Wisteria in Crisfield

“In Los Angeles, by the time you're 35, you're older than most of the buildings.” ~ Delia Ephron

Well, not around here. We've plenty of old buildings, both large and small. I am not sure what this little building used to be - perhaps a store or a barber shop? I have always admired it, especially in the spring when the Wisteria is in bloom.

I just love those little white curtains hanging in the windows.

Monday morning

"The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." ~  James Allen

A little tranquility to help make your Monday more enjoyable and productive.

“Sometimes it pays to stay in bed on Monday, rather than spending the rest of the week debugging Monday's code.”  ~ Dr. Dan Salomon


Or you could just come to Crisfield and never go home.

Tiki Bar is now open

Tiki bar in Crisfield closed 2012

 I could remove this post, but in the newspaper business what you print can't be changed, so in keeping with my profession, I will do an update: Olde Crisfield Crab and Steak House and tiki bar is now closed, with no plans to re-open, as of March 2012.

 I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday by The Pogues

Me name is Jock Stewart I'm a canny young man,
And a rambling young fellow I have been,
So be easy and free when your drinking with me,
I'm a man you don't meet every day.

                                           
I have acres of land, I have men at command,
I have always a shilling to spare,
So be easy and free when your drinking with me,
I'm a man you don't meet every day.

OK, so this is an Irish song. I heard it years ago on PBS and have always loved it. Crisfield is a long way from Ireland but drinking with friends is always the same - easy and free.

If you want the full song, just Google.

Get out your Hawaiian shirts and shorts and head on over to the Old Crisfield Crab and Steak House tiki bar. Opening day for the tiki bar was April 17.

These lovely ladies are ready to serve you.

If you love rock fish, mark your calendar for April 24. All proceeds from the event go to the Crisfield American Legion and the floral beautification of downtown Crisfield.

Remember, I am retiring from the newspaper at the end of May, so I will be bringing you all the Crisfield happenings and cool news on a regular basis, including restaurant reviews. Whoo hoo!

Take a ride on the Stephen Thomas Cruise Ship

“This time, like all times, is a good time, if we but know what to do with it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


Captain Thomas is doing a little "boat" cleaning,  gearing up for the season that begins this week. Give him a call at 800.863.2338 or 1.410.968-2338 for reservations. Seats go fast, so plan your summer trip now. 

The Stephen Thomas is docked near the city dock next to the Olde Crisfield Crab and Steak House.

The seats have been pulled out for cleaning. Captain Thomas keeps such a clean and tidy boat, I think the Navy, if they gave him an inspection,  would give him 5 stars. I know. They don't  give stars, but they would be impressed.


Here are a few photos from a cruise I covered last year.

View from the deck of the Stephen Thomas. Priceless.

Put this in your card index file.

Little Gifts

"Friends are the sunshine of life." ~ John Hay 

Eastern Shore people are proud, hardworking people. But there is always time for going for a walk or drive at the end of the day, or taking  a moment to speak to a friend - even a stranger. Yes, we work hard, but we know how to enjoy those precious parcels of time that life leaves us around like little Easter Eggs waiting to be found. Some people never see them. Around here, we know where to look.

 A boater from Tangier Islands spends a few moments chatting from his boat docked at the Crisfield City dock.

We love to wave around these parts.

Ray Peterson, an employee at MeTompkin Bay Oyster Company in Crisfield, takes a break from walking his dog Bronco so that Bronco can watch a biker go by.  The two were out for a  leisurely afternoon stroll on the city dock. I chatted with Ray and Bronco after I had taken their photos. Bronco was sooo sweet. Even our dogs are friendly!


BTW, MeTompin has been in business since the early 1800's.


Oh, and all this friendly talk has reminded  me to remind you that Crisfield's 2010, 17th annual Soft Shell Spring Fair is coming up. Won't you join us?

Admission is free - hours: 12 noon - 5 pm; Sunday, May 30. At the city dock, course.

Meet Aflac, the Somers Cove Marina mascot

"Ducks eat, swim, and sleep, while we rush about as if the world was going to end at any moment. If you are stressed, just sit and watch ducks for awhile."

Since I have used the last two posts to introduce you to some of the people around our town, I thought I would introduce you to Aflac, a darling  duck that showed up at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield around 4 years ago. No one knows how Aflac ended up at the marina, but she quickly won the hearts of the employees and is now known as the marina mascot. With no other species of her kind around, she has made friends with people, pigeons, and seagulls.

 An employee puts out some feed for Aflac.

Aflac loves breadcrumbs in her water.

 The employees keep fresh food and water by the marina office.

Now who could resist a face like this? 

Aflac shows off for the camera.

I couldn't resist filtering at least one photo.

Aflac can usually be seen outside the office, on the grassy side.

"I hear you in there. Where's my chow?"

 _______________________

Note: Crabby Crab tried to make friends with Aflac but she would have nothing to do with him.  I guess ducks are naturally wary of crabs.

Eddie Heath's Crab Pots

"If a man does his best, what else is there?" ~ General George S. Patton


I think that quote fits about any situation. And Eddie Heath sure does his best!


 I have made a few photo posts of Eddie Heath's Crab Pots (it is such a colorful place), but I have never posted a photo of Eddie in his office.


Eddie Heath has been in the crab pot business for many years. His iconic crab pot business is always hopping. Even in the dead of winter, Eddie and his crew can be found working at all hours. A crabber's life is dictated by the DNR and the weather; a crab pot maker's life is dictated by his sales. And one doesn't get to stay in business for as long as Eddie has without being loyal to both his customers and his suppliers.


Eddie treats his customers like family. No matter how busy he is, he always has time to sit and talk; so much, that his office is often full of people standing and chatting about all things "watermen." Eddie also gives back to the community,  making him one of  the few people in Crisfield who has earned my respect.

Eddie  is a little old-fashion when it comes to office tools saying, "I like to keep it simple. I use a pencil and a telephone."

Eddie helps a customer from Virginia.

And you can get a crab pot in any color! I