Celebrate Black History in St. Mary's County

What’s Featured, What’s Fun – Discover wonderful reasons to visit St. Mary’s County! 

Mathias de Sousa – From Servant to Merchant to the Maryland Assembly

    Visit Historic St. Mary’s City where Mathias de Sousa, the first free person of African decent in Maryland, rose from being an indentured servant to voting in the Maryland Assembly. Discover more about de Sousa and others who founded Maryland by visiting the St. John’s Site Museum. The museum features exhibits on de Sousa and the history of St. Mary’s City.  Winter hours for the St. John’s Site Museum and more information can be found at www.stmaryscity.org.

     While his exact origins are unknown, it is thought that de Sousa was of Portuguese and African ancestry. Mathias de Sousa came to Maryland with Father Andrew White as an indentured servant on the first voyage to settle Maryland in 1634. De Sousa was a free man by 1639. He lived in St. Mary’s City, where he worked as a fur trader and lead an expedition up the Chesapeake to trade with the Susquehannocks. In March of 1641, de Sousa took part in the Maryland General Assembly. The St. John’s Site Museum in Historic St. Mary’s City is a replica of that building where the assembly met and is built on the foundations of the original building. 

Savor the Season, Savor St. Mary’s – Taste the flavors of St. Mary’s County!

St. Mary’s County Stuffed Ham is a Southern Maryland institution. Come on down to St. Mary’s, and taste some of this county treat for yourself. Stuffed ham can be found at several country markets and restaurants, such as Chaptico Market (301-884-3308), St. Mary’s Landing Restaurant in Charlotte Hall (301-884-3287), and McKay’s (301-475-2531).  At Lenny’s Restaurant, a local landmark, Chef Dan offers stuffed ham cooking classes. Visit www.lennys.net for more information. 

While it is traditionally served for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, Stuffed Ham can be enjoyed anytime. The ham, stuffed with greens, onions, and spices, can be found at most county festivals and fairs throughout the year. It is eaten with eggs for breakfast and as a sandwich for lunch and makes an excellent main course for dinner. There are several local legends about the origins of this St. Mary’s original. One version is that slaves working on plantations in St. Mary’s used greens and onions from their gardens to add some flavor to the parts of the hog they were given. Others believe a cook for the Jesuit Priest at St. Inigoes Manor made the first stuffed ham as a special treat to celebrate Easter and the end of Lenten fasting. Another theory is that an English farmwife was the first to use cabbage, onions, and watercress to dress up her Easter ham. Regardless of its origin, St. Mary’s is proud of its stuffed ham!

What’s New and of Note – Keep up-to-date on what’s up-and-coming in St. Mary’s!

Lancaster Park on Willows Road in Lexington Park will soon be home to new monument honoring the United States Colored Troops (USCT) who fought in the Civil War. This monument will be unveiled and dedicated at this year’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 16 and will feature a sculpture by nationally recognized sculptor Gary Casteel. The monument will specifically honor three Civil War Medal of Honor recipients from St. Mary’s County: Sgt. James H. Harris (USCT), Pvt. William H. Barnes (USCT), and Joseph Hayden (USS Ticonderoga). This monument, only the fourth in the country dedicated to the USCT, is the result of years of hard work by the United Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), a local volunteer group who’s mission is to make known the role African Americans play in shaping St. Mary’s County. Groundbreaking Ceremony for the St. Mary’s County USCT Memorial Monument will be 2pm on March 4 at Lancaster Park. For more information, visit www.ucaconline.com.

Upcoming Events – Be a part of what’s happening in St. Mary’s County!

Wine and Food Pairings

Port of Leonardtown Winery 

Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:00pm to 8:00pm          

Enjoy wine tasting and food pairings by local chefs. Learn about pairing food and great local wines. Cost is $12 at the door. Port of Leonardtown Winery will also be offering all their wines 10% on Saturday, Feb. 25. For more information, visit portofleonardtown.com or call 301-690-2192.

Jazz After-Hours at Café des Artistes

Leonardtown

Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30pm-10:30pm

Dance and Dine the Night Away! The Café will lay out their dance floor, and the Gretchen Richie Jazz Cabaret will perform danceable tunes, including jazz, swing, pop, rhythm & blues, plus those dreamy slow songs. Reservations recommended. No cover. The kitchen will remain open until 9:30 pm. For more information, visit cafedesartistes.ws.

The Free State – Enjoy St. Mary’s without spending a dime!

Interpreting Slavery Lecture

Thursday, March 1, 7:00pm

Historic St. Mary’s City Visitor Center Auditorium

Consider the many ways the enslaved experience has been interpreted through exhibits and by costumed interpreters. Historian Nicole Moore, from Historic Brattonsville, S.C., will discuss her experience portraying slave life on a South Carolina plantation and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the research, politics and presentations involved with bringing an electrifying subject to the public. Visit www.stmaryscity.org for more information. 

Jazz Concert

Friday, Feb. 24, 8:00pm

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Montgomery Hall, Room 25

The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Jazz Band and Combo present an annual salute to the Golden Era of the Big Band. The concert, titled “Thank You, Uncle Ted,” will feature the music of the great Duke Ellington. The concert will also feature the vocal skills of Camilla Rangel with the big band and Leah Klump with the combo.  Because seating is limited for this free event, early arrival is recommended. For more information, call 240-895-4498 or visit www.smcm.edu/calendar/events/. 

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration

Leonardtown Library

Saturday, Feb. 25, 10:30am

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday with the Leonardtown Library! Dr. Seuss stories, crafts and fun for children of all ages. Registration required. 301-475-2846 or www.stmalib.org.

Explore the County this Presidents’ Day Weekend, and Fill Up on Food and Friendship at Church Dinners

What’s Featured, What’s Fun – Discover wonderful reasons to Visit St. Mary’s County!

     Discover the birthplace of religious freedom in the United States. Long before the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, in April 1649, the Maryland General Assembly decided the “No Person or Persons…shall henceforth be in any ways troubled, molested or discountenanced for or in respect of his or her Religion nor in the free exercise therof…” Immerse yourself in the places, history and culture that shaped Religious Freedom in America. Blue skies or gray make beautiful backdrops for viewing the historic and architecturally unique churches from the comfort of your car. Many of the churches along the trail are still active, and if you’d like to get a feel of the present day community, church dinners are a great way to meet the locals and get a good meal. To download a copy of the Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway, go to http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/Cultural%20Trails%20.asp.

Savor the Season, Savor St. Mary’s – Taste the flavors of St. Mary’s County!
Come down to St. Mary’s County for a Church dinner, and get a real meal and real sense of community! Church dinners are a great way to get to know the people and flavors of county. From seafood dinners to pancake suppers, St. Mary’s churches serve up great home-style fare and down-home hospitality! February, March and April are great times for church dinners. Many parishes celebrate Shrove Tuesday (also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras) with a pancake feast. Throughout Lent, seafood dinners on Fridays can be found all throughout St. Mary’s. To view all the upcoming church dinners in St. Mary’s, visit http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/Church%20Dinners%20.asp.

What’s New and of Note – Keep up-to-date on what’s up-and-coming in St. Mary’s!
What better way to celebrate Presidents’ Day then to explore the area that lured our leaders from the White House during the 1800s and into the early 20th century?
Piney Point, on the Potomac, was once the go-to vacation spot for presidents and high society. The beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife and dining on fresh seafood at the water’s edges attracted many politicos and socialites to make the short trip down from DC to St. Mary’s. James Monroe, Franklin Pierce and Theodore Roosevelt, among others, all stayed along Piney Point. You can enjoy all these, too, by staying at one of the great unique lodging Piney Point and nearby St. George’s Island have to offer. Visit the Piney Point Lighthouse to see first hand what life was like during the years Piney Point served as a get-a-way destination for Washington’s elite. For more information on where to stay, go to lodging at http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/. For more information on Piney Point Lighthouse, visit http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/PPL.asp.

Upcoming Events – Be a part of what’s happening in St. Mary’s County!

Mid-Winter Feast at Trinity Church
Friday, February 17, 6:00p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The menu includes hearty local favorites: Fried Oysters, Fried Shrimp, Steamship Round of Beef, Baked Chicken, Side Dishes, and Desserts. Price is $30 per person, and reservations are required. For more information, please call 301-862-4597 or email: parishadmin@olg.com.

Fat Tuesday Dinner
Tuesday, February 21, 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.
Join St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in California in celebrating Fat Tuesday! They will be cooking up traditional Southern Maryland and New Orleans favorites - Pancakes & Sausage or Jambalaya & Bread Pudding. Either way, there will be something for everyone. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children, free for 2 years and younger. Carry-outs are available. Please call the parish office with questions 301-862-2247.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
All Saints Episcopal Church in Avenue is having a traditional St. Mary's County Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. The prices are: Adult $7; children ages 12 and under $5; children 4 and under free. Please visit All Saints website or contact Mrs. Lynn Burton at 301-769-2920, for further information.

The Free State – Enjoy St. Mary’s without spending a dime!

Meet Frederick Douglass
Travel back in time and meet Frederick Douglass, portrayed by professional storyteller Walter Jones, Jr. at the Lexington Park Library, on Saturday, February 18. Discover how a motherless slave child taught himself to read and write, as he walked the streets of Baltimore. Join in the Adventure as this daring young man risks life and limb as he plots his escape to freedom. Free family program. Light refreshments. The program will begin at 1:00p.m. Co-sponsored by NAACP and UCAC. Call 301-863-8188 or visit http://www.stmalib.org/ for more information.

Travel the Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway
Download the brochure and hop in the car for a day of discovery! Visit historic churches, learn about our nation’s beginnings and explore St. Mary’s County! To download the brochure, visit http://www.visitstmarysmd.com/Cultural%20Trails%20.asp.

Visit Piney Point Lighthouse and Historic Park
Explore the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac River, constructed in 1836. Even during a windy weekend, you can make a day of discovering all the six-acre park has to offer, including a picnic area, kayak launch, boardwalk, pier and beautiful sandy beach. Keep an eye out for osprey, among other marine birds, riding the air currents along the Point. Enjoying this park doesn’t cost a thing! Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the great views! Grounds are open sunrise to sunset seven days a week. Museum and lighthouse tours are available during seasonal operation hours. Visit http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/PPL.asp for more information.

This week in St. Mary's County

St. Mary’s County has so many great ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and everyday! Find out what’s happening this week in St. Mary’s County!

What’s Featured, What’s Fun - Discover wonderful reasons to visit St. Mary’s County!

Valentine’s Dinner Deals

Tequila Grill and Sixty-Six Beans Valentine's Dinner & Dessert

Don't miss these great deals in Charlotte Hall! Enjoy a mouthwatering Mexican dinner for two at Tequila Grill for under $30, followed up by decadent desserts and coffee for $10 at Sixty-Six Beans. Visit tequilagrillmd.com or http://www.66beans.com/ for more information.

The Willows Valentine's Day Dinner

Join the Willows in celebrating Valentine's Day with a 5-course dinner for two for $65 per couple. Add a bottle of wine from the Willows' collection to complete your romantic meal! To find out more, or to make reservations, call 301-690-2019.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Wine and Chocolate
Treat your Valentine to local wines paired with gourmet European chocolates! Visit Port of Leonardtown Winery on February 11th and 12th to sample their wines and chocolate truffles from Chez Nous. For more information call 301-690-2192 or go to http://portofleonardtownwinery.com/.

Fine Dinning for Valentine’s
The Island Bar and Crab House will be offering their Valentine's Dinner on Saturday Feb 11 and Tuesday Feb 14. Treat your Valentine and yourself to a filet and lobster dinner, while enjoying the beautiful views of the Potomac. Special is $100 per couple. Call 301-994-1234 or visit www.stgeorgeislandinnandsuites.com for more information.

Savor the Season, Savor St. Mary’s - Taste the flavors of St. Mary’s County!

        Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a glass of local wine and some gourmet chocolates! St. Mary’s is home to two award winning wineries, Port of Leonardtown Winery and Slack Wines and Vineyards. Slack produces its grapes and wines with food in mind. Try Slack’s dessert wine, Danny Boy Danny, which makes “a perfectly sweet end to a perfectly sweet evening.” Port of Leonardtown Winery offers a great line up of reds, whites and rosés, to complement any meal. Sweeten up your Valentine’s Day with a glass of Autumn Frost, Port of Leonardtown’s Vidal Blanc dessert wine.

        Looking for the perfect companion for local dessert wines? How about some scrumptious sweets? Chez Nous, in downtown Leonardtown, has delectable, handcrafted chocolates that you can take home to share with your Valentine, if you can keep from eating them all yourself!

What’s New and of Note – Keep up-to-date on what’s up-and-coming in St. Mary’s!

        Visit Leonardtown's Chez Nous for ultimate indulgences! - Jeweler Balbina Meyer recently moved her shop "Art In Wire," from Park Avenue to Fenwick Street, reopening as Chez Nous. In addition to her line of fine custom jewelry, Chez Nous offers European-style chocolates produced by Baltimore-based chocolatier Albert Kirchmayr. 240-538-4571

 

Upcoming Events – Be a part of what’s happening in St. Mary’s County!

2nd Saturday at Sotterley
This Saturday, February 11, in honor of Black History Month and as part of the Second Saturday Series, Sotterley Plantation is offering specialty tours entitled, "To Live Enslaved." These specialty tours will run at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Hear the voices of the past and visit the places where African Americans lived and labored. Call 301-373-2280 or visit http://www.sotterley.org/ for more information.

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Dance a Virginia Reel!
Contra Dance -The Southern MD Traditional Music and Dance Association will host a Contra Dance on Saturday, February 11, 2011, at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church Hall, 44078 St. Andrews Church Road, California, MD 20619. The dance will begin at 7:30. Contra is a fun, traditional American style of social dance. Beginners are more than welcome and are encouraged to come early for friendly instructions and advice. Admission is $8. For more information, go to www.smtmd.org.

Dance the Cha-cha!
Ballroom and Swing Dance Party - Hosts Donna and Brian Jordan welcome you to a special Valentine's Day Dance this Saturday, February 11th. Enjoy an evening of dancing the Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Cha-Cha, and more at The House of Dance at 24620 Three Notch Road in Hollywood! Dance lessons will be followed by an evening of open dancing. Doors open at 6:45p.m. with dancing until 11p.m. Admission is $12 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For more information call 301-373-6330 or visit www.thehouseofdance.org.

Dance for Relay for Life!
Valentine's Day Dance Fundraiser for Relay for Life - On Sunday, February 12, Always There Companion Care will be holding a Valentine’s Day Dance to support Relay for Life, from 2 p.m. until 6:00p.m at the Mechanicsville Firehouse Hall. Tickets are $15.00 a couple. There will a raffle and door prizes from local restaurants. For further information or tickets call Colleen Morgan 240-431-1902.

Dance for Vets!
Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets Sweetheart Dance - On Saturday, February 11, a Sweetheart Dance will be held at the Brass Rail in Great Mills from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to benefit Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets. Admission is $7.00 per adult, children under 12 are free. Vacations for Vets provides free of charge weekend retreats for our recovering troops from military treatment centers. For more information, contact Connie Pennington at 301-904-0707.

The Free State – Enjoy St. Mary’s without spending a dime!

Poetry Open Mic Night
Wednesday, February 08, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
Share a favorite poem or one of your own, or just come to listen! Call 301-475-2846 or visit www.stmalib.org for more information.

Artist Opening Reception
Thursday, February 09, 5p.m.-8p.m.
The public invited to meet artist Willy Yowiski, at the Lexington Park Library Art Gallery. His work, which includes acrylic on canvas, collage, and spray paint on glass and canvas, will be on display. Call 301-863-8188 or visit www.stmalib.org for more information.

Nature Walk at Myrtle Point Park
Sunday, February 12, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with a heart healthy hike around the park! Join Bob Boxwell, Sunday afternoon in front of the gates at Myrtle Point Park. Look for signs of winter activities, including the return of the great blue herons to their rookery. For more information call Bob at 410-394-1300 or Dudley at 301-475-1858 E-mail: dlindsley@verizon.net