Your real estate connection for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, Northrop Grumman, BWI and the U.S. Naval Academy
"Maryland is for Crabs" - Who hasn't heard that slogan, even beyond Maryland?
Apparently, if some folks get their way, it may also be "Maryland is for Watermelon" -
A friendly rivalry between Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, who says "there is no beter watermelon anywhere in the country than those grown in Maryland," and Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, who says "Except those grown in Delaware" has evolved into the MAR-DELicious campaign.
Maryland and Delaware Departments of Agriculture and the University of Delaware have partnered to create this promotion. Local grocers including Giant, Superfresh, Whole Foods, Acme, Food Lion and Weis Markets are among those that will carry and identify MAR-DELicious watermelon. You can learn more about this promotion by reading last week's press release from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Watermelon won't be the first to step on those crab claws; others already share the limelight in Maryland:
- The Oyster State - Oyster fisheries in Maryland promote this slogan
- The Queen State - A result of Maryland being named after Queen Henrietta Maria
- The Monument State - Probably a reference to President John Quincy Adams' comments about the monuments he saw during a visit to Baltimore in 1827
- The Free State - An indication of Maryland's political position opposing prohibition in the 1920's
- The Cockade State - Coined during the Revolutionary War in the King's Handbook regarding the cockades worn by Maryland soldiers
- The Old Line State - Refers to the dividing line between land grants given by Lord Penn and Lord Baltimore
It will be interesing to see if watermelon really do earn a place on this diverse list of monikers. Somehow, nothing else seems to have quite the same ring as "Maryland is for Crabs".
More interesting reading about Maryland and Watermelons:
- More than you ever wanted to know about Maryland
- Watermelon History and Fun Folks
- Buy Local Challenge
- Watermelon Recipes
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
FREE home search online (No registration required)
FREE home search APP for your iPhone/iPad (demo)
Check my references on Zillow
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
Margaret
Much of the commentary about O'Malley has been negative, but I generally like the guy. It takes a lot of gumption to promote something as ordinary as a watermelon.
These seedless watermelons from Jenny's Market, were delicious!! Wonderful roadside market off of Route 32 near Triadelphia Rd.
Jim,
There's also nothing better than Maryland tomatoes!!
Oh my goodness, don't even whisper it, Margaret. Next thing you know we'll be hearing "Maryland is for Tomatoes." lol. Thanks for the photo.
Jim, now that you mention it, no wonder I'm overweight. All that good food... It's Maryland's fault!
OK..Here's the perfect meal.
Steamed crabs, Maryland Corn, Maryland tomatoes, Maryland watermelon and for dessert a SNOWBALL..now that is what we are famous for!!
Kathleen, Jim, Patricia, and Margaret - You all are hysterical! Who knew that watermelon was such a hot topic!
I vote with Patricia, give watermelon to Delaware because they have nothing. I think the Maryland blue crabs will outlive watermelon in Maryland marketing history.
Jim, you're right, Maryland is not famous for tomatoes, to the best of my knowledge, but we DO have some good ones.
Margaret, I'll give you my watermelon and snowball from that menu. I'll just pig out on the Maryland steamed crabs, corn and tomatoes (preferably a little green and fried),
Kathleen, I'll have to tell my pregnant daughter-in-law about the watermelon over pickles recommendation.
Maryland Watermelons? No way - I agree - give them to Delaware
Our crabs will always be the Best in the entire WORLD! I heard once that they taste the way they do because the water in our bay and it's MD tributaries is a unique type of "BRACKISH" Water found nowhere else. Someone from Virginia told me this. This person said they will travel from Va to Md just to eat MARYLAND Crabs, even though there are plenty of them from Virgina Waters.
Jim Crawford is right on about the Stuffed Ham. I've never seen that anywhere but in Southern Maryland. Some people in Southern MD have that instead of turkey on Thanksgiving. They have it for Christmas and Easter and any other holiday you can think of. We had it for Easter Dinner this year. Sandwiches later were AWESOME.
Jim - Who knew this would be such a HOT topic! Yes, it is on localism - and much to my surprise (given the interest here on ActiveRain), it did not make Midori Miller's Localism Week in Review....July 21st thru July 28th, 2007!.
Katerina - Yuk! I HATE watrmelon! And, by the way, I looked at the grocery store yesterday for MAR-DELicious watermelon, and they didn't have any!
Hawaii is the Aloha State. Kauai is the Garden Isle...etc. I don't think we'd be known for watermelon or tomatoes though.
Here I am I did find your watermelon post. I didn't realize Maryland had so many "labels", I need to think about the different ones that are applied to N.C. You did get good response on this.