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July 4, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

6 Arts Notes

CBMM to Exhibit Works from Michael O. Snyder

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to announce a new special exhibition arriving soon at its St. Michaels, Md., campus, The Coming Coast. Opening Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, the exhibition will feature works by Michael O. Snyder on display both in a traditional gallery setting in CBMM’s Van Lennep Auditorium and in a larger scale outdoors on its campus.

Informed by his training as an environmental scientist and inspired by his passion for the beauty and wildness of the natural world, Snyder’s pieces explore the effects of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond. Images from Snyder’s Eroding Edges and The Coming Coast series confront the impact of environmental change on both landscape and culture.

“Within yards of the Miles River, visitors will encounter banner-sized images and quotes from Michael O. Snyder’s probing interviews with the scientists and leaders confronting and working to combat climate change in their communities,” says Curator and Folklife Center Manager Jen Dolde. “Inside, Snyder’s photographs of the coastal communities of Alaska, the Mississippi Delta, and British Columbia are juxtaposed with the seafood harvesting towns of the Chesapeake, where watermen face the erosion of their landscapes, their lifestyles, and their cultural identities in only a few generations.”

Entrance to see The Coming Coast is included with general admission, which is free for CBMM members. To learn more about the perks and privileges of membership, visit cbmm.org/membership.

Michael O. Snyder’s documentary work is funded through The Bertha Foundation, Climate Central, National Geographic, The Blue Earth Alliance, The Arctic Institute, and The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photo: Department of Natural Resources Biologist Donald Webster stands alongside a “ghost forest” in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County holding measuring stick marking the level of potential sea level rise in 2100. Photograph by Michael O. Snyder.

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Annual Charity Boat Auction Returns to CBMM

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On Saturday, Aug. 27, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host its Charity Boat Auction, where donated boats and watercraft—ranging in size and performance from cruising boats to dinghies—are auctioned off annually to the highest bidders.

“This is an absolute auction, meaning all boats will be sold the day of the event, with no minimums or reserves, and CBMM staff and volunteers will be on hand at an onsite title office for ease of transfer and title work,” said CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams. “These donated boats are sold year-round, and will be sold up until a few days prior to the auction.”

The rain-or-shine event also includes a flea market-style tag sale starting at 9am, where guests can purchase a variety of used boating gear, including ground tackle, electrical equipment, hardware, rope, chain, oars, life jackets, fishing tackle, motors, and more.

Photo by George Sass

In addition to being listed online, auction boats will be available for preview at CBMM on Friday, Aug. 26, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm, and gates will open for free from 3­–6pm. Guests can also preview the boats on auction grounds beginning at 8am the day of the event, with bidding beginning at 11am. Food and beverages will be available for purchase starting at 10:30am.

“We work with donors all year-round, many caring for a boat they are no longer using, or having inherited a boat that won’t be used,” said Williams. “And these gifts are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.”

On Aug. 27, CBMM’s gates open at 8am, with free event entrance for CBMM members and children ages 5 and under. Otherwise, general admission is $5 per person until 11am, with a $5 paddle fee for registered bidders. After 11am, regular two-day admission rates apply. For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals and special events, including the Charity Boat Auction. This year’s Charity Boat Auction is generously sponsored by SpinSheet&PropTalk magazines.

For the official rules, auction details, and inventory updates, visit cbmm.org/AuctionDetails, or contact [email protected] or 410-745-4992.

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August 14 Brings Crabs, Watermen’s Rodeo to St. Michaels

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On Sunday, Aug. 14, Watermen’s Appreciation Day returns to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., featuring a spirited boat docking contest, steamed crabs and other regional food, live music, beer, boat rides, family activities, and more. The fundraising event is organized by CBMM in cooperation with the Talbot Watermen Association, with proceeds benefiting both organizations.

The opportunity to meet the Chesapeake’s watermen, along with local steamed crabs, beer, and other food and beverages continue to highlight the waterfront festival. Eventgoers can also take part in a silent auction in the Small Boat Shed, with all proceeds supporting the Talbot Watermen Association.

Beginning at noon, the event’s “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest returns to the Miles River near CBMM’s 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Bleacher seating will be provided for spectators to the contest, and children’s activities will be offered throughout the day.

“It’s a great day of celebrating the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen—from the rodeo to the cold beer, hot crabs, and live music” said TWA President Jeff Harrison. “And we’re grateful to partner with CBMM on this important fundraising event for more than a decade now.”

Starting at noon, the day’s catch of steamed crabs—served by watermen—will be available for purchase, in addition to beer, water, soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more. Steamed crabs will be sold by the dozen, with pricing set by July 29 and posted at cbmm.org.

Also beginning at 11am, live music with Bird Dog and the Road Kings from the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand will have people tapping their toes and dancing along CBMM’s waterfront.

Admission to the 10am–5pm, rain-or-shine, event includes the boat docking contest, live music, numerous family activities, entrance to all CBMM exhibitions and historic structures, and is set at $18 for adults, $8 for children 6–17, with all children 5 years of age and under admitted free. CBMM members along with licensed watermen and their immediate families get discounted admission at $10 per adult, and $6 per child ages 6–17. Food and beverages are additional.

Advanced admission tickets can be purchased online at cbmm.org/watermensday, with tickets also sold at the door the day of the event. Discounted watermen’s tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event, with an active watermen’s license shown. Boat rides, steamed crabs, beer, and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free event parking will be available at St. Michaels High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running throughout the day.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is also prohibited. Spectator boats wishing to view the competition from the water must remain outside the buoyed channel.

For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

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CBMM Begins Next Phase of Master Plan Upgrades

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum recently broke ground on its new Welcome Center, marking the start of Phase II of its Master Plan campus upgrades. This rendering shows what the new building will look like when completed in 2023.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to announce that it has broken ground on its new Welcome Center—a major milestone marking the start of Phase II of its ongoing Master Plan campus upgrades.

Opening in 2023, the new, fully ADA accessible building will house CBMM’s Welcome Center, Museum Store, and two exhibition spaces.

“The new building will immensely enhance the guest experience at CBMM and provide an even warmer welcome to campus,” said Kristen Greenaway, CBMM’s President & CEO. “Our Master Plan is designed to create increased space for CBMM’s core museum offerings—including exhibitions, education, and in the shipyard—and we can’t wait for you to see it!”

CBMM’s Master Plan also includes a Phase III focus on utilization of outdoor space and an expansion of Shipyard facilities, designed to showcase the ever-expanding range of shipyard education, boatbuilding, and exhibitions.

Three phases make up the Master Plan, with the scope and timeline contingent upon funding. Funding sources will come from individual donations and naming opportunities, grants, and operations. You too can support CBMM’s efforts to enhance campus and create better public offerings by donating to The Annual Fund. Visit cbmm.org/donate to learn how.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all.

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

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Talbot County Free Library Now Circulating Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Passes

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The Talbot County Free Library now has Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) Passes that patrons can check out with their library card.

Each pass admits up to four adults and their children or grandchildren under the age of 18. Due to the limited supply of passes, the checkout period is limited to two days.

“There is a natural partnership between CBMM and the Talbot County Free Library as both organizations offer the community equitable access, lifelong learning, and the opportunity to discover new interests,” said Talbot County Free Library Director Dana Newman. “I know that we will have a number of families take advantage of the passes, especially now with the rising cost of everything. This is a great example of how our community works together.”

All a library card holder has to do is stop by the library and ask if a CBMM pass is available. The pass will be available to check out, free of charge for two days. These passes are available on a first come, first serve basis at the circulation desks of our Easton and St. Michaels branches.

It is recommended to return the passes to the Circulation Desk at the same branch from which the patron borrowed them from. Passes cannot be renewed and cannot be put on hold.

“The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is happy to be able to work in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library,” said CBMM President/CEO Kristen Greenaway. “As an educational organization, and one that values making its resources available to all, offering these passes to library cardholders is a natural fit.”

To obtain a library card, come to one of our branches with a driver’s license or identification card and proof of your address ready. Examples of proof of address include a water bill, electric bill, rent contract, or voter registration card. A Talbot County Free Library card is a key to everything we have to offer including books, e-books, digital media, access to online databases, and more.

“As Chief Curator of CBMM and a member of TCFL’s Board of Trustees, I’m thrilled to see these two organizations find ways to work together,” said CBMM Chief Curator Pete Lesher. “We seek to provide meaningful and accessible experiences to all of our communities and constituencies, and getting more people in the doors of both CBMM and the Library is certainly a worthwhile goal toward that end.”

The library occasionally offers story times at the CBMM. Keep an eye out for this program on the library’s website.

For hours, directions, and other details, please visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at www.cbmm.org.

About Talbot County Free Library

It is the mission of the Talbot County Free Library to enrich and renew the lives of the people it serves. There are two locations: The main library in Easton is located at 100 W. Dover St., and the St. Michael branch is at 106 Fremont St. The Maryland Room in the Easton branch holds a voluminous collection of genealogical resources and historical documents. Services at both locations include the circulation of books, DVDs, digital devices, free Wi-Fi, public computers, exhibits, and programs for both children and adults. For more information, please visit www.tcfl.org. Be sure to like the library on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @Talbotcountyfreelibrary.

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Get Hands-On in CBMM’s Working Shipyard

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to offer the public a chance to join its professional shipwrights for hands-on learning experiences.

Scheduled for10am–4pm Saturdays, July 9, July 23, and Aug. 6; Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 10 & 11; and Saturday, Dec. 3, guests are invited to CBMM’s working Shipyard to hone their woodworking skills while helping on various construction and restoration projects.

Projects will vary week-to-week and include a small boat restoration and the construction of a new 40’ buyboat. The cost to participate in any of these workdays is $60, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members. For additional details and to register, visit bit.ly/ShipyardWorkdays.

CBMM members play a critical role in supporting CBMM’s rich legacy of educational programs, fascinating and ever-changing exhibitions, and maintenance of the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay watercraft in the world, and have access to exclusive discounts, perks, and programming. To learn more about becoming a CBMM member, visit cbmm.org/membership.

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

CBMM to Host Volunteer Interest Meetings

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Photo by George Sass

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., has planned a set of upcoming volunteer interest meetings to welcome more members to its volunteer team. Volunteer roles include opportunities with guided tours and programs, exhibitions and collections, caring for CBMM’s grounds and gardens, on-the-water and dockside with its Floating Fleet and working Shipyard, and more.

Scheduled for Saturday, July 16, from noon–1pm; 2–3pm on Tuesday, Sept. 13; and again from noon–1pm on Saturday, Nov. 12, the public is invited to learn more about how they can participate in the Chesapeake Bay region’s communities with CBMM in a variety of roles.

Through behind-the-scenes and public-facing work, CBMM volunteers contribute their time, talents, and experience to help our guests make personal connections to the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake. These virtual meetings are designed for adults and teens interested in joining CBMM’s volunteer team.

CBMM’s Volunteer Program engages community members to participate in its mission to make the Chesapeake Bay available and accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities. CBMM fosters a collaborative environment where volunteers are empowered to participate and grow and is committed to making volunteering and community participation accessible to people of all backgrounds and experiences.

“Volunteering is one of the many ways that you can participate in your community and make a difference,” said CBMM’s Volunteer & Education Manager Concetta Gibson. “Interest Meetings are a great way to learn about CBMM and see if we’re a good fit for your volunteer experience. Whether you’d like to meet new people, pursue your interests and hobbies, or learn new skills, there can be a place for you here.”

Registration is free and required at bit.ly/CBMMVolunteerInterest. Applications for those already interested in volunteering with CBMM can be found at cbmm.org/support/volunteer.

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Big Band Night, Fireworks Scheduled for July 2 in St. Michaels

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In celebration of Independence Day, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on the Miles River in St. Michaels, Md. welcomes The Shades of Blue Orchestra for a live performance at its Saturday, July 2, Big Band Night. The St. Michaels fireworks are scheduled to launch after dusk that evening, with CBMM’s waterfront campus a great venue from which guests can enjoy the fireworks. The rain date for the concert and fireworks is Sunday, July 3.

The orchestra is set to begin at 7pm, with the public invited to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening of music, dancing, and fireworks along the Miles River. Food, ice cream, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase during the event, which is generously sponsored by Eastern Shore Tents & Events.

Mixing together popular standards, a variety of musical styles, and dance-able rhythms, the Shades of Blue Orchestra combines brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments to bring music from the 1930s to present to the Miles River. Established in 1976, this 18-piece Big Band consists of a well-balanced complement of brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments, as well as two of the finest Big Band vocalists anywhere.

CBMM’s Welcome Center will open at 6pm for Big Band Night guests to enter the campus for the event. Admission to Big Band Night is $6 for CBMM members and $10 for non-members, with children ages 5 and under, plus active and retired military, free. After 8:45pm, admission will be reduced to $2 for those watching the fireworks only. Advanced tickets and more information are at bit.ly/CBMMBandNight.

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Chesapeake Perspectives Workshop Series Continues This Summer

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Photographer George Sass will lead workshops on June 29, July 20, and July 27.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is proud to be able to offer several sessions in its Chesapeake Perspectives Workshop Series this summer.

Led by teaching artists who draw inspiration from the Chesapeake, participants in the Chesapeake Perspectives Workshop Series will explore mediums and techniques to reflect their own identity, viewpoint, and experiences through art. For a quick look at upcoming programs, go to bit.ly/ChesapeakePerspectives.

The first offering, Living Shoreline in Living Color, is scheduled from 10am–noon on June 11 & 12. Participants will draw inspiration from CBMM’s living shoreline, then learn how to use colorful chalk pastels and chalk pastel pencils turn drawings of it into vibrant pastel “paintings.”

The workshop, which will cover color theory and blending tips and is open to beginners and up, is designed with the principles of Creative Aging for older adults in mind. It will be led by Constance Del Nero, Director of Children’s Education and Community Programs at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Md. To register and for additional details, visit bit.ly/LivingShorelineWorkshop.

Living Shoreline in Living Color is made possible by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy in addition to support from the Maryland State Arts Council. Thank you to the Maryland Micro-Credentials for Creative Aging Grant Programs for supporting this arts experience.

On June 30, author Pete Fortenbaugh will give a talk on his latest novella, The Monday after Father’s Day.

On June 30, from 5–6:15pm, Translating Life into Literature with Pete Fortenbaugh will be held in CBMM’s Van Lennep Auditorium. In his recently released novella, The Monday after Father’s Day, author Pete Fortenbaugh presents a fictional community of complex characters, exploring transcendent themes of religion, race, and community through the eyes of his eight-year-old protagonist. Informed by the close friendships he made while living and working as a carpenter on isolated Tangier Island, Fortenbaugh’s work spotlights life in small communities sustained by the Bay.

In his talk, Fortenbaugh will share his process for translating his experiences in the Chesapeake into a fictionalized world, as well as excerpts from the novella. To register, visit bit.ly/PeteFortenbaughWorkshop.

A series of three photography workshops rounds out the Chesapeake Perspectives Workshop Series in the coming months. Environmental Portraiture and Camera Fundamentals is scheduled for 9am–noon Wednesday, June 29; Going Beyond the Snapshot to Photograph Environmental Architecture & Objects will be 1–4pm on Wednesday, July 20; and Photographing Boats from a Boat is planned for 4–7pm on Wednesday, July 27. Visit bit.ly/ChesapeakePerspectives to register.

Each of these workshops, which are designed for beginner and intermediate photographers, will be led by George Sass. After running his international advertising agency for more than 25 years, Sass started a second career as a photojournalist for the marine industry. Over 100 of his feature stories and photography were published in national magazines including Yachting, Power & Motoryacht, Yachts International, Cruising World, Passagemaker and more. Several of his stories have won magazine awards of excellence. Today, Sass mainly focuses on his fine art photography and exhibits his work in galleries and art organizations throughout Maryland where it has won numerous fine art awards.

Translating Life into Literature with Pete Fortenbaugh, and each of the upcoming photography workshops,are funded through CBMM’s Regional Folklife Center under the Maryland Traditions program of the Maryland State Arts Council.

Participants are encouraged to participate in one or more programs as part of the Chesapeake Perspectives Workshop, and to use this experience to create a submission for CBMM’s upcoming community response exhibition, The Changing Chesapeake. Learn more at bit.ly/ChangingChesapeake.

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Watch Log Canoe Races Aboard Winnie Estelle

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Join the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum aboard the 1920 buyboat Winnie Estelle this summer for an up-close and personal view of the Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoe races on the Miles River.

Log canoe races are a quintessential Chesapeake pastime, and from a shady spot onboard Winnie’s deck you will get an up close and exciting look at the action. Amateur photographers, sailing aficionados, and wooden boat enthusiasts will all find something to enjoy on CBMM’s log canoe cruises!

 The two-hour scenic cruises are scheduled for select times on June 25 and 26, and July 30 and 31. Boarding is limited, with all cruises dependent on marine conditions.

These iconic Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoes only race along the Chester, Miles, Choptank, and Tred Avon rivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With long masts and large sails, these boats keep upright as they accelerate to speeds of 10 knots or more, thanks to crew members climbing to the ends of 15-foot boards that hang off the side of the canoe.

The cost is $40 per person, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members. Cruises fill early, with dates, departure times, and online registration at bit.ly/CBMMCruises.

CBMM members play a critical role in supporting CBMM’s rich legacy of educational programs, fascinating and ever-changing exhibitions, and maintenance of the largest collection of Chesapeake Bay watercraft in the world, and have access to exclusive discounts, perks, and programming. To learn more about becoming a CBMM member, visit cbmm.org/membership.

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