November-December 2023 by coastalstyle

coastal NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

STYLE

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE SEASON STAPLE: GINGERBREAD FESTIVE HOME TOURS

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flavors NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

OF THE SEASON: 76 STAPLE GINGERBREAD Indulge with us as we get fun and creative with this classic, yet versatile, holiday favorite.

88 SHOW STOPPERS Take a trip to the Omni Grove Park Inn to experience the National Gingerbread House Competition.

90 GINGERBREAD FUN FACTS! From Hansel and Gretel to The Guinness Book of World Records, we’re baking up some tasty gingerbread nuggets.

92 COUNTRY COMFORT Brian Noyes didn’t realize he was creating a following, a pandemic project or a community redevelopment initiative. But he did.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Gingerbread: Layer Cake

Perfectly PerfectlyCrafted. Crafted. Your YourLifestyle. Lifestyle.Your YourVision. Vision.

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– Mike Poole

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MARYLAND BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

STYLED FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Bain’s home in Lewes is a seasonal ‘star’ and nod to coastal Christmas

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

Photo by Pamela Aquilani

24 THANKSGIVING MEANING

42 ANGELS AMONG US

26 DRIVEN TO EXCEL

46 COMMUNITY MINDED

30 COOL KEEPSAKES

50 WE CARE, INDEED

32 MISSION CRITICAL

52 LEADING A LEGACY

36 INSPIRING HOPE

62 MARITIME CHRISTMAS

38 STRONG FOUNDATION

72 THE PERFECT GETAWAY

We asked our readers to share what the holidays mean to them.

Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury strives for excellence and supports our community.

26 Photo by Grant L. Gursky

Glassblowing artist Jeffrey Auxer teaches holiday ornament making classes.

MidShore Meals til Monday wants to ensure children aren’t hungry in Dorchester County.

The Fenix Youth Project offers impactful life skills and services for the community.

52 Photo by Grant L. Gursky

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

The Foundation of HOPE provides vital economic and empowerment skills.

The Salvation Army continues to make Christmas morning bright for local families.

Give wisely this holiday season with tips from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Operation We Care reminds our local servicemen and women that they are always in our thoughts.

Jessica Hales directs the healthcare initiatives of the TidalHealth Foundation.

Interior designer Jamie Merida brings a nautical Christmas to an Easton couple’s home.

Experience the ideal retreat without going far from home with Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals.

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coastal

LINKS

@CoastalStyleMag.com

Bonus Content! Check out more photos online from our feature with Jamie Merida, who designed the nautical theme and holiday decor at the charming Easton Village home of Sharon O’Connell and Tracy Gammell.

JEWELRY STORE

2023

EASTON FOR THE HOLIDAYS! With exciting events for the entire family, Easton should be your short list of places to experience this holiday season — and we have all of the festive details on our site!

WORCESTER COUNTY

Make it a

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coastal STYLE

VOL. 19, NO. 6

publishers

JONATHAN & ERIN WESTMAN

exec. assistant

JAIME HARDY

advertising

SUSSEX COUNTY

MARIAH COHEE ANDREA ELGIN

editor

NICK BRANDI (2009-2023) AKA: TONY CHALEK AKA: PETER KENT

creative

DENA GRAY CHRIS VOELLER

photography

PAMELA AQUILANI GRANT L. GURSKY JILL JASUTA MARCI RYAN

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RICHARD RALPH KEN RYAN

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coastal NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

STYLE

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE SEASON STAPLE: GINGERBREAD FESTIVE HOME TOURS

ABOUT THE COVER Gingerbread, its sights and smells, evokes warm emotions centered around the holiday season — and we celebrate its wonder, diversity and history with you.

Coastal Style magazine is published 6 times annually by Coastal Style, Inc. All rights reserved. No content contained within may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers.

PO Box 667, Ocean City, MD 21843

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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.

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

What Does T hanksgiving Mean to You? WE ASKED READERS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES OF THE HOLIDAY WITH US

Well, honestly, I am not sure where to start, but I am going to try to keep it concise. When you are able to spend a day with your family, who may be of origin or adopted through love, to celebrate together who you are and what you may like to achieve. To give thanks for just being and able to receive support, as well as give support, to those you love as well as those in need. Thanksgiving = Grateful — hence the ability to share/give with nothing in return. Happy Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving to all.

Each Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of my first mission trip to Guatemala in 2017 during the week of Thanksgiving. I was explaining the meaning behind Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims etc. and how we celebrate each year. The Guatemalan I was talking to thought the holiday was funny for Thanksgiving. He then told me that in Guatemala they don’t celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving. He told me each day they give thanks for all that God does. To this day, that message was powerful and struck my heart. Always give thanks, every day.

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to rise above our everyday concerns and perceived conflicts to challenge ourselves to look for the BLESSINGS in all things. As a result, the gratitude that fills our hearts can’t help but spill onto others, and together, we can feel the abundant joy of being alive. — Kristin Quinn

It’s always been a special family time in my family. My grandmother started the Holiday tradition of Pie Day. It’s held at lunch time on Thanksgiving. My daughter is now 4th generation carrying on the tradition. We invite family, friends and neighbors for lunch and you serve only homemade pies, ice cream & whipped cream. We usually make about 8-10 different kinds of pies. Coffee & iced tea to round out the menu. Regular Thanksgiving dinner is shared with family about 6:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday! No gifts to purchase, no candy to buy and eggs to dye, no big elaborate bar-b-que to prepare. Just a special day to share a delicious home cooked turkey dinner with those we love, enjoy good conversations and football games, and most importantly, give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received. I am grateful to have this day set aside to be thankful.

Thanksgiving is more than just another holiday. For as many years as I can remember, for our family, it is a time to make memories by passing on traditions through cooking and sharing recipes (and all the little secrets that make them so good). Teaching our younger generations how to make them and share the love of cooking and baking with those we love. The women congregating in the kitchen and the men are on the porch watching the children play or watching a football game on TV. It is a time to reminisce about family that has passed on and hearing stories and tales that we may have heard thirty times before but looking forward to them knowing that it may be the last time you hear them from grandpa or grandma. Saying grace before eating and ending it with mother saying “bye-bye” to God at the end, causing everyone to laugh as if she just hung up the phone from a conversation with God himself. We lost our mom 3 years ago, and we now end grace with “bye-bye” in honor of our mother. We continue to gather, to teach, to share, to pray and to love and I hope that never ends!

— Beverly Steen

— Gretta Wolter

— Nancy O’Day

— Dottie Schmidt

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

— Dale Trotter

I remember during Thanksgiving all the people and things in my life I’m grateful for. I’m blessed beyond measure and God continues to bless my life everyday. — Natalie Dupont Thanksgiving, for me, is a harmonious blend of these three elements: cherishing family, caring for the community, and nurturing the self. It's a time of reflection, appreciation, and the expression of gratitude in its various forms. — Shawna Kearsley

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude for those who bring their light and laughter to us everyday. Our coworkers, friends and family — near and far. — Karen Jayne As I think about the day we as Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, it warms my heart to think of the privilege to gather with friends and family at our Sussex County farm, to once again celebrate the time honored traditions of the morning waterfowl hunt. The gathering around the farm table to share home-made sticky buns (made by tradition only one day per year), coffee/ homemade hot chocolate (for the children), and tell stories of old, followed by parades on television, and of course, the grand meal, after a heart felt blessing and praise to God for our freedoms, health, family, traditions and friends. — Gary Chorman

Thanksgiving is a day we can reflect on what and who matters most. One day, however, isn’t nearly enough time to express gratitude to those who have guided us. Thanksgiving isn’t just a day — it’s many emotions wrapped up like an early Christmas gift, reminding us that no matter what’s good or bad, today will change and it will be okay. It’s a day to give thanks to those who make a difference and to be thankful they choose to do it with you. Professionally, I am incredibly thankful for the team we have at Coastal Style. Jaime, Mariah, Andrea, Grant, Joe, Kristen, Marci, Jill, Alison, Dena, Krista, Ken, Richard and many others: Thank you for being a huge part of Coastal Style’s continued success and making our years together the best we’ve ever had. My incredible husband, Jon, the one who puts all the puzzle pieces together to ensure a positive reader experience, which all comes after packing lunches and doing the morning routine to get kids off to school just to make sure I’m well-rested for the day. Really, it’s because he knows what I’m like if I don’t get 8 hours of sleep, so he takes the road with less resistance. Thankful — today and every day. — Erin Westman Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and giving back. Whether we are near or far, we remember the cherished memories of loved ones lost and those still with us. It’s about giving; providing meals, clothing and shelter through donations to those less fortunate. It’s about giving back to Mother Earth through our actions and decisions we make in our daily lives. — Maggie Harry

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. It is a time to bless others, as well as being blessed. It is a time to open our hearts and understand clearly the unmerited favor of God — and be Thankful! — Pastor Kathleen Prout Thanksgiving means an exact date in the year, when I consciously and purposely STOP and give thanks to the ALMIGHTY for the overwhelming blessings in my life. My life has always revolved around loving family/ friends and great food. One coincides with the other often. Growing up, EVERY THANKSGIVING my family was with very close family friends (like family) and we had the most amazing THANKSGIVING DINNER! Great memories still to this day. Not that we should have to have a date to give thanks, but THANKSGIVING DAY, makes us pause and allows that REALITY to bring those great memories of loving family and great food to the surface, at least one time during the year — the aroma of freshly baked turkey, crisp autumn air, wood burning in the fireplace and those desserts... oh my! YES, so blessed! — Greg Hastings

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their heartfelt feelings and memories with us! We’re truly thankful for our loyal readers and wish you and your families a safe, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday! CS

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

Driven to Excel THE MERCEDES-BENZ OF SALISBURY TEAM IS DEDICATED TO SURPASSING THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS — AND THEY INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE THEIR SUPERIOR SERVICE FOR YOURSELF Photography by Grant L. Gursky

ercedes-Benz of Salisbury has a long-established reputation of providing Eastern Shore residents with the ultimate car buying experience. With the utmost professionalism and customer care, its team, led by General Manager Brett Siock, always strives for perfection in every detail. “We want to make sure every customer gets the next-level experience they

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

deserve,” says Brett, who has more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry. “Our dealership features an amazing team of sales managers with unmatched industry experience who are complemented by a fully certified sales staff — all of whom are dedicated to exceptional customer service.” One example of its exemplary service includes complimentary vehicle pick-up and drop-off for its customers — anywhere

across the Shore and even to points across the Bay Bridge. Brett and his team also care deeply about our local community. The Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury staff routinely supports a variety of nonprofit and civic organizations, both by volunteering and through financial donations. The dealership recently donated $15,000 to Wicomico County Public Schools for intramural sports equipment and shirts for all middle school students.

PARTNERED CONTENT

coastal

MERCEDES-BENZ OF SALISBURY

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury General Manager Brett Siock, right, and the dealership’s service team strive to provide superior customer service.

Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury warmly welcomes Wendy Joines General Manager Brett Siock and the Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury team are proud to welcome talented automotive industry veteran Wendy Joines as the dealership’s newest General Sales Manager. “After starting in accounts payable, Wendy’s hardworking and personable nature has allowed her to climb the ranks of this profession. Our customers will enjoy her sincere personality, as she prides herself on honesty and integrity,” says Brett.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz EQS lineup shines brighter than ever

When it comes time to service your new your pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, the expert technicians at Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury have you covered through their state-of-the-art service department. Operated by expert mechanics, their diagnostic equipment will detect any issues that may be occurring in your vehicle, so that its MercedesBenz trained service technicians can fix the problem right the first time. Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury offers a complete array of auto services, maintenance and parts to keep your vehicle running like new, even if all you need is an oil change. “Our team believes in a standard of customer care that unmatched in our industry,” says Brett, “We truly value our customers and we want them to enjoy the very best experience each time they visit our showroom and service department.” CS

The new Mercedes-Benz EQS sedans set standards for power and style. They are tailor-made for car enthusiasts looking for a combination of innovative electric mobility in a luxurious ambiance, coupled with sportiness and agile driving dynamics.

MERCEDES-BENZ OF SALISBURY 410-548-3411 • PohankaMercedesMD.com

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

PARTNERED CONTENT

GOLF COURSE SUSSEX COUNTY

2023

Your favorite course to call home. RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY SUSSEX COUNTY

Described as one of America’s truly great golf courses, Baywood Greens is a public 18-hole championship course. Manicured greens, ﬂawless fairways, man-made ponds, timber bridges, tunnels and over 200,000 ﬂowers, plants, shrubs and trees don’t begin to describe its beauty.

A COASTAL GOLF COMMUNITY

Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1 by Golf Digest’s Best in State.

BAYWOODGREENS.COM | CALL TOLL FREE (888) 844-2254 FOR TEE TIMES DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 in Lewes or Rehoboth Beach take Route 24 West for approximately 8 miles. The entrance to Baywood Greens will be on your left.

DEVELOPED BY TUNNELL COMPANIES, L.P.

local FUN FOR ALL AGES

Glassblowing artist Jeffrey Auxer’s imaginative and colorful creations are widely collected, but his hands-on ornament making classes are just as popular.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Cozy, Stylish Warmth

MAKING MEMORIES

Emerson Rhoad, Max Hardy and Colton Rhoad enjoyed a fun afternoon creating one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments.

Cool Keepsakes THE HOLIDAY SEASON GLOWS BRIGHTER AT JEFFREY AUXER’S STUDIO IN BERLIN WHERE HE TEACHES YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN ORNAMENT Written by Joe Willey | Photography by Megan Steele

effrey Auxer’s love for blown glass has spread throughout the area. His work hangs in resorts, galleries and homes, but perhaps his passion and reputation have traveled farthest because of his glassblowing ornament classes. For 15 years, Jeffrey’s classes have given people of all ages an opportunity to create ornaments and experience the beauty of glassblowing from start to finish. The process starts in the gallery, where participants pick the colors they would like to use, then guests move into the shop, where Jeffrey and an assistant guide each person through the process, ending with blowing the molten glass into a one-of-a-kind ornament. The process is simple and fun when guided by Jeffrey and his talented staff. The glassblowing ornament classes are offered in November and December during afternoons and evenings, Tuesday through Thursday, and all day Saturday. The studio can accommodate small and large groups. Classes the week after Christmas have become a family tradition for some. Classes are popular, and spots are limited, so reservations are required and must be scheduled by calling 443-513-4210 or in person. For more information visit JeffreyAuxer.com. CS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Mission Critical MIDSHORE MEALS TIL MONDAY AIMS TO FEED THE SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN OF DORCHESTER COUNTY DURING THE LONG DAYS THEY DO NOT RECEIVE NOURISHMENT FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM Written by Joe Willey

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

ince its founding in 2017, MidShore Meals til Monday (MtM) has had a clear and noble goal: to end childhood hunger on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Though the task may seem too large to conquer, the dedicated employees and volunteers are undaunted in seeing the mission fulfilled. Founder Leslie Bishop grew up seeing her mother support organizations that cared for children. After her mother’s death, she wanted to do something that would honor her memory. Since there was no cohesive effort to help feed children in Dorchester County, Bishop founded MtM.

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Beginning at Vienna Elementary School in eastern Dorchester County, Bishop and MtM provided weekend bags of food to 25 students. Before the end of the school year, 50 children were receiving healthy, nutritious food to bridge the hunger gap over the weekend. For the first few months, she did everything — including packing bags at her kitchen table. But as word spread, loyal volunteers joined the effort. Many are still involved. Later, MtM became a nonprofit as a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. In 2018, the organization became a Maryland Food Bank partner. MtM became a stand-alone nonprofit at the beginning of this year. The work of MtM and its number of volunteers exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pam Allen, MtM Executive Director, first volunteered during that period. Others joined to help provide food when many families struggled because of job loss or layoffs caused by the resulting shutdowns. MtM packed bags every day, going from distributing 400 to 1,100 bags each week. Since its founding in 2017, MtM has distributed over one million pounds of food. Currently, MtM programs assist more than 800 elementary, middle, and high school students in Dorchester County. “The most important thing is that we focus on a promise to children; we are still going to be there if they need food in middle and high school,” says Bishop. Sadly, as of last year, the Maryland State Department of Education reports that 57% of students in Dorchester County are economically disadvantaged, and over 95% qualified for free or reduced-price meals, according to federal income guidelines. While other organizations look to grow, MtM wants to be obsolete. But Bishop knows that for now, MtM has work to do. “We solve hungry, but we don’t solve hunger,” she says. MtM does provide food, but perhaps it gives something else: hope. For more information, to volunteer or to donate, please visit the MtM website at MidShoreMealsTilMonday.org. CS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Fenix Youth Project board member Kenisha Le’Cole, left, and executive director/founder Amber Green work to assist individuals in our community.

Inspiring Hope THE FENIX YOUTH PROJECT OFFERS IMPACTFUL LIFE SKILLS, SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE Written by Alison Pappas Photography by Marci Ryan

ovember is National Runaway Prevention month, and this honorary month is especially meaningful for Fenix Youth Project, Inc., a Salisbury-based nonprofit whose primary mission is to support the area’s homeless youth population. Specifically, Fenix Youth Project assists individuals between the ages of 14-24 who are runaways or are homeless with their parents. The organization is located in

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

downtown Salisbury, conveniently within walking distance of several local support agencies, such as social services and mental health offices. “We provide services that are there to help fill in the gaps of other services that these youth are using in the community. We also provide specific services such as housing support, job support, as well as life coaching, goal planning and more,” shared executive director/founder Amber Green.

Fenix Youth Project was born in 2013 when Green brought her vision to create a space for youth artists to use their art to impact social change to life. “I always loved the Harlem renaissance, and I appreciated the use of poetry, literature and art to captivate audiences,” says Green. “This also enhances the artists’ own minds by encouraging them to be active in their community or know about the community issues and advocate for themselves.”

“This also enhances the artists’ own minds by encouraging them to be active in their community or know about the community issues and advocate for themselves.” — Amber Green Art remains a central theme of Fenix Youth Project’s efforts, and the team is currently gearing up to bring back its writing and poetry program. The organization also proudly houses a digital media studio that hosts some of its programming activities and offers a welcoming space for young artists to record their own digital projects and music. “We’re also in the process of building out our youth action board, which consists of youth artists who are or have experienced homelessness. Their voices are going to get amplified, and they are going to be able to use their voice to help and be change agents in the community,” expressed Green. In addition to providing artistic outlets, Fenix Youth Project offers essential services like meal support. It also provides professional development support, including a T-Mobile partnership that supplies no-cost mobile phones to homeless youth that are currently seeking job opportunities. If you would like to support Fenix Youth Project, there are two primary ways to do so. Firstly, you can provide a single donation or sign up to give a monthly contribution in the amount of your choosing. Secondly, you can pursue volunteer opportunities, such as enrolling in Fenix Youth Project’s chosen family program. Through it, vetted/backgroundchecked adult volunteers offer housing to young people who are looking for shortterm resources and support. Further details about donations and volunteer opportunities can be found at FenixYouthProject.org. CS

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Strong Foundation THE FOUNDATION OF HOPE PROVIDES VITAL ECONOMIC AND EMPOWERMENT SKILLS TO EASTON GIRLS Written by Alison Pappas | Photography courtesy The Foundation of HOPE

he Foundation of HOPE, Inc. provides female students at Easton Middle School with the opportunity to take part in a comprehensive 16-week program that is focused on economic development and empowerment. Founder Keasha Haythe, CEcD, pulled from her 23 years of professional economic development experience to create the program’s detailed week-by-week curriculum. Week one concentrates on helping the girls enrolled in the program with growing

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

their self-esteem and identifying how best to handle bullying. By week eight, the girls are learning financial literacy through budgeting and money management. By the time they have reached the final week, they have gained a solid foundation in entrepreneurship, community involvement and workforce preparedness, which helps ensure they are on a long-term path to success. “The real lesson that we teach the girls is to prepare them to be independent and selfsufficient,” expressed Haythe.

At the end of the program, the girls present a final project — consisting of either a business plan or vision board — to family, friends, and volunteers. Upon receiving their certificate at a special ceremony, the program graduates are rewarded with a trip to an amusement park of their choosing. Last year’s selection was Hersheypark. Importantly, The Foundation of HOPE’s efforts and involvement in the participants’ lives doesn’t stop when the program concludes.

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“I stay in touch with their guidance counselors, and we follow them through high school to make sure that the girls graduate on time,” shared Haythe. While the program was only available to sixth graders in the past, The Foundation of HOPE is excited to share that they will be opening it up to seventh and eighth graders as well. In addition, the organization recently expanded its efforts by offering a summer enrichment program. In its inaugural summer, this program hosted a two-day trip to Washington, D.C. with visits to the White House and National Archives Museum. “We’re really trying to expose them to educational opportunities outside of the Eastern Shore,” shared Haythe. The Foundation of HOPE is currently engaged in a capital campaign to construct a physical Hope Center in Easton. The future structure will house various programs, training, and learning opportunities for youth and adults in the Talbot County community. The project is expected to break ground in 2024, and currently, the organization is working to raise the remaining funding. If you are interested in supporting The Foundation of HOPE, head to FoundationofHopeMaryland.org to learn more about upcoming events and donation opportunities. Notably, the organization is preparing for its Women of Hope Gala, which will take place on December 9, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge. The gala will honor several nominees, including Dr. Mary DeShields, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Kappa Theta Omega Chapter, St. Mark’s Women’s Fellowship and the first Foundation of HOPE scholarship recipient, Lilyanna Cook. CS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Angels Among Us THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF CORPORATE PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY DONATIONS, THE SALVATION ARMY CONTINUES TO MAKE CHRISTMAS MORNING MEMORABLE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES Photography by Marci Ryan

ore than 1,000 children across the Lower Shore will experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning thanks to charitable initiatives of The Salvation Army, including its Angel Tree program and iconic Red Kettle campaign, one of its best-known holiday season efforts. Each December, Perdue Farms continues its tradition of delivering a truckload of gifts, including bicycles, clothing, toys and more for families preregistered with the Angel Tree program. “The Angel Tree program provides toys and clothing to children and families who might be struggling to afford Christmas gifts this year, thanks to the generosity of donors and businesses in our community," said Major Cristina Trantham of The Salvation Army in Salisbury. “Angels are available for adoption by community members and businesses, who in no small way help deliver the magic and message of Christmas to those in need. We are forever grateful for the generous support of our community and local businesses that work alongside The Salvation Army at Christmastime, and all year round.”

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Happy Holidays

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HOLIDAY HELPERS

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The Salvation Army of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland has been operating since 1913. Serving Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset Counties, it has sustained operations financially through excellent stewardship of community resources entrusted to the organization over the years. Nationwide, The Salvation Army helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse and clothing and shelter for people in need, the organization is doing its best work at its 7,600 centers around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities,” The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked The Salvation Army as the country’s largest privately funded, directservice nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. CS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

The CFES team, from left: Cathy Diekmann, Veronique Diriker, David Plotts, Heather Geraldes, Jessica Atwood, Victoria Kent, Katerra Marshall, Erica Joseph, Shelbie Thompson, Lauren Anstead and Sharon Dickson.

Community Minded THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE EASTERN SHORE SHARES IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CHARITABLE GIVING

he holiday season is often filled with feelings of warmth and generosity. With the giving spirit all around, being savvy about how and where you donate can maximize your impact and ensure you feel good about where your money is going. “As one of the region’s leading philanthropic experts, The Community Foundation assists donors and nonprofits every day in charitable giving and nonprofit capacity building,” said 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.”

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

THE GIVING SPIRIT The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore specializes in helping donors and nonprofits maximize the positive impact of their generosity. Since 1984, CFES has granted $100 million to the Lower Shore community.

GIVING REMINDERS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

This giving season keep these simple tips in mind: Verify Who You are Supporting Always verify a nonprofit’s charitable status. Donate to trusted charities and beware of scammers who create fake charities. Remember that tax-exempt and tax-deductible 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. Get to Know Local Nonprofits Nearly every cause is represented by the robust nonprofit sector here on the Lower Eastern Shore. When you know a nonprofit well and work with them regularly, you will have greater confidence in where you are donating your money or time. Reputable nonprofits are eager to talk about their goals, services, and fundraising needs. You should feel comfortable asking questions that increase your understanding of the impact your gift will make.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

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 branch or a local need. Giving More Than Money Donations of time and expertise are a thoughtful way to give back. For example, volunteering, donating clothing or food, or sharing your professional expertise may be very appreciated. Check before donating items to ensure items meet any requirements and do not become a to burden manage. By connecting in this way, you may find great joy in meeting like-minded people who are passionate about similar causes as you. Set Up Recurring Donations Recurring donations are a great way for you to give affordably year-round. By setting up

an automated donation, your support will be ongoing, and you won’t have to remind yourself to send a gift each time. Don’t Feel Pressured Reputable charities realize not everyone can give to every cause and understand a “no, thank you.” The holidays bring a higher frequency of donation requests at public locations. If an organization or individual is pressuring 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 tomorrow as much as they do today. Involve the Whole Family Creating traditions and passing on the giving spirit is a key part to creating your legacy. Involving children and grandchildren in charitable activities teaches philanthropy and family values and ensures the benefit of your charitable goals extends for generations to come. CS

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

We Care, Indeed JEFF AND DIANA MERRITT’S GOOD DEED HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE SHORE’S MOST RECOGNIZED AND IMPORTANT EFFORTS Operation We Care’s name is a realistic reflection of the work the all-volunteer organization does to demonstrate its appreciation for our local military members and first responders. The nonprofit was founded by Salisbury resident Jeff Merritt, who comes from a family of veterans; His father being a WWII veteran and his older brother a Vietnam War veteran. Although he never served in the military, Jeff witnessed some of the tragedy of 9/11 firsthand. “I was working for a company that had a contract with the Department of Defense, and on that particular day, I found myself at the Pentagon, and I saw the plane come through the building. Literally the next day, my role changed, and I was detailed there for five months while we assisted with the cleanup and the rebuilding of the section that was damaged,” shared Jeff. This experience, combined with his family’s military background, led to Jeff suggesting to his wife, Diana, that they create care packages for local military

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

stationed abroad for the holidays in 2007. “We put them together in less than a month and sent boxes off. We didn’t really have a plan or budget. The community got ahold of it, the news got involved, and the word spread quickly. It became clear quickly that we needed to keep doing this and that it was not just a one-time thing. Here we are 16 years later,” shared Merritt. In this span, Operation We Care has compiled and shipped over 30,000 care packages to U.S. military troops deployed all over the world. The organization’s efforts extend to supporting local first responders. Notably, they have assisted the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in purchasing two K9s, with plans to acquire a third. Operation We Care is gearing up for its annual holiday campaign. If you would like to support it mission or other efforts, visit OperationWeCare.org to find out more details about the most-desired donation items or monetary donation methods. CS

AT YOUR SERVICE

Of its many positives, Operation We Care involves so many different community organizations in support of its mission, including local Brownie, Girl Scout and Boys Scout Troops. Jeff Merritt, lower right, is recognized with Operation We Care board members by the Delmar Police Department.

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THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Leading a Legacy TIDALHEALTH FOUNDATION PRESIDENT JESSICA HALES CONTINUES ITS MISSION TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY Written by Kristen Hampshire Photography by Grant L. Gursky

he true spirit of giving is the fact that anyone can contribute. Everyone can be a philanthropist, which is a philosophy that drives Jessica Hales’ passion for serving nonprofit organizations and now TidalHealth Foundation as its president. “When you think about the word philanthropy and the words, ‘I am a philanthropist,’ you tend to think that you need to have a lot of money or a lot of time to volunteer — there are all these guidelines,” she relates. “But you can give a dollar and you are a philanthropist. Everyone has the ability to give to what they are passionate about, and every dollar and minute counts.” Hales joined TidalHealth Foundation in May 2022, bringing high-level fundraising experience and philanthropic strategy to the organization, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — one of several milestones in 2023. A Groundbreaking Initiative On October 17, history came full circle when the foundation broke ground for the Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic, the health system’s newest primary care practice that is currently occupied by Hotel Esther, a property of significance. It was the home of Dr. Robert Naylor, an English physician who bought the land in 1893 to build a hospital in

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

TidalHealth Foundation President Jessica Hales directs a dedicated team from its headquarters at The Giving House, located on the hospital’s main campus in Salisbury.

a region that lacked access to care. His dream was to open a 30-bed clinic, but he never saw it come to fruition due to his untimely death in 1899 at the age of 69. “It’s truly amazing to have this doctor’s vision come to life,” says Bryan LeCompte, owner of Yard Designs, Inc. and a TidalHealth Foundation board member

for the past 15 years. “In 1895, he started something, and we are going to finish it.” LeCompte owned the property and was intrigued by the idea of creating a community clinic that would double as a graduate medical program to infuse the region with healthcare talent.

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“I wanted to memorialize Dr. Naylor’s efforts to create and launch healthcare on the Eastern Shore,” LeCompte says. “This builds on his concept and ideas to reimagine his vision.” An outpouring of support at the ribbon-cutting affirmed the importance of this initiative to the community, Hales says. “Now is a pivotal time in healthcare on the Eastern Shore,” she relates. “By starting a graduate medical education program at TidalHealth, we are addressing the need to build a pipeline of physicians to ensure the best quality healthcare for community members today and for generations to come.” The SPARK campaign, an effort to raise $5 million to support required resources to establish the program and Wilgus Clinic, is a “pay it forward” initiative,” Hales explains. It is designed to attract outstanding resident physicians and provide a place for them to learn and practice — and stay in the community. The Wilgus Clinic will redevelop a deteriorating property to deliver care to an underserved population. Also, it’s a symbol of investment and stability. Continuing the Legacy The Wilgus Clinic and SPARK campaign follow LeCompte’s successful founding of The Giving House in 2018 to honor Marie Waller, a beloved nurse who raised

her family on the property, and serves as the endowment home for TidalHealth, with the mantra: “Every home needs a foundation, and every foundation needs a home.” LeCompte says, “I am passionate about the TidalHealth Foundation and supporting The Giving House to continue the home’s legacy.” LeCompte says Hales is just the leader to continue driving TidalHealth Foundation’s remarkable impact in the community. In August, Hales was named one of the “40 Under 40” by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). Born and raised on the Eastern Shore, Hales is rooted in the region and committed to securing the best healthcare for community members. Prior to assuming her role at TidalHealth, Hales was director of development and executive director for the foundation at Wor-Wic Community College, of which she is an alumna. She was senior development director of March of Dimes and Eastern Shore development director. She started her career in public relations and marketing at Atlantic General Hospital. Hales, too, is coming full circle as TidalHealth Foundation’s president. She says, “When this opportunity came about, I had to jump on it because it’s healthcare on the Eastern Shore, which is my passion.” CS

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Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Your heart deserves the best, and so do you Prioritize your health this holiday season Factors such as the accumulation of wear and tear on the heart’s electrical system, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions play a role in this transformation. These irregular rhythms can lead to blood cloths and increase the risk of stroke or heart failure, making early detection crucial.

Our hearts undergo changes as we age and heart arrhythmias can emerge, affecting not only the rhythm of our hearts but our overall health. Characterized by irregular heartbeats, heart arrhythmias can manifest as palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath. As we grow older, the likelihood of developing these rhythm disturbances increases.

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CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Scott Kaufman, DO

Regular checkups with your healthcare providers are vital, as some heart arrhythmias remain asymptomatic until they cause severe complications. Lifestyle adjustments, medications, and — in some cases — medical procedures can help manage these conditions effectively. If you’ve experienced an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or fatigue, call TidalHealth Cardiology at 302-629-9099, or schedule an appointment online at tidalhealth.org.

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Don’t let irregular heartbeats or palpitations go unnoticed. Lifestyle choices and simply getting older can cause wear and tear on your heart’s electrical conduction system. Untreated heart arrhythmias can result in blood clots, stroke or heart failure. If you’ve experienced palpitations, which may result in dizziness or shortness of breath, we can help. Our skilled team of cardiologists and electrophysiologists is dedicated to restoring your heart’s health and making sure you fully enjoy the moments that matter most.

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Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Understanding the difference between RSV, colds, and the flu as runny nose, cough, and fever. However, RSV often leads to more severe respiratory distress in young children, especially those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions. Seek medical attention if your child struggles to breathe or exhibits rapid breathing, as these could be signs of RSV. Colds and the flu share some common symptoms, making it challenging to distinguish between them. Both may cause congestion, coughing, sore throat, and fever. However, the flu tends to come on suddenly and can lead to more severe symptoms, including body aches and high fever. Flu vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention, so make sure your child receives their annual flu shot. As winter approaches and the temperature drops, pediatricians often see an increase in respiratory issues among young patients. Cold weather can exacerbate common conditions like asthma and bronchitis, while illnesses like RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), colds, and the flu tend to make their rounds. The question parents often ask is “How can I tell what’s wrong?”

Asthma and bronchitis

Preventing respiratory illnesses To protect your child’s respiratory health this winter, encourage them to practice hand hygiene; make sure they are current on all vaccinations, including the flu shot; maintain good indoor air quality; limit exposure to secondhand smoke; and bundle them up when outdoors. If your child has asthma, adhere to their prescribed management plan diligently. If your child does have a respiratory illness, be sure to keep them out of school so they do not spread it to others.

Cold air can be a trigger for children with asthma. It can cause airway constriction and worsen symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Ensure your child wears appropriate clothing to keep warm during outdoor activities and consider using a scarf or mask to help humidify and warm the air they breathe. Regular asthma management, including controller medications, is crucial during this time. Bronchitis is another concern during the winter months. It can develop because of viral infections and often presents with a persistent cough, chest discomfort, and mucus production. If your child develops these symptoms, consult your pediatrician for evaluation and treatment.

RSV vs. colds vs. flu RSV is a common virus that affects infants and young children. It can cause symptoms resembling a cold, such 58

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Deepa Manimegalan, MD

Dr. Deepa Manimegalan is a pediatrician with TidalHealth Primary Care in Salisbury. To make an appointment, visit tidalhealth.org or call 410-912-5785.

PROMOTIONAL SECTION

New year, new you TidalHealth can help you on your weight-loss journey Diabetes, stroke, heart disease, sleep apnea, back and joint pain — these are all conditions associated with obesity.

Dr. Buzalewski, who performs general and bariatric surgery at TidalHealth Nanticoke, says some of those key lifestyle changes include:

If you’re concerned your weight gain could lead to poor health, it’s time to take advantage of the resources available in your own backyard.

• modification of food intake, including smaller/more frequent meals (four to six times daily)

Whether it’s through diet and exercise or weight-loss surgery, TidalHealth’s knowledgeable providers can help you shed those unwanted pounds and get back on the path to wellness. “Our mission is to guide patients to achieve weight loss through a comprehensive program that includes medical or surgical options,” said Sandra Palavecino, MD, a bariatric and internal medicine specialist at TidalHealth Medical Weight Loss & Bariatric Nutrition. “ Obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease with increasing prevalence in our region.” For those who need surgery to reach their goal, TidalHealth offers an award-winning program that has helped more than 3,000 patients lose weight since its inception. Candidates for bariatric surgery include patients who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 who have a co-morbidity — diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea — or patients who have a BMI above 40 who do not have a co-morbidity. “Patients generally inquire if they are a candidate for surgery if they have experienced a long struggle with weight issues, and inability to independently manage weight loss,” said Jarrod Buzalewski, DO, of TidalHealth General Surgery. “They will know if they are a candidate if they are willing to commit to a lifetime of lifestyle changes, as well as follow-up with their primary care provider, bariatric medicine specialist and surgeon.”

• careful attention to adequate protein consumption/ hydration, and adherence to multivitamin regimen • a commitment to increase physical activity as able based on co-morbidities, which often include joint issues. TidalHealth bariatric surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures related to bariatrics. The majority are done minimally invasively using laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Patients generally require a referral to the TidalHealth bariatric program from their provider. Recovery normally includes six weeks of no lifting heavy objects and a supervised nutritional plan that progresses as patients heal. Most require no more than a couple of days of prescription strength pain medications. To learn more about weight-loss surgery at TidalHealth, speak with your provider or call TidalHealth Medical Weight Loss & Bariatric Nutrition at 302-297-2412. TidalHealth Medical Weight Loss & Bariatric Nutrition 201 Health Services Drive Seaford, DE 302-297-2412

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Give yourself the gift of a primary care provider By Jordan Braniff, CRNP, DNP

As we usher in the new year, many of us embark on a journey of self-improvement and personal growth. One crucial aspect of this journey is making self-care a top priority. While self-care encompasses a wide range of practices, from mindfulness and exercise to hobbies and relaxation, one essential step in this process is finding a primary care physician. First and foremost, having a primary care physician is the foundation of proactive healthcare. Regular checkups and preventative care can catch potential health issues early, allowing for timely intervention and better outcomes. This approach is not just about treating illnesses, but also about promoting overall well-being and preventing diseases before they start. A primary care physician also provides a continuous and comprehensive approach to your healthcare. They get to know your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences, enabling them to offer personalized guidance and recommendations. This familiarity fosters a trusting and

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

collaborative relationship, empowering you to take charge of your health effectively. In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook healthcare until a problem arises. However, investing in a primary care physician ensures you have a reliable healthcare partner throughout the year, guiding you on nutrition, exercise, immunizations, and screenings. In a world filled with constant distractions and stressors, prioritizing self-care is an act of self-compassion. Finding a primary care physician is a crucial step in this journey, offering you not just healthcare but also peace of mind. So, as you set your intentions for the new year, make selfcare and your health a top priority, and consider finding a primary care physician to support your quest for a healthier and happier you. To schedule an appointment at TidalHealth Primary Care in Berlin, or to find a doctor near you, visit tidalhealth.org today.

Get the care you need when it matters most At TidalHealth, our team of experienced, patient-focused physicians are committed to giving you the comprehensive individualized healthcare you deserve. We specialize in preventative visits, chronic illness management, and a wide range of medical services tailored to fit your specific needs. Come experience the difference at TidalHealth. We believe in delivering quality medical care backed by personalized attention and trust. Accepting new patients now!

TidalHealth Primary Care locations Maryland Berlin 9950 Main St. Berlin, MD 410-912-6710 Scott Sweeney, DO (ages 5+) Anastasia Deem, NP (ages 18+) Megan Karin Tyndall, DNO, FNP (ages 5+) Crisfield 201 Hall Highway Crisfield, MD 410-968-1801 Michael Atkins, MD (ages 17+) Federalsburg 3304 Hayman Dr. Federalsburg, MD 410-754-2440 Tiarra Jones-Bbosa, NP (ages 13+) Ocean Pines 11101 Cathage Road Suite 102 Berlin, MD 410-912-6104 Kristen Abbott, CRNP (ages 0+) Pocomoke 305 10TH Street Pocomoke City, MD 410-912-6167 Natalie Parks, DNP (ages 5+)

Salisbury 1639 Woodbrooke Dr. Salisbury, MD 410-912-5785 Elleda Ziemer, DO (ages 12+) Steve Mears, NP (ages 18+) Deepa Manimegalan, MD (pediatrics) Snow Hill 428 W. Market St. Snow Hill, MD 21863 410-912-4950 Allison Kidney, NP (ages 2+)

Delaware Delmar 38552 Sussex Highway Unit 101 Delmar, DE 302-297-2583 Faith Lauer, NP (ages 12+) Khalil Gorgui, MD (ages 18+) Georgetown 503 W. Market St. Georgetown, DE 302-297-2587 Maritza Parreno, MD (ages 18+) Audrey Ormberg, MD (ages 0+) Kathy Melvin, NP (ages 0+)

Laurel 30549 Sussex Highway Laurel, DE 302-297-2585 Conor McLaughlin, NO (ages 12+) MaryBeth Dickerson, NP (ages 16+) Millsboro 30265 Commerce Drive Suite 206 & 207 Millsboro, DE 302-732-8400 Alexandra McDermott, NP (ages 0+) Ryan Brown, NP (ages 18+) Seaford 100 Rawlins Dr. Seaford, DE 302-990-3300 Michelle Talag, NP (ages 18+) Purna Sharma, MD (ages 18+)

Maritime Christmas AN EASTON VILLAGE HOME IS GIFTED WITH AN AIR OF COASTAL SOPHISTICATION TO ENHANCE ITS EXISTING NAUTICAL INTERIOR Written by Kristen Hampshire Photography by Robert Radifera, Stylish Productions

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CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

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oastal accoutrements like netting gracefully strewn about, glass crabs and buoys, and oyster tabletop Christmas trees speak to the seasideinspired holiday décor at the home of Sharon O’Connell and Tracy Gammell located in Easton Village. They first visited Easton years back and, as avid boaters, immediately were drawn to the small-town arts and cultural center with its dining, shopping and splendid backyards — the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. In 2016, they made the move, opting to build a home in Easton Village, and they popped into Jamie Merida’s shop, Bountiful Home. Right away, a connection formed. “He knew exactly what style we wanted, we really hit it off and became great friends,” says O’Connell, relating that the couple selected every furnishing and accessory floor-to-ceiling from Bountiful during the year-long construction process. “There is nothing inside that has not come from Bountiful,” O’Connell says. That means every rug, window dressing and accessory, every furnished piece down to the vintage Airstream ice chest by Think Outside on the porch, which is appropriately dressed for the occasion with faux snow and winter add-ons. Come holiday season 2022, Merida invited them to join the Friends of Hospice annual holiday home tour to support one of his favorite causes, Talbot Hospice. They agreed, and Merida took care of the rest. There’s nothing cute about this coastal holiday theme and that is intentional. Instead, there are tidewater notes throughout, some subtle and others not so much. A chandelier dripping with oyster shells by Curry & Company is a year-round fixture. Nautical rope mingles with pine, and vibrant red boughs of holly mix with pinecones and rustic crab buoys. “It’s not a red-and-green Christmas, it’s more of a red, white and blue holiday with greenery,” Merida says.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

“We used the berries to pull in the pop of red from the front door, and sprinkled in some starfish and oyster balls so it’s a nod to coastal without being over the top.” — Jamie Merida

ALL IN THE DETAILS Sharon and Tammy’s Easton cottage subtly pays homage to its nautical connection as evidenced through the netting and starfish used in the welcoming wreath.

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HOME

Welcome, Christmas. The cottage’s front entry is decked with wreaths and swags of greenery that incorporate red berries, netting, starfish, sprigs of eucalyptus and pinecones to create a holiday-on-the-shores effect that carries on throughout the home. “We used the berries to pull in the pop of red from the front door, and sprinkled in some starfish and oyster balls so it’s a nod to coastal without being over the top,” Merida says. A Multi-Layered Tablesetting. In the dining space, O’Connell and Gammell selected a table with a hammered metal top and sling-back chairs with brushed-nickel bases, reminiscent of a yacht interior, Merida says. Drapery in broad Breton-stripe by Ralph Lauren is decidedly nautical and offer a seashore setup to dress the space for the season.

The centerpiece is anchored by an arrangement of candlesticks wrapped in camel roping for continuity from exterior décor. Merida chose to mix and match the candelabras for interest. Again for consistency’s sake, the same garland used outdoors stretches down the table’s length, offering texture that is appointed with red and white berries, pinecones and oyster shell ornamentals. The couple sets the table with Caskata dishes in the Sea Fan pattern.

DONE JUST RIGHT With strategic sprinkles of holiday adornments and splashes of colors, the cottage welcomes Christmas while still honoring its coastal roots.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

An Abundant Fir. “If you’re going to do a tree, load it up,” quips Merida, relating that he calls his shop Bountiful for a reason. The intention: not to spare. “I tend to like lush décor at Christmas,” he says. Again, there are layers of detail involved and a follow-through of materials used elsewhere in the holiday design for a seamless effect. Ornaments are plentiful with seashells, crabs, life preservers, starfish, and delicate oyster and glass-blown embellishments.

Happy Holidays! FROM

Here Comes Santa Claus. When they spotted Santa in Bountiful Home, he was an instant win. “It was a last-minute decision,” O’Connell relates, adding that the shop is brimming with holiday décor. “We walked in, saw the Santa standing there and said, ‘We need to have him.’” In their Easton Village abode, he is perched next to a curved chest by Global Views in a cerused wood finished — a whitewash treatment. Vintage Vignette. Even the Airstream ice chest that conveniently stores beverages year-round was treated to a holiday spruce up. A snowy foundation makes way for mini lit birch and gold trees. “We played it up with lights and it’s one of my favorite parts,” O’Connell says. Certainly, it will come in handy when the couple entertains this season with neighbors and friends. CS

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Cottage Approachable. “We love a clean look,” says O’Connell, only half joking when she says, “Our house is one of those that people walk in and say, ‘You must not really live here.’ I say, ‘Well, actually we do.’” That simply reflects the couple’s preference for thoughtfully selected accessories and not a lot of clutter. The home was a real hit on the tour because of its cottage charm and approachability, which is exactly how the couple treat their abode. Their neighbors have become close friends and they socialize often. “A lot of people on the tour said, ‘This is homey and realistic and achievable. A cottage that was so well-done as a nice treat,’” O’Connell relates.

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Statement LED light bouquets are tucked into the canopy. “The illuminated picks offer a great pop of light,” Merida says. Ribbons of little white sea pearls swirl around the tree, with the addition of red berries and marine netting. It’s the largest tree the couple has ever displayed for the holidays. “It’s all aesthetically cohesive,” O’Connell says, adding that they decided to display a miniature plastic tree upstairs for hanging childhood ornaments. “We didn’t want to keep them in a box, so we gave them their own treatment.”

WORCESTER COUNTY

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

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Styled for the Holidays THE BAIN’S HOME IN LEWES IS A SEASONAL ‘STAR’ AND NOD TO COASTAL CHRISTMAS Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Pamela Aquilani

he coastal holiday connection runs strong at the Bain house in Lewes’ Harbor View community. Jess Bain peers out one of its generous windows across the canal at her parents’ home, where she grew up. She initially started her business, Styled, as a seasonal décor firm, which has since successfully expanded into a special occasion event and floral design company serving the Eastern Shore.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Bain recalls returning home from college to decorate her grandmother’s Christmas tree for her year after year. A glass bowl on a sideboard brimming with ornaments — a kitschy bright-colored collection — serves as a happy reminder. As life is literally all about entertainment for Bain with her business, her family’s home follows suit in December with a large soup supper after the annual Lewes Christmas Parade, and gatherings through the season.

Those include a Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve dinner, her husband’s family custom, and a tradition the Bains created. Her husband was a U.S. Navy pilot, and they lived in Hawaii when they were first married. “Every year at Christmas, we would have over all the single guys and anyone who wasn’t going home, so I adopted that here,” she explains. “Anyone who doesn’t have family in town or their kids’ are with the other parent, we invite them to join us for a big dinner.”

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Fresh & Green. It’s no surprise that Bain maintains a bounty of fresh greenery and florals in her home year-round and amplifies the effect during the holidays. Pine, eucalyptus, holly and winter berries mingle with textural juniper, cedar and cypress. Elegant white roses and puffy peonies make an appearance. As with all of Bain’s décor, she builds arrangements in layers. For instance, the garland draped on the fireplace mantle grows into a multi-dimensional showpiece after she adds green, gold and silver ornaments — a theme carried throughout the home — and tucks in sparkling decorative picks along with the coastal hook: starfish. “I love anything that sparkles, fresh greens and mixing different features,” she says, noting that the palette is quite muted, allowing room for glitz without going overboard.

WORCESTER COUNTY

2023 Oh, My Stars. The sophistication of a simple starfish is a double entendre playing to coastal subtlety and a symbol of the season. Bain sprinkles starfish throughout her holiday décor — it’s the yarn that knits together muted colors and festive sparkles, elaborate floral tablescapes and family treasures. Starfish in different sizes, mostly fashioned out of various types of wood, peek out from the main tree, wreaths and garland.

2023

Of course, an integral aspect of preparing for these celebrations is decorating, and Bain generally dedicates a full day in mid-November before she gets too busy decking the halls for clients and their events. You might figure the handiwork would consume much more time, but Bain is a pro, after all. Out come the boxes from storage, and Bain lays out all their contents, mulling over how she’ll mixand-match. “I change it up every year,” she says, noting that the catalogue of décor grows with time as she adds decorative picks, fresh tree-toppers and shifts garland and arrangements from here to there. The holiday-scape evolves organically as Bain builds its layers in keeping with an aesthetic she describes as “coastal, without going over the top.”

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An Organic Tablescape. Driftwood offers a coastal note while serving as a base for a fresh arrangement that spans the length of the dining table and includes miniature trees. Bain turned up the sparkle with silver chargers that appear to be studded with rhinestones. Delicate, translucent napkin rings are adorned with a single cypress sprig and holly berries. Beyond the table dressing, Bain changes out all the china and glassware in her kitchen’s glass-front cabinets to seasonal pieces. Memorable Mementos. The Bain’s seasonal repertoire is equally sentimental, with keepsake decorations sprinkled throughout the home. One is a ceramic tabletop tree with brightly colored lightbulbs — little bulbs that can be removed. “That was my husband’s grandmother’s tree, and one year when he was five, he took out all of the lightbulbs and hid them from her for the entire season,” Bain shares. “When she moved in with his parents, we got the tree because she always told the story about how he did that.” CS

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

UNIQUELY COASTAL The Bain’s stunning dining tablescape features an array of accessories, including chargers that appear to be rhinestone-studded, translucent napkins rings, and of course, a variety of lush arrangements.

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The Perfect Getaway POT-NETS VACATION RENTALS OFFER A FULL ARRAY OF AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE IDYLLIC WATERFRONT COMMUNITY Written by Kristen Hampshire | Photography by Kirsten Goodman

turnkey getaway with all the trappings of a modern, amenity-rich residence is what you’ll find with Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals in Long Neck, Delaware, where spending time is a generations-long family tradition for many. “We have a lot of people whose families originally lived here in the community, and they come back to vacation and end up buying because this is where they make memories,” says Kirsten Goodman, marketing manager. Many will rebook the

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

same vacation rental homes every summer. “They appreciate the lifestyle,” she relates. Specifically, that is access to private beaches, Paradise Grill, pools, marinas and available dockage, watersports and a golf cart provided with every rental so you can leave your vehicle behind and traverse the community with ease. “Another convenience is the proximity to main attractions within a few miles,” Goodman adds. But you can also choose to stay, play and dine without leaving the property, which is a

draw for families seeking a retreat. Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals has expanded its rental options, adding three more homes for a total 19 available for rental in 2024, says Debbie Wilhelm, vacation rentals manager. And beach vacations are only one of the reasons why families travel to the community. Yearround, loved ones and friends gather to celebrate holidays, milestones or weeks away to simply be together. Join us for a backstage tour of Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals’ features and affordable luxury.

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Wide, Open Spaces. Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals feature the same convenient, open-space layouts you see in custom construction along the shore. A generous kitchen with a sizable island for entertaining flows into dining and living spaces, and transitions to a roomy covered deck with water views. Wide-plank luxury vinyl flooring in a warm wood throughout the homes’ interiors is not only low-maintenance for beachgoers, but also offers a seamless and open-air feel to main level gathering spaces. Roomy Accommodations. With PotNets Vacation Rentals floor plans ranging from 1,440 to 3,500 sq. ft., with three to five bedrooms, you can house a few guests or a larger party without sacrificing privacy. “You can come with a small family or 12 people and still feel comfortable and have space to entertain,” Wilhelm says.

Modern Amenities. Living is easy with the latest appliances and fixtures. The rentals are move-in ready — kitchen cabinets are stocked with dishes, cookware, silverware and just about anything you’d have at home. Linen closets are filled with fresh towels, cleaned and wrapped, “So you are the only one who has touched them,” Wilhelm says. The same is true in bedrooms, where closets hold wrapped blankets. “Newer rentals include fire pits — and every year we try to improve our offering,” she says, relating that the community is adding air fryers to kitchens, too. The earliest rentals built in 2016 are undergoing a paint and fixture refresh.

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Buyers’ Incentives. As Goodman noted, many families who grew up spending time in Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals decide after renting a vacation home to build or buy in the community. “Once you see the homes’ floor plans and how they are set up, you can come back and design a home to live in or to vacation in for yourself,” she says. For those who rent and make the decision to purchase, Pot-Nets provides a buyers’ incentive. Recreation Abounds. Aside from the waterfront, marinas and private beaches, Pot-Nets Vacation Rentals’ amenities include two swimming pools, walking paths, a basketball court, dog parks, private fishing

COASTAL CHARM Properties at Pot-Nets

Vacation Rentals feature modern amenities, spacious living spaces and all of the comforts of home — all in a beautifully relaxing setting.

piers and a baseball diamond — with all the equipment required to simply go out and play. “There are tons of activities for any age group,” Goodman says. “You don’t have to go far to do what you want on vacation.” CS

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Gingerbread: Cookies Ingredients 1½ sticks butter, softened 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2/3 cup molasses 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 31/4 cup flour 1 Tbsp ginger, ground 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cloves, ground 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt Sugar cookie icing Sprinkles

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Directions In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and molasses until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Next, in a medium bowl, whisk flour, spices, baking soda and salt until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture until the dough comes together. Be sure not to over mix. Divide dough in half and create two discs. Roll each piece of dough between two pieces of parchment to 1/4-inch thick. Chill until firm, from 3 hours to overnight, based on your preference. Preheat oven to 350°. Line two large baking

sheets with parchment paper. Peel off both sheets of parchment from dough, then replace one sheet of parchment back underneath dough. Cut out gingerbread men with a 3-inch wide cutter and transfer to baking sheets. Bake for 4 minutes, then flip cookies and bake for another 4 minutes, until slightly puffed and set. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining disc of dough. Decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.

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Gingerbread: Layer Cake Cake Ingredients 2⅔ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 Tbsp ground ginger 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp allspice ½ tsp ground cloves 12 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted ½ cup vegetable or canola oil ¾ cup unsulphured molasses 3 large eggs (room temperature preferred) 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 1 cup sour cream ⅓ cup very hot water Frosting Ingredients 8 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat cream cheese preferred) ½ cup unsalted butter, softened ⅓ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1½ tsp vanilla extract ⅛ tsp salt 4 cups powdered sugar 1 Tbsp heavy cream or milk (optional)

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

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Add melted butter and vegetable oil and stir well. Stir in molasses. Add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream and stir until thoroughly combined. Finally, stir in hot water. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and ensure batter is uniform and well-combined. Evenly divide batter into prepared pans and transfer to center rack oven. Bake for 28 minutes or until centers are set, cake lightly springs back to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Allow cakes to cool in their pan for 10-15 minutes before running a knife around the edge and carefully inverting onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

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Frosting Instructions Combine cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, stirring until completely combined. If frosting seems too thick, thin it by adding heavy cream or milk and beating briefly on high speed. Level cakes, if needed, and decorate with frosting.

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Gingerbread: Waffles Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3 Tbsp unsulfured molasses ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda ¾ tsp salt 1½ tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp ground cloves 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk ½ cup sour cream, plus more for serving Preferred preserves for topping

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Directions Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk together eggs, butter, milk, sour cream, and molasses in a medium bowl. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and whisk until smooth. Heat a waffle iron. Spoon one-third cup of batter into each mold and cook until golden brown. Serve warm waffles with sour cream and preserves.

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Gingerbread: Hot Chocolate Ingredients 13/4 oz Mozart Cream Chocolate liqueur 31/3 oz whole milk 11/2 tsp gingerbread spice For Decorating Whipped cream Cinnamon Cocoa powder Gingerbread Instructions Heat the milk and gingerbread spice to desired temperature. Pour into a double-walled glass or any glass suitable for serving hot drinks. Add Mozart Cream Chocolate liqueur and stir well. Top with whipped cream, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Garnish with gingerbread and enjoy.

Gingerbread: Martini Ingredients 1 oz vodka 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream liqueur 1/2 oz Kahlúa liqueur 1/2 oz gingerbread syrup 1/2 scoop vanilla ice cream, softened Whipped cream

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Instructions Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake until smooth and pour into a chilled glass. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

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Gingerbread: Coconut Overnight Oats Ingredients ¾ cup old-fashioned oats ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ -½ cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp agave syrup Toppings ¼ cup toasted raw coconut flakes 2 Tbsp candied ginger, chopped

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Instructions Make the oats: In a 1-pint mason jar, mix the oats with the ground ginger to combine. In a small bowl, mix the coconut milk (if you prefer a thicker oatmeal, use less milk) with the agave syrup. Pour the coconut milk mixture into the jar. Screw on the lid and refrigerate overnight, about 8 hours.

Make the toppings: In the morning, top the oatmeal with the coconut flakes and candied ginger. Eat immediately or screw the top on and take it on the go.

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Gingerbread: Banana Loaf Ingredients 1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan 13/4 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup light brown sugar 21/2 tsp ground ginger 21/2 tsp ground cinnamon 11/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp baking soda

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

11/2 cup powdered sugar 3 Tbsp whole milk 2 very ripe bananas, preferably frozen and thawed, mashed 2 large eggs, room temperature 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup molasses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 cup walnut pieces ½ cup walnuts, chopped 1/2 cup fruit of choice (optional)

Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F and brush a standard 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan with butter. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cloves and nutmeg until well combined. In another large bowl, whisk together butter, bananas, eggs, buttermilk, molasses and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients and walnuts to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Scrape into prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer loaf to a wire rack and let cool completely. In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and 2 Tbsp of the milk until combined. Add milk, ½ tsp at a time if too thick. Spread glaze over top of loaf and sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Let set at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. CS

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8/23/23 1:58 PM

Show Stoppers CREATIVITY AND ARTISTRY TAKE CENTER STAGE AT THE NATIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION IN ASHEVILLE, NC It all began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by members of the Asheville, NC community in 1992 as another way to celebrate the holiday season. There were no plans to continue the following year. Yet, there was no possible way to know that more than two decades later, the Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition, would be one of the nation’s most celebrated and competitive holiday events. As the event grew, so did the caliber of judges and competitors. Its panel of judges represents nationally renowned food and media professionals, and the level of competition has attracted the highest quality of design, artistry and pastry expertise. The competition has merited coverage by NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, the Travel Channel and the Food Network.

2022

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The competition will welcome first-time judge, Yolanda Gampp. Also known as the “Beyonce Of Cakes,” Gampp is a celebrity cake artist, judge on Fox’s Crime Scene Kitchen, twotime bestselling cookbook author and a co-founder of How To Cake It, the No. 1 online baking-education company in the world. The entire judging panel will recognize the top 10 entrees in all age divisions and six entries with the esteemed Chef Nicholas Lodge awards, introduced last year. The official 2023 Gingerbread Display at the Omni Grove Park begins on Monday, November 27, 2023, and will continue through Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Guests not staying at the Resort are invited to view the display after 4:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime MondayThursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1. For those who may not travel this season, the hotel will continue, “The 12 Days of Gingerbread” by presenting one of the Top 12 finalists, per day, on the hotel’s Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) channels from December 1-12, to spark ginger-love for all during the happiest season of the year. The Gingerbread Display has grown in more than just entries; it has become a true family holiday tradition. From the very young to the very young at heart, the reaction to this magical experience is the same — one of wonder, awe and delight. CS

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FLAVORS

All Roads Lead to Home Throughout our lives, we always say there’s no place like home; there is no season where this is truer than the holiday season. Home is where we find comfort, safety, peace of mind, and neighbors we call family. Living at Londonderry offers all these things and more. Our residents enjoy the comfort of living independently in one of our convenient apartments or spacious cottages. Residents are invested in our 62+ independent living cooperative community, whether it’s by sitting on the resident board or leading an activity. Londonderry residents know this is retirement at its best. There’s peace of mind knowing the maintenance team is just a phone call away and having neighbors who are family. Take it from all of us at Londonderry, there is no better place to call home than on the banks of the Tred Avon River, just minutes away from historic downtown Easton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Make Londonderry your home and become part of our family. Happy Holidays from our home to yours!

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CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

Gingerbread Fun Facts! National Gingerbread House Day is December 12 That’s right! There really is a day given to celebrating the sweet and spicy creations. It is recognized on the National Day Calendar as a fun food holiday complete with its own hashtag for sharing on social media — #GingerbreadHouseDay. Queen Elizabeth I is credited with making the first gingerbread men Gingerbread was popular across Europe and had been formed into many shapes or religion icons. It is commonly thought that Queen Elizabeth I of England first made the bread into the likeness of a man. Visiting dignitaries were each presented gingerbread shaped to resemble themselves to honor the occasion.

Gingerbread’s storied history dates back to ancient civilizations The history of baking with ginger and spices dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Gingerbread is thought to first have been brought to Europe in 992 by an Armenian monk who settled in France and taught the French Christians how to make gingerbread. Returning crusaders also spread the spicy treat across Europe. Gingerbread soon became associated with religious culinary traditions, as often it was monks and priests who prepared it. By the 1600s, Nuremberg, Germany was recognized as the “Gingerbread Capital of the World,” as the guild used master bakers and skilled workers to create elaborate works of art from gingerbread. By the 17th Century, only professional bakers could make gingerbread, except at Christmas and Easter, when anyone could make it.

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The Brothers Grimm are said to have made gingerbread houses popular The popular folktale duo made a gingerbread house their delicious, and somewhat sinister, backdrop of their German fairytale, Hansel and Gretel. As we know, Gretel saved her brother by pushing the witch into her own oven.

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2023

The Guinness Book of World Records crowned the largest gingerbread house at 60 feet long, 42 feet wide and over 10 feet tall. This creation was made in Bryan, TX. Well, that’s no surprise: Everything is bigger in Texas, right? Consider these facts: The house was made with more than 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs 7,200 pounds of flour, 3,000 pounds of brown sugar, 225 gallons of molasses, 22,304 pieces of candy for decoration and equaled an astounding 35,823,400 calories. While attracting crowds from far and wide to marvel at its sheer size, its sweet construction materials also attracted an estimated 2,000 bees. Organizers called bee keepers to corral the bees before they hindered the hundreds of people who visited the house daily. CS

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FLAVORS

Country’s Comfort: A Red Truck, Grandma’s Recipes and an Artful Soul with Taste Written by Kristen Hampshire

BRIAN NOYES DIDN’T REALIZE HE WAS CREATING A FOLLOWING, A PANDEMIC PROJECT OR A COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. BUT HE DID.

aking is stories. It’s heritage, memories and offroad adventures — all handwritten and handworked to share. So is the meandering road of the Red Truck Bakery that started as a weekend project in western Fauquier County, on the brim of the Shenandoah Valley. As an entrepreneur, chief kneading operator, pie aficionado and neighborhoodrevival-driver, Brian Noyes writes in an introduction to his second cookbook following the bakery’s apropos rise to national acclaim: It all started with “a beat-up oven with no exhaust fan and a well that pumped water the color of red clay unwittingly launched the Red Truck Bakery in our circa 1850 farmhouse near Orlean, Virginia.” Well, the bakery’s quintessential truck wasn’t so beat up. It was more of a happenstance, much like the bakery’s swift acceleration during the pandemic shutdown. Years before, Brian Noyes was art director at The Washington Post and spending weekends outside of Orlean, Virginia, baking up a storm. He routinely fled the Beltway on Fridays to bake

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

all night at his weekend retreat, 50 miles west. The boonies felt like creative freedom. His outpost needed a red truck parked out front. Bad. It would be a punctuation mark for the eventually curated farmstead. Noyes found one with an undisclosed seller in Connecticut, who turned out to be Tommy Hilfiger. Little did Noyes or the fashion icon realize, the truck would become The Red Truck, piled high with warm pies, cakes and breads to sell at the nearby Virginia country store, The Village Green. “It got to the point where I’d show up a couple of hours before the owner opened to unlock the door and put out what I had baked, and there were already cars there in the parking lot waiting for the goods,” relates Noyes, who has also served as art director for Preservation and House & Garden. Then, a smattering of homemade foods Noyes brought to share at a Rappahannock County picnic won over the refined tastebuds of food writer Marian Burros, who wrote about them on the front page of The New York Times Food section in 2008. “I had a tiny website set up for my red truck that I was using to deliver foods. The site had 24

visits one day and after the story came out, it jumped up to 57,000 visits,” Noyes says of the purely accidental exposure. “I thought, I might be on to something.” Indeed, this was the case heading into holidays, a looming deadline of Christmas parties and an overnight demand for Red Truck Bakery goods. Word spread fast. “I didn’t know we created a destination bakery until people started showing up with a Southern Living magazine tucked under their arms, driving from Tampa to Boston, they swerved over to I-81 so they could take a break at our place,” Noyes says. Of the loyal following, he humbly shrugs, “They found us.” And now after starting with three bakery employees at his first location in Warrenton — that’s another story — and growing to 60 team members, a second location in Marshall 40 minutes outside of the Beltway, Noyes released a second cookbook with a backstory that reads like a diary-of-how. It’s called The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook: Sweet and Savory Comfort Food from America’s Favorite Rural Bakery.

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Proofing, an Art It needed time and attention, much like making bread. Age and history were a must. A story. Noyes happened upon a 1921 filling station next to the county courthouse in Warrenton after the home-retreat-bakery escalated into a more committed affair. He signed the lease, cashed in his savings and opened up The Red Truck Bakery in July 2009. As an art director, his work was transpiring into the edible department — creating pies, cakes, savory dishes, pastime favorites. Comfort food. “I wanted a good, old historic mercantile building to install a bakery,” he relates. Momentum grew, so did staff, shipping orders and notoriety. Noyes recalls sending former President Obama a pie during his last year in office. It described small business challenges amid the pandemic, recession realities and the success of tenaciously pushing through from three employees to 20 times the busy hands. Then came Marshall, VA. The Red Truck needed another distinct spot to continue growing. When I-66 was built, the town was bypassed by travelers and “was a little down on its luck,” Noyes describes. “Most of the businesses on Main Street were boarded up and vacant, and we opened up — and we have had a line out the doors since then, and pretty soon a butcher shop opened and then came Field & Main restaurant, and then the bank that was an empty two-story building got a new paint job and an organic market.” He didn’t expect it, but the move was intentional. “We started this food renaissance that put Marshall on the map.” Comfort, Created It was a project seeded by inspiration during the pandemic shut-in days and a rest order

after a shoulder replacement. No heavy mixing. “I was looking forward to recouping out at the farmhouse,” Noyes shares. A judge and her daughter in the Pacific Northwest posted a video on Instagram. They were baking their way through Noyes’ first cookbook, Red Truck Bakery Cookbook: Gold-Standard Recipes from America’s Favorite Rural Bakery. “It’s all about getting to know the family once again and family comfort, and the judge had a lot of first responders living on her street that were coming home late at night and leaving early in the morning for the hospital,” he relates. The mother-daughter duo baked and baked and left warmed sweet and savory covered dishes at the doors of their fatigued neighbors, who undoubtedly were sick of Instacart and Door Dash deliveries. “It was such a great story and I thought, ‘Family, comfort, that’s what cooking is all about, so here is a project for a new cookbook,” Noyes says. “I went after it. There is a bent, a focus on all our farmers out there because they were going through this, too, and none of the farmers’ markets were open, so I wanted to salute them.” Farmer’s market recipes are plentiful throughout Noyes’ pages. A key point of pride for Noyes is the creative leisure and license to muse down memory lane, times the California boy visited his paternal grandmother in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. “I’d fly out in summers, and she would teach me to cook southern,” he says. “I learned more from her than anything else.” He remembers the first time she drove him to a meat-and-three diner. The deal: Pick a meat and three side dishes. “I didn’t know what anything was on the menu,” Noyes laughs. “What are collards? I just thought everyone ate food like on Fisherman’s Wharf.” After all, Noyes grew up among Meyer

lemons and oranges that he could pluck from the trees outside the back door of his Monterrey childhood home. Abalone was not one of the “pick three.” Initially and for decades, his baking was a hobby, albeit more of a study given his études at The Culinary Institute of America and l’Academie de Cuisine, just because. When it grew into a bona fide business, Noyes says, “It turned out to be a southern bakery with a lot of family recipes along with recipes I learned during my schooling.” You’ll find a Moonshine Cake, a nod to Virginia. Family favorites like rum cake and bourbon cake are included as staples. “A magazine referred to us as ‘the bakery with a drinking problem,’ so I say we are, ‘the bakery with a side of party,’” Noyes quips. Case in point: The Lexington Bourbon Cake with Fresh Ginger (see page 183). Apples are aplenty, and Noyes’ all-time favorite pie is just that. Because apples can be a year-round fruit in his neck of the woods, he incorporates them into dishes like apple soup, a butternut squash soup recipe, a galette and, of course, apple butter. All are recipes in his latest book. His Caramel Butter Pecan Cake is a holiday homerun, as is the bakery’s epic fruit cake that marinates in rum for three months. “We brush them with rum several times in the fall,” he says, tempting a curious epicurean to wonder exactly how this process unfolds. You’ll have to wait until the next book or scoot to get one shipped before the New Year. Don’t expect fancies like wedding cakes or frou-frou cookies at The Red Truck Bakery, or in his cookbooks’ pages. “We do interesting bundt cakes, big chunk fresh fruit pies with local ingredients and the type of recipes that a person in the family used to make who is not around anymore,” Noyes says. People told him this about the rum cake recipe. It’s a warm reminder to cherish all we hold dear.

“We do interesting bundt cakes, big chunk fresh fruit pies with local ingredients and the type of recipes that a person in the family used to make who is not around anymore.” — Brian Noyes

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

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FLAVORS

Recipes from The Red Truck Rural Bakery: Corn Crab Cakes with Jalapeño Mayonnaise 96

CoastalStyleMag.com • Nov/Dec 2023

For the Jalapeño Mayonnaise 1½ cups mayonnaise 2 Tbsp red onion, chopped 1 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped ½ tsp dry mustard 1 Tbsp jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped For the Crab Cakes ½ cup Jalapeño mayonnaise, plus more for serving 1 large egg, beaten 1 tsp dry mustard ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, crushed ½ tsp kosher salt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper ½ cup yellow corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained if frozen) ½ cup red or green bell pepper, diced 2 Tbsp red onion, diced 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley ¾ cup crumbled cornbread (page 67) or store-bought, slightly stale or dry 1 lb lump crabmeat, picked over Cilantro sprigs, for garnish 1. Make the Jalapeño Mayonnaise: Combine the mayo, red onion, cilantro, dry mustard and jalapeno in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate. 2. Make the crab cakes: Position a rack 4 to 6 inches from your oven’s broiler element and preheat the broiler. 3. In a large, bowl, stir together ½ cup of the Jalapeño mayonnaise with the beaten egg. Add the dry mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, corn, bell pepper, red onion, parsley and crumbled cornbread, stirring until thoroughly combined. Fold in the crab meat and then shape the mixture into 8 equal-size crab cakes. 4. Grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray in areas just large enough to be covered by the crab cakes and arrange them on it at least 1 inch apart. Broil for a total of 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through, until browned on both sides. If the crab cakes are browning too quickly, move the oven rack down. 5. Let cool slightly, then place 2 crab cakes on each plate. Add a dollop of the jalapeño mayonnaise atop each crab cake, then garnish each with a cilantro sprig.

Nov/Dec 2023 • CoastalStyleMag.com

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67TH ST MIDTOWN

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Bill Smith’s Atlantic Beach Pie

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For the Crust: 60 saltine crackers (not reduced-sodium; about 12/3 sleeves) 3 Tbsp sugar 9 Tbsp (1 stick plus 1 Tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature For the Filling: 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk 4 large egg yolks ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons) ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes) Whipped cream (see page 175), for topping Freshly grated zest of ½ lemon Freshly grated zest of ½ lime Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

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2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, crumble the crackers finely with your hands; don’t crush until they’re dust but just very small pieces (a few larger pieces are okay). Sprinkle in the sugar, then knead in the butter with your hands until the crumbs hold together like dough. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Chill for at least 15 minutes, then bake for 18 minutes, or until the crust is a light golden color. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 3. Make the filling: While the crust is cooling, pour the condensed milk into a medium bowl. Use a whisk (or an electric mixer if desired) to beat in the egg yolks, then whisk in the lemon and lime juice until thoroughly combined. At that point, stop whisking and let the mixture thicken for a couple of minutes. With a rubber spatula, spread the filling into the cooled piecrust, smooth the top, and bake for 16 minutes, until the filling has set. Let cool for 5 minutes. 4. Refrigerate the pie uncovered for at least 1 hour or overnight (like a Key lime pie, it must be cold and firm to be sliced). Just before serving, cover the top of the chilled pie with a good amount of lemon and lime zests. Sprinkle with flaky salt, slice the pie, and serve. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3 days. CS

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