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Re: UPDATE: Skimmer Island--Important--Parking at Hooper's

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Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:46:33 +0000

If you can't park at hoopers, I park on shoulder of route 50 and walk along toward the bridge and scan.   
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry 
 
-----Original Message----- 
From:         Ross Geredien <> 
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <> 
Date:         Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:19:21  
To: <> 
Reply-To:      
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] UPDATE: Skimmer Island--Important--Parking at Hooper's 
 
Thanks for taking the initiative to improve relations with Hooper's, Bill and Mikey. 
  
In addition to saving time, dropping someone off at the entrance lets them know promptly that birders are arriving, lest there be any concern if they see people with scopes walking in. 
  
Ross 
 
--- On Mon, 9/13/10, Bill Hubick <> wrote: 
 
 
From: Bill Hubick <> 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] UPDATE: Skimmer Island--Important--Parking at Hooper's 
To:  
Date: Monday, September 13, 2010, 9:11 AM 
 
 
Hi Everyone, 
 
I wanted to post an update regarding parking at Hooper's Crab House, which is a favorite parking location for scanning Skimmer Island in Ocean City. Yesterday, during the MBC field trip, we had a very positive experience interacting with management at Hooper's. Per my discussion with the owner in August, our group checked in with the front desk before walking up to the bridge. We parked well back in overflow to ensure we wouldn't compete with customer parking, and Mikey ran in to check in while we set up the scopes. The owner seemed VERY pleased, and emphasized that since we took the time to check-in, that he was fine with us parking there. 
 
This is a very reasonable request, and seems like an easy relationship to maintain. PLEASE always check in when parking at Hooper's. It is also appropriate to self-police and politely ask others to ensure they check in. I'm hopeful that this access will continue smoothly from here forward. 
 
I think that having one person run in while everyone sets up scopes works especially well. A good idea would be to drop one person at the front door and then drive back to park in overflow to save time. If you do walk up after parking, it's probably good to make sure we're not blocking the flow of traffic near the door with a bunch of tripods. 
 
I like good news with site access.  
 
Thanks!   
 
Good birding, 
 
Bill 
 
Bill Hubick 
Pasadena, Maryland 
 
http://www.billhubick.com 
 
 
--- On Mon, 8/23/10, Bill Hubick <> wrote: 
 
> From: Bill Hubick <> 
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] Skimmer Island--Important--Parking at Hooper's 
> To:  
> Date: Monday, August 23, 2010, 6:35 AM 
> Hi Everyone, 
>  
> [Important note about parking at Hoopers. My post later 
> will cover the rest of the day birding Worcester/Somerset 
> with Mikey Lutmerding. Until then, I need to at least pass 
> on that we had a probable adult Arctic Tern roosting on 
> Skimmer Island. Mikey captured our notes and did a sketch, 
> but they might be all we have. We're not sure the couple 
> partially blocked photos Mikey took will be diagnostic. More 
> on that later.]  
>  
> Short summary: If you park in the large parking lots by 
> Hooper's - even far away from other cars - the owner of 
> Hoopers would like you to stop in and ask permission. If the 
> restaurant isn't open, you can skip this step. Otherwise, 
> please ensure you stop in. This is a key access that we want 
> to preserve, and one of many we can keep by honoring this 
> simple request. 
>  
> Nearly everyone on this list has spent time scanning 
> Skimmer Island in Ocean City. A majority of viewers have 
> occasionally, if not always, parked in the large parking 
> lots just west of the bridge, which are owned by Hooper's 
> Crab House (http://www.hooperscrabhouse.com/).  
>  
> I had heard from several birders that they had been 
> questioned or chastised about using the parking lot in the 
> last year or so, but yesterday was my first time. Our policy 
> has been to park well back in the overflow parking lot to 
> ensure we were not competing with customers for parking.  
>  
> While running back for my camera, someone yelled "Hey" to 
> me, and when I turned, followed with "You know this isn't 
> public parking..." 
>  
> Having prepared for this possibility, I stopped what I was 
> doing, walked over, shook hands, and introduced myself. I 
> explained that I have asked permission several times, 
> including when I've gone in for dinner on a number of 
> occasions. I told him that it had been generally assumed 
> that we could use the parking lots if we stayed well out of 
> the way. At first he seemed quite frustrated and skeptical. 
> I continued that we appreciate the access and many of us are 
> regular patrons of the restaurant. I was also able to tell 
> him that I had twice given the restaurant free advertising 
> in Maryland travel sections in the national Audubon magazine 
> (which is true).  Between being polite and emphasizing 
> our support of the restaurant, the mood became more 
> comfortable.  
>  
> His request is that any visiting birder check in at the 
> guest reception area of the restaurant. If they are not 
> open, you can skip this step, of course, but please respect 
> this wish to ensure continued access and goodwill. This will 
> take a minute or two, but it is reasonable. This arrangement 
> has worked very smoothly at Castaways and many other sites. 
> While there, of course, being friendly and polite will only 
> continue to ensure a positive reception.  
>  
> I acknowledge that the sidewalk and bridge are public, so 
> if you park on the road or elsewhere off the Hooper's 
> property, this would not apply. 
>  
> Maintaining access to our best sites is all of our 
> responsibility. I hope we can self-police on this one.  
>  
> Thanks! 
>  
> Bill 
>  
>  
> Bill Hubick 
> Pasadena, Maryland 
>  
> http://www.billhubick.com 
>