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July 6, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

5 News Notes

Kathy Deoudes and Beth Anne Dorman to receive Women & Girls Fund community awards

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Representatives from eighteen Mid-Shore non-profits will accept checks totaling $64,970 at the Women & Girls Fund’s 22nd Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 28.  That will bring the Fund’s overall grant total to $967,006 awarded to 118 distinct organizations whose programs benefit women and girls in one or more of the five Mid-Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.

The grants will go to 6 new organizations and 12 non-profits that have been awarded Women & Girls Fund grants at least once before.  New this year are: Allegro Academy; Building African American Minds; Chester Valley Ministers Association; Garfield Center for the Performing Arts; Hurlock Elementary School Girls on the Run; and, Tides of Grace.

Previous grant recipients receiving awards are: Aaron’s Place; Compass Hospice; Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers; For All Seasons; Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s; Imagination Library of Talbot County; Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence; Open Doors Partners in Education; Pine Street Committee; Talbot Hospice; Talbot Interfaith Shelter; and, Tilghman Area Youth Association.

“The programs offered by our grant recipients focus on the significant issues facing women and girls,” said Allie Prell, Grants Committee chair.  “From education to developing healthy relationships to supporting families in crisis, they have the potential to create a positive change in our community and we are proud to be able to support their efforts.” 

In addition to bestowing the grants checks at the luncheon, the Women & Girls Fund Award and Sheryl V. Kerr Award will be presented to two extraordinary local women in recognition of their leadership, vision, integrity, and remarkable accomplishments benefitting Mid-Shore residents.

The Women & Girls Fund Award for 2025 will be presented to Kathy Deoudes, of Queenstown. A 30-year resident of Queen Anne’s County and past Board President of the Women & Girls Fund, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her professional career and extensive community service.  In her professional capacity, her decade of service as a legislative aide to State Senator E.J. Pipkin contributed to bringing the Shore Health Queen Anne’s Emergency Center to the county in 2007.  As the current Chair of the Board of Directors for UMMS/Shore Regional Health and through her volunteer work with numerous organizations, including the Mid-Shore Community Foundation and Compass Hospice, Deoudes has been a driving force in improving healthcare access and community development across the Mid-Shore. 

The 2025 recipient of the Sheryl V. Kerr Award is Beth Anne Dorman, of St. Michaels, President  & CEO of For All Seasons.  Under her leadership since 2014, For All Seasons has grown from a $1.4M operation with 24 employees to a vital behavioral health agency and rape crisis center with a $10,000,000 budget and nearly 100 employees, with 60,000 services a year to 3,500 people. Her work establishing sexual assault response programs, developing mental health resources, and expanding access to mental health services has transformed the landscape of healthcare services on the Eastern Shore.

“Our award recipients are tireless advocates for Mid-Shore women and children through their professional careers and volunteer service.  Our grant recipients address a wide variety of critical needs facing women and girls,” said Beth Spurry, president of the Women & Girls Fund Board of Directors.  “We are pleased to bring our donors and friends together with this year’s recipients at the annual luncheon so they can see their dollars are going to real people doing great things.”  

The Grants & Awards Luncheon will be held on Monday, April 28, 11:30am, at The Tidewater Inn Gold Room in Easton.  Ticket price is $65 per person.  The event is open to the public.  Space limited.  Registration deadline is April 14.  To make a reservation or for more information, call 410-770-8347, email [email protected] or visit www.womenandgirlsfund.org.

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Nominations sought for Women & Girls Fund Award

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Amelia “Amy” Blades Steward, center, received the 2024 Women & Girls Fund Award at the Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon, held April 29, 2024 at the Tidewater Inn. Pictured from left, then-Board President Karen Kaludis, Amy Steward, and Alice Ryan, Women & Girls Fund founder. Photo credit: Star Democrat

The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore is accepting nominations for its annual Women & Girls Fund Award, which will be presented to the recipient at the annual Grants & Awards Luncheon in the spring.Established in 2004, the award honors a community member from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, or Talbot counties who has made outstanding professional or personal contributions towards addressing the needs of local women and girls.

Candidates for this award should have demonstrated leadership, vision, integrity, compassion, cooperation and generosity of time and talent in their efforts to improve the lives and opportunities of women and girls.

The 2024 Women & Girls Fund Award was presented to Amelia “Amy” Blades Steward, of Easton, for her outstanding professional and personal contributions to the Mid-Shore.  As a volunteer and board member, both locally and statewide, she has been active with numerous organizations, including Talbot Arts, Talbot Community Connections, Channel Marker, Character Counts, Waterfowl Festival, Shore Leadership Alumni Association, and Bay to Ocean Writer’s Conference Committee. As the owner of Steward Writing and Communications, she has helped elevate the visibility local nonprofits through marking, public relations, and fundraising services.  And, as a regional storyteller, Amy has focused her writing on telling the stories of those who are often overlooked in our community.  She has made long-lasting contributions to improving the lives of women, girls, and families in the Mid-Shore. 

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Women & Girls Fund grant applications are due by November 1 for programs serving the needs of women and girls.

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from IRS-designated non-profit organizations for programs addressing the needs of local women and girls.  Completed applications must be received by Friday, November 1, 2024. Grant recipients will be announced in April 2025. 

Since 2002, grants totaling $902,036 have been awarded to 112 non-profit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.  In 2024, 18 grants totaling $62,513 were given for a wide variety of programs, including Community Mediation Upper Shore “Making Peace Possible for Women and Girls”, Haven Ministries “Homes of Hope Case Management and Client Education Program”, Partners in Care “Services to Empower Mid-Shore Older Women to Age in Place with Dignity and Respect”, and Cambridge Empowerment Center “Summer STEM for Girls”. 

“Our online grant application has made applying for grants easier than ever,” said Allie Prell, Grants Committee Chair.  “Grants can be awarded for a wide variety of issues, including education, literacy, mental health, food insecurity, and shelter. We encourage applications for innovative programs that target critical needs facing women and girls.  No organization should be reluctant to apply.”

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.womenandgirlsfund.org.  For further information, call 410-770-8347 or e-mail [email protected].  

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Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore Welcomes Returning Board Members

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore is pleased to announce the appointment of two esteemed community leaders to its board of directors. Beth Spurry, of Trappe, and Susie Dillon, of Oxford, have been named to the board, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a renewed commitment to the organization’s mission.

Both Ms. Spurry and Ms. Dillion are returning to the board, having previously served and contributed significantly to the Fund’s initiatives. Their reappointment underscores the organization’s dedication to leveraging experienced leadership to further its goals of empowering women and girls on the Mid-Shore.

About Beth Spurry

Beth Spurry is a seasoned professional in the financial industry and president of Tred Avon Family Wealth. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor, and has served on the Maryland Banker’s Association Trust Committee. 

Her impressive career includes roles as senior vice president at Wye Trust (now Wye Financial Partners) and vice president at Mercantile Trust. Prior to that, she worked as a financial advisor at H.C. Wainwright and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. 

Spurry holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s degree from Washington College.  She is married to Charles Capute and has an adult daughter and four stepchildren. 

About Susie Dillion 

Susie Dillon, a dedicated educator and community leader, brings a wealth of experience to her newest role. Born and raised in the Washington DC area, Dillon has made significant contributions to education and community service throughout her career.

Dillon served as Head of the Upper School at The Country School from 1989 to 2005. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her long-standing service on the Talbot County Public School board from 1992 to 2012, including a decade as vice president from 1992 to 2002.

Her passion for education and leadership was further demonstrated by serving as trustee and chair of The Gunston School from 2006 to 2012. Dillon’s community involvement includes serving on the Talbot Hospice board from 2017 to 2023, showcasing her dedication to compassionate care and support for those in need.

A devoted family person, Dillon is the proud mother of three children and grandmother to ten grandchildren.

“We are thrilled to welcome Beth and Susie back to our board,” said Karen Kaludis, president of the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore. “Their previous service to our organization has been invaluable, and we look forward to the continued insights and leadership they will bring to our efforts in supporting women and girls in our community.”

For more information about the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore and its initiatives, please visit /womenandgirlsfund.org/ or contact Mia Cranford @[email protected].

About the Women and Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore

The mission of the Women and Girls Fund is to use the power of pooled resources to improve the lives of women and girls on Maryland’s Mid-Shore. Our goals are: To understand the needs of women & girls throughout the Mid-Shore and to raise awareness of these needs in our communities.

 

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Childlene Brooks and Amelia Steward To Receive Women & Girls Fund Community Awards

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Childlene Brooks and Amy Steward

In recognition of their outstanding personal and professional contributions to the Mid-Shore, Childlene Brooks and Amelia Steward have been selected to receive this year’s community awards at the Women & Girls Fund’s Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 29, 11:30am, at the Tidewater Inn Gold Room.

Amelia “Amy” Blades Steward, recipient of the Women & Girls Fund Award, is a renowned regional storyteller residing in Easton, Maryland. With over 40 years of experience in writing, editing, marketing, public relations, and fundraising, Amy has dedicated her career to amplifying the voices of those often overlooked in our community. Through her company, Steward Writing and Communications, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility of numerous local nonprofits, focusing on areas such as healthcare, human services, the arts, the environment, and tourism. Amy’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her professional endeavors; she is a published author and a regular contributor of non-fiction articles to various publications. Moreover, Amy is deeply committed to community service, serving on numerous boards and acting as a mentor to women in the writing field.

Childlene Brooks, recipient of the Sheryl V. Kerr Award, joined Brookletts Place – Talbot County Senior Center in 2011 as a Program Coordinator following her retirement from a long career at the Talbot County Public Health Department.  She was promoted to Manager in 2014 and continues in that position to play an instrumental role in enhancing the lives of senior citizens. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Childlene is a lifelong member of New St. Johns United Methodist Church, Wittman, a co-founder of Family & Friends of Asbury & Green Chappel, and has volunteered for a number of local organizations, including Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers, Talbot Hospice Foundation, and Mid-Shore Pro Bono.  She is a current board member of CASA of the Mid-Shore, Frederick Douglass Honor Society, and Mid-Shore Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

“We are eternally grateful to our award recipients, who have effectively advocated for Mid-Shore women and girls over the span of their decades-long careers. We celebrate their lifetime of dedication and service,” said Karen Kaludis, Women & Girls Fund Board President. “Their dedication to serving others and their tireless efforts to make a positive impact exemplify the spirit of these prestigious awards. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Childlene and Amy for their well-deserved recognition.”

The Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon will also include the presentation of grants to local non-profits whose programs benefit women and girls.  The ticket price is $60, and the event is open to the public. Registration deadline is April 15th.  For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.womenandgirlsfund.org or call 410-770-8347.

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Nominations sought for Women & Girls Fund Award

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore is accepting nominations for its annual Women & Girls Fund Award.  Established in 2004, the award honors a community member from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, or Talbot counties who has made outstanding professional or personal contributions towards addressing the needs of local women and girls.

Candidates for this award should have demonstrated leadership, vision, integrity, compassion, cooperation and generosity of time and talent in their efforts to improve the lives and opportunities of women and girls.

The 2023 Women & Girls Fund Award was presented to Jo Ann Asparagus Murray, of McDaniel, for her outstanding professional and personal contributions to the Mid-Shore.  As an attorney, now retired, she served as the Family Law Magistrate in Caroline County, and, later, as the Domestic Relations Master for the Second Judicial Circuit (Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties).  Committed to community service, Jo Ann has volunteered – – and continues to volunteer – – for many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Talbot Mentors, Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, and her sorority, Kappa Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.  She is a past president of the Talbot County Board of Education and current commissioner for the Talbot County Police Accountability Board.   She has made long-lasting contributions to improving the lives of women, girls, and families in the Mid-Shore.

The late Lois Duffy of Centreville and Chestertown was the first recipient.  In succeeding years, the Women & Girls Fund has honored: the late Harriet Critchlow; Sandra King; Dr. Maria Boria; Sister Patricia Gamgort, OSB; Tracy Davenport; Sandra Redd; Sara Jane Davidson; The Hon. Karen Murphy Jensen; the 5 founders of For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center; Mary Lou McAllister; Diana Mautz; the late Kathy Weaver; Ellen Rajacich; Susan Stockman; Krista Pettit; Carlene Wilson, Julie Lowe, and Chrissy Aull. 

Application deadline is January 15, 2024.  Nomination forms can be downloaded from https://womenandgirlsfund.org/awards.  For further information, contact 410-770-8347 or [email protected].

 

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Women & Girls Fund Grant Applications Due by November 1

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Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 24th at the Tidewater Inn.

The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from IRS-designated non-profit organizations for programs addressing the needs of local women and girls.  Completed applications must be received by Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Grant recipients will be announced in April 2024. 

“Beginning this year, all applications will be submitted online,” said Allie Prell, Women & Girls Fund board members and Grants Committee chair.  “We were pleased with our test of the new system last year, which streamlined and improved the application process for applicants and reviewers.”  

Since 2002, grants totaling $839,523 have been awarded to 110 non-profit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.  In 2023, 17 grants totaling $57,221 were given for a wide variety of programs, including Benedictine School for Exceptional Children “Accessibility Upgrades for the Adult Services Residential Program”, Imagination Library of Talbot County “Early Literacy Lifts”, Kent Attainable Housing “Future Homeowners Program”, Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence “Food Pantry Program, and New Beginnings Youth and Family Services “Who Am I”. 

“Programs offered by our grant recipients have made a huge and long-lasting impact on the populace of the Mid Shore. The variety of programs address many aspects of life, from mental and emotional health, to food insecurity, to shelter, to literacy, to life skills, and to all forms of education for all ages,” said Karen M. Kaludis. Board President.  “We encourage applications for innovative programs that target critical needs facing women and girls.  No organization should be reluctant to apply.”

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.womenandgirlsfund.org.  For further information, call 410-770-8347 or e-mail [email protected].  

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Women & Girls Fund to Distribute $57,221 at Grant Awards Luncheon on April 24

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Jo Ann Asparagus Murray, Esq., retired Family Law Magistrate of the Circuit Court for Caroline County

Representatives from seventeen Mid-Shore non-profits will be accepting checks totaling $57,221 at the Women & Girls Fund’s Grants & Awards Luncheon on April 24.  That will bring the Fund’s overall grant total to $839,523, awarded to 110 organizations whose programs benefit women and girls in one or more of the five Mid-Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.

The grants will be presented to 5 new organizations and 12 non-profits that have been awarded Women & Girls Fund grants in the past.  New this year are: Benedictine School for Exceptional Children; Foundation of H.O.P.E.; One Mission; Open Doors Partners in Education; and Radcliffe Creek School.

In addition to bestowing the grant checks at the luncheon, the Fund will present its two annual awards to the 2023 recipients as well as those who missed their moment in the spotlight during the three years the luncheon was not held due to the pandemic.

The Women & Girls Fund Award for 2023 will be presented to Jo Ann Asparagus Murray, Esq., of McDaniel. Jo Ann has lived a life of service,and has continually found new ways to benefit our community. With a combination of her legal and social work degrees she has succeeded in revamping the way families are treated in the court system. She was the first Domestic Relations Master in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, and the Family Law Magistrate in Caroline County.  A lifelong volunteer, she has supported and has served on boards for many organizations including the NAACP, Talbot County Board of Education, Habitat for Humanity, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, and Kappa Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.  Her dedication to protecting the rights of women and girls, and her leadership, integrity, and compassion are the hallmarks of this annual award.

Deborah Vornbrock Hudson, Executive Director, Martin’s House & Barn

The 2023 recipient of the Sheryl V. Kerr Award is Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, of Stevensville, executive director of Martin’s House & Barn.  Her community development career has focused on raising funds to provide care for the elderly and infirm, support the health of women and families, and, in her current position at Martin’s House & Barn (formerly St. Martin’s Ministries), she has strategically addressed increasing access to services and program delivery around trauma informed care.  Deborah epitomizes the Sheryl V. Kerr Award in every respect having excelled in her field with vision, integrity, and respect for others, coupled with her devotion, which has empowered countless at-risk individuals.

The Women & Girls Fund Award recipients in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were Carlene Wilson, Julie Lowe, and Chrissy Aull, respectively.

The Sheryl V. Kerr Award recipients in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were Peggy and John Ford, Leslie Bishop, and Beth Brewster, respectively.

“All of our award recipients are tireless advocates for Mid-Shore women and girls. Their lifelong dedication and fruitful effort deserve to be commended. Our grant recipients address a wide variety of critical needs facing women and girls in our community.  We are proud to be able to support their good and necessary work,” said Karen M. Kaludis, president of the Women & Girls Fund Board of Directors.

The Grants & Awards Luncheon will be held on Monday, April 24, 11:30am, at The Tidewater Inn Gold Room in Easton.  Ticket price is $60 and the event is open to the public.  Registration deadline is April 12.  To make a reservation or for more information, call 410-770-8347, email [email protected] or visit www.womenandgirlsfund.org.

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Women & Girls Celebrates 20th Anniversary

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On Tuesday, January 17th, Alice Ryan, founder of the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, hosted a lunch at the Tidewater Inn to celebrate 20 years of philanthropy, to honor and thank the women who have given of themselves to help enrich the lives of women and girls throughout the Mid-Shore, and to look ahead to the next 20 years.

The event was attended by 26 of 48 past and present board members. Ryan thanked all of the women who have graciously given of their time and talents to help build the Women &Girls Fund into what it is today. Ryan spoke about “the power of pooled resources to improve the lives of women and girls on the Mid-Shore”, and said “each board member brought significant skills to the board and contributed to the organization’s ongoing success.”

With Alice Ryan, Founder of the Women & Girls Fund, seated center in blue and white, past and present board members gathered at the Tidewater Inn to celebrate the Fund’s 20th Anniversary.

Over the past 20 years, the Women & Girls Fund, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, has built an endowment fund of $1.6 million and awarded grants totaling more than $782,000 to 105 non-profits in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. The Fund works tirelessly to support organizations on the Mid-Shore that care for, educate, and advance local women and girls, and to make a difference in their lives and help them have a better future.

In attendance were four of the eight founding members: Bettie Baer, Pemmy Noble, Alice Ryan, and Meg van den Berg.  The other founding members, Fran Parker, Kearby Parker, Emilie Robinson, and Carolyn Thornton, were unable to attend.

Board President Karen Kaludis thanked Ryan for her remarkable vision and gift to the community in establishing the organization, which presents its grants at an event every April.  She stated, “The Women & Girls Fund Annual Grants & Awards Luncheon brings together an extraordinary group of supporters and those we support through our grant programs.  It celebrates the importance of improving the lives of women and girls every day on the Mid-Shore,” and added, “We are excited to gather this year together after three years. COVID-19 made it impossible over the last three years, but this year we are thrilled that we can celebrate and honor so many worthwhile non-profits helping women and girls live better lives.”

The Grants & Awards Luncheon will be held Monday, April 24th in the Gold Room of the Tidewater Inn.  The event is open to the public.  Details are forthcoming and will be posted on the Fund’s website www.womenandgirlsfund.org.  For more information about the luncheon and the Women & Girls Fund, call 410-770-8347 or email [email protected].

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Women & Girls Fund Grant Applications Due by November 1

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The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore, a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from IRS-designated non-profit organizations for programs addressing the needs of local women and girls.  Completed applications must be received by Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in April 2023.

This year, for the first time, organizations have a choice of submitting the standard paper application or using a new online application – same questions, new format.  “The online application is very easy and straightforward,” said Allie Prell, Women & Girls Fund board member and Grants Committee co-chair.  “We’re so excited to offer applicants this new option that will simplify the process and make it even easier to apply for grants!”

Since 2002, more than $782,000 has been awarded to 105 non-profit organizations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.  In 2022, 12 grants totaling $50,432 were given for a wide variety of programs such as: Aaron’s Place “Mommy and Me”; For All Seasons “Calming Corner Therapy Kits”; Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s “Social-Emotional Learning Project”; Minorities in Aquaculture “Internship Program for High School and College Women of Color”; and Talbot Community Connections “Talbot Children’s Advocacy Center”.

“Programs offered by our grant recipients serve a variety of needs– from food scarcity and shelter to youth education and senior services,” said Kathy Deoudes, board president.  “We encourage applications for innovative programs that target critical needs facing women and girls.  No organization should be reluctant to apply,” she continued.

Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.womenandgirlsfund.org. For further information, call 410-770-8347 or e-mail [email protected].

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