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Annapolis 250, what we’re up to this weekend, and some A-10 history...

Naptown Scoop
August 22, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is gonna sound really random up here this morning but if you’ve never cooked anything with toasted sesame oil, do yourself a favor and try something new this weekend. I’m not sure there’s a better smell in the kitchen. Except for fresh baked brownies, of course.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Annapolis 250
What we’re up to this weekend
Some A-10 history

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

Summer’s Almost Over. Is Your Business Insurance handled?

We get it. Reviewing your business insurance policy isn’t exactly a beach-day activity. But before we all shift gears from summer Fridays to fall deadlines, it’s worth checking that box.

Does your current policy actually cover what you need? Or is it just the “good enough for now” plan you grabbed years ago?

That’s where Yates Insurance comes in. For nearly 40 years, this family-owned agency has helped Annapolis businesses protect what they’ve built. No call centers. No cookie-cutter coverage. Just real people in Edgewater who know your name — and your business.

Because your insurance should work as hard as you do. Review your business policy with Yates Insurance.

THE DIGEST

Most clicked stories of the week 🏆

Monday: Did you miss Annapolis on Good Morning America?
Tuesday: AACPS Back-to-School Quick Links 🚌
Wednesday: Mary’s Bridal moves for the first time in 43 years 👰‍♀️
Thursday: Health department issues warning for 8 beaches

Poll results: What’s your favorite boat name in Annapolis?

Not gonna lie, the votes from yesterday’s poll surprised us a bit. As a James Bond fan, I’m disappointed. But as a personal friend of the owners of Exit Strategy, I’m thrilled for them for taking 25% of the vote. I’m also fairly certain a massive beer-fueled grassroots campaign took place at Davis’ Pub last night.

The write-ins were plenty entertaining as well. Although we haven’t verified the first one.

Off the Bench - allegedly owned by Cal Ripken Jr. (whose wife is a judge which makes the wordplay even better
Honey Bun - Cocoa & Pearl’s bakery boat which honestly I’m kicking myself for not including in the main list now

And no, Winning Drive has never been owned by Tiger Woods. Steve Bisciotti is the first owner of the boat. And Tiger values privacy far too much to name a boat after his profession. So much so that he named his yacht Privacy. Fun fact thought: the Under Armour Performance Center where the Ravens practice is located at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, MD.

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is getting a $10 million upgrade

Longtime Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk has always had a talent for generating funds. He led the $80 million renovation of Navy’s football stadium in 2004. And over the past 10 years, he helped raise over $200 million private dollars to upgrade the Academy’s athletic facilities. Yesterday morning, an additional $10 million gift he secured for the Academy was revealed.

Bruce R. Lakefield (Class of 1967) and his wife Bernadine committed $10 million for the construction of a new pavilion in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium’s north end zone. That’s where the hill is, btw. When completed, the Bruce and Bernadine Lakefield Pavilion will be the largest event space in Anne Arundel County.

💼 After serving in the Navy, Mr. Lakefield enjoyed a 25-year career at the financial services firm Lehman Brothers.

Image: Navy Athletics

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Foodie Friday: Historical Restaurants 📜

GMA’s visit to Middleton’s inspired our plate. Wait. We mean palate. Where else can we dine when we’re in our historic era?

🫖 Reynolds Tavern: Middleton’s isn’t the only watering hole George Washington reportedly visited. Apparently he and Thomas Jefferson both frequented Reynolds. Built in 1737 and first licensed in 1747, Reynolds offers a Traditional Afternoon Tea and menu highlights like their 1747 Fries 🍟 (best enjoyed outside in the Beer Garden). They’ve also been doing classic movie screenings in the garden on Sunday nights. This Sunday is Grease.

🦀 Rams Head Tavern: This building has a storied past too and is always a Ghost Tour hot spot. With dishes like Crabby Tots, Chesapeake Deviled Eggs, and Tuna Nachos, it’s also a seafood-lovers’ dream.

P.S. Don’t miss tonight’s End of Summer Patio Party from 5—9 PM. Enjoy live music, no cover, $6 crushes, and lots of prizes up for grabs!

🍔 O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern: This building dates back to 1774. Sure, they have delicious seafood, but their Annapolis Wings and Prime Burger also make it a great place to catch a game while drinking in the historical ambience. Young folks love it on late Friday and Saturday nights for the largest dance floor in Annapolis.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

The Season’s Changing — Maybe Your Floors Should Too

Back-to-school season. Muddy boots. Cozy nights in. You’re about to spend a lot more time indoors — so if your floors have seen better days, now’s the time for a refresh.

Compass Studio Tile & Flooring has a newly expanded showroom and designers who make the process easy and actually enjoyable. Whether you’re dreaming of rustic wood tones, durable stone, or bold, modern tile, they’ll help you find something that fits your style and your budget.

Don’t wait until holiday season panic kicks in. Stop by the showroom or call to start your fall refresh today.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

What we’re up to this weekend

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

Parole | ATC Final’s Summer Concert | The Bachelor Boys play the final show of the summer at Annapolis Town Center | 5–8 PM

Forest Drive | SOFO Drive-In Movie | In the Heart of the Sea plays at dusk in the Bay Ridge Plaza parking lot | 6–9 PM

Parole | Food Truck Friday | Nearly a dozen food trucks post up in the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market parking lot for a fun Friday dinner | 4–8 PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

Severna Park | Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Local food tastes better and local stuff works better. Get both here. | 8 AM – noon

Parole | Anne Arundel Farmer’s Market | If you also want to farmers’ market but don’t live in SP. Also open 9 AM – noon on Sunday | 7 AM – noon

Crownsville | Wildberry Field Market | It’s kinda like a farmers’ market but different but it actually is on a really cute farm. | 9 AM – noon

Crownsville | Maryland Renaissance Festival | Opening weekend of the second biggest renaissance festival in America. We honestly can’t believe it’s not butter sold out. Open at same times Sunday | 10 AM – 7 PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

Annapolis | Annapolis Ten Miler (SOLD OUT) | The 50th annual running. It’s sold out but we thought you should know because of rolling road closures.

Parole | Anchors & Artisans | Makers of Maryland hosts a diverse group of local makers and artists | 11 AM – 4 PM

Edgewater | Puppy Plunge | Let your dog jump into the Rhode River to support our local SPCA | 11 AM – 2 PM

U.S. Naval Academy | Navy Women’s Soccer vs. Delaware | Catch a game at the soccer stadium with the best view in all of college sports | 4 PM

50th annual Annapolis 10-Miler takes over the city 👟

Being one of the best 10-mile races in the country, according to Runner’s World magazine, is a pretty big deal. That appeal is one of the reasons this tradition has lasted for 50 years — and why the 50th annual race this weekend is a sold-out event with 5,000 runners. If you’re running, good luck! And if you’re not running, your knees thank you.

The race starts on Sunday at 7 AM from Navy Stadium and traces down Rowe Boulevard, around Church Circle, down Main Street, along King George Street, over the Naval Academy Bridge, through the St. Margaret’s Community, and back along Route 450 to the stadium. See a detailed list of road closures, but generally expect everything to be back open by 9:30 AM.

For such a big race, it might be surprising to learn it started out small: Only 7 runners ran that first year in 1975, and the whole stunt was just a dare. John Astle, Phyllis Beardmore, Debby Fox, Randy Fox, Donna Jay, Bonnie Phillips, and Bart Rohrbach decided to run from Severna Park to Annapolis to prove that the men (all runners) weren’t in any better shape than the women (all aerobics dancers).

Photo by: Bud Beardmore

There weren’t any official winners that year, though unofficial word is that John Astle was the first male finisher and Phyllis Beardmore was the first female finisher — and Phyllis had the energy to do cartwheels on Ritchie Highway. 🏆

Today, Phyllis admitted to Scoop writer Dylan that they never expected the race to become what it is today. “For this race to turn into one of the best races in the United States — I’m proud we were part of that history,” she says.

Photo by: Bud Beardmore

As for the cartwheels? She confirmed that rumor is true. 🤸‍♀️

And for anyone who is running the race this weekend, she has words of encouragement: “Stay young while growing old by always staying active.” (As someone in her 80s who still walks several miles a day, Phyllis knows what she’s talking about.)

Countdown to Annapolis 250 🎂

A 250th is the kind of birthday celebration that warrants something big. Like when my grandparents rented a crazy house for the whole family in the Outer Banks for their 50th anniversary. So, is it any wonder the planning has already started? As part of the USA’s 250th year coming up next summer, Annapolis is observing Annapolis 250, a celebration of our nation’s diversity, strength, and key role of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County in its founding. Pretty cool, right?

If you want to see some of the local places that are significant in history — and learn the stories behind them — you’ll want to pick up a copy of the guidebook, Annapolis 250 Explorer Passport, now available at businesses around the city.

👉 Want to get copies for your business? Email the Downtown Annapolis Partnership secretary to get copies delivered, so you can hand them out to your fellow curious Annapolitans.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Friday

78 🌡️ 65 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 NE 8 mph (7 knots)

Saturday

81 🌡️ 70 | ☀️ | 6% | 💨 S 13 mph (11 knots)

Sunday

81 🌡️ 70 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 S 12 mph (10 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 77ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Women's Soccer (3-0)
8/21 vs. Wofford | W 2-0

Men's Soccer (0-0-1)
5/21 vs. Mount St. Mary's | T 2-2

Upcoming games

Women's Soccer (3-0)
8/24 vs. Delaware | 4 PM

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THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who thinks Cracker Barrel lost its soul this week. RIP old Cracker Barrel.

🍦$10 Million Upgrade

Annapolis 250, what we’re up to this weekend, and some A-10 history...

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY YATES INSURANCE

Summer’s Almost Over. Is Your Business Insurance handled?

THE DIGEST

Most clicked stories of the week 🏆

Poll results: What’s your favorite boat name in Annapolis?

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is getting a $10 million upgrade

LOCAL BUSINESS

Foodie Friday: Historical Restaurants 📜

SPONSORED BY COMPASS STUDIO TILE & FLOORING

The Season’s Changing — Maybe Your Floors Should Too

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

What we’re up to this weekend

50th annual Annapolis 10-Miler takes over the city 👟

Countdown to Annapolis 250 🎂

WEATHER

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Upcoming games

THANKS!