Cambridge Time Machine: Oakley Beach Burns
On December 6, 1954, the half-century old Oakley Beach Hotel burned to the ground. The Choptank riverfront establishment was owned by Harold and Celia Ashmore, who had bought it in 1947. Local newsboy Sewell Frey, Jr., spotted smoke in back of the building around 7am. He ran in, yelled “fire,” phoned the police, and went […]
Cambridge From the Couch: Hallmark Movie
Cambridge once showed up on a publication’s list of 12 Maryland towns that were perfect for the setting of a Hallmark TV movie. Recalling that, the fiction writer in me couldn’t help thinking: what would be the story? So, here’s my idea, one that follows the Hallmark formula of romance, gentle humor, and quirky small-town […]
Cambridge Time Machine: Greene’s Opera House
Greene’s Opera House was a music hall located on Pine Street across from Wells Street, built around the turn of the 20th century. It was one of the most important African American entertainment venues in Cambridge. Like many “opera houses” of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it hosted a variety of entertainment, including […]
Cambridge From the Couch: Juneteenth for All
Last year, in the Yorkie fans Facebook group, I posted a photo of my dog, Marlowe, wearing a Juneteenth bandana to celebrate the holiday. Many people reacted favorably to the pic, but one guy commented, “Is this a dog group, or a group for politics and racism?” I didn’t even have to respond, because other […]
Fur Your Consideration: Meet Mack and Henry
Each week, The Spy partners with Baywater Animal Rescue to feature animals looking for a second chance. These profiles spotlight the personalities, quirks, and stories behind the cats and dogs waiting for adoption. Meet your next companion. Meet Mack, an 8-month-old mixed-breed pup with a big heart and an even bigger zest for life! Personality […]
Cambridge Time Machine: WCEM Radio
WCEM was one of the longtime local radio stations serving Cambridge and the Mid-Shore. The AM station, WCEM 1240, first signed on in November 1947 and originally used the call letters WCMD before changing to WCEM in 1949. For decades, WCEM was a classic small-town local station. Older residents remember it as a place for […]
Cambridge From the Couch: Civic Self-Esteem
The people of Cambridge possess a remarkable talent for seeing what’s wrong with our city. They also are quite adept at pointing out those problems. No doubt the issues are legitimate, but we’ve been so thoroughly trained to identify the negatives that we often overlook what’s going right in Cambridge. Yes, we have crime, poverty, […]
Cambridge Time Machine: the Catholic Church
Though a small Catholic congregation formed in Dorchester County in the 1700s, a Cambridge congregation was not established until after the Civil War. Led by Rev. Alfred Curtis, the local Catholics purchased the property at the corner of Mill and William Streets and put a building on it in 1885. In 1894, it was replaced […]
Cambridge From the Couch: Lighting up Memories
Phillumenist. That’s what you call someone who collects matchbooks. Phillumeny comes from the Greek words meaning “lover of light.” Obviously, it refers literally to the act of lighting the matches, but I suggest a second meaning: bringing light to memories and history. In the “Cambridge Memories” Facebook group I’m a member of, locals post photos […]
Fur Your Consideration: Meet Piper and Sassy S’more
Each week, The Spy partners with Baywater Animal Rescue to feature animals looking for a second chance. These profiles spotlight the personalities, quirks, and stories behind the cats and dogs waiting for adoption. Meet your next companion. Meet Piper, a 4½-month-old mixed-breed puppy with a heart as big as her adorable puppy-dog eyes! This sweet […]