Tidewater Times March 2021 by Tidewater Times

Tidewater Times

March 2021

www.SaintMichaelsWaterfront.com

NANTICOKE FARM Just minutes outside Easton, but very private, this 59-acre farm is improved with a high-quality Colonial-style home, constructed by Amish craftsmen. The house is beautifully designed, featuring high ceilings and beautiful wood floors, which were milled from trees on the property. Full basement. Generator. Spacious 45’ x 75’ barn. This is a “must see to appreciate” new listing. $1,950,000

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Vol. 69, No. 10

Published Monthly

March 2021

Features: About the Cover Photographer: Jay Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mental Health Days: Helen Chappell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Staying Home, Watching Birds: Mike Valliant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 A Journey in Pink - Part III: Bonna L. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 How a Puerto Rican Dog Saved a Life: Tracey F. Johns. . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Tidewater Kitchen - Starting Your Day Off Right: Pamela Meredith . . . 67 Tidewater Gardening - March Mayhem: K. Marc Teffeau . . . . . . . . . 81 Oysters SOAR: A.M. Foley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Creating Serenity on Hoopers Island: Scott Philip Georgens . . . . . . 113 Changes ~ All American (Part XVIII): Roger Vaughan . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Departments: March Tide Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Easton Map and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Caroline County ~ A Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Dorchester Map and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 St. Michaels Map and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Oxford Map and History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Kent County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Queen Anne’s County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Tilghman ~ Bay Hundred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Anne B. Farwell & John D. Farwell, Co-Publishers Proofing: Jodie Littleton & Kippy Requardt Deliveries: Nancy Smith, April Jewel & Brandon Coleman Social Media Liaison: Mary Farwell P. O. Box 1141, Easton, Maryland 21601 3947 Harrison Circle, Trappe, Maryland 21673 410-714-9389 www.tidewatertimes.com info@tidewatertimes.com

Tidewater Times is published monthly by Bailey-Farwell, LLC. Advertising rates upon request. Subscription price is $30.00 per year. Individual copies are $4. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or whole without prior approval of the publisher. Printed by Delmarva Printing, Inc. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors and/or omissions.

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About the Cover Photographer Jay Fleming his second, Island Life, is expected to be released in the fall of 2021. The cover photograph is of a whitetail deer fawn that was born less than a week before Jay took the image. Jay had seen the baby deer and its mother near his house multiple times. He had the opportunity to take this image when the fawn was sitting on the edge of the woods while the mother attentively watched over. Jay may be contacted at 410-2798730 or by e-mail at jaypﬂeming@ gmail.com. Please visit his websiteJayFlemingPhotography.com. JayFlemingPhotography.com

Jay discovered his passion for photography upon inheriting a hand-me-down Nikon fi lm camera from his father, Kevin, a former National Geographic photographer. Jay immediately developed an affi nity for looking at life through the lens of his camera, and what ensued was an exciting photographic journey that would eventually lead him to his career as a professional photographer. At the age of 32, Jay has an extensive portfolio that is sure to impress. His fi rst book, Working the Water ~ a photographic narrative of the Chesapeake Bay seafood industry, is in its third printing, and

Mental Health Days by Helen Chappell

The March winds will blow, And we will have snow And in the barn The robin will tuck his head Under his wing, poor thing. T.S. Eliot may have pronounced April the cruelest month, but maybe he was too busy working at the bank to note the relentless awfulness of March. The month is like an older sibling that dangles a shiny object, like the sun, in front of you, then snatches it away, leaving you with three feet of icy snow on a day when you absolutely have to be somewhere. Oh, sure, you think winter is finally over and at long last you’re going to get your vaccination, but noooooo. Arctic chill rips through your hopeful daffodils, and before the salt trucks come, you realize you’re out of coffee. That’s March. If I were Queen of the World, which I am most assuredly not, I would make it my royal command that everyone would get a mental health day at least once or twice a year, especially in March. A day where you could skip work, stay home all bundled up with a cup of hot chocolate and hours worth of binge-watching or

reading or crocheting or whatever. You could slip on a disguise and take a shopping trip, or slip into an afternoon matinee. You may want to kayak up a gut, work in your shop, take a hike, go to the Farm and Tractor Store, whatever. Whatever you need. A high tide f loats all boats. 9

Mental Health Days Whatever you want and need to do to escape, for a while, the loathsomeness of the daily grind so you can empty your brain and restore and refill it, because mental health day. In Scandinavia, they call it hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) and it means a feeling of coziness, warmth and well-being. And they take it pretty seriously. It’s a counter to the long, sunless, bleak days of the north. You build a fire, you put on warm socks, you eat chocolate, read a book and socialize with your friends. It helps pass the endless winter. It’s a mental health day, and it’s high time we adapted this custom to our region.

When I worked in publishing in New York, every once in a while, some overworked editor or proofreader would whisper to the other lowly drones that they wouldn’t be

St. Michaels by Qiang Huang Betty Huang, an accomplished artist herself, represents such notable painters as Master Jove Wang,Hiu Lai Chong, Ken DeWaard, Qiang Huang, Bernard Dellario and sculptor Rick Casali.

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Mental Health Days

ideas, the diva fits of managing editors and high-strung authors. (The lesser the talent, the more demanding the writer.) If someone had actually opened an adult day care for very, very overworked office drones, they could have made billions. Especially if they screened pre-released movies and had a bar. I learned to take mental health days early in my high school career. It’s no secret that I hated high school. It was about as challenging as working in a factory, and believe me, like any good artist, I have worked in factories. It was easy enough to forge a note from my mother, hop in the Corvair (did my parents want to

at the endless sales meeting next Wednesday because they were taking a mental health day. We used to call this taking a trip to the Fuzzy Bunny Rest Home, an imaginary sanctuary from the obnoxious sales department’s harebrained

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Mental Health Days

in a while. You need a day without work, without responsibility, without those people you work with in order to deal with work, responsibility and the people you work with, and they probably need a vacation from you, too. Besides, couldn’t you use a vacation from yourself? So, it’s March. We’ve been through a long, terrible winter full of politics and pandemics, and somehow you’ve managed to keep your sanity and behave yourself for months. You can use a mental health day. The Shore is coming to life now. Don’t you want to be part of it?

kill me?) and head for the nearest city that was showing whatever Truffaut or Hitchcock film was running. I could hit as many as three matinees in a day. Of course, eventually I got caught, but not before I was the most expert on nouvelle vague cinema in five counties. Of course, you can choose your own mental health activity. A trip to the beach is always wonderful, no matter the season. In fact, it’s better in winter when it’s desolate and stark and beautiful and all those damn tourists are home in Glen Burnie, but I’m just mean. The beach is lovely in the summer when it’s hot and the waves just crash over you. My point is that everyone, even the most conscientious and hardworking, needs to play hooky once

Helen Chappell is the creator of the Sam and Hollis mystery series and the Oysterback stories, as well as The Chesapeake Book of the Dead. Under her pen names, Rebecca Baldwin and Caroline Brooks, she has published a number of historical novels. 16

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Staying Home, Watching Birds Backyard Birding Boom by Michael Valliant

time”; Audubon Magazine said, “Birdwatching is a bright spot in a pandemic-stricken economy”; and an AARP headline read, “The pandemic has made birding cool.” For Leslie Heath, backyard birding has been more than cool. With her just-turned-two-year-old son Kellan at home with her, with being a mom, working, and her husband, Peter, at work during the days ~ birding has been solace. “Birding literally keeps me sane on

Watching birds in your backyard is a simple pleasure. Anyone can do it. And it can be endlessly fascinating. For some people, it’s just a matter of having time at home. Enter COVID-19 and a response to the pandemic that calls on us to do just that. And backyard birding has taken off, or maybe landed is a better word, in a big way. The New York Times has written that “backyard birding has become the perfect pandemic pas-

Photo by Leslie Heath

Carolina wren 19

Watching Birds my craziest days,” Leslie said. “During COVID, I am in the house much more than I would normally be, and my backyard is right outside the window. I do my best to stay in my bubble, with family and friends who are high risk, and it can get pretty monotonous. But the one thing that is not monotonous is the birds.” Leslie has always had a connection to and an appreciation for birds, but it’s been during the pandemic that she has turned to backyard birding. “I would see the birds going to my neighbor’s yard to her feeders, and I told my husband, ‘I think I want a bird feeder.’ And now I have

Photo by Leslie Heath

Red-bellied woodpecker four,” she said. When she has time, Leslie will watch from her windows with her

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Located minutes from St. Michaels this charming waterfront farmhouse was built in the early 1900’s on 3+ acres of land that once may have been part of Mt. Pleasant Landing Farm. Later enlarged by a one-story addition with a full front porch, the home provides a wonderful combination of old and new. Completely updated with beautiful baths, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and detached garage with guest suite above. Offering broad water views, western exposure, in-ground heated pool and deep water, this home has everything you could want in a true Eastern Shore retreat. $1,850,000

Watching Birds

they find it helps them to relax. We’ve seen many new people in the store.” When customers come in looking to attract birds in their yard, the types they most frequently ask about are cardinals, nuthatches, northern flickers, different woodpeckers and eastern bluebirds.

camera ready to catch any new or returning birds. She’s been taking pictures of a Cooper’s hawk that has a keen interest in the songbirds in their yard. She talks about the energetic and chatty Carolina wren. She’s learned the calls of some birds and has learned to identify many of her regulars in flight, even out of the corner of her eye. To learn more, she joined the Audubon Society. Leslie is not alone in finding an excitement for birding. In addition to being a national phenomenon, it’s happening locally as well. “Birding has picked up across the nation,” said Rhonda Matterson, who, along with her husband, Timothy, own Wild Birds Unlimited in Easton. “People have been home and have started it as a hobby, and

Photo by Leslie Heath

Nuthatch The Mattersons opened WBU in July 2019. In the store, it’s the two of them and Linda Ball, who has been with them since the beginning. Each of them enjoys walking new customers through the best set-ups, feeders and food for the birds they want to attract. “The teaching aspect of having a store like this is one of the best parts,” Rhonda said. “Educating customers and hearing back from them about the birds they are seeing and how much they enjoy it.” Rhonda is also the county coordinator for the Maryland Bluebird Society, a member of the Talbot

Tim and Rhonda Matterson with Tucker and Nugget. 22

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Watching Birds County Birding Club, and a volunteer at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The Mattersons had been to a WBU store in Timonium and had a great experience there. When they retired, they wanted something to do. Timothy wanted to start a business, and Rhonda’s enjoyment of birding and seeing a need in the area for a store like WBU, they went for it. They chose WBU because they loved their concept of education. In order to get approved for their franchise, they had to meet certain standards for demographics, professionalism and knowledge. All of their employees complete 25 hours of training to become Certified Bird Feeding Specialists. And as owners, the Mattersons went through an additional two weeks of training. They can offer their customers a lot more than large stores that simply sell

bird food and feeders. They also hold educational events and programs. Prior to COVID, Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage and the Tuckahoe State Park “Scales and Tales” program have done in-store events. WBU Easton now does their educational events on Facebook Live. The Mattersons hope to be a resource for birders throughout the year. And that’s one of the best parts about birding: it’s different every season. We’ve been staying largely at home during a pandemic for a full year now. A number of birds migrate and give us different things to see ~ from hummingbirds in the warmer months to dark-eyed juncos, purple finches and whitethroated sparrows, to name a few,

Photo by Leslie Heath

Blue jay 24

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Watching Birds

venerable and wonderful Peterson Field Guide to Birds. You can also download bird identification apps onto your phone, one of the best of which is the Merlin App from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. And you can find guide books, feeders, food and more at Wild Birds Unlimited in Easton. “For new people looking to get started attracting birds to their yard, we recommended our pole set up, with multiple hanging feeding stations,” Rhonda said. “We make sure they get the right set up for what they want, go over the types of feeders and how to clean them, and talk weather and seasonality for

during the winter months. The first thing I’ve done in the last three houses I’ve lived in (off Oxford Rd., in Oxford and in Easton) is to put up feeders. It’s been redbellied woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, Carolina wrens, American goldfinches and red-breasted nuthatches that first catch my eyes and ears around the yard. But just since COVID-19 has hit, I’ve grabbed binoculars and watched and identified two birds that I’d never personally seen before: a rose-breasted grosbeak and a brown creeper. It makes for a giddy, child-like moment that sticks with you. My favorite mornings at home start with coffee, prayer, reading and writing, and yard surveillance to see what the birds are up to. It’s a simple and sustainable pleasure. And it’s available to almost anyone. For those looking to do more with their own backyard birding, there are a lot of great resources and references. One of the most popular online birding sites is eBird Maryland, which lets people catalog and share the birds they’ve seen. Each local county has its own birding club, full of birders of all skill and knowledge levels, from beginning to Wayne Bell (one of the local birding legends). Great birding reference books include Sibley Birds, Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America and the 26

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Watching Birds

time watching the feeders and the yard. “Birds are my outdoor pets,” she said. “It’s a hobby, but it’s also very calming and peaceful for me. I love that I can spend time in nature, even while I am at home. The northern flickers stop me in my tracks.” Michael Valliant is the Assistant for Adult Education and Newcomers Ministry at Christ Church Easton. He has worked for non-profit organizations throughout Talbot County, including the Oxford Community Center, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Academy Art Museum.

what’s likely to be around.” Going back to Leslie, when things quiet down and she is able to spend

Photo by Leslie Heath

Northern ﬂicker 28

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A Journey in Pink Part III, Gamma Rays and Hypofractionated Beams by Bonna L. Nelson

I don’t tell my story to scare people but to stress the importance of knowing your own body and trusting your instincts. ~ Olivia Newton-John Singer and actress, diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and float in and out of my sightline. My table moves up and down, back and forth. One figure adjusts my arms and places my hands on grip bars over my head. Another turns my head to the left. One adjusts my lowered

Wait! What’s going on here? How did I get here? What am I doing lying on a table in the middle of a cavernous room, bare from the waist up, surrounded by machines zooming and whirling around me? Masked figures in blue coats hover near me

A Journey in Pink

do not move.” With a loud clunk, a large door closes. I lie all alone in the spacious room, cold, goosebumped, tr ying to remain calm, relax my knees raised on a bolster and rest my strained back muscles. Am I on a spaceship? Kidnapped by aliens? Part of an experiment? Machines behind, above and next to me click, thump, rumble, hover, scrape, start and stop. Sometimes there is quiet, but always dark with beaming red lights. I watch the circular machine next to my face but see and feel nothing and only hear clicks from it. Suddenly the machines start to rotate around me and come to a stop. Bright overhead lights come on. The red lights turn of f. The masked figures return. My heart races. What next? They help me lower my aching arms, raise my gown to cover me, lower the table and help me to me feet. “Good job, Mrs. Nelson! Your treatment is done. See you tomorrow,” say my new friends, my radiation therapists (RTs). Oh, I know why I am here. I am being treated for breast cancer. After a special GammaPod treatment on day one, I have begun hy pofractionated, whole beam, radiation therapy, and I have 14 more to go. I think that pretending I am on a spaceship, abducted by aliens, will humor me and help me get through this! Treating cancer is a team effort. Medical geniuses in multiple fields

gown even lower. Two tug at the sheet placed beneath me; one says, “move more to your side.” Small red lights in the ceiling aim laser beams at my upper torso. Blinking computers are on either side of the table. Suddenly, a circular machine buzzes over my head and stops on my left side, glass covered with small venetian blinds inside. A masked figure approaches me and examines something behind the machine glass, then calls out, “92,” then “96.” Footsteps recede. “All right, you are all set,” the shadow y shapes say. “We will be watching you. We can hear you. Be ver y still, and

My support system! 32

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Journey in Pink and specialties work together to design treatment plans that science, medicine, research and clinical trials have determined are standards of care for various types of cancer. In addition to medical geniuses, technology plays a major role in treating cancer, and technology is a major component in the treatment of cancer with radiation. In my case, I was diagnosed in June of 2020 with breast cancer ~ a small, invasive Stage I ductal carcinoma in my right breast. A routine yearly mammogram revealed the cancer, which was confirmed by sonogram and biopsy. Within weeks, my oncology sur-

Dr. Elizabeth Nichols and me.

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101 N. West Street, Easton, MD 21601 Cell: 410-924-2432 Office: 410-822-2001 joanwetmore@msn.com 34

Joan Wetmore

Journey in Pink

I had completed the first three adventures of the journey in pink. I survived surgery, chemotherapy and side effects with the support of my medical teams and their skilled use of associated technology.

geon ver if ied the f indings w ith another sonogram and MRI and performed a lumpectomy and lymph node removal. A biopsy of the removed tumor examined by pathologists revealed another tumor behind the original and that tumor margins and lymph nodes were free of cancer. A month later a radiologist implanted a port in my upper left chest and threaded a catheter into a vein leading to my heart for the next phase of treatment: chemotherapy administered to kill any remaining cancer cells in my body. My medical oncologist prescr ibed four chemotherapy treatments, each three weeks apart.

Cancer didn’t bring me to my knees. It brought me to my feet. ~ Michael Douglas Actor, diagnosed with throat cancer in 2010 The fi nal phase of my pink journey, radiation-gamma rays and hy pofractionated beams used to target any remaining cancer and pre-cancer cells in the breast, involved the most technology. I met with my radiation oncologist, Dr.

Journey in Pink Elizabeth Nichols, at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) in Baltimore. My husband, John, and I, with the support of our Easton medical team, decided to receive radiation treatment with Dr. Nichols after meeting with her during a second opinion search. We trusted her proposed treatment methodology, a shorter radiation time frame and a radiation boost with no additional surgery and fewer side effects. Dr. Nichols and her team, including Nurse Practitioner (NP) Sarah Ruff, examined me and answered our questions about the time frame for treatment, what to expect during treatment, risks, side effects and skin treatments. I wore my pink wig for fun to reduce the tension of the day and it worked. A ll of the staff that I encountered, including the doctor, were amused. Dr. Nichols invited me to join a clinical trial related to the GammaPod equipment that would give me my first radiation boost directed at the excised tumor site. Next, the fun began. Frank Maccia, RT walked me to the scan room for three CT scans. The purpose of the scans is to provide simulation data to the scientists, dosimetrists and medical physicists who support Dr. Nichols. The data are used to prepare the recommended radiation plan and to take measurements for

Frank, RT arranging me for a scan. the plan and for a mold to cradle my head, shoulders and neck for perfect positioning during treatment. Between scans, Frank and fellow RT Eleni Smedly drew green permanent cross marks around my chest and covered the marks with clear circular stickers with BBs in the center. Frank explained that they are used to properly position the body on the equipment at the beginning of each radiation session so that the treatment is precise and according to plan. One thing you learn quickly during breast cancer treatment is that modesty gets thrown out the window. For X-rays, scans and radiation treatment, I was naked from the waist up while guys and gals positioned me for treatment, executed treatment and monitored me on computers outside of the radiation room. This was also true during the first treatment phase, discovery and surgery. I was bare in all my glory, as you can imagine and have probably 38

Journey in Pink

r Fo lity l i l Ca ilab a Av

Dr. Nichols, dosimetrists and medical physicists working on my treatment plan outside of the GammaPod room. experienced, for mammograms, sonograms, biopsy, MRI, surgery and exams. Chemotherapy is a more modest phase of treatment. I was exposed for the port procedure and infrequent medical oncologist exams but was fully dressed for the actual chemo treatments. As for the attractive chest markings, when I asked my friend Pam Reynolds, who received radiation treatment for breast cancer just before I did, what it looked like, she responded, “I am marked up like a Christmas ornament!” When I asked John what he thought about my newly decorated chest, he thought that I was “marked up like a Maori warrior.” I began radiation treatment on January 4, with one GammaPod treatment followed by 15 hypofrac40

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TIDE TABLE

OXFORD, MD

HIGH PM AM

1. Mon. 4:52 5:26 2. Tues. 5:44 6:10 3. Wed. 6:37 6:57 4. Thurs. 7:34 7:48 5. Fri. 8:35 8:45 6. Sat. 9:41 9:47 7. Sun. 10:50 10:52 8. Mon. 12:02p.m. 11:56 9. Tues. 1:08 10. Wed. 12:55 2:06 11. Thurs. 1:48 2:54 12. Fri. 2:37 3:36 13. Sat. 3:22 4:12 14. Sun. 5:05 5:46 15. Mon. 5:47 6:18 16. Tues. 6:29 6:51 17. Wed. 7:10 7:26 18. Thurs. 7:51 8:05 19. Fri. 8:34 8:49 20. Sat. 9:21 9:39 21. Sun. 10:13 10:35 22. Mon. 11:11 11:34 23. Tues. 12:12 24. Wed. 12:31 1:13 25. Thurs. 1:24 2:08 26. Fri. 2:15 2:59 27. Sat. 3:04 3:46 28. Sun. 3:53 4:30 29. Mon. 4:43 5:15 30. Tues. 5:33 6:00 31. Wed. 6:24 6:48

MARCH 2021 AM

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12:37 1:42 2:53 4:07 5:20 6:25 7:23 8:14 8:59 9:39 10:14 10:44 12:37 1:21 2:07 2:58 3:54 4:54 5:55 6:51 7:42 8:27 9:08 9:47 10:23 10:59 11:36 12:41 1:41

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Journey in Pink tionated whole breast radiation sessions using the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) every weekday until January 26 (no treatment on Martin Luther King Day or weekends). I spent hours researching radiation, treatment, purpose, side effects, risks, the GammaPod, LINAC hypofractionated radiation and the education and job descriptions for the various specialists on my team. I was fascinated by what I learned and impressed by the technology and technical complexity of this final phase of my treatment. The head honcho of the radiation team is the radiation oncologist (RO), for me Dr. Elizabeth Nichols, associate professor and clinical director of the UM Department of Radiology. Her focus is breast and gynecologic cancers. She also is the chair of a group of medical institutions dedicated to research using the GammaPod treatment for earlystage breast cancer. According to the American Medical Association, an RO uses imaging methodologies to diagnose, treat and manage cancer patients. Computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and hyperthermia (heat) are additional options an RO uses to aid in treatment. The field is appealing to those who enjoy the quantitative nature of radiation oncology and, at the same time, the humanistic aspect

My Space ship, the LINAC. of caring directly for cancer patients. The RO works with a multidisciplinary team, including the oncology surgeon, medical oncologist, pathologist,\ and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient. Dr. Nichols’ support team included nurse practitioner Sarah Ruff; nurses Terri Beggins and Lori Campbell; RTs, including Frank, Eleni, John, Jaimie, Kristen, Cristina and Kayla; and dosimetrists and medical physicists. I did not interact with the dosimetrists or physicists, but I saw them working at computers near treatment rooms and in conference with Dr. Nichols. I learned that dosimetrists 44

Easton Map and History The County Seat of Talbot Count y. Established around early religious settlements and a court of law, Histor ic Dow ntow n Easton is today a centerpiece of fine specialt y shops, business and cultural activ ities, unique restaurants, and architectural fascination. Treel i ne d s t r e e t s a r e graced with various per iod str uctures and remarkable home s , c a r e f u l l y preser ved or re stored. Because of its histor ic a l significance, historic Easton has earned distinction as the “C olon ia l C apitol of the Eastern Shore” and was honored as number eight in the book “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.” With a population of over 16,500, Easton offers the best of many worlds including access to large metropolitan areas like Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, and Wilmington. For a walking tour and more history visit https:// tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/easton-maryland/. © John Norton

Journey in Pink develop, optimize and monitor oncology patient treatment plans and provide calculations, measurements and oversight for plan implementation of dosage of radiation beams, avoiding critical structures such as heart and lung. They are critical to the accuracy of the radiation plan. The medical physicists apply principles and theories of physics to all aspects of medicine. Using computer software, they help to plan radiation treatments for cancer patients, applying external radiation beams from high-energy machines such as the LINAC and GammaPod. They also design equipment installations and ensure through inspections and

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Journey in Pink testing that the equipment functions properly. RTs administer radiation treatments using computer systems to operate equipment like the GammaPod and LINAC. In accordance with the treatment plan developed by the RO, dosimetrists and medical physicists, the RTs position the patient and the equipment and monitor for accuracy of dosage and for quality assurance using computers and closed-circuit television monitors. The lead-and-concrete walls of the LINAC room shield the high-energy X-rays so that no one outside the room is exposed. Since I was with them for 15 days of treatment, I interacted with the RTs the most. They were always supportive and informative, not really anonymous shapes f loating around the room! The actual radiation treatment was only five minutes ~ the proper positioning of me and the machines took much longer. Additional X-rays and scans had to be taken each week for continued accuracy. The oncology NPs and nurses that I saw weekly with Dr. Nichols answered questions about treatments and side effects, and monitored my overall health and vital signs during treatment. My nurses also gave me advice and soothing creams to help with skin burns from treatment. I am thankful for my team of medical and technical specialists 48

with whom I spent 16 days. I am thankful for their knowledge, expertise, compassion and support during the radiation sessions and in examinations after treatment. I am thankful for their careful attention to the planning and accuracy of the positioning of the machines and me to produce a successful outcome of killing any remaining cancer or precancerous cells in the breast without doing harm to surrounding tissue and organs. Radiation Therapy 101: According to the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control, radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space at the speed of light. This energy has an electric field and a magnetic field associated with it and has wave-like properties, electromagnetic waves. Radiation kills cancer and precancer cells to help prevent recurrence in the affected breast. Recurrence can take place months or years later due to cancer cells left behind after a lumpectomy that removes only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding normal breast tissue. Lumpectomy combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is referred to as breast conservation therapy. I like the sound of that: breast conservation. Even better, I like the hope of no recurrence! Radiation for any stage of breast cancer uses high-energy X-rays, protons, gamma rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. Rapidly growing

cells such as cancer cells are more susceptible to the effects of radiation therapy than are normal cells. Radiation is painless and invisible. E x ter na l rad iat ion is accomplished by a machine delivering the radiation from outside the body to the breast. It is the most common type of radiation therapy used for the breast. External beam radiation therapy of my entire affected breast was accomplished with the LINAC, which customizes high-energy Xrays or electrons to conform to the area being treated while sparing surrounding tissue. It features several built-in safety measures to ensure it will deliver the volume and dosage as prescribed by the RO. Additionally, Dr. Nichols chose to administer my radiation rapidly, using hypofractionated radiotherapy. According to Yale Medicine, faster isn’t always better, but in the case of radiation therapy for some cancers, accelerating radiation courses can help patients recover sooner. It

Silicone cups used to immobilize the breast for GammaPod radiation. 49

Journey in Pink

Aside from the travel to Baltimore, which was our choice, radiation was much easier on my body than chemotherapy, which kills fast-growing cells in the whole body, thus the hair loss, mental fog, GI issues, hearing and vision issues, major fatigue, etc., but was so necessary to destroy remaining cancer cells in the body. I started my radiation treatments w it h what Dr. Nichols c a l led a “boost” on the fairly new GammaPod radiation device developed and invented by two professors/doctors at the UM School of Medicine and now used in the U MG CCC. The GammaPod uses stereotactic radiation therapy specifically designed to highly target the affected breast area w ithout damaging skin, healthy

reduces the course of radiation sessions in half. I had three weeks of treatment, instead of the usual six or seven, with higher doses or fractions of radiation precisely delivered to the affected breast in order to leave surrounding tissue, organs and muscle untouched. Having fewer treatment sessions usually means fewer unpleasant side effects such as skin irritation, fatigue and nausea and fewer trips to the cancer center, thus improving quality of life. For me, that meant fewer trips to Baltimore, mild fatigue and skin irritations, which the team treated w ith cream and told me would heal over time.

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Journey in Pink

clinical trial of the breast cups and conducting my own research on the technology, I was excited to finally see it and begin. Dr. Nichols treated the first patient to use the GammaPod machine, and UMGCCC was the first center in the U.S. to offer the new technology. It was exhilarating to step onto the ledge attached to the upright table and place my cup-enclosed breast into the hole, where it was locked into place. The table lowered slowly and gently to a horizontal position, and the breast dropped away from the chest wall and away from heart and lungs for treatment. It felt like a ride in an amusement park. Nurses and RTs stood nearby, adjusted my face-down position

breast tissue or major organs. This new, ultra-precise form of radiation therapy uniquely delivers a high dose of radiation while the patient lies face down with the breast immobilized, as opposed to on the back with traditional radiation therapy. Approved by the FDA in 2017, the GammaPod treatment begins with a fitting session to immobilize the breast by placing it in a series of silicone and plastic breast cups, followed by a CT planning scan, followed by the treatment. Air is pumped out of the breast cups prior to treatment. After talking to Dr. Nichols about the GammaPod, signing up for the ff 25% O is with th d! Ya LUCK

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Journey in Pink

time I will answer questions and be examined and photographed. For 16 days, we packed lunches, both to eat healthily and to avoid adding to my COVID-cancer weight gain. We kept a special calendar to gleefully mark off the days. My Johnny “Angel” drove us to Baltimore and back. We spent about six hours a day, including the drive, parking, security checks, waiting, COVID checks, changing, positioning (including aligning w ith the original Maori markings), treating, changing and returning. My primary side effects are skin irritation and darkening and mild fatigue. Naps are my friends. John walked the hospital halls and steps while I was in treatment. I am hoping that one day I will regain my strength and endurance and on a follow-up appointment will walk those halls and steps with him. As Joan Lunden said in her breast cancer memoir, Had I Known, “… there are no short cuts in the battle against cancer. I was willing to do whatever it took to get to the finish line.” Me, too! John and I did whatever it took to get to the end of

and then left the GammaPod room to the observation room while the radiation treatment occurred. I could not feel or hear anything. After treatment, the reverse occurred. The table returned to a vertical position. I stepped off and was escorted to a private room where Terri, my NP, removed the cups, which was a big “ouch” for me. I developed blisters, a rash and skin irritation in concentric circles from the silicone breast cups, a common occurrence. I was given cream to apply and was assured it would all heal without scars. It is hoped that the GammaPod treatment will eliminate the need for surgery and chemotherapy in earlystage breast cancer patients. This is fantastic news, as it would decrease overtreatment of women with small, early-stage breast cancer. I am hoping for that outcome and am happy to be participating in a trial of a breast conserving therapy that may help women avoid surgery and chemo in the future. D u r i n g my pr e p a r at ion a nd treatment, Karen Warmkessel, UM Media Relations Specialist Karen Warmkessel took photos for me during my preparation and treatment. Before and after the treatment the clinical trial researcher, Madhi Qutab, took photographs for the study and asked me questions pertinent to the trial. The trial will run for three years, during which

The RTs and nurses bid farewell. 54

Journey in Pink our eight-month battle with breast cancer. On the last day of radiation, the RT crew congratulated me. Dr. Nichols, Sarah and Lori examined my skin, thought it looked better and set my next month’s appointment, and Madhi took more photos for the study. We said our good-byes and thanks. I gave everyone a pink breast cancer ribbon pin and copies of the January Tidewater Times with my fi rst pink journey article. Lori gave me a radiation graduation cer tif icate and made a PA announcement. “Code Sunshine,” she said. She told me to ring the bell in the lobby to indicate completion of treatments. John was there as I came out, cell phone ready to take photos. To my surprise, many of my team of nurses and RTs came out and formed a line to applaud, say farewell and take a photo with me. Holding back tears, trying to smile, wishing we could hug, we said our good-byes.

John and I celebrate. What comes next? Healing, follow-up doctors’ appointments, ref lecting, processing, revising my bucket list, determining how to pay it forward, giving back, living the rest of my life, writing the fourth part of my pink journey… Cancer changes your life, often for the better. You learn what’s important, you learn to prioritize, and you learn not to waste your time. You tell people you love them. ~Gilda Radner Comedian, actress, writer, died of ovarian cancer at age 42, author of the cancer memoir It’s Always Something Bonna L. Nelson is a Bay-area writer, columnist, photographer and world traveler. She resides in Easton with her husband, John.

Finito, ringing the bell ceremony. 56

O PE N F O R

HAPPY CAMPERS

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VisitCaroline.org 58

Caroline County – A Perspective Caroline County is the very definition of a rural community. For more than 300 years, the county’s economy has been based on “market” agriculture. Caroline County was created in 1773 from Dorchester and Queen Anne’s counties. The county was named for Lady Caroline Eden, the wife of Maryland’s last colonial governor, Robert Eden (1741-1784). Denton, the county seat, was situated on a point between two ferry boat landings. Much of the business district in Denton was wiped out by the fire of 1863. Following the Civil War, Denton’s location about fifty miles up the Choptank River from the Chesapeake Bay enabled it to become an important shipping point for agricultural products. Denton became a regular port-ofcall for Baltimore-based steamer lines in the latter half of the 19th century. Preston was the site of three Underground Railroad stations during the 1840s and 1850s. One of those stations was operated by Harriet Tubman’s parents, Benjamin and Harriet Ross. When Tubman’s parents were exposed by a traitor, she smuggled them to safety in Wilmington, Delaware. Linchester Mill, just east of Preston, can be traced back to 1681, and possibly as early as 1670. The mill is the last of 26 water-powered mills to operate in Caroline County and is currently being restored. The long-term goals include rebuilding the millpond, rehabilitating the mill equipment, restoring the miller’s dwelling, and opening the historic mill on a scheduled basis. Federalsburg is located on Marshyhope Creek in the southern-most part of Caroline County. Agriculture is still a major portion of the industry in the area; however, Federalsburg is rapidly being discovered and there is a noticeable influx of people, expansion and development. Ridgely has found a niche as the “Strawberry Capital of the World.” The present streetscape, lined with stately Victorian homes, reflects the transient prosperity during the countywide canning boom (1895-1919). Hanover Foods, formerly an enterprise of Saulsbury Bros. Inc., for more than 100 years, is the last of more than 250 food processors that once operated in the Caroline County region. Points of interest in Caroline County include the Museum of Rural Life in Denton, Adkins Arboretum near Ridgely, and the Mason-Dixon Crown Stone in Marydel. To contact the Caroline County Office of Tourism, call 410-479-0655 or visit their website at www.tourcaroline.com. 59

Stella Isabela at six months old. 60

How a Puerto Rican Dog Saved a Life by Tracey F. Johns

This isn’t the story of a dog’s efforts to save someone’s life in rough seas or in a dangerous search-andrescue mission. Many a canine has been noted or doing such a heroic deed, however. This story is instead about how a rescue puppy from Puerto Rico saved a local woman who had seemingly lost her will to live to COVID-19 isolation-fueled chronic depression and anxiety. This is a love story, in fact, about how this writer’s new companion, Stella Isabela, is a rescue dog in many ways. I came to know Stella Isabela by her first name “Bailey” and through a Facebook post by Iron Will Woodworks in St. Michaels. They had shared a post by the Puerto Rico Dog Fund looking to find homes for six motherless puppies found in a burning trash pile in Aguadilla, near Rincon. I filled out an online application and waited. Life for me at the time had become a series of days and nights spent alone, working from home, and usually through text or email. Sometimes I would startle myself hearing my own voice. I found my-

self not wanting to get out of bed on the weekends because it really didn’t seem to matter ~ there was no accountability of my life other than to myself and occasional calls from my grown children. 61

Stella Isabela

their service dog, Gauge, they have helped coordinate more than 14 adoptions to families on the Mid-Shore. The puppy was shivering and scared before I bundled her in my f leece jacket and held her close to my chest. I understood her anxiety well and remained steady. She soon calmed down, and I became her person.

The idea of getting a puppy or having a dog was new to me and came after having my daughter’s dog, Sophie, over for sleepovers. Sophie is an 11-year-old beagle who lives to eat, sleep and be with her person. I noticed when Sophie was with me that I felt a purpose to my days and a reciprocated sense of companionship that my two cats have never given me. They are cats, after all. I soon learned my adult children had been scheming to find a dog for me, too. Local shelters had plenty of cats and kittens to offer, but I was looking for a dog. Then the call came. If the puppy accepted me, she was mine. Three-month-old “Bailey” arrived to St. Michaels from Rincon, Puerto Rico, on a rainy, cold Sunday night in October 2020 to the home of Jena Lindsay and Ward Ewing. Lindsay and Ewing winter in Rincon and volunteer with the Puerto Rico Dog Fund. Together with their rescue dog, Rico, and

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She still had scabs from burns on her backside and hind legs, and she weighed about five pounds, with ribs to count. All six puppies were adopted, with five continuing to grow up in the Mid-Shore region. Bailey’s new name, “Stella Isabela,” was decided on the way back to Easton while she was snuggled inside my jacket and I was looking at a map of Rincon and its neighboring towns. My daughter was driving. Stella is a town to the south, while Isabela is to the east/north. She had her new name. I soon found myself up at all hours of the night taking care of a puppy with an upset stomach and wondering what I was thinking

when adopting a puppy at my age. But those nights were juxtaposed by days of playfulness, snuggles and love. Taking care of Stella Isabela gave purpose and meaning to my days. As she grew into her current 23-pound spry self, I also learned she needed a lot more activity, so we began taking long walks every day. Four months later, we now have a routine, and I’m 20 pounds lighter. Sometimes those walks are hard to get at when depression and anxiety pull a dark veil over the day. But she’s counting on me. She persists. And I find the light as a result. This is where that reciprocal rescue lies. I may have rescued the

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Stella Isabela

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runt of a litter found in a burning trash pile. But on that day in October, it was me who was indeed rescued. Now each day has a certain amount of guaranteed joy and companionship, thanks to a Puerto Rican ‘sato’ or street dog named Stella Isabela. Love has found a way inside my heart and life again. If you’d like to get involved in the Puerto Rico Dog Fund, you can participate in an annual fundraiser this July at Foxy’s Harbor Grill in St. Michaels, or go to thepuertoricodogfund.org. To learn how you can volunteer or adopt, please

Tracey Johns is a storyteller, engaging local, regional and national audiences through her words and photography. She has worked in communications, marketing and business management for more than 30 years, including non-profit leadership. Tracey’s work is focused on public and constituent relations, along with communication strategies, positioning and brand development and project management.

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Starting Your Day Off Right I have always heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but eating scrapple, bacon, home fries, etc. is not the healthiest way to go. Whether you like a hearty morning meal or a quick, light start, there are nourishing whole foods that are perfect for keeping you full until lunch while

providing a good mix of vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. In order to avoid brain fog induced by lowblood sugar, you need breakfast. Starting the day with a full nutrient-dense meal allows you to make better choices throughout the day,

Tidewater Kitchen

lin sensitivity. Eggs are very versatile. For example, hard-boiled eggs make a great portable breakfast that can be prepared ahead of time. They are high in protein and promote fullness, which helps you eat fewer calories. Greek yogurt is a creamier yogurt that is more concentrated in protein. Protein has been shown to reduce feelings of hunger and also help with weight control because it increases levels of hormones that promote fullness. Certain types of Greek yogurt contain probiotics ~ look for the phrase “contains live and active cultures.” Try topping it with fruit, berries, granola, grains, etc. to increase your vitamin mineral and fiber content. Here are some super-quick healthy breakfast ideas to make in a hurry for those morning when

including those late-night snack cravings. Research has suggested that you are likely to burn more calories throughout the day after having a big breakfast ~ negating any weight loss benefit of taking in fewer calories at breakfast. Oatmeal is the best and healthiest breakfast choice for cereal. Steel cut oats have more fiber than rolled oats. Instant oatmeal contains sugar, so sweetening homemade oatmeal with fruits, honey or nuts is better for you. Nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. Contrary to what people think, eggs don’t raise cholesterol levels in most people. In fact, eating whole eggs may reduce heart disease risk by modifying the shape of “bad” cholesterol, increasing “good” HDL and improving insu-

3-5 days, and certain ingredients in different flavors impact this. Oats with mashed banana are typically not good after 2 or 3 days, but other recipes are good a few days longer. Keeping fruit out of your oats until servicing will usually help. What kind of oats do you use in overnight oats? I prefer rolled oats in mine ~ I find that they soak up the milk perfectly and are nice and soft after sitting all night. I have seen others suggest steel cut oats for their overnight oats recipe. Just note that they are harder and chewy. I have found that steel cut oats are best done on the stove top. Make a big batch and reheat as needed.

you only have a few minutes for a balanced breakfast. Batch cook some steel cut oats, breakfast burritos or egg cups for the week, and you are all set! Overnight Oats Add a complete protein powder if you like! Just note that you may need to add more milk to balance it out. I usually add a touch more milk in the morning before eating them if they seem a bit thick. Pop them in the microwave in the morning, and you are all set! Love them chilled? Great, you just get to eat them about a minute sooner! How long do overnight oats last? I typically make 3 or so days’ worth at a time. They will last for

Tidewater Kitchen

ter) 2 t. maple syrup 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/2 t. vanilla 1 t. chia seeds dash of sea salt

Base Ingredients 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup nondairy milk of choice I love to add a scoop of chocolate or vanilla complete protein powder

Peanut Butter and Jelly 2 t. peanut butter (extra to drizzle if desired) 1 t. chia seeds 4-5 strawberries, mashed or chopped 1 t. maple syrup dash of sea salt

Banana Bread 1/2 mashed banana 2 T. chopped pecans or walnuts 1/2 t. vanilla extract 1/2 t. cinnamon Dash of sea salt 1 T. ground f lax (optional) 2 t. maple syrup

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip 2 t. peanut butter

Blueberry Muffin 1/4 cup blueberries 1 T. cashew butter (or almond but-

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1 t. chia seeds 1 t. maple syrup 1 T. chocolate chips (I love mini chips!) dash of sea salt Strawberries & Cream 4-5 strawberries, sliced or chopped 1 t. chia seeds 1-2 t. maple syrup 2-3 t. cream (half & half or heavy cream) dash of sea salt Almond Joy 2 T. shredded coconut, unsweetened 1 T. sliced almonds 1 T. chocolate chips 1 t. chia seeds

1/2 t. vanilla small drop of almond extract (it’s

Tidewater Kitchen

2 cups sliced white mushrooms 1/2 t. fresh garlic, smashed 10 large eggs 1 cup Mexican cheese, shredded 2 medium avocado 1/8 t. salt 1/8 t. black pepper, ground 1/2 cup Salsa Authentica, I love Trader Joe’s Top off with your favorite hot sauce

strong, so less than 1/4 t.) dash of sea salt For All Recipes Combine base ingredients plus add-ins for desired f lavor in a bowl or jar that can be sealed and is microwave safe (if you plan to heat it). Stir well. Refrigerate overnight. Add an extra splash of nondairy milk if needed before serving. Serve hot or cold. For some extra fiber and protein, I like to add complete protein powder and am happy to share more info you want!

In a large skillet with a little drizzled olive oil place over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, spinach, mushrooms and smashed garlic. Saute until spinach is wilted and mushrooms are soft. Transfer the mixture to a dish and set aside. Drizzle a little olive oil in the pan and pour in whisked eggs. Cook until eggs are no longer runny and season with salt and pepper to taste. Lay out six tortillas and divide the pancetta-mushroom mixture evenly among them, then do the same with the eggs. Top each tortilla stack with a small handful of Mexican cheese and some slices of avocado. Fold up tortillas and serve warm with salsa or hot sauce.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS 16 ounces pancetta 4 cups fresh spinach

BREAKFAST EGG CUPS These are perfect for breakfast on the go. Make them ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze them, and then heat them in the microwave or toaster oven when you are ready to eat. 72

6 large egg 1/4 cup milk 1/8 t. salt 1/8 t. black pepper, ground 1 medium red bell pepper 3/4 cup raw spinach 1 ounce shredded cheddar cheese ~ (you can use the cheese of your choice) Spray a muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Dice the bell pepper into small pieces. Stack the spinach leaves, roll them up and slice them thin. (This method is called chiffonade.)

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Tidewater Kitchen

hole toast, you need to prepare the creamy avocado spread. Mash together the avocado, lime juice, chives, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside. Use a glass or cookie cutter to cut a 2.5- to 3-inch circle from the center of each bread slice. Thicker bread works best for making egg in a hole, but any bread will work. Add 2 T. of butter to a large nonstick skillet and heat over mediumlow heat until butter melts. Add the bread and bread rounds. Cook until golden brown on the first side, about 1 to 2 minutes. Flip, then crack one egg into the hole of each peace of bread. Season eggs with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and cook the eggs for roughly 3 to 6 minutes. Once the eggs are cooked, remove from the skillet, then spread the avocado mixture around the edges of the egg toast. The bread rounds will cook faster than the eggs (in about 1 to 2 minutes); remove them from the skillet as soon as they’re golden brown and place on a plate. Recipe is best warm and fresh. On days when you’re in a rush, simply fry up the eggs and place on top of the avocado toast. The presentation isn’t as nice, but the f lavor is still good!

Add the peppers, spinach and shredded cheddar to the egg mixture. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake for 20-25 minutes until centers are set and no longer runny. Allow to cool slightly before serving. EGG-IN-A-HOLE AVOCADO TOAST Slather warm egg-in-a-hole toast with a creamy avocado spread f lavored with fresh chives and lime juice. This avocado toast with egg is easy, ready in 15 minutes and a perfect protein-packed breakfast anytime of the day! This recipe serves 2. 1 avocado 1 whole lime, juiced 2 T. fresh chives Kosher salt and pepper, to taste 2 pieces artisan-style bread Unsalted butter 2 Eggs Before making the egg-in-a-

BREAKFAST QUESADILLA 6 eggs 1/4 cup milk (any kind) Salt and pepper, to taste 74

1/2 green pepper, diced 4 T. unsalted butter, divided 6 slices bacon, cooked, drained, and roughly chopped 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

6 medium soft tortilla shells In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Add green peppers and stir to combine (see note below). Set aside. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture and cook until no longer runny, stirring often. Remove eggs to separate plate. In the same skillet (wipe, if needed), melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Place one tortilla shell in middle of pan. Top with 1/4 cup cheese, leaving a half-inch border around tortilla. Spread eggs in an even layer on top of cheese, followed by bacon and a sprinkling of more cheese.

Tidewater Kitchen

hardened quesadillas to a freezer bag and freeze up to three months.

Place second tortilla shell on top of egg mixture and lightly press down. Heat for 2-3 minutes on both sides, or until shell is slightly golden and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortilla shells. Serve immediately. I chose not to sauté the green peppers before adding to the eggs, which keeps them slightly crunchy. If you prefer softened green peppers, sauté them in a tablespoon of unsalted butter/oil until softened before adding to eggs. These freeze well. Just assemble the quesadillas, then let them cool completely. Once cooled, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and freeze until hard (about 1 to 2 hours). Transfer the

SMOOTHIE BOWL This easy strawberry-banana smoothie bowl is a simple and sweet treat! It’s a healthy Paleo and vegan breakfast or snack made with only a few ingredients, and you can add whichever toppings your heart desires to customize to your tastes. 1 banana, frozen 1-1/2 cups frozen strawberries 1/2 cup nondairy milk of choice, unsweetened 1 scoop vanilla Complete by Juiceplus. This plant-based protein powder is my favorite Slivered almonds, optional Combine frozen banana, frozen strawberries, and nondairy milk in a blender. Puree until completely smooth ~ the mixture should be thick. Add a touch more liquid if necessary to get it to blend completely smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add almonds and homemade granola on top. Enjoy! HOMEMADE GRANOLA This delicious granola recipe is sweetened with honey. It’s made with oats, olive oil, almonds and pepitas. It makes about 8 cups granola, or enough for about 16 halfcup servings. 76

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1-1/2 cups raw nuts and/or seeds (I used 1 cup almonds and ½ cup pepitas) 3/4 t. kosher salt 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup honey 1 t. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend. Pour in the oil, honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large

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Tidewater Kitchen

cook each omelet separately, right? But if you bake them, you pour your eggs into a pan, add your desired toppings and bake! Then you roll it up and slice for the whole family to enjoy.

spoon to spread it in an even layer. Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press down with your spatula after stirring to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

6 large eggs 1 cup milk 1/2 cup f lour 1 cup sliced Crimini mushrooms 1 medium green bell pepper, diced 1 medium red bell pepper, diced 4 ounces cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 450°. Blend eggs, milk and f lour in a blender until smooth. Pour in a well-greased 9” x 13” pan. Add onions, mushrooms and peppers. Bake for 20 minutes. When the eggs are cooked through, top with cheese. If you didn’t include veggies, add salsa now. Roll up, starting with the short end of the pan. Place on platter and slice.

BAKED OMELET Baked omelets are an easy way to make breakfast for your whole family! When making traditional omelets, your time is spent hanging out over a hot stove while you

MOM’S DELICIOUS PUMPKIN MUFFINS Sift together: 1 cup f lour 2 t. baking powder 1/4 t. salt 1/2 t. cinnamon 1/4 t. nutmeg Cream: 2/3 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup butter 78

Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix well and pour into greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes on second shelf. Makes one dozen normal muffin tin full. I love to bake these and then put extras in the freezer for when friends or my sweet son stop by. A longtime resident of Oxford, Pamela Meredith, formerly Denver’s NBC Channel 9 Children’s Chef, now teaches both adult and children’s cooking classes on the south shore of Massachusetts. For more of Pam’s recipes, visit the Story Archive tab at tidewatertimes.com.

1/2 cup pumpkin 2 t. milk

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TIDEWATER GARDENING

by K. Marc Teffeau, Ph.D.

March Mayhem Winter is usually hard enough on gardeners when it is considered a “normal” winter, whatever that might be. Now, COVID-19 has been added to the equation! As if not being able to get outside because of the cold weather was challenging, now we must hunker down because of the virus. In March, we have the

tease that spring is coming and a reminder that winter is still here. Charles Dickens wrote in Great Expectations, “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” But never fear, March has finally

Tidewater Gardening

conditions become favorable for new leaves to appear. Although you may not realize it, the roots of most trees and woody shrubs begin to grow when the soil temperature reaches 40º. You may have ordered the bare-root fruit trees from the nursery catalog early in winter, and they now need to be planted. It is essential to plant them as soon as they arrive so that their roots do not dry out. If you cannot plant them the same day they arrive, be sure to keep the roots moist until you can. March is also an excellent time to plant those balled and burlapped (B & B) and container-grown shrubs and trees into the home landscape. Planting in March will give them time to become established before the hot weather appears. If you plant B&B plants, pay close attention to the burlap around the root

arrived! The Spring Equinox will be on March 20, the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. I am ready to get outside and do some digging in the dirt! So, what to do? On those decent March days, there are a lot of outside gardening activities. If you did not get around to doing your shrub and tree planting last fall, you could get it done in March. Late winter and early spring are the best times to transplant all bare-root plants. The roots of bare-root plants must become well established before their buds break into active growth. To develop and grow correctly, leaves and young developing stems require a constant supply of water and nutrients. These needs can only be met by transplanting the plants early, before growing

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Tidewater Gardening ball. It may look like burlap but, in fact, could be a brown polypropylene plastic material. This “synthetic” burlap enclosing the roots must be removed entirely before the plant is placed in the ground. If you purchase B&B plants, to be on the safe side, remove the material covering the root ball. If the tree’s root ball is weighty, plant the tree in the hole, peel the material down to the bottom of the hole and cut it off if you cannot remove it altogether. If you ordered bramble plants, grapes, strawberries and other small fruit varieties, they should be planted quickly after their arrival. Don’t be in a rush to remove

mulch from existing strawberry plantings. Leave it over your plants to protect them from late cold spells. When plants start to grow, the mulch must be removed

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to allow leaves to develop in the light. If leaves develop under the mulch, they will become etiolated (blanched) and yellow from lack of chlorophyll and may burn and die when exposed to the sun. With the relatively mild winter we experienced in January and early February, tulips, narcissus and hyacinths have been stimulated into active growth. Many home gardeners worry about these new soft succulent leaves and try to protect them from freezing temperatures. Experience has shown that these newly emerging leaves are winter hardy, and this is little to worry about when you see them appearing in late winter and early spring. Since the flower buds are

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Tidewater Gardening

While we wait for the spring bulbs to flower, we can add an early touch of color to the flower bed by planting pansies, violas, “Johnny Jump Ups” and snapdragons. Pansies and their relatives and snapdragons are reasonably cold tolerant and will brighten up the front of the house. There are many different cultivars of pansies with a wide range of colors. This can help you be creative in your planting design, whether you mix colors or use large swaths of the same color for effect. Many of us are used to seeing snapdragons in flower arrangements from the local florist. These are specifically bred snapdragon cultivars that are grown in the greenhouse for arrangements. How-

still within the bulb in the ground, the chances are that the bulbs will flower as usual, but probably slightly ahead of schedule.

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Tidewater Gardening

found at retail outlets are typically dwarf cultivars. The NGB Dwarf varieties (6-10 inches tall, 10-12 inches wide) include Candy Tops, Crackle and Pop, Floral Showers, Palette, Snappy, Snapshot and Twinny. Medium series (16-24 inches tall, 12-18 inches wide) includes Liberty Classic, Solstice, Speedy Sonnet and Sonnet. Tall snapdragons (2430 inches tall, 14-16 inches wide) include Madame Butterfly and Rocket. The Rocket Series can grow as tall as 36 inches and is available in single color or mixed assortments. They give a nice background height to the flower border. Snapdragons are fragrant, which adds a nice dimension to their use

ever, many snapdragon cultivars do great in the landscape flower bed. Snapdragon varieties come in different heights, from 8 to 36 inches tall. Tall types can be used as fresh cuts in floral arrangements, dwarf and medium varieties in containers and garden plantings. When you look at the plant label in the pot or tray at the garden center, it will usually indicate if the variety is a dwarf, intermediate or tall, depending on its mature height. The National Garden Bureau (NGB) selected snapdragons as one of its plants of the year for 2019. The NGB noted that the snapdragons

in the flower bed. If you do not want to buy snapdragon transplants, you can seed them directly in the flower bed in March. If you want to spice up the annual bed, many annual flowers are very frost hardy when the plants are small. You can sow other flower seeds in March, including alyssum, California poppy, candy tuft, larkspur, pansy, viola, phlox, pinks, Shirley poppy, snapdragons, stock and sweet pea as soon as the soil has thawed.

Most years, March tends to be a rainy month. A wet March slows the planting of early spring cool-season crops. However, if we run into a dry spell, be ready to spread the lime, fertilizer and organic matter over the vegetable garden and till it under if you didn’t get to it last fall. A tradition for many Tidewater gar89

Tidewater Gardening

plants, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and leaf and head lettuces. Make provisions to cover or protect them if severe weather is forecast. Plastic milk jugs with the bottoms cut out provide suitable protection when placed over the transplants. You can tackle the perennial bed in March if the ground is not too wet. Divide and transplant summer- and fall-blooming perennials like astilbe, aster, bleeding heart, coral bells, daylilies, phlox and Shasta daisies. Remember to rework the beds before replanting, adding compost, lime and fertilizer if needed. Go easy on the fertilizer, however, as perennials don’t require

deners is to plant white potatoes and peas on St. Patrick’s Day. Do not add lime to the area for potatoes. The lower pH helps control scab. Edible pod peas like Sugar Snap and Sugar Ann can be planted in mid-March. Other cool-season crops that can be directly seeded into the garden in March include beets, carrots, turnips, kale, lettuce, Swiss chard, onions sets, radishes and spinach. Most spinach varieties give out in warm weather, so make sowings every week for three or four weeks to have an adequate, fresh supply coming up until June. Wait until the middle to end of the month to set out broccoli trans-

Tidewater Gardening

March’s milder days are excellent times to do cleanup in the perennial beds. First, check the plants for frost heaving. This is likely to occur in gardens that were not mulched last fall, but it may even happen in mulched sites. Freezing winter weather can cause ice to form in the soil under the plants and can push them out of the ground. Heaving exposes the crown of the plants and roots to the harsh temperatures and drying winds. If you have any frostheaved plants, gently “tramp” them back in the ground. To do this, carefully place your foot alongside each plant and firmly step down, pushing it back into the bed and packing soil around its roots. Second, look under mulched perennials to see if their crowns are showing new green growth. If they are, it’s time to loosen the mulch. Please don’t remove it yet, however. Delay removing the mulch until the chance of extended below-freezing weather has passed. When you do remove the mulch, be sure to cut back the old flower stems and remove dead leaves. Dispose of them rather than leaving them in the garden. Happy Gardening!

a whole lot. A standard fertilizer recommendation for perennials is 5-10-5, or you can apply one of the “slow-release” formulations now available on the market for perennials and annuals. Ensure that the fertilizer is placed on the soil surface and does not end up in the perennial plant’s crown. Fertilizer in the plant’s crown, as this will cause burning of the crown.

Marc Teffeau retired as Director of Research and Regulatory Affairs at the American Nursery and Landscape Association in Washington, D.C. He now lives in Georgia with his wife, Linda. 92

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Dorchester Map and History

Dorchester County is known as the Heart of the Chesapeake. It is rich in Chesapeake Bay history, folklore and tradition. With 1,700 miles of shoreline (more than any other Maryland county), marshlands, working boats, quaint waterfront towns and villages among fertile farm fields – much still exists of what is the authentic Eastern Shore landscape and traditional way of life along the Chesapeake. For more information about Dorchester County visit https://tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/dorchester/. 95

Oysters SOAR by A.M. Foley

termen and aquaculturists a large percentage of their customers. After decades of lying dormant, oyster culture had been expanding rapidly in recent years, a trend brought to a screeching halt when the pandemic suddenly struck the restaurant industry in March 2020. Normally, restaurants account for an estimated 70 percent of overall seafood consumption. In the particular case of oysters, as high as 95 percent are consumed away from home. Apparently, home cooks are leery of having to shuck oysters, perhaps unaware of the fact that one minute or less in a microwave oven will open an oys-

A new program called SOAR is offering relief from a COVID19-related problem menacing some Chesapeake Bay watermen. Noninfectious effects from COVID-19 are so widespread they threaten oyster beds under Chesapeake Bay, not with the virus but with fatal ripple effects. Oysters are immune to COVID-19, but the pandemic is impacting raw bars and seafood restaurants, along with their suppliers and staying-at-home patrons. The necessity of shelterin-place directives and limited restaurant service has resulted in business closures or drastically limited dining service, costing oys-

Oysters SOAR ter. (Just try to pick a crab in one minute.) Of course, pre-shucked oysters are widely available and totally user-friendly, filet-of-oyster not being an issue. Why more seafood lovers aren’t eager to take advantage of this traditional convenience food is puzzling, considering their historic popularity. Following the Civil War, development of canneries coincided with westward railroad expansion. Inland settlers were so receptive to shipments of canned, shucked oysters that some shingled roofs with crushed oyster cans. As canneries around the Bay multiplied in the latter 1800s, the

push to adequately supply processors spawned a state program to lease barren Bay bottom to oystermen. These pioneering nineteenth-

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erosion, industrial pollution . . . or all of the above. Whatever the causes, one benefit of the decline is that traditional oystermen have been hedging their bets by becoming involved in aquaculture rather

century aquaculturists planted emptied shells and seed oysters underwater on ground leased from the state, growing their own beds of oysters where none had existed. The results could be harvested at will, in or out of season. A few of these private beds survive today in the hands of the same families that created them. Over the last century and a half, the wild oyster harvest from natural reefs has drastically declined. This fall off is attributed, depending on one’s point of view, to diseases (natural or introduced by scientific experiments), over-harvesting by oystermen, state regulators (wise or ill informed), waterfront overdevelopment, silt from

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St. Michaels Map and History

On the broad Miles River, with its picturesque tree-lined streets and beautiful harbor, St. Michaels has been a haven for boats plying the Chesapeake and its inlets since the earliest days. Here, some of the handsomest models of the Bay craft, such as canoes, bugeyes, pungys and some famous Baltimore Clippers, were designed and built. The Church, named “St. Michael’s,” was the first building erected (about 1677) and around it clustered the town that took its name. For a walking tour and more history of the St. Michaels area visit https://tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/st-michaels-maryland/. 101

Oysters SOAR than relying totally on harvesting from natural oyster grounds. Widespread support for aquaculture reflects assorted stakeholders favoring cultured oysters as a solution to declining natural reefs. Environmentalists favor increasing oyster populations because a single mature adult is said to be capable of filtering nutrients and pollutants from fifty gallons of water per day. Bayside landowners find that floating cages of farm-raised oysters disrupt wave action and slow shoreline erosion. All of us in the food chain benefit from reefs that provide valuable habitat for young finfish and crabs. Back on land, state agencies and

environmental organizations have multiple interests in maintaining a viable seafood industry, for economic as well as ecological reasons. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation calculates that the regional seafood industry in a normal year contributed $4.6 billion to the regional economy, supplying more than 30,000 jobs. The CBF itself had revenue over $38 million in fiscal 2020. More than 100 kindred, lesser-known organizations aid the CBF’s endeavors to Save the Bay. The states of Maryland and Virginia have their own semi-aquatic bureaucracies, scientists and enforcement personnel overseeing Bay environment, seafood harvest and marketing. Thus, the states developed financial initiatives to

102

Oxford Map and History

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Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland. Although already settled for perhaps 20 years, Oxford Oxford Bellevue Ferry marks the year 1683 177 166 as its official founding, 155 nd Stra St. 144 for in that year Oxford The 133 was first named by n a 18 8 19 9 hm Tilg the Maryland General k e e Assembly as a seaport Cr 122 St. n and was laid out as a son il W 11 East town. In 1694, OxSt. lair St. t nc 10 e Si rk St. Ma ford and a new town Oxford 9 t. Park hS called Anne Arundel son Hig 8 Richard . St (now Annapolis) were n Divisio St. selected the only ports of entry for the entire i Town Rd. non . eek Cr e B Ave Maryland province. n 3 isio t. Until the American S Div W. 2 Revolution, Oxford 1 t. S ne enjoyed prominence roli 7 ad Ro Ca d 333 Oxfor To Easton as an international Pleasant Oxford St. Community shipping center surCenter Hbr. Robes t. 4 C rounded by wealthy E. Pier St. Pier St. tobacco plantations. Oxford Today, Oxford is a © John Norton 6 5 charming tree-lined and waterbound village with a population of just over 700 and is still important in boat building and yachting. It has a protected harbor for watermen who harvest oysters, crabs, clams and fish, and for sailors from all over the Bay. For a walking tour and more history visit https://tidewatertimes. com/travel-tourism/oxford-maryland/.

Oysters SOAR encourage oystermen to venture into aquaculture. When COVID-19 struck, these efforts were supplemented by a new coalition funded largely on profits from Big Oil. In October 2020, Pew Charitable Trusts threw a sorely needed lifeline to oyster farmers: trickle-down economics reaching to the depths of Chesapeake Bay. Pew Charitable Trusts was instrumental in establishing an initiative dubbed Sup-

porting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), which unites The Nature Conservancy (TNC), U. S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) in Maryland and several other coastal states. The ultra-conservative pair of brothers who established the Pew trusts surely would have been averse to joining hands with such an alphabet soup of acronyms. The Philadelphia office of the trusts’ late, longtime chairman, J. Howard Pew, displayed portraits of two Americans he most admired: Pres-

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ident Herbert C. Hoover and Reverend Billy Graham. Howard and his younger brother, Joseph Pew, Jr., had joined their father, Joseph, in the Sun Oil Company in the late 1800s. When John D. Rockefeller elbowed the senior Joseph out of oil-drilling in his native Pennsylvania, the dispossessed oilman looked westward, just in time to partake of the “Texas Tea” gushing from the Spindletop strike in Southeast Texas. Joseph’s two sons, Howard and Joseph, were forerunners of better-known ultra-conservative sibling duos f lush with Texas oil money: the Hunts, who cornered the silver market in 1980, and, more recently, the renowned Koch

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Oysters SOAR brothers. In their day, though, the publicity-shy Pews managed to avoid the national limelight. The Pew charitable foundations donated to conservative politicians and religious causes, but at a rather parsimonious rate. Perhaps a dearth of acceptable donees lowered the percentage of funds dispensed from the millions swelling the tax-saving trusts. It took an act of Congress in 1969 to loosen the purse strings of Pew Charitable Trusts. Luckily for struggling Chesapeake oyster farmers worried about getting through the current year, the Pews’ legacy trusts have

since become more active and diversified. Under the SOAR program, trust administrators hope to augment the income of 100 oyster growers in several states. The goal is to maintain viable oyster farming and relieve the current crisis by salvaging unmarketable but environmentally valuable oysters. Oystermen are, of necessity, acclimated to the f luctuations Mother Nature causes in their catch and income. The health of stationary oyster ground waxes and wanes in reaction to seasonal variations in the weather, especially salinity levels rising and falling from hurricanes or droughts. To such drastic extremes are added ever-shifting tweaking of government regula-

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106

tions. But no f luctuation compares to the halt from restaurant closures toward the end of the 2020 oyster season. Earlier in 2020, one typical dealer at the Jessup Wholesale Seafood Center saw his daily truckloads of sales to restaurants, hotels and caterers decline from thirty trips to seven. Wholesalers were forced to drastically reduce seafood purchases. When restricted reopening became permissible now and then in the summer, restaurants struggled to find ways to survive with limited indoor service, outdoor dining or carryout. Through the summer and into fall and winter, oyster farmers coped with the ebb and f low of sales in support of

restaurants’ adjustments and readjustments. Also, most growers made efforts at direct sales, with mixed results. Meanwhile, out on the farms, cultured oysters continue to grow. Without adequate markets, many oysters reach an undesirable size, not suitable for such half-shell demand as survives. The preferred presentation of half-shells is an iced array composed of similar, well-formed 3-inch oysters. If overgrown in crowded conditions, the product’s value declines or disappears altogether. SOAR sponsors the purchase of oversize and surplus farmraised oysters for transplantation to existing reefs, with an aim to

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Oysters SOAR spur future, post-virus productivity while improving water quality. The program hopes to transplant more than 5 million adult oysters in seven states: Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Washington. A fund of $2 million will be dedicated to purchases over a two-year period. An additional $1 million will establish the Shellfish Growers Resilience Fund to “address some of the underlying challenges growers face.” The SOAR initiative provides growers a new outlet, one that benefits the environment while affording aquaculturists some relief. Pew Charitable Trusts’ stated aim:

“Adding large, healthy adult oysters through the SOAR initiative could rapidly accelerate progress on the restoration programs.” They also wish that, as a by-product, the program might seed more cooperation between private and public industry, government and environmental agencies.

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Oysters SOAR In Maryland, transplanting will be restricted to oyster sanctuaries previously established by the state as off-limits for harvesting. From the growing number of areas thus forbidden to individual watermen, three were selected to be augmented with SOAR oysters: sanctuaries in the Nanticoke and St. Mary’s rivers, and the Mill Hill sanctuary south of Kent Island. These sites were chosen by The Nature Conservancy and the Department of Natural Resources for having firm substrate suitable for planting, and fertile environments for reproduction. While these efforts are ongoing in coastal waters from Maine to Washington State, seafood lovers sheltering at home can enjoy

numerous online videos of How to Shuck an Oyster, some more professional than others. Of recipes available, Oysters Rockefeller remains popular, though these were likely banned from Joseph Pew’s table. As Forrest Gump might say, one can also find oysters raw, smoked, broiled, stewed, single fried, frittered (in Dorchester County, f littered), po’ boys, pot pied, mignonette and so forth. Forty-some years ago, A.M. Foley swapped the Washington, D.C., business scene for a writing life on Elliott Island, Maryland. Tidewater Times has kindly published portions of one upcoming work, Chesapeake Bay Island Hopping, along with other regional musings. Foley’s published works are described at www.HollandIslandBook.com.

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Creating Serenity on Hoopers Island by Scott Philip Goergens

The world has been going through incredible shifts in the cosmos, with a monumental planetary alignment that has not happened for almost 800 years. Fires have consumed great swaths of land and highways, and businesses have emptied. As unrest crosses the globe in the wake of a pandemic ~ the scale of which is still being determined ~ each of us has sought ways to process all that we have experienced. How do we move forward, and how do we heal? Some artists find this time of isolation and fear difficult to navigate. Others, like Maryland artist Tracy Lambros, use this time to process and purge these feelings. When we stop and push out the thoughts that do not serve us, we can sit with what does. Lambros sits with what does as she experiences, and is inspired by, the open spaces and environments that bring peace to the soul. The waterways, marshlands, farms, roads and towns of the Chesapeake Bay region have become places of serenity and contemplation for Lambros over the years, and especially recently. Despite the challenging events of our times, the view from Lambros’s

Tracy Lambros studio window of Tar Bay remains the same. The clouds still move across the sky, and the sun continues to rise and set every day to create a new and magnificent array of color and form across the landscape and horizon: a pattern of timeless beauty that have drawn her and her husband, Will, to live on beautiful Hoopers Island since 2007. Tracy recounts ~ “Will and I

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Creating Serenity were drawn to Hoopers Island because of the tranquility and the natural beauty of the island and the

Barren Island

bay. Our Baltimore-based friends, who also live on Horns Point, introduced us to the island and gave us a driving tour with a stop off at a fried chicken and oyster fundraiser at the local Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company. After a second visit and an introduction to the seafood at Old Salty’s,we were smitten, and it has been a sanctuary and an escape from our busy lives in Baltimore ever since. We truly begin to unwind as we cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and love being part of the small community of Fishing Creek. Our home is a century-old traditional farmhouse, which needed quite a bit of love and renovation, and is still very much a work in progress.

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Creating Serenity Originally, I had hoped that an old barn on the property would be my studio, but unfortunately it could not be salvaged. Scarborough Fair of Mardela Springs designed and built a studio for me close to the house, and it worked out perfectly.” When asked how the pandemic impacted their lives on the island, Lambros said, “Prior to the pan-

demic, we entertained friends and family from out of town often, but in 2020, that ended, and we didn’t see our friends in the community as often, either. While there was a somberness that blanketed our moods because of the chaos, sadness and unrest in the world, we found some bright spots in our days in that we were able to have lunch together often, take more bike rides and hikes, and we teamed up

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Creating Serenity with friends to find homes for a litter of stray kittens on the island. With almost all our professional and social engagements cancelled, postponed or relegated to “virtual” due to COVID-19 restrictions, we spent most of our time on the island from April through early November. It is my practice to work in the studio every day, so that did not change, and I was truly able to focus on creating work for my new exhibition. My husband worked remotely from an office he set up in the house because his Baltimorebased office was closed.” While mentally preparing for the exhibit this time last year (be-

fore COVID-19 was what it has become), Lambros thought her art would continue in the vein and ref lect the tranquility of some of the works shown in What Resonates, her 2019 exhibition at Gallery Blue Door. “One particular painting titled Serenity comes to mind as the direction in which I had anticipated moving. However, in 2020, the peaceful, idyllic island life that lends itself to that state of mind was challenged by a myriad of emotions brought on by a country in politic turmoil, natural disasters and a world in crisis due to the pandemic. The palettes and atmosphere created in some of my works, like Red Tar Bay 1 and Red Tar Bay 2, ref lect that the fires out west (and

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Creating Serenity in other parts of the world) were on my mind. I remember pondering what if that happened to our tiny, quiet community ~ it was unfathomable, and my heart ached for the victims. Even though the island was relatively peaceful, my mind

was restless and anxious ~ and my heart was heavy.” Lambros’s artist’s statement for her upcoming solo exhibition, titled Transcend, at Gallery Blue Door touches on her frame of mind while creating her new work: “Painting has always been my way to not only interpret my world,

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but also to transcend it. When in my studio and deeply immersed in the process of painting, the chaos of our times falls away. These works, created mostly in 2020, were inspired by the natural surroundings on Hoopers Island, the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge and the Chesapeake Bay region ~ places that provided tranquil sanctuaries throughout a turbulent year. Current events, however, were ever present in my mind and heart as I worked each day. The daily emotional whiplash triggered by seemingly endless horrifying and unconscionable events also informed this body of work, however, did not define it. Transcendence for me is a peaceful rebellion.”

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Creating Serenity (MICA). She lived in Manhattan for nearly a decade (including a year on a houseboat on the Hudson River), where she maintained a studio and began exhibiting her artwork professionally. She moved back to Maryland, earned her graduate degree, met her husband

and works full time as an artist. She is known for her luminous oil paintings that evoke land, sea and sky. Transcend will be her second solo exhibition at Gallery Blue Door. Her paintings, photographs and drawings have been exhibited nationally and internationally in solo, juried and invitational shows and are widely collected. She was

Tracy Lambros’s studio. 122

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Creating Serenity recently awarded a Purchase Prize by Circle Gallery in coordination with National Harbor for painting Luminous Eventide 1. Lambros’s painting Cerrillos Sky and her photograph Kauai 3 were accepted into the Annual Cumberland Valley Artists Exhibition and the Annual Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibition at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and are currently on view there. In 2020, her works were accepted into the highly competitive 9 for 19 nine-person exhibition at First Street Gallery in New York City. When not in her studio, she spends time traveling,

seeing exhibitions, bike riding, reading, gardening and advocating for causes that make the world a less violent and more equitable place to live. Transcend will be on view at Gallery Blue Door in Baltimore March 20-April 24, 2021. For more information and to arrange a private viewing, visit gallerybluedoor.com or contact Scott Goergens directly at gallerybluedoor@ gmail.com. You can see additional art at tracylambros.art. Scott Philip Goergens is the director of Gallery Blue Door in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Kent County and Chestertown at a Glance Kent County is a treasury of early American history. Its principal towns and back roads abound with beautiful old homes and historic landmarks. The area was first explored by Captain John Smith in 1608. Kent County was founded in 1642 and named for the shire in England that was the home of many of Kent’s earliest colonists. When the first legislature assembled in 1649, Kent County was one of two counties in the colony, thus making it the oldest on the Eastern Shore. It extended from Kent Island to the present boundary. The first settlement, New Yarmouth, thrived for a time and, until the founding of Chestertown, was the area’s economic, social and religious center. Chestertown, the county seat, was founded in 1706 and served as a port of entry during colonial times. A town rich in history, its attractions include a blend of past and present. Its brick sidewalks and attractive antiques stores, restaurants and inns beckon all to wander through the historic district and enjoy homes and places with architecture ranging from the Georgian mansions of wealthy colonial merchants to the elaborate style of the Victorian era. Second largest district of restored 18th-century homes in Maryland, Chestertown is also home to Washington College, the nation’s tenth oldest liberal arts college, founded in 1782. Washington College was also the only college that was given permission by George Washington for the use of his name, as well as given a personal donation of money. The beauty of the Eastern Shore and its waterways, the opportunity for boating and recreation, the tranquility of a rural setting and the ambiance of living history offer both visitors and residents a variety of pleasing experiences. A wealth of events and local entertainment make a visit to Chestertown special at any time of the year. For more information about events and attractions in Kent County, contact the Kent County Visitor Center at 410-778-0416, visit www. kentcounty.com or e-mail tourism@kentcounty.com. For information about the Historical Society of Kent County, call 410-778-3499 or visit www.kentcountyhistory.org/geddes.php. For more info. visit www.chestertown.com. 127

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Queen Anne’s County The history of Queen Anne’s County dates back to the earliest Colonial settlements in Maryland. Small hamlets began appearing in the northern portion of the county in the 1600s. Early communities grew up around transportation routes, the rivers and streams, and then roads and eventually railroads. Small towns were centers of economic and social activity and evolved over the years from thriving centers of tobacco trade to communities boosted by the railroad boom. Queenstown was the original county seat when Queen Anne’s County was created in 1706, but that designation was passed on to Centreville in 1782. It’s location was important during the 18th century, because it is near a creek that, during that time, could be navigated by tradesmen. A hub for shipping and receiving, Queenstown was attacked by English troops during the War of 1812. Construction of the Federal-style courthouse in Centreville began in 1791 and is the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the state of Maryland. Today, Centreville is the largest town in Queen Anne’s County. With its relaxed lifestyle and tree-lined streets, it is a classic example of small town America. The Stevensville Historic District, also known as Historic Stevensville, is a national historic district in downtown Stevensville, Queen Anne’s County. It contains roughly 100 historic structures, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located primarily along East Main Street, a portion of Love Point Road, and a former section of Cockey Lane. The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center in Chester at Kent Narrows provides and overview of the Chesapeake region’s heritage, resources and culture. The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center serves as Queen Anne’s County’s official welcome center. Queen Anne’s County is also home to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (formerly Horsehead Wetland Center), located in Grasonville. The CBEC is a 500-acre preserve just 15 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area. Embraced by miles of scenic Chesapeake Bay waterways and graced with acres of pastoral rural landscape, Queen Anne’s County offers a relaxing environment for visitors and locals alike. For more information about Queen Anne’s County, visit www.qac.org. 129

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Tilghman’s Island “Great Choptank Island” was granted to Seth Foster in 1659. Thereafter it was known as Foster’s Island, and remained so through a succession of owners until Matthew Tilghman of Claiborne inherited it in 1741. He and his heirs owned the island for over a century and it has been Tilghman’s Island ever since, though the northern village and the island’s postal designation are simply “Tilghman.” For its first 175 years, the island was a family farm, supplying grains, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs and timber. Although the owners rarely were in residence, many slaves were: an 1817 inventory listed 104. The last Tilghman owner, General Tench Tilghman (not Washington’s aide-de-camp), removed the slaves in the 1830s and began selling off lots. In 1849, he sold his remaining interests to James Seth, who continued the development. The island’s central location in the middle Bay is ideally suited for watermen harvesting the Bay in all seasons. The years before the Civil War saw the influx of the first families we know today. A second wave arrived after the War, attracted by the advent of oyster dredging in the 1870s. Hundreds of dredgers and tongers operated out of Tilghman’s Island, their catches sent to the cities by schooners. Boat building, too, was an important industry. The boom continued into the 1890s, spurred by the arrival of steamboat service, which opened vast new markets for Bay seafood. Islanders quickly capitalized on the opportunity as several seafood buyers set up shucking and canning operations on pilings at the edge of the shoal of Dogwood Cove. The discarded oyster shells eventually became an island with seafood packing houses, hundreds of workers, a store, and even a post office. The steamboats also brought visitors who came to hunt, fish, relax and escape the summer heat of the cities. Some families stayed all summer in one of the guest houses that sprang up in the villages of Tilghman, Avalon, Fairbank and Bar Neck. Although known for their independence, Tilghman’s Islanders enjoy showing visitors how to pick a crab, shuck an oyster or find a good fishing spot. In the twentieth century, Islanders pursued these vocations in farming, on the water, and in the thriving seafood processing industry. The “Tilghman Brand” was known throughout the eastern United States, but as the Bay’s bounty diminished, so did the number of water-related jobs. Still, three of the few remaining Bay skipjacks (sailing dredgeboats) can be seen here, as well as two working harbors with scores of power workboats. 131

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Changes:

All American Part XVIII of a novel in many parts

by Roger Vaughan Previously: The year is 1988. Andy Thomas made an ill-advised tactical call during a race in 50foot sailboats that nearly caused a dangerous collision. His father, Mitchell (at the helm), was livid. Later, at the awards dinner, a drunken Andy delivered a public declaration that made it virtually impossible for Mitchell Thomas, a well-known amateur sailor, not to mount a Round the World Race challenge. Okay, you know the rest, but if you missed anything or need a refresher, go to www.tidewatertimes.com (writers, Roger Vaughan), where you can find all previous chapters. ***

ndy was stretched out on his bunk, drifting in a semiconscious state as a result of some crazy drug Sargent had said would relax him. It had relaxed him, all right. Knocked him right out. He’d gotten the fax several hours ago, and it was still a bolt out of the blue. Deedee was dead. Not much else. The message

was in formal language, like a lawyer had written it. Signed by Mitch. Deedee had “passed away peacefully” in her sleep. Period. Died? Really?! My mother? Andy had been stunned, devastated, then enraged by the cold tone of the note, an electronic message sent to her son who was f loating around on a boat a thousand miles from nowhere, already detached from social reality, in limbo. Andy had never quite gotten used to the remoteness of being on board a small boat in the open ocean. The impossibility to respond to a dire circumstance, the inability to get somewhere when he was needed, had turned remoteness into frustration resembling torture. First the Mountain View debacle, now this, Deedee, his mother, the only real foundation in his otherwise untethered life. His mother who really loved him. Gone. He knew she wasn’t in great shape. He knew she had given in to what seemed to him like minor ailments, and, okay, she was an alcoholic, but hell, a well-paced, functional alcoholic,

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them had tried to be helpful. Andy had been raving about getting a helike she could live to be a hundred. licopter to lift him off so he could fly Andy didn’t have much experi- home. Joe had sat with him while ence where death was concerned. the drug was taking charge, good He was just a kid when his grand- old practical Joe Dugan telling him father had died. That had been a big they were hundreds of miles out of deal, with many hundreds at the fu- Fremantle, first of all, beyond helineral. He’d been sad because, well, copter range, and there’d be nothit was a sad event. And his grandfa- ing for him to do if he were home, ther had paid attention to him. He nothing but probably get his ass in never imagined the old man loved trouble, or get drunk, cause a scene, him. He was just interested in him, wreck a car, get ugly with Mitch. like Andy was a science project, Maybe Joe was making sense, but some lab animal on two feet. But it sense was temporarily an unavailwas attention, and the old man had able concept for Andy. We’re talking such cool stuff ~ boats, motorcycles, about death, Andy thought, gone cars, and most of all the big tele- forever. . . how much freaking sense scope, the ticket to does that make? the universe in all its Sense was temporarily Sargent made Duamazing grandeur. an unavailable concept gan’s practicality It had hooked Andy seem mild. Sargent for Andy big time, and he was always went right grateful for that. The funeral did its for the core. The last thing Andy thing. There were tears everywhere. had heard before the drug took over The sadness was contagious. A few was Sargent saying it wasn’t going other relatives and acquaintances to change. The sooner Andy figured of Andy’s had died, but as for death out how to live with it, the better causing deep, personal trauma, this off he would be. “You are where you was a first. are, and there’s nothing to be done Being on a 60-footer with eleven about that,” Sargent had said to other people, there was no soli- him. “Do your job. Deedee wanted tude. He was a mess, alternately you on this race. Make her proud.” overcome with grief and disgusted Like with most things, Andy knew with the way he had been informed; Sargent had a nasty habit of being disgusted with his situation, his right. life. Grief-stricken and disgusted. That’s when Sargent and Joe Dugan *** “ had unlocked the boat’s medical kit elcome back.” It was Joe and produced the relaxant. Both of Dugan, ever watchful. “How’d that

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ica’s Cup in 1987, Andy knew about the so-called Fremantle Doctor, the work? Seems to have put you right strong onshore breeze that comes out.” up most afternoons off Fremantle. “Big time.” Andy stretched, He wondered how many miles off rubbed his eyes. Joe gave him some Fremantle the Doctor could be felt. water. “My mother died, right? That He started poring over the latest wasn’t just a bad trip?” weather faxes. The southeasterly “Right.” breeze being directed along the “How long I been out?” coast of the Australian Bight was Joe looked at his watch. “About giving them the tight reach they eight hours.” were on. It was early yet, but Andy “No other faxes?” could see indications of it already “Nope.” starting to clock toward the south Andy was quiet, took another about 70 miles out. He’d watch it. slug of water. “That stuff dries you “Sail!” It was Zimmer who spotout.” ted Ram Bunctious. The boat was “Yes, it does. Feel okay?” a dot on the horizon, barely visible “Yeah. Where are to the north, maybe Ram Bunctious was a dot ten miles away. After we? What’s up?” “Been quiet. But on the horizon, maybe ten racing across nearly we’re closing on Fre7,500 miles of open miles away mantle. A few hunocean, there she dred miles. We think Ram Bunc- was. Unbelievable. tious is nearby.” “Okay,” Sargent said from the “That could be fun.” wheel. “Now we pay attention. I “Yeah, Jan is cranked.” want my case of rum back.” Andy got up, stretched, walked The watch changed in half an to the navigation station, sat down, hour. Andy was up, but he asked and began catching up. It was noon, Stu if he minded taking the helm. not 12 p.m. Astronomers know that He wanted to look at the navigation. noon marks that moment when half He had an idea. “Really? Me?” Stu the day’s light has passed, whether said. “I can’t believe you want to it’s 12 p.m. or not. The boat was give up a wheel watch that’s going to close reaching in ten knots of wind. be so much fun.” Andy had to smile The biggest heads’l was up. The as he went below. The wind had inwatch was paying attention, but creased, pushing 20 knots. They had relaxed, chatting quietly. From fol- changed down to the number two lowing the 12-meter world champi- jib and remained on a tight reach, onships in 1986, prior to the Amer- on course for Fremantle. Seas were 138

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dy’s got a plan,” Sargent said. “Peter and I like it.” up just enough to make it rough “There’s the Fremantle Doctor,” going. Both Andy and Stu enjoyed Andy said, “a strong westerly that the challenge of what was probably comes up off Fremantle most afterthe most difficult point of sailing in noons. Land heats up, cold ocean anything over 15 knots. Hard on the wind blows onshore. The question wind, the helmsman could always is, how far offshore does that effeather up in the gusts to ease pres- fect start? Fifty miles, a hundred? sure on sails and rig. On a broader We’re around a hundred out, and reach, he had the option to head we haven’t felt it yet. But with Ram down in the puffs. Close reaching close, every second will count. We was more of a lock. Because course need to get the spinnaker on deck, changes were minimized, hands ready to hoist the minute we sense on the main sheet and traveler this shift.” were critical. The steering priority “You’re counting on this shift in those conditions was finding a coming from the right?” It was Dapath through an obstacle course of vis. building waves that “Yes, it should Andy was suddenly were approaching 45 come from the right.” taking charge degrees to the bow. “How so?” A little ease on trav“I’ve looked at sticking his neck out eler and sheet in the the way a southerly right combination and at the right whips around the southwest corner moment made steering a team ef- of Australia,” Andy said. “There’s fort. A good helmsman anticipates. nothing in the meteorological hisOn a tight reach in 18-20 knots, tory to suggest that trend could be three people have to anticipate. If reversed when that’s the situation. the main and traveler trimmers Plus it’s gonna be a hot day in Frewere to wait for the helmsman’s mantle. The Doctor is just waiting to call, it would be too late. Plus, those make a house call.” Davis shrugged. two have to work together: traveler Andy listened to himself and was down first, then ease the main as surprised. The guy who had once necessary. It helped to have another tried moving heaven and earth not pair of eyes looking to weather, call- to go on this insane race was suding the puffs. Caskie Kolegeri was denly taking charge, sticking his very good at it. neck out? What the hell! But he was Andy was back on deck in thirty into it. He suddenly felt strong. minutes. Sargent and navigator Pe“Here’s what I think we should ter Dimaris came up with him. “An- do,” Andy said. “When we feel the 140

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“Let’s get that red top reacher on deck,” Sargent said. “Make sure it’s wind starting to shift, we’ll come off in stops. Stu, you or Andy will be 10 to 15 degrees and set the chute. the first to feel the shift. Sing out. That will put us below course. We’ll want all hands on this one. That’s okay because the idea is to Roger, you and Joe walk it through. stay close to Ram.” I know you know. A hundred times. “Think we can cross them?” Make it a hundred and one. Get Crouse asked. Zimmer and Crouse on deck when “We’ve got about a half-mile you want them to handle sheet lead,” Dimaris said. “Should be and guy. Larry and Bosworth can enough with the spinnaker.” get the jib down. Caskie’s on the “We don’t want to be sailing in handles.” different water and let luck decide An hour later, Andy was steerwho wins this leg,” Andy said. “We ing when he felt it. The breeze bealso want to get to leeward of them. gan coming to the right, clocking When the sou’westerly fills behind ever so slightly, as he’d predicted. us, we’ll come back to course and Ram was off to the left about four we’ll have a faster miles, keeping The crew felt like an sailing angle to the pace. All American NFL offensive unit in finish. With 50-60 was maintaining miles to go, that will its slight lead. One the Red Zone give us enough runcould have fired way. And we should put some dis- shotguns and the crew on the other tance on them before they can set.” boat wouldn’t have heard them, “It sounds dicey,” Davis said. but Andy kept his voice down just “Andy makes sense,” Sargent in case. “Here it comes,” Andy said said. “We may have a slight lead, but to Roger Davis, who was on the right now Ram has that leeward ad- main. Davis had already eased a vantage. When, and if,” he smiled, few inches. Stu had eased the jib. “the Doctor fills, I agree that advan- “Get everybody up.” tage will be critical. If the Doctor Ten minutes later, both sails had gets a flat tire, well, Andy can buy been eased even more. The wind the rum this time.” was on the beam. All hands were “Done deal. Organize the chute on deck. Sargent nodded at Andy. for a port set,” Andy said. “When This was his party. the shift starts, we’ll have to go with Roger Davis and Joe Dugan set it. We’ll be low of course for a while, the pole, then hauled red top to the but we have to believe it will settle masthead. Davis returned to the in, come west, get behind us.” main, ready to ease. Dugan was on 144

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Sargent was still in the cockpit, saying nothing, but his poker face the jib. Zimmer had the spinnaker was studied, fighting off doubt. sheet in hand with three wraps on Doubt was also beginning to cramp the big winch drum. Caskie was Andy’s enthusiasm. He was casting crouched over the grinder, feet still another anxious glance at Ram, spread, hands clutching the han- now half a mile to windward and dles. The crew felt like an NFL of- looking slightly ahead, just as Zimfensive unit in the red zone, poised, mer broke the silence with a simple little statement that brought joy: set, ready for the snap. “Coming off,” Andy said quietly. “You can come up.” Andy cast his hundredth glance “Five degrees, ten. . .Break it!” Davis eased the main sheet as at the wind instruments, then at Andy drove off. Caskie spun the the mast head f ly, both showing handles. The spinnaker opened at the wind now trending slightly aft the foot, and the thirty stops ex- of the beam. He steered up five deploded nearly as one as the chute grees and the boat took it. It was filled with a loud pop. Andy put a fact, they were starting to feel the Doctor that was the wheel down as the chute heeled the Everything was on edge, clocking more, letboat 25 degrees. Du- right where a race boat ting them slowly but surely come back up gan was at the mast likes it. to course for Frecasting off the jib halyard. Down it came with Teddy mantle as Andy had figured. They Bosworth and Larry Kolegeri seat- were back up ten. Dimaris kept ed on the deck to corral the sail. putting the bearing compass on The boat’s acceleration was fierce. Ram. After ten minutes, he smiled. The chute was worth at least four “We’re faster,” Peter said. They could see the action on knots of speed. The pole had been perfectly set, low and way forward. Ram’s deck as that crew felt the “Stop!” Zimmer said to Caskie, and shift and hustled to set the spinnaker. Soon, Ram’s big sail was eased some sheet. For thirty minutes Andy held up and pulling. But All Amerithe course that was now 10 to 15 can’s better angle to the finish was degrees below where they wanted worth almost a knot of boat speed. to go. They crossed Ram, which Not that it wasn’t on the hairy side. was holding a proper course for The speedo was in the 17-18-knot Fremantle, now reaching under a range. The lee rail was down, with big jib. Ram had been off their left the crew packed on the high side hip, now she was off their right hip. rail. Watches had been cancelled. 150

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light snow was falling as Andy stood contemplating Sargent had pointed out they could Deedee’s grave at the private cemall sleep tomorrow. etery located on the outskirts of The foot of the chute dipped oc- his family’s thousand-acre estate. casionally, and so did the main He’d come directly from the airboom that was being eased by Da- port after the 20-hour trek from vis in the puffs. But Stu remarked Western Australia. He was right how stable the helm felt when he to assume Mitch would have had took over. Everything was on edge, Deedee put in the ground as soon right where a race boat likes it. Two as possible. The dirt was freshly hours later, they had what looked disturbed around the grave site, like a half-mile lead on Ram Bunc- full of footprints being painted by tious. As the Doctor settled in the snow f lurry. Probably no cerfrom the sou’west, they changed to emony. That would have been his a spinnaker cut for sailing deeper mother’s wish, and Mitch’s condownwind and held their lead to venience. He placed the bunch of the finish, winning by six minutes f lowers he’d picked and change. up at the airport on Andy’s back hurt "You win," Andy said to the grave ~ there his mother. "You win, from the pounding was no headstone it took from his ecand so did I." yet ~ stood back static crew mates. and appreciated the “What was in that drug you gave view of Long Island Sound in the him?” Teddy Bosworth asked Du- distance, across big fields where gan. corn would grow in summer. He Andy slipped below during the hadn’t been to the family cemetery cleanup on deck, suddenly ex- in many years and had forgotten hausted. He slumped into Peter’s what a peaceful spot it was. Deedee Recaro seat at the nav table and will like it here, he thought, and closed his eyes, opening a wide realized how ridiculous that screenshot of Deedee, hammering sounded, right out of a sentiment home that unreturnable backhand. by Hallmark. The celebration, the In the acrid, wet, below-decks ritual of death is all about the livmess of a round the world race ing who support the business for boat at the end of a brutal South- their own satisfaction. The dead ern Ocean leg, Andy Thomas put couldn’t care less. I like it here, he his head on the nav table and cried thought, and that’s what matters his heart out. because now I will think of this ex*** 156

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All American pansive, pastoral scene when I think of my mother, and that’s calming. For me. Andy had to smile at how Sargent would approve of his attitude, even as he wiped away a tear with his gloved hand. Sargent. The race. That wild finish, sailing into the Doctor, going after Ram Bunctious, setting the spinnaker early, heading off to nail down the leeward position, that faster angle. . . . Altogether an insane bit, really, but it worked, damned if it hadn’t worked! The race. The bloody race. “You win,” Andy said quietly to his mother. “You win, and so did I.” The approaching car caught

Andy’s attention. Only family and good friends knew about the seldom-used dirt road into the cemetery. It was a Subaru hatchback, definitely not Mitch’s, thank heaven. Andy wasn’t at all interested in seeing Mitch. Maybe Ossie? The car stopped, and Becky Cotton got out. Her big dog jumped out and ran toward Andy. He was a Belgian Malinois, a good eighty pounds, like a German Shepherd, only more streamlined. The Malinois is powerful, fast and smart, a favorite of the military and the police. Andy had met him a few times when Sam had brought him to the office. Gus, he remembered. “Gus!” The dog reacted, skidded to a halt at his feet and sat down

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expectantly. Andy showed respect, reached out slowly, stroked his head. “What about me?” Becky had her hands on her hips. “Shall we just cut to the chase?” Andy asked. “Yes, we should.” Becky’s signal to Gus was subtle. Their hug was passionate, prolonged. They kissed, and it was wonderfully electric, just as Andy remembered it. Gus made a wistful sound in his throat. They laughed. “There’s a lot to catch up on,” Becky said. “I’m so glad you’re here. . .I mean, I’m sorry you have to be here, of course. . . I couldn’t get to Punta, I just couldn’t. . .” “It’s okay.”

“I know all about Mountain View, I’ve been helping Dad figure it out. I got my law degree, you know, before I decided to do photography full time.” “I know Mitch is in charge,” Andy said, “but it’s okay, I’m not broke.” Andy pulled the bloodstained 100-peso bill from his pocket. “There’s a lot you don’t know.” “I know I’m cold.” Becky laughed. “Me, too. Let’s go to Dad’s cabin. It’s only half an hour or so from here. Things aren’t as you imagine.” Roger Vaughan has lived, worked, and sailed in Oxford since 1980.

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Tidewater Times March 2021

Articles inside

All American (Part XVIII): Roger VaughanChanges

Creating Serenity on Hoopers Island: Scott Philip Georgens

Kent County

Oxford Map and History

Tilghman ~ Bay Hundred

St. Michaels Map and History

Oysters SOAR: A.M. Foley

How a Puerto Rican Dog Saved a Life: Tracey F. Johns

March Tide Table

Staying Home, Watching Birds: Mike Valliant

Caroline County ~ A Perspective

A Journey in Pink - Part III: Bonna L. Nelson

Easton Map and History

About the Cover Photographer: Jay Fleming

Mental Health Days: Helen Chappell