A Message from Mayor Mike Callahan

Cheverlians,

Welcome to Cheverly Day 2015! It is my sincerest hope that each and every Cheverly resident comes by Town Park on May16th to say "Hello" to their neighbors and meet new friends.

And why wouldn't you? Once again the Cheverly Day Committee has provided us with a wonderful line-up of activities for people of all ages. We have a tremendous line-up of musicians to providing great entertainment throughout the day. Children of all ages will love the Mid-Way, Miniature Golf Course, Laser Tag, Dunk Tank and the Ping Pong Ball Flume. Adults will have the opportunity to play Softball, Corn Hole, Horseshoes, FoosBall and of course, stop and socialize in the Beer Garden.

There should be a moratorium on "home cooking" throughout town -- eat at Town Park and feast on the great food choices available. Old standards like Good Times Catering, Funnel Cakes and Simple Pleasures Ice Cream will be joined by the Crab Cab, Chez Adilmos, SOL Mexicangrill, and Cheverly's own Unforgettable Flavors. 

This year we look to improve the Cheverly Day Public Transit System, as buses will be circulating throughout town bringing people to and from the park from 2pm to 6pm. And of course the Fireworks! So please come join us as we celebrate living in Cheverly.

Finally, please join me in celebrating our Mayor’s Awardees for 2015: Luanne Smith and Oliver Greaves. Take a moment to thank Luanne Smith (Volunteer of the Year) for all of her efforts to support the Boys and Girls Club and especially women's softball for over 20 years, and Oliver Greaves (Jack Wheat Award) for 21 years of service to Cheverly in the Public Works Department. 

See you at Cheverly Day 2015!

Mayor Mike Callahan

Entertainment at Cheverly Day 2015: The BIG Event!

David Thorpe, with Naser Abadey, at Cheverly Day 2014

All week long, we've featured the great lineup of musical artists who will grace our stage this Cheverly Day. Today, in addition to talking about what's in store to round out Cheverly Day 2015, we extend a special thanks to David Thorpe, who coordinates not only the whole Cheverly Day experience, but curates the music that you hear every Cheverly Day. THANK YOU, DAVID!

Mayor Mike Callahan, assisted by RJ Eldridge in 2014

After the last of the bands has played, join us for the Annual Mayor's Awards, which honor the spirit of community service, which is alive and well in Cheverly. Past winners include Pat Nelson, Dave Kneipp, Gabe Horchler, Doug Alexander, Kristy and Nick D'Angelo, and other hardworking neighbors who make Cheverly such a wonderful place to live.

Alex Rapp

Our final musical guest of the evening, Cheverly's very own Alex Rapp, will perform the National Anthem. Alex, age 19, has lived in Cheverly since she was born and now attends the Berklee College of Music in Boston as a vocalist. Alex loves Cheverly and is proud to have been asked to sing the National Anthem on Cheverly Day!

Of course, the whole day leads up to our favorite part of the celebration: THE FIREWORKS! We are always amazed at the gorgeous show Zambelli Fireworks puts on here in Cheverly, and we're sure this year will be no exception.

This is going to be a Cheverly Day to remember, and we can't wait to spend it with you!

Mayor's Awards: Volunteers of the Year

We are thrilled to share this message from Mayor Mike Callahan celebrating the 2014 recipients of the Mayor's Awards for Volunteers: Pat Nelson and Gabe Horchler.
Volunteers of the Year Gabe Horchler and Pat Nelson: Each year it is one of my great pleasures to designate two Cheverlians (with consultation from the Town Council) who demonstrate outstanding service to the Town of Cheverly. This is usually a very difficult process, as Cheverly is a community of special people who do special things.

However, this year it came to me in an instant. Pat and Gabe have been dedicated to our town for many years and are always there to help when needed.

Pat Nelson has been the hidden force that drives the Cheverly Day celebration. She conceived and constructed the Midway Games and has maintained and enhanced them for years. This year she is incorporating many new themes such as Mini Golf and the Ping Pong Flume. However, her greatest contribution is her creativity and artistic interpretation of the Cheverly Spirit, which is found each year on our Cheverly Day Tee-shirts. Each Tee-shirt is a work of art: The Cheverly View of the World, The Fireworks, The Cicada Crunch, It’s Not Easy Being Green, and of course this year’s "Cheverly, Greater Than the Sum of its Parts".

Gabe Horchler (left)/image via Cathy Smith

Gabe Horchler can be found almost anywhere where people need a hand; toting tables, moving mulch, and helping the needy through his association with St Vincent DePaul. While I rely on Gabe to assist with the set-up and take down of the Community Market, Gabe’s biggest mark on our community can be found in the trail of wood chips that go from Town Hall to Seven Eleven. This trail is Cheverly’s best kept secret and a wonderful place to get away from the world.

Of course Gabe doesn’t do this alone. He does this as part of the Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek, and he does this with a core of contributors: Ken Furnkranz, Rudd Moe, Riley Grimes, Rex Korden, the Scouts and many others. This is why this Plaque will read: Gabe Horchler and the Mulchers.

Gabe and the Mulchers, quietly go about the process of continually improving the path; building bridges, building steps, managing water problems and spreading mulch by the ton. Gabe has transformed the process from wheel barrels to tractors with multiple cart attachments easily quadrupling production.

Please join the Cheverly Day committee in saluting these wonderful Cheverly residents -- they add so much to the community and we are truly fortunate to have their passion and drive in our town. Mayor Mike Callahan will present these awards on May 31 at 8:30pm, just before the Cheverly Day fireworks.

Congratulations Pat & Gabe!

May is here...and Cheverly Day is just 31 days away!

We have reason to celebrate today...it's the first of May and the rain has finally cleared out. And the sun puts us in the mood for celebrating and that leads us to CHEVERLY DAY! 

And what would Cheverly day be without great music? This year, we have a great blend of old favorites and new discoveries -- truly something for everyone. 

4:30-5:30pm   Nasar Abadey & Supernova (Jazz)5:30-6:30   The Alfredo Mojica Quintet (Salsa)6:30-7:30   Pan Masters (Steel Orchestra)7:30-8:30   In Da' Cut (Jazz, Funk, Soul)8:30 Speeches and Mayor's Awards, National Anthem performed by Renee Johnson9:00 FIREWORKS!

Nasar Abadey + Supernova Cheverly Day is pleased to welcome a favorite performer of many Cheverly Days: Nasar Abadey.

Internationally renowned drummer and Composer Nasar Abadey is the founder, leader and driving force of SUPERNOVA®. Based in Washington, DC, Abadey has also built a solid reputation as a sideman with several groups, and has recorded and/or performed with many national artists throughout his career. Abadey has performed with many of the greats in the jazz world.

SUPERNOVA includes Joe Ford, Saxophones;James King,Bass; Allyn Johnson, Piano;  They perform music from the threshold of Jazz to beyond space and time, while having an artistic license to express their compositions through traditional African rhythms, bebop, fusion, Afro-Cuban, Afro Brazilian, and free form. The quartet’s musical inspirations include John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Duke Ellington among others.

The Alfredo Mojica Quintet Alfredo Mojica, who sang at Bossa for years with the group Sin Miedo, unites salsa, jazz and Latin American balladry.

His vocals can be heard as he sings and plays salsa, ballads and jazz. Alfredo is equally at home with R&B, Blues, Latin, Caribbean, Brazilian, Classical, Funk, Rock and Pop styles of music. He has performed in Japan, Canada, El Salvador, Europe, West Africa and Mexico to name a few. Locally, he has performed at Blues Alley, the Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, the Warner Theater and many other area venues. Alfredo has also performed on several albums by upcoming jazz and salsa artists including Dave Matthew, Mesa, Alejandra Guzman, Ricky Loza and many others. Alfredo has also toured internationally and nationally with tour with Michelle N’Degociello. Wammie Award winner Alfredo Mojica is recognized as one of the D.C area’s top music talents. 

Pan Masters Steel Orchestra Formed in 1985, the Pan Masters Steel Orchestra is highly regarded throughout our region, and participates in many competitions and events – including the inaugurations of President Bill Clinton and Mayor Marion Barry, as well as community outreach performances at local schools, nursing homes, hospitals and churches throughout the year. Cheverly Day is very pleased to welcome this group to the stage for the first time.

Pan Masters is well-known in the area for the high quality of its music ranging from calypso and reggae to jazz, pop, Latin and classical. Pan Masters has produced four recordings, the latest of which was released in 2005 ("On De Road"). 2005 also marked the 20th Anniversary of Pan Masters. 

In Da’ Cut We are pleased to have In Da’ Cut with us again this year. The R&B, Neo Soul, Jazz Band last performed on the Cheverly Day stage in 2012.

Renee Johnson Renée Johnson launched her professional music career as a member of the gospel group, Sisters in Harmony, who released their debut CD in 2002. Throughout the years she has performed in churches and concerts throughout the DC/Baltimore Metropolitan area. Her recent release, JUST AS I AM, is her debut solo project.

Of course, make sure to stick around for the Mayor's Awards and THE FIREWORKS! It's all coming your way this month!