Little-Known Community Is A Water Lover’s Dream

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Royal Beach is tiny waterfront community at the head of the Magothy River, with easy access to Bodkin River and the Chesapeake Bay. The community has about 60 homes; more than half are waterfront, and most offer views of the water. There is also a community boat ramp and pier.

Royal Beach had its own artesian well that supplied water for 40 homes from the early ‘40s until 1987. Then, Anne Arundel County water came through, but water still comes from the natural spring.

The community comes together for flea markets and yard sales, and occasional gatherings at the beach deck. There is also a public field with a backstop used for community baseball and softball games. Another special charm is the friendly, if not spoiled, stray cat, whose medical and nutritional needs are taken care of by the community.

Steve & Gail DiFatta
Lifetime Residents

Steve and Gail DiFatta are living in the home where Steve grew up. Gail, also a Pasadena native, first met her husband in 1969. The couple married in 1975 and continued to live in Pasadena. When Steve’s mother passed away in 1982, his father offered Steve and Gail the opportunity to purchase the family home. Now, with two grown sons of their own, Steve and Gail can say as a family they’ve lived in Royal Beach for 36 years.

“Our choice for living here was mostly the opportunity from his dad to sell us the family home,” said Gail. “Also, we both loved being so close to the river. I grew up on the waterfront, and Steve was right across from the community beach. We wanted to raise our boys here and share and teach them the love and respect we had for the Magothy River.”

Gail grew up on Country Life Road and learned crabbing, boating and swimming from her father, who loved the river.

Steve attended Pasadena Elementary, as did the DiFatta’s two sons and their two children. Gail volunteered at the school when her children were young, and in 1998 she became part of the staff as a teaching assistant for special education.

“How awesome and special was that for me and my grandchildren?” Gail asked, rhetorically. “Pasadena is a Blue Ribbon School and we have an awesome staff; as does all of AACPS.”

Gail said she would recommend Royal Beach to anyone searching for a home, noting that her neighbors are always willing to lend a helping hand.

“Our neighbors especially look out for our elderly families,” said Gail. “My husband and others will cut grass, share meals, and generally make sure everyone is OK.”

Gail is treasurer of Royal Beach Improvement Association and has been a member of the association for 36 years. Steve has always been involved, too, cutting the grass at the ball field and participating in any work events that are going on, such repairing the pier or working on the boat ramp. He even works on neighbors’ lawnmowers.

Steve and Gail are hoping their grandchildren will love Pasadena and Royal Beach as much as they do, and continue to live nearby when it’s time for them to go out on their own.

Jeff Gibbs & Torgunn Eckroad
Residents For 16 Months

Neither Jeff Gibbs nor his wife, Torgunn Eckroad, had any history in Pasadena prior to moving to Royal Beach. They were looking for a waterfront home within an easy commute to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

“The house we loved happened to be in Royal Beach,” said Eckroad. “We have been pleasantly surprised to find we have wonderful neighbors and lots of wildlife, like rabbits, fox, blue herons, and ducks.”

Everyone enjoys the outdoors and the community is safe. “There is a farm with a friendly horse to feed carrots to,” Eckroad said. “It is safe for young kids to learn to ride their bike with training wheels. We have met super nice people!”

Jeff appreciates that they live in a quiet neighborhood on the water but are minutes away from the hustle and bustle. “The families here are very nice, friendly, interesting to talk to, and outdoor oriented,” added Gibbs. “We hope to have family move closer, too!”

Even though they are relatively new to Royal Beach, Gibbs and Eckroad are making friends quickly and hope to become Watershed Stewards soon.

Jessi DiFatta
Resident For 17 Years

Jessi DiFatta’s family would come to Pasadena in the early 1980s to boat and fish on the Magothy. They loved it so much the family moved to the area in 1989. After marrying into the family, DiFatta cannot imagine living anywhere else and relish being close to family.

DiFatta attended Pasadena Elementary School, as did her children. She recommends the small and quiet community, noting that “it’s a great place to live and raise your kids.”

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