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December 8, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

9 Brevities

Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s Forever Home Online Auction

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Join us for Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s biggest fundraiser of the year! Their Forever Home Online Auction began Saturday, June 5th and will continue to Saturday, June 19th at midnight. You can bid on incredible items while supporting their work building homes, community and hope for families in Talbot and Dorchester Counties!

Habitat Choptank’s Forever Home Online Auction’s categories include dining and shopping packages, travel and get-a-aways, gift baskets, outdoor experiences, jewelry, artwork, and home accessories and furniture. The auction will feature a stay at the Hyatt, week-long getaway to Ocean City, a gourmet dinner for 10 in your home, a summer package with crabs, beer, and corn hole boards, local dining and shopping packages, and more!

To view the items in the Forever Home Online Auction, to place your bid, to make a donation, or to find the full list of auction donors, visit https://bidpal.net/foreverhomeonlineauction. You can bid from anywhere, anytime using your phone, a tablet or a computer! You provide your cell phone number when you register so you can receive text reminders about the auction and whether you’ve been outbid!

Another way to support Habitat Choptank’s Forever Home Online Auction is by sharing it with your friends. You can direct them to www.habitatchoptank.org, directly share the auction link at https://bidpal.net/foreverhomeonlineauction, or click on the social icons in the top right corner of the auction site or at the bottom of each package description to help spread the word.

For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 92 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 185 qualifying homeowners. At present, 8 homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year. For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

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

Anne Gustafson Awarded For Longtime Service at Horn Point Laboratory

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Senior Faculty Research Assistant Anne Gustafson has been given the President’s Award for Outstanding Research Support to recognize her long-term commitment to excellence, professional achievements and unfailing support of environmental research at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory. She has provided exceptional contributions to research and outstanding service, played impressive roles in leading innovative research projects, and mentored members of the UMCES community.

Award winner Anne Gustafson (right) pictured in the field with Rebecca Fox.

Gustafson began as a faculty research assistant in Professor Tom Fisher’s lab in 1990, her job duties ranging from meeting ships to pick up water samples from Chesapeake and Delaware Bays to sampling streams and groundwater wells. She has become the general manager for lab projects, the corporate memory of the Fisher lab, and a mentor to other lab members, supervising and training other faculty research assistants.

“Her dedicated longtime service and contributions to UMCES exemplify excellence in supporting scientific research,” said University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Peter Goodwin. “She has played impressive roles in leading innovative research projects and mentoring other members of the UMCES community.”

Gustafson began by coordinating the collection, lab processing, and data analyses of water samples associated with projects funded by organizations such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, NASA, USDA, the National Science Foundation, and non-profit organizations. Her job duties ranged from meeting ships to pick up water samples and sampling streams and groundwater wells and working with farmers in the experimental watersheds to planning and executing lab or field work with students and other FRAs. She became the general manager for all of the projects in the Fisher lab, supervising other employees and students, analyzing and storing data, and preparing reports, proposals, and budgets

“Anne works quickly and efficiently to get research proposals prepared correctly and submitted on time. She also provides realism to grand proposal ideas, and a compromise between the two results in manageable but high-reaching projects that get funded,” said Professor Emeritus Tom Fisher. “She also makes certain that we have budgets and projects that are realistic while still being worthwhile. She understands the time and the steps that go into the field and lab portion, and makes sure that responsible grant proposals are submitted.”

“Anne is a supportive and reliable colleague and friend whom I have enjoyed working with for the past 16 years. She takes on responsibilities beyond what her job requires because she takes ownership in our research projects. If Anne is working on a project, the budget is well managed, the work is going to get done well, and everyone is going to know what is going on. I trust Anne’s ability and judgement in terms of research, scholarship, and lab dynamics. My time at Horn Point would not have gone so smoothly and pleasantly without Anne!” said Washington College Associate Professor Rebecca Fox ’11, who worked with Gustafson as a graduate student and postdoctoral colleague.

She also mentors other lab members, supervising and training other FRAs. “She possesses a wealth of knowledge about the UMCES institution, scientific procedures, and internal workflows that are unmatched by any other senior FRA that I know,” said Faculty Research Assistant Erika Koontz, who was trained by Gustafson.

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June 2021 Sky-Watch

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Venus is the first planet to emerge after sunset this month, low in the western sky and bright enough to be seen even in late twilight. It will not set until after 10 pm local time. Look for a slender crescent Moon just beneath Venus on June 11th.

Mars begins the month near Gemini’s 2 brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, low in the western sky, but it appears to move into Cancer the crab later. On June 13th the 3 day old crescent Moon will be left of Mars.

On June 22nd and 23rd Mars will appear to pass through an open star cluster known as the Beehive Cluster or M44. Look at Mars with binoculars or small telescope to see the red planet contrasting nicely with the white stars of this neat cluster. Look early though; Mars sets by 11 pm.

Right after midnight on June 1st, Saturn will appear above the eastern horizon, and by month’s end will be up by 10 pm. Saturn will brighten all month. Gibbous-phased Moons may be seen near Saturn on June 1st and again on June 27th (just to the left of the ringed planet).

Jupiter comes up in the eastern sky about an hour after Saturn. It is far brighter than Saturn. The giant planet reaches a high altitude of 40 degrees above the horizon this month, which is its highest in 4 years. This translates to greater brightness and clarity especially when it is viewed through a telescope. Jupiter and Saturn both offer much to be seen for sky-watchers with telescopes or binoculars.

Spring constellations are at their peak this month while summer stars begin appearing in the East after 10 pm. Spring favorites are Leo the lion high in the western sky, Virgo the maiden, largest of the Zodiac constellations across the southern sky, and Bootes, the oddly-named herdsman almost overhead.

Summer constellations looking east include tiny Lyra the harp (only 6 stars); Cygnus the swan, also called the Northern Cross; and Aquila the eagle. Next month all three of these will appear higher and nearly overhead.

Full Moon this month is on June 24th. Summer solstice, the 1st day of summer, when the Sun is at its highest noon altitude for the entire year is on June 20th.

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New Listings in Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program

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Today, Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 16 additions to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The Lizzie Amby Escape Site, a privately owned home in Cambridge, Maryland, is one of those listings which was accepted as a site in the Network. The new listings join nearly 700 other sites, programs, and facilities in the network that honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. A recording of the event can be viewed via YouTube.

“Today’s announcement reminds us of the dark pages in our history books, but also highlights the incredible strength and resilience of Black communities,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “We need to look no further than the news of this week to know that our work is not done and commit ourselves to real progress. To do that, we must start by recognizing the history that brought us here.”

The event capped National Park Week, an annual weeklong celebration of America’s national parks which encourages the public to explore the vast network of our national parks, sacred sites, and historical landmarks, as well as our shared heritage contained within them.

At the event, National Park Service Chief Historian Dr. Turkiya Lowe and Park Ranger Casimer Rosiecki from Gulf Islands National Seashore highlighted two of the new listings, including the Lizzie Ambie Escape Site in Cambridge, Maryland, and the Barrancas in Pensacola, Fla.

In October 1857, Dr. Alexander Bayly placed an advertisement in a local newspaper looking for 28-year-old Lizzie. Dr. Bayly enslaved Lizzie in Cambridge, Maryland, until she and her husband, Nat, escaped. They travelled to Pennsylvania, where they met famed Underground Railroad activist William Still. He interviewed the couple, where they told Still that Lizzie would “wade through blood and tears for her freedom.”

“The Underground Railroad was pivotal to the ongoing struggle for civil rights, and the stories of freedom seekers, such as Lizzie Ambie, who bravely self-liberated are still humbling to us today,” said Dr. Turkiya Lowe. “The Network to Freedom Program is dedicated to amplifying diverse histories and providing a platform to convey a more complete history of our country.”

“The Barrancas preserves powerful and emotional stories related to Underground Railroad, including that of a freedom seeker named Henry who, though previously captured, tortured and forced to wear an iron bar riveted tightly around his ankle, persevered and traveled about 100 miles to find freedom” said Park Ranger Rosiecki.

The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program is a catalyst for innovation, partnerships, and scholarship that connects and shares the diverse legacy of the Underground Railroad across boundaries and generations. It coordinates preservation and education efforts nationwide and integrates local historical places, museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground Railroad into a mosaic of community, regional, and national stories.

There are now 680 listings in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Network. Each one provides insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery, and their allies.

The Lizzie Ambie escape site is located along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Dorchester County, Maryland. To learn more, please visit their website.

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Old Wye Mill Opens 2021 Season

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Old Wye Mill invites you to its Opening Day, sponsored by Shore United Bank, on May 1, following a year of closure due to the public health crisis. OWM is one of Maryland’s most remarkable places: the historic grist mill is the oldest continuously operated water-powered mill in America, and Maryland’s oldest continuously operating business. In case of rain, the event will take place on June 5.

On Opening Day, visitors will enter the Mill in small groups from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The interior features a new panel exhibition explaining the operation of the Mill and its history, while Docents and Millers will be on hand to demonstrate and interpret the Mill’s operation. Suggested contribution is $2/person. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing during your visit.

Opening Day will feature a festive mix of outdoor demonstrations, sales, live music, and hands-on activities. While awaiting their visit to the Mill’s grinding floor, guests may purchase organic and conventional flour and cornmeal produced onsite by the Mill; try their hand at grinding on a replica quern (hand-operated mill); and watch re-enactors demonstrating colonial cooking techniques. They will enjoy musical entertainment in traditional styles by Greg Remesch (guitar/banjo) (1o – 1) and Rebekah Geller (fiddle) (12 – 3 p.m.). The Wheeler Family Deep Fried Seafood and YoJavaBowl food trucks will be selling their delectable specialties. Picnic tables are available.

Old Wye Mill is located at 900 Wye Mills Road (Route 662), in Wye Mills, Maryland 21679, near the intersection of Route 662 and Route 404. The Mill is open May 1 through October 31. Grinding Days are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Old Wye Mill is also open by appointment for group tours. To schedule a tour, please call 410-827-3850. Visit https://www.oldwyemill.org for more information.

Old Wye Mill is grateful to Shore United Bank for sponsoring Opening Day this year. In addition, we acknowledge the support of a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, with Maryland State funds, through the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area.

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May 2021 Sky-Watch

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Three inner planets light up the western evening sky in May, while Jupiter and Saturn gain some prominence in the eastern sky before dawn. Unfortunately we sky-watchers in the eastern and central time zones will miss a total eclipse of the Moon. The timing is just not right for us.

The best views of this month’s total lunar eclipse will be in western North and South America, Hawaii, Australia, and eastern Asia. Eclipses of the Moon occur when the Moon is full and passes into Earth’s shadow. But on the east coast, the Moon enters Earth’s shadow at 5:44 am (4:44 am Central time), and that is also when the Full Moon is setting. Sad that we will miss the chance to see this great event.

Mars is dim now but still bright enough for us to watch it appear to move through Gemini, ending the month up near the top of the twins. Mercury reaches its best evening view for 2021; which is to say it appears farthest from the Sun and therefore higher in the western sky. From May 17th through May 28th, much brighter Venus will help us find Mercury.

On May 20th, Venus will be below and right of Mercury. The distance between them will close and on the 23rd, Mercury will be between the horns of Taurus the bull. By May 28th, the planets will be so close to each other that both can be seen within the same telescopic field of view. Mercury and Venus then will be up for an hour after sunset.

Earlier in the month, on the May 12th, Venus will be just above the thin crescent Moon right after sunset. The next night, the Moon will be close to Mercury, and since they do not set until an hour after Venus, the darker sky will make them easier to see.

By mid-May Saturn will be high enough above the eastern horizon for viewing 1 to 2 hours before early morning dawn. Later into June and July it will rise before midnight giving us more time to see it. Already it makes a great sight through telescopes.

Jupiter, much brighter than Saturn, will be found below the ringed planet, and will provide sky-watchers with telescopes, 90 minutes of time before dawn to see its cloud belts by the end of May. The Moon may be seen just below Jupiter in the early morning eastern sky on May 4th; and it will be just below Saturn on May 30th.

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in the early morning hours of May 6th. Look east around 4 am, just left of where Saturn and Jupiter are found, and we may be rewarded with many very fast moving meteors; many with persistent trains caused by the debris left by Comet 1P/Halley, the orbit of which Earth crosses twice each year; in May and again in October.

May’s Full Moon is May 26th; the night of the eclipse.

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

April 2021 Sky-Watch

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Most of our planet viewing this month will be before sunrise, but Mars will be found in our evening western skies trailing through Taurus and into Gemini. A nice meteor shower will also draw our attention in mid-April.

Look for Mars high in the western sky after sunset between the “horns” of Taurus the Bull, and in front of Aldebaran, Taurus’ brightest star. Compare the reddish-orange color of Mars with the reddish glow of Aldebaran, a “cooler” star with a surface temperature of 6500 degrees. (Our Sun, a yellow, hotter star, has a surface temperature of 11,000 degrees). On April 17th the crescent Moon will be seen just below Mars. Also if you have binoculars look at Mars around 10 or 11 pm and you will see a lovely open star cluster called M 35 just to the lower left of Mars in the same field of view!

The rest of this month’s planet action will be in the eastern sky before sunup, though Mercury and Venus will be just above the western horizon at the very end of April just after sunset; but will be hard to see. The visibility of both planets will improve greatly for us in May.

Both Saturn and Jupiter rise between 4 and 5 am local time but will also be fairly low to the eastern horizon until the end of the month. The two gas giant planets will continue to gain altitude each month into the summer which will make seeing them much easier.

However on the morning of April 6th, lets look for the crescent Moon just below Saturn, with Jupiter just to the left of the Moon one hour before sunrise in the southeastern sky.

The annual springtime LYRID METEOR SHOWER peaks on morning of April 22nd. Its radiant is in the small constellation Lyra the harp which is in the east-northeast sky about 20 degrees above the horizon by local midnight. When the Moon sets around 4 am darker skies will allow us to look up toward the zenith for Lyra, where 18 to 22 meteors per hour may be seen. Always find your darkest location away from street lights to find meteors and watch until the dawn lightens the sky.

Full Moon is on April 26th.

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10th Annual Crawfish Boil & Muskrat Stew Fest May 1

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“Over the past decade, the Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Fest has grown into one of Delmarva’s favorite and most unique celebrations. I can’t wait to judge the muskrat eating contest as some of region’s most adventurous eaters battle for the crown. This year’s festival, delayed due to COVID-19, is going to take place at Cambridge’s Long Wharf Park, along the banks of the beautiful Choptank, providing one of the most picturesque backdrops one could have when celebrating Dorchester’s favorite rodent.”-Cambridge Mayor, Andrew Bradshaw

While at the Festival make sure you watch or participate in the World-Famous Muskrat Leg Eating Competition. The Competition kicks off at 6pm’ish with contestants competing to see who can eat the most muskrat legs!  Registration is now open.  Register to be part of the competition by going to the calendar of events at www.DorchesterChamber.org.

“Competitors from across the Mid-Atlantic have come to Dorchester County to take me on! There are no participation trophies in this competition!  Only one can be called World Champion Muskrat Leg Eater! That person is me! Peg Leg Ralph! All challengers are welcome but, in the end, the outcome will be the same as I take home my third trophy!”  -Ralph Bramble, two time, and current, Muskrat Leg Eating World Champion

Given the event is the same day as the Legendary Kentucky Derby there will also be a race dayFancy Hat Contest.  Winner will be announced right before the leg eating contest.  So, come out wearing your best Derby Hat.  The event will conclude in time for you to make it to your favorite local establishment to watch the Race.

Bird Dog and the Road Kings will be joined by Blues Legend Jimmy Cole to provide amazing musical entertainment throughout the day. Beer, hand-crafted mint julips and orange crushes will be available, as well as non-alcoholic options. Palm Beach Willies will be preparing muskrat in multiple ways in addition to other choices for those not so adventurous. Craft vendors will also be on hand again for the event this year. This is a family friendly event with plenty of children activities.

Admission is five dollars and supports the Dorchester Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund.

“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years!  We never would have made it without the support of the Chamber and the entire Dorchester community!”  – Keith Graffius Festival Organizer

For more information about the 10th Annual Crawfish Boil & Muskrat Stew Fest on Saturday, May 1st, visit www.dorchesterchamber.org or the Facebook Event page. You can also call 410-228-3575 or email [email protected].

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

Baltimore Magazine: The Mid-Shore the Subject of Racial Reckoning Article

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One of our many spies in the community was kind enough to share with Spy HQ a superb long-form article in the Baltimore Magazine on the Eastern Shore’s challenges with Black history and race relations from Kent County to Dorchester.

Beautifully written by the Mid-Shore’s own Lydia Woolever, accompanied by brilliant photography by Greg Kahn, it will make compelling reading for our Spy readers.

Read the full story here

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Washington Post Reports that Harriet Tubman was Also a Brilliant Spy

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The Cambridge Spy could not ignore the Washington Post article this morning noting Harriet Tubman’s recently discovered history as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

In 1863, it was Tubman that slipped behind Confederate lines to gather critical information on the location of planted torpedoes in the Combahee River.

Read the full story here.

 

 

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