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March 22, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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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.

My wish for 2025 by Susan Covey

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The human body is such a wonder, and my wish for this new year, as a fitness trainer and general wellness enthusiast, is that all of us make the time to discover, or perhaps rediscover, our own awesome wonder, our own joy.  

Clear your mind of that four-letter word, “can’t”, because the only thing standing between you and your discovery is that bull—- story you keep telling yourself as to why it will never happen!   

I quote Nelson Mandela… “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Just keep moving and Cheers to new adventures!!

Susan Covey, Fitness Director-Acts Baleigh Chase

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.

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.

Cruisin’ with Christine: Erica Hardeo and the Art of Engagement at Londonderry

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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 both its residents and the community at large. 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 Erica Hardeo, Londonderry’s activities coordinator.

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 Erica, the secret ingredient for this reputation is truly understanding what the Londonderry community is interested in and finding the resources to make it happen.

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.

Cruisin’ with Christine: New Londonderry Residents Barbara Pratt and Phillip Gibson

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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 both its residents and the community at large. With the new addition of Christine Harrington 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 week, Christine visits with new Londonderry residents Barbara Pratt and Phillip Gibson.

While Barbara and Phillip did cast a wide net for possible retirement communities, they talked to Chirstine about why they choose Easton to come home and why Londonderry stood out for some very special reasons.

 

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

Talbot County Gets Its Very Own Senior Fair: A Chat with Jennifer Pierson and Jenna Marchi

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While Talbot County has had resource fairs in the past that have helped the senior community navigate health and government assistance programs, the Talbot County Commission on Aging decided this was the year they would catch up with other counties on the Mid-Shore and offer their very own resource fair devoted exclusively to seniors.

Jennifer Pierson and Jenna Marchi, both members of the aging commission, came by the Spy Studio the other day to update the community and what they have planned for May 22, 2024.

The fair will take place at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering valuable services and information for seniors and their families. Admission and parking for the event will be free.

“The Senior Resource Fair is something the Talbot County Commission on Aging has wanted to host for a long time,” stated Jennifer Marchi, Chairman of the Commission and owner of Home Instead, a local home care provider. “Getting these resources into the hands of Talbot County seniors helps that part of our population that often doesn’t know where to look or who to talk to, but it also is a core part of our mission, and for those reasons and more, we’re really excited to host this event.”

The fair will feature a variety of essential services and activities, including balance checks, A1C tests, Hepatitis C tests, HIV tests, medication disposal, raffle prizes, and giveaways. Representatives from local vendors and members of the Commission on Aging will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about available services in the area.

“The Senior Resource Fair is one way the Talbot County Commission on Aging is helping seniors in our area,” added Marchi. “Our commission members are all about helping our community and promoting successful aging, and that is exactly what this event aims to achieve.”

In addition to the Senior Resource Fair, the Talbot County Commission on Aging holds monthly meetings at The Talbot Senior Center, Brooklets Place. These meetings focus on addressing all aspects necessary to promote the interests, well-being, and quality of life of seniors in Talbot County. The Commission advises the Talbot County Council on seniors’ issues and advocates for change as needed.

For those interested in participating in the upcoming Senior Resource Fair or becoming involved with the Talbot County Commission on Aging, please visit our website at talbotseniors.org or email [email protected]. For individuals requiring assistance with transportation to attend the Senior Resource Fair, please get in touch with Delmarva Community Transit at 410-822-4155.

 

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

USE IT OR LOSE IT! (An old adage with lots of truth)by Susan Covey

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The National Institute of Aging-supported researchers have been studying the effects of strength training for over 40 years and identified multiple ways it benefits older adults, such as maintaining muscle mass, improving metabolism, and increasing healthy years of life.

“Age related mobility limitations are an unpleasant fact for many older adults. Studies have shown that about 30% of adults over age 70 have trouble with walking, getting up out of a chair, or climbing stairs.” (NIA) In addition to making everyday tasks difficult, mobility limitations are also linked to higher rates of falls, chronic disease, nursing home admission and mortality.

Though we know the culprit for losing physical abilities is a phenomenon called sarcopenia, there are ways to slow this process down by maintaining an active lifestyle. While there is no way to fully stop the clock it is possible for many older adults to increase muscle strength with exercise, thus helping to maintain mobility and independence. (NIA)

Strength training or resistance training is different from other exercises because it requires our muscles to contract to lift a heavy object against the pull of gravity. The more weight we contract against the faster our bodies burn through reserves of ATP, a molecule that carries energy to cells. (NIA) So, yes, we know that muscle loss is reversible and there are other benefits as well:

  • Recharging metabolism
  • Reducing fat
  • Reducing blood pressure
  • Improving lipid levels
  • Resisting diabetes
  • Increasing bone density

Whatever you do, KEEP MOVING whatever parts you can!

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.