Anne Arundel Chapter of DAR Celebrates 100th Anniversary

The Anne Arundel Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized November 13, 1911.  On Sunday, November 13, 2011 the Town Crier had the honor of opening the Centennial celebration of the Anne Arundel Chapter by reading Proclamations from the Office of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, the Maryland General Assembly, and the Anne Arundel County Council, recognizing the Chapters 100 years of promoting patriotism and preserving American history, on the lawn of the historic Rising Sun Inn.

                        

                                                                            

The Rising Sun Inn is hip-roofed tavern of pre-Revolutionary days, located nine miles north of Annapolis on General’s Highway, the historic post road known as the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route.

Town Crier Proclaims First Arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau on Maryland Shores

Beaujolais Nouveau 2011 – The First Arrival on Maryland Shores from Red Red Wine Bar on Vimeo.

Squire Frederick, Annapolis Town Crier, proclaims the arrival of the first case of Beaujolais Nouveau 2011 to the City of Anne on Thursday, November 17th — “Beaujolais Nouveau Day”! Mayor Josh Cohen met the boat carrying the “first case” at Ego Alley, and escorted the case to the Red Red Wine Bar for the first tasting.

Historically, “at one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November…over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau travel through France to Paris for shipment to all parts of the world”. It has thus “become a worldwide race to be the first to serve this new wine of the harvest”, and “in doing so, it has been carried by motorcycle, balloon, truck, helicopter, Concorde jet, elephant, runners and rickshaws to get to its final destination”. This year, in Annapolis it was carried by boat, on foot, and by eCruiser to it’s ultimate destination, The Red Red Wine Bar on Main St. According to French law of 1985 importers of Beaujolais Nouveau had to agree not to sell it before midnight on the third Thursday of November.
                                      Oyez                                Oyez                                 Oyez

                                                        “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive!”
                                                        (“The New Beaujolais has arrived!”)

National Guard 375th Birthday Ball 1636-2011

The National Guard traces its roots to December 13, 1636 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony called for the formation of a militia of citizen soldiers to muster on the Salem Common for the defense of their community.   From that first 17th century muster to modern day Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom as well as Hurrican Katrina, today’s citizen soldiers —today’s National Guard — has proven it is “Always Ready, Always There”.  And on November 8, 2011 the Town Crier was also “There”!  He was there at the Gaylord National Hotel & Conventon Center at National Harbor to help the Guard celebrate their 375th Anniversary at their Birthday Ball.

As music played, and doors were flung open, Squire Frederick rang his bell and summoned more than 1,500 celebrants to “step lively”, “enter the ballroom” and “take your seats” to dine on fine vittles, and lubricate your vocal chords.  CMSgt Al Garver served as the Master of Ceremony for the evenings program which included a Victorian Dance Ensemble, World War II swing dancers and a Special musical presentation of Taps.  Closing remarks given by General Craig McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau were immediately followed by Squire Frederick’s final Proclamation of “heartfelt thanks from Mayor Joshua Cohen for your service to America.” 

I felt most honored when “coined” twice that evening; first, by CMSgt Al Garver on behalf of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States; secondly, when General Craig McKinley — Chief, National Guard Bureau — presented yours truly with the 375th birthday Command Coin.   Thank you, very much.

                                                                     

                                                                General Craig McKinley 

                                                                   

                                                                        CMSgt Al Giver     

                                                        Oyez – Happy 375th Birthday

                                              

             “Lady Phoebe”

       

                    Oklahoma School Teacher              and                                 Husband

  

 

 

Huzzah! – Three Cheers – for “Southern Living”!

Had a chance meeting this morning with a talented 21st century scrivener (scribe) in an 18th century coffee shop in Annapolis while sipping a hot chai-tea latte.  Times have changed.  No such thing as chai-tea latte for this town crier in the 18th century. Puddle water sipped from a saucer – not a cup – yes!  Latte? No! Anyway, while perusing some reading material for an upcoming event I encountered Cory Bordonaro, Editorial Assistant at “Southern Living” magazine,  and a couple of her friends;  Jennifer Wilmore and Kristen Straw.   Rarely ever passing up an opportunity to extol the virtures of one of the cities I’m commissioned to represent as an official town crier I expounded on the historic legacy of Annapolis.  They were most gracious in listening to my 18th century stories before continuing their journey though the City of Anne.  I wish them well.  

                                                    

              Town Cryer with Cory Bordonaro (far Right), Jennifer Wilmore, and Kristen Straw

Century High School Homecoming Parade

Well, I had the chance to relive my past today as I joined Century High School (Sykesville/Eldersburg) students in their annual Homecoming parade down Main St. in Sykesville.  Although I was “schooled” many years ago I think this was the first time I ever participated in any Homecoming festivities.  In fact, I can’t remember having “Homecoming” activities when I was a young “scholar” in high school so this experience was all the more rewarding and wonderful.  I felt like a sixteen year old again.  (thank you, Madison) 

                             Squire Frederick with his favorite Treasurer, Madison Born

                                               Century High School goes Hollywood

                      

                          “John Travolta”              “Sandy”                     “Tina Turner”

                                                             Century High School

                                                               Homecoming Spirit

                                                                                              

                                                                

Catonsville Rails to Trails – October 9, 2011

Sunday, October 9th  -  Helped pay tribute this afternoon to six, young, talented teens – Grace Biamonte, Lizzy Gruber, Lydia McCaw, Raychael Norton, Casey Radner and Logan Wyatt — by giving the opening proclamation for the public ceremony formally recognizing their joint efforts in restoring a 14-year-old mural overlooking the No. 8 Streetcar Path in Catonsville.   ”Catonsville Rails to Trails”, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating walking trails in Catonsville, organized the celebration which was attended by about five-dozen people, and Squire Frederick the Town Crier, in additon to 1st District Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk and Maureen Sweeney-Smith, a member of the board of directors for “Catonsville Rails to Trails”.

The electric streetcar replaced horse-drawn carriages as a means of transportion in 1896 whereas streetcar service itself ended in 1963, only a few years past.

                                                       Catonsville Raid to Trails

                           Squire Frederick, Town Crier, and Maureen Sweeney-Smith

                                                Ceremonial Opening Proclamation

                                          Councilman Tom Quirk with mural artists

38th Annual Sykesville Fall Festival

What an absolutely georgous day for the Annual Sykesville Fall Festival.  Bright sunshine with nary a cloud in a crystal clear, Carolina blue, sky.  Arts and crafts, food (hmmm), live entertainment, music, and plenty of things for kids, parents, and the young at heart.    I rang the bell, and schmoozed with many friends, neighbors, and familiar smiling faces; Ivy Wells, Sykesville’s Main Street Manager; Valerie Bonk, scribe for the EldersburgPatch; and the Born family — Greg, Rachel, Madison, Molly, and Matthew — and Ashley.  I couldn’t, and didn’t, pass up the opportunity to ring the bell and Proclaim Gregg in Beck’s restaurant on Main St.  Of course I did have a little encouragement and prompting from Gregg’s wife Rachel.  And I shouldn’t forget Rachel’s sister Kara, and her husband Steve who I caught up with while wandering down Main Street.  All wonderful, sweet, people.  But what more would you  ever expect to find in Sykesville, “the small town with a Big History”!  Huzzah !

     

                           Molly, Gregg, Matthew, Sq. Fred, Madison, Ashley, Rachel

                    Madison Born (far right) with her friends and “Squire Frederick”

                                ”Lady Sandy” and “Lady Di” with “Squire Frederick”

Valerie Bonk, 21st century scribe for the Eldersburg Patch, compares notes with “Squire Frederick”, 18th century Town Crier and bell ringer, at the 38th annual Sykesville Fall Festival.

Baltimore Beer Week — Huzzah !!!!! Oct 6 – 16, 2011

The “Cryer” reprised his role and gave the opening Proclamation during the third annual kickoff celebration of Baltimore Beer Week 2011 at Ram’s Head Live in downtown Baltimore.   He started the day at noon by leading the First Annual “Star Spangled Banger” Parade, featuring the “Banger”, from historic Ft. McHenry National Mounument to Ram’s Head Live in downtown Baltimore.

                                                  Parade stop #4 – Little Havana

The “parade” stopped at several pubs and taverns along the parade route through Locust Point, Cross Street Market, Mount Vernon, Baltimore, Fells Point, and Canton where The Squire rang the bell and welcomed patrons to the opening of Baltimore Beer Week, and introduced the 2011 Guest of Honor for this years festivities, the ”Banger”.    The “Banger” is an absolutely essential part of all Baltimore Beer Week activities.  It taps the first firken! 

                         Squire Frederick, Joe Gold, Rob Kasper, Mick Kipp, BradDavis           

                                                Parade stop # 3 – Captain Larry’s

                                 Vittles, Libations and The “Banger” at Capt. Larry’s

                    Stop #6 – Metropolitan

                                               Rob Kasper, Squire Fred,  Joe Gold

                                           Squire Fred and “drummer” Mick Kipp

Dominic Cantalupo, and Mick Kipp tune up with the Piper before entering Ram’s Head Live for Opening Proclamation by Squire Frederick.

The celebration of “all things beer in the Land of Pleasant Living” continues through October 16.  It consists of nearly 300 events at more than 50 venues.  Huzzah !

RESULTS are IN! 2011 NATCC Champions

Began the day around 8:00am with a walk around Anacortes to get a few pictures and a cup of coffee.  A little chilly so the heavy sweater felt really good.  A little foggy as well.  Looking forward to the last cry — the Advertising Cry — at 2:00pm at Seafarers Park.

Well, I said I’m glad I wasn’t one of the judges.  Tough job.  Excellent competitors. The following results are announced at the awards banquet: 

First Place – Bill McKee (Canada).  This is Bill’s third straight win at the North American.

Second Place – Bev Praver (USA) 

Third – Mark Molner (Canada)

FIRST AMERICAN:  Bev Praver (USA)

“Bells Up” after the Final Cry

Oyez Oyez Oyez

Day one of 2011 North American Championship is “in the books”.  First cry was the “Hometown Cry” at 10:00 at Causland Park — a short walk from my very fashionable abode/”home stay”.  Bunny Heiner and her husband have graciously opened their doors to a most beautiful home for Bruce Bedell, his wife, and myself to lodge for the three day weekend.  After coffee, toast and some fresh fruit for breakfeast we headed to Causland Park for the “kickoff”.  Judy Jewell, past Anacortes crier extraordinare gave the benchmark cry which set the standard for judges scoring.  Judy was awesome!  Glad she wasn’t competing.

Broke for lunch at Gere-a-Deli on Commercial Ave after the last cry was given and suped on fine sandwiches — my Rubin was to die for — and a cup of soup before returning for the Amusing Cry at 2:00pm at Heart of Anacortes Performing Venue.  This time we broke for Rockfish Grill after the last cry to “lubricate our vocal cords” before dinner.

We had an prearranged dinner in a private party room at the bowling alley before calling it a night;  salad, garlic bread, lazagna and dessert. . . . . .cheeze cake, coconut cake and lemon merange pie if desired.  I passed.

I’m glad I’m not one of the judges because every cry was not only unique but also outstanding.  Picking a winner has to be a difficult job.  We’ll get the final results at the awards banquet tomorrow evening. 

Annapolis Town Crier with Bing(o)

“Bing” made a special appearance.  “Bing” came to the North American Championship 2008 with his master, Bert Stevens.  Bert was from Victoria, B.C. and “Bing” was his seeing-eye dog.  Bert was legally blind.  Sadly, his bell went silent last year but his wife brought “Bing” and some wonderful memories to Anacortes.  Bert was instrumental in getting me to participate in the 2010 Chester Invitational World Tournament in Chester, England last year for which I’m eternally grateful.  And I should add Denise, my escort, won the Best Dressed Escort in the world.

 

 

 

                         

                                                     Annapolis Crier Schmoozing  with a Judge

                          

                                     Spectator’s Hear Cry at Heart of Anacortes Performing Venue.