2005 Christmas Guide, Presented by Southern Maryland Online
Christmas in Southern Maryland means many things. To some it stirs memories of the Solomons Christmas Walk. Others think fondly of stuffed ham and other local delicacies. And still others recall volunteering for the Mike’s Bikes food drive and spending Christmas Day serving meals for Mary’s Song. However you spend your holidays, we have compiled a guide filled with local activities, volunteer opportunities, how to receive help if you are in need, local tree farms, gift ideas and loads of fun facts about our favorite time of year. We at Southern Maryland Online wish you the happiest of holidays and hope the new year brings you peace, joy and prosperity. And we thank you for your support in • Local Activities and Events 2005—your kind letters, your • How to Give and Volunteer comments and suggestions, and all of your help in making South- • If You Are in Need... ern Maryland Online the #1 internet resource for Charles, Calvert • Gift Ideas and St. Mary’s Counties. • Find a Tree and Greenery • Where to Find Santa
In ancient Rome, people hung decorative wreaths as sign of victory of God over Satan with Jesus' birth into the world.
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Potomac Heights VFD 38161 New Market Turner Road 73 Glymont Road Mechanicsville, MD Indian Head, MD 301-884-4062 Sold Daily 301-884-0370 Any Tree: $40 Email: [email protected] 301-743-7700 Hours: 8 a.m. - dusk, seven days a week. 301-753-6800 Directions: From Route 5, headeast on Route 6 (New Market Turner Rd). Farm will be approxi- Friendship Forest mately 1 mile on the right. 41370 Friendship Court Mechanicsville, MD Upakrik Farm 301-373-8184 420 East Bay Front Road Website: thevirtualgarage.com/Christmas/ Deale, MD Hours: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 301-261-5802 Directions: From Rt. 235. head west onto Friend- Email: [email protected] ship School Rd. (in Oakville), Go 8/10 mile, right Hours: By appointment only. onto Friendship Ct., 2nd farm on right. Directions: North of Rt. 298, 2 miles east of Rt. 2.
Evergreen Acres The Pines Farm 27118 Queentree Road 16900 Magruder’s Ferry Road Mechanicsville, MD Brandywine, MD 301-862-1597 301-579-2522 Email: [email protected] Hours: daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Hours: noon ‘til dusk. Directions: From Waldorf, north on 301 to Cedar- Directions: Rt. 235 to East on Oakville Rd. ville Rd. about 5 miles, turn right onto Brandywine (located about 2.5 miles South of Rt. 5/235 split). Rd., proceed 3 miles to left onto Croom Rd., go 2 Go 0.4 miles to right on to Queentree Rd., miles, right onto Magruder’s Ferry Rd., first drive- farm is 1 mile on right (just past the “Christmas way on left.look for sign on left. Tree Farm” sign). look for sign on left.
Middleton’s Cedar Hill Farm Tanner’s Enchanted Forest 13290 Cedar Hill Place 14300 Baden Westwood Road Waldorf, MD Brandywine, MD 20613 301-645-8464 301-579-2238 301-399-9812 Hours: Weekends, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Email: [email protected] Directions: From Beltway, south on Route 5, 8 Hours: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. miles to Brandywine Rd., left on Brandywine Rd. 8 Directions: From Rt. 301, head south on Rt. 5 for miles, left on Baden Westwood Rd., ¾ miles, look 2.57 miles, turn left onto Cedar Hill Pl. and follow for sign on left. signs. Quail Field Farm
The Christmas tree is a German tradition, started as early as 700 A.D. In the 1800s the tradition of a Christmas tree was widespread in Germany, then moved to England, and then to America through Pennsylvanian German immigrants.
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Volunteer your time or donate goods and money to those in need Stuff-A-Bus Event Salvation Army Collecting Food for the Needy La Plata: Three Notch Theatre (the former library) 513 E. Charles St. Lexington Park 301-609-9677 The Department of Public Works and Transportation Huntingtown: will have an STS Bus parked near the Three Notch 4138 Old Towne Road Theatre during the following schedule to receive 410-535-0309 canned goods and nonperishable food items. All food donations will be divided and distributed to two United Way local food pantries to help feed the hungry during the The leader in coordinating and organizing fundraising for holiday season. high-priority health and human service needs. Stuff-A-Bus Hours: Calvert: Friday, Dec. 9: 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 410-286-0100 Saturday, Dec. 10: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Charles: Sunday, Dec. 11: Noon - 6:00 p.m. 301-609-4844
Catholic Charities Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland Offers emergency food packages, child and elderly care sup- Committed to serving youth in the Southern plies, clothing, referrals to homeless shelters, and emergency Maryland community for over twenty years. financial assistance to those in need. Charlotte Hall, MD La Plata: 301-290-0501 301-934-2582 Prince Frederick: Mike’s Food Fund 885 Main Street Delivering holiday meals to over 1,000 families in the 410-535-0309 SoMD area Lexington Park, MD Project Echo 301-863-7887 Provides emergency assistance to homeless people in Calvert Mike needs volunteers and donations for his annual county. Food Fund, which will provide families in need with 300 Main Street a turkey, 10 lbs. of potatoes and canned goods for Prince Frederick, MD their holiday meal. They’ll be putting baskets to- 410-257-0003 gether at the Zion United Methodist Church in Lex- ington Park at 4pm on Dec. 14-17, then at Mike’s Bikes on Great Mills Rd. at 4pm on Dec. 17-24.
The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) helps low-income Maryland citizens pay their heating bills, minimize heating crises, and make energy costs more affordable. For more information and on-line applica- tions, visit: http://www.dhr.state.md.us/meap/ or call: Prince George’s County: 301-909-6300. Calvert County: 410-535-1010 Charles County: 301-274-4474 St. Mary’s County: 301-475-5574
Ancient Celtic priests would collect mistletoe from their holy oak tree and offer some as a sacrifice to the gods. Some would be hung up during a ceremony in which people would stand under it and kiss, showing an end to their old grievances with each other.
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St. Mary’s City Madrigal Dinners PTP presents "The Christmas Schooner" December 9, 10 & 11 December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11 State House, Historic St. Mary’s City Port Tobacco Players Theater 240-895-4991 508 Charles St., La Plata Friday: 6:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 5:30pm. 8pm It’s a tradition! Feasting, fun, and holiday melodies performed by 301-932-6819 St. Maries Musica in the beautifully decorated State House. A musical which celebrates the importance of sharing our blessings with one another. Based on a true story of the courageous seamen Cavalier Chorus Madrigal Dinner who braved the Great Lakes in November to bring Christmas trees Saturday, December 3 to German immigrants in Chicago. A wonderful evening to share Calvert High School Cafeteria, Prince Frederick with the entire family of all ages! Call for reservations. 6pm 410-535-7351 410-586-0723 Chopticon High School Choral Madrigal Dinner Cavalier Chorus presents a Madrigal Dinner filled with great December 3 & 4 food, great music & a night filled with laughter & dancing. Christ Church Hall, Chaptico 6pm Patuxent Voices Holiday Concert 301-769-4757 Saturday, December 3 Create a holiday tradition and welcome the winter season with an Great Hall, Middleham Chapel, Lusby evening of fine dining and entertainment. The Chopticon High 7:30pm School Choral department presents a magical madrigal evening 410-586-1071 with dinner provided by Rita B Catering and performances by the This premier vocal female vocal group will perform traditional Chopticon Peace Pipers and Divas. carols, motets and madrigals. “The Nutcracker” “The Nutcracker” Friday, December 9 December 3 & 4 Presented by the St. Mary’s Ballet Presented by Abigail Francisco School of Classical Ballet CSM, Leonardtown Campus Mary Harrison Center, Owings 7:30pm Saturday: 7:30pm; Sunday: 2pm 301-884-8601 410-257-6070 301-855-0282 This performance is funded in part by a grant from the St. Mary's This year's production features The Annapolis Symphony Orches- County Arts Council awarded through the state of Maryland by tra, Jose-Luis Novo, Music Director. The ballet school is also wel- The National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are $15 and are coming back professional dancers Sascha Radetsky, soloist with available at Nanbo's Guitar Emporium in the Wildewood Shop- American Ballet Theatre (New York), and Stephanie Walz, solo- ping. ist with Maximum Dance Company (Miami). Entertaining eve- ning for the whole family! 3rd Annual Community Christmas Concert December 22 “The Nutcracker” Great Mills High School Auditorium Sunday, December 4 7pm Huntingtown High School, Huntingtown A Community Christmas Concert hosted by the First United Pen- 1pm and 6pm tecostal Church of St. Mary's County. A night to come together 301-373-5277 and Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the Birth of Christ. COSMIC, the Southern Maryland community's symphony or- Door prizes will be given out. Many local bands, choirs and solo- chestra, will join with Ballet Caliente and the internationally ac- ists will perform. For any further information please contact claimed Donetsk Ballet from the Ukraine in presenting this holi- Joleen Whisenhunt at 301-862-9805. day classic. Community Carol Sing Live Nativity Scene Sunday, December 4 December 22-24 Christ Church, La Plata Ball Road & Rt. 4, St. Leonard 4pm 6-8pm The carol sing is open to everyone and will feature both organ and 410-586-1272 piano accompaniments for the caroling. The music will include Drive by & view our re-creation of the manger scene. Witness live both sacred and popular songs highlighting the holiday season. bible characters in costume apparel as worn in biblical days.
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Olde Tyme Christmas Gathering Kwanzaa Marketplace Sunday, December 4, 3:30pm Sunday, December 4, 3pm-7pm La Plata Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne Street Westlake High School, Waldorf 301-934-8421 301-392-1775 Musical performances, treats and crafts, lighting of the town Holiday shopping, music, entertainment & food. Sponsored by Christmas tree and a visit from Santa! Black Leadership Council for Excellence. Free. Holiday Open House Saturday, December 3, 11am—4pm 2005 FILAM Children’s Christmas Party Greenwell State Park, Hollywood Saturday, December 17, 2pm 301-373-9775 NAS Pax River Beach House Children’s crafts, traditional holiday stories, caroling sing-a-long The Southern Maryland Filipino American Association presents and pictures with Santa’s “horse-deer”. the 3rd annual Children's Christmas Party. Visit http:// www.somd-filam.org/flyer.htm for more information. Senior Center Christmas Party Friday, December 9, 10am—2pm Community Christmas Party Loffler Senior Center Saturday, December 3, 5pm Tickets are $6.25 each and must be purchased by December 5 7th District Fire Department from any Department of Aging Senior Center. Music will be pro- Firetruck rides begin at 5:00 p.m. and Santa will arrive at 7:00 vided by Scarlet Plus Karaoke. p.m. Refreshments, Games, Face Painting, Gifts from Santa, Raffles, Holiday Prizes and much more. Children’s Holiday Party Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 A Sotterley Family Christmas Lexington Park Library Saturday, December 3, 10am-4pm 301-863-8188 Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood Children of all ages will enjoy an evening of traditional holiday 301-373-2280 fun. Registration required. Horse-drawn Taxi Rides, Visit St. Nick, sweets, and music.
Santa & Mrs. Claus on the Square Annual Tree Lighting Program Saturday, December 17, 11am Tuesday, December 6, 7pm Leonardtown Square Village Green Pavilion, Indian Head 301-475-9791 301-743-5574 Get those last-minute Christmas wishes in! Bring your camera! Hear local school groups sing holiday musical selections. Visit In the event of inclement weather, Santa & Mrs. Claus will be in with Santa. Enjoy cookies & cocoa. the Bell Motor Co. Showroom. 21st Annual Solomons Christmas Walk Christmas on the Beach December 9, 6-9pm & 10, 10am-9pm Saturday, December 3, 1-3pm Island-wide, Solomons North Beach Waterfront Boardwalk 410-326-1950 410-326-2549 301-855-6681 410-286-3799 Enjoy art, music, entertainment, puppet show & boat light pa- Tree decorating & lighting. Children meet Santa! Caroling, Yule rade. Free shuttle. logs, refreshments. Antebellum Christmas at Chapman State Park 32nd Annual Christmas Parade Sunday, December 11, 12pm-4pm Sunday, December 4, 2pm Mount Aventine Fox Run Shopping Center, Prince Frederick 301-753-6754 301-518-2708 410-535-0026 Period decorations & costumes. Special performance of the Hand- Christmas Parade featuring local school bands, floats, custom & bell Choir from the Waldorf Good Samaritan Presbyterian antique cars/trucks & Santa Claus. Church. Refreshments.
Senior Christmas Party Colonial Christmas Friday, December 9, 11am-2:30pm Sunday, December 11, 1pm-7pm North Beach Senior Ctr. Smallwood State Park, Marbury Calvert Pines Senior Ctr 301-743-7613 Southern Pines Senior Ctr Costumed docents give tours of Smallwood Retreat House 410-535-4606 301-855-1170 throughout the day which has been decorated in 18th Century Celebrate Christmas with your friends at any of the senior sites. holiday style. Tours by candlelight after dark. 12/10/2005 Page 5 2005 Christmas Guide, Presented by Southern Maryland Online
Visit With Santa Breakfast With Santa December 3-4, 1pm-5pm Sunday, December 11, 8am Holiday Inn Express, Prince Frederick Solomons Vol. Rescue Squad & Fire Dept. 410-535-3472 410-326-6657 The Masons of Prince Frederick Lodge #142, AF&AM present Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes & biscuits. annual visit with Santa Claus! Free pictures & goodies for all Picture taken with Santa! kids! Dinner With Santa Cookies With Santa Wednesday, December 14, 6:30pm Tuesday, December 6, 6:30pm-7:30pm North East Community Center, Chesapeake Beach Mt. Hope Community Center, Sunderland 410-257-2554 Enjoy milk & cookies with Santa! Ages 2-10. Pre-registration re- Calling all good boys & girls for an evening including dinner, des- quired. serts & a visit with Santa!
Breakfast With Santa St. Andrew's Breakfast with Santa Sunday, December 11, 8am Saturday, December 3, 8:30am and 10am Rod ‘N’ Reel, Chesapeake Beach St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, California,MD 410-257-2735 301-862-2247 Meet Santa and enjoy our famous breakfast buffet by the Pancakes and sausage will be served, a craft activity will be avail- bay. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap & receive a free gift able, and, of course, a visit with Santa will be the highlight. Reser- vations are required . Breakfast With Santa Saturday, December 3, 9am Breakfast with Santa Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department Banquet Hall Sunday, December 4, 9am 301-283-4456 7th DVFD in Avenue, MD Come one come all and have breakfast with Santa. Featuring 301-769-2654 301-769-3382 Christmas crafts for the kids, picture taking with Santa, gifts, and Cost of this event is $3.00 for children twelve and under and $5.50 raffles. for adults.
Candlelight Tours of the Mansion Garden in Lights December 2 & 3, 6pm December 9—January 2, 6pm-9pm nightly Sotterley Plantation Annmarie Garden, Solomons 1-800-681-0850 301-373-2280 410-326-4640 Special tours by candlelight of Sotterley's Mansion, with a Victo- Experience the wonderment at this magnificent-lighted holiday rian Era drama recreated. Live seasonal music. Food and drink drive through. The serene setting adds its artistic flare to the magic are available. Reservations Required. Admission $12.00/person. of the season.
23rd Annual Christmas Craft Festival Holiday Festival & Craft Fair Saturday, December 3, 10am-5pm Tuesday, December 13, 6pm-9pm 4610 Largo Rd (202) Village Green Pavilion, Indian Head Upper Marlboro, MD 301-743-5574 301-627-4170 Antique train & animated Dickens Village displays; crafts for sale; Over 50 Vendors, Food Bake Table, Door Prizes, Religious Arti- photos with Santa; gingerbread house contest; hot cider & home- cles, and more. Activity Center for the children! Free parking and made baked goodies. admission. Santa Runs Holiday Open House Saturday, December 10, 6pm Sunday, December 4, 1pm-4pm Hollywood Area Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, Chesapeake Beach The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department will be taking 410-257-3892 301-855-6472 Santa Claus around the following areas on the evening of Join volunteers & friends of the Museum to celebrate the holiday December 10th. Joy Chapel Rd, Clarke's Landing Rd, season in the historic Chesapeake Beach Railway Station. Clarks Mill Rd, and Mervill Dean Rd. Visit www.hvfd7.com for more details!
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D & S Farm Tree Stump Acres Charlotte Hall, MD Brandywine, MD 20613 301-290-1179 301-372-8614 Email: [email protected] Products: Wool crafts, knitting, mohair, weaving, and Hours: By appointment only. spinning. Products: Herb vinegars, jams, jellies, and fruit syrups. White Oak Point Farm Ferry Landing Farm & Apiary Prince Frederick, MD Dunkirk, MD 410-535-5259 410-257-3267 Hours: By appointment only. Email: [email protected] Products: Processed canned goods, jams, jellies, butters, Website: www.gworrell.freeyellow.com pies, pastries, cookies, breads and soaps. Hours: By appointment only. Products: Wax candles, jam, jellies, and butters. Chapel Cellar Winery & Vineyards St. Mary’s City, MD Longpoint Farm 410-231-0394 Ridge, MD Email: [email protected] 301-872-0057 Website: www.chapelcellars.com Email: [email protected] Hours: By appointment only. Website: www.birdwave.com Products: Red (Cabernet- Sauvignon, Merlot), White Hours: By appointment only. (Chardonnay), and Dessert (Blackberry Cabernet). Mary- Products: Birdfeeders, wool crafts, goat’s milk soap, and land residents can order directly from winery. sheep skin. Solomons Island Winery Norris Farm Produce Market Lusby, MD LaPlata, MD 410-394-1933Email: 301-932-6467 [email protected] Hours: By appointment; please call Website: www.solomonsIslandWinery.com Products: Jams, jellies and butters. Hours: By appointment only. Products: Red (Cabernet, Merlot), White (Sauvignon Oak Grove Farm Blanc, Chardonnay), Blush (White Merlot), and Dessert Nanjemoy, MD Wines (Riesling Ice). Maryland residents can order directly 301-246-4893 from winery. Email: [email protected] Hours: By appointment only. Products: Chestnuts, jams, jellies and butters.
In the Dec. 17th Roman festival of Saturnalia and Jan. 1st Roman New Year holidays, gifts were given as good luck emblems and houses were decorated with greenery.
The early Christians frowned on this pagan ritual, and wouldn't have any part of it. For years though, many of the converts wouldn't part with the practice of giving gifts and related it to the Magi's giving of gifts and later to St. Nicholas' gift giving. Gift giving became widely accepted by the middle ages.
The most popular gift requests of boys & girls are of toys, but in the 19th and early 20th century it was fruit, nuts and candy and for many of the early letters to Santa printed in newspapers would include this.
Beginning in early 1900's Teddy bears became the most requested gift by boys and girls and still is the most popular stuffed toy of all time.
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This guide was edited by Dee Jay Gude
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