Around Annapolis

Around Annapolis: New tables are heart of Annapolis Neck Fire Station

By DIANE M. REY, For The Capital

It's often said that the kitchen and more specifically, the kitchen table, is the heart of the home. Apparently, that's also the case at the local fire station.

"It's really the gathering point, the focal point of the station," said Capt. Paul Doherty Jr., station captain of the new Annapolis Neck Fire Station, which opened today.

The long-awaited 11,000-square-foot station will have a staff of five career firefighters on duty every day and is equipped with a pumper tanker and medic unit. It is located at the intersection of Bay Ridge and Arundel on the Bay roads.

When crew members return to the station from a call, they'll be able to rest and refuel at two kitchen tables custom made for them by members of the Annapolis Woodworkers Guild.

Made of red oak with a clear finish, the tables were designed with clean lines and tapered legs and are heavy and sturdy for round-the-clock use.

Guild members Jim Luck and Paul Dodson inlaid dark mahogany and light maple woods to create a decorative center medallion that spells out the name and number of the station, Station 8.

That's helpful in case firefighters at any of the other 30 stations in the county try to make off with the tables.

"They're pretty jealous," said Capt. Doherty with a chuckle.

Harlan Ray, special projects chairman for the Woodworkers' Guild, said the trees used to supply the wood came from a neighbor in Davidsonville who had to remove them to put up a barn. The craftsmen did their work in guild member Herb Segelhorst's shop in Davidsonville.

"We took it from rough-sawn lumber to what you see," Harlan said last week as he removed a protective tarp to reveal the tables, which measure 5 ½-feet long by 4-feet wide.

Harlan said the 153-member guild has also made gates, benches and other period reproductions for several historic Annapolis properties, including the Hammond-Harwood and Paca houses. They're also helping rebuild London Town, the Colonial-era village in Edgewater, using the hand tools of the time.

County Executive John Leopold was on hand for the informal unveiling of the tables. A known painter, the county executive said he's also done a bit of woodworking in the past.

"As an artist and elected official, I appreciate the handiwork. They're beautiful and make a great addition to the fire station," he remarked.

County Fire Chief John Robert Ray also stopped by to see the new tables and do a brief walk-around of the building. As he led a small group on tour, construction workers were making finishing touches before the furniture and equipment were scheduled to arrive.

Chief Ray said the station, which had a total construction budget of $4.5 million, has been in the fire department's master plan since the 1970s. With today's opening, residents should see a reduction in response times for the area, he said. The closest station has been the Eastport Station on the opposite side of the peninsula.

Unique to the station is a vestible that serves as a "safe area" in an emergency; citizens can go in, lock the door and dial 911.

A ribbon cutting for the Annapolis Neck Fire Station will be at 10 a.m. June 4, followed by an open house for the community from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 6.

Congratulations to Ryan Collins, 14, of Fishing Creek Farm, who raised the most money of all participants - $4,365 - in Sunday's "Walk for the Animals," sponsored by the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

More than 2,100 walkers (and 675 dogs) turned out for the annual event, raising over $224,000.

Ryan, a freshman and principal's honor roll student at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, is the son of Kim and Roy Collins. A nationally-ranked junior cyclist and member of the school tennis team, Ryan has participated in several other charitable events. Last year, he was the second-highest fundraiser for the annual walk, and his goal this year was to be number one.

"He wanted to make a difference," his mother Kim said.

Ryan has made a big difference, said SPCA Executive Director Sue Beatty. "We're very impressed with his dedication and support of our homeless animals," she said.

A Celtic band in a garden, a healing service, a labyrinth and inspirational stories from the pastor of a church in Turkey will highlight five days of celebrating the National Day of Prayer at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1300 West St., from May 5 to 9. The public is invited to join in the festivities. For more information, call 410-268-1620 or visit www.trinityannapolis.org.

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