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.