AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,
Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services,
and Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena
Who doesn’t like the idea of a mini-vacation in the span of a single day – a chance to enjoy things you’d see and do on a longer trip but without traveling a distance?
For me, the most fun is to start out close to home, especially since I like to shop local while supporting our county’s farms.
Hot to buy some hot peppers for the hot pepper-lovers in my family, I started out at Pumphrey’s Farm stand on Veteran’s Highway in Millersville where farmer Nate Pumphrey likes to experiment with unusual or even exotic vegetables. In addition to the usual summer crops, Pumphrey grows the hottest varieties of peppers you can find anywhere including Cubanelles, Jalapenos, Habaneros, Ghost Peppers, Cherry Bombs, Hot Poblanos, and Carolina Reapers.
Heading south to Marco Ridge Farm Produce on Route 424 in Davidsonville, I bought fresh-from-the-field sweet corn, tomatoes and pickling cucumbers.
Diane and Fred Klinken, who manage the stand for farmer Alan Covington, said they hope to stay open through September 7th. Thereafter, some vegetables will be available on the farm’s serve-yourself and pay-on-the-honor-system wagon. Nearby farmstand, Chase’s Produce, where we’d stopped earlier in the week, will be cutting back after Labor Day to being open only on the weekends.
A fellow farmstand supporter mentioned one further south called Zangs Farm Stand that I’d never heard of but was eager to try. So I conned some family members into coming with me and headed further south down Route 214 to Muddy Creek Road toward Galesville. I easily located the stand thanks to its colorful sign.
Having visited their website, I learned that Zangs is a family owned and operated farm that grows seasonal fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. Zangs offers both field-grown and high tunnel cut flowers from March until October with dried flower centerpieces and wreaths available during the holidays. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to investigate and found the farmstand even more colorful than the sign.
Noticing the wheelbarrow full of melons to one side of the stand, I let my eyes wander and spotted a bed with Sunflowers in various stages of growth. Opposite the bed, across the parking lot, was another bed of smaller flowers for cutting including Zinnias, Celosia, Marigolds, Bee Balm, Ageratum, Strawflowers, Lisianthus, Gomphrena, Statice, and Amaranthus.
The homegrown corn, melons and vegetables were great and I bought some yellow freestone peaches that were wonderful on their own or sliced and served over vanilla ice cream.
Time to travel further south. I’d heard from several people what a quaint small town Galesville was and I couldn’t wait to see it. So I pressed on.
Galesville is located on a small peninsula surrounded by the West River and is rich with history. A pamphlet from Galesville Heritage Society, Inc. notes that the town was founded in 1652 when a land grant for 660 acres of land was issued to Puritans John, Patience, and Mary Brown, and John Clark and his wife Elizabeth (who later became Quakers). Originally called Brownton, the town later changed its name to West River Landing when it became a center for shipping and travel.
Interestingly, large numbers of Quakers gravitated to West River Landing for meetings. In fact, the West River Quaker Meeting held in the spring of 1672 represented the birth of Quakerism in Maryland. In 1924, the town’s name was changed to Galesville in honor of Richard Gale, a prominent Quaker planter in the area.
Galesville continued to be the main port of the West River up to and throughout the steamboat era when the well-known Emma Giles connected the community to other waterfront towns and to Baltimore.
Today Galesville is something of a destination for visitors seeking waterfront recreation. With a year-round population of just 623 resident’s, it has retained its small town feel and charm.
Visitors to Galesville’s main street will easily spot the Carrie Wheedon House (circa 1901) which became home to the Galesville Heritage Society & Museum in May of 2004. From the signage pictured in the column’s opening photo to the winding pathway and red door, the museum’s exterior is lovely and the interior is filled with exhibits depicting the town’s history.
Galesville is also home to Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church which was formed in 1906 when the existing property was purchased. Members worshiped in a house on the grounds until 1920 when construction was completed on the church. A restoration of the building was begun in 1979.
There was history to everywhere you looked but a limited amount of time to enjoy it. Meantime, I really love the simple design of the antiquated ice house below which now houses antiques.
The day flew by but there was still time to absorb some local color along waterfront while getting something to eat. It seemed there were two popular restaurants in Galesville – Pirate’s Cove and Stan and Joe’s Riverside. As it was closest, our party chose the latter and immediately realized that there were wonderful views of the West River on three of the restaurant’s four sides.
Entering through a picturesque gate, we strolled leisurely up the wooden boardwalk to the pier that wraps around the establishment.
It was interesting watching boats of all types, vintages and sizes, including some sailing craft, arrive, tie-up alongside, and then make their way back across the West River.
Just past the bar, folks were waiting by the hostess station for a table to open in either the indoor dining room or an outdoor dining area overlooking the water.
Once we put in our own reservation, we didn’t have long to wait before being seated on Riverside’s expansive deck. Live music wafted across the deck from a local guitarist inspiring customers to sing along or dance.
All in all, my cross-county-sojourn was a pure pleasure and I’m sure I’ll soon be on the road again.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility whilereducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”
