Page 30 - January 2024 Issue.indd

The Future of Denton: Resolve to organize your Ridgely: Resolve to properly name
own municipal historical society. and service several local roads in your
Caroline County Federalsburg has one. Greensboro has area. There is a stop on the St. Michaels

History one. Preston has one. Ridgely has one. ghost tour walks I docent called Hell’s
Each of those towns also boasts of a Crossing. Two hundred-plus years ago,
museum to house its artifacts. Denton the bars would let out overserved sailors
by Chad Dean
owns and operates the Wharves of and other revelers at closing time, who
As the only currently active countywide Choptank Visitor and Heritage Center; would then use the route in question to
Caroline historian, I am used to dealing that space, or any downtown storefront loudly fight, argue, and stumble their

with the past -- and when I must -- the property, could be utilized as a fulltime way back to the docks. We have that
present. I have researched, written, and historian-staffed tourist destination here -- it’s called Hell’s Lane by those
published over one hundred articles displaying and interpreting all sorts who know the Ridgely countryside and
relating to the history of Caroline of town-specific memorabilia -- not for similar reasons. Ninetown Road is
County in just the last five years. Th at to mention an attached BBQ joint or the current name of that stretch and

volunteer work has led to myriad spots annual festival whose name could be a it is mislabeled; the sign the county
on television, speaking engagements, play on Pig Point. erected as Dean Road when designating
organizational memberships, paying 911-compliant addresses in the 1990s
gigs, impromptu travels, and dozens Federalsburg: Resolve to ascertain was placed on the dirt path where the
of new like-minded acquaintances the exact date and location of the actual Ninetown village, consisting
including my wife the prolifi c Christian Federalist Party meeting or rally that of you guessed it, nine ramshackle
historical fi ction author. is said to have been the inspiration for dwellings, originally was. While working
the name of your town. I am pleased
on that switch, maybe River Road north
For once, however, I will be writing that you celebrated the bicentennial of
of the high school can be fully opened
about the future. While I do not have your incorporation in 2023, but I do
for the first time in a couple decades and

a crystal ball, I know enough about not want to have to revert to calling
Ridgely can also finally get a stoplight

the Green Garden County to suggest you Northwest Fork Bridge again. If
at the intersection of Maryland Routes
what is needed and what I hope is the answer is in the research room of
480 and 312. If Preston, with a smaller
received in calendar year 2024. Call the Federalsburg Museum I will fi nd it
population and thus less traffi c, was able
them resolutions, call them predictions, along with what local sawmills allegedly
to secure one at the corner of Maple
call them collectively a wish list, but supplied lumber for the rebuilding of
Avenue and Route 331, Dream City
regardless, here are my January musings: the nation’s capital following the War of

can finally realize the dream that civic
1812, but I am hoping some denizen of

The Big Five Towns leaders have been lobbying the state for
that community will beat me to both.
since at least 1956.

Greensboro: Resolve to figure out once The Other Five Municipalities

and for all for whom your town is named.
2024 Some have speculated the honor goes to Goldsboro: Resolve to have additional
Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War pro wrestling events at the fire hall. You

hero from Rhode Island. There are cities knew I was going to work that topic

explicitly named for him all over the in somehow. Maybe feuding county
Perfect Touch South, where he served with distinction, politicos could settle some scores in the
but he has no ties here and the timing
ring. The booking of that fantasy card

doesn’t truly match. Others say it was for
a certain Valentine Green. Who knows, may just end up being my April Fools’
column. Eureka!
maybe the area powers that be looked
Hair Design
around at the farm fields growing crops Henderson: Resolve to give Lloyd

and called it a day. Carleton Gooden his due. Th is upcoming
1143 Shore Hwy. Denton year will mark the 25th anniversary
410-479-2833 Preston: Resolve to re-open a sit-down of the death of Ragged Robin, which
restaurant in town. I enjoyed Katie Mae’s was his trail name. He completed the
Ann Draper & Lisa Young (Murray), Stylist
tremendously and heard that a deal for Appalachian Trail in 1978, which is a
Over 30 years combined experience
a county businessman to purchase it remarkable feat for anyone but even
recently fell through. If we can’t have more so when considering Mr. Gooden

that back, this is where I offer my almost was pushing 60 years old. Ragged Robin
Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. monthly plug for a Buffalo Wild Wings hiked over 45,000 miles in the desert

Wed., Closed; Saturday 9-noon
or Cici’s Pizza Buffet. I don’t care if the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, New

Appointments Appreciated population is too small to attract one; I England, and elsewhere as part of his
Walk-Ins Welcome want what I want. beloved hobby.
30