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September 18, 2025

Centreville Spy

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Spy Highlights

About Dave Wheelan

Spy Special Report: Inside Arthur Houghton’s Fallout Shelter

September 9, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

According the his stepson, Jeff Horstman,  the late Arthur Houghton was not a doomsdayer per say, but it could be said he was a man of his times. When the former president of Corning Glass laid out his plans for the Wye River Plantation in Queen Anne’s County for his beloved Black Angus cattle and the Wye Institute, (later to be incorporated into the Aspen Institute) in the early 1960s, it was not inconceivable that the DC region might be the target of a nuclear attack. With the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in the minds of many Americans, some of the country’s wealthiest began building fallout shelters as a reasonable precaution to remain alive if such an event took place.

But unlike other shelters that were built to house only a handful of people, the Houghton fortress was a massive underground complex of dorm rooms, a dining area, a social space, kitchen, and endless space for food storage. At its core were twin Kohler generators, fed by massive oil tanks, ready to keep up to 40 people supplied with air exchangers with radiation filters. Rows of bunk beds, each once sealed with fresh sheets in protective wrapping, lined the bedrooms. And Houghton maintained a survival list of those who would be admitted on short notice.

Horstman, who serves on the board of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, who owns the property, was taking this spy around the property to tour the organization’s new facilities to host children with extremely serious illnesses and their families a special getaway throughout the year. That will be the subject of another Spy story in September but we did take a side trip that day to explore this one-of-a-kind facility.

This video is approximately two minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Spy Highlights

A New Restaurant Besides Piazza: A Chat with Emily Chandler

September 6, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

As many Spy readers know, we’ve been periodically checking in with Emily Chandler, the owner of Piazza Italian Deli, over a decade now. Starting in December of 2008 with her relatively small first store in Talbottown, her move to her current location, coping with the pandemic, and a successful recovery, Emily has shown time and time again her unique gift of entrepreneurship mixed with a genuine passion for Italian food and culture. And the Mid-Shore has been the better for it each step along the way.

Now Chandler is taking another bold step with the opening of a new restaurant next door to Piazza called Accanto. In her recent chat with the Spy, Emily talks about the natural path she and her company have taken to get to this point. She also answers many questions about the logistics of the new dinner only establishment, and shares her thoughts about scaling her enterprise and in typical Emily Chandler fashion, talks candidly about the challenges of creating the right menu, the right ambitious,   and the right culture of her both herself and her staff going forward.

Just so you know, “Accanto” means “besides” in Italian.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1 Homepage Slider, Spy Chats

The Mid-Shore Welcomes a New Rabbi: A Chat with Temple B’nai Israel’s Jordan Goldson

September 1, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

Rabbi Jordan Goldson traces his faith journey back to Long Island, where his family built a suburban Jewish life after the war. Friday nights meant synagogue, community, and late dinners with friends at the local diners that shaped a sense of belonging.  And when he was at Tulane University, far from home, he found himself drawn into the student organization Hillel, organizing Shabbat dinners, building a campus community, and unexpectedly found himself being nudged toward the rabbinate.

What began as curiosity about Jewish texts turned into rabbinical studies, first in Israel and then in Los Angeles and New York, culminating in his ordination in 1987. From his first pulpit in Calgary, through congregations in Arizona, Baton Rouge, New Jersey, and now Easton, his career has been marked by growth, resilience, and a deep commitment to community. Along the way he’s taught, counseled, and led through times of promise and times of struggle, always returning to the heart of what drew him in as a young man: the joy of creating and sustaining Jewish life.

Rabbi Goldson stopped by the Spy Studio a few weeks ago to chat about the challenge and opportunities in attracting younger people to Temple B’nai in an era of remarkable technology and the temple’s celebration of 75 years of service to the Mid-Shore. The Rabbi also talks about how a community processes the current tragedy in Gaza and growing anti-semitism. His answer begins with a 3,000 year old history of resilience and hope.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about Temple B’nai Israel please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1 Homepage Slider

Spy Chat: The Release of Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal and his Future with Len Foxwell

August 18, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

The Spy sits down with Len Foxwell to discuss the release of Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal in Easton on Friday and what comes next for both the pastor and the community.

This video is approximately 10 minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 2 News Homepage

The Search for Answers for the Annapolis Capital Gazette Murders: A Chat with Author Thomas Marquardt

July 28, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

On June 28, 2018, Jarrod Ramos attacked the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis. Armed with a shotgun and explosives, he opened fire, killing five members of the Capital’s editorial staff. It remains the deadliest workplace shooting in Maryland history.

Thomas Marquardt, the then-publisher and editor of the newspaper, remains severely traumatized to this day by this senseless act of violence. Still, unlike countless others who survive such an event, Tom’s career as a journalist provided him with unique skills and motivation to dig deeper, find better answers for this unforgivable act of terror. Years of research have finally resulted in the publication of Pressed to Kill: Inside Newspapers’ Worst Mass Murder.

Beyond the sometimes cathartic effects of writing the book to address his own lingering trauma from that tragic day,  Tom is also on a mission to use the book to put a spotlight on workplace violence and what businesses and their owners can do to help protect their employees.

The Spy spoke with Tom last week about this book in advance of his conversation with Spy publisher Dave Wheelan and For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman on August 6th, as part of the Leadership Maryland Alumni gathering at the Waterfowl Building.

This video is approximately eight minutes in length. To purchase Pressed to Kill please go here. 

Leadership Maryland Alumni Engagement Speaker Forum
August 6 at 6:30 p.m
Waterfowl Festival Building (40 S. Harrison St., Easton) 

In Conversation with author Tom Marquardt with Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons

Free and open to the public.
Register at leadershipmd.org.

Café-style seating with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages provided by Saucy Salamander Catering.
Venue sponsored by Deena Kilmon, Executive Director, Waterfowl Festival.

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1 Homepage Slider

From The Arc to Fello: A Chat with Fello President Jonathon Rondeau

July 14, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

A name change for any organization, whether for-profit or nonprofit, is a significant undertaking. Beyond the costs of design and marketing, which would give any board of directors pause, it is a substantial cultural shift that leaders must navigate. Nonetheless, the payoff can be transformational.

And that’s why Jonathon Rondeau and his board made the bold decision to rename their organization from the Arc to Fello, after years of being seen, incorrectly, as simply a subsidiary of the nationwide organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While the two are connected in mission and support, the Arc Central Chesapeake Region has always had its own 501 (c) (3) and independent board of directors. And over time, that confusion was starting to become a problem.

In our spy interview with Jonathon, he talks about the name change process and the deeper reflection he and his colleagues went through on the organization’s identity, values, and commitment to inclusiveness.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about Fello, please go here. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1 Homepage Slider

Thoughts on the Texas Flash Floods by David Reel

July 14, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

The recent flash flood tragedy in central Texas resulted in seeing the best and the worst of American society.

The best has been an outpouring of sympathy, caring, and support for the flood victims, their families, and the survivors. There have been countless reports of selfless rescue and recovery efforts by first responders and volunteers, some from well beyond the immediate flooded area.

The worst has been numerous messages on social media and other media platforms, e.g., a newspaper editorial cartoon that were vile, hateful, and some of which were vulgar.

Many of them chose to blame Trump supporters or policy decisions of the Trump administration for this tragedy.

Far too many did not include expressions of sadness or sympathy for the deaths of innocent children and adults, or compassion for the lifelong impact on all the flooding survivors.

The level of vitriol in these messages is so offensive, I will not repeat any of them in this column.

The only thing they have in common is they are devoid of any sense of decency and civility.

Somewhat surprising has been dismay and even outrage expressed from unexpected sources over these vile messages.

Nina Turner is a former national co-chair for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign.

She recently said, “It takes a serious lack of humanity to see children to be in a politicized discussion and respond something like lines of “that’s what they [voters in Texas] voted for.”

Turner’s closing one word comment says it all — “Shameful.”

John Favreau and Tommy Vietor are co – hosts on the left of center, Pod Save America.

Both worked for Barack Obama prior to and during his presidential administration.

Both have condemned social media posts that blame local Texans and the Trump administration for all who died as a result of the recent floods.

Favreau has said, “I think the really gross stuff was, I saw some people be, like, ‘Well, Texas, you voted for Trump, and this is what you get. ‘”

Favreau has also challenged suggestions that staffing levels at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Texas had anything to do with the tragedy. Favreau has said, “It seems like the National Weather Service, like I said, did send out a timely warning, it just didn’t get to people. And that’s, you know, not the Trump administration saying that independent meteorologists and experts have all said this.”

Vietor has said that while questions about the effect of NWS cuts could be “an important question going forward, I could have done without the, like, instant, you know, leap to blame name-your-political-opponent for this tragedy on Twitter.”

The “blame your political opponent” campaign on this tragedy is already well underway.

Shortly after news broke on the flooding, Senator Chuck Schumer demanded the Commerce Department’s Inspector General investigate vacancies at National Weather Service offices and whether the purported vacancies resulted in a higher death toll in in Texas.

Schumer has suggested that proposed but yet-to-be-implemented Trump budget cuts resulted in unfilled NWS positions in Texas were to blame. Senator Chris Dodd has said likewise.

Schumer has proclaimed, “The American people deserve answers.”

Yes, we do, but not from you two or anyone who has wants to advance a political agenda from this tragedy.

We deserve answers only if the following investigative guidelines are agreed to, in advance of, and are strictly adhered to during every phase of any investigation.

At a minimum, the investigation must not focus on assigning blame for what happened or did not happen with regard to timely and effective flash flood alerts.

The laser like focus must be on what can be done going forward to help ensure it never happens again.

Differing opinions must be welcome and considered provided they follow the timeless observation of former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who once said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.”

We also need to accept that we never have and never will live in a risk-free world.

We can only anticipate risks and take prudent steps to try to avoid them or deal with them if and when necessary. Accidents can never be totally avoided despite planning and best intentions.

Going forward, we desperately need a renewed universal commitment that when tragedies do strike, to make sure social media posts and other public reactions reflect common decency and respect for each and every person impacted in any way by that tragedy.

This is especially vital in dealing with those who hold different political party affiliations or different views on a wide range of public policy issues.

We must do so if we have any hope of reversing the steadily declining levels of decency and civility in our society.

David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant who live in Easton.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 3 Top Story, David

Publisher Notes: Heartfelt Thanks, Welcome Zack Taylor, Foxwell/Mitchell Back July 9th

July 3, 2025 by Dave Wheelan

After the Spy’s first-ever “just once” annual fundraising campaign last month, I’m both grateful and relieved that the Talbot County community responded so demonstratively to help support the Talbot Spy live another day.  With over 400 donations, most of which were under $100, our readers’ contributions made it clear to this publisher and the Spy’s remarkable writers that our mission is valued, and we are filled with gratitude.

Zack Taylor

Secondly, I’m pleased to announce that Zack Taylor has been named the Talbot Spy’s managing editor and vice president of the Spy Community Media Fund at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. A graduate of both Easton High School and Gettysburg College, Zack spent his first years out of college as a reporter in Montgomery County before his lifetime career at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was cut short due to President Donald Trump’s decision to close the agency.

I’m also happy to report that The Spy’s new podcast, Maryland Caucus, with Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell, will return on July 9. In addition, J.E. Dean and Maria Grant will be off duty for a couple of weeks this month, and From and Fuller will being taking today off as well.

Once again, a special thanks to our readers for the trust you have given the Spy this year.

Dave Wheelan
Publisher & President
Spy Community Media Fund – MSCF

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Spy Highlights

Mid-Shore Real Estate with Chuck Mangold: 2025 Looking Pretty Darn Good

June 24, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: For many on the Mid-Shore, particularly in Talbot Couty, Chuck Mangold is the go-to guy to turn to when real estate comes up. For over two decades. Chuck at Benson and Mangold, the multi-generational real estate giant on the Shore, has seen the local market in good and bad times, enjoying the remarkable highs and surviving the low moments. So, when the Spy was thinking of an ongoing series devoted to one of the region’s most important economic sectors, Mr. Mangold was our first choice. And we are particularly grateful Chuck has agreed to participate.

In our quarterly with check-in with Chuck last week, we were surprised (and delighted) to hear his upbeat summary of the real etate market, both commerical and residentail, in the Mid-Shore region. Even more interesting was Chuck’s overall forecast for 2025 despite the voloilitty found in other parts of the country.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length. For more information about Chuck Mangold please go to his website here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1C Commerce

Spy Long-Form: Chesapeake College’s Cliff Coppersmith on Leading During Tough Times

May 21, 2025 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

It’s hard to imagine an institution more vital to the Mid-Shore’s economic future than Chesapeake College. For nearly 60 years, the region’s community college has played a central role in educating, training, and launching thousands of students into careers essential to the growth of the five counties it serves.

Despite a strong track record, Chesapeake has faced no shortage of challenges—from shifting demographics and uncertain state funding to the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic. As President Cliff Coppersmith enters his seventh year at the helm, he remains focused on navigating these headwinds while building for the future.

In our annual interview, Coppersmith emphasized the college’s local momentum, underscored by unanimous county support for a $56 million capital project to expand skilled trades education. The planned facility—twice the size of the current Queen Anne’s tech building—will break ground in 2026.

He also spotlighted recent advances, including a $1.2 million mobile welding lab, a new marine trades vessel, and a $500,000 annual investment in nursing programs. With 37% of students now dual-enrolled high schoolers, and federal programs like Pell Grants and Upward Bound under scrutiny, Coppersmith is alert but optimistic—confident in the college’s enduring role as a regional engine of talent and opportunity.

This video is approximately 24 minutes in length. For more information about Chesapeake College please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1 Homepage Slider

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