December 2021 by Chesapeake Bay Magazine

C h ar t M etalw o r ks c ap tu r es memori es a n d ce l e b r ate s b e a u tif u l m o m e nts. The Portland, Maine-based company can find virtually any navigational map and handcraft it onto jewelry, home goods and more, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that tells your story. Choose from jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, rings or bracelets featuring the navigational map special to you or your loved one. Cutting boards, wine stoppers, picture frames, treasure boxes, holiday ornaments, paperweights, coasters and more are some of the pieces Chart Metalworks can customize. Every piece is handmade, from design to polishing and packaging. And the company can further customize your choice with an engraving. “One of our customers raised his daughters in a home on Round Bay in the Severn River,” says Mike Nicholas of Chart Metalworks. “When his girls were very young, he commissioned bracelets for them with navigational maps of Round Bay to always remember their time on the water. When they grew a little older, he came back and had us create necklaces for them.” Once you’ve selected your custom navigational map and the item you’d like Chart Metalworks to apply the map to, you’ll receive a digital proof of the piece within 1-2 business days. “There’s not much we can’t create,” Nicholas says. “If you don’t see online what you’d like, contact us. We’ll use your imagination as our guide.” Memories created by you. Captured by us.

Chart Metalworks 1 Pleasant St., 3 Rd floor, Portland, Maine 04101 I 207.221.6807

w w w.c h a r t m e ta lw o r ks.c o m

The Steiner Navigator Series is the choice for recreational boaters, weekend anglers and hobby sailors. Featuring a new open bridge design, it offers exceptional performance for the price with many of the features found on premium, world-famous Steiner marine binoculars.

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Happy Holidays From all of us at Campbell’s

Volume 51

Number 8

PUBLISHER John Stefancik

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Meg Walburn Viviano

MANAGING EDITOR Chris Landers

2021 was a great boating year, and we look forward to working with each of you in 2022!

CRUISING EDITOR: Jody Argo Schroath MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST: Cheryl Costello CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Susan Moynihan EDITORS-AT-LARGE: Wendy Mitman Clarke,

Chris D. Dollar, Ann Levelle, John Page Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Rafael Alvarez, Ann Eichenmuller, Robert Gustafson, Mark Hendricks, Marty LeGrand, Kate Livie, Nancy Taylor Robson, Charlie Youngmann

ART DIRECTOR Caroline Foster

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mark L. Atwater, Skip Brown, André Chung, Dan Duffy, Jay Fleming, Austin Green, Jameson Harrington, Mark Hergan, Jill Jasuta, Vince Lupo, K.B. Moore, Will Parson, Caroline Phillips, Tamzin B. Smith, Chris Witzgall

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Chesapeake Bay Magazine (ISSN0045-656X) (USPS 531-470) is published by Chesapeake Bay Media, LLC, 601 Sixth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403. $25.95 per year, 12 issues annually. $7.99 per copy. Periodical postage paid at Annapolis, MD 21403 and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes or corrections for Chesapeake Bay Magazine to 601 Sixth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403. Copyright 2021 by Chesapeake Bay Media, LLC— Printed in the U.S.A.

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G E AR & G IFT G UIDE 2 0 2 1

VOLUM E 51 N UM BER 8

Contents 7 Editor’s Letter 8 Holiday Happenings Around the Bay

Time for a holiday road trip, or as we call it, the 12 Stays of Christmas. Susan Moynihan's got the details, plus shopping and where-to-stay recs to make a weekend out of it.

32 Walk the Woods, Deck the Halls

Kate Livie finds meaning and more in the abundance of her local surroundings.

36 Good Tidings

CBM contributors share what makes their holidays special around the Bay—Rafael Alvarez, Capt. Chris Dollar, Robert Gustafson, Marty LeGrand, Capt. John Page Williams

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE We scoured the shops and sites to come up with creative ideas for everyone on your list.—Capt. Chris Dollar, Chris Landers, Ann Levelle, Susan Moynihan

Books for Bay Readers 40 New Shore up your library with this Chesapeake-centric collection

Home by the Bay 42 At Cozy ideas for housewarming, hostess gifts, or something to

23 

BALTIMORE

20  22 

14 

ANNAPOLIS WASHINGTON

8 

30  CAMBRIDGE

23 Chesapeake City  20 Baltimore  22 Rock Hall  14 Annapolis  8 Alexandria DE  30 St. Michaels  25 Berlin  26 Urbanna  12 Richmond  25   16 Williamsburg  24 Cape Charles  28 Norfolk 

dress up your home.

Everything you need for a seasonal shellfish feast.

16  24 

28 

NORFOLK

Get Crackin’ Spread Some Local Style We’ve got you covered with Bay-region apparel and accessories.

Kids 54 AChesapeake boatful of gift ideas to get them set for water season.

The Great Outdoors 56 The right gear can make or break an outing. This roundup

will give you a solid footing.

A Boater’s Wish List 60 From the perfect stocking stuffer to the latest tech,

these ideas should promise smooth sailing

On Boats: Sea Pro 320 DLX Offshore

26 

12  RICHMOND

of 2021 releases.

BAY PARTNERS

Capt. John Page Williams takes a spin on the latest from Sea Pro, a sturdy standup to Chesapeake waters.

70 75

ABOUT THE COVER: Holiday trimmings aboard Foxglove in Annapolis. Owners: Elaine & Dorian Walker. Photographer: Lisa Masson. Floral Design: Melissa Huston.

heers to the C New Year!

Toast with a cider mule from Lyon Distilling

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

Real Estate Brokerage

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TH I S I S YOU R S I G N TO ...

Visit Annapolis

Maryland’s capital city greets you with open arms and a host of possibilities. A “museum without walls,” Annapolis is a lively, upbeat, contemporary city where four centuries of architecture embrace 21st-century living. Here, all roads lead to the water and a nautical heritage intrinsically linked to the Chesapeake Bay.

P L A N YO U R S TAY AT V I S ITA N N A P O LI S .O RG

FROM THE EDITOR

BOATING MADE SIMPLE

Welcome to our Holiday Issue

by Susan Moynihan I’m so ready for a holiday, aren’t you? Welcome to our first-ever Holiday Gear and Gift Guide, to help you make the most of it! After 2020’s slew of covid cancellations, towns around the Bay are back in full swing for the holidays. We spotlight 12 destinations around the Bay that put their own spin on celebrations, from new events like the Parade of Horses in Chesapeake City, Md. to oneof-a-kind spectacles like WinterFest on the Battleship Wisconsin in Norfolk. Go for the day and shop local while you’re there, or make a weekend of it! In our Gear and Gift Guide, we have loads of ideas for your gift list, from small and thoughtful to big-ticket splurges. Be it a great new book about the Bay, the perfect accessory for an oyster feast, a toy to make your littles smile, or a favorite new tech gadget, we hope you find something here to complement your life on the Bay. As we all know, some of the best gifts don’t involve boxes, paper, or ribbons. So here are a few more ideas for making the holiday season brighter year-round. Plant an oyster garden. A cleaner Bay is a gift that helps everyone. Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Oyster Restoration Program teaches volunteers how to grow their own oysters, which CBF will later plant on sanctuary reefs. Or take those shells from your traditional oyster stew and recycle them, so they can be used as habitat for future bivalves. cbf.org/ourmission/restore/oyster-restoration

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Buy from a museum gift shop. These not-for-profit retailers offer key financial support for their related institutions. Museum Store Sunday, held on Thanksgiving Weekend, is a national fundraising day across the country, with special deals to be had. But any time you purchase a keepsake from a musuem shop, know your money is going to help a good cause. museumstoresunday.org Ensure safety at sea. Enjoying time on the water is a part of the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle, so help a loved one do it safely. American Sailing Association offers beginner and advanced lessons at accredited schools like Sail Solomons, Md. or Sail Northern Virginia. Powerboaters can sign up for multi-day courses like Women at the Wheel or Powerboating for Kids, both at Annapolis School of Seamanship (sister company of CBM). sailsi.com, sailnova.com, annapolisschoolofseamanship.com Gift a donation. And it doesn't have to be a lot. Organize some friends or neighbors to do microdonations; everyone chipping in $5 at a holiday gathering can make a big impact. Or donate some time towards a volunteer effort, such as the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Project Clean Stream, which supports cleanups throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed spanning six states and D.C. allianceforthechesapeakebay. org/project-clean-stream However and whatever you celebrate, we at Chesapeake Bay Media want to wish you a happy, safe and festive season, and a very Happy New Year. Here’s to 2022, from our family to yours! Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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12 STAYS OF

CHRISTMAS

Holiday Happenings a r o u n d t h e b ay

Between boat parades, colorful displays, and after-hours shopping strolls, the Chesapeake Bay region lights up at holiday time—literally! There’s something for everyone, whether your light shines from Christmas candles, a Hanukkah menorah, a Kwanzaa kinara, or anything else. Here are some of our favorite events around the Bay. Go for the day or make a weekend of it, and fill out your gift list along the way. Note: As with everything during COVID-19, events may go on as planned, or they may be canceled out of caution. Look for the latest updates on the town and event websites and social media before heading out.

by Susan Moynihan

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Alexandria VIRGINIA

Clockwise from top: The 40-foot fir at Market Square; Mr. and Mrs. C. make the scene; boats aglow on the

CAROL JEAN STALUN

EVAN MICHIO

Potomac; Windmill Hill Park.

Head to the Alexandria Lyceum on Nov. 28 for the Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting, a festive night of music, hot treats (including potato latkes and donuts), and dreidel giveaways. At the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, bedecked watercraft cruise along a one-mile stretch of the Potomac while onlookers peruse the vendors along the waterfront. Step back in time with candlelight, 18th-century music, and fireworks displays at Christmas at Mount Vernon. Visitalexandriava. com/holidays 

R KENNEDY

SAM KITTNER

CELEBRATE Old Town Alexandria was established in 1749 by Scottish merchants, who are celebrated every year in the Scottish Christmas Walk, typically held first weekend of December. The parade takes place rain or shine, with tartan-clad marchers representing dozens of clans parading through Old Town, accompanied by fife and drum bands, classic cars, even trotting Scottie dogs. The parade ends with a concert at Market Square, and proceeds benefit the Campagna Center.

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS From top: Red Barn Mercantile is one of the must-stop shops on King Street; the cozy courtyard at King & Rye.

MISHA ENRIQUEZ

SHOP Red Barn Mercantile has a beautifully curated selection of home goods, puzzles, you name it, including Virginia-inspired gifts. Pop down the block to sister shop Penny Post for cards and stationery. On the waterfront, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest collection of accessible working studios in the U.S., with fine-art paintings, photography, blown glass, jewelry, and more, on sale from the artists. The Old Town Shop shares local pride via cute housewares, logo shirts, and artisanal crafts and food in Locals Alley. Look to the Historic Alexandria Museums (including its Black History Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum) for unique finds. STAY Stay in the heart of it all at The Alexandrian, located right on King Street. This Autograph Collection hotel has 241 guest rooms and a special secret: an open-air atrium garden at King & Rye restaurant, which gets transformed into a Winter Wonderland every season, complete with heated igloos. (Reservations strongly recommended.) Thealexandrian.com

Looking for the perfect finish to a great day? Our Housemade pastas are made with 100% semolina flour, and are hand crafted daily by our culinary team. Highlighting unique and seasonal ingredients, our pastas are designed to thrill as well as satisfy. Come try the best of what the season has to offer at Blackwall Hitch Annapolis.

400 Sixth Street, Annapolis, MD (410) 263-3454 BlackwallHitchAnnapolis.com

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Richmond VIRGINIA

CELEBRATE Lights, lights, and more lights—it’s a theme in RVA, and there are so many ways to soak up the sparkle. The Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights turns Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden into a visual feast for all ages, with twinkling displays, model train sets, a cozy fire for s’mores and hot cocoa, and even pet-friendly walks on select evenings. It opens in midNovember and runs through the New Year.

The Elegba Folklore Society started the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival in 1990, and it has grown into one of the largest on the East Coast. It celebrates the holiday’s seven guiding principles—which include unity, faith and self-determination—via music, dance and spoken word, both in person and online. Visitrichmondva.com SHOP RVA is known for its thriving creative entrepreneurs, making it the perfect place for unique shopping. In the Arts District, bespoke custom clothier Ledbury recently expanded into shoes, offering European-style craftsmanship and tailoring, all made in Virginia. Sassy Jones was a winner of HSN’s The Big Find, thanks to her colorful bags, jewelry, and accessories. Awl Snap’s smart leather bags and clutches are all handmade onsite. The Someday Shop has well-curated home goods, including reclaimed furniture and vintage French copper pots that would brighten up any kitchen.

MICHAEL SIMON

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 12

If you think more is more, and even more is even better, you’ll love the Tacky Lights List, an unofficial tour of the brightest, gaudiest, most over-thetop homemade displays around the city. Get the scoop on participating homes from The Richmond-Times Dispatch, VentureRichmond.com or the Tacky Lights Richmond Facebook page.

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

Clockwise from far left: More is more in Oregon Hill; keep an eye out for carriage rides in downtown RVA; the dazzling Rotunda at the Jefferson Hotel; GardenFest comes alive at Lewis Ginter.

STAY The grande dame of Richmond hotels, the circa-1895 Jefferson Hotel goes all out for the holidays, with garland-wrapped, wrought-iron balconies; hundreds of live poinsettias; an elaborate gingerbread house display; and 20+ trees, including the signature 30-foot beauty in the Rotunda, a two-story atrium with a stained-glass ceiling. Holiday afternoon tea is served on the mezzanine overlooking the tree, while overnight guests can reserve a table with that prize view for cocktails and light snacks, available on select nights. Jeffersonhotel.com

Boston Whaler’s Largest Independent Dealership What began more than 80 years ago has flourished through five generations of boat sales and service. Give us a call and discover how well we’ll take care of you and your family! Whatever you’ll need to fish, explore, or just spend time on the water, we have the Boston Whaler to take you there.

Annapolis

JOHN HORN

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

MARYLAND Clockwise from left: Snowflake Alley;

CELEBRATE Maryland’s state capital is even more of a beauty at the holidays, with wreaths, ribbons, and greenery decorating the lampposts and windows along its cobblestoned Main Street, and a huge lit-up tree and menorah at City Dock Park. It’s the perfect background for Midnight Madness, held on three consecutive Thursday nights, when shops stay open late, and entertainment comes via live music, strolling carolers, and impromptu photo ops in Snowflake Alley. Watermark Tours offers candelight walking tours, or you can take in the decorated homes along Spa Creek via a Jolly Express boat ride on Miss Anne, complete with hot cocoa and blankets to keep you warm. On Dec. 11, the Eastport Yacht Club’s Lights Parade brings viewers to every restaurant, sidewalk, and dock within

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 14

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

carolers on Spa Creek; vintage on display at Evergreen Antiques, Flag House Inn; City Dock aglow.

viewing distance of Spa Creek. Head to Sandy Point State Park, at the foot of the Bay Bridge, for Lights on the Bay. This annual light show runs from late November through the new year, with 70+ elaborate seasonal displays from reindeers to schooners, set up along a twomile driving route through the park. Visitannapolis.com SHOP Local by Design on Main Street showcases the work of local artists and makers, from ornaments and wall plaques to seriously fine art. The Historic Annapolis Museum Gift Shop always intrigues, and don’t miss a stroll down perfectly quaint Maryland

Avenue, where you’ll find well-curated collectibles and antiques at Evergreen, sustainable clothing and home goods at Cupla, and the sweetest bookstore you ever saw at Old Fox Books and Coffee. You can also pick up a bottle of Irish eggnog at Galway Bay.

STAY Check into the heart of town at The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, where a balcony guestroom gives you a view of the harbor lights. Half a block from City Dock, the stately Flag House Inn has five gorgeous rooms, stellar breakfasts, and that most magical gift in Annapolis: free parking. Or skip the crowds at the cozy Inn at Horn Point, located across the bridge in Eastport. Annapoliswaterfront.com; Flaghouseinn.com; innathornpoint.com

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Williamsburg VIRGINIA

CELEBRATE Party like its 1699 in Virginia’s Colonial centerpiece, where holiday events offer a glimpse of festivities past, with traditional décor, music, and strolling carolers. Colonial Williamsburg’s signature Grand Illumination runs over three weekends in December. Friday is the procession of the Yule Log, while Saturday evenings offer a holiday play and a visit by Father Christmas, ending in fireworks. “Christmastide in Virginia” at Jamestown Settlement gives a different glimpse of holidays past, using living history reenactments to show how holidays may have been celebrated in the earliest days of the English colony. For something more contemporary, the first weekend in December brings Yorktown’s Christmas Market, with almost 100 vendors setting up stalls on Main Street that sell crafts, art, and gifts galore. The following weekend’s Mistletoe Market focuses on food vendors, with cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. Nearby Busch Gardens puts on one of the largest holiday displays in North America, a spectacle of 10 million lights, Radio City Musicstyle stage shows, and dozens of vendors selling From top: Living history on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg; handmade ornaments on display at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum; a dream stall for DIY decorators.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

food, drinks, handmade gifts, and more. New this year is a corn maze, only made with Christmas trees. Colonialwilliamsburg.org; visityorktown.org; buschgardens. com/williamsburg SHOP Merchants Square is a great one-stop shopping destination. New to the square is Brick & Vine. This flagship store of the Shops at Colonial Williamsburg, combines three of their stores under one roof, with period-influenced housewares, specialty food and wine, and seasonal décor destined to become keepsakes. Opened in 1938, Williamsburg Pottery is almost as famous as the museum. Salt-glaze pottery is still made onsite, sold alongside a dizzying array of kitchenware, home décor, local wine and craft beers…the list goes on and on. J. Fenton is home to gorgeous handmade quilts, comfy linen tunics and dresses, jewelry, and unique housewares.

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Left: Brick & Vine at Merchant Square is the flagship store of Shops at Colonial Williamsburg; Williamsburg Inn (below) is the only AAA FiveDiamond rated hotel in the Historic Triangle.

STAY The Williamsburg Inn is stunning this time of year, when strings of white lights cover every column, balcony, and tree in sight. Holiday packages include museum admission, daily breakfast, retail shopping pass (with discounts), and a keepsake ornament. Make it even more special with a traditional afternoon tea, paired with a seasonal-themed loose-leaf tea and pastries, or prix-fix holiday feasts. Colonialwilliamsburghotels.com

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Baltimore MARYLAND

CELEBRATE Charm City goes all out for the holidays. On the first night of Hanukkah, gather for the lighting of the 30-foot menorah at McKeldin Square, followed by a feast of latkes, jelly doughnuts, and live music. At the 50th anniversary lighting of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon, held Dec. 2, expect carolers, food and drink vendors, and even fireworks. On December 5, the annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade brings more than 100 marching bands, plus uniformed first responders, revving Harley Davidsons, festively clad Mummers from Philly, a steam calliope, and local celebrities waving from floats. Get a taste of the Old World by sipping gluhwein and nibbling Left to right: the German-style market; Mount Vernon; a hubcap tree in Hampden; ice

KEN STANEK

skating at Inner Harbor.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

SHOP Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods, and shopping is a great way to experience the flavors of each. Hampden is home to the city’s top indie bookstore, Atomic Books, and a great spot for vintage and collectibles. At Harbor East, an open-air mall overlooking the harbor, you’ll find popular Charm City Run and the flagship Under Armour store, which carries only-in-Baltimore merch. In Fells Point, pick up trendy teenwear at Brightside Boutique, shoes and bags at Poppy & Stella, and new and used vinyl at The Sound Garden—and hit historic pubs and Broadway Market along the way. Keep an eye peeled for holiday pop-ups like Made in Baltimore, now in its 7th year.

JASON VARNEY

gingerbread as you peruse the German Christmas Market, which takes over the Inner Harbor’s West Shore Park every weekend in December. Storytelling, gift-making and workshops bring the seven-day festival of Kwanzaa to life at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Kids will love The Polar Express Train Ride at the B&O Railroad Museum, and the creative animal displays at Zoo Lights at the Maryland Zoo, available as a walk-through or drive-through experience through the new year. And a holiday just isn’t a holiday, hon, without experiencing the over-the-top light show on 34th Street in Hampden, nicknamed the Miracle on 34th Street. Homes on the block go all out, drawing up to 1,000 visitors a night. baltimore.org/events

STAY Four Seasons Baltimore transforms its rooftop garden into a Winter Village, complete with music, fire pits, and a skating rink overlooking the harbor. In Fells Point, Sagamore Pendry’s openair courtyard comes alive with lights and greenery, mulled wine and s’mores around the fire pits, and holiday shopping pop-ups. The Ivy in Mount Vernon is a must for its elaborate Gingerbread display. fourseasons.com/baltimore; pendry.com/baltimore; theivybaltimore.com

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Rock Hall MARYLAND

CELEBRATE This favorite port of call offers small-town charm any time of year. At Hometown Christmas, enjoy a carriage ride through downtown, then hit the shops for holiday specials. In an Eastern Shore twist, Santa arrives by boat, then parades down Main Street for the lighting of the Crab Basket Tree—actually a series of trees, made from hand-painted baskets in an effort that raises money for community activities. Kentcounty.com/events SHOP The colorful cottages that make up Rock Hall Village Shops make it a pleasure to stroll, even if it’s a short way. Stock up on seasonal décor at Eastern Shore Wreath Co., and pop into The Hickory Stick for gift ideas like a Chesapeake Bay chart map blanket or Old Bay enamelware salad bowls, perfect for boat picnics.

Rock Hall’s Christmas display, made of hand-painted crab baskets.

STAY Overlooking the protected anchorage, Osprey Point has an acclaimed restaurant along with a seven-room traditional inn, neighboring modern all-suite Annex, and a four-bedroom exclusive-use farmhouse—plus marina slips if you come by boat. Ospreypoint.com

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

CELEBRATE This tidy town on the Upper Bay has a key place in Bay history, overlooking the C&O Canal. Come early for its first-ever Parade of Horses, scheduled for December 4, which celebrates the town’s deep equestrian roots via dressage, fox hunting troupes, police horses, carriages, and more. The hooves hit the pavement at 9 am, and the day-long Poplar Hall Christmas Market follows, with crafts and food vendors along the waterfront. The following weekend brings the Candlelight House Tour, or stroll the Victorian village and take in the charm on your own. Chesapeakecity.com SHOP Try Second Spring Naturals for yummy soaps and scrubs, Mercantile at Back Creek for home decor, inluding painted furniture and custom tints, and My Jewelry Place for handmade jewelry from around the world.

Holiday sights and sounds at the Inn at the Canal.

STAY Share a holiday toast at the rum-centric Rummer Lounge, which is located inside the Inn at the Canal. Then head upstairs and tuck into one of seven uniquely decorated guest rooms at this favorite B&B, set in an 1870s former merchant’s home overlooking the C&O Canal. Innatthecanal.com

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Cape Charles VIRGINIA

CELEBRATE The southern tip of ESVA kicks off four weeks of Festive Fridays in late November. Shops stay open until 8 p.m., with caroling, carriage rides, and kid-friendly activities along Mason Ave. and Strawberry St. Head down to the waterfront on Dec. 4 for the annual Lighted Boat Parade, where spectacularly lighted watercraft cruise along the mile-long waterfront, followed by an after party at Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, complete with live music. capecharlesvirginiascape.com/events SHOP Gull Hummock Gourmet Market has the perfect host and hostess gifts, including local Chatham Vineyards wine, handmade chocolates, cheeses, artisanal honey, and more. Peach Street Books, set in a former gas station, has a great local authors section alongside new and gently used books. The Boardwalk is home to fun décor items like latchhook pillows, cocktail napkins, and fish-shaped wine racks. Cape Charles Distillery uses Virginiagrown corn and grains in their bourbon, whiskeys, and vodka, with a raw bar and craft cocktails to enjoy while shopping. STAY Bay Haven Inn is cozy, welcoming, and just steps from everything in town. Choose from four guest rooms, each uniquely appointed and named after a family member of the Wilson family, who built the house in 1906. Current owners Tammy and Jim Holloway make it feel like home away from home. Or spread out in one of the residences at Bay Creek Resort, which come with two to five bedrooms, full kitchens, and access to the resort’s amenities. bayhaveninnbnb.com; baycreekresort.com

From top: Carriage rides on Festive Fridays; try the maple whiskey at Cape Charles Distillery; the iconic pier.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

Berlin

MARYLAND

12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS CELEBRATE Victorian Christmas is a month-long celebration in this artsy town just six miles from the Atlantic. Things kick off Thanksgiving weekend with Ice Ice Berlin, a display of three-foottall seasonal ice carvings that lead up to the tree lighting outside the historic Atlantic Hotel. The following weekend, marching bands, themed floats, and revelers parade down Main Street in the 50th annual Christmas Parade, capped by an appearance from Santa. In the Festival of Trees, downtown businesses decorate and display trees, then sell them by silent auction to benefit Atlantic General Hospital. Berlinmainstreet.com SHOP This picture-perfect town is known for its antique shops, including Victorian Charm, Stuarts’ Antiques and Town Center Antiques, and Uptown Emporium, all clustered around the town center. You’ll find the town’s thriving indie vibe showcased at wellcurated shops like The Greyhound Indie Bookstore and Gallery, Harvest Guitar Shop, and East & Main Shore Supply, a great spot for beach wear, mens’ grooming goods, and quirky gifts. STAY One of Berlin’s oldest homes is also its newest inn. Located within easy walking distance of downtown, an 1835 farmhouse (the former Waystead Inn) has been reborn as the Inn Berlin, a chic, five-bedroom B&B with touches like organic cotton linens, HD Smart TVs, and on-request extras like custom charcuterie boards or guided tours through town. Theinnberlin.com

Berlin’s Christmas parade, which turns 50 this year.

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Urbanna VIRGINIA

CELEBRATE The Urbanna Christmas parade is a slice of small-town Americana, with homemade floats, classic cars, and an appearance from you know who. This evening event is held on the first Friday in December, and departs from the Fire House to kick off the holiday season. Another great thing about holidays here? Oysters are at their peak, so bring your appetite! Urbanna. com/events SHOP Pop into Low Tide, a “coastal lifestyle boutique” on Virginia Street for cute dresses, jewelry, and accessories, Southern Tide shirts and boxers for men, and gifts like cocktail mixers. Just across the river in Irvington, find more cute womenswear at The Dandelion, crab-logoed everything at Jimmy and Sook, and statement sculptures, paintings, and jewelry at Objects and More.

STAY You can’t help but smile walking through the reborn Chesapeake Inn. New owners Gari Lister and Matt Gobush completely redid the boutique hotel during the pandemic, creating a modern-eclectic vibe with 13 rooms, friendly extras like loaner surrey carriages and kayaks, a great onsite restaurant, and an infectious love for everything about the town. Some of the rooms allow four-legged guests, too. Thechesapeakeinn. com Clockwise from top: Raw bar and more; boats at bay; heritage at Urbanna Museum; homestyle eats.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Norfolk VIRGINIA

CELEBRATE There is literally nothing like WinterFest on the Wisconsin, at Nauticus. The entire battleship becomes a lighted display, complete with talking gingerbread men, Santa’s North Pole, and holiday drinks at the new Griswold Café. (Speaking of, they’ve applied for a Guinness world record for most lights on a battleship.) ZooLumination at the Norfolk Zoo features gigantic inflatable animal sculptures by day, and a drive-thru light up experience at night. The Million Bulb Walk at Norfolk Botanical Garden is back with new light displays along the mile-long route, and new light displays. The trio of events run from mid-November through the new year. Visitnorfolk.com SHOP Hamilton Perkins creates backpacks, crossbodies, duffles, and more from sustainable/recycled materials, available at his downtown shop. Over on Colley Avenue in Ghent, more than 100 regional artists and artisans sell their wares

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

at Kitsch Handmade and Vintage. Le Marché is a must for every sort of houseware, from handpainted china to crystal chandeliers. A. Dodson’s is a great spot for holiday-themed gifts, sports gifts, tech gifts, funny gifts—basically, everyone on your list. Plentiful stalls and a gigantic Yule Log bonfire take center stage at the Holiday Marketplace on the downtown waterfront. STAY Take in the views of the Elizabeth River from the Main Hotel, where the 23rd-floor rooftop terrace serves up small bites, craft beers, and cocktails, with fire pits to keep you toasty. More views are found in guestrooms and the indoor pool, and the downtown location makes it convenient to just about everything. Themainnorfolk.com Clockwise from top: Decking the hull of the Battleship Wisconsin; the Yule Log ablaze at the Holiday Marketplace; seasonal strolling at Norfolk Botanic Garden.

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12 STAYS OF CHRISTMAS

St. Michaels MARYLAND

CELEBRATE “Christmas in St Michaels” celebrates its 35th year in 2021, with a slew of events that raise money for local charities including Habitat for Humanity, Christ Church Food Pantry, Bay Hundred Community Volunteers, and educational efforts. The Talbot Street Parade is the Eastern Shore’s largest holiday parade, with marching bands, antique cars and boats, fire trucks, horses, and more. Get there early to join the Santa Dash, where red-andwhite clad participants run or walk the one-mile route before the big shebang. That evening, watch the Lighted Boat Parade cruise through the harbor, or tour around on your own to see the beautiful displays on homes and businesses throughout the town. Christmasinstmichaels.org SHOP Downtown is packed with wonderful shops, many of them tucked into Victorian-era buildings that make browsing a pleasure. Pemberton Pharmacy & Gifts is an old-fashioned drug store-meets-gift shop, with a great selection of gifts from

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

housewares to soaps, bags, and toys. Ophiuroidea, aka “The O,” is a well-curated, catch-all boutique that reflects the Eastern Shore in décor and clothing, some of it locally made. Iron Will & Woodworks and sister shop, Reclaimed, are a treat for the eyes; owners Mark and Tracy Miller scour the country for salvage materials and antiques from neon to gas pumps, which they restore and/or repurpose into custom furniture, light fixtures, and more. Nancy Hammond’s colorful prints and paintings will cheer up any room, while Guilford & Company’s beautifully curated collection of antique and estate jewelry is a star in the midAtlantic. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s gift store is a must for regional books and artwork. STAY St. Michaels’ newest hotel is the Wildset, a 34-room boutique hotel spread across four 19th-century buildings on the north end of Talbot Street. Each room is unique, some with perks like gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, and private balconies. Or spread out at Inn at Perry Cabin, the Eastern Shore’s preeminent luxury stay. For winter, it has added private waterfront greenhouses, ideal for romantic private dinners to get a respite from holiday stress. Thewildset. com; Innatperrycabin.com

From far left: A tugboat keeping watch at the Lighted Boat Parade; celebrities at the Talbot Street Parade, the biggest on the Shore; the Wildset Inn is a new addition; a winning entry in the gingerbread contest.

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Walkk Woods, Deckk Halls STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATE LIVIE

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There’s a version of the holiday narrative that goes like this: Sitting by a glowing fire, blanket over your lap. The tree with all the trimmings sparkles with lights and ornaments, mementos from childhood, delicate glass globes reflecting light. Carols on the radio, drifts of boxes wrapped in cheerful paper spilling into the room. I understand the appeal of this scene; I’ve lived it myself. It is absurdly cozy and domestic. But there’s something a bit … close about it, something a little manufactured. In this version of deep midwinter, festivity is a wary guest that you lure in with glitter and consumer goods. There is another way, an older way. The oldest songs of the season remember it well: “The holly and the ivy, when they are both full-grown,” “Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green,” “Deck the halls with boughs of holly.” We hang mistletoe and wreaths and decorate with swags of greenery in honor of this old tradition, without really understanding why. Even your trip to the cuttree place to pick out your perfect Frasier fir or spruce is a holdover from this ancient ritual—the celebration of the winter solstice. To the druids, evergreens were the symbols of life everlasting. Christianity assimilated those traditional swags of fresh greens of wintertime into the culture of the church, keeping the balsam and yew.

Each winter as the holidays approach, I have a little solstice tradition I’ve created for myself. I’m no New Ager, but I am a little misanthropic, and I like the idea of finding the original holiday spirit in the woods and the iced-over marsh bottoms along the Chester River. With wellies on, a pickup truck nearby, and some shears in my hand, I set off in the cold to gather greens. The woods are wide open with the leaves thick on the ground, and it is easy to spot the massed white cedar, hollies full of berries, low loblollies, and rhododendron. Sweetbay magnolia is a prized find, and I mix in the seed heads and soft, dun-colored senesced grasses from my wintertime garden for balance. With luck, I’ll find mistletoe, or coax some from a friend who knows a good spot to find it. My solitary walk in the woods to hunt evergreens might seem antithetical to the togetherness encouraged this time of year. The true spirit of these holidays are family and friends, as we are reminded by every song, card, and advertisement directed our way starting just after Halloween. And I love my own friends and family, I really do. But there’s a point where that charming, warm glow of twinkle lights and all the happy conversation and questions about your life and eggnog and more questions about your life—and somebody breaks into Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” and shoot, that’s red wine on the carpet and now it’s time for Stealing Santa and Christmas poppers and paper crowns!!!!—just

With wellies on, a pickup truck nearby, and some shears in my hand, I set off in the cold to gather greens.

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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reens gathering at the holidays does not require a long walkabout in the woods. Often, lots of native species have been domesticated and can be found in any residential neighborhood or park. Hollies, viburnum, bayberry, winterberry, rhododendron, and all sorts of evergreens are easy to find. Just be sure to cut the branches long enough so you have plenty of stem to weave into your swags or wreaths, and bring home more than you’ll think you need. For supplies, you’ll need green floral wire, shears for the cutting and hand pruners for the little stuff, a wreath frame or two, and some wider ribbon (the wide kind with the wire edges is particularly nice to use). I like gardening gloves to keep the sap on my hands to a minimum. Just dive in—there is no right or wrong way to do this, just the one that gets you to your own glow.

becomes a little overwhelming. Slipping into a frozen landscape, with your only companion your own breath suspended in the air, is a balm. I get what those druids were going for. I cut my cedar boughs under the huge cathedral of overstory and feel both small and also interconnected with the whole woods. Slowed down, I take time to notice the loveliness all around me: a beech tree with dried copper leaves clinging to the smooth grey limbs, geese calling overhead, the satisfying sound of my boots crunching the leaf litter. I feel grateful to be here. And that’s what I think all the other stuff, the pageantry and the paganism, is really about at its core—gratitude. The solstice and the holidays mark the conclusion of a year gone by. Our holiday rituals give us the chance to look back with thanks at these last twelve months, with their triumphs and challenges, joys and sorrows. We light candles to keep the dark away as we celebrate our survival with those who got us to the end, and fill our homes with evergreen trees and wreaths as a reminder that life is also evergreen. I take my thoughts and my cuttings home. With grapevine frames and green wire, I weave the branches into long swags and garland arrangements that please me. I like to add colorful ribbons and seedpods to the mix, for color and to keep the winter birds close. Sometimes my sister will help—she also likes this tradition I made up—but alone, it’s peaceful. As I finish my job, there’s a glow inside me that’s building. It’s my own little ember of spirit to warm me through the next few weeks, an echo of the Chesapeake woods where all is calm, all is bright. Kate Livie is a Chesapeake writer, educator, and historian. An Eastern Shore native and current faculty at Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society, Livie’s award-winning book Chesapeake Oysters was published in 2015.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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Good Tidings Cookies, Tundra Swans, Pickerel & Friends

Traditions are held dear here in

Chesapeake Country. For this holiday issue, we asked our longtime contributors to share their personal rituals that make this season special. We hope their musings will inspire you to pause for a moment in these hectic

days, to look around and appreciate this gift we all share, of life by the Bay.

by Capt. John Page Williams

When we lived in Annapolis, Christmas always brought visiting friends and family, and sweet treats to feed them. Along with the loved ones and the cookies, the season also brought tundra swans, fresh from their 2,000-plus-mile migration from the Arctic coasts of Canada and Alaska, and the Severn River’s chain pickerel— long, lean predators that seemed to have antifreeze in their veins, defying cold weather by striking lures and flies along the shorelines. The combination made for some memorable days, despite the cold weather. Picture a calm, early winter afternoon, with bare trees along the Severn’s tall red bluffs. The tide is low. Our “taxi” might be the Marsh Arab, my canoe, or First Light, my 17' Whaler, but either way, the vessel will spend most of the afternoon tethered to a fallen log on shore. The trip’s most important components are hip boots or waders, which allow us to be in the river with the swans and the fish. We walk along, side-by-side or within talking distance, casting small spoons, jigs, or flies out diagonally, to work the sun-warmed flats still covered with stubble from the year’s underwater grass beds. The rootstocks of those grasses are what have brought this year’s swans to the Severn for the winter, just as their forebears have come for several dozen centuries. Two hundred yards away, some 50 swans, including family groups of snow-white adults and light gray cygnets, eye us carefully, then continue feeding, loafing, and napping. A 22" pickerel tracks my spoon almost to my rod tip. It stops, suspended diagonally in the clear water, 36

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and we look each other in the eye carefully. Then it shrugs its shoulders (I swear!), says “Hmpf,” and swims away. I can only smile, chuckle, and cast again. Meanwhile, my friend Stanley, 30 feet away, lets out a whoop. His rod bends as a twin to my fish runs strongly toward deep water. Stanley carefully leads the lovely green-and-gold fish to shallow water and gently eases the barbless fly out of its jaw. We both smile as it darts away. This is where the Christmas cookies come in. We repair to the shore, to sit on the log anchoring the boat, pull out a trusty stainlesssteel thermos, and munch cookies while we contemplate the afternoon light on the river. What a sweet memory!

Walks Among Nature, Then and Now by Capt. Chris D. Dollar

Every trip around this spinning blue orb, I realize how fortunate I am to live in the Chesapeake watershed. Especially in the time of the global pandemic. The Bay is chock-full of so many outdoor pursuits that if I quit my job today and spent the remainder of my days pursuing them, I’d need three lifetimes to do all that there is to do. Such end-of-year reflections are not uncommon for me. Looking back on my year in the outdoors, like Frost’s traveler I

almost immediately begin to mourn the roads I couldn’t travel. In my younger days, I spent the holidays hunting waterfowl and fishing for rockfish or chain pickerel. The anticipation of the unknown was my favorite part, especially when the trip was made in the inky darkness through the coiled marsh guts of Maryland’s Eastern Shore with my companion, Huckleberry—a crazy-curly Chesapeake Bay retriever—riding shotgun. I recall another memorable holiday hunt that took place on a picturesque farm creek in northern Maryland. The trickling waters were canopied by massive oaks and birches, and the snow was falling so heavily that soon the creek was enshrouded in a dreamlike whiteness. You heard their calls well before you saw them: the mournful, guttural peals of Canada geese, and the raspy, muffled quacks of mallards. Those trips are in the rearview mirror, though to be revisited in another form to be sure. These days, as a new (and older) father to a toddler daughter, my outdoor adventures are more subdued, yet frankly more rewarding. My partner’s family lives down on Virginia’s Northern Neck, so we’ve spent the last two Christmases exploring the area’s semiwild public places. Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve is one of them. We love the undeveloped beaches, dunes, and upland forests, as well as tidal and nontidal wetlands. Migratory birds of many different feathers flock here, including several species of waterfowl and songbirds. Bald eagles and northern harriers are fairly common sights. Apparently, the preserve also supports the federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle, though we haven’t seen one yet. Truthfully, we haven’t looked that hard. Thankfully, Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve has limited parking, so it is not awash in humanity. That makes for a very peaceful walk along the shoreline, where we spy birds (already, my child has a keen eye for raptors and fowl) and inspect each and every seashell of each and every size and shape. So until she’s old enough to be introduced to fishing and wingshooting traditions that are a special part of Chesapeake living, our holiday meanderings through nature preserves such as Hughlett will serve as our small tribe’s new holiday tradition.

An Old (Town) Tradition by Marty LeGrand

Before hyperactive lives and a pandemic virus rendered us online shoppers, I liked to slow things down this time of year. By a century or two. That meant visiting one of my favorite destinations in any season: Old Town, the historic heart of Alexandria, Virginia.

My ideal day in this Potomac River port city begins at its shopping axis, King and Union streets, where block upon bricksidewalk block of independent stores purvey gifts, clothing, home décor, and numerous things I never knew I needed. It’s where I found the “Got Wine?” ballcap for my oenophile friend at a Virginia-centric gift shop; ornaments for my and others’ trees at the late, lamented Christmas Attic; and a hand-tinted photograph of our favorite waffle eatery at an artist’s studio in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. My day traditionally ended with a happy-hour pint and oysters on the half shell at Union Street Public House, the excolonial warehouse a hogshead’s roll from the riverfront. My husband often joined me for early dinner at The Majestic, whose distinctive neon sign has beckoned food lovers for decades. Then, while on assignment for this magazine, I discovered how Old Town celebrated the holidays after dark and I was really smitten. A children’s chorus singing “Silent Night” in bustling Market Square. A festive flotilla of illuminated boats parading on the Potomac. Handbell ringers chiming carols beneath lampposts hung with live, redribboned wreaths. Candlelight tours of historic landmarks like Gadsby’s Tavern and Carlyle House, a Georgian-style mansion named for the town father who had it built. I’m not alone in Old Town infatuation. Magazines from Conde Nast Traveler to Oprah to the homespun Pioneer Woman respectively rank Alexandria among the “most festive,” “magical” and “cheerful” holiday destinations. I’ve missed Old Town recently. Two years ago, we moved in December. Last year, well …. It’s time to go back.

Christmas Oysters by Robert Gustafson

The first Christmas we spent at our vacation house on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, two local men whose families had arrived in the 1600s invited me to “go get some Christmas oysters.” I was honored by the invitation, but unsure what it entailed. We waited for a relatively calm day, donned waders, and took a skiff into the marshes. We tonged where the oysters were deep and jumped into the mud with hammers and baskets to harvest oysters that were showing at low tide. As the winter sun waned, we puttered back to the dock, covered in marsh mud, a beer each in our gloved hands, and carrying two full bushels of the freshest wild Virginia oysters imaginable.  Gear & Gift Guide 2021

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com

My new friends described some as “cats’ tongues” and some as “cups,” but for a guy who had paid $22 for a half-dozen oysters at the Newark Airport a few weeks before, this was an unimaginable bonanza. We did eat some of the oysters on Christmas Eve, but the real beauty of Christmas oysters is that you have a full bushel and the whole week between Christmas and New Year’s to eat them. The obvious solution is getting together with friends, imbibing some holiday cheer, and creatively figuring out how to eat as many oysters as possible.

My wife, who leaps at the chance to eat her own weight in raw oysters, always invites a friend who was the oystershucking champion of Northampton County. Together we eat fried oysters, oyster stew, gumbo with oysters, pickled oysters, and greens-and-oysters gratin, a recipe I invented specifically to use the Yuletide surfeit of oysters. Now, years later, our vacation house is our permanent residence and Christmas oysters are a tradition. A week or so before Christmas, my wife will ask, “Are you making a plan to go get us Christmas oysters?” And I always do.

Accawmacke Broccoli* Turnip Green and Bayside Oyster Gratin

18 Bayside oysters, shucked and roughly chopped, with liquor reserved and decanted of grit

2 lbs. Accawmacke Broccoli* turnip greens, destemmed and well rinsed

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

2 cloves garlic, minced 4 Tbsp olive oil — 3 Tbsp for sautéing and 1 Tbsp for topping 2 Tbsp flour Pinch of ground cardamom 1/2 tsp salt (or less/none if you use seaside oysters)

1/2 cup cream

1. Simmer the turnip greens in water until tender (about 30 minutes). Drain, squeeze dry, chop, and set aside. 2. Sauté garlic in 3 Tbsp of olive oil. When cooked (but not at all browned!), add turnip greens and sauté, stirring constantly for about 4 minutes over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt, cardamom, and flour, and continue to stir for a minute.

Red Snapper on Xmas Eve by Rafael Alvarez

It was the centerpiece of the most important meal of the year, glistening orange and silver in a thin broth atop cubed potatoes: a spectacular fish decorated with slices of lemon holding the place of honor on the Christmas Eve table in Highlandtown. Red snapper, a prince of a fish. The grown-ups oohed and aahed—particularly my Spanish-born grandfather, who liked to say that a man willing to work in America could eat like a king. We kids hated it. “It was a pretty fish,” said my cousin Donna Alvarez Mislak of those long-ago celebrations on Macon Street. “It was a big deal and I always tried it because my father made me. But I’d rather have a meatball.” Unlike our Sunday suppers at our grandparents, meatballs were not to be had on Christmas Eve, a fast day from meat for Catholics, particularly those from around the Mediterranean, a stricture still adhered to in the early days of the Second Vatican Council. Donna’s father, Victor Alvarez, a longtime resident of Cambridge on the Eastern Shore, remembers being a kid,

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3. Add oyster liquor and a half-cup of cream (between 1 and 1.5 cups of liquid total). Stir in chopped oysters. Simmer until thick. 4. Transfer mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and then olive oil, and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes (until bubbling). Serve hot.

*Accawmacke Broccoli turnip greens are an heirloom variety grown only on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They are grown for their leaves and do not produce an edible root. Substitute any other turnip greens or mustard, kale, or even collards.

maybe 12 years old, and going to the old fishmarket near the Pratt Street piers with his father (the fish-loving Spaniard) and Mr. Sanchez, a family friend from Highlandtown by way of the Canary Islands. “You walked through there and you could pick out any kind of fish you wanted,” said Uncle Vic. My brother Danny also wasn’t fond of it, though he was intrigued. “I think I asked Dad if it was a big goldfish,” he said. Danny has hosted the Christmas Eve meal at his home in Anne Arundel County for the last dozen years or so, with no sign of red snapper on his table. But old traditions are sometimes reborn. This will be the first Christmas Eve that our late father— Manuel R. Alvarez, a big fan of any dish from the sea—will not be with us. And, because of our loss, the first in more years than I can remember that red snapper will grace the table. It won’t be my grandmother’s recipe, but a whole fish, grilled with olive oil and lemon over a fire at Ikaros in Greektown. And those kids, who are now grown-ups, will savor it.

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HOLIDAY GIFTGUIDE

New Books for Bay Readers One of the great things about Chesapeake Bay living is there’s always more to learn, via limitless local history and personal memoirs, rich food pathways, and an everchanging environment. Whether you’re trying to resurrect a recipe from the past or introduce a child to the natural wonders of the Bay, these books will make a welcome addition to any Chesapeake bookshelf. Pick them up at your favorite local bookshop, in person or online at bookshop.org.

by Chris Landers

ISLAND LIFE by Jay Fleming, $55 Fleming's photos have graced these pages many times, and he has built a niche as one of the premier photographers of the people and wildlife of the Chesapeake. In his latest book (excerpted in our November issue), he takes as his subject the lives and traditions of Tangier and Smith Islanders, both human and animal, bringing his insider's view of the beauty and hardships of these isolated communities to the rest of us. With island life under threat from the very environmental forces that brought it into being, it's a deep dive into a different world, and a reminder that the traditions of the Chesapeake are very much alive.

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

VANISHING BOATHOUSES OF COLONIAL BEACH by Diane Anderson Doumas with Photography by Karie Winograsky Anderson, $36.95 Consider the humble boathouse, a utilitarian feature that once covered the shoreline of Virginia's Northern Neck. For a variety of environmental, aesthetic, and zoning code reasons, the covered boat-garage has fallen out of favor, but Doumas and Anderson have set out to document these vanishing structures by visiting the ones that remain, capturing them in story and photograph, from elaborate barnlike structures to dilapidated dockside shacks. Local ordinances forbid the building or rebuilding of traditional boathouses, but their legacy is well-preserved here.

A CULINARY HISTORY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY by Tangie Holifield, $23.99 American Palate Promising “Four Centuries of Food and Recipes,” Holifield delivers with this cookbook, interspersed with historical essays about the dishes’ provenance. Starting with the foundations laid by indigenous peoples of the region, through colonial, African American, and immigrant contributions, she takes us from Brunswick stew to Berger cookies, stopping along the way to sample oyster stew, fish pepper hot sauce, and pawpaw pudding.

MY DATE WITH AN OYSTER: AND OTHER STORIES OF A D.C. GIRL DISCOVERING CHESAPEAKE COUNTRY by M.L. Faunce, $15 New Bay Books A collection of essays and feature stories from Faunce’s coverage of Chesapeake country for the New Bay Times (which later became CBM Bay Weekly, our sister publication covering Maryland’s Anne Arundel and Calvert counties). The book weaves her personal reflections with reported features on many of the subjects we cover in this magazine—oysters, crab-pickers, skipjack captains— and serves as a reminder that while the players may change, some Chesapeake stories are timeless.

AWESOME CHESAPEAKE: A KID’S GUIDE TO THE BAY by David Owen Bell, $14.95 Schiffer Kids A second edition updates this 25-year-old classic, introducing a new generation of kids to the Bay. Aimed at elementary and middle school students, Bell packs a lot of knowledge into a slim (63-page) volume, beginning with the formation of the Bay and guiding readers to the life under and around the water, while providing a road map for young citizen scientists eager to get involved. It's a great gift for a kid who wants to explore the Bay (or one you're trying to nudge in that direction).

A HISTORY LOVER'S GUIDE TO BALTIMORE by Brennen Jensen and Tom Chalkley, $23.99 The History Press Baltimoreans love their history, and Tom Chalkley and Brennen Jensen (who also contributes to this magazine) are able guides to the events and people who made the city. Former contributors to the Baltimore City Paper’s “Charmed Life” column, Jensen and Chalkley have been prowling Baltimore’s back streets for decades, searching out the stories behind the big events (War of 1812) and the smaller ones (filmmaker John Waters’ battles with the Maryland board of censors). They provide a guidebook for newcomers and longtime residents alike, to seek out the traces of Charm City’s past lives.

THOMAS POINT SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE: A CHESAPEAKE BAY ICON by David Gendell, $22 The History Press When the Thomas Point shoal lighthouse was built in 1875, they said it wasn’t strong enough to withstand the ice and exposure of the Bay, but there wasn’t enough money to build a stronger one. Some 150 years later, Thomas Point is now the last of the Bay’s screwpile lighthouses in its original spot. David Gendell digs into the life and times of this charming structure, an enduring symbol of the Chesapeake.

CHESAPEAKE BAY EXPLORER’S GUIDE: NATURAL HISTORY, PLANTS AND WILDLIFE by David Malmquist, $25 Globe Pequot An impressively dense paperback guide to pretty much everything on or near the Bay, the Explorer’s Guide breaks the Chesapeake into habitats—beach, marsh, forest, etc.—and gives a primer on the animals, plants, and structures of each. Malmquist, the news and media director for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, has packed an enormous amount of information into this book, from wildlife to Chesapeake boat types to the various machinery visible at the commercial ports. Next time someone asks “What is that?,” you’ll have a reference book to reach for.

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CRAB APRON, $36 Sophie Allport She may be from across the pond, but UK designer Sophie Allport has a big following here, for her crisp graphics and playful designs. This one is perfect all year, whether you’re cracking crabs or cooking up a holiday feast, and it’s available via Welcome Home Markets in Annapolis and Chestertown, Md., as well as online. welcomehomemarkets.com

At Home by the Bay Whether you’re looking for a hostess gift, a housewarming present, or something fun for your own home, here are gifts of all sizes and budgets to fit the bill.

by Susan Moynihan

OYSTER SHELL ACCENTS, $10 EACH SVN.SMR (Catonsville, Md.) Artist Jennie Berry creates tiny works of art from oyster shells under the studio name SVN SMR. You can see her work on Instagram, or ﬁnd it alongside other talented artists at the Annapolis Arts Alliance gallery on West Street in historic Annapolis. annapolis-arts-alliance.com

FLATWARE CADDY, $128 Vagabond House Up the presentation on whatever you’re serving with this crustaceanaccented caddy from Vagabond House. Extra points for the realistic detail on the pewter crab, from his pincers to his beady little eyes. Available at Le Marché in Norfolk, Va., among other spots. vagabondhouse.com

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CHESAPEAKE BLANKET, $74.95 The Hickory Stick (Rock Hall, Md.) Cozy up in your favorite place, with your favorite place! This generously sized (52" x 62") ﬂeece blanket features a chart of the northern half of the Bay, so you can chart your course from the comfort of your sofa. thehickorystick.com

GONE SAILING PILLOW, $39.99 Chesapeake Bay Goods (Baltimore, Md.) Ok, it doesn’t actually ﬂoat, but the ring-buoy shape makes this pillow stand out from the usual nautical array. It’s just the tip of the iceberg at this Baltimorebased online retailer that celebrates the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle. chesapeakebaygoods.com

SIDE TABLE, $2,500 Herring Creek Furniture (California, Md.) Craftsman Rob Seltzer uses locally harvested lumber and recycled materials in his one-of-a-kind pieces, created in his studio/showroom set in a century-old former mill in St. Mary's County, Md. herringcreekfurniture.com

BRASS TRIVET, $76 Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Va.) The pineapple was a symbol of hospitality in colonial times and still lends a welcoming touch today.This one, in brass, would be a wonderful accent on a dining table in any era. shop.colonialwilliamsburg.com

BAR GLASSES, $35 FOR SET OF 4 Nancy Hammond Editions (Annapolis, Md.) Artist Nancy Hammond celebrates the Bay in her cut-paper designs. Her annual signed and numbered Annapolis posters are collectors' items, and we think these glasses should be too. This set features the signature black lab that shows up in many of her prints, but she has crabs, herons, and more. nancyhammondeditions.com

TEA TOWEL, $20 The Wild Wander (Richmond, Va.) A beautifully illustrated guide to Old Dominion's ﬂora and fauna, printed on durable sackcloth. She has all 50 states, nautical designs, food and drink, and more, available as towels, prints, and stationery. Order online or ﬁnd it at Red Barn Mercantile in Alexandria, Va. wildwanderco.com redbarnmercantile.com

INSULATED WINE THERMOS AND TUMBLERS, $39.99 West Marine The Captain’s Party Set has a thermos to keep your wine cold (it holds a full bottle), and two sturdy, capped tumblers to keep the wine from spilling, under any party conditions. westmarine.com Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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OYSTER DISH, $25 Quirk n Bach Pottery (Annapolis, Md.) These small plates are almost too pretty to use, and handmade in their studio in Eastport. quirknbachpottery.com

Get Crackin’ No Chesapeake holiday is complete without a seafood feast. Here are tools to help you dig in, whether you’re on the gifting or eating end (or better yet, both).

by Susan Moynihan

PREMIUM OYSTER KNIFE, $52 True Chesapeake Oyster Co. (Baltimore) Shucking oysters is 10% skill and 90% knife. This Chesapeake stabber, designed in conjunction with master woodworker Dale German, works for professionals and amateurs alike. truechesapeake.com

PLACECARD HOLDER, $12 Vagabond House Keep everyone in their place with detailed pewter crustaceans, availabe at Le Marché, Norfolk Va. vagabondhouse.com

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OVAL PLATTER, $55 Magnolia Creative Co. This cheery, handpainted Summer Seafood platter is food and dishwasher safe, big enough for a heap of shells or sides, and available via Welcome Home markets in Annapolis and Chestertown, Md. welcomehomemarkets.com; magnoliacreativeco.com

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

SERVING SET, $43 Arthur Court Designs Serve up sides in style with this set, made from lightweight, sand-cast aluminum. It’s available at Mary Barnett Gifts, Norfolk, Va. marybarnettgifts.com

BOTTLE OPENERCRAB MALLET Bay Imprint (Easton, Md.) Because nothing goes together quite like crabs and beer. This mallet is made from reclaimed wood, with a built-in bottle opener. Customize with your preferred brew, the date of your crab feast, or whatever else you can dream up; the price goes down the more you order. bayimprint.com

CHIP AND SHUCK OYSTER OPENER, $249 Chip and Shuck (Pasadena, Md.) Shucking for a crowd? This invention by Md. oyster grower Rick Levin promises easy opening for oysters and clams of all sizes. theoysteropener.com

Got Shellfish? There are loads of local farmers who offer shellfish shipping around the region and beyond. Here are three to try that deliver (literally) in packaging, presentation, and taste. Orchard Point Oyster Co., Kent Island, Md. These small-batch bivalves are cultivated at two farms in the upper Chesapeake, and available as sweet, tasty Classics designed for shuck-andeat, or oversized Orchard Point Primes, which grow to four inches and are perfect on a grill. orchardpointoysters.com Hooper Island Oyster Co., Md. Their Chesapeake Smokes are raised on the farm on Hoopers Island, then finished in smoked seasalt-infused water for 6 to 24 hours. The result is a firm-textured bivalve with a subtle smoky finish. Designed in partnership with Dogfish Head Brewing Co, they used to only be available at the Chesapeake & Main restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, Del., but now come straight to your door. hoopersisland.com

CARVEL HALL CRAB KNIVES, SET OF 6; $54 Mr. Woodsmith (Crisﬁeld, Md.) This secondgeneration family business has been making crab knives and mallets for more than 40 years. The stainless-steel knife is the same original Carvel Hall design created in 1975. mrwoodsmith.com

Cherrystone Aqua-Farms, Cape Charles, Va. This ﬁfth-generation family business produces stellar shellﬁsh on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Order up an oyster sampler and taste the differences between bright Misty Points, briny Chincoteague Salts, classic Watch House Points, and party-perfect Chunuses, or go whole clam with a bushel of littlenecks or middlenecks. clamandoyster.com

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Classic Oyster Stew from Nick Shauman, The Local Oyster, Baltimore Ingredients

Oyster stew is one of my all-time favorite things. My mom would make it almost every Sunday when it was really cold outside. Part of the fun was making the trip to Leo’s Seafood on Bel Air Road. Mom would get a quart or two of oysters and she would always get a quart of oyster liquor. That’s what she said makes it so good. There are 1,000 recipes for oyster stew. Some are rustic, some are reﬁned (like the version pictured, from True Chesapeake Oyster Co.); this one is simple. Some recipes are meant to be followed to the T; this one is just a starting point. Adjust measurements to your taste, add ingredients as you like—whatever you do, don’t scorch it! Even though oysters are my life, I will never get sick of stew. This is the way my Mom made it and this is the way I make it too. The only difference now is that instead of driving to Leo’s, I shuck the oysters myself.

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1 shallot 1 celery stalk 2 sticks of butter 2 qt. milk 1 qt. half and half 1 qt. fresh shucked oysters with liquor (approx 40-50, depending on size) 1 Tbsp. salt 1 tsp. black pepper Directions 1. Shuck oysters into strainer and reserve the liquor. If you don’t want to shuck your own, pick up a couple pints from your local seafood shop. 2. Peel shallot and mince as small as you can so it melts in the pot. 3. Clean celery and cut into small dice. Leaves are ok.

4. Melt butter over mediumhigh heat. 5. Add shallot and celery. Season with salt. Sweat until translucent. 6. Add oyster liquor to vegetables. Bring to a low boil. 7. Add milk and cream. Stir frequently until the edges of the pot start to foam. STOP! This step is very important: Turn off heat so it doesn’t burn. 8. Add oysters and cover. Let sit while oysters slightly cook about 15 minutes. You’ll know when they are cooked because their gills will start to curl. 9. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 10. Reheat on low when ready to eat. Serve with oyster crackers.

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CHESAPEAKE DRESS, $109 Southwind Apparel (Stevensville, Md.) Comfortable? Check. Machine washable? Check. Moisture-wicking fabric with SPF 50 protection? Check. This Kent island designer has won a loyal following up and down the East Coast, with ﬂattering dresses and tops available in myriad patterns and prints, all made in the U.S. southwindapparel.com

Spread Some

Local Style Here are a bevy of options whether you’re looking to wear your heart on your (shirt) sleeve, need the perfect shell for your crew, or want to support local designers who make our region special. DOUBLE EYEGLASS CASE, $48 HOBO (Annapolis, Md.) Talk about smart: This cute case holds sunglasses on one side, and eyeglasses on the other. It’s part of HOBO’s Go collection of mix-and-match accessories of glasses cases, mini-pouches, and wallets. They clip on and off, making them easy to move to bag from bag for different occasions. hobobags.com

By Susan Moynihan

DON’T WORRY, BAY HAPPY TEE, $36 The Chesapeake Collection (Cockeysville, Md.) It’s hard not to bay happy when you know that this apparel company works with the Oyster Recovery Project to restore 100 oysters to the Bay for every item sold. Available in six colors. chesapeakecollection.com

LEATHER LOAFER, $395 Tangier (Richmond, Va.) Richmond menswear company Ledbury has a national reputation for its bespoke, European-style method of shirtmaking and tailoring. The company brings the same attention to detail to its shoe line, Tangier. The classic Kudu loafer is designed in Virginia, handmade in Italy, and the look and feel only improve as it ages. ledbury.com

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

CAPTAIN’S SHIRT, $49.95 Brackish Life (St. Michaels, Md.) From charter captains to day trippers, this comfy, longsleeved shirt has you covered with oversized pockets, loopbutton sleeves, and best of all, SPF 40+ sun protection. brackish.life

BEER AND CRAB SHORTS, $89

FLOATING BOAT SHOE, $44.95 Sperry The classic Sperry Topsider is even better, with “portholes” that drain water, non-marking outsoles that won’t mar your deck, and comfy EVA material so light it ﬂoats, making for an easy rescue if one goes overboard. sperry.com

Chesapeake Bay Outﬁtters (St. Michaels, Md.) Celebrating a perfect pairing around the Bay, these lined, quick-dry shorts are by Castaway exclusively for CBO, and designed to go from boat to bar. Because summer will be here again before we know it. cbostyle.com

WEEKEND DUFFLE, $158 Hamilton Perkins (Norfolk, Va.) This Virginia designer has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and The Washington Post for his sturdy, waterresistant bags, made from recycled materials including plastic water bottles, billboard vinyl, and leaf ﬁber. The Earth Bag Premium here works as a dufﬂe, crossbody, or backpack. hamiltonperkins.com

BAYVIEW CUFF BRACELET, $230

CUFFLINKS, $29.99 Route One Apparel (College Park, Md.) Show some pride on your sleeve with these cheeky enamel cufﬂinks, featuring the iconic Old Bay packaging. Route One Apparel has everything you ever wanted related to Maryland, emblazoned on T-shirts, dog collars, belts, enamelware—you name it. routeoneapparel.com

Dune Jewelry This Maine-based jewelry company incorporates ethically sourced sand and natural elements from around the world into every piece. You can choose the design and minerals (this cuff features Chesapeake Bay sand) or create a custom piece that incorporates your own sand, soil, or stones from your favorite place. dunejewelry.com

Gear Gear& &Gift GiftGuide Guide2021 2021 ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

CANVAS PANTS, $99 LIVSN Outside Magazine sings the praises of these versatile pants, designed to stand up to the outdoors with features like reinforced construction, zippered security pockets, articulated knees, and built-in ventilation, but goodlooking enough you can pair them with a collared shirt or jacket for a night out. Or as a colleague said, “They’re like Carhartts that don’t look like Carhartts.” livsndesigns.com

WRISTLET CLUTCH, $80 Awl Snap Leather Goods Co. (Richmond, Va.) Sleek and simple, this handy zip-pouch bag is made from buttery soft leather sourced from ethical U.S.-based tanneries, and features an interior pocket for cards and cash. Carry it on its own by the wrist strap, or toss it in a larger tote. awlsnap.com

PERFORMANCE BASE CREW, $60 Helly Hansen Looking for all-weather clothing that stands up to any conditions on land or at sea? This LIFT Active performance base crew offers lightweight warmth, moisture management, and allday comfort, with sharp styling you won’t want to cover up. Available in mens and womens sizes. hellyhansen.com

BEACH BAG, $165 727 Sailbags (Annapolis, Md.) This cheery beach tote is made in France from recycled genoa sails. A perforated bottom releases sand so you don’t track it into the boat, car, or house. 727sailbags.us

FOLLOW YOUR COMPASS HOODIE, $39 The Happy Skipper (Exmore, Pa.) Sage advice in a cozy, unisex hoodie from this Pennsylvania company launched in 2020. This design and others are available in everything from tees to beach bags and throw pillows. thehappyskipper.com

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PETZL HEADLAMP, $24.95

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KIDS BOONIE HAT, $32 Sun Day Afternoons Keep the sun out of their eyes and off their faces while they’re on the water, in the water, or just out having fun. These cute sun hats are great for younger kids who hate sunscreen reapplication. They’re also reversible, are rated UPF 50+, and have a lifetime guarantee. Sizes M (ages 2–5) and L (ages 5–12). sundayafternoons.com

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

It’s a great time to get the kids ready for the other most wonderful time of the year— boating season! Here are a slew of gifts for them to enjoy when they head outside or hit the water.

Petzl Petzl’s great headlamps have gotten smaller, and the TIKKID is perfect for kids onboard who want to read in their bunk before bed, or just need to maneuver after dark without falling overboard. Bonus points for a phosphorescent indicator so kids can find it in the dark, and an automatic shutoff after an hour. petzl.com

by Ann Levelle

KIDS KAYAK, $450 Ocean Kayak According to the folks at Annapolis Canoe and Kayak, this kid-size Banzai kayak is a great one for kids of all ages, sizes, and skill levels. It comes in Surf blue or Lemongrass camo, and its “low-profile, kid-friendly seat allows easy movement and more mobility for small bodies.” Available at Annapolis Canoe and Kayak and East of Maui. oceankayak. johnsonoutdoors.com

FLOATING ISLAND, $329 Sowkt Once you hit the sandbar, raftup, or anchorage, drop a Sowkt floating island into the water and the kids will be ready to play for hours. We won’t lie, you need a fair amount of room onboard to cart a floating island around— but man, do kids love these things! The 12'x6' floating pads offer nearly endless fun while kids bounce around, get wet, and stay away from jellyfish. sowkt.com

TOWABLE WEINER DOG, $149 WOW Watersports When it comes to water toys, there’s a towable and then there’s a Weiner Dog towable. We vote for the weiner dog! It holds up to 3 kids, and comes with a one-year warranty. wowwatersports.com

DRY BAG, $19.95 Skog å Kust Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a tablet, or a Nintendo, kids are going to bring stuff on the boat. Help keep it dry by giving them a brand new DrySåk. Made from waterproof PVC with a flipover clip closure, an outside zippered pocket, and coming in cool kid-friendly designs, these dry bags are perfect for the kiddos and all of their favorite things. Available in 5-, 10- or 20L sizes. skogakust.com

SUNGLASSES, $19.99 MiniShades These shades tick all the right boxes for great glasses.They’re polarized with 100% UVA protection; lead- and PBAfree; lightweight; come in cool color/mirror combinations; have stretchable temples; and a soft, yet rubbery material helps keep them on kids’ faces while staying comfortable. They’re just about perfect for any boating kid you know. My kids have sailed in them for two years and we can’t ask for more. They’re absolutely kid-tested, parent-approved. Oh, and if your kids lose or damage their shades? MiniShades will “send you a onetime replacement pair (exact same size/color)” for an easy $7.95 processing fee. Available in sizes/ages 0–3, 3–7, 8–12. Try them on for size at Shades of the Bay in Annapolis. or Sanibel Sunglass Company in Hampton, Va. polarizedminishades.com

MAKE YOUR OWN AQUARIUM, $17.99 Play Creative Build a world of fantasy and creativity. Let the little ones customize their own aquarium, then fill it with fish they have colored and decorated with stickers. Ages 4–6. calvertmarinemuseum.com

You Otter Think About These! SAVING SQUEAK, $14.99 An exciting tale about a young hero who discovers an orphaned baby otter in the park. Although the boy would like to keep the otter as a pet, he learns the importance of rehabilitating wildlife that live among humans. By Jennifer Keats Curtis; illustrated by Marcy Dunn Ramsey (Grades K–6). calvertmarinemuseum.com

OTTER TEE, $14.99 River otters are uniquely suited for life in the water, with sleek, streamlined bodies, webbed feet and strong, thick tails that provide stability when swimming. Their curious and playful nature make them one of the Calvert Marine Museum’s most popular attractions, and you can gift the T-shirt to prove it! (Also available in Adult S–XL for $21.99.) calvertmarinemuseum.com

WWF STUFFED OTTER, $60

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KNOT-TYING KIT, $9.95 Pro-Knot Go old school with the original fidget activity: tying knots! The Pro-Knot Tying Kit comes with a carabiner and a set of laminated, grommeted instruction cards that cover 20 of your best basic knots, including the bowline, square knot, water knot, rolling hitch, and sheet bend. proknot.com

Give the gift of conservation to your favorite animalloving kid. For $60, you’ll receive an adorable otter plush, an adoption certificate, otter photo, species info card, and gift bag. Other animals include sea turtles, penguins, seals, and the bluefooted booby. gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center

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The

Here on the Chesapeake, we have countless ways to enjoy the outdoors. Here are things to help you along, whether you’re cruising the Chester, paddling the Patuxent, or camping at Cape Charles.

by Susan Moynihan

Great Outdoors SOLAR LANTERN, $69.95 Goal Zero This sun-powered lantern provides 600 lumens of directional, adjustable light; a USB port to power your phone; and a built-in hand crank (which doubles as handle) as backup if conditions don’t cooperate. It can also be recharged via USB in under 6 hours. goalzero.com

INFLATABLE SUP, $649 BOTE Paddleboarding is great; lugging said paddleboard from place to place, not so much. The Breeze Aero 10'8" Classic Teak Inflatable Paddle Board is light (just under 20 lbs) and small enough to fit in a backpack, but expands into an all-skill-levels board that’s as stable as the traditional models, thanks to military-grade PVC and attachable fins. And the AeroPump auto electric pump makes it a breeze to inflate. boteboard.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PACKABLE CHAIR ZERO, $119.95

TRAVEL BINOCULARS, $95 Nocs Provisions Don’t want to lug around those oversized binocs, or risk losing a fortune if they get wet or damaged? Neither do we. These lightweight, bestin-class specs come clad in textured waterproof housing designed for maximum grip and protection, whatever the conditions—and a lifetime warranty to boot. Choose from eight colors. nocsprovisions.com

Helinox The Chair Zero sits comfortably at 8.5 inches off the ground, but packs down to the size of a water bottle and weighs just 17 ounces. It has a cult following among serious hikers, but now the secret is out. helionox.com

DIY KAYAK KIT, $1,129

MOTION-SICKNESS BAND, $269 Reliefband The rechargeable Premier wrist band is a drugfree, non-drowsy alternative to seasick meds. It uses FDAcleared technology to send pulses through your nervous system to fight nausea and motion sickness. reliefband.com

Chesapeake Light Craft (Annapolis, Md.) Looking for a winter project? The Mill Creek 13' kayak is wider, shorter, and more stable than typical sea kayaks, making it ideal for fishermen, photographers, and birders. You can purchase the stitch-and-glue kit, buy just the plans, or sign up for a week-long workshop to get some guidance; they’re offered around the country, including their home base of Annapolis. And if you don’t need a kayak, they have canoes, skiffs, even teardrop campers. clcboats.com

FOLDING BICYCLE, $896 Dahon Cruising the Bay is wonderful but exploring once docked can be an issue if you don’t have a way to get around. Hence the joy of a folding bike, which stores easily underway. Both Cycling Weekly and The New York Times put the smoothriding, easy-folding Mariner D8 at the head of the pack. usa.dahon.com

PORTABLE COFFEE GRINDER, $150 VSSL Camp Just because you’re roughing it doesn’t mean you have to rough it with substandard coffee. Durable construction (it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum) and portability (it can clip onto your backpack) means you can grind your own beans and ensure top-notch coffee just about anywhere. VSSLgear.com

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

TIME AND TIDE CLOCK, $231.99 Weems and Plath The wellloved Endurance II 135 is an easy-to-read traditional clock with an extra red hand that tracks the tide, all wrapped up in a nautical brass finish that looks great in a landlocked office or a floating galley. weemsandplath.com

SMOKELESS FIRE PIT, FROM $349 Breeo (Lancaster, Pa.) Love the idea of a firepit but hate having to move your chairs every time the wind changes direction? The X Series 19 Smokeless Fire Pit gets raves for its design, which allows increased airflow that minimizes wood smoke output. It comes in three sizes and two finishes: sleek stainless steel or rustic Corten steel, designed to age with a patina. breeo.co

SMARTPHONE DRY BAG, $74.95 Ugo This sleek, reliable SLIM pack is big enough for phone, key fob, and credit card, but small enough to tuck in a pocket. The clear outer shell lets you take photos and connect to Bluetooth while using, and if you do drop it overboard, it floats. Available in various sizes, including 13" tablet. ugowear.com

WASHABLE FENDER COVER, $34.99 Bolger Marine (Bethesda, Md.) Bolger means “waves” in Norwegian, and that’s what you’ll be making when you pull up at the dock with these colorful fenders. Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly the case, but these cheery machine-washable covers are made from 94% polyester and 6% elastane, come in various sizes, and the colors and patterns—from anchors to fishbones—just make us smile. bolgermarine.com

CAMP KITCHEN STORAGE BOX, $330 Latelyish (Baltimore, Md.) Keep everything in its place, whether you’re on a boat, in a tent, or roadtripping. Handmade in Charm City, the Camp Chuck Box is a sturdy carryall made with formaldehydefree plywood, nontoxic glue, and metal hardware. There are three drawers for utensils, durable spring handles for carrying, and the front cover folds down to make a prep station. etsy.com/shop/Latelyish

SAILCLOTH DECK CHAIR, $199 727 Sailbags (Annapolis, Md.) This French-American company is well known for their sturdy totes made from recycled sails, but did you know they also do seating, clothing, and more? We love these foldable kid-sized chairs for cuteness and practicality— and yes, there are adult versions too. Each item also notes the provenance of the cloth: what kind of sail, what kind of boat, and where it sailed. Order online, or visit their flagship store in downtown Annapolis. 727sailbags.us

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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HOLIDAY GIFTGUIDE

A Boater’s Wish List Giving a gift to the boater in your life doesn’t have to be complicated. You can give anything from the smallest trinket or a fun new gadget to a full-blown piece of electronics and they’ll likely be happy. Most of all, make it useful, and you’ll be the star of the show. Here are some ideas to get you started.

by Ann Levelle

MULTITOOL, $99 Leatherman Give your boater the gift of a great tool this year. The Leatherman Wave Plus multitool has more features than any other Leatherman, offering 17 tools in one—all of which can be opened and locked with one hand, including its replaceable wire cutters. westmarine.com

IMAGE-STABILIZING BINOCULARS , $649 Fujinon It’s tough to see something steadily through binoculars when your boat is bobbing on the waves or cutting a wake up the river. But with image-stabilizing binoculars, you’ve got a shot at actually honing in on what you want to see. The Fujinon Techno-Stabi 12 x 28 uses optical stabilized technology to keep a lock on what you want to see, even at 12x magniﬁcation. They’re also sturdy, lightweight, compact, and designed to keep dust and dirt away from the optics. westmarine.com

WATERPROOF SPEAKERS, $369.99 Garmin What’s better than a great set of watertight speakers? Ones that look amazing and add an array of colors and custom options to boot. The new Fusion Signature Series 3 marine speakers and subwoofers do just that, all while incorporating marine-speciﬁc design elements that deliver premium aesthetics to any boat, and sound great on the water. garmin.com

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

MARINE MAGNET, $21.99 Allied International We know you’ve dropped a tool overboard before. Next time, get it back when you drop this heavyduty magnet overboard to hunt for and retrieve your prized tools (or other magnetic marvels). westmarine.com

HANDHELD GPS, $349.99 Garmin Garmin’s new GPSMAP 79 is the latest in its marine handheld series— designed to give boaters a suite of essential, easy-to-use onboard navigation tools from the palm of their hand. The new model features 8GB of memory for storage of up to 10,000 waypoints and 250 routes, built-in BlueChart g3 coastal charts, and an upgraded crisp display that prevents fogging and is sunlight viewable. Plus, it offers 19 hours of battery life—and of course, it ﬂoats. garmin.com

CHARTPLOTTER, $449 Simrad Yachting Whether you’re just getting into boating or don’t need the most high-tech electronics, Simrad’s Cruise chartplotter series is just right. The intuitive and easy-touse plotter comes with U.S. Coastal charts, mounting bracket, and sonar transducer. It’s sunlight viewable, and can display charts, navigation, and sonar in split- or full-screen views. Available in 5-, 7-, and 9-inch sizes. simrad-yachting.com

HANDHELD VHF RADIO, $99 Standard Horizon Standard Horizon has been making quality VHFs for more than 50 years. The compact, ﬂoating, HX210 VHF can preset up to 10 channels, and features an FM receiver, water-activated light, built-in lithium-ion battery pack, and 6-watt transmit power output. westmarine.com

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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CHAMOIS TOWEL, $12.99 Clean Tools Wipe down the morning dew or last night’s rain with the Absorber—a soft yet ultra-absorbent chamois towel made of poly vinyl alcohol material. The Absorber soaks up moisture fast, is machine washable, and can even be stored damp in its handy storage tube. A great gift for any boater. cleantools.net

SOLAR-POWERED SMARTWATCH, $1,149 Garmin When it comes time for a next-level smartwatch, the Quantix 6 Solar is where it’s at. This newly upgraded series adds dedicated marine features to its already quality activity tracking, wellness data, and smart notiﬁcations, all on a 1.4-inch display. The watch is compatible with Garmin chartplotters and other devices, offering autopilot control, data streaming, sail racing assistance, Fusion-Link entertainment control, and charts—all from the comfort of your wrist. garmin.com

DIGITAL MULTIMETER, $54

the

CLIP-ON SPEAKER, $79.95 JBL Like music? Want to hear it wherever you are on the boat? The JBL Clip 4 has you covered with great sound, Bluetooth connection to whatever device you like, and up to 10 hours of playtime on a sturdy waterproof device. It comes in a rainbow of colors (and customizable prints) and ﬁts the bill at a giftable price. jbl.com

MINI PLUGS, $19.95 PER TWIN-PACK Forespar Emergency leaks or through-hull trouble? Stop ’em up with these Sta-Plug Minis—polymer (rubber-like) plugs that will conform to most any hole to hold leaks at bay. forespar.com

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Gear & Gift Guide 2021

Klein Tools A little troubleshooting goes a long way on a boat, and when it comes to your electronics, batteries, and connections, having a multimeter on board is perfect way to help you ﬁnd your electrical woes. This Klein 600V multimeter is sturdy, measures AC and DC current and resistance, and won’t disappoint. kleintools.com

GAS GRILL, $249 Magma Marine Keep the boating season delicious by grilling your fresh catch or just some burgers with the classic and durable Magma Kettle gas grill. It’s got 13 inches of cooking space, a hinged lid, and multiple mounting options. westmarine.com

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE HEADLAMP, $69 Petzl.com Headlamps rock—especially Petzls. The Actik Core boasts 450 lumens of power, additional red lighting for night visibility, multiple brightness levels, a locking function to keep it from turning on mistakenly, and a rechargeable core battery that keeps you up and running all night. petzl.com

PHONE MOUNT, $79 SeaSucker The X-Grip holder for phones and other small electronics will keep your phone safely attached to wherever you want it onboard, when paired up with the 4.5" SeaSucker. Its bendable arm provides plenty of ﬂexibility and it ﬁts just about any phone (opens to 3" wide). seasucker.com

GPS CASTABLE SONAR, $179 Garmin If you’re casting from a dock or pier, or even in your grandpa’s old Whaler, you won’t likely have a fishfinder handy. Garmin has a fun solution for you, right on your phone. Cast out the Striker Cast small sonar device to your hopeful field of fish, and as you reel it back in, you’ll get data from down below sent right to the app on your phone. garmin.com

Gear Picks for Anglers by Capt. Chris D. Dollar One thing I’ve learned over the years about finding a gift for the sportswoman or sportsman in your life is that it’s challenging. Why? Because there’s a good chance they either already have it, or if they don’t, there is a good reason as to why. I once tried to give a good friend a high-end camo survival suit for his 40th birthday. I thought it was a home run. He took a pass. It’s the thought that counts, right? Here are some ideas to get you started. Happy holidays, and enjoy our Chesapeake outdoors! TACKLE BAGS & BOXES I’m a bit of an organizational freak, so I’m always eyeing up new tackle storage to make my life easier. Plano’s Atlas Tackle Pack or its Edge Micro Magnetic Fly Box fit the bill. The Atlas blends the light weight of a soft tackle bag with the strength of a molded box. The base is waterproof, and it has many features anglers will love. The company’s fly box is on the smallish side, but offers big features: Soft pads in the top two levels hold smaller flies or larger streamers, and the base features a magnetic Dropzone that automatically anchors metal tools and hooks in place. CLOTHING/APPAREL Nothing chases me off the water quicker than being unnecessarily cold and wet. If that’s true for someone on your list, then consider AFTCO’s Barricade Elite foul-weather gear, which employs four-layer, 100

percent nylon construction designed for salt water. The jacket is well-built—YKK AquaGuard chest zippers, double cuff with hook-and-loop adjustment, and brushed tricot hand-warmer pockets. The bibs come with a nylon-lined utility pocket, elastic shoulder straps, and knee-high side zippers. Add a pair of Xtratuf’s new Sport ankle deck boots, built from a new highperformance foam Pro Lite material and featuring a one-piece outsole, and that lucky person is ready for colder weather fishing or boating. CONSERVATION TOOLS These days, we all have to do more to conserve more fish. Tools such as dehookers, lip grippers, and fishfriendly nets should be standard issue on all anglers’ boats and kayaks. Try Frabill’s ultralight conservation net, which measures 21" x 24", and features a lowresistance, coated mesh and a crazy light carbon-fiber handle. For the kayak angler, consider YakAttack's revolutionary Leverage Landing Net that features a forearm grip and hinged design that makes it compact and easy to stow. The rubberized net is easy on fish slime, too, especially when you’re letting that trophy fish swim away. If these aren’t making your socks go up and down, perhaps a membership to one of the many organizations working to restore habitat for fish and ducks. I’m a big fan of the Coastal Conservation Association and several groups that are dedicated to ensuring that America’s public waters and lands remain in public hands so we can all enjoy them responsibly.

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

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ON BOATS

Sea Pro 320 DLX Offshore by Capt. John Page Williams

Sea Pro 320 DLX Offshore LOA: 32' Beam: 10'4" Max HP: 800

COURTESY PHOTOS

Dry Weight: 8,500 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 207 gal. Freshwater Capacity: 22 gal. Transom Deadrise: 24.5º For more information, visit seapromfg.com

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 64

e’re glad to see the Sea Pro brand settled back on the Chesapeake with two strong, service-oriented dealers, Tri-State Marine in Deale, Md. and Lynnhaven Marine in Virginia Beach. For those with long memories, the brand began with the Hancock family in South Carolina in 1987. The company built solid, reasonably priced center-console and bay boats until the 2000s, when the family sold it to Brunswick Corp., which continued to build until the Great Recession. Brunswick shut down Sea Pro then, along with several other boat brands.

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

About five years ago, Jimmy Hancock and his friend Preston Wrenn, formerly of Tidewater Boats, resurrected the Sea Pro line as the next wave of center-console and bay boats. We had a chance to crawl around several of their models at the United States Powerboat Show, and then took a sea trial several days later with Jim Reinoehl, a member of the Tri-State service team. We went aboard the company’s flagship 320 DLX Offshore center-console, out into Herring Bay and the open Chesapeake. While we could have wished for rougher seas to let the 320 show off, the day was

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TOP: The helm features the proprietary "Connect" control system; BOTTOM: The DLX comes with a standard Wet Sound audio system.

lumpy enough to give us a good sense of how it performed at all speeds. Having Jim aboard was especially valuable for his expertise on installing and servicing the boat’s electronics, wiring, plumbing, and mechanical systems. That point of view is important for understanding how the boat will perform, not only when new but five or 10 years down the road. One element that stood out quickly on the 320 DLX was the quality of the fittings. The anchor windlass at the bow, for example, is stout and firmly anchored in a finished compartment beneath a tight-fitting lid that’s finished on both sides. The cockpit side door mounts on massive stainless hinges with a strong, positivelocking latch. A folding swim ladder

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 66

for the door is optional. It stores in a dedicated rack in the lid to the bilge. All hatch lids and hinges we looked at were mounted firmly. The swim ladder in the starboard corner of the transom platform is telescopic and stows horizontally in the platform. The grab handles in the hardtop frame are built for the human hand, with enough depth to get a good grip quickly and indentations for fingers. Lamination is sharp everywhere, including wave-shedding crisp edges on the chines and bottom strakes. In accommodations, the Sea Pro design team clearly thinks in human dimensions. The 320 DLX’s console changing room offers easy access with well-placed grab handles and a wide door, 6'2" headroom inside, a

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

porcelain toilet with holding tank, a sink with pressure fresh water and counter, and a small bench seat with storage beneath. A large hatch above the bench provides a technician with easy access to the inside of the helm and its electronics. In the bow cockpit, an electrically actuated table can create a picnic table, a sunpad, or a casting/castnet-throwing deck, or return to the sole. Built into the deck in front of the table is an ingenious “dry box organizer” for sunglasses and phones that also includes a pair of 12-volt USB charging plugs. Around it are forward-facing lounges port and starboard, with a comfortable, cushioned seat for two facing forward on the front of the console, plus stereo speakers facing forward in the hardtop above. Sea Pro builds its own distinctive cushions in-house. The business side of the helm features Optimus EPS steering, a tilt helm, and a stainless steering wheel with knob. Sea Pro worked with Boat Fix and Simrad to build a proprietary “Connect” boat control system based on NSO19 EVO3 electronic displays linked to a SS175 M Chirp Transducer on a black acrylic-glass bridge with a row of carefully labelled switches below. A key fob activates the system, but there is a master switch on the dash as well. Also mounted there are an Audison Audio System, an engine data display (Sea Pro rigs with Mercury, Suzuki, and Yamaha outboards), and trim tab controls. Options for the helm include an Optimus 360 Joystick w/Sea Station, an LED spotlight with wireless remote switch, Eskimo refrigerated cupholders, and a pair of MarineCool mister spray outlets. The large pad on the console’s top holds a compass to port and another dry box organizer. The hardtop holds a Simrad RS 40 VHF radio linked to the connect system and a storage box overhead. The three-panel glass windshield (front and sides) protects the skipper and a companion, but the one gripe

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we had with the 320 DLX was that the windshield wiper does not sweep the lower third of the front panel. While no spray came aboard during our sea trial, some spits of rain remained on the glass, obstructing our view of the water immediately ahead. The dual helm chairs operate electronically, with a control panel for them and the Simrad system in between. They each have flip-up arms and bolsters. Port and starboard beside the helm lie a pair of macerated fishboxes in the sole. The aft legs of the hardtop anchor the aft corners of the helm seat base. Underneath sits an 80-liter cooler on a positive-locking

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

slide, and above is a 36"-wide freshwater sink with a hinged lid. The hardtop overhead holds a pair of speakers and an overhead freshwater shower that emanates from a stainlesssteel grate. The aft edge of the hardtop and the transom each hold a rocket launcher for five fishing rods. The gunwales hold 11 more, and there are two horizontal racks recessed into the starboard topside of the aft cockpit, along with a toe rail. The forward face of the transom holds a fold-down, cushioned seat for two. Jim Reinoehl enjoyed showing off the bilge under the aft cockpit sole. He lifted the large, finished hatch to reveal a steel grate for stepping down. The grate covers yet allows easy access to the boat’s series 31 batteries (an onboard 12/24/36/48-volt battery charging system is optional). The bilge is gel-coated, showing off massive stringers. In between sits a polished stainless-steel sea chest with two Bait

Sentry pumps feeding 30-gallon pressurized livewells in the transom corners. The sea chest minimizes the number of through-hull fittings needed. The rest of the plumbing and wiring is neatly arranged and readily accessible for service. That includes the hoses connecting the crowned cockpit sole’s two screened drains to one-way scuppers built into the transom above the waterline. A Sea Pro engineer clearly thought about the 320 DLX’s need to self-bail at rest. So how did this full-featured boat perform on a moderately snotty day? In a word, well. Reinoehl commented that he had run it back down to Deale in rougher conditions after the Powerboat Show in Annapolis and had been impressed with how solid it felt. It felt sturdy for us too, with no rattles or shakes as we ran it at all angles and several speeds into the seas, including the wakes of several charterboats headed back to harbor. Handling was crisp, easy, and dry, with a soft ride from the deep-V hull. It was easy to forget that the boat is 32' long, though her length and weight clearly contributed to the ride quality. The twin Yamaha 300s on the transom provided solid, efficient performance, including low cruise at 22 kt. (4,000 rpm), high cruise at 27 kt. (4,500 rpm), and a top end of 42.5 kt. (6,000 rpm). We were also impressed that the 320 DLX rose onto plane easily at speeds in the mid-teens, suggesting a wide range of usable speeds to fit conditions. The boat was also very stable on the drift, despite its deep-V hull. Base price for the 320 DLX Offshore with twin 300-hp Yamaha outboards is $310,668. For more information, visit seapromfg.com.

CBM Editor-at-Large, educator, guide, and author of three quintessential Chesapeake Bay books, John Page Williams was named a Maryland Admiral of the Bay in 2013.

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41’ 2018 2022 Beneteau Jeanneau 41.1 SO 410-131 ..................................... In Stock ............. $309,900 CALL 40’ 41’ 2022 2002 Tartan Nimbus4100 405C.......................................... #97 ...................................... $229,000 CALL 40’ 2022 1981 NIMBUS Nautilus 405 40 Pilothouse COUPE .................................. ........................ $77,000 CALL 40’ 2006 2022 Pacifi Excessc Seacraft 12 # 29 In40Stock - Spain ............................. .............. $335,000 CALL 40’ 1981 1977 Nautilus Gulfstar Hood 40 Pilothouse 40 ................................... ........................$79,000 $99,000 40’ 1998 1995 Catalina 400 Mk ......................................... II .................................$120,000 $97,000 40’ 1977 1997 Gulfstar Pacific Seacraft Hood 40 40...................................$99,000 ............................. $295,000 40’ 1997 2006 Pacific Seacraft 40 ............................. ............................. $335,000 $295,000 40’ 2022 Nimbus T11-80 T11 # 80In........................................ Stock .......................... CALL 39’ 2022 2013 Tartan Nordic 395 Tug -39 6 In ...................................... Stock ............................. $534,000 CALL 39’ 2022 Tartan Excess 395 12-29 -6 Cat ........................................ - In Stock ..................... $549,000 CALL 39’ 1999 Mainship 390 ...................................... ...................................... $115,000 38’ 2022 1981 Jeanneau S&S - Fincraft SO 380 38 ....................................$80,000 - April ‘22 .................... CALL 38’ 37’ 1987 2022 Hans ExcessChristian 11-42 Cat 38T - In ................................ Stock ..................... $93,500 CALL 38’ 37’ 1981 2001 S&S Jeanneau - Fincraft SO 37 38 .................................... ....................................$65,000 $72,500 37’ 2022 2002 Exxcess Pacific Seacraft 11 # 42 37 In Stock ............................. .......................... $120,000 CALL 37’ 2005 2002 Tartan Beneatu 3700 373-......................................... Strider ......................... $105,000 $185,000 37’ 2001 1998 Jeanneau J Boat J/37SO ................................................$65,000 37 .................................... $65,000 37’ 2003 Tartan 3700 - Spray ............................ ................................... $140,000 CALL

37’ 2002 2005 Tartan Beneteau 3700 373 - Strider ...................................... ......................... $185,000 $105,000 37’ 1987 2000 TARTAN J Boat J/37 3700 ............................................... - LIBERTY ................... $159,000 $65,000 37’ 1998 Sea Searay RaySundancer 370 Sun Dancer 370 ........................$94,900 ..................... $84,900 36’ 37’ 1990 2004 Grand Jeanneau Banks SO 36 37 .................................. ................................. $145,000 $110,000 36’ 37’ 2006 2010 Tartan Hunter3700 36 ................................................. ccr - VENTURE ............. $259,000 $87,500 36’ 2000 1979 Cruisers PEARSON3672 365....................................... Ketch ............................$44,000 $107,000 36’ 1979 2006 Pearson Hunter 36 365 .................................................$87,500 ketch ............................... $39,000 35’ 36’ 1986 2022 Tartan Baltic 35 365 .................................................... - SPRING 2022 ........................ $49,500 CALL 34’ 35’ 2021 1986 Tartan Baltic 35 345 ....................................................$59,500 ............................................. $299,000 34’ 2001 1990 Hunter Pacific Seacraft 340 .............................................. Crealock 34 ...............$86,000 $52,500 34’ 2022 Jeanneau SO 349 349-780 - In Stock In Stock ................... ............ CALL 34’ 1990 1994 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34 ............... ............ $110,000 $86,000 31’ 1986 Island Packet 31 .................................... .....................................$59,500 $59,900 31’ 2006 2007 Hunter Pacific Seacraft 31 ................................................. 31 ............................. $148,500 $55,000 31’ 29’ 2007 2022 Pacifi NImbus c Seacraft T9 ..................................................... 31 ............................. $148,500 CALL 30’ 28’ 2008 2014 Catalina Searay 280 309SunDeck ............................................ ............................$69,500 $74,500 29’ 26’ 2022 2019 Nimbus Fantail 26 T9.................................................$99,900 - Twins # 68 ........................... CALL 28’ 26’ 2014 2000 SeaRay Grady White 280 Sundeck 26 Powercat ............................ ...................$49,000 $69,500 22’ 1998 Sam L Morse -Cutter Cutter.............................$45,000 .......................... $35,000

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ARRIVING SOON

2016 Marlow 58E $2,095,000

2022 Northern Marine 57

Skip Smith 954.309.1122

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2004 Symbol 54 PH $450,000

2003 Princess V50 Fly $349,000

Gordon Bennett 410.739.4432

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2023 Nordic Tugs 44

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2021 Nimbus T9

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2015 Riviera Belize 54

1988 Fantail 50 $240,000

Dan Bacot

757.813.0460

IN STOCK

2021 Nimbus T11

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2021 Nimbus T8

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yazuyachting.com 804.776.5135

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Happy Holidays from the YaZu Crew! It’s been a fantastic year! Thanks for new and continued friendships and your ongoing support. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Based in Deltaville, VA

Happy Holidays Happy Holidays Happy from theHolidays YaZu Crew! from the YaZuyear! Crew! It’s been a fantastic from the YaZu Crew! Thanks for new and continued friendships

It’s been a fantastic fantastic year! andbeen youraongoing support. It’s year! Thanks for for new new and and continued continued friendships friendships Thanks and your ongoing support. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! and your ongoing support.

Based in Deltaville, VA

Merry Christmas Christmas && Happy Happy New New Year! Year! Merry Based in Deltaville, VA Based in Deltaville, VA ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 74

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

ALL SOLD OUT!

1990 65’ Macgregor

1985 36’ Cape Dory Cutter

1981 28’ Parkins-Herres-

2002 19’ Holby Pilot

1999 Robinhood 36

1980 34’ Kaiser Gale Force

2017 28’ Cutwater LE

1990 65’ Macgregor

2002 19’ Holby Pilot

THANKS FOR A 2008 330 Grady-White

2006 30’ Sea Ray Sundancer 1995 45’ Morgan Stowaway

FANTASTIC 2021!

LIST WITH US 1987 42’ Grand Banks

1930 48’ Dawn Corp.

1978 34’ Kaiser Gale Force

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Wilton Creek Residence - Wide Piankatank River views - 6-7’ MLW at Pier Pool/Pool House - 5,700 SF - Walk-out Basement - 3 Fireplaces $1,050,000 Call/Text Anytime:

David Dew 804.436.3106 DavidEDew@gmail.com

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Katie Horsley Dew 804.436.6256

HorsleyRE@yahoo.com

4 O f f i c e L o c a t i o n s • Tr u s t e d s i n c e 1 9 7 5 • 3 5 + A g e n t s

H O R S L E Y R E A L E S TAT E . C O M

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The Morris House The The Morris Morris House House Circa 1895 Circa 1895 Circa 1895

this exquiste homehome MakeMake this Make exquiste thishome exquiste your your private residence, your private residence, private residence, breakfast, or both. a beda&bed breakfast, a&bed & breakfast, or both. or both. 13 rooms • 5 bedrooms 4.5•baths 13 rooms •135rooms bedrooms • 5 bedrooms • 4.5 •baths 4.5 baths Basement: 5 rooms • •bath • kitchen Basement: Basement: 5 rooms •5bath rooms kitchen • bath • kitchen Cottage: 5 rooms • 2 bedrooms GuestGuest Cottage: Guest 5Cottage: rooms •52rooms bedrooms • 2 bedrooms Waterfront with with dock on Cockrell’s Waterfront Waterfront with dock on Cockrell’s dock on Cockrell’s CreekCreekCreek

Purchase Main House & Lot Purchase Purchase Main Main House House & Lot & for Lotfor$999,000 for$999,000 $999,000 Waterfront Cottage or orwith orwith with Waterfront Waterfront Cottage Cottage forfor$1,299,000. for$1,299,000. $1,299,000.

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Gloucester Waterfront

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Hartfield

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SPONSORED CONTENT “John August” Johnson President john@remodelthebay.com

REEM MO OD DEELLIINNGG R

HOW MUCH CREATIVE SPACES CREATIVE SPACES

REEM M OD DEE COST? R O LLIINNGG DOES IT By “John August” Johnson Specializing in

Specializing in WATER - FRONT FRONT HOMES HOMES WATER does it cost- to design and build a

ow much remodeling H project? This is a great question that should be discussed at the very beginning of the process.

CREATIVE SPACES SPACES CREATIVE

WATE R F RO N T L I V I N G E X P E RTS

Specializinginin Specializing FRONT HOMES HOMES WATER WATER -- FRONT

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CREATIVE SPACES SPACES CREATIVE

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I have heard of far too many projects that started with a substantial financial investment for architectural drawings, REEM MO OD DEELLIINNGG R but were never built because the construction costs exceeded R E M O D E L I N G REMODELIN G homeowner’s budget. the Specializinginin Specializing I have found that most everyone has some kind of budget in - FRONT HOMES WATER Specializing in WATER Specializing mind in based on either their financial ability, the importance of - FRONT HOMES WATER FRONT HOMES WATER - FRONT HOMES the project, or the return on investment when they sell the home. All of these are important reasons for establishing a realistic budget. The hard part is that no one can really provide you the actual cost until you get your thoughts, desires and dreams on paper with architectural drawings. However, experienced Design/Build firms can take the time to fully understand your vision and provide you with a reasonable estimated cost before you spend any money on design. This is why we have a 3-step A FIRM A DESIGN-BUILD DESIGN-BUILD FIRM process that keeps our clients safe throughout the entire design phase. Providing I personally feel that budget needs to be COVID-19 Safethe Practices Full Architectural a focal point and respected from theServices very first meeting to the for the Safety of our Clients Clear Communication completion of the project. and our Staff Designing smart ensures you solve System all your needs, gain Proven Designthat to Construction all your desires, and can actually afford to finish your project. Extraordinary Craftsmanship

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Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation, required by 39 USC 3685 1. Publication Title: Chesapeake Bay Magazine 2. Publication Number: 531-470 3. Filing Date: 10/1/2021 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 12 6. Annual Subscription Price: $29.95. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. Contact Person: Theresa Sise. Telephone: 410-263-2662. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: John Stefancik 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. Editor: none, editorial director of parent company Chesapeake Bay Media Meg Viviano 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. Managing Editor: Chris Landers 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403 10. Owner: Chesapeake Bay Media 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. John Stefancik, John Martino, Barbara Martino 601 Sixth St. Annapolis, MD 21403. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders: None. 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13. Publication Title: Chesapeake Bay Magazine. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2021. Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: a. Total Number of Copies 12,000. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail 7,453. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 1,114. (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS 974. (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS 0. c. Total Paid Distribution 9,541. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution by Mail and Outside the Mail: (1) OutsideCounty Copies 1,653. (2) In-County Copies 292. (3) Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS 0. (4) Outside the Mail 343. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 2,266. Total Distribution 11,829. Copies not Distributed 171. Total 12,000. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 80%. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: a. Total Number of Copies 12,000. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail 6,940. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 1,041. (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS 630. (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS 0. c. Total Paid Distribution 8,611. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution by Mail and Outside the Mail: (1) Outside-County Copies 2,421. (2) In-County Copies 440. (3) Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS 0. (4) Outside the Mail 378. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 3,239. Total Distribution 11,850. Copies not Distributed 150. Total 12,000. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 73%. Gear & Gift Guide 2021

10/29/21 3:07 PM

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com

Cheers to a New Year! ’Tis the season for toasting—and this recipe puts a festive spin on seasonal cider.

Cider Mule

Recipe by Jaime Windon of Lyon Distilling

INGREDIENTS 2 oz Lyon dark rum 4 oz apple cider Splash of ginger beer Mix the first two ingredients, then add a splash of ginger beer to taste. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick. Or amp it up with a dash of spiced orange Curaçao. Lyon Distilling uses orange peel, cardamom, chamomile, and clove in theirs, which is made with all natural ingredients at their distillery in St. Michaels, Md.

ChesapeakeBayMagazine.com 80

Gear & Gift Guide 2021

Worth the Wait The world never stops turning – and her infinite wonders remain. Now is the time to leave all your worries on the dock, let Mother Nature dazzle you with her beauty once more, and discover a truly unforgettable vacation on the water…

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December 2021

Articles inside

Holiday Happenings Around the Bay

Walk the Woods, Deck the Halls