Towne Spotlight Local

 The Graduate Annapolis Opens Photo by David Mitchell Photography

Graduate Hotels opened its 21st hotel, Graduate Annapolis, in October. Located on West Street within the Annapolis Arts District, the Graduate Annapolis hotel includes 215 rooms, all decorated in vivid, bright colors to represent the Chesapeake Bay and nautical life. The hotel pays homage to the Navy and military by featuring illustrations and décor throughout the hotel that reference the Naval Academy. In addition to two restaurants—Poindexter and Camp Severn Shore—Graduate Annapolis also offers 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

STEP UP LACROSSE CHARITY PUBLISHES CHILDREN’S BOOK  Local nonprofit STEP UP Lacrosse Charity published a motivational children’s book titled Charlie STEPs UP to LACROSSE. Published in September 2019, the book features inspirational songs and a lacrosse playbook for offensive and defensive lessons. Written by longtime lacrosse coach and former Penn State player Lauren Burke Meyer, a portion of each book sale will support STEP UP Lacrosse Charity’s camps, clinics, equipment, and more. The organization was founded by former University of Maryland players Becky Clipp Cassilly and Jenny Vela and provides underprivileged and disadvantaged youth the opportunity to learn the sport of lacrosse. Charlie STEPs UP to LACROSSE is available on Amazon and at The Cottage in Severna Park.

Left to right: Ben Ault, Alanna Craig, Jillian Schwartz, and Ryan McDowell. Photo by Sonmin Crane

National Merit Scholarship Program Recognizes Rockbridge Academy Seniors

Four students from Rockbridge Academy’s 2020 graduating class were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. This national recognition honors students who are ranked within the top one to three percent of test-takers nationwide. Seniors Ben Ault, Alanna Craig, and Jillian Schwartz were recognized as Commended Students, while Ryan McDowell qualified as a Semifinalist. This fall, Alanna Craig and Ryan McDowell will be attending Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University, respectively.  HOSPICE OF THE CHESAPEAKE GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES OVER $165,000 Hospice of the Chesapeake held its 2019 Golf Tournament in October at Queenstown Harbor Golf. The annual event surpassed previous fundraising records by earning more than $165,000 to benefit the nonprofit organization—$22,000 more than last year. The day-long event featured an omelet bar in the morning, a grilled lunch with shrimp and oysters in the afternoon, and an awards banquet at the end of the day. Over 240 golfers participated in the tournament and the presenting sponsors included All Green Management and First National Bank. SEVERN BANK OPENS NEW FULL-SERVICE BRANCH IN CROFTON Severn Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony in October in celebration of its new branch. The office is located within Priest Bridge Centre on Defense Highway in Crofton and is the bank’s seventh Anne Arundel County branch. The 1,263-square-foot office features tellers and drive-through teller windows, an ATM, and on-site commercial and mortgage bankers. The Severn Bank Crofton branch officially opened in September and is managed by Kimlloy Broughton. Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Golf Committee. Photo by Elyzabeth Marcussen

46 What’s Up? Annapolis | February 2020 | whatsupmag.com Photo courtesy of Lauren Burke Meyer

 RESIDENCES AT MONARCH HOSTS TASTE OF MONARCH Monarch, a new Bozzuto apartment community located just outside of Waugh Chapel Towne Centre, held a culinary celebration—Taste of Monarch—in November. Guests sampled cuisine from local Waugh Chapel restaurants, including Nando’s, Wegmans, Mission BBQ, Coal Fire, Bonefish Grill, and The Green Turtle. In addition, attendees toured the new property, shopped clothing and jewelry from Blush Boutique, and enjoyed live music from local band Freak Flag Fly. Monarch also raffled off baskets to guests who participated in its social media scavenger hunt.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Starts Speaker Series Pictured: Gary Jobson presenting Wind and Water: Sailing and Our Environment

Started in 2019 with a book signing by world-renown sailor, TV commentator, film producer, and author Gary Jobson, the Chesapeake Bay Trust Speaker Series is an opportunity to provide perspective on shared interests within the Chesapeake Bay community and start conversations that can lead to action. Speakers include experts, movers, and shakers in alignment with the Trust’s mission to engage and educate the community and advance the improvement of the Chesapeake Bay. Future committed speakers include Jay Fleming (Capturing the Chesapeake Bay in Photos), John Shields (Enjoying the Bounty of the Bay), and Terence Smith (How the Media Covers an Election). For more information, email info@cbtrust.org.