With great delight, Shelagh Grasso, director of the upcoming production of Sense and Sensibility, has chosen an outstanding cast for an exciting adaptation of the Jane Austen classic. While still set in Regency England, her actors will zip around the stage on wheels and make split-second costume changes. A New York Times review called Kate Hamill’s adaptation, “A Whirlwind of Delicious Gossip.”

The story follows the three Dashwood sisters as they seek security after the death of their father, when a half-brother and his conniving wife inherit the entire fortune. As in almost every Romance Novel, a good marriage is the best way out of a bad predicament. But how is a girl to find the right man? Can she trust anyone? Luckily, Austen heroines almost always find the best answers.

The two Dashwood sisters of marriageable age, the practical Elinor (Shannon Carter) and the emotional Marianne (Natalie Donoso) are supported by younger sister Margaret (Carly Maurlas) and their mother (Colleen Minahan). Their spineless older half-brother John (Jesse Goodman) and his wife Fanny (Melissa McGlynn) provoke the problem. Fanny’s mother Mrs. Ferrars (Penelope Anne Keating) and two brothers, Edward (JW Ruth) and Robert (Connor Christopher) may (or may not) provide solutions. Kindly relations of Mrs. Dashwood, Sir John and Lady Middleton (Gil Rambach and Heather Joyce Byers) do provide them a new home, where the exuberant Mrs. Jennings (Jen Friedman) takes them on as a pet project. Add in the social climbing Steele sisters Anne (Heather Roebuck) and Lucy (Melissa McGlynn), the respectable Colonel Brandon (Howard Mesick) and the dashing John Willoughby (Max Hagen), stir well, heat almost to the boiling point, and you have Sense and Sensibility! Ian Stotts plays a doctor and a servant, and the entire ensemble takes on the essential responsibility of providing gossip.

Sense and Sensibility will open at Church Hill Theatre on Friday, March 17 and run weekends through Sunday, April 2. Local theater buffs have been anticipating this production for more than a year, so make your reservations early. Ticket information at our website: www.churchhillthreatre.org or by calling 410-556-6003.

Rebuilding Together Queen Anne’s County, Inc. (RTQAC) announces the appointment of Tonya Wright as its new Executive Director. Ms. Wright brings a wealth of experience to the position, including past positions working with people with disabilities and elders and business management. “Ms. Wright is exactly the best person for this position. Her enthusiasm and concern for her fellow citizens is just what is needed in our organization right now. Our Board of Directors is beyond pleased with her hiring,” said
Larisa Thomas, President of the Board of Directors. Our National Rebuilding Day on April 29th will be her primary focus. Ms. Wright, a resident of Grasonville, holds a degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Mid-Atlantic TirePros in Easton recently sponsored its 16th Annual Arlene M. John Koats for Kids Drive, collecting over 559 coats and dozens of gloves, knit hats, mittens, and scarves for underprivileged children on the Mid-Shore.  The drive began in 2007 in honor of Terry John’s wife Arlene.   

“We continue to be blessed in our community by generous businesses and citizens who work to make this event a success year after year. We are grateful for everyone who participated this year,” comments Terry John, owner of Mid-Atlantic TirePros.

Partners in this year’s event include WCEI/WINX, Crackerjacks, Admiral Cleaners in Easton, Michelin, The Star Democrat, Neighborhood Service Center, and SSJ Web Consultants, LLC. Admiral Cleaners provided complimentary coat cleaning. The first 200 people who donated received a gift certificate to Crackerjacks and Mid-Atlantic TirePros.

Special thanks to both the Interact and the Student Government clubs at Easton High School for their participation. Mid-Atlantic TirePros is located at the corner of Dover Road and Teal Drive in Easton. For further information, contact Terry John at 410-770-3337.

For the first time in known CHT history, two fathers and their sons have roles in a mainstage
play, Summertree, in production until February 5. Jeff and Anthony Daly play the lead roles of
The Father and his son, the Young Man. George and Liam Kruhm portray a Soldier and a Little
Boy. The play, set during the Viet Nam War era, is told in flashbacks that address generational
conflict, personal responsibility, and the very definition of manhood.

Jeff Daly, a software developer, has been active at Church Hill Theatre for many years, with
roles in The Glass Menagerie, Guys and Dolls and (with his oldest son Timothy) Lost in
Yonkers. Anthony Daly, currently a student at Chesapeake College, has been a CHT backstage
crew member and had a small part in last year’s Clybourne Park, and portrayed one of the
soldiers in Biloxi Blues. The Young Man comprises his first performance in a leading role.

In contrast, George and Liam Kruhm, who live in Sudlersville, both are making their CHT
debuts. As the owner of George’s Garage, next door to the theater, George has been aware of our
shows for years. But it was 9-year-old Liam, a fourth grader at Church Hill Elementary School,
who learned of auditions from a teacher and immediately won a major role. When the director
still needed the small but critical role of Soldier, George added actor to his chauffeuring duties.
He is “considering” future appearances but Liam, who likes to sing and practice foreign accents,
eagerly awaits any chance to continue acting.

From the beginning of rehearsals, all four have been asked what it’s like to work together. For
George and Liam, it has offered them quality time together and as working actors, a sense of
equality. Because they play unrelated roles, they never reported any friction. Similarly, Jeff and
Anthony have enjoyed the quality time together, though their characters don’t always see eye to
eye. They have a very similar sense of humor, and both look forward to Anthony spreading his
wings with mingled pride and trepidation. Director Juanita Wieczoreck skillfully guided their
final characterizations as loving men with very different values.

Summertree is in production at Church Hill Theatre until February 5, with performances at 8 pm
on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets may be purchased at the door, by
calling the box office at 410 556-6003 or on the website: churchhilltheatre.org.

Choptank Community Health System’s Chestertown Health Center recently welcomed Family Medicine Physician Caleb Madden Consenstein, MD, MPH, and Family Nurse Practitioner Ebony Hollins, MSN, CRNP, AAHIVS to the medical practice.

Dr. Consenstein’s experience includes treating patients in rural clinical care settings and working in a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program. He has served on the Latino Medical Student Association’s (LMSA) Northeast Regional Executive Board and as co-president of LMSA’s SUNY Upstate Chapter.

Dr. Consenstein has a doctor of medicine and a master of public health degree from the State University of New York-Upstate School of Medicine. He holds a master of arts in medical sciences from the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences of the Boston University School of Medicine, and a bachelor of arts in neuroscience from Middlebury College.

Family Nurse Practitioner Ebony Hollins specializes in chronic illness prevention and management and providing care to HIV and HCV patients. Hollins holds a master of science in nursing from Frontier Nursing University, with experience in primary care, infectious disease, medication-assisted treatment services, and outpatient substance abuse care.

She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association – New York, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, and Sigma Theta Tau – Pi Chi Chapter.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties to more than 30,000 adults and children, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all.

Choptank Community Health’s medical services include primary health care, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients now being welcomed at all locations. To schedule a new patient appointment, at the Chestertown Health Center call 443-215-5353 with more information at www.choptankhealth.org.

The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners are looking to fill a vacancy on the Ethics Commission.

The deadline for applications is February 15, 2023.

Queen Anne’s County first adopted an Ethics Code on July 1, 1982, and the 1st Ethics Commission meeting was held on May 6, 1983. The Ethics Commission:

• Devises, receives, and maintains all forms generated under this code.
• Provides published advisory opinions to persons subject to this title as to the applicability of this title to them.
• Processes and makes determinations as to complaints filed by any person alleging a violation of the code.
• Conducts a public information program regarding the purposes and application of the code.

If you are interested, send a letter of interest and a brief resume to shershberger@qac.org or via mail to Shari Hershberger, 107 N. Liberty Street, Centreville, MD 21617. Please include your address and phone number.  Those with questions may also reach Ms. Hershberger at 410-758-4098.

Centreville, MD – The Gunston School is pleased to announce that six members of the class of 2023 have signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level. At a recent signing ceremony this past Wednesday, January 18, students and their families along with coaches and faculty gathered in the Alice R. Ryan Family Library to celebrate their accomplishments. Nationwide, a little over 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 13) go on to play a varsity sport in college and less than 2% of high school athletes (1 in 57) go on to play at NCAA Division I schools. These six college-bound athletes comprise 10% of Gunston’s graduating class, beating the national average for the second year in a row.

Damian René of Easton, Md., will be swimming for Swarthmore College. He began his swimming career at age three and transitioned to competitive swimming at age six, making the two-hour round trip six times per week to the Naval Academy Aquatic Club (NAAC) in Annapolis for the last seven years for two-to-three hour practices. “I enjoy swimming because it has provided me with lasting relationships, helped me hone my leadership and time management skills and taught me the importance of competing as an individual and a team,” said René. “Making the decision to continue swimming at the college level was an easy one. I wanted to improve as a swimmer and swimming is one of the few sports that you can continue for years to come.”

NAAC Head Coach Hilary Yager commented, “Success has always been extremely personal to Damian. He knew at a young age exactly what he wanted to accomplish both academically—which has always and rightfully come first—and athletically. He has been steadfast in his pursuit of his goals, never letting setbacks upset him or knock him off course. He would simply take a moment, reflect on what did and did not go right and then he would get back to work. This trait has made him quite the leader over the years with NAAC. It has been a true privilege for me and the NAAC staff to have been given the opportunity to be involved in his childhood. All of us look forward to Damian’s next steps and following what I am sure will be an incredible journey into adulthood and beyond.” René plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science at Swarthmore.

Andrew Rich of Annapolis, Md., will be swimming for Florida State University. Recently, Rich was named as one of the 1,281 high school Scholastic All-Americans by USA Swimming for the 21-22 school year. At the Winter Junior National Championships East in Greensboro, N.C. earlier this month, he qualified for finals in the 100 and 200 Backstroke and swam times of 48.00 and 1:45.68, respectively. These times broke the NAAC records and are both in the top 40 swum by high school students nationwide this season. The swims have helped move Rich into the overall #4 ranking for the state of Maryland and the current #143 worldwide (#91 USA) recruits in the class of 2023 based on the top swim recruit ranking website.

Rich began to swim competitively at age five, swimming for both NAAC and the Bay Ridge Swim Team, which he also coached. “Andrew has been a member of NAAC for 12 years— the longest possible time you can spend on the team. He joined us as a tow headed, big smiling 6-year old whose love for the water could be seen in his ear to ear grin. Over the years, we have watched Andrew grow and mature into a very talented athlete and leader. His love for swimming is contagious and the impact it has on his teammates is quite impressive,” said NAAC Head Coach Hilary Yager.

“The competitive nature of the sport always gives me the drive to get better and swim harder,” said Rich. “Being able to compete in the championships I watched when I was a kid like ACC Championships and NCAA championships would be a dream come true.” He plans to study business at Florida State.

McKinsey Brown of Centreville, Md., will be playing lacrosse for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Brown began her lacrosse career in the fourth grade, playing first for travel team Lady Blue Crabs before joining Maryland United, as well as playing for Gunston. “I love how [lacrosse] makes me stronger and work harder every day. I wanted to stay in shape in college but more importantly to come in and play at a higher level and already have a great friend group who would be there for me,” said Brown.

“SCAD is a really great program and well-known for their consistent championships over the years. McKinsey will definitely have the opportunity to contribute there in a big way,” said Gunston’s Girls Lacrosse Head Coach Imani Black.

“I’ve had the privilege of coaching McKinsey the past three years with Maryland United Lacrosse Club,” said Head Coach Scott Boyles. “Playing for a club like Maryland United the past several years says a lot about McKinsey’s commitment and dedication to the team and sport. She is a stellar model of the term ‘coachable player!’ She will play or take any role as a player, always exceeding the coaches expectations. She is a dominant figure at the game, showing superb athleticism, stick skills and high field IQ. She leads by example and will set the bar high. McKinsey truly displays great character and certainly the ability to play this sport at the highest level. She will always have such a positive impact on those she interacts with as she passes through life.” McKinsey plans to study fashion design and marketing at SCAD.

Kelby Booth of Denton, Md., will be rowing for Bryn Mawr College. She began rowing in her tenth grade year at Gunston. “I love how rowing pushes me physically and mentally,” Booth said. “I also love the welcoming community and the close bond that comes with it.” She is looking forward to the familiar routine of waking up early every morning, adding “it’ll be good for my time management [in college] and I just truly enjoy being on the water.”

“Kelby is a fierce leader and is incredibly determined in athletics,” said Gunston’s Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics Natalie Reading ’16. “She tackles every practice with 100% effort and is supportive of all of her teammates. I was able to coach Kelby as a novice when she was first starting to row and her determination to learn and excel in rowing was contagious.” Booth plans to study International Relations at Bryn Mawr.

Autumn Watson of Centreville, Md., will be rowing for Rutgers University. She began rowing for Gunston her ninth grade year during all three seasons, serving as coxswain. She recalls learning about crew for the first time, “I was amazed there was a role specifically for people that are short and are loud—and I thought ‘Well, I am short, (4’9 at the time and now 4’11), and I am a loud person when I want to be, so I thought I would be the perfect choice.” Watson also appreciated the opportunity to become a strong leader, “In my role as coxswain, I have to steer the boat, be the team’s coach when we’re out there on the water and make sure I am constantly encouraging everyone to stay strong and not give up,” she explains. “The bond you create is a feeling I have a hard time describing; it makes you all think as one [while you’re] in the boat.”

As coxswain, she also has to keep an eye out for other boats on the water and is responsible for the boat’s hardware as well as training new crew members.

“Autumn has always been incredibly efficient on and off the water,” adds Reading. “She has grown into her role as both a coxswain and captain with strong enthusiasm. Autumn’s passion for the sport motivates those around her, and will be an incredible asset to her new team.”

Watson decided to compete at the division one college level because she likes the challenge and finds that she thrives the most when involved in sports. “Sports help me keep my life together [and] crew has become such a major part of my life at Gunston over the last four years, I can’t imagine my life without it.” Watson plans to major in mechanical or electrical engineering and minor in computer science programming at Rutgers, with the ultimate dream of designing robots.

Isabelle Wagner of Chestertown, Md., will be rowing for Washington College. She began rowing in the seventh grade at the Naval Academy Rowing Camp and continued there until she came to Gunston where she began to row competitively as part of the rowing team. “I love how free rowing makes me feel and how every time I sit in the boat and start to row it feels as if the world around me goes away and that there is nothing to worry about,” said Wagner, who wants to row in college to stay in shape.

“Isabelle is a humble and unpretentious competitor,” said Reading. “When it is time for a tough practice or race she will focus in and do what needs to be done. She never complains about workouts, and shows up ready to do whatever is asked of her. I have no doubts that Isabelle will excel in collegiate athletics.” Wagner has not yet declared a major and wants to see what Washington College has to offer.

The Gunston School Athletics Program has 19 interscholastic teams, as well as several recreational athletic offerings. Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.