Fried oysters, oysters on the half shell, oyster stew, steamed shrimp, pit beef, sausages and peppers. And lots and lots of beer.
Who knew history could be so much fun?
Some 200 supporters of the Friends of Fort McHenry, that's who. Braving frigid temperatures and icy streets, they gathered at Nick's Seafood in Cross Street Market for the Friends' annual Bull and Oyster Roast.
"This is quintessential Baltimore - oysters and beer," said Vince Vaise, the fort's chief ranger.
"I haven't tried everything yet, but the oyster stew is very good," said Gay Vietzke, fort superintendent.
"The raw oysters are to die for," added fort curator Anna Von Lunz to fellow guest Charlie Klein.
"The oysters and the beer are my favorites," said Mike Grier, president of Village Management.
It wasn't just the food that made the night. Lots of folks had come with friends to enjoy the evening's comfortable atmosphere.
"The camaraderie [here] is great," noted Towson attorney Mike Lawlor to his wife Chris.
"This is awesome," said Trip Bailey, Friends board chair. "I love that it's more of a neighborhood thing."
That "neighborhood" even included some McHenry "residents" - volunteer re-enactors in colonial garb. "Soldiers" Frank Vogel and Chris Bradyhouse particularly enjoyed the evening's beverage, albeit in very modern plastic glasses.
"When we're working at Fort McHenry, I purchase near beer and we drink it out of tankards," said fort "tavern owner" Wendy Taparanskas. "This is much more fun."
A Drink With Tom Hall
Life is a song - or, at least, it should be
Tom Hall, 52, is the music director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. Hall lives in Reservoir Hill with wife Linell Smith, a Sun staff writer, daughter Miranda, 18, and beagle, Rosie.
This year marks the 25th year that you've been music director at Baltimore Choral Arts.
Yes. They hired me when I was 12.
In your line of work, is that a long time to be in one place?
It's not unprecedented. There are probably a dozen of us around the country who have spent most of our careers with one organization.
Are you tired of it?
No, especially because during those 25 years, I've done other things in addition to Choral Arts. ... I worked for the opera for 10 years. I got a doctorate. I used to travel a lot and guest conduct. Now I'm working at WYPR.
