The Local Source for News and Information Since 1980
Mission: To treat the citizens of Caroline County with respect and dignity through free access to news and information.
The Caroline Review was founded by Adelaide Warfield in 1980 with the goal of providing local news and information to the people of Caroline County, Maryland. Mrs. Warfield’s son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Loretta, purchased the magazine in 1991, and successfully published it for 33 years. Some of the partnerships with advertisers and content providers remain intact today, a testament to the legacy of “providing the community with news, information and advertisements.”
The Caroline Review was purchased in May 2024 by Debbie Bowden, who as publisher, saw the opportunity to grow the brand and expand its reach. In October 2024, Ms. Bowden introduced a Caroline County-centric news service on carolinereview.com, to bring sourced, reported news to the people of Caroline County. In a time of unsubstantiated and biased rhetoric being taken as “news” through social media, the Caroline Review magazine and online news service is a welcomed alternative to inform residents and businesses of the issues that impact their lives. It is a hyperlocal media outlet that spotlights the people and situations in this rural, close-knit community.
Through the established partnerships of advertisers and contributors, and a growing staff who support the operations, Caroline Review magazine and carolinereview.com news service will flourish while staying true to its roots. The goal remains for readers to continue to exclaim, “I love that magazine!”
Debbie Bowden, Publisher/Editor
Debbie purchased the Caroline Review magazine in May 2024. She began her career in the newspaper business and took a circuitous path through transportation service and state & local government back to publishing. She has a varied professional background – she’s been in the private sector and the public sector, she’s worked for family businesses and large organizations, and she’s been at the front line for customer service and in strategic leadership roles. Before striking out on her own, she was Director of Caroline County Economic Development & Tourism, during which time she learned the value of open communication for residents and businesses in the county. She earned degrees in journalism and political science, and she is a graduate of Leadership Maryland and Shore Leadership.
Debbie currently serves as Chair, Board of Trustees, Adkins Arboretum, and President of the Caroline County Adult Day Care Foundation, Inc. She is a member of the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce. Her hobbies include activities that she enjoys but isn’t very good at like gardening, DIY home improvements, and cat-herding.
Email Debbie at publisher@carolinereview.com
Connie Connolly, Senior Correspondent
Connie Connolly began her writing career as recording secretary for her 4-H Club in northern Queen Anne’s County. Born in Chestertown with deep ancestral routes on the Eastern Shore, she was raised in the tiny hamlet of Unicorn. She graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Salisbury University. She and her husband Gary live in Denton and share five grown children and seven grandchildren. They are active members of St. Benedict-St. Elizabeth Parish.
Over the years, Connie has been a freelance writer, ordained Methodist minister, English and journalism teacher, reporter and editor, retiring in 2021 as managing editor of The Star Democrat. During her writing career, she has won 40 writing awards, with most from four professional journalism associations. In May 2024, she was one of a dozen Maryland broadcast and print journalists to be honored for excellence in journalism by the Maryland State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In June 2024, she won five national awards in five categories, including three first-place awards, from the National Federation of Press Women.
Email Connie at connie@carolinereview.com
Joanne Gelles, Storyteller
Joanne Gelles has an interest in all things unique and creative. She is a resident of Denton, Maryland, and is well known as a teacher of mixed media art, mosaics, and other crafts. When she’s not talking to people and relating their stories, she can be found at the Caroline County Council of Arts, local restaurants, coffee shops, and private homes spreading the joy of creativity. Joanne is a creative face painter and enjoys doing her craft at local festivals.
She moved to the Eastern Shore from Washington DC about 30 years ago, where she attended the University of Maryland to study creative writing, art and education. It is where she developed her love of storytelling and good conversation.
Email Joanne at info@carolinereview.com
Tammy Coulbourne, Social Media Coordinator
Tammy is a Caroline County native and has lived in the County all her life (with the exception of 10 years on the wrong side of the Choptank River). She is a graduate of Colonel Richardson High School and Wilmington College.
Her heart is in serving the community, and she was honored for such in 2016 with the Caroline County You Are Beautiful Volunteer Award. She is a current member and Recording Secretary of Caroline County Garden Club, Former Board of Directors member and Publicity Chair for Preston Historical Society, former member and President of the Community Club of Preston. One of her passions is visiting Little Free Libraries, and she is the steward of the Book Garden on Gannon-Little Free Library #134292.
Tammy’s hobbies include reading, gardening, hiking, and visiting Little Free Libraries. She has been married 34 years and is the mother of one daughter and three fur babies.
Email Tammy at social@carolinereview.com
Anna Jean Powell, Administrative Support
Anna Jean grew up on the Eastern Shore and called it home her whole life (with the exception of a brief stint in the mountains of Western Maryland). She has worked in retail and childcare, and both experiences prepared her for being organized and efficient in supporting the Caroline Review. She is active in her church and brings forth the Word through her beautiful singing. She loves spending time with her nearly-new husband and very-new baby boy. Anna Jean thinks that the absolute best food in the world is mashed potatoes, with a side of meatloaf.
Email Anna Jean at info@carolinereview.com
