Calvert Marine Museum News Archives 2005

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CMM-PR-05-42
December 29, 2005

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In February, the Calvert Marine Museum will celebrate Black History Month through a series of events and activities that highlight the experiences and achievements of local African Americans. All of the programs are free.

Throughout the month, the art work of Pinkie Mason Strother, an African American artist born and raised in Calvert County, will be featured in the museum lobby. Her series “Childhood Memories” depicts life on Broomes Island during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Her paintings will remain on display through February 24th. Prints of her best known paintings will be available for sale.

On Sunday, February 12th, at 2 pm, Commissioner Wilson Parran and artist Pinkie Mason Strother will share their experiences of “Growing Up African American in Calvert County.” Parran, a life long resident, has seen remarkable changes in his life time and comments on how the culture and lifestyle has evolved. Following Parran, Strother will present a PowerPoint presentation about her development as an artist and why she has chosen her childhood in Broomes Island as the primary subject matter of her work. Ms. Strother will be on hand all afternoon to talk to the public.

On Thursday, February 16th, at 2 pm, Kirsti Uunila, Historic Preservation Specialist for Calvert County, presents “Discovering the Hidden History and Untold Stories of African Americans in Calvert County” using photographs she has collected and taken in her research.

On Thursday, February 23rd, at 6:30 pm, there will be a free showing of the award winning film, The Color Purple (PG13).

On Sunday, February 26th, Gwendolyn Briley-Strand presents “Harriet Tubman: Meet the Woman” through support from the Maryland Humanities Council.

All programs are FREE. For more information, visit our web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com, or contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

CMM-PR-05-41
December 29, 2005

YOUNG SALTS PROGRAM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

The Young Salts Program for children ages 4-6, will feature three new Saturday programs in the upcoming months. On Saturday, February 18, 2006, Inventors and Inventions will usher the Young Salts through history as they learn about three African American inventors: Benjamin Banneker, Benjamin Bradley, and George Washington Carver. They will also explore the museum to find local inventions and their patents.

On Saturday, March 18, 2006, participants will take a different look at the graceful swan in Mute Swans - Friend or Foe? These natives of Europe and Asia have become unwelcome guests in Maryland. We will look at the special characteristics that help them adapt and most importantly the concerns scientists and local people have about how these birds are impacting the environment.

On Saturday, April 22, 2006, the Young Salts will celebrate Windy Days –Kites, Sail Boat, & Weather Balloons! by exploring the many activities that use wind. Our Small Craft Guild volunteers will demonstrate how a sailboat uses the wind to move. Participants will make a model wooden sail boat and actually sail it.

All Young Salts Programs will be offered twice on each scheduled Saturday, one from 10:00am until noon, and the other from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. For more information or to register, visit the museum website or contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41.

CMM-PR-05-40
December 29, 2005

NEW CHILDREN’S PROGRAM KICKS OFF AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

The Young Buccaneers Program for children ages 7-9, will feature three Saturday programs in the upcoming months. On Saturday, February 4, 2006, Behind the Scenes of the Estuarium takes participants back stage to see first hand the care and feeding of our aquatic creatures: how the water filtration systems keep the animals alive; why it is necessary to quarantine the animals; how we raise food in our tanks; and how our skate breeding program works.

On Saturday, March 4, 2006, Lighthouses are the focus. Participants will be treated to a special, in-depth tour of the Drum Point Lighthouse, built in 1883, and learn about the trials and tribulations of the lighthouse keepers, how the Fresnel lens works, and the importance of lighthouses as a navigational aid.

On Saturday, April 1, 2006, The Incredible, Edible Shellfish celebrates the oyster. Fast disappearing from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the oyster was once the cause of violence, political turmoil and economic expansion. Participants will learn about the importance of the oyster to the health of the bay and local economy, the oyster’s unique anatomy, life history, and how they are harvested.

All Young Buccaneers Programs run from 10:00am until noon. For more information or to register, visit the museum website or contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41.

CMM-PR-05-39
December 29, 2005

P.R.A.D. GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

P.R.A.D., Inc., through proceeds from its annual October festival, makes grant awards to nonprofit organizations that either provide educational programs or conduct research activities focusing on the Patuxent River or Patuxent River Basin. Awards are made on a competitive basis by the P.R.A.D., Inc. Board and will not exceed $1,000 per organization in any one year.

To receive an application for a P.R.A.D., Inc. grant, send your request to P.R.A.D., Inc., PO Box 97, Solomons, Maryland, 20688, or contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41 or by email at mccormmj@co.cal.md.us. Please provide the name of the nonprofit organization making the application request, a contact person’s name, a complete mailing address, a daytime telephone number, and an email address if available. Deadline for receipt of completed applications is March 15, 2006.

LINK: www.PradInc.org

CMM-PR-05-38
December 9, 2005

TUBACHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Come join the merry TUBACHRISTMAS celebration this season in Solomons, Maryland. The Calvert Marine Museum will be hosting Solomons’ 4th Annual TUBACHRISTMAS event on Sunday, December 18th, at 3:30 PM in the museum auditorium. Local musicians from Southern Maryland look forward to this unique event every Christmas season and invite the public to come out and sing along.

Created by renowned American tuba artist & teacher, Harvey Phillips, TUBACHRISTMAS is an annual event presented at locations throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS to honor his teacher and mentor, William Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. The first TUBACHRISTMAS event was held in 1974 at the Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink in New York City.

TUBACHRISTMAS performances feature traditional Christmas carols arranged for tuba and euphonium players. (The euphonium looks like a tuba, but it is smaller- often called a baritone horn.) The warm and rich, organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choirs has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.

For more information on this special holiday celebration, please contact Bill White at 410-326-4608.

CMM-PR-05-37
December 9, 2005

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM TO RENOVATE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY ROOM

The Calvert Marine Museum’s Discovery Room is about to undergo a major renovation. Closing on January 3, 2006, the Discovery Room will reopen in April as an immersive learning environment for children of all ages. The planned renovations, illustrating the museum’s three major themes of paleontology, estuarine biology, and maritime history, will be the first ever in the room’s fifteen year existence.

Thanks to a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, combined with support received at the museum’s annual Bugeye Ball and a generous contribution from long time supporter Barbara Benning, the Discovery Room will feature a touch tank housing creatures from the Chesapeake Bay. The plumbing and systems required to operate the tank and keep the creatures alive will be in plain view, allowing interpreters to explain how they work to mimic the natural environment.

One of the exciting renovations planned for the Discovery Room is a model of the Cove Point Lighthouse. Visitors will be able to climb inside to activate the light, or dress as lighthouse keepers and enter the keeper’s cottage. A boat, constructed by the museum’s small craft guild, will be installed for children to practice their voyaging skills as they climb aboard, raise and lower the sail, or steer the tiller.

In the paleontology zone, a segment of the Calvert Cliffs will emerge from the mural that decorates the entire wall. At the foot of the cliff visitors can search for fossils in the beach box, and then take their treasures to a fossil identification station to learn about the creature it came from eight to 20 million years ago.

“Children have always enjoyed learning in The Discovery Room,” says Sherrod Sturrock, Deputy Director for Education and Special Programs at the Museum. “The new Discovery Room will be a place where our younger visitors can learn about maritime history, paleontology and biology by experiencing it through their senses. It will be a great place for parent, or grandparent-child interaction.”

Visitors wishing to say goodbye to the current Discovery Room can do so between now and January 3, 2006, when it will close. During renovation, a Discovery Place will be available on the mezzanine where children can continue to enjoy the ever popular row boat, fossil box, knot board, and dress ups, while observing the progress taking place below. For questions concerning the Discovery Room project, please contact Sherrod Sturrock at 410-326-2042 x32.

CMM-PR-05-36
December 9, 2005

WINTER LIGHTS CELEBRATION AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Enjoy the magical beauty of lighthouses during the Calvert Marine Museum’s annual Winter Lights Festival, a celebration of Chesapeake Bay Lighthouses, taking place January 14 and 15, from 10am-5pm at the Calvert Marine Museum. Peruse displays in the museum lobby and learn more about lighthouses from “keepers” and associations from across Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey.

The Calvert Marine Museum has a variety of activities planned for this special lighthouse celebration. Tours of the Drum Point and Cove Point Lighthouses will be conducted both days. On Saturday, special presentations on lighthouse facts and lore will take place in the auditorium throughout the day.

On Saturday evening, lighthouse enthusiasts will are invited to a special event, Cove Point by Candlelight, offering appetizers, a cash bar, live entertainment by maritime musician Bob Zentz, lighthouse art, a lighthouse film showing in the new Fog Bell Signal mini-theater sponsored by Dominion, and more. Tickets are $15 each, and space is limited. For tickets, contact Melissa Carnes, 410-326-2042 ext. 17.

Sunday is Family Lighthouse Day, offering a slide presentation entitled Learning About Lighthouses at 1:00 pm, a Gingerbread Lighthouse Workshop at 12:30 for children ages five and up, lighthouse crafts for kids throughout the day, and an afternoon concert featuring The Scurvy Crew at 2:30 and maritime musician Bob Zentz at 3:00. The concert is free with admission to the museum.

For more information, visit our web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com, or contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

CMM-PR-05-35
November 18, 2005

Calvert Marine Museum Participates in the annual Solomons Christmas Walk, Solomons, MD.

The Calvert Marine Museum invites you to enjoy the beauty of Solomons Island during the annual Solomons Christmas Walk on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th from 6 – 9:00 p.m. Activities are planned for all ages to help you celebrate the season in maritime style. The museum will be open and free during the evening hours.

On Friday, December 9th the museum will feature Christmas music from 6:30-7:30pm, and children can make maritime ornaments to take home. On Saturday, December 10th, Santa’s Coffee House is open for business. Local performers including Scurvy Crew, The Potomac Brass, and Iain Sturrock & Friends who will entertain you while you sip coffee, hot chocolate or hot cider. And no holiday celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa! He will stop by the museum on Friday and Saturday to greet guests of all ages.

For more information on the Solomons Christmas Walk, please contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41.

SEE: www.SolomonsChristmasWalk.com

CMM-PR-05-34
November 10, 2005

Overnight Programs at the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD.

Want to experience the Calvert Marine Museum is a whole new way? Try our overnight programs. Designed for groups of 10 to 20 people, overnights offer an in-depth museum experience mixed with behind-the-scenes fun. It’s also a good way for scouts to earn “Try-Its” and badges. Our overnights take place in two locations: in the Museum Exhibition Building or, from April through November, at the Cove Point Lighthouse.

Overnight programs are available over Saturday nights only. The cost is $25 per person, and includes admission to the museum, an interpreter lead program and activity, a pizza dinner and a continental breakfast.

You can download the reservation form from our website, www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Our Group Services Coordinator will work with you to ensure your overnight experience at the Calvert Marine Museum is exactly what you are looking for. Dates fill quickly, so call today! For more information or to schedule your overnight, call 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

Saturday Programs at the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD.
Many people have grown up with our Young Salts program. This Saturday morning program for children ages 4 – 6 has graduated several generations of youngsters over the years. Starting in January, the museum is introducing the Young Buccaneers. Designed for children ages 7 – 9, this program will offer a variety of hands-on fun.

There are still a few openings in the Young Salts programs this fall. On November 5th and 19th the focus is on “Turtles and Terrapins” and our young participants will have a chance to meet some of these amazing creatures. On December 3rd there will be both a morning and afternoon session that highlights holiday bells of all types and sizes. And on January 21st , “Traveling Knots” ties the children into the ancient art of maritime knotting. This will also be offered both in the morning and afternoon.

In January the Young Buccaneers will “Sleuth the Bay,” performing experiments to test the water quality, turbidity, salinity and water temperature in Back Creek. February offers “Behind the Scenes of the Estuarium” where kids will go backstage to learn about different kind of filtration, and what aquarists do in a day to keep the critters alive. In March, the focus will be on lighthouses. Young Buccaneers will take place the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to 12 noon.

Program fee is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers for both programs. For more information, or to register, contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

CMM-PR-05-30
October 24, 2005

Robbin Thompson, Live in Concert at the Calvert Marine Museum

On Saturday, November 19, Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 with Robbin Thompson, live in concert at the Calvert Marine Museum indoor auditorium. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 for CMMS members and $15 for the general public. All tickets are general admission, and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased beginning Friday, November 4 at 9:00am by calling 410-326-2042 x16, 17, or 18, or by visiting the museum store.
Robbin Thompson has been a Richmond resident since 1969. His musical career spans over 30 years. He was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen band Steel Mill, won The American Song Festival twice and so far has recorded ten albums. Thompson along with friend Steve Bassett authored the song Sweet Virginia Breeze which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia. He has also written and recorded songs with EAGLES bassist Timothy B. Schmit.
Thompson has shared the stage with many recording artists; Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce Hornsby are to name just a few. In 1994, Thompson along with partner and fellow composer Carlos Chafin, scored a musical based on the Stephen Crane novel The Red Badge of Courage.
Due to Robbins' involvement with Bruce Springsteen he is proud to have a song on the new EMI/CAPITOL release entitled ONE STEP UP/TWO STEPS BACK.- The Songs of Bruce Springsteen. This two cd set includes artists such as David Bowie, John Hiatt, Ritchie Havens, Ben E. King, The Smithereens, The Bodeans and others. Another cd by Thompson, OUT ON THE CHESAPEAKE, was released in October of 1998. It features songs that Thompson wrote while sailing his boat on the Chesapeake Bay. ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE BLUES, his latest release, include performances by EAGLES Bassist Timothy B. Schmit and Dave Matthews Band keyboardist Butch Taylor.

After many years of touring Thompson now reserves much of his spare time for his family and his second love, sailing the Chesapeake Bay. His concert schedule is limited mostly to concerts he knows "will be enjoyable."

CMM-PR-05-33
October 17, 2005

MILITARY / DoD APPRECIATION DAY AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

The Calvert Marine Museum is hosting a Military / DoD Appreciation Day on Friday, November 11, 2005. To thank the local military and support staff, the museum will offer free admission to guests who present appropriate military identification. Additionally, discounted memberships will be available to military personnel as well as discounts in the museum’s store.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of our local military and DoD personnel,” says Doug Alves, Director of the Calvert Marine Museum. “Many of our volunteers and members are local military or DoD staff, and we feel that having a day to say thank you is important. Not only will we be honoring our veterans on November 11, we will be honoring our military friends locally who help us to make the Calvert Marine Museum a success.”

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For additional information, please call 410-326-2042 x17.

CMM-PR-05-32
October 4, 2005

ANNUAL MONSTER MASH CRUISE ABOARD THE Wm. B. Tennison

The Calvert Marine Museum is hosting its annual Monster Mash Cruise and Costume Contest aboard the historic Wm. B. Tennison on Monday, October 31, 2005. The cruise, designed for little goblins and their families, is from 4:30pm – 5:30pm, and departs the docks of the Calvert Marine Museum.

Space is limited, and reservations are required. The cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12, and $2 for children 4 and under. For more information or to make reservations, contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41 or mccormmj@co.cal.md.us.

CMM-PR-05-26
August 29, 2005

28th Annual Patuxent River Appreciation Days at the Calvert Marine Museum

The 28th Annual Patuxent River Appreciation Days festival will be held on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Calvert Marine Museum. A host of activities for guests of all ages will be offered including an arts and crafts show, free harbor tours, model boat races, science and history displays, live music, a wildfowl calling contest, a large food court, wooden boat building activities, and much more. The Boumi Shriners will return on Sunday, October 9, for their annual PRAD parade beginning at 2:00 p.m.

TUBACHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Come join the merry TUBACHRISTMAS celebration this season in Solomons, Md! The Calvert Marine Museum will be hosting Solomons’ 4th Annual TUBACHRISTMAS event on Sunday, December 18th, at 3:30 PM in the museum auditorium. Local musicians from Southern Maryland look forward to this unique event every Christmas season and invite the public to come out and sing along.

Created by renowned American tuba artist & teacher, Harvey Phillips, TUBACHRISTMAS is an annual event presented at locations throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. Phillips was inspired to create TUBACHRISTMAS to honor his teacher and mentor, William Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. The first TUBACHRISTMAS event was held in 1974 at the Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink in New York City.

TUBACHRISTMAS performances feature traditional Christmas carols arranged for tuba and euphonium players. (The euphonium looks like a tuba, but it is smaller- often called a baritone horn.) The warm and rich, organ-like sound of the tuba-euphonium choirs has won the ears and hearts of every audience. It is no wonder that TUBACHRISTMAS has become an established Christmas tradition in cities throughout the world.

CMM-PR-05-29
September 12, 2005

What’s a Docent to Do?

• Do you enjoy interacting with people?

• Do you gain satisfaction from helping others understand the intricate ecology of our bay?

• Would you like to expand visitor experience of our exhibits by offering information that they would not get otherwise?

• Are you excited about explaining to our visitors how geologically young and environmentally fragile the bay really is?

• Would you enjoy teaching visitors about the maritime history of Southern Maryland?

If you answered yes to even one of those questions then undoubtedly you are cut out to become a Calvert Marine Museum Docent. For hundreds of museums, docents are trained volunteers who help visitors gain a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for the information offered by exhibits. At the Calvert Marine Museum, docents have been a pivotal element of the successful new exhibit, Secrets of the Mermaid’s Purse: Skates and Rays of the Mid-Atlantic. Docents greet visitors, share information about the exhibit, answer questions, and oversee the safety of the animals during their visitor experience.

Over the next few months the Calvert Marine Museum’s Education Department will be developing a docent program to enhance the exhibits in the museum and to add to the enjoyment of its visitors. The docents will augment the activities of the interpreters by providing informal tours to visitors who are not here with a class or specific group. In order to become a docent and participate in the program, you must first become a member of the Calvert Marine Museum. You’ll then participate in a program with other volunteers where you will attend training sessions given by the museum staff. The program is still in the formative stages at this point. Anyone interested in developing or participating in the docent program is asked to contact Sherrod Sturrock, CMM Curator of Education, at 410-326-2042 x32. To become a member of the museum, contact Debbie Strozier at 410-326-2042 x16, or join online at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.

CMM-PR-05-28
September 12, 2005


MUSICAL CRUISE ABOARD THE Wm. B. Tennison


The Calvert Marine Museum would like to invite the public to a musical cruise aboard the historic Wm. B. Tennison on Friday, October 8, 2005. The cruise is from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, and departs the docks of the Calvert Marine Museum. Guests will be entertained with nautical songs and stories from retired sailor Tom Lewis. Tom’s show is for the whole family, and covers the maritime spectrum from shanties and folksongs to tales of disaster and triumph. Passengers are encouraged to bring a picnic supper to enjoy.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required. The cost is $18 for adults, $16 for CMMS members, and $10 for children 12 and under. For more information or to make reservations, contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41 or mccormmj@co.cal.md.us.

CMM-PR-05-27
September 2, 2005

BUILD A CANOE IN A WEEKEND AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Grab a friend or two, and join in on the fun as you build your very own 16’ canoe at the Calvert Marine museum’s Patuxent Small Craft Center on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13.

Continuing with its mission to preserve the traditional skill of wooden boatbuilding, the museum is pleased to be able to offer another round of this exciting weekend-long boatbuilding course. With simple hand tools and guidance from expert instructors, participants will build their very own 16’ canoe and paddle set which will be ready to take home and paint on Sunday afternoon. The canoe is suitable for two paddlers. The fee of $530 for CMM members and $580 for non-members includes all materials necessary to complete one canoe and one set of paddles except paint. No experience is necessary! Children 10 years of age and older are welcomed in the company of an adult.

Limited scholarship funding is available through the recently founded Melvin Conant Youth Memorial Fund. For further information on scholarships, please contact George Surgent at 410-586-2700. The Mel Conant Memorial Youth Fund was established to encourage young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to participate in small craft related programs offered at the Calvert Marine Museum by funding a portion of the cost of participation. Through this support, young people will be given the opportunity to learn the basics of wooden boat building and related maritime skills.

Pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41. For further questions about the boatbuilding class, please contact instructor George Surgent.

Third Annual “Maryland Lighthouse Challenge” Scheduled for September

Winner: 2004 Maryland Tourism Council Award Best New or Improved Event!

The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and the Maryland Lighthouse Organizations will host the 2005 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge on September 17 and 18.

Throughout that September weekend, the public is invited to discover an important part of Maryland’s maritime history as they visit the state’s land-accessible lighthouses, including the Chesapeake Lightship (moored at Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor), Concord Point, Cove Point, Drum Point, Fort Washington, Hooper Strait, Piney Point, Point Lookout, Seven-Foot Knoll and Turkey Point. These annual Challenges are the only time in Maryland’s history that all land-accessible lighthouses are open simultaneously for public access and climbing wherever possible. To lighthouse enthusiasts and travel buffs nationwide this is a highly anticipated event!

This award-winning Challenge will take participants along the Chesapeake Bay and to some of the most scenic spots in the state. At the first land-based lighthouse he or she visits, each participant will receive the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge promotional brochure, which includes driving instructions from one lighthouse to the next. At each stop along the Challenge route, participants will receive a complimentary “old-fashioned” wooden coin, depicting that lighthouse. Participants are welcome to visit as many or as few of the lighthouses as they choose. Those who “meet the challenge” and visit every participating lighthouse will receive a special wooden coin to mark the accomplishment!

Come discover what thousands already know…the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge is one Maryland memory you won’t want to miss!!

Enclosed: Maryland Lighthouse Challenge Brochure, Additional information: www.cheslights.org

CMM-PR-05-24
July 15, 2005

Cradle Of Invasion, The First Naval Amphibious Training Base, Returns to the Calvert Marine Museum

Cradle Of Invasion, The First Naval Amphibious Training Base, returns to Solomons, Maryland on August 6-7, 2005 as part of the Calvert Marine Museum's program honoring the first Naval amphibious training base (ATB), established in Solomons in 1942. Cradle of Invasion celebrates the role the Solomons Amphibious Naval Training Base in the events of World War II. The museum will offer special displays and exhibits throughout the weekend including:

Friday, 7:30pm WWII Film: “Hell’s Angels” directed and produced by Howard
Hughes and documented in “The Aviator” starring Leonardo
DiCpario

Saturday, ongoing events including:

10:30am Opening ceremony
11:30am “War in the Pacific: U.S. Marines and the Enemy” lecture and
demonstration
1:00pm “Recollections Round Table: Stories from the people who lived them”
3:00pm Pacific Marines in Action: Live exercise at the Patuxent River
Recreation Center
5:30pm Swing concert by the New Hots Jazz Orchestra and picnic on the grounds (food vendors on site); wear your finest WWII vintage attire

Sunday, ongoing events including:

11:00am-5:00pm WWII Film Fest
1:00pm “War in the Pacific” lecture and demonstration
2:30pm Guided tour of Solomons circa 1944
3:10pm WWII cruise aboard the Wm. B. Tennison

To meet the urgent demands of World War II, the base trained thousands of Marines, Army soldiers, Navy sailors, and Coast Guardsmen for service throughout the European and Pacific theaters. While the base closed in 1945, it left a lasting impact on the Solomons community. The 8th Annual Cradle Of Invasion, The First Naval Amphibious Training Base commemorates this little known, but highly important training facility and the men and women who served here.

A complete listing of the weekend’s events can be found on the museum’s website at www.CradleOfInvasion.org. For more information, please call Sherrod Sturrock, Deputy Director of Education, Calvert Marine Museum, 410-326-2042, ext. 32.

CMM-PR-05-22
July 5, 2005

SUNSET CRUISE ABOARDTHE Wm. B. Tennison

The Calvert Marine Museum would like to invite the public to its sunset cruise aboard the historic Wm. B. Tennison on Saturday, August 20. The cruise is from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and departs the docks of the Calvert Marine Museum. Enjoy the August sunset and gentle breezes of the Patuxent River while enjoying wonderful hors d’oeuvres.

Seating is limited, and reservations are required by August 16. The cost is $22 for adults, $17 for CMMS members, and $15 for children 12 and under. For more information or to make reservations, contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41 or mccormmj@co.cal.md.us.

Third Annual “Maryland Lighthouse Challenge” Scheduled for September

Winner: 2004 Maryland Tourism Council Award Best New or Improved Event!

The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and the Maryland Lighthouse Organizations will host the 2005 Maryland Lighthouse Challenge on September 17 and 18.

Throughout that September weekend, the public is invited to discover an important part of Maryland’s maritime history as they visit the state’s land-accessible lighthouses, including the Chesapeake Lightship (moored at Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor), Concord Point, Cove Point, Drum Point, Fort Washington, Hooper Strait, Piney Point, Point Lookout, Seven-Foot Knoll and Turkey Point. These annual Challenges are the only time in Maryland’s history that all land-accessible lighthouses are open simultaneously for public access and climbing wherever possible. To lighthouse enthusiasts and travel buffs nationwide this is a highly anticipated event!

This award-winning Challenge will take participants along the Chesapeake Bay and to some of the most scenic spots in the state. At the first land-based lighthouse he or she visits, each participant will receive the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge promotional brochure, which includes driving instructions from one lighthouse to the next. At each stop along the Challenge route, participants will receive a complimentary “old-fashioned” wooden coin, depicting that lighthouse. Participants are welcome to visit as many or as few of the lighthouses as they choose. Those who “meet the challenge” and visit every participating lighthouse will receive a special wooden coin to mark the accomplishment!

Come discover what thousands already know…the Maryland Lighthouse Challenge is one Maryland memory you won’t want to miss!!

Additional information: www.cheslights.org

CMM-PR-05-16
June 1, 2005

WHALE SKULL TO BE EXHIBITED AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Saturday, June 11 as part of our celebration of World Ocean Day, a new exhibit entitled “Isabel’s Gift – A Fossil Whale Skull from the St. Marys Formation” will open to the public at the Calvert Marine Museum. This multi-media exhibit will have as its centerpiece the 8 million year old baleen whale skull that generated worldwide attention at the announcement of its discovery in early 2004. Thanks to generous sponsorship from Bowhead Support Services, based in Alaska but operated locally in Lexington Park, the museum has been able to preserve the skull and create an exciting exhibit for the public’s exploration and enjoyment.

A press conference will be held in the museum’s auditorium on June 11 at 1:00 pm to detail this unique fossil find, and the steps taken over the last 18 months to prepare the skull for public display. Interview and photograph opportunities with members of the team who helped recover and preserve the skull will follow. Following the conference, at 2:00 pm, an unveiling of the exhibit will take place. The conference will culminate with two free public lectures. At 2:30 pm, Jana Harcharek (a native Inupiat from Barrow, Alaska) will speak on their traditional Bowhead Whale hunt and at 3 pm, Dr. Lawrence Barnes (a paleontologist from the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History) will give an overview of the evolutionary history of whales.

For additional information, please contact the museum’s Public Relations Coordinator, Melissa Carnes at 410-326-2042 x17, or the Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Stephen Godfrey at 410-326-2042 x28.

CMM-PR-05-18
May 17, 2005

CROSBY, STILLS, AND NASH TO PERFORM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Sunday, August 14, Ralph’s Dodge Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 featuring the legendary Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Gates open at 6:00 p.m..; showtime is 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $55 for premium seating, and $45 for reserved seating. CMM members can order tickets beginning on Wednesday, July 6, at 9:00 a.m. by faxing the member order form, or by stopping by the museum’s Development Office. Remaining tickets can be purchased by the public using VISA/MC beginning Wednesday, July 20, at 10:00 p.m. by calling 1-800-787-9454. This is an outdoor rain or shine concert; there are no refunds or exchanges. Food and drinks will be available, and coolers are not allowed.

“We are so excited to have Crosby, Stills, and Nash at our venue,” says Vanessa Gill, Director of Development for the Calvert Marine Museum. “Numerous supporters of our museum have requested these performers, and it’s great to be able to bring them to Solomons.”

Concert-goers who want to experience the show as never before can bid on the newly added VIP Ultimate Fan Cabana to be offered for the Crosby, Stills, and Nash show. This show will feature a private tented area to the left of the stage. Interested show-goers can bid on this exclusive package which includes: round-trip limo transportation for 10 provided by Gold Star Limo (with one pick-up/drop-off location within 1.5 hours of the museum); a cooler of beverages in the limo; 10 VIP passes to the show; a private 10’ x 20’ tent with 10 beach lounge chairs; early access to the venue; a $100 bar credit; and concierge service during the show courtesy of the “Coors Light Girls” of Bozick Distributors. Those wishing to bid on the Ultimate Fan Cabana for the Crosby, Stills, and Nash show can submit bids, beginning June 1 at 9:00am, to Melissa Carnes at carnesmd@co.cal.md.us,  or via mail to CMMS Ultimate Fan Cabana, PO Box 97, Solomons, Maryland, 20688. The starting bid is $2,500. The museum will update its website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.org daily with the highest bid, Monday through Friday, at noon and 5:00pm. Bidding will close at 4:30p.m. on August 1; the winning bidder will be contacted by phone.

Waterside 2005 sponsors are Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep; Cumberland & Erly, LLC; Bozick Distributors - Coors, Coors Light, and Killian’s; RadioShack- Prince Frederick/Dunkirk/Charlotte Hall; Solomons Landing; Papa John’s Pizza; DM Group; WKIK Country 102.9; Star 98; Mom’s in the Kitchen Catering; Southern Maryland Newspapers; Bay Weekly; Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative; Quick Connections Answering Service; Comcast; the Birchmere; and the Holiday Inn Select Solomons.

For additional information, please call the Waterside hotline at 410-394-6684. To reach a staff person, or to become a museum member, please call 410-326-2042 x 16, 17, or 18.

CMM-PR-05-12
May 12, 2005

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM WELCOMES THE US AIR NATIONAL GUARD BAND TO SOLOMONS

The Calvert Marine Museum is honored to present the US Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic to its waterside Washington Gas Pavilion on Saturday, July 9. The band will present a concert, free to the public, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Concert-goers are asked to bring a chair or blanket for seating; no advanced reservations or tickets are necessary. A food court will be available.

Since its formation in 1947, the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic has consistently brought superb music and exciting entertainment to music lovers around the globe, fulfilling its mission to enhance the Air National Guard's image and esprit de corps through musical support activities. The Band of the Mid-Atlantic is a multi-faceted organization, consisting of the Concert Band, "Guardsmen" Big Band, Ceremonial Band, and smaller chamber ensembles.

The Band of the Mid-Atlantic has earned a reputation as one of the most sought after bands in the Air National Guard. Assigned to the 193rd Special Operations Wing (Air Force Special Operations Command), and based near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the band has earned many awards, most recently the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Governor's Unit Citation. While the band performs frequently throughout its home state of Pennsylvania, the band also performs on annual community relations tours throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and overseas.

For more information, please contact Leslie King at 410-326-2042 x19.

CMM-PR-05-15
May 5, 2005

BILL COSBY TO PERFORM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Saturday, July 2, Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 featuring comedian Bill Cosby. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.; showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $55. The entire show will be enhanced with large screen projection tv’s to provide a great view for everyone in the audience. CMM members can order tickets beginning Wednesday, May 25, at 9:00 a.m. by faxing the member order form, or by stopping by the museum’s Development Office. Remaining tickets can be purchased by the public using VISA/MC beginning Wednesday, June 8, at 10:00 p.m. by calling 1-800-787-9454. This is an outdoor rain or shine concert; there are no refunds or exchanges. Food and drinks will be available, and coolers are not allowed.

Bill Cosby is, by any standard, one of the most influential stars in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or film, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people’s lives. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence, seeking to provide an insight into our roles as parents, children, family members, and men and women. Without resorting to gimmickry or lowbrow humor, Bill Cosby’s comedy has a point of reference and respect for the trappings and traditions of the great American humorists such as Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, W. C. Fields, and Groucho Marx.

“Tapping into the comedy market is an exciting move for the Calvert Marine Museum Society and the Washington Gas Pavilion,” says Vanessa Gill, Director of Development for the museum. “We have wanted to bring comedy to our venue, and feel there is no better way to kick off this expansion than by featuring the comedic genius of Bill Cosby.” Another change, which will take place at this show, is the utilization of projection screen televisions. “All seats for this show will be $55,” says Gill, “and for the convenience of all of our guests, we will be featuring two large screen projection televisions and a live camera crew so that all seats will have a close-up view of Mr. Cosby.”


A special VIP Ultimate Fan Cabana will be offered for the Bill Cosby show. The Ultimate Fan Cabana is a new addition to the Waterside venue. The show will feature a private tented area to the left of the stage. Interested show-goers can bid on this exclusive package which includes: round-trip limo transportation for 10 provided by Gold Star Limo (with one pick-up/drop-off location within 1.5 hours of the museum); a cooler of beverages in the limo; 10 VIP passes to the show; VIP laminates; a private 10’ x 20’ tent with 10 beach lounge chairs; early access to the venue; a $100 bar credit; and concierge service during the show courtesy of the “Coors Light Girls” of Bozick Distributors. Those wishing to bid on the Ultimate Fan Cabana for the Bill Cosby show can submit bids including name, address, and phone number beginning June 1 at 9:00a.m., to Melissa Carnes at carnesmd@co.cal.md.us, or via mail to CMMS Ultimate Fan Cabana, PO Box 97, Solomons, Maryland, 20688. The starting bid is $2,500. Beginning June 2, the museum will update its website with the highest bid at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com, Monday through Friday, at noon and 5:00p.m. Bidding ends on June 17 at 5:00p.m., and the winning bidder will be contacted by phone.

Waterside 2005 sponsors are Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep; Cumberland & Erly, LLC; Booz Allen Hamilton; Bozick Distributors - Coors, Coors Light, and Killian’s; RadioShack- Prince Frederick/Dunkirk/Charlotte Hall; Solomons Landing; Papa John’s Pizza; DM Group; WKIK Country 102.9; Star 98; Mom’s in the Kitchen Catering; Southern Maryland Newspapers; Bay Weekly; Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative; Quick Connections Answering Service; Comcast; the Birchmere; and the Holiday Inn Select Solomons.

For additional information, please call the Waterside hotline at 410-394-6684 or visit the CMM website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. To reach a staff person, or to become a museum member, please call 410-326-2042 x 16, 17, or 18.

CMM-PR-05-14
April 28, 2005

FOSSIL FIELD EXPERIENCE AT CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Ten million years ago, southern Maryland was a water world inhabited by whales, snails, crocodiles and giant sharks. Relive this ancient world on Saturday, May 21, at a Fossil Field Experience sponsored by the Calvert Marine Museum.

The excursion begins by assembling at the Calvert Marine Museum at 11:00a.m. Participants will take part in a one-hour paleontology program hosted by the museum’s Education Department. At 1:30 p.m., the program continues at a local beach where participants are instructed on how to comb for fossils. Participants get to keep the fossils they find, and a museum interpreter will accompany the group to discuss discoveries and answer questions.

Admission to the fossil field experience is $15 per person, ages 8 and over. An adult must accompany any child under the age of 18. Space is limited. For more information or to register, please contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41, or visit the museum’s website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Registration is required by May 18. Additional Fossil Field Experiences are scheduled for June 18, August 13, and September 24, 2005.

CMM-PR-05-11
April 28, 2005

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM TO HOST SHARKFEST!

Hey kids, Sharkfest! is coming to the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A host of activities are planned to educate visitors on one of the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures – the shark. Museum admission is required. Some activities require an additional fee. A food court will be available for food and drinks.

Held annually in Solomons, Maryland, this fun-filled event features activities for the entire family. Festivities include fossil identifications, fossil prep lab demonstrations, children’s craft activities, rowboat and canoe rides, and games such as “pin the fin on the shark” and “catch a shark - fin toss.” Don’t miss the many activities including the painting of a shark mural, face painting, mini fin toss, and feed the shark beanbag toss. For an additional ‘shark-fix,’ don’t miss the CMM Fossil Club’s displays or the exhibit, “Treasure from the Cliffs,” featuring a full-sized skeletal reconstruction of the giant fossil “megatooth” white shark.

While visiting the museum for Sharkfest, visitors are invited to stay and enjoy a concert presented by the US Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic. The concert is free, and begins on Saturday, July 9, at 5:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blankets for seating.

For more information on Sharkfest!, visit CMM on the web at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042 x41.

CMM-PR-05-13
April 13, 2005

MOTHER’S DAY CRUISES OFFERED ABOARD THE Wm. B. Tennison

Treat your mom or that special someone to a memorable cruise aboard the historic Wm. B. Tennison this Mother’s Day. The Calvert Marine Museum is offering two Mother’s Day cruises on Sunday, May 8. A Brunch Cruise will be held from 11:00am until 1:00pm, and an evening cruise with heavy hors d’oeuvres will be held from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. Advance registration is required by Wednesday, May 4.

For more cruise fees and other information, or to make reservations, please contact Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41 or by email at mccormmj@co.cal.md.us.

CMM-05-06-10
April 6, 2005

CHESAPEAKE ANTIQUE BOAT AND MARINE ENGINE SHOW RETURNS TO THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Spend a weekend perusing Southern Maryland’s rich maritime history at the Calvert Marine Museum’s fifth annual Chesapeake Antique Boat and Marine Engine Show on the grounds of the museum’s scenic waterfront campus. The show will feature exhibits from over 60 collectors of antique and classic boats, and vintage marine outboard and inboard engines. The event will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 10am-5pm and Sunday, May 1 from 10am-3pm. Admission to the show is free.

Throughout the weekend, show-goers will be able to take part in many museum activities. The Calvert Marine Museum Volunteer Council will hold its annual yard sale fundraiser beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. The national landmark Wm. B. Tennison starts its season with a 2:00pm cruise of the harbor and river. Cove Point Lighthouse tours begin this festival weekend, as well as the seasonal opening of the J.C. Lore Oyster House. A display of models will be on display on Saturday, and model skipjack races begin on Sunday at 1:00pm.

For more information on the Chesapeake Antique Boat and Marine Engine Show, including exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, please call Richard Dodds at 410-326-2042 x31. For information on other museum activities mentioned, please call 410-326-2042 or visit the museum website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Admission to the museum $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for children 5-12, and under 5 are free.

CMM-PR-05-09
March 16, 2005

MONTGOMERY GENTRY TO PERFORM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Sunday, June 5, Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 featuring country duo Montgomery Gentry. Gates open at 6:00 p.m; showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for premium seats and $35 for reserved seats. CMM members can order tickets beginning on Tuesday, April 26 via their member order form, or by stopping by the museum’s Development Office beginning at 9:00 a.m. Remaining tickets can be purchased by the public using VISA/MC beginning Wednesday, May 11 at 10:00 p.m. by calling 1-800-787-9454. This is an outdoor rain or shine concert; there are no refunds or exchanges. Food and drinks will be available, and coolers are not allowed.

The best and most memorable country music happens when life and art come together. With Haggard, Jones, Cash, and both Hanks, to cite the classic examples, pain and joy, struggle and release, are believable because these were the artists who all but erased the line between life and music. If there is anyone in modern-day country wearing their mantle, it is Montgomery Gentry.

With their fourth CD, You Do Your Thing, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry show themselves to be heirs to that legacy, singing songs that strip life to the marrow, that make passion and loss, pride and heartache into palpable entities. They are singers at the peak of their form, making music that is as raw and powerful as it is compelling.

“If this new album was part of NASCAR, it would definitely have a #3 on it, ‘cause it’s running wide open,” laughs Montgomery, and the analogy is fitting. Theirs is a world where muscle cars, honky-tonks and hell-raising are the hard-earned rewards for the toil and struggle that make up the working class landscape. It is a world they know well.

“We are very excited to have Montgomery Gentry on our list of Waterside performers,” says Vanessa Gill, Director of Development for the museum. “I believe this show will help us reach a segment of our community that we have not yet been able to serve. We are preparing for an energetic show, and expect our guests to be standing, dancing, and joining in on the fun.”

For additional information, please call the Waterside hotline at 410-394-6684. To reach a staff person, or to become a museum member, please call 410-326-2042 x 16, 17, or 18.

CMM-PR-05-08
February 28, 2005

BOATBUILDING WEEKEND RETURNS TO THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Blend one large stack of wood with an ample assortment of simple hand tools, stir in 12 eager participants over one weekend, and you have a recipe for an unforgettable boatbuilding, team building experience. Thanks to the opening of the Patuxent Small Craft Center, the Calvert Marine Museum is able to teach and preserve the traditional skills of wooden boatbuilding, and continue the important and ongoing work of the maintenance of its small craft collection. Following a successful and full series of courses over the past year, the museum will offer another Weekend Boat Building course on Saturday, April 16, from 9:00a.m.until 5:00p.m., and Sunday, April 17 from 9:00a.m.until 5:00p.m.

Participants in the Weekend Boatbuilding Course will build their own handsome 15.5 foot wooden canoe and paddle. The construction involves the use of simple hand tools, and no boatbuilding experience is needed.

The cost for the course is $500 for CMMS members and $550 for non-members; the cost is per boat. Pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 x41. For further questions about the boatbuilding class, please contact instructor George Surgent at 410-586-2700.

CMM-PR-05-07
February 15, 2005

CAPTAIN QUINT TO PERFORM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Saturday, March 12, Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 with tropical rock and roll band, Captain Quint, live in concert at the Calvert Marine Museum indoor auditorium. Captain Quint has been the opening band for Jimmy Buffett for the last few years, and will perform for one show only beginning at 8:00pm. Tickets are $24 for CMMS members and $26 for the general public. All tickets are general admission, and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased beginning February 25 at 9:00am by calling 410-326-2042 x16, 17, or 18, or by visiting the museum store.

Established as a three piece band in the fall of 2000, Captain Quint tested the waters in and around Maryland, and in just two months had expanded to five pieces. Thanks to a rapidly growing fan base and incredible demand, the band started turning heads outside of their local markets. By the end of 2002, Quint had upgraded its resume quite a bit; their reputation earned them an opening spot for Jimmy Buffett and Coral Reefer Band’s Far Side of the World Tour. With an increased fan base churning out overwhelming support, they began to focus their attention on branding their own special sound, dubbed “tropical rock and roll,” and released their debut CD, Pineapple Jam.

The release of Pineapple Jam helped define the Quint sound – a tasty roux of rock, reggae, calypso, Americana, and Latin flavors. With hints of Gordon Lightfoot, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, and Paul Simon permeating through the music, Quint paid homage to those that helped influence their style. In 2004, Quint started spreading the “jam” nationally with shows in Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, and Louisiana. Included in the 2004 tour were shows at Bourbon Street’s famous Tropical Isle, Margaritaville at Universal Studios in Orlando, a sold-out performance at the nationally renowned Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, and their debut in Key West, Florida, at the Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP) Meeting of the Minds Convention. The summer also included stops on Jimmy Buffett’s License to Chill Tour in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Waterside 2005 sponsors are Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep, Cumberland & Erly, LLC, Bozick Distributors - Coors, Coors Light, and Killian’s, Quality Built Homes, G&H Jewelers, RadioShack- Prince Frederick/Dunkirk/Charlotte Hall, Solomons Landing, DM Group, 98 Star FM, Mom’s in the Kitchen Catering, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Bay Weekly, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Quick Connections, Comcast, The Birchmere, Booz/Allen/Hamilton, and the Holiday Inn Select-Solomons. For additional information, please call 410-326-2042 x 16, 17, or 18.

For additional press information, please contact Melissa Carnes at 410-326-2042 x17.

CMM-PR-05-06
February 8, 2005

CHESAPEAKE ANTIQUE BOAT AND MARINE ENGINE SHOW RETURNS TO THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

Spend a weekend perusing Southern Maryland’s rich maritime history at the Calvert Marine Museum’s fifth annual Chesapeake Antique Boat and Marine Engine Show on the grounds of the museum’s scenic waterfront campus. The show will feature exhibits from over 60 collectors of antique and classic boats, and vintage marine outboard and inboard engines. The event will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 10am-5pm and Sunday, May 1 from 10am-3pm. Admission to the show is free.

Throughout the weekend, show-goers will be able to take part in many museum activities. The Calvert Marine Museum Volunteer Council will hold its annual yard sale fundraiser. The national landmark Wm. B. Tennison starts its season with a 2:00pm cruise of the harbor and river. Cove Point Lighthouse tours begin this festival weekend, as well as the seasonal opening of the J.C. Lore Oyster House. A display of models will be on display on Saturday, and model skipjack races begin on Sunday at 1:00pm.

For more information on the Chesapeake Antique Boat and Marine Engine Show, including exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, please call Richard Dodds at 410-326-2042 x31. For information on other museum activities mentioned, please call 410-326-2042 or visit the museum website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Admission to the museum $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $2 for children 5-12, and under 5 are free.

CMM-PR-05-05
February 3, 2005

EDWIN McCAIN TO PERFORM AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

On Friday, February 25, Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep and Cumberland & Erly, LLC present Waterside 2005 with singer/songwriter Edwin McCain live in concert at the Calvert Marine Museum indoor auditorium. McCain will perform two shows – one at 6:00pm and the other at 8:30pm. Opening for McCain will be Brian Van der Ark of the Verve Pipe. Tickets are $24 for CMMS members and $26 for the general public. All tickets are general admission, and seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased beginning February 11 at 9:00am by calling 410-326-2042 x16, 17, or 18, or by visiting the museum store.

Waterside 2005 sponsors are Ralph’s Dodge-Jeep, Cumberland & Erly, LLC, Bozick Distributors - Coors, Coors Light, and Killian’s, Quality Built Homes, G&H Jewelers, RadioShack- Prince Frederick/Dunkirk/Charlotte Hall, Solomons Landing, DM Group, 98 Star FM, Mom’s in the Kitchen Catering, Southern Maryland Newspapers, Bay Weekly, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Quick Connections, Comcast, The Birchmere, Booz/Allen/Hamilton, and the Holiday Inn Select-Solomons. For additional information, please call 410-326-2042 x 16, 17 or 18.

CMM-PR-05-02
January 20, 2005

DR. TED DAESCHLER TO SPEAK AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

The Calvert Marine Museum is pleased to offer a free public lecture by Dr. Ted Daeschler of the Academy of Natural Sciences on Saturday, February 19 at 2:30pm in the museum’s auditorium. Dr. Daeschler’s lecture is titled “Great Steps in the History of Life: Late Devonian Fossil Fish from Pennsylvania and the Canadian Arctic.”

The lecture, hosted by the Calvert Marine Museum Fossil Club, is sponsored by the Clarissa and Lincoln Dryden Endowment for Paleontology, and is free and open to the public. A regular meeting of the Fossil Club will be held prior to lecture at 12:30. Membership to the Fossil Club is open to the public; annual dues are $10.00. For additional information, please contact Stephen Godfrey, CMM’s Curator of Paleontology, at 410-326-2042 x28.

CMM-PR-05-01
January 13, 2005

Marine Museum Seeks Information for New Exhibit

The Calvert Marine Museum is in the planning stages of a new exhibit, to open in late 2005, that will attempt to document the long and colorful history of the oyster packing and crab picking industries in Southern Maryland. These businesses were, at one time, among the largest employers in the region. Now only a handful of small companies exist, largely as a result of the decline in the oyster and crab harvests and the difficulty of recruiting skilled labor. In order to compile needed information for the exhibit, the museum is turning to the public for much-needed assistance.

For some time, museum staff have been combing records and collecting information and photographs on those companies in Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Charles Counties that no longer exist. In some cases, descendants of former owners have been traced with the help of members of the community. The Patuxent River Folklife Survey, conducted under the auspices of the marine museum in the early 1980s, has been of great help, as has the more recent Slackwater Project of St. Mary’s College.

“The larger businesses are better documented,” according to Richard Dodds, CMM’s Curator of Maritime History, “it is the small operations that are proving more elusive.” In Charles County, Rock Point and Benedict were the centers of the seafood industry. “We are particularly interested in further information/photographs on Hill and Lloyd of Rock Point, and also Linwood and Allan Sollers (Patuxent Seafood Co.), and Henry Messick Jr. and Sr. of Benedict. In Calvert County we need assistance with Tommie’s Crab House of St. Leonard, and Sollers and Dowell on Sollers Wharf Road,” says Dodds.

By far the largest number of seafood houses over the years were located in St. Mary’s County. If you have any information and/or photographs of the following, Richard Dodds and the Calvert Marine Museum would like to hear from you: Edward T. Oliver of River Springs; Wm. W. Mattingley of Mechanicsville; James Hall of Cornfield Harbor; Frank Alvey, Joseph M. Hazel, and B.G. Pogue of Compton; J.J. Morris & Co. of Hollywood; the Norris Bros. of Yankee Point; Charles Connelly of Leonardtown; William P. Powell and Hugh F. Smith of Airdale; C. Robb Lewis and the Miller Oyster Co. of Wynne; and R. Biscoe Bros., L.G. Railey, Stone Seafood, Bernard Clarke, and Fred V., G.L., & W.W. Dunbar, all of Ridge.

In addition to the owners, an equally important facet of the project is to include interviews with men and women who are or were long-time oyster shuckers or crab pickers at any of Southern Maryland’s seafood houses. If you are interested or know of others that could be contacted for information, please get in touch with the museum. With regard to information or possible interviewees in Calvert and Charles Counties please contact Richard Dodds at 410-326-2042, ext. 31. For St. Mary’s please contact Robert Hurry at 410-326 2042, ext. 35, or write to Calvert Marine Museum, P.O. Box 97, Solomons, MD 20688. Photographs for possible use in the exhibit will be copied promptly and then returned.

CMM-PR-05-03
January 12, 2005

BASKET BINGO EXTRAVAGANZA TO BENEFIT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

The Calvert Marine Museum Society will host its second annual Spring Basket Bingo Extravaganza on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Prince Frederick. Doors will open at 11:00am, and games will begin at 1:00pm. Over $8,000 in prizes will be given away.

Tickets to this event are limited. The cost is $20 for 20 regular games, additional game books are $5 each; all regular game baskets will be generously filled. Specials are $5 per book for 5 special games; early birds are $3 for 4 games. Raffles, pull tabs, and food concessions will also be available. Reservations will be made with a pre-paid admission ticket. All tickets will be available through pre-sale; if any tickets are unsold, they will be available at the door on the day of the event. Everyone in the building must have an admission ticket including all children.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact the CMMS Development Office at 410-326-2042 x17. A complete list of all basket prizes can be found here.

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