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July 6, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Lifelong Learning: A Key Pillar of Active Aging

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The World Health Organization (WHO) considers lifelong learning as one of the critical pillars to achieve active aging, together with health, participation, and security. This recognition resonates with many in our community and emphasizes that learning is an ongoing journey that enriches the mind, body, and spirit.

Lifelong learning is about staying intellectually alive, socially connected, emotionally fulfilled, and growing at every stage of life. It includes both formal and informal opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills. Whether it is taking a history course, learning a new language or musical instrument, or joining a book group, science shows that the benefits of continued intellectual engagement are profound (Narushima et al, 2018b; Clouston et al, 2020; Choi et al, 2021; Kalache et al, 2021; Noble et al, 2021; Klimova et al, 2024).

Challenging the brain through learning activities builds cognitive reserve, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and compensate for age-related changes or disease (Narushima et al, 2018a). Learning stimulates neural plasticity, the ability of the brain to continuously remodel itself, which could potentially prevent cognitive decline. Community-oriented learning initiatives offer cognitive engagement that has been proven to slow down cognitive decline and to delay the onset of dementia. Similarly to how physical exercise fortifies the body, mental training keeps the brain nimble and strong. Indeed, engaging the mind is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining quality of life as we age (Noble et al, 2021).

Learning a new language or a new musical instrument are known to improve memory and facilitate problem-solving, whereas engaging in group discussions or book clubs promotes critical thinking and verbal skills and enhances our mood through social interaction. These activities are not only mentally enriching; they also foster a sense of achievement and joy. Lifelong learning is a powerful tool to prevent loneliness and isolation, which have been linked to poorer health outcomes and to an increased mortality risk (U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 2023).

Exiting the workforce can leave a newly retired person yearning for purpose and structure, but the benefits of lifelong learning are not limited to the retirement years. Adults in mid-life achieve professional enrichment and personal growth through continuous learning. Lifelong learning also encourages intergenerational dialogue and strengthens community bonds among people with different ages and views. In this way, younger people develop the mindset that learning is not an activity confined to classrooms but rather a lifelong habit that keeps them curious, adaptable, and engaged citizens.

In Kent County and the surrounding region, lifelong learning programs are flourishing. Alongside the Talbot County-based Chesapeake Forum and the newer Institute of Lifelong Learning in Centreville, the Chestertown-based Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning (WC-ALL) plays a vital role in offering opportunities for continued growth and discovery. Each program brings its own strengths and focus, enriching our community of learners on the Eastern Shore.

At WC-ALL, we experience firsthand how transformative lifelong learning can be. Our members report that participating in our programs reignite passions not explored since college and uncover new friendships and travel destinations, both local and beyond. We offer courses on many topics, from humanities to science and technology, art, health and wellness, social sciences, current events, and more! As we continue to build and expand our programs, we are guided by the belief that everyone, regardless of age, deserves the opportunity to explore and thrive. We invite you to join us, share our mission with others, and help make lifelong learning a cornerstone of active aging and of vibrant living at every age.

 References

A Case Study of Active Aging through Lifelong Learning: Psychosocial Interpretation of Older Adult Participation in Evening Schools in Korea.

Choi I, Cho SR. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Sep 1;18(17):9232.

Education and Cognitive Decline: An Integrative Analysis of Global Longitudinal Studies of Cognitive Aging.

Clouston SAP, Smith DM, Mukherjee S, Zhang Y, Hou W, Link BG, Richards M. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2020 Aug 13;75(7): e151-e160.

Active Aging and the Longevity Revolution

Kalache A, Voelcher I, Louvison M. Handbook of Active Ageing and Quality of Life, 2021.

Enhancing Foreign Language Learning Approaches to Promote Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review.

Klimova B, de Paula Nascimento E Silva C. J Psycholinguist Res. 2024 May 17;53(4):48.

Lifelong learning in active aging discourse: its conserving effect on wellbeing, health, and vulnerability.

Narushima M, Liu J, Diestelkamp N. Ageing Soc. 2018a Apr;38(4):651-675.

I Learn, Therefore I am: A Phenomenological Analysis of Meanings of Lifelong Learning for Vulnerable Older Adults.

Narushima M, Liu J, Diestelkamp N. Gerontologist. 2018b Jul 13;58(4):696-705.

How Does Participation in Formal Education or Learning for Older People Affect Wellbeing and Cognition? A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Noble C, Medin D, Quail Z, Young C, Carter M. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021 Jan 7;7:2333721420986027.

Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023).

For more about WC-ALL, go here.

Yolanda Sanchez, PhD, is a scientist and former pharmaceutical executive who has worked across academia, industry, and biotech consulting. Now based in Chestertown, she continues her passion for lifelong learning through active involvement with WC-ALL as a student, instructor, Curriculum Committee Chair and member of the Council.

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Chesapeake Flashback: Happy Fourth!

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In honor of today’s holiday we share an undated photograph of a dapper drum major in fine form. While this photograph is likely from a football game, of course marching bands are a staple of Fourth of July parades and celebrations across the United States, including in our own annual Rock Hall parade.  Wishing Kent Countians and visitors alike a safe and happy Independence Day. Image courtesy of Historical Society of Kent County.

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From Backyard Oven to The Evergrain Bakery: A Chat With Doug Rae

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One of the great things about living in town is that my apartment sits just above Evergrain Bakery. And yes, you can smell the blueberries and sourdough rising in the ovens. It didn’t take long to realize a good story was baking right beneath my feet—though it took a little longer to get to it.

Recently, I had the chance to spend a morning with Doug Rae as he prepared a large batch of sourdough “Miches.” For someone like me, whose baking experience begins and ends at pizza, the process felt like a kind of modern-day alchemy. It was more intricate than I expected: Rae mixed the live yeast culture with flour, coaxed water into a giant mixer, added a scoop of salt, and after cutting and hand-shaping the dough, ended up with elastic globes that looked a bit like curling stones that would eventually find their way to the oven. All of this, of course, was measured out in increments of time as as the fermenting process took place. Yet he moved through it all with the casual ease of folding laundry. He’s been doing this for years.

At 15, Rae and his father built a brick oven in their backyard. A few years later, he enrolled at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, home to one of the nation’s top baking programs. There, he trained under master bakers like Mitch Stamm and worked alongside Team USA as they prepared for the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris. “That exposure shaped everything,” he says.

Rae opened Evergrain Bakery in Chestertown in 2010 with a simple plan: “Bake as much bread as possible and get it to as many people as I could.” The shop quickly became a local institution, known for its sourrsough, rosemary focaccia, cinnamon raisin loaves, cheddar and herb rounds, and a New York–style bagel that sells by the dozen at farmers markets. On the pastry side, Evergrain produces laminated Viennoiserie like croissants and pain au chocolat, aliong with the aforementioned blueberry muffins, cookies and brownies.

Teaching is just as important to Rae as baking. “The only thing I love more than baking is teaching,” he says. Whether training staff or guiding college students through the alchemy of sourdough, he sees bread as a tool for connection and education.

Evergrain’s approach blends traditional and modern techniques—what Rae calls “retro-innovation.” By combining old-world methods with newer equipment, he says, “we get the highest quality product possible.”

Like many small businesses, Evergrain faced uncertainty during COVID. But support from the community turned 2020 into their busiest year. Today, they sell at farmers markets across Maryland—from Easton to Havre de Grace.

Looking ahead, Rae plans to open an offsite production facility and mill his own flour using heritage grains and working with local farmers. “Decentralizing food systems is a no-brainer,” he says. “It builds food security and identity.”

With plans to restore indoor seating and expand offerings, Evergrain remains grounded in Rae’s original vision: “What we make isn’t from a factory. It’s from people you know. And it’s for a cause we believe in.”

For more about Evergrain Bakery, go here.

Evergrain Bakery
201 High St, Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 778-3333

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The GCA Announces Titles, Playwrights, Casts and Directors for “Short Attention Span Theatre”

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The Garfield Center for the Arts is excited to continue its popular short play presentation, Short Attention Span Theatre, opening July 11th. The GCA’s annual program had its earliest roots in 2005, when it was called 8×10 – The 10-Minute Play Project. The name was changed to Short Attention Span Theatre in 2008. Over the years, it has seen both the premiere of many original plays by local playwrights as well as featured the performances of hundreds of local actors.

This year’s edition received nearly 500 scripts from all over the world. It will feature the work of 8 stage directors, 21 actors, and 8 playwrights, including the premiere of a play by a local playwright and member of Live Playwrights’ Society (LPS). LPS is a local writers group founded in 2009 and hosted monthly by the Garfield Center.

“An Apparition in Denmark” is a comedic take on how two simple-minded guards at Elsinore Castle focus on irreverent and misguided things, even as one of the monumental events of “Hamlet” occurs around them. The play, by playwright Ryan Armstrong from Denver, Colorado, is directed by Allison Jones and will be performed by Dylan Lyles and Alyson Hall.

“Ancient Wisdom of the Shoebill Stork” is a comedy by Jacquelyn Priskorn, a playwright from Troy, Michigan. Directed by John Mann, the play tells the story of an imprisoned stork who has the ability to speak and dispense philosophy and advice. The production will be performed by Chris Neiman, Dominic Delcoco, and James Paul Huff.

“Hope & Greg” is a bittersweet comedy by Emily Beck, a playwright from Fargo, North Dakota. Hope, on the verge of her wedding, is visited one last time in her childhood bedroom by her friend Greg, the monster under her bed. Directed by Brianna Johnson, it will be performed by Shannon Carter and Steven Goss

“Last Words” is a dark comedy by Philip J. Kaplan, a playwright in Brooklyn, New York. At the memorial for their father, Gus and Kristin take snarky turns jabbing each other from the lectern in their tug-of-war over their father’s estate. Directed by Sharon Herz, its performers are Maria DiRenzo and Joseph Fox.

“oRANGE” is a comedy by Erin Osgood from Brighton, Michigan. It tells the story of non-traditional characters, represented by primary colors, and how one simple choice can change everything. Directed by Adrienne Wrona, the cast includes Connor Christopher, James Fordi, Sharon Herz, and Brianna Johnson.

“Over The Hills And Far Away” is by Christopher Zaczek from Havre de Grace, Maryland. Chuck and Greer are a father and daughter on a mountainous hike, repeating one that was made by Greer’s parents years before. As they both struggle to keep the memory of Greer’s mom alive, they attempt to reconnect in the face of their loss before Greer leaves home for college. Directed by Kathy Jones, the cast features Patrick Pearce and Sydney Bortz.

“Rising, Action” is a comedy written and directed by the GCA’s Executive Director, Steven Arnold. It explores what may happen to other story elements in a developing narrative if “conflict” takes a vacation. The cast features John Mann, Allison Jones, Amanda Fry, and Nic Carter.

“The Thread Count in Hades” is a play by Steven Korbar from San Juan Capistrano, California. In the play, Abaddon, the gatekeeper of Hades, may have met his match in the form of extremely annoying Jessica and Carson, the newly acquired souls of a privileged married couple. Directed by SAST Producer Mark Sullivan, it features performers Julia Weicht, Joshua Townsend, and Michael Tucker.

Short Attention Span Theatre opens July 11 and runs three weekends through July 27, with performances at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 PM on Sundays. Tickets may be purchased online at www.garfieldcenter.org or via our Box Office hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM. Ticket buyers may either stop in at the theatre during Box Office hours or call at 410-810-2060.

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Letter to the Editor: Truth and Consequences

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On June 25 I received Andy Harris’ monthly newsletter. His introduction stated, “I wanted to provide an update on the work I am doing in the House of Representatives to represent the great people of Maryland’s First Congressional District and to advance commonsense, conservative legislation in Washington, D.C.”

I carefully reviewed his major areas of “accomplishment” and I found them quite troubling. Not only are his generalizations misleading but some are outright wrong. Needless to say, I don’t see the common sense he refers to. Here are a few areas of concern.

Andy Harris on Agriculture: Harris is proud to have supported the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Bill. “This legislation strengthens agricultural research, supports rural businesses, and safeguards our food and drug supply- all while cutting Biden-era waste.”

Truth: During Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2020 tax-payer farm subsidies went from $4 billion to $20 billion due to his trade war. Our farmers lost markets as China, in particular, found other suppliers. Now our farmers are facing an even more serious loss of markets and consumers will miss the crops that are simply not grown in the U.S.

Trump’s agricultural policies favor agri-businesses. Our smaller farms will find it ever more difficult to survive due to increasing costs of machinery, fertilizer, and ag-tech and the unpredictability of Trump’s tariff policies.  In addition, the round-up of law-abiding, hard-working immigrants threatens farmers’ ability to get crops planted and harvested. Either due to deportations or immigrants simply being afraid to show up, it is very difficult to plan ahead.

In fact, government cut-backs and ICE raids are not saving us money or helping our farmers. The budget for ICE of $9 billion has been spent and has been exceeded by taking $2 billion from other funds such as FEMA. Republicans now want to increase this budget to $45 billion for detention facilities, $50 billion to build the border wall, and $45 billion for ICE enforcement . What a great loss to our farmers and frankly, our communities. Is this how we want our money spent?

Andy Harris on Veterans’ Affairs: “Real support is on the way for our veterans and military families with the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs…Act of 2026. This legislation fully funds Veteran care and benefits and includes important mental health and homelessness assistance. It also prioritizes housing…”

Truth: When Trump came into office, the VA was facing serious staff shortages. The Department of Veterans Affairs is now planning to cut  17% of current staffing which will greatly impact healthcare. With 17 veterans committing suicide each day, the VA is severely cutting back its suicide hotline. 10% of our veterans are on Medicaid and 1.2 million receive SNAP. They are over-represented among the homeless. Nearly 30% of the federal workforce is veterans. It is estimated that 38,000 have already lost their jobs. This is no way to thank our veterans for their service.

Andy Harris on the rule of law: “Condemning Lawlessness and Disorder:”  “ The violent riots in Los Angeles this month weren’t just unrest; they were a direct attack on safety, law enforcement, and the rule of law. The House passed H. Res. 516 which condemns the violent riots that have taken place and calls on local and state officials to work with the federal government to restore peace.”

Truth: If there is so much violence, to the point that local police can’t handle it, why were we not seeing this on the news 24/7 since the media thrives on this type of coverage? Not even on Fox…Protests there are by and large peaceful. Nevertheless, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller told lawmakers in a hearing that the military’s deployment of almost 5,000 National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests will cost around $134 million and last 60 days. These troops are living in uncomfortable quarters while they mull around “protecting” federal buildings. And what about states rights! I suspect our troops don’t want to be there either.

The facts are the facts and so are the consequences. I truly feel for all those on the Eastern Shore who will be impacted by Trump’s policies and Andy Harris’ unwavering support. In fact, as head of the Freedom Caucus he advocates making deeper cuts. We may be “saving” money with cuts to services but we’re spending lots on policies that don’t benefit the public. We are losing the programs that benefit those not counted among the wealthy. Is this what we voted for?

We, Andy Harris’ constituents, deserve nothing less than the truth and an honest accounting of the consequences of his votes.

Barbara Vann

Chestertown

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Publisher Note: Just Once for the Chestertown Spy 2025!

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Dear Readers,

First, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already stepped up to support our one and only fundraising campaign of the year. You are the reason we can keep doing what we do. We’re now breathing easier as the heat finally breaks, coffee in hand, and deadline anxiety still along for the ride.

For those who haven’t had a chance yet: no pressure. We’re halfway there and still trying to close the gap.

As major news outlets fold and independent publications shutter across the country, publications like The Chestertown Spy are becoming an endangered species. Since 2011, we’ve been here at 3 p.m. sharp each day—covering town meetings, highlighting local voices, and sharing stories that matter to Kent County. It’s local journalism by humans, for humans (with occasional interruptions from opinionated parrots).

If The Spy has ever made you think, laugh, rally, or breathe a little deeper about this town we share, we ask: help us stay and online. Help us stay free for everyone.

Let’s keep the porch light on for independent journalism—one reader at a time.

Please donate online here, or send a check to:

CSM – Chestertown Spy Fund
Mid-Shore Community Foundation
102 East Dover Street
Easton, MD 21601

With gratitude,
Jim Dissette
Publisher | The Chestertown Spy

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Church Hill Theatre Announces New Season and Elects New Board Members

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At its annual members’ meeting on June 17, Church Hill Theatre reviewed a successful year, elected four new board members and announced an exciting roster of productions for the 2026 season. And, in an exciting new twist, the meeting concluded with live performances of several songs from the current and upcoming season.

Board Chair Kathy Jones and committee representatives shared lots of good news about financial vitality, the near completion of a major campaign for new stage lights, growing audiences, an incredibly strong youth program, and plans for ongoing improvements. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Carrie York for years of dedicated service and outgoing board members Rory Flood, Shelagh Grasso and Christopher Wallace were thanked for their many contributions.  All will be recognized with nameplates on the new theater seats.

(Left) Kathy Jones, Chair of the Board of Directors and (center) Bonnie Hill Volunteer Committee Chair, present the Volunteer of the Year award to Carrie York (right).

Four new and very talented members were then elected to the board for three-year terms: Tom Blackiston, Sharon Herz, Tess Jones and JW Ruth.  All have strong backgrounds in multiple aspects of on-stage and back-stage theatre experience. Since CHT has only two part-time paid employees, all the board members serve on several committees and share front-of-house assignments. As always, willing volunteers are encouraged to become part of the immediate Church Hill Theatre family.

The main event of the evening was the revealing productions for the 2026 season followed by the surprise of short musical performances.

January          A star-studded cabaret fundraiser

February        A commemoration of the 1963 March on Washington and Black History Month

March            Lend Me A Soprano, a mad-cap comedy about an opera performance gone very, very wrong

April               A 2-weekend musical show featuring our teen performers

June               Chicago, the high-energy, much-loved musical

September     Something’s Afoot, a witty musical spoof of a classical British mystery in a remote British mansion

November      The Transylvanian Clockworks, a terrifyingly spooky vampire tale set in the time of Jack the Ripper

December      A Christmas Carol, a classic CHT holiday offering

The annual meeting concluded with short performances by Erin Bradley and Matt Rein from The Bridges of Madison County, by Jane Copple from next year’s Something’s Afoot, and by JW Ruth, who brought the house down with “When You’re Good to Mama,” from Chicago.

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The Urgent Call to Expand the PACT Act to Cover VOC-Exposed Veterans in Kent County

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Service members do not have the privilege to choose the environments where they can serve. However, they should be able to count on their country for care when their duty exposes them to harmful substances, causing serious illnesses. Acknowledging this responsibility, the Senate ratified the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) in 2022. This landmark legislation marked a monumental shift in how the nation supports its veterans as it extends its scope to include over 20 presumptive conditions linked to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, and other hazardous substances encountered during active duty. It was a long-overdue recognition that those who risked their lives for the country deserve more than bureaucratic indifference when their health suffers later.

Yet despite its strides, the PACT Act still leaves too many behind, as it excludes exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a group of vaporous chemicals associated with various severe health conditions. This omission is not just a policy gap but also a justice failure.

Why VOC Exposure Must Be Covered by the PACT Act for Kent County Veterans

VOCs are gaseous chemicals released into the air from a variety of solid and liquid products and industrial processes. Due to their high vapor pressure and low water solubility, these compounds have become a staple in many applications. These include fuel oxygenates like methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), degreasers, industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), and by-products produced by chlorination in water treatment like chloroform. Even the military has used VOCs in routine activities, such as vehicle painting, jet propulsion fuel (JP-8) handling, marine fueling, cargo management, and tank cleaning and venting. As a result, exposure to these volatile chemicals has been widespread and almost inevitable for numerous service members.

The health effects of this heavy reliance are deeply concerning. Studies have shown that these substances can interact with biological systems even at low levels, increasing the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers of the lung, nose, throat, bladder, intestine, liver, and kidney. Prolonged exposure has also been associated with central nervous system impairment, immunosuppression, and chronic inflammation.

These findings underscore the critical need to treat VOC-related illnesses with the same urgency and recognition as other military toxic exposures, especially since this concern is already prevalent even in Maryland.  In fact, military installations such as Fort Detrick have a long history of contamination from VOCs. In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency added the Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater to the Superfund National Priorities List, officially recognizing it as one of the nation’s most hazardous sites due to widespread VOCs pollution in the groundwater linked to decades of chemical disposal practices. With over 324.000 veterans statewide, including 1.300 in Kent County, the potential impact of contamination at former military sites is especially significant for those who may have been exposed during their service.

Service members who lived, worked, and trained at these military installations were frequently exposed to VOCs. Yet despite mounting evidence proving the dangers of such toxic substances, the federal government still does not recognize a presumption of service connection for illnesses related to these exposures. Consequently, affected personnel are left to bear the burden of establishing direct causation—a challenging process that can delay treatment, strain personal resources, and, ultimately, deny timely access to care.

The Challenges of Proving VOC-Related Illnesses

Without presumptive status, veterans exposed to VOCs are bound to confront an uphill battle to prove that their illnesses are related to their service. The claims process is often complicated as it is typically fraught with longer adjudication and frequent denials. Claimants must usually provide medical and service records to meet the necessary criteria, but such documents are often incomplete or lost, which makes the situation even more difficult.

This circumstance is not only frustrating—it is also burdensome. Veterans already dealing with life-threatening illnesses and accumulating medical bills may also have to deal with the psychological impact of a fragmented system that does not acknowledge their struggles.

Including VOC Exposure is More Than a Moral Imperative

Veterans did not choose what they were exposed to during their service, so they should not have to fight for recognition afterward. As the PACT Act expanded benefits for Agent Orange and burn pit victims, it should also be amended to include VOC exposure, as this has been proven to be a critical occupational hazard.

Some policymakers have already begun to realize the extent of this issue, but recognition alone is not enough—legislative action is what is necessary. Just as we united to support those affected by Agent Orange and burn pits, we must now do the same for victims of VOC exposure. Lawmakers should expand the list of presumptive conditions to include those related to this occupational hazard. This is not a request for special treatment but a call for fairness. Veterans, including those in Maryland, have served honorably. By doing what is right for them, we can finally acknowledge their sacrifices and deliver the justice they deserve.

About the Author

Jordan Cade is an environmental health lawyer at Environmental Litigation Group P.C., where he advocates for veterans seeking compensation for illnesses linked to VOC exposure at contaminated military sites, including Fort Detrick.

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Historical Society Receives Preservation Grant from The Questers

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Smiles all around as Courtney Sjostrom and Carol Nelson of the Lambert Wickes Chapter of The Questers present a $1,000 grant to Historical Society Executive Director Maria Wood to help preserve Kent County’s precious history.

With smiles all around, Historical Society of Kent County Executive Director Maria Wood and Board Secretary Erik Gulbrandson recently accepted a $1,000 grant from The Questers, represented by Courtney Sjostrom, Vice President, and Carol Nelson, Past President of the Lambert Wickes Chapter.

The grant will fund the purchase of custom-sized, acid-free archival boxes to safely preserve oversized items in the Society’s collection including family bibles, photo and scrapbook albums, ledgers, and other historically significant items.

“We’re so grateful to the Lambert Wickes Chapter of The Questers for their support,” said Wood. “Last year, we were able to mitigate mold issues affecting some of these historic materials. This grant allows us to take the next critical step, of housing them safely to prevent future damage and ensuring that they can be handled without posing health risks. It’s a meaningful investment in the long-term preservation of Kent County’s history.”

The Maryland Questers organization endorsed the local chapter’s application, recognizing the significant impact these preservation efforts have on safeguarding Kent County’s history for future generations, especially for those researching family heritage.

Founded in 1944, Questers is dedicated to stimulating the appreciation of antiques and encouraging historic preservation. The Lambert Wickes Chapter, one of several in the Chestertown area, has supported the Historical Society over the years to help in the effort to keep the past available to the future. The smiles shared at the check presentation reflect the shared excitement in supporting a key piece of the Society’s larger archival initiative.

The Historical Society offers a welcoming community and invites everyone to consider becoming a member. Membership benefits include unlimited use of the Research Library (by appointment), a discount on books in the museum gift shop, and invitations to members-only events, among others. A donation of $25 is recommended for individual memberships, and $40 for families. Student memberships are always free. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org for more information, or email [email protected].

 

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From Field to Feast: A Talk with Oksana Bocharova

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Just east of Chestertown on McGinnis Road, Oksana Bocharova walks through her seven-acre organic farm to assess the impact of recent rains. Too much rain, she says, is as concerning as drought. She knows that much of the day will be spent trying to gain control over an onslaught of new weeds. But that’s just a part of the complexity of running an organic farm with no pesticides.

Oksana’s journey to Chestertown began in 1999 when she and her husband left Russia for the U.S. In debt after trying to run their own farm following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and without access to bankruptcy protections, they took the leap, having to leave their two children behind until they were situated in the U.S.. With borrowed funds and a program called the International Dairy Training Initiative, they landed in the icy pastures of Minnesota and Wisconsin, learning American farm life by milking cows and cleaning barns.

What began as a one-year plan turned into a new life. After repaying their debts with the stronger U.S. dollar against the Russian ruble, the couple decided to stay. Through hard labor, $20,000 in legal fees, and eventual sponsorship from a farm owner, Oksana secured a work visa. A few years later, she brought her children to the U.S. and began building toward permanent residency.

When her marriage ended, Bocharova remained with her children, eventually moving to Maryland to work with Horizon Organic and later the Fry family’s dairy farm. Encouraged by supportive employers and agricultural workshops, she began exploring how to buy land for a farm and family house. Banks turned her down—but a USDA program for immigrant and beginning farmers worked with her. After three years, she bought her farm.

Today, Oksana’s Produce Farm is a model of small-scale, sustainable agriculture: diverse, organic, and community-driven. Daily, she prepares for the weekend markets. At Chestertown’s Saturday Market, she usually sells out to her devoted fans by the end of day. Her eggs are famous among marketers.

Her son, a former electrical engineer, left his job to co-found a fermentation business with her. They now supply farmer’s markets across Maryland and D.C. with sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi—products rooted in Oksana’s Russian traditions and American entrepreneurship.

Oksana also hosts lush seasonal farm-to-table dinners on her property, bringing together food, friends, and storytelling under the stars—offering a taste of resilience, heritage, and healing. The one I attended was spectacular.

Bocharova’s work is hard, and the seasons are increasingly unpredictable, but her philosophy remains steady: “I wanted us to plant roots here,” she says. “To call this home.”

For more about Oksana and to attend one of her amazing dinners, go here.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length.

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