AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
Had it not been for high winds, Sunday’s weather would have been perfect for Good Neighbors Group’s 23rd Annual Earth Day Festival. Held for the third year at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company, the event drew well in spite of 30-mile-per-hour gusts thanks to the promise of live music, fine food from Pitaya Mexican Restaurant, Baltimore Waffle Company, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, and 60 vendors.
According to Good Neighbors Group founder and executive director Julie Shay, this year’s festival was supposed to be strictly an outdoor event with a detailed plan for where everything was meant to be set up. But the weather necessitated a change in plans.
“When our vendors arrived to set up, the winds were so heavy that the tables were literally blowing over and it was impossible to assemble many of the displays. We made an instant decision to move most of the festival indoors with the blessing of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company,” said Shay. “Fortunately, we’d formed a committee of experienced volunteers to help with the festival a few years ago so we were able to turn things around on a dime. Our entertainers, food vendors and several other organizations opted to remain outdoors, but a majority set up inside the firehall.”
Initially, some attendees were confused to see so few vendors outside including me. However, I quickly figured out what happened and decided to visit the outdoor displays first.
Immediately, I spotted Stacey Boone, volunteer coordinator for The Blue Ribbon Project. Fresh from the organization’s successful fundraising gala held the evening before, Boone nevertheless chatted with festivalgoers about the 501(c)3 non-profit organization’s mission.
“We’re dedicated to preventing all forms of child abuse and we are run primarily by volunteers,” she said.
Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
The group provides critical support to victims of abuse and neglect throughout Maryland. Blue Ribbon Project programs include Backpacks of Love and Mirah’s Closet. (Children entering into care due to emergency situations are unable to take any personal items from home.) Each child receives a Backpack of Love containing essentials like a toothbrush/toothpaste, book, toy, clothes and a blanket. Mirah’s Closet provides ‘new’ clothing, toiletries, and other items.
I next visited Fieldstone Animal Inn‘s assistant manager Kelli who noted that she had to take down her tent as it kept blowing over. Since we’d last visited the Millersville-based Inn, it had been remodeled and held a Grand Reopening celebration.
“We now have a huge parking lot and we offer luxury suites and junior suites for pets complete with TV’s and webcams,” Kelli said.
A familiar face at Good Neighbors Group’s annual Earth Day Festivals, Glen Burnie-based Hope For All founder Leo Zerhusen was once again on hand collecting donations and spreading the word about his organization which serves those in need in Anne Arundel County with furniture, housewares and clothing.
“Demand for our services is higher than ever – so much so that we are expanding to a second building,” Zerhusen said.
Before exploring further, we took note of two local bands that entertained the Earth Day Festival crowds. The first was a group called Wishbone. The second, pictured below, is known as Jelly and is, naturally, a favorite of Julie Shay as her son happens to be the drummer.
The band was conveniently located near the food vendors. To the band’s right, we spied Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber CEO Liz League visiting the Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Truck. To the left, we noted that Pitaya Mexican Restaurant had set up a dining area with tables and was serving tacos, enchiladas and other favorites from south of the border.
Then, for the second week in a row we spotted the gents from Baltimore Waffle Company making Liege-style Belgian waffles (we’d seen them at The Severna Park Farmer’s Market the week before).
Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BikeAAA) president John Korin was delighted to be outdoors soaking up the sun as was Sandy Bishop, the founder of Cycling Without Age Anne Arundel. Bike AAA is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary as an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit focused on creating a healthier, more livable Annapolis and Anne Arundel County by promoting bicycling for transportation, recreation and fitness for people of all ages and abilities. Now affiliated with Bike AAA, Cycling Without Age gives rides on the Severna Park section of the scenic B&A Trail to older adults or people with limited mobility in the organization’s trishaws, two of which are seen in the photo below.
Naturally, the Good Neighbors Group Earth Day Festival was bound to feature plants like those seen here from GreenLift which also had an information table inside the firehouse where we were about to head.
Glancing to our right as we entered the building, we were please to see Good Neighbors Group volunteer Jacquei Shade and several young fellows, including her son Thomas Shade, manning the Silent Auction table. There were donations of plants, gift baskets, books and other items from area businesses ranging from Homestead Gardens, BD Provisions, and Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi to Stiches of Kindness, Oxblood, Cafe Mezzanotte and Park Books.
Severna Park Elementary School children had an assist from their teachers as they completed setting up their exhibits. They were one of a number of schools taking part in the festival with ecological experiments and exhibits.
Rachel Sayed, Recycling Program Specialist for Anne Arundel County Waste Management Services had many excellent tips on how to deal with household recycling. She mentioned quite a few things my family wasn’t aware of. For instance, families can put up to three large items like a chair, a small sofa or a box spring curbside for pickup. Just place them next to your trash container on collection day. Metal items & appliances like swing sets, refrigerators or lawn mowers can even be schedule for pick-up if you submit an online request.
Sayed even handed out a great pamphlet from the county’s Department of Public Works called “Household Recycling and Trash MADE SIMPLE”.
The next table down was Peyton’s Promise (shown in the opening photo), a grassroots, non profit providing food, pet care supplies and emergency financial assistance to dog owners in Maryland. The first-time GNG Earth Day Festival vendor was selling lots of fun gifts for pets and their owners.
We next visited Wendy Preslan’s Stitches of Kindness, one of our favorite organizations that is now also a Good Neighbors Group partner. Stitches of Kindness conducts workshops to teach children how to sew various items which are then donated to charities. For Earth Day, Preslan was selling handsewn products including handbags, rag rugs, place mats and fabric bags of various sizes.
“For the Festival, I upcycled items from donated fabric scraps or denim jeans,” she said.
With 60 vendors to visit, there was no way I was going to get to everyone before moving on to my next commitment, but as I worked my way down the aisle, I spotted the familiar face of American Association of University Women president Joyce Moyeer who was collecting books for the much-looked-forward-to AAUW Booksale which takes place every November.
Moving on, we spotted two more familiar faces – CottonWood in the Park owners Julie and D.J. Antinucci. They were selling some of their fabrics, art supplies, vintage jewelry and, of course, some of the antique quilts they are known for.
Since our first interview with the couple in their Benfield Road shop shortly after they opened, the business has thrived.
“We’ve done very well, especially since the JoAnn’s Fabric stores closed,” Julie said. “We’re selling more product, and we’ve expanded to a building next door in order to have a dedicated sewing classroom.”
We had to forego visiting the Severn River Association and Magothy River Association tables and the exhibits of some additional schools. But before leaving, we just had to take a peek at one of Eco Adventures animal ambassadors – a rather small American Alligator. Attendees, especially kids, loved seeing Eco Adventures other critters.
To follow the many activities of Good Neighbors Group, visit Home – Good Neighbors Group.
Chamber’s Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Festival this Saturday, May 3rd
The Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce is holding its Spring SHOP LOCAL Fun Fest at Park Plaza this coming Saturday, May 3 from 11 am to 3 pm. In case of rain, the event will be postponed till the following Saturday, May 10th.
We understand from Chamber CEO Liz League that there will be 70 vendors this year. There will be food, entertainment, music and more.
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.
