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November 17, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Senior Nation Senior Highlights Senior Nation Portal Lead

Cruisin’ with Christine: A Chat with Londonderry’s Susan Andrews

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have collaborated on stories about this unique retirement community, which educates its residents and the broader 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.

Last month, Londonderry on the Tred Avon named Susan Andrews the 2025 recipient of the Ingerson Award, its highest honor, which recognizes exceptional service, leadership, and community spirit. Established in memory of Tom and Ruth Ingerson—two of Londonderry’s founding leaders—the award celebrates residents who reflect the community’s values of respect, integrity, and shared purpose.

Christine sat down with her a few weeks ago to learn more.

This video is approximately seven 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.

Cruisin’ with Christine: A Chat with Londonderry’s Jennifer Hughes

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have collaborated on stories about this unique retirement community, which educates its residents and the broader 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 Jennifer Hughes, Londonderry’s Controller.  Jennifer has spent 21 years with the community, moving from dining staff to finance leadership. She describes the co-op’s unique, resident-driven budget process and stock structure, which fosters transparency and involvement. Beyond finance, she’s dedicated nearly 20 years to volunteer fire and EMS service, bringing CPR training and community-minded experience back to Londonderry.

This video is approximately seven 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.

The Difference Between Try And Triumph Is A Little Umph! By Susan Covey

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September is Healthy Aging Month which is designed to focus attention on the positive aspects of growing older. The mission being to encourage all of us to take personal responsibility for our own health and well-being by aging with a healthy body, mind and spirit.

So, let’s get motivated, reinvent ourselves and use these simple strategies to keep our good intentions to begin an exercise program or to just keep you on track and CELEBRATE HEALTHY AGING MONTH!

  1. Find something you enjoy. Remember “exercise” can include brain games, outdoor games, playing with the grandchildren, walking around the Zoo, hiking in the woods or taking a meditation walk around the block.
  2. Set goals but make them short term goals that you can easily track. One workout at a time.
  3. Find the best time and make part of your everyday schedule. This will keep you more accountable than just thinking about doing and never doing.
  4. Start slowly. Even just 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. The goal being 150 minutes per week.
  5. Plan to do things with a buddy, or a group.
  6. Reward yourself with anything that makes you feel good as long as it doesn’t interfere with your goals.
  7. Mix it up, try a new class, challenge yourself.
  8. But also go easy on yourself if you fall off the wagon. Just get back in your routine as soon as possible. Don’t make it a source of stress. Just enjoy a bit of a break and move on!

Put some umph in your good intentions and reap the benefits!!!  You’ll be glad you did!

Susan Covey is the Acts Bayleigh Chase Fitness Director based 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: A Chat with Londonderry’s Ken Sadler

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have collaborated on stories about this unique retirement community, which educates its residents and the broader 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 resident Ken Sadler. With a background as a successful former businessman, world-class sailor, artist, potter, and sometimes professional clown, Ken discusses his life in Easton and how he has found a special place at Londonderry for his widely diverse interests and hobbies, while also having a lot of fun along the way.

This video is approximately eight 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.

Cruisin’ with Christine: A Chat with Londonderry’s La’Cree Brown

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Over the last ten years, the Spy and Londonderry on the Tred Avon have collaborated on stories about this unique retirement community, which educates its residents and the broader 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 La’Cree Brown, Director of Housekeeping Services at Londonderry, who has been with the community for nearly 15 years. La’Cree shares how her dedicated six-person team maintains all 126 cottages, the Manor House, and common areas—providing personalized housekeeping twice a month, seasonal deep cleanings, and thoughtful touches, such as service cards and candy. With a warm heart for residents she sees as extended family, La’Cree offers a glimpse into the care and commitment that define life at Londonderry.

This video is approximately six 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.

Senior Nation: Partners in Care Help Elders Age in Place

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How can older adults live independently and thrive in their own homes as they age? In our interview with Kathleen Dormody, the local director of Partners In Care Maryland, there is a lot of good news in doing just that.

From transportation to medical appointments and social activities to installing grab bars or changing lightbulbs, their services go far beyond basic care.  Kathleen highlights unique programs like low-vision support, phone buddy systems, pop-up boutiques, and volunteer time-banking.

This state-sponsored initiative can be a critical link for those on the Mid-Shore eager to find creative solutions for maintaining independence for those of a certain age.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about Partners in Care, please go here.

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

It’s All Happening at the Talbot County Senior Fair May 21

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The Talbot County Commission on Aging recently announced the return of its highly successful Senior Resource Fair! After an incredible turnout and overwhelmingly positive feedback in 2024, the Commission will host the 2025 Senior Resource Fair on May 21, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. As always, admission and parking are free, ensuring this community-focused event is accessible to all.

Commission members Grace Lyons and Megan Murray stopped by the Spy studio last week to talk about the event and getting the word out to local elders to take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet with so many service providers.

This video is approximately two minutes in length. For more information, please go here.

 

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

Cruisin’ with Christine: Listening to the Nurse with Lorraine Flisher

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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 nurse, Lorraine Flisher.

Lorraine joined the Londonderry team in 2015 and has since developed a comprehensive program that promotes a holistic approach to wellness and aging. She supports residents’ well-being by advocating for prevention, early detection, and intervention and facilitating care management and in-home care when needed.

Lorraine believes that wellness in aging is not simply the absence of illness but the continuation of growth, learning, joy, and connection.

This video is approximately 10 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.

Hello Spring by Susan Convey

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The vernal equinox, the finish line to our winter marathon, a time to escape the cold grip of darkness and welcome the light.

This year, spring begins on March 20th, and we should all celebrate its arrival by fostering creativity, tending the soil, planting seeds (both physically and figuratively), gathering outside and generating movement!

To that end, I encourage everyone to emerge from hibernation and focus instead on the great outdoors. It’s time to get back out in our yards as well as checking out the many lovely parks and trails in our area that are great for day hikes.

Let’s enjoy the new season!

Susan Covey is the Acts Bayleigh Chase Fitness Director in Easton

 

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

It’s American Heart Month by Susan Covey

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.  Every year, one in four deaths are caused by heart disease.  The good news?  Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions, even for people who already have heart disease lower your risk try following the “Life’s Simple 7”:

  1.  GET ACTIVE – Daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life.  If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day, five days a week, you can almost guarantee yourself a healthier and more satisfying life while lowering your risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
  2. CONTROL CHOLESTEROL – By controlling your cholesterol, you give your arteries their best chance to remain clear of blockages.  Our bodies need some cholesterol to make cell membranes and some hormones, but when you have too much bad cholesterol, it combines with white blood cells and forms plaque in our veins and arteries which lead to stroke and heart disease.
  3. EAT BETTER – Healthy foods are the fuel our bodies use to make new cells and create the energy we need to thrive and fight diseases, in other words, the basic building blocks for a healthy life.

Try tracking your daily food intake, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, unrefined whole-grain foods, fish twice a week and cut back on added sugars and saturated fats.

  1.  MANAGE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE – Keeping your b.p in the healthy range, reduces the strain on your heart, arteries and kidneys which keeps you healthier longer.  Hypertension means that the blood running through your arteries flows with too much force and puts pressure on your arteries which stretches them past the healthy limit causing tears.  This then kicks your body into injury-healing mode to repair the tears with scar tissue.  Unfortunately, the scar tissue traps plaque which can form blockages, clots and hardened, weakened arteries.  So, eat a heart healthy diet and reduce your sodium perhaps by using spices to flavor food instead of salt.
  2. LOSE WEIGHT – Too much fat, especially around your waist, puts you at a higher risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes.  If you’re overweight, you can actually reduce your risk for heart disease by losing as few as five or ten pounds!
  3. REDUCE BLOOD SUGAR – Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose that our bodies use for energy.  The body makes insulin, a hormone acting as a carrier to take food energy into its cells.  Fasting blood sugar should be below 100; if not, you could be headed for pre-diabetes.  This, then, increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.  In fact, most people with diabetes die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease.  So, cut back on simple sugars found in sodas, candies and desserts AND get regular exercise as this will help your body respond to insulin.
  4. STOP SMOKING – Smoking damages your entire circulatory system and increases your risk for coronary heart disease, hardened arteries, aneurysm and blood clots.  Like the domino effect, one risk creates another.  Blood clots and hardened arteries, for instance, increase your risks for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease.  Smoking can also reduce your good cholesterol and your lung capacity, thus making it harder to get the physical activity you need for better health.

Only you can change your lifestyle…it’s time to take action and get moving!

Susan Covey is the Fitness Director 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.