James Dissette

1 week ago | chestertownspy.org | James Dissette

On Monday a young lady, riding an electric 2 wheeler, came to my front door. She, with a hand-held computer, wanted to sign me up for an extermination service to  rid my home of any bugs. Her snappy uniform showed only 3 letters that I did not recognize and she did not have a business card. She knew all the answers and she promised that her professional crew could be in the neighborhood in 2 days to treat my home, I did have to sign up for a bi-monthly service to get the special rate.

1 week ago | chestertownspy.org | James Dissette

Each spring, Washington College awards the Sophie Kerr Prize—the nation’s largest literary award for undergraduates—to a student whose writing exemplifies both excellence and promise. This year, the 2025 prize ($74,000) was awarded to Sky Abruzzo, a writer whose voice is rooted in curiosity, observation, and a deep relationship with the natural world.

1 week ago | talbotspy.org | Nancy Taylor Robson |James Dissette

What’s really indigenous to a place? We’re talking native plants here. (And ultimately: does native really matter?). OK, first, what’s native? “If it’s from Asia or South America, it’s not native,” says entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home. Lonicera japonica or Miscanthus sinensis tell you by their names that they are not from the Delmarva Peninsula. (It won’t necessarily tell you whether it’s invasive, but that’s a different question).

2 weeks ago | chestertownspy.org | James Dissette

The Kent County Chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Kent County Commissioners and Town of Chestertown for officially recognizing June as Pride Month with signed proclamations. The Kent County Pride Month proclamation was presented at the May 13, 2025 Kent County Commissioners Meeting. Mayor David Foster read the Chestertown LGBTQIA+ Pride Month proclamation into the record at the May 20, 2025 Chestertown Mayor and Town Council meeting.

2 weeks ago | chestertownspy.org | James Dissette

The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, one of Kent County’s most prized natural and recreational resources, is facing an uncertain future due to potential federal funding cuts that could severely impact staffing and operations.