Dinners & Events
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2019 Dinners & Events
Descriptions and dates for dinners and events are subject to change prior to June 8th
You Never Can Tell with Bees
Welcoming wildlife to their property has been a passion for years. Join bee experts Al & Marty Sikes on a late morning talk & tour of the Sikes Apiary to learn about honey extraction, beekeeping and seeing the hives upclose. The Tou will be followed by a lunch catered by Garden & Garnish Catering. Each tour guest will receive a jar of honey.
Friday, July 12, 2019, 10:30am
8 seats available
$65 per person
Hosted by Al & Marty Sikes and Garden & Garnish Catering
Beautiful Butterflies and Brunch
Welcoming wildlife to their property has been a passion for years. Join bee experts Al & Marty Sikes on a late morning talk & tour of the Sikes Apiary to learn about honey extraction, beekeeping and seeing the hives upclose. The Tou will be followed by a lunch catered by Garden & Garnish Catering. Each tour guest will receive a jar of honey.
Friday, July 12, 2019, 10:30am
8 seats available
$65 per person
Hosted by Al & Marty Sikes and Garden & Garnish Catering
Beautiful Butterflies and Brunch
Excitement abounds as colorful butterflies make Pickering Creek their home once again during the sunny days of summer. Join Pickering Creek staff and two butterfly expert guests on this popular August adventure through the wetlands and meadows of the Center where butterflies fly wild! Learn about identifying features of these exquisite insects and observe the beautiful blooming plants that bring them in. Theresa Murray has been learning about butterflies and their life cycles over the past 20 years. She maintains gardens with nectar plants and host plants for several butterflies including monarchs. Frank Boyle is a naturalist and butterfly specialist who leads several NABA (North American Butterfly Association) annual 4th of July butterfly counts in Maryland and the mountains of Virginia. We’ll conclude at the home of Carol Thompson where we’ll enjoy a delightful brunch.
Saturday August 24, 2019
10 seats available
$75 per person
Hosted by Mary Helen Gillen, Theresa Murray, Frank Boyle and Carol Thompson
Up a Lazy River by the Old Mill Run
Finish off summer 2019 “up a lazy river by the old mill run”! Enjoy a glass of rose’ and the sunset on Old Faithful, our Trippe Creek barge, and dine on garden and gun fare at Widgeon Point Farm’s Mill House.
Friday, August 30, 2019, 6:30 pm
12 seats available
$150 per person
$150 per person
Hosted by Chip and Sally Akridge
Boating Picnic on the “Drifter”
Bring your family or friends for an evening on the Tred Avon River with Coard Benson aboard ‘Drifter’, a Custom Bay-built 46’ Markley finished as a Yacht Cruiser. All the amenities of home are onboard to entertain your family and friends. You can cruise up the river or step out to the bay, your cruise and your party. Picnic fare and libations are included.
Sunday, September 8, 2019, 4:00 PM
10 seats available
$75 per person
Hosted by Coard and Sunny Benson and Benson & Mangold Real Estate
10 seats available
$75 per person
Hosted by Coard and Sunny Benson and Benson & Mangold Real Estate
Boat Ride, Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres aboard the Winnie Estelle
Enjoy a pleasant evening cruise aboard the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Winnie Estelle. The Winnie Estelle is an authentic Chesapeake Bay buy boat with a rich history of hemispheric adventure. The vessel will ply the waters of the Miles River and you learn a bit about the history of the vessel from the museum’s charismatic Executive Director Kristen Greenaway.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
24 seats available
$100 per person
Hosted by Richard and Ellen Bodorff
Birding 101 Brunch
Enjoy a pleasant evening cruise aboard the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Winnie Estelle. The Winnie Estelle is an authentic Chesapeake Bay buy boat with a rich history of hemispheric adventure. The vessel will ply the waters of the Miles River and you learn a bit about the history of the vessel from the museum’s charismatic Executive Director Kristen Greenaway.
Thursday, September 12, 2019
24 seats available
$100 per person
Hosted by Richard and Ellen Bodorff
Birding 101 Brunch
So you can’t tell a pigeon from a red pileated woodpecker but you’re embarrassed to admit it. Birding 101 is your answer. A pampered approach to learning the basics of bird identification, first enjoy a scrumptious brunch at the home of Phil Walker and Cheryl Tritt, followed by a fascinating and informative talk by birder extraordinaire, Becky Marvil. Becky and her husband Josh, residents of Maine, have circumnavigated the globe 3 times in a Pilates aircraft, each time collecting National Geographic quality pictures of birds. Becky has encyclopedic knowledge of the planet’s birds and she’ll share with you how to begin recognizing that woodpecker pecking outside your window. After Becky’s talk, the Pickering Creek van will take you the five-minute trip to the Center where Becky will lead a walk through the trails and put your newfound bird knowledge to the test.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
15 seats available
$100 per person
Donated by Cheryl Tritt and Phil Walker
Sip and Savor on a September Sunday
Enjoy a sip and savor tasting of Maryland flavors in the tasting room of Triple Creek Winery at the vineyard located in Cordova, MD. Terri and Alex Spies, owner and winemakers of Triple Creek Winery will provide the wine tastings and the stories of the vineyard. Chef Jordan Lloyd of the Bartlett Pear Inn and Hambleton House LLC will prepare a Chespeake Harvest family style buffet dinner using his renowned 100% local approach to Mid-Atlantic cuisine.
Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm
22 seats available
$75 per person
Donated by Tom and Susan Lane
Enjoy a sip and savor tasting of Maryland flavors in the tasting room of Triple Creek Winery at the vineyard located in Cordova, MD. Terri and Alex Spies, owner and winemakers of Triple Creek Winery will provide the wine tastings and the stories of the vineyard. Chef Jordan Lloyd of the Bartlett Pear Inn and Hambleton House LLC will prepare a Chespeake Harvest family style buffet dinner using his renowned 100% local approach to Mid-Atlantic cuisine.
Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm
22 seats available
$75 per person
Donated by Tom and Susan Lane
Kayak and Appetizers
Eight eager kayakers will enjoy a serene kayak adventure on the Tred Avon River. Starting at historic Old Bloomfield, built in 1692, we will venture up the river and explore the scenic shoreline with talented guide and outdoorsman Dirck Bartlett. Beverages and appetizers will be provided as will kayaks, lifejackets and other gear.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
8 seats available
$50 per person
Hosted by Dirck and Christy Bartlett
Una Serata in Italia “A Night in Italy”
Eight eager kayakers will enjoy a serene kayak adventure on the Tred Avon River. Starting at historic Old Bloomfield, built in 1692, we will venture up the river and explore the scenic shoreline with talented guide and outdoorsman Dirck Bartlett. Beverages and appetizers will be provided as will kayaks, lifejackets and other gear.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
8 seats available
$50 per person
Hosted by Dirck and Christy Bartlett
Una Serata in Italia “A Night in Italy”
Enjoy a night of fabulous Italian cuisine prepared by the staff of Piazza, our local gourmet salumeria.
Utilizing all top quality ingredients available in the shop, you will enjoy a 3 course dinner preceded by Antipasto and paired with fine Italian wines.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
8 seats available
$125 per person
Hosted by Tom and Patty Sanders with Piazza
Wings & Wine on the Potomac
Join Tom Kimbis, Pickering Creek Trustee, for a morning bird walk along the Potomac River in the fall to hit some of western Montgomery County’s top birding spots. Possibilities include Hughes Hollow, Pennyfield Lock, Violette’s Lock and/or Riley’s Lock, depending on recent migratory bird sightings. After birding, retreat to the nearby Victorian home of Tom and his family for a late morning Champagne toast.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
8 seat available
$50 per person
Hosted by Tom Kimbis and Jill Prater
Rocktoberfest
Dinner featuring rockfish caught and prepared by your host and served at Lombardy Orchard on the banks of the Miles River. No Rocktoberfest would be complete without a selection of microbrews and German wine.
Friday, October 18, 2019
10 seats available
$125 per person
Hosted by Colin Walsh & Carolyn Williams
BBQ Beer and Margaritas at Forrest Landing
You will undoubtedly enjoy this home-cooked meal prepared by Cynthia, paired perfectly with beer and margaritas! Enjoy a pleasurable evening with hosts Cynthia and Joel at Forrest Landing, their beautiful historic home on the shores of Pickering Creek, past location for two Tour, Toast & Taste events.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
18 seats available
$125 per person
Hosted by Cynthia Rickman and Joel Texter
You will undoubtedly enjoy this home-cooked meal prepared by Cynthia, paired perfectly with beer and margaritas! Enjoy a pleasurable evening with hosts Cynthia and Joel at Forrest Landing, their beautiful historic home on the shores of Pickering Creek, past location for two Tour, Toast & Taste events.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
18 seats available
$125 per person
Hosted by Cynthia Rickman and Joel Texter
Dinner, Wine and Live Music by Night Watch
An intimate five-course dinner of Fall’s bounty, served with paired wines, in a beautiful setting on the shore overlooking LeGates Cove, followed by live music provided by Night Watch, who will play an acoustic set featuring guitar, mandolin, harmonica and tight 3-part harmony. The mix is eclectic—from songs of the sea to country to folk—by the likes of Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Van Morrison, Sarah Jarosz, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Johnny Cash.
Saturday November 16, 2019
8 seats available
$125 per person
Hosted by Desne and Bob Roe
Paso y Falco at Emory Farm: Falconry by Horse Demonstration with Lunch
We’ll meet at Anne Habberton and Jonathan Shaw’s Emory Farm in the morning for coffee and a presentation in the farm’s historic Granary about the history and methods of training falcons and hawks. Next it is outside to enjoy seeing one of the raptors fly under Jonathan’s command. Then after lunch in the granary, watch a demonstration in the small indoor arena with a demonstration of the Paso Fino War Horse that the Spanish conquistadors used.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
14 seats available
$100 per seat
Donated by Jonathan Shaw, Anne Habberton, Jo Storey and The Bells
Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Wine Dinner
Join Mike and Brooke Mesko, owners of Town and Country Wine, Liquor, Etc., at their home in St. Michaels for a Winter Feast to warm the soul. Enjoy fireside dining and lively conversation with friends old and new as you enjoy a seven-course gourmet meal, paired with wines carefully chosen to perfectly complement the food and the company. Don’t be late, bubbles start flowing at 6:30
Saturday, February 8, 2020, 6:30pm
12 seats available
$150 per person
Hosted by Brooke & Mike Mesko
12 seats available
$150 per person
Hosted by Brooke & Mike Mesko
Leap into “A Big Night In”
Join us to celebrate a Leap Year, with an evening of incomparable home cooked gourmet comfort food and fine wine
Saturday, February 29, 2020
12 seats available
$150 per person
Hosted by Bill and Mary Griffin
Azalea Bloom with Author Bryan Mackay
Azalea Bloom with Author Bryan Mackay
The National Arboretum is one of the lesser known gems of Washington, DC, but nowhere else are the glories of spring so abundantly displayed. We expect more than 50,000 azaleas to be near peak flowering! We'll stroll the wood chip paths of Azalea Hill in search of the perfect bush. The National Bonsai Museum never fails to enchant, and the National Capitol Columns adorn a nearby meadow. Finally, we'll walk the trails of Fern Valley in search of native wildflowers, where our naturalist guide and author of Hike Maryland and A Year Across Maryland, Bryan MacKay will delight you with tales of botanical trivia. To cap off the morning, we'll enjoy a gourmet lunch at picnic tables under large shade trees. Van transportation from Pickering Creek to the National Arboretum provided.
Saturday, May 2, 2020
10 seats available
$85 per person includes lunch and van transportation
Hosted by Bryan MacKay and The Scallions
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Thank you Sponsors!
NORTHERN HARRIER
Anonymous
GREAT BLUE HERON
Out of the Fire
WOOD THRUSH
Chesapeake Audubon Society
Bill & Mary Griffin
The Easton Group at
Morgan Stanley
Stuart & Melissa Strahl
Cheryl Tritt & Phil Walker
Colin Walsh & Carolyn Williams
SALTMARSH SPARROW
Anonymous
Wayne and Joyce Bell
Paula Calimafde & Alan Mark
Michael & Kristina Henry
Lisa Gritti & Tom Divillio
Dwelling and Design
Steve & Audrey Forrer
Thomas and Cathy Hill
Lane Engineering
Willis MacGill
Parker Counts
Rick Scobey and Bruce Ragsdale
Phil and Charlotte Sechler
Shore United Bank
Solidago Landscaping
Anne and Ron Walker
Wye Financial & Trust
NORTHERN HARRIER
Anonymous
GREAT BLUE HERON
Out of the Fire
WOOD THRUSH
Chesapeake Audubon Society
Bill & Mary Griffin
The Easton Group at
Morgan Stanley
Stuart & Melissa Strahl
Cheryl Tritt & Phil Walker
Colin Walsh & Carolyn Williams
SALTMARSH SPARROW
Anonymous
Wayne and Joyce Bell
Paula Calimafde & Alan Mark
Michael & Kristina Henry
Lisa Gritti & Tom Divillio
Dwelling and Design
Steve & Audrey Forrer
Thomas and Cathy Hill
Lane Engineering
Willis MacGill
Parker Counts
Rick Scobey and Bruce Ragsdale
Phil and Charlotte Sechler
Shore United Bank
Solidago Landscaping
Anne and Ron Walker
Wye Financial & Trust