Students at H.H. Garnet Elementary School are joining with their parents in reading the same book together during the month of March, thanks to a generous donation from the Chestertown Lions Club.

For this year’s One School-One Book program, Garnet students are reading the Newberry-award-winning book The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. It’s about the transformative power of friendship, along with a theme of animal protection, and was inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan.

Students were given clues to guess the book title in February. Clues were posted throughout the school in the days leading up to the big reveal at an assembly held on February 28th, wherein additional hints were given through skits and songs.

Once the guess-the-title contest was finished, the books were sent home for families to enjoy a shared reading activity at home. The school encourages the entire family to participate in the One School, One Book program. Studies have shown that kids whose parents read to, and with them will often excel in academic achievement.

Throughout the month of shared reading, a trivia question based on the assigned reading is asked each morning over the PA during the announcements. Prizes are awarded to students who answer the daily question correctly. Students also participate in daily classroom activities about the book. There will be a culminating activity at the end of March.

The Chestertown Lions Club has donated money to the One School, One Book program for several years now. This year’s donation of $4,000 helped the school purchase over 400 copies of The One and Only Ivan.

The Chestertown Lions are proud to support the One School, One Book program as a powerful literacy initiative designed to help an entire school community — children and parents — share a love of books and reading.

Freezing temperatures, just taking a break now, have been clogging Eastern Shore creeks making it difficult for watermen to get out to public oyster bars.  It’s tough enough for them to make any money during the lean months of January and February without the added complication of ice.

One of Maryland’s fleet of buoy tender/ice breakers, A.V. SANDUSKY, deployed earlier this week out of Annapolis to open a few of the channels leading to the grounds where tongers and dredgers work.

In Grace Creek, where several watermen keep their boats and offload their catchers at PT Hambleton’s oyster and crabbing complex, a few of the watermen eased their vessels gingerly through the ice last week to reach the open waters of Broad Creek. The Sandusky’s arrival on Monday built on those efforts to further solve the problem and allow more watermen to ply their trade.

Gregg Bortz, media relations manager for Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, provided additional information about the ice-breaking initiative:

“All of our boats have multiple purposes. During the year they are used to place navigation markers and buoys, assist with debris removal in the Bay, and other tasks. For ice breaking, the Sandusky’s primary areas of responsibility include Kent Narrows; Rock Hall; Chester River to Cedar Point; Miles River to St. Michaels; Eastern Bay and Tilghman Creek. But it also is used as needed elsewhere.

“Our boats are shallow draft so they can get into some smaller waterways that Coast Guard vessels can’t reach.

“The Sandusky,” said Bortz,“ is led by Captain Mike Simonsen. Our website has more information about the whole fleet: https://dnr.maryland.gov/boating/Pages/ice_breaking.aspx.”

The website indicates that the M/V A.V. SANDUSKY is an 80-foot vessel with 700 horsepower and icebreaking capability of eight inches. The site also adds that a new replacement vessel for the fleet is in the procurement process. “Areas of responsibility will include Knapps Narrows; Choptank River to Secretary; Broad Creek to Neavitt Wharf; Tred Avon River to USCG Station, Town Creek, Easton Point Landing; Cambridge Creek/Harbor, Little Choptank River, Slaughter Creek, Chapel Cove and Madison Bay.

Dennis Forney has been a publisher, journalist and columnist on the Delmarva Peninsula since 1972.  He writes from his home on Grace Creek in Bozman.

For decades, Rebuilding Together of Queen Anne’s County (RTQAC) and Rebuilding Together Kent County (RTKC) have championed free, critical home repairs for our neighbors who are navigating life with limited financial resources. United by the mission Repairing Homes, Revitalizing Communities, Rebuilding Lives, and effective January 17, 2025, they are now Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore (RTES) and are currently accepting applications for services needed, enthusiastic volunteers, and financial support from both counties. This merger marks an exciting evolution for our area. By combining resources and expertise, RTES will streamline operations, leading to more meaningful improvements in homes and neighborhoods across Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.

Why This Matters

While part of a larger national network of Rebuilding Together affiliates, the heart of Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore’s success lies in local support. Contributions from generous businesses, community members and foundations fuel critical home repair and rehabilitation projects, ensuring families can live in safe, warm and healthy homes. The work of RTES adds value beyond the individuals directly impacted – boosting property values, supporting generational wealth transfer for historically side-lined families, and contributing to a more thriving community for all of us that call this area home.

The decision by the two organizations’ Boards of Directors to merge followed thoughtful discussions and a comprehensive due diligence process. As a united entity, RTES will be equipped to take on larger projects, serve more homeowners, and better incorporate the skills and interests of its dedicated cadre of volunteers.

Genevieve Croker, who has served as the Kent County Rebuilding Together Executive Director, will continue in her role as Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore. Meanwhile, Rebuilding Together of Queen Anne’s Executive Director, Tonya Wright, will continue her commitment to the mission as a Member of the Board of Directors of RTES. Together with other dedicated Directors and a passionate volunteer base, they are prepared to lead RTES into a brighter future.

A Shared Vision for Growth

The newly appointed Board of Directors — led by Co-Presidents, Larisa Thomas and Larry Dinoff, along with a diverse group of local leaders — shared their excitement in a joint statement:
“This merger is not just about combining resources; it’s about strengthening our mission to serve Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. Together, we will create safer, healthier homes for more of our neighbors, safeguarding the residents who are a part of the fabric of our neighborhoods, preserving our affordable housing stock, and building a strong foundation for a thriving future. We are profoundly grateful for the support of our donors and volunteers and look forward to expanding our impact as Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore.”

How You Can Help

As RTES embarks on this transformative journey, community support is more critical than ever. The merger would not have been possible without the generous pro bono legal consultation of Mr. Daniel Ehrenberg at Klein Hornig, LLP. By donating, volunteering, or partnering with RTES, you can help ensure that families in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties have a safe place where they call home.

Whether it’s a financial gift, a corporate sponsorship, or offering your time and expertise, your support makes all the difference. Visit this link to learn more about how you can join the movement to end substandard housing. Together, we can repair homes, transform lives, and strengthen communities across this beautiful region.

The League of Women Voters of Kent County will host a public forum on Thursday, January 16, at 6 p.m. in Chestertown Town Hall (second floor) for the First District council seat. Candidates Shelia Austrian and Dawson Hunter will introduce themselves and respond to audience questions.

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at the Chestertown Firehouse.

The First District seat was vacated following Tim O’Brien’s resignation in November after legal challenges to his eligibility after moving out of the First Ward.

O’Brien, elected in November 2021, moved to the 400 block of Greenwood Avenue—located in the Fourth Ward—during the fall of 2023. This relocation sparked legal disputes over his role on the council. On October 15, a writ of mandamus was filed in court by plaintiffs Robert Miller, whom O’Brien defeated in the 2021 election, and “Jane or John Doe,” arguing that O’Brien’s move rendered the council “illegally constituted.”

The plaintiffs sought O’Brien’s removal, a council vacancy declaration, and the nullification of council decisions made after October 23, 2023.

The mayor and council responded with a revision of the town charter on November 6, 202: to allow council members who have served at least two years of their four-year term to retain their seats if they move out of their ward but remain within town limits. O’Brien recused himself from the vote.

A Circuit Court hearing on the motion to dismiss the petition was held on December 18. On December 22, Judge Harris P. Murphy denied the motion and ruled that O’Brien’s term had effectively ended when he moved from the First Ward. The court ordered the council to fill the vacancy according to the town charter.

Judge Murphy also determined that no council actions or votes were invalidated due to O’Brien’s participation after his relocation.

In an email to the Chestertown Spy, Stephen Z. Meehan, lead counsel for the petitioners, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.“Mr. Miller has achieved his primary objective: restoring a lawfully constituted government to Chestertown. It is unfortunate that it took this lawsuit to compel Mr. O’Brien to abandon his seat,” Meehan said, highlighting Judge Murphy’s criticism of the council’s conduct as “problematic” and “troubling.”

The forum will be recorded and made available on the League’s website at lwvkcmd.org.

Registered county residents living in Chestertown are automatically registered for town elections.

Pre-election interviews with the candidates will be made available on The Spy in the upcoming days.