The 23rd annual Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race will be held on the Choptank River in Cambridge at 9:00am Saturday, September 21.

This event, which is hosted by the Dorchester Skipjack Committee, will include a parade of boats and the race.  It features skipjacks that were originally built in 1886 to the Nathan of Dorchester which was built in 1994.  The race is a skipjack tradition on the Chesapeake Bay to reflect the start to oyster season.  Generally, oysters are harvested starting November 1.  Skipjacks would “race for pride” among themselves prior to the official start of the season.

The Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race is one of only two remaining races.  The purpose is to celebrate 130 years of tradition of skipjacks. At one time, over one thousand of these magnificent work boats graced the Chesapeake Bay and its estuaries harvesting oysters.  Of the remaining twenty-five skipjacks, only a small number actively harvest due to the historically declined oyster population.

Funds raised annually to host this event are given to the skipjacks, as well as trophies for the winning boat and captain.  Over the past 15 years, more than $125,000 has been raised and distributed through the race to the skipjack fleet.  The funds help preserve these aging wooden vessels.

This year, in addition to 8-12 skipjacks, several buyboats will be in attendance.  This includes the Thomas J from Chestertown. Buyboats were modified skipjacks that bought from the skipjacks and transported harvested oysters to oyster processing houses all along the Chesapeake Bay.  Each has its own unique history and they are currently maintained privately as cruising boats.

Also attending this year is the Edna Lockwood.  She is a Chesapeake Bay bugeye which was built in 1889 and recently fully restored by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.  She is a 54 foot, nine log bugeye and will be available for dockside tours with her crew.

Spectators are able to view the majority of the race from Long Wharf Park, per Race Chairperson, Lou Hyman.  “It is a great event that shares the history of skipjacks and maritime community of the Eastern Shore.  Before and after the race, the skipjacks and buyboats can be viewed at Long Wharf and the boat basin on Cambridge Creek.”  The race starts at 10:00am after the parade and generally takes 1 ½ – 2 hours to complete.  The event is FREE.

During the race, several exhibitors will be set up at Long Wharf Park displaying items related to Dorchester’s maritime heritage.  Food will also be available at the event.  This is a great opportunity for photographers to get up close to the historic boats under full sail.  Please join us for this unique event on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve customer service, the Maryland State Police is proud to announce that the application process for a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit will be transitioned from a hand-written paper application to the online Licensing Portal.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2019, those applying for a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit will complete and submit the application online. Individuals will be able to apply online using a computer, tablet or mobile phone, regardless of the operating system.  All current web browsers are also supported by the Licensing Portal.

Paper Wear and Carry Permit applications postmarked or hand delivered on or before Sept. 30, 2019, will be accepted and will be processed as per current procedures.  Paper Wear and Carry applications submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2019 will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant with instructions to submit the Wear and Carry Permit application via the Licensing Portal.

Little has changed in the questions and documentation requirements to complete the application process.  Applicants will continue to provide the same information currently required on the paper Wear and Carry Permit application. All required documentation, including the passport-sized photograph and Livescan fingerprint receipt, can easily be uploaded by the applicant prior to submission of the application.

Applicants will be required to have a valid email account.  This will give the applicant the ability to see the most current status of their application and allow the Maryland State Police Licensing Division to send notifications, follow-up and reminder correspondence.  Applicants who already have a Licensing Portal account will not be required to create a new account.  These applicants will use their current 77R Portal account login credentials to continue logging into the Licensing Portal.

In addition to designing, documenting and testing the online application process, Maryland State Police Licensing Division personnel have been busy conducting training in the new process. Seminars for firearm dealers and instructors have been conducted throughout the state.

The goal of the automated Wear and Carry Permit application process is to increase the ease and efficiency of applying for a Wear and Carry Permit in Maryland.  The online system will offer a new level of transparency and keep the applicant informed at every step of the process.  The Maryland State Police Licensing Division staff is continuing their efforts to promptly investigate and approve those eligible for a wear and carry permit, while ensuring those prohibited by law are not approved.

Further information is available by clicking on “Licensing Division,” on the Maryland State Police website at mdsp.maryland.gov.

Concerned about local resilience to sea level rise and extreme precipitation affecting Maryland towns & communities? Interested in learning about federal legislation to reduce carbon emissions? Join us Thursday, September 19, 2019, at the Chester River Yacht & Country Club, 7738 Quaker Neck Road, Chestertown, for presentations on these hot topics!

Hope Clark is an artist creating performance work about addiction, willpower, and the political will needed for climate action. As Group Leader of Citizens Climate Lobby & CCL Liaison for Representative Andy Harris Ms. Clark will provide an overview of pending federal legislation since the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019 was introduced in the House on January 24th, 2019, along with 4 new carbon fee and dividend bills that have been introduced, 3 in the House and 1 in the Senate. Ms. Clark will review these Bills followed by discussion concerning effective ways to approach climate action.

Darius Johnson is a graduate of Kent County High School, Vincent Hynson Scholar, with B.A., Business Management, from Washington College, 2015. Mr. Johnson has work experience with Prometric, Johns Hopkins Neurology, & the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation. He is currently Community Revitalization Project Manager for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, on the Washington College Career Center Advisory Board, & serves as Vice President of Business Development for Johnson’s Concrete. Mr Johnson will provide overviews of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy programs pertaining to land, town, coastal & resilience, along with project updates on topic including the Chestertown Riverfront Trail, sea level rise & extreme precipitation studies.

Doors open at 5:30 pm for socializing and dinner. 6:45 – Short Club meeting. 7:00 – Featured speakers & discussion.