Good Morning St. Mary’s 👋.
The 40th anniversary of Top Gun hits theaters again tomorrow. Maverick might have the "Need for Speed," but our family Frenchie only has the "Need for Sleep". Different strokes for different folks.
The sun is out, the weather is perfect, and we have a massive weekend ahead.
Let’s get into it.
In today's Insider:
Bowl 29 brings new flavor to Leonardtown
Rust and Grain takes over Charlotte Hall
St. Inie's Coffee gets a well-deserved spotlight
Momchella, German Festivals, and your weekend calendar
📸 Photos Around the County
Credit: Lori Bell Originals
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📰 The Local Scoop
Bowl 29 Opens at SOF Market: Shepherd’s Old Field Market has done a brilliant job cementing itself as the ultimate indoor hangout in Leonardtown. Between the coffee, the beer garden, and the boutique shopping, it’s an easy place to kill an afternoon. Now, there is a new reason to stop by. Bowl 29 just opened its storefront inside the market (in Smash House’s old stomping grounds), serving a fresh menu of Asian and American fusion bowls. If you are heading into town this weekend walking the square, pop into SOF Market to welcome them to the neighborhood and grab a bite.
The YMCA Era is Almost Here: If you’ve driven down Great Mills Road lately, you’ve seen the new St. Mary’s County Family YMCA taking shape. Last week, the county gave residents a look inside with public hard-hat tours. They let me do an early walk-through, and the scale is impressive. If you want to see a video of the tour, you can check it out right here.
The 65,000-square-foot facility is slated to open in June, bringing a massive recreation hub to Lexington Park. But they aren't just opening a new building. The YMCA is also taking over management of the Great Mills Swimming Pool, which ended its run as a county-operated facility on April 30. The pool is expected to reopen this summer under the YMCA banner. It's a huge shift for local recreation, and for parents trying to burn off their kids' energy, June can't come fast enough.
Insider Intel
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🏡 Around the County
St. Clement’s Island Museum remains closed for reconstruction, and the regular water taxi is awaiting final U.S. Coast Guard certification before entering service for the 2026 season.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools was designated as a Best Community for Music Education.
The County Commissioners just approved a massive realignment of $4.2 million in unused bond funds to accelerate priority community projects, including new bikeways, the Animal Shelter, Lexington Manor Passive Park, and the incoming YMCA.
Leonardtown voters re-elected Mary Maday Slade, Christy Sterling Hollander, and Heather M. Earhart to Town Council.
Sgt. Kevin Molitor was named NAS Patuxent River Police Officer of the Year (Congrats, Kevin!).
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County officially recognized May as Small Business Month.
Piney Point Lighthouse Museum offers free admission for active-duty military members and up to five family members from Armed Forces Day, May 16, through Labor Day.
Popeyes in Lexington Park is holding a grand re-opening celebration Tuesday, May 12, at 10 AM.
⭐ The Top Pick
Rust and Grain May Market | Sat, May 16 (9 AM to 4 PM) & Sun, May 17 (10 AM to 3 PM) | Charlotte Hall: Rust and Grain is opening their 4,000-square-foot indoor market for a two-day event full of vintage charm, unique finds, furniture, and handmade decor. Saturday features guest pop-ups, including boutique clothing from shoptheallycatwalk, handmade loaves from A Love for Sourdough, and farm-fresh treats from Cedar Meadows Farm. Spend the weekend shopping small and supporting local.
🚙 Worth a Stop
If you need fuel for your weekend shopping or just want a cool spot to hang out, point your car toward St. Inie’s Coffee in Lexington Park. First off, they roast their own beans and specialize in true pour-over coffee to bring out complex tasting notes. Stay home Folgers…
Beyond the coffee, the space has a fantastic, welcoming local vibe. They’ve split the shop into two thoughtful sections: a kids' area packed with children's books for sale, and a quiet adult section where you can read in peace. The staff is super nice, and they even just finished cleaning up the local path outside as a community project. Grab a pour-over, browse the books, and pick up a bag of freshly roasted beans before you leave.
Know a local business or hidden gem that deserves a spotlight? Give them some love and let me know.
👨👩👧 Family & Community
California Farmers Market | Saturday | 9 AM to 12:30 PM: Local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and wines at the BAE Systems parking lot.
Home Grown Farm Market | Saturday | 9 AM to 1 PM: A producer-focused market with fresh produce, flowers, meats, and cheeses.
The Barns at New Market | Saturday | 9 AM to 3 PM: North county’s market stop with indoor and outdoor vendors.
LexiCon Live | Saturday, May 16 | 10 AM to 4 PM: A pop-culture day at Lexington Park Library featuring D&D sessions, dance classes, trivia, tabletop gaming, and a 3 PM cosplay contest.
Night at the Museum for Friends with Disabilities | Fri, May 15 | 5 PM to 8 PM: Exclusive access evening at Calvert Marine Museum featuring toy boat building, comfort dog snuggles, and mascot meet-and-greets. Pre-registration required.
Summer Concert Series Kickoff | Fri, May 15 | 6 PM: Outdoor, all-ages concert overlooking the Breton Bay golf course featuring Straight Vibin'. Bring your own chair!
3rd Annual German Festival | Saturday, May 16 | 2 PM: Family fun at Trinity Episcopal Parish with authentic German dancing, fellowship, and food/beer.
Baby Prom | Saturday, May 16 | 2 PM to 4 PM: A baby-and-caregiver event at Charlotte Hall Library focused on socialization, sensory play, and motor skills.
All You Can Eat Breakfast | Sunday, May 17 | 8 AM to 11 AM: Huge breakfast at Hollywood VFD featuring omelets to order, scrapple, waffles, and biscuits. $18 for adults, $8 for kids.
Mother Daughter Tea | Sunday, May 17 | 10 AM to 12 PM: A "Tea-rex & tiaras" event at Hollywood Rec Center for girls ages 3-12. $40 per pair.
Second Hope Rescue Adoption Event | Sunday, May 17 | 12 PM to 2 PM: Meet sweet pups looking for forever homes at Tractor Supply Co. in Hollywood.
Intro to Improv Comedy | Sunday, May 17 | 2 PM to 4 PM | Lexington Park Library: A teen-focused intro improv session.
🍷 Date Night
Spanish Paella on the Beach | Fri, May 15 | 6 PM to 8:30 PM | No Thyme to Cook (Solomons): Transport yourself to Spain with a multi-course, restaurant-style immersive dining class (not hands-on) featuring gazpacho and paella. Ages 16+.
Sip n Stencil Door Mat class | Fri, May 15 | 6 PM | Port of Leonardtown Winery: Grab your friends for a laid-back night creating custom door mats with CrafterParty Southern MD.
Momchella: Disco Cowgirl Day Party | Saturday, May 16 | 12 PM to 4 PM | The Rex, Leonardtown: A daytime 21+ party with shopping, cocktails, live DJ programming, giveaways, and disco balls. Ticketed event.
John Luskey Live | Saturday, May 16 | 2 PM to 5 PM | Port of Leonardtown Winery: Live music at the winery with Nick’s DC Pizza listed as the food truck.
Dinner & A Cruise Series | Saturday, May 16 | 4 PM to 8 PM | St. Clement’s Island Museum: A picnic-style cruise with Author Christine Trent. Bring your own food and drinks. $25 per person.
Hit or Miss: A May to Remember | Saturday, May 16 | 8 PM | The Rex, Leonardtown: A 21+ event at The Rex featuring Hit or Miss SOMD’s "A Day to Remember" tribute performance.
Sara and The Igniters | Sat, May 16 | 8 PM | Mechanicsville Moose Lodge 495: Live music from the variety party band.
Josh Airhart Live | Sunday, May 17 | 2 PM to 5 PM | Port of Leonardtown Winery: Sunday afternoon live music with Heidi’s Eats and Sages Treats.
⚡Quick Hits
Monthly Opening at The Vintage Source: Sat, May 16 & Sun, May 17 | 8 AM to 4 PM | Compton. Monthly opening with vintage furniture, art, decor, and clothing.
Ladies Brunch @ Olde Breton Inn: Sun, May 17 | 10 AM | Leonardtown. Brunch featuring Bailey's Catering and local boutique shopping.
Cars & Coffee Car Show: Sun, May 17 | 10 AM to 2 PM | Leonardtown. 50/50 raffle, door prizes, cornhole, music, and local vendors.
Diamonds in the Rough: Thu, May 14 | 5:30 PM | Breton Bay Golf & Country Club. A relaxing evening on the course for girlfriends.
RenFest Southern Maryland: May 23 to 24 | Brüdergarten. Not this weekend, but worth flagging!
Inaugural Potomac Nationals: May 29 to 31 | Maryland International Raceway.
🤝Trusted Local Partners
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That’s your Insider for this week.
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See you next Tuesday. ✌️
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