From ribbon cuttings and road construction to rival sporting matchups and cherished community traditions, 2025 was a year that Pasadena evolved, grew and came together. Here are some of the year’s top headlines and stories.
WINTER
In January, Angel’s Food Market announced that the longstanding grocery store would officially become Green Valley Marketplace.
Angel’s started off in the 1920s as a roadside farm stand. From there, it grew into a small grocery store and was acquired by the Clocker family in 1960. Since then, Angel’s has gone through many changes and has withstood many challenges, including a fire in 1976 that destroyed much of the store. After being rebuilt, the store tripled its original size.
“It’s mixed emotions,” described Walt Clocker, whose family owned Angel’s for 65 years. “My grandfather, Mr. Goodwin, purchased the store from the Angel family in 1960. We’re very happy that the store will continue to be a full-service grocery store for the community. It’s going to another family business that has been around for over 100 years, and is also very community-oriented. We’re keeping it local in that perspective.”
Angel’s Food Market officially reopened on March 15 as Green Valley Marketplace.
Also in January, Pizza Hut at 3110 Mountain Road quietly closed up the restaurant for good. The location opened over 30 years ago and became a landmark as one of the only dine-in pizza restaurants in the area. However, despite its nostalgia-inducing legacy, the once-bustling restaurant has struggled to stay afloat in recent years due to rising food costs, as well as customer claims of declining food quality and poor service. Later, over the summer, it was announced that the building would become The Brass Tap Bar & Restaurant.
Construction continued on the rehabilitation and widening of Bridge No. AA-3001 – also known as Magothy Bridge – over the Magothy River in Pasadena, a major infrastructure project aimed at improving safety, functionality and connectivity. The bridge, previously deemed functionally obsolete under Federal Highway Administration criteria, is being fully rebuilt to address structural deficiencies, including removal of the existing superstructure and replacement with a new concrete deck, sidewalk and traffic barriers. The project widens the bridge on both the north and south sides to meet current federal standards, adds wider shoulders, improves stormwater management to protect Chesapeake Bay water quality, relocates utilities and enhances pedestrian access. Despite the complexity of working within established neighborhoods, the bridge remains open to traffic during construction. Completion is expected by winter 2026.
SPRING
After a six-year hiatus, the Pasadena Business Association held The Taste Of Pasadena event, which brought out nearly 200 local residents to Compass Pointe Golf Course for an evening of sampling cuisine from our community’s restaurants, food trucks and catering businesses.
In May, Northeast Varsity Softball defeated the Chesapeake Cougars, 4-1, to win the Anne Arundel County Softball Championship game at Bachman Sports Complex.
Over at Hancock’s Resolution Historic Farm Park, Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks held a dedication ceremony in honor of Henry Schmidt and Jim Morrison, two passionate historic preservationists who spent many years restoring the historic property and farmhouse known as Hancock’s Resolution.
SUMMER
For nearly half a century, the stone building at the corner of Mountain Road and Schmidts Lane stood silent, boarded up and weathered by time. This past summer, the Schmidt Farm Stand, first opened in 1921 by William and Grace Schmidt, came back to life, thanks to their great-granddaughter Heather Schmidt, her husband Nick, and a determined family effort. “There is something very special about carrying forward a family legacy, especially in farming. Knowing that the same fields we work in, my great-grandparents once walked through and tended to, is really humbling,” said Heather. For Heather and Nick, reopening the stand is about more than selling produce – it’s about stitching a living piece of history back into the fabric of Pasadena.
Also over the summer, Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced new leadership appointments at four Pasadena-area schools, bringing a mix of fresh faces and familiar names to the helm as the 2025–2026 school year begins next week.
Shanna Cahoon was named the new Principal of Chesapeake High School. Cahoon brings years of high school administrative experience to the role, most recently serving as Assistant Principal at Old Mill High School. Before that, she spent eight years as an Assistant Principal at Chesapeake High. “It is incredibly meaningful to now lead a school in the same county I call home, and I look forward to partnering with students, families, and the greater Pasadena community to support the continued success of Chesapeake High School,” she said.
At the elementary level, several schools also welcomed new principals. Charity Crawford was appointed Principal of High Point Elementary. Crawford is no stranger to Pasadena’s educational community – she previously served as Principal at nearby Solley Elementary, where she was known for her commitment to academic growth and student support.
Meanwhile, Bodkin Elementary welcomed Mark McCalpin, who transitioned from his former role as Principal of Lake Shore Elementary.
Taking McCalpin’s place at Lake Shore Elementary was Kyle Butler, who formerly served as Principal of Severna Park Elementary.
FALL
On September 4, the Jacobsville Chick-fil-A opened its newest restaurant, bringing roughly 120 jobs to Lake Shore.
The location at 4015 Mountain Road is operated by Annapolis native Chris Schenck, who runs Chick-fil-A restaurants in Severna Park and at Anne Arundel Community College. For Schenck, this third restaurant represents more than just growth – it’s a chance to deepen his investment in a community he’s always called home.
“This community means so much to me, and the opportunity to deepen my commitment here is truly special,” Schenck said. “Opening this restaurant unlocks incredible possibilities – creating growth opportunities for my team members, expanding our ability to serve local organizations, and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives from the moment they walk through our doors.”
Just a week after Chick-Fil-A Jacobsville opened its doors, Pasadena Crossroads at Ritchie Highway and Jumpers Hole Road welcomed Barnes & Nobles Booksellers. “This isn’t just a bookstore opening. It’s our chance to provide Pasadena, Severna Park, and Glen Burnie with an experience they’ve been missing,” said George Dressel, store manager of the new Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Pasadena Crossroads.
More roadside construction arrived in the fall with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s launch of a $6.8-million safety and infrastructure improvement project along a 0.7-mile stretch of Fort Smallwood Road from Duvall Highway to Kenton Road. The project includes new five-foot-wide ADA-compliant sidewalks, reconstructed traffic signals with accessible pedestrian features, upgraded crosswalks, stormwater improvements, roadway resurfacing, replacement of a county waterline, and enhanced school zone beacons near Sunset Elementary School. Work is beginning with waterline reconstruction, during which two lanes will remain open, though motorists should expect periodic off-peak lane closures. Managed by Rustler Construction Inc., the project aims to improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists, providing safer access to nearby schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and the library, and supports MDOT SHA’s broader “Serious about Safety” initiative. Project completion is expected by fall 2026, weather permitting.
The community brought an inaugural event to Riviera Beach with the first-ever Riviera Beach Music Festival, which took place on September 20 at Riviera Beach Community Park. The full-day outdoor festival featured a mix of Maryland-born talent, regionally loved acts, and a nationally recognized headliner, along with food trucks and local vendors.
The event also raised funds for the Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. “Every ticket sold, every vendor that joins us, directly funds the fire company. That means better equipment, advanced training, and stronger community safety programs. The impact is immediate and local, and that’s not something every festival can say,” said Joanne Stableford – EMT, treasurer of the fire company, and one of the festival’s lead organizers.
In October, the 2025 Dena Bowl once again delivered a hard-fought, high-energy matchup, with Chesapeake High School’s varsity football team claiming its fifth consecutive Dena Bowl victory over Northeast High School. Played on Northeast’s home field, the annual rivalry game drew a packed crowd of students, alumni and community members eager to be part of one of Pasadena’s most cherished traditions. Chesapeake secured the win with a 13–6 final score, adding another chapter to the long-standing rivalry and reinforcing the Cougars’ recent dominance in the matchup while celebrating the spirit, pride and camaraderie that make the Dena Bowl a highlight of the local sports calendar.
The Pasadena Harvest For The Hungry Caring & Sharing Parade returned for its 29th year on Sunday, November 2, and this year there was a new parade route. The parade route kicked off from Tick Neck Park and turned right onto Fort Smallwood Road momentarily before heading down Tick Neck Road. Floats then proceeded down Tick Neck Road, turning right onto Crystal Palace Lane. The parade made a right onto Mansion House Crossing, which becomes Notley Road. It then turned right onto Duvall Highway, concluding at Northeast High School.
Mountain Road, which was previously included in the parade’s path, was removed from the route this year in an effort to reduce traffic impact. The new route’s distance – 2.3 miles – remains the same as in previous years, said Angela Balsamo, chair of this year’s parade. The winner of “Best Overall Float” this year was The Backyard, and the Grand Marshal was Janet Wilson, also known as “Miss Janet” from the Finding Miss Janet Facebook group.
In early December, The 15th-annual Pasadena Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony capped off the year and brought out hundreds of local residents to Lakeshore Plaza. It was the perfect kickoff to the season in the heart of our community.
