The Kent County Democratic Central Committee will appoint two members to reach its full membership of five men and five women, pursuant to articles III and X of the Maryland Democratic Party by-laws. To achieve gender balance, one of the appointees will be female and one will be male. Qualified applicants will be residents of Kent County Maryland, registered Democrats, and willing to volunteer considerable time to support the Party and its candidates. Appointed members are afforded equal status to elected members.
The Kent County Democratic Central Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at our headquarters, 357 High Street, Chestertown. In addition to regular meeting attendance, members are expected to participate in campaign, outreach, and fundraising activities, and attend quarterly meetings of the Maryland Democratic Party. Members serve a four-year term ending November 2, 2026 and are periodically required to fill vacancies in elected and appointed offices.
Interested applicants should submit their resume and a brief statement of why they are interested in joining the Central Committee to Mel Rapelyea, Chair, at [email protected], no later than March 31, 2025. The Committee will review all applications and vote on nominees on April 1, 2025.
Last week, we asked you about lespedeza or silky bush clover (Lespedeza cuneata). Lespedeza is considered invasive because it is non-native and forms dense patches in meadows and forest edges outcompeting native plants. This invasive lespedeza tends to have white blooms with purple centers. There is a native species (Lespedeza virginica) with pink flowers that is helpful in providing cover and food for birds in the winter. Lespedeza is a nitrogen fixing legume (Fabaceae), so it is very effective at growing in nutrient-deficient or disturbed soils.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go 
Last week, we asked you about the variegated fritillary caterpillar (Euptoieta claudia)! This red, black, and white caterpillar will transform into a beautiful orange butterfly with patterns of black and brown. The variegated fritillary uses passionflower (in addition to mayapples and violets) as a host plant. If you find yourself at Emily’s Play Garden, watch for these butterflies and you may even see them laying their eggs on the leaves. Just remember that their genus name comes from the Greek word meaning “easily scared,” so be quiet and gentle while you observe.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go 
Last week, we asked you about the tussock moth (Halysidota sp.). Sycamore tussock moths (Halysidota harrisii) appear identical to banded tussock moths (Halysidota tessellaris) and without a close look at some anatomical features, we can’t be sure which species this is. The American sycamore appears to be a host plant for both species. There are many species of tussock moths whose hairs are used as a defense mechanism, some of which can sting or cause a rash. So, keep in mind that these “fuzzy wuzzy” caterpillars may look cuddly, but best to let them be.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go 
Last week, we asked you about spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe). Spotted knapweed is an invasive plant that tends to grow in disturbed and nutrient-deficient soils. Each plant can produce between 1,000 to 20,000 seeds each year, so it is important to prevent it from setting seed! Every summer, we control the knapweed by manual removal and mowing to allow the areas to seed in with the desirable native meadow species.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go 
Last week, we asked you about swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)! Swamp rose mallow is slow to break dormancy in the spring, but once it does, it can reach 3 to 7 feet high with abundant blooms ranging from white to pink. There are even some red cultivars available! These plants like it wet and swampy and are very attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go 
Last week, we asked you about dodder (Cuscuta sp.)! Dodder is an annual parasitic plant that grows on other plants and taps into their stem using a modified root structure called a haustoria. By using a host plant for structure and nutrients, dodder’s only chore is to bloom and set seed for future generations. There are seven species of dodder in Maryland and it can generally be identified by the stem and flower color, as well as the flower part arrangement.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go