August 29th join us for a lovely night out with Rosewood at Cascia Winery on Thompson Creek Road in Stevensville. Based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and led by the dynamic and lush vocals of Sandy Ryder, Rosewood draws deep and wide from traditional Americana music. From country to blues to contemporary rock, Rosewood has developed their own unique approach and arrangements to the great standards from the 60s to present. Sandy Ryder’s lead vocal style is reminiscent of a complex mix of Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sheryl Crow and Allison Krauss.
Bring your blankets, chairs, food, and drink, family, friends, and neighbors.
Concerts are, as always, FREE and family friendly.
Donations are welcome. Small contributions go a long way!

Approximately 1700 guests attended the For All Seasons 2024 Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Expo in Idlewild Park – a record attendance for the event. For All Seasons distributed 800 backpacks filled with materials to local students. 

“We couldn’t do this event without For All Seasons staff, student volunteers, and our resource providers, who worked together to make this a memorable evening for our local kids and families. We especially want to acknowledge The Talbot Department of Social Services, The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Easton Lions Club, Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center, and PepUp, Inc. for their generous contributions towards the backpacks. With the growing costs associated with getting kids ready for school, these resources are invaluable to struggling families,” commented Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

It’s really important to us to partner with other agencies in our community. We can better meet the needs of children and families when we work together. There continues to be a growing need for support and resources locally, especially as we start the new school year. We are always excited to partner with For All Seasons each year for this truly valuable event,” added Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator, Talbot County Department of Social Services.

The following organizations attended the event and provided resources to participants, including Talbot County Department of Social Services, Aetna Better Health of Maryland, Appleseed Books, Talbot Humane, Talbot Hospice, Healthy Talbot, Easton Family YMCA, CarePacks, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Easton Elementary School, Shore Legal Access, Seedco/Maryland Health Connection, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, Eastpoint Church, Choptank Community Health, Talbot County Health Department, Mid Shore Community Mediation Center, Talbot County Free Library, UM Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, State of Maryland Office of Oral Health, Chesapeake Creative Wellness, and Talbot Thrive. A special thank you to Aetna Better Health of Maryland for donating a bike for the raffle prize.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Earth Data, Inc. staff recently participated in Bellevue Passage Museum’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Summer Camp by providing a presentation on geographic information systems for middle school campers. The camp also explored other STEAM career paths including molecular chemistry and Artificial Intelligence, writing/coding stories and robotics, creating mobile multiplayer games, and graphic design through engaging in hands-on projects and guided group activities. 

Campers traveled the globe with Camp staff volunteer Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data.  He led them through an exercise that allowed campers to find latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates for places they wanted to visit, add them to a database, and then chart the coordinates in real-time using Google Earth. From Ukraine and Kyoto to Easter Island and Bellevue, campers learned about different places worldwide and why they were of interest. 

“To be a part of the STEAM week through Bellevue Passage Museum was an empowering experience. Building on the strength of the history of Bellevue, where I live, to help launch energetic students into a boundless future has been rewarding beyond words. Seeing their young creative minds connect the concepts of technology with their passions will put them on a pathway toward their dreams,” reflects Flickinger. 

“I take the mantra ‘It takes a village’ very seriously because I can recall all the family, teachers, and community members who helped my growth and development. With the Bellevue Passage Museum STEAM Summer Camp, I wanted to capture that community spirit and support and pass it along to our students,” comments Kat De Shields-Moon, Camp Director/Director of Programming.

The STEAM Summer Camp was free to participants. Support was provided by the United States Coast Guard and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 4H Extension, who loaned the students iPads and laptops and provided swag bags and snacks. BAAM also connected the camp to its summer programming and provided camper transportation. Camp staff who volunteered their time as pod leaders for the week included Bellevue resident Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data; Kiara Brummell, Docent at Waters Edge Museum in Oxford; Mario Threats, Information Technology Business Owner and Bellevue resident; Drs. Dennis and Mary De Shields, M.D., Founders of Bellevue Passage Museum; and Jamico Moon, BAAM’s Facilities Director, who provided transportation.

“I was so grateful to have several volunteers from local businesses spanning different industries to either volunteer as a pod leader for the week, stop by to share some wisdom, or both in Eric’s case. Sometimes, especially for minorities, tech careers can feel far away and inaccessible. By bringing local professionals to them to speak about their experiences, at least they know those jobs are right here in Talbot County. If there’s any truth to “you can’t be what you can’t see,” and there certainly is, bringing in local businesses and professionals is the first step in changing that narrative. The impact of these experiences on our students was truly inspiring,” De Shields-Moon shares.

“I cannot begin to express my appreciation to Earth Data, Inc. for encouraging employees to find something they are passionate about and give their hearts to. The spirit of giving has awakened in me through their generous support,” Flickinger adds.

For more than 49 years, Earth Data, Inc. has been providing field-oriented water resources and geospatial consulting services using high-tech tools to collect, analyze, manage, and distribute data in sophisticated ways. For further information, visit earthdatainc.com.

EASTON Md. (August 12, 2024) – The Cancer Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is now offering easier, shorter radiation treatment for patients with early-stage breast cancer. 

Known as Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI), this course of treatment is limited to the immediate area surrounding the tumor and minimizes radiation exposure to the rest of the breast, skin, ribs, lungs and heart. UM Shore Regional Health is a member organization of University of Maryland Medical System.

“Along with more precise targeting of the immediate area surrounding the original tumor, a significant advantage of APBI is that it is accomplished in five sessions over five treatment days, as opposed to 15 to 20 sessions over several weeks,” said Rashmi Benda, MD, Medical Director of the Cancer Center’s Requard Radiation Oncology Center. “In addition, patients experience little to no pain, swelling or skin redness with the treatment.”

APBI treatments begin after the patient’s lumpectomy and a CT scan that pinpoints the tumor site for the radiation oncology team. In an outpatient procedure, tiny gold markers are placed in the breast. After a second CT scan, a treatment plan is generated, and the patient returns for five treatments. The gold markers are tracked during each treatment, allowing radiation to focus on a smaller volume of breast tissue.

Kent Island resident Rebecca Bartholow completed APBI treatment in early July of 2023. “I received five treatments that lasted about an hour, with a day in between each,” she said. “The experience was awesome – it went great! Other than being a little tired, I felt really good. I couldn’t have been happier.” 

APBI has been shown to be effective compared with traditional longer and more intensive treatment regimens. “We are pleased to offer this innovative and beneficial treatment to our patients in the Shore community,” said Dr. Benda.

A video featuring Rebecca Bartholow and Dr. Benda discussing APBI can be found on the UM Shore Regional Health YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnsl0cCjASI .

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 16, 2024 – In partnership with the Universal Sailing Club, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is proud to host the 11th annual Souls at Sea ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24, starting at 1pm.

Drawing on African traditions, this is an on-water remembrance and libation ceremony honoring the millions of captive Africans who perished during the transatlantic crossing known as the Middle Passage. CBMM general admission guests are invited to join the land-based portion of the ceremony, which will be held on the Fogg’s Landing side of CBMM’s campus next to the Welcome Center.

Founded by Universal Sailing Club member Regina Hartfield in 2013 and presented annually by the Baltimore-based club, Souls at Sea honors the ancestors and ensures their lives are not forgotten. After stops around the Bay region, the powerful event came to CBMM and the Miles River for the first time last year to celebrate its 10th anniversary, and now it is returning to begin its second decade.

Find more information about this edition of Souls at Sea at cbmm.org/SoulsatSea2024. It is generously sponsored by the Upper Shore Regional Folklife Center.

“The Universal Sailing Club and I are so excited to return to CBMM to share this moving and memorable event with guests,” said Hartfield, an Eastern Shore resident. “As an on-water remembrance ceremony, Souls at Sea honors the ancestors and enables us all to remember and honor those we have lost in our own families. We acknowledge the history it represents, while spiritually, charting a course for a brighter future.”

Souls at Sea begins on land with a ceremony featuring a blessing of the captains and boats as well as a drum, dance, and song performance from the African Legacy Cultural Arts Association. The festivities will be led by Iya Ogunfunmilola and her assistant Iya Oyaronti.

At last year’s event, the National African American Quilt Guild presented a special quilt, crafted by quilters across the country, commemorating the event’s 10th anniversary. This year, the quilt, featuring 14 ships that transported captive Africans as part of the slave trade, will be loaned to CBMM and showcased in its upcoming special exhibition Sailing to Freedom: The Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad that opens Sept. 27.

Afterward, CBMM’s guests will send off the Universal Sailing Club’s boats as they depart for the on-water ceremony. The club members will then raft up their vessels on the Miles River to continue their remembrance with a traditional libation ceremony, which is a ritual pouring of water as an offering to the lost souls.

For all involved, this is a meaningful day to highlight a dark period in history and remember the estimated two million-plus enslaved Africans who died making the voyage to the Americas over the roughly 350 years of the transatlantic human trade.

“We are honored to partner with Universal Sailing Club again for this special event,” CBMM’s Vice President of Education & Interpretation Jill Ferris said. “The club’s commitment to preserving the stories of their ancestors and honoring them with this incredible ceremony is inspiring, and we appreciate the opportunity to help share their important work.”

EASTON Md. (August 13, 2024) –The Orthopedic Center has welcomed podiatrist Todd Albrecht, DPM, to its provider team. The Orthopedic Center is an affiliate medical practice of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Albrecht is well-known in the Mid-Shore community for having operated Easton Foot and Ankle Center since 1994. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Ill., and his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He completed his podiatric surgical residency at Central Medical Center and Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. He is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

“We very pleased that Dr. Albrecht has joined our practice effective August 12, 2024,” said Orthopedic Center principal provider Thomas Stauch, MD. “He has provided 20 years of exceptional podiatry care in our community that will contribute effectively to the growth of The Orthopedic Center.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Albrecht, call The Orthopedic Center at 410-822-8226.

The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners are actively seeking individuals to fill two vacancies on the Social Services Advisory Board.  The deadline for applications is August 30, 2024.

The Social Services Board serves in an advisory capacity to the director and members act as liaisons to bring concerns from their communities and to take back information. Social Services Board members participate in the process to select the Director of Social Services for appointment and complete the Director’s annual performance evaluation with the Department of Human Resources.

For individuals interested in serving, the application process is accessible online at https://onboard.qac.org/. Alternatively, applicants may navigate to the official county website at qac.organd search for the specific Board or Commission to find the relevant application page.

To be considered for the vacancies, interested candidates are requested to submit their resume and a detailed letter of interest through the online application software.

Join Talbot County small business leaders for the free Money Maryland Expo on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the BAAM Athletic Center at 31 Jowite Street in Easton, Maryland. Participation is limited, with advanced registration required at www.moneymaryland.com.  

The Money Maryland program connects Maryland residents to important local and state resources. The event includes free learning sessions, interactive panel discussions, and connections to free business resources, workforce training, loans, grants, and support for small businesses.

“We’re excited to be able to offer this free program in Talbot County,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. “Small business owners will come away with a better understanding of financing opportunities and will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the small business resources Maryland has to offer, including funding and grant opportunities.”

Featured topics include marketing and branding for small businesses; business basics for entrepreneurs; profitably pricing products, services, and contracts; and funding options for startups and growing companies. The event will also feature a business resource fair and networking opportunities.

Free parking and refreshments will be available for Money Maryland attendees. Lunch also will be provided.

The Money Maryland (TM) series was developed by Will Holmes Consulting (WHC) and is produced in partnership with the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Easton, Md.

No Matter What… You Matter is a suicide awareness campaign started by For All Seasons in 2017 and recognized in September of each year. The initiative’s goal is to prevent suicide on Maryland’s Eastern Shore through education and increased access to crisis resources. This year, the 8th annual NMWYM free speaker’s series, entitled “Be a Lifeline: Recognizing and Responding to Those at Risk of Suicide,” will be offered in Easton and Cambridge shining a light on how we can each play a critical role in suicide prevention. 

Suicide is a leading cause of death on the Eastern Shore and in the United States. 90% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition. There are proven treatments to help with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. As a community, we can all play a role in suicide prevention by checking in, listening, and connecting those in need of professional help.

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, Dr. Jeff Thompson, a research psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center and retired NYPD detective, will discuss key risk factors and warning signs of suicide; clarify and separate common myths from facts about suicide; and provide practical tips for everyone, regardless of background, to help prevent suicide.

Dr. Thompson is a research psychologist and scientist working in translational research – researching to develop evidence-based and practical interventions, strategies, and practices for people to enhance their resilience; support their ability to manage crises, conflicts, and disputes; and prevent suicide. He recently retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after serving for more than 20 years as a detective, their first-ever mental health and wellness coordinator, and as a hostage negotiator.

The second event in the speaker series, “We All Have a Role to Play in Suicide Prevention,” will be held on September 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Packing House in Cambridge. The presentation will be led by Dr. Andrew Moon, currently working within the Department of Defense’s Office of Force Resiliency leading efforts to improve public health and suicide prevention at every military installation worldwide, and facilitated by For All Seasons President and CEO Beth Anne Dorman. Participants will strengthen their awareness around the topic of suicide prevention, and learn how to reduce suicide risks, leaving attendees with the hope, readiness, and strategies to make a difference in their community. In addition to these events, For All Seasons will distribute suicide prevention rack cards to local businesses and others throughout the community to help with its awareness campaign.

Checking in with someone could help save a life. If someone you know is showing signs of depression, withdrawal, or unusual behavior, take time to check in. Reach out to your circle of friends and family. Be attentive to those with whom you have concerns and connect them to resources. There are proven treatments to help those with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Someone experiencing a crisis may not recognize that suicidal thoughts are often temporary, and with professional support, hope and healing are within their reach.

ASK “Are you OK? Are you having suicidal thoughts?” Be direct and compassionate. Research shows that asking this question will not put the idea into someone’s mind.

LISTEN You don’t need to have all the answers. Be fully present without judgment. Allow the person to share their story.

SHARE “You are not alone. Help is available.” Connect them to services. For All Seasons is just a phone call away.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, reach out to Lauren Weber, Vice President of Strategy and Development at lweber@forallseasonsinc.org. For All Seasons provides 24-hour crisis hotlines, same-day crisis appointments, and expert mental health services for anyone in need, regardless of ability to pay. Most importantly, if you need suicide prevention resources and a step-by-step conversation guide or for information about the upcoming speakers series, visit https://www.nomatterwhatyoumatter.org/. For All Seasons’ 24-Hour Crisis Hotlines are English 410.820.5600 and Español 410.829.6143. English/Español Text is 410.829.6143. For the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Dial 988.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.