“Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’- By World,” a collaborative program of the Talbot County Department of Social Services (TCDSS) and Talbot Family Network (TFN), enters its third year with new community sessions starting September 16 and running through December 9, 2019. The program allows participants to explore the impact that poverty and low wages have and what it takes to move from just getting by, to getting ahead and realizing the future that they really want.

According to Cawaina Friend, Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World Facilitator, “Life can present us with trials – job losses, illnesses, and unforeseen events. The program helps participants network with community resources and develop relationships with one another to gain financial stability and to advance their careers. Getting Ahead is internationally recognized for its interactive small group format. No one “teaches” you what you need to know – you discover what is the best for you.”

Individuals can sign up on their own or be referred by one of the programs community partners, like Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, DORS, DLLR, Chesapeake Voyagers, B & J Health Services, the Talbot County Department of Social Services, or the Talbot County Detention Center.

A 34-year old female who was referred to the program from Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) comments, “After spending eight months at TIS and then being in their transitional apartments for three years, I decided to participate in the program. It has helped me a lot and given me confidence. I learned interviewing skills which have helped me progress to the next step in the interviewing process for a job. I am also looking forward to attending Chesapeake College.” She adds, “The money management information was also very impactful to me.”

Participants take part in a 13-week workshop, meeting two hours a week in small groups where they have problem-solving discussions and investigations. Weekly stipends, childcare, dinner, and transportation assistance are offered to participants in the program.

The “Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’- By World” program meets at the Easton Family YMCA in Easton at 202 Peachblossom Road in Easton on Mondays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning on September 16. Persons interested in participating in this program or individuals or organizations wishing to refer individuals to the program should contact Mary Robey, Workforce Specialist, at 410-770-5185 or email mary.robey@maryland.gov.

Haven Ministries will again host its 3rd Annual Haven Ministries Golf Tournament on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Prospect Bay Country Club. The event benefits Haven Ministries housing assistance programs, including its Emergency Winter Shelter located at Kent Island United Methodist Church from October through April; its Street Outreach to respond to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis; and its Resource Center, located in the basement of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that is open to the public. Funds are often used to assist with housing situations in order to avoid the risk of homelessness. For five years, Haven Ministries has been focusing efforts in the Kent Island area in order to operate a housing assistance program there.

The scenic Prospect Bay golf course is located at 311 Prospect Bay Drive West, in Grasonville, MD. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and Shotgun Start at 9 a.m. It will be Captain’s Choice format. The price per player is $125 and includes Green Fees, Cart, Range Balls, Continental Breakfast, Complimentary Beverages on the Course, Lunch in the Clubhouse, and Prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Top 3 Teams, Longest Drive Men & Women, Closest to the Pin Men & Women, Special Hole-in-one Contest, Door Prizes, 50/50 Drawing and more.

The Haven Advantage Package is valued at $10 per golfer and includes: 1 Mulligan, 1 Move up to Forward Tee and 1 Hand Toss a.k.a. “Hand Wedge.” Extra Mulligans are available for $5 each per player.

The premier event sponsors include Construction Services and Supply, the Roof Center, the American Legion Post 278 with support from VFW, Reedy Electrical, and Delmarva Power – an Exelon Company. Haven Ministries Business Partners supporting the event include the following: Diamond Level: Island Furniture Studio, Increte, and BAAR; Sapphire Level: Bay Times, Wye Conference Center, What’s Up Media, and PNC Bank; Platinum Level: The Roof Center, Safe at Home Senior Care, Construction Services and Supply, and Prospect Bay: Gold Level: Harris Crab House, Riley Custom Homes, Swan Cove Salon, The Narrows, Tri Gas & Oil, Waterman Realty, Homeland Title & Escrow, Hemingway’s Restaurant, Range and Reef, and The Shore Update; Silver Level: Chesapeake Hearing Centers, Holiday Inn Express,                                              Island Dental Studio, Island Flooring, Lundberg Builders, McCrone, Miltec, Realty Navigator, Shore United Bank, U.S. Health Care, Rotary Kent Island, KRM Development, Kari Anderson for Oceans Lending, Serr.Biz LLC, Rodan & Fields- Salisbury, and Shore Sign; Bronze Level: Blue Heron Catering, Chesapeake Chef Services, Chesa Del Crier, Capriotti’s -Chester, Joseph w. McCartin Insurance, Computer Island, Island Athletic, Legal Shield, Maid Healthy, Rodan & Fields, Cari Healy Hair,                                                 Chesapeake Think Tank, Linda Prochaska, Bob Gosselin Photography, Bella Rose Medi,                                                     Visiting Angels, Jenny Spencer -Mary Kay, Barbara Martin, KI Minuteman Press,                                                  Kentmorr Restaurant, First Home Mortgage, and The Winery.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Taryn Chase at 410-490-0925. For further information or to register for the tournament, visit haven-ministries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

“Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) in Stevensville is holding its Annual Fundraiser on November 1, 2019. There will be a new twist this year for a really fun event. Proceeds to benefit the Kent Island community through extensive outreach, including art classes, gallery exhibits, summer camps and more.

If you’ve never been to a murder mystery dinner theater, then you’re in for a real treat!  Highly recognized for their talent, the Murder Mystery Company of Baltimore will orchestrate the evening of “Totally 80’s” mayhem behind the scenes at a rock concert. The Company will mix with our guests in assembling a cast …so costumes of your finest 80’s wear are very suitable (yet optional) …whether as your favorite celebrity of the time, or even your 80’s self.

Kentmorr Restaurant in Stevensville, will host the dinner with intimate tables of 6 for 80 guests.  Attendees enjoy buffet supper, cash bar and a jovial atmosphere as they vie for items in a unique way of bidding for artists’ works, opportunities and experiences.  In addition there will be 6 fabulous baskets of foods and drink for the silent auction. Cost for the evening will be $75 per person with $35 going to the KIFA program of your choice. 

The Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) is a 501(c)3 charity with a mission to enhance the cultural and artistic climate of Queen Anne’s County by encouraging anticipation in and the promotion of the visual arts, and to provide the opportunity for people of all ages to better appreciate the arts and develop their own creative skills. KIFA has been fulfilling this mission for the past 53 years.”

Leading the Board as chairman is Keith McMahan of Caroline County. McMahan is chairman and CEO of Tri-Gas & Oil Company, a 56-year old propane, petroleum and transportation company based in Federalsburg, Md. and serving the Mid-Atlantic region. McMahan served on the former Shore Health System Board 2008-2013 and has served on the UM SRH Board since 2013. He also is a member of the UM Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, which he joined in 1995 and has served as secretary since 2009. He also serves as a director for Provident State Bank and as a board member and past chairman of the National Propane Gas Association.

McMahan is actively involved in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Denton, Maryland, and is a member of C12, a Christian CEO roundtable and advisory group.

Richard Loeffler serves the Board as vice chairman and chairs the Strategic Planning Committee. A resident of Dorchester County, Loeffler is a business consultant for the Maryland Small Business Development Center and has served a variety of community and civic organizations, including as president of the Dorchester County Library, as a member of the Cambridge Economic Steering Committee and on the boards of Sailwinds Park, Inc. and the Cambridge Elks 1272.

Serving as treasurer is JoAnne Hahey, certified public accountant and chief financial officer, UM SRH. Hahey came to UM SRH in April, 2014 after 23 years at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including seven years as senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Robert A. Frank, senior vice president of operations for UM SRH, has joined the Board as secretary. Frank came to UM SRH in 2014 from Weirton Medical Center in Weirton, West Virginia, where he was vice president and chief financial officer. Previously, he served more than three decades with Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his last role was executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“UM Shore Regional Health is fortunate to have the diverse talent, knowledge and experience of these leaders and Board members who are dedicated to the advancement of health care in the five county region we serve,” says Ken Kozel, president and CEO, UM Shore Regional Health. “I look forward to their leadership and contributions as we expand and enhance our patient care programs and services.”

In addition to these officers, UM SRH Board members include: John Ashworth, interim president and CEO, University of Maryland Medical System; Charles Capute; Art Cecil III; Kathleen Deoudes; Marlene Feldman; Wayne L. Gardner, Sr.; Wayne Howard; Ona Kareiva, MD; Ken Kozel; Charles B. MacLeod; David Milligan; Eugene Newmeier, DO; William B. Noll; Stephen Satchell; Samuel T. Shoge; Thomas Stauch, MD; and Glenn L. Wilson.

Fall is the best season for planting, and the Arboretum offers the Chesapeake region’s largest selection of ornamental native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns and grasses for the fall landscape. Many native plants produce seeds, flowers and fruit in fall that attract migratory birds and butterflies. Brilliant orange butterfly weed and stunning red cardinal flower attract pollinators to the garden, while native asters add subtle shades of purple and blue. Redbud and dogwood dot the early-spring landscape with color, and shrubs such as aronia and beautyberry provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Open House hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 6 and Sat., Sept. 7 and noon to 4 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 8. Following the Open House, plants will be sold through fall at the Visitor’s Center.

Members receive a significant discount on plant purchases. Presale plant orders, including a ready-to-plant pollinator garden pack, will be accepted at adkinsarboretum.org through Thurs., Aug. 22 and may be picked up anytime during the Open House weekend.

Proceeds from plants sold at the Fall Open House benefit the Arboretum’s education programs. For more information, call 410-634-2847, extension 0 or visit adkinsarboretum.org.

CUTLINE: Native asters add color to the fall landscape and attract pollinators to the garden. Asters and many other native plants will be available at Adkins Arboretum’s Fall Open House and Native Plant Sale, Sept. 6–8. Photo by Kellen McCluskey.

(Easton, MD) Each summer, Mid-Shore Pro Bono welcomes a new class of summer interns and provides an immersive experience in all aspects of the organization. The 2019 interns were Linden Goff, April Jones, Briana Hulseman, Henry Large, Pat Milone, Amira Moore, Emma Shreves and Alexis Young.

Students internships play a vital role in MSPB’s programs while creating future professional opportunities for young people. Interns assist MSPB staff and volunteer attorneys with legal clinics, client intakes and meetings, court appearances, special outreach events, research, translation, administrative tasks and much more. Interns work at one or more of MSPB’s three locations and support MSPB’s mission to connect low-income individuals and families with legal assistance on the Eastern Shore.

“It has been a joy and privilege to welcome these talented interns this summer,” said Sandy Brown, Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director. “We put them to work right away, and they have all made tremendous contributions in a short time. We hope that their experiences with us will serve them well as they start a new chapter this fall.”

Linden Goff graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and is entering her second year at the University of Maryland Francis King Cary School of Law. She worked in the Salisbury office this summer.

April Jones, a native of Harford County, is a senior at Washington College and interned in the Chestertown office. She is studying philosophy and justice, law and society and plans to attend law school. Jones appreciated the opportunity to work with MSPB’s volunteer attorneys and witness their interactions with clients.

Briana Hulseman, a native of Oxford, will begin her second year at the University of Maryland Francis Cary School of Law and interned in MSPB’s Easton office this summer. She enjoyed her work with the entire MSPB team as well as her in-depth experience in family law. Because of her internship, she is now exploring family law as her specialty.

Henry Large, a native of Washington, DC, interned in the Easton office and will graduate from Yale University in 2022 with degrees in Spanish and History. He most enjoyed being able to apply his Spanish-speaking skills in a work environment that provides great help to people in need.

Pat Milone, originally from Annapolis, currently attends Bucknell University studying political science and sociology and plans to graduate in 2022. He worked in the Easton office and gained important experience and perspective in client-lawyer meetings and assisting with intake calls. Pat particularly enjoyed the time he spent in District Court.

Amira Moore is from Salisbury and is a senior at University of Maryland Eastern Shore studying criminal justice and business administration. Her hands-on experience with MSPB’s Salisbury office including time in clinics, court and client meetings has solidified her decision to attend law school after graduation.

Emma Shreves of Easton, is currently studying government and politics and Spanish at the University of Maryland College Park. This summer she interned in the Chestertown office and has enjoyed an immersive experience where she was able to help members of her hometown community while exploring a workplace related to her field of study.

Alexis Young is native of New Jersey and is currently attending Washington College where she is studying history and justice, law and society. She interned in the Chestertown office this summer and most enjoyed attending legal clinics, learning about the real-world issues clients face and playing a part in resolving them.

Over the years, MSPB has hosted interns from colleges and universities across the Country. Interested students should contact Sandy Brown at sabrown@midshoreprobono.org for future internship opportunities.

CRUMPTON – In a disaster when emergency personnel could be delayed in response, C.E.R.T. members become the first to respond. Community members throughout Queen Anne’s County want to help and do the most good in a disaster situation.

“However, sometimes, due to lack of training, the helping has the potential to do more harm than good. Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) training resolves this problem by giving you the knowledge and tools to successfully respond when it is most needed,” said Joseph Cichocki, who heads QAC Emergency Services’ efforts to create a strong base of educated and ready volunteers.

C.E.R.T. training educates volunteers on disaster preparedness and basic disaster response skills. C.E.R.T. members are taught based on nationally recognized guidelines and the material is adapted to conform to the hazards that could be faced within Queen Anne’s County. C.E.R.T. training teaches basic response skills ranging from fire safety, light search and rescue, to disaster psychology and how people typically react when disasters strike. C.E.R.T. training is spread out over eight days and is taught for 2-3 hours each day, usually in the evening.

Once the C.E.R.T. training has been completed, members are given a backpack with the basic tools necessary to respond in a disaster. C.E.R.T. members also have the opportunity to volunteer during numerous planned events throughout the year.

Queen Anne’s County is offering C.E.R.T. training from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from September 9 – October 2 at Crumpton Volunteer Fire Department. To sign up, go to www.qacdes.org and click on the CERT logo. For questions contact Joseph Cichocki jcichocki@qac.org or by calling him at (410) 758 -4500 ext. 1119.

On Sunday, September 15, ShoreRivers will host the 15th Annual Ride for Clean Rivers. Ride the beautiful back roads of Talbot and Queen Anne’s Counties in support of ShoreRivers’ work for clean waterways. This is a great way to bring summer to a close surrounded by friends, family, and fellow community members. Register at shorerivers.org/events before September 9 to guarantee an event tee-shirt! Riders are also encouraged to join teams and create their own fundraising pages to boost support for their participation from others.

Cyclers of all ages and levels are welcome to register for 20-mile, 35-mile, or 62-mile (metric century) routes. All routes begin and end at Chesapeake College and include SAG support and rest stops with food and drink. The metric ride will kickoff at 8:00 am and the 35-mile and 20-mile send-off will follow at 10:00 am. Upon returning to the college campus, riders and volunteers will enjoy a BBQ lunch and live music by “Fog After Midnight.”

ShoreRivers looks forward to continued support from the community for this year’s event. Whether enjoying a Sunday bike ride, riding with friends, or promoting a business, this event is about coming together. It is not too late to create a team or sign up to join ShoreRivers in support of cleaner, healthier rivers.

Thank you to ShoreRivers Marquee Sponsor Dock Street Foundation, as well as Agency of Record, Bay Imprint, Bike Doctor, Blessings Environmental Concepts, The Brewer’s Art, Chesapeake 4-H Club, Chesapeake College, Easton Family YMCA, Ecotone Ecological Restoration, ThinkMakeBuild, and S.E.W. Friel.

All proceeds go toward ShoreRivers’ science-based education, restoration, and water quality monitoring programs. For more information, please contact Rebekah Hock at rhock@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 extension 206.

ShoreRivers will also host the Run for Clean Rivers in Chestertown during Sultana Downrigging. Participants may walk or run a 5K or 10-mile course to support ShoreRivers. The event will be held on Saturday, November 2 from 9am-12pm at Wilmer Park in Chestertown, MD. Register online at shorerivers.org/events or on the day of the race.

5K Run/Walk: $35 before October 26
10-Miler: $60 before October 26

The Friends of Queen Anne’s County Library will have thousands of books, DVDs, and CDs for sale at hard-to-beat prices at its sixth Annual Used Book Sale. The event has grown each year and, for the first time ever this year, the Book Sale will be a two-day event: Friday, August 23, and Saturday, August 24, with sales taking place at both branches of the Queen Anne’s County Library.

The Friends will have thousands of used books—including novels, coffee table books, cookbooks, travel books, biographies, histories, and children’s books–as well as DVDs and CDs—for sale at both the Centreville and Kent Island library branches for between 25¢ and $1 per title, with special volumes and collections also available at significant discounts. “We have an unbelievable collection of books, movies, and music this year,” Elaine O’Neal, who is running the 2019 book sale for the Friends, remarked. “There is really something for everyone.”

The sale starts at 9:00am each day at both branches and runs until 5:00pm on Friday and 2:00pm on Saturday.

A special treat for kids this year—Kids who participated in the Library’s Summer Reading Program can wear their “Universe of Stories” t-shirts to the book sale and get for one free children’s book from the sale!

All proceeds from the Annual Book Sale will be used to support library programming and enhance equipment at both branches. So far in 2019, the Friends of the Library have funded the Summer Reading Program, that involved more than 2400 county residents, kids and adult art programs, STEM programming, additional shelving units for the children’s section of the Kent Island Branch, and new technology equipment for the Centreville Branch. Friends of the Library president Kathie Smarick notes, “The Book Sale is the Friends biggest fund-raising event of the year. It’s a great chance for everyone to replenish the libraries in their homes, classrooms, or offices, and the proceeds from the event will help to ensure that Queen Anne’s County Library can continue to enhance and grow its offerings for people throughout the county.”

There is no charge to attend this event, and all are welcomed.

The Mid Shore Departments of Social Services recently sponsored a trip to a Shorebirds game in Salisbury in appreciation of foster and adoptive parents on the Mid Shore. An information session for people interested in becoming foster parents will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dorchester Department of Social Services at 627 Race Street in Cambridge. For further information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call the Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371.