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December 3, 2023

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Mastering the Art of Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

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Calling all budding pastry chefs! Sign up now for the Annual Gingerbread Cookie Workshop. This FREE event is Saturday, December 16, 2 pm  at KidSPOT. Children ages 4 – 12 are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian.

Pre-registration is required as space is limited.

Email [email protected] or call 410 778 6300 for more information and to register.

Chef Stu Cawley, assisted by various elves, will demonstrate the proper icing technique with gingerbread cookies generously donated by The Spicerie.

This annual event is not possible without  our sponsors: Twigs and Teacups and The Spicerie. It is presented by the Downtown Chestertown Association and hosted by RiverArts’ KidSPOT. Special thanks to Stu Cawley and elves.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Letter to the Editor: Rebuilding Together Kent County Anniversary

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As a child who grew up in an 1840’s farmhouse in Cecil County, I am intimately familiar with home repairs. Over the years, termite damage, leaks in the roof, and tree roots growing into the foundation made for regular challenges. Because we didn’t have money to pay for repairs, most of the work was done by my four brothers or occasionally by friends and neighbors. I would also help by climbing ladders to help with roof repairs, or fixing ripped carpets, or caulking windows. I had all kinds of  tools in my hands from my early teenage years.

When I got married, my husband and I bought the quintessential money pit of an old house. And over the five years we lived there, we rebuilt most of the inside including tearing out plaster and lath then insulating and rewiring the electric before putting up new drywall. We took the kitchen down to the studs and replaced everything. While doing all this renovation ourselves, we built up a cache of tools, knowledge, and confidence. This was all before the instant access to DIY videos on YouTube; we went old school and used Fix-it books.

We moved to Chestertown after we retired in 2017. After renovating our current home, I found myself finally able to volunteer to help others. I found Rebuilding Together Kent County (RTKC), was invited to join the board, and also began to help on job sites. I was attracted to their overarching  mission of Repairing Homes, Revitalizing Communities, and Rebuilding Lives. We provide critical home repairs to keep people warm, safe and dry which seems so basic but many people in our community don’t have this.

When I first joined, we were an all- volunteer work group with a part- time administrator and a six- member board of directors. In 2018, RTKC successfully applied for a four-year grant from HUD specifically for capacity building. This money was a game changer and RTKC grew significantly in the number and type of jobs we did for our neighbors in need. Some of our current jobs have been large, such as roof and floor replacements or building ramps.Others are smaller in scale such as replacing a few rotten boards on steps, installing grab bars, or fixing clogged or leaky sinks. Some of these critical home repairs require us to hire contractors but many are done by volunteers.

From my position as the Chair of the Volunteer  Committee, it was obvious we needed to increase our volunteer pool. We declared 2023 as “The Year of the Volunteer” and had several events and sessions to train project leaders, general volunteers, project site supervisors, material managers, and food providers. Our volunteer pool grew from a couple dozen regular volunteers to about 65 volunteers. This allowed us to complete 49 repairs without contractors and over 700 hours have been donated across the organization’s efforts.

While this growth is extremely positive, there is room for more willing people! We currently have homeowners who are approved for service but are waiting as RTKC seeks more project leaders, site safety supervisors, and other volunteers. The need for assistance with home repairs in Kent County is extensive. I would like to encourage people of all interest and skill levels to volunteer with us. Save the date for our nation’s National Day of Service of January 15th which is Martin Luther King Day. We will be having informational program on ways for YOU to become a Rebuilder and help our neighbors in need.  For more information, please call at 410-778-4544, or online at [email protected] any time to find out more! Help RTKC celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2024!

Pam Vogel

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Discovering Selkie Books in Rock Hall

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If you are an inveterate booklover or casual browser of books, Selkie Books in Rock Hall is well worth a visit, not only for its maze of rooms stacked ceiling-high with books or its popular series of author readings but for a congenial chat with its owner, Marta Kumer.

 

Kumer and her partner, commercial crabber Kelly Crouse, moved from Fell’s Point, Baltimore to Rock Hall three years ago after dozens of visits to the Eastern Shore and deciding that the small maritime port was perfect for Kumer’s lifelong dream of having a her own country bookstore, and for Crouse to continue his livelihood as a commercial crabber.

Center room of Selkie Books, one of many in the house turned bookstore.

 

Twelve truckloads of books later, Selkie Books was founded and described as “Rock Hall’s Old-fashioned bookstore on the Old Post Road (Rt. 20)—and Undine’s Cottage for Art and Rare Books.”  And it lives up to its description,

 

Selkie Books does feel like an old-fashioned country bookstore. Without its signage, the two-story cottage could be mistaken for someone’s residence. That’s part of its charm and how Kumer expresses her love for books and the community that has come to know and embrace her. 

 

It’s been a lifelong goal.

 

“I had my first lending library when I was seven or eight. I’ve always loved books. But I never did anything with it. My career was in computers and working for the Federal Government. That’s why I have an old-fashioned bookstore because thirty years of computers was enough,” she says.

 

Living above the bookstore, Kumer says that after years of commuting from Baltimore to Washington, walking downstairs to the shop is the easiest commute she’s ever had to make.

Author’s readings and events like the upcoming “Singing Captians” take place in Undine’s Cottage on the Selkie lot.

 

And downstairs is a haven for book browsers. Among Selkies’ 6,000+ used and new books, local artists’ work, and tables offering cookies for her dedicated “gentle readers” and new visitors, over eighty Eastern Shore writers, artists and consignors are also on display.

 

Kumer not only promotes her regional authors and artists by carrying their books, she takes no profit from their sales. In turn, authors and artists have been supportive of Selkie Books and have spread the word, and the shop has become a stopping-off place for many of the community residents.

 

Don’t let the shop’s quaintness fool you. The wide trellis across the front of the shop does have an Alice in Wonderland on The Bay hint about it, but the interior offers a surprisingly rich selection of new and rare books, collectible maps, art, prints, and photography. 

Selkie Books is also a popular forum for author readings.and are a significant part of the Selkie experience. In one recent November reading, authors Nancy Taylor Robson and Sue Collins discussed their book OK, Now What?—A Caregivers Guide to what Matters to an engaged audience who recognized the importance of conversations about care during end-of-life and hospice experiences.

 

An upcoming event planned for December 2, 2-4 pm is the Fabulous “Singing Captains” in Undine’s Cottage. All Selkie Events are free, open, and “come with” complimentary bubbles and nibbles! 

 

But beware, Selkie Books is the kind of place you’ll browse for a few minutes only to discover you’ve missed everything you planned for the rest of the day. 

 

Although Kumer is camera-shy, the Spy interviewed her and explored the charming cottage shop on Rock Hall’s outskirts.

 

For more information and to be added to her email list for announcements, see the Selkie Books’ Facebook page here or their website here.

 

Selkie Books is at 6202 Rock Hall Road, Route 20, Rock Hall, MD. Contact (480) 430-4692 or [email protected] for more information.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

It’s All about Wastewater Treatment: A Chat with New Rock Hall Mayor James Cook

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When James Cook ran for Rock Hall mayor, he already had insight into the town’s most critical issue—wastewater and water.

As an engineering and project designer at RAUCH, Inc, in Easton along with a term on the Rock Hall town council, Cook knew what he was getting into and made it his single issue running as a candidate.

And it’s a daunting task. To overhaul the Town’s most critical infrastructure issue could take a decade and 20+ million dollars. In the meantime, however, the young mayor is promoting a temporary solution to the water quality: a mobile filtration system that will circumvent the long- deteriorated filtration component of the water treatment plant.

“A mobile filtration system will take care of 30-40% of the water quality, he says.

At the same time, Cook, will reach out for assistance through his roles as a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Municipal League and Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities and his almost four years at an Adjunct Instructor for the Engineering Technology Department at Chesapeake College.

Switching gears, the Mayor discusses a project involving the transformation of the Rock Hall Library, originally housed in the old Rock Hall municipal building, into a community-focused library located at the Civic Center.  The project gained widespread support, with community members actively contributing ideas and suggestions recently during a well-attended meeting. Anticipating completion by 2025 or 2026, the Mayor envisions a thriving and community-centric library for Rock Hall.

Beyond infrastructure, the Cook is deeply committed to education and community retention while emphasizing the importance of addressing demographic shifts and retaining young families. His initiatives include forming an Economic Development Committee and advocating for a satellite campus of Chesapeake College’s Skilled Trades Program in Rock Hall, focusing initially on marine trades.

The Mayor’s two-pronged approach to community development involves creating affordable housing and facilitating economic growth beyond seasonal activities. By loosening restrictions and encouraging mixed-use developments, the new Mayor aims to make Rock Hall an attractive place for both living and working.

The Spy recently interviewed James Cook to talk about his new role as Rock Hall Mayor and how enthusiasm for leadership roles can contagiously attract and inspire essential contributors.

This video is approximately ten minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Preserving the Heartbeat of Chestertown: A Chat with Nina Fleegle

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As a holiday season busy with festive celebrations approaches, it’s a good time to remember that large town events require thoughtful planning and a concerted effort between multiple town and county organizations. Imagine coordinating parades, a Santa arrival, a Victorian makeover complete with horse-drawn carriages, and special downtown sales.

Key to this planning is Mainstreet Historic Chestertown, part of a network of coordinating communities formed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 to revitalize historic downtowns across the US. The nonprofit had become a formidable national resource for helping historic communities thrive in its three decades of work.

The Chestertown Mainstreet organization was revitalized in 2015 as a nonprofit and administered for five years by Kay MacIntosh who set a high bar for presenting seasonal events.

Approaching her third year as Executive Director of Mainstreet Historic Chestertown, Nina Fleegle has furthered the commitment of the organization’s mission to preserve and promote Chestertown and “Create a place of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement.”

Fleegle sees traditional town events as vital but is looking beyond the immediate to help shape and employ a master plan.

“The plan, currently in its initial phase, involves hiring a consulting firm to gather community input, formulate a vision, and collect data. This initiative aligns with the recent town Council’s strategic agenda, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to long-term downtown vitality,” she says.

Subsequent phases of the master plan will delve into project details, prioritize initiatives, explore funding sources, and ultimately implement the plan. The town aims to unite stakeholders, including the public, nonprofits, and businesses, to ensure the sustained vibrancy of Chestertown’s downtown for the next 40 years.

The initiative has garnered community support, reflecting the shared commitment to making Chestertown a better place to live, work, and play. By strategically aligning efforts and resources, Main Street Chestertown aspires to secure a thriving downtown that stands as a testament to the town’s unique identity.

In the meantime, grab your top hat and brush up on your Dickens.

The Spy met with Nina last week to discuss current events and future planning.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length. For more about Mainstreet Historic Chestertown and to check their calendar, go here.

 

  

 

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“God of Carnage”: A Chat With CHT Director Michael Whitehill

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Twenty plays later, Michael Whitehill still searches for the magic of community theatre, that moment when cast, script, and audience merges into a transcendent moment of shared experience…..or even fails to project the heart of the play beyond the stage.

After all, every moment of live theatre is an experiment performed by volunteers who willingly risk self-doubt to reach that moment of joy in their craft and the pleasure of drawing us into their story.

It takes an intuitive director like Whitehill to help community theatre actors discover their characters and how they move in concert to unfold a script into a live performance true to the author’s intent.

Church Hill Theatre’s God of Carnage is one of those plays seasoned directors love to get their hands on: it’s a high-wire act of four characters—husbands and wives— on a mission to solve an incident involving their children.

In fact, what is experienced is a complete devolution of manners and best intentions as they unmask their own painful issues. But don’t let the title fool you. The emotional bloodletting is a comedy, the way comedy can reveal our own truth and, in that moment of honesty, laugh out loud in recognition.

 The Spy recently talked with Michael Whitehill about God of Carnage and working as a director with actors, seasoned and new.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. God of Carnage plays through November 19, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets and reservations, call 410-556-6003 or go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Spy Book Notes: A Chat with Author Linda Fritz on “Alaska’s Call”

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The Bookplate author reading series —in partnership with The Kitchen and Pub—continues Wednesday, November 8 at 6 pm with author Linda Fritz discussing and reading from her recently published book, Answering Alaska’s Call: An Intimate Portrait of Alaska’s Legendary Surgeon, Bush Pilot, and Legislator, Milo “Doc” Fritz.

The memoir-biography is the result of a decade of Fritz’s research about her uncle, physician Milo Fritz, who as a young man in Pelham, New York, embraced his dream of delivering modern medical services to Alaska’s outback and its neglected indigenous people.

Fritz was one of the original “flying doctors” who championed air flight as a solution to reaching Alaska’s widespread communities where, as an eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist, he delivered needed medical care for those ravaged by tuberculosis and terrible afflictions of the eyes and ears. 

The memoir is sweeping in its panoramic inclusion: life in Alaska with his wife, Betsy; his medical profession as a “flying doc; WW 2, the territory’s ascension to statehood; the discovery of oil; and “Doc” Fritz’s foray into Alaska’s political landscape.

Linda Fritz’s interest in travel and magazine journalism led to an eclectic career path as a market researcher, writer/editor for Sunset and Diversion magazines, management consultant, and freelance writer that took her around the U.S. She was editor of the literary journal Delmarva Review for several years before taking on the writing challenge that had been gestating for decades: a book about the heroic life of Doc Fritz.

The Spy recently caught up with the author to talk about her uncle and the research project that became Answering Alaska’s Call: An Intimate Portrait of Alaska’s Legendary Surgeon, Bush Pilot, and Legislator, Milo “Doc” Fritz.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Charting a New Course for Chestertown: A Chat witth New Town Manager Larry DiRe

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Like many with plans for a chosen career path that takes a left turn, Chestertown Town Manager Larry DiRe thought his MA in History from Loyola was a pathway to an academic life of teaching.

However, the job market was not signaling an abundance of need for history majors, and DiRe altered his course by accepting a job as a proposal and grant writer for an engineering company in Chicago and beginning his new path in town management. 

Turns out, his love for history paired well with his interest in town management. 

Once, visiting the ruins of a town outside of Budapest, DiRe intuitively configured the layout: the market’s location, the area best to build a water plant, and the probable location of public toilets. Town planning became a lens he looked through wherever he was.

Now, four months into his role as Chestertown Town Manager, Larry DiRe says he views Chestertown through that same lens but, for the immediate future, wants to take a deep dive into the town charter, understand the codes expressed there, and make sure the community knows he and the town council have an open-door policy.

“How do we collaborate? And, you know, what are the channels by which people are heard? You know, how do we take feedback? Are we always good at listening? And, and, you know, some of those criticisms, “well, the town (management) doesn’t always listen.” I’ve made it a point of it, you know, at least in the introductory period here.”

That said, DiRe points out that service to the community needs to be balanced with organizational evaluations and updates like code reviews.

“There’s always, I think, a premium put on the community side of it and sometimes not a premium put on the organizational side. And I think the organization needs some things refreshed,” he says.

The Spy recently met with Larry DiRe to discuss his first four months in a wide-ranging interview about his background and his new role in Chestertown, implementing policies and directives established by the town’s elected officials while managing the town’s budget and personnel.

This interview is approximately fifteen minutes in length.

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Follow His Lead: A Chat with Author Richard LaMotte

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One of the least known casualties of the 10-year war in Vietnam were the loved and trusted military dogs who served as trackers, sentries, and tunnel detectors, saving countless US soldier’s lives.

Tragically, at the end of the war in 1975, 4,000 of the dogs, mostly German Shepherds and Labradors, were left behind despite efforts by their handlers to have them return to the US. Most of them were euthanized, a policy failure finally corrected in 2000 by a Congressional law requiring all military working dogs suitable for adoption to be available for placement after their service.

Local author Richard LaMotte latched on to this little-known story and felt compelled to write Follow His Lead, a historical fiction novel about the dynamic relationship between a scout dog and his young handler as they face the war’s end and the inevitable euthanization program.

Based on years of research and interviews—and borrowing events from his youth as the son of an Eastern Shore pastor— LaMotte threads his coming-of-age story with familiar Baltimore ingredients. Famed baseball star Brooks Robinson even has a hand in making the story a powerful emotional odyssey.

Lamotte writes in his blog, “All along the way, one primary goal has always been to educate the public on the extraordinary human-animal bond between a military working dog and its handler. In order to make that connection, one must understand the enormous sacrifices made by our troops.”

LaMotte is no stranger to success as a writer. His 2004 book Pure Seaglass: Discovering Nature’s Vanished Gems has sold over 100,000 copies and went on to spur a cottage industry of similar books and launch new interest in the beauty of sea glass.

From advance copies, Follow His Lead has already claimed two Firebird Book Awards and a Pinnacle Book Award.

 Richard Lamotte will be holding a book signing at Twigs and Teacups on November 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and a launch party will be held on November 4 from 5:00 to 6:30 at Kent County Alliance Center’s Raimond Center, followed by a signing at the Trippe Gallery in Easton on November 11.

The Spy recently interviewed the author about his new book.

This video is approximately six minutes length.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Chestertown Heritage Trail Update: A Chat with Tom Herz

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The long-planned first phase of the Chestertown Heritage Trail from Wilmer Park to the Rails to Trails path is gaining traction with a town council proposal to the county commissioners for funding.

The proposal, as written by Ward 2 Council Member Tom Herz states, “This initiative seeks to combine the rich cultural and natural heritage of our region with opportunities for public access to the Chester River, education, and regional economic development. We are requesting $350,000 in funding to initiate this transformative project.”

Herz sees this proposal to the County as an inclusion in their legislative agenda to the Maryland General Assembly and an opportunity to access various state grants for the initiative. This approach has not been tried in the past.

The Spy recently interviewed Tom Herz about the Heritage Trail along with a wider ranging update on how ARPA funds have been applied to downtown projects, concern with affordable housing and rentals, and working with Chestertown’s new town manger Lawrence DiRe.

Herz is running unopposed in the November election.

This video is approximate ten minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.