CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
P.O. Box 97 - 14200 Solomons Island Road
Solomons, MD 20688
Traci Cimini - 410-326-2042 x62
Traci.Cimini@calvertcountymd.gov
CMM-PR-17-57
October 3, 2017
For Immediate Release
DEE OF ST. MARY’S PARTICIPATES IN 21ST CHOPTANK
HERITAGE SKIPJACK RACE
The Calvert Marine Museum's skipjack, the Dee of St. Mary's participated in the 21st Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race on September 23 in Cambridge, Maryland. The race, an annual event since 1997, celebrates the remaining skipjack fleet on the Bay and is sponsored by the Dorchester Skipjack Committee. The Choptank River provided a perfect course for the race and the day was beautiful with light morning northerly winds.
Departing early from Solomons on Friday, September 22, the Dee sailed to Cambridge, Maryland where opening festivities were held at Snappers Restaurant. The parade of boats rallied early on Saturday morning out of Cambridge Creek; 10 skipjacks participated. It was an opportunity for existing skipjacks to show their colors and the Dee crew enjoyed camaraderie with the other captains and crew.
Hosted by the Nathan of Dorchester, the Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race is held on the third Saturday in September for pride and skipjack preservation. Today, there are only two dozen active skipjacks left on the Bay and this race provides the opportunity to see some of these surviving traditional skipjacks up close and under sail in one location. All participating boats receive equal show-up money which gives much needed funds for maintenance and preservation, not prize.
Plan on attending the 22nd Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race event next year on September 15
in Cambridge, Maryland and support skipjack preservation.
Photos courtesy Mike Ellwood – Photo 1: Dee Cree pictured bottom 1 to r: Kathy Ellwood, Barry Winkelman, Judy Angelheart, and Dimitrios Papadakis. Top l to r: Frank Arbusto (Captain), John Fulchiron (First Mate), Kate Dumhart (Mate in Training), Duane Heidemann, Al Rondina, and Roger Haskett
Photo 2: Dee of St. Mary’s
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The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, military with valid I.D. and AAA members, and $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.