The organizing committee of Easton Airport Day is thrilled to announce The Oaks Waterfront Hotel as the title sponsor for this year’s event. After the unfortunate cancellation of the 2023 event due to weather, the highly anticipated 14th annual Easton Airport Day will now take place on October 12, 2024. This event promises to deliver an exciting day for the community to explore their local airfield and dive into the fascinating world of aviation.

Easton Airport Day will feature an impressive array of rare and unique aircraft, military jets, airport equipment, and special vehicles, all available for public viewing. Attendees can look forward to capturing memorable photos, stepping inside select aircraft, and engaging with the skilled pilots who fly them.

“We are honored to have The Oaks Waterfront Hotel as our title sponsor this year,” said Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher. “Their support allows us to present an amazing array of aircraft, host talented pilots, and showcase our fantastic community airport.”

Highlights of the day include formation flyovers by the Warbirds of Easton Airport Day, sponsored by Qlarant. These impressive aerial displays will decorate the skies over Easton. Additionally, the famous Rubber Chicken Drop Contest, sponsored by Bluepoint Hospitality, will entertain the crowd as pilots showcase their precision by aiming at a pickup truck bed from above.

“Being part of Easton Airport Day is a real joy for us,” The Oaks Waterfront Hotel owners Scott and Tracy Wagner said. “The Easton Airport is a valuable community asset, and the success of previous events, marked by incredible participation, thrilling flight displays, and enthusiastic attendees, has been memorable gatherings for all.”

Easton Airport Day is free to the public, with complimentary on-site parking. Attendants will assist visitors find parking, including those needing handicapped spaces near the terminal. As displays and activities are spread out, the public should be ready for extensive walking around the airport.

A full event schedule and site map will be available online in early October. To learn more about Easton Airport Day or explore participation opportunities, please visit the official website at www.eastonairportday.com. Stay updated on event news by following Easton Airport on Facebook and Instagram @EastonAirport.

About Easton Airport Day: Easton Airport Day operates under the auspices of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Contributions from generous donors and sponsors contribute to the event’s operational expenses, with remaining proceeds supporting the Aviation Career Education (ACE) programs. These programs afford students the chance to delve into aerospace career paths, offering vital resources and guidance in their vocational pursuits.

About The Oaks Waterfront Hotel: Located on a cove off the Chesapeake Bay, just an hour from Annapolis and minutes from St. Michaels, Easton, and Oxford, MD. The Oaks Waterfront Hotel offers spacious guest rooms and extraordinary waterfront event facilities. Locally owned and managed, The Oaks provides an exclusive retreat with the feeling of home. For more information, visit www.the-oaks.com or contact [email protected].

Delmarva Community Services Inc. (DCS) is a multi-service organization founded in 1974 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, and individuals living in poverty, as well as childcare and transportation services. In 2023, the organization assisted more than 6,000 residents and employed more than 250 people. DCS team members believe that all people should be treated with respect, and as advocates for their consumers, the organization assists all individuals toward self-sufficiency and independence.

“Delmarva Community Services has a rich history in providing much-needed services to residents in the region. Our goal moving forward is to continue to grow these services to meet the challenging times within which we live. There is a greater demand today for assistance in all of the areas of services we provide, unfortunately without a related increase in funding. Continuing to look for creative ways to partner with other organizations and find new revenue sources will continue to be the organization’s top priorities as we move forward,” comments Andy Hollis, new President/CEO of Delmarva Community Services.

Since its beginnings, the organization has grown from three employees and a $75,000 budget to almost 300 employees and a $19 million budget today. The organization started with a van and a station wagon to transport disabled individuals to the services they needed in the county. As DCS grew its services for the developmentally disabled, it expanded its day services to 10 residential group homes in Maryland and six residential group homes in Delaware. Over time, the organization added Respite Care for families, Medical Assistance Transportation, local senior centers and senior meal services, and a Community Action Agency serving individuals living in poverty. The organization later acquired an elementary school in Hurlock with 20,000 square feet of space and consolidated its services including a vocational center.

Although DCS has two main sites in Cambridge and Hurlock, its programs extend well beyond Dorchester County’s borders. DCS also oversees Delmarva Community Transit (DCT) which operates 100 vehicles that provide transportation to the general public, as well as the disabled across the Delmarva Peninsula. DCT buses serve Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Wicomico counties connecting with Shore Transit and Queen Anne Rides. The organization recently rebranded its buses for better visibility for patrons and community members.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Intergenerational Center in Cambridge, which opened in April 2022, provides services for seniors, children, veterans, persons living in poverty, the medically frail, and individuals with disabilities. This 42,000-square-foot center is located on a 30-acre property adjacent to DCS headquarters at 108 Chesapeake Street in Cambridge and provides space for activities, education, recreation, dining, and for the community to gather. The space consolidates programming for seniors and job placement and vocational services for people with disabilities, as well as a children’s daycare. The building’s community space includes a central dining area with a fireplace and large windows overlooking the woods, as well as a playground and fitness course. The space was designed to foster formal and casual interactions between people. The dining room and catering kitchen, sunroom, and meeting rooms are all available for the general public to rent for a fee for meetings, gatherings, and events. Because of the large size of the property itself, it will also provide for future development opportunities.

“We are thrilled with our new leadership team and the exciting plans they have for the organization. We are an underutilized facility in Dorchester County and making our services known to more people will help to continue to improve the quality of life for residents in the region,” comments Don Satterfield, Chairman of the Board of Directors for DCS.

For further information about renting space in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Intergenerational Center, contact Brenda Cornish at [email protected]. For more information about services or to donate, contact Hennie Hayden at 410-221-1900, extension 105, or visit https://www.dcsdct.org/. For transportation information, call dispatch at 410-221-1910 for Dorchester County, 410-822-4155 for Talbot County, 410-479-4974 for Caroline County, and 410-778-5187 for Kent County.

At DCS, the staff believes all people should be treated with respect. The services they provide should always embrace the highest integrity and quality. As advocates for their consumers, they assist all individuals towards self-sufficiency and independence.

The Tilghman Area Youth Association (TAYA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) Gonzales as its new Executive Director. Liz brings a wealth of experience in education, research, and program evaluation, making her an ideal leader to further TAYA’s mission of enriching the lives of Tilghman area youth.

Founded in 2011, TAYA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through afterschool programs, scholarships, and community events that foster personal growth and community engagement.

Liz Baldwin’s background includes a Master’s degree in Research, Measurement, and Evaluation from the University of Miami. Her passion for educational opportunities and experiential learning is demonstrated through her homeschooling of her children, where she engaged them in prestigious programs such as DUKE TIP, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Stanford University Online High School, and the Center for Talent Development.

With extensive experience in HIV/AIDS research within large NIH-funded studies, Liz has honed her skills in program evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis to assess program effectiveness and outcomes. Her most recent role as a quality assurance representative at Eurofins involved auditing environmental toxicology projects.

In her personal life, Liz finds joy in spending time with her family and is actively involved in the lives of her three children.

For more information about TAYA and its programs, please visit tayayouth.org and https://www.facebook.com/p/Tilghman-Area-Youth-Association-100064533616596/.