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2005 Christmas Guide, Presented by Southern Maryland Online

12/10/2005

This guide is brought to you by Southern Maryland Online Visit us on the web at www.somd.com

In ancient Rome, people hung decorative wreaths as sign of victory of God over Satan with Jesus' birth into the world.

• Local Activities and Events

• How to Give and Volunteer

• If You Are in Need...

• Gift Ideas

• Find a Tree and Greenery

• Where to Find Santa

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 2005—your kind letters, your comments and suggestions, and all of your help in making South-ern Maryland Online the #1 internet resource for Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties.


12/10/2005

Potomac Heights VFD 73 Glymont Road Indian Head, MD Sold Daily Any Tree: $40 301-743-7700 301-753-6800 Friendship Forest 41370 Friendship Court Mechanicsville, MD 301-373-8184 Website: thevirtualgarage.com/Christmas/ Hours: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Directions: From Rt. 235. head west onto Friend-ship School Rd. (in Oakville), Go 8/10 mile, right onto Friendship Ct., 2nd farm on right. Evergreen Acres 27118 Queentree Road Mechanicsville, MD 301-862-1597 Email: [email protected] Hours: noon ‘til dusk. Directions: Rt. 235 to East on Oakville Rd. (located about 2.5 miles South of Rt. 5/235 split). Go 0.4 miles to right on to Queentree Rd., farm is 1 mile on right (just past the “Christmas Tree Farm” sign). Middleton’s Cedar Hill Farm 13290 Cedar Hill Place Waldorf, MD 301-645-8464 301-399-9812 Email: [email protected] Hours: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Directions: From Rt. 301, head south on Rt. 5 for 2.57 miles, turn left onto Cedar Hill Pl. and follow signs. Quail Field Farm

38161 New Market Turner Road Mechanicsville, MD 301-884-4062 301-884-0370 Email: [email protected] Hours: 8 a.m. - dusk, seven days a week. Directions: From Route 5, headeast on Route 6 (New Market Turner Rd). Farm will be approxi-mately 1 mile on the right. Upakrik Farm 420 East Bay Front Road Deale, MD 301-261-5802 Email: [email protected] Hours: By appointment only. Directions: North of Rt. 298, 2 miles east of Rt. 2. The Pines Farm 16900 Magruder’s Ferry Road Brandywine, MD 301-579-2522 Hours: daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Directions: From Waldorf, north on 301 to Cedar-ville Rd. about 5 miles, turn right onto Brandywine Rd., proceed 3 miles to left onto Croom Rd., go 2 miles, right onto Magruder’s Ferry Rd., first drive-way on left.look for sign on left. look for sign on left. Tanner’s Enchanted Forest 14300 Baden Westwood Road Brandywine, MD 20613 301-579-2238 Hours: Weekends, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Directions: From Beltway, south on Route 5, 8 miles to Brandywine Rd., left on Brandywine Rd. 8 miles, left on Baden Westwood Rd., ¾ miles, look for sign on left.

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.


12/10/2005

Stuff-A-Bus Event Collecting Food for the Needy Three Notch Theatre (the former library) Lexington Park The Department of Public Works and Transportation will have an STS Bus parked near the Three Notch Theatre during the following schedule to receive canned goods and nonperishable food items. All food donations will be divided and distributed to two local food pantries to help feed the hungry during the holiday season. Stuff-A-Bus Hours: Friday, Dec. 9: 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11: Noon - 6:00 p.m. Catholic Charities Offers emergency food packages, child and elderly care sup-plies, clothing, referrals to homeless shelters, and emergency financial assistance to those in need. La Plata: 301-934-2582 Prince Frederick: 885 Main Street 410-535-0309 Project Echo Provides emergency assistance to homeless people in Calvert county. 300 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 410-257-0003

Salvation Army La Plata: 513 E. Charles St. 301-609-9677 Huntingtown: 4138 Old Towne Road 410-535-0309 United Way The leader in coordinating and organizing fundraising for high-priority health and human service needs. Calvert: 410-286-0100 Charles: 301-609-4844 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland Committed to serving youth in the Southern Maryland community for over twenty years. Charlotte Hall, MD 301-290-0501 Mike’s Food Fund Delivering holiday meals to over 1,000 families in the SoMD area Lexington Park, MD 301-863-7887 Mike needs volunteers and donations for his annual Food Fund, which will provide families in need with a turkey, 10 lbs. of potatoes and canned goods for their holiday meal. They’ll be putting baskets to-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.

Volunteer your time or donate goods and money to those in need

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.


12/10/2005

St. Mary’s City Madrigal Dinners December 9, 10 & 11 State House, Historic St. Mary’s City 240-895-4991 Friday: 6:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 5:30pm. It’s a tradition! Feasting, fun, and holiday melodies performed by St. Maries Musica in the beautifully decorated State House. Cavalier Chorus Madrigal Dinner Saturday, December 3 Calvert High School Cafeteria, Prince Frederick 6pm 410-535-7351 410-586-0723 Cavalier Chorus presents a Madrigal Dinner filled with great food, great music & a night filled with laughter & dancing. Patuxent Voices Holiday Concert Saturday, December 3 Great Hall, Middleham Chapel, Lusby 7:30pm 410-586-1071 This premier vocal female vocal group will perform traditional carols, motets and madrigals. “The Nutcracker” December 3 & 4 Presented by Abigail Francisco School of Classical Ballet Mary Harrison Center, Owings Saturday: 7:30pm; Sunday: 2pm 410-257-6070 301-855-0282 This year's production features The Annapolis Symphony Orches-tra, Jose-Luis Novo, Music Director. The ballet school is also wel-coming back professional dancers Sascha Radetsky, soloist with American Ballet Theatre (New York), and Stephanie Walz, solo-ist with Maximum Dance Company (Miami). Entertaining eve-ning for the whole family! “The Nutcracker” Sunday, December 4 Huntingtown High School, Huntingtown 1pm and 6pm 301-373-5277 COSMIC, the Southern Maryland community's symphony or-chestra, will join with Ballet Caliente and the internationally ac-claimed Donetsk Ballet from the Ukraine in presenting this holi-day classic. Live Nativity Scene December 22-24 Ball Road & Rt. 4, St. Leonard 6-8pm 410-586-1272 Drive by & view our re-creation of the manger scene. Witness live bible characters in costume apparel as worn in biblical days.

PTP presents "The Christmas Schooner" December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11 Port Tobacco Players Theater 508 Charles St., La Plata 8pm 301-932-6819 A musical which celebrates the importance of sharing our blessings with one another. Based on a true story of the courageous seamen who braved the Great Lakes in November to bring Christmas trees to German immigrants in Chicago. A wonderful evening to share with the entire family of all ages! Call for reservations. Chopticon High School Choral Madrigal Dinner December 3 & 4 Christ Church Hall, Chaptico 6pm 301-769-4757 Create a holiday tradition and welcome the winter season with an evening of fine dining and entertainment. The Chopticon High School Choral department presents a magical madrigal evening with dinner provided by Rita B Catering and performances by the Chopticon Peace Pipers and Divas. “The Nutcracker” Friday, December 9 Presented by the St. Mary’s Ballet CSM, Leonardtown Campus 7:30pm 301-884-8601 This performance is funded in part by a grant from the St. Mary's County Arts Council awarded through the state of Maryland by The National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are $15 and are available at Nanbo's Guitar Emporium in the Wildewood Shop-ping. 3rd Annual Community Christmas Concert December 22 Great Mills High School Auditorium 7pm A Community Christmas Concert hosted by the First United Pen-tecostal Church of St. Mary's County. A night to come together and Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the Birth of Christ. Door prizes will be given out. Many local bands, choirs and solo-ists will perform. For any further information please contact Joleen Whisenhunt at 301-862-9805. Community Carol Sing Sunday, December 4 Christ Church, La Plata 4pm The carol sing is open to everyone and will feature both organ and piano accompaniments for the caroling. The music will include both sacred and popular songs highlighting the holiday season.


12/10/2005

Olde Tyme Christmas Gathering Sunday, December 4, 3:30pm La Plata Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne Street 301-934-8421 Musical performances, treats and crafts, lighting of the town Christmas tree and a visit from Santa! Holiday Open House Saturday, December 3, 11am—4pm Greenwell State Park, Hollywood 301-373-9775 Children’s crafts, traditional holiday stories, caroling sing-a-long and pictures with Santa’s “horse-deer”. Senior Center Christmas Party Friday, December 9, 10am—2pm Loffler Senior Center Tickets are $6.25 each and must be purchased by December 5 from any Department of Aging Senior Center. Music will be pro-vided by Scarlet Plus Karaoke. Children’s Holiday Party Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 Lexington Park Library 301-863-8188 Children of all ages will enjoy an evening of traditional holiday fun. Registration required. Santa & Mrs. Claus on the Square Saturday, December 17, 11am Leonardtown Square 301-475-9791 Get those last-minute Christmas wishes in! Bring your camera! In the event of inclement weather, Santa & Mrs. Claus will be in the Bell Motor Co. Showroom. Christmas on the Beach Saturday, December 3, 1-3pm North Beach Waterfront Boardwalk 301-855-6681 410-286-3799 Tree decorating & lighting. Children meet Santa! Caroling, Yule logs, refreshments. 32nd Annual Christmas Parade Sunday, December 4, 2pm Fox Run Shopping Center, Prince Frederick 410-535-0026 Christmas Parade featuring local school bands, floats, custom & antique cars/trucks & Santa Claus. Senior Christmas Party Friday, December 9, 11am-2:30pm North Beach Senior Ctr. Calvert Pines Senior Ctr Southern Pines Senior Ctr 410-535-4606 301-855-1170 Celebrate Christmas with your friends at any of the senior sites.

Kwanzaa Marketplace Sunday, December 4, 3pm-7pm Westlake High School, Waldorf 301-392-1775 Holiday shopping, music, entertainment & food. Sponsored by Black Leadership Council for Excellence. Free. 2005 FILAM Children’s Christmas Party Saturday, December 17, 2pm NAS Pax River Beach House The Southern Maryland Filipino American Association presents the 3rd annual Children's Christmas Party. Visit http://www.somd-filam.org/flyer.htm for more information. Community Christmas Party Saturday, December 3, 5pm 7th District Fire Department Firetruck rides begin at 5:00 p.m. and Santa will arrive at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments, Games, Face Painting, Gifts from Santa, Raffles, Holiday Prizes and much more. A Sotterley Family Christmas Saturday, December 3, 10am-4pm Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood 301-373-2280 Horse-drawn Taxi Rides, Visit St. Nick, sweets, and music. Annual Tree Lighting Program Tuesday, December 6, 7pm Village Green Pavilion, Indian Head 301-743-5574 Hear local school groups sing holiday musical selections. Visit with Santa. Enjoy cookies & cocoa. 21st Annual Solomons Christmas Walk December 9, 6-9pm & 10, 10am-9pm Island-wide, Solomons 410-326-1950 410-326-2549 Enjoy art, music, entertainment, puppet show & boat light pa-rade. Free shuttle. Antebellum Christmas at Chapman State Park Sunday, December 11, 12pm-4pm Mount Aventine 301-753-6754 301-518-2708 Period decorations & costumes. Special performance of the Hand-bell Choir from the Waldorf Good Samaritan Presbyterian Church. Refreshments. Colonial Christmas Sunday, December 11, 1pm-7pm Smallwood State Park, Marbury 301-743-7613 Costumed docents give tours of Smallwood Retreat House throughout the day which has been decorated in 18th Century holiday style. Tours by candlelight after dark.


12/10/2005

Visit With Santa December 3-4, 1pm-5pm Holiday Inn Express, Prince Frederick 410-535-3472 The Masons of Prince Frederick Lodge #142, AF&AM present annual visit with Santa Claus! Free pictures & goodies for all kids! Cookies With Santa Tuesday, December 6, 6:30pm-7:30pm Mt. Hope Community Center, Sunderland Enjoy milk & cookies with Santa! Ages 2-10. Pre-registration re-quired. Breakfast With Santa Sunday, December 11, 8am Rod ‘N’ Reel, Chesapeake Beach 410-257-2735 Meet Santa and enjoy our famous breakfast buffet by the bay. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap & receive a free gift Breakfast With Santa Saturday, December 3, 9am Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department Banquet Hall 301-283-4456 Come one come all and have breakfast with Santa. Featuring Christmas crafts for the kids, picture taking with Santa, gifts, and raffles.

Breakfast With Santa Sunday, December 11, 8am Solomons Vol. Rescue Squad & Fire Dept. 410-326-6657 Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes & biscuits. Picture taken with Santa! Dinner With Santa Wednesday, December 14, 6:30pm North East Community Center, Chesapeake Beach 410-257-2554 Calling all good boys & girls for an evening including dinner, des-serts & a visit with Santa! St. Andrew's Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 3, 8:30am and 10am St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, California,MD 301-862-2247 Pancakes and sausage will be served, a craft activity will be avail-able, and, of course, a visit with Santa will be the highlight. Reser-vations are required . Breakfast with Santa Sunday, December 4, 9am 7th DVFD in Avenue, MD 301-769-2654 301-769-3382 Cost of this event is $3.00 for children twelve and under and $5.50 for adults.

Candlelight Tours of the Mansion December 2 & 3, 6pm Sotterley Plantation 1-800-681-0850 301-373-2280 Special tours by candlelight of Sotterley's Mansion, with a Victo-rian Era drama recreated. Live seasonal music. Food and drink are available. Reservations Required. Admission $12.00/person. 23rd Annual Christmas Craft Festival Saturday, December 3, 10am-5pm 4610 Largo Rd (202) Upper Marlboro, MD 301-627-4170 Over 50 Vendors, Food Bake Table, Door Prizes, Religious Arti-cles, and more. Activity Center for the children! Free parking and admission. Holiday Open House Sunday, December 4, 1pm-4pm Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, Chesapeake Beach 410-257-3892 301-855-6472 Join volunteers & friends of the Museum to celebrate the holiday season in the historic Chesapeake Beach Railway Station.

Garden in Lights December 9—January 2, 6pm-9pm nightly Annmarie Garden, Solomons 410-326-4640 Experience the wonderment at this magnificent-lighted holiday drive through. The serene setting adds its artistic flare to the magic of the season. Holiday Festival & Craft Fair Tuesday, December 13, 6pm-9pm Village Green Pavilion, Indian Head 301-743-5574 Antique train & animated Dickens Village displays; crafts for sale; photos with Santa; gingerbread house contest; hot cider & home-made baked goodies. Santa Runs Saturday, December 10, 6pm Hollywood Area The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department will be taking Santa Claus around the following areas on the evening of December 10th. Joy Chapel Rd, Clarke's Landing Rd, Clarks Mill Rd, and Mervill Dean Rd. Visit www.hvfd7.com for more details!


12/10/2005

D & S Farm Charlotte Hall, MD 301-290-1179 Email: [email protected] Hours: By appointment only. Products: Herb vinegars, jams, jellies, and fruit syrups. Ferry Landing Farm & Apiary Dunkirk, MD 410-257-3267 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gworrell.freeyellow.com Hours: By appointment only. Products: Wax candles, jam, jellies, and butters. Longpoint Farm Ridge, MD 301-872-0057 Email: [email protected] Website: www.birdwave.com Hours: By appointment only. Products: Birdfeeders, wool crafts, goat’s milk soap, and sheep skin. Norris Farm Produce Market LaPlata, MD 301-932-6467 Hours: By appointment; please call Products: Jams, jellies and butters. Oak Grove Farm Nanjemoy, MD 301-246-4893 Email: [email protected] Hours: By appointment only. Products: Chestnuts, jams, jellies and butters.

Tree Stump Acres Brandywine, MD 20613 301-372-8614 Products: Wool crafts, knitting, mohair, weaving, and spinning. White Oak Point Farm Prince Frederick, MD 410-535-5259 Hours: By appointment only. Products: Processed canned goods, jams, jellies, butters, pies, pastries, cookies, breads and soaps. Chapel Cellar Winery & Vineyards St. Mary’s City, MD 410-231-0394 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chapelcellars.com Hours: By appointment only. Products: Red (Cabernet- Sauvignon, Merlot), White (Chardonnay), and Dessert (Blackberry Cabernet). Mary-land residents can order directly from winery. Solomons Island Winery Lusby, MD 410-394-1933Email: [email protected] Website: www.solomonsIslandWinery.com Hours: By appointment only. Products: Red (Cabernet, Merlot), White (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay), Blush (White Merlot), and Dessert Wines (Riesling Ice). Maryland residents can order directly from winery.

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.


12/10/2005

This guide was edited by Dee Jay Gude

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