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December 26, 2024

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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Talbot County Free Library Highlights Library Card Sign-up Month, joins forces with Talbot Goes Purple

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September is finally here and the Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) invites you to participate in Library Card Sign-up Month.

To honor this important month, TCFL is giving new patrons, and patrons that request a replacement card, purple library cards.  There will not be a charge this month for replacements, and we will also be giving book bucks to all new patrons. The book buck can be used for one book from the book sale at the library.

September is also Talbot Goes Purple Month, a substance abuse awareness program that engages our community and youth to stand against substance abuse. Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman said it was important for the library to honor both important missions.

“During this month, the Easton Library will also have an Opioid Awareness display up in the teen area with Project Purple items that patrons can take,” said Newman. “At the library, we believe it is crucial to raise awareness about literacy and standing up against substance abuse.”

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country, unite in a national effort to ensure every child signs-up for their own library card.

Throughout the school year, public librarians and library staff will assist parents and caregivers with saving hundreds of dollars on educational resources and services for students. From free access to STEAM programs/activities, educational apps, virtual homework help, technology workshops to the expertise of librarians, the Talbot County Free Library will make sure that children receive everything they need to have a good school year.

“A library card is free and gives our patrons access to not only books but many eResources that allow you to learn a language, take an online course, get help from a tutor, get a resume reviewed, take a practice test, read an e-book, learn about a new craft or hobby, and much more,” Newman said. “If you are a teacher or a homeschooling parent, you can also get a teacher’s card which allows you to check out books to keep in a classroom library for your students or child.”

A library card is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County Free Library Presents 15 Books/15 Years

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Author/Illustrator Timothy Young will be giving a presentation of his creative journey at the Talbot County Free Library-Easton Library on Thursday, October 12 at 6 p.m.

The year 2023 was an important year for Young. It marks the 15th anniversary of his first book, “I’m Looking For a Monster!” and the 10th anniversary of the publishing of “I Hate Picture Books!” He will talk about how these books were conceived, written, illustrated and published. He will also discuss his creative career in animation, toy design and other professional projects that lead to him becoming a published author.

As a child, Young always wondered who made the toys he played with, who wrote and illustrated the books he read and who made the cartoons he watched. He grew up to be someone who got to do all of them with 16 books under his belt.

Since his first job out of college, Young has designed and sculpted animation models for the television show, “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” and a large number of other creative projects. He worked freelance for one of his childhood heroes, Jim Henson.

He was the first person to sculpt The Simpsons characters for toys that were sold when the show premiered in 1990 and he continues to design toys, his most recent being the creation of The Chicken Fight Game, a hilarious inflatable pool toy.

Young often thought that he would like to illustrate children’s books, but never thought he would be an author. During his presentation, he will tell the audience how an assignment to write some poems for a toy product led him to think otherwise. He’ll also tell the story of how he got lucky, twice, in getting his first book published by Random House in 2008.

Locally, he has worked with a number of organizations creating logos, ads and illustrations for many events. He is one of the founders of the Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival and designed the banners that hang on the side of the library. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Library Launches Free Community Wi-Fi Center in Trappe

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Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) has created a free Community Wi-Fi Center at Home Run Baker Park in Trappe, MD, providing access to high-speed internet for Talbot County students and residents.

The project was made possible thanks to TCFL’s partnership with the Talbot Parks and Recreation, and the Maryland State Library.

“We want to thank Preston Peper, Director of Talbot Parks and Recreation and Brian Moore, Superintendent of Roads and County Facilities for Talbot County Government, and the Town of Trappe for helping to make this project possible,” said Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman. “The Trappe Community Wi-Fi Center meets our library’s strategic direction to develop and expand library services to build strong connections in our community.”

There are two access points for Wi-Fi at the Home Run Baker Park, one at the Concession Stand and one in the parking lot. There are two ways to access internet:

Home Run Baker            Open. No password required.

Home Run Baker Secure     Encrypted. Password: hrb-wpa2

This project was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Maryland State Library. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org.

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, and digital devices, as well as 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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County’s St. Michaels Branch Celebrates 42nd Anniversary

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From left: St. Michael’s Branch staff members Betty Dorbin, Amy Wise, Shauna Beulah, Diana Hastings, and John Jelich celebrated the 42nd anniversary of Talbot County Free Library’s St. Michaels branch on Monday, June 26. Throughout the day, the branch had refreshments, showed the movie, “A Man Called Otto,” and even had a cake to celebrate the festivities.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County Free Library’s Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival Brought In Over 1800 Visitors

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The eighth annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival (CCBF) took place on Saturday, June 24 at the Talbot County Free Library (TCFL), drawing in over 1800 people.

Patrons and visitors enjoyed a bevy of fun activities for the whole family including music, balloon animals, and even petting snakes and chicks. Authors also had the opportunity to have a reading as well as signing books, with over 300 book vouchers being distributed to families signing up for the TCFL’s Summer Reading Program.

Talbot County Free Library Volunteer Sandy Brusca greets visitors as the door to welcome them to the 8th annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival. Photo by Christina Acosta.

For the past eight years, CCBF has evolved in an event that has not only been aimed towards children from this community, but also from across the state and the region. Roshaun Williams, of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina brought her six-year-old nephew, Jayceon Gause, to explore the festival and everything it had to offer.

“I started Googling book festivals and the Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival came up. I thought that was a nice thing to be able to bring him to that is actually centered around something that he likes to do,” said Williams. “The best part of this festival is the book signings from the children’s authors that are here today. I plan to bring him again next year.”

Maryland Public Television (MPT) was a media partner during the festival. Funding was possible in part by grants from the Talbot County Council, the Talbot County Free Library Foundation, Friends of the Talbot County Free Library, Bay Imprint, Talbot Arts (with revenues provided by Maryland State Arts Council, and the governments of Talbot County, Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels), and Stories of the Chesapeake*.

Partner organizations included Imagination Library of Talbot County (which celebrated their 10th Anniversary), Talbot Humane,  MPT, Judy Center, University of Maryland Extension – Master Gardeners, the Friends of the Talbot County Free Library, Choptank Health, ShoreRivers, Talbot 4H,  Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Talbot County Public Schools, and Flying Cloud Booksellers.

“During this event our community has united to offer books, authors, and illustrations, as well as more information about local organizations and the resources they have to offer,” said Scotti Oliver, Assistant Director of the Talbot County Free Library.

Authors that were in attendance included Mike Allegra, Gene Barretta, Darlene Beck Jacobson, Deborah Blumenthal, Ralph Blumenthal, Phaea Crede, Meg Eden Kuyatt, Salwa Elshazly, Claudia Friddell, Tracy C. Gold, Nancy Johnson James, Kathy MacMillan, Ann McCallum Staats, Frances Park, Ginger Park, Mary Quattlebaum, Jonathan Roth, Colleen Rowan Kosinski, June Smalls, Susan Stockdale, Nancy Tandon, Berrie Torgan-Randall, Joan Waites, Brian Wray, and Timothy Young.

Crede, a Boston native, was in attendance to do a reading of her book, “Super Pizza & Kid Kale,” and was so ecstatic to be at the festival.

“My story came from my four-year-old at the time, who had an idea of a piece of pizza wanting to be a superhero,” Crede said. “A couple of editors saw it and thought it would be best to also add a sidekick. I am so happy to be here. I did not know what to expect, but the community is incredible, the kids are amazing and there are so many readers here.”

Author Colleen Rowan Kosinski showcases and discusses more information about her books to visitors during the 8th annual Chesapeake Children’s Book Festival. Photo by Christina Acosta.

Crede noted that events at a library hold a very dear place in her heart as an author.

For more information about registering for the All Together Now! Summer reading program or the Adult summer reading program, visit www.tcfl.org.

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, and digital devices, as well as 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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County Free Library Showcases Easton High School’s Interactive Media Art Exhibition

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Talbot County Free Library- Easton Library invites the community to stop by and take a look at the Easton High School Interactive Media Art exhibition that will be at the meeting room until September 16th, 2023.

This is the eighth year that the library has partnered with Talbot County Public Schools to provide the community with student artwork. This year’s exhibition features the talent of 23 students, including: Aviyah Durante: Sushi; David Rogers: Tiger; Ayari Granados Martinez: Two girls photo; Blake Newton: Green Day Poster; Joseph Lavezzo: Man overlooking water; Cheyenne Branham: Penguin Poster; Ja Shiya Copper: SOS Tour Poster; Kennedy Hussnatter: Mountain Landscape; Garrett Fink: Baseball Picture; Sam Nobel: Tree frog; Bree Stevens: River Landscape; Lavinia Tindall: Woman with Mountain Landscape; Sam Rogers: Snowy Mountain Landscape; Matthew Byers: Sailfish; Emilinda Perez: California Poster; Sofia Stecher: Arches Landscape; Olivia Wise: Vietnam Poster; David Rogers: Hockey Player; Johanna Herrea Hernandez: Abstract Chicken; Cristian Sandoval: Bad Bunny Portrait; Madelyn Finch: Surf Picture; Brady Tipton: Year of the Rabbit; and Avery Andrews: Girl Character Design.

“We are proud to be the location where high school students can display their work because it is a wonderful opportunity for the community to see how hard the students have worked throughout the year.  Our special thanks also to Melissa Richardson, Interactive Multimedia Teacher at Easton High School, who organized and installed the exhibition.” said Talbot County Free Library Assistant Director Scotti Oliver. “We hope to continue to carry this important partnership with Talbot County Public Schools and its talented students.”

All library programs are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org

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, and digital devices, as well as 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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

St. Michaels Branch to Celebrate 42nd Anniversary

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Preparations are underway for Talbot County Free Library to celebrate the upcoming 42nd anniversary of the St. Michaels Branch.

The major celebration will take place on Monday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the St. Michaels Branch, 106 Fremont St. Snacks and coffee will be provided in the morning.

“Celebrating our 42nd anniversary is a major milestone of how far we have come in the past and present in the community around us,” said St. Michaels Branch Manager Shauna Beulah. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us, especially our upcoming expansion that will allow our branch to support the needs of our visitors and patrons.”

The St. Michaels expansion capital campaign started in 2022. This year, the library is developing the design for the new library, which included holding a community input meeting in May, and another presentation of the design being held later this summer.

Construction is expected to begin next year. The grand opening for the newly renovated and expanded St. Michaels branch will take place in 2025 during TCFL’s 100th anniversary.

“The expansion will be an asset to our community,” said Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman. “Providing a more modern approach to access is highly crucial to the community and its various needs.”

To donate to the St. Michaels Branch campaign, go to www.tcfl.org and click on the donate button. All Talbot County Free Library events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org  or call 410-745-5877.

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The St. Michaels Branch’s June Lunch & Learn Features Darlene Goehringer

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Talbot County Free Library announced recently that Darlene Goehringer, of Pops Old Place, will be the guest speaker of June’s Lunch & Learn taking place on Monday, June 5 at noon at the St. Michaels Branch.

Pop’s Old Place is a Century Family Farm, located in Dorchester County Maryland. This Midshore family farm has been around since 1909.

Darlene and her husband Arthur Wilson have been the owners since 1989. Their stated goal is to produce nutritious and delicious food for their family, and the community. They also focus on soil health, animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

They raise grass fed & finished beef, lamb, woodland pork, and free-range laying hens. They sell their products directly from their farm market. Darlene and Arthur have a different approach to farming in that they raise heritage breeds, not hybridized.

Darlene wanted animals that were actively farmed in the early 1900s when her ancestors were farming. Many of the breeds they raise are endangered, including Randall Cattle and Mulefoot Pigs.

The duo started out small with horses and added as they went, including a sheep and sheep dog.

Pop’s Old Place is a purpose driven farm. Darlene will share a documentary about Pops Old Place about the farm that was done with David Harp, Tom Horton and Richard Anderson.

For more information about the farm visit the website https://popsoldplace.com/. The Lunch & Learn Speakers series is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Coffee and dessert will be provided. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org  or call 410-745-5877.

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

TCFL Invites the Community to Learn More About the ‘Hunger Crisis’

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Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) and the Talbot County Hunger Coalition will be presenting “The Hunger Crisis in Talbot County” program on Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m. at the Easton Library.

This program will be a panel discussion with speakers representing the various pantries and meal providers in Talbot County and how they are handling the increasing challenge of hunger in our own backyard. Panelists include:

· Emily Moody and newly-elected Easton Mayor, Megan Cook, will represent CarePacks that makes sure over 300 children in the public schools have backpacks of food to take home over the weekend, supplementing the schools’ free and reduced meals.

· Kate Mansfield will represent St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, one of the biggest, if not the biggest, and probably the oldest of food pantries in Talbot.

· Gary Yeatman will represent St. Mark’s Food Pantry that sprang up during the pandemic as a temporary pantry and then morphed into a full-time food pantry now serving 65 families or 163 people a week, mainly seniors.

· Patrick Rofe will represent St. Michaels Community Center, which has an active food pantry, but he will speaking about the meals they serve the community and their plans to expand that operation.

· Catherine Poe will represent the Hunger Coalition.

“According to the Talbot County Hunger Coalition, 11% of our neighbors are food insecure (hungry) and 15% children are food insecure. There are 17% of our children living below the poverty line; 61% of our children participating in free or reduced school meals; 6% of our seniors living below the poverty line; and 12% of our resident relying on SNAP”

“Hunger doesn’t discriminate. It afflicts the young and the old, black and white, the employed and the unemployed. It is the refrigerator standing empty at the end of the month except for last night’s rice and beans. It is the child who fills up on potato chips because it is a cheap meal. It is the senior citizen whose Social Security checks don’t stretch to pay for one more grocery trip that month,” said Poe.

During the program, the panelists will address the major issue of hunger confronting Talbot County and what more can be done. All Talbot County Free Library Programs are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.tcfl.org.

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, and digital devices, as well as 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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Kickoff Summer at the Library by Saving Lives

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The Talbot County Free Library (TCFL) invites the community to stop by the Easton library to save a life on Friday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All one has to do is register online at https://tinyurl.com/5973rmxn and find the right time that suits their schedule. The first 30 people who register will receive a free tote and a book buck they can use at the library.

“Donating blood during this crucial time is a good way to not only kickoff the summer season, but to also save lives to those in need,” said Christina Acosta, Talbot County Free Library Communications Manager. “We are very thrilled to host it at the library because we offer more than just books. We offer resources, events, and now our second blood drive.”

Last year, TCFL hosted a STEM Blood Drive at the Easton Library where over 59 units of blood were collected, which helped up to 177 people. It was all made possible with the help of The Blood Bank of Delmarva, who successfully facilitated the event for four hours.

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, and digital devices, as well as 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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.