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3rd Annual Chesapeake Folk Festival is July 31 at CBMM

Capture the essence, food and traditions of the Chesapeake from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, July 31 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) 3rd Annual Chesapeake Folk Festival.

This celebration of the Bay’s people, traditions, work, food and music offers a unique chance to enjoy hands-on demonstrations by regional craftspeople and live musical performances by the New Gospelites, Arty Hill, Old Bay Ceili Band, Sts. Peter & Paul’s Hispanic Ministry and more. Skipjack and buyboat rides on the Miles River will also be available, along with plenty of crab cakes, beer and barbeque chicken back on land.

“The festival is a great way to celebrate the Bay’s traditions beyond just looking at the past,” commented CBMM Folklorist Marian Robbins. “This has become the Museum’s most well-attended and beloved event – people love learning about and celebrating the people living and working on the Bay right now.”

Live demonstrations of trotlining for crabs, crab pot making, boat building, pound net weaving, decoy carving, marionette making and more are included. The Artisans Tent features local artists and artisans displaying and selling their work.

A number of short documentary films about living and working on the Bay will be shown throughout the day. A preview of These Chesapeake Men features a first-hand overview of waterman harvesting the Chesapeake . Chesapeake Bay by Air captures the unparalleled wild beauty, history and natural serenity of the Bay, all from above. Other films include Black Captains of the Chesapeake, The New American Farmer, Last Boat Out, Hands of Harvest and more.

Demonstrations, food, stories, films, boat rides, kids’ activities and more will be offered throughout the day. The event is funded by Maryland Traditions, the Maryland Humanities Council and the Talbot County Free Library. Sponsors include What’s Up? Publishing, Maryland Public Television (MPT) and Pepsi Bottling Ventures.

CBMM members enjoy free admission to all the museum’s festivals, with other tickets for the July 31 event at $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $6 for children between the ages of six and 17 and children five years and under free. Food and boat rides are an additional cost. For more information about the festival or upcoming events at the Museum, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Debra Hathaway with Dragon Wings gives a marionette demonstration at the Museum’s Chesapeake Folk Festival. The marionette theater, which features handmade marionettes, is run by Debra and her husband Eric of Easton, MD. The July 31 event features live demonstrations of trotlining for crabs, crab pot making, boat building, pound net weaving, decoy carving, marionette making and more. Photo by Steve Mroczek.

L-R:  Harvey Reed and Wilson Roe demonstrate net making at last year’s Chesapeake Folk Festival. This year’s event is set for Saturday, July 31 from 10 to 5pm and features demonstrations, food, stories, films, boat rides, kids’ activities and more. Photo by Steve Mroczek

Kids use hand tongs and nippers to gather oysters along one of the Museum’s piers. During the Folk Festival, docents and watermen are on the dock throughout the day to answer questions and give demonstrations. Photo by Steve Mroczek.

CBMM welcomes new board members & officers

On June 21, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) welcomed new officers and seven new members to its board of governors during its annual meeting in the Museum’s Van Lennep Auditorium.

Newly elected to three-year terms on the CBMM board of governors include: Harry Burton, David Dunn, Anna Fichtner, Pam Jana, Peter Kreindler, Geoff Oxnam and Bruce Ragsdale.

Elected officers of the board were: Chairman Joe Peters; Vice Chair CG Appleby, Vice Chair Alan Griffith; Treasurer Tom Seip; and Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, secretary.

The board also recognized retiring governors for their service, including: Bob Perkins, Duane Beckhorn, Doug Croker, Tom Finan, Robin Gordon, Ted Lewers, Julie McCahill, John Pinney, Lucy Spiegal, Bob Snyder, Ted Taylor and Baird Tipson. Candy Backus was reinstated as a director emerita.

 “This year’s class of governors is a welcomed addition to our leadership,” commented CBMM Board Chairman Joe Peters. “Their experience and vision will help chart a course of long term success for the Museum.”

Harry W. Burton is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice of Morgan Lewis and an advisor to employers and employee benefit plans regarding all areas of benefit collective bargaining and benefit plan operations. Harry graduated from Princeton University in 1971 and Georgetown University Law Center in 1975. He is assistant editor for both the International Foundation’s Legal-Legislative Reporter and the Washington Update. Harry has also served as facilitator pro-bono for CBMM’s Long Range Planning Committee’s 2010 – 2015 five-year plan.

David E. Dunn has been a partner in the Washington, DC based law firm Patton Boggs, LLP since 1980, heading the International Business Practice Group from 2003 to 2008. Prior to joining Patton Boggs, Mr. Dunn served as an executive with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, an agency of the US Department of State. He launched his business career with Bozman Partners, LLC in 1995, investing in numerous early stage technology companies in Europe, India and the US. He recently partnered with retired Gen. Wesley Clark in acquiring a licensed Broker Dealer which engages in M&A and capital raising projects in China, the Middle East and US. Dunn has served on numerous charitable and educational boards, including the Middle East Institute in Washington; the European Centre for Public Affairs at Templeton College, Oxford; the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris; Tudor Place Foundation of Washington, DC; and the Board of Advisors of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. David has been a homeowner in Bozman, Maryland since 1983.

Anna Fichtner moved to Talbot County more than a decade ago. She was born and raised in Kansas, then attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Anna has served on the boards of several organizations, including St. Marks Methodist Church and The Country School, and currently serves on the Academy Art Museum’s board of directors.

Pamela Jana has lived full-time on the Eastern Shore since 1999. After earning her economics degree from Megill University and an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan, Jana worked in San Francisco and later in Chicago at Wells Fargo Bank in commercial lending, cash management and special projects. She later worked for a Chicago consulting and training firm and established their Toronto, London and Australian offices. Jana serves on the grants committee of the United Way of Talbot County and has served on the American Heart Association’s fundraising committee and with several projects at The Country School in Easton and St. Andrews School in Middleton, DE.

Peter M. Kreindler is senior counsel in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and practices in the areas of strategic litigation management, internal investigations and corporate crisis management. Peter previously served more than 17 years as senior vice president and general counsel for Honeywell Int’l Inc. and was a principal and associate general counsel handling securities litigation at Coopers & Lybrand. Peter began his career with clerkships under Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Irving R. Kaufman and went on to serve as executive assistant and then counsel to the special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force. Peter received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review and received the Fay Diploma for graduating first in his class. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, in economics from Harvard College. He has served on the boards of The Matheny School and the New Jersey Symphony.

Geoffrey F. Oxnam is the vice president of operations of Easton Utilities. He previously served as media relations manager at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation with an interest in the protection and restoration of coastal waterways. Geoff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College and an MBA from The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. In addition to his work with Easton Utilities, Geoff currently serves as treasurer of the Maryland Broadband Cooperative's board of directors and is a member of Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2010. Geoff is an award-winning journalist who has been published in many boating publications including Sailing World, SAIL, Spinsheet, Chesapeake Bay and Chesapeake Life.

Bruce A. Ragsdale has served as the director of the Federal Judicial History Office at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, DC since 1995. He is editor in chief of History of the Federal Judiciary website and has developed numerous civic education projects related to the history of the federal judiciary, including programs that bring together federal judges, scholars and high school teachers to develop history curriculum. Bruce served as deputy historian of the US House of Representatives from 1985 to 1994 and has taught US history at the University of Virginia and Catholic University.  He is the author of A Planters’ Republic; The Search for Economic Independence in Revolutionary Virginia and other works on trade and politics in the eighteenth-century Chesapeake. He has served on advisory boards of Mount Vernon, the Papers of George Washington project, and the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, and he is active in several national historical associations.  He received his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Virginia.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum welcomed new officers and seven new members to its board during its annual meeting on June 21. Pictured from left: Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, secretary; Alan Griffith, vice chair; Tom Seip, treasurer; CBMM President Langley Shook; Pam Jana; Joe Peters, chair; C G Appleby, vice chair; Peter Kreindler, Bruce Ragsdale and Geoff Oxnam. Not Pictured: Harry Burton, David Dunn & Anna Fichtner.

CBMM’s Boating Party “Swinging on a Spar” set for September 11

The committee for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s 13th Annual Boating Party – Swinging on a Spar, has set the date for this year’s signature event for Saturday, September 11, 2010.

The festivities, which begin at 6pm with cocktails on Navy Point, will feature fine dining by PeachBlossoms Catering and dancing to the music of The Golden Gup.

In recognition of Patriot Day (9/11), guests will receive flag pins and participate in a moment of silence at the event.

Proceeds from The Boating Party, the Museum’s major fundraising event of the year, will help underwrite the Museum’s popular educational programming for children and adults including the Kids Club program, as well as the restoration and preservation of the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay watercraft and historic Bay artifacts.

Tickets are $175 per person, with Table Captains hosting a table of 10 for $1,750 and Benefactors generously contributing $2,750 for a table of 10. For reservations, please contact the Museum’s Director of Development René Stevenson at 410-745-4950.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum recognizes Van Fleet for 24 years of service

Helen Van Fleet of St. Michaels has recently been honored for 24 years of service to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM). Van Fleet currently serves as education assistant and coordinates the Museum’s involvement with the Academy of Lifelong Learning.

Van Fleet joined the Museum in 1986, beginning as a fundraising assistant as part of the visitor services team. She later worked as the volunteer coordinator for over 18 years, helping to bring more than 800 volunteers on board at the Museum.

“If you've worked at this Museum as a staff member or a volunteer, it’s impossible to imagine the Museum without Helen,” commented CBMM’s Facilities Manager John Ford. “She helps support every aspect of this place and truly helps make the Museum tick. I should mention that although Helen has been a part of the Museum for a very long time, the rumors that she was a personal friend of Capt. John Smith are completely unfounded.” Ford went on to comment that Van Fleet often serves as a surrogate mother for new and long-time staff members, and can be counted on to help in any way needed.

Van Fleet’s commitment to the community runs equally deep. She is a 22-year volunteer with Christmas in St. Michaels, serves on the Tourism Board and the Waterways Commission for the Town of St. Michaels and is a past-treasurer and current volunteer with the St. Michaels Business Association. She has previously volunteered with Friends of Hospice’s Festival of Trees, the Waterfowl Festival, St. Michaels Community Center, St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department, the Miles River Yacht Club, Habitat for Humanity of Talbot County, the St. Michaels Planning Commission and its Board of Appeals.  A resident of St. Michaels since 1985, Van Fleet is also the owner/operator of The Fleets Inn bed and breakfast in St. Michaels.

“The Maritime Museum is obviously a big part of my life,” said Van Fleet. “The friendliness and sense of community from our volunteers, staff members and visitors keeps the Museum a vital asset of St. Michaels. It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of.”

Helen Van Fleet of St. Michaels, considered the “Mom of the Museum,” was recently honored for her 24 years of service to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

A photo of Van Fleet (left), along with Leslie Guthrie Grunden and Michael Amory, as it appeared in a 1986 Museum newsletter announcing the three as new staff members.

July 3 is Big Band Night at CBMM

Bring your family, guests, lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of music, dancing under a tent and fireworks under the stars in St. Michaels! Featuring the 17-piece band The Rhythm Doctors, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host Big Band Night, sponsored by Talbot Bank, on Saturday, July 3 from 7- 10 pm. The rain date for the concert and the St. Michaels fireworks is Monday, July 5.

The live concert will be performed from the Museum’s Tolchester Beach Bandstand. Admission for Big Band Night is $5 for Museum members ($10 for non-members), with children under 12 free. Guests entering after 8:45 pm for the fireworks will be charged $2 for admission. Susie’s Kitchen will offer a variety of food, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert.

The idea for the Rhythm Doctors began in 1942, when a group of chemists and engineers from the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware discovered a shared passion for performing swing music. The Rhythm Doctors name was chosen because so many of the original band members had earned PhDs. With or without doctorates, today’s band carries a 68-year tradition of sharing big band music throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

The band’s smooth and powerful sound comes from four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, a rhythm section and vocalists. The Rhythm Doctors are known for their Glenn Miller and Count Basie repertoire as well as for the one-of-a-kind swinging arrangements custom-written by arranger and former director Warren Keyser.

With the St. Michaels fireworks scheduled to launch at dark that evening, the Museum’s Navy Point location offers a great land venue from which visitors can enjoy the fireworks.

For more information about the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s live summer performances, please contact the Museum at 410-745-2916 or visit the CBMM website at www.cbmm.org.

Come to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on July 3 to enjoy an Eastern Shore tradition of Big Band Night and the St. Michaels Fireworks from Navy Point. Sponsored by Talbot Bank, the event is from 7- 10 pm and features dancing under a tent to the big band sounds of The Rhythm Doctors. Susie’s Kitchen will offer a variety of food, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. Adult admission for Big Band Night is $10 ($5 for Museum members), with children under 12 free. The rain date for the concert and the St. Michaels fireworks is Monday, July 5.

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