Story by Edna Troiano and Photography by Devon Sinclaire

When the air turns nippy, one product appears on the shelves of groceries, big box stores, hardware stores, garden centers and even dollar stores. No, not snow shovels: amaryllis bulbs. Although the term amaryllis includes many varieties of lilies, most people use it to refer to the one people grow indoors around the holidays. These bulbs, prized for their large showy blooms, have solid or striped petals in shades ranging from dark red to white.

Story by Caroline Miller King

Christmas is all about giving, and a group of volunteers at South Potomac Church in White Plains understands the importance of that. Each December, the worship center of South Potomac Church in White Plains is transformed into a mini-mall, with departments ranging from men’s and women’s clothing to toys, household items, books and even pet supplies. At this Christmas Shop, the community’s needy can use “angel dollars” to shop for gifts.

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.

Photography by August Selckmann

This year’s holiday menu comes to us from Hardesty Haven Catering in Prince Frederick. For the past six years, Dee and Richard Hardesty have brought their 30-foot-long mobile kitchen to sites around the area for weddings, banquets, and events ranging from Rolling Thunder to the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department Concert Series (they catered for the bands and their staff throughout the concert season).

The below recipes are perfect for a family-oriented holiday dinner. With lots of easy, comforting recipes, this menu is sure to make your holidays a little happier.

Story by Caroline Miller King and Photography by Ed Mann

In an era when Christmas often brings more anxiety than joy – as we string lights, send greeting cards, ready the house for guests, shop and check any number of items off our collective to-do list – there is something appealing about those symbols of Christmas that hark to earlier times. Wreaths and other natural décor remind us of a simpler way of celebrating. For hundreds of years, the color and scent of fresh evergreens have lifted spirits, freshened the air and offered a sense of connection with the natural world.

Photography by August Selckmann

Roast Prime Rib of Beef •  Butternut Squash Soup
Beautifully Bright Green and Perfectly Cooked Asparagus
Roasted Turned Vegetables •  Wild Rice Pilaf
Apple-Oatmeal Pie •  Pumpkin Bars

This beautiful and festive holiday menu was provided to us by the new Canards Catering and Event Production, based in Solomons. Chef-owner Michael Kelley and executive sous chef Christopher Chesbro prepared the meal, and the descriptions were written by Kelley. Many thanks to Canards for allowing us to share these recipes with our readers!

Story by Caroline Miller King

Looking for an excellent way to get into the holiday spirit and do a bit of good for our community at the same time? Mark your calendar for December 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to attend the Holiday Home Tour for the benefit of Health Share of St. Mary’s. This year’s tour will feature seven elegant homes in the Medley’s Neck area of Leonardtown decked out for the holiday season. Homeowners welcome guests into their homes to enjoy interesting architecture, light refreshments and, of course, holiday décor!

Story by Jacqueline Zilliox

With the Charter of 1633 promoting unity of spirit in hand from the King of England, the mixed religious factions in the Colony of Maryland shared a chapel for worship. In 1638, however, the first Trinity Church, then part of the Church of England, was built on Trinity (Smith) Creek. It later moved to St. Mary’s City, and in 1789, the congregation became a New Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA.

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.

Story by Janet Dunphy

Marguerite Morris is having a rough day. She spent most of the night at the emergency room with one of her residents who couldn’t afford to pay for the surgery she needed. Eventually one of the doctors donated his services.