2008 Most Eligible Singles
We're on the prowl for Singles Nominations for 2009–if you or someone you know is an eligible single, click here!
Intrigue is in the air as we introduce you to our regions’ shining singles. There’s no shortage of superlatives to describe this year’s group; stunning, sexy, carefree, caring, intelligent, entrepreneurial, hilarious, handsome, and active, to mention just a few. We carefully selected the Most Eligible Singles from hundreds of nominations, based on honest questionnaire answers, engaging interviews, and outgoing personality.
Enjoy meeting them on the following pages and if your interest is piqued, please email What’s Up? at
singles@whatsupmag.com and we’ll forward your message to the single you’d like to meet.
Annapolis
Mary Hyson
Residence: The Landings at River Oaks, Edgewater
Profession: I own a Real Estate Title Company.
Most embarrassing experience? In Home Depot, I went down to touch one item on a display and the whole thing fell in slow motion!
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner. That gives down time from the day and relaxed chat time.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Wake up early—I just can’t hang anymore!
Love me. Love my . . . family, they are very important.
Favorite romantic movie? Lately, PS I Love You. It made me laugh, cry, and even through the tragedy, it had a good happy ending.
Favorite pastimes? Relax, eat, and make my house perfect.
Joel Sachs
Residence: Annapolis Historic District
Profession: CEO and founder of a digital content storage company.
Most embarrassing experience? Of course, there’s running aground while sailing on the Chesapeake Bay (not once, not twice, but thrice); however, the coup d'état is slowly backing off the edge of a podium while passionately delivering a major presentation on the big screen and,
before a large audience, falling like a dropping tree straight back to the floor.
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner . . . for me, cooking is my principal artistic expression . . . creating meals that are a blend of tastes, colors, and textures with an equal blend of conversations, glances, and smiles is it for me.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? I love rowing or running extra early along the Naval Academy seawall to see all of nature rise with the sun; however, there is sailing through the night and seeing the gradual change from dark skies filled with bright stars to blue skies dotted with white clouds.
Love me. Love my . . . friends and family.
Favorite romantic movie? Casablanca, because Rick & Elisa know themselves as soul mates, yet Rick sacrifices having the love of his life to do the right thing for the future and the greater good of mankind.
Favorite pastimes? Pursuing life to the fullest through its many facets, for example, hanging out with my son to have fun, explore adventures, and work on responsibility and leadership; being fit through rowing, cycling, running, skiing, swimming, etc. each day; enjoying culture especially the ballet, symphony, theatre, opera, art, etc.; making a difference in the world through my philanthropic efforts and supporting others in theirs. The best is combining different areas like attending black-tie cultural benefit events and participating in and coaching Team-In-Training, the largest sports endurance charity program that raises $100M each year to fight cancer.
Catherine “Catie” Thorson
Residence: Cape St. Claire, Annapolis
Profession: Middle school teacher.
Most embarrassing experience? Truly, if you can learn to laugh at yourself and learn from your mistakes, then you should really never be embarrassed.
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Stay up late.
Love me. Love my . . . family.
Favorite romantic movie? Love Actually, because it shows all the ways that people can love and celebrate life. Plus, it makes you laugh.
Favorite pastimes? I love any type of live sporting event or concert, spending time with family and friends, working out, and relaxing to a good movie.
Miranda Darden
Residence: Greater Annapolis
Profession: Projects Planner, Arundel Community Development Services, Inc.
Most embarrassing experience? Having to admit to all of my friends that I was the Peanut
Princess . . . and how I got that title (from a small town in Virginia nicknamed “Peanut City” and we have a Peanut Festival every year).
Make dinner or make reservations? Depends on the occasion. I love to cook but I would also never turn down a steak at Lewnes’.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Wake up early.
Love me. Love my . . . shoe closet—yes, a whole closet dedicated to my shoes.
Favorite romantic movie? Dirty Dancing. I loved the music, the dancing, and the story of two unlikely people coming together despite all of the obstacles and stereotypes.
Favorite pastimes? Exercise. Go to the gym, running, spin class. Also cook, entertain, volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club, go out with my great group of girlfriends, go to the beach, travel, shop.
Kevin Spurlin
Residence: Rolling Knolls, Annapolis
Profession: Retired Air Force Reserve Officer, currently a Senior Information Technology Analyst.
Most embarrassing experience? Baghdad, summer of 2003: Just hung up my towel to step into the shower, and the General (fully clothed) stops me to talk shop. So there I am giving a briefing for 10 minutes stark ravers.
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner. I love to cook. I make awesome chicken Parmesan, blackened snapper, crab dip, filet Mignon, chili that has won awards on two continents, and omelets, to name a few. What would you like?
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Both in the same day—life is too short, so try to do it all.
Love me. Love my . . . Love my kids, like my three dogs named after rock legends, and put up with me being a Philadelphia Eagles fan and an Air Force guy living in a Redskins/Ravens/Navy town.
Favorite romantic movie? Deliverance—just kidding. Actually, it would be a tie between the Count of Monte Cristo and Groundhog Day. No matter how much crap you have been through, you can learn something from it, overcome it, and everything will be okay in the end, because the glass isn’t half full—it’s overflowing.
Favorite pastimes? Reformed tri-athlete now limited to biking, swimming, and the gym. I go see lots of concerts and local bands. Have only missed one Stones tour since '81. First one on the dance floor and last one off. Love the beach in the summer, the slopes in the winter, and a glass of wine in the hot tub anytime.
Angie Hogan
Residence: Eastport, Annapolis
Profession: Paralegal and Small Business Owner by profession. Currently CEO of woman-owned small business, specializing in Project Management.
Most embarrassing experience? When I was at a Coronation Ball, dressed in my first strapless gown. (No, my top did not fall down, although I must say, I was a bit nervous about it). I was introduced to the audience and had to walk down the aisle and take my place in line in front of a stage with the other girls. I recalled my father reminding me to throw away the gum I was chewing before I entered the hall. Of course, I forgot and as I was standing in line with the rest girls during speeches, which seemed liked forever, my father walked up to me and asked me to put my gum in his handkerchief. I was embarrassed to tears and some how managed to do as he asked. Of course the audience got a laugh . . . and I learned not to chew gum in public especially if my father is around!
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Wake up early.
Love me. Love my . . . energy for enjoying life and an adventurous spirit.
Favorite romantic movie? Top Gun because it had dramatic action, it was funny and sad, plus it had a great romantic ending.
Favorite pastimes? Spend time with friends and/or family at home or out and about in Annapolis or elsewhere.
Rhett Meneely
Residence: Piney Orchard, Odenton
Profession: Social worker.
Most embarrassing experience? I used to be a high school teacher. One Saturday I agreed to transport a group of students to a computer science competition in D.C. Less than a mile away from our school I got pulled over for speeding. I’m not sure what was more embarrassing— explaining to the police officer that I was the teacher of the four youths in my vehicle or having my students witness the depths to which I was willing to stoop to avoid a ticket.
Make dinner or make reservations? I tend to cook for myself and enjoy eating out with other people. I prefer local taverns, pubs, and patios to restaurants that require reservations.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Stay up late.
Love me, love my . . . family and friends, they’re a large part of my life.
Favorite romantic movie? Shakespeare in Love. I thought it was a great love story and a clever way to mix up some of my favorite plays.
Favorite pastimes? I’m fairly creative and artistic and love learning new crafts.
Kari Dern
Residence: Eastport, Annapolis
Profession: Beer sales representative.
Most embarrassing experience? When I first began riding a motorcycle I was at Towson Festival and was trying to get up on a curb to park it while waiting for a friend. Instead, it fell over and I wasn't able to pick it up on my own. A group of college guys walking by were pointing and laughing at me while I struggled to pick it up.
Make dinner or make reservations? Make dinner! I make a mean beer and cheese fondue.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Definitely stay up late.
Love me. Love my . . . cats.
Favorite romantic movie? Are vampire movies considered romantic? Not a huge fan of sappy romance movies but would have to say Chasing Amy or High Fidelity since they are both about real people who are in love but are also realistically flawed and easily relatable.
Favorite pastimes? Try new and interesting foods, hang out with friends, watch movies, ride motorcycle, and sit on porch with my cats while reading a book.
Ron Naditch
Residence: Annapolis Historic District
Profession: Practicing attorney and mediator, specializing in family law. Also manage real estate that I’ve acquired in the Annapolis Historic District.
Most important thing you look for in a person? Honesty, integrity, a sense of spirituality.
Make dinner or make reservations? I enjoy both. If I have someone whose company I enjoy and who appreciates cooking with me, I find this to be an enjoyable activity. It is always nice, of course, to be served by someone else, especially if the company and the meal are good.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? I would far prefer to get up early and, in fact, I rise at 5 a.m. every day and, when the weather is good, I often go kayaking to see the sun come up and enjoy the serenity and quiet of that time of day.
Love me, love my . . . family.
Favorite romantic movie? I really do not have one as I rarely, if ever, go to the movies. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Love Story.
Favorite pastimes? Kayaking and cycling.
Yarrow
Residence: Eastport, Annapolis
Profession: Entrepreneur who empowers people and businesses through Internet marketing.
Most embarrassing experience? On the beach in San Tropez fully clothed.
Make dinner or make reservations? Dinner (it depends, though).
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Stay up late.
Love me. Love my . . . eclectic décor.
Favorite romantic movie: African Queen. A girl on adventure in a far away land falls in love with a rugged man! Can’t beat that! Plus my favorite quote is one of Katherine Hepburn’s, “If you follow all the rules, you miss all the fun.”
Favorite pastimes? Write, read self-development books, hike, garden, ride Harleys, experience other cultures/travel, spontaneous adventure.
Eastern Shore
Andrew Scherl
Residence: Kent Island.
Profession: Business, plain and simple.
Most embarrassing experience? I’ve had more than I can count. Probably some dance moves I was pulling on the bride’s mom at a wedding—I didn’t know she was the mother. I also got pulled over wearing just sunglasses and my boxers on my way to work.
Make dinner or make reservations? I like eating out, the atmosphere is more exciting, and you can always go home for dessert.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Stay up late, you have to earn it.
Love me. Love my . . . friends.
Favorite romantic movie? The Notebook. Truthfully it was the only romantic movie that made me finish a box of tissues.
Favorite pastimes? Anything outside. Surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, biking, goose hunting, crabbing, hanging out with friends, etc.
Nancy Lukoskie
Residence: Easton.
Profession: Self-employed in ecclesiastical repair and design, now working on a project at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Last book you read and enjoyed? The Art of Possibility, which I am reading now, and The Artist Way, which is inspiring. It brings out creativity.
Three words your friends would use to describe you? Down to earth, fun, and honest.
Favorite pastimes? Golf. I joined the women’s club in Easton. Also kayaking and painting in oils done inside for 28 years.
Are you considered a “good catch” and why? Yes! I have a lot of good qualities such as I’m honest, loving, loyal, fun to be around, in good physical condition, and attractive.
Name five things you cannot do without. Laughter, hope, excitement, love, and friends.
Jeni Paraschak
Residence: Stevensville.
Profession: Registered Nurse/Certified Legal Nurse Consultant.
Most embarrassing experience? Falling down a flight of stairs at my friend’s wedding.
Make dinner or make reservations? Both. I love to cook but I also love to go out to restaurants and have someone else take care of the dishes!
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Wake up early.
Love me. Love my . . . dogs.
Favorite romantic movie? Love Actually. I love British romantic comedies and it takes place at the most romantic time of the year, the holidays, with lots of snow.
Favorite pastimes? Catch up with friends, cook, read, fish, walk, watch TV/movies/football.
Beverly “Bev” Ringgold
Residence: Greensboro.
Profession: Banquet server at The Inn at Perry Cabin. Formerly worked for Board of Education for 16 years and a legal secretary for 10.
Most embarrassing experience? One of my most embarrassing experiences occurred while working at the High School. I noticed throughout the morning activities, several co-workers
glancing down in front of my desk and sheepishly walking away. It wasn’t until leaving my desk that I spotted one of my shoulder pads lying there on the floor quite conspicuously. It was obvious no one would alert me, unsure of what kind of padding it was. Gosh, hadn’t anyone noticed my uneven “shoulders”?
Make dinner or make reservations? Reservations definitely! However, I always enjoy preparing a home-cooked meal for friends and family.
Wake up early or stay up late to see the sunrise? Wake up early. While serving as Room Service Capt. at the Inn at Perry Cabin, one of the perks of arriving at 6 a.m. was being able to take a calming minute to admire the spectacular view of the sunrise over the Miles River.
Love me. Love my . . . kids. Laura and Jesse are my greatest assets.
Favorite romantic movie? The Notebook with Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gossling. The main character follows her heart to choose true love, and the couple grows old and dies together through all adversity. Their love represents the ultimate relationship we all hope to achieve.
Favorite pastimes? There is hardly a day that I don’t miss spending a few minutes in my flower garden, even just to pull a weed. There is something therapeutic about digging in the dirt and watching things grow. My favorite place is the ocean, any season, particularly Lewes, Del.
singles
nov 08
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