ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland is one step closer to adding some fun and meaningful new state symbols, thanks to a few bills moving through the General Assembly this year.
Lawmakers are considering three different proposals:
- Naming chromite as the official state mineral
- Declaring the original Maryland orange crush as the official state cocktail
- Making the American persimmon the official state fruit
A Nod to Maryland’s Mining History
Chromite mining has deep roots in Maryland’s history, especially in Harford, Baltimore and Cecil counties, where the state’s unique serpentine barrens produced some of the world’s richest chromite deposits in the 1800s. Chromite is the primary source of chromium, a metal used in chrome plating and in the creation of corrosion-resistant superalloys and stainless steel. Chromium is also used as a pigment for glass, glazes and paint. Maryland was once the leading source of chromite worldwide, thanks to mining operations in places like Soldiers Delight and Bare Hills.
Cheers to the Orange Crush
If you’ve ever spent a summer in Ocean City, you’ve probably heard of or tasted the Maryland orange crush. It was invented in 1995 at Harborside Bar & Grill in Ocean City and quickly gained a following. The cocktail is made with vodka, triple sec and fresh-squeezed orange juice over crushed ice.
A Sweet Native Fruit
The American persimmon is a small, sweet fruit that grows naturally in Maryland and has been around for generations. Sen. Arthur Ellis, who represents Charles County, is sponsoring the bill to make it the state fruit.
A local teen from Charles County is the reason the persimmon is even being considered. Read more in The BayNet article: Charles County Teen’s Advocacy Brings Maryland Closer To Adopting State Fruit
What Happens Next?
All three proposals are working their way through the legislative process. If both the Senate and House approve them, they’ll go to Gov. Wes Moore for final approval.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Wow! Priorities!
A new governor, And representatives would be better
Well, new state mineral, drink, and flower should certainly numb the pain of the largest tax increase in MD history…
Well, new state mineral, drink, and fruit should certainly numb the pain of the largest tax increase in MD history…
yeah, I was going to say bring back some lines of Maryland my Maryland, because you can’t separate the song from the state.
Why this over everything else? Time and money wasted!