Last night, I did something I usually don’t do on a Saturday night. I skipped the couch and the Netflix list to go to a meeting about community growth.
Normally, that sounds like a recipe for a very long, very dry evening of fluorescent lights and suits. But the Be Local event was different. Lindsay and Lily put together an incredibly fun game show themed event to talk with our local Government leaders.
Fun and Government, two words that normally run from each other. Not this time.
The room was full. And not just with the "usual suspects" you see at every public hearing. It was packed with younger adults, students, and local leaders mingling in the same space, drinking good coffee, and actually talking.
No formal barriers. Just a relaxed, conversational vibe that felt less like "politics" and more like a group of neighbors trying to figure out how to make this place better.
It was genuinely encouraging. Seeing people willingly show up on a weekend because they care about where they live? That’s a massive win for St. Mary’s.
The "Nothing To Do" Myth
One phrase kept echoing throughout the night: "There’s nothing to do in St. Mary’s County."
If you’ve spent five minutes on a local Facebook group, you’ve seen it. But as the guy behind St. Mary’s Insider, I had a bit of a realization while listening to the discussion.
We don't necessarily have an activity problem. We have a visibility problem.
Right now, if you want to find a farmers market, a live music set, or a waterfront festival, you have to go on a high-stakes scavenger hunt. It’s buried on random flyers, isolated social pages, or passed through word-of-mouth.
Most families aren't "bored": they're just out of the loop. They miss the events they’d actually love simply because they never saw the post or heard the news. We have the ingredients; we just haven't put them on the same menu yet.
🏗️ Activating What We Already Have
Some of the best ideas of the night weren't about building massive, billion-dollar stadiums. They were about making the stuff we already have easier to use.
We talked about "activating" spaces. Think using the Fairgroudns or the Wharf for a drive-in movie, or better waterfront access. It’s about taking a spot like Snow Hill Park: which already has a great beach and a kayak launch: and making it a place where you want to hang out for hours. later this year they’re adding a boat launch to this spot, making it an even better location to visit.
A few things that are actually in the works right now:
Self-service kiosks: Through Rent.Fun, the county is making recreation "on-demand." Think kayak rentals at Snow Hill, pickleball gear at Chancellors Run, and disc golf equipment at Lexington Manor. No staff needed, just an app and a desire to get outside.
The Carver Makerspace: This is a big one. A 5,000-square-foot space at the Carver Recreation Center (slated for later this year) that will offer pottery, metalworking, 3D printing, and creative learning.
Scholarship Support: The Recreation & Parks scholarship fund, fueled by things like the "Tee-It-Up for Kids" golf tournament, is working to make sure these activities aren't just for people who can afford the registration fees.
The goal isn't always to build something new. Sometimes it's just about fixing the access.
🧠 Connection Is A Mental Health Strategy
We spent a decent amount of time talking about the pressure on younger generations. Mental health came up a lot, but not in a clinical, preachy way.
There is a real, tangible connection between community involvement and how we feel. People need "third places": spots that aren't work and aren't home where you can just be. Leonardtown is doing well in this area with places like Social Coffeehouse, the Rex, and the waterfront at the Wharf. You can head downtown on a Friday night with no plan and make a packed night out of it.
When we make spaces to gather, create, or learn a new skill, we’re fighting that isolation that comes with staring at a phone all night. Sometimes the best thing a county can provide isn't a new program; it's just a place where you feel connected to other human beings.
🎭 The "Unmasked" Moment
I was invited to speak toward the end of the night, which was a pretty surreal experience. For the last several months, St. Mary’s Insider has mostly existed as a logo and an email in people’s inboxes, so it was funny finally having readers connect it to an actual person standing in front of them.
It was cool meeting readers in person and realizing this little newsletter that started as a side project has quietly grown into something thousands of people around the county now read every week.
My message was simple: experiences matter.
We are competing against the convenience of Netflix and DoorDash. Counties that succeed long-term are the ones that create an emotional connection. People stay where they feel they belong. Yes, we care about good jobs, good roads, good schools… but that’s not what makes you LOVE where you live. That comes from experiences, memories, gathering places and good times. Though, nobody likes potholes, so keep those roads smooth, folks.
St. Mary’s has the waterfronts, the history, and the local businesses to create that identity. We just have to make it easier for people to find it and participate in it.
✨ The Takeaway
The most encouraging part of the night wasn't a specific project or statistic. It was the vibe.
Seeing the County Commissioners and Recreation & Parks leadership sitting down, listening, and actually engaging with residents in an approachable way felt like a reset. It felt hopeful instead of the shouting into the void most feel.
We don't need to reinvent St. Mary’s County. We just need to connect the dots.
There are a lot of people quietly working to make this place better, and after last night, I’m more convinced than ever that the future here is looking pretty bright.
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