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May 29, 2023

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

Arts Arts Notes

The Artists’ Gallery Presents “Visions of the Eastern Shore” by Shirley Hales

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On First Friday, June 2nd, and throughout the month of June, The Artists’ Gallery will feature work by their exhibiting artist, Shirley Hales, in “Visions of the Eastern Shore.” Her paintings in watercolor and acrylic are reminiscent of the sights and sounds found along the Eastern Shore. The inspiration for this new body of work by Shirley Hales is based on her love of the Chesapeake Bay and the simplistic beauty that may be found within the lush countryside and waterways of the Eastern Shore.

Almost fifty years ago, while cruising the Chesapeake Bay’s many ports of call with her husband, David, Shirley began to discover the treasures found along the Eastern Shore. Ultimately, they selected a weekend getaway home in Rock Hall that they still maintain to this day, along with a home in southwestern Florida. During the recent COVID quarantine, Shirley did a bit of research and unearthed her ancestral links dating back to the 1600’s and 1700’s to the Tilghman families of Somerset and Accomack and the Ratcliffs and Warners of Talbot County, as well as other early settlers in Delaware and Virginia. After discovering her roots, it was clear to her that “the attraction to this region had been destined.”

“Morning Crab Run,” watercolor, 20×27 by Shirley Hales

Shirley’s love of painting on a professional level began to blossom in 2000, while studying at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. She has been a professional artist for the past 23 years, receiving awards and recognition throughout her career. Shirley is a member of the Working Artists’ Forum (WAF) in Easton, Maryland as well as the Chair of the WAF Membership Committee. Along with 42 juried local artists, Shirley’s art will be displayed and available for purchase at the Plein Air Easton, Local Color Show at Christ Church in Easton, Maryland during the weekend of July 20-23, 2023. In addition to exhibiting her work with The Artists’ Gallery, Shirley is a member of River Arts in Chestertown and the founder and past president of the Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral and a member of COCO Gallery in Estero, Florida.

The public is invited to visit The Artists’ Gallery for her opening reception on First Friday, June 2nd 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 on Sundays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. For more information, please call the gallery at 410-778-2425 or visit www.theartistsgalleryctown.com.

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From Chestertown to Zambia – Cultural Arts Support Sobriety

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In every community worldwide, there are people who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. Thankfully, there are also those inspired to help. The Chestertown Rotary Club has come together with Maryland nonprofit CoLaborers International to do just that.

Zambia is one of the African nations with the greatest alcohol consumption (WHO, 2015), particularly among youth (de la Torre-Luque et al., 2021). Marijuana, cigarettes, opiates, cocaine, and inhalants such as glues and petrol are also commonly abused. While local nonprofits and churches provide what helps they can, widespread drug and alcohol treatment has been historically inaccessible to the average Zambian. Where services exist, they are very expensive and typically were not fully integrated into the health-care system (Akiba et al., 2018; Smith, 2011, Mwape et al., 2012).

In 2015, CoLaborers International began field testing a drug and alcohol curriculum developed specifically using Zambian cultural art forms to engage young people. This is called “Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy” authored by Melissa Davis Stuebing, a Maryland drug and alcohol counselor formerly with A.F. Whitsitt Center. There are also U.S. English, Latin American Spanish, and Kenyan versions of this curriculum.

In this curriculum, drug and alcohol therapeutic concepts are explored in small groups using local cultural art forms – dancing, drumming, gourd art, storytelling and more.  “While participating in the art activities, people feel comfortable to share about their substance use and receive help. Sharing removes shame and healing begins”, says Stuebing.

After clinical studies of the effectiveness of this curriculum both in the US and Zambia from 2015-2017, Zambia’s Ministry of Health endorsed a large training in this curriculum in 2018. Over 40 organizations across the country were trained to bring it into their communities and a larger clinical study followed. This was funded through a Rotary grant between our own Chestertown Rotary Club and Rotary of Lusaka Central.

In 2022, a study was published in peer-reviewed journal “Addictive Behaviors Reports” by Hjordis Lorenz, Melissa Davis Stuebing, Chipego Nambeye, Gabriel Lungu (from Ministry of Health), and Lauren Littlefield of our own Washington College as they followed the trained organizations as they implemented the curriculum into their own communities. Research confirmed the curriculum’s efficacy to decrease substance use and increase verbal sharing among participants (Lorenz et.al, 2022).

With drug and alcohol treatment now more accessible in communities with the backing of the Ministry of Health, Chestertown Rotary wanted to turn its attention to make treatment available in schools. Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) was already doing prevention efforts. CoLaborers International coordinated with DEC to identify guidance counselors, nonprofits helping school children, and school anti-drug clubs to be trained in the curriculum as a deliverable treatment option to students already struggling with substance use.

CoLaborers Zambia trainers Nanyemba Hamahuwa Chirwa and Chipo Nambeye trained 74 professionals in this curriculum from October through March and it is now already being applied in school settings.  The motto of Rotary is “Service above Self” and the motto of CoLaborers Zambia is “Together we can do so much”.

To learn more about how you can get involved in Chestertown Rotary, please visit Facebook.com/ChestertownRotaryClub.

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Godfrey’s Farm Blueberry Boogie 5K Walk/Run to Benefit Benedictine

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Godfrey’s Farm 3rd annual Blueberry Boogie 5K Walk/Run, to take place on Saturday, June 17th, will once again benefit Benedictine. Last year’s event raised over $15,000 which included a matching gift from a generous donor that has pledged to match the funds raised again at this year’s race.

“The excitement from last year’s race was amazing!” commented Lisa Godfrey.“Working with Benedictine just feels right, because we can visibly see the impact each dollar raised has right here, locally. Students from Benedictine have been visiting our farm for many years. We love to see the excitement they bring and the kindness of their caregivers. This made our choice to support Benedictine an easy one!”

Last year, a generous Benedictine supporter pledged a matching gift and has once again pledged to match the funds raised in this year’s race. “We have supported Benedictine for many years and thought this was a wonderful way to give and bring recognition to both Benedictine and the partnership with Godfrey’s Farm,” commented Denise Kaczmarczyk.“We are so happy that Benedictine has been selected again as the beneficiary of the race and we look forward to seeing the results!”

Godfrey’s Farm Blueberry Boogie 2022 participates pose with their metals. More than $15,000 was raised and Benedictine has been chosen again this year to be the beneficiary of the event taking place on June 17th.

Festivities at the event will include live music by Red Sammy, an American Folk Rock band, plus Godfrey’s homemade apple cider donuts and blueberry scones at the finish line, prizes and more. All race participants will receive an event shirt.

Registration starts at 8AM. Race begins at 9AM. Rain or Shine. Healthy Kids Run (10 and under) begins at 8:55AM.

Godfrey’s Farm is located in Sudlersville, Maryland. To register, please go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Sudlersville/BlueberryBoogie5KRunWalk. Registration is $30 until June 1st and then $35 after and on the day of the event. Sign up as a team of 5 or more and get a discount on all the registrations.

For more information about Godfrey’s Farm, please visit www.godfreysfarm.com.

Benedictine is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization helping children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential. For more information on Benedictine and how you can support their mission, please contact Claudia Cunningham, Chief Advancement Officer at 410 634 2292 or Claudia.cunningham@benschool.org.

About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit organization supporting close to 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential and highest level of independence. 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. Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it serves to enter the workforce and collaborates with the 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. Benedictine is one of the Eastern Shore’s largest employers with over 350 employees. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

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July 1 is Deadline for Caroline Foundation Grant Applications

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The Caroline Foundation, in partnership with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, invites organizations that provide medical and/or health-related services to residents of Caroline County, Maryland to apply for FY2024 grant funding.

Applicants must be nonprofit corporations with IRS tax-exempt status, or government-related entities. Applications are online at https://www.mscf.org/caroline-foundation. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2023.

Grant decisions and distributions will be made in October 2023. The Caroline Foundation retains the right to accept or reject applications, suggest changes, and support grant requests in full, in part, or not at all.

Organizations that would like additional information about The Caroline Foundation’s grants process should contact Robbin Hill at Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 410-820-8175 x103 or rhill@mscf.org.

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Young Artist’s Harp Seminar Returns to Washington College

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Now in its 21st season, the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar (YAHS) returns to Maryland’s Eastern Shore this July. Over 50 of the world’s top young harpists will reside at Washington College for two weeks of intensive study, coaching sessions with renowned instructors, and concert performances open to the public.

The festivities open on July 10 at Chestertown’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church with a chamber music concert featuring Nancy Allen, principal harpist of the New York Philharmonic, and chair of the harp department at The Juilliard School.

Harpists coming from California, to Canada, to Costa Rica, and everywhere in between, will embark on a two-week course of study with renowned YAHS faculty. A training ground for elite artists, many YAHS alumni have subsequently attended top schools and conservatories, such as The Juilliard School, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Paris Conservatory, and many others.  YAHS alumni have also claimed top prizes at major international competitions, including France’s prestigious Concours de Harpe Lily Laskine and Japan’s Nippon Harp Competition.

Throughout their two weeks at YAHS, harpists have opportunities to practice performing on stage, in masterclasses, and in a series of simulated orchestral auditions.

Susan Bennett Brady (Principal Harpist with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra) and Kimberly Rowe (editor of Harp Column magazine) founded the YAHS program in 2002 as a way to give young harpists ages 12–26 an intense performance and practice environment with top instruction. In 2008, they launched the international Young Artist’s Harp Competition, and in 2014, the auxiliary one-week YAHS Prep program debuted for harpists ages 8–17. The YAHS is excited to return to Chestertown to join the passionate culture of music on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Concert-goers will have many opportunities to hear the young harpists—along with faculty and special guests—in action this summer at a series of concert events open to the public.

Most YAHS students are serious about the harp, and many have plans to pursue it as a career path. Some students, however, don’t see a professional harp career in their future, and for Rowe and Brady that’s fine: “Our number one goal is simply to impart a love for music and for the harp.” They are confident the students’ experiences at YAHS will help them meet their goals, whatever they may be.

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Something of the Marvelous Challenge Features Tour of Harleigh’s Magnificent Woodland Gardens

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s Something of the Marvelous spring fundraiser for 2023 is a dollar for dollar matching challenge with every dollar being matched up to $50,000.

These funds support Pickering Creek’s science and nature education programs in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties for students from at least one grade level in each school system, ensuring that every student in the grade level, regardless of background, has great outdoor learning experiences with Pickering’s talented staff of educators and scientists.

In addition to supporting school programming, these matching gifts help connect adults and families with the habitats and wildlife that also call the midshore home, and support summer EcoCamp scholarships.  And finally, generous gifts provided by the community to this matching challenge ensure that Pickering is open to the public for free everyday to enjoy the center’s beautiful trails!

Two marvelous donors have stepped forward to collectively offer this year’s dollar for dollar match.  Both are long-term supporters of the Center’s work to connect people to nature.  Supporters who contribute over $100 between May 15 and June 9 will be eligible to enjoy an evening stroll through the gardens of Harleigh, Chip and Sally Akridge’s beautiful estate off of the Oxford Rd.

After dropping off their car, guests will walk down the main lane to take in views of the impressive home that center’s Harleigh’s manicured grounds. Strolling through a formal rose garden, followed by a classic fernery/stumpery, the walk then winds through quiet wonderful woodlands along the banks of Trippe Creek.

Guests will be able to enjoy these paths by early evening light or in the day’s waning light at sunset amongst a beautiful arrangement of lit passageways and lumieres.  Guests then proceed through the English-inspired open-arched pavilion, finding their way to the Harleigh House waterside portico to sip a Martha Washington lemonade, and to ponder the gloaming.

The final place to explore on this exceptional journey is the Akridge’s Monticello-style vegetable and cutting garden.  Staff will be available along the stroll to answer question botanical and otherwise.

The home’s stunning gardens and grounds will be open on June 10 to approximately 200 supporters of Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s award-winning education programs participating in the Something of the Marvelous Challenge.

Timed entrances scheduled throughout the evening on June 10th will include complimentary beverages, time to explore, and a special thank you gift.

Unlike Pickering Creek’s pre-Covid era Tour Toast and Taste, Something of the Marvelous has no tent, no auction, and no dinners for sale.  It is all outdoors- just soaking in the marvelous blooms and scenery of the amazing Harleigh!

Pickering Creek’s fundraising goal for the 2023 Something of the Marvelous Challenge is to raise $100,000 for Pickering’s education programs. Please join us as we celebrate our achievements and prepare for the future.

School groups, families, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from far and wide visit Pickering Creek Audubon Center throughout the year to participate in hands-on outdoor learning, volunteer experiences and immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the Eastern Shore.

For more information, please visit www.pickeringcreek.org

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Rebuilding Together Volunteers Donate Over 500 Hours to Complete Repairs in Kent County

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Each year, Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country honor their commitment to safe and healthy housing by declaring April “National Rebuilding Month.”  While many activities occur before and after April to coordinate and complete the planned repairs, the official launch this year began with the organization’s inaugural “SheBuild” – a one day workshop to empower women to be comfortable using tools that are common in household repairs. Six local ladies spent Saturday, April 1st in Bob Ortiz’s workshop, constructing a step stool under the expert tutelage of Jenn Kuhn, Shipyard Education Programs Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

RTKC Board Chair, Vic Pfeiffer, works on the third aluminum ramp installed over the last 6 weeks with a Health Disparities Grant from the Kent County Health Department.

In January, Rebuilding Together Kent County (RTKC) declared 2023 their “Year of the Volunteer” to celebrate things opening back up after COVID. As a result, this Spring’s Rebuilding Month effort engaged 59 community members who donated over 500 hours to complete repairs at seven homes in Chestertown, Rock Hall and Worton. Beginning in mid-March and finishing May 17th, these dedicated volunteers constructed four wheelchair ramps, repaired unsafe steps and walkways, replaced gutters, installed grab bars, cleared debris and performed many other tasks to ensure that the 13 residents in these homes have a safer, healthier place to live.

Volunteers who generously donated their time, several for multiple days, to ensure that these projects were successful include: Gregory Ayers, John Barkin, George Barnett, Meredith Beach, Dudley Bostic, Joanne Boyle, Jack Brosius, Jamey Brown, Darren Davis, Logan Dean, Michal Dickinson, Larry Dinoff, Rich Faulkner, Bill Flook, Ellen Gale, Rita Gillis, Glen Turner, Terry Goldzier, Ginny Gorman, Trams Hollingsworth, Chuck Hulse, Germaine Lanaux, John Leek, Chip Lieber, Jennifer Lieber, Scott Loveless, Donna Lynd, Lou Malzone, Bernie Miller, Michael Morris, Ronald Muller, Bobby Nickerson, Ken Noble, Vic Pfeiffer, Brian Rankin, Linda Reed, Max Ruehrmund, Zack Schmitt, Deborah Scott, Bill Shrieves, Amy Sine, Kenny Smith, Charles Sommers, Karen Speakman, Todd Steffes, Lucy Taylor, Meg Taylor, Paul Taylor, Will Taylor, Jim Thompson, Brian Toth, Debbie Toth, Jim Trumbauer, Bruce Turner, Candy Tyrell, John Vogel, Pam Vogel, Andrew Wright, and Bill Yoder. If you volunteered and do not see your name listed, please contact RTKC at info@rtkc.org so they can update their records.

Local Lady Carol Dobson masters the chop saw under the expert tutelage of Bob Ortiz during the SheBuild.

In addition to donations of time and talent, this work would not be possible without generous business sponsors! This year’s “SheBuild” Sponsors were Rock Hall Dental and Bob Ortiz Studios. Rebuilding Month sponsors at the “Celebration” level were Benson & Mangold Real Estate, The Dixon Group and Valliant Wealth Strategies. At the “Rebuilder” level were Anthony, Judge & Ware, Chestertown Lumber, David A. Bramble, Duke Law and Dukes-Moore Insurance Agency. Restaurants that donated lunches for project days include Figg’s Ordinary, Happy Chicken Bakery, Karma Cleanse Cafe, Modern Stone Age Kitchen, Play It Again Sam, Rock City Cafe and Stam’s Luncheonette. Finally, Rebuilding Together truly appreciates Pastor Davis of Mt. Olive AME Church in Butlertown and Brother Troy Somerville – who did all the event setup – for graciously allowing them to hold their appreciation event in the congregation’s Life Center. Rebuilding Together Kent County is grateful to those local and regional individuals and businesses that ensured they could have their most impactful Rebuilding Month to date!

Rebuilding Together Kent County’s mission is repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives. They leverage gifts of time, money, skill and labor to repair and rehabilitate homes for income-eligible seniors, veterans, those living with disabilities, and families with children in Kent County. They are dedicated to ending substandard housing. All work is done at no cost to homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria. This is an equal opportunity program. Learn more at RebuildingTogetherKCMD.org.

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Chestertown’s 2023 National Music Festival Includes Something for Everyone

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Chestertown’s renowned National Music Festival has announced its June 2023 concert schedule. From June 4-17, the Festival will bring together 28 of the nation’s most esteemed mentors and 100 promising apprentices, presenting over 30 events, ranging from major symphonies to chamber music, pre-concert talks, and master classes, plus dozens of free open rehearsals. Mentors are professional musicians who teach and perform all over the country; apprentices are young professional musicians on the cusp of their careers. Festival musicians come to Chestertown this season from 10 countries and 30 US states.

Concert schedules, tickets, and Festival Passes are available on the Festival’s website, nationalmusic.us.

Highlights of the much-anticipated 11th season include:

  • Monumental symphonic works, including the 7th Symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun;
  • Performances by audience favorite and acclaimed guitarist Camilo Carrara;
  • Chamber music, including works by Prokofiev, Barber, Messiaen, Bartok, and Haydn;
  • A free Family Concert featuring percussion;
  • Forest Music, a unique performance art event in collaboration with Adkins Arboretum (tickets available at adkinsarboretum.org).

Garnering national and international attention will be the Festival’s performance of American composer Dana Suesse’s Concerto in E Major for Two Pianos, performed by the young Croatian pianists Petra Akrap & Katarina Nera Biondić and orchestra, conducted by Festival Artistic Director Richard Rosenberg.

“Whatever your musical tastes, we have performances you will love,” said Rosenberg. “In addition to our flagship orchestra concerts, try our ‘Lunchtime Chamber Bites,’ our special Family Concert, or our Market Music in Fountain Park and enjoy!”

Lunchtime Chamber Bites are short, free concerts featuring performances and discussion with the artists. The Family Concert and Market Music concerts are also free, as are several other events. All rehearsals are free and open to the public. Venues for concerts and rehearsals range from local churches to Washington College to the Raimond Cultural Center, MassoniArt Galleries, Sumner Hall, and more. Concert and rehearsal schedules are available on the Festival’s website, nationalmusic.us.

For apprentices, the National Music Festival advances the lives and careers of these promising musicians by providing access to world-class mentors and performance opportunities. Apprentices are chosen in a highly competitive process and attend the Festival on scholarship, free of charge. The Festival is a true community effort as Chestertown area residents open their homes as host families for apprentices and mentors, and Emmanuel Church in downtown Chestertown will provide lunches for the musicians on weekdays.

Visit the Festival’s website for the complete 2023 Festival concert schedule and repertoire and to purchase tickets or Festival Passes: https://nationalmusic.us/eventsand-tickets/concert-schedules/. All tickets are held for pick-up at the concerts; no tickets will be mailed. A number of concerts are free, as are all rehearsals.

The National Music Festival is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and the Kent Cultural Alliance (kentculture.org). For more information about the Festival, visit the website at nationalmusic.us or contact info@nationalmusic.us or (443)480-0221.

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Ethan Morrison and William Fachet Named Constitution Alliance Scholarship Winners

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The Constitution Alliance Fund has named Ethan Morrison of St. Michaels and William Fachet of Kent Island the recipients of their inaugural scholarship program.  Each student received a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the college of their choice.

Fachet is a graduate of Kent Island High School and Morrison is a St. Michaels High School graduate. The students were chosen for leadership and service in the community, exceptional academic performance, and outstanding personal essays on the meaning of the constitution. The Constitution Alliance Fund scholarship program recognizes academic achievement and dedication to the principles of the Constitution and supports future careers in civic leadership.

The Constitution Alliance, in partnership with the Washington College Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture and Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill, works to promote civic engagement through education and a commitment to uphold constitutional values and the founding principles of freedom.

For more information, contact Michelle Ewing at mpewing@hotmail.com, 410-200-5571 or Julie Quick, juliejoquick@gmail.com or 410-924-0904.

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Authors & Oysters: Michael Stang

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Michael A. Stang

The Bookplate is happily continuing their popular Authors & Oysters event series at The Retriever Bar in 2023. Author Henry Corrigan was featured in the most recent Authors & Oysters event on May 3rd. Next up on Wednesday, May 31st at 6pm, all are invited to The Retriever to welcome author Michael Stang as he discusses his collection of short stories, “The Monster of the Gunpowder River and Other Fabrications”.

Michael A. Stang has written over forty plays, many of which have been produced in the U.S. and Australia. His love of the short story began in grade school and was rekindled during Covid, when this collection was written. Dr. Stang is a retired emergency physician who came to Baltimore for his residency and remained. Besides writing, he enjoys travel, biking, fly-fishing and woodworking. He lives in Baltimore with his wife.

“Michael Stang’s magic-carpet stories fly us beyond the bounds of the real, into a world similar to this one but more magical, more coherent, and much kinder. Take the trip. A visit will do you good.” –William deBuys, Pulitzer finalist and author of The Trail to Kanjiroba

“The stories in The Monster of the Gunpowder River and Other Fabrications are a moving and elegant display of Dr. Stang’s abilities as a chronicler of history, place, character, and the nuances of time on the subjects on which he chooses to turn his knowledgeable gaze—in this case, the surrounds of the Gunpowder River in Baltimore County. The pieces bring to life real symbols, icons, and landmarks filtered through the author’s vivid imagination, at times melancholic and wistful, other times bawdy and outrageous. His tales are a balm for our current, challenging times.” –Dr. Hortense Gerardo, playwright, screenwriter, and Director of the Anthropology, Performance, and Technology (APT) Program at the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.

“Behold 7 wonder stories, each structured upon a skeleton of geographic and historic truths, made flesh by their able and tender physician/writer and gifted breath by the pure power of his imagination – together forming a kind of benevolent Golem to snuggle up to each night. Bravo!” –Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder/Director American Visionary Art Museum

For more event details contact The Bookplate at 410-778-4167 or contact@thebookplate.net. This event is free and open to the public and reservations are not required, however the event on 6/14 with Smithsonian curator, Eleanor Harvey, will require reservations to guarantee a seat. Reserve your space by calling the shop at 410-778-4167. The next Authors & Oysters is scheduled for 6/7 with local favorite, Jamie Kirkpatrick. All events are held in the back room of The Retriever, located at 337 ½ High Street in Chestertown, Maryland. 

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