Smith Island | The Dig

[@thequeensjester8660]

I miss that place. The best childhood one could ever dream of having. Thanks Tom. Great, great film. And thank you for everything you have done for us.

[@Boatingwego5]

Well done..... 10 Stars :) Both of my grand parents were born & raised on Smith Island. My grandfather Harvey Guy also worked at the Baltimore Sun Papers. They relocated to Middle River, Maryland.

[@saltwaterinmyveins]

This is a wonderful documentary! Sea level rise isn't a real thing, erosion is .

[@mr.e7022]

Yes but you have to wonder why are the islands being eroded now whereas they existed for hundreds of years, maybe tens of thousands.

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

That's absurd.....there are many communities suffering from rising seas as the ice caps melt. Don't be so dense.

[@haroldconnell2973]

Beautiful place

[@catheyahannas3240]

If the government would invest in saving the island, people will come back to live there. All those empty houses could be fixed and families would come home. As it stands nobody wants to buy a sinking house. Smith island could generate plenty of tax dollars if only given the chance!!! My dad used to take us on his boat all over those islands when I was a kid, I'm going to be 60 this year so it's been 45 plus years ago but the difference from then until now is shocking! Smith island is as much a part of Maryland's history as Old Bay and steamed crabs!! Our government has wasted millions of our tax dollars on ridiculous things, so why not take a chance and save something near and dear??

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Because it's probably fruitless. Many people on the Eastern shore vote conservative, who as a party are against government programs or government subsidies in general. So it's ironic and hypocritical to want millions in government subsidies for the island.

[@patriciarussell7487]

This retired lady,would love to live there!Move me out there,make a movie,! Lol!

[@katherinedonaway171]

I did move here! I love it.

[@patriciarussell7487]

Katherine Donaway That's wonderful! Would love to live here.but have paid for moble and on s.s.

[@Ready72000]

I went on a fishing trip 25 years ago and we went to get soft crabs on Smith Island. The man working the crabs down at the dock would not sell us soft crabs - he insisted on giving them to us. We walked around some and met the most friendly people. I am two weeks away from retirement, and I could see myself living there (I have lived in Maryland before and love the people there in general) but it would probably be too isolated to suit my wife, who lives her shopping and Starbucks, all the trappings of city life. Maybe a summer house there, though? What do you think, Katherine Donaway? Tell us what you like and dislike there?

[@Ready72000]

I love this house. www.zillow.com/homedetails/20932-Caleb-Jones-Rd-Ewell-MD-21824/37618755_zpid/

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Beautiful and sad

[@peterhomann2140]

I find myself in a dilemma here. I have an opinion but I do not feel entitled to voice it as it could be considered to be smart azz condescending talk. I came to the US from Germany many years ago and eventually cruised the Chesapeake with my sailboat. My young kids and I visited Smith and Tangier Islands for the first time in 2018; at the time I knew that it would be a different experience for us but did not know how. One of my reasons was to show my suburban offspring that there is a different way of life. Yes, I am a "Northern" liberal, a tree hugger, conscientious objector, Trump critic (to be polite) and my children are of mixed race; all of that makes it difficult to stay for more than a visit. My oldest daughter, then 10 told me after a day that she wants to leave because "people look at me funny". The many Trump flags made me feel uneasy. But there also was the experience speaking to folks about their daily lives, sailor to waterman, the local kids inviting my daughters to play with them and showing them their island. We visited a few more times, the pandemic put a hold to it but I hope to return this season. Anything that could sustain a population on Smith Island requires money and would change the way of life as it is / was. For one I do not think Colonial Williamsburg should be used as an example, it is not the way to go, a polished interpretation of Colonial times, cliché souvenirs, overprized foods adapted to the tastes of 21st century customers and well groomed actors in perfectly ironed, starched costumes. The very essence of Smith and Tangier is the rugged authenticity. How can it be preserved AND bring revenue in?

[@ladyprudence6]

You say people looked at your “mixed-race” kids “funny” but yet they “invited them to play” in their houses; you say you couldn’t go for more than one visit, yet you say you returned several times? Which is it? Are you implying SI is racist because they supported Trump? Could it not be that the island is simply made up of traditional people of faith, and want to conserve the traditions of their ancestors? If you are not a religious Christian, you wouldn’t understand them. Also, they were being critical of Williamsburg because it’s contrived, not real. Perhaps a big city like NY with a zillion Trump haters is the place the fits you best.

[@peterhomann2140]

@@ladyprudence6 I am not sure if a response is of any value to you. It seems you read my post with a quite closed mindset giving yourself little or no permission to process a different point of view. Am I saying that all Smith and Tangier Islanders are racists? No, of course not and children, including those who invited my kids to play are not born racist, I am afraid that some of them will be turned into it. I never said the islanders were a homogenous single minded organism, however with Trump garnering some 70% of votes and even after January 6 still enjoying strong support there, I have grave concerns. As for you questioning my lack of understanding for the way of life and traditions: The very fact that I visit/ed several times shows the fault in your argument. Do I believe some 3 or 4 visits for 3 or 4 days each will allow me to dive into the nitty gritty of those traditions? No, of course not. Will I gain a certain understanding from the exposure? Absolutely will and so will my children, which was the driving force to go there in the first place. I have exposed my children to as many other lifestyles as I can: they were in Italy, Germany, China, Mexico, the Caribbean, and I will continue to do so. I myself grew up visiting many different countries and cultures and believe this was one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me. We did not make any islander behave a certain way towards us, some were friendly, some were rude, and quite a few did not want "bastard kids on my island" (this a quote) .

[@beverlyspurry579]

@@peterhomann2140 So sorry your daughter felt uncomfortable. It surprises me that she felt looked at differently as there are mixed racial families on Smith Island. Although I have not lived there for many years, my children and grandchildren feel like they also grew up there as they spent the better part of their summers there. They have taken their friends who never expressed to us that they felt uncomfortable. I’m glad you went back and gave it a second look as the tourist industry seems to overshadow the seafood industry on Smith Island as well as many other waterfront communities. I hope you will continue visiting. If you have not been there since Covid, you will see quite a difference. Lots of new faces and a lot of the once abandoned houses have come back to life. The Island tourist trade is thriving and many “city” folks have moved there and found a new way of life.

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Tangier island is done. Maybe smith island can be helped. But if you overwhelmingly vote for the party that wants to shrink and reduce government, and that is against government subsidies, its ironic you want millions in funding from the same government to save the island.

[@jamestaylor5231]

From Wenona I can smell the island and marshes.