Sample Craft Brews during BeerFest this Sunday

The Beer Festival is this Sunday, May 22, at Historic St. Mary’s City from noon until 6 p.m.!  Activities include music by GeeZer and 25th Hour Band; special tours of the Van Sweringen’s Ordinary exhibit (one of the first taverns of the colony); and a beer-making demonstration by local home brewers, the Hollywood Hopheads. There will also be a demonstration of a cider press with information on the history of cider in the colony.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample local cuisine (provided by Bear Creek Barbeque and Canards) while tasting the offerings of craft brewers, including Redhook, Widmer Bros., Kona, Goose Island, Fordham, Dominion and Star Hill.

Craft and artist vendors will also be on hand throughout the day, including: Custom Tees; the Happy Turner in Owings; My Cause Water; Sarah Houde Pottery; the Shoppes of Southern Maryland; Tidewater Artist; the Weekend Woodshop; Whiskey Creek Woodworks; and Wood Goodies.

All proceeds from this event will go toward the education and research programs at the museum. Admission is $20 for tasters, $10 for designated drivers, and free for children ages 12 and under. A Kid’s Tent will also be available for our young visitors. Parking is free.

The event is being sponsored by the Historic St. Mary’s City Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the museum.

For more information call the Historic St. Mary’s City Foundation at 240-895-4977, email support@stmaryscity.org, or visit the website at http://www.stmaryscitybeerfest.org/.

The Newtowne Players Win Acting, Prop Awards at Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival

The Newtowne Players’ production of woman: revised won acting and prop creativity awards at the Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival on April 16 in Pottstown, PA, the first time the troupe has advanced to this festival!  The Eastern States Theatre Association represents New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. The Newtowne Players represented the state of Maryland after winning the 2011 Maryland Community Theatre Festival.

Actress Valarie Green was recognized for outstanding achievement in acting for her performance in the lead role of “woman,” and the play also received an award for prop creativity for its wombat.

Woman: revised is an original one-act play by local author Trish Cole, which puts a comedic face on the mundane act of revising the dictionary definition of the word “woman.” Over the course of the play, the woman discovers she is no longer the classic feminine sweetheart she once was and learns to accept that her 21st century definition is more inclusive than she wanted. Besides Green, other cast members include Tina Fratantuono, Amie Gilligan, Andy Pollard, Gloria Ranta, and director Bill Scarafia.

Cole also wrote Butterfly, which represented The Newtowne Players at the 2010 Maryland Community Theatre Festival.

For more information, call 301-737-5447 or visit http://www.newtowneplayers.org/.

Dig into Gardening this May in St. Mary's County

May is a great time to hone your gardening skills and enjoy being out in your garden.  There are two upcoming events that offer the opportunity for both: Summerseat's Annual Plant Sale and The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation!

9th Annual Summerseat Plant Sale

The 9th Annual Plant Sale, hosted by Summerseat Farm, will be on Saturday, May 7, 2011 (rain or shine) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! Choose from many annual and perennial plants, plus herb and vegetable plants, assorted shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, planted pots, crafts, and gifts for Mothers Day. There will be educational opportunities to hone your gardening skills as well. Plus, take a tour of the 1884 Manor House, walk the lovely grounds with the gardens in bloom, and check out the herd of American buffalo. The kids will enjoy fun activities and a petting zoo.

Summerseat Farm is located at 26655 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville. Admission is free! For more information, call 301-373-6607 or 301-373-5858, visit http://www.summerseat.org/, or email info@summerseat.org.

The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation

The Third Annual Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation will take place the weekend of May 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering something for everyone!  Abounding with beauty and activity, guests are invited to enjoy presentations, demonstrations, and exhibits on a variety of garden and environmental topics by local experts and University of Maryland Extension - St. Mary’s County Master Gardeners. Take a tour through the magnificent Colonial Revival Gardens.  Pick up lovely additions for your garden at the Sotterley Garden Guild Plant Sale.  There will be children’s programs and activities too, including a petting zoo and kite flying.

The new Plantation House Tour will be offered at half-price for $5 per person on both days as well!

Admission is $7 for one day; $10 for a two day pass (Sotterley Members free the second day); Children under 12 are free.  For more information, call 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.