The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is offering several kayak paddles this summer to help people get out of the house and on the water. Registration is required for all paddles, with a list of upcoming programs available at cbmm.org/paddles.

The first offering is scheduled for 6–8:30pm on Monday, April 26, when participants are invited to take in a relaxing evening paddle under the full moon. A second full moon paddle is scheduled for 6:30–9pm on Friday, July 23. The April paddle will launch from Oak Creek Landing in Newcomb, Md., while the July offering will launch from CBMM’s own campus.

The cost for either of these paddles is $25 for those bringing their own kayak and $45 for those renting a kayak from CBMM, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members.

Returning for 2021 are the popular Guided Paddle & Tasting programs, where intermediate paddlers are welcome to kayak around Talbot County waterways with CBMM staff members and enjoy a tasting from a local business. On Saturday, May 22, participants will paddle Skipton Creek and enjoy a tasting from Triple Creek Winery and on Saturday, Aug. 28, participants will explore the Tred Avon River and cool off with some ice cream from Scottish Highland Creamery.

The cost to participate in a Guided Paddle & Tasting is $45 for those bringing their own kayak and $65 for those renting a kayak from CBMM, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members. Tastings are included with the cost of registration, and participants are encouraged to dress accordingly for being outdoors, wear sunscreen, and bring water and any snacks they will need for the duration of the paddle.

For those new to kayaking, or those looking to refresh their paddling skills, CBMM will be offering a New to Paddling Workshop from 9am–1pm on Saturday, June 12. Launching from CBMM’s campus, this on-the-water session will focus on the fundamentals of paddling, covering topics like the anatomy of the kayak, paddles and gear, safety measures, launch techniques, and the basic strokes used in paddling. The cost to participate is $45 without a kayak rental and $65 with a rental, with a 20% discount for CBMM members. Registration is required to cbmm.org/newpaddler.

Paddling with the President will also return this summer, with participants invited to join CBMM’s President and avid paddler Kristen Greenaway for a relaxed evening paddling along the Miles River and up Long Haul Creek on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 5:30–7:30pm. During this paddle, participants will have a chance to learn how to paddle using Greenaway’s preferred Greenland paddle. For additional details, visit cbmm.org/Greenawaypaddle.

For each of these paddles, participants are asked to provide their own PFDs if they are not renting one of CBMM’s kayaks. Facial coverings are required upon exiting your vehicle and while launching and hauling kayaks. Once out on the water — while keeping a safe distance from fellow paddlers — coverings can be removed but are once again required upon haul out. Hand sanitizer will be provided for the onset and close of each excursion. Participation is limited for all programs, and anyone age 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

To register for any of the paddles and learn about upcoming on-the-water excursions, visit cbmm.org/paddles. Discounts for each are offered to CBMM members, who play a critical role in supporting CBMM’s rich legacy of educational programs, fascinating and ever-changing exhibits, and maintenance of the largest collection of Chesapeake watercraft in the world, including access to exclusive discounts, perks, and programming. To learn more about becoming a CBMM member, visit cbmm.org/membership.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., is pleased to announce the election of new and returning members to its Board of Governors and of officers for its new fiscal year.

Elections to the Board include A. Reza Jafari and returning members Richard J. Johnson and Richard W. Snowdon. Additionally, former Board Chair Diane Staley has Emerita status. Officers for FY21–22 are Richard J. Bodorff, Chair; Craig Fuller, Vice Chair; Richard Johnson, Treasurer; and David W. Reager, Secretary.

Reza Jafari has spent 35 years in the IT services and broadband, competitive telecoms and mobile, media and entertainment, education, and Health-IT industries. His portfolio of business relationships and interests include advising senior executives of established and startup companies and organizations in wireless, e-Health and mobile health, public safety and cyber security, broadband, social media, knowledge economy, e-Education, digital innovations, Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), business transformation, and business process outsourcing services. He is currently the Chairman and CEO and Founder of e-Development International, based in Easton, Md., and the Co-Managing Editor of “Connected City Blueprint.”

On the non-profit side, Jafari was appointed by the Governor of Maryland and currently serves as a Trustee Board member of Chesapeake College. He is also the Chairman of the Talbot County Economic Development Commission; Chair of Workforce Development Taskforce and Chair-elect the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce; a Board member of the Channel Marker Foundation; President-elect of the Rotary Club of Easton; Co-Chair of Connected Communities Forum of Wireless Broadband Alliance and Senior Executive Advisor to the Board of WBA; and a Board member of the India, China & America Institute.

Jafari received his MBA in International Business and Organizational Development in 1976 and completed his ABD (PhD) in Instructional Systems Technology and Innovation in 1981 from Indiana University.

Rick Johnson is currently the lead independent Director for Morgan Stanley Banks. After 11 years of employment, he retired in 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PNC Financial Services Group located in Pittsburgh, Pa. Johnson’s career in banking began in 1984 with JP Morgan Chase. He spent 18 years with J.P. Morgan Chase with stays in New York City, London, and Delaware.

Johnson started his professional employment with a six-year stay at Coopers & Lybrand (currently PWC) in public accounting. He and his wife, Laurie, have a home in St. Michaels.

Dick Snowdon is a retired attorney. Prior to retiring, Snowdon was with the law firm Trainum, Snowdon& Deane, specializing in estate planning, personal and corporate income tax, and taxation of exempt organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University, College of Business Administration, and a Juris Doctor with honors from the National Law Center, George Washington University. Following two years of active military service with the United States Army (1968–1970), which earned him an Army Commendation Medal and an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain, he returned to the legal profession.

Snowdon is active in the Washington, D.C., community and has served on many nonprofit boards and advisory councils. Some of his current and past positions include National Children’s Museum, Vice Chair; Children’s National Medical Center, Chair; Children’s Hospital Foundation, Chair; Black Student Fund, Treasurer; For Love of Children, Vice Chairman; Protestant Episcopal Foundation of Washington (The National Cathedral), Chair; and Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, Treasurer. He previously served on CBMM’s Board of Governors 2014–2019.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all.

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.