CBMM will host its annual Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, Aug. 30, inviting guests to its waterfront campus to bid on donated vessels of all shapes and sizes in support of its mission.

Dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. There will be reserves on several top-quality vessels, while the rest will be offered with no minimum.

The doors open at 8am, providing an opportunity to browse the inventory before the auction begins at 11am. For the official rules, auction details, absentee bidding protocols, and inventory updates, visit cbmm.org/CharityBoatAuction.

All registration for in-person bidding is handled on the day of the event. Registered bidders pay a $5 paddle fee. CBMM members receive free admission into the Charity Boat Auction. Non-members pay $5 until 11am and then general admission rates apply.

A Labor Day weekend staple for more than two decades, the Charity Boat Auction is the flagship event of CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program, which accepts and sells gently used boats year-round. Every sale directly supports CBMM’s mission to explore and preserve the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and make this resource available to all.

Many of the auction vessels are already listed online at cbmm.org/BDP. This year’s featured vessels include a 2005 Sea Ray Sundancer 300, a 1961 O’Neil Jones wood charter boat named Ruth D, a 1994 Silverton 310 Express, an antique fantail launch built in Delaware in 1900, and a like-new 2023 Compac Legacy 16, plus many more power and sailing vessels and paddlecraft.

Beginning at 8:30am, guests can also shop a flea market-style tag sale that features a variety of used boating gear. Adding to the festive scene, there will be a local food truck on hand and coffee and beer available for purchase.

Prospective buyers have several different ways to check out the inventory, starting with a preview exclusively for CBMM members on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5–7pm. To get your Member Night invitation and become a part of the Chesapeake story, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

The auction boats will be listed online and available for public view at CBMM on Friday, Aug. 29, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm that day, and gates will open for free from 3–6pm.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals and special events, including the Charity Boat Auction.

If you have additional questions about the auction or available inventory, please contact CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation team at [email protected].

Church Hill Theatre announced its exciting 2026 Season at its annual meeting in June. Now it is time to begin the production process by selecting the directors. Applications are due by September 15 and final decisions will be made in early October. CHT welcomes applications from new and experienced directors and can provide more information and guidance about the process.  The titles and production dates follow:

Lend Me A Soprano, by Ken Ludwig. March 13 – 29. 

Chicago, Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Egg, book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse June 5-21

Something’s Afoot, Music, book and lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos, and Robert Gerlach, with additional music by Ed Linderman September 11-27

The Transylvanian Clockworks, by Don Nigro November 6-22

A Christmas Carol, A CHT tradition, with a script based on the famous radio version December 18-20

All the necessary application instructions are available on the CHT website: https://churchhilltheatre.org/shows/directing-opportunities/.  Applications should be submitted digitally but call the office at (410) 556-6003 if you have questions. A limited number of perusal copies of the scripts are available from the CHT office. The office also can arrange a mutually convenient time to inspect the tech booth and lights, look at our green room, props and costumes, and walk the stage. Applicants will have a general understanding of each show’s production schedule and budget and how CHT staff and volunteers can assist. 

Some open-ended parts of the application require an explanation of your vision and how you would create it on our stage. Be sure to include enough information for us to evaluate your proposals accurately. While CHT can help new directors find production crew members, many successful applications include the names of their prospective producers, stage managers and other key personnel. We don’t expect to see an exact rehearsal schedule or blocking, but vision alone won’t ensure selection. Convince us.

All applications must be received by September 15, 2025.   Directors may apply for more than one production, but please submit a separate application for each. And please let the office know as soon as possible if you might apply, so we can contact you about any changes to the program or application procedures before the deadline. Hard copies of applications may be submitted by mailing them to the CHT Office at PO Box 91, Church Hill, MD 21623. They may also be submitted digitally to [email protected].  The final decisions should be made by early October. Nobody on the CHT Production Committee that reviews submissions will be eligible to direct during the 2026 season.

Website: www.churchhilltheatre.org

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 1^st 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]

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson has been appointed as a representative on the Advisory Committee for Pillar 3 – College and Career Readiness – of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB).

“This is a well-deserved and outstanding opportunity for representation from Queen Anne’s County,” said County Commissioner President Chris Corchiarino. “Commissioner Wilson has become a leader in navigating legislative issues and advocating for county governments across Maryland in his role as President of the Maryland Association of Counties. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong voice for small and rural counties to this important position.”

Commissioner Wilson expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, stating:

“I am happy that I have been chosen to represent Pillar 3 dealing with College and Career Readiness. After 40 years in the trades, I believe my real-world experience will help to shape how we present opportunities to our youth, to show them that there are endless possibilities available.”

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future represents a historic investment in the state’s public education system. Its vision is to ensure every child receives an excellent education that prepares them for success in college and careers. The Blueprint was developed based on the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, commonly known as the Kirwan Commission.

The Accountability and Implementation Board is an independent unit of state government tasked with ensuring the Blueprint is implemented as intended. The AIB monitors state and local efforts, holds governments accountable, and evaluates whether the Blueprint’s long-term educational goals are being met.

The Blueprint is built around five policy areas, or “pillars”:

1. Early Childhood Education
2. High-Quality and Diverse Teachers and Leaders
3. College and Career Readiness
4. More Resources for Students to be Successful
5. Governance and Accountability

The AIB formed advisory committees for each of these five pillars to:

• Incorporate input from stakeholders representing Maryland’s geographic, racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity;
• Identify challenges and offer suggestions for overcoming them;
• Share successes and provide feedback on Blueprint implementation progress.

Commissioner Wilson’s appointment ensures that Queen Anne’s County, and rural counties like it have a seat at the table as the state continues to reshape the future of education in Maryland.

For more information visit Advisory Committees – Pillar 3

Temple B’nai Israel—the Satell Center for Jewish Life on the Eastern Shore—announces the selection of a new permanent rabbi, Jordan Goldson the second in the Temple’s history. The Temple’s leadership, under the direction of past president Barbara Portnoy Spector, conducted a months-long search. After a congregational vote, Rabbi Goldson was named the Temple’s new spiritual leader. He follows in the path of Rabbi Peter Hyman, a leader in the community, who recently retired.

Rabbi Goldson brings with him a wealth of experience. Following his ordination in California, he has served as rabbi to congregations in Canada, Arizona, Louisiana and New Jersey. He and his wife Beth, are excited about their move to Easton and joining the Temple B’nai Israel community.

Current president Jim Brodsky welcomed the Rabbi to the congregation at an exciting event on June 22, honoring three rabbis: Rabbi Hyman, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, the interim rabbi who provided rabbinical leadership following Rabbi Hyman’s retirement as well as Rabbi Goldson. He officially began his tenure with a shabbat service on July 5.

Rabbi Goldson has pledged to “reach out to the larger community to form friendships that enable us to work together to improve the lives of our neighbors, by creating understanding that leads to more peace and happiness.” He is looking forward to leading the congregation’s High Holiday services in September.

The second year of the Rescue Effect brings together shelters and rescues nationwide to place more animals into loving homes and reduce the length of time animals are spending in shelters.

RIDGELY, MD (JULY 22, 2025) The Caroline County Humane Society today announced that it will join animal shelters and rescues across the country to participate in the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and place more animals into loving homes. During this effort, CCHS will offer fee waived adoptions for dogs and cats.

Launching in August and continuing through October, the Rescue Effect is the ASPCA’s national campaign dedicated to helping organizations increase adoptions and engage the public. This year, the ASPCA is providing $2 million in grants to cover adoption fees and support operations at many participating shelters and rescue groups across the country.

Most shelters across the country are full with nearly six million dogs and cats entering shelters and rescues in 2024, and animals, especially dogs, are often staying longer in care before being adopted. Choosing to adopt helps the animal you take home and supports many more by freeing up space and resources. Animal shelters have pets of all sizes, ages, and an array of wonderful personalities. If you aren’t able to adopt, temporarily fostering also helps free up space for other animals in need.

“We are thrilled to be joining the Rescue Effect campaign this year and look forward to placing more animals in homes because of it,” says CCHS Executive Director Stephanie Flower.

In addition to the Rescue Effect, CCHS is also joining the Maryland 3000 and Clear the Shelters national adoption campaign. These campaigns run throughout August, providing additional exposure to animals in need of homes.

The Caroline County Humane Society will launch their participation in these campaigns by waiving adoption fees throughout the entire month of August. All regular adoption processes will still apply.

To learn more about CCHS or view currently adoptable animals, go to carolinehumane.org.

You can learn more about the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign at ASPCA.org/TheRescueEffect.