Towne Spotlight Local

Wendy Palmer, Associate Executive Director of the YMCA of the Chesapeake accepts a check donation for $3,000 from Talbot Thrive Board Member and Ride Chair Heather Grant in front of the Easton YMCA

2022 Tour de Talbot a Success

Last June 4th, over 490 bike riders took to the roads of Talbot County and raised $13,000 for three charities and ride-organizer Talbot Thrive, a new nonprofit dedicated to healthy and safe outdoor mobility for everyone living in and visiting Talbot County. Participants took off from the Easton Firehall early in the morning, following one of three routes of 30, 40 or 62.5 miles. The longer distances featured a ferry crossing from Oxford to Bellevue as part of the route. Rest stops were staffed by volunteers whose charities benefitted from the ride, including the YMCA of the Chesapeake, Mariah’s Mission, and Carepacks of Talbot County. Each charity received $3,000, with $4,000 going towards organizer Talbot Thrive to launch their programming initiatives in Talbot County. Learn more about Talbot Thrive, it’s programs, and events at talbotthrive.org.

 FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION EVENT

The Departments of Social Services in Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties recently hosted an appreciation event for area foster parents at the Talbot County Agriculture and Education Center in Easton in honor of National Foster Care Awareness Month. The catered event included activities such as a DJ, glitter tattoos, bubbles, and prizes and drawings for the families in attendance. In addition, foster parents were recognized for their years of service. “This is always a special event for our foster parents and their families, while also providing time for everyone to socially gather and share among the counties,” stated Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator for the Talbot County Department of Social Services. For more information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call the Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371 or visit midshoreresourceparents.com.

 EASTON STUDENT RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Easton Middle School 8th grader Samantha Townsend has been selected as a National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. Recognizing the need to help middle level students jump-start their quest toward higher education, the NJHS offers the annual NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award. Samantha is one of 500 students nationwide who will receive $500, which will be placed in a 529 college savings account to be applied toward her higher education. “Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship,” said Easton Middle NJHS Advisor, Lindsay Matthews. “Please join us in congratulating Samantha on her accomplishments!”

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 PSS Introduces New Team Surgeon

Plastic Surgery Specialists, which has offices in Annapolis, Easton, and southern Maryland, is excited to introduce Dr. Robert Howard as the newest member of the PSS team. Dr. Howard is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon serving the greater Maryland area after a distinguished career with the United States Navy. He is driven to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and state-of-theart plastic surgery and reconstructive care to his patients. His commitment to service, from providing critical medical aid through global conflicts to humanitarian aid missions, has led him to see firsthand the power of surgery to help people overcome obstacles and get back their lives. To learn more about PSS and its surgical team, visit plasticsurgeryspec.com.