News Notes

The Changing Chesapeake set to open at CBMM on March 1

February 3, 2023 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Leave a Comment

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s exhibition, The Changing Chesapeake, will open to the public on Wednesday, March 1 in the Steamboat Building gallery.

CBMM’s upcoming exhibition The Changing Chesapeake gathers perspectives of artists from across Maryland and surrounding areas, including Louisa Zendt’s oil painting, “Prime Time.”

Artists were asked to reflect on how climate change and the impact of humans on the environment shapes their Chesapeake community, how the way they identify with and are inspired by the Chesapeake has evolved, what they would want someone 100 years from now to know about life and community traditions in the Chesapeake, and their vision for the future of life in the region.

The Changing Chesapeake will invite guests to explore the perspectives of artists from across Maryland and surrounding areas. The works were selected through a community panelist review process and include traditional media such as photography and painting, as well as stop-motion animation, found-object art, quilting, original songwriting, embroidery, poetry, and sculpture.

Just a few of the unique works featured: Peter Panyon’s music video, “Can’t Work the River,” presents the first-person perspective of a waterman facing a disappearing livelihood. Using quilt and crochet techniques, Laura Guertin’s fiber artwork, “Ghosts of the Coast,” portrays a window that frames its titular spirits, which are trees dying from saltwater intrusion. Writer Anna Marhefka’s creative nonfiction piece, “And still, she beckons,” reflects on her relationship with the Bay as a child and adult through memories of boating and fishing.

Stephen Walker’s oil painting, “Bay Life,” is among the works featured in CBMM’s exhibition The Changing Chesapeake, which opens on March 1.

Sharon Dennis’ painting “Anchor of Hope Cemetery” portrays graves dating to the Revolutionary War falling into the water along an eroding shoreline. In his photo-artistic montage “Tangier Abandoned,” Tom Payne presents a fantastical depiction of Tangier Island underwater, which may become Tangier’s eventual fate. An oil painting by Sharon Malley, “Momfords Poynt from Space” examines the beauty and gracefulness of rivers as they intersect the land, by imagining John Smith’s map of the Chesapeake from space.

“Our concept for The Changing Chesapeake was to break down barriers and encourage artists of all types and experience levels to find their voice, share their personal histories, passions, fears, and hopes, and convey how the Chesapeake shapes and is shaped by individual and community identities,” said Curator and Folklife Center Manager Jen Dolde. “These artworks document how cultural traditions are evolving and transforming in an era of dynamic change. They are a human response to environmental, economic, and internal and external factors that often seem beyond our control.”

The panel selected more than 75 works, which will be on exhibition through Feb. 25, 2024, with public programming slated for spring 2023. CBMM members and the selected artists will be invited to view the exhibition and mingle during an opening event on Thursday, March 2 from 5-7pm. CBMM members can register now at bit.ly/ChangingChesapeakeOpening.

New Denton Location Opens New Doors in Caroline County

February 2, 2023 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

A capacity crowd attended the recent Open House for For All Seasons’ new location at 322 Market Street, Ste. 207 in Denton. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and a tour of the agency’s new space. Caroline County is the second largest county For All Seasons serves. This past year, the agency was able to bring help, hope, and healing to nearly 1,000 Caroline County residents with over 13,000 direct care services and provide nearly $70,000 in financial assistance to Caroline County residents.

Pictured left to right are Abby McNinch, Mayor of Denton, and Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons.

“Caroline County is a mental health care desert. Three years ago when the last time data was compiled there was only one mental health provider for every 2,000 Caroline County residents. Since then, many of the existing providers have moved into private practice, accepting only private insurance or asking clients to pay for services entirely out of pocket. Other providers have closed down altogether. For All Seasons is integral to Caroline County’s overall health and resilience,” stated Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons.

“Opening this office reflects our commitment to showing up for Caroline County and its residents. Debuting this new, larger, more state-of-the-art office is a bold statement about the importance of accessible mental health care. These four walls represent hope for a bright, healthy, and thriving Caroline County today and for the future.”

Beth Brewster, Supervisor of Food Services at Caroline County Public Schools, who attended the open house, added, “The number of mental health issues after the pandemic was overwhelming. To have this beautiful facility and friendly staff filling the mental health needs of Caroline County is huge. Part of the holistic approach to helping our families be whole is addressing their mental health.”

Ja Quaya Beasley, Client Services Specialist in the Denton Office, commented, “We have more than doubled our space for clinicians and clients, as well as added space for play therapy in our Denton office. Our clients come in with smiles on their faces, enjoying the welcoming space. It has made a big difference for clients and how they feel about being here.”

Pictured left to right are Melissa Kelly, Eastern Shore External Affairs Manager for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and a For All Seasons Board Member, with Larry Porter, Caroline County Commissioner.

For crisis support on the Mid-Shore, contact For All Seasons’ 24-Hour Hotlines: 410.820.5600 for English or 410.829.6143 for Spanish or text in English and Spanish.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For further information, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit forallseasonsinc.org.

Women & Girls Celebrates 20th Anniversary

February 1, 2023 by Women & Girls Fund 1 Comment

On Tuesday, January 17^th, Alice Ryan, founder of the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, hosted a lunch at the Tidewater Inn to celebrate 20 years of philanthropy, to honor and thank the women who have given of themselves to help enrich the lives of women and girls throughout the Mid-Shore, and to look ahead to the next 20 years.

The event was attended by 26 of 48 past and present board members. Ryan thanked all of the women who have graciously given of their time and talents to help build the Women &Girls Fund into what it is today. Ryan spoke about “the power of pooled resources to improve the lives of women and girls on the Mid-Shore”, and said “each board member brought significant skills to the board and contributed to the organization’s ongoing success.”

With Alice Ryan, Founder of the Women & Girls Fund, seated center in blue and white, past and present board members gathered at the Tidewater Inn to celebrate the Fund’s 20th Anniversary.

Over the past 20 years, the Women & Girls Fund, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, has built an endowment fund of $1.6 million and awarded grants totaling more than $782,000 to 105 non-profits in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. The Fund works tirelessly to support organizations on the Mid-Shore that care for, educate, and advance local women and girls, and to make a difference in their lives and help them have a better future.

In attendance were four of the eight founding members: Bettie Baer, Pemmy Noble, Alice Ryan, and Meg van den Berg. The other founding members, Fran Parker, Kearby Parker, Emilie Robinson, and Carolyn Thornton, were unable to attend.

Board President Karen Kaludis thanked Ryan for her remarkable vision and gift to the community in establishing the organization, which presents its grants at an event every April. She stated, “The Women & Girls Fund Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon brings together an extraordinary group of supporters and those we support through our grant programs. It celebrates the importance of improving the lives of women and girls every day on the Mid-Shore,” and added, “We are excited to gather this year together after three years. COVID-19 made it impossible over the last three years, but this year we are thrilled that we can celebrate and honor so many worthwhile non-profits helping women and girls live better lives.”

The Grants & Awards Luncheon will be held Monday, April 24^th in the Gold Room of the Tidewater Inn. The event is open to the public. Details are forthcoming and will be posted on the Fund’s website www.womenandgirlsfund.org. For more information about the luncheon and the Women & Girls Fund, call 410-770-8347 or email info@womenandgirlsfund.org.

For All Seasons Promotes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month – The Red Sand Project

January 28, 2023 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

Maryland has one of the highest rates of “domestic” human trafficking in the nation. In Maryland, human trafficking affects all parts of the State. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. According to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, three major airports, inexpensive bus transportation, train service along the east coast, large sporting events, and disposable income makes Maryland an attractive destination for traffickers. Over the last three years, there have been sex trafficking arrests across the Eastern Shore including in Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Denton, and Salisbury. Again this year, For All Seasons is raising public awareness of this global issue, as well as sharing its impact locally, during the month of January which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

According to the U.S. Department of State, there are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people — adults and children — subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States. Traffickers often take advantage of the instability caused by natural disasters, conflict, or a pandemic to exploit others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, traffickers are continuing to perpetrate the crime, finding ways to innovate and capitalize on the chaos. According to President Biden’s “National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking” report, human traffickers can be relatives, friends, politically connected individuals in their country of origin, individuals operating alone, those in loosely affiliated groups or as part of gangs, or transnational criminal organizations. They control their victims by physically isolating and/or emotionally manipulating them, offering false promises of love, threatening a victim with various forms of harm, and controlling a victim’s substance use.

Kent County Sheriff’s Department participates in the 2023 Red Sand Project.

To help Maryland deal with its human trafficking problem, the state convened the MHTTF in 2007 as the state’s primary anti-trafficking organization working to combat trafficking through prevention, protection of victims, prosecution of trafficking, and partnerships. The MHTTF is a multidisciplinary team of agencies and local organizations committed to a victim-centered approach in the fight against human trafficking in Maryland.

“As a member of the MHTTF, we partner with member organizations to help provide resources for the survivor to meet their needs at the moment – everything from mental health resources to clothes, food, gift cards, and rent payments to,” states Kristy Mirando, Director of Victim Services at For All Seasons, who serves on the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF).

“What we are realizing is that anyone can be trafficked regardless of class, gender, education, or age, though traffickers tend to target marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Such vulnerabilities may include individuals who have experienced sexual violence and trauma in the past, homelessness, involvement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, those who have experienced substance abuse themselves or within their families, immigrants, LGBTQ youth, developmentally or intellectually delayed individuals, and many others.”

Mirando adds that trafficking occurs in rural, suburban, and urban communities in every state across the country. Maryland State Police also remind parents of online safety and to be aware of online scams involving the sexual extortion of minors. Investigators find online predators often give the impression they are romantically interested in the minor being targeted, to gain their trust. As the chats progress, the suspect user will request sexually illicit photographs of the minor and might even send photographs back to the minor in return in exchange for money, typically in the form of gift cards and prepaid credit card numbers that are readily available at most stores. The suspects often advise minors that if money is not sent, the illicit photographs of the minor will be sent to family, and friends, and posted online accompanied by distasteful comments about the minor. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk to their children regularly about the risks of sexual exploitation and to monitor their children’s use of all digital devices including laptops, tablets, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and smartphones.

To help bring awareness about human trafficking, For All Seasons is sponsoring its Red Sand Project. Participants pour red sand into sidewalk cracks and use the time to start a discussion about the causes and effects of human trafficking and exploitation. The red sand represents the victims of human trafficking who have slipped through the cracks, yet may still be hiding in plain sight.

Red flags of a human trafficking situation can be homeless youth, truancy, chronic runaways, appearing scared or nervous, tattoos or branding, withdrawing from family, school, or church, and always appearing tired. A victim who calls For All Seasons’ hotline gets help with understanding their options and resources, and creating a safety plan if that is what they are comfortable doing at the time.

Red sand packets are available through the end of January. If you are interested in participating, contact Jonathan Qvarnstrom at jqvarnstrom@forallseasonsinc.org. For further information about human trafficking, visit www.eshttf.org or http://www.mdhumantrafficking.org/. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888.

For crisis support on the Mid-Shore, contact For All Seasons’ 24-Hour Hotlines: 410.820.5600 for English or 410.829.6143 for Spanish or text in English and Spanish.

For All Seasons Hosts Valentine’s Day Silent Auction

January 27, 2023 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

For All Seasons is hosting a Valentine’s Day Silent Auction online from February 9 – February 14 featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and unique getaways to benefit the agency’s mental health and victim services.

“Again this year, the auction will be filled with experiences and getaways to inspire connection, fun, and relaxation between friends and loved ones,” states Lauren Weber, Vice President of Philanthropy and Education at For All Seasons.

“We invite all to bid generously. The proceeds from this auction will directly support For All Seasons’ life-saving mental health and victim support services, which are made available to all, regardless of one’s ability to pay.”

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the exciting items For All Seasons will be auctioning:

Sunset Sail with Captain – Experience the splendor of the Chesapeake Bay on a relaxing sunset cruise for up to 8 people on a Leopard 45 Catamaran with an experienced captain. Sailing from Annapolis, you and your guests will also enjoy two bottles of wine and a cheese plate (included).
Stay & Swing at the Inn at Perry Cabin – Enjoy one night for 2 in one of the Inn’s elegant rooms with breakfast included. After breakfast, head to the Links at Perry Cabin for a round of golf for 4 on a championship golf course designed by the legendary Pete Dye.
Flowers for a Year – Treat your Valentine to beautiful fresh flowers all year long! The recipient will be surrounded by flowers with one year of monthly local deliveries of stunning floral arrangements courtesy of Garden Treasures in Easton.
Chesapeake Bay Crabbing Trip for 3 – Have an authentic Eastern Shore experience that will leave you feasting on the Chesapeake Bay blue crabs that you catch with your own hands.
Serene Staycation at the Luxurious Wylder Hotel – Enjoy two nights for 2 at this bayside retreat, located on a 3-mile island on the Chesapeake Bay. This small watermen’s town can be explored by bike or hike – or our recommendation – water!
Private Sip & Paint Experience for 9 at the Academy Art Museum – Enjoy a night out with an exclusive sip & paint night for you and 8 friends at the Academy Art Museum, including fine wines and a private exhibit tour.
And more!

A variety of auction items at all price points are included in the event. The auction goes live online on February 9 and closes at noon on February 14, 2022. Visit https://supportforallseasonsinc.org/2023valentinesauction to view a sneak peek of the packages before the auction goes live. On February 9, visit the auction site at https://supportforallseasonsinc.org/valentines-2023 to bid on items. Donations in support of this online event will make a difference in the lives of many.

If you have a unique experience you would like to donate to the auction, email Lauren Weber, Vice President of Philanthropy and Education at lweber@forallseasonsinc.org.

Earth Data Employees Pass Association of State Boards of Geology Exam

January 25, 2023 by Amy Blades Steward Leave a Comment

Two employees of Earth Data, Inc., Ben Gemballa, Project Geologist, and Kayla Warhola, Geologist, both of Chestertown recently passed the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) Fundamentals of Geology Examination. The examination is the first step for a person seeking to become a Licensed Professional Geologist. Employees must work five years in the field before taking the Professional Geologist Exam.

According to ASBOG, much of today’s geological practice affects the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the environment, and the economy and the feasibility of engineered works. Geologists make use of their special knowledge for the benefit of the public: from the obvious, e.g., exploration and development of mineral resources plus the development of water resources, to the less obvious, e.g., evaluating the stability of foundations for buildings, dams, bridges, and roadways, plus many others.

Pictured left to right are Kayla Warhola, Geologist, and Ben Gemballa, Project Geologist, and both of Chestertown and employees of Earth Data, Inc. The two recently passed the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) Fundamentals of Geology Examination.

Gemballa completed his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and his Master of Science in Geophysics at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. His work at Earth Data has involved drilling and sampling monitoring wells, overseeing pumping tests in high-capacity groundwater production wells, and performing borehole video surveys and specialized geophysical logging on a variety of Earth Data projects. He has also provided construction administration and construction inspection work on Earth Data’s SWIFT® project in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Warhola completed her Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pennsylvania. Her work has primarily involved collecting and analyzing surface and groundwater samples on some large, ongoing projects and providing detailed sediment descriptions from deep drilling projects. Ms. Warhola also utilizes her previous construction inspection experience on various projects and is currently training to learn to operate Earth Data’s geophysical logging equipment.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these two employees who have been with us a little over a year and their initiative to further their professional certifications. Having licensed professional geologists is not only a standard for the industry but a standard for our company as well,” states Mark Williams, President of Earth Data, Inc.

For more than 48 years, Earth Data, Inc. has been providing field-oriented water resources and geospatial consulting services using high-tech tools to collect, analyze, manage, and distribute data in sophisticated ways. For further information, visit earthdatainc.com.

Chestertown Rotary Club Presents Spring Fling to Benefit Rotary’s Scholarship Fund

January 24, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Chestertown Rotary Club presents their second annual “Spring Fling” event at The Chester River Yacht and County Club, 7738 Quaker Neck Road in Chestertown, March 18th starting at 5:30pm.

This event is a fundraiser to benefit the club’s community scholarship fund. Guests will enjoy an evening’s entertainment including a sumptuous buffet dinner, a roving magician, music and dancing, as well as a silent auction.

Chestertown Rotary Project Committee Chair Larry Vetter said: “This event provides an opportunity to share a special evening with friends at the Country Club and help Rotary support one of its core causes: education.”

Tickets are$ 65.00 per person.

Reservations for tables of ten are available. Please contact David White at capndave242@yahoo.com.

Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. will Host an Open House

January 22, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

WHAT: Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. invites you to an Open House of their new office location in downtown Chestertown.
WHEN: Friday, Feb 17, 2023, 4 pm – 6pm
LOCATION: 114 S. Lynchburg St., Suite D, Chestertown, MD 21620

Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. (KAH) invites you to join them for an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the opening of their new office location in downtown Chestertown. This event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be available.

KAH was founded in 2019 to address the urgent need to make affordable housing more attainable. KAH builds the capacity of our applicants to successfully own a home through required workshops in financial literacy, homeownership, and budget management.

KAH would like to thank its founders, board members, volunteers, and donors for their ongoing support and for creating a long-term impact in the Kent County community. KAH would also like to thank the Kent County Chamber of Commerce and Kent County Economic Development & Tourism for helping make this event possible.

“Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. is a nonprofit breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by building or renovating affordable houses and partnering with limited-income, working families to prepare for and buy a home.”

For All Seasons Denton Office Moves to New Location and Hosts Open House

January 21, 2023 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

For All Seasons has moved its Denton office to a new location at 322 Market Street, Ste. 207 in Denton. Caroline County is the second largest county For All Seasons serves. The number of clients served by the Denton office grew from 200 clients in FY21 to 900 clients in FY22.

During FY 22, For All Seasons expanded care to nearly 1,000 residents to provide over 13,000 direct care services; administered 57.53% more victim support services than the previous year, including more hospital, court, and law enforcement accompaniments related to sexual assault; treated 23.24% more Caroline County youth and families than the prior year through community- and school-based therapy and psychiatric care, as well as victim support services; and added neurofeedback services in Caroline County.

Pictured is staff at All Seasons new Denton Office located at 322 Market Street, Ste 207. Pictured back row, left to right, are Leah Roy, LCSW-C, Michele Lantz, LCSW-C, Certified Trauma Play Therapist; Jen Friedman, LMSW, Certified Trauma Play Therapist; and Romona Matthews, Case Manager. Pictured front row, left to right, are Ja Quaya Beasley, Client Services Specialist; Sarah Hansen, LMSW, Certified Trauma Play Therapist; and Leslie Wagner, LCSW-C, Associate Clinical Director, Certified Trauma Play Therapist.

“We are thrilled to have more space to provide our services. We had simply outgrown the building we were in – needing to accommodate a larger clinical team and more administrative staff. In our new space, we will be able to offer a more welcome environment for clients, as well as a new play therapy room for the children we serve,” comments Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

For All Seasons will hold an Open House at its new location in Denton on January 24, 2023, from 5 to 6 p.m. Guests will be able to meet the team while enjoying light refreshments and a tour of our new space.

For All Seasons is your community behavioral health and rape crisis center offering therapy, psychiatry, advocacy, and education to individuals and families, regardless of one’s ability to pay. For further information, visit www.forallseasonsinc.org.

20rh Annual Wye Parish Books Café Will Run for Five Weekends

January 19, 2023 by Spy Desk 1 Comment

With a new extended format, the 2023 Wye Parish Books Café opens on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for its twentieth year at St. Luke’s Chapel, Queenstown. The popular sale of heavily discounted books and delicious homemade food items will then re-open for the next four Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., concluding on February 17 and 18.

As in the past, many thousands of carefully sorted books will be offered at 90% off cover or market price. With the new schedule format, however, not only will the shopping opportunities be spread out over a longer period of time, but more re-stocking of books will be done in the intervals between the sale days.

According to Books Café’s organizers, the decision to extend this year’s sale and increase re-stocking was prompted by an unprecedented build-up of inventory at the Books Café Depository. “The generous donations that make Books Café possible have recently been growing faster than ever before,” said sale committee member Mike Bilek of Wye Mills.

Bilek continued: “We have in storage many more books sorted and ready to put out than we can possibly display at one time in the St. Luke’s Parish Hall space. So in between the weekly sale days we’ll be bringing in loads of books from the Depository, as well as taking out books that aren’t finding new homes and sending them on to our redistribution partner, Discover Books of Baltimore.”

Books Café volunteer Jim Campbell of Centreville noted that access to the sale may also be available at unscheduled times during the five-week run: “When we are in the building doing re-stocking, and if the OPEN flag is flying outside, come on in for browsing and buying!”

The largest sections at Books Café are the alphabetized displays of Fiction, current and classic, hardcover and paperback, plus special sections for Mysteries, Historical Fiction, and a larger-than-usual offering of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

Running a close second in popularity to the Books Café Fiction sections is the History section, covering all periods, with expanded offerings in American History and a special section on American Presidents and Their Families. As always, the History section includes an exceptionally wide range of titles in Military History, ranging from detailed accounts of notable air, land and sea battles to biographies of war leaders and comprehensive treatments of major wars.

For younger readers, there is a large and varied collection in and adjacent to the “Young People’s Room” — everything from board books and picture books to easy readers, Newbery winners, popular series, classic stories, nature/science, and teen and YA. The books in the Young People’s Room are sorted into age-appropriate categories and can be conveniently browsed on the spot by the readers for whom they are intended. On higher shelves there are teachers’ materials that may be useful for home-schooling.

Other Books Café special sections, spaced out around the Hall and in adjoining rooms, include Animals, Art/Music/Film, Biography, CDs/DVDs, Cooking, Home & Garden, Humor, Local & Regional, Nature & Environment, Old & Rare, Outdoors, Philosophy & Politics, Poetry, Religion, Sports, Travel, True Crime, and more.

From the kitchen counter, the Café section of Books Café will once again provide hot drinks and snacks to sustain browsers, plus take-out and baked goods for home consumption, all at bargain prices.

Sale proceeds support local community outreach organized by the Parish’s Episcopal Church Women. Books Café accepts cash, checks, and the occasional IOU; no credit card sales. Sales to approved dealers are by advance authorization only; any use of barcode scanners inside the premises is strictly prohibited.

For further information on Books Café, call the Wye Parish Office at 410-827-8484.

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