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M O N T H LY we go together Five local pairs express their camaraderie commitment and care for each other February 2020 4 99 High school sweethearts Darlene and Howard Dixon

The greatest breakthrough in senior care Mom s cozy cottage We help aging parents stay at home whether they re dealing with Alzheimer s arthritis or anything in between PERSONAL CARE 24 HOUR CARE MEMORY CARE HOSPICE SUPPORT MEALS AND NUTRITION J D Power President s Award Recipient for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction The J D Power President s Award is a discretionary recognition given to companies that demonstrate dedication commitment and sustained improvement in serving customers Your experiences may vary For more information visit jdpower com 410 822 1230 HomeInstead com 561 Each Home Instead Senior Care franchise is independently owned and operated 2018 Home Instead Inc

A Hand in Caring for His Community As a general surgeon Dr William Bair changes lives for the better often within the operating rooms of UM Shore Regional Health But he does it outside of work too volunteering with his violin at local senior centers and hospices He s committed to the health and wellbeing of the community he calls home His skilled hands as a surgeon a musician and a resident make a difference on the Eastern Shore Hear Dr Bair play the violin at umshoreregional org violin To find a physician or service close to home visit umshoreregional org CAROLINE DORCHESTER KENT QUEEN ANNE S TALBOT

By Ryan Helfenbein Here we are again at the start of a new year With a new year comes new goals and resolutions According to US News World Report 60 of us will in fact make resolutions for this new year Exercise more lose weight and even eat healthier are in the top five of the most common resolutions All of these good intentions revolve around the topic of living a fuller longer life While these are incredible achievements to strive for it is found that 80 of us fail by the second week of February What do we do Easy we table it for the 2021 resolution list Perhaps this year consider putting something on that list that can be completed and crossed off your list planning your own funeral and cremation A research study was done by NFDA National Funeral Directors Association in 2017 that revealed nearly twothirds of Americans acknowledge the importance of making their own funeral and cremation plans known and over fifty percent feel it is important to gather stories from older generations To bring this a little closer to home my family s funeral business finds that just over 25 of the families we assist have plans made in advance This has grown tremendously over the past 20 years as more and more of the members of our community feel the importance of planning ahead of time with us When planning ahead we need to be cautious of both how and with whom the plans are being made First understand that only a licensed mortician in the state of Maryland can provide you the pricing of services and merchandise that you would need included in a funeral cremation plan In addition the industry also provides a certification though a series of testing that gives the licensed funeral director a Certified Planning Counselor title You should ask the funeral home questions before you begin planning How long have they been making advance plans Who within their organization developed their advance plan program And most importantly what will you receive as proof that all of the decisions are made and the details are in order Your everyday funeral home may not be able to provide this style of planning Be sure that the funeral home of choice has an experienced licensed preplanning counselor dedicated to seeing your plans are guaranteed to be carried out in the future Another question you should ask is where the funeral home will be placing your money In the state of Maryland a funeral home must place an individual s money with a third party The choices are in a bank with that funeral home s name attached to it or in a prepaid insurance plan Allowing a funeral home to put your money into a bank account ties you to that funeral home in the future Even though another firm can access the money if you were to relocate the original funeral home will still need to be involved Way too messy So the better choice of the two is what is called Pre paid Funeral Insurance This is exclusively offered through the funeral industry under the supervision of a certified licensed funeral director who also holds a Maryland life insurance license The company highly recommended to be used in our industry is called Global Atlantic which offers a program called Forethought It is a company that provides 66 billion in asset protection to ensure that your funeral cremation money will in fact be there upon your passing In comparison other providers in this arena have less than 10 billion in asset protection Many funeral homes today are encouraging financial arrangements which benefit themselves but with pre paid funeral insurance you control what firm is to carry out your plan and you are never tied to that firm The questions you ll want to ask are where is your money going to be held how are you guaranteed that the money paid today will in fact be there to pay the future expenses and if you are to move will that money go with you The biggest benefit in planning ahead is the fact that it is done The financial obligation is eliminated from your family and the emotional planning process is limited to a simple phone call whenever and wherever death is to occur Although 60 of us make new year resolutions and 80 of us fail to achieve them we all have a 100 chance of a final day here on earth By taking the time now to make your plans in advance you will eliminate your family s concern for the future and more importantly give you the time to now concentrate on the resolutions to live longer and prolong the time before the plan will be used

february 2020 FEATURES 31 31 42 48 WE GO TOGETHER Five local pairs express their camaraderie commitment and care for each other RADIO HEADS Tune into radio WHCP in Cambridge you will like what you hear THE CHANCES SHE TOOK A determined woman from Sri Lanka tells her story By Manning Lee By Amelia Blades Steward By Manning Lee Above Twin sisters Corinne Taylor and Carole Lane PHOTO BY Stephen Walker S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 5

february 2020 DEPAR TMENTS 24 8 EDITORS NOTE MASTHEAD 10 SHORE LINE MAP 12 PICTURE THIS 14 SHORE TIME Black History Month Bald Eagles Lighthouses ON THE COVER 20 28 56 62 ART BEAT TASTE BUDS PROFILE WINDOW PANE SPARKLE FIZZ GIRL EMPOWER BACKYARD BIRDING Keasha Haythe s program for middle school girls rocks February is a perfect time to bird watch By Manning Lee By Mary Helen Gillen SACRED SPACE 60 64 A visit to the Retreat House at Hillsboro ATMOSPHERE THROUGH THE LENS By Amelia Blades Steward The High Wides premiere their second album WELCOME TO EDDIE S WORLD Spiked seltzers are the new trend Local sculptor creates with reclaimed metal 52 By Tracey F Johns 24 SHOP TALK THE MEANING OF FLOWERS By Amelia Blades Steward BE WELL Floral creations from dried flowers and herbs By Amelia Blades Steward 6 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 STORIES TO TELL By Kristina Gaddy Darlene and Howard Dixon at Oxford Park for the feature We Go Together on page 31 PHOTO BY Stephen Walker REFLECTION Photo by Kristen Greenaway Above Naturally dried flowers and herbs make a posey bouquet PHOTO BY Caroline J Philips

OPENING NIGHT GALA Thursday March 5 6 pm LOCATION Oxford Community Center Oxford Maryland PERFORMANCES Friday Saturday March 6 7 8 00 pm Director Ed Langrell Sunday March 8 2 00 pm with special guests from Crashbox Theatre Troupe Music Director Ellen Barry Grunden Producers Beth Anne Langrell Lisa Roth TICKETS AVAILABLE AT heartmusic eventbrite com or call 410 820 7007 For All Seasons provides therapy advocacy education psychiatric care to English and Spanish speaking individuals regardless of one s ability to pay forallseasonsinc org 410 822 1018 Easton Cambridge Chestertown Denton Stevensville Tilghman

EASY LIVING CASUAL ELEGANCE editors M O N T H LY NOTE President Jim Normandin Editors Amelia Blades Steward Manning Lee Design Consultant Maire McArdle across the Bay Bridge or breathed in the invigorating air would agree that the Shore is a magical place It s not simply the enchanting draw of the natural surroundings water land and wildlife but also the stories of captivating people who live here that create such a charming sense of place Whether we are natives or have just arrived Eastern Shoremen are drawn to its lifestyle pace and particular ways With this issue of Shore Monthly we are excited to tell new stories of some of the inspirational and iconic people who we encounter every day in our jobs our volunteer work and through our hobbies and recreation on the Mid Shore In We Go Together the cover story of our first issue as editors we showcase the relationships of several pairs who live amongst us those who work create and contribute to our community We are also excited to share the efforts of three amazing men who have joined the Cambridge community to improve the quality of life through their community radio station WHCP In Easton we profile a visionary woman who empowers young women to succeed at Easton Middle School The issue also features some novel ideas for a Valentine s Day celebration with unusual takes on flowers and non traditional bubbly We visit sacred From left to right Manning Lee editor Maire McArdle design consultant and Amy Steward editor spaces that help us grow spiritually and share what s new on the local music scene To persevere through the winter doldrums we have added new sections packed with fun facts about the Shore As we look to spring and summer we will be celebrating our pets Earth Day Maryland s equine industry and fun summer recreational opportunities Taking on the editorial leadership of this magazine means filling big shoes Both Sarah Ensor and her predecessor Katie Willis created such an engaging folio that we hope to both continue and expand upon bringing even more stories of the people of this region to life as well as a fresh new design We hope you will join us in this storytelling by introducing us to people you know and love who make this region special And of course by enjoying your Shore Monthly Manning Lee and Amelia Blades Steward Co editors Copy Editor B Rae Perryman Chief Revenue Officer Paul Hagood Marketing Director Betsy Griffin Creative Director Greg Mueller Contributing Photographers Caroline J Phillips Nick Sarbanes Marc Shapiro Stephen Walker Contributing Writers Kristina Gaddy Tracey F Johns Advertising Contact Brandon Silverstein Advertising Manager 410 200 6469 Editorial Contact 410 463 9883 Submissions submissions shoremonthly com Subscriptions 410 770 4005 Receive Shore Monthly in the comfort of your own home for only 24 a year or subscribe to The Star Democrat for 138 a year and receive Shore Monthly for FREE 29088 Airpark Drive Easton MD 21601 www shoremonthly com Shore Monthly is published by The Star Democrat No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means including electronic retrieval systems without written permission from the publisher 8 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 PHOTO BY STEPHEN WALKER Anyone who has stepped foot

SHORE LINES FEBRUARY MILEPOSTS Garfield Center in Chestertown Page 62 Sweetbay Flowers in Royal Oak Page 26 Retreat House at Hillsboro in Hillsboro Page 54 Bad Ass Metal Sculptures in Easton Page 22 WHCP Radio MAP ILLUSTRATION BY LAURA GOODE in Cambridge Page 44 10 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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Early morning fog creates a moody winterscape along Highway 16 near the Maryland Delaware border PHOTO BY MAIRE McARDLE S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 13

Pine Street mural in Cambridge BLACK HISTORY MONTH Dorchester County is known for its rich history and cultural attractions and boasts a special connection to Harriet Tubman HARRIET TUBMAN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STATE PARK VISITOR CENTER offers a way to discover Harriet Tubman s early years in the region and her role in the Underground Railroad Gain insight into Tubman s legacy as a leader liberator and humanitarian Enjoy family friendly programming every Friday Saturday and Sunday in February Open daily from 9 a m to 5 p m Free BUCKTOWN GENERAL STORE where Harriet Tubman experienced a lifechanging event STANLEY INSTITUTE historic one room schoolhouse for AfricanAmerican children PINE STREET NEIGHBORHOOD site of civil rights unrest in Cambridge Download the Pine Street Walking Tour HARRIET TUBMAN MUSEUM EDUCATIONAL CENTER founded 30 years ago by dedicated volunteers to honor Tubman A mural highlights the area s local African American history culture and heritage including Harriet Tubman and civil rights pioneer Gloria Richardson For a complete list VISITDORCHESTER ORG BLACK HISTORY HEART CHESAPEAKE 14 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 PHOTO BY DUSTIN HOLT SHORE TIME

M O N T H LY WHAT S COMING IN THE MARCH ISSUE WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT OUR PETS SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD AT MINTY S PLACE I love my customers trees as much as they do Maybe more Jose Rivas champions the trees landscapes and property investments of the customers in his care And he s one of the many reasons we ve become the premier scienti c tree and shrub care company in the world Call us at 410 745 5100 bartlett com St Michaels MD BAAM OPENS NEW DOORS IN THE COMMUNITY SUBSCRIBE TODAY EVERY TREE NEEDS A CHAMPION AT SHOREMONTHLY COM LTE063 JOSE RIVAS Arborist and Bartlett Champion DON T RUN OUT OF AMMO Do you suffer from LOW SEX DRIVE MUSCLE LOSS FATIGUE HOT FLASHES IRRITABILITY SLEEP DISTURBANCES New Day Vitality can help For more vital days and romantic nights Call TODAY 410 793 5212 8133 Elliott Rd Suite 205 Easton MD 21601 1300 Ritchie Hwy Suite B Arnold MD 21012 90 Painters Mill Rd Owings Mills 21117 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 15

5 PLACES TO SPOT A BALD EAGLE BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Home to one of the country s the largest breeding populations of bald eagles check out the online Eagle Cam ADDRESS WEB SITE 2145 Key Wallace Drive Cambridge MD fws gov refuge blackwater 16 EASTERN NECK WILDLIFE REFUGE Best known for wintering tundra swans this refuge boasts a year round population of eagles ADDRESS WEB SITE 1730 Eastern Neck Road Rock Hall MD fws gov refuge eastern_neck S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 WYE ISLAND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AREA Winter waterfowl get top billing but bald eagles are among the 190 species spotted here ADDRESS WEB SITE 632 Wye Island Rd Queenstown MD dnr maryland gov publiclands Pages eastern wyeisland aspx TUCKAHOE STATE PARK The popular Scales and Tales program takes place at the aviary at park headquarters ADDRESS WEB SITE 13070 Crouse Mill Road Queen Anne MD dnr maryland gov publiclands Pages eastern tuckahoe aspx PICKERING CREEK AUDUBON CENTER Ample wetlands and mature woodlands attract bald eagles to this 410 acre working farm ADDRESS WEB SITE 11450 Audubon Lane Easton MD pickering audubon org LOVE WOLF SHUTTERSTOCK SHORE TIME

Easton s Premiere Medical Wellness Clinic WE ARE MORE THAN JUST FLOORS Alternative Therapy MD is a Wellness Clinic that specializes in Medicinal Cannabis Certification for the state of Maryland including comprehensive cannabis education and dosing recommendations Meet the Owners Jessie Kellie are passionate critical care nurses with an extensive background in wellness physiology the medical Jessie MS BSN BS Kellie BSN BS cannabis program CANNABE YOUR VALENTINE SPECIALS Installation By Our Professional Installers Botox 10 unit Derm rma mapla a lan aning n 80 Custom Make Ma akeup e Ap Application p rre rective e ve e 20 OFF Corr Ski kincare i re e Products FRE REE E Post procedure re e SCHEDULE A FREE kit ki i with purcha hase a of Microneedling packa kage a SKIN CONSULTATION Now through Feb 29 2020 SKIN AND WELLNESS SERVICES CHEMICAL PEELS IV HYDRATION MEDICAL DERMAPLANING COSMECEUTICALS B12 SHOTS BOTOX MICRONEEDLING FILLERS CANNABIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATION Our clients receive customized cannabis education dosing information and help with necessary state paperwork and online registration Contact us today to set up your appointment 443 786 1113 RICH IN STYLE DEEP IN SPIRIT For over 100 years we ve been hand crafting our cabinetry right here in the USA Create a warm inviting space that will see your family through the years with Yorktowne Cabinetry SPECIAL OFFER Through March 31 2020 15 OFF select door styles and finishes Best Buy Supply Inc Your Best Buy For Home Design 410 228 3800 410 822 7226 FREE Estimates 3001 Ocean Gateway Cambridge MD Rt 50 East of Cambridge MHIC9982 MD Cannabis Card Assistance 29466 Pintail Dr Suite 8 Easton MD AlternativeTherapyMD gmail com www bestbuysupplyonline com Granite Countertops Cabinets Carpet Ceramic Tile Hardwood Laminate Flooring S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 17

SHORE TIME TRIVIA QUESTION Which lighthouse can be seen from the Bay Bridge A LOOK BACK AT LIGHTHOUSES 1827 CONCORD POINT LIGHTHOUSE in Havre de Grace HOOPER STRAIT LIGHTHOUSE once helped mariners navigate the dangerous shoals at the mouth of Tangier Sound but it now stands on the grounds of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St Michaels A screwpile style lighthouse it s built on special iron pilings that feature large corkscrew shaped tips that could be screwed into the muddy bottom of the Bay DEREK JEFFERIES SHUTTERSTOCK Concord Point Lighthouse 1879 18 BLOODY POINT BAR LIGHTHOUSE can be found at the edge of the shipping channel east southeast of Kent Island Stories abound regarding the origin of the name but the truth behind the chilling moniker has been lost to time A 1960 fire gutted the interior including the keeper s quarters The light was automated soon after and still guides boats today 1883 SANDY POINT SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE is located just half a mile from shore at Sandy Point State Park and is visible from the westbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge The first lighthouse was on the point itself The current threestory structure has been privately owned since 2006 The Coast Guard abandoned efforts to maintain the light in 2019 SHARPS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE sits on an island that is now under water Named for early Quaker doctor Peter Sharp the light sits 3 miles south southeast of Tilghman Island and can be spotted from Black Walnut Point The caisson style structure is easy to identify it tilts 15 degrees having been knocked askew by an ice floe in the winter of 1976 1977 1882 Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 KEN SCHULZE SHUTTERSTOCK towers over the Susquehanna River where it meets the tidal flow of the Chesapeake Bay Constructed of granite from nearby Port Deposit it was originally lit with whale oil lamps The lighthouse was automated in 1920 and is still an active navigational aid Both the lighthouse and the keeper s house have been fully restored and are open to the public on weekends from April to October A popular spot for weddings and special events JORGE MORO SHUTTERSTOCK Hooper Strait Lighthouse

ACTIVE AGING EXPO 2020 WYE MILLS MARCH 18 2020 CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE Join us for one of our Lunch Learn Series February 25 Adams Ribs Chester is an issue of mind over Age matter If you don t mind it doesn t matter Mark Twain March 14 Olive Garden Easton March 17 Fisherman s Inn Grasonville All luncheons begin at 11 30am THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OF THE CHESAPEAKE Come have lunch on us and discover unique ways to honor a loved one planning in advance and how you can save your family thousands FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT STARDEM COM ACTIVE AGING S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 19

ART BEAT WELCOME TO EDDIE S WORLD Easton sculptor creates huge works with reclaimed metals BY TRACEY F JOHNS PHOTOS BY STEPHEN WALKER When metal speaks to Eddie Above Ford leans on his sculpture Six Point Stag Opposite Crust a welded steel orb 20 Ford of Easton he listens Ford s strong connection to metal began early in life welding found him out of necessity for clam rigs and truck bodies Now metal speaks to Ford in a different way as he transforms recycled metal into the striking sculptures he s been creating at his Dover Street studio in Easton In the early morning hours you ll find him alone listening to opera as he fires and fuses reclaimed metal into spectacular realistic and abstract sculptures ranging from roosters and swans to figures and garden art A native Eastern Shoreman Ford has been listening to opera throughout his life while working as a Chesapeake Bay waterman conching and clamming on the ocean raising pigs and running a lawn business and tree company Now opera helps him focus on the creative process of sculpting metal His experiences with the natural environment provide inspiration for his sculptures One such sculpture a painted S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 steel blue marlin entitled Hemingway is located on Dover Street outside of his studio just close enough to smell Rise Up Coffee roasting nearby Ford is a maverick always working independently His individualism translates well in the details of each his sculptures The name of his business Bad Ass Metal Sculptures expresses the edginess of style and form contained in each of his creations Art is to be interpreted he said It is what it is for each individual person As you move in closer to study the raw materials used to create the sculpture each piece clearly has its own story Metal spoons might be used as rooster feathers and he s made a bust made out of washers and garden art out of saw blades Ford s first sculpture was a small heart made of painted bicycle chain He hopes to create a 16 foot metal tree sculpture which will be as wide as it is tall

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ART BEAT Right Happy Times oversized metal flowers that can be seen in Ford s backyard Below Orange Man a bright whimsical metal sculpture 22 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

Many of Ford s installations can be found at Happy House just around the corner from his studio on Park Street Ford recently renovated a home for Viola Stekel of Colorado The house was named by Viola s daughter local breast surgeon Roberta Lilly Viola passed away before her planned move to the home Her legacy lives on however as Ford carries out her steadfast motto Do something creative every day You can clearly see this in the metal sculptures filling his studio and the large corner lot of Happy House Ford says Roberta and Viola provided the encouragement needed to translate his skills into art Before meeting them Ford had focused his life on making a living and saw art as something other people did Salvaging raw materials begins the creative process while Ford and Lilly envision and plan each piece Lilly helps fulfill her creativity by naming each sculpture She is particularly drawn to Ford s figure work and Touch Me series and a metal rooster entitled Cock of Consequence Studded with fierce red painted nails Ford s Touch Me series evokes a compulsion to touch in a juxtaposed way and are reminiscent in shape and form of seeded dandelions Other metal sculptors work speaks to Ford including pieces at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington D C Grounds for Sculpture in Princeton New Jersey and the New Orleans Museum of Art A recent trip to Santa Fe with 97 miles of sculptures and other art provided him with inspiration A Happy Place on Easton s Washington Street is currently displaying Ford s sculptures with more at badassmetalsculpture com S Make Caroline County your winter wonderland Explore Martinak or Tuckahoe State Parks on a peaceful walk in the woods Warm up with a piping cup of coffee or a hot toddy Explore our shops galleries and museums or check out one of the f ree Friday Nites in Caroline concerts We re open for you if you re VisitCaroline org OPEN FOR CHILLING S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 23

SHOP TALK THE MEANING OF FLOWERS Local florist Nancy Beatty has just the right touch when creating a gift of love BY AMELIA BLADES STEWARD PHOTOS BY CAROLINE J PHILLIPS Elizabeth Barrett Browning said that love s language could be expressed through flowers While Valentine s Day is often the perfect day for giving flowers as an expression of our love there are alternatives to red roses in making your intentions known to a loved one Nancy Beatty of Sweetbay Flowers in Royal Oak always looks for different ways to pair flowers herbs native plants and shrubs to create unusual arrangements with lasting charm for her customers The floral industry relies heavily on the sale of roses and other flowers for this special occasion and that is good for business Beatty said But sometimes it s fun to come up with something a little different to promote for Valentine s Day She encourages customers and DIYers to think outside the box Red roses are beautiful They represent love and that isn t going to change but other herbs and flowers signify endearing qualities such as lavender 24 for devotion violets for loyalty and rosemary for remembrance Beatty enjoys making tussie mussies or talking poesies small bundles of flowers and greenery tied with ribbon twine or even wire for special occasions She often uses them in wedding work for mothers of brides and grooms They also make sweet Valentine gifts Small wreaths of rosemary or lavender with a floral accent special containers for arrangements dried bundles of flowers and lavender wands also make fine Valentine gifts For the DIYer she believes people make flower arranging harder than it needs to be I always ask people what they are growing in their own yards that can be used in their own arrangements she said Beatty explains that flowers can be paired with just about anything natural outside including greens and herbs like rosemary sage and lavender as well as boxwood pine and nandina seed S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 Nancy Beatty of Sweetbay Flowers creates floral arrangements for all occasions but she particularly enjoys working with dried flowers and herbs to create elegant yet tiny bundles

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SHOP TALK Tussie mussies clockwise from top left Red rose lavender and hypericum red spray rose in a rosemary ring red spray rose posey gloriosas mums pink spray roses pink carnation and wax flower THE MEANING OF VALENTINE S DAY FLOWERS AND HERBS According to The Old Farmer s Almanac plants herbs and flowers have had special meaning for centuries but they had a resurgence in the late 1800s during the Victorian era Color is an important part of a flower s meaning and its use in conveying messages from the giver to the recipient Red Roses Love Forget me not True love memories Red Carnation Admiration Calla Lily Beauty Rosemary Remembrance Sage Wisdom Lavender Devotion Red Tulip Passion Fern Bonds of love Yarrow Everlasting love Gardenia Secret love 26 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

pods from plants such as wisteria and poppies pinecones feathers native plants succulents and even driftwood Everyone loves flowers and some customers are really looking for something different she quipped I like using things in my arrangements that you don t see every day It s a little more complicated and takes a little more time but it s much more fun and worth it in the end Although she has been gardening for over 30 years Beatty didn t start growing flowers and selling them until 2000 She grew a following of customers by selling at the Easton Farmers Market She then became a Master Gardener and began volunteering as a docent at Adkins Arboretum Eventually Beatty took classes at Longwood Gardens after which things began to fit together for her business plan She comments I learned things at Longwood that you couldn t learn in a book Her flower shop grew out of her landscape design business Sweetbay Design She started doing a few weddings and in 2013 became serious about full time flowers moving permanently away from landscape design Thus Sweetbay Flowers was born Her popularity grew through Wedding Wire and My Eastern Shore Wedding and now weddings make up a large percentage of her business Beatty named her business after the beautiful Sweetbay Magnolia tree her favorite tree that grows throughout the Eastern Shore Something s always growing or blooming year round in her garden Peonies in the spring annuals fill up the summer months glorious dahlias for the fall and an extensive array of greenery throughout the winter months all of which accent her many floral designs Beatty also hosts workshops in her shop in Royal Oak where she has operated her business for the past five years Additionally she has offered workshops at Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely for the past 15 years For further information about Sweetbay Flowers visit sweetbayflowers com S 1 In Life Insurance on Maryland s Eastern Shore Who knew life insurance could do so much n BOWL Bank On Whole Life n Executive Bonus and Key Person Arrangements n Non qualified Deferred Compensation Arrangements n Split Dollar Arrangements n Buyout Arrangements and Business Transfer Solutions n Tax Diversification for Business Owners n Estate Liquidity n Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust ILIT n Retirement and Legacy Arrangement RALA n Child Gifting 443 249 3311 www AtlanticFinancialGroup org Founded in 1927 Million Dollar Round Table MDRT The Premier Association of Financial Professionals is a global independent association of more than 66 000 of the world s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 72 nations and territories MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business According to MDRT Brett M Sause had the highest production for life insurance in 2018 among current MDRT members on the Eastern Shore of Maryland Brett M Sause Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC Member FINRA SIPC a Licensed Insurance Agency 1954 Greenspring Drive Suite 700 Timonium MD 21093 410 321 6161 Brett M Sause is an agent licensed to sell insurance through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed to sell insurance through various other independent unaffiliated insurance companies Brett M Sause Member Agent The Nautilus Group is a service of New York Life Insurance Company The Nautilus Group as well as its employees and Member Agents do not provide tax or legal advice Atlantic Financial Group LLC is independently owned and operated from NYLIFE Securities LLC and its affiliates SMRU 1800262 Exp 01 22 2021 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 27

A White Claw seltzer with a handful of berries is an effervescent alternative to champagne and beer for Valentine s Day and beyond 28 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

TASTE BUDS BEYOND BEER SPARKLE AND FIZZ Tastes toasts and purveyors of the Shore BY AMELIA BLADES STEWARD PHOTO BY CAROLINE J PHILLIPS Are you watching your calories and interested in an alternative to champagne or light beer this Valentine s Day A flavor explosion of hard seltzers is rocking the beverage industry and local tastebuds Spiked seltzers flavorinfused beers and canned cocktails now boast delectable flavor profiles of fruits such as black cherry mango mixed berry blood orange lime pineapple and grapefruit If you thought the California coolers boxed wines and light beers of the early 1980s were big these beverages are taking the nation by storm says local spirits expert Bobby Kelly of Kelly Distributors in Easton Kelly Distributors has a portfolio of 25 local craft breweries from Maryland Delaware Virginia and Pennsylvania and has supported innovations in the craft beer industry since its inception Craft breweries have been experimenting with flavoring beer and special brew releases in recent years which have enjoyed a warm reception among enthusiasts Lately the trend shifted into several small breweries like Devil s Backbone creating distilleries Kelly adds The large beverage companies like Anheuser Busch and Mike s Hard Lemonade are also in the act in a big way Hard seltzers have penetrated the market What initially appealed to mainly females now appeals to everyone Why is this new trend bubbling up Health conscious millennials enjoy trying new products that feature novelty convenience and taste Several of the hard seltzers come in at 100 calories or fewer less than most beers These new brews are lower in carbohydrates and offer a gluten free alternative to traditional beers crafted with barley and wheat With the Eastern Shore s love of boating and swimming the hard seltzers join ready to drink cocktails in providing convenience in a can perfect for lovely days on the water and more Mitchell Andrew owner of Love Point Deli in Stevensville said his customers are drinking in the new concoctions Not many items become a whole category and have this kind of popularity It s also appealing to millennials as they enjoy sampling these deliciously innovative products he said According to Beer Business Daily companies like Mike s Hard Lemonade which produces the most popular low calorie hard seltzer White Claw are ramping up production in anticipation of increased demand for the products in 2020 But having a moment doesn t always mean dominating the market CNBC recently reported that hard seltzer sales represent less than 3 percent of the total market share for beers alcoholic ciders and flavored malt beverages Local craft beer is still big five years ago it was IPAs Now the lagers are popular There is such a variety now Kelly concurs Retailers just rotate their shelves because people are always interested in trying something new I don t think that will ever change S S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 29

PET P Submit photos of y win 50 towards p portrait of your pet pet to be featured Shore Magazine ENTER N THROUGH FEBRUA STARDEM COM C Join us in welcoming the newest addition to our team DR WHITNEY A FAHRMAN A graduate from the New England College of Optometry Dr Fahrman completed her undergraduate degree at St Mary s College of Maryland Serves as 1st Vice President of the Maryland Optometric Association and leads the Eastern Shore Chapter D R F A H R M A N S P E C I A L I Z E S We re accepting I N GENERAL EYE EXAMS FOR ADULTS CHILDREN CONTACT LENS EXAMS DELMARVA LASER EYE CENTER Dr Zuleika M Ghosdi 405 MARVEL COURT EASTON MD 30 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 NEW patients 2020 VISION IN 2020 Call today to schedule your appointment 410 822 9801 410 822 9801 WWW DELMARVAEYE COM

W GO TOGETHER Short conversations with five local pairs who express Short conversations with their five camaraderie committment and care for each local pairs who share why to be other andthey share love why they lovetogether to be together INTERVIEWS BY MANNING LEE PHOTOS BY STEPHEN WALKER INTERVIEWS BY MANNING LEE PHOTOS BY STEPHEN WALKER S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 33 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 31

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WE GO TOGETHER DARLENE AND HOWARD DIXON THROUGH THE YEARS How did you meet and fall in love Darlene We re high school sweethearts We met while we were employees at McDonalds and flirted from across the grill Our relationship progressed rather quickly We just celebrated our 40th anniversary Howard smiling ear to ear I knew she was the one What keeps you together Howard First God kept us full of love and helped us keep our commitment Every marriage goes through ups and downs We have been determined to make it through bad times She s my best friend Darlene Not one thing but a culmination of things holds us together Working through the hard times we witnessed the power of both love and commitment that other couples miss when they give up Also the grandchildren solidify our relationship too Since Howard and I are together still we enjoy them together What drives you crazy about each other Darlene Things that drove us crazy don t even bother us anymore Don t sweat the small stuff Too many substantial things come along that you have to deal with We fought through so many things together that no one else understands what we mean to each other Howard One hundred percent Darlene and Howard Dixon share a private moment near the shoreline in Oxford on a clear winter afternoon What storms have you weathered Darlene We got married young a challenge for us We defied others wishes to get married Then we started careers after we married He worked with McDonalds traveling all over For me finishing college then attending seminary for four years When Howard s mother passed away from breast cancer I d already battled it I helped him in that moment He learned to help me too We learned to complement each other Where I m weak he s strong He sees things I don t and I see things he doesn t unifying us and making our bond that much stronger S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 33

WE GO TOGETHER SHELLEY AND ANITA ABBOTT STILL THE ONE When did you realize you were in love and wanted to be married Shelley Anita was a nurse working at a nursing home where I performed She d been married 29 years when she and her husband parted ways We were friends and liked all the same foods and same places It was almost like we had the same genes Together we found comfort we d never known We were friends for 26 years and we got married four years ago Anita When we were just friends I planned my daughter s wedding I tried cutting corners I asked her to play for the wedding Afterward I handed her the money She gave it back to me and said Nope you re my friend That s just how generous and kind she is to people Shelley When I was a kid I pictured who I wanted to be with forever When I met Anita I knew she was the one She asks Am I still the one I tell her You ll always be the one until the end There ll never be anybody else for me What similarities and differences you have Shelley She s a planner She plans vacations a year ahead of time She books the plane hotel and everything s done in January when the trip isn t until December Anita Shelley is artistic and can decorate She has an eye for decorating that I just don t have She owned the store in St Michaels called Dragonfly that recently closed She s a wonderful musician and performs in nursing homes Shelley That s why we get along We both know our strengths and we make it work Anita We re not Ward and June Cleaver Shelley We ve never been outward about our relationship We re not activists We don t try to make anyone else happy We re happy together and that is all that matters Shelley left and Anita Abbott affectionately pose at Long Wharf Park in Cambridge Shelley left and Anita Abbott affectionately pose for their photo at Long Wharf Park in Cambridge 34 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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Officer Joey Schinault admires his K9 partner Murph at Idlewild Park in Easton 36 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

WE GO TOGETHER PFC JOSEPH SCHINAULT AND MURPH EASTON S FINEST PARTNERS What does it take to be involved with the K9 unit It was a long process which included an application a paper detailing what I brought to the K9 unit and a fitness test I attended the Montgomery County K9 School that taught how to handle the K9s how to track and search buildings and other skills How did you meet Murph In March of last year the trainer at the K9 school and I travelled to Connecticut where a group imports dogs from Slovakia Murph was the one we felt best represented Easton Police Department as a patrol dog He s a German Shepherd Belgium Malinois mix They breed shepherds for their clear headedness and the Belgium Malinois for their really high drive I named him Murph after a Navy Seal in Afghanistan portrayed in the movie Lone Survivor who was shot and killed and his sacrifice saved his men I wrote Lt Murphy s family to tell them that I d named Murph after their son I hope it means something to them It does to me What is special about Murph and your relationship Police dogs have a high drive but even when Murph gets exhausted he s ready to go 100 mph towards whatever goal we have to accomplish He s so loyal He always watches me like What are we gonna do now He s got incredible drive and motivation he does anything I tell him to do He loves to heel when he walks next to me He and I are still in training Since we are both new to this job our partnership is still building Our bond grows stronger every day My intention when he retires is for him to stay with me One day he s going to be the laziest happiest dog in the world For now he loves to work because it s all he knows S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 37

WE GO TOGETHER TWINS CORINNE TAYLOR AND CAROLE LANE SPEAKING THEIR OWN LANGUAGE What s it like being a twin What are your first memories of being together Corinne It was elementary school before I realized there was always a Carole who was always with me Carole When we were very little we had our own language All twins do Corinne didn t talk and the doctor said if I didn t stop talking for her that she wouldn t learn to talk Carole I have a connection to Corinne When she s sick I know she s sick When she gave birth I woke up in the middle of the night with labor pains When she got a foot operation I was at work and had to put my foot up because it hurt so bad that I couldn t walk What are your similarities and your differences Corinne Carole is more outgoing than I am She can go to a big party and if there are 70 people in the room she meets them all Carole At church the other day someone we ve both known since the seventh grade came up to me and gave me a hug and asked me when Carole was coming to town She never confused us before Corinne We both love knitting What is your best switcheroo story Carole Corinne doesn t remember this but we used to switch for taking tests sometimes Corinne In middle school we drove the principal crazy I had him in business practice class but Carole didn t I remember once I was out sick for the day He must have seen Carole walking around school in the afternoon He called our mother and told her that I d skipped his class that morning What do you want the world to know about what its like to be a twin Corinne Carole is a grandmother but I am not Her grandchildren call her Grammy and they call me Aunt Grammy Corinne Carole and I are close We talk on the phone every day sometimes two times a day It s nice just knowing I ll always have someone who will stand by me no matter what 38 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

Corinne Taylor and her twin sister Carole Lane share laughs while crocheting and knitting Butler the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel snuggles beside S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 39

Sophie Molloy left and Phoebe Fisher meet at Rise Up Coffee in Easton to share stories about their first semesters of college 40 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

WE GO TOGETHER BEST FRIENDS SOPHIE MOLLOY AND PHOEBE FISHER A YIN YANG KIND OF THING How did the two of you meet Phoebe This is funny but when we were five she left her pink softball mitt at practice Mom and I kept it until the next practice We became friends when I gave it back to her and we just never stopped being friends When did you realize that you were best friends Sophie There was no defining moment but I think it was in elementary when we were old enough to understand the concept Phoebe I realized I didn t like anyone as much as I liked Sophie I was like we can be best friends How are you alike and how are you different Phoebe It s weird because we are so opposite She s a lot more outgoing and confident Sophie I feel like we talk about how different we are all the time but we are the same Phoebe It s like a yin and yang kind of thing We are literally the opposite but at the same time we are the same person It s super clich but we finish each other s sentences and say the same things all the time Do you think you ll be friends forever Phoebe Sophie can t get rid of me now Sophie You re like a fungus Phoebe No matter how many antibiotics you take you can t get rid of me Oh wait you can t get rid of a fungus with antibiotics I know this because I took a class on health and disease so I am basically a doctor Sophie Years ago my mom told me if you re friends for seven years then you re likely to be friends forever It s been 14 years now I don t see how we could ever not be friends Phoebe You could go to prison and I would go to see you there Sophie I am the one who would most likely go to prison S S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 41

Jim Brady Doug Schuetz and Mike Starling gather in their WHCP radio station studio to go over the day s programming 42 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

RADIO HEADS Local FM stationWHCP has put Cambridge on the broadcasting map with lively programming led by a band of master level volunteers BY AMELIA BLADES STEWARD PHOTOS BY STEPHEN WALKER S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 43

O On the surface WHCP in Cambridge seems like a mom and pop local radio station There are three recording studios buzzing with local residents conducting interviews or hosting their own shows while volunteers earnestly adjust equipment and casually eat their lunch at the mixing consoles scattered throughout the station But behind this flurry of homespun activity is something seemingly unlikely an impressive caliber of broadcast credentials hailing from places like NPR Good Morning America and The Oprah Show Mike Starling who worked as an engineering manager for NPR for 25 years helped found Cambridge Community Radio the nonprofit organization that launched local community radio station WHCP 101 5 FM on July 4 2015 In quick order an incredibly talented and generous group of volunteers and board members emerged to build the station he said Starling and his wife picked Cambridge for retirement for all the reasons most do its affordable waterfront housing authentic charm unique architecture sense of history and approachable people We felt like it was a community where we could make a difference he added We have more friends here than anywhere we ever lived It s a great place to be The station hadn t been running long when Starling met Doug Schuetz a lead engineer at ABC s Good Morning America GMA at a WHCP fundraiser At the time Schuetz was living as a weekender in Cambridge The station originally located on Poplar Street had a great deal of work to be done and Schuetz brought a sense of further organization to the equipment After he retired in 2017 from GMA the two worked together to move the station to its new more spacious location at the Cambridge Community Media Center on Race Street They managed to keep the station on the air during the move something they had both done before in their jobs at NPR and GMA Starling reflected We started to stabilize the tech side of things and moved toward making the sound better In 2018 both Starling and Schuetz met Jim Brady who had been executive producer of Oprah com I got involved in the radio station in July 2018 after showing up at the station s Boot Camp that offered community members the chance to produce and edit a radio show said Brady I learned how to make and edit recordings and 44 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 ship them out On The Oprah Show I never had my hand on equipment Here it s hands on the controls The decentralized model means WHCP is truly a community led undertaking and assures a hyperlocal character to the station that s all its own With mom and pop radio there is no one stopping you in the chain of command Starling said It s like old tagline for Outback Steakhouse No rules just right At Thanksgiving we brought in different programming from many sources with no editorial selection committees to consult We never could have done that in our previous jobs

While Starling and Schuetz got their starts in radio Brady comes from a newspaper background He worked for The Washington Post as well as newspapers in North Carolina and in Texas before being recruited as an associate producer for The Oprah Show in Chicago I like doing bigger stories and telling them locally he said We recently did a story with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy about sea level rise here on the Shore Each day we try and put out something that is high quality Volunteers are at the heart of WHCP and the station is proud to have an intergenerational corps Retired and pseudo retired people work right alongside interns and young people The station s internship program is offered to students attending CambridgeSouth Dorchester High School North Dorchester High School and Chesapeake College Students work approximately nine hours a week editing interviews and doing some of their own programs In the station s Electronics Technical Assembly Program ETAP area students build Firefly Radios as a fundraiser for WHCP The radios which cost 35 each are hand crafted and housed in a mason jar Though they are set to tune into WHCP the radios can be tuned to other frequencies as well Students earn Jim Brady and Doug Schuetz discuss the next scheduled recording S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 45

Starling Schuetz and Brady show off the Firefly Radios built by area students as a fundraiser for WHCP Right A closeup shot of this unique radio in a jar 46 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 stipends and learn valuable vocational skills through these programs Starling knows the inherent value of the program It s like grandparents working with their grandchildren he said We enjoy the interactions with these high schoolers Every volunteer who comes to the station becomes self sufficient in a short time We have the time and ability to guide people through the recording process Scheutz explained Some of our program contributors have never even been to the studio They record and edit their shows on a laptop at home with new software programs available today Brady who uses his on air coaching techniques from The Oprah Show likes to do interviews with regular people coming in for the first time It takes you a while to realize the stories we do are really people stories said Starling We are doing our best

work when we get to the people side of the story in the studio That is the most positive aspect of having a microphone WHCP has been growing the station s listening audience through an expanding cadre of on air hosts eclectic music programming and special program offerings The station s Radio Reading Service delivers a special audio subcarrier for the blind and print disabled in Dorchester County and offers the only radio reading service on the Shore As the station grows it s exciting for listeners to wonder what s next We talk that we are going to go digital one day commented Starling Our current equipment is quality analog equipment but it is used and can be challenging We also would like bigger studios where we could bring small musical groups into the interview studios Some regular listeners get the programming through the Sound Cloud online via whcp org or through the station s WHCP app on mobile phones but about 90 percent of its listeners come in from straight over the airwaves of Dorchester and south Talbot counties Starling quipped about his wish list And of course we would like a bigger signal to cover the entire Shore Nothing is impossible with this active group of volunteers Starling and Schuetz joke that they have their sleeping bags at the station while Brady actually gets his work done the same day and goes home at night When asked what their wives say about their retirements and how they are spending their time Starling sums it up I met my wife Linda at another radio station 40 years ago so she understands the commitment he said She was incredulous about me doing this and asked What about our retirement But she understands I need to do this for myself and she supports the positive impact on the community The station s slogan is WHCP 101 5 FM Cambridge a great place to be The call letters were chosen to stand for Historic Cambridge Paradise which Starling said sums up the sentiment of those lucky enough to live in Cambridge S The furniture industry s best manufacturers from the Shore s best furniture store 902 South Talbot Street St Michaels MD 21663 410 745 5192 410 822 8256 Monday Friday 8am 5pm Saturday 10am 4pm WWW HIGGINSANDSPENCER COM S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 47

Dinesha and Steve Panduwawala in their home in Cordova 48 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

THE CHANCES She Took She never thought it would be easy but she had to take a chance Dinesha Panduwawala s journey from Sri Lanka to her home on the Shore BY MANNING LEE PHOTO BY STEPHEN WALKER Recently married Dinesha Panduwawala immigrated to Easton in 1999 from Sri Lanka with her new husband Steve He was already established in Easton and he had dreams to fulfill Now those have materialized for both of them as the successful local car dealership Ceylon Auto Traders Inc Their love story spans the globe and deftly straddles tradition and modernity Steve showed great ingenuity when Dinesha caught his eye at a family wedding in Sri Lanka the year prior He was drawn to her beauty and brains knowing he wanted such a wife But he also knew she would be an invaluable partner in business How could he convince her that he was the one Gender roles in Sri Lanka have historically been more strict than those in America and women have not been encouraged to pursue careers In Panduwawala s world of arranged marriages womens futures were not their own and rested solely in the eyes of their fathers and the potential earning power of their husbands Her mother Mureen Baduraliya grew up highly privileged and was sheltered from the harsh realities of life She attended Catholic schools and had servants who attended to her needs As Baduraliya reached the traditional age of marriage her father gave her no choice in her groom In fact Panduwawala s grandfather had only one criterion If this groom has earning potential then he can feed a family she said Her father Michael came from a middle class family and secured a good job as an electrical engineer On paper he looked fine But reality proved sorely out of balance with expectation My grandfather s judgment was wrong Panduwawala said He only saw it from one perspective He makes good money so he will be able to feed my daughter It must be a good match He should ve asked so many more questions about my father S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 49

Several years into the marriage Panduwawala s father secured worked in Oman and was supposed to send money home every month But again expectations and reality were different Sometimes he didn t send my mother enough money even to take care of us she said She wasn t equipped to run a household and had no clue how to manage money Every time he came home from abroad they fought He shamed her for how poorly she ran the household finances He never taught her what to do and he so easily could have My father s resentment devalued my mother but traditions dictated my mother stay with him and take his rage This strife throughout Panduwawala s Sri Lankan childhood caused a paradigm shift in her approach to her career and marriage She was determined not to live a life where a father or a husband s power could devalue her or rob her of her independence At age 14 I knew their fighting had to stop she recalled I couldn t take mother s crying so told I him You want numbers I ll show you the numbers From then on Panduwawala managed the family s finances A little job she said humbly But suddenly a peace fell over our family Her father s tune changed and he urged the teenager to pursue 50 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 her own career and provided the tools for her to get there That was the one good thing he did for me she said Neither of us wanted me to be like her I loved her so much but I wanted so much more I wanted a degree A job would give me independence and the value my mother never got Panduwawala attended college majored in accounting and worked for a firm in downtown Colombo Sri Lanka In keeping with Sri Lankan customs she agreed to start seeing grooms so that she could marry which started by placing an ad in local newspapers But in August of 1998 as a bridesmaid at her cousin s wedding Dinesha met her future husband Steve Having immigrated to Easton in 1983 he was 31 and Steve faced an unspoken but understood marriage deadline Lucky for him Dinesha caught his eye She saw through him I know you re interested in me but you re not looking for a wife she scolded him You want a girlfriend I m looking for a husband I m advertised in the paper I can t fool around In fact I m seeing a groom this weekend After her childhood Panduwawala determined if she were to marry she would maintain her own job independence and finances As a candidate for Above Dinesha pictured on right in red saree met her future husband Steve pictured at far left for the first time at her cousin s wedding Opposite page left Dinesha and her family on her wedding day her father Michael Baduraliya her mother Mureen Baduraliya and her brother Nirosh Baduraliya Right Dinesha s graduation photo and below a favorite photo of the couple COURTESY PHOTOS

marriage seeing grooms she set strict criteria for any potential suitors I found them disappointing she said One potential groom told me I d need to give up my job and another groom s mother talked more than he did I didn t like any of my choices Meanwhile Steve inserted himself wherever he could into Dinesha s world and finally asked her to consider him as a potential groom He had developed a genuine interest in her she wasn t like other young women I felt like he wasn t looking just for someone to make babies nor was he just looking to feed them she explained I felt he was looking for someone to stand by him He told me I have a lot of dreams I need someone to help me I want you not for your beauty but for your brains That s when she knew she would take a chance on Steve on America and on advancing her career with him by her side Soon after their wedding in summer of 1999 the pair moved to Easton where he had worked at Fast Stop for years Still not completely convinced of his motives she d secretly purchased a one way ticket home should she need a way out But by May of 2000 the couple finished construction on Ceylon Auto Traders Inc She worked the financials for Ceylon while finishing an associate s degree in business administration from Chesapeake College in 2002 a chance she took while pregnant She finished her bachelor s at Salisbury University in 2008 After graduating she worked for an accounting firm in Annapolis She later worked as the assistant to the comptroller at Sea Watch International for several years and then moved to the Maryland Department of Transportation as an accountant During this time she mothered the couple s children Natasha who is 19 and Nathan now 10 and managed the accounting for Ceylon Auto Traders The Panduwawalas recently celebrated their first business anniversary at the newly purchased multimillion dollar convenience market where Steve first got his start in Easton Fast Stop more affectionately known as The 6 12 is located on U S Route 50 across from the airport Dinesha does the accounting for both businesses When they re not working Dinesha supports Steve s love of hiking famous trails around the world and he encourages Dinesha s love of ballroom dancing From an unconventional beginning and many chances taken the two are undoubtedly a perfect fit and their success shines a bright light on the strength of the American Dream that s alive and well on the Shore S S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 51

Historic St Paul s Sanctuary 52 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

BE WELL sacred space Unraveling the mystery of spirituality at the Retreat House at Hillsboro BY AMELIA BLADES STEWARD PHOTOS BY CAROLINE J PHILLIPS French philosopher and Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said We are spiritual beings having a human experience The Retreat House at Hillsboro tucked away in the trees and gardens at the end of a secluded drive is helping people stay spiritually grounded in the midst of a fast paced tightly scheduled world The spirit filled center creates a space for a time of slowing down sharing about things that make up the days and noticing the movement of God in those things said Francie Thayer director of the Retreat House Most people coming to the Retreat House are tending to a longing they have felt for some time Younger guests are drawn to the grounds and nature spending a day or part of a day in the quiet and stillness of the property which includes a traditional Chartres style walking labyrinth and the historic St Paul s sanctuary and cemetery which was built in the years before 1860 The property s open spaces beckon seekers to sit in quiet reflection reading or meeting with others It is the special spiritual programming however that has become the hallmark of the center St Paul s Episcopal Church and Parish Hall sat empty for nearly 20 years but Bishop Bud Shand of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton committed 20 000 to finish the Parish Community Hall in 2014 Today the building is known as the Retreat House Shand soon invited Thayer who had recently finished a degree in theology from the Virginia Theological Seminary to be its first volunteer director and to establish programming at the Retreat House opening its doors to the community at large Early on we formed an advisory board whose members met once a month she said The board walked around the grounds prayed and talked They imagined doing church differently here The Retreat House has grown to include two part time employees manager Meg Gallagher and Rodney Dean who oversees community engagement Several spiritual directors guide the growing offerings of workshops trainings and retreats The diocese supports the insurance for the building S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 53

BE WELL Captions for the photos on this spread 54 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 but does not provide funds for operational or programming costs People in their twenties and thirties don t understand the difference between church and sacred space said spiritual director Heather Hall We are bringing community into a sacred space here at the Retreat House The sacred space of the Retreat House is open to all denominations and non denominations secular and non secular as well as to businesses and nonprofits that hold leadership retreats on the property Four 12 step groups as well as yoga meditation and prayer groups regularly meet there I have a church community but I think of the Retreat House as my spiritual community said spiritual director Linda Mastro It is a place where I can

Opposite page top The entrance to The Retreat House below a Chartresstyle walking labyrinth on the grounds This page Manager Meg Gallagher left and Director Francie Thayer work closely at The Retreat House discuss spirituality and raise my questions with other members of the community It is a hospitable place where everyone is welcome It doesn t have the institutional look and feel of a church but has the sacredness of space the hospitality and unique programming According to Gallagher most visitors note a spiritual feeling at the Retreat House and feel as if they belong somehow The Bishop thought this piece of land was a sacred space there is something really lovely about it Thayer said Another way to do church for today s generation is to go where the people are by taking the spirit of the Retreat House on the road This type of spiritual guidance is one of the Retreat House s growing ministries In particular the center now offers Wisdom Circles seasonally in locations across the Shore and in Annapolis Wisdom Circles emulate what humans did long ago gather in circles around a fire to tell stories solve problems seek common good and celebrate the joys of life The circles echo the heart of the Retreat House which is being in relationship both with God and others Trained spiritual directors lead the circles weekly over four to six weeks They designed these Wisdom Circles to appeal to anyone who seeks a deeper and more meaningful spiritual experience We want the Retreat House to be a platform for spiritual directors to launch their circles We can help them promote their offerings to the community Thayer said Among the Wisdom Circles offered this winter are Cultivating Peace in Small Community led by Heather Strang in Annapolis and Sounds of Silence led by Julia Morris Meyers in Centreville Participants bring their questions to these circles and the trained spiritual directors provide the space and direction for the discussion Everything I do is a spiritual direction I make a frame and then they come and meet God spiritual director Debra Donnelly Barton said According to Mastro the Wisdom Circles are places to make courageous inquiries in a welcoming environment with no judgment The Retreat House has also created workshops and trainings that can be customized specifically for the community or other churches Last summer the Retreat House engaged with the program Sacred Ground a curriculum offered by the national Episcopal Church to help white people have challenging and meaningful conversations with other white people about racism seen as a first step to the dialogues necessary for traveling toward racial reconciliation Last fall The Retreat House hosted a day of retreat for people in their As a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese twenties and thirties seeking contemplative prayer includof Easton the Retreat House supports ing silence and time in nature the work of all faith communities as well as a women s weekend and denominations Donations are spiritual retreat at the Foehliage Retreat Center in Galena tax deductible The Retreat House Through innovative programis located at 22005 Church Street in ming the Retreat House is finding Hillsboro MD For further information new ways to foster people s relationships both with God and with visit retreathousehillsboro org or call others both onsite and in commu410 364 7069 nities around the Shore S S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 55

PROFILE Lelani Brooks Imani Turner Tasha Groce and Sa Mauria Ennals display inspirational words during their meeting GIRL EMPOWER Local businesswoman helps girls find their own potential BY MANNING LEE PHOTOS BY STEPHEN WALKER Mentors are invaluable and many wish they had a special person who championed them in their youth Didn t our adolescent years seem tough enough keeping up with homework and managing teenage social lives What foresight did we have to navigate our futures even under the best circumstances Imagine young middle school girls teeming with potential who encounter economic or behavioral adversities How are they supposed to break through and reach new heights How can we reach 56 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 into their world and cast off the chains of imperfect circumstance Who can we send to help them As Keasha Haythe pondered these types of questions she saw a gaping hole in the community From this exercise came her Foundation of HOPE Foundation of Helping Others Prosper and Excel Like many successful mid career professionals Haythe had overcome much Her early in life adversities included navigating teen pregnancy and becoming a

Keasha Haythe with two of her cohorts Lelani Brooks and Sa Mauria Ennals gearing up for the 2020 program kick off S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 57

PROFILE Middle school participants left to right Sa Mauria Ennals Imani Turner Lelani Brooks and Tasha Groce The girls meet at the school library once a week from January to May 58 young mother Her lived experience now an advantage she knew she was uniquely qualified to serve as a special mentor Who wouldn t see her success story and want to share in her hope It started out with my work in economic development when I listened to different businesspeople detailing the lack of soft skills with our young adults Haythe said All I could think was What if we could train people at an earlier age Wouldn t they make better employees For the next several months she kept a notebook beside her bed taking notes on everything young girls needed and how to get it done Before she knew it she d created a full fledged program Next was obtaining 501 c 3 status a board of directors and community wide fundraisers By 2017 the Foundation of HOPE started offering classes Each year in coordination with Easton Middle School s faculty the foundation identifies several girls in the sixth grade who demonstrate behaviors classified as yellow as in the yellow caution light on a stoplight This could mean mild attitude issues and challenges in managing emotions The foundation s hope is to provide mentorship and guidance to each girl empowering them to increase their self esteem and executive functioning behaviors Through this loving guidance many in the yellow become girls in green The comprehensive program runs weekly after school and students called cohorts attend for 16 weeks Classes are offered in areas such as bullying public speaking self esteem social media etiquette and entrepreneurship One of the curriculum s most important components is financial literacy It includes S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 learning to manage their own money and form checking accounts as well as an introduction to stock markets and savings avenues such as CDs The workforce development curriculum includes how to complete job applications and teaches interview protocol and proficiency A popular portion of this for the girls is conducting their own mock job interviews At the end of the term the students present their entrepreneurship projects and business plans at a certificate ceremony Once they ve graduated all that s left is their annual field trip to a local theme park for a day of celebration I want to see every one of our cohorts graduate from high school said Haythe If our work prevents one teenage pregnancy my job is done If our work encourages even just one cohort to pursue college then our work has been worth it The biggest goal of all is that when every single one of our cohorts enter the workforce that they will have the skills to be excellent employees While the foundation thrives Haythe has been able to focus on new initiatives such as a new scholarship fund for former cohorts Foundation of HOPE is also contemplating the creation of a curriculum workbook so they can expand their program to surrounding counties and beyond No one who knows Haythe is surprised by her mission driven success Hopefully everything our cohorts learn sticks with them and they ll remember they can plan their lives out and be prosperous she said If we can keep just one girl from going down the wrong path then I ll know we ve done our due diligence S

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ATMOSPHERE STORIES TO TELL The High Wides release second album BY KRISTINA GADDY PHOTOS BY MARC SHAPIRO Making The High Wides first album Above The High Wides perform at their second album release Opposite page top The band poses with the audience at the Garfield Center in Chestertown bottom Marquee of the event 60 wasn t easy For starters Lifted came with surprises Guitarist and singer Marc Dykeman said he thinks of the first album as throwing a lot of stuff at the wall to see what sticks Bassist Mike Buccino admits the band experienced a lot of trial and error Even worse the computer with the only copy of their finished mixes was stolen making it necessary to re record everything Released in December their second album Seven True Stories wasn t nearly as dramatic in its making But the 11 tracks adeptly showcase their technical skill storytelling ability and the genre reimagining they re known for S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 The High Wides are a bluegrass band with fiddle banjo guitar bass and harmony vocals and are showcasing their unique blend of experience and increased synergy on their sophomore album All of the songs are originals except the Sally Ann section of Place No Stone on Me a new song that feels like an old ballad until it breaks into the familiar instrumental tune Being known for only covers didn t suit their creative style The band draws on moods and sounds they identify with from a bygone era Our approach has been going to different sets of sources stuff that appeals to us

viscerally said Dykeman We like to go back to a time when bluegrass was a little more loud and obnoxious But loud and obnoxious they aren t their new set of tunes infuses the genre with new imaginings such as ballads new wave and hot club jazz Almost undetectable at first as the tracks play on the funkiness builds The opening track Reverie feels fairly straightforward But by the time they sing about a scaffold being constructed on the side of I 68 west of Cumberland in Noah s Ark the repetitive fiddle line and chucking guitar evoke feelings of Sufi mysticism and Whirling Dervishes The slightly dissonant melodies match the rising tide sweeping the listener away As the title of the album suggests The High Wides tells stories with its lyrics In creating this album the band took the time to discover those stories for themselves Dykeman and Buccino said that the songs are all centered in place and influenced by their Maryland roots Like their first album they took a do ityourself approach and recorded it themselves this time in an empty house friends were selling on the Eastern Shore This allowed them months with equipment already set up and uninterrupted time to figure out arrangements as they went It came together right together in front of live mics said Buccino We took a lot of songs we d had in the works and made them work for the band added Dykeman In addition to figurative creative space Buccino says it was a special experience to create the album in an old boarding house with lots of stories of its own During breaks the band would relax on the porch and soak in the natural beauty around them It really helped put us in a good mental space to be creative and even informed some of our choices for the album he added The High Wides performs at festivals and shows on the Eastern Shore as well as in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas With the launch of its new album the band plans to grow a wider following by doing festivals and shows up and down the East Coast while still managing to play locally for their fans S S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 61

WINDOW PANE BACKYARD BIRDING From top left clockwise Winter wren Darkeyed Juncos Towhee Woodland duck BY MARY HELEN GILLEN PHOTO BY NICO SARBANES While many birds migrate south for the winter in search of warmth and food there are plenty of species that stick around Bare tree branches provide easy to spot perches for birds like chickadees eagles and woodpeckers Waterfowl gather along the creeks and wetlands to look for food Backyard bird feeders provide an enjoyable way to get a close look at our winter residents and provide food for them during the coldest months If you have never ventured out in search of the resident birds of the Eastern Shore consider joining in the Great Backyard Bird Count at Pickering Creek Audubon Center on Saturday February 15 Birders of all experience levels walk the sanctuary s forests fields and wetlands and contribute their findings to a nationwide effort sponsored by National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Check out their website to learn how you can get involved pickering audubon org programs upcoming events If you can t make the Great Backyard Bird Count the Center is open daily from dawn to dusk There are four miles of trails through mature woodlands 90 acres of shallow water wetlands with two viewing platforms and beautiful views of unspoiled Pickering Creek S 62 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 How to help local birds through the winter For advice education bird food and feeders check out the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop located at 8223 Elliott Road in Easton easton wbu com

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THROUGH THE LENS PHOTO BY KRISTEN GREENAWAY This photo was taken on the evening of December 8 2019 looking from behind our property in Rio Vista St Michaels on Spencer Creek off the Miles River We ve lived in St Michaels for 5 1 2 years and the beauty of this part of the world never ceases to astound me 64 S H O R E M O N T H LY CO M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0

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