Story by Danita Boonchaisri and Photograph by August Selckmann

As the weather turns ever more pleasant, the great outdoors beckon. Why not enjoy a little fresh air and sunshine while taking in Southern Maryland’s beautiful vistas from the saddle of a bicycle?

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.

Story by George Newman and Photography by Rick Dove

Some birds are fair-weather feathered friends, taking flight for points south as the days grow shorter and cooler. But many others tough it out, including Maryland’s state bird, the Baltimore oriole, and a rich variety of doves, juncos, cardinals, chickadees, finches, nuthatches, wrens and woodpeckers. If you want these year-round residents to brighten your fall and winter, you just have to feed them. But you need to know some basics.

Story by Barbara Elizabeth Graf and Photography by August Selckmann

Lighthouse lovers from all over the world – many of whom have toured Maryland’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse at Cove Point – will now be able to stay overnight in the former lighthouse keeper’s home, just footsteps away from the forty-foot high brick tower. Originally constructed in 1828, the lighthouse keeper’s home has undergone many transformations in its nearly 200 years of existence. The latest renovations to the two-and-one-half story duplex have turned the once dingy and dated abode into a cozy and stylish oasis times two: a perfect spot for a week-long vacation or a weekend getaway not only for lighthouse enthusiasts, but for anyone seeking relaxation on the Chesapeake Bay.

Story by Michelle Brosco Christian and Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

There’s no doubt an outdoor wedding on the banks of one of Southern Maryland’s many rivers or the Chesapeake Bay makes for a beautiful event.  Outdoor weddings take a little extra planning but can be incredible. There is nothing more magical than walking down the aisle with Mother Nature. 

Story by Debra Zimmerman Murphey and Photography by August Selckmann

Americans love sports, adrenaline and outdoor activities – especially newfound interests that test and prime human physiology and anatomy, while also calming the mind. For many Marylanders, Stand Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, is surfacing as one of those.

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.

Story by Danita Boonchaisri and Photography by Jacqueline Malonson

Chesapeake Beach has a new attraction – filled with great blue herons, snapping turtles, monarch butterflies and raucous sea gulls feasting on cast offs from the local charter boat fleet. You’re welcomed to join the fun. And all you need is a pair of walking shoes.

Story by Edna Troiano

St. Mary’s City, the first settlement in Maryland, is now a historical tourist attraction, and Southern Maryland’s economy is no longer based on tobacco farming and fishing. Although much of our early history is just that, one flourishing remnant of colonial Southern Maryland remains – foxhunting.

Deadline has been extended to September 30th! 
Hope everyone weathered the storm okay!

Southern Maryland-This is Living is looking for Southern Maryland’s most beautiful gardens to feature in our upcoming issues.