Spy Desk

T-shirt Design Contest

January 20, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is calling on artists of all ages to participate in a t-shirt design contest. The purpose of the contest is to create a design for the annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival (CTPF) t-shirt. The CTPF has been held annually since 1976. The Festival celebrates the colonial past of Chestertown, including the alleged throwing of tea into the Chester River. The design will be featured on the back of the annual t-shirt. It may be used online or in printed material as well.

The design needs to be in black and white. Each person may submit up to two entries. The winner will receive a $100 award and will be recognized at the Chestertown Tea Party Festival Parade Awards Ceremony held on May 23, 2020. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, February 28, 2020. They may also be submitted electronically to greenbien@hotmail.com.

For complete set of rules as well as the entry form, please visit chestertownteaparty.org

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Critical Conservation Work Planned by ShoreRivers Throughout the Eastern Shore

January 20, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Beginning this month, ShoreRivers will begin implementing a suite of conservation projects on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, including multiple installations on farmland to improve soil health, stormwater action plans to modernize outdated municipal systems, partnerships with congregations to put projects on four faith properties, and pollution reduction from a golf course community. This work is made possible through eight grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Trust. Projects will begin in 2020 and culminate in 2022.

Farmland: Agriculture is the primary land use and a large economic driver of the Eastern Shore. In collaboration with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, ShoreRivers will work with local farmers to improve soil health through cover crops and conservation tillage practices. A series of innovative conservation drainage practices will also be implemented to increase crop productivity while reducing sediment loss and nutrient pollution. Two agricultural projects located in the Chester River watershed will be designed to filter runoff from over 500 acres of cropland and to restore wetland habitat for native species.

Saturated buffer installation

Stormwater: Wye Mills, located in a sub-watershed of the Wye River, has poor water quality and experiences frequent flooding. ShoreRivers will complete a thorough assessment to identify pollution sources, flood reduction opportunities, and potential restoration project sites. Similarly, Chestertown has an outdated stormwater system; ShoreRivers will develop a comprehensive stormwater action plan with stakeholder input to improve water quality. The ultimate goal is to create an innovative, modern stormwater system for this historic town.

Community: Environmental conservation efforts thrive thanks to partnerships with strong community organizations such as Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC). To reduce harmful runoff on church properties, ShoreRivers will host two workshops to engage and inform congregations on restoration strategies and develop a plan to implement at least four restoration projects on faith properties.

Homeowners: To improve the health of the Wye River, ShoreRivers’ River-Friendly Yards program staff will work with homeowners in Queenstown near Greenwood Creek to install rain gardens and plant trees. Additionally, ShoreRivers will partner with Prospect Bay Country Club on multiple efforts to reduce fertilizer and herbicide use on its golf course in order to minimize harmful runoff.

ShoreRivers is thrilled to bring significant state and national resources into the region to support integral work for healthy rivers on behalf of our communities. Follow the progress of these projects:@shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or subscribe to the e-newsletter at shorerivers.org/subscribe.

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

shorerivers.org

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Chestertown Lions Club Presents Appreciation Award to Blue Bird Tavern

January 18, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Chestertown Lions Club has sponsored a shotgun raffle for the last 7 years with proceeds funding numerous Kent County events and projects.

Raffle sales began in early September and ran through December. Ticket sale locations this year in addition to the Blue Bird were JBK Hardware, Farmer’s Market in Chestertown, Molly’s Place, and The Mill in Kingstown. The drawing for raffle winners took place at the Blue Bird Tavern on January 8^th, 2020 at 6:00 pm. There were two raffle winners- 1^st place a new $1,500 Browning A-5 shotgun or cash and 2^nd place $300 in merchandise from Molly’s Place.

L-R: Lion Fred Sherriff, Shotgun Raffle Committee Chair and Chelsy Smith, Blue Bird Manager.

An Appreciation Plaque for their support of the Club’s raffle sales was presented by the Lions Clubs Lion Fred Sherriff, Shotgun Raffle Committee Chair, to Chelsy Smith, Blue Bird Tavern Manager at the Shotgun Raffle drawing. The award was presented for the substantial support the Blue Bird Tavern provides each year. The Club sold approximately 5,000 tickets this year with a large percentage of tickets sold at the Blue Bird.

If you would like to know more about the Chestertown Lions Club and the projects we support, call Membership Committee Chair Lion Larry Lyons at 410-708-3599.

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Kent County Democratic Central Committee Event Featuring MDP Chair Yvette Lewis

January 15, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

MDP Chair Yvette Lewis and Prince George’s County Democratic activist David Sloan.

On Wednesday, January 22, the Kent County Democratic Central Committee will host a meet-and-greet fundraiser with newly elected (and returning) Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis. Beginning at 5:00 pm at Barbara’s on the Bay, Betterton, the event will feature hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar. Individual tickets may be purchased or reserved at www.KentDems.org.

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Compass Regional Hospice Nurse Receives Clinical Excellence Award

January 14, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Cathy Willis, RN Case Manager at Compass Regional Hospice, was chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care. The award is named in honor of hospice nurse Cynthia Nugent, who dedicated eight years of her life to caring for those with life-limiting illnesses. Willis was nominated by her peers for this honor, which recognizes a Compass Regional Hospice clinical care provider who has shown outstanding dedication and excellence in caring for terminally ill patients and assisting their families.

Following Nugent’s passing in 2009, her husband, Bob, wanted to honor her work as a hospice nurse and recognize the excellent care she received as a patient at the Hospice Center in Centreville. Bob Nugent proposed creating an annual award that would honor Cynthia’s memory by recognizing a staff member who has gone above and beyond for their patients and their families.

Sharon Loving, Supervisor of Support Services for Compass Regional Hospice, and Bob Nugent presented the award to Willis during the staff holiday party on December 20. Bob Nugent said, “Cynthia thought the world of all of her colleagues. Although she had a career in the military and in government service, she found her calling when she came to hospice. She believed that caring for terminally ill patients was both a duty and an honor.”

Cathy Willis, RN Case Manager at Compass Regional Hospice, was chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Willis, a Kent County resident, has been a nurse and case manager for Compass Regional Hospice for nearly six years. One of the award nominators wrote, “Cathy has been a dedicated hospice nurse for many years. She goes above and beyond for her patients, and is always the first to help fellow staff in any capacity she can. She once arranged a motorcycle ride for a patient that wanted to ride one more time. She’ll bring birthday gifts, balloons, meals, or equipment so that her patients can truly live the rest of their time the best way possible.”

Another nominator said of Willis, “Cathy is unassuming, collaborative, ruthless, adaptable, and compassionate. Our jobs are to advocate not only for our patients and their families, but for each other. She is a fierce advocate for her fellow nurses, and shows up for her team when she is needed. She exemplifies what it means to serve her community. She is not only an excellent nurse, she is an exemplary community member, and I am proud to have worked beside her.”

Upon receiving the award, Willis said “Receiving this award was a true honor. Although I had never met Mrs. Nugent, I have heard so many great stories that have included her. It is a great honor to be an additional recipient of the award as those in the past, to carry on her memory and her legacy.”

Heather Guerieri, Chief Executive Officer of Compass Regional Hospice added, “I want to thank Bob Nugent for establishing this award, and his commitment to highlighting the selfless work of the staff at Compass Regional Hospice.”

Other Compass Regional Hospice staff who have earned the Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care include social worker Michelle Tuttle; hospice nurse and Hospice Center Manager Sarah Severs; social worker and Support Services Supervisor Sharon Loving; hospice nurse and Compliance and Quality Manager Missy Willis; bereavement counselor and Grief Support Services Supervisor Rhonda Knotts; hospice aide Melanie Glacken; and grief counselor Wayne Larrimore.

Compass Regional Hospice

Since 1985, Compass Regional Hospice has been dedicated to supporting people of all ages living with a life-limiting illness, and those learning to cope following the death of a loved one. Today, the organization is a regional provider of palliative care, hospice care, and grief support in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Whether serving their patients in private residences, skilled nursing facilities, or Compass’ residential centers in Centreville and Chestertown, staff and volunteers are guided by their mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. Grief support services are offered to families of all patients, as well as to all children and adults in the community through grief groups, one-on-one counseling, and in-school support. As a Level 4 partner of the We Honor Veterans program, they also offer veteran-centric care that meets the unique needs of men and women who have served our country. Compass Regional Hospice is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the state of Maryland, and accredited by the Joint Commission. It is affiliated with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland. For more information about Compass Regional Hospice, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

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Dr. Couch to Speak on Kirwan Recommendations January 16

January 9, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The public is invited to the January 16 meeting of the Democratic Club of Kent County, where Dr. Karen Couch, KCPS Superintendent, will speak on the topic of “Maryland Educational Reform Recommendations,” resulting from the work of the “Kirwan Commission.” Dr. Couch served as a member of the the Commission; formally known as the “Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education,” the body recently completed its work, and the recommendations (and their costs) will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly during the current session.

Dr. Karen Couch

The Commission studied educational policy for two years, including looking at what’s worked in other states and countries. Highlights of their recommendations include:

• Expanding prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds, as well as 3-year-olds from poor families;
• Increasing the standards to become a teacher, and raising teacher salaries;
• Revamping high schools to offer students training for well-paying jobs right after graduation;
• Establishing more “community schools” with additional services for students and their families;
• Providing more support to special education students and schools with concentrations of poor families; and
• Creating an accountability program to make sure money for education goes where it’s supposed to.

The Commission report envisions phasing in these new and expanded programs over 10 years. By that time, the state and the local school systems would reportedly need to add a total of about $4 billion per year more than they would have if spending stayed on its current course. The state’s share of the increase would be $2.8 billion when fully phased in, while local governments would collectively be paying $1.2 billion more. It is not clear what Kent County’s additional costs would be, nor how they would be funded.

Join us on Thursday, January 16 at Sumner Hall, 206 S. Queen St., Chestertown, for this informative meeting. Doors open at 5:30 for light refreshments (please note, dinner will not be available for this meeting). Dr. Couch will begin her presentation at approximately 6:30 pm. See you there!

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ShoreRivers to Host Workshop on Building Resilient Eastern Shore Farms

January 8, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

On February 5, ShoreRivers will host a free workshop in Princess Anne on building farm resiliency through improved water management and soil health. The workshop is open to the public and will focus on innovative practices that benefit both farm productivity and conservation efforts. Farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals are encouraged to attend. View the full agenda at shorerivers.org.

Water availability and soil health have a big impact on farm productivity and resiliency. The workshop will feature presentations from ShoreRivers and University of Maryland Extension staff on innovative conservation drainage practices, the agronomic benefits of building healthy soils, and an overview of Chesapeake Bay water quality goals and how agricultural conservation practices can help meet them.

Following the presentations, attendees are invited to visit a nearby farm that uses cover crops and no-till, and where ShoreRivers partnered on a conservation drainage project that includes drainage water management and a structure for water control at the outlet.

This workshop is being held in partnership with University of Maryland Extension and will be held at their Somerset Office located at 30730 Park Drive in Princess Anne, Maryland. The workshop will run from 9am-2pm with lunch provided. For a full agenda or to RSVP, please contact Laura Wood at lwood@shorerivers.org or 410-810-7556 ext. 276.

Farmers located on the upper Eastern Shore can expect a similar event hosted more locally in late spring 2020 as a part of this series of workshops funded by Northeast Extension Risk Management Education.

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

shorerivers.org

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Bay Country Chorus Offers Free, Six-Week Singing Class

January 7, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Bay Country Chorus invites men who like to sing — in the car or shower or who have sung in a school chorus — to a free, six-week series of singing classes starting Feb. 3.

“Give us six Monday evenings,” said Director Roni Gapetz, “and we’ll have you enjoying group singing.”

The course, called “Ready, Set, Sing!” is taught by Ms. Gapetz. Beginning and experienced singers are welcome, and the course and all learning materials are free. Advance registration is recommended.

The next series of “Ready, Set, Sing!” classes will take place on Monday evenings from Feb. 3 to March 9 starting at 7 pm at Brookletts Place Talbot Senior Center, 400 Brookletts Ave., Easton.

The course will teach how to sing richly and resonantly and produce ear-pleasing harmony.

Bay Country Chorus members, from left, Herb Branch, John Crovo, Scott Haddock, and Gerry Hopkins.

She holds a bachelors degree in music from Bethany College and a masters degree in education from Salisbury University. She is a certified director through Sweet Adelines International.

The chorus has brought a cappella music to Mid-Shore senior centers, baseball stadiums, corporate events, and private parties since 1995. It performed before about 3,400 people in 19 Mid- and Lower Shore events in 2019.

The chorus is a chapter of the 20,000-member Barbershop Harmony Society. Rehearsals are held Mondays at 7 pm at Brookletts Place – Talbot Senior Center, and new singers are always welcome.

New songs being added to the chorus’ repertoire include barbershop arrangements of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood and “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel.

Registrations are being accepted now. To register, visit www.baycountrychorus.com or email jim@baycountrychorus.com or call Jim Ritch at (443) 944-7430.

Ms. Gapetz assumed the directorship of the Bay Country Chorus in 2015.

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The Garfield Center for the Arts Announces Our 2020 Season

January 6, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Garfield Center for the Arts in Chestertown is proud to announce its 2020 season of theatrical productions. Presented by the Garfield and directed by a group of talented local directors, this season offers a variety of shows – sensational drama, romantic musical, moral examination and a madcap comedy. MUSICAMP runs from from July 6-10 followed by Playmakers summer theatre camp from July 13 – August 9 culminating in a production of the children’s classic The Wizard of Oz.

The season opens February 7 with The Farnsworth Invention written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Lyle Pinder. It’s 1929. Two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called “television.” Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy?

In April, director Jennifer Kafka Smith will present The Fantasticks written by Tom Jones with music by Harvey Schmidt. The Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that, “without a hurt, the heart is hollow.”

Short Attention Span Theatre, the Garfield’s own ten-minute play festival, opens its sixteenth year in June. Produced by Mark Sullivan and Diane Landskroener, “SAST” runs from June 19 – July 5. An audience favorite, SAST features the local talents of dozens of directors, writers and actors, and is designed to hold your attention for Just. Long. Enough.

In one of the clearest and most urgently moral plays by the greatest American moral dramatist, Incident at Vichy is a tense, incisive examination of the choices each of us can make—and how we assuage our consciences—when our own society asserts domination over those considered “other.” Set in 1942. The detention room of a police station in the occupied Vichy Zone. Eight men have been picked up for questioning, for the reason everyone knows but can’t begin to consider. As details of the consequences of the occupation, and of the Nazis’ Racial Program, begin to emerge, each man must consider for himself how he responds. Director Bob Chauncey brings this Arthur Miller play on stage in August.

Closing the 2020 season, first time director Brad Chaires will bring the madcap comedy, Clue, to the Garfield stage from November 20 – December 6. Written by Jonathan Lynn, Hunter Foster, Eric Price, Sandy Rustin. It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well . . . dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game.

The Garfield Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to invigorate the cultural life of our community by nurturing, celebrating and supporting arts and artists through performance and education. For more information on happenings at the theatre, sponsorship opportunities or tickets, please visit www.GarfieldCenter.org, or call the box office at 410 810 2060. The Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre is located at 210 High Street, Chestertown, MD, 21620.

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