The sixth annual Chesapeake Bay Day, sponsored by the Mathews Maritime Foundation, was held recently at Thomas Hunter Middle School in Mathews. Ninety-seven sixth graders walked through the history, environment and maritime heritage of Mathews County during this yearly event.

The students had an opportunity to tong for oysters and examine crabs and eels brought in by waterman Kevin Godsey. Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District’s LaVerne Calhoun, Carl Thiel-Goin and Rene Moring demonstrated how yard runoff pollutes the water, and Susan Thomas of Mathews County Planning and Zoning stressed the Resource Protection Area and the need to protect the bay.

Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Mike Sanders, Bobby Mason and Doug Goodman explained how oysters clean the water, while Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66 members Tom Edwards, Ted Broderson, Ken Lee and Eileen Koch demonstrated the proper use of life jackets.

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