As Poet Laureate of Maryland, Stanley Plumly is available to visit museums, community arts centers and other organizations to speak about modern poetry, his own work and the English poet John Keats (about whom he has recently published a personal biography that has received widespread critical acclaim by reviewers for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, andThe New Yorker). A reading is included.  

His visit is free, though organizations and schools have the option of offering an honorarium if they wish. If you would like to arrange a visit, please contact Chris Stewart, liaison to the Poet Laureate and program director for literary arts with the Maryland State Arts Council, at cstewart@msac.org  or 410-767-6476.  

A new “bugeye”constructed at the Calvert Marine Museum

 If you have driven past the museum in the last six months, you might have noticed a “boat” being built on the front lawn. Intended to replace the old Marie Therese which had adorned the museum grounds for years until it became unsafe, this newly constructed boat is based on the classic Chesapeake Bugeye. What exactly is a “bugeye?” A double-ended workboat developed after the Civil War to dredge oysters on the Chesapeake. Solomons is known as the bugeye capital of the world because so many of them were built here. Our own Wm. B. Tennison is a converted bugeye, her masts and sails were removed, then she was equipped with an engine and operated as a buyboat, and later adapted in the 1970’s for passengers instead of oysters.

The new bugeye is being built by the Patuxent Small Craft Guild (PSCG), volunteer members who are responsible for maintaining the museum’s small craft collection. PSCG is one of the clubs for museum members comprised of boat enthusiasts that enjoy building, restoring, sailing, and rowing traditional Chesapeake water craft. The bugeye design was chosen because it closely resembles the logo of the Calvert Marine Museum. Guild members paid for materials with funds from canoe raffles, boat building classes, toy boat building, and other activities, and have done 99% of the work under the direction of Boatwright George Surgent. Although designed to look like a traditional workboat, this bugeye is not seaworthy. Rather, it is designed to serve a variety of land-based functions and will be used to teach young children during summer camps, decorate the grounds, and even serve as a bar during concert season.

 The “Guild Guys” as they are called, have had a great time working together on the boat every Tuesday and Saturday. Now that the boat is nearing completion, she needs to be named. The museum will offer the naming rights of the boat, for as long as it is in use, to the highest bidder. Show the 70,000 + visitors that come to the museum each year how much you love your wife, children, grandchildren, or even your dog and name the boat after them. If you are interested in more information or would like to place a bid, please call 410-326-2042, ext. 17. The name submitted by the winning bidder is subject to approval by the museum and must be appropriate for public display. This is a tax-deductible donation.

 Photos taken by Robert Hurry




The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Museum members and children under 5 are always admitted free. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $2.00 for children ages 5 – 12. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website atwww.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Become a fan on Facebook.

A New Record in Grant-Giving for 24-Year Old Organization
The Charles County Arts Alliance (CCAA) awarded nearly $50,000 in grant funding to 26 local schools and non-profit organizations, the largest amount in the Alliance's 24-year history.

Grantees received their awards at the CCAA Annual Grantee & Membership Reception, held  Saturday evening, November 19, at the historic Old Waldorf School in Waldorf.

CCAA President Diane Rausch, said, "This year was the most grant funding and the most organizations we have ever awarded in our history, and we were extremely honored to be in a position to do it. Our local arts organizations and schools are the main source of "quality of life" cultural programming for us here in Charles County, and without them, we would be much poorer.  We are so pleased that the CCAA contributes in a fundamental, financial way to help enhance and enlarge the arts and cultural presence in our county."

Melissa Burdin, Choral Arts Director for grant recipient Grace Christian Academy, remarked, "What a blessing this grant has been to our growing arts program! Because of the grant, we now have kids interested in our show choir and it is busting at the seams. It was non-existent two years ago. Without the grant and the kindness of the CCAA, we would not be where we are today."

The Arts Alliance awards two types of grants. Artists in Education (AIE) Grants are designed to promote, strengthen, and enhance the arts and arts education in Charles County's elementary and secondary schools. Community Arts Development Grants (CAD) support and enhance arts organizations that are providing quality arts programs and services in the county, including theater, dance, music, visual arts, folk arts, children's events and more. 

Artists in Education Grants were awarded to:  Archbishop Neale School, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, Henry E. Lackey High School, Maurice J. McDonough High School, Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee (Head Start), St. Mary's School Bryantown, and Thomas Stone High School.

Community Arts Development Grants were awarded to:  Ballet Arts Academy at the Old Waldorf School; Black Leadership Council for Excellence; Charles County Government - Aging and Senior Centers; Charles County Freedom Landing; Charles County Public Library; Chesapeake Choral Arts Society,;Christ Church, Port Tobacco Parish; Christ Church, Durham Parish; College of Southern Maryland; Grace Brethren Church; Harambee Productions; Mattawoman Creek Art Center; Music Teachers Association of Charles County; Port Tobacco Players; and Southern Maryland Carousel Group.

Arts Alliance Grant Chairperson Elizabeth Redding, a newcomer to the CCAA Board of Directors, said, "It truly is a privilege to play a role in providing opportunities for the arts to grow in Charles County. It has been inspiring to meet the grantees, who are each so dedicated to creating environments and programs where creativity is encouraged, talent is nurtured, and souls are enriched!" 

Grants are awarded through a competitive application process and reviewed by a CCAA grant panel comprised of CCAA board members and community representatives. In addition to Chairperson Redding, this year's panel included Rose Anne Haft, Kathleen Jenkins, Joseph Namyst, Revered James M. Powell, Sr., Robert Rausch, and Chris Zabriskie. 

The awards are made possible by a state grant received by the Arts Alliance from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), whose mission is to encourage and invest in the advancement of the arts for the people of Maryland.