On October 10th many people witnessed a rare event, the Aurora Borealis, right in our backyard on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Auroras were visible as far south as Alabama. While it was ... [Continue Story]
Public Affairs
Alsobrooks, Hogan seek to frame the election narrative in snippy TV debate
Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) stuck relentlessly to their messages Thursday during what is ... [Continue Story]
- Easton Council Highlights: Neighborhood Service Center leaders warn of heating assistance crisis
- Spy Long Form Saturday: A Check-in with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s Steve Kline
- Watch Last Night’s Avalon-Spy Town Hall Meeting with School Board Candidates
- Avalon Spy Town Meeting Tonight with School Board Candidates and Guide to Voting
- CDC Says Maryland, AND Most of The Nation, has had Fewer Overdose Deaths In 2024
- Last Chance: Take Our Education Survey Before the Avalon-Spy Town Hall with School Board Candidates
Spy Highlights
From and Fuller: F/F Live at the Avalon
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 […]
- “CBMM’s ‘Sailing to Freedom’ explores maritime routes to liberty
- From and Fuller: The politics of natural disasters and will the Democrats lose the Senate?
- From and Fuller: The net-net of VP debates and did JD Vance really win?
- Illiteracy on the Mid-Shore: A Chat with Kevin Beverly and Richard Marks on “Sentenced”
- From and Fuller: The Pennsylvania Challenge and is it the End of the Harris Honeymoon?
- Irma’s Got a Brand New Gig: A Chat with Eden Green’s New CEO Irma Toce
The Arts and Local Design
Spy Review: Isidore String Quartet Interlude by Steve Parks
The Isidore String Quartet, riding high after back-to-back years as winner of Canada’s prestigious Banff International String Quartet ... [Continue Story]
- Spy Review: The Film SENTENCED takes on illiteracy
- Charlotte Potter Kasic is the Next Director of the Academy Art Museum
- Spy Review: Saturday’s Piano Concert at the Ebenezer was One for the Ages
- At 89, My Father Takes Up Swearing by Sue Ellen Thompson
- From and Fuller: Politics and Rhetoric After 2nd Attempt on Donald Trump and Andy Harris’s Freedom Caucus
- Academy Art Museum Announces Bugatti: Reaching for Perfection
Chesapeake Ecosystem
Maryland Levies Fines on Perdue, Valley Proteins for Environmental Violations
Two major agricultural companies ramped up operations recently on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the environment paid a price, according to the ... [Continue Story]
- Bay Climate Adaptation: The TNC Guide in Finding the Money for Major Infrastructure Change
- Mid-Shore Arts Plein Air Easton and ESLC Pair Up to Promote Land Conservation
- Wild-Caught Chesapeake Blue Catfish Phenomenon Booming: Thank Goodness
- Blue Crab Populations are Down, But Experts are Not Worried
- First Baby Eagles Hatch on Reborn Chesapeake Island
- Report dolphin sightings with Chesapeake Dolphin Watch and help scientists with Chesapeake Bay research
Maryland News
Tens of millions pour into Maryland Senate race in past three months alone
Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) speaks during an Oct. 10 debate at Maryland Public Television, while her opponent in the U.S. ... [Continue Story]
- Advocates fear voter complacency amid broad support for abortion ballot measure
- Is ‘abortion’ actually on the November ballot? Breaking down Question 1
- The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services announces launch of commission on juvenile justice, reforms detention policies
- Spy Election Profiles: Candidates for Mayor of Cambridge
- Is the Tawes Crab Feast Losing its Luster?
Health
Let’s Talk About It: The reality of intergenerational trauma with For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman
Some wonderful things get passed on from generation to generation in families, but that is not the case with intergenerational trauma. The ... [Continue Story]
- Let’s Talk About It: Suicide on the Mid-Shore with For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman
- Having a Baby in the 21st Century with Shore Health’s Jessica Genrich and Stephanie Blades
- Six Marylanders hospitalized so far in listeria outbreak tied to deli meats
- Easier, Shorter Radiation Treatment for Early Stage Breast Cancer Now Offered at Shore Regional Health Cancer Center
- Everyone with Cancer Needs a Navigation Team: A Chat with UM Shore Regional Health’s Robin Ford and Rochalla Jones
Education
Prekindergarten Expansion For Private Providers Off To A Slow Start
One of the requirements for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future 10-year education reform plan was to expand prekindergarten, but it’s off to a slow ... [Continue Story]
- Spy Survey Summary on Learning for a Lifetime on the Mid-Shore
- Talbot County STEM Camp Completes Another Excellent Summer
- Talbot County Library Hosts Youth STEAM Program
- Spy and WHCP New Series: Checking in with Superintendent of Dorchester Schools Dr. Jymil Thompson
- The CBMM PATRIOT’s Dynamic Duo: A Chat with Joyce and Matt Gauthier
Food & Garden Highlights
Adkins Arboretum Mystery Monday: Guess the photo
Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo below? The answer to last week's mystery is wild senna, Senna ... [Continue Story]
Brevities
The Tidewater Inn: History National Register of Historic Places Application
Editor note: As the Spy was preparing for our interview with the Tidewater Inn's Lauren Catterton and Don Reedy about the famous hotel's 75th ... [Continue Story]
- Spy Night with From and Fuller Live Moves to Main Avalon Theatre
- Golden books by Katherine Emery
- Agent 8 Field Report: Airport Day 2024
- Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Watching the sail masters at work in Oxford
- Agent 86 Reconnaissance Footage: Over St. Michaels
- Spy Agent 8 Report: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s annual Small Craft Festival
Commerce
From and Fuller: F/F Live at the Avalon
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 ... [Continue Story]
- Tens of millions pour into Maryland Senate race in past three months alone
- Our ethereal protector by Angela Rieck
- Choptank Health welcomes three new dental providers
- Chesapeake Community Development welcomes Ross Benincasa as Senior Vice President of Community Development
- House of the Week: Locust Grove
Community Notes
The Bay Bridge Run is Sunday, November 10: What you need know about detours and traffic
The Bay Bridge Run will take place on Sunday, November 10. The participants will run or walk the 6.2 miles from Northrop Grumman on the western shore, ... [Continue Story]
- Christmas in St. Michaels ornament, gingerbread house registration announced
- Tilghman Watermen’s Museum speaker series: Jay Fleming
- Notice: Election day re-route to Talbot County Community Center
- St. Michaels Library Branch temporarily closes in preparation for renovations
- Talbot County Council meeting highlights, October 8, 2024
- Election Day Countdown: From and Fuller needs your opinion on Alsobrook vs. Hogan
Senior Life Highlights
Cruisin’ with Christine: Serving the Londonderry Community with Pat Bradley
Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have worked together on stories about this unique retirement community that educates ... [Continue Story]
- Upper Shore Aging Hosts the Re-Dedication of the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center
- Cruisin’ with Christine: Erica Hardeo and the Art of Engagement at Londonderry
- Cruisin’ with Christine: New Londonderry Residents Barbara Pratt and Phillip Gibson
- Herb Cain Appointed Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging
- Water, Water Everywhere…For Drinking, Playing And Exercising!
- Londonderry on the Tred Avon Named “Best Retirement Community” by What’s Up Eastern Shore for Ninth Consecutive Year
Arts Notes
Step into the dark: experience Stage Fright: Curtain Call this halloween
This Halloween, immerse yourself in a haunting, unforgettable journey as Stage Fright: Curtain Call returns to the Avalon Theatre from Wednesday, ... [Continue Story]
- December Tidewater Camera Club meeting with speaker, Edwin Remsberg
- Oxford Community Center’s October, November, December 2024 upcoming activities
- Academy Art Museum currently accepting members’ submissions for “Small Originals: Members’ Exhibition 2024”
- Important auction of historic Trippe House rooms
- Uncover the secrets of The Beatles’ iconic album: “Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” with Scott Freiman at Oxford Community Center
- Tred Avon Players announces auditions for PLAZA SUITE
Ecosystem Notes
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy hosts “Sustainable by Design: Urban3 land use analysis on the Eastern Shore”
Local governments on the Eastern Shore are under increasing pressure to grow through development to meet the rising demands for public services, ... [Continue Story]
Education Notes
The Country School kicks off its 90th anniversary and installs new Head of School, Jay Parker
The Country School is proud to be celebrating its 90th school year. This milestone year also marks the beginning of a new chapter with the appointment ... [Continue Story]
- Americans are less engaged than ever, and that’s a problem
- Gunston cuts ribbon on new bermuda grass “Sollers Field”
- Chesapeake Forum: unleash your creativity in October
- TCPS Appoints Student Representatives To Board Of Education
- Prekindergarten Expansion For Private Providers Off To A Slow Start
- Gunston Recognizes 30 AP Scholars for 23-24 Academic Year
Health Notes
Choptank Health welcomes three new dental providers
Choptank Community Health System’s dental practice recently welcomed Andrés Álvarez-Deal, DMD, and Megan Patterson Poteat, DDS to its Cambridge Dental ... [Continue Story]
- Talbot County Health Department announces leadership transition: departing Health Officer and interim Health Officer welcomed
- Get ready for a SPOOKtacular night at Talbot County’s “BOOnanza” event!
- An Internationally-Recognized Expert On Aging To Speak In Easton, Chestertown
- Friends of UM Shore Regional Health Providing Financial Support For New Regional Medical Center
- First Mobile Medication Collection Set for National Take Back Day
- Healing from Addiction Event this Month in Easton
Commerce Notes
From and Fuller: F/F Live at the Avalon
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 ... [Continue Story]
- Tens of millions pour into Maryland Senate race in past three months alone
- Our ethereal protector by Angela Rieck
- Choptank Health welcomes three new dental providers
- Chesapeake Community Development welcomes Ross Benincasa as Senior Vice President of Community Development
- House of the Week: Locust Grove
- The Country School kicks off its 90th anniversary and installs new Head of School, Jay Parker
Food Friday
Food Friday: Potato weather
Go open your back door this morning and feel the cool air. It’s not quite sweater weather, although I did wear long sleeves walking Luke the wonder dog earlier. The breeze ... [Continue Story]
Looking at the Masters with Beverly Smith
Looking at the masters: autumn in Europe
“Autumn Frost” (1874) (18”x22”), by Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley (1830-1899), is a depiction of what French travel advisors describe as “one of ... [Continue Story]
Design with Jenn Martella
House of the Week: Locust Grove
Locust Grove is one of the historic properties included in my primary reference book for Talbot County’s architectural heritage , “Where Land and Water Intertwine, An Architectural History of Talbot County, Maryland”. This aerial view shows this house nestled in its “grove” of mature trees with panoramic vistas of the site’s twenty-two acres (including four […]
From and Fuller Podcast
From and Fuller: F/F Live at the Avalon
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 ... [Continue Story]
- From and Fuller: The Pennsylvania Challenge and is it the End of the Harris Honeymoon?
- From and Fuller: Politics and Rhetoric After 2nd Attempt on Donald Trump and Andy Harris’s Freedom Caucus
- From and Fuller: The Politics of Coattails and Endorsements in 2024
- From and Fuller: Does Policy Matter in 2024; Never-Trumpers Not Endorsing Harris, and RFK Jr. Exit
- From and Fuller Special Edition: The Harris Moment and a New Republican Future
- From and Fuller: The Magical Thinking of a Harris Landslide
Columnist J.E. Dean
I don’t take Trump’s proposals seriously – here’s why by J.E. Dean
More than one Spy reader has accused me of being a “congenital Democrat,” a term that suggests that I am too close minded to contrast Trump’s ... [Continue Story]
- The utter shamelessness of the Trump agenda by J.E. Dean
- J.D. Vance Wins the Vice-Presidential Debate, With Help from Walz by J.E. Dean
- A Second Assassination Attempt on Trump by J.E. Dean
- Remembering September 11—and January 6 by J.E. Dean
- The Foul Odor of the Trump-Kennedy Alliance by J.E. Dean
- The Trump Spell Has Been Broken by J.E. Dean
Columnist Howard Freedlander
Out and About, Sort Of: Unconscionable, Unsuccessful by Howard Freedlander
In the late 19th century, as Native American reservations faced dissolution at the soiled hands of White settlers, the Catholic Church decided to establish boarding schools for Indian children. The purpose was an ill-fated effort to assimilate, involuntarily, indigenous youth and decimate their culture. It was cruel. Schooling by the Catholic Church intended to impose […]
- Out and About (Sort of): Stars in Different Realms by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Slavery of Thought by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Higher Education on Edge by Howard Freedlander
- Strike for Democracy by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): American Voter by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Hospice Heroes by Howard Freedlander
Columnist Hugh Panero
The Awkward Gentrification of Bellevue by Hugh Panero
In 2022, Talbot County first heard about a new fourteen-home luxury housing development in the Village of Bellevue, one of twenty-two unincorporated ... [Continue Story]
- Mr. Biden, It’s Time to Hand Over the Keys by Hugh Panero
- The Mess in Oxford Gets More Messy by Hugh Panero
- Be Like a Cicada and the Catharsis of Dreams by Hugh Panero
- Let’s Retire the Word “Retired” by Hugh Panero
- Top 15 Indicators That You Are Too Old For Technology by Hugh Panero
- Dune Part 2 and My Son Got Me Back Into a Movie Theater by Hugh Panero
Columnist Craig Fuller
A Community Town Hall focuses on education in Talbot County by Craig Fuller
The Avalon Foundation and The Spy collaborated on another in a series of candidate Town Halls with the most recent this week bringing together a live ... [Continue Story]
- MPT, the Chesapeake Bay and Viewers Like You: A Chat with Station Manager Steven Schupak
- So Much Money, So Little Time by Craig Fuller
- One Amazing Story by One Amazing Individual by Craig Fuller
- A Presidential Debate: No Commission / No Audience / Perhaps, No Gloves by Craig Fuller
- An Enjoyable and Important White House Story by Craig Fuller
- Biden’s Two Biggest Problems: Perception and Trust by Craig Fuller
Columnist Jamie Kirkpatrick
Ubiquity By Jamie Kirkpatrick
It’s October and pumpkins are everywhere: in patches, on porches, in pies, even in our coffee. (But not mine; I draw a sharp line after “black.”) ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Laura Oliver
Renaissance By Laura J. Oliver
The last time I was at the Renaissance Festival accompanied by children, my son was a 5- year-old-towhead sporting an America’s Cup t-shirt, and my ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Angela Rieck
Our ethereal protector by Angela Rieck
On October 10th many people witnessed a rare event, the Aurora Borealis, right in our backyard on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Auroras were visible ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Al Sikes
Scratchy Records by Al Sikes
Too bad the conspiracy to protect and re-elect President Joe Biden didn’t work. If it had both political parties would have chosen male vocalists whose fans likely had a cache of scratchy records from way back. When I left my teen years, many of my favorite recordings had suffered from abuse or neglect. I even […]
Opinion
The Real Debate We Need by Heather R. Mizeur
It matters that the leader of the Free World has the faculties and mental acuity to perform the functions of such a demanding job. While it’s ... [Continue Story]
- When Peace Visited War: A Christmas Story by Tom Timberman
- A Christmas Carol 2023 by Maria Wood
- The Carbon Darwin Award by Bob Moores
- America’s Civil War of Weaponized Words and the Middle East by Tom Timberman
- Here’s a Test: Can You Recognize a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? By Maria Grant
- What Happens Next to Israel, Hamas, Palestinians and the US? By Tom Timberman
- Still No Planning? By Carol Voyles
- America is Losing Control of the Israel/Palestinian Global Narrative by Tom Timberman
- Things To Do In A Deer Stand by Rob Etgen
- Towards A National Directory Of Gun Violence by Stan Salett
- Wars, Political Chaos, Confusion and Anger: What to Do? By Tom Timberman
- Are We Judged by the Company We Keep? By Maria Grant
- October 7 Perspective by Bob Moores
- Rockfish Conservation by Rob Etgen
- Thoughts from the Mayor Of Crisfield on the Tawes Crab Feast and Clam Bake by Darlene Taylor
Letters to the Editor
Letter to Editor: Silo Square concerns
Next Thursday (October 17th), the Easton Planning Commission is likely to approve a townhouse development project which will undo more than 30 years ... [Continue Story]
- Letter to Editor: Lakeside’s final victory, Maryland law Be damned
- Letter to Editor: Vote YES on Question A to Support Public Safety
- Letter to Editor: Gobbledygook
- Letter to Editor: Can You Pronounce Her Name, Donald?
- Letter to the Editor: Easton Affordable Housing – Silo Square
- Letter to Editor : If It Ain’t Broke…