Marc Castelli: Art and the Chesapeake Waterman

Those who live around the Chesapeake Bay tend to have a special affection for the folk who work out on those waters. And no one has a better understanding of, and sympathy for, the all-weather workers of this unique world than the artist Marc Castelli. His art is currently on display at the Carla Massoni Gallery in Chestertown. The Spy asked Marc to put in his own words how he transfers what he has seen of the watermen’s life to canvas.

Images presented in this video are courtesy of Marc Castelli.

Spy Eye: Cross Street Realtors Cut Ribbon

Cross Street Realtors (formerly Sam Martin Realty Associates) officially opened their new office at 201 South Cross Street on Friday night with a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Kent County Chamber of Commerce.  Spy Photographer Chris Metzloff was there for the action.

Colchester Farm’s CSA Back to Work

Colchester Farm’s community supported agriculture (CSA) project is one of those special resources in Kent County that is not immediately noticed by most.  Over the past five years, the CSA has slowly increased its membership to 140 families, providing fresh, pesticide-free produce for almost half the year to its subscribers, while also creating a special connection to those that grow this food on land that has been farmed for 300 years.  At a time when more and more Americans are rethinking what they eat and where they get their food, Colchester Farm has created a viable option for our community through the creative energy of this non-profit’s dedicated staff and board, as well as its members’ donations and support.

Colchester Farm membership is now available. Click here for more information.

SpyCam: Picasso at the Lapin Agile

“Did Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso share an evening at a notorious artists’ hangout in Paris in 1904, mere moments before they each left their indelible marks on the 20th century? Is there a market for paintings of sheep?  What do a great artist and a great physicist have in common?  Is there such a thing as Schmendimite?  What is the nature of genius? These and other questions are pondered, and many laughs are had along the way in Picasso at the Lapin Agile.”

The SpyCam captured a preview of the performance during dress rehearsal Wednesday night.  Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

The Conductor: McHugh and his Mainstay

Tom McHugh took his time becoming the director of a non-profit music hall in Rock Hall. After more than 30 years as a leading academic and professor of education at Vassar and Washington College, he fulfilled a lifelong goal of building a second career in music, his first love. To that end, he created a venue that would bring to the Eastern Shore some of the best musicians in jazz, blues, folk and contemporary music performing today.

For decades, Tom has been a force in the region’s music scene, from helping to form the original Kent County Marching Band, encouraging Karen Somerville to perform Lady Sings the Blues, or arranging concerts for Sue Matthews in Ireland. He is indeed our great conductor.

DW

Spy Eye: Epic Storm Hits Chestertown

Chestertown found itself on Saturday experiencing one of the most significant snow storms in recent memory. Over 18 inches of snow have fallen since the storm began Friday evening with the blizzard not expected to end until early Saturday evening.  The Chestertown Spy photographer Chris Metzloff captured the storm this afternoon.

Spy Profile: A Special School on Radcliffe Creek

It takes a special school to bring out the best in students, and this is particularly the case when those children have learning disabilities.  The Radcliffe Creek School in Chestertown is one of those very unique places. Founder and school director Molly Judge highlights for the Chestertown Spy how you can make a difference, one student at a time.

Editor’s note: Some viewers may experience the video pausing if there is high internet traffic.

Spy Eye: Inside Stam’s Hall

There is little doubt that businessman Colin Stam wanted to make a statement when he contracted to have Stam Hall built in 1886 at the corner of Lawyers Row and High Street. As local architect Peter Newlin noted in a recent Spy essay, Stam clearly had “aspirations” for his building, which was to house the family pharmacy, paint store, as well as Chestertown’s first Town Hall. He succeeded in creating a town icon.

In the 1920′s, the building transitioned into the Lyceum Theatre, where the Masons, whose ceremonial hall still exists, gathered and where minstrel shows and later movies were shown.   Owner Matt Hogans only recently decided to rent out the one apartment in the building, while he continues to sort out different plans on how best to bring the Lyceum back to life. In the meantime, he was kind enough to share with Spy photographer Chris Metzloff the building as it stands now.

DW

Profiles in Spirituality: The Future of the Episcopal Church (Part 2)

On a very cold and wet evening in November, six local clergy members from the Episcopal Churches of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties gathered at Emmanuel’s Parish Hall to talk candidly about the future by answering the question: Will the Episcopal Church exist in the 21st Century, and if so, why would it be relevant to believers?

It was not lost on the panelists that a similar discussion, as Rev Osberger points out, took place in 1780 when the rectors of the local parishes gathered at the same spot during a similar time of profound change and challenges.  One of the historic results of that meeting, suggested by The Rev’d James Jones Wilmer, Rector of Shrewsbury Parish, was the renaming of the church itself to the Protestant Episcopal Church, which was later adopted by the American branch of the Anglican Church.

Given this unique history, it seemed appropriate for the Spy to honor this important moment by bringing together the current rectors from some of the same parishes. While the issues have changed since 1780, the Church nonetheless faces equally important challenges of keeping important traditions of the past, while also acknowledging the needs of an entirely new generation of men and women seeking spiritual guidance and answers.

Professor J. David Newell, retired chair of the philosophy and religion department at Washington College, moderates a discussion with Rev. Daniel Gross, Rector of Emmanuel Church; Rev. Nanese Hawthorne, Rector of St. Luke’s Parish, Queen Anne’s County; Rev. Tom Hughes, Rector of Shrewsbury in Kennedyville; Rev. Allen LaMontagne of St. Paul’s; Rev. Charles Osberger of Old Wye Church, and Rev. Heather Cook of the Diocese of Easton.

The first part of this program is available by clicking here: Part I

DW

Pets of the Week

We have two very charismatic pets before the holidays. First, we have “Cleopatra”, an incredibly sweet year old Doberman Pinschers/Labrador Retriever mix that was brought in off the street. She did not show any signs of the mean streak that her breed is reputable for, and when it was time for her to go back into her cage, she jumped up as if to give the photographer a hug. So sweet!

“Jodi” showed up in the humane society’s emergency drop room back in August. She is one year old, and is not a huge fan of other cats, but she is fine with dogs. Very affectionate, and how can you say no to those glowing eyes!

For more information, please contact the Kent County Humane Society

Please send information about Lost or Found Pets to Petwatch@chestertownspy.com

Profiles in Spirituality: The Future of the Episcopal Church (Part 1)

On a very cold and wet evening in November, six local clergy members from the Episcopal Churches of Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties gathered at Emmanuel’s Parish Hall to talk candidly about the future by answering the question: Will the Episcopal Church exist in the 21st Century, and if so, why would it be relevant to believers?

It was not lost on the panelists that a similar discussion, as Rev Osberger points out, took place in 1780 when the rectors of the local parishes gathered at the same spot during a similar time of profound change and challenges.  One of the historic results of that meeting, suggested by The Rev’d James Jones Wilmer, Rector of Shrewsbury Parish, was the renaming of the church itself to the Protestant Episcopal Church, which was later adopted by the American branch of the Anglican Church.

Given this unique history, it seemed appropriate for the Spy to honor this important moment by bringing together the current rectors from some of the same parishes. While the issues have changed since 1780, the Church nonetheless faces equally important challenges of keeping important traditions of the past, while also acknowledging the needs of an entirely new generation of men and women seeking spiritual guidance and answers.

Professor J. David Newell, retired chair of the philosophy and religion department at Washington College, moderates a discussion with Rev. Daniel Gross, Rector of Emmanuel Church; Rev. Nanese Hawthorne, Rector of St. Luke’s Parish, Queen Anne’s County; Rev. Tom Hughes, Rector of Shrewsbury in Kennedyville; Rev. Allen LaMontagne of St. Paul’s; Rev. Charles Osberger of Old Wye Church, and Rev. Heather Cook of the Diocese of Easton.

Part II will be presented next week.

DW

Profiles in Conservation: Dr. Joyce Evans

It’s hard to believe that behind the facade of a simple office building on Lynchburg Street, some of the most interesting and complex aquatic studies for the federal government are taking place.  Joyce Evans leads a small team of researchers in identifying diseases and developing vaccines for the United States Department of Agriculture in a well-equipped laboratory only a block away from High Street.   From oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, to farm-raised fish in North America, or even a major fish kill epidemic in Kuwait, Joyce has been part of a team of experts charged with quickly diagnosing and treating rare forms of aquatic diseases, while being a wife and mother of two boys in Quaker Neck in her spare time.

Spy Profile: The Legacy of Vincent Hynson

Vincent Anthony Hynson was a teacher, coach, pastor and leader in the Chestertown African-American community. He was committed to strengthening the community through its young people. Working within the school system, he taught 6th grade at Rock Hall Middle School and was also a first-year coach for Kent County High School’s tennis and volleyball teams. He lobbied to have the name of Chestertown’s elementary school changed back to H. H. Garnett School to reflect its heritage. After Hynson’s untimely death in 2004, the newly appointed President of Washington College, Baird Tipson, developed a scholarship to honor the late Rev. Hynson.  ”The scholarship is presented to an entering freshman who is a graduate of a secondary school in Kent County, who demonstrates financial need, and whose achievements and aspirations most closely emulate the values of community service exemplified by the life of Rev. Hynson. The scholarship covers 100 percent of the cost of tuition, room and board, books, and fees for the recipient.”

Santa Arrives in Town (in Photos)

Santa Claus made it back to Fountain Park once again Friday night. To the delight (and relief) of Chestertown’s children and their parents, St. Nick showed up in grand style with the help of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Department and Kent County Marching Band shortly after 7 PM to the cheers of hundreds.  The Spy was there to capture it all.

Spy Fortnightly Profile: In & Out of the Studio with Vicco von Voss

John Muir, California’s beloved naturalist, once noted that between two trees there was a doorway to a new world. Local artist and craftsman Vicco von Voss has been finding that door in his own special way since he began his career as woodworker and furniture maker in Kent County almost twenty years ago. His passion for wood and design, coupled with a spiritual context for his work, has led von Voss to his own world in his craft and in his relationship with the Eastern Shore landscape.

Profiles in Spirituality; David LaMotte on the Afterlife

David LaMotte, long time Kent County resident and President of LaMotte Chemical, shared many similarities with his late father, the Reverend David H. LaMotte, former rector of old St. Paul’s Parish, Kent. Both men were southern gentlemen, passionate duck hunters, and held a strong sense of family and pragmatic views of life and work. They also shared a fascination with the afterlife and the study of near death experience that David Jr still continues today. In a revealing interview, he talks about this special father-son exploration into the spiritual unknown, and how it changed his views of religion and life itself.

Profiles in Conservation: Tom Leigh

To date, there are only hundred and fifty official Riverkeepers in the United States, and Chestertown, thanks to the Chester River Association, has one of the best in Tom Leigh, the official Riverkeeper for the Chester. Every week, Tom patrols the river, spotting environmental trouble as well as educating boaters and other users on the problems the Chester River faces.   Tom’s work doesn’t stop there.  He provides important advocacy for the river’s protection and works collaboratively with other non-profits, landowners and key stakeholders to keep pressure on local, state and federal lawmakers to insure the Chester’s long term future. This is not an easy job.

Best of Chestertown: Beer Selection

Pips Liquor Store
711 Washington Ave #14

Buying beer can be a challenge if you care about variety.  First, where do you go?  There are at least six establishments in Chestertown that sell beer, and most carry a standard selection of domestics, imports and a couple regional micro-brew selections.  For the widest choice, however, go to Pips Liquor store next to the Acme.

Bless your Pets

Christ Church will be holding a “Blessing of the animals” service on Saturday, Oct. 10th. For More information, call 410-778-0911

Spy Fortnightly Profile: The Art of Kathy Day at Lauren Ames

The pairing of the right art gallery with the right artist can be a difficult feat at times. Beyond the art work itself, there needs to be a partnership of concept. The coupling of Kathy Day’s new work with Lauren Ames’ intimate gallery on Cross Street is a successful merging of two women seeking out the whimsical in both art and design through subtle tones and joyful color.

Kathryn Day’s work is on display until the end of November.

www.laurenamesinteriors.com

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