Good Morning St. Mary’s 👋.

Tax season is officially over. Your wallet is lighter, your accountant stopped returning your calls, and the weekend is still somehow full. Let's go.

In today's Insider:

Let's get into it.

Got a shot that feels like St. Mary’s? Reply to this email and send it in. It might land here next week.

Dr. Deborah Dennie, principal of Leonardtown Middle School, was named one of three national finalists for the 2026 NASSP National Principal of the Year award. She won Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year back in January, and only three middle school principals in the country made the national cut. The national winner is announced this fall. First time a SMCPS administrator has reached this stage.

Spring Fling XXIV Classic Car Show | Sunday | 8 AM to 4 PM | Leonardtown Square - 250+ classic cars take over the Square alongside the Running of the Balls and the Spring Fling Open Market. Your 2014 Honda Civic is not invited, but you are.

Mary’s Hope on Church Cove sits right on the water in St. Inigoes, tucked back far enough that it feels more like a private estate than a typical venue. You can hear the water before you even get out of the car, and once you’re there, it’s quiet in a way most places around here just aren’t.

The main house dates back to the late 1800s, and the property leans into that history without feeling staged. The cove opens up into a full 180-degree water view with nothing breaking it up. Boats pass in the distance, and at sunset the setting carries most of the moment on its own.

It’s not just weddings either. Reunions, corporate retreats, anniversary parties, and showers all happen here with the same coordination support and help lining up details like catering, which takes a lot off your plate.

If you want something that actually feels like Southern Maryland and not a venue you’ve seen ten times before, it’s worth seeing in person.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale | Friday–Sunday | St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds - Massive book sale with over 100,000 items. Friday is members only, then it opens to everyone, with the classic fill-a-bag deal on Sunday.

Earth Day Celebration | Saturday | 10 AM to 2 PM | Summerseat Farm - Free Earth Day event with live music, food, and a bunch of hands-on activities spread across the farm.

April Kids Night Out - Spring Edition | Friday | 5 to 7:30 PM | Imaginarium Indoor Playspace - Drop the kids off for spring crafts, pizza, and open play, giving yourself two and a half hours to do whatever you want, even if that just means sitting in your car in the parking lot in glorious, uninterrupted silence.

DIG! Archaeology Day | Saturday | 9 AM to 4 PM | Historic St. Mary’s City - Spend the day digging for real artifacts and getting hands-on with local history. Odds of finding something cool are a lot higher than finding your lost car keys.

Plant Swap | Saturday | 9:30 to 11 AM | Historic St. Mary’s City - Bring seeds, cuttings, or extra tools and trade with other local gardeners at the Margaret Brent Pavilion.

Paws & Popcorn: The Garfield Movie | Friday | 6 to 8 PM | Meow Dyer Cat Cafe - Watch Garfield inside a cat lounge filled with adoptable cats. Ticket includes popcorn and a drink while you hang out with them.

COSMIC Symphony: Salute to the States | Sunday | 3 PM | Free symphony at SMCM - Sunday afternoon with a full patriotic program. Easy, low-effort way to get out of the house for a couple hours.

Sushi with Chef Yukari | Friday | 6 to 9 PM | No Thyme to Cook - Learn how to make sushi with Chef Yukari, then eat what you make with a sake pairing if your rolls come out a little questionable.

Glass Blowing | Saturday | 11:30 AM | Port of Leonardtown Winery - Wine + hands-on glass blowing with instructors walking you through making your own piece right on site.

Dinner & A Cruise: "Between North & South" | Sunday | 4 to 8 PM | St. Clement's Island - Kick off the 2026 Dinner & Cruise series aboard the water taxi with a historical talk covering the Booth manhunt along the Potomac. You can go full seafood dinner or just bring your own setup and keep it simple

Sam Grow | Friday | 4 PM | Tiki Bar Solomons - Mechanicsville native Sam Grow is back from Nashville for a big hometown acoustic show. Expect a packed crowd.

Buff Husky | Friday | 8 PM | The Rex Theatre - Grab a drink and enjoy a 21-and-over live rock performance right in the heart of Leonardtown Square.

My Third Eye - A TOOL Experience | Saturday | 8 PM | The Rex Theatre - If you've ever wanted to see TOOL without the arena ticket price and a four-hour drive, Saturday night at The Rex is your shot.

Most people drive right past The Beanery on Three Notch without realizing what they’re actually missing. Drinks are made with real care instead of being rushed out a window. Every single cup comes with a chocolate-covered espresso bean on the lid. You’ll find everything from nitro cold brew to breakfast sandwiches, but the real draw is the atmosphere. Nobody is barking your name through a speaker and you never feel like you're in a high-speed race to order and leave. Once you finally stop in, you'll wonder what took you so long.

Want to reach 2,000+ St. Mary’s locals every week? Reply to this email to become a Trusted Local Sponsor.

That’s your Insider for this week.

Know someone who always texts "anything going on this weekend?" Send this to them.

If this was forwarded to you, you can get the Insider delivered every Tuesday morning by subscribing right here.

See you next Tuesday. ✌️