At SPIRE Architecture, our vision is a world where we can have a positive impact…helping to create your new Dwelling place or Business, to fit the changing needs of your lifestyle and your budget, and to pursue your vision.
We strive to collaborate with dedicated clients, professional builders, talented consultants, and budget mindfulness…to navigate the vision of a project, the design and documentation process, the completion of permitting, and the process of construction…to create a project that embodies that vision.
AUTHENTIC Living, through DESIGN
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LOVING HANDS PODIATRY
Author by Lauryn Forbes
Photograph by Tracey M. Connor
For Dr. Lavergne Andre, Loving Hands Podiatry is more than just a name. As a dedicated podiatrist of almost four decades, her innovative and personal model of care has touched many. Inspired by a course in her schooling that focused on community podiatry, she endeavored to pursue community-based care, foregoing the typical office life of a physician.
Through the years, Loving Hands Podiatry’s mission has remained clear: to keep people walking and comfortable. “Our goal is to keep people walking, or if they’re no longer walking, just to make them comfortable,” she says. As a onewoman operation, the practice handles a wide range of podiatric needs, from thick or ingrown toenails to bedsores.
While her practice caters to a broad age range, the elderly make up a significant portion of her patients. “Currently, my biggest clientele base are elderly people. I have seen people from a child that was one year old, all the way up to people that are 108,” she notes. Despite the focus on the elderly, she emphasizes that her services are for anyone. “When people hear house calls, they think, ‘Oh, I have to be elderly. I have to be bedridden. I have to be wheelchair-bound’ But no, that’s not the case,” she says.
Loving Hands Podiatry is also at the forefront of using advanced, non-invasive treatment techniques to manage conditions that can otherwise significantly impact quality of life. The practice offers innovative therapies like laser treatment for conditions such as neuropathy, a condition that can cause numbness, tingling, and even lead to serious injuries if left untreated. “Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves, or the nerves that are on the skin, die, and a person is no longer able to feel where they are walking,” she explains. These laser treatments offer a safer and more effective solution.
One of the key differentiators of Loving Hands Podiatry is the time and attention given to each patient. “I’m not one of those people that goes in and spends 5, 10, minutes, 15 minutes on a patient. I make sure everything is done. I take my time. It’s whatever the patient wants done. I make sure that’s taken care of,” she emphasizes. “I make sure that when I leave, my patients not only feel better physically but also have peace of mind knowing that they’re receiving the best possible care,”
Her deep commitment to patient well-being is reflected in the name of her practice, which she proudly carries into every home she visits. “What I like is being able to allow people to feel better after I’ve taken care of them than when I first walk in,” she says. This dedication to patient satisfaction is what drew her to the field of podiatry in the first place. “90 to 95% of people will be happy after they have seen you. That was what did it for me,” she says.
Expanding on her mission, she recently began exploring corporate wellness initiatives. She describes this as “going into corporations or businesses that employ people that stand on their feet and just laser them for five minutes - a noninvasive treatment would be a great benefit for employers to offer their employees,” she explains. This innovative approach aims to keep employees healthy and reduce the need for time off due to foot-related issues.
For those in the Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas seeking in-home podiatric care, Loving Hands Podiatry offers a direct and personal approach. Dr. Andre continues to set the standard for personalized, home-based care, helping patients feel better one visit at a time.
Gardening in CONTAINERS
The secret is out. Container gardening is fun, easy and rewarding. Think of all the creative possibilities!
Container gardening is the perfect way to exercise your green thumb whether you live in a house with a yard, a patio home, or a condo with a balcony.
Think beyond garden beds and create captivating containers, filled with lush color and fascinating texture.
• Create a traffic-stopping pot of color to place by your front door.
• Hang baskets of billowing blooms from the balcony or around the patio.
• Fill a window box to enjoy as part of your kitchen window.
Container gardening lets you add visual interest anywhere you want to draw the eye or direct traffic. Container gardens provide focal points that grab attention and screen the unsightly.
More than likely, every gardener, no matter how large or small the garden plants containers of some kind. For some people their entire garden is containers. Proven Winners® is known for having great combination planter ideas and there are hundreds of container garden recipes available for browsing on our website. However, you may also want to design your own container gardens. This is one of a series of articles on designing container gardens.
The first thing to consider when you start designing your container garden is color. There are a number of different ways to combine colors in a combination planter. I will cover the main categories of color combination, in this article.
The easiest container to design is the mono-crop or mono-culture container. This is simply choosing a single variety for your container, although more than one plant may be used to fill the pot. It couldn’t be simpler and it doesn’t have to be boring. Mono-culture plantings are great for highlighting a great piece of pottery or creating a solid pop of color. When planning a mono-culture it is important to choose a plant that has staying power and will fill your container well.
The next simplest design is the mono-color design. Mono-color or monochromatic designs use a range of shades of a single color - different shades of pink or purple, red or orange, yellow or blue. Mono-color combinations utilize at least two different shades of a color, but because you are using the same color you don’t have to worry about the colors clashing. However, you still get some color variation. When putting together a mono-color design you want to choose a pot that is either a neutral color (white, terra cotta, black, silver, etc) or coordinates with your color scheme. To see more mono-color designs click here (they are mixed with mono-crop designs).
The rest of the container designs are different ways of utilizing more than one color. There are as many ways to combine color as there are gardeners putting together planters. If you are happy with the colors you’ve used, then other opinions don’t really matter. However, there are some general rules that can help you put together good color combinations. To really understand the use of color, a color wheel is helpful. This article on color in the landscape, illustrates the color wheel and showcases many of the concepts we will talk about, but applies the theory to landscapes.
The first way of combining color is utilizing analogous colors. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel and mix together easily. Some examples of analogous colors are yellow-orange, orange-red, yelloworange-red, violet-red, blue-green, and blue-violet. Analogous colors can be bright or muted, but they lie next to each other on the color wheel. Thousands of colors exist and a more detailed color wheel can help you effectively use the many shades of color available. The photo on the left shows the analogous colors of blue and green. Below, the photo on the right is violet and red (lavender and pink). The middle photo shows red, orange, and yellow. The photo on the left shows yellow and orange.
SPIRE ARCHITECTURE
Article by: Lauryn Forbes
Photo: Trans4mation Photography
Spire Architecture, a dynamic local architectural firm, has been creating unique and thoughtfully crafted spaces for the past 12 years. As a dedicated team of five, they’ve successfully completed a wide range of residential projects, from small renovations to employing the high-level engineering required to build waterfront homes. Co-founders Craig Martin and Kurt Shepard, both experienced professionals with independent firms before founding Spire Architecture, bring their complementary skills and passion for design to every project, large or small.
From the start, Spire Architecture has aimed to offer more than just basic design services. The firm’s projects span the residential spectrum, with a notable focus on mid- to high-end homes. It may seem easy to do a cookie-cutter design as quickly and as cheaply as possible, but what Spire Architecture focuses on is much more meaningful.
“These spaces are places where you’re going to have a family and raise your kids”, Craig says.
“These are spaces where life happens.”
Their customer base is diverse, with clients ranging from those needing a simple garage addition to those seeking a complete home redesign - even constructing from the ground up. “We like to consider ourselves open to any client, any size project,” Craig says. This flexibility combined with their connections as well as an openness to working with a variety of budgets and project types set Spire Architecture apart in an industry often dominated by larger and more selective firms.
In addition to their work in residential design, Spire Architecture has also worked on several small commercial projects, including various Annapolis restaurants as well as a church. However, residential design remains their primary focus.
As the team looks to the future, Spire Architecture has over 70 active projects in the work including some exciting waterfront properties. Whether they take three months or three years, these projects will be a testament to the firm’s patience, craftsmanship, and approach to creating spaces that not only meet clients’ needs but also reflect their lifestyles and values.
Spire Architecture prides itself on making highquality design accessible to a broader audience, dispelling a common misconception. “Architecture is not an investment only for those with a lot of money,” Craig says. “We want to be the architect for everybody – if they want good design and live authentically, we can help.”
For those considering a renovation, their advice is simple: have a vision and get an expert opinion. “One of the things that we do early in our process without a whole lot of financial commitment is look at a project together,” he says. “What is your vision? What do you want to achieve, and how can this be achieved?” He asserts that it’s important to explore all options and ideas before making a financial decision. For this reason, they offer a consultation service.
With their diverse and personal approach to design, Spire Architecture continues to shape the landscape of residential architecture in Annapolis and beyond, making it clear that great design is for everyone.
S. Mader
Insuring Gambrills, Annapolis, Crofton, Severna Park, Bowie, and All of Maryland
Craig Mader & Performance & Mader Insurance has secured quality solutions for individual and business clients since 1988. Through our team of qualified and professional insurance agents, we aim to satisfy the needs of our clients by protecting their most important assets and offering clients peace of mind through their daily routine—and now all from one convenient location!
A QUOTE
As a locally owned and operated insurance agency, we customize our policies to minimize our clients’ risks in Maryland and encompassing states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Our specialties include home insurance, auto insurance, life insurance, business insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and technology firm insurance, among many others.
We represent Erie Insurance and several top-rated insurance carriers. Our broad representation means we offer top-notch solutions to our clients through a wide variety of insurance options; providing the right blend of price, protection, and service.
BUILDING LEGACIES: THE MISSION OF REAL LEGACY REALTY
REALTOR DERRICK NORRIS HAS SERVED DC, MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA SINCE 2015, OPENING HIS OWN BROKERAGE IN 2019 TO HELP THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY CREATE THEIR OWN LEGACY THROUGH REAL ESTATE AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
Article by Alyson Turner
Photography by Tracey Connor
When it comes to real estate, it’s more than buying and selling homes—it’s about building something far greater: a lasting legacy. As the founder of Real Legacy Realty, opened in 2019, Derrick Norris has woven this philosophy and a deep commitment to community into the very foundation of his business.
A LEGACY ROOTED IN FAMILY AND EDUCATION
“My father was a realtor,” Norris says, “He said to me while I was in college, ‘Son, this real estate thing is going to be wonderful.’ It wasn’t just about transactions for him; it was never about sales. It was about the experience he offered people.”
Taking his father’s advice to heart, Norris pursued his real estate license after college, quickly discovering his love for the process. “I am a process person,” he says. “If I can do something and understand the first, second, and third steps of it, I know I can help others do the same.”
Real Legacy Realty was born out of this passion, as well as the deep respect Norris had for his father, who had inspired him to take this path. “I named my brokerage Real Legacy Realty because of the legacy my dad left for me and my family,” he explains. “I strive to help others earn generational wealth. I want to help others build real legacies—not just for themselves, but for their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren [and beyond].”
MORE THAN JUST A TRANSACTION
For Norris, helping a client buy a home isn’t just about securing a piece of property—it’s
about securing a future. He asks each client, “‘What vision do you have for your family or yourself?’ It’s not just about how many bedrooms or bathrooms you need. I ask additional questions: Do you want privacy? Do you want to entertain your friends or your neighbors? What kind of environment do you envision? I meet my clients where they are, reassuring, motivating, and inspiring them along the way.”
One client experience that stands out to Norris is that of a single mother who reached out
to him on Facebook. “We had gone to high school together and hadn’t talked in many years, but she told me she wanted to buy a home—she just didn’t know how to start, and it was scary for her,” he says, “She told me, ‘I want to show my daughter that this is attainable.’ I educated her on the process, guided her through each step, and we happened to close on February 14th—her daughter’s birthday. She became the first in her family to own a home. Seeing the joy in her and in her family was an honor, and now she has referred friends and family to me. That’s why I got into this business—to create experiences like that.”
Norris also recalls a chance meeting at a restaurant, where a conversation with a server led to an opportunity to help. “She was going through a tough time—her grandmother, who she lived with, was facing foreclosure after her grandfather had passed. Her grandmother didn’t trust anyone, but I was able to connect with her and provide guidance. We helped her sell her home and find a new place for her and her family.” To this day, he continues to embody the notion that real estate is more than a business; it’s about helping people navigate life’s biggest moments.
A COMMITMENT BEYOND REAL ESTATE
Real Legacy Realty is deeply invested in the communities it serves. In the fall, Norris and his team host a Harvest Fest, inviting past clients and their families to enjoy a day of pumpkin picking, games, and community-building.
Another outreach initiative close to his heart is their holiday meal drive, where Norris and his team work with a local chef to provide meals to families in need. “We ask our clients if they know anyone who has fallen on hard times and could use a meal. These aren’t families we’ve worked with before—they are nominated by our clients.”
THE FUTURE OF REAL LEGACY REALTY
When asked about the future, Norris is clear: it’s not about becoming the biggest brokerage—it’s about making the biggest impact. “Each one, reach one, teach one,” he says. “I will know my purpose has been fulfilled when I see our signs in neighborhoods I never imagined, when I hear people educating others about the real estate process, when I see families building wealth for generations to come.”
As Real Legacy Realty continues to expand, Norris has his sights set on reaching more communities, including those throughout the Annapolis area. He wants to be known as people’s trusted realtor—to help with buying and selling not only their family homes, but also with relocation, vacation homes, retirement homes, homes for their children and grandchildren. “We are not just a real estate brokerage—we are a family business, built on legacy,” Norris says. “We have been in this industry long enough to have seen almost everything, and we use that experience to serve our clients in the best way possible.” His goal is simple: to guide clients and their families through the real estate process with confidence, no regrets, and a vision for the future.
Hospice of cHesapeake
Article by Donovan McNeil
Photography by Trans4mationphotography
“caring for life tHrougHout tHe journey witH illness and loss.”
That is the mission of Hospice of the Chesapeake. Since its founding by four volunteers in 1979, the organization has been committed to providing not only care for those living with advanced illness but to making every moment matter in the lives of their patients and families. It has become the largest independent not-for-profit in Maryland,
serving nearly 7,000 patients each year across Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Charles, and Calvert counties.
Under the leadership of Rebecca Miller, who became President and CEO in February 2024, the not-for-profit has deepened its focus on what she calls the “hope and healing” mission. This initiative
This philosophy not only applies to patients but also extends to caregivers, who often experience stress and even health challenges while supporting their loved ones. Miller stressed that their commitment is to care for life throughout the entire journey with illness and loss—not just at the beginning or end but through every stage. The “hope and healing” initiative is a way to make this journey as positive and supportive as possible for everyone involved. Miller, who has worked in the non-profit sector of hospice and palliative care for the last 25 years, was first introduced to hospice care as a patient care volunteer, caring for a woman in her 80s who was dealing with extensive cancer. Through this experience, Miller grasped the importance of connecting with your patient at a human level and understood that she could make a difference in their lives. “These are everyday people who are dealing with extraordinary circumstances,” she said. “Why would I not help?”
As a former volunteer, Miller recognizes the role that volunteers play in hospice care. “The volunteers always have been, and always will be at the heart of the hospice care.” The organization has hundreds of active volunteers who help with the operations of the hospice including patient care, administrative work, integrative arts, outreach and fundraising. With the help of these volunteers, the organization offers various integrative programs—such as pet therapy, Compassionate Touch, aromatherapy, reiki and music therapy—that help to alleviate anxiety and provide comfort and peace. The goal is to bring a compassionate, whole-person approach to care, helping patients understand their illness’s progression while empowering them and their families to focus on what truly matters. Through these supportive services and the involvement of volunteers and community members, the Hospice of the Chesapeake clinical team can focus on patient-centered care that honors their wishes, their hopes, and what they envision as the best ending to their life.
seeks to encourage people to seek care earlier in their illness’s journey, allowing for a longer period of support that can foster healing—even if a cure is not possible. “Everyone can heal, even if they can’t be cured,” Miller said, highlighting that healing encompasses emotional, psychological, and even spiritual growth, as much as it does physical care.
In every interaction, the Hospice of the Chesapeake strives to fulfill its mission by offering the tools, guidance, and compassionate care that help patients and their families find moments of peace, comfort, and resilience. “We’re here to care for life throughout the journey—not just at the beginning or the end, but all the way through, with hope and healing at the center,” Miller said.
