Our Island Home

Smith Island consists of three communities: Ewell (rhymes with jewel), Rhodes Point, and Tylerton. I grew up in Ewell while Gary lived in Tylerton. Tylerton is on a separate island accessible only by boat. Ewell and Tylerton each had their own schools, while Rhodes Point children rode the bus to Ewell School each day. Back in the 1950s and 60s, when Gary and I attended school, Ewell School served around 80 students. Today, twelve students from all three communities attend Ewell School for grades Pre-K through Seven.

Gary and I were married in 1970. We lived on the island for another 19 years and raised our three children there. When our children were in high school, preparing to attend college and wanting to participate in regional sports, we made the decision to move to the mainland. In 1989, we moved to Crisfield, the land closest to Smith Island. Our family now includes our three children and their spouses as well as eight grandchildren.

The decision to start a bakery came about five years ago. Gary was a waterman, catching crabs, oysters, and clams during their seasons. Unfortunately, State restrictions made harvesting seafood a difficult way to make a decent living. Cooking and baking for my family has always been a joy. It had been a joy for my mother and for her mother and for many past generations. Over the years, it became traditional to bake a cake with first eight, then 10 layers, every weekend. As a nine-year old, I remember the soft-spoken directions of my grandmother as she patiently instructed me in this culinary art, an Island legacy. Smith Island cakes became popular with people all over the Eastern Shore. Our passion is to introduce our family and this Smith Island delicacy to others.

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