MENU

Sections

More

December 8, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

00 Post to Chestertown Spy 6 Arts Notes

Allegra! Women’s Chorus in Concert

by
Leave a Comment

Allegra! Women’s Chorus, Easton’s premier chamber choir, will be presenting a series of concerts across the Mid-Shore this November featuring fresh arrangements of beloved favorites and new compositions.  Poetry from Sappho to St. Theresa of Avila to Emily Dickinson can be heard alongside music from composers Rosephayne Powell, Elaine Hagenburg, Craig Hella Johnson, and others.  Also featured on the program is a stunning arrangement of “Shenandoah” and the original composition “Garden of Dreams,” commissioned by the ensemble in 2022 and published with Oxford University Press.  

Allegra!’s first performance will be at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, 905 Gateway Drive, at 3pm, with a suggested donation of $15.  Ticketed performances will be at Trinity Cathedral, 315 Goldsborough St, Easton on November 22 at 7pm and St. Paul’s, 225 S Morris St, Oxford on November 23 at 3pm.  Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door or by visiting www.allegroacademyeaston.com.

The women’s chorus is conducted by Amy Morgan, an accomplished musician whose education includes a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from Salisbury University and Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Messiah University.  Morgan has extensive experience as a choral, operetta, and musical theatre director, is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, and is an active musician the Easton community.  The program will be accompanied by Lyn Banghart on piano, Ursula Encarnacion on cello, and Ali Remesch on percussion. 

Allegra! was formed in the spring of 2019 and is a program of Allegro Academy, a non-profit music conservatory located downtown Easton, MD.  Other programs of the Academy include Allegro Youth Choirs, Summer Sing choir festival, group classes and private lessons.  Allegro Academy’s mission is to offer exceptional music education and performance experiences to the greater Talbot County Area and to make these offerings affordable to all.  Programs of the Academy are supported by generous donors, Talbot Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council.  For more information please visit www.allegroacademyeaston.com.

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

Oxford Museum Announces Holiday Train Exhibit

by
Leave a Comment

Model trains and the holidays go together like cookies and hot chocolate. Children of all ages can remember trains circling under their Christmas tree, hearing the whistle blow, and the smell of the smoke rising from the engine.

For the 2025 Holiday Season, the Oxford Museum is happy to present a Holiday Train Exhibit of model trains from the multi-generational Passano Family collection.  The Passano Family has been avid collectors and operators of Lionel trains since when long-time Oxford resident, George Passano, was given his first train for Christmas in 1935.  The Holiday Train Exhibit at the Oxford Museum opens November 22 and will run through December 14. The exhibit will display locomotives, train cars, accessories, and literature from the tinplate era to present.  We will also have multiple operating trains at the museum! Come and relive old memories and make new ones with your children and grandchildren.

The Oxford Museum, 101 South Morris Street, is open free of charge, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 to 4. 

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

Foundation of HOPE Breaks Ground on HOPE Center

by
Leave a Comment

On Thursday, October 23rd, a crowd gathered at 52 S. Washington Street in Easton to break ground on the Foundation of HOPE’s upcoming HOPE Center project.  When the building is complete, it will become the permanent home for the organization’s Economic Development and Empowerment Program for middle school girls, as well as expanded programming for the whole community.

The HOPE Center, conveniently located within walking distance from Easton Middle School, will contain a host of exciting features, including:

  • Dedicated Learning Spaces
  • A Teaching Kitchen
  • Creative Arts Space
  • Outdoor Space
  • Multi-Use Space
  • A Library
  • A Technology Center
  • A Community Conference Room

Foundation of HOPE Founder and President Keasha Haythe is looking forward to the program expansion that this new facility will make possible for the organization.  “The HOPE Center will allow us to introduce new programs for our girls, including STEAM and mental health and wellness,” she shares.  “In addition, we look forward to providing programming for the whole community, including healthy living, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.  We can’t wait to get into our new home and turn these possibilities into realities!”

A crowd of more than 100 Foundation of HOPE supporters and program participants joined state and local dignitaries for the groundbreaking.  After giving her opening remarks, Haythe introduced Maryland’s First Lady Dawn Moore, who offered congratulations to the Foundation of HOPE and words of inspiration for the girls in attendance.

“The HOPE Center in Easton will be more than just a facility, but a place where every young girl will know she is brilliant, intelligent, and that she can be anything she wants to be because of the greatness inside of her,” said First Lady Moore. “I am proud that the Moore-Miller administration invested $650 thousand into this project, as we continue to uplift our next generation of leaders and leave no one behind.”

Next, Secretary of Housing and Community Development Jake Day addressed the crowd, expressing his support for the positive impact the Foundation is making in the community.

“Whether it’s financing affordable homes or important community projects, our team at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development understands the importance of partnership and embraces the power of placemaking. We’re committed to making those places great because great places win,” said Secretary Day. “With their new center, the Foundation of HOPE will have the space to continue their vital, community-enriching work to empower girls and young women. It’s going to be a great place and a great win for the Town of Easton and all of Talbot County.”

 

Maryland State Senator Johnny Mautz and Talbot County Council President Chuck Callahan, both longtime supporters of the Foundation and its mission, also offered heartfelt remarks to commemorate this momentous occasion in the organization’s history.

After the ceremony, Foundation leadership and participants, as well as the visiting dignitaries, gathered for the official groundbreaking ceremony, followed by refreshments and networking.

The HOPE Center is slated for completion in by the end of 2026.  

The Foundation of HOPE helps young girls and women lead productive lives in their communities by providing cultural, social, and educational development. The Foundation relies on the generous financial support of local individuals, businesses, and foundations to help local girls become the leaders of tomorrow, and to fund the HOPE Scholar scholarship program. The new facility was supported by $630,000 in FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending, secured by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and former Senator Ben Cardin.

“Foundation of HOPE has shown that when we invest in spaces where girls can learn and grow beyond the classroom, we’re investing in their long-term success. That’s why I worked to secure direct federal funding to support this new facility, which will offer even more students in Easton opportunities to learn and excel,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee who worked to secure a $630,000 direct federal investment in 2024 to support the construction of the new HOPE Center.

To learn more about the Economic Development and Empowerment Program, the HOPE Center, and how you can help, visit foundationofhopemaryland.org or contact Keasha Haythe at [email protected].

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

Waterfowling from the Indigenous Perspective

by
Leave a Comment

An immersive, multi-artist installation by Jen Wagner and Josepha Price 

Opening November 14 at The Market at Dover Station, in conjunction with the 2025 Waterfowl Festival

Artists Jen Wagner (left) and Josepha Price (right), co-creators of “Waterfowling from the Indigenous Perspective.” 

Artists Jen Wagner and Josepha Price announce the opening of their new, ongoing exhibit space at The Market at Dover Station in Easton, Maryland. Their collaborative installation, “Waterfowling from the Indigenous Perspective,” opens Friday, November 14, in conjunction with the 2025 Waterfowl Festival. 

Born from the artists’ shared passion for storytelling through art, the exhibition combines 3-D and multi-media works that invite audiences to look beyond familiar imagery of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It explores the deep cultural, environmental, and spiritual connections between Indigenous peoples and the natural world—especially through the lens of waterfowling.

The exhibit will include authentic artifacts, handmade Indigenous crafts, and new works by Price, Wagner, and guest artists Buzz Duncan and Margery Goldberg. 

A key feature of the exhibit is a speaker and video series amplifying Indigenous voices from the Chesapeake region. 

Featured speakers include: 

– Chief Donna Abbott, representing the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, who will discuss the tribe’s enduring traditions of stewardship, community, and balance with the environment. – Chief Clarence Tyler, representing the Accohannock Indian Tribe, who will share insights about the tribe’s ancestral ties to the waterways of the Delmarva Peninsula and the role of waterfowl in sustaining cultural identity. 

Public talks with Chief Abbott will take place Nov 14th at 5:00 pm and Chief Tyler will present on Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 PM, followed by open Q&A; sessions. 

“This project allows us to provide a level of depth and education that complements the Waterfowl Festival in a meaningful way,” says Josepha Price. “We’re looking at waterfowling not just as a sport or pastime, but as an enduring connection between people and the natural world—one grounded in respect, reciprocity, and survival.” 

Jen Wagner adds, “Josepha and I have worked together on many projects, and over the years we’ve talked about creating spaces where art tells more complete stories. I’ve outgrown the idea of simply showing work. I want to use art to build experiences—layered, collaborative, and rooted in the history and identity of this place.” 

The exhibition will also include a video series of interviews with local descendants of area tribes and large-scale peel-and-stick wallpaper panels by artist Richard Fritz, adapted from his landscape paintings to create an immersive backdrop. 

“The Market at Dover Station provides the perfect space for this kind of storytelling,” says Wagner. “It’s an opportunity to connect creative expression with education and community.” 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

Josepha Price is an Easton-based multimedia artist whose work has been featured in galleries and exhibits throughout Maryland. Of Cherokee descent, Price brings deep cultural insight and technical mastery to her projects. Her recent installation at The Ivy Café in Easton highlights her ability to merge traditional motifs with contemporary materials. 

Jen Wagner is a prolific mosaic and public artist based in Easton, Maryland, with installations and exhibitions shown internationally. She has curated galleries, pop-ups, and museum installations, and her work explores themes of connection, memory, and shared human experience. Wagner also hosts “My Life As” on WHCP Radio, where she interviews individuals about the stories that shape their lives. 

The Market at Dover Station, located at 500 Dover Road, Easton, is an upscale art and design market featuring found goods, original art, and local craftsmanship. 

“Waterfowling from the Indigenous Perspective” opens November 14 and will remain on view throughout the Waterfowl Festival weekend. 

For more information, visit www.jenwagnermosaics.com or follow @jenwagnermosaics and @josephapriceart on Instagram.

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

Pairing Herbs, Food, and Wine with Chesapeake Bay Herb Society

by
1 Comment

Spencer Garrett and Denis Gasper will discuss pairing herbs with food and wine at the society’s Nov. 20 meeting.  Both are past presidents of the society, and both love to cook.  They will share their accumulated knowledge (and maybe some samples) that night.

The society usually meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Christ Church, 111 S. Harrison Street, Easton.  However, this month’s meeting has been moved up because the building will be used during the Waterfowl Festival.   Meetings include an herbal potluck dinner, a short business meeting, and a presentation on an herb-related topic.  The theme for the November meeting is herbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (paprika, bay leaf, parsley, dill, and cumin).

CBHS was formed in 2002 to share knowledge of herbs with the local community.  The group maintains the herb garden at Pickering Creek Audubon Center.  For more information, call 301-452-2813 or visit the society’s Facebook page.

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

Three Cultures Center Groundbreaking & Autumn Open House at Handsell

by
Leave a Comment

The Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance (NHPA) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for  its new Three Cultures Center and host an Autumn Open House at Handsell (4837 Indiantown  Road, Vienna, MD) on November 8th. The ceremony begins at 11:00 am, and the open house  runs from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event is free and everyone is welcome!   

The new building’s name, the Three Cultures Center, references the Native, African, and  European cultures that are closely connected to the Handsell Historic Site. Local representatives  from each cultural group will be on-hand for the ceremony, which will also include regional  dignitaries and NHPA supporters and board members. The barn-like structure will provide NHPA with much-needed meeting and office space, as well as storage and bathroom facilities,  and offer new possibilities for public programming.  

The Autumn Open House will be an excellent opportunity to experience and learn about the  history of three cultures in a beautiful, family-friendly, rural environment. Visitors can expect to  see woodworking and spinning demonstrations, Native flint knapping, and pine needle  basketweaving. There will be docent-led tours of the Colonial-era house, and detailed  information pertaining to local African-American history. David Cole will be playing banjo and  guitar and sharing his expertise on the development of African-American music. In celebration  of Native American Heritage Month, the Open House will also feature Chicone Village talks and  demonstrations throughout the day.  

NHPA especially welcomes students, faculty, and alumni from Salisbury University for this  special event. The Hooked on Seafood food truck will be on hand providing delicious lunches at  affordable prices. Visitors are also welcome to bring a lunch and picnic on the scenic grounds.  

For more information about Handsell’s history and NHPA, visit www.restorehandsell.org.  To contact NHPA, email [email protected].

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

Legendary Environmental Journalist Tom Horton To Moderate Author Panel on the Art and Science of Conservation

by
Leave a Comment

The Mid-Shore community is invited to join legendary Chesapeake Bay writer Tom Horton as he moderates a panel exploring the art and science of conservation at Easton’s historic Ebenezer Theater at 2pm on Sunday, November 2.

The event is presented in celebration of the tandem centennial birthdays of the Talbot County Free Library (TCPS) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), in partnership with TCPS, UMCES’s Horn Point Laboratory,  Shore Lit and Bluepoint Hospitality/Flying Cloud Booksellers. Attendance is free, with reservations required via shorelit.org.

Tom Horton is the nation’s leading environmental journalist on the Chesapeake Bay. He covered environmental issues for the Baltimore Sun from 1974 until 2006, has written for national outlets including National Geographic, Rolling Stone, New York Times, and the Boston Globe, and is the author of several books about the Bay.

Horton will be in conversation with authors Christopher Kondrich and Kyoko Mori, contributors to the new anthology Creature Needs (University of Minnesota Press, 2025), in which writers respond to published animal conservation studies with poems, stories, and essays.

Christopher Kondrich is the author of Valuing, selected by Jericho Brown as a winner of the National Poetry Series, by Library Journal as a Best Poetry Book of 2019, and as a finalist for The Believer Book Award. He currently teaches in the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at the University of Maryland and Eastern Oregon University’s low-residency M.F.A. in Creative and Environmental Writing.

Kyoko Mori’s award-winning first novel, Shizuko’s Daughter, was hailed by The New York Times as “a jewel of a book, one of those rarities that shine out only a few times in a generation.” She has taught at Harvard University and Goucher College and is currently on the faculty of George Mason University and Lesley University’s Low-Residency MFA Program in Creative Writing.

“When it comes to conservation, as these accomplished writers demonstrate, we need not only the scientific facts that illuminate the truth, but the words that move us to feel, and to act,”  says Shore Lit Founder Kerry Folan.

“Literature offers us a way to engage with our most urgent questions about the world, including questions about how to be good stewards for the Eastern Shore. There could be no more perfect time to consider the symbiotic relationship between science and art than this year’s 100th birthday celebration of the library and UMCES. ”

The panel will begin at 2pm, with doors opening at 1:30pm. The first fifty arrivals will receive a free copy of Creature Needs, with additional books for sale courtesy of Flying Cloud Booksellers. A community reception and book signing will follow.

Additionally, Kondrich and Mori will lead a free creative writing workshop for high school students preceding the author panel, beginning at noon. Registration is required via shorelit.org.

Christopher Kondrich and Kyoko Mori are available for interviews. Please contact Kerry Folan [email protected] with inquiries. Images and other press materials are available in our media kit.

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

Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore (BBBSES) is shining a spotlight on the power of mentoring during Bullying Prevention Month and Beyond.

by
Leave a Comment

Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore (BBBSES) is shining a spotlight on the power of mentoring during Bullying Prevention Month and Beyond.

Standing Strong Together: Mentoring Stops Bullying Before it Starts

Maryland Eastern Shore – October 2025 – Big Brothers

Bullying continues to be a pressing issue on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. According to the most recent Maryland Department of Health’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey completed by Maryland Eastern Shore high school students, 18.4% have been bullied in school, 15.9% were cyberbullied, 38.5% felt sad or hopeless. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for mentors to inspire confidence, competence, and caring for local youth.

“Mentorship changes lives,” said Jessica Mimms, Executive Director of BBBSES. “A caring adult mentor helps a child not only navigate the challenges of bullying but also build the confidence, competence, and caring they need to stand up for themselves and others. Mentoring prevents youth from being bullied, and it also prevents them from becoming bullies.”

Mentorship prevents bullying, promotes positive mental health, and builds confidence in local youth. According to the agency’s most recent report, 99% of youth matched with a mentor improved their self-confidence, ability to express feelings, and decision-making, while 93% reported an improved sense of their future.

“Our vision is for every child to feel safe, supported, and strong,” Mimms said. “Having a mentor gives youth the tools to face adversity, make positive choices, and create a future where bullying has no place.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore invites the community to join in this mission during Bullying Prevention Month and beyond. The agency will host a virtual anti bullying session for parents and mentors on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30pm at youtube.com/user/BBBSES. The session will include topics of how to prevent bullying, types of bullying , how to advocate for self, how to stand up against bullying, and the difference between bullying and tattling.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore

For more than 40 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has helped ignite the potential of youth on Maryland’s Eastern Shore through programs, enrichment activities, and resources tailored to the growing needs of the community. Donations, volunteer mentors, and community partnerships ensure that every child has the guidance and resources they need to thrive. For more Information or to become a volunteer mentor, please call (410) 543-2447 or visit www.shorebiglittle.org. Keep updated on the latest agency highlights and news by following BBBSES on social media, Facebook @BBBSES, Instagram @shorebigs, and X @ESBigs

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

Vital Structures By Artist Lynn Goldstein Opens With Reception at The Zebra Gallery

by
Leave a Comment

Universal Joy, acrylic on cradle panel, is part of Vital Structures, an exhibition by artist Lynn Goldstein, opening Friday Nov. 7 at The Zebra Gallery.

The Zebra Gallery will host an opening reception for Vital Structures, a solo exhibition by Lynn Goldstein, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 7. The show runs through December 5.

The Virginia-based artist is known for her abstract atmospheric landscapes. Goldstein is particularly inspired by the hills, trees, and reflective waters of her childhood home in southern West Virginia. In Vital Structures, she explores how nature sustains and connects people.

“Just as connective tissue supports and gives structure within the human body, I see nature in a similar light,” Goldstein said. “Trees offer the air we breathe and teach us resilience. “Mountains stand as symbols of strength and timelessness. Water can calm or energize. Nature holds us together.”

In her paintings, Goldstein uses unconventional tools, such as chisels, scrapers, and sandpaper, to introduce textures inspired by nature and the passage of time, drawing from her admiration for weathered frescos and crumbling walls.

“Lynn’s work evokes questions about nature’s design and the human’s place in it,” said gallery owner Susan Schauer John. “Each piece is its own meditation.”

Goldstein’s work has been displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Additionally, her work is in the collection of the Schar Cancer Institute, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the U.S. Department of State, among other public and government organizations.

The opening reception is free and open to the public.

The Zebra Gallery is located at 5 N. Harrison Street, Easton, MD, across from the Historic Tidewater Inn. For more information, visit www.thezebragallery.com. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or by appointment.

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

Martin’s House & Barn Welcomes Four New Members to Board of Directors

by
Leave a Comment

Martin’s House & Barn is proud to announce the appointment of four new members to its  Board of Directors, each bringing valuable expertise and a deep commitment to strengthening our community. 

Joining the board are: 

  • Dr. Tia Bell, MSW – Youth Services Director, Channel Marker (Dorchester and Denton). Dr. Bell brings  extensive experience in youth services and mental health advocacy, ensuring that the voices and needs of  young people remain central to community solutions. 
  • Mr. Kevin Callahan – Director of Advancement, Wye River Upper School. Mr. Callahan has deep  experience in nonprofit operations and fundraising, with a proven record of strengthening organizational  sustainability. His expertise will support Martin’s House & Barn as it continues to grow its capacity to serve  families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. 
  • Mr. Andrew Carroll – Owner, Bayside Market, Rock Hall. Mr. Carroll has extensive experience in grocery  store management. His perspective on food distribution and commitment to addressing food insecurity  will help the organization continue to meet the growing needs of families across the Mid-Shore. 
  • Ms. Michelle Hall – Director of Constituent Engagement and Event Management, Chesapeake College.  Ms. Hall brings broad experience in engagement, outreach, and event management, strengthening the  organization’s ability to connect with supporters and build awareness of its mission. 

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Bell, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Carroll, and Ms. Hall to our Board of Directors,”  said Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, Executive Director of Martin’s House & Barn. “Their expertise and  community leadership will be invaluable as we continue our work to provide shelter, food, and hope to  families in need across the Mid-Shore.” 

Martin’s House & Barn continues to serve as a vital resource for families experiencing homelessness and  hunger, providing emergency shelter, food pantry services, and a range of supportive programs grounded in  compassion and dignity. The addition of these four outstanding leaders strengthens the organization’s vision  for a community where every family has the opportunity to thrive. 

For more information about Martin’s House & Barn or ways to support its mission, please visit www. MartinsHouseandBarn.org. 

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