MENU

Sections

More

May 14, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Spy Highlights

Publisher’s Note: Introducing the ‘Maryland Caucus’ Podcast with Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell

by

Building on the success of our From & Fuller series with national political commentators Al From and Craig Fuller, the Spy is proud to launch an equally compelling new podcast: The Maryland Caucus.

This series brings together two of the most experienced and respected voices in Maryland public life—Len Foxwell and Clayton A. Mitchell, Sr. Their mission: to explore the evolving political terrain of Maryland, from the State House in Annapolis to the communities of the Eastern Shore.

Foxwell and Mitchell may come from different corners of the public square—one a strategist and public communicator, the other a jurist and administrative law expert—but they share a lifelong commitment to the mechanics and meaning of public service. Together, they offer something increasingly rare in American discourse: thoughtful, informed, and good-humored conversation grounded in facts, history, and lived experience.

Len Foxwell, founder of Tred Avon Strategies, is widely regarded as one of Maryland’s most influential political strategists. A veteran of nearly three decades in public life, he served as chief of staff to the Comptroller of Maryland from 2008 to 2020, where he was credited with helping build one of the nation’s most effective and forward-looking tax enforcement offices.

During that time, the Comptroller’s office recaptured more than $6 billion in unpaid taxes and won national praise for combating tax fraud and unethical financial practices. But Foxwell’s public impact wasn’t limited to budgetary stewardship. He also played a pivotal role in modernizing Maryland’s craft alcohol industry, working to ease outdated regulations and encourage growth for breweries, wineries, and distilleries across the state.

A writer and educator at heart, Foxwell also teaches professional writing and crisis communication at Johns Hopkins University. As one veteran journalist once wrote, “There are plenty of operatives who are talented and indispensable to their bosses. But only Foxwell has actually changed the trajectory of Maryland politics.”

Clayton A. Mitchell, Sr., brings an equally deep and distinguished record of public service. A native of the Eastern Shore, Mitchell served on the Maryland Department of Labor’s Board of Appeals for nearly 30 years, including four years as its Chairman. Appointed in 1994 by Governor William Donald Schaefer and reappointed by four successive governors from both parties, Mitchell presided over the state’s highest appellate authority for unemployment insurance disputes, helping shape how fairness and due process are applied to tens of thousands of Maryland workers.

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, Mitchell has also worked to expand legal access through education. He founded the Student Attorney Advocacy Program at his law school alma mater to ensure indigent claimants could receive representation in appeals proceedings. In addition to his public duties, he has maintained a part-time legal practice focused on administrative, land use, and environmental law.

Mitchell is equally respected for his civic leadership. He has served on the Selective Service Board and the Maryland Attorney General’s Environmental Advisory Council, authored legal reference works, and endowed a scholarship to help Maryland students pursue legal careers. As he said in a recent reflection, “Public service isn’t just about policy. It’s about people—about making sure the system works for everyone, especially those who don’t have a lobbyist or a lawyer.”

Together, Foxwell and Mitchell represent two sides of the same democratic coin—strategy and structure, politics and process, insight and institution. With the Maryland Caucus, they’ll shine a spotlight on the issues shaping Maryland today: education funding, judicial reform, land use, regional economics, environmental priorities, campaign strategy, and more.

Expect each episode to be as frank as it is thoughtful. Or as Foxwell recently quipped, “It may be called The Maryland Caucus, but we’re not handing out talking points.”

We hope you’ll tune in.

Stay tuned for the first weekly episode of The Maryland Caucus this Wednesday at 3 pm on all of our Spy platforms.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Publisher Notes: Spy Poetry and Deidra Greenleaf Allan

by

Since its inception, The Spy has proudly found room for poetry. With a publisher well-versed in the form as an undergraduate at Washington College, and a grandfather who published the Poetry Magazine back in the day, poetry and its singular gifts have been central to our mission and content since 2009.

Over those years, we’ve been privileged to share a unique partnership with the Delmarva Review, one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier literary journals, and its esteemed editor and publisher, Wilson Wyatt. Each week, we’ve had the honor of republishing some of the Review’s finest poetry, thoughtfully selected by Wilson. Through this collaboration, our readers have been consistently enriched by gifted writers whose work explores profound, accessible, and enduring themes of human experience.

It is with deep gratitude and sadness that we mark Wilson’s recent retirement. After 16 remarkable years, the Delmarva Review concluded its award-winning run with the release of The Best of the Delmarva Review last fall. This transition has made it essential for the Spy to continue our commitment to poetry, even without the guiding hand of the journal and its superb editorial team.

We are proud to announce that Deidra Greenleaf Allan will become the Spy‘s first poetry editor.

Deidra is an accomplished poet whose work has appeared in American Poetry Review, Poetry Miscellany, Puerto del Sol, West Branch, and Quartet Journal. In 2001, Robert Hass named her Montgomery County (PA) Poet Laureate. Since relocating to the Mid-Shore in 2022, she has become a dedicated advocate for the region’s poetry community.

Each week, Deidra will share poems that honor the Delmarva Review’s tradition of presenting accessible and resonant literary art, from voices here on the Eastern Shore to nationally recognized poets.

I am grateful to Deidra for taking on this role and thrilled that our readers will benefit from her discerning eye and finely tuned ear.

Dave Wheelan
Publisher

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

ESLC’s Steve Kline on Conservation Funding Cuts and Painful Loss of Local Land Control to the State

by

While it may be true that the land conservation movement has faced tough times before, particularly on the Eastern Shore, according to Steve Kline, the president of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, it’s hard to remember a more dire moment for preserving essential landscapes.  The combination of a significant drop in state funding for such critical programs like Maryland’s Open Space, coupled with Annapolis’s recent move to supersede local government control of solar farm permitting, will make it more difficult than ever before for organizations and individuals to preserve the Eastern Shore’s most important assets; its rich agricultural soil.

During our annual check-in with Steve, he discusses these real threats to land conservation and the sobering outlook for the Mid-Shore, highlighting the short-term challenges in the region’s ongoing battle to preserve its heritage.

This video is approximately 15 minutes in length. For more information about the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy or to make a donation, please visit their website here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Who’s Making Donations to Local Candidates? A Plan to Add Finance Reporting to Easton Elections

by

As Easton enters into the final weeks of its local election for Easton Council president as well as council seats for Ward 2 and 4, there has been considerable surprise in the community at the costs of some of these campaigns, such as lawn signs, billboards, and local ads in the Star-Democrat and other media. But more importantly, the question for Easton Mayor Megan Cook and Ward 3 Councilmember David Montgormey is, who are making these contributions?

The short answer is that no one knows. That’s because the Town of Easton has never had laws requiring donors’ disclosure and the size of their contributions.

Cook and Montgomery want to change this for future elections by co-sponsoring the requirement that candidates disclose that information.

The Spy asked Mayor Cook and Council Member Montgomery to stop by the Spy Studio to outline their plan to increase transparency in the town’s local elections.

This video is approximately four minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Spy Long Form: Judge John North and a Lifelong Love Affair with Bugatti

by

Judge John North, who has assembled one of a handful of internationally recognized car collections globally (think Jay Leno), admits to two major love affairs with automobiles. The first was the legendary American Duesenberg, which manufactured America’s top-performing cars from 1920 to 1938 out of Indiana. With the help of his father, he purchased his first one after graduating from Harvard Law School in the 1950s, which led to a lifetime of collecting these rare examples of American technology and craftsmanship.

The second affair started ten years later when Judge North became infatuated with the European-based Bugattis in the 1960s. Drawn to their delicate design and breathtaking technical innovations, North purchased his first one sight unseen in 1965 and now has four in his collection. Those models are now on view at the Academy Art Museum’s current exhibition, Bugatti: Reaching for Perfection, which allowed the Spy to talk to the judge about this lifelong passion for automobiles.

That passion is undoubtedly on display when North, at the ripe age of 93, begins to talk about what makes the Bugatti so unique. Consequently, the Spy has made our conversation a long form interview so readers and those who love cars can hear his rich stories of the Bugatti legacy and the family’s everlasting contributions to industrial design and art.

This video is approximately 18 minutes in length. For more information about the Academy Art Museum please go here.

Bugatti: Reaching for Perfection
Until Apr 13, 2025

Academy Art Museum
106 South Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
410.822.2787 or [email protected]

 

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

It’s Springtime at Oxford Community Center: A Chat with Liza Ledford

by

One of the best parts of early spring is that the Mid-Shore Arts performing centers start announcing their 2025 schedules. Filled with first-rate community theatre, world-class musicians, and accomplished writers, these hubs of culture, like the Garfield in Chestertown, the Avalon in Easton, and the DCA in Cambridge, go out of their way to bring the best and brightest to entertain and enrich their communities.

No one does it better than the Oxford Community Center. For decades, the OCC has played a critical role in that small town by bringing an extraordinary variety of performers, writers, artists, car enthusiasts, foodies, and, just as importantly, a safe public square to share and argue different points of view on local government.

Heading all of that for the past eight years has been its director, Liza Ledford. And every year, the Spy sits down with her to hear what’s cooking in Oxford. It won’t surprise anyone to know she and her board of directors have a look at what’s cookin’ over the next few months.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about the Oxford Community Center please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Arc’s Chesapeake Community Development Walking the Walk in Easton with Ross Benincasa

by

While the phase “on probation” is too strong in describing the first few years of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region’s entry into the Mid-Shore, the 5o year old Western Shore nonprofit knew from experience that the best way to develop a trusting relationship with Mid-Shore communities was to produce tangible results. And it’s pretty clear from hearing from Ross Benincasa, the Arc’s senior vice president of community development, with their Chesapeake Community Development subsidiary, that the Arc’s first projects in Easton have started to create that track record,

In our conversation with Ross, he discussed the organization’s transformative real estate initiative, starting with the ongoing renovation of The Primrose on Aurora Street and ending with the recently completed Port Street Commons on Port Street. This has enabled town leaders and residents to understand how committed the Arc team is to the communities they serve in building high-quality, inclusive housing.

Ross also discusses the Arc’s third project in Easton, Easton Crossings, which will introduce 123 residential units and public green space, reinforcing a long-term investment in community engagement.

This video is approximately minutes in length. For more information about the Arc, please go here. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

YMCA Profiles: Wendy Palmer on Working in Tandem on Dementia

by

Many families are impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s, a new program piloted at the YMCA, TANDEM, hopes to support the individuals with the diagnosis and the caregiver that is often struggling with stress, depression and anxiety.

Tandem is a loving community for individuals diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. The Tandem program includes gentle and safe exercise therapy, music therapy and art therapy, all of which bring joy, provide social interaction and improve quality of life for all. This 16- week pilot program was the first of its kind in our area and is offered at no charge to the family. Tandem meets twice a week and offers several sessions for the caregivers to connect for support and respite. We do it all with encouragement and love.

“I look forward to serving families impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s. As we know caregivers experience higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.  If we can support them through love, support and encouragement in Tandem, we can be a lifeline to families that are in survival mode.”

 The YMCA hopes to replicate this program in all of our communities. Please contact Wendy Palmer if you would like to hear more about becoming a TANDEM Coach, volunteer or if your family needs the support.  [email protected]

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about the YMCA of the Chesapeake, please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Mid-Shore Real Estate with Chuck Mangold: Looking at 2025

by

For many on the Mid-Shore, particularly in Talbot Couty, Chuck Mangold is the go-to guy to turn to when real estate comes up. For over two decades. Chuck at Benson and Mangold, the multi-generational real estate giant on the Shore, has seen the local market in good and bad times, enjoying the remarkable highs and surviving the low moments. So, when the Spy was thinking of an ongoing series devoted to one of the region’s most important economic sectors, Mr. Mangold was our first choice. And we are particularly grateful Chuck has agreed to participate.

In the first of our quarterly conversations, Chuck shares his insights on the local commercial real estate market, the multi-million dollar sector, and the industry’s general health. Chuck also discusses the challenges of determining a reasonable growth rate for Easton and other communities on the Mid-Shore.

This video is approximately 12 minutes in length. For more information about Chuck Mangold please go to his website here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

A new president and immigration policies changes: A chat with ChesMRC’s Matthew Peters

by

As the new Trump Administration begins to roll out its approach to border control and immigration policies, one group on the Mid-Shore is watching closely what those new initiatives might mean to the unique communities they serve is the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center based in Easton.

For over 12 years, the organization has been helping immigrants and multicultural communities on the Delmarva by providing legal assistance, education programs, job support, health services, language classes, and community integration resources.

Given that background, the Spy asked its director, Matthew Peters, to come by our Zoom studio for a conversation about what this might mean for the Mid-Shore’s increasingly diverse communities and share some of the organization’s highlights in 2024.

This video is approximately ten minutes in length. For more information about ChesMRC please go here .

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.