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🍦Bye bye Pusser's 😢

🍦Bye bye Pusser's 😢

Man of the Year, County owes state $2 million for Covid, local author's new book...

Naptown Scoop
October 19, 2023

Good morning, Annapolis. On this day in 1874, the first ever hot air balloon wedding happened over Ohio between Mary Elizabeth Walsh and Charles M. Colton. They flew with their boss – none other than P.T. Barnum.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

College football man of the year
County owes state $2 million for covid costs
Local author’s new book

Let’s get to it.

—Ryan Sneddon & Rebecca Kraybill

ANNAPOLIS HOPE UPDATE

Total raised to date: $58,603

The numbers are in from the Annapolis Hope kickoff last week and we’re stoked to announce between tickets and donations, we moved another 4% closer to saving the Mireles family home. Little by little, you’re going to make this happen, Annapolis. It’s beautiful to watch this city come together to help this family.

THE DIGEST

Local author releasing new book about army veteran

Annapolis is a Navy town. But more importantly, Annapolis is an American town. So although we may not wear it on our sleeve, we love army veterans too. Local author Terese Schlachter certainly does. That’s why she wrote a book with retired army colonel Gregory Gadson.

Gadson lost both his legs and severely damaged his right arm when an IED blew up his vehicle in Iraq in 2007. The book tells the story of his amazing recovery – from the grueling surgeries to inspiring the New York Giants in their 2008 Super Bowl winning season. Finding Waypoints: A Warrior's Journey Toward Peace and Purpose comes out November 7. Pre-order here to support independent book stores.

Leadership Anne Arundel Food Drive

This is so much more than just a food drive. For the fourth year, Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is hosting its Alumni Food Collection Event on November 18. You can bring food but you can also donate blood with AAMC (so it stays local) and sweaters for #justonesweater. As LAA president and CEO Kris Shock says, “It’s a collection-palooza.”

10 AM–2 PM on November 18 at Chambers Park – 14 Dorsey Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Most needed items:

Canned meats
Peanut butter & jelly (plastic jars)
Boxed pasta & sauce (plastic jars)
Healthy snacks (breakfast bars, dried fruit)
Cereal
Soups/canned meals (chef boyardee)
Mac & cheese
Baby food
Ensure / nutritional supplements
Infant & adult diapers and wipes
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Deodorant

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#NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @glutenfreefix

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Pusser’s to close in 2024

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Pusser’s is closing after 30 years of serving up painkillers, Caribbean vibes, and the best dockside vibes in town. The owners announced it will leave Ego Alley in November 2024. Why?

Annapolis Waterfront Hotel (its landlord) didn’t renew its lease. We don’t know where Pusser’s will land next, although the company has a location in Ponte Vedra, FL. But we do know there’s one final boat show season with Pusser’s.

In the meantime: Start perfecting a homemade Pusser’s Painkiller:

4 parts pineapple juice | 1 part cream of coconut | 1 part orange juice. Pusser’s rum in the amount of your choice. Serve on the rocks with a generous heap of nutmeg on top.

What’s next for Ego Alley?

Pusser’s also operated food and beverage services for the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. In the wake of the Pusser’s departure, Atlas Restaurant Group (owners of The Choptank) announced they will undertake a multimillion-dollar renovation on the space. It will expand the hotel’s food offerings, bring two yet to be announced restaurant concepts, and new banquet space to the top tier waterfront location by 2025.

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.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Save these dates

Historical Happy Hour w/Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mingle with historian Jim Cheevers, ASO founding member Anna Greenberg, and Maestro José-Luis Novo. November 12, 4–6 PM at Quiet Waters Park. Tickets.

Masquerade Ball and Drag Show. The first block of West Street closes down and restaurant tables surround two stages. Enjoy live music and a drag show. October 28, 5–10 PM. Tickets.

Londontowne Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy a family-friendly concert with spooky sounds and a costume contest for all ages. October 29, 3 PM. Tickets.

Weekend Preview

Friday

HERE. – The pop-up store returns for its fall pop-up featuring Naptown Scoop merch! Learn more.
Rising Stars: Professional Karaoke Night! – Sing + network with a Halloween twist. 6–8 PM. Register.
Annapolis Scarecrow Stroll – Scarecrows line West Street. Learn more.

Saturday

Wildberry Market – Wildberry hosts a bonus market after several rainy weekends. 9 AM–1 PM. See vendors.
Saturday Vendor Fair – Support local artists and vendors at Park Books. 10 AM–1 PM
Haunted Harbour Day – Harbour Center hosts free fall fun for families. Learn more.
Fall Fest on West – Food, music, corgi parade, and more. 2–9 PM
Shoptoberfest – Shop local vendors 11 AM–3 PM. Learn more.

Sunday

Maryland Avenue Fall Festival – Free street festival down Maryland Ave and State Circle. 10 AM–5 PM
Fourth Annual Freaky Flotilla – Grab a costume for a social paddle around Spa Creek and Ego Alley. This is BYOB (board. . . Everyone will meet at Forward Brewing after for the other B). Learn more.

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.

CIVIL NEWS

What’s happening at the County’s new Crownsville property

Lots of things are in the works at the former Maryland Hospital for the Negro Insane. Ever since the state transferred ownership to the county last year, it’s been a focal point of county executive Steuart Pittman’s administration.

Pittman held his second term inauguration there in December.
Maryland’s General Assembly designated $30 million for remediation (think lead and asbestos removal) but the county says it will cost much more.
The 14-member Crownsville Advisory Committee had its first meeting last month.
On Monday, County Council approved a new 35-year lease with Gaudenzia Addiction Treatment and Recovery Services.

The end goal is to turn what was once a place where mentally ill Black Marylanders were forced to undergo medical experiments and manual labor into a state-of-the-art mental health and nonprofit hub. ($)

County has to pay the state $2 million for pandemic costs

Anne Arundel County got an $8 million grant from FEMA to help out with covid costs during the pandemic. Like a good older brother, Maryland fronted the money expecting FEMA to pay it back later. However, after FEMA audited the spending, they found $2 million of it wasn’t covered by the grant so Maryland sent the county an invoice. County budget officer Chris Trumbauer said this is exactly why the county placed a little covid funding in reserve. ($)

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Making New Friends is Hard 💙

But it doesn't have to be. Real BFFs – The Annapolis Area Girlfriends Network is a free community of 1,800+ local women who are all seeking authentic friendships. They host dozens of events each month - from hiking to happy hour, and bowling to brunch - and they're celebrating their Two Year "Groupiversary" on November 10th. If you're a woman in the Annapolis area and you're ready to make new friends – join the group!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Thursday

69 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 S 11 mph (10 knots)

Friday

67 🌡️ 54 | 🌧️ | 58% | 💨 S 9 mph (8 knots)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

SPORTS

Past results

Men's Soccer (5-6-3)
10/18 @ American University | L 1–0

Women’s Volleyball (13-5)
10/18 vs. Loyola | W 3–0

Upcoming games & matches

Men’s Hockey (1-4)
10/20 @ San Diego State University | 7 PM

Men's Squash
10/18–20 @ Barb Tournament | 4 PM

Women's Soccer (7-7-3)
10/20 @ Holy Cross | 5 PM

Sprint Football (3-1)
10/20 vs. Chestnut Hill | 7 PM

Men's Swimming & Diving (0-1)
10/20 @ UMBC | 4 PM

Women’s Tennis
10/19–20 @ ITA Atlantic Regional | All Day

Wrestling
10/20 @ Blue and Gold Wrestle-Offs

Xavier McDonald again nominated for college football’s man of the year

The Jason Witten Award is presented annually to a college football player who has demonstrated an exceptional record of leadership both on and off the field. It’s kinda like the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which (not) coincidentally, Jason Witten won in 2012.

For the second time, Midshipmen first class Xavier McDonald is one of 20 semifinalists for the award. Three finalists will be announced December 13 and the winner will be announced February 15.

Xavier is an amazing story of resilience. He worked 35 hours a week as a cashier at Winn-Dixie in high school while taking care of four younger siblings because both of his parents were incarcerated simultaneously. Despite that, he excelled enough in academics and athletics to attend the Naval Academy and join the football team.

Stories with ($) require a third party subscription.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who moved to Annapolis from Vermont.

🍦Bye bye Pusser's 😢

Man of the Year, County owes state $2 million for Covid, local author's new book...

ANNAPOLIS HOPE UPDATE

THE DIGEST

Local author releasing new book about army veteran

Leadership Anne Arundel Food Drive

#NAPTOWNSCOOP

LOCAL BUSINESS

Pusser’s to close in 2024

SPONSORED BY ST. ANNE’S SCHOOL

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Save these dates

Weekend Preview

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

CIVIL NEWS

What’s happening at the County’s new Crownsville property

County has to pay the state $2 million for pandemic costs

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Making New Friends is Hard 💙

WEATHER

Thursday

Friday

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

Friday

SPORTS

Past results

Upcoming games & matches

Xavier McDonald again nominated for college football’s man of the year

THANKS!