Experience the rich maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay at the Solomons Maritime Festival! Be sure to check out Wm. B. Tennison cruises, educational programs, special events, and the first month of openings for Cove Point Lighthouse and Lore Oyster House this season! Explore how the prehistoric past, natural environments, and maritime heritage come to life and tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. The Calvert Marine Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults; $9.00 for seniors, military, and veterans with valid I.D, AAA and AARP members; $6.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 and museum members are admitted free. Proud participant in Museums for ALL. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership and to purchase tickets for all events, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Wednesday, May 1 – Lore Oyster House 2 – 4 p.m. Join us for the first official open day of the season at the newly refurbished Lore Oyster House. Located six-tenths of a mile south of the main museum campus on Solomons Island Road, this 1934 seafood packing house offers exhibits that explore all aspects of oyster processing. No admission required. Visit our website for all summer dates. Wednesday through Sunday, the month of May – Wm. B. Tennison Public Cruise 2 p.m. Relax and enjoy a leisurely one-hour sightseeing cruise on the river aboard the Wm. B. Tennison, a log-built bugeye. Capacity allows for 40 guests. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children, infant through 12 years. *Please note: May 4 will follow the event schedule for the Solomons Maritime Festival and a May 19 cruise will not be available due to the Blessing of the Fleet event. Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, in the month of May – Cove Point Lighthouse grounds and…
By Kenny Fletcher, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Photo credit: Chris Moore, CBF A thriving Chesapeake Bay and healthy Potomac River depend on a healthy population of our native oysters. The Eastern Oyster has long been an iconic part of our region’s culture, cuisine, and ecology. Through a combination of harvest pressure, pollution, and disease, the Bay region has lost invaluable reef habitat and the oyster population today stands at a fraction of historic levels. Fortunately, federal and state partners are on track to fully restore oyster habitat in 11 Bay tributary rivers by 2025, making the Bay home to the world’s largest oyster restoration project. Monitoring of the reefs so far is showing incredible success, with oyster population density in several rivers exceeding the restoration targets. With oyster recovery at a crucial point, building on current momentum will increase resiliency to climate change in the region while creating multiple benefits for people and the environment, according to a report released this year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Recommendations in the report, titled “Hope on the Half Shell: Harnessing Oysters to Build Ecological and Community Resilience,” include targeting oyster restoration in 20 additional Bay rivers, equitably growing the oyster aquaculture industry, and modernizing management of the wild oyster harvest. “Increasing oyster numbers benefits all facets of life in and along the Chesapeake,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore. “Now let’s expand on the achievements to date. With oysters, we can adapt to climate change, support the Bay’s ecological, economic, and social resilience, and build vibrant communities where people and nature thrive together.” Oysters are at a critical juncture. The decline of oysters and their habitat has exacerbated water quality issues, reduced productivity of key Bay fisheries, and left critical shoreline habitats like marshes and underwater grasses susceptible to erosion…
By Molly Winans I refuse to burn my socks. It’s a quiet refusal. I’m not trying to mess up anyone’s rites of spring or to rally support for an anti-sock-burning movement. It seems to me that my quiet rebellion, exercising my right to just be me, is in the spirit of the season. I’m not the only sailor in Annapolis who will attend a sock-burning gathering for the vernal equinox and walk away still wearing socks. I’ve seen a few shamelessly sock-clad friends participate by pulling old socks out of a pocket and dropping them into the bonfire. As if removing and torching one’s footwear as a seasonal ritual isn’t quirky enough, imagine what the outside world would make of such cheating. As well as a fondness for the occasion, the sock-in-pocket crowd and I share a preference for warm feet on damp, chilly March days. Besides toasty toes, I have other reasons for clinging to my socks. I don’t have that many pairs. If I’m wearing them to a bonfire party, it’s likely that I consider them part of my sailing gear. I’m not trying to perpetuate the stereotypes of the frugal sailor or the starving writer. I can afford new socks, but I choose not to buy them often. Why? I’m not desperate yet. My feet are still warm. I have enough pairs of socks to get by—just not enough to sacrifice to the equinoctial gods for fun. I think a lot of sailors have this sort of attitude toward their gear. They hang on to it until it’s lost, destroyed, or so leaky that they suffer for one bitter day before throwing it away, if they can part with it. Imagine a sailor friend blowing out a toe in his old dinghy boot. Does he: a) immediately…
By John Page Williamson The great blue heron was being smart, standing under sheltering pines at the edge of a marsh. The afternoon sun was taking the edge off a bitter “Alberta Clipper” northwest wind sweeping down this creek beside the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Philip Merrill Center. The marsh lies at the head of a little cove, with a shallow, dark mud flat in front of it. If there was warmth in any creek or Baywater around the Merrill Center, it was here. The bird was losing less body heat in this sunny lee out of the wind, and if there was a killifish anywhere around to eat, it too would be seeking out this warmth. Besides, the high part of this marsh holds mice who burrow into its tussocks of insulating grasses but are no match for the lightning-quick strike of the great blue’s rapier-like bill. February is a challenging month for the Chesapeake’s great blue herons, and not just because of the needs to minimize heat loss and find food in a bleak season. This is the month when the adults must summon the energy to court, pair up for the year, breed, and begin building nests. We know great blues mostly as solitary hunters, but each spring they seek out other heron pairs to establish rookeries of half-a-dozen to several hundred nests. Favored rookery sites are mature wooded areas protected not only from humans but also marauders like raccoons, beside or close to water with plenty of food (fish, and later in the spring, small frogs, snakes, lizards, and small crabs). Some are as small as a quarter-acre patch of tall hardwoods on a Bayside point just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis. A larger one is a two-hundred-nest rookery in forested wetland protected by The Nature Conservancy in a…
By Molly Winans Why Frostbite Racing Is Cool. It’s 34 degrees outside. The water temperature measures in the upper 30s. It might get gusty out. It might snow. What would you rather do: lounge on the couch or go sailing? Hundreds of sailors on the Chesapeake Bay choose the latter. Every winter, we like to reach out to a few of them to learn their reasoning, their expert winter gear tips, and suggestions for curious would-be winter sailors. What’s the appeal? Warren Richter races his J/22 Committed with his partner in racing and wife, Tracey Golde. Richter says, “I enjoy frostbite to keep our skills sharp during the so called ‘off-season.’ It’s great to get out, get some sunshine, and have fun racing. Makes dusting off the rust in the springtime much easier and also allows for racing that is less boat-handling-intensive. It is a great time to train new crew and practice.” Golde adds, “We’re not sure what we’d do with our time if we didn’t have a reason to be on the water. Also racing with just a main and jib as required by frostbites gives us an opportunity to work on our fleet management without having to worry so much about boat handling. Also, there is usually significantly more wind than during the rest of the year, so we get to practice in different conditions.’ The Committed frostbite team includes Mary Howser, Koralina and James McKenna, Amanda Gates, and Bryan Stout. Richter notes, “They are all fantastic sailors. We appreciate everything they do to come racing with us.” Gavin O’Hare, who races ILCA class dinghies (formerly Laser) out of Severn Sailing Association on Sundays, says, “Because the winter is cold, it puts a damper on doing most things outside. Dinghy frostbiting is different. What better way to break…
By Erik Evans The first three Thursday nights in December are the biggest and most fun nights of the year to shop in downtown Annapolis. It’s the annual Midnight Madness shopping nights on December 7, and 14, when stores and restaurants stay open until Midnight, and on December 21 the Eleventh Hour they stay open until 11 pm at about 90 stores and 80 restaurants in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. The downtown Annapolis area, including West Street, Maryland Ave, Main Street, and the City Dock area will be filled with traditional holiday decorations including beautiful storefront windows, garland, wreaths, holiday lights, a snowflake alley on Main Street, light canopies over Maryland Ave and West Street, a large real Christmas tree, and a menorah near the Market House. The local shops and restaurants are ready for you to enjoy late-night shopping and dinner with your family. You will find that downtown Annapolis is a vibrant, and festive place to shop. When you add in the on-street entertainment you will understand why Annapolis is rated as one of the top Christmas towns in the nation. Several new shops can be found this year on West Street, Maryland Ave, Fleet Street, and Main Street alongside your favorite long-time businesses. The Downtown Annapolis Partnership Ambassadors will be out strolling the sidewalks to assist visitors with directions, parking questions, etc. For the first Midnight Madness (Dec 7) you can also enjoy the opening night of Annapolis Holiday Market on City Dock from 4 pm to 10 pm. The Dec 21st Midnight Madness is perfect for procrastinators as it is the Eleventh Hour of the shopping season. Free and discounted parking is abundant during the holiday season in downtown Annapolis. The Calvert Street Parking Garage (19 St Johns Street) has free parking Monday through Friday from 6 pm to 6…
By Jeremy Cox Virginia Ponders Reopening long-closed winter crab harvest. Fifteen years after Virginia shut down its winter blue crab harvest, the industry is seeking to claw its way back into the season — at least on an experimental basis. In 2007, the Chesapeake Bay crab population cratered at an estimated 251 million, prompting a federal disaster declaration the next year. Alarmed, Maryland and Virginia regulators enacted a series of sweeping measures aimed at protecting reproductive females through spawning. One of the key moves in Virginia was to ban winter dredging. The practice, which involves dragging heavy, metal traps behind a boat to scoop up dormant crabs, was already illegal in Maryland. Over the past decade, annual surveys have counted an average of 392 million crabs per year. Some crabbers in Virginia say the prized crustacean has recovered enough to warrant reopening the winter dredge season on a small scale. In August, the state’s industry-dominated Crab Management Advisory Committee formally asked officials with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to propose a regulatory framework that would allow a modest number of boats to participate. At the time of the 2008 ban, there were 58 holders of winter dredge permits. The committee has recommended restricting the new fishery to no more than six entrants. “Watermen really need something like this to lean on,” said James “J. C.” Hudgins, president of the Virginia Watermen’s Association. “I think it’s something we could look at on a very limited basis, a managed basis.” It’s too late to get the proposal approved in time for this winter, said Pat Geer, head of fisheries management for the VMRC. The earliest it could be in place would be winter 2024–25. But he cautioned that the proposal, if finalized, won’t be possible without concessions. Since 2008, the three jurisdictions that…
By Michaela Watkins Over the years, the Annapolis Boat Shows have developed a reputation as an excellent venue to debut boats. This year, the Annapolis Powerboat Show (October 5-8) and the Annapolis Sailboat Show (Oct 12-15) will again feature a great selection of premiering boats from manufacturers from around the world. “There is no better place to search for the perfect vessel for your next adventure than our fall shows,” says Sheila Jones, general manager of the Annapolis Boat Shows. “These cutting-edge models are the result of years of research, engineering excellence, and a commitment from our wonderful exhibitors to providing our show guests with the ultimate on-water experience.” The best way to experience your next boat is in-person and on the water, and the Annapolis Boat Shows provide attendees the opportunity to climb aboard hundreds of boats. Small boats, weekend cruisers, performance sailboats, innovative center consoles, multihulls, luxury yachts, and modern monohulls spring from the drawing boards of engineers and designers to line Ego Alley, eagerly awaiting the inspecting eyes of boat lovers and potential new owners. Climb aboard brand-new center consoles such as the Donzi 39VRZ, Contender 26BAY, Sportsman Open 252, the latest Everglades model, as well as the Sportsman 231 Heritage and 232 Open that will both feature the Seakeeper Ride System. The exciting new all-electric Candela C-8 hydrofoil boat will make its Annapolis debut. Brand-new manufacturer Aluminus Ray will show off their latest model, among other exquisite models making their debut such as the Princess V50, Regal LS9, Solara S-310 Sport Coupe, as well as the Fountain 39DX_CS. Over 300 new powerboats and counting will fill the Annapolis harbor for the Powerboat Show first weekend in October. Dealers will have their booths staffed with dedicated teams of experts to provide information, answer questions, and assist attendees…
By Michaela Watkins The 2023 Chesapeake Fishing Open (CFO) at Port Covington Marina located within Baltimore Peninsula, the waterfront destination in South Baltimore, will close with a celebration of fresh oysters, soulful blues, and cold brews at the all-new Oysters, Blues & Brews festival. The event calls on seafood lovers, music enthusiasts, and those who are ready to enjoy the best of the Chesapeake Bay seafood and local culture, while supporting conservation. The event kicks off at noon on Saturday, September 16 with plenty of great seafood, as well as a variety of family activities and educational seminars. Local oysters will be available, both raw and grilled. Food trucks will also be on site providing other food options. For adult attendees, pair your meal with a Bloody Mary or Orange Crush at the Absolut Peppar bar. For beer lovers, head over to the Chesapeake Beverage beer truck for a variety of cold and tasty beers. Soulful melodies from renowned local blues band, Kelly Bell Band, will accompany the festivities starting at 5:00 pm until the festival closes at 8:00 pm. This festival is more than just a celebration of food, music, and beer, it is an opportunity to connect with the local community, support sustainable oyster farming initiatives, and help preserve the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Festival-goers are encouraged to take part in a shoreline cleanup organized by the Maryland Waterways Foundation starting at 1:00 pm, as well as a Youth & Family Fishing Derby with boats departing from the festival at 10:00 am and again at 1:00 pm. Event partners include CCA Maryland, Chesapeake Fishing Open, Maryland Waterways Foundation, Minorities in Aquaculture, Blue Water Baltimore, Combos For Kids, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance. Together, these organizations look to preserve the Chesapeake Bay to ensure its beauty and resources…
By Jeremy Cox Skipjacks, deadrises, log canoes, tall ships, bugeyes — the Chesapeake Bay has no shortage of iconic boats. But if a core group of devotees has anything to do with it, a vessel closely associated with the South Pacific could be next. The outrigger canoe is practically synonymous with Polynesian and Hawaiian cultures. Many Americans of a certain age, though, likely received their notions about outriggers from the closing credits of the original version of the TV crime drama Hawaii Five-O, which showed a sequence of muscly men vigorously paddling through waves. That depiction — of brute strength and more than a whiff of masculinity — continues to loom over the sport of outrigger racing in the popular imagination. But the brand practiced by Maryland’s Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club tends, by intention, toward inclusivity and working in harmony. “People of all ages and abilities can do this,” said Bill Key, 72, a longtime member. “You can’t screw it up. We’re thrilled to have you out here no matter what.” To that end, during routine club practices, members are often found welcoming newcomers who want to try their hands at the ancient sport. This spring, they hosted a series of outings explicitly geared toward coaxing novices onto the water, with the hope of boosting membership. So, there I was on a Sunday morning in April, standing with a strange-looking paddle in my hands and absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. The first thing you notice about an outrigger canoe is how long and narrow it is. Single and tandem versions are available. But, like the one in the Hawaii Five-O intro, the craft I boarded could comfortably seat six adults. Most outriggers in this class measure more than 40 feet from stern to bow, roughly…
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