River Concert Series Music from the New World July 1, 2022

A huge crowd gathered on July 1st for the holiday classical music performance by the Chesapeake Orchestra.  The series continues on Friday nights through July 22nd at St Mary’s College of Maryland on the green at 7 pm.  Music Director, Jeffrey Silberschlag, shared such popular pieces as Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring”, Gregson-Williams “Wonder Woman”, Cluster’s “Star Trek through the Years and Bernsteins’s “West Side Story Suite”.  There was plenty of food from the local vendors and many games played on the green by young people.

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director

Zachary Silberschlag, trumpet

Chaptico Market

Koz’s Creamery

Her own pose

Spikeball game.  Who will catch it?

Violins

Snowhill Waterfront Park

Last weeks visit was to Snowhill Waterfront Park in St. Mary’s County, MD.  It was a lovely spot with a wide beach, several barns and a house that were private property, a well decoration and a really interesting tree.  There was a picnic pavilion and room for the upgrade they eventually plan for sports facilities.  We also drive to Sandgates road to see the water view.

A very twisty tree

Jim

Green darner dragonfly

Mimosa near Sandgates

River Concert Series Music from the Old World June 24, 2022

We attended the Friday night concert of the River Concert Series on Friday June 24th on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  It was a beautiful balmy night and there was a huge crowd, that I rarely see except for the Independence Day concert.  Music included works by Brahms including the well known Hungarian Dance no. 5, Dvorak, and Johann Strauss Jr. and Josef Suk's from Fairy Tale, Op.16 to name a few.  Netanel Draiblate, from the Chesapeake Orchestra played a beautiful violin solo

The children were having great fun with lots of colored glow sticks, and balls while the music played.  There was soft serve ice cream and Kona ice and a variety of vendors out.

Here are a few fun photos of the performance.

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director, Chesapeake Orchestra 

Arts Alliance Volunteer 

Tuajanda Jordan, College President

Violin soloist

A few students in the orchestra

Flower gift

A Visit to the Seventh District and Beyond

Last week's trip was to wander around and go for a walk in the Seventh District in St. Mary's County.  We made some stops to photograph some interesting barns, Christ Episcopal Church in Chaptico, the Bushwood Wharf Park and Ocean Hall, and the Nice Bridge to Virginia.

Ocean Hall , Bushwood

                     Bushwood Wharf Pier

Red winged blackbird, Bushwood 

             Christ Episcopal Church, Chaptico

              Visitor to the church steeple

Jim wanted to visit Dahlgren wayside park with a small beach.  It was closed due to bridge construction at the Nice bridge to Virginia

These ancient visitors could be seen in Dahlgren, VA by the highway

North Beach Boardwalk June 13, 2022

We chose to go to North Beach boardwalk last week after getting tick bites in the last two weeks.  The temperature was warming up, and I tried to pick a cooler day in the week.  The trip turned into a disaster for our little poodle who fell off a bench and had a seizure, but the boardwalk itself was enjoyable.  The Sunrise Garden was very pretty this time of year, with water lilies, koi, and hibiscus.  The beach was very expensive, requiring a beach tag, but the boardwalk was free and leashed dogs were allowed.  This time of year we were able to park in a handicapped spot during the week, but I expect that will be more difficult during the summer months.

Mermaid sculpture at Sunrise Gardens

pink waterlily

hibiscus

Cecil the Lion sculpture

Happy Juneteenth 2022

Last year I visited several places that honored the difficulties faced by slaves in St. Mary's County., MD.  I think these images commemorate the emancipation of slaves (or the hardship of slaves), when slaves were declared free in 1865.  It is a certainly past time for African Americans to be treated with the respect they deserve.   

Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland at St. Mary's College of Maryland

https://www.smcm.edu/honoring-enslaved/about-commemorative/

Slave cabin at Sotterley Plantation