The black-eyed Susan. The Baltimore Oriole. The striped bass. The white oak. The calico cat. Jousting. Lacrosse. Astrodon johnstoni.
What do these things all have in common?
They have all been designated as the official Maryland state something-or-other (flower, bird, fish, tree, cat, sport, team sport and dinosaur respectively.)
So why not a state sandwich?
If Sen. Richard F. Colburn (R-Dorchester) has his way, there will be one—the soft-shell crab sandwich.
It has been four years since Maryland last designated something as the "official state" something—walking, as the state exercise in 2008, according to a recent Washington Post story.
Colburn believes that promoting "a Maryland delicacy can boost the state's restaurant business and the crabbers on the eastern shore."
The Washington Post article describes the sandwich as a pan-fried crab, topped with mustard, lettuce and tomato, served with the legs sticking out from between two slices of bread.
An identical bill is in the House of Delegates, sponsored by Delegate C. Cane (D-Wicomico).
In addition to the things listed above, Maryland also has an official state dessert (the Smith Island cake), a gem (the Patuxent River stone), reptile (diamond terrapin) and dog (Chesapeake Bay retriever).
What else would you like to see designated as the official state "something?" Tell us in the comments.
