AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace and
Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai chi
For friends Jen Lee, Kim Marin, Christy Chisholm and Theresa Bloom (seen above), attending Girl’s Night Out in the lovely holiday setting of Homestead Gardens Severna Park is, by now, a tradition. The one held on December 8th was as festive as ever.
“We’ve come to Girl’s Night Out for many years,” Bloom said. “We look forward to it and we always have a great time.”
Lee, with a shopping basket over one arm, added that all four of them like to socialize – to come and meet their friends.
Pals Laurie Beatty and Amy Orzechowski enjoy the annual occasion just as much. They love soaking in the glamorous atmosphere with Christmas lights twinkling on elegantly trimmed trees and carols playing in the background. High on the list of why they’re drawn to the event is the 25% Girl’s Night Out discount on all merchandise. Sampling foods and beverages from local businesses is an added perk.
“The eggnog at the Brian Boru tables is spectacular,” Orzechowski said.
All four of the food and beverage stations scattered about were popular with the shoppers. At the Brian Boru station set up in front of Homestead’s “gingerbread house”, Patrick Reilly and Hugh Patrick served Shepherd’s Pie and their signature eggnog, which is made at Galway Bay, one of four Irish Restaurant Company restaurants that include Killarney House and Pirates Cove. Manager Kendall Yingling and Berkleigh Howser were also on hand to pitch in when the lines grew long.
Employee Lisa Lawrence said Homestead Gardens Severna Park has been holding Girl’s Night Out for more than five years.
Community and events liaison Jen Sartain agreed and explained that the tradition has been celebrated in all three of the Homestead Garden locations including the original store in Davidsonville and the one in Smyrna, Delaware.
“We do “Girl’s Night Out” only for the holidays,” Sartain said. “We hold the event later in the evening so the women can already have fed their families and have free time. We always bring in local charities and local vendors for food and drink. Our staff starts planning for this event early in the year and works hard setting it up.”
The charity Homestead Gardens Severna Park chose for this year’s event was the Edgewater-based non-profit Blue Ribbon Project that supports victims of child abuse and youth in foster care. Volunteer Linda Rohrbaugh handed out mini cupcakes for the charity.
Stepping around a corner just past Rohrbaugh, Girl’s Night Out shoppers discovered jazz pianist Gary Harmon who added a nice touch to the occasion with carols and vocals on standards like “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm”. Harmon will be playing at Homestead Gardens Severna Park every Saturday during the holiday shopping season.
It’s true that not every shopper came specifically for Girl’s Night Out but everyone who did really enjoyed it. Darby Davis said this was her first time at the event. She’d simply stopped by to look for a holiday bouquet for her home.
First-timer Darby Davis happened on the Girl’s Night Out event accidentally while looking for a holiday bouquet. She found an abundance of decorative flowers, foliage and ornaments. 
Kelly Clark had come to purchase a child’s gift and was equally surprised to find it was Girl’s Night Out. She liked what she saw.
“I sort of followed the crowd, found this convivial setting and learned there was a discount offered for Girl’s Night Out shoppers,” said Davis. “It was great timing for me.”
Kelly Clark, likewise, was unaware a special event was going on. She’d stopped by to select a game for a child’s present. She liked what she saw and was really pleased to hear she’d get a discount.
“Millersville-based Be My Guest Catering office manager Malinda Coppola stepped in for owner Sandra Demilio to serve the Girl’s Night Out crowd. Shoppers Suzie Schuyler and Patti Filshea declared the canapes she handed them delicious. They immediately tried to guess the ingredients in the luscious spread. Turns out goat cheese and figs featured prominently among the ingredients.
“We come to this event every year for our holiday girl’s trip, Schuyler said.
An hour into the event, shopping picked up and the crowd began migrating toward the far side of the main showroom where dried berry arrangements and outdoor decorations took center stage. Some shoppers pushed carts, others carried baskets, quite a few had a glass of eggnog or wine in one hand.
Located against a backdrop of colorful birdhouses, the Fishpaws Marketplace station seemed to be a natural gathering place where shoppers took a break and chatted with one another while sampling one or more wines. Ally Edwards offered Campo Viejo Cava on ice while Teri Schroter ladled out cups of warm Spiced Wassail from Sweetland Cellars. She also served first-of-the-harvest Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau for 2022 – a wine their customers ask for every year. Fishpaw’s cheese manager Teri Pheobus was spotted a short distance away bringing a cooler containing more of the gouda she was serving and additional wines.
Ally Edwards from Fishpaw’s Marketplace offered Campo Viejo Cava on ice. 
Terri Schroeter ladled cups of warm Spiced Wassail and poured glasses of Beaujolais Noveau.
The widely predicted long lines at the checkout counter were starting to form but Girl’s Night Out was far from over. Women continued to stream through the entrance in pairs or groups of three or four. Most started the evening with a sip or a nibble before checking out the latest in holiday decorations or gift items.
It seemed as if everyone attending Girl’s Night Out really did want their Christmases to be Merry and Bright.
Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll on December 18th
On Sunday, December 18th, from 4 pm to 7 pm visitors will be welcomed to Olde Severna Park’s Shop & Stroll. Sponsored by Peaceful Petals, The Blended Essentials, and Dawson’s Liquors, the event will feature live music, shopping, extra vendors, food and drinks.
According to Blended Essentials co-owner Ella Bowen, participating businesses will include, in addition to hers, Peaceful Petals, The Big Bean, Savvy, Jenos Steaks, Dawsons Liquors, Sophies Crepes, Chris & Becks, Park Books, Gallery 564, Refill Goodness, Bohemian Black, Red Apron Shoppe, Skin Logic, Color Street Nails, Christalene Visionary and many more. For more details, visit Olde Severna Park Holiday Shop & Stroll | Facebook.
The column is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods with which to grace your holiday tables. Tastings for wines, liqueurs and beer this Friday, December 16.
and 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 cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying’s classes would make a great holiday gift.
