🍦If Annapolis Landmarks wore Halloween costumes

Good morning, Annapolis. Chocolate was once used as currency by the Aztecs and Mayans. Today it’s used by kids bribing parents with Reese’s to stay up late. Happy Halloween! 🎃

And, the only thing spookier than Halloween is Daylight Saving Time, which ends Sunday (11/2) at 2 AM. Remember, we “fall back” this time of year. Don’t forget to turn those clocks back one hour! 🕰️

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

Okay, we love the Annapolis area (obviously). So we couldn’t help wondering: If we threw a Halloween party and invited all the go-to recognizable spots in Annapolis, what would they dress up as? Here’s how we expect them to costume themselves — but what do you think?

🧛‍♂️ Maryland State House: Vampire

Let’s be real: It’s been around a while. We have the oldest state capitol building in continuous legislative use, so it’s basically immortal. And when our lawmakers have to stay up all night for late-session votes, we’re pretty sure they agree that place can suck the life out of you.

🐺 U.S. Naval Academy: Werewolf

Disciplined and clean-cut by day. Don’t let that fool you though. We’d be lying if we said we haven’t seen any mids a little rowdier and howling along West Street under the full moon by night.

🧙‍♀️ William Paca House and Garden: Witch

What do you mean you’re hundreds of years old? You’re a little too beautiful and well-preserved for your age. There’s some kind of magic going on here, and we’re suspicious.

🧙‍♂️ St. John’s College: Wizard

Of course. Bearded, carrying a leatherbound book, probably speaking in poetry and smelling faintly herbal.

🤕 City Dock: Mummy

What else? Between the construction projects, flood mitigation, and historic preservation, this place is always under wraps.

👻 Middleton’s Tavern: Ghost

Middleton’s normally serves spirits, but for this occasion, it is one. It’s been around since 1750 and seems to float from one century to the next. We’ve also heard Middleton’s is haunted, so it kinda gets the ghost costume by default.

🧜‍♀️ The Harbor Queen: Mermaid

Watermark’s tour boat would just show up straight out of the water, but she’d glam it up with some sparkles and seashells for the special occasion. You might say she took a DTA test, and she’s 100% That Fish.

🧪 Chick & Ruth’s: Mad Scientist

Cooking up giant milkshakes alongside crab omelettes in the same kitchen — that’s some culinary alchemy. And, when everyone in the restaurant starts the morning with the Pledge of Allegiance, that feels like a collective shout of “It’s alive!”

🏴‍☠️ Maritime Republic of Eastport: Pirate

This place went rogue in 1998 and would probably wear an eyepatch for the aesthetic (definitely not because he’s actually injured). Also, we just know Eastport would have a parrot that cusses a lot.

Got other ideas? Reply to this email and let us know! 👀

🗳️ Reminder: Annapolis elections next week. We say “mark your calendar” often, but seriously — mark November 4 for Annapolis’ general election. Polls are open 7 AM—8 PM. Find your ward, then polling place.

🛍️ J.Crew Factory is coming to Festival at Riva. The discounted classic brand is moving into the former Lane Bryant space at 2311 Forest Dr. Ste C (between Five Below and House of Hunan). Expect the roughly 5,600-sq-ft store tentatively in summer 2026.

P.S. Festival at Riva is also adding New Balance, Blue Sunday, and The Paper Store soon.

🏫 AACPS urged to rethink redistricting. Parents packed Monday’s Board of Ed meeting, with more than 60 signing up to speak about proposed student reassignments. The next meeting is November 3 at 6 PM. Sign up before Saturday (tomorrow) if you want to speak. ($)

Monday: Annapolis Scarecrow Stroll
Tuesday: Deadrise Bagels
Wednesday: Historic downtown building sells for first time in decades
Thursday: Classic Trumpy motor yacht hits auction

Thursday morning’s high winds and heavy rain brought high tide levels more than 4 feet above average, just below the 5-foot mark for a major flooding event. Streets between the Naval Academy and Eastport were shut down as crews set up barriers and placed sand bags around the area. Flooding significantly affected businesses near the water, and support groups did everything from moving restaurant equipment to getting museum exhibits to higher ground. The next high tide is scheduled for 1:13 PM today. Track the tide. ($)

In news that will make you want to wash your hands, the Department of Health has identified an increase in the number of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreaks across the county. HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection that causes ulcer-like sores in the mouth and rashes and blisters on the hands and feet, and is frequently found in schools and childcare settings. Outbreaks are defined as three or more cases in a classroom during a seven-day period, and since August there have been 26 outbreaks in the county alone. In 2024, there were only four reported.

AACPS recently sent out a note to parents that they’re taking cases seriously and encouraging best practices in the classrooms to curb the number of outbreaks. The virus is transmitted through saliva, so covering your mouth if you sneeze or cough, not putting toys or hands in your mouth, and yes, washing everything helps prevent outbreaks.

Maybe you’re reading this as you’re trying to hot-glue some finishing touches onto a felt tunic or touch up some paint on a papier-mâché mask — in that case, we’ll keep this quick. We want to see your Halloween costumes! Whether they’re scary, silly, creative, timely, whatever. Be sure to use the hashtag #NaptownScoop or tag us @NaptownScoop on Instagram, or send them via a reply to this email. 👻🎃💀

🌡️ Maybe bring your jacket: Fortunately, it looks like the rain has left the area ahead of trick-or-treating tonight. But you can expect it to be a little breezy today, and temps could dip into the 40s tonight once it gets dark. For extra precaution, wear some waterproof shoes or boots in case there are any puddles from yesterday’s rainfall.

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Here at the Scoop, we seriously love Always Ice Cream — when our newsletter first launched, they thought we were another local ice cream shop opening up and reached out to welcome us, no sense of competition whatsoever. They’re always showing this kind of community spirit in everything they do, and their latest move is with the launch of their new flavor Smart Cookie 2.0.

What is it? Well, besides sounding delicious (vanilla ice cream, Cookie Crisp cereal, mini Hershey’s Kisses, and fudge swirl), it’s for a good cause. Throughout November, a portion of Smart Cookie proceeds go to the Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools. That’s a nonprofit supporting innovation with our local school system. Always Ice Cream did this last year with Smart Cookie 1.0 and raised over $2K. That’s a lot of dough to support smart cookies at our schools!

Think we can outsweeten last year’s fundraising totals? We’ll never say no to an excuse to eat more ice cream.

In Eastport, Bread and Butter Kitchen has been hosting Furlough Friday lunches since 2018, where furloughed government employees can receive a free meal just by showing their work ID. Over the first two Furlough Fridays hosted at Bread and Butter, more than 200 meals were given out. But the days are much more than a free lunch — as many are finding out. Within the restaurant’s workshare hub, federal workers can network and connect with others in the same situations. Today, unemployment consultant and author Sabina Sulat will be in the hub discussing options for career changes and outlooks. Perilla Wellness will also be on hand providing free 15-minute acupuncture treatments.

Bread and Butter is working with local food providers, farms, and businesses to provide the meals. Diehl’s Produce, Performance Food Group, and New Roots Farms are all some of the groups getting involved, while the community is donating funds to help out as well. If you can get involved, either by coming down or by donating (Venmo: @bbkMonicaAlvarado), Monica and her team are ready to welcome you and get you fed.

Earlier this year, Yelp posted their top 100 Chinese restaurants in the country, with Pepper House in Ellicott City coming in at #11. We can’t regularly drive 45 minutes for authentic Chinese, unfortunately, but this does make us appreciate what the local Chinese restaurants are serving. And no, this won’t turn into a lament on The Canton’s closing. Another time.

Jack’s Fortune is always a solid choice, with the best egg rolls and fried dumplings in town. Other menu standouts are the Moo Shu Pork, the beef and broccoli, and the Kung Pao Chicken.

Joy Luck’s Eggplant in Hot Garlic Sauce is a favorite for the vegetarians, and their Hot and Sour Soup got many of us through the 2024 flu season.

A little secret is that the best chicken wings are cooked in Chinese kitchens, and the China Wok wings are beyond incredible. It’s not on the menu, but the Cold Sesame Noodles are the best value if you’re looking for something delicious and inexpensive.

People drive to Severna Park to eat at Szechuan Inn, which boasts great Chinese as well as sushi — our other favorite Asian cuisine.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

FRIDAY

📚 B.I.G. Book sale just celebrated their 30th anniversary, but that’s not stopping them from selling paperbacks and hardcovers to help communities worldwide. Friday, 3 PM to 5; Saturday, 8 AM to 2 PM.

🎶 Annapolis Opera presents Don Giovanni, Mozart’s masterful opera of passion, intrigue, and betrayal. Friday at 7:30 PM; Sunday at 3 PM.

SATURDAY

🌱 Get out and clean up the Bay Ridge Ave. triangle with SOFO Annapolis, weeding and planting bulbs. 9 AM to Noon; meet at the Truist Bank in the Bay Ridge Shopping Center.

🎀 The Severna Park Library celebrates Hello Kitty’s birthday with their Hello Kitty Bow Craft day. 11 AM to noon.

🔨 Take your kids to Home Depot where they’ll enjoy making an excavator. You already have 8,000 of these, but what’s one more? Starts at 9 AM. Goes until supplies run out. Go early.

🪦 Historic Annapolis leads their Brewer Hill Cemetery tour in honor of Emancipation Day, commemorating the abolition of slavery. 1 PM at 802 West St.

🎄 Now that Halloween is over, Homestead Gardens is bringing out their Christmas decorations. Enjoy their Holiday Preview Party and get in the spirit. 6 PM to 9 PM.

SUNDAY

🎨 First Sunday Arts Festival has their last monthly market of the year before Midnight Madness hits. Their Holiday Market features 150+ vendors, live music, food, and more. 11 AM to 5 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

60 🌡️ 47 | ⛅ | 2% | 💨 W 20 mph (17 knots)

62 🌡️ 45 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 W 12 mph (10 knots)

62 🌡️ 45 | ⛅ | 8% | 💨 S 5 mph (4 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 59ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Ben McNulty, Hot Texas Sun & Tyrone Vaughn | 7:30–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Timmie Metz Band | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Poehemia | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Jon Watkins | 8 PM
Killarney House | Ryan Moran | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Brandt Dunn | 5–8 PM
Market Space | Bobby Betlejewski | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Pretty Big Deal | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Crack the Sky | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Fred & Wilma | 10 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Shiftwork | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | On The Fly Band | 7 PM

49 West | Badger Band | 7:30–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Moran Tripp Band | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Lost and Found | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Ryan Cobb | 8 PM
Great Frogs | Jess Marie | 1:30–4:30 PM
Great Frogs | Ryan Keith | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Ray Wroten | 7:30–10:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | Mike McHenry | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Brandon & Thordis | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Crack the Sky | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | The Black Orchid | 9 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Blueline | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | George Evans| 8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | The Wicks | 9:45 PM

49 West | Gary Wright & Leah Weiss | 5:30–7:30 PM
Brian Boru | Finbar's Flight | 4–7 PM
First Sunday Arts Festival | See lineup | 11:30 AM–5 PM
Galway Bay | O'McPub Band | 4–8 PM
Market House | Nynh Wilkinson | 5–8 PM
Pirates Cove | Eddie Rogers | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Crack the Sky | 1 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Mike Miller | 9 PM

When the World Series gets underway tonight at 8 PM, a high-flying Falcon from Severna Park High School will stand along the first base line for the Toronto Blue Jays. Mark Budzinski, a 1991 SPHS grad and Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Famer, has helped guide the Jays to their first World Series since 1993 and has the distinction of making the majors as both a player (Cincinnati Reds) and coach. His bond with players — and a home run celebration honoring his late daughter, Julia — has become one of the postseason’s most touching stories. ($)

The Jays face the defending champion LA Dodgers in Game 6 at home, leading the series 3-2 and looking to clinch the title. With the Os out, we’re cheering for Mark and his squad!

Football (7-0)
11/1 @ North Texas | 12 Noon

Women's Rugby (3-5)
11/1 vs. Penn State | 1 PM

Men's Soccer (3-6-7)
10/31 vs. Bucknell | 7 PM

Women's Volleyball (10-10)
10/31 @ Holy Cross | 6 PM
11/1 @ Army | 7 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with anyone crazy enough to start putting up their Christmas decorations on November 1.