More than 200 community members attended the 2025 Senior Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 21, at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. With over 30 vendors on site and a variety of free health services, the event offered a valuable one-stop-shop for older adults, caregivers, and families seeking resources to support healthy and connected aging.

Attendees took advantage of complimentary health screenings, including balance assessments, Hepatitis C testing, and HIV testing, provided by local health partners. More than 20 raffle prizes were awarded throughout the day, and food was provided by Catering by Jaime’s awesome team.

“This fair is all about empowering our senior community,” said Grace Lyons,  Commission Member and Community Relations Director at Candle Light Cove. “By bringing together local providers, health services, and information in one place, we’re helping seniors live healthier, safer, and more independent lives.”

The Talbot County Commission on Aging extends its gratitude to the Easton Volunteer Fire Department for generously hosting the event, and to the local media outlets who helped share the word: Shore Living Magazine, The Talbot Spy, and Attraction Magazine.

“A special thank-you also goes to the many vendors who made this year’s fair possible, and to the Talbot County Council for their continued support,” said Jenna Marchi, Vice Chair of the Commission. “Especially Council Member Lynn Mielke, who serves as our County Council liaison member and is an active member of the commission.”

In addition to the annual fair, the Commission on Aging continues its commitment to supporting older adults through year-round initiatives. These include efforts in partnership with the Talbot County Council to address the growing number of seniors facing homelessness in the region.

Other upcoming programs include the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Drive in October and the Senior Supply Drive in February, which collects essential items in collaboration with Talbot County Health Department Adult Services and local businesses.

“We’re proud of the turnout this year and encouraged by the community support,” said Rachel Smith, Chair of the Commission. “We look forward to building on this momentum and expanding services for seniors across Talbot County.”

For more information about upcoming programs or to get involved, please visit https://www.talbotcountymd.gov/coa or email [email protected].

It is time to spread awareness and understanding of Parkinson’s Disease. This is a chronic condition affecting approximately one million people in the U.S. This is more than the number of people living with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig’s disease combined. Every year in our country 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. There are 10 million worldwide.

The causes of Parkinson’s are still unknown, but researchers believe it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Though only 15-25% of people with Parkinson’s have a relative with the disease, those with first-degree relatives have a slightly elevated risk of developing the disease. Environmental toxins may be a greater risk than any other factor. Rural living, well water, manganese, and pesticides have been associated with an elevated risk of Parkinson’s. Scientists quickly emphasize that although certain neurotoxins may be a risk factor, no single exposure to a particular chemical has been directly pinpointed as a cause.

Treating Parkinson’s disease is more about managing symptoms and slowing the progression than it is about “curing” this disease.

One thing we know for sure is that exercise is medicine for people living with Parkinson’s. Exercise is a physiological tool that protects neurons at risk or compromised, and guides brain health, protection, repair, and adaptation after a neurodegenerative process occurs…otherwise known as neuroplasticity. Once triggered by exercise, these physiological mechanisms have the potential to slow disease progression!

Please join me in raising awareness for Parkinson’s Disease by exercising on National Parkinson’s Day, April 10th. Bike, walk, box, dance, swim—any movement you can do—and think about those who are living with this disease and their caregivers.

Susan Covey is the Acts Bayleigh Chase Fitness Director and Rock Steady Boxing Coach

But what is this you say about our neighbor and Atlantic shore sharer Delaware and its official state cocktail, which happens to be the Orange Crush?

Yes, this is a juicy tale indeed, as Maryland Delegate to the Assembly, Wayne Hartman of District 38C in Worchester and Wicomico Counties, tells it.

“In August of last year, the State of Delaware decided to take credit for the Orange Crush and declare it as their official state cocktail,” explains Hartman, who co-sponsored HB 1001 with Maryland Senator Stephen S. Hersey.

“This proclamation stems from the drink’s similar popularity in Delaware, and because of a bar in Dewey Beach claiming to have ‘perfected’ the cocktail. While imitation is the best form of flattery, credit for this nationally known drink should go to Maryland.”

The lip-smacking roots of the Orange Crush goes back decades to its origination in 1995 in a West Ocean City bar called the Harborside Bar & Grill, and its co-founders, Chris Wall and Lloyd Whitehead. And since that inception, Hartman says, many have tried to rebrand and redefine the Orange Crush as their own, but Hartman stresses that only the Harborside Bar & Grill has the true bragging rights to say, “Often Imitated, Never Duplicated”.

In fact, the rivalry for Orange Crush supremacy has spilled over to the District, reportedly going viral between senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Ben Cardin of Maryland as they participated in a good-natured Orange Crush making competition prior to last summer’s recess. We are happy to report that Team Maryland bested the concoction put forth by “The First State”.

In addition to bragging rights, the official designation brings with it the potential to  help boost tourism dollars in the State, as it serves up a prime menu item for promotion.

“The Orange Crush is not just a drink but part of the Maryland experience,” says Maryland Tourism Coalition’s Executive Director, Ruth Toomey.

The designation, she adds, will undoubtedly drive more tourism and strengthen the state’s economy. With the current 9% alcohol tax on each beverage served, passing HB 1001 would create a perfect opportunity for celebratory events across bars and restaurants, boosting both food and beverage sales.

“By designating the Orange Crush as the official cocktail, we can also stimulate new campaigns with liquor stores and distributors, spotlighting key ingredients like orange vodka.”

While the Orange Crush originated in Ocean City, the popularity of its juicy, icy goodness grew rapidly and has since been known to be promoted in various counties throughout the state, including Queen Anne’s with its annual Crabs N’ Crushes campaign that guides visitors to the places where crabs are noted to be delectably pared with this refreshing counterpart.

So, what crab dish best floats the boat for taste with this illustrious bill’s sponsor?

“Delegate Hartman likes to pair an Orange Crush with a Maryland Crab Cake,” says Hartman staffer, Will Smith.

The quest to make the Orange Crush the official state cocktail is currently awaiting a vote in the State Senate after unanimously passing in the House with a 137-0 vote.

Lead photo by Lisa Gotto

Lisa Gotto is a recent resident to Chestertown, who is greatly enjoying learning more about the area, its people, and what makes living here so special. She hopes to continue doing that through her work with the Spy and her role as owner of Tea Leaves Media, LLC,  a communications and content generation company. Since acquiring her B.A. In Communications & Journalism from Shippensburg University of PA, Lisa has been writing and editing for decades for numerous media outlets including The Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Style in Easton, Pennsylvania, and What’s Up? Media in Annapolis. 

In Talbot County, many seniors, particularly those living on fixed incomes, face challenges in affording essential healthcare supplies. While the area is home to some affluent retirees, a significant portion of the population consists of lifelong residents who worked in farming or factory jobs and now rely on Social Security.

One critical but often overlooked necessity is incontinence supplies. These products—such as adult diapers, bladder pads, and disposable bed pads—are essential for hygiene and health, yet they are costly and not covered by assistance programs. A single pack of incontinence briefs can cost over $20, potentially adding up to $50 per week for those who need them daily.

To address this issue, the Talbot County Health Department, in collaboration with local organizations, is running a supply drive. Donation bins are available year-round at Brookletts Place Senior Center, the Health Department, and Home Instead Senior Care. Additionally, an Amazon wish list allows donors to contribute online, with supplies shipped directly to those in need.

The program prioritizes low-income seniors but aims to assist anyone in need, including those who are homebound. By providing these essential supplies, the initiative promotes health, dignity, and social well-being for the county’s aging population.

The Spy asked Carrie Ottey and Lee Newcomb from the Talbot County Commission on Aging to explain the need and where to donate. 

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information or to make a donation please go here. 

For the second year, Londonderry’s Satellite Rotary Club, a branch of the Rotary Club of Easton, is partnering with the Talbot County Commission on Aging to support the Senior Supply Drive during February. This annual initiative provides essential incontinence products to low-income seniors in the community.

“At Londonderry, giving back is a core part of who we are,” said Christina Harrington, CEO of Londonderry on the Tred Avon. “Our Rotary Club members are dedicated to service, and we are proud to be part of this effort to assist seniors in our area who need these essential supplies.”

Founded last year, Londonderry’s Satellite Rotary Club is composed of passionate members committed to serving their community. Like all Rotary clubs, it meets regularly—on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at Londonderry—and actively participates in community initiatives such as the Senior Supply Drive.

With nearly 30% of Talbot County’s population aged 65 or older, the county has the highest senior population percentage in Maryland. Many seniors struggle with incontinence, affecting over 60% of women and 25% of men, yet essential products can be costly. The Senior Supply Drive helps bridge this gap by ensuring those in need have access to necessary items.

Requested donations include:

• Disposable gloves
• Disposable flat underpads
• Female incontinence pads
• Pull-up incontinence briefs
• Wipes

Donations can be dropped off at Londonderry, as well as the Talbot County Health Department, Brookletts Place – Talbot County Senior Center, and Home Instead. Members of the community can also go online and make their donations via Amazon at https://a.co/cBZJWSR.

For more information, contact Carrie Ottey at the Talbot County Senior Center at 410-819-5678 or [email protected].

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About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is a vibrant, independent living cooperative community for adults, ages 62+, that promotes wellness of mind and body. Londonderry offers a variety of housing options from convenient apartments to spacious cottages among 29 acres, including 1500 feet of waterfront shoreline. For more information, visit www.londonderrytredavon.com.