The St. Michaels Community Center is providing lunch and a series of programs for adults each Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Walk-in participants are welcome, with a $5 suggested donation to contribute to the cost of the lunch and activities.

Adult participants are invited to come alone or bring a friend to enjoy a hot lunch and participate in programs that include bingo, arts, crafts, and brain games, with the schedule posted on the community center’s website.

“St. Michaels is such a vibrant place for locals and guests alike,” said SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to resume many of our normal programs beyond the food distribution services we provide.”

The St. Michaels Community Center recently resumed its children and adult programs after the COVID-19 pandemic surge. The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays and Fridays as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub.

The nonprofit St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center is helping to centralize food distribution for Bay Hundred residents by consolidating the operations of the St. Michaels Food Pantry with the community center’s food distribution program.

“The St. Michaels Food Pantry and its volunteers and donors have helped to provide meat and nutritious, non-perishable foods for Bay Hundred families in need for more than 60 years,” says Food Pantry Board member Mary Ellen Olcese. “We’re fortunate to have helped the community for so long, and now is a great time to transition the program, because the St. Michaels Community Center is doing a great job as the area’s lead for food distribution.”

Photo: St. Michaels Executive Director Patrick Rofe, front, with St. Michaels Food Pantry Board members from left, Alice Petizon, Jeff Hart, Mary Ellen Olcese, Susan Armstrong, Judy Tanczos, and Kim Kerrigan. The group recently met at Limoncello Restaurant in St. Michaels to discuss consolidating the operations of the St. Michaels Food Pantry at Christ Church with St. Michaels Community Center’s food distribution program. Take-out meals and groceries are provided during select hours on Mondays and Fridays at the community center.

“The Food Pantry began in 1961 and was located in the parish hall of Christ Church. We were able to provide twice-weekly food distribution and special holiday baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter,” says Alice Petizon of the Food Pantry Board. “And we will continue to support food distribution in the community in the future.”

“We’re grateful for this opportunity to combine our programs while helping our neighbors who are facing food insecurities,” said St. Michaels Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “We’ll continue to provide take-out meals and grocery pick-up for those in need at the community center on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.—including Jeannie’s Community Café for onsite dining—and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.”

Individuals can support St. Michaels Community Center’s operations by making a tax-deductible donation at paypal.me/smccmd, or drop off non-perishables at the St. Michaels Community Center, located at 103 Railroad Ave., in the historic district of St. Michaels. An outdoor pantry is additionally set up at the community center for anyone in need or wanting to make a donation of non-perishable food items.

The St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org. More about Christ Church is at christstmichaels.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center is hosting after-school programs for pre-kindergarteners through sixth graders on Mondays through Thursdays beginning Sept. 13 and continuing through Dec. 2. The age-appropriate programs are $50 per student, per session, with donor-funded scholarships available.

All programs begin at 2:35 p.m. and continue through 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Transportation is provided from St. Michaels Elementary School for programs at the St. Michaels Community Center, with a snack provided during class.

Members of the St. Michaels Art League are partnering with the St. Michaels Community Center this year to help lead the Creative Crafts & Arts program, to be held on Mondays for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Other weekly sessions include Building your Mind with Legos, and dance programs for pre-kindergarteners through second graders, and for third through sixth graders. Each program has limited participation and pre-registration needed, with the program booklet and registration form available at bitly.com/afterschoolstmichaels.

The St. Michaels Community Center recently resumed its children and adult programs after the COVID-19 pandemic surge. The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays and Fridays as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub.

A special class to teach the game of chess to second through fifth graders has been added for Thursdays from 2:35 to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Michaels Community Center from Sept. 16 through Dec. 2. The cost is $10 per student, with donor-supported scholarships available.

The St. Michaels Community Center provides activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center is hosting a Community Block Party on Sat., Sept. 18 to celebrate the arrival of fall and for the public to have an opportunity to meet new Executive Director Patrick Rofe. The party includes dancing and music with a DJ, along with family activities, food, and drinks.

The free event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the St. Michaels Community Center, located at the intersection of Railroad Ave. and Fremont St. in historic St. Michaels. Hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, drinks and sides are on the menu, along with a full day of family activities, including jump rope, yard games, and more.

“Our location is a great place for everyone in St. Michaels to come together as a community,” said Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting more of our neighbors at the block party, and especially being a part of enjoying a meal together during a fun, relaxing afternoon in St. Michaels.”

The Community Center pivoted from its normal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide tens of thousands of bags of groceries and takeout and delivery meals to those in need as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub. The return of normal programs began over the summer, with adult programs and children’s after-school programs starting this fall.

The St. Michaels Community Center provides quality activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center has announced its new Advisory Board members and officers, while recognizing the service of six retiring Advisory Board members.

Board officers are President Langley Shook, Vice President Carolina Barksdale, Secretary Robert Tiernan, and new member and Treasurer Parker Spurry. Newly elected to a two-year Board term besides Spurryare Advisors Chris Agharabi, the Hon. Edward Kasemeyer, Lori Morris, and Chief Anthony Smith. Remaining on the Board are Cheri Bruce-Phipps, Laura Chance, Karen Footner, Travis Johnson, Delores Pinder, Dr. Jeffrey Quartner, Sharon Shenk, and Dr. William Thomas.

SMCC also recognized the dedication and work of retiring President John Stumpf, Treasurer Harley Gates, and retiring advisors Mattie Fountain, Capt. Jeff Oswald, and Katrina D. Whittington.

Photo: St. Michaels Community Center Advisory Board members, including from left, President Langley Shook, Secretary Bob Tiernan, Dr. Bill Thomas, Dr. Jeffrey Quartner, Hon. Ed Kasemeyer, Lori Morris, Chris Agharabi, Karen Footner, Travis Johnson, and Vice President Carolina Barksdale. The Advisory Board recently welcomed Agharabi, Sen. Kasemeyer, and Morris to serve in guiding the St. Michaels Community Center, along with Treasurer Parker Spurry, and St. Michaels Police Chief Anthony Smith, not shown. Other members include Cheri Bruce-Phipps, Laura Chance, Delores Pinder, and Sharon Shenk. 

The Community Center is beginning to resume its normal summer programming after serving during the pandemic as the Talbot County designated Bay Hundred Food Distribution Hub, providing tens of thousands of bags of groceries and prepared meals to those in need.

“The St. Michaels Community Center is entering into an exciting time,” said SMCC Board President Langley Shook. “We’re welcoming Patrick Rofe as our new Executive Director this August. He’ll be an outstanding leader to take our Community Center where it can go to strengthen and expand its community service. We also want to recognize and thank Executive Director Emerita Trish Payne for her dedication and service as our longtime Executive Director.

“At the same time we’re planning a major renovation of our building on Railroad Avenue. Our dream is to transform our old lumber warehouse into a modern, efficient facility to better serve our community while becoming a landmark whose vernacular architecture will harmonize with the neighborhood and the historic Union United Methodist Church across the street.”

Shook resides in St. Michaels and is a retired lawyer and former President of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Vice President Barksdale of St. Michaels is an Associate Real Estate Broker with Benson & Mangold Real Estate. Secretary Tiernan of Bozman is a retired editor of Consumer Reports.

Treasurer Parker Spurry grew up in Talbot County and now lives in Easton with her husband Joe. Their two grown children are Eliza Spurry, 21—who is studying elementary education and will be returning to her Talbot County Public Schools alma mater as a teacher, and U.S. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Marine Officer Stewart Spurry, 23—a Virginia Military Institute graduate currently enrolled in The Infantry Officers Course at The Basic School in Quantico, Va.

Spurry studied psychology at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va., before beginning her 35-year banking career with Shore Bank in Accomack County, Virginia. She then worked for Maryland National Bank in St. Michaels before joining Talbot Bank as Assistant Vice President, St. Michaels Branch Manager. Spurry is serving in her 26^th consecutive year in the position, with the bank now Shore United Bank.

Her volunteer work focuses on a passion for enhancing education for local elementary school students. Spurry’s volunteer work spans her entire career and includes helping youth through the St. Michaels Community Center, Character Counts, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s Nursery School and Preschool, The Country School, St. Michaels Elementary School, St. Michaels Middle/High School, Friends of Hospice’s Festival of Trees, Christmas in St. Michaels, and Shore United Bank’s Teach Children to Save program. Spurry also is a member and volunteer with the Talbot County Watermen’s Association and is a past Rotary International member in St. Michaels.

“I am passionate about helping people in need,” said Spurry. “Connecting people in need with the people who can help makes our community stronger, and the Community Center more sustainable. The St. Michaels Community Center is a gathering place for people to have as a safe haven. It’s a non-judgmental, happy place for all to enjoy.”

New board member Chris Agharabi of Easton arrived to the Eastern Shore in 2008 when he and his wife opened Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar in St. Michaels. The restaurant is named after his daughter, Ava, and serves a staple of gourmet pizzas featuring locally produced fresh ingredients, where possible, and a diverse wine and international beer selection.

Agharabi currently owns and operates six restaurants in St. Michaels, Cambridge, and Rehoboth, Del., with ongoing expansion plans. He also has spearheaded local, charitable endeavors including the Maryland Eastern Shore’s Feed the Front Effort during COVID-19, and has been a constant contributor to charities and organizations throughout the communities his businesses serve.

“The St. Michaels Community Center is a great place to bring the community together,” said Agharabi. “Its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop is the first place Ava and her friends want to go when they are in town. In fact, Ava has started her Collection of ceramic chicken bowls from Treasure Cove. I’m eager to help the Center expand and reach its goals while continuing to serve St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred communities.”

Retired Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer was born in Baltimore City in 1945 and moved to Howard County in 1957. He graduated from Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, in 1967. Kasemeyer served in the Maryland General Assembly for 32 years, 28 of which were in the State Senate. From 2010 until his retirement at the end of the term in 2018, Sen. Kasemeyer served as Chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Sen. Kasemeyer and his wife have since bought a home near St. Michaels and are in the process of becoming full-time residents. He says a lifelong passion for community service and serving those most in need will continue as he becomes more involved in the St. Michaels community.

“I’m honored to be able to serve on the Board of St. Michaels Community Center,” said Sen. Kasemeyer. “I’m excited about seeing how our services and programs help improve the lives of people in need in St. Michaels and throughout the Bay Hundred area.”

Lori Morris is a life-long Marylander, born in Bowie and attending Prince George’s County Public Schools before earning Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Morris serves as Chief of Staff to Maryland State Senator Douglas J.J. Peters, 23rd District. She assists Sen. Peters in his role as theSenate Budget and Taxation Committee’s Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair. She advises the Senator on a full range of issues, represents him in the community, and coordinates all facets of the Senate office’s work. Morris also served as Senate Veterans Caucus and Prince George’s County Senate Delegationstaff through her work with Sen. Peters, which began when he served as a County Council member with a focus on education issues.

Morris is a respected community leader, serving on the Board of the Prince George’s Community College Foundation, and as past Board Chair of Prince George’s Community College. Under her leadership, PGCC selected Charlene Dukes as the first female President in the college’s history.

Morris and her husband, Mark Pelavin, moved to St. Michaels in 2020 and have two adult children. Morris says she looks forward to developing strong opinions about where to get the best crabs, French fries, and margaritas in the area.

“I’m honored to help the St. Michaels Community Center prepare for the future while serving the needs of our community today,” said Morris. “I’m grateful to be of service to such a vital anchor organization for St. Michaels and the entire Bay Hundred area.”

St. Michaels Police Chief Anthony Smith of Tilghman is returning for his second term on the St. Michaels Community Center Advisory Board. Smith is a committed officer with 40 years of experience serving with the Maryland State Police and the St. Michaels Police Department. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University and his Masters in Public Policy from the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs in College Park. He previously served for six-years on SMCC’s Board.

“The St. Michaels Community Center is our most important partner,” said Smith. “Community policing is 90% of what a police department should perform, and the Community Center helps improve our community policing program through their involvement and many invaluable resources.”

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with program and building improvement plans dependent on grants and private donations. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s Advisory Board has announced Patrick Rofe will become the nonprofit’s fourth Executive Director in its more than 30-year history. Rofe will begin in mid-August after he and his wife Simone move cross-country from Olympia, Wash., where he has served the past three years as Executive Director of a local land trust. SMCC’s Executive Director Emerita Trish Payne announced her retirement in late 2020, and has continued serving as Interim Executive Director while the Advisory Board conducted its executive search.

“Patrick is an outstanding choice to lead our Community Center in strengthening and expanding our community service,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. “We also want to recognize and thank Trish for her dedication and service as our longtime Executive Director and her staying onto help with this transition.”

Rofe’s career in executive leadership and development spans more than 16 years. His experience includes working at large and small nonprofit organizations with a focus on strategic planning, financial management, event planning, program development, process improvement, and development. When he’s not at work, you might spot Patrick birding, hiking, kayaking, or fly-fishing throughout the Eastern Shore.

“We moved from Salisbury to the Pacific Northwest, but the Eastern Shore kept calling us back,” says Rofe.”The Eastern Shore is where Simone and I were married, and we’re excited to return and to reconnect with friends and eager to get out and explore Blackwater and Assateague.”

“I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and I’m delighted to lead such a great organization,” said Rofe. “I am humbled by the unique opportunity and responsibility to help grow and expand the programming at SMCC. And I’m equally dedicated to helping the St. Michaels Community Center chart a bright and promising course founded in collaboration with our volunteers and partners.”

Rofe served as Executive Director of the Furnace Town living history museum in Snow Hill, Md. from 2015 to 2018, with prior service leading nonprofits on the Eastern Shore and Annapolis. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., and serves on the boards of the Eastern Shore Heritage Council and the Haki Farmers Collective.

“I’m very much looking forward to working collaboratively with the SMCC’s staff, board, and the community,” said Rofe. “I’m eager to create lasting results and deeper connections for people and the Community Center’s work.

“I enjoy creating and strengthening programs that have a direct and lasting impact on everyone in the community. Years ago, when I worked at the Salvation Army of Southeast Michigan, I worked closely with Gleaners Community Food Bank and a local restaurateur and together we transformed the food program at the Salvation Army. It’s work that still resonates with me today and I hope to make a similar impact at SMCC.”

“Rofe’s leadership comes at a critical time in the history of SMCC,” said Shook. “We’re planning a major renovation of our building on Railroad Avenue, with our dream to transform our old lumber warehouse into a modern, efficient facility to better serve our community and to become a landmark that better harmonizes with the neighborhood and the historic Union United Methodist Church across the street.”

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with program and building improvement plans dependent on grants and private donations. Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for residents of St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s programs have returned, which kick off with its free, waterfront Summer Concert Series taking place on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Muskrat Park in St. Michaels.

Muskrat Park features an expansive lawn and covered gazebo for performers, and is situated between Mulberry and Willow Streets overlooking St. Michaels Harbor and the Miles River.

The free concert series continues through Sept 9 and is made possible through the generous sponsorship of local businesses acknowledged at each concert. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or your own seating, along with friends, family, neighbors, your leashed dog, or just yourself to enjoy the concerts, with alcohol prohibited.

Treats including popcorn, water, and snow cones will be available for cash sale at the concerts, with proceeds benefiting the people served by SMCC. June 24 brings rock & roll and blues classics to St. Michaels waterfront performed by Blues Deville, with all performances listed at bitly.com/muskratmusic21.

Summer Camps for Children begin on June 29 on Tuesdays through Thursdays and provide age-appropriate activities for children entering K-5^th grades. Camp themes include artistic expression, outdoor adventures, American Girl, Professor Beakers, and more. The camps continue through Aug. 5, with more information and limited registration at bitly.com/smccsummercamp.

SMCC’s Senior Programs are also taking place on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and feature activities including bingo, painting, lunch, and fellowship. All are invited.

SMCC suspended its normal programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit continues to provide groceries and meals to those in need during select hours on Mondays and Fridays as the County-designated Bay Hundred food distribution hub.

The St. Michaels Community Center provides quality activities and services contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of the community. SMCC is dedicated to filling the unmet needs of the Bay Hundred and St. Michaels communities by providing supervised programs for the enrichment of children and teens; activities and services for adults and senior citizens; and affordable recreational, social, and educational activities to the entire community.

Donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop, located on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people from throughout the Bay Hundred area. More information is at stmichaelscc.org.