November-December 2024

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

coastal STYLE

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

SEASON STAPLE: PEARS

HISTORY LIVES AT OLD DENTON

2020, 2023-2024

Enhancing one’s personal space has never been more popular, and post pandemic, we’ve been reminded that it’s never been more important to spend quality time with our family and friends. Here on the Eastern Shore, Overture has been creating spectacular outdoor living environments that create memory-making opportunities for its clients. Warmer weather will be here before you know it — and here’s just a small sample of their vast selection of outdoor living product solutions that can enhance your outdoor space.

Outdoor Weatherproof TVs

Overture’s outdoor TVs models are the best televisions for full sun and shaded areas. Its fully weatherproof TVs are safe for outdoor use and made to withstand extreme outdoor temperatures and adverse climates. With its sleek designs, brightest-in-class screens, 4K UHD and HDR picture quality and 2-year warranties, there is no better choice for your outdoor space.

Outdoor Speakers

Overture’s team has spent decades in the audio space, which means that they have the knowledge and experience to design and create an outdoor setting that features the very best sound quality, clarity and durability from the leading manufacturers in the industry. They take great pride in their innovative solutions and superior installation. Overture’s outdoor speaker plans are designed with great care to minimize their visual presence in your landscape decor. The result is a refined entertainment experience without disrupting the beauty of your surroundings.

Outdoor Lighting

To complete the design, Overture expertly designs and installs low voltage landscape lighting packages designed to enhance the aesthetics of your home and property, offer peace of mind from a security perspective and allow you to utilize your space long after the sun has set. Low voltage lighting packages are extremely energy efficient and Overture is committed to delivering superior performance and quality LED lighting fixtures built to last a lifetime.

You can feel confident in knowing that Overture offers the latest in outdoor living technology that provides the best solutions for your needs and surroundings. At Overture, we take great pride in designing and installing the appropriate system for our clients — while exceeding their expectations.

FINEST REAL ESTATE WORLDWIDE

From left: Advisors Mary Rice, Jessica Gresczyk, Lisa Jackson, Kevin Heselbach, Lisa Lebow, Kara Hawkins, Chantal Apple and Chr is Hayes (not pictured).

flavors

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

74 THE WHOLE BIRD

Chef Jordan Lloyd shares insights and techniques to prepare duck like a pro.

82 PEARED TO PERFECTION

Erin Westman and Meghan Weismiller pair to create delicious holiday-inspired options.

82

92 EASY TO PEAR

Two quick and tasty recipes you can whip up using this issue’s featured holiday fruit.

94 PEARS, SPICE & EVERYTHING NICE

Sean Norris ushers us into the holidays with spirit-warming seasonal cocktails.

Beef Tenderloin with Pear Cranberry Chutney

SUCCESS MODEL

Led by Dina Gomes Daly and her husband Derick, BAAM has provided educational, social and sports programming in the greater Easton area for the last 20 years.

Mitchell and Hastings Financial Services welcomes Steven Sweigert as partner.

BAAM has provided educational, social and sports programming for two decades.

Pohanka Commercial provides an array of fleet options with on-demand service.

Heart & Sole helps children and young adults gain a broad range of skills to succeed in life.

Simmons Center Market has welcomed locals like family since 1937.

Expert advice for holiday giving from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will play a trio of holiday-themed performances.

The latest news and advice from TidalHealth, the Shore’s leading healthcare provider.

Sussex County’s own symphony performs for sell-out crowds with musicians of all ages.

Interior designer Jamie Merida brings Christmas to Virginia’s last historic plantation.

Photo by Jill Jasuta

Photo courtesy Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

Photo by Robert Radifera

Photo by Tony Weeg

WATERFOWL FESTIVAL 53—IN PHOTOS!

Hopefully you were able to attend this year’s Waterfowl Festival! If not, see what you missed—and make plans to attend next year’s event, which takes place November 14-16, 2025.

Check out more photos online from our feature with Jamie Merida , who styled Virginia’s last historic plantation, Old Denton, for the holiday season.

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Photo by Robert Radifera

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KELLY DARRIGO

DENA GRAY

TODD PHELPS

GRANT L. GURSKY

JILL JASUTA

ROBERT RADIFERA

MARCI RYAN

MEGAN STEELE

JUSTIN TYLER

KRISTEN HAMPSHIRE

SEAN NORRIS

RICHARD RALPH

KEN RYAN

Photo by Robert Radifera

(PLUS

THE HOLIDAY SEASON USHERS IN FEELINGS OF PEACE, LOVE AND HOPE all of which our world should strongly embrace. We’re thankful for the protectors of our region, both here at home and in distant lands, that risk their lives to ensure our safety and freedoms. We visited 6 communities during the production of this issue to bring you stories of people who strive to make the Shore an even better place to live. We wish you good health and hope you enjoy this issue. Drop us a line at info@ coastalstylemag.com or on Facebook or Instagram to connect with us. We’d love to hear from you.

l Phyllis R. Mitchel Certified Financia Planner™ Certified Financia Andrea L. Hastings l Fiduciary®

ement Charter

t Steven E. Sweiger ed Retir Planning Counselor®

e are excited to formally welcome Steven Sweigert to our team, which will now be known as Mitchell, Hastings, and Sweigert Financial Services! Steven has been with us now almost five years—and more then deserves this recognition and inclusion.

Steven has always embraced our mantra that all individuals and businesses deserve competent, truly independent, and affordable advice—and that the interests of the clients come first and foremost. Steve is passionate about continuing our tradition of integrity, service, independence, and trust with each and every client.

Steven’s 17 years of experience brings our total years of combined experience in the financial services industry to over 90 years. We are proud of that fact, and feel we are ready to help all clients, from the individual or business wanting to gain financial security, to the most complicated wealth, tax, investment and estate planning situation. CS

Proven Performance

THE POHANKA COMMERCIAL TEAM PROVIDES TAILORED SOLUTIONS TO BUSINESSES LARGE AND SMALL ACROSS THE SHORE—WITH SUPERIOR SERVICE AND A COMMITMENT TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS EXCEL

Photography by Grant L. Gursky

Businesses and organizations across the Shore trust Pohanka Commercial for their fleet solutions. From municipalities and police departments to small commercial trades and large industries, Pohanka Commercial’s services are designed to enhance efficiency, improve operational effectiveness and maximize their return on investment.

Led by Keith Biggar Jr., Director of

Commercial

Operations,

Pohanka Commercial tailors its solutions to meet the unique needs of its customers. The dealership offers options for every business need—from service trucks to dump trucks, upfitted cargo vans to completely customized vehicles. They know that every business is different, and as a local, factorydirect provider, they pride themselves

on providing a personal approach and a commitment to being available whenever and wherever support is needed.

That pledge extends to Pohanka Commercial’s mobile service department, which delivers on-site maintenance and repair services to minimize downtime and keep their customers’ vehicles on the road. Additionally, its telematics and fleet management software monitors vehicle

Pohanka Commercial is led by

Keith Biggar Jr.

Director of Operations Keith Biggar Jr. is an automotive industry veteran with more than a decade of experience to his credit. His knowledge and expertise includes commercial and internet sales, and he has achieved the ranks of dealership sales manager and general manager. “At Pohanka Commercial, our team is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service and support to help their businesses grow,” he says.

Specialized service you can trust

Don’t settle for downtime. Pohanka Commercial’s team of certified technicians specializes in servicing and repairing a wide range of commercial vehicles, from box trucks and delivery vans to work trucks and heavy-duty machinery. They understand the critical role your fleet plays in your business, and their priority is to get you back on the road quickly and efficiently.

performance, tracks usage and manages maintenance schedules to ensure fleets operate smoothly—because there’s no good time for downtime. When an unfortunate service issue does arise, its certified technicians are equipped to provide on-the-go commercial vehicle servicing. Pohanka Commercial’s cutting-edge mobile service ensures convenience, utilizing genuine OEM parts to enhance the longevity and performance of its customers’ commercial fleets.

When the time comes to add new vehicles, Pohanka Commercial’s factory direct vehicle ordering system provides customers with access to a streamlined ordering process to ensure they get the right vehicles for their needs without unnecessary delays. Its comprehensive and user-friendly website details the extensive array of uplift and specialty body options by manufacturer (Ford, Ram and Chevrolet) and correlating model options.

Pohanka Commercial also offers convenient and flexible financing solutions to take the stress out fleet expansion and help its customers manage their vehicle budgets effectively. This is especially true for municipalities, which benefit from budget predictability and access to newer vehicles at all times. For smaller businesses, Pohanka Commercial offers open-ended leasing products that combine the flexibility of ownership with the cash flow and tax advantages of leasing. Open-end leases have no mileage limits and allow for more wear and tear than closed-end leases.

Consider Pohanka Commercial your fleet management partner with its team of dedicated professionals and certified technicians. They’re in your corner to help propel your business forward, outpace your competitors and broaden your market share through their extensive selection of new and used commercial trucks and vans. CS

local

A Holiday Tradition

SIMMONS CENTER MARKET ROLLS OUT THE HOLIDAY SPREAD WITH DÉCOR, GIFTS, GARDEN DELIGHTS AND ITS ALWAYS-AVAILABLE FRESH-CUT MEATS AND LOCAL PRODUCTS

Written by Kristen Hamsphire | Photography by Jill Jasuta

“It’s not Christmas until I come to Simmons,” say many locals who feel like family when they shop Simmons Center Market in Cambridge. Visitors make an annual pilgrimage during the holidays to experience the gift shop brimming with wooden crates of globe ornaments in traditional colors, some bedecked with silver and gold, expansive displays of handmade wreaths, old-timey candies to fill stockings and rows of jolly red

poinsettias that form a floral runway through the greenhouse.

On December 7, Simmons Center Market will host its annual holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., complete with new product sampling stations. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, gussied up for photos in a vintage sleigh that Simmons founders James and Libby Simmons kept at the shop.

Hot chocolate, live music and goodies to

take home are a given.

Owner Ricky Travers, whose grandparents opened the market’s doors in 1937, says “It’s not the same stuff you find at mass merchandisers” of the gifts, keepsakes and goods sold there. The store works with about three dozen different Amish families in Lancaster County, PA, who handcraft American-made wooden toys, bird houses, Santa Claus and reindeer décor, along with

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jellies, cheeses and other delicacies.

Stacked tall on display are thoughtfully packaged gift baskets galore, some with take-and-make combinations of fresh produce and local meat and others featuring enticing hard-to-find candy variety arrangements.

“It’s always a very special time around here,” says Ricky, reminiscing on Simmons Center Market's four generations of Christmas.

Locally Sourced Legacy

Simmons was the first full-service grocery store south of Wilmington when Ricky’s grandfather opened it in 1937 on the very same piece of property. Since then, the building has undergone several renovations and additions, expanding its offerings as time has passed.

“He had worked for another grocer in town and decided to go out on his own,” says Ricky. “So he cashed in a life insurance policy for about $200, went to Baltimore on a ferry and got some equipment and stock.”

The whole idea of self-service was a novelty at a time when you went to the butcher, asked for specific cuts of beef or a whole chicken, and usually got charged for the cleaning. James Simmons came up with a jingle to capture his uncommon customer service approach: “If you buy your chicken from me, I’ll clean it for free.”

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NOTE: Heartburn and heart attack may exhibit similar symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

A RICH LEGACY

Simmons offers a rich legacy, serving as a nod to simpler living and more wholesome traditions.

No Matter the Path, Home is Where We Gather.

There’s no place like home, especially during the holiday season. Whether in a spacious cottage or a convenient apartment, Londonderry residents gather with friends and family year round.

At Londonderry, a 62+ independent living cooperative, residents are invested in their community. From serving on the resident board to leading activities, this is retirement at its finest. With the peace of mind that comes from onsite maintenance and neighbors who feel like family, Londonderry is more than a home—it’s a community.

Located along the banks of the Tred Avon, just a stone’s throw from historic downtown Easton, Londonderry offers a unique blend of tranquility and convenience. It’s the perfect place to call home.

PARADE OF EXCITEMENT

Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, live music and more are in store at the Simmons Annual Open House on December 7.

Cellophane was also brand-new on the scene in the 1930s. “My grandfather was very much a forward-thinker,” says Ricky, relating that James was one of the first to start prepackaging cuts of meat, ground beef, poultry cuts and other butcher items in cellophane so customers could simply grab and go.

“This allowed people to buy just in ‘parts’ from a case,” Travers relates.

Grocery carts were another newfangled convenience that many men initially backed away from, Ricky laughs, because it looked too much like pushing a baby carriage. The shop still has a few of its earliest carts—one wooden and one vintage metal model are on display.

Simmons Center Market is a comprehensive store with an enticing array of groceries, meat, produce, greenhouse goods and gifts. At the same time, its rich legacy serves as a nod to living life in a simpler, more wholesome way.

Ricky notes that the store has come full circle in its time.

“Nowadays, people want to talk to the butcher,” he says. “When my grandfather started it, he had a meat counter and he would cut up the beef however people wanted it. Then it transitioned into a market where you could buy packages all done up. In today’s world, so many people want to know about their food, where it came from, how it was handled and how it was processed.”

Simmons Center Market deals directly with local farmers and USDA-certified facilities. “We are pulling about one cattle a week. We bring it in quarters and butcher it like they used to,” Ricky explains.

When sourcing from large cattle farms, you never know how long meat has been waiting in a warehouse, he points out. At Simmons Center Market, fresh meat is sold at most only a few days after processing.

Local dairy, bakery items, produce and an array of fresh products stock shelves that tell stories of four family generations, each tending to the market with care to do right by their customers.

In fact, nothing has changed except the faces that run the market and help out—the family continues adding homegrown staff to the mix.

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LOCAL coastal

FAMILY FOCUSED

The Travers family, complete with grandkids, make the market a festive, happy place to shop year-round.

Today, this includes Ricky and his wife, Rosi Travers, and Travers’ mom, Joan, now in her late eighties and still a presence several days a week.

Involved daily are the Travers boys: Rick Jr., Ryan, Rob and Randy, their spouses and Travers’ sister, Lollie. “At any given time, you can find some of the 11 grandkids here helping out—they’re on the younger side, but they want to be part of it,” Ricky says.

‘Tis the Season

At this time of year, Simmons offers a heavy helping of Christmas and festive energy that makes the market a happy place to shop and discover off-the-beaten-path gifts.

“We carry a vast selection of artificial flowers and live arrangements for Christmas, including graveside pieces, wreaths and plants like poinsettias, Christmas cactus, garland and live wreaths,” Ricky says of the greenhouse variety.

He and Rosi buy for the gift shop, where 80 percent of products are made in the U.S.A. The candies are always a draw. “We buy in bulk and stock our cases with over 40 different kinds of old-fashioned candies like gum drops, peanut brittle, chocolate drops and all the hard candies you’d put in a candy dish to set out for guests,” says Ricky.

Simmons is known for its gift baskets, compiled and wrapped with care, topped with generous bows and themed to suit all kinds of giftgiving occasions. For example, a smoker basket features a variety of meat cuts and is a great gift for grill-ready friends and family.

“We do baskets of fruit, snacks, candies, plus dinner baskets that you can buy based on how many people, from two to many more. And you can add a dessert or cheese to go with it,” he says. But you don’t need a special occasion to take home a dinner basket as these are available year-round. “We introduced dinner baskets for Valentine’s Day—and now they are always here,” Ricky says.

Indeed, ‘tis always the season at Simmons, and especially during the holidays when the warmth of family and connections seems to say, “It’s not Christmas until we go to Simmons.” CS

Sounds of the Season

Conducted by Grammy-winning music director Michael Repper, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will present four masterworks concerts and two ensemble concerts in December for its growing audiences in Easton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City.

Now in its 27th year, the orchestra’s special trio of holiday performances will begin with “Holiday Joy,” featuring the full orchestra on December 5 in Easton, December 7 in Lewes, and December 8 in Ocean City. This will be followed by the MSO’s Holiday Brass Quintet concerts, performed by members of the orchestra’s brass section and percussion, on December 21 in Rehoboth Beach and December 22 in Easton. The month’s celebration of the holidays will conclude with a celebratory New Year’s Eve concert by the full orchestra on December 31 in Easton.

THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA USHERS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A TRIO OF FESTIVE PERFORMANCES

“The three holiday concerts each provide a special way to connect with family and the local community. The audience always leaves the concerts with a standing ovation and a huge smile on their faces,” says Michael, who captured a Grammy in 2023 for Best Orchestral Performance. “My favorite experiences as conductor are seeing the bright energy of our young audience members, even those younger than 10, who can’t wait to meet the musicians (or even me!) after a concert because they had such a great time.”

“Holiday Joy” will feature seasonal favorites, gospel songs and hits from Broadway classics. Tenor soloist Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, a recent graduate of the Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists Program, has received vocal competition awards from the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition, Civic Morning Musicals Competition and Eastman’s William Warfield Award.

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CONDUCTING PROWESS

Grammy award winner Michael Repper leads the talented Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

The Holiday Brass Quintet concerts, a perennial sellout, will feature 21 selections, ranging from holiday favorites like “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” and “Jingle Bells” to Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way” and “Sleigh Ride.”

Soprano Kresley Figueroa will be featured at the New Year’s Eve concert, ringing in 2025 at Easton’s Christ Church. Kresley is in her second year as a Cafritz Young Artist with the Washington National Opera and has received First Prize and the Audience Favorite Award in The James Toland Vocal Arts Competition, as well as awards in the Florida Grand Opera’s National Voice Competition, Duncan Williams Voice Competition and The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

“Whether it is singing along to your favorite holiday, operatic and musical theater classics, experiencing the dulcet tones of our brass ensemble or counting down to the start of 2025, each of our concerts presents a unique opportunity to enjoy great music and endless joy,” says Michael. CS

Encore, Sodelo!

SUSSEX COUNTY’S OWN SYMPHONY GATHERS MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES WHO PERFORM SELL-OUT CONCERTS THAT COMBINE CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY SCORES

Written by Kristen Hampshire

Inside the warm and festive Cape Henlopen High School auditorium, a large crowd gathers, eagerly awaiting the rich, joyful sound of Southern Delaware’s very own symphony orchestra—a sound that will sweep them into the magic of the season.

This is Sodelo, the Sussex County community orchestra born in 2022 out of a shared love of music and a vision for bringing people together.

It all began when Stephen Greifer moved to Delaware from New York. He was feeling the loss of the community orchestra with which he once played and which had disbanded

during the pandemic. Longing to play music again, he sent out a simple Facebook post— just a suggestion, really—but what he got back was more than he could have ever imagined. The response was overwhelming.

A chorus of local musicians chimed in, all yearning for the same thing: a place to play, a place to belong. “There’s nowhere for string players here,” the comments read. Greifer couldn’t have agreed more.

Enter Eva DelGallo, a Lewes violinist with the heart of a conductor. She saw what this idea could become and told Greifer, “This is our chance to start something beautiful.” Stephen and Eva caught the

attention of James Allen Anderson, the head of Orchestral Studies at the University of Delaware. James didn’t just offer advice—he offered to lead. Now, just two years later, Sodelo is a 70-piece orchestra that has become a beloved part of the community.

As the holiday season approaches, Sodelo’s third season brings something extra special: a festive lineup that promises to warm hearts and brighten spirits. On December 14 at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, and again on December 15 at Cape Henlopen High School, Sodelo will take the stage for a holiday concert filled with magic and cheer.

Photography by Justin Tyler

As the holiday season approaches, Sodelo’s third season brings something extra special—a festive lineup that promises to warm hearts and brighten spirits.

The program is a delightful mix of classical and traditional holiday music that will transport audiences to a winter wonderland. And this year, the symphony will introduce a special performance of the enchanting Christmas Eve Suite by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

For Stephen Greifer, the joy of Sodelo isn’t just in the music—it’s in the people. “It’s amazing to look over at the next music stand and see someone one-third of my age playing alongside me,” he says with a smile.

In Sodelo, young musicians, retirees and everyone in between come together, creating a harmony that reflects the spirit of the season— one of unity, joy and celebration. With its music filling the air, it’s sure to be an unforgettable celebration of the season—a hallmark of what makes this time of year so special. CS

STEPHEN GREIFER

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT JAMIE MERIDA INTERIORS

Making An Impact

Photo by Jill Jasuta

SUCCESS MODEL

Led

her husband

has provided educational, social and sports programming in the greater Easton area for the last 20 years.

by Dina Gomes Daly and

Derick, BAAM

SINCE 2005, BAAM HAS BEEN EMPOWERING ATRISK MINORITIES TO INSTILL A SENSE OF BELONGING, SUCCESS, AND POTENTIAL

By creating a safe, accepting community culture that promotes success in school and life, Building African American Minds, Inc. (BAAM) is moving the needle against historically low odds.

BAAM’s mission is to close the gap of academic lag that statistically occurs among minority students and only increases as they progress to high school. Offering intervention in early, formative years can mitigate risk for failure.

“We aim to recognize and address socioeconomic barriers that inhibit minority students’ ability to learn effectively and provide academic enrichment in a safe, caring and structured environment,” says Dina Gomes Daly, BAAM’s co-founder and executive director.

The nonprofit has provided educational, social and sports programming for the last 20 years, including building an athletic center in 2019. A new academic center is underway and slated for completion in October. “We will house all of our programs and staff at the new facility and also be able to expand and develop new programming to meet our community’s needs,” Dina says.

BAAM offers greater Easton area students afterschool programs that teach learning and study skills, along with offering social engagement and sports. It is also known for its Summer Enrichment Camp and Youth Basketball League.

Led by a team experienced in providing social and educational programming to youth, families and adults, BAAM professionals are known and respected in the community—they are role models. CS

Empowering Youth

Photo by Marci Ryan

SETTING THE BAR HIGHGER

Jennifer Dickerson challenges young minds to grow into citizens equipped to thrive in life.

HEART & SOLE HELPS CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS GAIN A BROAD RANGE OF SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN LIFE

strives to meet children’s most immediate needs and to empower them holistically.

CEO and founder Jennifer Dickerson is committed to ensuring the young individuals entrusted to her care thrive emotionally, academically, behaviorally, physically and spiritually.

Heart & Sole offers academic mentoring and tutoring and teaching life skills for success in and out of the classroom. “We make sure every child has the resources and support they need,” says Jennifer, who started the organization with a focus centered around dance and family. She then expanded her focus to well-being and life development of children in the community—providing a safe place to share their feelings.

“Social-emotional support plays a strong role in our efforts to mold young adults into citizens who can be vulnerable and honest with their emotions, but equipped with positive coping skills to handle anything that comes their way in life,” Jennifer says.

Programs are designed to challenge young minds to set the bar higher, with a focus on communication and problemsolving. The organization also promotes movement and fitness as part of one’s spiritual development. Heart & Sole student members have recorded a 45% increase in overall academic success and a 73% improvement in student behavior. “The statistics clearly validate how we make a tangible difference,” she proudly shares.

Overall, Jennifer says, “Heart & Sole gives our student members strategies to overcome adversity and celebrate victories in life.” CS

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Holiday Charitable Giving Tips

FROM YOUR LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC EXPERTS

For the past 40 years, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) has served as local philanthropic experts, providing insight on regional issues, uniting donors with charitable causes, building nonprofit capacity, and maximizing investments to strengthen the community.

“As industry leaders in the nonprofit sector, The Community Foundation assists donors and nonprofits every day in charitable giving and nonprofit capacity building,” says Community Foundation President Erica Joseph. “While the need for financial and volunteer support is tremendous, being wise in your giving will give you peace of mind.”

UNIQUE WAYS TO GIVE

Set Up Recurring Donations

Give affordably all year-round by providing on-going support.

Donor Advised Funds

Ideal for donors seeking a handson approach while benefiting from a professional expertise. Contributions are usually taxdeductible immediately, and you can choose when and where to support your favorite charities.

Bequest, Life Insurance, or Charitable Gift Annuity

Commit assets now that will carry on your legacy in the future.

Give

More than Money

Donate items, volunteer, or share your professional expertise.

Maximize Impact with Tax Benefits

Work with your tax advisor on incentive programs like Endow Maryland, or give through retirement accounts to reduce tax burden.

This giving season, keep these simple tips in mind:

VERIFY WHO YOU ARE SUPPORTING & ASK QUESTIONS

Always verify a nonprofit’s charitable status. Donate to trusted charities and beware of scammers who create fake charities. Remember that tax-exempt and taxdeductible are not the same. Check a nonprofit’s status on your state’s charity database, CharityNavigator.com, Guidestar.com or at IRS.gov/charities-and-nonprofits.

GIVE DIRECTLY TO A NONPROFIT

Never give cash, write a check, or use electronic transfers to an individual. Be cautious when responding to an email or text message request. Donations should always be made in the organization’s name. Verify websites or other links before making a gift online.

GET TO KNOW LOCAL NONPROFITS

Almost every cause is represented by the strong nonprofit sector on the Lower Eastern Shore. Getting to know local nonprofits builds confidence in where you are donating your money or time. Reputable organizations are eager to talk about their goals, services, and fundraising needs, and will welcome questions to help you understand your gift’s impact.

CFES BOARD MEMBER

MICHAEL TRUITT & ERICA

JOSEPH, CFES PRESIDENT

VOLUNTEERING REWARDS

Volunteering fosters personal growth, strengthens community bonds, and inspires change, enriching lives in meaningful, lasting ways.

UNDERSTAND LOCAL VS. NATIONAL (OR INTERNATIONAL) ORGANIZATIONS

If giving local is important to you, it is wise to understand if you are giving to a national organization or a local chapter. Check with the local branch of an organization about the best way to donate —you may be able to specify that your gift be used for a particular location or need.

DON’T FEEL PRESSURED

The holidays may bring increased public donation requests. If an organization pressures you beyond a simple ask, this may be a red flag. Avoid on-the-spot decisions or pressure to give to an unfamiliar organization. Responsible organizations will welcome your gift any time.

INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY

Creating traditions and passing on the giving spirit is a key part of creating your legacy. Involving children and grandchildren in charitable activities teaches philanthropy and family values, and ensures the benefit of your charitable goals for generations to come.

Philanthropy is personal and giving should be something that makes you feel good and helps your community. The Community Foundation is ready to assist you even if you don’t donate to the Foundation itself. For more information, contact the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore at CFES.org or call 410-742-9911. CS

Stay healthy and active this winter

As the winter months set in, it’s all too easy to fall into the rhythm of indulgence and inactivity. Many of my patients casually refer to this seasonal shift as “winter weight,” but the colder weather doesn’t have to mean letting go of healthy habits. In fact, there are numerous ways to stay proactive and prioritize your well-being, even when the chill of winter tempts you to slow down. By embracing a few key strategies, you can protect your health and maintain your vitality all season long.

• First, get a flu shot. The flu season starts in the fall and lasts through the springtime (roughly October through April). The flu shot takes two weeks to become effective. I usually recommend that my patients get this in October, so they have immunity during most of the flu season.

• Choose a balanced diet. It's all too easy to get caught eating Halloween candy or having that extra serving of stuffing or apple pie at Thanksgiving, or even indulging in the cookies that we made for Santa. Ultimately, we need to make sure we are limiting the special treats and eating foods and beverages from each of the food groups with a focus on more vegetables and proteins and less carbohydrates. Over-indulging during the winter can affect our bodies and even our minds.

• Make sure you have your medications ready. Winter often brings severe weather, which can limit access to refills. Make sure you have the necessary prescriptions and that your medication list is up to date. You should review your medication list with your primary care provider to be sure your regimen is optimized. If you take over-the-counter cold and flu medications, be sure to get them early, before the shelves are empty.

• Most importantly, add exercise to your life every single day. Exercise really is the key to a happy, healthy life. Exercise is and should be prescribed as therapy for chronic illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and even anxiety and depression. Too many patients say they cannot exercise during the winter; however, there are many forms of exercise that can be done when it’s cold outside. You can get a gym membership or go to an indoor pool. Stream exercise videos at home on your TV or computer. You can even exercise at your desk at work. There’s a workout program to fit any lifestyle or situation you choose.

• Lastly, patients need to stay social during the winter months. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or seasonal depression, is real. When the weather gets cold and the sun goes down at 5 pm, it’s tempting to stay home and shut yourself in like a bear hibernating for the winter. Instead, push yourself to be social. Staying active keeps our moods happy and positive.

Dr. Donoway grew up in Worcester County and is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. She cares for patients at TidalHealth Primary Care in Berlin.

Tammy Donoway, DO

Always check with your primary care provider before starting an exercise routine. If you're looking for a provider, TidalHealth has primary and specialty care providers conveniently located across Delmarva. Visit tidalhealth.org/schedule today.

GetWellDelmarva.com

Get Well Delmarva is your ultimate destination for reliable and trusted health information related to your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Get Well Delmarva features articles, videos and podcasts, giving you the tools you need to make informed decisions about your health.

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If you’re feeling blue, a licensed therapist can help

As the days grow shorter and temperatures dip, many begin to feel the familiar pull of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects nearly 10 million Americans each year, according to Psychology Today.

With its onset typically in the fall and winter, SAD can disrupt emotional well-being, bringing symptoms

like fatigue, irritability, mood disturbances and heightened anxiety.

The causes of SAD remain varied, with some experts pointing to a lack of sunlight, disrupted sleep cycles, and even a genetic predisposition. While its impact can be profound, there are practical strategies to help mitigate its effects.

Self-care, balanced nutrition and soaking in natural light whenever possible can offer a sense of calm during these darker months. Additionally, incorporating relaxation techniques like music therapy can also help maintain balance.

Still, for many, these steps may not be enough.

If the feelings of sadness and low energy persist, it’s essential to seek professional guidance.

The compassionate team at the TidalHealth Crisis Center is available every day from 8 am to 8 pm for walk-in therapy and medication management. Additionally, TidalHealth Outpatient Behavioral Health offers comprehensive mental health services by appointment.

If you or someone you love is struggling with the symptoms of SAD, expert care is just a phone call away.

For more information, contact the TidalHealth Crisis Center at 410-543-7181, or TidalHealth Outpatient Behavioral Health at 410-543-7119.

Stacey Walker is a licensed certified social worker and Manager of Crisis Services for TidalHealth.

Stacey Walker, MSW, LCSW-C

TidalHealth named Best of Coastal Style 2024

Braniff named Worcester’s ‘Healthcare Hero’ and ‘Best Firefighter’

Jordan Braniff, CRNP, DNP is a native of Worcester County and a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. He is board-certified in family medicine by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. A former firefighter/EMT and emergency department nurse, Braniff earned his Bachelor of Science degree and became a Registered Nurse through the program at Salisbury University. He also attended SU for his advanced practice education, earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a postgraduate certificate in healthcare administration. He has been with TidalHealth since 2012. Braniff cares for patients at TidalHealth Primary Care, located at 9950 Main Street in Berlin. To schedule an appointment, visit tidalhealth.org/schedule

Put your heart in our hands

In 2024, readers of Coastal Style voted TidalHealth Cardiology the Best Cardiology Practice in both Wicomico and Worcester counties, a testament to its exceptional care and community trust. With stateof-the-art facilities in Ocean Pines, Salisbury, and Seaford, TidalHealth’s dedicated cardiology team offers the most advanced heart care, focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and

treatment of heart conditions. Highly skilled providers are committed to delivering personalized care, ensuring patients receive expert attention close to home. To schedule an appointment and take the next step toward better heart health, visit tidalhealth.org/schedule

Jordan Braniff, CRNP, DNP

Ocean Pines

Salisbury North

Salisbury South

Seaford

Shakur voted ‘Best Neurosurgeon in Wicomico County’

Shakur, MD

Sophia Shakur, MD is board certified in neurological surgery and neuroendovascular surgery. Dr. Shakur performs brain tumor and spine surgeries and specializes in stroke and brain aneurysms. She was born in Calgary, Canada, and grew up in Salisbury, Md. She completed her undergraduate studies in molecular and cellular biology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., and earned her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Shakur completed her residency in neurosurgery at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Ill. She also completed a neuroendovascular surgery fellowship and cerebrovascular surgery fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She was awarded the Louise Eisenhardt Award in 2014 and 2016 by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Sherry Apple Award in 2015 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Your Doc’s In named ‘Best Urgent Care’

Fox named Best Nurse in Wicomico County

Your Doc’s In, in partnership with TidalHealth, was voted Best Urgent Care provider in Wicomico, Worcester and Talbot counties. This award marks 10 consecutive years of recognition for Your Doc’s In and its two flagship Salisbury clinics, and it marks the sixth year in a row of being recognized ‘Best of’ at its Easton clinic. Your Doc’s In operates six clinics across the Eastern Shore. Your Doc’s In practices have extended hours and are equipped to offer diagnostic testing and treatment for patients who have illnesses, injuries from work or motor vehicle accidents, provide occupational health services and everything in-between. With a no-appointment-necessary policy, Your Doc’s In is committed to convenience, comfort and care. To learn more about Your Doc’s In services, locations and hours or to schedule an appointment online, please visit yourdocsin.com, or call 1-877-222-4934

With a passion for serving others, Dawn Fox, RN has dedicated 37 years to the nursing profession, where a genuine love for people drives her every interaction. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of caring for patients in diverse communities, from Chicago to Southern Mississippi and now in Maryland. Specializing in cardiology for the past 26 years, she currently provides expertise at TidalHealth Cardiology’s Milford Street location, where her commitment to patient care continues to shine. To schedule an appointment, call 410-912-6333

Sophia

Have no fear, the doctor is here

Be proactive when scheduling pediatric appointments

Going to the doctor can be scary for kids; it’s a place they may only visit once a year, or they remember being there when they were feeling sick or getting a vaccine. And most kids have a natural wariness of strangers and new places. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make the visit go smoothly and make it a positive experience.

First, children really are in tune with their parents’ emotions. If you remain calm and at ease, they will tend to follow your lead — but it’s also important to validate their feelings as well. Saying something like “a lot of kids are nervous or afraid of going to the doctor” can acknowledge their perspective. Try to focus on the positives and explain the benefits of regular checkups for their health if your child is old enough to understand.

It may also be helpful to tell them one or two days ahead of time that they have an upcoming appointment. This allows time for you to talk about what they can expect, how they are feeling, and provide reassurance. It may also be helpful to watch a video or read a book about going to the doctor, or offer rewards for good behavior at the visit, depending on the child’s age.

Here are a few additional things to consider when preparing your child for their doctor’s visit:

• Be willing to advocate for their needs and feelings if they are unwilling or unable to speak for themselves.

• Avoid threats or bribes.

• Be prepared with any questions or concerns you or they may have about their health.

• Pack a favorite book, toy or game that can help with wait times and provide entertainment.

Let’s make going to the doctor an enjoyable experience for our little ones so they continue to schedule regular checkups into adulthood.

Dr. Giddins has been a member of the TidalHealth family since 2008 and is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She cares for patients at TidalHealth Primary Care in Millsboro.

Schedule with TidalHealth Pediatrics today

When your child is sick, waiting for a medical appointment can cause anxiety and stress. TidalHealth pediatricians understand the urgency of such situations. Whether it’s a sudden fever, a troubling cough or another ailment, you can make sure your child is seen when they need it most. Call 410-912-5785 or visit tidalhealth.org/schedule-peds to schedule an appointment today. Immediate openings are available.

Danielle Giddins, MD

Get on the path to recovery

When it comes to something as life-changing as hip surgery, experience matters. Dr. William Doran, the area’s most experienced robotic hip surgeon, understands you’re not just looking for a solution — you're looking for the chance to walk, move and live pain-free again.

Backed by the region’s leading health system, Dr. Doran combines the newest technology with a personal, compassionate approach to your care. From first consultation to recovery, you’ll feel supported every step of the way.

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Honoring Old Denton

MAGNIFICENT MULES AND AN UNMATCHED VIEWSHED OF AMERICA’S FOXHUNT EPICENTER DEFINE THIS VIRGINIA ANTEBELLUM RELIC, WITH WALLS THAT COULD TELL STORIES OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS

Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Robert Radifera | Styling by Stylish Productions

For Garon and Donna Stutzman, their most thrilling and fulfilling hunt led them to Old Denton, a historic antebellum estate and farm in Northern Virginia. The Eastern Shore couple had already consolidated their waterfront homes and lived on a Chesapeake Bay farm before exploring America’s premier foxhunting region in Fauquier County. They envisioned a place where they could ride mule-driven carriages across the countryside.

With their Grove Creek Mules, they defied equestrian norms, challenging traditional hunt clubs like the Orange County Hunt Mules. The Stutzmans, along with their world-class champions, stood out by redefining convention.

Donna, who grew up riding American Saddlebreds and competing in dressage at Madison Square Garden, is well-versed in hunter and pleasure events. Garon, a mule enthusiast, asserts, “They’re stronger, sure-footed, more sensible and reliable.”

Their mules, in fact, recently delivered supplies through the Blue Ridge Mountains for Hurricane Helene victims, navigating areas impassable to vehicles.

“Comparing a mule to a horse is like comparing a well-built, four-wheel-drive pickup truck to a Lamborghini,” Garon jokes, highlighting their adaptability. Donna adds that mules are known for their hardworking and safe nature.

“We have the only mule that went to Kentucky to compete against horses in dressage, making us a curious yet respected anomaly,” Donna laughs, noting that her mule, Tom Collins, ranked ninth in the USDF Level 2 Nationals. Tom Collins is just one of their exceptional mules, with the couple now maintaining a team of six primarily used for carriage driving.

For their farm, they sought scenic backroads and gravel lanes suitable for trailers of hunt animals, along with space for hosting meets and delightful post-hunt breakfasts.

In Old Denton, they found their perfect match. This antebellum estate, predating the Civil War, is nestled at the heart of the Piedmont Heritage Area, surrounded by over 100,000 acres of conservation land. Horse-drawn carriages regularly pass by, celebrating the local hunt tradition.

Old Denton is a property rich with history, featuring structures built with bricks made from mule-pulled clay. Dating back to the early 19th century, it is a prize the Stutzmans cherish, as they preserve its tales and host charitable events to support conservation and the foxhunt culture.

“It feels safe, warm, inviting, and when we entertain for charity or with family and friends, everyone agrees, ‘This house has a feeling,’” Donna shares.

Over the years, the Stutzmans have enlisted Jamie Merida Interiors and Bountiful Home in Easton for extensive renovations, interior design and holiday décor. The team continues a tradition, appointing Old Denton with a clean, uncluttered and thoughtful program of furnishings and décor. For the holidays, Old Denton shines as always.

ENTRY POINTS

Every element of Old Denton is attached to a story, some of the Civil War era and others from Donna and Garon’s own lives. Each artifact, decorative feature

and natural material (stone, brick, mule-hair plaster) on the property’s grounds comes with a reason why.

Keeping watch on the front porch are a pair of white whippet statues from a dear friend of Donna’s who breeds Italian Greyhounds. “She told me, ‘These look like they were born to live on this front porch,’” says Donna. “The porch looks out to what I consider the most beautiful viewshed of our farm with the rolling hills,” she continues.

During the holidays, guests are greeted by the whippets along with subtle notes of Christmas, with evergreen brightened by holly berries. Boughs of greenery and garland are arranged to look festive but not overdone and never in competition with the property’s surroundings.

HOLIDAY HUNT

Inside, the living room’s Christmas tree is rich with muted textures and ornaments that speak to the property’s wildlife theme: foxes, ducks, round bulbs wrapped with feathers, and finials that resemble tree bark and acorns, among other nature-inspired pieces sourced from Bountiful Home.

Every year, Jamie Merida Interiors and Bountiful Home deck the halls of Old Denton. The team takes a “full” approach to dressing the tree while honoring Donna’s preference for muted features.

“The tree is very dense and lush, and it maintains the same color palette of naturals and neutrals with a woodland theme,” says Melanie.

“It’s clean and green with a bit of red—not all gilded up and shiny, but pulled back,” says the firm’s owner, Jamie Merida. “The garlands are intricate with layers, but they are still very fresh with cedar boughs.”

Above the mantle is one of Garon’s fox hunt oil paintings. A series of nine pheasant prints by renowned 19th century artist John Gould hangs in an adjacent space above an antique desk. Simple vases of red holly berry sprigs throughout the home hint at the season, blending harmoniously with Old Denton’s thoughtful décor. As Melanie says, “Every detail is well-appointed and has a place.”

“I

JUST LOVE THIS PLACE”

Clean, crisp finishes carry into the kitchen, where the Stutzmans recall unofficially sealing the deal on Old Denton after years of searching for a Virginia hunt property.

“Donna and I walked into the house, moseyed into the kitchen—and she started crying,” says Garon. “I asked, ‘What’s the matter?’ and she said, ‘I just love this place.’ That was a done deal.”

Donna nods, adding that the home’s energy feels like a warm hug.

The spacious kitchen enjoys a good deal of use with Donna at the helm of year-round dinner party preparations as well as annual holiday fare arrangements.

“It’s the kitchen I’ve always dreamed of—all white with subway tile,” she beams. “We didn’t want heavy and dark.”

A standout feature is Donna’s cherished butcher block carving station, acquired over 25 years ago. This piece, with its vintage charm, serves as an island, adding a touch of rich woodwork to the otherwise pristine white space.

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK

Previous visitors of Old Denton include governors, congressmen, ambassadors, Masters of Foxhounds, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor.

THE MULE SKINNER’S PUB

The home’s original kitchen, located below the main level in what once served as the servants’ quarters, features a dumbwaiter that was used to quickly send meals upstairs. Today, this space has been transformed into a cozy retreat, retaining its charming wood-burning fireplace and original brick flooring.

The Stutzmans refer to the space as the Mule Skinner’s Pub. (“Skinner” is Old West slang for someone who can outsmart mules into behaving.) The hearth is a quarried wonder, and the English basement, partially below ground, displays brass Moscow mule mugs in glassfront cabinets, Jamie Merida points out.

“When we entertain, we start in the pub, especially when it’s cold, with a nice woodburning fire," says Donna. "Everyone loves that room.”

While it’s an intimate setting, Donna attests, “I’ve counted 25 people packed in the “pub” when we have bigger events.”

SADDLE UP TO THE TABLE

Upon learning of the scores of influential visitors who have broken bread and stayed the night at Old Denton, the Stutzman’s guests often ponder, “If these walls could talk…” as they move from the merriment in Mule Skinner’s Pub to gather at the dining table. Among the estate’s previous renowned visitors are governors, senators, congressmen, ambassadors, Masters of Foxhounds from Europe, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, and many other historical movers and shakers.

Today, the Stutzmans estimate that they entertain about 500 guests each year, graciously opening their home for charitable gatherings and fox hunts followed by traditional full breakfasts.

In the dining room, a generous farmhouse table with a practical rustic finish runs the length of the space and is not meant to be treated as an heirloom. “We don’t put tablecloths down when we have dinner parties,” Donna says of its functional purpose.

While the chandelier is not original— otherwise, it would be candle-lit, Garon points out—the fixture has stood the test of time. A “show-stopper mirror,” whose glass is framed in retired saddles, hangs above the mantle of a wood-burning hearth, always sparking conversation.

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WHERE HISTORY LIVES

While Old Denton honors Virginia hunt culture, of equal significance is the farm’s rich Civil War era history—in particular, a stately American Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra) known as the Mosby Tree. As a Confederate safe house for visits and meetings during the war, Old Denton once housed Col. John Singleton Mosby, a battalion commander known as the “Gray Ghost” for his quick, ruthless raids. The area where he operated in Northern-Central Virginia became known as Mosby’s Confederacy.

As history tells it, Mosby and his wife took shelter at Old Denton, and when Union officers knocked, demanding entry to search the premises, he escaped through an upstairs window, grasping a nearby branch to hide in the tree. From midnight into the early morning, Mosby successfully balanced on the limb to evade the Union officers.

The tree is a few hundred years old. The exact limb is no longer there, however.

Just as the Stutzmans view themselves as stewards of Old Denton, they are equally invested in protecting the famed tree, which travelers visit to touch and take selfies.

“Before we moved here, there was a bus tour to see this tree, but we keep it to a one-lane gravel road to keep the Maseratis out,” Garon quips. The tree is a marvel of great interest to Old Denton guests, the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association.

Before moving in, Garon recalls remarking to the realtor that the tree’s size, age and proximity to the main house seemed like a real liability. Then he learned the story.

The Mosby Tree is very much a symbol of Old Denton’s role in American history and can be admired from the home’s generous Italianate-style covered side porch, a favorite spot to relax with guests, grill out and enjoy the sunsets.

Of the home’s Italian and Greek Revival architectural influences and the front porch with its Doric columns. “Our house was the last Virginia plantation house built,” he says.

In a booklet Garon prepared in tribute to the home, its storied past and modern role, he writes, “We genuinely hope that all future owners who live at Old Denton will continue to do all they can to preserve the foxhunting story.”

Indeed, homeownership is stewardship at Old Denton.

“It still brings tears to my eyes. The energy in this house is something amazing,” Donna says, reflecting on the couple’s first look at the property and the lively traditions they maintain when hosting visitors, friends old and new, neighbors and foxhunters who ride the land.

At Old Denton, history lives on. CS

WE’RE HERE TO GET YOU THERE

The holiday season is an adventure! Whether you’re shopping, planning parties, reuniting with family or vacationing, know that you can count on Shore United Bank to support you and help get you there. Since 1876, we’ve worked alongside our neighbors and the local businesses of our communities, supporting, encouraging, and showing the way. Share with us where you want to go because we’re here to get you there.

flavors

The Whole Bird

PREPARING

AMERICA’S

Photography by Rebecca Smith

TASTIEST DUCK

CHEF JORDAN LLOYD SHARES INSIGHTS AND TECHNIQUES TO MASTERFULLY UTILIZE A WHOLE DUCK LIKE A WORLD-CLASS PROFESSIONAL—USING THE SUPERIOR PEKIN DUCK BRED FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS BY THE JURGIELEWICZ FAMILY.

Ifirst fell in love with Jurgielewicz Family Ducks when owning and operating Bartlett Pear Inn from 2008–2022. My wife Alice and I never intended a “farm to table” concept. Rather, we planned to provide our guests with the highest quality ingredients we could find—and to respect those ingredients with simple execution. To our delight, those top quality ingredients were residing in our own backyard: the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the MidAtlantic Chesapeake region. Jurgielewicz & Son of Pennsylvania was one of the gems we discovered. The following is more of a technique than a recipe. I prefer to teach techniques rather than recipes because one technique can be applied to 1,000 recipes, while a recipe has just one outcome.

Saturday, December 7

Join us for the enchanting annual Holiday House Tour of Lewes! is year, step inside eight of Lewes’ nest private homes, each beautifully adorned for the holiday season. In addition, you’ll be treated to seasonal decor on the rst oor of e Lodge and the historic DAR House in Lewes.

Visit the Holiday Village & Market on the Shipcarpenter Campus, where you can nd seasonal greenery, unique holiday gi s from local farms and artists perfect for the holiday season.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit HistoricLewes.org

BREAKING THE BIRD

A duck is broken down exactly as you would a chicken. The results will yield 2 breasts for pan-searing, 2 leg/thigh pieces for confit and 2 wings and an empty carcass for the jus. YouTube offers dozens of professional videos on dividing the duck into its various parts. My advice is to keep the duck dry for ease of handling, and to complete this step one day in advance of preparations to allow the meat to dry out further. This will help to develop a nice crust when searing, and to push the flavor forward by allowing the natural moisture to evaporate slightly overnight so that the natural richness, texture and flavor of the final product are more pronounced.

CHEF JORDAN LLOYD

Photo by Grant L. Gursky

‘Tis the Season to be Giving

Celebrating 40 Years & $114 Million in grants & scholarships to the Lower Shore since 1984

In honor of its 40th Anniversary, The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore named the 40 Under 40 in Philanthropy. These young leaders contribute time, talent, and resources to inspire change on the Lower Eastern

Richard Barr III

Caroline Bishop

Kate Bleile

Dave Botscheller

Dr. Brian Cook

Jesus Cruz

Dr. Yen Dang

Dan DiGrazio Jr.

D'Shawn Doughty

Samantha Glaeser

Amber Green

Aaron Guy

Sarah Guy

Christy Kelley

Britta Holloway

Jonathan Holloway

Liliia Khmarskaia

Ashlee Laughlin

Samantha Marshall

Sean McHugh

Hamilton Morgan

Brittany Nottingham

Vira Ogburn

Sergely Oneus

Megan Outten

Ricky Pollitt

Michelle Pryor

Makya Purnell

Jordan Ray

Christy Rose

Alexis Mumford

Jared Schablein

Dominique Sessa

Gavin Stephens

Ashley Stern

Kendall Timmons

Shelby Tomlinson

Sharnell Tull

Lauren White

Ryan Whittington

DUCK LEG CONFIT

Confit is hundreds of years old and claimed by the French Gascony region. It is one of the first preservation methods, developed long before refrigeration. Today, the technique continues to be one of the most desirable preparations in the kitchens of the world’s best chefs and food enthusiasts.

Ingredients

4 duck legs

4 cups coarse sea salt

8 garlic cloves

Handful fresh thyme

1 Tbsp black peppercorn

1 bay leaf

1 qt duck fat (the size of the cooking pot determines the quantity of fat required)

Method

1. In a food processor, pulse the salt, garlic, thyme, peppercorns and bay leaf together to blend the confit preservation aromatics together.

2. In a 9x9 casserole dish, lay half of the salt mixture in the bottom of this dish. Lay two of the duck legs, skin side down, on the salt. Lay the other two duck legs, flesh side down, on the other duck flesh that is facing up, making a duck sandwich. Coat the top of the ducks with the remaining sea salt mixture. Wrap the preparation tightly with Saran wrap, with a light weight placed on top of this marinade. (Another casserole dish, the size of the one used, would be a suitable object and weight. The weight on top of this preparation will nurture the moisture out of the duck, the goal of this preservation method.) Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

3. The next day, unwrap the duck legs and discard all of the salt marinade.

4. Heat the duck fat to 250° in a narrow pot that will hold the legs and the fat together, making sure the legs are fully covered by the fat.

5. Cover the pot with a lid. Place in an oven at a temperature of 235°.

6. Cook the duck legs until the bones are easily removable from the flesh. This will take approximately 3.5 hours.

7. Once the meat is fall-apart tender, pull the cooking pot from the oven and allow the meat to rest for 1 hour on the counter.

8. At this point, it is ready to serve or preserve. To preserve, transfer the meat and fat to a mason jar. Once the duck is fully cool, seal with the lid. The duck leg confit will remain delicious for 1 month stored in the refrigerator.

SEARING DUCK BREAST

The fat of a duck breast is one of nature’s culinary gems, bringing ecstasy to the palates it inhabits. Here are the steps to cook a proper duck breast:

Method

1. Pat the duck breasts dry.

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7. Remove the duck breast from the oven and cooking pan. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This will help keep the duck moist and retain all of its remarkable flavors. Enjoy.

NATURAL DUCK JUS

This technique can be used for ducks, chickens, squab, turkeys, beef trimming and more.

Ingredients

1 cup duck fat (Can be the same used for the leg confit)

1 duck carcass, butchered to smaller pieces, patted dry

12-14 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 onions or 8 shallots, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 leek, chopped and washed

Handful fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

¼ cup tomato paste

4 oz butter

2 cups white wine

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 qts chicken or vegetable stock

Method

1. Heat the duck fat to medium-hot in a stock pot big enough to hold all of the ingredients.

2. Add the duck carcass pieces into the hot duck fat and sear the bones until fully caramelized on all sides. The deeper and richer the caramelization, the more powerful the final flavor will be. Be careful to not over-caramelize. This will result in a bitter flavor.

3. Once the bones are fully caramelized, begin to add the rest of the ingredients in stages. Add the garlic first. Allow the garlic to lightly toast and then add the shallots, carrots, celery, leeks, fresh thyme and the bay leaf.

4. Allow these vegetables to sweat and moisten to translucency.

5. Once all the vegetables are soft and cooked, add the tomato paste in the center of the vegetables on the bottom of the stock pot. Push the paste against the hot bottom of the pot, lightly pan roasting the paste.

6. Add the whole butter on this paste. This will begin deglazing (pulling the caramelized flavors from the bottom of the pan).

7. Once the butter has fully melted, mix all the ingredients in the pot thoroughly.

8. Add/deglaze with the white wine. Allow the wine to reduce by half.

9. Add the stock.

10. Simmer the stock on low with all the ingredients for 60-80 minutes.

11. Strain the broth, separating all the bones and vegetable solids from the desirable liquid. Discard all the solids.

12. Reduce the flavorful duck broth to a desirable consistency. This recipe will yield approximately 2 cups of sauce. Finish the sauce with a knob of butter and season with salt. Enjoy this incredible sauce atop your perfectly seared duck breast and leg confit.

The pictures that accompany this article are one of many representations of how we like to offer the whole duck on one plate. Ingredients and cooking are similar to the techniques an artist uses in choosing colors and media to express their vision. The options and approaches are only limited by your own creativity and willingness to take risk. Bon appétit! CS

Peared to Perfection

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

ERIN WESTMAN AND MEGHAN WEISMILLER PAIR TO CREATE DELICIOUS HOLIDAY-INSPIRED OPTIONS

Photography by Grant L. Gursky

BeefTenderloin withPearCranberryChutney

Ingredients

1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp dry red wine

2 ripe pears, peeled and diced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

2 Tbsp packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

4 beef tenderloin steaks, about 1-inch thick

Instructions

Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion, garlic and wine in skillet about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is tender but not brown.

Stir in pears, cranberries, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice and reduce heat. Simmer uncovered about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until cranberries burst. Place chutney in a small bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, cook beef over medium heat about 8 minutes for medium doneness, turning once. Serve with chutney.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

RoastedPearswithCamembert

Chestnut Relish Ingredients

1/2 cup unsweetened pear or apple cider

1/4 cup honey

1 large shallot, minced

1/3 cup golden raisins

3/4 cup roasted chestnuts, chopped

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced

1 tsp kosher salt

Pinch of cinnamon

Roasted Pear Ingredients

3 large, ripe USA Pears

6 slices Camembert cheese

4 cups baby arugula leaves

EVOO

For the Relish: Bring the cider, honey, shallot, and raisins to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the chestnuts, vinegar, rosemary and salt. Cool the relish to room temperature before serving, or cover and refrigerate up to one week.

To Roast the Pears: Preheat the oven to 375˚. Halve and core the pears and place them in a baking dish. Rub them with just enough olive oil to lightly coat, and sprinkle all over with salt. Position the pears cut sides down and roast about 30 minutes. Turn them over and continue roasting until tender, 5-10 minutes more. Lay a slice of Camembert on top of each and continue roasting just to melt the cheese, about 2 minutes.

To Serve: Toss the arugula with 1 Tbsp of olive oil and divide it among six salad plates. Place a warm pear half over each and top with a spoonful of the chestnut relish. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

HolidayRoastedVegetableSalad

Ingredients

18 oz. butternut squash, peeled (about a half of butternut squash)

1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced

4 small red onions, quartered

2 whole garlic cloves, peeled

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp cumin

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

¼ tsp sea salt

Quinoa Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

1 tsp sea salt

Roasted Garlic

Vinaigrette Ingredients

Roasted garlic from vegetables

¼ cup olive oil

3 Tbsp white wine vinegar

¼ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp pepper

Serving Ingredients

¼ cup pomegranate seeds

1 Tbsp parsley leaves, finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350° and set aside a large baking sheet. Cut the squash into approximately equal squares (1-inch each). Place into the casserole dish with the apple, onions, and garlic. In a mixing bowl, add the olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, cayenne pepper and salt. Mix until combined. Pour over vegetables until evenly coated.

Place the dish into the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the butternut squash can be easily pierced with a fork. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the quinoa. Add the quinoa, water, and salt to a medium pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce to medium-low to simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed. Once the vegetables are done, remove the garlic cloves. Mash the garlic with a fork, and then mix well with the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

To serve, place the quinoa onto a large platter of your choice and top with the roasted vegetables, vinaigrette, pomegranate and parsley.

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

PearCarpaccio

Ingredients

3 firm, but ripe, pears

6 oz arugula

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

⅓ cup pomegranate seeds

⅓ cup feta, crumbled

⅓ cup walnuts, chopped

Balsamic glaze (used for a light drizzle)

Flaky salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash 3 pears and thinly slice (you can also use a mandolin). Arrange the pear slices slightly overlapping on a large serving plate of your choice.

In a large bowl, add 6 ounces of arugula. Add flaky salt and black pepper and drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Toss gently. Transfer the dressed arugula on top of the sliced pears. Top with crumbled feta, pomegranate seeds and chopped walnuts. Finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Pear Preservation

Pears can be preserved in several ways:

Refrigeration

The most short-term method of preserving. Preserves can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three months. Jars do not have to be fully sealed for refrigeration.

Canning

The shelf-stable method of preserving pears and similar foods makes storage easy. If properly sealed, pear preserves can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

Freezing

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Born and raised on the Eastern Shore,  Chris Mason is highly experienced in Business and Commercial Litigation. Chris provides tailored legal strategies to help resolve matters efficiently and effectively.

The law firm of Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, LLP has a long history of service to the Worcester County community. Its members and associates have extensive abilities and specialties, creating a comprehensive law firm for the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

A simple storage option for pear jam, butter, and chutney. Storing halved or whole preserved pears in the freezer is not recommended due to their fragile texture. Preserves can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Jars do not have to be properly sealed for freezing. When filling jars for freezing, leave 1-inch headspace.

Dehydrating

Home food dehydrators have recommended fruit drying settings for preserving the bounty of summer. Pears can also be dried in an oven at a low setting. Follow our suggested recipes and experiment for yourself. Try drying them with or without peels and sliced in several different ways, including cored rings, rounds with seeds and cores left in, or planks from top to bottom.

2024

Chris Mason Attorney At Law

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 65 minutes

Servings: 6

ScallopedSweetPotatoes withHotHoney

Ingredients

2 lbs sweet potatoes (try to find ones that are long and thin)

1/3 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped

1 tsp fresh sage, finely chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped

¼ tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp pepper

¼ cup chopped pecans

Freshly grated Parmesan

Hot honey (used for a light drizzle)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. If you haven’t already, wash and pat dry the sweet potatoes. Use a mandolin or a very sharp knife to slice the sweet potatoes into 1 8-inch rounds and add them to a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl or mixing cup, combine the olive oil, honey, minced garlic, oregano, sage, thyme, sea salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the sweet potato rounds and toss well to ensure each sweet potato is coated in oil. Use your hands to arrange the sweet potatoes into

a large spiral inside an oven safe skillet (I used a 9-inch cast iron skillet which is perfect for the number of rounds). Drizzle any remaining oil over the sweet potatoes and cover with aluminum foil. Bake the dish covered in the oven for 50 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let the dish bake for another 15 minutes uncovered. Broil at the very end for about a minute to get those extra crispy edges. Pull the skillet out and top with grated cheese, chopped pecans and finish with a hot honey drizzle. Serve warm. CS

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Easy to Pear

QUICK AND TASTY RECIPES USING OUR STAPLE OF THE ISSUE

Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese Salad

Vinaigrette Ingredients

¼ cup EVOO

1½ Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tsp honey or maple syrup

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Pinch of salt

Black pepper

Salad Ingredients

⅓ cup walnuts, chopped

5-6 oz red leaf lettuce, torn into small pieces (about 5-6 cups), or spring mix

2 pears, unpeeled and sliced into ¼-inch thick pieces

⅓ cup craisins

⅓ cup blue cheese chunks (Roquefort or gorgonzola work well, too)

Instructions

To make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. Taste, and adjust if necessary.

To make the salad: Toast the walnuts in a medium skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring often, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside. In a medium serving bowl, combine the greens, pears, craisins and toasted walnuts. When you’re ready to serve, drizzle in some dressing (you won’t need all of it) and toss until the greens are lightly coated, adding more if needed. Serve in bowls with chunks of blue cheese sprinkled on top.

Pear, Brie, Bacon & Onion Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

8 slices of bacon

1/2 tsp kosher salt

4 slices Swiss cheese

4 oz Brie cheese, thinly sliced

Instructions

2 firm, but ripe, pears, sliced

4 Tbsp butter, softened

2 cups onions, chopped

8 slices hearty bread

Heat a large skillet over high heat. When hot, add the bacon and cook until brown and crispy. Remove bacon from pan and place on paper towels to drain.

Remove all but 2-3 Tbsp of bacon fat from the pan and add the onions. Sauté on high heat for 2 minutes, then reduce to medium-high heat and cook until onions are dark brown in color, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Assemble each sandwich by spreading 1/4 of the onion mixture on a piece of bread. Add the Swiss cheese, pear, 2 slices of bacon, 1 oz of Brie and another slice of bread. Butter outsides of the sandwich and grill on medium heat until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. CS

Classic Ulta Mini Chestnut

Classic Mini II Pale Smoke

Tazz Chestnut

Classic Ultra Mini Platform Sand

Pears, Spice, & Everything Nice

SEAN NORRIS USHERS US INTO THE HOLIDAYS WITH SPIRIT-WARMING SEASONAL COCKTAILS

Photography by Heartbeat Branding Co.

Is it just me, or did sweater weather arrive in the blink of an eye? Suddenly, the chill is here, and it’s time to embrace all things cozy. While the swift shift in seasons might catch us by surprise, there’s no need to worry! As the temperatures drop, there’s a whole world of spirit-warming cocktails to explore. Let’s revisit a few comforting recipes that are perfect for gatherings with friends and family.

In the following recipes, we’ll be utilizing pears as a key ingredient in tandem with simple baking spices. The two flavors are a match made in heaven when combined. They’re also widely available (if not already in your kitchen)—and more importantly, in season! This means your fruit will be at its most flavorful, and that means fresher, tastier cocktails for you and your friends. Efficiency is key when mixing for a group of friends. To be a good host, you want to be mingling with your guests. But if you’ve ever picked up the bartending duties, odds are, you’ve probably found yourself stuck behind the stick. My advice: If you choose to forgo hiring a professional bartender, make a “punch.” One of my favorites is a Winter Sangria. Counterintuitive, I know. But don’t knock it ’til you try it! Most drinkers are accustomed to sangrias during warm weather, but you’ll find that with a thoughtful approach through the addition of alternative ingredients, you can enjoy a wonderful warming sangria in the colder months as well.

Winter Pear Sangria

Ingredients

1

4

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except the Champagne in a pitcher and stir—no ice! Allow to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, and stir again. Transfer to the fridge to cool. This will take at least an hour. When cold, serve in a wine glass and top with a couple of ounces of the champagne. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a small grate of fresh nutmeg. Adjust sweetness to taste with simple syrup if necessary.

For those with a palate for dryer cocktails (like myself), a martini with pear brandy is a wonderful play on the classic gin or vodka martini. I find that most encounters with pear flavored spirits tend to be on the sweet side. Even when dry (like some pear vodkas), they tend to lack the depth and complexity of a spirit distilled directly from the fruit itself. This is what makes all brandy special, as all brandy is universally classified as a liquor distilled from wine, fruit mash, or fermentable fruit juice. Let’s play with the martini to make a variant you’ll be proud to show off this holiday season.

Dealer’s Pear

Ingredients

2.5 oz Pear brandy

¾ oz Lillet Blanc

½ oz Pear juice (optional)

Instructions

If you want the dryer refined version of this cocktail, omit the pear juice. If you prefer a touch of sweetness, add the pear juice. Your preference is above all! Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass and stir for 12 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a ripe pear. That was easy!

Sean Norris owns and operates Limbo Mixology, specializing in boutique private events, classes, commercial bar and consultation. Limbo Mixology also provides an in-home bar consulting service, The Bar Tailor, which focuses on optimizing the home bar experience with the unique needs of each client in mind. In addition to contributing recipes, Sean covers a wide variety of topics in each issue of Coastal Style , including bar tools, mixing techniques, where to drink, bar setup and tips, current trends and much more. Visit limbomixology.com and follow Sean on Instagram @limbomixology.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy pear is in hot beverages. The heat amplifies the flavor, which bodes well in drinks like a toddy. Let’s try my recipe!

Poire Old Toddy

Ingredients

1½ oz Irish whiskey (or Scotch)

½ oz Pear liqueur (Rothman & Winter)

¼ oz Lemon juice

1 tsp Simple syrup

4 oz Chamomile tea

Instructions

Get some water boiling for the tea (and be sure to have extra to warm your mug). When you’re ready to brew, use an extra bag of tea and go for 4 minutes—we want more flavor here. While the tea is brewing, toss out the hot water you used to warm your mug, then combine the remaining ingredients in the mug and stir. When the tea is ready, pour it in and mix again. Garnish with a lemon twist. Enjoy! CS

Unwavering Sophistication

While updating her home to age-in-place, our client came to us with the need for an ADA compliant bathroom and an unwillingness to compromise in style. We kept an open “wet room” feel for the bathroom, creating a curbless shower with dual entry points to be wheelchair accessible. High style and high quality stand out in this bathroom with grain-matched rift white oak vanity and matching floor-to-ceiling mirror, a mixture of gloss and matte picket tiles, wall-mounted faucetry, and the luxury of electrified drawers.

Designed by Alison Bridges | Installation by Shaw Contracting, LLC | Photography by John Cole Photography