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July 2, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

7 Ed Notes

WC-ALL hosts Matthew Swanson & Robbi Behr April 15

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Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr

WC-ALL winds up the Learn at Lunch programming for 2020-2021 with a special presentation by Chestertown-based husband/wife team Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. They spend ten months of every year making books and raising kids in their barn/home/studio on Queen Street. They spend every June and July, however, in a remote corner of the Alaskan bush, running a small, family-owned commercial salmon fishing operation.

In this highly visual presentation, Swanson and Behr will present their new picturebook,  Sunrise Summer—a biographical recounting of their daughter’s first season as a member of the family fishing crew—and will talk about the process of creating a book, set-net fishing, off-the-grid living, free-range parenting, creative collaboration, and strategies for grizzly bear avoidance. Q&A to follow.

Author/illustrator duo Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr are the creators of the critically acclaimed middle grade mystery series Cookie Chronicles and The Real McCoys, and the picture books Babies Ruin Everything, Everywhere Wonder, and Sunrise Summer (April 2021). When not advocating on behalf of local schools, giving talks on creative entrepreneurship, or pulling salmon from the Bering Sea, they live in the hayloft of an old barn on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with their four kids and one dog.

This event will take place at noon on Thursday, April 15th, 2021, via Zoom. The title of the talk is “Little Picture Book on the Tundra.”This event is free of charge but attendance is limited.  To join the Zoom meeting, check the WC-ALL website ( https://www.washcoll.edu/people_departments/offices/wc-all/index.php) for details.

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WC-ALL Hosts Dr Astrid Caldas at March 18th Learn at Lunch

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Dr Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists

Dr Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, is the speaker at Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning’s next virtual “Learn at Lunch” presentation.  She will discuss our changing climate, explain global warming, and consider the resulting implications, globally and specifically for the Eastern Shore. The stakes, as we all know, are high.  What needs to be done to avoid the worst impacts?  Join us to hear the latest science behind global and local climate change.

This event will take place at noon on Thursday, March 18th, 2021, via Zoom. The title of Dr Caldas’s talk is “The Rising Stakes of Global and Local Climate Change.”

Dr Caldas is a senior climate scientist with the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She does research on climate change adaptation and resilience with practical policy implications for ecosystems, the economy, and society, while also focusing on science communication, environmental justice, and equitable climate-related policies. Before joining UCS, Dr. Caldas held positions at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Defenders of Wildlife, and the University of Maryland. Dr. Caldas holds a Ph.D. in ecology from the UniversidadeEstadual de Campinas and an M.S. in entomology from the Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil. She also earned an M.S. in environmental management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Join us March 18th to learn more about this very urgent topic. This event is free of charge but attendance is limited.  To join the Zoom meeting, check the WC-ALL website ( https://www.washcoll.edu/people_departments/offices/wc-all/index.php) for details.

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WC-ALL Hosts Lucy McFadden at February 11th Learn at Lunch

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Goddard Space Flight Center’s Lucy McFadden (emerita) is the speaker at Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning’s next virtual “Learn at Lunch” presentation.  This will take place at noon on Thursday, February 11th, 2021, via Zoom. The title of her talk is “Space and Why It Matters.”

Dr. McFadden (MSC from MIT, PHDU of Hawaii) has held positions at the University of Maryland, College Park, California Space Institute at the University of California San Diego, and Space Telescope Science Institute. At NASA, she has been an investigator for the Dawn mission to 4 Vesta and Ceres; and the Deep Impact and EPOXI programs. She has been a science team member for Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission; a member of the 2007-2008 ANSMET expedition; a member of the AlmahataSitta meteorite expedition (Northern Sudan, 2009); a leader of the NASA Goddard higher education and university programs (2010); and director of the Education and Public Outreach program for the Deep Impact and Dawn missions.

In her presentation to WC-ALL, Dr McFadden will share some wonders of comets and asteroids in our Solar System.  Robotic space missions funded by NASA, with questions and goals defined by scientists, built by the design ingenuity and hard work of engineers around the country and with international partners, have revealed other worlds that she hopes will awe us, as they do her. In the process, the endeavor to explore the Solar System has inspired generations of students to engage in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). It has been Lucy’s privilege to pursue a scientific career during the past 50 years and she looks forward to sharing some engaging stories and briefing us on what we might read about in the news in the near future.

Join us on February 11th to find out more about this fascinating insight. This event is free of charge but attendance is limited.  To join the Zoom meeting, check the WC-ALL website (https://www.washcoll.edu/people_departments/offices/wc-all/index.php) for details.

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WC-ALL Welcomes Two New Members to the Advisory Council

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Washington College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning is delighted to welcome two new members to its advisory council: Colleen Sundstrom and Charles Lerner.

Colleen Sundstrom has her B.A. in History and her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was also adjunct faculty before taking other positions, including Research Ethics and Compliance Officer with the Army Human Research Protections Office (AHRPO). On retiring in 2013, Colleen moved to Chestertown.  Since then she has taught 3 courses on ethics at WC-ALL, is treasurer of the Samaritan Group, on the Board of the Friends of the Library, and volunteers at RiverArts, the winter shelter, Your Voice Your Vote, and the Democratic Club.

Colleen Sundstrom and Charles Lerner

Charles Lerner got to know Chestertown when his son and daughter attended Washington College in the mid 2000’s. He has lived here fulltime for the past 8 years.  Previously he worked as an attorney for 28 years in the federal government, at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Labor.  In 1997, he moved to New York City, working at various financial institutions in regulatory compliance before starting his own regulatory compliance consulting firm in 2009.  Since moving to Chestertown, Charles has been very active in the community, and is board member of the Chester River Health Foundation, the Mid Shore Community Foundation and The MainStay. He recently ended his term at the end as a trustee of the Kent Country Public Library serving as president in his final year.

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WC-ALL Seeks Proposals for the Upcoming Spring Semester

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Planning for 2021 is already under discussion at WC-ALL.  The WC-ALL Curriculum Committee, headed by Ed Minch, is now preparing the course lineup for the SPRING 2021 semester and seeking course proposals from the wider community as well as WC-ALL members. New ideas as well as old favorites are welcome!

WC-ALL instructors are volunteers who take pleasure in sharing their insights and knowledge with others.  Some are retired teachers or professors, others have had interesting or unusual careers or life experiences outside the academic world. Lifelong hobbies and avocations also offer great backgrounds for developing a course that appeals to WC-ALL members committed to the joys of lifelong learning.

Spring semester 2021 will again run for two sessions, from January 31- March 12th, and from March 21- April 30th.  Classes generally meet once a week, for 60-75 minutes for four to six weeks. Courses are offered in both early and late blocks during the semester. Class structures range from lectures to moderated discussions to demonstrations, and even off-campus excursions. *NOTE: Although we hope Spring 2021 will progress with two full six-week sessions, please be aware that should circumstances change we stand ready to make adjustments to the course schedule as needed.

Please note that most in-person classes meet in William Smith Hall, Daly Hall and Goldstein Hall, with some off-campus locations for larger classes. All are accessible for the handicapped. Our virtual platform is Zoom, and instruction and training is available from the Curriculum Committee. WC-ALL has its own Zoom account, so you are not required to purchase any of that programming.

Course proposals should be submitted no later than Thursday, October 1, 2020.  Turnaround time for catalog production is tight; we appreciate your prompt submissions. You may submit proposals in one of TWO ways:  you can either scan and email your proposal to [email protected],OR you can print and mail hard copy proposals to Sue Calloway, PO Box 7885, Newark DE 19714 (due to campus closure). Do NOT use “WC-ALL” on the envelope please, just Sue’s name. We are not currently able to accept course proposal forms on our website. We hope to have this feature available again soon.

If you have any questions, please contact Ed by email at [email protected] or at home at 410-778-0990. You can be in touch with Sue Calloway, Office Administrator, at [email protected], or during office hours (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 9 -12) at 410-778-7221.

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WC-ALL Announces Fall Semester Courses

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The Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning, a continuing education program for adult learners, has announced an exciting schedule for the fall semester, which runs from August 31st to December 4th, 2020.  Ed Minch, WC-ALL’s curriculum chairperson, has put together a team of new and returning instructors and stimulating topics for both six-week sessions.  This semester, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the constraints this brings to Washington College, we have canceled Showcase and will be offering all events online, via Zoom. In these difficult times, Zoom classes offer us distinct advantages. They can accommodate large numbers, are not difficult to negotiate, and allow for relatively easy discussion.  Many of us have already used it, but if you feel you need help, please consult our website for clear and simple instructions.

Otherwise, we are operating as usual.  Students may register for as many classes as they wish for one inclusive membership fee.  Courses are taught by community members with interesting life experiences and expertise in a wide variety of fields. There are no educational requirements for membership and no papers or exams.  

This fall we are offering a wide range of courses which address both important and popular topics. Three courses continue for both Sessions.  Maria Wood continues to unpack the magic of Hamilton, now even more widely enjoyed thanks to television; Raymond Vergne looks at the many faces of Fascism; and Kevin Brien leads an exploration of the Confucian Way. Sign up for both sessions, or enjoy just one course.

Other courses in Session One, which begin on August 31st, include some timely topics: “Dangerous Infections and How they get the Upper Hand” (taught by Wendy Cronin); “Gun Control and the Second Amendment” (taught by Jim Astrachan); and financial advice for retirees, offered by Michael Durstein in “Passport to Retirement: Estate/Financial Planning for Retirees.”  Movie buffs will be happy to know that Charles Leary is examining “1974: American Film,” and some much-needed nostalgia is sure to be found in “The Golden Age of Ocean Liners,” taught by Jack Shaum.   Last, but certainly not least, Larry Lagattuta’s “History and Making of Bread” is bound to attract a crowd as the popularity of home-baking increases with our ongoing lockdown.

Highlights in Session Two include perennial favorite “Supreme Court,” in which John Christie leads two separate discussions of key cases heard during the 2019 term.  Art and literature are also recommended, as Beverley Hall Smith discusses “Artists of the 19th Century, Up Close and Personal,” and Jean Austin looks at “Short Stories Everyone Should Know.”  Financial tips continue with “Doc” Smith’s class on “Money and the Art of Contrary Thinking.” And finally our environment, near, far and virtual, is not forgotten.  Dick Lance helps us understand our Apple technology (“Some Tips to Ease Everyday Use of Your Apple ‘Toys’”); Dennis Herrmann introduces us to “Backyard Astronomy;” and Larry Vetter helps us consider “Practical Environmental Field Response.”

In addition to sponsoring fall and spring classes, WC-ALL continues to host a series of Learn at Lunch lectures. These will also be offered via Zoom and are free to all our members, though members will have to provide their own lunch.  The first lecture will be on September 15th.  Alexandra Kirtley, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Philadelphia Museum, will be discussing early Eastern Shore history.  On October 19th Mike Roberts will talk about Amelia Earhart, and on November 18th  Melissa Deckman of Washington College’s Political Science department will offer comments on the national election.

To learn more about all these activities, visit WC-ALL’s table at the Chestertown Farmers’ Market on August 8th and 15th.  The full course catalog and registration information are available at www.washcoll.edu/people_departments/offices/wc-all/index.php  or email [email protected].  

Registration for both fall sessions, by web or mail-in, runs from July 20th to August 21st. Please note that classes are filled as reservations are received; we recommend online registration.  All mailed registrations and check payments should be sent to S. Calloway, POBox 7885, Newark, DE 19714.  PLEASE NOTE:  the WC-ALL campus office is closed and WC-ALL is not responsible for registrations sent to the campus at this time.

 

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WC Academy of Lifelong Learning Inviting Course Proposals for Fall Session

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Washington College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning is moving forward on preparing its course lineup for the Fall 2020 semester and is soliciting course proposals.  The Academy, over its 25 years of service, has offered courses in a wide range of subjects, ranging from great literature, Chestertown history, Buddhism, the Constitution, the opera and much more.  Classes meet once a week typically for six weeks for 75 minutes each. Course proposals for the Fall classes, offered in two blocks beginning August 30 and October 18 respectively, are due by May 15.  According to Ed Minch, WC-ALL’s Curriculum Chair, “There are so many people in our area with interesting backgrounds, experiences, and talents, we are always excited by what we can offer.”  Copies of the proposal form and general information about teaching a course are available at https://www.washcoll.edu/offices/wc-all/propose-a-course.php.  To test out an idea or for any other questions, contact Ed Minch at [email protected] or Sue Calloway, WC-ALL’s Office Administrator, at [email protected].

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

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WC-ALL: Join us at Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum April 1

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Spend a day immersed in the Walters Art Museum’s collections of American, European, and Asian art, acquired over several decades in the 1800s and 1900s.  Two generations of the Walters family made fortunes in the whisky and railroad businesses and began an extensive art collection in the mid-19th century.  The entire collection, together with the family home on Charles Street, was given to the city of Baltimore, as well as an endowment to preserve its availability to the public. We will have a docent-guided tour of the collection, including the extensive rare book collection and featuring a recently restored St Francis Missal.  Afterwards, enjoy free time to revisit parts of the museum, eat in the Museum cafeteria (or one of the nearby eateries), browse in the attractive gift shop, and visit other local attractions such as the Johns Hopkins Peabody library across the street.

The bus will leave the Washington College parking lot on APRIL 1st at 8:30 AM (please arrive at 8:15 am for boarding) and depart BALTIMORE at 2:30 PM. The bus is equipped with a restroom and is handicapped accessible. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.  The cost of the trip is $45 for WC-ALL members and $55 for non-members, which includes the bus ride, driver tips and admission cost for guided tour.  (Lunch is on your own). Reservations are due by Wednesday, March 18th, by sending a check payable to WC-ALL at WC-ALL, 300 Washington Av, Chestertown, MD 21620.  Please include names, phone #s and email addresses for all who plan to attend. Questions should be directed to WC-ALL at 410-778-7221.Email or telephone reservations are not accepted.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

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WC-ALL Hosts John Gillespie at February Learn at Lunch

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On Tuesday, February 18, retired UC-Davis Professor John Gillespie will speak about the aural tradition in Ireland that has given the world of music the jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc. that are part and parcel of the Irish music so many love today.

Professor Gillespie will not only speak about the music, he will also accompany his talk by playing pieces on the tin whistle and concertina. The performance will provide insight to the central role that Irish dance and music has in the development of Irish culture and how music migrated along with the Irish out of Ireland during the potato famine of the 19th century and returned to Ireland in the early 20th century. The Church, the Gaelic League and the Folk Revival of the 60s also shaped contemporary practices.

Professor Gillespie learned to play Irish music on the concertina in the traditional, aural way from Gearoid O hAllmhurain, an ethnomusicologist and holder of five All-Ireland music titles. Gillespie was a founding member of the Talbot County Irish band “The Boys of Bay Hundred” and, with Paul McDonald, Chestertown’s own “Jigs and Reels.” In the late 60s and into the 70s, Gillespie played early music with various university groups. He has taught courses on Celtic Music for adult learning programs at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and at Washington College.

So, if you love Irish music, or even if you can’t tell a jig from a reel, you’ll want to join others at the February Learn at Lunch at noon in Hodgson Hall on the Washington College campus.

A buffett lunch will begin at noon. For event parking, a shuttle service will run from the north student parking lot, which can be accessed from State Route #291 (Speer Road). The last shuttle leaves the lot at 11:55AM.

There is a small charge of $20 per person for WC-ALL members and $25 for non-members. Checks should be sent to WC-ALL, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown, MD 21620. Please remember to include your name, phone number and email address. Be sure to sign up by Thursday, February 13 or before, as seats will go fast. Phone or electronic reservations cannot be accepted.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

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WC-ALL Hosts Dr George Spilich at January Learn at Lunch

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George Spilich

Recently-retired psychology professor George Spilich is the speaker at Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning’s  first “Learn at Lunch” presentation for 2020.  This will take place on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, and the intriguing title of his talk is “Beauty, Lies and Prejudice: Living in a Space Age World with a Stone Age Brain.”

Dr. Spilich is a cognitive neuroscientist who spent 38 years on the faculty of Washington College as the first John Toll Professor. His research has focused on neurological disorders such as concussion and Alzheimer’s disease and has been cited in scientific and medical literature over 2,500 times. In 1988-89 he was the successor to two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling at the University of Zagreb Hospital’s neurological and nuclear medicine departments. He confesses, however, that meeting the talented students at Washington College was the highlight of his career.

In his presentation, Dr. Spilich will address how neuroscience attempts to explain much of how our brains work, while the new discipline of social neuroscience asks how our brains manage social interactions. How do we decide who is attractive and who is not? Do we know when we are being lied to? Can we accurately interpret the facial expressions of people from other cultures? Join us on January 22nd to find out more about this fascinating research on the human brain.

The buffet lunch will begin at noon in Hynson Lounge, located in Hodson Hall on the campus of Washington College.  For event parking, a shuttle service will run from the north student parking lot, which can be accessed from Rte 291 (Speer Road).  The last shuttle leaves the lot at 11:55 am.

To attend Dr. Spilich’s talk, reservations and payment are required by Thursday, January 16th.  There will be no refunds after this date.  The cost is $20 for WC-ALL members and $25 for others.  Make checks payable to WC-ALL, 300 Washington Ave, Chestertown, MD 21620, with name, phone # and email address for those attending.  No phone or electronic reservations can be accepted.

For more information, contact the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

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