Local Writer Celebrates 10 Years of Weekly Musings

Jamie Kirkpatrick reflects on a decade of chronicling life in Chestertown, Maryland

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jamie Kirkpatrick, a writer and photographer based in Chestertown, Maryland, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his weekly column for the local publication The Chestertown Spy. Over the past decade, Kirkpatrick has shared his musings on everything from the changing seasons to his personal views on national and global events, building a loyal following among readers.

Why it matters

Kirkpatrick's column provides a unique local perspective on life in a small Chesapeake Bay town, offering readers a window into the daily joys and concerns of the community. As a longtime resident, his reflections on the passage of time and evolving social and political landscapes resonate with many in the region.

The details

Kirkpatrick began his weekly column, which he calls his "happy discipline," in 2016 after spotting a flock of geese flying overhead. Over the years, his writing has ranged from lighthearted observations about the weather and his friends to more pointed commentary on national and global issues that he feels are impacting his local community. While he initially focused on "little things," Kirkpatrick says he eventually felt compelled to address weightier topics, despite some concerns from his wife about potentially losing readers.

  • Kirkpatrick wrote his first column on the first Saturday of February 2016.
  • This week marks the 10th anniversary of Kirkpatrick's weekly column.

The players

Jamie Kirkpatrick

A writer and photographer based in Chestertown, Maryland, who has been writing a weekly column for The Chestertown Spy for the past 10 years.

The Chestertown Spy

A local publication in Chestertown, Maryland, that has been publishing Kirkpatrick's weekly column for the past decade.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I didn't start off with much in the way of expectations. Unconsciously, I left the heavier lifting to all my Spy colleagues with much more political experience and acumen than I. Instead, I chose to write about little things: the weather, my friends, our little house, or the view from our front porch.”

— Jamie Kirkpatrick, Writer

“Then, about a year ago, I looked in the mirror and saw a man standing on the sidelines. There was a lot going on in the world I didn't think was right, so I decided to veer in a slightly different direction, hardly brass-knuckle politics, maybe just some personal umbrage about what was emanating from Washington and infecting not only the American hinterland, but also the whole world.”

— Jamie Kirkpatrick, Writer

The takeaway

Kirkpatrick's weekly column has provided a consistent and thoughtful local perspective for readers in Chestertown over the past decade, chronicling the rhythms of small-town life while also grappling with broader social and political issues. His commitment to his "happy discipline" of weekly musings has resonated with the community and serves as a reminder of the value of local journalism and storytelling.