July-August 2023

Seeing Is Believing!

TODAY’S TVS OFFER INCREDIBLE PICTURE QUALITY AND OTHER AMAZING BENEFITS

Think back for a second. It doesn’t seem that long ago when flat screened TVs were introduced or became standard. Does it? Today, the technological advances in terms of sizes and slimness, gaming and app capabilities and built-in streaming options are amazing — but perhaps no advancement is more impressive than image quality.

There are several types of TV/video displays on the market, such as LED, OLED and QLED — and each now have mini versions available for 4K and 8K resolution viewing, when 8K becomes available. Without getting too technical, LED is brighter and great for gaming and computer displays; OLED is a darker deeper image best in rooms without glare; and QLED is deep in color and brightness.

All look great and serve specific purposes in residential settings. Here is just a sampling of the latest technologies from the “Big 3” — Sony, Samsung and LG — with selected highlights:

Sony XR83A90L

OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV

If you’re looking for a best-in-class, HDR-compatible smart TV that offers a truly incredible, lifelike picture, look no further than the X950H from Sony. The Android TV comes with the standard suite of streaming apps, and with the Google Play Store, you can pick from thousands more. Use Chromecast and AirPlay 2 to send content from your smartphone or tablet directly to the TV.

Samsung QN85QN900C

Series Neo QLED Smart TV

This Samsung TV brings you the best of streaming with brilliant picture. With a 1080p Full HD display, this TV has Alexa integration, meaning it can serve as a smart home base by letting you control multiple devices from one convenient source.

LG OLED83G3 evo Smart TV

LG’s latest evo model is among the slimmest (1.9 inches thin) sets you can get. Available in sizes from 42 to 83 inches, the C2 comes with LG’s α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, bringing eight million self-lit pixels to life. Movie buffs will love Filmmaker Mode and the fact that all of your favorite streaming apps right at your fingertips.

You can feel confident in knowing that Overture offers the latest TV models that provide the best picture quality for your needs and surroundings. At Overture, we take great pride in designing and installing the appropriate system for our clients — while exceeding their expectations.

Photo taken by Svetlana Leahy.

THE DO’S & DONT’S OF STYLING

Featuring Jenn Moore

Interior Decorator

DO: Choose a color palette you love!

DON'T: Use more than three colors in one room.

DO: Add layers of character with wallpaper, draperies, or an area rug (or two!).

DON'T: Overlook the tiny details. Details can be found in nishes or your favorite vintage nd!

DO: Bring the outside in. A few plants add warmth to ANY space.

DON'T: Forget to water your plants! (Or there are some great faux options.)

A well-designed home interior is a retreat for the mind, body and soul. At Décor Direct, our interior design process starts with discovering your personal style, which leads the way to bringing your dream home to life. Not only are we an exclusive Hunter Douglas dealer, we work with the nest manufacturers for custom furniture and decor. We'd love to discuss your interior decorating needs. Scan the QR code to schedule your virtual design consultation or call to schedule a private consultation.

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Photo by Anice Hoachlander

PAIRING TO PERFECTION

TIDALHEALTH

IMAGES

Photographers Jay Fleming and Tony Pratt lead off our crabbing issue.

INDUSTRY STANDARD

Cambridge’s J.M. Clayton Company is the world’s oldest working crab business.

REVEALING CHARACTER HAZEL THE GREAT

The latest news, advice and information from the Shore’s leading healthcare provider. 36 64

Artist Evan Fitzgerald puts his thoughtprovoking works on display with Persona.

Sixteen-time world crab picking champion “Hurricane Hazel” Cropper continues to delight.

40 65

WHEN IT RAINS...

HARD TO RESIST

Robert Morris Inn Partner/Chef Mark Salter details how crab-inspired flavors come together and shares recipes from his personal collection. 44 66

Painter Randall Graham’s outdoor works of art resonate with collectors.

UNIFYING PRESENCE ’TIS THE SEASONING

NFP’s new Ocean Pines office location offers many benefits to clients and its team.

Maryland’s iconic Old Bay seasoning continues to sprinkle its flavor in delicious directions.

ANSWERING THE CALL FROM BAY TO BEACH

The National Hard Crab Derby has 75 years to its credit — and the 76th edition may be the best yet. 48 68

Lifelong Smith Island waterman Mark Kitching continues his family’s legacy.

A husband-wife team serves up the essence of fresh Maryland crabs in Ocean City.

Family is a big part of the crabbing tradition for waterman Bobby Washington.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES

THE TIDES THAT BIND CRAB APPEAL PARTING SHOT

We salute the local staple with a collection of recipes that celebrate its flavor and diversity.

Bobby Whaples knows the delicate balance between success and failure.

Jay Fleming heads under the water to capture an image of crabs being captured.

Photo by Jill Jasuta

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Photo by Jill Jasuta

KRISTA VALLIANT

SCOTT

RICHARD

GENERATION AFTER GENERATION, OFTEN DATING BACK MORE THAN A CENTURY, the men and women of the Eastern Shore’s crabbing industry have selflessly and tirelessly worked local waters to reap its benefits — for their families and ours. To each of them, we share our gratitude and are proud to tell a few of their stories in the pages that follow. We visited 19 locations during the production of this issue to bring you stories of people who strive to make the Shore an even better place to live. Drop us a line at info@ coastalstylemag.com or on Facebook or Instagram to connect with us. We’d love to hear from you.

Web Exclusive Content!

IT’S PICKING SEASON! It is one of the best communal experiences this side of the Mississippi — and Alison Pappas has prepared a steaming round up of crab houses. Log on to our site to see the list, pick your spot and get picking!

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Photo by Jay Fleming

Family Oriented

THE ALL-NEW POHANKA CDJR OF SALISBURY IS LED BY WILL TOADVINE, A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND THIRD-GENERATION INDUSTRY PRO — IN THE SAME BUILDING HIS GRANDFATHER OPENED SALISBURY’S FIRST CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP

The automotive industry continues to evolve at light speed — and sometimes, it also comes full circle. That’s certainly the case for Will Toadvine, an Eastern Shore native and Marine Corps veteran, who recently became the new

General Manager of Pohanka Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep & Ram (CDJR) in Salisbury. Will Toadvine runs Pohanka CDJR from the very same location his grandfather, William Toadvine, owned and operated Salisbury’s first Chrysler dealership, Wicomico County Motor Co., in 1938.

Thanks to the leadership and vision of Pohanka of Salisbury VP/Dealer Operator Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello, Pohanka CDJR of Salisbury will soon unveil a whole new, modern look to showcase its inventory of state-of-the-art electric vehicles — all for the benefit of Delmarva residents.

Pohanka CDJR Store Photography by Grant L. Gursky

Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Pohanka CDJR in ribbon cutting ceremony

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and its members were delighted to join Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello, VP/Dealer Operator at Pohanka of Salisbury, at the May 31 ribbon cutting for the acquisition of its three newest dealerships – Pohanka CDJR of Salisbury, Pohanka Ford of Salisbury and Pohanka Kia of Salisbury.

Pohanka CDJR offers the latest in hybrid/EV technologies

Pohanka CDJR of Salisbury is proud to showcase the all-new Jeep 4xe models, including Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which pushes its legendary capability to new frontiers. The result is hybrid innovation with no compromises and 100% fun.

“It’s an exciting time at Pohanka CDJR of Salisbury, as we’re about to start a big remodeling project to accommodate all of our all-new, electric vehicles, including the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe,” Sandy says. “Our service department is busy training all of their certified technicians on the latest Jeep technologies and we can’t wait to show this new space off to our loyal and trusted customers.”

Will Toadvine, who just celebrated 20 years in the car business, has a passion for helping get his customers into the vehicle of their dreams, regardless of their credit situation. He confidently believes that someone’s credit history should not be a barrier in their pursuit to own a new car or truck.

“I cannot stress this enough,” Will says. “We take great pride in helping the hardworking residents of the Eastern Shore drive away in the car or truck they’ve been dreaming about. We welcome the opportunity to help our friends and neighbors across Delmarva. Come see us! We have a huge selection of new and preowned vehicles!” CS

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It’s a Jeep Thing

THE ULTIMATE JEEP EXPERIENCE RETURNS TO THE RESORT AUGUST 24-27

Written by Brian Shane | Photos by Live Wire Media & Events

When it comes to Jeep and 4x4 events, Brad Hoffman is the man with the plan. Throughout his career of producing automotive events, one of his proudest accomplishments has been to take Ocean City Jeep Week from a small, local event to a nationally recognized 4x4 and offroad festival for the mid-Atlantic Jeep community.

“I enjoy the smiles, the families, and the friends who come together, because we produce this event for them,” says Hoffman. “You can feel it when the Jeeps roll into Ocean City once a year. It’s a true celebration of the Jeep community.”

The centerpiece of “the ultimate Jeep vacation” is the Beach Crawl, which sees hundreds of Jeeps riding down the Ocean City shoreline. More than 1,200 Jeeps take the three-mile “sandy carpet ride” at sunrise over the event’s four days.

One of the most-anticipated parts of Jeep Week is the outdoor 4x4 expo at the Ocean City convention center, where vendors and factory reps offer Jeep parts, services, and sales. The OCJW “vendor village” is the spot to outfit your Jeep or 4x4 with audio upgrades, LED lights, new rims, tires and more.

Another exciting element is the Sand Course, a football field-sized obstacle course where Jeeps swoop and slalom right on the beach in downtown Ocean City. Registered participants also enjoy exclusive access to Show & Shine competitions at the convention center.

FUN IN THE SAND

Jeep owners from all across the country descend on Ocean City each August to celebrate their legendary vehicles, their clubs, causes and one another.

“The Jeep community has a camaraderie unlike any other automotive group,” Hoffman says. “They name their Jeeps, they support their clubs, and each other. They love gathering once a year in Ocean City, and the town loves them back.”

Hoffman’s production company, Live Wire Media & Events, is now focused on brand building beyond just Ocean City. Last fall, he launched a successful sister event called VA Beach Jeepfest, which returns for its second year Nov. 10-12 in Virginia Beach.

Hoffman says it takes a whole team working year-round to plan this event, with the help of the Town of Ocean City.

“I’m grateful for our team, and their efforts. I want to thank my wife, Mary Pat, and my daughter, Molly, for supporting this event and all my endeavors, and being there to celebrate with me,” he says. “This event makes me proud to be a part of the Jeep community.” CS

LARGER THAN LIFE

Ocean City Jeep Week producer Brad Hoffman, right, with his wife, Mary Pat, daughter, Molly, and extreme Jeep builder Tom Bostic.

images

Kent Island, MD

The crew aboard River Runner fishing crab pots at sunrise in the Chesapeake Bay near Love Point.

Photo by Jay Fleming

IMAGES coastal

Kent Island, MD

South of Kent Island, MD, lies Crab Alley Bay, which by its name provokes the image of crustacean abundance and habitat ideal for the crab’s summer residence. The colorful basketed crabs in this photo are minutes out of the water of Crab Alley Bay, and about an hour away from landfall, where an awaiting truck will bring them to a table to be enjoyed by many.

Description and Photo by Tony Pratt

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Revealing Character

ARTIST EVAN FITZGERALD PUTS HIS THOUGHTPROVOKING WORKS ON DISPLAY DURING PERSONA, HIS FIRST SOLO EXHIBIT AT THE ART LEAGUE OF OCEAN CITY

Written by Alison Pappas

Photography by Grant L. Gursky

Evan Fitzgerald has been leaving a brushstroke trail of his talents across Delmarva for two decades. Although you likely haven’t seen his name painted alongside his work, odds are that you’ve come across one of his striking murals locally, at Seacrets, 410 Social Eatery and Barroom, Telescope Pictures and Sugar Planet, to name a few.

Admirers of Evan’s work have the exciting opportunity to view his Persona exhibition at The Art League of Ocean City, which opens July 7.

“This will be the third time I’ve shown there, but it is my first solo exhibition. It’s really a combination of all the skills that I’ve acquired over the years,” shares Fitzgerald. “I don’t put myself in a box and classify myself as being a part of any specific artistic movement, but my style is often portraiture, and it leans heavily on collage elements.”

The primary subjects of Evan’s artwork are people wearing extravagant headdresses made from animals and flowers. His Persona exhibition plays into this continuing theme, with pieces of painted-wood artwork that spotlight both men and women donning ornate floral headdresses.

“Every culture on this planet at some point has adorned themselves with an animal skull, feather or hide or something similar, and they did so to indicate a status. It showcases who they are and what they’d like to project to the world,” Evan says.

A unique element to Evan’s work is that he typically paints on wood, rather than traditional canvases.

“I’ve been painting on wood for almost 10 years. I enjoy the surface of the wood, and I consider the wood grain to be part of the content of what’s happening on the surface,” he says.

Evan considers Persona to be thought-provoking and he welcomes different interpretations of his work.

We Help You Keep

What

To Put

“I like artwork that’s a catalyst for thought instead of presenting an answer,” he shares.

The son of acclaimed artist Kevin Fitzgerald, Evan initially recognized his artistic passion as a student at Stephen Decatur High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Towson University before attending graduate

school at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He later taught at Salisbury University, for six years.

To see more of Evan’s work, be sure to check out Persona at The Art League of Ocean City through July 31. You can also view and purchase his prints and merchandise on his website, NobleBeastStudios.com. CS

When It Rains...

FOR RANDALL GRAHAM, OUTDOOR PAINTING INSPIRES A DISTINCT, ABSTRACT STYLE THAT RESONATES WITH COLLECTORS — ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS

Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Grant L. Gursky

Whenever it rains, Randall Graham receives several text messages from patrons and collectors of his “en rain air” works — imagery depicted from a window while the cloud’s tears are pitter-pattering. For Graham, the juxtaposition of abstract and reality creates a different perspective.

“I have two sides to my painting brain,” shared Graham, who teaches traditional painting fundamentals at Randall Graham Studio in Malvern, PA. Summers are spent with family in Bethany Beach — inspiration for

his series of beach and umbrella scenes. His works have been on display at the Rehoboth Art League.

“If I’m working in a studio, it’s much more about thinking about composition, drawing a concept out, doing an underpainting. And I’m always very interested in how light affects the work. The expression of light in painting is totally magical.”

On the beach and outdoors, “it’s more of a challenge,” he added. “The light is moving. It could be windy or rainy. So, it’s more of a loose style.”

This is how his creative raindrop paintings

were born.

With three children, one day when it was pouring outside, Graham’s plein air setup was put on hold. “But I didn’t have the next day available to paint,” he said. “So I sat in my van and watched the rain drops on my windshield and I didn’t plan. I just gave it a try and ended up loving how the drops created an abstraction of what I was viewing out of the windshield. And that became my calling card.”

Graham is classically trained, having studied at The Carline Academy of Fine Art in Kennett Square, PA. Realist painter Bo Bartlett also taught Graham and influenced his style.

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“I’ve been painting my whole life, but full-time, professionally for about 10 years,” Graham said, sharing a love for teaching others — something his mentors noticed was a natural inclination for him. “While at the academy, other students would ask me to explain what the teacher was saying, so that led into opening my own atelier.”

Over the years, Graham’s works have been shown at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library in Delaware, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Baltimore, and currently his plein air show is running through November at Wayne Art Center in his home state. He is also represented by Gallery 222 in Malvern.

As for his beach paintings created during the warm weather months in Bethany Beach, Graham says patrons appreciate how it “takes them out of their everyday world.”

“Every little thing I observe in the world, I’m learning something,” he said. “And once you create that in a painting and it lives with someone else, it wakes them up.”

To learn more about Randall Graham’s works, visit RandallGraham.com. CS

Randall Graham’s scenes from Bethany Beach take collectors away from their everyday world, according to the artist.

The NFP team at its new office location on Racetrack Road in Ocean Pines.

Unifying Presence

NFP’S MOVE TO ITS NEW OCEAN PINES OFFICE

The coastal region is a special place to live and work — and its insurance needs are vast and complex. Safeguarding one’s business, property and assets on the Eastern Shore requires knowledge, dedication and skill. For more than 25 years, the local team of insurance analysts and support staff at NFP (formerly Insurance Management Group) has specialized in providing expert guidance and professionalism to its clients in the areas of condominium associations, hotels, restaurants and retail establishments. In addition to commercial risks, they also insure homeowners, automobile, boat, condominium unit (HO-6) and other personal insurance needs, such as life, health and flood insurance.

NFP’s new Ocean Pines office space includes spacious meeting rooms where insurance analysts, support staff and clients can collectively meet.

NOT ONLY BROUGHT ITS TALENTED TEAM TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF, IT PROVIDED NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLIENT COLLABORATION AND CAMARADERIE

POWER IN NUMBERS

Photography by Grant L. Gursky

NFP recently combined its two Ocean City offices through a centralized move to a new office location at 11204 Racetrack Road, Suite 201, in Ocean Pines to unify operations and bring its team together under one roof.

“Our new office space will enhance our day-to-day operations in many different ways,” says NFP Vice President Dustin Mears. “It has new meeting spaces, which allows us to meet with our clients either in person or by video. It also includes individual workstations for those outside of our local NFP team to come and add value to specific accounts, and it streamlines our ability to collaborate as a team for all our clients.”

“As with many businesses, after Covid, it was a challenge to get employees back to the office; but with this new environment, there is more camaraderie with those in the office,” says Tricia A. Walsh, CISR, NFP Senior Client Executive. “I find it easier to brainstorm when you can gather people face-to-face versus emails or zoom calls.”

Providing insurance knowledge with a personal touch has been a hallmark of NFP’s superior service to its clients. Many of its account managers not only know their clients’ businesses, but they are friends in the community as well. That connection cannot be overstated — and it provides an added layer of trust and accountability to the relationship.

“We pride ourselves with knowledge, professionalism and attention to detail for each client,” says Walsh. “I am readily available to meet face-to-face with them and to attend unit-owners’ meetings. In this fast-paced world, it’s nice to take a breath, take a step back and make time to meet with our clients. We truly value each of them and take the time to build an insurance package that will cover their specific needs.”

“I believe one of our best attributes is our passion for servicing our clients,” Mears adds. “We take it personally to always deliver the best service to them because we truly care about their business. We take great pride in showing them the utmost professionalism in what we do and that we are true industry experts in Ocean City’s insurance market.” CS

featured

Our Colossal Crabbing Industry

FROM ITS DEDICATED WATERMEN AND HISTORIC PICKING HOUSES, TO ITS LEGENDARY FIGURES, ICONIC RESTAURANTS AND MOUTHWATERING RECIPES, WE SALUTE THOSE WHO ENSURE TRADITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE SHORE THROUGH A COLLECTION OF STORIES

Photo by Jay Fleming

FIRST LIGHT

The crew of the Tanya Lynn II fishes crab pots in the Chesapeake Bay at sunrise near Tolchester, MD.

Answering The Call

LIFELONG SMITH ISLAND WATERMAN MARK KITCHING CONTINUES HIS FAMILY’S TRADITION OF CRABBING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Written by Joe Willey | Photography by Jay Fleming

Perhaps more knowledge about the Chesapeake blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) can be found in the little over nine square miles of Smith Island, MD, than anywhere else on earth. Multiple generations of watermen have made Smith Island their home, all taking a short walk from their front door to their dock. Though some may see crabbing as a living museum and watermen as a determined bunch keeping the history of the Chesapeake Bay alive, they are not simply history-bound mercenaries

working for the sake of tradition. Crabbing is a job — a difficult one.

Mark Kitching is a crab scraper and native Smith Islander whose family members have been watermen for generations. He uses a boat with a low draft to navigate the shallows and sides that rise only a few inches above the waterline to make it easier to pull aboard his catch. Kitching pulls a unique dredge called a crab scrape — a device similar to an oyster dredge but without the teeth needed to remove the stubborn oysters from the Bay mud. Crab scrapes are roughly five-feet wide

with a net that creates a shallow trough. As the scrape is pulled through the eel grass flats found in the shallows around Smith Island, crabs clinging to the blades of grass fall into the net. Kitching is primarily interested in catching peelers — blue crabs that are in the process of shedding the hardened shell or carapace. As the crab grows, it sheds its outer shell, exposing the soft, paper-thin skin that will soon harden for its protection. The process continues as the crab matures.

Like most on the island, Kitching can trace crabbing back for generations on his family tree. His vocation was passed down to him by his father, who he worked with until he was 21. His love of the water and crabbing comes honestly, and Kitching admits, “I always wanted to be a waterman, to do what my dad did.” That meant staying on Smith Island and watching others leave. The thought of leaving bounced around his mind — but he stayed instead. Kitching, like most watermen, is a tireless worker, and though he is carrying on a tradition, his reasons are practical. He knows his job and the reason he does it. “At the end of the day, I just want to raise my family,” he quietly says. Pragmatism runs like the tides through each day. He knows the independent spirit of Chesapeake Bay watermen is still moored to reality. “A waterman thinks he can do anything, but he is limited,” he explains. “You work through what you have to work through.” That may mean battling weather, mechanical issues or lean seasons of fewer crabs. No work means no pay.

It sometimes surprises Kitching how little Smith Island tourists, even Marylanders, know about crabs — many have asked if crabs with a soft shell are a different species, but most know even less about watermen. Misconceptions are common. As exhaustive as the collective knowledge Smith Islanders have about crabbing and crabs, they know more about watermen and their families rising each day to head into the Bay in economic conditions that can change as rapidly as the weather. It can be a brutal and thankless way to earn a living. Kitching lives it without complaint, knowing what drives him. He simply says, “We are just doing our job.” CS

Mark Kitching

Stanley is proud to congratulate

Cathy Davies-Harmon

Named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Forbes' Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State: 2022 - 2023

Being named to both Forbes’ lists for two consecutive years, is a testament to your experience, focus, and dedication to your clients' financial future.

Thank you for the work you do each day and for carrying forward the standard of excellence at our firm.

Cathy Davies-Harmon Executive Director | Wealth Advisor

55 Cascade Lane

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302-644-6606

cathy.davies-harmon@morganstanley.com www.morganstanleyfa.com/cathy.davies-harmon

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Source: Forbes.com ( 2022-2023). Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking awarded in 2022-2023. Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in June of the previous year the award was issued having commenced in June of the year before that.

Source: Forbes.com ( 2022-2023). Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State ranking awarded in 2022-2023. Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in September of the previous year the award was issued having commenced in September of the year before that. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC to obtain or use these rankings. These rankings are based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and these rankings may not be representative of any one client’s experience. These rankings are not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

© 2023 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

Written by Joe Willey

Photography by Jay Flemming

The Tides That Bind

WATERMAN BOBBY WASHINGTON HAS BEEN WORKING THE WATERS OF PROSPECT BAY FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS

SEEING IS BELIEVING

As a trotliner on Prospect Bay, just south of Kent Narrows, Bobby Washington uses razor clams as bait to reel in impressive-sized Maryland blue crabs.

Some people bring an enthusiasm to conversations about their livelihood that is contagious. A description of their average day sounds like the definition of freedom. The simple phrase, “I work alone,” can be taken as an invitation to do the same. They wouldn’t have it any other way, and it seems anyone not following in their wake is not really living.

Like many watermen, Bobby Washington continues a family tradition. After graduating high school in 1971, he started working with his father, learning the nuances of the weather, tides, and temperature that any waterman needs to understand viscerally. His father was a gifted waterman and taught him all he knew.

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Washington works in Prospect Bay, just south of Kent Narrows. He is a trotliner using four 1,200’ lines — each stretching between two buoys. Bait bags are tied at intervals along the line. Washington uses razor clams to attract the crabs. The crabs find the bait and cling to the bags. He lifts the line over a pulley on the side of his boat and moves along the line from buoy to buoy, scooping up the crabs that cling to the bait bag as they

reach the surface. It is hard work, but the 70-year-old waterman is still excited about rising before the sun and spending days on the water in any weather.

Weathering a career like Washington’s, gifts a person with perspicaciousness. He knows how good he has it, using time on his boat wisely, taking his four children with him, and teaching them the value of hard work, respect for others and the beauty of nature.

His children were good at culling crabs. One daughter still helps him bait his trotlines. “She knows what she’s doing. She loves it, too.”

Washington’s love for being a waterman flows out of any conversation about crabs and life on the water. He explains the migratory patterns of the blue crab and the dangers they face as they travel up the Chesapeake Bay, growing larger each time they shed their shell. His experience has shown him the importance of water quality because crabs will not stay in life-threatening “bad water.” He is philosophical about the natural cycles of crabbing and sustaining his livelihood in an environment impacted by effects out of his control. He knows being a waterman — an independent business owner — is more expensive than most people imagine. There have been good years, and there have been bad ones.

The weather has sometimes been benevolent and sometimes beaten down on him ferociously. None of it deters him. He keeps smiling. “If I had it to do all over again, I would.”

The joy Bobby Washington finds in his work drowns the difficulties he faces. He accepts the challenges and finds freedom in the changing tides, continuing the work he has enjoyed for over 50 years. Like many watermen, he is not stopping. He quips, “watermen expire; they don’t retire.” But what drives him is something much deeper. He found what he loves and will not give it up. CS

Navigating Challenges

AS A FOURTH GENERATION EASTERN SHORE

WATERMAN, BOBBY WHAPLES KNOWS THE DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE

Written by Joe Willey

Photography by Jill Jasuta

Watermen live with a different perspective. They are witnesses to the breathtaking merger of rivers and land and the soggy beauty of the Eastern Shore. But they are also independent business owners making decisions that will matter for generations. As unique or idyllic as the life of a waterman may be, they face growing pressure of profit and loss and the need to be part of their local communities. The two sides may seem like the banks of opposing rivers, but navigating the river that runs between the two is the way a waterman survives.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Having worked the waters of the Little Choptank River for nearly 40 years, Bobby Whaples expertly knows where to find crabs and how to catch them.

Bobby Whaples is a fourth-generation Dorchester County waterman who has navigated the vagaries of the Little Choptank River six days a week for 38 years. He is a trotliner and a one-man operation. He works a 9,000-foot line divided into three 3,000 ft. sections. At each end of the trotline is a buoy. The buoys mark where the line runs through the water and lifts each end to create a starting and ending point near the surface. They are also a way for Whaples to grab the trotline. The line is baited along intervals, the bait varying with the season — razor clams or chicken necks in the spring, bull lips as summer cools into fall.

Whaples sets his course along the length of the line, starting at one of the buoys. He moves through the water while feeding it over a pulley on the side of his boat. Slowly, the line rises from the bottom of the river with the crabs clinging to the bait. Using a net, Whaples scoops the crabs from the water before they release their grip and swim back into the murky bottom of the river. After he reaches the end of each trotline, he begins the process again, making as many runs as he can in one day.

by Sevara

The rising cost of operating a business plays a vital role in Whaples’ decisions about all aspects of his business — from the nearly staggering cost of bait to the rising cost of fuel. Whaples is a savvy business owner who is keenly aware of operational expenses. He can quote budget line items, and he understands wise business principles. He cuts his experience down to an easily understood maxim for young watermen, “If you can’t balance finances, you’ll never make it.” His son is a waterman and the fifth generation to pursue the career. His grandsons are the potential sixth generation, but Whaples is honest with them about the expense and warns them about the cost of pursuing the career.

Whaples is a friendly, no-nonsense thinker who understands the free-spirited mentality of watermen, but knows that independence can lead to competition and the potential for failure. Because he has a long-term perspective, he became president of the Dorchester Seafood Heritage Association, where he works to encourage watermen to work together and change the perception of stubborn independence by supporting the community through events and fundraisers. He believes in the community, supports the community, and wants to change the view many on the Eastern Shore have about strong-willed, salty watermen. Navigating the realities of a lifetime of working on the water is what Bobby Whaples has done. He merges business with beauty, passing on his knowledge and experience to other watermen and his local community. His perspective on the unique life of a waterman leads through the sublime beauty of brackish rivers while bracing for future challenges — at the same time teaching others to navigate through trickling tributaries to the rush of open water and independence. CS

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Whaples is a friendly, no-nonsense thinker who understands the free-spirited mentality of watermen, but knows that independence can lead to competition and the potential for failure.

Industry Standard

CAMBRIDGE’S J.M. CLAYTON COMPANY IS THE WORLD’S OLDEST WORKING CRAB BUSINESS

Written by Joe Willey

Aquiet icon of the Maryland crabbing industry sits at the shoulder of Cambridge Creek and the Choptank River. For over 130 years, this Dorchester County business has provided quality crab meat to generations of seafood lovers throughout the mid-Atlantic region. It continues to thrive with quiet confidence and knowledge that only a company entering its fifth generation of ownership can boast and stands as the oldest working crab company in the world.

The J.M. Clayton Company was founded in 1890 by John Morgan Clayton, known as “Captain Johnnie.” Originally, the company was located in Hoopersville, MD — a small town known for its collective crabbing knowledge. Hoopersville is a remote location, close to

crabs, but far from growing modern conveniences and a convenient road to transport his product. When Clayton saw three parcels of land available at the mouth of Cambridge Creek and the amenities he needed to help his business grow, he moved the operation.

This landmark of the crabbing industry is still owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generations of J.M. Clayton’s family. Jack Brooks, his brothers Bill and Joe, and Jack’s son Clay, take special pride in the history and daily operations of the long-lived company.

Photography by Jay Fleming

Throughout its history, the J.M. Clayton Company has bought directly from watermen and prepares its crabs only a few feet from the lapping confluence of the river and creek. Two large steamers hold 22 bushels, about 800 pounds of crabs each. The commingled smells of the Choptank River, the warm summer air and the sweet seaweed scent rising from the steamers is a Maryland Blue Crab connoisseur’s paradise. All of their products are brand-named Epicure, after a log canoe owned by Captain Johnnie. The name is a fitting description of the product.

In 1957, the company began a revolution in the crab industry when it started naturally preserving crab meat without chemicals or preservatives, using only pasteurization. The process continues to be used and extends the shelf life of crab meat so consumers can enjoy its summer glory year-round.

The company may be a cornerstone of the industry, but Jack Brooks gives credit to the Chesapeake Region for the subtle taste of the crab meat for which Clayton’s is famous. He tells a story about what happens when attending the Boston Seafood Show. At its booth, the J.M. Clayton Company provides small samples of the company’s pasteurized product. Year after year, he has watched people walk by the table, grab the small cup, and keep walking, only to have them come

back and ask what was used to season the crab. “Nothing,” Jack says, but they don’t believe him. He explains the unique flavor comes from the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries rich with crabs.

Quality is the focus of the J. M. Clayton Company, so the lump crab meat is picked by hand because it provides the finest product. The crab picking season starts in April and ends in November, with pickers beginning each day early at 5 a.m. and averaging 25 pounds of picked meat. The picking room hums with energy and the sound of cracking steamed crabs. Jack

ON THE CRAB

Brooks calls the picking room the engine of the company.

For well over a century, the company has been a driving force in the crabbing industry. Without fanfare and with focus, the J.M. Clayton Company weathered the years when crabs were few and flourished when they were plentiful. The reputation of the business is hard-won and deserved. It is a singular accomplishment to be the oldest crab company in the world. To gain that distinction has taken time, devotion, and, most importantly, crabs. CS

J.M. Clayton Company pickers amass an average of 25 pounds of crab each per day.

Photography by Jill Jasuta

Hazel the Great

SIXTEEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION CRAB PICKER

“HURRICANE

HAZEL” CROPPER CONTINUES TO DELIGHT

In the small coastal town of Crisfield, MD, lives a 16-time world champion crab picker named Hazel Cropper. Locals simply and affectionately know her as Hurricane Hazel. Born and raised in Crisfield, Hazel was just 9 years old when her grandmother taught her how to pick crabs. Some 76 years later, Hazel still has “the taste,” as she calls it, for picking.

Hazel has captured first-place honors in the National Hard Crab Derby 16 times and holds two world records — one of which is for picking five pounds of crabmeat in just 20 minutes. People come from far and wide to watch her lightning-quick hands picking crabs at The Crab Place in Crisfield from May to October. She is a legend.

When Hazel isn’t picking, she spends

time with her ever-growing family of six children, 10 grandchildren, 25 greatgrandchildren and five great-greatgrandchildren. Hazel feels very fortunate and says of her life, “God has blessed me with good health, a loving family and the art of picking.” CS

Story and Photography by Pamela Aquilani

Hard to Resist

The National Hard Crab Derby is a favorite annual Labor Day weekend event on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This actionpacked, crab-themed event takes place September 1-3 and includes crab races, crab-cooking-and-picking contests, beauty pageants, a 10k run and 5k walk, a parade, fireworks, crafts, live entertainment and more. Held in Crisfield, known by many as the “Crab Capital of the World,” the city is home to many seafood restaurants and Somers Cove Marina, one of the largest marinas on the East Coast. CS

THE NATIONAL HARD CRAB DERBY IN CRISFIELD HAS BEEN A LABOR DAY STAPLE FOR THE PAST 75 YEARS

Photos courtesy National Hard Crab Derby

’Tis The Seasoning

MARYLAND’S ICONIC OLD BAY SEASONING BRAND CONTINUES TO SPRINKLE ITS UNMISTAKABLE FLAVOR IN DELICIOUS DIRECTIONS

OLD BAY FLAVORED VODKA

George’s Beverage Company combines Old Bay’s taste of the region with a smooth finish that’s easy to drink on or off the rocks, as a unique ingredient upgrade for classic cocktails or for alcohol-infused recipes.

OLD BAY HOT SAUCE

McCormick’s tangy kick of heat and Old Bay’s unique blend of herbs and spices make all kinds of food all kinds of awesome.

HERR’S OLD BAY CHEESE CURLS

The savory combination of Old Bay with real cheese flavor in a cheese curl — now that’s sure to be a classic for generations to come.

HERR’S OLD BAY POTATO CHIPS

Perhaps the original adaption comes in the form of this Mid-Atlantic region staple, which has been produced for more than 30 years.

OLD BAY SEASONED GOLDFISH

Two truly classic flavors becoming one is a swimmingly, phenomenal idea.

OLD BAY DUSTED CHICKEN WINGS

This tasty fan favorite has caught on nationwide — and rivals Buffalo sauce for the most flavorful wing. CS

Styling and Photo by Grant L. Gursky

From Bay to Beach

Written by Allison Pappas | Photography by Jay Fleming

A HUSBAND-WIFE TEAM COMBINE TO CATCH

MARYLAND CRABS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND SERVE THEM FRESH IN OCEAN CITY

Maryland is known for having some of the world’s tastiest crabs, but what makes the Old Line State’s crabs the best? Kristen and Nick Crook, the husband-wife owners of The Best Crabs Seafood Co. of Ocean City, sure have an insider’s perspective.

“Our crabs here in Maryland get that good, yellow fat in them really because of what they eat. They’re eating clams and other living organisms, which is making the meat sweeter,” says Kristen.

The Best Crabs, a carryout spot located on 142nd street bayside, has been a family-run carryout business in operation for over 30 years. Kristen, a Centreville, MD, native who spent her childhood summers in Ocean City with her family, formally took over the business from her father in 2020. Her decision was made in large part because she was engaged to a lifelong waterman, Nick Crook, who agreed to join her in taking over the business.

DYNAMIC DUO

Nick and Kristen Crook are partners in life and partners in business as owneroperators of The Best Crabs, on 142nd Street in Ocean City.

coastal FEATURED

WATER TO TABLE

The Best Crabs prides itself on providing its customers with a deliciously authentic Maryland experience.

The now-wed couple are a match made in crab heaven, and Kristen’s business mindset and restaurant experience, paired with Nick’s background as a commercial waterman, have allowed The Best Crabs to continue to thrive under their ownership.

“One thing that makes us unique and sets us apart from others is the fact that we try to get the majority of our crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. We believe in the catch and support local watermen,” says Kristen.

The desire to stay local hits home for Nick especially. He frequently spends early mornings with his crew catching many of the crabs served at The Best Crabs. Through his heavy involvement in catching and sourcing, The Best Crabs can serve high-quality crabs and always knows where they came from.

Several other members of Kristen and Nick’s families work at the business throughout the summer and are part of the sourcing and preparation processes, making it a truly family-owned-andoperated establishment.

“We do everything as a family, from catching the crab, driving the crabs to Ocean City, sorting the crabs, steaming the crabs and serving them to you at the carryout door,” shares Kristen.

This family-centered, hands-on approach comes through in the taste and quality of the crabs, which are steamed fresh to order and served with J.O. No. 2 Spice Co. seasoning — what the Crooks consider to be the authentic “Maryland way” when it comes to seasoning.

And while steamed crabs are what it is most known for, The Best Crabs has several other seafood-centered menu options, such as crabcake sandwiches, homemade crab soups, steamed mussels, shrimp and more.

The Best Crabs is excited to be offering an online ordering option this summer, allowing guests to experience an even swifter ordering-and-pickup process. If you’re interested in placing your order or learning more, check out TheBestCrabsOCMD.com. CS

Pairing to Perfection

ROBERT MORRIS INN PARTNER/CHEF MARK SALTER

DETAILS HOW CRAB-INSPIRED FLAVORS COME TOGETHER AND SHARES RECIPES FROM HIS PERSONAL COLLECTION

Crab Spring Roll with Pink Grapefruit, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Serves 4

Crab Spring Roll Ingredients

4 sheets spring roll casing (use either brick dough or good egg roll wrapper)

4 oz jumbo lump crabmeat

7 oz Bok Choy

2 slices pickled ginger

1 tsp cilantro, chopped

Juice from ½ lime

½ bunch scallions, sliced

4 egg yolks, beaten

When creating crab dishes at The Robert Morris Inn, we are looking to pair side dishes and sauces that complement the sweetness of the Maryland crab. For example, a local white corn sauce or a yellow tomato sauce both pair extremely well with a crab cake. The acidity and the sweetness of the tomato sauce complement the sweet jumbo lump crab (all of our crab is sourced through Joe Spurry at Bay Hundred Seafood) and the richness of the batter that binds it. With the local corn sauce, a splash of white wine in the reduction and a squeeze of lemon cuts the richness of the crab cake, but the sweetness of the sauce prevails. A tip: A simple sprinkling of jumbo lump crab on a salad, paired with the perfect maple mustard dressing, will bring all the flavors together to create a memorable salad, highlighting the jumbo lump crabmeat without overpowering its delicate but sweet flavor.

Salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Shred the Bok Choy and blanch in boiling salted water or steam for approximately 2-3 minutes. Slice the scallions and blanch for 30 seconds, then squeeze out most of the water. Add the jumbo crab, chopped cilantro, ginger, lime juice, salt and pepper. Lay out spring roll casing and place filling on one-third of casing. Brush the remaining twothirds of the casing with beaten egg yolks. Roll up the wrapper “egg roll” style. Deep fry in vegetable oil at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, until golden.

Intro by Chef Mark Salter | Photography by Jill Jasuta

Dressing Ingredients

12 oz pink grapefruit juice

Juice from 1 lime

½ Tbsp sugar

6 oz grape seed oil

1 tsp clover honey

Salt and pepper

Directions

Melt the sugar in a small stainless-steel saucepan over low heat. When melted, add the pink grapefruit juice. Reduce the mixture by two-thirds, then whisk in the honey, lime juice and grape seed oil. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

Salad and Presentation

1 avocado

1 pink grapefruit

2 oz toasted almonds, sliced

2 oz mesclun greens

Segment pink grapefruit and peel avocado. Place three pieces of grapefruit and three pieces of avocado around the plate. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Dress the salad with the pink grapefruit dressing and arrange in the middle of the plate. Cut the spring roll in half on the bias and lay on the salad. Drizzle plate with additional pink grapefruit dressing and serve.

LIGHT AND DELIGHTFUL

Chef Mark Salter shares his Crab Salad with English Cucumbers recipe exclusively at CoastalStyleMag.com.

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Batons of Zucchini and Squash, Tomato Fondue and Meyer Lemon Butter Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb jumbo lump crab

⅓ cup heavy-duty mayonnaise

1½ tsp Old Bay seasoning

2½ tsp Dijon mustard

½ tsp tarragon, chopped

1 Tbsp Italian parsley, chopped

1 tsp lemon juice

Zest from half lemon

1 egg

1/8 cup plus 2 Tbsp breadcrumbs (panko)

¼ cup panko breadcrumbs to dip finished crab cakes

Method of Preparation

Mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest and the egg. Fold in the crab meat and the breadcrumbs, then rest for one hour before shaping into five half-ounce cakes. Dip shaped crab cake in panko breadcrumbs on both sides, then sauté in olive oil and finish in a preheated oven at 350°F for 7-10 minutes.

Chef Mark Salter

Squash

2 medium-sized zucchini

2 yellow squash

2 shallots, peeled and chopped

1 clove chopped garlic

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp French tarragon, chopped

Method of Preparation

Cut the zucchini and squash into 3-inch-long sticks. Cut and chop the shallot and finely dice the garlic. Sauté the zucchini and squash in olive oil. Add the chopped shallot, diced garlic and French tarragon.

Meyer lemon butter sauce

1 cup white wine

1 shallot, sliced peeled

1 Meyer lemon, zest and slice

1 sprig of fresh thyme

1 small bay leaf

½ tsp black peppercorns

¼ cup heavy cream

2 sticks unsalted butter

Zest 1 Meyer lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Boil all ingredients, with the exception of the cream and butter, until 2 Tbsp remain. Add the heavy cream. Cook until cream begins to thicken, for approximately 2 minutes. Whisk in the butter, strain and add the grated zest.

Tomato Fondue

4 vine ripe tomatoes

2 Tbsp olive oil

½ onion, peeled and diced

1 clove garlic, chopped

Bouquet Garni

Fresh thyme sprig

1 small bay leaf

1 tsp black peppercorns

Method of preparation

Sauté the diced onion and chopped garlic in olive oil. Add the seeded chopped tomatoes, followed by the bouquet garni. Season with a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper. Cook until soft, remove the bouquet garni and spoon on top of the crab cake. Garnish crab cake with picked chervil. CS

Crab Appeal

WE SALUTE THE LOCAL STAPLE WITH A COLLECTION OF RECIPES THAT CELEBRATE ITS FLAVOR AND DIVERSITY

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Corn and Crab Jalapeño Bisque

Ingredients

1 cup tomato, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1 cup onion, diced

1 cup soy beans, frozen

1 cup sweet corn, frozen

2 tsp olive oil

2 bay leaves, fresh

½ tsp fennel seed

¼ tsp turmeric powder

2 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning

4 cups vegetable broth

1 lb Maryland jumbo lump crabmeat

10 Maryland crab claws (optional)

Directions

Dry-roast fennel seed in a mediumsized pot for a few minutes on medium heat until aromatic. Add oil and heat, followed by adding carrot, onion, tomato and bay leaves. Sauté for 3-5 mins on medium heat until vegetables start to soften.

Add turmeric and Old Bay and stir to coat vegetables, followed by vegetable broth. Cover pot with lid and bring to a heavy simmer and allow to cook for 8-10 mins. Add corn, soybeans and crab claws (if using) and allow to simmer for 5 minutes or until crab claws turn an orange-red color.

Turn off heat and stir in jumbo lump crabmeat, discard bay leaves and enjoy.

Recipe by Chef Theo Lipkins, Off The Hook

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Summer Tomatoes, Corn, Crab and Avocado Salad

Ingredients

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

2 limes, juiced

1 tsp olive oil

12 oz lump crabmeat

1 avocado, diced

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped with seeds removed

11/2 cups roasted corn kernels

2 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes, to mellow the flavor of the onion. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine lump crabmeat, avocado, grape tomatoes, jalapeños and roasted corn kernels. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust lime juice, salt and pepper to your taste.

Photo by HealthyFitnessMeals.com

Recipe by Mark and Karen O’Neal, Bay Shore Steam Pot

Crab BLT Tacos

Ingredients (makes 4-6 tacos)

1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat

6-inch soft flour or corn tortillas (4 to 6 total)

½ lb applewood smoked bacon, cooked and chopped coarsely

6 oz romaine or iceberg lettuce, chiffonade cut

2 to 3 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced

6-8 oz orange-saffron aioli (recipe follows)

1 tsp butter or canola oil

Pinch salt & pepper or Old Bay (just a pinch — both are optional)

Orange-Saffron Aioli Ingredients

1 tsp crumbled saffron threads*, steeped for 15 minutes in 2 Tbsp. hot water

3 or 4 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup blood orange syrup*

1 tsp each salt, black pepper and fresh lime juice

2 cups mayonnaise

Directions

Put garlic, blood orange syrup, lime juice and salt and pepper in a food processor and purée. Add to mayo and whisk until combined. Add steeped saffron water and whisk.

Taco Directions

Warm tortillas on griddle or nonstick frying pan. Heat butter or oil in a separate pan, then add crabmeat to warm, tossing gently. Add seasoning to crabmeat, if desired. Layer ingredients proportionately in tortillas — lettuce first, then tomatoes, bacon and crabmeat in succession. Drizzle orange-saffron aioli on top and serve. (*Available at Amazon.com.)

Photo by Pamela Aquilani

Recipe by Rick Vach, Longboard Café

Jumbo Crab Cake with Roasted Corn Puree & Baby Arugula Oil

Crab Cake Ingredients

½ lb fresh crab claw meat

½ lb fresh colossal crabmeat

¾ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup fresh, ground bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

1 Tbsp yellow mustard

1 pinch Old Bay

1 oz vegetable oil

Creamed Corn Ingredients

3 ears fresh, local corn, shaved off the cob

1 cup heavy cream

¼ cup Vidalia onion, minced

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 pinch curry powder

1 tsp fresh thyme, minced

1 oz vegetable oil

Pinch of black pepper, cracked

Pinch of sea salt

Arugula Oil

1 cup pack arugula

½ cup olive oil

1 Tbsp honey

Preparation: Crab Cakes

Mix all crab cake ingredients in a large bowl, except for oil and colossal meat. Gently fold colossal meat into crab mix. Form into 3 oz. cakes.

In a cast iron skillet, heat oil to medium. Sear cakes for 3-4 minutes, then flip and sear for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and heated all the way through.

Preparation: Arugula Oil

In a blender, add arugula, honey and oil and blend until mixed well.

Preparation: Corn

Heat pan with oil over medium heat and cook onion and garlic for 1 minute, then add corn and cook while stirring for another 2 minutes. Next, add heavy cream. Let reduce for 4 minutes, stirring. Add curry and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

Presentation:

On a platter, spoon the creamed corn in the center. Top with golden crab cakes. Next, top the cakes with a handful of arugula. Drizzle generously with arugula oil.

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Recipe by Chefs Andrew Feeley and Doug Ruley, SoDel Concepts

Soft-Shell Crabs Over Summer Salad

Ingredients

2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes

2 ears of corn, grilled

1 small shallot, shaved

¼ cup English cucumber, shaved

Thyme, parsley and basil

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown sugar vinaigrette

¼ cup EVOO

¼ cup apple cider

¼ cup brown sugar

Instructions

Whisk together EVOO, apple cider and brown sugar and set aside. Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and coat with prepared vinaigrette. The soft-shell crab is lightly breaded (dipped in flour and well-seasoned with salt, pepper and SoDel Bay Spice) and flash-fried in a deep fryer at 350°. To plate, add tomato mixture to the center of the plate and top with soft shell crab. CS

Shine Bright at Londonderry!

At Londonderry on the Tred Avon, the Eastern Shore’s only 62+ independent living waterfront community, our residents enjoy exceptional experiences daily.

You know that great feeling of a sparkling clean home we all love? At Londonderry, it’s our housekeeping team that keeps our homes shining. Our team goes from top to bottom to take care of those hard-to-reach corners, so you don’t have to. They even do your spring cleaning—baseboards, windows, and all!

Our housekeeping team enters residents’ homes with a warm greeting and a smile. Each member of the team is dedicated to providing top-of-the-line-service. Just like all our concierge-level services, the housekeeping team makes sure to meet with all new residents. They want to get to know the residents and their needs such as allergies and special concerns. The team takes pride in using only the best cleaning products to provide that special touch, leaving residents’ homes in spotless condition.

Retirement cooperative living at Londonderry is about enjoying life! And just like the entire Londonderry team, our housekeeping team is committed to making sure residents can do just that.

Stop by the Sales and Marketing office today and let us show you how we provide exceptional experiences! Please contact the Sales and Marketing team at (410) 820-8732

Recipe by Chef Carlos Rubio, Catch 54

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

From pain to progress:

The benefits of orthopedic surgery

“I woke up the first day of August, and I’ll never forget it — I couldn’t walk,” said Stephanie Simpson of Bridgeville. It was 2020, and she couldn’t get out of bed. A labral tear in the cartilage surrounding her hip had rendered the retired 25-year military attorney and runner immobile.

Simpson went to an orthopedist, who told her what had happened after performing some scans. “He could only do a posterior hip replacement, but I wanted an anterior one,” Simpson said. “I immediately thought of Dr. Doran.”

William Doran, DO, FAAOS of TidalHealth Orthopedics had helped her husband get back on his feet after significant fractures to his leg following a timber accident. “I knew he would be able to help,” she said.

Dr. Doran has performed more robotic joint replacement procedures than any robotic surgeon in the region, and he’s the only surgeon in Delaware who performs robotic anterior hip surgery.

Some patients prefer anterior hip replacements because it avoids cutting major muscles and can result in less pain and faster recovery after surgery. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate, and it is technically demanding and requires a very skilled, experienced surgeon. Dr. Doran was able to perform the anterior hip replacement for Simpson, who only spent one night in the hospital and was on a quick road to recovery — until she had a stroke of bad luck.

“About two weeks after my surgery, I fell off my walker and onto a tile floor,” she said. An ambulance raced her to the emergency department, where they found she had not only dislocated her hip replacement, but also fractured her femur.

Fortunately, Dr. Doran was able to perform another surgery to fix Simpson that night — but the next morning, when she couldn’t get out of bed to perform her physical therapy, she realized she had also torn the cartilage around her knee in the fall. “I had so much pain from the other injuries, it masked that one,” she said.

Once again, Dr. Doran was there for Simpson, repairing the damage with another surgery that same day. Later, she had total knee replacement surgery as well.

After plenty of physical therapy and patience, Simpson is back to being an active and young retiree; at 63, she keeps herself moving with recumbent biking, swimming and weightlifting.

For those considering joint replacement surgery, Simpson says: “Be prepared — be as strong as you can beforehand and do as much as you can, without pain, to stay in shape. It will help you recover much faster.”

And of course, having a trusted and skilled surgeon helps, too.

How to start a weight-loss journey

a one-size-fits-all “easy” solution. Check out a respected program like TidalHealth’s weight loss program. The nice thing about it is that there are both medical and surgical options depending on your specific needs.

The medical weight loss program gives patients medical evaluation, nutrition education, pharmacotherapy, physical activity and behavioral therapy. As part of the individualized program, patients may have the option of supervised, low-calorie diets based on protein supplements, which may help bring about more rapid weight loss. Patients also receive tools and education to help create and maintain positive lifestyle changes and behaviors to reach and maintain a lean body mass and healthy weight.

The medical weight loss program is led by Dr. Sandra Palavecino, a board-certified internist and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Dr. Palavecino helps with the diagnosis and staging of the disease and develops a personal program to achieve each patient’s weight loss goal. She is beloved by her patients and it’s easy to see why. Her approach is simple and clear, focusing on healthy food and behaviors.

“We are there to help patients understand the disease of obesity and how we can help them through the process,” she said. “Either with the medical side, or with surgery if it’s appropriate.”

There are many reasons to lose weight — it can be tough on your joints and make it harder to exercise, interfere with your sleep, and even increase your risk of health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

An unfair fact of life: It’s very easy to gain weight, but losing it can be a struggle. And it’s not just you; your body is designed to store fat as a fuel reserve for when food is scarce. You can thank our caveman ancestors for that. Luckily, humans have also developed intelligence — and modern ways to fight back against obesity. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these in your weight-loss journey.

If you’re thinking about weight loss, maybe your primary care provider has already talked to you about why a healthy weight would help you. Step one is knowing that obesity is something you can and should manage.

Step two is finding your strategy. Different solutions work better for different people. Talk to a professional to figure out what is right for you — try to find a place where there are multiple options, rather than someone trying to sell

Weight-loss surgery is aimed at patients who remain severely obese after trying conventional treatments for weight loss, like diet and exercise, or for patients who have obesity-related medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or heart disease. In general, weight-loss surgery is recommended when you have 100 or more pounds to lose.

Weight-loss surgery can have dramatic results, but the best success comes when it is paired with healthy lifestyle adaptations to keep those results in the ideal range. TidalHealth surgeons perform laparoscopic-assisted weight-loss surgeries in Salisbury, Md., and Seaford, Del., and robotic-assisted surgery at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. When you consult a surgeon, they will advise you on what procedure is best — there are a few.

Whichever option you choose and whatever path you take, the most important part of the journey is deciding to make it. As philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Regular exercise boosts heart health and quality of life

Chris Evans, M.S., ACSM-CEP

Regular exercise can also enhance the overall functioning of the cardiovascular system. It improves the efficiency of the heart, enabling it to pump blood more effectively and deliver oxygen and nutrients to different organs and tissues. This increased efficiency reduces the strain on the heart, allowing it to work more efficiently and reduces the risk of heart-related complications.

better sleep patterns, increases energy levels and enhances cognitive function.

Before beginning an exercise program, it’s important to speak with your doctor; they can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific conditions, limitations and goals. A tailored exercise program may include a combination of aerobic activities — such as walking, swimming, or cycling — strength-training exercises and flexibility exercises. Regular monitoring and periodic reassessment are essential to ensure that the exercise routine remains safe and effective.

Regular exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being, especially as we age or experience heart issues. Engaging in physical activity has numerous benefits for our cardiovascular system and can significantly improve our quality of life.

One of the key benefits of exercise as we age is its positive impact on cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity helps to strengthen the heart muscle, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. It also aids in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of developing plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease. Exercise is an effective way to manage and control conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, all of which are common risk factors for heart problems.

Exercise also offers benefits beyond cardiovascular health. It helps you maintain a healthy body weight, build muscle strength and flexibility, improve balance and enhance overall physical and mental well-being. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters and can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, exercise promotes

TidalHealth Adult Fitness, with locations in Salisbury and Ocean Pines, is a great place to start. A medically based, supervised exercise program, it is perfect for patients who have completed cardiac rehabilitation and/or pulmonary rehabilitation or those who are seeking a structured exercise program. To learn more about TidalHealth Adult Fitness, visit tidalhealth.org/adultfitness or call 410-912-6163 in Salisbury or 410-9126108 in Ocean Pines.

Exercise is a powerful tool for maintaining cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease and managing existing conditions. By incorporating physical activity into our daily lives, we can enhance our overall well-being, improve heart function, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Salisbury: 410-912-6163

Ocean Pines: 410-912-6108

Chris Evans is Director of TidalHealth Cardiovascular, Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Preventive Cardiology

Stay safe in the summer sun

Summertime may have you thinking about longer days and a sky full of sunshine, but safety should always be top of mind.

“When you’re on vacation or just celebrating the summer with friends and family, you certainly don’t want to waste your time in an emergency department,” said Kathryn Fiddler, DNP, MBA, RN, Vice President of Population Health for TidalHealth. “Pack your medications, make sure you have your sunscreen and just take care of yourself. You’re here to have fun.”

Dehydration/heat exhaustion

Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in. Symptoms can include fainting, feeling dizzy, vomiting, diarrhea and a fever. During hot weather and outdoor activity, bring plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated.

Sunburn

Products with an SPF of 30 or higher are recommended for anyone outdoors for more than 15 minutes. Sunscreen should be applied liberally, at least 15-30 minutes prior to exposure, and reapplied every two hours or after coming out of the water.

Surf-related neck and back injuries

Each summer, Delmarva lifeguards make hundreds of rescues for head, neck and spinal injuries because of rough surf. To avoid injury, speak with the guard on duty and check the conditions before going into the water.

Riptides

Riptides, narrow channels of fastmoving water that can pull you out to sea, lead to many of the thousands of surf rescues every summer. Panicked swimmers who attempt to swim straight back to shore put themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue.

Food

For your beach trip, remember to bring only the essentials. Partially bury your cooler in the sand, cover it with blankets, and shade it with a beach umbrella. Don’t eat anything perishable that has been sitting out for more than two hours. Don’t eat perishable food that has been exposed to temperatures above 90°F for more than one hour (like on a hot beach day).

Always remember, when it comes to water safety, the best practice is to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand.

“Be safe, not only at the beach, but always. If you have very fair skin, have experienced many sunburns in your lifetime, have a family history of skin cancer, or have many moles, it is recommended to have an annual skin examination with your primary care provider or a dermatologist,” added Danielle Giddins, MD, TidalHealth’s Chief Wellness Officer.

302-297-2412

tidalhealth.org/ findyourhealthyweight

Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t a result of fad diets and fast-paced exercise plans — it’s about good decisions and lifestyle changes.

At TidalHealth, we provide education and individualized plans to help you succeed on your weight-loss journey.

Whether you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, or just need help maintaining a healthy weight, we are here for you. Visit tidalhealth.org/findyourhealthyweight.

When weight loss is difficult, we can help.

Family Life in Fenwick A

CONCEPTUALIZED BY BECKER MORGAN GROUP, THE SENEVIRATNES’ COASTAL DREAM HOME VISION BECOMES A STUNNING REALITY

Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Krista Valliant

t first, the vision was to find a beach house to spend vacations and entertain family and friends. “I wanted to have a boat, and Sophia wanted to be near the beach,” says Nuvan Seneviratne. So, the couple began searching in South Bethany, where they could find the best of both worlds: canals with boat access and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

They stumbled on a property on Fenwick Island — and were immediately hooked on its “corner lot” views. It sits bayfront to the west and canal-side to the east. “It feels ‘waterfront’ all the way around,” says Christopher “Chris” Pattey, Associate AIA at Becker Morgan Group, whose

coastal designs also caught the Seneviratnes’ eyes.

They enlisted in Chris to design the home and Miken Builders for construction. The charge: Design and build a new “bay beach house” with suites to house family and guests.

That initial vision expanded exponentially as the couple’s wish list of functional and practical — along with some luxury and “why not?” — grew the project scope. Ultimately, the Seneviratnes landed on an ideal vacation home, with five bedrooms, an office, seven bathrooms, a dock and pier, swim-spa, indooroutdoor bar, spacious living areas and all the

trappings of a house designed for big fun.

At the same time, the Nantucketinspired design with clean, coastal lines is a sophisticated head-turner. Nuvan says, “Almost every car that drives by slows down, and it’s definitely because of the character and features Chris included on the front and back of the house that make it stand out.”

A sweeping staircase leads to a secondfloor front entry, flanked by symmetrical balconies. In the back, a pyramidal living-room pavilion topped with a quintessential cupola is surrounded by an expansive waterfront deck.

Now, for a look inside.

MAXIMIZING VIEWS

Pattey’s design features large, strategically positioned windows throughout the Senevirantes’ coastal residence that capture stunning water scenery in every direction.

Orientation for Views. Chris takes a site-specific design approach, so the lot dictates how a home is positioned, with a priority on capturing views in the Seneviratnes’ case. “The site is angled on the waterfront, so that dictated the L-shaped axial alignment,” Chris says. “The shape engages the back bay and sunset views without being inhibited by neighboring houses.”

They had to work within Fenwick Island’s building constraints related to home square footage allowance based on lot size, and its location in a flood zone predicated the need for pilings. Though even in this undercarriage portion of the home, every bit of space is maximized. The family chose to include dual outdoor showers, boat storage, a refrigerator and washer/dryer with a staging area for their homemade beach. (Just add sand — that’s what the Seneviratnes did to create a play space at ground level by the dock and pier.)

Kitchen for a Crowd. Recently, during a busy family weekend with more than 50 guests in town, there was plenty of space for six people to cook at the same time. A generous island is designed for meal prep and a breakfast-bar setup, and there is plenty of storage with a six-foot-wide refrigerator-freezer unit concealed with cabinetry panels.

Additionally, two undercabinet refrigerators are in the adjacent bar area, with an accordion-style stacked window that opens to the outdoors, so you can sit inside or out to play cards and enjoy a cocktail. The couple selected a 48-inch range, and each appliance is Wi-Fi connected, so they can preheat and check cooking status with an app.

Clean is the theme: white-on-white-on-white — with a subtle blue-gray island for a “relaxed coastal theme,” Sophia describes. A classic apron sink introduces a touch of New England, while gold fixtures add glam.

Overall, the home’s understated interior — sandtoned flooring, white-washed walls, creamy furniture with gentle pops of blue — makes way for the property’s true focal point: the water.

Statement Bathrooms. Where the Seneviratnes turned up the volume is throughout the bathrooms, each with its own character and tile selection direction from C&E Furniture & Design. “We wanted them to be a little unique, and since they all had different shapes, that was a good baseline,” Nuvan said. “But also, we wanted the home to be timeless, so we stuck with a palette of colors, mainly blues.”

While the primary bath features a floating vanity and porcelain that assimilates marble, the six other bathrooms are equipped with vanities, which allowed the couple to select a range of styles.

Blurring the Lines. “Adding balconies, French doors, decks and covered porches blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces,” Chris says of a signature design technique. His intent was to make the “house transparent through the core.” So, there’s an east-facing dormer, a giant porthole window between the landing and primary bath, and a primary-bathroom porthole. All can be concealed with automated film window technology.

In the main living area, “we used a folding glass wall, accordion-style, which allows the interior space to expand into a screened-in porch area when the weather is conducive,” Chris shares. “We did a smaller version of that on top of the bar, so there is an indoor-outdoor pass-through between the bar, kitchen dining area and outdoor deck.”

The same rule applies to welcoming the water into outdoor living spaces with cable railing that keeps views open.

Retractable Screens

• Create a bug-proof environment with the touch of a button

• Provide glare control, add privacy & increase outdoor space

• Side fabric retention system provides wind rated strength

• Clear vinyl panels available to block wind and rain

Retractable Awnings

Push button technology will instantly shade your patio from the sun’s rays. Wind control provides automatic retreating to help protect it from damages. When not in use the awning is completely self storing, eliminating the need for costly seasonal removal and storage.

One of many striking features of the residence includes a V-groove wood-slatted design in the ceiling of the main living space.

Coastal Cues. The main living space is designed as a pyramidal pavilion with a cupola that ushers in natural light. A V-groove wood-slatted ceiling ascends to the cupola light well. “The wood plank provides a nautical touch,” Chris says. The same goes for the ipe decking, cable railing and portholes.

Fixtures by Serena & Lily throughout the home emulate coastal themes. Upon entry, a generous reef-inspired pendant is bespeckled with beads of wood and cocoa. Above a round table is a fixture of cascading seashells.

TRANSPARENT THROUGH ITS CORE

“Adding balconies, French doors, decks and covered porches blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces,” Chris says of a signature design technique.

Open House. For the next 22 weeks, the Seneviratnes family has a full docket of guests who will spend weekends making memories at their Fenwick Island getaway. And that’s exactly what they hoped for.

Nuvan adds that ample parking was a priority, and about a dozen vehicles can park in the permeable paver driveway by Meiklejohn Hardscaping. And no detail was left untouched, including thoughtful grounds design and installation by Turning Leaf Landscaping.

“This home is a great way for us to bring everyone together, have a great time and share our home,” Nuvan says. “We definitely use it to the max in terms of the indoor and outdoor spaces, bedrooms — every inch.”

For Chris, the couple’s passion for the project ignited his artistic vision. “We created their dream home, and the icing on the cake is their happiness and true gratitude.” CS

MORE TO SEE

Visit CoastalStyleMag.com

to see more photos from the Seneviratnes’ beautiful Fenwick Island retreat.

to back)

Windows on the Bay

DAVID BRADLEY TRANSFORMED A 1970S

PROPERTY INTO A SPECTACULAR, MODERN FOREVER HOME WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS

Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Svetlana Leahy

For the past 45 years, David Bradley has been renovating and building new homes for clients across the coast. But until now, he had never embarked on a teardown. When his realty partner, Nancy Reither, identified a 1970s bayfront property on Point Lookout Road in Ocean City, he jumped on the opportunity.

“It was a very contemporary design, and I’m a remodeler at heart,” said David, owner of Bradley Construction in Damascus, MD. “I initially went in with the mindset that I would renovate what was there and produced several designs, but nothing quite included all the features I wanted in the original footprint.”

He decided to raze the property and create a bayfront home designed for family gatherings — his three children and six grandchildren. “I’ve always had a bare-naked lot, to start a project from scratch, so this was a different process, requiring extra permits to tear down the home, cut the gas and power, working with municipalities,” he relates.

The result is a six-bedroom waterfront home with a third-floor “man cave” party room, custom bunk room for kids, 50-foot pier with three boat lifts, pool bar with cabana, expansive kitchen with butlerstyle pantry and multiple entertainment spaces.

“When you walk in the front door, you see nothing but water — it’s glass everywhere,” David describes, adding that this is a consistent request from clients who build custom homes with his company. “The more glass, the better. And that’s what I did in this case.”

Coastal Clean Lines in the Kitchen. White rules the kitchen with a pop of coastal blue on the island, which features corbel detail and a rich, marble top — same goes for all countertops in this space. “With the sealers available today, I’ve never had a situation with staining, which is everyone’s fear,” he says. Cabinets by Fabuwood were installed by That Cabinet Store. Two appliance garages conceal the necessities, and pop-up outlets on either side of the sink meet electric code while blending with the countertop. This allows the eye to skim across the sleek surface and take in water views without a utilitarian interruption.

Mixed metals and interspersing natural wood detail, such as floating shelves and ceiling beams in the connecting living area, add character and warmth.

Classic Whites. When deciding on the siding color, Bradley reached out to about two dozen colleagues and trusted friends, asking whether they preferred clean white or mist green. He often does this when deciding on colors for spec homes and was interested in finding out which hue would win for the exterior. It was close. Ultimately, the white siding won by a few votes, “and the safe bet is to knock out color, so I went with the white,” says David. Though, he might have selected the mist green if he knew for sure the property would be a forever home.

A Suite Retreat. A 72-inch porthole window is a statement piece from the exterior and a looking glass from the primary bathroom’s tub to the waters beyond it. A synthetic marble tile floor with radiant heating is a dead ringer for the real thing and more resilient for a bathroom space. The suite includes his-and-hers walk-in-closet dressing rooms and a dedicated laundry tucked into the closet. In fact, there is laundry on every floor of the home. “You can walk out to a covered master porch and sit out and enjoy the views,” David relates.

The Orange Crush Bar. Adjacent to the kitchen is a recessed bar space with the same blue cabinetry featured in the island. David calls this the orange crush bar, from which the family can grab beverages. Quartz countertops in Portrush with navy veining and gold flecks extend up the wall, where there are floating shelves of reclaimed lumber from Old Wood Delaware.

Riding High. The residence’s elevator was even outfitted with tempered glass and clear French doors at every level so that the views can be enjoyed while ascending to any floor.

IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING

A Custom Bunk Space for Six. Three second-floor bedrooms face the bay, with walkout balconies for each. David dedicated the front-facing space as a grandchildren headquarters, with dual bunk beds and a trundle on one side and a double bunk on the other. “We included a sofa and seating, so as the children grow, they can still feel comfortable hanging out there, watching a movie and having their own space,” David says, adding that the suite includes a bathroom with playful surf wallpaper.

Resort-Style Outdoors. The pool and surrounding outdoor living space are a standout feature, with a sunken cabana bar built so that someone standing on that side is level with those in the pool. Inviting built-in swim bar stools face two weather-ready bigscreen TVs. A niche leading off the deck and in front of the pier allows room for Adirondack chairs and a firepit. The pool includes an integrated spa/hot tub, “so we can relax while the kids are swimming or sit in the pool and watch a game,” David says.

David’s Point Lookout Road design included a breathtaking pool area that features a swim-up bar and spa/hot tub.

Details, Details. Porthole windows throughout the home include such details as a classy medicine cabinet in this theme and porthole cut-outs in the custom bunk beds that add a nautical touch. Shiplap ceiling and wall detail add aesthetic, nautical interest throughout, along with sandcolored engineered hardwood floors and reclaimed lumber shelving. Every wall was treated as a canvas for craftsmanship, such as the slattedteak feature wall in the grand, turret party room and square paneled wall in a guest room. No detail was overlooked.

Furnishings throughout the home were sourced at Monogram Furniture in West Ocean City, C&E Furniture in Fenwick Island and Donald McGill Fine Furniture & Interiors in Philadelphia. Inside the ship-lapped main turret is a workable captain’s ladder. “You can go up — it’s a lookout, not just something pretty to look at,” David says. Ascending the three-story open stairwell, “You can see all of Ocean City, the ocean, the bay and southward — and it’s beautiful.” CS

POINT LOOKOUT

We have more photos to share from this stunning home in Ocean City at CoastalStyleMag.com.

Inside the ship-lapped main turret is a workable captain’s ladder. Ascending the threestory open stairwell, “You can see all of Ocean City, the ocean, the bay and southward — and it’s beautiful,” says David.

Window Coverings with ‘Wow’

IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND EXTEND LIVING SPACES TO THE OUTDOORS, SO YOU CAN MAXIMIZE LIFE AT HOME. WINDOW COVERINGS AND EXTERIOR AWNINGS WITH SCREENS ARE THE NEW PAINT

In many coastal homes, there are more windows than walls to paint — so window coverings are a centerstage design decision, no longer an afterthought or accessory. “You might have 10 windows in a room or walls of glass, so the way you ‘dress’ those is incredibly important,” says Joe Kendall, co-owner with Jason Mozingo of Made in the Shade – Eastern Shore, which offers custom blinds, shades, shutters and soft treatments like fabric swags and tailored cornices.

As an owner-operated business, Kendall consults one-on-one with clients to guide them toward window coverings and exterior solutions like awnings and retractable screens that suit their lifestyle and needs. Mozingo heads up installation and personally works on every job.

“You’re always working with an owner, on the front end with selection and through installation,” Kendall explains. “While most companies use subcontractors for installations, we don’t do that. You get people with skin in the game on both sides.”

Kendall stays ahead of the latest trends in window coverings, embracing emerging technologies like the ability to motorize any type of treatment. Here, he shares some window decor strategies and innovations that are redefining the industry and changing the way people think about window coverings for inside and outside of the home.

What’s Out Is In. Retractable screen shades seal back porch spaces, three-season rooms and even garages to keep bugs out — and fresh air in.

“The screens are motorized so you can raise or lower them with the click of a button,” Kendall shares, relating

Joe Kendall’s tips for selecting window treatments

FORM OR FUNCTION?

“What is the most important priority? Are we going for looks or comfort?” Kendall relates. For instance, when selecting roller shades for a porch, a client who says, “It gets too bright and it’s hot,” will need a thicker screen.

“With a 10% setting, you can see through the screen and the sun can, too.”

AUTOMATED OR MANUAL?

Any window treatment, exterior screen or awning can be automated — and today’s motorized controls allow you to set “scenes” so shades lift and lower on schedule.

“Motorization is everything,” Kendall says. “It’s all app-controlled, and we can set up an unlimited number of scenes that could be labeled things like movie night, sunrise, sunset, party night, leave the house and so on.”

how these screens can dramatically extend a home’s living space. Not to mention, keeping mosquitoes and other pests out during humid coastal days allows you to enjoy more time outdoors without the nuisance.

Curtain Comeback. “We are seeing decorative curtain panels return in a huge way,” Kendall says, adding that demand for fabric swags and panels had been light during the past several years. Not anymore. “Earth tones are still king, and we are also doing more cornice boards,” he points out. Like shades and shutters, curtain panels also can be motorized, which allows for simple open-and-close, even for floor-to-ceiling windows.

240-569-8747

MITSEasternShore.com

Blinds adjust based on the scene you select, such as opening completely to reveal a sunrise or dimming down for a movie. “You can also run scheduled timers, so if you want your blinds to raise 10 minutes before sunrise, they will do that, and as the sunrise time changes, so will the blind opening time,” Kendall explains.

WHAT ABOUT THE EXTRAS?

As window treatments step into the spotlight given a design priority of revealing water views, don’t forget about other textural touches that complement shades, screens and fabric panels. “Try adding a rug that provides warmth and ambiance while accenting the room,” Kendall suggests. CS

Joe Kendall

Way Above Par at Bayside

WES NOVELLI AND HARDSCAPES, INC. CREATED CLASSIC, COASTAL OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES IN THE IDYLLIC GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY

Written by Kristen Hampshire

Photography by Grant L. Gursky

What’s “out” is in — and by that we mean luxury outdoor kitchens and living spaces that are an extension of the home, custom pools and spas, firepits, lighting and essentially any amenity you can imagine. Just ask Wes Novelli, president of Hardscapes Inc.

Putting green? Check. Swim-up bar? You got it.

“Our projects are turnkey,” says Wes of creating a master landscape plan that can be completed in phases — a holistic vision for the outdoor living space that accommodates homeowners’ lifestyles. “The process starts with identifying clients’ wants and needs, their priorities and how they will use the space,” he adds.

Gathering inspiration and culminating a wish list into a workable plan requires landscape and hardscape expertise and field experience. Wes has been on the leading edge of hardscape design and installation for more than 20 years. The business is rooted in hardscape and has expanded over time to become a full-service luxury outdoor living design/build firm.

“We are one of the pioneers of hardscape along the coast, and we slowly progressed into an operation that can provide everything from the pool house to irrigation and plantings,” Wes says, expressing a love of working along the Eastern Shore — and of staying up on the latest materials and features. “We’re known for our original designs with warm, coastal appeal, and we deliver a classic look and feel of exactly what coastal outdoor designs should look like.”

Essentially, Wes is in the business of providing “a turnkey outdoor paradise,” which is why his team only works on one project at a time. “That way, we can give our utmost attention to all the details,” he explains. “We want to make it special for the homeowner, and we know we accomplished our goal when we run into clients in the community and they tell me how much they love their projects. We create relationships that are ongoing.”

Casual Sophistication

When Wes first toured the Donalds’ property in Selbyville’s Bayside community, there was an existing covered porch and petite patio with views of the pond and golf course beyond it that had lots of potential. Already, the couple had begun plans and construction for the pool, which is creatively tucked into the footprint of the house, underneath a pavilion and wraps around the foundation in an L shape.

The pool builder referred them to Wes, knowing that stonework was in the picture — one of his specialties.

“The great part about Wes is that while we had ideas, he came up with different options, and that made the process much easier,” relates David Donald, adding that they also appreciated that once on-site for installation, Wes stays on property rather than shifting back and forth between projects.

On the wish list: An outdoor kitchen and expansive patio surround for the pool and fire feature. As the project evolved, it also grew to include a pergola connecting the covered kitchen and bar spaces with an entertainment area. Also, Wes suggested automated screens to give the Donalds the flexibility of keeping mosquitoes out while welcoming breezes in. The screens open and shut with an app and offer the convenience of opening the bar screen only for a complete pass-through if they desire.

The travertine walkways and patio, along with granite countertops, offer a classy-coastal and timeless finish. The Donalds especially appreciate the lighting effects. Their pool is equipped with LED, color-changing lights that cast an eye-catching glow on the water.

“The downlighting throughout, including on the steps, is on a schedule that automatically turns on and off, and it’s easy on the eyes,” Donald says. “The way Wes illuminated the steps, it almost makes it look like the stone is glowing. It’s a really cool effect.”

The Donalds take full advantage of their luxury outdoor living area, entertaining there before concerts held on the property and inviting family and friends to kick back and enjoy. Donald adds, “With the fire table that throws off a lot of heat, we have the ability to use the space earlier and later into the season.”

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

With an outdoor living area that includes the ability to enclose its pool and kitchen/dining area with automated screens, pesky mosquitoes are kept at bay.

See more photos from our shoot with Hardscapes, Inc. at CoastalStyleMag.com.

CAMERA ENVY

HOME coastal

Built to Entertain

Nearby at the Kushner’s Bayside property, highlights include meandering, pewter-toned travertine walkways, an expansive patio for entertaining, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and substantial curvilinear pergola.

The couple had lived in the community for 17 years and decided to build another home there. “When we were working on the design, my wife, Melissa, had seen some of Wes’ other projects and she liked the upscale hardscape,” relates David Kushner.

For Wes, the landscape was a blank canvas of possibilities, and he got involved during the home construction process. “Even though there wasn’t a house on the lot yet, he talked us through ideas and helped us with the vision,” Kushner says.

Their goals: “We have a water-and-golf-course view, so we wanted something that looked aesthetically pleasing from the course and an outdoor kitchen and bar where we could enjoy the location,” he says.

The freeform walkway leads to the backyard entrances, one on each side of the property.

STATEMENT PIECE

Landscape beds throughout contain lush greenery and pops of color — almost like a garden tour as you work your way to the main gathering areas. In one bed mulched with river rock, Wes custom-designed a water feature consisting of a trio of bowls — a touch of tranquility.

A dedicated, round gathering area positioned as a room off the main outdoor space is anchored by a custom fire feature enclosed by a travertine seat wall incorporating some pedestals for planters.

The outdoor kitchen includes built-ins: a custom Weber grill, refrigerator, burner for clams and crabs, sink and storage. An outdoor TV and speaker system (hidden in rocks) accommodates post-golf entertainment and evenings with guests.

A sweeping, curved bar is a focal point, with thoughtful underlighting and every detail considered. Kushner says, “The team was amazing to work with and so conscientious of their work, including the cleanup each night.” CS

The curved outdoor kitchen area serves as an aesthetic focal point and a functional gathering location that’s perfect for entertaining.

Ocean Sundial: A Canvas for Water, Wind and Sand

ARCHITECT DONALD LOCOCO KNEW HIS PLACE WHEN APPLYING HIS ARTISTIC VISION TO THIS SOUTH BETHANY BEACH DESIGN. THE WATER RULES.

Written by Kristen Hampshire

Photography by Anice Hoachlander

One night before there was an exact vision, any renderings or specifications, architect Donald Lococo fell asleep on the beach of a property his clients had purchased to build their South Bethany getaway. “It sits squarely on the dunes,” he describes. “The tide came up and got me wet, and I remember drinking that in. We needed to capitalize on the views of this house.”

Upon discussing plans with the clients, Lococo said to them: “How am I going to compete with this?” pointing toward the water. “I know my place.”

Lococo is the visionary behind the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chesapeake award-winning Ocean Sundial project and principal of Donald Lococo Architects in Washington, DC, where this family is based. Fifteen years ago, he designed their DC home, depicted in 1920s Chevy Chase style. At South Bethany, Lococo advised: “Let’s think modern,” says the owner.

And so began a process of recognizing that every material, angle and architectural detail needed to honor the sweeping ocean views, sandy dunes and even pull from coastal cues, like dune fencing and beach grass. “I wanted to make sure everything genuflected to the water,” Lococo says.

Indeed, this is the case at Ocean Sundial — which, as the name suggests, captures the lightness of the seaside landscape and both invites yet manipulates the rays, creating a natural canvas.

The third-floor view alone is 13 feet high and 18 feet wide, with a panoramic view. The home is designed with a utilitarian mindset too. Bedrooms are not overblown but instead sized to suit sleeping and privacy — and to encourage gathering in communal spaces. The owner says, “It’s like a boat. You want your space to draw people out of their bedrooms and into the common spaces, the

outdoor decks, and the home works in this way.”

It boasts nine beds and a pullout within a 3,230-square-foot floor plan and sleeps up to 14. The family has three older children who have grown up spending vacations and weekends at Bethany Beach, where the couple owned a home for more than 20 years before building this one. With a desire for a quieter retreat, the family happened upon the South Bethany Beach property and enlisted in Lococo and builder Shay Gallo Construction, based in Bishopville.

“Together, they dreamed it up and put it all together,” the owner says, relating that his favorite spot is to sit at the kitchen table with ocean views. Hers is in the kitchen that shares the same oceanfront vista, where she can practice her culinary creativity while keeping an eye on the kids as they enjoy the beach.

And, of course, there’s the oceanside deck with seating and a fire table. “It’s a hangout spot where you can read a book or the paper in the morning with coffee, and it draws you out to that space,” the owner says.

With those words, Lococo’s mission to “all hail the water” is accomplished.

Pitch-Perfect. A pitched roof is a zoning must — but that doesn’t mean gables are the only solution, Lococo points out. “With the saw-tooth design, we can follow the pitch requirements but turn that broadside to the water, for one big unadulterated 30-foot-wide area that allows you to drink in those views,” he describes.

By inverting the home’s pitches, they all point to the ocean, and the design passed the test of not having a flat-top roof. “This allowed for windows and even more ocean-looking views,” the owner relates.

Photo by Campos Media OC

Up with Energy. A keyhole stairway in the center of the home ushers in light to the core. “The light drives you up the stairs and you feel energized as you rise up the levels,” Lococo relates. An open stairway at the home’s core allows light to welcome you upon entering through the front door. “On every floor, you can look out to porches and decks as you climb to the top level.”

A light fixture reminiscent of fishing lines lures you upstairs. The tubular-shaped pieces were strategically placed “to give them an arbitrary feeling,” he adds. “It’s like coming up from a pool,” adding that there’s also a feeling of them skimming above. “They flirt with your head as you walk upstairs.”

With heat rising to the third floor, windows can open to allow breezes to flow through for cross ventilation. And Lococo located the HVAC system at the top peak. “That spurs how cool this house stays because of the stack effect: hot air rises, runs through the front door and breathes out,” he explains. “The spectacular thing about the house is you can tell when it’s 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. — the light moves. When you are present there all the time, it’s constantly changing. I told the owners, ‘I promise you that within a couple of years, you will probably just look up and say, ‘It’s nearing 5 p.m.,’ based on how the sun clocks through the house.”

Shou Sugi Ban Stoic. “The front is very stoic for two reasons: There is a solar component to the house,” Lococo explains, relating how the strategically placed fins mitigate light while reducing heat gain from the waterfront wall of windows. “The spacing is wider in some areas, to allow light to filter into windows, and it’s somewhat like dune fencing,” he says of the design.

With dune fencing at the back of the property, “there’s that connection,” Lococo says of the way the eye travels effortlessly from the vista to the home.

Back to the second reason for the understated front exterior: “There’s a punchline because when you walk in the front door, it’s entirely different. The street side is quiet and reserved, and the waterfront side is very expressive, welcoming and inviting to the ocean.”

Exterior accoya fins were charred using a Japanese technique called shou sugi ban, which is a method of weatherproofing that produces a purely natural, rustic, textural design element. The wood then becomes insect-resistant, never requires refinishing, and it’s long-lasting. The process involves charring the wood, and then peeling back a layer to reveal a natural-gray color.

GARNERING PRAISE

AIA Chesapeake Bay’s Excellence in Design Awards honored Donald Lococo and Ocean Sundial with its 2022 Merit Award for Residential New Construction.

Photo by Donald Lococo

Understated Functional. Custom cabinetry throughout is simply painted white, with horizontal pulls consistent throughout the home. “It creates one less thing for you to notice and allows you to always point toward the views,” Lococo says.

The owners selected white walls throughout as a canvas for light. “You can see how the color changes from sunrise yellows to blues,” Lococo relates.

He adds, “It’s that idea of that little, black dress — as minimal as it can be.”

Glass and Flame. Including a fireplace in the plan was a priority for the owners. Lococo designed a low-set one, with sliding glass panels that are back-painted white. “There’s a perception that they can slide over the fireplace, but they really don’t,” he explains.

Linear Plays. Throughout the home, there’s interplay with vertical and horizontal lines — the vertical exterior accoya fins, horizontal-cable railing inside and out, an up-and-down feeling of rising from the entry to top-floor living spaces, the clean run of cabinets and hardware. And there are features that join this longitudelatitude idea, such as the ceiling treatment on the upper deck, in an abstract, brick-lay pattern.

Every line and angle are a nod to the views beyond.

Lococo shares that with this project underway during the pandemic, and with the owners having worked on the frontlines, he wanted to emphasize the home’s ability to rejuvenate and energize. “I wanted them to feel reinvigorated by the house — and with that, the project became really personal.” CS

Caught Blue-Handed

Description and Photo by Jay Fleming

When photographing the crab-potting fishery for my coffee-table book, Working the Water, I wanted to show the process of catching the crabs and the people involved but also the product. A photograph of the crabs, the product, in the water would show the reader the environment where their seafood was coming from and complete the illustration of the fishery’s supply chain. I contacted a waterman on Hoopers Island who had pots set in shallow water near the mouth of the Honga River and asked if I could snorkel around one of his pots to capture a shot of trapped crabs. Once I received permission, I picked a windless day in the spring to make my dive — knowing that the water would be clear enough for the light to penetrate to the bottom. I made a few dives around the pot and eventually put the camera inside of it — capturing a crab’s-eye perspective. CS

YDI APPAREL

A portion of every proceed is donated to local adolescent behavioral health programs and activities.