Phillips Packing Company was the economic powerhouse in Cambridge, Maryland, in June 1937, when around 2,000 employees went on strike. The workers, both black and white, demanded better pay, better hours, and the right to form a union.

The protest led to violent confrontations between the strikers and armed representatives of the company. Then the police got involved, and there were injuries, arrests, and one death.

The workers and their union backers rejected the company president’s offer of a meager pay increase, but Phillips’ cunning legal gambits finally wore the employees down. The merciless end of the strike brought no resolution to the economic and social inequalities in Cambridge, and the door was left open to civil unrest.

This video is approximately five minutes in length.

Twenty plays later, Michael Whitehill still searches for the magic of community theatre, that moment when cast, script, and audience merges into a transcendent moment of shared experience…..or even fails to project the heart of the play beyond the stage.

After all, every moment of live theatre is an experiment performed by volunteers who willingly risk self-doubt to reach that moment of joy in their craft and the pleasure of drawing us into their story.

It takes an intuitive director like Whitehill to help community theatre actors discover their characters and how they move in concert to unfold a script into a live performance true to the author’s intent.

Church Hill Theatre’s God of Carnage is one of those plays seasoned directors love to get their hands on: it’s a high-wire act of four characters—husbands and wives— on a mission to solve an incident involving their children.

In fact, what is experienced is a complete devolution of manners and best intentions as they unmask their own painful issues. But don’t let the title fool you. The emotional bloodletting is a comedy, the way comedy can reveal our own truth and, in that moment of honesty, laugh out loud in recognition.

 The Spy recently talked with Michael Whitehill about God of Carnage and working as a director with actors, seasoned and new.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. God of Carnage plays through November 19, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets and reservations, call 410-556-6003 or go here.

One of the least known casualties of the 10-year war in Vietnam were the loved and trusted military dogs who served as trackers, sentries, and tunnel detectors, saving countless US soldier’s lives.

Tragically, at the end of the war in 1975, 4,000 of the dogs, mostly German Shepherds and Labradors, were left behind despite efforts by their handlers to have them return to the US. Most of them were euthanized, a policy failure finally corrected in 2000 by a Congressional law requiring all military working dogs suitable for adoption to be available for placement after their service.

Local author Richard LaMotte latched on to this little-known story and felt compelled to write Follow His Lead, a historical fiction novel about the dynamic relationship between a scout dog and his young handler as they face the war’s end and the inevitable euthanization program.

Based on years of research and interviews—and borrowing events from his youth as the son of an Eastern Shore pastor— LaMotte threads his coming-of-age story with familiar Baltimore ingredients. Famed baseball star Brooks Robinson even has a hand in making the story a powerful emotional odyssey.

Lamotte writes in his blog, “All along the way, one primary goal has always been to educate the public on the extraordinary human-animal bond between a military working dog and its handler. In order to make that connection, one must understand the enormous sacrifices made by our troops.”

LaMotte is no stranger to success as a writer. His 2004 book Pure Seaglass: Discovering Nature’s Vanished Gems has sold over 100,000 copies and went on to spur a cottage industry of similar books and launch new interest in the beauty of sea glass.

From advance copies, Follow His Lead has already claimed two Firebird Book Awards and a Pinnacle Book Award.

 Richard Lamotte will be holding a book signing at Twigs and Teacups on November 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and a launch party will be held on November 4 from 5:00 to 6:30 at Kent County Alliance Center’s Raimond Center, followed by a signing at the Trippe Gallery in Easton on November 11.

The Spy recently interviewed the author about his new book.

This video is approximately six minutes length.

 

Over the last decade or so, Washington College and hundreds of other institutions of higher learning have made it part of the mission to turn their campus into a sustainable one. While there could be some disagreement on what “sustainable” actually means, there is common agreement that 1.) it ultimately means a carbon-neutral physical plant and 2.) this is really hard for any school to pull off.

There has been some low-hanging fruit for some schools, such as the implementation of campus recycling and the construction of LEED-certified new buildings, but it remains very problematic to convert older dorms and classroom buildings, of which WC has many, into environmentally friendly structures. And that is just one on a long list of long-term challenges for a 238-year-old college to change gears.

And while many schools remain trapped in the gap between their aspirations (rhetoric) and deeds, Washington College made quite a statement in selecting the school’s new provost and dean, Dr. Kiho Kim, earlier this year.

Kim had gained significant recognition in the high-ed community for his leadership in turning American University in Washington, D.C., into a role model for its carbon-neutral campus. Taking over a decade of hard work by Kim and his colleagues, AU now sits in the top tier of university sustainability.

The fact that Washington College would seek out the skills of Dr. Kim and that Kim himself wanted the challenges for a smaller campus rather than a larger one may be a matter of fate, but it nonetheless is an extraordinary example of how seriously WC is taking this critical transformation.

Perhaps even more aspirational for those cheering Washington College is Dr. Kim’s powerful journey. From moving from South Korea to Canada at the age of ten with no English skills to landing in the chief academic officer position in one of America’s oldest and smallest liberal arts colleges is a powerful tale of perseverance that will no doubt motivate countless undergraduates at the beginning of their own journey.

The Spy sat down with Kim in his office at Bunting Hall last month.

This video is approximately eight minutes in length.

 

 

Two new sculptures from the Peter and Hanna Woicke Sculpture Collection brighten the Chestertown landscape with whimsy, charm, and those moments American poet Robinson Jeffers described as a “joy is a whim in the air.”

The two new installations by North Carolina artist Adam Walls, “Ball and Red Arches” and “Taking the Hill” are found on the southwest corner of Cross Street and along the Wayne Gilchrest Trail, respectively and are part of the 24 sculptures to be placed throughout the community by the Chestertown Public Arts Committee.

Walls, a professor of art at UNC Pembroke says he is drawn to creating sculptures that express the joys found in children’s toys and likes to create structures that convey “play” while including messages of encouragement and the kind observations about life depicted in the “following the leader” motif in “Taking the Hill.”

Discovering that he had a natural talent for drawing at an early age, Walls sought a creative challenge he could not find in painting or ceramics. Large, colorful steel fabrications fulfilled that artistic need, and his work continues today to be discovered brightening many landscapes and galleries.

Never losing his sense of whimsy, the artist says his greatest payoff is to see people physically engage with his work.

Walls also says that after visiting Chestertown, he considers the community’s commitment to public arts as having the potential to become a showcase for the arts on the national stage.

This video is approximately eight minutes in length. To find out more about Adam Wall, go here.  

Background video and still provided by Dave Hegland. Lead photo by Hester Sachse

 

It didn’t take long for Dave Harp and his long-time cohorts, Tom Horton and Sandy Cannon-Brown, to come up with the title of their new documentary film on Chesapeake oysters. While sharing drinks at a local bar, it was declared that the film’s goal was to document and pass along the incredible passion for oysters on the Eastern Shore.

And that is what was accomplished in “A Passion for Oysters,” which will be shown at the Chesapeake Film Festival on September 30th and a few weeks later in Cambridge.

By showcasing the strong passion found in the watermen, scientific, and environmental communities, the 45-minute film gives the audience reason for encouragement as all three important segments work together as never before to save Maryland’s oyster and its unique culture.

The Spy sat down with Dave last week at the Spy studio to hear about the film and, yes, his passion for oysters.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. To attend the world premiere please find tickets and more information here.

 

 

On Saturday, August 19, a Kent County team of eight paddlers coached by Jack Brosius competed in the Special Olympics Maryland Kayaking Championship competition held at Washington College’s Hodson Boathouse.

The daylong event brought 101 Maryland kayakers together to compete in a championship still recovering from the pandemic pause in 2020.

The 100-meter, 200-meter, 500-meter, and 1,000-meter races were staged flawlessly from the College docks with a full-on display of enthusiasm and healthy competition.

Throughout the year, more than 8,000 Marylanders with intellectual disabilities train to participate in one of Special Olympics 20 competitive athletics programs. 

For 53 years, Maryland Special Olympics has provided year-around training for Olympic-type sports “for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”

Maryland athletes competed in the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria.

The Spy caught up with President and CEO of Maryland Special Olympics Jim Schmutz to talk about how Special Olympics empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering inclusivity and creating an environment where differences are not only accepted but celebrated.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more about Maryland Special Olympics, go here.

 

Gail Patterson is not a typical doctor, just as Out of the Fire is not your typical local restaurant. What these two have in common, though, is what makes them so unique. And it’s a pairing worth exploring.

First, the doctor: Patterson is a year away from retirement after a long and distinguished career as an anesthesiologist. Beyond her regular responsibilities, Patterson devoted more than two decades to volunteering in low- and middle-income countries, providing anesthesia and medical relief. Her global travels, undertaken alongside her profound commitment to her profession, led her to amass an impressive art collection, primarily focusing on Haitian and African pieces.

“There was war, poverty, and degradation all over the world,” she said. ‘But the opposite of that was not peace and contentment. It was creation. Art seemed to be the most hopeful and powerful – the opposite of soul-crushing.” 

It became something Patterson knew she wanted to share with others. 

In 2012, Patterson established her online gallery, Spiralis, and was accepted into prestigious art fairs such as Art Basel in Miami and the Outsider Art Fair in New York City (‘the’ premier fair dedicated to self-taught art). “I was very lucky,” she said about being selected so early on in her new endeavor. But running an art gallery while working 80+ hours a week in ORs soon became an overwhelming challenge. Although she continued to collect art, she temporarily put her gallery idea aside until it could be a full-time pursuit. 

With her retirement around the corner, Patterson is now ready.

As before, Spiralis focuses on Afro-Caribbean works and ‘outsider’ self-taught artists. “I’ve always felt that there’s something special about self-taught, honest art, without the confines and conventions of classical art teaching. It is just something that comes out of an artist’s soul and has to go into the world,” said Patterson.

Enter Out of the Fire, known for its wood-fired cuisine, fresh ingredients, curated wine list, and welcoming atmosphere. Its walls have also served as a canvas for local artists to exhibit their artwork and for diners to experience while enjoying their food. Patterson, a long-time customer of the establishment, had always appreciated the ever-changing art, which brought “new and vibrant energy to the restaurant.” 

It was restaurant owner Amy Haines who suggested a collaboration—given that Spiralis Gallery didn’t yet have space in Easton, how about doing something at Out of the Fire? Patterson invited Hines to view her collection, and that made it happen for both. “When I saw her art work, I was immediately taken by it and thought this could be really powerful,” Hines said, adding: “This is the first time I’ve hosted a gallery and have had art done by other than local artists.” 

The collaboration works. “Amy has been lovely and incredibly kind. She’s deeply supportive,” said Patterson.” And that support has extended to patrons of both art and the restaurant. Patterson was gratified and surprised at the sizable crowd attending the opening night of the Out of the Fire Spiralis exhibition, titled Things Fall Together. Word-of-mouth has further fueled interest since then.

Running through October 1st, the exhibition features works by Haitian artist Mireille Delice who incorporates sequins and beads in his designs; Haitian impressionist Desarmes; oil painter Gerard; Liberian artist Leslie Lumeh; ONEL (aka Lionel Paul), whose work is highlighted on the postcard; and others.

The display also showcases pieces by local creators represented by Patterson, including Holly Jackson, a young fiber artist who uses centuries-old embroidery techniques to address modern issues such as climate change and women’s rights. Their partnership surprised Jackson: “When you are self-taught and make something really different, the gallery route usually seems reserved for those with formal art school education. But with Gail’s selection of artists, there is a shared commonality that I can’t name, but it’s there. There is also a message that she wants to make it easier for me to continue to do exactly what I’ve been doing and it feels right.” 

But it is not only the artist whose lives Patterson wants to touch or change through the works she chooses for her gallery. “I want to be able to spark meaningful conversations through story-driven art,” she says. “You can love, hate, understand, or not get it at all, just so it starts a human conversation.” She also hopes to build connections with underserved groups in Easton, including the local Haitian population, by teaming up with Chesapeake Multicultural Center. “I would like to create some community where maybe none exists.” Lastly, she hopes the gallery can be a spiritual experience, echoing the sentiments expressed in a quote by Haitian artist Denis Smith (translated from Creole): “It’s not really me that travels the world. It’s my spirit through my artwork.”  

For now, these and other spirits can be seen either at Out of the Fire or on the Spiralis website. There you will also find some helpful features, including ‘View it in a Room,’ where you can visualize a piece you’re interested in above a bed or bench or an augmented reality function that allows you to project the art onto a wall in your home. And that’s important for Patterson, who emphasizes the sensory and organic nature of art appreciation: “Art is an experience that should bring joy and connection.”

Patterson is grateful that Easton, including the art community, has been receptive and welcoming, and she looks forward to bringing some new voices into the Easton art scene. She may be retiring from medicine, but her next chapter is just beginning.

Spiralis Gallery: https://spiralisgallery.com

Out of the Fire: 111 South Washington St., Easton, MD. https://www.outofthefire.com

 

For Cameron Ronayne, a day without conflict is a day without discovering creative solutions to problems we experience throughout our daily lives.

That’s because Ronayne, as Community Mediation Upper Shore Director, thrives in finding solutions for just about any conflict.

“We provide completely free mediation services to anyone in the community. That can be neighbors, businesses, families, students, or schools. So, it can be anything from students who don’t agree about who’s sitting where in the lunchroom, to families making decisions around elder care, or parenting, or anything that’s affecting them,” Ronayne says.

In a bid to promote harmony and understanding among community members, Community Mediation Upper Shore (CMUS), a non-profit organization, has been quietly serving the residents of Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. With a mission to provide free mediation services, CMUS aims to address conflicts of all sizes and natures, from everyday disagreements among students to complex family dynamics.

Founded with the vision of creating a supportive and peaceful community, CMUS offers a platform for individuals, families, businesses, and schools to engage in mediation. The organization’s services span a diverse range of issues, from noisy neighbor disputes to matters as sensitive as end-of-life decisions and parenting plans. By fostering open dialogue and encouraging participants to find their own solutions, CMUS empowers individuals to navigate conflicts while ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and respected.

CMUS’s impact extends beyond formal mediation proceedings. The organization partners with schools, engaging students in conflict resolution practices to equip them with valuable life skills. Through its innovative youth programs, CMUS helps students grasp the art of mediation and problem-solving, contributing to a future generation adept at resolving disputes peacefully.

As CMUS continues to make a positive impact, the organization welcomes community support. Volunteers can join CMUS as trained mediators, while individuals and businesses are encouraged to contribute donations to sustain the organization’s vital work.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. To find out more about CMUS, see their website here.