Christmas in St. Michaels Awards Grants to 19 Nonprofits

Talbot Spy | March 8, 2026

Surpassing $1.7 Million in Community Giving

Christmas in St. Michaels has awarded financial grants to 19 local nonprofit organizations following the success of its 2025 celebration, continuing a tradition of community support that now spans nearly four decades.

“These grants may start with a holiday event, but their impact lasts all year long,” said Pat Martin, chair of Christmas in St. Michaels. “Seeing these organizations use the funds to educate children, support seniors, protect our environment, and strengthen our community is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”

The awards were presented during a celebration on Feb. 9, recognizing organizations whose programs strengthen and enrich life across the Bay Hundred area. Recipients included Bay Hundred Community Volunteers; the Classic Car Museum’s automotive apprentice program; Christ Church’s Back to School program; the Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center St. Michaels site; Partners in Care; Phillips Wharf Environmental Center; Pickering Creek Audubon Center; Royal Oak Community Church summer camp programs; Talbot Community Connection; the St. Michaels Community Center; the St. Michaels Fireworks Fund; the St. Michaels Middle High School After Prom Committee; the St. Michaels Fire Department; St. Michaels in Bloom; St. Mary’s Square Museum; St. Michaels Tennis; the Perkins Family YMCA; and the Tilghman Area Youth Association.

A special memorial grant was also presented to Sink or Swim (SOS) in honor of longtime Christmas in St. Michaels treasurer Linda Blades Seemans.

“We were especially proud to recognize Sink or Swim with a memorial gift in honor of our dear friend and longtime treasurer, Linda Blades Seemans,” Martin said. “Linda was the steady hand behind Christmas in St. Michaels for many years and my trusted partner in making sure everything ran smoothly. Her dedication, wisdom, and love for this community helped shape the event into what it is today.”

Founded in 1986, Christmas in St. Michaels began as a community effort to raise funds for a much-needed daycare facility. That effort led to the creation of the Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center at the St. Michaels school complex. In the 40 years since, the organization has contributed more than $1.7 million to nonprofits that serve residents throughout Bay Hundred.

The impact of those grants can be seen across the community. Funding has supported the colorful plantings maintained by St. Michaels in Bloom, new equipment for the St. Michaels Fire Department, youth camps through the Perkins Family YMCA, and hands-on environmental education for preschoolers at Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Grants have also helped Bay Hundred Community Volunteers build essential accessibility ramps for local seniors and supported youth development through programs such as St. Michaels Tennis.

Local nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for the next round of grants. Applications for the 2026 awards cycle are available at www.christmasinstmichaels.org and must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2026. Grants typically support specific programs planned for the following year.

Christmas in St. Michaels invites the community to help celebrate its 40th anniversary. Set for December 11-13, 2026, the town-wide celebration features family-friendly events including one of the Shore’s largest holiday parades, a lighted boat parade, breakfast with Santa, tours of historic homes, a collector’s Christmas ornament, a festive marketplace filled with local crafts, and more.

Information about attending, volunteering, or purchasing tickets is available at www.christmasinstmichaels.org.

SOS Sink or Swim Welcomes the Music of ABBA Back to Easton

Get ready for a night of music, dancing, and nostalgia as the Dancing Dream ABBA Tribute Band returns to the Avalon Theatre on March 6th.   Dancing Dream wows audiences across the country, taking crowds on a musical journey through hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.”  The band’s elaborate costumes, soaring harmonies, and spot-on choreography bring ABBA to life and keep the party going from the first note to the last.

Every ticket purchased supports the life-saving mission of local nonprofit SOS Sink or Swim.  SOS partners with Talbot County Parks and Recreation to provide free swimming lessons for children and adults in Talbot County each summer.  According to a Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine report, formal swimming lessons can decrease the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%. 

SOS is heading into their 12th year of service to the Eastern Shore community and has provided swimming lessons to more than 10,000 neighbors to date.  Last year, generous community support – including proceeds from the fall 2024 Dancing Dream show – provided 1,092 two-week swimming sessions for children and 74 one-week sessions for adults.

If you’re thinking of attending, don’t “Take a Chance!”  Tickets to this unforgettable evening of disco magic sell out every year.  Purchase your tickets at avalonfoundation.org today, and you’ll be saying “Thank You For The Music!”

Sponsorship opportunities remain for this wildly popular community event, with excellent advertising benefits available at every level.  Visit SOSSinkorSwim.org/dancingdream or contact info@sossinkorswim.org for more sponsorship information.

To learn more about SOS Sink or Swim’s life-saving mission or make a donation, visit sossinkorswim.org.

*SOS is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization.

SOS Sink or Swim Enters Its 11th Season of Life-Saving Swimming Lessons

On June 16th, SOS Sink or Swim kicks off its 11th summer of providing free swimming lessons in Talbot County.  Lessons are available for children from 18 months to 18 years old, as well as adults.

With more than 3,000 miles of coastline, 600 of which are located in Talbot County, water-related activities are immensely popular in the Chesapeake Bay Region.  During the warm weather months, locals spend much of their time in and around the water, whether boating, participating in water sports, or relaxing by the pool. The organization’s founder, Libby Moose says, “Swimming is the only sport that saves lives.”

According to the CDC, drowning is a leading cause of death for children, especially for those aged 1 to 4 years. A Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine report determined that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. Since the organization’s founding in 2014, they have provided more than 9,000 life-saving swimming lessons to local children.

Swimming is an essential skill for people of all ages.  “Imagine a future where everyone feels safe near water—where swimming is second nature. That’s the future we’re working toward, ” says SOS Council President Kelly Simonsen. 

SOS offers three, two-week sessions of swimming lessons for children at the George Murphy Pool in Easton and the Bay Hundred Pool in St. Michaels. These sessions are available to any child who wishes to learn how to swim.  This year’s children’s session start dates are June 17th, July 8th, and July 21st. The program is administered by Talbot County Parks & Recreation, which also provides trained instructors and lifeguards at each pool. Lessons are tailored to age groups and skill levels – as children learn and master various swimming skills, they move onto more challenging elements.

It’s not just children who need help with water safety.  Over 55% of adults in the United States have bever taken a swimming lesson, and adults who are 65 years of age or older have the second highest rate of drowning.  SOS Sink or Swim aims to change these statistics in our community by offering two sessions of adult swimming lessons and Junior Lifeguard Training.  The sessions begin on June 30th and August 4th, respectively, and participants can choose to register for one or both sessions.

SOS also partners with other local nonprofit organizations, including Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers, the Mid-Shore Early Learning Center, and BAAM (Building African American Minds) to provide lessons to the children attending their summer programming.

Registration remains open for the 2025 swim season. Those wishing to participate should visit sossinkorswim.org/register. These free lessons are made possible by charitable donations. A gift of just $50 can provide two weeks of lessons for a local child. To learn more or donate to save lives visit sossinkorswim.org.

SOS Sink or Swim is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Talbot County Pools Make a Splash for the 2025 Summer Season

Talbot Spy | May 28, 2025

Talbot County Parks and Recreation has officially kicked off the 2025 pool season, with the George Murphy Community Pool in Easton and the Bay Hundred Community Pool in St. Michaels now open to the public. Residents and visitors are invited to cool off, stay active, and enjoy a summer of safe, family-friendly fun.

Public swim hours are from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pools will operate on weekends through early June, then open daily from June 14 through August 17. Additional weekend dates include August 23–24 and August 30–September 1. Schedule updates may occur based on the Talbot County Public Schools calendar, special events, and weather conditions.

Daily admission is $5.00 per person, with children age 2 and under admitted free. Seasonal memberships are available and include individual passes for $75, senior passes for $65, and family passes for $200 (covering four family members, with an additional $25 per extra member). Membership forms can be downloaded from the Talbot Parks and Recreation website and must be submitted with payment to the Talbot County Community Center, located at 10028 Ocean Gateway in Easton.

Thanks to the continued support of the nonprofit SOS Sink or Swim, free swim lessons are available at both pool locations for children and adults. Since 2014, the organization has provided more than 6,500 learn-to-swim sessions to Talbot County residents. Spaces limited- Register online.

Bay Hundred Community Pool is also offering lap swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 25 through August 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Water aerobics classes will be held at Bay Hundred on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from June 16 through August 15, and at George Murphy on Fridays from June 20 through August 15, also from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Both pools are available for private party rentals on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Parties can be booked from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for $300, or from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for $400, with lifeguards and pool staff provided. Pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis during public swim hours.

New this year, Talbot County Parks and Recreation will host its first-ever Doggie Dip Day on Monday, September 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the George Murphy Community Pool. This special event gives local pups the chance to enjoy the pool before it closes for the season. Well-behaved, socialized dogs are welcome, accompanied by an adult (18 or older). Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and wear a collar with ID. No more than two dogs are allowed per person. While humans may attend and supervise, swimming is reserved for dogs only. Admission is $5 per dog or a donation of unopened dog food, which will benefit the Talbot Humane Society.

For more information about pool passes, classes, rentals, and the latest updates throughout the season, visit www.talbotparks.org/pools or call 410-770-8050. Follow Talbot County Parks and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected all summer long

SOS Sink or Swim’s fall fundraiser was an ABBA-solute success

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Nov. 1, 2024 – On Oct. 18, the Avalon Theater came alive as renowned ABBA tribute band Dancing Dream returned to Easton for another stellar performance. The audience was decked out in their sparkles and bellbottoms for this musical trip down memory lane. At the end of the evening, more than $45,000 in proceeds were raised to provide free swimming lessons to children in Talbot County through local nonprofit SOS Sink or Swim.

This is the third year that Dancing Dream has performed to raise money in support of SOS Sink or Swim’s vital mission. In addition to enjoying a world-class performance, concertgoers learned how their ticket purchase saves lives by helping to provide free swimming lessons for children and adults in Talbot County.

SOS Sink or Swim Council Member Jeanne Kuperberg addressed the crowd during intermission, sharing that since 2010 drowning rates in Talbot County have decreased, and that, in Sink or Swim’s 10th year in operation, Talbot now has one of the lowest rates of drowning in the state of Maryland. According to a Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine report, formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning by 88%, making SOS’s mission critical for our waterside community.

 After her remarks, Kuperberg reintroduced the band, who appeared on stage wearing SOS Sink or Swim t-shirts and played – you guessed it – ABBA’s hit song, “SOS.” After the concert, attendees had the opportunity to meet with members of the band and have their photo taken. Those unable to attend the concert were able to tune in from home to a live stream on the SOS Sink or Swim website. 

“We are so grateful to everyone who participated in this event and helped us celebrate 10 years of service to our community,” shares SOS Sink or Swim Council President Libby Moose. “It was so wonderful to see so many people come out to share a fun evening together. Our incredible community has made it possible for SOS Sink or Swim to provide more than 9,000 swimming lessons to date.  Thanks to the attendees, sponsors, and donors from our Dancing Dream event, we will be able to save many more lives next summer!” 

SOS Sink or Swim would like to express its deep gratitude towards the event’s generous sponsors.  A special sponsor, Susan Whaley, provided a $10,000 matching donation in honor of the organization’s 10th anniversary. This year’s Presenting Sponsors were Pam and Jim Harris, Barbara Hendricks, Elizabeth Moose, Ann Thayer and Stephanie Little, and Tracy and Scott Wagner.  The Life Saver Level Sponsors were Debbie and Tom Lawrence, and the Swim Level Sponsors included Andrea Dynes, Easton Utilities, Steve and Myra Gons, Jeanne and Michael Kuperberg, Genevieve Murphy, Town and Country Wine, Liquor, etc., and Rene and Tom Stevenson.  Bridges Land Management and Foxy’s Harbor Grille were this year’s Float Sponsors, while Bluepoint Hospitality, Jennifer Shea and Peter Bruns, David and Elizabeth Crenshaw, Dave and Penni Jones, Senator Johnny Mautz, and Penni and Terry O’Hearn participated at the Kickboard Sponsor level.  Special thanks to the Tidewater Inn and Hampton Inn and Suites for their in-kind donations.

SOS Sink or Swim is dedicated to teaching children and adults how to swim and to be safe in the water.  Through the help of charitable donations to SOS Sink or Swim and partner support, SOS has provided more than 9,000 free learn-to-swim sessions since 2014 at the community pools in St. Michaels and Easton.

Children between the ages of 18 months and 18 years and adults may sign up through Talbot County Parks & Recreation. The lessons are free to all, no questions asked, and are provided at the Bay Hundred Community Pool in St. Michaels and the George Murphy Community Pool in Easton under the supervision of Talbot County Parks & Recreation.

Donations to SOS Sink or Swim make the program free for all participants. As little as $50 can sponsor two weeks of free swimming lessons for a child in our community.

Learn more or make a donation at SOSSinkorSwim.org. SOS Sink or Swim is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

SOS Sink or Swim Enters 10th Season of Life-Saving Swimming Lessons

ST. MICHAELS, Md., May 24, 2024 – Spirits are high at SOS Sink or Swim as it embarks upon its tenth summer of providing free, no-questions-asked swimming lessons to children and some adults in Talbot County.

The Chesapeake Bay region is a hot spot for water-related activities. The Bay offers more than 3,000 miles of coastline, 600 of which are in Talbot County. During the warm weather months, locals spend much of their time in and around the water, whether boating, participating in water sports, or relaxing by the pool.

According to the CDC, drowning is a leading cause of death for children, with ages 1-4 at greatest risk. A Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine report determined that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.

Since SOS Sink or Swim’s founding in 2014, the organization has provided nearly 8,000 life-saving swimming lessons to local children.

“Swimming is an essential life skill for all ages, and it is critical for all children on the Eastern Shore to know how to swim and be safe in the water,” says SOS Sink or Swim President Libby Moose.

SOS Sink or Swim offers three sessions of swimming lessons, each lasting for two weeks, at the George Murphy Pool in Easton and the Bay Hundred Pool in St. Michaels. This year’s session start dates are June 17, July 8, and July 22. All children from age 18 months to 18 years are eligible to register for lessons.

The program is administered by Talbot County Parks & Recreation, which also provides trained instructors and lifeguards at each pool. Lessons are tailored to age groups and skill levels. As children learn and master various swimming skills, they move into stroke development. SOS Sink or Swim also offers junior lifeguard training to older children.

SOS Sink or Swim’s partnerships with other local nonprofit organizations, such as BAAM (Building African American Minds) and Critchlow Adkins Children Centers, ensure that the children they serve have access to this life-saving service.

For Moose, looking back on the program’s growth over ten years is incredibly gratifying.

“We are so proud to have been providing this service for ten years now,” Moose says. “Each year, our generous community steps up to make these swimming lessons possible, and each year, we watch as children learn these crucial life skills. We look forward to many more years of teaching our children to save their own lives.”

Registration remains open for the 2024 swim season. Those wishing to register can visit sossinkorswim.org/register. These free lessons are made possible by charitable donations. A gift of just $50 can provide two weeks of lessons for a local child. To learn more or donate, visit sossinkorswim.org.

SOS Sink or Swim is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization.

SOS Sink or Swim Hits Record Numbers

SOS Sink or Swim provided more than 1,000 free swim lessons in Talbot County this summer.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 26, 2022 – In partnership with Talbot County Parks and Recreation, SOS Sink or Swim provided a total of 1,128 free swim lessons this summer.

“We are thrilled so many children and some adults learned such an important life skill this summer,” says SOS Sink or Swim Co-Founder and Council President Elizabeth Moose.

The lessons were taught by trained instructors and offered over several weeks during the summer months at Talbot County's public pools located in Easton and St. Michaels.

These free, “no-questions-asked” swim lessons focus on proper swim instruction, which are known to drastically decrease the likelihood of childhood drowning. As children learn and master various swimming skills, they move into stroke development, and this year, we taught older children the basics of lifeguard training.

Since 2014, SOS Sink or Swim has provided over 6,500 lessons to children and some adults. Through charitable donations and community partner support, the organization is dedicated to ensuring every child on the Eastern Shore has the ability to swim and knows how to be safe in the water.

“Swimming is the only sport that can save lives, and while it’s an essential life skill for all ages, it is critical for all of our children on the Eastern Shore to know how to swim and to be safe in the water,” adds Moose.

A Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine report found that formal swimming lessons reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%. Additionally, a 2017 USA Swimming Foundation study reports 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little to no swimming ability.

Because the Chesapeake Bay has more than 3,000 miles of shoreline and 600 miles are located in Talbot County, SOS Sink or Swim’s mission is crucial.

The program is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, which serves as its fiscal sponsor. Lessons are administered by the Talbot County Department of Parks & Recreation. To learn more or to donate to SOS, visit sossinkorswim.org.

Registration opens for SOS free swimming lessons

For the seventh summer, SOS Sink or Swim is providing free swimming lessons at Talbot County’s two outdoor pools, with registration now open at sossinkorswim.org/register. Administered by Talbot County Parks & Recreation, the program offers lessons to children between the ages of 18 months to 18 years, and to a limited number of adults, with participation available on a first-come, first-served basis.

(ST MICHAELS, MD – May 17, 2021) SOS Sink or Swim is pleased to be able to offer free swimming lessons at Talbot County’s two outdoor pools again this summer. These lessons are provided free of charge to all children between the ages of 18 months to 18 years.

This year’s program will again be administered by Talbot County Parks & Recreation, with registration forms now online at sossinkorswim.org/register. Class sizes are limited, and registration will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Swimming sessions begin June 21 at the Bay Hundred Community Pool in St. Michaels, Md., and the George Murphy Community Pool in Easton, Md. The first registration deadline is June 10, and lessons run Mondays through Thursdays. Jr. Lifeguard Training and adult swim sessions are available the weeks of July 5–8 and Aug. 9–12. The full schedule of swim sessions for 2021 can be found at sossinkorswim.org/swim-schedule.

“These lessons are provided free of charge with no questions asked, and now free adult lessons are also available, thanks to a special grant received from concerned donors,” said SOS President Elizabeth Moose. “Talbot County has more than 600 miles of shoreline, yet many children and their family members don’t have the opportunity to ever get in the water, much less to feel safe and secure when they are close to a pool, a river or the Bay.”

This is the seventh summer SOS is offering these free lessons. Through donations and local support, SOS has provided swimming lessons for more than 5,000 local children since the program started and has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars to support its program.

SOS Sink or Swim is docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, with CBMM serving as its fiscal sponsor, and is administered by the Talbot County Department of Parks & Recreation. To learn more, or to donate to SOS, visit sossinkorswim.org, or send your contribution to SOS Sink or Swim, 606A N. Talbot Street, Ste 109, St. Michaels, MD 21663.

 #####