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Audio: ‘Made in Maryland’ features Baltimore’s Domino Sugar

Emily Kimball — April 15, 2013

Domino Sugar is an iconic Maryland-made product.

Towson University radio station WTMD 89.7 recorded the sweet sounds of Domino Sugar in a recent edition of its “Made in Maryland” series.

The company’s large neon sign has become such an iconic part of Baltimore’s skyline, some passersby don’t realize it represents an active plant, according to the segment.

The company, however, continues to thrive, producing 14 percent of the sugar in the United States and employing 500 people at the Baltimore plant, operations manager Stu FitzGibbon said in the segment.

Maryland releases new farmers markets database

Emily Kimball — April 5, 2013

Maryland’s Best offers an updated listing of farmers markets.

Finding your closest farmers market is easier than ever.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture released on Friday its updated map and database of the state’s 131 farmers markets. The Maryland’s Best website now includes extensive, searchable information on market locations, hours, producers, vendors and product listings. A paper version of the 2013 Maryland Farmers’ Market Directory will also available in mid-May from MDA’s Marketing Division in Annapolis.

“The best sign that spring is really here is the opening of Farmer’s Market and they begin opening this weekend,” Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance said in a statement. “Customers can enjoy some of the freshest and best tasting local products at Farmers Markets while directly supporting our family farmers. Every dollar spent on local agricultural products contributes to the economic health of the community, keeps our land in farming, and helps to support a smart, green and growing future for Maryland agriculture.”

The department pointed to significant recent growth in the popularity of farmers markets. It stated, “In 1991, there were only 20 markets; there were 88 in 2008; 128 last year; and there will be 131 this year. In its 2009 Policy Choices Survey, the University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy found that 77 percent of Marylanders want to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by a Maryland farmer.”

About 400 Maryland farmers are also benefitting from a grant program which allows eligible women, infants, children and seniors to use more than $400,000 in prepaid checks at Maryland farmers markets, according to the department.

Maryland’s March casino revenue hit $58M

Emily Kimball — April 5, 2013

Maryland’s three casinos generated $58,048,394 in March, with more than 75 percent of total revenue coming from Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency announced.

Maryland Live! Casino generated $44,613,545 in March, about $348 per slot machine, per day.
Hollywood Casino Perryville, which carries both slot machines and table games, generated $9,486,110 in March, about $225 per slot machine, per day, $3,659 for banking table games and $1,296.94 for non-banking table games.
The Casino at Ocean Downs generated $3,948,739 in March, about $159 per slot machine, per day.

Maryland Live! Casino hopes to further increase revenue by introducing table games, which are planned to debut on April 11.

The Baltimore Business Journal reported March’s total revenue as record breaking, as the previous high was $48 million in July 2012.

Additional charts and figures on Maryland’s casinos are available here.

How would you renovate Baltimore’s Lexington Market?

Emily Kimball — April 2, 2013

Renovations are planned at Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market. Credit: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market is slated for a $25 million facelift, and is seeking proposals from teams of consultants, architects, engineers and others on how to improve the space, the Baltimore Business Journal reports.

The market’s update will open new opportunities for vendors and is expected to attract a wider customer base. The Maryland landmark has housed sellers since 1782.

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on July 12, and contracts for the redesign will be awarded on Sept. 2. More information on submitting proposals is available on the market’s website.

The request for proposal expresses the market board’s desire to raise the market’s regional profile. It states: “Lexington Market seeks to transform into a regional attraction. Towards the goal of a regional attraction, the consulting team should make recommendations that will serve to attract visitors and residents of the Mid-Atlantic region.”

How would you renovate the space? Share your ideas for raising Lexington Market’s profile in the comments.

Happy Maryland Day! 10 reasons we love it here

Emily Kimball — March 25, 2013

Maryland Day isn’t usually celebrated with a blanket of wet snow, but at least it’s an excuse to curl up with a steaming bowl of Maryland crab soup.

European settlers first landed on the Province of Maryland on March 25, 1634, and 379 years later, the area has drawn millions from around the globe.

In honor of Maryland Day, we’ve rounded up 10 reasons why it’s great to live and work in the “Old Line State.” Note: this list is best enjoyed with “Maryland, My Maryland” playing in the background, which shares its tune with “O Christmas Tree. Continue Reading…

A peek inside the renovations of historic Senator Theatre

Tim Windsor — February 13, 2013

Renovations inside Senator Theatre. Used with permission.

The Senator Theatre has been closed since April 2012 for major renovations. Today, owners of the theater posted some snapshots on their Facebook page of the work in progress. From what can be seen, the work is extensive, showing the main auditorium stripped of seating and sporting scaffolding. Other photos show work progressing on additions to the building which will house three more screening rooms.

There is no specific reopening date announced. The theater’s owners will say only that they are aiming at “late spring – probably May” of 2013.

Recently, The Sun’s Jacques Kelly wrote about the progress of the renovations:

The sight of a few ladders outside the Senator Theatre did not prepare me for the scope of the restoration project that is transforming this Govans-Belvedere Square landmark, a Baltimore treasure being taken apart and reassembled. There will be three newly constructed boutique theaters, too, making a four-screen complex.

The $3.5 million infusion of much-needed capital improvements comes not a minute too soon. The 1939 movie house is a favorite address of many film fans, but let’s face it: The beloved Senator was shabby. It took the city and state to come to the financial rescue of the beleaguered but grandly surviving picture house.

You can read the full article here.

Study: Sailabration attendance topped 1.5 million

Nick Sohr — October 19, 2012

By Nick Sohr, Managing Editor, MDBIZNews

The weeklong kickoff of Maryland’s bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812 drew an estimated 1.54 million visitors and had an economic impact of $166.1 million in June, according to a study released Thursday.

The study, conducted by Forward Analytics of Pittsburgh, found the Star-Spangled Sailabration returned $35 for every $1 invested. The event, held June 13-19, had a budget of $4.8 million.

A parade of 45 tall ships from around the world formed the centerpiece of the event, with more than 4,000 sailors from a dozen countries offering free ship tours. The Blue Angels flew overhead, performing an airshow, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra debuted the Overture for 1812.

Maryland played a key role in the conflict with England 200 years ago. The defense of Baltimore forced the British from the Chesapeake region and Francis Scott Key penned the poem that would become the national anthem in the aftermath of the battle.

“The War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner are important moments in Maryland’s revolutionary history and part of the thread that blends the fabric of our nation together,” Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement. “Sailabration brought in millions of dollars in revenue to help strengthen our State’s economy, and that was just the beginning of a multi-year commemoration in Maryland. We look forward to bringing in even more revenue for our State and sharing the many great stories from our nation’s legacy.”

Forward Analytics broke down the spending into $97.7 million in direct impact and $68.4 million in indirect impact. More than 1.1 million Marylanders visited the event and another 435,000 visitors came from 23 other states, according to the study. More than 56 percent said they wouldn’t have visited if not for Sailabration.

The study estimated visitors spent $44.1 million at local restaurants and $6.8 million at hotels. The state received approximately $5.7 million in tax revenue, according to the study, and Baltimore got about $1.5 million.

BSO to debut Overture for 2012

Nick Sohr — April 10, 2012

By Jill Feinberg, Director of Marketing and Communications, Star-Spangled 200, Inc.

Maestra Main Alsop. Photo by Grant Leighton

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere of composer Philip Glass’s Overture for 2012 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall this summer.

The June 17 performance, conducted by Maestra Main Alsop, is part of Star-Spangled Symphony, a 90-minute musical celebration that highlights Star-Spangled Sailabration. The international maritime festival in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from June 13 to June 19 will launch Maryland’s War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration.

The state of Maryland and City of Toronto jointly commissioned Glass to create a symphonic work that honors the War of 1812 bicentennial as a companion piece to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

Maryland and Toronto representatives were interested in having a new musical work debut concurrently in June during Sailabration and at Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, as a tribute to the legacy of the war, a conflict of major historical significance for both the United States and Canada. For the U.S., the War of 1812 was the “second war of independence” and source of the iconic 15-star, 15-stripe flag that inspired the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Tickets for Star-Spangled Symphony are $15 and available online at the BSO web site. The reduced ticket price is made possible by a grant from the PNC Foundation which receives its principal funding from the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Current plans call for Glass’s Overture for 2012 to be performed simultaneously on the evening of June 17 by the BSO and by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on Luminato’s closing weekend. The Star-Spangled Symphony also includes BSO renditions of patriotic works by American composers and will close with 1812 Overture.

The June maritime festival, Star-Spangled Sailabration, features more than 40 international tall ships and naval vessels, which will offer free public tours. It also includes an air show in which the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Frostburg Christmas Traditions Full Steam Ahead

MDbizMedia — December 14, 2011

by Jenny Lazarus, DBED Marketing & Communications

With a full head of steam, Western Maryland’s rich rail history converges each December in the storybook, mountaintop community of Frostburg, Maryland. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s North Pole Express chugs into the station of the nearly 200-year old university town arriving from Cumberland packed with families eager to share the thrill of riding over mountains and through tunnels on an authentic steam train. A walk up Main Street, festooned with pine wreaths and holidays ribbons, leads holiday visitors to discover a tyke-size toy town and train set, assembled by the local Community Model Railroad Club, recreating the Christmas tradition of generations of children, young and old alike.

Lights blink, horns blare and the unmistakable aroma of synthetic smoke blows from the four “O”-scale locomotives pulling the colorful rows of train cars as they chug, clack and whistle their “I think I can, I think I can” tempo while rounding the tracks of the miniature town. Encircled by a new generation of captivated, wide-eyed children the model trains cast their spell on everyone, including parents, grandparents, friends and family. Railroad club member, Ed Tippen grins as he shares the excitement, “Sometimes you have to pick them up and carry them out – the kids just don’t want to leave.”

“We are arguably in the golden age of model railroading,” according to Rich Foster, VP of Columbia, Maryland based M.T.H. Electric Trains. Thirty years ago Mike Wolf founded a toy train mail order business in a bedroom of his parent’s home – now the company features the broadest range of any model train company in the world. Today, all model electric trains are imported from China – between January and September 2011, the toy market’s most popular holiday gifts, including electric trains, generate $2.5 billion.

Holder of the official state record for greatest monthly snowfall, 67 inches in January 1978, Frostburg may not have the North Pole’s reindeer but it does have Christmas elves. Frostburg State University deployed more than 300 student volunteers, including 130 smiling, rosy-cheeked felt-and-jingle bell-costumed student elves into the city to assist the bustling crowds of shoppers and entertain visitors during the recent Storybook Holidays. The annual event, sponsored by the FSU Children’s Literature Centre and the City of Frostburg attracts visitors from six different states. According to Fred Powell, owner of Main Street Books, “The community starts planning for this event in September. It is a huge weekend for us.”

Imparting the life lessons of optimism and hard work of the well-known children’s book, The Little Engine That Could, Frostburg is simply a wonderful community, pulling together into the future with an enduring love of family and place. FSU 2009 graduate and Foundation for Frostburg AmeriCorps Project Manager, Dean Wittier (FSU 2009, Frederick native) echoes the mountain magic of Frostburg’s year-round Christmas spirit when he says “I stayed here because I love the community.”

A Star-Spangled Sailabration

MDbizMedia — November 29, 2011

by Jill Feinberg, Communications Director, Star-Spangled 200, Inc.

Last week, Governor Martin O’Malley was joined by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and representatives from the U.S. Navy and Operation Sail, Inc. (OpSail) to announce Star-Spangled Sailabration, an international maritime festival that will launch Maryland’s three-year War of 1812 bicentennial efforts. Star-Spangled Sailabration will take place June 13-19, 2012 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.

“The bicentennial of The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812 will depict Maryland’s pivotal role in securing America’s independence,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We are pleased to welcome these ships to the Inner Harbor and the Bay for this historic celebration that will remind Americans of how, through courage and conviction, Marylanders from all walks of life came together and gave our nation her flag and national anthem.”

Dozens of Navy ships and tall ships from the U.S. and international navies are expected to line Baltimore’s harbor during the week, bringing thousands of sailors to the region. Additional activities will include free on-board public tours of ships, official visits by international dignitaries and Navy leadership, fireworks, crew sporting competitions, community service projects, living history displays, educational activities, a new symphonic work, a public art project, and much more.

A U.S. Navy crew mans the deck of the U.S.S. Hurricane Star-Spangled Sailabration.

In addition to Baltimore, the Navy will commemorate the Bicentennial in New Orleans, Norfolk, VA, New York, Boston, and several other historically significant cities. The Chief of Naval Operations has invited 120 countries to send appropriate combat ships as well as their national academy sail training tall ships. Officials have identified 9 U.S. warships and 5 tall sailing ships to visit Baltimore; other vessels from Great Britain, Canada, Columbia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico are expected to participate. The Coast Guard has confirmed its tall ship, the Eagle, will visit and lead the parade of sail. Operation Sail (OpSail), the Congressionally-chartered nonprofit producer of tall ship events, is partnering with the U.S. Navy to produce next year’s commemoration events.

Star-Spangled Sailabration is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Baltimore and the region and contribute to the economy through increased hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, and spending at shops and retail outlets. The June events are also expected to attract significant national and international media coverage.

Star-Spangled Banner Flags Available from Maryland Small Business

MDbizMedia — November 10, 2011

by Jill Feinberg, Communications and PR Director, Star Spangled 200, Inc.

Maryland small business F. W. Haxel Flag Co. will be the distributor of commemorative Star Spangled Banner flags, just in time for the bicentennial celebration. Marylanders can now purchase the commemorative 15-star, 15-stripe American flags – replicas of the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem following the all-night British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814.

F.W. Haxel Flag Co., a family-owned and operated business since 1935, is currently distributing the U.S.A. made flags – featuring the official Star-Spangled 200 bicentennial logo. The flags are available in two versions: a printed nylon flag ($20); and a limited-edition, sewn nylon flag with appliqued stars ($73.50). Proceeds benefit three nonprofit (501 c3) organizations: The American Flag Foundation, Friends of Fort McHenry and The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House.

The Upper Bay 1812 Steering Committee is launched.

Earlier this week, Harford County Executive David Craig, Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty, and Cecil County Commissioner President Jim Mullin joined representatives from the three non-profits and veterans groups at F.W. Haxel Flag Co. to recognize the partners and to announce the formation of the Upper Bay 1812 Steering Committee.

“The Upper Bay 1812 Steering Committee will work to educate, engage, and celebrate the area’s 1812 heritage during Maryland’s statewide bicentennial commemoration,” said Harford County Executive David Craig. Cecil County Commissioner President Jim Mullin echoed those remarks, adding, “the Upper Bay played an important role in our country’s second war with England, and our committee efforts will allow us to share that history with locals and visitors alike.”

Buy your flag from F.W. Haxel Flag Co. today!

“Marylanders are likely to become more aware of the upcoming War of 1812 bicentennial as these flags enter the marketplace,” said Bill Pencek, executive director of the Maryland War of 1812 Commission. “And, three institutions dedicated to preserving the legacy of the iconic Star-Spangled Banner – one of Maryland’s greatest contributions to the nation’s heritage – will receive assistance in advancing their missions.”

As one of the largest companies of its kind on the East Coast, F.W. Haxel designs, manufactures, and installs custom-made banners, flags and signs. To purchase flags, visit F.W. Haxel Flag Co.’s web site: www.fwhaxel.com/.

Great Ghost Walks in Maryland

MDbizMedia — October 26, 2011

by Mindie Burgoyne

The Free State has no short supply of ghosts. It’s no wonder that communities around Maryland have crafted their own ghost walks and tours to introduce visitors to hometown haunts. Each of these ghost tours is conducted by locals who know their history and have encountered spooky characters. Check out these ghost tours and see the paranormal up close and personal.

The City of Annapolis offers two ghost tours, with a haunted history of the State's capital. (Photo by Mindie Burgoyne).

Historic Annapolis Ghost Tours

Annapolis is so haunted that it has two ghost tours – a walking tour and a pub crawl. Your host will be well versed in the haunted history of Maryland’s state capital, but will also share first hand accounts of ghostly encounters. Stories include Amy the working girl who haunts Rams Head Tavern and Thomas Dance, a construction worker who died while working on the State House dome. For information on both tours check out http://www.ghostsofannapolis.com.

Fells Point Ghost Walk

This historic part of Baltimore’s waterfront is full of colorful spirits. This maritime seaport village has been host to immigrants, sailors, merchants, prostitutes, musicians, writers, artists and more. The guides will even tell you about ghost sightings that have happened on these popular tours. There is both a pub crawl and walking tour. Book early, as they sell out quickly. http://www.baltimoreghosttours.com/index.html

Candlelight Ghost Tours of Frederick

A 90 minute walking tour of downtown historic Frederick – the town that claims to be the most haunted town in Maryland. The tour is rich with stories of politicians, defiant citizens, Revolutionary War patriots, actors, artists and numerous undead from the Civil War when Frederick received over 6000 sick and wounded from nearby battlefields. Their stories of suffering, dying and refusing to be dead are told on by guides in period costumes who lead guest through the dark streets of Frederick. http://www.marylandghosttours.com/

Spirits of Point Lookout

The landscape of this windblown prison camp on the Chesapeake Bay is littered with ghosts of Confederate soldiers who froze and starved to death during their imprisonment here. Out of the 50,000 prisoners who were held at the Point Lookout Union Prisoner of War camp, over 4000 died horrible deaths, and their spirits have been the focus of paranormal enthusiasts for years. Reenactors tell of this and other stories associated with this very haunted site in Maryland. www.spiritsofpointlookout.com

Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City

This historic town on the Patapsco River has quite a haunted past. Since its days of being a mill town, there have been many characters who have remained a part of the landscape even “after death.” What makes this tour unique is the testimony of “first hand” experiences by restauranteurs, merchants and residents about recent paranormal events. www.VisitHowardCounty.com (also on this website, see Haunted Tour of Savage Mill)

Haunted Tale Candle-Lit Walk – Denton

Experience one of the most haunted towns on the Eastern Shore. Your guide is a master story-teller who will point out the Denton jail where the ghost of Wish Sheppard who was hung on the courthouse lawn – and whose hand print remained behind on his jail cell wall long after his death – still torments the staff who work in the jail today. Also hear about the ghost of Annie Bell Carter who fell to her death from a second floor balcony and was impaled on a tree stump and now dances across her lawn. http://www.tourcaroline.com/

Haunted History and Walking Ghost Tour of Havre de Grace

This is the third year for this fun ghost tour hosted by the Havre de Grace Main Street Community. This walking tour is composed of historically documented occurrences and first hand accounts of hauntings, murders and paranormal events that happened in the past or are currently happening today. www.mainstreethdg.org

NOTE: Advanced reservation is strongly suggested for all of these tours. Be sure to call ahead and reserve your space as all of these tours sell out quickly.

For a list of more ghost tours in Maryland, see the Maryland is Fun website ghost tour page. http://www.mdisfun.org/PRESSROOM/Pages/HauntedMaryland.aspx

Mindie Burgoyne works for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. She is the author of Haunted Eastern Shore: Ghostly Tales from East of the Chesapeake, and also runs the blog www.TravelHag.com.