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🍦Damn the torpedos. It's Herndon Climb day

🍦Damn the torpedos. It's Herndon Climb day

Where to find food trucks, no more bridge traffic shortcuts, obituary of a legendary sailor...

Naptown Scoop
May 14, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. To our Severna Park HS lax families, best of luck today. We believe in you. 🥍

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Where to find food trucks
No more bridge traffic shortcuts
Obituary of a legendary sailor

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

Bayfront Perfection on Lyon Drive

Panoramic views. Timeless design. And an unmatched Annapolis address.

Welcome to 2512 Lyon Drive. Perched above the Chesapeake Bay, this home is a custom-built waterfront masterpiece by a dream team – Purple Cherry Architects and Gate One Builders. With sweeping views of the Bay Bridge and Eastern Shore, every detail is curated for effortless coastal living.

A private 120' ipe pier with dual boat lifts makes this a boater’s dream, while inside, reclaimed beams, a showstopping staircase, and a chef’s kitchen with a 55" Lacanche range set the tone for elevated everyday life.

The main-level suite offers comfort and flexibility, while the upper-level primary retreat features a private library, balcony, and spa-like bath. Whether you're sipping wine from the cellar or watching the Blue Angels from your screened porch, this is Chesapeake Bay living at its most refined.

Watch the full video tour on YouTube then contact Brad Kappel for your private showing.

THE DIGEST

Maryland Hall is Making Home Improvements 🛠️

Cue Tim The Toolman Taylor grunts. Maryland Hall is making home improvements! Starting May 27, the Capital Campaign — titled “The Hall is Home” — debuts Act 3 (we see you, theater pun 🎭). Planned upgrades include a building-wide, energy-efficient HVAC system to enhance air quality, a revitalized Bowen Theatre with soundproofing and performance enhancements, and accessibility and infrastructure improvements.

Phase 1 wraps in December to make way for performances and holiday festivities. Phase 2 runs January–May 2026, with Phase 3 following June–November 2026. Expect some weekday construction noise (6 AM–4 PM).

Since the show must go on, Maryland Hall will continue welcoming visitors, students, and patrons with minimal disruption. See all the plans.

Western Shore Veterinary Hospital offers your pets the finest wellness care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from spays/neuters to sophisticated treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 443-936-0660, or at 910C Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Dog of the Week: Meet Rumby 🐾

Handsome, energetic, and highly intelligent — that’s what Rumby the shepherd mix would type on his dating profile if he had opposable thumbs. But it’s worth noting he also has a tendency to test boundaries and he’s protective to a fault. As a 5-year-old large breed, Rumby’s best suited for a home where he can get lots of exercise and training from an experienced family. Large breed and dominant dog experience is a must. He’s been with the SPCA since October 2020, so we’re hoping there’s an expert out there who can welcome Rumby into their home soon.

MDOT Merges into US 50 Ramp Management 🚧

Starting this Friday, May 16, MDOT will pump the brakes on everyone’s favorite bridge traffic shortcut. Exit 32 heading eastbound (the one closest to Sandy Point State Park) on Route 50 will be closed from 10 AM on Fridays to 6 PM on Saturdays through August 30. Why? Because those side roads aren’t for skipping the line; they’re for people who live, work, and shop there. This is the fourth summer MDOT is closing the ramp.

Eight bells for Sunny Smith, legendary Annapolis sailor

Charles R. “Sunny” Smith was a legend of Cheseapeke Bay sailing. The seventh-generation Annapolitan built his first boat at age 8. He named it Uh-Oh, a moniker he’d use for five more sailboats. Smith married his first mate, Anne, in 1952, and together they captured three national championships in the Hampton One-Design class.

Back in the ‘70s, the Smiths sailed their Cal 29 Uh-Oh to a second place finish in the 120-mile Down the Bay Race between Annapolis and Hampton, VA. First place went to Running Tide, a yacht twice the size and at the time the fastest sailboat on the Bay (and Ted Turner’s favorite sparring partner).

Smith was just as active off the water. During his 80-year membership at the Annapolis Yacht Club, he served as commodore twice. As commodore, he removed race-based membership requirements and started the popular Frostbite Racing Series. He’s survived by his wife of 72 years, their two daughters, and many grand- and great-grandchildren.

Capital Gazette writer Bill Wagner has written a touching account of Smith and his legacy. We recommend all sailors read it. ($)

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Food trucks — all the cool kids are doing it 🍕

We love food trucks. Food trucks are fun. Food trucks are tasty. And when a bunch of food trucks are in one spot, it’s even better. So here are a few upcoming food truck parties to put on your calendar.

🍔 May 21 — Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation is hosting a different food truck at the Heritage Complex (2660 Riva Road) for lunches 7 times this summer. Next up is Achiote MCK on May 21 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.

🍔 May 20 — Earleigh Heights VFC hosts Food Truck Tuesdays every Tuesday from 4–8 PM throughout the summer (161 Ritchie Highway). Last week they had Always Ice Cream, Saucy Melts Grill, Wanna Pizza This, and more.

🍔 May 16 — Food Truck Fridays are every Friday 4–8 PM in the parking lot of the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market (275 Harry S. Truman Parkway). This week’s menu should be announced on Facebook today!

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.

High-Flying Week. Grounded Coverage.

As the Blue Angels soar over Annapolis for Commissioning Week, it’s a great reminder of why we love living — and doing business — here.

It’s also the perfect time before summer to check off that task you’ve been putting off: reviewing your business insurance.

For 37 years, Yates Insurance Agency has been a trusted partner to local businesses, providing coverage from top carriers and real, value-added service. No call centers. No one-size-fits-all policies. Just two generations of expertise, right here in Edgewater.

Now’s the time. Talk to Yates about your business insurance today.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

TODAY: Herndon Climb

This morning, the Naval Academy is holding one of its greatest traditions – the Herndon Climb. At the end of the first (aka plebe) year, students go through something called Sea Trials. It’s modeled after the Marine Corps’ Crucible. 14 hours of grueling mental and physical challenges. Activities include underwater events, pugil stick jousting, hill assaults, and that’s just scratching the surface. The top performing company is named the Iron Company. And they get the honor of starting the Herndon Climb.

“Herndon”, as it’s colloquially known, is the official end of plebe year. All first-year students, led by Iron Company, work together to scale the Herndon Monument – a 21-foot granite obelisk in front of the Academy chapel. Doesn’t sound too hard for a bunch of strapping future Navy officers, right? Except for the fact that it’s coated in 200 pounds of lard courtesy of the Mids in 1st Company.

The climb starts at 8 AM sharp this morning and if the last two years are any indication, it should last about two hours. But there’s always a chance it will take over three. The midshipmen graduating next week took 3 hours, 36 minutes, and 58 seconds to do it. . .

The Herndon Monument is right in front of the Chapel

One week away: Dinner Under the Stars

Did you know that pretty much every Wednesday (and some Saturdays) this summer, West Street closes between Calvert Street and Church Circle for al fresco dining? There’s also live music, pickleball, and dancing. If you haven’t been, it’s an awesome tradition. Check the website for the live music schedule and special Saturday dates when you don’t have to choose between sailboat racing and eating out. Reservations are encouraged.

Participating restaurants:

🍝 Luna Blu
🍣 Tsunami
🍷 49 West
🌮 Picante
🍔 Stan & Joe’s
🍺 Ram’s Head Tavern

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

Wednesday

71 🌡️ 65 | ☁️ | 24% | E 8 mph (7 knots)

Thursday

75 🌡️ 66 | ⛅ | 24% | SSE 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 68ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

SPORTS

Severna Park Girls and Boys Lacrosse Claim Region Titles 🥍

Severna Park girls lacrosse edged South River 14–13 in the Class 3A East Region I final, surviving a furious late rally after leading by seven with seven minutes left. Bella Van Gieson (3 goals, 2 assists) and Ava Deegan (4 goals) led the Falcons, while Maria Bragg’s final faceoff sealed the win. Adella Norton scored five for the Seahawks, who nearly tied it in the final seconds. Severna Park (15-1) will play Linganore today at 5:15 PM in pursuit of a 17th state title.

The Severna Park boys had the same result but a different story. Fueled by a “play angry” mantra, they steamrolled South River 15–5. Jack Fish and Ben Ruppert each scored five goals, Davis Bates controlled faceoffs, and the defense shut down South River’s top shooters. They face off against Bel Air today at 7 PM in their quest for a ninth straight state title. Both Falcon squads play at home (5/14) in the state quarterfinals. ($)

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 plays or parents a kid on a Severna Park High School lacrosse team and go Falcons!

🍦Damn the torpedos. It's Herndon Climb day

Where to find food trucks, no more bridge traffic shortcuts, obituary of a legendary sailor...

TOGETHER WITH

SPONSORED BY BRAD KAPPEL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
TTR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE