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What
do Queen Latifah, Elton John, Eva Longoria and
Maryland have in common? Give up? They all have birthdays
in March. This year is the state’s 375th. Historic
St. Mary’s City – where
English settlers arrived in 1634 – and Annapolis
are hosting celebrations. In fact, festive occasions that
celebrate just about everything – from
chocolate to topiary – spring up in March. It’s
a season of renewal. Take in the fresh scenery at two prominent
gardens – Annemarie
and Ladew. Get outside. Visit the state’s glorious
sanctuaries for wildlife. It’s a new season in Maryland.
And, it’s
all Pretty.
Close.

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Arts & Entertainment – Artwork
in bloom
Looking for signs of spring? How about the Calvert
Artists’ Guild Spring Art Show and Sale, March 14-15, at Annmarie
Garden in
Solomons? Annmarie Garden is a 30-acre sculpture park and art
center in a scenic Southern Maryland waterfront town. Among
Annmarie’s collection are outdoor pieces on loan from
the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
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Collectibles – Two
venues for antique weaponry
If
you collect – or just appreciate – antique
arms, swords and military artifacts, circle the March 20 weekend
and head to Baltimore County. The March
Collectible Arms and All Militaria Show and Sale is at the Maryland National Guard
Armory in Pikesville, March 20-22. Also that weekend: ‘Original
Baltimore’ Antique Arms Show – 1,000 tables of exhibits – at
the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, March 21-22. |
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Culinary
Corner – Chocolate
and more chocolate
“There are four basic food groups,” someone once said, “milk
chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles.” Satisfy
chocolate cravings, experience culinary pleasure at the Downtown
Bel Air Chocolate Festival, March 7. Mingle with
professional chocolatiers. Indulge your senses with chocolate. A
Chocolate Affaire
on Friday night, March 6, features all things chocolate, live
music. |
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Family
Fun – Walk through wildlife habitats
Get an up-close look at Maryland’s wild side. Two opportunities
on March 14 – 9th
annual Eagle Festival at Blackwater National
Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge on the Eastern Shore and the Refuge
System Birthday Celebration at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel.
Activities for everyone. Known as “Everglades of the North,” Blackwater
has one of the nation’s largest populations of breeding bald
eagles. Also at Patuxent, 20th annual Patuxent
Wildlife Art Show & Sale,
March 28-29. |
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Great
Outdoors – Horses in the garden
Thanks to
Harvey Smith Ladew II – “gardener, sporting
art patron and good companion," as described by the English
magazine Tatler – Maryland has one of the world’s premiere
topiary gardens. The season opens
March 28 at Ladew. On March 29, equestrians discuss a centuries-old
Maryland
tradition – fox chasing – during a special program, Tally
Ho! Horses & Hounds. |
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History & Heritage – 375
candles on the cake
Celebrate Maryland’s birthday. It’s a special one this
year – the 375th. Visit the St.
Clement’s Island Museum in St. Mary’s
County on Maryland
Day, March 25. That’s
where the Ark and the Dove – two small English
ships – landed
with the settlers of Maryland in 1634. On March 29, mark another
Maryland Day celebration at the state’s only two capitals: Historic
St. Mary’s City and Annapolis.
Free programs, exhibits and living history interpretations. |
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