The word “magic” does not do justice in describing my first impression of Bas Rouge, the restaurant on Easton’s newly revived Federal Street.

The 22-seat dining room is exquisite.  The décor would be at home in Paris, New York, Prague or Vienna.  The staff takes obvious pride in being part of what aspires to be the best restaurant on the Eastern Shore.

I dined at Bas Rouge with out-of-town friends, including one food snob who seems to take pleasure in criticizing most cuisine.  We were prepared to regret inviting him, but the arrival of the first appetizer, a peach and fennel delight, proved that our fears were ungrounded. We also sampled lobster ravioli and Wagyu Tataki appetizers. Both were exceptional.  

Entrees on our prix-fixe meal included lamb chops, a crabcake, and Wiener Schnitzel.  Each diner declared their dish to be delectable.  

Chef Harley Peet came to our table radiating pride in the restaurant he has helped to create as part of a larger overall renaissance on Easton’s Federal Street.

This diner will be back for more magic.  

The Talbot Spy shares with its readers each week Discover Easton’s “This Weekend in Easton” events newsletter. Each edition takes a look at the community events going on in Easton for the coming weekend, and highlights Signature Events hosted by Discover Easton. From shows at the Avalon Theatre, fundraisers, art exhibits, in-store promotions, festivals, and more, there is always something to do in Easton, Maryland.

Coastal Kids Easton Back to School Fall Consignment Sale
Aug. 15 – Aug. 17
Talbot Community Center (10028 Ocean Gtwy)

High quality, gently used items perfect for back to school shopping. Thousands of items are $5.00 or less! More Info

Dwelling & Design’s Summer Steals Sale
Aug. 16 & Aug. 17 | 9 a.m.
Southern Tide Group (350 N. Washington St)

50% OFF the lowest marked prices on select inventory! Come out for this special, ONE TIME ONLY, inventory blow-out sale. Select merchandise available at unbelievably low prices. More Info

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Fri., Aug. 16 | 8:00 p.m.
Stoltz Listening Room (40 E Dover St)

“They’re the kind of stellar musicians who get crowds on their feet while demonstrating to all the world’s wannabe bluegrass pickers how the true masters get it done.” — Bluegrass Unlimited More Info

Farmers Market
Sat., Aug. 17 | 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Public Lot; 100 Block of N. Harrison St

Local produce, nursery stock & bulbs, breads, pastries, handcrafted gifts, Rise Up Coffee, fresh cut flowers, local honey, pet treats, kombucha, rum, and prepared foods. Live music begins at 10:30 a.m. every Saturday. More Info

2019 Blue Moon Sale
Aug. 17 & Aug. 18 | 9 a.m.
Bountiful (218 N Washington St)

The Blue Moon Sale is back and it’s gonna be BIG! For the first time EVER, everything inside and outside the store will be 50% off! You’ll find fabulous furniture, home accents, artwork, gifts, and one-of-a-kind pieces. More Info

Easton Arts District Culture Crossing
Sat., Aug. 17 | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Rails-to-Trails (Along East Ave between Dover Rd and Goldsborough St)

An artisan’s showcase celebrating the diversity of Easton. An open air style market with art made or performed by locals of different cultures and ethnicities. More Info

Baltimore Symphony Musicians
Sat., Aug. 17 | 5:00 p.m.
Temple B’nai Israel (7199 Tristan Dr)

Temple B’nai Israel welcomes the community for a free concert featuring Wonju Kim playing violin; Peter Minkler on viola; and Lukasz Szyrner on cello. More Info

Outdoor Concert Series: Delmarva Big Band
Sat., Aug. 17 | 7:00 p.m.
Harrison Street (In Front of Tidewater Inn)

Join us in the heart of downtown Easton this summer for our annual concert series on Harrison Street. The shows start at 7 pm and, in the event of rain, the fun will be moved into the Avalon Theatre. More Info

For All Seasons Block Party!
Sun., Aug. 18 | 2:00 p.m.
300 Talbot St (Corner of Higgins and Talbot)

This is a fun-filled, free event for local friends and families. Games, picnic-style food, bounce-house, back-to-school supplies, and music by Wooden Ships Band. Come meet your neighbors! More Info

Battle at the Park
Sun., Aug. 18 | 6:00 p.m.
Idlewild Park (113 Idlewild Ave)

Four teams will come together to help celebrate the revamped Idlewild Park basketball courts. There will be good music and a chance to win prizes. Come out, have a good time, and enjoy the community! More Info

Brush off your dancin’ shoes and get ready to celebrate 60 years of Motown at the 3^rd Annual Homecoming Dance hosted by St. Michaels Community Center on Saturday, August 24 from 8am to Midnight. Be sure to wear an outrageous costume to vie for the trophy for Best Dressed. A separate trophy will be awarded to the winners of the Dance Contest. You’ll be groovin’ all evening and singing with the smooth sounds of Comfort Zone as they dish out the best R & B sounds of the Motown Era.  Lite fare of delicious fingers foods will be plentiful along with a cash bar with your favorite libations. The St. Michaels Inn will once again welcome us to their upstairs ballroom. You might even be lucky enough to get a selfie with Smokey, Marvin or Diana. Tickets are only $65 each or a table of 10 for $600. Get your tickets quick as this event will most likely sell out fast! Call 410-745-6073 for reservations and more information. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday August 7,2019 marked Cordova, Maryland’s 151st Annual Old St. Joseph’s Jousting Tournament and Horse Show! This Talbot Historical Society H. Robins Hollyday Collection photo features St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Jousting Tournament participants Circa 1930’s!

Contact: Cathy Hill cvhill@atlanticbb.net to share your old photos. Comment, Like our page and join THS!

On August 15, a small iconic business, with over three decades of service to the community, will be shutting its doors for the last night time. Just a few blocks from the Talbot County Free Library, Caldwell’s Shoe Repair on West Street in Easton is ending a special era of sole repair.

It was founded in 1935 by Charles Caldwell after he trained in shoe repair in New Jersey. And since 1999, the shop has been managed by Leroy Potter and Ricky Caldwell, the nephew of Charles and Stanley Caldwell.

In June, the Holy Trinity Youth Group gathered for a fun afternoon of kayaking off the Strand in Oxford.  A certified instructor from Easton Cycle and Kayak taught basic kayaking safety and skills and then lead in a series of fun games.  Ten youth from Holy Trinity and Trinity Cathedral had a wet, fun time.  All went well, until during one of the games, Fr. Kevin Cross of Holy Trinity attempted to pass a floating object to a teammate.  He not only made the pass, but at the same time launched himself out of his kayak.  A crab in the Tred Avon is now wearing some stylish sunglasses!   The group also had time to swim, create a kayak submarine, and finish up with ice cream at Highland Creamery.  A day of fun in God’s beautiful creation.

This Talbot Historical Society Collection postcard was donated to us by Della Andrew. The Peach Blossom Creek concrete bridge near Easton, Maryland was built c. 1920! Love the beautiful hand tinted postcards from the Past!

Contact: Cathy Hill cvhill@atlanticbb.net to share your old photos. Comment, Like our page and join THS!

Over the next couple of days, an important chapter of history is on display in Oxford with the arrival of the Chesapeake Bay Buyboats. Most built in the 1920s, these beautiful boats have been restored with about a dozen of the boats taking their annual tour around the Chesapeake.

In the 1930s there were over 2,000 buyboats licensed to work commercially on Chesapeake Bay, buying and delivering oysters to ports in the area.

They made for a beautiful site once again this week as the sun set over the Tred Avon River.