6-05-2026 4:07am

SUMMER TOUR

We hope you know of a child who might like this series and want to learn about the Hunt Valley area. Please pass it along. Chuck Beary, aka Hunt Valley Bear, will be making appearances soon.

In the deep green woods of Hunt Valley, lives a big, friendly bear named Chuck Beary. He had fuzzy brown fur, a warm smile, and an nose that could smell a sweet berry from miles away. One sunny afternoon, a breeze carried a brand-new scent into his neck of the woods.

Chuck Beary lifted his snout and sniffed. It wasn't berries. It wasn't honey. It was the rich, mouth-watering aroma of hickory smoke and slow-cooked meats. His stomach let out a loud rumble. Driven by his growling tummy, Chuck Beary set off on a grand trek.

He walked over two miles, stepping over fallen logs and splashing through cool streams, following the delicious scent trail through the trees. Finally, the trees parted. Chuck Beary found himself looking at an old, rustic wooden building with a tin roof. A painted sign read Jake's Grill.

Out front, a large black outdoor smoker was puffing out clouds of beautiful white smoke. Inside that smoker, juicy beef and tender turkey were cooking to perfection. The wonderful smell drew a crowd of people. Dozens of cars pulled into the gravel parking lot.

When the hungry customers saw Chuck Beary step out of the woods, they didn't run away. They knew him! He was the friendly Hunt Valley Life mascot."Hey there, Chuck Beary!" a little boy called out from a car window. Chuck Beary waved his big paw and let out a happy grunt. He walked right up to the picnic tables, and the friendly people started chatting with him, sharing stories about their day.Soon, the chef at Jake's Grill brought out platters of giant sandwiches piled high with smoked beef and turkey.

Chuck Beary was handed a sandwich of his own, and with one big bite, he knew he was in bear heaven. The meat was so savory, smoky, and delicious that he just couldn't stop eating. He ate one sandwich. Then another. Then another!

By the end of the afternoon, Chuck Beary was sitting back against a shady tree, patting his very round, very full belly. He had eaten far too much, but he didn't care. It was the best meal he had ever tasted. As the sun began to set, Chuck Beary waved goodbye to his new friends and slowly waddled his way back to the woods.

A group of loyal fans, "groupies" tracked him down just before he was getting ready to hibernate for the evening. He sign his autograph many times that day. Now that he was in the woods he did not realize he was popular everywhere.

His belly was full, and his heart was happy. He smiled all the way home, already planning his next two-mile hike. Jake's Grill was officially his favorite new spot, and he promised himself he would visit on a regular basis.