Julia & Jenn: SoCo, It's a big Deale!

What a special treat to have two strong women from Southern Anne Arundel County to talk with Gretchen and I about all the awesome things SoCo has to offer. 

Jenn Schiavone is the owner operator of one of the best consignment shops for women that I have ever been to called The Blue Herron and Julia is the President of the Southern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. 

Take a trip to Shady Side, Deale, Churchton, West River and more to see what all the small town hype is all about. 

The Blue Heron Boutique 

Address:

645 Deale Road

Deale, MD 20751

Phone:

410-980-4722

Website:

www.theblueherondeale.com

Email:

info@theblueherondeale.com

On FB and Instagram as The Blue Heron Boutique 

PLAN YOUR TRIP AND VISIT THESE LOCAL PLACES:

www.southcounty.org

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Farbware Light, the main street maps with a big one stuff and the city shot spray. These are the voices, these are their stories. Voices of Annapolis dive in. To Voices of Annapolis. This is Kelly Bell with the Bell House Catering.

SPEAKER_04 0:14

Gretchen Moran with the Cloning Air Square. Hi, Gretchen. How's it going, Kyle? So tired. How are you feeling so tired? So such a good tired. Tell everybody why we're so tired.

SPEAKER_00 0:23

Well, we uh we served breakfast at the lighthouse shelter today, which was quite quite rewarding. And we could not have picked a better day to do it. It's beautiful outside.

SPEAKER_04 0:30

And you did all of the heavy lifting on the admin side to like line up this is called adopt a breakfast, right? Like was that a heavy lift?

SPEAKER_00 0:39

No, super easy. So if you guys want to donate your time and um and feed feed lunch, dinner, I think they have breakfast breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yeah, it's awesome. It's a good time. So grateful. Cute kitchen. Cute kitchen. Functional. Yep, and you can like you can go in there and use their fryer if you want.

SPEAKER_04 0:56

Um I highly recommend and everybody was super sweet.

SPEAKER_00 0:59

Yep. I think uh go on the link, just a lighthouse shelter, and then adopt a meal and they walked right through how to get signed up.

SPEAKER_04 1:07

So it's not hard to sign up. It was definitely worthy. Yep. We're 5 a.m. people as long as we don't have to still be working at two in the afternoon. Yeah, this is not yeah, we're still yeah, yeah, we're still moving on. We're trying to. But I think the the the zhuzh in our juice right now is the sunshine. Oh my god, it is.

SPEAKER_00 1:29

If it was shitty like it has been for like two the last three months, I don't think we would be this excited. Yeah, our our guests today would be very would would think we were very lame. But we're but the it's the energy, the sun, the vitamin D.

SPEAKER_04 1:44

So speaking of our guests today, we're branching out. Hell yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Because people in Annapolis have got to go down and check out Soko. It's a big deal, people.

SPEAKER_04 1:53

It's such a big deal. And so such a delightful place to spend time. And yes, that was a pun.

SPEAKER_00 2:00

And and the weather, the weather today is actually just a reminder of how like this perfect day you can go drive down there, go all the shopping and eat all the food and all kinds of stuff. We're gonna talk about that today. So let's introduce our guests, shall we? I think we shall. Okay. Um, first lady on my left, we've got Julia Howes. She is the presidente of the Southern Soco County Chamber. Hi, Julia.

SPEAKER_03 2:28

Hi, thanks for having me today.

SPEAKER_00 2:30

You're welcome. So glad you're here. And who's this other lady on our right? Oh, that is Jen Shavoni. She is definitely a local legend. Uh been around, been around town a while, and uh, she owns the Blue Heron, which is a we're gonna talk about that. It's an awesome consignment shop. It's I just actually was there yesterday. I saw that. Yes, and I bought some jewelry. You were not there, which I but I want to I'll talk to you about the lady you have working there. She was a delight. Good. Um, yeah, so let's get let's get talking.

SPEAKER_04 2:59

Some consignment shopping, Kelly. And first thing I'm gonna ask Jenna is why did they take all of the consignment away from Annapolis?

SPEAKER_00 3:06

You have they're they're you have they're hidden. You have to go find them. I know my daughter was talking about.

SPEAKER_04 3:11

Yeah, well, I'm coming to deal. Oh, please do because now I know where you are. We have if I have to, if I have to go find it and search for it, I'm I'm I'm lost.

SPEAKER_02 3:21

And I have the clothing and all the women's apparel, and then second wing consignment has all the housewares and furniture.

SPEAKER_00 3:27

Yep, it's great. It's great. So uh let's start with Julia. Julia, what do you do? What what is your role here? Why why doesn't she do? I well, it's true, exactly. She also is a local legend. Um, but what do you do? What is the chamber? What do you do as the president of the chamber? What does that mean for people?

SPEAKER_03 3:46

So our um business community is very prominent in South County and Southern Anarundal, and it is really what makes our community unique and special and um what gives back so much. Like our community is not a bunch of um, you know, large stores that are ran by corporations. They are ran by locals, they are ran by people that live in our community, their kids play sports in our community, they go to school at our local high schools. Um, they really are a part of the community and they give back, they contribute, they help out, they volunteer, they coach. So it really makes a huge difference in where we live because of the business community.

SPEAKER_04 4:28

Well, and Julia, without that big corporate presence, this is your economy. These people are your economy. These are your jobs, these are your livelihoods. Yeah. This is a real connection, right? When everybody has to depend on everybody. It's what we love about space.

SPEAKER_03 4:45

Yes, we don't have a lot of um people coming in and out for, you know, traveling from the northern part of the county or different counties. There is some crossover because we are so um demographically close to PG County, Calvert County, all of that. Um, but we really do kind of stay within and work within, um, you know, and we are so close to everything, you know, Annapolis, Prince Frederick, DC, Baltimore, that it's a great place to live outside of the group.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

It's close if you don't get stuck behind somebody on Muddy Creek Road during 35 miles an hour. Or a tractor.

SPEAKER_04 5:24

Yeah, or a school bus, which which also is, if you're not familiar with South County, which if you're listening, you probably are. But South County is a lot of agriculture. It is. It is.

SPEAKER_03 5:34

Yeah, so we are actually a large maritime industry. We we have more um boats docked in our docks and at our marinas than the city of Annapolis does. No kidding. Which people don't typically believe, but we have so many marinas and we're obviously surrounded by water that it makes sense.

SPEAKER_00 5:51

The deal used to be, it's probably it. I did actually notice, I can point out now being having lived down there for 25 years. I can notice when they when people are visiting and don't belong. Like it's so obvious. It is so obvious. I'm like, oh, you're visiting, okay. Where are you from? Oh, New York? Okay, great.

SPEAKER_04 6:09

Okay, wait, say more. How do you know?

SPEAKER_00 6:11

You can just there's just you can just it's a vibe. It is a vibe, it's like you can, it's like I I it's like they're taking it all in.

SPEAKER_02 6:18

It is, yeah. There's no Russian deal, there's no Russian South County. No, we all kind of just do our own pace. I always say once you get down Muddy Creek Road, it's like being on vacation, and you can just take your time.

SPEAKER_04 6:31

And it used to be I'm I'm not going to South County enough.

unknown 6:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:35

Um it used to be a very big um like beach town. Um, okay, you know, like a lot of vacation homes and stuff. And I think with since we moved, since I moved down there, it's kind of definitely changed more to like because housing before the boom was cheap. Yeah. You could get a house for practically nothing. I mean, now we're, you know, it's it's not. So it's not. Um so yes, and I do love the fact actually one of my favorite things about living in South County is because it's not corporate, it's not, it's not overtaken by corporate business. And that is like, it's my favorite. It's my favorite. Because you get to know your business owners. You go in and it's you you don't get the like if you're like, oh God, you know, this didn't this didn't this is undercooked, you know, you can kind of like slide it under the table, be like, fix it for me. And it's not, you know, nobody really, you know, it's a lot of good good people that way. Yeah. Um, and then we have Jen, who is the owner and operator of The Blue Heron, which I've known Jen, I guess, gosh, probably since Fletcher was in pre school and and uh Maggie were in middle school, preschool.

SPEAKER_02 7:43

Preschool yeah, and fun fact, I was one of I was your first employee. She was, that's right, yes, she was. She would bartend for me. Yes, I would help in the kitchen.

SPEAKER_00 7:52

Yep, yep, yep. Look at that. I love that. Yeah, I love it. Yes. Um, and uh we were we try to do breakfast, it just never works.

SPEAKER_05 8:01

Or we got too busy.

SPEAKER_00 8:03

I know, so everybody wants our businesses, right? Um, and it's her shop is so cute, and really what I loved about what they've done down there with the shops, like you have they the color coding of the shops and how pretty the buildings are down there, super worth it. And Jen, tell us about your shop.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

So it is a women's consignment shop. We have clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry, you name it. We have it. Um but it is a consignment boutique, meaning that all the clothes are secondhand and pre-loved, but you would not know that. Most people do not know that I'm a consignment shop because of the way we curate our inventory.

SPEAKER_00 8:43

Oh, yeah, you get some great bags.

SPEAKER_02 8:45

We get great bags. I would say almost half of our stuff still has the price tags on there. Wow. Um, I just have the most amazing consigners and I'm blessed. And I just celebrated my five-year anniversary last week.

SPEAKER_04 9:00

Now, Jen, are your consigners local?

SPEAKER_02 9:02

So, not all of them, no. Because we are um we people have vacation houses in deal. I get a lot from DC, a lot from Virginia. Um, but I also get a lot from the northern part of the community. Um, luckily, Second Wind and I kind of work together where if she can't take something, you know, she'll push them down to me. Um, and likewise, you know, we try to work together.

SPEAKER_04 9:26

I take it second wind is another.

SPEAKER_02 9:28

So that is um the home decor. Oh, and that is also a very home decor consignment shop, too. And it's literally what?

SPEAKER_03 9:37

200 feet away, if that's you can park at one and walk to the other. Or exactly.

SPEAKER_00 9:42

Yeah, it's super well, you could literally go park and then go shopping and then get up, grab a bite to eat, like within like all walking distance.

SPEAKER_04 9:49

Well, Kelly and I are on a road tour of all of our um podcast interview businesses, and so we're we're gonna be there soon.

SPEAKER_00 9:58

Yeah, definitely. Um so one of the things that I love about Gen Store, and you started this a long time ago, but I heard but I heard that you got you got I I don't I don't remember. Tell us about your prom dress situation.

SPEAKER_02 10:10

So we do a well, right now we're calling it a prom dress event. In years past it was a prom dress giveaway, but this year I paired with the gem organization, which is the girls' empowerment mission, and they were gifted some dresses from a um formal dress boutique, and they donated them to me to then use for my prom dress event. Um, and those are for a$25 donation. So not all the dresses this year are free, but still brand new tags on these dresses, and they're only$25. It's open to anyone. We're having our third event this Sunday, March 15th. Um so I'm so excited about that. And I love the girls are so gracious, it's so fun to watch them um try on these dresses. The only rule is we need to see you because even if you don't like it, because it's so nice to see the dresses not just on the hangar, but on the girls, and you know, we have a lot of fun.

SPEAKER_00 11:08

What what had you what started you to do that? Because like I thought that was a brilliant idea when you first did it.

SPEAKER_02 11:14

So I just feel like when you own a business in the community you live in and you raise your kids and it's really important to give back. And sure, I can write a check to the local school and I can do that, but I just wanted something that really helped. And Southern is one of the only schools in the area that I noticed kind of never did a prom dress giveaway. Um and we have a lot of different demographics going into the school, so I just felt like it could be helpful. And now, don't get me wrong, people from Calvert Comm, people from the you know, Edgewater and Annapolis area come too. So all are welcome to come. Um, but I just thought it was a good way to give back, and of course, I have two daughters, so makes sense to me. You had to get rid of their dresses, because it's time to clean out the closet exactly, and now one she dresses up all the time, so she's always a need of dressing.

SPEAKER_04 12:00

If you ever decide to expand to the the boys' uh suits, I've got a closet full for you. The one thing about prom, they're still growing. Oh, of course. So every year it's a new suit. I mean, almost if there's two dances in a year, you need two suits. I I'm always like, isn't there a way we can just tuck the sleeves up and let them out? Because he just grew so fast.

SPEAKER_02 12:24

You could if you have any like sewing abilities, I've got nothing. I've got notes going. I always say if I knew how to hem or do any sort of I to me, it's a superpower to be able to.

SPEAKER_00 12:37

Actually, that wouldn't actually be a bad idea to have in your shop as a tailor. Right?

SPEAKER_04 12:41

Yeah, right. To me, the consigning, the the curating, and the ability to make things feel new to people is a is a superpower. Where does that come from?

SPEAKER_02 12:51

I have just always loved consignment. Um I go into these stores and I get sticker shock at the price. And it's not about not being able to afford something, but it's like why?

SPEAKER_04 13:03

Why would you pay that? I'm with you.

SPEAKER_02 13:06

And you know, a lot of these clothes are great quality, so why wouldn't you just, you know, and so many people wear things once. So many people forget to return things. So they're just sitting there. Um and then they bring them to me, and then they make someone else happy.

SPEAKER_00 13:21

And I just think that's really where you buy something from Amazon and then they don't return it, you can't return it.

unknown 13:26

Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_00 13:27

And it doesn't fit, you're like, damn it.

SPEAKER_04 13:30

How hard is it to consign? Like if I have things in my closet that don't fit, would you help me figure out, like, yeah, Scretchen, this is worth consigning?

SPEAKER_02 13:38

This is probably not you would bring it to me, and we are seasonal. We make an appointment, so I'm not just showing up. So first-time consigners don't need an appointment. Once you're an established consigner, you do. Um, you bring us your stuff, and it is seasonal, so right now we're in spring season. We go through your things, we take what we can, we start an account on the software, and then once things sell, all the money accrues on your account. So it's really just as easy as bringing it in. Super easy.

SPEAKER_03 14:05

I never ask for a check, I just keep buying. Yeah, that's the thing.

SPEAKER_02 14:09

You can either use the money to shop or you can cash out your account. Um, I would say 90% of the people use the money to shop in the store, which you know, certainly we appreciate.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

Oh, of course. Um, I know I'm at Charlie, we stopped by there yesterday, like I was saying, and then Charlie's like, because we she works at the Happy Harbor, so you know, which by the way is tonight a six dollar burger night, if you didn't know at Happy Harbor. It's a actually delicious burger. It does get fries. They do have hand cut fries, which is just an upcharge, but it's delicious. For six dollars? Well, no, the the French fries are upcharge. Okay, but don't get a tear carryout because you don't get the hand cut fries at carry out. Oh, okay. Charlie didn't tell us that. I was like, damn it, I should have just gotten the chips. Anyway, so um back to Julia real quick. What does it take to become a member of the Southern Anirundel Chamber of Commerce?

SPEAKER_03 15:03

You're you're getting it. I like it. So it is it's very easy. Um, there is an online application, but most of the time it just has a conversation between us. Um, you know, we do double check that you're an established member of, you know, state licensing, that kind of thing. Um, but for the most part, we we know the the businesses in our community or the ones that service our area. Um just because you don't have a physical location in Southern Anarundal, that doesn't mean you can't join as long as you want to market and be a part of the Southern Anarundal community. So super easy online application, and then you know, in in office, we take care of all of that. We get you uploaded to the website, get you on our mailing list, and then we start e-blasts and social media campaigns welcoming you, that whole fun process where we get to tell everybody that you're now a member and welcome you in.

SPEAKER_00 15:57

Yep, and Julia does a great job with even reposting um people's, you know, if you have something going on, like if we did the prepared meals, Julia will repost it. Um so it that's also very, very helpful. Um, so let's um I know that uh nope, I lost my thought.

SPEAKER_04 16:17

Well, that's okay because Julia and I met um mid last year, right? Because the culinary square is still a concept. We were doing our market study. So we came down your way, we were in your farmers' markets, we were in your food truck rallies. And um, I think that's a great point that you're like telling people right now is you don't you aren't just a member of the chamber when you're a business there. If you're interested in knowing that community is is when you want to join the chamber and become known to the chamber. So the thing that you and I really you were such a delight in connecting me with all of the chambers. Talk about this is really a little bit bizarre, but we are a big county. We are how many chambers in Ana Ronda County are there?

SPEAKER_03 17:04

So there are six in Ana Ronda County. Six. Yes, but we really and it's not unusual, surprisingly. Um Montgomery County has close to 10, you know, they're they're big counties, big areas, and we each kind of have our own niche in our own area, yep, and uh do different things for our members and our communities and all of that. So it really isn't unusual. Um, you know, and it it talks to kind of our areas across the county, but we all work so well together. We do events together, we're constantly calling or emailing or chatting at some point to ask each other's opinion, or what do you think about this event? Or, you know, do you want to partner in this? We could really be strong initiatives, legislation. You know, we're gonna we're we're spending a lot of time together because right now we're in the Maryland General Assembly. So we're constantly saying, okay, who's who's sent their stuff in, who's gonna be there to testify, all of that. Sure.

SPEAKER_04 18:03

So when you want to get something done and you want it to be consistent across the county, you're working together, and I'm gonna give you huge props because she got five of the six presidents of the chambers on a call for me. Oh, all of us were together as we were talking about why this is important to the county. And when I say this, I mean the culinary square and the shared kitchen for our food operators, uh, why it was important, how do you support me? Every one of those chamber presidents has come through. They've all they've all at one point or another either shown me where there's a building that was a possibility or said, Hey, are you checked in on me? Said, are you guys still in the running? And and it's been all because of you. I cannot thank you enough.

SPEAKER_03 18:44

Yeah, so not just me, but the chamber of commerce can be a real conduit and resource for anybody, really, you know. That's right. A lot of times I get phone calls about when when does the trash come or why doesn't the trash come, which is not really in my realm, but I can give them the contact and say, This is this is who you actually need to talk to. And you know, it's great to get those calls.

SPEAKER_04 19:06

I love that because how many places do you call and they say, I can't help you? Call this other place. No, I love that.

SPEAKER_02 19:12

All you have to do is tag Julia on Facebook when there's a question and she always knows.

SPEAKER_00 19:16

She's even up to date with any of the accidents. Like we always see, it's like, what happened on what do we're not the mayor, Julia? I mean, we have a few mayors.

SPEAKER_02 19:27

She does a lot for small business, though, and we all very much appreciate her.

SPEAKER_04 19:31

Yeah, the heart of small business is that kind of support. I can tell you when we ran our market study, the two biggest um we had a the last question on the on the survey was how'd you how'd you hear about about us? And um the two biggest were the small business development center and the chambers. Great. That's where most of our our market survey people came from. And without that data, uh we wouldn't be as far along as we are today. So yeah, again, kudos to you.

SPEAKER_03 19:58

That report was.

SPEAKER_04 19:59

I think that just means I owe you one. Come on, let me know when you're on the tour. There might be food. Uh there might be food in it for you.

SPEAKER_00 20:07

Um, yeah, so let's actually let's talk about all the other businesses in the in the to-dos in the area. Because I think that's another thing um that people don't realize is there is actually stuff to do.

SPEAKER_04 20:18

So I'm coming shopping at the Blue Heron. Yep. But I'm gonna do that. It's it's gonna open around 10-11. So I want to get breakfast first.

SPEAKER_02 20:25

So you want to get breakfast? So, you know, you we have small town brews, or we have South County Cafe, or Happy Harbor opens at eight for breakfast. So those are good, three good options. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 20:35

And then I get my I get my shopping on, which I'm gonna need a coffee after I after I'm done with the small town brews. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 20:43

They are um opening a brick and mortar later this month. So bought us yes, inside joke.

SPEAKER_00 20:51

We have some funny people who live down there too. We we've got a cryogenic uh place. Cryogenic storage. Cryogenic storage, yes. What is cryogenic storage? Am I freezing my brain?

SPEAKER_04 21:03

What am I doing?

SPEAKER_00 21:03

Julian may know who the culprit is, but I'm pretty sure there's just somebody around the area that just makes signs and then puts them up in in places that are not.

SPEAKER_02 21:11

I think they use a helicopter to put the signs down. The helicopter drive. Oh, okay, that's in South County.

SPEAKER_00 21:17

Yeah, so it it's wild. Like, and then so it's an old um, it's a uh barber shop. It was like a it's been there for decades, and but it unfortunately closed down. Um, and uh there's a sign on it that says cryogenic storage. Like someone like in the middle of the night, like this stuff happens, it goes up. And then there's another place where small town bruise is going, and but it's a stereotyp the funniest part is just on social media when you're like, what is the when is gumbadas gonna open? I'm like, that is there's no way a pizza place can go.

SPEAKER_03 21:46

Oh yeah. What are you talking about? So a few years back, this beautiful sign went up. We thought we were getting a pizza shop, it it never came to fruition. Um, so it has been kind of the comedy of the town.

SPEAKER_00 21:59

The best one was. Halloween costume that I think the boat, the um the boat bar, the boat house. Boat house. Uh they their their team went as uh the Gumbada staff. Like it's a like pizza staff. That was like the best Halloween stuff has to which actually the boathouse they're they're opening up soon.

SPEAKER_03 22:16

They opened this Saturday. This Saturday.

SPEAKER_00 22:18

That's a cool bar to go to. It's literally built out of a like there's a boat in the middle of the place. Okay it's like an outdoor, it's an outdoor um bar area. Yeah. And that's at the only hotel in Deal. It's the only hotel in Deal.

SPEAKER_03 22:30

Hotel at Anchored In.

SPEAKER_00 22:32

Yep. So that's another cool place to come and sit if you want to if you drink too much, you need to stay the night.

SPEAKER_04 22:37

Well, and there's water everywhere, right? So do you have those nice little waterfront like places where I can come and sit and put a picnic blanket out?

SPEAKER_00 22:45

And there is a I do know there's Jack Creek Park, which is very nice, cute little area. Yes. Um Franklin Point. Franklin Point. Uh I think that's it. Most of everything else does. Most people live on the water or have like, you know, but yeah, those are two two cool places. Um, but bike riding down there is really great. I love it. Um there's enough room, you know, except for the one part on Muddy Creek, which is it gets a little dicey. But for the most part, you can go and and ride your bike very safely around the area. It's lovely. That's one of my favorite things to do. Is there one? No, never mind. I think the I think the anchored in has a pool too. They do. They do. Oh, and oh, what about the uh is the boat um the tiki boat boat thing opening back? No, okay, never mind.

SPEAKER_02 23:39

But there's lots of charter boats. Lots of charter boats.

SPEAKER_04 23:42

You know what it sounds like to me is just a mini version of St. Michael's where you've got like all the little all the little little things that you would just come over to the town for.

SPEAKER_00 23:50

They also during the during the holidays, they do the the boat, the light of the boat. Oh, the boat parade. The boat parade. Yep, that's that's always a lot of fun. Um, I like that. There's also um so the restaurants down there, there's Jesse J's, which we need them to bring back brunch.

SPEAKER_04 24:05

Uh they had the best brunch. It was so good. Um I heard brunch is every chef's like disaster.

SPEAKER_00 24:12

It it's it's because you got the thing, you got to do it.

SPEAKER_04 24:16

All the things, you gotta do all the brings.

SPEAKER_00 24:18

There's a reason why McDonald's stopped serving breakfast at 10:30. There's just a reason. Because it's hard to mix the the lunch with the breakfast kind of situation.

SPEAKER_03 24:28

Yep. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:29

Um, what else is there?

SPEAKER_03 24:30

So Pirates Cove is in Galesville, a little bit north, Stan and Joe's.

SPEAKER_00 24:34

Stan and Joe's, Galesville, yep.

SPEAKER_03 24:35

Then if you go into the heart of Shadyside, we have Driftwood Diner, which is our best known secret. So don't let it get out too far.

SPEAKER_00 24:42

Okay. I do love, I do, Jen, Jenny, I love Jenny and the crew over there. They're amazing. It's just like this little it well. I remember when we first went there, when we first moved in, I don't remember what it was called. Shady Side Diner, maybe. I don't know. It was it was.

SPEAKER_03 24:56

It used to be Shannon's back when I was a kid.

SPEAKER_00 24:59

Yeah. But we it it was back like when you could smoke in in places. And it was a while ago. It was a while ago. And I remember me and Michael, and it and it needed it needed an update and a hell of a cleaning. And I remember going in there, Michael took a bite of his uh his pickle and used it. He's like a wet cigarette. Oh no! So it was really nice when when um uh Jetty and her sister took over and then they made it what it is, and it's cute little, cute, cute, cute um little diner. I love me a good diner.

SPEAKER_03 25:32

Yeah. And then when you head into Deal, we have Wharf 38, Dockside, Happy Harbor, Skippers Pier. We do have a cafe, South County Cafe, which is cute, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So it's it's a nice little place to grab and go or have a little lunch meeting, work meeting, that kind of thing.

SPEAKER_04 25:51

So, how long does it take you to get up here to the big city from Deal?

SPEAKER_03 25:56

20 to 25 minutes.

SPEAKER_04 25:57

See, it's not even that far away from me. I'm taking this depends on the traffic.

SPEAKER_00 26:02

Yeah, every place in this town depends on the traffic. Um during COVID, I could get here in 20 minutes. It was fantastic.

SPEAKER_04 26:09

Not everybody came out of their house.

SPEAKER_00 26:10

No, no, no, no, that was wonderful. So, school days, obviously, when schools or government's not in session, you can get here pretty quickly. Um, but again, it does matter, it does depend on Money Creek Road. But it's uh in tractor season.

SPEAKER_03 26:24

Or South County or So uh South River High School. That's the other factor. If you if you hit their if you hit their entrance or their dismissal times.

SPEAKER_01 26:34

Yeah, right, right.

SPEAKER_00 26:34

Yeah, yeah. But you know, there's lots of little tricks. It's it's crazy how intertwined all the roads are because like if you happen to turn down a road, you can get wherever you need to go because it's all backwards. You can get there from here. You can 100%.

SPEAKER_02 26:47

Once you leave edgewater, there's no congestion. It's just I mean, maybe a tractor or two, but you know, smooth sailing pretty much. It is. You'll be happy once you get there.

SPEAKER_00 26:57

Exactly. Yeah, I have um what are they doing? I know that the one are they still doing this? I and I know I'm bringing this up, but I probably should have fact-checked all this, but um, they were doing uh the paddle boarding.

SPEAKER_03 27:09

Yes, Andrea is still doing it. Yes, she is closer to Jen's door now. Um, but yeah, she has paddleboards, kayaks, and whether you are a first-timer like myself last summer, I finally did it and got on a paddle board in front of other chamber members because I decided to make my first time a chamber event. Um, but yeah, she's she was great, and yeah, so that's fun.

SPEAKER_00 27:36

Like if you want something to do, there's the the you know, you need an afternoon activity, it's a good time.

SPEAKER_04 27:41

Well, I like that though that your um Jennifer mentioned that the culture is really kind of a slower pace. And yeah, and I have never lived in a place where that's well, this place is slower than my last place, but we have always been so fast-paced. And the part of why we go away for vacation is because we I feel like I'm a different person when I'm away. So being in so close to someplace that can make me feel that way, I think I need to, I need to go and experience it for sure.

SPEAKER_00 28:11

You definitely do, you definitely do. Um like I remember we the the IGA or the IGA that was like the little grocery store. Oh, it was so nice when they got the Christopher's that was when they put that in. Oh, yeah, we have hardware stores local.

SPEAKER_02 28:25

Yeah, we have everything that you need, everything, but not too much.

SPEAKER_00 28:29

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 28:30

And when people move down and they say, But I gave up conveniences to live here, and I'm like, isn't that the point? We all gave up conveniences to live here, but you have everything you need, you don't have to go right to the big city to get anything. Yeah, I mean, you go to Christopher's, we have plenty of places to get food, um two hardware stores, and it's not it's not it's not fast food too, which is lovely. Yeah, we have no fast food, we have a black market baker's now, too.

SPEAKER_00 28:57

Oh, yeah, forgot about that. Yeah, they're new, they're new in the neighborhood. Yeah, the black market baker's wildfire. Wow, it's amazing. And they have more parking, so that's great.

SPEAKER_03 29:05

Right, they just expanded their parking. We have an animal um veterinary office.

SPEAKER_02 29:11

We have a groomer, a groomer, and we have a community pet pantry. Yeah, pet pantry. Yep. Oh, and that is a pet pantry. Wait, so wait, what is this? Um, my business neighbor, Susie, who owns Vintage by the Bay, and I realized that um we had a lot of places for humans to get food when they were in need, but there was no place for animals to get food. So we decided to open the Happy Tales pet pantry. And that is doing very, very well.

SPEAKER_04 29:40

It's like a food pantry, but it's for dog food. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 29:42

I love that. Dog food, cat food, kitty litter, you need you name it. We got beds, we got clothes, we have everything. I've ever heard of that.

SPEAKER_00 29:49

There's all we also there is also the pantry, the other the human pantry is the blue crab pantry. The blue crab pantry, which is over by the library.

SPEAKER_02 29:56

No, well, that's the caring cupboard. The library has the caring cupboard, which is outside the library, which is very well used. And then the blue crab pantry is at what church?

SPEAKER_03 30:07

Franklin. Franklin Mass. Franklin Message. Right on Church in the road, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 30:11

Very cool.

SPEAKER_00 30:12

Yeah, so it's there's there's definitely a lot to be said. They're actually putting in a whole new community park, which how's that tell us about that? What what's I I haven't seen any movement in a while, but it's coming.

SPEAKER_03 30:24

Um we did have some delays. There were some uh permitting issues, some unexpected construction issues, but it is supposed to be opening this summer. We're hoping by June.

SPEAKER_00 30:37

So tell us a little bit about this park area. What is it going to be?

SPEAKER_03 30:41

It has evolved due to community participation. It has um it started, we actually broke ground in 2020. We had these adorable children from the local child care center come out in their masks and um cut the ribbon for us and everything. And so we had it evolved over the last five, six years, and we will now have a dog park area, um, a covered pavilion area, a playground area, a whole walking trail. Um is that supported by the it is, it's a county wreck and parks project.

SPEAKER_04 31:18

That's great.

SPEAKER_03 31:19

Yeah, so um no pickleball, but there's there's gonna be a pickleball place in Edgewater. So we kind of got a little bit of both in two separate areas.

SPEAKER_00 31:29

There is a tennis court, which you could. Do they have do they make it so you can make it a pickleball thing?

SPEAKER_03 31:34

I feel like they did do something with it. There was some construction on it, so it's behind the library, yeah. Yeah. Our library is phenomenal too. And they do amazing things, including rent out fishing rods, which is really unique, but with so many people wanting it and kids and adults alike, they allow you to do it. They will help you get the fishing license from DNR because they have the computers there, so they can help you with the whole situation.

SPEAKER_04 32:01

So, yeah, you know something new to that, right? We just did a I was amazed at everything the library does. I don't know if your library does this, but did you did you know you can learn how to drive a stick at the library?

SPEAKER_00 32:13

I already know how to drive one.

SPEAKER_04 32:14

I do know I do, I do know. But yes, but you can learn how to do it. I mean, I think that's fantastic. Where are we? I didn't know that. We'll have to ask tomorrow if she comes to the book club.

SPEAKER_03 32:26

Yes, we will we will ask our our manager about that. Our local branch manager.

SPEAKER_00 32:30

There you go. Yeah, they also they are they still doing the farmers markets at the library because I know I was a part of it and and I'm usually and then you grew into a big girl and I did, I put my big girl pants on. Um but the market is and then I wish I could go because I'd love to I would love to see all the people like Jesse and and and uh I don't know it's three. I've been to that market.

SPEAKER_04 32:52

He's doing it's good stuff. I bought a b I bought a birdhouse there for my Vermont house. Oh, did it? It's so adorable. It looks like a barn. Oh it's a birdhouse, it looks adorable.

SPEAKER_00 32:59

I want I want to um I want a cuckoo clock. Somebody make me a cuckoo clock.

SPEAKER_04 33:05

Oh no not for the kitchen, no ma'am. Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes, you understand those things make noise.

SPEAKER_00 33:13

It they do, and I love it. I can't wait.

SPEAKER_03 33:15

I can't imagine your kitchen is quiet though.

SPEAKER_04 33:17

It's not, it's not. It's only quiet, but it doesn't need any more alarms going off. I'm just saying there's already enough buzzers going off in there.

SPEAKER_00 33:24

Lots of buzzers, lots of buzzers. Um, so what is the other thing I wanted to chat about? Because we have the oh, we do have a sushi place down there too.

SPEAKER_03 33:34

Yes. Um again, walking distance to Jen's store.

SPEAKER_00 33:39

That's right, walking distance to Gen's store.

SPEAKER_02 33:44

Let's do it. Oh, yeah, oh we also, yep, let's do it. Let's all the other stores. So we have second wing consignment. Yep. And like I said, they do the housewares and furniture, all consignment. Then we have a vintage deal, and they do have beautiful antiques. They go to Europe a few times a year and bring back amazing antiques. Um, next door to me is Vintage by the Bay, and she refinishes furniture and then has new home decor, very beautiful store.

SPEAKER_00 34:09

And then great place for gifts, like for people house homewarming gifts. Housewarming, housewarming, thank you.

SPEAKER_02 34:18

And then across the bridge across from Happy Harbor is somewhere in time, and they have a really nice eclectic mix. She does a lot of collectors edition type things, um nautical, and then she has some new stuff too. Um, but a huge mix. And if you go outside, like she has a big big foot out there for CASE. Lots of great shops, and really all within walking distance. I should say they're all women-owned, which is very exciting. Um, so it's just fun.

SPEAKER_00 34:44

And it is walking distance, like you could do like the wharf, you could hit um you could if you wanted to walk a little farther, I guess, but you could do a little bar hopping down there, you know. Um, and then do some showing.

SPEAKER_02 34:53

I think the best shopping gets done after these ladies have maybe had brunch or breakfast.

SPEAKER_04 34:59

Exactly. Well, I have to say that's a classy small town move, too, to like be on a podcast where you are promoting your business and you promote five others. So good audience.

SPEAKER_02 35:08

I love these women, I think they're great. And I I want everybody to do well.

SPEAKER_04 35:12

Everybody, everybody's boat can rise when the tide rises, right?

SPEAKER_00 35:15

No, I'm I'm look, I'm I'm still looking for a location. I'm hoping to get one down there. That would be ideal, but you know, you never know. Okay, that's still on. Okay, it's still on. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 35:27

We do also have a lot of relaxation options. So you can get facials, massages, um, waxing and estitution services from Charlie Ray Skincare, um, HairBiz, and HairBiz Suites. They're two separate entities. Um, Hair Biz is hair, and then across the street is HairBiz Suites, which has own little individual places. So they're able to, individual owners can have their own suite to do their services. So nails, hair, um, other esthetician style facials, you know, that kind of thing. Um, they also have a boutique that pops in and out. It's mostly um certain brands that they bring in for a short period of time. And then down the road a little bit is Blissful Roots Head Spa, which is the Japanese head spa. And if we haven't had it before, what is a what is a head spa?

SPEAKER_00 36:20

Wait, what? Wait, what? Where is this?

SPEAKER_03 36:22

It's you know how like when you go get your hair done and like they wash your hair for like five minutes, it's the best part. This is like an hour-long extensive hair massage.

SPEAKER_04 36:33

Oh, I would do this. It's amazing.

SPEAKER_03 36:35

Is this so it's in the Big Deal Park where Small Town Brew's coffee truck is now? Yeah, yeah. It's on the second story there.

SPEAKER_00 36:42

Where JT Restoration is really. In that shopping center, yeah. Okay, say it again because we need to I need to put Blissful Roots. Bliss blissful roots. When did they start there?

SPEAKER_03 36:51

Uh Megan has been there a year, year and a half. What?

SPEAKER_02 36:55

And what I love is she posts when she has availability. Yes, like maybe somebody canceled or she just has an available date. And I almost took one the other day because I've heard such amazing things about her scalp massage.

SPEAKER_03 37:06

And she shows she has like the um technology.

SPEAKER_04 37:11

This is the head.

SPEAKER_02 37:13

I go every five weeks, I think mostly just for the tattoo.

SPEAKER_03 37:15

But the color is like she has the technology that she can show you before and after, so you can see what your scalp looks like, and maybe it's dry, or you know, you have certain spots of your of your head that are maybe irritated more than others, and she can actually show you the before and after.

SPEAKER_00 37:30

Well, there it is. Blissful Roots Head Spa. It is on Instagram. I just followed. Look at you. It's exciting. I didn't know this. Now you have to take time out of your face. All ages, all ages, I wish I would. We should have had you on earlier. Yeah, I did not know that. That's cool. Yeah, because we have we also have two body shops, three body shops. Three. No, well, one body shop, two mechanics.

SPEAKER_03 37:56

Right.

SPEAKER_00 37:56

One body shop, JT's restoration. They're amazing. She just says body shop, and I'm going everywhere with that.

SPEAKER_04 38:01

And like, is does she mean people? Does she mean that's the thing? We actually do.

SPEAKER_03 38:07

Yes, Chesapeake Health and Fitness is amazing.

SPEAKER_02 38:10

Amazing physical therapy.

SPEAKER_00 38:11

Oh, yes, yep, um, yep, Rosalie, Rosalie, Rosalia. Rosalie. Yep, she's her place is amazing.

SPEAKER_04 38:18

So it's interesting because you said this area used to be sort of like vacation homes. So in my mind, I'm picturing like Cape Cod, old people. But but no, no, I'm talking about like the area of Cape Cod being more of like an older demographic.

SPEAKER_02 38:33

But it sounds like you have a lot of families. We do have a lot of families, and we have how many elementary schools? We have four elementary schools. Whoa. Yeah. Yeah. So you have a lot of families. And what's great, like I live, my kids went to DL elementary, and there's less than 300 kids, so it's like a private public school.

SPEAKER_00 38:50

That's great. Even Shady Side, small, like it's I think they're like 500 or something like that. Yeah. Tracy's Landing, small. And and and those teachers have been there for forever. Like they don't they came and they didn't leave.

SPEAKER_02 39:02

But that's the thing, the teachers are your friends, too. Yeah, and they're you know, like everybody's friends, neighbors.

SPEAKER_00 39:08

Well, I know one of the teachers that used to, I think she still works there, or she's or she's maybe she went to the high school, I think. But the lady when we do the Shady Side Parade, the July 4th parade, she has the house on the end, like right there, and they always throw a big old party. Like they have huge amounts of they're they're all drunk by the 10 o'clock.

SPEAKER_03 39:25

Does this does this part of that money goes to a scholarship fund then? So they're drinking for a cause.

SPEAKER_00 39:33

Drinking for a drinking for I taught for 10 years. I am no no judgment. I get it, you need to release, you know.

SPEAKER_02 39:41

They give away a scholarship at Southern High School every year in honor of their sister.

SPEAKER_00 39:46

That's amazing. Okay, so there is a purpose for this because I'm like, these people are parties. No, because every year they do. They're working, Kelly. They're working hard. But that's amazing. I again learned something new today about my own community. This is we have the shady side, the the July 4th parade, Galesville has one also. It's awesome, it's cool. Um, everybody lines the streets and they throw candy, and it's it's such a cool little I don't know, something about it that's just like, yes, it's super.

SPEAKER_02 40:12

Small town more small town. Super small town.

SPEAKER_04 40:14

So I get often get confused about Maryland's politics, or not politics, but just sort of the structure of your little towns and such. So do places like Shady Side and Deal and Um Galesville, like do they have their own municipal representation? No. So they're just part of the county. Right. So your county council person is representing you, but does Deal have its own little like mayor or no?

SPEAKER_03 40:45

Some of the communities, like Galesville specifically, has their own homeowners association, historical society, and they have a lot of say in how things are restored and making sure that things are restored properly and kept in that field, but there is no actual legal uh in addition to no no like little municipality that like because I think like Watch Apple has their own, don't they?

SPEAKER_04 41:14

And um what's the other Crofton, right? They have their own little something or other. Um, but I'm I'm always confused about like exactly because why does Annapolis get a mayor but nobody else does? Right. Um, I'm figuring it out. The local the local it's the first time I've done it. It's just the city. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 41:35

So a little different because here we don't have no mayor here, because we're not the city. So there is a little bit of a difference.

SPEAKER_04 41:41

This is Annapolis, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 41:42

But it's not in the city, but it's not the city of Annapolis, it's not in city limits. So if you're not in city limits, even though there's a part of Anna Ronda County, but Anoronda County does have some jurisdiction over the city of Annapolis, too, and certain things tax-wise flow into it. So money flows both ways.

SPEAKER_04 41:59

I mean, can I just see how monumental like the the um county jobs are though? When you think about the county extends all the way from Baltimore to where you guys are down south and everything in between, and we go so far. What it's a big county. It's a very it's a really big county and has so many different personalities. It does. Um, you know, Annapolis has a different personality than South County, South County's got a different personality than North County, and so that's a that's a lot of different, a lot of different people to have to make happy. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 42:30

But it it but they're all uh everybody that I've ever met in this area, even in Anahroe County is so nice. Like I'm yeah, it everybody is so great and so warm and usually mostly welcoming. Yeah. You got your crab apples, but it is what it is. Uh we even had Courtney, who we had on the our very first podcast, Courtney Bueniscus. She I said it right, uh she actually was running for our county council position, the seven district seven. She did not win, but she she's she's got a she's got a good political political career ahead of her, yeah. Oh, that's the other thing. Oh, and if you you have such a cute little neighborhood, like um what's it called? I wish Shady's I wish Avalon Shores would do this. Um have the have the uh god damn it, what is the name of that neighborhood? Um not Columbia Beach next to it. Nope, the other one. Next to Red High. Idaho. No, Cedar Hearst. Cedar Hearst. Cedar Hearst has this most beautiful venue that fits like a hundred and some people, it's gorgeous, it's on the water. And like the people who live there can if you live there, you can use it for like a hundred bucks. Yeah, it's a good thing. It's like it's super cheap. Like, yeah, and it's so beautiful.

SPEAKER_04 43:38

Um community spaces are so important.

SPEAKER_00 43:40

I actually did a wedding there, and that was the day that they found the hand in the water. Oh, yeah, we've had some scand oh, there's some scandal that happens down there. I'm gonna go.

SPEAKER_04 43:50

We have unfortunately made the name of Timesbury and murder she wrote.

SPEAKER_00 43:54

No, and what no, we did. So they found a hand, and I was actually hoping that something else would wash up because I would be like, ooh, like Can you imagine party?

SPEAKER_04 44:03

Exactly. Did they find who the hand belonged to?

SPEAKER_03 44:05

They did. They did. Yeah. Okay. Wasn't anybody local. I think she was from like New York or something. She was out of state.

SPEAKER_00 44:11

I don't did we is there any follow-up to that? Did we find out if she was murdered or just she drowned or something? No? Anything like that?

SPEAKER_03 44:18

I think she dro I think she was murdered. Oh, you think it was a murderer? I think it was. I think it was like gang related.

SPEAKER_00 44:23

Yeah, see, I wanted, yeah, see. That's fascinating to me. I know. You're I know. I'm a I'm a murder podcast junk and a podcast checking over here.

SPEAKER_04 44:30

I sh so just because Kelly and I were new friends, I was like, okay, I'm gonna try this out. And I'm listening to it in my car, and my 17-year-old is like, Mom, what is wrong with you? I got shamed by my kid, and that was the last one.

SPEAKER_00 44:42

It's all it's not because of the murdering, it's the psychological behind it. Like we like we had like I remember we were driving up to Pitts Pittsburgh, and that's how Shady Side was in the news. I was like, no way! Because um, because there was a guy that decided that he wanted to um fill a syringe with with sperm, with his sperm, then shoot it in the butt of some lady. That was fun.

SPEAKER_04 45:04

At the local grocery store.

SPEAKER_00 45:05

At the local grocery store.

SPEAKER_04 45:06

This has gone south so quick. It has. I'm just saying. We're just like any other town. I don't want to make it look like no. This is Florida man stuff. This is Florida Man's stuff.

SPEAKER_00 45:16

Let's also know that they knew each other and it was like a it was a it was a it was like a it was a thing, it's not like randomly you're gonna go down to it.

SPEAKER_02 45:24

It's not that large anymore.

SPEAKER_01 45:29

It was a little safer than that. A targeted attack. But it's actually South County's very safe.

SPEAKER_00 45:34

It is very safe. I I again I I used to ride my bike all the time around there, and everybody, again, very polite. It's I I've only gotten one drink thrown at me.

SPEAKER_02 45:44

Um just not everybody likes the bike rider. No, right.

SPEAKER_00 45:48

I was still I I'm very respectful. I am I hug the corner, I hug the I hug the side.

SPEAKER_02 45:53

It's the ones that are like 8D.

SPEAKER_00 45:56

That's yeah, you're like right, right. It's like, god damn it, it's not a tractor, it's bike riders. I don't know what's worse. Um so yeah, so you know, it's a good, good, good little town. What else can we say about it?

SPEAKER_03 46:07

Um July, August, we have a carnival, so you can come to your traditions.

SPEAKER_02 46:13

And a multi deal, firemen's parade.

SPEAKER_04 46:16

Fireman's parade parade. I can only imagine that the South County gets busier in the summer. Like everybody's coming down because I think. Memorial Day to Labor Day for sure. You have so many good things to come visit and people do know.

SPEAKER_03 46:28

And if you want to kick off Memorial Day the right way, Deal Area Historical Society does a Memorial Day ceremony. Oh my gosh, the best the morning of, and it is truly remarkable.

SPEAKER_02 46:39

I have not been to this. You have to attend them on Monday, Memorial Day. And um my only complaint ever is I wish they would close the whole road because sometimes you can't hear it, but it's so moving, and you cry every year. They bring out the um what is it called? They do the flags military. Oh, the guard honor of the guards. Yes, oh my gosh. And then they sing, they honor the military, and everybody gets to stand up. And I will tell you, whenever they sing the military songs, I cry. Yeah, yeah. It's so moving.

SPEAKER_03 47:14

And different generations, like you see, you know, maybe the youngest one who's 18 to 25, 30, something like that, and he's standing next to his dad or standing next to a grandpa who's 80-something years old and helping each other stand up and that kind of thing. And it really is it's a cheer jerker.

SPEAKER_02 47:39

Or is someone significant in our community, and it's it's a beautiful event. Oh my goodness. We were actually away last year. Um, and my husband was like, We have to leave Sunday because we have to be back for the that's so special.

SPEAKER_00 47:53

Yeah, it was worth it. And the other the other cool thing too, which has gotten uh out of control a little bit, but um if you go early enough, it's the pie run. So South County Cafe does the does a pie run, and you can order pies from them, and then you can basically it's like I'm gonna say every vintage vehicle probably in in Maryland that goes down there, it's wild. It's thousands of cars. Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving day. Yep, it's thousands of cars. It's amazing, it's crazy.

SPEAKER_04 48:22

It leaves me to my imagination. I'm thinking, do you run then eat the pie? Do you have the car? No, there's no running involved.

SPEAKER_03 48:28

So it's the best kind of run because there's no running.

SPEAKER_02 48:32

Yeah, why is it called a run again? I've always wondered that too, because we're never home.

SPEAKER_03 48:36

The philosophy was that the guys would get in their cars and run down and pick up the pies while the women and everything stayed home and did the cooking prepped the meal.

SPEAKER_00 48:46

Something 1950s.

SPEAKER_03 48:48

Right, right, right. Get get the guys out of the house so you can spread your wings in the kitchen kind of thing. But it has been a very long tradition. I cannot remember the top, the number off the top of my head.

SPEAKER_04 48:59

Well, immediately I'm like picturing runners like holding a pie. So why not have a pie? Well, except I would be eating the pie while I ran. Right.

SPEAKER_03 49:10

As long as you gave me a spoon, I could do both, right?

SPEAKER_04 49:12

Right until you threw up. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm pretty sure your digestive system wouldn't have it.

SPEAKER_00 49:17

And I will say, my one of my other favorite things that is, and especially with the addition of the skeletons this year, if you gotta go down Muddy Creek Road during Halloween, it is so fun. And we had the new addition at the which, if you blinked, you miss it. But we have the big clowns, huge clowns.

SPEAKER_04 49:32

I have seen the clowns, I know it, I know ginormous, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 49:36

You have a couple other neighbor neighborhoods that have kind of put together stuff, but the new one last year was the uh they've had skeletons, and it would they would do little things, and and like the last day they had them like on vacation, like they were voting. It was so cute. Yeah, it was so cute. Um, so that's a fun thing to do too, like when you see all that kind of stuff for sure.

SPEAKER_03 49:56

So yeah, we're still one of those communities that decorates with holiday lights, and you can drive around the neighborhoods and see everybody's oh, we have the best trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

SPEAKER_00 50:06

Oh my god, Avalon Chores is the best. I don't know what it is like in y'all's neighborhoods.

SPEAKER_03 50:10

I don't live in a neighborhood anymore, so I still cheat and come back to Avalon Chores.

SPEAKER_00 50:15

So it is the best. Thousands of kids, thousands.

SPEAKER_04 50:18

It's it's like when Kelly told me the elaborate costume she was she was putting together for Halloween, I knew something good must have been going on.

SPEAKER_00 50:26

It's pretty cool. Yeah. Um, so let's do like a lightning run. You can probably think. Can I off the top of my head? I think. Maybe you can. Like I know the one thing.

SPEAKER_04 50:33

Okay, so all right, hold on. You know what a lightning round is, right? Like super fast, and don't think it, don't, don't overthink it. Just we're gonna pop a question, you're gonna pop an answer. Yeah. Okay. So we'll do Julia, then Jennifer. You don't want to do them at the same time? They both they both can answer. But I'd have specif specif different questions for each of them.

SPEAKER_00 50:54

Okay, gotcha. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 50:55

Um so which way are we doing it? Are we doing it for both of them? Let's do it for both of them. All right, so we're gonna ask a question, you're both gonna answer. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 51:03

Um, okay, so first question. Um, favorite thing about living in Soko.

SPEAKER_02 51:10

The people. The people.

SPEAKER_00 51:13

Dogs or cats.

SPEAKER_02 51:14

Dogs.

SPEAKER_04 51:16

I like DL. I like DL, dogs, all the dogs are.

SPEAKER_00 51:19

I have both though. You have you have a lot of people. She does. She's she's a rescuer. Um, we should have really written some down.

SPEAKER_04 51:31

Best farmer's market. Oh.

SPEAKER_03 51:32

Deal. Deal.

SPEAKER_00 51:33

Deal Farmer's Market. Deal Farmers Market.

SPEAKER_03 51:36

Um, actually, I have to give Honey's Harvest Harvest. They they do an amazing market and they do it a couple times a month. It's it's become like a standing shop. But why didn't we think of Honey's give it? We shouldn't. Honey's Harvest, man, yes.

SPEAKER_00 51:52

They also have a store there, which is awesome. And then they're there, it's the first Sunday of the month and then the third. And the third. First and the third Sunday of the month before Honey's Harvest. Um, okay, so that was favorite farmer's market. Okay, favorite uh neighborhood.

SPEAKER_01 52:06

I want to show Mason's Beach.

SPEAKER_00 52:09

Mason's Beach has some very lovely areas in it, that's for sure. Um lots of good VRBOs if anybody wants to come stay. Yep, that's exactly true. Wait, how how has that? How do you know if that's risen or not? The Airbnbs. Do you have any insight on that?

SPEAKER_03 52:24

So officially no, because there isn't any legislation um tracking them. Tracking them yet, but it is a huge discussion. It is coming more from you know all standpoints. The tax standpoint, liability, but that's a really long answer. But yes, yes, it's coming, but no, we don't have specific data on it.

SPEAKER_00 52:47

Okay, well, all right. But there are some, so go. Yeah, or the or the hotel. Um, favorite place to get a drink.

SPEAKER_01 52:54

Happy Harbor. Always happy harbor.

SPEAKER_00 52:57

Oh, happy harbor, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:58

Six dollar burger night.

SPEAKER_00 52:59

Boat house boat house during the summer. It is, it's it's wild. It is, and it's crazy because like the sheer amount of people, I mean, it's like can't like if they're everywhere. It's like if you were if it was like a you know everybody knows where they're supposed to be. And everybody knows everybody. Everybody knows everybody. Uh, all right, your turn.

SPEAKER_04 53:16

I've got nothing else. Yeah, I've got nothing left.

SPEAKER_00 53:18

We should have prepared better for that.

SPEAKER_04 53:20

Well, I think this has been a wonderful conversation even with that. We usually have like a really long sketch that we tend to deviate from anyway, but I think this was a much nicer organic conversation. Yeah, it's been so lovely talking to you ladies. I am I am on my way to deal before this nice weather goes away.

SPEAKER_00 53:38

Well, no, it's gonna come back.

SPEAKER_04 53:39

So it is gonna come back.

SPEAKER_00 53:40

Yeah, yeah. And we'll I'll I'll take you around.

SPEAKER_04 53:43

We're also claiming that the weatherman's full of garbage and we're not gonna have any more snow and it's gonna stay warm.

SPEAKER_00 53:48

That's right. Thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_04 53:50

Spring people, thanks for we're trying.

SPEAKER_00 53:52

All right, well, thank you, Jen and Dr. Yes, and also talking about all the great businesses down in Soca. And it's your responsibility, people, to get down there and support the local businesses down there and t soak in the world. And remember, it's it's a vacation.

SPEAKER_04 54:07

We can have a vacation 20 minutes from Annapolis. Let's go check it out.

SPEAKER_00 54:11

Yep, and um okay, and uh so thank you for tuning in to Voices of Annapolis. Every voice tells our story. Uh keep the conversation going, Naptown.