The Easton Economic Development Corporation (Easton EDC) along with community partners Talbot County Department of Emergency Services and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals were awarded a $10,000 grant from The Arc in collaboration with the AmeriCorps/September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance Project for their collaborative community educational event series,  “We Are One: Community Supporting Community.” The project will be one of many across the country that will pay tribute to the individuals lost and injured on September 11, 2001, as well as honor the first responders and the many others who have risen to service in a crisis. The purpose of this awareness effort is to empower the general public to be caring, responsive community members should their fellow citizens need their support and to be mindful of the work of first responders in their community.

The Talbot County Young Professionals, along with the Easton EDC, will support a series of public art activities during the summer open to everyone.  The interactive events will focus on helping people that may be vulnerable in a crisis, such as people with disabilities, the elderly, and underserved community members. There will be a series of free, inclusive public art project days throughout the summer where everyone is encouraged to come learn about the effort and create their own work of art illustrating the theme, “We Are One: Community Supporting Community.”   A selection of the entries will also be displayed on banners throughout the downtown Easton area in August and September, 2023.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor the work of our first responders and organizations that support the safety and wellness of our most vulnerable community members while empowering our community to help each other,” said Frank Gunsallus IV, chairman of the Talbot County Young Professionals.

The events will culminate in a public Day of Remembrance ceremony on the morning of September 11, 2023 in partnership with the Town of Easton, honoring the lives of those lost on 9/11. A featured speaker will be announced at a later date.

“The Easton EDC is excited to work with such important community partners through this impactful grant project. Through this community art contest and awareness talks, we are educating others so people can better understand their role in helping us to create a safe community for everyone,” notes Holly DeKarske, Executive Director.

“We are so grateful for this opportunity with such a supportive community and group of partners. Teaching our community how to keep themselves and their neighbors safe is the first step in making our community resilient and able to endure whatever may come our way,” Geneva Schaffle, Emergency Management Coordinator, adds.

For more information, or to register your group to participate in the art events or to volunteer with the project, please contact the project coordinator, Deena Kilmon, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Easton EDC at deena@eastonedc.com or visit the website, DiscoverEaston.com/WeAreOne. Community groups are encouraged to volunteer as a group.

“We Are One: Caring for our Community” is funded through The Arc of The United States through a sub-grant from Ameri-Corps, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service and leads the nation’s volunteer efforts for Patriot Day and the national 9-11 Day of Service and Remembrance Project.

About Easton EDC: The Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The EEDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet. www.DiscoverEaston.com

About the Talbot Chamber of Commerce: The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business for more than 600 members representing several thousand employees. The purpose of the Chamber is to promote, protect and preserve the free enterprise system of business and to advance the commercial, industrial, civic and general interests of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Talbot County and its trading area. Talbotchamber.org 

About the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services: The Talbot County Department of Emergency Services exists to provide premiere lifesaving services to the residents and visitors to Talbot County through emergency 9-1-1 telephone services, emergency medical services, and emergency preparedness and response coordination. TalbotDES.org

The Easton Economic Corporation announces its acquisition of the Discover Easton brand for marketing and promotional purposes. Discover Easton website, social media, and other assets will be used to promote businesses, events, and community engagement opportunities in the town of Easton, MD.

“This iconic, simple brand symbolizes Easton’s growth in a strong and powerful way,” remarked Holly DeKarske, Executive Director of Easton EDC. We are proud to represent the businesses and people in the greater Easton, MD area and look forward to working with all of our partners to socialize the logo and re-introduce our tourism brand to the greater region.”

Discover Easton’s assets include a highly recognizable logo, name, and strong association with the dynamic and growing small town in Talbot County, MD. Easton EDC has discontinued use of the Easton Downtown logo, website,  and the social media channels will be retired on January 31, 2023.

About Easton EDC: The Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The EEDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Deena D. Kilmon

Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Deena Deese Kilmon as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. This newly created position will unite the marketing, fundraising, and communication goals of the economic development organization that serves the greater Easton area. Kilmon will be responsible for developing the framework for the EEDC’s continued vision to encourage economic growth and vitality with the goal of supporting visitors, residents, and business owners.

Kilmon has had a successful career as a marketing and communications leader with broad experience dealing with all levels of sales, advertising, and brand management.  Since 2018, she has been Director of Engagement for The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, which serves Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore.  Prior to joining The Arc, Kilmon acted as the Special Projects Director for the EEDC and was the former owner of Foxy’s Harbor Grille.  Kilmon currently serves on the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Shore Leadership board and is an Easton Rotarian. She is a 2021 Leadership Maryland alumna and a graduate of The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

“Deena is deeply connected to the area and brings in years of expertise and experience bringing diverse partners to the table, creating innovative solutions and shared success for all involved,” said Holly DeKarske, EEDC’s Executive Director. “Her hire is a positive step forward, not only for the organization but for the community.”

Kilmon lives in Easton with her husband of 29 years, Steve Kilmon, a St. Michaels native. Their two daughters graduated from Easton high school and reside in Talbot County. They enjoy boating, kayaking, and exploring the region with their two labradors, Old Bay and Abby Wambach.

For more information on these and other upcoming downtown events, visit eastonedc.com, call (410) 690-7348, or find us on Facebook at ‘Easton Downtown.’

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The EEDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

Easton has an exciting and spooky lineup of events slated for the end of October that you need to know about!

SONOS, a musical ensemble, returns to the Academy Art Museum October 25^th with Tales for Halloween, a playful look at musicians and their interest in the supernatural. They will explore the aspects of “scary” music and the influence of literary and historical sources on the Gothic throughout their various concert experiences. On October 28^th at 6 p.m, author Maud Casey and Shore Lit founder Kerry Folan will have a conversation about Casey’s latest book, City of Incurable Women. The book, which contains period photographs and medical documents, reimagines the “hysterical” women of Paris’s famed nineteenth-century Salpêtrière mental asylum from their perspectives in shimmering, lyrical prose.

The Avalon Theater will begin its run of the play Stage Fright from October 26^th to October 30^th. Stage Fright is the story of Marguerite, the tragic showgirl and ghost of the Avalon. Follow her descent into madness as the twisted underworld of the theater swirls around her in this dark and thrilling tale of prohibition, love, grief, and ghosts. Audience members will be transported back to 1927 for an immersive experience that reveals a unique glimpse into what could have been. This show is for more mature audiences.

This photo was taken outside of the Waterfowl building last year during the Waterfowl Festival. It was taken with an employee’s cell phone.

Easton Economic Development Corporation and the Academy Art Museum are teaming up to host a free, family-friendly costume contest and an outdoor screening of Hocus Pocus on the Academy lawn. Everyone is encouraged to wear their spookiest, most creative Halloween costume to AAM and compete to win an Easton Downtown gift card. The contest will have four costume categories and one winner from each category: Best Adult Costume (13 and over), Best Youth Costume (12 and under), Scariest Costume (any age), Most Creative (any age), and Best Group Costume. The costume contest starts at 6 p.m., followed by the movie screening at 7:30 p.m. You may join all of the night’s events or just stop by for either portion. Bring your own chairs or blankets to watch the movie.

Tiger Lily Restaurant will celebrate its first anniversary on October 29^th with a pumpkin carving contest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a costume contest from 10 p.m. until 12 a.m. The carving contest will benefit the Talbot Humane Society, and all animals are welcome. Come back later that night for a dance party with a DJ and a costume contest. The contest winners will be announced at midnight.

The Talbot County Fair will begin on October 30^th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The family festival will be packed with vendors, games, costumed fun, and other fall activities for the entire family.

Join the fun at the 6th Annual Hummingbird Inn Halloween Costume Porch Party on October 31st from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The theme is the 1980’s, and they will have prizes from local businesses for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Bring candy to hand out to the trick-or-treaters, along with snacks (spooky theme encouraged) and your own beverages.

Don’t forget to stop at the Academy Art Museum on Halloween night for trick-or-treating!

In response to the events happening around town, Holly DeKarske, Executive Director of Easton Economic Development Corporation, said, “It’s great to see local businesses and organizations banding together to make this month something special. I am always excited for this time of year since Halloween brings out the fun and creative side of any community, and I can’t wait to see what ours has in store.”

For more information on these and other upcoming downtown events, visit eastonedc.com, call (410) 690-7348, or find us on Facebook at ‘Easton Downtown.’

Easton Economic Development Corporation was launched in 2013 to drive economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business creation in the historic Town of Easton, Maryland, to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The EEDC works to catalyze Greater Easton’s continued prosperity as a diverse and healthy “smart town,” leading innovation where the land and water meet.

With Fall finally here, the holidays are just around the corner.  Join us downtown for the Easton Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 3rd, at 6:30 pm.  Registration is open for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to sign up and be a part of this well-loved community tradition.  Registration is open until October 15^th unless it fills up before then.

The tree lighting at Thompson Park will start the evening at 6 pm, followed by the parade at 6:30 pm.  The parade route will run from Talbot Town, south on Harrison Street, loop on South Street, and head north on Washington Street, past our panel of judges at the courthouse.  Entries will be judged on Best Nonprofit, Best Business, and Best Marching Band.

Easton Utilities bucket truck in Holiday Parade.

Please sign up via our online form at www.EastonEDC.com under the Easton Downtown tab. Signups are first come, first served, limited, and fill up quickly.  We will create a waiting list once registration closes.

We need YOU to help make this parade a success! Needed are Staging Coordinators working with parade organizers to help direct and line up the participants (shifts 4-6:30 pm) and Logistics Attendants to help with crowd and traffic control at intersections (shifts 6-8:30 pm). Adult Volunteers Only! To sign up, send a message to info@eastonedc.com.