By Chris Marsala, Executive Director

November is a time when I like to sit back and reflect on what I’m thankful for. I am especially thankful for the staff and volunteers that support the Severna Park Community Center. It takes many people behind the scenes to operate such a vibrant center.

Please say a special thank you to our wonderful staff: Marion Wear, MaryAnn Neal, Jon Pully, Andre Fells, Matt Wear, Michael Morton, Julia Dray, Michael Hughes and Kate Neal. If you know someone on our board of directors - Andy Borland, Lauren Boyd, Jim Brennan, Warren Brockett, Rob Collins, Nick Codd, Don Cunningham, Glenn Furbish, Tom Gardner, Jeff Hall, Stacey Sickels Heckel, Chris Hutcheson, Brian Jamieson, John Newlin, Matt Reed, Wally Smith and Barbie Willis - please stop them and say thanks.

I would like to thank the community for supporting the 11th annual Spaghetti Dinner. We served more than 500 people – a huge success! A special thank you to St. Martin’s-in-the-Field for hosting this event! I also give my gratitude to all our local participating restaurants and celebrity servers and volunteers; without them, this event would not be possible. It is such a special sight to see the community come together for food, fellowship and fun.

The following businesses provided food and services: Café Mezzanotte, Ledo Pizza and Pasta Severna Park, Garry’s Grill, Café Bretton, Kerri Out Foods, Romilo’s Restaurant, Subway of SP, Atlanta Bread Company, Adams Ribs, Dawson’s Liquors, Pedal Pushers, Chip Carr - Coldwell Banker Realtors, Franklin’s Toys and Clement Hardware.

A big goulish thank you to the 60+ volunteers who helped create Haunted Holy Grounds. This group worked for months planning, setting up the scenes and recruiting volunteers. It all came together for one weekend of ghostly excitement. If you missed it this year, we will be back the weekend before Halloween in 2011. Come if you dare!

Our annual Friends Fundraising Campaign begins this month. While I recognize there are many requests for your charitable contributions, I would like to ask you to seriously consider giving to your community. Your donations help us provide free meeting space to many non-profit groups in Anne Arundel County. It also allows us to keep our rental and program fees affordable for all families. Your contribution is truly the gift that keeps on giving; please consider becoming a friend of the Severna Park Community Center. Your tax-deductible checks payable to the Severna Park Community Center can be mailed to: 623 B&A Blvd. Severna Park, MD 21146. Please feel free to call 410-647-5843 for additional information.

Our holiday flower sale is back! We are selling beautiful Christmas Cacti this year. Flowers are available to order or for pick-u, and they will come planted in 6’ clay pots with flower spikes ready to bloom! Christmas Cacti are $12. Order forms are available at the center, on our website, or can be emailed to you by calling 410-647-5843. Plants will be available for pickup on Saturday December 11 between 8:00am–1:00pm. What a great way to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to your friends, neighbors, teachers and clients.

The Severna Park Community Center is a place for all. We are a non-membership facility, and have a wide variety of programs to choose from. Visit

Sidebar:

Severna Park Community Center Wish List

1) HP Inkjet color printers with set-up discs and manuals

2) Gas powered, heavy-duty weed eater

3) Push, gas-powered lawn mower

4) Freestanding room dehumidifiers with water-catching bucket

5) Outdoor extension cords in all lengths

6) Bolt cutters

7) Rectangular folding tables in five, six and eight-foot lengths

8) Stackable or folding chairs8

9) Carts to move stackable chairs

10) Sturdy card tables

11) Portable roll-up projection screens

12) 40-cup or larger coffee urns

13) DVD/VCR devices

14) DVDs with G, PG or PG-13 ratings (suitable for elementary and middle school children)

15) Bean bag chairs

16) Elementary or middle-school suitable board games

17) Elementary or middle-school suitable puzzles

18) Lego sets