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April 20, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Senior Nation Senior Notes

Londonderry’s Chelsea Harris Graduates from Shore Leadership

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon is pleased to announce that its Director of Dining Services, Chelsea Harris, graduated from the Shore Leadership Program on December 4th at the Easton Elks Lodge #1622.

“Shore Leadership was an incredible experience,” said Harris. “Even as an Eastern Shore native, there was still so much to learn about my home – its people, places, opportunities, and challenges. I was able to meet professionals from so many career paths and industries and learn new skills that I have already implemented in my work at Londonderry.”

During the nine-month program, Shore Leadership participants learn through face-to-face discussions with community leaders and experts from organizations and institutions that shape the region’s economic structure and culture. The class develops an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships and complexities of the region. Participants meet one day each month at locations throughout the Eastern Shore, discussing topics such as aspects of legacy, technology, economic development, community and arts, environment, education, and government.

Harris is the third Shore Leadership Graduate on Londonderry’s Leadership Team, joining Rachel Smith (21) and Jennifer Hughes (23). 

Since 1997, the Shore Leadership program has facilitated positive change and enhanced the quality of life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. To apply to the Shore Leadership Program and Shore Leadership 2.0., fill out an application and submit a letter of recommendation on their website, https://shoreleadership.org/apply/.


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.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon welcomes new Officers and Board members

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon’s Board of Directors recently elected Jean Rhian as its new Vice President, Beth Horner as its Treasurer, and welcomed new members, Graham Lee and Nancy Henry.

Londonderry’s Board is comprised of residents and community members who volunteer their time to provide guidance and strategic direction to the cooperative and its operations team

“At Londonderry, we are grateful for our board members who share their time and experience with our team,” said Christine Harrington, Londonderry on the Tred Avon CEO. “Their support is a critical piece of our success as we evolve our amenities and offerings to remain the region’s premier senior living community.”

Jean Rhian, Londonderry’s new Vice President, has lived at Londonderry since 2019. She has also served on the Finance Committee. Her professional expertise as a systems analyst for the Kmart Corporation and with Ford Motor Company’s Finance and Government Affairs departments have made Rhain an asset to the Londonderry Board and the other community organizations she supports. Rhain and her husband, Jerry, moved to Easton to be closer to family. She shares her time and talent with the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, as a mediator at MidShore Community Mediation, as a member of the Bayside Quilters, and volunteering with the Talbot Interfaith Shelter and Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center.

Beth Horner, CPA, Londonderry’s Treasurer, brings a wealth of experience in accounting and a dedication to community service. Since moving to Easton in 1987, Horner has built a distinguished career specializing in nonprofit and small business accounting. Her extensive experience includes auditing, tax preparation, consulting, and management roles at local, regional, and national CPA firms. Horner and her husband, Robb, are proud parents to their daughter, Kendall, and grandparents to Brantley and Mackenzie. Horner is deeply involved in community service, serving as Treasurer and Board Member for local organizations, including The Underground Ministry and Oasis Covenant Fellowship. She enjoys reading, crocheting, sewing, and mentoring women outside of work.

Graham Lee retired in 2022 as Vice President of Philanthropy for Shore Regional Health in Easton, capping off his 38-year career as a professional fundraiser. Throughout his career, Lee held a number of roles with Shore Regional Health, the Memorial Hospital Foundation and their predecessors where he grew the organizations’ assets, developed a planned giving program, and completed successful campaigns for the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center and the Diagnostic and Imaging Center. Lee also served as the Chief Development Officer at the YMCA of the Chesapeake, where he helped lead volunteers and donors to a successful $5 million capital campaign to build the Thomas E. Hill Center for Youth Development. Lee has served on many Boards and committees including Rotary Club of Easton, Friends of Easton Volunteer Fire Department Capital Campaign, Neighborhood Service Center, the Easton Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Talbot County Free Library, and many more. Graham and his wife, Brenda, have three adult children and call Easton home.

Nancy Henry moved to Londonderry in 2023 and has lived in Talbot County for nearly 50 years. Nancy retired in 2007 following a 41-year career in public education that culminated in 17 years as head of the special education program for Queen Anne’s County that served more than 1,000 students with disabilities. For the next ten years, Henry served as the volunteer coordinator for pets on wheels recruiting, training and evaluating over 50 teams of handlers and their pets for planned visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

For more information about Londonderry and its Board of Directors, please visit www.londonderrytredavon.com.

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.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

December Fitness Feature: Leg Strength

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Our legs make up the largest of our muscle groups which include the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Low body strengthening is a vital part of senior fitness. It is the most effective and efficient method of preventing sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and preserving independence. By maintaining both mobility and stability we are improving our lean muscle mass. This reduces blood pressure, improves bone health, lessens low back pain, and reduces falls.

One incredibly significant advantage for you is that this leg-strengthening can be accomplished using a leg press machine, which is like seated squats, a leg curl machine and leg extension. There are exercise techniques you need to know when using these machines like adjusting the load, determining movement speed, range of motion (ROM) and your breathing pattern. Using these machines properly as little as twice a week can help prevent many chronic conditions. (Be sure to ask for help with proper technique if you are unfamiliar.) The following are general guidelines:

  • Begin with a weight you can correctly push or correctly lift 8 times.
  • Ideally at a speed of 6 seconds, 2 second push or lift and 4 seconds to return.
  • Full ROM is the goal, but only if pain-free.
  • Always EXhale on EXertion.
  • Use proper body mechanics and appropriate settings for your body.

An alternative to machine work is of course using your own body weight such as sit-to-stands, squats, lunges, even standing or seated marches. If you have stairs in your home, climbing them is a great leg exercise right there!

Susan Covey is the Fitness Director at Bayleigh Chase in Easton

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Cruisin’ with Christine: Protecting the Londonderry Community with Rich Williams

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have worked together on stories about this unique retirement community that educates its residents and the community. With Christine Harrington’s new addition as Londonderry’s CEO, we decided to follow Christine as she learns about the nooks and crannies of this beautiful campus.

This month, Christine visits with Londonderry’s Rich Williams, its security and transportation director.

One would need to look far and wide to find a safer community than Easton, and this applies to Londonderry on the Tred Avon, its flagship retirement community off of Port Street. Nonetheless, every neighborhood needs to think about public safety and provide for its residents, and that’s where Rich Williams is making a real difference as ndonderry’s director of security and transportation.

After spending 23 years with the Baltimore Fire Department and retiring as a captain, Rich and his family came to the Eastern Shore for his next chapter. With his emergency management background from the Fire Department and his recent work assisting the Talbot County Emergency Operations Center with Response and Recovery during the pandemic, Londonderry found the perfect leader for this important mission.

As Christine finds out in her interview, Rich not only has the best preparation to support Londonderry residents, but he also comes with a bit of Hollywood on the side with his unique role in the movie Ladder 49.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length. For more information about Londonderry, please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Talbot County Commission on Aging welcomes three new members: Andy Hollis, Kathleen Dormody, and Megan Pinder

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The Talbot County Commission on Aging (COA) is pleased to announce the addition of three new members: Andy Hollis, Kathleen Dormody, and Megan Pinder. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and passion for enhancing the quality of life for older adults in Talbot County.

The Commission on Aging serves as a vital resource for advocating on behalf of older adults in the community. Through education, collaboration, and outreach, the COA addresses key issues such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and social connection. The Commission also works closely with local and State agencies to provide resources and support for aging residents.

Andy Hollis, a seasoned leader in government and nonprofit organizations, currently serves as the President and CEO of Delmarva Community Services (DCS). His extensive background includes roles as Talbot County Manager and Executive Director of Upper Shore Aging. Hollis is deeply committed to fostering dignity and independence for older adults, and his leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration and community stewardship.

Kathleen Dormody, who has a professional background spanning education, project management, and copywriting, is passionate about advocating for individuals who need support. Her commitment to helping older adults age in place with dignity stems from personal experiences caring for loved ones. Dormody brings a fresh perspective to the COA, focusing on empowering older adults and their families.

Megan Pinder has dedicated her career to serving older adults and individuals with developmental disabilities. Her experience includes roles as an Ombudsman for the Area Agency on Aging and Maryland Access Point Coordinator. Currently, she is the Director of Sales and Marketing at HeartFields at Easton. Pinder’s deep connections in the senior services sector will enhance the commission’s ability to address the needs of the aging population.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Commission on Aging, supporting initiatives that make a difference for older adults in Talbot County. Responsibilities for commission members include attending monthly meetings and participating in the commission’s subcommittees, such as the Community Outreach Committee, which connects older adults to resources; the Marketing Committee, which raises awareness of senior issues through media and outreach; the Senior Supply Drive Committee, which organizes drives for essential items; and the Senior Resource Fair Committee, which plans the annual resource fair for older adults and their families.

The COA encourages individuals passionate about serving older adults to consider volunteering. To learn more about the COA, its mission, and upcoming projects, visit talbotcountymd.gov/COA.

About the Commission on Aging

The Talbot County Commission on Aging is dedicated to fostering a community where older adults can thrive. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, the COA addresses the challenges and opportunities of aging, ensuring older adults have access to resources that support independence, dignity, and quality of life.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon honors its Veterans

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Londonderry on the Tred Avon proudly honors the veterans in their community on Veterans Day and throughout the year. Thirty-two veterans live and work on campus, the majority of them having served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

“Our veterans bring richness to our community and connect us to the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military,” said Christine Harrington, Londonderry on the Tred Avon CEO. “We are always looking for ways to show our appreciation and learn from their experiences.”

On Veterans Day, Londonderry’s veterans will gather for a special lunch in their honor. At the event, each veteran shares their branch of service and many also tell stories from their military experience. The Armed Forces Medley is also played to recognize each branch of the military.

Also on Veterans Day, a Missing Man Table is placed in the Tred Avon Tavern in the Londonderry Community Center to honor the ultimate sacrifice of those who served and never came home.

Finally, Londonderry recently launched a new addition to its website that honors the veterans in the community. A page now features a photo of each veteran as well as a summary of and anecdotes from their time in the military. Each profile was written by Londonderry residents who were honored to tell the stories of their neighbors.

All are welcome to meet Londonderry’s veterans at https://londonderrytredavon.com/honoring-our-veterans/.

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is an intimate residential cooperative community for adults ages 62+, offering 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.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Enjoy the health benefits of Thanksgiving Day by Susan Covey

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Have you always thought the traditional Thanksgiving meal was full of empty calories?

Not so! One ounce of turkey, for instance, provides 8 grams of protein as well as B vitamins, zinc, and selenium. We all know that it is also a source of tryptophan, an essential amino acid for making proteins and serotonin and a neurotransmitter that impacts mood.

Potatoes, which often get a bad rap, are a major source of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants and provide vitamins A, C, and manganese.

Bread Stuffing can give you protein, vitamin A, vitamin K, and 21% of your daily fiber.

Cranberries, though 90% water with the rest being fiber and carbs, also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting properties.

Pumpkin is packed with nutrients that support your immune system, especially important during the winter months. One cup of cooked pumpkin has just 50 calories yet provides 245% of the RDA for vitamin A, plus vitamin C, E, iron, and folate.

Pumpkin Pie is synonymous with Thanksgiving and, in addition to providing the aforementioned array of vitamins and minerals, gives us protein, calcium and best of all, JOY!

Eat until your heart’s content…but please follow your meal with a brisk outdoor walk or the following workout!

TURKEY DAY WORKOUT

Triceps kickbacks

Upright rows

Reverse lunges

Knee lifts

External knee rotations

Y-arm raises

Deadlifts

Arm circles

Yawn stretches (interlocked fingers, palms out, reach out and up, taking a deep breath, arms down as you exhale.

Happy November!

Susan Covey is the fitness director at Acts Bayleigh Chase in Easton, Maryland.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Cruisin’ with Christine: Serving the Londonderry Community with Pat Bradley

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have worked together on stories about this unique retirement community that educates its residents and the community. With Christine Harrington’s new addition as Londonderry’s CEO, it was decided that we would follow Christine as she learns about the nooks and crannies of this beautiful campus.

This month, Christine visits with Londonderry resident Pat Bradley, who recently won the Ruth and Thomas Ingerson Award for community service.

One unique way Londonderry has grown to be one of the most successful retirement communities on the Eastern Shore is the scope and range of its special events and activities. As Christine finds out from Pat, one of its greatest assets is its residents’ exceptional level of engagement.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length. For more information about Londonderry, please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Nature’s Many Benefits by Susan S. Covey

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Scientific studies have proven that not only walking, but just being in nature has a profound positive impact on our health. Of course, we know that if we walk at least 15 minutes a day, we will have fewer diseases and are less likely to get cancer, have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke and have better bone density. But recent researchers are now demonstrating a reduction in stress, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as an upswing in mood and general outlook on life just because of being outside.  They have also shown a link to longevity and decreased risk of mental illness and depression. (Kuo and Taylor 2004, DeVries et al. 2003) Health benefits of nature may also have relevance to injury prevention and control, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and other maladies, including cancer (Li 2009).

Drawing attention to these benefits of outdoor leisure and recreation for improved health helps shift attention from the downstream costs of health care to the upstream efforts to prevent ill health from occurring.  An upstream focus is always empowering and enables individuals to take a more prominent role in our own wellness.

So, take control and get out there!  Enjoy everything around you and take the time to PLAY. After all, you’re never too old to jump in the leaves!

Susan S. Covey is the Director of Fitness at Acts Bayleigh Chase in Easton

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Londonderry on the Tred Avon Wraps Up Outdoor Concert Series

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Londonderry Residents dance during a live performance by the Jones Boys as part of the Outdoor Concert Series.

Earlier in September, Londonderry on the Tred Avon wrapped-up its 2024 Outdoor Concert Series with The Jones Boys with Red Shef.

The Outdoor Concert Series has quickly become a favorite Londonderry tradition where residents, friends and family members gather around the pool each month from June – September to enjoy live music, dancing and refreshments from local food trucks, a 2023 addition that returned due to popular demand.

“The outdoor concerts are the perfect way to enjoy Eastern Shore Summer nights and the company of your neighbors,” said Elaine Moore, Londonderry resident. “It’s the highlight of summers at Londonderry.”

2024 performers included Rosewood, The Capital Effect Duo, the Rising Tide Band and the Jones Boys.

The July concert also coincided with the annual Londonderry Farmer’s Market where residents could purchase a variety of local produce, eggs, jams and baked goods made by Londonderry’s culinary team.

“Being outside and enjoying great food, music and company on a beautiful evening is just good for the soul,” said Erica Hardeo, Director of Community Engagement. “The Outdoor Concert Series is just one way we create a vibrant and close-knit community at Londonderry,”

About Londonderry on the Tred Avon

Londonderry on the Tred Avon is an intimate residential cooperative community for adults ages 62+, offering 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.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.