Food for Thought

Living in Oyster Harbor has always been a blessing to me. I've been in the community just over 5 years and still make new discoveries every day. My 13-year-old dog Lucy and I have our various routes and thus far we've discovered a new bench here and there in Arundel-on-the-Bay and a couple piers off of Washington that she enjoys. One even features a library swap box with books from the neighborhood. (The pickin's are pretty good, too!) I'm just now finishing my first book from that library box. It's called "Wild Card Quilt - The Ecology of Home" by Janisse Ray. It's about a young woman who returns to her native Georgia with her son, after being away for a long time. Reading it has helped me process a few things. Essentially, I'm redefining my definition of home, my take on the world, and my place in it. The conclusion I've come to, is that one place does not define us, but we can enjoy the wonder of our present. Oyster Harbor was a great place ...

Few places make lifetime nomads want to settle down, but it seems Oyster Harbor is one of those for Greg Machon and his wife Christine.  The guy has simply been around a lot — around as in like living in 13 states and slated to visit his fiftieth this year! (He’s also been to numerous countries in the Caribbean, and the pair were married in Belize!) So what would make this two service (Go Army!) ... er um, (Go Coastie!), veteran want to drop anchor? Well, that would seemingly be life on the Chesapeake Bay. Thus, the electronics tech slash petroleum supply specialist slash master truck driver slash IT professional decided to land himself a house on stilts...and a nice view to boot. Most folks in Oyster Harbor probably know Greg -- and if they don't, they at least know his dog, "Butter." Advertised as an Australian Shepherd, Butter was not expected to be so big. Per her later doggy DNA test, Butter is part Rottweiler, Collie, Saint Bernard, and German Shepherd. Regardless, ...

Oyster Harbor is a racially integrated community located on the Annapolis Neck. Historically the site of Black family vacation homes, Oyster Harbor and the surrounding communities are now a melting pot. Many residents are retirees, several are the descendants of Black homeowners, and there are many White yuppie families of four (...with a cat, etc.). Despite this diverse population, street signage within Oyster Harbor largely caters to yet another population: dogs. Accordingly, we have two beaches so as to properly distinguish who is welcome, when, and where. Specifically, we have a human beach and a dog beach. (Socialization is encouraged at the dog beach on Thursday nights, affectionately termed "Yappy Hour," similar to the humans' "Happy Hour.") Along with those distinctions, there are signs throughout the community addressed to the four-legged population...or better yet, for the caregivers thereof. And, as you will note, the signage has a humor all its own...

View of waterfowl and church on Tangier Island Every place you go has a special kind of talk. When the Foote family arrived from Wyoming to Superior, Nebraska in 1991, they encountered a different kind of lingo than they were used to. They weren’t always “fixin’ to go” somewhere “fer to get” something, but they would “prolly” agree with you that they’re hungry for “dinner,” even if it turns out to be served at lunch time… Such regional peccadillos have always fascinated the Footes’ daughter, Shayna. Having graduated from Superior High School in 1994, she went to Hastings College for a bit and studied diction of foreign languages. Later enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, she picked up Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California and later went on to study the Georgian language. The Foote girls - Shayna and her mother, Sandy - have always loved things a bit exotic. For Sandy’s most recent trip to see her daughter, they decided to go on a linguistic and nautical...

Future Terps visit Testudo the Terrapin at UMD College Park The University of Maryland hosted thousands of visitors for Maryland Day on April 28th. It was the twentieth anniversary celebration of the event, which had exciting demonstrations, exhibitions and performances from students at a variety of colleges at the University. Highlights: Activities cultivated innovation and imagination University students educated the public through exhibitions, presentations and performances Police, Medical Staff, Transportation professionals discussed safety, health, and welfare

It's a special sight to behold along Chesapeake Walk. The first is that of the Bay Bridge. And the second? That would be David Delia getting a haircut from his wife on their second story balcony. While Margaret trims, Dave is gazing out at the various waterfowl feeding near their pier. It's a day when there's a slight breeze. There's no need for Margaret to sweep up Dave's white hair. (He jokes that the birds use it as nesting material.) And there's no need to do anything at all, but relax and get a haircut...at home. Dave Delia's collection of marker buoys from crab pots Story highlights: Chesapeake Walk is a place for both home owners and dog walkers to enjoy How to get the Blue Angels to come a little closer and not be shy Volunteerism in your community helps both you and your neighbors The view of the Bay isn't owned by anyone, but enjoyed by all

For many in Annapolis, home is on the water. And for friends of Annapolitians, a special home away from home is Sam's on the Waterfront. Offering both a seasonal menu and a fresh variety of the fishermen's best catch, Sam's has something for everyone. A place to reunite with friends, Sam's was the perfect place to take my friend Heather Wiley - an HR specialist in the D.C. area. Well traveled and having a seasoned palate from her days as a road warrior, Heather was more than prepared to take advantage of many options on Sam's winter menu. Heather first started off with edamame with Chesapeake salt as an appetizer. She later got a hankering for cream of crab soup. For her main course, Heather selected the seafood linguine. She also ordered the shrimp po boy to take home for her boyfriend. For dessert, she opted for the key lime pie. Dinner was delectable and so was the conversation. As she chatted about her son's recent wedding, Heather enjoyed the view...