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 Health Care Services
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church chair of Service and Outreach Alex McKeague and his friend Tom Patterson were on a mission in Olde Severna Park Tuesday afternoon spreading the word about a benefit concert for SPAN. The concert, being held at the church on July 27th stars Peter Mayer, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band for over three decades.
In addition to working with Buffett, Nashville-based Mayer is a well-known touring musician with a tremendous following. He’ll be appearing in the concert with son Brendan Mayer and 20% of the event’s proceeds will be donated to SPAN.
The father/son duo tours together often. Brendan, a musician and songwriter with a following of his own, is delighted to appear with his dad for such a worthy cause.
For both men, combating hunger and food insecurity are important causes. That’s why they were impressed with SPAN’s decades-long dedication to assisting neighbors in need with food or financial assistance.
According to Alex McKeague, the idea for the concert was born during a meeting of Our Shepherd’s unique bible study group that meets weekly for “Tavern Talks: Bibles, Beverages and Bourbon”.
“A buddy of mine and I came up with the idea for the talks while our pastor was on sabbatical a few years ago,” McKeague said. “We decided to get together monthly for bible readings at each other’s homes which we’d then discuss. In doing this, we both liked bourbon so we’d try different bourbons at each meeting and critique them prior to the readings. We called our discussions Bibles and Bourbons. We soon invited other guys to join. Since a few of them didn’t share our love of bourbon, we expanded the choices and called the discussions Bibles, Bourbons & Beverages.”
He added that, as the membership grew, the meetings were referred to as Tavern Talks, a throwback to Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, who was known for having table talks in taverns.
The bourbons and beverages were, indeed, fine. But the readings were the primary focus of the meetings. Discussions about them were lively with plenty of opportunity to comment, question or even offer an alternative viewpoint.
“After each reading, we ask ourselves ‘What is God calling us to do to help others?” McKeague said. “As a result, we’ve come up with some great initiatives. We’ve done Habitat for Humanity Chesapeake builds, Habitat for Humanity for the Eastern Shore of Virginia builds, a home expansion for a church member needing a room for her father and we built a sidewalk for an elderly gentleman in Pittsburgh. Doing something to help SPAN through this concert is an extension of that.”
With the beginning of the COVID pandemic in March of 2020, the group transitioned to holding their Tavern Talks via ZOOM. The upside was that it was easy and made it possible to hold the meetings weekly. Nowadays, the fellows are back to getting together in-person. Nevertheless, they continue to ZOOM the meetings too since some members live too far away to regularly attend.
It was through Tom Patterson’s involvement with Tavern Talks, that the members were able to engage Peter and Brendan Mayer for their concert. One of the members who has attended the Tavern Talk meetings for years invited his pal Tom to participate in one.
Patterson is not an Our Shepherd Lutheran Church member, he’s a Roman Catholic, but he truly enjoyed the bible study talk and has attended them regularly ever since.
Patterson is a longtime friend of Peter Mayer who is, interestingly, the son of a Lutheran missionary. Aware that, in addition to continuing to play with Buffet, Mayer has a group of his own that appears in the Annapolis area regularly at venues like Rams Head Onstage, he thought the duo of Peter and Brendan would be a great draw for a concert benefitting SPAN.
According to SPAN, Inc.’s director of development Michelle Sabean, the summer months are typically times of low donations, so the organization needs help to replenish the pantry and coffers. Cash donations are used to aid families with utility turn-offs, court ordered evictions, and prescription or medical needs during times of emergency.
“I’m pleased the Tavern Talk members from Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, on whose property we are located thought of holding their concert starring Peter and Brendan Mayer as a fundraiser for SPAN,” Sabean said. “I love how their group asks ‘What is God saying to us? What are we doing about it?’ They believe – love each other and love our neighbors and find many ways to help them such as this concert for us.”
Sabean and co-director Maia Grabau are particularly thrilled that the Mayers offered to donate 20% of their ticket sales to SPAN at such a critical time.
The concert will begin at 7 pm on July 27 in the church sanctuary. Tickets are $25 each and may be obtained at Peter Mayer (Severna Park concert).
Sad news from St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School
Head of School Tony Shaffer of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School shared news on Tuesday of the passing of beloved teacher Ellen Stanton on June 17th after a long illness.
He said Mrs. Stanton is fondly remembered as a life-long educator who spent the majority of her career at St. Martins in the Field Day School.
The Stanton family has established the Ellen Stanton Memorial Fund at St. Martin’s Episcopal School to support Lower School enrichment field trips, which were prominent in Mrs. Stanton’s teaching philosophy. Those wishing to support this fund in honor of Mrs. Stanton, can visit the school’s Giving Page.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
