Seven-year-old Triniti Wilburn's Christmas wish was fulfilled this year not just by Santa Claus but by a community of volunteers and businesses. Triniti, a Crofton Meadows resident, was diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and she has been undergoing chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins. This year, Triniti’s Christmas list consisted only of two wishes—a new puppy and that the puppy be delivered on a fire engine.  The Arundel Volunteer Fire Department provided the fire engine and Santa for the delivery. Kevin Deck, the founder of a nonprofit organization called Fighting Kids Cancer, …

  In the hectic days of holiday decorating, buying the perfect presents, and sending cards, was there anyone you forgot? With all the rushing around, don’t forget about the babysitter, paper carrier, and others who make your life a little easier. Don’t fight the crowded malls returning unwanted gifts. Many small businesses in Crofton offer gift cards. Not only will you be helping support local businesses, but some are offering special bonuses.  Give the gift of good taste with Ledo’s Pizza Gift Cards, available in increments of $10, $25, and $50. Scott Taggart, owner of Ledo's Pizza at Eddie’…

If you would rather be “rockin’ around the Christmas tree” instead of circling around the mall parking lot, consider visiting some of Crofton’s unique small businesses. Not only will you find these shops offering great customer service, but also one-of-a-kind gifts. Store: Annapolis Cake and Candy Supply, Inc.New location: 2133 Defense Highway, Suite 2 in Crofton Depot behind Crofton FloristFor: The baker in your family  Owner Kathy Thomas said, “Our store has worked hard to provide the most helpful service and selection of cake and candy products. The shop has become a place where customers …

During the last few remaining weeks in 2011, Bruster's Ice Cream is providing a way to warm the hearts of local organizations with a frosty treat deal. Dawn Rodriguez, owner of Bruster's, said they are holding an end-of-the-year special for groups to raise money: Book an in-store fundraiser by Dec. 31 and as long as the event occurs before Feb. 29, 2012, the organization will receive 20 percent of the net sales they generate.  “One of the things that drew us to Bruster's was the ability to get involved with the community," Rodriguez said. "I had seen how other Bruster's had partnered with …

With holidays just around the corner, is your to-do list overflowing? Decorating the house, buying the perfect presents, sending cards, shopping and cooking favorite family recipes? With all the rushing around don’t forget about your out-of-town family and friends on your gift giving list. This year two local Crofton-Gambrills businesses are helping you make this task enjoyable. The Black Eyed Susan Florist and Gift Shop located in the Gambrills shopping center at Rt. 424 and Rt. 450 is offering special gift baskets this year. “We now carry many new gift options. In the past year we have …

Small Business Saturday in Maryland was held on Nov. 26 and the day was dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year after Black Friday. One advantage of small businesses is that they usually place a high value on customer satisfaction, quality and trustworthiness. The Crofton area provides a great opportunity for parents to show support for small businesses.   For parents, there are many options that are help support area small businesses.  Scott and Colleen Taggart, owners of Ledo Pizza at Eddie’s Place on Route 3, have worked together for …

Titan Cigar Shoppe, located in the Village at Waugh Chapel Shopping Center, is a one-of-a-kind cigar shop and lounge offering a wide variety of fine cigars along with a selection of premium ports and sipping spirits. The lounge is one of only two places in Maryland where you can purchase a cigar and an alcoholic beverage. It's also a locally-owned, small business—the type of place that depends on support from local residents. This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, a promotion by American Express to encourage people to shop at locally-owned stores. In honor of the occassion, this Saturday …

If you are trying to plan a big family meal but don’t want to actually do the cooking some Crofton businesses can help. By ordering a take-out turkey (or ham or prime rib) dinner for the holiday celebration you will have the enticing smell of slow-roasted turkey but without all the fuss and mess. At home all that needs to be done is to warm up the food according to the instructions enclosed with the meal. Your home will be filled with wonderful scents of food baking but with no food preparation time or work – you need only sit back and enjoy the compliments!  Dickey’s BBQ usually brings to …

Don’t have time to arrange a stylish Thanksgiving dinner? Between all the fall activities are you also trying to plan a big family meal? Does the thought of spending your holidays in a hot kitchen cooking and cleaning send you running for more hard spiced cider? If so, it may be time to think about using a caterer. Gone are the days when caterers were only thought of for weddings. Now many people are using them for family holidays as well.  Chef Zachary Pope, a Crofton resident and owner of Roundz Catering, works directly with his clients to design the catering experience they desire, whether…

Vince’s Deli is known for its “Famous Italian Cold Cut Sub” and most recently for it’s addition of a ‘Cookie and Cupcake Bar’.  Now owner Allen Blackenship is making the thirty year old business into a club as well.  Blackenship is introducing the “Chesapeake Cooking Club at Vince’s Adult Cooking Classes & Culinary Instruction.”  He said the motto for the club is ‘fun, food, & friends - feed your passion in a laid back atmosphere.’  “I am providing lots of culinary instruction but in an interactive and social environment.  Recently we held a Knife Skills and Garnishing Class.  We covered …

It would be hard to drive through any community in the Crofton area without seeing the smiling faces of the Surlis family.  If you don’t see them in person then you will surely see their family picture along the side of the road.  The Surlis family is not only deeply rooted in the Crofton community but it’s also their family business to help other families make it home.  Born in Ireland, Aidan Surlis, Sr has lived and sold real estate in Anne Arundel County for over 30 years.  At that time the community of Crofton Meadows was being built and Aidan worked as a builder’s representative for a …

As the door to the little shop flung open, Peggy Kline exclaimed “You about gave me a heart attack!”  For shop owner Kathy Thomas, it was not the first dramatic entrance this week or even this day.  Kline, an Edgewater resident, said “When I pulled up in front of the Annapolis store front it was empty.  I was shocked and then read the sign that you had moved.”  The family owned and operated Annapolis Cake and Candy Supply, Inc. has moved into its new location in Crofton Depot behind Crofton Florist.  Thomas says “Our store has worked hard to provide the most helpful service and selection of …

Have you ever prepared beluga lentil? Or served purple imperial rice to dinner guests? Chef Zachary Pope is ready to teach Crofton how to do just that. Roundz Gourmet Market & Catering, owned by Pope, will open in the Hopkins Place shopping center in November 2011.  This venture is an outgrowth of Pope’s award-winning Roundz Catering, launched in 2004.  The new Roundz Gourmet Market will house current catering operations and serve as a unique culinary shop offering: Prepared hot and cold gourmet foods for carry-out or café dining. Specialty food items such as infused oils, compound butters, …

Gone are the summertime lemon meringue pies and the strawberry shortcakes. After over twenty years in the culinary industry, Anthony Romos knows what people like. As the owner of the Camtin Café, Romos provides gourmet seasonal breakfast options. New this month will be the Pumpkin muffin and an Apple Spice muffin.    “These muffins are big and beautiful. Our regular clients stop in every morning and pick up one to go along with their coffee,” said Romas. He went on to add that they now have Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Pie available by the slice or a whole pie. However, the most popular and…

Over the past month Maryland has experienced a number of Mother Nature’s unexpected events. This has many thinking about property and homeowners' insurance. While this coverage is very important, so is life insurance. The need for this coverage is so important that September has been designated as “Life Insurance Awareness Month.” Recent studies by the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association estimate that 68 million Americans do not have life insurance. This means 44 percent of American adults are opting to go without life insurance.  “If a primary breadwinner dies without life …

When new mother Alison Meagher watched her toddler use her family room as a gymnasium she knew she had to do something. She enrolled him in the Motor Skills Adventure class at the Rolly Pollies in Severna Park. This is a structured, movement-based class that is exploration based, incorporating singing, dancing, games and activity stations in a semi-structured format. “I had such a fantastic experience that I literally went home and told my husband Doug this is what I wanted to do: own this business,” said Meagher. Being a graduate of Plattsburgh State she knew she could take on the business…