Cecil County Life
• Fabric testing at W.L. Gore
• The Calvert Grange
• Q & A with Dr. Nelson Fritts
Complimentary Copy
Cecil County Life Fall/Winter 2024
Letter from the Editor:
On October 5 and 11, something magical happened in Cecil County, but the magic of the Cecil Cares program –now in its ninth year – is seen in the magic of volunteerism. In this edition of Cecil County Life, we look at how the Cecil Cares program connects people to purpose. This year, members of the Bayside Community Network, Inc. helped to clear walking trails at their facility; staffers and volunteers at Cecil County Animal Services performed a clean-up at a local shelter; and the Voices of Hope Maryland team and volunteers applied fresh coats of paint at men’s and women’s recovery housing. In all, a total of 250 volunteers rolled up their sleeves at 15 locations throughout the county, and collectively, gardens were planted, parking meters were painted, and donations were collected for local agencies. Cecil Cares is a perfect illustration of how great the Cecil County community and its people are.
On the pages that follow, we’ll highlight some of the notable people and places in Cecil County. We’ll introduce readers to David Healey, the novelist next door. The Chesapeake City resident has built multiple careers on his writing skills – journalist, professor, essayist and novelist.
We’ll take readers behind the scenes of fabric testing inside the W.L. Gore & Associates’ Elk Mills facility.
We’ll showcase the Massey Aerodrome and Air Museum in the photo essay.
We’ll shine a spotlight on the Calvert Grange, which not only works to promote the importance of agriculture, it also offers social events like craft shows and Bingo Blitz games for local residents.
Cecil County Life caught up with Dr. Nelson Fritts, Jr., the director of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra, to talk about his love of classical music, the thrill of inspiring young musicians and a spectacular dinner party that he can only imagine hosting.
The fall season and the holidays are very festive in Cecil County, and we take a look at just a few of the exciting activities and attractions that will be taking place in the coming months.
We hope you get a chance to enjoy some of the great things that are taking place in Cecil County this season, and we look forward to bringing you the next issue of Cecil County Life, which will arrive in the spring of 2025.
Sincerely,
Cover design: Tricia Hoadley
Cover photo: Jim Coarse
Spotlight| David Healey, the novelist next door
By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer
Chesapeake City resident David Healey has built multiple careers on his writing skills – journalist, professor, essayist and novelist – that all began with stories of adventure he read when he was young.
“When I was a kid, one of my favorite authors was William O. Steele, who wrote frontier adventure novels,” he said. “The first book I read was Winter Danger, and I just loved the story. I would write stories using his characters and settings. Now we would call it fan fiction.”
Those feats of derring-do helped inspire his desire to be a storyteller, and Winter Danger led to something else. Its hero is a boy named Caje Amis, and Caje Cole is the protagonist in Healey’s longest series. Righteous Sniper, the 10th Caje Cole book and Healey’s 30th book, is out in December.
In addition to the Caje Cole series, set in World War II, he plans in 2025 to release the sixth novel in the Pacific Sniper series, starring Caje’s cousin Deacon Cole.
On davidhealeyauthor.com, he lists the rest of his creativity so far: four mysteries and thrillers; three Civil War novels; two books for young adults set in an alternative history in the Napoleonic Wars; three books about Delmarva history; and two more books.
“I’ll never live long enough to write all the books in my head,” he said. “I work only on one at a time, but I have the idea for the next one percolating.
“I am not in any of these stories. They’re all tough guys.”
In contrast, he’s a nice guy who enjoys quiet pursuits like walking, bicycling and otherwise exploring quaint backroads.
History in his backyard
“David’s ability to put words to his imagination grabs readers right from the start,” said Tracy Miller, manager of the Cecilton Branch Library. “Many patrons have commented that they are hooked within the first sentence.”
Michele Chynoweth, a writer based in North East, is equally enthusiastic. “He does a lot of research, and his characters and settings are really authentic,” she said. “He just makes us feel we’re right there.”
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Photo courtesy of David Healey Righteous Sniper, the 10th Caje Cole book, is out in December.
Photo by Ken Mammarella Chesapeake City resident David Healey has been a novelist for 25 years, and his 30th book is scheduled to come out at the end of 2024.
David Healey
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Healey believes that one reason that the books resonate with readers – besides being gripping stories, well-told – is pride in their ancestry.
“It reconnects them to their father or grandfather,” he said, adding that “they like to share their own stories with me, and I’m humbled. They lived it.”
As if he’s not juggling enough already, he’s also contemplating creating a website where fans can share stories and photos of their ancestors’ military achievements.
Healey has lived his whole life in areas near important wartime events. He grew up on a small farm in Howard County, an hour’s drive today from Gettysburg and near Cooksville, the site of an 1863 Civil War skirmish. He recalls hearing stories passed down through the generations about families hiding their horses and livestock in the woods so they would not be confiscated by soldiers in transit.
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Photo by Deny Howeth, courtesy of David Healey
Healey and his son, Aidan, in a cover shoot for the Pacific Sniper series.
David Healey
Continued from Page 10
Chesapeake City, his home for more than 30 years, is a few miles from Head of Elk, famous for the 1777 arrival of 17,000 British troops shipped from New Jersey. With the 250th anniversary of that event in mind, he’s thinking about crafting a novel set in Cecil County during the Revolutionary War.
His research for his novels goes from war college reports to Google Street View, but even so, some readers will nitpick. “You get artistic license, don’t you?” he asked rhetorically.
Photo by Ken Mammarella Healey with a replica of a Springfield rifle created for the 2010 HBO series “The Pacific.” He bought it for the cover of Pacific Sniper, one of his novels.
Behind the scenes
Healey defines his writing as “slow and steady,” and comes with a goal of writing one thousand words a day. During his walks, he often dictates a scene or even a chapter. He also exercises by climbing the 27 steps up to his writing studio on the top floor of his home. His first books were traditionally published, and he switched to self-publishing because it’s more lucrative.
“I really enjoy everything about the process, which includes hiring graphic artists, editors and beta readers,” he said.
Sharpshooter , a what-if historical thriller about an attempt to assassinate Union General Ulysses S. Grant, was in 1999 his first published book and likely the fourth he had completed.
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Photo courtesy of David Healey Healey enjoys quiet pursuits like walking, bicycling and otherwise exploring quaint backroads.
David Healey
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One of this early books was reworked significantly to become Beach Bodies, a comic thriller set in coastal Sussex County. In a 2014 News Journal interview, he called the rest “training exercises.”
“They didn’t turn out that well, but that’s okay because I learned from them,” he said.
Healey has learned a lot about writing since he became absorbed in Steele’s novels. He worked in journalism, mostly at the Cecil Whig, until his job was eliminated during the 2009 recession. He taught as an adjunct at Cecil College and now, after earning a master’s in fine arts from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast program in 2007, he works full time teaching introductory composition for Purdue Global.
He has also been active in local workshops, nurturing future writers.
“I’ve written different things, but a lot of it does focus on history, because our past matters,” Healey said. “Although what I do is really entertainment, in some way I hope that it sparks interest in history and keeps history alive. And I really do believe that it’s kind of my guiding light while I’m working on my books.”
Photo by Ken Mammarella
One of the shelves in Healey’s home features a row of his books.
testi
By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer
The temperature inside the W.L. Gore & Associates Elk Mills facility was 95 degrees, with a relative humidity of 40 percent and a light wind blowing at three miles an hour.
The climate was perfect for the next test using Gore’s world-renowned environmental chamber.
And if Ray Davis, a comfort research and development associate who runs the testing operation, wanted other conditions – temperatures from minus 58 to 122 degrees, relative humidity from five to 98 degrees and wind from 0.4 to 20 miles per hour – the chamber could get there in two hours.
Identify a place by longitude and latitude and pick the time, and the chamber’s system could adjust the lighting to replicate that solar loading, sunrise to sunset, from 0 to a searing 1,100 watts per square meter.
“Imagine you’re in the parking lot of the Elkton Walmart on a cloud-free August day,” Davis said. “That’s 800 watts.”
During a tour of the facility, he referred to system settings and experiences in Alaska and Scotland, but there is no setting in the chamber for Elkton, five miles to the south. It’s too variable,” Davis said.
Behind the of fabric testing of fabric testin
3,000 ways to ensure the enterp
prise’s promise to keep users dry
Photo courtesy of W.L. Gore
The environmental chamber is a hightech testing facility at the W.L. Gore Elk Mills complex.
W.L. Gore
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A lot of interest
In 2016, W.L. Gore opened two labs at Elk Mills, a site that already had production lines for customized fabrics and laminates (about 90 percent of the output) and finished products (about 10 percent) and other labs. There are now about a dozen labs.
W.L. Gore emphasizes a testing pyramid, based first on the material (or component), then the laminate (or composite), then the system (such as a piece of attire) and finally, the human user.
The newish heat protection and flame lab measures “three key elements of burn protection: flame resistance, thermal insulation and thermal stability,” the company said at the time.
The newish biophysics lab is highlighted by the environmental chamber and the rain tower, a 32-foot-tall, 100-square-foot room that can vary the intensity of the rain, the temperature of the rain and air and the intensity of the wind.
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Ray Davis, a comfort and research associate at W.L. Gore, in the laboratory at the Elk Mills facility.
W.L. Gore
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These cutting-edge labs have since been showcased in about 150 tours a year, Davis said, and they have generated coverage in consumer magazines like Popular Mechanics, Rider, Golf Monthly and Runner’s World and industry publications like National Defense Magazine and Knitting Trade Journal. Gore itself has posted video tours of testing on YouTube and 360-degree virtual panoramas on www.gore-tex.com/technology/ virtual-lab-tour.
The environmental chamber is a futuristiclooking 20- by 30-foot box with sleek steel walls, floors and a domed ceiling. It can be set up with two treadmills to assess the movement of both robotic mannequins (the robust Wally, the more sophisticated Walter) and humans (Gore associates, local first responders, students) wearing clothing that’s being tested.
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Photo courtesy of W.L. Gore
Shoes are lined up for a breathability test.
W.L. Gore
Continued from Page 20
It has a lot of climatic controls to allow for repeatable tests. “Physics is a finicky beast,” Davis said. “We need to eliminate as many variables as possible.”
Rain, rain, go help science
The rain tower – one of three in Elk Mills and one of seven at W.L. Gore facilities worldwide – is so tall to make sure the raindrops reach terminal velocity. It can rain up to three inches an hour, a figure that Elkton has marked only once in the last 150 years, Davis said.
A smaller rain room is down the hall, with hydraulics moving two mannequins wearing jackets in lifelike motion so that the testing can cover not just the fabric, but also the stitching, zippers and other elements of the garment construction to satisfy W.L. Gore’s “guarantee to keep you dry” promise.
Among other things, W.L. Gore associates measure
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Davis, an Elkton resident, is protected from the elements through the use of company attire.
W.L. Gore
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how much water gets into the undergarments worn by the human and android subjects.
Even shoelaces are considered in W.L. Gore’s style approval of items made by other firms, said Amy Calhoun, a public affairs communicator, to ensure that they are not wicking water into socks and, ultimately, feet.
One combo of intense rain and high winds is designed to mimic “a motorcyclist on I-95, passing tractor trailers,” she said.
The rain tower is several generations advanced from the enterprise’s early history.
“The original was placed in [company founder] Bob Gore’s shower in his Newark home,” said Davis, after earlier casually commenting on how comfortable he felt in “head to toe Gore-Tex” attire during a recent visit to Niagara Falls.
Test and then test again
Testing throughout the site covers a long laundry list of
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Photo courtesy of W.L. Gore
W.L. Gore uses its associates -- as well as mannequins -- in its testing.
W.L. Gore
Continued from Page 24
the qualities of fabrics and laminates. In fact, laundry is a factor in at least two tests, one assessing the impact of washing with detergent, the other the wear and tear over many hours of agitation in washing machines.
As part of its testing, W.L. Gore washes swatches with and without detergent.
monitor shows the status of four stations in cycle time
and cycles
per hour.
Other tests consider “finding that balance between durability and comfort,” he said. Case in point: The multiple layers in firefighting gear that protects the user against heat, flame, smoke and water while allowing the user to move easily and quickly. One miracle product is Pyrad fabric, which can self-extinguish flames, forming a stable char that minimizes heat transfer and hence burns. It’s also waterproof and made in high-visibility yellow.
Some tests involve how noisy a fabric is when the user
Photos courtesy of W.L. Gore
A
(Taktzeit)
(Zyk)
moves. Hunters want quiet fabrics to avoid alerting their prey, Davis said, also referring to the concept as the “Costanza effect,” named for the swooshing pants that the character wore in a 1994 episode of “Seinfeld.”
Some involve exposing fabric to contaminants like jet fuel, motor oil, sunscreen and insect repellant, weighting them down and determining what penetrates into the fabric and what effect that has.
Another key test involves the moisture vapor transfer rate, measured by the modified desiccant method, a test that W.L. Gore developed and is now an industry standard, he said.
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Michael Krosny photo courtesy of W.L. Gore
This test measures tactility, in how well a user wearing the gloves can feel objects.
W.L. Gore
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“A water bath that’s the same temperature as a human body [is] covered by the fabric to be tested,” a blogger wrote for REI, the outdoor gear company. “Potassium acetate or sodium chloride, both which absorb water, are used to draw moisture up through the material – then it’s a matter of comparing the pre- and post-test weights to see how much water was picked up. The more water picked up, the more breathable the material.”
Stretchability, pilling and clinginess are also assessed. Then there’s “how it feels,” that subjective assessment that can only come from people, both in bench testing at Elk Mills and out in the field, somewhere else in the world.
The Elk Mills site has the equipment for about 3,000 different tests, all part “of our continuous effort to understand materials,” Davis said “We’re always looking to improve” the testing and, more importantly, the resulting material.
“My house would be a great location” for testing by his four energetic sons, he joked.
Ray Davis, a comfort research and development associate, runs the testing operation.
The Calvert Gr Bingo, craft shows, a great ven
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Calvert Grange has a long, rich history and it is the last grange in Cecil County. They take that honor seriously, and they work hard to preserve the legacy.
Preserving that legacy translates into offering residents in Maryland and the surrounding states of Pennsylvania and Delaware with new social events.
The latest endeavor, Bingo Blitz, is sure to bring in people searching for a more exciting and very affordable game of bingo.
Bingo Blitz is held every first and third Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. until noon. There is a very extensive list of gifts and foods donated for the game. Bingo cards can be purchased for $1 and you can have six at a time. Everyone is welcome.
But Bingo isn’t the only fun thing happening at the grange. Craft shows certainly bring in the crowds.
This year, one craft show was on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the other will take place on Dec.7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Prepare to make a day of it at the craft shows. You can grab some great refreshments including breakfast sandwiches, soups to go (crab soup and chicken and dumplings) plus a variety of drinks and desserts, and check out the raffle prizes, which get bigger every time.
The vendors are a very eclectic group of artists and crafters. All items are hand-made and in the past have included crocheted and knitted items, jewelry, felted items, wreaths, yarn, food items, and hand spun yarn. If artwork is your thing, come see ceramic items and very unique art work. It is a great place to start your holiday shopping and to find
one-of-a-kind items that are sure to please everyone. It is a great place for would-be crafters to ask questions, find supplies, or simply see if you might want to learn a new craft.
In the spring, the grange hosts yard sales inside and out. In 2023, the grange received a certificate for 70 years.
The Calvert Grange #424, was founded in 1953. Much of the rich farmland that existed in the Maryland area may have been swallowed up by developments, but advocates such as the Farm Grange still exist to protect those few farms that provide us with their bounty. And you might be surprised to see what new farming looks like.
The original Farm Grange was founded in 1867 and continues today as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal organization that advocates for rural America and agriculture.” They were organized after the Civil War to reunite the north and south, and to rehabilitate farms destroyed in that war.
The Calvert Grange offers Bingo, craft shows and a great venue for a variety of events and get-togethers.
range: nue, and more
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The charter members of The Calvert Grange are Walton and Mildred Mason; Grove and Arlene Miller; Roby and Fanny Wagner; William and Lillian England; Florence Brown; and Lorraine Price.
Courtesy Photos Handmade ceramics were available at Calvert Grange Craft Show.
Calvert Grange
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Sadly, all the charter members have passed, but the grange they started is stronger than ever.
At its inception, the Grange met at the Calvert Elementary School, then relocated to the Rosebank Church. In 1964 they built the Grange building at 2357 Telegraph Road in Rising Sun.
Eleanor Cline, current president of the organization, has been a member for 64 years. Cline and other grange members still advocate for the farmer and still preserve this valuable asset in Cecil County.
Farming families are very familiar with granges. Most farm children spent their free time at granges participating in family events, 4-H activities, or gaining valuable knowledge about farming. The Grange has continuously fought for the rights of farmers and rural Americans everywhere, taking hometown words and policies to the steps of Congress year after year. If not for the Granges, farmers would have had to struggle even more to get fair prices for crops, milk, livestock and other agricultural products.
Although farming and agriculture have changed tremen-
You never know who will show up at Calvert Grange craft shows. dously in recent years, granges continue to be a vital part of the entire community. It is impressive to see how active this particular grange continues to be and how it still serves the people of Cecil County.
“The grange continues to welcome new members and continues to maintain the building, which includes a new HVAC system,” Cline said. “We have plans for more improvements in this building, which serves people from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware.”
She added, “We feel we provide a great venue whether you’re looking for somewhere to hold your next business meeting or party. The Calvert Grange has the space at a very affordable price. We rent our facility for a variety of events, including training sessions, board meetings, family holiday dinners, weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, reunions, receptions, live music performances, fundraisers, auctions, yard sales, church services, graduation parties, craft sales, and more. Your rental includes the use of the hall, kitchen and grounds outside.”
The Calvert Grange still provides education to farmers and to students who have the dream of owning a farm someday. They are also a valuable asset to the growing population seeking knowledge on gardening, caring for their yard, or those interested in the environment.
If you believe that interest in farming is waning, then you must be missing the farm-to-table trend, which visitors to the Grange can learn about.
There is also a growing interest in eggs. That’s right – eggs. Chefs have been flocking to local producers of exotic eggs for years. There is a growing market in producing exotic eggs that snatch a hefty price. Rare chickens, duck, goose, emu and ostrich eggs are used in many exclusive restaurants.
This particular Grange has become a haven for crafters and artists from three states looking for a venue to sell their handmade items. Vendors also sell fresh plants and flowers grown on their farms, while others fashion wreaths or other decorations with those farm-grown products.
One thing that brings crafters to this grange is being able to buy beautiful yarns or felting wool that come directly from local sheep, llamas, and alpacas.
For more information about joining The Calvert Grange, reserving the venue or signing up for events, go to calvertgrange.org or call Karen Long at: 410-441-4990.
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GROCERY: SAUCES, OILS, VINEGARS, OLIVES, MARINATED VEGETABLES, SEASONINGS, RICES, POLENTA, FLOURS, PASTAS – FRESH / FROZEN / RAVIOLI / TALLUTO’S
|Cecil County Life Q & A|
Dr. Nelson Fritts, Jr. Director, Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra
In cooperation with the Cecil County Arts Council, the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra was formed in January 2019 to provide the gift of music to the residents of Cecil, Harford and Kent counties. Over the last five years, they have played at medical centers, high schools, churches and wineries and now, the Star Centre in Havre de Grace.
At the Orchestra’s helm is Dr. Nelson Fritts, Jr., an arts educator and former long-time coordinator for Fine Arts in Cecil County. Cecil County Life recently spoke with Dr. Fritts about his love of classical music, the thrill of inspiring young musicians and a spectacular dinner party that he can only imagine hosting.
Cecil County Life: Let’s begin by asking perhaps the most important question: When and where can Cecil County audiences make plans to see the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra in concert as we approach the holiday season?
Fritts: We are preparing for a December 6 holiday concert at Elkton High School and a performance of The Messiah on December 21 at the Star Centre in Havre de Grace, where we have been asked to be the resident orchestra there. It’s a vast preparation that began in June and it’s a continuous process. I am doing something every day to prepare for it, whether it is communication with choir or orchestra members, or logistical issues at the Star Centre or the tuning of the harpsichord.
This is a young symphony with a great deal of vitality and excitement. They want the bar to be raised higher and higher and these programs show that. At each of our rehearsals, we have gone through half of The Messiah and in the next several weeks, we’ll take on the other half. By the time we start full rehearsals on November 2 with the orchestra and
the chorus, the orchestra will have already gone through it.
The Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra was formed in January of 2019. Talk about the components, the people and the mission that brought this orchestra to existence. Where did you see the need?
It was a vision. It started when I was hired by Cecil County Public Schools as their coordinator of fine arts in 1996. I came into a situation where there were so many parameters – music, art, theater and dance. I did a needs analysis of the teachers and took their recommendations and at the same time I worked on filling voids. There were no strings. There was no orchestra program. One of the first things I saw that was needed was to start a strings program, which took a year to get off the ground.
We decided that we would create a pilot, and we chose the active music community of Rising Sun, who had consistently strong music programs. After a few years, the possibility existed to expand the program to North East and Perryville. I began to enter grant writing, and that is what changed the culture of the arts in Cecil County, and it was able to fund not only the continuation of our strings program but the implementation of dance and theater into our elementary schools.
An orchestra is a diversity of talents, made up of musicians from various experiences who come together as one to create a unified sound. What is the age range of the current members of the Orchestra and how many members are there?
We have 25 members, and they range in age from the eighth grade to a woman who is 77 years old.
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Courtesy photo
Dr. Nelson Fritts, Director of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Nelson Fritts, Jr.
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When audiences take their seats for a performance of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra – be it in Cecil, Kent or Harford counties – they see a great dichotomy of musicians on that stage. How do these various musical journeys lend themselves to the making of great music, and how do you as the director get them all on the same page, musically?
It has been said in so many different types of artistic venues: relationships, relationships, relationships. I strive to create a family in my ensembles. When you have a 77-year-old sitting next to high school students, they begin to learn and appreciate it so much and they understand how people work. In each of these sections, I have adults sitting next to high school and middle school students. Musicians are very compassionate and understanding about their fellow musicians. Adults will be mentors. Students will become admirers, and it creates a family. There is a dynamic among people – particularly when you are trying to bring them together to form a family
-- where everyone works together to make it happen and rise to the challenge. It’s about trying to take the diversity of this age group and making music, and then it happens.
You have spent so much of your life inspiring young musicians. Who inspired you?
I grew up in West Virginia, and my first band director there was Raymond Frazier. He started teaching me during the summer before I was about to enter the seventh grade. He was very inspiring, and he saw in me from the very beginning this passion for music, and he fostered it in so many ways. He knew I was so excited about directing, so when I got to high school, he appointed me as student director. Then he provided me with other opportunities as a soloist.
Did he ever get to see you develop your career?
Yes, he did. In fact, when I performed my college recital before graduation, he was in the audience. When I took my first teaching job, I told him about it. When I received
my doctorate, I told him and when I retired from my role as an arts coordinator for Cecil County public schools, I let him know. I wanted him to feel the gratification of my work and his inspiration.
During your role as the director of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra, you have no doubt performed the catalog of some of the world’s most famous composers. Among those, which have been the most challenging?
It’s interesting that while Mozart and Hayden are the models of classical composition, their music came naturally to our musicians, and they were able to grasp those styles. As we get into the Romantic period of Tchaikovsky and Bizet, it becomes more challenging for them to step out of their safety zone.
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Courtesy photo
Under Fritts’ direction, the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra was formed in January 2019 to provide the gift of music to the residents of Cecil, Harford and Kent counties.
Dr. Nelson Fritts, Jr.
Continued from Page 39
Trying to get the orchestra to look at different styles from different countries can be a bit of a challenge, but once they get it – once they lock into it – then it becomes a foundation for a new realm of music and range in their lives. I feel it is important for an orchestra to be exposed to multiple perspectives.
It has been proven time and time again that a child who is introduced to the arts performs better academically, creates more lasting relationships and becomes better engaged in their lives and the goals they set for themselves. Talk about the impact of being a member of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra has on a young person.
The introduction of the young child to the arts is the critical mission of any school program or community organization, whether it’s a dance company, a museum or a music program. They MUST work to ensure that its community is being educated from the start. Our
Symphony has opened the door to this kind of education, which is why I am excited to be at the Star Centre, which holds over 1,000 people, because it will give kids the opportunity throughout Maryland to see the Symphony a few times a year.
As the director of the Northern Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra, what have been the moments that have stood above the others, in terms of being able to experience the moment as a crystallization of the Orchestra’s chief mission?
One, undoubtedly every concert. In each of the 18 programs that we’ve performed, when I have stood on the stage, they have been the highest moments – to bring the music to its most perfected level and performing it before an audience.
Two, to see the students that we have had as they matriculate from our group to college and the impact that the Orchestra has had on them has been just remarkable.
What is your favorite spot in Cecil County?
Fair Hill. If you travel on Route 273 from Rising Sun to Newark when you get past the fairgrounds, there are the rolling hills. They are beautiful, especially in the fall, because the turning trees are so much a part of it.
You host a dinner party and can invite anyone you wish – living or not, famous or not. Who would you wish to have around that table?
I want to see Leonard Bernstein at the head of the table. As a kid, I remember watching his Young People’s Concerts on our black-andwhite television, and if you look at where the roots of my passion for music began, I truly think it was watching these concerts. Without exception, throughout my entire are e c
life, I have seen him as my mentor. As a conductor, he has been one of the world’s best, hands down. I would also like to invite Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven, Johann and Richard Strauss, Debussy, Stravinsky and Copland. I would also invite Paul McCartney, who has been a true troubadour of music for the last half century, as well as the composer John Williams.
What item can always be found in your refrigerator?
The best beer from the best microbrewery that’s out there. The best cheese. The best bread. The best cuts of meat. I am of German background, so my heritage reflects that type of food.
~ Richard L. Gaw
|Cecil County Life Photo Essay|
The Massey Aerodrome and Air Museum in nearby Kent County is a trip back in time to a bygone era of aviation
Photos by Jim Coarse | Text by Richard L. Gaw
|Massey Aerodrome and Air Museum|
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For every visitor – no matter the age or the degree of interest in the history of aviation -the Massey Aerodrome and Air Museum is a living monument to the way things used to be took to the air to serve their towns and their imagination.
shore of Maryland just a short drive from Cecil
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On October 5 and 11, something magical happened in Cecil County, but the magic of the Cecil Cares program – now in its ninth year – is seen in the magic of volunteerism
CECIL CARES: Connecting people to purpose
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
For two days this past month – on October 5 and 11, to be precise – members of the Bayside Community Network, Inc., armed with rakes and determination, helped to clear walking trails at their facility in Cecil County.
The staff and volunteers at Cecil County Animal Services performed a clean-up at a local shelter. The Voices of Hope Maryland staffers and volunteers applied fresh coats of paint at men’s and women’s recovery houses. In all, a total of 250 volunteers rolled up their sleeves at 15 locations throughout the county, and collectively, gardens were planted, parking meters were painted, and donations were collected for local agencies. Together, their efforts became a consortium of sweat and selflessness in a countywide day of service known as Cecil Cares.
First begun in 2016 and coordinated by Cecil County Department of Community Services and the Cecil Cares
Planning Team, the annual event – having just wrapped its ninth year -- offers county residents the opportunity to volunteer with local nonprofits, government agencies, and faith and service-based organizations on a variety of service projects throughout the county.
“We started planning for the first Cecil Cares back in the fall of 2015,” said Krista Gilmore, the volunteer program administrator for the Cecil County Department of Community Services (DCS). “The department received a grant from the Maryland Governors’ Office of Service and Volunteerism to provide funding for volunteer centers or connector organizations in an effort to boost volunteerism in the county.”
The grant DCS received provided the seed money to fund the Volunteer Cecil website, but there was an even grander thought, generated by former DCS Community Wellness Division Chief Linda Tull.
“We met in the evening and Linda said, ‘Wouldn’t it be
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Courtesy photos
The ninth annual Cecil Cares event, held on October 5 and 11, gathered more than 250 volunteers who worked on 15 projects throughout Cecil County.
Cecil Cares
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|Cecil County Life|
|Cecil County Life|
wonderful for Cecil County to be known for something good?’” Gilmore said. “At the time, there were high incidents of opioid overdoses and crimes throughout Cecil County, but Linda said that we need to all band together, break down some barriers and come together for a day of service.”
Soon, the department began to collaborate with neighboring agencies, county businesses and department staff and in September of 2016, the first Cecil Cares was held at eight locations around the county. Since then, 38 non-profit organizations have been a part of Cecil Cares, including the Fair Hill Nature Center, which has participated every year.
While the organizational structure of Cecil Cares is generated from its participating agencies and in partnership with the event’s Planning Team and with support from Upper Shore Regional Council, the true strength of the program lay in its volunteers, who come from every region of the county.
“I have watched over the years the way that each project is owned by the organizations and the community,” Gilmore said. “We tell them, ‘This is your project,’ and let them talk about it. It’s never something that our department does. It’s merely about providing the support to those who do the work.”
A volunteer lends assistance to a painting task at this year’s Cecil Cares event.
The ideas for the Cecil Cares projects are generated from the agencies themselves and this year, the result produced a full rainbow of diverse projects. One such project, Cecil Transit’s “Stuff the Bus,” parked a bus at the Walmart shopping center parking lot in Elkton and asked customers passing by to make purchases on Cecil Transit’s shopping list. Following a gathering of all of the gifts purchased and donated by the shoppers, the department then dropped off all items to the Cecil County Help Center, an agency that provides food, supplies and energy assistance for county residents. This year, Cecil Transit collected over 4,000 pounds in items for the agency.
“We always meet those more fortunate who understand the need for crucial items and are happy to add an item or two to their shopping carts,” said Jonathan Creamer, transit coordinator for Cecil Transit. “I am always amazed at how happy our drivers are to get out and do good in the community. It’s also heartwarming to see how appreciative the Help Center is to welcome us. It’s been a great relationship we have enjoyed over the past several years.”
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Since its beginning in 2016, Cecil Cares has gathered the support and dedication of 38 non-profit organizations throughout the county.
Cecil Cares
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Cecil Cares is planning for its tenth anniversary in 2025.
“For the past few years, we have ended our evaluation dinner with, “Give me one word to describe Cecil Cares,” Gilmore said. “Two of the most frequently used words we hear are ‘Community” and “Relationships.” I have spent most of my career helping connect people to purpose and highlighting the good not only in individuals but with agencies. I know that Cecil Cares highlights the richest resource in our county – our people. Non-profit agencies always have a great need for volunteers, but I know that there are plenty of people in our community to meet those needs.
“We build communities, and when you have a lot of people each doing a little at a time, you can accomplish great things.”
To learn more about Cecil Cares – and how to volunteer -- visit www.volunteercecil.org, or email Krista Gilmore of the Cecil County Department of Community Services at kgilmore@cecilcountymd.gov.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Grunge Muffin designs volunteered their time to paint several parking meters in Elkton.
THE CECIL CARES PLANNING TEAM
Mike Brandon (The Paris Foundation)
Jonathan Creamer (DCS – Cecil Transit)
Andrea Gilde (DCS)
Josh Hornberger (DCS)
Jean-Marie Kelly (Cecil County Health Department)
Linda McKinnon (Cecil County Board of Realtors)
Megan McRay (Cecil County Chamber of Commerce)
Jerry Moran (Cecil County Board of Realtors)
Waverly Pollitt (DCS)
Bunny Renshaw (Friends of Cecil County Parks and Recreation)
Wayne Scholz (Christmas in April)
Barbara Smith (DCS – Community Partnerships Division Chief)
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Cecil Cares
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CECIL CARES 2024
The following agencies coordinated volunteer projects throughout Cecil County on October 5 and 11:
ORGANIZATION
PROJECT
The American Legion Completed a spruce up of its front yard Bayside Community Network, Inc.
CASA of Cecil County
Cecil County Animal Services
Cleared walking trails, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity
Susquehanna and the Cecil County Board of Realtors
Planted a serenity garden around their building
Performed a clean-up of their animal shelter
Cecil Transit Oversaw a Stuff the Bus donation drive to benefit the Cecil County Help Center
Chesapeake Health Education
Did a makeover of the Veterans Community Center Program (CHEP) at Perry Point
Deep Roots
Fair Hill Nature Center
Facilitated a garden and storage clean-up
Completed a building and grounds clean-up
Friends of Cecil County Parks/Rec Helped to clean up Brantwood Park
ORGANIZATION
Grunge Muffin Designs
Meeting Ground
PROJECT
Re-painted parking meters in Elkton
Conducted a health and hygiene donation drive for the Mary Randall Center and men’s and women’s shelters
The High 5 Initiative
The Paris Foundation
Town of Charlestown
Voices of Hope Maryland
Performed a clean-up of the Susquehanna River
Completed a community clean up of Hollingsworth Landing neighborhood
Coordinated a tree planting project in town parks
Painted men’s and women’s recovery houses in Elkton
Cecil Colle on a journey th
Growing up in Cecil County, Sarah Capparuccini always felt a deep passion for photography. As a child, the dream of capturing moments through a camera lens seemed more like a fantasy than a feasible career path.
Encouraged by her mother’s belief in her natural talent, Capparuccini transformed that dream into reality as the staff photographer for the fastest-growing company in Cecil County, SunMed Growers, a licensed cannabis cultivator and processor located in Warwick, Md.
“Joining SunMed felt like being in the right place at the right time,” she said. “Every photography gig I had before this was preparing me for this role. I carved out a position here that didn’t exist before, and I’m incredibly proud of what I do. This experience has been a personal and professional journey fueled by my deep passion for the cannabis and photography industries.”
While Capparuccini’s journey began at an early age, her pathway to realizing that dream took shape when she enrolled in the Visual Communications program (VCP) at Cecil College, where she majored in photography. There, she encountered Adam Jacono, an assistant professor II, whose influence was profound.
“Mr. Jacono’s approach to teaching and mentorship was instrumental, not only in refining my skills but also in helping me secure real-world assignments,” said Capparuccini. “He provided a clear perspective on how to market oneself as a freelancer or self-employed professional. He taught me how to price my services effectively, account for my time, and ensure I’m properly compensated. As someone with great success in freelancing, his guidance gave me a clearer understanding of how to get started and how to build from there.”
These lessons expanded on Capparuccini’s success while attending Padua Academy a year prior. Chris Wills, her graphic design teacher, worked with her on photography techniques and style and encourage her to display the work. Her photographs received an honorable mention
in a scholastic contest before going on to take top honors at Delaware College of Art and Design’s Young Artist Competition. This earned her a full scholarship to Delaware College of Art and Design’s pre-college summer program, cementing Capparuccini’s commitment to photography.
“Support from my parents has been incredibly important throughout my journey,” she said. “I remember back in high school, they took me out to lunch to discuss career paths, because they weren’t sure if a career in photography was viable or fulfilling. Their skepticism was evident, but as I demonstrated my dedication and passion, they began to accept and support my choice. Now, seeing how far I’ve come and the recent opportunities, they are immensely proud and fully believe in me. Their encouragement means the world to me, affirming that I’m on the right path and validating all the hard work I’ve put in.”
Upon graduating from Cecil College with an associate degree in photography in 2018 and new-found confidence, Capparuccini, with the help of Jacono, landed her first professional freelance job photographing a four-day nursing convention in Philadelphia.
“It was stressful at the time as I didn’t know what I was getting into. It was my first major photography job, and it gave me a lot of confidence and direction regarding where I wanted to go,” said Capparuccini.
Despite her growing success, Capparuccini faced challenges, including a back injury during her last semester at Cecil College. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters, leading to the closure of her job with Bella Baby and forcing her to navigate the uncertain landscape of freelance work. During this period, she ventured into social media management at a cannabis dispensary in Elkton, which unexpectedly led her to combine her passion for photography with cannabis.
It also exposed her to the expanding industry of legalized cannabis production and landed her a job interview with SunMed Growers. Having mentioned her photography background during the interview, she was hired to work
ege alumna hrough the lens
part-time in the greenhouse and part-time on promotional projects. Her role evolved as the company grew, ultimately leading to a full-time position integrating photography and marketing. Capparuccini now handles a diverse range of responsibilities, from product and packaging photography for compliance with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) to creating engaging content for social media and
promotional materials. Her work has even been featured in Canna Cribs, a popular YouTube documentary on the cannabis industry.
“The studio classes I took at Cecil College were instrumental in helping me learn professional lighting setup and the proper equipment I need for my product promotions,” she said. “Now, I am going out in the greenhouse and understanding the value of natural lighting photography. I also do product photography in a little studio I set up.”
Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the importance of adapting and continuing to learn. While she initially took video production classes in the VCP program for granted, she now recognizes its significance in modern photography. Her evolution into video work and stop-motion has allowed her to stay current and creatively challenged.
“Another professor who helped me in the VCP program was Jonathan Cone, whose class taught me the basics of html,” said Capparuccini.
Capparuccini credited her success with her foundational education and mentorship, particularly the lessons learned from Jacono and her VCP studies. She appreciates the traditional techniques she mastered before the rise of new technologies, preferring to rely on her creative skills rather than AI.
Her work has been featured in Leaf Magazine, a nationwide publication tailored to specific states, including making the cover of the 2021 Harvest issue. This accomplishment has played a significant role in her growth within the SunMed Growers company and was one of the first significant boosts of confidence in her career.
Today, Capparuccini embraces the complexities of her career, combining technical skills with artistic vision. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the impact of supportive mentors and family. From the early days of dreaming with a camera to making a mark in the cannabis industry, Capparuccini’s journey vividly illustrates how dedication and creativity can shape a fulfilling career.
Sarah Capparuccini
Enjoy activities throughout C
Enjoy activities throughout Cecil
This has been a festive year in Cecil County, as the county celebrated the 350th anniversary of its founding throughout 2024. The festivities continue this fall and this holiday season with many activities and attractions to enjoy throughout Cecil County. Here’s a look at just a few of the upcoming events:
Book Lover’s Market
A Book Lover’s Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Elkton Library at 301 Newark Avenue in Elkton. This will be a festive celebration of books and authors. Meet authors, purchase books and have them signed and shop the offerings of book-themed vendors. For more information, visit www.cecilcountylibrary.org/event/ book-lovers-market-66896.
and attractions
Cecil County
and attractions Cecil County
The Mount Harmon Paper Chase
The Mount Harmon Paper Chase will take place on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Mount Harmon Plantation in Earleville. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. There will be ribbons and prizes for teams closest to optimum time. Explore the gardens and grounds. Bring a tailgate to enjoy after your ride on the scenic grounds. Hearth cooking and light refreshments in the Colonial Kitchen. The Manor House Tours & Gift Shop will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cecil County Independent Film Festival
The Cecil County Independent Film Festival is a yearly celebration for filmmakers and film lovers alike in the greater Mid-Atlantic area. With films from as close as Cecil County and as far away as the Ukraine, this festival aims to bring new voices and bold choices to the Cecil County community, be it in narrative, short form, documentarian, animation, and everything in between. The dates for this year’s festival are Nov. 15, 16, and 17. Visit the website www.milburnstone.com/ filmfestival for more information.
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The Party of the Year: Gatsby
Channel the exuberance, decadence, and spirit of the Roaring Twenties at the biggest party of the year at the Chesapeake Inn Restaurant. The Party of the Year: Gatsby will take place on the evening of Nov. 22. Perfectly timed with the centennial of the Roaring Twenties, The Party of the Year: Gatsby has been tailor-made to dazzle. Live music and more add an air of possibility as flapper ladies and dapper gentlemen sip on era-inspired cocktails and bubbly developed specifically for the event. Channeling the glamour of the roaring twenties, the ethereal entertainment, elegant fare, and flowing drinks will create a truly transportive experience. The restaurant is located at 605 2nd Street in Chesapeake City.
Christmas Village
The Sonetta Community Market, located at 2084 Jacob Tome Memorial Highway in Port Deposit, will host a Christmas Village on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find local artisans and craft-makers in the Christmas Village. Find Fair Trade, high quality and unique items in the Market Building. Also, get a picture with Santa!
Chesapeake City Lion’s Club tree lighting
The Lion’s Club presents the annual Christmas tree-lighting in Pell Gardens on Dec. 1. Santa will use his Christmas magic to light up the tree and all of the lights throughout the town. This is a free, family-friendly event and no ticket is necessary. The tree-lighting event takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pell Gardens is located at 98 Bohemia Avenue in Chesapeake City.
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region’s most Beautiful Waterfront Site for Weddings and Special Events
& Holiday
Decorations & Greens Sale
Manor House Tours
Cooking in Colonial Kitchen
Marketplace & Gift Shops
Court & Open Air Tavern
Decorations Inspired by Colonial Williamsburg Proceeds benefit Mount Harmon Plantation, a scenic and historic treasure Yuletide Festival Tickets Available Online $10, FOMH Members $5, Children 12 & under free
Fun for the Whole Family DECEMBER 7 & 8, 11AM – 3PM Visit us online for all the details: www.mountharmon.org • 410-275-8819 • info@mountharmon.org
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Cecil County
Christmas Parade
A day of Christmas celebration featuring marching bands, vintage and modified cars, commercial floats, equestrian and animal showcases, and so much more. The parade takes place on Main Street in North East from noon to 2 p.m.
Holiday Port Deposit Candlelight Tour
Celebrate the season of giving at the Donaldson Brown Riverfront Event Center at 200 Mt Ararat Farm Road in Port Deposit. Bring your family and friends to share a meal which will include Sue’s famous cream of crab soup. Take a history tour through two floors of the stunning mansion while you enjoy the holiday décor. A candlelight tour will be open from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Yuletide Festival and Holiday Marketplace
Get into the holiday spirit and shop for hand-crafted wreaths, decorations, and artisan gifts at the Friends of Mount Harmon’s Yuletide Festival & Holiday Marketplace. This festive holiday event on Dec. 7 and 8 features the famous Yuletide Decorations & Greens Sale, Yuletide Manor House Tours, Holiday Artisan Marketplace in Carriage House Visitor Center, Hearth Cooking Demonstrations & Wassail in the colonial kitchen, Colonial Reenactors, and Live Tree & Plant Sale. The Mount Harmon Plantation is located at 600 Mount Harmon Road in Earleville.
Continued on Page 64 Check out the website for tickets & events at www.brokenspokewinery.com
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
The Milburn Stone Theatre brings one of the biggest shows in its thirty-plus year history, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, back to the main stage. The enchanting and timeless musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast once again will dazzle the Milburn Stone Theatre stage. This magical tale of love and redemption comes to life in a spectacular fashion through an Oscar-winning and Tony Award-nominated score. Performances take place on December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 with the Friday evening performances starting at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees starting at 2 p.m.
Christmas at Milburn Orchards
The Milburn Orchards Farm Market and Big Backyard will be open to help spread some holiday cheer with special December hours. On Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a chance for guests to visit with Santa in the Farm Market.
There is no charge to visit with Santa. Bring your camera, and take as many photos as you want. Many folks find that there is something very special about visiting the farm at Christmas time. The Big Backyard is open for farm fun and the Barnyard Buddies love to have the visitors. Make holiday memories with a day of fresh air on the farm. Pay admission inside the Farm Market.
Old Fashioned Christmas
Downtown Elkton celebrates an Old Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join the community and visitors downtown for complimentary carriage rides, hot cocoa, music, and more. Information is available at https://www. elktonalliance.org/events.
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Next edition of Cecil County Life
Activities and attractions
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New Year’s Eve Gala
Ring in 2025 at Bohemia Manor Farm with the New Year’s Eve Gala celebration from 8 p.m. to midnight. Enjoy an elegant evening with a top-shelf open bar from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by a cash bar until midnight. Savor heavy hors d’oeuvres featuring Chesapeake favorites like oysters, shrimp cocktail, and more. Dance the night away with music from a DJ, and toast the new year with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine at midnight. Bohemia Manor Farm is located at 237 Bohemia Manor Farm Lane in Chesapeake City.
The Cecil County Tourism page on the county website at www.ccgov.org has a calendar of many exciting events, activities, and attractions. Visit the page for more information about events that you can enjoy while in Cecil County.
