April 2018 ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

Hello, good folks!

First, I wish you a Happy and Holy Easter Season. For Christians, it’s Resurrection time! And you’ll see that Crisfield is being resurrected too! Here is the ‘Good news’:

KINGSBAY MANSION EXPANSION:

• Kingsbay Mansion in Marion at 27999 Coulbourn Creek Road has begun preparations to add a new ballroom (The Kingsbay Ballroom) to the existing structure. The new wing will be capable of seating 350 people at tables for weddings and 450 theater style for concerts and events eliminating the need for tents. Stay tuned for news of a monthly concert series with headline artists to premier in the spring of 2019. This is great news for Crisfield as some of these visitors will come into Crisfield for accommodations, gas, shopping, and meals. See the attached picture of the mansion and learn more at: http://www.kingsbaymansion.com/index.html

PLEIN AIR EVENT 2018 INFO from Debra Howard:

• Plein Air Crisfield 2018 is shaping up to be a big success. Over 30 nationally recognized artists are signed up to attend, and all are excited to paint our quirky and authentic town. “Plein Air” is just a fancy term for “painting in the open air.” A plein air painting is achieved without use of photography for reference, so the paintings have a distinctly fresh and spontaneous quality to them. The artists begin painting, in and around Crisfield, Thursday May 24 and wrap up Saturday, May 26. Fresh paintings will be available for sale at the Customs House from 4:00-7:00 PM during the 4th Saturday Bay Stroll. A few artists are still looking for host housing. This entails giving an artist a room to stay in for the event, with or without meals. The benefit to the host…. is meeting an interesting artist and usually the artist gifts the host with a small painting. If you are interested, please contact Debra Howard at the Art Center for Crisfield at [email protected]. Attached are samples of artwork from Crisfield and area artists.

CRAB AND CRUISE GROWTH:

• The Crab Place has scheduled 20 Crab & Cruise events for the 2018 season, and may add a couple more dates this year. Tickets sales have been really strong, with over 700 tickets sold in January, for example, and some events are already sold out as people lock in their trip to the Crab Capital. Starting out with one event per year years ago, demand has been steadily increasing for this popular event that will bring around 5,000 people to Crisfield this year. See the video at https://youtu.be/B2lozC50BY0

APRIL EVENTS IN CRISFIELD – from Somerset County Tourism Office:

• April 7:  Fritz Fest 2:00 to 11:00 PM. Crisfield Elks Lodge #1044, 4410 Crisfield Highway, Crisfield.  All day event where you can enjoy three different bands including Bird Dog & the Road Kings, Left Hand Luck, Smitty and On The Edge.  $20 entry fee.  In memory of Elk Member Fritz Gerald.  Donations to Brothers at Arms motorcycle group.  For more information, please visit facebook.com/events/1704489892959915
• April 14:  Union Asbury Cemetery Restoration – Part 2: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bill Gaylon Lane, Crisfield.  Join the Chesapeake Story Tours group as they continue the rehabilitation of the Union Asbury Cemetery in Crisfield.  The second round of Phase 1 will focus on the oldest section of the cemetery.  Attendees are encouraged to bring rakes, shovels, axes, chainsaws, brush cutters, trimmers, etc.  Rain date is April 15 at the same times.  Students will get community service hours.  ATVs with trailers are also needed to assist with the removal of dirt.  Volunteers need to register and sign a release.  Email [email protected] for forms.  If you would like to help, but can’t be there, donations are still needed and you can donate online at: https://www.gofundme.com/union-asbury-cemetery-restoration
• April 14:  Oysters:  From Abundance to Aquaculture: 1:00-3:00 PM at the  J. Millard Tawes Museum, 3 Ninth Street, Crisfield.  Presented by the Somerset County Historical Society, in partnership with the Crisfield Heritage Foundation.  A part of the Lecture Series Stories of Somerset.  Free to the public.
• April 14:  Chesapeake Ghost Walks – Crisfield – 7:00 PM: Starting point: Baptist Temple, Corner of Main Street and Somerset Avenue, Crisfield.  Tour includes the Corbin Library, Ananias Crockett House, Crisfield Cemetery, Gossamer – Dr. R. R. Martin, Tawes Library, McCready Hospital, the Richard Christy House and more. Meet 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour.  For more information, please visit chesapeakeghosts.com
• April 22:  Elks Pride Lodge #194 Parade: Line-up is at 1 pm.  Musical units, floats, drill and cheer teams, equestrian units, clowns, classic cars, military units, civic groups, cub/boy/girl scout troops, school groups, social clubs/organizations and floats are encouraged and welcome.  Entries will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.  If your organization is interested in being a part of the parade, please email Dgt. Teina M Veney at [email protected] to request an application form.
• April 27:  The Bay Gift Vault Presents: Opening Reception with Artist Dave Marshall; 5:00-8:00 PM, 952 W. Main Street, Crisfield.
• April 28:  WBYC 107.3 Crisfield Community Radio Anniversary Party – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 4 S. Seventh Street, Crisfield.  Celebrate the anniversary of Crisfield’s Community Radio Station with free food, live music, games & prizes. See wbycradio.com
• Who says there’s nothing to do in Crisfield…? And it’s only April!

TRAVEL CHANNEL FEATURES CRISFIELD:

• Crisfield was featured on March 26 on the Travel Channel show called Booze Traveler, featuring actor/adventurer Jack Maxwell.  In his series, the guy goes all over the world to such places as Armenia, Nepal, Belize, India, Brazil, Hong Kong, and … Crisfield! The episode is called “Boozy Beginnings of the Chesapeake Bay” and shows him crabbing off the City Dock as well as participating in the Crab Derby crab races. In case you missed it, here’s a 12 minute video clip: https://www.facebook.com/crisfieldmd/videos/10155422963612467/ How about this free promotion of Crisfield to the Travel Channel’s 17 million viewers…? Is it luck or God’s favor? Personally, I don’t believe in “luck.”

GOLDSBOROUGH MARINE NEWS:

• Goldsborough Marine has the kind of news we’d like to see every business in Crisfield have – new products and new employees. Phil Goldsborough told me they have a new line of fiberglass boats by Seahawk this season, and will have 2019 pontoon boats for sale in July. They also have kayaks ready for the new kayak launch being built near the wind turbine on Seventh Street. Not only that, they have hired and are training two young men to work there fulltime. Isn’t that what Crisfield people say they want? Places where young people have a place to work and gain skills to make a living so they can stay in their hometown. Best wishes, Goldsborough Marine. I hope sales are so good you have to hire many more…!

SAM’S AUTO SALES GROWTH:

• I spoke with Sam Davis last week, and he told me his car business is “phenomenal.” Sales have been up and “it just keeps going.” In fact, he said in the last six months, they have sold “double what they normally do.” Sam says he “sees a difference in the economy and the people.” There is “definitely more optimism.” Optimism plays a big part in growth, success, healing, and every other aspect of life. So, I say to all the people out there, continue to think positive, optimistic, uplifting thoughts — and keep buying good cars from Sam!

LONG-TERM RECOVERY TO ELEVATE MORE HOMES:

• Finally, after an 18-month struggle with FEMA, the Long-Term Recovery Committee (LTRC) has been approved to elevate 5 more homes, most of which are in Crisfield. Three were approved  previously, for a total of 8. The $989,415 project award is being managed by Kim Hopkins, Construction Manager for LTRC. One of the homes has already been elevated, and she has broken ground on two more. Now she can proceed with the next 5. Kim also has an application pending for 3 more homes. That would make a total of 11 homes. Each time a Crisfield home is elevated, it’s an investment in the future for a local family. Good work, Kim and LTRC!

WATERFRONT PROPERTY VALUE A REAL BARGAIN:

• A relatively new resident of Crisfield was overheard expressing the opinion that one could purchase beautiful waterfront property with a boat slip in Crisfield for $250,000 that would cost $650,000 most anywhere else.  This gives Crisfield a great advantage and a lot of room for growth in property values.  Residents who have refinanced Crisfield real estate in the last year report that the federal government’s appraisals of Crisfield property values are significantly higher than current market pricing.  These property values and the tax base will continue to rise as we work together to continue to improve our infrastructure, the town’s general appearance, and the shopping and dining experience here.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

• As you may know, the City has gotten $3,510,000 in new streets and sidewalks in the past two years. In addition, we expect to be able to do more as the state reinstates the highway user funds that had been reduced by 95% over the past ten years. With the economy growing at a good rate and the President and Governor having infrastructure as one of their priorities, the City is hopeful of more funds to do more streets.

• Furthermore, the City has applied for $5,296,545 for our wastewater infrastructure and for flood gates and flap gates that will help us resolve problems with water leaks and flooding. This may be the largest amount we’ve ever applied for. The application is a combination of grants and loans, which would make a total of almost $9 million going into infrastructure. This is essential to Crisfield’s future, so please pray we get the funding to do what needs done!

QUOTE – DONNIE DREWER:

• Donnie Drewer, retired District Engineer of the Maryland State Highway Administration, said this about why he joined the GCAC Board: “I was very pleased when I was approached about joining the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition.  Being born and educated in Crisfield, I am excited to join this group of talented individuals as they come together with the primary mission of making Crisfield a better place to visit or to live.  With the help of the elected officials, I am sure we can make a difference!”

Yes, we all long to make a difference. And working together we can. What also makes a difference is two new employees here, and sales up there, and new product lines, and more and more events; plus new Visitor Guides and brochures, new wall art murals, several Paint the Town projects, the webcam promotion, the new Prospectus on Crisfield, elevated homes, improvements to infrastructure, etc. etc. etc. It all adds up to Crisfield being resurrected, becoming *all* it can be. And as the song says, “We’ve only just begun!”

Best,
​
Charlotte