AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
With seven (and possibly more) holiday events going on last week, there was no way we could visit all of them, but we do have a sampling for you.
The first of these was the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza held Tuesday evening December 9th at Chartwell Golf & Country Club. The fact that the event is the year’s largest and most glamorous fundraiser is evident from the immense number of items filling the tables that were donated by area businesses. Items that ranged from artwork to the latest titles from Park Books and, of course, an impressive number of gift baskets overflowing with edibles, comestibles and plush animal toys.
Arranged in a circle around the walls of Chartwell’s ballroom and extending up and down the aisles of a reception area were some of the area’s finest food and wine purveyors offering a wide range of “Taste” and “Sip” options for attendees to sample.
There were offerings from four of the 206 Restaurant Group properties alone including JB’s Severna Park, Park Tavern, Donnelly’s Dockside and Oliver Brewing Company
A few vendors were newcomers but, like the 206 Restaurant Group eateries, most have participated in the annual event multiple times.
Next Step Realty partner Matt Wyble, the Taste & Sip event’s founder along with former GSPACC CEO Linda Zahn, recalled that several vendors have participated in the festive occasion from its very first year at Homestead Gardens Severna Park in 2009.
“Those businesses that come to mind immediately are Fishpaws MarketPlace, Cafe Mezzanotte, The Big Bean, and Brewster’s Ice Cream.” Wyble said.
He noted that, in addition to longtime vendors, there were new faces this year including Always Ice Cream from Olde Severna Park, Iconic Desserts from Millersville and Cheese of the Day Charcuterie all the way from Chester, Maryland on the Eastern Shore. Since expanding the amount of available space by moving the Holiday Taste & Sip Extravaganza to Chartwell, the number of vendors has grown to more than two dozen. The number of attendees has risen in accordance. Tuesday evening’s crowd topped out at 450.
“Participating in this event is a nice way to kick off the holidays and it’s literally where the restaurant community comes to meet once a year,” added Wyble. “For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to come and learn about our area’s restaurants and businesses.”
Though a Chamber member and sponsor for several years, Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services co-founder/owner Winsome Brown, along with her brother Tony Clarke and friend and staff member Mia Alexander were HolidayTaste & Sip event first-timers. They were drawn immediately to Adam’s Taphouse and Grille’s offerings of Pulled Pork Sliders and Ribs.
It was good to see multi-year participants who appear every year like The Big Bean, BD Provisions, April’s Table, Donut Shack, and Be My Guest Catering.
Having arrived early, we didn’t realize that longtime Holiday Taste & Sip entertainment favorites Chesapeake Harmony Chorus members had been singing carols outside the Chartwell Ballroom entrance as guests were arriving. They came inside as one body, saying it was mighty cold outside and heading for cups of hot coffee at the Donut Shack or Big Bean tables. We caught up with one group of them soon afterward that included Lynda Walsh, chorus director Mary Beth Whisman, Mary Rose Cohn, Carol Ann Trembley Gass, Jeanette Krouse and Bethany Owen.
“We’re thawing out,” said Whisman. “Our other members are at other tables doing the same thing.”
We’ve always loved seeing Annapolis-based Main & Market at the Taste & Sip events going back quite a few years. They had some amazing holiday sweets including Chocolate Bark, one of our favorites.
Newer to the event but no less fun to see and sample were Garten Restaurant with items from the Holiday Market they’ve held this year and Arnold based Cheers & Spirits.
In addition to longtime vendors, many longtime attendees were seen circulating through the ballroom. Among them was chamber member Barbara Gill who was sitting back and enjoying a performance of holiday favorites by the Harbor City Music Company Show Chorus under the direction of Michael Gellert.
Circulating among the crowd were many longtime chamber members who have attended the event for many years including Katherine’s Light Foundation President Larry Sells, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation development director Anita Dewling and Treebranch Group creative director Jennifer Triplett who has recently expanded her horizons as a musician and songwriter.
We also ran into Nancy and Billy Greer who would be hosting their own holiday party to conclude Jing Ying Institute’s months-long Silent Auction for the Alzheimer’s Association on December 13th. We spoke with the Greer’s earlier this week and learned that the event turned out well.
“It was great with good food and good company and our Silent Auction netted about $3,000 to add to the amount we’ve collected for the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Billy Greer.
Nancy added that when added to what they collected for the Alzheimer’s Walk, they have raised $8,000 and are still getting donations online. Those wishing to make a donation may still do so by visiting Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park.
Two days following the Taste & Sip event on December 11th the Chamber hosted its rescheduled Community Christmas Tree Lighting that had been postponed due to snow. We were unable to shuffle our own schedule to attend on the new date, but we’re delighted to once again see the big tree lit thanks to donations from chamber members to “keep the lights on”. The smaller tree in front of the chamber office looks beautiful too.
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Severna Park Community Center
Though the weather was pretty cold as we visited the Severna Park Community Center on Friday evening, December 12th for their annual Cookies & Cocoa with Santa celebration, a great crowd turned out.
Arriving on the scene, we found the courtyard between the community center and Boone Station Hall wonderfully lit and decorated for Christmas but very chilly. Most things had to be moved indoors.
We did, however, find The Grinch out in the courtyard. Surprisingly, he drew a number of curious families. Kids really took to him.
Inside Boone Station Hall, families either occupied tables sipping cups of cocoa courtesy of The Big Bean or nibbling treats from J & G Catering or they stood in front of the stage to watch the entertainment.
While there, we enjoyed a performance by Severna Park High School’s award-winning a capella music group SOL whose holiday songs in four-part harmony were spot on. There were additional performances by Bach to Rock and The Dance Center at Severna Community Center’s Star Elite Dancers.
We crossed the courtyard to the community center hoping to see Santa but finding very long lines indeed.
Luckily, we found a side entrance no one seemed to know about and came face-to-face with the jolly old elf. Lines of children waiting to see him were very long there too and the children seemed a bit impatient.
But the wait was worth it. They were rewarded with a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and have a photo taken too.
A fun time for families.
We were sad to miss the Severna Park Farmer’s Market’s Christmas Market but it’s always wonderful to see and the community enjoys it greatly. For us, there is one more
Christmas event to go as you’ll see below.
“A Night of Joy” at the Shops of Olde Severna Park on December 18th
The Life of Joy Foundation, in collaboration with The Big Bean and Blended Essentials, invites you to stroll, shop and perhaps enjoy a treat at the stores along B&A Boulevard and Riggs Avenue in Olde Severna Park while enjoying “A Night of Joy” from 4:30 to 7:30 pm TODAY, December 18th. There will be live music with the Life of Joy Band, raffles on items from participating businesses, ornament decorating at The Blended Essentials, and a Life of Joy Meet & Greet tent.
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.
