Trees are available in sizes ranging from 4 feet to 10 feet with prices ranging  from $550 to $1,300.

 All tree sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the Gala Preview party.

 The Friends of Hospice present a magical display of decorated trees which is truly a highlight of the festival. These beautiful trees are sponsored by individuals, businesses and community organizations. Sponsors may decorate their own tree or opt to have it decorated by Festival of Trees volunteers.

 When the event is over the trees are delivered to the sponsors’ destination of choice. Some choose to display the tree in their own home or business, while other many donate the tree to an organization within the community.

 To sponsor a tree, please call

Sponsorship Chair, Midge Menzies 

at 410-819-FEST (3378) or 410-822-6663

We appreciate your support!

Hospice Memorial Tree

Call the Festival Hot line at 410-819-FEST for up-to-date information. All dates and times to be posted soon.

Festival of Fashion 
October 23, 2012  A runway style show kicks off the 2012 Festival of Trees.  Join us for an evening of fashion and fun.

Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag  
Watch out Santa, ladies night out! Featuring designer handbags, accessories and more. 

Dinner at The Crab Claw Restaurant 
All proceeds from the dinner at the world famous Crab Claw Restaurant in St. Michael’s will benefit the Festival of Trees. You don’t want to miss this night.

Preview Gala 
Begin the festival with a celebratory Gala featuring light fare, beverages and auction items. Is is the first opportunity to purchase gifts and decor for the holiday season. Black tie optional.

The Beautiful Holiday Trees and The Christmas Elves Shop
Holiday gifts.  A great place to start your shopping. Dates and times TBA.

Run/Walk for Hospice 
Join us Friday, Nov 23 at the Talbot County YMCA for a 10k run or a 5k run/walk. 

Candy Cane Lane
Santa, kids, crafts, fun and games….. need we say more. Bring your kids to Easton Elementary for Candy Cane Lane. Kids lunch is included in admission. A fantastic day for all

Daddy/Daughter Dances  &  Mother-Son Dance    

For daddies and daughters/ mothers and sons of all ages.  Dancing and fun for all. A perfect evening for you and your child.

Holiday Bingo
Calling all bingo lovers! This is a favorite of the week. Join in on a chance to win the jackpot, all for a great cause!

Homes Tour 2012 
See five unique and beautifully decorated homes in Talbot County.

Come join the Friends of Hospice in a wonderful celebration of the holidays! There is something for everyone.  All to benefit The Talbot Hospice Foundation.

Celebrate Life Every Day with the
new Talbot Hospice Home Services Discount Card

Click below for information:

Home Services Card

The Talbot Hospice Foundation is selling Home Services Cards for only $25.00.  The wallet-sized, plastic card offers discounts from 14 highly respected community service providers.  When you purchase the card your payment goes directly to the Talbot Hospice Foundation and support our compassionate work.

The following local businesses are on the card:

Advanced Pest Control

Blades Janitorial

Bountiful

Chucks Creative Carpentry

Electric by Miller

Garden Treasures

Greg Phillips Painting

Lights Out Lawn Care

The Lumberyard

Robins Nest

Total Home Performance

Town and County Liquors

Tri Crown Inn for Pets

Weems Landscaping

The cards make great gifts.  The number of cards is limited to 1000.  The cards expire on Dec. 31, 2012. You may use the card as many times as desired.  The card saves more in discounts than the purchase price of $25.00.   Please stop by Talbot Hospice House to purchase, or send in a check to 586 Cynwood Drive and the card will be mailed.  Thank you for your support.

Talbot Hospice Chaplain, Reverend Jody Gunn

Reverend Jody Gunn is the Talbot Hospice Chaplain.  An Ordained Minister, Reverend Gunn currently serves part-time as the Pastor of Family Ministries at the Church of the Brethren in Easton.  She has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education through Shore Health System at Memorial Hospital and is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity at Bethany Theological Seminary.

Reverend Gunn makes private visits to family members in their homes, in the Guest Wing at Hospice House, in the hospital, in nursing homes, or wherever one may call home.  Very often, the entire family becomes the focus of her pastoral care.

The Chaplain’s office is located inside the small chapel in the Hospice House Guest Wing. For further information on Talbot Hospice Foundation’s Spiritual Services, contact Reverend Jody Gunn  the Talbot  Hospice Chaplain at 410-822-6681.

Hospice volunteers work with patients in the Guest Wing, serve as companions in homes, play music, cook dinners, maintain the gardens, deliver supplies, grocery shop and staff the administration desk. The amount of training needed, depends upon the job that interests the volunteer. We just completed our Spring 2012 training. The next training session will be in October 2012.

For more information please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Piggott, email;
spiggott@talbothospice.org  or phone;  410-822-6681

Talbot Hospice Volunteers, Appreication Luncheon 2011 Talbot Country Club, Easton.

Volunteers 
Our 340 volunteers provide direct care to our guests and their families who are facing life’s final journey. They work in a variety of capacites both in the home and at the Talbot Hospice House.

Volunteers are Appreciated
The rewards of volunteering can be seen in the warm hugs, open hearts, and bright smiles of our guests. It is noted by our families who appreciate having help with end-of-life challenges. When our patients can no longer reach out to others, Talbot Hospice Volunteers arrive to assist.  Participating in this intimate personal experience can be a transforming.

The Foundation  is greatly appreciative and offers support with  educational in-services, and social events which support the camaraderie between volunteers. These include; an Appreciation Luncheon in May (supported in full by the Marita Menzies Foundation), a Family Crab Feast in the Fall, and a Winter-Holiday Wassail Party in December.

For more information on volunteering at Talbot Hospice please contact Susan Piggott, Volunteer Coordinator at spiggott@talbothospice.org.

Newly trained Volunteers Spring 2012

Volunteer Training

Talbot Hospice’s Volunteer Training Class is a comprehensive program addressing a variety of end-of-life issues including: hospice philosophy and care, fears and attitudes about death, spirituality, grief, listening skills, setting boundaries, family dynamics, the funeral process and job specifics. An additional 6-hour class teaches personal care skills. The training program is designed to prepare volunteers to work directly with patients, as caregivers in the Guest Wing or companions at home.

Training will take place in Fall 2012.  Please contact Susan Piggott, Volunteer Coordinator at 410-822-6681 for more information.  Email address: spiggott@talbothospice.org.

End-of-Life Doula Volunteer Training

Trained Talbot Hospice Volunteers can take an additional  Training Class to learn to serve as companions to patients and their families during the last few hours of life.  Doula Volunteers provide a non-judgmental presence, creat a calm and comforting atmosphere and journey with the patient and family in the final hours of life.  For more information please speak to Susan Piggott.

Guest Wing Caregiver Volunteers
Volunteers in the Guest Wing provide care to the residents.  They may assist with daily living tasks, provide companionship and assist with meals.

Compassionate Care, every day.

Companion Volunteers
Companion Volunteers visit with patients wherever they call ‘home’– in private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and the Hospice House Guest Wing. They offer friendship, companionship and provide family caregivers a break with respite care.

Administrative Volunteers
Administrative Volunteers greet visitors at the front desk, answer phones, sort mail, prepare mailings, file, assist with special events and are often the first connection for families seeking hospice services.

Doula Volunteers
Doula Volunteers assist  in the final hours of life.  They offer compassionate comanionship, a calming presence and provide practical information to the family.

A Gardening Volunteer tends to spring flowers in the Talbot Hospice Meditation Garden.

Gardening Volunteers 
Gardening Volunteers tend to the beautiful grounds surrouding Talbot Hospice House. Each season they care for the garden beds and provide the necessary steps to ensure that the grounds provide a refreshing respite to the soul.

Talbot Hospice New Volunteers Spring 2012

Talbot Hospice House Doula Volunteers Spring 2012

With a sincere desire to help others, a caring spirit, and time, you can become a valuable Talbot Hospice Volunteer.  Your help and support will make a huge difference in the lives of families facing the challenges at the end-of-life.  In return, you will receive more that you ever imagined.  A range of volunteer opportunities exists and your interests, talents and availability will be carefully considered.

At Talbot Hospice the staff and volunteers serve our patients and families during one of the most difficult, yet intimate times of their lives.

An interdisciplinary hospice team of professionals and volunteers provide support to families and patients residing at home, in a nursing or retirement facility and in the comfortable, residential setting of our Guest Wing on Cynwood Drive. The services that we provide include; pre hospice-Pathways, Hospice at Home, Guest Wing, Bereavement, Spirituality and Caregiver and Family Support Programs.

Through the generous support of a caring community, the Talbot Hospice Foundation offers patients and caregivers hope and dignity while facing end-of-life issues.

As we receive no insurance reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, giving to Talbot Hospice helps provide our services to the community.

Volunteering at Hospice is an equally vital way to give back to the community. Volunteers are the front line in our mission, and they experience a special fulfillment knowing that they have helped to lessen a burden for those facing life’s final journey.

Please check our calendar for up-to-date information on support groups, volunteer training, fundraising events, and the community’s beloved holiday event – The Annual Festival of Trees.

Talbot Hospice Guest Wing CNA Award 2012

Talbot Hospice Certified Nursing Assistants (l to r) Drusilla Barnett, Virginia Whittington, Valerie Hicks and Nancy Littrell pose for a photo after being recognized at a ceremony held at Chesapeake College by the Mid-Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council for their professionalism. Spring 2012

Hospice volunteers provide supportive care and assist the Guest Wing staff with hands on care. They cook, clean and provide companionship. Music volunteers play music in the hallways creating a calm, relaxing presence which is part of the holistic hospice.

Family members participate in the care of their loved one while in the Guest Wing and are required to help with care giving. The staff works on an individualized basis to determine specific needs.

Shore Home Care Hospice provides the medical services with the medical director, nurses, home health aides and social workers. Shore Home Care Hospice receives insurance reimbursement for these services and works closely with the Guest Wing staff to ensure a high quality of hospice care. Talbot Hospice Foundation does not receive any insurance reimbursement for its services.

June 15 and 16, 2012
sunrise to sunset
100 for Hospice
Talbot Country Club
Easton, MD
Alex Fritzshe, Ned McDonald, Karl Knade and Andy Crouch will play 5 rounds of 18 holes of golf plus another 10 to reach 100 holes of golf!
Donations are appreciated.
click here for sponsorhsip form100 for Hospice Order Form 

Kate Cox Associate Director of THF speaking before a group who requested a general overview on hospice programs.

Are you  interested in learning more about the Talbot Hospice Foundation and the services that are provided without charge to the community?  We are currently booking our 2012 presentation calendar.

Our staff is available to speak and can tailor the presentation to meet your needs. We can speak to a group of 6 or 60!  We speak to groups in a variety of locations, from churches, schools, in private homes, in public gathering places, wherever you may assemble.  We can have a panel of volunteers speak about volunteering, or we can send our bereavement coordinator to speak about grief.  We can speak about hospice in general, about Caregiving, or the Festival of Trees. Whatever it is that you want to know about hospice, we can accommodate with the hospice response.

Please call Peg Fitzgerald or Molly Kirsch at 410-822-6681. We will enthusiastically tailor a presentation to meet your specific interests.

Sample Presentation Topics

1. Hospice Overview – An explanation of all the various components that make up hospice services, the specific roles of Talbot Hospice and Shore Home Care Hospice, the steps to enrolling along with a historic perspective on hospice care.
2. Pre-Hospice Pathways – An overview of services available for those with a life-limiting illness whose journey still includes a search for a cure.
3. The Rewards of Volunteering – Volunteering opportunities, training session specifics and real life stories from THF volunteers.
4. Easing the Burden of Caregiving – Practical information, tips and tricks to provide personal care in the home.
5. Hospice Care vs. Traditional Medical Care – A discussion on hospice care vs. traditional medical care in dealing with end-of-life. Discusssion of the Five Wishes document.
6. Bereavement, Spiritual and Caregiver Support – Support groups for adults, children and individuals are reviewed in this presentation.
7. The Festival of Trees – For those interested in becoming involved with the Festival of Trees, we will coordinate a presentation with the Friends of Hospice.
8. The Stages of Death and Dying – Questions, practical information and common issues with the end-of-life. Discussion of facts and myths about the stages of death.

Guest Wing living room

Our residential Guest Wing at Hospice House has a comfortable home-like environment for those who can no longer be cared for at home. Guests receive individualized care by medical  professionals and hospice volunteers, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. 

Guest Wing Accomodations include:

• Six beautiful individual home like rooms with private baths, tv/cable and patio access to the meditation gardens.
• A community living room for family members to congregare and relax.
• A hospice chaplain who provides spiritual care.
• Bereavement and emotional support for families.
• Shore Home Care nurses and social workers who visit regularly.
• Trained hospice volunteers who provide hands on care and companionship.
• Occasional live soft music performed by our music volunteers.
  
  For more information please call the Director of the Guest Wing, Molly Kirsch, RN, BSN, CHPN, at 410-822-6681.
  
  The Talbot Hospice House Guest Wing is located at 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD,one block in from westbound Route 50.

Hospice Chaplain Jody Gunn

Spirituality addresses the meaning of life …the contentment with life. Spirituality is a part of each person’s being. At the end of life it is important to understand the impact that a life has had on those we love and how this life has made a difference. Spiritual care is anything we say or do that helps enrich and comfort a person. At the end of life, it is important for us to find meaning in dying through grieving. Our Hospice Chaplain can help provide spiritual and emotional guidance during this journey. Our goal is to make patients and their family members feel at ease during this difficult time.

Spiritual peace can make death more meaningful and acceptable. At the Talbot Hospice Foundation, Hospice Chaplain, Reverend Jody Gunn, helps hospice patients explore the meaning of their lives and find peace with death. All hospice guests, family members and friends are offered the spiritual care services provided by the Hospice Chaplain.

Reverend Gunn schedules visits on an individualized basis, with meetings lasting a half hour or less, depending on the request. She will work in partnership with your own pastor, supplementing his or her role if desired. The Hospice Chaplain assists the family in whatever way possible.

After the death, Talbot Hospice continues supporting the family with a variety of grief and bereavement programs which are offered in a compassionate and private setting.  Death brings a range of needs, from psychological, social, emotional, spiritual and even medical. Issues can overlap.  Taking the time to talk and sort through your thoughts with an understanding person can be very beneficial.

The purpose of the Talbot Hospice Spiritual Care Program is to support the family.  For further information contact Reverend Jody Gunn at 410-822-6681.

June 15 and  16 2012
Friday and Saturday-sunrise to sunset
100 for Hospice -’Celebrate Life Every Day’
Talbot Country Club Easton, MD
This annual golfing event features Alex Fritszche, Karl Knade, Andy Crouch and Ned McDonald, four Talbot Countians who play 100 Holes of Golf in just two days.  Five rounds plus 10 holes. The proceeds support Talbot Hospice. Donations in any amount are gratefully accepted.

2012 Spring Volunteer In-Service Programs
All volunteers who work directly with patients are required to complete at least one educational event per year. Programs meet at Hospice House. Reservations are required. Please call 410-822-6681.

May 4, 10, or 22, 2012
Fri., 10-11 am, Thurs., 5-6 pm, or Tues., 10:30-11:30 am
Safe Food Handling Techniques and Nutrition
Lynne Sinder, RD
Update on safe practices in the kitchen and proper nutrition.
All volunteers who cook dinners for Talbot Hospice must attend
one session (your choice). Mandatory.

The 2012 Festival of Trees Volunteers.

Announcing the 27th Annual Festival of Trees

“Light Up The Holidays”

Each year for the past 27 years, a group of dedicated volunteers has produced and incredible community event: the Festival of Trees. This year we start the festivities in September! And we all look forward to the holiday activities at the end of November. A perfect way to start your holiday season.

We have something for everyone. So stay tuned and return often. We will post all of the happenings…. including exciting information about our BIG raffle.

The Hospice Memorial Tree at the Festival

Handbags and accessories for the Santa's Got a Brand New Bag event

A holiday tea set at the Festival of Trees event

Tidewater Inn Chef at the Gala Preview Party

Please join us for Festival of Trees 2012 “Lighting up the holidays“

If you are interested in helping,please email the 2012 Chairman,
Sarah Keating
skeating76@yahoo.com