March 2018 ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

Good morning, good people,

Can you imagine how much fun it is to write about all the ‘Good News’ happening in Crisfield? I have to admit, I’d do this for free. Actually, I am! 🙂

But it really is a *joy* to see Crisfield come alive and to see us working together for the good of the whole. Here are a dozen topics I know you will appreciate hearing about:

HOYT HARBOR AT CORBIN PARK SET TO EXPAND:

• Mike and Della Corbin opened Hoyt Harbor (formerly Puff’s Place) at 4459 Crisfield Highway just north of Crisfield in June 2016. It is a gas station and convenience store that is known for its fried chicken and baked goods among other things. Now they are going to knock down a wall to expand the store into the next unit, which will add another 50% of store space so they can increase their seating capacity and their selection. Among the new items they will add will be a line of souvenirs and gift items. Also in the near future, they plan to add a Snowball Concession Stand along the bike trail that will run in front of their property. They already have the trailer plus water and electric lines there. In addition, they will add bathrooms for the bikers. Later on, Mike hopes to have a Seafood Market in the end unit on his property, which will either be run by him or rented and run by someone else. Best wishes to Mike and Della as they expand their operations!

EVANS BOATS IN THE NEWS:

• The Eugene Evans family and Evans Boats of Crisfield were featured in a recent print and online edition of Chesapeake Bay (To read the entire article with its photos, visit  https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.com/boatreviews/2017/12/19/9ubfpmts1vweid4scgrp8aeqi73ptn.) According to the article, the Evans family moved from Smith Island to Crisfield in 1973 and opened Evans Boat Repair in 1980.  In the ensuing 37 years, the business has grown into a 3 generation boat building business with models from 25 to 50 feet.   After recovering from a disastrous fire in 2006 and the recession of 2008, the Evans family continued the boat building and repair businesses and launched Evans Boats Restorers in 2011.  The article’s author, John Page Williams, states: “Family, community and the water shaped the legacy of this quintessential Crisfield boat builder” and concludes, “Through thick, thin, fire, recession, boom, and community, the Evans family has earned a solid reputation and enduring trust over nearly four decades.”  Crisfield is fortunate to have maritime businesses like those operated by the Evans family.  Below is one of the Evans Tour Boats. We need to get one of these for Crisfield!

TIM AND DORIS’S COUNTRY STORE AND MORE:

• I stopped by Tim and Doris’s at 930 West Main Street a couple of times last week, and both times people were carrying furniture out the door. Owner Doris Howlett said that there’s been a “big change” since they moved to the downtown location. She said, “It was the right decision.” I asked her who was shopping there, and she said more locals were coming in because people found the location more convenient. Also, people who live in the condos have been coming in, with many saying, “We’re glad you’re here.” It really is a lovely shop filled with Amish furniture, some antiques, glassware, candles, and other decor. It’s a great addition to the downtown and complements what’s already there.

NEW BUSINESS AWARDS:

• At its Annual Banquet, the Crisfield Chamber acknowledged 9 new businesses in Crisfield and presented a handsome plaque to each. (See example below.)  That’s a significant number for Crisfield, and more are on the way. The nine businesses who opened in Crisfield in 2017 were: Java Jay’s, Bay Gift Vault, Cafe’s Carry Out, Marshall’s Marine, Tim and Doris’s Country Store and More, The Gathering Place, LMEN Seafood, Crisfield Marine Canvas & Upholstery, and Barb’s Crisfield Flowers. I read recently that small, family-owned businesses like these make up two thirds of the GDP and three fourths of the job creation. It’s a bold step for anyone to open a new business and especially in a small town like Crisfield, but each one is doing well as they have gained support from both the community and from visitors. They are the backbone of the national and local economy, and they need our support to survive and thrive.

ALL SIGNS OF PROGRESS ADD UP:

• Linda Singh, owner of the Bay Gift Vault, is getting customers on a regular basis from Salisbury. Recently, one said, “Is this the store from New York City? Are you from New York City? I heard about it from my friend in Salisbury and had to come check it out.” (Yes, Linda is from NYC.)  Dan Nelson said at Water’s Edge they have changed the menu to more upscale selections, and it is working. For example, they are offering Shrimp Scampi, Stuffed Shrimp, and Chicken Granchio. People are responding well to the new offerings.

SMOKIN’ ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY EVENT:

• A major, new event is coming to Crisfield this summer called “Smokin’ on the Dock of the Bay”.  Sponsored by Somers Cove Marina and Friends of Crisfield, the event involves a barbeque competition with 80 pit masters competing. Sandy Fulton, who founded the hugely successful “Pork in the Park” event in Salisbury will help organize this event in Crisfield. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, this is one of over 500 events they sanction worldwide for barbeque and grilling enthusiasts. (For more information about KCBS, see https://www.kcbs.us/about.php.) In addition to the competition, there will be bands, vendors, and other fun and games. It is a two-day event and will be held at Somers Cove Marina on Friday and Saturday, August 17-18. Mark your calendars, people!  

CRAB DERBY EXTENDED:

• The Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce is planning to extend Crab Derby to a weeklong event. It’s always been a three-day event – Friday-Saturday-Sunday of Labor Day weekend –  but the Chamber sees an opportunity to build on the event and add more activities so that people will come for the whole week. I commend them for their initiative and will let you know more about what they are planning when the details are firm.

MORE CARRIAGE RIDES:

• The Chamber of Commerce has also been working with R & B Carriage Service to bring their horse-drawn rides to Crisfield, starting in May. They are currently in the process of planning the route for rides, which will likely include a stop at the Smith Island Baking Company.  Crisfield Heritage Foundation has also joined in the discussion with some ideas for incorporating heritage tours. Rides were sponsored by Water’s Edge Cafe last December and were a big hit. This is exciting news for Crisfield!

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

• The Arts & Entertainment effort continues at a fast pace, thanks to the combined effort of the Crisfield Arts & Entertainment District Project – CAED, the newly founded 501(c)(3) – Jennifer Merritt, and the many community members who have participated in Application Committee meetings. The City approved real property tax credits, income tax modifications for artists, and exemption from the Admission and Amusement Tax for those who make property improvements and open an arts-related business in the A&E District. The County Commissioners are expected to make a decision next week on giving their approval to the tax incentives Crisfield adopted. Jen reports that there have been a number of contacts received from prospective business people about locating in our A&E District. That’s exactly what you hope for when you start an A&E District. In addition, 63 (!) artists have registered on the Crisfield Arts website. Although that is a substantial number, she would like to see even more registrations from Crisfield artists. You can view the list of registered artists at: crisfieldarts.org/artists and also register on the website. This is another big leap forward for Crisfield and will lend a real boost to tourism here as it does in other cities.

GOLF CARTS:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt reported that the Golf Cart legislation to make golf carts legal on all city streets in Crisfield has passed the Senate on Third Reader. However, the House Committee had a lot of questions and clarifications. Hopefully those have been resolved when it comes before them today (Thursday, March 1).

NEW KAYAK LAUNCH:

• The City’s updated grant application to establish a kayak launch near the site of our wind turbine was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works last week. Mr. Pollitt said now that the site has been chosen and the funds have been approved, the City will be working to get this project moving as quickly as possible. It would be great to have it ready for use this summer.

GCAC and the CITY:

• City Manager Rick Pollitt has scheduled a meeting with representatives of the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition and representatives of the City on Monday, March 12. For the first time, this meeting will be led by facilitators from Tri-Community Mediation. Mr. Pollitt believes this will accelerate the effort to find a way for GCAC and the City to work together in the future.  Councilman Mark Konapelsky is pushing for progress on this front. He said: “After watching GCAC grow through the years, persevering despite challenges, and bringing in more leaders from the community onto its Board, I realize it’s time to develop a relationship with this organization so we can have a stronger, better Crisfield. Their work as a community development corporation for Crisfield can complement the work the City does. We need to develop an agreement that spells out how it will work because I’m convinced we need that group of people behind City Hall to move Crisfield forward. Let’s get it done!”

Vincent Van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small steps brought together.” In Crisfield, it’s a combination of new businesses, new events, new A&E District, and new collaborations that strengthen the effort and increase the result. This is an exciting time for Crisfield. This is a building time. It’s a time of coming together in unity as ONE CRISFIELD, and it’s powerful! It hasn’t been easy getting to this point, so let’s enjoy it, make the most of it, and celebrate together as things unfold.

Best,
​
Charlotte