Hometown is a personal word; behind it is history and emotion. It is a place, a location, a municipal entity, an emotional attachment and more. But in our lives it is where we (and I suspect most of our friends) live.
Small towns are familiar to me. I grew up in one and have spent a large part of my time during the last 33 years just miles outside of Cambridge and for the last 13 years, Easton. My wife and I were drawn to Easton by an attractive combination of community assets.
Before we moved to Easton we had enjoyed concerts at The Avalon, brunches at The Tidewater, retail shops, and of course, the Bay and its tributaries. Since moving to Easton in 2008 we have watched the renewal of The Tidewater under the excellent leadership of John H. Wilson, Jr. As well, the restoration and then expansion of The Avalon and the farsighted conversion of the abandoned McCord laundry into a Conservation Center by the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.
On a more personal level I enjoyed working with Robbie Gill, Derek White and Tom Hill on, with a slight bias, what I believe to be the best YMCA in America.
I am fortunate to live where I do and my good fortune is shared. I have told many people over a number of years that I live in Easton. Typical response: “you are lucky.” But, let me pause because I could go on and on about the number of organizations that have stepped up to help people who face challenging circumstances.
I suspect all of the above and much more led Paul Prager to invest in Easton. And his investments following the Great Recession of 2008-9 and, more recently, the pandemic, have been hugely helpful. So why do I write about those insightful investments?
Several weeks ago, prompted by a Bluepoint Hospitality (owned by Mr. Prager) promotion on social media I read a Boston Globe article about my hometown.
The article’s initial paragraphs noted that Easton had once been “a hot spot for the Underground Railroad” and referenced its close connections to Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas. The writers than bridged the past with today.
They wrote: “This leafy, often overlooked community………….is undergoing a massive renaissance, largely at the hands of one man. Paul Prager, principal of Bluepoint Hospitality, who attended the nearby Naval Academy and has a summer home and farm in the area, has been buying historic buildings in town and opening a slew of new, upscale businesses. Through his passion for the area (and deep pockets) Prager is completely revitalizing and restoring the once down-and-out, distressed city into a cultural and culinary hub, bringing in top architects, designers, chefs and sommeliers.” Prager noted in an interview with the writers, “I wanted some of the things I enjoy in New York City.”
I too have lived in NYC so when Piazza opened and then expanded I couldn’t think of any place in NYC that was its equal. And when I took a friend to Out of the Fire they were not only infatuated with the food, but amazed that it was celebrating its 20th year under Amy Haines. And learning about Ruby’s Cakes my wife and I became customers—no, enthusiastic customers. We also enjoyed a bit of NYC (before Starbucks crowded into every several block area); RiseUp coffee recalled the locally owned coffee shops in the early 1990s.
So yes Easton is indeed fortunate that Mr. Prager has become a major investor in it’s downtown and is supporting many of its worthy organizations. Let me repeat, Easton is indeed fortunate.
Mr. Prager is also fortunate; Easton is and has been an excellent place to invest. And especially to live. My disappointment is that the Boston Globe writers failed to tell the entire story.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Jane Bollman says
The Boston Globe article referring to Easton as formerly down–and–out is inaccurate. In the 22 years I have lived here Easton has always been a vibrant community. I would add to the attributes that Al Sikes mentioned the Talbot Historical Society and Academy Art Museum long in existence. Finally I would add the many outstanding festivals: Waterfowl, Plein Air, Chesapeake Music, to mention a few. And while I am at it, let me say that surrounded by farmland makes Easton a very pleasant place to visit.
Emilie Knud-Hansen says
When my family moved here in 1964, Easton was charming even though it was obvious there was a pronounced difference between the have and have nots. But it was Mrs. W. Alton Jones in 1968-70 who brought our community to life, funding the Y, County community center, Hog Neck and so on. Mr. Prager may be the latest really rich person to discover and invest in Easton, but do not think he was the first. I agree Mr.Sikes the Boston Globe missed a vital part of the story….Easton was NOT suffering before Blue Point Hospitality and to portray Mr. Prager as some sort of savior does a disservice to all of the wonderful small businesses that made Easton such an attractive place in which to live and invest.
DANNA MURPHY MURDEN says
I had a little chuckle no a big one about dear Mrs.Alton Jones the county insisted that the name of Hog Neck be changed they didn’t think it sounded very nice. And dear Mrs.Jones said it has always been Hog Neck and will continue to be Hog Neck or I won’t give it to you. You all see the results.
She was a sweetheart, got a new puppy it cried of course, so she dug out the old baby crib and put both beside her bed.
I am from 9 generations in the county and we have always been fortunate for what the extremely wealthy have done for us. Mrs. Gillespie from when I was a child growing up on Tilghman. Mr. Tally and Mr.Jernigan from St.Michaels all of these people were more in the background but oh what they did for our communities . We would not have the Fire Departments, Schools and so many other things that we have if it hadn’t been for them and now we have Mr. Prager. We have been so so fortunate to have all of these people in our county.
And by the way we have always had lovely things, the Tidewater Inn was very Grand when I was growing up. We had the Academy of the Arts and Talbot County Historical Society and so many other things. I remember when Mr.Harry and Mr.Bill started the WaterFowl Festival. I wish people would stop acting like we just acquired everything yesterday.
But as far as the article Oh Yes it was a piece of crap and way off base as most of them are. I have written to more papers and magazines because of their misinformation. And I will estimate that 95% don’t even acknowledge that I ever wrote them. Most don’t know a crab from an oyster or where Frederick Douglass was really born so to expect more is fruitless. But a lot of it passes over your heads also because you moved in here 10-15 20 years ago and don’t notice most of it because you don’t know the real truth. For instance What’s up Eastern Shore article about the deceased artist Bill Cummings from Tilghman. He wasn’t deceased at the time that they came to his home to interview him for their article. In it they stated that he painted in his sun room. House did not then or now have a sun room. He painted in his kitchen until his son became a state trooper then he painted in his bedroom. That wasn’t the only mistake in it there were many. They never acknowledged my letter or any of the others.
As I have heard all my life in jest why ruin a good story with the the TRUTH! Sorry to say that is what you get most of the time.
Debra Principi says
I agree with EVERYTHING you’ve written, Al Sikes! Easton is a treasure trove of all the exceptional restaurants, shops and businesses you’ve named. We should all be grateful to Paul Prager for his continued investment in our community. The only thing I would add is that Easton has some of the most exceptional people I have ever met! Truly a unique and special place to live.
Rick Skinner says
As a resident of Saint Michaels, I nevertheless share your enthusiasm and appreciation for Mr. Prager’s investment in nearby Easton. That I can write this as a progressive liberal Democrat is something of a surprise to me. For most of my three score and 12 years, I railed against an economic system that made it possible for a few to amass vast fortunes while so many others went without.
Time and experience have taken some of the edge off my rage. Required by dint of my jobs to raise money for institutions, I learned the wisdom of Willie Sutton – asked why he robbed banks, Willie responded “because that’s where the money is” – and pursued (some might say I haunted) – well-to-do persons and families without hesitation and asked them to give some of their wealth to the organizations I represented. Traveling across America, Europe and Asia, I would see the results of private philanthropy in extraordinary museums, performing arts centers and halls, hospitals and medical research centers. And I witnessed the good that sometimes came from investors who chose to do business in places no one else did or would. More often than not, such investments might well have been exceeded by leaving wealth in stock markets.
But for the sort of investor Mr. Prager seems to be there is a passion for a place or a cause and he chooses to invest in a particular place – Easton – in a particular way – buying up historical buildings and putting first-class businesses in the buildings – or investing in the Port Street development. At this early juncture, I hazard a guess that his accountant describes the current ledger as awash in red ink.
I still worry about a society in which a few can own a majority of the assets while the many possess so little. But I tell myself that Andrew Carnegie bestowed the gift of beautiful local libraries in towns across the country, remind myself that we are close to a medicine for malaria because of Bill and Melinda Gates’ foundation, and know that there are beautiful and wild places in America because plutocrats quietly bought up land and then gave it to the federal government for a national park. Perhaps great wealth incurs an obligation on the holder to do more than count one’s fortune. For at least some, largesse carries with it a mission to do what likely could or would not be done if left to fate or chance. If Mr. Prager wishes to invest some portion of his wealth in bringing back to life a lovely town and imbuing it with the amenities of great cities, I wish him well and count myself fortunate to benefit therefrom.
Glenn C Baker says
We were lucky to attract Mr. & Mrs. W. Alton Jones in the past and Mr.& Mrs. Prager in the present and many before them. The Boston Globe like many newspapers today are not blessed with the great writers of their past. But we know why these people were and are attracted to Easton. And we can continue to share our wonderful town with our families and friends, some of whom may decide to join us in the continuing enrichment of our community.
Liz Freedlander says
“Down and out distressed city. “ I don’t think so. First of all, I would call Easton a town and not a city. “Town” better expresses to me the sense of community and connectedness exemplified by the spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy that is abundant in the county. We now live in a the city of Annapolis. I know the difference.
After 44 years in Easton, and one year living in Annapolis, believe me me there is a difference. We miss “town.” There is a distinct difference in traffic, heights of buildings, greater poverty pockets and concrete and on and on.
While I admire Mr. Prager’s entrepreneurism, his establishments cater to those with deeper pockets and do not draw the diversity of a broader range of economics and choices that we would like the citizens of Easton to have. Maybe that day is long past but let’s not swoon over him and forget what drew us here in the past.
Carolyn L. Jaffe says
Thank you, Liz … You’ve pointed out the more soft but salient reasons to treasure Easton. There has long been the tradition of volunteerism and philanthropy in our town and community. A good deal of it is very strong and often almost anonymous. I speak of the incredible energy spent supporting agencies and activities which benefit a diverse population, those underserved, and those in true need. Catering to wealthy locals and visitors is a limited audience, to be sure, and there are many of us who worry that the “big city” emphasis will erase our “town” appeal which is so important to our unique history. … “the down-and-out, distressed city” … Excuse me … NOT!
Janice Gnospelius says
Well expressed, Liz, and I agree.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Talbot has always been different..you know the phrase, “one more dollar in Talbot and it will fall into the bay”. It has always
been more upscale and monied compared to, say Chestertown. I must say, though, the decision to allow big box stores to build, Walmart, changed the dynamics. No longer a vital, stand alone town,it became joined at the hip with sprawl.
First Walmart, then Lowes, then all the casualties or advantages, depending on one’s opinion, that was when the small
town was lost and Talbot became like every other town in the US. Then came the outside money and one has a “town”
with a couple identities: eat downtown like one is on WDC, or hit the sprawl, or very local eating spots, and buy goods at
Amazon..
I really enjoy Preger’s restaurants. I love the numerous stores and advantages of Easton. I must say, though, it feels
like Easton is becoming like my hometown of Alexandria, VA. A place I really do not recognize. It was a lovely place to grow up, local stores and restaurants, and now quite precious, unfortunately.
How do we save the soul of a town but keep it viable for everyone? How do we stay viable and avoid the big-box store
blight?
Richard Marks says
“How do we stay viable and avoid the big-box store blight?” Interesting question as one writer on this thread notes and also makes mention of Wal-Mart having “changed the dynamics”. My best recollection of shopping in Easton prior to Wal-Mart’s arrival was a town full of shops which many locals could not afford. There was little to no competition felt by Rowen’s, Super Fresh(A&P), Blades, Hobby Horse and others. They had a lock on certain goods and services so folks often traveled to Dover where they found savings on more than just the taxes. None of those stores are here today; shopping centers proliferate much to the joy of some and dismay of others. Despite that outgrowth, our downtown fortunately survived, unlike so many others throughout the country.
As Al Sikes noted in his well written and thoughtful article, our town was fortunate to have a few entrepreneurs and philanthropic minded folks step into the void and succeed. I, too, remember Mrs. W. Alton Jones significant contributions as well as the Bill Corkran’s leadership at Easton Utilities and the efforts of so many others.
While it is hard for me to fathom the economics of a Dick’s Sporting Goods or a Michaels (clicks & mortar) on our outskirts and regret that we have lost local ownership of similar retail establishments, they are here nonetheless and Easton is beginning to feel more like a city than a town. There are tradeoffs to be sure, but Mr. Prager’s investments in Easton have pulled more people back downtown and the businesses that remain benefit greatly. All in all, our community is better served and will continue to be as long as we retain a proper balance where all citizens can afford the goods and services provided.
B Thompson says
Don’t give too much credence to the Easton story published in the Boston Globe. It’s my understanding that the writers are not Globe staffers but travel freelancers. And in the world of objective journalism they are low on the totem pole.
Harriett E. Page says
They represent a PR firm employed by Praeger to promote his businesses in Easton. Look for the next article from a review in Florida–most likely Miami.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Interesting.I remember a story years ago in the WAPO
titled, “The inn that ate Washington, VA”., about the
Inn at Little Washington. Locals had issues, etc.
Bound to happen anywhere where there are people with disposable income. Who knows, maybe the
Hills Drugstore Cafe will one day be awarded a Michelin Star 🤣
Carolyn Rugg says
Very well put, Al. Thank you.
Julia Foxwell says
Mr. Sikes,
I work for Mr. Prager and couldn’t agree more that we are lucky to have his investment in our community’s success. The Prager family is happy to call Talbot County home. As a lifelong resident of the mid-shore, I’m also excited to see what comes next for Easton’s waterfront. For now, I’m happy to share the following significant investment in the health and well being of our beloved Chesapeake Bay.
Best,
Julia Foxwell
https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/2022/01/10/terawulf-charitable-foundation-supports-efforts-to-establish-chesapeake-national-recreation-area/