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March 6, 2021

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

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Arts Arts Notes

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Launches 2020-2021 Season

September 28, 2020 by Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Leave a Comment

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The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra opened its 23rd season on September 24, performing works by Beethoven and Grieg for an enthusiastic live audience in Easton, MD, and for virtual viewers around the nation.

Under the direction of Maestro Julien Benichou, the Orchestra welcomed a live, socially-distanced audience at the Church of God in Easton. They were joined by livestream viewers from across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Delaware, as well as from Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas.

“We are so fortunate to be able to present live performances at a time when so many orchestras are silent and so many musicians are out of work,” said Mid-Atlantic Symphony Board Chair Jeffrey Parker. “We are grateful to Maestro Benichou, our board and staff for their tireless efforts to make this season possible.”

Maestro Benichou added: “I am so proud of our musicians and how resilient and artfully creative they are during these times of challenge, playing each and every note with heartfelt meaning.”

The 2020-2021 season opened on the originally scheduled date, but with reimagined programs featuring compositions and arrangements for string orchestras to avoid the risk of aerosol sprays from woodwind and brass instruments.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony is livestreaming this season’s concerts in addition to performing before a limited-capacity, socially-distanced live audience.

The September 24 concert began with Erotik from Edvard Grieg’s Lyric Pieces. It was followed by guest soloist Kurt Nikkanen, the New York City Ballet Orchestra’s concertmaster, who delivered a virtuosic performance of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major and received a standing ovation. The concert concluded with Grieg’s Holberg Suite, delighting the audience with classical dances and other contemporary musical forms.

Upcoming programs in the Orchestra’s five-concert subscription series include a November 3 performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto & Double Concerto for Two Mandolins, Anton Arensky’s Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky and Bela Bartok’s Divertimento. The popular Holiday Joy program on December 3 features a festive selection of seasonal music, with guest soloists including soprano Alexandra Raszkazoff and tenor Michael Butler.

Subscription concerts and a special New Year’s Eve program will be performed at the Church of God in Easton, MD, with Orchestra and audience members screened and socially distanced, consistent with guidance from federal and state officials.

Individual tickets to attend single performances are $45, while supplies last. Tickets for the livestreamed performance are $15 per person. Both in-person and livestream tickets include pre- and post-concert events hosted by Maestro Benichou and featuring guest artists and Mid-Atlantic Symphony musicians.

Purchasers of full-season subscriptions, at $155, have the option to attend performances in person. Full-season subscribers also will have the opportunity for a private virtual chat with Maestro Benichou or a Mid-Atlantic Symphony musician of their choice.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.midatlanticsymphony.org. For additional information, email info@midatlanticsymphony.org or call 888-846-8600.

The only professional symphony orchestra serving Maryland’s Eastern Shore and southern Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council; the Talbot County Arts Council; the Worcester County Arts Council; the Sussex County, DE Council; and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

Filed Under: Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, The Talbot Spy

October 2020 Sky-Watch

September 24, 2020 by Dennis Herrman Leave a Comment

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Mars comes into OPPOSITION on October 13th opening up wonderful opportunities for sky-watchers to see Mars at its best since 2018. Mars oppositions, unlike those of Saturn and Jupiter, which occur each year, happen only every other year. At opposition, a planet is opposite the Sun in the sky. Mars will rise in the East as the Sun sets in the West on October 13th.

Mars was actually a little closer to Earth at its 2018 opposition, but this year’s opposition puts Mars higher in the sky. The greater altitude means the light from Mars passes through our atmosphere along a shorter path, providing a better image. Best views of Mars will be in the couple of hours before and after midnight when the planet will be at its peak altitude. Among the stars of the zodiac constellation, Pisces, Mars will be brighter than Jupiter has been all summer. Mars will remain a commanding object in the southern sky until Thanksgiving, when it will still be brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in our sky as seen from Earth.

Telescope views of Mars will reveal its South Polar Cap (mostly frozen carbon dioxide and some water ice). Various plains and highlands will be revealed too as dark and light areas. Mars rotates in 24 hours and 37 minutes, so watching it over several nights around the same time each night would allow one to notice the shift of these features to the west (left).

The Full Moon of October 1st rises just a few degrees in front of Mars, while the nearly Full Moon of October 29th will be seen just below it.

Do not overlook Saturn and Jupiter now over in the southwestern sky. Saturn appears even closer to Jupiter this month, and though both have faded a bit as our distance between them grows, they remain very bright. Both planets do not set until after 11 pm.

Venus rises on the morning of October 1st in the eastern sky around 4 am local time, alongside Regulus, the brightest star in Leo. Regulus ranks as the 20th brightest star we see, yet Venus is 145 times brighter! The pair will appear even closer together on October 2nd and 3rd. On October 13th and 14th, look for a crescent Moon just above Venus before dawn.

October 2020 has two Full Moons; October 1st and October 31st. We call the 2nd Full Moon in the same calendar month a “Blue” Moon; as in something happening “once in a blue Moon.” Actually 2 Full Moons in the same month is not all that rare. It happens about every 3 or 4 years.

Filed Under: News Notes Tagged With: local news, Sky-Watch, The Talbot Spy

University of Maryland Medical System CEO Visits UM Shore Regional Health

September 23, 2020 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

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Dr. Mohan Suntha, president and CEO University of Maryland Medical System, visited UM Shore Regional Health locations on Monday, September 14. His first stop was the drive-up Covid-19 testing site at Chesapeake College, where UM SRH team members walked Dr. Suntha through the testing process.

Photo: Dr. Mohan Suntha, UMMS CEO (fifth from left), visited the Covid-19 testing site at Chesapeake College on Monday. He was welcomed by (l-r) Ken Kozel, UM SRH CEO; Rhonda Thomas, director of public safety, Chesapeake College; Dr. Joseph Ciotola, Queen Anne’s County health officer; William Greskovich, VP Operations, Executive Office, UMMS; Pam Addy, vice president, Ambulatory and Clinical Services; Dr. Clifford P. Coppersmith, president, Chesapeake College, and Keith McMahan, UM SRH board chairman.

Dr. Suntha next traveled to Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, where he met outside with hospital team members and community residents interested in the future of health care in Kent County. This visit was followed by a lunch time meeting at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Easton that included members of Shore Regional Health’s Medical Executive Committee.

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,200 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Filed Under: Health Notes Tagged With: Health, local news, The Talbot Spy, UM Shore Medical Group

Explore CBMM’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Oct. 29

September 23, 2020 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Leave a Comment

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Get in the Halloween spirit this year by joining the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for a new virtual program, Wunderkammer: Exploring CBMM’s Cabinets of Curiosities.

Cabinets of Curiosities, fondly known in German as Wunderkammers, have been historically used to showcase oddities, unique objects of material culture, gems of natural history, and mystical stories. From 6–7:30pm on Thursday, Oct. 29, CBMM Registrar Katelyn Kean will host an exploration of CBMM’s collection for the weird and wonderful as it relates to the Chesapeake Bay.

Old Bay Line Onboard souvenirs from the Baltimore Steam Packet Company.

Hosted via Zoom, participants will learn about the history of Cabinets of Curiosities, how that history connects to the modern museum world, and what hidden treasures can be found within CBMM’s collection. Hosted by the CBMM Crew, a group established to present engaging events and activities targeted to the young adult community of CBMM guests, the cost to participate is $10, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members ($8). To register, visit cbmm.org/wunderkammer.

CBMM members play a critical role in supporting CBMM’s rich legacy of educational programs, fascinating and ever-changing exhibitions, and maintenance of the largest collection of Chesapeake watercraft in the world, including access to exclusive discounts, perks, and programming. To learn more about becoming a CBMM member, visit cbmm.org/membership.

Filed Under: News Notes Tagged With: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, local news, The Talbot Spy

Compass Regional Hospice to Host Annual Golf Tournament

September 22, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Compass Regional Hospice invites golfers to join them on the greens for the 23rd Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Monday, October 19 at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville. Proceeds from the golf tournament enable Compass Regional Hospice to continue to provide professional and compassionate end-of-life care and grief support to the residents of Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties.

Josh Bullock of Bullock Construction is Chair of this year’s tournament. Golfers will play the 18-hole, par 72 course. The entry fee is $125 per golfer. Foursomes and individual golfers are welcome. Tournament participants will also enjoy a variety of competitions and games in addition to the 18-holes of play.

On the day of the tournament registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Refreshments will be available on the course. After play, the golfers are invited back to the club house for lunch and an awards ceremony.

This year, a generous donor has agreed to match up to $15,000 in donations. Members of the community who are not golfers and golfers who want to do more to support Compass Regional Hospice can sign on as tournament sponsors or make a direct donation. “Sponsorship opportunities come with a variety of benefits, and we have sponsorship opportunities ranging from $300 to $5,000,” explains Kenda Leager, Development Officer for Compass Regional Hospice.

L-R: Shelby Brown, Banquet and Sales Manager of Prospect Bay Country Club; Kenda Leager, Development Officer of Compass Regional Hospice; Heather Guerieri, CEO of Compass Regional Hospice; Josh Bullock of Bullock Construction, Golf Tournament Chair.

“We are so thankful for the continued support of our golfers and sponsors who make this annual event successful! Because of these community members, we are able to continue to offer programs that are not reimbursed from other sources,” says Heather Guerieri, Chief Executive Officer for Compass Regional Hospice.

For more information about registering for or sponsoring the Compass Regional Hospice Golf Tournament, contact Kenda Leager, 443-262- 4106, kleager@compassregionalhospice.org.

Compass Regional Hospice

Since 1985, Compass Regional Hospice has been dedicated to supporting people of all ages living with a life-limiting illness, and those learning to cope following the death of a loved one. Today, the organization is a regional provider of hospice care, supportive care, and grief services in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Whether serving their patients in private residences, skilled nursing facilities, or Compass’ residential centers in Centreville and Chestertown, staff and volunteers are guided by their mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. Grief support services are offered to families of all patients, as well as to all children and adults in the community through grief groups, one-on-one counseling, and in-school support. As a Level 4 partner of the We Honor Veterans program, they also offer veteran-centric care that meets the unique needs of men and women who have served our country. Compass Regional Hospice is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the state of Maryland, and accredited by the Joint Commission. It is affiliated with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland. For more information about Compass Regional Hospice, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

Filed Under: Health Notes Tagged With: Health, local news, The Talbot Spy

Maryland State Board of Elections Posts Ballot Drop Box Locations

September 21, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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The Maryland State Board of Elections today posted online a list of statewide ballot drop box locations for the 2020 general election as well as the dates each ballot drop box location will be available to voters. Once open, the ballot drop boxes will remain open until Election Day, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.

Each Maryland jurisdiction will have at least two ballot drop box locations available to voters. The state’s most populous counties and the City of Baltimore will have additional ballot drop boxes to accommodate the greater number of eligible voters residing in those jurisdictions. Voters can submit their completed mail-in ballots in any drop box located in their jurisdiction of residence.

In all, 283 ballot drop boxes will be available at 282 locations around the state. Two ballot drop boxes will be available at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The 283 boxes include 277 secured by the Maryland State Board of Elections and six boxes that counties already had in their possession. Individual ballot box locations were proposed by the local boards of election across the state.

The complete list of ballot drop box locations is available at:

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/PG20_Drop%20Box%20Locations.xlsx

Eligible voters in Maryland have been mailed applications for mail-in ballots. Applications must be received by October 20. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters via first-class U.S. Mail beginning in late September and continuing in October.

In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that arrives with the ballot must be signed. Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time – 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 – in order for their ballot to count. Just as with ballots submitted by mail, in order for ballots submitted at drop boxes to count they must be sealed in the return envelopes that accompany the ballots and the voter oath on the envelope must be signed.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland State Board of Elections encourages voters to cast their ballots by mail and use ballot drop boxes. To make in-person voting safe, voters must remain six feet apart and wear a mask. To maintain proper distancing, the number of voters permitted inside a voting center at one time may be limited, which could result in lines and wait times.

Voters who choose to vote in person may do so from Monday, Oct. 26 to Monday, Nov. 2, including Saturday and Sunday, or on Election Day, Nov. 3. Early voting and Election Day vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eligible voters may cast their ballots at any authorized voting location within their jurisdiction of residence.

A complete list of early voting locations can be found here:

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/2020%20Early%20Voting%20Centers.pdf

A complete list of Election Day voting locations can be found here:

https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/PG20_List%20of%20Election%20Day%20Vote%20Centers.xlsx

Filed Under: News Notes Tagged With: local news, The Talbot Spy

SCORE Mid-Shore Success Story: Daystar Manufacturing

September 20, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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Jay Hubbard, CEO of Daystar Manufacturing in Hurlock, MD, had established their business in 2016 to provide plastic injection molding manufacturing for clients. At the time the business was built around a major potential client, only to have the client direct business elsewhere, leaving Daystar with the building equipment and the then client business prospect evaporated. After a referral from the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), of which Jay is also a member of, to SCORE Mid-Shore’s Ed French, they got to work on business growth and planning that would strengthen Daystar’s opportunities for success.

Jay and Christie Hubbard of Daystar Manufacturing

A call from the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) Executive Director, Mike Thielke, to Ed French, a SCORE Mid-Shore certified mentor, began with a recommendation that Jay Hubbard, CEO of Daystar Manufacturing, Hurlock, MD, is a candidate for Score mentoring. Jay, a capital client of ESEC, and his wife,Christie, had established Daystar about three years earlier to provide plastic injection molding manufacturing for clients. Jay’s previous experience in injection molding processes gave him the technical knowledge needed. In addition to injection molding using a number of composites, Daystar does assembly and packaging where products may include rubber and metal components.

At the time the business was built around a major potential client only to have the client direct business elsewhere and leaving Daystar with the building, equipment, and the-then-solo-client business prospect evaporate. That was the first of many lessons the Hubbards learned about what it means being in business for yourself. “No matter how much we trust others, we learned early how important non-competes, non-disclosure agreements, and solid contracts are essential in business”, observed Christie. To hear the Hubbards describe the experience it was a “near death” experience because of its dependency on one client for start-up.

At the time of the ESEC referral Daystar had two injection molding equipment pieces in its approximate 7,000 square-foot space. Today it has five large molders and contemplates a 10,000 square-foot manufacturing and warehouse addition to accommodate current and future needs. But getting from “there” to “here” is the story of faith and perseverance, according to the Hubbards.

As partners in working with new business start-up and helping established businesses grow, ESEC and SCORE Mid-Shore support each other with client referrals. In this case, as a capital partner for Daystar, Thielke saw an opportunity for Hubbard and Daystar to focus on business growth and planning that would strengthen its opportunity for success that might be better supported with a mentoring relationship with SCORE Mid-Shore. As small business capital lenders, “ESEC has a vested interest in the early success of its clients and knows the value of early planning and effective execution”, says Thielke, who, along with Mark Green has provided episodic support for Daystar. As mentors to small business, “SCOREcore helps provide objective reviews and recommendations to business owners that includes everything from business, financial, and capital planning to marketing, sales, operations, and human resources management. The specifics of each engagement are unique to the client”, according to French. The ESEC and SCORE partnership provides the experience of others in business that small businesses are not likely to access or afford on their own. The support from each is without cost to the client and completed through an all-volunteer cadre in the case of SCORE’s services.

The relationship between Daystar and SCORE was typical in that it involved several weekly meetings followed by monthly visits until Hubbard developed the momentum that gave him comfort. Meetings were interspersed with phone calls when beneficial for episodic questions.

French and Jay focused on examining the business opportunities for growth because this was a growth story to unfold as compared to a cost-management and operations efficiency story. Daystar manufacturing had the equipment, space, and capacity for growth. Because there was volume in place that covered the fixed and direct overhead, any new business properly priced would yield incremental revenue and marginal cost benefits that would go for continued debt repayment and additional cash for hiring staff and profits for Daystar. In commenting on the SCORE services, Jay said “The SCORE service was providing good advice and focus on the business plan, scheduling, and sales, and inspired me to think outside the box regarding marketing and sales.” Christie commented that “ESEC was more personable than banks, available, worked with us and was flexible in the debt repayment.” She added that “If our example is an encouragement to others who want to start their own business, then I am glad to share our experiences in this process.” They both chimed that their early beginnings were attributable to support through Dorchester County, and support from Kesha Haythe, the then-director for County Economic Development, that provided the initial loan subsequently transferred to ESEC.

Hubbard is a self-starter with a passion for high quality and customer service. As owner of a small business he knows that keeping a customer is vital and that once he gets a customer his relationships will likely continue. Daystar three years ago was a struggling business that never stopped focusing on quick turn-around in manufacturing and top-quality, but with one full-time and one part-time employee. Today, the business has 5 full-time and 4 part-time employees and another 5 available through a temporary labor source though they have been hand-picked and are like ‘family’ according to the Hubbards. The business operates three shifts most days of the week and two shifts other days. This year will see approximately 25% of the business from new customers and retention of all prior customers from last year. Existing clients develop new products to add to existing lines, accounting for about 10% of the volume. The growth has been pivotal, coming primarily from doing business for another manufacturing that could not meet its demand to national website marketing for referrals as well as networking referrals and repeat business. Two of the full-time employees are sons Bryan, 24, and Chris, 21, who are learning all aspects of the business from the “ground up” according to Jay. Their engagement, including managing all aspects of production on some shifts, makes this a family business.

When asked about the challenges of starting their own business, both the Hubbards are quick with advice for others based on their experience. “It seems an insurmountable task”, says Jay, “where it is easy to under-estimate expenses and overestimate income in the early days of the business”. “The commitment to faith”, per Christie and echoed by Jay, “was important in giving us patience and perseverance, knowing if we did the right things, we would be successful, no matter the early challenges and the uncertainty.” For sure, they are in agreement that working hard in the production area, staying close to all projects, training staff, and remaining focused on product quality are essential to keeping an eye on the business. As an example of the commitment small business owners make, they recount the times when they would sleep on cots in the office to be available to make equipment and production changes in the middle of the nights to have quick product turn-around and could keep machines working but didn’t have staff to operate them around the clock.

Within the last several months the Hubbards met with Ken Cass, another mentor with SCORE’s Mid-Shore Chapter, to discuss the elements of a marketing plan that resulted in the Hubbards attending a trade show to promote Daystar.

According to French “Jay and Christie are the ideal SCORE candidates for mentoring. They use initiative, work hard, are content experts in the business, and are open to new ways of approaching the sales and marketing area of his business and being prepared to meet production demands. Their focus on customer satisfaction will sustain them in growing the business and their business growth will help them achieve increased profitability.” The best testament to their success includes plans to get away for a few days to relax, a rarity in the early days of the business when it was always “hands-on”.

As to the assistance now provided to Hubbard from SCORE, French said “The great thing about our relationship is that Daystar doesn’t need any support now because Jay and Christie are accomplishing what they need to accomplish but they know we are always available if an opportunity presents itself where we can assist him”.

Filed Under: Commerce Notes Tagged With: commerce, local news, The Talbot Spy

441 Acres Preserved in Cecil County for Addiction Recovery

September 19, 2020 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy 1 Comment

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Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is pleased to announce closing on a new conservation easement! The easement, completed in partnership with the U.S. Army and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR), protects 441 acres of agricultural land and critical species habitat with scenic value, off Back Creek and McGill Creek in Cecil County.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust, which protects a property’s agricultural viability, natural habitat, rural heritage, and/or scenic open space in perpetuity.

Aerial of RCA Building

The newly preserved property is the Bracebridge Hall location for Recovery Centers of America (RCA), whose mission is to save 1 million lives from the disease of addiction using evidence-based practices and clinical expertise to deliver quality patient care tailored to individual patients’ needs. The property is 530 acres in total, with 89 acres of unprotected land to allow for the expansion of Bracebridge Hall’s buildings as necessary for operations.

“We are thrilled to partner with ESLC and want to be good stewards of the natural landscape that makes Recovery Centers of America Bracebridge Hall such a unique environment for treating substance use disorder,” said Michael Ogden, Bracebridge Hall CEO. “Our patients are able to commune with nature right on the property and this ability to step outside and appreciate the beauty of the natural landscape without drugs or alcohol can be an important tool for reeestablishing the benefits of a meaningful life in long term recovery.”

This easement brings ESLC’s total to 303across 65,052acres on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and it is one of the Conservancy’s most unique easements based on its use beyond agriculture.

Over the course of 30 years, ESLC has actively worked with thousands of farms, families and community members to protect and enhance the Eastern Shore’s working agricultural landscape. Cecil County has had several big conservation wins – and this is surely one to celebrate.

“Conservation of Bracebridge Hall has been a huge priority for well over a decade,” said ESLC President Rob Etgen. “When this beautiful property was subdivided into over 100 lots potentially destroying the farm soils and habitat, the community partnered with ESLC to strive for a better future.  With Recovery Centers of America, a positive steward for the land has been found and a permanent conservation easement will ensure that stewardship lasts into perpetuity.  Many thanks to RCA for your commitment to conservation, and congratulations to the community for your long vigilance!”

This project was made possible thanks to financial support from Maryland Department of Resources’ Rural Legacy Program and the U.S. Army’s Compatible Use Buffer Program.

Waterfront View

The Rural Legacy Program was created in 1997 to protect large, contiguous tracts of Maryland’s most precious cultural and natural resource lands (often referred to as “the best of what’s left”) through grants made to local applicants

The U.S. Army’s Compatible Use Buffer Program works with conservation-focused partners to preserve high-value habitat and limit incompatible development in the vicinity of military installations.

ESLC Land Program Manager, David Satterfield said, “Our staff is grateful to DNR and the Army for their dedication to this project. Their support and hard work was instrumental in helping us realize this long-term protection goal. Even more so, we applaud Recovery Centers of America for their dedication to conservation. Our staff looks forward to working with them, in perpetuity, to protect this important resource and hope that it helps guide many of their clients to a healthy future.”

For more information, contact Land Program Manager, David Satterfield, atdstatterfield@eslc.org, or visit www.eslc.org.

About Recovery Centers of America

RCA provides substance use disorder treatment in MD, PA, NJ, MA, and IL. Patients can obtain immediate care by calling 1-800-Recovery.Four Recovery Centers of America treatment facilities, were recently named as 2020 best U.S. treatment facilities that focus on addiction by Newsweek Magazine, including RCA at Bracebridge Hall and RCA Capital Region, both located in Maryland.

About the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a private, nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them.  For more information please visit www.eslc.org.

Filed Under: Eco Notes Tagged With: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Ecosystem, local news, The Talbot Spy

ShoreRivers Awarded Maryland Tax Credits for Education

September 19, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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ShoreRivers educator Rebecca Murphy (left), teachers and students investigate critters pulled from a seine net on the Choptank River.

ShoreRivers supporters are now able to donate to the organization’s education program and receive state tax credits in addition to their typical deduction. ShoreRivers has been awarded Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC) through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to incentivize donations that support environmental education programs in Eastern Shore public schools.

ShoreRivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that restores and protects Eastern Shore waterways through science-based restoration, education, and advocacy. With regional offices in Galena, Chestertown, and Easton, the ShoreRivers education department has partnered with public schools for over seven years to provide grant-funded science and environmental programs that support students and schools in meeting graduation requirements, cultivate the next generation of river stewards, and introduce students to environmental career opportunities.

ShoreRivers’ education programs include elementary and high school environmental and science curriculum, cost-free field experiences, and funds that support student-driven projects that reduce pollution and increase environmental awareness at their schools.

ShoreRivers Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan explains why the CITC program is so important, especially this year. “Our schools are facing immense challenges in facilitating at-home, remote learning. ShoreRivers is creating solutions to those challenges while supporting annual science and environmental learning. The CITC program comes at a critical time to allow ShoreRivers to focus on the programs, teachers, and students when they need it most.”

Since 1997, the CITC program has awarded Maryland tax credits through a competitive application process. The program provides benefits that include allowing nonprofits to enhance revenue, offer creative tax relief for business and individual donors, target impacts in communities, and increase visibility and support for nonprofit programs. The tremendous impact of the CITC program speaks for itself with over $3.1 million donated to various Maryland nonprofits in 2018 alone.

In order to qualify, gifts must be a minimum of $500 and the individual or business donor must file taxes in the state of Maryland. To make a donation today, visit ShoreRivers.org/donate and indicate “Education Tax Credits” in the comments box under gift preferences. Tax credits are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like to learn more about the program, contact Rebekah Hock at rhock@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Filed Under: Eco Notes Tagged With: Ecosystem, local news, Shore Rivers, The Talbot Spy

Adkins Arboretum Field Trips Go Virtual

September 19, 2020 by Adkins Arboretum Leave a Comment

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Adkins Arboretum has received funding from the Gray Charitable Trust to create a virtual “Birds, Bees, and Dandelion Seeds” field trip program. Nearly 1,000 second-graders in Queen Anne’s and Caroline County Public Schools will participate in the week-long program to learn about plants, pollinators, seed dispersal and Maryland bees.

As part of the virtual field trip, public school teachers will receive five days of interactive lesson plans to use online with their students. The lesson plans will include games, songs, experiments, suggestions for outdoor activities and daily video clips featuring the Arboretum’s native meadow, wetland, stream and forest habitats. Lessons are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.

In 2019, the Gray Charitable Trust provided funding for bus transportation so that all second-graders in Caroline County Public Schools could participate in the “Birds, Bees, and Dandelion Seeds” field trip at the Arboretum. Positive feedback from students, parents and teachers prompted Arboretum educators to create a virtual version of the program for use while in-person field trips are on hold.

Kellen McCluskey, Adkins Arboretum’s staff photographer and membership coordinator, and volunteer Luke Adelman film Assistant Director Jenny Houghton for the Arboretum’s virtual field trip.

The “Birds, Bees, and Dandelion Seeds” lesson plans and video clips are available on the Arboretum website for use by homeschool families, private schools and the general public. The Arboretum hopes to resume in-person field trips in the fall of 2021.

Adkins Arboretum is a nonprofit organization located in scenic Caroline County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Although the Visitor’s Center is currently closed, the Arboretum’s 400 acres and five miles of paths are open daily from dawn to dusk. To learn more or to access the virtual field trip and other education resources, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

Filed Under: Garden Notes Tagged With: Adkins Arboretum, Ecosystem, local news, The Talbot Spy

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