In celebration of over five decades of community involvement and environmental stewardship, the Waterfowl Festival is excited to announce a significant donation to the Talbot County Free Library: a complete collection of guidebooks from the festival’s 53-year history. These guidebooks, available for public use, chronicle the rich heritage, artistry, and conservation efforts that have made the Waterfowl Festival a beloved tradition in the Chesapeake Bay region.

The guidebooks serve as a historical archive, showcasing the evolution of the festival, the talented artists and craftsmen who have participated, and the vital role the event has played in promoting wildlife conservation. Spanning from the inaugural 1971 guide to the most recent edition, this collection is a treasure trove for researchers, historians, and festival enthusiasts alike.

“Preserving our cultural history and making it accessible to the community has always been a priority for the Waterfowl Festival,” said Deena Kilmon, Executive Director of the Waterfowl Festival. “We’re proud to partner with the Talbot County Free Library to ensure that future generations can explore the stories and milestones that have shaped our festival, the town of Easton, and our extended community over the years.”

The Talbot County Free Library welcomes this valuable addition to its collection. Library Director Dana Newman shared their enthusiasm, stating, “This donation enriches our local history archives and provides a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with the history of an event that has had such a profound impact on our community.”

The donated guidebooks will be housed in the library’s Maryland Room, where they will be available for in-library use. Patrons can explore the artistic and cultural legacy of the festival while gaining a deeper understanding of its commitment to waterfowl conservation and the Eastern Shore way of life.

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About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

About the Talbot County Free Library
The Talbot County Free Library provides resources, services, and programs that enhance the lives of all Talbot County residents. Through its commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement, the library preserves and shares the region’s rich history for future generations.

The Gunston School is pleased to welcome Mike Hardesty as its new Director of Facilities. Hardesty brings 18 years of experience in maintaining and enhancing educational campuses, combined with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability—a core Gunston value. He is a graduate of Washington College with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Environmental Science, as well as a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Most recently, he was the Associate Director of Staff and Programs for the Center of Environment and Society at Washington College, as well as the Director of their River and Field Campus–a 5,000 acre property that was gifted to the college for integration into their educational mission. During his time there, he served as the staff lead for the design and construction of Semans Griswold Environmental Hall, the college’s 10,000-square foot flagship sustainability facility, and was responsible for ensuring that the building achieved certification under Living Building Standards.

“I am excited to join the Gunston community,” said Hardesty. “As someone deeply committed to environmental sustainability, I am eager to help shape a campus that reflects the school’s commitment to not just the environment and sustainability but also innovation.”

In his new role at Gunston, Hardesty will manage all aspects of the school’s 75-acre campus and physical plant, overseeing a team of support staff and vendor partners. Additionally, he will oversee the upcoming campus upgrades including new athletic fields, a new campus quad, and will work closely with Gunston’s Director of Sustainability Brad Hirsh on the development of the recently-acquired 40 acres of property that include plans for outdoor educational spaces, trails, signage, and more.

“Mike offers a unique combination of buildings and grounds experience, coupled with a deep understanding of a core Gunston priority–environmental sustainability,” said Head of School John Lewis.

Gunston has long been a leader in environmental education, with its annual Chesapeake Bay Studies experiential learning program, the Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders workshop, and the innovative Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS), now in its sixth year.

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Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 247 students, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

NEW this semester!  Join Chesapeake Forum for Current Geopolitical Affairs, the first-ever Forum program hosted by the Centreville YMCA.  Take a deep dive into events that are affecting our world, following a format similar to Great Decisions.  

Current Geopolitical Affairs is hosted by Bob DeGour,  a 1973 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who served in the Navy Intel community before transitioning to the private sector.  DeGour is currently the senior advisor to the annual Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference and moderates the Conference’s roundtable on current strategic issues impacting the United States.

One former student described the discussions as “Interesting, eye-opening … Many points of view offered by participants with a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds.”

 

Geopolitics provides a framework to help understand the interplay of the world’s economic, military, political, and geographic landscape. Using reputable and objective sources including RANE/Worldview and Geopolitical Futures, the class will tackle contemporary foreign policy challenges, world conflicts, and economic opportunities.

Several days before each weekly session, timely and applicable analyses will be distributed to participants to guide our discussions. 

Current Geopolitical Affairs is eight (8) sessions Thursday, January 30th, February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6, 13 and 20th from 1-2:30 PM. In person at the Centerville YMCA 210 Vincit Street, Centerville.  Special introductory price:  $35.00.  To register visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

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].

Take a deep dive into the African American experience in Dorchester County, Maryland in Focusing on the Past for Change in the Future from the Chesapeake Forum on February 6th.  Join instructor Dion Banks as he steps back into the past to walk in the footprints of the enslaved and other iconic African American heroes from the late 1700s to the present day, using stories and experiences as a case study to inspire and create change.  The landscape will be used to connect with the history of the African American experience, from enslavement to the present day.

Banks will explore how artworks serve as empowering symbols for individuals within the community by showcasing African American figures, culture, and achievements. He will delve into how these artworks serve as visual reminders of the past, preserving and amplifying the African American narrative and allow present and future generations to learn, reflect, and gain a deeper understanding of the collective history. 

With an understanding of the African American experience, the class will challenge stereotypes, raise awareness about ongoing struggles, and encourage collaborative efforts toward a more inclusive and equitable society. 

Dion Banks is a lifetime member of the Dorchester County NAACP, served on numerous boards for service organizations, and is president and co-founder of Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC).

Focusing on the Past for Change in the Future is two (2) sessions, Thursday February 6th and 13th from 1:30 – 3 PM.  Hybrid (in person at the Easton Family YMCA, ZOOM or recording). $40.00. To register, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

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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].

Back in 2005, Lloyd Devigne was recently relocated to Easton, Md., and looking for a way to get engaged with his new community. A newspaper article about volunteer training at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum caught his eye.

More than 10,000 volunteer hours later, Devigne is part of the fabric of CBMM and a leader within the team of volunteers that shares the Chesapeake story with guests throughout the year.

“The maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay is a fascinating one,” Devigne said. “Sharing the stories of the peoples that have lived here and the artifacts and exhibits at CBMM is personally rewarding to me and a lot of fun. And meeting new people and enjoying the camaraderie of the Volunteer Team is an added bonus.”

CBMM is looking for newcomers to join Devigne in the vital role of volunteer interpreter with a busy 2025 season ahead. These volunteers serve as tour guides, exhibit hosts, and Shipyard interpreters to enhance the guest experience through engaging and accurate conversations and activities.

Prospective volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Interpreter Info Session on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10am in the Van Lennep Auditorium. Light refreshments will be served, and a brief campus tour will be offered afterward. Registration is encouraged but not required. Learn more at cbmm.org/VolunteerInterpreter2025.

Over the coming weeks, CBMM will host a series of trainings for its interpreters highlighting CBMM’s mission and all that its waterfront campus has to offer, including sessions on Working with Guests, Chesapeake Explorations, and Shipyard Interpretation as well as tour-specific training.

The benefits of volunteering at CBMM can include free programming, festival entry, and branded gear, early access to new tours and exhibitions, continuing education opportunities, social events, and more.

No experience is necessary, but an enthusiasm for the Chesapeake’s history, environment, and culture and sharing it is essential.

“We are excited to add to our passionate and talented team of volunteer interpreters,” Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “These volunteers are key to sharing stories and making connections across our campus to help guests to have a meaningful and personalized experience. We encourage anyone who might be interested to come out and learn more about the opportunities available and the training we provide to get you started.”

At the info session, participants will meet current volunteer interpreters like Tom Dalrymple, who has been a part of the team for seven years.

One of Dalrymple’s favorite parts of the role is the opportunity to continue learning. There’s so much to explore at CBMM with an 18-acre campus filled with historic structures and purpose-built exhibition buildings, a floating fleet of traditional Chesapeake watercraft maintained by a working Shipyard, and a collection spanning more than 80,000 objects.

He takes pride in his ever-growing mental rolodex of fun facts and interesting anecdotes that bring the Chesapeake story to life for guests of all ages from across the region and often far beyond.

“Quite simply, I love the Chesapeake Bay,” Dalrymple said. “As a CBMM interpreter, I can share something I love with guests, and whether they are visiting to learn, explore, reflect, or simply to enjoy being here, that makes me happy.”

Lead Interpreter Bill Hough said the joy of the role is rooted in the people. He’s met thousands of them at CBMM over the past 15 years, from the CBMM staff who lead the program to the like-minded community of volunteers who have become his friends to the many guests he’s led on tours while sharing Bay history and convivial conversation.

With spring on the horizon and dozens of tours and interpretive opportunities on the schedule, Hough is excited for a new group of volunteers to join the team and get to experience all that makes CBMM special.

“The fine folks at CBMM have given me a whole new challenge in retirement,” Hough said. “There’s always something new and exciting going on, and what a blast it is sharing the knowledge I have with people from all over the world!”

CBMM offers volunteer opportunities across its campus spanning every department to complement and enhance the work of its professional staff. To learn more about all the roles available, visit cbmm.org/volunteer, where prospective volunteers can complete an online application to get started. For questions and further information, contact [email protected].

On Saturday, January 25, at 1:00 PM, the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum Speaker Series will host a Panel of Tilghman Watermen at the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Department, 5979 Tilghman Island Road.  

The event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. 

The Watermen will share their experiences of working on the water, including their history, daily challenges, and what keeps them coming back to this extremely difficult job year after year.

Committed to celebrating, documenting, preserving, and sharing the history, traditions, heritage, and culture of Tilghman’s Island, the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum hosts an exceptional collection of local artists such as Bill Cummings, Colleen Sadler, Marc Castelli, and Nancy Tankersley. The museum contains a treasure trove of artifacts, oral histories, and boat models. 

Located in the Lee House at 6031 Tilghman Island Road, the museum will close for the winter and will re-open in the spring. For additional information, contact us by email: [email protected] or visit our website: www.tilghmanmuseum.org.

What better way to chase away the winter blues than with an afternoon spent making art? Join artist Jen Wagner in her downtown Easton studio for a fun, creative afternoon of mosaic making on January 21st from 1:30 – 3 PM.  Wagner is a mosaic artist whose work is in private collections and public commissions around the country.  Locally, her work adorns places like the Chesapeake Multicultural Center and Ava’s Pizzeria in St Michaels to name two. 

Even if you don’t think you have an artistic bone in your body, this workshop will free your creativity and spark joy.  Dig into Jen’s collection of dazzling beads, colorful glass and bits of ceramic to create your own masterpiece.  Jen will provide the tools and instruction.  All you have to do is have fun!

Intuitive Mosaics is one session, Thursday, January 21st from 1:30 – 3 PM.  $60.  In person at Jen’s studio 10 South Talbot Street. To register visit https://chesapeakeforum.org

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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].

Dementia can be a terrifying diagnosis both for the patient and loved ones.  If you been recently diagnosed, are a caregiver for someone with dementia or are just worried about a family history of the disease, Understanding Dementia, will help you develop a basic appreciation for what happens as the brain is changing. Learning about brain function will help you understand not only what is lost but what is retained, in order to provide the right support.

You will discover the value in what remains as the condition progresses, as well as an introduction to supportive responses that work. The goal is to see that the person living with dementia is doing the best they can, rather than assuming that they are simply not trying, or doing something on purpose. 

Finally, you will learn to identify for yourself when it is time to pause your agenda, and seek support for yourself or the person living with dementia.  

“This course offered a lot of useful ways to relate to those suffering from dementia as well as an understanding of how persons suffering from dementia experience their surroundings,” commented one student.

We will conclude by learning how we, as care partners, can become advocates for people, as relationships and tasks of daily living are impacted.

Understanding Dementia is one session either January 21st from 10:30 a.m – 12 PM or March 18th from 1:30 PM – 3 PM.  $10.  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].

The Board of Education recognized current students who achieved the status of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar through their performance on AP exams as of the end of the 2023-2024 school year during their November meeting.  AP exams are scored on a 5-point scale, with many colleges and universities granting credits for scores of 3, 4 or 5.  A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam indicates that a student is considered “qualified” for college credit and capable of being successful in a college level introductory course in the particular content area. 

There are 3 levels of AP Scholar, with definitions as follows: 

AP Scholar with Distinction – Average score of 3.5 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams

AP Scholar with Honor – Average score of 3.25 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on four or more Exams

AP Scholar – Score of 3 or higher on three or more exams.

Dr. Sharon Pepukayi, Superintendent of Schools presented certificates to students during the meeting. “In recognition of your academic success as an Advanced Placement Scholar,” Dr. Pepukayi read, “we acknowledge your hard work and dedication and applaud your accomplishment.  Congratulations on a job well done!”  “This outstanding achievement represents a commitment to excellence on the part of these students, and their teachers,” she added.”

The following members of the Class of 2025 earned Advanced Placement Scholar Recognition:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Regan Lewis, Mia Mazzeo, Viviana Morris, Alexandria Rockwell 

AP Scholar with Honor: Sophia Bullock, Isaac Davis, Patricia Dongarra, Kirn Khan, Finnegan Merrick, William Orndoff, Sofia Stecher-Roberts, Bree Stevens, Gabriella Streaker, Tom Weller

AP Scholar: Brody Byrnes, Liam Edgell, Yael Gaspar-Cruz, Shane Gunshenan, Gabriella Hamsher, Laillah Janes, Katheryne Kelsey, Joseph Lavezzo, Karina Mazur, Avery Mead, Bradley Mellor, Sam Mielke, Madelynne Plog, Adam Rinehart, Gavyn Stebbins, Aine Taylor, Lavinia Tindall, Charley Webb, Annie Whelan

The students listed below are the Talbot County Public Schools’ Advanced Placement Scholars from the Class of 2024.

AP Scholar with Distinction:  Emily Branic, Iven Chen, Allison Curry, Nathan Henckel, Julian Hutchison, Anna Leight, Sabin Long, William O’Donnell, Noah Ramos, Samuel Rogers, Colin Smith, Mattie Smith, Van Tran, Lydia Walter, Abigail Wise

AP Scholar with Honor:  Kate Adelman, Avery Andrews, Calvin Bui, Kaleigh Buxton, Mikayla Gibson, Mathew Goeller, Aashreya Govindu, Nathan Han, Jake Jacobs, Isabella Jobeck, Inaki Lopez, Autumn Redman

AP Scholar: Justin Bieber, Emma Friedel, Quinton Haddaway, Johnathon Kilbourn, Kathryn Lorentz, Christopher Massaro, Sophia Principe, Finnley Pritchett, Jonah Rich, Nicholas Rovinskiy, Cadyn Shanahan, Jed Smith, Madeline Stein, Madison White  

 

Chesapeake Forum kicks off its Winter 2025 session with Dr. Wayne Bell’s ever popular birding course, Oh Wow! It’s Waterbirds!, starting on January 16th.    If you have ever looked out on the Bay or up in the sky and wondered what was floating on the water or flying overhead, this is your class.   

Dr. Bell combines two classroom sessions with five field trips.  As one former student said:  “The field trips were meticulously planned and executed across a variety of habitats and illustrating the objective in excellent fashion besides affording access to several places with restricted or no public access.”

Oh Wow! It’s Waterbirds consists of two classroom sessions on January 16th and February 20th from 2:30 – 4 PM and five field trips. Classroom sessions are hybrid (in person at the Easton Family YMCA, ZOOM or recording).  Field trips are in person at different locations on the Eastern Shore.  $80.00  Registration for classes begins January 9th.  For more details 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].