Spy Desk

Environmental Forum For Talbot County Council Election

October 4, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

On September 28 the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and League of Women Voters of the MidShore, in partnership with Mid-Shore Community Television and The Talbot Spy, hosted an environmental forum for candidates running in the 2022 Talbot County Council election. Spy columnist Howard Freedlander moderated the forum in which candidates shared their views on the environmental health of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Here are the subject and timeline:

Candidate Opening Statements 1:40

Climate Change Adaptation 19:30

Civility in Public Life 29:45

Climate Impacts on Vulnerable Communities 39:55

Chesapeake Bay Restoration 50:10

Land Use Management & Quality of Life 1:00:25

Regulation of Adequate Public Facilities 1:11:05

Approval of New Dwelling Units 1:21:25

Reconsideration of Lakeside Development 1:25:20

Role of Talbot County Planning Commission 1:30:20

Expansion of Easton Plastic Bag Ordinance 1:36:20

Most Important County Environmental Issue 1:39:50

Allegro Academy to Celebrate 5th Anniversary with Free Live Music Event

October 4, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Music conservatory Allegro Academy invites the public to join its fifth anniversary festivities at a live music event on Saturday, October 15, from 5 to 7 PM, at The Hummingbird Inn, 14 N. Aurora St, Easton, MD. The evening’s celebration will include performances from Allegro ensembles, students, and teachers, lite fare, and a cash bar.

Founded in 2017, Allegro Academy’s mission to offer exceptional music education and performance experiences and to make these offerings affordable to all has been realized through its variety of programs that welcome community members of diverse ages and backgrounds. Such programs include the Allegro Children’s Chorus, Allegra! women’s chorus, Summer Sing Choir Festival, and private lessons in voice, piano, and violin. Allegro Academy’s programs are offered for free or at little cost to audience members and participants and need based scholarships are offered for youth programs.

Allegro Academy’s programs are made available by generous gifts from members of our community and the Talbot County and Maryland State Arts Councils. For more information please contact Allegro Academy Artistic Director at 410-603-8361 or visit www.allegroacademyeaston.com.

Maryland State Board of Elections Releases Key 2022 General Election Voting Information

October 1, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) today announced that mail-in ballot packets were transmitted to requesting military and overseas voters by the federally mandated Sept. 24 deadline and that mailing of ballot packets to other requesting voters will begin this Thursday (Sept. 29). The rollout of ballot packet mailings to domestic voters will be conducted by Maryland jurisdiction as follows:

o September 29: Allegany, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Somerset and Worcester counties

o September 30: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Cecil and Charles counties

o October 1: Frederick, Garrett and Montgomery counties

o October 3: Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Prince George’s counties

o October 4: Baltimore City and St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico counties

o October 5: Baltimore County

Voters who have already requested a mail-in ballot should review the above mailing schedule and anticipate it will take up to five days for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver their ballots.

On Thursday (Sept 29), SBE will begin sending the first round of emails with unique ballot links to U.S.-based voters who have requested their ballots electronically.

Ballot Drop Boxes

In addition, yesterday SBE began the process of delivering and installing official ballot drop boxes across the state. SBE anticipates it will take five days to deliver and install all 281 ballot drop boxes. A list of the ballot box locations is available online (in Spanish)

Voters who choose to utilize ballot drop boxes may submit their properly completed mail-in ballots at any official drop box in their county of residence. Ballots may be submitted from the time a ballot box is installed and opened until Nov. 8 at 8pm. Ballot boxes will be locked promptly at 8pm on Nov. 8.

Important Deadlines

Eligible Marylanders may register to vote in advance of the Nov. 8 election using SBE’s online application page or completing an application in-person at their local board of elections office. The advance deadline to register to vote is Oct. 18.

Voters should also ensure their registration information is up to date by Oct. 18. Voters can review and update their registration information online or by visiting their local board of elections office.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot sent by the U.S. Postal Service is Nov. 1. The deadline to request a link to a mail-in ballot is Nov. 4.

Early Voting and Election Day Voting Locations

SBE encourages voters to review the final list of early voting centers, which is posted here (in Spanish). Some of the early voting center locations changed following July’s Primary Election. Early voting will be held from Thursday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 3. Early voting centers will be open each day during that window from 7am to 8pm.

The complete list of Election Day polling locations is posted toward the bottom of the 2022 Elections landing page under “Polling Place and Precinct Reports.” The best option for individual voters to identify their polling place is to use the Voter Look-Up website. Election Day polling places will be open Nov. 8 from 7am to 8pm.

SBE intends to add online maps displaying early voting centers, election day polling places and ballot drop box locations to the Voter Look-Up site soon. Voters are encouraged to check the page in coming days to take advantage of the mapping features.

Election Judges

Marylanders interested in serving as election judges can complete SBE’s online interest form to be considered for this important civic role. Residents can also contact their local board of elections for more information on serving as an election judge.

Maryland State Police Reminding Motorists Move Over Law Expands to All Vehicles

October 1, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Maryland State Police are reminding motorists that beginning October 1, 2022, the Move Over Law in Maryland expands to require motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals – including hazard warning lights, road flares, or other caution signals including traffic cones, caution signs, or non-vehicular warning signs.

The intent of the Move Over law is to provide an extra barrier of safety for motorists, along with police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical service personnel and utility workers working on Maryland roads. It is hoped that drivers will become more aware of police and emergency workers and others stopped along the road and move away from them or slow down as they pass by the traffic stop or incident scene.

This movement should only be done if another lane in the same direction is available and the move can be made safely and without impeding other traffic. If moving to another lane away from the stopped vehicle is not possible, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

Violating the law is a misdemeanor carrying a $110 fine and one point on your license. If the violation causes a crash, the fine is $150 and three points. If there is a death or serious injury, the fine is $750 and three points.

The original move over law went into effect in 2010. In 2014, the law was expanded to not only include police cars but also tow trucks, fire trucks and medical and rescue trucks as well. On Oct. 1, 2018, the law expanded again to transportation, service and utility vehicles, as well as waste and recycling trucks, with yellow or amber flashing lights or signal devices. Maryland is now the eighth state in the U.S. to expand its move over law to include any vehicle on the side of the road with its hazard lights on or road flares displayed.

Traffic-related incidents, including vehicle crashes, are one of the leading causes of death for law enforcement officers. From 2007 to 2017, 39 percent of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were lost in traffic-related incidents, the U.S. Department of Transportation said. In Maryland, more than 4,000 people were injured and 53 people were killed in work zone crashes between 2014 and 2019.

Motorists appear to have received the message, which is appreciated. Since the law initially expanded in 2014, troopers went from issuing 5,408 citations and 12,179 warnings that year to 886 citations and 4,030 warnings in 2021 for move over violations. Through Sept. 27, 2022, troopers have issued 622 citations and 3,215 warnings for similar violations this year.

Benedictine Students Remember the Heroes of 9/11

October 1, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Hannah, a student at Benedictine, creates pictures to be sent to firefighters and police officers in New York City and Washington, D.C. to honor all the heroes of 9/11.

Students at Benedictine, a regional service provider for children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism, sent packages of letters and pictures to fire and police departments in New York City and Washington, D.C. in honor of all the heroes of 9/11.

Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. Cadet Roseburrow stated “Benedictine is a great place! Our officers would love that,” in hearing what Benedictine planned to do.

Upon receiving the package from Benedictine at the City of New York Police Department, Deputy Inspector Craig Contrera stated “On behalf of the New York City Police Department, thank you for forwarding the letters and drawings from your students. I would also like to thank your students for citing the bravery and service of our police officers during the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”

Katherine Fizhugh, a Benedictine school teacher for five years, was the inspiration behind this idea. “I realized that my students were not alive when the 9/11 attack occurred and I wanted to teach them such an important part of our history. I also teach my students about being kind and I thought sending letters of thanks and coloring pages to our first responders in New York and Washington DC would be a nice way to show our support. I invited the whole school to participate in this random act of kindness,” stated Fizhugh.

Katherine’s class, called Functional Academics, focuses on academics related to life skills such as money, reading comprehension, typing and social skills. ”I love the teamwork and support that is offered here at Benedictine and the opportunities our students are given. We are like a family!”

For more information on Benedictine and the programs and services it offers children and adults with developmental disabilities, please. Visit Benedictine at www.benschool.org. To find out how you can support Benedictine’s mission to help children and adults with developmental disabilities achieve their greatest potential, please contact Claudia Cunningham, Chief Advancement Officer, at claudia.cunningham@benschool.org or call 410 634 2292.

About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit organization helping more than 200 children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine’s year-round educational program is one of only 26 nationwide to earn a two-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers employment and vocational services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, in the community and those who live in Benedictine’s group homes in Caroline, Talbot and Anne Arundel counties. The Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it serves to enter the workforce and collaborates with the Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline and Dorchester County public schools to provide services to their students through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Program. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

COVID-Delayed 50th Celebration Culminates in Spectacular Evening for CACC

September 30, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

In 1970, Happy Critchlow and Janice Adkins had a vision to provide affordable childcare for working families. More than 50 years later, a dream that started out with a handful of classrooms has now grown to include five sites throughout Talbot County and has served nearly 13,000 local children across four generations.

As their 50th anniversary approached in 2020, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers (CACC) knew they had to do something very special to celebrate such a momentous milestone. They planned a celebration for that September. COVID had other plans, and their event had to be delayed – not once, not twice, but three times over the course of the next two years.

In the interim, CACC did not skip a beat, opening their doors during COVID to care for the children of first responders so they could go to work. As schools opened back up in a virtual setting, CACC’s before-and-after-school programs quickly converted to all-day programs. Critchlow’s teachers helped the children with their virtual learning and planned enrichment activities that would bolster what they were learning in school, ensuring that they would not fall behind. If parents faced financial hardships due to the pandemic, Critchlow worked with them so they could continue working, knowing that their children were safe and well-cared-for.

State Delegate Johnny Mautz, Critchlow Adkins Executive Director Cristy Morrell, and State Senator Addie Eckhardt.

Good things are often worth waiting for, and after a long and productive two years, on September 8, 2022, CACC’s staff, Board of Directors, and supporters gathered under a tent at the Talbot Country Club for a beautiful evening of celebration. Attendees reveled in the opportunity to be together face-to-face once again, and to celebrate such an important milestone for Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers.

Executive Director Cristy Morrell kicked off the evening by thanking everyone for joining them for the special occasion and paid tribute to CACC’s founders, past and present Board Members, the organization’s dedicated staff, and all of the donors who made it possible to reach more than 50 years of service to the community. Board Chair James Redman honored the organization’s newest Legacy Award Winners – Ceci Nobel, Fayette and Bob Engstrom, Sandy Kaufman, and Christmas in St. Michaels. CACC Board Member Brie Wooden spoke about her experience growing up as a Critchlow Adkins student, and how she is now the parent of a Critchlow Adkins student. She marveled at how her son has blossomed since joining CACC’s programs.

Proclamations were presented on behalf of the State of Maryland by State Senator Addie Eckhart and State Delegate Johnny Mautz. The speeches were followed by a live auction and a Fund-A-Need to purchase new classroom furniture for CACC’s Cordova Site.

“We are still reeling in the best way from that night,” Morrell shares. “To see so many of our treasured supporters in person again, and to celebrate them for all they do for our children, was incredible. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our event committee, sponsors, business partners, and the Talbot Country Club for making this event such a success.”

All of the proceeds from the event will be used to support Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers’ mission of providing quality, financially accessible childcare for children and their families in a nurturing, diverse, safe, and enriching environment.

CACC has five sites throughout Talbot County, providing preschool, before-and-after-school care, and summer camp programs. Their enrichment programs, including Raising a Reader and innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) projects encourage a love of learning and inspire children to use their creativity to solve real-world problems. To learn more about CACC, register your child, or make a donation, visit cacckids.org or call 410-822-8061.

The Artists’ Gallery Features “Sojourn” by Freeman Dodsworth in October

September 30, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

On First Friday, October 7^thand throughout the month of October, The Artists’ Gallery will feature the newest body of work by Freeman Dodsworth. Working in oil, Freeman seeks to capture the singular light, color and shape of individual moments. He travels throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed painting the skies, clouds, fields and rivers of the Tidewater and the boats and buildings that inhabit them. His paintings are all from life, either painting while in the moment, or from sketches and images he captures while in the field. His “Shipping News” series depicts the immense power of weather over the Chesapeake Bay, with the ships that ply the waterway in all conditions.

“Shipping News #5- Aspiration,” 30×40, oil on canvas by Freeman Dodsworth

Freeman Dodsworth is a painter who lives in Port Republic, Maryland. He started to paint in the 1980’s, studying under the accomplished Eastern Shore artist, Terry Wolf. He worked with Wolf for three years and then left the shore for a career in the U.S. Navy. The Navy took him around the world and away from art until 2017, when Terry Wolf passed away, spurring Freeman to return to his easel. “Terry gave me the gift of painting, and when he died, I felt I needed to get going if I ever wanted to grow into the painter I wanted to be. Since that time, Freeman has continued to paint consistently, studying with master painters including Peter Fiore and Jim Kingston. In addition to exhibiting paintings in The Artists’ Gallery, Dodsworth’s work hangs in the Northend Gallery in Leonardtown, Maryland.

The public is invited to visit The Artists’ Gallery for an opening reception on First Friday, October 7^th from 5-8 p.m. for light refreshments and to meet the artist. The Artists’ Gallery is located at 239 High Street in Chestertown and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. For more information, please call the gallery at 410-778-2425 pr visit www.theartistsgalleryctown.com.

ShoreRivers Uses DNA Tracking to Identify Bacteria Pollution Sources

September 29, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

By collecting, analyzing, and distributing data on bacteria levels in our waterways, ShoreRivers aims to provide the public with the information needed to make educated decisions about contact with the water. This year, ShoreRivers monitored bacteria levels at 45 sites around the region—a major expansion from last year’s 32 sites—providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts.

A team of citizen scientists called SwimTesters volunteer their time to test these sites weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and generous site sponsors cover a portion of the associated costs. These Swim Testers monitor for enterococci bacteria at popular public access locations, marinas, yacht clubs, and town piers. The program follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming. Results can be found during the season at shorerivers.org/swim, and at theswimguide.org, or by following #SwimmableShoreRivers or your local Riverkeeper’s pages on social media.

Multiple years of bacteria monitoring have highlighted sites that consistently show elevated levels of bacteria, indicating a chronic source of pollution that could be caused by failing septic systems, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer. Acute sources of bacteria pollution include overflows from wastewater treatment plants and pet or wild animal waste. Of the 45 sites monitored by ShoreRivers SwimTesters this year, nine failed to meet the threshold for safe water contact more than half of the times they were tested. These sites are located on the Choptank River: Red Bridges in Greensboro, Hillsboro Landing, Choptank Marina Beach, Trappe Landing, and Willis Street Beach in Cambridge; in Eastern Bay: Broad Cove near Claiborne; and on the Chester River: Millington Waterfront Park, Morgan Creek Landing, and Broad Neck Landing.

Thanks to generous private donations and funding from the Cornell Douglas Foundation, ShoreRivers has begun tracking the sources of this bacteria pollution. In partnership with Jonah Ventures in Colorado, who works with several other Riverkeeper organizations, ShoreRivers utilized DNA testing over several weeks to identify specific animal sources of this bacterial pollution—whether it be human, poultry, canine, or swine. This new type of testing measures the number of DNA copies found per 100ml of sample water.

“DNA copies do not indicate the presence of active bacteria on their own,” said Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. “However, when paired with ShoreRivers bacteria testing for fecal enterococci, we can begin to track patterns between high bacteria levels and the most abundant DNA species present in the water at the time a sample was collected.”

Results from 2022 testing indicate the overwhelming majority of DNA present across our rivers is human, making shoreline septic systems, wastewater treatment outfalls, and illegal marine discharge key sources to monitor in the year ahead.

ShoreRivers has begun tracking sources of bacteria pollution at sites that consistently fail in the span of a season. This additional level of data will help ShoreRivers hone in on chronic causes of pollution in our waterways and identify mitigation strategies.

“DNA testing is another tool in our belt to help ShoreRivers identify pollution sources and start working toward real mitigation strategies,” says Richards. “It’s more important than ever to fully fund our testing sites so we can put more resources into DNA tracking next season. Accumulating multiple years of data is the best way for the Riverkeepers to discern trends for these impaired sites and advocate effectively with stakeholders across our watershed to find a solution.”

For the 2023 bacteria monitoring season, ShoreRivers is searching for sponsors for 18 sites. Site sponsorship allows ShoreRivers to redirect general funds to grow our source tracking program and to activate new sites from the waitlist. The cost to sponsor a site is $40 per week or $640 for an entire season. Anyone can be a sponsor—individuals, families, organizations, or communities. The more bacterial data gathered, the clearer ShoreRivers’ path will be to targeted restoration efforts in our local watersheds.

Clean water is an essential right for everyone, and everyone deserves to know if the water is safe for them and their families to access. For more information about our bacteria testing program and to become a site sponsor, visit shorerivers.org/swim or email your local Riverkeeper.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Tidewater Camera Club Speaker Meeting October 3

September 25, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Tidewater Camera Club will have a meeting on October 3 with guest speaker Mark Hergan.

Date: Oct 3, 2022
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: TBD please refer to Tidewatercameraclub.org for information on location.

Photography by Mark Hergan

Mark Hergan is an avid sailor and photographer on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a founding member of the college’s Offshore Sailing Team. He currently races on the 1932 Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe Mystery as crew and has even skippered her this year in a race. Mark started actively photographing CBYRA junior sailing regattas the summer of 2014 while traveling the Chesapeake Bay with his son and other members of the North East River Yacht Club’s junior sailing team. He could always be found floating around the racing course in his 17′ Boston Whaler Montauk taking photos and assisting junior sailors in need. Mark now travels the bay in an 18′ Scout CC Sportfish photographing the Chesapeake. The Port of Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes are his favorite subject and he published his first book on Log Canoes January 2017. His work can be found on social media under Deadrise Marine Photography.

Presentation – The Chesapeake Bay from the Port of Baltimore south to Tangier Island – a presentation of images, tools and techniques used to capture everything from international shipping to Chesapeake Bay log canoes while spending over 100 days each year on the Chesapeake Bay.

Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Fall at Blackwater NWR

September 23, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Come experience the changing of the seasons at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) by participating in one of our Guided Birding tours in the fall of 2022. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy identifying and learning about the many species of birds that inhabit the refuge.

Fall birding tours at Blackwater highlight the returning migratory waterfowl. You will not want to miss the opportunity to observe and identify our diverse array of feathered friends, from woodpeckers and wading birds to numerous species of waterfowl and raptors, including the bald eagle. Guided Birding tours take place on the following Sunday mornings: September 25, October 16, and November 6, led by Refuge Volunteer Terry Allen, and on October 30, November 20, and December 4, led by Refuge Volunteer Harry Armistead. Participants will meet at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. Tours may last 3 to 4 hours. The birding party typically tours via car, stopping at various hotspots around the refuge’s Wildlife Drive.

Binoculars and field guides are highly recommended for an enjoyable experience. Be sure to dress for the weather. There is no fee or advanced registration for these activities. For further information, please call the Blackwater Visitor Center at 410-228-2677 or visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Sections

More