While it is the shortest month of the year, this February has been full of energy, and our employees have been at the heart of it all. From taking the plunge in the EPD Polar Plunge to supporting the Fire & Ice Festival, our team has shown creativity, dedication, and a true sense of community spirit.
This month, we’re also sharing updates on maintenance for the Idlewild Park swing sets and recognizing National Wear Red Day, a reminder of the importance of heart health.
Thank you to all of our employees for your hard work and enthusiasm — it’s your efforts that make our workplace and our community thrive.
Megan Cook
Click HERE to see Shelby’s video interview!
Employee Spotlight
SHELBY RUF | PERMIT TECHNICIAN
Meet Shelby Ruf! Shelby serves the Town as a Permit Technician with our Buildings Department. She has worked with the Town of Easton for five years now!
As a Permit Technician, Shelby is responsible for processing permits that come through the Buildings Department, making sure they are ready for the next steps in their process. Being at the desk window, Shelby also serves as the public face of the Buildings Department, helping customers who come in with any questions they may have.
In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her friends and family, espcially at the beach. She also works part-time at Cantner’s Pharmacy in Federalsburg, and lives in Easton with her dog, Boris, a rescue from the Bahamas!
PLUNGING IN
Easton Police Department ‘Copsicles’ raise money in Special Olympics Polar Plunge
Three cheers for our EPD “Copsicles” who took the icy plunge into the Chesapeake Bay earlier today!
This year we had Chief Alan Lowrey, Sgt. Allen Orrison, Pfc. Mark Schinault, Pfc. Cordero Proctor, Evidence Clerk Mary Moyer, and Records Clerk Jay Horner come out and brave the frigid Chesapeake Bay waters with sub-freezing temps outside.
“It’s always great to be part of a team that is doing
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It’s always great to be part of a team that is doing something to help others. I’m proud of my team for stepping up and plunging in for this event
EPD Chief Alan Lowrey
something to help others,” said Easton Police Chief Alan Lowrey. “I’m proud of my team for stepping up and plunging in for this event — helping to support Special Olympics Maryland and their athletes.”
Thank you to all of the officers/staff who participated, both plunging today and through fundraising, and thank you for all of the community support we received. Easton Police Department was able to raise $2,320 so far in support of Special Olympics Maryland, benefitting over 25,000 Special Olympics athletes in the state.
If you are interested and able, our team is still accepting donations at: https://support.somd.org/ team/785358
“It was a lot of fun, and completely exhilarating,” Lowrey added. “We can’t wait to continue our support of the Special Olympics when we host the upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run in June.”
The 2026 Easton Police Department
COPSICLES:
Alan Lowrey
Mark Schinault
Jay Horner
Mary Moyer
Cordero Proctor
Megan Coxon
Allen Orrison
Eric Kellner
Town Offices
HEALTHY HEARTS
Town employees wear red for women’s cardiovascular health awareness
February is American Heart Month, a time when all people — especially women — are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health.
On the first Friday in February, participants across the country wear red to help raise awareness of the No. 1 killer of women in America – cardiovascular disease.
Town employees participated in National Wear Red Day in order to show their support and to help raise awareness locally. Thank you to everyone who showed their support!
Our Town office staff proudly doing their part on #NationalWearRedDay in recognition of #AmericanHeartMonth. From left to right: Morgan Christenson, Rick Farr, Mayor Megan Cook, Jill Sherwood, Lorraine Gould, Christy Spindler, Dawn Hutchison, Kathy Ruf, Lynn Thomas, Kody Cario, Shelby Ruf, Bev Williamson, Carol Callahan, Laura Diem, Luis Perez, Tom Diem, and Greg Mueller.
SWINGS SET
Maintenance team freshens up Idlewild Park swing sets
In February, our Public Works Maintenance Crew went out to help repair and restore the swing sets at Idlewild Park ahead of Spring.
They added a fresh coat of paint, along with new swings/ hardware that have the sets looking and operating as good as new! A break in the weather, along with less traffic in
the off season made it a perfect time to get the job done.
Great work by our team of Greg Webb, Drew Griffith, Andrew Hubbard, Timmy Lyons, Brandon Watkins, Sam Pearson, and Supervisor Larry Wroten on getting this done so quickly. Also, thanks to the furry little helper who happened to swing by!
&
ICE
festival delights downtown Easton
Easton
Easton Police
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Mayor Megan Cook for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!
Megan (and her dog, Blue) now have a $25 gift card to PetSmart for her submission that landed on the February cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter.
You could be the next winner by submitting your potential cover photos to gmueller@ eastonmd.gov. If your submission is chosen, you too will win a $25 gift card!
NEXT STEPS
Easton Police Department promotes three officers in leadership roles
Joey Schinault Promoted to Sergeant
Anthony Cullings Promoted to Corporal
Frank Sova Promoted to Corporal
Human Resources
Birthdays
MARCH
Brian Carroll
Justin Conaway
Megan Cook
Frank Creegan
Mark Hrobar
Justin Jones
Noah Klaus
Joseph Mayer
Tyrell Pierce
Miguel Salinas
Lynn Thomas
Anniversaries
MARCH
Gregory Hall - 3 years
Nicholas Johnson - 4 years
Mary Moyer - 27 years
Tyrone Perry - 4 years
MAC IN ACTION
Beat the Winter Blues with a Childhood Classic
(Feature Impact) If a cold snap has you feeling blue, turn back the clock and warm up the kitchen with a kid-friendly favorite the whole family can enjoy. Mac and cheese is a staple in households across the country, and this version with made-from-scratch sauce will leave your loved ones asking for more.
To make it a full-blown meal, pair Simple Skillet Mac and Cheese with grilled or pan-seared chicken to forget about the weather with time together.
SIMPLE SKILLET MAC AND CHEESE
Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Total time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6
3 1/2 cups water, plus extra if needed
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk, divided 12 ounces pasta shells
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks salt & ground black pepper, to taste
In nonstick skillet over high heat, bring water, 1 cup evaporated milk and shells to simmer. Season with salt, to taste. Cook, stirring, until pasta is tender and liquid thickens, 9-12 minutes.
In small bowl, whisk remaining evaporated milk, cornstarch and dry mustard. Stir into skillet. Continue simmering until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in batches, adding water to adjust consistency. Stir in butter then season with salt and pepper, to taste.
