Spy reader Emma Langfitt shared some moving photographs from the BAAM Juneteenth march on Friday evening.
Kent Youth and Talisman Therapeutic Riding Join Forces to Help Shore Youth
Kent Youth of Chestertown, which funds initiatives to serve at risk youth, awarded a $9700.00 grant to Grasonville based Talisman Therapeutic Riding to work with at-risk youth from across the Eastern Shore.
Bets Durham, Board President of Kent Youth, said they were impressed by Talisman’s TTRiding for At Risk Youth program. “It just fit so well with our mission to help youth either at risk of adjudication or underserved,” noted Durham.
L-R: Dan Rugg of Kent Youth, Talisman Board Chair Tom Saquella, Talisman rider Bella on American Standard Boccio, and PATH International registered instructor Kelsey Hyneman at Talisman Farm.
“We are delighted to receive the grant, especially from an organization so highly regarded for their work like Kent Youth”, said Talisman founder and CEO Anne Joyner. “We expect to match the grant from donations by our donors and double the number of youths served”, predicted Joyner.
Talisman provides equine assisted activities and learning to youth and adults with physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral conditions. Joyner describes Talisman’s approach to at-risk youth as two- fold: youth who are being bullied and youth who are doing the bullying. “We teach risk and consequences and respect in the hope it leads to better life and career choices.” In fact, noted Joyner, “some of the program participants are pursuing equine studies and agricultural farm work”.
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ShoreRivers’ Pumpout Boat Season Begins
The ShoreRivers pumpout boat is up and running for the 2020 season. ShoreRivers looks forward to another record-breaking year and hopes to break last year’s record of keeping 17,800 gallons of waste out of our rivers.
Boaters on the Miles and Wye Rivers are encouraged to take advantage of this free service (donations accepted) and do their part to keep our waterways clean and healthy. This program, funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, began in 2016 as a convenient way for boaters to properly dispose of waste. Since it began operations, the pumpout boat has prevented 53,300 gallons of waste from entering the Miles and Wye Rivers.
Pumpout boat Captain Jim Freeman states, “Both transient and local boaters rave about the convenience of using the pump out boat because they don’t have to deal with the hassle of a crowded marina in order to pump out their tanks. We can serve any boater on the Miles and Wye Rivers, and can carry up to 300 gallons of waste.”
This service is available Friday evenings and weekends during the summer. To arrange service, boaters can contact the pumpout boat by calling 410-829-4352 or on VHF channel 9. To contact Captain Jim with specific questions or to schedule a regular pump out,please email pobcaptjim@gmail.com. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines when interacting with the pumpout boat.
ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. We work collaboratively with our community yet maintain an uncompromising and independent voice for clean rivers and the living resources they support.
shorerivers.org
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Caroline County Awards First COVID19 Small Business/Emergency Relief Grants
On June 1, 2020 the County Commissioners and Economic Development announced $2.2 M in federal grant funding available for small businesses with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. In just 10 days, 37 applications have been received and $144,000.00 awarded during the first round of grant funding.
“It was very important to the Commissioners and Economic Development to get the grants processed and into the hands of the businesses as soon as possible” said Debbie Bowden, Director of Economic Development. “Our team worked tirelessly to process the applications as quickly as possible and get funds to the businesses that need support to protect them from further economic injury.”
L-R: Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Development, Nick Wake, Owner, Tenchi’ Gelin Wake, Owner, Tenchi’ Larry Porter, President, Caroline County Commissioners; and Debbie Bowden, Director, Economic Development.
Trenton Pipe Nipple Company in Federalsburg was one of the first businesses to apply and receive the funding. Since 1911, they have been serving the plumbing, industrial pipe, valve and fitting, irrigation supply, pipe and metal distribution, pool supply and pump supply industries and OEMs with custom fabrication. Over the years, Trenton Pipe Nipple Company has become one of the largest and most respected brass nipple manufacturers and master distributors of fittings and pipe in the United States. Stephen Holloway, Sr., President stated: “Our company has faced three very challenging months and as our economy starts to open up, we are seeing signs of some positive movement. Programs like the federal governments PPP loan and Caroline County’s small business relief grant have made a tremendous difference in assisting our company through this most difficult period.”
Front, L-R: Stephen Holloway Sr., President, Trenton Pipe, and Song Chang, Comptroller for Trenton Pipe. Back, L-R: Larry Porter, Pres., Caroline County Commissioners; Dan Franklin, VP, Caroline County Commissioners; Debbie Bowden, Director, Caroline Economic Devt. and Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Devt.
The Market Street Pub in Denton has been a constant presence in the downtown since 2008. Brian Tyler, Owner of the Pub said, “When COVID-19 began we had to shut our doors and lay off 16 employees. Carry out and outside dining has been a help to our bottom line, but we want to get back to our full service. This grant money is instrumental in our rebuilding process.”
Nick Wake and his wife Gelin opened their dream business, Tenchi Spanish American Kitchen in Greensboro in 2017. They have been invested in the community and downtown main street since day one. Nick Wake said, “On March 16th our life, our business and our employee’s life changed. We have continued to try to serve our community as best we can under the new circumstances, but it has been a challenge. Receiving these grant dollars helps us financially to get back to doing what we love. We are grateful for the support.”
L-R: Debbie Bowden, Director, Caroline Economic Development; Brian Tyler, Owner, Market Street Public House; Larry Porter, President, Caroline County Commissioners and Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Development.
President Larry Porter, spoke on behalf of the Commissioners, “I want to thank our Economic Development and Finance teams for their herculean effort to get this program up and going so quickly. It was our pleasure to be able to award funds to the first recipients. We look forward to continuing to provide funds to keep our businesses and our county Caroline strong.”
Caroline County has a variety of businesses that have been impacted in some way by COVID19. These grants are intended to provide interim relief complementing actions with bank, business interruption insurance and financial partners. Grants awarded can be up to $20,000 and used to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expense, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of operations. The grants are is intended to fill the gaps for those who did not qualify for federal assistance. Per Federal guidelines, if your business has received any Federal COVID-19 assistance you are not eligible for these grants.
Additional grant information is available at www.carolinebusiness.com Round two applications will open at 10:00 a.m. on June 29, 2020.
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Blackwater NWR Updated Deer Hunt Info Now Online; Permits Available Online July 2nd
Permits for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge’s deer hunt for the 2020/2021 season will be available only at Recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777 beginning July 2, 2020 at 10:00am ET. The regulations brochure for 2020/2021 is now available online at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge web site including FAQs, a downloadable Avenza map including new hunt units, and more.
Please note that stands and blinds must now be removed at the end of each day. This change is in response to a national strategy to better align with hunting regulations in each state, as well as across refuges in the region. The May 2, 2020 public hunt meeting was cancelled due to State restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the March 2018 public hunt meeting, five questions were asked in an anonymous survey, including hunters’ preference for leaving or removing stands daily. The results were 58% in favor (of removal), 21% against, and 21% no answer. There are two units (U1 and Q2) dedicated solely to hunters with permanent disabilities, with U1 allowing stands to be left, and Q2 providing ground blinds only to address that concern.
In addition, the refuge is opening an additional 3,284 acres to hunting, including the Peter’s Neck and Moneystump tracts recently acquired this past winter. Updated maps are available online, including a georeferenced map for smartphone use.
Lastly, public lands are your lands, but it’s imperative that all visitors follow state and local regulations and the guidance from the CDC including practicing good hygiene, observing social distancing, and staying home when not feeling well. As of June, the Visitor Center remains closed. Updates will be posted online.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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Character Counts Mid Shore Receives CARES Grant from Maryland Humanities
Funding has been provided to Character Counts Mid Shore, Inc. from Maryland Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. This grant will support Character Counts Mid Shore’s ongoing operations. Character Counts Mid Shore provides character development programming for over 13,000 students annually throughout Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline Counties.
“The impact of this gift to our organization cannot be overstated,” said Lauren Weber, Executive Director of Character Counts Mid Shore. “Like many nonprofit organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our operations greatly. We are grateful to Maryland Humanities for this visionary, impactful gift. We know that character matters; that truth has been and continues to be underscored throughout this crisis. Maryland Humanities’ investment makes our important work possible.”
Character Counts Mid Shore has continued its student-oriented character development lessons throughout the midst of the pandemic through the help of digital tools like Zoom and Facebook. Recognizing that the community would benefit from messages of hope and encouragement to behave responsibly and civilly, Character Counts Mid Shore quickly debuted new initiatives to fill the need.
Ms. Weber continues, sharing that “since the social distancing measures began in mid-March, we have been blown away by the response to our digital programming. We have received over 38,000 views of our character development programming and over 8,500 minutes of video character development messages have been watched. That’s over 141 HOURS of people becoming better!”
In the mid-shore counties Character Counts Mid Shore, Inc. serves, seven other nonprofit organizations are Maryland Humanities CARES Act grantees: Caroline County Council of Arts, Federalsburg Historical Society, Inc., Cambridge Community Radio, Inc., Cambridge Main Street, Richardson Maritime Museum, Inc. the Chesapeake Film Festival, the Oxford Community Center, Inc., and Oxford Museum. All grantees can be viewed at https://www.mdhumanities.org/grants/cares/.
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which became law on March 27, 2020, Maryland Humanities received $515,000 to protect nonprofits that have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. The goal of the Maryland Humanities CARES grant is to help sustain Maryland’s infrastructure to ensure that organizations can continue to provide opportunities for public humanities programming and civic learning in Maryland’s diverse communities during this unprecedented time.
Character Counts Mid Shore is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to empower character growth to pave pathways of success for all young people and invest in the vitality of communities. More information can be found at www.charactercountsmidshore.com, with latest updates and educational content shared frequently on Facebook at facebook.com/charactercountsmidshore.
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Equity: What We Can Do as a College by Dr. Cliff Coppersmith
The current extraordinary situation in which the world finds itself in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by police officers in Minneapolis has generated a social movement demanding law enforcement reform across the United States, and a broader call to address the larger social problems of race and equity in America.
Dr. Cliff Coppersmith, president, Chesapeake College
The crisis as it manifests itself locally on the Eastern Shore, and throughout the state of Maryland, underscores our continuing mission as a comprehensive community college.
We are the college of first choice for our service region and must assure equity of access as well as equity for completion for all students who attend Chesapeake College — regardless of color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
With the challenges presented by the pandemic in forcing the adoption of distance learning we must do everything in our power to mitigate the inequities in access to computer technology and internet access that affect much of our service region across all the communities we serve.
We must provide for all people who come to Chesapeake the opportunity to reach their potential, accomplish their goals and become contributing members of our society.
Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. voiced on many occasions that education is the key to lifting the individual from poverty to prosperity, and from ignorance to knowledge and understanding.
We must do our best to facilitate individual success through short-term training, professional and skilled trades, and college and university-bound transfer education.
We also must play the role of shining a light on the cultural, social, economic, and political realities of our day to provide that broadening engagement for all people who come to Chesapeake College to learn.
For our part, the College will engage in introspection regarding our role in providing equity and effecting meaningful change in our region in the coming weeks and months.
We will recalibrate the aspects of our strategic plan that deal with diversity and equity in instruction and services, and will work with our community advisory committee on concrete steps we can take as a College to address inequities in our local African American communities and wherever else these issues exist.
These topics will be addressed within departments as well as at the executive level in an upcoming leadership retreat. Input
and action items will be shared with our Board of Trustees. I have been committed to diversity since my arrival in 2018. We must do more.
We are living in difficult times that challenge us every day. It pains me to say that there are no easy answers as we look to the future. But I do take comfort in my faith in America, in my hope for the future, and the sure knowledge I have of the gifted and dedicated staff and faculty with whom I work every day at Chesapeake College.
We can solve many of these problems at our level, in our neighborhoods and our communities. I encourage all of you to get involved in making those differences every day — at home, in the civic organizations in which you serve, and both within and beyond your social circles.
With the unwavering support of our Board of Trustees and amongst all of our faculty, staff, and students, we will make a difference.
Dr. Cliff Coppersmith is president of Chesapeake College.
Mistletoe Hall Farm Groundbreaking
The Town of Easton announces the groundbreaking of a new industrial park, Mistletoe Hall Commerce-Business Park. The 86-acre Town owned Mistletoe Farm property located on Goldsborough Neck Road adjacent to the to the Easton Airport has been subdivided to create seven industrially zoned parcels offering a prime location to support new or expanded businesses.
In addition to funding from the Town of Easton, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) provided the Town of Easton a $2.2 million grant to support the build-out of critical infrastructure, including roads and utilities.
“We are proud to begin the construction of Mistletoe Hall Commerce Business-Park. This auspicious project would not have been possible without our local, regional, state, and federal partners. It is through this collaboration that we are building a stronger business environment for not only Easton, but for the entire Eastern shore of Maryland.”
In partnership with the Town of Easton, Talbot County applied for and received two Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund infrastructure grants through the Rural Maryland Council to begin improvements to Goldsborough Neck Road to support this project. The road from Glebe Road to the entrance of Mistletoe Hall is being widened and improved to allow for the traffic that will be generated by the property’s development.
Portions of both Goldsborough Neck and Airport roads have been slated for future improvements to accommodate the development of a new regional hospital site off Route 50 near the Talbot County Community Center.
“Talbot County applauds the partnership that has brought the development of Mistletoe Hall to fruition,” says Talbot County Council President Corey Pack. “Working together with our partners, the groundbreaking of this 86-acre industrial park will incentivize local businesses to expand and new businesses to grow and relocate to Talbot County.
Visit www.eastonmd.gov to learn more about other projects and events happening in Easton. Visit www.mistletoehall.com to learn more about this project.
Talbot County Government Reopens for Public Access
Talbot County Government has announced a plan to return to full staffing levels on Monday, June 15 and reopening County facilities to the public on Wednesday, June 17. Access to the County Court House will be limited to the County government areas (South Wing and Finance Office), as there will be no public access to the court and related State offices until July 22. A plan was developed by the County Manager’s Office in conjunction with the Talbot County Health Officer and Director of Emergency Services to ensure the health and safety of County employees and the general public.
“The County Council is pleased to open the County government again for public access and want to be sure citizens know that we are doing everything possible to protect them from the coronavirus while they are in our public spaces. We ask them to comply with the protocols that our own employees will practice to ensure our continued health and safety,” states Andrew Hollis, Talbot County Manager.
The following workplace safety enhancement protocols are now in place for all County employees. Employee health procedures include daily employee self-screening temperature checks in each department before beginning work (employees with fevers at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or who are experiencing coughing or shortness of breath will be sent home until those symptoms have subsided for three days); frequent handwashing throughout each workday; cleaning of work surfaces; wearing a face mask when working with citizens or in close contact with other employees, or entering a citizen’s home or business; and practicing social distancing of six feet between other employees or the public.
Visitor health procedures within County buildings include wearing a County-provided disposable mask or their personal mask; maintaining a six-foot separation at all times possible from staff and other visitors (should the public area of the department not permit the separation, then access will be limited to one member of the public at a time); and scheduling appointments whenever possible with County employees.
The County’s Facilities Maintenance Department has installed hand sanitizers throughout County buildings. County employees will frequently clean work surfaces using appropriate cleaning and disinfectant products.
The County is encouraging the use of video conferencing or telephone conferencing instead of in-person meetings and contactless pick-up of requested items (plans, records, bills, etc.).
For further information on the County’s new protocols, contact the Office of the County Manager at 410-770-8010.
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Qlarant Provides Funds to Charitable Organizations to Transform Healthcare
Qlarant Foundation, the mission arm of Qlarant, recently awarded grants totaling $340,000 to 16 organizations in Maryland and Washington, DC supporting local healthcare-related quality improvement efforts.
Applications from 77 highly qualified organizations were reviewed. Sixteen organizations were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. “These projects cover a large geographic area and address a wide range of medical and social issues,” said Dr. Molly Burgoyne-Brian, Chair of the Qlarant Foundation Board of Directors. “The efforts of these organizations greatly improve the lives of our most vulnerable populations.” Dr. Catherine Smoot-Haselnus, Chair of the Qlarant Board of Directors said, “Once again, it was very difficult to choose from such a highly qualified pool of applicants, especially given the impact of COVID 19 that has intensified the needs of these organizations. We are pleased to have the opportunity to support initiatives that improve the health of individuals and communities.”
We know the 2020-21 grantees are looking forward to getting acquainted and sharing information about their programs. In recognition of the need for social distancing, we are planning a “virtual” reception on July 15th.
Qlarant Foundation funded the following programs for 2020-21:
Bay Hundred Community Volunteers – Implement a program to build modular wheelchair ramps for Talbot County residents with functional disabilities.
Breast Care for Washington, DC – Increase access to mammography screenings for women at a fixed site as well as in the mobile mammography unit regardless of their ability to pay.
Calvary Women’s Services – Expansion of the Holistic Health Program to educate women on physical and mental health issues.
Camp Attaway, Inc. – Operation of a Therapeutic Summer Program to assist at-risk children manage their emotions and behaviors as well as teach parents skills to manage these behaviors.
Deep Roots, Inc. – Surviving to Thriving, a comprehensive employment program designed to make families self-sufficient with the ability to move back into the community.
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, Inc. – A Community Health Outreach Workers Program in Caroline and Dorchester counties designed to improve health care access and health status for marginalized and underserved residents.
Girls in the Game – After School Program in Baltimore City for elementary and middle school girls addressing such issues as health, body image, bullying, personal safety and diversity.
Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, Inc. – Expansion of Project H.O.P.E. (Holistic Opportunities for Prevention and Education) across the Delmarva Peninsula. The program focuses on providing critical assistance to moms and their children needed to address trauma, mental illness and addiction.
Helping Up Mission, Inc. – Access to Health Insurance Services and Oral Health Care Program for men and women experiencing substance use disorders, poverty and homelessness in Baltimore City.
Mid-Shore Pro Bono – Child Advocacy Program provides free legal representation for families and caregivers to ensure protection of children who are impacted by the opioid crisis.
Miriam’s Kitchen – Social Service Program provides nutritious meals in a dining room setting for the homeless, with doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers and lawyers on hand to break down barriers and improve access to care.
Shepherd’s Clinic, Inc. – Primary Care Opioid Treatment Program in Baltimore City provides psychotherapy services, case management resources and psychoeducation sessions to uninsured residents.
Talbot County Empty Bowls – An independent, totally volunteer grassroots organization whose fund raising efforts provide support to ten food pantries in Talbot County.
Ulman Foundation – Residential program for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and caregivers at the Ulman House, which reduces the financial burden of these patients and allows them greater access to high quality care.
University Legal Services, Inc. – Jail and Prison Advocacy Project advocates for access to health care, mental health care, and comprehensive reentry support for District of Columbia adults with psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders who have been recently incarcerated in DC and in Federal Bureau of Prison facilities.
University of Maryland Medical System Foundation, Inc. – Received the annual Goldgeier Award for the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital Breathmobile Program, which provides free treatment and specialty based preventive care to underserved children with asthma in Baltimore City.
About Qlarant Foundation
Qlarant Foundation, the mission arm of Qlarant, is a national not-for-profit organization that provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organizations in Maryland and the District of Columbia toward projects that help improve the healthcare and human services for individuals and communities. Since 2006, Qlarant Foundation has awarded grants totaling $5.6 million to 80 organizations in Maryland and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.qlarant.com or contact Pat Boos boosp@qlarant.com
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