Consumers have been shocked by empty shelves in local supermarkets recently but imagine the impact local retailers and restaurateurs are feeling as the products they depend on for their customers are in short supply while prices soar.
Consumers have been shocked to find empty grocery store shelves for staples like meat, produce, milk and pet foods.
Challenges that began two years ago with Maryland’s first COVID-19 cases resulted in shipping delays at ports, trucking and air transportation problems and labor shortages across all businesses. Particularly hard hit are food service businesses, from restaurants to coffee shops, fast food establishments, bakeries and caterers.
April’s Table owner, April Cunningham, described the difficulties most small independent business owners are having when asked if supply chain problems are affecting her catering business.
It’s been difficult navigating supply chain disruptions for April’s Table in Olde Severna Park. Price hikes for various products also wreaked havoc when planning menus for catered events. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
“Yes, we are experiencing supply problems – whether it be specific to certain brands or items, distribution, or quality. It’s all coming into play right now,” Cunningham said. “Even paper products are difficult and hard to come by. The price hikes make it even worse because what we can get our hands on is exponentially more expensive than either what we’ve quoted, or what our clientele have grown accustomed to. I’m certain any food business is having similar trouble.”
We sampled other food related businesses, checking in with Greg Keating, managing partner for the 206 Restaurant Group that owns Park Tavern and JB’s at Park Plaza.
Located at Park Plaza, both Park Tavern and JB’s have had supply chain and price-hike challenges. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
“It’s been challenging for us to get certain items, especially proteins, for quite some time,” Keating said. “But now, the problems we’re facing have more to do with operating supplies – for example carryout containers. The demand for to-go items has been high because of COVID carryout ordering and third-party ordering. That demand dealt a hard hit to the supply chain, meaning we’ve had to adapt to changing materials over time. We’ve been able to weather the problem fairly well but it’s been an on-again, off again challenge for us.”
Asked if inflationary prices for certain items are an issue, he agreed that they are.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in prices when it comes to proteins, particularly for things like crabmeat and beef,” he said. “We refresh our menus accordingly. We’ve had to take crab off the Park Tavern menu because of the dramatic price rise for crabmeat. It went from $18 per pound two years ago for jumbo lump crabmeat to $49 a pound thirty days ago.”
Keating notes that, all up and down the supply chain, the labor shortages he’s seeing for restaurants are just as challenging for the growers and food manufacturers. Shortages of materials required to grow or produce products are slowing progress. However, he does feel things have eased slightly in the last two months.
For Shipley’s Choice couple Clint and Elizabeth Jones, who own Sizzle Shack and Beach Tables, the going has not been easy.
“Supply chain and inflationary prices have been a major disruption to both our businesses,” Clint Jones said. “For Beach Tables, materials that we need can’t be sourced and limit our production. When we can get our supplies, prices are up at least 20%.”
He added that, for Sizzle Shack, there is no consistency in what he can find in stock for food or packaging.
Owner Clint Jones and son Parker making up their signature crab cakesin Sizzle Shack’s commercial kitchen. Photos courtesy of Sizzle Shack
“Our business relies heavily on crab meat which was out of stock for some time,” he said. “Now that we can get crabmeat, it has more than doubled in price. We try to stay close to our original price but this situation has required us to raise our prices across the board.
While Sizzle Shack has an array of great menu items from pulled pork, Italian meatballs and Chicken Parm to sliders, Clint’s signature crab cakes are a customer favorite. They’re an item he feels he can’t do without.
Sizzle Shack takes online orders only with meal delivery service at www.thesizzleshack.com. You check out both businesses on Facebook and Instagram.
Non-food retailers have had to adjust and adapt to their own set of challenges. Heather Summers, owner of Park Home with husband Scott, said supply chain issues for stores like theirs have been happening for two years now.
Noted for furnishings and accessories needed to achieve the “coastal look” so popular throughout the mid-Atlantic states, Park Home at Park Plaza is fully stocked thanks to ordering ahead.
“You won’t find any businesses who haven’t faced delays getting merchandise. Everything takes longer,” Summers said. “Likewise, price increases have been seen across every industry depending on the product and how it’s being transported.”
Thanks to the Summers’ practice of ordering beyond what they need for any given season, Park Home is fully stocked with furnishings and accessories geared to the coastal look.
Switching gears, we spoke with Mike McNealy, the owner of Severna Park Automotive which has had its own share of supply chain headaches.
Sporting a new look thanks to repainting and renovation work, Severna Park Automotive remains busy while dealing with product shortages and increased costs “for everything”. Photo courtesy of Severna Park Automotive.
“There have been off-and-on disruptions, some of which were strange,” McNealy said. “At one time we couldn’t get a particular aerosol chemical called Brake Clean that’s used to clean bake parts because there was a can shortage. We also had to switch oil filter suppliers because the company we normally used was totally out of the line of filters we needed. Now we’re having trouble getting synthetic oils from some vendors. It’s especially hard to find 0W20. For quite a while it was hard to find window washer solvent.”
“The pricing for everything, across the board, has gone through the roof,” he added. ” The price of gas is high and the cost of most products has doubled. It’s definitely impacted us and we’ve had to adjust our prices. We can’t just absorb the costs without passing some of it along to the consumer.”
Ever expanding its community outreach, the Good Neighbors Group founded by executive director Julie Shay in 2006 accomplished a total of 14 projects during 2021 in spite of many challenges.
Among other things, GNG volunteers collected hundreds of coats for families, collected and mailed Halloween candy to deployed soldiers, donated over 150 units of blood to Luminis/Anne Arundel Medical Center, provided Thanksgiving dinners for 200 families, and collected over 20,500 items for food pantries during their 2021 S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE.
Deeply dedicated to environmental projects the group also cleared invasive vines from Beachwood Park and the Baltimore Annapolis Trail, planted native gardens in public spaces (including one behind Park Salon as seen in the opening photo), and picked up litter from local roadways and waterways.
During Good Neighbors Group’s “Earth Day Festival Month” last year, volunteers moved out in pairs or small groups to various roadways and waterways to pick up trash. Seen here are Julie Shay and GNG Board Member Chris Myers. Photo courtesy of GNG
Shay said GNG is grateful for the volunteers and donors who made so many projects possible during 2021 in spite of problems associated with the COVID pandemic. She adds that the group remains inspired and the game is already on for 2022’s most significant event.
“I’m about to send out the flyer for our fifth annual S(o)UPER BOWL FOOD DRIVE which will take place from February 10 through 13 with food delivered on the 13th, ” she said. “Last year’s drive broke all previous records with a total of 44 neighborhoods participating and tripled the amount of food collected.”
She added that GNG will, hopefully, duplicate last year’s donations to four primary organization’s including the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, SPAN, Inc. on Benfield Road, ACAN (Asbury Church Assistance Network) on Asbury Drive and My Brother’s Pantry in Arnold. The group would also like to expand the number of neighborhoods participating on the Broadneck Peninsula which currently stands at nine. Mezzanotte will again be participating in the drive as a sponsor.
Over the course of four days, neighborhood captains will volunteer their homes as collection points for donations of food and household items. The items tend to spill across every unoccupied space – from back porches and garages to kitchen counters, dining room tables, living room or bedroom floors. Entire families get involved in the process, with children happy to help out.
Jace Kerley, son of neighborhood captain, Bethany Kerley, helped sort last year’s Chartridge neighborhood collection.
Delivery days are quite an endeavor as neighborhood captains load the items into their cars and head for their designated drop off organizations. Last year, Mackenzie Grossman and her younger brother Emerson helped carry packages as their father Jeremiah, neighborhood captain for Olde Severna Park, packed donations into the family SUV, then sat in the middle of it all.
Mackenzie Grossman and brother Emerson helped carry a few packages as their father Jeremiah, neighborhood captain for Olde Severna Park, got them ready to be dropped off to SPAN.
Robyn Scott and Jessica Hermanstorfer (Captain, for West Severna Park neighborhood) delivering donations to SPAN.
It was quite an accomplishment to deliver almost 21,000 food pantry donations but the neighborhood captains persisted to the delight of the recipient organizations.
Volunteers truly enjoy being involved in all the GNG initiatives.
Kathie Hamlett began volunteering with GNG a few years ago. She started as a “project” volunteer meaning she would help out when someone was needed for an hour or two for an event or when GNG was looking for donations. Eventually, her involvement evolved into helping out with the bimonthly Blood Drive during 2021. Currently, she’s looking forward to helping out with the S(o)UPER BOWL drive as it kicks off.
“I love supporting GNG because everyone can help in some capacity,” Hamlett said. “There is a place for everyone, the person who is able to give an hour and the person who is able to give more. I enjoy being a part of a group that is filling existing needs of the community. GNG offers the opportunity to get involved with my community and give back and meet new friends. One time I was volunteering collecting coats and discovered one of my dear friends was volunteering on the other end delivering the coats that I had helped to collect. It makes me feel good that I am able to help others.”
Hamlett’s and the other volunteers’ help will be needed more than ever this year. According to Shay, several community food drives like Harvest For The Hungry, an annual mail carrier’s drive and a Boy Scouts’ drive that have been instrumental in filling food pantries shelves during the winter months did not happen because of the pandemic.
In addition to continuing with ongoing programs, Shay and GNG board members including Chris Myers are hoping to relaunch their annual Earth Day Festival.
“We’re waiting to see what happens with the schools as we’ve held the festival in the past at Severna Park Middle School or Severna Park High School,” Shay said. “We reserved the date of the last Saturday in April and we’re hoping to hear by the end of the month if we will be able to hold it at one of the schools. If not, we’ll do something different but we are definitely doing some sort of outdoor Earthday celebration.”
Good Neighbors Group hopes to relaunch its annual Earth Day Festivals like the one seen here in 2018 at Severna Park High School. The school children were giving away plant-them-yourselves seeds. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler
GNG is also working on a new effort called “Donations Before Dumpsters” which is aimed at making it easy for people to find homes for items they no longer need instead of sending them to the landfill.
“We need to make it quick and convenient for people to find information and sources. We’re getting the word out to residents in hyper-local circles.” said Shay. “However, we also want to reach realtors and contractors who know of people who are renovating, moving or downsizing.”
Shay’s original idea in forming the Good Neighbors Group was to bring people together. She’d noticed that the more technology we have, the more people feel isolated; the more our neighborhoods are developed and overcrowded, the more people fence themselves off. She foresaw GNG as a perfect antidote through making the effort to unite people in good causes. In doing so, the group has recreated a sense of community.
Greater Severna Park Council passes motion opposing development of Mt. Misery
We received a tip from Magothy River Association member Karen Royer that the organization’s president Paul Spadaro built the model pictured below to show how steep the slopes are on the hill in Round Bay called Mt. Misery where a developer wants to build two houses. (Mt. Misery is historically significant in that it was the sight of a Union fortification during the Civil War. The fort was later used as a camp for local Boy Scout Troops.)
Paul Spadaro’s exact 1 to 1 model of the MT Misery site plan now under consideration for County approval. (Photo courtesy of Paul Spadaro)
The developer was granted a variance to the County code that says nothing can be built in the Critical Area on anything greater than a 15 degree slope. The slopes on Mt. Misery are 51% on the Severn River side and 33% on the Magothy side, so the variance never should have been granted. The Greater Severna Park Council just passed a motion that unanimously opposes the plans to build on the Mt Misery hill. The Magothy River Facebook page has some pictures and Spadaro is going to post a drone video showing the narrow top of the hill and the steep slopes.
Imagine our surprise when, following a New Year weekend with temperatures in the mid 60’s, we woke Monday morning to 10 inches of snow and temperatures dropping into the teens.
Glances out the window confirmed that, for the moment, we were snowed in. Though beautiful, the heavy, wet snow bent tree branches nearly to the ground and the winds were creating drifts. Snowplows were absent from many Severna Park communities and there were scattered power failures. However, neighbors soon popped out of their houses to dig out their cars and clear driveways while their children found the nearest hill to sled down or snowdrift to make snow angels in.
Outdoors, there was damage to deal with in the aftermath of the storm. Everywhere one looked, there were broken branches and fallen trees.
Splintered branches were seen everywhere.
Sticks and branches were scattered beneath all the trees.
According to Lou Meyer at The Davey Tree Expert Company, after a snowstorm, cleaning up downed branches can help you evaluate the damage to your trees and help the landscape recover. Branches can be resting on valuable landscape plants and shrubs and putting pressure on them as the snow melts, potentially causing damage. They are also tripping hazards. Meyer warns those cleaning up to make sure there are no downed power lines or trees leaning on power lines.
He adds that, when limbs break in snowstorms and leave a splintered stub, it’s an invitation for decay to develop in the tree.
“Trees have a ridge called a ‘branch bark collar’ where a subordinate stem meets a parent stem, for instance where a branch meets the trunk of the tree. Within this ridge there is a group of cells known as the branch defense zone, which activate healing when exposed. Leaving the splintered stub after the storm prevents these cells from allowing the wound to heal. ”
Branches can easily be pruned but larger limbs would be best removed by a professional from a local garden center or tree service.
Cleanup from the storm remains a work in progress but, most of the time, we’ve remained cozy inside, our thoughts turning to what lies ahead. For gardeners, that means thinking about what we want to plant in our spring flower and vegetable beds. We inventory seeds we have on hand that are still viable and scan paper and virtual seed catalogs for what’s new. We’ll also phone our local garden centers to see when the new seeds will be available.
Seeds purchased last summer should still be viable. However, replacements for favorite varieties will definitely be needed.
Anne Arundel County Farm, Lawn & Garden owner Cory Stephens and staff began working on their displays of flower and vegetable seeds on Monday. According to staff member Karen, the new seeds just came in and it’s taking a while to assemble them in the displays according to manufacturer and in alphabetical order. She noted that certain varieties of seeds for things like tomatoes, peppers and carrots that are favored by customers for their hardiness and reliability sell out quickly. Lettuces and cold weather greens sell especially well – particularly kale which AA Farm, Lawn and Garden sells a lot of.
“You can start cold weather crops in the ground in March. However, we sell everything people need to start their plants indoors eight weeks before the last frost,” she said. “We sell seed staring trays and inserts, grow lights and heat mats on which to set the plant trays. It’s wise to start the seeds in an organic growing medium like Espoma.”
Favorite herbs like parsley and basil and vegetable plants like Amaranth started indoors early, will grow like wildfire when transplanted and set outdoors on sunny spring days. Customers can find more information at AA Co. Farm Lawn & Garden (aalawnandgarden.com).
Sown from seed, Amaranth leaves will quickly reach maturity and, by the first sunny days, you’ll have enough delicate leaves for a tasty salad. drizzled with basil vinagrette.
Popping in at Homestead Gardens Severna Park, we found some seeds already displayed (as seen in the opening photo) but the store was still waiting for the bulk of them to arrive and be put out.
Homestead Perennial Supervisor Alice Milchling said it’s early yet. However, she expects the trend for sustainable gardening that’s been dominant for the past two years to continue. Supply chain issues and inflationary prices for produce of all kinds at the grocery store may create even more new gardeners. Spring garden products and events will shortly be posted on the store’s website at Severna Park Store – Homestead Gardens, Inc.
At Homestead Gardens Davidsonville, the staff was in catch-up mode with a great deal of inventory work and clearing out to do from their extensive exterior and interior holiday displays.
“We have a lot of work still to do and won’t be putting out our garden seed displays until February when it’s time to start the cold crops,” said Homestead gardening expert Dave Kemon.
He noted that the gardening department is happy to advise customers who want to start their seed indoors ahead of time. There is also a lot of information on the Homestead Gardens website about what customers will need, when to start which plants, etc.
Like last year, Kemon expects seeds for some plants to sell out quickly.
“It’s been that way for the last two years. With everything that’s going on in the world, people want to grow their own stuff.” he said. “Taking into consideration inflation and supply chain problems, we think we’ll sell even more seeds and supplies.”
Kemon added that both branches of Homestead Gardens carry a full spectrum of organic and regular seeds including well-known brands like Lake Valley and Renee’s Garden Seeds. Cold crop seeds for lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and rhubarb, to name a few, can be started inside with a grow light or heat mat and seed-starting soil (a light-weight mixture that plant roots can penetrate through). Homestead also carries plant trays and peat pots.
Starting a few favorite herbs, vegetables or flowers now (like the garlic chives pictured below) will delight gardeners come summer when they will see their efforts amply rewarded.
Started from a pack of seeds, these garlic chives, that bloom every summer, are wonderfully flavorful and attract bees and butterflies.
Throughout the world, many people begin the New Year with a walk, preferably in a natural setting. A stepson living in Kyoto, Japan hikes up a nearby mountain at sunrise on the first day of the year – a tradition that’s considered a way to leave the old year behind and begin anew.
Closer to home, Anne Arundel County residents can start the New Year off on the right foot with a “First Day Hike” on January 1st at one of 47 parks located in Anne Arundel County. Among the best known are 236-acre Downs Park off the Chesapeake Bay in Pasadena, 90-acre Ft. Smallwood Park at the confluence of the Patapsco River and Rock Creek, 288-acre Kinder Farm Park in Millersville and 340-acre Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.
One of our favorite parks, from both a historic and natural resources conservation perspective, is Greenbury Point at the mouth of the Severn River in Annapolis which is managed by the U.S. Navy. Situated on a scenic 231-acre peninsula, the park has multiple points of interest with equal appeal for historians, hikers, nature lovers, birders, or dog walkers – so many things to see that a visitor hardly knows where to start.
Hoopers High Drive leads toward the waters of Brown’s Cove.
Greenbury Point trails are currently open from 6 am to 6 pm but, if like me, New Year’s Day brunch precludes an early start, keep in mind that darkness falls early these days.
A fan of water views, I like to start off across a field opposite the Nature Center parking lot to Hooper’s High Road which leads to a marina that is closed to the public. However, an area of shoreline to the right of the marina provides an amazing view across the Upper Chesapeake Bay to the Bay Bridge.
Looking across the Chesapeake Bay to the Bay Bridge. Photos by Sharo Lee Tegler
Heading back up Hooper High Road, one comes to the building formerly known as Hooper High School. An outgrowth of the Naval Academy Primary School in the late 1940’s, Hooper High educated the teenaged children of Naval Academy faculty and staff. As Greenbury Point is an official training hub for the Naval Academy, older facilities no longer in operation, like Hooper High, were converted for use by military and DOD civilian personnel.
The signpost for Hooper High Road leads to the former Hooper High School which educated teenaged students of Naval Academy faculty members and staff.
If there’s time, visitors can explore Timberdoodle Trail to the right which meanders through wet woodlands or the equally woodsy Pipsissewa Trail to the left.
Timberdoodle Trail consists of wet woodlands that are home to herps (i.e., amphibians and reptiles).
Back at the Nature Center (open only on Thursdays) there are other foot trails including the Poets Nature Trail and several picturesque birdhouses.
Greenbury Point Nature Center
One of the nature center birdhouses.
For canines and their human companions, Greenbury Point is one immense dog park though dogs are required to be leashed as can be seen by the photo below.
Canines and their human companions coming off Bobwhite Trail near the Nature Center parking areas.
For dog owners with limited time, there is also a fenced-in Dog Park by the Nature Center.
Dog owners with limited time will enjoy the Dog Park where they can kick off the New Year with their pups.
Visitors looking for a relaxing, refreshing, and inspiring New Year’s Day walk, however, will want to take in the Bobwhite Trail and adjoining Tower Access Roads where both parkland and water views are spectacular. Signs on the gate warn that, at various times, the land behind the gates is a Live Firing Range for Naval Academy Training Exercises.
Beyond the gates lies the beautiful Bob White Trail and adjoining East and West Tower Roads.
The mix of scrub and swamp vegetation along the winding Bobwhite Trail is home to more than 165 species of birds with additional waterfowl along the shorelines. To name just a few, they include year-round species like the Canada Goose, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Black-backed Gull as well as the Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird and American Goldfinch.
As the day grows shorter, the twitter of birds picks up in the brush and treessurrounding the trail.
Looming up in the distance are Greenbury Point’s iconic 800-foot-high radio towers. The first towers were erected during World War I but most thereafter. There were eventually nearly 40 towers, only three of which still exist. The rest, including one nearly a quarter mile high, were torn down in 1999. The huge antennas were used for radio transmissions to U.S. Navy ships and submarines world-wide with very low frequency transmissions for the nuclear submarine force as the primary mission for the antenna farm up to 1994.
Just three of the iconic radio towers remain standing. One is currently used as a cell phone tower.
Close to the towers looms the shoreline.
The Tower Access Road sections of the trail hug the shoreline.
Moving beneath one tower and on to the next, the Chesapeake Bay lies just ahead.
Continuing past the towers, as many as six or eight ships can often be seen in a long line on the Chesapeake Bay as they wait to move into the Baltimore harbor……….including this Grimaldi Lines freighter.
Walking on, one will soon be able to look across the water at the Annapolis skyline with its distinctive Capital dome.
Hikers can choose to continue following the Tower Access Road back to Bobwhite Trail or can shortcut across a connecting trail that’s sort of a switchback getting you more quickly to the gate from which you entered.
Along the way, there’s an opportunity to rest on a bench and contemplate what lies ahead for us in 2022. Let’s hope our First Day Hikes, wherever they take us, lead to better times in the New Year.
From snowflakes on the windows and gift-wrapped packages on the walls to the elf perched on the coffee maker, the allure of warm java and honey dipped donuts remains a strong draw for young and old at the fixture that is Severna Park’s Donut Shack.
All of it was a delight to two-year-old Ezra who was enjoying a donut with his grandfather Larry Altman last Saturday. The scene was reminiscent of one Larry has seen repeated often over the years. Having known Donut Shack founders Bill and Stacey Prevezanos during their three-decade operation of the shop, Altmann is pleased with today’s ownership group, headed by Ali Matthews and Ben Hilliard. He believes they’re every bit as dedicated as the Prevezanos to maintaining the shop as a neighborhood mainstay – a place for locals to gather with friends or family or buy a box of donuts to take home for Sunday morning brunch.
Gift-wrapped packages on the walls, Christmas trees and other decorations lent a holiday feel to Donut Shack. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
“I love that Donut Shack is still here,” Altmann said. “It’s a sign of continuity in an area that’s rapidly changing from its small-town environment to an urban one. Lately, I see parents who came here for donuts as kids coming back with their own children. I wanted my grandson to have the same experience.”
He added how happy he and his friends are that the new owners have not changed Donut Shack but have kept the original counter, booths and character of the place. They’ve also continued the Prevezanos’ tradition of providing job opportunities for teens like Owen Dinsmore and his sister Kim who were at the counter on Saturday.
Brother and sister, Owen and Kim Dinsmore, were working the counter Saturday. They are among many teens for whom Donut Shack provided job opportunities over the years.
According to Kim, Saturday was a very busy day.
Looking back to the shop’s Grand Re-Opening on February 29th of last year, Ali Matthews recalled that, as owner/operator, she had a lot to learn. Thirteen days later, the learning curve grew even steeper when it was announced that, because of COVID-19, social distancing was going to be the new norm.
Despite the pandemic mandated closure of their counter and table areas, the shop continued operations and remained busy. There was still quite a demand for Donut Shack’s beloved donuts so they began taking and filling orders for coffee and donuts at a table by the front door and initiated an online business that was steady.
According to manager Paul Schiro who oversees online deliveries, the shop has seen a tremendous expansion of those services in the months since.
“We do deliveries weekly through Severna Park and Arnold,” Schiro said. “In addition, every week we go to a different section of the county or to the Eastern Shore. We try to hit every destination every five weeks. One week we’ll do Glen Burnie, Pasadena and Millersville. The next week we’ll hit Linthicum, Odenton and Severn. The third week we’ll do Crownsville and Crofton. The fourth week we’ll do Edgewater and Annapolis. Then we’ve needed to split up the Eastern Shore, where’s there’s tremendous demand, so we head for Stevensville and Graysonville and Chester the fifth week ad Queenstown and Centerville the sixth week. We kind of work it counter -clockwise.”
He added that Donut Shack makes doorstep deliveries. Depending on the weekend, they may have four or five different deliveries using drivers who are locals. Schiro does all the mapping on the weekends at night.
He notes that the delivery business came about solely as a response of the pandemic but remains so popular it’s become a regular service.
“We began deliveries in Severna Park and Arnold with an incredible response and decided to just keep going and continued expanding and expanding,” said Schiro.
There is no doubt that the popularity of Donut Shack donuts has spread by word of mouth. But social media sites like Facebook and Instagram have helped too. The shop also maintains an email list.
It’s great fun to visit the shop which is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Its original decor seems almost retro by today’s standards. For little ones, it’s reassuring to know that Donut Shack believes in Santa.
Ali Matthews recalls that the staff learned to make donuts directly from master donut-maker Bill Prevezanos. It took a bit of time to perfect them and recapture the original Donut Shack donut taste. Customers like Larry Altmann can attest to the fact that they’ve accomplished that goal.
Christmas Eve Services in-person at some local churches
For those who are still thinking of attending an in-person Christmas Eve worship service, they are being offered by many, but not all, Severna Park churches. All are requesting that worshipers wear masks. We’ll list several here.
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church – 4 pm Childrens Pageant – 7 pm Contemporary Service – 8 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service with Choir and Orchestra – 10 pm Traditional Service with Communion
Severna Park United Methodist Church – 4 pm Family Service featuring Children’s Christmas Pageant – 9 pm Traditional Christmas Eve Service with choir, bells and brass quintet – 11 pm Traditional Service with choir.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church – Christmas Eve Mass Schedule – 4 pm at church – 4::15 pm in auditorium – 6 pm at church – 8 pm at church – Midnight at church
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church – 3 pm- Traditional Christmas Eve Service with candlelight and communion – 4 pm Children’s Service with candlelight and communion – 5 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion – 6 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion – 7 pm Traditional Service with candlelight and communion
Severna Park Baptist Church – 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
First-timers at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s outdoor Christmas Market were impressed by the sheer volume of shoppers passing through on December 11. Even those who frequent the market during the summer months remarked that the crowds were the biggest they’d ever seen.
The weather was grey but mild after early morning rains and the atmosphere was lighthearted owing to a wonderful mix of Christmas wreaths and garlands, gift items and a wide range of foods and spirits perfect for holiday tables. Rounding a corner past several tents by the entrance, it was hard to miss regular vendor Zahradka Farm’s stand where the tables held wreaths handmade from evergreens grown on their acreage. One table was devoted to late season vegetables, eggs and jams.
Handmade wreaths took the place of fruits and vegetables on all but one of the Zahradka Farm tables.
Walking on further, there were products to investigate wherever one looked. Customers formed lines to check out fresh shrimp, scallops and fish from vendor OBX Shrimp. They positively thronged The Breadery‘s stand for loaves of fresh milled whole grain and artisan breads and rolls.
Walking through the market was quite an experience for first-time Christmas Market shoppers. With 28 vendors supplying one-of-a-kind items from handmade soaps to honey, barbeque sauces or dill pickles, the market had tremendous appeal for those who like to Shop Local.
Samantha Miller of Grow With Samantha came all the way from the Eastern Shore to participate in the Christmas Market.
Most of the regular vendors were on hand plus several that came specifically for the Christmas Market. One of those was Samantha Miller of Grow With Samantha Macrame who came all the way from the Eastern Shore. Popping her head out from rows of handcrafted hanging shelves and planters to speak with shoppers looking for Christmas gifts, Samantha said she began making her line of macrame items to raise money for her two rescue horses.
Also from the Eastern Shore, Anita Robertson from My Nana’s Kitchen pulled out all the stops for the Christmas Market making jar upon jar of old-fashioned homemade jams, spreads, and condiments.
Homemade jams, spreads and sauces from Anita Robertson’s My Nana’s Kitchen stretched the length of three tents and drew lines of customers all morning as did Eve’s Cheeses next to her.
Christmas shoppers were most definitely drawn to the tent where Amy Heath of HipModVintage was selling her own seasonally decorated vintage sleighs, tennis rackets and jewelry along with daughter Ellie Heath’s Three Blue Bunnies jackets. Both women use recycled materials to craft their unique and stylish items.
Regular vendor Amy Heath was selling her line of jewelry along with vintage sleighs and tennis rackets dressed up for holiday display.
Heath was also selling her daughter Ellie’s signature Three Blue Bunnies jackets.
Holiday decorations were scattered elsewhere through the market. Fans of regular vendor Joyce Martinek of Joyce’s Flowers were happy to see she’d switched from flowers to wreaths, pinecones and other decorative items.
The appearance of the “Charlie Brown Trees ” section was a heartwarming touch.
The Charlie Brown Trees section was a heartwarming addition.
Toward the far end of the Christmas Market, who could possibly ignore the Dangerously Delicious Pies stand. With sweet pies like Caramel Apple Crumb, Mixed Berry Crumb, Baltimore Bomb and Pumpkin and savory pies like Chicken or Steak, Mushroom, Onion and Gruyere, it would be hard to resist buying one.
But, Oops! By 10:30 am, the popular stand was completely sold out with every pie gone and bags of Zeke’s Coffee the only product left to sell.
Immensely popular, Dangerously Delicious Pieswas sold out of their popular sweet and savory pies by 10:30 am and had only a few bags of Zeke’s coffee left for purchase. The Annapolis business turns up at the market throughout the summer.
Pasture-raised meats and eggs from Tracey’s Landing-based Morris Hill Farm near the exit of the market were far from overlooked. A regular Severna Park Farmer’s Market vendor, owner David Haberkorn’s products are much sought after. Special offerings for the Christmas Market included Smoked Ham Roasts and Babyback Ribs.
A regular vendor, Morris Hill Farm’s products are popular throughout the season. An oft-requested item for Christmas Market shoppers was bacon which owner David Haberkorn supplied from his refrigerated truck.
With yet another successful Christmas Market to their credit, the vendors bid a fond farewell to the customers they’d served through the summer……. for now. They also extended heartfelt invitations to the shoppers to come back and see them in the spring. The Severna Park Farmers Market, at the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, runs from April through October. Visiting the market is a wonderful way to #shoplocal and #supportourfarmers. To follow the market on Facebook, visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook .
The gratifyingly large crowd that turned out for the Community Tree Lighting at The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue last Friday was joyous as the evening’s program got underway. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman was on hand for the countdown for the lighting. A dance performance by the Dance Center of Seerna Park followed and was greeted by generous applause.
As the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus of 4th and 5th graders lined up facing the crowd to sing “Oh Christmas Tree” and other carols, there was enthusiastic cheering.
The Severna Park Elementary School Chorus segued into their second number, “Jingle Bells”. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler.
Facing the crowd and the beautiful tree beyond, the 40-member chorus moved on to a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells”. As always, the Chamber’s three-decade traditional holiday celebration attracted attendees from far and near and created an air of excitement throughout the town.
Across the street, the Neal family and friends gathered in front of the Red Apron Shoppe to enjoy the festivities.
Parallel to the Chamber, in the historic train station, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club opened its doors to the public for a peek at its amazing multi-rail train display. Across Riggs Avenue, in front of the Red Apron Shoppe, the owners’ family and friends had gathered along the sidewalk to enjoy the festivities.
The younger children in the audience liked the performances. However, they couldn’t resist the inevitable draw of Santa, who sat ready to welcome them and listen to their Christmas wishes. Nearby, The Grinch was wandering about. Far from trying to steal Christmas, the Dr. Seuss character amiably shook hands and chatted with the kids.
The dance and choral performances were great but nothing could compare with a chance to visit Santa.
Younger still, and oh so curious, two-year-old Brooks Miller nested in the arms of his uncle Robert Peroutka while viewing the spectacle through his new binoculars.
Two-year-old Brooks Miller enjoyed the festivities from the safe perch of Uncle Robert Peroutka’s arms.
As the celebration progressed, Chamber CEO Liz League, who acted as emcee, grew more and more pleased. She hadn’t known what size crowd to expect and was thrilled. She was also grateful for support from a number of sponsor and helping hands.
“The Big Bean Coffee Shop owners Greg and Christie Coster called the week of the lighting and offered to serve hot chocolate and cider,” League said. “The Costers planned for 75 but we had over 600 people and they served 17 containers of beverages. They were wonderful to go back to the shop and get more supplies several times. But they loved the event and meeting community members.
As is their tradition, The Toast of Severna Park Toastmasters Club was on hand giving out butter cookies that were donated by COSTCO. The group went through hundreds of cookies. All of our candy canes and candy were also given out. It was a record-breaking crowd.”
The celebration ended with a series of cleverly choreographed routines by Creative Force Dance Center.
The Talent Machine Company’s “Holiday Magic” opens December 11th
With this year’s Talent Machine Company Christmas production, “Holiday Magic”, about to debut on Saturday, December 11th at Indian Creek Upper School, the excitement level was high among the 47 young actors participating in last week’s tech rehearsals. It was such a pleasure to be together rehearing for “live” performances of the show, that they didn’t mind the work involved in blocking and lighting scenes, refining the vocals or making adjustments to the dance routines.
Staging the first dance number of Act 2 of “Holiday Magic”, director Lea Capps dictated the positions the actors were to take. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
Patience was required as director Lea Capps re-positioned them multiple times as they moved through each number.
TMC’s traditional holiday performance venue at St. John’s College was not available so the cast was just getting acquainted with the Indian Head Upper School theater.
Talent Machine company manager/production manager Judy Curbello explained that the theater at St. John’s, which has been a traditional home for TMC holiday productions, is undergoing renovations. Thus, a new performance venue had to be found.
“Thanks to the families of some of our students who attend Indian Creek, we were able to use this lovely theater,” she said. “However, we do our own sets, props and costumes created by parent volunteers. The set we’re using today is a partially decorated living room set for Act 2. The larger “downtown Annapolis” set we’ll use to open the show and throughout Act 1 is really beautiful.”
The lighting crew had to be on its toes as rehearsal continued and the actors performed part of a dance routine from Act 2 at Capps’ direction.
The lighting crew was still figuring out how to best light this dance sequence from Act 2.
A few minutes later, the crew shifted into overdrive, lighting the entire stage, as the dancers segued into another part of the sequence.
The lighting was broadened for a different part of the dance.
Actors not in the number onstage or in a nearby vocal rehearsal, watched from their seats in the theater. Cast members range in age from 7 to 18 and come from Crofton, Millersville, Severna Park, Pasadena, Annapolis and, basically, all over Anne Arundel County.
Talking with several actors, it was apparent how much they were enjoying a return to the normalcy of TMC’s annual holiday show.
Ainslley Grow, Reilly Miller and Lily Abbott stood together near the back of the theater watching the action. All three are freshmen but attend different schools. Ainsley attends Severn School and Reilly attends Severna Park High while Lily goes to Monsignor Slade Catholic School. They’ve all appeared in Talent Machine shows previously.
The three love doing the “big production” holiday shows even though they require multiple costume changes. Ainsley will spend most of her time on stage fully costumed as a reindeer…complete with the head. Reilly will appear as a soldier, a freaky doll, an elf and a regular guy in a winter scene. Lily will also appear as an elf, will look hip as part of the Boogie Woogie Trio, and will wear a gingerbread costume for the number Reindeer Twist.
Lily, whose mother Karin Abott coordinates with Heather Carroll in creating the costumes, said she, Ainsley and the other female cast members will wear pretty winter dresses and the fellows will wear suits for the show’s finale.
TMC veterans Kathryn Randall, Catherine Osikowicz and Ainsley Ellis are appearing in their final Christmas production.
Seniors this year and likely appearing in their last TMC holiday show as actors, dancers and vocalists, Kathryn Randall, Catherine Osikowicz and Ainsley Ellis are finding the experience bittersweet. They love the premise of the show, however. They explained that the production is centered around defeating Suzy Snowflake’s efforts to ruin Christmas.
The mysterious and devilish Suzy Snowflake is played by Natalie Dixon.
The mysterious and devilish Suzy is played by Natalie Dixon who says assuming the role of a “demon” is a bit different for her.
“I’ve never been in people’s faces before as I am in the Suzy Snowflake number,” she says.
“Holiday Magic”, an originally staged production by TMC founder, the late Bobbi Smith, has been re staged by Lea Capps with new numbers added.
TMC Christmas show fans will be happy to know that “Holiday Magic” – a bound-to-be-fun spectacular – will have three performances on December 11 at 10 am, 2 pm and 7 pm and will have evening performances on December 21, 22 and 23 at 7 pm. For tickets and directions to Indian Creek Upper School, visit Holiday Magic 2021 – Talent Machine .
All across the country, supply chain disruptions have been a big problem for toy stores and a cause of confusion for both shop owners and parents looking for Christmas presents..
Having suffered no major disruptions thanks to pre-planning on the part of the owners, the shelves are fully stocked at both branches of Franklin’s Toys. The ordering process has been “crazy” this year according to co-owner Stephen Kauffmann but Franklin’s Toys Severna Park at 558-A Ritchie Hightway in Park Plaza and Franklin’s Toys Annapolis at 2327C Forest Drive in Festival at Riva have great selections of toys.
Plush critters are abundant throughout both stores. Whether gigantic in proportion like the dragon in the opening photo or the elegant giraffe below….. or small and cuddly….. all would love to end up as some lucky child’s Christmas gift.
This elegant plush giraffe is the first thing customer’s notice as they walk through the door at Franklin’s Toys Annapolis. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
While the cuddly critters are very appealing, they are not this year’s “hot toy”. Surprisingly, the hot toy that is selling off the shelves is called Pop Fidgety. Neither extravagant or costly, Pop Fidgety toys are modeled after bubble wrap and come in a multitude of sizes .
This year’s HOT TOY, Pop Fidgety games are selling off the shelves at both stores. They appear to be modeled after bubble wrap, come in various sizes and shapes and can apparently be popped endlessly.
After surviving a challenging 2020, traffic is up significantly at both Franklin’s Toys stores – a cause for celebration according to the owners. Like other merchants, they’re grateful that, this year, holiday shoppers are out and about supporting the small, independent businesses that are the soul of their communities.
Customers are telling them they appreciate the range of products the stores carry. They particularly like that both branches offer the same product lines so, when one store is out of a toy, the other can supply it.
The customer at the counter at the Annapolis branch told the checker he’d called first and was pleased to find they carried the toy he was looking for since the Severna Park branch was temporarily sold out.
As in past years, little kids can’t wait to get their hands on big yellow dump trucks by Bruder or Road Rockers tractor trailer race transports while their slightly older siblings are drawn to Matchbox-sized cars and absolutely love Legos.
Three-year-olds have a positive passion for big, yellow dump trucks like those by Bruder – especially if there is sand or dirt nearby.
Road Rockers tractor-trailer race transports are cool too for kids with an eye for cars.
Legos are fun for kids of all ages. They are used as teaching toys in schools and there are Lego Clubs and competitions.
Legos are a Franklin’s Toys staple and are popular year-round.
Today’s educational toys are not only instructional but entertaining. Those carried by Franklin’s Toys range from easy-to-play musical instruments to a nifty toy cash register with which your child can play store.
Easy-to-play musical instruments can inspire a budding musician……
……or a colorful toy cash register can inspire a whole afternoon of playing “store”.
There are even educational toys for adults. Franklin’s Toys Severna Park has an entire wall of jigsaw puzzles which rose in popularity during the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic and have retained their appeal.
A whole wall at Franklin’s Toys Severna Park is dedicated to jigsaw puzzles popular with families. They became immensely popular during the pandemic and have retained their appeal.
Franklin’s Toys always carries a rack or two of filmy princess garments suitable for dress-ups. This year’s newest accessories for “make-believe princesses” are Great Pretenders bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and other adornments.
There are Christmas storybooks aplenty and for stocking stuffers, you can’t beat specially designed Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs.
Holiday story books, both classic and zany, are perfect for reading on Christmas eve and what kid wouldn’t enjoy Stocking Stuffer Mad Libs.
PIC Upscale Resale Boutique open for holiday shopping
Not only gifting, but giving is on the upswing too. Last Christmas, the Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique (at 8151 Ritchie Highway) gathered its Christmas collections while adapting to COVID-19 guldelines but succeeded in making holiday shopping a pleasure for its customers. This year, thanks to generous donations and the efforts of volunteers who are the backbone of the boutique, the shop is looking great for the holiday season.
In addition to tables and counters featuring holiday patterned china and glassware, they’re showing items that would make great gifts including designer label handbags and clothing. There is also a counter of the boutique’s well-known collection of upscale fine jewelry.
Partners In Care, – a private non-profit, 501(c) (3) offering programs and services that help older adults remain living in their homes independently – is largely a self-sustaining organization so fine jewelry and boutique sales provide most of its operating budget.
Holiday-themed decorative items are scattered throughout the shop.
Thanks to generous donations, great holiday items pop up throughout the boutique.
PIC’s staff and the boutique volunteers are thrilled to be back to normal operations and welcoming holiday shoppers his year.
“If you’re looking for a Christmas gift, we have so many great things that are reasonably priced,” said boutique volunteer Marlene Zupkusky. “We have holiday mugs for $2 each, for instance.”
Partners In Care Upscale Resale Boutique’ s hours are Mondays from Noon till 6 pm and Tuesdays thru Saturdays from 10 am till 6 pm. The store is closed on Sundays.
Hours for people wishing to donate resale items are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am till noon. For information, visit Boutiques – Partners In Care Maryland or call 410-544-0568.
Diehl’s Produce has Chrismas trees aplenty
Another quick reminder that Diehl’s Produce, at the corner of Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and McKinsey Road has plenty of Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths as well.
Diehl’s Produce’s current crop of Christmas trees look oh so festive. Their evergreen wreaths are great too.
Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company also has trees for sale on the lot next to the firehouse. They’ll also be starting their annual Santa Runs on December 4. Lunch With Santa is planned for December 5. For information on the Santa Runs neighborhood schedule and details on Lunch With Santa visit Earleigh Heights VFC (ehvfc.org).
Local residents have had a variety of Christmas events to choose from throughout the years. Most were cancelled last year due to the pandemic but are back for 2021 in all their glory. Among the most popular are the two primary celebrations in Severna Park – the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce Community Tree Lighting and the Park Plaza Christmas Celebration. Both have interesting histories.
Severna Park Community Tree Lighting December 3rd
The town’s much-celebrated Community Tree Lighting will take place this year in front of the Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue (after being temporarily replaced in 2020 by a COVID-guidelines compliant “Tick or Tree” event). The annual holiday event draws large crowds from Arnold, Severna Park, Millersville, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Crofton and beyond.
The tree lighting tradition was started in the early 1990’s by Linda Zahn following her appointment as the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce’s first Chief Executive Officer. (She served as CEO for nearly three decades until succeeded by Liz League in 2018.)
Zahn doesn’t recall if there was a long-ago community tree in Severna Park but has heard that Santa flew into Severna Park Shopping Village on B&A Boulevard by helicopter in the 1950’s or 60’s. She started lighting the immensely tall, stately holly tree that still stands on the chamber property round 1994 or 1995.
“I felt we needed a community tree and I got permission to light that one from the Department of Parks and Recreation which owns the land,” Zahn said. ” It’s huge! I took a look at the lights that were on the tree at the Naval Academy alumni house. I had an area electrician make similar lights for the Chamber to use on the huge holly so that the bulbs were of a decent size for a tree that big. We took the lights from top to bottom in strings. I believe (but am trusting my memory here), that Steve Darley climbed the tree that first year to put the lights up. We used that tree for years.”
The huge holly tree that Linda Zahn lit for years still exists and can be seen towering above the current tree being trimmed by the chamber’s current CEO Liz League and her husband Jim. Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler.
Locals loved seeing the tall holly lit up. It could be seen glowing in the distance as drivers approached Severna Park from Benfield Road and Riggs Avenue. Zahn recalled how she organized a celebration around that first lighting, setting a pattern for the program that is still used today.
“I closed the street from traffic and started the activities surrounding the chamber tree lighting,” she said. “I used the railing at the Elmore Building to set up a stage so that people gathered on Holly Avenue could see the bag piper. Piper Michael Binnie opened every tree lighting while I was there and continues to do so. I put up flood lights to show Michael, the singers, etc. I brought in dancers too and they performed on Holly in the Elmore parking area. We had refreshments in the chamber building and the Severna Park Model Railroad Club next door was opened for visitors. It was quite an evening.
Zahn used the railing above the parking lot as a stage for piper Michael Binney to perform along with choruses from Severna Park Elementary and St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Elementary Schools. The same performance area is used today along with the lot below for the dancers.Zahn also invited the Severna Park Model Railroad Club housed next door in the historic Severna Park Railroad Station to open its doors to attendees – a practice that continues.
In the earlier years, the chamber’s CEO brought in regional dance troupes like the one in the opening photo who pranced delightfully as reindeers at during the 2012 tree lighting. Later, she began using dancers from the Dance Center of Severna Park and Creative Force Dance Center.
Eventually it became too much trouble to light the huge holly, even with a bucket truck. It was a prickly tree and the lights were giving Zahn trouble because water would get in the sockets and some lines would short and go out. Meanwhile a young holly planted directly in front of the chamber was getting big. After consulting with expert Kevin Wengernuk about keeping it shaped so it could be easily decorated, she started trimming the new tree with help from her husband Steve.
These days, planning for the chamber tree lighting and decoration of the Community Tree has fallen to current CEO Liz League and her husband Jim, who also assumes the role of The Grinch at holiday time.
Santa and The Grinch (a.k.a. Jim League) pose before the modern-day Community Christmas Tree.
Santa and The Grinch will both be on hand for the 2021 Chamber Tree Lighting and Open House being held on Friday, December 2nd at 5 pm in front of the Severna Park and Arnold Chamber building at One Holly Avenue.
Following tradition, the festivities will begin as darkness falls with featured performances by the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus and dancers from the Creative Force Dance Center and the Dance Center of Severna Park. Attendees will be invited to the Open House at the chamber building for cookies, hot chocolate, and cider and may also visit the Severna Park Model Railroad Club train display.
Park Plaza Holiday Celebration to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus back December 10
Park Plaza will once again welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to its annual holiday celebration on December 10th with live music from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. It’s not known yet how the jolly old elf and his wife will arrive as they have appeared in different ways every year since the early 1990’s.
According to Side Street Framers & Gift Gallery co-owner Dawn Baumgartner Wilson, whose family helps organize the event, the first Santas to appear nearly 30 years ago were volunteers from the Greater Severna Park Chamber.
Santa and Mrs. Claus have been turning up at the Park Plaza holiday celebrations for three decades. Santa is always ready to lend a knee while children tell him what they’d most like for Christmas.
For several years, the jolly old elf and his wife appeared by horse-drawn carriage like the one below. Other years they came by firetruck.
Who knows? If we get snow, the couple may come by reindeer. But one thing’s for certain, the children will love sitting on Santa’s lap while parents snap away with their smartphones.
Waiting until darkness falls, Santa and Mrs. Claus have arrive by horse-drawn carriage as seen here, by firetruck, and a couple of other ways. They’d prefer to come by sleigh if we’d just get some snow.One of the middle school bands that played for Park Plasa holiday celebrations on 2018.
Park Plaza holiday celebrations always have music, most often supplied by school choruses or bands. The merchants offer treats and games for children. This year, characters are coming and there will be a balloon artist. Stores like The Cottage, Park Home, Franklin Toys and Side Street Framers will be decorated beautifully and some will have sales.
Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration
The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s 11th Anniversary Holiday Taste and Sip celebration will be held December 9th at Chartwell Golf and Country Club from 6 to 9 pm.
This event has a bit of a history too. Eleven-year sponsor Matt Wyble of The Matt Wyble Team helped former chamber CEO Linda Zahn launch the first Taste and Sip in 2009 against the glittering holiday backdrop of original hosts Homestead Gardens Severna Park and adjoining Zachary’s Jewelers. The event was held there for nine years. until the number of attendees exceeded the amount of space.
As co-founder and continuous sponsore of the event, Matt Wyble, second from left circulated among guests throughout the 2018 Taste & Sip event at Homestead Gardens and Zachary’s Jewelers.
In 2019 Wyble helped the chamber’s current CEO Liz League bring the event to Chartwell Golf and Country Club for the first time drawing 300 guests. Both Wyble and League are excited to be back at Chartwell again this year after a year’s pause due to the pandemic.
Enjoying the Holiday Taste and Sip event in a cozy corner of Chartwell Golf and Country Club’s ballroom in 2019 were Blended Essentials co-founder Lance Bowen and wife Danielle.
“It’s very exciting,” League said. “We’re expecting 26 vendors – our area’s finest purveyors of food and drink – so the variety of wines, spirits and dishes to sample will be amazing.”
As always, there will be entertainment. Guests will be greeted at the entrance by carols from The Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. The chorus has performed at the Taste and Sip event many times but has not done a public performance for over a year so they are really looking forward to the occasion. There will be a Silent Auction too. There is much more. Tickets are still available at Holiday Taste and Sip 11th Anniversary Celebration (gspacc.com) but are going fast.
Severna Park Farmer’s Market “Christmas Market” Dec. 11
The Severna Park Farmer’s Market is excited to announce their Christmas Market will be held December 11 from 8 to 12 pm. They are full up with vendors so there will be meats, wines and spirits, seasonal fruits and veggies, breads and holiday items.
Regular Farmer’s Market vendor Amy Heath will be there with decorative Christmas items, jewelry and jeans jackets from Three Blue Bunnies.
There are a few other holiday events but we hit the high points. Those of us who like to visit Annapolis during the holiday season, favor Midnight Madness Thursdays. This year, they’ll take place December 2nd and 9th, from 4 pm till Midnight and December 16th from 4 to 11 pm where select stores in downtown Annapolis will remain open until midnight.
We also return again and again for the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade which will take place along the Annapolis waterfront on Saturday, December 11th from 6 to 8 pm. It’s always great fun to cheer on the decorated boats and their crews as they circle the harbor. For more information, check out Visit Annapolis – Holiday Events .
By last weekend, local shoppers were noticing little hints of Christmas like the evergreen wreaths that appeared in front of Giant supermarket. However, in Olde Severna Park, most of the merchants are waiting to put up Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving has passed.
On November 17, a Happy Hour was hosted by Red Apron Shoppe owners MaryAnn and Cam Neal at their 4 Riggs Avenue storefront. Held outdoors around a firepit, the occasion provided a chance for Olde Severna Park shop owners to meet and discuss ways to raise the shopping district’s profile and cement a stronger community feel. Promoting the town center as a great place for shopping with retailers, restaurants, a baker, a bookstore and neighborhood business people to support it was at the heart of the discussion – and what better time than during the holidays.
The Neals welcomed historian Scott Jay.
Chatting with Nancy Luttrell and WRNR Sales Manager Rick Marsalek, the Neals mentioned their building was constructed in the 1920’s. Not long afterward, town historian Scott Jay arrived with an album of photos from the community’s earliest days. One was of the Red Apron Shoppe when it was Doc Codd’s Pharmacy.
Fellow merchants MaryAnn Neal and Danielle Bowen happily compared notes on their family businesses.
Guests from today’s shops, like Danielle Bowen from Blended Essentials, enjoyed seeing photos of the long-ago businesses. However, most feel the current crop of retailers is ready to shine.
As the original town center and heart of the community, Olde Severna Park has much to offer and is conveniently compact, with shops along both sides of Baltimore and Annapolis Boulevard, wrapping around to both sides of Riggs Avenue and McKinley Road and extending almost to Ritchie Highway.
The line of shops along one side of Baltimore an Annapolis Boulevard – the original center of commerce for the town known first as Boone and later as Severna Park. Photos by Sharon Lee TeglerOn the opposite side of B&A Boulevard, Severna Park Shopping Village was established in the 1950’s and is home to a variety of restaurants and retailers including a fitness center and baker. Seen here are, from left to right, Park Books, Savvy Consignment and Garry’s Grill.
The Neals’ daughter Hannah can often be seen dispensing penny candy to shoppers’ children from behind the glass counter.
One topic of conversation at the happy hour gathering was the Neal’s belief in restoring the town’s long-held reputation as the heart of the community by emphasizing its history. The couple even installed a counter in their shop featuring jars of penny candy and fresh eggs to recreate Cam’s childhood memories of going to Dawson’s Country Store and selecting candy from jars offered by Cliff Dawson himself.
For many years, the spirit of Christmas has lived on in the town through the annual community tree lighting at the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce offices at One Holly Avenue. This year, it will be held on December 3rd. By then the entire town will be decorated and the local businesses will delight in welcoming those who choose to Shop Local for food, beverages and gifts.
There are more than two dozen shops in Olde Severna Park that can fulfill most all your holiday needs. We checked out a few, starting at Severna Park Shopping Village. We parked in front of Park Books owned by Melody Wukitch. Inside, there were shelves full of books and gift items that would make wonderful holiday presents. The children’s section is particularly good.
Holiday hours were posted outside Park Books.
At Park Books, Chris Wukitch serves a customer.
Next Door, at Savvy Consignment, there were already hints of Christmas nestled among various furniture vignettes.
Snowmen have popped up at Savvy Consignment.
Owner Stacy Cassidy said Savvy began accepting holiday consignment items the day after Halloween.
Decorative items for the holiday table or Christmas themed pillows for the living room couch move quickly.
“We get a lot of shoppers during the holiday season. Many are looking for clothing or gifts. But people also come in looking for decorative items,” she said.
Cassidy added that Savvy customers always buy a lot of gift cards at Christmas in order to give friends or family “the gift of shopping”,
After leaving, we rounded a corner past Rockwell Fitness and came to All for the Pet. We couldn’t resist going in. Christmas gifts for dogs and cats were abundant. If doggy would like his own holiday wreath, miniature Christmas tree or jovial elf, All for the Pet is the place to go.
All for the Pet’s new Christmas items for dogs and catsare selling like hotcakes.
“Our new Christmas items were just put out yesterday and we are selling a ton of it,” said employee Alex Wiseman.
A few stores away, at Kirsten’s Cakery, the bakers were busy creating sweet treats suitable for the Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Flavorful Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Spice cupcakes would be great alternatives for the classics they represent and perfect for a holiday buffet. Beautifully decorated Red Velvet Truffles, with red swirls over white chocolate, resembled miniature Christmas balls. They are so delicious only half a trayful was left.
Kirsten’s Cakery’s Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Spice cupcakes were inspired by the classics you eat with a fork but are delicious. The Red Velvet Truffles resemble miniature Christmas balls.
Owner Kirsten Klein – on the phone taking an order for a Thanksgiving cake – was having a very busy day.
“For the holiday season, we’re planning to have yule logs and many kinds of truffles.” Klein said. “As always, we’ll be filling many orders for custom-made cakes, pies and cupcakes for Hanukkah and Christmas.”.
Across the parking lot from Kirsten’s, at Dawson’s Liquor, holiday “spirits” abound. Behind Dawson’s, the tents of Diehl’s Produce are prepared to open for the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving with the arrival of evergreens. They’ll have cider and a few other products as well.
If shoppers get hungry, there are umpteen places to grab a bite within walking distance. To name just a few, there are Adam’s Taphouse and Grille, Garry’s Grill, and Vida Taco Bar in Severna Park Shopping Village and across the street are Squisito’s, Geno’s and Sophie’s Crepes.
Assustant Manager Ali Sage said holiday shoppers will find seasonal blends and sweets suitable for giving.
Along the opposite side of B&A Boulevard is The Big Bean. which traditionally carries special coffee blends and Christmas items. We caught up with Assistant Manager Ali Sage who shared the good news that the shop has reinstalled its indoor tables.
“I know many people will be happy to hear that since it’s getting cold out,” Sage said.
It will indeed be nice for the long-time neighborhood hangout to return to pre-pandemic normalcy in time for the holidays.
“In addition to our seasonally popular coffee blends, we’ll assemble a little Christmas bar of holiday pops and melt-in-your mouth chocolates just right for stocking stuffing,” Sage added.
There are no worries about shipping hold-ups for products among any of Olde Severna Park’s merchants as many of the products they carry are handcrafted or recycled renewables.
Gallery 564 at 564 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard was, opened three years ago by art dealer Michael Brown and his photographer partner John Dildahl. Gallery 564 carries an amazing variety of artwork – much of it created by local artists or photographers. Brown handles the art. However, he and Dildahl partner in the photography end of the business offering portraiture and off-site photography for commercial businesses along with website design.
Gallery 564 at 564 B&A Boulevard.
A contemporary painting of a motorcycle by Severna Park artist Richard Newirth.
“The art gallery represents the work of 20 or 30 local artists from Annapolis, Pasadena, Glen Burnie, and Severna Park including John’s wife Sandra Travis-Dildahl who is an incredible acrylic abstract artist,” Brown said. “Other Severna Park artists are Mary Ellen Geise, watercolorist Rinaldo Dorado and Richard Newirth who does automotive paintings that are very popular. Both John and I are photographers so, naturally, we show some of our work. We also show pieces by a metalworker, a glass-blower and other artisans.”
No sooner did Brown complete his though that a customer came in to pick up two of his bold, modernistic automobile paintings.
Next door, at Blended Essentials. a class would soon be underway. Co-owner Ella Bowen and her father Lance opened the shop in July of 2019 but began making the soaps they carry as Christmas presents for friends and family in 2017 and 2018. Lance Bowen is the Dean of Sciences and Technology at Anne Arundel Community College, however, it was Ella who created the recipe for BE’s cold-pressed soaps. The pair soon progressed to making candles and then began looking for a storefront. On establishing their shop, they changed the way they did everything so they could have customers come in and learn to make soaps or candles themselves. Their classes for children and adults have become very popular
Blended Essentials founder and co-owner Ella Bowen on her way into the shop to teach a soap-making class.
“For Christmas, we have a lot of pre-made packages,” Ella said. “We have an advent calendar in conjunction with our neighboring shops and also an Eight Days of Hanukkah advent calendar. We carry gifts for everybody including soaps, bath bombs, candles, body butters, lotions and, of course, gift certificates for both products and classes.
Peaceful Petals proprietor Megan Taylor was busy arranging a bouquet but quickly switched gears to talk about the flowers and greenery most in demand during the holidays.
She noted that following Thanksgiving, Peaceful Petals will be carrying wreaths and garlands. We’ll have some poinsettias too.
“Whether picking out their own stems or ordering bouquets, however, people mostly want flowers for their dining tables during the holidays. They generally prefer flowers that are red, white or green.
Around the corner on Riggs Avenue at Red Apron Shoppe, where the merchant happy hour took place, numerous gift-ready products were already on display. Most of the items displayed were collected from various Red Apron Estate Sales and are quality items recycled or refinished by MaryAnn Neal or artisans who work for her. Prices are reasonable. Jewelry, for example would make a lovely gift.
Can’t beat a beautiful necklace for $5 or a bracelet for $3. All that’s needed is a gift box and pretty ribbon.
Or spruce up you home for the holidays with a piece of recycled furniture newly refinished by Mary Ann Neal or one of the local crafters who do similar projects for her.
Hannah Neal shows off one of the cabinets recently finished by her mother, Mary Ann. Refinished pieces are one of the items most prized by Red Apron Shoppecustomers.
A 1950’s era red cellophane Christmas tree and other decorations are lurking just behind MaryAnn Neal’s office so holiday decorating can begin the day after Thanksgiving. That is also when the craft-savvy Neal family will start making Christmas wreaths and garlands to be sold in the shop.
Red Apron Estate Sales, of which Red Apron Shoppe is an offshoot, is busier than it’s ever been these days and MaryAnn is heavily involved. Fortunately, daughter Hannah Neal handles the shop so she’s free to work at estate sale locations while daughter Katelyn DoCouto handles the website and social media posts.
Severn River Lions Club fruit sale benefit set for December 11
Fresh Florida navel oranges, pink grapefruit, and Mandarin oranges are the available Saturday, December 11 for the Severn River Lions annual benefit fruit sale. Proceeds benefit community service projects and charitable works.
Orders must be placed by Friday, Dec.3 and picked up at St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church at 375 Benfield Road on Saturday, December 11 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fruit remaining after 1 p.m. will be sold first-come, first-served. Order by e-mail at fruitorders@severnriverlions.org or order online at www.srlcfruit.com.
