MENU

Sections

More

June 21, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Commerce Commerce Notes

2021 Easton Airport Day Scheduled for September 25

by Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Bruce Vinel

On Saturday, September 25, Easton Airport will host the 12th annual Easton Airport Day, a community event offering the whole family an opportunity to visit the local airfield and see what flying is all about.

Formation flyovers highlight the festivities with rare “Warbirds” flying patterns over the skies of Easton. The world-famous Rubber Chicken Drop Contest will also delight the crowd as pilots skillfully attempt to hit the bed of a pickup truck while flying over the airport.

Rare and unique aircraft, military jets, airport equipment, and classic cars will be on display during the event. Photo-ops will be available with chances for families to sit inside select aircraft and meet the pilots that fly them.

The Aviation Career Education (ACE) tent, introduced in 2019, will also return to Easton Airport Day. Professional pilots, aviation colleges, and military personnel will be on hand speaking about aviation careers and the opportunities found in our region.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of local food vendors. Easton Airport Day 2021 apparel and merchandise will be on sale with proceeds supporting ACE programming.

“Easton Airport Day has grown into a special event,” Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher said. “It is a day dedicated to celebrating our aviation history and welcoming the community out to the airport.”

Easton Airport Day is free to attend and there is no fee for parking. Parking attendants will be onsite to help attendees find appropriate parking spaces on airport property. Additional handicapped parking near the terminal building will be provided. Be prepared for long treks, as displays and activities are located all over the airport grounds. Appropriate outerwear and apparel is suggested, family fun is expected.

A full schedule of activities and an event map will be available online in early September. For more information about Easton Airport Day, or to become a sponsor, visit www.eastonairportday.com. Follow Easton Airport on Facebook @EastonAirport for event updates.

Easton Airport Day is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Proceeds from donors and sponsors support the cost of the event with remaining funds supporting Aviation Career Education (ACE) programs. The purpose of ACE is to provide students the opportunity to explore careers in the aerospace industry, and provide resources and support to aid their vocational pursuit.

Easton Airport (ESN) is a general aviation airport located two miles north of historic downtown Easton, Maryland in Talbot County. The airport is owned and operated by Talbot County and provides essential access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the rest of the world. For more information, visit www.eastonairport.com or follow the airport on Facebook and Instagram @EastonAirport.

Derek Hills Receives 2021 Maryland Pro Bono Service Award Lee A. Caplan Award

by Leave a Comment

L-R: Derek Hills, The Law Office of Derek Hills, LLC and Meredith Lathbury Girard, Esq., Managing Attorney at Mid-Shore Pro Bono.

Local attorney, Derek Hills received the Lee A. Caplan Award this month at the MSBA Legal Summit. Nominated by Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Hills was chosen for the Caplan Award — an award geared toward a solo or small firm practitioner who has rendered pro bono service over many years.

“The Awards Committee received a terrific response to our request for nominations this year,” Dave Pantzer, Director of Education, Outreach, & Technology, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland said. “With such a wonderful selection of recommendations, the decisions for each award were often difficult ones.  Indeed, all the nominees deserve special recognition for their outstanding contributions toward increasing access to legal services for the poor.  Even so, the Committee was particularly impressed with these candidates’ pro bono efforts to ensure equal access to justice.”

Hill’s nomination was submitted by Meredith Lathbury Girard, Esq., Managing Attorney at Mid-Shore Pro Bono. Girard said she was thrilled that Hills was accepted for the service award.

Hills operates a solo practice, The Law Office of Derek Hills, LLC, on West Street in Easton. Hills has been a dedicated Mid-Shore Pro Bono volunteer since he began his law practice in 2015. Girard said, “His volunteer service providing counseling and representation on consumer debt cases has resulted in concrete economic benefits for his clients and led to the creation of Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s consumer debt program, which serves over 300 clients every year.”

In that time Hills has worked with MSPB specifically to resolve consumer debt cases — providing hundreds of hours of service on 182 cases to 368 clients.

“Hills is an extraordinary advocate for the rights of low-income people facing debt, collections, auto fraud, and other consumer challenges,” Girard wrote in her nomination, and as a result hundreds of Eastern Shore residents have received, pro bono, much needed advice on their rights and representation in court. “Derek’s clients describe him as a compassionate and effective advocate who stands up for people who often feel they have little voice,” she said.

Hills recognized that defendants in debt buyer cases often do not come to court, often resulting in lasting negative economic consequences. Through the creation of Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s consumer debt program, they are proactively able to reach out to individuals who are being sought after in court by debt buyers and provides them with legal advice and direct representation.

In the first year of the program, Hills represented over 40 clients — and as of 2021 has represented 182 clients in cases and assisted 368 clients with consumer debt issues. Mid-Shore Pro Bono provides targeted outreach and marketing, including mailings to people who are being sued in District court, as well as case management and language interpretation.  “As a result of Derek’s effort to create the consumer debt program, Mid-Shore Pro Bono has helped low-income clients recover over $889,000 in financial benefits,” Girard said.

One of the most extraordinary aspects of Hills’ work is the care he takes to ensure that each client has additional resources they might need beyond their legal issue, Girard noted, citing one instance where he called MSPB requesting information about housing resources for a family he was assisting after he learned that they were living without heat or cooking facilities.

“His clients are often burdened by multiple consumer debt issues,” said Girard.  “Derek consistently and relentlessly assists his clients with humanity and humility.”

Legislation Helps Easton Utilities’ Customers

by Leave a Comment

New legislation for renewable energy portfolio standards will ultimately benefit the customers of Easton Utilities and other municipal utility companies across Maryland. “We owe a special thanks to Delegate Johnny Mautz and Senator Addie Eckardt who sponsored the bill in the House and Senate respectively, Senators Steve Hershey and J.B. Jennings who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, Delegates Chris Adams and Jesse Pippy who supported the bill for their districts in the House, and Governor Larry Hogan for his approval. All of them helped create a more level playing field between all utilities in the state,” said Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities.

Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) sets requirements for certain types of renewable energy credits (RECs) to be purchased by electric utilities. Larger utilities have significant market leverage for buying RECs and can spread the burden for these costs among a much bigger customer base. Municipal electric utilities make up less than 1% of the total electric utility customer base in Maryland and therefore encounter much higher REC pricing to meet the RPS requirements.

To ensure these small voices would be heard, last year Easton Utilities hired Old Line Government Affairs to help advocate for these legislative changes, and ultimately avoiding disproportionate cost increases for Maryland’s municipal electric utility customers. Specifically for Easton Utilities’ electric customers, this approved legislation eliminates these future disparate bill increases for municipal utility electric customers. This legislation will eliminate a projected cost of $15.7 million (spread over the next ten years) to Easton Utilities’ electric customers. In addition to Easton, there are four other municipal electric utilities in Maryland who partnered together to advocate for this legislation on behalf of their electric customers: Berlin (Worcester County), Hagerstown (Washington County), Thurmont (Frederick County), and Williamsport (Washington County).

This legislation preserves the municipal electric utilities’ obligations within Maryland’s RPS program while creating fairness within the marketplace for their customers. Easton Utilities remains committed to resource conservation and environmental stewardship. The Easton Sustainability Campus is comprised of multiple, diverse renewable energy sourced including the ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal) Wastewater Treatment Facility and a two-megawatt solar array. Most recently, Easton Utilities partnered with US Fish and Wildlife to grow pollinator friendly native plants onsite.

To ensure the company remains dedicated to these efforts and seek out additional projects with a similar focus, Easton Utilities has an Environmental Committee. These employees research opportunities aimed at conservation including a recycling program, watershed clean-up initiative, habitat revitalization, and other community restoration projects. In addition, last year Easton Utilities and the Town of Easton partnered to install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station in downtown Easton to promote alternative transportation options.

“From our annual tree planting to our LED streetlight conversion, we try to proactively seek out cost effective projects that will positively impact our environment,” added Grunden.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Please visit www.eastonutilities.com or call 410-822-46110 to learn more.

Talbot Interfaith Shelter names Curry new Marketing and Development Director

by Leave a Comment

Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) is pleased to announce the appointment of their new Marketing and Development Director, Maureen Curry. As a longtime supporter of TIS’ mission to provide Shelter, Stability, Support, and a path to Success for local families and individuals in need, Curry is very excited to take on this pivotal role within the organization.

Maureen Curry

She explains, “Talbot Interfaith Shelter provides such a vital service to our community. I look forward to growing the donor base, and setting a course for a bright and strong future for TIS.”

Curry has lived in Talbot County for 33 years, and has deep ties to the community.  She has a wealth of experience that made her a standout candidate for the position, including many years in tourism and economic development for the town of Easton, and as the Executive Director of the Baywater Animal Rescue in Dorchester County.

Curry is taking over for outgoing Marketing and Development Director Jayme Dingler, who joined TIS’ Board of Directors in 2013, and transitioned to her role on staff in 2017.  Dingler says that it has been “the greatest honor of my life to have been a part of helping this incredible organization to grow over the past several years.  I am thrilled that Maureen will be bringing her vast experience to this position as TIS moves into the next phase of its history.“

For her part, Curry is “honored to have been selected to take the reins from Jayme,” and plans to hit the ground running.  Talbot Interfaith Shelter has recently purchased its second shelter facility and is in the process of making preparations to open its doors to new guests.  Renovations need to be made to the Victorian home to meet codes.  Once complete, the new shelter will serve single individuals, while its current facility will serve families.  The shelters are the first step for guests on their journey through TIS’ S4 Program.  There, they receive case management, are connected with necessary resources, and participate in educational programming.  Once they have reached certain financial milestones, they are invited to move into one of TIS’ subsidized transitional apartments, where they are able to work gradually towards self-sufficiency.

This necessary expansion, spurred by an uptick in calls for shelter resulting from the COVID crisis, means significantly increased operating costs for the organization.  She looks forward to working with TIS’ leadership to develop strategies aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the organization into the foreseeable future.

TIS Executive Director Julie Lowe is excited to welcome Curry to what the organization affectionately calls “Team TIS” when she arrives for work on June 21st.  She says, “We were so lucky that Jayme was able to take on this important role several years ago as we were entering a period of rapid growth.  Now, as she moves on to her next adventure, we have once again had the incredible good fortune to find Maureen, whose talent, experience, and passion for our mission made her a perfect fit at this crucial time.  I look forward to working with her to continue moving TIS forward in the fight against homelessness in our community!”

To learn more about Talbot Interfaith Shelter and their S4 Program, visit talbotinterfaithshelter.org.

Talbot County’s First Responders Honored

by Leave a Comment

Four hundred and forty-six women and men serving the Emergency Services Department, Volunteer Fire Departments, Police Departments, Sheriff’s Office, and the State Police, Easton Barracks will receive a well-deserved “thank you” for the services they provide. Through the generosity of Paul and Joanne Prager, Bluepoint Hospitality Group will give Talbot County First Responders a $100 gift card to spend at any business in downtown Easton registered with the Downtown Gift card program through Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). 

The cards, which will be redeemable between 6/14 – 6/27/21, will also benefit the merchants from the downtown area, who were impacted by the closures during the pandemic last year.  Says Mark Greene, owner of Sailor Women’s Clothing Store in Easton: “Bluepoint Hospitality’s recognition of our local first responders with a Downtown Easton gift card will have a cyclical effect within our community.  This gift will infuse much-needed economic recovery into our Downtown merchants & restaurants.  These businesses also support our community by sponsoring local civic events, non-profits, schools, and the like.  This impactful program is a win-win for everyone involved.”

The Downtown Gift Card program was introduced last year by EEDC as a way to bring business to the downtown area. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, vs.14% of the national chains’ revenue. More dramatically, restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community versus 30% for national chains. 

EEDC’s Director, Tracy Ward, said: “We were proud to be able to assist in this generous gift to our first responders by providing the technology platform that has enabled over 50 of our Main Street businesses to participate in the program.  Through acts like this, we bring our “buy local” intentions to life, and the community wins.

The cards were distributed to the First Responders by the respective department heads from Easton, St. Michaels, Tilghman Island, Cordova, Trappe, and Oxford.

Allie McGuckian, Bluepoint Hospitality’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, says, “Ultimately, we would like to see this program become an annual tradition in recognition of our emergency response teams.  The more businesses that participate, the better!”

Dr. Santo Grande Announces New Leadership at Delmarva Community Transit

by

Long serving Delmarva Community Transit (DCT) Manager Jerome Stanley will be retiring at the end of this month.  Dr. Santo Grande, President/CEO and the Delmarva Community Services Board of Directors are excited to announce the selection of Keith Adkins as the new Transit Manager.  Keith will begin employment on May 24th which will allow him the opportunity to work with Mr. Stanley prior to his retirement.

New Transit Manager Keith Adkins is a Dorchester County native, a resident of Linkwood, and has previously served as the County Manager for Dorchester County.  He also operated his own local trucking company for 13+ years. Keith has significant supervisory and budgetary experience, as well as extensive knowledge of safety regulations and compliance.  He is dedicated to customer service and recognizes the importance of building a strong working relationship with our transit team members. He has volunteered on a number of local boards and organizations, including Past President and Chief, and Life Member of the Linkwood-Salem Volunteer Fire Company.  He has also served as Past President of the Dorchester County Volunteer Fireman’s Association.

In addition, current mobility manager and dispatcher Jerome Fitchett has been promoted to Assistant Transit Manager.  Jerome has been with Delmarva Community Transit since 2014 and has both management and hands on transit operations experience.  Jerome is a Dorchester County native and is a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.  Jerome’s knowledge and experience, combined with his outstanding customer service skills, will serve the organization well as it moves forward.

DCS would be remiss not to thank Jerome Stanley for his 35 years of service. Jerome began his career at the agency in 1986 as a disability program coordinator. He advanced professionally becoming a job coach and then Vocational Services Manager.  When offered the opportunity to manage the burgeoning transit department he took the job and has directed it since. Along the way, Jerome has achieved many professional accomplishments including becoming a statewide safety instructor, judge of the CTAA National Roadeo and officer of the Transportation Association of Maryland.

Delmarva Community Transit is the transportation division of Delmarva Community Services (DCS), a multi-service, non-profit agency human services agency whose mission it is to help people who wish to maintain dignity and an independent lifestyle within their rural community on the Delmarva Peninsula. The agency serves those in our community who are most vulnerable. Having begun in 1974, DCS now offers services in 9 counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and in 2 Delaware counties. DCS works with/under the guidance of state/federal agencies including the Developmental Disabilities Administration, MAC Inc. (Area Agency on Aging), Department of Housing & Community Development, & the MD Transit Administration.

Mid-Shore Commerce: Ford Risks Their Brand on New Mustang and Wins this Time

by

In the annals of American business, nothing is more dangerous than fooling around with a company’s hard-earned brand. And over the past fifty years, there are ample examples of boardroom decisions leading to disastrous results along those lines.

From Coca-Cola’s “New Coke” to Cadillac’s subcompact Cimarron, the history of marketing failures is a painful lesson for even the most successful enterprises, and none more than Ford Motor Company with its epic case of the Edsel in 1958.

So when we heard that Ford was rolling out an SUV-style electric vehicle using the Mustang badge, it was hard not to wonder why the car company would be willing to risk the Mustang’s hard-won prestige on something entirely different from the Pony class they had invented when the first Mustang was rolled out at the 1964 World’s Fair.

As with all things related to Ford, we drove down to Preston to talk with Michael Mitchell at Preston Auto. Michael, a professional actor on the Eastern Shore when not selling automobiles, couldn’t wait to start promoting the new line of Mustangs. A student of the classic Mustangs, he made a compelling argument that the new Mustang Mach-E was the perfect successor to the iconic heritage of the gas-fueled models. And it didn’t hurt that he started with the fact that even the entry-level Mach was capable of 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.

In our chat with Michael, we talk about the differences and similarities of the new Mustang and this bold move by Ford to be the first of the legacy car manufacturers to led the consumers into a new era of transportation.

This video is approximately three minutes in length. For more information about the new Mustang, please visit Preston Ford’s website here.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono Elects New Officers and Welcomes New 2021 Board Members

by

Timothy Abeska

Mid-Shore Pro Bono (MSPB), a non-profit organization on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that provides free or reduced fee legal services to eligible community members, today announced the addition of four new board members, Ruth Thomas of Preston, Rebecca Burner of Grasonville, Samantha Bowers Welte of Easton and Doncella Wilson of Denton, Maryland.  Previous treasurer Timothy Abeska has been named president of the Board of Directors.

“These new directors will provide strategic direction for the continued growth of our organization,” said Sandy Brown, executive director, Mid-Shore Pro Bono.  “We are excited to channel their talents, expertise and energy into furthering our mission.”

Ruth Thomas, Preston Maryland

Ruth Thomas has worked with attorneys for twenty years and has a deep understanding of the non-profit sector, specifically related to fundraising.  Her role as the USA Vice President for Finance and Administration for SAT-7 North America in Maryland, involves experience in forecasting, marketing, development and financial and personnel management.  She is also trained in legacy giving methods and campaigns and has testified on the issue of charitable deductions.  “One of the top reasons people give to non-profits is financial accountability.  They want to know their gifts are being used wisely.  I am looking forward to working with the board to strengthen fiscal transparency to grow our donor base.”

Rebecca Burner, Grasonville, Maryland

Rebecca Burner brings more than thirty-five years of government relations experience to the board through her work with the Maryland General Assembly.  Her expertise lies in budgeting, finance, and personnel administration.  She has worked for the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and the Maryland Department of the Environment.  Her professional experience will become a critical part of successfully fulfilling MSPB’s mission and achieving internal and external goals.

“Access to justice should be impartial and non-discriminatory. Yet there is an obvious gap when it comes to the availability of legal services to people from low socio-economic backgrounds.  I am looking forward to helping close that gap and assuring that all people have access to representation when dealing with civil legal issues.”

Samantha Welte, Easton, Maryland

Samantha Welte’s experience working with English as a Second Language (ESL) students in Talbot County Public Schools has exposed her to the reality of immigration issues which many local families are facing.  This is what attracted Samantha to MSPB.  “We have children disappear because they have been deported. I think Mid-Shore Pro Bono is providing an extremely valuable public service to all members of the community because the work they are doing helps stabilize these types of situations for all segments of society.”

Samantha’s professional experience as an educator spans across many diverse areas including curriculum development, research, advocacy, evaluation, and fundraising.  Her expertise in the representation of diverse populations through her role as an educational advisor to Seattle Public Schools will provide insight to the way in which MSPB represents community immigration challenges.

Doncella Wilson, Denton, Maryland

As a licensed social worker, Doncella Wilson monitors programs for the Governor’s Office for Children to facilitate local care teams which include state agencies, community partners and families.  Her experience as an intake coordinator for Mentor Maryland, provided her the opportunity to work with children and adolescents who are in foster care and clients with mental health diagnoses to identify placements, eligibility for community-based care and offers counsel to families on coping strategies.  This work has brought her close to the clinical, therapeutic, and programmatic issues these families are exposed to on a regular basis.  As a Denton town council member, Doncella understands the importance of continued community support, compliance, and efficiencies in the public sector.

The newly elected executive committee consists of:

  • Timothy Abeska, President
  • Jim McComb, Vice President
  • Mike Starling, Esq., Treasurer
  • Holland Brownley, Esq., Secretary

The 2021 board also includes Sarah Dahl, Esq., Tawes Harper, Stephanie A. Shipley, Esq., and Judith Showalter, Esq.

Tim Abeska, who has served on the board for several years, is the newly elected board president.  Tim’s experience includes managing a nineteen-member litigation department, service on the Management Committee of what was then an Am Law 200 law firm (now an Am Law 100 firm), thirty-five years of managing a busy law practice, and service on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Bar Foundation.

“I am looking forward to working with the board on expanding our outreach to the communities we serve so we can increase awareness and client referrals,” said Abeska.  “I’m also excited to work on the development of a robust fundraising program to recruit and retain donors with the goal of providing unrestricted funding to better fulfill MSPB’s mission.”

For more information about MSPB, please visit midshoreprobono.org or call 410-690-8128.

About Mid-Shore Pro Bono

The goal of Mid-Shore Pro Bono is to strengthen the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore by ensuring equal access to civil justice through connecting low-income individuals and families in need of civil legal help with volunteer attorneys and community resources. Based on this belief, we envision a community where all individuals should feel respected and empowered throughout the legal system.  To learn more or to support our work please visit www.midshoreprobono.org.

Talbot County to Open New Grant for Nonprofits on June 4

by

Talbot County will begin taking applications on June 4 for a new grant program aimed at helping nonprofits that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but have not yet received assistance from other programs.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) received $20 million in Maryland Recovery NOW Funds via SB496 that is being distributed to local governments to make grant awards to local nonprofits. Talbot County will receive $123,000 to distribute locally.

Grant recipients may use the money to offset business losses caused by the pandemic. Qualifying expenditures include:

  • Expenses that occur in the ordinary course of business such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and payroll.
  • Purchase of equipment related to programs that assist underserved Maryland populations.
  • Program development and training costs.
  • Business materials or inventory.
  • Sanitizing supplies for use by employees and customers.

Priority also will be given to those nonprofits that are focused on the economic recovery of Maryland communities and on the health and human services and housing of underserved Maryland populations.

The deadline for applying is June 25. Grant funds must be distributed by September 1 and may be used for expenses incurred through December 31, 2021.

OTHER TALBOT COUNTY GRANTS

Lodging and Accommodations COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

Hotel, lodging, and accommodation businesses are among those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help those facing continued financial impacts, Talbot County has received additional funds for a third round of funding. Businesses that opened before November 1, 2020 are now eligible. Deadline to apply: June 11.

Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

Though Talbot County’s allotment for this grant program is just $3,082, these funds will be used to support small businesses seeking to expand online sales and teleworking capabilities for their employees. Deadline to apply: June 11.

Talbot County Restaurant and Caterers COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program

To support Maryland restaurants facing continued financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic, Talbot County has received an additional $135,635. A number of new qualifications apply, which require applicants to self-certify specific financial data. Deadline to apply: June 11.

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Talbot County Finance Office together are administering these programs. Guidelines and applications are available at TalbotWorks.org. For more information, call 410-770-8000.

Tilghman Little Big Market Announces Inaugural Season

by

The Tilghman Little Big Market LLC, a local Tilghman volunteer organization, announces the launch of its inaugural summer community market. Highlighting local farmers, bakers, artists and more, the market expects to attract the local community as well as the many weekenders and tourists that love the rich history and peace of Tilghman. Held on the last Sunday of the month from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, starting in May and continuing through August, the announced market event dates are May 30th, June 27th, July 25th, and August 29th.

The market will be located at the Tilghman Wharf parking lot, with the street address of 6129 Tilghman Island Road, just over the drawbridge on the left as you enter the Island. The owners of Wittman Wharf in Wittman, MD recently purchased the property (previously the Philips Wharf Environmental Center) and have renamed it Tilghman Wharf.

Founders of the Tilghman Little Big Market are local residents Amanda Cook Pilkerton, Nadine Sachs and Krista Paquin. They have fallen in love with the charmingly authentic and welcoming working watermen’s community and are hoping to provide a fresh, casual and fun community market experience for the local residents, weekenders and visitors to the Island.