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June 23, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

News News Notes

Angela Lane Retires as Talbot County Finance Director

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Angela Lane of Easton who is retiring as Talbot County’s Finance Director after 30 years of service.

After recently preparing and presenting one last budget for Talbot County Council, Angela Lane of Easton has retired from her position as Talbot County’s Finance Director after 30 years as a public servant.

Lane, who is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park and the University of Madrid in Madrid, Spain, started her accounting career in private industry. In 1987, she took a position with local government, working as Director of Administrative Services for the Talbot County Health Department. In 1991, she was hired as a Fiscal Analyst for the Talbot County Government, working as the County’s liaison between auditors and the County Finance Office and playing a key role in the annual budget process. She became Director of Finance for Talbot County in 2000, only the second person in the position, and worked in this job for the rest of her career, except for a brief job in the private sector from 2004 to 2009. She is also a 2002 graduate of Shore Leadership.

Although Angela is remembered for her incredible skills in creating budgets and preparing for audits, she views her most recent accomplishment of working with the Property Tax Referendum Committee in 2019 and 2020 on ballot questions to deal with property tax revenue constraints as the most rewarding part of her career. The ballot questions passed in November 2020 to modify the Tax Cap, allowing the County Council to add an additional cent ($0.01) to the property tax rate every year for the next 5 fiscal years beginning July 1, 2021.

“Thanks to the support of County citizens through passage of the ballot questions, the County will be able to address some of our most critical issues like law enforcement, emergency services, roads infrastructure, as well as several capital projects for the schools, Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Medical Services, the Talbot County Health Department, and the Talbot County Free Library,” Lane recalls.

“Most significant to me, however, was the process of the community coming together on this committee to frame the issue for the ballot in a way that the public could understand the County’s needs. I was particularly proud to work with a range of representatives from our towns, schools, public safety, and veteran constituencies as we disseminated the information to citizens across the County. We came together around a common cause.”

Throughout her distinguished career, Lane enjoyed working with all the departments of Talbot County Government, as well as other governmental and nonprofit agencies, to help deliver the best services to the community.

“It has been a great place to work and it’s never been boring. I was here when the County formed its Advanced Life Support services and look how far Emergency Services has come since then,” she adds.

She also has pride in leaving the County in excellent fiscal health, including its high bond rating which was upgraded during her tenure; unqualified audit opinions; and strong fiscal reserves to maintain stability during an economic downturn or crisis like the pandemic.

“Talbot County is poised for the future. The County Council and staff have been good stewards of the taxpayer dollars, operating under conservative fiscal policies, while delivering necessary and important services to our citizens. I will miss the process of putting together the budget and getting the audit done – I really liked those parts of my work,” she states.

“Angela has been an incredible asset to Talbot County. Her fiscal expertise and wisdom in the areas of budget and audit have been extraordinary and we were blessed to have her with us for these past 30 years. She worked well with staff in creating a cooperative environment and a positive atmosphere for getting County initiatives funded and implemented. She will be missed by us all,” comments Clay Stamp, County Manager for Talbot County Government.

Lane states that she is confident in her successor Joye Nagle, who brings years of experience to the job of Finance Director. “She will be great in carrying forth the efforts of the Finance Office and I am thrilled she has joined the team,” Lane adds.

As far as her future plans. She quips, “I look forward to traveling and pursuing some part-time work, but mostly, enjoying some time off.”

Haven Ministries – One Woman’s Journey from Homelessness

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Linda Bartholomew of Grasonville and Sandi Wiscott, Director of Operations and Case Management at Haven Ministries.

Linda Bartholomew, age 44, of Grasonville has been homeless since 2013. She has had a genetic disorder since birth that affects one in a million people, leaving her in constant daily pain. The pain went untreated and she became addicted to marijuana and opioids at a young age before developing a heroin addiction later in her life. The addiction ultimately caused her to lose her three children and her home.

After getting clean in 2019, Linda felt the time was right and reached out to Sandi Wiscott, Director of Operations and Case Management at Haven Ministries in Stevensville, to start case management. Through support from Haven Ministries, Linda has gotten her own apartment and created a stable life for herself.

“I had seen Sandi help others and decided to reach out to her in April 2020. I knew I couldn’t ask for help until I was clean. I was tired of living with that gorilla on my back,” Linda comments.

“Sandi helped me out tremendously – helping me find a place to live and getting the medical care I needed at Johns Hopkins. She is the only one in my life who ever went to bat for me.”

Linda’s trip to Johns Hopkins confirmed her rare genetic disorder, which had never been diagnosed. The diagnosis will play a part in helping her to qualify for disability. The disorder causes Linda’s bones to be malformed. She has grown five full sets of teeth in her lifetime, which have had to be pulled; was born without any collarbone; has constant nerve pain from bone deformities, and even at one point became temporarily blind due to high blood pressure.

“I knew she shouldn’t live like this. She stayed in the Haven Ministries Homeless Shelter during the pandemic and received assistance through its case management program. We are happy to say that when the shelter season ended on May 1, everyone left with a place to call home,” states Sandi.

“I was living on workboats at the Narrows – it was all I knew and I felt safe there. My grandfather was a waterman. The watermen at the Narrows, however, had a betting pool about when I would die because of my lifestyle,” Linda reflects.

Sandi adds that Linda is very proud and initially didn’t want to get help from any agency. Her ethics and moral code had always been important to her. She soon learned, however, that there were people who wanted to help her.

“She has a big heart and is always giving back to her own network of people,” Wescott adds.

“The world has enough people who are not nice and I don’t need to be one of them. Respect, honesty, and loyalty don’t cost anything. I don’t judge anyone as I haven’t walked in their shoes,” Linda states.

“I was living wrong for so long and it didn’t get me anywhere. And now that I am living right, I am getting somewhere. My friends are seeing my progress and even the workboat community sees what I have accomplished.”

For information on Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call 410-739-4363.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.

Mid-Shore Women’s Health Celebrates 51 Years Serving Women on the Shore

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Physicians and staff of Mid-Shore Women’s Health recently toasted to 51 years of serving women on the Mid- Shore.

Sailing into Oxford one beautiful fall day, Dr. Nick Flagler and Dr. Justin P. Callahan became medical partners with a handshake and a beer onboard their sailboat, “Sweet Alice.” Upon honorable discharge from the United States Navy, Commander Flagler and his family moved to the Eastern Shore in July 1971 to join the obstetrical and gynecological practice of Dr. Callahan, who had started the practice in 1969.

Mid-Shore Women’s Health began to grow in 1979 when Dr. Ronald Sweet joined the practice. During this time, the rising cost of malpractice insurance for obstetricians almost shut down obstetrical services on the Shore. To address this issue, Memorial Hospital at Easton, later Shore Heath System, gathered all the local obstetricians under one umbrella called Easton Obstetrics.  In the 1990s, Easton Obstetrics joined Mid-Shore Women’s Health.

The practice grew to include five doctors and five midwives. Mary Mullikin Adams, LPN, who joined the practice in 1978, comments, “The physicians were respectful and caring to the patients and because of that, the loyalty of our patients made the practice special. We built relationships with our patients. After one of our patients died, her husband brought us flowers on Valentine’s Day. Others would bring us the bounty from their farms. That says it all.”

Dr. Ronald Sweet adds, “We retained good staff by training them and they became a real asset to the practice and many stayed a long time like Mary. She developed special relationships with the patients, many even called her at home and still do.”

Diane Flagler, Dr. Flagler’s wife, who also served as the office manager for a time, commented, “At Nick’s retirement in June 2000, he was privileged to have delivered over 3,000 babies, many of whom were the children of women he had delivered. His gynecological practice spanned generations of women and their families. It was not unusual for him to treat a patient, all her sisters, aunts, nieces, and still have something in common with the husband as well. He stayed involved in the medical community assisting in surgery even after retirement until he died in 2006.”

The practice continued, adding several physicians over the years. At the end of 2020, when the practice closed, only Dr. Sharon Liu remained from the original practice.

“I hit the jackpot on my first shot joining the practice,” commented Dr. Liu, who had been with the Mid-Shore Women’s Health for 17 years.

“The practice was built on a solid foundation and as medicine changed, we were able to evolve with the changes as they occurred. We welcomed such innovations as minimally invasive surgery, new approaches to menopause, electronic medical records, and most recently, telemedicine. But, through it all, we were still able to keep our practice personal and patient-focused.”

“The specialty of obstetrics and gynecology is unique as it combines the relationships with patients, surgery, and medicine in its practice,” commented Dr. Ronald Sweet who was a resident when laparoscopy and ultrasound were being introduced and trained other doctors in laparoscopy procedures. Laparoscopic procedures began with gynecology and then spread to other surgical specialties.”

“This was the golden era in the science of medicine and it had great impact on our practice,” he added.

Since 1995, Dr. Fouad Abbas, a gynecological oncologist from Sinai Hospital in Baltimore came to the practice every third Friday of the month to see patients requiring more complicated surgeries for endometrial cancer, vaginal prolapses, and large pelvic masses.

“I have seen as many as 30 patients a day in Easton during our busiest times,” comments Dr. Abbas.

“I loved working with the physicians in the practice assisting them in surgery at Shore Health System in Easton and also collaborating with the local oncologists.  The surgeons were very easy to work with and eager to learn and gain additional expertise so they could keep patients in Easton. I also helped physicians with the surgical robot program when it started on the Shore.”

Dr. James Gieske, a general surgeon with Shore Health System recalls his surgical interactions with Dr. Flagler in particular. “Nick and I enjoyed working together.  He made my work easy because not only was he an unusually “intuitive” surgeon, but he was left-handed and therefore the perfect teammate on the other side of the table.  His natural intuition made him the perfect helper.”

Dr. Gieske’s wife, Dr. Judi Gieske, worked with the physicians of Mid-Shore Women’s Health for years as a pediatrician.

“My favorite story, which would not happen today, involved me going to a premature birth of twins. It was about 4 p.m. on a Saturday in 1974.  I was in Safeway with a cartload of food. Our third son, a nine-month-old, was in my arms when my beeper went off. The woman behind me took my child and told me she would meet me in the lobby of the hospital. The checkout lady told me to go, and hurry.  She would bag and save my order. I made it in time.  Mom and babies did fine and I went back to my baby and my life.  This was the practice in the old days,” Dr. Judi Gieske reflects.

She adds, “The skills of all the physicians in the practice were inspirational. All the doctors were a model for all of us who worked with the practice – they never tired or complained and were always caring for their patients in a very special way.”

Dr. Liu reflects, “Our practice had a great foundation built by talented physicians and staff who wanted to improve the quality of life for the women who lived here. I am proud to have been part of this family for 17 years and appreciate the relationships that developed. It is a special community.”

Brian and Jessica Flaherty Honored as Talbot County’s Foster Parents of the Year

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Brian and Jessica Flaherty of Easton became licensed as foster parents in Talbot County amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple’s first foster care placement was a two-year-old medically fragile child who is blind and has cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease – having to be hospitalized several times while in their care. The Flaherty’s confronted these challenges with grace and perseverance, earning them the recognition of being Talbot County’s 2021 Foster Parents of the Year.

“Jessica and Brian joined our agency just a year ago and have shown to be a tremendous resource for families in that time. They have a calling to care for children with special needs. Not only did they hit the ground running during a pandemic but they have demonstrated tremendous flexibility and capacity to care for children with very high levels of need. They continue to amaze everyone who works with them and gracefully tackle the challenges of working with three different local departments on top of all of the children’s specialists and medical providers,” comments Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator at the Talbot County Department of Social Services.

The Flaherty’s have four biological children, including one child who has Down Syndrome. Both had experiences with children with special needs – Brian was raised with a child who had Down syndrome and Jessica was raised with foster children. Jessica shares. “We knew we wanted to adopt a child with special needs one day and instead had our child born with Down syndrome. It is our lane and it’s what we are good at.”

Photo: The Flaherty family of Easton – Talbot County Department of Social Services’ 2021 Foster Parents of the Year. L-R: The Flaherty’s: Leah, Ellie, Jess, Abigail, Nate and Brian.

As she reflects on the past year, Jessica states that there are many variables and moving pieces in being a foster parent and even more moving pieces caring for a medically fragile child. She adds, “Advocacy is critically important with medically fragile children.”

“This is a need I can meet. I believe everyone has something to teach and something to learn. This is how I can serve. Many people run away from children with this level of need, but we’ve hoped for the opportunity to run toward them.”

Jessica explains that everyone in her family has to be on board for taking on the challenges that come about with foster care and every family member has a role in helping out. The Flaherty family members all want to rise to the occasion. She states that learning compassion for others has come from the family living with one another. One of the couple’s children was born with a deformed ear and was aware of being different and targeted by bullies. Their daughter Ellie, who has Down syndrome, has helped each family member to realize the blessing a child with special needs can be to a family.

“Our children know that their opinions matter. We listen to them and their needs in deciding about taking foster care placements. We would take any child who would be a good fit for us,” Jessica adds.

In June, the Flaherty’s will be adopting the three-year-old medically fragile foster child who has been in their care. They are also currently fostering a 12-year old medically-fragile boy.

“I think everyone has some passion or gift they can either act upon or choose to walk away from. It is important, however, for people to check their motivations and expectations for wanting to become a foster parent. You will be giving your family to a child, instead of getting a child for your family,” Jessica comments.

She also explains that there is unique grief that comes with foster care and it is important to acknowledge that grief. The Department of Social Services offers therapists to help foster families deal with the separation that happens when a foster child is reunited with his/her family.

“When foster parenting is done well, we can sometimes continue to be a support for a family that is reunited – helping to keep that family together,” she adds.

When asked about how to encourage someone to think about becoming a foster parent, she states, “I would tell them to take the first step and make themselves aware of how foster parenting works. Educating yourself before you make the decision is important as is taking the process slowly – one step at a time.”

For people who may not want to become foster parents, there are many ways to support foster families on the Mid-Shore. Jessica suggests asking foster families what they need to support them and help them with what they are doing. She states that it might be bringing them dinner one night or helping them with their biological children if they are overwhelmed.

For further information about becoming a foster parent in Talbot County, call Christine Montague at 410-820-7371 or visit midshoreresourceparents.com.

A Community Draws Together

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We often focus on the numbers when reviewing how the community has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic – numbers tested and vaccinated among our citizens, as well as dollars awarded in grant funds.

While Talbot County distributed a total of $3,243,899 in CARES funding in individual assistance, small business assistance, and emergency operations, the personal stories of perseverance and reinvention during COVID-19 are the most compelling. From distributing food and helping families navigate childcare, to assisting local businesses and nonprofits so that they could stay afloat, and in some cases, thrive, Talbot County government stretched its arms to reach out in historic ways to assist its residents.

“In my lifetime, I don’t think I have ever witnessed the collaboration we saw among our government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and citizen volunteers in addressing the needs of our community during this pandemic,” comments Talbot County Council President Chuck Callahan.

In the area of individual assistance, funds were disbursed through the Talbot County Finance Office, the Talbot County Department of Social Services, the Neighborhood Service Center, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, with support from the Talbot County Emergency Operations Center.

While individuals in Talbot County received help with their rent, mortgages, utilities, car payments or repairs, and licensed childcare needed for virtual school attendance, the distribution of food to the county’s residents was perhaps the most impressive accomplishment of all. Between the Maryland Food Bank and county food partners, over two million pounds of food was distributed during 2020 to Talbot County residents. Talbot County’s food pantry network also helped distribute information about resources, testing, and vaccines.

Jan Willis, coordinator of the Local Care Team for Talbot County, managed the Emergency Operations Committee Feeding Task Force. “Talbot County’s network of established food pantries, churches, and the Maryland Food Bank worked in unfailing partnership with the Talbot Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to make sure food was available throughout the county,” she says.

To date, more than 500 volunteers have stepped in to support the distribution of food throughout the county whether providing food delivery to our homebound elderly or providing transportation and food resources to families under quarantine.

“The tremendous amount of caring and kindness displayed by businesses donating goods and services, by community groups and churches stepping in to fill gaps and needs, and by Talbot County citizens of all ages volunteering countless hours to help their neighbors was and is breathtaking,” she continues.

“The power of community is amazing.”

Naomi Thomas of Scott’s United Methodist Church in Trappe.

Naomi Thomas who has been coordinating food distribution at Scott’s United Methodist Church in Trappe for more than 15 years helped Talbot County’s Emergency Operation Committee create a mobile food distribution model that could be replicated around Talbot County. During COVID, the pantry is distributing 120 boxes monthly to mainly African American residents over the age of 65 and single-family homes of essential workers in and around the Trappe area.

“The Talbot EOC helped us connect to new volunteers, mainly from the Trappe area, which has really helped our manpower,” Thomas explains. “We even have a volunteer now who is a relative of President Eisenhower helping us out! The meeting of the people, helping those in need and knowing I am making a difference has been the most rewarding things about this work. It also provides a reason to keep our churches going – knowing there is a need to serve in our community.”

For Cristy Morrell, Executive Director, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers, working with Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, helped her organization address the challenges parents with school-age children were facing with unexpected childcare costs related to virtual learning through the CARES funding.

“This was cost-prohibitive for many families, especially for those who had more than one child.  Before the CARES grant, many families were forced to choose whether to work or stay home and care for their children,” Morrell says.

“Balancing family, work, and school is difficult in and of itself, but balancing all of that during COVID was and is extremely challenging.  Funding from this grant eased some of these challenges for our families. Last fall, we expanded our school-age before- and after-school childcare programs to all-day programs to better assist families with the Talbot County Public School (TCPS) system’s virtual learning.”

Talbot County’s business and nonprofit community has also been affected deeply by the pandemic. To assist businesses and nonprofits in Talbot County impacted by COVID-19 in 2020, a grants task force made up of Talbot County’s Economic Development Commission members set guidelines and voted on important issues related to guidance and assistance for local businesses and tourism venues.

The task force included Walter Chase, Ron Engle, Sandi Pepe, Jean Weisman, and Jackie Wilson from the EDC, plus Rich Loeffler of the Small Business Development Center. Talbot County received applications from 171 businesses and awarded a total of $1.45 million in grants to 154 small businesses in Talbot County.

Grants were awarded to businesses in the following towns for the amounts listed:  Easton ($947,894), St. Michaels ($264,719), Oxford ($80,000), Cordova ($40,000), and Trappe ($33,387). The top-funded industries included: Eating and Drinking ($396,000), Clothing and Misc. Retail ($224,374), Amusement and Recreation ($137,100), Personal and Health Services ($130,061), Lodging ($123,400), and Beauty Shops ($91,505).

“Emergency funding from Talbot County, State, and Federal sources made it possible for the Avalon Foundation to retain its entire workforce.  This gave the Foundation the capacity to adapt its programming in innovative ways and to support community needs in ways that we would have never imagined,” says Al Bond, president and CEO of the Avalon Foundation, Inc.

Last year, the Avalon Foundation was able to organize a Farmers Market, celebrate the 4th of July, produce Plein Air Easton and build the Stoltz Pavilion – a brand new music venue.  The Foundation also produced 30 public service announcements and other videos for Emergency Management Services, provided video services to local government which made it possible for them to adhere to the Open Meetings Act, organized Feed the Front (an effort to harness local restaurants to feed front line workers), operated a vaccination hotline for the Talbot County Health Department and adapted the Foundation’s Multicultural Festival to deliver vaccines to some of the hardest to reach populations in the community.

While Bond acknowledges that each of these accomplishments was important on its own, emergency funding put the Foundation in a position to resume its regular programming quickly when restrictions are lifted which will have a positive impact on the community that they serve for years to come.

Small business owner Katherine Binder Forloney, owner of Eastern Shore Acupuncture in Easton, says that the CARES funds helped her avoid costly loans that would have had a long-term impact on her business’s recovery.

“Cassandra was amazing walking me through the CARES and PPP applications. She fought for every small business in Talbot County. We are a service-based industry so when we got shut down, that was a huge loss of income. When we were told we could come back, there were so many new expenses needed, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies,” Binder says.

“CARES was a lifeline to me. I feel so grateful and fortunate to have had this as a resource during such an overwhelming time,” she continues. “Continuity of care was interrupted for my clients. They experienced loss as they lost ground with their health when they couldn’t get my services. To manage that loss and to incur the additional expenses would have been an incredible burden on my business.”

Talbot County’s restaurants were not immune to the losses during COVID-19, but with CARES funding and additional funds from the State and Federal government for restaurants, many local restaurants are recovering and have found new creative ways of operating to meet the needs of their patrons.

L-R: Wendy Palmer, co-owner of Latitude 38, Oxford Town Commissioner Jimmy Jaramillo, and Gretchen Gordon, co-owner of Latitude 38

Gretchen Gordon and Wendy Palmer of Latitude 38 in Oxford said that they never had to shut down during the pandemic because they reimagined their takeout business, initially offering delivery and then curbside pickup for local patrons. The restaurant used CARES funds to enhance an underused outside courtyard to bring in patrons once restaurants were allowed to reopen last year.

“We used the funds to purchase new tables, chairs, umbrellas, and commercial heaters and fans to transform the courtyard area,” Gordon explains. “We even got our fishpond working again. The space now provides a comfortable and safe dining option for our patrons. We have such a loyal clientele – they really supported us and that has been humbling.”

Gordon said that she used PPP loans to pay her staff who were at home during the shutdown and that the funding enabled her to keep all of her staff once the restaurant reopened.

When the State of Maryland allocated money from the Rainy Day Fund to provide additional grants to assist businesses in the hospitality industry through the Restaurant Relief Fund Grant Fund, Talbot County awarded $531,350 to 81 restaurants in Round 1; and $318,810 to 87 restaurants in Round 2. Talbot County awarded the Hotel/Motel Grant of $534,480 to eligible hotels and bed & breakfast establishments and the Hometown Tourism Marketing Grant of $47,982 for marketing and advertising for Talbot County.

According to Vanhooser, thanks to the RELIEF Act of 2021, several new grant programs funded by the State of Maryland are being rolled out this spring. These programs include the Small Business COVID RELIEF Grant Program, the Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Administration COVID RELIEF Program, the Restaurant and Caterers COVID RELIEF Grant Program, the Lodging and Accommodations COVID RELIEF Grant Program, the Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID RELIEF Grant Program, and the MARYLAND RECOVERY NOW Nonprofit Grant.

In addition to the CARES funds distributed to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, Emergency Operations CARES funds were distributed to the following agencies in 2020 to assist their efforts during the COVID-19 public health emergency: County Emergency Operations ($503,225), County Volunteer Fire Departments ($186,939), Talbot County Public Schools ($44,203), and Talbot County municipalities ($43,617). FEMA funding of $168,204 supported County Emergency Operations.

“The support provided by the Emergency Operations Center throughout the pandemic reflects just how integrated the Emergency Management system is in monitoring and responding to crisis events in the community. The events of this past year illustrated the importance of that link between the government, partner agencies, and the private sector,” comments Clay Stamp, Talbot County Manager.

For further information about new grant programs funded by the State of Maryland and administered by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, visit talbotworks.org.

Bartlett Tree Experts Donates Services to Talbot County Women’s Club Yard & Garden

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The Talbot County Women’s Club needed tree work done on its property at 18 Talbot Lane in Easton and Zack Richardson, Arborist Representative with Bartlett Tree Experts of St. Michaels, answered the call and donated the company’s services to address the problems.  The property’s historic maple tree had several limbs which needed arbor services due to safety concerns and other shrubbery needed pruning.

Three employees with Bartlett Tree Experts spent most of a day trimming the trees, pruning out the deadwood, and cutting back bushes on the property. The Club bought The James Price House on Talbot Lane (c. 1790) and its adjacent house (c. 1803) in 1946. In 1947, renovations joined the two houses and continued over the years. Today, the Club still has several important capital projects underway to restore its historic structure.

Shirley Brodhead, a long-time member of the Club who reached out to Bartlett Tree Experts initially, commented. “We can’t be thankful enough for the wonderful services they provided for the Club. Now the yard looks amazing and it is such a relief our tree is no longer a potential for danger.”

Photo: Employees of Bartlett Tree Experts recently donated services to care for trees on the property of the Talbot County Women’s Club in Easton. Pictured back row, left to right, are Bryan Hickman and Zack Richardson. Pictured front row, left to right, are Steven Koethe and Spencer Houghton.

Ellison Named Service Manager at Mid-Atlantic Tire Pros

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Ben Ellison, new Service Manager at Mid-Atlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop.

Mid-Atlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop in Easton is excited to announce that Ben Ellison has been promoted to Service Manager.  Ben joined MidAtlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop in 2020 as a service advisor after a successful career in the hospitality field.

“Ben has been a real find for us – an auto enthusiast with a tremendous amount of sales and customer service experience,” says Terry John, owner of Mid-Atlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop.  “An Eastern shore native and live long resident, Ben and his family continue to bring stability and area appreciation to our business.”

To contact Ben at Mid-Atlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop, call 410-770-3337 or email Ben@midatlantictire.com or visit midatlantictire.com.

Mid-Atlantic TirePros and Hybrid Shop in Easton is an independently owned and operated automotive repair shop, which also provides expert care for hybrid and electric vehicles.

EHS Latin Honor Society’s Togathon Supports Mental Health Services in TCPS

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On February 20th and 21st, Easton High School’s Latin Honor Society presented Togathon, a virtual online event raising awareness of the need for additional mental health services in local schools. Every year, the Latin Honor Society (LHS) holds an independent fundraiser; this year they chose to coordinate their event with the Hopeful Campaign and elected to support mental health services for students since recognizing those in the education system have been greatly affected by the pandemic and the challenges of virtual learning. The event provided online entertainment featuring different performances by local talent, school clubs and community organizations with donations being accepted on a GoFundMe platform, as well as directly to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Local entertainers and artists provided content and generous citizens made donations. Of special interest were the interviews with local mental health practitioners including Dr. Rob Schmidt, TCPS Mental Health Coordinator, and State Senator Addie Eckardt, who has a mental health background.

Inna Kunz, Easton High School Latin Honor Society advisor, stated, “I am so proud of the hard work Chloe Dixon, Vlad Rada and Madeline Principe, the officers of the Latin Honor Society, and other LHS members have put into this Togathon. I never imagined the event could be so successful, but they proved that passion and a dedicated team can really make magic happen. The performances they gathered were varied, engaging, and ranging from funny to emotional in a very effective way. While many of us have spent this past school year in a state of frustration and ennui, the LHS students and the Hopeful team really showed us it’s possible to still be inspired and do good for the community,”

Photo: The Easton High School Latin Honor Society partnered with The Hopeful Campaign to host a Togathon fundraising event to support mental health services in the schools. Pictured left to right are Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent, Talbot County Public Schools; Dr. Robert Schmidt, TCPS Mental Health Coordinator; Senator Adelaide Eckardt; Latin Honor Society members Lily Harrison, Vlad Rada, Kate Chapple, Chloe Dixon, Billy Haufe, Madeline Principe, and Sara Chapple; Laura Heikes, Education Foundation Board Chair; EHS Honor Society member Sophie Leight; Inna Kunz, Latin Teacher; and Sherry Bowen, EHS Principal.

At a recent school ceremony, a check for $20,000. was presented to Laura Heikes, President of the Talbot County Public Schools Education Fund Foundation. State Senator Addie Eckardt also issued citations to the Easton High School students from the MD Senate, Governor Hogan, and Delegates Chris Adams and Johnny Mautz.

Laura noted, “The TCPS Education Foundation is honored to accept this significant donation from Dock Street Foundation’s Hopeful 2021 Campaign.  This investment in youth mental health demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring that Talbot County Public School youth have the resources they need to learn and to thrive, both today and in the future.  This donation will be pivotal in the Education Foundation’s mission to enhance student learning outcomes, as we know that children’s mental and emotional wellbeing is closely tied to their ability to learn, to grow, and to reach their fullest potentials.”

One local couple, Hugh Panero and Mary Beth Durkin, who made a significant contribution commented, “Books will be written about the negative impact that a year of social isolation and impersonal Zoom learning has had on our student population, especially among lower-income and other at-risk groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. It is very forward-thinking to get out in front of this looming mental health issue as students return to school. We applaud the Hopeful Team for first reminding us to be Hopeful and then giving us a concrete plan to make it so much more than just a slogan. We are happy to lend our financial support and urge others to do so as well.”

Local businesses participated in Togathon by providing donated gift cards, themed baskets, and professional services as prizes to support the event. Prizes were awarded to donors and performers for their participation, including the performer with the most watch-time during the event.

Togathon was funded in part by the Talbot County Arts Council providing a grant to bring in professional consulting on implementing an online event. Additional support has been provided by Affordable Tree Service, Carrion Electric, Sprout, and Vintage Books.

View some of the Togathon videos at dockstreetfoundation.org or donate directly at

https://www.gofundme.com/f/togathon2021 The Hopeful campaign continues through the end of April.

Shoppers Give Back Through Haven Ministries’ Our Daily Thread Thrift Store and Hope Warehouse

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A customer at Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville shops for toys, puzzles and books.

Giving back is important during these times. One local nonprofit, Haven Ministries, is offering Shore residents and visitors resale shopping where shoppers can pay it forward to those in need. Haven Ministries Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown offer affordable merchandise and the purchases benefit the agency’s outreach programs in Queen Anne’s County, including its housing assistance program, resource center, food pantries, street outreach, and seasonal shelter.

Our Daily Thread Thrift Store has been providing quality name-brand clothing and household goods at deeply discounted prices for eight years. Clothing includes men’s and women’s casual clothing and coats, as well as accessories such as costume jewelry, shoes, handbags, scarves, and hats. The store also offers household kitchen items like small appliances, flatware, dishes, pots and pans, as well as collectibles, and toys, puzzles and a small number of books.

“Shoppers like the store because it looks like a boutique. We pay attention to our displays and they are beautiful. Our customers appreciate our new and gently worn clothing and quality items,” states Liz Bazzell, Store Manager for Our Daily Thread which has a loyal following of both locals and those just passing through on their way to the beach. Some people make a day of it and have lunch somewhere nearby after they shop.”

“We also have dedicated donors who like to donate because the money raised helps to support those in need.”

Our Daily Thread Thrift Store volunteer Linda Sheets of Grasonville, who began buying items from the shop for her antique store, now creates the shop’s displays, as well as works there. She comments, “Working in a thrift store is therapy for those of us who work here, as well as for the people who shop with us. Haven Ministries is a wonderful mission to support and the shop is a place for people to give back to the community.”

L-R: Hope Warehouse volunteers Garrett Murray and Linda Kelm.

Haven Ministries’ newest resale business is Hope Warehouse which opened two and a half years ago in Queenstown. Hope Warehouse offers used appliances, furniture, tools, and building supplies for purchase at a lower cost.

“We have had a constant growth in donations and sales since we opened. Hope Warehouse appeals to people just starting their homes, people starting over, or people buying items to refinish and resell,” comments Susan Phillips, Hope Warehouse Manager.

The most popular items at Hope Warehouse are furniture, tools and small building supplies, as well as household items like mirrors, lamps, rugs, and appliances. Phillips adds, “It’s like your grandfather’s garage – a great place to find collectible tools. But we also have decorative items as well. During COVID, people are working on their homes and are changing things up. Many people are looking for project pieces and we have them. There is always something on sale every month which attracts shoppers as well.”

“We are a blessed society right now and have had nice things donated this year. Donors are encouraged to call for an appointment before dropping off items.”

Hope Warehouse is in need right now of able-bodied volunteers to help with lifting furniture, as well as volunteers to work at the register and to stage the items for sale.

Hope Warehouse, located at 6527 Friels Road in Queenstown (behind the Queenstown Outlets), is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are needed. For further information or to volunteer or donate, contact Susan Phillips at HopeWarehouse@Haven-Ministries.org or call 410-490-8498.

Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, located at 425 Thompson Creek Road in Stevensville (behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant), is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and donations are accepted every day until 3 p.m. People wishing to donate should call Liz Bazzell ahead at 410-353-0455 to make arrangements.

Both the Thrift Store and Hope Warehouse are complying with COVID-19 guidelines to provide a safe shopping experience for customers.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.

Talbot County Plants Trees to Improve Water Quality and Aesthetics

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Talbot County is participating in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources FY 21 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund’s water quality improvement projects. The County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) has been working with Tom Leigh, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, in his role as the County’s “stormwater circuit rider,” to identify potential site locations for the proposed tree/shrub/meadow plantings in Talbot County to be funded through the DNR Water Quality Improvement Grant.

“This project will ultimately contribute to the sediment and nutrient load reductions required as part of Talbot County’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP),” states Terry Martin, Environmental Engineer, Talbot County Department of Public Works.

Trees have been planted at the Talbot County Biosolids Facility located on Klondike Road to enhance a stream buffer on the property, and shrubs have been planted along the recently improved Goldsborough Neck Road, both in Easton. These shrubs will provide protection from soil erosion and will also provide habitat areas for wildlife.

Pictured left to right are Terry Martin, Environmental Engineer, Talbot County Department of Public Works, and Preston Peper, Talbot County Parks and Recreation Director, at the Cordova Community Park where a variety of trees and shrubs have been planted through a grant from the Department of Natural Resources FY 21 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.

Part of the grant-funded project also includes tree plantings at the Cordova Community Park. The Department of Public Works, along with Preston Peper, Talbot County Parks and Recreation Director, selected this site as a park that would benefit from tree and shrub plantings and help meet the draft Cordova Village master plan’s recommendation to enhance Cordova Community Park as a Village asset and to shape its future.

“While Cordova Community Park is large in acreage, there are very few trees in most of the park.  This grant has provided an amazing opportunity to plant quite a few trees in Cordova Park which will offer shade, nesting for birds, and improve overall aesthetics in the park,” comments Peper.

Tree species, planted mostly around the perimeter of the park near the walking path and parking areas, have included Red Maple, River Birch, Southern Magnolia, Pin Oak, and Willow Oak.  Native shrubs, including Winterberry, Bayberry, and Serviceberry, have also been planted.

“We are excited that this grant could create a greener Talbot County, which will ultimately help contribute to the water quality in the County as well,” notes Council Member Frank Divilio. “We are grateful to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the grant funding opportunity to complete this project.”