Easton Employee Newsletter - June 2024

EMPLOYEE

Cover Photo by Rick Farr, Chief Human Resources Officer

SUMMER SUN

Summer may finally be here! I’m so excited for the warm weather, longer days and having my kids home.

During the months of May and June we celebrate all the mothers and fathers in our lives. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the mothers, fathers and family members in those roles for your unwavering dedication, love and support you give every day.

Thank you to our Public Works Department as we celebrated National Public Works Week. This special week shines a spotlight on the essential services provided by our public works professionals. Thier hard work and commitment ensure that our community remains safe, functional, and beautiful. We are deeply grateful for their efforts and proud of the vital role they play.

Congratulations to Talbot County and their commemoration of the Talbot Resolves. This historical event reminds us of our rich heritage and the enduring spirit of resilience and unity within our community.

Finally, we celebrated the grand opening of the Moton Park soccer field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thank you to our Parks and Recreation Department, Engineering Department and Easton Utilities for their efforts in the design, construction and infrastructure implementation around this project. The field offers a beautiful and exciting opportunity to get out and enjoy the park in a new way.

Congratulations to all the 2024 graduates and their families! They worked so hard and endured so much over the last 4 years. I know they’ll all do great things.

Here’s to a fantastic month ahead!

Click HERE to see Dustin’s video interview!

Employee Spotlight

DUSTIN OTTO | DIVISION MANAGER - SHOP & CONSTRUCTION

Meet Dustin Otto! Dustin is the Shop & Construction Division Manager for Public Works. Dustin has worked with Public Works at the Town of Easton for 14 years!

Dustin works by serving as a leader for both the Shop and Contruction teams — planning and scheduling jobs and maintenance, making sure resources are available for projects, and helping to problem solve in the field when necessary.

Dustin and his wife live outside of Ridgely, and are avid campers. When he is not camping with his family, Dustin enjoys relaxing at home with his wife, especially in their pool!

MOTHER’S

MOTHER’S DAYHappy

Thank you to all of the wonderful mothers on our staff — we are grateful for all that you do!

Some of our Town of Easton mothers pictured (from left to right): Renee Pierce, Lorraine Gould, Megan Cook, Carolinne Kahane, Kathy Ruf, Carol Callahan, Christy Spindler, Dawn Hutchison, & Tracy Lednum.

FROM OUR PAST

Talbot Resolves Celebration takes a Step Back in Time

On May 24, 2024, 250 years (to the day) later, a commemoration of the Talbot County Resolves was held on the Talbot County Courthouse grounds. The program is sponsored by the Talbot Historical Society, the Talbot County Government and Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the Colonel Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The Talbot Resolves was a proclamation made in front of the Talbot Courthouse on May 24, 1774, by several citizens. The patriots declared they would act “as friends to liberty, and to the general interests of mankind” in support of their brethren in Boston, Massachusetts. Great Britain was preparing to shut down the Port of Boston in response to the Boston Tea Party that had occurred the year before on December 16, 1773.

The event saw an old-fashioned Town Crier read the resolves in a dramatic fashion. Talbot County Council Member Pete Lesher gave remarks recounting the history of the event and its importance.

The following is an excerpt from Lesher’s speech:

Today’s event is the first to mark Talbot County’s role in 250 years of American Independence as Talbot County joins the Maryland 250 and America 250 efforts. Stay posted for additional opportunities. Now taking us back to that momentous occasion…

The Maryland Gazette, published in Annapolis, reported that on May 24, 1774 at Talbot Court House—which a few years later would be renamed Easton, “a number of gentlemen … met at this place.”

Parliament, you will recall, had placed a hated tax on tea, after repealing earlier taxes on sugar, paper, and other goods. Talbot County residents, along with other American colonials, rejected taxes imposed by officials we didn’t elect—and who therefore couldn’t represent us. These were rights established more than a century earlier in the English Civil War—we cannot be taxed except by those we elected.

Bostonians rejected the taxed tea, dumping it into the harbor—an act remembered as the “Boston Tea Party.”

In retribution, Parliament closed the port of Boston to all commerce—a harsh economic injustice imposed without trial of the individual perpetrators—and Britain sent four regiments to enforce the port closure—because of this, we would never again tolerate the use of the army for domestic law enforcement—enshrined in our laws as posse comitatus and instilled in the culture of our armed forces to this day.

Samuel Adams of Boston wrote with a plea for support to Talbot County’s Matthew Tilghman, chair of the Committee of Correspondence in Annapolis, in a message received on May 23, 1774, and he immediately sent it to all county seats in Maryland. Samuel Adams appealed to his fellow colonists to act in solidarity with Boston.

Our local Talbot County response, the very next day, is remembered as the Talbot Resolves. They resolved that we “ought to act, as friends of liberty, and to the general interests of mankind” (today we would say act in the public interest…).

“To preserve the rights and to secure the property … is the end of government,” they declared. This is an echo of John Locke’s political philosophy, that we have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Two years later, Jefferson would use the same concepts, enshrining life, liberty, and—he substituted—the pursuit of happiness in the Declaration. 92 years later, rights to life, liberty, and property—of which we may not be deprived without due process of law—would finally be protected in the 14th Amendment when it was ratified in 1868.

In the end, they resolved, that “They are determined, calmly and steadily, to unite with their fellow subjects, in pursing every legal and constitutional measure, to avert the evils threatened by the late act of Parliament for shutting up the port and harbour of Boston, to support the common rights of America; and to promote that union and harmony between the mother country and her colonies, on which the preservation of both must finally depend.”

We were not yet in 1774 at the point of severing our relationship with the King and mother country, but the themes of

no taxation without representation, of our right to elect those who will enact our laws, of the right to be free of military occupation—all still resonate today. We spoke up, here in Talbot County, early and clearly for American liberty—a call that was echoed across Maryland, and indeed, up and down the colonies. Although then we would have identified as Marylanders or as Britons, this action brought us one step closer to unity in the values we share and in our identity as Americans.

As we have come to understand: our rights are not secure unless we secure them—in the words of our Constitution and by those we elect who are sworn to uphold it and the military we raise that is sworn to defend it.

To learn more about the Talbot Resolves and their fascinating local history, you can visit The Talbot Resolves Historical Marker at hmdb.org. To learn more about celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary, visit Talbot 250 on Facebook.

(Portions of this article courtesy of Tracey Johns)

FIELD DAY

Town of Easton, BAAM celebrate new Moton Park Soccer Field ribbon cutting at BAAMFest

On Saturday May 11, the Town of Easton and BAAM held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the inroduction of a new soccer field at Moton Park.

The ribbon cutting kicked off just before BAAM Fest started, with festival goers able to enjoy the new fields in addition to the booths, games, music, and food available nearby.

Several Town officials attended, including Mayor Megan Cook, Council President Frank Gunsallus, Ward 2 Council Member Don Abbatiello, Ward 4 Council Member Rev. Elmer Neal Davis, Jr., and Town Engineer Rick VanEmburgh.

Mayor Cook and President Gunsallus both gave remarks at the ceremony applauding the BAAM organization and the community for coming together on this meaningful project.

A big thank you to everyone who worked hard together to make this lovely new amenity a reality: The Building African American Minds, Inc. team (namely Dina Daly, Derick Daly, and Bill Ryan), RAUCH inc., Unity Landscape Design/Build, Lorraine Gould and the Town of Easton Parks and Recreation team, Rick VanEmburgh, Kody Cario, and the Town of Easton Engineering Team, Easton Utilities, and the many others that volunteered their time and efforts.

In addition to our local dignitaries, Maryland State Senator Johnny Mautz and Maryland State Delegate Tom Hutchinson both attended and acknowledged BAAM with citations for their remarkable milestone of 20 years serving our community.

We hope that everyone enjoys this beautiful place to play the “beautiful game!”

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Celebratory breakfast held for Clarence Gould’s 50 years of service

On Friday, May 17, we celebrated Clarence Gould’s 50 years of service in the best way we knew how — with great food and camaraderie!

The Public Works Department, as well as many members of the Police Department and Town Office came out to celebrate Clarence’s achievement over a delicious breakfast featuring omelettes, waffles, coffee, and more.

In addition to the breakfast event, Clarence was also bestowed a commemorative banner which was dis-

played across the street from the Town Office through the rest of the month.

Keep an eye out for his banner the next time you venture down Harrison Street,; it will still be up through part of June.

Thanks to Easton Volunteer Fire Dept. MD for allowing us to use the Fire Hall, to The Omelette Guys for serving us a delicious breakfast, and last, but far from least — thank you, Clarence!!

NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

National Public Works Week ran from May 19May 25. We caught up with several crew members from different areas of Public Works and asked them their thoughts on what they like about their jobs, and the importance of what they do.

Here are their responses:

Congratulations to IT Director Scott Messick for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!

Scott now has a $25 gift card to Bluepoint Hospitality for his submission that landed on the May 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!

Human Resources Easton EDC

FEEDBACK WANTED

EEDC Market Opportunities

Assessment continues

The Easton EDC, in partnership with the Town of Easton Department of Planning and Zoning, has launched a survey that is open to anyone that lives in Easton or Talbot County. The purpose of the survey is to provide input on a broader market assessment to identify opportunities and strategies for business retention and attraction. The assessment will also identify specific niches to create new business opportunities, especially in the areas of retail and entertainment.

The survey is completely anonymous and we encourage everyone to participate. Please share the survey with your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Anyone who lives in Easton or Talbot County and is willing to participate in the survey is welcome to do so as the more input received, the better and more likely the outcomes will represent the needs of our community. The online survey can be accessed via this link: https://discovereaston.com/retail-marketsurvey/.

For more information or questions, please contact Holly DeKarske, 410.690.7348 or Holly@EastonEDC.com.

Birthdays

JUNE

Joshua Merrick

Ryan Heckler

Samuel Pearson

Alan Lowrey

Jacquelene Naylor

Scott Messick

Renthia Thomas

Craig Tatum

William Murdoch

Ronald Hayman

Donald Richardson

Rebecca Caldwell

Maureen Curry

Timothy Tarrant

Nancy Pinkney

Andrew Griffith

Detraie Lake

Savannah Morrow

Justin Reibly

Kathy Ruf

James Rodgers

Anniversaries

JUNE

Donald Abbatiello - 5 years

Susan Filbird - 25 years

Frank Creegan - 23 years

Charles Jenkins - 23 years

Tyrell Pierce - 17 years

Ronald Dixon - 16 years

Harry Murphy - 16 years

Heather Hanson - 16 years

Jon McDougald - 16 years

Michael Young - 14 years

Joseph Schinault - 12 years

Renthia Thomas - 10 years

Justin Jones - 10 years

Joseph Faulkner - 9 years

Kaylan Rinehimer - 8 years

Cody Bland - 6 years

Savannah Morrow - 5 years

Carolinne Kahane - 4 years

Charles Connolly - 4 years

Mitchell Reeley - 2 years

Cordero Proctor - 2 years

Michael Salinas - 2 years

Aaron Sadberry - 2 years

Christopher Mueller - 1 year

Marleni Baltazar-Aguilar - 1 year

IT’S PIE TIME

Unite Loved Ones with a Luscious Dessert

(Family Features) Celebration-worthy treats are perfect ways to cap off days spent with those you love, whether there’s a special occasion or you’re simply looking for creative ways to share more moments together.

By bringing some of the most popular pie flavors together, the Tart Cherry Unity Pie offers the familiar, distinct sweet-tart flavor of Montmorency tart cherries that pair well with pecans, apple and pumpkin pie spice for a sense of nostalgia representative of family, tradition and celebration.

In this unique recipe, the bold and vibrant flavors of tart cherries take center stage, complemented by the subtle sweetness of apples and crunch of pecans. With their burst of brightness and acidity, tart cherries perfectly balance the other flavors to create a pie fit for any occasion.

Slow down your fast-paced world and savor a slice of this timeless dessert alongside loved ones for a moment of respite. With its sweet and tangy filling, flaky crust and tart cherry topping, you can indulge in life’s simple pleasures for a sense of coziness and comfort.

TART CHERRY UNITY PIE

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 55 minutes

Servings: 8

Pie:

1 pie crust (9 inches)

2 cups canned tart cherry pie filling

2 cups canned apple pie filling

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Streusel:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped

1 pinch salt

4 tablespoons butter, melted

Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Fit pie crust to 9-inch pie dish. Crimp edges and use fork to poke holes in bottom. Place pie crust in freezer to chill.

In large bowl, combine tart cherry pie filling and apple pie filling. Set aside.

To make streusel: In bowl, use fork to mix flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pecans and salt. Pour butter over dry ingredients and mix until ingredients come together in clumps.

To assemble pie: Pour cherry-apple filling into prepared pie crust and sprinkle streusel on top. Brush beaten egg onto exposed pie crust edges.

Bake 25 minutes. At 10-minute mark, cover pie dish with foil to prevent crust from overbrowning. After 25 minutes, lower oven temperature to 375 F and bake 30 minutes.

To make pumpkin spice whipped cream: In large bowl or bowl of stand mixer, add heavy cream, powdered sugar and pumpkin spice. Use hand mixer or beater attachment on stand mixer to beat on medium-high speed 3-5 minutes until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate whipped cream until ready to serve.

Let pie cool 2-3 hours then dollop pumpkin spice whipped cream on top, slice and serve.