The Gunston School is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 matching grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to enhance its renowned environmental education programs and support the development of the school’s newly acquired property. Gunston has long been a leader in environmental education, with its annual Chesapeake Bay Studies experiential learning program, the Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders workshop, and the innovative Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS). CWS was launched with support from a previous EE Ford grant, and will soon launch its sixth semester.

The grant will be matched by $100,000 through annual fundraising efforts, totaling $200,000. This new EE Ford Grant will support transportation and equipment with the purchase of a passenger van, kayaks, and a trailer for field trips and water-based learning, benefiting all environmental programs. It will provide support for the development of Gunston’s recently acquired 40-acre waterfront property, including outdoor educational spaces, trails, and signage. Additionally, the grant will fund an Environmental Scholars Fund, a means of financial support for students to participate in the school’s diverse environmental learning programs.

“This is the second prestigious EE Ford grant we’ve received for our dynamic environmental teaching and learning programs, and the foundation seeks to honor schools that are at the forefront of educational innovation,” said Head of School John Lewis. “This grant will further inspire and educate future leaders in environmental science and stewardship. It provides great momentum as we welcome our new director for CWS and Sustainability, Mr. Brad Hirsh, in July. Let me thank both Ms. Ronnie Vesnaver and Ms. Melissa Haber for their great work on this grant proposal.”

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Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

Interested in learning about the phenomenon of Earth’s sinking surface? Join us to delve into “The Subsiding Earth—We’re All going Down,” exploring this urgent environmental issue. Our classrooms welcome enthusiasts of science and the environment. Dive into topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Birding, and Beach Geology.

Engage in dynamic conversations covering Pre- and Post-Election Analysis, Genealogy, Current Events, Social Issues, Bare Hand Base Ball, or immerse yourself in our Book Club. You can also take part in activities like line dancing, gentle yoga, low-impact fitness, pickleball lessons, or culinary and craft classes. Embark on a journey of fun and discovery with IAL!

The Institute for Adult Learning, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide learning experiences and social events which enrich lives of the age 50+ community in the Mid-Shore area, will hold a Showcase of Classes for the Fall semester on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Doors will open at 1:30 pm and the program will begin at 2:00 pm. The event will be held at the Kennard Cultural Center, located at 410 Little Kidwell Avenue in Centreville MD. 

The Showcase will provide an overview of 37 courses to be offered during the Fall semester, which runs from September 4 through December 13, including history and current events, brain, body, and soul, environment and science, literature, arts and crafts, and culinary arts. All classes are held during the day, Monday through Friday, and range from one to six sessions. On July 15, the IAL website will be updated with class descriptions for the Fall 2024 semester.

The membership fee of $90 per person per semester entitles participants to sign up for an unlimited number of courses. Members are also invited to participate in monthly happy hours and various field trips throughout the semester. 

Attendees may join the IAL at any time and enroll in classes either at the Showcase or on the organization’s website after the event. You can fill out the registration form to enroll in classes at the Showcase. However, all registrations, paper or online, open at 9:00 am the day after the Showcase. Registration to attend the event is not required but is recommended by sending an email to [email protected]. For more information about the IAL, visit the IAL website at www.instituteforadultlearning.org.

Sue Elter, a member from Church Hill MD, summed it up perfectly, “IAL classes are just perfect for learning new things and keeping your brain sharp. The trips are very worthwhile and the Happy Hours help you meet new friends. Do yourself a favor and join IAL.” 

Bikers & Classic Car Enthusiasts Joining the Event to Support Benedictine

Marking its 22^nd year, the Benedictine Foundation Chrome City Fundraiser will occur on Saturday, July 27th, on the Benedictine campus in Ridgely, Maryland. This annual event draws hundreds of classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts to Benedictine’s Ridgely campus to support its mission.

Custom cars, classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles are all invited to participate in a day of fun and entertainment, with door prizes, a car and motorcycle competition, live music, and more. If you don’t have a classic car or motorcycle, you can still join the festivities, as there will be a lot of cars and motorcycles on display.

Participants are encouraged to register online before the event for a discounted fee of $35. On the event day, registration will be open at 9:00 a.m. and run until n12:00 p.m. for $40. The first 200 cars that register will receive a commemorative car plaque. Everyone who registers will receive an official Chrome City t-shirt.

During the event, a Paul Reed Smith Guitar (PRS) signed by Mark Tremonti of Creed will be raffled off—$ 40 for each raffle ticket and 3 raffle tickets for $100. Tickets can be purchased prior to the event online or at Chrome City on July 27th. You can purchase tickets here: https://benschool.org/chrome-city-fundraiser/. The winner will be announced at Chrome City. PRS guitars are being provided for guests to play, and “Stoneflies,” a PRS employee band, will perform live during the event.

Chrome City will have food trucks onsite to purchase breakfast and lunch. Food trucks from Uncle Bernie’s Steak Shack, Smokin’ on the Shore BBQ, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Isaiah’s Breakfast, Isaiah’s Ice Cream, SnoAngels Shaved Ice, and Walker Family Seafood are some of the food vendors who will be participating. Craft vendors and children’s activities are also part of the event this year.

Sponsors of the event include A. H. Hatcher, Inc., PRS Guitars, Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Pep Up Inc., Torchio Architects INC., Koons Toyota Easton, Acrisure, LLC, Bullock’s Deli, Grill & Ice Cream, Country Coast Cares & Spicer Bros., The Jetty, and Queenstown Bank.

To register your vehicle online and to purchase raffle tickets for the PRS Guitar, please go to https://benschool.org/chrome-city-fundraiser/.

If you are interested in sponsoring Chrome City, please get in touch with Benedictine by July 12^th to ensure that your name/logo is on the official Chrome City t-shirt. Sponsorships can be found HERE. Contact Caroline Bauerle at [email protected] or call 410. 634.2292. Visit Benedictine at www.benschool.org.

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About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit service provider and its mission is to support children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine currently supports close to 200 children and adults.

The year-round educational program is one of only 22 nationwide to earn a four-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine also has 4 student group homes located in Caroline and Talbot Counties. 

Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers Meaningful Day and job training services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, who live in the community, and in 18 Benedictine adult group homes in Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties.

Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it supports to enter the workforce. Benedictine also collaborates with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to provide training programs and job search services for students in area schools and adults living in the surrounding community.

Benedictine serves individuals from all over the state and Mid-Atlantic region and is one of the Eastern Shore’s largest nonprofit employers with close to 400 employees. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

The Regina Coeli Council of the Knights of Columbus – in support of Christian and American patriotic values – sponsored its Second Annual Essay Contests at Saints Peter and Paul High School and awarded partial scholarships to six deserving ninth- and tenth-graders at an Awards Ceremony/Dinner attended by more than 50 students, their families, faculty, and Knights of Columbus in the Maria M. Mitchell Social Hall on June 6.

The theme of the tenth-grader essays is “American Greatness/Patriotism”; for ninth-graders the focus is “Christianity/Word of God.”

“For Memorial Day, it is important to think about what these soldiers went through to serve their country. Americans need to make sure all soldiers, from the past, present, or future, are respected.” Amen, Hank.

Freshman Brennen Griffin, the ninth-grade champion, was similarly eloquent in reading from the podium his first-place-winning essay entitled “Blessed Are the Merciful” in reference to the Fifth Beatitude. Griffin made a moving tribute to his mother Katherine and the role model which she has consistently represented for him.

“The Fifth Beatitude inspires all Christians to live a life of kindness and forgiveness. To me personally, it reminds me of my family, especially my Mom,” said/wrote Griffin. “In Christianity, mercy is seen as a reflection of God’s nature. Christians believe that God is forever loving. By showing mercy themselves, they are following in God’s image… My Mom always puts everyone before herself,” said Brennen from the podium, emphasizing the word “always.”

Braeden Wefelmeyer and Taylor Holden are the second- and third-place sophomore winners, and Tara Foley and Angela Webb are the second- and third-place freshmen winners.

All six student-winners received monetary awards (for scholarship purposes) from the Knights of Columbus, and attractive Citations of Achievement from the State of Maryland provided by State Senator Johnny Mautz, a Regina Coeli Knight, who also served as a Keynote Speaker. The two champions also received personalized 12-inch cut-glass etched crystal sculptures.

The Knights donated perpetual plaques to the high school with the names of last year’s (Samuel Radcliffe and Aidan Monge-Mora) and this year’s champions engraved on brass plates (with room for more in the future).

Senior Peter Anderson also was honored and received a rousing round of applause from those in attendance (and a Citation of Achievement from Senator Mautz) for his District and Regional Championships in the American Legion Oratorical Contest, and his subsequent third-place finish in the State Finals.

Colonel Bernie Liswell, one of the judges and – with his wife Yvonne – one of the significant sponsors of the Essay Contests, also provided a keynote address, providing his reflections on D-Day, including a moving account of the “Bedford 19” – the 19 soldiers from tiny Bedford, Virginia who went ashore in the first wave at Omaha Beach. All 19 were killed that day.

Father James Nash opened the ceremony with a prayer and welcoming remarks; Regina Coeli Council Grand Knight Max Cerna led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided introductory comments; Principal Scott Wilson — who with Josh Lattanzi, Anthony Del Puppo, Philip Cheung, and Alex Pool, capably headed up the high school efforts — also commented; and all concluded with God Bless America – led by music director Krys Kozinski-Sansing.

The Knights of Columbus hope to expand the Essay Contests from two-to-four to include juniors and seniors next year, and also to inaugurate an Oratorical Contest – all in the hopes of reinforcing the faith and patriotism of our students, improving their communication skills, and enhancing the value of a Saints Peter and Paul High School education.

If you are interested in supporting these Essay Contests on Christian values and American patriotism, and/or you would like to attend next year’s Award Ceremonies/Receptions, please contact Mark de Bernardo at 703/244-8810 or [email protected].

 

The Constitution Alliance Fund has named Fatima Kaleem of Rhodesdale and William O’Donnell of St. Michaels their 2024 scholarship recipients.  Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship to be used at the college of their choice.

Kaleem is a graduate of North Dorchester High School and O’Donnell is an Easton High School graduate. The students were chosen for leadership and service in the community, exceptional academic performance, and outstanding personal essays on the meaning of the constitution.  The Constitution Alliance Fund scholarship program recognizes academic achievement and dedication to the principles of the Constitution and supports future careers in civic leadership.

Fatima Kaleem plans to major in healthcare and psychology. Her future career plans include working in the medical field and improving accessibility to quality healthcare. William O’Donnell is looking at a number of possible majors that would lead to a career in the legal field and public policy.

The Mid-Shore Constitution Alliance, in partnership with the Washington College Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture and Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill, promotes civic engagement through education and a commitment to uphold constitutional values and the founding principles of freedom.

The Constitution Alliance will be holding its third annual Constitution Day Celebration on September 17, 2024 from 12-1:30PM at the Academy Art Museum in Easton.  Nationally renowned performers will reenact a conversation between Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglass on liberty and freedom.  The event is sponsored by The Tidewater Inn, Shore United Bank, and Bridges Land Management. Additional sponsorships are available.  To donate or for more information, contact Michelle Ewing at [email protected], 410-200-5571 or Julie Quick, [email protected] or 410-924-0904.

Radcliffe Creek School (RCS) recently announced that it received a generous donation to bolster financial aid for students in need from the estate of Jean S. Walter-Griffith. The $30,000 gift, given in Griffith’s memory, will support area students who rely on the school’s individualized educational program.

An avid reader throughout her life, Walter-Griffith earned her master’s degree to become a librarian and share her love of reading with others, serving as a research librarian on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for many years. Her granddaughter, Bryn Ponti, a teacher and intervention transition skills coach with RCS, expressed her joy in seeing her grandmother’s legacy continue to help children learn to read and enjoy literature, as her grandmother did. “Parents of students at Radcliffe Creek never expected they would need to send their children to private school. They are here because their children need help and most of these kids can only receive this kind of intervention if their families are given financial support. It’s an honor to continue my grandmother’s legacy by helping children access our services. I can’t think of a better way to keep her memory alive than by helping children learn to read,” Ponti said.

Griffith was active in a number of organizations across the eastern shore, including as a volunteer in a local maritime organization. Ponti fondly remembered her love of adventure. “She was an explorer and shared her experiences with all of us. She consistently inspired all of us to do better and learn. My favorite memory of her was pulling up to St. Michaels in our boat, Argonauta and watching her leap from the dock onto the moving boat at about 75 years old,” Ponti recalled.

Radcliffe Creek School awards over $450,000 in financial aid each year to more than sixty percent of its students. Head of School Peter Thayer explained, “Financial aid can make a profound difference to a family seeking a nurturing and personalized learning environment. It ensures that those who need these services can benefit from the empowering educational experience that is the Radcliffe Way. This generous gift from Jean Walter-Griffith’s estate will be instrumental in making it possible for multiple students to continue attending RCS who might otherwise have had to return to public school. We are deeply grateful to Jean Walter-Griffith’s family for this support.”

 

Annual Blueberry Boogie Event Raises Record Funds for Benedictine

 Godfrey’s Farm held its 4th annual Blueberry Boogie 5K Run/Walk to benefit Benedictine with 200 participants walking or running in the race. This year’s event raised more than $20,000 which included a matching grant from Denise Kaczmarczyk and John Johnson. These funds will support Benedictine’s programs which provide crucial services for children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.

“We look forward to this day every year- the race is just so exciting! So many people come together, and have wholesome, healthy fun- all in the name of a great cause that is Benedictine. It’s become a tradition for so many families which is beautiful to see and be a part of,” stated Lisa Godfrey.

Runners, walkers, and guests enjoyed Godfrey’s homemade apple cider donuts and fresh blueberries at the finish line.

Sponsors of the event included Godfrey’s Farms, People’s Bank, Harbor Sales Company, Bearing Construction, Graul’s Market, Keany Produce & Gourmet, Serenity Farm Produce, Cross Street Food & Garden, Williard Agri-Service, Langenfelder Pork, Queenstown Bank, Richard Brusca Nursery Inc., and Shine Pro Cleaning.

For more information about Godfrey’s Farm, please visit www.godfreysfarm.com.

For more information on Benedictine and how you can support their mission, please contact Claudia Cunningham, Chief Advancement Officer at 410 634 2292 or [email protected].

 

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About Benedictine:

Benedictine is a non-sectarian nonprofit service provider and its mission is to support children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can achieve their greatest potential. Benedictine currently supports close to 200 children and adults.

The year-round educational program is one of only 22 nationwide to earn a four-year accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). This program includes home-like living and learning options on the Ridgely, Maryland campus, for children ages 5 to 21 who come from Maryland and surrounding states. Benedictine also has 4 student group homes located in Caroline and Talbot Counties. 

Benedictine’s Adult Services program offers Meaningful Day and job training services for transitional youth and adults, ages 22 to 70+, who live in the community, and in 18 Benedictine adult group homes in Caroline, Talbot, and Anne Arundel Counties.

Benedictine’s Easton Community Services & Training Center prepares the adults it supports to enter the workforce. Benedictine also collaborates with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to provide training programs and job search services for students in area schools and adults living in the surrounding community.

Benedictine serves individuals from all over the state and Mid-Atlantic region and is one of the Eastern Shore’s largest nonprofit employers with close to 400 employees. For more information, visit www.benschool.org.

Easton Airport’s ACE Program, in partnership with the Easton Composite Squadron – Civil Air Patrol (CAP), is set to launch a series of dynamic and educational summer activities aimed at middle school to early high school students (ages 12-16). These activities, scheduled throughout July, promise to offer engaging, hands-on experiences in aviation and explore related career pathways.

The program kicks off on July 16 with an Airfield Design session. Here, students will delve into the details of airport operations. Participants will learn about the various features of an airport, their significance, and why they are essential for smooth operations. In a collaborative exercise, students will team up to design their own airport, complete with landing strips where they will practice landing Styrofoam planes using fishing line. This exercise not only fosters teamwork but also gives students a practical understanding of airport design.

The excitement continues July 17 with a session focused on Paper Airplane and Aircraft Characteristics. Students will participate in designing and constructing paper airplanes, gaining insights into the various parts of an aircraft and how each part is suited for specific tasks. Each student will take on a role within their team, and the session will culminate in a friendly competition to see which airplane can stay airborne the longest. This activity is designed to teach important concepts in a fun and interactive way, emphasizing both the theoretical and practical aspects of aviation.

On July 23 and 24, the program delves into the world of rocketry. Students will first explore the history and science behind rocketry, learning about the pioneers of this field and the fundamental laws of motion. They will build and decorate their own model rockets, preparing for the much-anticipated launch day. The culmination of this exciting series is the Model Rocket Launch Day, held at an offsite location to be announced. Students will launch the rockets they constructed, applying the safety and operational knowledge they have gained. An adult member will oversee the launches, ensuring a safe and educational experience for all participants. This session not only provides a thrilling end to the program but also reinforces the lessons learned about rocketry and safety.

Throughout the morning programs, participants will receive all necessary materials, snacks, and bottled water. The activities are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, taking place indoors and outdoors, so comfortable attire and sunscreen are advised. Each activity is capped at 20 students to ensure a quality learning environment, and advance registration is required along with parental consent.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible to secure a spot in this summer program. For more information, including times, location, and to register, visit www.eastonairport.com.

At the School’s Board of Trustees meeting on June 17, 2024, current member, Betsy Duff, was elected to become the next president of Radcliffe Creek School, taking over the reins from Robert Ditmars, who has served in the role since 2020. 

Vice President Brennan Starkey Pʼ10 reflected on Ditmars’ service as President of RCS, “Rob Ditmars worked tirelessly to help navigate Radcliffe Creek School through a very turbulent time marked by the Covid pandemic and a change in the head of school. His unflagging optimism, ability to cut to the heart of complex situations and sense of humor buoyed both the staff and the Board as we made difficult decision after difficult decision. He was the right person at the right time to lead the School.”

Duff joined the Radcliffe Creek School Board in 2021 and has served as its secretary, chair of the Committee on Trustees, a member of the Finance and Advancement Committees, and is currently chair of the Head of School Search Committee. 

Before joining RCS’ Board of Trustees, Duff was a trustee and chair of the Board of The Potomac School, director of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, director of The Literacy Lab, member of the International Board of Visitors of MICDS in St. Louis, and board member and president of the Junior League of Washington. 

Professionally, Duff is a managing partner and the chief operating officer of Harbour Capital Advisors, LLC, an independent wealth management firm and multi-family office. Her firm works with families to achieve multi-generational financial goals and optimize their invested wealth. Before forming Harbour Capital Advisors in 2011, Duff worked for more than 20 years in private and investment banking at Bank of America, focused on business development, client management, and debt structuring for families and corporations. Duff began her career at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. after earning a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University. She and her husband, Jim, live in McLean, VA, and spend their weekends in Chestertown.

Duff reflected on her top priorities for the school while taking the helm of the Board: “As Board President, it will be my privilege to work closely with Peter Thayer in his third year as head of school, and then to welcome our next head in 2025. Identifying, hiring, and welcoming our next school leader into the community will be a top priority for the board for the next several years. We will continue to emphasize the health of our school community through higher student admissions growth and retention of our outstanding faculty. We will ensure the school’s financial flexibility and sustainability through fundraising and strong financial management. Additionally, we will oversee the School’s strategic direction as we move forward into its next chapter under new leadership.”

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About Radcliffe Creek School

As the only K-8 school on Maryland’s Eastern Shore specialized in educating children with learning differences, Radcliffe Creek School (RCS) continues to stand out as a critical resource for area families. Our expert faculty have been utilizing hands-on, multi-sensory instructional methods—grounded in the science of reading—for more than 28 years. RCS students hail from eight counties and 23 different zip codes. To learn more about the immersive, individualized education program offered at Radcliffe Creek School, visit www.radcliffecreekschool.org online or call 410-778-8150.