The Annapolis Cup, a nine-wicket croquet tournament between the St. John’s College “Johnnies” and the U.S. Naval Academy’s Midshipmen, has been ongoing since 1983. Although the hosting location has changed a few times, it now rests as an amenity of the victor. St. John’s College has won 29 of 36 matches, the most recent being the 2018 Annapolis Cup. Although tickets sell out early, there are some things you should know if you’re one of the lucky ones who were fortunate enough

Is there a more perfect way to spend a day than being pampered and well taken care of in a relaxing environment? Perhaps something typically reserved for humans would also serve other species, such as your best friend, your pal, your adventure buddy — your dog. Dogs deserve a day out too, and why not a spa day? My English Cocker spaniel puppy, Phoebe, just celebrated her first birthday, and it’s been a year of challenging puppy training, lots of energy and tons of fun. Phoebe

A quiet bit of water in a lush and unspoiled setting offers a paddler a sense of solitude and wonder. In Kent County, three paddles on three different waterways offer such experiences. These rivers and creeks offer an array of Chesapeake Bay watershed habitat—from coves studded with brilliant starbursts of American lotus to the deep shade of graveled-bottomed headwaters. They teem with birds, fish, muskrat and tiny jewel-like damselflies. Although each is easily accessible by

Ever wondered what it would be like to escape to a remote island? Where everything is simple and there is plenty of peace and quiet? There is such a place on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, rich in Chesapeake Bay history. Smith Island Just east of Crisfield and situated between the Chesapeake Bay and Tangier Sound, Smith Island is the last inhabited island in Maryland. It’s like stepping back in time – a place without chain stores and traffic lights. With a population of appro

Situated at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is an enchanting maritime town with a rich history worth exploring. R. Madison “Mitch” Mitchell Jr. has lived in Havre de Grace all of his 85 years and, if the traveler is lucky, is the person manning the front desk at the Havre de Grace Visitors Center. A model train enthusiast, he built in incredible detail a replica of the entire town that is on display at the center. An audio record

The Johnson family tells tales of life on the water. The 2004 remake of the classic movie “Around the World in 80 Days” (the movie version of a book written in 1872 by Jules Verne) portrays a humorous race to circle the globe in a hot air balloon — but taking 18 months to circumnavigate the world with your entire family aboard a sailboat is anything but comedic. For longtime Oxford residents Richard and Jessica Johnson, and daughters Molly and Emma, they wouldn’t have it any

It’s hard to find a quiet spot almost no one knows of these days. With social media and communication technology, those spots we thought we’d been lucky enough to discover, we quickly find have been common knowledge to everyone but us. And maybe that’s what we’ll find here. These hidden gems throughout the Mid-Shore are, for all intents and purposes, right under your very nose. And maybe we’ve shot ourselves in the foot by divulging these secret-to-us locations. Nevertheless,