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Welcome to RiverTalk MD – a sister-publication/website to the Lockhouse To Lighthouse in Havre de Grace, MD. WHY? Well, I believe the Lower Susquehanna area offers a collage of history, nature, community, shopping and eateries that enlighten the mind, soothe the soul, feed the spirit, treat the mall-shopper to a unique experience, and will always tickle the taste buds of pretty near every palate. I am an implant to the area. This gypsy, averaging a household move every 3 years, arrived in Havre de Grace in the snowstorms of 1995-96. Being from western New York State, I loved every shovel-full of snow. Of course, not everyone in this area felt quite as enthusiastic as I did. The remarkable point is that I’ve truly fallen in love with the area and have been here, in the same apartment, for more than seven years. In fact, I’ve actually just moved to a larger apartment only four blocks away in May of this year (2003). My love for the area is what precipitated these projects. I enjoy the sharing of some interesting bit of information that a local resident didn’t know while, at the same time, enticing the daytripper to walk along our shared river, hike-bike a trail, sail-kayak-powerboat around our shorelines, and visit our shops, museums and restaurants. Most importantly, I encourage you to chat with people. There are wonderful stories to be told of days gone by. Shopkeepers will share their dreams if you give them the opportunity. We are truly community in our region. We may have designated heritage areas, but we live in those areas. They are not the past to us. Our lives revolve in and around our heritage. Museums nestle next to our new condos. Today’s families live in century old homes. Visitors stay in Bed and Breakfasts that subtly offer a memory of our history – weather it is photos on the wall, or maybe the bed they are sleeping in. The waters share the exhilaration of the powerboats, the swoosh of the wind in a sail, the quiet glide of a kayak or canoe, and the "What’s that?" excitement of seeing the Skipjack MARTHA LEWIS and the paddlewheel LANTERN QUEEN. The same water gives us the ducks and geese, migrating Coots and awe-inspiring Bald Eagles, Osprey, Heron, Hawks, songbirds, turtles and fish. Yes, the pace may be a bit slower. But isn’t that why you visit? You breathe deeply, your heartbeat calms, your senses actually say, "Ahhhhh…." Then, just when you think nothing is happening, you find yourself attuning to a new rhythm. The eyes see with a new perspective. New sounds cause you to look up as the ducks and geese fly over. You’ll even find your conversation changes as you realize that people are really listening to what you have to say. RiverTalk – the Susquehanna flows from upstate New York (Cooperstown, in fact) emptying into the head of the Chesapeake Bay right here. If you sit quietly in your boat or on the shoreline, you can hear the stories she has to tell. The Susquehannock Indians, Capt. John Smith, even (truly) George Washington whisper on our waters. The Underground Railroad – slaves and indentures running to freedom – passed through her. Listen and you’ll hear their cautious movements. The builders of the canals and, later, the railroads add ripples to the tales that pass along the Susquehanna. I am excited to have you join us on these discoveries. I know there will never be enough room for all that there is to share. That’s why I hope this publication and website encourage you to return again and again. Sign up for the newsletter that will update you on the interesting events of the present month. Welcome to and enjoy our community of Perryville, Port Deposit and the Lower Susquehanna Greenway. And take the time to listen to the RiverTalk. Warmly, |
