Osher Field Trip
By Anne Huffstetler, photo by David Blunt
Twenty-five Osher members and friends gathered for an Osher outing to Smith Island in late April. The three-day adventure included “April showers” with “raindrops falling on their heads.” But, all kept “singing in the rain” as they had fun experiencing and learning about life on the Chesapeake Bay, both past and present.
Located 13 miles west of Crisfield between the Tangier Sound and the Chesapeake Bay, Smith Island is Maryland’s only inhabited offshore island and dates from the early 1700’s. Its uninhabited southern tip is intersected by the Maryland-Virginia line. The trip, described in the Osher catalog as a “residential field experience,” allowed the group to absorb the island’s culture. This goal was reached thanks to the expert guidance of Megan Fink and Paige Sanford, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) naturalists, and Captain Wes, one local, very colorful waterman.
“For me, Wes was the keystone of the trip because he is the true connection between the island’s history, the CBF, and our tour and educational experience,” commented trip member Mary Silva.
With rain gear in tow, the group actively participated in the traditions of oystering and crabbing, the livelihood of the island’s watermen and their families. It was hands-on when it came to laying trot lines, scraping, putting out and retrieving crab pots, and dipping nets. Another island tradition is progging, or prowling about to find food or plunder. The CBF boat took explorers to marshland to hunt for lost treasure washed up from the Bay.
A plaque hanging in the CBF dining hall reads:
“Progging... is a glimmer of how islanders may relate to their natural surroundings in whose constant communion they play as children, and hunt and gather a living as adults.”
Group member Sue Key said “I felt like I was living in a National Geographic special.”
The gastronomical highlight was an island dinner prepared by native Mary Ada Marshall. Baked chicken, crab balls, fish caught that very morning, string beans, scalloped potatoes, and corn casserole surely made up for the drizzly weather. The meal was topped off by traditional Smith Island cakes. Named the official Maryland dessert, they consist of ten thin layers of cake separated by an equal number of icing layers.
In addition to learning about island culture, the trip was also a lesson on the CBF and its important mission to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay through education, legislation and advocacy.
Osher member Charlie Huffstetler commented, “I have noticed several posted signs in our neighborhood park adjacent to the James River that say ‘Part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.’ In the past I didn’t read too much meaning into the signs. However, as a result of this visit, I can now connect the signs with what I learned through our CBF guides and Wes.
“I have come to appreciate how activities affecting the water run-off in my neighborhood park can impact the overall health of the bay, its fragile ecosystem, and the people who depend upon the Bay for employment and recreation.”
Good news is that CBF residential field experiences similar to this one will be offered every few years through Osher. Check your catalogs! The education, camaraderie and fun just can’t be beat. Here’s to “singing in the rain.”