Talbot Hospice is pleased to announce its selection as one of three beneficiaries of the 2021 Hospice Cup Sailing Regatta to be held on September 18^th in Annapolis.

“We are thrilled to be part of the 2021 Hospice Cup and play a role in raising awareness and funds with other hospice programs across Maryland who share our mission,” said Mia Cranford, Talbot Hospice Development Director. “We appreciate the early support of our community in making this a successful event for Talbot Hospice as well as our colleagues on the Western Shore.”

Hospice Cup is America’s largest charity regatta in numbers and dollars and began in 1981 as an informal race among a small group of people interested in sailing and hospice care. Since then, the race has evolved into Hospice Cup, Inc – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of hospice care throughout the region.

This year Hospice Cup celebrates 40 years with a special focus on grief and bereavement services, which have become even more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic when loved ones are left behind to deal with the complex grief of not having the opportunity for traditional good-byes.

Often, these services are provided free-of-charge and support from the community is critical to providing this much-needed care.

Participating hospices use the Hospice Cup as a springboard to sign-on sponsors and donors to support their programs and services. All funds raised by each hospice are retained by that hospice and stay in their respective community. In addition to an individual hospice’s sponsorships, they also receive a portion of the proceeds of the overall Hospice Cup which are generated through sponsorships, race registration fees and event ticket sales.

To date, Talbot Hospice’s Hospice Cup Sponsors are Avon Dixon Insurance, Shore United Bank, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, Lane Engineering and Chuck Mangold, Realtor.

To learn more about registering for the race or signing on as Talbot Hospice sponsor, please visit www.talbothospice.org/events/hospice-cup or contact Mia Cranford, Development Director 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.

Talbot Hospice is pleased to announce the addition of Dina Daly, Cassandra Guy, Rodanthe Hanrahan, The Very Rev. James Nash and Debbie Walsworth to its Board of Directors. They each began their terms on July 1^st.

“Our patients, families and staff are grateful to Dina, Cassie, Rodanthe, Fr. Nash and Debbie for sharing their time and expertise to advance the work of Talbot Hospice in our community,” said Sheila Monahan, Talbot Hospice Board President. “As we emerge from COVID-19, they will play an instrumental in helping us re-connect with our friends and neighbors across the Mid-Shore and celebrate our 40^th anniversary.”

The Board of Directors works closely with Talbot Hospice’s leadership team to provide strategic guidance and support to the organization as it provides compassionate care, comfort and support to patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home on the Mid-Shore.

Dina Daly has recently become the Executive Director of B.A.A.M., Inc, a non-profit organization that serves African American boys in the Easton area.  She and her husband founded B.A.A.M., as well as a scholarship program for African American males attending a four-year college.  Dina has a Bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland.  Prior to accepting her current position, Dina was the Director of the Caroline County Department of Social Services.

Cassandra (Cassie) Guy has worked at Shore United bank for the past 25 years.  She is currently a Vice President and compliance officer.  She has a BA in Business Administration from University of Mary Washington.  She volunteers in local schools with the “Teach Children to Save” initiative, at the His Hope Haven homeless shelter and at Saints Peter and Paul.

Rodanthe Hanrahan enjoyed a career in energy development in the U.S. and China with the AES Corporation.  She has a BS in Energy Studies from Brown University and a MBA from Georgetown University.  She is an active volunteer in the community, having served many organizations, including The Country School, YMCA of the Chesapeake, Women and Girls Fund the Academy Art Museum.

The Very Reverend James Nash, V.F.  is currently the pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Easton.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from U. of Delaware and a Masters in Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary.  He also serves as part-time Catholic Chaplin at Nemours Hospital for Children in Wilmington.

Debbie Walsworth joins the board as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Debbie is the Managing Partner of the BSC Group – Certified Public Accountants. She is a graduate of Wilmington University and has her Master’s Degree in Taxation from the University of Baltimore. In addition to being a CPA, she is also a Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). She has been with BSC Group and its predecessors for over 30 years. She works with a diverse group of clients that include individuals, businesses, estates, and trusts. Debbie has volunteered with many boards and is currently a community member of Talbot Hospice, a member of Talbot County Economic Development Commission, and a Past-Chair of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Talbot Hospice thanks Ravens Roost 141 and Koons Toyota of Easton for their contributions to purchase a new Hoyer Lift for the Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House. Hoyer Lifts are used to safely lift and move patients who are no longer able to get in and out of bed on their own and are critical in hospice care facilities.

Members of the Ravens Roost 141 hosted a crab bushel raffle that raised more than $4,000 and Koons Toyota of Easton contributed $2,500.

Pictured from left to right are Christopher Chekouras, Victoria Billings, Erin Foster, Rob Blaschke, Melissa Mann, Ernest Beasley, Heather Bickling, Theresa French, JT Thompson, Colby Hall, Molly Kirsch and Dawn Ruby.

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.

Talbot Hospice has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland to present a three-part “Know Us Before You Need Us” virtual series about Alzheimer’s Disease and how Hospice and Palliative Care can help support Alzheimer’s patients as well as their caregivers.

“We are excited to be working with the local Alzheimer’s Association to reach families who are impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director. “Alzheimer’s affects the entire family, and our palliative and hospice care programs are a tremendous resource for patients and their caregivers. We hope these events are informative and introduce our community to the multi-faceted support system available to them at Talbot Hospice and beyond.”

The first event, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” was held in April and was attended by more than 30 participants. The discussion focused on the differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages, risk factors, research and FDA-approved treatments. Featured speakers included Lisa Rizia, RN from Talbot Hospice, and Nancy Rodriguez-Weller, RPh., FASC of UMES School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

The second event, “Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease,” will be held on Wednesday, May 19^th at 11:00am on Zoom. Learn about important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put estate and financial plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources in your community. Featured speakers include estate planning expert, Lee Gordon, partner at the Parker Counts law firm, and financial expert, Deborah H. Walsworth, CPA,  Managing Partner from BSC Group LLC.

The third and final event, “Self-Care & Communication Strategies for the Caregiver” will be held on Wednesday, June 16^th at 11:00am on Zoom. The discussion will focus on identifying resources and coping strategies that will support and sustain friends and family on their journey of serving as a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Featured speakers include Lindy Barton and Jody Gunn from Talbot Hospice’s Spiritual Team and Cynthia Prud’homme from the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter.

Videos from past events and registration information for the next two sessions are available at www.talbothospice.org/events/alzheimers-series/.

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.

As part Talbot Hospice’s year-long 40^th Anniversary celebration, thirty banners are currently displayed throughout downtown Easton. Each banner was sponsored by a member of the community to honor a loved one who was cared for by Talbot Hospice. There are also banners recognizing Talbot Hospice founders who have passed away.

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.

On January 22, 2021, Talbot Hospice gratefully received a check for $64,206 from the Friends of Hospice from their 35^th Annual Festival of Trees Event.  Festival of Trees leaders and volunteers overcame the challenges presented by COVID-19 and hosted another successful event to support Talbot Hospice and the patients and families it serves. Since its founding in 1986, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $3.5 million for Talbot Hospice.

Pictured are Dana McGrath, Midge Menzies, Leslie Ware, Chris Chekouras, Brenda Forbes Butler, Sheila Monahan and Mia Cranford.

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.

“Thanks to the amazing team at Talbot Hospice, my dad and I were able to be husband and daughter and not just caregivers to my mom.”

That’s the way Kelly Griffith described the care her mother, Nancy Nolan, received at The Eleanor K. Koons Hospice House during her final months of life. Kelly, who is Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, told how her mom came to Talbot Hospice and how she flourished there.

“We thought she had only a week to live when she came to Hospice on April 27, 2016, but she got better.” Her mother, Nancy, survived another four months until August 20th

When Nancy improved, Kelly and her dad, Jim Nolan, wondered if they had made a premature, wrong decision. Local physician Dr. Rob Sanchez told them her mom’s case was not unique. “We see a lot of patients get better when they come to Hospice.”

Nancy’s journey to Hospice was preceded by three bouts of breast cancer over nearly 20 years. Repeated radiation and chemotherapy had taken its toll. In December, 2015, she had experienced headaches and balance problems. By February, 2016, the cancer had spread to her brain and lungs. Nancy was too tired for more treatments. “The Lord is ready for me,” she said.

Kelly was driving 50 miles most nights to Dover, Delaware—where Nancy and Jim lived—to cook dinner, help care for her mom at night, then drive back the next morning to her demanding superintendent’s job in Easton.

Then, her dad, Jim fractured his back while helping Nancy get back to bed. Kelly knew it was time to do something different. After a fellow Rotary Club member shared that a room was available at Hospice House, Kelly made the call.

“My dad was impressed with the cleanliness, a private room and all the services,” Kelly said. The next day, Nancy moved in. “I knew it was the right decision.”

That began a four-month stay at The Eleanor A. Koons Hospice House. Jim moved in with Kelly and her husband, Barry, who at that time lived in Wye Mills, a lot closer than Dover. He would visit his wife every day at Hospice; then Kelly would come over for lunch and dinner and spend the evening. Jim and Nancy watched old movies together and he read from the Bible. An early riser, Jim sometime would come as early as 5:30 am. “Hospice House is always accessible,” Kelly noted. She recalled that her youngest son, Wyatt, often would work out at the YMCA but instead of doing an aerobic routine on the treadmill “he’d run over, all sweaty, to Hospice to visit his grandmother,” Kelly said. Her other two sons, Jake and Brady, also visited often.

“Mom enjoyed the activities here and most days would visit every room to see if they had gotten flowers,” Kelly recalled.

But most of all, Kelly said, the staff was wonderful. “They take care of their patients 24-7 so we can spend time quality time with our loved one.”

“The trained nurses, skilled aides and volunteers did everything—taking mom to the bathroom, dressing her, giving the family updates on her illness, counseling us and all the while showing great patience and love,”Kelly said.

“If mom wanted some pudding,” Kelly recalled, “the staff would go get it.”

Kelly said every one of the staff and volunteers was outstanding. Mary Jane Meintzer, registered nurse and quality improvement coordinator was great, she said. Rev. Gil Anderson, a volunteer, counseled her dad and helped him deal with the difficult situation, Kelly recalled.

During Nancy’s Hospice stay, she and Jim celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Two volunteers, Steve and Anne Slack, offered to cook the meal of her choice for the occasion. They also told Nancy she could invite four couples from Dover to join them, which they did. Nancy’s choice was clams linguini. “Red or white sauce?”  she was asked. “Red,” Nancy replied firmly. The night of the big dinner, Nancy had forgotten, and asked for white sauce. The Slacks provided both, and everyone had a little of both so they wouldn’t run out.

Kelly and her family, most of all her mom Nancy, felt very comfortable at Talbot Hospice. The staff arranged for musicians to come in and play in the hall for the patients. The rooms and halls were decorated with colorful artwork, some of it donated by art teachers and their students from the local public schools. “Mom really enjoyed the artwork, which brightened up the space.”

“This is a classy place,” Kelly said. “Even the meals are served on china every night. They help our loved ones to die with dignity.”

By Jack Batty

Jack Batty is a member of the Board of Directors of Talbot Hospice

Note: Talbot Hospice cared for Nancy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire team at Talbot Hospice has continued to provide the best possible care for all of their patients and families, however some of the activities mentioned in this story aren’t currently available due to COVID-19 guidelines.