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Samara Duplessis, now 15, ran away from her Michigan home in May 2020, but was recovered after a few days. The picture that the parents used to find her was spread on social media as part of the Wayfair Conspiracy. The parents think she may have been at risk of being sex trafficked and they are very protective of her now. 

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Samara Duplessis, now 15, ran away from her Michigan home in May 2020, but was recovered after a few days. The picture that the parents used to find her was spread on social media as part of the Wayfair Conspiracy. The parents think she may have been at..

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A private beach, marina and a portion of a county-owned park within its boundaries make Hillsmere Shores in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, an ideal home for outdoor enthusiasts. Residents said the 1950s-era community of about 1,200 houses also has a reputation for a wide variety of community events and a neighborly spirit.

About three miles south of downtown Annapolis, Hillsmere Shores is on a peninsula of the South River, with a single access road that reduces traffic on side streets but can create some commuting challenges.

Tom Anderson, president of the Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association (HSIA), said residents appreciate water-related amenities and the quiet streets. In addition, he said, “people value the openness that we have in this neighborhood, where people get along well.”

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“We’re pretty spoiled with all our water sources,” said Elizabeth Bublitz, who has lived in the neighborhood for four years. “However you want to access the water, go swimming, put your boat there, whatever you want to do. We got it here.”

Patrice Teetermoran, a six-year resident, said there is plenty of water access for residents like her who don’t live on the water.

Sharon Blugis, a five-year resident, said the abundance of water — and the birds who dine on those waters — has led to some unexpected wildlife in yards. “We have osprey, and they drop fish — you can’t believe how many fish ospreys drop,” Blugis said.

Bublitz said the natural area inspires the community’s active gardening club, which coordinates community plantings and hosts speakers on such topics as beekeeping, rain gardens and landscaping.

Residents also point to the welcoming environment that is demonstrated in various ways.

Joy Phillips, a 12-year resident, said her godchildren were visiting her and wanted to go kayaking. She posted something on social media and soon the doorbell rang with a neighbor offering a kayak and paddles.

Even the security guards who patrol the marina, beach and other areas are part of the community, said Heather Giovingo, a 20-year resident and real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. One now-retired guard knew the name of every dog in Hillsmere Shores.

“I had a dog that was an escape artist. And sure enough, here’s Matt [Franz] bringing Sammy back with his favorite cookie. I swear Sam just got loose so that Matt could pick him up and bring him back with a cookie.”

The region was a popular resort area in the late 1800s, according to the Historic American Buildings Survey. In 1903, Martin Henry Smith, who grew up in Annapolis and returned after making a fortune as a chemical manufacturer and druggist, began buying land on the peninsula, creating what historians called “a gentleman’s farm and private hunting resort.” Much of the current neighborhood was developed in the 1950s.

Today, some of the buildings from Smith’s estate are part of the private Key School on Hillsmere Drive, which opened in 1958. Giovingo said the trend of updating and enlarging houses is evident in the neighborhood, but there are still quite a few starter homes.

Giovingo said the water has long been a draw for boaters. The marina allows crabbing, so on many mornings residents are dangling strings tied to chicken necks. “You can catch dinner in two hours or so,” she said. The neighborhood also includes part of the 340-acre Quiet Waters Park, which has hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, boat rentals, art galleries, a dog park and a seasonal ice rink.

Hillsmere Shores is a special community tax district designated by Anne Arundel County where homeowners pay an additional tax to maintain community-owned amenities, including the marina, beach and community pool. Anderson said the marina has about 130 boat slips, and there are racks for kayaks and paddle boards near the neighborhood boat ramp.

The HSIA manages those facilities and coordinates ice cream socials, concerts, food truck Fridays and holiday events, including a Halloween parade and Santa Claus run.

The association is also involved in an effort to protect the sand spit at the marina against future erosion and flooding. Hundreds of tons of rocks and thousands of tons of sand were delivered this fall as the Sand Spit Living Shoreline/Coastal Resiliency Project got underway. In the spring, native plants will be placed to further protect the shoreline and provide habitat for fish, crabs, waterfowl, terrapins and horseshoe crabs. The project is through a partnership between the HSIA and Arundel Rivers Federation and state and county agencies.

“Our board is responsible for evolving our community and maintaining our community — that takes on lots of different flavors,” Anderson said.

Living there: In the past year, about 43 houses have sold. The lowest sale price was $430,000 for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house; the highest was $2,615,000 for a four-bedroom, three-bathroom waterfront house with a pool. The average sale price was around $775,000.

Nearby: Quiet Waters Park, Eastport-Annapolis Neck library, PAL Park sports fields, Bay Ridge Plaza shopping center.

Schools: Hillsmere Elementary, Annapolis Middle and Annapolis High schools.

Transit: The Harry S. Truman Park and Ride in Parole, with commuter bus service to Washington, is about five miles away.

Iris Vukmanovic

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Where We Live: Hillsmere Shores

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Hillsmere Shores values water, welcoming spirit