THE BAY WINDS Band, under the baton of Michael J. Svec, will launch Linthicum's 21st season of Concerts in the Park at 6 p.m. July 1 in Linthicum Park. The series, sponsored by the Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights, will continue weekly through Aug. 12.
Established in 1980 as a nonprofit organization, Annapolis-based Bay Winds provides an outlet for adults with musical backgrounds. Band members, primarily from Anne Arundel County, range in age from teens to senior citizens.
Many section leaders and soloists are retired or former members of military bands, with the largest group sharing ties to the Naval Academy Band. However, most of the members played in high school and college bands.
The band, varying from 30 to 60 members, performs year round. Linthicum resident George Payne is among them.
Svec has conducted the band since 1991. He also has taught in the county's public schools for more than 35 years, most of them as music director at Annapolis High.
Among the selections for the 90-minute program will be "Red, White and Brass," which includes a montage of American music; "West Side Story" selections by Leonard Bernstein; Henry Mancini's "Penny Whistle Jig" from the 1970 movie "The Molly Maguires," featuring piccolo soloist William Ormond; and "Star Spangled Spectacular," a patriotic medley.
The remaining concert schedule:
July 8 - Zim Zemeral Band, big band music.
July 15 - Sounds Good, jazz quartet.
July 22 - Frankie and Company, 1940s and '50s music.
July 29 - Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
Aug. 5 - Crabtowne Big Band, big band music.
Aug. 12 - Naval Academy Band.
Linthicum Park is on Benton Avenue, off Route 170 (Camp Meade Road) at the blinking light. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. with the exception of the July 22 program at 6:30 p.m. In the event of rain, concerts are canceled.
Chairs or blankets are recommended for seating, and picnics and coolers welcome - but no alcoholic beverages. While the concerts are free, donations are accepted.
Jo Barker is chair and Charlotte Wheeler co-chair, with supporting organizations for Concerts in the Park this year including Linthicum-Shipley Improvement Association, the Linthicum Lions and Rotary clubs, Performing Arts Association of Linthicum, Crestwood Improvement Association, Cultural Arts Foundation of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County Optimists and AARP Chapter 2244.
Information: Jo Barker, 410-859-3308.
Neighborhood meeting
The Crestwood Improvement Association's general membership meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Northern District police station on Hammonds Lane.
Its agenda includes election of officers and an update on roads. A representative of the Police Department will talk about crime and neighborhood concerns.
Information: Barry Catterton, president, 410-859-8672, or Ceil Dietz, 410-859-1795.
PAAL officers named
The Performing Arts Association of Linthicum recently announced officers serving for the year 2001-2002: Jo Barker, president; Eloise Vaughan, vice president; Don Reusch, second vice president; Carol Rechner, recording secretary; Joan Maynard, corresponding secretary; and Bill Skillman, treasurer.
Elected to the board of directors for a three-year period were Stephanie Groth and Frank King.
Subscriptions are available for PAAL's 20th season for $34. The association sponsors five concerts requiring paid tickets for the season beginning Sept. 29, and an additional performance by the Navy Band of Washington that is free and open to the public - all staged at Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts in Brooklyn Park.
Information: Jo Barker, 410-859-3308.
Quilt money growing
The tally keeps rising on Marlene Stivers' quilt raffle to benefit Hospice of the Chesapeake.
A goal of $10,000 seemed ambitious when she began work on the project and the sale of chances. But with $7,000 collected, the goal is in sight. And she is sure with the way things are going that she will surpass that amount.
Stivers has spent months traveling around the county, stitching at various sites while volunteers from the hospice organization help her sell tickets.
The nautical-themed, hand-sewn quilt is finished and she has it on display while chances are sold.
Stivers is returning to Linthicum to give the community a chance to see the lovely finished work. Look for her (and maybe buy a chance) from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Wednesday outside Charlene's Hallmark in the Shipley-Linthicum Shopping Center.
She says she has sold more than $800 in chances in Linthicum alone, and is very pleased with the community's response. That amount includes times spent at the shopping center, and at the recent Benson-Hammond House strawberry festival.
The drawing for the red, white and blue quilt will take place Sept. 15 at the 20th Hospice Cup Regatta in Annapolis.
Stivers would also like to invite quilters to attend two planning meetings if they would like to participate in quilt-making for next year's hospice fund-raiser.
The meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Odenton Library and Aug. 16 at Hospice of the Chesapeake, 8424 Veterans Highway.
Information: Marlene Stivers, 410-672-6032.
