The leaves are coming down, the boats are coming out, and the November Caper is here! It’s a big one. We’ve got a terrific President’s Perspective, the proposed FY28 budget, holiday events lining up, and a self-guided tour of the Cape’s biggest trees. Grab a cup of coffee (or cider) and let’s dig in.
I’m not going to summarize this one, because I’d only ruin it. Just trust me and go read it. Thor’s President’s Perspective this month is the best one I’ve read in a long time. It starts with a lunch at the Broadneck Grill and a newspaper story from twenty-one years ago. By the end, it’s about what makes the Cape a real community, and it’s not the beaches or the clubhouse.
It’s one page and takes about three minutes. Read it before Thanksgiving, and maybe read it out loud at your table. You’ll see why. (And a belated congratulations to Thor on his retirement from the Air Force, which the Board recognized at the October meeting!)
Frank’s Town Manager update covers the basics for the season. The proposed FY28 budget is in this issue, and you’ll vote on it at the Annual Membership Meeting on January 12, 2027. The Deep Creek and Lake Claire marinas get winterized before Thanksgiving. Those bubbling spots in the water are de-icers, not broken pipes. Portable restrooms are coming off CSCIA properties for the winter. He also has a few tips for keeping the holidays Grinch-free, like getting packages delivered to work and keeping your car doors locked. For anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line at (410) 222-8050.
The FY28 Budget (Pages 12–13)
This is the one to read before January. The Budget Committee and Board recommend raising the annual SCBD assessment from $300 to $335, and they’re adding a new Operating Reserve. If the budget doesn’t pass, the Association has to run on last year’s budget, which would leave FY28 underfunded. Ballots come in the December/January Caper, and you can drop yours in the Clubhouse drop box early. Questions or comments go to [email protected] or [email protected].
Christmas Tree Lighting (Page 8): The 8th Annual Tree Lighting is Sunday, November 29 at 6 PM at the Gatehouse on Cape St. Claire Road. Santa sticks around for visits until 7:30. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year but I also might be a bit biased.
Breakfast with Santa (Page 16): It’s Saturday, December 12 at the Clubhouse, with seatings at 8:30 and 10:30 AM. It’s $6 for kids and $7 for adults. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so fill out the form on page 16 and mail it to Mary Lamb. Every kid gets a gift and a letter from Santa. Bring your own camera!
Troop 783 Luminary Fundraiser (Page 7): Light up your driveway on Christmas Eve and support our local Scouts. Kits are $2 each or 12 for $20, delivered right to you. Order through the QR code.
Cape Conservation Corps (Pages 9–11): “More trees, please, and leave the leaves.” CCC makes a great case for leaving fallen leaves under your trees (or shredding them into your garden beds) instead of bagging them all. Better yet, the Cape’s Big Trees list has been updated, and there’s a 27-stop self-guided driving tour of the neighborhood’s most impressive trees. Southern red oaks, willow oaks, a dawn redwood, a persimmon at Main Beach… it’s a perfect fall weekend outing. Details at capeconservationcorps.org/cape-loves-trees. Also, CCC’s “Shell Yeah Turtles” family event is November 6, with a silent auction at 6 PM and the presentation at 7. There’s a drawing for an acoustic guitar too!
Historic Goshen Farm (Page 6): Goshen Farm is building the E. Joseph Lamp Community Pavilion and needs help getting it across the finish line (goshenfarm.org/pavilion). The Farm was also featured in the national Science Across America video series, and you can watch the episode on their blog. Kudos to volunteer Penelope Smith for her spotlight! And get a start on holiday shopping at the Goodies Sales on Sunday, November 1 and Saturday, November 28. They’ll have honey, hot sauces, loofahs, gourds, and more.
Garden Club (Page 21): On Tuesday, November 10, a speaker from Brookside Gardens will talk about rock gardens. Next up is the Evergreen Wreath Workshop on December 1.
Calendar Photo Contest Winner (Page 18): Congrats to Chad Langley! His photo “Deep Creek Heron” will be the cover of the 2027 Cape calendar, arriving mid-December. Thanks to everyone who entered. There were a lot of great shots this year.
Happy Thanksgiving, Cape St. Claire. Save a seat at your table for someone.
See you around the Cape!