Hot North Carolina “Western” Barbecue and Cool Southern Blue Grass   
You may have tried the “Eastern” North Carolina BBQ at last year’s event. Very tasty! This year, enjoy the “Western” style North Carolina  BBQ. Which is better?  It’s a centuries old debate in North Carolina. You’ll have to decide for yourself. Enjoy this fun, down-home event at the beautiful waterfront estate, “Ingleton Manor.”  The BBQ will be served with all the Southern fixin’s, and guests will be encouraged to stomp and clog to the harmonies and melodies of a Blue Grass band.  
May 2009
Hosted by Steve and Gigi Hershey at Ingleton
$75 per person – limited to 100 guests

Dinner and Archeology at Wye House, c. 1790. 
Step back in time and experience dinner at historic Wye House, the ancestral home of the Lloyd family, often called the finest example of Palladian architecture in America and the most complete remaining plantation in Maryland.  After dinner, delight in a talk by Lisa Kraus, the archaeologist who has supervised the digging at the plantation of slave quarters and a number of old plantation shops.  Frederick Douglas lived at the plantation as a young boy. 
Date: A Saturday Evening in November, 2008
Hosted by Beverly and Richard Tilghman at Wye House
$275 per person – limited to 24 guests

A Moving and Musical Experience
The evening begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the home of Mike Linardi and Dr. Dean Tyson followed by a private performance by a local entertainer across the street at the historic Little Red Schoolhouse.  Then guests will delight in dinner and dessert at the home of Mary and Bill Griffin.
September 20, 2008
Hosted by Mike Linardi & Dr. Dean Tyson and
Mary & Bill Griffin
$200 per person – limited to 18 guests    

Wine and Cheese Tour of Historic Rich Neck Manor 
This property, patented in 1649, is the earliest known grant in Talbot County and sits at the mouth of the Miles River, overlooking Eastern Bay and the Chesapeake Bay.  The oldest portion of the house belonged to Matthew Tilghman, the “Patriarch of Maryland”  President of the Maryland Provincial Convention of 1776 and Father-in-Law of Tench Tilghman, George Washington’s Aide-de-Camp. This event features a stroll around the beautiful grounds and a tour of the house with wine and cheese in hand.
Date: a Saturday afternoon in July, 2008
Hosted by Jane and Tom Nigra at Rich Neck Manor
$100 per person – limited to 50 guests

Wye Town Farm Estate Walk 
Experience the best of the Eastern Shore with a Fall walk around one of the earliest land grants in Talbot County.  Wye Town Farm, surveyed in 1658, lies at the confluence of the Wye and Miles Rivers, with sweeping views of Eastern Bay.  The property includes the Lost Town of Doncaster, the first “subdivision” in Talbot County, and the first Roman Catholic chapel on the Eastern Shore. 
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Hosted by Lisa and Tim Wyman at Wye Town Farm
$75 per person – limited to 30 people

An Elegant Evening in Florence
Spend an elegant evening as if you were in Florence, Italy, beginning with cocktails and Prosecco at the Miles River waterfront home of Michelle and Bill Corace.  The evening proceeds to authentic Tuscan cuisine perfectly paired with some of the finest wines produced in Italy.  You will savor six delectable courses, all accompanied by Italian music and dancing under the stars.
September 20, 2008 at 6pm
Hosted by Michelle and Bill Corace
$275 per person – limited to 10 guests

Evening in Spain
Reserve your seats for a sunset "cena" on the veranda of the Miles River waterfront home of Michelle and Bill Corace for a spectacular evening of Spanish food, wine, and live, Spanish classical guitar. Enjoy regional Spanish cuisine prepared by the Coraces that will be perfectly matched some some of Spain's most unique, and under appreciated, wines.  Sample 10-12 different wines, from delicate and fragrant whites from Galicia, to the hearty reds of Rioja and Priorat, and finish with an exquisite 1927 Solera dessert wine.
January 2009
Hosted by Bill and Michelle Corace
$275 per person – limited to 10 guests

If You’re Lucky Enough to be Irish. . .You’re Lucky Enough!
Join us for some Irish hospitality and celebrate your Irish roots.  The evening will commence with some Guiness and Harp or maybe a wee dram or two of Old Bushmills, then on to an Irish inspired supper (not corned beef and cabbage!!).  Baileys and Irish coffee will mellow you for the fun to come.  Bring your favorite limerick (suitable for mixed company!!) and vie for a prize!  May your pockets be heavy; your heart be light; and may good luck pursue you, each morning and night. And that’s no Blarney!
March 14, 2009
Hosted by Barbara and Bill Lane (or should that be O’Lane?)
$200 per person – limited to 8 guests

4th of July All American Cookout 
Join Alexa and Tom Seip in celebrating the declaration of our independence at a fabulous, festive 4th of July cookout.  Enjoy scrumptious roasted pig on the lawn of                     “Pine Bloom” overlooking Dixon Creek.   Break out the watermelon, shuck the corn on the cob, feast on potato salad, deviled eggs and apple pie.  Fire up your patriotic spirit for an afternoon of wonderful food, friends and good ole “Yankee Doodle Dandy” fun.
July 4, 2008 – rain date July 5, 2008
Noon to 4 p.m.
Hosted by Alexa and Tom Seip
$125 per person – limited to 50 Guests

Denim and Diamonds Dinner Party
An exhilarating evening awaits you and your guests at Creek Bend Farm.  Relax, and surround yourself by the natural beauty of this stunning waterfront estate and horse farm.  Wear your best dressed up denim and baubles as the evening sparkles beginning on the veranda.  Starting with an array of delicious hors d’oeuvres, exotic elixirs, wine and beer, while you watch the beautiful, natural surroundings at the head of Pickering Creek.  Traditional time honored methods of carefully cooking prime cuts, infused with succulent herbs and spices, over hardwood charcoal.  This gourmet sit-down dinner will be accompanied by a medley of delicious wines chosen by wine expert Bruce Summer.  The evening will end under the stars around the bonfire sipping a glass of rare old Port.
Mutually agreed upon date in July or September, 2008
Hosted by Norma Redele, Bruce Summer and Carol O’Driscoll at Creek Bend Farm
$225 per person – 14 Guests

Cruise the South Side of St. Michaels
Spend an evening cruising the waters of St. Michaels on a Sabreline 36 Fly Bridge Cruiser.  Leave from “Swan Point”  on Follys Cove and travel the waters of San Domingo Creek (the “back door” to St. Michaels), Edge Creek, Broad Creek and the Choptank River.  This leisurely cruise includes wine, beer and heavy hors d’oeuvres.  Beside relaxing and enjoying the sunset, you will see lovely scenery and pass new estates (baseball great Harold Baines and Vice-President Cheney’s homes) as well as old estates like Beverly (featured in this years St. Michaels Historic Society garden party) and Mt. Misery  (now the home of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld).   We might encounter herons, osprey, swan, geese, ducks or bald eagles.
Mutually agreed upon date in June, September or October , 2008.
Hosted by Kit and Bud Hughes
$125 per person – limited to 6 guests

Mezze on the Miles
Join us for an elegant Mediterranean evening on Kintore Point., with a breathtaking view of the Miles River.  An extensive selection of mezze, or meze (small plates or appetizers from the eastern Mediterranean area), as well as tapas from Spain, will be served for the enjoyment of 16 guests. The mezze tradition extends from Turkey into the Balkans, including Greece, as well as many Middle East countries.
October 18, 2008
Hosted by Carolyn and Charles Thornton
$200 per person – limited to 16 guests   

Saint Petersburg Soiree
Imagine an evening in St. Petersburg, a city that is more evocative of Russia’s past than any place, except perhaps the Moscow Kremlin.  Dream of touring the Winter Palace, not only the residence of the Tsars and the backdrop for the1905 and 1917 Revolutions, but also the home of the Hermitage, the world’s largest museum of art.  The Tappan’s will bring you closer to the essence of your Russian travel dreams through the country’s wonderful cuisine.   Relax with caviar served with Russian champagne and iced vodka while waiting to indulge in an exquisite and authentic Russian dinner.
February, 2009
Hosted by Mike and Irina Tappan
$225 per person – limited to 10 guests    

Breakfast at Wimbledon
Enjoy Champagne and strawberries along with real English scones and clotted cream as you watch the Men’s finals from Wimbledon at Miz B’ Haven, a party house on the shores of Leeds Creek, part of the estate home,” Fairhaven.”   The grounds of Fairhaven will become Wimbledon for the morning.  In keeping with the spirit of this year’s Tour, Toast and Taste, attendees are asked to come in either 1920’s tennis whites or appropriate attire for those who would be celebrating Wimbledon in that era.  The Peters’ tennis lawn will be open for anyone who wishes to try out grass tennis as played at Wimbledon but you must bring a wooden racquet to play!  After the matches, a full English brunch will be served to those lucky few who book this event.
Sunday, July 6, 2008,  9 a.m.
Hosted by Mary Lou and Joe Peters at Fairhaven
$150 per person – limited to 12 guests

An Evening on the Wye
Arrive at the home of Jim and Judy Geiske. Your evening will begin witha calming cocktail cruise down the magnificent Wye River compliments of Richard and Annie Graham. Feel the soft breezes carry away all of your shoreline stresses and regale in beautiful scenery, interesting conversation and wonderful company. Upon your return to the Gieske’s you will be treated to a delightful dinner overlooking the water.  
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hosted by Jim & Judy Gieske and
Richard & Annie Graham
$200 per person - limited to 8 guests

Haut Cuisine at Hope House
Fall harvest at Hope House will be celebrated with a four course, gourmet dinner   prepared by Chef Michael Rork, accompanied by expertly selected fine wines with each course.  Hope House, a lovely brick home, circa 1805, was the home of several members of the Tilghman and Lloyd families.  The home was restored to its former glory and tastefully expanded in 1907 by the Starr family.  Before dinner, guests will be invited to view several antique automobiles from the current owner’s collection and stroll the beautiful grounds that feature a number of record setting trees.
Selected Sunday evening in October
Hosted by Peter Stifel and Michael Rork at Hope House
$225 per person – limited to 18 guests

Seasonal Dinner at Beautiful Cottingham Farm 
Enjoy a dinner featuring local, seasonal foods grown using the principles of sustainable agriculture.  Learn from a representative of Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage about sustainable agriculture and how critical it is to the future of the Chesapeake Bay and its estuaries.  Cottingham Farm includes many acres of wildlife habitat and sustainable agricultural crops, with spectacular views of Goldsborough Creek.
Weekend evening to be determined in Fall 2008
Hosted by Cleo Braver and Allie Tyler at Cottingham Farm
$200 per person – limited to 16 guests

Pumpkin Carving and Cookout 
Join Christy and Dirck Bartlett for a fun filled cookout, complete with a pumpkin carving contest.  Big or small, bright or pale, skinny or plump, pumpkins are the spooky gatekeepers of Halloween fun.  The Bartletts will deliver a pumpkin to each family in advance of the party for carving.  Bring your carved pumpkin to the party for judging and prizes.  Kids will have a great time creating scarecrows for a true Halloween ambience.  Other kids’ activities will include: straw man creation, ping pong, trampoline jumping and flag football.  After the cookout, the pumpkins will be lighted and their frightful faces enjoyed by all!  Each family will take their pumpkin home.
Sunday, October 26th
Hosted by Christy and Dirck Bartlett at Old Bloomfield
$100 per family (regardless of the number of children) – limited to 10 families