AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Attendees approaching Severna Park Community Center’s Holly Jolly Jubilee on Sunday afternoon found the ribbon-tied Christmas balls a cheerful harbinger of what awaited them in the courtyard beyond.
The first thing their eyes alighted on was Santa Claus being surrounded by Helping Santa Project volunteers Hartley Reindeer, Sharon Acosta, Kate Ryan and Reiley Dyne from Reach Out and Serve. When not taking turns as impromptu elves, they were busy at their booth handing out grab-and-go craft bags…. or attracting attention to their “giving tree”.
The foursome split their time between their booth where they were joined Dr. Elizabeth Parker, a pediatric endrocrinologist from Parker Place, and her daughter Katherine and the lobby where attendees could pick a tag from their giving tree which contained the name of a child needing a Christmas gift.
Acosta, the founder of Reach Out & Serve, explained that she first knew and mentored Hartley, Kate and Reiley as Girl Scouts and she’s extremely proud that they still love serving their community.
“We’re currently helping find ‘Santas’ for 65 children identified by their schools as needing support.,” Acosta said. “In addition to Severna Park Community Center, which graciously allowed us to place our giving tree in their lobby, we’ve received similar help from Severna Park United Methodist Church and Hartman Law.
She added that Reach Out and Serve teen and adult volunteers have planted food gardens at Germantown Elementary for the past 2 years and serve as monthly Science Buddies for a fifth grade class.
Santa, who is better known as Freeman Bagnal, enjoyed having Hartley, Reiley and Kate as assistants but he also went off on his own. At one point, he found himself listening to two excited little girls – Victoria Ratliff and Alma Welch – who told him they were best friends who love to dance. Their moms, while snapping photos, revealed that the girls were signed up for a free dance class at 3:30.
“While being at home because of COVID-19, both girls have adored watching and practicing to the free lessons given by SPCC Dance Center director Kellie Greer on Facebook Live,” Agnieszka Ratliff said. “They loved it so much, we called to make an appointment for the free class at 3:30 today. They can’t wait.”
The pair would have to wait a little while but there was plenty to see outside and inside the center. Amy Holbrook noted that there were eight local vendors with handcrafted goods perfect for gift giving.
“We wondered whether to go ahead with the jubilee in place of our annual Cookies and Carols event,” she said. “We didn’t know how many people would turn out or expect a big crowd. But we wanted to give something to the community and remind them we’re still here – something to enjoy safely with well spaced outdoor and indoor activities. We also wanted to help our crafts people. We realized some folks are hesitant to attend events but others – young families and those who’ve recovered from the virus – are longing for normal things to do. We put together a nice mix.”
Indeed, halfway around the courtyard visitors spied the beautifully decorated vintage sleighs crafted by Amy Heath of Hip “Mod” Vintage . Amy’s booths were located next to her daughter Ellie’s display of jackets.
Well-known in the community for the creative items they make from recycled materials and sell at area church bazaars or the Severna Park Farmer’s Market, the mother/daughter duo displayed their full lines of products.
In addition to Amy’s decorated vintage sleighs, she offered vintage wooden tennis rackets and hockey sticks festooned with holiday greenery plus a striking collection of retro jewelry she found and restored to beauty.
The “Buy Vintage” sign on her table is meant to remind shoppers that, by purchasing already existing gems once owned by someone else, they’re preventing the over-mining of our natural resources.
“What I’m doing is literally rescuing jewelry made from precious metals and gemstones like topaz or amber. It’s often very tarnished or in slight disrepair but I bring it back to life. I clean and polish the pieces with an earth-friendly solution like vinegar and water and salt,” Amy said.
Holiday items and jewelry from Hip “Mod” Vintage will be on display at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market holiday market this Saturday (December 12).
One booth over, Ellie Heath, a Severna Park High School senior and a talented clothing designer and entrepreneur, was showing the latest collection of trendy jackets she created for her company Three Blue Bunnies.
The clothing ranged from adorable jackets with trims like rick rack for children from six months up to unique jeans jackets for adults that are, at once, retro and fashion-forward.
“This year I have lots of new things and am showing three racks of clothes instead of two,” she said.
Like her mother, Ellie redesigns and re- purposes donated clothing with vintage fabrics and trims that become one-of-a-kind fashions that set their wearers apart.
Her “wearable art” extends to pencil cases, everything cases, attractive masks and, occasionally to dresses.
Three Blue Bunnies will also be at the Severna Park Farmer’s Market‘s Christmas Market this Saturday (See below for details).
“It’s more important than ever that people #ShopLocal,” Ellie said.
Moving from the courtyard into a community center meeting room, visitors found an array of talented vendors selling homemade products perfect for holiday gift giving
A “pink zebra” mascot presided over vendor Patty Chase’s line of Pink Zebra Home soybean wax sprinkles which, when heated in a warmer or made into candles, release their fragrance. Her table also contained lockets by Origami Owl. She said every locket tells a story.
Opposite Chase, Virginia Bard’s handmade Chesapeake Boutique Bags stood out. The unique hand-knit handbags and the scarves below them were made with colorful yarns. Bard’s signature collection of custom-made bags and accessories may be purchased online. They are featured in their entirety at www.chesapeakeboutiquebags.com.
To Bard’s right, the talents of Carol Busch and Shannon Shortridge from Anchored shone through in a variety of handcrafted items including crocheted scarves, hats, and “mug rugs” for your coffee plus satiny headbands, scrunchies and Christmas ornaments.
Carol Busch and Shannon Shortridge, from Anchored, had a wide assortment of handmade products from hats and scarves to Christmas ornaments
The crocheted items were crafted by Shortridge while other items were Busch’s creations.
Toward the back of the room, friends and sea glass enthusiasts Beth Miller and Joyce Ramey shared a table. Miller’s Mer Made By Me aquatic-themed jewelry and crafts were gorgeous – especially her sea glass crabs and pendants seen below. Ramey’s JAZ Creations’ sea glass holiday trees and seashell roses were equally spectacular.
“The sea glass we use to make jewelry and crafts is 99.9% from the Chespeake Bay,” Miller said.
More intricate examples of Miller’s work can be seen at MerMade by Me | Facebook while Ramey can be reached at joycelramey@gmail.com.
Delicate scents drifted over from the table of Louise Chestnut whose Essential Soaps are made using essential oils.
When not making soap from ingredients like mango, shea butters, glycerin and essential oils for fragrance and color, Chestnut is a freelance violinist and teacher at It’s All About Music.
The clock was ticking slowly for little pals Victoria and Alma but 3:30 finally arrived and they scurried to the Dance Center with their mothers for their class with dance teacher Summer Cambascio. On entering the dance studio, the girls were so excited they were like a couple of jumping beans.
Summer first took them through a series of warm-ups and then asked if they would like to learn a “Christmas dance”. The answer was, of course, “yes”.
She first taught them some simple moves and turns and they caught on quickly.
Then she led them through more difficult moves including jumps and marching with feet held high in an exaggerated manner.
…….and, finally, there were Rockets-style kicks. Holiday music was added and, before Victoria and Alma knew it, they had a perfect Christmas dance. Their moms were proud of their budding ballerinas.
Severna Park Farmer’s Market Christmas Mart
The Severna Park Farmer’s Market Christmas Market will be held rain or shine this Saturday, December 20, from 8:00am – 12:00 noon outdoors at the Park & Ride lot on Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road in Arnold. In addition to Hip “Mod” Vintage and Three Blue Bunnies, market regulars like The Villes Dills, Vera’s Original Bakery, The Breadery, My Nana’s Kitchen, Pat’s Produce and Gourds and eleven more will be on hand. Several will have Christmas wreaths and ornaments. For information visit Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Facebook.
