The Gunston School will be holding its spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston V, on Friday, May 3 at Queenstown Harbor in Queenstown, Md. Join fellow Gunston parents, alumni

and community members for another fun-filled day on the links. Continental breakfast will be served in the clubhouse before we tee off with a shotgun start at 9 a.m., followed by refreshments and snacks served throughout the day. Once all 18 holes are completed,  golfers are invited to the banquet room for lunch and an awards ceremony with prizes where we will announce the Men and Women First Place teams, Men and Women Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and of course we can’t forget our “Last Place” winners. This year, Gunston has invited one of the GOLF Channel’s Professional Long Drivers to join us for a “Hole in Two” challenge for a chance to win a 3 day dream golf getaway to Pebble Beach, Cal.

Golf registration is $195 per player or $755 per foursome and $175 for alumni golfers and $675 for alumni foursomes. Sponsorships are also available, ranging from $100 up to $3,000 and include the opportunity for businesses to get their name and logo in front of the entire Gunston community of students, parents, alumni, and local community members. Proceeds from the event supports Gunston’s annual giving program, which offers students and faculty opportunities beyond what tuition would typically pay for.

Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram  (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23 ’25). Crew Station sponsors include Heron Heroes “Friends of Gunston,” Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’23), and Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26). Ceremony sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27) and Tred Avon Wealth Management. Refreshment sponsors include Dr. Laurie Lewis and John Lewis, Mirando Chiropractic Center (Kristy & Dominic Mirando, P’25), and The Shifrin Family, P’21’21. Hole sponsors include St. Anne’s School of Annapolis.

Visit https://www.gunston.org/golf24 to register for the outing or a sponsorship (or both!), or call Event Director Catherine Lawson at 410-758-0620, ext. 1200 or email [email protected]

On Saturday March 2, 2024, Andrew Parsley, age 16, President of the Maryland State Society of the Children of the American Revolution (MSSCAR) spoke about the work and contributions of the C.AR during a meeting of the Colonel Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) in Chestertown, Maryland.

Andrew gave a brief presentation about the C.A.R and his 2024 service project titled “Play It Loud” that supports the Warrior Music Foundation, and provides music therapy to veterans, active duty military and emergency service providers-and their families.  Research has shown that music theraphy helps veterans heal from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and reduces the likely hood of veteran suicide. Andrew raised $250 in donations during his visit with the Colonel Tench Tilghman Chapter of the SAR toward reaching his $10,000 goal which will be donated to the Warrior Music Foundation that provides 12 weeks of free music lessons to veterans.

During the meeting with the SAR, Andrew played the first notes of 10 patriotic tunes on his trumpet and the first meeting participant to guess each of the tunes won a prize. Andrew often plays his trumpet when requested by the VFW during veteran funerals, VFW events, and wreath laying ceremonies.

Afterwards, Colonel Tench Tilghman Chapter President, Conway Gregory, presented Andrew with checks totaling $250 and a copy of the biography of President Andrew Jackson.

If you would like to help Andrew reach his $10,000 goal of providing free music lessons to veterans, you can mail a check payable to MSSCAR to David Schenck, Maryland CAR Treasurer, 1502 Providence Road, Towson, Maryland, 21286.

The next meeting of the Colonel Tench Tilghman will occur on Saturday April 13, 2024 in Chestertown, Maryland.  Prospective members are welcome to attend.  The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR), founded in 1889, is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American History, and promoting education to our future generations.

The old saying, “everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it!” used to draw a laugh every time.  One could say the same about the sharp divisions in American society today.  There’s awareness, and distress, but little change.

That’s obvious in how quickly discussions about political and other issues escalate into disagreements or accusations.  Unlike altering the weather, can anything be done about conflict, whether in families, communities, the nation, even the world? Are there constructive ways to bridge the divides?

That is what the members of the Christian Science church in Easton had in mind when they decided to sponsor a public talk by Frenchman Alexandre Fischer, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, titled: “Healing the Divide.”

Fischer, who’s based in the Basque region in France, is a lawyer who has practiced in both the U.S. and France, so he knows a thing or two about conflict.  He draws on that experience, in part, in concluding that it is possible to turn conflict around.  

Interestingly, though, he believes the most effective way to heal conflict is spiritual.  By that, Fischer explains, he means turning to a power beyond human reasoning and human arguments to focus instead on something higher and universal; namely, the love the Creator has for us all.  

That’s the second foundation for Fischer’s approach.  In 2006, he gave up his legal practice to become a Christian Science practitioner, one who engages in the practice of spiritual healing.  Fischer says that God, rather than an anthropomorphic figure, is the supreme intelligence, love, beauty, and life source that, in fact, governs the universe.  By acknowledging that power, and changing our own perceptions, we can – and do – effect change.

He explains in this context why this religion was called “Christian Science” by its founder, Mary Baker Eddy, who was able to demonstrate that there are laws of God applicable to any human circumstance, including the divisiveness seen today.

It’s a provocative concept, and the public is invited to hear Fischer discuss it on Sunday, March 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge at 114 N. Washington Street in Easton.  The talk is free; there’s parking adjacent to the building; and the venue is accessible.  Local guitarist Justin Ryan will entertain beginning at 1:15.  

 

If you’ve ever wanted to put pen to paper to record your experiences, ideas, or stories, It’s Your Story is the class for you.  Starting Thursday March 7th, join Adrienne Lasker and Chesapeake Forum from 1-2:30 PM for a memoir writing class that will help you develop your voice. The small intimate class will cover writing techniques, tips, organization, and creativity and is geared to all writing levels. 

For each of the four sessions, participants will write a one- or two-page piece about some event in their past or something else that they would like to record. While most will take the customary form of a memoir, some might wish to use verse, song, speech, or even a playlet as their medium of choice. Each person furnishes copies for everyone and then reads it aloud. After that, class members make comments, pointing out what works well and how it might be improved. This is all done in an atmosphere of warmth and support, where we all try to help each other. 

This small group of storytellers form a safe and comfortable place to gain knowledge about how others hear your voice through your writing. Our aim is to build confidence, develop skills, and encourage everyone to tell their story.  

It’s Your Story is four sessions, Thursday March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 1-2:30 PM.  $40. In person at the Easton Family YMCA.  To register, visit https:chesapeakeforum.org

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

 

Four members of the Talbot County Public Schools Class of 2024 have recently completed apprenticeships through the Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Billy Massaro, a senior at St. Michaels Middle High School, fulfilled requirements as a Marine Tradesperson Apprentice at Richardson’s Marine Services in McDaniel, and is a Carpentry Pathway completer. Jakob Barnhart, Easton High School (EHS) senior, served as the first Maintenance Apprentice at The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels and is a Culinary Pathway completer. Jed Smith, a senior at EHS has been a Marketing Apprentice at iFrog Marketing Solutions in Easton and is a Marketing Pathway completer. Peyton Spies, also an EHS Senior, was a Cook Apprentice at The Inn at Perry Cabin and is a Culinary Pathway completer.

“We are so grateful for our partnerships with these local employers, who provide quality apprenticeship opportunities for our students,” said Mrs. Danielle Haley, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator. “The program has grown due to their commitment to the Apprenticeship Maryland program and to building our future workforce. So far this year, 12 students have had apprenticeship opportunities, with a 13^th signing in the coming weeks.”

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program is a collaboration between the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maryland State Department of Education, participating school systems, and community business and educational partners.  The program is intended to allow high school juniors and seniors to develop valuable job skills and get a head start on future careers.   At the same time, the goal is to support Maryland businesses by training talented, highly skilled workers, a much-needed resource.  “The Maryland Youth Apprenticeship program provides Eastern Shore students the opportunity to work with professionals in their area of interest to help guide them as they begin to make future career and educational choices,” explains Robin Werner, TCPS Career and Technical Education Supervisor.

Students complete related classroom instruction and a minimum of 450 hours of work-based training under the supervision of an eligible employer.  The students can begin working with a state-approved employer during their junior year in high school.  School systems coordinate student placements with local businesses.  Talbot County students who are interested in becoming an apprentice and employers wishing to participate in the program may contact Danielle Haley, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator at [email protected] to learn more.

March is Women’s History Month and a big part of women’s stories all across the world is healthcare – often inadequate, sometimes dangerous and frequently indifferent.  From Ukraine to Sudan to the Americas, violence, poverty, new infectious diseases, forced migration, and discrimination have created communities of women with limited access to health services.

Join Chesapeake Forum on March 5th from 10 -11:30 AM  for Global Women’s Healthcare: Gains and Losses as two global healthcare professionals – Katherine Marconi, Ph.D., and Mary Jordan – give us a world tour of recent challenges and accomplishments in improving women’s health in a variety of countries .

Both women have had projects in Malawi, Ethiopia, and South Africa and will also talk about issues and concerns in Afghanistan. In their focus on these three countries, they will describe recent health trends, underlying social determinants of health in each country, and their journeys to form public-private partnerships to improve health in each country.

Katherine will show a video from an African physician she teaches with, who is currently providing care for women, children, and adolescents in several countries. Through her you will be exposed to the experiences of working with communities of women who have limited access to health care.

You will learn about and discuss unique approaches to improving women’s health, and be part of a dialogue about what it might be like living in a country under these health conditions.

Global Women’s Health: Gains and Losses is one session, Tuesday, March 5th from 10-11:30 AM.  $20.  To register visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.

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

Grab a unique chance to see history unfold on paper in “Six Centuries of Headlines” with Chesapeake Forum veteran Steve Goldman on March 12th and 19th from 4:30 – 6:00 PM.  Goldman travels back through six centuries of newspapers, books and pamphlets back to explore some of history’s most important famous and infamous events.

Goldman’s extensive newspaper archives offer a chance to look at original, first drafts of history.  Read the original story and see if it holds up over time.  If not, was it deliberately fake? Steve promises to read any type that is too small as many of the documents are very old.

Six Centuries of Headlines is two sessions, Tuesday, March 12th and 19th rom 4:30 – 6 PM. HYBRID (in person at the Easton Family YMCA, ZOOM or recording). $30. To register visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

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

Two teams of students from Easton Middle School in Talbot County have won the state and regional division championships of the Fall 2023 Maryland Stock Market Game™, organized by the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE).

In the Stock Market Game™, student teams create and manage a simulated, virtual investment portfolio starting with $100,000. Led by their teacher, students strategically manage their portfolios over a ten-week period, consistently buying and selling stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in an effort to increase their portfolio return. The winning teams achieved the highest portfolio returns among student teams in their age group.

More than 1,100 student teams from schools throughout Maryland competed in the Fall Stock Market Game™, which ended its 10-week competition in December 2023.

The Stock Market Game competition gives students real-world experience in investing, challenging them to make decisions about the direction of markets, buying or selling stocks, and completing transactions online. With real-time portfolio statement updates, teams are able to see how their team ranks compared to others, as well as the current value of their stocks.

The Maryland Council on Economic Education offers the Stock Market Game™ to students and teachers throughout Maryland each fall and spring to provide education about stock markets, the American economic system and the global economy. Participants develop skills in math, language arts, research and critical thinking. All winners at the state and regional levels will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in May 2024 at Towson University.

To learn more about the Stock Market Game™, visit https://www.econed.org/page-18300.

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The Gunston School is hosting its first-ever Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, April 13 at its waterfront campus in Centreville, Md. beginning at 9 a.m. The format will be round-robin or double elimination, depending on the number of registered teams, with men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles teams playing on Gunston’s tennis courts. Beginners will compete in the morning and intermediate and advanced players will compete in the afternoon with a detailed schedule to follow their registration.

All funds raised go toward purchasing new equipment for Gunston’s 20 interscholastic teams (plus four recreation leagues!) that comprise Heron Athletics. Check in opens at 8:30 a.m. with Gunston celebrity guest and long-time faculty member Mr. Ben Dize, who will be flipping his famous chocolate chip pancakes for participants. Those who wish to participate and do not have a partner will be paired with someone of a similar skill level.

The cost to participate is $40 per player. Current students and faculty/staff can participate for a reduced rate of $25. Registration closes on Monday, April 8. Sponsorships are available starting at $150 up to $2,500 for a premier event sponsorship. Registration and sponsorships are available at http://gunston.org/pickleball24 or by contacting Events Director Catherine Lawson at 410-758-0620 ext. 1201 or [email protected].

Heron Pickleball Tournament sponsors include Premier Sponsors Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Court Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Friends of Gunston. Award Sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc., (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24) and McCallister, Detar, Showalter, & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27. Paddle Sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21 and Dr. Laurie & John Lewis.