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November 26, 2022

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

News News Notes

Talbot County DSS Hosts Thanks for Giving Event in Recognition of National Adoption Month

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Last year, over 114,000 children and youth were waiting to be adopted and at risk of aging out of foster care without permanent family connections across the United States. This year, in recognition of National Adoption Month, the Talbot County Department of Social Services hosted a “Thanks for Giving” event in Easton in appreciation of the foster and adoptive parents in Talbot County who have stepped up and taken a role in the lives of youth who need permanent family connections.

According to the Children’s Bureau (childwelfare.gov), older children are at greater risk for aging out of foster care without permanent family connections. More than one in five children waiting to be adopted are teens. National Adoption Month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau that seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement.

Pictured left to right are Linda Webb, Director of Talbot County Department of Social Services (TCDSS); Chrissy Montague. Coordinator, Option Respite & Parent Education for TCDSS; Debbe Fairbank, Director of Adult Services, TCDSS; and participants Emily Dutt, Dan Zollinhofer, Sue Zollinhofer, Jeanne Scharf, Daisy Scharf, and Leslie Scharf.

Twelve area families participated in the “Thanks for Giving” event which included a fall family craft, outdoor games, and cupcakes and cider. Each family also took home a Thanksgiving meal.

“Our foster and adoptive parents are amazing. They step up in so many ways when we need them and this was one of the ways of saying thank you for their dedication and service,” comments Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator, TCDSS.

“We continue to need more foster and adoptive parents to help meet the needs of children of all ages, most recently including infants and school-aged children. We also get requests from time to time for sibling groups and older teens who are aging out of foster care soon and need guidance in transitioning into adulthood. Our goal is to find the right family for each situation.”

For further information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call the Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371 or visit midshoreresourceparents.com.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono Announces Sandy Brown Public Interest Fall Interns

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Mid-Shore Pro Bono has named Katrina Hibdon of Dunkirk, Md., and Emily Marshall of East New Market, Md. as the nonprofit’s 2022 Sandy Brown Public Interest fall interns.

The paid internship program was established to honor MSPB’s previous executive director Sandy Brown—who stepped down in Dec. 2021—and is supported by the Rural Maryland Council and the Maryland Bar Foundation. The donor-funded program provides undergraduate and law school students with a stipend while learning in the areas of public interest law, non-profit management, community service, and basic work experience.

Katrina Hibdon

Katrina Hibdon is in her final year at Salisbury University pursuing bachelor of arts degrees in political science and history, with a minor in economics. Hibdon consistently has earned placement on the Dean’s List since 2019 and is a recipient of numerous scholarships.

She has served in several leadership positions, including as Salisbury University’s SGA Chief Justice and Academic Chair of the Panhellenic Council. Hibdon is a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Salisbury University’s Student Government Association, National Panhellenic Conference, Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, and Phi Alpha Theta.

“Mid-Shore Pro Bono has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of the legal process and community,” says Hibdon. “The care that goes into the community from this organization is unrivaled and I am grateful to be part of a team as supportive as this one. This internship has given me more reasons and more motivation to continue in the field of law.”

Emily Marshall

Emily Marshall received her bachelor of arts in philosophy from Salisbury University with a minor in psychology and cognitive science. Her academic honors include placement on the Dean’s List and as a 2021 Regional Ethics Bowl Researcher and 2022 National Ethics Bowl Researcher.

Marshall is the recipient of numerous scholarships and has served as Senator, Deputy Director, and Director with Salisbury University’s Student Government Association. Her volunteer work includes serving as a zone leader with Big Event, and in other roles with Halo Ministry and the Salisbury Zoo.

“The Sandy Brown Public Interest Internship with Mid-Shore Pro Bono has provided me the opportunity to step foot in a courtroom and observe the enormous impact of pro bono involvement,” said Marshall. “This experience has helped me discover my commitment to practicing law.”

“We’re honored to have Katrina and Emily interning and learning about civil justice with us,” said Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Meredith Lathbury Girard. “We’re also grateful to the donors to our Sandy Brown Public Interest Internship fund so that we can provide a stipend to our interns.”

Girard says the nonprofit is uniquely positioned to expose students who are interested in the practice of law, social work, and public interest work through hands-on experiences working with rural populations lacking access to the legal system.

“This program engages students in a wide range of legal-related hands-on experiences in a high quality and well-supervised professional setting,” she says. “This is a perfect opportunity for students in law school, graduate and undergraduate programs who are interested in social justice, nonprofit management, social work, and other civic-minded careers.”

Mid-Shore Pro Bono delivers a mission of helping Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents obtain access to legal assistance through a network of volunteers, with offices in Easton and Salisbury. Donations to the Sandy Brown Public Interest Internship Fund can be made online using the donate button at www.midshoreprobono.org.

Business and Professional Women of Maryland Honor Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons

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Beth Anne Dorman

The Business and Professional Women of Maryland (BPWM/MD) recently honored Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons during National Business Women’s Week as Maryland’s 2022 Woman of Achievement. The organization honors and recognizes women who are making invaluable contributions to women and their communities.

“Beth Anne Dorman’s exceptional leadership of For All Seasons has developed a critical lifeline for over 200,000 rural Marylanders. She has been instrumental in establishing For All Seasons as a trauma center of excellence, becoming one of the region’s largest employers, as well as expanding operations to include mental healthcare for youth and adults throughout the region. She launched telehealth during the COVID pandemic and is a leader shaping the administration and funding of mental health and victim services throughout Maryland,” BPWM/MD said.

Dorman also provides vital leadership on multiple statewide Boards and Commissions, serving as a Commissioner on the Maryland Commission for Women, as the Chair of the Board for the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and as a board member for Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. In 2016, she co-authored a bill, along with Maryland Delegate Jeff Ghrist, to decrease barriers to care that was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.

“I am blessed to do what I love and work with an incredible team, and I am honored to be recognized by the Business Professional Women of Maryland. So many women step up every day to make Maryland a healthier and safer place, so to be included in this recognition is very meaningful to me personally,” states Dorman.

St. Michaels Community Center Renovations Begin

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After a highly-competitive process, the St. Michaels Community Center has selected Harper & Sons, of Easton, Md. as the general contractor for the renovation of the nonprofit’s WWII-era building at 103 Railroad Ave., with the project kicking off Mon., Nov. 21.

“We are extremely pleased with how Harper & Sons has approached this project so far, and we can’t wait to get started on construction,” said SMCC Advisory Board President Langley Shook. “They have an impressive track record with successful commercial projects in St. Michaels and throughout the Eastern Shore,” adding “we have been very impressed with their work and what we have heard from their other clients.”

From left: Harper & Sons Vice President Benson Harper and St. Michaels Community Center Advisory Board President Langley Shook at the nonprofit’s WWII-era building at 103 Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels, Md.

Harper & Sons, Inc. was founded in 1968 by Howard G. Harper in Easton, Md. after his work as a general manager for the ES Adkins Company Lumberyard in Easton. He started the business as a way for him and his sons to meet the construction needs of the rapidly developing Eastern Shore.

Today, Harper & Sons is managed by the third generation of family members, with project experience that includes working with the Town of St. Michaels, Caroline County, Easton Utilities Commission, Choptank Community Health System, University of Maryland Medical System, Salisbury University, Compass Hospice, and more.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this meaningful project for St. Michaels and the entire Bay Hundred region,” says Harper & Sons Vice President Benson Harper. “We look forward to overseeing the project—as our top management does on all of our projects—to ensure a high level of responsibility and personal attention to critical details throughout the renovation process.”

The Community Center’s renovated building will be an adaptive redesign of its current structure, meaning some parts of the World War II-era building will remain. The architect for the project is McInturff Architects of Bethesda and Neavitt, Md.

Founded in 1990, SMCC purchased its current building in 2015 and has since made do with the converted lumber storage warehouse’s crudely constructed interior that lacks windows, heat or air conditioning in most of the building. Disability access also has been a major issue.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s renovated building will be an adaptive redesign of its current structure, meaning some parts of the World War II-era building will remain.

“Our building’s primary asset is its location in the commercial district, near the people we serve,” says St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Patrick Rofe. “This long-awaited renovation will make the St. Michaels Community Center the only fully-equipped resource center for social services on the Bay Hundred peninsula,” he added.

The new building will include a modern, well-equipped commercial kitchen, where SMCC will train people for jobs in restaurants and hotels, and from which the Center can continue to serve and deliver prepared meals and tens of thousands of bags of groceries to those in need.

The new Community Center also will include a Technology Center where students can do their homework and space for after-school programs and community gatherings. Rofe says the Center is working with Chesapeake College and other partners to provide high-level instruction right in the middle of town.

Support for the renovation is both broad and deep, reflecting the urgency of the need. Charitable contributions from individuals have been the largest source of funding, with more than $1M from the State of Maryland, and other government and foundation support. Shook says most of the necessary funding already has been raised, and there is a 100% donor match for additional tax-deductible gifts to the capital campaign before year-end, 2022.

Architectural renderings of the new building and more about SMCC’s planned capital improvements, including updates and information about how to support the campaign are at www.stmichaelscc.org/future.

“The excitement is really growing,” says Rofe, adding that “We’ve packed up our programs and administrative operations to prepare for the renovations, thanks in part to a number of volunteers who assisted with the efforts.”

Christ Church, St. Michaels generously has donated office space in its Parish Hall, located at the intersection of Church Street and Willow Street. The Center’s food services and other programs will be moved throughout the renovation to 207 N. Talbot St., next door to The Wildset Hotel.

Founded in 1990, SMCC purchased its current building in 2015 and has since made do with the converted lumber storage warehouse’s crudely constructed interior that lacks windows, heat or air conditioning in most of the building.

Both temporary locations are close toSMCC’sbuilding, and there will be only minimal disruptions to client services during the building renovation. The Center anticipates operating from its two temporary locations until the end of next year when the renovation project is expected to be completed.

The renovation will not impact SMCC’s Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Avenue, which will be open throughout the project.

The St. Michaels Community Center’s mission is to serve, empower, and connect the community, with year-round essential human services programs and activities for children, families, and adults. Tax-deductible donations to SMCC and proceeds from its Treasure Cove Thrift Shop on Railroad Ave. in St. Michaels help the nonprofit provide year-round programs, services, and community events for people in St. Michaels and the Bay Hundred’s communities.

Chesapeake Forum Announces Two New Board Members

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Chesapeake Forum is delighted to announce the addition of Sara Robins and Bruce Purdy to the Chesapeake Forum Board of Directors. The two join a dynamic board dedicated to helping guide Chesapeake Forum’s future, according to Board President Lynn Randle.

“Both bring exceptional talents to our Board and we can’t be happier to include them as Chesapeake Forum continues its growth in the community,” says Randle.

Bruce Purdy

Purdy has more than 45 years of international socio-economic development experience working directly with Ministers, Mayors, City Councils, and public policy officials to conduct legislative and local government reform initiatives primarily in the Middle East and Eastern and Central Europe.  Post graduate work was in strategic planning and organizational management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

He brings a life-long passion for learning and education to the Board along with creativity, adaptability, visionary leadership and a whole lot of perseverance.

“Quite simply, I am in complete alignment with the mission of Chesapeake Forum,” says Purdy.  “Talbot County is my home and being on this Board allows me to enhance the quality of life of my fellow citizens, positively affect change and support an organization that I am truly passionate about. It also affords me the opportunity to stretch my intellectual muscle. On a more personal note, I also hope to meet some interesting people (of which there’s no shortage in Talbot County!) who will add to my quality of life here on the Eastern Shore.”

Sara Robins

Robins is a communications professional with a lengthy career in print and broadcast journalism before turning to the then-new field of interactive development and digital marketing. After working for a variety of news organizations including CBS, ABC, the New York Times and Newsday, she joined the leadership team of one of the first digital agencies in the country, helping to pioneer the use of online marketing and communications strategies for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and startups.

Her passion for education started with her uncle who developed educational programs in Africa.  She has a Master’s degree in International Development and recently served as the Communications Director for a non-profit that provides scholarships and training for very bright, indigent students in Kenya.

She looks forward to finding creative ways to spread the news about Chesapeake Forum. “I’m excited to join this dynamic board to find ways to expand the reach and impact of Chesapeake Forum,” Robins says.  “It’s an extraordinary resource and offers so much to enhance life for Eastern Shore residents.”

Board President Lynn Randle says the two new board members bring a new perspective that will help widen Chesapeake Forum’s reach and sphere of influence on the Eastern Shore.

“We are beyond enthusiastic for the energy, enthusiasm and talents they bring to us,” she said.  “We feel lucky to welcome them on our mission of building lifelong learning on the Eastern Shore!”

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities to residents of the Eastern Shore.  If you would like to receive the Chesapeake Forum’s monthly newsletter, please email to info@chesapeakeforum.org with your name and preferred email.

Bookplate Holds Dickens of a Christmas Readings at Zelda’s

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On Saturday, December 3rd at 11am, all are invited to meet local author Lucy Maddox as she signs copies of and discusses her book, “The Parker Sisters: A Border Kidnapping” upstairs at Zelda’s on Cross Street. This event is hosted by The Bookplate as part of the Dickens of a Christmas holiday weekend festival. The back room of The Bookplate has been expanded during the pandemic to include a larger selection of titles, so events such as the popular Authors and Oysters series, are often held off-site.

The Parker Sisters is a nonfiction exploration of the 1851 kidnapping of two free black sisters from Chester County, PA,  just above the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line. 

Lucy Maddox is Professor Emerita of English and American Studies at Georgetown University. She is the author of several books including The People of Rose Hill: Black and White Life on a Maryland Plantation, Nabokov’s Novels in English, Removals: Nineteenth-Century American Literature & the Politics of Indian Affairs, Citizen Indians: Native American Intellectuals, Race & Reform. She lives with her husband in Chestertown. 

“The Parker Sisters impresses by the breadth and depth of the impeccable research as well as by its engaging, at times genuinely suspenseful writing. The brisk narrative of the kidnapping of two free black sisters across the Mason-Dixon Line comes to life here. Maddox is a skillful historian who enters a single case so fully that the Fugitive Slave Act becomes understandable in a very direct way. This is an outstanding book.” – Werner Sollors, Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Research Professor of English Literature, Harvard University

Then at 2pm on the same day, join us back at Zelda’s to meet NPR’s Maureen Corrigan as she discusses her book, So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came To Be And Why It Endures. Corrigan’s book asks us; how well do we really know The Great Gatsby? While Fitzgerald’s masterpiece may be one of the most popular novels in America, many of us first read it when we were too young to fully comprehend its power. Offering a fresh perspective on what makes Gatsby great — and utterly unusual — So We Read On takes us into archives, high school classrooms, and even out onto the Long Island Sound to explore the novel’s hidden depths, a journey whose revelations include Gatsby ‘s surprising debt to hard-boiled crime fiction, its rocky path to recognition as a “classic,” and its profound commentaries on the national themes of race, class, and gender. (And we can’t think of a more appropriate location to discuss this book than at Zelda’s!)

Maureen Corrigan is the book critic for NPR’s Fresh Air and the author of Leave Me Alone, I’m Reading. Winner of an Edgar Award for criticism, she has written essays and reviews for many publications. She teaches literature at Georgetown University, where she is the critic in residence, and lives with her husband and daughter in Washington, D.C.

“Maureen Corrigan has produced a minor miracle: a book about The Great Gatsby that stands up to Gatsby itself.” -Michael Cunningham, author of The Snow Queen

For more event details contact The Bookplate at 410-778-4167 or contact@thebookplate.net. This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. Zelda’s Speakeasy is located at 108 S. Cross Street, in Chestertown, Maryland. The Bookplate will continue its popular Authors & Oysters series at The Retriever Bar on 12/7 with Doug Richardson and his thriller, “Down Wind and Out of Sight”.

Talbot Family Network and Academy Art Museum Partner for Conversation on Race

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Talbot Family Network is collaborating with the Academy Art Museum for the upcoming session of Conversations on Race, a program that brings together interested community members for thoughtful and productive dialogue about the impact of race on their lives and in our community. Each monthly session has a new theme, allowing first time and returning participants to take part in the facilitated discussion.  For the Thursday, December 1, 2022 session, art will be used as a lens through which participants can explore and share their perspectives and experiences.

“This is a community of practice project,” explains Nancy Andrew, Talbot Family Network executive director. “Communities of practice are about groups of people who share a concern or passion for something learning how to do it better by interacting together. The aim is to support collective learning by practicing how to talk about race in ways that are respectful and useful.”

Conversations on Race is open to any interested community member. Sessions run from 5:30-7:30pm with a light meal and refreshments provided. Advance registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/CORDec2022 or by emailing director@talbotfamilynetwork.org. The Academy Art Museum is located at 106 South Street in Easton.

“We’re honored to partner with the Talbot Family Network on their important and necessary initiative Conversations on Race,” says Academy Art Museum director Sarah Jesse.“There are so few public spaces where diverse groups of people can engage in productive civic dialogue. The Academy Art Museum is one of them.” Session participants will discover how looking closely and critically at contemporary art can foster reflection, shift perceptions, and humanize difference.

Talbot Family Network is the Local Management Board (LMB) for Talbot County. LMBs are community-based organizations serving all 23 counties in Maryland, and Baltimore City, focused on improving outcomes for Maryland’s children and their families. They were created to promote improved, coordinated local decision-making that focuses on results and accountability. The premise was, and continues to be, that health, education, economic, and social outcomes are more likely to be improved if decisions about programs and strategies are made by local jurisdictions with the funding, support, guidelines, and accountability managed by the State. In 2021, under Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Children’s Cabinet directed LMBs to address racial and ethnic disparities in all of their programs and to incorporate into their collective work strategies that create more racially equitable organizations and partnerships.

For more information about Talbot Family Network, visit https://healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.

Choptank Health Launches “Ask a Provider” Video Series

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Choptank Community Health System has launched an “Ask a Provider” video series in partnership with the Avalon Foundation to provide educational resources and advice from physicians and advanced practice providers.

“We want to continue empowering more people to take control of their own health,” says Choptank Health Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Megan Wojtko, DNP, MBA, FNP-BC. “This series addresses the concerns we hear most often in our offices while helping to provide essential information for the community at large.”

In the most recent episode of the series, Avalon host Jessica Bellis interviews Wotjko to discuss the best ways to stay well this holiday season, including protecting individuals and children from viruses like influenza and RSV.

Other topics covered in the series include the importance of taking care of your mental health and childhood immunizations.

“Accessibility to health care is at the core of our mission,” says Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. “Our continued partnership with the Avalon Foundation is an important component of expanding our mission, and we’re grateful for their help in producing this series.”

“This partnership is an important part of the Avalon’s work in fostering a strong community on the Eastern Shore,” says Avalon Foundation COO/CFO Jessica Bellis. “Sharing this information through video brings reliable, trustworthy medical advice for more people to count on throughout the Mid-Shore”

Choptank Health began partnering with the Avalon Foundation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with numerous outreach efforts, including producing a series of videos addressing COVID-19 concerns. Choptank Health also worked with the Avalon to host vaccination clinics at the 2021 Chesapeake Multicultural Festival and Easton Carnival and continues with fresh produce prescriptions for local students at the Easton Farmer’s Market and through Caroline County Public Schools this past summer.

The video series can be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/MidshoreCommunityTelevision.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties to more than 30,000 adults and children, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all. Choptank Community Health’s medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients now being accepted. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Brings “Holiday Joy” to Its Audiences

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Rochelle Bard

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra once again ushers in the Christmas and Holiday Season with its annual “Holiday Joy” concert. This year the much-anticipated event features Soprano Rochelle Bard in carols, arias, and other songs of the season.

“We are pleased to be able to showcase the wonderful soprano Rochelle Bard at this year’s Holiday Joy concerts,” said MSO General Manager Dane Krich. “This is always such a special and joyous occasion for both our audience and the MSO Board, staff, and musicians. This concert continues to be the most popular concert of the year, inspiring our audiences and filling them with the joy of the holiday season.”

Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride — a “Holiday Joy” tradition with its sleigh bells and horse whinnies – once again opens the program. The concert continues with selections from around the world through several centuries of music with traditional carols, music of more recent vintage, opera arias, and salutes to some of our many holiday traditions.

Concertgoers at the Chesapeake College and Ocean City events are invited to special events at those two locations. The Atrium at Chesapeake College will be the site for pre-concert cocktails and a post-concert dinner. The Ocean City event will be a post-concert event with heavy hors d’oeuvres and other surprises. Separate tickets are required for these events and are available on the MSO’s website (www.midatlanticsymphony.org).

A note on the guest artist: Soprano Rochelle Bard has been described by critics as an ‘exquisite’ and ‘poignant’ singing actress. Ms. Bard earned a Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from her alma mater, The College of the Holy Cross. With a focus on bel canto and Verdi roles, she has been a soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Hartford Symphony, Tanglewood, and with Opera Orchestra of New York and the MidAtlantic Opera at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

…CONCERT DETAILS FOLLOW…

WHEN and WHERE: This concert will be performed at three venues on three days on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Thursday, December 1, 2022 – 7:00 PM – Chesapeake College’s Todd Performing Arts Center, Wye Mills, Maryland

Saturday, December 3, 7:00 PM – Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes, Delaware.

Sunday, December 4, 3:00 PM – Performing Arts Center, Ocean City, MD.

TICKETS

Individual tickets for this concert are $55 per person at each venue and are available at midatlanticsymphony.org/tickets. Tickets for the additional events at Chesapeake College and at Ocean City are also available at that Web site.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony offers a group discount for the purchase of 10 or more tickets to a single concert. The Orchestra also makes a limited number of free tickets available for students 18 years and under; tickets for accompanying parents are $10 each. Reservations are required for the free tickets and may be made by calling 888-846-8600.

PODCASTS

Podcasts for the season preview, previews of each concert, and for special MSO events are available on the MSO Web site at midatlanticsymphony.org. Podcasts are posted on the site approximately 7 to 10 days before a concert or event.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the 2022-2023 season, or to order tickets, please visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org. Tickets may be ordered by telephone at 888-846-8600.

ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council; the Talbot County Arts Council; the Worcester County Arts Council; the Sussex County, Delaware Council; and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2022-2023 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, venues, times, and other information is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org

First Night Talbot 2023… Back in the Heart of Historic Downtown Easton!

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This will be the 29th consecutive year for First Night Talbot to present this Celebration of the Arts, based upon the original First Night held in Boston in 1974. First Night Talbot follows that original aim – an alcohol and drug-free new family tradition to welcome the New Year. The event has been the only First Night celebration in the state of Maryland for a number of years and we are excited to ring in the New Year on December 31, live and in-person, in downtown Easton, MD.

There will be family-friendly performances throughout the evening in five indoor venues in downtown Easton: The Avalon main stage, Stoltz Room, Town Hall, the Waterfowl building, and Academy Art Museum. Outside the Waterfowl Building, on South Harrison Street, will be the site of two Maryland Crab Drops. The early Crab Drop takes place at 9 p.m. for early birds, and then we ring in the New Year with a traditional countdown at midnight.

Cascading Carlos juggles with families at the Waterfowl Building and juggles fire during the Crab Drop – Photo Credit Ted Mueller Photography

Enjoy music of all varieties between 6 p.m. and midnight: folk, jazz and gospel, choral, and the youth from Mike Elzey’s Guitar Studio. Also featured: Mid Shore Dance Academy; Eric Henning, Magician performing for young families as well as the adults; a very unique form of puppetry (a big surprise announcement coming soon!), and breaking news of a local movie to be filmed next year in this area.

Cherished favorites return to the Waterfowl venue: face painting, family activities, photo booth, and crafts. Cascading Carlos juggles and teaches kids how to spin plates and become the next world-record breaking performer. Carlos will even juggle with fire outside near the crab drop – if the weather cooperates.  Danielle’s Pit Stop food truck will be available nearby for a quick bite and refreshments.

Highlighting the closing of the young families’ portion of the evening, the Maryland Crab Drop includes a Parade of Sea Creatures. Celebrate Midnight in the Mid-Atlantic with fish hats and aquatic puppets, fun for ages 1-100. Everyone’s favorite bagpiper, Randy Welch, will lead the fish-themed parade. There is always plenty of time left for photo ops of happy faces in front of the world-famous Crab. (Academy Art Museum, Waterfowl & Town Hall will close at 9pm)

Easton Economic Development Corporation continues adult programming from 9:30 – 11:45 p.m. with two very special musical performances on the Avalon stage. The first hour features the Karen Somerville Quintet – a wonderful mix of “her vocal stylings that range from angelic tones to soul stirring gospel, and moody blues.” The last hour will find the stage filled with an amazing “Scandinavian Celebration” –an incredible way to welcome the New Year.

Randy Welch will lead the fish-themed parade leading up the Crab Drop – Credit Ted Mueller Photography

The complete list of performances by time and venue will be published by mid-December. Admission into every event venue for the entire evening can be made by purchasing an artful, collectible “Crab Button” for $10/adult, $5/student (through college), and children under 5 are free. Buttons will be available for purchase in advance in early December. Visit FirstNightTalbot.net to learn more as we get closer to the event date. Follow us on Facebook @FirstNightTalbot for the latest updates and button sales information.

First Night Talbot has been very generously supported by the Town of Easton and Easton Utilities Commission for many years, and now we are pleased to partner with Easton Economic Development Corporation to strengthen and secure the continuation of this unique community, family-friendly event far into the future!