Look What’s Coming up at Chesapeake Forum this September

Chesapeake Forum goes airborne this fall with rockets, birds and butterflies all on the schedule.  Classes begin September 4. Registration opens August 21. Here’s a peak at what’s up the first two weeks. You can find more details at https://chesapeakeforum.org.

Since 2001, Poplar Island has grown into an important stopover for more than 260 identified species of birds and nesting habitat for 38 of them including the Bald Eagle, Osprey, Short-eared Owl, American Oystercatcher, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret, Least Tern, and Common Tern.  Learn about Poplar Island’s history and its success in Autumn Birds of Poplar Island, two (2) sessions, Weds., Sept. 4, 10:30 AM – 12 Noon.  HYBRID (in-person at the Easton Family YMCA, via ZOOM or recording) and Sept. 11 9 AM – 12 Noon, FIELD TRIP to Poplar Island from Tilghman Island dock. $30.  Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

Raymond Vergne, MD is back for a deep dive into the circumstances, attitudes and events leading up to the succession of Confederate States in 1860-61. The Winter of our Discontent is not a discussion of the Civil War or Slavery.  It will focus on the process of succession and how this came to happen in our young republic. The Winter of Our Discontent: Secession & Disunion is six (6) sessions, Tues., Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15 from 10:30 AM – 12 Noon. HYBRID (in-person at the Easton Family YMCA, via ZOOM, or recording). $60. Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

One surprising factor in the Civil War was the role of the US Navy played under the leadership of Navy Secretary Gideon Welles.  Find out how Sec. Welles’ decisions helped shaped the beginning of the modern Navy and had an important impact on the Civil War. US Navy in the Civil War is three (3) sessions, Tues., Sept. 10, 17, 24 from 1:30 – 3:00 PM. HYBRID (in-person at the Easton Family YMCA, via ZOOM, or recording). $40. Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

Join us at Phillips Wharf Environment Center in Easton for the story of the Blue Crab.  At the end, we will cook, pick and eat the bounty! If you’ve never picked a crab before, this is a great way to learn.  The Blue Crabs of the Chesapeake Bay is one (1) session, Weds., Sept. 11 from 1:30 – 3 PM. In person at Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, Easton. $30.  Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

Visit Wallops Island, an active spaceport and research facility on Sept. 12. Learn how rockets are prepared, processed and launched. Meet with scientists and engineers preparing experiments and vehicles for missions. Wallops Island was involved with the early stages of America’s space program including the first test launches of the Mercury capsule that later sent Alan Shepard and John Glenn into space from Cape Kennedy. Field Trip to Wallops Island Rocket Launch Facility is one (1) session, Thurs., Sept. 12 from 8 AM – 4 PM.  FIELD TRIP.  Meet at Easton Firehouse, 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, Easton. $70. Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

Join us for a field trip to the Neall House, Mary Jenkins House, and the Catherine Valliant Hill Research Center in the heart of the Easton Historical District.  Learn how to conduct your own research at the Hill Center; experience life in Talbot County as it was in the 1800s by exploring the furnished Neall home; gain knowledge about the life and times of the African American community through historical artifacts, voices and visions of 11 Talbot County churches and more.  A Walk Through Talbot County History is one (1) session, Fri., Sept. 13 from 1:30 – 3 PM.  In person at the Hill Research Center, 25 South Washington St., Easton.  $20.  Register at https://cheapeakeforum.org.

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities for residents of the Eastern Shore.  To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send your name and contact information to [email protected].