"Ordinary people" translates into "extraordinary people", at least around these parts...

"When I was young, I admired clever people.  Now that I am old, I admire kind people."  ~Abraham Joshua Heschel


I've introduced you to Donnie Howard on several occasions. He lives "up the road a piece" in Marion Station - we just call it, "Marion."


Donnie, the one behind the wheel, has been  part of the "people" landscape around here for many years. He is a colorful character whom we all love. Everyday, he takes his five dogs - yes, they are all in the car - for a ride down what I call the, 'Crisfield strip," a  leisurely ride that begins at the city limits and ends at the city dock. On any given day, you will find just as many retired people cruising the "strip" as you do young people. It is on the "strip" that casual drivers wave, honk, stop to talk to pedestrians, or drop into one of our many restaurants for coffee or a beer, or just to sit and catch up on the "happenings" of the day.


It's not uncommon for people to stop and talk to me while I'm taking photos. The other day, Donnie did just that, and introduced me to his friend, who he said was no longer able to drive. Donnie said he took his friend for a ride on the "strip" just about every day.  I took a quick snapshot, and they rode off into the sunset - well it was around noon,  but the sunset sounds more romantic - leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling.


We have a lot of Donnie Howards in our town - people who give of themselves without expecting anything in return. And that, in part, is what helps make our town so special.

Oh, and don't think Donnie rides the "strip" because he has nothing to do (even I ride the strip). Donnie is a Trustee and the Safety Officer for the Marion Volunteer Fire Department. The below photo was taken last month at the fire department's  45th annual banquet where Donnie received the Ike Marshall award for top fire responder. Donnie also received a fifty-year service award  and  was named  Marion 2009 Fireman of the Year.

During the award’s ceremony, Donnie received a proclamation from Somerset County for his fifty years of service. The award was presented by Commissioner James East and Mike McCready, President of the Somerset County Commissioners.


Over the past fifty-years, Donnie has served as  president and chief of the MVFD, and treasurer of the Delmarva Fireman’s Association. Donnie has also been inducted into the Maryland Fireman’s Hall of Fame, Delmarva Fireman’s Hall of Fame, Eastern Shore Fireman’s Hall of Fame, and the Delmarva Historic Fireman’s Hall of Fame. Howard currently sits on the LOSAP Committee as well as the Fireman’s Hall of Fame Committee. 


Donnie with Andy and Bonnie of Deal Island.

Did I mention that Donnie also serves as a judge on the Somerset County Orphan's Court?

"They're here."... Crisfield has crabs!

"There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in fifty ways and that all of them are good." ~ H. L. Mencken


I think Crisfield has Baltimore beat.

Yes, all you crab lovers. It 's crab-time in Crisfield. Need I say more?

Patrick Tawes shows off  some of the first of the 2010 crabs at Glenwood Evans in Crisfield.


You don't have to worry about those claws being so close to Patrick's face. Crisfielder's know how to handle crabs.

You know you want some.

Growing up in Crisfield

“Is the small town a place, truly, of the world, or is it no more than something out of a boy's dreaming? Out of his love of all things not of death made? All things somewhere beyond the dust, rust, and decay, beyond the top, beyond all sides, beyond bottom: outside, around, over, under, within?” ~ William Saroyan


If William were alive today, he would know that Crisfield is not only a true small-town place of the world, but a town in the dream-minds of many city dwellers. And we all know dreams can come true.

Small towns like Crisfield are a great place to raise kids. I saw this threesome "sittin' on the dock of the bay" and stopped to take a quick silhouette photo. The boy on the left reminded me that I had once taken a photo of him on his skateboard. "Where is your skateboard?", I inquired, thinking he might want to perform for the camera once again. He told me had moved on, and was now getting around in his truck. How fast our children grow up. I know all of these boys, when they get older, will one day cherish the lazy summer days of growing up in Crisfield.


“Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers; the next day you're gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.” ~ Quote from The Wonder Years

My Blue Heron

"Even when a bird walks, one feels it has wings." ~ Antoine-Marin Lemierre


I love birds but I am not a bird watcher.  Professional bird watchers carry heavy lenses and tripod gear, and are prepared to sit in the same place for hours. Newspaper photographers don't have the luxury of camping out and they like to get by as lightly as they can, carrying several lenses, the largest usually being a 200, although some brave souls, as well as professional sports photographers, have an arsenal of lenses. Five lenses are enough for this gal.

When I first began shooting for a newspaper in 1985, I used a Nikon 180 2.8 ED for all of my feature shots. Along came digital and I stayed with my 180, although in the digital world it is now a 70-200, and is a bit more versatile.

Crisfield is a Utopia for bird watchers and nature lovers. Needless to say, I periodically turn my cameras to the sky or to the ground, as I did in the below photo of the Blue Heron.

 This guy (or gal?) is my neighbor. I have tried to capture him in passing on many occasions. Today, he was a little more cooperative. One would think he would have gotten used to my car, me, and my cameras by now. One shot is all I ever get before he becomes a mere spec in my lens. It is only then that I wish I had one of those big heavy lenses.

Watermen's Inn gearing up for the season in Crisfield, Maryland

“Spring  has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke


 All over the Eastern Shore, businesses are gearing up for the spring and summer months. In the below photo, a painter at Watermen's Inn is doing a little sprucing up on the outside of the building.

Watermen's Inn, located at  901 West Main Street, phone 410.068.2119, is one of the many restaurants in Crisfield offering up mouth-watering menus. Come early, stay late, and sample all that Crisfield has to offer.

Note: Reservations at Watermen's, especially on the weekends, are recommended. Call for seasonal hours.

Another note: Beginning in June, I will be sprucing up my blog. I will be bringing you shopping tips, restaurant reviews - with the help of Crabby Crab - highlighting places to stay, and keeping you abreast of all things "Crisfield" in a more professional manner.

I want to thank all of my  followers.  I don't get a lot of posts, and I don't know who most of you are, although many of you email me with kind words, but my site meter tells me that Crisfield has a lot of fans. I truly appreciate the following that I have amassed over the past year, and it will be a pleasure to make your time here more enjoyable and more informative.

Sitting on a park bench in Crisfield, Maryland

“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself” ~ Zen Proverb


I was supposed to be back on Tuesday but sliding down rainbows was too much fun. Of course, taking photos can be fun, too, especially when you meet people like Buddy Jones.


I captured Buddy doing what a lot of people in Crisfield do when the weather turns nice - just sitting - enjoying watching people walk, bike, or ride by in cars or on scooters. We are a friendly town, and people really do like to talk. I have found out some fascinating things about people after taking their photos.


Buddy, who will turn 80  this year, was sitting on the bench in front of Sea Mark Marine in Crisfield, where he used to work  for 27 years. He told me about his years building and working on boats. I could have talked all day but there were places to go and things to do.  At least I know where I can find Buddy on nice days. If you are heading into Crisfield, just look for Sea Mark on the right. And be sure and wave or honk at Buddy.

Sliding down rainbows...

“Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.” ~  Douglas Pagels 

What a wonderful quote. I will be taking  a few days off from blogging to slide down some rainbows. See you on Tuesday.

Happy Easter from Crisfield!

I found this cute couple visiting near the city dock. Tis the season to get  out and about...

 I love old boats.

Biking in Crisfield is always fun.

 Everyone is gearing up for the season.

 Or just hanging out...

 No matter what you're doing, Crisfield is always a great place to be. The only decision you'll have to make is what color to slide down on the rainbow.