Park Chamber

FOR 18 YEARS, Central County diners have applauded the culinary skills of Garry Anderson.Now, we're about to discover another side of the restaurateur and caterer as he takes the helm of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce.Like the chamber, its new president is committed to the growth and improvement of Severna Park businesses and residents.Anderson, owner of Garry's Grills in Old Severna Park and Annapolis and the Main Ingredient catering business, was the brains behind Capers, a popular restaurant that opened in Cape St. Claire in the early 1980s and then moved to classier digs off U.S. 50, where it garnered accolades from food critics and diners.

Chamber to hold `Membership 101' The Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce will hold a "Membership 101" program for those who want to maximize their membership. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the chamber office, 312 Marshall Ave., Suite 104, Laurel. Free to members and nonmembers. Information: 301-725-4000, Ext. 102. Power breakfast planned Wednesday The Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce will hold a power breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at BWI Marriott, 1743 W. Nursery Road.

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is honoring several local business leaders at a luncheon May 20.Honorees include Garry L. Anderson of Garry's Grill, chosen as Small Business Person of the Year."

The Severna Park Chamber of Commerce has offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of vandals who have spray-painted graffiti on the walls of several buildings in the area in recent weeks. Among the sites hit have been the Severna Park Veterinary Hospital and, most recently, the Community Center at Woods, the chamber said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Eastern District police station at 410-222-6145. To make a contribution to the reward fund, call 410-647-3900.

APPARENTLY Alfred Hitchcock has returned to conduct auditions for a remake of "The Birds."At least every starling on the East Coast thinks so.For the past two weeks, the central county has been inundated with noisy blackbirds waiting to be discovered as the next Edgar Allan Poe's raven or Woody Woodpecker.Do you suppose the NBC peacock got started this way?Busy chamberThe Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is as busy as a bunch of robins on a spring morning. The chamber's second annual Golf Fore Business Classic is scheduled for May 28 at Walden Golf Club.

Ooops. Last week, when we talked about ASPIRE Inc. (Association for Severna Park Improvement, Renewal and Enhancement) we failed to mention that the new organization's secretary/treasurer is Linda Zahn, executive director of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce.& Information: 647-8402.

PeopleNorth county chamber elects officers, directorsThe Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce recently elected new officers and a new board of directors.The officers are:President, John Smith, attorney; president-elect, Elaine Stevens, NationsBank; vice president,Christine Cogliano, The Red Rose; secretary, Kirk Falk, Innovative Financial Solutions; and treasurer, Pat Armiger, Plus & Minus Services.The new directors are:Barbara Floyd, Property Tax Reduction Specialists; John Foard, Edward D. Jones & Co.; Sandra Hartzell, Magic Moment Creations; Virginia Jones, VK Jones PC Strategies; Arnold Lord, Commercial Carpet Cleaning Service; Gary Rankir, Chesapeake Printing & Mailing; Hilda Hambruch, Wyman Park; Jeff Jefferson, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.; Gregory King, Samuel Meisel & Co.; Andrew Meyer, Anne Arundel Community College; Bob Nobel, Westinghouse; Nick Schaus, Maryland Aviation Administration; and Leslie Smith, Elkridge Bank.

The Severna Park Chamber of Commerce has offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of vandals who have spray-painted graffiti on the walls of several buildings in the area in recent weeks. Among the sites hit have been the Severna Park Veterinary Hospital and, most recently, the Community Center at Woods, the chamber said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Eastern District police station at 410-222-6145. To make a contribution to the reward fund, call 410-647-3900.

County officials, admitting they can't enforce rules against thousands of illegal signs, are turning to videotape to get rid of the controversial signs along Benfield Road in Severna Park.The new program, announced Friday by County Executive Robert R. Neall, responds to nine months of controversy about the the Department of Planning and Zoning's inability to enforce county sign ordinances because it is woefully short of inspectors.Violations include temporary signs, or those that violate height,size and setback requirements.

The Anne Arundel County Council last night postponed a vote on a measure that would relax restrictions on roadside vendors who peddle everything from fruit to velvet Elvis posters.Although the legislation that removes parking and commercial area restrictions enacted by the council in July was expected to be approved, an amendment introduced last night required the council to schedule a public hearing on Jan. 16.The amendment would require vendors to pay a $50 relocation fee in addition to the $250 yearly license fee if they want to move to a spot other than the one listed on their license.

NOTHING STIRS the feelings of pride and patriotism like watching your youngster - or the children of neighbors - celebrate the nation's birthday, pumping along on bicycles decked out in red, white and blue in the annual Greater Severna Park July 4th Parade and Festival. Scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the 26th annual parade will assemble at St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal and Our Shepherd Lutheran churches on Benfield Road. The route will follow Evergreen Road to Riggs Avenue, Riggs to Old B&A Boulevard, and turns into Park Plaza - site of the festival that runs until 1:30 p.m. The bicycling youngsters will be competing in the annual children's decorated bike contest and can register in the Winkelmeyer Building parking lot (540 Old B&A Blvd.

THEIR NAME is misleading. The Retired Businessman's Group is not an organization of financial advisers or business consultants. These former businessmen concentrate on their lifelong avocation: making music, especially Dixieland and other kinds of jazz.The group will perform from 2 p.m. to 3: 30 p.m. July 16 at the Community Center at Woods' second free concert of the summer.It will be held in the center's Holy Grounds Youth Center on Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard in Severna Park.The group includes Chuck Claypool on drums, Monty Poulson on bass, Robert Lloyd on piano and keyboard, Hugh Williams on trombone, Ben Roman on trumpet, Pete Seaone on tenor, Harrison Stone on clarinet and Bill Krieger on guitar and vibraphone.

THE GREATER Severna Park Chamber of Commerce has announced its new officers for 1999.Incoming President Mike Wilsman is an attorney with the firm of DeBiagio, Gladstone & Wilsman.A 15-year resident of Severna Park, Wilsman has been a member of the chamber for three years and looks forward to leading what he calls a dynamic, community--oriented organization into the 21st century."It's a very exciting time for businesses and in particular small business," said Wilsman.The new president is a loyal supporter of Green Hornets sports and has coached girls softball for more than 10 years.

SEVERNA PARK Jaycees is helping to bring the spirit of Christmas to our neighborhoods with its annual sale of luminaria kits.The glowing luminaria candles, each in a small white bag, are placed along walks, driveways or streets, copying an age-old Spanish tradition that symbolizes the bonfires lighted by shepherds to illuminate the way to Bethlehem.The flickering lights have in recent years become a tradition in central county, lighting the way for party guests, carolers and, sometimes, Santa Claus.

ONE OF Severna Park's greatest accomplishments is that it tricks its residents into thinking they live in a small town.Given that Greater Severna Park is divided into three divisions -- Millersville, Arnold and Severna Park -- this is no easy feat.Partly responsible for this feeling are Severna Park's origins as a quiet, rural community in the early 1900s, then gradually evolving, beginning in the mid-1960s, into a suburb of Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis.There are organizations whose primary purpose is to maintain and improve on the qualities that drew us to Severna Park -- its central location among three major job centers, a feeling of safety and that sense of community.

FOR 18 YEARS, Central County diners have applauded the culinary skills of Garry Anderson.Now, we're about to discover another side of the restaurateur and caterer as he takes the helm of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce.Like the chamber, its new president is committed to the growth and improvement of Severna Park businesses and residents.Anderson, owner of Garry's Grills in Old Severna Park and Annapolis and the Main Ingredient catering business, was the brains behind Capers, a popular restaurant that opened in Cape St. Claire in the early 1980s and then moved to classier digs off U.S. 50, where it garnered accolades from food critics and diners.

WHAT DO YOU like best about Central County: good schools, convenient shopping, state of the art medical care?Retired businessman Walter Winkelmeyer remembers when Greater Severna Park wasn't such an up-to-date suburb. He and his wife, the former Jane Klohr of Randallstown, will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary next month.Winkelmeyer, 83, laughs when he thinks about the Severna Park of the 1930s and 1940s. "You've got to remember that Severna Park at that time was country," says Winkelmeyer.

Thank you to everyone who has ever worn the uniform of the United States of America, saying goodbye to family and friends to travel far from home in the cause of freedom and leaving worried loved ones behind to pray for their return.On Veteran's Day, I used to think of my father, who served in the U.S. Navy before and during World War II. Now I also honor my son-in-law, U.S. Marine reserve Captain Dan Greif, who, at the young age of 32, is a veteran of foreign war in the Persian Gulf.*At the 8th Annual Maryland State High School Band Championships at Towson State University two weeks ago, Severna Park High School's Marching Band came away with some top honors: Best Drum Major, Corey Poorman, and Best Band Front, accepted by Silk Captain Genny Roanhouse.

WHAT DO YOU like best about Central County: good schools, convenient shopping, state of the art medical care?Retired businessman Walter Winkelmeyer remembers when Greater Severna Park wasn't such an up-to-date suburb. He and his wife, the former Jane Klohr of Randallstown, will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary next month.Winkelmeyer, 83, laughs when he thinks about the Severna Park of the 1930s and 1940s. "You've got to remember that Severna Park at that time was country," says Winkelmeyer.

INSTEAD OF the usual ecclesiastical sounds emanating from St. Martin's in the Field Episcopal Church on Benfield Road, you'll hear howdies and y'alls Saturday night.At 7 p.m., the church will begin its annual fund-raiser, the Wild West Gala Auction and Dance.With dancing, dining, entertainment and silent and live auctions, you should have a real foot-stompin' good time. For tickets, call 410-544-5770.Walk for EducationThe parent-teacher organizations from six Severna Park elementary schools will sponsor the Greater Severna Park Walk for Education from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 20.The walk is a cooperative effort by Benfield, Folger McKinsey, Jones, Oak Hill, Severna Park and Shipley's Choice elementary schools, the private Chesapeake Academy and the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce.