On March 12th there was a joint meeting of the Maryland House and Senate on the electric and gas rates hikes in Annapolis. The Vice-Chairman of the Committee was Delegate Brian Crosby of St. Mary’s ... [Continue Story]
Public Affairs
Our Cold, Snowy Winter could Benefit Rockfish Population
Long, wet, snowy and cold winters, as 2025 has brought us, are just the thing to spark at least “cautious optimism” in Maryland’s striped bass program ... [Continue Story]
- Talbot Council Highlights: Proposal to Remove DEI Statement Fails on 2-3 Vote
- Easton Council Highlights: Not so Fast on Peter Lesher Appointment to EU Commission
- Easton Growth Rates and Annexation: A Chat with Holly DeKarske and Miguel Salinas
- Talbot County Council Tables Vote to Remove DEI Statement
- Speaking with the League of Women Voters on Its Relevancy in 2025
- Spy Music Review: An Ascendent Interlude Concert by Steve Parks
Spy Highlights
Spy Theater Review: ‘Never the Sinner,’ Leopold and Loeb by Steve Parks
If a whodunnit is your murder-mystery cup of tea, “Never the Sinner” may not be up your alley. But if the psychology of a pair or murderous lovers who kill a teenage boy just for the thrill of it – for sport if you will – will always beg the question: “Why?” The senseless murder […]
- From and Fuller: The Politics of a Government Shutdown and Trade War Impact
- Chicken Scratch: The Church of Barbecue – By Elizabeth Beggins
- From and Fuller: Ukraine Meets Trump 2.0 and Reviewing the State of the Union
- Easton Growth Rates and Annexation: A Chat with Holly DeKarske and Miguel Salinas
- From and Fuller: The State of Resistance – Is Washington the New Moscow?
- From and Fuller: A Trump Honeymoon without Checks and Balances
The Arts and Local Design
Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman: Journey to Nature’s Underworld
I recently attended the opening of Mark Dion and Alexis Rockman: Journey to Nature’s Underworld exhibition at the Lowe Art Museum, at the University ... [Continue Story]
- Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism by Anke Van Wagenberg
- Spy Concert Review: Jordan Tice Showcases New and Old at the Stoltz Listening Room
- Spy Concert Review: Ellis Paul at the Stoltz
- A Work of Heart: How Museums Can Strengthen Your Relationship by Daedelus Hoffman
- TAP Takes on Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite: A Chat with Maureen Curtin and Brian McGunigle
- Elizabethan and chamber music virtuosity by Steve Parks
Chesapeake Ecosystem
Intense Maryland Energy Debates in Annapolis Fill a Single Afternoon
For the last few years, the nuclear energy industry has stood on the precipice of the Maryland energy policy debate, waiting for its ... [Continue Story]
- Md. leads in carbon emissions reductions – Maryland Matters
- Maryland Levies Fines on Perdue, Valley Proteins for Environmental Violations
- 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
Maryland News
Ferguson warns of ‘Maryland Recession’
Maryland’s Senate president warned of a “Maryland recession” Tuesday, after a top bond rating agency released a report highlighting the state’s unique ... [Continue Story]
- Federal layoffs pose workforce threats beyond Prince George’s, Montgomery counties
- Services tax added to ‘menu of options’ as state grapples with budget deficit, looming federal cuts
- Maryland has reported high child fatalities for years. Now they say they’ve overreported.
- Delegates renew medical aid-in-dying bill, but Senate hurdle remains
- State ramps up effort to bring fired federal employees into the state fold
Health
Let’s Talk about It: Dare to Lead Training Shapes Mid-Shore Leaders with For All Seasons Beth Anne Dorman
The opportunity to participate in For All Seasons’ Dare to Lead™ training last month opened my eyes to learning who I am as a leader and how I want my ... [Continue Story]
- Mid-Shore Health: Getting to the Heart of Heart Disease with Dr. Ian Davis
- Let’s Talk About It: A Different kind of Valentine with For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman
- Mid-Shore Health: The role of forensic nursing with survivors of sexual and physical assault
- Qlarant Foundation takes a big step forward with first executive director Amanda Neal
- Mid-Shore Health: The war against lung cancer with Drs. Rashmi Benda and David Oliver
Education
Wood Foundation awards $100K grant to Radcliffe Creek School
Radcliffe Creek School (RCS) was recently awarded a generous grant from the Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation to support needs-based scholarships for ... [Continue Story]
- Morgan State professor fined for presenting himself as licensed architect
- Slight increases on Maryland’s annual report card, but changes could be coming
- Radcliffe Creek School awarded grant to support students with ADHD and anxiety
- Spy-WHCP Check in with Dorchester Schools Superintendent Jymil Thompson
- Prekindergarten Expansion For Private Providers Off To A Slow Start
Food & Garden Highlights
Wine(s) of the Week: Dolcetto D’Alba DOC & Ghemme Chioso Dei Pomi DOCG
This weekend we will offer two wines, the Dolcetto D’Alba DOC, 2022, ($20.50, ABV 13.5%) from the Azienda Agricola Alessandro Rivetto winery in La ... [Continue Story]
Brevities
Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Getting the Order In Before The Crowds
Can you identify the location of this restaurant? Wish we could see through the windows so we could identify if it was in Easton or St. Michaels ! ... [Continue Story]
Commerce
Tech, consulting businesses will bear the brunt of proposed sales tax on business services
Maryland tech and consulting businesses would bear the brunt of a late-filed proposal to subject some business services to a 2.5% sales tax. Nearly ... [Continue Story]
- Connect and Serve Program Addresses Workforce Development, Civic Service
- Qlarant Foundation selects Lamont Thompson as Board Chair
- Lahman and Westerfield chosen for Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program 2nd Class
- Oxford Bellevue Ferry welcomes new Owner
- Fred Christie completes 2024 Department of Energy’s OT Defender Fellowship
Community Notes
Tilghman Watermen’s Museum announces Splendor for 2025
The Tilghman Watermen’s Museum announces the date for Splendor in 2025, This fundraising event supports the Museum’s vision of preserving and sharing ... [Continue Story]
- 2025 YMCA summer camp registration is open!
- Chicone Village Day celebrates Native Culture at Handsell
- C3’s Tri-County Ice Cream Classic is Back for 2025 and Sweeter Than Ever!
- Update on a new Easton group fostering a more peaceful world
- Oxford Museum exhibit – The Fabric of History
- Talbot Thrive launches a free running and walking club to promote community health and connection
Senior Life Highlights
Hello Spring by Susan Convey
The vernal equinox, the finish line to our winter marathon, a time to escape the cold grip of darkness and welcome the light. This year, spring ... [Continue Story]
- The Talbot County Senior Supply Drive is About Dignity
- It’s American Heart Month by Susan Covey
- Londonderry’s Satellite Rotary Club continues support for senior supply drive
- Londonderry celebrates Team Service Awards
- December Fitness Feature: Leg Strength
- Cruisin’ with Christine: Protecting the Londonderry Community with Rich Williams
Arts Notes
Improv Easton presents Intro to Improv class
Improv Easton is excited to open its next Intro to Improv class for the community. The program runs on Tuesday evenings March 18, 2025, to April 22, ... [Continue Story]
- Steven J. Schupak named Maryland Public Television’s next president and chief executive officer
- The Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to CBMM on April 12-13
- Oxford Community Center announces 2025 Jazz Series lineup & exclusive season ticket packages
- 2025 Juried Art Show at Adkins Arboretum—Discovering the Native Landscapes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore on View through April 25
- March 11, Carpe Diem lunchtime concert at Brookletts Place – SONG RIOT
- Original banner artwork show at St. Michaels Community Center
Ecosystem Notes
Riverkeepers to host Annual State of the Rivers Series
ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated State of the Rivers events — a series of free presentations held each spring ... [Continue Story]
Education Notes
Tech CEO to speak about AI technology for seniors at the Library
Sze Wong, CEO of Zerion Software, will speak at the Easton Branch of the Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) on Monday, March 17th, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ... [Continue Story]
- Knights of Columbus Oratorical contest: Saints Peter and Paul students excel
- Cristy Morrell chosen for the Leadership Maryland Executive Program class of 2025
- Delmarva Community Services appoints new Director of Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center in Cambridge
- Tilghman Watermen’s Museum academic scholarship available
- Underground Railroad’s maritime history highlights 2/24 program in St. Michaels
- Smithsonian author to talk about Julia Child’s Kitchen at the library
Health Notes
Talbot County Health Department announces new Health Officer
The Talbot County Health Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Fahmi Fahmi, MD, as the county’s new Health Officer. Fahmi has been a ... [Continue Story]
- Aging & Wellness Symposium set for April 12 at Heron Point
- An internationally-recognized expert on aging to speak in Easton, Chestertown
- For All Seasons offers suicide bereavement support goup facilitator training
- Choptank Health welcomes Rachel Lange, PNP, to pediatric practice
- Developmental Disability budget cuts delayed for now, but still loom for next year
- For All Seasons announces staff appointments
Commerce Notes
Tech, consulting businesses will bear the brunt of proposed sales tax on business services
Maryland tech and consulting businesses would bear the brunt of a late-filed proposal to subject some business services to a 2.5% sales tax. Nearly ... [Continue Story]
- Connect and Serve Program Addresses Workforce Development, Civic Service
- Qlarant Foundation selects Lamont Thompson as Board Chair
- Lahman and Westerfield chosen for Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program 2nd Class
- Oxford Bellevue Ferry welcomes new Owner
- Fred Christie completes 2024 Department of Energy’s OT Defender Fellowship
- Registration begins for Easton’s St. Patrick’s Day parade
Food Friday
Food Friday: Full Irish
"Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!" They say that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so you had best fortify yourself for the long, festive day ahead, starting early, with a ... [Continue Story]
Looking at the Masters with Beverly Smith
Looking at the Masters: Utagawa Hiroshige
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) was one of the most prolific and popular Ukiyo-e artists in Japan. The word Ukiyo-e means pictures of the floating ... [Continue Story]
Design with Jenn Martella
Design with Jenn Martella: “Rest-full” Cape Cod
Today’s house is a story and a half house Cape Cod design that has the elements of this popular style: compact floor plan, symmetry in plan and elevation; side gable walls, and windows flanking the front door and single dormer windows. The white lap siding is accented by the blue shutters, entry door and the […]
- Design with Jenn Martella: Coastal Cottage in Rock Hall
- Design with Jenn Martella: The Koast
- Design with Jenn Martella: Tilghman Treasure Trove
- Design with Jenn Martella: Victorian Transformation
- Design with Jenn Martella: The Fannie Stuart house, c.1885
- Design with Jenn Martella: The Mary Thomas House, c. 1860
From and Fuller Podcast
From and Fuller: The Politics of a Government Shutdown and Trade War Impact
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: Ukraine Meets Trump 2.0 and Reviewing the State of the Union
- From and Fuller: The State of Resistance – Is Washington the New Moscow?
- From and Fuller: The Real Impact of DOGE
- From and Fuller: Trump Gazaland and the Muse DOGE Peeks into Federal Payment Systems
- From and Fuller: Trump chaos and RFK Jr. confusion
- From and Fuller: The Trump executive order blitzkrieg
Columnist J.E. Dean
Is Andy Harris representing Maryland or Donald Trump? By J.E. Dean
First District voters who have supported Andy Harris as a “man of principle” better think again. Last week Harris had two decisions to make. First, ... [Continue Story]
- How to Destroy American Higher Education by J.E. Dean
- Trump 2.0: The good, the bad, the ugly and the insane by J.E. Dean
- Trump’s dangerous tariff game is making the world a more dangerous place by J.E. Dean
- In praise of Inspectors General by J.E. Dean
- President Biden should have walked out by J.E. Dean
- Trump asks Congress to abdicate its constitutional responsibility by J.E. Dean
Columnist Hugh Panero
The Death of TikTok by Hugh Panero
On Sunday evening, TikTok, the popular social media platform, was executed in the US. Since 2016, swiping through endless short-form videos on your ... [Continue Story]
- The Awkward Gentrification of Bellevue by Hugh Panero
- 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
Columnist Craig Fuller
Conversations with Craig Fuller: Ambassador and Author Frank Lavin
My friend and former White House colleague Ambassador Frank Lavin has a book coming out in March about his experience in the White House and ... [Continue Story]
- Midair collision over the Potomac: Week two update by Craig Fuller
- A midair tragedy last night in Washington by Craig Fuller
- The Classic Motor Museum starts a new trip in St. Michaels: Craig Fuller talks to Mike Iandolo
- A Community Town Hall focuses on education in Talbot County by Craig Fuller
- MPT, the Chesapeake Bay and Viewers Like You: A Chat with Station Manager Steven Schupak
- So Much Money, So Little Time by Craig Fuller
Columnist Jamie Kirkpatrick
Phil By Jamie Kirkpatrick
Last month, America’s most famous rodent, Phil, emerged from his den, turned around, and went right back to bed. I think I know how he felt. I want to ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Laura Oliver
The Inside Story By Laura J. Oliver
The first time my mother brought my father home to the farm, my grandmother said of this charming college classmate in the yellow sportscar, “He’s ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Angela Rieck
Life’s lessons by Angela Rieck
Retirement is called the gift because it allows us to reflect on what we have learned in life. By now most of us have become comfortable in our own ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Al Sikes
White House Flails, Congress Dithers, What About the Supremes?
The Republican Party that was stood up by Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt and more recently Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan no longer exists. It is no longer a Party where political rivalry evolves into strength because today’s default position is to punish dissent. It is not premature to wonder how the Party’s voters might […]
Opinion
The Political is Personal: Reflections on DEI by Margaret Andersen
As the women’s movement was unfolding in the late 1960s, all across the country women gathered in small, informal groups called consciousness raising ... [Continue Story]
- New report reveals value of resource conservation for Shore businesses by John Horner
- Presidential pasts and an impending future by Steve Parks
- Gov. Wes Moore: Now’s the time to fix our fiscal crisis
- Maryland’s fiscal apocalypse by Clayton A. Mitchell, Sr.
- Consent first, investigate later by Aubrey Sarvis
- Analysis: Moore’s delicate balance as the session gets under way
- Electric Workboats on the Chesapeake? By Rob Etgen
- Reflections on cabinet choices by J.T. Smith
- Balancing Growth and Green: Chestertown’s Greenbelt Plan Faces a Solar Challenge by Steve Kline
- Andy Harris and our right to vote by Heather Mizeur
- Will our history repeat itself? The lessons of Civil War Maryland by Paul W. Callahan
- Striking Out at Camden: How Three Bad Seasons Sent A Once Proud Franchise Into A Decade Long Tailspin
- Moving Ahead on Cambridge Harbor
- Sunset for Sea Stars? By Rob Etgen
- I Have Concerns Over the Route 662 Closure in Hospital Plan by Lynn Mielke
Letters to the Editor
Letter to Editor: Hundreds in Talbot and Dorchester Sent a Message to Rep. Andy Harris
On March 6th, we joined 300+ of our friends and neighbors in a protest outside of the Tidewater Inn in Easton, where Rep. Andy Harris was having a ... [Continue Story]
