This September, Talbot County Free Library has recently announced that the upcoming fall season will be offering two author book talks, along with Q&A and book signing.

“We are very excited to have authors come back into the library to discuss their new book for patrons who are interested in discovering something new to read,” said Dana Newman, Talbot County Free Library director. “Both book talks will shed light on topics that center around Talbot County.”

The first author to visit TCFL will be B. B. Shamp, who will be discussing her book, “A Wife in Watercolor.” The event will take place on Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Easton Library.

The book is set in Oxford, Maryland in 1747. A White widow who is half-housekeeper, half-mistress; a love-crossed African woman who is half-friend but all-slave; and a young Dutch girl who lives on the margins of society in the cypress swamps, take turns telling the story of a tumultuous period of American history in their own distinct voices.

Unlike traditional narratives of the Colonial period, “A Wife in Watercolor” emphasizes what the struggle for freedom felt like from the perspective of women. And, in the cruelest irony, the novel dramatizes the ways in which the quest for liberty set enslaved Black women and vulnerable White women at odds with each other – even when they shared the same roof and long friendship.

Shamp won the 2016 first place award from the National Federation of Press Women and Delaware Press Association for her debut novel, “Third Haven.” In 2017, The Delmarva Review recognized her short story, “The Sotweed Legacy,” in their Chesapeake Voices Contest.

The second author will be Joseph Koper who will be discussing his book, “The Isaiah Fountain Case: Outrage and Jim Crow Justice on Maryland’s Eastern Shore” and sign copies on Monday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Easton Library.

“The Isaiah Fountain Case” is the first book-length account of a case that captivated the attention of Talbot County just a little over 100 years ago. Isaiah Fountain was a bold and resourceful African American whose struggle to prove his innocence of a White girl’s rape was conducted in the face of lynch mobs, manhunts, outraged citizens, armed troops, media controversies and questionable legal decisions.

His attempts to mount a defense within the Jim Crow legal system included two trials and two appeals. The story of Isaiah Fountain is told through court documents and hundreds of contemporaneous newspaper articles.

Koper is retired in Easton with his wife, Jackie, following service in the U.S. Army and a career spent largely in human resources management. A graduate of Gannon College and George Washington University, Koper has become fascinated with the long and rich history of Talbot County and the Eastern Shore.

“Both events are just one of a number of interactive adult programs that are coming up this fall at the Talbot County Free Library,” Newman said. “We hope that more people either stop by or visit our website to see what more we have in store this fall!”

For more information about upcoming events, visit www.tcfl.org today.

About Talbot County Free Library

It is the mission of the Talbot County Free Library to enrich and renew the lives of the people it serves. There are two locations: The main library in Easton is located at 100 W. Dover St., and the St. Michael branch is at 106 Fremont St. The Maryland Room in the Easton branch holds a voluminous collection of genealogical resources and historical documents. Services at both locations include the circulation of books, DVDs, digital devices, free Wi-Fi, public computers, exhibits, and program for both children and adults. Many of the Talbot County Free Library’s programs are made possible by the generous support of the local community.  For more information, please visit www.tcfl.org. Be sure to like the library on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @Talbotcountyfreelibrary.

Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) and Talbot Family Network (TFN) are back and ready to enrich the lives of book club participants with new literature this fall.

The first meeting will take place on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. via Zoom. The first book that will be discussed is “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” by Ocean Vuong.

Interested readers are encouraged to register for the first meeting at www.tcfl.org. Since the book club’s inception in January, it has been the mission of TCFL and TFN to explore unique authors with fresh stories and different perspectives.

“From our first season, I enjoyed meeting others who share my love for reading, connecting with new people, and reconnecting with others in a new way,” said Nancy Andrew, Talbot Family Network executive director. “It was great to hear about the different life experiences among those who participated in the monthly discussions. Together, we consider how these ideas and voices relate to our community.”

Community members are welcome to attend any of the sessions, which will be a mix of virtual and in-person and will not be required to register for the whole series. The next list of dates and books include “The Stars Beneath our Feet,” by David Barclay Moore on October 13, 2022; and “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” by Emmanuel Acho on November 17, 2022. Both sessions will be at the Easton Library Meeting Room at 6:00 p.m.

Selecting the titles for this book this time around was a collaborative process that included the Talbot County Free Library, Talbot Family Network, and previous book club participants.

“In our end-of-the-season survey, participants expressed an interest in Asian writers, memoir and poetry, and books about people with disabilities, and they also recommended specific titles,” said Allyson C. DeMaagd, Talbot Mentors College Success manager and a facilitator for this book club. “After I did a bit of research and had a few options in mind, I sent out another survey to see what participants preferred. That’s how I landed on our first few books, and I plan to use this same collaborative approach going forward.”

The first session of the book club received a positive reception from the community. Christina Acosta, Talbot County Free Library communications manager hopes to keep the book club going to expand a community that is ready for new stories.

“In the future, I hope to see more EDI Book Clubs in other library systems in Maryland and around the country,” said Acosta. “In the meantime, I am very happy that we started this book club and hope it continues to be the revolving door that Talbot County needed.”

For more information, visit www.tcfl.org or call (410) 822-1626.

About Talbot County Free Library

It is the mission of the Talbot County Free Library to enrich and renew the lives of the people it serves. There are two locations: The main library in Easton is located at 100 W. Dover St., and the St. Michael branch is at 106 Fremont St. The Maryland Room in the Easton branch holds a voluminous collection of genealogical resources and historical documents. Services at both locations include the circulation of books, DVDs, digital devices, free Wi-Fi, public computers, exhibits, and programs for both children and adults. Many of the Talbot County Free Library’s programs are made possible by the generous support of the local community. For more information, please visit www.tcfl.org. Be sure to like the library on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @Talbotcountyfreelibrary.

Easton Mayor Robert C. Willey recently announced his State of the Town address will be delivered at the Easton Library on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

The people of Easton and all interested are invited to come find out what the future holds for one of the world’s friendliest places. During his State of the Town address, Mayor Willey will be discussing affordable housing, infrastructure, parks and recreational activities, and public safety.

Mayor Willey intends on providing the upmost transparency on each pertinent topic to be discussed during the event.

“There are a great deal of issues in the town right now, [and I will] cover a variety of issues like affordable workforce housing and helping with the current need for it,” said Willey. “We will never eliminate those challenges, but we can show people that we are working towards that direction. Housing developments that are on the books are ready to start, there are programs that the town has in place with which we can work, and there are state programs that may also help.”

Mayor Willey will also discuss infrastructure improvements saying “we have a pretty nice 300-year-old town, and some of the infrastructure is also 300 years old as well. We do have a lot of parks and recreational activities, and we need to improve on those and keep developing them. As the town gets bigger and younger people are moving in, we need a biking trail or a path.”

He also noted the town has a highly rated fire department and a highly regarded police department that needs to remain active and readily supplied.

Mayor Willey is a lifelong Talbot County resident, and has been in office for the past 31 years. He decided to campaign for his first election in May 1991, and was on the Easton Town Council for six years, then promoted to Council President for six more years.

In May 2003, Willey was elected Mayor of the Town of Easton.

Dana Newman, director of the Talbot County Free Library, echoed his sentiment that the library is a fitting location to receive the public’s input.

“I look forward to Mayor Willey’s State of the Town address and hearing more about the improvements and plans that are being put into place for the town,” Newman said. “Having his address at the Easton library is convenient to residents and also gives our patrons the opportunity to ask questions of the Mayor about upcoming town projects. This is just one of many informative and educational programs the library is offering for the next year. We encourage everyone to keep checking our website about upcoming programs.”

For more information, visit www.tcfl.org today

About Talbot County Free Library

It is the mission of the Talbot County Free Library to enrich and renew the lives of the people it serves. There are two locations: The main library in Easton is located at 100 W. Dover St., and the St. Michael branch is at 106 Fremont St. The Maryland Room in the Easton branch holds a voluminous collection of genealogical resources and historical documents. Services at both locations include the circulation of books, DVDs, digital devices, free Wi-Fi, public computers, exhibits, and programs for both children and adults. Many of the Talbot County Free Library’s programs are made possible by the generous support of the local community.  For more information, please visit www.tcfl.org. Be sure to like the library on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @Talbotcountyfreelibrary.

The second annual Peter Wood FUN Raiser winner Paul Zelinske, Proprietor of Lowes Wharf Marina, has recently donated his $500 winnings to the Talbot County Free Library.

His generous donation, in addition to the funds raised from tickets sold for a total of $1,000, will go towards the Talbot County Free Library’s popular collection of VOX Books in the children’s library at the Easton Branch. VOX Books combine picture books, chapter books, and non-fiction titles with audio recordings that capture children’s attention and make learning and literacy development fun.

This FUN Raiser is a tribute to Peter Wood, a library volunteer who was passionate about the library and everything that it offers to the community. Peter died on Aug. 9, 2020, at the age of 22. Roo Wood, Father of Peter Wood and Memorial FUN Raiser Coordinator, said the motivation behind the FUN Raiser was his family’s continued support of the VOX Book Nook at the library.

“I just felt the need to keep this program moving forward. Our children need encouragement now more than ever. The gift of reading is a lifelong learning experience,” said Roo Wood. “These books help those young minds start their reading journey in a unique, self-paced, and welcoming way. Those who knew him best were brought a great deal of joy during this campaign as they shared fond stories and memories about Peter. There are still many kind and thoughtful people in this world.”

In total, 100 tickets for a 50/50 raffle were sold for $10 a piece during the FUN Raiser. Thanks to the generosity of Peter Wood’s friends and family members, it was made possible in a matter of weeks.

Last year, the first FUN Raiser generated over $11,000 to jumpstart the program. The VOX book collection and displayers were dedicated in memory of Peter Wood in a heartwarming dedication ceremony on July 14, 2021 at the Easton branch.

“Thank you to all who made donations for Peter’s cause, especially to Paul Zelinske and his Lowes Wharf family, the winners of the most recent drawing,” said Roo Wood. “Zelinski quickly donated his 50/50 winnings back to the TCFL. My hope is that we can maintain this type of support for the Mid Shore.”

To contribute to the VOX Book Nook, checks are made payable to the Talbot County Free Library Foundation Inc., (memo) Honoree Peter Wood – Easton, MD – Library Project. The mailing address is at 100 W. Dover St. Easton, MD 21601. Earl Wood can also be reached at 410-822-3555 with any questions. Donations are also tax deductible.

About Talbot County Free Library

It is the mission of the Talbot County Free Library to enrich and renew the lives of the people it serves. There are two locations: The main library in Easton is located at 100 W. Dover St., and the St. Michael branch is at 106 Fremont St. The Maryland Room in the Easton branch holds a voluminous collection of genealogical resources and historical documents. Services at both locations include the circulation of books, DVDs, digital devices, free Wi-Fi, public computers, exhibits, and programs for both children and adults. For more information, please visit www.tcfl.org. Be sure to like the library on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @Talbotcountyfreelibrary.