Under the Redbud Tree is a compelling story of love, loss, and redemption that explores Maryland’s Eastern Shore way of life. Author E Dee Merriken Monnen of Easton, Maryland, recently released the novel, which is her fourth novel.

Monnen’s prologue sets the stage for this severe, sometimes humorous story that celebrates farm life and the gift of grace.

The story uncovers hidden secrets and unwavering faith. At the same time, readers step into the heart of a fictional Eastern Shore town with the character and widower Dave Johnson as he navigates the trials of running two multi-generational farms.

“As the Shore continues to grow and expand, I wanted to document an era of neighborly kinship that one day may be no longer,” said Monnen, reflecting on the process behind her work. “The result is a heartwarming tale of family, faith, and triumph that explores the power of simple acts of kindness, the thrill of young love, and the comfort of enduring under the redbud tree.”

Amidst the idyllic rural landscape, the Johnson family faces modern challenges bound by their enduring faith. Near the twilight of his life, shocking revelations reveal a startling secret—he unknowingly fathered a son 60 years ago.

This revelation shakes the family to its core, with a battle against darkness many readers will be able to relate to,” says Monnen. She says as one of Johnson’s grandsons grapples with alcoholism in the storyline, a dark cloud threatens to overshadow their lives.

“The Johnsons find a way to support each other and overcome this struggle,” says Monnen. “Confronting tradition, Dave is torn by the age-old tradition of passing down the family farm, leaving the reader to wonder if he can find a way to honor the past while embracing the future.”

She says later in life and to his great surprise, Johnson meets his adult son, who greatly blesses Johnson’s family with a tremendous sacrifice.

E Dee Merriken Monnen is a former Caroline County Commissioner, a retired real estate broker, and a novelist for the past several years. Her other books include Dream Season, Jumping Over the Moon, and Shaping Heroes. Readers can purchase Under the Redbud Tree or any of Monnen’s books at local bookstores and on Amazon, with more at www.edeemonnen.com

How many times have you driven by our theater without ever coming to a show? Maybe you’re new to the area and haven’t even heard of us. Maybe you think we perform only long and serious dramas. Well, Church Hill Theatre offers a wide range of live performances, from stand-up comedy to modern dance, and yes, to well-known Broadway productions.

This month, we will offer something entirely new, as a special invitation to those who have never been inside our gorgeous Art-Deco playhouse.  Old friends are, of course, welcome as well. One of our favorite performers, Kathy Jones, will present the first-ever CHT Coffee House on Friday, July 26, from 7-9 pm. And, because this is a new event, there is no charge for reservations,  just a request that you donate what you can at the show.  All contributions will go toward our various Church Hill Theatre projects.

Kathy has serious singing chops, from years with Sweet Adelines groups, gigs in Key West and lead roles in musicals such as Matilda, the Musical, Fiddler on The Roof, and The Little Shop of Horrors. For the Coffee House, she and her guitar will entertain with Classic Rock from the 60s and 70s as well as folk music, and a few current pop songs.  There might even be some audience participation and a chance for requests.

Our flexible seating will be arranged informally with tables and chairs.  We’ll be selling coffee as well as a variety of other drinks and some special snacks.  While tickets are free, because space is limited, we do ask that you make reservations through our website: churchhilltheatre.org.   Church Hill Theatre is located at 103 Walnut Street in Church Hill, Maryland.  There is ample free parking in a marked lot nearby.  Please call the office at (410) 556-6003 if you need more information.

August, Osage County cast members Front row: Debra McGuire, Gil Rambach and Paul Briggs. Middle row: James Diggs, Christopher Wallace, Addyson Crooks, Tess Jones, Chelsea Clough and Brianna Johnson. Top row: Sharon Herz, Steve Hazzard and Greg Minahan. Not pictured: Kathy Jones.

Church Hill Theatre is delighted to confirm its September production of August, Osage County by Tracy Letts.  One of the best American plays of the 21st century, a 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, and an Oscar nominated film starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, the CHT revival promises to be a highpoint of the cultural season.

Director Shelagh Grasso will create the claustrophobic intensity of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family with a stellar cast and crew in the September 13-29 production. The play is often funny, but the comedy is dark, and the Weston family’s secrets are deeply held and searingly painful. This is not a play for children or young teens.

The family patriarch, the noted poet Bev Weston (Greg Minahan), is missing and his pill-addicted wife Violet (Kathy Jones) expects her three daughters to suspend their own lives and come to her aid. Violet’s sister Mattie Fay (Debra McGuire) and brother-in-law Charlie Aiken (Gil Rambach) are around but don’t have much to offer in the way of support.

The daughters have problems of their own. Barbera (Tess Jones) and Bill Fordham (Christopher Wallace) are headed toward divorce and worried that the discord has affected their daughter Jean (Addyson Crooks). Karen (Sharon Herz), who bounces from one bad relationship to another, has decided that less-than-perfect Steve (Steve Hazzard) is the man of her dreams. Spinster Ivy (Chelsea Clough), who lives nearby and resents her caretaker role, plans to flee to New York City with her cousin Little Charles Aiken (Paul Briggs).

Before disappearing, Bev had hired a Cheyenne woman to cook, clean and take Violet to medical appointments. Johnna Monevata (Brianna Johnson) watches over the house with quiet care. An old friend of Barbara’s, Sheriff Deon Gilbeau (James Diggs), brings critical information.

August: Osage County opens on Friday, September 9 and runs for three weekends, ending on Sunday, September 29. Tickets will be available on the CHT website: churchhilltheatre.org or through the box office at (410) 556-6003.

TCC’s members have always been interested in and supported just about everything photographic – the genres of photography, the techniques for capturing, processing, and displaying photographs, and the commercial, educational, personal, and artistic uses of photographs. The images in this exhibit were curated by Sahm Doherty-Sefton, a long-time AAM instructor and photo editor for Time magazine for years, and express the range of interests and skills of TCC’s members as they captured a moment in time.

Lastly, TCC dedicates this exhibit to D. Graham Slaughter, a founding member of the Club. Graham was looking forward to this exhibit but passed away before his images were installed.

Tred Avon Players to host auditions for its production of Noël Coward’s BLITHE SPIRIT, which will be performed Oct 24 – Nov 3 at the Oxford Community Center in Oxford, Md.

AUDITION DATES / LOCATIONS

Talbot Chamber of Commerce, Easton Plaza, 101 Marlboro Ave #53, Easton

• Saturday, July 20, 10 am – noon

Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Rd, Oxford

• Monday, July 22, 7 pm – 9 pm
• Wednesday, July 24, 7 pm – 9 pm

CASTING

TAP will be casting seven roles, two men and five women. Auditioners of all ethnicities, body types, abilities, skill levels, etc., are welcome and will be considered for roles.

• Charles Condomine: The English novelist and socialite, age 35-50
• Ruth Condomine: Charles’s wife, age 30-50
• Madame Arcati: The local spiritualist and medium, age 45+
• Elvira: The ghost of Charles’s first wife, age 25-35
• Dr George Bradman: The village doctor and friend of Charles, age 30-60
• Violet Bradman: The doctor’s wife, age 30-60
• Edith: The young, inexperienced maid, age 16+

For more detailed character descriptions, go to www.tredavonplayers.org/auditions-1

PLAY SUMMARY
BLITHE SPIRIT centers on Charles Condomine, a novelist who, along with his second wife Ruth, hosts a séance conducted by Madame Arcati, a quirky medium. The séance unexpectedly summons the spirit of Charles’s first wife, Elvira, who disrupts his current marriage. The couple’s friends, Dr. Bradman and his wife, also witness the chaos, while Edith, the maid, adds to the humor. The play explores themes of love, jealousy, and the supernatural with sharp wit and clever dialogue.

Alison Lynch will be directing BLITHE SPIRIT. Readings will be selected scenes (sides) from the script provided during the audition. You can reach Alison by text at 410-476-7437 or by emailing [email protected] for any special accommodations.

PRODUCTION CREW

TAP also needs a BLITHE SPIRIT production crew – sets, lights, sound, costumes, and stage crew. If you are interested, come to any audition to find out more information, or send an email to [email protected].

ABOUT TRED AVON PLAYERS

Founded in 1982, the Tred Avon Players is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enrich, educate and entertain its community by providing a high-quality theater experience. Hundreds of local performers, stagehands, audience members and donors have been the backbone of its success throughout the decades. To learn how to get involved and purchase tickets for upcoming shows, visit www.tredavonplayers.org and follow Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Another Summer Evening, by Mark Hiles, after Anders Zorn, 1894, oil

Back by popular demand, “Fabulous Forgeries” opens July 12, 2024, at Troika Gallery. Judged by Dr. Dan Weiss, former President and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, the exhibit features select Troika Artists painting “copies” of their favorite Old Masters.  

Art lovers who visit Troika will have the opportunity to cast a vote for The People’s Choice Award. The award categories of Judges Choice, Most Believable, Most Creative, and The People’s Choice will each award a monetary prize. 

This entertaining and educational exhibit will parallel the Plein Air Easton Festival. It offers the opportunity to take in a unique show while appreciating the historical context and creativity of the masterworks. Photos of the original master paintings will hang next to the “forgery” as a reference.

Concurrent with The Fabulous Forgeries show Kevin Fitzgerald- “Points of Departure II” is on exhibit in the gallery through July 29, 2024.

Troika Gallery constantly refreshes its exhibition spaces, and works by all Troika Artists are on view.  Bronzes, oils, pastels, ceramics, porcelain, watercolors, pencil drawings, and commissioned portraits are a hallmark of Troika, which features The Finest of Fine Art.

Located at 9 South Harrison Street, Troika Gallery will be open the full week of the Plein Air Festival. Regular hours are Thurs, Fri, Sat and Mon. from 11 am to 6pm, and by appointment.   Fabulous Forgeries runs through August 31, 2024. For more information, visit troikagallery.com.