Around the Park: Library's native garden recognized; 'Bye Bye Birdie' returning to SPHS

The Hollyberry Garden Club's native garden at the Severna Park Library was formally dedicated on Saturday with local dignitaries, community and club members gathered as part of the Heritage Day celebration hosted by the Association of Severna Park Improvement Renewal and Enhancement and the Anne Arundel County Public Library.

The grant process for the garden, located throughout the winding path leading up to and at the front entrance, began in late 2006, and has attracted accolades nationally. The club took first place last spring in the civic project category by the National Garden Club Inc., who awarded the gardeners a $1,000 grant to further enhance the plantings, said Denise Tray Rosson, a member of the club for over 20 years.

With a membership of at least 40 members from the Severna Park and Arnold areas, the members are devoted to beautifying areas throughout Severna Park, including the Hatton Register, Severna Park Community Center and also travel to the Hammond Harwood House in Annapolis to help out. Members take their work inside as well, by lifting the spirits of local seniors.

"We go Genesis ElderCare (on Truckhouse Road) twice a month and do garden therapy," Denise said. "We are truly a community-oriented club."

Hollyberry also received top honors and another $1,000 grant from the Unity Garden Project, for its work at the library.

Another compliment came by way of the Governor's Silver Beautification Bowl in recognition of the use of native plants in the extensive landscaping.

The green thumb and financial whiz behind the great outdoors at the library is club member Beth Coolahan who created the original design and wrote the grant for the libraries' "Plant Native-Plant Green" project.

The garden contains a wide variety of plants indigenous to Maryland including red oaks, eastern redbud, Southern magnolia, sweetspire, winterberry, black-eyed Susan and Christmas ferns. Members also supervised the installation of a sprinkler system for maintenance of the garden.

The club was awarded another $300 grant in 2007 from the Principal Financial Group.

"That first grant … really got the ball rolling. We did not envision our project getting this big and this much attention, but we are delighted that it has," said Joyce Stefancik, chair of the committee along with Karen Strange, Nicole Ferris and Kathy Wilson.

"This is an ongoing project with no end in the foreseeable future," said Karen, who is also the club's vice president. "The gardens will need to be maintained and improved upon year after year. We are very proud of this effort and as a club we would welcome other area clubs who are interested to partner with us."

Current partner groups include the Anne Arundel County Horticulture Department, the Maryland Forest Service and Severna Park Public Library. Students from Jones Elementary, Severn School, Severna Park Middle School and Archbishop Spalding High School assisted with the planting and maintenance of the garden.

"It really has been a rewarding project. Our club has remained focused and intent on this effort. We discuss it at every meeting and volunteers spend time each month physically maintaining it," said Grier M. Smokovich, president of the club.A member of District II of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Hollyberry was started in 1955 in West Severna Park.

Hollyberry members will next be preparing for the annual Holiday Greens Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 at the Holy Grounds on Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. There will be homemade wreaths, swags, kissing balls, fresh mixed greens and a bake sale. Come early, they sell out fast.

Birdie is back

"Bye Bye Birdie" returns to the high school as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. The musical has been produced three times at the school, once in 1974, 1982 and 1999, said Angela Germanos, drama department director. Alumni of these casts are invited to return for a performance and will be introduced during intermission.

There will be photos and video clips of these past shows displayed throughout the performances at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21 with a reduced price matinee during the school day at 9 a.m. Nov 13. and more shows at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 and 21. Contact Angela at agermanos@aacps.com for details. Tickets are on sale online at www.sphsdrama.com and at the door.

Halloween events

Tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Severna Park High School, children ages 2 to 12, are invited to share arts activities with the Falcon Scholar Artists for $5 per child. The Tri-M Music Honor Society will teach them a Halloween song; the Dance Honor Society will teach them a Halloween dance; the Thespians will tell them a scary story; and the Art Honor Society will do a Halloween craft with the kids.

Then at 7:30 p.m. the Severna Park Middle School Orchestra will treat them to a Halloween concert. All of the proceeds benefit the Falcon Scholar Artists Program.

E-mail your Severna Park news to lhunt@ capitalgazette.com.