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May 22, 2025

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

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Health Health Notes

UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology welcomes three new Providers

April 16, 2025 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

Dr. Lindsay, Dr. Davis, and Emily Uphoff

University of Maryland Shore Medical Group – Cardiology recently welcomed three new providers: Ian C. Davis, MD; David-Allen Lindsay, MD, and Emily Uphoff, MSN, CNL, RN, FNP-C. Dr. Davis, Dr. Lindsay and Uphoff join Jeffery Etherton, MD; S. Robert Hanna, Jr., MD; Robyn Lanasa, CRNP;  Dipesh Ludhwani, MD; JoAnn Mullican, PA; Clare Ross, CRNP; Gabriel Sardi, MD; and Timothy Shanahan, DO, in the practice based at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Easton, 500 Cadmus Lane, suite 207. UM Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) is an affiliate medical practice of the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Davis, Dr. Lindsay and Emily to UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology,” said Dr. Shanahan, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group. “Our cardiology team is dedicated to meeting the increased needs of our community and bringing quality providers on board. This is a testament to the forward-thinking motivations and the progress of UM Shore Regional Health’s leadership to meet those needs.”  

Dr. Davis earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and completed his cardiovascular medicine fellowship and internal medicine residency training at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) in Baltimore. He is board certified in internal medicine with the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of American College of Physicians and the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Lindsay completed his fellowship in advanced cardiovascular imaging with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, New York, and completed a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick N.J. He finished his residency in internal medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Lindsay earned his Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, and his Master of Science with a concentration in physiology and biophysics from SUNY Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and molecular biology from Drew University in Madison, N.J., where he graduated with high honors, magna cum laude. He is board certified in internal medicine with the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Uphoff most recently was a family nurse practitioner with Family Medicine Inpatient Services at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, Cali. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Uphoff worked as a critical care nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and as a critical care intensive care unit nurse at University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, Texas. 

Uphoff earned her Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate from the University of California in San Francisco, California, her Master of Nursing in Clinical Nurse Leadership from University of Maryland, Baltimore in Baltimore and her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from University of Maryland College Park in College Park, Maryland.


About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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

Filed Under: Health Notes

Partnerships make a difference in mental health for area veterans and their families

April 16, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

More than one in four people on Maryland’s Eastern Shore are part of the military community – either active military, guard reservists, veterans, or family members of the military. To help serve the needs of this significant population, For All Seasons has gotten a second matching grant from the Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Matching Grant Program to address the high instances of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and sexual assault-related trauma among local service members, veterans, and their families.

“We are thrilled to be involved with this partnership with the Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) at the Center for the Military and Veteran Family in Stevensville. We are working together to get veterans and their families the support they need. Our Open Access™ program eliminates a waitlist and allows individuals and families to begin mental health services in a timely way. Individuals can select a time window and a location, complete their intake, and meet with a therapist on the same day. It’s the first mental health delivery model of its kind on the Eastern Shore, and is helping area veterans in their time of need,” comments Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

The grant will help address insufficient immediate access to mental health services and cultural competency barriers that currently exist. Those being served include active-duty service members from any branch of service, veterans from any branch of service, military spouses (both active duty and veterans from any branch of service), and military children and stepchildren (both active duty and veterans from any branch of service.

The agency’s Open Access™ program and financial assistance fund have been enabling veterans to get same-day appointments and to pay nothing out of pocket for the services they receive. Eric Johnson, Executive Director, of Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) at the Center for the Military and Veteran Family in Stevensville, has been working with For All Seasons and shares that there have been noticeable changes since the program was implemented a year ago.

“Many people on the Eastern Shore, not just veterans, but from any walk of life, feel like it is a resource desert here when compared with the western shore. So anything we do is going to help this, this community, and the broader community,” Johnson comments.

He points out that the work between VAMSA and For All Seasons has been focused on building credibility for veterans who need to utilize the services, which has been crucial in removing barriers to them seeking treatment. He shares the slogan, “You must know me to treat me,” as an example of the importance of clinicians understanding military culture.

“For All Seasons sought input from the very community that they sought to reach. I don’t think you can put a price tag on that. They allowed us to help shape the messaging to veterans in a way that drew the veteran community to participate. That says a lot about For All Seasons’ genuine commitment to helping this population,” he adds.

For All Seasons also draws on its Trauma Certified Therapists to deliver services to veterans. Last year, For All Seasons Center for Learning, trained 100% of its team in cultural competency around service members, veterans, and their families. The “Trained Military Assistance Provider (TMAP)” training curriculum covered topics such as healthcare providers, helping children of veterans, and crisis response and suicide among military members and veterans.

One of the most significant statistics Johnson shares is the number of suicide preventions since the program started one year ago. To date, there have been 28 veteran suicide saves of veterans who self-identify or are identified as suicidal by VAMSA staff.

Regarding the current needs for veterans on the Shore, Johnson shares, “I think the enduring challenges are the urgent ones. These involve veterans who have survivor guilt which affects their ability to seek and accept care. It’s not something that can easily be fixed, but it starts with an agency’s outward commitment like what For All Seasons has done with its messaging to veterans.”

“The emerging dynamics would be that many folks are losing their jobs right now as often veterans go into civil service or work with a government contractor. Those areas are vulnerable right now to job loss and the stress that comes with that can be a trigger. This is a population who is already struggling, potentially with PTSD, stress, anxiety, or depression, as well as physical issues, so this could create a greater need for treatment,” he adds.

Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director, of the Veterans and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA), shares that many of these veterans have families, and depending on when they served in the military may affect how they approach getting mental health services.

According to Johnson, there can also be waiting periods and interruptions with some other mental health providers. He adds, “We don’t see that at all with For All Seasons. They are our go-to provider for mental health emergencies, particularly helping to serve our suicidal veterans.”

VAMSA sees anywhere between 45 and 60 veterans per month either in person or by phone in Stevensville. Through the new Hixon grant, VAMSA and For All Seasons hope to launch partner-embedded mental health consultations at VAMSA to provide rapid triage and “hot” handoffs for service members, veterans, and their families to For All Seasons’ Open Access™ services. For All Seasons is also working in the coming months to launch intensive alternative therapy retreats for veterans in partnership with Patriot Point in Dorchester County.

For further information, visit www.ForAllSeasonsInc.org/SMVF.


For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

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

Filed Under: Health Notes

Masterful By Jamie Kirkpatrick

April 15, 2025 by Jamie Kirkpatrick Leave a Comment

I admit it: I spent most of last weekend watching The Masters. I assume most everyone is familiar with The Masters—the first of the golfing world’s four annual “major” tournaments. It takes place at the Augusta National Golf Club, a storied property in Georgia, and it comes at a time when those of us who live “up north” are desperate for spring. The Masters more than delivers spring in all its color and glory. Each of the eighteen holes on the property are named for a tree or flowering shrub, and the lush green fairways are always a promise of better weather ahead. Add to that splendid vernal picture, the history of the game, our nostalgia for its past champions, and the soothing theme music written by Dave Loggins that seems to waft thought the tall Georgia pines that line the fairways, and you find yourself transported to another, more peaceful world, a place without tariffs or even a hint of malice. It doesn’t last forever, but it is a welcome respite from the din and constant chaos of the moment.

And this year, there was another compelling storyline to The Masters. Rory McIlroy, an Ulsterman and one of golf’s most popular superstars, was on a quest to complete the Career ‘Grand Slam,’ a victory in each of golf’s four major tournaments. The Career Grand Slam is the holy grail of professional golf; only five players had ever achieved the prize: Gene Sarazan, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods. By 2014, Rory had three of the four majors under his belt, but the fourth—The Masters—has eluded him for the past eleven years. He had come tantalizingly close, only to fail at the last. Would he ever finally reach the summit?

I don’t want to bore you with the details leading up to Sunday’s final showdown. Rory had played well, and at the start of the final day, he had a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau. Other notables—Scottie Scheffler, Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Reed, and Justin Rose—were well within striking distance. Would this finally be Rory’s year, or would he stumble again? We would know soon enough.

When Rory doubled bogeyed the first hole on Sunday and his playing partner Bryson made par, there was suddenly a tie atop the leader board. And there was a feeling in my throat, a lump, that fear of failure that haunt us all. Some people may find golf boring or elitist or both, but the final round of this year’s Masters had all the toppings of a consummate Greek tragedy. The gods on Olympus were once again conspiring to thwart Rory’s dream, denying this mere mortal his dream of joining golf’s pantheon. And even worse: they would make Brash Bryson the cupbearer of defeat.

But that didn’t happen. DeChambeau crashed and burned, while Rory was all grit and resilience. He rose, he fell, and rose again. And on the final hole of regulation play, when only a putt of a few feet stood between him and victory, he fell again. He looked painfully drained, maybe even defeated.

And now Rory is in a sudden-death playoff with Justin Rose, a worthy opponent who had seen his own share of ups and downs over the previous three days. At the end of his round, Rose sunk a difficult twenty-foot putt to reach 11 under par. Twenty minutes later, when Rory missed his par putt on 18, there was another tie atop the leader board. A playoff, sudden-death; the gods could not have written a better script.

On the first playoff hole, both men hit commendable drives and then even better approach shots. Rose had about twelve feet for his birdie; Rory was inside him, only five feet away. Rose’s putt just missed; he tapped in for par. Now it was Rory and history, face to face. The nerves, the lifelong dream, all the hard work and disappointments along the way. But then, with a single sure stroke, Rory’s putt dropped in the hole and it was over. Rory won. He dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands. It all came pouring out and now there are six members of the Career Grand Slam Club.

Golf is a silly game. If you ever want a good laugh, watch Robin Williams’ monologue on the genesis of golf in Scotland. It’s profane, it’s ribald, it’s maniacal, but it will make you laugh until you cry. Just like the game itself.

Congratulations, Rory!

I’ll be right back.

Jamie Kirkpatrick is a writer and photographer who lives in Chestertown. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington College Alumni Magazine, and American Cowboy Magazine. His most recent novel, “The Tales of Bismuth; Dispatches from Palestine, 1945-1948” explores the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is available on Amazon and in local bookstores.

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, Archives, Health Homepage Highlights, Jamie

Let’s Talk About It with Beth Anne Dorman: For All Seasons in All Seasons

April 14, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

This month, Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons, makes the compelling case that at a time when state and federal budgets are being cut or suspended, the need to support For All Seasons in all seasons is literally true these days.

In their “Give With Your Heart” campaign, running in April, For All Seasons in taking the opportunity to remind the Mid-Shore  The campaign highlights how mental health affects everyone—regardless of age or circumstance—through powerful, real-life stories of healing and hope. As Dorman explains, this initiative is more than a fundraiser—it’s a reminder that no one should face trauma, depression, or anxiety alone.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about For All Seasons, please go here. 

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Filed Under: Health Lead, Health Portal Lead

Victory Gardens – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow By Nancy Taylor Robson

April 11, 2025 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

“Covid really brought it up again,” says Master Gardener Eileen Clements.

A way to feed yourself – and maybe share extra lettuce, a few Gadzukes squash, Cherokee Purple tomatoes or Aji Limon hot peppers with your neighbors or friends. Victory Gardens – or their current iteration – can offer a sense of control in a time of uncertainty.

“A garden is a place of hope,” Clements says.

She’s right. Even more, a garden can offer help for that most basic of needs: Food. Covid lockdown increased the number of gardeners exponentially. Suddenly food production, distribution and availability weren’t taken for granted. Seed companies sold out, garden centers were besieged, and even apartment dwellers had a pot of lettuce or herbs sitting on a balcony or sunny windowsill.  We didn’t call them victory gardens, but the small sense of triumph they offered in a world that had gone pear-shaped was therapeutic.

Victory Gardens have a long history. Introduced to the American public in 1917 when we entered WWI, they were a way for civilians to help win the war by growing food for the troops.

A startling percentage of recruits were rejected due to malnutrition, and the adage: An army marches on its stomach is not apocryphal. Destruction of food production and subsequent starvation have long been tactics of war.

“Farms were getting battered and blown up, and we cared enough to send food and help our allies,” Clements notes.

During the Depression, they were termed ‘thrift gardens’ without the patriotic overtones, but with WWII came rationing, and Victory Gardens were once again a way to supplement both military and civilian. Vegetable gardens sprouted up on every available piece of soil. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden on the White House lawn in 1943.

“Victory Gardens became a source of civic pride and a way to show patriotism,” says Clements.

“I understand where the name ‘victory garden’ comes from,” says Master Gardener Shane Brill. “And I appreciate the tradition of people uniting against a common adversary.” But he says it might be time to rename them. “Maybe Resilience Garden,” he says. “Gardens can be a source of empowerment and resilience in local communities.”

Michelle Obama planting The White House Victory Garden

Former First Lady Michelle Obama planted a vegetable garden at the White House to encourage better nutrition, especially among children. Post-White House, the Obamas are building The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden at the Obama Presidential Center.

Though the White House was a special case, gardens – especially community gardens in pockets that would otherwise lie derelict – are almost sacrosanct to many. During the 1992 Rodney King riots, South Central Los Angeles was sacked, but the community gardens there were left untouched. Closer to home, Baltimore’s tucked-away community gardens in edgy neighborhoods are also places of special protection. A kind of victory over discouragement and frustration.

Part of the victory is simply encouraging people to reconnect with the “primal-ness” of gardening. “I do a lot of work in nutrition,” says Brill, director of Washington College’s campus garden who teaches courses in culinary wellness, fermentation, and ecological design. “Sunlight and movement are such powerful levers for our wellbeing. I think food is our most intimate connection to the natural world, and the garden is our gateway to that.”

“There’s something about knowing what it takes to produce food,” adds Master Gardener Barbara Flook. Flook, whose parents had a big vegetable garden, planted her own as soon as she had her first house. “Also, when you grow your own food, you think wasting it is a sin.”

Like Flook, Master Gardener Sara Bedwell was the child of farmers and gardeners, but got into growing food more seriously as a paid intern at Wye Manor’s gardens in 2014. She then went on to work as the vegetable gardener at Camp Pecometh’s 2-acre chef’s garden.

“When I left Wye Manor, the horticulturist there gave me The New Vegetable Grower’s Handbook by Frank Tozer,” she remembers. “It’s the one book I’ve kept, and it’s got my little notes in it.“

Always hungry for more knowledge, Bedwell had wanted the education the Master Gardener program offers but couldn’t coordinate the course timing with her work schedule – until Covid when the course went all-online. She saw her opportunity.

“I had wanted to expand my knowledge, and I like volunteering,” she says. “For me, it was being able to learn new things and then be able to spread that knowledge to the community.”

Bedwell, who works two jobs, is also in the process of clearing two acres  in large part to grow food Meanwhile, she grows in buckets ‘cause she’s gotta eat.

“I can be picky,” she says. “Lettuce from the store doesn’t taste as good as what I grow.” “I do not like store-bought tomatoes at all, but if I grow them, I like them.”

Picking your own basil, tomatoes, squash, and more is also both economical and satisfying. Once Bedwell has the plantable acreage she anticipates, there will be plenty to eat, preserve, and share with friends, neighbors and perhaps the local Food Bank.

“The whole idea of a victory garden, even if you’re growing something for yourself and have too much, you pass it on,” Clements notes.

Whatever we call it – victory, thrift, community, or resilience – a garden embodies hope.

 

Artist: Eileen Clements

PAR -Plant a Row for the hungry

https://community.gardencomm.org/c/about-par/

Resources:

Boswell, Victor R. (1943) Victory Gardens. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 483.

Collection of the National Agricultural Library.

“Victory Gardens on the World War II Home Front.” National Park Service. www.nps.gov

“Victory Garden at the National Museum of American History.” Smithsonian Institute. www.gardens.si.edu

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Filed Under: 3 Top Story, Health Homepage Highlights

Next UM Shore Regional Health Safe Sitter® course set for April 26

April 10, 2025 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

The next Safe Sitter® course, hosted by University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), will take place Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

The course is taught by UM SRH Women and Children’s Department skilled nurses and is designed for children ages 11 to 13. The course will also be offered Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Health Education Center, 219 South Washington St.; and Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the conference room at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown St.

The course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting other children. The instructor-led class is taught using games and role-playing exercises so that students can practice rescue skills. Participants in the program can also expect to learn safety skills, including how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies; child care skills, such as tips to manage behavior that will help sitters stay in control of themselves and the children in their care; first aid and rescue skills, including CPR and choking rescue; and life and business skills to help sitters screen potential childcare jobs, discuss fees and greet employers.

The cost of the program is $50, and a Safe Sitter kit will be provided to all student participants. Students should bring a lunch on the day of the program.

To register for the course, email Gladys Peeples at [email protected]. Early registration is encouraged, as class size is limited. For questions, call Stephanie Blades at 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. 


About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

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Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons educates the public about sexual assault in April

April 10, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

With sexual assaults on the rise on the Mid-Shore, For All Seasons is working during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April to educate the community on the risks, including being a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault. For All Seasons’ first “Sip Safe” Campaign launches on April 1. The campaign’s mission is to raise awareness about the risks associated with drug- and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault while promoting proactive behaviors that enhance personal and community safety.

For All Seasons’ staff is collaborating with local organizations, businesses, and colleges to ensure that the issue of drug and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault is widely recognized and actively addressed. Part of this initiative includes distributing free informational resources, drink-spiking prevention scrunchies, and drink cover stickers to local college students and bartenders. Among the tips are how to identify risky situations when enjoying a night out and how to recognize if a drink has been spiked or tampered with (https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/sipsafe/)

Bringing community into the conversation.  Outreach will be done in the public schools, colleges, and local businesses around this year’s national theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” highlighting the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

According to Kristy Mirando, Director of Victim Services at For All Seasons, “With sexual violence continuing to harm our Mid-Shore children and adults, as a behavioral health agency and rape crisis center, our agency cares about education and prevention. We know that helping youth and adults to understand what sexual assault encompasses is important. Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any unwanted sexual contact. Forms of sexual violence include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual abuse. It also includes a range of behaviors such as unwanted sexual contact or words, online exploitation, exposing oneself to others without consent, and nonconsensual image sharing. We are hoping throughout this month ahead to educate youth and adults about risk and how to avoid situations which may lead to sexual assault.”

In recognition of Denim Day (April 23), For All Seasons is partnering with The Ivy Café in Easton to create awareness and show support for sexual assault survivors through its Denim Day Community Art Project. On April 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can come to The Ivy Café on Dover Street in Easton and write supportive messages on patches of denim to show their support for sexual assault survivors. These patches will later be displayed on a large canvas at The Ivy Café and at For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center.

Denim Day is an international day created after an Italian court overruled a 1999 rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, implying consent. The next day, women in Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity.  Local citizens are encouraged to wear denim with a purpose on April 23 to show their support for ending sexual violence and victim blaming. Participants can send their photos of Denim Day to [email protected] or tag their Denim Day photos to #DenimDayFAS2025.

Between April 7 and 11, the For All Seasons Rape Crisis Staff will be partnering with the Kent County Public Schools for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. On April 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For All Seasons will present in the Kent County High School cafeteria on “Protecting Teens in a Digital World: Internet Safety & Healthy Relationships.” The presentation is open to high school and middle school parents, guardians, and concerned community members interested in keeping teens safe online, and a light dinner will be served. On April 8, For All Seasons staff will help teachers at Kent County High School facilitate a lesson about Denim Day, and students will participate in the Denim Day patch art project.

For All Seasons will also present Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s counties during April.

For further information about how you or your business or organization can participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/sipsafe/ or email [email protected].

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

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

Filed Under: Health Notes

Spring Patient Volunteer Training at Compass

April 7, 2025 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Compass will be offering their two day training session for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer.

The training session is scheduled for 9am to 5pm on the Thursdays of May 8th and 15th. The training will be held at our Barnette Center’s Conference room located at 255 Comet Dr. Centreville, MD 27677.

Volunteers provide company for patients, relieve the primary caregiver for a short period of time, assist with administration duties, and/or grief services. We are always looking for Veterans to assist with our We Honor Veterans program.

“Most often, patient volunteers give companionship to patients by reading, playing cards, or just watching television with them. They also give caregivers a chance to have a much­ needed break to tend to other responsibilities.” said Jessica Sheubrooks, Volunteer Manager at Compass. Volunteers provide the added support that our patients and families need during what can be an overwhelming time.

Topics taught during the training will include an overview of hospice, the process of dying, spiritual care and its place in hospice care, the stages of grief, effective communication techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.

Compass relies on more than 200 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways. In addition to patient care volunteers, Compass is currently seeking volunteers for Compass Closet (formerly Estate Treasures), their upscale retail shop whose proceeds help cover uncompensated patient care. Whatever your motivation to volunteer, there is a place for you at Compass.

To register or find out more information about becoming a volunteer for Compass, contact Jessica Sheubrooks at 443-262-4772 or [email protected]. Please register no later than May 1st.

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Filed Under: Health Notes

YMCA of the Chesapeake highlights Parkinson’s Awareness Month across the shore

April 3, 2025 by YMCA of the Chesapeake Leave a Comment

This April, the YMCA of the Chesapeake is proud to recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Month by hosting special events and offering vital programs for those affected by Parkinson’s disease. In honor of World Parkinson’s Day on April 11th, the community is invited to  punch out Parkinson’s through our Fight Back Punch-a-Thon, held at six YMCA locations across the Eastern Shore.

“Join us this April as we raise awareness, build community, and fight back against Parkinson’s—one punch, one pedal, and one step at a time,” said Wendy Palmer, Director of Chronic Disease and Prevention Programs.

As the largest human services organization on the Eastern Shore, serving communities from Cecil County, MD, to Chincoteague Island, VA, and, as of 2024, St. Mary’s County, MD, the Y is deeply committed to providing access to disease prevention and management resources.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance difficulties. While there is no cure, research shows that exercise plays a critical role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

To support individuals living with Parkinson’s, the YMCA of the Chesapeake offers specialized programs at six of its eleven branches, with plans to expand further in 2025. Current offerings include:

  • Rock Steady Boxing – A non-contact boxing program designed to enhance agility, speed, strength, and coordination, all of which can help slow the progression of symptoms.
  • Pedaling for Parkinson’s – A cycling-based program inspired by research from the Cleveland Clinic, which demonstrated a 35 percent reduction in Parkinson’s symptoms through high-cadence cycling.
  • Aqua PD (Aquatic Exercise for Parkinson’s) – A low-impact, water-based class focused on flexibility, strength, and mobility, offering participants a safe and supportive environment.
  • New for 2025: Rock Climbing for Parkinson’s – Launching at the Easton Family YMCA, this program will challenge participants both physically and mentally, fostering strength, confidence, and camaraderie.

These programs go beyond physical benefits—they create a strong sense of community where participants find hope, encouragement, and support. They are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to donations made through the YMCA’s Annual Campaign and support from the Maryland Association for Parkinson Support (MAPS).  To contribute, please visit ymcachesapeake.org/give or send donations to:

For more details on specific program offerings, please contact a YMCA branch directly:

Easton Family YMCA at Washington
1180 South Washington Street, Easton
410-822-1515 | Contact: Wendy Palmer, [email protected]

Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA
123 Coursevall Dr., Centreville
443-262-9994 | Contact: Lyn Sutton, [email protected]

Henson Family YMCA
710 Schumaker Drive, Salisbury
410-749-0101 | Contact: Faron Burns, [email protected]

Kent County Family YMCA
200 Scheeler Road, Chestertown
410-778-3148 | Contact: Erica Osterhout, [email protected]

Cecil County Family YMCA
25 YMCA Blvd, Elkton
410-398-2333 | Contact: Tracy Campbell, [email protected]

St. Mary’s County Family YMCA
410-822-0566 | Contact: Wendy Palmer, [email protected]


About the YMCA of the Chesapeake

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and one of the largest Human Service organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Virginia and Southern Maryland; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore and Southern Maryland, Ys engage 50,000 members and their families–regardless of age, income or background–to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve community health and wellbeing, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA of the Chesapeake operates facilities in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland and on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. The Y is working with local volunteers to bring a new YMCA to Lexington Park, Maryland in St. Mary’s County in the near future.  Last year, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,750,000 in assistance to over 16,000 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. Additionally, the Y spent $200,000 on outreach efforts and programming in the communities it serves.

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

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons open house celebrates new Chestertown location

March 28, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

Pictured is the crowd that gathered recently to celebrate For All Seasons’ recent open house for its new location at 315 High Street, Suite 202 in downtown Chestertown.

For All Seasons recently held an open house for its new location at 315 High Street, Suite 202 in Chestertown. Staff provided information on expanded services and tours of the new downtown space. The new location ties into the agency’s ‘Bringing Mental Health to Main Street’ initiative, bringing services to main streets across the Mid-Shore and making services walkable for people living in the Shore’s towns and cities. Beginning March 24, the agency also began offering its Open Access™ program – a walk-in mental health service with same-day access to appointments – something new in Kent County. The hours in Chestertown for Open Access are Mondays from 2 to 3 p.m.

“We have been serving Kent County for 25 years and Kent County Public Schools with school-based programs for the past 16 years. Tonight, we stand in this new “home” for our Kent County services, but make no mistake… we have been here, walking alongside this community for decades. And, the really exciting thing is, with this new space, we will be able to do even more,” stated Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

“For too long, mental health care has been tucked away, hidden behind closed doors, as if it were something separate from daily life. At For All Seasons, we believe the opposite. Mental health is not a side issue — it’s as essential as the schools that educate our children, the hospitals that heal our bodies, and the businesses that keep our communities thriving. That’s why we don’t just set up offices. We plant ourselves in the heart of the communities we serve,” she added.

“It is an honor to welcome For All Seasons to its new Chestertown office. Mental health is a vital part of a thriving community, and the services For All Seasons provides are truly life-changing. Their commitment to accessible, compassionate care ensures that no one has to face their challenges alone. We are grateful for their expanded presence in Kent County and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make,” commented Sarah King, Executive Director, Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

Dignitaries who attended the event included the mayors of Chestertown and Rock Hall. David Foster, Mayor of Chestertown, added, “It’s so beneficial to have For All Seasons in such a visible and convenient location downtown and not in a corner somewhere. I can’t imagine the situation of being told to come back in three weeks when needing a mental health appointment, so also having For All Seasons Open Access available now with same-day appointments will prevent that.”

“This has been a focus and a big lift for the whole team, bringing this to Chestertown, which is a good central location for the county. Very few places offer anything like this, so to have this available is just phenomenal. I’ve been a huge supporter for years,” shared Mike Cook, Mayor of Rock Hall.

For All Seasons Mental Health on Main Street initiative is supported by the Rural Maryland Prosperity Improvement Fund (RMPIF) from the Rural Maryland Council. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds administered by the Town of Chestertown have also funded For All Seasons’ ability to move and expand its Kent County office to bring in-person Open Access™ to its Chestertown office and to serve more Kent County residents. The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission has funded For All Seasons’ ability to expand its school-based and community-based care, early intervention, and prevention strategies for Kent County youth.

“Where you stand tonight is not just a new office. It’s a statement: Mental health belongs in the center of our community, where everyone can see it, access it, and know that help is always within reach. These four walls are more than just an office. They represent hope,” shared Dorman.

For further information, visit forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

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

Filed Under: Health Notes

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