Gilbert Byron house in various stages of move.
This Thursday marks the birthday of arguably one of the Eastern Shore’s most important writers, Gilbert Byron, known as the ” Voice of the Chesapeake.” (Born 1903; died 1991.) Most famous for The Lord’s Oysters, Bryon published 14 books and numerous poems, stories, and articles on the bay. (Did you know he shares his birth date with Thoreau?) He was born in Chestertown, but lived most of his life in a cabin he built on San Domingo Creek near St. Michaels. The cabin was rescued from destruction and now resides at the Pickering Creek Audubon Center, where, according to their website, it is, ” awaiting further preservation and restoration,” and will ultimately, ” contain artifacts relating to Byron and will serve as a classroom for outdoor education, literature and writing programs for the community.”
Why not pay homage to Byron with a visit to Pickering Creek on Thursday, (pack a supper for later) – there is a children’s garden and undemanding short trails-and then head over to Muskrat Park in St, Michaels for an evening of New Orleans-style jazz with the US Naval Academy’s “Crabtowne Stompers.”
And in case you hadn’t noticed – it is county fair time. What is summer without cotton candy, 4H shows and amusement rides? Talbot 
County’s starts Wednesday with free admission; the midway opens at 4pm, rides at 5pm. Highlights are the barnyard Olympics, Wednesday at 7:30; costumed animal contest Thursday at 8pm; the watermelon eating contest Saturday at 2:30; cow chip bingo starts at 4pm on Saturday.
Sunday there are two must sees: Common Cause CEO Bob Edgar will address his organization’s current political/ governmental reform agenda: 1) to return control of the Federal Government to citizen-voters from big-spending PACs, corporations, unions and the wealthiest individuals; and 2) the abolition of antiquated, anti-majoritarian U.S. Senate rules, clearing the way for critically important public business – 2 pm at the Academy Art Museum.
And Sunday evening, folk/rocker, political activist and Woody Guthrie devotee Billy Bragg performs in honor of Guthrie’s 100th birthday at the Avalon Theatre. If his previous shows on the tour are any indication, the first set will be all Guthrie songs, the second primarily Bragg songs, with plenty of amusing anecdotes interspersed. Wonder if he knows about the talk at the Art Museum?
Wednesday, July 11 through Saturday, July 14: Talbot County Fair click here for times and full schedule. Talbot Agriculture and Education Center, 10659 Hiners Lane, Easton, MD 21601. 410-822-8007
Thursday 12: Gilbert Byron’s House at Pickering Creek Audubon Center The trails and viewing areas are free and open to the public from dawn til dusk every day. 11450 Audubon Lane, Easton, MD 21601. 410-822-4903
The US Navy Crabtowne Stompers perform Thursday evening at Muskrat Park in St Michaels
Thursday 12 – 6:30 to 8 pm: US Naval Academy Crabtowne Stompers at Muskrat Park in St Michaels New Orleans-style Jazz. Picnic baskets, blankets, beach chairs, children, pets and neighbors all welcome. FREE. Light Concessions will be available. No alcohol, please. 410-745-6073
Sunday, July 15 – 2pm: CEO Bob Edgar Of Common Cause Speaks at Academy Art Museum sponsored by the Talbot County Democratic Central Committee, the Talbot County Democratic Forum and the Mid-Shore League of Women Voters.106 South Street, Easton MD, 21601
Sunday, July 15 – 8pm: Billy Bragg at the Avalon Theatre video Collaborated with American roots-rockers Wilco on two Grammy-nominated albums–Mermaid Avenue Volumes I and II. Tickets $45. 40 E Dover St., Easton, MD 21601
//essay-writ.org”;.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.