From the first time I immersed myself in Maryland General Assembly machinations, I learned that one subject never vanished: abortion. It has been a constant source of heated controversy. I never ... [Continue Story]
Public Affairs
Avalon/Spy Survey Results: From Growth to Dog Parks Challenge Easton
With close to 370 responses to the latest Avalon/Spy survey on challenges facing Easton, the number one concern for the community turned out to be its ... [Continue Story]
- The Mid-Shore’s Geoff Oxnam Preaching the Gospel of Microgrids
- Avalon and Talbot Spy to Host Easton Mayor Election Town Hall with Craig Fuller
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation Leader Calls for Shifts in Bay Cleanup
- Dorchester Public Schools and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: A Chat with Superintendent Dave Bromwell
- Oxford Speak Out with Frustration and Anger with Council on the Exit of Highly-Respected Police Chief
- Moore’s Controversial Nominee for the Public Service Commission Withdraws
Spy Highlights
The Fierce Joy of Ellen Schecter
What is ‘fierce joy?’ That’s the question we posed to Dr. Ellen Schecter about the meaning behind the title of her memoir. “Fierce joy,” she responded, “is not a tepid, easy, saccharine type of happiness. It’s something that comes up out of harsh moments. It’s honey from the rock; it comes from loss and pain, […]
- Hitting the Golf Ball Better and Longer (in Years): A Chat with Hearthstone’s Dan Greaves
- From and Fuller: The Political Impact of the Silicon Valley Bank Failure
- Design With Jenn Martella: The Oaks Redux
- Mid-Shore Arts: Kent Celebrates the New Raimond Cultural Center
- Celebrating Women & Girls Fund’s Two Decades of Action: Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center
- From and Fuller: The Politics of Medicare & Social Security and Larry Hogan’s Exit
The Arts and Local Design
Looking at the Masters: Martin Johnson Heade
Martin Johnson Heade (b.1819, Bucks County, PA) is a unique American landscape and flower painter. His family ran the Lumberville Store and Post ... [Continue Story]
- Academy Art Museum Reflections after 30 Years: A Chat with Janet Hendricks
- Spy Concert Review: A Night to Remember with the MSO by Steve Parks
- Looking at the Masters: Adelaide Labille-Guiard
- Who's DORiS? Turns Ten by Debra Messick
- Looking at the Masters: Sonia Delaunay
- Shore Lit March Notes and Musings by Kerry Folan
Chesapeake Ecosystem
State Lawmakers want Local Governments to Prepare Climate Crisis Plans
As state agencies begin implementing the ambitious Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, which confronts the effects of global warming in multiple ways, ... [Continue Story]
- Maryland Approves Expansion of Eastern Shore Poultry Plant Despite Pollution History
- The Lakeside Reset Resolution Failure and the Future of Development: A Chat with Talbot Councilman Pete Lesher
- Hogan Pausing MD Participation in Multi-state Alliance for Strict Vehicle Emissions Standards
- It Actually Might Happen: Jim Lighthizer on a Chesapeake Bay National Recreation Area
- Our Debt to Naturalist Jan Reese by Matt LaMotte
- Mid-Shore Stewardship: ShoreRivers and Galena Elementary School
Maryland News
Maryland House Approves $62.5 billion with $900 million Added for Education Blueprint Reform
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a nearly $62.5 billion budget plan Friday, with nearly $1 billion in additional funding directed to state ... [Continue Story]
- Former Hogan Aide Misses Court Appearance as Concern Grows of his Whereabouts
- The Quest for Tax Equity and the Future of the Armory: A Chat with Chestertown Mayor David Foster
- Checking in with Cambridge First Ward Commissioner Brian Roche
- Gun Bill receives Preliminary Approval in the Senate
- A Four-day Workweek Plan for Maryland is Dead for Now
Health
Celebrating Women & Girls Fund’s Two Decades of Action: Compass
It should come as no surprise that women and men accept hospice care differently after receiving a terminal diagnosis. According to Compass's Heather ... [Continue Story]
- Certificate Of Need Officially Filed For New Regional Medical Center
- Plans For New Regional Medical Center In Easton Advance With Governor’s Funding Announcement
- The Mental Health Crisis on the Mid-Shore: A Chat with For All Season’s Beth Anne Dorman
- The Choptank Health Update: Chestertown and Kent County
- The Danger of Pancreatic Cancer: A Chat with Survivor Bill Shrieves
Education
Dorchester Public Schools and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: A Chat with Superintendent Dave Bromwell
It seems like it's always a positive thing when your public school superintendent has had some former tie with their school district before being in ... [Continue Story]
- Kent County Public Schools Attack the School-to-Prison Pipeline
- Addressing the Workforce Shortage Crisis: A Chat with Chesapeake College President Cliff Coppersmith
- Education Blueprint Supporters Rally to ‘Fully Fund’ the Reform Plan
- BAAM Rolls Out ‘Your Wellness Matters’ Program: A Chat with Dr. James Bell
- Washington College’s Reimagined Library for the 21st Century
Brevities
Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Back on the Farm
Hard to believe this beautiful farm is now the north part of Easton, Maryland! St. Aubins was built by Nicholas Hammond in 1803! The two ... [Continue Story]
- Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony at Dogwood Harbor April 2
- Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Let’s Meet Downtown
- Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Let’s Meet at the YMCA
- March 2022 Sky-Watch
- Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival People’s Choice Awards Revealed!
- Talbot Historical Society Project Rewind: Catching the Train Out of Claiborne
Community Notes
Every Town Needs a Spy: A New Model for Community News
Dave Wheelan, publisher and executive editor of The Talbot Spy, will speak at the St. Michaels Library on Thursday, April 20 at 11:00 am. Wheelan ... [Continue Story]
- Talbot Historical Society Presents A Date with History Lecture Series
- CBMM Unveils Redesigned cbmm.org Website
- MD Board of Public Works Approves $5M Grant for Easton Woodland Park
- Talbot County Council Meeting Highlights – March 14, 2023
- Gymnasium Expansion – Talbot County Community Center
- Announcing Discover Easton’s 2023 Family Friendly Events Series
Senior Life Highlights
Its Time for Seniors to Take a Break by Susan Covey
For many of us, sitting is a huge part of our day. In order to alleviate the physical consequences of being in one place for long periods, consider ... [Continue Story]
Arts Notes
TCFL Presents Happenstance Theater: PINOT & AUGUSTINE
WHAT: “If you’d like or need to be reminded of the pure and simple joy of life, PINOT & AUGUSTINE will do the trick. Their show is pure ... [Continue Story]
- Award-Winning Poet to Present Six Poems That Can Save the World
- The History of the Rise and Fall of the Talbot Boys Monument
- The Aero Saxophone Quartet Returns!
- The Garfield Center to Open The Mystery “Prescription: Murder” April 14
- Upcoming Events at the Avalon Theatre
- Academy Art Museum Acquires Properties on Talbot Lane
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 to ... [Continue Story]
Education Notes
Chesapeake Author Series: Fierce Joy: A Medical Mystery, Spiritual Adventure and Love Story
Joy is not a word most would associate with pain but for Eastern Shore author Ellen Schecter living with two autoimmune disorders required retooling ... [Continue Story]
- Registration Open for May 1st Golfing “fore” Gunston
- See What’s Coming Up this Spring at Chesapeake Forum’s Preview Party
- Mid-Shore Early Learning Center Celebrates Grand Opening
- Spocott Farm Tour Is a Trip Back in Time
- TCPS Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award
- Talbot Schools Announce 2023-2024 Teacher and Support Staff of the Year Finalists
Health Notes
Neurofeedback Helps Trauma Patients Regulate Emotions
For All Seasons has been offering neurofeedback, a type of biofeedback that utilizes a person’s brain activity (EEG) as a tool for therapeutic ... [Continue Story]
- Talbot Goes Purple Student Clubs Debut ‘Science of Substances’ Projects
- Healthy Living Classes Begins March 2 in St. Michaels
- Choptank Health Promotes Pediatric Dental Health in February
- Free Children’s Dental Screenings in Cambridge Feb. 20
- $750,000 Grant from FHL Bank Atlanta Awarded to Habitat Choptank
- UM SMC at Easton Recognized as High Performing in Maternity Care
Food Friday
Food Friday: Full Irish
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! If you are planning on a big celebratory day of pub crawling, or consuming any amount of green beer after the parade, the best of luck to you. ... [Continue Story]
Looking at the Masters with Beverly Smith
Looking at the Masters: Adelaide Labille-Guiard
Adelaide Labille-Guiard (1749-1803) was one of the eight children of Claude Edme Labille and Marie-Anne Saint-Martin. Her father owned a haberdashery ... [Continue Story]
Design with Jenn Martella
Design with Jenn Martella: Chester River Rancher Redux
I grew up in a basement rancher so I am always intrigued by how this popular house style can be transformed. Architect John Hutchison did just that with his imaginative transformation of this one-story rancher that is now a story and a half home. This neighborhood was originally the Byford Farm where some streets […]
- Design with Jenn Martella: Going Dutch
- Design with Jenn Martella: A Look at the Wildset Hotel
- Design with Jenn Martella: The Architecture of John Hutchison
- Design with Jenn Martella: Sally’s Cottage
- Design with Jenn Martella: Searching for Sears, Roebuck Houses on the Eastern Shore
- Design with Jenn Martella: Mowbray Chapel Redux
From and Fuller Podcast
From and Fuller: The Politics of Medicare & Social Security and Larry Hogan’s Exit
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 Political Impact of the Dominion v. Fox News Lawsuit
- From and Fuller: The Politics of Ukraine and Senator Fetterman’s Depression
- From and Fuller: Biden’s State of the Union and the GOP’s Normal vs. Crazy
- From and Fuller: Phase One of the Debt Ceiling Fight and Assessing Nikki Haley
- From and Fuller: The Politics of Anti-Wokeness and GOP House Revenge
- From and Fuller: The High Expectations for New Governor Wes Moore and the George Santos Saga
Columnist J.E. Dean
Out of Touch Oscars, Or Is It Hollywood? By J.E. Dean
What am I to make of Everything Everywhere All at Once’s huge victory at the Oscars on Sunday? As expected, the film was the night’s big winner. Seven ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Howard Freedlander
Out and About (Sort of): Ceaseless Controversy by Howard Freedlander
From the first time I immersed myself in Maryland General Assembly machinations, I learned that one subject never vanished: abortion. It has been a constant source of heated controversy. I never understood why. I still am perplexed. Discussion consumes an inordinate amount of valuable public policy time. Relationships among legislators fray. Due to recent action […]
- Out and About (Sort of): Memories Between the Lines by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Truth or Consequences by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Hatred vs. Resolve by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Conflict of Interest by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Sage Words by Howard Freedlander
- Out and About (Sort of): Lakeside’s Sloppy Outcome by Howard Freedlander
Columnist Craig Fuller
Fox vs. Fox by Craig Fuller
Please Standby…. So, imagine this. FOX SPORTS COMMENTATOR #1: ……Brady drops back. He escapes a sack and is running right. He has a receiver ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Jamie Kirkpatrick
Clarity by Jamie Kirkpatrick
Clarity Not much is clear these days. In fact, quite the contrary. Obscurity, obfuscation, evasiveness, deception abound, while clarity seems to be ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Laura Oliver
The Center of the Universe by Laura J. Oliver
The six of us gathered in a wide open field shouldered by forests—the brown of winter surrendering to spring’s tender green. On the staff of a ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Angela Rieck
Women’s History Month by Angela Rieck
To celebrate Women’s History month, this year I am going to profile Lizzie Magie. Who? I hadn’t heard of her either until herstory (sic) was ... [Continue Story]
Columnist Al Sikes
DeSantis, Pretender? By Al Sikes
There certainly should be a teenage exception. And, I would extend it to say 30 years old. In short, humans should be forgiven if in their 40s or beyond they contradict their earlier words or actions. But…. As a Congressman, Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, urged then President Barack Obama to send “offensive and defensive” […]
Opinion
County Council Watch: The Dollars and Sense of it All
At the February 28 county council meeting we were advised of Maryland Department of the Environment’s role in sponsoring the Midshore Regional ... [Continue Story]
- County Council Watch: A Lakeside Resolution at Last?
- Conservative Voices: What Am I Not Being Told by David Reel
- The Hope for Rocket-Free Skies by Maria Wood
- Oyster Farmers Breathe Hopeful Sigh after Conowingo Dam Decision by Scott Budden
- County Council Watch: A Day of Peace and Civility
- Sharing the Story of Nathaniel “Nace” Hopkins
- County Council Watch: It Takes a County by Carol Voyles
- Age is just a Number—Or Is It? By Maria Grant
- County Council Watch: Its One Way and Another With Talbot County Council
- Opinion: Mr. President, Please Send Tanks to Ukraine
- We Hate to See You Go, Jacinda by Maria Wood
- County Council Watch: Working Together and Under the Law by Carol Voyles
- Congress is Officially Lost in the Fun House by Maria Grant
- Epiphany by Kate Emery General
- Respecting the Joy of All Marriages by Kathryn Lee
Letters to the Editor
Letter to Editor: Lakeside Jumps The Gun and other News
Given Lakeside’s troubled and disreputable history with permit approvals, It should surprise no one to learn suddenly that over three months ago Rocks ... [Continue Story]
- Letter to Editor: MD Has Opportunity for Bay Cleanup with New Conowingo Dam License
- Letter to Editor: Rep. Andy Harris is Telling Whale Tales
- Letter to Editor: Shop Maryland Energy Weekend-Sustainable Savings for Taxpayers
- Letter to Editor: In Defense of Pete Lesher
- Letter to Editor: Regarding TIP and Lakeside – First Things First
- County Council Watch: It Takes a County by Carol Voyles
