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June 21, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Arts Arts Portal Lead Arts Arts Top Story

Chesapeake Music Festival Notes by James N. Carder

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Chesapeake Music recently concluded its 36th annual Chamber Music Festival. Held in its new permanent home, the recently-renovated Ebenezer Theater in Easton, Maryland, the six concerts were directed by cellist Marcy Rosen and violinist Catherine Cho and featured repertory that ranged from Haydn and Mozart to Still and Bolcom. Musicians and audience members alike were thrilled by the return of in-house concerts, which were also streamed. As Executive Director Donald Buxton remarked, “The interconnection between the musicians and the audience was palpable. The musicians couldn’t wait to perform for our loyal audience, and when they did, the energy level was really something!”

Cellist Marcy Rosen

The “Opening Extravaganza” kicked off the Festival with Mozart’s often neglected G-major piano trio. Rosen and Cho were joined by pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, and together they quickly established a quick-witted, quasi-operatic instrumental dialogue. After an emotional performance of Webern’s Langsamer Satz, performed by Peggy Pearson, Catherine Cho, Francesca dePasquale, Molly Carr, and Peter Stumpf, the concert concluded brilliantly with Dvořák’s 2nd piano quartet in E-flat major with dynamic pianist Diane Walsh joining dePasquale, Carr, and Stumpf. This complex and demanding work received a sensitive and compelling performance, filled with heartfelt lyrical phrasing, toughing simplicity, and a beautiful opening to the slow movement from cellist Peter Stumpf.

The second concert was considerably more intimate in nature, consisting of compositions for two instruments and featuring under-represented composers and works that are just now beginning to gain in popularity on the concert stage. Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ 3rd sonata in A major for two violins brought back dePasquale and Cho, who performed with lyrical expressiveness in the slow movement and with a bright energy in the outer movements. Walsh and Cho performed William Grant Still’s ‘’Mother and Child’’ from his 1943 suite for violin and piano, beautifully emphasizing the lullaby-like nature of this piece. This was followed by William Bolcom’s Graceful Ghost Rag, performed by oboist Peggy Pearson and pianist Jokubaviciute, and Amy Beach’s Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23, again with Walsh and Cho. The concert concluded with Jokubaviciute and Walsh playing two of Schumann’s compositions for piano, four hands, on Chesapeake Music’s newly refurbished Steinway concert grand. The cool logic of the staggered voices of his Six Studies in Canon Form had a mesmerizing beauty in this performance. The concert concluded with Schumann’s poetic Bilder aus Osten, with the performance again full of imaginative touches.

Violinist Catherine Cho

The third concert offered a bravura closure to the first Festival week with Haydn’s Trio No. 30 in F Major for oboe, cello, and piano (Pearson, Rosen, and Walsh), Beethoven’s String Trio in C minor (dePasquale, Carr, and Stumpf), and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, (Jokubaviciute, dePasquale, Carr, and Rosen). In all three, there was a close and subtle rapport among the players, and the performances were inventive, spontaneous, and expressive. Both the Beethoven and the Schumann brought the audience to their feet, and the poignant, singing quality of the Schumann andante cantabile movement was admirably brought out by the highly articulate playing.

Clarinetist Lawrie Bloom joined in for the fourth concert, performing Brahms’ revered late B-minor clarinet quintet with Cho, Rosen, and brothers Todd and Daniel Phillips, two members of the prestigious Orion String Quartet. The ensemble’s moderate pacing of the score and especially the intimately friendly tone of the clarinet embraced the ample warmth and sweet sorrow of Brahms’ melodies down to the sobering final chord. The entire Orion Quartet (including Steven Tenenbom and Timothy Eddy) then made their Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival debut with Beethoven’s 3rd Razumovsky string quartet (Op. 59). The Quartet played together superbly, creating interwoven sonic textures while establishing a real sense of dialogue.

The fifth concert brought the concert grand piano back into the spotlight. Mozart’s 5th piano trio in C major began the program (Walsh, Cho, and Eddy). The performers opened confidently with the strings playing assertive octaves and Walsh’s piano offering touchingly delicate responses. Flutist Tara Helen O’Connor next joined Daniel Phillips and Tenenbom in Beethoven’s delightful serenade in D major (Op. 25). Though the movements are generally airy and light, the ensemble’s playing quickly created sophisticated “conversations” between flute and strings while maintaining a perfect sound homogeneity among the “protagonists.” To conclude the program, Diane Walsh (primo) and Robert McDonald (secondo) performed Schubert’s Fantasia for Piano, Four Hands in F minor (Op. 103, D. 940). In this work of almost symphonic form, the two pianists played together so superbly that their interpretations were almost inseparable into individual elements. From the beginning, they brilliantly created the elegiac atmosphere, so necessary to the piece, which sets the tone for the entire work. 

The Festival’s finale opened with Beethoven’s Clarinet Trio in B-flat Major. Walsh, Bloom, and Rosen gave a sparkling performance, especially in the kaleidoscopic variations of the “Gassenhauer” third movement. Notable was Rosen’s expressive playing of the principal theme in the Adagio on her exceptionally beautiful 1720 Tecchler cello. Following this was Prokofiev’s Sonata in D Major for Flute and Piano performed by O’Connor and Walsh. They expertly executed Prokofiev’s bold harmonic innovations and unusual tone palette, and they brilliantly swept through the movements with incredible power and feeling but also with fluid agility and a seeming insouciant playfulness. The concert and the Festival concluded with Brahms’ monumental piano quintet in F minor. The Orion String Quartet was back for this performance joined by Robert McDonald. Their performance boldly established a solid structure for Brahms’ multiple melodic lines and juxtapositions of thematic fragments, which created a dense interplay of counterpoint. The assertiveness of their playing generated a real sense of occasion in the hall, clearly announcing through the Brahms score that something important was happening – a fitting conclusion to an impressive Chamber Music Festival.

 

The Woman’s Club of St. Michaels Announces Scholarship Awards

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The Woman’s Club of St. Michaels recently presented scholarship awards to two graduates of St. Michaels High School, Logan Devaric and Madelyn LaBelle.  

Logan Devaric

Logan will be attending the University of Delaware and majoring in Education. She has always wanted to be a teacher and having completed the teaching academy at St. Michaels High School, which included a fifth-grade internship, proved to her that teaching was the right choice for her. In addition to her strong academic performance, she was looked up to as a prominent leader in the theatre and holds the honor of being the only student ever considered to direct a theatrical and musical performance. She earned the theatre department’s unofficial slogan, “In Logan We Trust”!

Madelyn will be attending the University of Maryland and majoring in Political Science. When only six years old and asked what she wanted to be when she grew up she went straight for the top and said, “President”!  She has taken many Advanced Placement classes as well as Dual Enrollment classes at Chesapeake College to get a jump start on her college courses. As one teacher said, “Madelyn is one of the most exceptional students I have had the honor to know in my 23 years of teaching! Being the ambitious and passionate young woman that she is, that six-year-old girl still inside of her may just be on to something!

Madelyn LaBelle

Through the Scholarship Committee’s Zoom interviews with the St Michaels students, we learned what a challenge the senior year was for them. Clearly, the ability to stay focused on their goals and strength to overcome the obstacles of covid shined through for our two recipients. The Woman’s Club is excited to follow their futures and are proud to help contribute to the cost covering today’s huge tuition expense.

Through its annual scholarship to a St. Michaels High School senior, the Woman’s Club of St. Michaels has been dedicated to helping young people who have demonstrated academic excellence and service to the community, achieve their promise and potential. This scholarship award of $6,000 is the major philanthropic outreach of the club and this year is divided among these two outstanding young women.

The first scholarship award was granted in 1977. The scholarship may be given to an applicant planning to attend a two-year or four- year college or a vocational or technology school. In forty years, the Woman’s Club of St. Michaels has awarded over $200,000.00 to deserving St Michaels High School students.

Due to the circumstances of the Coronavirus, this year’s recipients were visited at their homes by the Scholarship Committee rather than being presented at the Woman’s Club annual end of year luncheon. The Scholarship Committee chair, Carolyn Wasdyke said, “As always, it is difficult to determine who is most worthy of our $6,000 scholarship, for many of the applicants are impressive young men and women who meet our stringent criteria.  The Woman’s Club of St. Michaels wishes to congratulate the entire St. Michaels High School senior class of 2021 who have graduated under this year’s unprecedented circumstances.”

Adventures on the High Seas: A Travel Journal by Former Local Joyce Giguere

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A recently published book about adventures on the high seas was written by a former Easton resident, Joyce Giguere.

The book, “Adventures on the High Seas: A Travel Journal with Unexpected Encounters,” describes an amazing journey she shared with her pastor husband, Jack, on Holland America’s world cruise.

The Gigueres, now Pittsburgh area residents, lived in Easton from 1999 to 2019.

Joyce is a retired registered clinical dietitian and was on the transplant team at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit. Rev. Jack is a retired pastor, having served in several Methodist pastoral and church positions in Michigan before moving to Easton. While here he was teaching pastor in residence at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

Joyce’s writing career began with her on-board journals of their cruise travels, which she emailed back to friends at St. Mark’s and in Easton as well as family members. The journals were so captivating and well written that it was suggested they be published.

The Gigueres’ cruising adventure started in 2008 when she and Jack embarked upon an unusual “call” to the mission field. They had always thoroughly enjoyed cruise travel with opportunities to engage others. So while she recovered from a
recent surgery, they took a cruise through the Panama Canal. When Sunday approached and unable to attend the on-board service, she suggested that Jack go alone. Upon returning, he said, “I would like to become a cruise chaplain.”

Always ready for an adventure, and Jack now a chaplain on board, they found themselves on an amazing journey with Holland America’s Grand World Cruise.

So for the next five years, each January they embarked on a four-month circumnavigation of the globe aboard a spacious ocean liner, stopping at
intriguing ports of call where they met fascinating people and experienced incredible sights.

Summer’s Here – Is It Safe To Swim In Eastern Shore Rivers? By Annie Richards

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“Is it safe to swim in the river?” is one of the most common questions ShoreRivers hears from community members. Fecal bacteria and toxic algae in waterways pose threats to both water quality and public health. People and pets who come in contact with bacteria- or toxin-laden water can contract eye, ear, and respiratory diseases; skin rashes; gastrointestinal issues; or brain or liver damage. To assess the health of our rivers and potential risks to human health, ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers, with help from a dedicated team of volunteers, regularly monitor bacteria pollution at 34 sites throughout the middle and upper Eastern Shore.

The SwimmableShoreRivers program tests all the rivers in the ShoreRivers region for bacteria, primarily at public access locations, as well as at some marinas, yacht clubs, and town fishing piers. ShoreRivers conducts tests on a weekly basis from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and results are posted each Friday. Community members are encouraged to view the results at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following the ShoreRivers and Riverkeeper pages on Facebook and Instagram. The program follows Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming.

ShoreRivers relies on dedicated volunteers to support their water quality testing programs. These “SwimTesters” are assigned sites and, after completing a training session, collect and deliver water samples to the ShoreRivers offices in Galena, Chestertown, and Easton. Additionally, ShoreRivers is grateful to its test site sponsors: Sailwinds Park Inc., On-site Septic Services, Caroline County Recreation and Parks, Chesapeake Designs, City of Cambridge, Town of Oxford, Corsica River Yacht Club, Kentmore Park Community, the McGunigle family, the Ruhl/Carski family, and Noa Stein, for her Bat Mitzvah project. At $600 per site, per season, contact your local Riverkeeper to learn more about sites in need of a sponsor.

The results from ShoreRivers’ monitoring in 2020 show that bacterial and algal conditions vary based on location, weather, and other factors, making systematic, scientific analysis vital. The good news is the majority of the bacteria monitoring sites passed more than 60% of the time. A few sites, however, passed less than 60% of the time, failing to meet EPA’s threshold for safe water contact. Specifically, these sites are located at Hambrooks Bay Beach, Crouse Park, Denton, Broad Cove Claiborne, and Morgan Creek Landing.

Now that the program has baseline data showing which sites frequently have elevated levels of bacteria, ShoreRivers will focus on the next most frequently asked question from the public: “Where does bacteria pollution come from at each site?” ShoreRivers is exploring partnerships and innovative technologies to help identify specific sources of bacteria pollution at specific testing locations.

“Once we know where the bacteria is coming from—whether it’s leaking sewer lines, failing septic systems, over-application of fertilizer, or people not picking up after their pets—we can start implementing real solutions,” says Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta. “Monitoring techniques such as eDNA sampling and bacteria source tracking are improving and becoming more reliable. It’s another tool in our Riverkeeper toolbelt to help improve water quality conditions so Eastern Shore waterways are always safe and swimmable.”

The SwimmableShoreRivers program also works with government health agencies at local and state levels to monitor toxic algal blooms and inform the public of serious potential health risks to humans and pets. Algal blooms occur naturally, but increased levels of nutrient pollution in our waterways from fertilizers, septic systems, and wastewater plants fuel larger, more toxic, and longer-lasting blooms.

In our region, toxic blooms occur most frequently on the Sassafras River, due to its lower salinity levels. Last summer, a toxic algal bloom on the Sassafras lasted for almost three months. This was the largest, longest lasting, and most toxic bloom ever recorded on the river, causing the Maryland Department of the Environment to issue a water contact advisory for the whole river.

Already in 2021, small blooms have been identified in tributaries of the Sassafras. Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher has responded to and tested these blooms with the help of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, and will continue to monitor the water weekly as the summer progresses. For more info on Sassafras algal blooms this summer, contact zkelleher@shorerivers.org.

Annie Richards is the Chester Riverkeeper for ShoreRivers

Wow: Oxford’s Robert Morris Inn Hits the Market

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Tucked away at the confluence of the Choptank and Tred Avon Rivers in Talbot County, the historic hamlet of Oxford, Maryland has long attracted visitors hoping to take a step back to simpler times by strolling the waterways or grabbing a bite along Morris Street. Long known as a haven for Washington, DC transplants and retirees, the rejuvenation of the town’s dining scene has brought families and young couples to Oxford, whether they are sampling the new flavors at Scottish-Highland Creamery, listening to music at one of the waterfront eateries, or enjoying a romantic weekend at the Robert Morris Inn, the oldest inn in America.

Officially founded in 1683, Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland and served as the only port of entry to the Eastern Shore. This designation led to steady growth and prosperity through the American Revolution, enjoying early prominence as a shipping center surrounded by tobacco plantations. While the tobacco industry waned, other trades filled in the gaps in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the oyster market, fisheries, and the connected canneries. Still a water-driven town, Oxford is enjoying a steady resurgence in the 21st century based on tourism and leisure activities, while the town itself is anchored by the forethought and investment provided centuries before, none more important than that made by Robert Morris.

The Robert Morris Inn, sitting at the corner of Morris Street and Strand and adjacent to the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, is an example of the history captured in Oxford’s downtown facades—and a prospective model for the evolution of the town in the near term. Built circa 1710, the oldest portion of the Robert Morris Inn served as the residence of Robert Morris, father to Robert Morris, Jr., known as the financier of the American Revolution, and a prominent merchant himself. The property has retained much of its original character, while the expansions over the years are indicative of the time periods in which they were added. An Elizabethan staircase leads to the guest rooms; handmade nails and 14-inch beams hold up white oak flooring upstairs, while patrons walk on Vermont slate in the Inn’s dining room.

The historic attributes of the Robert Morris Inn have served the proprietors well over the years, as the property nears two centuries of overnight accommodations. Year-over-year, the Inn has seen new and returning visitors endear themselves to the property and the historic, quaint nature of the town. The hospitality offerings and interest only grew when current owners Ian Fleming and Mark Salter took over 11 years ago, bringing fine dining and inventive cuisine to Morris Street and expanding the Inn’s offerings. Billed as the oldest inn in America, the notable property has recently been placed on the market for sale, a once-in-a-generation opportunity in a market driven by natural beauty and character.

“My passion is converting boutique, genteel inns and hotels into thriving active and exciting businesses,” Fleming said. “Over the past eleven years we have achieved this. The hospitality business is so tactile—I really enjoy the opportunity to interact with our team and customers every day.”

Both Mark and Ian were introduced to the charm and unique lifestyle of the Eastern Shore through their respective years managing and developing their now famous neighbor, The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels. After 17 years guiding the food and beverage team of The Inn at Perry Cabin, Mark desired an opportunity to work for himself. Concurrently, Ian had built up his own company of hospitality businesses and was eager to return to the Eastern Shore. In May of 2010 Mark and Ian came together and took over the closed Robert Morris Inn, immediately focused on cementing its reputation as the most unique restaurant with rooms on the Eastern Shore.

Over the past decade, the improvements to the Inn have been both structural and experiential. Focused on delivering an exceptional experience to all diners and overnight guests, Mark and Ian have revitalized the indoor and outdoor spaces, developing one of the premier locations on the Eastern Shore. The addition of wine dinners, cooking demonstrations, and a robust calendar of events has only grown the Inn’s darling dining reputation.

“I have loved every moment of the past eleven years, driving to the Inn each day through stunning Talbot County countryside,” Salter said. “Working daily with my team for our loyal customers has been a great joy, as has the relationships I have built with many local watermen and farmers.”

However, after 11 years both Mark and Ian feel it is the right time to pass the Inn on to someone that can expand its assets while protecting the property’s charm and history. As the Town of Oxford continues its own business and tourism revitalization, the time is ripe for redevelopment of the Robert Morris property. The right visionary is well-situated to take advantage of growing interest in Talbot County and the opportunities that the currently underutilized water views offer. Thus, an historically sensitive reimagining of the Morris and Strand corner, with possibilities including residential, short-term accommodations, dining, or a hybrid model, make this one of the most unique hospitality offerings in the country, let alone in the Mid-Atlantic.

“The Robert Morris Inn is an iconic fixture in Oxford,” Ross Benincasa of SVN | Miller said. “The property has been influential to our community for generations, and we are excited to match the Inn with the right visionary to continue its relevance for generations to come.”

While the property is marketed for sale, Mark and Ian will continue to operate the full-service inn, restaurant and tap house, and look forward to welcoming returning and first-time visitors to their slice of paradise in Oxford.

St. Michaels Fireworks Fund Begins Campaign for this Year’s Celebration

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The St. Michaels Fireworks Fund is asking locals and visitors for donations to help keep the Independence Day Fireworks display alive in St. Michaels, which will be held on July 3rd this year.

Having been rescued from certain demise last year by the Miles River Yacht Club, the fireworks fund has had several incarnations throughout the years and has recently been reformed with a completely new board of trustees. This new leadership hopes to re-engage the public’s support for the fireworks, which is 100% funded through donations from generous residents, businesses, and visitors. The fireworks are an integral part of the Town of St. Michaels Independence Day Celebration, and it would be a crushing blow to the community if the fireworks fizzled out this year due to a lack of contributions.

The St. Michaels Fireworks Fund is a 501c3 Charitable Organization, which means that all donations are tax-deductible. Please donate online at stmichaelsfireworks.org or send a check to St. Michaels Firework Fund, PO Box 247, St. Michaels, MD 21663.

Local Band Ampersand Starts New Gig Season

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Easton-based folk and traditional string band, Ampersand, starts their gig season at the Blue Crab Coffeehouse in St. Michaels, Maryland, Saturday, June 12 from 12-2pm. The next day, Ampersand will present a program as part of Preston’s Concert in the Park series, at the James T. Wright Memorial Park, 105 Backlanding Road, Preston, Sunday, June 13 from 4 to 6pm.

Ampersand brings guitars, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, and four-part harmony to a wide range of songs and tunes from colonial America to the blues of the 1920s and 30s, on up to modern folk music. This group shares a love of history through their music, and are happy when audience members singalong or come up afterwards to try out one of the instruments. Both concerts are a great opportunity to hear some live music outdoors, sample great food (Blue Crab kitchen and food trucks at Preston), and kick off summertime! For more information, please go to Ampersand’s website.

Van Hollen to Join Move the Monument Coalition, NAACP in Virtual Town Hall

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Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen will be appearing at a virtual town hall 7 p.m.-8 p.m., June 14, cosponsored by the Move the Monument Coalition and the Talbot County NAACP in support of moving the Confederate monument from Talbot’s courthouse lawn.

The town hall will come five days before a planned march and rally on Saturday, June 19, in Easton calling for the County Council to vote to remove the statue, erected in 1916 in the Jim Crow era. 

It also comes weeks after the NAACP and ACLU among others filed a federal lawsuit against the county charging that the presence of the monument on the courthouse lawn is both unconstitutional and illegal. 

Van Hollen’s presence at the town hall affirms his support of the coalition’s efforts to move the Confederate statue, the last remaining on nonfederal public property in Maryland.

Denice Lombard, a leader in the Move the Monument Coalition, said the senator’s presence at the town hall will send a powerful message before the June 19 march and rally. 

 “Senator Van Hollen brings a national and state perspective in support of our efforts.  We speak for much of Talbot County and the rest of the state in saying it’s past time to remove the last Confederate monument from non federal public land.  Let’s bring Talbot County into a new day ‘with liberty and justice for all.’”

Richard Potter, head of the Talbot chapter of the NAACP and an individual plaintiff in the lawsuit, agreed. “We appreciate the senator’s ongoing support in our efforts to see justice done for all Talbot County’s residents,” he said. “The time is now to get rid of this racist symbol.” 

To register for this event, go here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For more information on the march and rally and on the lawsuit,  visit our Facebook page at Move the Confederate Talbot Boys Monument and our website, movethemonumenttc.org

For more information, contact: movethemonumentTC@gmail.com

Talbot County’s First Responders Honored

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Four hundred and forty-six women and men serving the Emergency Services Department, Volunteer Fire Departments, Police Departments, Sheriff’s Office, and the State Police, Easton Barracks will receive a well-deserved “thank you” for the services they provide. Through the generosity of Paul and Joanne Prager, Bluepoint Hospitality Group will give Talbot County First Responders a $100 gift card to spend at any business in downtown Easton registered with the Downtown Gift card program through Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). 

The cards, which will be redeemable between 6/14 – 6/27/21, will also benefit the merchants from the downtown area, who were impacted by the closures during the pandemic last year.  Says Mark Greene, owner of Sailor Women’s Clothing Store in Easton: “Bluepoint Hospitality’s recognition of our local first responders with a Downtown Easton gift card will have a cyclical effect within our community.  This gift will infuse much-needed economic recovery into our Downtown merchants & restaurants.  These businesses also support our community by sponsoring local civic events, non-profits, schools, and the like.  This impactful program is a win-win for everyone involved.”

The Downtown Gift Card program was introduced last year by EEDC as a way to bring business to the downtown area. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, vs.14% of the national chains’ revenue. More dramatically, restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community versus 30% for national chains. 

EEDC’s Director, Tracy Ward, said: “We were proud to be able to assist in this generous gift to our first responders by providing the technology platform that has enabled over 50 of our Main Street businesses to participate in the program.  Through acts like this, we bring our “buy local” intentions to life, and the community wins.

The cards were distributed to the First Responders by the respective department heads from Easton, St. Michaels, Tilghman Island, Cordova, Trappe, and Oxford.

Allie McGuckian, Bluepoint Hospitality’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, says, “Ultimately, we would like to see this program become an annual tradition in recognition of our emergency response teams.  The more businesses that participate, the better!”

Congressman Harris Announces Military Service Academy June 15 Virtual Webinar

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Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., announced his annual military service academy information event for high school students interested in pursuing a Congressional nomination to attend one of the nation’s military service academies. The virtual forum will be held on Tuesday, June 15th at 5:30PM, and will run approximately 90 minutes. Congressman Harris will kick off the meeting, followed by a very informative briefing by experts in the selection process and a first-hand look at academy life through the eyes of recent graduates. It will conclude with a question and answer session for students and parents.

Additionally, a member of the University of Maryland ROTC detachment will be on hand to answer questions specific to ROTC scholarships. Interested students must RSVP for the June 15 virtual event with their name, address, phone number, and reliable email address to MD01Academy@mail.house.gov. Individuals who have RSVP’d will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the virtual meeting on Friday June 11th in the afternoon. Additional questions can be addressed to Congressman Harris’s office at MD01Academy@mail.house.gov.

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

“I look forward to again hosting this panel discussion to inform my young constituents about life at the academies and the process for interviewing and selecting candidates. Every year this forum is well attended, and I’m consistently encouraged by the level of interest by our young people who wish to serve in our nation’s armed services.”