Story by Danita Boonchaisri and Photography by Ken and Robbin Haigler­

Crest the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge into Calvert County this holiday season and you’ll get a shimmering peek of something special happening in Solomons. You may even be inspired to detour onto the island on December 7 and 8, when this waterside town sparkles with color for the 28th annual Solomons Christmas Walk and Lighted Boat Parade. It’s a charming tradition in a place where the welcome mat is always out.

Story by Susan Glauner and Photography by Ed Mann

Richard Slavik, 60, of California, Md., comes across as a pretty average guy. He likes sports and fishing, and takes pride in his Navy career. What is very “un”-average about Richard, however, is how he spends much of his time – helping others. Since retiring from the Navy, he has dedicated his life to making things better for St. Mary’s County residents in need, both as a professional and as a volunteer.

Nonprofit Provides Free Fresh Produce for Families in Need

Story by Debra Zimmerman Murphey and Photography by Edward S. Potskowski

To Bernie Fowler Jr., Serenity Farm in Benedict isn’t just a picturesque, 267-acre farm with a breathtaking view of the Patuxent River, or merely cherished pastoral land where you can appreciate Southern Maryland’s rural history and agricultural roots. Serenity Farm is also Fowler’s “field of dreams.”

Story by Michelle Brosco Christian and Photograph by Calvert Memorial Hospital

After one of Kristy Wilhite’s students battled cancer and survived eight incidences, she knew she had to get involved. That’s what prompted the St. Mary’s County middle school teacher to become a major organizer of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event.

Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

If you’re planning a wedding, Southern Maryland doesn’t lack for beautiful ceremony and reception locations. Besides churches, there are indoor and outdoor venues to suit all tastes. Below is a list of some of the most popular and unique places to get married in the area. These sites are perfect for many other types of events, too. Please know that this list is not all-inclusive – these are the venues we found in our research; our apologies if we missed your site.

Story by Judy Colbert and Photography by August Selckmann

If you are looking for a unique place to spend your next vacation or weekend getaway, then check out the great selection of local bed and breakfasts.  You won’t find the standard cookie cutter rooms found in most hotels, and you will be treated to a very personalized stay. Fortunately, independently owned and operated bed and breakfast establishments and their kin (farm and breakfasts, bed and fix-your-own breakfasts, cottages) shine like lighthouse beacons in the night, providing individual décor and down-home hospitality. Most of the places were built long enough ago that they don’t have to try to create a link to local history and industry. Yet most are totally modern and allow you to connect to the electronic world, or not, as you wish.

Story by Debra Zimmerman Murphey and Photo by Dick Hu

On a chilly afternoon, Sue Hu walks down to a pier that juts out from a wintry beige stretch of Patuxent River shoreline. As she nears the water’s edge, Hu points proudly to a protruding breakwater that carries great significance. Beyond its power to reduce the eroding impact of waves, it is home to about 40,000 oysters.

Ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for a Better Community

Story by Janet Dunphy and Photograph by August Selckmann

Southern Maryland is getting greener, and it isn’t just the onset of spring. Residents are recycling more, offering their everyday goods for reuse, and reducing their household waste.

Story by Susan Glauner and Photography by August Selckmann

There is perhaps nothing more fulfilling than helping others by doing what you love. This is what happens when Southern Maryland GiveCamp (SMGC) volunteers assemble once a year to provide free information technology solutions to local charitable organizations that don’t otherwise have the budget to support the technology resources they need.

Story by Danita Boonchaisri

During most weeks, an army of people fans into shelters, veterans’ homes, schools and community centers in Southern Maryland to do good deeds, fill desperate needs or bring joy to a stranger. From helping teens and collecting eyeglasses for the sight-impaired to feeding the elderly, funding local fire and rescue departments, and reading to kindergartners, our fraternal organizations take their missions and their charitable work seriously.