Band camp kicks off the marching band's season with five 10-hour days filled with rehearsals, breaks for dinner and lots of fun. "You see 100 young people out there, in this warm weather, you've got to get excited," said Music Director R. Thomas Powell, who has been with the high school for 45 years. "They are giving up their time in order to do a marching band activity. If a person in a leadership position does not get excited about that, nothing will ever excite them. It's just such a neat thing to watch. I love just being with the kids. That's the best part of my job." This summer marks …

75 Girl Scouts, leaders and parent chaperones from the Shipley's Choice cluster held their encampment at Camp Letts in Edgewater last weekend. The encampment was planned and organized by Kim Schmidt who wears many Girl Scout hats; she is the leader for both of her daughters' troops and is also the cluster coordinator for Shipley's Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts kept busy,  moving from one activity to the next - sea sledding, hiking, swimming, archery, and canoeing out to a  private island for some water play time.    For the Cadettes, there was a high ropes course and horseback riding on a …

Father's Day is Sunday and Patch has compiled a video with a small sampling of local shop owners who have great gifts for every type of dad- take a look. Shop local! Does dad like to watch the birds but the pesky squirrels keep getting in the way? How about a Squirrel Buster from the Wild Bird Center in Park Plaza. If he's the sporty kind of guy and likes to golf, head over to the Severna Park Golf Center where you will find a fully stocked pro shop, or pick-up a few rounds of golf for him on a gift card for the course or the range. If he prefers indoor fun with family, how about a few games …

If you are looking to start your weekend out right go to the Severna Park Farmer's Market located in the Park n Ride on the corner of Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road. The market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Oct. 29. By 9 a.m. last Saturday, this Farmers Market was booming offering a little something for everyone.  Coffee to wake you up, pastries for your breakfast, flowers for your garden,  plenty of  fruits and vegetables, free range meats, chickens and eggs, and all from local Maryland farmers and businesses. " This is my Saturday morning ritual! I come rain or …

The parents group of the Severna Park Methodist Church (SPUMC) Nursery School (Snoopy School as it is known by many) had a surprise retirement party for the director Angela Gahs on May 15. Over 100 friends, family, co-workers and students, past and present, came to show their love and support for Gahs along with cake, drinks, munchies, crafts and entertainment by Wild Willy Woo Woo. Gahs has been connected with the pre-school for 24 years. First as a parent, then an aide, then a teacher, and in 2003 she became the school's director. "She has been a tremendous asset to the school and is much …

Girl Scouts and their dads, some dressed as pirates while others opted for a tropical theme, blended in nicely to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" them for the annual Father/Daughter dance last Friday at Shipley's Choice Elementary School. After posing for the photographer, the scouts and their escorts headed for the gymnasium where D.J. Bob Hoenscheid played hip dance music, surrounded by tropical island decorations and refreshments. This is the third year Kim Schmidt and Jenny Hoenscheid, leaders for Girl Scout Brownie Troop # 4840, have organized the popular dance open to Girl Scouts from …

Watch the videos to see what students have to say about these great teachers! "We have some teachers that have gone over and above to raise the funds necessary to implement technology in our school (smart boards, airliners, presenters, document cameras, etc)," said Amy Wernecke, PTA president."Our Technology Committee is run solely by these teachers on their personal time. These teachers are Mrs. Lambert, Mrs. Wiggins, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. White.  April 30th, 2011, they coordinated and hosted our second annual 5K Fun Run for Technology raising over $7, 100," she said.  Wernecke recalled the …

The Severn River Lion's 7th annual Bull and Oyster Roast held at the Columbian Center on Saturday raised $3,000. The club raffled a 42 inch plasma HD TV along with wheels of chance, a silent auction,  and a smorgasbord of  food.  All the money raised goes to local scholarships and community service projects. “We are proud of our club’s 55 years of service to the community,” said Rollins Clark, club president.  “Severn River Lions thank everyone who contributes to this important work. They have truly helped the Lions make a difference in our community.” Since the club’s chartering in 1956, the…

Patch editor Leslie Hunt and photographer Deirdre King circled the center of town on Tuesday to find the answer to the royal question: Will you be watching Kate Middleton and Prince William marry in the wee hours of the morning on Friday? Our man-on-the-street question took us from Diehl's Produce to Dawsons and across the street to the Big Bean, Paper Trousseau and Pedal Pushers bike shop for answers.

 In remembrance of their dear friend Kim Jolliffe, who lost her battle to breast cancer two years ago, the "Kim's Krew" Relay Team  works hard to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Arnold/Annapolis. www.relayforlife.org/arnold  This year's local Relay for Life is being held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds on May 13. "The Relay For Life of Arnold Annapolis is an American Cancer Society event that raises money to fund programs for cancer patients at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, wigs, transportation to treatment, scholarships for childhood cancer survivors…

Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, a 24- acre campus located in Millersville and owned by Anne Arundel County public schools offers students of all ages the chance to take advantage of the hands-on learning available at the site to enrich their classroom curriculum. The third grade class from Shipley's Choice  Elementary spent two days learning about their environment by rotating through stations designed to teach them how to help protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay.  For information about Arlington Echo, call 410-222-5825 or visit www.arlingtonecho.org. For summer camp information…

JumpBunch brings sports to young children in a fun and engaging way. Danielle and Becky did an amazing job keeping the interest and attention of 21 youngsters age 4.   The Jumpbunch exercise class makes staying fit fun. Danielle and Becky brought in the equipment needed to conduct the class. They continually kept the children's  attention while  providing age-appropriate fitness activities. "This generation of children will be battling childhood obesity and video game mania and it's even more important than ever to have a program like JumpBunch be a part of the community  to teach children …

Opening night for 'Friday Knight Fever'  is Friday (April 1) at 7 p.m. Come join the Spartan Lyrical Society of Severna Park Middle School as they imagine and perform what Severna Park was like back in the 1970s in the school gymnasium, transformed to that time period. The setting for the play is Rita's Roller Skating Rink, a favorite hang-out of  local Severna Park High School teens back in the day. There is a lot happening at Rita's, so don't miss out on the action,  buy your tickets now.    Upcoming shows are April 1, 2, 8, and 9 at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. April 3. Adult tickets are $10 in …

The Patch Viewfinder captured a spellbinding show this week at Jones Elementary School. The "Beauty and the Beast" production was impressive on all accounts. The costumes, sets and backdrops were truly outstanding and  looked professionally made. The actors and actresses were phenomenal and should be so proud of bringing this classic musical adventure to the Jones Elementary School stage.  The cast and crew,  comprised of fourth and fifth-graders are under the direction of Josh Peters of CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore, Musical Director Elizabeth Nicholas (music teacher at Jones Elementary) , …

This week, Patch photographer Deirdre King paid a visit to the Holy Grounds Youth Center on Sunday night. There she found Craig and Susanne Sparks of Gottaswing Annapolis teaching an intermediate swing dance class.  Age didn't matter and partners were not required. One trio arrived with three generations; grandmother Joanne Gore, with her daughter Mary Trahar and grandson 9-year-old Noah Trahar. The hour lesson began with a review from previous weeks then new dance moves were demonstrated and practiced. By the end of class, students put together old and new dance moves to the music. A great …

Every Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. you will find Jeff Franklin with a smile on his face, reading  to children in his Severna Park toy store.  It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the children or Franklin. After he was finished reading two books, the children made themselves right at home. Some went straight to the book shelves to find a book of their own, while others went to play house with the kitchen set. One sweet girl found herself a bouncy toy that bought her a lot of joy.   Upcoming  events at Franklin's Toys: Lego Building Expo and Sale runs March 16 - March 30 and "Try to …

Last week Shipley's Choice Elementary School held their Scholastic Book Fair. As new books came home, the students were asked to bring in gently used books to be donated to a local Anne Arundel County public elementary school. This year's Humans Relations Committee theme at Shipley's is “Kids Helping Kids.” Comprised of fourth and fifth-graders, the student members arrived early to school last Thursday to pack the donated books for delivery to Marley Elementary School.  Shipley's Elementary collected so many books that the recipient school students will be able to take home a few books of …

This week,  the Patch photographer went to Elvaton's basketball championship game for Boy's U-8 double elimination tournament. The Red Dragons had an amazing season, winning all 11 games. The team, made up of Shipley's Choice kids, won 32 to 6. The  Red Dragons consisted of 10 boys,  8 of whom scored at least 1 basket during the final game. What a way to end a fantastic season!

This week,  Patch photographer, Deirdre King paid a visit to Shipley's Choice Elementary School. There she found the fifth-graders, along with their music teacher, Denise O'Neal,  putting on a production of  "The Jungle Book: A Musical". The play is about a boy, Mowgli (played by Carson Brinegar), and the adventures he encounters being raised in the jungle by animals.

The Safeway in Severna Park  at 540 Benfield Road is doing something right. Their employees do not leave!  When asked "How long have you worked here?" it is not uncommon to hear decades of dedication -  42 years,  34 years, and 19 years. According to the Center for Management Research, the grocery store industry average attrition rate is 20 percent; but not at the Safeway in Severna Park.  If you shop here, you know what I mean. It's the same familiar faces year after year. I was curious,  so I asked a few long term employees: "What keeps you working here, and why do you stay?" To my surprise…