TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2026
ST. MARY’S INSIDER
THE LOCAL GUIDE TO WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING
Good morning, St. Mary’s. 👋
Welcome to the 243 new readers who joined us since last Tuesday morning. Glad you’re here!
Halloween is Saturday, and the clocks fall back the next morning (don’t forget!). That extra hour of sleep is the real treat.
Just like Uncle Sam takes his fair share, I’ll be taking some serious “Dad tax” from my kids’ candy stash over the next couple weeks.
Let’s get into it.
🎃 Keep the Halloween Guide Handy
Still deciding where to take the costumes? The Halloween Guide puts candy stops, haunted nights and fall outings in one place. Check the organizer’s latest details before you head out.
Planning the whole week? Browse The Insider’s Local Calendar.
🏡 Around the County
Burlington Signs On at Wildewood: The shopping center’s leasing brochure lists Burlington as “just signed” for a 23,400-square-foot store in California. There’s no opening date yet. So don’t clear out the closet just yet.
A First Look at the New Visitor Center: Historic St. Mary’s City opens its new Visitor Center November 14, with free admission from 10 AM to 4 PM that day. The big grand opening comes in spring 2027.
Anderson’s Diner Planned for the Former Abell’s: The old Abell’s spot in Clements could serve meals again. An October 23 permit application names Anderson’s Diner at 23945 Colton Point Road. Plans include an accessible bathroom and kitchen changes. The county is still reviewing it, and there’s no opening date yet.
Loaded Fries in Charlotte Hall: The Fry Guy had its grand opening October 24 at 30265 Charlotte Hall Road. Check its page for hours before you head over.
Kneaded and Sweetbay Are Teaming Up: Kneaded Baking Co. is bringing its cakes to Sweetbay’s dessert lineup. The two Leonardtown businesses have shared a tiramisu cake special. Find Sweetbay at 22680 Washington Street, and check its menu for the latest specials.
A New Honda Dealership Is Hiring: Carter Myers Automotive is hiring for a new Honda dealership in Lexington Park, with a planned December 2026 opening. Know someone who’s good with cars? Send them the job listings.
60 Townhomes Move Forward in Great Mills: The Planning Commission unanimously approved Bay Ridge Estates’ preliminary plan October 19: 60 townhomes on about 6.6 acres along Bay Ridge Road. Plans include sidewalks, a tot lot and separate left- and right-turn exit lanes. More approvals are still needed, so this doesn’t mean construction starts now.
Gas is Coming Back to Chaptico: The county approved plans to bring fuel back to 25731 Budds Creek Road, at Routes 234 and 238. A new sign filing points to Marathon, with regular, premium and diesel planned. No opening date has been confirmed.
📝 St. Mary’s 2050 Plan: For the Rest of Us
The county put a lot of work into St. Mary’s 2050. Our guide looks at what it could mean for your family, from homes and farms to local shops and water access. We’ve pulled out the goals, numbers and next steps worth watching.
🍬 This Week’s Poll
🎃 How are you spending Halloween?
⭐ The Top Pick
Saturday, October 31 | 1 to 3 PM | Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Lexington Park
Bring the kids in costume to collect candy among the aircraft. The 1 to 3 PM slot still leaves time for trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood.
Kids in costume get in free with a paid adult. Adults pay $7, or $4 for active-duty military and seniors 55 and older.
Find the museum at 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, just outside Gate 1. Look for the planes and all the little ghosts walking around, and you’ll know you’re close.
🍫 Insider Spotlight (Sponsored)
Heritage Chocolates: For the Friend Who Says “Don’t Bring Anything”
Photo: Heritage Chocolates
You’re invited to dinner. Someone did you a favor. Or you just want a little something for yourself on the way home. Those are all good reasons to know Heritage Chocolates.
The Leonardtown shop has been making chocolates and confections since 2015, with a lineup that includes caramels, brittles, toffees and chocolate-covered Oreos. There are sea salt caramels for the sweet-and-salty crowd, and assorted chocolate boxes ranging from four pieces to 24. That gives you options for a small thank-you or something to put out and share.
There’s gelato, too, if you’re stopping for a treat while you’re in town.
You’ll find Heritage at 22795 Washington Street. Keep it in mind the next time you need something to bring to a host, a birthday surprise or a gift from a shop right here in Leonardtown.
And if the box is for you, that’s a perfectly good occasion.
🗓️ Your Weekly Calendar
This week’s calendar is sponsored by Melissa Rodriguez, Your St. Mary’s County Realtor.
🟢 Thursday, October 29
Library Spooktacular | 6 to 7 PM @ Lexington Park Library, Lexington Park. Wear a costume for family games and trick-or-treating.
Graze & Ghoul | 6 to 7:30 PM @ Xella Winery, Mechanicsville. Make a charcuterie board with supplies, a wooden board and a box to take home. Be sure to book ahead.
Farm of Screams | 6:30 to 9:30 PM @ Barefoot Farms, Avenue. Walk a haunted nature trail; also open Friday at the same time. $15 at the gate; not for children under 10.
Nightmare at the Bayou | 7 to 11 PM @ La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill, California. Learn the Thriller dance at 7, then stay for DJ Spinnit and costume contests at 8. Free.
🟢 Friday, October 30
Bad Art Night | 4:30 to 7:30 PM @ Annmarie Sculpture Garden, Solomons. Take on the Great Pumpkin art challenge with supplies provided. Ages 21+; $7, free for members. Worth the Drive.
Symphony Orchestra Halloween Spooktacular II | 7 to 9 PM @ Dodge Performing Arts Center Concert Hall, St. Mary’s City. Hear the college orchestra’s Halloween concert. Free; costumes welcome.
Isla de Terror: Latin Fright Night | 7 to 10 PM @ El Coqui, Callaway. Start with a bachata lesson at 7, then dance salsa and bachata with DJ Spinnit at 8.
In2Deep at Toot’s | 8 PM @ Toot’s Bar, Hollywood. In2Deep plays rock hits at “Dead Rockers vs Dad Rockers,” with a costume contest.
🟢 Saturday, October 31
LEXBA Market Days | 9 AM to noon @ Pax River Village Center, Lexington Park. Shop local vendors in the Aaron’s parking lot facing the road.
Bowles Farms Corn Maze | 10 AM to 6 PM @ Bowles Farms, Clements. Try the corn maze on its last planned day of the season.
Native Plant Swap and Share | 10 AM to noon @ Leonardtown Library, Leonardtown. Swap plants and seeds with other adults in the front yard; bring labeled plants with clean, rinsed roots.
Trunk or Treat on the Flight Line | 1 to 3 PM @ Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Lexington Park. See the Top Pick above.
Bootleggers at the Winery | 2 to 5 PM @ Port of Leonardtown Winery, Leonardtown. Hear Bootleggers play while Fish n Chips serves from its food truck.
Halloween at Toot’s | 8 PM @ Toot’s Bar, Hollywood. Hear Social play at the bar’s Halloween bash, with a costume contest.
🟢 Sunday, November 1
Town Market Cars & Coffee | 10 AM to early afternoon @ Town Market, Leonardtown. Check out the cars, play cornhole and enjoy music, with a 50/50 raffle, door prizes and Treats by the Pan.
Want to plan farther ahead? Browse The Insider’s Local Calendar.
🎉 A Little Good News for April
April in California is our latest $25 Love St. Mary’s gift-card winner. We’ve given away $75 in gift cards this month through referrals alone. Not bad for telling a few friends what’s going on around here.
Want in? Share the Insider with a friend using your personal link below:
Every 3 verified signups in a calendar month: one entry in the $25 gift-card drawing.
10 verified signups total: a guaranteed $50 local gift card.
25 verified signups total: dinner for two at a local spot.
📬 Got a Tip?
The Insider doesn’t work without readers like you. You’ve got your ear to the ground, and your tips help keep the rest of us in the loop.
New business, closing, or something the county should know? Reply or email [email protected]. Send a name, location and link or photo so I can share it with more than 5,600 neighbors.
🎬 Casting Call: Help Tell the Insider’s Story
Comfortable talking to the camera? I’m looking for a few readers to record a short, casual video about why they read St. Mary’s Insider. No fancy setup needed, just you and your phone.
With your permission, I’d use your video in to introduce the Insider to more neighbors. Participants will receive a gift card as a thank-you.
Interested? Reply and I’ll send the details before you record anything.
That’s your Insider for this week.
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See you next Tuesday. ✌️
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