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🍦Repping AACPS at the national spelling bee

🍦Repping AACPS at the national spelling bee

Annapolis Blues home opener, AACPS isn't changing meal prices, a new memorial at Pip Moyer...

Naptown Scoop
May 28, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. You know how they say Virginia is for lovers? Today’s Scoop is for pug lovers. It’ll make sense when you scroll down.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Annapolis Blues doubleheader home opener
AACPS isn't changing meal prices
A new memorial at Pip Moyer Recreation Center

Let’s get to it.

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

Brad Kappel’s Home of the Week: French Waterfront Estate on 4.5 Lush Acres

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This 9,000+ sq ft French modern estate on Whitehall Creek has been completely renovated with exceptional care and craftsmanship. From the great room’s exposed beams and sweeping views to the brushed teak floors and gourmet kitchen with a 10-burner Wolf range, every detail says timeless luxury.

Step outside to a coveted waterfront pool, tennis court, and a multi-slip ipe pier with multiple boat and jet ski lifts. The grounds are exquisite with acres of perfectly manicured grass and 600 feet of flawlessly rip-rapped shoreline.

There’s no better combination of luxury, privacy, and waterfront living. Offered at $6,995,000. Contact Brad Kappel to schedule your private tour of this one-of-a-kind waterfront retreat.

THE DIGEST

Quint Karlsson still buzzing in the Spelling Bee 🐝

National Harbor is abuzz this week with astute spellers from all over the country to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Among the 250 young wordsmiths are 5 Marylanders, including AACPS 7th-grader Quint Karlsson. This is the second time Quint’s competed in the Bee, having tied for 22nd in last year’s competition. And he’s no one-trick pony. Although he excels in spelling, his favorite subject is math.

📺 Preliminaries were yesterday, quarterfinals and semifinals are today, and the finals are tomorrow from 8–10 PM. You can watch on ION.

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 Ace & Hazel 🐾

What do Frank from Men in Black and Percy from Pocahontas have in common? They’re puggable pugs! As in you can’t look at them without saying, “Awwww . . .” That’s the same with our man Ace. He’s a three-year-old pug mix. Ace and his BFF Hazel are looking for a new home together.

They’re bonded and lean on each other for comfort. Ace is outgoing and adventurous; Hazel follows his lead. Like most pugs known for their charm, stable temperament, and loving disposition — Ace and Hazel would make great additions to any family. Because one pug is great, but two pugs? That’s a lifestyle. They’ve been at the SPCA since March 19 and are ready for a forever home.

AACPS Summer Meals Return 🥪

Starting June 16, AACPS will dish out free summer meals to kids ages 2 to 18, regardless of income. This year, the program will serve meals at 23 sites around the county Monday–Thursday at High Point ES, MacArthur MS, Kim’s Karate in Glen Burnie, and North County Aquatic Center in Glen Burnie. At non-rural sites, kids eat on campus; rural sites allow meals to go.

AACPS will also serve up meals at 16 mobile sites, including these Annapolis spots: Admiral Farragut, Annapolis Gardens, Bywater, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Hilltop Village, and Woodside Gardens. Here’s the full list.

BOE Keeps AACPS School Meal Prices the Same for 11th Year in a Row 💸

AACPS is giving Costco’s $1.50 hot dog/soda combo a run for its money. For the 11th consecutive year, the Board of Ed of Anne Arundel County unanimously approved keeping school meal prices the same. Here’s the cost breakdown you can expect to continue. Reduced-price meals will stay the same, too.

Full-price breakfast: $1.50
Elementary school lunch: $2.75
Secondary school lunch: $3
Milk: $0.55

Those SAT scores tho! 👏

Plenty of us have sat through the SAT. But today’s AACPS students are doing what could only be described as standup job. Their average score is up 14 points to 978 out of 1,520. That’s high — higher than averages at the state, national, and global levels! What’s driving this success? Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell believes it’s because of the pipeline of preparation that AACPS implemented, making it easier for underclassmen to take the PSAT multiple times as practice, and for juniors to take the SAT during the school day. Dr. Bedell says this is why AACPS must “continue to fund these opportunities for all our students.” See full data.

Annapolis to Unveil Parren J. Mitchell Memorial ✊🏾

Today’s the day. Annapolis is celebrating Maryland’s first Black member of Congress, Parren J. Mitchell. The new memorial at Pip Moyer Rec Center honors his legacy of service, equity, and justice in the heart of a community shaped by his family’s activism. The Caucus of African American Leaders and the MLK Jr. Committee — also behind the Civil Rights Footsoldiers and Guardians of the First Amendment memorials in Annapolis — made this memorial happen.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Pollo Campero now open 🍗

New dining options are always something to cluck about, and Pollo Campero officially opened its doors at 901 Bestgate Road on Memorial Day. The fast-casual restaurant on Annapolis Mall campus is the ninth in the state for Pollo Campero, a chain known for its flavorful menu of Guatemalan-style chicken. The first 100 guests on Monday received golden tickets for a year’s worth of chicken — not to ruffle feathers with anyone who missed out on the fun! 🐔

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.

Now Offering Virtual Cosmetic Consultations at Current Dermatology

We’re making it even easier to get started on your aesthetic journey, no office visit required. Our virtual cosmetic consultations are now available and designed to give you expert, personalized recommendations from the comfort of your home. Whether you're curious about lasers and injectables, skin-tightening treatments, or the best skincare regimen for your goals, our expert board-certified dermatologists are now just a click away.

During your virtual consult, we will:

Learn about your concerns and goals
Review your photos, as well as your medical and aesthetic history
Recommend a customized treatment plan
Answer any questions you have

Just like our in-person consults, this is a full, personalized experience — tailored to you.

We look forward to meeting you — wherever you are!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Annapolis Blues home opener doubleheader ⚽️

Both the Annapolis Blues men’s and brand new women’s team are playing their first home matches this Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The men have played and won one match so far, besting the confusingly named Charlottesville Blues. The women have played and won two matches, also besting the Charlottesville Blues and beating Virginia Beach United in their first match as a team.

The men kick off against Christos FC at 5 PM and the women follow against Richmond Ivy at 7:30 PM. Our Blues hold 9 of the top 10 NPSL regular season attendance records so we expect a huge crowd on Saturday. Get tickets at annapolisblues.com ⚽️ 🎟️

First Sunday Arts Festival

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed how fast May slipped by but Sunday is the first day of June. It’s also the first Sunday of the month. Which means it’s time for another First Sunday Arts Festival. This is when over 100 artisans and vendors set up tents on West Street from 11 AM to 5 PM to sell their wares. There’s lots of live music as well. Everything you need to know is right here.

Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival 🏳️‍🌈

We know — Pride Month is technically June. But to avoid conflicts with World Pride events in DC, the fifth annual Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival is this Saturday (May 31). The parade starts at 11 AM from St. John’s College (Calvert St.), heading down Bladen St., around part of Church Circle, down West St. to Amos Garrett Blvd.

After the parade, the festival runs noon to 5 PM at Maryland Hall with family-friendly fun like free face painting, a moon bounce, 190+ vendors, and more. It’s free and open to the public, rain or shine.

Coming next week: Anne Arundel Arts Month 🎨

Despite being a relatively small city, Annapolis sure packs a real punch when it comes to the arts. Name your favorite type and you can find it around Annapolis. That’s what makes Anne Arundel Arts Month and Annapolis Arts Week so cool. This June, you can participate in all kinds of community-wide arts events planned specifically to celebrate the talent all around us — check out the calendar and submit your own arts event.

Need ideas? You could…

🤔 Host a pop-up installation or a performance
🤔 Lead a workshop to teach your artistic discipline of choice
🤔 Offer an art-related promotion through your small business

Plus, there’s Annapolis Arts Week starting June 9. This is the community tradition that started the month-long observance. It’s a perfect week to take a walk through the gallery district downtown, do the Annapolis mural tour, or enjoy live music.

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

62 🌡️ 60 | 🌧️ | 98% | E 15 mph (13 knots)

Thursday

73 🌡️ 65 | 🌥️ | 24% | SW 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 66ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Wednesday

Thursday

THANKS!

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🍦Repping AACPS at the national spelling bee

Annapolis Blues home opener, AACPS isn't changing meal prices, a new memorial at Pip Moyer...

TOGETHER WITH

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