In many respects, 2022 has been a year of transition for Waterfowl Festival, Inc. – from the year-end 2021 resignation of the  organization’s Executive Director – to the mid-year retirement of the Executive & Development Assistant – to the July employment of a new Development Director – to the increased responsibilities by the Festival Director. Additionally, the decision to select Attraction magazine to publish the Festival’s “Official Guide”, after having previously engaged APG Media of Chesapeake to publish this important informational piece, created some new challenges but with an entirely satisfactory and exceptional result.

Notwithstanding these changes, we fully anticipate that everyone – from Board members to staff to volunteers – are up to the task of putting on one of the finest Waterfowl Festivals in recent memory. When considering the success of the Festival’s 50th Anniversary celebration, the bar has been raised and will be successfully crossed. 

While traditional downtown venues for exhibiting world class art, sculpture, carving, and photography remain, we are delighted to return to Easton’s VFW facility for new and exciting exhibits. The VFW will stage a flag raising ceremony on Friday morning at 9:00 am when the Naval Academy’s Brass Quintet will perform. The Chesapeake Marketplace has been relocated to Easton’s new elementary school, affording enhanced exhibit space, parking, and ease of access. Of course, the popular “Buy, Sell, Swap” venue to include the world renown “Duck and Goose Calling Contests” remain at the Easton High School as does the ever popular “Sportsman’s Pavilion” on the Easton Elks property. Last, because Veterans Day falls on a Festival Friday, we’ve introduced a 25% off ticket price on November 11th for all veterans and active military service personnel.  

Through the William A. Perry Scholarship Program, the Festival awarded $20,000.00 in scholarships to 11 students who, among their academic achievements, have provided valuable volunteer services to Waterfowl Festival, Inc. These individuals, as well as past scholarship recipients,  provide current and future Festival leadership.  

During the year, Waterfowl Festival, Inc. has been most fortunate in receiving several grants, such as the annual support of the Maryland State Arts Council from whom we received almost $57,000 for the support and promotion of arts in Maryland and a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Historical Trust for the continued restoration of the Waterfowl Building’s steel casement windows. Additionally, the Festival received a $10,000 grant from Preservation Maryland for application toward an extensive “Building Condition Assessment” on the Waterfowl Building and a $5,000 “Heritage Tradition” grant through the Maryland State Arts Council…thanks to the thoughtful nomination of our friends at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

One of our primary goals for the Waterfowl Building is to repurpose the facility for year-round multi-purpose use by our community’s valued not-for-profit organizations and for-profit entities. As the building is in critical need of various improvements, we were disappointed that our grant application to Maryland’s Rural Economic Development Fund for the complete reroofing of the building’s failing roof membrane was not recommended by the Economic Development Commission of Talbot County to the County Council. A setback, of course; however, it has created greater resolve and determination for our organization to impart much greater awareness to all community, county, and state agencies, on the important, if not irreplaceable attributes, that the historic/landmark Waterfowl building provides to the community and our important not-for-profit organizations.

As conservation-oriented activities represent the nucleus of our purpose, Waterfowl Festival has made a $25,000 grant commitment to a DNR/DU project at the Wellington Wildlife Management Area in Somerset County, Maryland. Waterfowl’s contribution will be applied to toward the estimated cost of $289,000 for the 2023 restoration of approximately 40 acres of wetlands habitat for migratory waterfowl, songbirds, wildlife, and flood control. When completed, we plan to offer tours of this important habitat in the Fall of 2023.      

Lastly, completed within the last week of October, the Festival owes a debt of sincere thanks to long-term supporter McHale Landscape Design for donating its time, materials, and labor to replacing all landscaping at the front of the Waterfowl Building. The beautification of our landscaping will be appreciated by all residents and Festival visitors to Easton.  

With the continued further support of our community leaders in Easton and Talbot County, including our sponsors and volunteers, we all look forward to an exceptional 51st Waterfowl Festival.

Ken Miller is the Board President of Waterfowl Festival.

Msadeart and Robert Ortiz Studios announce a book launch party celebrating the official release of the children’s book, “Tapum!” by Chestertown author and illustrator Marianne Sade.

The public is invited to stop in on First Friday, November 4, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Robert Ortiz Studio at 207 South Cross, Chestertown. The event will feature a special appearance by the drum line of the Kent County High School Marching Band, leading off the festivities, performance by popular local guitarist, singer, artist Fredy Granillo, and a book signing with the author.

Marianne Sade’s experience as a children’s librarian inspired her to bring this book to life. She created the book for caregivers and children, ages zero to four, to enjoy together, to celebrate the rhythm and connection of the world all around, brought together by the sound of the drum, “Tapum!” Books will be available for purchase.

Attendees are invited to bring their own drums and percussion instruments to join in a drum- along. Refreshments will be available.

Election season is here and there is one seat that is open for the first time since 1998: our State Comptroller. I am casting my ballot for Brooke Lierman to fill that role, and I hope your readers will join me.

The Comptroller is incredibly important – it serves as the elected CFO of the state, seeing every dollar in and every dollar out of our state’s coffers. It not only handles tax administration but also approves or denies all contracts as a member of the Board of Public Works. It is very important to have a strong environmental steward, like Brooke, on the Board of Public Works to help protect and restore our waterways and natural resources.

A Maryland State Delegate for 7 years Brooke has the vision and leadership we need to be a great fiscal steward and a champion for all Marylanders, including all of us on the Eastern Shore. I have worked with Brooke to pass legislation protecting both forests and waterways on the Shore and am very impressed with her ability to listen, compromise and work responsibly with stakeholders to get it done.

 I support Brooke because she doesn’t just talk – she delivers. She is one of the most effective members of the General Assembly and nearly every bill she passes earns bipartisan support. Brooke is a coalition builder who has fought for more transparency and accountability her entire time in office. Additionally, Brooke is the only pro-choice candidate.

It is obvious that we need a younger generation’s perspective in leadership and government today. I trust Brooke, I am excited by her candidacy, and I hope that you will join me in voting for Brooke for Comptroller!

Jeffrey H. Horstman
Queenstown

After the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) announced they may extend a 2025 deadline for reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay; the Chesapeake Bay Foundation responded with “Going forward, the Chesapeake Bay states must demonstrate the leadership necessary to complete the job and the EPA must hold all of us accountable.” At the Delmarva Fisheries Association (DFA) we agree; especially if holding all of us accountable includes CBF. We also suggest CBF follow their own advice, since recent CBF actions speak louder than words on accountability.

Earlier this year, CBF participated in a joint oyster reef restoration project in Virginia. The project included rebuilding oyster reefs in estuaries in the Lynnhaven River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

After work began, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) determined the dumping of wire, steel, concrete, and asphalt in this CBF joint project posed a serious threat to water quality and public health. VMRC was especially concerned after detecting toxic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (which are harmful to human and aquatic life) in the asphalt and concrete rubble. VMRC concluded asphalt material never belongs in any aquatic environment.

VMRC also determined dumped concrete rubble crushed a twenty-five-year-old existing oyster sanctuary reef, rubble was dumped outside of the permitted area, and one rebuilt reef was higher than permitted.

Based on the above, VMRC ordered a halt to all oyster restoration work on this project. VMRC revoked CBF permits authorizing the reef construction and determined CBF needed a new application to resume work at these reef sites in the future. CBF was to remove all the dumped reef material to address public safety and address adverse water quality impacts. Before removal began, CBF was to submit a remediation plan to VMRC, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approval.

Violations of VMRC orders, rules, regulations or permit conditions could result in a maximum fine of $25,000 for each day of violation. The CBF response is illustrative of a do as I say, not as I do guiding principle.

CBF responded with “We are surprised and disappointed by this enforcement action.”

No remorse. No apology. No acknowledgement that CBF is responsible for the cost of removal of 4,200 tons of toxic material that CBF never should have dumped in the first place.

What is even more troubling was CBF’S response to VMRC where CBF suggested a “science-based” alternative, proposing to clean unauthorized materials from two of the reefs and remove just one. CBF argued that approach would protect water quality and habitat while allowing for these reefs to remain in place to support thriving oyster populations. CBF claimed removing all 4,200 tons of recycled concrete could cost them from $1 million to $2.5 million.

VMRC rejected the CBF alternative and directed CBF to submit a detailed plan, including signed contracts to have the reefs dredged up from the bottom of the river.

CBF’s terse statement to that decision was they are “working with marine contractors and others to address the Lynnhaven oyster reefs as VMRC has directed.” Their spokesperson offered no other details.

Clearly CBF was not only surprised and disappointed to be cited from VMRC’s oversight and accountability actions. Apparently, CBF was also surprised and disappointed to be caught.

The bottom line is costs of removal could be and should be borne by a “not for profit” organization that receives grants and public donations that results in helping CBF having a 28 million dollar annual operating budget, a 55 million dollar endowment, net assets of approximately 120 million dollars, money in two offshore bank accounts, approximately 200 employees and offices in Annapolis MD, Easton MD, Harrisburg PA, and Richmond VA.
Virginia state senator Bill DeSteph said it best in his statement on this matter. “People were especially disappointed to learn that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Lynnhaven River Now had caused damage to the very waterways they are entrusted to protect.”

NOW is the time for research and answers on the following questions on all Chesapeake Bay restoration projects.

How many other CBF Bay restoration projects have not been or are not being done properly?

How many tax dollars, public grant dollars and private grant dollars have gone to CBF without proper oversight and accountability for environmentally safe and measurable Bay restoration results?

What have been the measurable results of all CBF Bay restoration efforts?

How do CBF results compare to all environmentally sound Bay restoration efforts by watermen and waterwomen?

What government policies and procedures are in place or needed to ensure timely and proper oversight on every Bay restoration project?

Everyone interested in the Bay and the Bay watershed deserve answers to these questions sooner rather than later.

Rob Newberry
Chair, Delmarva Fisheries Association,Inc.

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) has announced a new slate of recipients of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholarship including Jack Gonzalez of St. Michaels, MD. This four-year high school scholarship helps gifted learners across the country attend an optimally matched high school or individualized education program to help them work toward meeting their unique intellectual and personal potential. This year’s group, the class of 2027, a distinguished community of more than 350 scholars that have been recognized over the last 20 years.

Photo credit: Ryan Prell

Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at the highest level on nationally normed standardized tests.

“We are extremely honored to have had the opportunity to impact the lives of well over four hundred promising young people through the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship,“ said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of IEA. “These students exhibit great intellectual and creative potential, and we look forward to nurturing them as they advance through their high school years and beyond.”

The three CDB selection committees are comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, teachers and administrators, CDB alumni, community members, and business leaders. The rigorous selection process took place over the course of several months, wherein the committee reviewed applications and interviewed candidates.

Over the course of the next several months, IEA staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2027 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year’s high school entrance.

“For 20 years, we’ve been fortunate to work with such bright and ambitious young people, and this year is no different,” said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at IEA. “Harnessing the multi-generational CDB community to support a new incoming class is one of the program’s greatest strengths, and one of its unique joys.”

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, IEA has awarded more than 350 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 225 alumni, 125 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school, or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in the fall. In November, CDB will also celebrate its 20th anniversary the weekend of its Bradley Seminar, a multi-day conference where scholars meet their peers and share ideas in an energetic environment.

For more information about this scholarship or any of IEA’s other programs and services, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.