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April 1, 2023

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Local Life Brevities

Mid-Shore Food: A Spy Visits the Pope in Oxford

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A couple of spies sought out a new/old place for dinner recently and turned to Pope’s Tavern in Oxford. New chefs (see The Spy article), new menu, great wine list and whole new feel made for a delightful evening.

The menu is filled with wonderful Italian cuisine and the promise that pastas, sauces and desserts are all made fresh on the premises. Not to mention that the recipes come from a grandmother who traveled from Italy to New York in 1909.

Entering Pope’s Tavern in the Oxford Inn is a warm and welcoming experience. There is a full bar and a robust list of wines, mostly from Italy. Our Tuscan selection was superb!

The fresh homemade pasta (Fettuccine Alfredo) was delivered with a generous and tasty chicken parmesan perfectly prepared under the title, Gilda’s Chicken Parm. The bean soup might have easily come from Rome and the carbonara was solid and plentiful.

If a relaxing evening in the charming restaurant is not possible, Pope’s Market offers a wide selection of Italian choices, including prepared meals.

Current hours are Dinner: Thursday through Monday from 5 PM to 9 PM. Breakfast and lunch are served to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. And, if you are staying at the Inn, breakfast is available all week.

You can find more information on their Facebook page or checkout their website

A Spy Goes to Concours d’ Elegance

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Weekend visitors to The Talbot Country Club were treated to the 15th Annual St. Michaels Concours d’ Elegance presented by Jaguar Land Rover of North America.

“Talbot Country Club’s beautiful landscape, says Concours Chairman Luke L. Phipps, “it’s rolling hills and fairways of grandeur are the perfect backdrop for an event which has style, luxury and elegance at its core”.

The Country Club’s waterfront lawn and show field on Sunday featured rare, pre-war European and American coach-built automobiles, as well as significantly important post-war Sports and Touring Cars.

It was a day of Grand Classic Motoring, classic wooden speed boats, fashion, and casual elegance on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

One of our spies caught up with Judge North for a unique conversation about his automobiles being exhibited.

Mid-Shore Food Spy Report: Latitude 38 in Oxford Starts Anew

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Inspired by the interview in The Spy with the new owners of Oxford’s Latitude 38 restaurant, one of our spies dined in the establishment for the opening week menu.

The experience exceeded expectations with a familiar but altogether new dining experience at this local family restaurant. 

The first impression is favorable because all the wait staff are friendly and helpful, getting guests seated in their area of choice…at least if space permitted. It did get very busy during a mid-week visit.

Everything looks fresh while also familiar. While many wait staff have returned, the chef is new; although, she has experience at the restaurant from past years.

With several alternatives available, the crab cakes beckoned; and, they did not disappoint. Following a delightful Caesar salad with a bit of focaccia-style bread, the crab cakes arrived extra hot from the oven. The plate included spinach and fingerling potatoes prepared perfectly.

The crab is generous with little filler. They are moist and lightly seasoned to near perfection!

The wine by the glass selections, while mostly unfamiliar, seem pleasing and the Four Bears Pinot Noir was excellent.

Near the end of the meal, owner Kris Clear stopped by to check on the meal. He visited for some time about what he and his wife are doing, completing the warm, friendly, family-style experience.

While departing, one could not help noticing that the restaurant was nearly full, and the parking overflowed onto Oxford Road. Clearly, a strong beginning for this refreshed establishment.

MPT’s Chesapeake Bay Week has Strong Eastern Shore Presence

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This is the week when once again, Maryland Public Television’s Annual Chesapeake Bay Week invites viewers to immerse themselves “…in the history, science and culture of our nation’s largest estuary.

And, this year, there is a strong focus on life here on the Eastern Shore.

Tonight, MPT airs a near 30-minute version of THE LONG SHORE. This short film documentary of life on Chesapeake Bay was first presented by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum last Fall. CBMM actively participated in the filming and MPT’s longer version provides for an even greater discussion about shipbuilding. The film airs at 7:00 PM tonight.

A Spy agent tracked down MPT producer Sarah Sampson and asked her to describe this week of special programing. She explained, “Chesapeake Bay Week is part of Maryland Public Television’s ongoing commitment to telling important stories about the history, people and culture of the Bay. Now in its 18th year, the popular week of programming highlights the beauty and diversity of our nation’s largest estuary.”

Chesapeake Decoys: The Nature of Waterfowl Art takes viewers to the Chesapeake marshlands, where hunters share in an age-old tradition, and to the Easton Waterfowl Festival where intricate decoys carved from blocks of wood fetch generous sums from enthusiastic collectors. The program aired early in the week repeats immediately following THE LONG SHORE at 7:30 PM. is also streaming now here.

Experts, scientists and policy makers converge on Thursday, April 21st at 9pm for The Chesapeake Bay Summit 2022 for a compelling discussion on the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, led by host Frank Sesno.

You can find a full listing of programs that are part of Chesapeake Bay Week here.

Spy Moment: The Maryland Dove Takes to the Water – Updated

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Fingers crossed that the wind calms enough to lift the Maryland Dove off the ground and into the water at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum where it has been under construction for the past 3 years.  With the construction platform mostly off and a beautiful paint job, the Dove is ready for its splash down into the waters of St. Michaels where work will be completed over several weeks.
One of our spies was on the scene late Sunday to take in the scene. We hope to update this article throughout the day as the Dove makes its way into the Chesapeake.
Update at Noon

Spy Report: A 60-Year Old Yacht Club Elects First Woman Commodore

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Members of the Poplar Islands Yacht Club (PIYC) met early this December to do something they had not done since their founding 60 years ago in 1961. They elected a woman Commodore of the PIYC.

An active member, Missy Warfield is often at the helm of the Warfield’s beautiful 34’ Sabre, Indigo where from Trippe Creek she and husband Seth cruise the Chesapeake Bay.

The PIYC has quite a storied past. Formed by a group who cruised to islands visited by Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, the concept from the beginning was to organize cruises among members living around Chesapeake Bay. In fact, in 1965 the members decided against purchasing any of the group of Poplar islands specifically because “monthly rendezvous during the yachting season at other yacht clubs and at the waterfront homes of members would be more interesting.”

The concept embraced decades ago remains the focus of the PIYC today with long and short voyages well planned by the Fleet Captain in consultation with the Commodore. 

The Spy congratulates Missy Warfield and the Poplar Islands Yacht Club for breaking the fiberglass ceiling. 

Spy Report: Get Ready for Hemingway’s to Become Libbey’s

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When one of our spies reported that the restaurant we all know as Hemingway’s, where the Chesapeake Bay Bridge touches the Eastern Shore, is looking for a new executive chef, we probed a little deeper.

Most of the Mid-Shore has known that place for years since it’s one of the more logical places to meet Western Shore friends and family where the burden of travel can be shared equally, and also include a first-rate waterfront view.

It turns out Hemingway’s has been purchased by two Mid-Shore folks: Walt Petrie and Tim McGrath. They have a new restaurant name, a new look, and aspirations for higher quality food along with service and a stronger reputation.

Construction begins this week downstairs, with the restaurant slated to close by the end of the year for its remake, and the opening is planned for spring of 2022.

Always a place with a spectacular view, even a multimillion-dollar renewal a decade ago did not deliver as strong a dining experience as some hoped for over recent years. This new venture, while exciting, also brings the retirement of a well-known name. It looks like sometime next year, whether traveling by car or boat into the beautiful new marina, we’ll be greeted by Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails.

Our spy will be back after the opening for sure!

Spy Report: Ten Days / 60 Films

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The Chesapeake Film Festival  launched its 14th year with a clear message: the future of the environment surrounding us along the Chesapeake Bay depends on…..wait for it….beavers!
The world premiere of Water’s Way: Thinking Like a Watershed offered a beautiful look into a profound approach to protecting nature and it all revolves around the beaver. The story is compelling and the insightful producers of the film shown at the Avalon to begin a 10-day run of 60 films sat on stage for questions after the program.
If you live near the Chesapeake Bay (or even if you don’t) you really want to watch this film. If you missed the opening of the Chesapeake Film Festival, you can view it online. In fact, one of the wonderful parts of this local Film Festival is that the films are offered online from October 3rd through the 10th. And, the virtual festival is free thanks to the support of sponsors and donors.
For information about the Chesapeake Film Festival’s live events on October 2nd and 3rd along with the virtual offerings through the 10th, go to https://chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

Spy Report: Driving Range Becomes Parking Lot at The Talbot Country Club

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Over the weekend, Jaguar Land Rover of Annapolis presented the 14th Annual St. Michaels Concours d’ Elegance at Talbot County’s own Talbot Country Club.

As Concours Chairman Luke L. Phipps explained, “Talbot Country Club’s beautiful landscape, its rolling hills and fairways of grandeur are the perfect backdrop for an event which has style, luxury and elegance at its core”.

The show featured rare, pre-war European and American coach-built automobiles, as well as significantly important post-war Sports and Touring Cars. A special class of previous Best in Show winners was created along with a new featured class of Classic Land Rover Vehicles.

And why the Talbot Country Club? Phipps shared that, “Experiencing Talbot Country Club’s friendly membership, General Manager Rob McWilliams’ compassion and caring attention to detail along with Chef David Hayes’ culinary expertise and commitment to local ingredients, makes for a welcoming and grand setting.”

Enjoy a few highlights of the show in this one-minute Spy reconnaissance video.

Spy Report: CBMM Touches Thousands with Annual Boating Party

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The Spy joined hundreds at this weekend’s annual Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Boating Party where friends and supporters entered an entirely new venue spread across Navy Point. Nearly 300 people clearly enjoyed the opportunity to gather again in support of CBMM. Throughout the evening, guests moved around to view the collection of vessels and other historic items on display. Some enjoyed their meals on the water aboard historic craft collected and maintained by CBMM. Others feasted on “island cuisine” in cabanas and tables spread across the grounds.
All learned that another new feature of this year’s event was a social media effort  allowing CBMM to reach thousands of people over the past several weeks. The aim was to enhance the understanding of CBMM’s mission. As CBMM curator Pete Lesher explained it, “we wanted to share not just what we do, but why we do it.”
That goal was central to the premiere showing of a short film at the event. THE LONG SHORE is a film about life on the Chesapeake Bay featuring the people and mission of CBMM. The film was made possible by a grant and will be presented by CBMM to a wide range of audiences.
You can watch this short film, THE LONG SHORE, by clicking here.