TOWNE SPOTLIGHT
LOCALS WIN MARYLAND TRADITIONS HERITAGE AWARDS
Playseum Opens in Easton Be With Me: The Children’s Playseum has opened in Easton, providing an experiential venue to parents, grandparents, and caretakers to enjoy quality time with their child or children. The new location is a large, multiroomed building on Ocean Gateway with themed play areas for role-playing like the local grocery store, a taco hut, a dentist’s office, barbershop, farm room, and more. Playseum founder and owner Gina Seebachan says, “Children need to interact with other-aged children—and we are always conquering and dividing with school activities, sports, lessons, etc. I envisioned a place where we could all do things together, to be present in the moment as a family.” Learn more at playseum.com/eastonplayseum.
TALBOT COUNTY CHAMBER PRESIDENT ACHIEVES DISTINCTION The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, recently announced that Amy Kreiner, IOM, President/CEO of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually. Congratulations Amy! 20
What’s Up? Eastern Shore | April 2022 | whatsupmag.com
Maryland Traditions, the traditional arts program of the Maryland State Arts Council, announced the winners of its 2022 Heritage Awards, which recognize long-term achievement in the traditional arts. Heritage Award nominations are accepted in three categories: Person or People, Place, and Tradition. Three awards, each featuring a $5,000 grant, are given annually. This year’s winners are: Person or People: Husband and wife duo Meki and JoAnn Toalepai of Anne Arundel County, who are entertainers, event producers, and cultural ambassadors for Pacific Islander (PI) culture. The pair created spaces in which PI people and others continue to learn about and participate in traditional PI music and dance. These spaces include the multigenerational, family-run ensemble Meki’s Tamure Polynesian Arts Group, founded in 1969, and the Pacific Fun Day Festival, founded in 1985; Tradition: The Waterfowl Festival of Talbot County, an annual cultural event in Easton that celebrates and educates the public about waterfowling culture and conservation traditions on the Eastern Shore. Founded in 1971, the Festival is among the oldest and largest continuous events of its type, featuring decoy carving, sporting art, and the World Waterfowl Calling Contest; Person or People: Shelley Ensor of Baltimore County, a singer, musician, and choral director revered within the central Maryland gospel music tradition. Part of a long family lineage in this worship-based tradition, Shelley has sung, performed, and directed gospel music regionally for churches and other institutions in Carroll and Baltimore counties, Baltimore City, and internationally. For more information about Maryland Traditions, visit msac.org/ programs/maryland-traditions.
