Strange But True | Eastern Shore November 2009
Goat Island
In a region with over 3,000 miles of coastline, there are bound to be some surprising waterfront finds. But the inhabitants of one Chesapeake Bay island might just make it the area’s most unique locale. With 1.26 miles of shoreline, Goat Island in Somerset County boasts nearly 40 hoofed residents. The goats have made this island their home for the past 40–50 years, even managing to survive the packs of attacking wild dogs a decade ago that caused their numbers to dwindle. Local residents soon repopulated the island with some new goats. According to local legend, these animals serve as weather indicators and will head towards the water when rain is on the way. While there is much speculation about how the goats came to inhabit Goat Island, the actual story is still a mystery.
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Galena Rocks!
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To Upper Shore residents, Galena is a small town located at the intersection of Routes 213 and 290 in Kent County. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “galena” as a bluish-gray cubic mineral with a metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide and constituting the principal ore of lead. When founded in 1763, Galena (the town) was known as Downs’ Cross Roads (after local tavern owner Williams Downs). The name was subsequently changed to Georgetown Cross Roads—until 1813, when galena (the mineral) was found just outside the town limits. With riches to be made from the silver that’s often contained in the mineral, the town changed its name to reflect its lucrative new industry: galena mining. But the mine was soon closed by its owner, who feared the British would capture it during the violent course of the War of 1812. A treaty between the Americans and the British was signed in 1814 and fighting had completely ended by 1815. The mine was never reopened, but the town’s third name remains to this day.
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Organic Turkeys
Boomer struts through the yard, enjoying the warm sun and cool air. He grazes at will on the grasses beneath him; and, at the beginning of the day, he indulges in a helping of organically grown corn that would even make a Whole Foods shopper a bit jealous. But not all is a breeze for Boomer—one of the organic turkeys raised at White House Farm in Chestertown. Predators like hawks, black snakes, and foxes are a constant threat to Boomer and his fellow free-roaming fowls. But a life of freedom sure beats the alternative: the cramped quarters of a commercial turkey farm. Proponents of organic and free-range turkeys say the birds’ improved living conditions make for firmer-textured and more flavorful meat. The Maryland Department of Agriculture also lists Jerry Johnson’s farm in Church Hill as a free-range turkey purveyor.
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Oysters “R” in Season?
Certainly, most people in our region have heard the maxim about eating oysters only during months that contain the letter “r” when spelled, and it’s likely that some of us have even had contentious debates about its validity. Many folks—in addition to Maryland Seafood & Aquaculture, a marketing division of the Maryland Department of Agriculture—believe this notion became antiquated with the advent of refrigeration. Others claim that the refrigeration issue is only part of the story. They point to June as being the month when oysters spawn, which means they’re less plump and have a mushy or milky texture. Lovers of the increasingly popular farm-raised oysters assert that their bivalve of choice is not subject to any of the seasonal restrictions of wild-caught oysters. So, who’s right? Well, both sides argue their case with such conviction and fervor that it’s difficult to reach a conclusion. For now, let’s just be glad that we don’t need to worry about this issue until the month of May rolls around.
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White House Farm
Chestertown
Turkey
Galena
Somerset County
Goat Island
Maryland Seafood & Aquaculture
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