Autumn

Thursday
Thursday,September
September 28,28,
20172017

In Southern Maryland

County Times St. Marys County l Calvert County

2 Autumn In Southern Maryland
Stay safe
around
power lines
As we slide into fall, many
people are finishing projects
around the house and
yard in preparation for the
coming winter months. Its
important to stay safe and
be aware of overhead
power lines. Look up.
Never climb power poles
or transmission towers.
Never climb trees near
power lines.
Keep equipment away
from overhead lines when
carrying ladders, pool
skimmers, and pruning tools.
If you are doing work close
to power linessuch as
trimming trees, working
on your roof, or doing
exterior renovations
keep yourself, your ladder
and anything you are
handling a safe distance
from the power line.
Contact SMECO to
In addition to disconnect power
overhead lines, if you are doing
SMECO has many work that requires
underground electric close contact with
lines. Call Miss Utility overhead lines
at 811 before you dig. attached to
your home.
Use a licensed electrician
for all electrical work.
Plant trees away from
power lines.

Download our free mobile app or use our texting

service to report an outage or pay your bill.
www.smeco.coop/SMECO247

A Look Inside...
Oyster Festival
MAKE THE MOST of Oktoberfest
DuckFest
Riverside WineFest
Blessing of the Fleet
VISIT LOCAL FAIRS, SHOPS & STANDS
CELEBRATE THE RIVER AT PRAD
ENJOY AN ECO-FRIENDLY AUTUMN
COrn Mazes OPENING SOON
FUN AND SAFE HALLOWEEN GUIDE
PRESERVE CARVED PUMPKINS
FALL FOLIAGE EXCURSION
ANNUAL TASTE OF SOLOMONS
APPLE AND PUMPKIN PICKING TIPS
FUN FACTS ABOUT AUTUMN
Thursday, September 28, 2017 3
Your
Future
4
Awaits at St. Marys Ryken!
5 a College Preparatory Catholic High School
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Admissions Open House on
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Visit www.smrhs.org/AdmissionsEvents to RSVP.
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10 Scholars Program with STEM, Fine Arts, Humanities
and Global & International Studies tracks
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15 27 students in the Class of 2017 received offers of admission
to honors colleges
16 Discover the Difference.
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Apply today!
18 Application deadline: 12/10/17
19 Visit www.smrhs.org to learn more.
4 Autumn In Southern Maryland

Oyster Festival
Celebrating
51 Year
st
The idea of the oyster festival was first hatched
back in 1967 when the newly formed Rotary Club
of Lexington Park was looking for a project, which
would benefit both the membership and the local
community. More than half-a-century later, the
festival has grown beyond the initial 1,000 visitors,
now seeing more than 15,000 visitors a year and
hosting more than 75 artists,displays, vendors, and
more. Childrens activities, multiple food vendors
of all sorts, and live musical acts round out the
weekend.
The 51st annual St. Marys County Oyster Festival
is set to open Oct. 21 and run through Oct. 22 with
activities designed for the entire community to
enjoy, all centered around the native oyster.
All Day Activities (Both Days):
Oysters and seafood galore
Musical acts on three stages
Oyster Cooking demos
The Tasting Room: Get a Flight of local Oystersand
sample the regions best shellfish paired with local craft
beer and wine
Craft anddomestic beer & local wines
Special 50th celebration merchandise & cookbook
Evening Concert
Arts & Craft and other vendors
Childrens entertainment
Watch the Competitions:
Oyster shuckers come from all over the country to
compete for the title of US Shucking Champion. Its not
Photo Frank Marquart
all about speed, though. The judges look at the presen-
tation of the oysters and how cleanly they have been
shucked, giving penalties for things like chipped shells,
dirt left in the oyster, or cut oysters.The winner in 2015
was Duke Landry, who shucked his 24 oysters in 2 min
and 16.76 seconds!
Try Oysters like Youve Never Tasted:
Cook-Off competitors also come from around
the country and compete in three categories: hors
doeuvres, soups/stews, and main dishes. Professional
chefs serve as the judges, although the public gets a
chance to vote on their favorite dish as well!Winning
entries are collected into a cookbook which is available
at the festival.
From St. Marys County Division of Tourism

The 51stAnnual

Continuing the Tradition

OCTOBER 21-22, 2017
St. Marys County Fairgrounds
Saturday 10AM-6PM | Sunday 11AM-6PM
Home of the US National Oyster Shucking Competition
and the US National Oyster Cook-Off
$10 Admission | Kids 12 and under FREE
Food | Music | Childrens Rides & Entertainment | Craft Vendors | and a whole lot more!
Sponsored By:

Duckfest to Benefit
Local Charities
Duckfest Beer & Music Festival is coming!
The Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill is proud to
announce our second annual DuckFest: Beer
& Music Festival on Sunday, October 1st from
1pm to 6pm.
DuckFest is a Fundraising event based
on the German celebration of Oktoberfest,
complete with live music, craft beer from
various Calvert County breweries, authentic
scratch made German cuisine and a variety
of children and adult games and activities.
DuckFest is a family friendly event with plenty
of fun for young and experienced (youre not
old) alike!!
One-hundred percent of the proceeds
of our second annual DuckFest will benefit
the United Way of Calvert County and Bay
Community Support Services, Inc. (BAY-CSS).
The United Way provides support to 38 agen-
cies in Calvert County and funds programs
in areas of Education, Financial Stability and
Health so that change is possible for strug-
gling families in our community.
Bay-CSS is a full-service agency serving
Southern Maryland that provides support to
people with disabilities to help them attain
their fullest employment productivity and
inclusion in their community.
The Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill and
Make the Most of
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest dates back to 1810, when
festivities commenced on October 12 to cele-
brate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince
Ludwig to Princess Therese von Sachsen-
Hildburghausen. While the Crown Prince
and his bride have long since passed away,
Oktoberfest celebrations continue, and the
standard-bearing party in Munich is annually
among the worlds most anticipated events.
Those who cant make it to Germany this
October can rest assured that there is likely
an Oktoberfest celebration in close prox-
imity to their homes. Making the most of
these celebrations can help revelers feel as if
theyre in Munich after all.
Get up and dance. Even celebrants
who are unlikely to be mistaken for Fred and
Ginger anytime soon recognize the impor-
tant role music plays in Oktoberfest celebra-
tions. While some may mistake it for polka,
the music played at Oktoberfest celebrations
Thursday, September 28, 2017 5
our sister operations Ruddy Duck Seafood
and Alehouse, Canards Catering and Event
Production and Cone Island Ice Cream have
a long history of supporting the community.
We have long wanted to host a major event
combining our love of entertaining with our
desire to do good for our community. And so
we will with the annual DuckFest!
There is no shortage of exciting activi-
ties at DuckFest! Join us for live music from
2pm to 6pm culminating with a headlining
performance from the Ryan Forrester Band.
Try your hand at one of our many interactive
games, like giant beer pong, giant jenga, or
corn hole.
Channel your inner German during our
yodeling contest, yard drinking contest, and
best dressed couple award. Dont worry;
weve got fun activities for the little ducklings
too! Enjoy a face painting station and a duck
pond with prizes!
Ticket pricing includes admission and
tickets for food or drink. $20 for Admission
Ticket for 21+ with 1 food/drink ticket and
souvenir Duckfest beer stein $15 for ages
12-20 with 1 food/drink ticket $10 for Desig-
nated Drivers with 1 food/drink ticket. Chil-
dren under 12 are free. Get your tickets today
at www.unitedwaycalvert.org/register.
is actually German oompah. Those skittish
about stepping in may want to wait until they
(and their friends and family also in atten-
dance) have finished a stein before taking to
the dance floor.
Get home safe. Arrange transporta-
tion home before attending an Oktoberfest
celebration. Such celebrations tend to be
rowdy, and the lively spirit of the festival can
make it easy for revelers to lose track of how
many steins they have hoisted throughout
the day. To ensure everyone arrives home
safely, revelers can assign a designated driver
from their group or arrange for a taxi or ride-
sharing service to take them to and from
the festival so no one feels the need to get
behind the wheel.
Oktoberfest is annually one of the
worlds biggest parties, but celebrants need
not go all the way to Munich to enjoy a
raucous celebration.
6 Autumn In Southern Maryland
15th Annual
winefest
Riverside
October 7 & 8
At Sotterley
Wine Tastings, Live Music, Artisans,
Local Food & Craft Beer Vendors, Tours
of the 1703 Plantation House &
Colonial Revival Garden, and more!
Discount Tickets Available
online at Sotterley.org
until October 1st
Ghosts of Sotterley
A Walking Tour of
Southern Marylands Dark Past
October 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28
Tickets must be purchased online at
SOTTERLEY.ORG
Sotterley Mansion
Gearing Up for
WineFest
The 15th Annual Riverside WineFest
at Sotterley will celebrate the very best
regional wineries in the breathtaking
setting of this National Historic Landmark!
This event is all good things rolled into
one weekend with wine from Maryland
wineries, food and beer vendors, live music,
educational & entertaining demonstrations,
local artisans, free tours of the 1703 Plan-
tation House and Colonial Revival Garden
Tours and more.
The wineries set to participate this
yearare:
Bordeleau Winery Cove Point Winery
Dragonfly Vineyard Far Eastern Shore
Winery Fridays Creek Winery Gemeny
Winery Il Doce Winery Janemark Winery
Knob Hall Winery Linganore Winery
Port of Leonardtown Winery Romano
Winery Running Hare Winery Slack
Winery Solomons Island Winery St.
Michaels WineryThe Urban Winery
More than just wines will be available,
including multiple musical acts and arts and
crafts. Craft vendors include:
Backyard Kitchen Barclay
Soap Bleecker and Pacific Designs ChNaca house.
Fiberworks Flawless Metals FreeThinkers
Brewing Fuzzy Farmers Market Grace
at Work Gourmet Steve Habitat Wood-
works Heritage Chocolates Kurbaga
Artisans Nutt House Wine and
Wood Paintings by David Zippi Parfec-
tions Plantation Peanuts Port Furni-
ture Rainbows End Revivify Rust2Relics
Food and Craft Beer Vendors
willinclude:
Photo provided by Sotterly Riverside WineFest
Mullys Brewery Ruddy Duck
Brewery Mikes BBQ Sunshines
Catering Myras New Orleans Cusine &
Snowballs Sir Pops-A-Lot Kettle Corn
Sunshine Girls Lemonade Blue Wind
Gourmet Mrs. Moos Ice Cream Rotary
Club Oysters Nicolettis Pizza Earth 2 Table
Catering
Purchasers of Tasting and Designated
Driver or Non-Drinker ticket(s) must be 21
or older. A VALID ID MUST BE PRESENTED
in order to allow entry into the event (we
must card everyone, please be sure to bring
a valid ID).
Tasting tickets include sampling
glass and samples of wine from attending
vendors. Wine will be available by the
attending wineries for sample and sale by
the glass, bottle and case.
Sorry, but all tickets are non-refund-
able. Event will take place rain or shine. No
coolers or picnics. No pets allowed. $2
Parking Fee (cash only) ATMs available on
the field! This historical site is not wheel-
chair friendly. Wheelchairs and strollers
are not allowed on tours of the plantation
Every attempt will be made for the
event to take place. In the case of having
to reschedule or cancel the event, we will
not issue any refunds. In this unlikely occur-
rence, you may use your verification of
payment as a taxable donation receipt to
Historic Sotterley.
- From Historic Sotterley Plantation
 Thursday, September 28, 2017 7
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8 Autumn In Southern Maryland
Blessing Of the Fleet Marks 50th A lot of folks not familiar with
Anniversary
Marylands history or the importance
of the seafood industry in Maryland
may wonder what the Blessing of the
Fleet is. It is a religious celebration of
Marylands Birthplace, the landmark
of St. Clements Island, and a blessing
of the boats, or fleet, as October 1
generally begins the oyster harvesting
season in Maryland.
In the early years of the 7th
District Optimist Club, Father John J.
Madigan, Pastor of Holy Angels Church
in Avenue, MD, suggested to Club
President James Banagan that there
should be an annual event to bless the
oyster boats as they began the harvest
season, and to celebrate the history of
Marylands Birthplace.
They decided to name this
event the Blessing of the Fleet, and
celebrated that year at the end of
September. The first event saw 700
people attend, but the following year,
through help and support from the
local community as well as the Mary-
land Watermens Association and Harry
Lundenberg School of Seamanship,
over 5,000 peopleattended.
r t at
Sta m
8p
This years Blessing of the Fleet on
October 7 and 8 marks a landmark 50th
Anniversary. Even though the event is
no longer held on the island, but on
the grounds of the St. Clements Island
Museum, tours of the island are offered
each day with a pleasant boat ride from
the museum boat dock. And, a Catholic
mass will be celebrated on the island
on Sunday at 3 p.m. in front of the
reconstructed Blackistone Lighhouse.
Saturday features an opening
ceremony at 11 a.m. and Sunday the
conferring of Waterman of the Year
honors at 11 a.m. followed by a parade.
Each day features many chil-
drens activities, music, arts and crafts
vendors and plenty to eat and drink.
The festival is at the end of Route
242 in Coltons Point. Parking is avail-
able at several spots along Route 242
with free bus transportation to the
festivals museum venue.
For more information, including
the complete schedule, go to
www.7thdistrictoptimist.org/Blessing.
html
Photo provided by 7th District Optimist Club
Admission $10
Kids 12 & Under Free

Plan a Day to Visit
Local Fairs, Shops
and Stands
Autumn is tailor-made for getting out
of the house to enjoy the great outdoors.
With crisp temperatures perfect for strolls
or sightseeing and breathtaking scenery
awash in bright autumnal hues, autumn
landscapes make for the ideal back-
drop for weekend plans, including shop-
ping excursions.
Fall is a great season to enjoy festi-
vals, farmers markets and craft fairs, as
merchants look to liquidate inventory
before they prepare for the rush of the
upcoming holiday season. Cities, towns,
hamlets, and everything in between will
host their share of open markets and more
with great deals to be had, and fall is an
ideal time to visit local shops and stands.
Fresh produce
Farms big and small are bursting with
produce come the fall. You can find the
last vestiges of summer crops mingling
with the first fruits of autumn. Grab
the last of tomatoes and start thinking
ahead to apples, squashes, lettuces, and
grapes. You can even get an early start on
pumpkin season both for cooking and
carving.
Stock the car with reusable tote
bags and scour the farmers markets
for seasonal finds. Chances are you also
might pick up some extra treats, such as
fresh honey or canned jams.
Food finds
As plants are harvested, many items
are turned into delicious treats. No
Thursday, September 28, 2017 9
Green Acres
Nursery
Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm Sat. 8am-5pm
Closed on Sundays
M ums $5 (9 in. p
Corn Stalks ll ot
Pumpkins
Fa
)
Fall Pansies
Perennials
Patio
Planters
Pavers
Statuary
Containers
Trees & Shrubs
autumn shopping excursion is complete
Concrete 15% Off through October
40700 Parson Mill Road Leonardtown, MD 20650
until you smell a fresh-baked apple pie or
some apple cider doughnuts. Corn breads
and fritters, cranberry snacks and wines
from nearby wineries also are easy to find
Summerseat Farm
in autumn. These items make welcome
additions to your own pantry, or bring a
freshly made treat to a friend or family
members home when paying a visit.
Also, dont miss the food-related
festivals that pop up on community calen-
Fun on the Farm
dars in the fall. From garlic to potatoes
to pumpkins to cheeses, many seasonal Open House & Artisan Market
items are on display. You also can sample
these foods in interesting applications
and make a day of gathering recipes and
Sunday, October 1
supplies to enjoy later. - crafts - farm animals - hayrides - tour the house -
Crafts, jewelry and dcor
- games - pumpkin painting -
Include a trip to a craft fair, where local
vendors come together to display and sell - make and take home scarecrow (fee) - bring a picnic -
their wares, on your weekend schedule.
Handcrafted items make thoughtful and See new baby buffalo
unique gifts, which can be tucked away Music by Joseph Norris - 12 to 2:00 pm
for giving later in the year. Artisan Market - 9 to 4 pm (free)
Booths at these types of events tend Open House - 11 to 3 ($10 per family donation)
to be diverse. Spend the day strolling
town squares or closed-off city centers, WWW.SUMMERSEAT.ORG
and you may find some hand-fashioned 26655 THREE NOTCH ROAD, MECHANICSVILLE, MD
jewelry or home-crafted artisanal soaps. Summerseat Farm, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprot organization formed to
save the farm and is completely supported by volunteers and memberships.
Those eager to enhance their homes See www.summerseat.org or our facebook page to volunteer or for more information.
dcor may find unique items like painted
signs, knit afghans and much more.
Shopping local shops, farms and fairs
is a great way to enjoy the fresh autumn
air while supporting local businesses.
Corn Mazes in Southern Maryland
10 Autumn In Southern Maryland

Bowles Farms Greenstreet Gardens

Bowles Farms annual corn maze will be open in two days time, with the theme The Greenstreet Gardens is hosting its fall festival from Sep. 23 to
being Maryland Pride. The corn maze will stay open till Oct. 29. Oct. 29. The festival is open every weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 5p.m.
The corn maze has two routes for visitors: one is shorter than the other one. There The farm also hosts field trips weekdays in October. Activities for
is also a kiddy trail designed for kids. children include the corn maze and jumping pillow. Children can also
All visitors will be handed a map and a flag at the gate. If someone gets lost, that learn about pollinators, how corn grows, fun facts about pumpkins
person could hold the flag up, and a staff member at the lookout tower would commu- andmore.
nicate the exact location to a corn cop through radio. The corn cop can help the visitor General admission is $13 per person. For seniors (65-year-old or
find the way out or just provide enough direction so that he or she can keep going. older), the rate is $10. Military members with active or retired ID pay
Other than the corn maze, Bowles said there are plenty of activities on the farm for $10. Call for group pricing.
kids and families. The price includes six-acre corn maze, jumping pillow, hayrides,
The petting zoo is one of the kids favorite. The zoo has goat, pigs, bunnies and cow train, hair painting, face painting, tire tower, tractor play set, corn
other animals. box, underground slide,
Other activities on the farm include riding the corn maze express, kids barrel ride, shortie maze, straw
kids corn boxes, straw jumping pits, kids slides, kids straw maze and take picture by the castle, teepee and more,
farms big Sponge Bob. There are additional charges for purchasing a Pumpkin, Face according to its website.
Painting and buying cupcakes from the Farmers Daughter Cupcake Shop. The admission price
Farm admission is $10 per person. Children younger than three are free to attend. does not include food,
For a group of 15 or more, the discounted rate is $8 per person. The farm only accepts drinks, animal feed or
cash and checks, but there will be an ATM on site. pumpkins.
The corn maze is open for six weeks from Sep. 30 to Oct. 29 this year. On weekends, The location is
the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 5 p.m. From Monday 391 West Bay Front
through Friday, an appointment is needed for schools and daycare groups. The farm Rd., Lothian. Website is
will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekdays. w w w.greenstreetgar-
The farms address is 22880 Budds Creek Road (Route 234), Clements. dens.com.
For more information, call 301-475-2139 or email bowlesfarms@rcn.com.

Bowles Farms Acres of Adventure!

Pick Your own pumpkin
Giant Slides

Corn Maze & Pumpkin Farm Childrens Barrel Rides

Jumping Pit
Corn Maze Express
Open Saturday, September 30th BARNYARD ANIMALS
thru Sunday October 29th cupcake shop
Monday thru Friday: Schools, Large Groups
By Appointment Only (9:30 am- 1:30 pm)
Saturday & Sunday
10 am to 6 pm

Food & Refreshments On-Site | Large Covered Picnic Area

Air-Conditioned/ Heated Restrooms | Special Weekend Events
Admission: $10 www.bowlesfarms.com | 301.475.2139
3 & under FREE bowlesfarms@rcn.com
Group Rates Available 22880 Budds Creek Road, Clements, MD 20624
for 15 and More (At the intersection of Rt. 234 and Pincushion Rd. in Clements)

Forrest Hall Farm
Forrest Hall Farm located on Avie Lane in Mechanicsville is a family-
owned farm growing a variety of seasonal produce and fruit, and is also
home to one of the largest corn mazes in St. Marys during the fall season.
The Farm Store features gifts, collectibles, local produce and fruit, local
meats, flowers, ciders, homemade apple and pumpkin donuts, and
much more. The farm is also a member grape grower of Marylands only
grape-growers co-op for the Port of Leonardtown Winery. Its great for
school trips and childrens parties. Seasonal hours, call or visit website
for details at ForrestHallFarm.com or call 301-884-3086.
Thursday, September 28, 2017 11
Spider Hall Farm
The eight-acre corn maze at the Spider Hall Farm is open to the public in the
month of October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, according to the farms
website.
General Admission $8 per person (Ages 4-15)
$5 per person (Ages 16 & up)
Kids 3 and under are FREE , but must be accompanied by a paid adult. Chil-
dren under 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult.
The farm admission rate includes corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, giant
slide, moon bounce, corn box and vendor market. Pumpkins are sold for addi-
tional charges. The rate for pre-scheduled groups of 15 or more is $8 per person.
The farm is located at 3915 Hallowing Point Rd., Prince Frederick. For more

Montpelier Farms
information, call 410-610-0094.

The corn mazes are included in the fall festival at Montpelier Farms.
Montpelier Farms fall festival starts from early September and lasts
till Nov. 5. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and
from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Starting in October, the farm is open
to public from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays.
General admission is $12, and kids who are two-year-old or younger
are free to attend. For a group of more than 20 guests, the rate is $10 per
person. The price includes the seven-acre corn maze, First Responders
corn maze, hayrides, pedal karts, cow belly bounce house, kids corral,
cub corral, roping range, hill slides, straw bale maze, pallet maze and
more.
The address is 1720 Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro. For more infor-
mation, call 410-320-0464 or visit their website at www.montpelier-
farms.com/5301.html.
12 Autumn In Southern Maryland

Celebrate the River

at the Calvert Marine Museum

Free
FUN
for
all!

Celebrate the River

at PRAD
Patuxent River Appreciation Days Free Family Fun for All Ages
October 7 & 8 Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD),
10a.m. - 5p.m. one of Southern Marylands longest running
PRAD Parade is Sunday at 2p.m. festivals, celebrates its 40th year on October 7 and
8 at the Calvert Marine Museum. All members of
www.calvertmarinemuseum.com the family can enjoy the fun from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Museum admission is free.
The arts and craft show with over twenty
five artists will be located in the museums
the small business interest group parking lot along with local food vendors. The
invites you to an two music stages will host live performances
including Chesapeake Swing Band, Some
appreciation Assembly, GrooveSpan, Smoke Creek Rounders,
and many more. Children can build their own toy
dinner boats while the whole family enjoys free cruises
aboard the Wm. B. Tennison and Dee of St. Marys.
Visitors can row in canoes and ride the pedal boat
in honor of
welcome to join the parade with cash prizes
offered for best float entries. To enter your float
or organization, contact Randy Geck at rgeck@
xecu.net.
PRAD is made possible through the
generous support of the Board of County
Commissioners and in part by the Calvert Marine
Museum, Calvert Artists Guild, Calvert Water-
mans Association, Pa-Po-Peake Shrine Club, and
the American Legion-Arick L. Lore Post. For more
information about PRAD, including a complete
schedule of events, visit www.bit.ly//PRAD2017,
or call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.
PRAD Music Performance Schedule:
Saturday, October 7 PNC Waterside
Pavilion Stage
11:45 12:45 p.m., Jay Armsworthy

Patrick M. Buehler
in the boat basin throughout the weekend.
See dozens of non-profit groups that cele- 1 2 p.m. Pond Scum
2:15 3:15 p.m. California Ramblers
brate the river in a wide variety of ways. There will
3:30 4:45 p.m. Chesapeake Swing Band
be exhibits, demonstrations, displays, and educa-
Saturday, October 7 Corbin Stage
lifelong resident & former Commissioner tional activities about green products, recycling,
10:30 a.m. Bone & String
of Calvert County oyster farming, native plants, wildlife, restoration
11:45 12:45 p.m. Bob Pfeiffer and Eric Skow
efforts, live animals, and more.
1 2 p.m. Some Assembly
Learn about the practical use of rain barrels
live music 2:15 3:15 p.m. Patuxent Voices
thursday and sign-up now for a workshop offered at 1 p.m.
3:30 4:30 p.m. Smoke Creek Rounders
oct. 12 cocktail
or 2 p.m. For more information contact Jackie
Takas at 240-393-6508 or online at www.exten-
hour with Sunday, October 8 PNC Waterside Pavilion
sion.umd.edu/watershed.
$50 /person open bar & Stage
Back by popular demand is Bounty of the
heavy hors 1 2 p.m. GrooveSpan
Patuxent in the Corbin Pavilion. On Saturday,
located at
doeuvres 3 4 p.m. Calvert Dance Band
chesapeake beach local wineries will offer wine tasting. A wonderful
resort & spas
@ 6:30pm The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to
array of fall produce, potted mums, honey and
Rod N Reel 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for
restaurant homemade jellies/jams and lavender products
surf & turf seniors, military with valid I.D. and AAA members,
will also be available for sale.
seated dinner and $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under
4165 mears avenue Get a head start on holiday shopping in
chesapeake beach, md
@ 7:30pm 5 and museum members are always admitted
the Museum Store with new items arriving daily,
free. For more information about the museum,
including books, home dcor, themed clothing,
upcoming events, or membership, visit the
childrens puppets, and jewelry.
website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or
tickets available online at cbresortspa.ticketleap.com The annual PRAD Parade with a one mile
call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook, follow us
route along Solomons Island Road will begin
on Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.
Sunday at 2 p.m. Non-profit organizations are
 Thursday, September 28, 2017 13

Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Autumn
Autumn arrives with cool breezes, awe-inspiring
foliage and the hint of holidays on the horizon. Fall is
a favorite time of year for many people because the
crisp weather motivates people of all ages to enjoy the
greatoutdoors.
Individuals conscious of their carbon footprints
can use fall as a time to take inventory of their behaviors
and make changes where necessary. The following are
some steps to take right now that fit perfectly with the
harvestseason.
Shop at a local farm
stand. Take advantage of
the many roadside stands
that crop up this time
of year where you can
find bushels of apples,
pumpkins, gourds, and
late-summer vegetables.
After a day of sightseeing,
visit a farm stand for warm
cider and freshly baked
doughnuts. Buying local
produce reduces reliance
on foreign-shipped foods
and other products, while
also cutting back on the
fuel consumed to get
foods from the farm to
the table.
Use nature to deco-
rate. Skip plastic, mass-produced decorations and rely on
nature to dress up your home. Fill vases with leaves and
berries. Place small pumpkins on mantles, and enrich
the landscape of your home with vibrantly hued mums
and other cool-weather plants. Corn husks and stalks can
add harvest flair to front porches. Twigs nestled and tied
together can make interesting table centerpieces.
Create a composting pile. Outdoor chores are easier
in cool weather than they are when the mercury rises.
Set aside a place in the yard for composting. A healthy
compost pile should have roughly two-thirds carbon
(brown) materials and one-third nitrogen (green) mate-
rials, says EarthEasy.com. Use those lawn clippings and
raked leaves to make compost for spring plantings.
Visit a corn maze. After corn has been harvested,
farm owners often use their land for supplemental
income. Corn mazes can be simple or complex depending
on visitors ages. Engage in family bonding outside and
turn off electronics in the process.
Bake your own pie. After a fun-filled day picking
apples at a nearby orchard, head home and use those
locally sourced apples to whip up a delicious pie.
Recycle old clothes to dress your scarecrow.
Clothing that is not worthy of donation can be trans-
formed into a festive scarecrow just in time for Halloween
hijinks. Fill out the body of the scarecrow with newspaper
and then add some pieces of straw around the neck,
hands and feet.
Host a football party. Watch the game on television
or have a pickup game in the yard. Serve finger foods to
cut down on the need for plastic or paper plates and flat-
ware. Purchase a keg of beer from a local brewery to elimi-
nate individual beer cans and bottles. Set out a nonalco-
holic punch bowl so the kids can enjoy refreshments, too.
Autumn can be a great time of year to embrace
some eco-friendly practices.

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costumes, eye-catching decor, and enough
scares and tricks to amuse thrill-seekers.
While fun is often the primary focus of
Halloween, party hosts also need to priori-
tize safety when hosting spooky soires.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, an
organization dedicated to protecting kids
from unintentional injuries, twice as many
kids are killed while walking on Halloween
compared to other days of the year.
But Halloween isnt just for kids
anymore. Alcohol has become a big part of
many adults Halloween celebrations, and
that means hosts must take steps to safe-
guard their guests from overdoing it with
alcohol. Traffic accident reports compiled
from 2008 to 2012 by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration show that more
than 50 percent of all fatal car accidents on
Halloween involve a drunk driver.
As party planners start to plan their
Halloween festivities, its important to
remember that safety must be a priority.
Prepare the space. A raucous party
may lead to accidents around the house.
Move out any extra furniture so guests have
more space to move around. Remove break-
able items from rooms where guests will
spend most of their time.
Skip the candles. Battery-operated
tealights create the effect of real candles
without the danger. Illuminate jack-o-
lanterns and other Halloween items with
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT US ONLINE flickering LEDs, which wont start a fire if
theyre knocked over.
WWW.EBEHAUNTS.COM Hire a bartender. If the party is an adult
affair, invest in a professional bartender
or server who can monitor guests alcohol
consumption. He or she can cut off those
who have had too much and prevent guests
from becoming intoxicated.
Provide adequate lighting. Darkness
might remind many of Halloween, but an
entertaining space should not be so dark
that guests cannot move around safely. Be
sure to illuminate all walkways and clearly
indicate exits so that guests can get to safety
if necessary. Remove any obstacles on the
floor that are tripping hazards, and be sure
to use nonslip runners and rugs.
Practice food safety. Many Halloween
treats and desserts contain nuts, and this
can pose a hazard to those with nut aller-
gies. Label foods and attempt to make the
party nut-free if there is someone attending
with a nut allergy. Many foods can be left
out at room temperature for anywhere from
one to two hours. Promptly refrigerate any
leftovers so that they do not spoil and cause
foodborne illnesses.
Arrange for transportation home.
Guests who imbibe should have a safe
and sober means of getting home. This
may mean arranging for cabs or ride-share
services for guests.
Keep an eye on kids. Children can get
into mischief any day of the year, but espe-
cially so under the cloak of Halloween dark-
ness. Routinely conduct a head count to be
sure everyone is safe and sound.
Halloween parties can be safe and
enjoyable at the same time. Enlist the
help of others to ensure that all guests are
protected while they engage in costume-
clad fun.
 Thursday, September 28, 2017 15

Preserve Carved Pumpkins

in Various Ways place. This will help slow down the rotting process for pumpkins exposed
to outdoor fungi, other microbes and warm sunlight.
Use an artificial light source. Reduce the heat inside of the pumpkin
and encourage hydration by selecting a battery-powered light instead of a
lit candle to illuminate the carving.
Skip the carving. Once pumpkin skin is compromised, microbes can
enter. In lieu of carving, paint or decorate pumpkins in other ways if you
want them to stay fresh for a long time. Glow in the dark paint can help
pumpkins stand out at night.
Carved pumpkins may last a week or two, while uncut pumpkins can
last for a month or more. Keeping pumpkins hydrated and mold-free will
prolong your designs.

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Choose a sturdy pumpkin. Inspect the pumpkin of your choosing
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quickly expand into a mushy mess. Select pumpkins with even color and
firm flesh, and make sure that the pumpkin doesnt feel tender when you
push on the skin.
Visit local pumpkin stands. Pumpkins that have been shipped miles
and miles in hot cargo trucks may be overly ripened or battered. Pump-
kins that were grown nearby may be fresher. Plus, buying pumpkins locally
supports local farmers.
Scrape the insides of the pumpkin thoroughly. Any moist bits inside
the pumpkin will mold quickly. The pumpkin carving experts at Pumpkin
Masters recommend scraping as much of the guts out as possible, leaving
about a one-inch thickness of the wall of the pumpkin.
Coat the pumpkin. Preservation methods may aim to keep the
pumpkin hydrated and inhibit mold and other microbial growth. Commer- 1
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Keep it out of the elements. Store carved pumpkins in a cool, dry
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16 Autumn In Southern Maryland
Plan Your Fall Foliage Excursion
Autumn means different things to many
people. Students may embrace the dawn of a new
school year, while others might embrace the crisp
weather after a season of heat. One of the more
widely enjoyed aspects of autumn is the chance to
take in the brilliant foliage.
Although New England may be renowned
for its bright, orange, red and yellow panoramas,
dazzling displays of foliage can be witnessed
anywhere temperatures descend enough for
deciduous trees to shed their leaves.
The first step to a successful fall foliage
excursion is to find the right spot. The Catskill
and Adirondack Mountains of New York, Amish
Country in Pennsylvania, the Great Lakes from
Michigan to Ohio, and many other areas can be
great places to witness nature at its most colorful.
To make the most of fall foliage road trips, drivers
can keep the following suggestions in mind.
Get off the highway. To see great fall vistas,
take a detour from major thoroughfares and visit
small towns and mountain passes. Invest in some
maps, as cellular networks may be inaccessible in
remote locales.
Avoid tourist-heavy areas. Drivers may prefer
less crowded roadways to accompany the great
scenery. Such drivers should visit areas that are
not tourist meccas. Any area that plays home to
forests and sprawling landscapes will do.
Go on foot. To get the best photos, head out
at sunrise or sunset. Soft, golden light dappled by
leaves will bring out the golden tones in photos.
Going on foot will help you discover the nuances
of the season and slow down for a change.
Dont overlook overcast days. Traveling in
the rain may not be fun, but overcast days might
be ideal. On such days, the sun wont be too warm
and drown out the colors.
Bring along binoculars. Wildlife is often
mobile and abundant in the fall, as animals scurry
to feed and gather supplies before the winter. As a
result, autumn is a great time to spot wildlife thats
normally hiding in thickets and woodland areas.
Plan for stops along the way. Dont forget to
bring some spending money in the form of cash
so that you can enjoy the small farm stands and
shops that often dot rural landscapes. Pick up
farm-fresh produce or choose a plump pumpkin.
Yard sales also are abundant this time of year.
Small shops may not take credit cards, so if you
plan to buy, cash is king.
Trees begin shedding their leaves as early as
the beginning of September in Canada and the
northern United States. As the days press on, the
fall finery will gradually shift southward. For those
who can afford to take a weekday off, do so, as
weekends might be overcome with fellow nature
enthusiasts.

Annual Harvest
Taste of Solomons
Coming Oct. 29
Restaurants Offer Tastes of
Fine Food and Beverages
New tastes abound in the historic Solo-
mons Town Center as restaurants showcase
selected food and beverages during the
one-day food festival, The Harvest Taste
of Solomons 2017 from 11am to 4pm,
Saturday, October 28th. The event is one
of the yearly signature events designed and
sponsored by the Solomons Business Asso-
ciation, with proceeds to benefit the asso-
ciations annual July 4th fireworks display.
The Harvest Taste of Solomons provides
the community a way to sample and enjoy
a waterfront town during the fall season,
according to Harvest Taste of Solomons Co
Chair Christopher Donaldson.
Tickets are $4 each and may be
purchased at any of the participating busi-
nesses. Each ticket can be exchanged for
a sample of selected food or beverages.
Many restaurants are also participating in
a Gift Certificate Prize program, with some
of the tickets at each location designated as
prize winners. The lucky purchaser will be
awarded a gift certificate for future use at
the respective restaurant.
Past Participating businesses have
been: The Island Hideaway, The Ruddy
Duck, Boomerangs Original Ribs, Isaacs
Restaurant and Pub at the Holiday Inn,
China Harbor, Captain Smiths Seafood
Market, Anglers Seafood Bar and Grill, The
Dry Dock at Zahnisers, The CD Caf, King-
fishers Seafood Bar and Grill, The Striped
Rock, Carmens Gallery, The Lighthouse
Restaurant and Dock Bar, The Lotus Kitchen
and Kims Key Lime Pies, Grill Sergeant
Barbecue, The Charles Street Brasserie,
Sail Solomons, Running Hare Vineyard and
Calvert Brewing Company, Annmarie Sculp-
ture Garden and Arts Center, and the Calvert
Marine Museum.
Tickets will also be available at the
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services McNelis
Group Properties office starting Wednesday,
October 25th and during the event on
October 28th.
There will be an updated participating
businesses list released to the community in
a few weeks.
For more information on the Harvest
Taste of Solomons, call 443-722-5966 or
240-577-1002. For a map of participating
restaurants and their offerings, or for infor-
mation on activities, shopping, dining, and
lodging in Solomons, visit www.solomons-
maryland.com
Thursday, September 28, 2017 17
Rhythm & Riches 2017
The Amish Outlaws Robbie Boothe
Friday October 20, 2017
Friday October 20
Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department
Doors open at 5p.m.
www.RHYTHMandRICHES.com
v Live Music
v Raffle for Riches-Win up to $20,000 in
RAFFLE SPECIALS! Prizes! Only 3000 tickets will be sold!
August Special! v Door Prizes
Tickets purchased through
12pm 8/31/17 will be eligible v Games of Chance/ 50/50 Raffle/ Pull Tabs
for the $5,000 Early Bird v Food/ Beer and Wine (*must be 21) available
Drawing!
for purchase
September Special
v Limited entry into the event! Get your tickets
Buy 2 tickets, get one RAFFLE
ONLY ticket FREE!!! today for admission into the event and your
chance to win up to $20,000 in prizes!
v Tickets are $60 each for ENTRY to Event
Tickets are $60 each for ENTRY to Event and
Rain or Shine Event Raffle, or $50 each for RAFFLE ONLY.
Must be 18 or over to attend event
Visit us on-line for more information and to Proceeds to Benefit St. Michaels
Archangel Scholarship Foundation
purchase tickets for the event and the
raffle! www.RHYTHMandRICHES.com
or 240-587-7111
18 Autumn In Southern Maryland

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Apple- and pumpkin-picking are
popular fall pastimes. Neighborhood
orchards open their doors to the public,
allowing men, women and children to
scour their fields and trees for the perfect
finds. Heed these picking tips to make the
experience even more of a success.
Apples
Many orchards that have open picking
seasons plant dwarf apple trees to make
the picking process easier, particularly for
young children, so theres no need to bring
along a ladder. You should still be able to
find plenty of apples close to the ground.
A good farmer will know when certain
varieties of apples are ripe, and he or she
will likely cordon off trees that are not
ready for picking. Ripe apples will be crisp
and firm. Keep in mind that apples ripen
from the outside of the tree inward. Those
are the ones usually picked first, anyway.
Try to get to an orchard earlier in the
season. If you wait too long, the trees may be
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Pumpkins
Pumpkin patches are often found in
close proximity to apple orchards. Picking
pumpkins to eat or decorate the home is a
popular autumn activity, one that families
often enjoy together.
When visiting a pumpkin patch, dress
accordingly. That means wearing shoes
that you dont mind getting dirty, as the
patch may be muddy. Layer clothing in
case it is a chilly day. Breezes are more
pronounced in open fields.
Pumpkins are long-keepers, which
means if they are uncut or not damaged,
they can last for several weeks. This means
you can pick pumpkins at the same time
as apples. When selecting a pumpkin, look
for one that is completely orange. After
picking, a green or yellow pumpkin may
never ripen to orange.
Bring along a small wagon and knife
so that you can cut the vine, if necessary.
Pumpkins are heavy, and a wagon will
come in handy, especially with youngsters
in tow.
Ripe pumpkins should not dent
easily. Examine your pumpkin for holes
or insects, which could indicate internal
rot that greatly reduces the shelf life of
the pumpkin. Remember, carving the
pumpkin reduces its life expectancy, so
be sure to reserve that task until close to
Halloween.
If you desire a pumpkin to turn into
a baked treat or other dish, you will need
a type of small, sweet cooking pumpkin
known as a sugar pumpkin. The meat
of this pumpkin is much less stringy and
more smooth than decorative pumpkin
varieties.
 Thursday, September 28, 2017 19

12 Fun Facts About Autumn

The cool, crisp days of autumn have arrived.
As fall foliage creates a colorful display and kids
frolic in leaf piles on the lawn, you may want
to pay some mind to a few lesser known facts
about this beloved time of year. Autumn may
call to mind Halloween and the return of school,
but there are other factors that make this season
unique.
1. The first day of autumn is known as the
autumnal equinox. On this day, the number of
hours of daylight and darkness are equal. This
is because the sun is aligned with the center of
the Earth between the north and south of the
planet. The other equinox occurs in the spring,
which arrives in the third week of March in the
Northern hemisphere.
2. In Greek mythology, autumn was a time
when Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was
abducted by Hades, the god-king of the under-
world. During this time, Demeter, the goddess of
the harvest, was distraught and the ground grew
sparse and cold. When Persephone returned in
the springtime, plants and life bloomed anew
because of Demeters happiness.
3. Those who live closest to the equator,
which is the center of the planet, never experi-
ence the season of autumn. Around the equator,
the temperature remains consistently warm.
4. Yellow, orange and variations thereof
always reside in the pigmentation of tree leaves,
but they are just overpowered by the abundance
of green from the chlorophyll in the leaves. Come
autumn, however, when the sun weakens and
days grow shorter, the amount of chlorophyll in
leaves diminishes, allowing the other pigments
in the leaves to show through.
5. Red and purple leaves are actually caused
by the presence of sugars from sap that is
trapped inside of the leaves.
6. Fall is a peak migration time for many
species of birds. During autumn, birds will fly
to other areas as they seek more hospitable
climates. The Arctic tern journeys about 11,000
miles each way for its annual migration. That is
like going all the way across the United States
about three and a half times
7. Contrary to popular belief, squirrels who
have spent the entire autumn collecting acorns
and other foods do not hibernate for the winter.
Rather, they spend the majority of their time
in nests they built to shelter them from harsh
weather. When squirrels do come out in winter,
they are usually tunneling under the snow to
find the food they buried during the fall.
8. Several cultures have ancient traditions
that coincide with autumn. For example, the
Chinese celebrate the Moon Festival to give
thanks for a successful summer harvest.
9. Halloween is a large part of autumn. The
concept of wearing masks and costumes hails
from ancient Celtic tradition. The Celts believed
ghosts roamed on Halloween, and people wore
disguises to hide from the spirits.
10. Youre bound to see pumpkins as part of
autumn decor. The pumpkin was first named by
the Greeks. They called this edible orange item
pepon, which means large melon.
11. Evergreen trees will not lose their leaves
like deciduous trees. Their leaves, also called
needles, are covered with a thick wax. This wax
protects the inner components of the needles,
preventing them from freezing.
12. Autumn also signals another colorful
spectacle apart from the tree leaves. The aurora
borealis, also known as the Northern Lights,
tends to be visible this time of year. This is
because geomagnetic storms are about twice
as likely to occur during the fall thanks to cool
evening weather.

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Totes of Leafgro in Totes:
The equivelant of Topsoil, Sand
1.5 cu. ft. bag.
Schedule an Appointment
Spring 22-Tine
approximately 35 bags.
& CR6 base Only
Today! 1-800-451-1427 Leaf Rake
$
129 99
/tote for pavers 4
$ 99
ea. -or-
9
$ 88
Only
$
110
When you buy 3 or more
00 $25.00 per pallet
delivery charge.
When you buy
10 or more bags WentworthNursery.com
Only

Fall Decorating Starter Fertilizer

Transform your front entrance for the Fall season Good for new lawns, installing sod & reseeding.
Promotes rapid root growth.
- Refresh & Renew your pots. Change out those spring
colors with Fall flowering Pansies & Mums. 5,000 sq. ft.

- Try some ornamental Cabbage & Kale or even some

perennials like Sedum & Coneflowers
Only
$
2188
15,000 sq. ft.

4988
- Add Corn Stalks, Indian Corn Swags, & Pumpkins to $
transform your landscape for Fall. Only

Sales good thru October 31, 2017

Charlotte Hall Prince Frederick Oakville

Wentworth Nursery
30315 Three Notch Rd. 1700 Solomons Island Rd. 41170 Oakville Road
Charlotte Hall 20622 Prince Frederick 20678 Mechanicsville 20659
301-884-5292 410-535-3664 301-373-9245
800-558-5292 1-866-535-3664 800-451-1427
www.WentworthNursery.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6, Saturday 7:30-3
HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8am-7pm, Sat. 8am-6pm, Sun. 9am-6pm Closed Sunday