By Easton’s standards, a three-story building counts as a skyscraper, and that is what Building African-American Minds (BAAM) had in mind when it conceptualized its new academic center. But for Dina and Derick Daly, the organization’s founders, it was not because it came with an elevator but because it was the kind of facility needed to ensure that every child and their parents in Talbot County could reach the skies of financial security and career development.

While a good idea doesn’t always ensure a project’s success, when it comes from the Dalys and their team of board members and staff, it’s more than a sure bet.

That is the case for the $10 million academic center. Even while fundraising in the middle of COVID, facing astronomical cost increases due to the supply chain breakdown and high inflation, BAAM once again hit one out of the ballpark as it plans to open the Center’s doors in December with a number of celebrations scheduled to mark this historic moment for the Easton community.

Dina stopped by the Spy Studio the other day to talk about the Academic Center and all the remarkable uses the building will offer the community.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length. For more information about BAAM or how to support their work, please go here 

While some might cite the famous guests who stayed at a legendary hotel as a measure of its historic stature, the first criterion really should be the countless memories created over a long period of time.

That would be the case of the Tidewater Inn in Easton. It does indeed have an impressive list of famous visitors since it opened its doors in 1947, but those living on the Mid-Shore will more than likely remember memorable anniversaries, weddings, first dates, or the chef preparing one’s goose shot earlier that morning.

It seems that thousands from Chestertown to Cambridge have made a special trip for a special occasion at the Gold Room, Hunter’s Tavern, or walking down the grand staircase in the lobby,

That was one of the many takeaways from the Spy’s interview with two long-tenured Tidewater employees, Lauren Catterton, director of marketing, and Don Reedy, the hotel’s director of operations, last week. Lauren and Don talk about those special moments, the hotel’s remarkable arc over 75 years, and what the future holds.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about the Tidewater Inn please go here.  With special thanks to the Talbot Historical Society for their help with images. 

Raising $500 million for a new hospital would make any large urban institution think twice before launching a fundraising campaign so one can only imagine the long debates that UM Shore Regional Health’s CEO and his trustees and staff had as they stared at the most expensive capital project the region has even seen.

Building a new modern health center in 2024 dollars is an extraordinary effort, not only in assembling of funding and the state and federal level, but asking dozens of Mid-Shore residents for multi-million dollar commitments to cover the balance needed of approximately $50 million.

But that is exactly what UM Shore Regional Health is in the process of doing. And with the same careful design planning that was so critical in winning over Annapolis decisionmakers earlier this year in approving the project.

This is the second of a two-part series on the new hospital.  Last month, Ken discussed how he and his team finally won state approval after 15 years of advocacy. It can be viewed here.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For information about UM Regional Shore Health, please go here.

With so much going on with the Easton Town Council, from paper bag fees to Pride Day debates, it might be understandable that residents, even those paying close attention at meetings, might have lost track of all the other things the mayor and councilmembers are working on these days. Ward 2 councilman Don Abbatiello stopped by the Spy studio the other day to highlight those and the council’s ongoing efforts to reinforce civility and mutual respect when the country faces increased political polarization.

In our Spy chat, Don, a teacher by profession, talks about how he came to be involved in town government, how the Council is working together these days, Easton’s budget, affordable housing, the challenge of connecting the East of Route 50 community with downtown, and Port Street.

This video is approximately 12 minutes in length.