Bay Times and Record-Observer

  • Home
  • Bay Times and Record-Observer

Bay Times and Record-Observer The Bay Times and Record-Observer is a weekly newspaper serving all of Queen Anne's County. The Bay Times was founded in Stevensville, Md., by Christopher J.

and Mary Lou Rosendale in 1963. The very first edition of the Bay Times in November 1963 was a memorial edition dedicated to President John F. Kennedy, who had been shot and killed the week before. The front page consisted of a single headline – The County Mourns – and a picture of the president. Publishing the Bay Times was truly a family effort for the Rosendales. Their first office was in their

back kitchen in their large, old two-story home at Love Point on Kent Island. Chris did the writing and photography; Mary Lou did all the advertising, addressing and mailing. They took turns delivering the newspaper. As soon as the Rosendale children were old enough to write they helped hand-address and stamp the newspapers before they got a second-class mail classification. The Bay Times cost 5 cents a copy in 1963 and subscriptions ran $1 a year. Ads cost 95 cents an inch. The paper started out as a tabloid then went to broadsheet, averaging 14 pages a week. (The Rosendales included an apology for the inconvenient size in the first broadsheet edition, explaining they were forced to change the size due to cost.) When the Rosendales sold the paper in 1974 to Augustine Publishing it had a paid circulation of 4,600. The Bay Times returned to its original, reader-friendly tabloid size in October 1987. It was owned for many years by Chesapeake Publishing Corp. Today, the Bay Times is owned by Adams Publishing Group. It publishes each Friday now in compilation with the county’s longest running publication, The Record Observer and has a paid circulation of over 6,000. Newsstand cost is $2.25 per issue. The mission of the Bay Times Record Observer is to inform and educate the public, to promote community participation, and to provide a forum for public debate.

STEVENSVILLE — Motorists should expect significant traffic delays Sunday, Nov. 9, as the eastbound span of the Chesapeak...
07/11/2025

STEVENSVILLE — Motorists should expect significant traffic delays Sunday, Nov. 9, as the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be closed to vehicles from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the annual Bay Bridge Run 10K. Two-way traffic will operate…

STEVENSVILLE — Motorists should expect significant traffic delays Sunday, Nov. 9, as the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will be closed to vehicles from 12:01 a.m. to 2

CENTREVILLE — Looking up throughout Centreville, passersby can spot portraits of hometown citizens who answered the call...
07/11/2025

CENTREVILLE — Looking up throughout Centreville, passersby can spot portraits of hometown citizens who answered the call of duty.

CENTREVILLE — Step back in time! This year’s Holiday Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes will transport guests to propert...
07/11/2025

CENTREVILLE — Step back in time! This year’s Holiday Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes will transport guests to properties that were pivotal in the story of Queen Anne’s County’s maritime trade. Have you ever wished you could witness a moment in hi…

CENTREVILLE — Step back in time! This year’s Holiday Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes will transport guests to properties that were pivotal in the story of Queen Anne’s County’s maritime

SUDLERSVILLE — Community collaboration came together under one roof Nov. 1 at Sudlersville Middle School for the annual ...
06/11/2025

SUDLERSVILLE — Community collaboration came together under one roof Nov. 1 at Sudlersville Middle School for the annual Make a Difference Day, organized by the Queen Anne’s County Division of Housing and Community Services.

SUDLERSVILLE — Community collaboration came together under one roof Nov. 1 at Sudlersville Middle School for the annual Make a Difference Day, organized by the Queen Anne’s County Division of

CHESTERTOWN — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a man was found dead in a vehicle Tuesd...
06/11/2025

CHESTERTOWN — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a man was found dead in a vehicle Tuesday on Lovers Lane near Chestertown.

CENTREVILLE — After years away, Queen Anne’s County Historical Society revived a much-loved community tradition to trans...
06/11/2025

CENTREVILLE — After years away, Queen Anne’s County Historical Society revived a much-loved community tradition to transform Centreville’s Tucker House into a spooky historical house Oct. 31.

CENTREVILLE — It’s been 35 years since North Caroline High’s boys soccer team won a regional championship.
05/11/2025

CENTREVILLE — It’s been 35 years since North Caroline High’s boys soccer team won a regional championship.

CENTREVILLE — Following a Maryland State Highway Administration public meeting at the Price Community Center on Oct. 20,...
05/11/2025

CENTREVILLE — Following a Maryland State Highway Administration public meeting at the Price Community Center on Oct. 20, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners are asking Governor Wes Moore to expedite critical safety improvements at the intersection…

CENTREVILLE — Following a Maryland State Highway Administration public meeting at the Price Community Center on Oct. 20, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners are asking Governor Wes Moore to expedite

STEVENSVILLE — The Historic Stevensville Classic Car Show celebrated its 10th year Nov. 1 with 75 vintage vehicles, 30 t...
05/11/2025

STEVENSVILLE — The Historic Stevensville Classic Car Show celebrated its 10th year Nov. 1 with 75 vintage vehicles, 30 trophies and a team of dedicated volunteers who made the milestone event possible through partnerships with the Kent Island Cruise…

STEVENSVILLE — The Historic Stevensville Classic Car Show celebrated its 10th year Nov. 1 with 75 vintage vehicles, 30 trophies and a team of dedicated volunteers who made the milestone

WYE MILLS — Proving it is never too early to get into the Christmas spirit, Old Wye Church hosted its 60th annual Christ...
05/11/2025

WYE MILLS — Proving it is never too early to get into the Christmas spirit, Old Wye Church hosted its 60th annual Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 1.

KENT ISLAND — As the air turns chilly, the Kent Island High School Theater Company is ready to warm hearts with its fall...
04/11/2025

KENT ISLAND — As the air turns chilly, the Kent Island High School Theater Company is ready to warm hearts with its fall production of Almost, Maine by John Cariani.

Skye is a female brown tabby born in 2017. She is a mild-mannered lady who likes being petted and brushed. She also like...
04/11/2025

Skye is a female brown tabby born in 2017. She is a mild-mannered lady who likes being petted and brushed. She also likes treats. She doesn’t mind other cats, but is more of a “people cat”. Skye likes laser pointers and catnip toys. She is diabetic,…

Skye is a female brown tabby born in 2017. She is a mild-mannered lady who likes being petted and brushed. She also likes treats. She doesn’t mind other cats, but

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bay Times and Record-Observer posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bay Times and Record-Observer:

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share

Our Story

The Bay Times was founded in Stevensville, Md., by Christopher J. and Mary Lou Rosendale in 1963. The very first edition of the Bay Times in November 1963 was a memorial edition dedicated to President John F. Kennedy, who had been shot and killed the week before. The front page consisted of a single headline – The County Mourns – and a picture of the president. Publishing the Bay Times was truly a family effort for the Rosendales. Their first office was in their back kitchen in their large, old two-story home at Love Point on Kent Island. Chris did the writing and photography; Mary Lou did all the advertising, addressing and mailing. They took turns delivering the newspaper. As soon as the Rosendale children were old enough to write they helped hand-address and stamp the newspapers before they got a second-class mail classification. The Bay Times cost 5 cents a copy in 1963 and subscriptions ran $1 a year. Ads cost 95 cents an inch. The paper started out as a tabloid then went to broadsheet, averaging 14 pages a week. (The Rosendales included an apology for the inconvenient size in the first broadsheet edition, explaining they were forced to change the size due to cost.) When the Rosendales sold the paper in 1974 to Augustine Publishing it had a paid circulation of 4,600. The Bay Times returned to its original, reader-friendly tabloid size in October 1987. It was owned for many years by Chesapeake Publishing Corp. Today, the Bay Times is owned by Adams Publishing Group. It publishes each Wednesday and has a paid circulation of about 6,000. Newsstand cost is $1.25 per issue.