January 6, 2021, 158 years after his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s presidential successor and leader of the Grand Old Party, incited insurrection. Four people died as thousands of this man’s followers assaulted the Capitol of American Democracy. Their purpose was simple: to prevent the Congress of the United States from carrying out its Constitutional duty, to accept the outcome of a Presidential election, thus allowing the peaceful transfer of power to occur two weeks hence.

Lincoln was witnessing the vulnerability of America’s democracy to internal attacks and expressed it on November 19, 1863 at Gettysburg; he said “Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether this nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.”

Lincoln inspired and led Americans in a fight against other Americans to defeat slavery and to rededicate the entire nation to its founding principles. Or again, in his words: “… that we here highly resolve that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”

The fundamental question all of us must address between now and Inauguration Day, is whether enough Americans still believe as Lincoln hoped we would, that our country’s political system is worth defending. If we do, than all of us need to pledge together with President Biden and Vice President Harris, we will prevent lies, greed, blind ambition and rabble rousing from creating the conditions that caused January 6, 2021.

Tom Timberman
Chestertown

Dear Governor Hogan:

The Kent County Commission on Aging is extremely concerned about the quality and quantity of care at Peak Health Care of Chestertown, a long-term care facility with over 60 residents licensed by the Department of Health.

Statistics indicate that staffing levels there fall well below the recommended amounts, for both registered nurses and other health care workers. Their continued reliance on contract workers is an indicator that residents are not getting the continuity of care, informed by permanent staff who are familiar with residents’ needs.

In December a front-page story in The Washington Post focused on this facility, interviewing workers and describing some very disturbing findings:

Peak employees no longer get paid time off for major holidays

Supplies have been in such short supply that one Chestertown housekeeper went to Dollar General to buy bleach and laundry detergent with his own money

From July through September there was no hot water

The article explained that a private-equity firm purchased the facility in 2020. It indicated that there is little or no oversight of nursing home purchases, which can result in a rapid decrease in quality of care and patient safety.

We ask that the State provide more frequent and thorough inspections of these facilities in an effort to increase safety, ensure sufficient staffing, and improve care for the most vulnerable among us.
We appreciate your attention to this problem. We all have an interest in the quality of life for our seniors.

Muriel Cole and Carolyn Sorge
Co-Chairs
Kent County Commission on Aging

As we are advised to note the reasons to be grateful during this uniquely challenging year, I want to express my gratitude to a true local treasure: RiverArts, and its collaboration of Board members, talented artists, energetic staff and tireless Executive Director, Maria Wood. The spark for this letter is the piece in the December 12 SPY : “New Items and a Video Tour of RiverArts Holiday Show and Sale,” but the inspiration began on March 16, when the first issue of The Daily Dose, Your Daily Dose of Arts and Community, graced my in-box.

This inviting and lively newsletter appeared immediately after our lives became shadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Daily Dose began with a goal of providing us 30 days of art. To the great benefit of our community, The Daily Dose has continued uninterrupted throughout these long months. The newsletter’s dazzling offerings of Salon discussions with diverse artists, craft projects, website suggestions, art news and art history, classes and clubs, art auctions and artist profiles reflect the abundance of opportunities to weave the power of the visual arts into the fabric of our lives. RiverArts’ support for the Black Lives Matter street murals contributed to crucial community discussions of racial injustice in the history of Chestertown.

When non-profit organizations have faced daunting challenges to participation and funding, RiverArts has adapted creatively to the realities of the pandemic. The beautiful new website, the online presence of KidSPOT, Gift Shop and Holiday Show/Sale, the classes and community presence of the arts in so many forms are the result of a commitment to keep the arts available to us all. We are extremely fortunate to have such a vibrant, engaged community arts organization burning brightly during this dark period of the pandemic. We should appreciate and support RiverArts and the artists.

Patricia Deitz
Still Pond

I read an article recently that got me thinking about what patriotism means. In recent years, it has become a bone of contention between those on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Love of our country and the American flag have been claimed by conservatives. I would like to suggest that liberals love our country no less than conservatives though we may have different thoughts on what patriotism means.

Typically, these days I google everything. So I googled, “how do you define American patriotism?” I got a lot of food for thought. Here is some of what I found.

“Patriotism is what bonds citizens of a country together regardless of other distinctions. American Patriotism is a loyalty not to a party or president, but to the American Constitution and founding values.”

I also came upon a list of ideas related to patriotism that parents should teach their children. This list included such things as our basic freedoms, our core democratic values, our responsibilities as citizens, honoring our military, appreciating our diversity, knowing we’re not perfect.

I myself have run the gamut in my political leanings. I was a history major at the University of Wisconsin during the upheaval of the 60’s. I was no radical but I did come away with a revisionist view of history. That is, I rejected traditionally held beliefs about particular historical events. I brought these ideas to the high school level when I taught in upstate New York during the 70’s.

Of the four areas of study required by the state of New York, I focused my teaching on two areas of our curriculum, the “Constitution and Bill of Rights” and the “American People.” I felt strongly that my students needed to understand the underlying principles and structure of our form of government as well as the rights of all citizens. I emphasized the importance of voting.

Instead of just teaching about our colonial roots and about European immigration which is all that was required then, I thought it important to cover the history and accomplishments of African Americans, Native Americans and women. Back then covering other groups such as Asian or Hispanic Americans wasn’t even on the radar. These were fun topics to cover because it was easy to make them relevant.

In the 80s I worked in New York City in environments which were quite liberal. Then in the 90’s I married my husband, Floyd, who was very conservative. I started watching Fox News with him. Then we began listening to talk radio. To learn more I read a great many books by conservative authors, many of whom are considered right-wing. By limiting my sources of information I found my point of view changing.

After Floyd died, I started reading and watching a much broader range of news sources and non-fiction. I realized at heart I’m a liberal. While I think of myself as a centrist Democrat now, I must admit I am leaning more to the progressive point of view as the pandemic, economic failures, and social justice issues have laid bare the inequities in our country.

While my views on policies and politicians have run the gamut I think that I have always loved my country no less than any others. To the Republicans in this community, I want to say that Democrats are patriots too.

I have thought about putting out an American flag by my house but wonder if that will be interpreted to mean that I support President Trump. Where we should all be able to agree to disagree, we need not assign motives for displaying our nation’s flag.

So I am a proud Democrat and I will put my flag out. I welcome other Democrats to do the same. And I hope that in so doing those who disagree with me on many issues will agree that we all love our country.

Barbara Vann
Chestertown

The November 28 edition of the Star Democrat reports that representative Andy Harris is worried about the effects of COVID-19, but he is worrying about the wrong things. No one likes the massive disruption in everyday life the pandemic has caused. Everyone wants life to return to normal. However, the recent surge in coronavirus cases and deaths requires responsible leaders to take whatever actions are necessary to protect the health and safety of those they serve. Governor Hogan’s recent actions demonstrate that he understands that responsibility. This is not a political issue. It is a public health issue.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland reported 2378 new cases on November 27. Twenty-two more people died. Since the pandemic began, there have been 192,858 confirmed cases in Maryland and 4414 people have died. Counting only those counties on the Eastern Shore, 11,861 cases and 225 deaths have occurred in Maryland’s 1st District which Mr. Harris represents. If we add parts of Baltimore, Harford and Carroll counties, which Mr. Harris also represents, those numbers are higher.

The coronavirus is a highly contagious, sometimes fatal disease which spreads quickly and easily from one person to another. Until there is a safe, effective vaccine available to everyone, only mitigation measures like wearing a mask, social distancing, avoiding large and most indoor gatherings will prevent more people from getting sick and dying.

Recent data about the effectiveness of two prospective vaccines offers hope that life may return to normal within a few months. However, until those vaccines are widely available, everyone must continue to do what they can to prevent the coronavirus from spreading and overwhelming our hospitals and health care workers.

As Mr. Harris asserts, civil liberties are important, but those liberties come with responsibilities to do what we can to keep ourselves and others safe. Mr. Harris also worries about the effects of current coronavirus restrictions on small businesses. He’s right. Small businesses do need help. So do state and local governments and many of his constituents who are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. The House of Representatives, of which Mr. Harris is a member, passed the HEROES act, an economic stimulus bill, on May 15. That bill would have provided exactly the kind of help everyone needs. Mr. Harris voted against the HEROES act, and it remains stalled because his Republican colleague, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, refuses to let the Senate take it up for a vote.

Instead of worrying, Mr. Harris should act. He should urge his constituents to wear masks, to practice social distancing, to avoid large gatherings and to keep celebrations for the holidays limited to people within their own households. He should also talk with Senator McConnell about passing the stimulus bill his constituents need to tide them over until there is a widely available vaccine.

Living with the kinds of restrictions necessary to prevent further spread of the coronavirus is hard. Watching people we love suffer and die is harder.

Linda Cades
Easton

T. Barnum would be jealous.

Quoting Wikipedia, “Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891) was an American showman, politician, and businessman, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. He said of himself ‘I am a showman by profession … and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me.’ According to his critics, his personal aim was ‘to put money in his own coffers.’ He is widely credited with coining the adage ‘There’s a sucker born every minute’.”

For the last four years I have been trying to understand what his supporters like about showman Trump. Only a couple of my friends have shared their candid views: “I’m better off than I was four years ago.” “The China virus is not his fault.” “He has appointed many conservative judges.” “He has reigned-in North Korea and hasn’t started any wars.”

When I ask if his wanton narcissism and blatant disregard for truth matters, I get something like “Oh, he’s just being The Donald; at least he does not pretend to be other than he is.” Interpretation: He gets points for authenticity even if authentically repugnant.

I ask you, my Republican friends: His policies may be good for you personally, but are they good for everyone else? Do you care about his capricious abuses of our democratic norms, the wellbeing of our Republic, and whether or not we are respected by other nations? I am a U.S. Army veteran. Yes, I love my country, but not to the exclusion of my fellow citizens of the world. It is true that we have never lived up to the ideals so eloquently set out in our Declaration of Independence, that all are equally deserving of life, liberty and happiness, but nonetheless aren’t these excellent goals? Should we discard them because they are yet to be achieved? Do you like our president’s branding of more than half our population as his enemies? Do you believe his claim that he “is the least racist person in the room.”

Why do dictators of the world love and support him? Do they admire his leadership and think he’s “a very stable genius,” or do they think he’s a useful idiot?

I think Trump’s nationalism-on-steroids is bad policy for world trade, world relationships, and our planet’s health. There has never been a time more critical for the survival of our species (and all others) as now. Contrary to our president’s claim that he has reduced life-threatening carbon buildup in our atmosphere and oceans, the opposite is true, as anyone can easily check here.

One thing I can say for Barnum: As far as I can tell, people didn’t die from his entertaining scams. He didn’t withhold vital, life-dependent information that could have saved many thousands of lives. Barnum was not the world’s most powerful and dangerous man. He didn’t follow what Goebbels hypocritically projected upon the British in WW2: “The English follow the principle that when one lies, one should lie big, and stick to it. They keep up their lies, even at the risk of looking ridiculous.” Sound familiar?

If you are in the game for yourself, do ends justify means? Do ethics, morality, and principles matter if the result is all you seek? Matt 16:26: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Has Trump made our country great again, or is he “the man behind the curtain” projecting a false facade?

Bob Moores
Chestertown

This weekend, the Academy Art Museum hosts its 23rd Annual Craft Show. While the annual event has been enjoyed for two decades, this year the Show is virtual. However, it is no less important to the artists or to the Museum.

Those of us working on the Craft Show team came together a few months ago and realized that no matter just where we might find ourselves with the COVID virus in October, it made little sense to bring two or three thousand people and dozens of artists into Easton for the weekend. It was at that point we began the planning for an online, virtual Craft Show.

We had two guiding notions: 1) we wanted to find a way to support the fine craft makers/artists with whom we’ve worked for years; and, 2) we wanted to achieve at least some of the revenue flowing from an annual event designed to support the Academy Art Museum.

The artists, with shows around the country being cancelled, were very positive from the beginning about our approach. Most of the funds from sales go to the artists. Some will be retained by the Museum in lieu of booth fees.

The response has been remarkable. While we hoped for a couple hundred items, we now have over 700 items from dozens of artists. The value of these items exceeds $1 million.

We have but one question remaining and that is whether patrons will come to the site to bid and/or buy the remarkable items available. Success in this area will deliver to artists a few hundred thousand dollars. And, patrons will join donors in supporting the mission of the Academy Art Museum.

The site for the virtual Craft Show can be found at https://www.32auctions.com/AAMCraftShow2020 .

Once on the site, an individual can build their own personal watchlist to follow items in which they have an interest. All items have a starting bid price below the retail price as well as having a buy now price allowing someone to forgo the auction process and acquire an item they would like to enjoy.

The site can be visited anytime. The Craft Show begins at 8 PM, Friday, October 16th and it concludes at 8 PM, Sunday, October 18th. During this time bidding and buy now purchases can be made.

On behalf of dozens of artists and the Craft Show Team at the Academy Art Museum, I invite you to come visit the Show this weekend and find unique purchasing opportunities. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Craig Fuller
Chair, 2020 AAM Craft Show

We awoke on Sunday morning to a disturbing sight. The Biden-Harris banner on our fence had been spray-painted with “Trump” across its face. But there was a silver lining to this trespass and vandalism. While David was scrubbing off the offending letters with paint remover, three young boys walked by. They immediately offered to help. David was very touched. As they left, they fist-pumped the air shouting “Biden-Harris in 2020.” David smiled and fist-pumped back. All in all, a good sign that our young people are staying informed and involved.

David Bowering and Barbara Jorgenson
Chestertown

Name those leaders!

Leader A was a fascist, dictatorial with extreme right-wing views. So is Leader B.

Leader A came to power on promises to lift economically-depressed people, to right wrongs imposed by neighboring countries and certain minorities within. He vowed to make his country great again. He told people what they wanted to hear. Leader B came to power on promises to lift economically-depressed people, and to “drain the swamp” of government corruption. He vowed to make his country great again. He told people what they wanted to hear.

Leader A spoke with charisma that rendered his favored people spellbound, creating cult-like worship of his strong-man persona. He appealed to the worst instincts and fears of his people. Same for leader B.

Leader A thought he knew more than the generals he commanded. Leader B thinks he knows more than not just his generals, but everyone else.

Leader A was the embodiment of white supremacy and anti semitism. Leader B is, at minimum, tolerant of white supremacy, anti semitism, and racial bigotry.

Leader A claimed to be a Catholic Christian; in practice he was not. Leader B claims to be a Presbyterian Christian; in practice he is not.

Leader A demanded loyalty of his subordinates, ridding himself of those who would criticize him. Same for Leader B.

Leader A liked to see large pictures of himself on buildings. Leader B likes to see his name in large letters on buildings.

Leader A decreed there would be no free press, that only government-approved propaganda would be allowed. Leader B, legally unable to throttle the free press, declares the press (excluding Fox) to be “the enemy of the people” and constant perpetrators of “fake news.”

Leader A saw millions of people, foreign and domestic, die unnecessarily because of his brutal leadership. Leader B has seen thousands of his people get sick or die because he withheld vital information critically needed for their health safety.

Leader A was not an insecure showman needing constant public reinforcement of his greatness. Leader B is.

Am I being too harsh on Leader B? Probably. Still, I think the parallels are noteworthy.

Bob Moores
Chestertown

That this year has been unusual is an understatement! It has called for extra effort while maintaining the course. We recognize that, more than ever, our community needs access to the best possible health care, every day, close to home. Thus, the Chester River Health Foundation continues its work to raise funds to provide essential equipment, technology and improvements to your hospital, UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.

We are nearing the successful end of a capital campaign, “Health Care Excellence: Close to Home. Close to Your Heart,” to raise $450,000 for the purchase of two pieces of absolutely vital medical equipment: a chemistry analyzer for the lab and a CT scanner for radiology. And the Foundation thanks our community, for its incredible charitable support this year—”charitable” by every definition of the word. Your gifts to our campaign efforts and most importantly, your outpouring of appreciation and compassion for the hospital’s staff, have been remarkable.

In the early months of this pandemic, the community donated more than 5,900 individual pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks and face shields; 4,200 individual meals and snacks; 91 floral arrangements and $10,900 for our COVID-19 response fund.

These funds will be used to help expand our telemedicine capabilities; help purchase tablets and digital communication devices so providers can confer with others and patients can connect with loved ones; and just as importantly, provide support to our employees in their time of need.

A volunteer Board of Directors leads the Foundation and I am writing to share that we are now seeking candidates to serve for a three year term beginning in January. There are a limited number of positions available.

A Board member’s responsibilities include attending monthly meetings, setting the direction of the organization, being an ambassador and advocate of the Foundation and the hospital throughout the community, raising funds, being a donor and serving as a fiduciary of the Foundation’s assets. These are exciting times for the future of your community’s hospital and now is the time to jump in and be involved.

I encourage anyone with interest to contact the Foundation’s executive director, Maryann Ruehrmund, at 410-810-5660 for more information or a job description.

Barrie Meina
Board Chairperson
Chester River Health Foundation of Shore Regional Health