Neighbors Make Severn View A Special Place

The quiet neighborhood of Severn View in Arnold, just over the Severna Park line, is uniquely situated on both sides of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard with easy access to all the best that Arnold and Severna Park have to offer.

The home lots are expansive, and the topography varies greatly from home to home. Some of the homes on the southwest side of B&A are Severn River waterfront. The community has fewer than 40 homes, built in the late 1960s through the mid-1990s, and giant oak and pine trees soar atop the wooded lots.

Although Severn View has an Arnold zip code, children attend historic Jones Elementary School, and Severna Park middle and high schools. The community comes together for a July 3 party, spring and fall picnics at their marina, occasional ladies nights out, and several other events throughout the year. The annual homeowners association meeting is held nearby at Café Mezzanotte. The bike trail is right next door. The gated and private marina, on Asquith Creek, boasts a boat ramp, fire pit and kayak rack, built by the son of a neighbor as an Eagle Scout project.

Jim and Marilyn Himes
Residents for 14 Years

Jim and Marilyn Himes moved to Arnold in 1978, living on the Magothy side of Ritchie Highway. They stumbled upon Severn View by accident thanks to a real estate agent friend. They loved the open floor plan of the house they visited, and really liked the heavily wooded community.

Jim said Severn View’s uniqueness comes from excellent neighbors.

“They are friendly, engaging and super interesting,” he added. “A number of families with young children have moved in and the community has become lively as a result.

“Physically, we really appreciate access to the Severn, he added. “We love to sit on our marina pier in the evening, watch the sunset on the Severn and sip some wine or coffee, and spend some time together after long days.”

Though the children were in high school by the time Jim and Marilyn moved into Severn View, the family had an excellent experience with Jones Elementary School.

“We had a family from Europe live with us for nearly two years,” explained Jim. “One of their sons went to Jones and loved the experience. He also improved his English and played in the band. We’ve only heard and seen good things about Jones over the years.”

Jim and Marilyn highly recommend Severn View. “The homes and people are beautiful, caring and friendly,” Jim said. “Also, we largely leave behind politics and culture wars in favor of building a community where our families and friends can be just that.”

Jim easily recalls times when neighbors became like family.

“One of our neighbors was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing treatment for a number of months. Neighbors provided a meal chain for the family for months,” he said. “She is doing great. Another time was when the original owner in the community tragically died in a boating accident while out of the country. It was devastating. People reached out to the widow and her three sons, helping however they could.”

James has served as president of the homeowners association board for eight years, during which time he interacted with the county on water and runoff into the marina, dredging the marina and boat slips. He also coordinated complex land title and related development issues for every home in the community.

Ron Elfenbein
Resident for Six Years

In 2013, Ron Elfenbein and his family learned just how coveted the Arnold and Severna Park communities are when his current home, on the market for only 24 hours, immediately had three offers.

“We had looked at one house in our community numerous times over the course of a few years (it was on and off the market), but it just wasn’t the right one for us, but we knew the neighborhood and community,” explained Ron. “Then this house came available and our agent literally called us and said, ‘You need to come see this house now. It just came available.’”

The Elfenbein’s host the annual July 3 party and the Halloween fall party at their home. Their children attend Jones Elementary School and they love it.

As for neighbors, Ron, a physician, calls them, “Just a lot of high-quality, good, caring, family-oriented people. They come from all walks of life. A few work at the hospital with me, so I have professional relationships with them. We are always there for each other, always help with whatever is needed.”

Ron is on the homeowner’s association board.

Carolyn Prodehl
Resident for 11 Years

“We decided the Annapolis area was where we wanted to be because we were interested in becoming boaters,” said Carolyn Prodehl. “We lived in Shore Acres for 12 years and started our family there. We moved to Severn View 11 years ago because we wanted more of a neighborhood feel, a deeded boat slip with our home and the Severna Park schools.”

The Prodehl children all attended Jones Elementary School, and Severna Park middle and high schools, and were pleased with the education and experience.

“We really appreciate having both the Severn and Magothy rivers in our backyard. Annapolis is a short trip by boat, car or B&A Trail,” said Carolyn, also noting a good commute to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. and even the Eastern Shore.

Carolyn is the treasurer of the HOA, and her husband is the harbormaster of the community marina.

Jeff LaBrier

Resident for Five Years

Jeff LaBrier and his family moved to Severn View after living in Olney, Maryland, for 10 years, because the family wanted to be close to the water and in the Severna Park school system.

“We loved the unique homes, large lots and community marina,” said Jeff. Another interesting aspect of the neighborhood, said Jeff, is its landscape.

“We have a large (really steep and challenging) hill on the water side of the neighborhood that many runners, bikers, midshipmen and athletes take advantage of by endlessly running or walking up and down,” added Jeff. “We occasionally even witness men carrying each other up and down the hill on their backs.”

The family loves Jones Elementary School. “All three of our children have attended Jones,” explained Jeff. “It is a fantastic school. It has great community support and a very active PTA.”

The LaBriers are thrilled with their move to the area.

“Severna Park is a very family-friendly place to live and offers excellent schools and competitive sports leagues. Living in Severna Park allows you take advantage of all the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding rivers have to offer,” said Jeff.

Jeff has been the HOA president of Severn View for the past three years. His wife is active in the Jones Elementary School PTA, and their children are involved in many of the great things Severna Park has to offer, such as sports, drama and academics, all while making lifelong friends. Their family supports the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to better the Severna and Magothy rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.