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December 8, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

6 Arts Notes

Oxford Museum Announces The Fabric Of History Special Programs

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The Oxford Museum is proud to announce two special June programs in addition to its current antique quilt exhibit, The Fabric of History. Quilts are among America’s most traditional forms of creative expression. Once viewed merely as a decorative craft and even dismissed as merely “women’s work,” historic quilts are now appreciated as a highly sophisticated artform, combining intricate patterns, bright colors and extraordinary needlework. These works reveal very personal stories of celebration, community, and identity. Although the makers of many quilts remain unknown to us, their passion and creativity are unforgettable. The museum exhibit is a stunning collection of 30 antique and traditional American quilts, featuring Maryland quilts including local examples from Talbot County Historical Society and the Oxford Museum’s own collection

If you own a quilt and would like to know more about it, you can schedule a 30-minute Documentation Day appointment at the museum with guest curators Kay Butler and Catherine Spence from The Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore. They can give you an approximate age of the quilt, its pattern and other details. This is not an appraisal. Documentation appointments are $25 per quilt and will be available between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday, June 7. Appointments can be schedule on the museum’s website,  

https://oxfordmuseummd.org/

On the weekend of June 21/22 additional quilts will be on display at St. Paul’s Church, 225 S. Morris St., Oxford. On Saturday, June 21 from 10 am – Noon, Kay Butler and Catherine Spence will conduct a quilt-turning program, also known as a bed-turning. Bed-turning is a way to display quilts while telling their story. It originated long ago as a social event. A married woman might hold a bed-turning in her home among family members and friends. Quilts would be piled on top of each other on a bed. The hostess would then turn back each quilt, one by one, as she talked about each quilt. We won’t have a bed, but we will have a full stack of quilts, and Kay and Catherine will explain each one as they are turned. This event is free to Oxford Museum members, and $25 for non-members, attendance is limited to 40 people. Following the turning on Saturday, the St. Paul’s exhibit will be open to the public from Noon-4 pm with free admission. Sunday the exhibit hours will be 10am – 4 pm with free admission.

The Oxford Museum and Shop, 101 S. Morris St, is open to visitors from 10 to 4 PM, Friday through Monday. Admission is free. The Fabric of History exhibit will run through July. For more information on the museum and membership please visit the website at https://oxfordmuseummd.org/

“Square Within a Square”
Annapolis, Maryland, ca. 1875
Courtesy Fabric Arts Center of the Eastern Shore

This Annapolis quilt features a center medallion pieced with early green, yellow and pink fabric.  The succession of borders surrounding the center are made of squares, triangles and stars.

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Trippe Gallery features Art of the Garden Exhibition with Reception May 2

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Feeling Cool by Nancy Tankerlsey

Now hanging at Easton’s liveliest art gallery, the Trippe Gallery, is the “Art of the Garden” exhibition. This popular annual show is celebrating its 9th year! In concert with “Art in Bloom” promoted by Discover Easton,  the exhibition will feature floral arrangements inspired by a particular painting by members of The Garden Club of The Eastern Shore for the opening reception Friday May 2 from 5-7pm.

The exhibition will showcase the work of a talented group of artists who have taken inspiration from the natural world to create stunning pieces that explore the intersection of art and horticulture. The paintings display an exploration of the harmonies of color, texture, and form, and showcases the incredible diversity of artistic styles and techniques used to capture the beauty of nature.

Featured art in the exhibition will be oil paintings by Nancy Tankersley, Beth Bathe, Jill Basham, Meg Nottingham Walsh, Lynn Mehta, Zufar Bikbov, David Diaz, Cynthia Rosen, Christine Lashley, Georganna Lenssen as well as fine art photography by Nanny Trippe, acrylic paintings by Hanna MacNaughtan and botanical watercolors by Lee Boulay D’Zmura.

The Trippe Gallery invites you to come enjoy this exciting diverse collection of art by many of your favorite artists in the exhibition “The Art of the Garden”. The exhibition will run through June with new works added throughout. The gallery will be open on First Fri

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Bay Journal: USDA shuts down ‘climate smart’ program

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture in April announced the termination of its $3 billion “climate smart” program, a grantmaking initiative that was supporting hundreds of millions of dollars in conservation work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

An April 14 USDA press release called the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which promoted farm conservation measures with climate benefits, as a “slush fund” with high administrative costs and often low payouts to farmers.

It said some of the projects may continue under a new initiative called Advancing Markets for Producers, but only if 65% or more of the project’s funds were going directly to farmers and the work aligns with Trump administration priorities.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the Biden administration’s climate smart program was designed to “advance the green new scam” and benefited nongovernmental organizations more than farmers.

“We are correcting these mistakes and redirecting our efforts to set our farmers up for an unprecedented era of prosperity,” Rollins said.

The climate smart program was launched in 2022 as part of a “once-in-a-generation investment” that would enable universities, businesses and nonprofits to work with farmers to promote conservation measures that would help them adapt to climate change and market the products they produced.

Most projects did not begin until 2023 or later because of delays in paperwork, and some had just started up last year.

But the USDA froze funding for the program in January, leaving organizations that had incurred costs unable to recoup their expenses. In its announcement, the department clarified that it would honor eligible expenses incurred prior to April 13, 2025, but would review existing grants to determine whether they could continue.

Some working with the program said it appeared they would be able to successfully reapply under the new program, but others were unsure.

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit, was managing a $59 million climate smart grant that supported work it was carrying out with a dozen other organizations on farms from Maine to South Carolina. With funding stalled, it laid off 60 employees in early April, leaving it with fewer than 10.

“We are honestly not sure what the announcement means for our project,” said Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Pasa’s executive director. “They said we can reapply, but we don’t know if that means for our current project or a completely new project under the new program.”

Smith-Brubaker said Pasa’s project did not meet the 65% farmer payment threshold because the USDA was not counting costs of providing technical assistance to farmers for planning, implementing and maintaining projects.

She said about 45% of the project’s funding went directly to farmers, but if the technical assistance were included, farmer support under the grant would be between 75%-85%.

Richa Patel, a policy specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, also said it was “disappointing” that the department was not counting technical assistance as part of the farmer support funding.

With the USDA already reducing its own staff, she said, “the administration must take every opportunity going forward to increase access to technical assistance and support the staffing levels necessary to provide efficient and dependable customer service for our farmers — those working directly with USDA and those working with the farmer-serving organizations it partners with.”

Lack of technical support is considered a major impediment to widespread adoption of conservation measures by farmers.

Mike Lavender, the national coalition’s policy director, said he welcomed the ability to continue some projects under the new initiative, but said the USDA did not provide any clarity about whether grant recipients can make modifications to meet the new criteria.

As a result, he said the announcement brings “unnecessary hardship nationwide to farmer-serving organizations and likely farmers as a result of USDA changing program requirements and cancelling projects midstream.”

Nationwide, the climate smart initiative made awards to 140 organizations, businesses and institutions, which were supposed to benefit more than 60,000 farms and cover more than 25 million acres of farmland. The USDA estimated that, if successful, the work would sequester an amount of carbon equivalent to removing more than 12 million gas-powered cars from the road.

Hundreds of millions of dollars of that work was to have taken place in the Chesapeake watershed, managed by nonprofit organizations, universities, agribusinesses and others. The five-year program was one of the largest investments ever made in support of conservation measures on farmland in the Bay region.

It supported many traditional conservation practices such as nutrient and manure management techniques that reduce emissions of nitrous oxides, a powerful greenhouse gas. It also supported measures that curb runoff, such as cover crops, stream fencing and no-till farming. Those measures also help build organic matter in the soil, which allows it to absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Smith-Brubaker noted that just a 1% increase in organic matter in a farm’s soil absorbs 22,000 more gallons of water per acre, keeping it from washing nutrient-laden runoff into local streams.

The climate smart program also promoted monitoring efforts to quantify how well the conservation efforts were working, and it supported marketing efforts to inform consumers about the environmental benefits of that work — which could increase the value of those products and expand markets.

By Karl Blankenship, Bay Journal

 

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Auditions for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at Church Hill Theatre

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Kat Melton, who directed last year’s smash hit Ride the Cyclone, invites local actors to audition for Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. We may all know “who done it,” but Ken Ludwig’s new adaptation is fast, fresh and hilarious. So, actors, get aboard the famous train as it travels from Istanbul to Western Europe in 1934.

Auditions will be held on the CHT stage (103 Walnut Street in Church Hill, Md) from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, May 21 and Friday, May 23, and from 10 am – noon on Saturday, May 24.  The show will run for three weekends, from September 12-28.

The play has great parts for actors of all ages, from older teens to senior citizens, with scope for some age/gender flexibility. The director will ask for cold readings from the script—and may include some group activities or other exercises as well. Nothing has been pre-cast, so Kat encourages a big turn-out. Here are the roles:

MEN

Hercule Poirot, Belgian, 40-65

Constantine Bouc, Belgian, 40-65

Michael, French, 40-60

Samuel Ratchett, American, 35-50

Hector McQueen, American, 25-35

Colonel James Arbuthnot, Scottish, 30-50

Head waiter, 20-70

Doctor, mid 20s-70

Other passengers on the Athens Coach mid-teens-80s

WOMEN

Mary Debenham, English mid 20s-40

Princess Natalya Dragomiroff, Russian, 60-80

Greta Ohlsson, Swedish, mid 20s-40

Countess Elena Andrenyi, Hungarian, 20-30

Mrs. Helen Hubbard, American, 45-60.

Other passengers on the Athens Coach mid-teens-80s

Check the website, www.churchhilltheatre.org, or call the office 410-556-6003 for more information.

 

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Will Orange Crush be the new State cocktail? By Lisa Gotto

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Photo by Arden Haley

But what is this you say about our neighbor and Atlantic shore sharer Delaware and its official state cocktail, which happens to be the Orange Crush?

Yes, this is a juicy tale indeed, as Maryland Delegate to the Assembly, Wayne Hartman of District 38C in Worchester and Wicomico Counties, tells it.

“In August of last year, the State of Delaware decided to take credit for the Orange Crush and declare it as their official state cocktail,” explains Hartman, who co-sponsored HB 1001 with Maryland Senator Stephen S. Hersey.

“This proclamation stems from the drink’s similar popularity in Delaware, and because of a bar in Dewey Beach claiming to have ‘perfected’ the cocktail. While imitation is the best form of flattery, credit for this nationally known drink should go to Maryland.”

The lip-smacking roots of the Orange Crush goes back decades to its origination in 1995 in a West Ocean City bar called the Harborside Bar & Grill, and its co-founders, Chris Wall and Lloyd Whitehead. And since that inception, Hartman says, many have tried to rebrand and redefine the Orange Crush as their own, but Hartman stresses that only the Harborside Bar & Grill has the true bragging rights to say, “Often Imitated, Never Duplicated”.

In fact, the rivalry for Orange Crush supremacy has spilled over to the District, reportedly going viral between senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Ben Cardin of Maryland as they participated in a good-natured Orange Crush making competition prior to last summer’s recess. We are happy to report that Team Maryland bested the concoction put forth by “The First State”.

In addition to bragging rights, the official designation brings with it the potential to  help boost tourism dollars in the State, as it serves up a prime menu item for promotion.

Maryland Delegate to the Assembly Wayne Hartman

“The Orange Crush is not just a drink but part of the Maryland experience,” says Maryland Tourism Coalition’s Executive Director, Ruth Toomey.

The designation, she adds, will undoubtedly drive more tourism and strengthen the state’s economy. With the current 9% alcohol tax on each beverage served, passing HB 1001 would create a perfect opportunity for celebratory events across bars and restaurants, boosting both food and beverage sales.

“By designating the Orange Crush as the official cocktail, we can also stimulate new campaigns with liquor stores and distributors, spotlighting key ingredients like orange vodka.”

While the Orange Crush originated in Ocean City, the popularity of its juicy, icy goodness grew rapidly and has since been known to be promoted in various counties throughout the state, including Queen Anne’s with its annual Crabs N’ Crushes campaign that guides visitors to the places where crabs are noted to be delectably pared with this refreshing counterpart.

So, what crab dish best floats the boat for taste with this illustrious bill’s sponsor?

“Delegate Hartman likes to pair an Orange Crush with a Maryland Crab Cake,” says Hartman staffer, Will Smith.

The quest to make the Orange Crush the official state cocktail is currently awaiting a vote in the State Senate after unanimously passing in the House with a 137-0 vote.

Lead photo by Lisa Gotto

Lisa Gotto is a recent resident to Chestertown, who is greatly enjoying learning more about the area, its people, and what makes living here so special. She hopes to continue doing that through her work with the Spy and her role as owner of Tea Leaves Media, LLC,  a communications and content generation company. Since acquiring her B.A. In Communications & Journalism from Shippensburg University of PA, Lisa has been writing and editing for decades for numerous media outlets including The Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Style in Easton, Pennsylvania, and What’s Up? Media in Annapolis. 

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Delmarva Community Services offers free tax preparation

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Since 2006, Delmarva Community Services’ Community Action Center has been offering free tax preparation services to residents in the Mid-Shore who meet the necessary income requirements through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA grant program is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation services for the underserved through various partner organizations. Thirty years ago, the service started with the former Community Action Center in Dorchester County.

“We don’t normally turn away anyone who comes in and needs assistance. It really makes a difference. The majority of those we serve are seniors who sold their homes and have moved into a rental property and have limited funds and can’t afford a tax preparer. The program also helps those who may not be aware of deductions to which they are entitled,” commented Rosetta Brown, Site Coordinator & Quality Reviewer, of Delmarva Community Action Center, who oversees the program.

The program has six preparers serving the Mid-Shore who complete over 200 returns a month. The income requirements for clients utilizing the program are that they make $67,000 or less for a single filer and $130,000 for filing jointly. The program does not handle returns involving stocks and bonds. One of the benefits of filing through the program is that preparers can help with filing for renter and homeowner tax credits.  The program also participates in the state of Maryland’s Direct File, which enables clients to get direct deposit when their returns are filed.

Maryland is one of 25 states participating in the Direct File service this tax season which helps taxpayers with simple returns to file their taxes at no cost. Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman visited DCS recently and commented on the tax preparation program and using the Direct File program.

“There are going to be people who won’t be able to get an appointment with you, especially towards the end,” Comptroller Lierman said. “We want them to know that Direct File exists and that it’s legit. We’d love it if you could share with folks. It’s great at prompting people to get the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.”

“There are people who have come back again each year for tax preparation at DCS.  This offers us the opportunity to connect them with other services offered by our agency if needed, like food or prescription assistance or emergency services for electric bills or rental/mortgage assistance,” adds tax preparer Tonet Cuffee of Delmarva Community Action Center’s program.

“We can take a look and make sure they’re getting everything they deserve, like our senior center programs,” she added.

The tax preparers also want younger filers to know that if they meet the income threshold, they will get more of their refunds through using the program and not having to pay a private tax preparer.

“Free is better and you get to keep all of your dollars,” Brown shared.

“Having the Comptroller visit today validates the importance of Direct File and Delmarva Community Services’ lower-income services. It also sends a message that this is a valuable service utilized by the community for over 20 years,” commented Michelle Nichols, Community Action Center Program Director at DCS.

For further information about the Delmarva Community Services’ free tax preparation services, call 410-901-2996 or 410-901-2991.

Delmarva Community Services Inc. (DCS) is a multi-service organization founded in 1974 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, and individuals living in poverty and provides childcare and transportation services.

 

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