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 Janet Dunphy and Photography by August Selckmann

The holidays are approaching and if you are looking for something truly unique for that special person on your list, then check out the options available to you at our locally owned jewelry stores. There’s nothing more meaningful and lasting than the gift of jewelry; it’s used to celebrate life’s special moments and memories and can be passed on from generation to generation. Even more personalized and precious are customized jewelry pieces.

We are fortunate to live in a region with an abundance of talented custom jewelry designers and locally owned jewelry stores. Some of them have been designing jewelry for our community for many generations. There is no limit to the creative choices available to us in Southern Maryland. Whether you want to design a piece and have it made, or have a jeweler design it for you, you will be happy with the original opportunities available in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.

Story by Rose Talbot and Photography by August Selckmann

Feathering your nest in Southern Maryland doesn’t require migrating to a major metropolis; there are plenty of local sources in the tri-county area if you know where (and when) to look. Tucked away on back roads or in old houses on major thoroughfares, there are small businesses offering a range of choices for furnishing your home.

Story by Jamie Clark Tiralla and Photography by August Selckmann

Southern Maryland is seeing a shift in agriculture as more and more farms leave behind traditional methods of farming and cash crops for a fresh new approach. Hobby farms and farmettes are also on the rise in the area, giving people the chance to reconnect with their roots and supplement their income doing something they love. Many local farmers are finding out that alpacas are the perfect fit.

Story by Susan Glauner and Photography by August Selckmann

The term organic is used to describe a method of agriculture as well as to label products that are produced using organic means. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic foods as those grown or produced “through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” Besides prohibited pesticides, “synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering” may not be used.

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 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 Caroline Miller King and Photography by Jacqueline and Jay Malonson

Planning a wedding is a big job, with hundreds of decisions to make. We’ve tried to take some of the stress out of these exciting times by gathering expert advice from industry professionals across Southern Maryland.

Story by Michelle Brosco Christian

When it comes to summer camps in Southern Maryland, children and teens have a smorgasbord of opportunities. From the traditional outdoor activity camp to a creative arts camp, kids and their parents may have a hard time choosing just one.

Story by Tina Wagner

Highway to Heaven Lane is where you will find Flat Iron Farm in Great Mills. The farm’s location is certainly apropos because it is heaven at Flat Iron Farm in December – Christmas heaven, that is.