Community Corner
Home & Garden Show Raised 3K
Fundraiser to benefit the Severna Park Community Center brought out cheerful vendors, but weather brought down attendance.
April showers brought more than May flowers to the adjacent to the as the first Home & Garden Show opened to a soggy start on Saturday. Despite less than ideal weather conditions, the inaugural event raised more than $3,000 for the community center.
“This is a community-based event for local businesses to come out and help raise money for the community center’s debt service,” said organizer Liz Montaner. “It’s a win, win, win situation for everyone - businesses, the center and residents. Unfortunately the rain god didn’t exactly see it that way.”
“We invited 34 businesses and sold out of vendor spots in 10 days, raising about three to $4,000, which is great. Only about five bailed for rain issues today.”
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Co-founder, Mary Quayle added, “We had about one or two participates per category.”
“And Barefoot Dwelling graciously donated the drawing basket,” she said.
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By lunchtime at least six dozen people had offered up the $5 donation entry fee, many of which walked over after the triathlon ended next door.
Vendors who had taken up residence under cover outside on the back deck were probably among the cheeriest of the group, including BC Bassford Masonry’s operations manager and Severna Park resident Penny Burroughs.
“I’ve gotten lots of ideas here, talking with other vendors,” she said. “The rain cistern device is awesome. I remember mom and dad just had a barrel.”
“These girls did a great job. There are a multitude of different vendors that interact very well together. Think of it, if it had been a sunny outside.”
Darryl Batten of Pasadena and manager for Gene Lilly Pools & Spas echoed the same sentiment as he took refuge inside a hot tub display.
“The only thing that could be better is if this was filled with water, heated and you couldn’t get out,” he said. “I’m just cold.”
Also located deck side was the Watershed Stewards Academy display from nearby Arlington Echo. Manning the exhibit were volunteers Nancy Curran of Annapolis and local resident and fellow Patch contributor, .
“Did you bring a snorkel and fins,” he added.
Meanwhile inside the Youth Center the atmosphere was more reserved. Mark Vanreuth of Brightview Builders was hopeful that following a lunchtime slowdown things would pick up.
“The rain should be keeping people from doing yard work at least,” he said.
Ron Matasio from Architectural Window Supply and a Catonsville resident probably best summed up the day though.
“It’s sloppy out there but if it was sunny instead, I’d want to be outside too - playing,” he said. “Hopefully I make some contacts today and meet some nice people - like you.”
The list of exhibitors included:
- Absolute Party Rental
- Amish Built Sheds
- Annapolis Heirlooms
- Architectural Windows Supply
- Barefoot Dwelling
- BC Bassford Masonry
- Billy’s Hearth & Grill
- Brimar Construction
- Brightview Builders, Inc.
- Chromatic Design
- Coldwell Banker
- DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
- Floors by Design
- Gene Lilly Pools & Spas
- GNP Insulation Concrete Forms
- Gutter Helmet Systems
- Home Pro Inspections
- Hollyberry Garden Club
- It’s the Pits Barbecue
- Klappenberger & Son Paint
- Merkert Interiors
- Mid-Atlantic Deck and Fence Company
- Mosquito Man
- Patio Enclosures
- Quayle & Company Design and Build
- Robinson’s Handyman
- Senergy Maryland
- Serv Pro of Annapolis
- Solar Energy Services
- Timberlake Builders
- Twice Around the Park
- Universal Heating & AC
- Villa Builders
- Watershed Stewards