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February 4, 2023

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

Local Life Brevities

Chesapeake Cycling Club Announces Major Spring Event for April 29

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Chesapeake Cycling Club (C3) the premiere regional, adult bike club located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore will be holding its major Spring 2023 cycling event, The Tri-County Classic, on April 29, 2023. The event will begin at the Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway Easton, MD.  Riders can choose from the following distances: 100 or 65.7 or 39.2 or 23 miles. For more information and to sign up early please visit our website

According to Eric Griffieon, C3 Executive Director, “we encourage everyone to join us for our big Spring 2023 Tri-County Classic. Pick your distance, ride with friends and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors.”   

C3 develops its own major cycling events, like The Tri-County Classic, and enters a C3 team in other regional cycling events such as the Shore Rivers Ride for Clean Rivers, among others, and offers weekly, multiple cadence and distance ride options for people who just love road cycling. Riders usually are segmented into three categories: “A” (distances of 25+ miles at avg. 19+ mph), “B” (distances of 25+ miles at avg. 16-18 mph), and “C” (distances of 20+ miles at avg. 12-15 mph).  Cycling is a terrific, low-impact, sport, which will keep you fit and healthy. It is also a great way to learn about the community through cycling and meet new and active people with similar interests.  C3 is not all about pedaling and we regularly hold social events to get to know one another better.

Please sign up and become a C3 club member today by visiting https://www.ridec3.org/join-usC3 currently has approximately 100 members and the organization would not be possible without the support of its club members and 2022/2023 team sponsors, including: Lyons Distilling Co, Sprout, Preston Ford, Out of the Fire, Strom & Daughters Ice Cream, The Snifter, Bike Doctor Kent Island, The St. Michaels Running Company and Kelly Benefits Strategies.  For more information about our Tri-County Classic, club membership or sponsorship opportunities, please visit out website or contact Eric Griffioen at https://www.ridec3.org/contact-us 

February 2023 Sky-Watch

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February features 3 bright planets and one very dim planet each evening all month. Venus, Jupiter, and Mars stretch across the western sky after sunset looking from right to left. This is a perfect setup for sky-watchers with telescopes, offering plenty of features to enjoy.

Venus the brightest of the 3 planets sets 2 hours after the Sun. Neptune, on February 14th may be seen, with binoculars only, just left and slightly above Venus; and on February 15th, Neptune will appear just right and slightly below Venus.

This shift is due to the motion of Venus. Venus is 1.4 astronomical units from Earth; while Neptune is 30.8 astronomical units from us. (An astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun). We notice the change of position for Venus against the background sky as it moves in its orbit because it is so much closer to us than Neptune. Through a telescope Venus will show us a 90% lit disk this month.

On February 28th Venus and Jupiter (the 2 brightest planets) will appear very close to each other low in the western sky. They will be hard to miss; and should not be! Jupiter offers many fine details of its turbulent, cloudy atmosphere through telescopes of any size, along with its 4 largest moons, seen as tiny jewels on either side of the giant planet.

Mars outshines all the stars of nearby Taurus the bull all month, including Aldebaran, its brightest and reddish star. Mars is just left (east) of the Pleiades star cluster at the beginning of the month and will appear gradually to move further east away from it all month. On February 27th, Mars will be very close and to the left of the 1st Quarter Moon.

Check Mars with binoculars on February 10 and 11th for a chance to see a “binocular” Comet! We might, if the comet brightens enough, see a faint “fuzz-ball” just above and left of Mars (ten o’clock on a clock-face) on the 10th; and just below Mars (6 o’clock) on the 11th. Worth a try!

February Full Moon happens on February 5th.

Messick Family Explores Unique Connections to CBMM

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Jack Messick poses with his grandson Josh and great-grandson Thomason his most recent visit to CBMM on Dec. 30, 2022. (Photo courtesy Scott Messick)

Each year, Jack and Rose Messick welcome their four sons and their families back home to Reliance, Md., a few days after Christmas. It’s become a much-anticipated get-together for an Eastern Shore family whose roots have spread beyond the region.

This time around, the Messicks’ holiday celebration included a field trip to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for an opportunity to connect with a unique chapter in family history.

The group–13 in all hailing from three different states and ranging in age from 2 to 84–made the journey to CBMM on Dec. 30 to see the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, the historic screwpile lighthouse on which Jack’s father, Harold, served as the assistant keeper from 1939–1942.

“It kind of came up out of the blue,” said Scott Messick, the second-oldest son and a longtime CBMM member. “We got to talking about the lighthouse, and my sister-in-law from Cincinnati was saying she’d never been. We said, ‘Alright, let’s go.’”

Harold Messick is featured on the wall of keepers spanning from the lighthouse’s origin in 1879 until it was automated in 1954.

The display features a photo from the early 1950s of Harold with his wife Alice, daughter Annalee, and young Jack, donated by the family to CBMM’s collection along with some of Harold’s personal items, including pieces of a uniform, from his career working on the Hooper Strait Lighthouse as well as the Hoopers Island and Choptank River lighthouses. There’s also a quote from Harold about how much he enjoyed spending time in that light with Annalee.

Jack’s sons Stu, Scott, Chris, and Jason never knew their grandfather, but through the years, they’ve relished the chance to learn his story and share it with others. It was a proud moment for the family to see his service recognized as part of the exhibition in the lighthouse that was relocated to CBMM’s Navy Point in 1966.

Jack Messick (far left) poses with his family—sister Annalee, father Harold, and mother Alice—in the photo currently that hangs on display in the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse at CBMM.

“The cool part for me is my kids are both born in Ohio, so they’ve never seen anything like this,” said Chris Messick, who made the trip from Cincinnati with his wife Caroline and children Julian (age 13) and Clarissa (10). “To have them see their great-grandfather and my dad in that picture and start to understand the history a little bit was really special.”

Jack Messick was just a toddler while his father was stationed on the Hooper Strait Lighthouse, but he’s got a slew of fascinating memories of the Choptank River Lighthouse.

The recent CBMM visit served as a spark for Jack to recount his summer stays with his father on the light.

Starting at age 10, Jack enjoyed unforgettable days filled with fishing, swimming, and playing with the resident pup Chop, and he also found pleasure in helping with the daily work, including swabbing the decks, polishing, painting, and helping his father with trimming the wick of the light’s kerosene lantern and recharging the smaller, unattended beacons down the river.

“I’m very proud of my father’s service,” said Jack Messick, a former Marine officer who retired after a long career as a Dorchester County educator. “He was very diligent in what he did. He worked on the water most of his life, and I just know how important his sense of duty was. I like to think I picked that up from him. He had that sense that he was going to do his job the best he could for as long as he could.”

“My father was not unique in that sense,” Messick added. “All the lighthouse keepers that he ever knew or worked with had that same work ethic. Even in the worst conditions, you’d stay with your light as long as you could.”

With his family, Jack Messick told a story that particularly illustrated that point. He recalled being on the light when his father sprang into action to help a family whose boat was stranded near the light.

After towing the boat to safe port in Oxford, the man offered his father $10 as thanks. Young Jack was surprised at his father’s polite refusal of the tip for his service.

“I think that was a lifetime lesson for me,” Jack remembered. “At the time, I thought, ‘Well, that’s two Red Ryder BB guns.’ That $10 would’ve bought me two, but he wouldn’t take it. To me, that says a lot about who he was.”

For the rest of the family, hearing that tale for the first time offered a window into the world that shaped Jack.

“It stuck with him,” Scott Messick said. “He’s taught that lesson. Not the same way. Because I’d never heard it that way before, but he’s taught that lesson to us.

“Do your job. Do unto others. That’s how we’ve always lived. I never thought it would’ve come from my grandfather.”

That’s not the only family connection the Messicks discovered on this trip to CBMM.

In the Oystering on the Chesapeake exhibition, there are oyster tongs emblazoned with “Messick Bros” on the shaft that were handcrafted by relatives in a shop in Harold Messick’s hometown of Bivalve, Md., that has been producing them for generations.

Scott Messick has been supporting CBMM for years. He’s made regular visits for member events and hands-on workshops, and his son Andrew once completed an internship with CBMM’s curatorial team.

Strolling campus with four generations of Messicks, including two of his sons and his grandson Thomas, Scott noticed the tongs that bore his family name for the first time. That fun find only added to a day to remember at CBMM for the group.

“It’s a joy to me to be part of it and feel like I’m part of it,” Scott Messick said. “I enjoy being a member. I enjoy taking people there. I tell people they should go see it, and I say, ‘While you’re there, look for my dad.’”

Spy Minute: Historic Millington Hardware Store

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Belinda and Tom Parker have recently purchased the Historic Millington Hardware Store in Millington Maryland.  The store was built in the 1920s after the historic fire of 1904 that destroyed most of downtown Millington.  The store has had many owners (see this 2013 Spy article)  but throughout has continued to keep it’s small town hardware store ambience and remains a Millington institution and social center.  

Belinda and Tom plan to continue this tradition while bringing new services to the community.

Millington Hardware, 403 Cypress St, Millington, MD 21651
(410) 928-3118

Remembering Dr. Bronwyn Jones: KCPL Creates new Book Collection

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The Kent County Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce their sponsorship of a variety of new books added to KCPL’s collection in honor of the late Dr. Bronwyn Jones, Trustee 2020-2021.

A trailblazing woman in the field of gastrointestinal radiology from the beginning, Dr. Jones was 1 of only 3 women to graduate in her medical school class at the University of New South Wales in Australia and she was the first woman to be promoted to full professor in her department at Johns Hopkins University. During her tenure, she published hundreds of articles and chapters, won numerous international awards, and led multiple international committees.

In honor of these accomplishments and to encourage the next generation of doctors and scientists who will follow in her footsteps, a selection of children’s and young adult books about girls and women in medicine and science has been selected to help inspire our local youth to dream big, overcome obstacles, and be who they want to be.

The titles that have been selected are:

For Elementary & Middle School Readers (ages 5-12)

12 Women in Medicine by Marne Ventura

Profiles of twelve dedicated women in medicine from around the world.

The Angel of Santo Tomas by Tammy Yee

The story of Dr. Fe del Mundo, who began study at Harvard Medical School in 1936 and returned to the Philippines during WWII in order to care for the American and British children forced into the internment camp at Santo Tomas.

Elizabeth Blackwell by Matt Doeden

A biography of the trailblazing Elizabeth Blackwell, who became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.

Improving Health: Women Who Led the Way by Anita Dalal

The book highlights vital contributions women have made in the field of health sciences. 

Rebecca Lee Crumpler by J.P. Miller

The story of the fascinating life of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to become a doctor in the United States.

She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference by Chelsea Clinton

This book features women scientists who used their smarts, their skills and their persistence to discover, invent, create and explain.

Tu Youyou’s Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria by Songiu Ma Daemicke

The story of Tu Youyou whose years of medical research and experimentation resulted in the discovery of a cure for malaria that is still used all over the world today.

Virginia Apgar by Dr. Sayantain DasGupta

This book tells the story of Dr. Virginia Apgar and the creation of the famous Apgar test to check the health of newborn babies.

Were I Not a Girl: The Inspiring and True Story of Dr. James Barry by Lisa Robinson

At the age of 18, Margaret Bulkley began to travel the world as a young man known as James Barry who attended medical school, became a doctor and soldier, and traveled the world.

Women Who Rocked Medicine by Heather Alexander

Profiles of nineteen inspiring female scientists who left their mark on the medical field.

For Young Adults (ages 13+)

I Could Not Do Otherwise: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker by Sara Latta

The story of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a champion for women’s rights, social justice, and access to health care, who served as a Civil War surgeon and remains the only woman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. 

These books are now part of the collection at the North County Branch in Galena, which Dr. Bronwyn Jones championed for years, both before and after serving on the Board of Trustees. 

Use your library card to place a hold today and pick up items from the KCPL location of your choice!

For more information, visit kentcountylibrary.org or call 410.778.3636.

 

 

The Vultures of Easton Hold a “Wake” at Perdue Plant

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Alfred Hitchcock, indeed, would have been delighted by the recent gathering of turkey vultures at the Easton grain elevator plant off off Dover Street. Still, one suspects that most residents that pass by the large processing center might find the sight of the bird conferees a tad off-putting. 

That was the response from one of our Spy readers, and they inquired as to what the town might do to disband this rather spooky convention of hundreds of vultures. We don’t have an answer for any municipality response, but we have seen this phenomenon before. 

Ten years ago, Spy editor Kathy Bosin explored a similar occurrence on an AT&T cell tower off St. Michaels Road. In that article, she explains that these remarkable gatherings are called “wakes” because it mirrors a traditional wake where family and friends gather to pay their respects to a loved one. And while the birds do not express grief of any type, their bowed heads and black silhouettes remind the solemn atmosphere of a funeral.

We asked one of spies to capture some reconnaissance film to share.

This video is approximately is less than one minute in length. 

 

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Sky-Watch January 2023

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Winter nights come early this time of year because the Sun appears to set (and does) quite early each day. Earth’s tilt has brought winter to the Northern Hemisphere. But early winter sunsets bring nice views of several planets this month.

On January 1st, Venus dazzles in the south-western sky 25 minutes after sunset. Meanwhile, Saturn, gradually appearing to descend toward twilight all month, will be seen just above the much brighter Venus on January 22nd. This close conjunction is a “must see” event this month! Saturn will be behind the Sun to our line of sight next month, but will re-emerge to us in the morning sky later this year.

If you have binoculars look just right of Venus on January 1st, 25 minutes after sunset, to catch a glimpse of Mercury. Mercury’s orbit will bring it into the morning eastern sky by mid-month. On January 19th look for it just a bit east (left) of the waning crescent Moon. Between January 25th and 31st, Mercury brightens and gains altitude among the stars of Sagittarius around 6:45 am (EST) (local time) in the south-east.

Jupiter is bright in the southwest evening sky all month. A 4 day old crescent Moon passes just below the planet on January 25th. Mars shines brightly high up among the stars of Taurus just a bit east (left) of the Pleiades (open star cluster). The waxing gibbous Moon and Mars are close to each other on January 30th.

The Quadrantids meteor shower, normally a usually good winter event is affected this year by the Full Moon on January 6th. The Quadrantids (named after a now defunct constellation) are found in what is now the constellation Bootes (warrior/herdsman), and peak on January 3rd/4th. Though the hourly rate of meteors average 40 to 60 and sometimes reach 100, this month’s bright Moon will lower that number. Worth trying though; look east the morning of January 4th an hour before sunrise.

Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Giving the Boy Scouts Merit

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These nine scouts appear to be loading canned goods and presents into a wooden crate at Christmas time! Do you recognize any of these boys? Maybe they were Cub Scouts who wore beanies like that and were in grades K through 5? The Talbot Historical Society H. Robins Hollyday undated picture was our Mystery photo in the Oct. 13,2003 issue of the “ Star Democrat” and the only identification was of Roy Walsh in the suit. He was the head of the Department of Natural Resources.

Contact: Cathy Hill cvhill13@yahoo.com to share your old photos and purchase our collections photos. Comment, Like our page and join the Talbot Historical Society!

A&E Holiday Art Walk Features Local Venues and Artists

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The A&E Holiday Art Walk is taking place Saturday, December 17, in downtown Chestertown with commercial galleries, studios and pop-up artists around town, offering a range of visual art and fine craft.  Organized by the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment District, the Holiday Art Walk will provide shoppers and art patrons with a map that enables them to stroll from one venue to another at their own pace between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. with live music at three locations along High, Cross, and Cannon Streets.

Located at 101 N. Cross Street, The Parish Hall at Emmanuel Church will serve as an information hub with maps for the Art Walk as well as a pop-up artist venue representing a range of mediums.  From pottery and jewelry to paintings and photographs, artists Irene Aspell, Paul Aspell, Laurel Dispenza, Jody Gilliland, Kevin Harris, Arlene K Originals, Emily Kalwaitis, Marlayn King, Kate McGraw, Mike Pugh, Marianne Sade, Terracotta ‘N Textiles, and Terry Willis will have their work for sale.

Paul Santori

Stop in front of Walnut & Wool for a demonstration of furniture refinishing before stepping inside to see the original furniture and craft, vintage and new clothing, and jewelry.

MassoniArt will have both of their galleries open on the day.  At the Artist’s Gallery, December and January, will feature Craft and Jewelry artists. Throughout that time, the gallery will continue to showcase works by its five partners (Evie Baskin, Bonnie Howell, Mary Ellen Mabe, Nancy Thomas and Barbara Zuehlke) along with ten exhibiting artists.

Stop in at 200 High Street for Great Expectations: KaytiDidriksen, A Tale of Drawing Kent County.  As Resident Artist for the Kent Cultural Alliance, Didriksen has been drawing many events and occurrences around the county, and they along with some large works will be on display.  Look closely at the drawings – you may see yourself!

Les Poissons Gallery showcases fine art from more than 20 different artists of the Mid-Atlantic region, featuring Plein Air landscapes, botanicals and local Kent County farm and water scenes.

Robert Ortiz Studios will be welcoming artists Rob Glebe, Fredy Granillo, Yuh Okano, and Jason Patterson to showcase their work, and Bob Oritz will have charcuterie and cutting boards available as something special for the Holidays.

Cannon Street is a stop that cannot be missed on this Holiday Art Walk.  One of the music locations will be on the porch of Bart’s Records, home to new and vintage vinyl.  The Blueberry Pie and Art Society will have their doors open at their new location at 329 Cannon Street.  Stop by Casa Carmen to see a display from the Public Art Committee about the Woicke Sculpture Collection and art from Maia Wyler.   Then just down the path make sure to stop at the Cannon Street Studios, home to oil and watercolor at Melinda Carl Fine Art Studio, oil and pastels at Marj Morani Fine Art Studio and Gallery, and handmade earrings, bracelets and necklaces by silversmith and jewelry artist Joan Strand at Studio Strand. New to the Cannon Street Studios is painter Chris Cooke, making this four artist spot a must-see destination.

Marlayn King

The RiverArts Gallery will have its annual Holiday Show and Sale.  Hegland Glass will have their studio open with complete works and pieces in progress.

Tish Fine Art Plus will have their usual selection of fine art and crafts as well as a special fundraiser including brunch, live music and a silent auction to support the wonderful owners of the gallery, Paul and Inez.  Bids can be made until 1:45 p.m. with winning bids announced at 2 pm with notifications being sent via email.

Just outside the A&E district, Mary Pritchard Art will have an open Studio where the artist will demonstrate her award-winning pastel techniques and host special guest Sue Wright with her textiles.

Enjoy a full day of shopping and visiting downtown Chestertown during the Holiday Art Walk.  For any questions, please email chestertownae@gmail.com or call 410-778-3700.

Mid-Shore Gives Starts new Tradition

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Mid-Shore Community Foundation announced that it will host a giving day event, Mid-Shore Gives, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 12:00AM to 11:59PM.

The 24-hour online fundraising event will benefit nonprofit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. More than 100 local nonprofits are participating and thanks to generous sponsors – Easton Utilities, Shore United Bank, Mason Investment Advisory Services, Nagel Farm Service, The Peoples Bank, Envision Wealth Planning, Parker Goodman Gordon & Hammock, and Morgan Stanley – challenge funds will amplify donations throughout the day.

Join the Mid-Shore Community Foundation in supporting local nonprofits on November 29th, your donation will make a difference! To participate, visit www.midshoregives.org.