Landing at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 – one day after the historic D-Day invasion of Normandy, France – U.S. Army Captain Jack King was ordered to immediately march his Company inland. Within 48 hours of coming ashore,’ K’ Company was engaged in combat. In a bold move, Captain King – who had enlisted in the Maryland National Guard shortly after his graduation from Princeton in 1940 and was called up to active duty in 1941 – decided to move his troops across a shallow stretch of the Vier River to take control of the German-occupied village of Auroville. Control of Auville was important because Captain King and his troops were the “tip the spear” of the U.S. Army regiments coming from Omaha Beach, clearing the way for the U.S troops traveling from Utah Beach and Omaha Beach to join forces, so the Allies could wrest control of Normandy from the Nazis and then push across France into Germany.

With the bridge destroyed, Captain King settled on a risky, but brilliant alternative strategy: on the misty afternoon of June 9, he deployed his 150 remaining troops in a single, horizontal line, crossing the river with their guns blazing, giving the enemy troops the impression that a large Allied force was attacking. The ruse worked – the Germans retreated and Auville was relieved of enemy occupation, clearing the way for the U.S troops to join forces. Shot in both legs by machine gun fire, Captain King was among the few American troops (all Marylanders) wounded during the crossing and capture of Auville.

Raised in Baltimore’s historic Bolton Hill as one of three sons and a daughter of a prominent Johns Hopkins Hospital cardiologist, John T. King Jr and his wife, Charlotte. Throughout his youth, Jack King was a voracious reader and strong student who excelled at the Gilman School and graduated from Princeton University in 1940. Along with his personal achievements and his tall, dark and patrician good looks, King was widely appreciated by friends and family for his unfailing modesty and occasionally mischievous sense of humor.                                  

With World War II looming, levity and mischief were soon left behind and, like many of his peers, Jack King enlisted in the military. King was assigned to the 9th Army, 13th Corps, 29th Division, 175th Infantry. Known as the “Blue and Gray” Regiment or Maryland 5th, the unit traced its origins back to the Maryland/Virginia National Guard Regiment that had formed at the conclusion of the Civil War. By 1943, the 175th had shipped out to England and spent long months in extensive training preparing to invade Europe at Normandy, France.

By October 1944, within five months of his injuries at Auville, Captain King had recovered and was returned to his regiment. By then, the 175th had marched into the province of Brittany in an offensive designed to capture an important Atlantic coast seaport, which was successful. From there, the 175th was deployed to Belgium to support the Allied thrust over the Roer River into Germany. Once again, King’s company was in the thick of the fighting, and his leadership in combat proved to be invaluable. 

After crossing the Rhine in late April, 1945, the 175th’s primary role was to round up and process Nazi soldiers who had been taken prisoner. By early May, they had captured more than 15,000 prisoners. In later years, King recalled that they found this as “an easy task” because the German soldiers preferred surrendering to the Americans rather than being captured by the Soviet Russians.

In September of 1945, now promoted to Major, King returned home to civilian life. While awaiting processing out of the military at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia, he met and married Elizabeth (Betty) Plant of Macon, Georgia. Returning to his native Baltimore, Jack and Betty raised their two children, John Holmes King and Elizabeth Leighton King Wheeler. One of his three granddaughters, C. Lee Gordon, and her family have made their home here in Talbot County.

In civilian life, King spent a successful career as vice president and executive assistant to the CEO at the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, now Constellation Energy. As corporate historian as well as a public relations officer for BG&E, he also served on the boards of numerous area charities and non-profit organizations including the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the Gilman School and the St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, and several area family foundations. 

While King rarely discussed his wartime experiences, the memories lingered. While PTSD was not a recognized diagnosis until after the Korean War, Jack King – a good-humored, lively young man before the War – became more subdued and introspective upon his return from Europe. He would talk about his experiences with his children in the form of humorous, anecdotal bedtime stories. Beyond that, he rarely spoke about The War. 

In his later years, King became less sociable and was haunted more frequently by nightmares about his wartime experiences. Yet, he never complained or made an issue about his wartime experiences. Upon his death in 2001, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

For his heroic leadership, Jack King was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, France’s Croix de Guerre, and the British Military Cross. He was one of the most decorated men in the entire Division. One citation read, “King’s aggressiveness and leadership ability under enemy fire, with total disregard for his own safety, were an inspiration to all his troops.” 

A Gilman classmate and friend, Walter Lord (author of A Night to Remember, the best-selling book about the sinking of the Titanic), reflected in a 1994 letter to him that “What you went through must have cost you great pain, but you, and those with you, did an enormous amount for the rest of us.”

While Veterans Day is designed for those who served in the line of duty, it is also an occasion to remember and appreciate the heroic service provided by Jack King and thousands of his fellow members of the “Greatest Generation” who fought valiantly and returned after World War II.

Matt LaMotte, an Eastern Shore native from Kent County, spent his youth between Baltimore, Chestertown and Easton. After college, he delved in the world of finance, raising his two sons while honing his passion for history and lacrosse. He spent two decades teaching and coaching in independent schools across Virginia, New Hampshire and Ohio. In 2018, he headed the History Department at Sts. Peter and Paul High School, Easton, until retirement in 2021. A reformed duck hunter, now bird enthusiast and conservationist, Matt is currently engaged in outdoor education and various affairs.

Kate LaMotte spent the first half of her life in Baltimore and then 10 years in Montclair, New Jersey. In 1996 she moved to Talbot County and raised her two daughters here. She has had a long (and getting longer) career in communications – primarily writing and editing — in Maryland, New Jersey and the Eastern Shore in service to higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and presently, UM Shore Regional Health. She also serves on the Board of the Neighborhood Service Center, Inc.

 

On November 20, 2024, at 6:00 PM, join Jeff McGuiness and Lance Morris for a captivating Spy Night event that immerses guests in the rich history of Frederick Douglass and the Eastern Shore. Taking inspiration from McGuiness’s powerful photobook, Bear Me Into Freedom: The Talbot County of Frederick Douglass, and Morris’s transcendent interpretation of the voice of Frederick Douglass, this evening promises a unique blend of photography, storytelling, and history—along with a special treat.

The collaboration of Morris and McGuiness has gone from two guys doing a PowerPoint presentation to requests from four museums to create an immersive installation scheduled for launch in February 2026, the 250^th anniversary of America’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence. Spy Nights participants will be the first to view a rough cut of a sound and light experience like no other.

For the past seven years, McGuiness has used his lens to explore the landscapes and landmarks in Talbot County, Maryland, where Douglass was born and enslaved for the first eleven years of his life. The resulting collection of moving imagery offers a window into Douglass’s world, inviting viewers to reflect on the places that shaped his journey to freedom. The duo will discuss the creative process behind their work and the fascination both have with Douglass’s poignant return to Talbot County at the age of 59, having become an international celebrity.

Frederick Douglass: Coming Home will be a fitting opportunity to support the arts and culture programs of the Talbot Spy and Avalon Foundation while engaging with two experts in their fields.

Perfectly timed for an evening out, the event offers guests an inspiring cultural experience and a chance to enjoy dinner at some of Easton’s top-rated restaurants.

Purchase tickets here

 

I’ve played “Words with Friends” for years but recently I turned to “Zen Word” for relaxation, to improve memory function, and because I love word games. The “pop up” ads are really annoying but compelling, I watched an ad and became interested in a silly game called, “Tile Family”. “Tile Family”is a color and shape matching/puzzle game that requires strategic thinking and speedy decision making. It is quick and simple. Matching, sorting, and classifying are part of most Kindergarten math modules so I feel like I’m doing research for school while playing.

“Tile Family” is a game of collecting three matching tiles. I learned that our brains love the number three as our short term memory can hold only three things at a time. The number three is the lowest figure that can create patterns in our mind and our brains love patterns. Productivity experts rave about doing things in threes, keeping things limited to threes allows greater focus without becoming overwhelmed.

My inbox is full of suggestions, games, and activities for holidays and daily celebrations for school age children. This week I received emails about World Kindness Day on 11/13 and Fibonacci Day on 11/23. I did a “deep dive” into Fibonacci Day and felt a glimmer of “deja vu,” I had studied this number sequence in elementary school math, it’s a little obsessive-compulsive game of addition where each number is added to the last.

Fibonacci Day is celebrated annually on November 23 because when written out in mm/dd form, the date (11/23) forms a Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3. The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers ( for example: 0,1,2,3,5,8,13,21, and so on).

Fibonacci day is named for Leonardo Pisano, one of the greatest mathematicians in the Middle Ages who introduced the basis of modern arithmetic to the Western world. During his lifetime, Pisano, more commonly known as Fibonacci, became a well respected mathematician and was regarded as an icon in Italy. Sadly, after his death in 1240, his name disappeared from the pages of any writing on the history of mathematics.

It wasn’t until the late 18th century that a mathematician named Pierre Cosalli noticed a name he hadn’t seen before, Leonardo Pisano, (aka Fibonacci). Cosalli was curious to know more about the mystery math man. In his research, Cosalli discovered how important a role Fibonacci played in the development of modern arithmetic and Fibonacci’s years of anonymity came to an end.

The Fibonacci spiral in art and architecture refers to a shape that is based on the Fibonacci sequence. Artists use the Fibonacci spiral to create visually pleasing compositions. It allows artists to establish a harmonious balance between shapes and sizes, resulting in aesthetically pleasing artworks.

Biologists have proven that the Fibonacci spiral is a pattern that also occurs in nature, particularly in plants and animals. It is observed in the growth patterns of various organisms. The spiral can be seen in the arrangement of leaves on a stem, the shape of shells, the branching of trees, and even the arrangement of seeds in a sunflower.

A Fibonacci spiral in spirituality represents the inherent order and harmony in the universe. It also symbolizes growth and balance. As the spiral expands, it is an example of the unfolding of life’s journey and the constant expansion of consciousness. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living beings, as each number in the Fibonacci sequence is connected to the previous and subsequent numbers, just like our own connections with others. According to the Culture Cross website, by contemplating the Fibonacci spiral, we can tap into its spiritual energy and find solace in the order and balance it illustrates. It reminds us to embrace the natural rhythm of life, fostering growth in our own spiritual journey. The Fibonacci spiral’s spiritual significance lies in its ability to remind us of the divine order present in nature and within ourselves.

It’s Waterfowl Festival Weekend in Easton, Maryland and the Talbot Historical Society’s “ Outlaw Gunner” exhibit is on the Waterfowl Festival’s Schedule! Come and visit us Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-3pm! Photo from the Talbot Historical Society’s C. C. Harris Collection of Mr. Valliant with his waterfowl kill of the day on December 23, 1920!

Contact: Cathy Hill [email protected] to share your old photos and purchase our collections photos. Comment, Like our page and join the Talbot Historical Society!

The full moon, a breathtaking celestial show, occurs roughly every 29.5 days. During this phase, the Earth, Sun, and Moon form a nearly straight line, bathing the moon’s surface in sunlight, creating the full moon we see.

The “lunar effect” theory suggests that the full moon may influence human emotions, leading to increased aggression, anxiety, or erratic behavior. Many psychologists suggest the belief in the “full moon effect” may be a cognitive bias, where people notice unusual behavior more during a full moon because they are primed to expect it.

Some studies have investigated a possible connection between the full moon and mental health crises, especially among those with mood disorders. Historically, the term, “lunacy” (from “luna” the Latin name for the moon) was based on the belief that the full moon could trigger episodes in people with mental illnesses. The full moon can trigger strong emotions and uncomfortable sensations. The full moon is also known to cause temporary sleep disruptions.

As I drove down Dover Street at seven A.M. on October 17, the full moon was a glowing, fully illuminated, orb hanging in the sky ahead of me. I was so excited about the beauty and placement of this moon that I took a photo while driving. The presence of the moon felt like a good morning gift to me, a little “wake-up” call to interrupt the monotony of my early morning drive. Little did I know that this celestial pearl was the harbinger of a huge shift in my life. The usual aches and pains as well as rollercoaster emotions were expected but the sledgehammer of challenges was an unwelcome surprise.

I’m a huge believer in the superstition that bad things come in threes. Despite the fact that the belief in bad luck coming in threes isn’t directly related to the full moon, three challenges have befallen my family since the full moon.

While the origins of “bad luck in three’s” are unknown, one superstition emerged during the Crimean war, where soldiers were warned against lighting three cigarettes from the same match to avoid being spotted by the enemy. Psychologists believe that our innate desire for certainty and pattern recognition are an explanation. This assigned pattern has a name: apophenia. Apophenia is an error of perception: the tendency to interpret random patterns as meaningful.

I always breathe a sigh of relief when the third bad thing rears its ugly head. Whew! We’re safe for awhile, enough time to maneuver the negative forces in our life at the moment.

I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll came on Pandora the next morning as I was making my lunch for work. The song made me pause, questioning, “am I okay?” I’m usually okay so I ignored the question/warning. I’m still okay two weeks later but the universe’s message was loud and clear, stop and pay attention. I read an email later that day from psychic, Rebecca Rosen suggesting that I needed to “reconnect with source.” Rebecca’s email said that while our souls know “truth” it can be common to become disconnected from our higher self at various points in our lives. Later that day, I was drawn to my “toolbox” of stress reduction, essential oils, meditation, and crystals.

Whether your run of bad luck is over is up to you. Burning sage, sweeping, or lighting candles are always a good idea, but the best bet is to change perspective. Realize that life is what you make it, and try to stop negative thoughts. Realizing that overcoming adversity results in growth makes having a positive attitude easier to maintain.

“This too shall pass” is a saying used in my family for times such as these. It’s based on a Persian adage made famous by Edward Fitzgerald’s “Solomon’s Seal”. In the story, King Solomon aims to create a sentence that will always be true – whether times are good or bad. In it, he responds, “this, too, will pass away”.

Politeness is more than a set of manners, although it is often perceived as a simple, “please” and “thank you” and holding the door open. I have learned that the power of being polite goes deeper, it can ease tense situations and even bring out the best in those around us.

Politeness involves showing respect and empathy towards others. Being polite can include a simple smile, giving others the space to speak, and asking someone how they are really doing. Politeness makes daily interactions much more enjoyable.

A study by NIH in 2011 showed that politeness can be good for our mental health. When empathy and kindness are demonstrated, positive responses are received. Treating others well builds self respect and self confidence. Politeness brings people together. In workplaces, polite and respectful communication fosters teamwork and boosts morale. In neighborhoods, politeness builds trust and creates a safer, more connected community. When you’re polite you show others the value of respect.

Diane Gottsman, the author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” says that there are a few old fashioned manners that kids today are not being taught. Whenever my kindergarten students speak to me, I make sure that my eyes are level with theirs, making eye contact is important. Standing up when being introduced to someone new and shaking hands is another outdated formality that I learned as a child, taught my own children, and now teach my grandchildren and students.

Manners and polite behavior were of utmost importance in my family. From an early age, I learned the intricacies of navigating formal table settings that included finger bowls. No elbows on the table, chew with your mouth shut, don’t talk with your mouth full, cut small bites of food one at a time, and napkin always in your lap. Proper knife and fork skills were modeled by my parents, hold the index finger on the top of the knife blade with remaining four fingers wrapped around the handle, no fists involved. When not in use, with the blade facing in, the knife was placed at twelve and three o’clock on the plate.

Handshakes were also important in my family. I was taught to always keep my drink in my left hand with my right hand free at a cocktail party, in order to offer a dry hand in a firm, not crushing or limp handshake.

Politeness is more than a social formality, it’s about finding balance, showing respect to others while respecting ourselves in words and actions. Politeness is a powerful tool that encourages respect, trust, and empathy in our everyday lives. Being polite may seem small but it has a big impact. In today’s fast paced world, I believe that politeness offers a way to connect, communicate, and build better relationships. Politeness and respect are essential qualities that foster understanding and promote cooperation. They are vital for creating a harmonious society where individuals feel respected.

“True power and true politeness are above vanity” – VoltairePoliteness

The Spy was thrilled to note in the Delmarva Farmer the other day that the National Weather Service awarded the Sawaine family the prestigious Thomas Jefferson award for their remarkable reporting of Eastern Shore weather for the last 75 years.

Please read the full story here.

 

The Talbot Historical Society’s H. Robins Hollyday photo Collection has many aerials that have no identification so are a mystery! Do you have any knowledge about the Quality Ice Cream Co.? The large plant on the right is surrounded by farmland somewhere most likely on the Eastern Shore? I have memories of a yummy ice cream place outside of Denton, Maryland. Maybe the ice cream was made at this plant back in the 1950s and 1960s?

Contact: Cathy Hill [email protected] to share your old photos and purchase our collections photos. Comment, Like our page and join the Talbot Historical Society.

Routine is important for brain development, according to Psychology Today. Developing a new habit requires motivation, repetition, and consistency. One must practice the habit over and over until it becomes automatic. That’s how our brains build new synaptic connections, the place in our brain where neurons transmit and process information.

My kindergarten students have been in class for thirty-seven days. We have a solid daily routine/habit that they know and count on. We begin each day with a writing exercise then move to our morning message with the entire school. Circle time includes some seasonal finger plays, the weather, calendar work, and a couple of mindfulness exercises. The transition to our language arts block is always after I have read a book aloud (one of my favorite things to do). Snack then Math then free play time. After lunch my students have recess, then the entire school comes together for a brief news break with Lester Holt (in my opinion, the only news that all of us should watch). The afternoon consists of Science and Social Studies, physical education, art, and music classes. Just before dismissal everyday, I ask each child what their favorite part of the day was.

Next week marks the end of the first quarter of school and with that the time for report cards and parent conferences. I am impressed with the high level of learning that has occurred in these thirty-seven days. My students have memorized lengthy songs and the actions that accompany those songs. They remind me if I’ve skipped an activity such as picking an emotion peg doll that coincides with their current feelings. These little five year olds know their vowels, punctuation marks, all the parts of a book, and they are beginning to read by “sounding out” the letters in words. These precious little ones are learning geometry, addition, and subtraction through daily practice using songs, games, and manipulative.

We celebrate together when a classmate has achieved a new milestone, the pride upon achieving that success is so joyful. I tell my students to, “kiss your brain” in celebration of a new synaptic connection. We talk a lot about neurons in kindergarten, my students know that the 100 billion neurons in our brains make connections with other neurons creating pathways that share information making us smarter. They know mistakes are made because their brains are still growing.

My brain is tired at the end of each school day so I have been “habit stacking” to improve my mental health. I recently read an article in Forbes that explains that listening to ten minutes of music can clear your mind so I intend to add music to my daily after school walk with my dog.

Habit Stacking: 97 Small Changes That Take Five Minutes Or Less is a book by S.J. Scott. This book suggests that adding small actions to our day can create lifelong positive benefits. The concept of “habit stacking” is based on the idea that our brains are more likely to adopt new behaviors when they’re associated with an action we’re already used to doing. The established habit serves as a reminder to for the new one, making it easier to perform consistently.

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Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.