🍦USNA tightens security

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Apparently a whole bunch of students did the snow dance because even though I’m writing this at 7:30 PM on Sunday night, school and county buildings are already closed for today (1/6). Happy snow day to all who celebrate!

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Annapolis Maritime Museum winter lectures

• Severna Park train club

• Anne Arundel County’s first baby of 2025

Let’s get to it.

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

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

New year, same great service at 84 Lumber Annapolis! 

84’s team of passionate kitchen and bath designers is dedicated to bringing your vision to life. With years of expertise, they collaborate seamlessly to create designs tailored to your lifestyle. From concept to completion, our team is committed to delivering excellence, ensuring that your kitchen and bath reflect your unique personality and needs. Visit us and immerse yourself in a world of inspiration, where innovation meets elegance. Your dream space awaits, and our team is here to make it a reality. 

Visit 84 Lumber’s Annapolis showroom at 1690 Balt-Annapolis Boulevard or take a tour of our Virtual Showroom before you stop by.

THE DIGEST

USNA suspends general public visitation

Heads up if you were planning on walking the Naval Academy any time soon. “As a result of recent activity in the U.S.,” the Naval Academy and NSA Annapolis have increased security until further notice. The increased “Force Protection” measures are:

• General Public Visitation is suspended

• Visitation related to a Naval Academy Sponsored Event is still permitted, but all individuals will be vetted through the Visitor Control Center at Gate 1 unless otherwise coordinated.

• Trusted Traveler, which is the ability of a credentialed individual with base access to escort a non-credentialed individual, is immediately suspended (Unless associated with a Naval Academy Sponsored Event)

• Greenbury Point is closed until further notice. The closure applies to access to the fenced East and West access roads as well as the established trails and the nature center. It does NOT apply to guests staying at the Cottages.

• Brigade Sports Complex will be conducting 100% I.D. checks.

• There will be 100% I.D. Checks at all gates.

Meet Anne Arundel County’s first baby of 2025 👶🏻

Oh baby! Sam and Leonela Limneos of Edgewater welcomed Anne Arundel County’s first baby of 2025 on January 1 at 2:45 AM at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical. Baby Limneos arrived in less than three hours (speedy!) and is the couple’s third child but first daughter. Big bros are ages 6 and 3. See her in all her cute, snuggly glory. 🥹

The New Year’s baby story is a fun, longstanding tradition. It also marks the 30th anniversary of the Clatanoff Pavilion, which houses maternity care services. Since 1995, more than 145,000 babies have been born there. ($)

Candidates wanted: IPCLA 🏫

Not every student in AACPS speaks English, and the Office of School and Family Partnerships wants to ensure those students have the academic support they need. So if you’re a parent or community member who 1) was born outside the U.S., or 2) speaks a language other than English at home, consider applying for the International Parent and Community Leadership Academy.

Starting Feb. 18 and running for 7 weeks, this program aims to solve problems facing international students and English Learners. Meetings are held during the day at different AACPS locations, and transportation is available. Apply online.

What’s the future of Severna Park model train club? 🚂

The Severna Park Model Railroad Club, based in a historic B&A Railroad depot on Riggs Ave since the 1960s, is at a crossing. “Significant roof repairs” led the The Old Severna Park Improvement Association to reevaluate the building’s future, but no decisions have been made. The club’s 1:87 scale HO gauge model trains replicate Maryland’s landscapes and industries, from coal mines to Baltimore steel mills. Open houses begin in January, the first weekend of each month on Saturday and Sunday from 12–3 PM. ($)

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

SPONSORED BY ANNAPOLIS ORTHODONTICS

Smiles are contagious

And if you started smiling when you saw that photo, well, you caught it.

A smile can say so much — I’m happy to see you, I heard my favorite song, or (in this case) I just saw my brand-new smile for the first time.

As we welcome the New Year, there’s no better time to embrace the confidence a new smile can bring. Everyone deserves to feel great when they smile, and Annapolis Orthodontics is here to help you get there.

Click here to schedule a consultation for you or your child and start the New Year with a smile you’ll love!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Colonial Players opens Alabama Story 🐰

Headed into 2025, Colonial Players is continuing its season with a relevant and thought-provoking historical play. Alabama Story takes place during the Civil Rights movement as a segregationist Senator and a librarian clash over a controversial children’s book about a black rabbit and white rabbit marrying each other. Tickets are now on sale for shows running Jan 10 – Feb 1.

Annapolis Maritime Museum winter lectures 🦀

How much do you know (or want to know!) about Chesapeake culture? Now’s your chance to get more insight than you ever expected. The Annapolis Maritime Museum’s 8-week winter lecture series starts next week. On Thursday evenings at 7 PM, hear from respected lecturers on a variety of topics like maritime history, local history, science, and maritime art.

Upcoming subjects include:

🗓 Jan. 9: Celebrating American Sailing
with Gary Jobson — World famous sailor (and America’s Cup winner) who calls Annapolis home

🗓 Jan. 16: Chesapeake Bay in Story and Song
with Jeff Holland — AMM's first director (2000–2012) and the current Poet Laureate of Annapolis

🗓 Jan. 23: American Blues: The Story of the Chesapeake Blue Crab
with Kate Livie — Chesapeake educator, writer, and social historian

🗓 Jan. 30: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse

with John Potvin — Certified Chesapeake Storyteller with the Maryland Office of Tourism and manager of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse

🗓 Feb. 6: A Reckless Night
with David Gendell — Co-founder of SpinSheet and PropTalk, sailor, Scoop office neighbor, and author of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Bay Icon and The Last Days of Schooner America

🗓 Feb. 13: Resilience in Practice: Adapting to Sea Level Rise
with Cameron Ramey — Community resilience specialist with environmental consulting firm Stantec

🗓 Feb. 20: Pictured in Time: An Artist’s Journey
with Neil Harpe — Artist and author of Pictured in Time: An Artist’s Journey Around the Chesapeake

🗓 Feb. 27: Chesapeake Invaders: Blue Catfish
with Jay Fleming  — Annapolis photographer specializing in the bay, seafood, wildlife, and culture

Pre-registration is recommended because these are always popular.

Save the Date: Polar Bear Plunge

It’s a good thing cold plunge is all the rage these days because Maryland’s OG cold plunge is almost here. The Polar Bear Plunge started in 1996 and has been raising money for Maryland’s Special Olympics ever since. And it’s held right in our own Sandy Point State Park. It’s gotten so big there are now five different plunges (schools, police, corporate, regular, and super). Visit plungemd.com to learn more and see how you can help.

P.S. You don’t have to submerge yourself in cold water to participate. There’s plenty of volunteer help needed too!

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

BOE Meeting: Have your voice heard 🗣️

Don’t forget — the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County wants public input on Superintendent Dr. Bedell’s proposed FY2026 Operating and Capital budgets. Two hearings are scheduled: January 7 at Severn Run High (in-person only) and January 9 at the Parham Building in Annapolis (in-person or virtual). Both start at 6 PM, with in-person sign-ups opening an hour earlier. Testimony is limited to two minutes — so make your “two cents” count! Catch the January 9 hearing live on AACPS-TV and on AACPS’ YouTube channel.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Start Fresh for the New Year: A Clear View of New Possibilities

Cleaning your windows in the New Year improves your home’s appearance and symbolizes a fresh start. Removing dirt and grime allows more natural light to brighten your space, creating a welcoming and uplifting environment. Clean windows provide a clearer view of the world and invite positivity and fresh energy into your home, setting the tone for a happy and productive year. Request your estimate today and give your home the refresh it deserves.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Monday

29 🌡️ 22 | ⛄️ | 99% | 💨 NE 9 mph (8 knots)

Tuesday

35 🌡️ 23 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 NW 20 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 40ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Monday

49 West |Skribe | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | PJ and Neal | 6–9 PM

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with your New Year’s Resolution accountability partner.