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November 7, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

3 Top Story Cambridge Uncategorized

One Mission Cambridge Faces Record Demand After SNAP Lapse

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One Mission Cambridge is asking for the community’s help as demand for food assistance and essential services rises in the wake of the federal government shutdown and the lapse in SNAP benefits.

Executive Director Krista Pettit said both food and monetary donations are urgently needed to keep the mission’s programs running. 

Pettit said Monday, November 3, was the mission center’s busiest day ever since it opened in 2022, with 75 people coming through its doors between 1 and 5 p.m. That four-hour surge represents several hundred household members receiving food and assistance. 

“We have seen need skyrocket in our community, and we are asking everyone who can donate funds to please do so,” Pettit said. “Every contribution, regardless of size, truly matters. The need is urgent and growing.”

The center is open three days a week, and each day this week has averaged five first-time visitors. Pettit noted that this increase has continued steadily for the past several days, not just since the shutdown began.

Pettit said that while donations of nonperishable food remain valuable, monetary contributions are now the organization’s most urgent need. 

“Financial support helps us keep the electricity on, pay for heating and cooling, and fund the case management services that help people apply for jobs or benefits,” she said. The center also serves as a warming and cooling site for residents and hosts a free lunch each Thursday.

Since opening, One Mission Cambridge has served more than 1,889 individuals, reaching an estimated 4,100 household members through food programs, case management, and other forms of assistance.

The call for support comes as food banks across the country brace for increased demand due to disruptions in federal nutrition benefits. Some states have announced stopgap measures to continue payments, but advocates warn that any delay or uncertainty in SNAP funding can quickly strain local food programs.

Volunteers are also essential to the mission’s operations. Pettit said volunteers assist with the food pantry’s “shopping” program, helping clients select groceries, carrying bags to cars, and building relationships with neighbors. “The number one thing we do is relationship building,” she said. “When volunteers come back, they often see the same people they’ve helped before, and real connections are made.”

Pettit added that the mission’s board is in active discussions with local and state officials to plan for the possibility that the shutdown and its effects on benefits may continue. 

“We realize this is a trend that could continue,” she said. “We’re working on how to sustain the income needed to keep this going.”

How to Donate:  Community members can donate online or send contributions by mail to One Mission Cambridge, 614 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613.  The center is open for services from 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

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

Commissioner Outlines Plan to Reduce Cambridge Blight

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Cambridge City Commissioner Brett Summers (left) addresses Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN) while association president Chuck McFadden listens.

Cambridge City Commissioner representing Ward 1 Brett Summers says a set of new tools now under consideration could help reverse years of neglect and vacancy in the city’s neighborhoods and business district. 

Summers, a real estate developer himself who owns multiple downtown properties, pointed to proposed new taxes on vacant storefronts and undeveloped properties, a city-funded land bank, and the creation of a tenants’ rights advocate as part of a comprehensive effort to clean up and restore the town’s appearance and vitality.

The new taxes would take effect on commercial property owners who leave their assets undeveloped for a year and would gradually increase over time.   A land bank would acquire and return vacant, under-utilized, tax-delinquent, or abandoned properties to productive, community-beneficial use. A tenant’s advocate on the city staff would help ensure that absentee or neglectful landlords are accountable for their responsibilities regarding upkeep and safety.

“I just see vacant homes. I see vacant storefronts. It’s glaring and nothing’s being done to address or motivate change,” Summers told The Spy after his recent address to the Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN), where he laid out a laundry list of projects he campaigned for and is working to enact. 

The new storefront tax would charge the owners of approximately 30 downtown commercial spaces that have been empty for long periods, with proceeds used for downtown marketing and development. The vacant property tax would apply to the estimated 900 unused homes and lots, modeled on programs in regional cities that levy a tax rate four to five times the normal rate on vacant buildings. Summers said both measures are designed to motivate owners to rehabilitate or sell properties that have sat idle.

“Why would someone pay for a building and then do nothing with it?” he mused. “I have no idea, but if holding property without improving it starts costing real money, people will take action.”

He said the city’s planned land bank could also play an important role by acquiring neglected or tax-delinquent properties and returning them to productive use. Together, he said, the taxes, land bank, and tenants’ advocate represent a coordinated approach to reducing visible decline across Cambridge.

Summers said he supports hiring a tenants’ rights advocate to help renters understand and assert their rights under Maryland’s Tenant Bill of Rights. With nearly 60 percent of local housing stock now rented, he said, the advocate could serve as a watchdog to ensure landlords meet housing codes and maintain properties in livable condition.

“The tenant’s advocate can help residents demand better living,” he said. “If you’re a landlord, you have to meet housing code. That not only benefits the tenants, but the whole community.”

Other Topics Summers Addressed

  • YMCA – Summers said he supports building a new YMCA comparable to facilities in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. Several major donors are interested, though not in locating the facility at Cambridge Harbor. He said plans are moving forward and that timing is crucial while donor interest remains high.  “We need a new YMCA. I’ve toured [others on the Shore].  Ours doesn’t compare to those.”
  • Mill Street School – Summers has been pressing the building’s owner to move forward with renovation plans for eight condominium units. The city owns the back half of the parcel for stormwater management, and has required updated approvals from the Historic Preservation Commission.
  • City Hall Restoration – Summers reaffirmed his position that city offices should work to return to the historic City Hall building once a full architectural assessment determines space needs and costs.
  • Cambridge Police Department – He noted the city approved raises and bonuses this year to bring police pay closer to nearby departments and said the next goal is to restore a step-pay system that provides predictable annual increases.
  • Dog Park and Cannery Park – Construction is underway for a dog park at Cannery Park, part of a larger development that will eventually include a splash pad, playground, and skate area.
  • Transportation for Youth – He said lack of transportation, rather than lack of activities, limits opportunities for children in Cambridge and that the city should explore solutions.
  • Tax Rate Differential – Summers said the city is preparing a resolution to open discussions with Dorchester County about tax rates, noting city residents pay significantly more in combined taxes than county residents. The fact that 61 percent of county income comes from federal and state sources poses risk for the city from potential cuts.
  • Trees and Urban Landscape – He called for more funding for tree planting as part of creating a more livable urban landscape, saying he wants to make it a clear line item in the city budget.
  • Rescue Fire Company Train Garden – Summers said he supports granting a permanent location for the popular holiday display in part of the old firehouse.
  • Shoreline and Sewer Infrastructure – He said addressing combined sanitary and storm sewer lines is a priority for Ward 1, calling it a more immediate need than shoreline resiliency projects.

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

For All Seasons Moves Front and Center in Cambridge

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For All Seasons President and CEO Beth Ann Dorman cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the new, larger, and more centrally located Cambridge office, flanked by federal, state, and local dignitaries and Dorchester business leaders.

Making remarks at Wednesday’s dedication for the new For All Seasons office in Cambridge, President and CEO Beth Anne Dorman had a story for the dignitaries and business leaders assembled in an adjacent parking lot.

Just before heading to the ceremony, she got a call from the head of Talbot Mentors. There had been a suicide in the community. The victim’s sister was traumatized and needed help. Within minutes, For All Seasons had her scheduled with a counselor for the very next morning.

“There’s no wait time,” Dorman said. “She’ll be with a clinician tomorrow.”

That kind of responsiveness, she said, is precisely what the organization hopes to expand in its new, more visible Cambridge home. After more than three decades tucked away on Cedar Street, For All Seasons has moved to 407 Race Street, bringing its mental health and rape crisis services to the center of town.

The move is part of the nonprofit’s ongoing campaign, Bringing Mental Health to Main Street, an effort to make mental health care as present in daily life as dining out or shopping.

“After being a well-kept secret for 30 years, it’s great to be part of the fabric of everyday life,” Dorman said. “As much as you think about going to a restaurant for dinner, we want you to think about mental health and mental wellness.” She added that For All Seasons is not just there to serve the business community, but to be part of it.

Founded in 1986 as a one-person office, For All Seasons has grown into a $13 million agency employing nearly 90 staff across five Mid-Shore counties. Through its Open Access program, anyone can walk in or connect by telehealth and receive counseling the same day, with no wait list and no screening based on ability to pay. Services are offered in English, Spanish, and other languages through translation technology.

The new Cambridge office boosts capacity from just three rooms to ten counseling spaces, with room to expand to sixteen. That growth reflects both rising demand and For All Seasons’ commitment to Dorchester County, which has some of the region’s highest rates of sexual assault and related trauma.

“We provide services for the things people don’t want to talk about,” Dorman told the crowd. “We’re wrapping around families, children, first responders, veterans, anyone who needs that blanket of safety.”

Last year, For All Seasons served more than 4,000 clients and delivered over 100,000 individual services across the Mid-Shore. In Dorchester alone, 529 residents received care – nearly one in five of the organization’s total clients – including many youth.

At the ribbon cutting and open house, which included tours, light fare, and the usual networking, Dorman thanked local and state officials who helped make the expansion possible. But her message was aimed at the wider community.

“All you need to do is call,” she said. “We want to dig in with you. We are here to be partners.”

For All Seasons’ move to Race Street, she added, is not just about square footage. “Mental health belongs right here on Main Street, visible, local, and without stigma. It’s a place for children, families, and individuals to heal and thrive.”

Bill Christopher, president of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the event, agreed that mental health is a major issue for the county.

“Our stats are off the charts in terms of sexual abuse, rape, and other issues,” he said. “Having the services here and helping the community learn about their availability is extremely important.” He noted that publicizing the relocation might help For All Seasons recruit volunteers and raise awareness.

“They’ve received a warm welcome.  In some places they might not,” Christopher said. “Cambridge is unique in that way. It’s awesome to have them here.

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

When Ticket Scams Hit Home at the Avalon

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The complaints used to trickle in. Lately, they come in waves.

People show up at the Avalon thrilled for a show—Graham Nash, Judy Collins, the Eastport Oyster Boys—and the night starts with a thud. The seats aren’t what they thought. The name on the ticket isn’t theirs. The price they paid doesn’t match the face value printed right there in black and white.

“We’re seeing it with almost every show,” said Jessica Bellis, the Avalon Foundation’s Director of Finance and Operations. “Not just the big names you’d expect to draw competition from resellers. Community shows, too. Last year’s Sound of Music—people were spending three or four times face value because they landed on a reseller’s site.”

If you’re thinking “scalpers,” that’s not it. This is something else—slick third-party “marketplaces” that look like a venue’s box office, speak with the same urgency (“only two left!”), and promise tickets… later. Sometimes they buy after you buy, then transfer the tickets just before showtime. Sometimes they buy early, mark up the price, and pass along a QR code with a stranger’s name on it. Always, they add fees—double, triple, more.

“I think people have been desensitized to ticket pricing,” Bellis said. “There’s been so much news about how expensive tours are. So you see $60 for a regional act and think, ‘I guess that’s what it costs now.’ It doesn’t—if you’re on our site. But if you’re on a resale site, it suddenly does.”

That desensitization has a cost beyond dollars. “It colors the whole experience,” Bellis said. “You came here to relax, to have fun, and now you’re stewing because the ticket says $60 and you paid $150.”

Deana Villani, the Avalon’s Multimedia Specialist, sees how easy it is to get fooled. “People Google ‘Avalon Theater,’ click the top result—which is usually an ad—and land on a site that looks legitimate,” she said. “The seat maps mimic ours: right orchestra, center orchestra, left orchestra. But there are tells. We list rows by letters, A through H. They might show ‘Row 25.’ We don’t have a Row 25.”

Another tell: pop-ups and flashing countdowns. “Low ticket warning. Selling fast. Only two remaining. That’s not us,” Villani said. “We may note low inventory in an email, but we’re not doing the slot-machine thing on the site.”

What happens when someone realizes too late?

“We try to care for them,” Bellis said. “If there’s a better seat open, we’ll move them. But we can’t refund money we never received. We don’t know what they paid or who took their payment. If they’ve misplaced the confirmation and don’t remember which site they used, we’re doing detective work in the lobby while doors are closing.”

She told a story from a near-sold-out Judy Collins show: an older woman came alone, flustered, without a receipt. “We pieced it together—one single seat in a row she sort of remembered—but you feel awful,” Bellis said. “And then someone asks, ‘Why doesn’t your website warn people?’ It does. But they weren’t on our website.”

Villani sees patterns. “Folks from out of town are the most vulnerable,” she said. “They don’t know what our site looks like, they’re not on our email list, and they’re used to searching by the artist’s name plus city. They click the first thing that looks right. We’ve had people drive up from Norfolk and elsewhere in Virginia, and it’s heartbreaking to tell them they paid triple.”

The confusion doesn’t end at purchase. If a show is canceled, shifted, or has important day-of updates, the venue emails the account holder—the real buyer of record. “If that’s a reseller, the message may never get to the person in the seat,” Bellis said. “We often station someone at the door during cancellations because we know some patrons won’t have been told. Nine times out of ten, those are reseller tickets.”

Why not fight back on Google? Short answer: money.

“Yes, you can play the SEO/ads game to float your official link to the top,” Bellis said. “But it’s expensive and targeted by geography and demographics. A nonprofit venue like ours can’t outspend national marketplaces. It would be throwing good money after bad. Our strategy is education: talk with the press, speak to community groups, and warn patrons everywhere we can.”

There’s also the industry reality: most Avalon shows aren’t meant to sell out. “We design our schedule to serve the community,” Bellis said. “The idea that you need a ‘concierge’ service to secure seats here is mostly fiction. You usually can buy legitimate tickets at face value from us.”

So what should people do?

First, start in the right place. “Type the venue address directly,” Villani said. “For us, it’s avalonfoundation.org. Alternatively, visit the artist’s official website and click the venue link on their tour page. If you’re on our email list, those links go straight to our ticketing system.”

Second, sanity-check the price. “If your gut says, ‘This seems high for this act or this hall,’ get out of the cart and check our homepage,” Bellis said. “If our listed price doesn’t match what you’re about to pay, you’re on the wrong site.”

Third, check the details. “Rows listed as numbers instead of letters? A countdown clock and pop-ups? A ‘Row 25’ in a hall that doesn’t have numbers?” Villani said. “Those are red flags.”

Finally, slow down. “Don’t buy tickets after two glasses of wine on your phone,” Bellis said. “That’s when people make the biggest mistakes.”

There’s a part of this story that often gets overlooked: the people we never see—the ones who get priced out before they can click buy. “We talk about patrons who show up with marked-up tickets,” Bellis said. “But what about the people who land on a reseller, see the wrong price, and decide they can’t afford the Eastport Oyster Boys at sixty bucks when our tickets are twenty-five or thirty? They miss out entirely.”

On the flip side, some patrons overpay and never realize it. “They come, enjoy the show, and leave blissfully unaware,” Bellis said. “They’ll do it again next time. As a nonprofit, that stings. If you’re willing to pay triple face value, I’d love to introduce you to our development director and put those extra dollars to work here instead of with a reseller.”

If this sounds widespread, it is. “It’s not just us,” Villani said. “Birchmere, arena venues, major arts centers—it’s everywhere.” Bellis has started bringing the issue to civic groups. “I did a live demo with the St. Michaels Women’s Club,” she said. “We typed in searches together, clicked the top results, and saw how legitimate those bogus sites look. It was eye-opening.”

And as for legal remedies, the venue’s hands are tied at the door. “Resale is legal,” Bellis said. “These companies say they’re providing a ‘service.’ They’re not offering great customer service, but they’re operating within the rules. We can’t void those tickets on sight. Our focus is on helping people avoid the trap in the first place.”

The simplest path remains the best one: go straight to the source. “Our email list is a safety net,” Bellis said. “Every buy link is ours. The artist’s tour page is another safe on-ramp. What’s risky is typing the artist and city into a search engine and trusting the first result. We could be 15 or 20 links down.”

It would be easy to shrug and say this is the new normal. Bellis isn’t there. “We should be talking with peer venues and ticketing partners more,” she said. “Trade groups are buzzing about it. For now, the most effective thing is getting the word out.”

The message isn’t scoldy. It’s practical. “Buyer beware is the headline,” Bellis said. “Trust your gut. If anything feels off, hit pause and check us directly. Call us if you need to—we’ll call you back.”

One more thing—let’s talk out loud about it. 

“Please don’t be embarrassed if you’ve been scammed like this,” Bellis said. “That silence is how your friend ends up making the same mistake. Use the comments. Share the story. Help us spread the word.”

Villani agreed and put it plainly. “I’d love it if people took care to go to the actual venue or artist’s website and purchase tickets from there,” she said. “It would put these resellers out of business.”

Have you hit a reseller wall—overpaid seats, last-minute ticket transfers, no notification on a cancellation? Share your story below. Your experience might be the nudge that saves a neighbor from the same headache—and gets more people into the seats they meant to buy at the price the venue actually set.

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

Nearly 400 Come Out in Cambridge for ‘No Kings’ Rally

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Nearly 400 people of all ages lined three blocks of Cambridge on Route 50 for Saturday’s peacefully executed ‘No Kings” rally.

For two hours Saturday afternoon, national politics intersected with the flow of traffic as nearly 400 people, old and young, a dozen-odd dogs, and a bevy of costumed characters held placards and chanted slogans as part of the network of the more than 2,700 “No Kings” rallies that took place across all 50 states.

Notwithstanding a somewhat ineffectual counter-protest of three trucks decked out with MAGA branding circling around the second such rally since June, the afternoon was overwhelmingly positive. The noise of the crowd mixed with the honking horns of passing vehicles.

The event was hosted by Cambridge Indivisible, a volunteer-led nonpartisan community organization that “advocates for justice and freedom,” according to its website.  While organizer Michelle Fowle managed proceedings with the help of a large bullhorn, her husband Andy spun a well-selected playlist of latter-day protest songs including the likes of Public Enemy and the Sex Pistols, and staffed the group’s registration kiosk seeking to grow its 1,500-person membership.  

Rally organizers Andy and Michelle Fowle talk to The Spy in front the kiosk for their ‘Cambridge Indivisible’ civic organization.

“People are pumped, they want to do things,” Michelle Fowle told The Spy. We don’t do kings in America. This protest is the most American thing you can do. This regime is trying to consolidate power to oppress people, and we won’t have it.  We’re holding strong.” 

Sabrina Barger-Turner, whose local nonprofit is a member of the Anti-Hunger Alliance, said upcoming cuts in social safety net programs inspired her to take to the streets on behalf of her constituents.  

“Because of cuts to SNAP assistance benefits, food pantries are overwhelmed and the shelves are empty,” she said.  “They not only impact direct benefits, but also critical federal employees. At agencies like HUD [Housing and Urban Development], a lot of employees responsible for overseeing discrimination in housing policy have been fired.”  

For Rich Levy of Cambridge, the issue is as fundamental as democracy itself.  “It’s vanishing,” he said. “Too much control is being handed over to the billionaires.  Our enemies aren’t really right-wing voters, but billionaires who manipulate people to do what they want. While we fight with each other, they rob us blind.”

Steve Levin (left) and Rich Levy (middle), both of Cambridge, let their voices be heard and their signs be read.

Gina, dressed in a Handmaiden’s Tale outfit with her face hidden behind a mask, spoke to The Spy but didn’t want to give her last name.  She said immigration policy was the most alarming aspect, among others, of the sitting federal government.  “There is no due process these days,” she said.  “It’s not criminals they are taking like they said, but hard-working taxpayers making meaningful contributions to society.”   

In her Handmaiden’s Tale costume, Gina protested the sitting administration’s immigration policy.

Some participants said that getting people to come out was as important as making a clever sign or donning a costume. Steve Levin, of Cambridge, said he worked his network all week to ensure maximum participation.  “I’ve been telling everyone I know to get a little courage,” he said. “And as a result, a lot of people who have never done anything like this before are out here today.  It’s helped.  The turnout is great.” 

Maranda Brown of Cambridge was equipped with a bullhorn and science lesson at the protest.

Mark Elliott took a local angle sporting a “Flip the first” t-shirt, referring to the Eastern Shore’s congressional district held by Republican Rep. Andy Harris for the last 14 years.  “I don’t think Harris does much for us on the Shore,” Elliott said.  “He just toes the MAGA line.  And the irony is, the new tariffs are hurting the local soybean farmers more than ever.  He’s got no respect for the people he represents.  The district is gerrymandered.”   

When it was all over, Fowle said she was proud of her town. “Cambridge has a long history of rising for justice,” she said.  “Yesterday, we carried that legacy forward.  From Harriet Tubman to Gloria Richardson, our town has always known that freedom takes visibility and courage.”

 

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For All Seasons Hosts Downtown Cambridge Office Open House

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For All Seasons has been serving Dorchester County families through its office in Cambridge for more than a decade. In early fall 2025, the agency will relocate its Cambridge office to a larger downtown site, helping to meet the growing community needs in the county and surrounding counties and to be more embedded in the community. This expansion is part of For All Seasons’ Bringing Mental Health to Main Street initiative, which aims to make mental health visible, accessible, and central to daily life on the Mid-Shore. On October 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., For All Seasons will host an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony, including tours, networking, and light fare – opening the doors to the community. The agency’s walk-in mental health services, Open Access™, will be added to the Race Street location in the coming weeks. Information on Open Access™ is available on the agency’s website.

There is a need for expanded mental health and victim services in Dorchester County. Last year, For All Seasons served 529 Dorchester County clients, representing nearly one in five of the clients For All Seasons serves. 22% of those clients were youth. In addition, For All Seasons has seen a high rate of rape crisis calls and referrals from Dorchester County.

“Our new office is not just four walls — it’s hope. Mental health is as essential as schools, hospitals, and businesses in a community. Care belongs on Race Street in downtown Cambridge – visible, local, and without stigma. It’s a place for children, families, and individuals to heal and thrive,” shares Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

For further information on the Open House and Ribbon Cutting, click here.

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

CWDI Inches Closer to Hotel Agreement

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The long-awaited hotel at Cambridge Harbor is moving closer to reality, with leaders of Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI) calling it the anchor project for the city’s redeveloped waterfront.

At the group’s October 16, 2025, board meeting, members said they are working toward a written agreement with a potential hotel operator. The document will lock in details about the brand, amenities, and overall character of the new hotel.

Board member Tim Crosby said the group is “laser focused” on finalizing those details and expressed hope that an agreement could be reached by the end of the year. Talks with the operator were briefly paused for personal reasons but are expected to resume soon, by December at the latest.

The effort builds on groundwork laid through the city’s request for proposals, which set expectations for a waterfront hotel by pointing to successful examples around the Chesapeake Bay. The board has described the hotel as central to attracting private investment and ensuring year-round activity at the harbor.

Other developments from the October 16 meeting:

    • Promenade landscaping: New plantings are expected to be in place by late November, creating a more finished look for the public walkway. Board members said the promenade will be an early visible sign of the broader redevelopment.
    • Fishing pier: A proposed design would create space for families and for experienced anglers, with amenities such as restrooms and vendor facilities under consideration. The pier is intended to make the harbor more accessible to residents.
    • Finances: Treasurer Frank Narr reported about $10,000 in cash on hand and $67,000 committed to engineering contracts. He noted that some grant revenues have been awarded but not yet received, making cash flow an ongoing concern.
    • Design guidelines: During a public comment period, a question was raised about whether CWDI was receiving special treatment in the city’s planning process. Crosby responded that the project is operating under the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC). “For the record, this overlay zone is very well described in section 4.3 of the UDC,” he said. “We are absolutely following every single step. We’re not asking for special favors.”
    • State engagement: Board members highlighted recent conversations with the Maryland Department of Commerce and said ongoing state support will be key to keeping momentum on the project.

On September 25, CWDI released a Request for Proposals seeking a commercial real estate brokerage to market the 35-acre site, a critical step to developing a coherent overall plan.  The goal is to attract developers for a walkable, mixed-use destination with housing, retail, hospitality, community spaces, and a promenade along the river.  Proposals due by the end of October 31, and CWDI expects to select a broker on November 26. The imminent brokerage partner will be “key to attracting developers who can deliver on our vision” for the waterfront, Crosby said earlier.

For Cambridge, where efforts to redevelop the waterfront have spanned decades, the hotel agreement represents a pivotal step. Crosby said the board wants a project that serves both visitors and residents, and that securing the right operator will help shape everything else that follows.

“If we get this right, it will set the stage for everything else,” he said.

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Cambridge Nursing Assistant is 2025 CNA of the Year

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Mary Camper, of Cambridge, a longtime certified nursing assistant at Mallard Bay Nursing and Rehab, has been recognized as the Mid Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council’s 2025 Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year.

The award was presented during a recent ceremony at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s Health and Education Center in Easton.

Mary Camper, winner of the 2025 Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year, has been doing the job for 46 years.

Camper has worked as a certified nursing assistant for 46 years, dedicating her career to providing hands-on care for patients and supporting her colleagues.  

Her nomination from Mallard Bay highlighted the qualities that earned her this year’s honor, describing her as “the embodiment of what healthcare should be” and praising her dedication, leadership, and professionalism.

Selection for the award is based on a wide range of criteria designed to reflect the skills and values of the nursing assistant profession. Judges consider work ethic, leadership skills, professionalism, compassion for others, teamwork, dedication to healthcare, attendance, friendliness with families and visitors, flexibility on the job, safety skills, and professional image.

The annual recognition is organized by the Mid Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council, which supports healthcare in the community by promoting the nursing assistant profession. 

The Council provides resources and networking opportunities to help nursing assistants build their skills and advance in the field. Its annual “CNA of the Year” award highlights the role nursing assistants play in patient care and honors those who exemplify the profession at its best.

By honoring Camper with this year’s award, the council recognized not only her decades of experience but also her continued dedication to the people she serves at Mallard Bay and the broader Cambridge community.

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New Radio Station ‘Finds the Harriet Within’

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WFHW founders (from left) Amanda Tilghman, Linda Harris, and Lori Thomas.  The station went live on Sunday, October 12. 

In Cambridge, a town rich with the legacy of Harriet Tubman, a new radio station will draw inspiration from the strength and vision of the iconic emancipator, reaching homes all along the Mid-Shore through music, history, and community voices, all under the banner “Find the Harriet Within.”

Accordingly named WFHW (90.3 FM), the new station will “go live”  on October 12, 2025.  The NPR member station is a partnership between the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center, Building African American Minds (BAAM), and Radio Chesapeake (WHCP FM 91.7). 

 The station broadcasts from a tower in Trappe, recently upgraded to expand coverage across most of the Mid-Shore and beyond (photos by The Spy’s own Agent 86), and will also stream programs online, with archives posted to YouTube for a broader audience.

Linda Harris, a Tubman museum board member, historical tour director, and musician, will serve as Station Manager for WFHW.  She recounted that the museum board applied for –– and somewhat surprisingly secured — the license two years ago, and later transferred it to WHCP.

“Harriet Tubman is about true self-love, community, helpfulness, and fearlessness,” Harris said, describing the station’s founding idea. “If you have those principles in your life, then you’ll be a fantastic person.  The station will reflect those ideals.” 

The upgraded broadcast tower in Trappe

For Harris, the station is a way to heal and connect Cambridge. “We hope the programming we bring will connect people through stories, topics, and music.” Volunteers will create original shows, from music sets to talk programs and civic conversations. 

Harris herself will host “What’s Your Journey?,” a weekday program featuring local people discussing their paths through family life, work, and relocation, with tracks from regional musicians woven into each broadcast from her extensive collection of recordings from artists based on the Mid-Shore, filling her daily hour with local sounds. 

WHTW’s program will share diverse stories from local history, often paired with music that reflects the coded songs of the Underground Railroad. Civic leaders and local officials will also join the station to discuss civics and Cambridge’s future.

Through BAAM, the station will provide an opportunity for young people to gain radio training and produce a weekly show, adding fresh voices and perspectives to the programmatic stew, which will share space with well-known NPR content.  

Rounding out the executive team central to WFHW’s development is WHCP Station Manager Amanda Tilghman and Lori Thomas, who will host a program on women’s issues. The station will initially broadcast in WHCP’s Cambridge studio, but parts will emanate from the Tubman Museum once renovations are complete.

“We are curating a program schedule that goes beyond the mainstream,” Tilghman noted. “It’s music for everyone paired with honest conversations about universal themes and shared values.”

The launch doubles as a celebration. On October 12, the Avalon Theatre hosted a fundraiser featuring Edward Henderson’s acclaimed Prince tribute, joined by regional leaders such as former Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley. 

For Harris, success will be measured in staying power and participation. “Success is simply being on the air, staying on the air, and engaging the community,” she said. Donations have already begun, a sign the idea may be just what Cambridge needs in these divided times. 

For more information, email [email protected].  

 

 

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

Hurlock Again ‘On Track’ with 2025 Fall Festival

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Frank Deuter, proprietor of Corduroy Crossing Hobbies in Snow Hill, represented for Hurlock at Saturday’s Fall Festival.

On October 4, Hurlock came alive with the 33rd annual Hurlock Fall Festival, a tradition that drew thousands to Main Street and the historic train station on Gay Street. 

Since its 1992 debut, the all-day, family-friendly event has grown into a regional celebration, attracting more than 3,000 participants from across the Delmarva region. 

A young passenger surrenders his ticket to conductor Tom Posatko, a member of the Wilmington, DE, chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Postatko has volunteered at the Hurlock Festival for the last 15 years.

As in the past, the festival featured a parade with marching bands, floats, and vintage cars; nostalgic train rides in two town-owned carriages; food vendors anchored by the Hurlock Volunteer Fire Company; live music; and small-town charm under a bright Saturday sun.

Federalsburg’s O’Mere Bland, 4, wishes for world peace after his train ride home and back. He is with his grandmother Alexa (left), auntie Aryah (middle), and cousin Keira (right) Copper.

Kids of all ages loved the scenic train rides on the Hurlock Express again this year, which celebrate the town’s railroading past. Departing from the train station, which was built in 1876 and predates the town’s founding in 1892, the round-trip to Federalsburg along the Maryland & Delaware Railroad’s Seaford Branch showed off lush farmland and serene countryside. 

Four-year-old O’Mere Bland, whose grandmom and auntie Alexa and Aryah Copper drove him from Federalsburg, had bought their train tickets for the 12:30 ride early.  

After descending the carriage, O’Mere told The Spy exclusively he “liked it,” referring to the ride, and saw “lots of grass” on the round trip to his hometown. Asked if the train went fast or slow, he opted for “fast.”  What else did he see?  “My house.” 

 

The kids’ train, which started life as a riding lawnmower, prepares for another spin around the festival grounds. The train helps raise funds to preserve the historic train depot in Hebron.

Steve Barry, president of the Wilmington, Delaware, chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, said his group helps out Hurlock every year and operates the diesel engine from the MD/DE fleet, as well as uniformed conductors for the trips. 

“Things are going really well this year,” Barry said.   The rides sold out long before today. These are really popular trips.”  

Attracting thousands, this year’s Fall Festival lived up to Hurlock’s motto of “On Track . . .  Since 1892.”

 

Roderick and Deborah Boulden, of Hurlock, silently glided around the festival on their e-bikes.

 

Passengers of all ages queue up for the 12:30 train ride through the fields. The town of Hurlock owns and maintains the two vintage carriages.

 

The sunny Fall weather made for a good day of people-watching for residents and canines of Hurlock living near the vendors and musicians at the festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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