MENU

Sections

More

November 17, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

5 News Notes

Festival of Trees Update

by

Calling all crafty decorators! Karla Wieland-Cherry (left) and Maire McCardle need you. Karla is the chairman of the 38th Annual Festival of Trees, presented by Friends of Hospice to benefit Talbot Hospice, and Maire is chairman of large tree decorators. Bring a favorite Christmas carol to life by decorating a tree in the Gold Ballroom of The Tidewater Inn during the Festival of Trees on November 25 through 28. Thanks goes to Chesapeake Blooms for the festive tree decorations, shown here.

Poinsettia co-chairmen Julie Andrew (left) and Leah Copper are ready to receive poinsettia order forms in memory of or in honor of a loved one or friend. Every November since 1984, Festival of Trees has been a festive occasion hosted by Friends of Hospice to raise critical funds for Talbot Hospice. As Christmas is a season for remembering, there will again be an opportunity for friends and family to remember their loved ones in a very special way by purchasing a poinsettia. The name of someone dear is placed on a Memory Scroll next to a stunning 12-foot poinsettia “tree” during the Festival of Trees in the Gold Ballroom at The Tidewater Inn in Easton. This year from November 25 through 28, the tree will be on display along with 100 beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Each poinsettia plant may then be picked up on November 29 from 9 and 11 a.m. to enjoy during the holiday season. Any not picked up will be donated to Hospice House and delivered to hospice patients. The poinsettias this year will be a variety of white, red, and pink, creating a Victorian setting in keeping with this year’s theme, “Caroling, Caroling through the Town.” Poinsettias may be purchased online at www.festival-of-trees.org by November 10.

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

Festival of Trees Planning Under Way

by

Planning is well under way for the 38th Festival of Trees as committee members met recently to discuss poinsettias, Christmas trees, ticket sales, decorations, permits, and much more. This year’s theme, “Caroling, Caroling Through the Town,” will be held November 25 through 28.

Festival of Trees is the largest fundraiser for Friends of Hospice to benefit Talbot Hospice. To get involved in any capacity, big or small, contact Festival of Trees Chairman Karla Wieland-Cherry at [email protected] or 410-310-8421. Prefer to help by way of a sponsorship? Visit www.festival-of-trees.org to learn more.

Stephen Walker, this year’s featured artist for the 38th Festival of Trees, loosely sketches ideas and motifs to represent the Victorian-style theme “Caroling, Caroling through the Town,” in his Easton studio. Stephen will debut his artwork soon.

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

FOH Makes Record-Breaking Donation to Talbot Hospice

by

The Friends of Hospice recently donated $169,000 to Talbot Hospice from Winter Festival, its series of fall fundraisers that included Pump It Up for Hospice, Santa 5K Fun Run, 37th Annual Festival of Trees, Carols by Candlelight, and Holiday House Tour. Since its creation in 1986, Friends of Hospice has raised more than $3 million for Talbot Hospice.

The donation, the largest ever raised by the annual events, was made possible by the passionate group of volunteers, said Friends of Hospice (FOH) chairman John Horner. As committee members gathered for a group photo, John wanted “to enjoy this wonderful moment of support for Talbot Hospice as a group. This wonderful donation happened because of you.”

John Horner (left), board vice president of the Friends of Hospice, Brenda Forbes-Butler, board president of FOH, Mia Cranford, Talbot Hospice Director of Development, and Christopher A. Chekouras, Executive Director of Talbot Hospice.

John took a moment to thank the volunteers attending the check presentation ceremony and exclaimed how it was “an amazing journey to work on five special events with the group who made it all possible.”

Work is already under way to organize for the events in 2023. Anyone interested in working on a committee or serving as a chairman may contact Karla Wieland-Cherry, Festival of Trees chairman, at [email protected]. For more information about Talbot Hospice, visit www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its Pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. The mission of the Friends of Hospice, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is to raise funds for the Talbot Hospice Foundation through the annual Festival of Trees and related events.

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

Friends of Hospice, Talbot Hospice Announce Stronger Partnership Ahead of this Year’s Series of Events, “Winter Festival 2022”

by

Friends of Hospice and Talbot Hospice are excited to announce that they are collaborating to present Winter Festival 2022 to the Mid-Shore Community.

“Talbot Hospice is deeply grateful to the organizers, donors, and volunteers of the Annual Festival of Trees for 35 years supporting the patients and families we serve,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director.

“We are especially thankful for the event founders, Leslie Ware and Midge Menzies, who imagined an event that has grown into a beloved holiday tradition in our community,” said Brenda Forbes Butler, Friends of Hospice Board President. “Thanks to their efforts and those of countless volunteers, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $3 million to support the mission of Friends of Hospice, with $97,000 raised in 2021 alone. They deserve a well-earned retirement as co-chairs, and we are excited to continue our working relationship with Talbot Hospice with this annual program of events.”

The Festival of Trees will continue to be a marquee event at the Tidewater Inn and will be part of a series of six events beginning in October.

For the first time, the event will be co-chaired by a representative from both Friends of Hospice and Talbot Hospice. The 2022 Chairs are John Horner, Vice President of the Board for Friends of Hospice and Mia Cranford, Talbot Hospice Development Director.

Together with the planning committee, they have chosen to present “Winter Festival 2022” to better reflect the multiple events that take place during the Festival. The Festival of Trees will continue to be a marquee event at the Tidewater Inn and will be part of a series of six events beginning in October.

The 2022 Winter Festival theme is “Joy Around the World,” and community members are encouraged to save the dates for the following events:

  • Pump it up for Hospice (most recently known as “The Drag Race”)on October 15th
  • Santa Fun Run 5K on November 19th
  • The Festival of Trees on November 26th – 29th with preview party on November 25th
  • Carols by Candlelight on November 26th
  • Holiday House Tours. Date TBD.
  • The NEW Denim and Diamonds Winter Party on December 3rd.

Plans are underway, and new and returning volunteers and sponsors are always welcome. For more information, please contact Mia Cranford at [email protected] or John Horner at [email protected].

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

About Friends of Hospice

The mission of the Friends of Hospice, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is to raise funds for the Talbot Hospice Foundation through the annual Festival of Trees.

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

Santa’s 5K Fun Run for Hospice

by

Alisha Saulsbury has been involved with the Festival of Trees for over 20 years. As a dedicated runner, Alisha thought it would be a nice addition to the festival to include a family-friendly 5K Fun Run as another way to raise funds for Talbot Hospice, which provides end-of-life services and support to those who face challenging times.

Santa’s 5K Fun Run for Hospice was started several years ago. In 2020, it was a virtual event during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Run and Walk family event, organized by Alisha and her daughter, Karli Saulsbury, will take place on Saturday, December 11 with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. in Easton’s Idlewild Park. The runners/walkers will take off at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $35 for each participant. Runners will be timed, and awards will be presented for top male and female in different age groups. The start and end point will be Idlewild Park and runners/walkers will go down Rails to Trails for the 5K course.

The event sponsors this year include Easton Dairy Queen, The Bed and Biscuit, P.E.Moore and Sons Construction, Ludwig J. Eglseder, MD, Richard Phillips State Farm Insurance and Building Bridges Pediatric Therapy Services.

Put on your warmest and most colorful Christmas attire and join the Santa Run to raise money for Talbot Hospice on December 11. Visit www.festival-of-trees.org, click on the link https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Easton?SantaFunRun5KforHospice or call 443-786-0847 for more information.

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

Festival of Trees Donations

by

Festival of TreesThe Soroptimist International of Kent & Queen Anne’s Counties hosted The Festival of Trees at the First United Methodist Church on December 6-8.  Members donated gifts to a mother of 3 affected by family violence.  We have worked with Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence to help make the holidays brighter and providing clothing as well as toys.  If you are interested in learning more about our organization call Connie at 410-708-5352.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here. 

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