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January 27, 2022

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Commerce Commerce Notes

John Murray Selected as New Qlarant Board Chair

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Mr. John H. Murray, Esq., Board Chair, Qlarant, Inc.

On January 1, 2022, Qlarant announced the selection of John H. Murray, Esq., as the organization’s Board Chair.

Since 2013, Mr. Murray has served as a board member for Qlarant, a national leader in quality improvement, program integrity, and technology solutions. With headquarters in Easton, Maryland, the company has offices and home-based associates across the country.

For the past six years, Mr. Murray has served as the board’s Vice Chair alongside now-retired Chair Dr. Catherine Smoot-Haselnus. “Catherine has provided Qlarant with excellent board leadership for a long time,” he said. “Under her guidance, the company has established a strong governance culture and recruited accomplished and diverse new directors.”

In coordination with Qlarant CEO Dr. Ron Forsythe, Mr. Murray and Dr. Smoot-Haselnus have led the board in recent years in restructuring the organization, fostering improved communications and efficiency within and among the Qlarant boards, and emphasizing teamwork within and between Qlarant entities.

“We are excited to see where John leads our board,” said Dr. Forsythe. “He has established his leadership and expertise as the Vice Chair and is clearly committed to Qlarant’s success.”

In addition to Dr. Smoot-Haselnus, long-serving directors Dr. Melvin Gerald and Dr. Maggi Gallaher are also retiring from the board. Praising their “profound contributions to Qlarant over the years,” Mr. Murray said he looks forward to working with the current board in leading Qlarant.

“I am impressed with the highly skilled associates and dedicated leadership team,” he said of the company’s workforce. “They are laser-focused on quality improvement and technology solutions, including sophisticated systems and methods for identifying customer risks and vulnerabilities.”

Mr. Murray is equally motivated by Qlarant’s charitable mission, carried out through the Qlarant Foundation, which provides grants to programs improving health, especially among underserved populations, throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia.

“I will work to continue and strengthen Qlarant’s good governance and board stewardship,” said Mr. Murray, “and maintain our already healthy financial condition.” He intends to continue and grow existing lines of business, while innovating and pursuing new opportunities. “This includes new lines of business related to existing strengths and capabilities,” he said. “We will take calculated risks and help Qlarant remain a winning organization.”

Mr. Murray is currently Counsel with the law offices of Miles & Stockbridge in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. He has been a lawyer with M & S since 1982; a Director between 1989 and 2014; and President and Chief Operating Officer from 2001-2014.

Graduating from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1974 with a BA, Mr. Murray earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1977. He has been engaged in broad civil law practice in Maryland since 1982, focusing on land use, employment, and health care law, among other areas.

In addition to representing hospitals for 15 years, gaining a broad exposure to many aspects of health care, including reimbursement, Mr. Murray has served as a volunteer director and officer for many community groups, including business, economic development, and environmental organizations.

About Qlarant: Qlarant is a not-for-profit, nationally respected leader in fighting fraud, waste, and abuse—improving program quality, and optimizing performance. The company uses subject matter experts and innovative data science and technology to help organizations see risks, solve problems, and seize opportunities. Solutions are customized for state and federal agencies as well as commercial industries across the nation. The Qlarant Foundation— the mission arm of the organization—provides grants to services provided in underserved communities. Qlarant employs nearly 500 people and has a 45-year record of accomplishment improving the performance of some of the Nation’s most important programs. Qlarant is a licensed AgileCxO Transformation Partner.

If you would like more information, please contact Pat Boos at 410.819.3553/ boosp@qlarant.com or visit the website www.qlarant.com

February at the Mainstay

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The Mainstay, the Eastern Shore’s 25-year-old nonprofit live music venue located in Rock Hall, Maryland, is ready to usher in its 2022 performance season. Their diverse calendar of jazz, bluegrass, folk music, Celtic, blues, and classical music promises to feature a concert event every weekend throughout the year. Here are the events planned for February:

Friday, 2/4 @ 8 p.m. – The premiere of the Mainstay’s new monthly series “First Friday with pianist Joe Holt”, each month featuring a collaboration with a different guest artist (from a variety of artistic/ musical genres). February’s show is “In Love with Swing” with Cody Leavel (The Glenn Miller Orchestra) on sax and Amy Shook (3 Divas Jazz Trio) on the upright bass and vocals.

Wednesday, 2/9 @ 7 p.m. – The Mainstay introduces its new monthly Open Mic event (held on the second Wednesday of every month). Open to all musicians, poets, comics, and the general public. No admission.

Saturday, 2/12 @ 8 p.m.

Ken & Brad Kolodner and their band perform Old-Time, Bluegrass and Americana on the hammered dulcimer, clawhammer banjo, bass, fiddle, and guitar, with seamless 3-part harmonies.

Saturday, 2/19, 2022 @ 8 p.m.

Jazz vibes player Chuck Redd leads a Tribute to the Bossa Nova and 

the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, featuring Brazilian singer Maucha Adnet.

Saturday, 2/26, 2022 @ 8 p.m.

A night of Americana and vintage blues with Annie and the Hedonists.

Annie’s voice sits comfortably along the greats of the American blues and

jazz tradition – think Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace, Billie Holiday. 

For tickets and information visit mainstayrockhall.org Or call (410) 639-9133 The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main St in Rock Hall, MD 21661

NRCS in Maryland Accepting Applications from Producers, Landowners for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners in STATE for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps producers enroll wetlands, grasslands and farmlands into conservation easements.

While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts ACEP applications year-round, Maryland producers and landowners should apply by Feb. 18, 2022, to be considered for funding in the current cycle. Applications received after the ranking date will automatically be considered during the next funding cycle. Funding is provided through a competitive process.

State Technical Committees, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, work with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them. NRCS then sets state-specific ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding that account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential participants have ample opportunities to apply.

ACEP enrollment options include:

ACEP-Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE): Helps restore, protect and enhance wetlands on eligible land. Wetland reserve easements are either perpetual, 30-years, or maximum duration under state law, or 30-year contracts (for Indian Tribes).

ACEP-Agricultural Land Easements (ALE):  Protects farmlands and grasslands by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land. Agricultural Land Easements are either perpetual or the maximum duration allowed under State law.

“Conservation easements help farmers protect valuable agricultural lands from development or protect and restore previously drained wetlands to their natural conditions,” NRCS Maryland easement program manager M. Tiffany Davis said. “These easements are improving wildlife habitat and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”

To learn more or apply, please visit your local NRCS Maryland field office, or contact Davis at tiffany.davis@usda.gov or 443-482-2950.

For more information about conservation planning and programs, or to find your local USDA service center, visit www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

Middle and High School Students Invited to Youth Environmental Summit

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Registration is now open for the 2022 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. The event is co-hosted by ShoreRivers and the Washington College Center for Environment and Society, and will take place at Washington College’s Gibson Center for the Arts in Chestertown on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Summit, open to middle and high school students, is a conference-style day to celebrate and empower youth environmental action on the Eastern Shore. Spaces are available for 100 students and are expected to fill up quickly. Visit uppershoresummit.weebly.com/mentors to register and explore Summit activities.

The Summit agenda includes a networking breakfast, where students will learn about local environmental volunteer and internship opportunities and resources to support their action ideas. Student keynote speakers will kickoff speaker sessions that include professionals such as Imani Black, founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture, and ShoreRivers Chester Riverkeeper, Annie Richards. Other highlights include an environmental art challenge and complimentary breakfast and lunch. Summit student leaders have helped to plan engaging, relevant, and exciting activities throughout the event.

Students at Queen Anne’s County High School take action by building oyster reef balls on their campus.

Summit hosts are accepting registration submissions from adult community members who wish to serve as Summit mentors. Mentors are responsible for groups of 1-10 youth participants during the event, and could be a parent, teacher, scout leader, 4-H leader, etc. Students who do not yet have a mentor but still wish to participate in the Summit can register separately through the website’s student page and be matched with a group that has a registered mentor. Participants must register no later than March 4, 2022.

The Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit is seeking event sponsors who want to empower local youth in environmental action. Please contact ShoreRivers Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan at ssullivan@shorerivers.org to learn more about sponsorship. The Summit will be in person and will follow COVID protocols, including reduced attendee capacity and mandatory masks. Summit hosts are monitoring the situation and will switch to virtual if necessary.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Friends of Hospice Donate Almost $100,000 to Talbot Hospice

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Friends of Hospice is extremely proud to present a donation in the amount of $97,000 to Talbot Hospice. Funds were raised through the annual Festival of Trees events held in November. Because of the generous support of the community, this fabulous tradition has thrived for 36 years. Talbot Hospice offers compassionate care to those struggling with end-of-life issues. Volunteers excited to present the large check include Midge Menzies, FOT Chairman and FOH Board Member, (left); Brenda Forbes-Butler, FOH Board President; Leslie Ware, FOT Chairman and FOH Board Member; and Dana McGrath, FOH Treasurer.

The Arc Selects RAUCH Inc. as Lead Architect for Port Street Commons

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The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) announces the selection of RAUCH inc. as the architectural firm for Port Street Commons, a planned mixed-use development in Easton, MD. In addition to being the engineer on the project, RAUCH inc. will support long-standing partner and general contractor BuilderGuru Contracting, Inc | Gardiner & Gardiner Contracting, LLC (BGC|G&G) as the schematic and design development phase begins in February 2022.

“We chose RAUCH inc. to lead this next stage in The Arc’s expansion because of their comprehensive approach to site design and their long-standing relationship with the Easton community,” notes Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc. “The selection of this premier local firm solidifies our commitment to making sure at least 25% of contracted services are from the Mid-Shore region.”

Port Street Commons, developed by The Arc’s subsidiary, Chesapeake Community Development, is slated to begin construction in spring 2023. The Mid-Shore Regional Council recently approved Port Street Commons as a project addition on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) considering its important potential impact on filling known community needs.

The approximately 25,000 square foot facility will consist of office and program space, a behavioral health suite, and an accessible Community Hub as well as eight affordable housing units. The need for program space has increased as requests for The Arc’s support services have risen significantly since 2017.

“The Arc’s Port Street Commons plan brings much-needed services and employment to Easton. RAUCH inc. is honored to have been selected to join The Arc team in bringing their vision of serving the Eastern Shore to life!” said Virginia Richardson, AIA Vice-President, Architecture, RAUCH inc.

About The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) is a dynamic, regional organization providing person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined lives and foster opportunities towards self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit www.thearcccr.org.

About RAUCH inc.

RAUCH inc. is a comprehensive Project Management & Civil Engineering firm with headquarters in the Delmarva region. Our services extend to full Project Site Development and Project Management for large-scale industrial and commercial sites. www.rauch-inc.com.

Talisman Therapeutic Announces New Executive Director

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Noelle B. Douglas

After 27 years in federal service, Noelle B. Douglas has accepted the position of Executive Director of Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc. in Grasonville. Her lifelong love of horses is highlighted by her recent experience working with veterans and active-duty personnel to provide them with therapeutic opportunities through outdoor recreational experiences.

Her passion for horses began at age 3 when she announced to her parents her dream of becoming a member of the United States Equestrian Team. While she never achieved that goal, she filled an even greater purpose: to serve this country’s service men and women as Board of Directors VP of Heroes’ Harvests. Heroes’ Harvests is a veteran-founded organization that utilizes outdoor experiences to help service members deal with the physical and emotional stress that many have dealt with for years.

Since 2016, Ms. Douglas has served as the Director of Public Engagement of the Farm at Oatland North, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing abused, neglected, and abandoned animals. The Farm at Oatland North is a place for animals to learn to trust again and have a chance to thrive and live out their lives in peace, comfort, dignity, and love.

Peter Behringer, Managing Member of TCG Development Advisors, LLC, as the new Chairman of Talisman Therapeutic Riding Board of Directors, also announced the addition of William J. Caughey IV to Talisman’s Board. Mr. Caughey is a financial advisor with Edward Jones AAMS, and in 2011 opened the firm’s first branch in Queen Anne’s County in Stevensville.

Mr. Caughey lives on Kent Island and has been an active member of the KI Rotary and served on the Board of Directors of the Queen Anne’s Chamber of Commerce.

Talisman Therapeutic Riding is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Grasonville Maryland that serves those who can prosper by the talismanic healing nature of horses with the guidance of professional therapists and instructors in a peaceful farm setting. For further information, go to www.talismantherapeuticriding.org.

ShoreRivers Shares 2022 Legislative Priorities

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ShoreRivers’ Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta speaks at a past environmental legislative summit in Annapolis.

Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 444th Legislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. The organization’s advocacy work is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality.

ShoreRivers, in partnership with the broader environmental community, will prioritize three bills this session: 1) a comprehensive climate package that will improve Maryland’s resilience and adaptation to climate change; 2) the PFAS Protection Act to protect Maryland residents from harmful chemicals in our waters; and 3) the Maryland Environmental Human Rights Amendment, which will provide another mechanism for environmental protections under the state’s constitution.

As we face greater challenges on the Eastern Shore resulting from climate change, we must accelerate the implementation of climate-resilient nutrient reduction practices by increasing funding and technical support for our state and local agencies. ShoreRivers will advocate for much of the federal funding allocated to the Chesapeake Bay Program in the recent infrastructure package to go toward implementation of conservation practices, particularly on agricultural lands throughout our local watersheds.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must dedicate adequate personnel and resources in order to issue protective permits and take adequate enforcement action against pollution. As is laid out in a key piece of legislation being supported this session, MDE needs to conduct monthly inspections of facilities with administratively continued permits as well as facilities in significant noncompliance with their permits, and enforce meaningful penalties that disincentivize violating water pollution controls. This bill aims to fully address the backlog of administratively continued discharge permits (often referred to as “zombie” permits) over the next three years. Since the state has invested funds in upgrading the technology at many of these permitted facilities to reduce pollution loads, we should invest in our state agencies to ensure that terms of the permits are being met and that the technology is functioning as intended so we can meet our 2025 pollution reduction goals established by the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

Just as ShoreRivers implements restoration projects throughout our communities, engages volunteers in tree plantings and oyster growing, and reaches thousands of students each year through environmental education programs in local schools, the organization’s advocacy at the local, state, and federal level ensures that all of those endeavors can continue in order to achieve its water quality goals. Maryland’s laws and regulations should protect and support these local investments, and ShoreRivers looks forward to a productive legislative session with members of the General Assembly and fellow environmental advocates.

Anyone interested in getting involved and learning more about these priority bills, can tune in for the Maryland Environmental Legislative Summit on Tuesday, January 25 at 6 pm. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3GpzwkI

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Talbot Family Network Announces New Equity Grant Program

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Talbot Family Network has announced a new grant program for organizations and agencies serving children, youth and families in Talbot County. These funds may be used to build capacity within community organizations and agencies for integrating race equity into their mission, policies, services, and culture.

Since FY17, Talbot Family Network has demonstrated regional leadership in offering racial equity education to the community. “You or members of your team may have left one of these or other workshops challenged, inspired, and ready to act,” says Executive Director Nancy Andrew. This program aims to provide local organizations with additional tools and support for moving from intention to practice in applying an equity lens to their work or expanding an existing initiative.

Grants of up to $8,500 will be awarded and all funds must be used by June 30, 2022. Eligible expenses include hiring a consultant to complete a race equity audit for the organization or agency, hiring a trainer to provide equity training to staff, Board members, volunteers, clients and/or other key stakeholders, or hiring a consultant to provide coaching to support the organization in implementing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy. The review committee will consider other use of funds that an organization can demonstrate will further equity in their mission, policies, programs, and culture in a systemic way.

Talbot Family Network is the Local Management Board for Talbot County. Maryland established Local Management Boards in the mid-1990’s to change the way that local communities provide services to children and families in. Today, Talbot Family Network concentrates on prevention, early intervention, and intervention services to children, youth and families in the county. Tasks include planning, developing and monitoring family-oriented, community-based programs that are culturally relevant.

Applications are due to Talbot Family Network on or before Thursday, January 27, 2022. For more information about this grant program and Talbot Family Network, visit https://healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.

Benedictine Awards Service Milestones

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Scott Evans, Benedictine Executive Director, presents Sister Mary Agnes with a 46 years milestone award at the Staff Milestone Services Awards luncheon in early December.

Benedictine celebrated milestones in service for 52 of its dedicated staff members in early December. The awards were presented to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 years of service with a special recognition for the 46 years Sister Mary Agnes has served Benedictine.

Each staff member was presented with special thank you gifts during a recognition luncheon. Staff celebrating 5,10 and 15 years of service were each given a certificate; 20 years received a framed, personal write-up award; 25,30 and 40 received a framed certificate noting years of service with number of months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds plus a canvas picture of the iconic Benedictine mile lane with its original stone wall entrance. In addition, all staff received a monetary gift based on their years of service.

Sister Mary Agnes’s special 46-year recognition celebrates her extraordinary service as a role model, teacher, caregiver and vocational coordinator; she exemplifies the true spirit of Benedictine. She is loved and respected by all her colleagues and all those she has served at Benedictine.

“The Milestone Awards Ceremony is a favorite event of mine at Benedictine,” stated Scott Evans, Benedictine Executive Director. “It highlights the commitment our employees have to our mission and values, and the work they do to support the students and adults in our programs.”

Benedictine commends all its staff milestone awardees for their compassion, dedication, dependability and caring devotion for the children and adults they serve and for their commitment to Benedictine. These traits shine through in their daily interactions with the people they support and their families, as well as co-workers and staff at Benedictine.

Benedictine has close to 400 employees who serve children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism at its Ridgely Campus and in its 22 group homes in Caroline, Talbot and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as at the Community Services and Training Center in Easton. Guided by its core values of compassionate caring, dignity of work and hospitality, Benedictine’s mission is to help each individual reach their greatest potential and highest level of independence.

About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit organization helping more than 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine’s year-round educational program is one of only 26 nationwide to earn a two-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers employment and vocational services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, in the community and those who live in Benedictine’s group homes in Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties. Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it serves to enter the workforce and collaborates with the Talbot County Public Schools to provide services to their students through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Program. For more information, visit www.benschool.org