operate its Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner power plants until May 31, 2029. Both plants are located in Anne Arundel County near Glen Burnie. As far as we could tell, while scheduled to close this month, the Vienna Generating Station on the Nanticoke River in Dorchester County is still operating.

Lest we forget, the Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center located in Lusby, Maryland is still in operation. Owned and operated by Constellation Energy, it is Maryland’s only nuclear power plant.

A recent article by Rico Ordona for a My Town column posted August 27, 2025 – Why Your BGE Bill Went Up — And What’s Behind The Rate Hikes – The BayNet – noted that BGE raised rates for customers in June in Baltimore City as well as Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Calvert counties. The price hikes effect both electricity and gas.

Ordona points out that BGE’s own press release, published in January of 2025, explained that the average monthly cost for a combined gas and electric customer would increase by $26.06 per month. The company attributed the price increases to causes ranging from increased delivery costs to supply reduction from the retirement of fossil fuel-powered generators and the Maryland General Assembly’s changes to the EmPOWER Maryland program.

The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 created the EmPOWER Maryland program. The Act mandated that the five largest power companies in the state offer incentives to reduce greenhouse emissions and increase energy efficiency including free or discounted energy audits, weatherization, and efficient appliances. To fund these incentives, the companies are allowed to charge their customers a fee on electricity.

According to Ordona, for residents powered by BGE, this fee increased in January from $0.00899 to $0.01028 per kilowatt-hour, or $1.16 per month for the average customer.

BGE asserted that the fee increase stems from the General Assembly changing the program’s goal from reducing electricity use to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a mandated accounting change in how BGE collects and disburses the program’s funds.

The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, a state agency that advocates for residential utility consumers and ensures that utilities are reliable and conform to Maryland’s environmental and climate goals, charges that BGE’s rates have risen above what would be reasonably expected to cover inflation, decreased supply and increased demand.

The Agency points out that there is a large unpaid balance for EmPOWER programs that is costing customers in interest. The General Assembly has reduced the interest rate on this balance and mandated that utilities begin paying down the principal balance to save consumers in the long run OPC maintains, but this does lead to higher costs for customers in the present.

The disagreement between BGE and OPC extends to more recent infrastructure projects such as the Baltimore Peninsula, revival project which began in 2016. Differing views on whether consumer bill increases relate to BGE’s investment in infrastructure to build-out the project bear on the rate increases Severna Park and other locales are seeing.

On December 19, 2025 Governor Wes Moore (whose penchant for Green Energy is well-known) signed an executive order focused on simplifying bureaucratic obstacles to attracting new power providers. In a December 19 press conference, Moore acknowledged that the executive order would not lower energy bills in the short term.

Moore’s order established an energy sub-Cabinet led by Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman and a Maryland Energy Advisory Council made up of legislators, utilities, PJM and consumer advocates.

The utilities and environmental groups claim they are trying to improve the situation in Maryland but for rate-paying Severna Parkers and residents across the state, their words are cold comfort.

Quick Reminder: Save The Dates for Gallentine’s Day events

BD Provisions invites you to join them on February 12 from 6 to 8 pm for their Galentine’s Sip & Shop. They’re partnering with other local businesses for a really fun event.

Bohemian Black at 1915 Towne Center in Annapolis will host a Gallentine Experience on February 13 at 5:30 pm. Rose Walker fans know she’ll pull off the celebration with style. There will be mini styling sessions, a charm bar and beauty bar, fashions to shop and other fun things.

Stay tuned for a few more Gallentine’s Day events in next week’s column.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

“You are a wunderkind, you are an amazing young entrepreneur,” said Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League as she introduced MAD Soaps’ founder and owner Christian Buchleitner to the crowd as a ribbon cutting ceremony got underway. The ceremony was but one part of the January 16th Grand Opening for MAD SOAPS, Inc.’s new headquarters at 2830 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater.

We’d earlier interviewed Buchleitner as well as his Operations Supervisor Gavin Bryant (who is seen with him in the opening photo).

Having first met the young business owner and his then partner Travis Wray at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards on the patio at Garten Restaurant at the end of May in 2023, we were impressed. That was the first time Christian Buchleitner was chosen Young Entrepreneur of the Year. He would be chosen Young Entrepreneur of the Year for a second time in 2025 based on his outstanding level of success.

We kept an eye on Buchleitner and MAD SOAPS as the business grew. We’d actually bump into the MAD SOAPS crew at a number of the chamber events that they sponsored and/or participated in. Among other things, they entered floats in Severna Park’s 4th of July Parade including their patriotic 50th Anniversary float for 2025. Seeing the MAD Soaps gents decked out in powdered wigs and 1776 attire aboard their makeshift Revolutionary War era “ship” garnered cheers from spectators all along the parade route.

While his staff was setting up tables and chairs and making space for the caterer prior to the Grand Opening festivities, we chatted with Buchleitner about how the business began back in 2018 and evolved to the point of opening a great new facility.

“We just moved into our new building at Oak Grove Marina in Edgewater and are still settling in,” he said. “We were right next door at Gingerville Marina for three or four years prior to the move. Before that, we came from a 20 x 20-foot storage unit in Annapolis and, before that, I started the company out of my Acura MDX that I also had to sleep in for several months.”

Getting a business started was no easy matter for someone so young. Christian had graduated high school and completed almost a full year at Anne Arundel Community College when he dropped out.

“I’d been about to go into math class and cheat on a test,” he said. “I thought ‘What am I doing? I’m not really learning anything and I’m about to cheat on this test. Where is this going to get me if I cheat my way through college?”

“I decided, instead, that I was going to do something that might not pay off now, but would pay off later. That’s when I just started cleaning people’s cars at no money. Then my buddy Travis Wray joined me but, before long, he left to join the Navy. I just kept on washing cars, grinding it out. I’d walk to Starbuck’s in downtown Annapolis basically doing car washes and detailing every day for free because I knew I had to build a brand and it wasn’t going to be easy.”

That’s what Christian Buchleitner did for a long time as he established his company, originally calling it Mobile Auto Detailing. He worked on alone, offering $10 mobile car washes, figuring he wouldn’t make money for many more months. But he was certain it was vital to get his brand out there because there was a lot of competition for the detailing of boats and cars in this area.

MAD SOAPS remained a one-man operation until Buchleitner hired his first employee when he was 19 years old. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well and scared him away from hiring anyone else for about two years. Luckily, he began working on a lot of boats and the “auto” part of the name became irrelevant. That’s when a customer suggested shrinking the name to MAD SOAPS.

Finally, when Buchleitner was 21, he hired another employee and it worked out very well. MAD SOAPS grew to 5 employees, then to 10 and 15. Last year, his younger brother Jackson joined the staff.

“We’d had to start with no money, keeping our expenses at zero and just trying to prove ourselves for a long time,” he noted. “Thus, when we considered going to 25 employees this spring, we decided to scale back instead. For now, we’ll stay with 15 employees and optimize our systems thereby increasing revenue per employee versus taking on more.”

Building a name, achieving positive growth and the ability to raise prices for services was difficult but MAD SOAPS achieved those goals. The company has built its brand so well that they now draw clients from Ocean City, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

“Clients actually bring their stuff to us now,” the company’s proud young owner said. “We evolved from doing free jobs, mobile jobs and traveling out to jobs to having people come here to our facility. Now that we’re located at Oak Grove Marina, there are clients that come by water. Though we still do a lot of cars, we mostly cater to boats in the Annapolis area these days.”

As time drew near for the Grand Opening to begin, Christian had to head off to attend to a few details but his friend Gavin Bryant had a few more moments to spend. He said he truly enjoys his job and the fun things that come with it. Bryant started working summers at MAD SOAPS in 2022 while attending college and continued doing so through 2024 when he graduated. He came to work fulltime as Operations Supervisor in 2025 and is primarily responsible for quality on all jobs. His number one priority is making sure service for each and every client is above and beyond expectations. He also does a lot of in-person estimates and diagnostics.

As attendees began to drift in, Christian greeted them personally. Among the first to arrive was BD Provisions’ owner and Severna Park & Arnold Chamber member Debra Saltz who brought a beautiful gift bag for the event’s Silent Auction that featured a handsome insulated coffee mug and a few of her shop’s excellent coffee blends.

Soon to arrive, and warmly greeted by her son, was Christian’s mother Carolyn who broke into a smile as she spied the rapidly growing Grand Opening gathering of friends, clients, business associates, chamber of commerce members and employees.

We met a wide range of attendees, from Severna Park & Arnold Chamber and Southern Anne Arundel County Chamber members to local politicians, employees and folks from the Edgewater community. Early on, we spied Liz League chatting with Maryland House of Delegates member Seth Howard who represents District 30B. The two were comparing notes about the high cost of energy for heating our homes.

A foursome of GSPACC members was at a table behind them that included Jay Wenhold from Green Home Solutions, Dave Compere from Primerica, Tommy Sommers from LogoZone and Laura McElwain Colquhoun from Macaroni Kid Pasadena & Annapolis.

While mingling with the crowd, we also bumped into Jackson Buchleitner and his girlfriend Mary. Jackson was happy to chat with us about his role in the company. He currently acts as general manager overseeing operations, working with the company’s secretary and helping with sales. Asked what he did before coming to MAD SOAPS last year, he kind of charmed us with his reply.

“Before coming to MAD SOAPS, I wanted to come to MAD SOAPS,” he said. “Christian is eight years older than I am and I was in middle school when he graduated high school and started his company. As soon as I graduated from high school, my parents gave me the option of going into the trades, the military or college. I chose the trades though they didn’t really want me to, but I wanted to. I tried out other trades for a little while but then I gravitated to MAD SOAPS. And I’ll tell you, there’s nothing better than working with family.”

With the Grand Opening well underway, GSPACC’s Liz League stepped forward with microphone in hand to conduct one of the most sincere and heartfelt ribbon cutting ceremonies we’ve observed with an assist from Julia Howes who heads the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce.

League began by noting how generous Christian Buchleitner and MAD SOAPS have been to the Severna Park & Arnold Chamber since having joined the organization almost from the beginnings. She noted that MAD SOAPS has sponsored and participated in many Chamber events. They’ve also supported a host of other local charities. (They’ll next be entering a float in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Annapolis in March.)

League then asked Christian to step forward, to great applause, and began her impromptu interview by asking him how he became a young entrepreneur.

“It was not just one thing that did it,” he said. “It was a lot of different things, a lot of sacrifices I made over many years. I was motivated by things around me, by things I’d see on social media, and by following the right people. Don’t listen to everybody about everything but listen to the right people, people you want to become.”

In answer to League’s question, “How did you choose what you’re doing?”, he related much of what he’d told us but emphasized that it was hard, taking many years of breaking even or losing money to be able to advance his company to where it is now.

Responding to a question about services provided, Buchleitner noted that MAD SOAPS offers marine protection film servicing, bottom paint, gelcoat repair, ceramic coating, and mobile and shock services. More lighthearted questions like what’s the largest boat you’ve worked on and what’s the most famous car you’ve worked on elicited equally lighthearted answers – a hundred-footer at the Annapolis Yacht Club and Larry King’s Superbird Plymouth Road Runner.

Asked who he’d like to recognize, he immediately pointed to a nearby gaggle of employees, family and friends, with the simple words “All of them.”

Once again, Southern Anne Arundel Chamber’s Julia Howes stepped forward to announce those who would present citations to MAD Soaps. They included Southern Anne Arundel Chamber board member Darryl Hagner, State Delegate Seth Howard from the Maryland General Assembly, Steve Adams from the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and Olivia Cook from the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber.

At last, the magic moment for the ribbon cutting arrived and most of the people in attendance crowded into a space along the far wall behind Jackson and Christian Buchleitner who wielded an enormous pair of scissors.

We imagined that the ensuing snip must have been very satisfying. The ribbon-cutting gang could soon be spotted in line at the buffet or at a table with plates full of food. Soon enough Buchleitner and MAD SOAPS would get back to business, making boats from the County and further afield sparkling and “ship shape”.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

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AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

For more than a dozen years Carla Flemings has served the Severna Park community as Director of Ministries for Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church . She’s also taught bible classes and handled media relations. It was Flemings who first made us aware of the 138-year-old church on Asbury Drive’s renowned Johnson Male Chorus. She also acquainted us with the dedicated volunteers of the Asbury Church Assistance Network Food Pantry.

These days, however, Flemings is becoming well-known as a first-time author with her book, “Dementia, Hope Awaits”.

It had been a while since we’d last visited her office for an interview, but we found her busy as ever bouncing back and forth between her computer and paperwork on her desk. But she did manage to save time to autograph some copies of her book while speaking with us about what inspired her to write the book.

“Dementia, Hope Awaits” was “born out of necessity,” Flemings explained.

Her mother was diagnosed with the Lewy Body form of dementia (LBD).

“Our family had lots of questions and wanted to know what the expectations were and nobody was giving us any information.”

She added that the book details what she learned about dementia in the hope that other people “do not have to start at ground zero like we did,”. The book outlines what people should expect.

“On the cover, you’ll see the words ‘read this book first’. I did that to let readers know, if they happen to be walking the journey of caring for a person experiencing dementia, that the person is no longer the same,” Flemings said. “Mom or dad may end up cussing, for example, where they have never cussed before because the part of their brain that controls language may have an issue. Different lobes control different things and, if those areas don’t get enough oxygen and the nerve endings aren’t communicating, their function is affected.”

The first chapter of the book explains the brain and the function of each of four lobes and also describes the four types of dementia. The Lewy body type of dementia experienced by Carla Fleming’s mother, for instance, is caused by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. Symptoms can include cognitive fluctuations, delusions, visual hallucinations and movement disorders.

Flemings next addressed the issue of home care versus assisted living options, describing key factors for home care consideration or for seeking an assisted living care facility. She said she was strongly motivated to write a chapter on how to choose the “best” care for the patient.

“I break down the things you must consider if you are going to take care of the patient at home – things you will not know until you are knee-deep in it and literally experiencing on-the-job training,” she said. “The same thing applies to finding a facility to care for a dementia patient.”

“We initially started off taking care of my mother at home and did that until we couldn’t due to safety issues and the fact that my sister and I both worked. One thing it’s very important to realize is that you’d better seek the help needed before it’s too late.”

Flemings added that some people put off making a decision until the patient is so impaired it’s beyond their ability to properly care for them. By that point, if the patient is unable to understand or communicate or is incontinent a care facility may not accept them. It’s important to get your loved one into assisted care as early as possible (they are not going to get better) so they can take advantage of the benefits of living in a place where they can ride out the next few years with a quality of life that includes dietary management, medication, socialization and exercise.

“I can’t stress enough how important exercise is to a patient,” she said. “When patients exercise, the blood is flowing and carrying oxygen to their brain. When our mother exercised, she was really in-the-moment.”

One chapter is dedicated to being present in the dementia patient’s life whether caring for them at home or especially if they are in a care facility. Other chapters deal with financial, legal and end-of-life issues.

The book is also filled with practical tips and illustrations from Fleming’s own experiences on how to best deal with a variety of situations. She strongly advises that if you plan to travel with a dementia patient, “go First Class”. When traveling with her mother, she handed the flight crew one of the Grace Extended cards she had printed up and still gives out saying “The person I am with has some memory challenges. Thank you for your patience, kindness and understanding.”

We chatted with Carla Flemings about what it was like getting her first book published. She noted that, since traditional publishing is hard to find and her time was very limited, she self-published her book through Amazon which turned out to be a much easier process than she expected. She appreciated the fact that Amazon will help push your book if the content is good.

Update on development of Severna Park Golf Center property

Last week, County Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler provided an update on a bill she introduced (Bill 5-26) that, if passed, would “prevent the proposed residential development at the Severna Park Golf Center from achieving the potential 60 home density bonus they are seeking in order to fulfill a county requirement, and instead would allow for the original plan of a smaller number of homes.”

Severna Park and Arnold residents have expressed widespread opposition to the development, citing a host of issues including congestion due to what appears to be unchecked development of the Broadneck Peninsula.

Fiedler explains that the property has been zoned “residential” for many years and recently received “R5 Zoning” – a residential zoning classification that allows for medium to high-density housing, including apartment buildings, two-flats, and townhouses.

Fiedler said she’s “sad” that the proposal is on the table but acknowledges the right of every property owner to develop their property to the degree zoning allows.

Development was originally planned to include 74-75 detached single family homes as allowed by the zoning. Fiedler’s bill would still allow that number of homes to be built.

However, 135 homes are now proposed for the 19-acre (5 homes per acre) property because of a change to county law this summer in response to the Housing Attainability Act (HAA) – an Anne Arundel County bill sponsored by Councilwoman Pickard, Councilwoman Rodvien, Councilwoman Hummer, Councilman Pete Smith and County Executive Pittman.

The bill “creates an inclusionary housing policy requiring developers to make a
percentage of new units affordable to moderate income residents under certain circumstances.”

Consequently, the property developer adjusted the design of the development to “make the proposal work” according to Fiedler.

She further explained that the “anticipated revenue loss” for the developer due to the county’s Act would be offset by “a 50 percent reduced fee to connect the lower cost homes to county utilities and a density bonus of up to 150 percent if a development could achieve 100 percent of underlying zoning capacity (maximum number of units allowed).

Left unsaid is how the reduced fee and the “density bonus” would be paid for. Will county taxpayers be on the hook for payment despite widespread opposition to the development?

Fiedler said that her bill would set “a narrowly tailored moratorium on the requirements of the HAA law, within a 5-mile radius of College Parkway and Rt 2. “

She points out that the HAA bill passed 4-3 the first night it had a hearing, adding that “no amendments would be entertained to adjust it – despite concerns from the public and dissenting members of the council.”

Fiedler said she voted against the HAA bill because of the volume of homes proposed from the density bonus allowance.

“I voted against the HAA bill, not because I am against making home ownership more affordable, but because of the unintended consequences I knew the offsets/incentives could create somewhere in the county,” she stressed. “It is important to balance the need for affordable home ownership and housing with areas that can absorb the impacts of the incentives. I want to see future generations as first time home buyers in our county, but I also want to make sure they and their neighbors can get to and from daily activities as simple as grocery trips, school, doctors appointments etc., without crippling traffic congestion.”

Bill 5-26 will have a public hearing on Monday February 2nd, 7pm in County Council chambers located at 44 Calvert St. Annapolis. Each person testifying will get 2 minutes to speak.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

We were so impressed on by our first visit to Julie and D.J. Antinucci’s CottonWood in the Park after its opening on October 13, 2024 that we vowed to keep tabs on the business. We loved the shop’s mix of antique quilts and furniture, fabrics, yarns, vintage jewelry, artwork and art supplies.

We returned to the attractive shop at 548 Benfield Road yesterday afternoon. Entering, our eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful antique quilt suspended from the ceiling. It was just one of many quilts displayed throughout the store.

The most significant change we noted was that the business had expanded, taking over a space next door. Now, instead of the original classroom area at the front of the shop with a limited amount of sewing machines, there was a dedicated classroom off to the right.

We took a quick peek but would further explore the classroom later. Meantime, a stroll down the aisles proved as interesting than ever. A display near the entrance epitomized the mix of new materials with antiques and other treasures from a bygone era.

Venturing on, we discovered row after row of the gorgeous fabrics that draw folks who enjoy sewing to CottonWood like bees to honey. There is also a tremendous selection of quality threads.

Simultaneous to CottonWoods’ opening in 2024, JOANN’s Fabrics and Crafts closed nationwide, an immediate boon for the store.

“We listened to comments from our customers about things that were missing after JOANN’s closed and added a lot of products, a lot of yarns, and a lot of different kinds of fabrics, not only for quilting, but for clothing making,” Julie Antinucci said. “We even started carrying the threads that JOANN’s carried because people so loved them.”

Along with fabrics, threads, and yarns, something new has been added. CottonWood in the Park is now selling Bernina, Juki, and Bernette brand sewing machines and they are displayed throughout the store. The store also has three technicians to service them.

Circling back through the store, we met Julie in the new classroom.

“It’s been just over a year since opening and we’ve exploded in growth,” she said. “We’ve undergone tremendous changes, the most important of which was expanding the store to a space next door and adding a dedicated classroom to teach.”

“We’ve really expanded our classes to include not only sewing and quilting but embroidery, crocheting, knitting and needlework. We also have children’s classes with a dedicated curriculum for kids,” Antinucci said.

The latest equipment for students’ use (and also for sale) includes the long arm machines seen below that hold a quilt together in three pieces for stitching.

We commented that the Antinucci’s seemed to be bringing back all of the “lost arts” associated with homemaking – skills that were prevalent through most of our history.

Both Antinucci’s agree and feel that one of the great things about CottonWood is that those arts have always been interesting but, with the advent of technology our worlds have gotten smaller and we’ve only kept those crafts alive in the home. The classroom and shop provide a lot of opportunities for people to get together while doing them.

“The friendships that are made here are what we are so proud of,” Julie said. “On Thursday nights we’ve outgrown our well-known Maker’s Table and have to bring in additional tables. The people who use our maker’s space are doing all kinds of projects from crocheting, knitting and needlepoint to journals – just a bundle of creativity. And we can eat or have birthday parties and other great things.”

Though their schedule is crowded, the Antinucci’s still go out in search of antiques and quilts. They just spent several days in Rhode Island and found some really unique items including a tiny vintage sewing machine. Since they’re planning to carry vintage clothing in the near future, they also discovered some great hand-knit sweaters. Their passion for antiques and quilts is stronger than ever and is apparent to all those who visit CottonWood in the Park.

Among new programs that are being added in the New Year is a CottonWood Quilts of Valor group they’ve started and are calling The Sewing Stars to make quilts for veterans. They just held their second meeting during which they completed three quilts with a fourth on the way. The group is sponsored by American Legion Severn Post 175 which gave them a $500 grant with which to by fabrics and other supplies.

CottonWood in the Park is open seven days a week including Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 7pm, Thursdays from 10 am to 8:30 pm, Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 11 am till 4 pm. For more information, visit Cottonwood: A full quilt shop, antique shop and art supply shop in one, Facebook or Instagram.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Severna Park experienced a series of milestones in 2025 including the 50th Anniversary of the Severna Park Independence Day Parade (pictured above). The year began, however, with something entirely new. The Grand Opening of nurse practitioner Katherine Grote’s first-of-its-kind medical practice in the community took place on January 17th.

 For Grote, a Nurse Practitioner who worked hard to achieve success in her profession and establish a practice of her own, opening Integrative Family NP LLC was a dream come true. Her passion for taking care of people inspired her belief in treating patients on a well-rounded basis that is integrative and holistic.

In April of 2025, two separate celebrations marked the 35th Anniversary of the founding of SPAN, Inc. and honored the organization’s founders, volunteers and recipients. The first event, on April 1st, took place with an official ceremony at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church followed by a reception for attendees just across the lawn at the SPAN headquarters building.

As the reception ended, an invitation was extended to guests to join supporters at the second celebration – SPAN’s 35th Birthday Fest held Saturday, April 5th at Severna Park United Methodist Church on Benfield Road. 

Founded in 1990 by six local churches, the Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN) opened its doors in April of that year with a mission to provide emergency assistance to families in crisis with dignity and compassion. The number of SPAN’s member churches has grown from the original six to 13 most of which were represented at the Birthday Fest.

The originals were Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, St. Martins in-the-Field Episcopal Church, Severna Park United Methodist Church and Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. They were joined by Asbury United Methodist Church, Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church, Bay Area Community Church, Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church, Our Lady of the Fields Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrew by the Bay Roman Catholic Church, Severna Park Baptist Church and Trinity Bible Church.

July 4th of 2025 saw the community celebrate the 50th Year of the Severna Park Independence Day Parade. As Grand Marshall at the head of the 50th Anniversary Parade, Severna Park historian Scott Jay was warmly received by the crowd.

With 100 parade entries, there were many floats. The Olde Severna Park Improvement Association float managed to capture the early 70’s spirit of the year the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber launched its first parade five decades ago.

 From the “Peace, Love, Groovy” sign on the front of the float to the kids on board wearing tie-dyed t-shirts, psychedelic sunglasses, and crowns of daisies in young girls’ hair, all hinted at the bygone era when float designer Lew Heck created his Peace Dove Float from chicken wire and Kleenex.

Time flew by and the culmination of the year-long Park Hardware/Zeskind’s 100th Anniversary celebration began early in the morning on September 20, 2025. A string of events throughout the day included a Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony with chamber CEO Liz League highlighting three generations of the family business beginning with third-generation owners Rick Miller, Sr. and wife Deborah. Next came fourth-generation owner Rick Miller, Jr., his wife Joannie, daughter Chloe and son Jax. Chloe officially became a fifth-generation member of the family business when she joined the Park Hardware/Zeskind’s staff early in 2025.

October 17, 2025 saw another important anniversary as the Severna Park Community Center opened its doors to the public for a 30th Anniversary Open House from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm that culminated in a Birthday Party with a fabulous cake and cupcakes.

With the sun setting in the courtyard where the party was held, Executive Director Sarah Elder acted as hostess greeting longtime and current community center members and other guests. Across the courtyard, guests gravitated toward the center’s entrance where they were invited to tour the facilities.

November 15th saw Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi celebrate its Quarter Century mark with a festive Open House hosted by owners Nancy and Billy Greer. A ceremony and ribbon cutting midway through the event was conducted by Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League and ended with special honors for a team of students led by Billy Greer. Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Amanda Fiedler presented citations to Greer and two of the three students who saved heart attack victim Scott Stengle’s life.

Before we knew it, the Christmas season arrived with numerous events to attend including The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza on December 9th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. As can be seen from the photos below, the event was the year’s largest and most glamorous fundraiser featuring an enormous Silent Auction, some of the area’s finest food and wine purveyors and great entertainment.

Longtime participants in the holiday event included four of the 206 Restaurant Group restaurants seen above – JB’s Severna Park, Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside and Oliver Brewing Company as well as Adam’s Taphouse and Grille. Entertainment was provided, among others by the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus and the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus under the direction of Michael Gellert (seen above.)

I very much enjoyed covering local events and businesses for the Around The Park Again column over the past year while highlighting some of our area’s history. However, 2026 is lining up to be an interesting year and I look forward to sharing the latest news with you.

My best wishes to all of our readers for a very happy New Year.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

Holiday events had been happening since the middle of November, but the pace intensified the second week of December with eight plus events happening in the span of seven days. We managed to cover a few and figured we deserved a well-earned breather…until we realized there was one more event to go.

We’d heard from Life of Joy Foundation founder and executive director Joy Cortina a couple of weeks ago that the organization was planning “A Night of Joy” amid the shops of Olde Severna Park in collaboration with The Blended Essentials and The Big Bean on Thursday, December 18 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.

The sun was beginning to set as we turned onto Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, passed by the strip of shops and turned into the parking lot opposite them. We could see, from a distance, that the Life of Joy tents were set up and already lively with activity. Decorated for the holidays, the shops behind the tents looked great and the lights on the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s giant evergreen beamed down on the town.

The sky was already darkening as we bumped into Life of Joy partner Denise Golden. Having finished helping set up the tent, she’d drifted into The Big Bean and was looking forward to her first sip of a well-deserved cup of coffee.

On the opposite side of the tent, the scene was quite lively as Life of Joy Foundation supporters mixed with members of the business community and curious shoppers eager to learn more about the organization and perhaps make a donation.

We also ran into Treebranch Group LLC partner Denise Hightower who had come to support the Life of Joy Foundation and also to enjoy a few moments listening to company founder, design director and blooming musician Jennifer Triplett and guitarist Ray Paice entertain the crowd.

“It’s been fun watching Jen grow from strumming her guitar and writing songs into a full-fledged singer, songwriter and performing musician,” Hightower said. “Me, I’m happy being ‘the nerd’ involved in our website design.”

The “Night of Joy” was joyful indeed as most of the shops along the strip kept their doors open throughout the event.

Always busy at this time of the year, Peaceful Petals flower shop employees were helping customers place orders or make their own bouquets from beneath a ceiling strung with giant-sized Christmas ornaments.

Shops like Jenos Steaks and The Froyo House frozen yogurt shop, who are always eager to help community charities, displayed donation jars for The Life of Joy Foundation so that patrons could make a contribution.

Stepping into The Big Bean, we were happy to see owner Christy Sappington Coster behind the counter. Just back from a trip to New York, she was full of news. After having purchased the coffee shop from founder and original owner Deb Hoffman, Christy and husband Greg took over as owners in January of 2019. They successfully navigated the COVID pandemic, prospered and soon expanded their business, first opening The Big Bean Coffee House at 888 Bestgate Road in Annapolis. They next opened The Big Bean Coffee House at 231 Najoles Road in Millersville in the spring of 2024.

“All three of our coffee shops are doing so well,” Coster said. “We are also officially up and running with our Severna Park commercial kitchen that’s located behind Severna Park Lanes bowling alley where Lisa’s Cakepops used to be. We worked out the purchase in 2023 but it took us two years to get it permitted and up and running.”

She added that, in addition to using it for their own purposes, the Costers are catering to bakers and other food purveyors who need a kitchen space.

Before long, Danielle Bowen, manager of The Blended Essentials, stopped by on a break to chat with her fellow Night of Joy collaborator Christy Coster.

“I have to get back so I only have a few minutes to stay,” Bowen said. “We’re really busy with customers and classes. We’ve made a special “Spread The Joy” candle that we’re marketing in honor of this occasion. We’re donating all the proceeds from selling them to the foundation.”

Inspired by what Bowen was saying, we strolled down to The Blended Essentials which was beautifully lit and busy.

We next headed back to the Life of Joy tents where Joy Cortina and her daughter Katie were helping volunteers welcome visitors, sell raffle tickets for items donated by Olde Severna Park businesses and hand out mementos.

Having originally met Joy Cortina at one of the Chamber’s Wellness Group meetings, we learned that the Life of Joy Foundation fosters a holistic approach to mental health with help from an extensive support team. We didn’t know Katie had become involved too.

The teen is particularly enthusiastic about being in the 10-member Life of Joy Band her mother is also part of. In fact, both would be performing later in one of the band’s spinoff trios with guitarist Trent Williams. Meantime, they were happy to chat with folks who stopped by.

“We held the Night of Joy as part of our year-end “Keep the Joy Alive” campaign for building joy in the community and raising money for Life of Joy’s suicide prevention efforts and support programs,” Joy told us. “If anyone wishes to contribute, they can go to: https://lifeofjoyfoundation.org/donate.”

It’s always fun bumping into people you know. We loved seeing Jenos Stakes founder Rudy Adriano, whose cheesesteaks are the talk of the town, as he entered The Big Bean. We also caught up with Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League who was taking a breather from the whirl of activities the organization been involved in to visit A Night of Joy. League shared the news that the Silent Auction at the Chamber’s 15th Annual Taste & Sip Event went well and brought in lots of funds.

A few moments later, the Life Of Joy Trio featuring Joy and Katie Cortina and Trent Williams appeared singing a selection of Christmas carols. The began with “Angels We Have Heard On High” and “Silent Night” and soon invited those gathered to sing along with their favorite carols.

Joyful, indeed, “A Night of Joy” was a fitting end to the season’s holiday events for a very good cause. For more information on the foundation’s programs and upcoming events, visit Life of Joy Foundation, Inc.

As today is December 25th, Around The Park Again wishes all of our readers a Very, Merry Christmas!

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

With seven (and possibly more) holiday events going on last week, there was no way we could visit all of them, but we do have a sampling for you.

The first of these was the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza held Tuesday evening December 9th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. The fact that the event is the year’s largest and most glamorous fundraiser is evident from the immense number of items filling the tables that were donated by area businesses. Items that ranged from artwork to the latest titles from Park Books and, of course, an impressive number of gift baskets overflowing with edibles, comestibles and plush animal toys.

Arranged in a circle around the walls of Chartwell’s ballroom and extending up and down the aisles of a reception area were some of the area’s finest food and wine purveyors offering a wide range of “Taste” and “Sip” options for attendees to sample.

There were offerings from four of the 206 Restaurant Group properties alone including JB’s Severna Park, Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside and Oliver Brewing Company

A few vendors were newcomers but, like the 206 Restaurant Group eateries, most have participated in the annual event multiple times.

Next Step Realty partner Matt Wyble, the Taste & Sip event’s founder along with former GSPACC CEO Linda Zahn, recalled that several vendors have participated in the festive occasion from its very first year at Homestead Gardens Severna Park in 2009.

“Those businesses that come to mind immediately are Fishpaws MarketPlace, Cafe Mezzanotte, The Big Bean, and Brewster’s Ice Cream.” Wyble said.

He noted that, in addition to longtime vendors, there were new faces this year including Always Ice Cream from Olde Severna Park, Iconic Desserts from Millersville and Cheese of the Day Charcuterie all the way from Chester, Maryland on the Eastern Shore. Since expanding the amount of available space by moving the Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza to Chartwell, the number of vendors has grown to more than two dozen. The number of attendees has risen in accordance. Tuesday evening’s crowd topped out at 450.

“Participating in this event is a nice way to kick off the holidays and it’s literally where the restaurant community comes to meet once a year,” added Wyble. “For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to come and learn about our area’s restaurants and businesses.”

Though a Chamber member and sponsor for several years, Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services co-founder/owner Winsome Brown, along with her brother Tony Clarke and friend and staff member Mia Alexander were HolidayTaste & Sip event first-timers. They were drawn immediately to Adam’s Taphouse and Grille’s offerings of Pulled Pork Sliders and Ribs.

It was good to see multi-year participants who appear every year like The Big Bean, BD Provisions, April’s Table, Donut Shack, and Be My Guest Catering.

Having arrived early, we didn’t realize that longtime Holiday Taste & Sip entertainment favorites Chesapeake Harmony Chorus members had been singing carols outside the Chartwell Ballroom entrance as guests were arriving. They came inside as one body, saying it was mighty cold outside and heading for cups of hot coffee at the Donut Shack or Big Bean tables. We caught up with one group of them soon afterward that included Lynda Walsh, chorus director Mary Beth Whisman, Mary Rose Cohn, Carol Ann Trembley Gass, Jeanette Krouse and Bethany Owen.

“We’re thawing out,” said Whisman. “Our other members are at other tables doing the same thing.”

We’ve always loved seeing Annapolis-based Main & Market at the Taste & Sip events going back quite a few years. They had some amazing holiday sweets including Chocolate Bark, one of our favorites.

Newer to the event but no less fun to see and sample were Garten Restaurant with items from the Holiday Market they’ve held this year and Arnold based Cheers & Spirits.

In addition to longtime vendors, many longtime attendees were seen circulating through the ballroom. Among them was chamber member Barbara Gill who was sitting back and enjoying a performance of holiday favorites by the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus under the direction of Michael Gellert.

Circulating among the crowd were many longtime chamber members who have attended the event for many years including Katherine’s Light Foundation President Larry Sells, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation development director Anita Dewling and Treebranch Group creative director Jennifer Triplett who has recently expanded her horizons as a musician and songwriter.

We also ran into Nancy and Billy Greer who would be hosting their own holiday party to conclude Jing Ying Institute’s months-long Silent Auction for the Alzheimer’s Association on December 13th. We spoke with the Greer’s earlier this week and learned that the event turned out well.

“It was great with good food and good company and our Silent Auction netted about $3,000 to add to the amount we’ve collected for the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Billy Greer.

Nancy added that when added to what they collected for the Alzheimer’s Walk, they have raised $8,000 and are still getting donations online. Those wishing to make a donation may still do so by visiting Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park.

Two days following the Taste & Sip event on December 11th the Chamber hosted its rescheduled Community Christmas Tree Lighting that had been postponed due to snow. We were unable to shuffle our own schedule to attend on the new date, but we’re delighted to once again see the big tree lit thanks to donations from chamber members to “keep the lights on”. The smaller tree in front of the chamber office looks beautiful too.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Center

Though the weather was pretty cold as we visited the Severna Park Community Center on Friday evening, December 12th for their annual Cookies & Cocoa with Santa celebration, a great crowd turned out.

Arriving on the scene, we found the courtyard between the community center and Boone Station Hall wonderfully lit and decorated for Christmas but very chilly. Most things had to be moved indoors.

We did, however, find The Grinch out in the courtyard. Surprisingly, he drew a number of curious families. Kids really took to him.

Inside Boone Station Hall, families either occupied tables sipping cups of cocoa courtesy of The Big Bean or nibbling treats from J & G Catering or they stood in front of the stage to watch the entertainment.

While there, we enjoyed a performance by Severna Park High School’s award-winning a capella music group SOL whose holiday songs in four-part harmony were spot on. There were additional performances by Bach to Rock and The Dance Center at Severna Community Center’s Star Elite Dancers.

We crossed the courtyard to the community center hoping to see Santa but finding very long lines indeed.

Luckily, we found a side entrance no one seemed to know about and came face-to-face with the jolly old elf. Lines of children waiting to see him were very long there too and the children seemed a bit impatient.

But the wait was worth it. They were rewarded with a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and have a photo taken too.

A fun time for families.

We were sad to miss the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s Christmas Market but it’s always wonderful to see and the community enjoys it greatly. For us, there is one more
Christmas event to go as you’ll see below.

“A Night of Joy” at the Shops of Olde Severna Park on December 18th

The Life of Joy Foundation, in collaboration with The Big Bean and Blended Essentials, invites you to stroll, shop and perhaps enjoy a treat at the stores along B&A Boulevard and Riggs Avenue in Olde Severna Park while enjoying “A Night of Joy” from 4:30 to 7:30 pm TODAY, December 18th. There will be live music with the Life of Joy Band, raffles on items from participating businesses, ornament decorating at The Blended Essentials, and a Life of Joy Meet & Greet tent.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

The skies over Severna Park were leaden last Friday afternoon and the ground was covered with snow. Late morning snows had ended but there were still occasional flurries. The shops along Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard remained open but business was light.

The sight of snow on the peppermint candy striped tents of Diehl’s Produce didn’t seem to dissuade Christmas tree seeking shoppers.

However, the much-anticipated community tree lighting scheduled for Friday evening had to be called off and rescheduled. Instead, when 5 pm rolled around, the grounds in front of the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber offices at 1 Holly Avenue were empty and the community trees remained dark.

“The snow accumulation was fairly light. But we based our decision to postpone the tree lighting from December 5 to December 11, on the fact that the grounds in front of the chamber and parking lot where the entertainment takes place were covered,” said Chamber CEO Liz League. “We have dancers scheduled to perform from The Edge Dance Complex and the snow would have made that difficult.”

Both the large and small Christmas trees are to be lit this year. Earlier in the week, lights for the immense 75 ft. tree in front of the Severna Park Railroad Station were professionally strung by IPM Pools and Patios, a task made possible by donations from various Chamber members. The lights for the smaller tree and other decorations were undertaken by the chamber staff and volunteers. Both trees were just waiting to be lit when the button was pushed. Since that didn’t happen, the scene seemed a bit forlorn.

To our delight, the moment one looked down Holly Avenue to Riggs Avenue where the lights of The Sugar Shoppe gleamed bright, the gloom lifted. Tastefully decorated, the shop was a most welcoming sight.

The evergreen wreaths, swags and lights adorning the store’s exterior were storybook cute and hinted at what awaited visitors inside.

We found Sugar Shoppe co-owner Jamie Denton busy behind the counter while, in the background, a customer was selecting some chocolates from the canisters on the shelves.

“Having to cancel tonight’s tree lighting is kind of a bummer but we now look forward to it taking place on Thursday, December 11th,” Denton said. “Tree lighting day is definitely our busiest day of the year. As you can see, however, we’re already enjoying the holiday shopping season.”

Indeed, Denton and her business partner Eloise Patton enjoyed preparing the shop for Christmas, wrapping the tree in a front window in white lights and pastel ornaments to match the store’s interior.

They stocked the shelves with canisters of decadent chocolates, caramels and malted milk balls and a host of gummy bears and M&M’s and other colorful candies perfect for stocking stuffers.

Having participated in Pink Friday in Olde Severna Park on November 21st, Denton and Patton also plan to be open for the B&A Boulevard/Riggs Avenue Shop & Stroll event benefitting the Life of Joy Foundation on December 18th. In addition to candy, their carefully chosen selection of holiday merchandise is bound to appeal to shoppers.

Winter hats and gloves, heart shaped earmuffs, cozy blankets and plush toys and games beckon from the shelves.

Snowy or not, The Sugar Shoppe is a fun place to visit and satisfy your craving for chocolate.

Hopefully, families will be able to make it to the rescheduled Community Tree Lighting at the Chamber at 5 pm this evening (Dec. 11th). Santa and The Grinch will both be there, and The Toastmasters will hand out cookies. There will be entertainment by the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus, The Edge Dance Complex, the Severna Park High School Jazz Band, the Severna Park High School Cheerleaders and the Bach to Rock Glee Club.

A Reminder: Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at the Community Center this Friday

Severna Park Community Center will host Cookies and Cocoa with Santa this Friday (Dec. 12) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Santa will be inside and ready to pose for photos. The Big Bean will be serving cocoa and there will be delicious bites from J & G Catering. Enjoy live entertainment including a performance by the Star Elite Dancers from The Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center. And there’s much more.

Jing Ying Institute’s 22nd Annual Silent Auction for Charity ends December 13th

Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi’s 22nd Silent Auction for the Alzheimer’s Association ends Saturday, December 13 at 4 pm during a holiday party from 2:30 to 4:30. The event is free and open to the public. You can view the auction any time Jing Ying Institute is open between now and then. For more information, visit Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park.

“A Night of Joy” at the Shops of Olde Severna Park on December 18th

The Life of Joy Foundation, in collaboration with The Big Bean and Blended Essentials, invites you to stroll, shop and perhaps enjoy a treat at the stores along B&A Boulevard and Riggs Avenue in Olde Severna Park while enjoying “A Night of Joy” from 4:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, December 18th. There will be live music with the Life of Joy Band, raffles on items from participating businesses, ornament decorating at The Blended Essentials, and a Life of Joy Meet & Greet tent.

An Update on the Arnold Community’s Chick-fil-A appeal

We have news from Arnold Preservation Council director Elizabeth Rosborg that December 4th was the final public hearing for the Chick-fil-A appeal before the Anne Arundel County Board of Appeals.

“Closing arguments will be written, however we do not have a due date yet,” Rosborg said. “The board then has 60 days to issue their decision, so maybe in February 2026, one year from when the preliminary plan was initially approved.”

She further noted that the support and donations have been amazing and so appreciated and wished to thank everyone that helped.

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.

AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler

and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services

Those of us who enjoy Shopping Local always look forward to welcoming in the holidays by visiting our local retailers on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. This year, we chose to begin our gift shopping on Black Friday and make a day of it, leaving time, of course, for lunch with friends.

Online and print advertisements alerted us to the fact that good deals awaited us at stores throughout Anne Arundel County, Severna Park included. Thus, we first drove through the older part of town where Severna Park Shopping Village is located. We stopped at Savvy Consignment for a quick peek and at Dawson’s Liquors for a bottle of wine. We next drove to Park Plaza to visit several of our longtime favorite shops.

Arriving at about 3 pm, we headed for the north end of the parking lot where Franklin’s Toys is located and parked near the Park Plaza Christmas tree. The wind was blowing rather fiercely as we crossed the lot and entered Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery which was warm and cozy and and lovely with wonderful Christmas gift items displayed throughout.

We were delighted to find shop owner Dawn Wilson getting ready to display a unique piece of art that had just been delivered.

“It’s a Christmas Tree Window featuring this glittering evergreen that’s made from pressed glass and resin by local artisan Sandy Eshelman,” Wilson said.

She noted that, as usual, the shop was filled with many works of art, jewelry, and crafts made by local artists and crafters that Sidestreet Framers carries.

Hand painted Santas, elves and snowmen made from gourds occupied one set of shelves along with hand carved wooden reindeer and tiny glass Christmas trees. There were hundreds of unique holiday gift items to catch the eye of Black Friday shoppers.

Asked if Black Friday visits exceeded expectations, Wilson’s answer was a definite yes.

“We’ve been busy all day here at our Park Plaza shop and at our newer Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery Store on Ritchie Highway in Pasadena,” she said. “We expect tomorrow to be very busy too. The traffic on Small Business Saturdays is always heavier.”

Wilson alerted us to the fact that Park Plaza will host its own “Winter Wonderland” holiday shopping event with holiday music, Santa, Holly the Elf, Polly the Penguin and Rudolph, plus games and more on Saturday, December 13 from 1 to 3 pm.

Moving on, we resisted the urge to stop at Nature Junction for holiday birdseed though the windows were wonderfully decorated and Christmas lights twinkled from within.

We quickly crossed the street, however, to The Cottage which looked more festive than ever this year and was filled with lots of Black Friday shoppers.

Just inside the door, a Nutcracker beckoned us. He was surrounded by baskets of ornaments, red plaid cushions and a variety of gifts which the shoppers ahead of us were examining closely. It probably didn’t hurt that the sign behind the Nutcracker declared “Black Friday prices 20% Off Storewide”.

There were numerous gift items that would set off a family’s holiday table perfectly….

… and snowy ceramics, linens and fashions to appeal to parents while children were drawn to colorful trinkets and toys.

All the clerks helping customers at The Cottage were wearing cute holiday headbands including the girls manning the checkout counter. We complimented them on their festive headgear before asking them if the store had been busy for Black Friday.

“Oh yes, absolutely,” said Emily who is seen on the right in the photo above. “We’ve had a pretty even amount of business throughout the day.

Asked if they’d heard how Black Friday was going at The Cottage in Annapolis, the girls said they hadn’t yet but expected the store was doing well. Since both stores operate as small businesses, they planned to continue the 20% discount storewide throughout Small Business Saturday till 6 pm and hoped to ring up many more sales.

One of our most impressive stops was Homestead Gardens Severna Park where Black Friday sale prices were a predominant feature and the holiday decorations inside, outside and in the greenhouse were gorgeous.

Once past the entrance, one couldn’t help but admire the beautiful display of Christmas China.

And it wasn’t really surprising that many shoppers made a beeline for a forest of lifelike artificial Christmas trees.

One could but stop and stare at this magnificent Arctic vignette featuring a polar bear surrounded by snowy owls and evegreens.

And, was it any wonder that, entering a greenhouse filled with poinsettias, we discovered Santa Claus chilling out with his reindeer.

Naturally, seeing the Homestead Gardens holiday train garden was a must. An even larger display is always present during the holidays at the original Davidsonville Homestead location.

Christmas shopping was front and center a bit earlier on November 21st in Olde Severna Park as the businesses along Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard celebrated Pink Friday a nationwide Shop Small movement that the community began participating in last year.

“Each store exhibited a pink balloon indicating they were offering different specials,” said The Blended Essentials manager, Danielle Bowen. “For us, Pink Friday was a ‘come early to kick off the season’ initiative. But there is more to come. On Thursday, December 18th, from 4:30 to 7 pm, the Olde Severna Park merchants are teaming up with the Life of Joy Foundation to raise awareness about Suicide Prevention. The Life of Joy Band will be appearing in front of our shops, and we’ll be presenting the work of local artists. Attendees making a Life of Joy donation will receive a Spread The Joy Candle.”

Bowen added that The Blended Essentials would be inviting children to come into the shop to make ornaments.

Just a few Christmas event announcements:

Severna Park Community Center will host a Holiday Marketplace on Dec. 7 from 1 to 5 pm

Santa Claus at The Station at 45 W. Early Heights Rd. on December 14 from 9 am to 1 pm with caroling by Bach to Rock, breakfast from Black Market Bakers, gift shopping from local vendors and a chance to sit on Santa’s knee.

Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s Santa Runs begin this Saturday, Dec. 6 with the Jolly Old Elf touring neighborhoods throughout Severna Park with lights flashing and sirens heralding his arrival. For a schedule of dates and routes, visit EHVFC at Facebook.

Broadneck Council of Communities meeting to view Severna Park/Arnold Townhouse Development Proposal at Severna Park Library December 9th

A tip from Arnold resident Mary Felter alerted us to the fact that a pre-proposal community meeting is being held by the Broadneck Council of Communities at the Severna Park Library on December 9 at 6 pm to view the proposed Severna Park Golf Driving Range conversion into a 135-unit Townhouse Community. Discussion will focus on how this will effect traffic, runoff, nearby communities and Rt 2. For more information see Broadneck Council of Communities | Facebook.

LATE BREAKING NEWS: TREE LIGHTING AT THE CHAMBER RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 FROM 5 TO 6:30 PM

The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!

and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.