Imagine owning a bottle of the “World’s Best Tasting Honey. ” The Wye River Beekeepers are raffling off a bottle of Sourwood Honey that won the Grand Prize at the 14th Annual International Black Jar Honey Tasting Contest, 2025. This bottle of honey beat out more than 2000 entries to earn the title.

The prize-winning beekeeper, Virginia Webb of Clarksville, Georgia, gifted the bottle of honey to the Wye River Beekeepers, which will be raffled off. Funds raised will be used to further beekeeping education in the Central Eastern Shore area. Webb has an international reputation as a leading expert in bees and honey. She has won more than 100 first-place awards for her honey show entries, including four gold medals at the World Honey Show for Best Honey in the World (2005 in Dublin, Ireland; 2009 in

Montpellier, France; 2013 in Kiev, Ukraine; 2015 Daejeon, South Korea.) The Wye River Beekeepers provides a forum for beekeepers of all levels in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne and Talbot Counties to meet, share and learn, and to promote honeybee-friendly environments and better beekeeping practices. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month at Chesapeake College. Information is posted on the

Wye River Beekeepers Facebook page or on the website, www.wyeriverbeekeepers.org. Tickets are $2 and can be obtained from any member of Wye River Beekeepers or texting to 443-994-2669 or 410-279-9886. The drawing will take place at the Wye River Beekeepers’ annual meeting, which will be held November 18th at Chesapeake College. Need not be present to win. The estimated value of this bottle of prize-winning honey is $2000.

Join us for our “Kool Yule”

Though we are in the heat of Summer, The Queen Anne’s Chorale is looking forward to Fall. Now in its 39th year, the Chorale continues to bring together singers of all backgrounds, united by a love of music and performance. Community members interested in joining are invited to participate in the upcoming fall season. No auditions are required, and an open rehearsal will be held on September 14, 2026 at 6:30. (Centreville Methodist Church – no audition required).

The Chorale will return to the TPAC stage for its next concert, “Kool Yule,” on December 5. Music lovers and families are encouraged to attend—and perhaps even consider raising their own voices with the group in the months ahead.

The Queen Anne’s Chorale is an all-volunteer, non-auditioned community chorus dedicated to “Entertaining, Engaging, and Educating since 1989.” While the ability to read music is helpful, it is not required. Come check us out on September 14 and join the fun. Group choral singing provides joy and healthy outcomes for singers of all ages and experience.

Support for the Chorale is made possible in part through grants from the United Way of Queen Anne’s County, the Queen Anne’s County Centre for the Arts, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, and the Maryland State Arts Council, as well as generous corporate sponsorships from Shore United Bank, Coastal Pools, Preston Toyota Easton and Chesapeake Hearing Centers.

For more information, ticket purchases, or to learn about sponsorship and donation opportunities, visit www.qachorale.org or follow Queen Anne’s Chorale on Facebook and Instagram (@queen_annes_chorale).

At a recent Queen Anne’s County Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners voted to extend an existing Public Works Agreement associated with the Chesterhaven Beach property in Chester.

The property was originally platted in 1959, before the existence of modern County zoning and subdivision regulations. The property received sewer allocation in 2011 for 178 lots, with the agreement requiring the property owner to meet certain construction milestones and pay a deposit toward the sewer allocation.

When required milestones were not met, additional non-refundable deposits were made to maintain the sewer allocation. An additional deposit was paid in 2019, and in 2020, the property owner requested additional time to begin construction and made another deposit. To date, $315,060 in non-refundable sewer allocation deposits has been paid to the County.

In 2023, the Public Works Agreement was amended again, reducing the sewer allocation from 178 lots to no more than 90 lots. This allowed the County to recapture 22,500 gallons per day of sewer capacity, which was reserved for future commercial uses.

The Commissioners’ recent vote extends the timeframe for the property owner to meet the “under construction” milestone, allowing additional time for the project to proceed through the required development review process while maintaining the existing sewer allocation.

There has also been some confusion regarding the property because of a separate court case decided in 2025. The property was not included in the Chester Growth Area when the County adopted its Comprehensive Plan in 2022. In 2024, at the request of the property owner, the Commissioners voted to re-include the property in the Growth Area. Inclusion in the Growth Area would have allowed the property owner to pursue access to public water in addition to the public sewer allocation already associated with the property.

That 2024 decision was challenged, and in December 2025, the Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court declared the Commissioners’ action to re-include the property in the Growth Area void. Specifically, the Court found that the Commissioners should have given the Critical Area Commission the required notice before acting on the request and that the Commissioners’ 2024 decision to reconsider and partly approve the request was outside their authority. The reconsideration occurred outside the prescribed time limit, and changes to the County’s growth-area maps needed to proceed through the Planning Commission.

Because of these procedural issues, the Court voided the Commissioners’ 2024 decision to add Chesterhaven Beach to the growth area. The Court specifically clarified that the separate question of whether the historic platted lots are legal or “grandfathered” was not before the Court to decide.

As a result of the Circuit Court decision, Chesterhaven Beach is not included in the Growth Area and cannot pursue public water through that Growth Area designation. The decision did not eliminate the sewer allocation that has been associated with the property since 2011. It simply means the property returns to the status it had before the 2024 decision.

The Commissioners’ recent vote does not approve the proposed development, place the property back into the Growth Area or provide access to public water. The action only extends the “under construction” milestone associated with the existing sewer allocation from September 10, 2026, to September 10, 2030. The property owner must still proceed through the applicable development review and approval processes. If the project does not move forward and the allocation ultimately expires, the $315,060 in sewer allocation deposits previously paid to the County remain non-refundable.

The recent County Commissioners meeting and discussion can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/oBUp6Ac6jck?si=TVMibtKo7zm5QHiC

The Queen Anne’s County Board of Education adopted an updated Policy 603 – Personal Electronic Communication Device and Regulation 603.1 on August 5, 2026, establishing expectations for the use and storage of personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day.

Under the updated policy, students are prohibited from using personal electronic communication devices during the academic school day, which is defined as the period beginning with the first bell and ending with the dismissal bell. This includes instructional periods as well as lunch, recess, passing periods, and transitional periods. The policy applies broadly to personal electronic communication devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, wireless headphones and earbuds, tablets, personal laptops or gaming devices, geolocation devices, smart glasses, and other portable devices capable of receiving, sending, or recording voice, image, or text content.

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, students are expected to turn off and store personal electronic communication devices before entering the school building. Students may not use electronic communication devices during the academic school day and may not access or use social media platforms during that time. The regulation also establishes specific exceptions to ensure that students’ educational, medical, accessibility, language, and caregiving needs continue to be supported.

QACPS’s updated policy is being implemented in alignment with House Bill 525, the Joanne C. Benson Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act, which was approved by Governor Wes Moore on May 26, 2026, and takes effect July 1, 2026. The law requires every Maryland county board of education to develop and implement, no later than the 2027–2028 school year, a policy limiting the use of electronic communication devices by students during the academic school day.

Although Maryland school systems have until the 2027–2028 school year to implement policies required under the new law, QACPS is implementing its updated policy beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. QACPS joins other Maryland school districts that are moving forward with local phone-free or electronic-device policies ahead of the statewide deadline.

QACPS recognizes that changes to expectations surrounding personal electronic devices represent an adjustment for students, families, and staff. The school system will work to communicate the policy and implementation procedures clearly and consistently throughout the school year.

For additional information regarding Policy 603 and Regulation 603.1, families may contact their child’s school or the Queen Anne’s County Public Schools central office.

For the past 10 years, each September, For All Seasons has launched its annual “No Matter What… You Matter” suicide prevention campaign. The agency is holding several events in September to educate the community about suicide prevention, focusing on this year’s theme, “What if ‘I’m Fine’ isn’t the whole story?”

For All Seasons’ free community Speaker Series will be the centerpiece for September activities. This year, acclaimed guest speaker and author Annie Brewster, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and founder of Health Story Collaborative, will be speaking at the Ebenezer Theatre at 17 S. Washington Street in Easton, MD, on September 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Dr. Brewster’s talk, “Reclaiming Our Stories, Reclaiming Ourselves,” will explore how personal stories can foster connection and resilience. Her book, “The Healing Power of Storytelling: Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss,” draws on her work with individuals and communities navigating these challenges and explores how sharing and listening to stories can support healing. Her talk will also highlight the social science research on the health benefits of storytelling and offer practical ways to apply these insights in everyday life. A question-and-answer period and book signing will follow the talk.

With the evening’s focus on stories, the September 16 program will begin close to home by recognizing first responders whose actions have made a meaningful difference in suicide prevention. The program will open with a brief presentation of the HOPE Awards, a nationally recognized initiative established in 2019 to honor individuals who have saved lives, supported people in crisis, and advanced awareness around mental health and hope. For the first time, For All Seasons and Talbot FiRST™ are bringing the HOPE Awards to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, recognizing law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and 9-1-1 operators whose actions have positively impacted individuals experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal crises.

Young people are another critical focus of For All Seasons’ suicide prevention work. Mental Health America reported that 51% of individuals under age 18 experienced frequent suicidal thoughts in 2025, marking the highest level recorded since their screening program began in 2014. For All Seasons is expanding its prevention efforts with a new self-paced online course, Real Talk: Conversations that Save Lives, created to help trusted adults better understand and respond to the mental health needs of middle and high school students. The course combines suicide prevention education with practical guidance for educators, counselors, coaches, youth leaders, parents, and other adults who play an important role in young people’s lives. The course includes three types of video lessons. Some build participants’ understanding of suicide prevention and mental health topics that commonly affect adolescents. Others focus on how adults can “show up” as trusted adults by listening, recognizing when a young person may be struggling, responding without judgment, and knowing when additional support is needed. A third group of video lessons is designed to be shown directly to teens as a way to open conversations about difficult topics. The lessons incorporating these video messages are accompanied by discussion guides that help adults continue the conversation and explore the issues more deeply. Local youth volunteered to appear in several of the video lessons, bringing their own voices and perspectives to topics such as social media, rumors and group chats, isolation and belonging, anger as a possible sign of emotional distress, reaching out when a friend is struggling, and telling a trusted adult when something does not feel right.

On September 30 from 12 to 1:30 p.m., the For All Seasons Center for Learning will host “Time + Space + Safety: An Introduction to CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means),” led by Lauren Weber, Chief Strategy Officer, and Lesa Mulcahy, Chief Clinical Officer. Access to lethal means can turn a temporary suicidal crisis into a permanent outcome, and CALM offers an evidence-informed approach to reducing that risk by creating time, space, and safety during periods of crisis. Designed for mental health professionals and other caring adults who may encounter individuals at risk for suicide, the presentation will explore how conversations grounded in empathy and respect can open the door to meaningful safety planning and practical approaches for discussing firearms, medications, and other lethal means. 

The September 30 Lunch and Learn will serve as a one-hour introduction to CALM and its core principles. For those seeking a deeper understanding, For All Seasons will also offer a self-paced online course, Real Talk: Suicide Prevention Through Lethal Means Safety, beginning in mid-September. The online course provides a more comprehensive look at the CALM approach and how its principles can be applied in real-world conversations about firearms, medications, and other lethal means.

For All Seasons’ “No Matter What… You Matter” suicide prevention campaign reminds the community that starting a conversation with someone who is struggling can be difficult, but you don’t need to have the perfect words. What matters is reaching out, asking directly if someone feels suicidal when you’re concerned, listening without judgment, and helping connect someone to support. Most importantly, keep checking in and stay connected; always letting someone know they matter can make a meaningful difference.

For more information about the month’s activities, please visit www.NoMatterWhatYouMatter.org or https://centerforlearning.forallseasonsinc.org/education/. 

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsinc.org.

Queen Anne’s County program provides business coaching, resources and grant funding to minority-owned businesses

Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development is now accepting applications for the second cohort of CatalystQ: The Catalyst of Minority Business Excellence in Queen Anne’s County, a business training accelerator designed to help minority-owned businesses build a stronger foundation for growth.

CatalystQ will select up to 10 minority-owned businesses operating in Queen Anne’s County to receive hands-on business coaching and mentorship tailored to their needs. Participants will receive assistance with business planning, marketing and connecting with professional resources, along with a microgrant to support strategic investments in their businesses.

“We saw firsthand through our first CatalystQ cohort how valuable it can be for business owners to have access to the right guidance, resources and connections at the right time,” said Heather Tinelli, Director of Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development. “We’re excited to build on that success with a second cohort and give more minority entrepreneurs in Queen Anne’s County the tools and support they need to take the next step in growing their businesses.”

The program returns after a successful inaugural cohort that graduated eight minority-owned businesses. Two of those graduates went on to place in the Upper Shore STRT1UP Roadshow, a regional entrepreneurship competition bringing together entrepreneurs and startups from Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.

For its second year, CatalystQ will be led by Bay Crossing Consulting, which will provide participating businesses with coaching and guidance throughout the program.

For DeSales Ward, Managing Member of Garden Warrior, LLC, participating in CatalystQ’s first cohort provided support that translated directly into growing her business. 

“The timing of this program was quintessential to the growth of my business. I utilized the grant funding to purchase QuickBooks accounting software and have an Employee Handbook and Service Agreements prepared by an attorney,” says Ward.

Ward also credits the program’s broader business guidance, adding, “The guidance was vast and broad, covering every key point in starting a business and running a business.”

CatalystQ is designed to help participating businesses strengthen their operations, increase revenues, improve their resilience and position themselves for continued growth in Queen Anne’s County.

Eligible applicants must be minority-owned businesses operating in Queen Anne’s County and be prepared to commit the time and effort necessary to participate fully in the program.

Applications are due September 4, 2026, by 5 p.m. Applicants will be notified by September 9, and the second CatalystQ cohort will begin in September/October 2026.

Funding for CatalystQ is provided by the Community Reinvestment & Repair Act and Upper Shore Regional Council, with support from the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners.

For more information and to apply, visit choosequeenannes.com/catalystq.

The Queen Anne’s County Historical Society and Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development Department invite the community to “Let Freedom Ring: A Revolutionary Birthday Bash” on Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Historic Courthouse Green in downtown Centreville.

     Part of Queen Anne’s County’s Maryland 250 celebration, this free community event will bring history to life while celebrating the people, stories and ideals that helped shape our nation. The event will kick off with our Town Crier and the band AcoustiCafe will provide entertainment. The day will also feature food, historical exhibits, children’s games, demonstrations and activities for the entire family.

     The celebration was originally scheduled for July 4 but was postponed due to weather. The September event will provide another opportunity for residents and visitors to gather on the Historic Courthouse Green and take part in Queen Anne’s County’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

     As part of the celebration, the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society is also sponsoring a Maryland 250 Bookmark Design Contest for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

     Students are invited to create an original bookmark inspired by liberty, history and the spirit of 1776 using the theme “Let Freedom Ring: A Revolutionary Birthday Bash.” First- and second-place awards will be presented in three grade categories: kindergarten through second grade, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. Winners will be announced during the September 26 celebration. Entry forms are available through participating schools. Questions about the bookmark contest should be directed to the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society at QACHSociety@gmail.com.

     For more info about the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, visit qachistoricalsociety.org. Learn more about the Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development Department at visitqueenannes.com. For information about Queen Anne’s County’s Maryland 250 events and activities, visit visitqueenannes.com/md250.

The Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO) is entering an exciting new chapter as it prepares for its 37th season, announcing new Board leadership, a renewed strategic vision, and a new rehearsal home designed to strengthen the student experience for young musicians throughout the region.

At its recent Board Retreat, CYSO’s Board of Directors reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to one guiding principle: every decision should enhance the student experience. While continuing its tradition of musical excellence, the organization will expand educational opportunities, community engagement, and student leadership initiatives to provide an experience that extends well beyond weekly rehearsals and concerts.

As part of this vision, the Board has elected Chie Smith as President of the Board of Directors.

Smith is an internationally trained pianist and educator with more than twenty years of experience in music education and performance in both Japan and the United States. She currently serves as Music Director for the Keisho Washington Japanese Heritage Center and as a piano instructor through the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Guest Artist Program at Broadneck High School. Her extensive background in music education, performance, and nonprofit leadership brings valuable experience to the organization.

“Chie is an exceptional educator and leader whose passion for young musicians aligns perfectly with the direction of our organization,” said Dane Krich, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra. “As we continue to grow, our focus is not simply on increasing enrollment, but on creating an experience where students develop as musicians, leaders, and people. Chie shares that vision completely.”

The organization also extends its sincere appreciation to Jane Chambers, who recently concluded her service as Board Secretary after many years of dedicated leadership and volunteer service. Jane’s commitment has played an important role in the success and growth of CYSO, and the organization is deeply grateful for her many contributions.

Stepping into the role of Board Secretary is Colleen Harris, an elementary school principal with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Harris has served AACPS since 2004 as a classroom teacher, behavior specialist, assistant principal, and principal. As the parent of a current CYSO student, she has experienced firsthand the impact the organization has on young musicians and is excited to help guide its future.

Beginning this fall, CYSO will also relocate its weekly rehearsals to Annapolis Area Christian School in Severn. With the exception of the flute ensembles, all orchestras will rehearse together on Thursday evenings, providing a central location with expanded rehearsal space, ample parking, and gathering areas for families. The move is intended to foster a stronger sense of community by bringing nearly all of CYSO’s ensembles together under one roof each week.

CYSO also extends its heartfelt appreciation to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, which has generously hosted the organization for many years.

“We are incredibly grateful to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church for its friendship and unwavering support,” Krich said. “They have been a wonderful home for CYSO. Our move to Annapolis Area Christian School is driven by an opportunity to bring our orchestras together in one location and create an even stronger sense of community for our students and families.”

The upcoming season will feature expanded masterclasses, additional performance opportunities, enhanced student leadership initiatives, and the continued growth of Musical Bridges, CYSO’s community instrument lending program designed to remove financial barriers and expand access to music education.

“As CYSO enters its 37th season, we are focused on one simple goal,” Krich said. “We want every student to leave our program not only as a stronger musician, but as a more confident, connected, and inspired young person.”

The Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra serves students from Anne Arundel County and throughout the Baltimore-Washington region through multiple orchestras and ensembles dedicated to artistic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement.

Auditions for the 2026-2027 season continue on a rolling basis.

For more information about the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra, visit www.cysomusic.org.

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join us for the Wye Angus Field Day on Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12, at Wye Angus in Queenstown, Maryland.

This two-day educational event will provide an opportunity to learn about the history, management, and research that have made the Wye Angus herd one of the most recognized Angus programs in the country. Whether you are a cattle producer, forage enthusiast, or simply interested in learning more about our operation, we hope you’ll join us for informative presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

Topics will include:

• A historical overview of the Wye Angus herd and its legacy
• Grazing management tours featuring:
  • Grass varieties used in our pastures
  • Cattle movement and grazing strategies
  • Summer annual forages
  • Stored forages, including wrapped hay and forage quality sample demonstrations
• Tick identification, prevention, and management
• Composting practices and their role in sustainable farm management
• Catie McVey will be on site with 3D scanning on cattle
• Silvopasture
• Grain-fed steers & carcass results with Rachael Slattery

This will be an excellent opportunity to see our grazing system firsthand, ask questions, and exchange ideas with fellow cattle producers and industry professionals.

A full agenda will be available soon.

The lodging sheet is attached with links to two hotels.

To register: click here

We hope you will make plans to join us this September for two days of learning, discussion, and fellowship at Wye Angus.

Sincerely,

Choptank Community Health System is joining community health centers nationwide in celebrating National Health Center Week, Aug. 2-8, recognizing the critical role federally qualified health centers play in providing affordable, high-quality health care and strengthening communities.

This year’s National Health Center Week theme, “America’s Health Centers: Building Innovative Care Where It Matters Most,” highlights how community health centers improve health outcomes by expanding access to comprehensive primary care, emphasizing prevention, and meeting patients where they are.

Since 1978, Choptank Health has provided comprehensive health care for residents across Maryland’s Mid-Shore. Today, the federally qualified health center serves nearly 35,000 patients annually through medical and dental offices, School-Based Health Centers, mobile health services, and community partnerships in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.

“National Health Center Week is an opportunity to recognize not only the importance of community health centers, but also the people who make this work possible every day,” said Sara Rich, president and CEO of Choptank Health. “Our physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, behavioral health clinicians, nurses, care coordinators, community health workers, support staff, volunteers, and community partners are committed to ensuring everyone has access to quality care close to home.”

As a federally qualified health center, Choptank Health provides primary medical care, women’s health, pediatrics, pediatric dental services, behavioral health, nutrition counseling, pharmacy support, care coordination, laboratory services, and chronic disease management regardless of a patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. A sliding fee discount program is available for eligible patients.

Through integrated care, Choptank Health helps patients receive preventive screenings, manage chronic diseases, improve behavioral health, and avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations. 

Choptank Health also partners with local school systems to provide School-Based Health Centers that improve student health, reduce absenteeism, and make medical, behavioral health, dental, and nutrition services more accessible for children and families.

“Access to quality primary care improves lives while strengthening our communities,” Rich said. “When people can receive preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and address behavioral health needs close to home, families are healthier, employers have a stronger workforce, and our entire region benefits.”

National Health Center Week provides an opportunity to recognize the value community health centers bring to rural communities and the importance of continued public and community support.

Throughout National Health Center Week, local governments across Maryland’s Mid-Shore are being asked to recognize the contributions of community health centers with official proclamations honoring the dedicated professionals and community partners who improve residents’ health and well-being every day.

For more information about National Health Center Week and the national health center movement, visit www.nachc.org. To learn more about Choptank Community Health System and its services, visit www.choptankhealth.org.