Captain Jack Russell, John Fulchiron, First Mate on the Dee, and Brian Russell from Shore Thing Shellfish
The Aww…Shucks Oyster Social fundraiser held Saturday, October 24th at the Calvert Marine Museum cele ated the Dee of St. Mary's, one of the few remaining sailing skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay.
The event raised more than $20,000 and proceeds will support replacing the rigging and repairing the mast to keep this wonderful Chesapeake vessel sailing into the future.
“Aww… Shucks was a fundraiser in the truest sense because it cost us very little to put on. Virtually all of the money we raised is going to support the Dee of St. Mary's. It’s quite a tribute, both to the community and to the importance of preserving our skipjack,” says Deputy Director Sherrod Sturrock.
Special thanks go out to the community support received from event sponsors ranging in gifts of $25 up to $5,000. Held under the lighthouse and in the ambiance of the Patuxent Small Craft Center, there were almost 100 people in attendance. Oysters scalded and on the half shell were donated by Capt. Smith's Seafood Market, Hollywood Oyster Company, Johnny Oyster Seed Company, Kellam's Seafood – Point Lookout Oyster Company, Patuxent Seafood Company, and Shore Thing Shellfish, LLC.
A wide variety of delicious hors d'oeuvres were donated by local restaurants including Anglers Seafood Bar and Grill, Boomerang's Original Ribs, Charles Street Brasserie, Isaac's Restaurant and Pub, Lotus Kitchen, Ruddy Duck Brewery and Grill, Stoney's Kingfishers, The Island Hideaway, The Lighthouse Restaurant and Dock Bar, and Zahniser's Dry Dock Restaurant.
Live music by the waterfront was provided by Jeff Farius and Gary Rue. Seasonal ews and wine were compliments of Bozick Distributors. A silent auction featuring Dee-inspired original artwork and collectibles, as well as a private sail with Captain Jack Russell, raised more than $3,000.
Save the date for next year's event: Saturday, October 22nd!
PHOTO COURTESY OF CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
