June/July 2026 | Issue 2

A message from Liz Mildenstein, VSMMD Executive Director

On June 9, I had the opportunity to present an annual update to the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and request they sign our annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Visit St. Mary’s MD (VSMMD) is primarily funded through a portion of the county’s accommodations tax; the MOU outlines this allocation and provides a summary of VSMMD’s scope of services, strategic objectives, and standards of accountability.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027), VSMMD will continue to serve the community and economy of St. Mary’s County by developing, supporting, and promoting tourism assets and attracting overnight and day visitors. Our strategic objectives are designed to promote destination development, raise awareness, and support tourism partners in their mission to deliver a unique visitor experience and share the region’s culture and history.

Please take a few minutes to watch the presentation; your feedback and collaboration are critical to our efforts to grow the economic impact of tourism in our county and the Southern Maryland region.

FY27 focus areas and strategic goals include:

Oysters are for everyone – Marketing efforts to encourage the purchase of wild caught oysters
Add a member co-op option to the Marketing and Sponsorship Program
Execute the Southern Maryland Tourism Marketing series
Update the 2016 Tourism & Hospitality Master Plan
Refine and grow the St. Mary’s County Tourism Ambassador Program
Complete visitor center upgrades at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
Enhance member communications including the industry newsletter and ‘Members Page’ on the VSMMD website
Participate in the planning and execution of MD250, local 400th planning efforts and Historic St. Mary’s City Fort to 400 Commission
Participate in the planning and execution of the Passenger Ferry Implementation Plan
Sustain and grow strategic partnerships

Thank you for a great FY26 and cheers to another great year of tourism in St. Mary’s County.

Visitor Impact on the Local Economy

VSMMD works with Zartico, a visitor intelligence company that utilizes spending and lodging data, to analyze visitor behavior and economic impact. It offers insights and visualizations to destination management organizations (DMO), like ours, to identify ideal markets and enhance tourism operations.

The following data snapshot highlights visitor spending data for FY26 (through June 19); visitors are those who travel from over 50 miles outside of the region. The number highlighted under each category reflects the percent of change from the previous year.

In addition to spending data, Zartico provides hotel and short-term rental data, including actual and predictive analytics. For VSMMD, the data is key in marketing decisions and measuring the impact of our efforts.

If you are interested in learning more, contact Liz Mildenstein, she can set up a data sharing session to provide specific information of interest to your business.

Marketing & Funding Resources

Call for Brochures and Rack Cards Ahead of Major Events

Please share copies of your most up-to-date brochures and rack cards. VSMMD shares partner materials at various events and replenishes racks at the Pax River Naval Air Museum, Old Jail and other hubs. To coordinate drop off/pick up, please contact liz@visitstmarysmd.com / 240-434-1185.

In addition, you are encouraged to submit your brochures to Maryland’s Welcome Centers – you can send them directly or VSMMD can help you submit materials. Click here for a complete list of welcome center addresses and contact information. Find more ways to work with the Maryland Office of Tourism here.

Self-Service Event Submission Form Now Available on VSMMD Website

Based on partner feedback, VSMMD has streamlined the process to add events to the website calendar. To add your events, visit the new Event Submission Form available at www.visitstmarysmd.com.

Questions? Reach out to our Marketing Coordinator at alyssa@visitstmarysmd.com.

Now Accepting Applications: Fiscal Year 2027 Marketing & Sponsorship Program

Late-Spring and early-summer have proven busy for our members, many of you hosting special events centered around the nation’s semiquincentennial (America 250^th). Let VSMMD help you ahead of your event with sponsorship and marketing support. Recent VSMMD-sponsored events include:

Rebels and Redcoats @ Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum
MarylandFest @ Historic St. Mary’s City
Inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS @ Maryland International Raceway
Lavender Days @ Dixon Family Farm
40^th annual Crab and Music Festival by the Lion’s Club
Jazz and Wine Music Series @ Corteau Vineyards

The Marketing and Sponsorship Program supports event planners, entrepreneurs, promoters, and other tourism partners by providing financial and marketing resources. In FY26, VSMMD awarded 19 marketing and/or sponsorship opportunities to its partners.

To learn more, click here.

Training: Accessing Grants, Loans, and Local Resources

Date: August 13th, 2026 from 3-5pm

Location: Techport (in AeroPark at 44185 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619)

Hosted by the St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development, join members of Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, Shore United Bank, and the Small Business Administration for a presentation on lending.

For more information on Flight Path, contact Emily Lacey: emily.lacey@stmaryscountymd.gov

Meet the Industry

Meet J. Scott Ridgell, Owner of Buzzy's Country Store & VSMMD Board Member

I am J. Scott Ridgell owner of Buzzy’s Country Store located in Scotland, Maryland. I was born in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1951, when my Dad Buzzy was in the Air Force and he and my mom Jean were stationed at Vance Air Force Base. In 1954, we returned to Maryland where Buzzy purchased the Country Store from my maternal Grandfather James Harry Raley.

I attended St. Michael’s Grammar School, Ryken High School, and graduated from St. Mary’s College in 1975. I then received an MBA from George Washington University in 1981.

I worked for the U.S. Navy 37 years at Pax River prior to buying the Store from my dad in 2007.

When my friend Jim Grube [long time board member] invited me a year ago to become a Visit St. Mary’s Board member, I was pleased to do so. Anything to do with increasing tourism has my full attention and support.

Being a member of the Visit St. Mary’s Board affords me the opportunity to help represent and promote small businesses throughout the County. St. Mary’s County has so much to offer tourists and visitors, but it is something that we need to promote. Visit St. Mary’s does an excellent job in helping the County tell its story and I am proud to be a part of that effort. Learn more about Buzzy’s Country Store and read J. Sott’s weekly blog at www.Buzzyscountrystore.com.

Double T Oyster Ranch Born out of a Six Generations of Experience

Tall Timbers Marina is the oldest family-owned and operated business on the Lower Potomac River and for more than 100 years, the Meatyard family has served as stewards of the land. They have carried many responsibilities in honoring this role and preserving the traditions of the water. While oystering has always been part of their story, it wasn’t until 2008 that the Double T Oyster Ranch was established.

"Double T Oyster Ranch recognizes that our legacy offers more than a product," said Amanda Meatyard. "It provides a unique experience rooted in heritage, stewardship, and a deep connection to the waters of the Lower Potomac. As a sixth-generation family operation, our story reflects more than 100 years of working this land and water, preserving traditions while continuing to adapt and grow for future generations."

The inspiration came in an unexpected way after working on an old research vessel that had become covered in oysters. Curious and inspired, they pulled a couple hundred oysters from the vessel, designed and built underwater structures, called brooders, and became oyster gardeners. What started as a small effort with the simple goal of supplying their own family restaurant quickly grew into something much larger. Today, Double T Oyster Ranch supplies restaurants throughout Southern Maryland and well beyond, sharing their oysters with communities across the region.

The Double T Oyster Ranch offers a wide variety of products and experiences, all rooted in the family’s commitment to quality and the waters they call home. Each week, they harvest approximately 10,000 oysters and provide direct-to-chef services as both an oyster farm and licensed seafood dealer. The oysters go to restaurants throughout Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and beyond. What began with the goal of serving their own tables has grown into a network of chef partnerships built on quality, consistency, and a shared appreciation for locally raised seafood.

In addition to wholesale partnerships, Double T Oyster Ranch provides retail online sales with direct shipping, allowing customers across the country to enjoy Southern Maryland oysters. Additionally, they work alongside local watermen to bring other specialty seafood products from the region to metropolitan markets, helping support our local seafood community while showcasing the region’s unique offerings.

Guests can enjoy Double T oysters at the family’s restaurant: The Reluctant Navigator. The oysters are prepared in a variety of ways: on the half shell, grilled, fried, and more. Beyond the restaurant, Double T Oyster Ranch provides catering and private event services, including professional shuckers for raw and char oyster bars. They also offer oyster ground tours, providing guests with a firsthand look at Southern Maryland’s working waterfront and the journey from creek to seat.

"Our “Creek to Seat” philosophy represents the full journey of our oysters—from the waters where they are carefully cultivated to the tables where they are enjoyed," said Meatyard. "Whether serving local restaurants, hosting guests at The Reluctant Navigator, supporting private events, or offering educational experiences, Double T Oyster Ranch remains committed to providing an authentic connection to Southern Maryland’s working waterfront culture while honoring the legacy entrusted to our family for generations."

Learn more and plan your visit: Double 'T' Oyster Ranch

Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard

Plan your own summer staycation, weekend, or weeklong getaway on the VSMMD website. From a robust calendar of events, itineraries and attraction business listings, our website makes trip planning simple. Or get inspiration from our social media accounts, we post weekly "things-to-do" and special event reels.

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