Towne Spotlight: Local Business and Community News of Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel Dermatology Celebrates New Kent Island Office 

brbrAnne Arundel Dermatology hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November to celebrate the opening of its new Kent Island office (115 Sallitt Drive, Suite E, Stevensville) and its ongoing growth on the Eastern Shore. In attendance were QAC Commissioners; Jean Fabi, Queen Anne’s County Department of Economics & Tourism Business & Economic Development Liaison; Dr. Lisa L. Anderson; and Amy Hoffman. Special remarks were made by Linda Friday, QAC Chamber of Commerce President and Lori Knoche, Anne Arundel Dermatology’s Eastern Shore Director of Operations. The ceremony also included raffles, tours of the office space, cocktails, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. 

Hospice of the Chesapeake Honors its Volunteers 

Hospice of the Chesapeake celebrated its volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held in October at the Loews Hotel. Among the approximately 100 volunteers in attendance was this year’s Spirit of Hospice Award recipient, Jimmy Wilburn, of Frederick; The two recipients of the Joseph P. and Elizabeth Earley Award were Russ Stewart of Annapolis and Bill Vincek of Severna Park; Gayle Bremer of Severna Park who was awarded the David William Malicki Veterans Service Award; and Jay Beeler who received the Chesapeake Life Center Award for his commitment to children’s bereavement programs.

Veterans Share Their Experiences with  Hilltop Students 

Four branches of the nation’s military were represented as local active duty and veteran military personnel talked and read to fifth-grade students atHilltop Elementary School in Glen Burnie. Splitting up to attend four different classrooms were Army Lt. Col. John Ratliff of Elkridge, retired Navy Capt. Paul Mullenhoff of Bowie, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Gayle Bremer of Severna Park, and Marine Corps veteran Nicole Richard of Annapolis. After introductions and a bit of background about their roles in the military, they read books about World War I, shared medals, ribbons and mementos, and then answered questions from the students.

 brbr

St. Anne’s School of Annapolis Celebrates Outdoor Learning Commons Renovation 

St. Anne's School of Annapolis formally dedicated its rain garden and renovated outdoor learning space, officially naming it the Outdoor Learning Commons. As an extension of the classroom, the Outdoor Learning Commons will be used by all students. One unique feature of the space is the rain garden, led by the South River Federation and funded through the Anne Arundel Watershed Protection and Restoration Program and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The large rain garden will not only help reduce runoff, but will benefit natural wildlife through the native grasses, ferns, shrubs, and trees planted in and around the garden. 

Friends of the Arts Awards $5,000 Scholarships to Local College Students 

Friends of the Arts (FOTA) recently celebrated two college students who were awarded $5,000 in scholarships. FOTA of Annapolis is a nonprofit organization supporting organizations and individual students in the pursuit of artistic endeavors. The 35-member organization awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Southern High School graduate Heather Barry, who is majoring in nursing and minoring in studio art at Notre Dame University in Baltimore. Old Mill High School graduate, Holly Condor, who is now a fine arts student at the Maryland Institute College of Art, was awarded $2,500.

David Orso Group Partners with Services from the Heart

Beginning in November, the David Orso Group of Century 21 New Millennium began an exciting partnership with Services from the Heart Backpack Buddies Program. The David Orso Group will donate $150 for every home closing for one year. Each donation sponsors a weekly food backpack for one child for a semester.  Services from the Heart, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Severna Park provides weekly food backpacks to 84 children attending three Title 1 Schools within Anne Arundel County.

UM BWMC Names New Director of Marketing and Communications 

University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) has named Sonia Hamlin as the medical center’s new Director of Marketing and Communications. Hamlin comes to UM BWMC from the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus where she served as marketing and communications director. Her previous experience includes marketing, communications, strategic planning, and community programs development. Hamlin will oversee the medical center’s marketing, advertising, internal and external communications, and community relations.

Do you have community or business news to publicize? Send What's Up? an Email at Ngould@WhatsUpMag.com or fill out our online form here.