June 2024 Sky-Watch Planets Line Up as Summer Arrives by Dennis Herrmann
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Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown
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At 7:00 AM on a bright Tuesday morning, the nineteen restless students from The Logan School for Creative Learning entered the airport, eager to begin their journey. The trip ahead required the group to travel five hours by plane and bus, leaving from Denver, Colorado, before eventually arriving at Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton, Maryland. Led by their environmental education teacher, Matt Kohn, the 6-8th graders were prepared to spend the week exploring the Eastern Shore nearly 1,800 miles from home.
Deciding on this destination was no coincidence. In fact, EHOS was hand-picked by the students as a part of the final project for their travel unit at The Logan School. The project required students to divide into four-person groups and pitch an ideal location for the class’s annual Spring trip. As a part of their assignment, they assumed the responsibility of outlining the trip’s budget, itinerary, geography, and sustainability efforts and serving as the initial point of contact with the potential host organizations. As a class, they immediately saw the appeal in EHOS, ultimately deciding to split their week-long trip between the allure of the outdoor classroom and the urban excitement of nearby DC.
When asked what stood out about EHOS, the students excitedly spoke over each other, passionately sharing their recent experiences with the interactive classes, the engaging nighttime programs, the generous amount of free time, and even the delicious food. When designing the official schedule, Matt selected which of the ~15 classes offered at EHOS best suited his students. This unique scheduling option allowed Matt to decide on classes most specific to the area. Each class was wholly hands-on. In Early American Studies, students used oyster shells to scrape out a model of a dugout canoe, built a fire, and made popcorn over it. They were later prompted to consider how their lives were similar to those on the land before them. In Orienteering, students had to work as a team to use compasses and map their routes along the campus. They enjoyed learning about waste practices in Garbology, facing their fears in the Adventure course, and bonding through games, music, and nights spent making s’mores around a fire. A favorite of the group was the program known as Opinions, where students reviewed “The Lorax” in theatrical form. After the performance, they were assigned varying roles and encouraged to consider what environmental solutions would satisfy different groups of people in the real world.
Aside from classes, The Logan School students valued their extensive rest periods throughout the day. At their age, children are typically bombarded with assignments and structured programs that restrict their self-direction and sense of unfiltered wonder. To prevent these limitations, EHOS provides students with a safe space to build a community and let their imaginations run wild. One student, Sydney, reflected on this when sharing what she liked most about EHOS, “I think that’s what makes us gel so much with [Echo Hill]. Our school is really student-driven.” While The Logan School allowed them to design their own major trip, Echo Hill Outdoor School allowed them the space to truly enjoy it.
For many, the food was also a major attraction at EHOS. If the middle school lunchroom of my memory was everyone for themselves, The Whip dining hall was the epitome of collaboration. Each mealtime began with a gathering outside, complete with an offering of thanks to fellow classmates, educators, and the natural world. Students and staff worked together to set tables, serve food, and clean up while singing camp songs and sharing anecdotes from the day. The “magic chef”, Cindy Jackson, was a charming and talented woman who put together miraculous meals from cinnamon vanilla pancakes to
cheesy scallop potatoes and baked chicken. All dietary restrictions were accounted for, ensuring that each visitor was well fed regardless of their preferences, and suggestions were taken seriously. With her sassy chihuahua, Jerry Garcia, by her side, Cindy impressed any group that came through the school. At the end of each mealtime, students participated in “Slop Count”, where they combined their food waste and weighed it. In doing this, they competed with themselves for lower weights each meal and learned about the impacts of food waste. Slop proved shockingly effective with students gleefully pounding on the tables in anticipation of the final weight announcement. When they enjoyed their final meal together, the final weight was 0lbs. A meal shared among ~30 people without any waste is an impressive feat.
After discussing with the well-spoken, sociable students of The Logan School, it quickly became apparent to me why EHOS was worth the distance. I had the honor of experiencing the magic of EHOS myself while observing two incredible classes: Bay Studies and Scanoe. Run by the charismatic associate director, Captain Andy, “Bay Studies” was an exhilarating introduction to the importance of watershed health and estuary ecosystems. Captain Andy was no stranger to using humor as a learning tool, sparking giggles throughout the group as he pretended to have a taste of a soil sample. He ensured that each guest on his boat felt comfortable and cared for, introducing himself to everyone individually as he helped them aboard ceremoniously. The students were giddy, encouraging each other to hold the fish, and audibly gasping as new information was shared. They were even prompted to compliment the fish and give them a peck, a suggestion that led to endless laughter and shrieks. “I kissed a carp,” one student grinned, “Put that in the article.”
Swamp Canoe class, or “Scanoe”, was led by long-time class leader, Jake Swane, and was equally as exciting as the first. Jake led students across the swamp boardwalk, discussing the succession of the ecosystem and human impact on the area throughout history. They eventually reached a canoe raft where everyone had room to pile on and paddle through the landscape together. In 2015, Jake was first hired at EHOS with the intention of summer-long employment. Instead, he fell in love with the school and has taught there for nearly ten years. This was a common sentiment among staff who tested out assistant teaching positions on a whim and ended up unable to part with such an incredible place. A visitor of EHOS will often hear the senior educator, Amanda Fry, saying that hospitality is their specialty. No truer words were ever spoken. Each staff member was gracious, kind, and constantly willing to drop whatever they were doing to help a visitor or colleague. Even after a windy night huddled in sleeping bags, they remained highly engaged and welcoming to everyone involved.
The impact of outdoor education is in full force at Echo Hill Outdoor School and it is essential for the future health of our planet. EHOS inspired a sense of childlike wonder within me that is often diminished in higher education and the professional world. The students at The Logan School for Creative Learning feel this inspiration just as strongly. Seventh-grader Hari explained the appeal of EHOS perfectly, saying, “Out of the building is the best way to learn it all… there’s just something about getting out of the classroom.” While they gathered together to take turns petting an eel or holding onto each other to avoid slipping in the ankle-deep slush of the swamp, they were learning so much more about the power of nature than could be achieved in the silence of a classroom. These types of lessons spark activism and understanding in the upcoming generations, encouraging motivation for environmental problem-solving that has the potential to last a lifetime. Without engaging, informative, and optimistic programs like those at EHOS, environmental health suffers and young environmentalists lose hope. Captain Andy conveyed this perfectly while addressing his class: “Humans figure things out,” he said confidently. “We can do this. That’s the good thing.”
Cailey Tebow is a Salisbury University grad with a passion for the environment and journalism.
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In honor of this weekend’s 149th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, here is a dramatic moment from a Kent County horse show, in an undated photograph from the Historical Society’s collections. Let us know if you recognize the rider, the horse, or the event!
The Bordley History Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm, and from 5 pm – 7 pm on First Fridays. Visitors can browse the shop, view the exhibitions, and explore genealogical records on a drop-in basis. Collections staff is available by appointment to assist with research in the library and archives. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org or call (410) 778-3499 for more details.
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Five mornings a week I leave home before 7:00, I usually approach the Frederick Malkus Bridge five minutes later. Some months I watch the sun rise over the Choptank and it is a breathtaking, golden gift. Lately, the sun rises early, 6:00 ish, so I miss that, but the Choptank is still always breathtaking. One morning in March, the River was a “down comforter” of fog that made me think of Carl Sandburg’s poem: “The fog comes in on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” Some mornings, the river is so choppy that I imagine that the waves are aggressive animals punching and beating the water. Other mornings, the river looks like polished glass. I whisper a thank you for its calming beauty as I drive across the Choptank. I feel it’s centering energy as I head to work, teaching five and six year olds.
Thursday morning, I saw the break lights of a semi-truck and some cars and knew that an accident had happened right in front of me. Traffic was paralyzed for an hour, I watched ambulances, State Police, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles fly by. A helicopter hovered then landed beyond my view. After the helicopter took off, Police officers began moving those of us stuck on the bridge. I was informed by a very polite officer that I was expected to back up and exit the bridge. It was a huge relief to be driving again.
The detour through East New Market and Preston was a bumper-to-bumper nightmare. For two and a half hours it was stop and go, my maximum speed was six miles per hour. Thankfully, the rural drive provided charm and beauty with its green, springtime farms and cool breeze. I tuned to Country Radio and sang along with Garth, Johnny, Willie, and Crystal. The left turn on the “T” at Preston Ford took an hour and a half. It was reassuring to approach the Choptank River once again, this time upriver, crossing on the Dover Bridge.
As the end of the school day approached I suddenly realized that the bridge could still be closed, the thought of another detour was almost too much to handle, mentally. The police officer that directed my way off of the bridge in the morning had warned that it would take hours to reconstruct the accident scene then clear the debris. I hadn’t had time all day to think about it, which was good, my students have 100% of my attention when I’m with them. I hadn’t really processed how traumatic it all was and I felt selfish for complaining about the inconvenience that the accident caused me. I was relieved to learn that the two injured drivers were in stable condition. I texted my son who lives and works in Cambridge, he quickly responded with an all clear-both lanes are open.
Driving home was as if I was seeing Route 50 with new eyes. I was happy to see each of the homeward-bound landmarks. Hole in the Wall, Paris Foods’ igloo, High’s, and finally the Malkus Bridge. I felt a sigh of relief as I approached the eastbound span. The Choptank River is home to me, welcoming like a mother’s arms waiting for a hug. Returning to Cambridge, I’m always thankful for such a beautiful body of water that is such an important part of my life.
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Do you recognize this intersection? This photograph is undated but was taken after 1914. The location will be familiar to anyone who has been in Chestertown, but the view in that spot is quite different today. Let us know if you can identify it! Image courtesy of Erik Gulbrandson.
The Bordley History Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm, and from 5 pm – 7 pm on First Fridays. Visitors can browse the shop, view the exhibitions, and explore genealogical records on a drop-in basis. Collections staff is available by appointment to assist with research in the library and archives. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org or call (410) 778-3499 for more details.
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According to The National Weather Service, March is traditionally the rainiest month of the year in Maryland, April is the fifth wettest month. During the month of April, a band of strong winds, known as the jet stream, moves northward. This changes the air pressure and leads to an explosion of cumulus clouds, the type of clouds that create rain showers. April showers bring May flowers.
The rainfall and the rising temperatures during the month of April do help flowers grow, especially perennials that have been dormant during the long, cold winter months. The real reason that we find wisdom in saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” has less to do with a literal reading of the proverb and more to do with our need for hopefulness. The proverb assures us that there is a reward for our patience, it is a gentle reminder that all good things come to those who wait.
May is a month of transformation, the bridge between spring and summer. May is rich with possibilities, in our gardens we are finally enjoying a host of blooms. The earth is almost vibrating with energy pent up during the winter months and all around us life feels new. The leaves appear on trees, flowers bloom, and weeds seem to pop up overnight in the first weeks of spring.
Learning to read weeds as clues to our garden soil’s condition can help the soil recover. Weeds are an indicator of your soil’s heath. If you have large patches of one kind of weed, your garden is trying to tell you something. Dandelions and fleabane are the two “weeds” that popped up in my garden in April.
Dandelions get their name from the French term “dent de lion” which means “tooth of the lion.” The teeth are in reference to the deeply toothed leaves.
Although dandelions are vilified by the “lawn care” industry as weeds, they are the first food source in spring for hibernating pollinators and our disappearing bees. Unlike most other plants, dandelions have both pollen and nectar, not merely one or the other.
Dandelions generally indicate poor soil that is compacted and low in calcium. Dandelions pull nutrients such as calcium deep in the soil and make them available to other plants. Dandelion taproots do a great job of loosening hard-packed soil, aerating the earth, and reducing erosion. Dandelions are also great fertilizers for your garden.
Dandelions are world-famous for their beauty. They were a common and beloved garden flower in Europe and the subject of many poems. In Japan, horticultural societies were formed to enjoy the beauty of dandelions and to develop exciting new varieties for gardeners.
Dandelions are more nutritious than many garden vegetables. The flower is packed with iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It has more vitamin C than tomatoes and more vitamin A than spinach.
Native to Asia and Europe, the dandelion has been recorded in ancient writings. Ancient Arabian physicians used dandelions to treat liver diseases and digestive problems. The dandelion arrived in the Americas at the time of the Mayflower.
At the end of the day, dandelions are just plain fun; they seem to be earmarked for children. It’s the only flower that children can pick without getting into trouble. A child in a field of dandelions can spend the day blowing on the puffballs while making wishes with the seeds.
Superstition led to the name fleabane, it was believed that dried clusters of the plant could rid your home of fleas. Fleabane is a North American native. It is a pretty daisy-like wildflower that can be found in fields, against buildings and fences, and along roadsides in early spring. After wildfires or other major destructive events, fleabane is often the first wildflower to sprout. You may see it growing in charred fields of a once vibrant forest or the field of a recently chopped forest.
Fleabane flower heads range from white to pinkish to pale purple. Fleabane is easy to control through mowing or pulling, making it the ideal “weed.” Fleabane is a member of the aster family which includes sunflowers, cosmos, mums, zinnias, and marigolds.
Fleabane, a pollinator’s best friend, provides nectar for hungry, overworked bees, butterflies, and moths. The seeds are a favorite snack of the American goldfinch, sparrows, and ground finches.
Fleabane’s presence is a boon for garden biodiversity, ensuring that a garden isn’t just a visual treat but a thriving ecosystem. Fleabane’s root system is a natural warrior against soil erosion. Fleabane safeguards your garden’s topsoil from the ravages of wind and water. In the face of drought, fleabane stands tall, thriving while other plants wilt.
Many years ago my husband and I made the decision to discontinue the maintenance of a traditional lawn, one dominated by a single grass cultivar. By embracing a biodiverse garden, we are saving money and no longer have the frustration of fertilizing and mowing our lawn. Our ground cover includes purple creeping thyme, clover, and vinca. Our garden is filled with assorted plants that promote biodiversity. There are azaleas, black-eyed Susan’s, daisies, lamb’s ears, wildflowers, echinacea, lemon balm, mint, sage, Rosemary, oregano, potatoes, garlic, dusty miller, peonies, and tomatoes, to name a few. These different plant species support microorganisms in the soil. Diversity helps mitigate harmful pathogens, increasing available nutrients and improving the soil.
Our garden definitely looks messy and wild with patches of flowers growing in between the raised vegetable beds. Its wildness offers food and a habitat for a variety of species. With the help of compost, dandelions, and fleabane, I look forward to another abundant growing season.
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This 1907 photograph from the Historical Society’s archives offers a look at the Rock Hall of the early 20th century. Its caption reads “passengers awaiting ferry,” focusing on the people who would traveling across the Chesapeake that day. The barrels and crates also visible in the photo provide a sense of the volume of goods that also crossed the Bay on a regular basis, in both directions. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
The Bordley History Center is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm, and from 5 pm – 7 pm on First Fridays. Visitors can browse the shop, view the exhibitions, and explore genealogical records on a drop-in basis. Collections staff is available by appointment to assist with research in the library and archives. Visit www.kentcountyhistory.org or call (410) 778-3499 for more details.
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Here’s an easy pop quiz: Can you identify the site of this photograph, taken in 1928 or 1929 in Kent County? First to respond gets bragging rights. Don’t worry if your first guess is wrong—you can take a mulligan. Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Kent County.
Visit the Bordley History Center Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am – 2 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm to learn more about Kent County history, find genealogical information, view the current exhibition featuring the architectural and design work Walter T. Pippin, or browse the shop. Historical Society memberships are $25 for individuals, $40 for families, and student memberships are always free.
For more about the Historical Soceity of Kent County, go here.
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As part of our ongoing series in the Spy, Agent 86 has been collecting reconnaissance footage of great Mid-Shore communities, and he has just submitted his second report. In this case, 86 filed a report on the beloved Chestertown Downrigging festival from last year.
This video is approximately five minutes in length.
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“Cough in your corner” was the mantra repeated over and over in my kindergarten classroom upon our return from spring break. We had a healthy January and February but travel and a week apart introduced a new strain of germs to our group.
COVID took a big bite out of me over two weeks ago. It began innocently enough with laryngitis and a stuffy nose. The third day brought a throbbing headache which I recognized as a COVID symptom. The fourth night was wrought with night sweats. High fevers and brain fog were next. The final symptom was the loss of my sense of smell. I was exhausted despite sleeping over fourteen hours a day.
Sitting in an Ancient Minerals magnesium bath for twenty minutes helped with my recovery. According to PubMed Central, magnesium is an essential mineral or element for immune health. Our bodies can’t “make” magnesium, we must get it from outside our body. Transdermal sprays and creams are a quick and effective way to replenish magnesium levels and prevent deficiency. Vitamins C, D, and zinc are also recommended by PubMed Central to boost the immune system while recovering from COVID.
Unity Point Health suggests eating a teaspoon of local honey and gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat and cough. Hot tea and broth are also recommended to ease COVID symptoms.
Amy Galper, noted aromatherapist, has a protocol for regaining one’s sense of smell after COVID. Olfactory dysfunction affected five to fifteen percent of COVID patients in a review by the CDC in 2022. That number has increased to sixty percent in 2024.
Four times a day I individually inhale jasmine, lime, eucalyptus, and cinnamon essential oils. This process is a treatment option for people with olfactory dysfunction. I have been sniffing the oils for several days now and I can actually get little whiffs of coffee brewing.
Regaining one’s sense of smell is important for a patient’s quality of life, and it is a safety issue. Smell is a form of emotional support, but it also warns you about gas leaks, rotten food, and other dangers.
The new CDC Covid guidelines recommend returning to work after 24 hours of being fever free without taking fever-reducing medication. The key change is five days versus ten days of isolation. My symptoms started improving so back to work I went, not 100% but better.
When the first cases of COVID emerged in March of 2020, the WHO stated that none of the American population had any specific immunity against the COVID pathogen. At least 98% of the U.S. population now has some degree of protective immunity against this severe illness. The CDC 2024 Yellow Book states that hybrid immunity protects with long-term durability against severe COVID illness.
In the spring of 2023, the federal declaration of Covid-19 as a public health emergency ended. As of the end of 2023, nearly one in four adults had still not caught COVID . The CDC stopped its case counting as part of its Covid tracker because states stopped reporting the information. Despite elevated levels of COVID, hospitals are reporting that they have avoided large-scale spikes in admissions.
“That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.
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