Many thanks to Dave McQuay for sharing this 1903 Avalon Island photo from his Grandmother Lottie Covington Harrison’s Collection! The pictured boat is the Elmira which was built by Captain Syd Covington for his son Ruley Covington. The Elmira was the first gasoline powered boat in the area and the picture was taken on the southern end of the oyster shell created Avalon Island off of Tilghman, Maryland. Facts: Dave McQuay a descendant of Captain Syd Covington.
Contact: Cathy Hill cvhill@atlanticbb.net to share your old photos. Comment, Like our page and join THS!
The bar began in 1966 (moved to its current location in 1968) as a place to share a “libation” after church where residents would celebrate successful harvests. Workman was a frequent visitor to the British Virgin Islands having sailed through the islands on his boat many times. He approached the current owner of Foxy’s Harbor Grille, Terye Knopp, and asked if she had ever thought about bringing Callwood to St. Michaels. She hadn’t, but thought it was a great idea. So, Workman, via email, contacted Callwood and his wife Tessa, and surprisingly, they agreed. Saying they had no plans for September, and would love to come, they could use the opportunity to arrange some other visits to friends in the States. Callwood agreed to play guitar, sing and entertain with his unique Caribbean style of music and storytelling combined.
A date was set for September, and an event was created.What started as an idea over lunch turned into a huge production and a community effort that surpassed anyone’s expectations. One day last May, Will Workman, owner of the George Brooks House and Parsonage Inn B & B in St. Michaels was having lunch at Foxy’s Harbor Grille in St. Michaels, when an idea came to mind. Located on the island of Jost Van Dyke is Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, the inspiration for the name of the restaurant in St. Michaels. Foxy’s on JVD is owned by an island legend, Foxy Callwood, a philanthropist, philosopher and troubadour, largely responsible for putting this island on the sailing itinerary of boaters from all over the world.
Then came Irma. Just a few days before the event, the catastrophic hurricane destroyed the majority of the buildings on the island of Jost Van Dyke with a direct hit. Many of the surrounding islands that comprise both the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands were devastated. Without normal communications, the organizers Workman and Knopp relied on social media, a few text messages, and spotty emails to find out how Foxy and his wife faired, along with the other residents. The good news was that they were ok, but the bar was almost totally destroyed. They sent word via their assistant that they would not be able to get off the island to come to St. Michaels. But, they requested the continuation of the event, turning the monies raised through ticket sales and donations into relief funds for the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society. These dollars would now provide much needed supplies to help the islanders begin the long, hard and expensive task of rebuilding.
Once he and his family settled in Easton, Dan became a member of the Easton Family YMCA. In the 
1980’s Dan lifted at the Y and noticed a lack of equipment as he was working with a young man showing him how to do leg work. With the permission of Mr. Barton, the CEO at that time, they found equipment in closets and materials they could use to build squat racks. Dan started organizing weight lifting meets at the Y to raise money for more equipment and became the Chair of the Weightlifting committee. He helped the Y provide for the growing community of body builders and weight lifters. Dan has always passed on his passion for fitness by helping his children find their forms of fitness that they enjoyed. Not stopping there, he has helped countless young people develop routines based on their individual goals.
