The Bezark & Friends Book Club is open to anyone, in or out of the immersive entertainment business. Our semi-monthly selections feature themes that resonate with our core Bezark creative interests: storytelling, world building, and emotional journeys. Come join us… and bring a friend!

Our next gathering will be at 5pm on the evening of Monday, March 22nd. Lisa J. Maydwell of Adirondack Studios’ California branch will be leading the discussion about The Enchanted Forest: Memories of Maryland’s Storybook Park.

As a Baltimore area native, Lisa is VERY excited to share this memoir about this home-grown park, its history, and its continuing legacy. Lisa has worked in the construction and entertainment industries for most of her life. Her eclectic professional and academic background draws from studies in theater, art history, visual arts, Slavic languages & literature, fabrication, and construction. Her focus for the last 10 years has been in producing and project management for themed entertainment projects, most recently working on the THEA award winning Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort.

From the Publisher’s summary of the book, The Enchanted Forest: Memories of Maryland’s Storybook Park:

The history of the Enchanted Forest is one of magical beginnings. When it first opened in 1955, Ellicott City’s storybook land became the first children’s theme park on the East Coast. Young visitors could climb aboard rides like the Little Toot tugboat, Mother Goose and Ali Baba or encounter animals like peacocks and burros. Upon its closing in 1989, Marylanders who cherished memories of the Enchanted Forest were deeply disappointed. However, many of the park’s beloved figures were moved to nearby Clark’s Elioak Farm, where they were restored and displayed to the delight of new generations.

About the Authors:

Janet Kusterer has an MA from Johns Hopkins University and has been a feature writer and columnist for local papers since 1997. She was an Executive Director for Historic Ellicott City, Inc. and is the author of seven visitor guides to Ellicott City. She has also authored four books about Ellicott City history.

Martha Anne Clark owns and operates Clark’s Elioak Farm, which features many rescued exhibits from The Enchanted Forest. The farm has been in the Clark family for over 200 years. She has written one children’s book, Trusty the Tractor, and assisted her father, State Senator James Clark, with his autobiography. She is president of the Tourism Council.

When possible, we encourage you to reach out to your local independent bookseller to purchase a copy.