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During a Talbot Day ceremony, an annual celebration for the county鈥檚 April 25 birthday, the county presented Brooks with the Lifetime Service Award and Timms with the Ripple Effect Award.

Brooks is manager of the Brookletts Place Senior Center, and Timms serves as commander of VFW Post 5118.

Talbot County Council members Lynn Mielke and Keasha Haythe spoke on the impact of the winners鈥� work in the Talbot County community.

鈥淐hildlene鈥檚 name is synonymous with service to Talbot County,鈥� Mielke said. 鈥淭hrough her leadership at Brookletts Place, her tireless volunteerism, she鈥檚 guided, mentored and uplifted generations. Her service has not only filled gaps, but has built bridges.鈥�

鈥淎 Vietnam veteran and longtime VFW commander, Kenley鈥檚 legacy is one of action and compassion,鈥� Haythe said. 鈥淲hether organizing welcome-home parades, helping homeless veterans, supporting first responders, or simply showing up for those in need, Kenley leads with heart. His efforts have not only made a difference, they鈥檝e inspired movement.鈥�

Brooks volunteers for nonprofit organizations along with leading the Brookletts Place in its mission to serve the county鈥檚 growing senior population. Timms recently organized a Welcome Home parade for Vietnam veterans and families, an event that brought hundreds to the streets of Easton.

A 1983 proclamation originally declared April 25 as the county鈥檚 birthday. The County Council led a charge to reinvigorate Talbot Day by signing a new proclamation to create the holiday in 2023.

In all, the county recognized 17 nominees for community service, part of the new tradition.

Haythe noted that the county created the award ceremony to continue the tradition of a now-defunct state program dating back to the 1980s, which honored community service leaders.

鈥淎lthough the statewide program ended in 2022, the Talbot County Council chose to carry the tradition forward,鈥� Haythe said. 鈥淲e renamed it the Talbot Citizen and Service Awards, continuing its legacy of recognizing those who give their time and heart to our community.鈥�

Talbot Day also brought around 100 residents to the lawn of the Talbot County Courthouse to celebrate the county鈥檚 history. Mike Mielke, a local farmer, waterman and historian, served as Friday鈥檚 guest speaker.

Mielke said a range of local organizations, schools and volunteer groups make Talbot County a special place to live. He pointed out towns such as Oxford, St. Michaels and Easton for bringing a unique way of life to the Eastern Shore as well as being a 鈥渕ecca for weddings.鈥�

And for unincorporated areas such as Tilghman Island or Neavitt, Mielke said it鈥檚 a neat mix of residents.

鈥淭he people do get along, the newcomers and watermen and stuff,鈥� Mielke said. 鈥淭hey get along pretty darn well.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 still the land of pleasant living,鈥� Mielke said of Talbot County. 鈥淭albot鈥檚 my home, and I love it.鈥�

Talbot Day Poster Contest winners: Maddy Calabro, Division I; Toni Wilson, Brianna Johnson, Meyers Hannah and Leah Bell, Division III.

Talbot Citizen and Service Awards nominees: Carlton 鈥淐orky鈥� Greene, Childlene Brooks, Christine Dorset, Daphan Smith, Della Andrew, Doris Dobson, Mary DeShields, Jennifer Stanley, JR Burkhardt, Karla Wieland-Cherry, Kenley Timms, Khalid Kurtom, Lonnelle Green, Nancy Andrew, Raymond Bonner, Sonny Diefenderfer, Virginia Capute

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Talbot Citizen and Service Award nominee Sonny Diefenderfer.