Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) is served by an esteemed Board of Directors comprised of business leaders from a variety of industry sectors. Formed in 2013, EEDC was created to promote economic vitality, smart redevelopment, and business formation in Easton, MD, in order to foster a healthy quality of life for all generations. The Board has announced the appointment of new member Marilyn M. Neal and existing board member Lloyd (Scott) Beatty, Jr. as Chairman of the Board.

Scott Beatty has served as Shore Bancshares, Inc.’s President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2013 and as a director of the Company since 2000. Between 2011 and 2013, Beatty served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Shore Bancshares and between 2007 and 2013 as its Executive Vice President and COO. Prior to the merger of subsidiaries, CNB and The Talbot Bank of Easton, which formed Shore United Bank in July 2016, Beatty served as a director of the Talbot Bank and as a director of CNB. Beatty was also employed in various executive-level operating officer capacities. Prior to joining Shore Bancshares, Beatty was the Chief Operating Officer of Darby Overseas Investments, LP, a global private equity firm, and President of Darby Advisors, Inc., a privately held family investment business.  He also served as a practicing certified public accountant for 25 years and a principal in the accounting firm Beatty, Satchell & Company.

Tracy Ward, Executive Director of EEDC, comments, “We are extremely fortunate to have Scott Beatty take a leadership role with our organization.  His deep financial background, experience and knowledge of the Greater Easton area will strengthen our ability to drive economic vitality and foster a healthy quality of life for our citizens.”

Marilyn Neal is the Executive Director of Neighborhood Service Center, Inc. (NSC), the designated Community Action Agency for Talbot County.  In her position, Neal reviews the Self-Sufficiency Standard for hundreds of low-income Talbot County residents each year in an effort to ensure that the best resources are available to enable families and individuals to make progress toward real economic security. Since 2009, she has overseen millions in federal, state, local, and private funding to assist families to meet basic needs, with the amount varying by family composition.

Under Neal’s leadership, NSC’s has continued to offer services that remove barriers to self-sufficiency by providing homelessness solutions, affordable housing, energy/utility assistance, after school care, food, and other emergency services.  Together with her staff of 20, she  directs and evaluates the effectiveness of NSC’s programs: Ridgeway Transitional Homeless Shelter; Webb’s Hope, a congregate living facility, several affordable housing units, Maryland Energy Assistance Program, Housing Solutions Program, Maryland Food Bank, After School and Summer Youth Program, Rapid Rehousing Program and the Emergency Services Program. ​Prior to becoming the Executive Director of NSC, Neal served as the organization’s Deputy Director.  She partners with various human service agencies to include her current roles as Vice-Chair of the Maryland Community Action Partnership (MCAP) and as a Member of the Talbot County Rotary Club.

“Marilyn’s tireless commitment to her vital work in our community will assist us in our Port Street and Easton Point redevelopment activities, ensuring that we build the necessary networks and opportunities for those in need. She will bring a unique perspective to our Board as we continue to look for ways to partner with citizens and community organizations,” states Ward.

Additional members of the EEDC Board of Directors are Herbert S. Miller, Chairman Emeritus; Amy Haines, Vice Chairman; Anthony P. Kern, Treasurer; Charles H. Thornton, Secretary; Ron Engle, Rabbi Peter E. Hyman, Rosalee S. Potter, John Trax, Mayor Robert C. Willey, Ann Harvey Yonkers, Matthew Peters, and Ted Bautz.

CENTREVILLE – The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, on November 12, approved a design contract for additions and renovations to the county’s detention center.  ATI, Inc., of Columbia, MD was low bidder at $974,836. The state has granted funds to pay for half of the design costs and is anticipated to provide half of construction costs as well.

The initial work consists of complete design and construction administration services for expansion and renovation of the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center, a facility which, originally was built in 1986, and is in need of significant upgrades to meet current and projected incarceration requirements.

In addition to the replacement of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, which are original to the building and are nearing the end of serviceable life, the expanded and renovated space will support current rehabilitation standards and requirements such as program space, pre-trial release, inmate processing and special housing/classification areas.

Do you have a passion for yarn artistry and a love of trees? Combine the two to create a tree “sweater” for the inaugural Yarn Storming event at Adkins Arboretum! Sponsored by the Arboretum in partnership with the Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore (FACES), Yarn Storming is an opportunity to create a whimsical and exciting visual experience in the trees around the Arboretum Visitor’s Center.

Also known as yarn bombing, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti, urban knitting and graffiti knitting, yarn storming is a street art that employs knitted or crocheted yarn rather than paint or chalk. Local yarn artists are invited to knit or crochet colorful yarn sweaters for a chosen Arboretum tree. Yarn Storming creations will be installed between Sat., Feb. 29 and Sat., March 7, 2020 and will be on display beginning Sun., March 8. Participating artists will be recognized at a public reception at the Arboretum on Sun., March 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Artists are strongly advised to choose their trees in advance. They may schedule a visit by contacting Adkins Assistant Director Jenny Houghton at jhoughton@adkinsarboretum.org. Natural fibers are preferred, and artists are asked to refrain from using glitter.

More information and a registration form are available at adkinsarboretum.org, by calling the Arboretum at 410-634-2847, ext. 0 or by contacting FACES at 410-470-0009.

KENT ISLAND — (November 21, 2019) — Senior Connor Wackowski is the Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts “Teen of the Week” for Kent Island High School (KIHS). Ms. Mogensen, Director of Bands, KIHS, selected Connor for this spotlight because of his tremendous dedication to the KIHS Instrumental Program.

Connor entered the program as a tenor saxophone player and transitioned to the tuba when Ms. Mogensen asked for volunteers to expand the low brass instrumentation. Connor has also dedicated much of time throughout his high school career taking private tuba lessons and performing in all of the ensembles available to students through KIHS, including: Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and the Musical Pit Orchestra. In addition to the performing ensembles, Connor enrolled in AP Music Theory and interns with Ms. Mogensen for the all-freshman Concert Band classes.

Outside of his school responsibilities, Connor dedicates his spring and summer weekends rehearsing with the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum & Bugle Corps in Hawthorne, NJ. He travels to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York improving his brass and marching technique and competing with the drum corps. In addition to the marching ensemble, Connor still practices and competes with several ice hockey teams throughout the state of Maryland.

“Connor is an incredible example of a student who is fiercely dedicated to the KIHS Band program, as well as constantly improving his craft,” says Ms. Mogensen. “He sets a great example for other students who are interested in playing sports and marching an instrument while maintaining other music-related and school commitments.”

Ms. Mogensen is very thankful for students like Connor who create a culture of hard work and commitment in all that they do. Mogensen feels it is very important to leave high school with experiences that help students become well-rounded citizens, and Connor is certainly a great example of this—he’s a student who has dedicated his time to being a well-rounded student and a productive member of our community.

Eastern Shore, MD & Lower Delaware – The Mid-Atlantic Symphony, the Delmarva peninsula’s only professional orchestra, continues its 22nd season with two exciting programs dedicated to the Holiday Season.

On December 6 in Easton, MD, December 7 in Lewes, DE, and December 8 in Ocean City, MD, the MSO will present its annual Holiday Joy Concert. While performing seasonal favorites that pay tribute to the great Pops Orchestras of America, the MSO will feature international opera star, Kevin Short. As a soloist, Short has performed with many of the country’s top orchestras and opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington Opera, Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and National Symphony.

Short will be joined by rising stars and students from the University of Maryland’s Opera Studio, Ester Atkinson, Mezzo Soprano; Michael Butler, Tenor; and Erica Ferguson, Soprano. The concert will feature something for everyone, from Classical to Jazz and Popular music.

On December 31 in Easton, MD the MSO will present their annual New Year’s Eve Concert. The concert will feature the incredibly talented and versatile Soprano, Rochelle Bard. She will be joined by two soloists from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Principal Trumpeter Andrew Balio and Principal 2nd Violinist Qing Li.

According to Maestro Julien Benichou, “This year’s season includes an incredible mix of new music, iconic masterworks and amazing soloists. Like every season, the MSO continues to break new ground and introduce new repertoire. We can’t wait to share our 22nd season with our patrons!”

Additional information about these concerts and the rest of the MSO’s 2019-2020 season are available online at midatlanticsymphony.org or by calling 888-846-8600.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, Sussex County, Delaware, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc, Delmarva Public Radio, What’s Up Media and Coastal Style Magazine.

Holiday Joy: A Salute to the Great Pops Orchestras

Friday, December 6, 7:00PM – Avalon Theater, Easton, MD

Saturday, December 7, 7:00PM – Cape Henlopen, Lewes, DE

Sunday, December 8, 3:00PM – Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, MD

Guest Artists: Kevin Short, Bass Baritone & Students from the University of Maryland Opera Studio

Ticket Link: midatlanticsymphony.org/holiday-joy-2019-concerts

A Toast to the New Year!

Tuesday, December 31 7:00 p.m. Christ Church, Easton, MD

Guest Artists: Rochelle Bard, Soprano; Andrew Balio, Trumpet; and Qing Li, Violin.

Ticket Link: midatlanticsymphony.org/december-2019-new-year-concert

About the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra that exists to offer citizens of the Mid-Atlantic Region opportunities for musical entertainment and enjoyment, the development of the musical arts, the promotion, development and operation of musical enterprises in the performing arts, particularly through symphonic programs and choral activities; and to engage in enterprises directed at discovering and fostering musical talents, and to promote musical activities and programs for the cultural and educational benefit of the public.

As part of the annual Christmas in St. Michaels festivities, interpretive volunteers from the Chesapeake Independent Blues and the Fort McHenry Guard will return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum this December to re-create the early 19^th century tradition of firing guns to celebrate the Christmas season.

Hosted by interpretive volunteers of the Fort McHenry Guard and Chesapeake Independent Blues, the program will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon–12:30pm along CBMM’s Miles River waterfront. As part of the program, volunteers in authentic uniforms of the Maryland Militia during the War of 1812 will demonstrate the loading and firing of reproduction muskets.

“The traditions of celebrating Christmas, and the firing of guns, had been brought to the Americas by Swiss, Scandinavian, and German-speaking immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries,” said Mark Dubin, a founding member of the Chesapeake Independent Blues. “It is probable that the militia of St. Michaels would have fired the Town’s artillery for notable occasions such as the 4th of July, New Year’s Day, and Christmas, beginning as early as 1814.”

The Chesapeake Independent Blues was formed in 2012 as part of a State of Maryland grant matched by public funds from the Eastern Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s to create a living history representation of the Maryland citizen-soldiers who served during the War of 1812. A member of Maryland’s non-profit Friends of Maryland’s War of 1812 organization, the CIB focuses on public education, and refers to its volunteer members as interpreters, rather than re-enactors.

The Fort McHenry Guard is a historical organization sponsored by the National Park Service and The Patriots of Fort McHenry. The Guard is composed of specially recruited “Volunteers in Parks” who provide visitors with a touchstone to the past.

The Dec. 14 program is free for CBMM members or with general museum admission. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916. For details on the annual Christmas in St. Michaels celebration, visit christmasinstmichaels.org.

Butternut squash is so abundant right now and is super versatile. It is great in sweet and savory dishes. This week I’d like to share a recipe for a savory dish, Stuffed Butternut Squash, that is stuffed with a cheesy creamed spinach. Hope you enjoy it!

Stuffed Butternut Squash

1 Butternut squash

1 cup spinach, chopped (fresh or frozen)

2 tbsp. onions, finely chopped

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 cup milk or heavy cream (I use whole milk)

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend or pizza blend

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more of the Italian or pizza blend)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and set aside. (This helps with easy clean up.) Clean the outside of the squash and cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and some of the insides to make it like a squash boat. Sprinkle each half with salt and pepper. In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients except the 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Scoop half of the mixture into each squash. Bake for 45 minutes then top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

Wye River Upper School hosted its Candlelit Gala- Lighting the path for bright achievers. With over 215 guests in attendance the school raised over $60,000 in net revenue- a Wye River record-breaking amount. The event featured live music from The Marissa Muro Quartet, a large silent auction of over 25 items, raw oyster bar, Louis Vuitton bag and $1,300 shopping spree raffle prize, meat carving, the area’s best bites from local restaurants and a Glitz in a Glass station where guests played the game of chance by choosing a champagne glass in hopes of winning one of three items of jewelry donated by local jewelers.

Proceeds from the event benefit the school’s valuable mission to educate bright students with learning differences in a uniquely supportive educational environment. This event highlighted the many paths alumni have chosen after Wye River with alumni stories of success in college and career shared throughout the evening. Matt Cowan, the Director of Education at Wye River, served as the Master of Ceremonies, telling stories of transformation and the positive impact the school has on its students and families as they prepare them for college, career and life.

Chrissy Aull, Wye River Upper School’s Founding Head of School shares: “We are proud to know that a record number of parents, Trustees, staff and friends chose to dedicate time and treasure to come together in celebration of our students and our good work.  I am also pleased for the town of Centreville that we are once again creating memories in this Armory, where so many stories from the past first began.”

Wye River Upper School is in its 18^th year of educating bright students who learn differently. The school enrolls students from nine different Maryland counties and two Delaware counties. Proceeds from the event will go towards changing student lives by:

• providing unique real-world experiences that bring students out of the classroom and into the community,
• making possible generous financial awards that open Wye River’s doors to students from all walks of life,
• investing in project-based learning opportunities that allow students to engage in authentic inquiry,
• supporting the Executive Functioning needs of our students, and so much more.

Wye River Upper School shares its deepest gratitude for its generous sponsorships from the following community members:

Lead Sponsor The Halle Family

Diamond Sponsors The Seip Family Foundation Limited, Sciumo, Soistman Family Dentistry & Associates, Wright-Gardner Insurance, Belair Produce Incorporated and Founding Head of School Chrissy and husband Ned Aull

Platinum Sponsors 1880 Bank, Dukes-Moore Insurance Agency, Audi of Annapolis, Clayton A. Railey, III and Donald J. Wooters

Gold Sponsors VFW Grasonville, Accounting Strategies Group LLC, Willow Construction, Inn at Perry Cabin, Debbie and Don Pusey, Peter and Diane Pappas, Myron and Becky Richardson, and The Town of Centreville.

To learn more about how you can support Wye River Upper School contact Emma Beigel- Advancement and Communications Associate at 443-262-8291 or emmabeigel@wyeriverupperschool.org.