Savor Rockfish during the Monster Rockfish Festival

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

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

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

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

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"



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th Annual Summerseat Plant Sale

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

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

The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation

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

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

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

Celebrate the Earth with Woodlawn

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

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

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"

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

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

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."


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"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

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

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.