AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
Successful Women In Business co-chairs Nancy Greer, Jennifer McAndrews and Carol Heckman were delighted when Maher’s Florist owner Kim Maher Wharton volunteered to host the June 9th networking event the trio was planning. The Pasadena flower shop had undergone an expansion and remodeling and they knew it would provide a beautiful setting for their late-spring get-together.
According to committee co-chair Greer, the Successful Women In Business (SWIB) group was created by the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce more than a dozen years ago to offer professional women opportunities for networking and development. Not only has SWIB been GSPACC’s most enduring standing committee but has also been its most popular. The group holds ten meetings each year with that most often highlight a member’s business. However, they’ll also host breakfasts, lunches or evening events to which speakers are invited and frequently coordinate with other chamber committees on more ambitious undertakings.
From the moment the networking event attendees spied the flower shop from the parking lot Tuesday evening, they were charmed. They loved the clever message spelled out on the chalkboard.
Photos by Sharon Lee Tegler
Once inside, they couldn’t help but admire the shop’s expansive new product line. Debbie McTammany, owner of True You, Navigating Through Change and Jessica Terenyi, who owns JK Organizing, LLC, chatted about their businesses while admiring the gift items, jewelry and potted flowers and plants around them.
Other attendees were drawn to sections featuring clothing, insulated travel cups and mugs and toys including adorable teddy bears. There was also a “Bloom Bar” where florist shop customers can pick out their own stems for purchase.
Having found a nice place to hang out in front of refrigerated cabinets filled with pre-designed bouquets, SWIB members Jen Bonk, Robin Torres and Whitney Kerridge traded conversation between sips of wine. (To one side of a long counter, the Maher’s Florist staff laid out a tasty buffet of small sandwiches and finger foods with wine and other beverages.)
Conversation groups formed everywhere. Longtime SWIB members Donna Butman, owner of Assisted Living Locators of Annapolis and Chamber CEO Liz League, welcomed Laura Cooper who has recently started Ciao and Cheers, LLC Tour Guides.
Stepping behind the counter into the heart of the business, we were wowed by three tubs of casual bouquets comprised of sunflowers and other summer blooms waiting to be given to each SWIB member as she left.
Moving on, we came upon staff member Linda Bookhammer and floral designer Cindy Dolly who was still wearing her apron and ready for action. Fun to talk to, the pair noted that the shop had been busy handling orders for graduations, weddings and other spring celebrations.
Time flew by and, eventually, the co-chairs gathered everyone in a large circle. Nancy Greer stepped forward to make introductions beginning with Maher’s Florist’s owner.
“I’d like to introduce Kim Maher Wharton and thank her for hosting our event,” Greer said. “Kim’s mother Winnie started Maher’s Florist in 1977 right here in Pasadena nearly five decades ago. Winnie was one of the first people to join the Pasadena Business Association. Kim will tell us more later. But, first, we’ll do introductions of everyone else.”
“Moving around the circle, we’ll give each an opportunity to introduce herself and mention her business. I’ll start. I’m Nancy Greer from Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi.”
Cochair Jennifer McAndrews was next from Assisted Living Locators of Annapolis followed, in turn by Stephanie Fountain from Arundel Federal Bank, cochair Carol Heckman from Trillium Wellness, Liz League from the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber, Lauren Brewington from GYMGUYZ, Jen Bonk from Cummings & Co. Realtors and several more.
Kim Maher Wharton and staff were also given the floor.
“I can’t say enough about my staff who’ve been a blessing since we started in 1977. The staff is my heart and soul. They ‘bring it’ every day. We do everything from weddings to funerals and everything in between. I’d say our business is filled with emotion because you’re really happy or you’re really mad and the staff is great at accommodating any request.
“I have a couple of designers who have been with us for over 30 years. We’re like a family here. We all pitch in and everybody does everything together.”
In answer to a question, Wharton added that the shop is unique in that they have a liquor license and can provide wine or champagne along with flowers. They use a lot of flowers from local farms that are fresh cut daily for bouquets and for the Bloom Bar they have for customers.
As is always the case, SWIB attendees then had an opportunity to make announcements if they wished. While Greer mentioned Jing Ying Institute’s upcoming Self Defense Workshop, League used the opportunity to talk about chamber events, the most important of which is the upcoming Severna Park Independence Day Parade which has our country’s 250th Anniversary as its theme.
The event concluded with the awarding of some fantastic door prizes donated by SWIB members. Winners were selected from a basket of business cards collected earlier by cochair McAndrews.
Most attendees lingered to shop and, of course, everyone loved receiving a bouquet of spring blooms and sunflowers from the staff as they left. The Successful Women In Business group will take a summer break but meet again in August. To follow their activities and upcoming chamber events, visit Home – Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce or Facebook.
Street Survivors Cruise Night to benefit Orphan Grain Train on June 26th
Street Survivors of Maryland will host a Cruise Night benefitting Orphan Grain Train on Friday, June 26th from 5 to 9 pm at East Park Shopping Center, 7900 Crain Highway in Glen Burnie. There will be a bake sale, a raffle and other a Chinese auction.
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. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. 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.
