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December 9, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

5 News Notes

Christmas in St. Michaels Spreads the Cheer to 2018 Grant Beneficiaries

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More than two dozen local non-profit organizations will have a little  more tinsel on the tree this year after they were selected to receive grants from the 2018 Christmas in St. Michaels celebration. The newly named beneficiaries provide services to the Talbot County community in a wide range of areas from community enhancement to family services.

Beneficiaries include:

Family Services
St. Michaels Family YMCA/CarePacks of Talbot County
St. Michaels Food Pantry
Channel Marker, Inc.
Mid-Shore Pro Bono

Education and Child Development
Back to School Project at Christ Church
Character Counts
Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers – St. Michaels Site
Imagination Library of Talbot County
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center
Sink or Swim (SOS)
St. Luke’s School
St. Michaels After School Help (SMASH)
St. Michaels Little League
St. Michaels Middle/High School Band Boosters
St. Michaels Middle/High School Musical Theater Program
Tilghman Area Youth Association (TAYA)

Community Enhancement
Bay Hundred Community Volunteers
Classic Motor Museum
Drew Landis Memorial Fireworks Fund
St. Michaels Farmers Market
St. Michaels Fire Department
St. Michaels Middle/High School After Prom
St. Michaels Museum
Talbot Village Connections (TVC)
Union United Methodist Church

School students learn about biodiversity at Pickering Creek Audubon Center. (photo courtesy of Pickering Creek)

The actual grant amount will be based on the proceeds from this year’s Christmas in St. Michael’s events including the Tour of Homes, The Yuletide Party, Marketplace and sale of Gingerbread Houses. Over the past 32 years, hundreds of grants worth over a million dollars have been given to local organizations providing an important source of funding for needs both large and small.

If last year is any guide, the grant funds will be put to good use.  The Classic Motor Museum used CISM grant funds to begin work on its new education building, while at

Pickering Creek Audubon Center, sixth and seventh graders explored the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay and learned about food webs.

“We are honored to have Christmas in St. Michaels support these programs, said Mark Scallion, center director, Pickering Creek Audubon Center.

Although the Christmas holiday comes around once a year, the Christmas in St. Michaels Grant Fund is truly the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.  To find out more about 2018 Christmas in St. Michaels, please visit: christmasinstmichaels.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Two Historic Militia Units to March in St. Michaels Christmas Parade

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When the Christmas Parade kicks off on Talbot Street Saturday morning Santa and Mrs. Claus will be accompanied by more than reindeer.  There will be infantry. Lots of infantry.

For the first time this year, two historic militia units dedicated to telling the story of the War of 1812 in Maryland, will be marching together in the St. Michael’s Parade. Both the Chesapeake Independent Blues and the Fort McHenry Guard will be representing the militias who once protected St. Michaels from British attacks, helping it become “The Town that Fooled the British”.

The Chesapeake Independent Blues were formed in 2012 as part of State of Maryland grant given to five counties, including Talbot, to create living history representation of the Maryland citizen-soldiers who served during the War of 1812. The focus of the organization is on public education, and the group refers to its volunteer members as interpreters rather than re-enactors. The unit’s first program was held in Queenstown in April of 2013, says one of the group’s founders, Mark Dubin. Since then, the group has provided ceremonial and living history programs at public and private schools across the State, at national and state parks, and private historical sites as far south as Louisiana and as far west as Ohio.

Maryland suffered deeply during the War of 1812.  The State itself saw more action and devastation than many other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.  The British blockaded the Bay in the Spring of 1813 and then systematically destroyed towns, vessels, warehouses and homes throughout the region.  Local militias, like the Blues, were essential to helping communities fend off British attacks.

“St. Michaels was one of the few communities to successfully fight off the British,” said Dubin, a Maryland Park Service Historic Weapons Safety Officer.

On Saturday, 17 members of the Chesapeake Independent Blues along with the Fort McHenry Guard from Baltimore, will provide a glimpse into that past and perhaps a chance to give a silent thanks to those who fought to protect this town so many years ago. Dressed in historically accurate military uniforms with reproduction smoothbore muskets and other common military items, the militia will be accompanied by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corpsa 6-pounder field artillery piece, and, a brand new flag.

The large silk “Colour” the Blues will be carrying  for the first time is a hand-painted reproduction of an original Maryland Militia flag from the War with an emblem that harkens back to its historical roots.  Emblazed across the top of the flag is the original Latin phrase “Non Sibi Sed Patriae” which translates as “Not for Self but Country”. As patriotic a statement as the men who carried it over 200 hundred years ago.

“We based the reproduction on a printed image first published on the War in 1868,” said Dubin.  “It’s probably the first time anyone has seen this Maryland flag in nearly 150 years, since the whereabouts of the original is now unknown.”

From the flag to the infantry, there will be several firsts when the Christmas in St. Michaels parade kicks off at 10:30 am. on Talbot Street, Saturday, Dec. 9th. Don’t miss the Home Tour immediately following the parade.  Tickets are required. For more information about these events and many others, please visit christmasinstmichaels.org.  Proceeds from all Christmas in St. Michael’s events go to support local non-profits providing important services to residents.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Christmas in St. Michaels Weekend Coming Up!

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Christmas in St. Michaels festivities kick off December 2nd with the Gingerbread House Preview Cocktail Party from 5-7 PM at the Women’s Club of St. Michaels located on St. Mary’s Square.  The Gingerbread House competition is open to anyone. Tickets for the Cocktail Party and complete contest rules are available online at christmasinstmichaels.org.  Awards will be announced at the Preview Cocktail Party.

The following Friday, Dec. 8th, put on your dancing shoes and join the fun at The Yuletide Party, starting at 6:30 pm at the Miles River Yacht Club.  All of the ingredients are in place for a spectacular event: there will be an open bar, passed hot hors d’oeuvres, a carving station of pork and beef tenderloin and desserts.  In addition, there will be a raw bar with a selection of seasonal specialties gathered from the Bay.  Guests will also enjoy complimentary valet parking.  And you won’t be able to stay off the dance floor when Joe Martone strikes up the music starting at 8 PM. Tickets are required.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus wow the crowds along Talbot St. at the annual St. Michaels Christmas Pa-rade December 9th from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 9th, gather the whole family for the Christmas Parade which steps off on Talbot Street at 10:30 a.m.  For parents with younger kids, there is a pre-parade Breakfast with Santa, held at Harrison’s Eastern Shore, 1216 Talbot Street.  Tickets are $10.00 and reservations are required. After the parade, kids ages 3-11 can head over to Santa’s Wonderland, located at the St. Michael’s School, 200 Seymour Ave for face painting, games and – for baseball lovers – a maybe even a visit with major league baseball star and St. Michael’s native Harold Baines.

For lovers of historic homes,  the signature event of the weekend is the popular Christmas in St. Michaels Tour of Homes.  Eight historic and significant homes, all decked out for the holidays,  will be open to the public from Dec. 9th 11 a.m. – 5 pm. and Dec. 10th 11a.m. – 4 PM.  On the tour for the first time this year is the elegant brick colonial style Cannonball house which earned its nickname after being hit with a cannonball during the War of 1813.   Evidence is still visible in the stairwell.  All of the homes located in town are within walking distance of each other and transportation is provided to outlying locations.  Tickets for the Tour of Homes are $25.00 until Dec. 8th.  After that, tickets are $30.00. Tickets can be purchased on line or in local stores.

And finally, you can finish up (or get started on!) your Christmas shopping at the Marketplace and Sweet Shop, located at the Granite Lodge on St. Mary’s Square.  Filled with an array of artful gifts including hand-etched wine glasses, hummingbird feeders, fine jewelry, cuddly scarves and gloves plus homemade jams, jellies, and other gourmet goodies, Marketplace has something for everyone on your list.

To purchase tickets, make reservations, and find out more about these and other events, please visit:  christmasinstmichaels.org. All proceeds from Christmas in St. Michaels events go to fund local non-profit organizations that provide important services for local residents.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Annual Christmas in St. Michaels Yuletide Party December 8th

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L-R: Yuletide Party Co-Chair Susan Thomas, Christmas in St. Michaels President, Pat Martin and Yuletide Party Co-Chair Barbara Rose.

Don’t be fooled by the unseasonably warm weather – the holiday season will be here before you know it!  So, dust off your dancing shoes, get out your festive clothes and mark your calendar for the annual Christmas in St. Michaels Yuletide Party, Friday, December 8th at Miles River Yacht Club, St. Michaels, MD Friday, December 9th from 6:30 – 11 PM.  Tickets are $150.00 ($65.00 is tax deductible) and are available at https://www.christmasinstmichaels.org.

“This is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season,” said Yuletide Party Co-Chair Barbara Rose.  “The club will be beautifully decorated and there will be plenty of room for everyone to mix, mingle, enjoy themselves.”

Indeed, all of the ingredients are in place for a spectacular event: there will be an open bar, hot passed hors d’oeuvres, a carving station of pork and beef tenderloin and desserts.  In addition, there will be a raw bar with a selection of seasonal specialties drawn from the Bay.  Guests will also enjoy complimentary valet parking. Plus, you won’t be able to stay off the dance floor when Joe Martone strikes up the music starting at 8 PM.

All proceeds from Christmas in St. Michaels go to support local non-profits that provide much needed services to local residents.  For more information on this and other Christmas in St. Michaels events, please visit:  christmasinstmichaels.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Tasty Creations on View at Gingerbread House Preview Cocktail Party

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Unlike Hansel and Gretel, you won’t have to follow a trail of crumbs through the woods to discover magical gingerbread houses this holiday season. Multiple examples of the 200 year old culinary art form will be on display at the Woman’s Club of St. Michaels during the Gingerbread House Preview Cocktail Party, December 2nd from 5-7 PM.

The Gingerbread House competition is open to all, with no entry fee. There are separate categories and cash prizes for master chefs, non-profits, adults and children. Party goers will get the first peak at the creations while savoring holiday food and drink. Many of the entries can be purchased during a silent auction during the party for festive home decorations or gifts. All proceeds support the 2017 Christmas in St. Michaels beneficiaries.

To enter the Gingerbread House competition, bakers simply bring their creations to the Woman’s Club of St. Michaels on St. Mary’s Square. Registration is between 10 AM and 4 PM on Friday, December 1, or between 9 AM and noon on Saturday, December 2nd. All entries must be made of gingerbread, and all decorations must be edible. No lights or plastic or other wrapping are permitted. Complete rules, including size requirements, are available at www.christmasinstmichaels.org.

Judging will take place on Saturday, December 2nd, with awards to be announced at the Gingerbread House Preview Cocktail Party that evening. Entries will be on public display during Christmas in St. Michaels festivities from December 8-10th.

Tickets for the Gingerbread House Preview Cocktail Party are available for purchase until November 24th and are $50 with $25 tax deductible. To purchase tickets visit www.christmasinstmichaels.org or mail a check to Christmas in St. Michaels, P.O. Box 873, St. Michaels, MD 21663. For more information, call 410-745-0745.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Christmas in St. Michaels Names 2017 Grant Beneficiaries

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Christmas came early this year for 18 local non-profit organizations thanks to grants from the 2017 Christmas in St. Michaels. The newly named beneficiaries provide services to the Talbot County community in a wide range of areas from environmental protection to education and childhood development.

“The grants go to help local organizations provide important services that might otherwise go unfunded,” says Pat Martin, Chair of Christmas in St. Michaels. “Some of the grants go to support ongoing programs while others help fill a one-time need.”

The actual grant amount will be based on the proceeds from the 2017 Christmas in St. Michael’s events including the Tour of Homes, The Yuletide Party, Marketplace and sale of Gingerbread Houses. Over the past 31 years, hundreds of grants worth over a million dollars have been given to local organizations providing an important source of funding for needs both large and small.

The Phillips Wharf Environmental Center in Tilghman used its 2016 grant from Christmas in St. Michael’s to build a community garden.

Last year, the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center used its grant to create a community garden at its location on Tilghman Island. This summer, local kids spent time in the garden, learning to identify plants and how to take care of them. Their efforts paid off in more ways than one. Not only did the garden produce a bountiful harvest but it was such a hit that it has now been integrated into Phillips Wharf’s regular education program.

Another summer program, this one from the St. Michael’s YMCA, used its 2016 grant to pay for staff, snacks and activities for its Summer Learning Program. The program helps kids in grades 1-5 improve their math, science and reading skills. There is also a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program where kids learned to build a small motorized boat. And there was even more fun—a day of sleuthing “CSI-style” through the wetlands, and a cooking class hosted by Environmental Concern based on a Bay theme.

While there were no such fun and games at the St. Michael’s Fire Department, its grant was put to equally good use. The Department used its 2016 grant to purchase two infra-red cameras. This potentially lifesaving technology enables firefighters to see through smoke or darkness to find people or hot spots during a fire.

These are just a few examples of how Christmas in St. Michaels spreads Christmas cheer all year.

The 2017 grant recipients include:

Bay Hundred Community Volunteers, Inc.
Character Counts Mid Shore, Inc.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels
Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center – St. Michaels Site
Drew Landis Memorial Fireworks Fund, Inc.
Imagination Library of Talbot County
Pickering Creek Audubon Center
SOS: Sink or Swim
St. Luke’s School
St. Michaels After School Help (SMASH)
St. Michaels Community Center
St. Michaels Family YMCA/Carepacks of Talbot County
St. Michaels Food Pantry
St. Michaels Middle/High School After Prom
Talbot Interfaith Shelter
Tilghman Area Youth Association
Tilghman Youth Band

Although the Christmas holiday comes around once a year, the Christmas in St. Michaels Grant Fund is truly the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. To find out more about 2017 Christmas in St. Michaels, please visit: www.christmasinstmichaels.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

2017 Christmas in St. Michaels Ornament Celebrates Working Dogs of the Chesapeake

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The much anticipated 2017 Christmas in St. Michaels ornament has been unveiled and is sure to become an instant collectible. The one-of-a-kind ornament celebrates the working dogs of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the 14th in a series depicting icons of the Eastern Shore. Created by local artist Joanne Buritsch, the 24k gold plated solid brass ornament features a trio of familiar four-legged friends – the Chesapeake Bay, Labrador and Golden retrievers – framed by a wreath of etched holly.

All of the dogs featured in this year’s design are known as a powerful swimmers with strong retrieving instincts. Their gentle dispositions and lively intelligence have made them a favorite of waterfowl hunters and pet owners alike. Of the three, the Chesapeake Bay retriever is the only breed developed in Maryland, allegedly from a pair of Newfoundland puppies rescued from a shipwreck and bred with local dogs. The Chessie was officially recognized as a breed in 1918, and is now the state’s official dog.

Labrador retrievers, originally known as St. Johns Water Dogs or Lesser Newfoundlands, were described by James Mitchener in his novel Chesapeake as “the finest huntin’ dog ever developed to challenge the reign of the Chesapeake as the consummate hunter.” Golden retrievers, developed in Scotland, were bred to retrieve game from the shooting field in wild fowl hunts among Scottish elites. They proved to be the perfect hunting dog for small game and could endure the adverse Scottish conditions.

It takes more than six months to conceive, design and produce the annual Christmas in St. Michaels ornament, beginning with brainstorming sessions held shortly after Christmas presents have been stowed away and festive lights taken down. This year’s idea came from the many years Buritsch spent with her own beloved retrievers.

Buritsch, who designed many of the previous ornaments, works closely with her fellow Christmas in St. Michaels Ornament Committee members to develop finely honed sketches of the dogs and surrounding detail. Once the final sketch is approved, it’s sent to Beacon Design by ChemArt, a small specialty company in Rhode Island that has produced the official White House Christmas ornament for nearly four decades.

“We submit a very detailed proposal which includes Buritsch’s artwork with photographs and multiple sketches, specific color recommendations, and even suggestions for dimensionality” noted Lisa Rey, Ornament Committee co-chair who worked closely with Buritsch on the design. “It takes quite a bit of back and forth to get everything exactly right. It’s truly a collaborative process.”

The actual production process takes nearly a month and a half beginning with graphic design. The ornaments are then hand cut, chemically etched, gold plated and screen printed. The finished pieces are assembled by hand and packed in decorative holiday boxes.

The 2017 ornament is now available in various local St. Michaels stores as well as online at christmasinstmichaels.org. For those who are collectors, the entire series of 14 ornaments is available for purchase online.

All proceeds from the sale of the ornament go to fund non-profit organizations serving the St. Michaels community.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Christmas in St. Michaels Presents Checks to 2016 Beneficiaries

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Photo: Attending the presentation were (front row, L-R) Linda Seemans (board), Barbara Rose (board), Leslie Steen (St. Michaels High School After-Prom), Harley Gates (St. Michaels Community Center), Jo Storey (Pickering Creek Audubon Center), Marianne Challoner (Bay Hundred Community Volunteers), Donna Cole (St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square), Karen Burger (board), Marlene Thomas (Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers – St. Michaels Site) and Tracy Cohee (St. Michaels Family YMCA Summer Learning); (2nd row) Doug Reedy (Character Counts Mid-Shore), Linda King (Tilghman Waterman’s Museum), Mary Kellogg (Tilghman Waterman’s Museum), Lori Ramsey (Shared Table), Lynn Partridge (St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square), Mary Lou McAllister (board), and Debbie Collison (Drew Landis Memorial Fireworks Fund, Inc.); (3rd row) Jessica Kastel (St. Michaels Fire Department), Nancy Young (board), Jay Shotel (Tilghman Area Youth Association), Judy Krhounek (board), Kelley Cox (Phillips Wharf Environmental Center), and Ted Cutler (St. Michaels Little League); (4th row) Maggie Gowe (Care Packs of Talbot County), Josh Poore (Stop Bullying Talbot LLC), Liz LaCorte (Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Rising Tide Program), Bev Pratt (board) and Joan Schneider (board). Grant recipient Back Pack Project at Christ Church, St. Michaels was not represented at the reception. Photo by Proctor Photography

At a recent reception hosted by the Christmas in St. Michaels board, Linda Seemans, treasurer, presented checks to representatives of the organizations selected to receive the proceeds from the 2016 CISM fund-raising event in December. Ms. Seemans announced that Christmas in St. Michaels distributed more than $76,000 in grant money to the 2016 beneficiary organizations.

This year’s Christmas in St. Michaels event will take place December 8, 9 and 10. The event raises funds for non-profit organizations that provide support services to the St. Michaels community. Eligible organizations submit applications for funding that are reviewed by the Christmas in St. Michaels board. Since its founding in 1987, Christmas in St. Michaels has donated more than $1 million to local non-profits.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Christmas in St. Michaels 2016 Events

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of Christmas in St. Michaels, which takes place on December 9, 10 and 11.

The first event of Christmas in St. Michaels—the Gingerbread House Cocktail Party– occurs the weekend before on Sunday, December 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Woman’s Club of St. Michaels. This festive party allows guests the first view of the gingerbread houses (many of which are available for sale). Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased in advance by calling 410-745-0745.

xmas-parade

Photo by Maureen Golden

The Christmas in St. Michaels weekend begins on Friday, December 9, with the opening of the Gingerbread House Display and the Marketplace boutique (next door at the Granite Lodge on St. Mary’s Square) both from noon to 3. Locals “in the know” line up at noon to get first pick of the lovely handmade gift items and mouthwatering homemade gourmet foods. This year’s offerings include the new cookbook, A Few of Our Favorite Things, and the 2016 Collectors Ornament.

The Yuletide Party and 30th Anniversary Celebration takes place on Friday evening from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Town Dock restaurant on the harbor in St. Michaels. It will feature a gourmet tour of St. Michaels’ finest restaurants, a jazz band and a magical view of the harbor lit for the holidays. Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased online at christmasinstmichaels.org or by calling 410-745-0745. A portion of the ticket cost is tax deductible.

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Photo by Maureen Golden

Saturday, December 10, has a full line-up of events including the not-to-be missed Talbot Street Parade:
• Marketplace boutique and the Gingerbread Display will both be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Breakfast with Santa at the Town Dock restaurant for children ages 3 to 8 (accompanied by an adult). Reservations are required.
• St. Luke’s Church Holiday Breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Christmas Bazaar in the Christ Church Parish Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring holiday greens, handmade crafts, attic treasures and more.
• Talbot Street Parade starting at 10:30 a.m. featuring more than 50 different groups, including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
• Tour of Homes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with ten homes open to visitors. Advance tickets are $25; $30 during the weekend. They can be purchased online or at Chesapeake Bay Outfitters, The Christmas Shop and Chesapeake Trading Company.
• Santa’s Wonderland—following the parade until 2:30 p.m. on the St. Michaels School Campus. The cost is $2 per child ages 3 to 11. Harold Baines, retired professional baseball star, will be available to sign autographs. Children can visit with Santa, participate in fun activities and shop at the “Shop and Wrap” store.
• Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Union United Methodist Church featuring a homemade holiday meal with all the trimmings. Cost is $18 per person.
• Jackson Jubilee Singers perform gospel music and Christmas spirituals at 1:30 p.m. at Union United Methodist Church.

The fun continues on Sunday, December 11 :
• Marketplace boutique and the Gingerbread Display will both be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tour of Homes is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Celebration of Choirs at St. Michaels Middle/High School auditorium is from 6 to 7 p.m. and features choirs from area churches and the Covenant Gospel Choir, who join together to present joyful holiday music. This free concert is one of the most popular events and provides a perfect ending to a fun-filled holiday weekend.

Christmas in St. Michaels brings the warmth of a small town community to everyone who comes to participate in the weekend’s events. And this special feeling lasts all year for the hundreds of volunteers who give countless hours of their time preparing for this event. During its 30-year history, Christmas in St. Michaels has provided more than $1 million to local non-profit organizations that serve the Bay Hundred area.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit christmasinstmichaels.org or call 410-745-0745.
Come experience the magic of Christmas in St. Michaels.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Christmas in St. Michaels Yuletide Party and 30th Anniversary Celebration

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The holiday season will be ushered in this year by a very special Yuletide Party and 30th Anniversary Celebration hosted by Christmas in St. Michaels. The event will take place on Friday, December 9, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Town Dock restaurant on the harbor in St. Michaels. It will feature a gourmet tour of St. Michaels’ finest restaurants, a jazz band, a magical view of the harbor lit for the holidays and the opportunity to mix and mingle with old and new friends and neighbors.

The event co-chairs Mary Lou McAllister and Linda Seemans selected the Town Dock for the event, the location of the first gala held 30 years ago. “The wonderful location on the harbor with holiday lights and fabulous food from our local restaurants is the perfect place to celebrate our 30th year,” McAllister said. “We want party goers to have an opportunity to indulge in great food, talk with friends and enjoy a festive, relaxed evening,” added Seemans.

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Photo: Gathered on the deck of the Town Dock are some of the chefs whose specialties will be featured at the Yuletide Party. They are (front row, from the left) Ken McDonald, Inn at Perry Cabin; Jesse Wheeler, Carpenter Street; Jon Mason, owner, Town Dock; Seth Caveceiras, Ava’s ; (back row, from left) Jim Trond, co-owner and chef,Gourmet by the Bay; and Dave Donohue, Theo’s. Not shown are the Spurry family, Chesapeake Landing; Chef Genniro, Limoncello; and David Clark, co-owner and chef, 208 Talbot. Photo by Proctor Photography

Christmas in St. Michaels is pleased to announce that Bill Davenport and Bruce Wiltsie have been named honorary co-chairs of this holiday anniversary party. Attendees who served on committees for the first few Christmas in St. Michaels events will receive special recognition at the Yuletide Party.

The party will include a full bar, festive cocktails and passed hors-d’oeuvres. Restaurants providing the gourmet tour of St. Michaels will be Ava’s, Carpenter Street, Chesapeake Landing, Inn at Perry Cabin, Limoncello, 208 Talbot, Theo’s and caterer Gourmet by the Bay. Guests can anticipate a raw bar, delicious entrees, creative sides and fabulous desserts.

Tickets for the Yuletide Party, to which everyone is invited, are $150 per person and may be purchased online at christmasinstmichaels.org or by calling 410-745-0745. A portion of the ticket cost is tax deductible. Festive holiday attire is suggested. Valet parking will be provided for all guests.

Funds raised by the Yuletide Party and 30th Anniversary Celebration will support the Christmas in St. Michaels 2016 beneficiaries. They are non-profit organizations that advance educational, cultural, athletic and conservation programs serving individuals and families in the Bay Hundred area. Since its founding 30 years ago, Christmas in St. Michaels has donated more than $1 million to local non-profit organizations.

The Yuletide Party will kick off the three-day Christmas in St. Michaels event December 9, 10 and 11. It will include the Talbot Street Christmas Parade and a tour of homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Events of special interest to children include Breakfast with Santa, Santa’s Wonderland and the Gingerbread House Display. Additional offerings include the Marketplace for hand-crafted gifts and gourmet foods, special musical events and wonderful shops decorated for Christmas, many of which offer the 30th Anniversary Christmas in St. Michaels Collectors Ornament. Visit christmasinstmichaels.org for more information.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.