Cecil County Life Spring/Summer 2023 Edition

Cecil County Life Spring/Summer 2023

Letter from the Editor:

There will be plenty of things to enjoy this summer in Cecil County. In this edition of Cecil County Life, writer Richard L. Gaw offers a glimpse at what’s in store as the Great Wolf Lodge brings its unique brand of magical fun to Perryville.

Throughout its 26-year history, Great Wolf Resorts has provided families with the opportunity to enjoy their vacation in an all-inclusive environment of fun and togetherness.

The 128,000-square-foot resort will become the newest, and largest, of the company’s 20 lodges in North America.

If you’re looking for a fun evening this summer, why not catch a performance by the Forgetful Squirrels? Writer Ken Mammarella offers readers an unforgettable story about this improv troupe that, for 10 years, has been rehearsing in a converted barn near Bay View. The Forgetful Squirrels’ performance schedule has varied over the years, but there’s an easy-to-remember run going on through September: 7 p.m. first Fridays at the Newark Arts Alliance, with shows the next night at the Funny Farm, which is what they call their Bay View barn.

Megan Steimer, who has owned Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. since 2018, keeps to a four-state touring schedule that is nearly the exhaustive equivalent of a rock star on the road. From wineries in Cecil County to breweries in Delaware and at special occasion events everywhere in between, Megan’s do–it-yourself workshops are allowing guests to dig into soil, create their own terrarium magic and commune with others over the precious beauty of plants. Cecil County Life recently caught up with Megan at the Blue Elk Winery in North East to chat about her small business, the joy that she brings to others and a very musical dinner party she would love to have.

Ric Cunningham was a high schooler playing the guitar in punk bands in West Virginia when he told himself that some day he wanted to run his own performance space. That some day arrives July 15, with the opening

of the Elkton Music Hall, a new use for a storied building in Elkton’s Arts & Entertainment District. This edition of Cecil County Life includes a profile of the maestro of the new Elkton Music Hall. Gene Pisasale, a writer and local historian, offers a piece on “Cecil County, Maryland: People, places and events” that touches on a number of different aspects of Cecil County’s rich history. We also introduce readers to Megan McRay, who was named the new Cecil County Chamber executive director earlier this year.

We hope that you enjoy these stories. We’re already hard at work planning the next issue of Cecil County Life, which will arrive later in 2023. Until then, we welcome your comments and suggestions for stories to be included in an upcoming edition of our magazine.

Sincerely,

Cover design: Tricia Hoadley

Cover photo: Jim Coarse

The Forgetful Squirrels

A decade of improv (plus sketches and standup) nurtured in a Bay View barn

By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer

Abanker, a farmer, a nurse, a salesman, a software developer, a retiree, two managers and two teachers walk into a barn.

That’s not the convoluted start of some newfangled joke, but a brief description of people participating in a recent rehearsal of the Forgetful Squirrels, an improv troupe that for 10 years has been rehearsing in a converted barn near Bay View.

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Photos by Ken Mammarella

The Forgetful Squirrels are an improv troupe based at the Funny Farm Theater in Bay View.

The Forgetful Squirrels

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Its performance schedule has varied over the years, but there’s an easy-to-remember run going on through September: 7 p.m. first Fridays at the Newark Arts Alliance, with shows the next night at the Funny Farm, which is what they call their Bay View barn. Tickets to the Newark shows are $10. Tickets at the Funny Farm are free, with donations accepted. For details, go to the group’s new Facebook page, titled Forgetful Squirrels Improv, or email forgetfulsquirrels@gmail.com. In addition to improv, shows may include standup comedians, original sketches, short films or other entertainment that include Squirrels and participants in its Elkton Acting Meetup on Meetup.com.

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“She has a mean right jab and an uncanny talent for shade,” Connie Regan’s program bio reads. “Ask any Squirrel and they’ll show you the scars – the visible ones, anyway.” Regan lives in Pike Creek and is a French teacher at McKean High School, where she also advised a student improv group. “The real treasure is the lessons learned along the way,” she said, adding that she loves improv because it showcases “charisma, talent and grace.”

“Other guys have an old car in the garage, a boat at the lake, or trains in the basement,” Mike Collins’ program bio reads. “Mike has a theater in his barn.” The Bay View resident owned construction, greenhouse and upholstery businesses. He is also a playwright (such as “The Giant Mutant Chicken From Outer Space” for the Chesapeake City Ghost Walk) and an actor. Lately, he enjoys improv more than acting, because “the older I get, the harder it is to remember lines,” he said, immediately adding “Don’t put that in.” But then he was convinced it was a funny observation.

The Forgetful Squirrels

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The Meetup group meets Tuesday nights and is open to anyone interested in improv, sketch comedy or other creative ventures. Membership in the Forgetful Squirrels is by invitation only. “Those who attend on Tuesdays may be invited to join, and all are encouraged to attend and enjoy our shows,” said Connie Regan, who co-founded the group with barn owner Mike Collins.

Its members are having fun and building skills that can help in their vocations (companies do hire improv troupes to boost creativity and teamwork) and their avocations (such as acting and playwriting).

“It’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do,” Collins said. “It’s a mistake to think the audience is with you. They’re ahead of you. Improv requires you to listen, be in the moment and be quick. ”

And hopefully funny.

At first, Improv on Rye

The troupe dates back to 2011, when Collins and Regan met at an audition for Chapel Street Players in Newark. They later studied improv together and decided they wanted to create an improv troupe. “We need a space,” Reagan said. “I’ll build you one,” Collins replied.

So he converted a barn that he had used as a retail space for his greenhouse business, Turtle Hill Farm. The 28- by 40-foot Funny Farm Theater has seating for two dozen; a 9½- by 13½-foot stage where a dozen performers can squeeze in, like clowns in a tiny circus car; a sound and light booth; and a green room for performers awaiting time on stage. An accessory building holds a restroom.

They began performing in 2013 as Improv on Rye (troupes often have attention-grabbing names, such as the Rubber Chickens, improvving at the University of Delaware since 1997), switched to the Fun Addicts as membership changed and switched again to the Forgetful Squirrels for the same reason.

Over the years, the group has grown beyond improv to incorporate sketches that they write and standup comedy routines. They just started a YouTube channel and are looking into podcasting.

Improv by definition involves dialogue made up on the spur of the moment, but often with prompts, games and rules.

Some prompts come from asking the audience off-thewall questions, such as “What is the one thing you never want to see green?” or “What support group doesn’t exist but should?”

Humor from A to Z

Prompts start various games, and the Squirrels have more than 50 in their repertoire. They include Alphabet Story (each line must begin with a different letter of the alphabet), Ding! (a scene grows increasingly bizarre as actors edit their last lines), Press Conference (one trouper has done something notable but has no idea what) and Start to Finish (the audience supplies texts from their phones for a first and last line, and the troupe connects them).

Short-form games fall into three types, Regan said: games

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“Code name Big Daddy: Double-O funny with a license to thrill,” reads the program bio for André Wilkins. “I only have two stress relievers,” said Wilkins, a traveling nurse based in Wilmington. “One is power lifting, and this is the other.”

“Nick owns a handmade cape, talked to Tom Arnold about his divorce, and once received a rubber chicken as a gift.,” reads the program bio for Nick Keresztury. “He sometimes acts.” Keresztury, a furniture sales representative from Newark, likes improv because “you can say crazy things for fun that you can’t say in real life.”

Wednesday

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Friday • Wings and Shrimp $12.99

Sunday • 2 Racks of Ribs and 16 Wings $34.99

The Forgetful Squirrels

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with characters speaking comical gibberish, which may or may not be “translated” into even more comical English; doit-again games where repetition and variation make for comedy (e.g., Ding!); and guessing games, where the humor occurs because some performers don’t know what other performers do (like Press Conference, or the party game Forehead Detective). The rules of improv include “yes, and” (accept what another character says so the scene progresses), “and scene” (what a performer says when the scene achieves closure or some deadly opposite) and “don’t be afraid to fail.”

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“Whatever you do, don’t ask Andre about his career in the French Resistance” reads the program bio for Andre Marianiello. “He’s just a normal guy here to play improv games.” Marianiello, a software developer from Newark, likes improv because he likes to make his friends laugh.

“Trebs spends her days admonishing pigs, chasing cows, and arguing with sheep,” Trebs Thompson’s program bio reads. “Occasionally she glues together broken and useless things and calls it art.” Thompson, a Newark farmer, enjoys improv because of the “teamwork, detail and way things develop.”

The Forgetful Squirrels

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A recent rehearsal began with the troupe members warming up their minds, tapping their bodies to keep a beat, and challenging each other with outlandish prompts, such as wallpaper designs (“scratch and sniff,” suggested Dave Breen), failed Walmart campaigns (“Our sweatshop workers can now afford to shop here,” suggested Nick Keresztury) and weird hairstyling substances (“Elmer’s glue,” suggested Trebs Thompson, knowing that’s a real – but funny – thing).

They ended this rehearsal practicing long-form improv, where the form – say, a dinner party or

“‘New Dave’ is excited to have a chance to perform in front of an audience,” Dave Breen’s program bio reads. “He enjoys long walks on the beach, sunbathing, and elegant dinners.” Breen, a landscaping account manager from Havre de Grace, joined the group to meet new people.

“Writer. Wrestler. Secretly bald,” reads the program bio for Dave Monticchio, a computer science teacher from Ardencroft, Delaware. He began improv as a recommendation from a psychiatrist and as a way to find beta readers for his novel. “I wound up loving it,” he said.

a train station waiting room – lets people to interact in varied ways. Their Thanksgiving scenario began with Alzheimer’s and cycled through veganism, sexual identity and a one-legged dancer named Lucky.

“What matters is the relationships between characters,” Regan said in the post-mortem, also calling for deeper characterization.

“And we build a story,” added Keresztury. Hopefully a funny one. Although improv comedy is developed in the moment, it takes planning – and cookies.

Megan McRay named new Cecil County Chamber executive director

This past December, the Board of Directors of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce announced that Megan McRay was appointed as the next executive director of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce.

A Cecil County resident for over a decade, Megan – who began at the Chamber in January -- brings a rich history in the nonprofit sector, and experience in marketing and sales to her role as executive director. Prior to joining the Chamber, she was a customer experience manager and marketing coordinator with Mid Atlantic Mortgage.

Prior to joining Mid Atlantic, Megan spent 10 years at Sandy Cove Ministries, where she served as the agency’s intercoordinator.

Megan and her husband Morgan have three children.

The Cecil County Chamber of

Commerce is located at 216 E. Pulaski Hwy, Suite 120, Elkton, Md. 21921. To learn more about the Chamber and see a list of upcoming events, visit www.cecilchamber.com.

YOUR HOME, YOUR WAY, INSIDE & OUT

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Megan Steimer

Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co.

Megan Steimer Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co.

Megan Steimer, who has owned Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. since 2018, keeps to a four-state touring schedule that is nearly the exhaustive equivalent of a rock star on the road. From wineries in Cecil County to breweries in Delaware and at special occasion events everywhere in between, Megan’s do–it-yourself workshops are allowing guests to dig into soil, create

their own terrarium magic and commune with others over the precious beauty of plants. Cecil County Life recently caught up with Megan at the Blue Elk Winery in North East to chat about her small business, the joy that she brings to others and a very musical dinner party she would love to have.

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Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Cecil County Q & A

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Cecil County Life: What inspired your start Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. in 2018?

Megan Steimer: My mother was attending the St. Mary Anne’s Garden Market in North East, and there was a woman who was selling succulents there. Unfamiliar with them at the time, she brought some succulents home and I made an arrangement for my grandmother as a Mother’s Day gift. I then posted the arrangement on my Facebook page and received a huge response from it. Because it was posted a few days before Mother’s Day, I was asked by others if I could make similar arrangements for them. I purchased a flat of succulents and made a few arrangements. It just took off from there.

Your event schedule is amazing – four states over the last few months – so there is clear evidence that your business plan is working. Talk about your business plan. It must be constantly evolving as your company evolves.

My plan has changed a bit over the years. I’m going where the business naturally takes me. At first, I was the one making the arrangements but in 2019, The Teal Antler, a local boutique in Elkton, was holding a succulent bar event. I saw it advertised on Facebook so I took a chance and reached out, asking if I could provide the succulents. Funny enough, I had never heard of a succulent bar but did some research and loved the idea of folks creating their own arrangement by picking out everything from beginning to end like the planters, succulents, and decorative toppings as I like to call it. I ended up facilitating a two-day event which sold out both times. I received such amazing feedback and thought, maybe I’m onto something here. These days, I’m constantly trying to come up with new plant projects that are unique and allow lots of creativity.

Where do you get your floral items?

I try to shop local as often as possible. Many times, I’ll get

my foliage from P & G Plant Company in Elkton. You will often see them set up for Easter and Mother’s Day on route 40 in Elkton. I get my succulents in Lancaster but also love to support Cherri Knoll Greenhouse in Nottingham, Pa.

Each of Orchard Hill’s events seems to have their own original theme. How do you arrive at these ideas?

Before I decide what project to do, I consider a few variables like location of the venue, if I’ve been there before, and what time of year it is. I always try to offer a diverse selection of pots, plants and decorations so that participants never make the same thing twice. We’ve had many repeat planters throughout the years because they know there is always something new. In the spring you’ll see dried fruits and floral, along with vibrant moss colors like pinks, purples, greens and yellows. Summer brings lots of beach vibes so I provide nautical-based decor like shells, small pieces of driftwood, blue moss and stone, etc. During the fall you can

find anything red, yellow or orange. My favorite is the little putka pods that look like mini pumpkins. During the winter, I have a variety of reds, greens and neutrals so that folks can continue enjoying their arrangement after the holidays.

During a relatively short amount of time, you have already hit your mark with your events, but it hasn’t just been limited to wineries and breweries. Where else do we see the magic of what you’re doing here?

Cecil County Q & A

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I’d like to hold some workshops at coffee shops and creameries so hopefully you’ll see some new spots on my events list later this year or next. I’ve held workshops at a few restaurants, schools, community centers, birthday parties and so on, along with doing some team building events. I used to do a lot of private parties but had to limit that in order to carve out time to spend with my family on the weekends.

How did you manage to navigate your business through the time of COVID-19? Obviously, you had to shut down your event schedule.

My business relied heavily on the beauty of porch pick-up. I went back to my roots – pun intended – and made arrangements and DIY kits for porch pick-up at my former home in

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Guests at Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. events are given the “tools” to create their own terrarium masterpieces, as well as complete instructions on how to provide care for their new creations.

Cecil County Q & A

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Fair Hill, where Orchard Hill originated. I vividly remember putting a DIY kit together for a woman who wanted something fun for her son to do on Easter. I sent her photos of all the options to choose from so that everything could still be customized. She was thrilled with the kit and left me a card along with a beautiful bird’s nest that she made out of wool as a thank you. I still have both to this day as a reminder of the kindness and generosity I receive from the people I continue to work with.

There is something greater at work here in the form of intangibles about Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. that extend far beyond just the act of placing hands in dirt and mixing florals and succulents into a pot or a terrarium. In your opinion, what are those intangibles?

The tag line for Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. is “Make a memory.” These events become special bonding moments for the participants. Often, you’ll see mothers and daughters, best friends, co-workers, husbands and wives etc. creating these arrangements together. My hope is through these workshops, memories are made.

For readers of Cecil County Life, tell them what they can expect to experience at one of your events.

When you come to a workshop with Orchard Hill, the expectation is that there are none. I do not expect you to show up at a certain time, I do not expect you to create your plant project a certain way, and I do not expect you to follow an itinerary of how your experience should go. I encourage participants to relax, let the weight of the world be lifted for a little while, and enjoy just being in the moment.

I feel like everyone is always on the go. We’re constantly staring at a screen all day, and our day-to-day personal interactions are really fading. With our adult- and kidfriendly workshops, you can show up when you please, plant as you wish, and enjoy the company of others as much or as little as you’d like.

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Cecil County Q & A

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|Cecil County Life|

What is your favorite spot in Cecil County?

I love the Fair Hill area. The space and scenery it offers is my favorite part of Cecil County. I miss living out there. I also love the diversity the county offers between the rivers, farms and small town vibes. Visiting each town’s main street is always fun for me but the revamp in downtown Elkton and downtown Rising Sun is amazing to see as a lifelong resident of the county. There are just so many favorite spots that it’s difficult to narrow it down.

You throw a dinner party and can invite anyone you wish – famous or not, living or not. Who will be seated around that table?

I would love to invite recording artists from the Laurel Canyon, California music scene of the late 1960s and 1970s. I love the entire

Plant by plant, a recent guest designs her own new garden.

vibe of the era and especially the music, so it would be so fun to be surrounded by talent like the Mamas and the Papas, Neil Young, The Eagles and so many others. I enjoy listening to stories and I’m sure there would be plenty of them to tell at this dinner party.

What items can always be found in your refrigerator?

When in season, I always have watermelon in the fridge, and you will always find ketchup and ranch dressing in the fridge door. I like my condiments!

To learn more about Orchard Hill DIY Plant Co. and learn about upcoming events, visit her Instagram page at @orchard.hill.diyplantco or on Facebook at OrchardHillDIYPlantCo

To contact Megan directly, email: Orchardhillsucculents@ gmail.com.

- Richard L. Gaw

Megan Steimer and her Orchard Hill DIY events are held at wineries and breweries throughout Cecil County and beyond.

Maestro of the new

By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer

Ric Cunningham was a high schooler playing the guitar in punk bands in West Virginia when he told himself that some day he would run his own performance space.

That some day arrives July 15, with the opening of the Elkton Music Hall, a new use for a storied building in Elkton’s Arts & Entertainment District. He co-owns it with his wife, Katie Salsbury.

He grew up “with music always around the house.” Tagging along with his parents to a lot of live performances hooked him on music. “I just loved going to concerts,” he said. “I love listening to music. My dad played guitar, and I started playing guitar.”

His early interests were rock, punk and bluegrass. In high school, he learned how to become a promoter by finding venues for his bands to perform in, and then finding spaces and equip-

ment for other bands.

“I was really taking on the role of a promoter and producing shows,” he said. “And I enjoyed that just as much as I enjoyed being in the band.”

After his high-school epiphany, he built up a different career, with the corporate peak being head of production for a video and animation studio. Three years ago, he chose to move into freelance production and planned to make a documentary on how country music influences counterculture and punk rock. His first big interview was schedule for March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit and events shut down.

“I found myself with time to fulfill my dream,” Cunningham said.

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All photos Courtesy of Ric Cunningham Ric Cunningham decided in high school that he wanted to run his own performance space, and that dream comes true this year with the opening of the Elkton Music Hall.

Ric Cunningham

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|Cecil County Life|

What the building offers

“Music is something we all love and it’s a big part of our life,” Cunningham and Salsbury write on www.elktonmusichall.com.

“Playing music constantly, late-night karaoke sessions on weekends (sorry not sorry to our neighbors), and going to concerts as much as possible makes up a good portion of our life (well, until our life became about opening a music venue).”

Salsbury, an attorney originally from Colorado, met Cunningham nine years ago in Washington, D.C., and although her office is still there, she later moved with Cunningham to Earleville to be near his family.

Raised in the company of musicians, Salsbury plays the piano and sings.

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Ric Cunningham and his wife, Katie Salsbury own the Elkton Music Hall.

Cunningham said that he was attracted to the location because of its size, and the fact that it was once an auto dealership.

Ric Cunningham

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Cunningham and Salsbury realized that Elkton would be a great location for a venue, halfway between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and convenient from Interstate 95. Its arts district was growing, enabling music fans to eat at a nearby restaurant before the show and drink somewhere else afterwards and be able to quickly walk between all three destinations.

“They are really doing a lot of things downtown,” he said.

They looked online for properties downtown and on Elkton’s outskirts and considered constructing their own building. At the end of August in 2021, Cunningham first walked into the building at 107 North St., which had been constructed in 1915 as an auto dealership, last used for Cecil County government offices and vacant for a decade.

“I got super-excited,” he recalled, citing the vintage architectural elements and the potential to open up a

large space, with ceilings 20 feet high. Meetings with Elkton Mayor Robert Alt and other stakeholders revealed that their plans were “right in line” for the arts district.

“I would say we were off and running, but considering it was two years ago, it’s better to say we’re off and walking in a positive way,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham and Salsbury closed on the building in spring of 2022 and got their construction financing that fall.

The Elkton Music Hall is 6,900 square feet on two levels. The performance space on the first floor can hold 300-plus standing, 250-plus in theater seats and 150-plus at tables, with room for dancing. Performers will be on a 500-square-foot stage, raised three feet above the audience.

The second floor has space for offices and amenities for performers.

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Elkton Music Hall performances will be held on a 500-square-foot stage that is three feet above the audience.

Ric Cunningham

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Who’s playing

The initial musical line-up at the Elkton Music Hall reflect Cunningham’s personal tastes in music.

The opener (a WXPN Welcome event) features Oh He Dead (an “amazing” D.C. band that does funk, R&B, rock and pop) and Cosmic Guilt (an “incredible” band from the PhiladelphiaWilmington area that does rock, Americana and roots).

“It would be a perfect opening night to have a little bit of everything going on musically,” he said.

The lineup so far is heavy on indie performers, with a few tribute groups, a major announcement in getting Sun Volt to perform their 1994 album “Trace” in its entirety on July 24 and one blast from the past on Dec. 1, with Steve Forbert, who charted on Billboard in 1979 with “Romeo’s Tune.”

Ultimately, Cunningham hopes that the Elkton Music Hall will host three or four shows a week, both national tours and local performers.

Helping to book the shows will be Ron Ozer, who for 20 years has booked performances for the Arden Music Gild in Delaware.

Ozer thinks both opening bands could sell out the Elkton Music Hall.

“By combining the two venues as a benefit for the National Independent Venue Association, we hope to build the buzz for this new venue,” Ozer said.

Cunningham lunches weekly with Lee Lewis, of Showcase on Main, and meets frequently with other nearby entrepreneurs, such as Beckie McMahon of C3ntral Tavern.

“Everybody has a shared vision of what Elkton can do,” Cunningham said. “And we’re all very excited.”

Will he perform at the Elkton Music Hall?

“I will not,” Cunningham said. “Someday, I would like to get into a band again, but right now my focus is in bringing in a nice variety of music.”

IF YOU GO

The new Elkton Music Hall is at 107 North St., Elkton.

All tickets are sold through a partner named DICE. “With DICE, the price you see listed is the price you pay for your ticket, no surprises,” the FAQ on www.elktonmusichall. com says. “Tickets are mobile, which … means tickets can’t be bought up and resold at marked -p prices.”

All concerts are 21-plus “at this time.” Doors will typically open around 7 p.m., with shows starting around 8. Most shows will not have assigned seats.

It has a full bar (look soon for an exclusive beer from Elk River Brewery) but does not sell food.

The space is also available for rentals.

The Elkton Music Hall is at 107 North St., Elkton, in space once used by Cecil County for government offices.

Chesapeake Bay Co selects new executiv

Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC) members have selected Anna M. Killius as the Commission’s new executive director. She will follow Ann Swanson, who retired from the Commission in November of 2022.

Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth (District 30) said, “As the Chair of the Commission and as a member of the search committee, it is a privilege to select Anna Killius for this role. Anna’s breadth of experience at the state and federal level working with policymakers to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions for protecting the Bay, combined with a keen vision for the future of this work, will continue the legacy of accomplishment that has defined CBC.”

Killius comes to the Commission from the James River

Association, where she was the director of advocacy. Previously, Killius served as a legislative assistant and counsel for Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland.

“Anna has been on both sides of the table, having served as an advocate and as a legislative staffer,” said Pennsylvania Sen. Scott Martin (District 13), the incoming chair of the Commission. “That experience is important as we continue to develop the bold new policies that will be necessary to meet our water quality goals.”

A graduate of the William & Mary School of Law and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Killius was named a “Champion of the Chesapeake: Next Generation” by the Chesapeake Conservancy in 2020. Her deep

ommission ve director

commitment to restoring Chesapeake Bay and experience with environmental law and policy at the state and federal levels will aid the Commission’s work as the legislative voice within the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership.

“I am excited for Anna to bring a fresh new perspective to the Commission. Her experience working with citizens, as well as state and federal government makes her perfect for the role,” said Virginia Sen. Lynwood Lewis (District 6), a Commission vice chair. “Anna will strengthen Commission partnerships and expand our watershed presence.”

The Chesapeake Bay Commission is a tri-state legislative commission advising the general assemblies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia on matters of Bay-wide concern.

Anna Killius

|Cecil County Life Photo Essay|

Photos by Jim Coarse

Text by Richard L. Gaw

The images in this essay serve as a pictorial homage to the rambling beauty of Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, but there are words as well to accompany the story of what happens here.

The seemingly endless latticework of fencing that tames the wide and free pastures where horses gallop.

The earthy tones of colors that sprout in grass.

muscled legs of a stallion, signifying strength and agility and promise.

The choreography of horses enjoying the freedom of play, and their affectionate nuzzling against the early morning light.

a staff dedicated to the health and safety of every horse they touch.

From the time Northview Stallion

proprietorship of Richard Golden, Tom Bowman and Allaire du Pont, it has

Northview Stallion Station|

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become known as one of the premiere breeders of thoroughbreds not only in Cecil County, the Mid-Atlantic region and the United States, but in the entire world. Over the past few decades, Northview stallions have topped the Maryland sire lists 25 times, and its horses have earned the

to quickly secure its place as one of the most successful thoroughbred breeding farms in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since it moved to its present

that have produced generations of thoroughbred racing success. Northview Stallion Station is located at 55 Northern Dancer Drive in Chesapeake City. To learn more about the facility, visit www.northviewstallions. com, contact 410-885-2855, or email info@ northviewstallions.com.

When it opens in late June, the 48-acre, 128,000 square-foot resort will become the newest –and largest – of the company’s 20 lodges in North America

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland: Magic in Perryville

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Over the course of the last half-century, the American family vacation has too often become a complicated and excessively expensive adventure, punctuated by airlines, crammed hotel stays and the stress of keeping everyone in the family happy, safe and in one place.

Throughout its 26-year history, Great Wolf Resorts has served as the very welcome antidote to all of that, with a simple mission to provide families with the opportunity to enjoy their vacation in an all-inclusive environment of fun and togetherness – a playground in which to create their own family experiences and traditions.

This simple concept was first launched by brothers Jack and Turk Waterman in 1997 with the Black Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin, with 117 suites and 20,000 square feet of water park space, all under one roof.

All images courtesy of Great Wolf Resorts Scheduled for opening in late June, the 48-acre Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will offer 700 family-friendly suites and be the largest of the 20 Great Wolf resorts throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Understanding the value of a fully-integrated family vacation experience, the brand of Great Wolf Resorts has since grown to include 19 resorts in 16 states and Ontario where families enjoy expansive water parks and dozens of amenities, all within a few minutes’ walk of on-premise suites, restaurants and shops.

In late June, in partnership with the City of Perryville and the civic leadership of state and Cecil County government, Great Wolf Resorts will open its 20th and largest location to date – Great Wolf Lodge Maryland in Perryville. Now in the final stages of its construction, the 48-acre resort will offer 700 family-friendly suites and a 128,000-square-foot indoor water park – which will be 25 percent larger than the resort’s current largest water park.

Located at the Chesapeake Overlook near the Susquehanna River, Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be a convenient drive for families living along the Mid-Atlantic Region, extending from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore to Wilmington and Philadelphia.

“One of the things we look for in determining our next destination is to make sure that we are bringing the Great Wolf experience to as many families as possible,” said Nadine Miracle, who will serve as the Perryville resort’s general manager. “Cecil County is conveniently located about an hour or two from major cities.

“Sometimes our guests drive as many as three hours to our resorts, and that allows us to expand our footprint to even

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Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will feature an expansive 126,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, heated to a comfortable 84 degrees and featuring a variety of body slides, tube slides, raft rides, activity pools and splash areas for every member of the family.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland

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more cities along the Eastern seaboard. This destination tends to be great for what families look for in weekend staycations and mid-week vacations, and it really helps us begin to deliver our brand promise, which is that convenient and care-free get-away for families that are accessible to everyone.”

“As we look to expand the Great Wolf Lodge experience to new markets, we are excited to place our newest resort in Perryville and provide Mid-Atlantic families with an easy, care-free escape where kids and parents will laugh, play and have joy-filled adventures together,” said Murray Hennessy, chief executive officer for Great Wolf Resorts. “Being a short driving distance from several key markets makes Perryville an ideal location for a Great Wolf Lodge. With the tremendous support from the state, county and town, as well as our shareholders Blackstone and Centerbridge Partners, we’re excited to make this resort a reality. We’re eager to be a part of this community and to help contribute to its continued growth and prosperity.”

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Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will feature large spaces for families to unwind once their recreational activities are over for the day.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland

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Acres of family fun, all under one roof

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will include:

• An expansive 126,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, heated to a comfortable 84 degrees and featuring a variety of body slides, tube slides, raft rides, activity pools and splash areas for every member of the family

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Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be conveniently located along the I-95 Corridor, perfect for families throughout the Mid-Atlantic to enjoy a long weekend or a short vacation of fun.

Rolling Hills Ranch Rolling Hills Ranch

YEAR ROUND HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS FOR EVERYONE

YEAR ROUND HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS FOR EVERYONE

Day Camps offered 4 weeks in the Summer & Holidays

Day Camps offered 4 weeks in the Summer & Holidays

Home of Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program for people with disabilities

Home of Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program for people with disabilities

Bed and Breakfast at Rolling Hills Ranch

Bed and Breakfast at Rolling Hills Ranch

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Volunteer Opportunities Available

33 Rolling Hills Ranch La Port Deposit, MD 410-378-3817

www.rollinghillsranch.org•www.freedomhills.org

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland

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• The Great Wolf Adventure Park, a 57,000-square-foot family entertainment center that will offer a variety of family-friendly attractions, including MagiQuest – Great Wolf Lodge’s exclusive live-action adventure game where players use interactive magic wands to battle goblins and dragons

• A collection of complimentary family events and activities including Yoga Tails, a morning exercise program that combines tales from animal friends found in the Northwoods with yoga poses, and Great Wolf Lodge’s signature Story Time event, where children gather around the fireplace for a bedtime tale

• Several dining options that will appeal to a variety of culinary styles ranging from pizza and burgers, to upscale dining at Barnwood and premium ice cream treats at Wood’s End Creamery

• Family friendly suites in a variety of designs and styles including Great Wolf themed suites with separate sleeping quarters for kids designed as either a log cabin or wolf den

Huge economic impact, job creator

Not only will Great Wolf Lodge Maryland serve as a convenient entertainment destination for families, it will help drive the county and state economy now and for years to come. The $250 million resort, which began construction in 2021 under the direction of the Baltimore-based division of Turner Construction Company, has created more than 2,000 employment opportunities. Its role as a job creator won’t end when the doors open; Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will develop more than 900 new jobs in Cecil County, ranging from its executive leadership team, management and supervisory positions, human resources, finance, engineering and IT professionals to lifeguards and housekeepers -- all with long-term career growth potential.

“Great Wolf Lodge’s investment in Maryland will not only provide a year-round tourism attraction for visitors, but it will also bring significant job creation to Cecil County over the next few years,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “With thousands of construction jobs in

the works, and more than 900 new jobs expected when the resort opens, Great Wolf’s impact will be felt throughout the Mid Atlantic region. We couldn’t be happier to have the company select Maryland for its largest resort yet.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Great Wolf Lodge’s largest resort to the Town of Perryville. We are excited to partner with such an iconic brand and our residents are eager to welcome them to our community,” said Perryville Mayor Matt Roath. “With Great Wolf’s reputation for family-friendly entertainment, attractions and accommodations, it’s a perfect fit for our town. We feel this project will greatly add to our local tourism offerings with a significant economic impact for our community. We anticipate Great Wolf Lodge will be the first project in what promises to be the most significant growth period our town has ever seen.”

The arrival of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland -- where families all along the Mid-Atlantic Region will be able to enjoy time together in an all-inclusive setting – is a stroke not only of innovation and strategic and geographic investment, but one of great timing.

“What we have seen over the past few years during the pandemic and post-pandemic is that now, more than ever, families are craving time together,” Miracle said. “We have become that place where it’s more than a day trip but it’s not a week-long vacation that requires extensive travel and plane trips. We make sure that we’re not only a water park, but that we’re bringing the entire brand experience of Great Wolf Lodge to life.

“Our purpose as a brand and our every day culture is to bring joy to families – to strengthen their family by creating experiences and entertainment offerings that the whole family can enjoy together. Every day life can get really busy, distracted by work, school and other priorities. We want to be able to provide that escape that offers quality family time that allows them to disconnect from the stresses of their lives and enjoy their time together, one family at a time.”

For complete information about Great Wolf Lodge Maryland including accommodations, visit www. greatwolf.com/maryland.

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Waterpark attractions at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland

• Otter Cave Waterworks in Maryland, a four-story water fort treehouse compete with slides and toys

• Slap Tail Pond, a wave pool

• Crooked Creek, a floating tube experience

• Raccoon Lagoon, an outdoor water playground

• MagiQuest, Great Wolf Resort’s interactive adventure

• Howl in One, mini golf for the entire family pack

Build a Bear workshop

• Oliver’s Mining Co. and Oliver’s Mining Maze • Ten Paw Alley bowling lanes

• Howlers Peak Ropes Course • Northern Lights Arcade

|Cecil County History|

Cecil County, Maryland: Cecil County, Maryland:

By Gene Pisasale Contributing Writer

With roots that go back roughly four centuries, Cecil County has many stories to tell those interested in exploring its history. Starting around when local Piscataway Indians traded with the Susquehannocks and Lenape from around the region, Cecil County has a heritage that dates back many centuries.

William Claiborne established a trading post near the mouth of the Susquehanna River near the current city of Perryville. Not long afterward, in 1608, an English explorer came to the area. Later in the 17th century, Augustine Herman drew the first maps of the region in 1674. George Talbot was also active in the area and was made surveyorgeneral of Maryland in 1683, receiving a land grant in Cecil County.

Religious leaders were also active. Jesuit missionaries established a mission in 1704 that would later become St.

Francis Xavier Church. It was rebuilt in 1792 and is one of the oldest churches in the state, and now operates as a museum. St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church is another one with deep roots, with origins that date to 1706. The church was reconstructed in 1742. Industrialists were also active in the region. Principio Furnace was begun in 1719, supplying pig iron for local use and for export.

War came to Cecil County beginning in the late 1700s. On August 25, 1777 British General William Howe unloaded his troops from the Elk River off of the Bay and marched 11 miles to what is today the town of Elkton, Maryland. Less than four years later in March 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette became active in his pursuit of a spy. He embarked near Elkton in hopes of catching Benedict Arnold.

A month later, Lafayette returned to the area on his way to Virginia to capture an even bigger prize: British General Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown. Aided by General George Washington and French General Rochambeau, who came to Elkton in September, the Continental and the French Army, along with the French Navy under De Grasse later captured Cornwallis to achieve the crowning victory of the American Revolution.

Some famous people spent time in Cecil County. English Captain John Smith (15801631) not only mapped the Chesapeake Bay, he was also instrumental in supporting the new colony of Jamestown in Virginia and encouraging colonization of the area which came to be called New England. William Paca (1740- 1799) was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later Governor of Maryland.

George Read (1733-1798) was initially opposed independence, but later signed the Declaration of Independence and subsequently served as a Senator, Chief Justice and Governor of Delaware.

St Francis Xavier Church.

People, places and events People, places and events

William Paca.

George Read portrait by Robert Edge Pine.

English Captain John Smith.

Cecil County History

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Abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass crossed Cecil County on his escape to freedom in 1838. He was a famous orator, later served as Minister to Haiti and the most famous first black man supporting the recently formed Republican Party.

Just as tragic as war was another event, which occurred in Cecil County 182 years after Washington’s victory at Yorktown. On December 8, 1963, Pan American World Airways Flight 214 was flying in the area, but went down in a lightning thunderstorm. The event shocked the entire nation, as lightning strikes causing air crashes are generally quite rare. So what happened?

Pan Am Flight 214 was a regularly scheduled flight originating in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a final destination in Philadelphia, including a stopover at Baltimore’s Friendship Airport. Pan Am Flight 213 was its counterpart, going from Philadelphia to San Juan, which it had done earlier that same day. For the return trip, Pan Am Flight 214 left San Juan Dec. 8 at 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time with 140 passengers and a crew of eight. Flight 214 reached Baltimore safely, where 67 passengers disembarked. Little did they know they would be saved from one of the worst airline disasters up to that time in U.S. history.

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Frederick Douglass.

Cecil County History

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Flight 214 left Baltimore at 8:24 p.m. bound for Philadelphia. Only 18 minutes later, air traffic controllers made contact with the crew, informing them about a line of thunderstorms in the area, with strong winds and turbulence which could pose a threat to safe operation of the aircraft. The controller asked the pilots if they wanted to go directly to Philadelphia or wait in a holding pattern until the storm cleared. Flight 214’s pilots opted for the holding pattern. Staying in the air in that vicinity put the plane in the midst of heavy rain, with numerous lighting strikes sighted and high winds around 50 miles per hour.

At 8:58 p.m., disaster struck. A lightning bolt hit the aircraft, causing an explosion. In the final moments, the pilots sent out a desperate message: “MAYDAY!… MAYDAY!… MAYDAY! Clipper 214 out of control…” An officer aboard National Airlines Flight 16, flying 1,000 feet above them announced to controllers: “Clipper 214 is going down in flames…” At 8:59 p.m., Flight 214 crashed into a cornfield east of Elkton. The plane was completely destroyed, and all

81 of the occupants were killed.

Some good things did come from this tragedy. Aircraft standards later required fuel system designs to prevent the ignition of fuel vapors; fuel-vent flame arrestors and other changes were introduced that improved aircraft safety. It is unfortunate that we often experience tragedies before changes are introduced to avoid them in our daily lives, but that is the nature of human experience. So, in a small way, that sad day in December 1963 near Elkton made air travel much safer for all.

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His eleven books focus on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. His latest book is Heritage of the Brandywine Valley chronicling more than 300 years of regional history, due out in June 2023. Gene’s books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale. com and also on www.Amazon.com. He can be reached via e-mail at Gene@GenePisasale.com.

Pan American Flight 214 Memorial.