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December 3, 2024

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

5 News Notes

Race to Support KART Set for October 8

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Kent Association of Riding Therapy (KART) has provided therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities since 1984. Over 200 participants benefit from the program evidenced in physical, cognitive, and social improvements.

To support this program, KART is hosting its annual fundraiser Chestertown Challenge Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, starting at 9 a.m. in Wilmer Park.  Advanced registration is $50 for the Half Marathon and $25 for the 5K Run/Walk.  Race day registration is available.  Visit https://runsignup.com/chestertownchallenge or www.kentridingtherapy.org to register or become a sponsor. Tech shirts, awards, and medals will be presented after the race. Packet pickup and race day registration will be available at 8 a.m.

“This fundraiser will not only raise awareness but will also generate funding necessary to support the organization providing an invaluable service to the community members living with a disability: PATH certified therapeutic riding instructors, horse care and equipment, special lifts and ramps for those in wheelchairs, helmets, harnesses, and safety gear for all riders. KART relies on fundraising events like this and generous contributions from our community to support programs for the special needs community,” said Marti Hawkins, KART President. 

The Half Marathon is the perfect training run for those planning to participate in a full marathon later this fall. The 5K Run/Walk are always popular races.  The event starts and finishes at Wilmer Park and will be run entirely on police-controlled, paved country roads with mile markers and directional arrows.  Water stops will be located throughout the course and at the start/finish.  Refreshments will be provided at the finish line.  Both courses are USA Track and Field certified.

KART has been able to expand their programs, thanks to the generous donations from the community, to include participants from Kent Center, Horizons, Heron Point, and Camp Fairlee.

For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities and have your logo or name on the race tech shirts, please contact Renee Bench at [email protected].  If you can’t make this event but would like to show your support, register as a Silent Hero to support the cause or visit the KART website and click the DONATE button.

 

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Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) Fall 2023 Semester Registration is Open

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Although the first classes begin in early September, many classes have start dates in October, November and December.  With more than 40 class offerings and three day trips to choose from, individuals can sign up for as many classes as desired by becoming members of IAL at any time during the semester.  The membership cost is $90 per semester. 

Courses are in the areas of:  Brain, Body and Soul; History and Current Events; Culinary Arts; Local Environment and Science; and Literature, Arts and Crafts.  Courses range from one to six sessions and classes are held Monday through Friday between 10:30am and 4:30pm.  The location for most classes is the Kennard Cultural Center (410 Little Kidwell Ave) in Centreville.  The focus is on personal enrichment and fun.  IAL also offers monthly happy hour gatherings throughout the Mid-Shore area and has several day trips planned for this semester.

For details on course offerings, trips, and how to become an IAL member, please visit the IAL website:  InstituteforAdultLearning.org


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Compass announces their 2023 Fashion Show Inbox

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The spotlight will shine on compassion and style as Compass and Compass Closet presents a remarkable Fashion Show in support of hospice care, grief support services, and supportive care throughout Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. This exclusive event will take place on Monday, October 16th at Prospect Bay Country Club. Doors will open at 11:00am. This promises to be an enchanting afternoon filled with fashion, community, and a shared commitment to enhancing the lives of those in need of Compass’ services.

Compass’ Fashion Show aims to blend the world of fashion with a meaningful cause, offering attendees an extraordinary experience that combines artistry, philanthropy, and community. Guests will have the opportunity to experience and purchase items from the runway showcase. Compass Closet, Compass’ upscale resale boutique located in Chester, has provided all the clothing and accessories for each model. At the event there will also be a curated boutique with items from Compass Closet to fit anyone’s style. 

As attendees immerse themselves in the world of fashion, they will also be contributing to a greater purpose. The afternoon will feature a luncheon, cash bar, boutique shopping as well as silent and live auction items. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Compass, a local non-profit organization committed to providing comfort, dignity, and support to individuals and their families during life’s most challenging moments. 

This event encapsulates the essence of Compass and Compass Closet’s values, uniting fashion enthusiasts, philanthropists, and community leaders to make a genuine difference in the lives of hospice patients and their families. In addition to the enthralling runway display, the Fashion Show will include opportunities for networking, mingling while shopping for designer pieces, and connecting with like-minded individuals who share a passion for both style and social responsibility. The event promises a seamless fusion of elegance and empathy, leaving attendees inspired and motivated to give back to their community.

Tickets for the Fashion Show are available for $60 each. To purchase tickets please visit compassregionalhospice.org/compass-fashion-show or Compass’ events page. All interested parties are encouraged to secure their seats early, as availability is limited. Or you can contact Shelly Baird at [email protected] or 443-262-4106.

There are sponsorship opportunities available for this event at varying levels. For more information on how you can support this event, please visit compassregionalhospice.org/compass-fashion-show or contact Shelly Baird at [email protected] or 443-262-4106.

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Oxford Museum to Offer Talbot County Decoy Programs

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In conjunction with the Oxford Museum’s fall exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Celebrating Talbot County Decoys and Carvers,” the Museum is excited to be sponsoring a series of public and members only programs. This special exhibit, running from August 19 to November 12, is unique in that it focuses only on Talbot County decoys and their carvers. It will feature rare examples from important private and public collections, as well as fowling guns, gear, historic photos and documents, videos, an outdoor hunting blind, and carving demonstrations. 

On Saturday, September 9 and again on Saturday, October 7, from 10 am to 4 pm, Bruce Eppard from Royal Oak, MD will be demonstrating the art of decoy carving for the public. Additionally, his decoys will be for sale in the Museum Shop. 

If you have a decoy in your own collection that you would like to know more about, Duck In For An Appraisal at the Museum on September 16 between 3 – 5 pm. George Meyer, Jr. from Trappe, MD is a collector of hundreds of decoys and an authority on regional carvers. Appraisals are $10 for one item and will be by appointment only. Schedule your appraisal online at https://www.oxfordmuseummd.org/.

Experienced local hunters Matt Ozman, and Larry Penn will construct a duck blind in the Museum’s Garden. At 5 pm on September 16, following the appraisals, they will give a talk on Waterfowling Around: Our Experiences Hunting in Talbot County.

On October 5 collector and decoy expert George Meyer, Jr. will present Talbot County Decoys: What You Never Knew to an audience of museum members at St. Paul’s Church, Oxford. This is a great opportunity to learn about Talbot County’s contributions in creating both working and decorative decoys. 

Henry Stansbury, historian, author, collector, and Trustee Emeritus of the Maryland Historical Society will speak to museum members on Oxford’s Own Ed Parsons: Ships Chandler and Decoy Maker. Henry is lending several wonderful Ed Parson’s decoys for the exhibit and will speak about his life as a collector. The talk will be at St. Paul’s Church, Oxford at 5 pm on October 15. 

The Art of Ed and Esther Burns, Wildfowl Carvers will be the topic for museum members on October 20, at 5 pm at St. Paul’s Church, Oxford. The speaker will be Ernie Burns, their son. Ed and Esther not only created decoys, but they also taught others the craft. Ernie will talk about their teaching and growing up with decoy carving. The exhibit will include examples of their work and tools. 

It’s not too late to join the Museum and enjoy all the programs that are Member Only. Join online at www.oxfordmuseummd.org/. “Duck, Duck, Goose: Celebrating Talbot County Decoys and Carvers” will run through November 12 at the Oxford Museum, 101 S. Morris Street, Oxford. St. Paul’s Church is located at 225 S. Morris Street, Oxford. Admission to the Museum is free. Museum hours are Friday through Monday, 10 am – 4 pm. For more information or to schedule a decoy appraisal visit https://www.oxfordmuseummd.org/. 

 

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Honoring Clay Railey, Elizabeth Hackett, and Addie Eckardt for Their Dedication to Wye River Upper School

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In a heartwarming celebration of unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership, Wye River Upper School takes immense pride in honoring three distinguished individuals who have left an indelible mark on our institution. We extend our deepest gratitude to Clay Railey, former Secretary; Elizabeth Hackett, Chair of the Development Committee; and Addie Eckardt, for their invaluable years of service on the Board of Trustees.

Throughout their tenures, Clay, Elizabeth, and Addie have been instrumental in driving Wye River Upper School’s mission forward and elevating the educational experience of our students. Their passion, dedication, and unyielding support have been pivotal in helping us fulfill our commitment to empowering bright minds and fostering an inclusive learning environment. Their combined expertise and unyielding belief in the power of education have set an unparalleled standard for board service. The impact of their collective efforts can be witnessed in the lives of countless students who have graduated from Wye River Upper School with newfound confidence, knowledge, and a sense of purpose.

As our former Secretary, Clay Railey demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unparalleled commitment to advancing our institution’s values. His steadfast advocacy for accessible education and innovative initiatives has laid the groundwork for Wye River Upper School’s continued growth and success.

As Chair of the Development Committee, Elizabeth Hackett has been the driving force behind numerous transformative projects that have strengthened our school’s foundation. Her profound understanding of philanthropy and passion for educational excellence has fueled our ability to create a lasting impact within our community.

Addie Eckardt’s invaluable contributions as a dedicated member of the Board have been a beacon of inspiration for all. Her dedication to the betterment of education and the welfare of our students has been evident in every decision she made. Addie’s leadership has guided us through challenges and triumphs, strengthening our institution and making it more resilient.

On behalf of the entire Wye River Upper School community, we sincerely thank Clay Railey, Elizabeth Hackett, and Addie Eckardt. As you step down from your positions on the Board of Trustees, know that your legacy will endure in the lives of our students, faculty, and staff and the continued success of our institution.

About Wye River Upper School: Wye River Upper School, located in Centerville, MD, is a premier independent preparatory 8th – 12th-grade school dedicated to serving bright students who learn differently. Through individualized instruction, comprehensive support, and a nurturing community, the school empowers students with learning differences to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Wye River Upper School is recognized for its commitment to providing an inclusive environment fostering growth, resilience, and success.

For media inquiries, please contact Katie Lillard, Dir. of Enrollment and Communications, [email protected], 443.262.8267.

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Easton Choral Arts Society invites new singers for the Holiday Concerts

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ECAS is a friendly, welcoming choral community that last season added many new singers to its roster.  Interested singers from 8th grade to adults are welcome to try out. Send email to [email protected] for information about joining.

The Easton Choral Arts Society’s 2023-2024 Season will kick off with “Home for the Holidays”, a festive program featuring the diverse holiday traditions celebrated across the entire United States. The concert dates are Thursday, December 7th at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 10th at 4pm at Christ Church in Easton.

The audience will travel across the country as this program takes them through a festive stylistic journey from Southern gospel and Midwestern folk to the Northeastern crooners and West Coast Hollywood flare. Even islands of both the Atlantic and Pacific (Hawaii, Puerto Rico and more) will share their Christmas spirit.

And there’s our own Delmarva! The area along the Delaware River was settled by the Swedes and was known as New Sweden. The tradition of Santa Lucia (Festival of Lights) began the Yuletide celebrations that continued through December. New Swedes Church is famous today for its festival, with children dressed in white, singing, distributing baked goods and wearing the crown of candles.

The program’s world premiere is the song of “Santa Lucia”, Composed by ECAS’s Artistic Director, Alexis Renee Ward, this new composition, and much of the program, will be accompanied by a professional guest instrumental ensemble of piano, percussion, and strings

This year’s program will also feature stunning works celebrating the miracles of Hanukkah, the cultural principles of Kwanzaa, and traditional sacred melodies of Christmas.

Easton Choral Arts is looking forward to performing for the community this season.

 

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Institute for Adult Learning to Hold Showcase of Classes on August 9, 2023

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Would you like to learn about artificial intelligence or how to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft? Perhaps you would like to join a book club, a fitness class or a walking group. If you are interested in science and the environment, you can learn about coral reefs or the history of Poplar Island. Or you can participate in discussions about current events, or choose from a large variety of hands-on crafting projects.  

The Institute for Adult Learning, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide learning experiences and social events which enrich the lives of the age 50+ community in the Mid-Shore area, will hold a Showcase of Classes for the fall semester on Wednesday, August 9, at the Kennard Cultural Center, located at 410 Little Kidwell Avenue in Centreville, Md. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 2:00 p.m.  

The Showcase will provide an overview of 46 courses to be offered during the fall semester, which runs from September 6 through December 15, in categories such as brain, body and soul; history and current events; local environment and science; literature, arts and crafts; and culinary arts. All classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday, and range from one to six sessions.

The membership fee of $90 per person per semester entitles participants to sign up for an unlimited number of courses. Members are also invited to participate in monthly happy hours and various field trips throughout the semester. Trips planned for the fall semester include a cruise on the Miles River in St. Michaels, points of interest in Annapolis history and politics, and Mount Harmon Plantation.

“Our organization strives to cultivate a culture of connection which is vitally important to aging well, as documented by numerous studies,” says Janet Crutchley, curriculum chairperson. “Our members appreciate the opportunities we provide to socialize with like-minded people as much as they enjoy learning about a wide range of topics.”

Attendees may join the IAL and enroll in classes either at the Showcase or on the organization’s website after the event. Registration to attend the event is not required but is recommended by sending an email to info@instituteforadultlearning.org.

For more information about the IAL, visit the IAL website at www.instituteforadultlearning.org. 

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Hollen and Sabanes Introduce Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act

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 U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes introduced the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act, which, if passed into law, would create the Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The CNRA would be a land-based, 21st-century park, uniting new and existing National Park Service (NPS) sites and trails, as well as partner parks, to increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay and create a national park-worthy visitor experience for all to enjoy. Co-sponsors include Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), David Trone (D-Md.), and Rob Wittman (R-Va.).

One year ago, a July 2022 public opinion poll showed profound support for National Park Service status for the Chesapeake, with 83% of Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC respondents in favor of establishing a Chesapeake National Recreation Area. A congressional working group was formed in June 2022, and draft legislation was shared in November 2022. Hundreds of public comments were submitted.

Representatives of United4CNRA, a coalition of organizations and people advocating for the CNRA, issued the following statements celebrating this significant step toward establishing the CNRA:

“Latino Outdoors wholeheartedly endorses Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes’ vision for the Chesapeake National Recreation Area.  It is a vision that has been thoughtfully crafted by a broad range of stakeholders, and it centers the protection of diverse landscapes, increased diverse public access, and the celebration of cultural diversity.  We applaud the efforts of Senator Van Hollen, Congressman Sarbanes, and the entire CNRA working group.  We see their actions as an affirmation of the importance of diversity, not for diversity’s sake, but rather for its potential to be a catalyst for a thriving and sustainable regional economy, community, and recreational asset. – Latino Outdoors Executive Director Luis Villa

 “Thank you, Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Sarbanes, for making a more than 30-year-long dream come true. The Chesapeake Bay is as spectacular as Yellowstone or Yosemite, as great as the Great Smokies and as grand as the Grand Tetons. Establishing the Chesapeake National Recreation Area expands resources for environmental protection and makes it clear that the United States cherishes the Chesapeake, the birthplace of American identity. As a great gift to future generations, this legislation ensures everyone’s right to visit and recreate on our nation’s largest estuary while balancing the needs of those who live here and depend on the bay for their livelihood.” – Chesapeake Conservancy President & CEO Joel Dunn

 “We appreciate the many years of hard work that Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative John Sarbanes and the Chesapeake working group have dedicated to charting a path forward for the Chesapeake National Recreation Area.

“There is only one Chesapeake Bay, and everyone deserves a chance to experience its wonders. Working together to create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area would expand public access to the largest estuary in the world, bring economic growth to nearby communities, and help the National Park Service, native Tribes, and Chesapeake watermen interpret thousands of years of impactful history. Introducing legislation is the next step to make the dream of this park a reality.” – National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) President & CEO Theresa Pierno

“The Chesapeake Bay has nourished Indigenous people both physically and spiritually for more than 10,000 years. The Chesapeake National Recreation Area would help educate our young people about the long-standing connection between the Chesapeake Bay and American Indians and ensure that the bay’s plants and animals, which are so essential to the sustaining power of life for everyone, are protected while preparing our next generation of leaders for the future.”  – Rappahannock Tribe Chief Anne Richardson

“The National Park Service serves as one of our nation’s foremost storytellers and steward of our rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage. The Chesapeake National Recreation Area would allow all of the American people and our international visitors to learn about our country’s history and how the Chesapeake Bay has been the landscape of Indigenous history, European exploration, colonialism, independence, slavery and freedom.” – former National Park Service Director “Bob” Robert Stanton (retired)

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QAC Tourism to Celebrate Field to Table Entrepreneurs

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Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development (QACETD) hosted its first Field to Table event celebrating small agricultural entrepreneurs on June 8, 2023. For the last three years, the department has supported over 25 local agricultural businesses by providing micro grants of up to $10,000 to assist with marketing, implementing capital improvement projects, and/or conducting research through a grant fund made possible by Upper Shore Regional Council and the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners. The Field to Table event showcased the grantees’ products and connected the ag entrepreneurs with local business and community leaders.

“We’re incredibly proud of the fact that Queen Anne’s County has a thriving ecosystem of farmers and producers that are creating such unique, accessible, high-quality products,” said Rebecca Clark, the County’s Economic Development Coordinator. “What better way to celebrate them than to give our local business and community leaders the opportunity to hear their stories, sample their products, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated dinner made with products they cultivated or produced? Every one of the grantees participating tonight and the local businesses we brought in to make the evening special are contributing to the economic vitality of Queen Anne’s County. They each play a role in making it a better place to live.”

Several of the grantees have developed partnerships with one another, resulting in a multiplier effect of the funding they received. One such partnership is between Oksana Bocharaova of Oksana’s Produce Farm and David King of King Mushrooms. David is able to utilize space in Oksana’s commercial kitchen to produce value-added products that he can take to his thriving farmers market circuit, and for a small fee this access offsets a portion of Oksana’s cost to lease the commercial space.

The county’s five breweries – Big Truck Farm Brewery, Bull & Goat Brewery, Cult Classic, Patriot Acres Farm Brewery, and Ten Eyck Brewing – recently joined forces to share knowledge and resources as the Queen Anne’s County Brewers Coalition. The group used their most recent micro grant to collectively educate county residents and beyond about the history of breweries and the science of alcohol manufacturing through marketing of their Hop On: QAC Brewery Tour.

“This partnership and the ability to get to work with all of these different people and organizations has created something that not a lot of others can say they have. Queen Anne’s County is really unique,” said Jacob Heimbuch, co-owner of Bull & Goat Brewing and Old Courthouse Distillery.

The ag entrepreneurs and their products featured at the Field to Table event included: Blue Heron Farm (strawberry jam), King Mushrooms, LLC (Lions Mane mushrooms and tinctures), Mindful Acres (microgreens), Oksana’s Produce Farm (carrots and pickles), Quillen Farms (wagyu beef), SunKissed Flower Farm (flowers for the tables and an make-your-own bouquet station), Tidewater Organics (flour for dinner rolls), Tomahawk Farms (flowers and jam), Where Pigs Fly Farm (chicken, eggs), Love Point Winery, Patriot Acres Farm Brewery (goat milk soap) and each of the County’s breweries.

To complement the featured products, Chef Alicia Boyd of Humble Hearts Catering & Events curated and coordinated a lovely dinner for the attendees. Justin Crew of AP Speakeasy tended bar, serving beer, wine and spirits from QAC breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Michael Waskey Music performed, and Caroline Phillips photographed the event. All of the event vendors were also from Queen Anne’s County.

The event was originally set to take place at Godfrey’s Farm in Sudlersville, Maryland, but the air quality that day prompted a shift to an indoor venue. Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center opened its doors to event goers and provided a beautiful, light-filled space to host the combined farmer’s market and dining experience for the evening. There were over 60 people in attendance at the event, including representatives from Senator Cardin’s office, Senator Van Hollen’s Office, Delegate Steve Arentz, Commissioners Jim Moran and Jack Wilson, the Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission, Upper Shore Regional Council, Chesapeake College, UMD Cooperative Extension, and Maryland Department of Commerce.

“What started out as a small idea with these micro ag grants became a collaboration between three counties and has turned out to be wildly successful. We even won an award at MACo for outstanding innovation,” shared Susan O’Neill, Executive Director of Upper Shore Regional Council.

For more information on economic development in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, contact us at 410-604-2100 or email Heather Tinelli: [email protected] or Rebecca Clark: [email protected].

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Transportation Authority Invites Residents to Participate in the Bay Crossing Study Survey

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The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) invites residents to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study Equity Survey to assist us in achieving equity in the process and in the project outcome. Your input will help us understand travel needs and concerns within the Study corridor and around the existing crossing, guide our engagement efforts to meet your specific needs and help improve future decision making so that an equitable solution for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study can be realized.

The Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 2 NEPA, being conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is evaluating options to provide congestion relief and improve travel reliability, mobility, and safety across the Chesapeake Bay. The Tier 2 Study is focusing on the 2-mile-wide corridor containing the existing Bay Bridge, also known as Corridor 7. This corridor, which extends for approximately 22 miles from the Severn River bridge to the US 50/US 301 split, was approved in the Tier 1 Study as the Selected Corridor Alternative by the Federal Highway Administration in its Record of Decision.

Visit the study website at baycrossingstudy.com to participate in the Equity Survey, to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, or to provide a comment. If you are unable to access the survey or Study materials online, or if you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or require language translation services (free of charge), please contact the agency’s Title VI Officer at [email protected] or at 410-537-6720.

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