Community Corner

Sailboat History Talk + 2 Guided Winter Walks In Anne Arundel County

A sailboat history talk is coming to Annapolis. Anne Arundel County residents can also enjoy two guided winter walks through local parks.

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The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested attending a lecture on Chesapeake Bay log canoes. The event is on Jan. 26 at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, which is pictured above.
The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy suggested attending a lecture on Chesapeake Bay log canoes. The event is on Jan. 26 at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, which is pictured above. (Google Maps)

MARYLAND — Anne Arundel County residents can enjoy a sailboat history talk or two guided winter walks through local parks. Other Maryland events include a garden tour, a 6.7-mile hike and a bald eagle photography tutorial.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Winter Lecture: Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes

Based on the dugout, the Chesapeake Bay log canoe was the principal fishing boat of the Bay until replaced by the bugeye and the skipjack. However, it came to be most famous as a racing sailboat around the eve of the American Civil War and the racing competition continued to grow in popularity. This Annapolis Maritime Museum lecture will show how these boats remain rooted in tradition despite the decades of innovations designed to increase their speed and performance. $10 for nonmembers, members free. Jan. 26, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Annapolis Maritime Museum, Annapolis, MD. More information and tickets"

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Thomas Point Winter Waterfowl Walk

Maryland is host to over thirty species of migrating waterfowl in the winter months and it doesn’t get better than Thomas Point Park, a small peninsula in Anne Arundel County that juts out into the Chesapeake Bay. Join Master Naturalist, birding enthusiast and photographer Liz Guertin for a winter walk along this wonderful spot for swans, ducks and endless water views. You'll be walking 1.5 miles at a slow pace for birdwatching on a mostly paved surface, with small amounts on a natural surface trail. $42 for nonmembers; $30 for members of Nature Forward (formerly Audubon Naturalist Society). Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thomas Point Park, Annapolis, MD. More details and registration (required)"

"Skunk Cabbage Swamp Stomp

Skunk cabbage is Maryland’s first flower of the year, blooming in January. If you think it looks prehistoric you’d be correct – it is alleged to be over 72 million years old. It is an extraordinary plant, possessing peculiarities found in few others. Resident skunk cabbage expert Siobhan Percey will lead you on an off-trail walk to visit this fascinating plant that lives along the swamp and wetland edges. Don’t forget your boots! Ages 12+; $5 per person. Jan. 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD. More info and registration (required)"

Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Brookside Gardens Winter Tour

Winter brings an altogether different dimension to the gardens that is sometimes [underappreciated]. Join a Brookside garden expert on a walk and talk to uncover the “bones of the garden” without the distraction of leaves or flowers. Explore the architectural elements that shape the gardens, including woody plants, hardscape and other components of design. $10 for nonmembers. Jan. 27, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD More information and registration (p. 13)"

"Gambrill State Park Winter Hike

Join the Sierra Club for a moderate to strenuous, 6.7-mile winter hike on Gambrill State [Park's] Yellow Trail. The trail loops around the northern section of the park, with an opportunity to see the park’s beautiful Tea Room, a native stone building built by the CCC in the 1930s. The trail continues to the High Knob area, with southern and western views of Frederick County and the Appalachian Ridge in the distance. Elevation gain is 1,013 ft. and the trail is a mix of smooth and rocky surfaces. The Sierra Club appreciates a $2 donation to help cover club costs. Jan. 20, 9:45 to 1:30; Gambrill State Park, Frederick, MD More information and registration"

"Photographing the Conowingo Eagles

The Conowingo dam on the Susquehanna River is listed by the Audubon Society as one of the “top five hotspots for photographing bald eagles.” Photographer Michael Weiss shares his experiences shooting there in his photo essay, Photographing the Conowingo Eagles, including suggestions for each season (helpful for spectators as well) and useful camera tips.
Whet your appetite for the Conowingo experience with this video of a bald eagle free-for-all, when snatching the fish off the water’s surface is just the beginning of a pitched battle and “thievery is the name of the game.”"

"Don't Miss Out On These Popular Paddles

The Sultana Education Foundation's Schedule of Public Kayak Paddles for 2023 is set and registration is now open on their website. SEF has spent over a decade scouting out some of the coolest paddles on the Eastern Shore, and made it easy for participants by providing all the gear. [Paddle] themes include the Lotus Paddle, Osprey Paddle, Bald Eagle Paddle, Waterways and Watermen Full Day Paddle, Blackwater Paddle, Waterfowl Public Paddle, Fall Foliage Paddle and more! SEF’s Public Paddles have a dedicated following that signs up quickly, so don't delay! More information and reservations"

"St. Clement’s Island Appraiser Fair

Do you have hidden treasures you’ve stashed away wondering if they may be of value one day? Meet with appraisers at the St. Clement’s Island Museum to determine their value. The Appraiser’s Fair provides an opportunity for you to learn the value of your heirlooms and how to properly care for them. Oral appraisals will be available for the following categories: fine arts, dolls, coins, and currency. The fine arts category includes ceramics, pottery, glassware, artwork/paintings, music boxes and small furniture pieces. Items in this category are limited to two items per person at a fee of $5 per item. Other category fees are $5 each. Your items will be appraised on a first come first served basis and please only bring items that can be hand-carried. Appraisals are not certified; however, one can make arrangements for a certified appraisal at a later date and time. Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; St. Clement’s Island Museum, Colton’s Point, MD. More details"

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