This Friday at 7:30 pm, The Garfield Theatre in Chestertown will screen the world premiere of Maryland Public Television’s “Kent County’s Storied Landscape: Place, Past & Present.”

The 30-minute documentary, a culmination of 5 years of work by Kent Conservation and Preservation Alliance (KCPA) and Maryland Public Television, showcases Kent County’s significance through the lens of “cultural landscapes.

A cultural landscape refers to the combined natural and human features that define a particular area or region. It includes the physical features of the land, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as human-made structures, such as buildings, roads, and monuments. The cultural landscape also encompasses the customs, traditions, beliefs, and values of the people who inhabit the area.

Cultural landscapes also represent a community or society’s collective history and memory, help preserve and protect significant cultural and historical resources, and promote tourism and economic development. Additionally, studying cultural landscapes can provide insights into how human societies have interacted with and shaped their environment over time.

Understanding cultural landscapes is vital for promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, and sustainable development, and, as we know, Kent County is replete with the intersection of history and geography.

Janet Christensen-Lewis, chair of KCPA, says that cultural landscapes provide a sense of place and identity for the people who live there and that understanding them promotes cultural diversity, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

Here, we talk with the Chair of KCPA about how the documentary came about and why its message should be important to those of us who reside in a culturally rich county with an eye on preservation co-existing with smart economic growth.

This interview is approximately eight minutes in length. Before the movie, a reception will be held at 6:30. Ticket may be found at Eventbrite. To view the trailer, go here.

 formed by Janet Christensen-Lewis

 is a condensed summary of the complex idea of “cultural landscapes,” a place where geography, ecology and heritage studies overlap to describe 

 geography, ecology, and heritage studies, to describe a symbiosis of human activity and environment

A cultural landscape is defined as a geographic area that includes both cultural and natural resources associated with a historic event, activity or person or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values.  

Janet Christensen-Lewis, Chair

ç’s (KCPA’s) mission is to protect the environmental resources, the county’s unparalleled cultural and historical heritage and to preserve the county’s way of life for all its citizens.

A cultural landscape refers to the combined natural and human features that define a particular area or region. It includes the physical features of the land, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as human-made structures, such as buildings, roads, and monuments. The cultural landscape also encompasses the customs, traditions, beliefs, and values of the people who inhabit the area.

Cultural landscapes are important because they provide a sense of place and identity for the people who live there. They also represent the collective history and memory of a community or society. Cultural landscapes can help to preserve and protect important cultural and historical resources, as well as promote tourism and economic development. Additionally, studying cultural landscapes can provide insights into how human societies have interacted with and shaped their environment over time. Understanding cultural landscapes is important for promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

According to Tom Marx, the Capsize restaurant in Oxford fills a special niche in the small community’s culinary offerings. The owner of the large waterfront dining establishment answers the needs of small families visiting the Eastern Shore by boat to birthday celebrations for grandmothers in a way that keeps the spirit and hospitality of Oxford front and center without the need for white linen tablecloths or loud music.

Now starting his second year at the helm, so to speak, Tom and his chef, Mike Greenwood, sat down with the Spy last week to talk about the new 2023 season for Capsize and why they love working in one of the country’s most charming small towns.

This video is approximately three minutes in length. For more information about Capsize and its opening in April please go here.

Ellen Schecter

What is ‘fierce joy?’  That’s the question we posed to Dr. Ellen Schecter about the meaning behind the title of her memoir. “Fierce joy,” she responded, “is not a tepid, easy, saccharine type of happiness. It’s something that comes up out of harsh moments. It’s honey from the rock; it comes from loss and pain, from small events and valuable people. And it burns like a flame despite grief and dread; it’s something that comes from going through very harsh moments.” These are the words that describe how Schecter chooses to live despite two life-altering and painful autoimmune diseases. 

This journey of discovery will be the subject of the Chesapeake Forum Author Series Wednesday, March 22, 10-11:30 am, titled Fierce Joy: A Medical Mystery, Spiritual Adventure & A Love Story. 

If Ellen Schecter’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she had a successful career as a writer, producer, and educator on various award-winning TV series for children, including “Reading Rainbow,” “Allegra’s Window,” and “The Magic School Bus.” She’s also published more than 20 children’s and young adult books that went on to win awards or became Book of the Month selections. 

At the height of her career, Schecter was diagnosed with debilitating Lupus and the rare and life-threatening CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy). As a way of coping and because she is a writer, she began keeping a notebook of what was happening to her, questions she was asking her doctors, emotions she was experiencing, and people she came in contact with. These ‘scribblings,’ which helped her understand how to maneuver through this new reality, became the basis of her memoir.  

Fierce Joy, the book, is moving and raw as Schecter candidly shares her struggles with illness and the toll it took on her and her loved ones. However, the heart of the book lies in her exploration of what it means to truly heal and find inner peace and acceptance. In her words, we experience the stages of awareness as she realizes that the disease, not one’s body, is the enemy and that even though she couldn’t control what was happening, she had a choice about her response. “You don’t have to be knocked around by your disease, symptoms, and treatments. You can decide how you want to live.” That choice also meant finding comfort and healing, even when a cure was impossible. “I learned to be sick without suffering,” she says, “by dealing with my illness with the maturity of an adult woman, no longer cowed by the fears and attitudes of a small child.”  

Schecter looks forward to sharing what she’s learned and, more importantly, how she learned it. She will probably explain how, despite the challenges, she was determined to live with purpose. “You have to find meaning. For me, the meaning was my wanting to live a happy life. I didn’t want to linger over being sick. And so I looked everywhere for ways to do that.”

Sometimes she didn’t have to look far.  

She met other people who exchanged, what she calls, ‘the secret handshake of illness’ and taught her how to maneuver through the medical maze of symptoms, medicines, and doctors. “At each juncture, there was always somebody who reached out, either with a hand or a hint or with something that helped me along the way.” 

Sometimes those decisions involved her doctors. “Just like you can choose your doctors, you can fire them if they don’t give you what you need, emotionally, psychologically, or medically. I’ve done it. It’s an important way to give power back to yourself when you’re feeling powerless.” She advises creating a cooperative, problem-solving partnership, going to the appointments with a list of questions and problems, and making sure your doctor listens.”

Spirituality, which surfaced after her diagnosis, also plays a vital role in Schecter’s life. “Letting go of the fear of death was important for me. It was like releasing a cannonball and picking up a balloon instead. I have a very positive attitude about death. And I’ve also learned to live for today and not ten years from now.”

Living in the present means Schecter has had to deal with anger or other unwanted emotions. She manages them by allowing herself 10 minutes of expression, whether breaking dishes, crying, or throwing a tantrum. She’s learned other ways to cope: “At your lowest moment,” she said, “the best thing you can do is reach out and do something for someone else. Because it will lift you, so you are not wallowing in this dark, deep place that I call the pit.” 

There is so much more that Schecter wants to tell you, and the Chesapeake Forum Author Series is the perfect opportunity for her to do so. You can expect insights and reflections on her experiences, including the nature of healing, living with purpose, and how to find fierce joy.

The discussion will be an inspiring and enlightening event for anyone struggling with an illness, challenged by the aging process, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience.

——-

Fierce Joy: A Medical Mystery, Spiritual Adventure & A Love Story Wednesday, March 22, 10-11:30 at Easton YMCA  To register for the event, go here. https://site.corsizio.com/c/6393bf8c37c937a7d8cee437/register For additional information: Chesapeake Forum https://chesapeakeforum.org Fierce Joy, by Ellen Schecter, is published by Greenpoint Press and available wherever fine books are sold.

The game of golf typically is picked up later in life for most of us, but that’s not the case with Dan Greaves. In fact, the director of Hearthstone’s golf program can literally say he grew up with the sport.

Born on a large Queen Anne’s County farm that eventually was sold to create one of the region’s most popular golf courses, Dan and his family watched in amazement as their backyard was transformed from wheat fields and trackers to putting greens and golf carts. In no time, Dan found every opportunity to play that course, which eventually led to a lifetime career as a professional golf pro and instructor.

When Dan took over as the director of the golf program at Hearthstone, he had a number of goals for his students. The first was to make them better players; the second was to use Hearthstone’s training expertise to allow those players to play the game longer in their life and use cutting-edge technology to accomplish those goals.
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In the case of technology, Hearthstone is the only place on the Eastern Shore that has offered a custom-made HD Golf simulator. With the use of 3-D modeling and slow action video cameras, Dan’s clients learn instantly why they have been hitting the ball the wrong way and seemingly countless data points on speed, body position, and stroke efficiency. It also offers those players the ability to plug in up to 300 of the most competitive golf courses in the country if they find themselves in Talbot County when it snows or rains.

The Spy stopped by Hearthstone the other day to learn more.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. To learn more about Hearthstone’s golf program please go here.

Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.

This week, From and Fuller discuss the Silicon Valley Bank failure and its political consequences.

This video podcast is approximately 18 minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last five years, where now serves on the boards of the Academy Art Museum, the Benedictine School, and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

Before I moved to this area, I first learned about the Eastern Shore when Gourmet Magazine featured the Inn at Perry Cabin in the 1990’s. Savvy Washingtonians, however, have long discovered the lure of our area for weekend getaways, vacations and destination weddings less than a two hour drive from the Beltway. The steady increase of visitors has resulted in upgrades to existing accommodations to satisfy the most discriminating traveler, whether they may be a weekender or a vacationer for an extended stay. Recently I wrote about the transformation of the former Five Gables Inn into the Wildset luxury hotel in St. Michaels. Another such transformation is underway at The Oaks in the heart of Royal Oak. 

The property began its life in the late 19th century during the heyday of the ferries that brought vacationers from the Western Shore across the Chesapeake Bay to the Pasadena Inn. The Inn’s earlier frame structure is now surrounded by several renovations and alterations dating from the early 20th century. The main façade became a three and a half story building with a two-bay gable end façade that marked the main entrance, enhanced by a two-story Doric portico. A one-story portion of the building originally housed offices, restrooms and a utility room. Additions included a ballroom overlooking Oak Creek, a kitchen, and other areas to support weddings and other special events. The large waterfront deck over the ballroom is the perfect spot for dancing under the stars. 

A member of the development team, Tracy Higgs Wagner, is well known to Spy readers for my featuring two of her projects, The Snuggery and the office of Meredith Fine Properties, both of which are located in St. Michaels. The transformation of The Oaks is her most ambitious project to date. On the day of my visit, the site was a beehive of activity that was no surprise when I later learned about the extensive scope of work for the project. Exterior upgrades included revamping all landscaping including a new allee of trees along the new paved driveway and parking lot, lined with granite cobble stones; new living riprapped shoreline; new facades with Hardie plank siding, new windows and new roof. The interior upgrades were extensive as well since the entire interior spaces were gutted to the studs to accommodate new plumbing, electrical and HVAC. 

Before we went into the main building, Tracy showed me the former garage whose lower floor will now house site maintenance equipment and the upper floor will become offices and an open plan area for event planning. Windows around the walls offer a panoramic view of the facility’s amenities. 

The existing cottage at the rear corner of the site was demolished and a new, larger cottage is being built across the street for workers. This portion of the site now has three charming one-story cottages designed for wedding parties, including a honeymoon cottage;  family reunions, or other celebrations. The white board and batten siding enlivens the facades with shadows as the sun moves across the sky and three-bay front porches have water views. 

As Tracy and I were walking back toward the main building, I observed how the lobby entrance to the banquet area is being modified with a wider sidewalk to better accommodate large events. The banquet wing interlocks with the form of the main entry wing via a long corridor connecting the two areas and between the long corridor and the banquet room was a dining area. The kitchen and waterside banquet room remain the same but the wayfinding and vistas are greatly improved by converting the dining area to a bar with space for both high-top and table seating. Glazed openings at the wall to the banquet hall extend the views through the banquet hall to views of the water and another pair of entry doors facilitates access more easily. 

The long hall blends into the wing containing the main entry reception, stair hall and sitting area with a focal point of a wide fireplace at the rear wall. 

The developers selected Jamie Merida Interiors for the selection of finishes, furnishings and accessories based upon the firm’s work for the Talbot Country Club and other hospitality projects on the Eastern Shore. The goal of Merida’s team of designers was to capture the rich history and original elements of the inn, while bringing it up to date as a five-star property in a traditional-made-modern way. The inn will feature a fresh and light color palette in well-appointed guest room suites and brand new cottages. All of the public spaces have been completely re-imagined with soft colors, new furnishings and an elegant, yet comfortable transitional style.

The second floor plan contains seven guest ensuites and one “Presidential Suite” at the rear corner of the floor. The sitting area for the latter opens onto a private deck with bird’s eye views of Oak Creek. Five of the seven guest suites overlook the spacious “Ceremony Balcony” that is a true outdoor room, complete with a covered bar area.

The third floor contains four guest suites, one of which has its own balcony overlooking Oak Creek. My favorite space was the fourth floor managers’ suite with a full kitchen including an undercounter washer/dryer, open plan living and dining area and a bedroom ensuite. Both the living area and the bedroom have long views of Oak Creek. What a great reward this quiet suite will be after a long day of hard work!

Bravo to the design and construction team for upgrading this gem in the heart of Royal Oak so this property’s history of welcoming travelers can begin anew.

Development Group– Tracy and Scott Wagner and Andy and Quin Warner.  Main Building Architect:  Christine Dayton, www.cdaytonarchitect.com,  410-822-3130 Cottages Architect: Jonathan Rivera, www.jonathanrivera.com, 443-226-5745 Main Building GM’s: Shore Projects, Kurt Hermann, shore-projects.net, 410-690-4832 Monroy Contracting, Jimy Monroy, monroycontracting.com ,410-946-7451 GM for the Guest Cottages: Focus Construction, Robert Gearhart, focus-construction.net ,410-690-4900 Interior Design/Furnishings, Décor: Jamie Merida Interiors/Bountiful Home, Designers- Jamie Merida, Carol Wheeler, Leigh Mayhew; CAD renderings by Oras Albakry www.jamiemerida.com, 410-819-8666 Kitchen Design-Doug Stewart Droneography- David Sotiros, David@flyaerialproduction.com

Jennifer Martella is an architect with Bohl Architects’ Annapolis office and a referral agent for Meredith Fine Properties. Jennifer is an integral part of Bohl Architects’ design team for projects she brings to the firm. She is also the writer of  Bohl’s website’s  bi-monthly blog “Tango Funhouse” where she highlights the firm’s vision and other fun aspects of life by design. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, March 25, Kent Cultural Alliance (KCA) will hold its grand opening of the Vincent and Leslie Prince Raimond Cultural Center, a four-and-half-year $2.3 million renovation of the 18th-century building on Spring Avenue, across from the post office.

KCA Director John Schratwieser points out that the building is part of the 48-year legacy of the Kent County Arts Council and its decades of multiple arts endeavors under the directorship of founders Vince and Leslie Raimond.

Despite pandemic delays, rising costs of materials, and supply chain issues, the renovation is now complete and ready for art exhibits and “serve the residents of Kent County supporting and creating inclusive artistic and cultural experiences designed to connect communities through shared conversations.”

It’s an extraordinary facility designed to accommodate artists in residence, showcase art exhibits of all genres, hold live events, and educational community gatherings all in the open space of their main gallery. Resident artists have their own bedrooms and workspaces, a common kitchen and a common room on the second floor. Also notice in the video that Osprey Custom Carpenters retained the the 18th-century open ceiling beams. Chestertown’s history still resides in the structure.

The Grand Opening ribbon cutting with be at noon on Saturday, March 25. From 12 to 5pm Our Best Foot Forward, a celebration of Kent County’s Creative Community, will take place. At 7pm, a concert and dedication of the Raimond Center will be held at the Garfield Center.

The Kent County Poetry Festival will be held Saturday,April 1st and 2nd.  Local Celebrity Poets will read Saturday, at 1 pm at KCA’s Raimond Center. The main event will be feature Patricia Spears Jones reading at 7 pm at Norman James Theater, Washington College. On Sunday, April 2 from 2-5 pm, at Robert Ortiz Studios, an Open Mic event will be held with presenters KCA, WAC Rose O’Neil Literary House The Bookplate, and Ortiz Studios. Tickets are $25; all funds will go to creating a permanent grant fund for independent artists living and working in Kent County. See their website for tickets.

Also, on April 15, Raimond Cultural Center will host the annual A & E District Arts Walk pop-up formerly held at Chesapeake Bank and Trust.

But here: Let’s let John will tell you all about it during the Spy tour.

For more information about Kent Cultural Alliance, see their website here or their Facebook page here.