Chesapeake Forum is welcoming the new year with a rich lineup of January programs designed to spark curiosity and bring learners together. From ancient philosophy to birding, book discussions, gardening, travel, and Blue Zone cooking, these courses offer something for every interest and invite participants to explore new ideas in a warm, engaging community.

Chesapeake Forum begins the month with Lucretius and Epicureanism with Forest Hansen, a three‑session exploration of Epicurean philosophy as interpreted by the Roman poet Lucretius. For nature lovers, Back to Basics: Birds & Birding with Wayne Bell, Ph.D. pairs five classroom sessions with five guided field trips, offering an in‑depth introduction to bird identification and local habitats. Book enthusiasts can join Books with Friends with Lynn Randle, a welcoming discussion group centered on memorable reads and shared perspectives.

Gardeners and environmental stewards will appreciate Healing Nature in the Garden with Reenie Rice, a four‑session course focused gardening that supports Mother Nature. Travelers at heart can enjoy Summer in the Swiss Alps with Kathy & Jerry Marconi, a one‑session journey through castles, cable cars, and the culinary delights of the Alps. Rounding out the month, Blue Zone Cooking with Bobbi Parlett at Simpatico in St. Michaels offers hands‑on instruction, recipes, and a three‑course meal with wine pairings inspired by one of the world’s longevity hotspots.

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities to residents of the Eastern Shore.  Learn more at www.chesapeakeforum.org. To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send your name and contact information to [email protected].

The Talbot250 Commission invites the public to the Avalon Theatre for The American Revolution: The Spirit of Service, a special program celebrating the start of Talbot County’s 365th anniversary and the nation’s Semiquincentennial year. The event will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and will feature a 31-minute screening and a live panel discussion exploring what it means to serve: 250 fifty years ago and now.

The evening will include selected moments from The American Revolution, the new Ken Burns documentary series directed by Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, and written by Geoffrey Ward. The six-part PBS series chronicles how thirteen American colonies united in rebellion, fought for independence, and established a new form of self-government that would inspire democratic movements around the world.

Following the screening, the Talbot Spy’s Craig Fuller will moderate a discussion on the theme “The Spirit of Service”—the courage, sacrifice, and civic commitment that shaped America’s founding and continues to define community life in Talbot County today.

The panel will feature:

• Kathryn De Shields-Moon, Senior Public Relations Manager at Schell Games and Director of Programming for the Bellevue Passage Museum
• Pete Lesher, Chief Curator at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Vice President of the Talbot County Council
• Tim Boyle, Proprietor of Vintage Books

“This event embodies what Talbot250 is all about. Connecting our national story to our local one,” said Sarah Kilmon, Talbot250 Administrator. “The spirit of service that helped build a nation is the same spirit that continues to drive the people of Talbot County today.”

The American Revolution: The Spirit of Service marks the first in a series of Talbot250 programs leading up to 2026, when the County will celebrate 365 years as well as the nation’s 250th commemoration.

To learn more about the full documentary series, visit pbs.org/americanrevolution.

Event Details:
DATE: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
TIME: 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Kicking off the new year, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to share an exciting lineup of Speaker Events in the Van Lennep Auditorium, and available virtually, featuring presenters highlighting the region’s rich history, environment, and culture. 

These programs invite audiences to hear from authors, scholars, and community members exploring topics that illuminate the past, present, and future of life on the Bay. They are supported by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

The suggested ticket cost is $8 per program. To sign up, and get more information, visit cbmm.org/SpeakerSeries

The winter series begins this Thursday, Jan. 8, at 5:30pm, with a program celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary featuring author and historian Richard Bell.

Bell will highlight the global impacts of the American Revolution explored in his new book, “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World.” Through the stories of the diverse people displaced, empowered, or destroyed by the war, he offers a bold new framework for understanding the Revolution as a complex, international struggle that redrew maps and toppled hierarchies across six continents.

Stay tuned for more news on events and programming celebrating America250 and the region’s connections to America’s story throughout 2026.

On Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5:30pm, CBMM will host its latest Watermen’s Story Swap, gathering a panel of watermen from across the region for a lively evening of storytelling from their working life on the Bay. Local author and historian Brent Lewis will lead a free-flowing conversation highlighting unique tales and universal themes that’s sure to be equal parts enlightening, humorous, and profound.

Coming on Friday, Feb. 13, at 5:30pm, “Ecomyopia on the Chesapeake: Social and Cultural Barriers to Climate-Induced Managed Retreat” features Cultural Anthropology Professors Aaron Lampman (Washington College) and David Casagrande (Lehigh University). The pair will present their research into ecomyopia—the ignoring of environmental information to protect identity—on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and how deep-seated local narratives and social dynamics cause widespread denial of climate risk, ultimately preventing rational long-term solutions. 

Up next, “Women at the Helm: Navigating Fear and Risk in the Storm” on Monday, Feb. 23, at 5:30pm, offers a celebratory send-off for CBMM’s Her Helm special exhibition, which closes at the end of February.

Folklorist Amy Skillman will share highlights from her oral history project documenting women at the helm, including Bay captains. She will focus on storm stories, which are more often tales of communion with, rather than conquest of, the sea.

Also, mark your calendar for “The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life: An Evening with Cory McCray” on Thursday, April 30, at 5:30pm.

A journeyman electrician and Maryland state senator, McCray details how mentorship, skilled trades, and second chances create powerful pathways to success for individuals and communities in his debut book, “The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life.” During National Apprenticeship Week, CBMM is proud to host Sen. McCray for an in-depth conversation on building stronger foundations for the next generation of workers and leaders, followed by a book signing.

Additional speakers and programming will be announced in the coming months. Find more information about all CBMM’s upcoming events at cbmm.org/Events.

 

Join Chesapeake Forum on January 7 for the 2026 Winter Preview, this time on Zoom, from 6-7pm.  Advance registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link, and course registration opens the next morning at 7am at https://chesapeakeforum.org

Chesapeake Forum is kicking off 2026 with its most diverse Winter Semester yet—with 30 new courses designed to keep minds active, spirits lifted, and community connections strong no matter what the season brings.  From philosophy to field trips, cooking to civic engagement, art to aging well, this semester offers something for every learner. 

Learners can dive into big questions through courses on philosophy, global affairs, genealogy, and civic engagement, while others might explore the natural world through birding field trips, gardening for personal and ecological health, or a deep look at the future of our rivers. 

Food lovers will find plenty to savor, from Blue Zone cooking and fermentation workshops to Italian trattoria-style dining with Larry Paz, tea tasting, and Blue Catfish preparation. Art and creativity take center stage with offerings in art history, acrylic paint pouring, and even basket weaving.

For those seeking personal growth, wellness, and resilience, classes range from meditation and brain health, to using improv in conversation, aging well, and bridging social divides. Adventurers can travel vicariously to the Swiss Alps or the African bush, while aviation enthusiasts get a rare glimpse into piloting a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet. 

In partnership with the Talbot Free Library in Easton, the Forum will also offer two free courses at the library: “Understanding the Business of Talbot County” to learn about the everyday operations of our county government and how to participate in shaping the future, and a presentation on organ donation where one decision can safe many lives.

Together, these courses create a rich, interconnected semester designed to spark curiosity, build skills, and strengthen community throughout the winter season.

 To see a full list of Fall classes, please visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.  Registration begins on January 8. 

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities to residents of the Eastern Shore. To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send your name and contact information to [email protected].

Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers is proud to celebrate Executive Director Cristy Morrell and School Age Director Keieve Colbert—who recently completed highly respected leadership programs focused on strengthening communities across Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

Cristy Morrell graduated from Leadership Maryland’s Executive Program, an eight-month, hands-on experience that brings together senior leaders from across the state to explore the issues shaping Maryland’s future. Cristy was one of just 51 participants selected for the Class of 2025 and now joins a statewide alumni network of more than 1,600 leaders committed to making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Throughout the program, Cristy and her classmates traveled the state, participating in immersive sessions focused on education, health and human services, economic development, the environment, criminal justice, and diversity—learning directly from more than 100 leaders in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sector.

“Graduates of this program demonstrate a deep commitment to personal growth and positive change,” said David Fike, President and CEO of Leadership Maryland. “We are confident they will continue to make a difference across the state.”

Closer to home, Keieve Colbert, Director of Critchlow Adkins’ School Age Site in Easton, celebrated her graduation from Shore Leadership on December 3 at the Easton Elks Lodge. The Shore Leadership program brings together leaders from across the Eastern Shore to deepen their understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities, while building strong, collaborative relationships.

Through guided discussions, skill-building activities, and conversations with local leaders, participants gain a richer understanding of the systems and communities that shape life on the Shore—connections that continue well beyond the program.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Cristy and Keieve,” shared Critchlow Adkins Board Chair Dru Haines. “Their dedication to learning and growing as leaders mirrors what we strive to offer the children in our care every day. Their commitment strengthens our organization and, ultimately, the families and communities we serve.”

Founded in 1970 and celebrating 55 years of service, Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers has supported and educated four generations of children throughout Talbot County and the Mid-Shore—guided by the belief that strong leaders help build strong futures. To learn more about Critchlow Adkins, make a donation or enroll a child, please visit: www.cacckids.org. 

The St. Andrew’s Foundation of The Eastern Shore is proud to announce Kent Island High School sophomore Greta Holyer as the first-ever recipient of its new summer study abroad scholarship program. Greta will spend three weeks this coming summer at the historic University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

For Greta, the opportunity feels nothing short of meant-to-be. Her parents, Miranda and John Holyer, met as students in Cambridge, England, where they formed a lifelong appreciation for international study. Encouraged by their experience, Greta began exploring overseas universities this year—ultimately narrowing her interest to two Scottish institutions: the University of Edinburgh and St. Andrews.

That interest took a pivotal turn when Greta’s school guidance counselor informed her of a new scholarship funded by the St. Andrew’s Foundation. Competing with more than 30 applicants from 10 Eastern Shore schools, Greta emerged as the standout choice.

“This trip gives her the chance to ‘test drive’ St. Andrews before deciding on a four-year commitment,” said her father, John. “It’s hard to jump into a program abroad if you’ve never been once. This will be a great chance to figure it out.”

A straight-A student with a full slate of extracurriculars, Greta also volunteers at a private wildlife sanctuary on Kent Island. Her hands-on work with animals—and her experience caring for two ill cats at home—sparked a deep interest in veterinary medicine and animal behavior. With Edinburgh offering veterinary studies and St. Andrews offering animal behavior, both schools remain strong contenders for her future.

During her summer session, Greta will study alongside students from across the globe. She sees this cultural immersion as one of the most exciting parts of the experience. “It will help me learn and understand those different cultures a lot better than I would in the U.S.,” she said.

The St. Andrew’s Foundation of the Eastern Shore was established to expand educational and cultural opportunities for area students through annual scholarships. Foundation Chair Donna Cantor praised the depth of talent among the applicants.

“It was a tough call,” Cantor said. “But Greta was an obvious standout. We are thrilled that she’ll be leading the way for future scholars to come.”

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About the St. Andrew’s Foundation of the Eastern Shore

Based in Easton, Maryland, the St. Andrew’s Foundation is dedicated to fostering educational and cultural opportunities that celebrate and preserve Scottish heritage. Through scholarships and community support, the Foundation helps students pursue studies in the arts, humanities, and international exchange programs. The St.. Andrew’s Foundation is a 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization, and is the charitable arm of the St. Andrew’s Society of the Eastern Shore. Tax deductible donations to the scholarship fund can be made at SASES.net