Find Out What's Happening

Savor Rockfish during the Monster Rockfish Festival

2011-10-18T11:55:00.000-04:00

The 2nd Annual Monster Rockfish Festival is almost here! The festival is Sunday, October 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Greenwell State Park and this year, there will be even more to enjoy including more rockfish, more food, more fun, more crafters, more vendors, more of just about everything!

New this year is Monster Rockfish Drag Racing! Greenwell's camp counselors tried it out during the summer and it's a lot of fun. Take part in this not-to-be-missed activity, or watch from the sidelines and cheer on the racers! Not sure what Monster Rockfish Drag Racing is? Well, you'll just have to come to the Festival to see it in action.

The 2nd Annual Monster Rockfish Festival offers something for everyone:

Rockfish tastings and other seasonal culinary delights
The People's Choice Award for best rockfish dish
Beer and local wine
Live music with Hydra FX
Tours of historic Rosedale Manor
Awards ceremony for Monster Rockfish Tournament (held the day prior on Saturday, October 29)
Pony rides
Horseback riding demos
Kayaking demos and rides (weather permitting)
Children's activities
Artists and crafters and outdoor outfitter vendors

The Festival is also a designated safe Trick-Or-Treat zone. Greenwell will offer candy and other treats to children.

All proceeds benefit the Greenwell Foundation's inclusive programs including horseback riding lessons, kayaking, summer camps and Nature Time. Proceeds also help Greenwell serve as a host site for Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets, a respite program for our nation's wounded servicemen and women.
The Monster Rockfish Tournament takes place the day before on Saturday, October 29. It's the Chesapeake Bay's biggest open rockfish tournament with $130,000 in prizes. And, the Greenwell Foundation receives a portion of the proceeds from the tournament. Click here to learn more about participating in the tournament.

For more information, visit http://www.greenwellfoundation.org/ or call 301-373-9775.

"1878: After the Storm" - Take a Ghost Tour at Sotterley

2011-09-21T14:59:00.000-04:00

This year’s Ghosts of Sotterley Tour will take guests back in time to the year 1878, when Sotterley was owned by Dr. Walter Hanson Stone Briscoe and his wife, Emeline. The family’s enjoyment of prosperity, good friends, county notoriety, and living the good life has been interrupted. A vicious hurricane has swept up the East Coast causing a shipwreck at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. Briscoe has been called upon to treat the survivors. The plantation is reeling from the disaster and teeming with uninvited visitors - the restless spirits of the newly departed as well as the spirits of those long past who have been unsettled by the upheaval. Prepare to encounter both the earthly inhabitants of the time and those not of this earth on this historical and spooky walking tour!

New for 2011 – Additional Tour Nights! This year’s tours will run on October 13, 14, and 15th AND October 21 and 22nd.

Advance reservations are required. Sotterley Plantation cannot accommodate walk-ins. Tour times will begin at 7 p.m. and run every ten minutes. The tours may not be suitable for young children. Please dress appropriately for this spooky outdoor walking tour / production.

Tickets are $13 per person and may be purchased online at http://www.sotterley.org/. Group rates are available by calling Sotterley Plantation's office at 301-373-2280.

Web Design Firm Chosen for New Tourism Website

2011-07-22T15:22:00.001-04:00

The web design firm CDF Web Solutions of Rockville, Maryland has been selected as the developer of the new St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism Web site. The Web site will be developed as a partnership between the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism, CDF Web Solutions and the St. Mary’s County Department of Information Technology.

CDF Web Solutions designed the Montgomery County Conference and Visitors Bureau Web site, which was the recipient of the Maryland Tourism Council’s 2010 Best Electronic Marketing Award. The Division of Tourism is excited to be working with CDF and their project partner Enten Marketing. Together, the firms bring impressive strategic and marketing capabilities that will help refine the county’s tourism message, attract more visitors and increase business within the industry.

The St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism website, www.visitstmarysmd.com, promotes St. Mary’s County as a visitor destination and tourism and hospitality-related businesses in St. Mary’s County.

History Underground: Archaeology Weekend at HSMC

2011-07-14T17:30:00.001-04:00

Get the scoop on what’s underground at Historic St. Mary’s City during Tidewater Archaeology Weekend, July 23 and 24! Discover what it’s like to be an archaeologist exploring one of the nation’s best-preserved colonial archaeology sites.

Take a tour of excavations at the home of Maryland’s first governor site and discover what stains in the soil reveal about Maryland’s history. Work alongside the pros as they recover artifacts, bits of Maryland’s past, by screening excavated soil. An exhibit of artifacts recovered from the site will be on display. Those who follow the chief archaeologist’s blog about this year’s findings may see some of the pieces they’ve been reading about. Check out the blog at (www.stmaryscity.org/Archaeology/Dispatch.html).

Sign up for a tour of the Archaeology Laboratory when you arrive at the Visitor Center (18751 Hogaboom Lane), and discover what happens to artifacts after they are recovered. This is the only time the lab is open to the public and space is limited. Tours begin at 11:00, 1:00, 2:30, or 4:00.

At 2 p.m., meet Historic St. Mary's City’s director of research, Dr. Henry Miller, at the Margaret Brent Gazebo for a one-hour walking tour. Find out how Historic St. Mary’s City has reconstructed buildings that stood some 375 years ago using scant clues assembled by archaeologists and historians.

This summer’s excavations focus on the back yard of the Calvert House, built by Maryland’s first governor, Leonard Calvert, in the first few years of the settlement. The Calvert House served as the first state house and the largest inn in St. Mary’s. In 1645, the house was the headquarters for a rebellion against Lord Baltimore and a fort, named “Mr. Pope’s Fort,” was built around it. When Governor Calvert retook the colony in 1646, he regained the house and filled in the fort ditch. Calvert died in the house in 1647.

The site is open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each day of the event. Special activities are included in museum admission ($10 adults; $9 seniors; and $6 youth. Children 5 years and under visit free.) Food and beverages will be available for purchase from vendors.

For more information about the museum, archaeology, or this event, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call 240-895-4990 or 800-SMC-1634.

Fitzmaurice to Perform at CSM's Twilight Performance Series

2011-07-07T12:30:00.001-04:00

Returning to the College of Southern Maryland’s fifth anniversary Twilight Performance Series will be local band, Fitzmaurice! Formed in 2006 by identical twins Maria and Sarah Fitzmaurice, Brandon Snelling and Mike Simms, Fitzmaurice has a unique style with influences from bluegrass, country, jazz, classical, international folk and classic rock.

In addition to providing vocals for the group, Maria Fitzmaurice plays the guitar and Sarah Fitzmaurice plays the bass. Snelling plays the mandolin, with Simms on the banjo and Aaron Malone on the fiddle. Newly added to the ensemble are drums played by multi-instrumentalist, producer, Grammy-nominated recording engineer, singer and song writer, Jeff Covert.

Fitzmaurice is currently No. 29 on the Roots Music Report nationwide for bluegrass and No. 2 in the state of Maryland for all genres. They recently signed with Infindel Records, a record label based in Hoboken, NJ.

For the College of Southern Maryland’s fifth Twilight Performance Series, Fitzmaurice performs July 12 at the Leonardtown Campus. For more information on Fitzmaurice visit their website at http://www.reverbnation.com/fitzmauriceband or their facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/fitzmaurice.band.

Other bands to perform in July at Twilight will be Adrian Duke’s Jazztet and Another Level. Performances take place at the Leonardtown Campus on Tuesdays, July 12, 19 and 26. All performances will begin at 6:45 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, performances will move indoors. On the Leonardtown Campus, performances will move to Building A in the Auditorium.

Food and beverages will be available to purchase from Chick-fil-A on the Leonardtown campus. For menu and pricing visit www.csmd.edu/arts/TwilightSeries.

In its fifth season the Twilight Performance Series is a free, family-friendly evening of entertainment held on each campus. For information on the Twilight Performance Series, call 301-934-7703 or visit www.csmd.edu/arts.

CSM’s campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Audio description for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired are available with a minimum two week advanced notice. If you are interested in these services, please contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614.

Joseph McGill to Speak at Sotterley Plantation - "Slave Cabin Project"

2011-07-06T15:56:00.000-04:00

Historian Joseph McGill, Program
Officer for the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, adds Sotterley
Plantation's original 1830's Slave
Cabin to his "Slave Cabin Project",
as he continues his journey
throughout the Southeast.

Sotterley Plantation is presenting Joseph McGill's "Slave Cabin Project" on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., as part of the 2011 Speaker Series at Sotterley.

The night prior to Joseph McGill's Sunday presentation, he will spend the evening in our original 1830's Slave Cabin. For the last year, he has been making his way throughout the Southeast sleeping in these historic structures in order to honor the memory of all the people who lived in these cabins and to bring much-needed attention and resources to slave cabin restoration. In a recent interview with NPR, McGill said, "You get inside these walls and you think about that time of slavery and wonder what went through these people's minds, because within these walls was probably the easiest time of their lives. We know that beyond those walls there was a lot of hard work and toil."

The Sotterley Speaker Series events are free to the public. Please call for reservations, as seating is limited: 301-373-2280.

For more information, visit the links below:

http://mtairy.patch.com/articles/cliveden-opens-its-servants-quarters-for-the-first-time-in-its-history

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110514/ARTICLES/110519748/1005/sports?Title=-No-heading-
http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-26/travel/29587103_1_slave-quarters-urban-slave-property-owners

http://www.fox8live.com/content/news/heartoflouisiana/story/Heart-of-Louisiana-Evergreen-Plantation/y2Z0NCfdtkeWfzK06l0GDw.cspx

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129281290

http://www.presnc.org/Preservation-News-Roundup/Slave-Cabin-Project

http://www.visitlexingtonmo.com/images/file/SlaveCabinProject.pdf

http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=18850

4th of July Festivities in St. Mary's County

2011-06-23T10:00:00.002-04:00

St. Mary's County has a number of events over the 4th of July weekend where you can enjoy live music, fireworks, and time with family and friends.

Independence Day Weekend: Thomas Jefferson in his own words - River Concert Series

The Chesapeake Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag will offer readings from Thomas Jefferson set to music and lots of festive, patriotic music, plus a salute to Naval Aviation's 100th Anniversary during the River Concert Series on July 1! There will also be fireworks at the end of the concert. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the lawn of the Townhouse Green. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, call 240-895-4107 or visit http://www.riverconcertseries.org/.

Independence Day Celebration - Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department

On July 2, the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department will be holding it's Independence Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.! There will be a variety of food vendors; a car, truck and bike show; kids games; live music by The Craze and HydraFX; and fireworks. The cost is $5 per vehicle for spectators parking all day. For more information, call 301-373-2900 or click here to view the flyer.

An Independence Day Celebration Concert - Sotterley Plantation

Sotterley Plantation is holding its annual Independence Day Celebration Concert on July 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.! The event features the patriotic music renditions of the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet led by Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag of St. Mary's College of Maryland. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music on the Portico amidst the breathtaking view of the Patuxent River. Bruster's Real Ice Cream, "On A Roll," and Sir Pops A Lots will be selling concessions. There will also be a brown bag raffle, silent auction, and childrens activities. All those with Military ID and their families are invited to celebrate this event free of charge. General admission is $10 per vehicle. For more information, call 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Experience Military Life at a Confederate Encampment at Cecil's Old Mill

2011-06-12T12:25:00.001-04:00

Historian John Griffin wrote, "It is said that the first casualty of war is truth and that the victors write and perpetuate the history. There are two sides to every story, two sides to a conflict, and while it would seem simple to record and report history, it has always been open to different interpretations. Somewhere along the line the Southern perspective has been obscured." The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an organization dedicated preserving and presenting the Southern perspective to the War Between The States.

On Saturday, June 18th at the Cecil's Historic District in Great Mills, Maryland, the life of the Southern soldier in 1861 will be recreated during the SCV Camp #1359, Captain Vincent Camalier Encampment. Members of SCV Camp #1359 will faithfully recreate an encampment of 10 canvas tents, authentically furnished in 19th century military style. Using their historically accurate uniforms, weapons, and equipment, camp members will educate visitors on the history of the war as experienced by the Southern soldier.

The day will begin with the Striking of the Colors by the SCV Honor Guard. Throughout the day there will be black powder firing demonstrations, campfire cooking exhibits, and tours of the soldiers sleeping quarters. There will also be an opportunity for kids to play some of the popular children's games from that time. Folksinger Bob Simmons will perform many of his original songs about the history of St. Mary's. There will be live bluegrass music from 1-3 p.m. on the front porch of Cecil's Country Store, and storyteller/historian, J.B. Couch will be on hand to delight visitors with his talents. Tasty food and cool drinks will be available for sale by the Optimist Club, with ice cream across the street at the Old Mill.

While at the encampment, visitors can also tour Cecil's Old Mill. Located in one of Maryland’s first Industrial Districts, Cecil's Mill was originally built as a cotton/ textile factory in the 1800's. It was later transformed into a grist mill and saw mill. After restoration in the late 70's, Cecil's Old Mill became a National Landmark in Historic St. Mary's County. Today, the mill exhibits artifacts including its working water wheel, and is home to some of the finest local arts and handmade crafts for sale. The historic district also includes Cecil’s Country Store and Post Office.

Cecil's Old Mill is located at 20854 Indian Bridge Road, Great Mills, MD. The encampment will be open to the public between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 18th, 2011. For more information on Cecil's Old Mill, call 301-994-1510 or visit their Facebook page.

For additional information, contact Dawna Wible at 301-994-9622. Questions may be e-mailed to Dawna at dmwible@md.metrocast.net.

Family Fun with St. Clement's Island Heritage

2011-06-09T12:24:00.000-04:00

St. Clement’s Island Heritage Day is this Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Take a free boat ride on the St. Clement’s Island Museum’s water taxi or the Mildred Belle, an historic oyster buy boat used by the Living Classrooms of the National Capital region.

Discover St. Clement’s Island State Park and its history as the site of Maryland’s first colonial landing in 1634. Kids will enjoy playing heritage games and listening to the folk tunes of Joe Norris from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Other participants include Frank Maio with information and gear of the colonial militia, Cathy Gallagher from Historic St. Mary’s City with hands-on learning about the Native Americans, and reenactors portraying the island’s first colonial owner Dr. Thomas Gerard and his little daughter, Elizabeth.

Enjoy the scenic and natural beauty of the island, Potomac River, and waterfowl with a walk along the hiking trail with Greg Kerns from Patuxent River Park in Upper Marlboro, an Osprey expert. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the pavilion or any of the tables dotting the island shore. The recreated Blackistone Lighthouse will be open and available for tours. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sun screen, and bring the camera, binoculars and plenty of water (available for sale on the island and in the museum store). Children may enjoy making sandcastles on the beach area, but no swimming is allowed.

In addition, the St. Clement's Island Museum will be open with free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is handicap accessible (the island is not handicap accessible). A 13-minute orientation film gives the visitor a comprehensive history of the island and the building of the Blackistone Lighthouse replica. Local photographer Bill Conway will offer an exhibit of St. Clement’s Island photos. The Crab Claw Museum Store will be open with an array of unique gifts, souvenirs, home decor, clothing, jewelry, books, and so much more.

Located on the museum grounds will be the St. Mary’s County Master Gardeners with free Black-eyed Susan seed packets and abundant information about how to raise and maintain Maryland’s official state flower.

The St. Clement’s Island Museum is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton’s Point, MD. For more information please call the St. Mary's County Museum Division at 301-769-2222 or visit www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums. In the event of rain or high wind boat service will be canceled and exhibitors and elements of the program will be moved inside the museum.

Sample Craft Brews during BeerFest this Sunday

2011-05-20T13:54:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-04T15:43:00.000-04:00

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/.

Celebrate the Earth with Woodlawn

2011-04-21T12:07:00.000-04:00

Woodlawn Farm and Slack Winery invite you to join them in celebrating Earth Day 2011 on April 22 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodlawn Farm on Wynne Road in Ridge, Maryland. Get into the spirit of Spring with the Blessing the Grapes in the Woodlawn vineyard, barrel sampling of young red wines from Slack Winery, egg coloring, an environmental scavenger hunt, a reading of the Lorax for children, and --- for adults only --- the release of Slack Tide Blanc.

Several friends from the local community of sustainable industries will also be on hand to share their knowledge and home-grown products. Participants and vendors include:

Dr. Stacey Dent from The Good Earth Natural Foods Company
Shannon Schmidt from Solar Tech Inc.
Dan Sweeney from BluHaven Piers
Rich Pelz from Circle C Oyster Ranch
Dan Shade from Dan Shade Custom Sawmill
Christina Allen from Corn Crib Studio
Elizabeth Ayres (writer)
Tucker Grube-O'Brien from Slack Winery to offer barrel tastings
Jim Grube, Master Gardener from Woodlawn Farm
Terrapin Salad Boxes

Admission to the event is free! For more information, call 301-872-5175.

The Newtowne Players to Fête Cast and Crew of woman: revised

2011-04-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

To celebrate The Newtowne Players’ participation in the Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival this April, the theater is hosting a send-off for the cast and crew of woman: revised, winner of the 2011 Maryland Community Theatre Festival!

The Newtowne Players will perform woman: revised, an original one-act play by local author Trish Cole, on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. The performance will be held at Three Notch Theatre on 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park, followed by a wine and cheese reception. Woman: revised 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.

Donations will be accepted at the door, and all funds will be used to help underwrite the expenses involved in taking the performance to the Eastern States Theatre Association Regional Festival, which will be held April 15-17 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where The Newtowne Players will represent the state of Maryland.

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/.

Site Re-Interpretation Results in a NEW Guided Tour at Sotterley Plantation

2011-04-01T16:43:00.000-04:00

Sotterley Plantation now has a NEW Guided Tour called “Discovering Sotterley” of the 1703 Plantation House, which will be ready for public viewing on Sunday, May 1st, the first day of the 2011 tour season.

Photo courtesy of Sara Fisher

A team of people came together beginning in the summer of 2010 to collaborate on the creation of a new guided tour for Sotterley Plantation. The goal was to not only gain a consistent and strong tour that would better recount Sotterley’s 300 year history, but to ensure that the stories of all who lived and worked here, including those enslaved, were remembered and told. The end result produced a tour which offers far more than Sotterley’s original goal, however, and the new tour will stand out in its approach and the experience it offers to visitors.

The new guided tour will still examine the complex and rich three century history of Sotterley Plantation, but will now also look at the site and its people through the lens of the Colonial Revival movement. At the turn of the 20th century when there was a resurgence of patriotism in our nation, the site was purchased and painstakingly restored by Herbert and Louisa Satterlee. Their restoration efforts focused on portraying the ideals of our colonial past, yet in doing so both highlighted and masked different aspects of Sotterley’s history. The new tour will not only offer new glimpses and perspectives into this National Historic Landmark’s past, but will also showcase collections pieces not previously displayed, which help to tell Sotterley’s stories.

This tour was made possible when Sotterley was awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant last summer due to the efforts of Board of Trustees member Merideth Taylor. The new tour was written by Ken Cohen, Professor of History at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and this summer Professor Cohen will also help create a Plantation Tour of the grounds which will then be made into an audio tour for visitors. Finally, the grant will produce an audio version of the guided tour, a 10-minute video about Sotterley Plantation, and help place streaming videos on the website.

Sotterley Plantation's tour hours and prices are below:

1703 Plantation House Guided Tour: May 1 - October 31. Check in at the Visitor Center.

Prices: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 ages 6-12, 5 and under free.

Tuesday - Saturday: Tours at 10:30 & 11:30 am, 1, 2 and 3 pm. Sunday: Tours at Noon, 1, 2 and 3 pm.

For more information, call 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Lecture on "War of 1812: Chesapeake’s Forgotten War"

2011-03-28T17:01:00.000-04:00

In recognition of the approaching bicentennial of the War of 1812, this year’s Chaney Visiting Scholar Public Lecture at St. Mary’s College of Maryland will describe what the war meant to Marylanders and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay region. Author David Healey’s lecture, “1812 in the Maryland Imagination: A star-spangled exploration,” will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall. Copies of his book, 1812: Rediscovering Chesapeake Bay's Forgotten War, will be for sale at the book-signing after the lecture.

Healey, an English professor at Cecil College, has written about the people of the Chesapeake Bay for a number of publications, including authoring three Civil War novels and two non-fiction books. “While it can be difficult to make a connection with those who lived and fought so long ago,” said Healey, “we will explore how imagination can play a role in understanding what our “Second War of Independence” meant to Marylanders of the era.”

For more information on War of 1812 attractions, activities, and events in Southern Maryland (and throughout the state), visit http://starspangled200.org/Pages/Home.aspx.

Girl Scout Cookie Cook-Off

2011-02-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

Girl Scout Troop 3702 is happy to present the 1st Annual Girl Scout Cookie Cook-Off on February 19th at 2:00 pm in the Great Mills High School Cafeteria!
The event will feature a dessert competition where up to 10 local chefs will develop a unique dessert using a Girl Scout Cookie as an ingredient. Prizes in the form of volunteer hours to the chef’s favorite charity will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and People’s Choice. This event will also showcase how Girl Scouts works to empower girls to better the community.

The cost is $10 per person and all proceeds go to support Girl Scouts and the S.H.A.R.E (Share Her Annual Real Expenses) Program. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Girl Scout Troop 3702 is a part of Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital. For tickets or information on being a part of this event, please contact Girl Scout Troop 3702 at troop3702@gmail.com.

Girl Scout cookie season is in full gear. Cookie booths open February 18 through March 27. For more information or to locate a Girl Scout Cookie booth in your area visit our website at http://www.gscnc.org/.

Lexington Park Business and Community Association Unveils Community Logo and Naval Aviation Centennial Celebration Banner

2011-02-03T13:47:00.000-05:00

The Lexington Park Business and Community Association has unveiled a new logo representing the community's proud and historic relationship to the United States Navy. The logo will be used to brand the Lexington Park community as the region's center of excellence for high-technology enterprises.

Lexington Park logo

Images within the logo portray a shadowed outline of the U.S.S. Lexington, the WWII aircraft carrier for which the Park is named, and a soaring jet representing continued advancement in naval aviation, woven onto the backdrop of the community's name -- Lexington Park, the gateway community to NAS Patuxent River, the country's premier Acquisition, Research, Development, Test and Evaluation installation for the United States Navy.

In celebration of this year's Centennial of Naval Aviation, the Association also unveiled a banner featuring the new Lexington Park logo and the logo of NAS Patuxent River. "This is fantastic," exclaimed Capt. Stephen Schmeiser, Commanding Officer, NAS Patuxent River. "The Business Association has taken the lead to create community-wide exposure for this year's Centennial of Naval Aviation," he said.

The logo and banner were designed by Jeff Hobrath, Chief USN (Ret.), CEO and founder of Jeff Hobrath Art Studio (JeffHobarth.com). Mr. Hobrath offered his assistance to the Business Association free-of-charge to support the group's initiative. True to this love of the United States Navy, Jeff summarized his thoughts about the project by saying, "I am so honored to be the artist for this project. Thanks for allowing me to contribute."

Banner

"This is what St. Mary's County is all about," stated Bob Schaller, Director, St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development. "The Lexington Park Business and Community Association has created a perfect way to recognize NAS Patuxent River's accomplishments during this year's Centennial Anniversary. My hat's off to them."

The Business and Community Association meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Bay District Fire Department Social Hall located on South Shangri-La Drive. Individuals who are committed to the revitalization of Lexington Park are encouraged to attend.

Corporate sponsorships are needed to support the cost of producing the anniversary banners. The banners will be located throughout the community and are intended to be visible to the 22,000 members of the Pax River Team as they commute to work and to the many visitors to the military installation. Over 100,000 Lexington Park visitors will see the banners during the Air Expo in September. For anniversary banner and collateral material sponsorship information, contact Robin Finnacom at the Community Development Corporation at 301-863-7700.

Chanteys and Chowder at HSMC

2011-02-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

Calico Jack will perform songs of the
Chesapeake at St. Mary’s City

on February 4.

On February 4, Jane Meneely and Paul DiBlassi will perform together as Calico Jack in the State House at St. Mary’s City. From pirates to Point Lookout, the music of Calico Jack ranges from the raucous ruminations of ne’er-do-well sea captains to more thoughtful ballads about the people who make a living working the water.

Singer-songwriter Meneely has produced three albums of Bay-inspired tunes since 2001. She will be joined on stage by her real-life partner, singer and guitarist Paul DiBlasi. He adds his repertoire of classic work songs to Meneely’s portfolio of originals--along with a flair for harmony.

“We’re trying to preserve the traditions and stories of the watermen and their communities. So many people have moved to the Chesapeake region from faraway places,” says Maneely, “and they have no idea what a skipjack is. They don’t know any Bay history. They haven’t heard the stories told around the liar’s bench in an Eastern Shore country store.” Meneely tries to capture the essence of those moments in her songs, whether she’s retelling ghost stories or describing a workday aboard an oyster dredger, “‘freezin’ our butts off on Chesapeake Bay.” Sometimes saucy, sometimes serious Calico Jack offers audiences a glimpse of a rapidly disappearing way of life and invites them to join in on the chorus.

Doors to the State House will open at 7:00 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30. Clam chowder, vegetarian chili, barbeque sandwiches, cole slaw, cookies, wine, and beer will be on sale. Plan to come early, and give yourself time to enjoy the company of friends, down-home fare, and the unique State House ambiance before the show begins. Admission to the concert is $15. Purchase tickets in advance by contacting the HSMC Visitor Center (240-895-4990, 800-SMC-1634, or info@stmaryscity.org) or at the door, subject to availability. For more information, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/.

The Front Porch at the Sterling House Welcomes Brendan Cahill

2011-01-26T15:46:00.000-05:00

The Front Porch restaurant in historic Leonardtown, Maryland begins the new year with Chef/Manager, Brendan Cahill leading the team.

Located in the carefully restored Sterling House on Washington Street, “The Front Porch” serves as an anchor establishment for the historic downtown area of Leonardtown. Since opening its doors last year, “The Front Porch” has become well known for a diverse menu and attentive service delivered in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Chef Cahill will add his influence through an enhanced menu planned for roll out in early February.

Cahill brings extensive culinary and management experience having over 25 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Most recently Cahill and wife Ashley owned the “Old Field Inn,” a dining destination in Prince Frederick, Maryland with an innovative menu and set in a preserved 19th century estate.

An active member and current board member in the American Culinary Federation (A.C.F.) Annapolis chapter for 15 years, Cahill also brings with him knowledge of local growers and producers from which he’ll source fresh seasonal items to include within the menu.

Cahill’s interests extend beyond the kitchen to the historic significance of the Sterling House. “The history, the deep roots and hospitality of the Sterling family are elements I hope to emphasize,” states Cahill. Involvement with the local community is also a priority. Hanging artwork produced by local artists and hosting musical performances are planned. Cahill’s “Oysters en Brochette” was awarded the grand prize in the 2008 National Oyster Cook-Off and his plans include participating in local events and future competitions.

Sterling House owners, Dean Beck and Jo Ann Beck are enthusiastic about the addition of Cahill. “ ‘The Front Porch’ is a gathering place for the community where all are welcomed to enjoy fresh, quality foods creatively presented at an affordable price," says Jo Ann Beck. “Brendan’s culinary and hospitality experience, local knowledge and interest in our historic site make him an excellent choice for the ‘Front Porch’. He is a welcomed addition to our team.”

For more information, please visit http://www.thefrontporchsomd.com/, send an email to info@thefrontporchsomd.com or call 301-997-1009.

New Year's Eve in St. Mary's County

2010-12-22T14:42:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve is a time for celebrations with friends and family. Ring in the New Year at one of these fun events in St. Mary's County!

New Year's Eve Party at Rustic River Bar & Grill
New Year's Eve Dance at Immaculate Conception Church
Dinner from the Special New Year's Eve Menu at La Tabella Ristorante Italiano

New Year's Eve Party at Rustic River Bar & Grill

Celebrate the new year at Rustic River with a dinner special followed by a party! On December 31, enjoy a Surf and Turf dinner for $25 and choose from either Steak or Ribs paired with Lobster Tail, Snow Crab Legs, Crab Cake, Shrimp or Oysters.

Then, Rustic River is hosting a New Year's Eve Party from 9 p.m. 'til 3 a.m. Admission to the party is $15 per person in advance (must be purchased by December 29) or $20 per person at the door and it includes:

Complimentary buffet
Complimentary champagne toast at midnight
New drink specials every hour on the hour
DJ and Karaoke
Complimentary breakfast served at 3 a.m.

All guests attending the party must be 21 years of age or older. Rustic River is located at 40874 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call 301-997-1700 or visit http://www.rusticriver.net/.

New Year's Eve Dance at Immaculate Conception Church

If you're looking for something a little different from the bar scene, head over to Immaculate Conception Church in Mechanicsville for their New Year's Eve Dance! The dance will be held on December 31 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include free breakfast at midnight.

Immaculate Conception Church is located at 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 301-884-3123 or visit http://www.immaculateconceptionmechanicsville.com/events.html.

Dinner from the Special New Year's Eve Menu at La Tabella Ristorante Italiano

La Tabella Ristorante Italiano, St. Mary's County's newest Italian restaurant, is offering a special dinner menu for New Year's Eve! For $40 per person, enjoy a lovely romantic evening with your loved ones while La Tabella entertains you with food, sights and sounds.

The dinner menu includes delicious appetizers, such as Calamari Fritti and Crab Crostini; scrumptious entrees, like Stuffed Rockfish and Chicken Parm; and lovely desserts, such as Tiramisu. The full menu can be viewed from La Tabella's website, http://www.latabella.us/Home_Page.php.

Seating is available at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information or to make reservations, call 240-237-8333 or visit http://www.latabella.us/.

La Tabella is located at 23154 Wetstone Lane, California, MD 20619. It is inside the Wildewood Neighborhood, but open to the public.

Happy New Year!

Celebrate the Holidays in the Cecil's Mill Historic District

2010-12-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

A bit of St. Mary's history will come alive this weekend when Bill Clements of Cecil's Old Mill fires up the antique sawmill and demonstrates how logs that were eventually used to build many of the homes in St. Mary's county a century ago, were transformed into lumber boards. It's a rare opportunity to observe the sawmill in action this Saturday, December 4th, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Old Mill on Indian Bridge Road in California, Maryland (weather permitting).

Across the street, Cecil's Country Store will be holding their annual Holiday Open House on Saturday and Sunday with special sales, holiday decorations and food. Reminiscent of the holiday window displays from department stores of yesteryear, Cecil's enchanting Christmas window displays will delight children of all ages. Cecil's Country Store was also the local post office for many years and the old post office is still on display at the store. "There is a lot of history here at Cecil's and our goal is to mix a unique shopping experience with a little bit of history," says Dawna Wible, owner of Cecil's Country Store.

Located in one of Maryland’s first Industrial Districts, Cecil's Mill was originally built as a cotton/textile factory in the 1800's. It was later transformed into a grist mill and saw mill. After restoration in the late 1970's, Cecil's Mill became a National Landmark in St. Mary's County. Today, the mill exhibits artifacts including its working water wheel, and is home to local arts and handmade crafts for sale. The historic district also includes Cecil’s Country Store and Post Office.
For additional information about the open house or Cecil's Country Store and Cecil's Old Mill, contact Dawna Wible at 301-994-9622 or dmwible@md.metrocast.net.

Christmas on the Square is Friday, November 26

2010-11-24T15:27:00.000-05:00

On Friday, November 26th, the Town of Leonardtown will be abuzz with holiday cheer as it hosts its annual Christmas on the Square event on Washington Street! The festivities run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and include fun for the whole family.

The main stage will have a variety of entertainment including seasonal music and Christmas carols, costumed characters and more. Other holiday festivities around the Square and down Fenwick Street include sleigh rides, train rides, fire truck rides, hay rides, horse and carriage rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, live nativity, face painting, make-and-take crafts for children, an ice sculpture demonstration, visits with Santa, cookie decorating at the “Gingerbread House” (Kevin’s Corner Café) and more! See Frosty the Snowman, Mrs. Claus, and of course, the big guy himself, Santa Claus!

Watch for Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the Town Christmas Tree at 7:00 p.m.! And don't miss the Winegardner Showroom, which will be hosting the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad's Annual Christmas Festival. There will be beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, a slide show and photo display of days past in St. Mary's County, toy collections and crafts. You may also spread your holiday cheer by preparing a letter or card to be sent to a member of the Armed Forces.

Many Leonardtown businesses will also be open, so stop in and do some of your holiday shopping! Also, enter for your chance to win a basket of gift certificates from local Leonardtown businesses. No purchase necessary. Simply ask for a raffle ticket at any (and all) participating Leonardtown First Friday businesses that you visit between now and December 3. The giveaway is valued at over $150! The winning ticket will be drawn on the Leonardtown Square at 6 p.m. during the First Friday on December 3. You must be present to win. To see which businesses are participating, please visit http://www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com/.

A free round-trip shuttle bus service will be provided by STS Transportation into the Leonardtown Square from the College of Southern Maryland-Leonardtown Campus. Vehicular traffic into the downtown area will be detoured to designated parking areas and streets around Town.

Christmas on the Square is sponsored by the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, the Leonardtown Business Association, the Commissioners of Leonardtown, and community partners Quality Built Homes, Winegardner Auto Group, Sabre Systems, and the College of Southern Maryland. For more information, call 301-475-9791.

In case of rain, please visit www.somd.com/leonardtown or call the Leonardtown office at 301-475-9791 and listen to the answering machine recording. The rain date is Saturday, November 27.

"Spies and Other Guests" - Sotterley's Holiday Candlelight Tours

2010-11-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

This year’s Holiday Candlelight Tours at Sotterley Plantation will feature a time-traveling experience during the Civil War Era to Christmas 1864. On December 10th & 11th from 6 p.m.–10 p.m., this historical dramatization unfolds within the 1703 Plantation House, with stellar performances by The Sotterley Players.

The Civil War rages on throughout the Southeast, but the holiday spirit is alive and well at Sotterley. Upon entering the historic Plantation House, tour guests will have the opportunity to witness the annual holiday celebration of Dr. Walter Hanson Stone Briscoe and Mrs. Emaline Briscoe. Along with their family and closest friends, this year’s guest list also includes “Spies and Other Guests”! The mood is one of joyous merriment as enchanting stories are shared.

Live musical performances from local premiere high school choral groups and complimentary cookies and punch will be available in the historic Barn, prior to the reserved tour time. Reservations are required. The first tour begins at 6 pm. Tours run every 10 minutes.
Save time and buy your tickets online for $15 per person: http://www.sotterley.org/. Tickets can also be purchased by phone for $16 each by calling 301-373-2280.

Family Plantation Christmas at Sotterley Plantation

2010-11-05T14:00:00.000-04:00

Family Plantation Christmas will be held on Saturday, December 4th, 2010 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Sotterley Plantation, offering a full day of wonderment and Christmas spirit!
New for 2010! Craft Vendors for choosey shoppers. Petting Zoo – for animal lovers. Demonstration by the Sotterley Garden Guild on Swag-Making. Patuxent Voices, a women’s acapella group, to perform Christmas favorites from various periods of history.

And the old favorites: Let Santa know what you want for Christmas, purchase scrumptious treats from Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, sing along with the carolers, make holiday crafts, visit the Sotterley Museum Shop to find unique holiday gifts while the children are buying presents at Santa’s Secret Shop, and purchase seasonal greens and hand-crafted items from Sotterley’s Garden Guild!

Make this Christmas event part of your family tradition! The cost is $5 per person at the gate.

For more information, call Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Greenwell Monster Rockfish Festival

2010-10-27T16:50:00.000-04:00

The Greenwell Foundation is hosting the Monster Rockfish Festival on Sunday, October 31 from 11 a. m. to 5 p.m. at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood, Maryland!

The Monster Rockfish Festival is being held in conjunction with the first annual Monster Rockfish Tournament, taking place in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. The tournament is a production of BAMM Enterprises in Lexington Park.

The highlight of the Festival is the First Annual Rockfish Cook-off featuring restaurants from the greater Maryland area. There will be Rockfish tastings and other seasonal culinary delights, as well as beer and local wine. Entertainment options include live music, tours of historic Rosedale Manor and an awards ceremony for Monster Rockfish Tournament participants. Local crafters and artists will display and sell their work.

Pony rides, and horseback, fishing and kayaking demonstrations (weather permitting) will be offered.

The Festival is a designated SAFE TRICK OR TREATING ZONE. Vendors will offer candy and other treats to children who come in costume. Other Halloween events will include pumpkin painting, costume contests, hay rides, and a pre-carved pumpkin contest (bring your carved pumpkin to the Festival for judging).

The Festival is free to the general public ($3.00 parking fee applies).

For more information about the Festival, visit http://www.greenwellfoundation.org/. For more information about the Tournament, visit http://www.monsterrockfishtournament.com/.

The Patuxent Wine Trail Goes Local - Features Two St. Mary's County Wineries

2010-10-22T11:35:00.000-04:00

The Patuxent Wine Trail is proud to announce their first wine trail event: The Patuxent Wine Trail Goes Local! Wineries along the Patuxent Wine Trail will host a local product vendor from 12 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 at each of the wineries.

Port of Leonardtown Winery will host:

Saturday: Café des Artistes

Sunday: Thompson’s Corner Café

Slack Winery in Ridge will host:

Ruddy Duck Brewery

Blue Wind Gourmet
Just in Time Antiques

While there is no charge for this event, wineries may charge for tastings according to their normal tasting fees. Some wineries (indicated in product description) are offering special tastings of reserve wines or barrel
tastings.

For more information about the Patuxent Wine Trail, visit http://www.patuxentwinetrail.com/ or find them on Facebook. For industry information, please visit http://www.marylandwine.com/ or email
regina@marylandwine.com.

Grave Matters at Historic St. Mary's City

2010-10-13T12:00:00.001-04:00

Experience life and death in 17th -century Maryland in a unique theatrical event that’s the perfect Halloween treat. Walk historical paths by moonlight as Maryland’s colonists provide a glimpse of their days and nights that’s entertaining, illuminating, and possibly haunting. End your evening in the old town by taking an optional horse-drawn carriage ride to the Brick Chapel, where a violin duet will serenade visitors.

Grave Matters will take place at Historic St. Mary’s City on Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30. Tours will be offered every 15 minutes from 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for visitors age 12 and up and $15 for those ages 6-12. Children 5 years and under visit free. Friends of Historic St. Mary’s City and St. Mary’s College of Maryland students with an ID enjoy a discounted rate of $15. Advance ticket purchase is required. Call the Historic St. Mary’s City Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 1-800-SMC-1634 or 240-895-4990 to reserve your place.

To ensure the best experience for everyone, parental guidance is suggested. Some material may not be suitable for young children.

This event is made possible through support by Brinsfield Funeral Home and the Historic St. Mary’s City Foundation. For more information about this event or the museum, call or visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/.

Speaker Series: Ralph Eshelman, Ph.D. - "Vestiges of the War of 1812 Along the Patuxent”

2010-10-05T12:00:00.001-04:00

Sotterley Plantation, in partnership with The Boeing Company, will proudly present Dr. Ralph Eshelman as part of the 2010 Speaker Series on October 22 at 7 p.m. Widely published, he lectures on military and maritime history, polar exploration, geology and paleontology. His lecture on The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay area, focusing specifically upon our area of Southern Maryland, will be based on research disclosed in his recently published book, The War of 1812 in the Chesapeake: A Reference Guide to Historic Sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The former Director of the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland, Dr. Eshelman worked as a Research Associate in the Department of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. He is active in several professional and civic organizations including past president of the Council of American Maritime Museums, American Association for Quaternary Environment, founding vice-president of the National Maritime Preservation Task Force of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, vice-president for Science and Stewardship of the Maryland-Washington D.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Society for Historical Archaeology, Patuxent Riverkeeper, and Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Research interests have taken Dr. Eshelman all over the globe. He is the owner of Eshelman & Associates, a cultural resource management consultancy firm and partner in a lighthouse preservation firm. He is a consultant to the National Park Service. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan with a major in geology and vertebrate paleontology and a minor in ecology.

This event is free to the public. Please call Sotterley Plantation for reservations: 301-373-2280. To learn more, visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Get into the Halloween Spirit on a Ghost Tour

2010-09-29T15:42:00.000-04:00

Sites and attractions throughout St. Mary’s County will be holding ghost tours in the weeks leading up to Halloween! Come hear the spooky history and legends of Sotterley Plantation, Summerseat Farm, Point Lookout Lighthouse, and Historic St. Mary’s City.

On October 14, 15 and 16, Sotterley Plantation will tell the tales of the Civil War and the experiences of Sotterley’s inhabitants, who were Confederate sympathizers during this volatile time in history. Tours will start every ten minutes beginning at 7 p.m. and tickets are limited. Visit Sotterley's website, http://www.sotterley.org/, for more information.

Summerseat Farm will be holding its ghost walk, “The Gates of Summerseat,” on October 21, 22 and 23. “The Gates of Summerseat” will feature 332 years of history, lore, and legend at one of America’s oldest – and most storied – farmsteads. Tours run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and tickets are limited. Visit Summerseat's website, http://www.summerseat.org/, for more information.

Point Lookout State Park also has some eerie tales to tell. During Spirits of Point Lookout on October 29 and 30, guests will be taken on historically representative interactive tours of Point Lookout featuring the site’s many legendary tragedies and hauntings. The tours will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are recommended. Visit the Spirits of Point Lookout website, http://www.spiritsofpointlookout.com/, for more information.

Historic St. Mary’s City will share the story of its early inhabitants and what happened to them after their deaths during Grave Matters on October 29 and 30. Experience life and death in 17th century Maryland as you walk historical paths by moonlight with Maryland’s colonists providing a glimpse of their days and nights that’s entertaining, illuminating, and possibly haunting. Tours will run every 15 minutes from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit Historic St. Mary's City's website, http://www.stmaryscity.org/, for more information.

For more information on the ghost tours and other upcoming events, visit the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism website, http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/.

'Beloved Horses' Author Sharon Miner to Hold Book Signing at Greenwell

2010-09-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Cover of the upcoming book.

Author Sharon Miner will be at Greenwell State Park on Sunday, Oct. 3, from 1pm - 3pm, to sell and sign copies of her new book, "Beloved Horses in Second Careers." One of Greenwell's beloved horses, Spot, is profiled in the book and appears on the cover.

Spot is the cornerstone of Greenwell's riding lesson program, popular with riders and campers alike. He is a favorite of riders with disabilities as he is so patient. Unknown to many, Spot led quite an interesting life before he came to Greenwell. Miner's book tells the story of Spot.

Miner's appearance is sponsored by the Greenwell Foundation and is part of an East Coast tour promoting the publication of her new book.

Sharon Miner is the author of adventure stories and mystery novels for middle grade readers and young adults. Miner, a professional horsewoman, always includes horses in her books. Read more about Miner and her books at her Web site: http://www.sharonminer.com/.

For more information about Miner's East Coast book tour, visit her blog: http://authorevents.blogspot.com/.

More about Spot:

Spot was born in Texas where he was used for cow cutting. He did the same later in California. He landed in Oklahoma and was sold to a man who lived in Maryland. Caitlyn Keyes was 13 years old and living in Southern Maryland when she saw an ad in a magazine for an eventing farm.

"The ad had a picture of this really cool looking registered Paint Horse named Lucky Leo. We ended up going to that farm (because my mom does saddle fittings) and she asked a girl who this horse was because I just wanted to see him. Well come to find out he just so happened to be for sale. Of course we bought him!"

"He then evented up to Training Level but could easily school Prelim, but he developed arthritis so he was retired from jumping. Then a year later he went to nationals in Pony Club in Kentucky for Dressage! Also, the whole time I owned him he fox hunted. I am so happy to hear that he is still a superstar."

-- Caitlyn Keyes, Summer 2009

More about Spot's role in the Greenwell Therapeutic Riding Program:

A few years ago, Gene and Colleen Lane spent time at Greenwell as park hosts. They lived in their motor home at the park and volunteered with several of Greenwell’s programs including the Therapeutic Riding Program. As TRP volunteers, Gene and Colleen assisted as side-walkers, walking alongside a horse and TRP rider during lessons. Now, Gene is a TRP rider himself.

Shortly after completing their park host service, life took a drastic turn. Gene suffered a fall and a stroke. He lost the use of his legs and one side of his body.

Gene Lane riding Spot

Therapeutic riding was suggested as a way to offer Gene an opportunity to improve his physical and cognitive abilities. At first, he wasn't sure what to expect but he says because of his experience as a Greenwell TRP volunteer, "I knew I would be better." Colleen says they both knew the difference riding would make because of their experience as volunteers in the program.

Since his injury, Gene has had to rely on others for assistance with everyday tasks and he spends a lot of time in a wheelchair. But riding is the first thing he has done for himself. Therapeutic riding has also taken his recovery to a new level.

After two months of riding, his balance and posture have improved, he is able to sit upright, his legs are straighter and his overall attitude is happier. And the horse he rides, Spot, can sense that Gene is getting more comfortable as time goes on as evidenced by the change in Spot’s walk and gait.

"Riding in the TRP is truly the highlight of my life," says Gene. He says riding Spot has enriched his life in so many ways, adding, "Spot is a lifesaver."

The Greenwell Foundation offers therapeutic and recreational horseback riding lessons for children (age 7 and up) and adults with developmental, physical, or emotional challenges. Lessons fees, donations, and grants combine to cover the cost lessons year-round.

RiverFest: Celebrate the St. Mary's River!

2010-09-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

Celebrate the St. Mary’s River with kayaking, song, entertainment, and educational exhibits at RiverFest 2010 on Saturday, September 25 at Historic St. Mary’s City!

Festivities will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and all activities are free! Discover what you can do in your own backyard to keep our waterways and shoreline healthy. Local vendors will be on hand to discuss solar energy, sustainability, rain barrels, and rain gardens. Take home a copy of the 40-page home conservation guide available free at RiverFest.

Join Senator Bernie Fowler for the annual River Wade-In, an informal check of water quality, at 2 p.m. See how deep you can go before you lose sight of your feet. Have a close encounter with some of the winged, finned, and furry characters you might meet in your neighborhood at birds of prey and touch tanks exhibits. Mutts Gone Nuts, a madcap variety show featuring amazing rescued dogs, will perform at 1 and 3. Stroll through outdoor mini-galleries, where regional wildlife artists will display their work, or paint a pumpkin and create your own work of art. Become a work of art by having your face painted or watch a balloon artist twist and turn a latex and air sculpture. Relax at water’s edge and enjoy regional talent including David and Joe Norris performing original tunes inspired by our land, waters, and history, Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance, and duet Indian Summer. At 4 p.m., Hot Jazz of D.C. will wrap-up the day with manouche gypsy jazz and swing.

The living history exhibits, including the tall ship Maryland Dove, and the St. John’s Site Museum at Historic St. Mary’s City will be open. Vendors will offer food and beverage for sale throughout the day. This event is sponsored by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association and Historic St. Mary’s City, with support from The Boeing Company, St. Mary’s County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and more than thirty local businesses. For more information about RiverFest visit www.smrwa.org/riverfest.html or http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call 301-862-3517 or 800-SMC-1634. To see a video about RiverFest, click here.

Ghosts of Sotterley Tours: “The Civil War at Sotterley – the Nation will rise again … and so will the dead!”

2010-09-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Nation is divided by the Civil War and the death toll is rising. Danger lurks at every turn … especially for Confederate sympathizers, as were the inhabitants of Sotterley during this era.

On October 14, 15 and 16, the “Friends of Sotterley” acting troupe promises even more thrills and chills than last year. For the second year, the incomparable James LePore has written a script of intrigue, surpassing his prior stab at creative genius and the ultimately spooky! Under the direction of Dawna Diaz and featuring the technical wizardry of Ming Diaz, the entire creative team offers a seemingly real-to-life (and death) exposure to Sotterley Plantation during this most volatile time in history. This historic dramatization walking tour unfolds at various outdoor locations around the plantation, so dress appropriately for the weather. Guests are also invited to take the chill off by a roaring bonfire (weather permitting) and to enjoy treats available for purchase.

Reservations are required for this event. Tours start every 10 minutes beginning at 7 PM. New this year: “Save Time, Buy Online at http://www.sotterley.org/!" The cost is $13 per person. Order online and receive a 10% off coupon for our Museum Shop! This event may not be suitable for young children. Phone orders: $14 per person, 301-373-2280.

44th Annual St. Mary's County Oyster Festival

2010-09-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

It’s that time of year once again. When, for oyster lovers, the St. Mary’s County fairgrounds near Leonardtown transform to nirvana. Oysters served up raw, scalded, grilled on the barbie, on bread, on the half shell, stewed, nude, cooked in savory sauces, in salads, even in desserts, just about every way imaginable and then some. They’re here for the eating and enjoying at the 44th Annual St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival. This year's festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 16th and 17th at the County Fairgrounds on Route 5, just South of Leonardtown.

The idea of the oyster festival was first hatched back in 1967 when the Lexington Park Rotary Club was looking for a project in which the entire membership could involve itself for the good of all concerned. In addition to the member’s involvement, the festival had three main objectives:

-Promote a weekend of fun, food and fellowship in a rural atmosphere.

-Promote the bounties of life in this land of pleasant living, especially St. Mary’s County oysters, as an attraction to visitors.

-Provide funds to benefit the charities of the various participating service and civic organizations.

A little under a thousand visitors relished this first endeavor. Through the years, attendance steadily grew, as did the festival. Today the St. Mary’s Oyster Festival has become one of the Eastern Seaboard’s leading folk festivals. Good food, quality entertainment and two nationally recognized contests, the National Oyster Cook-off and the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship Contest are the elements that attract visitors from across the country each year.

“Oysters any way you like 'em” have always been the trademark of the festival, and this year is no different. If you can’t get enough, oysters will be available ‘to go’ in pints and quarts. Seafood lovers can also feast on a delicious range of specialties like scallops wrapped in bacon, fried clams, crab cakes, shrimp, fried fish, crab soups and seafood and clam chowders. For those that might be shy about all that seafood, other dishes will be available. Volunteers from numerous local non-profit organizations make the event run smoothly by cooking and serving most of the food, contributing to the funds available to charitable causes.

On Saturday, nine finalists from across the country will compete to determine the nation’s premier oyster chef in the National Oyster Cook-off. The three fresh oyster categories that the finalists will compete in are: Hors D'oeuvres, Soups and Stews, and Main Dishes. Their recipes were chosen from nearly 150 entries submitted by contestants from coast to coast. Visitors can watch the preparation and later sample the contestants' dishes.

The U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship Contest, held both days, features the fastest men and women shuckers from around the country as well as the fastest local tidewater shuckers competing for cash prizes and a trip to Galway, Ireland to compete for the International Oyster Opening title. Shucking champions will begin their competition on Saturday with several heats held for both men and women contestants. Winners of the first round will compete on Sunday, with the women's champion and the men's champion competing head to head for the U.S. championship crown and the right to represent the United States in the International Oyster Shucking Competition.

A family-oriented festival, the St. Mary's event is also noted for its’ quality entertainment. Live entertainment will be provided at three locations on the festival grounds. There's something for the curious shoppers in the crowd as well. Two buildings will be dedicated to displaying and selling local arts and crafts, always a crowd pleaser, exhibitors are restricted to local arts and crafts to preserve the local flavor.

Entertaining and educational exhibits sponsored by county, state, and private community organizations participate in the festival. There is also a building on the grounds filled with exhibits including old farm and watermen's implements. These exhibits showcase and celebrate a time and place when men and women made their living working the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

In addition, this year The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC (DCVAMC) is sponsoring an outreach/information event for recently returned combat Veterans on Saturday and Sunday, at the festival. All Veterans of all eras are invited to come join in for a day of family fun and camaraderie.

The gates are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, no charge for children 12 and under, and there is plenty of free parking. The festival events continue, rain or shine, since adequate buildings and tents are provided on the grounds. Proceeds from the Oyster Festival go to local charities.

The Festival has come a long way since 1967 when the stalwart bunch worked night and day to stage the first festival. The Rotary creed of “Service Above Self” has been at work in its most graphic state – not only by Rotarians but also by all those who participate.

For more information on the festival and a full schedule of events contact the Oyster Festival office at 301-863-5015, or write to P.O. Box 766, California, MD 20619, or visit the festival web site at http://www.usoysterfest.com/.

RiverFest on the St. Mary's River!

2010-09-13T12:00:00.001-04:00

Discover Southern Maryland’s maritime heritage, the beautiful St. Mary’s River, and 101 many ways to protect and play in the tidewater environment at RiverFest on September 25 from noon - 5 p.m.! Discover how to tread lightly on this fragile landscape and learn about local flora and fauna. Relax at water’s edge as local musicians perform. Join a wade-in with Senator Bernie Fowler for a casual measure of water quality. See how deep you can go before you lose sight of your feet. The event, sponsored by Historic St. Mary’s City and the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association, is free!

For more information, visit http://www.smrwa.org/ or call 301-737-2903.

FREE WineFest Pre-Event at Blue Wind Gourmet

2010-09-09T12:00:00.000-04:00

FREE to the public: To kick off the Riverside WineFest at Sotterley 2010 event season, the public is invited on September 14 to a free Pre-Event Party hosted by Blue Wind Gourmet and owner Rob Plant, featuring savory gastronomic delights and wine tastings from two local wineries: Running Hare Vineyard and Port of Leonardtown Winery.

Running Hare Vineyard, located in Prince Frederick, offers a little bit of Tuscany and Napa in Southern Maryland, with regional and International award winners. Port of Leonardtown Winery, the newest winery on the local scene, made its first bottling run in April and is ready to introduce to its taste sensations!

Blue Wind Gourmet is located at 22803 Gunston Drive in California, MD.

Riverside WineFest at Sotterley 2010 will take place on October 2nd & 3rd from Noon-6 p.m. at Sotterley Plantation, so don’t forget to mark your calendars! Discounted tickets are available through September 24th at http://www.sotterley.org/ or by phone: 301-373-2280 or 800-681-0850.

Sign Up Now for the St. Mary's Century Bike Ride!

2010-08-25T15:30:00.000-04:00

Patuxent Velo, Southern Maryland’s premiere Bicycle Racing Club, is proud to announce that the St. Mary’s Century, a challenging bicycle touring ride through scenic St. Mary’s County, will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010!

The St. Mary’s Century offers a wide range of courses that accommodate bicyclists of all skill levels including a traditional full century (100 Miles), as well as a metric century (62-miles) and 35-mile route. The ride begins and ends at the College of Southern Maryland Campus in Historic Leonardtown. The event begins at 7 a.m.
Participants will enjoy the quiet rural charm of St. Mary’s County, a region steeped in history and culture, with charming back roads and passages perfect for cycling! Scenic rest stops will be well-stocked with traditional refreshments, high energy foods, and sport drinks as well as local specialties, and will include St. Mary’s City, the Island Bar and Grill on St. George Island, and the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point. At the end of the ride take a refreshing shower at the College of Southern Maryland’s new Wellness and Aquatics Center. Then, grab a bite to eat at the free picnic while enjoying live entertainment.

Registration is available online at Bikereg.com and Active.com. Cyclists may also register in person between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the day of the event (cash or check only). The registration fee is $40 per cyclist and includes a technical t-shirt, refreshments along the routes, and the post-ride picnic. A portion of the registration will be used to support a local charity in St. Mary’s County. Additional information is available at http://www.paxvelo.com/.

Bring the whole family and make it a weekend of fun! There are lots of events and activities for the family to enjoy including the St. Mary’s County Fair in Leonardtown, RiverFest at Historic St. Mary’s City, and the Bowles Farms Corn Maze in Clements. For more information about these events, as well as lodging and dining options, visit http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/.

For more information about the St. Mary’s Century, please visit the Patuxent Velo website at http://www.paxvelo.com/ or email stmaryscentury@paxvelo.com.

Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Tickets Now On Sale

2010-08-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums announce that tickets are now on sale for their annual interactive murder mystery dinner, a fundraiser to benefit the St. Mary’s County Museum Division. The event will take place at Lenny’s Restaurant in California on Saturday, September 18. Tickets are $60 per person for Friends members and $65 per person for non members. Only 140 tickets will be sold.

The murder mystery is entitled “Murder at the Yacht Club” and attendees are encouraged to dress in their most stylish and flamboyant nautical outfits.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and silent auction and live auction at 6:45 p.m. conducted by local, and lively, auctioneer A.J. Bussler. A delicious buffet dinner will be served at 7:15 with the murder mystery performance.

Parts will be offered to amenable dinner guests who will then read from a provided script. All participants are encouraged to ham it up for a hilarious and unrehearsed “whodunit.” The evening will conclude with coffee, dessert, crime solving and announcement of silent auction winners.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the St. Clement’s Island Museum at 301-769-2222. Ticket reservations must be made in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The Newtowne Players Present Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star

2010-07-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Newtowne Players will perform Lone Star and Laundry & Bourbon, two one-act comedies by James McLure, on Thursdays - Sundays, from August 6 - 22, 2010.

Lone Star is a hilarious study of a pair of Texas “good ole boys” on a Saturday night carouse. Roy cherishes three things above all: his country, his wife and his 1959 pink Thunderbird. As the evening wears on, the underpinnings of Roy’s world begin to collapse. Despite all, the high good humor of the play never lapses, and all ends as breezily and happily as it began.

Laundry & Bourbon was conceived as a companion piece to precede Lone Star. Here, the action centers on the discontent and very funny gossip of three small-town wives whose marriages have turned out to be less than hoped for.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m.; Sunday shows begin at 3:30 p.m. Performances are held at Three Notch Theatre on 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, senior citizens and the military. Thursday shows are $10 general admission. Light refreshments and beverages are also available for purchase at the theatre.

Reservations are recommended. Please make reservations for the show by calling 301-737-5447 or visiting http://www.newtowneplayers.org/.

Children’s Day Offers Fun, Food, and Festivity

2010-07-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Museum Division of St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks is proud to present its annual Children’s Day event at the St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point on Saturday, August 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Museum staff and volunteers will provide kids with heritage games, face painting, crafts and free sno-cones. Enjoy music and magic by Reggie Rice, known as the SuperMagicMan, throughout the event. The museum’s water taxi to St. Clement’s Island will begin at 11 a.m., weather permitting, with the fee for children waived for this special event. Adults are $7 each. This is a great opportunity to take your kids to see the replica of the Blackistone Lighthouse!

Representatives from the St. Mary’s County Library will offer story time and the St. Mary’s Hospital Health Connections van will offer a Teddy Bear Clinic. Kids are encouraged to bring in their teddy bears for some expert care and parents can get screenings for high blood pressure. Ladies from The Delicados will give away free balloons! The Optimist Club of the 7th District will offer a boy’s and girl’s bike giveaway (need not be present to win), a kiddie tractor pull, and 50-cent per item lunch menu! Bring your camera for pictures with Pinch, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball mascot from noon to 1 p.m.

Free t-shirts will be available for the first 100 kids thanks to the following generous event sponsors: Chesapeake Custom Embroidery, Cullins Pool Water, Combs Drury Reeves Insurance Agency, Avenue Flags & Flagpoles, Delegate John F. Wood, Jr., Tidewater Dental Associates, Checkers Restaurant, Colton’s Point Marina, GTMR, Inc., and PNC Bank.

The St. Clement’s Island Museum is located in Colton’s Point at the end of Route 242, nine miles south of Clements intersection at Routes 234 and 242. The museum and grounds are handicap accessible. For more information, please call 301-769-2222 or log onto the Museum Division website at www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.

St. Mary’s County Water Trail Brochure Now Available!

2010-07-22T17:00:00.000-04:00

A new Water Trails guide is now available for residents and visitors to explore St. Mary’s County.

“Water Trails in St. Mary’s County” is a wonderful resource for people who wish to learn more about St. Mary’s County’s rich natural resources,” said Francis Jack Russell, President, Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County. “The guide also offers information about historic and cultural places that can be found on and nearby the trails.”

Project coordination, design and technical assistance was provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Boating Services Unit with support from the Town of Leonardtown and a committee of local paddling enthusiasts. Funds to print the brochure were provided through grants from the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium, the National Recreational Trails Program, via the State Highway Administration, and St. Mary’s County Government. The guide will promote water trails on the St. Mary’s peninsula and will be distributed by the Division of Tourism and the Department of Recreation and Parks. To receive a free copy, call 800-327-9023 or download it at www.visitstmarysmd.com/requestbrochures.asp.

“A major element of the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism’s marketing strategy for 2010 is a focus on outdoor recreation and features our valuable assets of pristine waterways,” said Carolyn Laray, manager, Tourism. “This guide will complement our other tourism marketing efforts and will help residents and visitors discover our county by water.”

The water trails map and guide will lead paddlers along several water trail adventures in St. Mary’s County. The colorful guide, printed on waterproof and tear-proof paper, was designed primarily for those touring by kayak and canoe but also includes information on public boating access points and amenities managed by St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks and others.

“This new water trails guide will help novice and experienced paddlers enjoy and explore the waterways of St. Mary’s County,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.

Water Trails in St. Mary’s County, MD, is one of a series of water trail maps developed by DNR and contributes to the statewide network of water trails and public access points that DNR has promoted for decades. For more information about Maryland’s water trails, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/mdwatertrails.

Fish in the Monster Rockfish Tournament!

2010-07-20T16:47:00.001-04:00

BAMM Enterprises in association with The Greenwell Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and 98Rock/WBAL Baltimore are proud to announce the first annual Monster Rockfish Tournament and Festival to be held on October 30th and 31st respectively. This is Maryland’s largest celebration of the esteemed Maryland state fish, the striped bass.

The tournament will be held from 5:00AM – 3:30PM on October 30th in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. There will be eight weigh stations throughout the bay to ensure accessibility to all anglers across the mid-Atlantic region. One of the weigh stations is Point Lookout Marina in Ridge.

The tournament is divided into two regions, North and South with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each region. Two first place prizes of $10,000 will be awarded as will two second place - $3,500 prizes and two third place awards of $1,500. Awards are based on heaviest fish. A Maryland State Rockfish Record will land the lucky angler $100,000.

BAMM Enterprises will award participants of the tournaments within tournaments (TWTs) for largest bluefish per boat by region, largest rockfish per angler by weigh station, and a Maryland State Record Bluefish. These prizes are based on total number of entries.

An initial entry fee of $350, before September 1st ($400 thereafter) will grant access to the tournament for one boat with up to four anglers. Each additional angler will have to pay $100. A portion of the entry fees is designated to help support the Greenwell Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team captains will receive a free tee shirt and cap with entry. To find out more information about entering the tournament, go to http://www.monsterrockfishtournament.com/. This tournament is an “open” event, meaning anyone may enter the tournament. It is not limited to any memberships, affiliations, skill levels, etc. The use of a professional charter boat and crew is encouraged, as well as recreational boat owner entries.

The fun doesn’t stop when the fishing ends. Each marina will have a fish filleting completion for professional captains and mates, to see who has the fastest knife skills! The next day, the first annual Monster Rockfish Festival, will be a day full of events for the whole family. Spend the day at the fully accessible Greenwell State Park on the scenic Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County. The first annual Rockfish Cook-off will be held, where Restaurants from the greater Maryland area have the opportunity to compete to see who has the best Rockfish dish. There will be a tasting tent where the People’s Choice will be decided.

The Festival is on Halloween! What would the event be if it didn’t have CANDY. The Monster Rockfish Festival is a designated SAFE TRICK OR TREATING ZONE. Each of the dozens of vendors will be supplying candy and other treats to all the children who come to the festival in costume. Other Halloween events will include pumpkin painting, a carved pumpkin contest, costume contests, hay rides, and more.
The park will also feature seasonal culinary favorites such as stuffed ham, oysters, and crab cakes to name a few. The park will feature live music, vendors, crafts people and other entertainment options including park tours. Weather permitting there will be kayaking demonstrations, fishing demonstrations, boat tours, horseback riding demos and the award ceremony for the Rockfish tournament.

This absolutely FREE event is open to the general public.

For more information, visit http://www.monsterrockfishtournament.com/ or call 877-390-2266.

Take the Buy Local Challenge!

2010-07-16T16:33:00.000-04:00

Every pledge counts! The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) invites you to take the pledge again this year and join the thousands across Maryland supporting Maryland's family farms during Buy Local Challenge Week, July 17-25, 2010. Register your pledge now at http://www.buy-local-challenge.com/.

Your pledge to "eat at least one item from a local farm every day during Buy Local Challenge Week" immediately puts your $'s to work in your neighborhood, ensuring that farms survive for future generations. Plus you're doing your part to maintain a cleaner, greener planet and provide safe, nutritious food for you and your family.

If you have already registered your pledge - take the next step: starting today make your first purchase at a local farm, farm stand, farmers' market or winery; stock up at a grocer that offers genuine local products; or treat yourself to a meal at a restaurant that serves local farm food. Discover the bounty of Maryland's farms, and we hope you'll decide to shop local year round!

Need help finding Local? Visit http://www.buy-local-challenge.com/ for statewide directories to locate farm fresh products, meats, wines and more.

Share your favorite Buy Local experience with your friends. The Buy Local Challenge website also hosts the BLC Online Community. This site allows you to upload information about BLC events, submit your photos, tips or recipes, to chat, or generally interact with other users in Maryland and around the nation.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland's environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region's farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant. To learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@smadc.com; or visit http://www.smadc.com/.

2010 Governor’s Cup Yacht Race Sets Sail August 6

2010-07-12T12:00:00.002-04:00

The annual St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Governor’s Cup Yacht Race sets sail from Annapolis on Friday, August 6, at 6 p.m; and for the first time ever, boats will be tracked live by GPS. This year marks the 37th running of the race from Maryland’s current capital city to its first capital in St. Mary’s City. The Governor’s Cup Yacht Race is the oldest and longest continuously run overnight race on the Chesapeake Bay. As boats begin to cross the finish line, sailors and the public are invited to a post-race party that goes on all day and into the evening Saturday with food and live entertainment. Racers can register and get details online at www.smcm.edu/govcup. Registration deadline is July 30.

“One of the things that I think is really cool about this race,” said SMCM varsity sailing coach and the Governor’s Cup principal race officer, Adam Werblow, “is that you have to be a really good sailor. You have to be tactical and be able to weigh risks.”

The Kattack GPS system, free to all racers, will display the race in real time, continually tracking the location of each boat by name throughout the race so you will be able to follow it online. One can watch the racers’ strategies, pause the race, zoom in and out, show boat speed, distance traveled, and more.

Saturday, party-goers can relax on the lawn of the Teddy Turner Waterfront in front of the James P. Muldoon River Center and enjoy food and music from the Nautical Wheelers, who play from noon to 4 p.m, and the Key West Race Week performers Joe Bachman and the Crew, who play 7-11 p.m. Entrance to the party is free.

At 4:45 p.m. on Saturday after the race, an awards ceremony for winning yachts will be held under the tent on the waterfront. Photographers from last year’s photography competition will also be awarded during this time. A private skipper’s dinner will begin at 6 p.m. under the tent in front of St. Mary’s Hall.

The Governor’s Cup was conceived and founded in 1974 by three SMCM students and has been sailed every summer since. The race covers a 70-mile course with over 150 boats competing.

Last year in the A-0 class, Michael Brennan, of Potomac, Maryland, came in first on his boat, Sjambok. Blofish came in first in the A-1 class, with Dailey Tipton, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, as the skipper. Long-time competitor Don Wagoner, of Shady Side, Maryland, came in first in the A-2 class with his boat, Der Baron. In the A-3 class, Albert Holt, of Annapolis, came in first place with his boat, Kestrel. David Way, of Shady Side, Maryland, led the way in the multihull class in his boat, Trinity.

The largest boats in the fleet are in the A-0 class. The first to finish, winning line honors, went to the U.S. Naval Academy’s Zarafa.
Suggested photo caption: Winner in the A-0 class at last year’s St. Mary’s College of Maryland Governor’s Cup Yacht Race was Michael Brennan, of Potomac, Maryland, on Sjambok.

Courtesy of St. Mary's College of Maryland

An Independence Day Celebration Concert at Sotterley Plantation

2010-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

For a traditional and quaint 4th of July celebration, visit Sotterley Plantation for their annual Independence Day Celebration Concert on Sunday, July 4th from 1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. Come and enjoy an afternoon of music on the Portico, while taking in the breathtaking view of the Patuxent River! Pack your picnic baskets, bring along your lawn chairs and blankets, and listen to the patriotic music renditions of the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet led by Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

To cool things down, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, with tasty ice cream, will offer a selection of their standard favorite flavors. “On A Roll” will sell hot dogs, the great American food, with a variety of favorite fixings. And since no event is complete without kettle corn, Sir Pops A Lots will be on the hill popping away. Beer, wine, and cold drinks will also be available for purchase. Take a chance at winning prizes at the Brown Bag Raffle and Silent Auction, including toys large and small, wine for the discerning taste, original artwork and prints, and the gastronomic delights from local restaurants. Fun activities for children, too!

As a special and sincere thanks, all those with a Military ID are invited to celebrate this event free of charge. General Admission is $10 per vehicle.

For more information on Sotterley Plantation events, visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Patuxent River Sojourn Kayaking Trip

2010-06-16T12:00:00.001-04:00

Enjoy a multi-day canoeing and kayaking expedition on the Patuxent River from June 24 - 28! The Patuxent River Sojourn takes paddlers on a journey along the Patuxent that includes educational programming, riverside camping, festive meals, live music, and more.

Both novice and experienced paddlers will enjoy this unique on-the-water experience that builds a strong environmental ethic. Paddlers have the option of signing up for as many (or as few) days of paddling as they like, from one day to the full trip. The trip itinerary is as follows:

Thursday, June 24: Kickoff at Greenwell State Park
Friday, June 25: Restoration Activities and Creek Paddles around Greenwell
Saturday, June 26: Paddle to Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Sunday, June 27: Restoration Activities and Creek Paddles around Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Monday, June 28: Creek Paddles around Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

The cost is $65 per day for adults and $35 per day for youth. The price includes meals, camp sites, commemorative t-shirts, daily or weeklong shuttles, safety outfitter, and interpretive education (canoe/kayak not included). Participants must be at least 8 years of age. (The cost is $55 per day for Patuxent Riverkeeper members.)

For more information and to register, visit the Patuxent Riverkeeper website, www.paxriverkeeper.org, or contact Lauren Webster at 301-249-8200 or Lauren@paxriverkeeper.org.

7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and 5K Run/Walk

2010-06-15T12:00:00.000-04:00

The 7th Annual Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 19 at Freedom Park in Lexington Park from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.! The festival is produced by the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC) and celebrates African American heritage in St. Mary's County.

The festivities this year include gospel singing by the legendary Winfield Parker, African dance and drumming, exhibits, the Minority Outreach Coalition Mini Health Fair, games, vendors, food and more. Plus, there will also be an evening jazz concert featuring saxophonist Jaared! To see the complete festival program, click here.

For fitness enthusiasts, there is also a Juneteenth/USCT Memorial Festival 5K Run/Walk to support the mission of the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions. The 5K race will run through the old Lexington Manor neighborhood and on the paved path in adjacent Lancaster Park. Both runners and walkers are invited to participate in the 5K. Awards will be given to the top male and female overall, as well as to the top three males and females in each age group. The entry fee for the 5K is $20 for pre-registrants or $25 on race day. Register online at http://www.ucaconline.org/ or by mail. Register on race day from 7:45 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, two months after the surrender of General Lee and more than two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, General Granger of the Union Army landed in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3 - All slaves are free.

For more information about the Juneteenth Celebration or the 5K Run/Walk, contact the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions at 301-862-4868 or visit http://www.ucaconline.org/.

Half Price Admission for Dad

2010-06-13T12:00:00.001-04:00

Sotterley Plantation is offering a special gift for all fathers on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, 2010. From Noon - 4 p.m., fathers will receive a Guided Tour of the Plantation House at HALF PRICE.

You and your father are welcome to stroll the exquisite blooming gardens, walk the plantation grounds and nature trails, see the historic outbuildings including the original 1830’s Slave Cabin, or picnic out on the lawn while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Patuxent River at Sotterley Plantation. Top off the day with buying a memorable gift at the Museum Shop, now located in the NEW Visitors Center. It will be a day he will never forget!

For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

A Mid-Summer Faire at Historic St. Mary's City on June 20

2010-06-10T10:00:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, June 20, Historic St. Mary’s City will host a Mid-Summer Faire. Commoners and gentry are invited to spend the day enjoying merriment, games, music, entertainment, and competitions inspired by the colonial past. Sawing contests, wooden-horse jousting, pig races, juggling, and more! Food will be available from vendors throughout the day. Festivities will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at each of Historic St. Mary's City’s living history sites. Admission is $10 for adults, $3.50 for children ages 6 to 12 years, and free for those ages 5 and younger.

For more information, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call the museum at 240-895-4990 or 800-SMC-1634.

River Concert Series Music Festival Starts June 18

2010-06-08T12:00:00.001-04:00

The 2010 St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) River Concert Series concert season kicks off Friday, June 18, when accomplished jazz and classical pianist Jeffrey Chappell joins the Chesapeake Orchestra and music director Jeffrey Silberschlag to perform American composer Samuel Barber’s “Piano Concerto.” The concert also includes Robert Schumann’s No. 1 “Spring.” The weekly celebrations on the college’s Townhouse Green continue every Friday through July 30 with world-class music and a variety of food from local vendors. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. These outdoor concerts are free and open to the public, and picnic baskets are welcome.

The first evening concert celebrates the special birthdays of Barber’s 100th and Schumann’s 200th. Pennsylvania-born Barber won the Pulitzer Prize twice, in 1958 for his first opera “Vanessa” and in 1963 for his “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.” Critics call Schumann’s “Spring,” written in 1841, “exuberant and lyrical” and “melodic.”

Pianist Chappell has performed throughout the United States and abroad in recitals and at chamber music events. He has been a soloist with the symphony orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Houston, and Denver, among others, as well as with the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, the Missouri Symphony, and the Mississippi Symphony. His many appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra include concerts at Carnegie Hall and Wolf Trap Park. Chappell is on the faculties of Goucher College in Baltimore and the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C.

Silberschlag, music director and conductor of the River Concert Series, Chesapeake Orchestra, and the Italian Alba Music Festival, has recorded with the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic, and Czech Radio Orchestra. His performances have been hailed by European critics as thrilling, compelling, and outstanding. Silberschlag has collaborated with such artists as Hilary Hahn, Lara St. John, Terence Blanchard, the Ahn Trio, and Jane Monheit.

For more information, visit the River Concert Series web site at http://www.riverconcertseries.com/ or call 240-895-3038.

Free At Last! Black History Celebration

2010-06-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

Rescheduled from the Blizzard of February 2010! At Last, indeed! On June 26, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Sotterley Plantation is partnering with The Boeing Company to offer this important all day, free to the public event, as part of the 2010 Speaker Series: FREE at Last! ~ Black History Celebration!

As time passes, life changes. Learning from the tragic mistakes of the past, we come together as a community of FREE people. One of the ways to honor the past is to recognize: It should not be forgotten. Our reflection upon the past helps us to measure our progress and strive for improvement in the future. In the 1790’s, Sotterley held nearly 100 enslaved people, who were largely responsible for the prosperity of this once over 4,000 acre plantation. Today we honor the sacrifices, struggles, and survival of those who have been lifted.

For a full day, there will be character presentations, tours of the original 1830’s Slave Cabin, hands-on learning, children’s activities, and the soulful praising performances by the St. Peter Claver Choir at 11 a.m. and the Southern Maryland Gospel Choir at 2:00 p.m.

Sandi English will revive her performance of “Mammy Reminiscence” at 11 a.m. in the Customs Warehouse. Having mastered the art of African-American storytelling, she and her daughter Liana will transport guests back in time to when slaves risked all to make their way to freedom. At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Ms. English will take on the persona of “Grandma Wisdom,” who recounts the significance of the more modern-day revolution for equality to her questioning granddaughter.

Sotterley Plantation Education Director Carolyn Hoey will give Slave Cabin Tours featuring slave inventories, new findings from the 2009 restoration project of this important structure, and a hands-on exhibit of day to day tools and household items used by the slaves.

Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.

This event is free to the public. For more information, visit http://www.sotterley.org/ or call 301-373-2280.

Fourth of July in St. Mary’s County

2010-06-04T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Fourth of July weekend is always a special one in St. Mary’s County for residents and visitors.

The holiday weekend in 2010 will start for many on Friday, July 2 at the River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College. The July 2 concert will showcase the Chesapeake Orchestra and conclude with fireworks. On Saturday, July 3, the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department has an event-filled day planned and will launch fireworks after dusk. The Annual Independence Day Celebration and Concert will be held on Sunday, July 4 at Sotterley Plantation from 1-4.

The holiday weekend in St. Mary’s County will begin by “Summoning the Heroes” at the Lawn of St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Jeffrey Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra welcome the 4th of July weekend with music of John Williams, George Gershwin and Sousa Marches, featuring Brian Ganz, piano, the Sax Quartet from the “President’s Own Marine Band” in P. Goldstein’s “Abundant Air” and Ian Chaava, Young Artist Concerto Competition runner-up PLUS Fireworks!! Additional information about the River Concert Series can be found at www.smcm.edu/rcs.

An old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration on July 3 is being staged at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department with live music by No Green Jelly Beenz from 7-11, carnival food and games in the evening and a car, truck and bike show during the day. A fireworks display is planned for dusk. For more information, call 240-925-7863 or visit http://www.hvfd7.com/.

The Independence Day Concert at Sotterley on July 4 will feature the Concert on the Lawn. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Members of Sotterley and military families are free; other visitors will be charged one fee per car. For more information on membership and Sotterley, log on to http://www.sotterley.org/.

Potomac River Maritime Exhibit Building and Kayak Launch Opens at Piney Point Historic Park

2010-06-03T12:55:00.001-04:00

The Potomac River Maritime Exhibit Building and Kayak Launch at Piney Point Historic Park both open to the public on Friday, June 18 at 3 p.m. All are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour the new exhibits.

Located at 44701 Lighthouse Road in Piney Point, Maryland, the county park and indoor exhibits are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September. The grounds are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

The Potomac River Maritime Exhibit Building houses the collection of four historic wooden vessels on loan from the Paul Hall School of Maritime Training and Education. The collection is comprised of a 67-foot skipjack (Joy Parks), an 84-foot bugeye (Dorothy A. Parsons), a log canoe, and Potomac River dory boat. The new exhibits include the “Working Boats of Yesteryear.” This exhibit is anchored by the immense 81-foot bugeye. Adjacent to the Potomac River log canoe is the “Harvest and Hauls” exhibit.

Also new is the “Waterways of Southern Maryland’ exhibit that gives visitors an orientation to their location in our region and to the Chesapeake Bay. Two additional exhibits continue the story: “Watermen and Their Life” and “Seasonal Cycles.” A new exterior sign for the Exhibit Building will also be debuted. These exhibits focus on the life of the watermen who make their livelihoods working the waters of the Potomac for crabs, fish and oysters.

A new recreational resource – a kayak launch – has been installed on the creek side of the park grounds. The launch will accommodate kayaks and canoes and will be available during museum operational hours.

The Park also contains the Piney Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River. The 35-foot lighthouse tower is open for climbing. The Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park is also accessible by boat, offering a sturdy handicap accessible pier with accompanying step down platform. The pier connects to the wooden boardwalk that surrounds the lighthouse grounds. The scenic riverside venue of the lighthouse park offers guests not only an aesthetic panorama and serene escape but comfortable benches and picnic tables to accommodate an extended visit.

This park and its exhibits are part of the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks Museum Division. For more information on joining the Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums, a membership organization committed to supporting the county’s museums, contact Carol Cribbs at 301-769-2222. For more information on the museums, including directions and special events, call 301-769-2222 or log on to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.

Photos are available upon request.

Kirk Ranzetta to Sign Copies of "I'm Goin' Down County"

2010-05-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

On Monday, May 24, 2010, from 10 am to 3 pm, author Kirk Ranzetta will be available to sign copies of I’m Goin’ Down County in the St. Mary's County office of Land Use & Growth Management.

St. Mary’s County, Maryland, the “Mother County” of the State, is blessed with an architectural heritage that speaks to the history of its past residents. From the earliest colonial buildings such as Sotterley Plantation and Ocean Hall to the historic hangars and aircraft testing facilities at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the County’s historic buildings chronicle the exceptional events and the everyday lives that shaped the place that 100,000 people now call home. I’m Goin' Down County includes a historical narrative from the earliest periods of the County’s history to the present. This book weaves the churches, stores, residences, marine railways and boatbuilding shops, tobacco barns, camps, lighthouses, as well as schools into a story of how “countians” shaped, modified, and rebuilt the world around them to fit their needs. The volume also includes a detailed narrative of hundreds of historic properties located throughout the County. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white images taken of historic buildings, the book takes readers on an architectural journey through the oldest county in Maryland.

The St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management is located at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown. For directions, click here.

For additional information, contact Grace Mary Brady at 301-475-4200 ext. 1549.

Celebrate St. Mary's County's Heritage!

2010-05-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

Mark your calendar now for St. Clement’s Island Heritage Day on Saturday, June 12. St. Clement’s Island is the site of Maryland’s first colonial landing in 1634 and during Heritage Day, visitors will learn more about the founding colonists through fun interactive activities!

Take a free boat ride aboard the historic wooden oyster buy boat to St. Clement’s Island, Birthplace of Maryland. Departures from the St. Clement’s Island Museum pier begin at10 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. On the island, see the reconstructed Blackistone Lighthouse, a replica of the original built by John Donahoo in 1851, and the 40-foot commemorative cross dedicated by Governor Albert Richie in 1934 in honor of Maryland's 300th birthday, which recognizes St. Clement's Island as the birthplace of religious toleration in America.

Enjoy the scenic and natural beauty of the island, Potomac River, and waterfowl with a walk along the hiking trail or picnic at the pavilion or any of the tables dotting the island shore. The recreated Blackistone Lighthouse will be open and available for tours from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sun screen, and bring plenty of water (available for sale on the island and in the museum store). Pack a picnic lunch and bring the camera for some scenic and relaxing island fun!

The kids will enjoy playing heritage games and listening to the folk tunes of Joe Norris from noon to 2 p.m. Other participants include Frank Maio with information and gear of the colonial militia, Coby Treadway from Historic St. Mary’s City with hands-on learning about the Native Americans, and colonial reenactors portraying the island’s first owner Dr. Thomas Gerard and his daughter Elizabeth. Don’t miss author Pete Imirie signing his book “Touch the Wind” and sharing his fond childhood memories of St. Clement’s. Books are available for purchase in the museum store.

In addition, the St. Clement's Island Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is handicap accessible (the island is not handicap accessible). A 13-minute orientation film will give you a comprehensive history of the island and the building of the Blackistone Lighthouse replica. Admission to the museum is free for this event. Meet Maureen Appleby, an artist whose artwork depicts life near St. Clement’s Island. The Crab Claw Museum Store offers an array of unique gifts, souvenirs, home decor, clothing, jewelry, books, and so much more.

Located on the museum grounds will be the St. Mary’s County Master Gardeners with free Black-eyed Susan seed packets and abundant information about how to raise and maintain Maryland’s official state flower.

The St. Clement’s Island Museum is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road in Colton’s Point, MD. For more information please call the St. Mary's County Museum Division at 301-769-2222 or visit www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.

Improve Your Outdoor Photography Skills!

2010-05-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, June 12th, award-winning nature photographer Robert Tinari will offer his guidance and expertise to students during an Outdoor Photography Workshop at Sotterley Plantation. His instruction will include the basic fundamentals of capturing the essence of a subject with a camera, with the emphasis being on gardens and architectural applications.

Mr. Tinari works as a commercial and fine art photographer and is a master printmaker. Regularly chosen to appear in juried art competitions, his photographs have also been used in calendars, magazines and websites. He teaches photography and lectures on fine art photography throughout the Washington, DC area, and judges photography contests throughout the area. Robert is an active member and strong supporter of Sotterley Plantation.

FEES:

$85 for non-members of Sotterley Plantation
$75 for current members of Sotterley Plantation

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sotterley Plantation.

To register, please contact Robert at 410-286-5445 or email him at roberttinari@comcast.net. Class size is limited.

David J. O'Neill to Speak on "Conservation and Exploration - Understanding the Capt. John Smith Trail"

2010-05-10T12:00:00.001-04:00

On June 4 at 7 p.m., Sotterley Plantation, in partnership with The Boeing Company, will host David O’Neill, President of the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail, as part of the Speaker Series 2010 at Sotterley. He will share the story of Capt. John Smith and the creation of the first water-based national historic trail delving into the politics and the policy behind the new park entity. Current plans to implement the Trail, highlighting how it is being used to advance geo-tourism and regional conservation planning policy and practice will also be discussed.

Best known in the Chesapeake region for his leadership of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Mr. O’Neill increased revenues by 200 percent during his tenure and more than doubled its grant making to support Chesapeake Bay environmental restoration and protection activities. While at the Trust, he helped develop and pass several important pieces of legislation, including the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund that dedicates millions of dollars annually for Bay restoration. He was awarded the prestigious Andrew White Medal from Loyola University for outstanding commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and the State of Maryland. He has also presented papers and given speeches on issues of land use and environmental policy in cities across the United States and in Europe.

Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.

This event is free to the public. Please call Sotterley for reservations: 301-373-2280. For more information, visit the Sotterley Plantation website, http://www.sotterley.org/.

CANCELED: Piney Point Lighthouse Celebration

2010-05-07T13:49:00.001-04:00

The Piney Point Lighthouse Celebration is CANCELED due to impending construction and will resume in 2011!

Colonial Printing Workshop

2010-05-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

Printed documents are essential to the smooth operation of government and business, so it’s not surprising that the first printer in English North America south of Massachusetts operated out of St. Mary’s City, Maryland’s first capital! Modern visitors to Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) can explore a colonial printer’s operation in the reconstructed Print House.

In June, HSMC will offer a two-day intensive workshop for those who wish to immerse themselves in the colonial print trade. Sessions will take place on consecutive Saturdays, June 5 and 12, from 9 a.m. until noon. “Apprentice” printers will enjoy a hands-on experience using ancient skills and replica tools to compose, justify, and produce documents. Discover where Maryland’s first printer, William Nuthead, got the supplies he needed. Try each of the steps involved in making a print and keeping a typical 17th century printing Franklin press in working order. You will gain a new appreciation for your desk jet!

Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required by contacting interpretive programs coordinator Aaron Meisinger at 240-895-4978 or abmeisinger@smcm.edu. There is a non-refundable fee of $50 ($40 for Friends), which includes all materials, including a suitable-for-framing print to take home, and admission to the museum.

For more information about Historic St. Mary’s City exhibits and programs, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call 240-895-4990.

Wine, Art, and Music - May Leonardtown First Friday

2010-05-07T09:52:00.001-04:00

Tonight, the streets of Leonardtown will come to life during the May First Friday! Shops and restaurants in uptown and downtown Leonardtown will be open from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and many of them will offer specials and fun events!

Wine

The Port of Leonardtown Winery will be holding its soft opening today from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m.! Stop by for a tour of the winery, sample the wines, and buy some to take home with you. Tours of the winery will run every half hour until 8:30 p.m. The spring wine line-up includes Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, McIntosh Run (semi-sweet apple wine), Breton Bay Breeze (semi-sweet white blend), Breton Bay Shoals (semi-sweet red blend), and Autumn Frost (sweet dessert-style wine from Vidal Blanc grapes). For more information on the Port of Leonardtown Winery, visit their website at http://www.portofleonardtown.com/ or read their blog at portofleonardtownwinery.blogspot.com.

Make it a night of wine samplings by heading over to Quality Street Kitchen & Catering, located on Fenwick Street in downtown Leonardtown, for a wine tasting with "big red" wines from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tastings are $5 per person.

The Good Earth Natural Foods Company, located on Park Avenue in downtown Leonardtown, will have Melissa from Bacchus Imports in the store to sample a selection of Sustainable Wines.

Art
The North End Gallery, located on Fenwick Street in downtown Leonardtown, will be holding the Opening Reception for the exhibit "Coastal Colors," which will run from May 4 though May 30. The show features the artwork of Tom and Kathleen Ball. Tom is a photographer and Kathleen works with watercolors. Visit the North End Gallery from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. during First Friday for the reception featuring these two local artists. For more information, visit http://www.northendgallery.org/.

Continuing with the art theme, visit the Maryland Antiques Center complex, located along Route 5 in uptown Leonardtown next to the Port of Leonardtown Winery. From 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., the Leonardtown Galleria (located inside the Maryland Antiques Center) will be holding a Pyrography (Woodburning) demonstration by Rose Beitzell. Creek Side Gallery (also located in the Maryland Antiques Center) will be holding an art show entitled "Local Treasures," featuring the art of Calvert artist Sue Stevenson.

In the Maryland Antiques Center Building 2, the Craft Guild Shop is hosting their "Celebrate the Grape in style" exhibit, which will feature artisan Nancy Wiehe's collection of dazzling beaded stemware and wineglass markers. Treadles Studio (located in the Craft Guild Shop) will be showing how wool becomes yarn and demonstrating the techniques of needle feathering. Guests will be offered the opportunity to create their own coaster.

Music

Add some music to your evening at Fenwick Street Used Books & Music in downtown Leonardtown! Yumi, whose musical talents span from funk and rock to traditional West African rhythms, will be performing. Yumi has worked in various music capacities touring across the U.S. with many well-known R&B and Rap artists such as Morris Day, The Barkays, Atlantic Star, and Doug E. Fresh. Peruse the shop's wide selection of books and music while enjoying the music of Yumi. All purchases will be 10% off.

Then, enjoy fine French dining at Cafe Des Artistes, located on the corner of Fenwick Street and Washington Street in downtown Leonardtown. Randy Richie will be performing on piano from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., and the special is Bouillabaisse, a celebrate seafood stew with shrimp, mussels, scallops, Seabass, clams and Hawaiian Marlin in a rich seafood broth.

For more information on all of the festivities going on during the May Leonardtown First Friday, visit http://www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com/!

Mother's Day Fun at Sotterley!

2010-05-06T14:23:00.000-04:00

Sotterley Plantation is offering a special gift for all mothers on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2010. From Noon until 4 p.m., mothers will receive a Guided Tour of the Plantation House at HALF PRICE!

You and your mother are invited to stroll the exquisite blooming gardens, walk the plantation grounds and nature trails, see the historic outbuildings including Sotterley's original 1830’s Slave Cabin, or picnic out on the lawn while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Patuxent River. Top off the day with buying a memorable gift at the Museum Shop, now located in Sotterley's NEW Visitors Center. It will be a day she will never forget!

For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

The Leonardtown Criterium is Back!

2010-05-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

The first bike arrived in Leonardtown via steamship over 131 years ago in 1879, and in 2010, the bikes are back! The 13th Leonardtown Criterium bicycle race will be held on Sunday, May 16 from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Patuxent Velo, the official Southern Maryland cycling club, this high-energy bicycle race features five racing categories and will send professional cyclists on a 0.7 mile course through Leonardtown.

Racers have the option of entering the Junior Division or the Masters Division, which are divided into Men’s and Women’s categories. Kids are invited to participate in the Street Sprints event, which is free and open to kids under 10 years of age.

Registration is now available on http://www.bikereg.com/, but racers can also register by completing and mailing the registration form found on the Patuxent Velo website at http://bit.ly/ch1gbI, or in person on race day starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration closes 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each event. All riders must have a USAC racing license. One-day license applications will be available at the registration desk on race day for Cat 5 Men or Cat 4 Women only.

Spectators are invited to come out and cheer from the sidelines along the Leonardtown Square as the cyclists race past! Many Leonardtown businesses will be open during the event and some will be offering specials. For more information on all there is to see and do in Leonardtown, visit the St. Mary’s County Division of Tourism website, http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/.

For more information on the Leonardtown Criterium, contact Hans Welch at 240-925-4806 or visit http://www.paxvelo.com/.

Photo by Tom Roland.

"Museum-On-The-Go" Event - Discover U Children's Museum

2010-05-01T12:00:00.005-04:00

Discover U Children’s Museum is holding a “Museum-On-The-Go” event at Sotterley Plantation on Saturday, May 8th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The event is free for children of all ages.

A group of committed parents and grandparents, educators and business leaders, Discover U Museum is dedicated to bringing an exciting children's museum to Southern Maryland. The Museum-On-The-Go is a hands-on, interactive, and creative place where children can play to learn and discover all that they are and all that they can do. Kids will be able to plant their own mini-gardens to take home and watch grow!

And be sure to stop by the Sotterley Garden Guild Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange on the very same day from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Own a piece of Sotterley Plantation by purchasing plants from Sotterley’s Colonial Revival Garden. During the Plant Exchange, exchange your plants for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seed for free.

For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/. Be sure to also check out the Sotterley Plantation blog by visiting http://sotterleyplantation.blogspot.com/!

The Sotterley Garden Guild Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange

2010-05-01T12:00:00.001-04:00

New Extended Hours! The Sotterley Garden Guild Plant Sale and Free Plant Exchange will take place at Sotterley Plantation on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Plant Sale will run for the full extent of the day, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where guests are able to purchase plants from Sotterley’s Colonial Revival Garden. The Free Plant Exchange will run from 10:00 a.m. to Noon only. Your plants in exchange for other annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and seeds! For Free Plant Exchange information, call 301-904-3439.

Because of their dedication to this National Historic Landmark, the Sotterley Garden Guild has not only raised thousands of dollars in support of Sotterley Plantation, but they are also responsible for the exquisite gardens. Their passion for beauty is evident to the smallest of details, so take the opportunity to appreciate their horticultural artistry!

For more information on upcoming Sotterley Plantation events, visit our website at http://www.sotterley.org/.

Port of Leonardtown Winery Opens May 21!

2010-04-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

The official ribbon cutting of the Port of Leonardtown Winery will be held on Friday, May 21 at 2 p.m.! The public is invited to the ribbon cutting and to enjoy the events planned during Winery Weekend—May 21-23. Guided tours of the Winery will begin following the ribbon cutting.

A collaborative project led by the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative, the Winery is housed in a former State Highway Administration Building in Leonardtown on McIntosh Run off Route 5. The Winery’s grounds will be transformed into a park with a kayak/canoe launch on the McIntosh Run.

The building was renovated and equipment was installed in 2009. The Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Leonardtown both funded the project, the Maryland Agricultural and Resources-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) provided a $25,000 grant and the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission granted the project $65,000.

“This Winery represents an investment in our community’s agricultural economy and will become a tourism destination,” said Francis Jack Russell, President, Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County.

“And the Port of Leonardtown Winery will become the southern tip of the Patuxent Wine Trail that includes wineries in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties and will promote tourism in our entire region,” added Mayor J. Harry Norris, Town of Leonardtown.

The Wine Growers Cooperative is proud of the new wines and the winery. “This winery is a result of much hard work and focus on quality," said Caroline Baldwin, President, Wine Growers Cooperative. “Our members have sought out expert consultants and contributed many hours to produce our first production of wines and open the doors of the Port of Leonardtown Winery.”

The Winery supports Southern Maryland’s grape growers. By purchasing locally grown grapes, the winery provides an economic incentive for farmers to continue using their land for agriculture.

The Port of Leonardtown Winery features a tasting room, picnic area and is located near shopping, restaurants, kayak/canoe launch and a wildlife sanctuary. The Winery will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 pm. It will also be open until 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month during Leonardtown’s First Friday events.

Contact the Wine Growers Cooperative at http://www.portofleonardtown.com/ or visit their blog at
http://portofleonardtownwinery.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Speaker Series at Sotterley: Flo Stone

2010-04-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

Sotterley Plantation, in partnership with The Boeing Company, is presenting Ms. Flo Stone, President and Founder of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital on Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m. She will highlight the 13 day program of the 2010 Festival with a special collection of film clips, a celebration of the diversity of outstanding environmental films. Clips to be featured at Sotterley will include selections from:

The Music Tree (a Festival award winner for artistry in film); Portrait films of distinguished writers of fiction and non-fiction (Peter Mattheissen and Frederic Back); A look at the remarkable Olympic Sculpture Garden in Seattle; Pearl Fryer’s topiary garden in Bishopville, South Carolina; A prize winning film about an orangutan - victim of forest destruction in Indonesia; Discussions with a family showing how they produce over 6,000 lbs. of homegrown organic crops on less than a quarter of an acre; Megamall explores the origins of the massive Palisades Center Mall built just north of Manhattan; Araya, a brilliant 1959 black & white film about the life of salt miners in Venezuela, winner of the International Prize at Cannes.

Stone’s extensive experience in film includes: public programs at the American Museum of Natural History, Founder of the Margaret Mead Film Festival, Film Chair for the Smithsonian’s Biodiversity Symposium, establishment of the Earthwatch Film Awards at the National Geographic, and preparation of filmographies for the Ocean exhibit at the Smithsonian and for the Festival of Indonesia.

Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.

FREE to the public. Call for Reservations: 301-373-2280.

World Carnival Comes to Town

2010-04-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

The annual St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) World Carnival comes to town on Saturday, April 17, from noon to 9:30 p.m., bringing food and fun for the whole family. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The activities will take place on the college’s admissions field on Route 5. For more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at 240-895-4209 or visit the college’s web site at http://www.smcm.edu/.

Vendors featured at this year’s carnival are Bollywood Masala Indian cuisine, sand art and duck games, a funnel cake stand, hotdogs and fried Oreos, Chinese food, Indigo Moon clothing and crafts, handmade baskets and jewelry, and Maggie Moo’s ice cream. The SMCM cross country team will be selling snow cones to support its program. There will also be a large area for inflatable games.

There will be opportunities for the community to compete with students in games of nerf gun war, where massive amounts of foam darts will rain down on opposing “armies,” and “Quiddich for Muggles,” inspired by the Harry Potter series.

World Carnival, the college’s largest student-organized event, has become an important annual tradition to the St. Mary’s community and is the best-attended event on the college campus. Its purpose is to celebrate multiculturalism and diversity through campus bands, visiting artists, and a variety of community food and craft vendors.

World Carnival Saturday Events:
12:00 p.m.- "Reading of the Sneetches" presented by Improv
12:30 p.m.- Ewabo, the Caribbean steel drum trio
1:35 p.m.  - Jimmy O'Keefe, acoustic artist
1:50 p.m.  - Moksha, an Indian dance group from University of Maryland
2:45 p.m.  - SMC men’s chorus
3:05 p.m.  - Balinese Gamelan Concert: Music and Welcoming Bhakti Marga Dance, Palace Special Treat
                  Legong Kraton, comical Jauk Dance, presented by The Art & Cultural Center of Indonesia
3:55 p.m.  – Interchorus co-ed choral group
4:10 p.m.  - Zac Cooke and Cheryl Corwin, acoustic artists
4:35 p.m.  - Student Showcase
9:30 p.m.  - Cool Kids Band

Games:
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Nerf Wars
3:15 p.m. - Quidditch

Press release from St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Photo: Students from St. Mary’s College of Maryland participate in the 2009 World Carnival.

The 100th Anniversary of Mark Twain—America's First Rock Star—to be Celebrated at SMCM

2010-04-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

April 2010 marks the centennial of the great American writer Mark Twain who is, as Twain biographer Ron Powers calls him, “Without question, the most recognizable American author, our nation’s first rock star.” At 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, at the Michael P. O’Brien Athletics and Recreation Center at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM), Peter Sagal, star of National Public Radio’s (NPR) Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me!; Mo Rocca, humorist from “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart;” CNN political analyst Amy Holmes; and Dr. John Bird, noted Twain scholar; will take part in a dynamic panel discussion on Twain’s relevance today. Sagal will moderate the discussion using Twain’s words to address questions about race, religion, politics, and the “damned human race.” The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

Before the lecture, there will be a fundraising dinner for the Twain Lecture Series. A tented waterfront dinner will be served at 5 p.m. on the lawn of Maryland’s first statehouse at Historic St. Mary’s City. The event will be highlighted by remarks from Rocca. Special reserved seating for the dinner and the night’s lecture is available for $100. For additional information on the panel discussion and to purchase dinner tickets online, visit www.smcm.edu/twain or call 1‑800‑458‑8341.

“Humor,” Mark Twain said, “must not professedly teach, and it must not profess‑edly preach, but it must do both if it would live forever.” With these words, Twain has given the charge: “We must live forever” through humor. The function of the SMCM Mark Twain Lecture Series on American Humor and Culture is to present the wide range of topics that face all humans, specifically Americans, through humor, with the guiding presence of America’s greatest humorist.

It is little known that Twain had a strong connection to the state of Maryland. According to Dr. Benjamin Click, director of the Mark Twain Lecture Series and chair of the SMCM English department, “One of his earliest public speeches took place in Washington, D.C. in 1868. His last lecture was in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Misses Tewksbury’s School Graduation, June 9, 1909. And just two years before that, he spoke at the Government House in Annapolis and was caught smoking in a “no smoking” sector of the Naval Academy. He died on April 21, 1910.

Public speaking wasn’t Twain’s only connection to Maryland. His smoking habit and love of tobacco also connects him to Southern Maryland. He described it thusly: “It is loose and dry and black, and looks like tea grounds. When the fire is applied it expands, and climbs up and towers above the pipe, and presently tumbles off inside of one's vest. The tobacco itself is cheap, but it raises the insurance.” Click continued, “Twain smoked up to 40 cigars a day, but said he made it a rule to never smoke when sleeping, and the cheaper the cigar the better.”

But Twain wasn’t cheap in all his tastes. His love of Maryland seafood reveals his penchant for finer things and connects him to another Southern Maryland tradition, oysters. On his list of favorite American foods, he lists fried oysters, stewed oysters, blue points on the half shell, oyster soup, oysters roasted in the shell, soft shell crabs, Baltimore perch, and canvas back duck from Maryland. Food from Maryland dominates the list. Click added, “Given this predominance, it’s safe to say that Twain digested more of Maryland than any other state.”

But was Twain ever in Southern Maryland? Perhaps St. Mary’s County? There’s no factual record of it, but that does not matter. For a man who could tell a “stretcher” as he called them, he was familiar with how facts work. “I never saw an author who was aware that there is any dimensional difference between a fact and a surmise.” Click continued, “That being the case, it’s not hard to surmise that Twain ventured south of Annapolis for a meal of Maryland oysters and soft shell crabs and an after‑dinner cigar, rolled from Southern Maryland tobacco.”

Sagal is the author of numerous plays that have been performed in large and small theaters around the country and abroad. Sagal joined the panel of a new news quiz show on NPR that made its debut on‑air in January of 1998. In May of that year, he became the host of the show. Since then, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me has become one of the most popular shows on public radio, heard by 2.5 million listeners a week on 450 public radio stations nationwide and via a popular podcast.

Humorist, actor, and writer Rocca is best known for his off‑beat news reports and satirical commentary. Currently a contributor to the CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and host of The Tomorrow Show with Mo Rocca on CBSNews.com, he’s also a panelist on NPR’s hit weekly quiz show Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me! Rocca spent four seasons as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and four seasons as a correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Born in Lusaka, Zambia, and raised in Seattle, Washington, Holmes began her career in television as a Fox News Channel contributor. From there, she went to MSNBC for the 2000 presidential race. In 2002, she hosted Lead Story on Black Entertainment Television where she interviewed administration officials, journalists and top newsmakers. She has appeared on NBC Nightly News, Dateline, CBS Early Morning Show, and PBS’s To the Contrary. While providing political analysis for CNN, Holmes also appeared as a member of HBO’s Real Time Real Reporters team providing stories and commentary on the 2008 presidential election.

Bird's teaching interests include 19th and 20th century American literature, Mark Twain and American humor, critical theory, critical thinking, and composition. His main scholarly interest is Twain, about whom he has written critical articles and a book on Twain and metaphor. He has also written articles and given conference papers on Thoreau, Annie Dillard, Elizabeth Barstow Stoddard, other American humorists, and the Andy Griffith Show, among others. He is the original editor of The Mark Twain Annual, a publication of the Mark Twain Circle of America, and former president of the American Humor Studies Association.

Press release from St. Mary's College of Maryland.

St. Mary's County Architectural Heritage Book Now Available

2010-04-13T15:05:00.000-04:00

Documenting the unique architectural heritage of St. Mary’s County, “I’m Goin’ Down County, An Architectural Journey Through St. Mary’s County” is now available for purchase!

Coordinated as a project by the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management and the Maryland Historic Trust, and written by former staff member Kirk E. Ranzetta, the 320-page hardcover book is an illustrated chronicle of the county’s historic buildings and the high-tech aircraft testing facilities located on the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

“I’m Goin’ Down County” includes a historical narrative from the earliest periods to the present and weaves the churches, stores, residences, marine railways and boat-building shops, tobacco barns, camps, lighthouses and schools into a story of how countians shaped their community.

The volume includes over 400 photos complete with a detailed narrative of hundreds of historic properties located throughout the county. The books are available for $35 at the St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management Department or Bay Books located in the Wildwood Shopping Center. Copies are also available at each St. Mary’s County Library for reference. For additional information, contact Grace Mary Brady, Historic Preservation Planner, 301-475-4200, x1549 or gracie.brady@stmarysmd.com.

Exploring the Colonial Diet through Archaeology

2010-04-12T12:57:00.000-04:00

Historic St. Mary’s City will host the annual Archaeology Month lecture on Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m. Henry Miller, Historic St. Mary's City’s director of research, will offer An Archaeological View of Food in Colonial Maryland.

Maryland’s colonists brought Old World eating habits with them. In 17th-century England, meat was commonly believed to be the most nourishing food and its high consumption was a sign of status and wealth. Some thought raw vegetables and fruit suspect but bread, beer and dairy products were staples. The common man in England found fewer and fewer opportunities to acquire meat, as forests disappeared and enclosure restricted access to commons. But according to George Alsop in 1666, Maryland offered both abundance and variety, and suggested newcomers could “Dwell here, live plentifully and be rich.” The chance for a better life that the New World offered must have been especially appealing to commoners.

But did Maryland live up to its promise? What did settlers eat in early Maryland and was it similar to England or different? Did the nature of their diet shift over the colonial period or remain much the same? While history provides valuable clues, many facts were never recorded about the foods they ate. Fortunately, archaeology can fill in these gaps and provide a far better understanding of how Chesapeake cuisine developed. In this illustrated lecture, Dr. Miller will describe what archaeology and history, especially the study of animal bones, reveals about changes to the human diet in the Chesapeake through the colonial era.

The Archaeology Month lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in the Historic St. Mary’s City Visitor Center auditorium. There is no charge for this event.
For more information about the museum and St. Mary’s City archaeology, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call 240-895-4990.

Photo of Dr. Henry Miller. Credit: Historic St. Mary's City

Leonardtown Goes Green! 10th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration

2010-04-08T13:03:00.001-04:00

The 10th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration, in historic downtown Leonardtown, will be held from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Sunday April 18th, 2010, and will include nearly 100 exhibitors, vendors and performances. Admission to the event is free.

There will be two stages for entertainment - one stage on the square and one stage at the wharf along the new Leonardtown waterfront - featuring musical performances and dance demonstrations throughout the day.

Kayak and canoe rides will be offered by various local outfitters from the new floating dock on the waterfront as well as a native plant walk and a tiger bounce, face painting and a puppet show for the kids.

HillSide Electric cars and the Leonardtown Fire Department will provide shuttle service between the waterfront and the square.

Animal displays include the Cosca Regional Park's live birds of prey, the Alpacas from Nobella Farms and the greyhounds from the Greyt Expectations Rescue.

Environmental organizations will provide recycling, conservation and organic gardening information. Area non-profits and service organizations will be featured and local businesses and restaurants will be open many offering Earth Day specials.

For the complete listing of activities and map go to http://www.thelba.org/.

Earth Day on the Leonardtown Square is sponsored by the Leonardtown Business Association and the Commissioners of Leonardtown with funding in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council.

Discover St. Mary’s County Destination and Relocation Guide and 2010 Calendar of Events Now Available

2010-04-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

The Discover St. Mary’s County Destination and Relocation guide and the 2010 Calendar of Events are now available in both print and digital formats! The glossy magazine-style destination and relocation guide is published in partnership with the publishers of Maryland Life magazine. It features articles on the area as well as visitor information including listings for sites, attractions, and lodging and dining establishments. The guide also features information on relocating to St. Mary’s County.

"The destination and relocation guide serves as a great travel planner and business recruitment tool," notes St. Mary's County Tourism Manager Carolyn Laray. "We began our partnership with Maryland Life magazine in 2009 during the 375th birthday of Maryland and have again printed 75,000 copies of the magazine." The new publication includes a special feature on Leonardtown. The feature will also be included in the July/August 2010 issue of Maryland Life magazine.

The 2010 Calendar of Events features the major events taking place throughout St. Mary's County this year including the Crab Festival, River Concert Series, Riverside WineFest, and the St. Mary's County Oyster Festival.

The guide and calendar are free and are available at the St. Mary’s County Welcome Center in Charlotte Hall. The guide is also available at participating businesses throughout the county, at the county libraries, throughout the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and at state and regional visitor information centers. The guide will be mailed to those requesting visitor or relocation information and will be distributed at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Print copies can be requested by emailing visitus@stmarysmd.com or calling 301-475-4200, x 1404.

Digital versions of the guide and calendar may be viewed at the Tourism website at http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/.

A Blooming Good Time! The Second Annual Garden Fair at Sotterley

2010-03-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Second Annual Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation will take place the weekend of April 17th and 18th, 2010 from 10am – 4pm. This year’s event will include a wide array of things to do, offering something for everyone!

The entire site will be a flurry of activity: Presentations on everything from Orchid Growing to Oyster Ranching by University of Maryland Professors, Environmental Experts, and Master Gardeners in the historic Barn. Pick up a mallet and play croquet on the Croquet Lawn. Shop the booths abundant with beautiful hand-crafted wares by local Artisans. Fly a kite down on the field. Check out the Going Green! and eco-friendly exhibits. Take a tour through the magnificent Colonial Revival Gardens. Children are welcome to craft birdhouses, birdfeeders, and paper flowers. Enjoy lunch in the garden. Pick up some lovely additions for your garden at the Sotterley Garden Guild plant sale.

Admission is $7 for one day; $10 for a two day pass (Sotterley Members free the second day); Children under 12 FREE.

For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Photo by Sara Fisher.

Tickets Now Available for "The Importance of Being Earnest"

2010-03-17T14:12:00.000-04:00

Tickets are now available for the Newtowne Players' performances of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, which will run from March 26 through April 11. The play is the story of two young gentlemen living in Victorian England that have taken to bending the truth in order to put some excitement into their lives. Jack Worthing has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind for big city escapades in London. Algernon Montceriff has taken the same name, ‘Earnest’, when visiting Worthing’s ward at the country manor. Things start to go awry when they both end up in the country and their deceptions are unraveled - threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.

To reserve tickets now, contact the Three Notch Theater at 301-737-5447 or visit http://www.newtowneplayers.org/.

Celebrate Maryland on March 28

2010-03-16T14:26:00.003-04:00

Celebrate Maryland where the state began! Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC), a museum on the site of the Maryland’s first capital, will commemorate the 376th anniversary of the founding on Sunday, March 28.

Living history sites will be open free from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Begin your visit in Town Center, where visitors are invited to enjoy March winds, wide open spaces, and a very old sport – kite flying. Marco Polo is credited with recording accounts of kite construction and use after his visit to China in 1295, thus introducing his native Italy and eventually all Europe to this invention. Originally used for military purposes and for hoisting fireworks into the sky in Asia, kites took on the more recreational aspect that we know today. An illustration of Holland from 1618 shows children flying the diamond shape kite that is so familiar. Everyone can fly beginning at 10:00 a.m. B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Kite)! Be sure to leave time to tour the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation, the Indian Hamlet, the Maryland Dove, and the St. John’s Site Museum and grab lunch. Bear Creek Bar-B-Q will be serving on site.

The Maryland Day ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Keynote speaker Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, Jr., Maryland Archivist and Commissioner of Land Patents, will share The Spirit of 1634, a look at lessons to be learned and the stories yet to be told of that first year of settlement, linking them to the living history, archaeology, and reconstruction for which St. Mary's City is world renowned.

Mike Marlay will receive HSMC’s highest honor, the Cross Bottony and all will enjoy music from the First Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir. The program will close with the Ceremony of the Flags, a perennial crowd-pleaser, when children representing each Maryland jurisdiction present their county colors.

Following the program, after the Official ceremony is over the guests will be asked to gather at the Mackall Barn for the opening of the exhibit. A Ribbon Cutting and light refreshments (cookies and lemonade) will be served.

The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Orchestra and senior soloists will perform under the direction of Jeffrey Silberschlag, conductor. The concert will take place in St. Mary’s Hall at 3:30 p.m.

The celebration of Maryland Day began in 1903, when the State Board of Education decided to dedicate a day to the study of state history. They chose March 25, the day in 1634 when Maryland's first colonists came ashore at St. Clements’s Island to give thanks for a safe passage across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1916, the General Assembly made Maryland Day a legal holiday. At HSMC, events take place on the Sunday closest to March 25.

For more information about Maryland Day or the museum, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/ or call 240-895-4990.

Digital and print photos are available. Please contact Susan Wilkinson at 240-895-4967 or sgwilkinson@smcm.edu.

Local Author’s New Book about Sotterley!

2010-03-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

Sotterley Plantation has announced the release of David G. Brown’s newly published book, Sotterley ~ Her People and Their Worlds. Generously, all of the proceeds of the publication will be donated to Sotterley Plantation. His motive: “I love the place. I want to see Sotterley succeed … to survive for future generations.”

With retirement from his long-standing career with the U.S. State Department at the beginning of the new millennium, Dave and his wife Erna adopted Southern Maryland as their second home and were introduced to Sotterley Plantation. The connection was immediate, and they dove into volunteer work. For the past decade, they have dedicated time, resources and energy to this National Historic Landmark and its mission. Brown’s impressive work experience, combined with his passion for Sotterley’s history as an Interpreter and member of the Education Committee’s Oral History Project, motivated him to write the stories of some 50 people who lived and worked at Sotterley over 300 years.

The story of Sotterley Plantation began shortly after the founding of Maryland and continued over the next three centuries. It rose from humble beginnings, prospered in the age of tobacco and slavery, endured The Great Depression, and survived three wars, only to stumble toward imminent ruin until a generous fate brought both restoration and a renewed relevance for our time. Some who resided at Sotterley were socially prominent, though many were not. Some were free, while others were enslaved. Some were white, many more were black. Yet together their stories have much to tell us about the history of Southern Maryland and a maturing Chesapeake society.

The book is $17. To order, call Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or email Kim Husick at officemanager@sotterley.org.

Historical Society announces addition of Newtown Manor to List of Endangered Places

2010-03-11T14:53:00.000-05:00

The St. Mary’s County Historical Society's nomination of the Newtown Manor House for the Endangered Maryland program, a partnership between Preservation Maryland and Maryland Life Magazine, was accepted as one of eleven endangered sites in Maryland for its 2010 program. All the sites are featured in the March/April 2010 issue of Maryland Life. A selection committee of preservationists from throughout Maryland evaluated the nominations based on a list of seven criteria, including:

- historic significance of resource,
- urgency of the threat facing the resource,
- feasibility of solution and usefulness of the Endangered Maryland listing,
- level of community support;
- geographic diversity;
- diversity of resource type, and
- diversity of threat.

The Newtown Manor House is thought to have been erected in the mid-18th century. The major threat to the structure is its slow deterioration from a lack of continuing maintenance. It is part of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Newtown Manor House Historic District in Compton. This mission is the oldest Catholic Church in English-speaking America. From this area of Newtown Neck and from other locations in Southern Maryland, English Jesuit priests conducted missionary activities among the Indians and ministered to the needs of the settlers beginning in the 1630s and 1640s. The St. Mary's County Historical Society felt that, by bringing attention and focus to this unique resource, progress could be made to preserve this wonderful historic building. The Historic District marks a location and site important in the 17th century ecclesiastical history of Maryland, as an example of a self-contained Jesuit community made self-supporting by a surrounding 700-acre farm. The Jesuit community recently sold that farm to the State of Maryland with the intent of developing a state park. In 1967, the Society of Jesus sold 7.5 acres to the Archdiocese of Washington, which included the old church and the House.

For more information, contact Susan Wolfe, Executive Director, St. Mary’s County Historical Society, by email at smchs@md.metrocast.net or by phone at 301-475-2467.

Second Savor St. Mary's Restaurant Week Kick-off Meeting

2010-02-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

For locally-owned restaurants, caterers, food service providers, growers and wineries that were unable to attend the first Savor St. Mary's Kick-off Meeting, it's not too late to participate in Restaurant Week!

On March 1, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., there will be a meeting for possible Restaurant Week participants at Lenny's Restaurant in California, Maryland. This is the second gathering of possible Restaurant Week participants and is intended to be a planning session as well as to encourage partnerships between area restaurants and growers who are now preparing for summer demand. If you would like to be part of this initiative or find out more, please come. There is NO FEE for attending and all are welcome.

Occuring twice annually, “Savor St. Mary’s” will feature a seasonal line-up of items locally grown and produced as presented through the creative interpretation of area restaurants. Kicking off this summer: July 25 – August 8, 2010, “Savor St. Mary’s” will highlight fresh seasonal produce and then again February 15th – 28th, 2011 will have an emphasis on local seafood and wine.

A collaboration between locally-owned restaurants, St Mary’s County Department of Economic & Community Development and the Division of Tourism, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) as well as locally-owned small businesses and community-minded individuals, “Savor St. Mary’s” was conceived in order to offer support to local agriculture, promote the area’s independent small businesses, and give back to the community.
A portion of the proceeds resulting from “Savor St. Mary’s will be donated to the two local kitchens; “St. Mary’s Caring” in Lexington Park, MD and the “Loaves and Fishes” ministry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Leonardtown, MD, which provide food to the community’s hungry and homeless.

For more information about Restaurant Week, visit http://www.savorstmarys.com/ or contact Rebecca Deprey, St. Mary's County Division of Tourism, at 301-475-4200 ext. 1404 or Rebecca.Deprey@stmarysmd.com.

"FREE at Last! Black History Celebration!" Cancelled

2010-02-16T10:40:00.001-05:00

Due to icy conditions at Sotterley Plantation, this weekend’s event, "FREE at Last! Black History Celebration!," will be cancelled. The snow date had been scheduled to take place this Saturday, February 20th from 10 am – 4 pm. The concern is for the safety of all who visit the site. Sotterley Plantation hopes to reschedule this important event.

For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Don't Forget! Restaurant Week Kick-Off Meeting is February 8th

2010-02-05T14:00:00.002-05:00

Legends and Lore Tours are Back!

2010-02-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

The spirits have been restless as of late – more so than usual. On Saturday, February 27th, Education Director, Carolyn Hoey will lead guests on this eerie after-hours tour experience through the over 300 year old Mansion at Sotterley Plantation.

Over the past few years, the Legends and Lore Tours have grown in popularity, with visitors coming from both near and far. At various times, some have had “experiences” of their own while taking this tour. For those who have longed to hear about actual spirit sightings from past to present at Sotterley Plantation, this is the tour to take. Stories of unexplained happenings will be shared, providing guests with enough information to decide whether or not they believe.

Space on the tours is limited and participants must be ages 16 and up. Tours cost $20 per person and begin at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Reservations are required! Group tours available.

For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Restaurant Week Introductory Meeting on February 8th

2010-02-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

All chefs, restauranteurs, growers, or those involved in a civic organization or activity that is food-related are invited to the Restaurant Week Kick-Off Meeting from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. on February 8th at Lenny's Restaurant in California, MD. This is the first gathering of possible Restaurant Week participants and is intended to be a planning session as well as to encourage partnerships between area restaurants and growers who are now preparing for summer demand. If you would like to be part of this initiative or find out more, please come. There is NO FEE for attending and all are welcome.

Occuring twice annually, “Savor St. Mary’s” will feature a seasonal line-up of items locally grown and produced as presented through the creative interpretation of area restaurants. Kicking off this summer: July 25 – August 8, 2010, “Savor St. Mary’s” will highlight fresh seasonal produce and then again February 15th – 28th, 2011 will have an emphasis on local seafood and wine.

A collaboration between locally-owned restaurants, St Mary’s County Department of Economic & Community Development and the Division of Tourism, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) as well as locally-owned small businesses and community-minded individuals, “Savor St. Mary’s” was conceived in order to offer support to local agriculture, promote the area’s independent small businesses, and give back to the community.

A portion of the proceeds resulting from “Savor St. Mary’s will be donated to the 2 local kitchens; “St. Mary’s Caring” in Lexington Park, MD and the “Loaves and Fishes” ministry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Leonardtown, MD, which provide food to the community’s hungry and homeless.

For more information about Restaurant Week, visit http://www.savorstmarys.com/ or contact Rebecca Deprey, St. Mary's County Division of Tourism, at 301-475-4200 ext. 1404 or Rebecca.Deprey@stmarysmd.com.

CSM's Friday Night Lecture Series: The Civil War Comes to St. Mary's County

2010-01-25T08:55:00.001-05:00

On January 29 at 7 p.m., the College of Southern Maryland Friday Night Lecture Series will present CSM President, Dr. Bradley Gottfried, who will speak about "The Civil War Comes to St. Mary's County." St. Mary’s County played an important role in the Civil War and his lecture will describe the events that occurred in St. Mary’s County from the landing of Federal troops at Leonardtown in 1861 through the release of the Confederate prisoners at Point Lookout Prisoner of War Camp in 1865. Using illustrations and maps, Dr. Gottfried will describe the occupation of St. Mary’s County by Federal troops, smuggling activities, arrests of local citizens, recruitment into the armies, and the economic hardships during this turbulent period in St. Mary’s County’s history. This is an “encore performance” as Dr. Gottfried’s presentation at the Sotterley Plantation was filled to capacity in November.

The lecture will be held in the Auditorium in Building A at the College of Southern Maryland's Leonardtown Campus, which is located at 22950 Hollywood Road in Leonardtown. For more information, contact CSM at 301-934-7703, 240-725-5499, 443-550-6199, 301-870-2309 ext. 7703 or visit http://www.csmd.edu/.

Maryland to Kentucky Reunion Will Be Returning to St. Mary's County

2010-01-22T15:23:00.000-05:00

On July 16th, 17th, and 18th, the Maryland to Kentucky Reunion will be back in St. Mary's County, the home of their forefathers, for the 2010 reunion.

The story begins back in 1785 when a group of families from the Southern Maryland counties of St. Mary's, Charles, and Prince George's formed a "league" pledging to migrate to Kentucky. Their reasons for moving included plundering by the British during the Revolutionary War, depletion of available land in Maryland, and anti-Catholic bias. John Carroll, the Bishop of Baltimore, told them if they would settle together he would do what he could to supply them with a priest. These pioneers settled in what are now the Kentucky counties of Nelson, Washington, and Marion, an area still known as the "Kentucky Holy Lands."

The descendants of the Maryland to Kentucky pioneers began holding reunions back in 1990 as a way to meet each other and share family stories. The first reunion, which was held in Nazareth, Kentucky, was so successful that the group has held reunions once every two years ever since. The reunion draws genealogists of all faiths, bringing together an average of 500 researchers and their families from more than 40 states. The reunion was held in St. Mary's County in 1992, 2000, and 2006.

The reunion will be returning to St. Mary's County from Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18. The Maryland to Kentucky planning committee would like St. Mary's County residents to join them in "welcoming home" the returning descendants. The reunion participants, who will be traveling from all over the country, are coming not only to see the land their forefathers left behind but to meet their St. Mary's County "cousins" as well. They will want to talk to the "stay behinds" and will be seeking help from local community members as they research their roots.

Those who are interested in participating in the reunion events, which include a Welcome Home reception on Friday night, dinner Saturday night, and breakfast on Sunday morning, can register on the Maryland to Kentucky Reunion website at http://www.mdtokyreunion.club.officelive.com/. All events will take place at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, which is located at 22733 Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown.

For more information, please visit http://www.mdtokyreunion.club.officelive.com/ or stop by the Leonardtown Town Office, which is located at 41660 Courthouse Drive in Leonardtown.

Black History Celebration Kicks-off Sotterley's 2010 Speaker Series

2010-01-21T16:19:00.002-05:00

The 2010 Speaker Series at Sotterley will kick-off with “FREE at Last! Black History Celebration!” on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This event is free to the public and recounts the days of slavery, as well as the impact of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. There is something for all ages - dramatic portrayals, a spirit lifting gospel choir performance, hands-on learning, children’s activities, and tours of the original 1830’s Slave Cabin.

Sandi English will revive her character performance of “Mammy Reminiscence” at 11 a.m. in the Customs Warehouse. Having mastered the art of African-American storytelling, she and her daughter Liana English will transport guests back in time to when slaves risked all to make their way to freedom. At 1 p.m. and
3 p.m., Ms. English will take on the persona of “Grandma Wisdom,” who recounts the significance of the more modern-day revolution for equality to her questioning granddaughter.

Lifting their voices in soulful praise, members of the St. Peter’s Claver Gospel Choir from Ridge will perform. Established in 1977, this well-known choir combines old and new age gospel, raising the spirits of all.

Education Director Carolyn Hoey will give Slave Cabin Tours featuring slave inventories, new findings from this past summer’s restoration, and a hands-on exhibit of tools and household items used by the slaves.

The 2010 Speaker Series at Sotterley Plantation is sponsored by the Boeing Company.

For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 800-681-0850 or 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

Leonardtown First Friday and Valentine's Special

2010-01-13T08:00:00.006-05:00

Leonardtown businesses will stay open late for the February First Friday on February 5. From 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., browse historic Leonardtown's art galleries, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, antique shops, bookstores, and more. Many of the shops and restaurants also showcase live music, local artists, and/or offer specials during First Fridays. The event includes shops located in downtown Leonardtown as well as stores along Route 5 in the Maryland Antiques Center buildings, Breton Marketplace, and Leonardtown Shopping Center.

From now until February 5, participating businesses are accepting raffle tickets to enter to win a Valentine's Special - a Valentine's Get-Away Weekend Give-Away. The giveaway includes one night’s stay at the Executive Inn and Suites in Leonardtown, dinner at Cafe des Artistes, lunch at the Vineyard Cafe and Tea Room, gift certificates from North End Gallery, Maryland Antiques Center, and Shelby’s Framing & Turning Leaf Gallery, and a weaving demonstration at Treadles Studio. The winning name will be drawn during the February 5 First Friday.

Pick up a free raffle ticket at one of these participating businesses: Arizona Pizza Company, Southern Maryland Artisans Center, Brewing Grounds, Cafe des Artistes, Church of the Nazarene, Colleen's Dream, College of Southern Maryland, Fenwick Street Used Books and Music, Good Earth Natural Foods, The Shops of Maryland Antiques Center, Creekside Gallery, Leonardtown Galleria, Vineyard Cafe and Tea Room, North End Gallery, Old Towne Crafters, On A Roll, Quality Street Kitchens, Shelby's Creative Framing, Treadles Studio, White Rabbit Children's Bookstore.

For more information, contact the Town of Leonardtown at 301-475-9791 or visit http://www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com/.

Grand Opening Celebration at Olde Towne Stitchery

2010-01-12T08:52:00.000-05:00

The Olde Towne Stitchery, a new quilt and fabric shop in Leonardtown, will be holding a Grand Opening Celebration on January 15 and 16. During the celebration, customers will be able to do "make it and take it" projects and will also receive 20% off all items in the store. Plus, on Friday, January 15, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., the Vice President of Sales for AvLyn Fabrics will give demonstrations on how fabrics are made and will have a "trunk show" featuring new fabrics that will be available for purchase soon.

The Olde Towne Stitchery is located at 41665 Fenwick Street in Leonardtown and, in addition to selling quilt-making materials and fabrics, the store offers classes and other special events throughout the year. Each month, the store is featuringf a Block of the Month, which is where the store chooses a quilt block and customers can get directions and materials for making the block. Then, at the end of the year, the customer has 12 blocks and can create a quilt from them. Customers can also reserve a Group Shopping Hour, which gives groups of five people or more an hour in the store with the undivided attention of the store's staff, ensuring that the group gets the advice they need from other quilters. The Olde Towne Stitchery is also going to participate in First Fridays in Leonardtown, so be sure to stop by during First Fridays.

For more information, contact the Olde Towne Stitchery at 301-475-0005 or visit http://www.oldetownestitchery.com/.

Annual Store-Wide Sale at Traditions

2010-01-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Traditions of Loveville is holding its annual January store-wide sale! From now until January 31, customers will receive anywhere from 10% to 50% off of items throughout the store including furniture and home accessories. At Traditions of Loveville, you will find beautiful home furnishings and lifestyle pieces to add character and style to your home. Traditions sells manufacturers' lines including Butler, Flexsteel, Hickory Chair, Lane, Sherrill Leather, and many more.

For more information, contact Traditions of Loveville at 301-475-8280 or visit http://www.traditionsofloveville.com/.

Chanteys and Chowder Benefit Maryland Dove

2010-01-08T13:39:00.004-05:00

On January 16, Jane Meneely and Paul DiBlassi, playing together as Calico Jack, will perform in the State House at St. Mary’s City. The dynamic duo from Annapolis offer traditional and original music inspired by the Chesapeake Bay. Chanteyman Don Kenefick will offer a rousing “warm up” for the winter event. The evening’s proceeds will benefit the Maryland Dove, the iconic tall ship at Historic St. Mary’s City.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Soups and sausages will be on sale beginning at 6:30. Plan to come early and dine in the company of friends and the cozy State House ambiance. Admission to the concert is $15 ($12 for Friends). A la carte entrée items are $4.

Please R.S. V.P. by contacting Will Gates at wsgates@smcm.edu. For more information about Historic St. Mary’s City, visit http://www.stmaryscity.org/, or call 240-895-4990.

Legends and Lore Tours at Sotterley Plantation

2010-01-04T14:48:00.000-05:00

Over the years, many have lived at Sotterley Plantation … and died. Some have gone to their rest, yet others continue to be restless. On Saturday, January 23rd, Education Director, Carolyn Hoey will lead guests on this eerie after-hours tour experience through the over 300 year old Mansion.

Over the past few years, the Legends and Lore Tours have grown in popularity, with visitors coming from both near and far. At various times, some have had “experiences” of their own while taking this tour. For those who have longed to hear about actual spirit sightings from past to present at Sotterley Plantation, this is the tour to take. Stories of unexplained happenings will be shared, providing guests with enough information to decide whether or not they believe.

Space on the tours is limited and visitors must be ages 16 and up. Tickets are $20 per person. There will be two tours. The first tour begins at 5 p.m. and the second tour begins at 7 p.m. Reservations are required. For more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/.

New Years Eve Parties

2009-12-23T09:24:00.002-05:00

For those of us still making plans for New Years Eve, there are plenty of fun events going on right here in St. Mary's County. From dances to dinners, there are lots of great ways to celebrate 2010.

Lenny's New Years Bash

Lenny's Restaurant in California is hosting a New Years Bash on December 31 from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Bring your friends and enjoy live music by Geezer, a dinner buffet, and more! Plus, champagne and party favors will be given out as it gets closer to midnight. Tickets for this celebration must be purchased in advance, so don't wait too much longer to make your plans!

For more information, contact Lenny's Restaurant at 301-737-0777 or visit http://www.lennys.net/.

New Years Eve Celebration at Buffalo Wings & Beer
Looking for a place to casually celebrate with friends? Check out the New Years Eve celebration at Buffalo Wings & Beer in Leonardtown! From 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. on December 31, enjoy live music and dinner and drink specials. Champagne will be available before the ball drops.

For more information, contact Buffalo Wings & Beer at 301-475-2711 or visit http://www.buffalowingsandbeer.com/.

New Years Eve Dance at Bowles Farms
Bring your significant other to Bowles Farms in Clements for a wonderful evening of dancing in celebration of the new year. From 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. on December 31, there will be live music by Southern Tradition and an open dance floor. The dance is being sponsored by the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary and the cost of the tickets includes a light breakfast and party favors.

For more information, contact Bowles Farms at 301-769-2659 or visit http://www.bowlesfarms.com/.

Bar-B-Que and Champagne Celebration

Evans Seafood Restaurant in Piney Point will be celebrating the new year with a Bubble Bar and Bar-B-Que! From 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. on December 31, come out to Evans and indulge in delicious food including ribs, barbeque chicken, pulled pork, oysters and more while listening to live music by the Rum Runners. Reservations are required, so be sure to act quickly!

For more information, contact Evans Seafood Restaurant at 301-994-1234 or visit http://www.evansseafoodrestaurant.com/.

Linda's Cafe Named Winner of 1st Annual Holiday Window Display Contest

2009-12-15T15:07:00.003-05:00

The Lexington Park Business and Community Association announced Linda's Cafe the winner of the 1st Annual Holiday Window Display Contest! Competitors for the $500 prize included the winner, Linda’s Café along with Hair in the Square (which earned the second highest number of votes), The Lexington Restaurant and Lounge, The Grapevine Antiques and Collectibles, Sake Japanese Steakhouse, Mattress Corner, P. J’ Auto Body, Donut Connection and Hope Place of Walden. The competitors encouraged patrons to vote with personal appeals and direct solicitations such as Hope Place of Walden’s mass e-mail featuring its holiday window display.

Linda’s Café garnered a whopping 63% of the vote. “We are so excited to win. Every time we looked at the blog, it appeared that we were trailing behind in second place,” stated Linda Palchinsky, owner of Linda’s Café. “This was so much fun for us and great for Lexington Park and now, my staff can have a holiday party with the winnings from the competition.” In the spirit of giving, Linda and her staff decided to hold their holiday party at the newly opened Lexington Restaurant and Lounge.

This competition was developed by Dorothy Andrews, owner/operator of Endless Summer Tanning, to be the first marketing initiative of the newly formed Business Association. The competition proved to be a resounding success with over 1,000 votes cast over a 10-day period. “I wanted the light up Lexington Park to show the holiday spirit of our many merchants,” said Ms. Andrews. Endless Summer Tanning created a blog site for the competition and the nine merchants elected to join in on the fun.

The Lexington Park Business and Community Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay District Fire Station Social Hall. The meetings are open to anyone who is committed to the betterment of Lexington Park. For more information, contact the Community Development Corporation, the host agency for the Business Association, at 240-725-5786. 6ST5ETJWM4QP

Celebrate 375 Christmas Ornaments on Sale Now

2009-12-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

Celebrate 375 Christmas ornaments are available for purchase from Hallmark Stores throughout St. Mary's County and from Cecil's Country Store in Great Mills! The ornaments are made from 24 Karat gold flashed brass and feature a three-dimensional version of the Celebrate 375 logo.

Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments will be used to support children and young adults who serve their campuses and our community in K-Kids Clubs, Builders Clubs, Key Clubs and CKI Clubs in St. Mary's County, which are all sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary's County.

For more information, contact the Glynnis Schmidt, President of the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary's County, at 301-475-4321 or bwsges@yahoo.com.

Sotterley Plantation's Holiday Events

2009-12-02T13:09:00.001-05:00

Sotterley Plantation has two great events coming up this weekend to get you and your family into the holiday spirit: Holiday Candlelight Tours and A Family Plantation Christmas.

Holiday Candlelight Tours
Kick-off the holiday season with a historical dramatization of life at Sotterley during The War of 1812 in the Holiday Candlelight Tours at Sotterley Plantation, December 4th & 5th from 6 p.m.–10 p.m. The tours take place inside the over 300 year old historic Mansion, which will be graced with period decorations.

The plot for this year's tour is that Sotterley is under siege by the British occupation. The family is determined to hold their annual holiday celebration no matter what! Family and friends join the Platers for a very entertaining evening which will be quite different than holiday celebrations experienced in previous years. Join the Sotterley Players as they step back in time and witness for yourself the unfolding dramatic holiday events.

Live musical performances from local premiere high school choral groups and complimentary cookies will be available in the historic Barn, prior to the reserved tour time. Reservations are required.

A Family Plantation Christmas
Family Plantation Christmas will be held on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Sotterley Plantation, offering a full day of wonderment and Christmas spirit!

Let Santa know what you want for Christmas, purchase scrumptious treats from Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, sing along with the carolers, make holiday crafts, get your face painted, see what you can find at the Scavenger Hunt in the garden, visit the Sotterley Museum Shop to find unique holiday gifts while the children are buying presents at Santa’s Secret Shop, and purchase seasonal greens and hand-crafted items from Sotterley’s Garden Guild! Back by popular demand, Sandi English will perform “Mammy Reminiscence,” giving a glimpse into how slaves celebrated this holiday.

To make reservations or get more information, contact Sotterley Plantation at 800-681-0850 or 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/. Also, be sure to check out Sotterley Plantation's new blog at http://www.sotterleyplantation.blogspot.com/ for information about news and other upcoming events!

Join the party in Leonardtown this Friday, December 4th from 5 – 8 p.m.!

2009-12-02T12:54:00.002-05:00

First Friday Town Celebration:

Visit Leonardtown this Friday, December 4th, for their holiday First Friday raffle! A Fuji Crosstown bicycle will be raffled off at 7:30 p.m. in Town Square. Santa will be on hand to draw the winning name! No purchase is necessary to register to win the bicycle, just stop in to any participating First Friday business to enter! Many shops, galleries and restaurants are offering specials unique to this “Holiday First Friday.” There will be live music, wine tastings, award-winning appetizers, Christmas caroling, and more! The galleries have special preview receptions for their featured artists, and most of the restaurants offer samples of their delicious menu items or a discount off their menu. Jump start your festive holiday season by visiting Leonardtown this Friday! To learn more about the specials, visit http://www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com/.

St. Clement's Island Museum's 24th Annual Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit Celebrates Maryland's 375th!

2009-11-30T11:08:00.003-05:00

The St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point, MD will present the 24th annual Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit beginning December 2nd for a month-long exhibit to feature antique and collectible dolls and toys, and working miniature trains to delight children from one to 101!

The theme of this year’s exhibit is “Christmas in Maryland” which continues the year-long celebration of Maryland’s 375th birthday. Visitors will see and learn the official symbols of Maryland and many other interesting facts about the Old Line State.

A favorite feature of this exhibit is found in the c. 1820 Charlotte Hall School, a one-room schoolhouse transformed into a holiday train station. Children can take the controls of a working miniature train that chugs and toots its way around an endless track offering a fun and interactive experience.

Visitors can also enjoy browsing through the Crab Claw Museum Store which features a myriad of unique gifts, children’s books and toys, clothing, jewelry, Maryland flags, lighthouses, souvenirs, and much more! All gift shop proceeds benefit museum programs, projects and exhibits.

The exhibit opens December 2nd and will be available through January 3, 2010 during the Museum’s winter hours of operation, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Museum hours for this exhibit will be extended to 7 days a week - the week after the Christmas holiday.

For more information, contact the St. Clement's Island Museum at 301-769-2222 for more information or log on to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.

Christmas on the Square

2009-11-24T10:50:00.003-05:00

Get into the holiday spirit at Christmas on the Square in Leonardtown! On Friday, November 27, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., Leonardtown will be decorated with holiday lights and filled with the sounds of Christmas carols as the town kicks off the holiday season.

There will be fun activities for everyone including sleigh rides, a live nativity at the Church of the Nazarene, costumed characters, horse & carriage rides, hay rides, fire truck rides, and of course…Santa’s arrival at 7 p.m. to light the Christmas tree! The Leonardtown businesses will be competing in a window decorating contest, so the store windows will be filled with charming holiday decorations, and Kevin Thompson's Corner Kafe on Park Avenue will be decorated like a gingerbread house.

Love Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? Fenwick Street Used Books & Music will be holding readings of this timeless tale starting at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. The readings will be an abbreviated version of the story and will last approximately 30 minutes. Dianna Diatz will also be performing in the store.

The raffle for the Fuji Crosstown Bike is still going on, so be sure to ask for a raffle ticket from each business that you visit in Leonardtown during Christmas on the Square. Tickets are free. The winner of the bike will be drawn during the December 4 First Friday.

If you're planning to get started on your holiday shopping, then you don't want to leave home without your Discover St. Mary's County Card. It's a great way to get special deals at participating businesses in Leonardtown. To find out what Leonardtown businesses are offering, click here.

Division of Tourism Wins Awards for "Celebrate 375" Campaign

2009-11-10T15:11:00.000-05:00

The St. Mary's County Division of Tourism's "Celebrate 375" campaign and special commemorative destination guide each took top industry honors at the 29th Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit on November 5, in Ocean City! The first award, the Cooperative Promotion Award for an Integrated Campaign or Continuing Program, honors promotions which incorporate a variety of marketing activities over a sustained period of time. The second award was for the best visitor’s guide. The awards are given by the Maryland Tourism Council (MTC). MTC's annual awards are the most prestigious and anticipated awards given within Maryland's Tourism and Hospitality industry. The competition for the awards was stiff and the winners were selected from nominations throughout Maryland. For more information about the awards, please see the press release.

The Celebrate 375 campaign continues until the end of the year, but the Division of Tourism is already working on the destination guide for 2010. Advertising in the 2010 destination guide is available and is a great way to highlight your business. If you are interested in advertising, you can view the advertising rate sheet by clicking here. To purchase an advertisement, please call Jennifer Webster at 240-215-5486. The advertising deadline is January 4, 2010.

For general questions, contact the Division of Tourism at 301-475-4200 ext. 1404 or visitus@stmarysmd.com.

Celebrate 375 Events Still Going Strong!

2009-11-09T10:36:00.002-05:00

Even as colder winter weather sets in, the Celebrate 375 events are still going strong! Coming up this winter, enjoy great events such as the Veterans Day Parade, Christmas on the Square, and the 23rd Annual Christmas Doll and Train Exhibit.

Veterans Day Parade

On November 11, head down to Leonardtown Square for the Veterans Day Parade! Starting at 10 a.m., veterans, dignitaries, military units, drill teams, marching bands, floats, beauty queens, Native American dancers, bagpipers, and more will parade through Leonardtown in honor of America's veterans. Following the parade, a Memorial Ceremony with the placing of wreaths to honor our veterans will be held in the Town Square accompanied by patriotic music. After the parade, use your Discover St. Mary's County Card at participating businesses to receive great deals and special offers on dining, shopping, and more!

The annual parade is sponsored by the St. Mary's County Commissioners and the Commissioners of Leonardtown, in cooperation with VFW Post 2632. For more information, call 301-863-5868 or 301-475-9791.

Christmas on the Square
Leonardtown will hold its Christmas on the Square and Annual Tree Lighting on November 27 from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Enjoy holiday music and entertainment, a live Nativity, costumed characters, horse-drawn carriage rides, sleigh and hay rides, and more! The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. and the tree will be lit by Santa Claus. Then, bring the kids to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Town Square. While you're in town, be sure to use your Discover St. Mary's County Card to get great deals from participating businesses throughout Leonardtown.

This is also a good opportunity to get raffle tickets to enter to win the Fuji Crosstown Bike! Raffle tickets are free. Just ask for one at participating businesses throughout Leonardtown. The winner will be chosen during the Leonardtown First Friday on December 4.

For more information, contact the Town of Leonardtown at 301-475-9791 or visit Leonardtown.somd.com.

23rd Annual Christmas Doll and Train Exhibit

The St. Clement's Island Museum will hold its 23rd Annual Christmas Doll & Train Exhibit from December 2, 2009 through January 3, 2010. In honor of Maryland's 375th Birthday, the theme of the exhibit will be "Christmas in Maryland" and will showcase the official symbols of Maryland! Get into the spirit of the holidays by visiting this exciting exhibit of antique and collectible dolls, toys, and miniature working trains.

For more information, contact the St. Clement's Island Museum at 301-769-2222 or visit www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.

Scarecrow Making Postponed

2009-10-28T10:58:00.000-04:00

The scarecrow making and Trick-or-Treating on the Square in Leonardtown had to be postponed due to inclement weather. It will now be held on Saturday, October 31, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. From 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., the Southern Maryland Artisan Center is sponsoring “Scarecrow Making” on the Square. The cost is $8 per scarecrow and includes all supplies to make a life size scarecrow, perfect for fall decorating.

Between 3:00-4:00 p.m., children, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can dress up in their Halloween costume and walk around the Leonardtown Square “trick-or-treating” with participating downtown merchants. Bring a goodie bag for your candy and treats! This free, kid-fun activity with plenty of treats is sponsored by the Leonardtown Business Association. For more information, call the Commissioners of Leonardtown at 301-475-9791 or visit Leonardtown.somd.com.

Also, the Leonardtown Church of the Nazarene, the Church on the Square, is having a Fall Festival & Fun Fair on Saturday the 24th of October 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Crafts, food, candy, music, carnival games! All proceeds go to support their Youth Programs. Free Hot Chocolate outside and tons of fun inside! For more details or to volunteer, please contact Donna French at 301-351-9242.