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September 20, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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Spy Profile: Imani Black Shakes Up the Seafood Industry on the Shore

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African Americans have long been a part of the seafood industry, especially on the Chesapeake Bay. As far back as the earliest years of settlement in America, people of color worked on the water, manufactured tools for the watermen, and processed and packed the catch. In doing so, they contributed to the evolution and culture of the industry, an industry that continues to thrive, thanks to the increasing global demand for seafood. Yet despite that contribution, both the academic and management levels have remained overwhelmingly white and male-dominated. Imani Black wants to change that.

Imani Black

Black is an African American oyster farmer and scientist in the burgeoning aquaculture industry. An Eastern Shore native, she attended Queen Anne’s County High School and then graduated as a Marine Biologist from Old Dominion University in Norfolk in 2016. As a senior in college, she found her passion for oyster restoration while interning for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Oyster Restoration Team, which led to the Oyster Aquaculture Training Program (OAT). By 2018 she was at the Hooper Island Oyster Company in Cambridge as the assistant hatchery manager, a position she held until May of 2020. It was during this time that she became aware she had a mission to fulfill.

“I realized that in my space, I’ve never worked with another woman of color nor seen another person of color in management,” said Black. Turning to other farmers and educators, she started asking the question she couldn’t answer: “When was the last time we saw a person of color in a leadership role in aquaculture? And nobody could tell me.”

That silence was disturbing, and so was the realization that she was a double minority. “It’s been said to me, and it also shows you how drastic this problem is,” said Black, “that I am the only woman of color involved in aquaculture from Maryland to Texas. Just the fact that this could be a thing is very alarming to me.”

This awareness hit Black hard and became the catalyst for her creating the nonprofit Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA). “Aquaculture is becoming the focal point of our sustainable seafood resource, not just in the United States but also globally. I’ve had a very successful career in aquaculture. So I wanted to create a network of women of color that could come together, learn about aquaculture, and also be provided with career development skills and opportunities.”

Black’s success in aquaculture can be attributed to her growing up on the Eastern Shore and her connection to a long line of Bay Watermen, dating back over 200 years. It is a background that she has taken time to learn about and which is a backdrop to her organization. “If you look at the history of women of color or just minorities in general,” said Black, “men usually are at the forefront of what is recognized and what is documented as far as minorities’ contribution. So I wanted to pay homage not only to the traditional marine occupation of Waterman but also to recognize the legacy of women of color that have had a huge part in the evolution of our commercial fishing on the Chesapeake.”

The response to MIA has been greater than she envisioned. “It’s been amazing, with people both in and out of aquaculture,” she says. “When I was thinking about all of this, I was not aware that there is a whole movement of black marine scientists who lately have said, ‘we’ve had enough.’ Diversity and inclusion have been on the table, have been in our conversations, have been in your conversations as leaders for decades. And yet, still, marine science lacks people of color. And so, all at the same time, a few organizations have started a movement. To be recognized as being a part of that movement is amazing.” As is the international recognition they’ve received, something she hopes will translate into a global organization.

With MIA’s membership growing, so are the partnerships that have rallied around the organization. “We just hired our first communications intern from Howard University, and we’re trying to get in front of local high schools, historically black colleges, etc., just to give those minority women opportunities. I want people to know that when someone has a designation as an MIA member on the resume that they are coming in knowing everything they’re supposed to know and can just hit the ground running in whatever sector of aquaculture that they choose to do.”

If it isn’t yet obvious, Black is passionate both about the Bay and the oysters. Ask her why and she’ll tell you the importance of oysters to the ecosystem and the economy: How they were almost wiped out due to disease, overfishing, and habitat destruction. How oysters filter 50 gallons of water a day and how their viability can predict the health of the environment. This is why Black believes the introduction of aquaculture to the Chesapeake Bay has helped restore the numbers of oysters and why she is so interested in her contribution as an oyster farmer to the health of the Bay. One of the many roles available in the aquaculture industry that she hopes to model for other minority women.

Besides promoting MIA, Black is currently working on her Master’s thesis. She’s also been exploring training for her captain’s license, but that has become a whole other opportunity she didn’t expect when she found her notoriety attracted organizations willing to pay for her lessons and sponsor her to get seat time. “I was super grateful for that,” she said. “Honestly, I was shocked that that was even happening. However, in this new mindset that I am in, having started MIA, I think about things now, not just for myself, but how it will affect the women who are part of this organization. And so I boldly had a moment where I said, let’s put your money where your mouth is. I know that you want to pay for my captain’s license, but I want to start a program so that other people can get their captain’s licenses and that you can support them while they do that. Because it’s not about me being the youngest woman of color on the water, but if I get my captain’s license five years from now, that’s fine too. It’s just another credential, another certification, another skill to have. But you know, that skill is also beneficial, so I saw the opportunity within that to make it have some longevity to go beyond just me.”

Meanwhile, either as a captain or crew, Black says she’s meant to be on a boat every day, getting drenched and muddy. She loves the hard physical labor. Before the interview ended, we had to know how she personally feels about oysters as a food group?

“I cap it at six raw oysters,” she told us. ‘I’m in a place where I just want to taste the oysters enough to figure out their flavor profile, to get the notes. After that, I’m okay; I don’t need to eat two dozen oysters. I get the point after six.”

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

 

 

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

Floating Your Boat at the Model Boat Show at Oxford Community Center

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The Model Boat Show (MBS) will be held on Saturday, November 13th, from 10 am – 4 pm at the Oxford Community Center (OCC), continuing its tradition to coincide with Easton’s Waterfowl Festival. The Spy spoke to John Sutton, 2021 chair for the show, about what visitors can expect from this annual family event and how this show is important to the historical and cultural background of the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore, and Waterman. 

Those attending the MBS can expect to see models that will range from quirky artistic representations to precision scale replicas to electronically controlled sailing vessels. 

Many of the techniques used to build these model ships and boats are identical to those developed by master shipwrights over a century ago. In contrast, others are thoroughly modern, including photogrammetry, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Ed Thieler, MBS’s producer (and lifelong modeler), says the show “brings together in one delightful and comfortable setting, modelers who combine careful research, skillful craftsmanship, and artistic expression, across the broad range of boat modeling.”  

LIVE music by Jayme D and a variety of food, from chili to hamburgers, will be available thanks to the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department and the Volunteer Fire Auxiliary. A raw oyster bar sponsored by Awful Arthur’s and a selection of beer curated by Kelly Distributors are also part of the event. Lunch food is a benefit for the OVFC and Auxiliary.

Admission is free to all indoor and outdoor exhibits. The oysters are “A buck a shuck,” and refreshments will be available for sale to benefit the OCC. For more information: https://oxfordcc.org

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

Mid-Shore Life: Waterfowl Turns Gold at Half a Century

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Like no other event on the Eastern Shore, the Waterfowl Festival is a celebration of both the season and of life on the shore. Mention Easton to most non-locals, and they may not know much about the town, but they know it’s the home of the Waterfowl Festival. And for the last 50 years, the second weekend in November has been the date when all the planning and hard work comes together. Well, sort of 50 years.  Labeling 2020 as the year that “none of us can remember, but one we’ll never forget,” Executive Director of the Waterfowl Festival, Margaret Enloe-North, says, “what I learned, from a festival perspective, is that it takes a global pandemic to stop this event from happening.”

Family Affair

She doesn’t have to worry this year.  It’s happening and in a big and traditional way. Not that that was always going to be the case. When the organization started talking about the 2021 celebration, given everything that didn’t happen last year, they considered downscaling and modifying it. “We couldn’t do it,” says Enloe-North, “it just wasn’t going to have the same feel or the same resonance. It came down to our focusing on what we’re good at and what we know. So we stuck with what is mostly predictable and what we could control. We are thrilled this year to bring everything back that everybody loves. We’ll have our Tasting Pavilion, the Beer Wetland; we have the Diving Dogs competition, the retriever demonstrations, and look for a rocking Sporting Pavilion out at Easton Elk’s Lodge… all the favorites are back.” And some new additions. 

As to what’s new, the organization is looking forward to hosting the featured artist, Bart Walter, a world-renowned sculptor. The group has been in talks with him for the past three years, as he no longer exhibits at shows. But his presence is an important one for the history of the festival. In honor of the 25th anniversary, he created Family Affair, the sculpture in front of the Waterfowl building.  His homage to the 50th celebration is titled Wind and Waves. A video of the making of this sculpture is available here.  

Speaking of special festival art, this year’s official festival poster is by painter Art LaMay, who happens to have been an exhibitor for each of the past 50 years!  Appropriately entitled Looking Back, there will be 300 signed and numbered limited edition posters for sale, as well as some framed and unframed prints.

Other new features to look for include the partnership with Delmarva Birding Weekends https://delmarvabirding.com/waterfowl-festival-nov-11-14/ that will present a special birding tour along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Dorchester County and one exploring the historic sites in Easton that shaped the life of Frederick Douglass. If you’re looking for artists doing the carving this year, they will now be integrated across the art venues instead of being in one area.

Not new, but something that only happens once every five years is the duck and goose World Waterfowl Calling Championship. Says Enloe-North, “Basically, this is the pinnacle prize in goose calling, and if you win, you must retire from further competitions. Five years ago, we did a live stream, and I believe we had 70,000 viewers!”

As always, the weekend’s festivities begin with the Opening Night Ceremonies. This year besides the incredible food and open bar, there will be a decoy and art auction. “Historically, we’ve auctioned off mostly what’s called ‘miniature decoys,’” says Enloe-North. “These are usually decorative and palm-sized. But this year, we have had some fabulous offerings from artists and other exhibitors who are have donated some fabulous items. There will be a lot of important art and collectibles.” Also, look for Art Awards being given out for a Sporting and Heritage Art contest. Tickets for opening night were available as of this writing.

Of course, the Waterfowl Festival is not just a fun event for the family; it is also an essential component of Talbot County’s economic growth and recovery. A study conducted by Rockport Analytics, titled Economic & Cultural Impact of the 2019 Waterfowl Festival found that the three-day event brought in over 15,000 people, who spent nearly $3 million on various goods and services in Talbot County.  “From that 2019 economic impact study,” says Enloe-North, “we also learned that attendees are equally split male and female, and that about half of our visitors come from at least 50 miles away.”

Given those incredible numbers, would it surprise you that there are only four paid staff members in the organization? They are not alone, of course. To make it the event it is, there are now 85 community partners and over 40 corporate sponsors. As with every year, Enloe-North is inspired and in awe of how it all comes together, calling it miraculous how the event just seems to come together seamlessly. “In actuality, there’s an incredible amount of work on the back end to make that happen, and I think we’ve got it down to a pretty solid science. But here is the important part: We are a nonprofit; if we don’t have the community support and don’t have the sponsor support, it’s virtually impossible for us to do this event. This is not a small-scale thing.”

The Waterfowl Festival has created a fantastic retrospective video on the history of the past 50 years below or available here.  Tickets are available online now. https://waterfowlfestival.org

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

Tiger Lily’s Opens its Doors

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When the first customer walks through Tiger Lily’s door this Friday, they’ll be stepping into not only the newest restaurant in Easton but will also be part of one of the most anticipated openings this year. It will be the time when all questions we’ve heard being asked around town will be answered. Questions such as: Who owns the restaurant and what kind of food will they be serving?

Located at 206 N Washington St., across from Talbot Town Shopping Center and next door to Harrison Liquors, Tiger Lily took over the space formerly occupied by Taste. But the three people involved in this restaurant, Ketan “K” Patel, Austin Smale, and Tyler Heim, are no strangers to each other or Easton or even to the property. For one, Patel owns the building housing Tiger Lily and Harrison Liquor, which is how he met Smale, who was Taste’s General Manager (GM). The last day Taste was open, Patel realized Smale had a huge following and that it was not only the restaurant that Easton would miss. They started talking about ‘doing something in the space,’ even though Patel had no restaurant experience.

And then COVID came along……

The two remained in contact, coming up with ideas, even as Smale took a job as GM at Limoncello Italian Restaurant in St. Michaels. That’s when Heim entered the picture. “Tyler and I have come in contact throughout the industry for many years,” said Smale, “always at different places. But we’d like to think we got the same creative mindset.” For Heim, who worked at Bluepoint Hospitality for a couple of years, that creativity revolved around food, and when Smale and Patel offered him the Executive Chef position, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Now for the menu. Call it Tiki Fusion, a mix of Asian and South American culture but heavily taco-centered. “We will dip into the traditional tacos, but I’m a foodie,” says Heim. “So, we plan on being pretty creative. We definitely want to be approachable because we have a vast clientele in Easton. But we do want to bring people on to some new things that they might not have heard of.”

They plan on locally sourcing their food as much as possible and appealing to a broad audience. “We kept in mind different dietary restrictions when creating the menu,” said Smale.” We can accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian. Whole 30? We can make it happen.”

Just how much influence did Patel, someone not in the food industry, have on the menu? “The tastings,” said Heim, “are his favorite part. It seems like whenever I’m trying out a new item, K shows up.” “Seriously, though,” says Smale, “he’s handed over all creative control to us. He’s taking a chance with us, obviously, but he is literally 100% in it to win it with us.”

“It’s about having good faith in them,” says Patel. “We just make a good team.”

So, on the menu (and Patel approved) are items such as the Wild Steer Taco (braised chuck roast, coleslaw, crispy leeks, & guajillo BBQ) and the Happy Boar Taco (roasted pork shoulder, pineapple fresno salsa, & queso fresco), or the Crispy Mushroom Taco (cabbage, guajillo BBQ, pickled onion, fennel slaw, & lime-cilantro crema). Not feeling in a taco mood? Try their signature Tiger Lily Garden Roll (a favorite of Heim) or the Ceviche. And check in daily for their featured Rice Bowl.

Having heard about employment issues facing restaurants, we wondered if they were worried.
Said Smale, “COVID was a blessing in disguise; we have been able to form our business plan and the kitchen layout around that fear. We brought in a Combi Smart Oven to help reduce labor costs in the kitchen. We brought in a point of sale system called Toast, which has QR codes that you can order through if need be. On top of that, between the three of us, we have a pretty solid reputation.”

“Austin and I come from an interesting vantage point,” said Heim. “We’ve been managers, and we’ve been employees, and we know what it takes to be a good employer and what it takes to work at a place where you want to be. I think one of our main focuses is to build a family. We’ve had many people coming to us asking for a job, and I’m not worried. And we also have a good place where people can come and be excited about working here. We like feeding off of other creative excited people.”

Left to right Austin Smale (GM), K Patel (owner), Tyler Heim (Executive Chef)

That creativity extends beyond the food. The three painted and decorated the walls and put together the tables and chairs in the restaurant and on the patio. The Tiki ambiance, they hope, should make you think of tropical Polynesian jungles. After all, the restaurant, Tiger Lily, is named after the Southeast Asian flower and classic Tiki cocktail (pisco, yuzu, elderflower, grapefruit, honey syrup, and bitters). Yes, that drink and other exotic classics, along with new creations, are on the menu. And by the way, there’s something to be said about a restaurant owned by the person who also owns the liquor store. You can stop next door, pick up a bottle and bring it with you to the restaurant.

There is a lot the three are looking forward to. Patel likes the idea of spending quality time with clients, more time than his liquor store business has allowed. The trio can’t wait to have live music, both outside and inside (now that a new sound suppression system has been installed). But mostly, they want to bring a unique experience to the area.

For now, Tiger Lily will be open for lunch starting at 11 am Wednesday – Sundays and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The kitchen will remain open until 9 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends. However, there is no closing time for the bar, as they are going by their unspoken rule, which says they won’t shut down as long as people are there. “We would love to be open until 2 am with everyone having a good, good time,” says Smale.

Their goal is to have a place with a cool vibe, where people can come and relax, a new place to enjoy the nightlife. No wonder this is such an anticipated opening.

For more information see their Facebook page

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

Oxford Community Center Takes to the Road

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This past Saturday, September 18th, over 75 classic and unique vintage cars showed up to take part in the 2nd Annual Oxford Community Road Rally. The rally participants gathered early at the Oxford Community Center’s (OCC) and enjoyed a Continental breakfast sponsored by Fred Zell from Prestige Auto Vault and provided by OCC volunteers. The rally then left on a 70-mile scenic tour ending at the Suicide Bridge Restaurant in Secretary, MD, where they enjoyed a buffet lunch.

The route and the day were planned by a committee led by Byron “Brud” LaMotte, an OCC board member who said, “This year we’ve had some very generous sponsors and a nice goodie bag for the participants. We have a new route, awards, and special cars, such as a 1965 Porsche 356C, a 1952 Jaguar XK 120, and a Jaguar XK 140. A lot of interesting cars that we typically don’t get to see.”

Peter Stifel and Hughlett Kirby Silver Ghost

The rally was an idea brought up last year at OCC’s monthly Cars and Coffee gathering after COVID canceled most of OCC’s events. It was discussed as a way to have fun while still complying with COVID regulations. The group working on the rally had expected a small turnout and was surprised when over 60 cars signed up. Many at the rally last year hoped it would be a yearly event. 

This year we’ve had people from as far as Pennsylvania sign up,” says LaMotte. “I think people view this as a really fun opportunity to get to enjoy driving their cars while enjoying a little bit of a competition. They have a navigator who has to count a certain number of landmarks to get the correct score.”

We spoke to a couple of drivers before they left. Peter Stifel, who drove a 1910 Thomas Flyer last year, is back driving a 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. The car, he told us, has been in the family since around 1954. “I’m very happy to support the Oxford Community Center,” said Stifel, “and that’s really why I’m here. But the rally is also enjoyable, and it doesn’t do any good to have a fun car like this in the garage.”

Jim Grundy and his ’68 Ferrari

This is the first rally for Jim Grundy (of Grundy Insurance), one of the event’s sponsors. Unlike Stifel’s family heirloom, Grundy is driving a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB 4 Cam, a new acquisition for him. “I spent years chasing and researching this car,” he said. It might be one of the very best of the 275 Ferraris.” He’s here, he told us, to “support the community and the community center, and to be with ‘car guys.’”  

Liza Ledford, Executive Director of OCC, is thrilled with the turnout. “This event gets better every year! We had 25% more cars, rare vehicles, and fantastic awards added this year.  It’s truly amazing to see the collection of cars as they rally through the various villages en route. It’s a fabulous way to explore the natural beauty of our region and dine outdoors together safely. Thanks to Brud LaMotte and his committee, especially Alden Firth and Fred Zell, for their dedication to all the details. I love being part of this “pit crew!” 

Winners of the expanded awards this year included:  

  1. Lineage Award: Sam Dupont for driving his grandfather’s ’55 Rolls Royce (and keeping car enthusiasm in the family)
  2. Judge’s Choice Award:  Jim Grundy for bringing the ’68 Ferrari 275 GTB 4
  3. Most Clever Score Card: Capt. John Bunch for adding extra credit points for sightings of birds & snakes
  4. Furthest Traveled Entrant: Byron LaMotte, Jr. from NYC, NY
  5. Chronologically Superior (Oldest Driver):  Anne Kerstetter in her ’95 Porsche 911
  6. Youngest Driver: Dylan Nelson (24 years old) in a ’69 Chevy C-10 truck
  7. Oldest Car to Complete Course: ’52 MG driven by Steve Goldman
  8. Honorable Old Car Mention: ’53 Buick ‘Woody’ Super Estate wagon driven by Tom Nammack
  9. Runner Up Score & Jaguar Award: Joe Robillard ’52 Jag XK120 – 59 points
  10. Tom Schoenbeck 2006 Mercedes CLK500 – 60 points
  11. Klunker Award: Peter Stifel ’23 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost (for finally arriving for lunch)

The event was sponsored by Grundy Insurance, Safe Harbor Marine, Benson & Mangold RE, Campbell’s Boat Yards, Doc’s Sunset Grille, Koon’s Toyota Easton, Prestige Auto Vault, Bay Vanguard Bank, FBB Capital Group, Operation Open Arms, Shore United Bank, Tred Avon Players, Nelson Auto Body Concepts, Kleppinger Electric Company, and Latitude 38. Proceeds from the rally will help to underwrite the many activities and services OCC provides the community. 

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

 

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

Senior Nation: Dreams and Memories at the Easton Airport

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Did you happen to catch a WWII-era biplane flying around Easton last Thursday morning? If you were awed by the sight, you might have been moved by why it was even in the area. The two-person open cockpit plane is one of six restored Boeing Stearman once used to train aviators during WWII. It was in Easton for an extraordinary mission:  to honor three local World War II veterans as part of a national program.

With the tagline “Giving Back to Those Who Gave,” Dream Flights, a non-profit organization created in 2011, was established to honor seniors and military veterans by giving them a flight in the biplanes. As part of this opportunity, the vets are encouraged to talk about their time in the service. Working with the One Day app, the group records these living histories and share them with families and communities where the individual lives.  So far, Dream Flights have given free voyages and collected stories of over 4,200 seniors and veterans. 

However, as of August 1, 2021, and running through September 30th, Dream Flights is on a new mission: Operations September Freedom (OSF), that honors and flies only WWII vets. The timing is right. September 2 marks the 76th anniversary of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which ended the war. But there was greater motivation. Dream Flights realized that they were flying fewer and fewer WWII veterans because of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, only an estimated 100,000 are still living, and the youngest is 95 years old. Time was of the essence.

So, at the end of last year, OSF put out a request to find and fly these veterans.  That’s where Easton’s retirement community, Londonderry on the Tred Avon, comes in. Londonderry‘s CEO, Irma Toce, heard about the Dream Flights group and signed up to participate in the program. Once Londonderry was chosen to be part of the flights, they went to the seven qualifying WWII veteran residents; three agreed: Howard Zwemer, Gene Mechling, and Calvin Sanders. Each of them had served in the Air Force and trained on a Stearman, so the idea of flying in that plane again was an easy decision. 

On Thursday morning, supporters, families, and friends gathered on the tarmac at Easton airport as the three readied for their adventure. Their excitement was palpable. Mechling could even be heard asking if they would consider doing loops and dips in the air. After being welcomed by pilot James Sims, who discussed the flight details, a color guard featuring veterans from Local VFW-Post 5118 marched past the spectators and led them in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Calvin Sanders answered the call when Sims asked for the first volunteer, and families were encouraged to take photos and videos of their loved ones as they were assisted into the cockpit of the historic plane. With a wave or a thumbs-up, each vet was flown for approximately 15-20 minutes over the Eastern Shore.

After landing, Sims signed and gave veterans a Dream Flights hat as a remembrance of their flight and then each was asked to sign the tail of the plane. The program’s success was most evident in the smiles of the three honorees who were given a chance to create a lasting memory. They all wanted to do it again.  Zwemer quantified it further: “Any chance, and anytime, I can go back up, I will.” 

Said Toce, “They haven’t stopped talking about it. It’s such a great memory for them. Personally, I thought Dream Flights did a very impressive, amazing job.” 

Operations September Freedom will continue through the end of September. If you know of a WWII vet, you can add them to the waiting list here .  Dream Flights are supported by volunteers who pilot and maintain the planes, and although the flights are free to veterans, each flight costs approximately $400. Donations are requested to help keep them flying.

For more information about Londonderry on the Tred Avon please go here.

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

The Frederick Douglass Mural in Easton Begins

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A groundbreaking ceremony at the site where the mural honoring Frederick Douglass will be installed was held this past Saturday, July 10, 2021, in the Hill Community at 505 South St. in Easton. The mural, which is planned to be unveiled on September 4, has been painted by world-renowned artist Michael Rosato. Dignitaries and community leaders from the Town, County, and State, joined Hill residents and others involved or interested in the Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill project. 

Tarence Bailey, Sr.

Led by Tarence Bailey, Sr., 5x great-nephew of Frederick Douglass, the dream to honor his uncle materialized when a friend of the Bailey family, social activist, Michelle Garcia-Daniels, agreed to pay for the mural if Rosato would paint it. A search then began for a location on the Hill, one of the oldest African American neighborhoods still in existence, that would accommodate the 24×8 foot mural. It was solved when Bailey knocked on the door to the owners of the Solid Tops building on the Rails to Trails, located a short distance from the historic Buffalo Soldier’s House.

“I was always told as a child that people aren’t mind readers,” said Bailey. “No one will know your needs if you don’t open your mouth. I had my eye on that spot for over a year. So, I just walked up to the front door and asked. Annie Kruger and her husband were willing to be involved and donated it to us.”

Once all the permits were granted, fundraising began. This weekend’s ceremony allowed the project’s family and committee members to thank their supporters. 

The afternoon event began with Bailey introducing Rosato and acknowledging the elected officials. In attendance were Maryland State Delegate Johnny Mautz, Talbot County Council President Chuck Callahan, Easton Mayor Robert Willey, Town Council President Megan Cook, Council Members Rev. Elmer Davis, Jr. Al Silverstein, and Don Abbatiello. 

Rosato, who is best known for his Cambridge homage to Harriet Tubman, thanked Bailey for his persistence in finding a location on the Hill: “I think it’s important that it be in this community where Frederick Douglass once walked and where he was a slave. It’s going to be something that the community can be proud of; I know I’m proud of it.” Rosato added, “I’ve had many opportunities to tell the Black story, and you learn so much. While I was painting this mural, I listened to his autobiography, and it was so powerful. The mural tells that story: of perseverance, and dedication to purpose that he had, not just for himself, but for his community and his people.”

Mayor Willey acknowledged that he’s witnessed an awareness of Douglass’ contribution to the County. “A lot of people in Talbot County weren’t even aware of who Frederick Douglass was, what he did, and what he stood for. Over the last couple of years, that kind of changed.  I think now people understand what’s taken place and what the story is behind Frederick Douglass.”

President of the Talbot County Council, Chuck Callahan, said he is aware of what this project will do for the County. He pledged the Council’s assistance in ensuring the continued growth of the Hill community as it now hosts the mural.

Delegate Mautz thanked Bailey and his family for the work they had done in bringing the project to fruition, “It also means an incredible amount to the community because you’re sharing this with the community.” Adding, “It’s not a regional thing., it’s not a national thing. This is a down-home thing.”

Also recognized was Derick Daly, founder of BAAM (Building African American Minds), Polaris Village Ministries, and now CEO of JACK Construction, who will be building a mount for the mural. 

Speaking after the ceremony, Bailey said, “This event gave us a renewed energy boost! And the support from the Hill Community and people who drove down as far away as Wilmington, Delaware, is very encouraging. It let me know that this is a worthy thing. The support of local government gives me all the reason to know this will be a success, and Easton, Maryland, and Frederick Douglass will be the center of attention come September 4 to round out the summer of 2021!”

Donations to the Frederick Douglass on the Hill project can be made at: https://www.mscf.org/donate-online

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

St. Michaels Library Turns 40 by Val Cavalheri

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Libraries have always played a fundamental role in a community both as a resource for services and as a support for literacy.  That is the case with the St. Michaels Library. What started being run by volunteers now employs five full-time staff members.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary on July 1st, the library has always had a reputation for being an integral part of St. Michaels, forming partnerships with different organizations, being available off-hours, and providing a meeting space for various groups. 

Embodying that community involvement is Branch Manager Shauna Beulah, who in her 35-year career has been part of the evolution that the branch has experienced. But growth doesn’t mean losing the hometown feel. To Shauna, being identified around town as the ‘library lady’ is not unusual. Nor is being asked to return material or place something on hold while she is shopping at the grocery store. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Spy sat down with Shauna to talk about the future and the anniversary celebration that will feature best-selling author Bryan Christy who will be signing his new novel In the Company of Killers. Refreshments will be served.

The celebration of the St. Michaels Library will be on July 1st at 1 PM. Please register by calling 410-745-5877.

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

Preserving Talbot History at John Wesley Church

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Only a few miles outside of Oxford, on a little spot of land, right on Oxford Road, is a modest one-room building that is the home of the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church. There is no indoor plumbing; instead, there is the remnant of an outhouse behind the church. There is no place to park. The sprawling cemetery could use some TLC.

Unassertive it may be, but oh, the history! Step into the church, and you’ve stepped back in time. If you close your eyes, you could almost hear the murmurs of the congregation as they turn the pages to find the hymns whose numbers are still listed on the board near the pulpit. The organist begins to play as the pastor returns to his red velvet seat after delivering the sermon. This could be any church in any town, but for Oxford, this place is an important piece of African American history, and a lot of effort is being put into saving it.

Before Restoration

The Talbot Spy recently met with the John Wesley Church Preservation board members Paula Van Valkenburgh, Jim Reed, Virginia Gibson, and with spokesman and Church elder, Wayman Pinder. We spoke about how far this program has come and how far it still has to go to make it accessible to the public so that others can benefit from the history and culture of this important landmark.

But to talk about how far it has come means that you need to know about the past.

This particular bit of history began in 1838 when plantation owner Ann O. Worrell, deeded one-eighth of an acre for $10.00, ‘on which a house or place of worship would be built.’ This became the place where many throughout the area would walk 2 to 5 miles to attend services. On Sundays, they would gather in the morning, sing and pray on their own and conduct Sunday school as they waited for the arrival of their ‘circuit rider’ minister, who was assigned and traveled to more than one congregation.

Cookhouse being raised

In 1846 an adjacent parcel was purchased to be made into a cemetery. By 1851 it had become an abolitionist and integrated church with 31 whites and 26 black members, which was highly unusual for the time and the place because Oxford back then had an African American community that was 50% freed and 50% enslaved. It was also the center of Union recruitment for the U.S. Colored Troops, where some signed on to serve as a way to attain freedom for themselves and their families.

“The thing that I keep going back to,” said Reed, “is the unique history of not only the grounds, but the people that that were members of this church, and how it was a mixed congregation. I didn’t see any of that in the history books when I was in school, and honestly, it’s something that should be taught.”

After Restoration

After the civil war, when blacks could own property, the black congregants purchased John Wesley from the whites for $150.00. In the 1940s, the cook shop, at the urging of church member Nellie Brooks Leatherberry, was built on the property, serving meals and refreshments to church members. The church and cook shop remained operative until the late 1970s when it fell into disrepair.

Jump forward to the early 2000s when a decision was made to save the church’s contribution to Oxford history. Thanks to donations from former members and families of former members, including congregants of the African American Waters United Church in Oxford, the rehabilitation began with the lifting and structural renovation of both the church and the cook shop. In 2015 the cook shop site (renamed as the Nellie Brooks Leatherberry African American Museum) became the first African American Museum in Talbot County. If this sounds like the perfect ending of a story for this historic church, then you’d be wrong. So much still needs to be done, says Van Valkenburgh.

Inside Cookshop

It was a sweltering day when we met. The church doors were open to let in air as we sat in the renovated pews, drinking iced tea. In front of the pulpit is a granite rock with the words ‘M.E. Church 1875.’ It was found under the church when it was raised for the renovation.

To both Pinder and Gibson (who are brother and sister), the church is a place that holds happy memories. Their family had lived down the road, and they had been going there ever since they were children. Like siblings, they bantered back and forth teasing each other, remembering old times: being babysat in the loft choir while their parents prayed below, the Sunday cookouts in the cook shop, which had to be done early and thoughtfully since there was no electricity nor running water. They pointed to the names etched on the stained-glass windows, through which the sun was now streaming. These weren’t unknown names; they were family and friends. Pinder smiled, recalling that as an adult, and for a time, he was the organist for what he describes as a “nice choir and very spiritual church.”

After Restoration

The organ, now badly in need of repair, sits in the corner. For now, it’s being used as a place to display old photos, but Pinder wants to make sure that the organ is playable again and is starting a GoFundMe page to get help to make this happen. He even promised to play on it when it’s fixed.

We walked the sacred grounds of the black cemetery, and Gibson pointed out that the earliest recorded burial here was in 1889 of three-month-old Willie Barton. Van Valkenburgh explained why there are a vast number of graves inscribed with what looks to be an ‘X.’ “The company hired to do archaeological work found over 60 graves without markers and identified them with the Greek symbol for ‘unknown.’” Efforts to identify these remains have been frustrating but ongoing. The graves that are known are listed on the website.

Much work has gone into the renovation of the former cook shop/museum. Particularly when you look at the pictures of how much it has changed in the last few years. It will be a place where recorded oral histories, photographs, and other mementos from the John Wesley congregation will be displayed to the public. But to have that happen, the site must meet several criteria for both parking and accessibility, neither of which is insurmountable, just costly.

Group picture, left to right: Virginia Gibson, Jim Reed, Paula Van Valkenburgh, and Wayman Pinder

The group is thankful for the generosity and interest shown to them by the local community and families of the former congregation. Reed, who is the Treasurer of the organization, mentioned an example: “We got a check from a guy in Texas, and he added a little note on it—’My grandmother was born on Tilghman Street in Oxford, and her family walked to the church every Sunday, and she went to the black school on Tilghman Street.’”

One issue, the parking, has been solved. Jay Heim, a neighbor of the church, generously donated the land behind the cemetery to be used as a parking lot. But, just as permits and schedules were confirmed, the pandemic struck. The project is now getting back on track, and construction will start shortly to build the lot, pathway, and bathroom facility (which will feature an incinerating toilet!). Hopefully, soon after that, the property will become ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant.

So, what’s the plan for the next stage? Van Valkenburgh is hoping for a great future for this historic property. There will be events, lectures, readings, concerts, family reunions, and weddings. There will be coordination with other area museums. It will be a place, they hope, that like for Pinder and Gibson, others can also take away their own experiences.

For more information or make a donation please go here

Val Cavalheri is a transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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

Mid Shore Food: La Famiglia e Tutto Now at Oxfords’s Pope Tavern.

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La Famiglia e Tutto–Family is everything–is the greeting on the wall, which also displays numerous vintage black and white family photos. The greeting, like the ownership, is new. But the Oxford Inn and Pope’s Tavern in Oxford is an institution. Built around the 1880s, the Inn, which consists of nine rooms and a restaurant, is located on one of the oldest streets in America.

New owners Scott and Jeanne Prisco are not from the area, nor were they in the hospitality/restaurant business. Scott, a trained architect and owner of a large architectural engineering firm, was designing futuristic K-12 schools using sustainable strategies that were 20 years ahead of its time. He spent time in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, which eventually led to a job as the chief building official for the city and county of Denver, Colorado.

But the call to return east to be closer to family was strong, and they started looking at inns with restaurants. The Priscos had always enjoyed entertaining large groups of friends and family. And there was also the matter of putting to use Scott’s grandmother’s authentic Italian recipes. A restaurant with a bed and breakfast component seemed the logical choice, and even though it was something they aspired to do in the future, it began to make sense in the present. It just so happened that the Oxford Inn and Pope’s Tavern was for sale, and it was the right location and the right price, and the deal was struck. Now all they needed was a talented chef.

That’s where Anthony Grandepioggia comes in. Chef Anthony, a highly rated chef for the past 40 years in the New York City area, had also considered purchasing the Oxford Inn. He had, for a time, lived in this area and wanted to return. Now all he needed was a restaurant. Chef Anthony reached out to the Priscos.

It was an ideal match.

Chef Anthony

“Jean and I had the vision of what a perfect plate should look like,” says Scott. “It’s easy for me to cook a dinner for 12-15 family members and have it come out perfect. But it’s hard to cook 30 different items on a menu and have them all come out the way you want. Anthony is amazing. Take the light, crispy, and tender calamari; it’s wonderful. Even the odd things on the menu—like my mom used to serve Chicken Parmesan with Fettuccine Alfredo—Anthony makes it come out looking and tasting as delicious as she used to make it.”

That’s because Chef Anthony has the food industry in his veins. Armed with a passion for cooking and a family history of people in the food business, he made a name for himself, working at some top-rated Italian restaurants in the Queens/Long Island area. But, did the many years of working in top Italian restaurants conflict with working for someone new in the industry who insisted on using his grandmother’s recipes?

“Anthony has a wealth of knowledge,” says Scott. “We did some tastings with family and friends and got opinions. I had my Chicken Marsala, and he had his, and because our menu is so traditional, everyone sided with his. We compared the Chicken Piccata, and his had a little more lemon zest to it than mine, and mine had more capers, and everyone favored my piccata. The bottom line is that if I make a suggestion, he’s very open to it, and if he makes a suggestion, I’m very open to it. So, it’s a good team approach that we have.”

Chef Anthony had an even more direct observation: “There’s a lot of prima donnas in the industry, chefs that want to do things the real basic, hard-nosed Italian way. Scott agrees with me most of the time, but if there’s something he really wants, I just shut up and do what I’m told. That’s the name of the business.”

But one thing Chef Anthony will not capitulate on is his tiramisu, and Scott is perfectly in agreement with that. “I tell everyone that comes here that this will be the best tiramisu that you’ve ever had,” Scott said. “I’ve eaten in thousands of restaurants in my lifetime, and Anthony’s tiramisu is the best I’ve ever eaten anywhere.”

Even if you’ve eaten at a restaurant where Chef Anthony has worked, don’t think you’ve had his tiramisu because this tiramisu is specific to this restaurant.: “If something happened,” he said, “and I was to move on, I would never do this tiramisu again. Every restaurant has its own identity, and every restaurant deserves to have at least one dessert that is unique to its identity.”

There is a lot of planning involved in creating a signature dish. But there is another dessert on the menu that was not planned but which is receiving rave reviews. It happened like this: Chef Anthony was making the filling for their homemade cannoli (sweet filling usually made out of ricotta or mascarpone) when something went wrong. But like any great chef, he was able to turn the error into a masterpiece. “The mascarpone I was using was too loose; it was almost two-thirds of the way a cheesecake. So, I invented what I call the Cannoli Cheesecake. It was stupid luck, but it worked out.”

Scott and Jeanne Prisco

Of course, starting a restaurant is challenging, even with an excellent chef by your side. The hours are long, and Scott often finds himself waking up at dawn and working until midnight. There’s breakfast to serve his inn guests and pies and pasta to be made.

Oh, did we not mention that they make their pasta fresh every morning? Yeah, there’s that. If that’s not enough to bring you in, check out their incredibly extensive and impressive wine list coupled with a vast knowledge of food/wine pairings.

With so many interesting possibilities on the menu, it’s easy to forget that the restaurant is only half of the business. There’s the inn part as well, and that seems to be doing just fine. “We feel very blessed,” says Scott. “I think because of what we went through with COVID, there’s a pent-up desire to be out right now. And we’re the recipient of that. We’re really, really busy. Every weekend is full, and we’re starting to fill up during the week, as well.”

As the Priscos successfully settle into their new life, we couldn’t help but wonder what happened to Scott Prisco, the environmentally-conscious architect?

Well, he’s still here.

Look around the property and see the new LED compliant fixtures and the recycling dumpsters. But there’s more: “We’re mindful about what we order,” he says, “making sure that we’re using all the products and that we don’t have a lot of waste, not just from a financial point of view, but from a right-thing-to-do point of view. We’re also trying to support local vendors. We get our ice cream from the (Scottish Highland) Creamery, and we get a lot of our produce from Teddy Bear Fresh.”

Changes are also evident in the restaurant, including the noise deadening panels and the textured simulated ash tables. One more thing is worth noting, and it’s a big one—the restaurant’s name. What used to be The Oxford Inn & Pope’s Tavern is now The Oxford Inn & Pope’s Tavern & Market. That’s because you will be able to stop in and shop for not only wines, olives, cheeses, and meats, but also the delicious freshly made pasta and sauces that you can make at home. There’s also talk of a catering business…but we digress. That’s in the future.

For now, the emphasis for the Priscos and Chef Anthony is expanding the famiglia. Says Scott: “That’s what we’re about—creating and enlarging our family to include Oxford, Easton, and the surrounding areas. We love to entertain, and we love people. We love to cook, and we love good food and good wine. And we want to extend that to the community.”

So, go for a visit, say hi to the new owners, pick up some pasta and sauce for dinner or make a reservation (strongly recommended) and enjoy the meal and the atmosphere. But whatever you do, save room for the tiramisu.

The Oxford Inn & Pope’s Tavern & Market is located at 504 South Morris St., in Oxford, Md. The restaurant is open from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Closed on Tuesdays. For reservations call 410-226-5220 or check them out online or on Facebook.

Val Cavalheri is a transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

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