EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2024
Cover Photo by Trevor Newcomb, Buildings and Facilities Director
COMFORT AND JOY
Team, I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of another great year. I’m very proud of our growth as a team and your dedication to our community. There was so much good that happened that you all should be proud of.
Our Town leadership partizcipated in the StrengthFinder leadership training course last month. This training helped our employees identify their unique qualities and strengths, and how to use those strengths to bring out the best in their respective teams.
We are happy to celebrate the opening of the ARC’s Port Street Commons. This new facility is also the first piece of construction that falls under our Mixed Use Waterfront zoning district for the Port Street Corridor. The ARC and their construction team worked closely together with the Town throughout this project, ensuring that it meets not only the building standards we expect, but also that it follows along with the long term goals and plans that we have for this area of Town. This is a truly exciting step forward for Port Street, and the ARC has done a commendable job in exceeding our expectations.
This year, we also took time to honor the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans, especially those who are part of our Town team. Through initiatives like Operation Green Light and the Veterans banners, we proudly recognized their service and the invaluable role they continue to play in shaping our community.
As we reflect on these accomplishments and the progress we’ve made together throughout the year, I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication. You are the foundation of the Town’s success and I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve accomplished together as a team.
Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together in the year ahead!
Megan Click HERE to see Julie’s video interview!
Employee Spotlight
JULIE CARROLL | ENGINEERING DESIGN TECHNICIAN
Meet Julie Carroll! Julie is the Design Technician for the Town’s Engineering Department. She has worked at the Town of Easton for about 6 months now.
Julie is responsible for doing preemptive analysis on Engineering projects and helps to identify and solve potential problems before they occur in the field. She works with Town Engineer Rick VanEmburgh and Director of Engineering Kody Cario to make sure our projects develop as smoothly as possible
In her free time, Julie loves the outdoors, and says she has too many hobbies to count. She just closed a chapter on one of her biggest hobbies — selling a grass-fed beef farm that she owned and maintained for 15 years!w
Town Leadership
Town leadership team attends development seminar FINDING STRENGTH
On November 11, the Town of Easton leadership team gathered for a development session based around discovering, and building upon their individual strengths.
Put together by our Chief Human Resource Officer, Rick Farr, this enlightening lesson helped to spotlight where our team members’ individual talents and skill sets lie, and how to build upon them to help our organization.
The lesson was held at The Tidewater Inn, and was hosted by Dr. Joe Thomas who serves as Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy.
The event helped to foster some important self-discovery and development, as well as giving our leaders some insight on how they can make the most of their talents and best interact with each other.
Farr said, “Our Town leadership development series continues to provide the skills needed to motivate and inspire others to foster a culture of innovation by encouraging creative thinking and problem solving among our team members which leads to stronger leadership.”
We are very proud of our extremely talented leadership team!
“Our Town leadership development series continues to provide the skills needed to motivate and inspire others... which leads to stronger leadership .
Chief Human Resource Officer Rick Farr
Waterfowl
SCENES FROM THE
Waterfowl Festival
Operation Green Light
GIVING THANKS
Town of Easton, partners recognize veterans throughout November
During the week of November 4-11th, the exterior lights for Town of Easton buildings (including Town Hall, the Rail Station, and the Veterans Affairs Building) were illuminated green as part of Operation Green Light, a special campaign designed to recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served in the United States Military.
Additionally, Talbot County Government buildings including the Talbot County Courthouse and the Community Center were also lit green in solidarity.
While this was the second year the Town participated in Operation Green Light, we took things one step further by hanging commemorative banners for the veterans in our organization.
Additionally, we invited partner organizations such as EVFD, Talbot County, and Easton Utilities to join us and celebrate their veterans as well. All told, there were 30 banners made for the participating organizations. The banners were mounted to street lights downtown along S. Washington Street.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, and thank you to each of our veterans for their service and sacrifice!
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve
Rick Farr US Air Force 22 Years
Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Northern Watch/Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Mitchell Reeley US Marine Corps 4 Years
Operation Task Force South West
Mary Moyer US Army 6 Years
Cordero Proctor US Air Force 4 Years
Frank Sova US Army 3 Years
2025 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
1/1/2025 New Years Day
1/20/2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
4/18/2025 Good Friday
5/26/2025 Memorial Day
6/19/2025 Juneteenth
7/4/2025 Independence Day
9/1/2025 Labor Day
10/13/2025 Columbus Day (Canadian Thanksgiving)
11/11/2025 Veterans Day
11/27/2025 Thanksgiving Day
11/28/2025 Day After Thanksgiving
12/24/2025 Christmas Eve
12/25/2025 Christmas Day
PAVING THE WAY
The ARC hosts Port Street Commons ribbon cutting
On November 7, the ARC Central Chesapeake Region celebrated the grand opening of Port Street Commons. Nearly 200 community leaders, advocates, and supporters came out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in inclusive community development.
The new facility is a mixed use building with spaces dedicated to The Arc’s programs, a Professional Development Center, a Community Hub for Day Services,
affordable housing for families, and essential health services.
During the opening ceremony, Mayor Megan Cook spoke about the ARC’s contributions to the community, as well as what the new facility means for Easton.
Mayor Cook said, “This new facility is also the first piece of construction that falls under our Mixed Use Waterfront zoning district for the Port street corridor.
The ARC and their construction team worked closely together with the Town throughout this project, ensuring that it meets not only the building standards we expect, but also that it follows along with the long term goals and plans that we have for this area of Town.”
“Mayor Megan Cook This project paves the way for more mixed use facilities and buildings to take root along this corridor, reinvigorating an essential part of Town which leads to our waterfront on the Tred Avon.
Mayor Cook added, “This is a truly exciting step forward for Port Street, and the ARC has done a commendable job in exceeding our expectations. This project paves the way for more mixed use facilities and buildings to take root along this corridor, reinvigorating an essential part of Town which leads to our waterfront on the Tred Avon.”
The ARC thanked everyone who attended via a message on their social media accounts that read: “We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this vision a reality, including Easton’s Mayor Megan Cook, Pete Lesher, Vice President of the Talbot County Council, Julia Glanz, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing & Community Development, Carol Beatty, Secretary of the Department of Disabilities and our amazing community partners. We’re thrilled to take this step toward a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.”
Click here to see video footage of the event.
SPREADING SOME C H E E R
Public Works, Easton Utilities work together to illuminate Easton over the Holidays
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, and the holiday season beyond, our Public Works teams were busy around Town setting up the lights and decorations that transform our downtown into something truly special.
Using bucket trucks, ladders, and know-how, teams went through the downtown area hanging lights and wreaths onto Town lampposts and buildings respectively.
Handmade light fixtures of Trees, Candles, and Candy Canes
were mounted all throughout Easton’s busiest roads.
With our friends at Easton Utilities helping, the 65 ft tree along Dover St. was lit up with stands of lights and topped with a festive star.
Thank you to our amazing Public Works team, and to Easton Utilities for all the hard work, thoughtfulness, and care they put into making our Town so magical throughout each Holiday season. The rest of the year shines a little bit brighter because of your efforts!
Turkey Day 2024
IT’S TURKEY
TURKEY TIME
Our annual turkey giveaway saw a trailer-load of turkeys (235!) given out to our employees and retirees as a show of appreciation for all of their hard work and contributions.
We hope that everyone enjoyed their turkeys and had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Congratulations to Justin Jones, Public Works Construction Supervisor, for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!
Justin now has a $25 gift card to Dunkin Donuts for his starry submission that landed on the November 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!
DECEMBER Human Resources
Birthdays
Jay Horner
Jessica Plugge
Anthony Cullings
Cody Gaertner
Nicholas Ewing
Michael Dueñas
Andrew Hubbard
Clarence Gould
Rick VanEmburgh
Joseph Faulkner
Brandon Watkins
Anniversaries
DECEMBER
Catelin Vanderlinden - 4 years
Tyquan Beckett - 3 years
Tim Larrimore - 24 years
Nicholas Lange - 4 years
Brian Carroll - 6 years
Zachery Christ - 4 years
Joshua Merrick - 18 years
Scott Messick - 14 years
Justin Reibly - 6 years
Colin Woodard - 2 years
Daniel Reading - 2 years
Barry Slaughter - 25 years
Jeffrey Olds - 14 years
Greg Mueller - 2 years
Cory Schuch - 3 years
Jessica Plugge - 14 years
Anthony Cullings - 6 years
WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE
3 cups Half & Half
2/3 cup white chocolate baking pieces
1 3 inch cinnamon stick
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
Ground Cinnamon (optional)
Whipped Cream (optional)
Candy Cane (optional)
In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 of the half & half, white chocolate baking pieces, cinnamon stick and nutmeg. Stir over low to medium heat until white chocolate is melted.
Add remaining half & half. Stir and cook until heated through. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick.
Add in vanilla and almond extract. Stir until mixed through.
Pour into your favorite mug(s). Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
A delicious and festive drink to warm your spirits this holiday season
When it’s cold outside, start up the fireplace, get your favorite slippers on, wrap up in a warm blanket and snuggle on the couch with this delicious White Hot Chocolate.
This creamy, chocolate-y beverage is a perfect nightcap for the holidays!