St. Michaels Community Center names Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team

St. Michaels Community Center names Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team

 The St. Michaels Community Center's current renovations are about more than just a building because the new Community Center will be home to new programs, including culinary and hospitality workforce training.

 A new Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team is helping the St. Michaels Community Center plan and execute these new workforce training programs, with advisory members including Chesapeake College Workforce Programs Dean Jason Mullen, Maryland 2022 Chef of the Year and The Inn at Perry Cabin Executive Chef Gregory James, Ava's Pizzeria & Theo's Steakhouse Executive Chef Derek Dilley, Gina's Café Owner and Executive Chef Gina Werner, Perdue Farms Culinary Team Corporate Executive Chef Chris Moyer, CEC, CRC, and Hambleton House Events & Catering Owners Executive Chef Jordan Lloyd and Alice Lloyd.

 “The St. Michaels Community Center has a three-point mission that includes connecting people to resources,” says SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “And now we have connected an incredibly talented group of culinary professionals to help build our future programs. We are extremely grateful for the insights and guidance from these advisory team members."

 

The Community Center’s renovated building will be an adaptive redesign of its current structure, meaning some parts of the World War II-era building will remain. The project team includes general contractor Harper & Sons, Inc. and engineering by Lane Engineers, both of Easton, Md. The project’s architect is McInturff Architects of Bethesda and Neavitt, Md.

 The new building will include a modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen, where SMCC will train people for jobs in restaurants and hotels, and from which the Center can continue to serve and deliver prepared meals and tens of thousands of bags of groceries to those in need.

 The new Community Center also will include a Technology Center where students can do their homework and space for after-school programs and community gatherings. SMCC is working with Chesapeake College and other partners to provide high-level instruction right in the middle of town.

 Architectural renderings of the new building and more about SMCC’s planned capital improvements, including updates and information about how to support the campaign are at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

 The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round essential human services programs and activities for children, families, and adults. Tax-deductible donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred’s communities, with more at www.stmichaelscc.org. 

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 PHOTOS/CUTLINES:

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SMCC Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team Member Chef Jordan Lloyd of Hambleton House Events & Catering, left, with SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe, right, in SMCC's temporary kitchen space during renovations. SMCC is renovating its Railroad Ave. building, which will include a modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen for a new culinary and hospitality workforce training program, with a Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team helping to guide the program’s success. More is at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

 

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From left: The Inn at Perry Cabin Chef Skylar Pasaante, Executive Chef Gregory James, and Food and Beverage Director Katt Bradley bring and serve salad for a recent holiday meal at the St. Michaels Community Center, serving more than 150 people. James is a member of SMCC’s Culinary Advisory Team and is helping the St. Michaels Community Center plan and execute new culinary and hospitality workforce training programs. More is at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

 

21st Annual Midnight Madness to be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 in St. Michaels

 Celebrating the holidays in St. Michaels is a tradition for many, and this year is no different. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is home to many picturesque towns, but none embody an old-fashioned holiday feel quite like St. Michaels.  With our quaint shops, world-class dining and jolly spirit, St. Michaels is transformed during the holidays into a Christmas Village. The holiday spirit is felt throughout town, which makes coming to St Michaels during the holiday season a special experience, year after year, and provides a wonderful backdrop to shop for the holidays. 

Our Countdown to Christmas starts with Small Business Saturday on November 26^th, followed by the 21^st Midnight Madness on December 3^rd where you can Shop, Dine and Stay at participating businesses to receive tickets for your chance to win amazing gift baskets. 

The second weekend in December brings the 36^th Christmas in St. Michaels to town December 9th-11th with Breakfast with Santa, home tours, lighted boat parade, parade through town and much more.  On December 17^th and 18^th we will celebrate “It’s a Wonderful Life in St. Michaels” with participating stores offering specials and refreshments and will donate a portion of their sales to the St. Michaels Community Center.

This year’s 21st Annual Midnight Madness event starts with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at St. Luke's Church on Friday, December 2nd.  The tree lighting started in 2021 to show support for the businesses in town and adorns ornaments representing the town’s businesses. 

Start collecting your tickets at participating retailers on November 12^th through December 3^rd and on December 2^nd at participating restaurants and lodging partners.  On the morning of Midnight Madness, start your day out with a brisk run or walk with St. Michaels Running Company's Holiday Hustle, a scenic 5k Run/Walk along St. Michaels Nature Trail (weather permitting).  New this year, the elves will put on a special event during the day from 1pm - 4pm at St. Luke's Church which will include a Cookie Contest and Ugly Sweater Contest for humans and dogs!   There will also be a jewelry sale at St. Luke's Church during the special event. 

As day turns to night, St. Michaels becomes a beautiful twinkling Christmas Village.  Shops will be open late with refreshments and snacks, and special sales during Midnight Madness, plus each purchase at participating businesses gives you a chance to win raffle prizes valued at over $15,000.   Look for Midnight Madness sponsor posters at your favorite shop, restaurant or lodging locations.  Drawings start at 11:00pm at The Galley Restaurant and participants must be present to win. 

Details can be found on the SMBA website www.stmichaelsmd.org

Christmas in St. Michaels ornament features Maryland Blue Crab

The nineteenth annual Christmas in St. Michaels Limited Edition Collectors Ornament celebrates the consummate Chesapeake icon, the Maryland Blue Crab. The ornament was adapted from an original drawing by local designer and artist Scott Sullivan.

“This year’s ornament is a celebration of our favorite crustacean,” said Christmas in St. Michaels Board President Pat Martin. “Our limited-edition ornament pays homage to the summertime staple of cracking and eating steamed hard-shells or feasting on soft-shells in St. Michaels and throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”, and this year’s ornament is a celebration.”

The ornaments are crafted in 24k gold-plated brass and delivered in a gift box. Included in each box are a description and historical information pertaining to the theme of the ornament. The cost of each ornament is $26.50 including shipping.

The ornaments are available for purchase online, at the Christmas in St. Michaels Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, and at select retail locations including American Holiday Home, Brackish Life, Charisma, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Store, Chesapeake Trading Company, Pemberton Pharmacy & Gifts in St. Michaels, Sea Captain’s Cottage, Shore United Bank’s St. Michaels office, St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Marina & Spa, The Christmas Shop, The Preppy Redneck, and Trade Whims in Easton.

The Dec. 9-11 Christmas in St. Michaels events include a Lighted Boat Parade and festive Talbot Street Parade; a Tour of Homes; Breakfast with Santa; Holiday Music and Meals; a Santa Dash; a Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, and more.

 

Proceeds from Christmas in St. Michaels help the people served by local non-profit organizations, with more than $1.4M in support provided since the event began in 1987. Event updates, online purchases, and more about Christmas in St. Michaels are at christmasinstmichaels.org.

Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to CBMM

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Oct. 25, 2022 – On Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for its annual holiday edition.

 Following a successful April event, the festival is back at CBMM’s waterfront campus for a fun-filled fall weekend, running 10am–4pm Saturday and 10am–3pm Sunday, with all tickets valid for admission on both days.

 “We’ve had such a great response to last year's fall festival that we decided to have one in November again,” said Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival Founder and Organizer Kim Hannon. “It's a great way to help people get a jump on their holiday shopping and enjoy some fabulous art, food, and fun.”

 

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, now in its 11^th year, will highlight artisans and craftspeople who will exhibit and sell coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more. An emphasis for the event will be placed on festive arts and crafts heading into the holiday season. A full listing of vendors and more information can be found at seaglassfestival.com.

 

Each two-day festival ticket includes entrance to the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, live music, and all the exhibitions and historic structures on the CBMM campus. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase, including beer, wine, and cocktails.

 

CBMM’s Tolchester Beach Bandstand will host a full schedule of live music over the two days. Anna Burgess (10am–12:30pm) and Nelly’s Echo (1–4pm) are set to perform on Saturday, while Chris Sacks (10am–12:30pm) and Dave Hawkins (1–3pm) take the stage on Sunday.

 

Executive Director of The Beachcombing Center and sea glass expert, Mary McCarthy, will be available for shard ID under the Hooper Straight Lighthouse on Navy Point both days.

 

On Saturday, festival guests are invited to view a live iron pour demonstration in the Shipyard, beginning at noon, as part of Pour on the Shore hosted by CBMM and Butter Pat Industries.

 

The two-day festival ticket is $6 for CBMM member adults and active members of the military (with ID); $18 for non-member adults; $15 for seniors (age 65 and up), college students and retired military (both with ID); $6 for non-member children ages 6–17; and free for member children 6–17, and all children 5-and-under. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above can also receive the $6 discounted admission for two adult guests.

 Advanced admission tickets can be purchased online at cbmm.org/seaglassfestival, with tickets also sold at CBMM the day of the event. No single-day tickets will be sold.

 Additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running throughout the day.

 

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PHOTOS: 

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PHOTOS BY GEORGE SASS

 On Saturday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 20, the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s waterfront campus. For tickets and more information, visit cbmm.org/seaglassfestival.

Celebrate all things oyster October 29 in St. Michaels

 Get ready to celebrate the Bay’s favorite bivalve at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s OysterFest on Saturday, Oct. 29.

 

Running 10am-4 pm, CBMM’s OysterFest features oysters served a variety of ways, along with other local fare, craft beer, and spirits, plus live music, an oyster stew competition, a full schedule of oyster-themed demonstrations and presentations, children’s activities, and more.

 

At the rain or shine event, festivalgoers can savor Chesapeake Bay oysters, with both raw and cooked options available, from the Talbot Watermen Association and other local oyster farms. There will also be a variety of Chesapeake delicacies and other food offerings via local vendors available for purchase, plus a beverage selection that includes specialty cocktails featuring Windon Distilling Lyon Rum, Chesapeake-style Bloody Marys featuring George’s Beverage Company mix, and an array of local craft beer options.

 

The always-popular oyster stew competition begins at 11am and invites guests to sample offerings from various local restaurants and vote for their favorite, while the American Chesapeake Club will be on hand to discuss Maryland’s official dog, the Chesapeake Bay retriever, and showcase its retrieving ability.

 

One Hundred Shores project is offering a unique workshop that allows guests to connect with the Bay’s water from 100 different locations across the Chesapeake estuary in a dyeing process to create shirts which illustrate a map of the watershed itself. Registration is available now at bit.ly/OysterFestOneHundredShores.

 

In its fourth OysterFest appearance, Maryland-based Swamp Donkey Newgrass will be playing the Tolchester Beach Bandstand all day long, delivering an exciting combination of original songs and unique covers that span many genres in a style they have made all their own. 

Throughout the day, Van Lennep Auditorium will host a variety of guest speakers and oyster-related presentations sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center, starting at 11am with a cooking demonstration from Executive Chef Gregory James from Stars Restaurant at the Inn at Perry Cabin.

 

At 12:45pm, Bivalve Trail podcast host Lexi Hubb will offer a presentation on Thomas Downing, a Black American born free on Virginia’s Eastern Shore who helped make New York City the Oyster Capital of the world in the mid-1800s. Later, Hubb and co-host Bill Troxler will describe how they created the narrative, music and soundscape for Downing’s story, illustrating time periods, settings, and emotions without visual cues. 

 As part of CBMM’s partnership with The Great Maryland Recipe Hunt, food historian Joyce White will offer a culinary history of Chesapeake Bay oysters, beginning at 1:30pm. The foodways documentation project, One Hundred Shores, and the Bivalve Trail programming are presented by the Regional Folklife Center through the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council. 

Family activities include Chesapeake-themed games, activities, and demonstrations, and a chance to build a take-home model boat.

 

Guests will also be able to explore CBMM’s exhibitions, including Oystering on the Chesapeake and Waterman’s Wharf, where they can try tonging or nippering for oysters.

 

They’re also invited to participate in an oyster slurp-off contest, tour one of the visiting Chesapeake Bay buyboats and vessels within CBMM’s historic floating fleet, watch an antique diving demonstration, and visit the Phillips Wharf Fishmobile.

 

This year, OysterFest is generously sponsored by Glenmede and Patriot Cruises and supported by What’s Up Media, Eastern Shore Tents & Events, Windon Distilling, George's Beverage Company, and Kelly Distributors.

 

OysterFest admission is $6 for CBMM member adults and active members of the military (with ID); $18 for non-member adults; $15 for seniors (age 65 and up), college students and retired military (both with ID); $6 for non-member children ages 6–17; and free for member children 6–17, and all children 5 and under. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above can also receive the $6 discounted admission for two adult guests.

 

Food and drinks are available for an additional cost, with carry-on alcohol prohibited. Proceeds from the event support CBMM’s education, restoration, and exhibition programs.

 

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including OysterFest. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is prohibited.

 

Purchase your tickets in advance now and learn more at cbmm.org/oysterfest.