Author: cscia

Time to close the books on another amazing Halloween season. I posted on Facebook recently about how amazing it was simply driving around the Cape and experiencing the creativity. It’s truly amazing what folks have come up with for Halloween decorations. Scary – clever? All of the above. Let’s hope 2026 is even better!

Now that the new Caper has arrived, let’s dig into it. As usual, Jerome sets us up nicely with his Presidential Perspective. As we approach the holidays, we also approach the season of giving back. He offers some good ideas on how to do that. Also, keep in mind that pier repairs are underway at Deep Creek, so please be mindful of the workers and equipment in the area. There will also be some dredging activity going on at Little Magothy. There are a lot of residents who have an increase in desire to volunteer in the community. BRING IT ON!

In Frank’s Town Manager message, he reminds everyone that the November Caper is always filled to the brim with financials and budgets. This year is no different. Don’t forget to review the budget and be prepared to vote at the January General Membership Meeting on January 13th, 2026. The annual tree lighting is scheduled for Sunday, November 30th at 6pm so mark your calendars. More from Frank can be found on page 3.

The budget for 2027 is on page 6 & 7 so feel free to skip ahead!

In community news, Cape St. Claire Garden Club is teaming up with Annapolis Horticulture Society to welcome Karl Gercens, Conservatory Manager of Longwood Gardens to speak on The How of Wow on Tuesday November 4th. YES! Tomorrow night! In addition, their annual tradition of Evergreen Wreath workshop will be held on an amazing day, Tuesday December 2nd.

Goshen Farm gives a huge shoutout to their 2025 sponsors on page 9. Cape Conservation Corps is hosting their free speaker event on November 7th from 6-8:30pm at the clubhouse. Be prepared to hear from Joan Maloof to discuss “How to recognize old growth forests and how to keep them standing.” There’s also an auction. Check out page 10 for more details!

The holidays are coming, this is the November issue and so what does that mean? YUP – the sign up forms for Breakfast with Santa coming on Saturday December 13th from 8:30 – 10:30 am. Get your signups in early because these seats go quickly. Get all the information you need on page 18.

The holidays are coming!!! See you around the Cape.

Mother nature seems stuck. While the next few mornings will give us that cool Fall air, the daytimes will remain gorgeous and coat-less. I suppose I’m for it but now that it’s October, I like those chilly reminders that the season is changing. Will the leaves take note? Nothing beats driving down College Parkway in the fall with the orange and yellows. It’s spectacular.

With fall, comes the fall activities us Capers all love and enjoy. Before we get to those, Jerome waxes poetic again. Who knew our fearless leader was so adept with his pen? In his message, he asks everyone to take a moment and remember Fred Graul who passed away in August. Fred and his family have been a staple of the Cape St. Claire Community for almost 70 days. We were all sad to hear of his passing. He also takes a moment to remind everyone that with the beautiful temperatures and Halloween approaching, the roads are filled with the squeals and delights from the little ones. Be diligent and SLOW DOWN when out and about on the roads.

Don’t forget, the Board is always looking for nominations for future leaders to serve the community. To get your feet wet on what that process looks like, the October Quarterly meeting is on the 28th at 7:30pm at the Clubhouse.

In Community News, the Garden Club is hosting their first ever Pumpkin Centerpiece workshop on Tuesday October 7th. All guests are welcome! Also, on Sunday October 19th at 6pm, they will celebrate another year’s harvest with their Yard of the Month winners at the Annual Dinner Potluck. You can find more details on page 6.

It was a great summer for Goshen Farm with over 14 musicians attending their Summer Concert series. The next Goshen Goodies sale will be held on Saturday November 29th from 10am to 2pm at Goshen Farm.

Cape Conservation Corps will be hosting their Fall Planting Day at Little Magothy Beach Park from 9-3pm and on October 25th will be mulching the path at the Serene Ravine – 1038 Lake Claire Drive.

Don’t miss the Community Swap which will be held on Sunday October 12th from 10am – 2pm at the Cape Clubhouse field. Details on what you can bring are on page 14.

And then … BOOM – Halloween Happenings will be held on Saturday October 18th from 10am to 3pm. Admission to the event is $6.00 per child. It’s a must do family event here in the Cape. See page 18 for details and the sign up sheet. And don’t forget that on Thursday October 23rd, 2025 they will be Trick or Treating at the Cape St. Claire Shopping Center from 5:30pm to 6:30pm (or until the candy is gone)

See you around the Cape!

September is knocking on our door. Judging from the cool temps, you’d think it was late September already. It was a weird weather summer everyone. You know what September means … it is that magical time when the air says “fall,” your thermostat says “still summer,” and the pumpkin-spice economy opens up. School’s back, alarms are cruel again (sorry Teachers!), and backpacks remain suspiciously larger than the humans carrying them—so please take it slow around our bus stops and crosswalks. (Yes, that was also a friendly nudge from Jerome this month.) [see page 1]

Speaking of Jerome, in his Presidential Perspective message please drive carefully, budget season is underway and the shoreline work is top of mind. Don’t miss out onit this month.

Frank Tewey, The Town Manager, wraps summer with gratitude for our Beach Ambassadors and a timely yard-waste refresher (paper bags or marked rigid containers; no plastic; bundles <4′ and <4″ diameter; ≤40 lbs; collected year-round). [see page 3]

In community news, Goshen Farm’s Wine Down at the Farm was a sell-out—thanks to many local sponsors. Last FREE Summer Concert is Fri, Sep 5 with 24 Karat & Laura Brino (6:30–8:30 p.m.). [see page 7]

Cape Garden Club: Congratulations to July & August Yard of the Month winners! Meetings resume Tue, Sep 2, 7:30pm at the clubhouse; They will be going to Winterthur House & Garden on a bus trip on Saturday September 27th. There will be a 9am departure and a 7pm return. [see page 6]

Cape Conservation Corps’s Fall Native Plant Fest & Sale will be held on Saturday, Sep 20, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., field behind the clubhouse (1223 River Bay Rd). There’s a great lineup of plants here: milkweed, goldenrod, asters, beautyberry, witch hazel, oakleaf hydrangea, sedges, grasses, ferns, and more—low prices and expert advice on site. [see page 8]

It would be the September issue without the information for HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS on Saturday October 18th from 10am to 3pm at the clubhouse field. Admission to the event requires $6.00 per child. The registration information is on page 9! It’s a MUST do event with the kids!

Trick or treating will be held at the Cape St. Claire Shopping Center on Thursday October 23rd from 5:30 to 6:30pm (or until the candy is gone) Don’t miss this fun event!

See you around the Cape!

The 2025 Summer here in Maryland has really turned out to by a real stinker by Mother Nature. It’s either absurdly hot and humid or pouring buckets. I haven’t figured out which one is worse. Should we take a vote? Either way, the fact that the July/August Caper edition is now in your hands, that tells me that summer has reached its apex and is now on the way out of here. You either love or hate summer – I’m more in the 2nd camp on that one but I digress.

Speaking of which, this Caper is coming in hot. It’s full of the goodness you would expect from a double issue. Jerome waxes poetic, once again, about Independence Day, patriotism, and the glory of neighborhood beach strolls. He reminds us Cape St. Claire was basically born on Flag Day (June 14, 1949), which feels incredibly on-brand. Community pride runs high, and there’s even a shout-out to the local beach attendants. Be nice to them — for many, it’s their first job.

Frank Tewey, in his Town Manager message, has become the Cape’s hype man for activities. Strawberry Festival? A sticky, sweet success. July 4th? Red, white, and booming! He also reminds residents that Cape is more than just water access — it’s a lifestyle. You can fish, boat, hike, garden, or join 37 community orgs, each more charmingly specific than the last.

In Community news, Goshen Farm is throwing summer concerts and a “Wine Down at the Farm” event (come for the wine, stay for the Cold Brew 42 cover band). Also, turns out some of the farm’s former residents were part of the Underground Railroad. Cape’s got deep roots and deeper meaning.

Cape Conservation Corps are waging an all-out war against bushkiller vine (yes, that’s a real thing) and inviting you to join the “Mosquito Bucket Challenge.” It involves buckets, bacteria, and zero room for standing water. Meanwhile, the Garden Club is giving out Yard of the Month awards and planning a Secret Garden Tour that ends with a potluck BBQ. If there’s a more wholesome sentence than that, we haven’t found it.

This issue also shows off the two biggest events of the year – the Strawberry Festival and our July 4th parade and activities. Strawberry Festival and 4th of July photo spreads include hot dogs, tiaras (on both kids and dogs), patriotic golf carts, and enough red to blind a fire truck. If your kid wore face paint or rode a scooter, they’re probably in it.

See you around the Cape!