April 2025 Tidewater Times Web Magazine

Tidewater Times April 2025

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The ITCH for Healthcare: Tracey F. Johns

A Real Cow Belle: James Dawson

Tidewater Gardening K. Marc Teffeau

Green-Eyed Over Blues: A.M. Foley

Studio B Welcomes Diz Hormel

Tidewater Kitchen: Pamela Meredith

About the Cover Artist Paula Waterman

Paula Waterman can’t remember a time she wasn’t making art. For the past decades she has been doing just that as a full time artist working in oil painting, and most recently in bronze sculpture. Her subject matter is mostly the animals she sees in the wild and in the company of people. She has a particular interest in birds, and of dog subjects, though landscape and marine subjects are also important to her. This work is sometimes on commission, other times borne simply of a love for the subject. A common thread in all her work in all media probably is the critical importance of light source and light color; in fact she feels that light is the true subject in all her work.

Inkwell Studio is the home of Paula Waterman’s limited Edition prints, dog photography, ad design works, and commissions . New prints are added from time to time and the prints are also represented at a select number of dog shows every year. See the calendar for the dog show schedule. Please contact us for specific ad, photo or commission rates.

Paula may be reached at: inkwellstudio@comcast.net.

The painting on the cover is ti-

tled Dressed Up and is on exhibit at The Trippe Gallery in Easton. More of her work can also be seen at the McBride Gallery in Annapolis.

Those Fabulous Midnight Movies

by Helen Chappell

It has been years since the movies regularly offered a midnight show, and I kind of miss them. Not that I can stay awake that late anymore, but there was a time....

I landed in New York right out of a college that was tucked away in the isolated White Mountains of New Hampshire. Well, there was that brief stop in Boston for a relationship that blew up, but that’s another story about another Cambridge in another state.

There were midnight shows at the Brattle Street Theater there, too. They were mostly Bogart films shown during the exam weeks of Boston’s many colleges. I’d taken plenty of film courses in college, so I was ready for Bogart and the European nouvelle vague directors like Truffaut, Fassbinder and company. I’d seen Les Enfants du Paradis , Buñuel and Dali’s Chien D’Andalou and Cocteau’s La Belle et La Bête so many times I could recite the dialogue ~ but I digress. When I landed in Manhattan, I went to every film that interested me, thanks to my enrollment in the School of Visual Arts. There, I was doing post-graduate work in Fine Arts, a tiny vein in my degree in American Studies. This will

explain why I was able to go to so many movies. First, I got a student discount, and second, my studio courses were so oddly spaced that I often had hours between, say, a class with Brice Marden and a class with Alex Katz. Their genius was totally wasted on me, I’m afraid, because I ended up illustrating a few books, and not much else. I did develop a cynical view of the art world. When I was supposed to be rolling through the downtown galleries and the uptown museums, I was usually at the

Midnight Movies

matinee of some obscure auteur watching something from some unknown Polish director with subtitles in French.

I developed my love of midnight shows, not as many people did with The Rocky Horror Picture Show (more on that in a minute), but over at the old Elgin, on 8th Avenue, with John Waters’ Pink Flamingos.

My friend Shirley, a native New

Yorker, and always on the cutting edge, took me far west into the depths of Chelsea, telling me I had to see this film.

Pink Flamingoes is still a cult film, and these days, save for a certain scene at the end, is rather tame. It starred a 300-pound drag queen in outrageous makeup and dress, who worked under the stage name Divine, and the plot, while

Midnight Movies

murky, involved a contest between Team Divine and Team Marble to see who is the filthiest person alive. It’s brilliant parody.

John Waters, Divine and their crew were from Baltimore, which explains a lot, at least to me. But what thrilled me at the time was, if you hated high school, and I did, you would love this movie. It was just such an in-your-face to all those bourgeois, Eisenhower-era people who were in charge.

Flamingos was shocking at the time, but since then, so much of Waters’ vision and deliberate cel-

ebration of bad taste, like animal prints and those eponymous pink plastic flamingos, have been embraced by mainstream culture. I have seen pink animal upholstery in some of the most conservative estates on the Eastern Shore, just to pull out an example.

Waters himself reached a level of mainstream respectability with Hairspray ~ that endearing fable about a chubby girl who could not only dance, but integrated a popular teen dance show in Baltimore. Divine played her mother in the film version.

I later met Divine, ne Harris Glenn Milstead, and John Waters, and believe me, it was a major thrill in my life ~ every bit as good as the time John Barth came to one of my readings, just to praise my fiction. My bucket list ran over. If you can find a DVD of Pink Flamingos , watch it.

Sadly, Divine had just started to move away from drag roles into straight stuff when he died in his sleep in Hollywood. He ~ and he was always he, make no mistake

Midnight Movies

~ had appeared in a male role in Trouble in Mind and was about to appear as Uncle Otto in Married ...with Children . That big old heart just gave out.

I have been, like so many fans, to his grave near the Towsontown Mall outside of Baltimore. To this day, people leave flowers and tokens of their affection, like makeup, etc. Now, that’s changing the culture. And, the culture needed changing. Versace just cashed in on what John Waters and Divine started.

Across from the old Elgin Theater was a Chinese-Cuban dive called Asia de Cuba. For a really decent price, you could get fried arroz con pollo or ropa viella with a side of egg rolls. I’m saying, what the Eastern Shore needs is not another trendoid eatery, but a good Chinese-Cuban fusion, with maybe some Indian thrown in. My memories of that place, which was run by an Asian-Cuban woman ~ whose makeup could have been done by Divine’s glam squad ~ are very fond. We’d get loaded up with Chinese-Cuban and then roll across the street. We kept bringing friends, who kept bringing friends, because no one believed it until they saw it.

The other, more mainstream, midnight show was The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which screened

closer to home at the Greenwich on 6th Avenue. Unlike Pink Flamingos , where no one showed up in drag or threw things at the screen, Rocky Horror made the audience part of the show.

The audience at Rocky were mostly bridge-and-tunnel people, a derogatory and snobbish Manhattan slap at people who came into the city from the boroughs and the tri-state area via bridges and tunnels. Folks would get dressed up like Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played by the immortal Tim Curry), Magenta, Columbia, Riff Raff, or some other character from the movie, and ride in on public transportation. This, to my mind, took a considerable amount of raw courage. Since Rocky Horror has played as film and as live stage production many times in this area, I don’t have to explain too much about

Midnight Movies

the plot or the rituals of audience participation. It was fun ~ and we need more fun around here!

Briefly, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters. When Frank-N-Furter shows up, a man in a corset, garter belt and high heels, Brad and Janet are shocked to discover he’s trying to create his ideal man, Rocky, out of spare body parts and galvanism. Somehow or another, the singer Meat Loaf

shows up, songs are sung and The Time Warp is danced.

At various points in the show, the audience responds by yelling at the screen, the actors and the action. When it’s raining, people hold newspapers up over their heads and spray squirt guns. If you think this is one of those “you had to be there” movies, you are right.

My favorite part was when people from the audience would get up on stage and dance in front of the screen. People knew every line and every prop.

The movie ran for years and years and, for all I know, might still be running. There were people for whom going to Rocky Horror on a Saturday night was not just a way of life, it was a religion.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pink Flamingos were, and are, the perfect midnight movies. At least they were for me. Like a lot of other things, they’ve passed from fashion. And, with streaming video at home, it barely seems worth it to roll off the couch to go to a matinee, let along a cult classic. Media changes, and the culture changes with it. Sigh!

Helen Chappell is the creator of the Sam and Hollis mystery series and the Oysterback stories, as well as The Chesapeake Book of the Dead . Under her pen name, Rebecca Baldwin, she has published a number of historical novels.

AI, AI, UH-OH, UH-OH

by Bonna L. Nelson

As artificial intelligence grows in ability and information becomes more accessible, we are integrating these capabilities ever more closely with our natural biological intelligence.

~ Ray Kurzweil

The Singularity is Nearer When We Merge with AI

I thought that I was the least technical person on the planet until I learned that the intense actor Christopher Walken, he of the unusual speaking manner and body language, has no cell and has never had one nor wants one. He also claimed in an interview that he has never emailed and doesn’t own a watch. If he wants to make a telephone call, he borrows someone’s phone. If he needs to know the time, he asks someone. He has a satellite dish, and he is given a cell on film sets to locate him.

Walken says that technology has passed him by, and he is quite content with that. I admire him. He obviously saves swaths of time for other pleasures, compared to those of us dependent on and locked onto our devices.

With his level of involvement in technology for comparison, I humbly state that I am a little more evolved in the tech world in that I have a cell phone, tablet and computer, as do most folks that I know. But I am

(2024)

certainly not involved in AI, or so I thought, until I researched it a bit at a pre-beginner’s level.

I email and text and conduct Google and Safari searches like most everyone, except Christopher. I have experimented with the AI

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Artificial Intelligence

application, ChatGPT, for authoring an article for this publication. But when I get in tech trouble, which is frequently, I call my husband for

assistance. When he can’t help, we search the internet for an answer and if we can’t get the answer there, we ask our daughter, granddaughter or neighbors, like you probably do. The younger generations seem to take to technology quickly and easily and are devoted to, if not obsessed with, if not addicted to, their cell phones, tablets and social apps.

According to Ray Kurzweil, today, “…social media and smartphones have gone from virtually nonexistent to all-day companions that now connect a majority of the world’s population.” (Except for Christopher Walken.)

Continuing my quest to become a “Super Ager” and have you join me on that journey, I thought it was time to

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Artificial Intelligence

explore the world of AI to see how it can help us. I learned that it already does, and that more assistance is on the way.

And, my goodness, it is all over the news, print and online media. When I thought about doing some research and writing about AI, I couldn’t pick up a newspaper, publication or magazine that did not include an AI topic. The same is true for my various online newsfeeds.

AI is also in the news as our new administration takes hold. We are reading about a U.S. goal to lead AI development, uses and security globally. We are reading about job security concerns and jobs being replaced by AI and robots. We hear about China’s Deep Seek AI model competing with the U.S.

So, what exactly is AI? I consulted

numerous books, online sites and technology magazines. I talked to tech and non-tech family and friends to glean information that I could process in my non-tech brain.

Let’s begin with this. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think and learn like humans. It encompasses various technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, enabling machines to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence.” (“AI in Mobile Phones,” www.solulab.com.)

I typed the meaning of AI from my iPad tablet into my laptop computer’s Microsoft Word document. I had researched the meaning of AI on my tablet using the Google search engine. While I was typing, the Microsoft Word word processing

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Artificial Intelligence

software program was guessing the words I was typing before I finished typing them. With my click on the tab key, it filled the guessed word into the document for me.

That is AI. That is scary. That is also cool and saves time, but still scary. It’s like the computer was reading what I thinking about in my mind and looking at my tablet. It was anticipating the words I typed before I typed them! Crazy but now everyday AI stuff! Now, not in the future.

I have noticed during the last few months that when I do a Google search, an AI answer comes up first before other options! What is that all about? Also, now, quite often, my husband’s cellphone girlfriend, Alexa, provides him with weather reports, directions and answers to questions in response to his verbal requests to her. She is very compliant and bright. I am a bit jealous!

Some of my friends use Siri. She turns their house lights on and off. Plays the music of their choice. And she provides answers to their verbal queries.

Who are Alexa and Siri? They are

Monday-Saturday 10:30-5:30

Artificial Intelligence

AI ladies! Siri is an Apple digital voice activated assistant used on Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, watches and other devices. Alexa is Amazon’s digital voice-activated assistant used on Android phones and other smartphones, car systems, headphones and smart televisions.

Siri stands for Speech Interpretation and Recognition. The corresponding digital assistant Alexa’s name was chosen for its distinctive sound and as a reference to the Library of Alexandria, which was once thought to hold to hold all the wisdom of the world.

Siri uses AI and voice recognition to perform tasks. Siri is used to get information, make requests and control your device. She can provide information about the weather, directions and answers questions that you might conduct Internet searches for. Siri can create reminders and appointments and adjust your calendar. She can create and read text messages and emails and control home devices such as lights and locks.

Alexa performs the same services. Alexa can access content and functionality in apps and websites, check the news, get sports updates, create shopping lists and more. Like Siri, Alexa can be used to control smart home devices.

These descriptions of Siri’s and Alexa’s functionality were para-

phrased from a Google search and an AI answer. I do not use either, but I think that to become a Super Ager, I might need to become friends with Siri on my iPhone. I think she might save me time. But I admit that I do love my paper calendar and paper notes. Maybe I will try it someday.

But do they listen in on our conversations? Do they record and store our conversations? Creepy!

All the big names in Silicon Valley and the tech world sing high praises for AI, though with caution. In an interview with AARP Bulletin, Bill Gates said, “What AI means—and this will sound weird, but it’s the best way to think of it—is that intelligence almost becomes free.” He explained that anything that we do not understand, we can search for answers on or get help with from AI. He thinks its mistakes will be corrected, but it does need to be secured from “ill intent.”

In Walter Issacson’s fascinating biography, Elon Musk , he shared several eye-opening quotes from Musk about AI. Early on in AI development, Musk said that AI in the wrong hands is one of our biggest existential threats.

Artificial Intelligence

In reference to Alexa and Siri, Musk shared that AI could surpass us and treat us like pets. “I don’t love the idea of being a house cat,” Musk said. What a hoot, but I agree.

Musk talked about developing AI systems in alignment with human goals and values, non-harming to humanity. Time will tell. Musk is at the helm of entirely transforming

the federal government. Is AI assisting him?

AI is controversial in the arts arena, too. We hear about AI-generated visual art, books and other media. Artists, authors and actors are concerned about AI replacing them in producing paintings, sculpture, books, articles, essays, film and television and other human creative endeavors. I like my art produced by humans, but how will I know?

As you would expect, AI is busy in the financial sector also. A recent Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine included a “From the Editor” article by Lisa Gerstner about “The Role of AI in Your Financial Life.” Gerstner cited financial AI uses such as streamlining tax prep and

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Artificial Intelligence

answering tax questions, preparing a budget with an AI app and creating a list of top-yielding savings accounts.

Her takeaway was that “Generative AI can be a decent starting point for research or simple tasks. But when it comes to complex questions and personalized planning, human expertise is critical.” She cited examples of her experimenting with queries to ChatGPT and found errors or received basic, not complex, answers. She concluded that “you should always apply your due diligence.”

While typing this article, I used Microsoft Word. Word Editor uses AI to check grammar, spelling, clarity,

conciseness and formality. I always use those AI review features but do not always accept the Editor’s suggestions. Word has a new AI feature called Copilot, which I have not used. It can create a first draft, rewrite text or transform text into a table. I won’t be using Copilot to write for me. No, not me.

AI is now diagnosing cancer. AI is translating doctor’s instructions to patients and answering caregivers’ questions. AI is passing bar exams. AI is driving cars. AI is translating instructions into computer code. AI is providing legal advice.

According to an informative article in the November 2024 AARP Bulletin by Michael Miller, allpurpose AI tools such as ChatGPT,

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Artificial Intelligence

Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot generate text responses to user prompts. You can use them to answer questions, provide information and write material for you, but they are no substitute for professional advice. In other words, he is saying take it with a grain of salt, as the old saying goes. AI makes mistakes. Seems to be a common thread.

Another AARP Bulletin article cites many smart tech applications in the home. Do you have a smart television? Probably. How about smart lights, beds/mattresses, fall detectors, appliances or security systems? Locks, speakers or thermostats? Might you have a cleaning robot? A robot mower? If not, maybe soon? Learn more at aarp.org/ai.

The practical applications of AI have and will continue to change our lives. As Ray Kurzweil says, “Techni-

cal trends are leading to a transition that will be utterly transformative for humanity.”

This is a quite simple, personal preview of an extraordinarily complex subject that is affecting us daily and will affect us even more in the future. I don’t think many of us even know how much AI already impacts our lives. I plan to learn more about AI and use it to my advantage. Maybe purchase a smart mattress? Maybe purchase a vacuum robot? Maybe use it to plan my next trip? Smart televisions make sense but self-driving cars, maybe not so much. It will be exciting and scary! How are you using or will you use AI?

Bonna L. Nelson is a Bay-area writer, columnist, photographer and world traveler. She resides in Easton with her husband, John.

TIDE TABLE OXFORD,

MD APRIL 2025

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SHARP’S IS. LIGHT: 46 minutes before Oxford

TILGHMAN: Dogwood Harbor same as Oxford

EASTON POINT: 5 minutes after Oxford

CAMBRIDGE: 10 minutes after Oxford

CLAIBORNE: 25 minutes after Oxford

ST. MICHAELS MILES R.: 47 min. after Oxford

WYE LANDING: 1 hr. after Oxford

ANNAPOLIS: 1 hr., 29 min. after Oxford

KENT NARROWS: 1 hr., 29 min. after Oxford

CENTREVILLE LANDING: 2 hrs. after Oxford

CHESTERTOWN: 3 hrs., 44 min. after Oxford

3 month tides at www.tidewatertimes.com 6:40 7:34 8:32 9:35 10:4612:02 1:02 1:56 2:45 3:31 4:12 4:50 5:25 5:59 6:33 7:09 7:50 8:39 9:34 10:36 11:38 12:10 1:06 2:01 2:55 3:47 4:38 5:29 6:20

The ITCH for Healthcare: Inspiring Middle School Students to Pursue Careers in Medicine

by Tracey F. Johns

A young boy’s eyes widened as he knelt beside a CPR mannequin, his hands hovering over the chest, unsure but determined. The instructor’s voice rang out, steady and rhythmic: “Get with the rhythm, bring that heart back.” The boy pressed down, feeling the resistance beneath his palms. Then, something clicked.

“You mean this is what happened on the football field last weekend?” he asked, referring to Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who was televised receiving CPR after suffering a life-threatening cardiac arrest on the field. His life was saved. With pause and eyes wide, his voice was a mix of awe and realization. “And I could do that?”

It was a moment Dr. Judith Gieske will never forget. “Suddenly, his face changed,” she recalled. “He realized he could be the one saving a life, that this wasn’t just something doctors did—it was something he could do.”

Moments like these are at the heart of ITCH, which stands for Introduction to Careers in Healthcare. The program is designed to spark an interest in healthcare careers among middle school students in all five counties on Maryland’s Mid-Shore. ITCH was a dream of Judi and her late husband, Dr. James Gieske, along with Ruth Ann Jones, RN, EdD, and Cynthia Watson, RN.

The program aims to introduce students to the broad spectrum of medical professions through hands-on experiences, mentorship and real-world exposure.

It’s the creation of an ‘itch’ to learn more and develop student career interests as they advance to

ITCH for Healthcare

high school grades. They also receive career mentoring from volunteer medical professionals meant to extend beyond graduation.

A Program Born from Passion

ITCH was developed on the premise that students need exposure to career possibilities before they form rigid expectations about their futures. Research shows that children begin solidifying ideas about their career paths by middle school.

“If we wait until high school to introduce them to healthcare careers, we’re too late,” Jones said. “At that point, they’ve already started making choices that may exclude medical professions.”

The program involves immersing students in interactive healthcare experiences. Instead of traditional lectures, participants find themselves holding newborns in a simulated neonatal intensive care unit, watching stroke specialists explain emergency responses or learning

about the intricacies of radiology and medical coding.

One student, who had never held a baby before, experienced a quiet transformation while cradling an infant patient simulator in the NICU.

“He looked up at us, his expression completely changed,” Jones said. “In that moment, he wasn’t just a kid on a field trip—he was a caretaker. And I saw it hit him: I could do this.”

Beyond Doctors and Nurses: A World of Opportunity

One of the key messages of ITCH is that healthcare extends beyond doctors and nurses.

“Most kids think physicians and RNs run a hospital,” Dr. Gieske said. “But they don’t realize the entire network of people that makes everything function—radiology techs, lab workers, emergency re -

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ITCH for Healthcare

sponders, respiratory therapists, dietitians, even HVAC technicians.”

The program also introduces students to the lesser-known but crucial roles within a hospital, including medical coders—who ensure accurate patient records—and bioengineers, who develop lifesaving medical technology. During one session, students learned about emergency color codes in hospitals.

“They were fascinated,” Jones said. “It blew their minds that there were professionals whose entire job was to keep patients and staff safe 24/7.”

For many students, the fi nancial aspect is an eye-opener. “A lot of

them come in wanting to be professional athletes, for example, because they think it’s the only way to make good money,” Jones said. “But then we talk to them about the risk of injury for athletes and show them what a pharmacist or a physician assistant earns. Then they start rethinking things.”

From Job to Career: A Pathway Forward

A critical component of ITCH is helping students see the difference between a job and a career.

“We tell them, ‘You might start in dietary services, but that doesn’t mean you stay there,’” Dr. Gieske said. “With fi nancial support while on the job, you can work up to a po-

sition of your choice, like at the lab or blood bank, as a radiology technician or a physician’s assistant.”

To support this journey, ITCH has established Career Buddies, a mentorship initiative that pairs students with professionals in their field of interest. “It’s not a traditional mentorship where they have to meet every week,” Jones explained. “It’s someone they can check in with throughout high school and even beyond—someone who helps them navigate their career choices.”

The program also works to set up shadowing opportunities at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health and its affi liate offices. “If a student is serious about sonography, we want them spend-

ITCH for Healthcare

ing time with a sonographer,” Dr. Gieske said. “Seeing it firsthand is what makes the difference.”

Community Support and Growth

An extensive network of volunteer professionals fuels the success of ITCH. “We have more than 100 speakers willing to share their expertise,” Dr. Gieske said. “Not one has ever turned us down.”

But as the program expands, so do its needs. “We need more than teachers—we need volunteers to help with logistics, fundraising, marketing and program coordination,” Jones said. “Anyone who

wants to get involved can reach out through our website.”

Chris Wheedleton, a member of the Dorchester County Public Schools Board and a consultant for Rivers & Roads, has been instrumental in securing funding for the program. Donations to ITCH currently come through the MidShore Community Foundation, with hopes to be its own 501(C)(3) registered nonprofit as the program grows in scale and capacity.

“What Judi and Ruth Ann have built is rare,” he said. “Too often, nonprofits start with an idea and then figure out how to implement it. They had already done the work before they had an official structure. That makes this easy to fund—be -

ITCH for Healthcare

cause the impact is already there.”

Wheedleton says that with just a few quiet asks, the program raised nearly $80,000 in donations in a few months. But he says the vision is bigger. “In this difficult economy, major gifts can go a long way in helping to fulfi ll every student’s dream of becoming our healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”

“A million-dollar gift, for example, would allow us to create a fully endowed scholarship in Dr. Jimmy Gieske’s name with the University of Maryland,” he says. “It would mean sustainable support for growing our own healthcare leaders of tomorrow. It’s an investment in our kids, as well as our future.”

A Future Built on Local Talent

The Eastern Shore faces a significant challenge in recruiting healthcare professionals as providers age out, and a rural setting doesn’t cast a wide net for attracting new ones.

Hundreds of healthcare-related jobs are unfi lled in the local market, for example, adding to a lack of providers seen nationwide. Medical graduates do tend to return home to practice, however, and that’s where the ITCH program hits its sweet spot.

“Rural hospitals struggle to attract talent,” Wheedleton said. “But data shows that people tend to practice where they train. If we expose

local kids to healthcare careers early, they’re more likely to stay.”

The University of Maryland’s new Rural Health Education Initiative supports this mission by offering full medical school scholarships to Eastern Shore students. “We’re creating a career ecosystem,” Wheedleton said. “From middle school exposure to college training to local job placement—it’s all connected.”

The ITCH That’s Spreading

As ITCH grows, its founders can see an opportunity to expand the program beyond Maryland’s MidShore. “We’re seeing interest from other areas,” Jones said. “The demand is there—we just need the resources to meet it.”

The program has been lifechanging for students like Heaven Murray, who have participated in ITCH since its inception. “I never thought I could be a doctor,” she said. “But now, I know I can.” And that is precisely the point.

For more information about the ITCH program or to get involved, visit ITCHmed.org.

Tracey Johns has worked in communications, marketing and business management for more than 30 years, including non-profit leadership. Tracey’s work is focused on public and constituent relations, along with communication strategies, positioning and brand development and project management.

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A Real Cow Belle

by James Dawson

Mabel Potter is certainly one of the most interesting, gracious and unusual people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The only child of Benjamin and Frances Potter, she still lives on the family dairy farm in Dorchester County. That in itself would not be so unusual, but when Mabel wasn’t home raising prizewinning cows, she was

an exotic dancer on stage in New York City, Las Vegas and Hollywood, and has a house full of mementos from both lives.

As detailed in an article by Robert G. Breen in the Baltimore Sun for Sept. 10, 1952, by the time Mabel Mary Frances Potter was 15 years old, she had her own herd of 22 Guernsey cows. She owned them all, having enlarged her herd each year

A Real Cow Belle

by using money she won in cattle shows or earned by selling calves from her herd.

Mabel’s other love besides cattle shows was show business. She had loved dancing since she was a child and had been taking ballet lessons for the past three years from Mrs. Nada Mitchell of Cambridge, who had changed her name to the more exotic-sounding La Nada. Mabel even named one of her cows Lady Nada after her teacher. Lady Nada won first in her class in the 4-H entries at the Maryland State Fair. Her first cow, Driftwoods Royal Robin, was senior grand champion at the Timonium fair and also appeared on stage with Mabel at 4-H shows. One of young Mabel’s favorite

A Real Cow Belle

4-H acts was giving a lecture on her training methods. Green described the scene as “Standing with her cow to one side, charts and exhibits to the other, Mabel, with the gestures of a Duse and the intensity of a Sarah Bernhardt, holds forth.” And her audience was captivated.

Mabel said that Robin was her first 4-H animal, and she loved the show ring, She said, “I bought her as a calf and there has never been anything but love and understanding between us.” Mabel gave Robin lessons in deportment, not to mention a daily beauty treatment. Her switch was washed, braided, brushed and combed, and Mabel even gave the cow dance lessons.

The article continued that “Robin emulates her mistress, walking with a toss of the head, maintaining a steady, graceful gait, conscious that she is an attraction.” Robin won five grand championships in the previous two years as well as numerous other prizes. Mabel later said that Driftwoods Royal Robin was also her best friend.

By 1954, Mabel had developed her public speaking talents and won state honors in the 4-H Public Speaking program for her talk “What 4-H Has Done for Me,” which was broadcast on the radio. Mabel’s 4-H achievements also included food demonstrations using her own recipes for chicken, oysters and cherry pie. She had also been president, vice president and treasurer of her local 4-H club. Mabel was definitely motivated and multitalented.

Mabel graduated from Cambridge High School, class of 1954, and had a leading part in the senior class play, “Father Was a Housewife.” Her yearbook photo stated that she wanted to be a movie star and a model, and she was quoted as saying about New York City, “Here I come!” And there she went. La Nada took her to New York City, where she enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, a two-year performing arts school. Mabel sold most of her herd to pay for her acting and dancing lessons in ballet and tap.

And what did her parents think of her dancing and theatrical ambi-

tions? They thought it was great. In fact, they thought that everything that Mabel did was great since Mabel was their cherished only child. Once Mabel’s father went to P. Frankel’s, a women’s clothing store on Race St. in Cambridge, to buy a pair of falsies that Mabel needed for a costume. Soon everyone in town knew that Mabel wore falsies! But that didn’t bother her in the slightest, as she didn’t think anything of it.

Mabel found work almost immediately and was soon dancing in ballet, cafes, night clubs and shows, including several produced by Norman Lear, who would later create such TV shows as “All in The Family” and “Maude.”

On April 10, 1961, Mabel appeared on “To Tell the Truth,” a popular TV quiz show hosted by Bud Collier, where celebrity panelists—in this case Pat Carroll, Johnny Carson, Betty White and Tom Poston—tried to guess, by asking questions, which of three contestants was the real Mabel Mary Frances Potter, the exotic dancer who raised champi-

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A Real Cow Belle

onship cows. Of course, two of the contestants were impostors.

Unfortunately, only one of the panelists was fooled, as the others guessed correctly as Mabel was able to answer such questions as how was the volume of milk from a cow measured? The correct answer was that milk was measured not in gallons, but in pounds as milk that is rich in cream is heavier than regular milk. Then, after the panelists voted, there was a moment’s suspense until the real Mabel Mary Frances Potter stood up. You can watch this show on YouTube by searching “To Tell the Truth, Exotic Dancer.” Mabel also

appeared on another popular quiz show, “What’s My Line?”

Soon she moved out west to dance in Las Vegas and Hollywood and even appeared in some movies. She was best friends with Sally Rand, the famous fan dancer, but Mabel never danced with fans herself.

On April 19, 1963, she was headlined in Earl Wilson’s syndicated column “It Happened Last Night” titled “The Purty Cowgirl Says, They Shouldn’t Hide Cowhide,” stating that Mabel, a farmer’s daughter and exotic dancer, was horrified by the decency drive to put clothes on naked animals. According to Mabel, “My National Grand Champion Guernsey cow, ‘Driftwoods Royal Robin,’ wouldn’t care to be seen

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A Real Cow Belle

wearing a dress even if she is getting old and pendulous… Exhibiting a cow is like exhibiting a girl… A cow has to conceal her bad points and show up her strong points just like a girl…For example, she was the best-uddered cow because she stood a certain way and put her best [fore] foot forward.”

Since Mabel had both beauty and bovines, you might say that she was a real cow belle.

Just after Robin had been on exhibit in a cattle show in Iowa, Mabel, using her stage name “Penny Powers,” was on exhibit herself, dancing in Ann Corio’s show, “This Was Burlesque.” She was also the “Venus of

the Exotics” in the Follies Burlesque ’72. While an exotic dancer might wear skimpy costumes, they weren’t strippers as such.

In the meantime, “Penny” applied for admission to the D.A.R., feeling that such an august organization should be represented in burlesque. No report on what the D.A.R.’s response was.

Mabel met Ray Stevens, an electronics engineer, and they were married in Hawaii on Valentine’s Day in 1974. They moved back to New York, living in the theater district.

Once in their apartment on 54th St. and 7th Ave. Mabel had gone out to the hall to take out some trash and left the door open. Suddenly three armed men broke in to rob

A Real Cow Belle

them and started shooting. Ray was shot in the arm several times while Mabel was shot in her left leg, the bullet entering her lower thigh and exiting behind her knee. She spent several days in the hospital in bed with her leg elevated. This could have ended her dancing career, but fortunately, she healed quickly and the leg injury did not affect her dancing. The men were eventually caught and sent away.

Later, with her husband, Mabel made periodic trips back home to be back to the family farm. After her parents died, she retired and now lives there full time. Ray died several years ago. She no longer

raises cows but has an ostentation of beautiful peacocks that strut proudly around the yard like they

own the place, which they probably do. They roost in trees and on the porch roof. She also had some very rare white peacocks until something got them and they disappeared. She loves the peacocks because they are so pretty and has displays of peacock feathers all through her house and even two peacock fi replace fans. And in one of her photos, Mabel’s costume also sported some exotic feathers and plumage rivaling her peacocks.

Mabel’s house is adorned with photos of her fascinating life. Another photo shows her sitting on the back of a stuffed lion along with husband Ray, which was taken in the basement of Bob Swinehart, a

friend who was a big game hunter. Swinehart also wrote the big game hunting book “Sagittarius” in 1970.

Mabel knew Robert Goulet and other show business personalities, and she was third cousin to Shirley Temple. In later years, producer Norman Lear, who had seen Mabel dancing in New York City, asked her to go out to Hollywood and be in some of his shows out there. However for some reason, Mabel does not remember why, she did not go and regrets it now, saying that it was dumb not to go.

But in spite of that, Mabel Mary Frances Potter has had a most remarkable life and is certainly one of the more fascinating people that you can meet in unexpected nooks

and crannies on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

And for a footnote to that: her teacher La Nada made her dancing debut in 1914 and had studied dance with Fred Astaire. She was one of the fairies in the 1935 movie “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and danced in the Metropolitan Ballet and on Broadway. Then, after being

widowed four times after four marriages, she somehow ended up in Cambridge and gave ballet lessons to children from her home on Pine St. well into her eighties.

For another Cambridge show business connection, the Frankels daughter, Bernice, who probably sold the falsies to Mr. Potter, changed her name to Bea Arthur and later found fame as an actress on TV in shows such as “Golden Girls” and “Maude.”

No matter how long you live here, you will find that the Eastern Shore is still full of surprises, and some very interesting people in unexpected places.

James Dawson is the owner of Unicorn Bookshop in Trappe.

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Queen Anne’s County

The history of Queen Anne’s County dates back to the earliest Colonial settlements in Maryland. Small hamlets began appearing in the northern portion of the county in the 1600s. Early communities grew up around transportation routes, the rivers and streams, and then roads and eventually railroads. Small towns were centers of economic and social activity and evolved over the years from thriving centers of tobacco trade to communities boosted by the railroad boom. The county is named for Queen Anne of Great Britain, who reigned when the county was established in 1706.

Queenstown was the original county seat when Queen Anne’s County was created, but that designation was passed on to Centreville in 1782. It’s location was important during the 18th century, because it is near a creek that, during that time, could be navigated by tradesmen. A hub for shipping and receiving, Queenstown was attacked by English troops during the War of 1812.

Construction of the Federal-style courthouse in Centreville began in 1791 and is the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the state of Maryland. Today, Centreville is the largest town in Queen Anne’s County. With its relaxed lifestyle and tree-lined streets, it is a classic example of small town America.

The Stevensville Historic District, also known as Historic Stevensville, is a national historic district in downtown Stevensville, Queen Anne’s County. It contains roughly 100 historic structures, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located primarily along East Main Street, a portion of Love Point Road, and a former section of Cockey Lane.

The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center in Chester at Kent Narrows provides and overview of the Chesapeake region’s heritage, resources and culture. The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center serves as Queen Anne’s County’s official welcome center.

Queen Anne’s County is also home to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (formerly Horsehead Wetland Center), located in Grasonville. The CBEC is a 500-acre preserve just 15 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area.

Embraced by miles of scenic Chesapeake Bay waterways and graced with acres of pastoral rural landscape, Queen Anne’s County offers a relaxing environment for visitors and locals alike.

For more information about Queen Anne’s County, visit www.qac.org .

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Caroline County – A Perspective

Caroline County is the very definition of a rural community. For more than 300 years, the county’s economy has been based on “market” agriculture.

Caroline County was created in 1773 from Dorchester and Queen Anne’s counties. The county was named for Lady Caroline Eden, the wife of Maryland’s last colonial governor, Robert Eden (1741-1784).

Denton, the county seat, was situated on a point between two ferry boat landings. Much of the business district in Denton was wiped out by the fire of 1863.

Following the Civil War, Denton’s location about fifty miles up the Choptank River from the Chesapeake Bay enabled it to become an important shipping point for agricultural products. Denton became a regular port-ofcall for Baltimore-based steamer lines in the latter half of the 19th century.

Preston was the site of three Underground Railroad stations during the 1840s and 1850s. One of those stations was operated by Harriet Tubman’s parents, Benjamin and Harriet Ross. When Tubman’s parents were exposed by a traitor, she smuggled them to safety in Wilmington, Delaware.

Linchester Mill, just east of Preston, can be traced back to 1681, and possibly as early as 1670. The mill is the last of 26 water-powered mills to operate in Caroline County and is currently being restored. The long-term goals include rebuilding the millpond, rehabilitating the mill equipment, restoring the miller’s dwelling, and opening the historic mill on a scheduled basis.

Federalsburg is located on Marshyhope Creek in the southern-most part of Caroline County. Agriculture is still a major portion of the industry in the area; however, Federalsburg is rapidly being discovered and there is a noticeable influx of people, expansion and development. Ridgely has found a niche as the “Strawberry Capital of the World.” The present streetscape, lined with stately Victorian homes, reflects the transient prosperity during the countywide canning boom (1895-1919). Hanover Foods, formerly an enterprise of Saulsbury Bros. Inc., for more than 100 years, is the last of more than 250 food processors that once operated in the Caroline County region.

Points of interest in Caroline County include the Museum of Rural Life in Denton, Adkins Arboretum near Ridgely, and the Mason-Dixon Crown Stone in Marydel. To contact the Caroline County Office of Tourism, call 410-479-0655 or visit their website at www.tourcaroline.com .

Easton

Map and History

The County Seat of Talbot County. Established around early religious settlements and a court of law, Historic Downtown Easton is today a centerpiece of fine specialty shops, business and cultural activities, unique restaurants, and architectural fascination. Treelined streets are graced with various period structures and remarkable homes, carefully preserved or restored. Because of its historical significance, historic Easton has earned distinction as the “Colonial Capitol of the Eastern Shore” and was honored as number eight in the book “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.” With a population of over 16,500, Easton offers the best of many worlds including access to large metropolitan areas like Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, and Wilmington. For a walking tour and more history visit https:// tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/easton-maryland/.

Dorchester Map and History

Dorchester County is known as the Heart of the Chesapeake. It is rich in Chesapeake Bay history, folklore and tradition. With 1,700 miles of shoreline (more than any other Maryland county), marshlands, working boats, quaint waterfront towns and villages among fertile farm fields – much still exists of what is the authentic Eastern Shore landscape and traditional way of life along the Chesapeake.

For more information about Dorchester County visit https://tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/dorchester/.

TIDEWATER GARDENING

by K. Marc Teffeau, Ph.D.

April Arrival of the Hummingbirds

There are many markers of the arrival of spring on the Shore. Bulbs like daffodils, tulips and hyacinths pop up. Azaleas, forsythia, hydrangeas, native Virginia Sweetspire, spicebush and Red Chokeberry are in flower. Flowering trees like crabapples, cherries and plums come into full bloom. One

“harbinger of spring” that many of us look forward to is the arrival of Ruby-throated hummingbirds from their winter habitats.

According to the website hummingbirdsplus.org —“the leading hummingbird research and information website”—Maryland’s only native hummingbird, the Ruby-

throated hummingbird, usually arrives in Maryland around midApril, with the influx continuing until mid-May. First to arrive in mid- to late April are the males. They come north to establish breeding territories, while females arrive in the first or second week of May. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbirds

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that breed in eastern North America.

Observing these diminutive males shows how territorial they can be, especially around the feeders! The exact date of the hummingbird’s arrival may vary each year. Here in North Georgia, where I live, they start to show up by the middle of March.

It is a joy to watch these tiny birds as they feed at our feeders and flit around certain plants in our gardens! Hummingbirds are not like other birds. They can hover, fly forward, backward, straight up, even upside-down, and at speeds up to 60 miles per hour when diving. These little aerialists make all other birds look slow and plodding by comparison.

Pollen is very important for flower reproduction. Like bees, hummingbirds are excellent pollinators. As the hummingbird travels from flower to flower feeding on nectar, they pick up pollen with their feathers in the process. Did you know that hummingbirds have superb memories and that they recognize humans, migration

Tidewater Gardening

routes and every flower that they visited?

Creating a hummingbird-friendly garden is a rewarding endeavor. These tiny, vibrant birds not only bring life to your garden but also help with pollination. Here are some tips to make your garden a haven for hummingbirds:

1. Choose the Right Plants: Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers with bright colors and sweet nectar. By planting a mix of these flowers, you can create a beautiful and inviting space for hummingbirds to visit and enjoy. Like many birds, hummingbirds have good color vision and can see into the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans can’t see.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds favor tubular flowers because of the great amount of nectar the flowers produce. Bees are unable to reach the nectar and pollen within tubular flowers, which allows hummingbirds to feed on

them without having to compete with bees. Choose flowers with tubular shapes and bright colors, especially red, orange, and pink.

Try planting native plants that are well suited to the Eastern Shore, which are more resilient and less maintenance intensive. It is also important to select a mix of plants that bloom at different times throughout the season to provide a continuous food source. Here are some of the top plants that can attract these fascinating little birds to your garden:

Bee Balm (Monarda): Known for its vibrant red, pink, or purple flowers and pleasant fragrance.

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): Features large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds. Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea): Produces beautiful pinkish-red flowers and is a hummingbird favorite. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia): Boasts striking red, orange, or yellow spikes that are hard for hummingbirds to resist. Fuchsia: Offers pendulous, tubular flowers in striking colors

Tidewater Gardening

like red, purple, and pink. Columbine (Aquilegia): Displays unique, spurred flowers that come in various colors. Lantana: Presents clus -

ters of brightly colored flowers, available in many hues. Red Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Offers vibrant red flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): a native of eastern North America and a hardy perennial. Zinnia: Offers a wide range of colors and attracts not only hummingbirds but also butterflies. Petunia: Provides an abundance of vibrant flowers in various shades throughout the season. Hibiscus: Produces large, showy flowers that are a favorite for hummingbirds.

2. Create a Layered Landscape: Include different plant heights. Incorporate trees, shrubs and flowers at varying heights to

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create a multi-layered environment. This not only attracts hummingbirds but also provides shelter and nesting sites. Vertical Space: Use trellises, hanging baskets and vertical planters to maximize space and add more flower varieties.

3. Provide Fresh Water: Place a shallow bird bath or a water mister in your garden. Hummingbirds love to bathe and drink from moving water. It is important to maintain

clean water by regularly cleaning and refilling bird baths to ensure the water remains fresh and safe.

4. Avoid Using Pesticides: Use organic gardening practices to avoid harming hummingbirds and beneficial insects. Pesticides can be toxic to these small birds.

5. Add Feeders: Combining the use of feeders and plants that attract pollinators can increase the chances of attracting hummingbirds. Make a simple sugar water solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water, boiled and cooled). Cool and store the mixture in a refrigerator until you are ready to use it. Refrain from adding red dye to the water, and avoid using commercially available hummingbird sugar solutions

Tidewater Gardening

that contain red dye. A clear sugar solution is the best.

As with all bird feeders, it is important to keep the feeders clean. Regularly clean them and replace the nectar every few days to prevent mold and fermentation. A good cleaning solution is a white vinegar

and water solution. Clean the feeder each time you refill it.

Due to their extremely high metabolism, hummingbirds must visit hundreds of flowers a day—by making hummingbird nectar at home, you can help give these fascinating birds the glucose energy they need to keep moving.

6. Provide Perches and Nesting Sites: Hummingbirds need places where they can perch, rest and survey their territory. Place small branches or perches near feeding areas. Don’t forget to provide nesting materials. Leave some natural fibers or plant fluff in the garden for hummingbirds to use in building their nests.

7. Create a Safe Environ-

Tidewater Gardening

ment: Reduce predators by keeping cats and other animals away from the garden to ensure a safe environment for hummingbirds. Unfortunately, some of us have experienced birds flying into our glass windows. Use window decals or screens to prevent collisions with glass surfaces.

8. Provide Plants for Insects: Though nectar is important to hummingbirds, they also need a variety of small insects and arachnids— mites, mosquitoes, aphids, small bees, gnats, small spiders and the like. Some scientists say a typical Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s diet may be 50%–60% insects during

nesting season. Mother hummingbirds feed their young almost exclusively on small insects and spiders to provide protein for the babies’ growth. Insects also provide essential vitamins, minerals, oils and fats that the birds don’t get from nectar. Plant flowers that attract small, softbodied insects, which provide a protein source for hummingbirds.

With these steps, you’ll create a thriving garden that will attract and support hummingbirds throughout the season. Happy Gardening!

Marc Teffeau retired as Director of Research and Regulatory Affairs at the American Nursery and Landscape Association. He now lives in Georgia with his wife, Linda.

Green-Eyed Over Blues

by A.M. Foley

I have immense admiration for many authors, but when it comes to harboring immense envy, only one author springs to mind: Arnold Louis Schmidt. If the name’s not familiar, you likely know him as Whitey Schmidt, the late Blue Crab Guru. His cookbooks and travel guide may be in your collection, or you’ve watched him during MPT’s Chesapeake Week, star of their Emmy-winning episode, “Eatin’

Crabs Chesapeake Style.” With the season opening April 1, it’s time to take Whitey’s books off the shelf and make plans for the summer.

I only once met Whitey in person, a day on the Nanticoke River where we were both vending books at Vienna’s long-gone Shad Festival. He wasn’t someone I’d forget: he was living my dream. By that time, he must have had upwards of ten books published, all centered

St. Michaels Map and History

On the broad Miles River, with its picturesque tree-lined streets and beautiful harbor, St. Michaels has been a haven for boats plying the Chesapeake and its inlets since the earliest days. Here, some of the handsomest models of the Bay craft, such as canoes, bugeyes, pungys and some famous Baltimore Clippers, were designed and built. The Church, named “St. Michael’s,” was the first building erected (about 1677) and around it clustered the town that took its name.

For a walking tour and more history of the St. Michaels area visit https://tidewatertimes.com/travel-tourism/st-michaels-maryland/.

Green-Eyed Over Blues

on enjoying Chesapeake Bay’s bounty—with a few side trips along the East and West coasts. Not to worry, though, he assures us in The Crab Cookbook , “The meat from all varieties of crabs—blue, Dungeness, king, and stone—can be used interchangeably in the recipes in this cookbook.”

During our encounter on the Nanticoke, he shared only one aspect of his success as an author:

“I always get a manicure before a book signing, ’cause people are gonna be looking at my hands.”

Regardless of his manual grooming and neatly trimmed beard, the slender, casually dressed man could easily have been overlooked. Only the eyes under his cap brim

Green-Eyed Over Blues

betrayed a guy with a secret: one who was having entirely too much fun.

Whitey spent his youth on the western shore, in Prince George’s County. Classmates remember him as a jock: a soccer star and, despite average size, a clutch player on Suitland High School’s football and basketball teams. Senior year he won election as class vice-president, beating out Steny Hoyer, Jr., currently U.S. Representative from Maryland’s Fifth District. Whitey at that time was something of a gearhead, with an iconic ’55 Chevy, so he segued naturally into the family auto supply business. Mr.

Closed Tuesdays

Hoyer opted for his ongoing Democratic political career and lost only one other election: a 1978 bid for nomination as lieutenant governor. Whitey had eight brothers, but his personality surely made him Mr. Schmidt’s ace salesman. Whitey’s father assigned him the Southern Maryland route—a match made in heaven. On the job, Whitey prowled south of Suitland on roads leading to the Chesapeake Bay. As he told it, one day he got three or four separate phone calls from friends asking him where the best crabs could be found. “It changed my whole life,” he said. He was struck with an intoxicating vision of replacing Tab Tire Repair kits with steamed crabs. Rather than

Oxford Map and History

Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland. Although already settled for perhaps 20 years, Oxford marks the year 1683 as its official founding, for in that year Oxford was first named by the Maryland General Assembly as a seaport and was laid out as a town. In 1694, Oxford and a new town called Anne Arundel (now Annapolis) were selected the only ports of entry for the entire Maryland province. Until the American Revolution, Oxford enjoyed prominence as an international shipping center surrounded by wealthy tobacco plantations. Today, Oxford is a charming tree-lined and waterbound village with a population of just over 700 and is still important in boat building and yachting. It has a protected harbor for watermen who harvest oysters, crabs, clams and fish, and for sailors from all over the Bay. For a walking tour and more history visit https://tidewatertimes. com/travel-tourism/oxford-maryland/.

Green-Eyed Over Blues

trying the grueling life of a bornand-bred waterman, as some naively do, Whitey would research “up one side and down the other, all around Chesapeake Bay, looking for anybody involved in crabs.”

“As I worked on my first book, I spent five years traveling…around the Bay….Getting lost was half the fun….Going down these back roads and looking at all the creeks and tributaries and nooks and crannies…so much the Chesapeake has to offer.” When he turned pro, his recipe collection gradually morphed from an amateur cook’s overstuffed binder into a food writer’s archive of tested recipes

and related ephemera, all filed in labeled beer cartons and stored in his garage/office/poolroom. A labor of love if ever there was one. In the process (no surprise), he resettled near Crisfield, Maryland, “The Crab Capital of the World,” in a single-wide, set on a generously sized lot, with room for a garden and expansion into a publishing company and eventual artist’s studio. In 1985, he dedicated The Official Crab Eater’s Guide to “Pop Schmidt and the Midway Tavern,” in thanks to his father, who gave him his first steamed crab in that establishment.

Interviewing Whitey, author Brice Stump found him “innovative and genuinely passionate about his

crab enterprises. I liked him because he was sincere and insightful.” Whitey published his series of Chesapeake-based books under an imprint he named Marian Hartnett Press for his mother. Aside from his

obsession with crustaceans, Whitey’s business plan seems to have been based on boundless curiosity and a gregarious nature. Standing behind someone in a supermarket line, he’d strike up a conversation with “What are you cookin’ tonight?” Speaking of his travels, in The Crab Cookbook , he says, “I met some of the country’s best cooks. I saved their recipes…scribbled on placemats in restaurants.” In his trailer’s kitchen, renamed the Crab Lab, he tested and retested seafood recipes, trying them out on guests, insightful neighbors, and the staff at the Crisfield Post Office.

Whitey’s Crab Cookbook devotes no fewer than thirty-three pages solely to recipes for crab cakes—all

The Treasure Chest

Green-Eyed Over Blues

“taste tested…some many times” in the Crab Lab. Some are credited to his private collection. Others are attributed to home cooks, Old Bay cans, newspapers, Maryland’s pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair, its Seafood Marketing Division, Maryland Lady —the former state yacht, an anonymous taxicab driver and a firefighter named Joe O’Neil (a D.C. stationhouse “Chief of the Kitchen”).

In his Emmy-inducing appearance on MPT, Whitey relates what he looks for in a good crabhouse: Ideally, crabs should be “pulled from the water and plopped in the pot.” A well-set table will include

paper towels, apple cider vinegar, extra crab spice, melted real butter on request and a wooden dowel or mallet. (“Don’t smash ’em; just crack ’em.”) Side dishes might include hush puppies, Maryland tomatoes, or his favorite: corn-onthe-cob. If double hand-sinks are in view from a table covered with

butcher’s paper, one is in a superior crabhouse, not an ordinary one. NO plastic knives. BYO Carvel Hall crabknife, which may be combined with a mallet to strike claws.

A mallet head must be cocked at an angle to avoid directly smashing claws. The idea of cracking claws with a wooden dowel originated with the founder of Robertson’s Crabhouse on the Potomac River at Popes Creek. As demonstrated on the MPT special, a dowel is more precise than a mallet for striking and neatly cracking a claw near the pincher joint. What was called a “knocker” on Popes Creek was made from 1-inch closet rod, available at any hardware store, cut to 8- or 10-inch lengths. Better than either, Whitey demonstrates the claw-cracking prowess of a small but substantial Carvel Hall crabknife. (They aren’t found in public eateries, where they’d have to be chained to the tables.)

Personally, I like to concentrate on lump meat and save claws for later. My mentor, Eva Thomas, cracked claws professionally and

easily extracted pincher “crab fingers” for dipping. At home she struck near the joint with her crabknife handle while holding the claw against the rim of a can of food. My cracking’s too hit-andmiss to routinely produce crab fingers intact, but it’s good enough for what Maryland’s Cookbook I calls Crisfield Crab-Burgers. This Sea-

Green-Eyed Over Blues

food Marketing Division version lists “crabmeat” and “mild cheese” among several ingredients, which would seem like overkill using subtle backfin meat. Whitey more precisely credits these burgers to Mrs. John T. Handy of Crisfield. I follow Mrs. Handy’s version from Whitey’s first cookbook, which calls specifically for “crab claw meat” and “sharp” cheddar:

HANDY’S CRAB BURGERS

1 pound claw crab meat

1 cup mayonnaise

Salt

2 tablespoons minced green pepper

3/4 cup chopped celery

2 tablespoons minced onion few drops Worcestershire sauce few drops Tabasco

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed small

8 hamburger buns, split in halves grated Parmesan cheese

Combine above ingredients, except hamburger buns and Parmesan cheese, in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and sauces, refrigerate until ready to serve.

Brown the split buns, spread with crab mixture, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and broil until lightly browned and bubbly. Serves 8.

As for locating a crabhouse, Whitey advises, “Waterview is nice, to sit down and pick a dozen crabs. Nothing puts you closer to the gods than sitting out on the dock and looking at the water.” Whitey also mentions the need for an icy beverage of choice. “I don’t want more than two beers…a pinch of beer to compliment the crabs and spices.” Sadly, before his passing, diabetes curtailed this pleasure for him. In

2014, his friend Mindie Burgoyne reported in her Travel Hag newsletter that Whitey had died in his recliner while watching the British Open Golf Tournament. He left us this advice on feasting: “You don’t want to eat and run out the door…. It takes a couple hours to eat crabs. A crabfeast is a celebration, getting family and friends together, telling stories. Those are the things that make crab eating special.”

Forty-some years ago, A.M. Foley swapped the Washington, D.C. business scene for a writing life on Elliott Island, Maryland. Tidewater Times kindly publishes Foley’s musings on regional history and life in general.

Oxford Fine Arts Preview Party

Join Us

FRIDAY EVENING AT 6PM MAY 16, 2025 • $90 PER PERSON

($70 is a tax-deductible donation) IN ADVANCE PAYMENT REQUIRED

(no tickets sold at the door)

Enjoy cocktails & hors d'oeuvres Award ceremony

First opportunity to see (and purchase) the art

Live music, sip and stroll among friends

Meet the artists

Studio B Welcomes Featured Artist

Diz Hormel

Studio B Art Gallery is thrilled to announce its participation in the return of the First Friday Gallery Walk for 2025, featuring a special exhibition by acclaimed artist Diz Hormel. Join us on April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. to meet the artist and view her stunning collection of still life oil paintings.

Diz Hormel is an Eastern Shore-based artist known for her evocative oil paintings that

capture a sense of serenity and timeless beauty. Specializing in still life, her work reflects a deep appreciation for the quiet elegance of organic forms and man-made objects. Classically trained under renowned artist Juliette Aristides, Diz’s paintings offer a gentle escape from the busyness of modern life.

“My journey to painting has been anything but direct,” Diz explained. “I took a drawing class

“Italian

Plums” by Diz Hormel

in my early twenties and loved it, but life took many detours before I found my way back to art. I spent years working in the culinary profession and then making jewelry while I raised my three sons in D.C. After moving to the Eastern Shore, I was struck by the beauty and serenity of my surroundings, which ultimately led me back to making art.”

Diz honed her skills through formal training, first studying metalsmithing at the Revere Academy and later at the Corcoran School of Art. Her interest in mastering traditional techniques led her to the Aristides Atelier,

where she refined her methodical, layered approach to studio painting. Diz’s work is influenced by chiaroscuro lighting, thoughtful composition and a meditative painting process that invites stillness and contemplation.

Diz is a board member of the Academy Art Museum in Easton, Maryland. She served as chair for their annual Craft Show for four years and is now the chair of the Education Committee.

A member of the Oil Painters of America, Working Artists Forum, and St. Michaels Art League, Diz has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Best in Show award at Local Color Easton.

“We are honored to feature Diz Hormel and her exquisite still life paintings,” said Studio B Art Gallery Owner Betty Huang. “Her work brings a sense of depth and tranquility that perfectly complements our gallery’s collection.”

Guests attending the First Friday Gallery Walk will have the

opportunity to meet Diz, view her latest works, and learn more about her artistic process. Her exhibit at Studio B Art Gallery will showcase a collection of still life paintings that highlight her masterful use of light, form and composition. For more information about

Studio B Art Gallery, visit us online at studiobartgallery.com , on Facebook and Instagram @ studiobartgallery, or contact Betty Huang at betty@ studiobartgallery.com .

Studio B Art Gallery is located at 7 B Goldsborough Street in historic downtown Easton, Maryland. The gallery represents nationally and internationally known painters Lani Browning, Hiu Lai Chong, Bernard Dellario, Ken DeWaard, Diz Hormel, Betty Huang, Qiang Huang, Charles Newman, Daniel Robbins, Master Jove Wang and sculptor Rick Casali.

Perfect for Kayaks and Paddleboards

Dock

12’ x 16’

• Kayak Docks

• Re-Decking

• Pressure Wash & Seal

• Boat Lifts, PWC Lifts

• Gangways

• Solar Dock Lighting

• Floating Piers

• Rowing Docks

• Kayak Racks

• Ladders

• Dock Boxes

• Piling Caps

Slot

Kent County and Chestertown at a Glance

Kent County is a treasury of early American history. Its principal towns and back roads abound with beautiful old homes and historic landmarks.

The area was first explored by Captain John Smith in 1608. Kent County was founded in 1642 and named for the shire in England that was the home of many of Kent’s earliest colonists. When the first legislature assembled in 1649, Kent County was one of two counties in the colony, thus making it the oldest on the Eastern Shore. It extended from Kent Island to the present boundary.

The first settlement, New Yarmouth, thrived for a time and, until the founding of Chestertown, was the area’s economic, social and religious center.

Chestertown, the county seat, was founded in 1706 and served as a port of entry during colonial times. A town rich in history, its attractions include a blend of past and present. Its brick sidewalks and attractive antiques stores, restaurants and inns beckon all to wander through the historic district and enjoy homes and places with architecture ranging from the Georgian mansions of wealthy colonial merchants to the elaborate style of the Victorian era.

Second largest district of restored 18th-century homes in Maryland, Chestertown is also home to Washington College, the nation’s tenth oldest liberal arts college, founded in 1782. Washington College was also the only college that was given permission by George Washington for the use of his name, as well as given a personal donation of money.

The beauty of the Eastern Shore and its waterways, the opportunity for boating and recreation, the tranquility of a rural setting and the ambiance of living history offer both visitors and residents a variety of pleasing experiences. A wealth of events and local entertainment make a visit to Chestertown special at any time of the year.

For more information about events and attractions in Kent County, contact the Kent County Visitor Center at 410-778-0416, visit www. kentcounty.com or e-mail tourism@kentcounty.com . For information about the Historical Society of Kent County, call 410-778-3499 or visit www.kentcountyhistory.org/geddes.php . For information specific to Chestertown visit www.chestertown.com .

Clean Out the Refrigerator

Not only is reducing food waste good for the planet—it can save you serious cash. By taking an inventory, creating a meal plan and storing and eating leftovers, we can all reduce food waste.

Tip #1 - Turn your scraps into gold - liquid gold.

Vegetable Scrap Broth

When you have extra amounts

of peels and stems, do not throw them away. Keep a large ziplock bag in the freezer. Anytime you make a dish with veggies, herbs, or garlic, toss the scraps into the bag. They can stay frozen up to 6 months. You can add vegetable scraps from carrots, celery, onions or shallots and anything from greens, garlic, fennel, ginger, green beans, herbs, mushrooms, Parmesan rinds, pars-

Tidewater Kitchen

nips, peppercorns, squash, turnips and tomatoes. Vegetables like brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower will make it bitter, so avoid those. When the baggie is full add the contents to a pot, cover with water by 1 inch and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Strain stock through a fine mesh strainer and discard solids. Let cool for 30 minutes. Refrigerate broth up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Tip #2 - Don’t be so quick to pitch our rinse out those “empty” jars of pickled vegetables. Use extra brine to marinate pork or chicken.

Make overnight oats in a peanut butter jar. Or layer in yogurt, granola and fruit for a parfait. You can also go savory and shake up soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar and a bit of honey or maple syrup to top noodles or salad.

Add a squeeze of lemon or lime, a dash of hot sauce and salt and pepper to your mayonnaise jar. Shake and drizzle on tacos or roasted veggies.

Tip #3 - Know everything is better in crust and baked to deliciousness.

Refrigerator Quiche

1 tablespoon finely shredded hard cheese, such as Asiago or Parmesan

1 9-inch frozen or homemade pie crust or puff pastry, thawed as package directions suggest

1 tablespoon olive oil or expeller pressed coconut oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups chopped raw or cooked vegetables such as cooked broccoli, kale, spinach, mushrooms and whatever else needs to be used up

1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt

1/2 cup chopped cooked protein, whatever is left over in the fridge,

such as salmon, shrimp, steak or sausage

5 farm-fresh eggs or your favorite eggs from the store

1/2 cup nondairy milk or whole milk

1/2 cup shredded cheese such as hard cheddar, Gruyère, Gouda or your favorite

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees with a rack in lower third position. Place pie crust in a pan if it’s not already in one. Sprinkle hard cheese over bottom of the pie crust.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Add vegetables; cook, stirring occasionally, until raw vegetables are wilted, 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper, nutmeg and protein, if adding.

While vegetables cook, whisk eggs, milk and shredded cheese in a bowl. Then arrange the cooked vegetables over the hard cheese on the crust.

Place the crust on a large cookie sheet. Bake until set and top is slightly golden brown, about 30–33 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Tip #4 - Don’t forget to empty that doggie bag. You can add a fried egg on anything or make it breakfast, and that’s especially true with restau-

rant leftovers.

Tip #5 - Freeze more. Freeze large-batch recipes in smaller containers. Use ziplock or silicone bags or your favorite storage containers to save space.

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Fruit: berries, bananas and avocados are smoothie faves. Chop larger fruit so it doesn’t jam your blender and freeze in a single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheet before packing in containers.

Vegetables: if you know you won’t get around to eating veggies, quickly blanch, dry and freeze them. Blanching helps maintain their color, texture and flavor. Skip that step for chopped onions and peppers.

Lemons and limes: use the zest of lemons or limes before squeezing them. Freeze the zest in 1 teaspoon amount to use later. You can also freeze juiced limes or lemons. I have quartered lemons or limes placed on parchment paper-

lined cookie sheet, frozen them then placed in baggies for when I need them. Just thaw and use the juice as if they were fresh.

Cooked rice & grain: store them in a flat layer in a ziplock or silicone bag. Break off what you need and either defrost it in the microwave or toss it directly in a hot pan.

Bread: a good loaf can get stale or moldy all too quickly. I like to slice and freeze it, then take out as many slices as I need and pop them in the toaster for a warm piece of bread with my favorite topping. I do this with my homemade sourdough bread.

Tip #6-Use beans and rice as a blank canvas to create a masterpiece.

Black Beans & Rice

1 cup white rice, I like basmati I cup dried lentils

3 tablespoons grass-fed butter, olive oil or coconut oil

2 teaspoons cumin

1 large onion, diced

2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger, or if you don’t have, use ½ teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 fresh jalapeño or your favorite chili or 1 teaspoon dried crushed

red pepper

2 cups chopped mixed veggies, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes

1 cup chopped leafy greens; I love Swiss chard, kale or spinach

1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Rinse rice and lentils in a fine mesh strainer. Once water runs clear, add to a medium bowl and cover with water. Soak for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion, ginger, turmeric and chili. Cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Tidewater Kitchen

Stir in rice and lentils. Stir in 5 cups water, vegetables, leafy greens, but not spinach as it is too fragile, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, rice and lentils are extra tender and mixture resembles a thick porridge, about 25 minutes. Add more water as needed to keep mixture from becoming too dry and sticking to the bottom of a pan.

Add spinach, if using, at the end. Cook, stirring often until warmed through and spinach is wilted, about two minutes. Top with cilantro and/or yogurt if you wish.

Tip #7 - Pretend you’re a chef.

Food waste in the restaurant business really cuts into profit, so chefs are always looking for ways to repurpose leftovers. Try to have

that mentality at home with extra vegetables, turn salmon scraps into a favorite spread and blend the veggies with some spice into a sauce over grilled sandwiches.

Tip #8 - Get out your grater and prepare a vegetable favorite.

Veggie Patties

2 tablespoons flaxseed, ground

1 large zucchini, which equals 2 cups shredded

1 teaspoon Himalayan salt, divided

Two cloves garlic, smashed

1 cup grated broccoli

1 cup organic all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Optional: your favorite dip; I like homemade hummus

Stir together ground flaxseed and ¼ cup water in a large bowl. Let stand until it reaches a jelly-like

Tidewater Kitchen

consistency, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, place zucchini and onion in a colander and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer to clean cloth and wring out as much liquid as possible.

Add zucchini mixture, garlic, broccoli, flour, parsley, 2 tablespoons oil and remaining ½ teaspoon salt to flaxseed mixture and stir until fully combined. Scoop mixture into 16 balls about 2 tablespoons each, and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Flatten each ball to about ¼ inch thickness.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet (I prefer cast-iron) over medium high. Place half of patties in hot oil, cook until brown and crisp on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and patties. Place on a paper towel

to absorb the excess oil.

You can also bake in an oven at 400° until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dip.

Tip #9 - Have a plan.

My mom has always taught me that meal planning really helps with overbudgeting or getting things you don’t need. I always keep an emergency soup or casserole in the freezer so I never have to buy anything extra, just in case I didn’t plan well.

Tip #10 - Practice smart storage.

These products will help food stay good longer.

When I cut into an avocado, onion or apple, I use what I need and then cover the rest with reusable beeswax wrap, which helps keep it fresh for a couple of days.

I love using old-fashioned Tupperware to keep berries fresh for at least a week. Rubbermaid is also great. Just place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to keep freshness longer.

Food grade silicone is great for

sustainable living. Reusable food storage silicone bags in the refrigerator and freezer are great. There are also silicone stretch lids that you can put on bowls that you own without all the waste of plastic wrap and foil.

Tip #11 - Be like the French and turn bits of cheese into a delicious spread.

Cheese Dip: Chop or grate 8 ounces semi-firm or firm cheese, preferably a combo of 3 or more, not Parmesan or Asiago. Place in a food processor or grate yourself. Add 1 smashed garlic clove and 1 teaspoon white wine. Process together until smooth and spreadable, adding more wine if you need to. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, about 10 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives. Pulse in the food processor until well mixed. Serve with your favorite pita chips or crackers. Makes about 1 cup.

Cindy’s “Good Home Cooking”

Mon.-Sat.: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Want a good home-cooked meal without breaking the bank? Bring the family to Cindy's ~ Eat in or car�� out.

Just look for all the cars and t��cks!

Tidewater Kitchen

Tip #12 - Make croutons. If your bread gets stale before you can freeze it, cut it into pieces, toss with olive oil and garlic salt and bake at 350 degrees until crisp. Serve with salads, on soup or as a crunchy snack.

Tip #13 - Look before you shop.

Always take inventory of your fridge and cabinets before going to the grocery store. Otherwise, it’s too easy to end up with doubles or even triples of certain ingredients.

Tip #14 - A favorite of mine is to whip up a batch of soup.

Minestrone

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup chopped celery, onion and carrot

¾ teaspoon Himalayan salt

3 large garlic cloves, smashed ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 ounces sliced or chopped cured meat, such as prosciutto

1 cup chopped canned tomatoes

3 cups cooked beans or 2 cans beans, rinsed and drained

3 cups coarsely chopped raw hardy greens. I love collard greens, cabbage and kale

1 cup chopped root vegetables

Parmesan cheese, for on top when serving or the rind when cooking

6 cups broth, your favorite

1 cup whole grain pasta

1 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, oregano or basil

Optional: pesto if you’d like for on top

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about six minutes. Add garlic, crushed red pepper and meat if adding. Cook,

stirring constantly for one minute. Add tomatoes, beans, hardy greens, root vegetables and, if you have, Parmesan rind. Add broth and bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium, simmer until root vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Remove and discard Parmesan rind.

While soup, simmers, cook pasta, if using, according to package directions. Stir in herbs. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Ladle soup into bowls, top each bowl with Parmesan cheese and pesto if you’d like.

Tip #15 - Just cook it. If I’m roasting vegetables for four people but I have enough for six, I roast it all. You’re not going to eat a cup of raw butternut squash cubes. When greens of any kind start going bad, I cook them. I add wilting lettuce to sautéing kale and broccoli leaves to a pan of cooking greens.

Tip #16 - As a last resort, compost.

Save scraps to compost in your backyard or send to a community composting program. Another option is compost buckets that act as trash cans; this is great for around

your gardens or anything that needs nutrients in the soil.

Note: the Farmers Market in Easton, Saturday 9-1, has my favorite greens from Terry Tuchaho Greens. He is right beside my buddies Mark & Alisa Salter of Salter’s Chesapeake Gourmet.

Pamela Meredith, formerly Denver’s NBC Channel 9 Children’s Chef, has taught both adult and children’s cooking classes.

For more of Pam’s recipes, visit the Story Archive tab at tidewatertimes.com.

All Quiet on the Sound A novel by

B. P. Gallagher

Chapter 20:

Settling, Unsettling

Earl spent the ensuing days expecting to be swept off his feet and into shackles at any moment. But for now, the promised storm remained content with threatening from offshore while it gathered to full force. Unlike the infernal slurry that had fallen almost unabated since Shane’s and Mom’s anniversaries, as if to mark the woeful occasions. Meanwhile, squalls circled, some frightfully close. Jonah Everett, the Higginses’ barometer in this impending stormfront, reported whispers of secret witnesses in line with Deputy Calhoun’s threats, of growing pressure from the Calhoun

camp to act. Nothing had made landfall yet, but it was only a matter of time. Earl sensed the strength of the case against them building.

As the Ides of March approached, the Higginses weren’t the only targets of bureaucratic ire. Elsewhere, the affairs of the late Robert Gibbs were settling out in sheaths of paper shuffled unseen, the pages detailing debts long forgotten except by dogged ledger keepers. Like lawmen, it is the prerogative of such men to never forget. They are paid, in fact, according to the length of their memories. So Earl assumed, anyway.

This time Clara Gibbs bore the brunt of the ill weather, though it

was bad luck also for the Higginses, as they would learn with time.

A furious flurry of knocks woke Earl from restless sleep at dawn, certain he was about to be hauled off in chains by the local constabulary. But the voice at the front door was no lawman’s. “Leon! Come quick— the men from the bank are trying to take Pop Pop’s car!”

The Higginses stormed next door in varying states of undress to find a pair of businesslike but suggestively burly men preparing to make off with Mr. Gibbs’s Model T. Which was to say, they were dressed in business attire, but they also plainly meant business. As if to illustrate

this, they had lugged out chains to tow the automobile if necessary, which it wasn’t. Clara had left the keys in the ignition. Like most Moore Islanders privileged enough to have a motorcar, she was unconcerned about grand theft auto. Until today, when it proved a dire oversight.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” said Leon. In his long-johns and waders, he cut a less imposing figure than he might have. The repo-men continued about their business unperturbed.

“What’s it look like?” said one, getting behind the wheel. “Taking possession of this Ford. Owner’s got unpaid debts.”

“Yes, but what the hell for? The

man’s dead! God rest his soul,” Leon added with a sidelong glance at Clara.

“We’re just doin’ our jobs, mister,” said the man in the Model T. The engine sputtered to life.

His colleague, a thick-necked fellow whose choice of bowler hat gave the effect of a thimble perched on an oversized thumb, shrugged. “Debts survive their debtors, I’m afraid.”

“But that’s just plain cruel!” said Clara. “How am I ever supposed to repay what Pop Pop owes without a way to get to work?!”

The human thumb shrugged again. A blunt, practiced movement, as if to unshoulder the moral weight

of his unenviable task. His words were blunter still. “This oughta cover some of the debt, at least. The rest ain’t really our problem.”

Leon’s teeth were clenched so hard his jawline showed through his beard, his fi sts balled white-knuckled at his sides. “We oughta have you arrested for trespassing and theft, you bastards!”

The man behind the wheel of Mr. Gibbs’s automobile laughed. “Ain’t you Leon Higgins?”

“What of it?”

“You’re gonna sic the cops on us? With what you boys got hanging over your heads?”

Earl and Leon exchanged frowns, said nothing.

“Listen, Miss Gibbs,” said man-

thumb, with a hair more sympathy than before. “If you wanna take it up with the creditors down at the bank, you’re welcome to do so. All the details to get ahold of ’em are in that literature there. But it’s rainin’, and sooner or later that causeway is gonna wash over. I don’t much care for the idea of getting stuck here trading resentful looks ’til the next low tide, so I’m sorry, but we gotta haul it in now.”

With that the repo-men, now driving separately, departed. Clara lingered in the empty driveway, staring after the Model T as if watching the last worldly vestiges of her grandfather’s spirit trundle away through the mud. In hands trembling with the injustice, she

clutched a fat envelope and a sheaf of papers.

“I bet Tyler Calhoun’s behind this, the vindictive bastard!” said Leon. “He knows we’re close with Clara, musta put pressure on the bank to collect on the Geezer’s debts. He’s trying to put the screws to us!”

“Maybe, or it could have nothing to do with us,” said Earl, as much to convince himself as anyone. “Not everybody’s out to persecute us specifically, y’know. Banks have been indiscriminate sumbitches since the dawn of time—remember how they came after Pop’s boat when he died?”

Reasonable words, no doubt. Recalling his ride home with the late Mr. Gibbs on the night of Pe -

Generation Family Run Auto Service Shop with over 31 years experience. Offering a wide variety of services to include but not limited to:

ter Calhoun’s death, however, they rang hollow even to Earl. Had someone spotted him hitchhiking that night, or crossing a field where he shouldn’t have been? Or worse, hiding the pastor’s truck in the woods by Gleeson Creek?

The buffeting winds of anxiety threatened to overtake him once more, mental gusts that swept through and set his thoughts awhirl. All these past weeks he had been a kite borne aloft by that gale, jerked in every direction by the fickle whims of human nature, his own and others’. Would he ever wrest back control? Was there even such a thing?

“Don’t worry, Clara,” Leon said, “We’ll help you get to work, and anywhere else you need to go. Betsy’s at your disposal whenever you want, and me too. Count on us.”

As long as we’re free.

Affairs of estate, like the waters of the Bay, giveth and taketh away, however. Within the legalese that spelled out the repossession of the late Robert Gibbs’s automobile were terms approving the transfer of the Marylou’s title to Earl and Leon Higgins. In the accompanying envelope, along with the title itself, they found a ring heavy with keys to the deadrise and other unidentified locks. A weight of responsibility hung there too, a promise to repay Mr. Gibbs’s bequeathal to his beloved Clara in

Melissa Grimes-Guy Photography

like kind. Earl hefted the envelope and keyring for only a moment before handing both to Leon.

The next day, Earl and Leon took the workboat to the marina, papers in hand in case Deputy Calhoun or one of his cronies on the Oyster Police stopped them. That didn’t come to pass, but the brothers’ relief at reaching the docks unmolested was short lived.

Bunky met them on the pier, where he promptly shunted Leon onto a barge. Earl, he told to see John Barnhart in the shipyard right away. Since John was among the few clients wholly indifferent to or ignorant of the rumors surrounding the Higginses, Earl was glad to see him at first. But that too was short lived.

“What can I do for ya, John? Hope you ain’t run aground again—Bunky said it seemed urgent.”

“No, no, nothin’ like that,” said John. “Listen, how’s that pup of yours doin’?”

“Doogie?” Earl was taken aback. Dog talk wasn’t what he’d expected from this exchange. “He’s good. Maggie loves the hell outta him. We all do, if I’m honest, even Leon.”

“Good, good, glad to hear it,” said John distractedly.

“Why d’you ask?”

“Just got a small favor to request of you, that’s all. Might sound a little strange.”

“Shoot.”

“If anybody asks where you got that pup, don’t tell ’em nothin’. Or

if you do, tell ’em you took it in as a stray. Hear?”

Earl’s bemusement grew. “Sure, I guess. What’s the big secret?”

John lowered his voice. “Cousin o’ mine got taken in to the courthouse the other day—on trumped-up charges of running an illegal puppy mill, no less. Guess them damn boat cops caught him heading up the Blackwater with a litter of whelps the other night, accused him of culling runts out on the ponds.”

“Oh…Uh.” Earl’s blood had gone very cold. “Don’t worry ’bout me, John, I won’t mention to nobody.”

“Alright good, I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. He’s already got the

sheriffs on his ass, and you know more’n anybody how folk are ’round here. Don’t need no more rumors flying around when the air’s already thick with ’em. Whatsamatter, Earl? You look like you seen a ghost.”

“Oh, nothin’. I mean—What was he doing out there? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Hell if I know. Keeps to himself, my cousin. Queer fish.”

Queer fish, indeed. Cold fish too, if the claims were true. Having encountered the Jimsonweed and its eerie, hulking captain, Earl didn’t doubt their veracity. Drowning pups on the Blackwater by night was a dark business, no doubt, but was it a crime? Earl didn’t know. Assuming it was, though, and the man stood

C. ALBERT MATTHEWS

Where Integrity Meets Innovation

accused of such, would he still keep to himself like John said? No, Earl thought not. Such a person might give the police whatever information he thought might help mitigate his penalty. A strange midnight runin with a young man on the Blackwater, for instance? Sure! Why not share? Earl was nobody to him.

Offshore, the storm swelled.

Earl’s mind was on other matters as he drove the boat back to Moore Island after work that evening. Along the way, Leon busied himself trying out the other keys on Mr. Gibbs’s keyring in the various lockers and storage chests onboard.

“Look, Earl, I figured out what this little one goes to!”

Earl hadn’t much felt like talking since his conversation with John Barnhart that morning. Now he welcomed the distraction from the gnawing pangs of worry in his gut. “What’s that?”

“Tool chest back here—didn’t see it before on account of he doublelocked it inside a footlocker. Lord knows why.”

“What’s in it?”

“I dunno. Something heavy, sounds like. Let’s see.” The lock clicked, the box’s metal hinges creaked open. “Huh. Wouldya look at that! Old man left us some things. Guess he didn’t hate me so much, after all!”

Earl glanced at his brother, cu-

riosity growing like the stiff breeze arisen lately out of the west. “What’d he leave us?”

“S’more paperwork, first off.”

“Quick, bring it up to the cabin! Don’t let any of it blow away in this wind.”

“I know.” Leon’s familiar refrain sprang to his lips. “I ain’t dumb!”

“Sorry. I’m on edge.”

“I’ll say.” Leon joined him in the cabin and latched the door behind him. He set the toolbox on the floor. “Want something for that? I’ve been tryna cut back for Clara’s sake, but there’s a pint a’ bourbon in my lunch pail.”

“Yeah, you been good on that lately. I’m okay. Just read me what them papers say, or take the helm while I do.”

Leon, ever a man of action over words, opted for the latter. The ‘paperwork’ of which he spoke was in fact a sealed letter. Scrawled on the front of the envelope in a shaky, geriatric script, were the words ‘Higgins Brothers.’

Leon peeked over his shoulder. “Whatcha think it is?”

“Let’s find out.” Earl flicked open his pocketknife and cut a tidy incision down the length of the sealed envelope. Inside was a folded sheet of paper covered in the same unsteady hand.

“Well, what is it?”

“I’ll read it to you. Just keep your eyes on the offing! It’s getting choppy.”

“I know that!”

“Sorry, sorry. Force a’ habit.”

“You sure you don’t need that whiskey? You’re wound about as tight as I’ve ever seen you.”

“I’m fine. Really.”

“Whatever you say. Now hurry up and read the damn thing!”

Earl read the letter, first for himself, then aloud. Its contents were astonishing in their earnestness and severity. At points his breath hitched, tears stinging like salt spray at the corners of his eyes.

Messrs. Higgins—

This will be the most difficult letter I ever write—Which, I suppose, is why I’ve only summoned the courage to put pen to paper at the end of my days. Soon, I shall go ready but restless to my grave. I am proud of the life I have lived, yet I carry with me more than my share of shame. I won’t burden you with all or even most of it, only what pertains to you. I fear, however, that it constitutes my greatest failure, the guilt that pains me most even as sickness corrupts my body from within.

In my long years I have watched the island of my birth shrink and sink, eroded as surely by water and wind as by whispered words—and few sweeter or more sinister than spoken by Peter Calhoun. Far too late I saw the evil couched in him,

and by then the damage had been done to the person I love most in this world. Clara is my pride and joy, and I shall miss her endlessly. Her pain will endure as my legacy of failure. Another terrible shame— another way I’ve failed her, albeit without conscious knowledge or intent, is by making her fearful to share this grievous wrong with me.

I alone am responsible for fostering my guilt within her. I cannot imagine how she has suffered in silence, believing herself alone in this matter. In that, and in so many other ways, I should have protected her from the start.

What does it mean to be a righteous man? So I wonder on the threshold of eternal judgment. Is it to love justice, and abhor sin where one finds it? If so, then despite my many failings, I have tried to live righteously. If not, well… The hour grows late. My sole comfort is the knowledge, etched in my secret heart, that the villain is dead. What has been wronged can never be righted, not wholly. But to know that the wrongdoer is banished to Hell is succor, even if I must soon swim with him in the lake of fire. To those who were instrumental in seeing justice done, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

On Clara’s behalf, I leave the Marylou to you, Earl, and you, Leon Higgins. Use her as you will, so long as Clara benefits, whether from your harvest or whatever it fetches at

market. I suppose I could’ve sold the creaky old tub and left Clara the money from the sale directly, had I wanted. But she was my father’s boat before she was mine, and now the time has come to do so, I find I cannot abide the thought of selling her. Plus, taxmen can smell cash from a great distance, I’ve been told, and would surely come sniffing after the proceeds. I trust you Higgins boys will see her cared for, and get her worth one way or the other.

Likewise, I trust that you will care for Clara in my stead. She is fiercely and fully capable, but as the old proverb goes, it takes a village, and she’s had no truer friend than Margaret. The children of Eldridge

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Higgins will always be welcome in the Gibbs house, for as long as it stands. I know you will continue to extend to Clara the open arms with which your family has always received ours.

Sincerely,

Robert Harrison Gibbs

P.S. Do with this missive what you wish. Consider these confessions my final words on all matters.

Earl finished reading the letter. “He knew. The old man knew, and he never said a thing…”

“I guess he did know, at that. Lord…” Then, after a long pause: “He writes like an old book. Never woulda guessed.”

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Yes. It is very carefully written, 3109 Ocean Gateway Cambridge · 410-228-9022

isn’t it? Each word carefully curated.

As carefully, he refolded the letter and slid it back into its envelope, which he stowed in a buttoned inner pocket of his jacket. Then he removed the toolbox’s other contents, doubly secured within a shoebox. Like a man opening a crypt, Earl lifted the cardboard lid and looked inside.

There, nestled in a cracked leather holster beside a single, spent shell-casing, was an officer’s service pistol from the Great War.

“Whoa,” said Leon.

“Yeah.” Earl stared at the revolver. “Let’s hurry up and get home.”

The wind quickened over the Sound, bearing upon it the fi rst warm whiff of spring seedlings and pollen. Earl, enclosed in the cabin of the deadrise, neither felt nor smelt the breeze. Yet he sensed it in every tensing fiber of his being. That same gust might bestir the threatening tempest to new violence, or—and for this Earl barely dared hope—divert it from its present course of devastation.

The seed of a plan was planted in his mind.

Brendan Gallagher is a 2013 graduate of Easton High School and is currently finishing up a Ph.D. in Social-Personality Psychology at the University at Albany.

The St. Michaels Farmers Market

Returns for its 28th Season

There are few better ways to begin the spring season than by grabbing your tote bag and moseying down to the St. Michaels Farmers Market in St. Michaels, Maryland. For nearly three decades, the market has served as a seasonal weekend ritual and community gathering place that brings the freshest fruits, vegetables, eggs, meats, flowers, baked goods—even booze—to the Bay Hundred community and beyond. And starting on April 12, the market will return to showcase the region’s bounty for its 28th season. Located in the public parking lot at 204 S. Talbot Street, it will operate rain or shine on Saturday mornings between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. through November 22.

Launched in 1998, the St. Michaels Farmers Market (SMFM)

was the second of the Mid-Atlantic’s revered FreshFarm Markets to open, just one year after the nowiconic Dupont Circle Market in Washington, D.C. On a hot Fourth of July Saturday in a small parking lot behind what is now The Galley, four farmers set up their booths for the fi rst time. Within two years, the market relocated to Muskrat Park, where it remained until moving to its current, more accessible location in 2015.

Today, the SMFM, now operating as its own independent nonprofit, welcomes more than 20 vendors and over 400 customers each Saturday. This hometown gem remains a unique asset for its Eastern Shore community. It is one of the region’s few authentic producer-only farmers markets, so customers can feel confident in knowing that every item available for sale is grown or produced within 60 miles of St. Michaels. The tomatoes in your basket, the flowers in your bouquet, the eggs in your carton or the rum in your bottle all came from the Delmarva Peninsula—with annual site visits

conducted to verify the products of each producer or farm. Customers often remark that they can see and taste the difference in quality and fl avor, and that they appreciate that each dollar spent is going directly into their community. By getting to know the market vendors, they are also educating themselves on the importance of fostering a local food system.

On Opening Day, fi nd familiar faces under a stream of multicolored tents, including Cottingham Farm, Elysium Pigs, Triangle Acres, Williwaw Farm and more. Enjoy sweet and savory delights from Tilghman Island Baking Company. Snag fresh-caught Chesapeake Bay from Richland Seafood. Try a taste

of locally made juices from Agave or spirits from Lyon Rum. Seasonal selections for meat, poultry, mushrooms and more also abound from the SMFM’s curated roster of regional vendors.

As in years past, the SMFM is also seeking volunteers for Saturday mornings throughout the season, with flexible shifts and various responsibilities available. It is also on the lookout for local musicians for performances in its live-music tent, as well as community and education partners for its new popup stall, be it for hands-on learning, art-making activities, cooking demonstrations or story time. Everyone is encouraged to join the Friends of the Market Program, where donations to support market programming yield perks like market-branded reusage tote bags and tickets to fundraiser events.

Returning customers will also recognize several returning board members, as well as some fresh appointees. For the second year, Royal Oak resident Tracy Ward returns as board president, bringing her strategic development experience—as well as a love for gardening—to overseeing operations.

“As we embark on another season of the St. Michaels Farmers Market, I am thrilled to serve as the board president, building on a strong legacy,” says Ward. “This market, with its rich history, is more than

just a gathering of farmers and customers; it’s a celebration of our shared love for food, farming and community. I am most excited about the opportunity to foster connections, promote local agriculture and create a festive atmosphere that brings people together.”

In other exciting news, despite potential federal cuts, the SMFM will once again be a SNAP-friendly market. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides important benefits for lowincome individuals and families who purchase eligible food items at approved markets and retail stores. Interested or existing SNAP, EBT, WIC and Senior customers should stop by the market information tent for more details. Meanwhile, those looking to get involved can sign up for volunteer shifts or go online to purchase a “Veggie Sign” as part of their annual spring fundraising drive, seeding messages of local love to be speckled down Talbot Street this April.

To keep up with the St. Michaels Farmers Market, follow along on Facebook and Instagram (@loveyourfarmer), check out the new website at stmichaelsfarmersmarket.org and sign up for the monthly newsletter for exclusive customer content.

Chesapeake Music’s Interlude Concert

Features The Hesper Quartet and Pianist Ying Li

by Maria Grant

The Hesper Quartet returns to The Ebenezer Theater in Easton on April 27 after winning the Silver Prize in last year’s 11th Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition. Pianist Ying Li, who will join the Quartet in the second half of the program, was the First Prize winner of the 2021 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, as well as recipient of the Bridgehampton

Chamber Music Festival Prize and the Tri-1 Noon Recitals Prize.

The Hesper Quartet, a KoreanAmerican chamber ensemble, was first formed in 2022 at the Emerson String Quartet Institute at Stony Brook University. The Quartet decided upon the name Hesper because Hesper means evening star. Just as each star has its own story, the Quartet strives to tell the fascinating story of

The Hesper Quartet will be joined by Ying Li following last year’s Silver Prize at the Chesapeake International Chamber Music Competition.

Chesapeake Music

each piece of music that they play. Current members of the Quartet are violinists Valerie Kim and Yejin Yoon, violist Sohui Yun, and cellist Connor Kim.

The April 27 program includes Britten’s Three Divertimenti for String Quartet, Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 (“From My Life”), and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57.

Here’s how the Quartet explained the rationale for these specific selections. Britten composed Three Divertimenti when he was quite young. The music represents different portraits of his friends and is a bit of a parody of the whole quartet genre. Smetana’s quartet is a biographical piece about the different stages of his life. It is deeply personal and soulful music. Shostakovich’s Quartet, written in 1940, is hauntingly beautiful and insightful and reflects the drama and the angst of being alive during the mid-20th century.

As the Hesper Quartet explained,

their goal is to showcase the different textures of a quartet— starting off small and sparse and then building to the quintet with the piano.

The Hesper Quartet has collaborated with several renowned artists and has recently played in South Korea, Ohio, Stanford University and Windsor. Several European tours are planned for this year. Ying Li has played at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, with the Philadelphia Orchestra and in various European venues.

Tickets for the April 27 Interlude Concert at 2 p.m. at The Ebenezer Theater are $50. Chesapeake Music also offers a limited number of free tickets for students, music educators and the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services, as well as “buy-one-get-one” tickets for those new to Chesapeake Music. To purchase tickets, visit ChesapeakeMusic.org.

QUALITY STROKES PAINTING

Changes: Dylan on Tour

An excerpt from a memoir

by Roger Vaughan

London, 1967

It was three in the morning when the uniformed gentleman knocked on the door and entered the suite, rolling a large table brimming with slices of honeydew melons, fluffy scrambled eggs and lots of toast, butter and marmalade. It was elegantly presented on a spotless damask tablecloth set with several covered, glistening silverplated serving dishes, ice water in

a big glass pitcher, pots of tea and a small vase of fresh flowers midtable; everything and more than one might expect from London’s elegant Savoy Hotel where the towel bars are heated and the doorman recognizes you by your name ten minutes after you check in.

Each floor of the hotel was staffed every night by a marvelously adept Floor Waiter. Nothing was beyond this capable man’s

Bob Dylan

grasp, from the usual – shining of shoes, clothes dry cleaned – to the more exotic: producing bottles of cold champagne and plates of steak tartare to feed hungry musicians who had been working into the wee hours when songs often get written.

This group was The Band, formed in 1965 in Woodstock, New York. Bob Dylan was involved with their startup. The unique, engagingly soulful fusion they had generated out of a mix of rock, folk, jazz and gospel was why Dylan had asked them to accompany him on a world tour lasting four months. The tour had started in the U.S. and Canada in February 1966, moved to Australia in April and now these road weary troopers were in the U.K. for a weeklong series of more one-night stands.

The late guitarist Robbie Robertson and Dylan had been closeted for many hours that night, playing, creating, trading ideas, laughing, quite wasted, but letting the river flow, stretching it out, digging deep, finally exploring the bottom of the barrel until Bob crashed and Robbie had ordered the food. The rest of The Band – Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Mickey Jones (all deceased now) –dug in happily.

The previous day, they had played Belfast. Before that we had been driving through rural Wales where there was a little ferry we had to wait for. Bob had gotten out of the car to stretch in a classic, rural section of hilly Welsh countryside where low, thick bushes predominate. “I hear there was a guy from around here who copped my name,” Bob said, chuckling at the idea of putting it to Dylan Thomas. What a shame that Dylan Thomas couldn’t have appeared at that moment, stepped off the incoming ferry and walked over to have a hello with Bob, two great poets waxing electric at a ferry landing in rural Wales. Circuits would have blown. Thomas might have read from Fern Hill:

And the sun grew round that very day.

So it must have been after the birth of the simple light

In the first, spinning place, the spellbound horses walking warm

Bob Dylan

Out of the whinnying green stable

On to the fields of praise.

Bob might have countered with a stanza from Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands:

With your mercury mouth in the missionary times

And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes

And your silver cross and your voice like chimes

Oh, who do they think could bury you?

Or maybe he would have offered this grim verse from “Desolation Row:”

They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown

The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town

Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance

One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants

And the riot squad they’re restless, they need somewhere to go

As Lady and I look out tonight, from Desolation Row

At the Savoy a few nights later, The Beatles actually did appear.

Dylan’s manager, the late Albert Grossman, had invited them over: Paul and his current, cute to the max girlfriend Patti, and John, George, and Ringo. Albert could pull off making that kind of gathering happen. Albert was a force. He was a stout man, had to be to contain so much power. His broad face was topped by a big head of graying hair, and his large round metalrimmed glasses helped complete the clueless, eyes-wide poker face he had mastered. He appeared to be draped with clothing, not dressed. He spoke softly when he spoke at all, until he barked when he felt it was necessary to put someone down or shut someone up.

A tough man, Albert knew his business inside out. In addition to

Bob Dylan

Dylan and The Band, at one time or another his clients included Todd Rundgren, Odetta, Peter, Paul and Mary, Ian and Sylvia, Gordon Lightfoot, Richie Havens, Jesse Winchester and Janis Joplin. Albert seemed to know about everything. If you wanted to know the best cooking pans to buy, which Bonsai trimming kit to get or who made the best ice cream, you asked Albert. He knew. He would open a five-star Chinese restaurant in his hometown of Bearsville, New York, by hiring away one of Manhattan’s best chefs. Dylan would leave him after the UK tour, something to do with the distribution of money. I remember running into Albert on the street in Manhattan in 1968, a

year after the UK tour, and he said there was something special about to happen. “Music from Big Pink,” he said. “The Band.”

Back at the Savoy, everyone had gathered in Bob’s room, and it felt slightly awkward. Put that amount of talent, that amount of celebrity, that amount of ego and plenty of marijuana in a relatively small suite – even if it were the Savoy’s most spacious accommodation – and it quickly gets stifling, like the heat has been left on high all day. Small talk was forced. Ringo took himself out of it. He pulled up a chair in front of the television and watched a cooking show where they were dipping fish filets into an egg batter and frying them.

The idea Grossman had advanced was that The Beatles and Dylan should get together and play the dubs of their new albums for one another. As luck would have it, the albums would become two of the most acclaimed albums in popular music history: Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, and the Beatles’ Revolver, their last album as a live, performing group. Both would appear on

Bob Dylan

the turntables later that summer.

As the guests, the Beatles went first, playing through Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, Here, There and Everywhere, Yellow Submarine, Got to Get You Into My Life and Lennon’s Indian- and LSD-influenced Tomorrow Never Knows. It took around 40 minutes. Then Dylan took over. Blonde on Blonde is a double album that runs around one hour ten minutes, but with Bob officiously adding a lengthy prelude to each song – from Rainy Day Women #12 & #35, Pledging My Time, Vision of Johanna, I Want You, Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat, Just Like a Woman, Absolutely Sweet Marie, to Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands – and explaining musical subtleties he was concerned might get overlooked, his playing of the album ran around two hours. It

was a classic, slightly embarrassing case of belaboring the obvious. But my word, talk about a whole lot of sensational music!

The Beatles had the last word. At two in the morning, we all went downstairs to the Savoy’s theater to watch their second film, Help! I’m not sure, but Bob might have slipped off to bed.

The concerts on the Dylan tour were magical. The first half was acoustic, with just Dylan, his guitar and his harmonica. It featured great songs like She Belongs to Me, Visions of Johanna, Desolation Row, Just Like a Woman, and Mr. Tambourine Man. The second half picked up where Dylan had left off at the Newport Jazz Festival the previous year, playing an electric guitar with a band behind him. That had shaken up the crowd. Folk singer Bob Dylan gone electric. The outcry had been loud. But now he was backed by The Band, one of the greatest groups ever assembled.

There was always a crowd reaction at this point in the show when The Band plugged in, some unrest, some booing by the folk faithful about Bob going electric. But the music was so good, so astonishingly good, that by the time the first song (Tell Me, Momma) was over, the audience was all Bob’s. It went on: Baby Let Me Follow You Down, Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues, One Too Many Mornings, Ballad of a Thin Man, and Like A Roll-

ing Stone. Sensational, night after night after night.

The press conferences were often testy. Dylan didn’t want to do them, but Grossman prevailed. Several times reporters had the temerity to inquire about Dylan’s singing, or more to the point, to take issue with the way he sang, which, one has to admit, is quite different. Because Bob Dylan is different. He would go on to win a Nobel Prize with good reason.

Dylan will never be known as a great singer of the Sinatra/Ronstadt/Franklin/Fitzgerald variety. His way of injecting his own version of a talking blues twist into his songs is unique. It’s also a perfect way to present the often complex, poignant messages of his work; the whimsical joy of his lyrics. His emphasis on words that he can draw out and fling into a sharp, nasal attack, and his immaculate (impossible) phrasing that rivals Sinatra’s (speaking of), puts him in a category of his own. One either gets it, or doesn’t. Bob came up with a way to answer questions about his singing: “I’m still taking lessons,” he would tell reporters with a sly little smile.

The backstage sessions, when overly aggressive fans hung around trying to finesse an audience with Bob to complain, or voice disappointment in his new electric self, were more testy. Dylan had his

scouts select a few of the more gregarious of the pretenders who skulked around hoping to have their shot at challenging this fast gun who’d come into town. Those poor souls would be brought in to get mercilessly outdrawn by Dylan. “Where do you think you’re going,” Bob asked one sad fellow who had quickly run out of words in his moment on the stage, “when you untie your tennis shoes and stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror?”

There was another concert along the way. It was in Liverpool, England. The troupe had pulled into that tough manufacturing city mid-day and gone right to the Odeon Theater that was built in the early 1930s. Unloading and setting up always took several hours. While the roadies got to work, Dylan and the other weary musicians slumped into seats scattered around the audience. Except for Garth Hudson, organist and musician extraordinary, who often en-

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan

tertained his mates on the bus by playing the melodica.

Garth was a quiet, dignified man, very intriguing, polite, one of those musicians who could quickly figure out how to play any instrument he picked up. He was from a conservative family who lived in rural Canada. He said he’d told his parents, who were musicians, he was giving music lessons because if they knew he was in a rock band they would have had fits. He collected spoons. Garth had seen something quite

large covered by a tarp on one side of the stage. Soon he was up there prowling around, peeking under the tarp to discover a marvelous old Compton theater organ. Comptons are enormous, often gaudy things set into elaborate, colorful enclosures. They have three or four rows of keyboards, scores of stops and hundreds of voices. Like many Comptons, the one at Odeon Theater was linked to a collection of real instruments including a xylophone, a glockenspiel, chimes, bass and snare drums and cymbals and tambourines that were set up under the stage. Garth got the thing turned on and started slowly, feeling his way along with single notes and melodies that eventually turned into powerful chords, strange sounds and exciting runs and transitions. Garth was out there, transporting the rest of us. It was a magnificent, spontaneous concert in an empty old theater on a rainy afternoon in Liverpool, England.

Vaughan.roger@gmail.com

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