Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa Celebrates 65 Years of Service

     Chesapeake Beach, MD -- The Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa plans a big year of activities in celebration of 65 years in business. Starting in 1946 as the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant and Marina, the Resort has grown to become a premier waterfront destination location for both land lovers and boaters who want to have a quintessential Chesapeake Bay experience.
     Over 100 years ago Chesapeake Beach was a thriving vacation destination with visitors coming by steamship and railway to stay at the grand hotel, dine on local seafood dishes, gamble, play at the waterfront amusement park and stroll on the boardwalk. Today the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa embodies that same spirit of a complete Chesapeake Bay waterfront get-away destination.
     During the past 65 years the original restaurant and marina have evolved to include a luxury hotel and full service spa located right on the Bay, a second marina, two more waterfront restaurants, meeting rooms, waterfront ballrooms, beautiful bay views and beachfront.
     Amusements today at the resort are many with bingo and gaming, charter fishing and other water sports, special weekend packages for all ages and beachside musical entertainment. Famous for being the Charter Fishing Capital of Maryland since 1946, the resort also boasts two full service marinas, the Rod ‘N’ Reel Dock and Marina West.
     Co-owner Gerald Donovan said: “My brother and I wanted to recreate the same atmosphere that Otto Mears had 100 years ago when he envisioned Chesapeake Beach being the next Monte Carlo on the Chesapeake Bay. We are very proud of our past here, and are looking forward to the next 65 years in business!”
     Best known for the Rod ‘N’ Reel restaurant, the resort also features two other dining locations, Smokey Joe’s Grill and the Outdoor Boardwalk Café.
     Recently renovated the Rod ‘N’ Reel offers a waterfront dining experience in a light and airy dining room with many of the same recipes of the last 65 years. Here, classic Chesapeake Bay seafood dishes, sizzling steaks and Chef ’s specials are served accompanied by a diverse wine menu designed to compliment the fare. Executive Chef Joseph Misero is planning a new menu for the 65th year and says; “We will be bringing back some of the most popular dishes from past menus and introducing some new Chesapeake-infused culinary creations."
     The resort plans to celebrate their anniversary during the year with new restaurant menus and specials, hotel and marina anniversary rates, and featured activities open to the public including the Welcome Summertime Celebration scheduled for June 5, and a Bridal Show which successfully debuted March 12. With two waterfront ballrooms, outdoor ceremony locations and the upscale hotel, all including gorgeous views of the Chesapeake Bay, the resort is an ideal location for a destination wedding.
     “We are the complete package here for brides who want a waterfront wedding.” said Wedding and Events Manager Lori Kirby-Medlin. “We were really pleased to show off our facility, catering and amenities to local brides during the first bridal event we have held in 15 years.”
     Another landmark occasion coinciding with the 65th Anniversary is the 30th Annual Cancer Gala, hosted in August of each year by the resort. The annual event is a huge outdoor fundraiser at the resort and has raised over four million dollars for cancer treatment.
     For more information on the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa and activities, contact 410-257-2735 or visit cbresortspa.com.

DNR Fisheries Service To Host Public Regulatory Scoping Meeting

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. on May 9 in the Fellowship Hall at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis to present and obtain input on several regulatory ideas, including:
* Possible changes to the current commercial female blue crab closure periods and catch limits.
* A new regulation for egregious or repeat crab or striped bass violations related to using illegal gear, harvesting during a closed season, harvesting from a closed area, exceeding harvest catch or size limits and violating, tagging and reporting requirements. This action will also add oyster poaching penalties.
* Elimination of a regulation that prohibits the commercial harvest of blue crabs on the second and third Thursdays in November.
* Removal of the requirement to list a vessel number on a commercial crabbing license.
* A clarification that all recreational crab pots are required to be marked with owner’s name and address.
* Allowing temporary transfers of frozen and male only limited crab harvester licenses.
* A clarification that oyster taxes only apply to oysters caught in the public commercial fishery.
* A requirement of an individual to declare their intent to commercially harvest clams.
* Create consistency between regulations for the black sea bass, summer flounder and horseshoe crab commercial fisheries and allow some flexibility in coastal commercial permitting.
* To prohibit all recreational and commercial fishing for river herring beginning January 1, 2012.
* To allow leasing in sanctuaries on non-historic natural oyster bars.
     Additional information on these agenda items is available at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/draftregulations.asp
     Regulatory Scoping Meetings are held to discuss possible changes to fishing rules. Draft regulatory ideas are posted on the Fisheries’ Service website and comments are taken by email, fax, or mail by a specified date and at the Public Scoping Meeting. Based upon public input, the Department will determine whether or not to proceed with these regulatory ideas, as presented or modified, by submitting a proposed regulation.
     Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request.
     You may submit comments on these regulatory ideas by going to the Fisheries Draft Regulations Website, faxing them to 410-260-8310 or mailing them to Fisheries Regulations, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Okoumefest Weekend Coming Soon to Annapolis and Matapeake

Chesapeake Light Craft will host Okoumefest May 13 and 14 this year.

     Annapolis and Stevensville, MD -- Chesapeake Light Craft's annual Okoumefest weekend is May 13 and 14 this year. CLC's small-boat festival brings do-it-yourself boatbuilders and small-boat enthusiasts together for workshops, on-the-water demonstrations, and prizes. An Open House is Friday at Chesapeake Light Craft’s factory and showroom in Annapolis from 2-7 pm; on-the-water fun takes place Saturday at Kent Island’s Matapeake State Park from 9 am-5 pm. Complete information is available at www.clcboats.com/festival.

     Now in its 13th year, OkoumeFest (pronounced oh-KOO-me-fest) is a family-friendly event centered on the joys of building and using small boats. For those new to boats or boatbuilding there is no better opportunity to get on the water, attend seminars, and have questions answered.

Hinckley Yachts Announces Spring Open House, Saturday, May 21

      Oxford, MD -- The Hinckley Company has announced a Spring Open House to showcase its pre-owned yacht collection on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Oxford service facility, 202 Banks Street.
      More than 13 pre-owned Hinckley Yachts will be on display, in the water.
     “Our Spring Open House presents a rare opportunity to get aboard practically every pre-owned Hinckley Jetboat on the market today in the Chesapeake,” said Jennifer Richards, Brokerage Director for Hinckley Yachts Annapolis. “Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous, little runabout or a stately motoryacht, you’ll find her in the water and ready to go at our upcoming Open House.”
     Hinckley, a privately held company founded in 1928, is renowned for its premium sailboats and power boats. The company builds its boats in Trenton and Southwest Harbor, Maine, and operates eight service yards along the U.S. East Coast. Hinckley has approximately 1,500 boat owners and 5,000 service customers worldwide.

Human-Powered Event at Baltimore's Boston Street Ramp

Local Notice to Mariners

     Baltimore, MD -- Mariners are advised that the annual “American Visionary Art Museum Kinetic Sculpture Race” is scheduled to occur in Baltimore on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A water entry and exit will occur at the Boston Street Public Boat Ramp, in Northwest Harbor, from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will be accompanied and supported by kayaks and a motorized safety launch. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12281.
     For the complete Local Notice to Mariners click here.

Marinalife Announces Second Annual Summer Photo Contest

     Baltimore, MD -- Marinalife has announced the start of its second annual Summer Photo Contest. The first contest generated a wide variety of submissions from Marinalife members but some of the consistent themes helped determine the categories for this year’s photo contest. Marinalife members are encouraged to submit their favorite photos for the following three categories: Best Photo of Owner or Friends on a Boat; Best Pet Photo; and Best Sunset Photo.
    The photo contest is open for submissions now through August 15.
    Winners will be announced in the Fall issue of Marinalife magazine.
    “We had a lot of fun reviewing member photos last year and seeing how everyone enjoys the boating lifestyle. Our members love to see themselves in the magazine so including them in the fall issue is an ideal way to wrap up the contest,” said Joy McPeters, President/CEO
     Boaters are encouraged to submit photos through the Marinalife web site: http://www.marinalife.com/photocontest.
     The Marinalife website is an online concierge service with extensive layers of resources for members from trip planning tools to fuel locators and a mileage calculator. In addition to the free tools Marinalife has varying levels of membership that give boaters access to live concierge services, preferred dockage rates, special group packages and more.

Saturdays are for sailing at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is offering sailing to visitors in a selection of rowing and sailing skiffs, like the Melonseed skiffs shown here. Dates for the program are June 11, July 17, August 13, and September 17, with two sessions from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm. Cost to participate is $10 plus museum admission. Drop-ins welcome.

     St. Michaels, MD -- Beginning in June, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland will offer novice and experienced boaters a chance to get out on the water along Fogg’s Cove in a selection of the museum’s beautifully crafted wooden sailing and rowing skiffs.
     The Sailing Saturdays program runs June 11, July 16, August 13 and September 17 with two daily sailing sessions running from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. Boats used for the program range in size from 12 to 20 feet, and were crafted in the museum’s Apprentice for a Day public boatbuilding program. The boats are perfect for one to two people, with instruction provided for beginning sailors or boaters.
     “For people interested in commissioning the museum to build one of these boats, this is a great way to ‘try before you buy,’” explains Boat Yard Manager Rich Scofield. “And for the experienced boater, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy sailing in some of the nicest, handmade wooden boats in the world.”
     Boats in the program rotate from the museum’s collection, which includes Melonseed sailing skiffs, Rushton rowing skiffs and paddleboats. “You might event get to sail in the boat that appeared in the Failure to Launch movie as part of your experience,” commented Scofield.
     Reservations can be made, with drop-in participation welcomed. The cost to participate in the Sailing Saturdays program is $10 per session plus museum admission. The museum is open daily and also offers visitors the opportunity to help build one of these skiffs through its Apprentice for a Day program. For more information, call 410-745-2916 or visit http://www.cbmm.org/.