A New Era for Chesapeake Bay Magazine

by Jefferson Holland

For more than 50 years now, this magazine has been devoted to bringing our readers insight into how to best appreciate life on one of America’s most treasured resources. We’ve enlisted the best writers, illustrators and photographers to introduce you to our unique historical, cultural and natural wonders that form our ethos and define our collective character—who we are and why we’re here.

In this coming year, you’ll find our devotion to presenting the people, places and perspective that celebrate living, working and playing on this Bay has redoubled. This year, our talented team at Chesapeake Bay Media will be doubling its digital content, providing news updates and exciting Bay happenings twice each week.

In addition to our wildly popular Bay Bulletin that is delivered every Wednesday, we will be adding a second weekly email featuring the best of the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle. It’s content Chesapeake-minded readers care about: Bay Boating, Bay Living, Bay Places and Bay People. Think destinations, boat and gear reviews, D.I.Y. how-tos from our experts, curated events and a spotlight on the people who make up the heart of the Chesapeake.

Meanwhile, Chesapeake Bay Magazine will continue to produce articles of timeless quality in print, just as readers have come to expect over the past half-century. Each of our six editions will be overflowing with great writing and illustrated with stunning visuals. These bimonthly issues will be real keepers. We’ll reimagine our popular “Weekends on the Water” edition in time to plan your excursions, as well as offer a special boating edition to augment the fall boat shows. We’ll be publishing an anticipated new edition of our Guide to Cruising the Chesapeake Bay, complete with constantly updated info online.

In CBM ’s new era, you’ll still get the timeless stories to browse through at your leisure in the tried-and-true traditional print medium, and on top of that, you’ll also get timely updates delivered straight to your smartphone. Fewer pieces of paper; far more useful and entertaining information.

In the Winter 2023 edition you’re about to read, you’ll meet five dynamic women who are leading some of the most important organizations intent on restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay (page 18). We’ll introduce you to young Black men who are earning their freedom from incarceration by learning the trade of caulking the seams of the hull of an ancient tall ship, the same trade that Frederick Douglass plied in the shipyards of Fells Point before escaping to freedom from slavery (page 26). You’ll meet a groundbreaking sailor who’s preparing to beat the speed record for a solo circumnavigation on a trimaran. He only has to sail an average of 17 knots to make it (page 6).

Our naturalist guru John Page Williams takes us on a tour of the Chesapeake’s fall line starting on page 35, then switches hats and gives a glowing review of Boston Whaler’s new 360 Outrage on page 10. While your boat may be under wraps for the winter, Contributing Editor Susan Moynihan notes that you can still get your nautical fix by enjoying a stay at one of the Bay’s choice waterfront hotels, while enjoying off-season rates. And you’ve passed this one place a thousand times driving to Ocean City, but Angus Phillips took the time to stop at the Marine Mart on Skipton Creek. You’ll be delighted at what he discovered. Oh, and you’ll get a little Valentine’s Day message at the end that I hope will warm your cockles.

I’m a storyteller at heart, and as such, I’m delighted to be part of this dynamic team that provides you with engaging, entertaining and fun stories for you to treasure. Be sure to tap into the dynamic resource that the new Chesapeake Bay Media provides, and thanks for being a loyal reader of CBM.