MENU

Sections

More

November 28, 2025

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

5 News Notes

Annual Legacy Day August 15-17 in Fountain Park

by Leave a Comment

The Annual Legacy Day event sponsored by Sumner Hall will take place August 15-17 at Fountain Park in Chestertown.  This year’s Legacy Day theme is Historic Black Communities (HBCs) of Kent County.  The historic communities featured at Legacy Day will include Big Woods, Butlertown, Colemans, Edesville, Georgetown, Golts, Olivet Hill, Pomona, Sandfield, and Worton Point.  These communities were identified as some of the earliest black communities founded in the 1800s and were anchored by a church and a school.

An exhibit featuring the HBCs of Kent County will be on display at the Historic Society of Kent County beginning August 1st and continuing throughout the month.  Storyboards filled with photos and memories from all of the featured communities are featured in the exhibit.

Legacy Day will kick off on Friday with two events – a pre-opening public art performance at 6 pm at the Custom House, entitled Making Memory Move, sponsored by The Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.  The performance will combine dance, music, and “critical interpretation” to honor the lives of African American women whose names have been lost to history.

Friday’s second event will feature the Legacy Day Opening Reception , recognizing the communities and community members being honored. The event will be a Cabaret with live music and refreshments.  The opening program will begin at 7 pm at the Garfield Theatre.

On Saturday morning, the activities will kick-off at 9:30 a.m. with “Blacks on the Chesapeake” Digital Display at the Sultana Holt Center on Cross Street.  This Display is an immersive and moving presentation that lights up the floor—literally and figuratively—as it guides audiences through the rich and often untold stories of African American life and legacy on the Eastern Shore.

An African American Walking Tour of Downtown lead by staff from the Chesapeake Heartland will immediately follow“Blacks on the Chesapeake” and the tour will begin at Cross and Cannon Street.  Attendees will take a walk through time and explore the streets and structures that once formed the heart of Chestertown’s Black community.

The Sultana Education Foundation will offer two opportunities, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for community members to join the crew of the 1768 schooner Sultana for a two-hour sail on the Chester River. Passengers are encouraged to help raise sail, steer using Sultana’s seven-foot tiller, and explore the authentically reproduced crew’s quarters below-decks.

At 1:30 pm, Legacy Day will move to High Street and open with a parade of historic cars in honor of the late Mary Fisher — the Mary Fisher Legacy on Wheels parade.  For many years, Ms. Fisher was the key organizer for the Legacy Day parades.  She was a highly regarded educator, coach and administrator in Kent County who passed away last year.

Following the parade, the Gospel Showcase will begin on the main stage at 2 pm featuring performances of songs, dance ministry, recitations, and readings by local and regional artists to celebrate the central role of gospel in Black history and culture.

The official Legacy Day dance party will begin at 4 pm. with DJ Turbulance.  Community members will be asking “where your fans at” with “Boots on the Ground” and other line-dancing hits.  “This year we are making a strong effort to involve youth in the Legacy Day events and are introducing a Youth Dance Contest,” notes Vanessa Ringgold, President of Sumner Hall.  “By offering cash prizes, we hope to highlight their talents and reward them for stepping up as active participants,” she added.  Those interested can sign up in advance by visiting the Sumner Halls website. Contestants can also join in at the time of the event.

Legacy Day will continue on Saturday with a celebrated evening of dancing in the street to the tunes of Comfort Zone, known for playing the classic R&B hits, at 5 pm.  Food vendors, craft vendors and information stations will be on site throughout the day to provide nourishment and other “goodies”.

The Legacy Day weekend will conclude with a Champagne Brunch, sponsored by and hosted at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located at 101 N. Cross Street. This year’s Brunch theme is Hidden Figures, a celebration of influential Black trailblazers in the history of Kent County. Reenactors will take the roles of such luminaries as Henry Highland Garnett, the namesake for Garnett School in Chestertown, and Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Church. Several other “hidden figures” will be portrayed as well.

All Legacy Day events are free and open to the public.  Due to space limitations for some of the venues, reservations are recommended.  For reservations and more information, visit the Sumner Hall website at Legacy Day – Sumner Hall.

For more information contact:             [email protected]

 

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

Where Land and Water Meet, The Photography of David Harp is Main Street Gallery’s Fall Exhibit

by Leave a Comment

Main Street Gallery is very excited to be exhibiting guest artist David Harp’s photographs for its September/October show. Dave’s work in this show focuses on the landscapes, people, and flora and fauna of the Chesapeake Bay region.  A renowned, award-winning photographer and filmmaker, who is a lifelong Marylander, Dave lives and maintains a studio in Cambridge and has been photographing the Chesapeake Bay’s “delights and dilemmas,” as he puts it, for over four decades. 

He explains that he often finds inspiration for his photographs in the marshy areas in and around the Bay, where the land and the water meet. This is where the above-water life he is looking for is so apparent, he says. He also seeks the edges of the days to work, from first light to sunrise and from late afternoon into dusk, when he finds his subjects “bathed in warm light and with long, revealing shadows.”

A graduate of Ohio University with a degree in English, Dave was staff photographer for the Hagerstown Morning Herald and photographer for the Baltimore Sun Magazine for nearly a decade. His magazine work took him to       far-flung locations such as the tropical rain forests of Panama, the coast of Normandy for a story on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, and to Australia to photograph the America’s Cup. His photographs have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Smithsonian, Sierra, and Coastal Living Magazine, among others. In 1990 he left the Baltimore Sun Magazine and started his own editorial photography business in Cambridge. His highly acclaimed photographs have been published locally and around the world, and his photography and film depicting the Chesapeake were exhibited for two years at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD.

Dave has also produced several books with essays by longtime friend and collaborator Tom Horton. These are: Water’s Way: Life Along the Chesapeake published in 2000, The Great Marsh: An Intimate Journey into a Chesapeake Wetland, published in 2002, and The Nanticoke: A Portrait of a Chesapeake River, published in 2015. In 2011 Snowfall: Journey of the Tundra Swans, also created with Tom Horton, was republished. In addition to his books, Dave has produced eight films about the Chesapeake Bay with co-producers Tom Horton and Sandy Cannon-Brown. In 2004 Dave was awarded the Andrew White Medal by Loyola College for his Chesapeake Bay photography. He was also appointed to the Maryland State Arts Council by former Governor Martin O’Malley.

In addition to showing works by David Harp and the Main Street Gallery coop members, the Gallery is excited to have its first pop-up exhibit, featuring the paintings of Maureen Farrell. Maureen is an award-winning contemporary water media artist who lives and maintains her studio in Cambridge. A native of New York, she found her passion for creating art after she remarried, retired and “reevaluated my whole purpose in life,” she says.  Maureen’s current focus is on the human figure. 

Where Land and Water Meet will open at the Gallery at 518 Poplar St. in Cambridge on September 5 and will run through October 26.

There will be two artist receptions on Second Saturdays, September 13 and October 11, from 5-8 p.m. Dave will speak about his work at the September reception. The receptions are free and all are invited. Light refreshments will be served.

Main Street Gallery is open Fridays through Sundays from 11-5, and online shopping is always available at mainstgallery.net. The Gallery, located in Cambridge’s thriving arts and entertainment district, is the City’s only artist owned and operated cooperative and has been downtown for 14 years. Main Street Gallery is currently reviewing work by prospective members and guest artists. Please contact the Gallery through its website or by calling 410-330-4659 if you are interested in being part of this vibrant artist community.

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

MD 405 (Price Station Road) Median Crossover at US 301 to Close July 26

by Leave a Comment

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will close the MD 405 (Price Station Road) median crossover at US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) in Queen Anne’s County beginning Saturday, July 26.

Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times. Motorists are encouraged to plan alternate routes suitable for their travel and vehicle type. Nearby US 301 median crossovers are available at MD 19 (Roberts Station Road), two miles north and at Hayden Clark Road, 1.7 miles south. (See map.)

“This is a safety-focused decision,” said State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “This closure is necessary to save lives and make the corridor safer for the tens of thousands of travelers and residents who use it every day.”

State Highway Administration implemented numerous safety-driven changes to help improve drivers’ sightlines in the 500-foot wide median in recent years, including restriping/realignment, audible pavement “rumble strip” warnings, additional signage, and installed channelizing devices in the median to reposition westbound MD 405 vehicles slightly prior to the stop sign at southbound US 301.

Following the fatal crashes this week, the State Highway Administration has decided to close the median crossover and evaluate additional safety measures to aid drivers in decision-making at this intersection. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.

“Given the dangerous track record at this intersection — and now two fatal accidents in just three days — it is clear that further action is urgently needed,” said State Senator Steve Hershey. “While I understand the temporary inconvenience to motorists, public safety must come first. I fully support re-closing the median crossover for the remainder of the summer travel season to help prevent future tragedies.”

The State Highway Administration works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving, and look for reduced speed limits as well as other traffic pattern changes. Please drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.

Motorists can dial #77 on their mobile devices for roadside assistance. The Maryland Department of Transportation is Serious About Safety, pursuing a department-wide commitment to advancing improvements and initiatives that drive safety goals and save lives.

For a list of all major State Highway Administration projects, visit the Project Portal or the homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.

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

Congressman Harris announces Process for Nominations to Service Academies now Open

by Leave a Comment

Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced that the application process for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies is now open for students hoping to join the Class of 2030. Congressman Harris will consider qualified applicants from Maryland’s First Congressional District for nomination to the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy.

Each year, Congressman Harris nominates exceptional students to the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. While the Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination, Congressman Harris may recommend qualified applicants.

 Applicants are evaluated on academics, SAT/ACT test scores, physical aptitude, extracurriculars, and a panel interview. The deadline to apply for a nomination is October 31, 2025. Interviews will be conducted in the fall, and the Service Academies will receive Congressman Harris’ official nominations by December 31, 2025.

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

Compass’Camp New Dawn 2025 Season Slots Still Open

by Leave a Comment

Camper spots and volunteer opportunities are still available for our 31st annual Camp New Dawn, a grief retreat summer camp.  Camp New Dawn is a four-day, three-night retreat held each summer at Camp Pecometh in Centreville.  Camp New Dawn is a grief retreat hosted by Compass for children, teens and families who are struggling with the loss of a loved one. Campers learn healthy coping skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. They engage in group discussions and activities with other kids who have experienced loss and interact with professional grief counselors.

“Grief is isolating on a very natural level. When they show up here, they’re suddenly in this amazing community of people who are on a similar walk,” says Camp New Dawn Director Rhonda Knotts. “Some of the most important things we do as a team is we validate every single feeling they have- good, ugly, bad, hard. We normalize, because grief can make you feel like you’re losing your mind and just like you don’t belong anywhere. The most important thing is we encourage them to remember that they actually have exactly what they need to survive this loss within themselves. When we all come together, we remind each other we’re all survivors.”

A local family shares their journey to healing and how Camp New Dawn helped navigate that healing. In May of 2024, the Willis Family abruptly lost Charles Willis. Jessica Willis, Charles’ daughter, says that Charles was “the foundation of our family.” “I wasn’t sure if Camp New Dawn would be right for us, but I am eternally grateful for my family’s experience there. It was the first time I was able to let go and open up,” she says.

This year’s Camp New Dawn kicks off on Saturday, August 9th at 11:00 am, when our groups arrive at Camp Pecometh.  The campers attend therapeutic workshops, age specific grief support groups and may participate in supervised camp activities such as swimming, fishing, and arts and crafts. The retreat for campers wraps up after the closing ceremony on Monday, August 11th at 4:30 pm.

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

The Trippe: Variations 4.0: 1 Photograph, 14 Paintings”

by Leave a Comment

The Trippe Gallery will be opening a particularly unique exhibition on July 11.  This year marks the 4th iteration of this popular show. “Variations 4.0: 1 Photograph, 14 Paintings” will feature the work of 14 gallery artists-Olena Babak, Jill Basham, Beth Bathe, David Diaz, Vlad Duchev, Stephen Haynes, Charlie Hunter, Christine Lashley, Len Mizerek, Elise Phillips, Crista Pisano, Cynthia Rosen, John Brandon Sills and Mary Veiga.

The subject of inspiration for this year’s exhibition of variations is a black and white image reflective of Trippe’s photographs of the natural beauty of the eastern shore. The resulting 14 paintings show an incredible diversity of interpretation, style and vision. Some are quite realistic, some impressionistic, abstract, several have other features added, or are simply a variation on the theme of a serene and pastoral landscape. No guidance, no rules-paint as you will.

Opening reception is Friday July 11 from 5-8pm.  Many of the artists will be on hand to meet collectors and discuss their other paintings in the gallery. During the reception, visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite painting as well as test their knowledge of Plein Air Easton artists by matching the artist to the correct painting! The reveal will occur at 7:30pm.

The Trippe Gallery is located at 23 N Harrison St. For more information, please call 410-310-8727.

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