January 2019 GCAC ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

Hello and Happy 2019!

I hope that Christmas was a special time for you and your family, and I also hope and pray that 2019 will be an outstanding year for all of you. As for Crisfield, the city is getting off to an outstanding start of the New Year. There are many promising things underway, and it feels to me like things are coming together from all angles. This newsletter, brought to you by the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition (GCAC), gives you a sampling: we are preserving our heritage; our schools are improving; we have projects on the horizon for recreation and for youth; we are getting recognized in the region; and we are positioning ourselves for growth. That’s A LOT for the first month of the year, and just like the year, we are only getting started…!

Here is the latest ‘Good News’ for January:
GCAC MEETING WITH SENATOR CAROZZA OFFERS GREAT HOPE:

• On January 4th, 36 leaders from the City, County, and State gathered to discuss ways to work together to help bring about Crisfield’s economic recovery. The meeting focused on the need for a Hotel and Conference Center as a key piece of an overall plan.

• The meeting hosted by GCAC and attended by the GCAC Board of Directors included Crisfield’s City Manager and three Crisfield City Council members, three Somerset County Commissioners, Delegate Charles Otto, Somerset County’s Director of Economic Development, representatives from the Somerset County Tourism Office, Janes Island State Park, and Somers Cove Marina, along with state leaders from various departments including the Director of Community Initiatives, the Director of the Governor’s Grants Office, the Director for Outreach for the Governor’s Office, the Director of the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Office of Planning, and a Senior Business Development Representative for the Maryland Department of Commerce. The meeting was requested by Senator-elect Mary Beth Carozza to determine the consensus around building a Hotel/Conference Center in Crisfield.

• Ocean City developer Peck Miller made a presentation on the comprehensive plan he envisions for Crisfield’s rejuvenation. He has been meeting with GCAC’s Executive Committee since Fall 2018 to develop steps forward beginning with a Hotel and Conference Center. He said Crisfield can be a “model for other small towns across America” who are struggling with the same problems we have here.

• Senator Carozza, representing all of Somerset County, stated that, “We have a tremendous opportunity now for all of our partners to work together on Crisfield’s economic development and jobs priorities. “We have strong partners at every level — Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, the City of Crisfield, Somerset County, Governor Hogan’s Administration, and our private-sector, community, and faith-based leaders — to move forward for Crisfield to keep and attract more Marylanders and visitors to live, work, and enjoy the Crisfield area.”

Folks, this is an exciting time, and we are working diligently on all aspects to see what the next steps will be. See the news article from the January 9th County Times for more details, and stay tuned!

County Times – January 9, 2019

County Times – January 9, 2019 – cont


WARD BROTHERS WORKSHOP BEING REPAIRED AND RESTORED:

• The Crisfield Heritage Foundation (CHF) is spearheading a multi-year repair and restoration of the “original” Ward Brothers workshop. This is where they made their world-famous decoys that are now prized by collectors around the world. For example, two pintails carved in 1936 recently sold at auction for $42,480 at the annual Waterfowl Auction in Easton. Previously, a Goldeneye Drake sold for $109,250 in Easton and a Broadbill Drake sold for $51,750 in New York. And to think it all began many years ago right here in Crisfield with decoy carving in the little workshop of our very own, Lem and Steve Ward!

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• Over 25 years ago, a dedicated group of local volunteers led by Jack Schroeder established Ward Brothers, Inc., and saved the workshop from total destruction, which had been ravished by many years of neglect and weather. The workshop was re-positioned on higher ground and placed under a common roof for preservation. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places with the National Park Service, the workshop proudly stands as the crown jewel honoring the legacy of the Ward Brothers.
• To ensure that this iconic cultural treasure will remain a beacon for future generations of wildfowl carvers and Ward enthusiasts, CHF is diligently accomplishing detailed repair & restoration to many of the shop’s exterior features. As an example, all eight windows of “Lem’s leanto” were painstakingly re-crafted and are now fully functional as they were “back in the day”. The Maryland Historical Trust noted that, “The rehabilitation that you have conducted is quite admirable.” Congratulations CHF, and thanks for all you do to preserve and present our *unique* and wonderful culture and heritage to the world!
• If you would like to help CHF with the restoration or make a donation to preserve the workshop, contact the Executive Director, Casey Goldsborough, at [email protected], 410-968-2501 or Project Chairman, Terry Pehan, at [email protected], 410-968-2642.

JANES ISLAND STATE PARK GETS RAVE REVIEWS:

• People who kayak find Janes Island State Park “One of the 5 gorgeous places to paddle” according to the Washington Post. See https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/2018/10/03/gorgeous-places-paddle-this-fall-all-within-few-hours-dc/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8571fe6edae5
• Visitors consistently give the park excellent reviews on Trip Advisor where the park has earned a Certificate of Excellence for its beauty, cleanliness, campsites, service, and 30 miles of clearly marked water trails. What an asset for Crisfield and the region!

CRISFIELD NATURE PRESERVE SET TO OPEN IN MAY:

• According to City Manager Rick Pollitt, “Work is moving forward rapidly on the development of the Crisfield Nature Preserve just west of Carvel Hall.  The park will complement the soon-to-be bicycle Rails to Trails path and will provide walking trails through the woods with stops for educational signs about the flora and fauna found in the area.  The Somerset County Department of Recreation and Parks has helped enormously with grant acquisition to survey the park, identifying wetlands and indicating where trails could be safely installed.  We’re looking forward to a May grand opening.” The Preserve will be enjoyed by Crisfield residents and visitors, and will add to our outdoor activities.
• THE GATHERING PLACE HAS NEW SERVICE:
• The Gathering Place at 4012 Crisfield Highway is offering a new curbside service. Call 410-968-1600 and place your order, and they will call you when it’s ready and bring it out to your car. The service is available sunshine, rain, or snow. It will really come in handy during these wintry days right now. Thank you, Gathering Place, for making our lives easier and our tummies fuller.

CRISFIELD CITY LIGHTS FROM ABOVE:

• William Johnson is our local drone aficionado who has taken it upon himself to capture Crisfield from a bird’s eye view during events and at different times of day or night and from various parts of town. Recently he posted a video he called “Crisfield City Lights” that I know you will enjoy. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YRr9t_C6yc
• I love his initiative and his generosity in sharing!
  

SMITH ISLAND CAKE CLASS OFFERED:

• On January 29th at 6:00 PM, Somerset Free Methodist Church at 4429 Beechwood Place is offering lessons on using the Insta-Pot and making the iconic Smith Island Cake. Call 410-968-2648 for more information or look them up on the Somerset Free Methodist Facebook page.

CRISFIELD SCHOOLS GET HIGH MARKS:

• Crisfield’s two schools, Crisfield Academy and High School and Woodson Elementary School, scored 4 out of 5 stars in a state rating that was released last month. It was the first time the state issued a star rating for public schools as part of a school accountability system that tells parents, students, and teachers how well a school is doing. The ratings go from a minimum of one to a maximum of five based on academic achievement, school quality and student success, curriculum, graduation rates, absenteeism, and readiness for postsecondary success. Crisfield schools scored as well as neighboring Worcester County schools, which also received 4 star ratings. Worcester County has considerably more resources to put into educational programs because of Ocean City’s tax base, but our schools performed well just the same. We should proud of our schools, our teachers, and our students!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE GETS EXTENSION FOR BUILDING:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt reported that the State Community Development Block Grant Program has agreed to extend the project deadline to 2020 for the new It Takes A Village afterschool facility to allow time for them to raise additional funds beyond the $800,000 provided by that program.  Right now, the project has secured about half what is needed for the facility they desire. In addition, at the meeting on January 4th, Senator Carozza informed the group that the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives has 40-50 surplus computers to donate to a non-profit.  It Takes a Village has contacted them to determine the requirements and process to receive the computers for their youth programs. This will be a great benefit to kids in Crisfield. Thank you, Governor!
• Well, there you have it again. Month after month we see things moving forward. And whether it’s something great or small, it all adds up! I’m anxious to see what Crisfield looks like in 2020 and 2025 when many things have been completed and are working well. Maybe William Johnson will take more videos along the way so we can compare from now until then. It’s going to be a Crisfield we can be proud of!
  

Best regards for a Happy and Holy New Year,

Charlotte

*The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, Inc. (GCAC) is a 501(c)3 not for profit economic development corporation run by an all-volunteer, non-paid Board of Directors

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