Park Chamber

Severna Park Chamber elects 1995 officersThe Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce recently elected officers and directors for 1995.Elizabeth Butler of the Gardiner Group is the new president; Pat Coulter of the Capital-Gazette is first vice president; Barbara Baumgartner of Side Street Framers is second vice president; Jim Curtis of E. L. Bert & Co. is treasurer; and Cheryl Schmidt of Chesapeake Academy is the new secretary.The 1995 board of directors will include Dr. Carl Rogge of Severna Park Veterinary Hospital; Grace Johnson of Travel Unlimited; Jean Zemo of Teerttotter Ltd; and George Moran of George T. Moran Inc.The 1994 president, Penny S. Hopkins, will serve as the 1995 chairman of the board.

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.

If we were to look up the definition of vacation, we might read: "The shortest distance between two dates on the calendar." Time flies when each minute counts.The rest of us may think it's vacation time, but the Severna Park Jaycees are as busy as a flock of sea gulls at an Ocean City french fry stand.At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Esther Geil, governor of Annapolis Toastmasters, will join the Jaycees to present a free public speaking seminar in the Kinder Room at the Jaycee Community Center. Information: 757-9660.

Sorry if I seem rushed, but I'm busy taking the "before" pictures in preparation for the "after" appearance of my newly landscaped front yard.The casual mention of my fantasy about a new look for our aging flower child of a front yard has turned into my husband's project of the decade.By now, several dump truck drivers have memorized our address. Their deliveries have resulted in a charming stone wall, a new walkway and expanded (as they say in California) brown space.Do you have any idea how much dirt and rocks can cost?

MOTHER NATURE gave us a delightfully cool and comfortable day for the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce's Independence Day Parade.As I parked at Park Plaza Thursday morning, I wondered where all the other cars were. It turned out they were parked at Our Shepherd and St. Martin's-In-the-Field churches, where the majority of Severna Park residents were preparing to march in the parade.Growing in size each year, this wonderfully patriotic event, sponsored by the Severna Park Chamber of Commerce, inspires creativity in individuals, businesses and entire neighborhoods.

MOTHER NATURE'S chilling preview last Thursday of coming winter attractions put most of us on notice.But preparing for winter is a continuing process at the Severna Park Assistance Network. SPAN is collecting donations for its annual Holiday Sharing Program."Last year SPAN helped over 120 families, which included about 50 seniors," says director Cindy Burkert. "We anticipate at least that many this year." Food and money are needed to fill food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas.A list of nonperishables to complete a holiday dinner is available at the SPAN office behind Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on Benfield Road.

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.

Weather this hot leaves us with only two options: Stay inside with the air conditioner cranked up to "environmentally reckless," or try the season's coolest fad -- little plastic bags filled with chipped ice strategically tucked inside your unmentionables.Umbrellas were the accessory of choice during the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce 21st annual Independence Day Parade. But there was not enough rain to dampen the spirits or to prevent this year's event from being the best ever.

On Saturday, Boy Scouts from the Four Rivers District, which includes all Central County Cub packs and Scout troops, will collect food donations left by you at your front door for the Maryland Food Bank. A special bag may have been left at your house.Sponsored by Giant, WPOC-FM, WBFF-TV, the Maryland National Guard and the Baltimore Skipjacks, the donations last year totaled more than 75,000 pounds of food.Information: 789-1339.*A long-awaited dream became reality Sunday when the congregation of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church dedicated its new sanctuary.

ELLEN R. SAUERBREY, former Republican gubernatorial candidate, will be the speaker at Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce's annual installation dinner Wednesday at Loews Annapolis Hotel. She will discuss "Making Maryland Competitive."Registration at 6 p.m. will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m.County Council Chairwoman Diane R. Evans will swear in the new officers. They are; Jim Coulter, president; Garry Anderson, first vice president; Judy Harris, second vice president; Tonia Hill, secretary; Ken Menzies, treasurer, and David McCollough, chairman of the board.