[Baltimore Sun] Best of Anne Arundel County 2024: Residents’ favorite people, places and organizations (2024)

Looking to refresh your garden or home? Want to get out of the house for the day? Need a plumber or a dentist?

The Best of Anne Arundel County can help with a little guidance from Capital Style readers. More than 7,500 votes were cast in this year’s readers’ poll, culling a list of the 116 top people to know, places to go and things to do.

Editor’s note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to nominate and vote online in February and March. The results are generated solely by readers’ votes. The Baltimore Sun does not take responsibility for the services offered or advertised by those listed.

Entertainment

Caterer: Beefalo Bob’s

Honorable mentions:Main & MarketBayside BullKen’s Creative Kitchen

Charter boat: Watermark Tours, Charters, Cruises

Honorable mentions:Wilma Lee Skipjack ToursEbb Tide ChartersWindsong Charters

Country club: Chartwell Golf & Country Club

Honorable mentions:Crofton Country ClubWalden Country ClubThe Cannon Club

Dance lessons: Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory of Dance

Honorable mentions:Maryland HallArthur Murray (tie)Davy Dance Academy (tie)

Day trip: St. Michaels

Honorable mentions:Allegany CountyBerlin (tie)Chestertown (tie)

Downtown Annapolis tour: Historic Annapolis

Honorable mentions:Watermark ToursRichard Hillman Walking ToursAnnapolis Eventours

Festival: Renaissance Festival

Honorable mentions:Kunta Kinte Heritage FestivalDining Under the StarsMaryland Avenue Fall Festival

Golf course: Renditions Golf Course

Honorable mentions:Bay Hills Golf Club (tie)The Golf Club at South River (tie)Chartwell Golf & Country Club

Rams Head On Stage has won best live music venue. Vienna Teng, pianist and singer-songwriter, goes through a sound check before her evening performance. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Live music venue: Rams Head on Stage

33 West St., Annapolis, 410-268-4545, ramsheadonstage.com

When Rams Head On Stage opened in 1997, it was “kind of the first of its kind” in the area, said Kris Stevens, the vice president of programming for Rams Head Presents. Since then, the live performance venue has attracted a long list of acts including the folk rock duo Indigo Girls, musician Gregg Allman, singer and guitarist David Crosby, comedian Dave Attell and the band Lake Street Dive.

“That’s the beauty of offering so much diversity in our programming, is that there’s something for everybody,” Stevens said.

The venue seats over 300 for performances from musicians and comedians, said Laura Price, the director of marketing and ticketing for Rams Head Presents. Stevens said there are shows nearly every night of the week, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

The space is intimate, Price said, and event-goers can dine and drink during the shows.

“Artists love playing here,” Stevens said. Even if they initially think the venue feels small, “within a few songs, they’ll be telling the audience, ‘I’d forgotten how great it feels to be this close to my fans and to be in this sort of atmosphere.’ ”

Honorable mentions:Maryland Hall49 WestAnnapolis Symphony Orchestra (tie)Rams Head Roadhouse (tie)

Museum: Banneker-Douglass Museum

Honorable mentions:Annapolis Maritime MuseumNational Cryptologic MuseumMuseum of Historic Annapolis

Park: Quiet Waters Park

Honorable mentions:Kinder Farm ParkDowns Park in PasadenaAnnapolis Maritime Museum & Park

Special event venue: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland

Honorable mentions:William Paca House & GardenAnnapolis Maritime Museum BayThe Atreeum at Soaring Timbers

Summer camp: Maryland Hall

Honorable mentions:St. John’s College Summer AcademyJing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai ChiAnnapolis Maritime Museum (tie)The Y in Pasadena (tie)

Theater company: Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Honorable mentions:The Colonial PlayersMaryland HallTheater in the Park

Health & Wellness

Addiction counseling: Waypoint Wellness

Honorable mentions:New JourneyTranquility WoodsCongruent Counseling

Alternative medicine: GoldLeaf

Honorable mentions:Fang Acupuncture CenterChesapeake Acupuncture & Integrative MedicineMindful Healing Acupuncture

Assisted-living facility: Brightview Annapolis

Honorable mentions:BayWoods of AnnapolisSpring ArborBay Village Assisted Living (tie)Celebration Villa of Manresa (tie)The Sheridan at Severna Park (tie)

Audiologist: Hearing Solutions

Honorable mentions:Audiology AssociatesChesapeake Hearing CentersHearing & Balance Solutions

Chiropractor: Annapolis Family Chiropractic

Honorable mentions:DeMaio Family Chiropractic & Physical TherapyAtlas Chiropractic, Marc SchwartzLiving Health Integrative Medicine

Cosmetic surgeon: Annapolis Plastic Surgery, Bryan Ambro

Honorable mentions:Annapolis Plastic SurgeryDockside Dermatology (tie)Alan Weiss (tie)Plastic Surgery Specialist (tie)

Day spa: Even Keel Wellness Spa (tie)The Robert Andrew Salon & Spa Collection (tie)

Honorable mentions:Hand and Stone SpaSadona Spa

Dental care: McCarl Dental Group at Shipleys Choice

Honorable mentions:Boyd Family DentistryBlue Heron Dental (tie)Drs. Lee, Bonfiglio, Vesely & Associates (tie)Oral Surgery Specialists (tie)

Dermatologist: Anne Arundel Dermatology

Honorable mentions:Annapolis DermatologyDockside DermatologyCurrent Dermatology and Cosmetic Center (tie)Mark Eaton (tie)

Dispensary: GoldLeaf

Honorable mentions:Mana Supply Co.Thrive WellnessSun Med

Eye care: Severna Park Eye Care

Honorable mentions:PeepersAnne Arundel Eye CenterBay Hills Eye Care (tie)Island Eye Care (tie)Tarantino Cho Eye Center (tie)

Family doctor/general practice: Annapolis Family Medicine

Honorable mentions:Maryland Primary Care PhysiciansAnnapolis Internal MedicineAnnapolis Integrative Medicine

Fitness/health club: True Core

Honorable mentions:Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai ChiRetro Fitness Annapolis (tie)The Y of Central Maryland (tie)

Gastroenterologist: Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates

Honorable mentions:David M. FishbeinGastro Center Of MarylandKenslisa Onwueme

Health food/supplement store: David’s Natural Market

Honorable mention:Isaacs Vitamin Wellness

Samantha Moyer is owner of Response Senior Care of Annapolis. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff)

Home health care: Response Senior Care

Response Senior Care, 31 Old Solomons Island Road, Suite B, Annapolis. 410-571-2744. response-seniorcare.com

With 20 clients, Response Senior Care isn’t the biggest home health care service in Anne Arundel County. But that’s a plus, said owner Samantha Moyer.

“We’re small but we are locally owned, and we take time to listen to clients and what they are looking for,” said Moyer, of Annapolis. “Our caregivers create relationships with them.”

It’s the personalized attentiveness, tailored to each unique client, that helps set Response apart. Yes, the staff runs errands, does laundry and prepares meals for the elderly. But they’ve also been known to drive seniors to watch a grandchild’s soccer game or sit with their charges during a hospital stay, if family is absent.

“A lot of our clients are into [needlework], and they’ve taught their caregivers how to knit,” said Moyer, 40. Her staff has attended birthday parties for their clients as well as their funeral services.

“Our passion is to connect with people,” she said.

Honorable mentions:Stay at Home Nursing and Companion ServicesRoyal Home Care & Staffing

Hospital: Anne Arundel Medical Center (tie)Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (tie)

Honorable mention:UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Mani-pedi: Nails by Jacqui

Honorable mentions:Bella Lifestyle Nail Salon and SpaLux Nail Bar (tie)Stacie’s Natural Touch (tie)Voorpret Nail Bar (tie)

Martial arts: Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi

Honorable mentions:Kogen DojoRising Tide Hi Tech (tie)Team Randori Martial Arts (tie)

OB/GYN: Women Ob/Gyn of Annapolis

Honorable mentions:Annapolis OB-GYNAssociatesPrivia Medical Group

Oncologist: Annapolis Oncology Hematology

Honorable mentions:Maryland Oncology HematologyArun Bhandari, Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates

Orthodontist: Mairead O’Reilly

Honorable mentions:Annapolis OrthodonticsLabbe Family Orthodontics (tie)Spivak Orthodontics (tie)

Pediatrician: Annapolis Pediatrics

Honorable mentions:Bayside PediatricsArif Mannan (tie)South River Pediatrics (tie)

Pharmacy: Arnold Pharmacy

Honorable mentions:CVSAnnapolis Professional PharmacyMike’s Pharmacy

Physical therapy: Annapolis Family Physical Therapy

Honorable mentions:Rehab 2 PerformPivot Pivot Physical Therapy, AnnapolisBayside Physical Therapy

Podiatrist: Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center

Honorable mentions:Diane LebedeffPodiatry Group of Annapolis

Therapist/counselor: Anne Arundel Counseling

Honorable mentions:Benna ShermanErin Betz, Park Wellness GroupClear Mind Counseling / Heather Chadwick, LCSW-C

Urgent care: Patient First

Honorable mentions:Wise Care Urgent CareLuminis Health

Urologist: Anne Arundel Urology

Honorable mention:Chesapeake Urology

Vein center: Center for Vein Restoration (tie)Maryland Vein Professionals (tie)

Honorable mention:Vein Center of America

Veterinary care: Mobile Pet Vet

Honorable mentions:Greater Annapolis Veterinary HospitalAnnapolis Animal HospitalBayside Veterinarian Hospital

Personalities

Activist: Juanita Cage Lewis

Honorable mentions:Jaden FarrisJoe Toolan, Annapolis PrideVince Leggett, Blacks of the Chesapeake

Clergyperson: Pat Woods, St. Mary’s Parish

Honorable mention:Rudolph “Rudy” White, Friendship United Methodist Church

Elected official: Dana Schallheim, Board of Education of Anne Arundel County

Honorable mentions:Gov. Wes MooreSen. Sarah ElfrethDel. Heather Bagnall

Personal trainer: Joanna King, True Core

Honorable mentions:Maddie Poknis, True CoreRyan Walker, True Core

Police officer: John Murphy, AnnapolisPoliceDepartment

Colleen McFarland, Principal of Glen Burnie Park Elementary School, gets a high five from 2nd grader Seven Adamson as he arrives to school. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)

Principal: Colleen McFarland, Glen Burnie Park Elementary

500 Marlboro Road, Glen Burnie, 410-766-9220, aacps.org/Page/4388

The note, scrawled by a third-grader, is dear to the heart of Colleen McFarland, principal of Glen Burnie Park Elementary School.

“You always believe in us,” it reads.

In seven years, McFarland has pumped life into a school with a disparate mix of students who speak 12 different languages and who live mostly (77%) in poverty. They embrace their diversity with multicultural activities, choose from 14 after-school clubs, hold an annual Kindness Dance and espouse the school slogan, “Be The Difference.”

“We want to build the whole child, not just the academic side,” said McFarland, 50, who has a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State and a master’s from Loyola. As principal, she has been known to cover classes for teachers who need time to mentor individual students. And she encourages her staff to phone busy parents each morning, to make sure their children catch their bus.

“We have high expectations, yet we meet the students where they are,” she said of the learning process. “This [school] is a happy place to be.”

Honorable mentions:Kim Jakovics, Monarch Academy Public CharterDavid Intlekofer, Annapolis Area ChristianJen Malachowski (LS), Matt McCormick (MS), Eliza McLaren (US), Indian Creek

Services

Appliances: ABC Appliance

Honorable mentions:Bray & ScarfApplianceLandGlen Burnie Used Appliances

Cathy Purple Cherry, founder and principal at Purple Cherry Architects in Annapolis, was named Best Architecture firm and Interior design. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff)

Architecture firm: Purple Cherry Architects

1 Melvin Ave., Annapolis, 410-990-1700, purplecherry.com

Coastal Nantucket-style homes used to dominate on the Chesapeake Bay, said Cathy Purple Cherry, the founder and principal of the eponymous architecture and interior design firm. Now, she sees more diversity, with styles like French country and contemporary in the mix.

“We basically are responding to what our clients love,” Purple Cherry said of her company’s approach to design.

She started Purple Cherry Architects in Annapolis 30 years ago, and it has since expanded with projects primarily along the East Coast and additional staffed offices in Virginia and New York.

Having architecture and interior design “integrated under one roof” is an aspect of the business that she said sets it apart.

Most of the architectural undertakings in Anne Arundel County are “ground up” builds of custom homes ranging from around 5,000 to 15,000 square feet, Purple Cherry said. And they’re most commonly waterfront properties.

“I love the client relationship,” she said. “It’s a very personal process.”

Honorable mentions:SPIRE ArchitectureBuxton ArchitectureT. Averill Architect

Attorney: Scott MacMullan

Honorable mentions:Hillman Brown & DarrowRice, Murtha, Psoras Trial LawyersAmanda Schmidt, Ward & Co. Law

Auto dealer: Koon’s Annapolis Toyota

Honorable mentions:Annapolis SubaruSheehy Lexus of AnnapolisBrowns Honda

Bank/credit union: Navy Federal Credit Union

Honorable mentions:SECUBank of AmericaShore United Bank

Barbershop: Capistrano Barber Shop

Honorable mentions:Cuttn Up 21122Savvas BarbershopBourtdakis Barber Shop

Car repair: Dave’s Auto Repair

Honorable mentions:Severna Park AutomotiveAccurate Auto ServiceNealey Tire & Auto Service

Charity/nonprofit: H.O.P.E. for All (tie)Light House Shelter (tie)

Honorable mentions:Providence of MarylandChesapeake Bay Association Inc. (tie)SPAN (tie)

Day care center: Kiddie Academy

Honorable mentions:Bright Beginning Children’s Learning CenterTender Years Child Development

Doggie day care: Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat

Honorable mentions:Cozy Canine CampChesapeake Dog TrainingBeechnut Kennels (tie)Stay Pet (tie)

Dry cleaner: ZIPS Cleaners

Honorable mentions:Admiral CleanersClock Tower CleanersKings Cleaners (tie)Riva Cleaners (tie)

Electrician: Chesapeake Electric Co.

Honorable mentions:Bailey and ShippWalter ElectricAll Spark Electric

Financial advisor: Mark Humphries, Sentinel Financial Planning

Honorable mentions:Brian Conrad, Edward Jones InvestmentsCovingtonAlsinaMike Calabrese, Severn Financial Solutions

Funeral home: Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care

Honorable mentions:Donaldson Funeral HomeLasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral CareWM Reese & Sons Mortuary

Hair salon: Vaughan Diann Salon and Spa

Honorable mentions:Hudson & FouquetJohn James Salon & SpaCape Hair Scene & Barber Shop

Home improvement: Clarksville Construction Services

Honorable mentions:About Kitchens and BathsGreg Lauer Custom BuildersBrantley Builders

Homebuilder: Greg Lauer Custom Builders

Honorable mentions:K. HovnanianKhov Homes

Housecleaners: Ivania’s Cleaning Service

Honorable mentions:Always SparkleThe MaidsSpouses Cleaning Houses

HVAC: Clarksville Heating & Air

Honorable mentions:BTR HVAC ServicesGrove Heating & CoolingA.P. Mathews Heating & Air Conditioning (tie)Belair Engineering (tie)

Insurance company: Huff Insurance

Honorable mentions:Kelly Insurance & InvestmentsCNR InsuranceStanger Insurance Group

Interior design: Purple Cherry Architects

Honorable mentions:Be HomeAnnapolis InteriorsAnna Graham Interiors

Landscaping: Homestead Gardens

Honorable mentions:McHale Landscape DesignHimmel’s Landscape and Garden CenterJams Lawn & Gardening

Mortgage lender: Shore United Bank

Honorable mention:First Home Mortgage, Mike Archer

Pest services: Bugout Termite & Pest Control

Honorable mentions:ATC Pest ControlBarrett Pest ControlBrody Brothers Pest Control

Pet grooming: Bark ‘N’ Bean

Honorable mentions:Kitty’s Canine ClipsStay PetGroomingdales Pet Salon

Plumber: Heidler

Honorable mentions:Mahon PlumbingBelair EngineeringMillersville Plumbing

Pool services: Chesapeake Spas, Inc.

Honorable mentions:Goudy PoolsOasis Pools

Real estate agent: Long & Foster Annapolis

Honorable mentions:The Kristi Neidhardt Team | Waterfront Annapolis HomesThe Curtis Real Estate CompanyBlair Kennedy – Waldner Winters Team of Keller Williams Realty Centre

Retirement community: Brightview Senior Living (tie)Ginger Cove (tie)

Honorable mentions:BayWoods of AnnapolisSpring Arbor

Roofing: Clarksville Construction Services

Honorable mentions:Fichtner Home ServicesWells Home ImprovementsJust-in-Time Renovations

Shoe store: Charm City Run

Honorable mentions:Fleet Feet Sports AnnapolisVan Dyke & Bacon

Stone & tile: In Home Stone

Honorable mentions:Atlas Marble & TileThe Stone StoreCompass Tile

Tanning salon: Beyond the Beach Tanning

Honorable mentions:Palm Beach TanSunset Tanning SalonBella Bronze

Travel agency: McCarl Travel

Honorable mentions:Going PlacesSTS Travel

Shopping

Antiques: Roberta Bell Vintage Treasures

Honorable mentions:Evergreen Antiques & True VintageVintage By the BayAntiques on the Go (tie)Gypsy Faire (tie)

Apartment/condo: Park Place

Honorable mentions:Watergate PointeStonecreek Condominium

Art gallery: Maryland Hall

Honorable mentions:Art FarmNancy Hammond EditionsGallery 57 West

Apr. 2, 2024: Rod Reddish is the owner of Pedal Pushers. The store has been voted best bike shop in Anne Arundel County. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Bicycle shop: Pedal Pushers

546 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. 410-544-2323. pedalpushersmd.com

At 53, Rod Reddish can still pop a wheelie. Dare him to do so and the bike shop owner will comply in the parking lot in front of his store, which sits, not by chance, at the 5-mile mark of the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail.

The shop is a convenient break point on the 13-mile path for cyclists to stop for gear adjustments or to check out the new models (road, mountain or BMX) in the shop, established in 1989. Or maybe passersby just want to grab a drink from the nearby coffee shop, hang out behind the store, enjoy the heavy metal music blaring from within and scratch the head of Conner, the owner’s playful labradoodle.

“We do quick turnarounds [on bike repairs] and we’re honest,” said Reddish, of Severna Park, who has worked here from the start. “We’ll talk to you while we work on your bike. We’ll fix your lawn mower, if you like.

“We’re a bike shop that cares about you.”

Honorable mentions:Family Bike ShopAnnapolis Velo

Boat dealer: Backyard Boats

Bookstore: Old Fox Books and Coffeehouse

Honorable mentions:Park Books & LitCoLabBack Creek Books (tie)St. John’s College Bookstore (tie)

Bridal shop: Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique

Honorable mentions:Bridals by ElenaAmanda’s Bridal Loft

Consignment/resale: Savvy Consignment

Honorable mentions:Return to OzPlay It Again Sports – CroftonPetticoat Lane

Convenience store: Wawa

Honorable mentions:Royal FarmsGeresbeck’sMain Street Mini Mart

Farmers market/stand: Anne Arundel County Farmers Market

Honorable mentions:Amish MarketPA Dutch Farmers MarketSeverna Park Farmers Market

Fence & deck: Fence & Deck Connection

Honorable mentions:Mid-Atlantic Deck & Fence Co.Just-in-Time RenovationsBrantley Builders

Fine jewelry: Zachary’s

Honorable mentions:Cezanne JewelersSmyth JewelersRon George Jewelers

Flooring: Carpet One

Honorable mentions:National Carpet & FlooringBrothers FlooringCLB Flooring

Florist: Wildflower

Honorable mentions:Flowers by DonnaWillow Oak Flower & Herb FarmBlooms Florist

Furniture store: Evergreen Antiques & True Vintage

Honorable mentions:Gavigan’s FurnitureAnnapolis Bay Area FurnishingsRestoration Hardware

Garden center: Homestead Gardens

Honorable mentions:A.A. Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden CenterWillow Oak Flower & Herb FarmJAMS Lawn & Gardening

Grocery store: Graul’s Market

Honorable mentions:Trader Joe’sWegmansAldi

Handbags: Hobo

Hardware store: K&B True Value

Honorable mentions:Cape Ace HardwareCostello’s ACE Hardware (tie)Home Depot (tie)

Kids’ clothing boutique: Return to Oz

Honorable mentions:Once Upon A ChildThe Children’s Place

Kitchen & bath: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Honorable mentions:Park HardwareApplianceLandReico

Liquor store: Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits

Honorable mentions:FishpawsMarketplaceEdgewater LiquorMills Fine Wine & Spirits

Lower private school: Montessori International Children’s House

Honorable mentions:Key SchoolAnnapolis Area Christian SchoolSt. Phillip Neri

Marina: Bert Jabin Yacht Yard

Honorable mentions:Smiths MarinaSafe HarborBlake’s Bar Harbor Marina

Mattress store: The Mattress Store

Honorable mentions:Mattress firmMattress Warehouse

Montessori school: Montessori International Children’s House

Honorable mentions:Acton Academy AnnapolisChesapeake Montessori School

Place to buy seafood: Wild Country Seafood

Honorable mentions:Arundel SeafoodPasadena SeafoodGeresbeck’s Food Markets

Public school: Broadneck High

Honorable mentions:Annapolis HighSouth River HighMonarch Academy Public Charter

Silver jewelry: Blanca Flor Silver Jewelry

Honorable mention:Little Treasury Jewelers

Upper private school: Archbishop Spalding

Honorable mentions:Key SchoolSevern SchoolAnnapolis Area Christian

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