Amy Blades Steward - Chestertown Spy

Local Earth Data Employee Supports Guatemalan Project While Mountain Biking

March 9, 2023 by Amy Blades Steward

Jeff Chipman, a geologist with Earth Data, Inc. in Centreville, recently left his comfort zone to go on a mountain biking trip in Guatemala which benefitted women in third-world countries. Although he was raised in Utah and accustomed to outdoor sports, including whitewater rafting, he was relatively new to mountain biking.

“This part of the world really interests me. I like the people, I like the culture, and I like the food of Central America. Specifically, as a geologist, there are also several active volcanoes throughout this region,” Chipman states.

Jeff Chipman and fellow bikers taking a break outside of a rural Escuela school.

He had been looking to book a trip to Guatemala in December of 2022 when his sister contacted him to tell him that there was a women’s nonprofit group, World Ride, that was offering a co-ed mountain biking trip in Guatemala that same month. World Ride works to empower women globally through mountain biking. They have established programs around the world where they work with local women to create bike libraries, assist women with leadership and guide training, and support women with their race goals.

Jeff Chipman watching an Eruption of Vulcan de Fuego, known as “the fire volcano,” from a base camp on a neighboring volcano.

“What was neat about this nonprofit is that it trains local women in third world countries to be mountain bike guides in these eco-tourism destinations and the proceeds from the trips get funneled back to the local communities for women’s rights groups and women’s causes,” Chipman adds.

“Although I wasn’t down there like building schools or anything like that, it was rewarding to see my trip support a good cause.”

According to Chipman, who took the trip in December, the people live a very isolated life in the mountains of Guatemala. He observed that it was not an everyday occurrence for the people he encountered on the trails each day to see mountain bikes.

“In addition, I was made aware of the repressed, traditional culture for women in the mountains of Guatemala. These women are expected to make textiles and farm, but not do mountain biking. Mountain biking is a male sport there. Although the people had very few resources in the mountains, including water or electricity, they were some of the happiest people I have ever seen,” he adds.

“Travel is a good thing for everyone to do. Whether that’s traveling outside of your state, or outside of your country, experiencing different people and cultures is a very beneficial thing for many, many different reasons. Going into a third-world country especially gives you that huge perspective that ‘stuff’ doesn’t matter. For the overwhelming majority of the people I met and talked to, you could tell that they were more than willing and happy to talk to you and help you in any way – even if they didn’t have resources.”

In thinking about future opportunities to travel and contribute to the world, Chipman hoped to find future opportunities like World Ride. He concludes, “Supporting women in these third-world countries makes me want to find and do more. There is work to be done in these places and I’d like to a part of it.”

“Seeing our employees take trips like this for their vacations is very heartwarming for me. Our company embraces community service throughout the year. I believe we need to leave the world a better place than we found it. We are people who work hard and want to help, not only our clients but our community,” comments Mark Williams, President of Earth Data, Inc.

For more than 48 years, Earth Data, Inc. has been providing field-oriented water resources and geospatial consulting services using high-tech tools to collect, analyze, manage, and distribute data in sophisticated ways. For further information, visit earthdatainc.com.

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Earth Data Employees Pass Association of State Boards of Geology Exam

January 25, 2023 by Amy Blades Steward

Two employees of Earth Data, Inc., Ben Gemballa, Project Geologist, and Kayla Warhola, Geologist, both of Chestertown recently passed the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) Fundamentals of Geology Examination. The examination is the first step for a person seeking to become a Licensed Professional Geologist. Employees must work five years in the field before taking the Professional Geologist Exam.

According to ASBOG, much of today’s geological practice affects the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the environment, and the economy and the feasibility of engineered works. Geologists make use of their special knowledge for the benefit of the public: from the obvious, e.g., exploration and development of mineral resources plus the development of water resources, to the less obvious, e.g., evaluating the stability of foundations for buildings, dams, bridges, and roadways, plus many others.

Pictured left to right are Kayla Warhola, Geologist, and Ben Gemballa, Project Geologist, and both of Chestertown and employees of Earth Data, Inc. The two recently passed the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG®) Fundamentals of Geology Examination.

Gemballa completed his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and his Master of Science in Geophysics at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. His work at Earth Data has involved drilling and sampling monitoring wells, overseeing pumping tests in high-capacity groundwater production wells, and performing borehole video surveys and specialized geophysical logging on a variety of Earth Data projects. He has also provided construction administration and construction inspection work on Earth Data’s SWIFT® project in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Warhola completed her Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the California University of Pennsylvania in California, Pennsylvania. Her work has primarily involved collecting and analyzing surface and groundwater samples on some large, ongoing projects and providing detailed sediment descriptions from deep drilling projects. Ms. Warhola also utilizes her previous construction inspection experience on various projects and is currently training to learn to operate Earth Data’s geophysical logging equipment.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these two employees who have been with us a little over a year and their initiative to further their professional certifications. Having licensed professional geologists is not only a standard for the industry but a standard for our company as well,” states Mark Williams, President of Earth Data, Inc.

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Volunteers Show Love at One Mission Cambridge

December 6, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

One Mission Cambridge in Cambridge has a heart for service all year round. As we enter into the holiday season, however, the organization is focusing on its volunteers who are at the heart of its mission – showing the love of Jesus to every client who visits its location at 614 Race Street. The range of services offered by One Mission Cambridge are diverse and include food items, counseling, and connection to resources such as health care, financial assistance, and jobs.

“I was looking for places to volunteer when I retired. One Mission Cambridge just seemed like a natural fit for me. I love people and I love doing things for people. That’s why I became a teacher because I enjoy helping in that respect,” states volunteer Joanne Rue of Cambridge, a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a retired teacher.

“While I teach the Bible studies and I was involved in small group activities at church, that’s giving to people who are more familiar to me. I wanted to reach out and do something to meet a greater need. The community needed a central place for resources. The joy of volunteering here, besides just helping, has been meeting people from other churches, other denominations who have a similar heart.”

Rue credits the safe, peaceful, and welcoming environment with helping build trust with the clients who come. She adds, “I see a lot of familiar faces, so our clients become like close acquaintances, so there’s a connection. Many people just stop in to touch base.”

Pictured left to right are One Mission Cambridge volunteers Miala Harper of Cambridge, Joanne Rue of Cambridge, and Vicki Hayden of Cambridge.

Volunteer Vicki Hayden of Cambridge, also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, and a retired nurse, states, “We are asked to love God and love others – this is an avenue to do God’s work. I hope I am making them feel better. It’s very rewarding.”

“I feel like God blessed me that I can retire and do things like this. The people are so wonderful. It’s wonderful to be able to pray with them. Most all of them are receptive to that, but we’re not going to force anything on anyone.”

Clients mainly come to One Mission Cambridge for its food pantry, but there are occasional needs for connections to other resources.

“If they come in hungry, we can fix meals for our clients,” Hayden adds.

Volunteer Miala Harper, a new resident of Cambridge and previously of Harford County, who started in October and volunteers every other week, states that she saw One Mission Cambridge on Facebook and thought it was interesting what they do. She comments, “This gives back to people in need. I know what it’s like to have needs. My mom and dad occasionally needed help. So, I think it’s very important that everybody at some point in their life volunteers. This is a good way to give back. It gives you insight into how blessed you are.”

“People leave here happy. They have the security that they can get out of bed and have another meal waiting for them.”

“It’s needed here. Resources like food, mental health services, and housing are scarce. I am happy to see them being offered. I am also seeing the difference it makes. It’s good that One Mission Cambridge is in town and walkable for people. Most of the other food pantries in Cambridge are on the outskirts of town,” she adds.

“We are so fortunate to have such giving volunteers. We can’t thank our volunteers, financial supporters, and churches enough for helping to meet the needs of an average of 245 people a month and for keeping food on the pantry shelves,” states Krista Pettit, leader of One Mission Cambridge’s efforts.

Rue adds, “Most of the people are coming in for food, but every once in a while somebody will come in who needs a listening ear. It’s more than just handing them a bag.”

The organization is still in need of volunteers and volunteer training is available for a variety of shifts. To date, over 15 churches are now working with One Mission Cambridge. All Christian Churches are invited to participate. Individuals and organizations can support One Mission Cambridge through its Showing the Love Program for as little as $10 a month on the organization’s website onemissioncambridge.org.

One Mission Cambridge is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 1 to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The next Community Dinner will be held on December 5 at its location at 614 Race Street in Cambridge. Visit One Mission Cambridge on Facebook at OneMissionCam or Instagram or their website at onemissioncambridge.org or call 410-901-3959. Donations can be made to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD 21613.

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Earth Data Employees Participate in Queen Anne’s County Christmas Angels Program

November 29, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

Last year, over 1,400 area children were on Queen Anne’s County Christmas Angel’s adoption list for the holidays. Earth Data’s employees decided they wanted to make a difference this year and participate in the program. The employees adopted a family of three boys, ages five, eight, and 12, purchasing a variety of items.

“This is such a great community event to be involved in. Our employees loved gathering the items for these brothers. It is so satisfying knowing that their Christmas will be filled with things they need, as well as a few special treats to make the day special,” comments Tina Wright, Administrative Assistant at Earth Data, Inc.

Pictured left to right are Earth Data employees Christine Kunkowski, Jennifer Marshall, and Tina Wright with the gifts being donated through Queen Anne’s County Christmas Angels program to an area family with three boys.

The Earth Data Gives program was started by the company to give back to the community. Over the years, Earth Data employees have helped support the health of the Chesapeake Bay, Cub Scouts’ summer camps, ending the global vision epidemic, stocking fish with the Department of Natural Resources, building oyster cages, providing CarePacks to local students, and most recently doing trail maintenance for Pickering Creek Audubon Center.

For 47 years, Earth Data, Inc. has been providing field-oriented water resources and geospatial consulting services using high-tech tools to collect, analyze, manage, and distribute data in sophisticated ways. For further information, visit earthdatainc.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Earth Data Completes Trail Maintenance at Pickering Creek Audubon Center

November 16, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

Earth Data recently completed trail maintenance at Pickering Creek Audubon Center as part of its Earth Data Gives program. The Center’s property features a variety of habitats including mature hardwood forest, fresh and brackish marsh, meadow, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, over a mile of shoreline on a tidal creek, and cropland.

Pictured front row, left to right, are Tina Wright and Shawn Stabile. Pictured back row, left to right, are Jeff Chipman, Scott Wolf, Jake Bram, Ron McDonald, Mark Williams, Kalya Warhola, Jennifer Marshall, and Ted Trumbull.

“Earth Data believes that giving makes our communities thrive, our employees passionate about more than work, and Earth Data an encouragement to those around us. Pickering Creek is an important environmental nonprofit that is teaching about the importance of environmental stewardship – something my employees care a lot about,” said Mark Williams, CEO, of Earth Data, Inc.

Samantha Pitts, Community Partnerships Coordinator, at Pickering Creek Audubon Center, said that Earth Data brought an energetic crew of 10 volunteers to do trail maintenance at the Center’s site in Easton.

“The Earth Data employees worked together well as individual volunteers and great as a team. They brought cheer and joy to the job and I feel like they enjoyed it too. The trail looked fantastic when they were done,” she stated.

Pitts shared that Pickering Creek Audubon Center is committed to maintaining its trails for visitor use. The organization’s mission is to conserve natural habitats on Maryland’s Eastern Shore by engaging and empowering the community through exploration, education, and stewardship. Volunteers donate thousands of hours each year maintaining trails, monitoring the 60 nest box Eastern Bluebird trail, implementing habitat restoration projects, and tending the gardens, buildings, and grounds.

“We enjoy having organizations like Earth Data volunteer with us. It was especially nice that they reached out to us and share our environmental values. That’s important to us,” she added.

Pictured left to right are Jennifer Marshall, Tina Wright, and Kayla Warhola.

In addition to giving back through its environmental work, the Earth Data Giving Program encourages all Earth Data Incorporated employees to help others. It provides employees with paid public-service hours for volunteer work done to support local charities and others, such as helping feed school kids on the weekends, cleaning hiking trails, supporting elementary school reading programs, and teaching kids about the world around them by using maps and GIS.

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Jack Gottschalk Appointed Haven Ministries Board of Directors President

November 11, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

Pictured is Jack Gottschalk of Wye Mills, the new Board President of Haven Ministries.

Jack Gottschalk of Wye Mills has been appointed President of the Haven Ministries Board of Directors. Gottschalk served as a business consultant and has also held several executive-level positions in Fortune 500 corporations that included plastics, rubber, military products, electronics, railroad, education, food, and health care. He worked with the Hershey Foods Corporation and retired from Children’s National Medical Center as Vice President of Human Resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Organization Behavior and a master’s degree in Human Resources. He has served on the Haven Ministries Board of Directors for three years.

“While serving on the Board of Directors, I quickly discovered how sincerely and completely committed our leadership, staff, volunteers, and member churches are to fulfilling God’s work by helping others. It is so very rewarding for our entire team to know we are directly making a difference in the lives of others,” Gottschalk comments.

Gottschalk is working with Haven Ministries Executive Director to improve efficiencies in its programs to meet the growing needs for assisting men, women, and children in Queen Anne’s County caught in the cycle of poverty.

“Peter and I would like to continue the great work and tradition of our founder Krista Pettit and we will look for growth opportunities that will enhance the services that Haven Ministries provides to our community,” Gottschalk adds.

“We are thrilled to have Jack as our Board President. He brings tremendous experience from a wide range of business environments and can lead us to creative solutions as we continue to grow our organization,” states Peter Grim, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center, and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

One Mission Cambridge Impacts Hunger and Homelessness

November 11, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

When you stop by One Mission Cambridge at 614 Race Street in Cambridge on any given day, you will meet a variety of people seeking food, resource referral, or just a listening ear. The range of services the organization offers is diverse and includes food items, counseling, and connection to resources such as health care, financial assistance, and jobs.

“Our goal is to show everyone who comes through the door love – just as Jesus loved us,” states Krista Pettit, leader of One Mission Cambridge’s efforts. Pettit credits volunteers, financial supporters, and churches for helping to meet the needs of an average of 227 people a month and keeping food on the pantry shelves.

The organization, which opened in June, has proved ideal to serve some of the community’s most vulnerable populations. By consolidating some of the area’s food pantries, One Mission Cambridge offers a food pantry store where people can shop for what they need in a dignified manner. In addition, the center offers community navigation with computers onsite for people to research jobs and complete job applications, and look up resources to help them connect to community services.

Pictured is a stocked food pantry at One Mission Cambridge. The organization is working hard to keep food on the pantry shelves to keep up with current demand.

Talking with clients served by One Mission Cambridge, it is evidenced that love abounds in the welcoming storefront.

Client Christopher, who is legally blind, visited the food pantry at One Mission Cambridge for the second time stating, “I have never wanted to burden anyone. I never had a full-time job. I have just pieced things together over the years and have been able to do it.”

“It is nice to be able to choose food items here myself because I get what I want and what I need. I feel loved.”

Client Carolyn of Cambridge came to One Mission Cambridge when she couldn’t afford to purchase much-needed eyeglasses. She knows people who volunteer at One Mission Cambridge. The organization connected her to affordable eyeglasses

“A lot of us need help. If I don’t need help, I am not going to ask for it. I used to go to food banks, but they gave me too much food and I wasted it. Here, I can pick food items that I need,” she comments.

“It shows that people care about us. Everybody is treated just the same here.”

The building includes a storefront on Race Street and a large communal space in the rear of the building which offers monthly Community Dinners.

Client Darin of Cambridge ended up homeless in another county but was unable to find resources there.

“The Community Dinner by One Mission Cambridge offers great fellowship and great people. They have blessed me.”

“I was on the street for a few weeks when I got to Cambridge before I found One Mission Cambridge. They gave me all kinds of resources and information about everything from shelters to food pantries to clothing. They’ve been such a blessing. God’s got them on a heck of a mission.”

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Haven Ministries Recognizes National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Month

November 1, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

As we enter the season of giving, Haven Ministries is asking the public to support its efforts in sheltering and feeding Queen Anne’s County residents in need the year-end giving program.

Through its new Homes of Hope in Stevensville, which opened in June, Haven Ministries is providing clients with affordable housing while leading them to a permanent housing solution. While participating in the Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program, participants work closely with a Haven Ministries case manager to ensure that they are positioned for success to secure safe and stable long-term housing once their respective program period is over, usually within two years.

Pictured are Melanie and Cameron Lednum who are residents in one of the Haven Ministries’ Homes of Hope.

“To date, both homes are filled and staff is working with clients toward long-term housing solutions. We are thrilled with being able to implement our Housing Assistance Program. The need for affordable housing on the Mid-Shore has never been greater and we rely upon our donors to help us bridge the gap,” comments Peter Grim, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.

Individuals and families who live in Queen Anne’s County can apply for the program, must pass the background checks, pay a program fee, and voluntarily agree to work with a case manager. Haven Ministries will connect participants to area resources such as education, jobs, and job training, allowing individuals and families to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on toward safe and affordable housing.

In addition to Homes of Hope, Haven Ministries is continuing to operate its seasonal shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church in Stevensville to offer emergency overnight safe and warm accommodations for individuals and families who do not have a dedicated location in which to sleep. The shelter operates from October through April each year.

In addition to shelter needs, Haven Ministries is seeing a growing need for food pantry items at its Food Pantry/Resource Center location at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown. Haven Ministries also operates a Mobile Food Pantry Truck where residents in northern Queen Anne’s County can go and “shop” for needed food items. The “store on wheels” is parked at Faith Bible Church at 407 Dudley Corner Road in Sudlersville every week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering a selection of non-cooked food items for area residents. Haven Ministries partners with The Judy Center/Queen Anne’s County Public Schools to supply food to this part of the county.

Pictured is Tina Trice in Haven Ministries’ Queenstown Food Pantry.

“The demand for food items at both these locations has increased by 40 percent since the pandemic began. We are now serving an average of 500 people per month through our food pantry program. The need is great and we rely upon the public’s support to keep up with this growing demand,” adds Grim.

Financial donations between now and December 2, 2023, will be matched up to $15,000. To support the Housing Assistance and Food Pantry Programs, call 410-827-7194 or make an online donation at Haven-Ministries.org before December 2, 2022, making your dollars go even further.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center, and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Peter Grim Appointed New Executive Director of Haven Ministries

July 19, 2022 by Amy Blades Steward

Peter Grim of Rock Hall, a non-profit executive, has been appointed the new Executive Director of Haven Ministries. Grim replaces Krista Pettit, who founded the organization 20 years ago in Queen Anne’s County to address the need for a homeless shelter there.

At a recent celebration of Pettit’s achievements, Caroline Aland, Past Board President of Haven Ministries recalled, “Krista was sitting in church and got a calling from God. He told her there was a need in her community. There are people without housing who are struggling to survive. He asked her to do something. To start a shelter.”

Krista created the Queen Anne County Christian Assistance program and pretty soon they had a place to shelter people. The first year the shelter was in the Grasonville Community Center. After the first year, the shelter moved to the Kent Island United Methodist Church where it has remained operating as a seasonal shelter.

“But that’s not all… she then organized the Food Pantry, a Resource Center, transitional housing, a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, and Hope Warehouse providing sustainable income for Haven Ministries’ programs and goods for its clients. And now we have the Homes for Hope housing program,” added Aland.

Aland pointed out that all of these projects were opened with tremendous prayer and thought. The organization started with a handful of volunteers and has grown to 14 paid staff, hundreds of volunteers, and has helped thousands of residents over the years.

Pictured is Peter Grim, new executive director of Haven Ministries.

Grim, who follows Pettit, has had several years of experience in executive leadership, development, and operational oversight of non-profit organizations. Most recently he facilitated a start-up and served as Executive Director of The Common Place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization providing education, social service collaboration, and faith formation to serve resource-challenged children and families. Before that, he managed retirement communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“Peter’s non-profit experience includes faith-based multiple startups, strategic planning, community-based programs that include nutrition education, food pantry operations, after-school programming, technical education, summer camps, fundraising, and construction. He has held general management positions that cover all the critical skill sets needed for success as Executive Director, including community relations, communications, and group leadership,” states Jack Gottschalk, Haven Ministries Board President.

“One of his endearing qualities is that when you meet him you can see straight through to his heart. He is a caring and devoted Christian who like our founder ‘walks the talk.’ What you see is what you get – an honest, personable, and capable executive with a broad skill set that is already making a difference to Haven Ministries.”

Grim brings an entrepreneurial-driven approach to non-profit management to ensure fiscal stability and growth. His father started a retirement community the year he was born, and Grim grew up working at all levels of the operation.

“Throughout my childhood to adulthood, I gained valuable experience with increasing levels of responsibility working in housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen, bookkeeping, nursing home administration, and overall management culminating in a board position, ownership, and eventual sale of the organization. This vast experience carried over to bring much success in future business endeavors,” he reflects.

Grim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph’s University.

“One of the first things I hope to do is to bring additional stability to the organization in terms of structure and processes. The organization grew quickly and is doing lots of amazing things in the community. I want to look at creating efficiencies in our programs to be even more effective. That is something I’ve done in my past, so that was another thing that drew me to this job with Haven Ministries,” Grim explained.

“As a Christian, I believe that you need to help others while also helping them learn how to help themselves. That will be a principle I follow in working with the community we serve.”

For further information about supporting Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call Peter Grim at 410-827-7194.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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