Around the Park: Get a haircut for Joe

A Haircut-A-Thon for Joe Alden, formerly of Severna Park, will help shave off the catastrophic expenses related to his now eight-year battle with head and neck cancer.

Joe, 34, is currently in England for treatments not yet approved in the United States. His mother Barbara Alden, a math teacher at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, where she has taught for over 20 years, is thankful for the support.

"I'm overwhelmed and appreciative," said Barbara of the upcoming fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Hair Trends, 539 Benfield Road.

She's had her hair cut by owner Chris Cox for many years along with her husband Douglas and Joe. "She (Chris) has just taken the ball and run with it (when planning the fundraiser)."

The staff at Hair Trends, six stylists (no blow dry) and two shampooers have volunteered their time to the Alden cause - all that is required is a $20 donation for a haircut. Barbara's co-workers at St. John's will be preparing all of the food for the fundraiser.

There will be door prizes and live music by Chris' friends Glenda Harris and Joy who will be performing. too.

All of the proceeds will go to Barbara for Joe's Miracle Fund to help with the medical expenses Joe and his family have incurred. The donation is not tax deductible, but the Alden family will have access to all funds tax-free.

"I've known Joe since he was a little boy; we all have joined together to do this for them so they visibly know that they are cared about - everyone is very concerned about them," Chris said.

The salon held a fundraiser last year for City of Hope, a nationwide organization that couples with hair salons across the country in November to raise money for cancer research. Chris felt that this year, helping someone locally that she knows will benefit directly was more important as a choice for a fundraiser.

Friends in Boston, where Joe attended college and law school, are also rallying to support the Alden family. As for seeing the silver lining on the clouds that have followed Joe's battle, "There's some blessing in all of this devastation," Barbara said.

For more information on Joe, visit www.CaringBridge.org.

Jane Seiss, a parent at Severna Park Elementary School reports that the first "Halloween Trot for Technology" brought students in kindergarten through fifth grade out for a 30-minute walk or jog on Friday.

Organized by the school staff and teachers to raise money for school technology needs and upgrades, the students were organized into groups by class year. Kindergarten through third grade completed one-third-mile laps on the school's newwalking trail, while fourth and fifth grades were chaperoned on a trot along the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, which runs alongside the school.

The children wore specially-designed orange T-shirts and listened to Halloween music while parents, teachers and staff joined in or cheered them along. Great fun was had by all, and many miles were tallied, said Jane.

The November luncheon of Greater Severna Park Newcomers Club begins with social time at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon Nov. 18 at Deep Creek Restaurant in Arnold. The guest speaker is Dr. Carl Rogge, a Severna Park veterinarian who will speak of his experiences working with the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Reservations are requested by Nov. 13.

The Newcomers Club, a social organization, holds a general membership/luncheon meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at various local restaurants during the club's calendar year.

Membership is open to any woman in the Greater Severna Park area who would like the opportunity to connect with fellow residents for social activities and participate in a variety of special interest groups. All women are welcome regardless of length of time in the community.

For more information, call Nancy Avent, membership chair, at 410 757-5444.

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