Who knew that the 21st Century would offer ambitious politicians a dull and inattentive version of the governed? Yes, you and me. Or, perhaps we are ... [Continue Story]
Spy Highlights
The Maryland Caucus: Moody’s Rating Blues and Reparations on Hold
Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the state and region. This ... [Continue Story]
- From and Fuller: Trump’s Big Beautiful 747 and Spotting Democratic Early Birds
- The Maryland Caucus with Foxwell and Mitchell: The Maryland Energy Crisis
- From and Fuller: The GOP ‘Beautiful’ Megabill and Joe Biden’s Return
- Publisher’s Note: Introducing the ‘Maryland Caucus’ Podcast with Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell
- Publisher Notes: Spy Poetry and Deidra Greenleaf Allan
- From and Fuller: The Garcia Case, Trump Blinking and Democratic Road to Recovery
Public Affairs
Chestertown Lions’ Spring Chicken Barbecue June 7
On Saturday, June 7th, the bi-annual Chestertown Lions’ Spring Chicken Barbecue will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Greenwood ... [Continue Story]
The Arts
Chesapeake Music Celebrates its 40th Year Anniversary—A Time for Reflection and Celebration By Maria Grant
Chesapeake Music, a treasured gem for Eastern Shore music lovers, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with one of the best series of concerts to ... [Continue Story]
- The Spy’s Laura Oliver Returns to the Avalon June 4th with More Stories
- Chestertown’s 2025 National Music Festival Includes Something for Everyone
- Spy Concert Review: MSO Season Finale by Steve Parks
- Spy Profile: John Waters Brings ‘The Naked Truth’ to the Avalon
- Avalon Spy Night Preview: Poet Meredith Davies Hadaway Reads “When Dreams Go Walking”
- Jazz Legend Don Vappie returns: A talk with Phil Dutton
Chesapeake Ecosystem
Federal Cuts Could Threaten Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge, a Kent County Treasure
The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, one of Kent County’s most prized natural and recreational resources, is facing an uncertain future due to potential federal funding ... [Continue Story]
- FEMA Cancels $1 Billion for Flood Prevention Projects in Chesapeake Bay Region
- Bay Journal: USDA shuts down ‘climate smart’ program
- The Solar Land Rush—A farmer’s perspective with Judy Gifford
- New polling finds strong Eastern Shore support for offshore wind
- Bay Journal: Nonprofits, states scramble as Trump administration pauses funding for many Chesapeake restoration programs
- Invasive catfish, west coast oyster shells fueling Chesapeake renaissance
On the Hill at Washington College
Washington College Commencement Recap
"Under a bright spring sky, Washington College celebrated the 209 members of the graduating Class of 2025. The event was a vibrant culmination of ... [Continue Story]
- Manassas Native Wins $74k Sophie Kerr Prize from Washington College
- ABC News’ Jonathan Karl to Deliver Washington College Commencement Address
- Six Students Vie For Washington College’s $74k Sophie Kerr Prize
- Community invited to Washington College PoliTalks with Hon. Heather Mizeur
- Upper Shore STRT1UP Roadshow Open to the Public at Washington College
- Chesapeake Changemakers and Natural Maryland Exhibits Coming to Washington College’s MuSE
- Rare first edition of Isaac Mason’s autobiography on Life as a Slave comes to Kent County
- Top 10 birds migrating through MD’s Eastern Shore
Health
Let’s Talk About It with Beth Anne Dorman: Mental Health, Parents and Adolescence
This month, Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons, explores the profound challenges parents face as their children enter adolescence. While ... [Continue Story]
- Let’s Talk About It with Beth Anne Dorman: For All Seasons in All Seasons
- HomePorts: A talk with John Murphy and Karen Carr
- Keys to Treating Stress By Lisa J. Gotto
- Let’s Talk about It: Dare to Lead Training Shapes Mid-Shore Leaders with For All Seasons Beth Anne Dorman
- Mid-Shore Health: Getting to the Heart of Heart Disease with Dr. Ian Davis
- Let’s Talk About It: A Different kind of Valentine with For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman
Education
WC launches updated Diversity website pages By Heather Fabritz
At The Chestertown Spy, we believe in the power of the written word to bear witness, to provoke thought, and to strengthen the bridge between generations. In this spirit, we ... [Continue Story]
- MD Senate Panel’s vote on Blueprint bill straddles House, Administration Versions
- Wood Foundation awards $100K grant to Radcliffe Creek School
- KCPS Substitute Job Fair Saturday, Feb. 1
- Walls retires after 51 years
- Morgan State professor fined for presenting himself as licensed architect
- My year in books, 2024 edition by Nancy Mugele
Maryland News
Banker, Blast Owner Ed Hale Preparing a 2026 Challenge to Wes Moore
As far as Ed Hale is concerned, it’s all over but the paperwork. Hale, the current owner of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and a longtime ... [Continue Story]
- Jake Day Eyes Challenge on Eastern Shore to GOP Rep. Andy Harris
- Board of Public Works Reaffirms State Property Tax Rate at Current Rate
- Local farmers, food banks plan for potential ‘blow’ to food assistance output from Trump cut
- House, Senate ratify budget compromise on final day
- Sheriffs defend cooperation with federal officials on immigration enforcement
- Tensions boil over in shouting match during final House vote on fiscal 2026 budget
Brevities
Horse Summer Camps for Kids at Airy Hill Stables
Airy Hill Stables has announced 2025 “Wisdom Through Horses” summer camp opportunities on their farm in Kent County, open to campers from ages 7-14. The camps are led by ... [Continue Story]
Food Friday
Food Friday: Deelish Sammies
Ah, late spring. It is a beautiful time of the year. The fireflies are beginning to sparkle in the blue twilight of the back yard. A bunny is enjoying chowing down on the new ... [Continue Story]
Looking at the Masters with Beverly Smith
Looking at the Masters: Ruth Asawa
Ruth Asawa was born in 1926 in Norwalk, California, and she died in San Francisco in 2013. Her parents were immigrants from Japan. They worked on a ... [Continue Story]
Design with Jenn Martella
Design with Jenn Martella: The Tilley House Redux
This is the second opportunity for me to feature a project by Jones & Jones Properties. For the last four years, this talented brother and sister ... [Continue Story]
- House of the Week: Go Dutch Colonial!
- House of the Week: Captivating Craftsman Bungalow
- Design with Jenn Martella: The Dover, a Sears, Roebuck & Company Design
- Design with Jenn Martella: The (second) empire strikes back
- Design with Jenn Martella: Highfield
- Design with Jenn Martella : Thinking inside the box
Food and Garden
Wine of the Week: Rosato Toscano IGT
Ciao Tutti! This week at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste the Rosato Toscano IGT ( $19.95, 12% ABV) from the Istine winery in Radda in ... [Continue Story]
Delmarva Review
- Delmarva Review: The “Best of” Anthology
- Delmarva Review: Leitmotif by Rita Plush
- Delmarva Review: Arrogance by Katherine J. Williams
- Delmarva Review: A System of Seeing by Colin Jeffrey Morris
- Delmarva Review: The End of the Story by Patty Somlo
- Delmarva Review: Something More Than Winter Weighs (Upon Me) by John Muro
Chesapeake Lens
Chesapeake Lens: “Jack Meets the Morning” By James Dissette
Sometime early birds just want to hang out. ... [Continue Story]
Commerce
Memorial Day Event to Feature Parade, Entertainment and a Remembrance of Vets Who Died in Combat
Long after the Tea Party tourists have left town, the Memorial Day parade and remembrance on May 26 – long a locals’ favorite – will honor veterans ... [Continue Story]
- Investing in You: A talk with Chesapeake Bank and Trust CEO Bob Altieri
- Kent Attainable Housing Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Homeowners, the Duncan Family
- Kent County and Main Street Chestertown Awarded Grants to Support America’s 250th Semiquincentennial Planning
- Kent County Local Management Board Seeks New Board Members
- Chamber Hosts Post-Legislative Session Discussion with 36th District Lawmakers
- 2025‐2026 Rock Hall Lions Marine Trades offers $1500 Scholarship
Community Notes
Helping Our Neighbors in Need with The Chester Valley Ministers Association
Terwana Brown, president of the Chester Valley Ministers Association (CVMA), began their May meeting with this story: “We received a donation from a ... [Continue Story]
- Rock Hall PorchFest May 25
- Celebrating 13 Years of Leadership, Theresa Snyder Retires as KART Executive Director
- Baltimore Restaurateur Unveils Sassafras: An Intimate Modern Chesapeake Dining Experience
- Main Street Chestertown Earns National Accreditation for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization
- The Delmarva Pride Center Hosts “A Night in New Orleans” Fundraiser to Celebrate Pride and Community
- Join the Revolution Memorial Day Weekend
Arts Notes
“The Glories of the Shore” By Barbara Zuehlke at The Artists’ Gallery June 6
Living on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for 43 years has greatly inspired Barbara’s painting. "Everywhere around one is the beauty of the water, its colors ... [Continue Story]
- Heron Point Art Gallery to feature two Rock Hall Artists
- From Grief to Repair: Mixed Media Fiber Art and Watercolors by Heather Kerley on View at Adkins Arboretum
- Don’t Miss the Antique & Classic Boat Festival & Coastal Arts Fair At CBMM on Father’s Day Weekend
- Bookplate Author Event: Henry Corrigan, “Somewhere Quiet, Full of Light”
- Crafting a Legacy: A talk with Bob Ortiz
- Bummer: Spy Nights with Meredith Davies Hadaway Postponed
Education Notes
Gunston Inducts 2000 Varsity Field Hockey Team into Hall of Fame
The Gunston School is proud to announce the induction of the legendary 2000 Varsity Field Hockey Team into the Gunston’s Athletic Hall of Fame. This ... [Continue Story]
- Joe Holt and Mainstay’s own Matt Meilnick June 6
- CTE Students Honored at Senior Showcase
- Golfing Fore Gunston VI Raises $40,000
- Gunston Earns Second at 2025 Maryland State High School Rowing Championships
- Fracassi is KCPS Teacher of the Year
- Benedictine’s “A Celebration to Transform Lives” Gala Held at Easton’s Trident Aircraft Hangar.
Health Notes
Rock Hall PorchFest May 25
Rock Hall’s historic Main Street will come alive with sights and sounds on Sunday, May 25 as the town presents PorchFest 2025. Five “porch” stages, ... [Continue Story]
- Celebrating 13 Years of Leadership, Theresa Snyder Retires as KART Executive Director
- Memorial Day Event to Feature Parade, Entertainment and a Remembrance of Vets Who Died in Combat
- For All Seasons Offers Suicide Bereavement Support Group Facilitator Training
- Kent Attainable Housing Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Homeowners, the Duncan Family
- Kent County and Main Street Chestertown Awarded Grants to Support America’s 250th Semiquincentennial Planning
- Kent County Local Management Board Seeks New Board Members
Opinion
Character Rot: Sounding the Alarm by Johnny O’Brien
Most of us are aware of the damage Donald Trump is doing to government service, freedom of expression, our universities, and democracy. And the moral ... [Continue Story]
- Op-Ed: Anything Goes, but Pete Hegseth May Go First By Aubrey Sarvis
- OP-ED: Mayor and Council: Trust in you has evaporated By Robert Miller
- Kent County and a serious healthcare hit? By Tom Timberman
- Op-Ed: Making American Great Again?
- The Political is Personal: Reflections on DEI by Margaret Andersen
- New report reveals value of resource conservation for Shore businesses by John Horner
Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: When we have lost our democracy, how will we know?
When we have lost our democracy, how will we know? Did it start to recede the moment a convicted felon swore he would defend the Constitution and — ... [Continue Story]
- Letter to the Editor: The Buck Stops Here
- Letter to the Editor: A new gospel
- Letter to the Editor: Climate Simplified By Bob Moores
- Letter to the Editor: And I shook my head…
- Letter to the Editor: What did you do during the madness?
- These Republicans Are Right – Don’t Blame Governor Wes Moore For Maryland’s Long-Projected Budget Deficit
Columnist J.E. Dean
Our President and Bruce Springsteen by J.E. Dean
Most of us, beyond the age of 40, have friends who have attended several Bruce Springsteen concerts. My wife has attended 15. I have a friend who ... [Continue Story]
- Springtime’s Blessings by J.E. Dean
- The Answer, My Friend, Is Blowing in the Wind by J.E. Dean
- Trump is Making Us Question Again (Well, at Least Some of Us) by J.E. Dean
- Burn a Tesla? Don’t even Think about It! By J.E. Dean
- Trump 2.0: A House of Cards? By J.E. Dean
- Worried About Flooding? Donald Trump Doesn’t Have Your Back by J.E. Dean
Columnist Craig Fuller
Conversations with Craig Fuller: Ambassador and Author Frank Lavin
My friend and former White House colleague Ambassador Frank Lavin has a book coming out in March about his experience in the White House and ... [Continue Story]
- Midair collision over the Potomac: Week two update by Craig Fuller
- A midair tragedy last night in Washington by Craig Fuller
- The Classic Motor Museum starts a new trip in St. Michaels: Craig Fuller talks to Mike Iandolo
- MPT, the Chesapeake Bay and Viewers Like You: A Chat with Station Manager Steven Schupak
- So Much Money, So Little Time by Craig Fuller
- One Amazing Story by One Amazing Individual by Craig Fuller
Columnist Laura Oliver
When Your Life is the Story By Laura J. Oliver
Note: On June 4, Laura Oliver and Andrew Oliver will be reading stories as part of the Spy Night Series at the Avalon Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Al Sikes
Better a Patriot than A Fool by Al Sikes
Who knew that the 21st Century would offer ambitious politicians a dull and inattentive version of the governed? Yes, you and me. Or, perhaps we are ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Angela Rieck
Life Lessons: Perseverance By Angela Rieck
In business we talk about the four stages of a group’s development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. The first stage, forming, is the ... [Continue Story]
Senior Life
Senior Nation: Gardening a Great Boost for Body and Soul by Susan Covey
The calming benefits of being in the natural world are endless and include fresh air, improved mood and concentration, mental clarity, lower ... [Continue Story]
- Senior Nation: April Is Parkinson’s Awareness Month by Susan Covey
- It’s American Heart Month by Susan Covey
- Enjoy the health benefits of Thanksgiving Day by Susan Covey
- Upper Shore Aging Hosts the Re-Dedication of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center
- Herb Cain Appointed Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging
- Water, Water Everywhere…For Drinking, Playing And Exercising!
