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November 13, 2024

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Spy Concert Review: MSO Performs Beethoven’s 5th by Steve Parks

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Michael Repper conducting the MSO.

If there are any four notes in all the classical music canon that almost everyone recognizes – even those who wouldn’t know Mozart from Muddy Waters – it would be the bah-bah-bah-BOHM of Beethoven’s Fifth. But how many aficionados would recognize the first few bars of his “rookie” symphony No. 1 as Beethoven’s?

When it premiered in 1804, the Fifth was called the “Fate Symphony,” which accounts for the title of the November concert series of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, “Fireworks of Fate,” continuing through Sunday’s matinee at Chesapeake College’s Todd Performing Arts Center. The four notes, it is said, denote “fate knocking at the door.” Should you answer?
Accompanying the pair of Beethoven symphonies on the program are two appetizers by 19th-Century French composer Louise Farrenc, both concert overtures, which means these six- or seven-minute pieces were never intended as part of a larger work, such as an opera.
Her Overture No. 1 pays homage to Haydn, Beethoven’s most important mentor. The gravity of the solemn opening adagio is quickly overtaken by a restless allegro that becomes more relaxed as it grows into a bold thematic statement and an authoritative finish. Farrenc’s Overture No. 2 takes a similar form but in a different frame of mind. Possibly traumatic opening notes give way to a celebration with a richly melodic and cheerful vibrance. Together these pieces leave you wishing Farrenc had added another movement or two for each. Sadly, symphonies were not in fashion with the French in her time and, in any case, women composers anywhere in the world struggled to be recognized.
Unlike Mozart, a child prodigy, Beethoven did not complete his first symphony until 1800 at age 29. Mozart died nine years earlier at age 35 with 41 symphonies to his everlasting credit.
In keeping with symphonic tradition, set largely by Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven’s First is composed in sonata form. But he throws in a bit of a trick by toying in the opening notes with the C Major key that dominates the piece. He then throws in an innovation with woodwinds playing a prominent role intertwined with the string instruments in introducing a second theme. Taking the lead for the MSO woodwind section are Mindy Heinsohn (flute), Dana Newcomb (oboe), Dennis Strawley (clarinet) and Terry Ewell (bassoon).
The second movement opens with what amounts to a fugue that gradually morphs into a darker mood with the rhythmic throb of timpani beats by Barry Dove. While the third movement is called a minuet, it comes off as more of a scherzo teaser that suggests bolder dancefloor strides. The final movement of Beethoven’s First toys with a trio of mellower notes before it gains momentum toward a confident landing that encompasses previous themes as well as Beethoven’s soon-to-be signature orchestral beats.
If you think that Beethoven’s Fifth is the meat-and-potatoes of classical music by long-dead European composers, ho-hum, think again. It’s at the very least the steak frites or filet mignon with truffles of the classical catalog’s all-time menu. And it’s not played as often as you might think considering its thematic presence in everything from movies to video games. So here’s your chance to hear it played live in full by a fine professional regional orchestra spurred on by a Grammy-winning music director, Michael Repper.
Here’s what I thought of the opening night performance in Rehoboth Beach Friday night, Nov. 8.
The opening four notes heard round the world and through the centuries are echoed in clarion calls from the back-row brass section led by Daniel Coffman (trombone), Luis Engelke (trumpet) and Michael Hall (horn). The orchestra played with a cohesive and deliberate temperament of an ensemble performing as one, led on strings by concertmaster Kimberly McCollum, Dana Bevard (second violin), Yuri Tomenko (viola), Katie McCarthy (cello) and Chris Chlumsky (bass).
New themes are introduced in the next two movements with a more reflective cadence followed by a lighter scherzo that culminates in a fond recollection of the Fifth’s opening flourish.
The fourth and final movement tests the musicians’ stamina with extended pianissimo riffs for strings while reeds and horns herald the breathless close to the Fifth’s fabled fate as one of, if not the greatest, symphony in classical music history. GOAT they call it in ironic athletic terms. (Greatest of All Time). And there is athleticism, even while seated, to do performance honor to Beethoven’s greatest hit. The MSO is fit for the occasion.
Mid-Atlantic Symphony’s “Fireworks of Fate” Series

Premiering Nov. 8 in Rehoboth Beach with Michael Repper conducting, followed by a 3 p.m. performance on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center. The finale is at 3 on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Todd Performing Arts Center, Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. midatlanticsymphony.org

Steve Parks is a retired New York arts critic now living in Easton.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From and Fuller: The eating of political crow with election predictions and the gender and race impact on the 2024 Election

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Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller discuss their failure to accurately predict the 2024 election outcome and Donald Trump’s remarkable campaign performance last Tuesday. Al and Craig also trade thoughts on the impact, or lack thereof, of both gender and race as factors that led to defeat for the Harris-Walz Democratic ticket.

This video podcast is approximately sixteen minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national or even international issues that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Spy Daybook: How museums offer a cure for loneliness in modern America by Daedelus Hoffman

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I believe the Academy Art Museum is more than a place where people look at art—it’s a place where people find each other. Art is a powerful connector, bridging gaps between strangers and building bonds that feel something like family. That’s what drives me: creating spaces where people aren’t just spectators but instead play an active role in building something bigger together. That thing is called community.

The importance of this work feels especially urgent today. Loneliness has become a silent epidemic, affecting Americans of all ages and backgrounds. According to a 2021 report by Harvard’s Making Caring Common project, over one-third of U.S. adults report feeling serious loneliness. In response, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a stark warning: chronic loneliness is a public health crisis with risks to physical and mental health equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a health risk that shortens lives and leaves people vulnerable to conditions ranging from heart disease to depression.

One reason for this epidemic is the decline of “third places”—those public, community-centered spaces outside of work and home where people can naturally gather, relax, and connect. Sociologist Robert Putnam explores this concept in The Upswing, where he argues that third places like coffee shops, libraries, and yes, museums, are crucial for building social cohesion. Without these gathering places, people lose opportunities to connect in a meaningful way with others in their community. In their absence, isolation grows.

Museums are particularly well-suited to fill this gap. Daniel Weiss, in his book Why the Museum Matters, describes museums as “cathedrals of the imagination,” where visitors are encouraged to pause, reflect, and find meaning. Unlike many other public spaces, museums offer an environment that’s both welcoming and contemplative, where people can take their time, engage with ideas, and share their experience with others. Museums make space for thoughtful encounters that often lead to meaningful connections.

At the Academy Art Museum, we see this potential for community building firsthand. Our public programs, like a film screening or a lecture, bring people together in shared experiences. These events are more than just cultural outings; they’re opportunities to bond over mutual interests and form lasting friendships. When visitors come for a film screening or a lecture, they’re joining a gathering of people who share an appreciation for creativity, curiosity, and dialogue. It’s a chance to become part of something larger.

Beyond these public events, our adult classes and workshops offer another layer of connection. In a world where adult friendships can be hard to sustain, these programs offer a rare opportunity to meet people who share similar interests in art and creativity. Whether it’s a painting workshop or a photography course, these classes invite participants to engage deeply with a craft while connecting with others. It’s a different kind of learning environment, one that values collaboration and exchange as much as individual growth.

And as people learn together, something transformative happens—they build a community. In a museum setting, that community becomes woven into the larger fabric of the institution itself, bringing new life to the art on the walls and new stories to the people who walk through our doors.

So yes, art has the power to inspire, challenge, and provoke. But just as importantly, it has the power to connect. In a society increasingly marked by isolation, museums are one of the last places where people can meet face-to-face, share a moment of insight, and leave feeling a little less alone. At the Academy Art Museum, that sense of connection is central to everything we do, because we know that the arts are most impactful when they bring people together.

For those on the Eastern Shore, the Academy Art Museum is here for you—not just as a gallery of beautiful things, but as a space to belong, to connect, and to be part of something bigger. Whether you’re here for an exhibit, a program, or a class, we invite you to come as you are, and maybe, just maybe, leave with something unexpected: a new friend, a sense of purpose, and the feeling that you’re part of a community.

Daedelus Hoffman is the director of education at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Spy Saturday Longform: Chesapeake Music’s new director David Faleris

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There was no question that Chesapeake Music, the Mid-Shore’s 40-year-old flagship music festival organization, faced a humungous challenge when it began its search for a new executive director. For the past 38 years of those years, founder and part-time director Don Buxton had not only filled that role but was instrumental in the Festival’s remarkable rise in both prestige and programming to national prominence during those decades.

That’s not an easy mission.

But when you spend some time with Chesapeake Music’s new director, David Faleris, you understand why the organization was so excited about its leadership selection.

Beyond the simple fact that David grew up in Annapolis, his remarkable background in music as both performer and composer, his professional growth as an arts administrator, and his and his wife’s exceptional international experiences not only checked off an amazing number of boxes for the search committee. But it surely was when stakeholders listened to where David wanted to take the organization over the next five years that made their decision so easy.

For our first Spy interview with David, it was decided that our long-form interview format best suited our readers to get to know his special background and strategic thinking about Chesapeake Music.

This video is approximately 18 minutes in length. For more information about Chesapeake Music please go here. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From and Fuller: Final predictions for Election Day and fatal flaws in Harris and Trump Campaigns

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Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller predict the winners in the presidential election next Tuesday and who will rule the House and Senate in the next term. Al and Craig also trade thoughts on what, if any, major mistakes the Harris and Trump campaigns have made that would impact the results next week.

This video podcast is approximately sixteen minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:


Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From and Fuller: Early clues on election night of a Harris or Trump victory and Donald Trump’s Arnold Palmer moment

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Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller discuss whether there might be some early indications of a Harris or Trump victory on Election Night. Al and Craig also discuss the increasingly alarming rhetoric coming from candidate Trump and how the national media is covering those episodes.

This video podcast is approximately 17 minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From and Fuller: F/F Live at the Avalon

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Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller go on the road with a special edition from the main stage at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. This recording of Al and Craig provides an extended version of their regular weekly conversation. In the fundraising benefit for the Spy and the Avalon Foundation for our ongoing public affairs programming, they trade notes on what is clearly now the most important presidential election of this century. 

This video is approximately 80 minutes in length and begins at the three minute mark.

This is no audio podcast this week. 

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

“CBMM’s ‘Sailing to Freedom’ explores maritime routes to liberty

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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) can always be counted on to provide groundbreaking programs. Once again, they do not disappoint. Their latest exhibit, Sailing to Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad, opened on September 27, 2024, and offers visitors a fresh perspective on one of the most critical and compelling periods in American history: The Underground Railroad. But this time, the focus is on a lesser-known part of that story—escape routes to freedom by sea.

Through immersive storytelling, compelling artifacts, and deep historical research, the CBMM)dives into the maritime aspects of the Underground Railroad, shedding light on the lesser-explored routes enslaved African Americans took to liberate themselves via coastal waters. From the log canoes of the Chesapeake Bay to the large ships on the Atlantic, the exhibition explores the ways freedom seekers navigated the waterways, sometimes risking everything for a chance at liberty. It is designed as a self-guided tour, allowing visitors to explore the compelling stories at their own pace

Curated by the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Maritime History Curator Michael Dyer and Professor Timothy Walker of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, Sailing to Freedom takes inspiration from the book of the same name, which featured essays from over ten scholars, two of which heavily feature the Chesapeake. For CBMM, it was a natural fit. Jen Dolde, CBMM’s Director of Curatorial Affairs and Exhibitions, explained, “We knew that Chesapeake played a central role in this, and we knew that we wanted to enhance this story, both the story that’s already told with objects from our collection, but also saw opportunities to make it our own.”

While the original exhibition focused on broad aspects of the maritime Underground Railroad, CBMM added a local dimension, including key figures of the Chesapeake. The exhibition invites visitors to reconsider the long-held assumption that the Underground Railroad traveled by Harriet Tubman was strictly a land-based network. Instead, it highlights the crucial role waterways like the Chesapeake Bay played in the freedom-seeking journeys of enslaved people. Dolde noted, “People assumed that Tubman always used land routes, but we know that water played a huge part in her life, both in her work as an enslaved person and as she helped others to seek freedom.” 

Also receiving attention is Frederick Douglass’s story, particularly his early experiences as a caulker in the shipbuilding industry. His knowledge of the maritime world and connection to the water played a critical role in his path to freedom. Said Jill Ferris, CBMM’s Vice President of Education & Interpretation, “Douglass was from here, and he knew the comings and goings of ships. His understanding of the maritime world helped him when it came time for his own escape.”

The exhibit also examines how escaping via the sea was not a simple attempt and came with immense risk. Many enslaved people were able to find freedom because of their knowledge of the sea or through their labor in maritime industries. For others, secrecy and daring were the only strategies available.

Said Dolde, “A lot of people may not be aware of the role water played in these stories. Some freedom seekers forged or borrowed protection papers that allowed them to board ships; others simply had access to waterways because of their work. This exhibition humanizes those stories, putting names to individuals and showing the risks they took.”

One of the many strengths of Sailing to Freedom lies in how CBMM incorporates objects from its collection to bring history to life. Visitors will encounter powerful artifacts that speak to both the struggles of enslavement and the triumph of self-emancipation.

Among the artifacts on display is a log canoe model representing the types of small boats used by freedom seekers in the mid-1800s. These vessels, though modest in size, were critical in allowing enslaved people to navigate through the treacherous waters of the Chesapeake Bay, sometimes with their families in tow. Ferris also pointed out that the museum includes “tools used by enslaved people working in the shipbuilding trade, which remind us how intimately African Americans were tied to the maritime industries.”

A portrait of the Katherine Jackson, a ship used to transport 272 enslaved African Americans from Maryland and Washington, D.C., to sugar plantations in Louisiana, serves as a sobering reminder of the brutal legacy of the domestic slave trade and the specific history of the Chesapeake region. “This portrait shows the darker side of the story—the forced sale and transport of enslaved,” said Dolde.

The exhibit also features a profoundly poignant quilt loaned by the Universal Sailing Club, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Souls at Sea celebration ceremony. Crafted by National African American Quilt Guild members, the quilt depicts 14 ships involved in the transatlantic slave trade, offering a visual representation of the many vessels that carried captive Africans to the Americas. It’s a stunning, reflective piece that connects past atrocities to modern-day efforts to remember and heal.

Perhaps one of the most captivating figures visitors will meet in the exhibition is Henry “Box” Brown. Brown famously escaped from slavery in 1849 by shipping himself from Virginia to abolitionists in Philadelphia in a wooden crate. His story of endurance and creativity is almost hard to believe, and CBMM has found a powerful way to bring this incredible tale to life.

As part of its Museum Masters summer camp, CBMM invited middle school students to research Brown’s story, examine historical manuscripts, and recreate the box he used to ship himself to freedom. The crate, constructed to scale by these students, now sits in the exhibition, providing an intimate and tangible connection to Brown’s ordeal. Ferris described the impact of having students engage in this hands-on historical project: “They looked at the primary sources, looked at the documents, took the measurements, and constructed to size. It’s an incredible way to make history real and accessible.”

Brown’s escape took 27 grueling hours. He faced extreme physical discomfort inside the cramped, dark crate, but his determination to reach freedom was greater than the risk. Ferris said, “It’s a story that’s easy to connect with because you can imagine yourself in his shoes, the fear, the desperation, and the hope–to think, from his perspective, what it would be like to literally mail yourself to freedom.”

One of the most exciting aspects of Sailing to Freedom is the interactive story map, which allows visitors to explore the history in greater depth. As Dolde explained, “We’ve incorporated a story map (accessed via a QR code) that we anticipate and want to grow during the course of this exhibition. It’s a way for people to explore more stories geographically, and we’ll continue adding to it.”

CBMM also encourages visitors to explore related sites throughout the Chesapeake region. The exhibition includes brochures and maps to direct people to other locations linked to the Underground Railroad, allowing them to extend their learning beyond the museum.

Sailing to Freedom is a must-see for those interested in untold stories, courageous journeys, and a fresh perspective on the Underground Railroad.

The exhibit will run throughout 2025, and entry is included with CBMM’s general admission. As with all CBMM programs, members receive free access.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From and Fuller: The politics of natural disasters and will the Democrats lose the Senate?

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Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller discuss how the Trump and Harris campaigns are using the country’s most recent natural disasters in Florida and North Carolina for political gain. Al and Craig also chat about the most recent New York Times poll that indicates Republican race victories in Montana, Florida, and Texas, which is predicted to make the GOP the majority in the Senate.

Next week, From and Fuller will be broadcasting live from the Avalon Theatre in Easton on October 16th at 6 pm to benefit the Spy and the Avalon Foundation’s public affairs programming. Tickets can be purchased here. The entire program will be streamed through the Mid-Shore Community Television YouTube channel here and will be re-broadcast on the Spy on Thursday morning.

This video podcast is approximately 18 minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From Kent County to building protected wells in Africa By Doug West

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Monday, I returned home from volunteering with Marion Medical Mission, in Malawi and Zambia.  The shallow wells are similar to those built on the Eastern Shore in the past, hand dug, bricked up and covered by a cement slab to seal out surface water contamination. I was part of the installation team.

We arrived at each village, after the well was built and installed the pipe and hand pump and got the water flowing. I helped with 90 wells, and the goal of MMM is 4,550 wells this season! Each well is a life changing event for the villagers. You can see it in the eyes of the Seniors and the smiles and laughter of the young girls. No more sickness and death from water born diseases. No more fetching water from open wells shared with the animals. No more walking for miles to access water.

The program is run by an incredible African team, and we go along to help install, dedicate and photograph each well. Each well costs $475 and is funded by donors in the US, people like You. Donors receive a card with a picture of the well they funded, surrounded by happy villagers and flowing clean water. To find out more, go to mmmwater.org or contact me, at [email protected] or 410-708-5498. Thank you for reading this incredible story!

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.