GOOD NEWS in Crisfield – August 2017 Newsletter

Hello, again, good people,

I apologize for being late with this newsletter. There was a bad storm in Crisfield, which knocked out my Internet, and it took a week for the cable company to get to me for the repair. In any case, there’s a lot of Good News to report, and more coming…
WEBCAM:

• Crisfield’s first webcam launched on August 2nd, with WBOC-TV doing live broadcasts and special features about Crisfield in several broadcasts that day. The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition (GCAC) signed a two year contract for a WBOC-TV webcam to broadcast views of Crisfield during the news and weather reports. A different business or organization will sponsor the webcam each month, starting with Water’s Edge Cafe. Set atop Captain’s Quarters condominiums, the camera takes in views of the Tangier Island Cruise Boat at dock, the Crisfield water tower, the waterfront, buildings, and boats around the marina in addition to the horizon and water traffic leading to the City Dock. The camera will take in sunsets and sunrises too. The WBOC engineers were impressed with the views of the Crisfield waterfront, and they weren’t the only ones. When they called Spectrum tech support to get the final connections for high speed Internet that would enable the engineers to remotely control the camera, the lady from Spectrum in NC who could also see the views the camera was capturing said, “Oh, it’s beautiful there. Where is this…?!” Meteorologist Dan Satterfield said he has been wanting a camera in Crisfield for a long time. He said storms come from the direction of the camera, and he’ll be able to watch the clouds roll in as storms approach Delmarva. Chet Cornman, WBOC Media Consultant, said the broadcasts are not only viewed by WBOC’s 500,000 viewers, but many people outside the area view the webcams online, and this will help promote Crisfield beyond the Delmarva region.

Here are some links from the WBOC broadcast about the webcam:
https://youtu.be/iWkAkAmCxpQ
http://www.wboc.com/clip/13551018/crisfield-tourist-profile
https://youtu.be/RkCVgUtsVTE
WATER’S EDGE CAFE:

• Dan Nelson, owner of Water’s Edge Cafe, Rock Around The Dock Diner, and Circle Inn with his wife Mary, is the first business owner to sponsor the webcam. Dan sponsored Water’s Edge for the month of August on the webcam and was swamped as a result of the broadcasts and the buzz about the webcam. In fact, people came from Salisbury, Berlin, and Ocean City. The surge has continued over the weekend, with all three dining rooms at Water’s Edge being full at times as a result. This shows the power of television and promoting your business on the new webcam. Dan and Mary’s businesses have continued to grow, and they have hired new employees as a result and are looking to hire more.

CRISFIELD WEATHER WATCHER:

• Somers Cove Marina is in the process of becoming WBOC’s newest Weather Watcher. During weather broadcasts, the meteorologists refer to the temperature and rainfall, etc. at various locations on Delmarva through their Weather Watcher program. Crisfield’s weather has not been a part of the programming in several years, and now the marina will fill that void. Not only will it allow people to know the weather in Crisfield, but it is free publicity each time Crisfield’s name is mentioned as well as Somers Cove Marina’s name. These small steps add up, as we continue to look for ways to keep Crisfield in the news in a positive way.

RED SHELL SHANTY:

• Somers Cove Marina has been granted a beer, wine, and liquor license to operate a tiki bar inside the marina. Calling it Red Shell Shanty, the bar will offer sandwiches, snacks and beverages to slip holders, transient boaters, and their guests. The marina already has more amenities than most of the marinas they are competing with. Among their amenities are a swimming pool, 3 laundry facilities, 7 modern Comfort Stations, air conditioned bath houses, barbecue pits, a bait and tackle store, etc. For a complete list, see: http://somerscovemarina.com/amenities.html. The new tiki bar will be another amenity the marina can offer to attract more boaters to Somers Cove Marina. At the same time, more boaters at Somers Cove can mean more traffic for area restaurants and shops as boaters stay longer and explore the town or have a nice meal in a restaurant.

BUY BOAT EVENT:

• The Buy Boat parade, tours, and related activities took place on July 28-30 at Somers Cove Marina. Even in “terrible weather,” the event was a huge success. There were 12 boats and 45-50 captains and their family members. Tom Schisler, Executive Director at Somers Cove Marina, said even though the weather was bad, the crowds who came really enjoyed the buy boats and the play “The Waterman’s Daughter.” Tom said, “Word is getting out about Crisfield and Somers Cove Marina.  Our boat piers are fuller this year than last year, especially on the weekends, and people are enjoying being here. During the Buy Boat weekend there was a really different feel in Crisfield, a certain vibrancy, and it felt really good.” According to organizer Jay Tawes, “The captains said this was the most loving and receptive community they’ve ever met.” That’s the Crisfield we know and love!

CRISFIELD MARINE CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY:

• Crisfield has a new marine canvas and upholstery shop on West Main Street across from Subway. The owner, Renee Kuhn, moved here last October from Texas after searching the Internet for affordable housing near the waterfront. She started her business from her home on Maryland Avenue and two months ago moved the business to the Main Street location. She does canvas for boats, upholstery, golf carts, and patio furniture, and has customers from Chincoteague, Ocean City, Salisbury, and locally. Her business is growing, and she expects to hire employees in the future. It’s nice to see customers coming here from outside the area. Each time we attract people to Crisfield for business or pleasure, it is an opportunity for them to get to know the town and the people, shop or eat here, and fill up with gas before they leave. Hopefully, they’ll come back and tell others about our piece of paradise.

MARSHALL’S MARINE, LLC:

• Marshall’s Marine will be opening soon in their new location across from the Elks Club on Route 413. Expanding from their shop behind their home, they will offer bottom painting, boat repair and boat storage for $1 per day. This is another sign of growth, and we wish them well in serving local and visiting boaters.

HEATH’S CRABPOTS:

• On July 17th, President Trump held a ceremony at the White House recognizing one company from each state that produced products made in America. A local business, Heath’s Crabpots, represented Maryland. Heath’s Crab Pots opened more than 40 years ago and is the largest manufacturer of pots in the Chesapeake region. Good publicity for a local business and also for Crisfield in general.

JAVA JAY’S:

• Java Jay’s is set to open Labor Day weekend, with a soft launch the week before. Located next to the Laundromat uptown, the new shop will offer sodas, coffee, pastries, and candy. The shop includes a lounge area, and currently a new handicapped accessible bathroom is being installed.

BAY GIFT VAULT:

• Crisfield newest gift shop, the Bay Gift Vault, is hosting a Poetry Performance Reading on September 2 at 4:00 PM by Marcus Colasurdo with complimentary refreshments including wine and cheese. The author of 11 books, Mr. Colasurdo is also the founder of Gimme Shelter Productions, a non-profit organization of artists whose performances benefit homeless shelters, after school programs, free community meals and clothing projects (through the SOUL KITCHENS, established in Baltimore and Hazleton, Pa. to help alleviate hunger in our communities) and other worthy causes. Mr. Colasurdo’s performance poetry has been described as “moving, dynamic, humorous, heartfelt and spellbinding.” He hails from the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania, and frequently enjoys visiting Crisfield.

CUSTOM’S HOUSE:

• The Heritage Foundation has raised a total of $26,000 in four grants to hire an architect to study and make recommendations on the best use and layout of the space at the Custom’s House. This landmark building has undergone major renovations thus far, and is continuing toward a full restoration and use in the downtown area.

TERRAPIN SANDS:

• Terrapin Sands, the new business on the water near Captain Tyler’s Restaurant, is setting up to book outdoor events and weddings. Captain Larry Tyler will also offer boat tours, launching from the dock there. This provides another new opportunity for people to enjoy the waterfront in Crisfield.

LOWER FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt and Councilman Mark Konapelsky are participating in Work Sessions that could help Crisfield achieve a higher rating in the Community Rating System, which is under the auspices of the National Flood Insurance Program. If successful, their work would result in lower flood insurance costs for residents perhaps two years from now. This important effort would be a real benefit to citizens as well as to prospective buyers in the new property developments on the horizon and existing homes that are for sale as well.

RECREATION SPACES:

• The City of Crisfield is working on developing a Passive Park adjacent to Carvel Hall that will tie in with the new Bike Trail coming from Westover to Crisfield. The City is also putting in a new kayak launch. I will have more details in the next newsletter. More recreational space will be a big plus for residents and visitors alike.

FREE FISHING AT THE CITY DOCK:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt reported that the Department of Natural Resources committee responsible for reviewing applications for free fishing sites in Maryland has recommended 12-0 that Crisfield be granted free fishing activity at the City Dock.  We are awaiting final approval by the Department.

CONDO PRICES RISING:

• Two condos sold in Crisfield in June for between $200,000 and $299,999 with an average price of $237,500. It would seem to indicate that condo values are starting to rise. In past years there were many foreclosures with condos selling below $200,000, even as low as $125,000. The condos remain a great value for buyers and are certain to rise as Crisfield moves forward with new shops and attractions. I know one of the original buyers at Captain’s Quarters who lived in Alexandria, Virginia and checked out condos from Annapolis to Crisfield, finding that Crisfield had the best values even at the top of the bubble, and also the best views by far. One thing for sure, they aren’t making anymore waterfront!

My next newsletter will be around Labor Day. There are three more new businesses coming to Crisfield that I know about along with two more GCAC projects in the works, and hopefully I’ll be able to report on those then along with all the other Good News. Crisfield is definitely on the rise, and it is my pleasure to share with you what I know about.
Until next time, best regards to all,
Charlotte
Charlotte Scott, President
Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, Inc.
P.O. Box 144
Crisfield, MD 21817
www.GreaterCrisfieldMD.org
410-251-1669
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  — Margaret Mead, anthropologist