Kathy Bosin - Chestertown Spy

How to be Sure You are Surviving the Pandemic by Kathy Bosin

May 9, 2020 by Kathy Bosin

How to be sure you are surviving the pandemic.

Just know you are normal if you:

Don’t sleep more than 5 hours/night
Sleep more than 10 hours/night
Have horrible dreams
Don’t remember your dreams
Can’t eat
Eat too much
Same for drinking
Same for exercise
Same for work
Same for “productivity”
You miss your family horribly
You don’t miss them so much at all
You feel guilty for having a non-essential job that you can do from home
You feel fear for all essential workers every day
That level of guilt feels unhealthy but you can’t stop it
You have bad dreams about essential workers
You want to rail against the government
You recognize that won’t help
You decided not to follow the news constantly
You can’t stop following the news constantly
You miss your friends/community so much
You’re pretty cool with just being alone for as long as it takes
At least you feel connected on social media!
You limit your attention to social media to bare bones
You want to go support local businesses!
You’re scared to death to go support any businesses
You want to simply write a check to support!
You can only write so many checks to support
You can’t imagine cooking for your family 3x/day forever
You can’t imagine eating food that you didn’t cook for yourself
You miss sports!
You can’t imagine sitting in a stadium ever again
You miss eating out!
You pray that restaurants are figuring out how to re-open safely
You’re pretty sure you’d rather buy gift certificates for some other time
You’re looking at those head shields people are making on etsy
You miss the mental stimulation of working with colleagues in groups
You’re able to work from home comfortably, and don’t miss the distraction of colleagues
Zoom is great!
Zoom/webinar fatigue is real – ugh
You miss having a fun, impromptu lunch any ol’ time in the comfortable kitchen at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center with Carol, Rob, Joan, Michelle, Katie, Lauren, Michael, Jim, David, Megan, Larissa, Owen, Julia, Suzanne, Elle, Matt, Amy, Jeff, Meredith, Heather, Tracy, Alan, Elizabeth, Hilary, Tom, Courtney, Rachel, Whitley, Dave, Beth Anne, Richard, Susan and you know you’re missed even if you’re not listed here. Awww. You guys!
You feel even sadder after writing that list.
In fact, it’s becoming clear that this pandemic is starting to wear on you, dammit.
Sigh.
You’re doing ok.
You got this!
A+!

Kathy Bosin is a contributing editor to the Spy newspapers and a team member of the Dock Street Foundation.

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

Risk-a-licious by Kathy Bosin

August 8, 2015 by Kathy Bosin

So, it’s 1969 in Limestone Acres.

A dynamic year – Nixon inaugurated. Man on the moon! Viet Nam. Woodstock. Haight Ashbury. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Easy Rider.

I was eight and my sister was six.

We lived in a very quiet, conservative suburban community where kids rolled on bikes all summer long. The pool was 2 blocks away. I remember the first time a teenage boy (omg) referred to me in public as “Bosin!” I was horrified and delighted.

This post is a remembrance and a toast to Meg Glover.

Who?

She was a tall, slim, super white skinned, black haired beauty, about 15 years old. She and her sister wore long dresses – religious? I have no idea. Fashion? Doubt it. Yet – incredibly dramatic! It was rumored that they went to “charm school” – an item that my mother often used as a threat. She’d say “keep that up and you’ll have to go to charm school like Meg and Lisa Glover.” Horrors!! We heard they had to wear long white gloves and walk all day balancing telephone books on their heads. Big threat to us slackers. Being sent to charm school was the major fear for good girls like us in 1969.

But when she was hired as our babysitter, we couldn’t hide our excitement! Meg Glover, whoa! (How cool are we?)

On the first evening she came, she said “let’s make pizza!”

Gasp!

My sister, 6 years old, knew this was a danger – “we’re not allowed to use the oven!”

Meg looked at me, the eldest.

I shivered inside. “Yes, we can. Do it.”

She took four slices of white bread and squirted ketchup on them. Spread with a knife, and covered with a slice of American cheese – all of which, of course, were in the 1969 house refrigerator (white).

She put them in the OVEN.

OMG!

And pulled them out ten minutes later.

Even though it tasted nothing like pizza…I loved it. It was the challenge, the risk, the courage to do it!

So tonight, when I came home after a long day and Kevin had two entire lots of tomatoes making spicy ketchup on the simmer, I knew what we were having for supper.

Yup. In honor of Meg Glover, we had “pizza”. It rocked. I didn’t even have to put in in the oven and melt the cheese to remember that moment of freedom, risk, choice.

POWER!

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Spy Eye: The Holiday Invasion of Tangier Island

December 20, 2014 by Kathy Bosin

For the 46th year, Mid-Atlantic pilots flew into Kent Island’s Bay Bridge Airport on Saturday morning to load up bags of holly and good cheer for the 470 some residents of Tangier Island. A hearty breakfast served by the jolly elves of event sponsor Chesapeake Sport Pilot followed, then one by one, 28 small aircraft took off in a row – as reindeers indeed, with Santa, an elf and gifts in tow. Generous donations of extra school supplies for the remote islanders were packed into tight spaces, and lifted into the air.

The marshy islands that make up Tangier look remote and fragile from the air, and they certainly are. Located some 12 miles off the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Tangier Island shrinks each day as its mushy land sinks into the Bay and the rising tide erodes from all sides, as much as ten feet each year. A proud and rugged community of independent watermen and women created a culture and a life on this island in the late 1600s. Their descendants live there today, in very much the same way as they always have. Yet today’s seafood industry isn’t as robust as it was, and one by one, families are leaving the island, some due to the rising sea, others for economic opportunity on the mainland. Today, some 60 Tangier families rely on the tugboat industry for jobs, as the changing watermen’s lifestyle erodes with the shrinking land it relies upon.

The 25 minute flight to Tangier Island was sunny and hazy this year, and although 29 of the island’s 60 students were out sick with the flu, islanders of all ages came out to greet the visitors and accept the holly boughs and greens to decorate their homes and businesses. One small girl shyly handed Santa her wish list on the tarmac. He carefully read it, then folded it up into his pocket for safekeeping.

Santa and his elf were whisked off to town in a golf cart where Tangier’s mayor and Methodist pastor gave a welcome and a brief service. Informally, islanders told their stories and outlined the stark realities that their community faces in the future. “It’s home. I’d love to stay here, but…” is commonly heard. The pilots and their passengers strolled the island, talking with locals, visiting the island’s museum and small grocery, sightseeing before lining up for crabcakes at Lorraine’s Sandwich Shop, a Holly Run tradition.

The annual Holly Run was started in 1968 by Ed Nabb, a Cambridge lawyer and pilot who delivered holly from the mainland to friends on the Island without greenery for Christmas decorations. The salty island marshlands support precious little in the way of evergreens. It quickly became a December ritual for Nabb and his friends, and his son Ed Nabb, Jr. has continued the tradition ever since.

Tangier Islanders sought state and federal assistance for years to get the seawall on the western side of the southern part of the island that protects the airport and sewage treatment plant. After Hurricane Sandy, officials announced a 4.2 million Corps of Engineers project to build a jetty that will protect the Island’s harbor. Construction of that jetty is scheduled to begin in 2016.

As we moved back toward the small airport, Tangier History Museum’s Gail Smith called out heartfelt appreciation “Thank you! This is always the start of our Christmas every year – it means so much!”

The planes flew off, one by one, heading up and away to the rest of the world, and the island disappeared from view as marshy wetlands took over. Bright sun sparkled upon the Chesapeake Bay and it was as if we were time travelers, shooting off from the past into the rushed lifestyles of the rest of the world. Looking down on that little flat spit and that tough, resilient community, it’s obvious that this is a place worth protecting and cherishing. Tangier Island and its people are a national treasure, isolated yet together, out there taking care of their own in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.

For more information about the Island’s history and to plan a trip to Tangier Island:

https://www.tangier-island.com/

https://www.tangierisland-va.com/

https://www.tangierislandcruises.com/

https://www.tangiercruise.com/tangier-island-cruises.asp

https://chesapeakebaysampler.com/TangierIsland.htm

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Easton’s 21st Century Learning Center Showing Success

November 7, 2014 by Kathy Bosin

What makes a school a 21st Century Learning Center?

Modern facilities? Computers?

No.

A 21st Century Learning Center is a specifically designed, state funded program providing results-based afterschool instruction and enrichment activities to low income children, bringing up reading and math scores. But academic achievement isn’t the only goal of a 21st Century Learning Center. Opportunities for the entire family to participate in kids’ academic success create a sustainable family and community culture that helps everyone thrive. Thriving families lead to safe and strong communities with increased economic opportunity for everyone.

In Talbot County, this means reaching the ever growing population on non-English speaking families, from numerous countries around the globe. The Hispanic population alone has now reached 26% of Easton Elementary School.

“Back in 2001we recognized that the non-English speaking population was about to explode because of the incredible resources in Talbot County – the housing boom and the growing workforce” said Principal J. Redmond of Easton Elementary. “Talbot, Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties invested in economic development of immigrant populations and it’s paid off greatly. Partnering with the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center on this 21st Century grant made a huge difference in meeting the needs of our students. It has far exceeded our expectations” he said.

“tudents in the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center’s 21st Century afterschool program at Easton Elementary

And that assessment is backed up with numbers. “We’re focused on performance – improvements in reading and math test scores” said Matthew Peters, Director of the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center. “At the end of the first year of the program, an independent outside evaluator rated the program on a number of metrics and determined that the students who participated in the program fully showed gains in both reading and math test scores compared to children who did not. Scores of children whose parents also participate in English and parenting classes showed the most noticeable improvement.

The afterschool program is robust. 120 children in Easton Elementary get a safe, structured, enriched afterschool experience throughout the school year as well as a meal, and extra support from teachers. “The project is important to me because we can and do make a big difference, not just academically but internally, for the kids. They become more self-confident, more social, better able to work together” said Jan Johnston, the afterschool Program Coordinator. “We can go above and beyond what teachers do to enhance the curriculum – special things that kids wouldn’t expect – games, team building, hands-on activities that are group-oriented. We’re able to see who are the leaders and the followers, see students’ unique skills and interests and head off problems. We try to address the students’ broader needs – spiritual, psychological, physical needs as well as academic needs of the students.”

The gains are broad – from academic achievement gains, to social ones, parents and family community development and cultural gains – and deep. Parents have to pick the children up each day and as a result, are becoming comfortable in the school setting, developing relationships with school personnel and community volunteers. They are also required to make a commitment to their own education and join adult literacy classes, help their students with homework and participate in social and group enrichment activities including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Most parents coming from undeveloped countries value a good education, but are not aware of their key role in insuring academic success. Helping young families when their first children enter school to set clear expectations and actively supporting their children’s efforts paves the way for the success of younger siblings. “The program is intentional, deliberate and thoughtful” said Easton Elementary Family Liaison Emily Moody. “In the first year, parents became informed and comfortable here. Now they’re becoming advocates for their kids’ education.”

Reaching forward to the future, goals and plans are wide. One proposal is to start a math award, in which students can earn credits to take their entire famil; y on a trip to the Baltimore Aquarium, or other places that many new families can’t access due to transportation needs. Jan Johnston imagines specially planned life-skills classes for 5th graders – how to safely use the microwave, make dinner, basic first aid, babysitting skills and safety in the home. And Matthew Peters and the rest of the staff and volunteers at the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center plan to continue to listen, be present and reach out to new families who move into our community and envision a larger Talbot County that embraces diversity. With their focus, the support of the state grant and the schools’ commitment, the partnership reveals a successful 21st Century Learning Center.

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

In Search of Eastern Shore Gluten Free: Easton

October 1, 2014 by Kathy Bosin

Tucked inside the very first stall of Easton Market Square on Washington Street you’ll find professional pastry chef, Tricia King. There, in a tidy little kitchen, she creates cookies, muffins, pies, cakes, specialty pastries and more, all with a special twist. They’re completely gluten-free.

“Gluten-free isn’t a fad, it is definitely here to stay” said King, owner of the business Gluten Free Bakery Girl. “My customers are people with celiac disease, but also people with gluten intolerance, or any type of inflammation – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Lyme disease, or many other autoimmune disorders. Even parents of children with autism say that a gluten free diet without sugar or dairy makes a difference.”

What is gluten? It’s simply a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. People with celiac disease can’t digest it and become very ill, and people with gluten intolerance feel achy, tired and sore after eating it. King’s experience was that she’d feel lethargic for days after eating gluten. And in our industrial food system, gluten can be found in the most unlikely places – in sour cream and yogurt, for instance, black olives, and anything labeled “modified food starch.”

Confused? You’re not alone. But it’s becoming easier to access gluten-free products and more information is widely known about the disorders. Tricia King offers consulting services to people who have recently been identified as gluten intolerant. As a personal chef for over ten years, she has the skills and experience to help people modify their kitchens and diets to keep themselves well. She can help anyone pick safe foods, read food labels to identify hidden dangers, and feel good about a gluten-free lifestyle.

Soon her operation will be certified as gluten-free by the FDA – a lengthy process in which all of her handmade flour mixes will be laboratory tested to ensure that there are less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This certification will allow customers to be sure that every single item made in King’s kitchen is completely safe for gluten intolerant eaters. King also makes paleo items, as well as sugar-free baked goods using coconut palm sugar.

With an expanding wholesale business, Gluten Free Bakery Girl products can now be found in Annapolis and beyond. Locally, you’ll find Tricia King at Easton Market Square from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm W-F, and 8:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday, her busiest day of the week. Call ahead 48 hours for special orders, from birthday cakes to breakfast pastries, cookie trays or specialties for holiday parties.

“If people have questions, they should come see me. I’m here for anybody with gluten intolerance” she said. For more information, call (801)792-3700, see her website here, or stop in and visit her at Easton Market Square at 137 N. Harrison St in Easton.

: photo credit Tricia King

: photo credit Tricia King

: photo credit Tricia King

: photo credit Hamilton Photography

: photo credit Tricia King

: photo credit Tricia King

: photo credit Tricia King

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Adkins Takes Big Step with New Facility

May 28, 2014 by Kathy Bosin

It took me about 30 seconds to remember why I love the Adkins Arboretum. As I walked across the new entry bridge, I stopped twice for large bullfrogs, once when a large deer splashed through the marsh, and another three times to listen to the “plonks, poinks” and “BRAAPS” of other native frogs. So much life is down below that bridge! I was half tempted to go grab my boots and climb down in there.

But I was there to tell the story of their campaign, not to frolic with marsh creatures.

Delmarva’s treasured living museum, the Adkins Arboretum, kickstarted their capital campaign last week with a goal to raise a final $3,000,000 to complete their facility upgrade. As the only outdoor center on Delmarva to highlight our region’s unique ecosystem, the organization intends to raise 60% of the construction costs needed before putting a shovel in the ground in the fall of 2015. Led by Peter Steifel’s $1 million gift, over 50 organizations and foundations have joined hundreds of other donors in raising $4,500,000 so far.

The opportunity is great. With only one tiny multi-purpose room to serve as a gallery, classroom, seminar and conference room, the organization has managed to serve thousands of children and adults each year with opportunities to experience Delmarva’s unique natural heritage. New infrastructure including a gallery, an open air classroom and a new multi-purpose pavilion will increase student participation in outdoor education by 500%. And that’s critical, in a time of heightened emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM) in our region’s school districts.

The new space will allow the Arboretum’s extensive collection of books and publications to come out of a storage facility on Kent Island and be placed in the public eye – accessible to visitors and scholars. An outdoor classroom and open pavilion with seating for 200 will extend the organization’s ability to provide multiple offerings at one time. From musical performances to lectures, the new space will inspire with broad views, open access and handsome natural materials. The new gallery will allow for more art, more accessible to all.

Architect Andrew Hertig of Lake/Flato Architects presented his architectural designs on Thursday to a crowd of some 3 dozen supporters gathered in the small classroom that is the Arboretum’s entire public space at present. Describing the newly revised plans for gallery space, walkway, classroom and gardens, Hertig said that the re-design keeps all the functionality while addressing the new economy. His designs are inspired by nature and showcase the special place that is Adkins Arboretum.

The new facility will enable this organization to continue to nurture the environmental, cultural and social health of the region, connecting us all with wild Delmarva. From conservation landscaping seminars to nature walks, community lectures, art and native plant education, Adkins Arboretum has proven to be a Mid-Atlantic treasure. This is a cause to support.

You can learn more about the Arboretum here, see upcoming events and programs here, and support the campaign to build this living legacy for our community here.

The Steifel Center Bridge

The Caroline Pavilion

The Marion Price Art Gallery

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The Hawkman Of Tilghman

December 18, 2013 by Kathy Bosin

When Tilghman Islander Eric Werner talks to Kimber, the young red tailed hawk he’s training, he swoons. And although the relationship between them looks personal, it’s not. “This isn’t like a bond with a dog or a cat” he said, “this is a professional relationship.”

He steps away from her perch inside of his large workshop, and cuts up some venison into tiny strips.

The bird stares at me, spins her head and blinks.

Majestic. Fierce looking.

I walk up to the perch. We’re face to face. That beak looks very sharp, but her eyes are steady. We stare at each other.

It’s not often we get to be so close to wild animals like this. The DNR or conservation groups sometimes show up at the county fair with owls, hawks and such, but most of those creatures are old and maimed and used to being around people. This one is a youth – a perfect young specimen red tailed hawk. And with the exception of a couple trips into the Eastern Shore Brewing Company in the past month, this young bird is just now learning about people.

Now that he’s got her, Werner’s job now is to train her to hunt with him.

There’s nothing new about the sport of falconry, in fact, it’s over 4500 years old. Known as the “Sport of Kings”, falconry continues today in much the same way as in King Tut’s day, and is practiced all over the globe. In some places, falconers use golden eagles to hunt wolves. An avid outsdoorsman, Werner hunts with hawks, guns, rods and reels and bows. The bird is simply a different weapon for game. “But, just being close to these magnificient birds all the time is the real reason I do it” he said.

Werner first watched a falconer work with a sparrow hawk 35 years ago, and really got hooked in 1997. In the 16 years since, he’s worked with over 30 different birds, from kestrels and falcons to hawks of different species.

Born in April, Kimber was out of the nest in the beginning of June, and was trapped in October. Werner will work with her throughout the winter – training, hunting, observing, learning – and will let her go in the spring. (He doesn’t actually know the bird’s sex, as it’s impossible to determine visually.) Falconers can only take immature birds, not ones of breeding age.

A federally regulated sport, falconry is quite popular in Maryland, with some 130 registered falconers. There are about 3400 falconers in the US. Most hunt with the birds, and for many, helping the young birds through the most vulnerable year of their lives is part of the attraction. “60% of red tail hawks die in their first year” said Werner “from cars, electric wires, glass windows, farmers. By keeping them through their first winter, we give them a better chance to make it.”

Hawks have binocular vision, says Werner, and he explains that they can see the same detail in an object 100 feet away that we see at 10 feet. He’ll take her hunting and flying most days during the winter, being careful to monitor and keep her weight around 920 grams.

He brings over a pellet. “This is what’s left of a rabbit” he said. It was about the size of a tootsie roll, just hair and bone bits. “That was lunch on Thursday” he said.

I inspected Kimber’s kangaroo hide jesses and cuffs up close. She wears bells on each cuff that ring different tones, so he can find her when she dives straight into brush. He can repair her bent feathers, even attach new sections of feather using a hypodermic needle, if necessary. Every feather counts when it comes to precision flight and hunting. Her claws are exceptionally sharp.

Anyone interested in pursuing falconry as a sport can see the Department of Natural Resources website, where permits are offered after a two year apprenticeship and education. There’s a lot to learn about the wild raptors.

“As falconers, we’re ambassadors to wildlife” Werner says.

So, when you’re out and around Bay Hundred this winter, don’t be surprised if you see Werner and Kimber. She travels in a cage in his SUV, and might be found soaring above a field, sitting on his gloved hand, or just maybe, sitting in a public location, where you, too, can stare right into those sharp golden eyes. You’ll feel one step closer to nature.

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Cheers: Eastern Shore Brewery Wins Again!

November 26, 2013 by Kathy Bosin

24 year old Brewmaster Zack Milash knows beer. And he crafts it well enough to have won 3 awards at this year’s Comptroller’s Cup in Baltimore for Eastern Shore Brewing in St. Michaels.

One week after his 21^st birthday, Zack left his native Chestertown to come to St. Michaels for an unpaid internship with Ace Moritz of Eastern Shore Brewing. Under the tutelage of Ace and the previous Brewmaster Randy Marquis, Zack’s skills developed further, and he became Head Brewer in May. Fast forward to November, and Zack’s passion has brought three new awards to the Eastern Shore.

In the last year, sales of the local brews have gone through the roof, and now – over the bridge. Starting December 2^nd, Eastern Shore Brewing Company beers will be distributed to Baltimore and Annapolis.

Owner Ace Moritz said “we’re a family owned and operated business, and we really promote local. We support other craft breweries and they support us. We’re actually the longest continually operating brewery on the Eastern Shore and we brew everything in house, right here in St. Michaels.”

This year’s winners:

In the Belgian category – 1^st place – “Tighty Whitey” – a Belgian wit beer made with unmalted red wheat and pilsner malt. Spiced with the classic combination of coriander, bitter orange peel and lemongrass, this beer is making a name for itself.

2^nd place – a Belgian triple called “5 Year Twitch”, conceived in honor of the Brewing Company’s 5^th year anniversary.

And in the Blonde category – “Back Creek Blonde” took 3^rd place.

Zack said “there are a lot of great Belgian beers made in Maryland, so it was a particularly good surprise that we took first and second in that category.”

Tighty Whitey, 5 Year Twitch, and Back Creek Blonde are 3 excellent reasons to visit the Eastern Shore Brewing Company in St. Michaels.

Oh, and one more reason….everyone’s favorite bartender, Jay Hudson, who wears a shirt with the tagline “Eye Candy,” and who keeps it all classy in St. Michaels.

Now selling holiday growler gift baskets and long sleeved hoodies. (In case you’re wondering….. yes, this does count as “Christmas shopping.”)

Eastern Shore Brewing – 605 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD 21663 – (410) 745-8010

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Little Pocket Resource Guide

November 14, 2013 by Kathy Bosin

The Mid-Shore Roundtable on Homelessness and Mid-Shore Mental Health have put together a small booklet with phone numbers for resources for our neediest neighbors on the Eastern Shore.

There’s no reason why we shouldn’t all take two minutes to print this out, and put it in the car, purse or wallet.

You never know when you might need to pass it on. Print two.

Click and print this link – Pocket Guide Easy Fold

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Small School Making it Happen with Centreville’s Downtown Armory

November 13, 2013 by Kathy Bosin

Painting of completed restoration by Katie Theeke, WRUS Director of Admission and Communications

Who would have guessed that a small school of under 50 students would undertake a major historic restoration of a public building in a small town like Centreville?

The Wye River Upper School has not only taken this on fearlessly, but has started the project that will reach far beyond the walls of the school, encompassing an entire community.

The Wye River Upper School (WRUS) fills a unique niche in Maryland’s education system. Serving students with learning differences who struggled to succeed in the public school system, the school has attracted students from as far as Washington, DC and Baltimore. With a 1:4 teacher/student ratio, the sense of community and connectedness at WRUS is unlike any other high school in our region. The average class size is only 8-9 students, allowing for students with different styles of learning to succeed.

Housed since its inception in 2002 at Chesapeake College, WRUS stepped into Centreville in last year and began a historic restoration of the town’s Armory on Rt. 213 for a home of its own.

The school is in the middle of a capital campaign and needs approximately $1 million to complete the construction on a timeline set by the school’s Sustainable Communities funding. Anticipated ribbon cutting is set for fall of 2014.

WRUS students are deeply engaged with the building and its renovation. Small teams of students selected independent study projects as part of the school’s 21 Century Learning Curriculum this year. Some student teams brought the armory into their studies. Art and photography projects brought some students up close to architecture and history. Others pursue lessons about historic preservation and green building renovation, or interviews with veterans who served in the Armory – the future researching the past, culminating in a broad-based shared cultural celebration on the main street of this Eastern Shore town.

The large open center of the Armory will remain as a central gathering place, with classrooms on the ground floor and second floor.

The School’s Founding Executive Director, Chrissy Aull had this to share, “We have always looked for active learning in everything we do – the renovation and repurpose of the Armory represents an enduring lesson in history, community development, civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. Our students have heard personally from the WWII vets who once paraded on their basketball court. They’ve successfully lobbied the Maryland State Legislature, through letters, personal visits, and testimony as to the value of this project, and their good work gained a $200,000 grant for the project. We think these are truly life’s lessons, much more meaningful and long lasting than a textbook.”

“Now that we are 100% under way with renovations, we are proud to demonstrate to the community that we are vested in Centreville’s success and that this is a viable model for land conservation, urban renewal and environmental sustainability. It’s icing on the cake that we will deliver the very same gym floor, upon which many Centreville residents once danced, back to them to relive those wonderful stories and memories. I can’t wait!”

Complete interior restoration will include new plaster, renovated windows to conform to strict historic guidelines.

The School has engaged the local business community as well. With an intentional choice to not build a commercial kitchen to serve students and faculty, the school is pursuing collaborative arrangements with Centreville restaurants for meals. No need for a library either, since there’s a public library blocks away. The school’s philosophy surrounding community connectedness will take teachers and students out to the town wharf, the courthouse and square for outdoor classrooms and living history. Centreville residents and businesses can anticipate seeing WRUS students and teachers every day on the streets, bringing a new energy and spirit to town.

“This project is good for the environment” said Liz LaCorte, the Wye River Upper School’s Director of Development. “Repurposing the armory instead of constructing a new high school reduces our footprint. By renovating a historic building, we get to contribute to the community around us. And with a geothermal heating and cooling system, we demonstrate to the students everyday that green technology counts.”

“We’re making an impact,” said LaCorte. “The Armory is going to become an anchor in Centreville. Local organizations and civic groups can use the property for meetings, events and other gatherings.”

And the community is responding back. Carol D’Agostino, Main Street Manager of Centreville, said “We look forward to continuing our work as a partner with Wye River Upper School. It’s heartening to see how renovations like the Armory here and in Denton are bringing a renewed sense of connection to members of the community. So many people talk about the old days when the Armory was the town center for dances and social life. It’s happening all over again.”

LaCorte has many tales about locals who have stopped in to see the renovations in action, wandering the floors as they reminisce about their service and youth. LaCorte says that neighbors are always welcome, that this school is not only in Centreville, but part of the heart of Centreville. If you know someone with stories about the Armory and its place in Centreville history, students and teachers at the school want to know.

For more information on the Wye River Upper School or to participate in the campaign, contact Liz LaCorte, director of development at (410) 827-3405 or [email protected].

Historic preservation guidelines require that the new accessible elevator be completed in a distinctly different color of brick so as to be evident as an addition.

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