Talbot County, Maryland

11/10/2022

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council selected Wayne Dyott, one of the founding members of the countywide Advanced Life Support (ALS) system, as the County’s Most Beautiful Person at their annual “Maryland You Are Beautiful” awards ceremony held at Easton High School cafeteria on November 1. Mr. Dyott was one of eight volunteers nominated for the prestigious award.

The “Maryland You Are Beautiful” Program began in the 1980s as a way to recognize the unsung heroes who make Maryland a better place to live, work and visit. The program has generated enormous state pride and fostered volunteerism, goodwill and community support. Nominees must be at least 18 years of age, be a resident of Talbot County and volunteer with an organization in Talbot County. Nominees are submitted by their peers in the county. The Maryland You Are Beautiful program has been integrated into the annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards recognition program. The Governor’s Office will announce the recipients in a press release.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Dyott returned to his hometown of Easton and began volunteering his time as a firefighter and emergency medical responder with the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. Recognizing a growing need for the delivery of advanced life support services, Mr. Dyott and several other dedicated individuals came together to garner support for what is now the Talbot County Emergency Services, providing extensive paramedic care twenty-four hours a day. Mr. Dyott has served as Chairman of the Talbot County Emergency Services Advisory Board which supports the efforts of, and advises the County Council on, emergency services matters. Under his leadership, and in partnership with the Department of Emergency Services, advances were achieved in the delivery of EMS services.

These advances include, in part, new and state-of-the-art response units, medical equipment and advancements in protocols. Mr. Dyott is a founding member of, and now chairs, the Talbot County Paramedic Foundation which exists to support the emergency medical services systems in Talbot County. After years of dedication and commitment to emergency medical services, Mr. Dyott is also serving on the statewide Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. His passion for emergency services and serving our community is evidenced by his direct efforts to support the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces such as ballfields and parks. Additionally, Mr. Dyott is currently an active volunteer with VFW Post #5118, American Legion Talbot Post #70, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 648. He is a Life Member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department with 51 years of service, Talbot County Paramedic Foundation - Founding Member 1985; Talbot County Advanced Life Support – Founding Member 1985; and Talbot County Emergency Services Advisory Board.

In addition to the eight nominees, the Talbot County Council thanked all volunteers who serve on County boards and committees and recognized their service. Senator Adelaide Eckardt, Delegate Johnny Mautz, and Delegate Chris Adams were also in attendance to recognize and celebrate volunteerism in the county.

Other nominees included the following:

Linda Adams – Ms. Adams volunteers with the Rural Life Museum of Trappe, MD. The Rural Life Museum was struggling for lack of people to lead this 501c (3) all-volunteer organization and to otherwise help. Ms. Adams’ steadfast dedication and enthusiasm made it attractive for folks to again be involved and breathe new life into the Rural Life Museum. From December 2021 forward, Linda posted on Facebook about Trappe and Talbot County, drawing people out of their COVID isolation, posting many interesting stories such as Doug Sullivan’s new Ford School Bus and Hampden on the Southside of Island Creek Neck public interesting photos, all reminding people of their community and history.

Linda Brown – Ms. Brown has mentored children and young people in our community through her church, her job as a Culinary Arts teacher at Easton High School and as a 4-H volunteer leader in Talbot County. She exhibits patience, kindness, and total understanding. She has been a 4-H Leader for 52 years, member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 69 years, Talbot Agriculture and Education Board for 15 years and a member on the Talbot County Fair Committee for 30 years. Ms. Brown always pushes her 4-H Club members to be the best they can be by coaching members on public speaking, volunteering, sewing and cooking.

Ann Davis – Ms. Davis is a hardworking, dedicated and caring volunteer. She volunteers at the Talbot Interfaith Shelter as a daytime shelter supervisor and volunteer coordinator. She makes meals, talks to the guests who are homeless and brightens their day, and offers very good advice. Ms. Davis has been a volunteer with the Talbot Interfaith Shelter for 14 years and also serves as the Development Committee Chair to help raise funds for the shelter. Additionally, Ms. Davis has volunteered with the Unitarian Universalist Church for 15 years.

Jacqueline Schwencer –Ms. Schwencer is a parishioner at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Trappe, Maryland and the leader of the White Marsh Elementary School’s Grandparents Club. She has served as the bridge between the school and the church where she helped with the distribution of 300 bundles of school supplies to the returning students for the school year. Each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas she helps with creating fifty baskets of food and other items for needy families who have students enrolled at White Marsh Elementary. Ms. Schwencer mobilized the resources of St. Paul’s to support the work of the Grandparents Club, a relationship which not only benefitted the school, but also enabled others to be an active part
of the ministry.

Cindy Spurry – Ms. Spurry volunteers three days a week for two hours each day at Easton Elementary School and has done so since 2016. She leads small groups, works one on one with the children who have multiple disabilities, and even organizes the classroom clutter. Ms. Spurry also provides the class with daily snacks and has purchased materials for sensory day. She attends trainings so that she can provide individual strategies for each student’s needs.

Ann White – Ms. White exemplifies volunteerism and has enthusiastically supported many organizations for over 45 years. She served on the Board of The Country School, raised money for scholarships and served as the Parent’s Association President. Ms. White has volunteered with the Waterfowl Festival since 1974, serving in many capacities including several terms on the Board. She has also volunteered her time with the YMCA of the Chesapeake, as a board member of the Academy Art Museum and with the Talbot Garden Club for 45 years, working on several key projects including the Idlewild Park Fountain, Children’s Garden and Easton Historical Society gardens.

Florence Wilson – Ms. Wilson does it all! Even at the young age of 82, she has not slowed down. She never misses a beat even after the loss of her husband of 58 years; she just keeps moving. Affectionately called “Flo Jo” by some, she is life-long resident of Talbot County. Ms. Wilson worked in the Talbot County Public Schools system for 34 years as Manager of the Media Center at Chapel District Elementary School. She is a true champion for education and has positively impacted the lives of many children over the years. Ms. Wilson has unofficially served as a surrogate mother to many underprivileged children, providing financial assistance, transportation and filling a need whenever requested. She has tirelessly worked to lay a foundation of Christian principles for the children of her church, Scotts United Methodist Church, for over three decades. She visits hospitals, nursing homes, and even helps with the church’s food pantry.

First row: Linda Adams, Amanda Brown Cloughtery (accepting award for Linda Brown), Wayne Dyott, Ann Davis Second row: Jacqueline Schwencer, Cindy Spurry, Ann White, Florence Wilson Third row: Delegate Chris Adams, Delegate Johnny Mautz, Talbot County Council Member Laura Everngam Price, Council President Chuck Callahan, Senator Adelaide Eckardt, Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Council Member Frank Divilio