Cover Photo by Tony Nagle, IT Network Specialist
FOND FAREWELLS
The first three weeks of July marked the retirements of three dedicated Town employees: Charlie (5 years), Kay (38 years), and Joanne (44 years). Their dedication, hard work and contributions made a meaningful difference in our town. We’re grateful for their years of service and wish them the very best in retirement.
July is Parks and Recreation Month and in this month’s newsletter we’re able to recognize the people and parks that help make Easton such a great place to live. We have so many different parks in town you’re bound to find a favorite one, or two! We also take a look at our first Health and Wellness Fair held in Idlewild Park.
In July, we welcomed Andy Kitzrow as he officially stepped into the role of Town Manager. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Chief Lowrey for his steady leadership during this time of transition and to Deputy Chief Wright for his leadership at the police department.
Thank you, as always, for all that you do. Easton continues to thrive because of your hard work and teamwork.
Megan Cook
Click HERE to see Joe’s video interview!
Employee Spotlight
JOE MAYER | PLAN REVIEWER
Meet Joe Mayer! Joe serves as the Plan Reviewer for our Planning and Zoning Department. Joe has been working with the Town of Easton for over 6 years now.
Joe is responsible for reviewing all development plans that come through the Town Offices, including everything from industrial buildings to family residences. He plays a big part in both the beginning and end of a plan’s review cycle, ensuring it hits all of its necessary requirements along the way.
In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with his family, and building model ships with his boys. Something you may not know about Joe — he has quite the taste for the silver screen! Joe has written screenplays for HBO, served as an extra in a Hollywood production, and directed several of his own short films!
SCENES FROM FOURTH
FUN FOR ALL
ToE recognized Parks and Recreation month in July
In conjunction with #nationalparksandrecreationmonth, the Town of Easton used the month of July to shine a spotlight on all of the good work done by our Parks and Recreation professionals.
The theme for this year’s Parks and Recreation Month is “Build together, Play together,” highlighting both the effort that goes into building and maintaining each of these recreational spaces, and the enjoyment that comes from the community’s use of them.
Easton is home to 16 well-kept municipal parks, each offering a wide range of amenities, such as a variety of trails, sports fields, play equipment, pavilions, waterfront access, and more. Our parks are fundamental in creating safe, accessible spaces for
our neighbors to build connections, and they provide important programs and services for all community members to participate in, all while encouraging healthy and active lifestyles in the process.
Highlights over the course of the month included: several of our parks were promoted on social media, along with members of our parks and recreation team, an AED installation at Moton Park, a proclamation read aloud at the Town Council Meeting on July 7, a Health and Wellness Fair held on July 19, and a celebratory luncheon for staff on July 21.
Thanks to everyone on staff who helps make our parks continue to shine, they are truly some of the best parts of Easton, and they would not be the same without your efforts!
A MONTH OF
July saw not one, not two, but three (!) retirements totaling over 87 years of experience each out with a bang — celebrating their achievements, contributions,
“It’s
EMPLOYEE: Charlie Connolly
TITLE: Assistant Finance Officer
YEARS SERVED: 5 years LAST DAY: July 3
HOW WE CELEBRATED: A celebratory luncheon at the Town Office (with a great motorcycle cake). Afterwards, Town Finance Officer Carol Callahan presented Charlie with a plaque to commemorate his years of service and retirement with the Town of Easton. Staff congratulated Charlie and wished him well on his next adventure.
Charlie’s finance knowledge, hard work, and sense of humor will be missed by all of us here. Congratulations on your retirement, Charlie!
“It’s been a great 38 years. I’ve made so many place is like a second family to me, and I have made here.” - Kay Spence, Executive
EMPLOYEE: Kay Spence
TITLE: EPD Executive Assistant
YEARS SERVED: 38 years (serving under LAST DAY: July 9
HOW WE CELEBRATED: A retirement featured lunch and cake. Friends, family, out to congratulate her.
Kay has been an indispensable part of our edge, and hard work will be missed by us Kay, we wish you nothing but the best in
been a fun ride.” - Assistant Finance Officer Charlie Connolly
Click here to view Kay’s Employee Spotlight video
OF GOODBYES
experience in our organization. While we are sad to see them go, we decided to send them and lasting legacies here in Easton. Thank you Charlie, Kay, and Joanne!
many friends here that I’ll never forget. This will always cherish the memories that we Assistant under six different police chiefs)
retirement party at Easton Police Department that and coworkers past and present all came
our team. Her smile, kind heart, vast knowlus all here at the department. retirement, you will be missed!
“I’ll miss it. This place has been my second family...my second home.”
- Accounts Payable Manager Joanne Drummer
EMPLOYEE: Joanne Drummer
TITLE: Accounts Payable Manager
YEARS SERVED: 44 years (serving under four different mayors)
LAST DAY: July 18
HOW WE CELEBRATED: A retirement party at The Ivy that included hors d’oeuvres along with cookies and cake. Friends, family, and coworkers past and present all came out to congratulate her at the event.
Joanne has been both a joy to be around at the office, and an incredibly valuable part of our team. While we will all miss her, we wish her the best in her retirement!
Click here to view Joanne’s Employee Spotlight video
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
A short, but exciting town council meeting last month saw Andy Kitzrow sworn in to serve Easton, along with proclamations for the Easton Volunteer Fire Dept. and for Parks and Recreation Month.
TOWN MANAGER SWORN IN
Andy Kitzrow was sworn in to serve Easton after reciting his oath and signing his name to the “swear book.” His oath was administered by Council President Don Abbatiello.
PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH
Our Parks and Recreation and Maintenance teams were recognized via a proclamation for #nationalparksandrecreationmonth. The proclamation encouraged use of the parks throughout the month and promoted the health and well-being of residents and visitors alike. Our Parks and Recreation and Maintenance professionals were also praised for their hard work in maintaining our parks and for making Easton a vibrant and exciting please to be. The proclamation was presented by Ward 2 Council Member Robert Rankin, and was received by Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Gould.
EVFD RECOGNIZED
Easton Volunteer Fire Department was recognized via a proclamation from the Mayor for their devotion and service to the Town of Easton. The proclamation highlighted appreciation for their selflessness and a tradition of service carried on since their founding in 1808. EVFD was also recognized for their many awards during the 133rd Maryland State Fireman’s Association Convention & Conference. It was presented by Ward 4 Council Member Rev. Elmer Neal Davis, Jr., and was received by attending members from EVFD.
Parks and Rec
A HEALTHY BEGINNING
ToE Parks and Rec hosts first ever Health and Wellness Fair
We had such a blast at our first annual Health and Wellness Fair at Idlewild Park! The fun, family-friendly community event took place on Saturday, July 19, and featured local food trucks, live music from “A Breath of Fresh Air,” face painting, activities for kids, and also had numerous local health and
wellness services and organizations on site to provide resources and information.
“Good food, good music, and good neighbors all made for an awesome time at this event,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Gould. “Despite a
Good food, good music, and good neighbors all made for an awesome time at this event . . .
We’ve got a strong platform to build off of for next year!
Lorraine Gould, Director of Parks and Rec
little rain at the start, we had a nice turnout. It was a great place to promote health and well-being in our community, and to give local businesses and organizations a chance to share what they have to offer. We’ve got a strong platform to build off of for next year’s event!”
We appreciate everyone who came out to help support health and wellness in our Town — but especially our vendors — including: Building African American Minds, Inc., Easton Utilities, Easton Police Department, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Responsible Fathers Initiative, Every Voice Counts Rehabilitation Services, Shedrick Family Wellness Center, Inc, Lotus Oncology Hematology, Black Nurses Association of Maryland Eastern Shore, The Village Maternal Holistic Wellness Center, MD Ropta, For All Seasons Behavioral Health and RCC, Life Wellness Coach - Michelle Hammond, Line Dance InstructorTeresa Neal, Marcy’s Water Ice, Samina Haq’s Pakistani Food, Spanky’s Soulfood, and “A Breath Of Fresh Air Band”
We can’t wait to watch this grow next year!
FIRST WE FEAST
HR Dept holds employee appreciation breakfast
A big thanks to our awesome HR team for setting up another wonderful employee appreciation breakfast this July.
“Breakfast is the perfect way to say ‘thank you’ to all our staff. The Town of Easton appreciates the hard work, dedication, teamwork and the positive energy our team brings every day — they have earned it. It is a token of our appreciation,” said Chief Human Resource Officer Rick Farr
The delicious food was provided by The Omelette Guys and included made to order omelettes, Belgian waffles, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and fresh coffee.
It was a great way to start the day, and a nice opportunity for different departments across our organization to interact and get to know each other better. The event also served as an introduction for new Town Manager Andy Kitzrow — giving staff a chance to meet and speak with him in a casual and friendly environment.
SAFETY FIRST
left to right: Town Engineer Rick Van Emburgh, Talbot County DES Special Programs Paramedic Rachael Cox, Talbot Paramedic Foundation Board Member Wayne Dyott, Mayor Megan Cook, Team Trace Representative Ellen Shepard, Town Council President Don Abbatiello, Park Board Member Otis Sampson, Team Trace Representative Melinda Spedden, Easton Police Chief and Interim Town Manager Alan Lowrey, and Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Gould.
New AED Installed at Moton Park
What better way to kick off this year’s #parksandrecreationmonth than with a major safety improvement to one of our favorite community parks, Moton Park!
On July 1, Talbot County Emergency Services (DES), Talbot Paramedic Foundation, and Team Trace all teamed up with the Town of Easton to bring a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Moton Park. This AED allows for fast acting and potentially life saving response in instances of sudden cardiac
arrest — making our park a safer place for everyone to enjoy.
A special thanks to Gunther’s Electric, Inc. who generously perform AED installations free of charge to locations across Talbot County as a part of this effort.
This year’s Parks and Recreation Month Theme was “Build Together, Play Together” and building spaces that are safe to play together is one of the most important aspects of a successful park!
Pictured
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Dawn Hutchison for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!
Dawn now has a $25 gift card to Gander’s Car Wash for her submission that landed on the July cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter.
You could be the next winner by submitting your potential cover photos to gmueller@ eastonmd.gov. If your submission is chosen, you too will win a $25 gift card!
Employee Benefits
Human Resources
Birthdays
AUGUST
Allen Orrison
Barry Slaughter
Beverly Williamson
Chris Mueller
Chris Westerfield
Cordero Proctor
Daniel Reading
Gavin Whitby
Gregory Webb
Jill Garvey
Joshua Turner
Mark Schinault
Marwin Lewis
Mary Moyer
Sierra Clem
Stacy Wood-
ard-Slaughter
Timothy Lyons
Anniversaries
AUGUST
Allen Orrison - 16 years
Andre Magee - 20 years
Beverly Williamson - 10 years
Cody Gaertner - 6 years
Dorothy Meekins - 19 years
Dorothy Stichberry - 25 years
Elizabeth Mueller - 1 year
Glenn Towers - 13 years
Jacob Towers - 5 years
Jake Gale - 6 years
Joshua Maxwell - 4 years
Julia Carroll - 1 year
Marvin Jenkins - 15 years
Matthew Cordrey - 6 years
Michael Dickerson - 40 years
Ray Rodgers - 16 years
Renee Pierce - 17 years
Samantha Smith - 3 years
Samuel Pearson - 6 years
Timothy Streckfus - 12 years
Vincent Barnett - 11 years
William Montgomery - 2 years
William Willis - 26 years
DOUBLE BACON CHEDDAR SMASH BURGERS
Recipe courtesy of The McLemore Boys Servings: 4
4 Wonder Classic Hamburger Buns
2 pounds angus beef
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon McLemore Boys Sweet Rub
1/4 cup sweet barbecue sauce
8 slices cheddar cheese
1 pound bacon, halved lengthwise mayonnaise
1 large tomato, sliced
1 head lettuce kosher salt black pepper
Heat griddle to high heat.
Toast buns on griddle until golden brown. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs and sweet rub; mix evenly. Form meat mixture into eight 4-ounce balls.
Place balls on griddle and smash with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, flip and brush with barbecue sauce. Cook 5 minutes, or until burgers reach medium doneness. Place cheese slices on burgers for last 2 minutes to melt.
Assemble bacon in 3-by-3 weave. Cook alongside burgers to desired crispiness.
To build burgers, spread buns with mayo, add first burger then mini bacon weave, second burger, tomato, lettuce and sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Crown it with top bun and gently press.
DOUBLE TROUBLE Recipe
Double The Flavor With Double Bacon Cheddar Smash Burgers
(Family Features) Take an all-American creation up a notch this summer by doubling the burger fun with this fan-favorite version.
These All-American Double Bacon and Cheddar Smash Burgers, created by Wonder in partnership with The McLemore Boys, give you an opportu-
nity to fire up the grill, gather the family and savor the flavor of a summer favorite. Pro tip: For an even bigger punch, chop half the bacon before cooking it and add to the patty mixture.
Discover more ways to enhance grilled summer favorites by visiting WonderBread.com/recipes.