MARYLAND/DELAWARE/D.C.

MARYLAND/DELAWARE/D.C. - Camp and Crab Cakes, March 21-24

Having completed our visit to Capitol Hill, we turned our attention to the Maryland/Delaware/D.C. Elks Association. Thursday morning began with a visit to the National Electronics Museum near the Baltimore airport.  Tom had noticed this museum on a previous visit and we spent some time exploring exhibits ranging from old tube testers to state of the art tracking and jamming electronics and electronic counter-measure devices.  In our age of digital technology and computers that fit in the palm of your hand, it was fun to see some of the earlier tools such as slide rules, vacuum tubes and single transistors.

After leaving the museum, we went to the Association's Major Project, Elks Camp Barrett.  Camp Barrett is a summer camp for children built and maintained by the Maryland/Delaware/D.C. Elks.  After a tour of the property, we had a wonderful lunch with several of the Association Elks.  The Camp presented Venita with two limited edition Longaberger baskets to commemorate her visit to the Camp. 

 

Thursday evening, we headed across the Bay Bridge to Kent Island Elks Lodge #2576 for a terrific dinner of Chicken Chesapeake, a chicken breast covered with what else – a Maryland Crab Cake!  It was wonderful. The Kent Island Elks had also invited a group of wounded heroes to join us for dinner as well as the founder of the non-profit organization "Trucks 4 Troops", Scott Mallary.  We spent time talking with these amazing men and women and came away touched and inspired by their courage and spirit.

Friday morning we went over to the Annapolis Lodge #622 where Tom and Paul attended the Advisory Committee meeting and Jane and Venita joined Sandy for the First Lady's luncheon.  The ladies presented Venita with Christmas ornaments representing each of the three states in their Association.  After lunch, several ladies went to the Pennsylvania Dutch Market where we drooled over the pastries, breads, candies and other wonderful goodies.  We browsed through the quilt and furniture section of the market, marveling at the craftsmanship in all we saw.  After returning to the lodge, we joined everyone for drinks and a casual dinner with many of the visiting Elks.

Saturday morning, we returned to the Annapolis Lodge for breakfast and then attended the Association meeting.  Grand Forum Justice Priscilla Schwab had recruited various members of the Association, in addition to Tom, to stage a mock Local Forum as a training seminar for the attendees.  While much of it was exaggerated and had the audience in stitches, everyone understood that having a Local Forum in your lodge is not a good thing and can serve to tear the lodge apart.  As the meetings continued, Venita and Jane left to do some shopping and then had a quiet lunch to celebrate Jane's birthday.  Later that afternoon, we had a chance to drive around the Annapolis area with Paul and Jane.  While we could not visit The Naval Academy, we did get to see several of the buildings from town, as well as the capitol complex and the marina.  What a beautiful city!

Saturday evening, we attended the official Association dinner where we were treated to the local version of surf and turf - Maryland Crab Cakes and filet mignon!  (We will certainly miss this wonderful crab dish when we return to the west coast.)  Tom shared some of the information from his visit to the Veterans and Drug Congressional staffers on Capitol Hill followed by targeted results from ENF for the Association.  The Annapolis Lodge presented us with a beautiful numbered print of the Annapolis waterfront and capitol building, as well as a Longaberger basket filled with coffees and teas.  The Maryland/Delaware/ D.C. Association then presented us with two spectacular hand-painted, custom motorcycle helmets.  Venita's helmet bears the Elks' clock, the American flag and the red "Heart of Elkdom".  Tom's also bears the Elks' clock and American flag, but his scene is a bugling Elk against the winter woods.  We were totally speechless when we opened the boxes.  They will be treasured mementos of our time and relationship with these wonderful Elks.

Sunday morning, Tom attended the final meeting of the Association after which Priscilla Schwab took us to the airport to catch our flight home.   This was a special trip and we enjoyed our visit with this wonderful Association.  We look forward to having some vacation time in the area where we can explore more of this beautiful countryside at our leisure.  Many thanks to the Maryland/Delaware/D.C. Elks for all of their gracious hospitality!