Towne Social Photo

TOWNE SOCIAL

The Boatyard Opening Day Rockfish Tournament

Who had the biggest catch?

Anglers traded fishing stories about what they caught and what got away at Boatyard Bar & Grill’s annual Opening Day Rockfish Tournament after-party. The tournament was held on May 1st and saw about 400 fishermen on 80 boats fishing the re-opening of striped bass season. Mick Young reeled in the winning 50-and3/4-inch rockfish for Pasadena Yacht Yard team run by Capt. Steve Wagner. P.Y.Y also took second place as Roy Dove caught a 48” fish. Overall, P.Y.Y. brought in four fish of more than 40 inches. “We have fished this tournament for 10 years,” Wagner says. “The last time they had the tournament, we got second place, which was the best we have ever done. We caught multiple big fish. Today was our day.” Brayden Hogbin, age 12, captured the Youth Prize with a 45-and-3/4-inch fish while the women’s winner was Tracy Ring, who reeled in a 40.5” rockfish. “The purpose of the tournament is a fun, feelgood rite of spring and fishing with friends,” Boatyard owner Dick Franyo said. “It’s catch-and-release. It’s not a big-money tournament. “Last time we had the event in 2019, the fishing was difficult,” he added. “All the fish had left the Bay. It’s been a cold spring this year, so the big fish were still in the Bay. It was quite good.” So was the after-party. It attracted about 900 guests, who enjoyed drinks, a buffet, and music from the Timmie Metz Band featuring Tambo. The event raised $25,000, which will benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland, and the Annapolis Police Department Youth Fishing Camp.

TOWNE SOCIAL

Scholarships for Scholars

Scholarships for Scholars held its 38th Annual Awards Ceremony at the Chesapeake Arts Center on May 16. The organization granted $202,000 to 36 outstanding students representing 13 public and private county high schools. The program recognizes Anne Arundel County students who demonstrate exceptional scholastic achievement overall and in subjects such as English, social sciences, STEM, world classical languages, performing arts, and visual arts. Scholarships for Scholars has awarded over $3M in scholarships to over 1,000 graduating high school seniors since its inception in 1984.

Photography by Stephen Buchanan

YWCA 100th Anniversary Soiree

On May 13th, the YWCA celebrated its 100th Anniversary during its annual gala event, held at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis. Guests donned fabulous ’20s attire and danced the night away while raising funds for the YWCA’s many programs. The Maryland nonprofit’s mission is “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”

Photography by Stephen Buchanan